1.Dynamic Interactions Between Hemispheres Reveal a Compensatory Pathway for Motor Recovery in Moderate-to-Severe Subcortical Stroke
Huaxin FAN ; Hewei WANG ; Zhengxu LIAN ; Qiurong YU ; Xinran WU ; Nanyu KUANG ; Benjamin BECKER ; Jianfeng FENG ; Mingxia FAN ; Lili SONG ; Limin SUN ; Jie ZHANG ; Craig S. ANDERSON
Journal of Stroke 2026;28(1):97-114
Background:
and Purpose Therapeutic target selection in noninvasive brain stimulation for poststroke motor recovery typically relies on the interhemispheric inhibition model, which is effective for mildly affected patients but offers limited benefits for severely affected individuals. The mechanisms governing recovery from moderate-to-severe stroke remain poorly understood, which hinders the development of targeted interventions.
Methods:
We analyzed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from patients with unilateral subcortical stroke and moderate-to-severe upper limb deficits, both pre- and postintervention, along with data from healthy controls. We developed a novel dynamic lag analysis method for identifying recovery-related homotopic sensorimotor regions with altered interhemispheric interactions. To further uncover the global reorganization pathway, we developed dynamic lateralization approaches to detect large-scale functional connectivity (FC) alterations associated with the identified regions in transient lateralization states.
Results:
Dynamic time-lag analysis revealed significantly reduced synchronized states in the homotopic dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) post-intervention compared with pre-intervention, which correlated with motor recovery. Further dynamic lateralization analysis revealed a prolonged segregation state in patients, characterized by weakened interhemispheric and strengthened intrahemispheric interactions. In this state, patients showed decreased FC in the ipsilesional PMd and increased FC in the contralesional PMd with bilateral subcortical networks. These recoveryrelated alterations were absent in the traditional static analysis.
Conclusions
Dynamic analyses targeting interhemispheric interactions are valuable for understanding neural reorganization after stroke. The diminished interactions between the homotopic PMd indicate a compensatory mechanism. Importantly, a state-dependent compensatory pathway was identified, wherein the contralesional PMd assumes the functions of the ipsilesional PMd through enhanced interactions with subcortical structures, potentially guiding more effective interventions.
2.Investigation of Mechanism of Simiaowan in Promoting Intestinal Uric Acid Excretion in Hyperuricemic Rats by Inhibiting Ferroptosis of Intestinal Epithelial Cells via SLC7A11/GPX4 Signaling Pathway
Zhongyou ZHANG ; Huilin FENG ; Lian DUAN ; Xuping FAN ; Shaoang DONG ; Lingchun WANG ; Bowen YE ; Hao DAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(18):151-161
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Simiao Wan improve intestinal uric acid excretion in hyperuricemic (HUA) rats by inhibiting ferroptosis via the solute carrier family 7 member 11/glutathione peroxidase 4 (SLC7A11/GPX4) signaling pathway. MethodsForty-eight male SD rats were randomly assigned to a normal group, a model group, a low-dose Simiao Wan group (282.6 mg·kg-1), a high-dose Simiao Wan group (565.2 mg·kg-1), an etoricoxib group (5.4 mg·kg-1), and a ferroptosis inhibitor (Fer-1) group (2 mg·kg-1). Except for the normal group, rats in all other groups were intraperitoneally injected with potassium oxonate (100 mg·kg-1) combined with intragastric administration of hypoxanthine (500 mg·kg-1) to establish the HUA rat model. After 21 days, rats in each administration group received the corresponding dose of drug by gavage, rats in the Fer-1 group received intraperitoneal injection of Fer-1, and rats in the normal and model groups were given an equal volume of normal saline by gavage. After sampling, serum levels of uric acid (SUA), creatinine (Cr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured using biochemical assays. The content of ferrous ion (Fe2+), reduced glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in ileal tissues were determined. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe the histopathological changes in the ileum, and transmission electron microscopy was used to observe mitochondrial alterations in the ileal tissue. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot were used to detect the protein expression levels of GPX4, ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4), SLC7A11, and ATP-binding cassette transporter G2 (ABCG2) in ileal tissue. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to determine the mRNA expression of GPX4, FTH1, ACSL4, SLC7A11, and ABCG2 in the ileal tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group exhibited significantly elevated serum UA, Cr, and BUN levels (P<0.01), significantly increased content of MDA and Fe2+ in ileal tissue, and significantly decreased GSH content and SOD activity (P<0.01). HE staining showed extensive shedding of the ileal villous epithelium, disrupted and disorganized villous structure, and incomplete local tissue architecture. Transmission electron microscopy revealed reduced mitochondrial volume, decreased or even vanished cristae, indicating ultrastructural features characteristic of ferroptosis. Molecular and immunohistochemical results demonstrated that the protein and mRNA expression levels of GPX4, FTH1, SLC7A11, and ABCG2 were significantly downregulated, whereas those of ACSL4 were significantly upregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, after intervention with Simiao Wan, the serum UA, Cr, and BUN levels significantly decreased in all dose groups (P<0.05,P<0.01), the MDA and Fe2+ content in ileal tissues were significantly reduced (P<0.01), and the GSH content and SOD activity significantly increased (P<0.01). HE staining showed that the shedding of ileal villous epithelium was markedly alleviated, the villous structure became relatively intact and regularly arranged, and local tissue damage was obviously improved. Transmission electron microscopy showed attenuated mitochondrial damage, improvement in mitochondrial shrinkage, and partial restoration of mitochondrial cristae. Molecular and immunohistochemical results showed that Simiao Wan upregulated GPX4, FTH1, SLC7A11, and ABCG2, and downregulated ACSL4 in a dose-dependent manner. In the high‑dose group, all indices improved significantly (P<0.05,P<0.01), whereas in the low‑dose group, only improving trends were observed for FTH1, SLC7A11 mRNA, and ABCG2 protein. ConclusionSimiao Wan may inhibit ferroptosis of ileal epithelial cells by regulating the SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway, and upregulate the expression of the uric acid transporter ABCG2, thereby promoting intestinal uric acid excretion and improving HUA.
4.Non-Down-syndrome-related acute megakaryoblastic leukemia in children: a clinical analysis of 17 cases.
Ding-Ding CUI ; Ye-Qing TAO ; Xiao-Pei JIA ; An-Na LIAN ; Qiu-Xia FAN ; Dao WANG ; Xue-Ju XU ; Guang-Yao SHENG ; Chun-Mei WANG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(9):1113-1118
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the clinical features and prognosis of children with non-Down-syndrome-related acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (non-DS-AMKL).
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical data of 17 children with non-DS-AMKL who were admitted to Children's Hospital of The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2013 to December 2023, and their clinical features, treatment, and prognosis were summarized.
RESULTS:
Among the 17 children with non-DS-AMKL, there were 8 boys and 9 girls. Fourteen patients had an onset age of less than 36 months, with a median age of 21 months (range:13-145 months). Immunophenotyping results showed that 16 children were positive for CD61 and 13 were positive for CD41. The karyotype analysis was performed on 16 children, with normal karyotype in 6 children and abnormal karyotype in 9 children, among whom 5 had complex karyotype and 1 had no mitotic figure. Detected fusion genes included EVI1, NUP98-KDM5A, KDM5A-MIS18BP1, C22orf34-BRD1, WT1, and MLL-AF9. Genetic alterations included TET2, D7S486 deletion (suggesting 7q-), CSF1R deletion, and PIM1. All 17 children received chemotherapy, among whom 16 (94%) achieved complete remission after one course of induction therapy, and 1 child underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and remained alive and disease-free. Of all children, 7 experienced recurrence, among whom 1 child received HSCT and died of graft-versus-host disease. At the last follow-up, six patients remained alive and disease-free.
CONCLUSIONS
Non-DS-AMKL primarily occurs in children between 1 and 3 years of age. The patients with this disorder have a high incidence rate of chromosomal abnormalities, with complex karyotypes in most patients. Some patients harbor fusion genes or gene mutations. Although the initial remission rate is high, the long-term survival rate remains low.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Leukemia, Megakaryoblastic, Acute/etiology*
;
Child, Preschool
;
Infant
;
Child
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Prognosis
;
Down Syndrome/complications*
5.Analysis for the value of digital mammography combined with serum CHAC1 and RAI14 in differentiating benign and malignant breast masses
Limin YAO ; Jianxia HUANG ; Hongrui FAN ; Jingjuan DONG ; Wenzheng DU ; Xiaoxiao LIAN
China Medical Equipment 2025;22(3):43-47
Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of digital mammography combined with serum glutathione specific gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase 1(CHAC1)and retinoic acid-induced protein 14(RAI14)in identifying benign and malignant breast masses.Methods:A total of 189 patients with breast masses who were treated at Handan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from June 2019 to June 2024 were prospectively selected as the research subjects.According to the results of pathological biopsy,they were divided into benign mass group(128 cases)and malignant mass group(61 cases).All patients underwent digital mammography detection.The levels of serum CHAC1 and RAI14 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The general clinical data of the patients were collected and analyzed.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the factors of influencing benign and malignant nature of breast masses.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to analyze the diagnostic value of CHAC1 and RAI14 for the benign and malignant nature of breast masses.The Kappa test was used to assess the consistency of results between each diagnostic method and the pathological detection.Results:For 189 patients with breast masses,digital mammography identified 56 cases of malignant masses and 133 cases of benign masses,and 13 cases of them were misdiagnosis and 18 cases of them were missed diagnosis.It showed a moderate consistency with the results of pathological detection(Kappa=0.617,P<0.05).Compared with the benign mass group,the levels of serum CHAC1 and RAI14 in the malignant mass group were significantly higher,and the differences of them between the two groups were statistically significant(t=12.249,12.512,P<0.05).The age,menopausal time,CHAC1 and RAI14 of the patients were all risk factors that can affect the benign and malignant nature of breast masses(OR=1.368,1.305,1.897,1.995,P<0.05).The area under curve(AUC),sensitivity and specificity of CHAC1 were respectively 0.816(95%CI:0.753~0.868),70.49%and 89.06%in diagnosing the benign and malignant nature of breast masses.These indicators of RAI14 were respectively 0.838(95%CI:0.778~0.888),68.85%and 89.84%in diagnosing the benign and malignant nature.The combined detection of the three methods identified 74 cases of malignant masses and 115 cases of benign masses,with 15 cases of misdiagnosis and 2 cases of missed diagnosis,which showed an extremely high consistency with the results of pathological detection(Kappa=0.805,P<0.001).The sensitivity(96.72%),negative predictive value(98.26%)and accuracy(91.01%)of the combined detection of digital mammography,serum CHAC1 and RAI14 were significantly higher than those of each alone detection of them,and the differences of them were significant(x2=15.310,16.623,15.310,11.690,12.402,11.572,5.276,5.276,4.677,P<0.05).Conclusion:The levels of serum CHAC1 and RAI14 appear increase in malignant breast masses,and digital mammography combined with serum CHAC1 and RAI14 has a certain of identification value for benign and malignant nature of breast masses.
6.A case-control study on association between shift work and type 2 diabetes mellitus
Can LIU ; Jing FAN ; Weile WU ; Wenjiong LIANG ; Yulong LIAN ; Suzhen GUAN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(7):827-832
Background With economic development and globalization, shift work has become prevalent across industries. Its relationship with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) attracts increasing attention. Objective To thoroughly explore the relationship between shift work and T2DM, and analyze the impacts of specific shift patterns on T2DM, so as to provide a basis for formulating reasonable shift schedules. Methods We conducted a 1:2 matched case-control study among adults (20-60 years) who ordered occupational health examinations at the Wuxi No.8 People's Hospital from November to December 2023. The case group comprised 200 T2DM patients, while the controls were 400 age-stratified matched non-diabetic individuals. General demographic characteristics, behavioral habits, medical history, and shift work exposure data (including shift patterns, frequency, and length of service) 5 years prior to diagnosis were collected through standardized questionnaires. Logistic regression adjusted for selected confounders was employed to evaluate the association between shift work and T2DM. Results The logistic regression analysis demonstrated that shift work was associated with an increased risk of T2DM. After adjusting for confounding factors, shift workers had a 3.55 times higher risk of being diagnosed T2DM compared to non-shift workers (OR=3.55, 95%CI: 1.026, 12.263). The risk varied across different shift patterns, and the three-shift two-rotation system showed the highest risk (OR=4.17, 95%CI: 1.921, 9.035), followed by the two-shift system (OR=2.94, 95%CI: 2.016, 4.281) and four-shift three-rotation system (OR=2.66, 95%CI: 1.611, 6.093). Workers with more than 3 monthly shift days had a 2.74-fold increased risk (95%CI: 1.658, 4.512) compared to non-shift workers. Additionally, working more than 8 h daily (OR=1.74, 95%CI: 1.185, 2.562) and having more than 20 years of service (OR=2.51, 95%CI: 1.581, 3.976) were both significantly associated with a higher T2DM risk. The trend tests revealed that each incremental increase in monthly shift days and length of service elevated T2DM risk by 2.61 times (95%CI: 1.813, 3.765) and 1.49 times (95%CI: 1.147, 1.931), respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion Shift work is an independent risk factor for T2DM, with three-shift two-rotation system posing the highest risk. Shift frequency, daily working hours, and length of service are all significant factors affecting the risk of T2DM. These findings support industry-specific shift policy reform and targeted glucose monitoring and health interventions are recommended for workers engaged in high-risk shift patterns (e.g., three-shift two-rotation system, frequent shifts) and those with prolonged shift work history (>20 years).
7.Riboflavin metabolism involved into comparison of therapeutic action of wild-simulated and transplanted Astragali Radix to treat chronic atrophic gastritis rats based on endogenous-xenobiotics metabolism.
Kaidi FAN ; Xu LIAN ; Weicong ZHANG ; Xuemei QIN ; Yuetao LIU
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2025;17(3):513-528
OBJECTIVE:
Astragali Radix (AR, Huangqi in Chinese) has been utilized generally as a bulk drug for the treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) in China. The efficacy of wild-simulated AR (WAR) and transplanted AR (TAR) commercially available is unclear. This study aimed to further clarify the therapeutic action of WAR and TAR to treat CAG rats based on endogenous-xenobiotics metabolism.
METHODS:
Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometer (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS) based metabolomics had been used to analyze the cecal contents metabolic features and metabolic process differences of two ARs in the treatment of CAG.
RESULTS:
Apparent pharmacodynamic indicator examination revealed that the WAR group had a more substantial curative effect. Metabolomics studies revealed that seven endogenous metabolites were significant differences in two ARs. Furthermore, following treatment, 77 and 65 xenobiotics metabolites were identified in the WAR and TAR groups, respectively. Finally, the most critical riboflavin metabolic route in the formation of CAG was chosen for molecular docking with the relevant exogenous components, and WAR scored higher than TAR.
CONCLUSION
In this work, we analyzed the efficacy differences of AR from diverse cultivation forms by combining metabolomics and medicinal chemistry technologies, and it gave a fresh perspective for TCM efficacy evaluation and quality control research.
8.Research progress on bone morphogenetic proteins and oral squamous cell carcinoma
Fu &rsquo ; ao Xing ; Faming Tian ; Qiangqiang Lian ; Xinhao Fan
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(10):1979-1983
Abstract
Oral cavity cancer is the sixth-leading cancer worldwide, which has become one of the important factors affecting oral health. The morbidity of oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC) accounts for nearly 80% of oral cavity cancer. The pathogenesis and prevention of OSCC have become a hot topic in this field. Previous studies have shown that bone morphogenetic proteins(BMPs) participated in the development, invasion and metastasis of gastric and bone cancers, thereby impacting the prognosis of the patients. Recent studies have found that BMPs also play a key role in the development, progression, metastasis, and invasion of OSCC, This review therefore summarizes the correlation and molecular mechanism between BMPs and the biological behavior of OSCC.
9.Natural killer cell-derived granzyme B as a therapeutic target for alleviating graft injury during liver transplantation.
Kai WANG ; Zhoucheng WANG ; Xin SHAO ; Lijun MENG ; Chuanjun LIU ; Nasha QIU ; Wenwen GE ; Yutong CHEN ; Xiao TANG ; Xiaodong WANG ; Zhengxing LIAN ; Ruhong ZHOU ; Shusen ZHENG ; Xiaohui FAN ; Xiao XU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5277-5293
Liver transplantation (LT) has become a standard treatment for end-stage liver diseases, and graft injury is intricately associated with poor prognosis. Granzyme B (GZMB) plays a vital role in natural killer (NK) cell biology, but whether NK-derived GZMB affects graft injury remains elusive. Through the analysis of single-cell RNA-sequencing data obtained from human LT grafts and the isolation of lymphocytes from mouse livers following ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), we demonstrated that 2NK cells with high expression of GZMB are enriched in patients and mice. Both systemically and liver-targeted depletion of NK cells led to a notable reduction in GZMB+ cell infiltration, subsequently resulting in diminished graft injury. Notably, the reconstitution of Il2rg -/- Rag2 -/- mice with purified Gzmb-KO NK cells demonstrated superior outcomes compared to those with wild-type NK cells. Crucially, global knockout of GZMB and pharmacological inhibition exhibited remarkable improvements in liver function in both mouse IRI and rat LT models. Moreover, a phosphorylated derivative of FDA-approved vidarabine was identified as an effective inhibitor of mouse GZMB activity by molecular dynamics, which could provide a potential avenue for therapeutic intervention. Therefore, targeting NK cell-derived GZMB during the LT process suggests potential therapeutic strategies to improve post-transplant outcomes.
10.Application effect of emergency risk management mode in emergency treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction and its safety
Fan LI ; Lian-hua SHEN ; Ying LIU
Chinese Journal of cardiovascular Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;34(3):327-332
Objective:To explore the application effect of emergency risk management in emergency treatment of pa-tients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI)and its safety.Methods:This randomized controlled study enrolled 103 AMI patients admitted in Haian People's Hospital between April 2020 and January 2023.Patients were divided into intervention group(n=51)and control group(n=52).Patients in intervention group received emergency risk management measures,while those in control group received routine management measures.Rescue quality,heart function,scores of Connor-Davidson resilience scale(CD-RISC),coronary self-management scale(CSMS)and incidence of adverse events were compared between two groups.Results:Compared to patients in the control group,those in intervention group had significant higher rescue success rate(96.0%vs.46.0%),and significant lower emergency stop time[(23.01±2.77)h vs.(36.61±3.00)h]and length of stay[(8.74±2.68)d vs.(15.52±2.91)d](P<0.001 all).Compared with patients in the control group,those in the intervention group had significant lower cardiac troponin I(cTnI)[(0.48±0.28)ng/L vs.(1.05±0.57)ng/L],heart rate(HR)[(68.13±1.88)beats/min vs.(84.87±1.59)beats/min],left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDd)[(40.98±0.58)mm vs.(52.09±0.55)mm]and left atrial volume index(LAVI)[(27.07±0.58)ml/m2 vs.(36.86±0.65)ml/m2],and significant higher left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)[(67.93±0.56)%vs.(56.91±0.59)%](P<0.001all).Compared with patients in the control group,those in the intervention group had significant higher scores of CD-RISC[(98.10±1.61)points vs.(71.33±1.87)points]and CSMS[(131.58±1.76)points vs.(111.82±1.75)points](P<0.001 all),and significant lower incidence of adverse events(4.0%vs.16.0%,P=0.046).Conclusion:Emergency risk management may improve the rescue quality and en-hance cardiac function,and help to improve the psychological resilience and self-management ability in patients with acute myocardial infarction.


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