1.Research on the correlation between Ddit3-Trib3-Akt signaling pathway and spermatogenesis in rats based on the testicular tissue co-culture system
Yan LI ; Shanshan LIU ; Lin GAO ; Lingyi KONG ; Xia YUN ; Yan ZHANG ; Taodi LIU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(1):91-97
ObjectiveTo verify the association between the Ddit3-Trib3-Akt signaling pathway and rat spermatogenesis by constructing an in vitro co-culture system of testis. MethodsTesticular tissue blocks from 20-25-day-old male rats were placed in an in vitro culture system, and the culture medium was replaced every 2 to 3 days. PCR was used to verify the expression of marker genes of various spermatogenic cells. RNA interference technology was employed to verify the correlation between the Ddit3-Trib3-Akt signaling pathway and rat spermatogenesis. ResultsThe co-culture system could be continuously cultured for more than 2.5 months in vitro. RT-PCR showed that specific marker genes of spermatogonia, spermatocyte and spermoblast were expressed. The RNA and protein expression of Trib3 and Akt changed after the knocking down of Ddit3 and Trib3, respectively. It demonstrated the existence of Ddit3-Trib3-Akt signaling pathway in rat spermatogenesis. ConclusionThe culture time of more than 2.5 months indicates that the culture system can temporarily maintain the proliferation and differentiation of stem cells, and simultaneously maintain and stabilize spermatogenesis in a simple system. The successful validation of the Ddit3-Trib3-Akt signaling pathway also confirms that this culture system can be used to study possible molecular mechanisms of spermatogenesis in vitro.
2.Ameliorative effect and mechanism of vitexin on inflammation in ulcerative colitis mice
Lin ZHOU ; Pengfei XIA ; Yuling LIU ; Zhichao MENG ; Geng LI ; Yuanyuan YU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(6):758-763
OBJECTIVE To explore the ameliorative effect and potential mechanism of vitexin on inflammation in ulcerative colitis (UC) mice. METHODS The UC mice model was established by continuous administration of 3% dextran sulfate sodium solution for 5 days. Mice with successful modeling were randomly divided into UC group, vitexin low- and high-dose groups (vitexin-L and vitexin-H groups, 40, 80 mg/kg), mesalazine group (400 mg/kg), and vitexin-H+recombinant Jagged canonical Notch ligand 1 (rJagged-1) group (vitexin-H+rJagged-1 group, 80 mg/kg vitexin+1 mg/kg rJagged-1), with 12 mice in each group. Another 12 normal mice were used as the control (CK) group. Mice in each group were administered the corresponding drugs or the corresponding drugs and normal saline by gavage and intraperitoneal injection once daily for 7 consecutive days. General conditions were observed during the experiment. At 24 h after the last administration, the disease activity index (DAI) score was evaluated. Colonic histopathological morphology was observed and scored. Macrophage polarization levels in the spleen and colon tissues were measured. The protein expressions of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β 1 (TGF-β 1 ), Jagged-1, Notch1 and Notch intracellular domain (NICD) in colonic tissues were determined. RESULTS Compared with the UC group, the symptoms (reduced food and water intake, dull fur, etc.) and pathological changes (epithelial cell shedding, inflammatory cell infiltration, etc.) were significantly improved in the vitexin-L, vitexin-H and mesalazine groups. DAI scores, colonic histopathological scores, M1 macrophage contents in spleen tissue, M1/M2 macrophage ratios, M1 macrophage proportions in colon tissue, and protein expressions of IL-6, TNF-α, Jagged-1, Notch1 and NICD in colon tissue were significantly decreased ( P <0.05). Meanwhile, the M2 macrophage contents in spleen tissue, M2 macrophage proportions in colon tissue, and protein expressions of IL-10 and TGF-β 1 in colon tissue were significantly increased ( P <0.05). Moreover, the improvement effects in the vitexin-H and mesalazine groups were significantly superior to those in the vitexin-L group ( P <0.05). Compared with the vitexin-H group, the above symptoms and pathological changes were aggravated, and all quantitative indicators were significantly reversed in the vitexin-H+rJagged-1 group ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Vitexin can ameliorate the inflammation of UC mice, which is associated with its inhibition of the Jagged-1/Notch1 pathway and regulation of macrophage polarization (inhibition of M1-type polarization and promotion of M2-type polarization).
3.The Neural Circuit Characteristics of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Over The Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex for The Treatment of Migraine
Chen-Xia JIN ; Bo-Lin TAN ; Yang YE ; Ji-Qing HE ; Ling-Yan WANG ; Zhong-Ming GAO ; Yu-Jun WANG ; Hui-Li LIU ; Yong-Xing YAN ; Xian-Wei CHE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):1953-1968
ObjectiveMigraine is a leading neurological disorder and the fourth most common cause of years lived with disability worldwide, affecting nearly 116 million individuals. Although pharmacological treatments are available, their efficacy is often limited by side effects and variable response rates. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) offers a safe, non-invasive alternative for migraine management. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms, particularly how rTMS modulates local cortical excitability and distributed pain-related circuits, remain poorly understood. Elucidating these mechanisms is essential for optimizing treatment protocols and improving clinical outcomes. MethodsThis study employed concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) to investigate neuroplastic and neurocircuitry mechanisms of DLPFC-rTMS in migraine. Study 1 compared 30 migraineurs and 28 healthy controls to identify abnormalities in TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs) and significant current density (SCD) within sensory-discriminative regions including the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and posterior insula (pINS), cognitive-affective regions including the anterior insula (aINS) and midcingulate cortex (MCC), and a descending modulatory region, the periaqueductal gray (PAG). Study 2 used a single-blind, crossover, sham-controlled design in 34 healthy participants. Each participant received both active (10 Hz, 80% RMT, 1 500 pulses) and sham DLPFC-rTMS in counterbalanced order. TMS-EEG and cold pain tolerance were assessed before and after each session. ResultsIn Study 1, migraineurs showed a significantly less negative N120 amplitude compared to healthy controls (P=0.027, Cohen’s d=0.60), indicating local intracortical disinhibition. No group differences were observed for N40, P60, or P180 components. At the source level, migraineurs exhibited significantly higher SCD in the S1, pINS, aINS, and MCC (allQ<0.05), but not in the ventroposterior thalamus (vpTHAL), mediodorsal thalamus (mdTHAL), or PAG. In Study 2, active rTMS significantly reduced SCD from pre- to post-stimulation in the S1, aINS, and MCC (all Q<0.05). Sham stimulation also reduced SCD in the S1 (Q<0.05) but not in the aINS or MCC. Although no significant group-level analgesic effect was observed between active and sham conditions (P=0.107), correlation analyses revealed that greater SCD reductions in the S1 and MCC were significantly associated with higher post-rTMS pain tolerance (R=-0.487 and -0.495, both Q<0.01) and larger improvements in pain tolerance(R=-0.487 and -0.451, both Q<0.05). No such correlations were found following sham stimulation, suggesting that the behavioural relevance of neural changes is specific to active rTMS. ConclusionThis study provides novel evidence that migraineurs exhibit both local neuroplastic abnormalities (reduced N120 amplitude) and hyperactivity in key pain-processing regions (S1, pINS, aINS, MCC). A single session of DLPFC-rTMS reduced hyperactivity in the aINS, MCC, and S1. Notably, greater reductions in the S1 and MCC were associated with improved pain tolerance. These findings identify distinct cortical circuitries, particularly within the cognitive-affective pain network, that may serve as potential biomarkers for optimizing rTMS treatment in migraine and other chronic pain conditions. Future studies should validate these results in patient populations experiencing spontaneous migraine attacks and explore multi-session or accelerated rTMS protocols.
4.Surveillance of soil-transmitted nematodiasis in Hubei Province from 2016 to 2023
Juan ZHANG ; Wen LIN ; Hong ZHU ; Lun WAN ; Jia YI ; Dongni WU ; Jing XIA ; Li TANG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(3):287-292
Objective To investigate the prevalence of soil-transmitted nematode human infections in Hubei Province from 2016 to 2023, so as to provide insights into formulation of soil-transmitted nematodiasis control strategies and evaluation of soil-transmitted nematodiasis control effectiveness. Methods There were 10 surveillance points established in Hubei Province for soil-transmitted nematodiasis each year from 2016 to 2023. The surveillance points were divided into eastern, western, southern, northern and central regions according to geographical locations, and one administrative village was sampled from a township in each region as a surveillance point. Then, at least 200 permanent residents at ages of over 3 years were randomly sampled at each point, with at least 1 000 individuals sampled. Soil-transmitted nematode infection was detected using a modified Kato-Katz thick smear method (two slides for one stool sample), and Enterobius vermicularis infection was additionally detected with a cellophane tape test among children at ages of 3 to 9 years. The prevalence of soil-transmitted nematode human infections was descriptively analyzed. Results A total of 80 547 individuals underwent surveillance for soil-transmitted nematodiasis in Hubei Province from 2016 to 2023, and a total of 262 individuals were detected with soil-transmitted nematode infections, including two cases with mixed infections, yielding an overall prevalence rate of 0.33% (262/80 547). The prevalence rates of hookworm, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and E. vermicularis infections were 0.02% (20/80 547), 0.07% (55/80 547), 0.02% (15/80 547) and 0.22% (174/80 547), respectively, appearing a parasite species-specific prevalence rate (χ2 = 250.235, P < 0.05), and the prevalence rates of soil-transmitted nematode infections were 0.50%(51/10271),0.37%(34/9120),0.39%(39/10099),0.40%(41/10168), 0.36% (37/10 234), 0.45% (46/10 211), 0.03% (3/10 238) and 0.11% (11/10 206) in Hubei Province from 2016 to 2023, respectively, showing a year-specific prevalence rate (χ2 = 60.589, P < 0.05). Soil-transmitted nematode infections were detected across 36 surveillance points, and there was a significant difference in the prevalence of soil-transmitted nematode infections among surveillance points (0.02% to 3.30%, P < 0.001). In addition, the differences in prevalence rates of human soil-transmitted nematode infection among different age groups (χ2 = 531.091, P < 0.05), occupations (P < 0.001), and education levels (P < 0.001) were all statistically significant. Among these, the children at ages of 3 to 9 years old (1.40%, 174/12 461), nursery-school children (1.69%, 90/5 312) and preschool-aged children (1.56%, 93/5 969) were relatively high. Conclusions The overall prevalence of soil-transmitted nematodiasis was low in Hubei Province from 2016 to 2023; however, the prevalence varied across regions and among populations, with E. vermicularis as the predominant species of soil-transmitted nematode. Soil-transmitted nematodiasis control should be given a high priority in key areas in Hubei Province, and preschool children, primary school students, and individuals with a low educational level are recommended as key target populations for health education and interventions.
5.Exploration of regular assessment management model for occupational disease diagnosticians in Guangdong Province
Xiaoyi LI ; Li HUANG ; Lin XU ; Lijun YE ; Zhengdu LAI ; Bin LI ; Xijin SHE ; Lihua XIA ; Shijie HU
China Occupational Medicine 2026;53(1):108-112
Occupational disease diagnostician (ODD) is the core technology professional who is responsible for occupational disease diagnosis and identification and the main inspection work for occupational medical examination. The implementation of regular assessment management for ODDs is a key component of standardized workforce management, which facilitates dynamic evaluation of professional competence, regulation of medical practice, and assurance of medical safety. Since January 2025, Guangdong Province has implemented regular assessment management for ODDs within its administrative region. The assessment adopts an integrated model consisting of three components including professional competency evaluation, performance appraisal, and professional ethics evaluation, with each assessment cycle lasting three years. ODDs who passed all three components are classified as qualified ODD, whereas those who failed to pass any one of the three components result in an unqualified assessment outcome. In the implementation of ODD regular assessment management, Guangdong Province has emphasized integrating assessment with quality evaluation, strengthening full-cycle supervision of ODDs′ professional conduct, optimizing assessment strategies for special groups of ODDs, and reinforcing the primary management responsibility of medical institutions. Meanwhile, ODDs′ professional competence, service quality, and professional integrity have been continuously promoted by adopting human-computer interactive assessments, information-based assessment management, and "elimination" mechanism.
6.Reconstructing The Testicular Niche: Mechanisms and Translational Perspectives of Stem Cell-derived Testicular Organoids
Xia DONG ; Tai-Zeng ZHOU ; Lin-Yuan SHEN ; Li ZHU ; Mai-Lin GAN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(8):2242-2246
Mammalian male germline development depends on a specialized gonadal somatic microenvironment. However, itsin vitro reconstruction remains challenging. Major barriers include the generation of appropriate supporting-cell lineages, organized tissue architecture, and culture conditions that sustain germ-cell maturation. Yoshino et al. established a mouse pluripotent stem cell-derived testicular organoid model. This model reconstitutes the sex-determining region Y (Sry)-SRY-box transcription factor 9 (Sox9)‑mediated sex-determination program and generates testicular somatic cell-like cells (TesLCs). When assembled with primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs), TesLCs formed seminiferous tubule-like structures and supported male germline progression toward prospermatogonia and germline stem cell-like cells (GSCLCs). After transplantation into infertile recipient testes, organoid-derived GSCLCs produced fertilization-competent sperm and generated fertile offspring. The major significance of this work extends beyond sperm production. It integrates sex determination, germ-cell fate transition, and testicular niche self-organization into an experimentally tractable organoid system. This commentary discusses the technical strategy, sex-determination mechanism, value of testicular niche reconstruction, and translational limitations of this study. It also highlights its implications for in vitro gametogenesis, male infertility modeling, and reproductive medicine.
7.Analysis of screening myopia and its influencing factors among children and adolescents in Tianhe District, Guangzhou during 2021-2024
ZENG Xia, LIN Yinglin, SUN Shihong, LI Biao, LEI Ying, LIN Rong, CAI Wenfeng
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(8):1091-1095
Objective:
To investigate the annual trend and influencing factors of screening myopia prevalence among children and adolescents in Tianhe District, Guangzhou from 2021 to 2024, so as to provide a scientific basis for optimizing targeted and precise regional myopia prevention and control strategies.
Methods:
From 2021 to 2024, a stratified cluster random sampling method was adopted to recruit 10 132 students ranging from senior kindergarten to senior high school from fixed monitoring sites for myopia screening. Additionally, a questionnaire survey on myopia related factors was administered to 7 115 students in grade 4 and above. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to analyze the annual changing trends and interaction effects, and mixed effects models were performed for sensitivity analysis.
Results:
The screening myopia prevalence among children and adolescents in Tianhe District from 2021 to 2024 was 58.9%, 57.3%, 56.8%, and 54.7%, respectively, and showed a statistically significant difference ( χ 2=9.06, P <0.05). The prevalence rates among senior kindergarten, primary school, junior high school, regular senior high school, and vocational high school students were 8.7%, 40.7%, 74.3%, 86.7%, and 75.6%, respectively (χ 2= 2 493.11, P <0.05). The prevalence was significantly higher in female students (60.9%) than in male students (53.3%) ( χ 2= 59.22 , P <0.05). GEE analysis showed that male students ( OR =0.59), primary school students ( OR =0.45), those who spent less than 6 hours per day sitting indoors ( OR =0.78), and those who used electronic devices for no more than 2 hours per day ( OR = 0.25 ) all had lower risks of screening myopia (all P <0.05). Students in regular high schools ( OR =2.01), those who engaged in activities inside the classroom during breaks ( OR =1.55), those who engaged in activities outside the classroom but within the school building during breaks ( OR = 1.46), those who never or only occasionally maintained proper reading and writing postures ( OR =1.32), those with less than 2 hours of daily outdoor activity ( OR =1.86), those with both parents being myopic ( OR =2.48), those with only the father being myopic ( OR =1.50), and those with only the mother being myopic ( OR =1.63) all had higher risks of screening detected myopia (all P <0.05). Interaction effect analysis revealed annual heterogeneity in the effects of daily outdoor activity time ≥2 h and daily electronic device use time >2 h on screening myopia prevalence (all P <0.05).
Conclusions
The screening myopia prevalence among children and adolescents in Tianhe District, Guangzhou, demonstrates a continuous downward trend. The impacts of daily outdoor activity duration and electronic device usage time on screening myopia exhibit annual heterogeneity. Dynamic and targeted myopia prevention and control strategies should be formulated in accordance with regional demographic features and environmental changes.
8.Effect Analysis of Different Interventions to Improve Neuroinflammation in The Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Jiang-Hui SHAN ; Chao-Yang CHU ; Shi-Yu CHEN ; Zhi-Cheng LIN ; Yu-Yu ZHOU ; Tian-Yuan FANG ; Chu-Xia ZHANG ; Biao XIAO ; Kai XIE ; Qing-Juan WANG ; Zhi-Tao LIU ; Li-Ping LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):310-333
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a central neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment in clinical. Currently, there are no effective treatments for AD. In recent years, a variety of therapeutic approaches from different perspectives have been explored to treat AD. Although the drug therapies targeted at the clearance of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) had made a breakthrough in clinical trials, there were associated with adverse events. Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of AD. Continuous neuroinflammatory was considered to be the third major pathological feature of AD, which could promote the formation of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. At the same time, these toxic substances could accelerate the development of neuroinflammation, form a vicious cycle, and exacerbate disease progression. Reducing neuroinflammation could break the feedback loop pattern between neuroinflammation, Aβ plaque deposition and Tau tangles, which might be an effective therapeutic strategy for treating AD. Traditional Chinese herbs such as Polygonum multiflorum and Curcuma were utilized in the treatment of AD due to their ability to mitigate neuroinflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and indomethacin had been shown to reduce the level of inflammasomes in the body, and taking these drugs was associated with a low incidence of AD. Biosynthetic nanomaterials loaded with oxytocin were demonstrated to have the capability to anti-inflammatory and penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively, and they played an anti-inflammatory role via sustained-releasing oxytocin in the brain. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells could reduce neuroinflammation and inhibit the activation of microglia. The secretion of mesenchymal stem cells could not only improve neuroinflammation, but also exert a multi-target comprehensive therapeutic effect, making it potentially more suitable for the treatment of AD. Enhancing the level of TREM2 in microglial cells using gene editing technologies, or application of TREM2 antibodies such as Ab-T1, hT2AB could improve microglial cell function and reduce the level of neuroinflammation, which might be a potential treatment for AD. Probiotic therapy, fecal flora transplantation, antibiotic therapy, and dietary intervention could reshape the composition of the gut microbiota and alleviate neuroinflammation through the gut-brain axis. However, the drugs of sodium oligomannose remain controversial. Both exercise intervention and electromagnetic intervention had the potential to attenuate neuroinflammation, thereby delaying AD process. This article focuses on the role of drug therapy, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, gut microbiota therapy, exercise intervention, and brain stimulation in improving neuroinflammation in recent years, aiming to provide a novel insight for the treatment of AD by intervening neuroinflammation in the future.
9.Strategies and advances in hepatitis B vaccination in China
Lin TANG ; Xia XU ; Zemei ZHOU ; Xiaoqi WANG ; Jizhen LI ; Zundong YIN ; Fuzhen WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):210-215
Hepatitis B is a major global public health issue. Through the implementation of comprehensive prevention and control strategies centered on hepatitis B vaccination, China has achieved remarkable progress in hepatitis B prevention and control, while there are still many issues and challenges. This article reviews the development of hepatitis B vaccination strategies in China, analyzes the goal and advances in vaccination in different populations, and problems and challenges, in order to provide a reference for further optimizing vaccination strategies and improving the levels of prevention and control.
10.Incidence of healthcare-associated infection based on disease diagnosis-re-lated grouping,case mix index,and relative weight:analysis and its value
Tiantian YU ; Lei HAN ; Lin WANG ; Hui XIA ; Jian LI ; Sha XU ; Fengling ZHOU ; Qiongshu WANG ; Yueping LIU
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2025;24(9):1293-1299
Objective To explore the value of analysis on the incidence of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)based on disease diagnosis-related grouping(DRG),case mix index(CMI),and relative weight(RW).Methods All discharged cases,DRG and HAI status in a tertiary first-class general hospital from January 1 to December 31,2023 were analyzed retrospectively.Incidences of HAI in different departments were adjusted and compared by CMI.Incidences of HAI in different DRG groups were adjusted by RW.Results Among the 47 695 cases included in the analysis,757 were HAI cases,including 225 DRG groups.The department of critical care medicine had the highest incidence of HAI(11.98%).After CMI adjustment,departments with higher incidence of HAI were main-ly the department of respiratory and critical care medicine(3.96%),department of critical care medicine(3.04%),and department of neurology(2.85%),et al.DRG groups with the top five high incidence of HAI were AH11(tracheotomy and with ventilator support ≥96 hours or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation[ECMO],accompa-nied by major complications and comorbidity[MCC],50.00%),BC29(ventricular shunt and revision surgery,31.43%),BB21(craniotomy other than trauma,accompanied by MCC,27.56%),BB11(craniotomy of brain trauma,accompanied by MCC,26.32%),and GB1A(major surgery of esophagus,stomach,and duodenum,accompanied by major or moderate complications and comorbidity,16.00%).After RW adjustment,the DRG groups with the top five high incidence of HAI were ES21(respiratory system infection/inflammation,accompanied by MCC,5.89%),BR21(cerebral ischemic disease,accompanied by MCC,5.17%),FR11(heart failure,shock,accompanied by MCC,4.80%),BC29(4.57%)and AH11(3.57%).Conclusion Analyzing the incidence of HAI based on CMI and RW can help to identify key departments and disease groups for infection prevention and control,and provide reference for precise prevention and control of HAI in the new era.


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