1.Discussion on the Correlation between Qi Deficiency Constitution and Allergic Diseases
Gengshuo MIAO ; Minghua BAI ; Cangmei LIU ; Siying DONG ; Ji WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(15):1522-1527
Based on clinical epidemiological data, it is believed that qi deficiency constitution is closely related to allergic diseases. According to the fundamental principles of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitution theory, the intrinsic connection between qi deficiency constitution and allergic diseases is analyzed from the perspectives of inherited endowment, life process, environmental restriction, and the interplay of form and spirit. This paper discusses the key points of regulating qi deficiency constitution to prevent allergic diseases in three stages, prevention before illness, prevention of disease progression, and prevention of recurrence after recovery. It also distinguishes the treatment directions for regulating qi deficiency constitution to treat allergic diseases based on different disease locations such as the lung, spleen, and kidney. This aims to expand new ideas for the research on qi deficiency constitution and allergic diseases as well as the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases.
2.rTMS Improves Cognitive Function and Brain Network Connectivity in Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease
Gui-Zhi XU ; Lin LIU ; Miao-Miao GUO ; Tian WANG ; Jiao-Jiao GAO ; Yong JI ; Pan WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(8):2131-2145
ObjectiveRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing neurocognitive performance in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but the neurobiological mechanisms linking synaptic pathology, neural oscillatory dynamics, and brain network reorganization remain unclear. This investigation seeks to systematically evaluate the therapeutic potential of rTMS as a non-invasive neuromodulatory intervention through a multimodal framework integrating clinical assessments, molecular profiling, and neurophysiological monitoring. MethodsIn this prospective double-blind trial, 12 AD patients underwent a 14-day protocol of 20 Hz rTMS, with comprehensive multimodal assessments performed pre- and post-intervention. Cognitive functioning was quantified using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Montreal cognitive assessment (MOCA), while daily living capacities and neuropsychiatric profiles were respectively evaluated through the activities of daily living (ADL) scale and combined neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI)-Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD). Peripheral blood biomarkers, specifically Aβ1-40 and phosphorylated tau (p-tau181), were analyzed to investigate the effects of rTMS on molecular metabolism. Spectral power analysis was employed to investigate rTMS-induced modulations of neural rhythms in AD patients, while brain network analyses incorporating topological properties were conducted to examine stimulus-driven network reorganization. Furthermore, systematic assessment of correlations between cognitive scale scores, blood biomarkers, and network characteristics was performed to elucidate cross-modal therapeutic associations. ResultsClinically, MMSE and MOCA scores improved significantly (P<0.05). Biomarker showed that Aβ1-40 level increased (P<0.05), contrasting with p-tau181 reduction. Moreover, the levels of Aβ1-40 were positively correlated with MMSE and MOCA scores. Post-intervention analyses revealed significant modulations in oscillatory power, characterized by pronounced reductions in delta (P<0.05) and theta bands (P<0.05), while concurrent enhancements were observed in alpha, beta, and gamma band activities (all P<0.05). Network analysis revealed frequency-specific reorganization: clustering coefficients were significantly decreased in delta, theta, and alpha bands (P<0.05), while global efficiency improvement was exclusively detected in the delta band (P<0.05). The alpha band demonstrated concurrent increases in average nodal degree (P<0.05) and characteristic path length reduction (P<0.05). Further research findings indicate that the changes in the clinical scale HAMD scores before and after rTMS stimulation are negatively correlated with the changes in the blood biomarkers Aβ1-40 and p-tau181. Additionally, the changes in the clinical scales MMSE and MoCA scores were negatively correlated with the changes in the node degree of the alpha frequency band and negatively correlated with the clustering coefficient of the delta frequency band. However, the changes in MMSE scores are positively correlated with the changes in global efficiency of both the delta and alpha frequency bands. Conclusion20 Hz rTMS targeting dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) significantly improves cognitive function and enhances the metabolic clearance of β-amyloid and tau proteins in AD patients. This neurotherapeutic effect is mechanistically associated with rTMS-mediated frequency-selective neuromodulation, which enhances the connectivity of oscillatory networks through improved neuronal synchronization and optimized topological organization of functional brain networks. These findings not only support the efficacy of rTMS as an adjunctive therapy for AD but also underscore the importance of employing multiple assessment methods—including clinical scales, blood biomarkers, and EEG——in understanding and monitoring the progression of AD. This research provides a significant theoretical foundation and empirical evidence for further exploration of rTMS applications in AD treatment.
4.HOXB13 in cancer development: molecular mechanisms and clinical implications.
Jian ZHANG ; Ying Ju LI ; Bo PENG ; Xuna YANG ; Miao CHEN ; Yongxing LI ; Hengbin GAO ; Haitao LI ; Ji ZHENG
Frontiers of Medicine 2025;19(3):439-455
The transcription factor HOXB13 plays crucial roles in cancer development. HOXB13 is abnormally expressed in most cancers, which makes it a valuable therapeutic target for cancer therapy. The level of HOXB13 differs significantly between healthy and cancer tissues, which indicates that the level of HOXB13 is closely related to carcinogenesis. The regulatory network mediated by HOXB13 in cancer proliferation, metastasis, and invasion has been systematically investigated. Moreover, HOXB13 variants play distinct roles in different cancers and populations. By understanding the molecular mechanisms and mutation features of HOXB13, we provide a comprehensive overview of carcinogenesis networks dependent on HOXB13. Finally, we discuss advancements in anticancer therapy targeting HOXB13 and the roles of HOXB13 in drug resistance to molecular-targeted therapies, which serves as a foundation for developing HOXB13-targeted drugs for clinical diagnosis and cancer therapies.
Humans
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Neoplasms/metabolism*
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Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism*
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Carcinogenesis/genetics*
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Mutation
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Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
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Molecular Targeted Therapy
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Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics*
5.High-risk factors for significant liver histopathological damage in patients with indeterminate phase of chronic HBV infection
Wenchang WANG ; Xuyang LI ; Chunyan WANG ; Mengwen HE ; Yifan GUO ; Yiming FU ; Miao LIU ; Dong JI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(11):2258-2264
ObjectiveTo investigate the features of liver histopathological damage in patients with indeterminate phase of chronic HBV infection, as well as the timing for initiating antiviral therapy in such patients. MethodsA retrospective screening was performed for the patients with chronic HBV infection who were hospitalized in The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital and underwent liver biopsy from March 2018 to April 2022, among whom the patients who met the criteria for indeterminate phase defined in Chinese guidelines for chronic hepatitis B prevention and treatment (2022 edition) were enrolled, and their clinical data were collected. Liver histopathological stage was determined using the Scheuer scoring system, with stages 0 — 4 for inflammation grade (G) and stages 0 — 4 for fibrosis degree (S), and the patients were divided into groups based on the presence of significant necroinflammation (≥G2) and significant liver fibrosis (≥S2). The independent samples t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. A Spearman’s rank correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between liver histopathology and clinical factors, and the Logistic regression model was used to identify the independent influencing factors for significant necroinflammation and liver fibrosis. ResultsA total of 271 patients with indeterminate phase of chronic HBV infection were enrolled, among whom 61 (22.5%) had significant necroinflammation (≥G2) and 124 (45.8%) had significant liver fibrosis (≥S2). The Logistic regression analysis showed that alanine aminotransferase ≥30 U/L (for male patients) or ≥19 U/L (for female patients) (odds ratio [OR]=2.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.39 — 5.21, P=0.003), HBV DNA ≥2 000 IU/mL (OR=2.75, 95%CI: 1.38 — 5.48, P=0.004), and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) ≥6.0 kPa (OR=4.57, 95%CI: 2.17 — 9.62, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for significant inflammation. HBV DNA ≥2 000 IU/mL (OR=1.82, 95%CI: 1.01 — 3.32, P=0.049) and LSM ≥6.0 kPa (OR=2.06, 95%CI: 1.23 — 3.43, P=0.006) were independent influencing factors for significant liver fibrosis. ConclusionAmong the patients with indeterminate phase of chronic HBV infection, a substantial proportion of patients have significant liver histopathological damage. Antiviral therapy should be initiated in a timely manner for patients with high-risk factors.
6.Research progress of histone deacetylase and its inhibitors in osteogenesis and odontogenic differentiation of odontogenic stem cells
Dong-Yu LI ; Xiao-Miao ZHU ; Ji-Rong ZHAO ; Wen-Xi HE
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2024;49(4):468-474
Histone deacetylases(HDACs)can deacetylate histones,leading to tighter DNA binding,and thereby playing a role in inhibiting gene transcription.On the contrary,histone deacetylase inhibitors(HDACis)can promote chromatin relaxation,enabling various transcription factors to bind specifically to DNA and activate transcription genes.Dental stem cells(DSCs)are human adult stem cells.These cells have the characteristics of less damage and low immune rejection during sampling,and are especially important seed cells in the process of osteogenesis,odontogenesis and other differentiation.A large number of experimental studies have shown that HDACs and HDACis together play important roles in cell division and differentiation,signal transduction,regulation of cellular inflammation and other life processes.This review summarizes the research progress of HDACs and HDACis in regulating osteogenic and odontogenic differentiation of DSCs,aiming to provide insights into the study of the interaction between HDACs and HDACis,and potentially guide clinical application of DSCs in the treatment of tooth and bone injury.
7.Effects of inhibiting KDM2A gene on the proliferation,invasion,and migration of liver cancer cells
Ji-Nan HE ; Hong-Yan KONG ; Dan-Dan XIANG ; Shuai-Wen HUANG ; Qi-Qin SONG ; Rui MIAO ; Jia-Quan HUANG
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2024;49(7):814-822
Objective To investigate the effects of inhibiting KDM2A gene on the proliferation,invasion and migration of liver cancer cells and its possible regulatory mechanism.Methods Forty pairs of HCC tissues and their adjacent normal counterparts were collected from 2014 to 2017 in Tongji Hospital,Tongji Medical College Affiliated to Huazhong University of Science and Technology.Human liver cancer cell lines HepG2,Huh7,HCCLM3,MHCC-97H and normal liver cells LO2 were cultured in vitro.The mRNA and protein expression levels of KDM2A in HCC tissues and cells were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting.Huh7 cells were taken and set up as follows:(1)si-NC group(transfected with si-NC)and si-KDM2A group(transfected with si-KDM2A);(2)mimic-NC group(transfected with mimic-NC),miRNA-29a-3p mimic group(transfected with miRNA-29a-3p mimic),inhibitor-NC group(transfected with inhibitor-NC)and miRNA-29a-3p inhibitor group(transfected with miRNA-29a-3p inhibitor).The mRNA and protein expression levels of KDM2A were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting.The invasion and migration of cells were detected by Transwell,the proliferation of cells was detected by CCK-8 methods.The online databases TargetScan,miRDIP,miRWalk,Starbase and miRDB were used to predict the binding sites of KDM2A and miR-29a-3p.The KDM2A 3'-UTR(WT)or KDM2A 3'-UTR(MUT)report plasmid was co-transfected with NC-miRNA or miR-29a-3p mimics respectively for 48 h in 293T cells,and the luciferase activity was detected by the luciferase reporter gene detection system.Results Compared with adjacent normal counterparts,the relative mRNA and protein expression levels of KDM2A in HCC tissues increased significantly(P<0.05).Compared with LO2,the relative mRNA and protein expression levels of KDM2A in HepG2,Huh7,HCCLM3 and MHCC-97H increased significantly(P<0.05).Compared with si-NC group,the proliferation,invasion and migration of Huh7 cells in si-KDM2A group decreased significantly(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The analysis results of TargetScan,miRDIP,miRWalk,Starbase and miRDB showed that there were binding sites between KDM2A and miR-29a-3p.The results of the dual luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-29a-3p mimic significantly reduced KDM2A-MUT luciferase activity(P<0.01).After overexpression of miRNA-29a-3p,the relative mRNA and protein expression levels of KDM2A were decreased(P<0.01),the proliferation,invasion and migration abilities were decreased(P<0.05)in Huh7 cells.After inhibiting the expression of miRNA-29a-3p,the relative mRNA and protein expression levels of KDM2A were increased(P<0.05),the proliferation,invasion and migration abilities were enhanced(P<0.05)in Huh7 cells.Conclusion Inhibiting the expression of KDM2A can reduce the proliferation and migration ability of Huh7 cells.miR-29a-3p may be the upstream regulator of KDM2A and participate in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma.
8.Progress in translational research on immunotherapy for osteosarcoma
Fei HU ; Xiaohan CAI ; Rui CHENG ; Shiyu JI ; Jiaxin MIAO ; Yan ZHU ; Guangjian FAN
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2024;44(7):814-821
Osteosarcoma is a common primary malignant bone tumor in adolescents and children,characterized by a high recurrence rate and metastasis,making its treatment extremely challenging.Traditional treatment modalities,including surgery,radiation therapy,and chemotherapy,can alleviate symptoms to some extent,but improving long-term survival rates remains a pressing issue.With the continuous development of immunotherapy,breakthroughs have been made in the research of tumor immune microenvironment and the application of immunotherapy in recent years,providing new perspectives and strategies for osteosarcoma treatment.Currently,immunotherapy strategies include tumor vaccines,targeted cytokines,immune checkpoint inhibition,adoptive cell therapy,combination therapy,etc.,significantly enhancing patient immune responses from the aspects of boosting immunity,overcoming immune tolerance,and preventing immune evasion,thereby effectively improving the patients'survival rates and prognosis.This review aims to systematically introduce the immune microenvironment of osteosarcoma and discuss the latest advances in immunotherapy in clinical translational research of osteosarcoma.By deeply understanding the immune characteristics of osteosarcoma and corresponding treatment methods,it is hopeful to provide more effective strategies for personalized treatment,contributing to the improvement of the patients' survival rates and prognosis.
9.Dynamic Implantation Process of Orthodontic Micro-Implant:A Finite Element Numerical Simulation
Xuelin MIAO ; Hongwei ZHANG ; Lingling QIU ; Kangkang JI ; Jiaqi ZHANG
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2024;39(3):539-544
Objective To study the stress distributions of the surrounding bone during the dynamic implantation of micro-implants,a finite element model of self-attacking orthodontic micro-implant dynamic implantation was proposed and established.Methods A three-dimensional(3D)oral model was constructed using CBCT data.The local model around the implant and the 3D finite element model of the micro-implant were established using ABAQUS software.The micro-implant was implanted into the jaw with an axial propulsion force of 40 N at a constant speed of 0.5 r/s.Results The 3D finite element model was successfully established to simulate dynamic self-attacking orthodontic micro-implant implantation in the jaw bone.The results showed that implantation stage and thread position had significant effects on bone stress distribution and the stress states of different bones had obvious differences:the maximum stress on the cortical bone was 167 MPa,and the maximum stress at the stable stage was approximately 50 MPa.The maximum stress on cancellous bone was 30 MPa.Conclusions The implantation stage and thread position have apparent influences on stress distribution.The stress difference between the cortical and cancellous bones was evident.The stress characteristics can judge the bone type,and whether the jaw is in a suitable implantation state can be judged by the bone stress distributions around the implant.
10.Effectiveness of Guasha therapy with Hufu Tongbian in treating tumor-related insomnia
Shuanju JI ; Yongfu ZHU ; Shuyue MIAO ; Dongwei ZHANG
Modern Clinical Nursing 2024;23(4):41-46
Objective To explore the effectiveness of Guasha therapy with Fufu Tongbian in treating cancer-related insomnia(CRI)and seek a new approach to managing CRI.Methods Sixty patients with CRI who were admitted to the oncology department of our hospital from July 2021 to July 2022 were engaged in the study.The patients were randomly divided equally into two groups by using the PROCPLAN process in SAS software.The patients in the control group were given conventional symptomatic treatment and the patients in the trial group were managed with Guasha therapy with Fufu Tongbian in addition to the conventional symptomatic treatment.The two groups were compared in terms of clinical efficacy as well as scores by the Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI),Hamilton depression scale(HAMD),and Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA)were compared after 2 courses of treatment.Results All patients had completed the study.The trial group exhibited significantly higher total effective rate and presented significantly lower scores on PSQI,HAMD and HAMA compared to the control group(all P<0.001).Conclusion Guasha therapy with Fufu Tongbian can improve sleep condition of CRI patients and alleviate their depression and anxiety,thus improving sleep quality of CRI patients.

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