1.Longitudinal cohort study on pubertal development trajectories of testicular and breast development among children
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):408-412
Objective:
To characterize longitudinal trajectories of testicular development in boys and breast development in girls, so as to provide reference data for understanding patterns of pubertal sexual maturation.
Methods:
Based on the Shanghai Pudong New Area Cohort Study on Growth, Development and Health in Children and Adolescents, a baseline survey was conducted in 2020 using a mult stage cluster random sampling method. A total of 2 184 children who completed all follow ups during the primary school period from 13 elementary schools in Pudong New Area,Shanghai,with annual follow ups during 2021-2025. Testicular volume and Tanner stage of breast development were assessed by professional physicians using standardized visual inspection and palpation. The age distribution of testicular volume and breast development was fitted by using cumulative link mixed models and Turnbull s nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation method.
Results:
Median ages for testicular volumes of 2, 3, 4 and 5 mL in boys were 7.07, 9.24, 10.29, and 11.57 years old, respectively. Median ages for Tanner breast stages Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ, and Ⅴ in girls were 8.55 , 10.17, 11.18, and 13.78 years old, respectively. Based on overweight and obesity, stratified analysis showed that earlier pubertal onset among overweight/obesity children, and the key milestones for pubertal initiation were testicular volume reaching 4 mL in boys and breast Tanner II in girls for 10.29, 10.83; 8.18, 9.00 years.
Conclusion
Overweight and obesity are associated with earlier pubertal initiation,but there are certain gender and developmental stage specific patterns.
2.Umbrella decision-making model for diagnosis and treatment of elderly lung cancer patients: Construction and practice
Lunxu LIU ; Jian ZHOU ; Xiang DING ; Nan CHEN ; Jianxin XUE ; Xuelei MA ; Ye WANG ; Weiya WANG ; Liqing PENG ; Xin YOU ; Minggang SU ; Xu CHENG ; Jiao WANG ; Ning GE ; Deying KANG ; Yuchen HUANG ; Jinghan WANG ; Yu TONG ; Yaoxi ZHANG ; Jirong YUE ; Hu LIAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):833-839
With the accelerating trend of population aging, the number of elderly patients with lung cancer continues to rise, and the disease burden is becoming increasingly heavy. The clinical management of these patients faces severe challenges due to their decreased physiological reserve, complex comorbidities, and significant individual heterogeneity. Consequently, under traditional diagnosis and treatment models, doctors often struggle to identify the individualized risks of elderly patients in a timely and comprehensive manner, which can easily lead to decision biases such as undertreatment or overtreatment. In view of this, this study advocates for the establishment of an umbrella decision-making model specifically tailored for elderly lung cancer patients. Grounded in a multidisciplinary team (MDT) platform, this model deeply integrates oncological indicators with the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) system. By holistically considering multidimensional variables including tumor burden, organ function, frailty index, cognitive status, and social support, the model establishes an operational mechanism characterized by "single entry, precise stratification, and targeted selection". Accordingly, patients can be scientifically triaged into distinct intervention tiers, such as active surveillance, minimally invasive surgery, drug therapy, radiotherapy, and best supportive care, thereby achieving real-time alignment between treatment intensity and patient fitness. This article elaborates on the construction logic and key operational procedures of this novel decision-making framework, aiming to guide clinical practice beyond the limitations of a tumor-centric perspective toward a holistic, dynamic, whole-course management strategy. This transition seeks to ensure optimal quality of life and clinical net benefit for elderly patients alongside survival prolongation.
3.Adult traumatic bilateral adrenal hematoma: a case report
Tong YANG ; Zhilu GAN ; Ning ZHANG ; Wenxin CHEN
Journal of Modern Urology 2026;31(1):101-102
Objective Isolated bilateral adrenal hematoma(BAH)without other intra-abdominal visceral injuries following trauma is extremely rare. We report a case and review the relevant diagnostic and management experience diagnosis and treatment experience. Case Presentation A 57-year-old male patient presented with systemic pain and discomfort four hours after-traffic collision. Computed tomography(CT)revealed bilateral adrenal contusions with hematoma formation. One week of symptomatic management—including bed rest, oxygen therapy, analgesia, antimicrobial treatment, and nutritional support—was administered. Follow-up abdominal CT demonstrated significant resolution of bilateral adrenal hematomas and surrounding fluid collection. The patient was discharged following rehabilitation therapy. Conclusion For such patients, thorough history-taking regarding past medical history is crucial. When adrenal injury is suspected, contrast-enhanced CT provides definitive diagnosis. Concurrent monitoring of adrenal hormone levels is essential. During bed rest, proactive measures to prevent bed-related complications are required, with long-term follow-up after-discharge.
4.Exploring Mechanism of Xiaojinwan-containing Serum in Inhibiting Breast Cancer Cells Based on Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway
Hongdi TANG ; Xiaobo JIN ; Chen GAO ; Hongkai LI ; Zhiming LI ; Lu YAO ; Fengli SONG ; Ning KANG ; Wenwen WANG ; Ying SUN ; Zhibin WANG ; Tong LI ; Yingli ZHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(17):13-22
ObjectiveTo investigate the role and underlying mechanism of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the process of Xiaojinwan (XJW)-containing serum interfering with endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. MethodsXJW-containing serum was prepared by intragastric administration of XJW (4 g·kg-1) to SD rats. MDA-MB-231 cells were cultured in vitro. β-Catenin overexpression and knockdown plasmids were constructed and transfected into MDA-MB-231 cells. The optimal XJW-containing serum (4 g·kg-1) according to previous studies was used for β-catenin intervention and overexpression experiments. The groups for intervention/overexpression experiments included intervention/overexpression blank group, β-catenin intervention/overexpression group, intervention/overexpression blank + XJW group, and β-catenin intervention/overexpression + XJW group. Cell morphology was observed under a microscope. Flow cytometry was used to detect and record apoptosis rates. Western blot was performed to measure apoptosis-related proteins [B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), and active-Caspase-3] and EMT-related proteins (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin). Real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect β-catenin mRNA expression levels in different groups. ResultsIntervention experiment results showed that compared with the intervention blank group, the β-catenin intervention group and the intervention blank + XJW group showed increased apoptosis rates (P<0.05, P<0.01), elevated protein levels of Bax, active Caspase-3, and E-cadherin (P<0.05, P<0.01), and decreased protein levels of Bcl-2 and Vimentin (P<0.05, P<0.01). β-catenin mRNA expression was reduced in the β-catenin intervention group (P<0.05, 0.63 ± 0.15) and the intervention blank + XJW group (P<0.05, 0.79 ± 0.33). Compared with the β-catenin intervention group, the β-catenin intervention + XJW group exhibited an increased apoptosis rate (P<0.01), elevated Bax and active Caspase-3 protein levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), and decreased Bcl-2, N-cadherin, and Vimentin protein levels (P<0.05). β-catenin mRNA expression was further reduced in the β-catenin intervention + XJW group (P<0.01, 0.22 ± 0.08). Compared with the intervention blank + XJW group, the β-catenin intervention + XJW group showed an increased apoptosis rate (P<0.01), elevated Bax, active Caspase-3, and E-cadherin protein levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), and decreased Bcl-2, N-cadherin, and vimentin protein levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). β-catenin mRNA expression was also reduced (P<0.05). Overexpression experiment results showed that compared with the overexpression blank group, the β-catenin overexpression group exhibited a reduced apoptosis rate (P<0.01), while the overexpression blank + XJW group showed an increased apoptosis rate (P<0.05). In the β-catenin overexpression and β-catenin overexpression + XJW groups, Bax and E-cadherin protein levels decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while Bcl-2, N-cadherin, and vimentin levels increased (P<0.05). In the overexpression blank + XJW group, Bax and E-cadherin levels increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while Bcl-2, N-cadherin, and vimentin levels decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). β-catenin mRNA expression increased in the β-catenin overexpression group (P<0.01, 7.26 ± 1.03) but decreased in the overexpression blank + XJW group (P<0.05, 0.73 ± 0.14). Compared with the β-catenin overexpression group, the β-catenin overexpression + XJW group showed an increased apoptosis rate (P<0.01), elevated Bax and E-cadherin levels (P<0.05), and decreased N-cadherin and vimentin levels (P<0.05). β-catenin mRNA expression was reduced (P<0.05, 4.65 ± 1.02). Compared with the overexpression blank + XJW group, the β-catenin overexpression + XJW group exhibited a reduced apoptosis rate (P<0.01), decreased Bax and E-cadherin levels (P<0.01), and increased Bcl-2, N-cadherin, and Vimentin levels (P<0.05). β-catenin mRNA expression increased (P<0.01). ConclusionXJW-containing serum inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation by suppressing EMT, which is associated with the regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
5.Mendelian randomization study of sleep duration and sleep disorders in relation to age at menarche in females
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(7):1021-1025
Objective:
To determine the potential genetic causal relationship between sleep related phenotypes and female pubertal onset using the two sample Mendelian randomization approach.
Methods:
Genetic instrumental variables for sleep and age at menarche were sourced from FinnGen, IEU Open GWAS and GWAS Catalog three publicly available Genome Wide Association Study databases. Causal effects were estimated using the inverse variance weighted method, supplemented by sensitivity analyses and tests for heterogeneity, pleiotropy, and direction.
Results:
Genetically predicted sleep duration was positively associated with age at menarche ( β =0.61, 95% CI =0.30-0.91, P <0.01). Conversely, overall sleep problems ( β =-0.13, 95% CI =-0.20 to -0.07 ), two specific types of sleep disorders (sleep apnea: β =-0.10, 95% CI =-0.16 to -0.03; insomnia: β =-0.40, 95% CI = -0.69 to -0.11) were causally associated with earlier age at menarche (all P <0.01). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings with consistent effect directions and no evidence of significant directional pleiotropy.
Conclusions
The study reveales a genetic causal relationship between sleep and pubertal onset. Adequate sleep duration appears to have a protective effect. These findings suggest that sleep may have a critical regulatory role in the initiation of pubertal development.
6.Pathogenesis and Treatment of Combined Phlegm and Stasis in Lung Cancer Based on Abnormal Iron Metabolism
Xiaoyu YANG ; Zixin NING ; Ying LIU ; Tong LEI ; Li SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(23):249-257
Abnormal iron metabolism constitutes a pivotal pathological mechanism in lung cancer progression. It induces cellular dysfunction, triggers inflammatory responses, promotes ferroptosis tolerance, and facilitates the formation of tumor immune microenvironments. These processes align with traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) pathogenesis of combined phlegm and stasis, collectively driving malignant progression. The occurrence of iron overload and ferroptosis resistance in lung cancer represents critical components of abnormal iron metabolism, which may induce lipid deposition and hypercoagulable states—mechanisms closely associated with phlegm and stasis in TCM. Both abnormal iron metabolism and combined phlegm and stasis originate from dysfunction of the lung, spleen, and kidney. Their pathological manifestations share similarities: obstructing Qi and blood circulation and accumulating pathological products, and synergistically exacerbating disease progression through tumor growth and metastasis. This study elucidates the interconnections between combined phlegm and stasis, abnormal iron metabolism, and lung cancer, highlighting their pathophysiological correlations. Regarding clinical therapeutic strategies, this paper proposes three approaches: ① invigorating the spleen to resolve phlegm and alleviate iron overload for tumor suppression; ②activating blood to induce ferroptosis and inhibit tumor invasion; ③modulating iron metabolism through phlegm-resolving and stasis-eliminating therapies to reverse drug resistance. These strategies enrich the theoretical framework of phlegm-stasis regulation in lung cancer management. Integrating modern medical research with TCM pathogenesis theories, this study reveals the intrinsic link between abnormal iron metabolism and combined phlegm and stasis in lung cancer, offering new perspectives for understanding tumor development and metastasis. By establishing iron metabolism as a bridge, this study provides innovative insights into the pathogenesis of combined phlegm and stasis in lung cancer.
7.Exploring mechanism of Porana racemosa Roxb. in treating rheumatoid arthritis based on integration of network pharmacology and molecular docking combined with experimental validation
Chen-yu YE ; Ning LI ; Yin-zi CHEN ; Tong QU ; Jing HU ; Zhi-yong CHEN ; Hui REN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):117-129
Through network pharmacology and molecular docking technology, combined with
8.Erk Signaling Pathway in Striatal D2-MSNs: an Essential Pathway for Exercise-induced Improvement in Parkinson’s Disease
Bo GAO ; Yi-Ning LAI ; Yi-Tong GE ; Wei CHEN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):61-71
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), primarily manifesting as motor dysfunctions such as resting tremor, muscle rigidity, and bradykinesia. According to the classical model of basal ganglia motor control, approximately half of the medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the striatum are D1-MSNs, which constitute the direct pathway. These neurons express D1-dopamine receptor (D1R) and substance P, and they mainly participate in the selection, initiation, and execution of movements. The other half are D2-MSNs, which constitute the indirect pathway. These neurons express D2-dopamine receptor (D2R) and adenosine 2A receptors and are involved in inhibiting unnecessary movements or terminating ongoing movements, thereby adjusting movement sequences to perform more precise motor behaviors. The direct pathway in the striatum modulates the activity of motor cortex neurons by exciting D1-MSNs through neurotransmitters such as glutamate (Glu), allowing the motor cortex to send signals more freely to the motor system, thus facilitating the generation and execution of specific motor behaviors. Studies using D1-Cre and D2-Cre mice with neurons labeled for D1R and D2R have shown that both types of neurons are involved in the execution of movements, with D1-MSNs participating in movement initiation and D2-MSNs in inhibiting actions unrelated to the target movement. These findings suggest that the structural and functional plasticity of D1-MSNs and D2-MSNs in the basal ganglia circuitry enables motor learning and behavioral regulation. Additionally, when SNpc DA neurons begin to degenerate, D1-MSNs are initially affected but do not immediately cause motor impairments. In contrast, when D2-MSNs undergo pathological changes, they are first activated by upstream projecting neurons, leading to the inhibition of most motor behaviors and resulting in motor dysfunction. Therefore, it is hypothesized that motor impairments such as bradykinesia and initiation difficulties are more closely related to the functional activity of D2-MSNs. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway has been identified as a critical modulator in the pathophysiology of PD. Recent findings indicate that Erk/MAPK signaling pathway can mediate DA and Glu signaling in the central nervous system, maintaining normal functional activity of striatal MSNs and influencing the transmission of motor control signals. Within this complex regulatory network, the Erk/MAPK signaling pathway plays a key role in transmitting motor information to downstream neurons, regulating normal movements, avoiding unnecessary movements, and finely tuning motor behaviors. Our laboratory’s previous research found that 4 weeks of aerobic exercise intervention improved motor dysfunction in PD mice by inhibiting the Erk1/2 signaling upstream of striatal MSNs, primarily involving the Erk1/2 signaling in D2-MSNs rather than D1-MSNs. This review summarizes the neurobiological mechanisms of Erk/MAPK signaling pathway in D2-MSNs for the prevention and treatment of motor dysfunction in PD. By exploring the role of this signaling pathway in regulating motor abnormalities and preventing motor dysfunction in the central nervous system of PD, this review provides new theoretical perspectives for related mechanistic research and therapeutic strategies.
9.The programmed death of megakaryocytes and its impact on platelet-production copacity and coagulation function in mice with sepsis
Tianzhen HUA ; Haitao WANG ; Shuting WEI ; Sen TONG ; Ning DONG ; Xiaomei ZHU ; Yongming YAO ; Wei LIU
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(15):2325-2335
Objective To investigate programmed death including necroptosis,apoptosis,autophagy,ferroptosis,and pyroptosis in bone marrow megakaryocytes of mice during sepsis and its impact on platelet production capacity and coagulation function in mice.Methods C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a sham operation group(sham group)and a sepsis model group(CLP group).Peripheral blood platelets and coagulation function were measured by abdominal aortic blood sampling at 24 h postoperatively in both sham and CLP groups.After the mice were sacrificed,long bones of both lower limbs were taken,and bone marrow megakaryocytes were extracted using megakaryocyte separation solution and immunomagnetic bead separation.Laser confocal microscopy was used to observe the activation of programmed death-related marker molecules in mouse bone marrow megakaryocytes.Flow cytometry was used to detect programmed death rate,platelet production phenotype,and platelet surface markers(CD41,CD42b,CD61)of megakaryocytes.Western blotting was used to detect the expression of programmed death-related proteins in megakaryocytes.Results Compared with the sham group,the CLP group showed significant decreases in the number of platelets during acute sepsis(24 h)(P<0.000 1),significant increases in platelet distri-bution width(PDW)and mean platelet volume(MPV)(P<0.01),significant prolonging of thrombin time(TT),prothrombin time(PT),and activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT)(P<0.000 1,P<0.001,P<0.01),and significant reduction in fibrinogen(Fib)(P<0.000 1).Compared with the Con/sham group,the LPS/CLP group exhibited significant increases in the platelet production phenotype of megakaryocyte,the number of PLP in the supernatant,and the expression levels of platelet surface markers(CD41,CD42b,CD61).The rates of megakaryocyte necroptosis/apoptosis,pyroptosis,and ferroptosis were significantly elevated at 24 h post-CLP surgery.Laser confo-cal microscopy showed significant activation of LC3,P-MLKL,Caspase-1,and Fe2+in megakaryocytes of mice after CLP surgery.Western blotting results revealed that the CLP group exhibited a significant increase in the activa-tion rate of necroptosis-related protein P-MLKL(P<0.001),a significant increase in the cleavage of pyroptosis-related proteins GSDMD and GSDMD-N(P<0.01,P<0.001,respectively),a significant increase in the expres-sion of ferroptosis-related protein ACSL4(P<0.01),and a significant decrease in the expression of GPX4(P<0.01)compared to the sham group.Additionally,the CLP group demonstrated significant increases in the expression of apoptosis-related protein Bax,the cleavage of autophagy-related protein LC3B-Ⅱ,and the expression of P62(P<0.05,P<0.001,P<0.001,respectively).Inhibition of apoptosis with programmed cell death inhibitors decreased platelet production function of megakaryocyte,while inhibition of necroptosis and pyroptosis had limited effects on platelet production function of megakaryocyte.Inhibition of ferroptosis and autophagy enhanced platelet production function of megakaryocyte.Conclusion Significant programmed death of megakaryocytes was observed during the acute phase of sepsis(24 h).Among those megakaryocytes,apoptosis is an important mechanism for the differentia-tion of platelet production phenotype and increased platelet production capacity of megakaryocyte.Overactive autophagy and ferroptosis in megakaryocytes lead to megakaryocyte dysfunction,which is an important mechanism for coagulation abnormalities in sepsis.
10.A study of the correlation between thalamic metabolites changes and spinal cord injury in cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Yujin ZHANG ; Baogen ZHAO ; Tong ZHANG ; Ting GAO ; Ning WANG ; Yong WANG ; Li ZHANG
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(7):1085-1088
Objective To investigate the changes in metabolites detected by magnetic resonance spectroscopy(MRS)in the dorsal thalamus of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy(CSM)and to analyze their correlation with spinal cord injury based on diffusion tensor imaging(DTI).Methods A total of 93 patients with CSM(patient group)and 67 healthy volunteers(control group)were selected.DTI parameters of the spinal cord and MRS parameters of the thalamus were compared between the two groups.Correlation analysis were performed among clinical features,conventional imaging features,DTI parameters,and metabolites in CSM patients.Multifacto-rial linear regression equations for thalamic metabolites based on the aforementioned characteristics were established.Results The fractional anisotropy(FA)value was significantly lower in the patient group than in the control group(P=0.005,t=2.874).The N-acetyl aspartate/creatine(NAA/Cr)ratio(P<0.001,Z=-5.922),choline/Cr(Cho/Cr)ratio(P<0.001,Z=-6.857),and myo-inositol/Cr(MI/Cr)ratio(P<0.001,Z=-6.573)were significantly lower in the patient group than in the control group.The NAA/Cr ratio(r=0.444,P<0.001),Cho/Cr ratio(r=0.308,P=0.003),and MI/Cr ratio(r=-0.489,P<0.001)were corre-lated with the FA value in the patient group.There was a correlation between the NAA/Cr ratio and the duration(r=-0.365,P<0.001).Multifactorial linear regression equations for each metabolites in the thalamus:NAA/Cr=0.833+1.520×FA-0.007×duration;Cho/Cr=0.209+0.774×FA;MI/Cr=1.566-1.722×FA+0.008×modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association(mJOA)score;glu-tamate/Cr(Glx/Cr)=0.942+0.009×duration.Conclusion CSM patients exhibit metabolic alterations in the dorsal thalamus,which are linearly correlated with the degree of spinal cord injury.


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