1.Spinal cord stimulation for spinal cord injury from 1999 to 2025: a bibliometric analysis
Yuanyuan QI ; Haifeng GAO ; Lina LIU ; Yujie XIE ; Jing XU ; Feng GAO ; Liang CHEN ; Degang YANG ; Jun LI
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2026;32(4):373-386
ObjectiveTo analyze the research hotspots and development trends in the field of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for spinal cord injury (SCI). MethodsLiterature about SCS for SCI was retrieve from the Web of Science (WOS) Core Collection database, with a time range from January, 1999 to July, 2025. VOSviewer 1.6.20 and CiteSpace 6.4.R2 were used to analyze the annual publication volume, countries, authors, institutions, journals and keywords. ResultsA total of 636 literatures were included. From 1999 to 2025, the overall publication trend in this field showed an upward trajectory, with recent years fluctuating but tending to stabilize. The country with the most publications was the United States (429 papers), followed by Russia (98 papers) and China (70 papers). The institution with the highest number of publications was the University of California, Los Angeles (76 papers), the author with the most publications was V. Reggie Edgerton (70 papers), and the journal with the most publications was Journal of Clinical Medicine (31 papers). The most frequently cited study focused on exploring the combination of epidural spinal cord stimulation with task-specific training to restore motor function in patients with complete SCI. Keyword analysis showed that the research hotspots in this field were mainly focused on neuroregulation mechanisms, recovery of motor and autonomic nervous dysfunction, artificial intelligence, closed-loop stimulation and brain-computer interface technology innovations. In recent years, the research focus gradually shifted from basic mechanisms to personalized and precise multifunctional rehabilitation strategies. ConclusionThe field of SCS for SCI has undergone phases of basic mechanism exploration and clinical application expansion. Current research hotspots and future trends focus primarily on the development of new stimulation paradigms and combined innovative technologies.
2.The Diversity of Filamentous Morphologies and Magnetic Sensitivity Modulated by Diverse MagR Expression in Bacteria
Ya-Fei CHANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Peng ZHANG ; Xiu-Juan ZHOU ; Meng-Ke WEI ; Tian-Tian CAI ; Pei-Qi HE ; Jun-Feng WANG ; Can XIE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1439-1456
Objective Magnetoreception, the remarkable ability of diverse animals to sense and utilize the geomagnetic field for orientation and navigation, remains a molecularly unresolved mystery in sensory biology. The putative magnetoreceptor (MagR, previously known as IscA1) is a highly conserved iron-sulfur protein implicated in both magnetoreception and iron metabolism; however, the functional diversity among its cross-species homologs remains poorly understood. Cellular morphology is a key genetically determined trait that can be altered through genetic or environmental modifications—a process known as cell morphology engineering. Constructing engineered cells with specific morphological features and magnetic sensitivity to achieve remote, non-invasive magnetic modulation represents a crucial goal in this field with significant application potential. Therefore, this study aims to systematically investigate the effects of MagR heterologous expression on bacterial morphology and magnetic sensing capabilities, screen for MagR-based magnetically sensitive morphology engineering pathways, and reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods We systematically screened 28 MagR homologous genes from diverse prokaryotic and animal taxa to evaluate their expression and corresponding phenotypic effects in Escherichia coli (E. coli). To compare the differential magnetic responses among bacteria expressing various recombinant MagR proteins, we utilized high-throughput automated bright-field microscopic imaging and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, comprehensive biochemical and biophysical characterizations of iron and iron-sulfur cluster binding were performed using Ferrozine colorimetric assays, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Additionally, 100 mT static magnetic field (SMF) exposure experiments were conducted to assess magnetically tunable phenotypes, while the intrinsic magnetic properties of purified MagR proteins were directly measured using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Results Our results demonstrated that the heterologous expression of MagR homologs induced varying degrees of bacterial filamentation. From this comprehensive screen, two distinct morphological patterns were identified: hydra (Hydra vulgaris) MagR (hyMagR) promoted uniform cell elongation and filamentation, exhibiting robust magnetic sensitivity manifested as significantly enhanced filamentation under the 100 mT SMF. In contrast, pigeon (Columba livia) MagR (clMagR) induced only low-frequency, extreme filamentation (sporadically exceeding 80 μm) with a relatively weaker magnetic morphological response. Mechanistically, our data unambiguously proved that these phenotypic differences are primarily driven by distinct iron redox preferences rather than total cellular iron accumulation. Specifically, hyMagR preferentially binds ferrous iron (Fe2+), whereas clMagR favors ferric iron (Fe3+) and forms more stable iron-sulfur clusters. Intriguingly, although SQUID magnetometry showed that purified clMagR exhibited approximately five-fold higher mass magnetic susceptibility than hyMagR, its cellular magnetic response was weaker. We hypothesize that the Fe2+-preferred intracellular environment associated with hyMagR overexpression primes the cell for enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via the Fenton reaction. Exposure to an SMF synergizes with this primed redox state, triggering the bacterial SOS response and upregulating cell division inhibitors to efficiently induce uniform filamentation. Conclusion Our findings identify the Fe2+/Fe3+ redox state as a critical determinant of MagR-mediated morphological remodeling and magnetic responsiveness. This discovery suggests a potential strategy for engineering magnetically responsive cellular systems for synthetic biology applications, and provides a plausible framework, which potentially combines intrinsic protein magnetism with redox-state modulation, for further investigating the evolutionary mechanisms of MagR-mediated magnetoreception.
3.The Diversity of Filamentous Morphologies and Magnetic Sensitivity Modulated by Diverse MagR Expression in Bacteria
Ya-Fei CHANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Peng ZHANG ; Xiu-Juan ZHOU ; Meng-Ke WEI ; Tian-Tian CAI ; Pei-Qi HE ; Jun-Feng WANG ; Can XIE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1439-1456
Objective Magnetoreception, the remarkable ability of diverse animals to sense and utilize the geomagnetic field for orientation and navigation, remains a molecularly unresolved mystery in sensory biology. The putative magnetoreceptor (MagR, previously known as IscA1) is a highly conserved iron-sulfur protein implicated in both magnetoreception and iron metabolism; however, the functional diversity among its cross-species homologs remains poorly understood. Cellular morphology is a key genetically determined trait that can be altered through genetic or environmental modifications—a process known as cell morphology engineering. Constructing engineered cells with specific morphological features and magnetic sensitivity to achieve remote, non-invasive magnetic modulation represents a crucial goal in this field with significant application potential. Therefore, this study aims to systematically investigate the effects of MagR heterologous expression on bacterial morphology and magnetic sensing capabilities, screen for MagR-based magnetically sensitive morphology engineering pathways, and reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods We systematically screened 28 MagR homologous genes from diverse prokaryotic and animal taxa to evaluate their expression and corresponding phenotypic effects in Escherichia coli (E. coli). To compare the differential magnetic responses among bacteria expressing various recombinant MagR proteins, we utilized high-throughput automated bright-field microscopic imaging and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, comprehensive biochemical and biophysical characterizations of iron and iron-sulfur cluster binding were performed using Ferrozine colorimetric assays, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Additionally, 100 mT static magnetic field (SMF) exposure experiments were conducted to assess magnetically tunable phenotypes, while the intrinsic magnetic properties of purified MagR proteins were directly measured using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Results Our results demonstrated that the heterologous expression of MagR homologs induced varying degrees of bacterial filamentation. From this comprehensive screen, two distinct morphological patterns were identified: hydra (Hydra vulgaris) MagR (hyMagR) promoted uniform cell elongation and filamentation, exhibiting robust magnetic sensitivity manifested as significantly enhanced filamentation under the 100 mT SMF. In contrast, pigeon (Columba livia) MagR (clMagR) induced only low-frequency, extreme filamentation (sporadically exceeding 80 μm) with a relatively weaker magnetic morphological response. Mechanistically, our data unambiguously proved that these phenotypic differences are primarily driven by distinct iron redox preferences rather than total cellular iron accumulation. Specifically, hyMagR preferentially binds ferrous iron (Fe2+), whereas clMagR favors ferric iron (Fe3+) and forms more stable iron-sulfur clusters. Intriguingly, although SQUID magnetometry showed that purified clMagR exhibited approximately five-fold higher mass magnetic susceptibility than hyMagR, its cellular magnetic response was weaker. We hypothesize that the Fe2+-preferred intracellular environment associated with hyMagR overexpression primes the cell for enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via the Fenton reaction. Exposure to an SMF synergizes with this primed redox state, triggering the bacterial SOS response and upregulating cell division inhibitors to efficiently induce uniform filamentation. Conclusion Our findings identify the Fe2+/Fe3+ redox state as a critical determinant of MagR-mediated morphological remodeling and magnetic responsiveness. This discovery suggests a potential strategy for engineering magnetically responsive cellular systems for synthetic biology applications, and provides a plausible framework, which potentially combines intrinsic protein magnetism with redox-state modulation, for further investigating the evolutionary mechanisms of MagR-mediated magnetoreception.
4.Clinical Study of MiR-125b-5p/HIF-1α Pathway in Involvement of Vitamin D Deficiency in Pathogenesis of Multiple Myeloma
Qian-Song CHENG ; Jing-Jing ZHOU ; Feng GUO ; Ming ZHU ; Liang HE ; Ting-Ting YUAN ; Mei-Qi DING
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(6):1650-1654
Objective:To detect the serum levels of 25(OH)D,miR-125b-5p,hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)and vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA)in patients with multiple myeloma(MM),and explore the role of miR-125b-5p/HIF-1α pathway in the involvement of vitamin D deficiency in the pathogenesis of MM.Methods:Fifty three newly diagnosed/relapsed MM patients admitted to the department of hematology of our hospital from October 2021 to December 2023 were included.Meanwhile,25 healthy individuals matched in gender and age from our hospital's Health Management Center were selected as controls.The serum level of 25(OH)D was monitored by mass spectrometry,the serum level of miR-125b-5p was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR,and serum levels of HIF-1α and VEGFA were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The levels of 25(OH)D,miR-125b-5p,HIF-1α,and VEGFA were compared between the two groups.According to the level of 25(OH)D,the MM patients were divided into vitamin D deficiency group(<20 ng/ml)and vitamin D non-deficiency group(≥ 20 ng/ml),and the levels of miR-125b-5p,HIF-1α,and VEGFA were compared between the two groups.The correlations between 25(OH)D,miR-125b-5p,HIF-1α and VEGFA were analyzed.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was used to determine the diagnostic value of25(OH)D combined with miR-125b-5p for newly diagnosed MM.Results:The level of 25(OH)D in MM patients was significantly lower than that in control group(P<0.01).There was no significant difference in 25(OH)D level between newly diagnosed and relapsed MM patients(P>0.05).Compared with the control group,the level of miR-125b-5p was significantly reduced in MM patients(P<0.01),while the levels of HIF-1α and VEGFA were significantly increased(both P<0.001).In MM patients,the miR-125b-5p level in the vitamin D deficiency group was significantly decreased than that in the non-deficiency group(P<0.01),while the levels of HIF-1 α and VEGFA were significantly increased(both P<0.05).In MM patients,25(OH)D was positively correlated with miR-125b-5p,while negatively correlated with HIF-1α and VEGFA(both P<0.05).Moreover,miR-125b-5p was negatively correlated with HIF-1α and VEGFA(both P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)for diagnosing MM with 25(OH)D,miR-125b-5p,and their combination were 0.699,0.751,and 0.791,respectively.Conclusion:The incidence of vitamin D deficiency is high in MM patients.Vitamin D deficiency may promote angiogenesis and participate in the occurrence and development of MM by downregulating miR-125b-5p and upregulating HIF-1α and VEGFA expression.
5.Cloning and expression of PPE65 encoded by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv3621c gene in Escherichia coli,and its effects on proliferation and TGF-β expression of BEAS-2B cells
Juncheng HUANG ; Xinwen BO ; Jing LI ; Xuke CHEN ; Jiaxin ZHAO ; Yanyan ZHANG ; Xinwei FENG ; Yan SUN ; Zhengrong WANG ; Meng QI
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(10):1025-1033
This study was aimed at preliminarily investigating the molecular biological functions of the PPE65 protein from Myco-bacterium tuberculosis,and providing foundational data for tuberculosis prevention and control.The basic biological properties of the PPE65 gene-encoded protein were predicted with bioinformatics tools.Sequence information for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv3621c gene and PPE65 protein was retrieved from the NCBI database.The Rv3621c gene was amplified through PCR with the H37Rv genome as a template,then cloned into the pET22b(+)expression vector.The recombinant pET22b(+)-PPE65 plasmid was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)competent cells for IPTG-induced expression.Solubility analysis,purification,and identification of the recombinant PPE65 protein were performed.BEAS-2B cells were treated with various concentrations of PPE65 protein for 24 h,and cell proliferation was assessed with CCK-8 assays.PPE65 was found to be composed of 413 amino acids and to have a molecular formula of C????H????N???O???S??,a relative molecular mass of 40 679.88,a theoretical isoelectric point of 4.60,an ali-phatic index of 81.94,and an average hydrophilicity value of 0.319,thus indicating a stable hydrophobic protein lacking signal pep-tides or transmembrane domains.Secondary structure analysis revealed 53.03%α-helix(Hh),2.66%β-sheet(Ee),and 44.31%ran-dom coil(Cc).Bioinformatics predictions identified 38 B-cell epitopes and 22 CTL/Th-cell epitopes.The full-length PPE65 gene(1 308 bp)was confirmed through double restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing,thereby validating the correct construction of the pET22b(+)-PPE65 recombinant plasmid.SDS-PAGE analysis demonstrated that the recombinant protein was found in inclusion bodies,and a single band at 43.7 kDa was observed after purification.Western blotting revealed specific binding to mouse-derived His monoclonal antibodies,thereby confirming successful expression of the PPE65 protein.BEAS-2B cells treated with a PPE65 protein concentration gradient(2.5-20 μg/mL)exhibited a dose-dependent increase in cell number.Compared with those in the PBS control group,TGF-β relative expression levels were significantly higher in all treatment groups(t2.5=4.893,P<0.001,t5.0=4.640,P<0.05,t10=7.535,P<0.05,t20=16.44,P<0.000 1).This study elucidated the structural characteristics of the PPE65 protein,successfully obtained the recombinant protein through prokaryotic expression and purification,and demonstrated its ability to promote BEAS-2B cell proliferation.The underlying mechanism might involve suppression of TGF-β/S mad signaling pathway activation.These findings provide a theoretical basis for understanding the role and regulatory mechanisms of PPE65 during M.tuberculosis infection.
6.A practical study on basic medical research team construction and student cultivation mode in universities
Dan TANG ; Xiang LI ; Xi JIN ; Liang ZHOU ; Shijian FENG ; Jing CHEN ; Shiqian QI
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(7):902-907
This article reviews the challenges faced by research teams in China, and drawing on advanced management modes both in China and abroad, proposes a "dual optimization of management modes, stable and efficient platform support, and flexible and precise talent development" mode for research team construction and student cultivation. Specifically, this mode includes promoting flexible team management through enhanced two-way feedback between mentors and students, improving shared experimental platforms to increase resource utilization efficiency, and designing tailored training programs that align with individual student needs. The aim is to enhance team cohesion, improve the communication, collaboration, and innovation in basic medical research teams, and ultimately raise the quality of talent development in universities.
7.A qualitative study on barriers to active management in elderly patients with chronic heart failure based on the Theoretical Domains Framework
Minghao QI ; Yu WANG ; Ke WANG ; Mengyu HE ; Yuli HUANG ; Feng WANG ; Jing ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(32):4354-4360
Objective:To gain an in-depth understanding of the barriers to active management in elderly patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and to provide evidence for targeted interventions.Methods:A descriptive qualitative research method was adopted. Using purposive sampling, a total of 14 elderly CHF patients admitted to the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, from January to February 2025 were selected as study participants. Based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), a semi-structured in-depth interview guide was developed. NVivo 12.0 software was used to organize and code the data, and directed content analysis was applied.Results:Eight TDF-related domains of barriers were identified and summarized into four themes: misconceptions of disease and information processing barriers (knowledge; memory, attention, and decision processes) ; dependence on family members and limited accessibility of medical resources (social influence; environmental context and resources) ; negative goal motivation and low management confidence (goals; beliefs about consequences and capabilities) ; and emotional management obstacles and fatigue from self-regulation (emotion) .Conclusions:On the basis of meeting elderly CHF patients' knowledge needs, healthcare professionals should expand their access to information, improve social support systems, stimulate intrinsic motivation and self-efficacy, and alleviate negative emotions and fatigue related to self-regulation, thereby enhancing the positivity of self-health management and achieving sustainability in health management.
8.Modulation of microglia by traditional Chinese medicine improves post-stroke depression
Qi LI ; Jing GAO ; Ming ZHANG ; Xu ZHANG ; Yachen FENG ; Rui PAN ; Chunxiao WANG ; Qiongdi REN
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(18):2945-2952
Post-stroke depression(PSD),a common stroke complication characterized by depressed mood and diminished interest,severely affects patients'recovery and quality of life.Microglial abnormal activation and polarization play key roles in PSD pathogenesis,closely associated with neuroinflammation and imbalance in neu-rotransmitter metabolism.In contrast,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)demonstrates unique multi-target and multi-level mechanisms:regulating microglial function,ameliorating post-stroke neuroinflammatory environments,and promoting neuroplasticity,thereby potentially alleviating PSD symptoms.This review summarizes TCM's effects on microglial activation/polarization states and its therapeutic advances in PSD,providing novel perspectives and strategies for clinical management.
9.Construction and evaluation of a fecal pollution risk prediction model for children with congenital megacolon after radical resection based on mul-tivariate analysis
Jing TIAN ; Peng ZHANG ; Yu-min QI ; Shu-feng SHI ; Yan WANG
Chinese Journal of Current Advances in General Surgery 2025;28(10):789-795
Objective:Based on multivariate analysis of the influencing factors of fecal pollution after radical re-section in children with congenital megacolon,a risk prediction model was constructed and evaluated.Methods:A total of 200 children with Hirschsprung's disease who underwent radical surgery at Nanyang Central Hospital of Henan Province from June 2020 to June 2023 were selected,and all children were followed up for 1 year.According to the occurrence of postoperative fecal incontinence,the children were divided into the non-occurrence group and the oc-currence group.Univariate Logistic regression analysis was performed on all possible influencing factors,and the back-ward stepwise regression method was used to screen out the relevant factors affecting postoperative fecal inconti-nence in children with Hirschsprung's disease after radical surgery.A risk prediction model was constructed based on these relevant factors,and its efficacy was verified using calibration curves,the Hosmer-Lemeshow test,and ROC curves.Results:Postoperative fecal incontinence occurred in 19.50%(39/200)of the children.A statistically signifi-cant difference was observed between the non-occurrence group and the occurrence group in terms of the following data(P<0.05):age,preoperative nutritional support,need for auxiliary defecation before surgery,length of the dis-eased intestinal segment,educational level of caregivers,preoperative hypoproteinemia,resection range,postoperative diet compliance of the children,postoperative defecation training of the children,postoperative enterocolitis,and post-operative anal dilatation therapy.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative nutritional support,need for auxiliary defecation before surgery,length of the diseased intestinal segment,educational level of caregivers,postoperative diet compliance of the children,postoperative defecation training of the children,postoperative entero-colitis,and postoperative anal dilatation therapy were all independent influencing factors for postoperative fecal inconti-nence in children with Hirschsprung's Disease after radical surgery(P<0.05).Among these factors,the educational level of caregivers was the strongest predictor of postoperative fecal incontinence in children with Hirschsprung's dis-ease after radical surgery.Results of the calibration curve showed that the concordance index of the risk prediction model for postoperative fecal incontinence in children with Hirschsprung's Disease after radical surgery was 0.837.The Hosmer-Lemeshow test results indicated no statistically significant difference between the predicted values and the actual values of risk prediction(P<0.05),suggesting that the model had a good fit and high prediction accuracy.Re-sults of the ROC curve showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of the risk prediction model for predicting postop-erative fecal incontinence in children with Hirschsprung's Disease after radical surgery was 0.887(95%CI:0.762~1.000,P<0.05),with a sensitivity of 0.914,a specificity of 0.763,and a Youden index of 0.677.These findings indicate that the risk prediction model has moderate discriminative ability and good predictive performance.Conclusion:Preop-erative nutritional support,need for auxiliary defecation before surgery,length of the diseased intestinal segment,edu-cational level of caregivers,postoperative diet compliance of children,postoperative defecation training of children,postoperative enterocolitis,and postoperative anal dilatation therapy are all independent influencing factors for postop-erative fecal incontinence in children with Hirschsprung's disease after radical surgery.The risk prediction model for postoperative fecal incontinence in children with Hirschsprung's disease after radical surgery,established based on multivariate analysis,is helpful for early identification of high-risk groups and timely implementation of individualized in-tervention measures.
10.Effect of dual-site repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on the changes of brain function in patients with subjective tinnitus
Guo-qing JING ; Feng WEN ; Lu YU ; Qi HAN ; Wen-jing WU ; Yang ZHANG
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(4):305-309
Objective To detect the characteristics of whole-brain functional changes in patients with subjective tinnitus(ST)after"frontal-temporal"dual-site repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS)by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI).Methods A total of 45 ST patients were enrolled,and assessments of tinnitus severity and rs-fMRI scans were performed before and 2 weeks after treatment with"frontal-temporal"dual-site rTMS.Regional homogeneity(ReHo),fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations(fALFF),degree centrality(DC)and seed-based functional connectivity(FC)were analyzed before and after treatment in ST patients.Results Tinnitus handicap inventory(THI)score of ST patients 2 weeks after treatment was significantly decreased compared with that before treatment(P<0.001).ReHo values of the right inferior parietal lobule decreased,fALFF values of the right temporal pole increased,fALFF values of the right superior temporal gyrus decreased,and DC(weighted)and DC(Binarized)values of the right medial temporal gyrus all decreased in ST patients 2 weeks after treatment compared with those before treatment(P<0.05,GRF correction).Using the above differential brain regions as seed points for FC analysis,FC values between right superior temporal gyrus(fALFF)and right middle temporal gyrus reduced,FC values between right middle temporal gyrus[(DC(weighted)]and right superior occipital gyrus reduced,and FC values between right middle temporal gyrus[DC(Binarized)]and right superior occipital gyrus reduced 2 weeks after treatment compared with those before treatment(P<0.05,GRF correction).Conclusion"Frontal-temporal"dual-site rTMS is initially effective for ST patients,and the auditory and non-auditory brain regions of ST patients showed different degrees of regional and interbrain function changes,mainly involving default mode network and visual-auditory network.

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