1.The Regulatory Effects and Mechanisms of Piezo1 Channel on Chondrocytes and Bone Metabolic Dysregulation in Osteoarthritis
Yan LI ; Tao LIU ; Yu-Biao GU ; Hui-Qing TIAN ; Lei ZHANG ; Bi-Hui BAI ; Zhi-Jun HE ; Wen CHEN ; Jin-Peng LI ; Fei LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):564-576
Osteoarthritis (OA), a highly prevalent degenerative joint disease worldwide, is defined by articular cartilage degradation, abnormal bone remodeling, and persistent chronic inflammation. It severely compromises patients’ quality of life, and currently, there is no radical cure. Abnormal mechanical stress is widely regarded as a core driver of OA pathogenesis, and the exploration of mechanical signal perception and transduction mechanisms has become crucial for deciphering OA’s pathophysiological processes. Piezo1, a key mechanosensitive cation channel belonging to the Piezo protein family, has recently gained significant attention due to its pivotal role in mediating cellular responses to mechanical stimuli in joint tissues. This review systematically examines Piezo1’s expression patterns, regulatory mechanisms, and pathological functions in OA, with a particular focus on its dual roles in modulating chondrocyte homeostasis and bone metabolism disorders, while also delving into the underlying molecular signaling pathways and potential therapeutic implications. Piezo1, consisting of approximately 2 500 amino acids and forming a unique trimeric propeller-like structure, is widely expressed in chondrocytes, osteocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, and synovial cells. It exhibits permeability to cations such as Ca2+, K+, and Na+, and directly responds to membrane tension changes induced by mechanical stimuli like fluid shear stress and mechanical overload. In OA patients and animal models, Piezo1 expression is significantly upregulated, especially in cartilage regions subjected to abnormal mechanical stress (e.g., human temporomandibular joint cartilage). This overexpression is closely associated with aggravated cartilage degeneration, increased chondrocyte apoptosis, accelerated cellular senescence, and intensified inflammatory responses. Mechanical overload and pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β) are key inducers of Piezo1 upregulation: IL-1β activates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to enhance Piezo1 expression, forming a pathogenic positive feedback loop that inhibits chondrocyte autophagy, promotes apoptosis, and further accelerates joint degeneration. Mechanistically, Piezo1 mediates OA progression through multiple interconnected pathways. When activated by mechanical stress, Piezo1 triggers excessive Ca2+ influx, leading to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and mitochondrial dysfunction, which directly induce chondrocyte apoptosis. This process involves the activation of downstream signaling cascades such as cGAS-STING and YAP-MMP13/ADAMTS5. YAP, a transcriptional regulator, upregulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) and aggrecanase (ADAMTS5), thereby accelerating cartilage matrix degradation. Additionally, Piezo1-driven Ca2+ overload promotes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulates senescence markers (p16 and p21), accelerating chondrocyte senescence via the p38MAPK and NF-κB pathways. Senescent chondrocytes secrete senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors (e.g., IL-6, IL-1β), further amplifying joint inflammation. In terms of bone metabolism, Piezo1 maintains joint homeostasis by promoting the differentiation of fibrocartilage stem cells into chondrocytes and balancing bone formation and resorption through regulating the FoxC1/YAP axis and RANKL/OPG ratio. Therapeutically, targeting Piezo1 shows promising potential. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that Piezo1 inhibitors (e.g., GsMTx4) can reduce joint damage and alleviate pain in OA mice. Simultaneously, siRNA-mediated co-silencing of Piezo1 and TRPV4 (another mechanosensitive channel) decreases intracellular Ca2+ concentration, inhibits chondrocyte apoptosis, and promotes cartilage repair. Conditional knockout of Piezo1 using Gdf5-Cre transgenic mice alleviates cartilage degeneration in post-traumatic OA models by downregulating MMP13 and ADAMTS5 expression. Despite existing challenges, such as off-target effects of inhibitors, inefficient local drug delivery, and interindividual genetic variability, strategies like developing selective Piezo1 antagonists, optimizing targeted nanocarriers, and combining Piezo1-targeted therapy with physical therapy provide viable avenues for clinical translation. The authors propose that Piezo1 serves as a critical therapeutic target for OA, and future research should focus on deciphering its context-dependent regulatory networks, developing tissue-specific intervention strategies, and validating their efficacy and safety in clinical trials to address the unmet medical needs of OA patients.
2.Salidroside alleviates progression of Parkinson's disease by modulating inflammatory responses
Xiao-lin DONG ; Gang WU ; Yan-ping LI ; Li-juan ZHANG ; Fu-rong JIN ; Rui LI ; Hong-mei LI ; Xiao-xiao ZHANG ; Qing-yun LI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(7):1340-1345
Aim To explore the neuroprotective effects of salidroside on Parkinson's disease(PD)through modulation of inflammatory responses and the underly-ing mechanisms.Methods Mice were divided into five groups:healthy control group,1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)disease group,low-dose Rhodioloside intervention group,medium-dose salidroside intervention group,and high-dose salidro-side intervention group.MPTP-induced PD mouse model was established,and salidroside intervention was administered.Behavioral changes,inflammatory cyto-kine levels,autophagy-related protein expression,and neurons were observed through histological analysis and immunohistochemical staining.Results After MPTP treatment,mice exhibited significant behavioral chan-ges,increased pro-inflammatory cytokines,decreased anti-inflammatory cytokines,reduced autophagy-related proteins,and evident pyroptosis.Salidroside interven-tion alleviated these changes in a dose-dependent man-ner.Conclusions Salidroside exerts neuroprotective effects on PD by alleviating inflammatory responses and promoting autophagy,thereby protecting neurons.
3.Association of afterschool physical exercise and sleep quality among preschool children in Minhang district of Shanghai
Li-li ZHANG ; Yi-dan JIA ; Xue-qing MIAO ; Xiao-feng YIN ; Hui-jing SHI ; Yan-qi HU
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(5):657-663
Objective To observe the association between afterschool physical exercise and sleep quality among preschool children,and to explore the proper afterschool physical exercise model for better sleep quality.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted.From Apr to Jun 2024,a total of 1 430 children from three public kindergartens in Minhang district were enrolled to participate in the survey.Parents were invited to complete the basic sociodemographic information,afterschool physical exercise information and the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire.One-way ANOVA and linear mixed effects models were used to explore the relationship between afterschool exercise and sleep quality.Results A total of 1 430 questionnaires were sent out and 1 384 were recovered with a recovery rate of 96.78%.Among them 1 366 were valid,with an effective rate of 95.52%.The average age of the children was(5.19±0.87)years old with gender ration of 1.07∶1(male:female).The prevalence of poor sleep quality was 80.60%(regarding a CSHQ total score>41 as cutoff).A one-way ANOVA indicated that time on afterschool physical exercise was significantly associated with sleep duration,Night waking,and sleep onset delay(P<0.05).After adjusting for age,gender,the only child or not,main caregiver,and parental education and occupation,linear mixed effects models showed that engaging in afterschool physical activity for at least 180 mins per week has a statistically significant predictive effect on sleep duration scores(β=-0.50,z=-4.52,95%CI:-0.72,-0.28,P<0.001),night waking scores(β=-0.16,z=-2.34,95%CI:-0.29,-0.02,P=0.020),and sleep onset delay scores(β=-0.14,z=-2.35,95%CI:-0.26,-0.02,P=0.019).Conclusion Afterschool exercise was significantly associated with sleep quality among preschool children in Minhang district of Shanghai.The time≥180 min on afterschool exercise per week in preschool children was significantly positively associated with maintaining sleep duration,reducing night wakings and shortening the latency to fall asleep.The habit of afterschool exercise and the time on afterschool exercise should be emphasized by parents and the society to improve sleep quality among preschool children.
4.The Potential and Challenges of FGF9 as a Cancer Therapeutic Target
Qing ZHANG ; Hong-yan HE ; Jun-hua HUANG ; Xin-yu LU ; Hai-yan LI
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(15):2554-2560
Fibroblast growth factor,as a critical protein regulating cell growth and differentiation,exhibits aberrant signaling closely associated with various pathological pathologies,including cancer.Among the members of the fibroblast growth factor family,fibroblast growth factor 9(FGF9)has been identified as a critical player in cancer initiation and progression.While numerous studies have investigated the molecular mechanisms of FGF9 individually,comprehensive reviews addressing its impact in cancer remain scarce.This article systematically reviews the functional mechanisms and regulatory networks of FGF9 in cancer,with a focus on its roles in common malignancies such as lung cancer,liver cancer,gastric cancer,colorectal cancer,breast cancer,and ovarian cancer.The aim is to facilitate translational research on FGF9 for targeted cancer diagnosis and therapy.
5.Clinical Study on Acupoint Automatic Positioning Moxibustion Therapy Robot for Treatment of Lumbar Disc Herniation
Shuangyue LI ; Juntao YAN ; Fanfu FANG ; Yuxin ZHENG ; Chengbing CAO ; Yuan YUAN ; Feiran ZHAO ; Qing XU ; Xiaojie SU ; Guohui ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(5):154-161
Objective To investigate the clinical advantages and safety of an acupoint auto-positioning moxibustion robot combined with massage techniques in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.Methods Totally 114 patients with lumbar disc herniation treated between June 2021 and December 2023 at Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine,Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,the Outpatient Department of Rehabilitation Medicine,Changhai Hospital and Shanghai Third Rehabilitation Hospital were divided into control group and experimental group with random number table method,with 57 cases in each group.The control group received conventional moxibustion combined with massage techniques,while the experimental group was treated using an acupoint auto-positioning moxibustion robot combined with massage techniques.Both groups underwent treatment once every three days,totaling 10 sessions over one month.Clinical efficacy was observed between the two groups by comparing pre-treatment and post-treatment(after 3,6 and 10 sessions)scores on the visual analogue scale(VAS)for pain,the Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)lower back pain score,and lumbar range of motion(LROM).Adverse reactions during the intervention were recorded.Satisfaction with the moxibustion robot in the experimental group was assessed using a Likert scale.Additionally,20 healthy subjects were recruited to evaluate the accuracy of the robot's acupoint auto-positioning function.Results The overall effective rate was 91.23%(52/57)in the experimental group and 94.74%(54/57)in the control group,without statistical significance between the two groups(P>0.05).Compared to pre-treatment,both groups showed significant improvements in VAS scores,JOA scores and LROM across all measured directions after 3,6,and 10 treatment sessions(P<0.001).In the Likert scale assessment,86.96%of subjects agreed that the device was convenient to use,87.72%agreed that the device was safer than conventional moxibustion therapy,and 94.74%were willing to recommend the device to other patients.The accuracy evaluation of the acupoint auto-positioning moxibustion robot demonstrated that the average deviation between robot-positioned acupoints and standard acupoints was(1.68±0.46)mm,achieving a positioning accuracy rate exceeding 95%.No adverse reactions were reported during the intervention.Conclusion The combination of an acupoint auto-positioning moxibustion robot with massage techniques is as effective as conventional moxibustion combined with massage techniques in improving clinical symptoms,alleviating pains,enhancing lumbar function and increasing lumbar mobility in patients with lumbar disc herniation.Participants have exhibited a high willingness to use the device,and the robot achieved a high accuracy rate in acupoint positioning.
6.Survival analysis of newly diagnosed non-transplant multiple myeloma patients
Jianxia HUANG ; Jushan ZHANG ; Ning WANG ; Guoliang ZHANG ; Yuxia WANG ; Yan WANG ; Qing WU
Chinese Journal of Primary Medicine and Pharmacy 2025;32(4):523-526
Objective:To analyze overall survival (OS), influential factors, and causes of death in patients with newly diagnosed non-transplant multiple myeloma (NDMM) at grassroots hospitals.Methods:The clinical data of 56 patients with NDMM admitted to the Department of Hematology, Wuwei People's Hospital from January 2018 to October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Using the Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression survival analysis models, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the factors affecting the OS of patients with NDMM.Results:The median OS of patients with NDMM was 27 months. Univariate analysis indicated that whether or not to receive chemotherapy was a risk factor affecting OS. Multivariate analysis revealed that age ( HR: 2.215, 95% CI 1.056-4.648, P < 0.05), renal dysfunction ( HR: 3.482, 95% CI 1.359-8.923, P < 0.05), and whether or not to receive chemotherapy ( HR: 0.83, 95% CI 0.021-0.331, P < 0.001) were all significant risk factors affecting OS (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:The median survival time of patients with NDMM is short. Age, renal dysfunction, and not receiving chemotherapy are unfavorable factors affecting OS. Pulmonary infection, renal failure, and disease progression are the main causes of death in patients with NDMM.
7.Clinical Study on Acupoint Automatic Positioning Moxibustion Therapy Robot for Treatment of Lumbar Disc Herniation
Shuangyue LI ; Juntao YAN ; Fanfu FANG ; Yuxin ZHENG ; Chengbing CAO ; Yuan YUAN ; Feiran ZHAO ; Qing XU ; Xiaojie SU ; Guohui ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(5):154-161
Objective To investigate the clinical advantages and safety of an acupoint auto-positioning moxibustion robot combined with massage techniques in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.Methods Totally 114 patients with lumbar disc herniation treated between June 2021 and December 2023 at Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine,Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,the Outpatient Department of Rehabilitation Medicine,Changhai Hospital and Shanghai Third Rehabilitation Hospital were divided into control group and experimental group with random number table method,with 57 cases in each group.The control group received conventional moxibustion combined with massage techniques,while the experimental group was treated using an acupoint auto-positioning moxibustion robot combined with massage techniques.Both groups underwent treatment once every three days,totaling 10 sessions over one month.Clinical efficacy was observed between the two groups by comparing pre-treatment and post-treatment(after 3,6 and 10 sessions)scores on the visual analogue scale(VAS)for pain,the Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)lower back pain score,and lumbar range of motion(LROM).Adverse reactions during the intervention were recorded.Satisfaction with the moxibustion robot in the experimental group was assessed using a Likert scale.Additionally,20 healthy subjects were recruited to evaluate the accuracy of the robot's acupoint auto-positioning function.Results The overall effective rate was 91.23%(52/57)in the experimental group and 94.74%(54/57)in the control group,without statistical significance between the two groups(P>0.05).Compared to pre-treatment,both groups showed significant improvements in VAS scores,JOA scores and LROM across all measured directions after 3,6,and 10 treatment sessions(P<0.001).In the Likert scale assessment,86.96%of subjects agreed that the device was convenient to use,87.72%agreed that the device was safer than conventional moxibustion therapy,and 94.74%were willing to recommend the device to other patients.The accuracy evaluation of the acupoint auto-positioning moxibustion robot demonstrated that the average deviation between robot-positioned acupoints and standard acupoints was(1.68±0.46)mm,achieving a positioning accuracy rate exceeding 95%.No adverse reactions were reported during the intervention.Conclusion The combination of an acupoint auto-positioning moxibustion robot with massage techniques is as effective as conventional moxibustion combined with massage techniques in improving clinical symptoms,alleviating pains,enhancing lumbar function and increasing lumbar mobility in patients with lumbar disc herniation.Participants have exhibited a high willingness to use the device,and the robot achieved a high accuracy rate in acupoint positioning.
8.Risk factors and predictive value of postoperative pulmonary infection after thoracoscopic lobectomy for NSCLC
Jia YAN ; Jiayuan JIN ; Qing ZHANG ; Bin LI ; Jingtao LI
Clinical Medicine of China 2025;41(2):111-116
Objective:To explore the risk factors of pulmonary infection in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after thoracoscopic lobectomy and evaluate their predictive value.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 152 NSCLC patients who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy at the Central Hospital of Tongchuan Mining Bureau in Shaanxi Province from May 2021 to May 2024. Among them, 45 cases were diagnosed with pulmonary infection by postoperative lung CT examination (postoperative infection group), while the remaining 107 cases did not develop pulmonary infection (non infection group). The levels of serum procalcitonin, serum amyloid A (SAA), and soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell-1 (sTREM-1) between two groups of patients before and after surgery were compared, and conduct a multivariate logistic regression analysis on the risk factors of pulmonary infection in NSCLC patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy was conducted to evaluate the predictive value of each indicator for pulmonary infection in NSCLC patients after thoracoscopic lobectomy. The normally distributed quantitative data was represented by xˉ± s. Independent sample t-test was used for comparison between two groups, and paired t-test was used for comparison before and after treatment; The count data was presented as an example (%), and the comparison between groups was conducted using the chi square test. The risk factors for postoperative pulmonary infection in NSCLC patients were analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to analyze the predictive value of each indicator for pulmonary infection after thoracoscopic lobectomy. Results:No difference were found in the levels of serum procalcitonin, SAA, and sTREM-1 between two groups of patients before surgery(all P>0.05); 24 hours after surgery, the levels of serum procalcitonin, SAA, and sTREM-1 in both groups of patients were higher than before surgery [Postoperative infection group: (1.16±0.29) μg/L compared to (0.34±0.09) μg/L, (10.2±1.8) mg/L compared to (7.3±0.9) mg/L, (20.3±4.8) ng/L compared to (8.0±1.2) ng/L, t-values were 20.70, 9.70, and 16.89, respectively, all P<0.001; The uninfected group (0.84±0.14) μg/L compared to (0.32±0.08) μg/L, (8.2±1.1) mg/L compared to (7.4±0.9) mg/L, and (13.5±6.3) ng/L compared to (8.1±1.2) ng/L, with t-values of 33.36, 6.13, and 8.73, respectively, all P<0.001, and the infected group was higher than the uninfected group ( t-values of 9.18, 8.32, and 6.52, respectively, all P<0.001). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that serum procalcitonin, SAA, and sTREM-1 levels at 24 hours after surgery were all risk factors for pulmonary infection in NSCLC patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy (odds ratios of 2.40, 1.61, 1.60, 95% confidence intervals: 1.14~5.04, 1.09~2.38, 1.13~2.26, P values of 0.021, 0.017, 0.009, respectively). The area under curve(AUC) of serum procalcitonin, SAA, and sTREM-1 predicting pulmonary infection after thoracoscopic lobectomy in NSCLC patients 24 hours after surgery were 0.84, 0.74, and 0.79, respectively, with cutoff values of 1.03 μg/L, 9.74 mg/L, and 16.85 ng/L, respectively. Conclusions:The levels of serum procalcitonin, SAA, and sTREM-1 24 hours after surgery are all risk factors for pulmonary infection in NSCLC patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy, and all three had a high predictive value for postoperative pulmonary infection.
9.Intervention effects of comprehensive infection prevention and control measures in suspected CRAB infection outbreaks in a neurosurgical care unit
Qing GAO ; Xiaoxia WANG ; Yinghua ZHANG ; Ling CAI ; Kangle GUO ; Yuqing FAN ; Yanzhi HE ; Yan WANG
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(15):2357-2362
OBJECTIVE To analyze the reasons for the outbreak of suspected carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(CRAB)infections in the neurosurgical intensive care unit to take comprehensive prevention and con-trol measures to control the spread of infections,and to provide a reference for the control of multidrug-resistant organisms(MDRO)infections in intensive care units.METHODS Epidemiological data were collected from five patients with CRAB infections in the neurosurgical intensive care unit of Gansu Provincial People's Hospital in Mar.2024,and environmental hygiene monitoring and comprehensive infection prevention and control measures were conducted.RESULTS A total of five cases of lower respiratory tract infections occurred,all of which were hospital-acquired infections,and all patients had consistent spatial-temporal distribution.A.baumannii was detec-ted in the sputum cultures of all patients,and all were resistant to carbapenems,aminoglycosides and some β-lac-tam drugs.Before the implementation of comprehensive prevention and control measures,a total of 25 samples from the surfaces and the hands of health workers were collected,with a pass rate of 52.00%;CRAB was detected on the surface of treatment carts and the wall of sputum suction bottles in the treatment room,with a detection rate of 8.00%.After the implementation,a total of 24 samples were collected,with a pass rate of 100.00%,and the difference was statistically significant when compared with the pre-implementation period(χ2=16.987,P<0.001).Through the implementation of comprehensive measures such as isolation,standardization of the ward cleaning and disinfection process,strengthening hand hygiene,standardization of sterile operations and personnel management,the indicators such as hand hygiene compliance rate,the execution rate of multi-drug-resistant bac-terial preventive and control measures and the fluorescent marker removal rate were all improved,and the suspec-ted CRAB infection outbreak was timely controlled.CONCLUSION This suspected CRAB hospital-acquired infec-tion outbreak may be related to a variety of factors,and timely environmental hygiene monitoring and comprehen-sive infection prevention and control measures can effectively control the spread of CRAB infection.
10.Analysis of Lung Cancer Screening Compliance Among High-Risk Population in Chongqing from 2013 to 2021
Lu XIAO ; Shenglin ZHAO ; Zhikai YU ; Jia DU ; Yan ZHANG ; Xiu LIU ; Qing GUO ; Hong ZHOU ; Mei HE
China Cancer 2025;34(3):203-208
[Purpose]To analyze the compliance and its influencing factors of lung cancer screening using low-dose computed tomography(LDCT)among high-risk population in urban districts of Chongqing from 2013 to 2021.[Methods]The lung cancer screeing of Cancer Early Diagnosis and Treatment Project was conducted among permanent residents aged 40~69 years old from 14 urban districts of Chongqing selected by cluster sampling method from 2013 to 2021.The questionnaire survey was performed to assess the risk level of lung cancer,and individuals with high risk were advised to have LDCT examination.The compliance rate of LDCT examination among high-risk populations was calculated and compared using Chi-square test among residents with different de-mographic features;the influencing factors of compliance was analyzed with generalized linear mixed models.[Results]A total of 316 066 residents completed the risk assessment questionnaire survey,52 858 people were assessed as high-risk(17.17%).Among the high-risk population,20 398 completed LDCT screening,with an overall compliance rate of 38.59%.The generalized linear mixed model showed that male participants(OR=0.871,95%CI:0.823~0.922)and smokers(light smokers:OR=0.829,95%CI:0.775~0.886;heavy smokers:OR=0.842,95%CI:0.792~0.896)had lower compliance rates;while people with higher education level(OR=1.347,95%CI:1.265~1.435),occupational exposure to harmful substances(OR=1.400,95%CI:1.340~1.463),passive smoking for 20 years or more(OR=1.472,95%CI:1.376~1.576),infrequent physical exercise(OR=1.203,95%CI:1.152~1.256),family history of lung cancer(OR=2.312,95%CI:2.201~2.429),and those having media promotion by community staff(OR=1.365,95%CI:1.223~1.524),and trained community staff(OR=1.343,95%CI:1.227~1.470)had higher compliance rates.Comorbidities were also factors influencing compliance,and there was an increasing trend of compliance rate with the increase of comorbidity numbers(P<0.001).[Conclusion]The compli-ance rate of LDCT examination for lung cancer screening in Chongqing needs to be improved,and more precise health education should be implemented for groups with different characteristics to improve the compliance among high-risk population.

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