1.Molecular mechanisms and diagnostic value of seminal plasma exosomal miR-26a-5p targeting PTEN in idiopathic teratozoospermia
Chunhui LIU ; Ruipeng WU ; Zhiqiang WANG ; Wensheng SHAN ; Shaojun LI
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(20):3256-3266
Objective This study aims to elucidate the functional mechanism through which seminal plasma exosomal miR-26a-5p and its target genes contribute to idiopathic teratozoospermia,with emphasis on their regulatory pathways in sperm morphogenesis defects,thereby establishing a theoretical foundation for novel diagnostic markers and targeted therapies.Methods A case-control study design was adopted,enrolling 154 male subjects(84 in the teratozoospermia group[TZS]and 70 in the normal control group[NC]).Seminal plasma exosomes were isolated to screen differentially expressed miRNAs,followed by prediction and analysis of target genes and signaling pathways.Dual-luciferase reporter gene assays were employed to validate the direct binding of miR-26a-5p to PTEN.Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used to measure miRNA and protein expression levels.Spearman correlation analysis evaluated relationships between miR-26a-5p,PTEN,and sperm morphological parameters,while ROC curve analysis assessed diagnostic efficacy.Results Seminal plasma exosomal miRNA sequencing identified 11 differentially expressed miRNAs,with miR-26a-5p significantly upregulated in the TZS group(P<0.05)and negatively correlated with the percentage of normal sperm morphology in TZS(r=-0.762,P<0.05).PTEN was confirmed as a direct target of miR-26a-5p,with its expression significantly reduced in the TZS group(P<0.05)and positively correlated with normal sperm morphology(r=0.821,P<0.05).A negative correlation was observed between miR-26a-5p and PTEN(r=-0.878,P<0.05).Dual-luciferase assays demonstrated that miR-26a-5p specifically inhibited PTEN 3'UTR activity(45%reduction in luciferase activity,P<0.05).Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the miR-26a-5p-PTEN axis exacerbates oxidative stress,DNA damage,and abnormal spermatocyte division by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR,p53,Wnt/β-catenin,and NF-κB pathways.ROC analysis showed diagnostic efficacy for teratozoospermia with AUCROC values of 0.785(sensitivity 78.9%,specificity 71.3%)for miR-26a-5p and 0.754(sensitivity 73.3%,specificity 75.1%)for PTEN.Conclusions miR-26a-5p suppresses PTEN through targeted inhibition,activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways while impairing DNA repair functions.This cascade leads to accumulated oxidative stress and sperm morphological abnormalities.The combined pattern of elevated seminal plasma exosomal miR-26a-5p expression and reduced PTEN levels demonstrates diagnostic potential for idiopathic teratozoospermia,with its molecular mechanism providing a theoretical foundation for biomarker development.Targeted silencing of miR-26a-5p,either alone or in combination with AKT/mTOR inhibitors and antioxidant therapy,may represent a novel strategy for improving sperm morphology.
2.Molecular mechanisms and diagnostic value of seminal plasma exosomal miR-26a-5p targeting PTEN in idiopathic teratozoospermia
Chunhui LIU ; Ruipeng WU ; Zhiqiang WANG ; Wensheng SHAN ; Shaojun LI
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(20):3256-3266
Objective This study aims to elucidate the functional mechanism through which seminal plasma exosomal miR-26a-5p and its target genes contribute to idiopathic teratozoospermia,with emphasis on their regulatory pathways in sperm morphogenesis defects,thereby establishing a theoretical foundation for novel diagnostic markers and targeted therapies.Methods A case-control study design was adopted,enrolling 154 male subjects(84 in the teratozoospermia group[TZS]and 70 in the normal control group[NC]).Seminal plasma exosomes were isolated to screen differentially expressed miRNAs,followed by prediction and analysis of target genes and signaling pathways.Dual-luciferase reporter gene assays were employed to validate the direct binding of miR-26a-5p to PTEN.Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used to measure miRNA and protein expression levels.Spearman correlation analysis evaluated relationships between miR-26a-5p,PTEN,and sperm morphological parameters,while ROC curve analysis assessed diagnostic efficacy.Results Seminal plasma exosomal miRNA sequencing identified 11 differentially expressed miRNAs,with miR-26a-5p significantly upregulated in the TZS group(P<0.05)and negatively correlated with the percentage of normal sperm morphology in TZS(r=-0.762,P<0.05).PTEN was confirmed as a direct target of miR-26a-5p,with its expression significantly reduced in the TZS group(P<0.05)and positively correlated with normal sperm morphology(r=0.821,P<0.05).A negative correlation was observed between miR-26a-5p and PTEN(r=-0.878,P<0.05).Dual-luciferase assays demonstrated that miR-26a-5p specifically inhibited PTEN 3'UTR activity(45%reduction in luciferase activity,P<0.05).Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the miR-26a-5p-PTEN axis exacerbates oxidative stress,DNA damage,and abnormal spermatocyte division by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR,p53,Wnt/β-catenin,and NF-κB pathways.ROC analysis showed diagnostic efficacy for teratozoospermia with AUCROC values of 0.785(sensitivity 78.9%,specificity 71.3%)for miR-26a-5p and 0.754(sensitivity 73.3%,specificity 75.1%)for PTEN.Conclusions miR-26a-5p suppresses PTEN through targeted inhibition,activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways while impairing DNA repair functions.This cascade leads to accumulated oxidative stress and sperm morphological abnormalities.The combined pattern of elevated seminal plasma exosomal miR-26a-5p expression and reduced PTEN levels demonstrates diagnostic potential for idiopathic teratozoospermia,with its molecular mechanism providing a theoretical foundation for biomarker development.Targeted silencing of miR-26a-5p,either alone or in combination with AKT/mTOR inhibitors and antioxidant therapy,may represent a novel strategy for improving sperm morphology.
3.Association between long working hours and sleep disorders among manufacturing workers:the roles of alcohol consumption and mental health
Ruipeng WU ; Yingping XIANG ; Juntao HE ; Zihuang XIE ; Dafeng LIN ; Shaofan WENG ; Wei ZHOU ; Yeen HUANG
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(4):698-706
Objective To assess the impact of long working hours on sleep disorders among manufacturing workers and explore the roles of alcohol consumption and mental health factors(anxiety and depressive symptoms)in this association.Methods A cross-sectional study design was used to survey 1 336 manufacturing workers in Shenzhen.We collected the data of their demographic characteristics,work-related factors,personal behaviors,sleep disorders,and mental health status.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between long working hours and sleep disorders.Stratified analysis and mediation effect models were applied to examine the effect modification by alcohol consumption and the mediating role of mental health factors,respectively.Results Among the study samples,31.8%reported long working hours and 45.6%had sleep disorders.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that long working hours significantly increased the risk of sleep disorders(adjusted OR=2.073,95% CI:1.478-2.907,P<0.001).Stratified analysis revealed that the association between long working hours and sleep disorders was more pronounced among alcohol consumers(adjusted OR=2.556,95% CI:1.432-4.562,P=0.001).Mediation effect analysis showed that anxiety and depressive symptoms partially mediated the relationship between long working hours and sleep disorders,with indirect effects accounting for 25.71% and 27.14%,respectively.Conclusion Long working hours increase the risk of sleep disorders among manufacturing workers,particularly among those who consume alcohol.Anxiety and depressive symptoms partially explain the association between long working hours and sleep disorders.
4.Association between long working hours and sleep disorders among manufacturing workers:the roles of alcohol consumption and mental health
Ruipeng WU ; Yingping XIANG ; Juntao HE ; Zihuang XIE ; Dafeng LIN ; Shaofan WENG ; Wei ZHOU ; Yeen HUANG
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(4):698-706
Objective To assess the impact of long working hours on sleep disorders among manufacturing workers and explore the roles of alcohol consumption and mental health factors(anxiety and depressive symptoms)in this association.Methods A cross-sectional study design was used to survey 1 336 manufacturing workers in Shenzhen.We collected the data of their demographic characteristics,work-related factors,personal behaviors,sleep disorders,and mental health status.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between long working hours and sleep disorders.Stratified analysis and mediation effect models were applied to examine the effect modification by alcohol consumption and the mediating role of mental health factors,respectively.Results Among the study samples,31.8%reported long working hours and 45.6%had sleep disorders.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that long working hours significantly increased the risk of sleep disorders(adjusted OR=2.073,95% CI:1.478-2.907,P<0.001).Stratified analysis revealed that the association between long working hours and sleep disorders was more pronounced among alcohol consumers(adjusted OR=2.556,95% CI:1.432-4.562,P=0.001).Mediation effect analysis showed that anxiety and depressive symptoms partially mediated the relationship between long working hours and sleep disorders,with indirect effects accounting for 25.71% and 27.14%,respectively.Conclusion Long working hours increase the risk of sleep disorders among manufacturing workers,particularly among those who consume alcohol.Anxiety and depressive symptoms partially explain the association between long working hours and sleep disorders.
5.Mechanism of Qianggukangwei Recipe inhibiting atrophy of myotube cells due to simulated weightlessness
Ruipeng WU ; Jiaping WANG ; Yongzhi LI ; Yujuan LI
Space Medicine & Medical Engineering 2024;35(1):20-25
Objective To investigate the protective effect of Qianggukangwei Recipe(QG)on myotube cell atrophy induced by simulated microgravity effect(SMG).Methods The induced differentiation mouse myotube cells(C2C12 cells)were divided into six groups.Then the 48h simulated microgravity effect(SMG)model of mouse myotube cells was established by three-dimensional gyrotron(48h-SMG group).The cells in 3 groups were treated with 2.50,1.25,0.625 mg/mL QG.The cells in the left group were treated with 2.70 μg/mL alendronate sodium as positive control group.The levels of oxidative and inflammatory factors in myotube cells were detected by kits.The protein expression levels of NF-κB/IκB protein decomposition pathway and IGF-1/PI3K/Akt protein synthesis pathway were detected by Western blotting.The IGF-1/PI3K/Akt pathway was verified by 7 μmol/L of IGF-1 inhibitor.Results As compared with the control group,oxidation and inflammation levels in myotube cells increased significantly(P<0.05).The protein expression levels of IKK,NF-κB,and MURF-1 were significantly increased by 19.9%±6.1%,189.3%±15.9%,445.0%±46.1%,and IκB was significantly decreased by 26.5%±0.1%(P<0.05).The levels of IGF-1,PI3K,p-Akt/Akt and mTOR in the IGF-1/PI3K/Akt pathway were decreased by 23.6%±0.5%,30.7%±2.7%,13.3%±1.1%,21.0%±1.6%(P<0.05).The three doses of QG could and reduce the level of cellular oxidative stress and inflammation(P<0.05).QG could also activate the IGF-1/PI3K/Akt pathway and inhibit the NF-κB/IκB pathway.Among them,the high dose of QG(2.50 mg/mL)significantly decreased the protein expression levels of IKK,NF-κB and MURF-1 by 39.9%±2.4%,48.6%±0.1%,70.0%±2.1%(P<0.05),and significantly increased the expression levels of IGF-1,PI3K,mTOR and Akt phosphorylation by 43.1%±1.1%,100.0%±7.7%,71.8%±2.5%,95.2%±12.8%(P<0.05).Conclusion QG can significantly alleviate myotube cell atrophy induced by SMG effect by regulating relevant protein synthesis and degradation pathways.
6.Longitudinal relationship between body image satisfaction and anxiety symptoms among Tibetan college students:the mediating role of disordered eating and moderating role of mindfulness
Ruipeng WU ; Zixuan GUANG ; Qiong NIU ; Chunyu ZHENG ; Yuxin XIE ; Bingheng QU ; Xiaopeng TONG
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(5):872-879
Objective To explore the mediating role of eating disorders in the relationship between body image satisfaction and anxiety symptoms among college students,and further examine the moderating effect of mindfulness on this mediating pathway.Methods By using convenience sampling,we conducted baseline and follow-up surveys among freshmen and sophomores at two universities in Xizang Autonomous Region from September to December 2021.Measurements included the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale,the body image satisfaction subscale of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire,the Eating Attitudes Test,and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale.Data analyses performed using SPSS 23.0 included Pearson correlation analysis,mediation(model 4),and moderation(model 58)effect analysis.Results A total of 2 993 students participated in both the baseline and follow-up surveys,including 1 007 males(34.3%)and 1,666 Tibetan and other ethnic minorities(56.8%),with an average age of 19.8(SD=1.3)years.Body image satisfaction significantly predicted anxiety symptoms,and this relationship was partially mediated by disordered eating.The presence of mindfulness moderated the impact of body image satisfaction on disordered eating and the influence of disordered eating on anxiety symptoms,indicating varying strengths of these relationships at different levels of mindfulness.Conclusion This study demonstrates that body image satisfaction can significantly predict anxiety symptoms,with disordered eating playing a mediating role in this relationship.The moderating effect of mindfulness further reveals that students with high levels of mindfulness are less likely to experience eating disorders influenced by body image dissatisfaction.Interventions for college students'mental health should consider including management of body image and eating behaviors,as well as mindfulness training.
7.Analysis of the Evidence Map of Clinical Research on Treatment of Hyperlipidemia with Traditional Chinese Medicine
Wenjie HAN ; Chidao ZHANG ; Lanxin LI ; Yanze LIU ; Ruipeng WU ; Yipei AN ; Mingjun ZHU ; Xinlu WANG
Traditional Chinese Drug Research & Clinical Pharmacology 2024;35(10):1611-1620
Objective To comprehensively review the clinical research on the treatment of hyperlipidemia with traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)through the evidence mapping,and to understand the distribution of evidence in this field. Methods Databases including CNKI,Wangfang,VIP,SinoMed,PubMed,Cochrane Library,and Embase were searched from January 2004 to December 2023 to collect clinical studies,systematic reviews/meta-analyses,guidelines and clinical pathways related to the treatment of hyperlipidemia with TCM. The results were analyzed and displayed in charts and graphs according to the screening criteria,and the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2) tool and the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Chinese herbal medicine (PRISMA-CHM) were used to evaluate the quality of the systematic review/meta-analysis. Results A total of 1223 studies were included in the analysis according to Population,Intervention,Comparison,Outcome and Study design(PICOS) principles,involving 920 RCTs,249 non-RCTs,49 systematic reviews/meta-analyses,and 5 guidelines/expert consensus. In recent years,the overall number of clinical research publications has shown a downward trend. Hyperlipidemia frequently occurs in middle-aged and elderly people,and age of onset tends to be younger. The sample size of randomized controlled studies is mostly concentrated in 60-300 cases. There are many types of clinical treatment regimens for the treatment of hyperlipidemia with TCM,among which TCM decoction (50.13%) and Chinese patent medicine (38.41%) account for a relatively high proportion,and TCM exercise therapy (0.51%) is the lowest treatment. Jiangzhi Decoction has attracted more attention in trial group of TCM decoction,while Xuezhikang Capsule has attracted more attention in trial group of Chinese patent medicine. In terms of methodological design,199 papers(21.63%) explicitly mentioned the method of generating random sequence,17 papers(1.85%) mentioned allocation concealment,37 papers (4.02%) mentioned blinding. The control group was dominated by the statins,including simvastatin and atorvastatin. The outcome indicators mainly include the total effective rate,TCM syndrome score,blood lipid level,coagulation index,and adverse reactions,while the attention of TCM characteristic efficacy,inflammation,oxidative stress,and vascular endothelial index were low. The methodological and reporting quality of the systematic review/Meta-analysis were generally not high. AMSTAR-2 evaluation was extremely low,and the average PRISMA-CHM score was 15. Conclusion TCM has certain advantages in the treatment of hyperlipidemia,but there is a lack of high-quality evidence-based proof,and more high-quality clinical studies are still needed to further provide evidence supports in the future. It has been suggested that more large-sample and multi-center clinical studies should be carried out in the future. We should formulate systematic reviews/Meta analysis and guidelines/expert consensus according to the guidelines of clinical practice issues,also consult international standards and regulations,enhance normativity and reliability to improve the quality of their evidence.
8.Gut microbial dysbiosis under space environment: a review.
Hanwen ZHANG ; Xiuyun LIU ; Ruipeng WU ; Yujuan LI
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2023;39(10):4075-4084
Unique factors in the space environment can cause dysbiosis of astronauts' gut microbiota and its metabolites, which may exert systematic physiological effects on human body. Recent progress regarding the effect of space flight/simulated space environment (SF/SPE) on the composition of gut microbiota and its metabolites was reviewed in this paper. SF/SPE may cause the increase of invasive pathogenic bacteria and the decrease of beneficial bacteria, aggravating intestinal inflammation and increasing intestinal permeability. SF/SPE may also cause the decrease of beneficial metabolites or the increase of harmful metabolites of gut microbiota, leading to metabolism disorder in vivo, or inducing damage of other systems, thus not beneficial to the health and working efficiency of astronauts. Summarizing the effects of SF/SPE on gut microbiota may provide scientific basis for further researches in this field and the on-orbit health protection of astronauts.
Humans
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Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology*
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Dysbiosis/microbiology*
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Bacteria/metabolism*
9.Sleep quality and determinants among middle school students in Shanxi Province
WU Ruipeng, GUO Lan, HUANG Ye&rsquo ; en, WANG Wanxin, XIAO Di
Chinese Journal of School Health 2019;40(8):1169-1172
Objective:
To examine sleep quality and related factors among middle school students,and to provide a scientific reference for making the relevart interventional measures.
Methods:
A cross-sectional questionnaire anonymous survey was conducted among 9 560 students randomly selected from Shanxi province using multi-stage stratified cluster sampling. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to collect information on sleep quality.
Results:
Among all the participants, 2 255 (23.6%) middle school students were reported poor sleep quality. The prevalence of poor sleep quality was significantly higher in girls (24.5%) than in boys (22.4%)(χ2=5.93, P<0.05). Significant differences were observed in the prevalence of poor sleep quality between junior middle school (12.9%), senior middle school (36.6%) and vocational school students (24.6%) (χ2=636.07, P<0.01). The global PSQI, sleep duration and sleep disturbance scores were higher in girls than in boys (t=3.76,8.38,3.47,P<0.01). There were significant differences between students with different school stages in global PSQI, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, use of sleeping medication, and daytime dysfunction scores (F=727.43,83.69,1 670.07,8.24,26.19,4.20,609.80,P<0.05). Multivariable Logistic regression analysis showed that gender, school stage, academic pressure, parental marital state, relationship with teachers, physical activity, smoking and drinking were associated with poor sleep quality among middle school students in Shanxi.
Conclusion
Sleep problems are common among middle school students, and appropriate intervention should be taken to improve sleep quality of students from individual, school-and family level.
10.The expression of nuclear factor κB signal molecule in Kashin-Beck disease and its role in chondrocyte apoptosis
Jifeng LIU ; Xiaoli YANG ; Yongmin XIONG ; Ruipeng WU ; Xiuzhen ZOU ; Hao GUO ; Minjie MA ; Junling CAO
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2018;37(3):181-185
Objective To clarify the role of nuclear factor κB(NF-κB) signaling pathway in pathogenesis of Kashin-Beck disease(KBD) by observing the expression of NF-κB p65 in the whole blood samples of patients with KBD and controls,and the expression of NF-κB p65 in C28/I2 chondrocyte, and to analyze the role of NF-κB p65 molecule in chondrocyte apoptosis. Methods Through a case-control study, 161 patients with KBD (KBD group) were selected from Xunyi, Yongshou, Changwu, Linyou, Qianyang and Long counties in KBD endemic areas and 312 healthy people(control group) were matched by age and sex in Shaanxi Province. Venous blood samples were collected from patients and healthy controls, which were anticoagulated and used for determination of NF-κB p65 protein.According to the group design,the model of C28/I2 chondrocyte oxidative damage was established.The experiments were divided into 4 groups including control group(C), tBHP injury group (O, tBHP 300.00 μmol/L), low selenium pre-protection group (OS1, 0.05 mg/L Na2SeO3+ 300.00 μmol/L tBHP), and middle selenium pre-protection group(OS2, 0.10 mg/L Na2SeO3+ 300.00 μmol/L tBHP). Then, cell apoptosis was detected by Hoechst 33342 and reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by dichlorfluorescein(DCF) method. The protein was extracted by Trizol method, then protein expression level of NF-κB p65 molecule was detected by Western blotting in whole blood samples and C28/I2 chondrocyte. Results The differences in age and sex were not statistically significant between KBD group and control group (t = 0.336, P > 0.05; χ2= 0.407, P > 0.05). The protein expression level of NF-κB p65 in KBD group was 1.835 times as high as that of control group (KBD:0.167 ± 0.026, control: 0.091 ± 0.014, t = 5.147, P < 0.01). Under the fluorescence microscope, chondrocyte showed strong blue fluorescence in tBHP group and the level of ROS(1.219 ± 0.104) was higher than those of low and middle selenium pre-protection groups(0.832 ± 0.077, 0.635 ± 0.070, P < 0.05).The protein expression level of NF-κB p65 in tBHP group (1.563 ± 0.351) was higher than that of control group (0.451 ± 0.069, P < 0.05), and protein levels of NF-κB p65 had a decreasing tendency in low and middle selenium pre-protection groups compared to tBHP group. Conclusion The NF-κB signaling pathway is up-regulated in KBD patients, moreover, chondrocyte experiments show that cell apoptosis is mediated via upregulation of NF-κB p65,which suggests NF-κB signaling pathway may play an important role in pathogenesis of KBD.


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