1.Effect of Acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) on Improving Autism by Promoting Myelination Through The METTL14/m⁶A/PTEN Axis Based on “Xuanfu-Suiqiao” Theory
Wei-Li DANG ; Lü-Yuan LIANG ; Yu-Xin LI ; Zhi-Yao LI ; Sai-Dan LIU ; Jia-Lei CAO ; Rong-Ze MA ; Yun-Kai WANG ; Xiao-Qing YANG ; Bing-Qi WEI ; Bing-Xiang MA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1165-1177
ObjectiveTo clarify whether METTL14 mediates the core role of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) in promoting myelination and improving behavior in young autistic rats through gene intervention technology. MethodsThe ASD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (VPA) in pregnant rats. Male offspring were intracerebroventricularly injected with adenovirus-packaged METTL14 shRNA (sh-METTL14) or its control (sh-NC) on postnatal day 1, with a model group set as well. Subsequently, the juvenile rats were divided into model group, acupuncture group, acupuncture+sh-NC group, and acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) from postnatal day 7, once daily for 21 consecutive days. Neurobehavioral changes were evaluated by behavioral tests; METTL14 knockdown efficiency and the expression of METTL14, METTL3, and PTEN were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB); PTEN m6A levels were measured by RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR); myelin ultrastructure, expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and neurofascin 155 (NF155), and dendritic spine density were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and primary neuron culture. ResultsBehaviorally, knockdown of METTL14 significantly counteracted the beneficial effects of acupuncture in improving self-grooming, open field exploration, three-chamber social interaction, and Morris water maze learning and memory (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture+sh-NC group, the acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of hippocampal METTL14 (P<0.01), and the upregulating effects of acupuncture on METTL3 and PTEN expression were reversed (P<0.01). Meanwhile, knockdown of METTL14 significantly inhibited the acupuncture-induced increase in PTEN m6A levels (P<0.01). Morphologically, knockdown of METTL14 attenuated the improvement of myelin structure by acupuncture, reversed the downregulation of MBP and upregulation of NF155 induced by acupuncture, and blocked the increase in dendritic spine density (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMETTL14 is a key molecule mediating the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Neiguan. Acupuncture at Neiguan upregulates METTL14, thereby enhancing m6A methylation modification of PTEN mRNA to stabilize its expression, ultimately promoting myelin development and improving behavioral symptoms in ASD juvenile rats. This preliminarily reveals the modern biological connotation of “opening Xuanfu and dredging myelin”.
2.Effect of Acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) on Improving Autism by Promoting Myelination Through The METTL14/m⁶A/PTEN Axis Based on “Xuanfu-Suiqiao” Theory
Wei-Li DANG ; Lü-Yuan LIANG ; Yu-Xin LI ; Zhi-Yao LI ; Sai-Dan LIU ; Jia-Lei CAO ; Rong-Ze MA ; Yun-Kai WANG ; Xiao-Qing YANG ; Bing-Qi WEI ; Bing-Xiang MA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1165-1177
ObjectiveTo clarify whether METTL14 mediates the core role of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) in promoting myelination and improving behavior in young autistic rats through gene intervention technology. MethodsThe ASD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (VPA) in pregnant rats. Male offspring were intracerebroventricularly injected with adenovirus-packaged METTL14 shRNA (sh-METTL14) or its control (sh-NC) on postnatal day 1, with a model group set as well. Subsequently, the juvenile rats were divided into model group, acupuncture group, acupuncture+sh-NC group, and acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) from postnatal day 7, once daily for 21 consecutive days. Neurobehavioral changes were evaluated by behavioral tests; METTL14 knockdown efficiency and the expression of METTL14, METTL3, and PTEN were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB); PTEN m6A levels were measured by RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR); myelin ultrastructure, expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and neurofascin 155 (NF155), and dendritic spine density were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and primary neuron culture. ResultsBehaviorally, knockdown of METTL14 significantly counteracted the beneficial effects of acupuncture in improving self-grooming, open field exploration, three-chamber social interaction, and Morris water maze learning and memory (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture+sh-NC group, the acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of hippocampal METTL14 (P<0.01), and the upregulating effects of acupuncture on METTL3 and PTEN expression were reversed (P<0.01). Meanwhile, knockdown of METTL14 significantly inhibited the acupuncture-induced increase in PTEN m6A levels (P<0.01). Morphologically, knockdown of METTL14 attenuated the improvement of myelin structure by acupuncture, reversed the downregulation of MBP and upregulation of NF155 induced by acupuncture, and blocked the increase in dendritic spine density (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMETTL14 is a key molecule mediating the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Neiguan. Acupuncture at Neiguan upregulates METTL14, thereby enhancing m6A methylation modification of PTEN mRNA to stabilize its expression, ultimately promoting myelin development and improving behavioral symptoms in ASD juvenile rats. This preliminarily reveals the modern biological connotation of “opening Xuanfu and dredging myelin”.
3.Effect of Klotho-derived peptide 7 on pancreatic fibrosis in a mouse model of chronic pancreatitis and its mechanism
Yuxin LI ; Jiacai FU ; Sai CHEN ; Ling QI ; Fengjin LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(4):900-907
ObjectiveTo investigate the anti‑pancreatic fibrosis mechanism of Klotho‑derived peptide 7 (KL7) by observing its effect on a mouse model of chronic pancreatitis (CP) induced by cerulean, and to provide a basis for clinical medication. MethodsA total of 40 male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, low-dose KL7 group (2 mg/kg), and high-dose KL7 group (4 mg/kg), with 10 mice in each group. All mice except those in the control group were given intraperitoneal injection of cerulean (50 μg/kg) 6 times a day at an interval of 1 hour, twice a week for 4 consecutive weeks to establish a model of CP. The mice in the low-dose KL7 group and the high-dose KL7 group were treated with different doses of KL7 once a day for 4 consecutive weeks. In vivo imaging was used to observe the accumulation of KL7 in the pancreas; molecular docking was used to detect the binding of KL7 to transforming growth factor-β type Ⅱ receptor (TβRⅡ); the mice were measured in terms of body weight and pancreatic weight; HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of pancreatic tissue; Masson staining was used to observe the degree of pancreatic fibrosis; immunohistochemical staining was used to measure the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type Ⅰ collagen (COL1A1); Western blotting was used to measure the protein expression levels of α-SMA, TβRII, and phosphorylated small mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2/3 (p-Smad2/3) in pancreatic tissue. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test and the Dunnett’s-T3 test were used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsKL7 was significantly enriched in the pancreatic tissue of CP mice, and there was a strong binding activity between KL7 and TβRⅡ. Compared with the control group, the model group had significant reductions in pancreatic mass and relative pancreatic mass (P<0.000 1), with disordered structure of pancreatic tissue, an increase in inflammatory cell infiltration, and significant increases in fibrosis degree, the positive areas of α-SMA and COL1A1 (P<0.000 1), and the protein expression levels of α-SMA, TβRⅡ, and p-Smad2/3 (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the high-dose KL7 group had significant increases in pancreatic mass and relative pancreatic mass (P<0.01), with alleviation of structural damage of pancreatic tissue and inflammatory cell infiltration, a significant reduction in fibrosis degree, and significant reductions in the positive areas of α-SMA and COL1A1 (P<0.001) and the protein expression levels of α-SMA, TβRⅡ, and p-Smad2/3 (P<0.01). ConclusionKL7 has a significant targeted therapeutic effect on pancreatic fibrosis in CP mice through specific binding of KL7 to TβRⅡ, thereby inhibiting the activation of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.
4.Study on the effect of pulmonary lobes surface projection localization combined with pulmonary segment drainage and sputum expectoration technique on airway clearance in patients with aspiration pneumonia
Liou CHEN ; Wenting ZHANG ; Junqi LIU ; Yuncong WANG ; Zhenlin WANG ; Sai QI ; Na YANG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(9):1056-1061
Objective To investigate the effect of lung lobe surface projection localization combined with lung segment drainage sputum technique on airway clearance in patients with aspiration pneumonia,providing a reference for clinical nursing practice.Methods A convenience sampling method was used to select 62 patients with perioperative aspiration pneumonia secondary to brain diseases admitted to a tertiary A hospital in Beijing from May 2022 to October 2024 as the research subjects.A total of 31 patients admitted from August 2023 to October 2024 were assigned to a control group,and 31 patients admitted from May 2022 to July 2023 were assigned to an experimental group.The experimental group received lung lobe surface projection positioning combined with lung segment drainage sputum technique on top of conventional back percussion sputum clearance technique,while the control group received conventional back percussion sputum clearance technique.After the intervention,the differences in oxygenation state,inflammatory test indicators,treatment efficiency,vital signs and frequency of suction coughing between 2 groups were compared.Results After the intervention,the experimental group showed better oxygenation index,frequency of suction coughing,white blood cell count,percentage of neutrophils,procalcitonin levels,interleukin-6 levels,and treatment efficiency compared to those in the control group(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in heart rate,respiratory rate,and C-reactive protein levels between 2 groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Lung lobe surface projection positioning combined can effectively promote the patients with aspiration pneumonia of loosening of sputum in the lungs,improve airway clearance efficiency,enhance the patient's pulmonary ventilation and gas exchange capacity,improve oxygenation levels,and reduce systemic inflammatory levels.
5.Clinical characteristics of hematological tumors combined with invasive fusarium infection and strategies for treatment,prevention and control
Lili DONG ; Ruoqi SHAN ; Mingmei DU ; Sai HUANG ; Qi LEI ; Liping DOU ; Meng LI
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(16):2455-2459
OBJECTIVE To explore the clinical characteristics of patients with hematologic tumors combined with Fusarium infection and analyze the prevention and control measures.METHODS Six patients with hematologic neo-plasms combined with Fusarium infection diagnosed at the First Medical Center of the People's Liberation Army General Hospital from Apr.2019 to Dec.2023 were selected as research objects.Through retrospective analysis of patients' clinical data,the clinical manifestations,diagnosis,treatment and prevention strategies of Fusarium in-fection in hematologic neoplasms were analyzed.RESULTS All six patients with hematologic neoplasms combined with Fusarium infection were neutropenic or deficient patients,with main symptoms including moderate fever,painful skin nodules,rash,skin broken and crusted,and scrotal swelling and pain.Patients with severe neutrophil deficiency were susceptible to blood-borne Fusobacterium infections.Four patients had a markedly elevated G-test and Fusorium was first detected by microbiome metagenomic next-generation sequencing(mNGS)in blood,earli-er than traditional pathogenic culture methods.Five patients had Fusarium detected in urine or stool cultures.All six patients received empirical antibacterial and antifungal treatments,but the fungal infection treatment effects were poor.Treatment was adjusted according to the pathogenetic findings,mainly using a combination regimen based on liposomal amphotericin B or posaconazole tablets,with three patients cured and three death.Two pa-tients were from the same ward with a sixteen-day interval.Although no evidence of infection transmission was found,there was still a risk of cross-infection in patients with hematological malignancies and severe immunodefi-ciency.Measures for the prevention and control of hospital-acquired infections were implemented for patients with Fusarium infection and the ward.CONCLUSIONS The clinical manifestations of patients with hematological tumors combined with Fusarium infection are complex and varied with high mortality rates.MNGS testing is valuable in the early diagnosis of Fusarium infection,and it is necessary to explore new treatment options and hospital-ac-quired infectious disease prevention and control measures to improve the prognosis.
6.Current Status, Challenges, and Prospects of Clinical Research on Rare Tumors in China
Sai GE ; Wenfei LI ; Qi WANG ; Jian LI ; Xiaotian ZHANG ; Lin SHEN
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2025;4(4):399-405
Although the incidence of each individual type of rare tumor is relatively low, their cumulative impact affects a vast patient population, and their survival prognosis is significantly worse than that of common tumors. In recent years, China has made remarkable progress in clinical research on rare tumors, with a rapid increase in the number of studies and a diversified exploration of treatment modalities. However, clinical research on rare tumors still faces numerous challenges, such as uneven distribution of medical resources, the absence of a foundational registration system, and insufficient motivation for original research and development. Looking ahead, key measures including specialized development, a national collaborative group model, full utilization of real-world data, application of novel clinical research designs, and artificial intelligence technologies will strongly drive comprehensive advancements in China′s rare tumor prevention and treatment system.
7.Research Progress in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pancreatic Acinar Cell Carcinoma
Wenfei LI ; Yuan XIE ; Liyang MO ; Junjie DANG ; Qi WANG ; Yang YANG ; Qiuying SUN ; Zhenping WEN ; Sai GE ; Xiaotian ZHANG
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2025;4(4):437-445
Pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma (PACC) is a rare exocrine tumor of the pancreas with distinct clinical and pathological features. In recent years, advancements in molecular biology techniques have led to a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying PACC. Progress in imaging, endoscopic, and molecular diagnostic technologies has improved the early detection rate of PACC. The primary treatment modalities for PACC include surgical resection, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy; however, the therapeutic efficacy still requires further improvement. This article reviews the current research status of PACC, covering its epidemiology, pathological characteristics, molecular alterations, diagnostic methods, and treatment strategies, and discusses the controversies and future directions in PACC research.
8.Research progress on mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in regulating neutrophil extracellular traps in prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases.
Sai ZHANG ; Ming-Yuan FAN ; Jiu-Shu YUAN ; Qi-Yuan YAO ; Hong-Yan XIE ; Hai-Po YUAN ; Hong GAO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(1):78-93
Metabolic diseases have seen a steady increase in incidence in recent years, becoming one of the main causes of sub-health status globally. Neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs) are reticular complexes containing DNA, which trap foreign microorganisms or induce an immune response. Current research indicates that NETs are widely active in various metabolic diseases and can cause severe damage to the body through multiple mechanisms, including promoting blood glucose elevation, damaging vascular endothelial cells, forming vascular embolisms, triggering intense inflammation, and promoting lipid accumulation. Therefore, intervening in NETs is an important approach to treating metabolic diseases. Research has shown a close relationship between the theory of spleen heat-turbid toxin theory and metabolic diseases-NETs mechanism. The basic pathogenesis include the internal accumulation of phlegm-dampness, qi stagnation and blood stasis, internal accumulation of dampness-heat, phlegm and blood stasis, and flourishing toxic heat. Various Chinese herbal medicines with the functions of dispelling dampness, resolving phlegm, promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis, and clearing heat and toxins, along with their extracts and compound prescriptions, can treat metabolic diseases by regulating NETs and delaying disease progression. This paper systematically outlined the formation mechanisms of NETs, their connection to metabolic diseases, the theoretical basis in TCM, their roles in numerous metabolic diseases, and the current research status of TCM in regulating NETs to prevent and control metabolic diseases, aiming to provide effective reference ideas for developing therapeutic strategies for metabolic diseases.
Humans
;
Extracellular Traps/metabolism*
;
Metabolic Diseases/metabolism*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Animals
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Neutrophils/metabolism*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
9.Study on the effect of pulmonary lobes surface projection localization combined with pulmonary segment drainage and sputum expectoration technique on airway clearance in patients with aspiration pneumonia
Liou CHEN ; Wenting ZHANG ; Junqi LIU ; Yuncong WANG ; Zhenlin WANG ; Sai QI ; Na YANG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(9):1056-1061
Objective To investigate the effect of lung lobe surface projection localization combined with lung segment drainage sputum technique on airway clearance in patients with aspiration pneumonia,providing a reference for clinical nursing practice.Methods A convenience sampling method was used to select 62 patients with perioperative aspiration pneumonia secondary to brain diseases admitted to a tertiary A hospital in Beijing from May 2022 to October 2024 as the research subjects.A total of 31 patients admitted from August 2023 to October 2024 were assigned to a control group,and 31 patients admitted from May 2022 to July 2023 were assigned to an experimental group.The experimental group received lung lobe surface projection positioning combined with lung segment drainage sputum technique on top of conventional back percussion sputum clearance technique,while the control group received conventional back percussion sputum clearance technique.After the intervention,the differences in oxygenation state,inflammatory test indicators,treatment efficiency,vital signs and frequency of suction coughing between 2 groups were compared.Results After the intervention,the experimental group showed better oxygenation index,frequency of suction coughing,white blood cell count,percentage of neutrophils,procalcitonin levels,interleukin-6 levels,and treatment efficiency compared to those in the control group(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in heart rate,respiratory rate,and C-reactive protein levels between 2 groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Lung lobe surface projection positioning combined can effectively promote the patients with aspiration pneumonia of loosening of sputum in the lungs,improve airway clearance efficiency,enhance the patient's pulmonary ventilation and gas exchange capacity,improve oxygenation levels,and reduce systemic inflammatory levels.
10.Clinical characteristics of hematological tumors combined with invasive fusarium infection and strategies for treatment,prevention and control
Lili DONG ; Ruoqi SHAN ; Mingmei DU ; Sai HUANG ; Qi LEI ; Liping DOU ; Meng LI
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(16):2455-2459
OBJECTIVE To explore the clinical characteristics of patients with hematologic tumors combined with Fusarium infection and analyze the prevention and control measures.METHODS Six patients with hematologic neo-plasms combined with Fusarium infection diagnosed at the First Medical Center of the People's Liberation Army General Hospital from Apr.2019 to Dec.2023 were selected as research objects.Through retrospective analysis of patients' clinical data,the clinical manifestations,diagnosis,treatment and prevention strategies of Fusarium in-fection in hematologic neoplasms were analyzed.RESULTS All six patients with hematologic neoplasms combined with Fusarium infection were neutropenic or deficient patients,with main symptoms including moderate fever,painful skin nodules,rash,skin broken and crusted,and scrotal swelling and pain.Patients with severe neutrophil deficiency were susceptible to blood-borne Fusobacterium infections.Four patients had a markedly elevated G-test and Fusorium was first detected by microbiome metagenomic next-generation sequencing(mNGS)in blood,earli-er than traditional pathogenic culture methods.Five patients had Fusarium detected in urine or stool cultures.All six patients received empirical antibacterial and antifungal treatments,but the fungal infection treatment effects were poor.Treatment was adjusted according to the pathogenetic findings,mainly using a combination regimen based on liposomal amphotericin B or posaconazole tablets,with three patients cured and three death.Two pa-tients were from the same ward with a sixteen-day interval.Although no evidence of infection transmission was found,there was still a risk of cross-infection in patients with hematological malignancies and severe immunodefi-ciency.Measures for the prevention and control of hospital-acquired infections were implemented for patients with Fusarium infection and the ward.CONCLUSIONS The clinical manifestations of patients with hematological tumors combined with Fusarium infection are complex and varied with high mortality rates.MNGS testing is valuable in the early diagnosis of Fusarium infection,and it is necessary to explore new treatment options and hospital-ac-quired infectious disease prevention and control measures to improve the prognosis.

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