1.Association of physical activity and balance ability with disability: a cross-sectional study based on NHANES
Xuejiao HAN ; Jipeng SHI ; Jinpeng WEI ; Tianrui ZHU ; Hongqi XU ; Muhan HE
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2026;32(1):1-12
ObjectiveTo investigate the association of physical activity and balance ability with disability, and to further examine the mediating role of balance ability in the relationship between physical activity and disability. MethodsBased on data from 2021 to 2023 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycle, a multivariable Logistic regression model was constructed to evaluate the independent association of physical activity and balance ability with disability, with covariates adjusted in four steps. An interaction model was further developed to assess the multiplicative interaction between physical activity and balance ability. Mediation analysis was performed using the Baron and Kenny three-step approach to examine the mediating role of balance ability, and the proportion of the mediation effect was calculated. The significance of the mediation effect was assessed using the Delta method, and robustness was verified through the Bootstrap method with a fixed random seed. Multiple sensitivity analyses were conducted to ensure the stability of the results. ResultsA total of 3 902 participants were included, with a prevalence of disability of 17.7%. Multivariable regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for all covariates, both light-intensity physical activity (LIPA) (OR = 0.489, 95%CI 0.380 to 0.629, P < 0.001) and high-intensity physical activity (HIPA) (OR = 0.493, 95%CI 0.371 to 0.656, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with a reduced risk of disability, whereas impaired balance ability was significantly associated with an increased risk (OR = 1.579, 95%CI 1.266 to 1.970, P < 0.001). The interaction effect analysis showed that the interaction between physical activity and balance ability were not significant (P > 0.05), however, the main effect of LIPA remained robust (β = -0.597, SE = 0.221, OR = 0.550, P = 0.007), while impaired balance ability was significantly associated with an increased risk of disability (β = 0.577, SE = 0.231, OR = 1.780, P = 0.012). The mediation analysis further indicated that balance ability played a robust mediating role in the association between LIPA and disability, with a mediation proportion of 21.1%. The indirect effect (a × b) was statistically significant (P < 0.001), and the 95% confidence intervals derived from the bootstrap method did not include zero. ConclusionPhysical activity and balance ability are significantly associated with disability, and balance ability may mediate the relationship between physical activity and disability, highlighting its potential value in disability risk assessment and intervention strategies.
2.Traditional Chinese Medicine Treats Diabetic Nephropathy via Pathways Related to Pyroptosis: A Review
Jintao SHI ; Zhiyi ZHANG ; Yunfei WEI ; Jiarui HAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):290-300
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), one of the leading causes of end-stage renal disease, shows increasing prevalence and mortality, seriously affecting the physical and mental health of patients. As a crucial link in the occurrence and development of DKD, pyroptosis can lead to kidney cell injury and inflammation through the abnormal activation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)/thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP)/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/NLRP3, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/NLRP3, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/NLRP3 signaling pathways, which accelerate the progression of DKD. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has demonstrated definite efficacy in the treatment of DKD via multiple targets and pathways. Studies have shown that various TCM active components, including glycosides, flavonoids, polyphenols, terpenoids, and alkaloids, as well as TCM compound prescriptions for clearing heat and detoxifying, tonifying deficiency and consolidating root, and eliminating stasis and descending turbidity, can target relevant signaling pathways to inhibit pyroptosis and intervene in the development of DKD, providing new possibilities for precision treatment of DKD. This article systematically reviews the relevant pathways of pyroptosis and summarizes the research achievements and mechanisms of TCM active components and compound prescriptions in the treatment of DKD via pyroptosis in recent years. This review aims to provide new directions and ideas for the treatment and research of DKD with TCM and promote the modernization and development of TCM.
3.Clinical characteristics and risk factors for adverse outcomes in omphalocele
Wei SHI ; Mingyu HAN ; Zheng CHEN ; Xiaoying CHENG ; Junjin CHEN ; Peng WANG ; Jinfa TOU ; Liping SHI ; Xiaolu MA
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(1):43-49
Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of omphalocele, and to assess the risk factors associated with adverse outcomes.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data of 224 patients diagnosed with omphalocele, who were hospitalized at Children′s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2013 to December 2022, were collected. Based on their discharge outcomes, the patients were classified into 2 groups: favorable outcomes and unfavorable outcomes. Chi-square test or continuity correction χ2 test or Fisher exact probability method, and Mann-Whitney U test were used for intergroup comparisons. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with adverse outcomes in omphalocele. Results:Among the 224 patients with omphalocele, 126 were male. A total of 208 patients (92.9%) had favorable outcomes, while 16 patients (7.1%) had unfavorable outcomes. In the unfavorable outcomes group, 14 patients had giant omphaloceles, while 100 patients had giant omphaloceles in the favorable outcomes group. The rates of herniation of more than two intra-abdominal organs in the hernial sac, congenital heart defects, patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonary hypertension, sepsis and infection of the hernial sac, were all higher in the unfavorable outcomes group compared to the favorable outcomes group (all P<0.05). Patients with unfavorable outcomes had longer mechanical ventilation time, duration of oxygen use, duration of parenteral nutrition, hospital stays, and higher rates of parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis compared to those with favorable outcomes (all P<0.01). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that pulmonary hypertension ( OR=9.39, 95% CI 1.20-73.32), sepsis ( OR=8.59, 95% CI 1.32-55.86), and congenital heart defects ( OR=6.55, 95% CI 1.11-38.73) were all independent risk factors for adverse outcomes in omphalocele (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Infants with omphalocele are prone to complications such as cardiovascular malformations, infections, and pulmonary hypertension. Adverse outcomes in omphalocele are associated with pulmonary hypertension, sepsis, and congenital heart defects.
4.Design, synthesis and antifungal and antitumor activity research of novel Hsp90 inhibitors
Qiao SHI ; Guiyan HAN ; Junteng ZHANG ; Na LIU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(3):124-135
Objective To design and synthesize novel Hsp90 inhibitors with dual functions of synergistically enhancing the antifungal activity of fluconazole (FLC) against drug-resistant fungi and anti-tumor activity based on the Hsp90 inhibitor Ganetespib. Methods The previous research found that Ganetespib had a good synergistic anti-resistant fungal activity with FLC, with a fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) of 0.023 to 0.039. In this study, structural modifications were made to Ganetespib by replacing its indole ring with a phenyl ring containing different substituents to design and synthesize a series of new compounds. The in vitro synergistic anti-resistant fungal activity against C. albicans 0304103 in combination with FLC, anti-tumor activity (against HEL, HL60 and A549 cells), and Hsp90α inhibition activity were determined to explore their structure-activity relationship and mechanism of action. Results The chemical structures of 19 new compounds were confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HRMS. Most of the compounds exhibited strong Hsp90α inhibitory activity, good synergistic activity against drug-resistant fungi in combination with FLC and anti-tumor activity. The substitution of electron-donating groups on the benzene ring was beneficial to enhancing the synergistic activity against drug-resistant fungi in combination with FLC. Among them, compounds F3 and F5 showed excellent synergistic activity against drug-resistant fungi in combination with FLC (FICI were both 0.047) and anti-tumor activity (IC50 were 0.025 to 0.15 μmol/L and 0.021 to 0.23 μmol/L respectively), and could down-regulate the expression levels of drug resistance genes and efflux pump genes in fungi, inhibit the formation of fungal biofilms, and arrest the cell cycle of HEL cells at G0/G1 phase. Conclusion The novel Hsp90 inhibitors such as F3 and F5 could both effectively exert the dual activities of synergizing with FLC to combat drug-resistant fungi and fight against tumors, which provided a new idea for the development of new drugs with dual functions of synergizing with FLC to combat drug-resistant fungi and fight against tumors.
5.Progress on antisense oligonucleotide in the field of antibacterial therapy
Jia LI ; Xiao-lu HAN ; Shi-yu SONG ; Jin-tao LIN ; Zhi-qiang TANG ; Zeng-ming WANG ; Liang XU ; Ai-ping ZHENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):337-347
With the widespread use of antibiotics, drug-resistant bacterial infections have become a significant threat to human health. Finding new antibacterial strategies that can effectively control drug-resistant bacterial infections has become an urgent task. Unlike small molecule drugs that target bacterial proteins, antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) can target genes related to bacterial resistance, pathogenesis, growth, reproduction and biofilm formation. By regulating the expression of these genes, ASO can inhibit or kill bacteria, providing a novel approach for the development of antibacterial drugs. To overcome the challenge of delivering antisense oligonucleotide into bacterial cells, various drug delivery systems have been applied in this field, including cell-penetrating peptides, lipid nanoparticles and inorganic nanoparticles, which have injected new momentum into the development of antisense oligonucleotide in the antibacterial realm. This review summarizes the current development of small nucleic acid drugs, the antibacterial mechanisms, targets, sequences and delivery vectors of antisense oligonucleotide, providing a reference for the research and development of antisense oligonucleotide in the treatment of bacterial infections.
6.Incidence and Risk Factors of Postoperative Neuropsychiatric Dysfunctions After Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery in Patients with Parkinson's Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study
Sining XIE ; Chenguan JIANG ; Xiangjiahui LI ; Ruquan HAN ; Zhou YANG ; Bingxin LI ; Lin SHI
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(2):300-306
To investigate the incidence of postoperative neuropsychic dysfunction (PND) in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS) and to analyze its influencing factors. A prospective study was conducted between January 2020 and December 2022, recruiting PD patients from the Functional Neurosurgery Outpatient Clinic of Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University. All patients were scheduled to undergo bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN)-DBS surgery. Perioperative clinical data were collected, and PND (outcome measure) within 3 days postoperatively was assessed using the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Hamilton depression and anxiety scales, and 3-minute diagnostic interview for confusion assessment method (3D-CAM). Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of PND. A total of 216 PD patients were enrolled. Within 3 days after DBS surgery, 77 patients (35.6%) developed PND, including 24 cases (31.2%) of depression or worsening depression, 16 cases (20.8%) of anxiety or worsening anxiety, 13 cases (16.9%) of cognitive decline, and 24 cases (31.2%) of delirium. Univariate analysis revealed that dural opening method, dural opening time, intraoperative improvement rate of the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale -Ⅲ (UPDRS-Ⅲ) score, and postoperative intracranial air volume were significantly different between PND and non-PND patients (all PD patients have a high incidence of PND after DBS surgery. Sex, postoperative intracranial air volume, and the degree of improvement in PD motor symptoms can influence the risk of PND. These findings highlight the importance of individualized management based on sex, improving surgical techniques, and enhancing monitoring of neuropsychiatric status to optimize the efficacy of DBS surgery.
7.Effect of Exercise on Blood Glucose Metabolism of Type 2 Diabetes Patients in East Asian Population: A Meta-Analysis
Yuxin SUN ; Bingtai HAN ; Xiaoyuan GUO ; Xueqing ZHENG ; Shi CHEN ; Hongbo YANG ; Hui PAN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(2):492-505
To explore the effects of different exercise prescriptions on glycemic metabolism in East Asian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to compare the differences in the impact of population characteristics and exercise components on glycemic metabolism. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, EmBase, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform to identify relevant studies published from database inception to June 15, 2024, on the effects of exercise on glycemic metabolism in East Asian patients with T2DM. The study type was limited to randomized controlled trials (RCTs), where the intervention group received exercise interventions and the control group did not. Two researchers independently screened the literature based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and extracted relevant data. Publication bias was assessed using Egger's test in Stata 17.0 and funnel plots in RevMan 5.3. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3. A total of 21 RCTs involving 1289 participants (675 in the intervention group and 614 in the control group) were included. Publication bias assessment indicated overall good quality of the included studies. The random-effects model showed that exercise interventions significantly reduced fasting blood glucose (MD=-1.31 mg/L, 95% CI: -1.55 to -1.07, Exercise interventions can improve glycemic control and reduce insulin resistance in East Asian patients with T2DM. Aerobic exercise and combined exercise are more effective exercise prescriptions for glycemic management in this population.
8.The core issue of the management of occupational health technical service institutions in China under new circumstances
Xiaodong SHI ; Shijie HU ; Han ZHAO ; Dongshan LIU
China Occupational Medicine 2025;52(1):82-88
Occupational health technical service (OHTS) is one of the core contents in the technical support system of occupational disease prevention and control, and efficient management of OHTS institutions is necessary for improving the service ability. At present, OHTS institutions in China face several issues, such as uneven distribution in terms of quantity, function, unclear area coverage and roles and overlapping responsibilities among different types of institutions, and insufficient service capabilities with inconsistent service levels in some institutions. With the implementation of the national reform like the “separating permits from business license” and “delegate power, streamline administration and optimize government services"”policies, the management mode and operational approach of OHTS institutions have been profoundly changed. In light of this, five key recommendations are proposed to improve the management of OHTS institutions and enhance their management effectiveness, ensuring the sustainable development of national OHTS services. Firstly, it is necessary to clarify the relationship between national and provincial administrative levels in managing OHTS institutions to ensure their healthy and orderly development. Secondly, multiple measurements are taken to strengthen OHTS institutional capacity building to address regional disparities in technical capabilities and service quality. Thirdly, both technical capabilities and service quality should be focused on strengthening the supervision and management of OHTS institutions, preventing the decline of key conditions such as staffing, laboratories, equipment, and quality management after obtaining qualifications. Fourthly, “dual randomized- inspections and one open” and “internet+supervision” methods are used as basic tools for managing OHTS institutions operating across multiple provincial regions and enforcing cross-regional law. Fifthly, professional integrity of radiological health service institutions should be restored to effectively apply their technical advantages in their specialized fields.
9.The Clinical Utility of Biomarkers in Diagnosing Major Depressive Disorder in Adults: A Systematic Review of Literature From 2013 to 2023
Shi-han ANG ; Roger C. HO ; Roger S. MCINTYRE ; Zhisong ZHANG ; Soon-kiat CHANG ; Kayla M. TEOPIZ ; Cyrus SH HO
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(4):341-356
Objective:
The variety and efficacy of biomarkers available that may be used objectively to diagnose major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults are unclear. This systematic review aims to identify and evaluate the variety of objective markers used to diagnose MDD in adults.
Methods:
The search strategy was applied via PubMed and PsycINFO over the past 10 years (2013–2023) to capture the latest available evidence supporting the use of biomarkers to diagnose MDD. Data was reported through narrative synthesis.
Results:
Forty-two studies were included in the review. Findings were synthesised based on the following measures: blood, neuroimagingeurophysiology, urine, dermatological, auditory, vocal, cerebrospinal fluid and combinatory—and evaluated based on its sensitivity/specificity and area under the curve values. The best predictors of blood (MYT1 gene), neuroimagingeurophysiological (5-HT1A auto-receptor binding in the dorsal and median raphe), urinary (combined albumin, AMBP, HSPB, APOA1), cerebrospinal fluid-based (neuron specific enolase, microRNA) biomarkers were found to be closely linked to the pathophysiology of MDD.
Conclusion
A large variety of biomarkers were available to diagnose MDD, with the best performing biomarkers intrinsically related to the pathophysiology of MDD. Potential for future research lies in investigating the joint sensitivity of the best performing biomarkers identified via machine learning methods and establishing the causal effect between these biomarkers and MDD.
10.The Clinical Utility of Biomarkers in Diagnosing Major Depressive Disorder in Adults: A Systematic Review of Literature From 2013 to 2023
Shi-han ANG ; Roger C. HO ; Roger S. MCINTYRE ; Zhisong ZHANG ; Soon-kiat CHANG ; Kayla M. TEOPIZ ; Cyrus SH HO
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(4):341-356
Objective:
The variety and efficacy of biomarkers available that may be used objectively to diagnose major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults are unclear. This systematic review aims to identify and evaluate the variety of objective markers used to diagnose MDD in adults.
Methods:
The search strategy was applied via PubMed and PsycINFO over the past 10 years (2013–2023) to capture the latest available evidence supporting the use of biomarkers to diagnose MDD. Data was reported through narrative synthesis.
Results:
Forty-two studies were included in the review. Findings were synthesised based on the following measures: blood, neuroimagingeurophysiology, urine, dermatological, auditory, vocal, cerebrospinal fluid and combinatory—and evaluated based on its sensitivity/specificity and area under the curve values. The best predictors of blood (MYT1 gene), neuroimagingeurophysiological (5-HT1A auto-receptor binding in the dorsal and median raphe), urinary (combined albumin, AMBP, HSPB, APOA1), cerebrospinal fluid-based (neuron specific enolase, microRNA) biomarkers were found to be closely linked to the pathophysiology of MDD.
Conclusion
A large variety of biomarkers were available to diagnose MDD, with the best performing biomarkers intrinsically related to the pathophysiology of MDD. Potential for future research lies in investigating the joint sensitivity of the best performing biomarkers identified via machine learning methods and establishing the causal effect between these biomarkers and MDD.

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