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.Experience of Professor LIU Shangyi in Treating Acute Mastitis from the Perspective of "Membrane Collaterals"
Fang ZHANG ; Dongyang DENG ; Xiao LIU ; Rong WEI ; Ling WANG ;
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(11):1148-1152
This paper summarizes Professor LIU Shangyi's clinical experience in treating acute mastitis based on the "membrane collaterals" theory. It is considered that constraint and stagnation of the membrane collaterrals is the primary pathogenic factor, with damp, heat, phlegm, and stasis being the secondary manifestations. If untreated, the condition can progress to heat toxin injuring the membrane. In treatment, the emphasis is diffusing and unblocking membrane collaterals, unblocking breast and relieving constraint. The clinical course of the disease can be divided into three stages including the early stage with mild constraint heat, the middle stage with escalating toxic heat, and the later stage with a decline of pathogens but deficiency of healthy qi. In correspondence, self-made Tongru Formula (通乳方) for diffusing membrane and venting constraint, self-made Toumo Jiedu Formula (透膜解毒方) for unblocking membrane and relieving toxin, and Tuoli Xiaodu Powder (托里消毒散) with modifications for restoring membrane and rectifying healthy qi should be used, respectively.
4.Regulation of autophagy on diabetic cataract under the interaction of glycation and oxidative stress
Rong WANG ; Pengfei LI ; Jiawei LIU ; Yuxin DAI ; Mengying ZHOU ; Xiaoxi QIAN ; Wei CHEN ; Min JI
International Eye Science 2025;25(12):1932-1937
Diabetic cataract, a prevalent ocular complication of diabetes mellitus, arises from a complex interplay of pathological mechanisms, with oxidative stress and glycation stress playing central roles. Autophagy, a critical cellular self-protection mechanism, sustains intracellular homeostasis by selectively degrading damaged organelles and misfolded proteins, thereby counteracting the detrimental effects of oxidative and glycation stress under hyperglycemic conditions. Emerging evidence indicates a synergistic interaction between glycation stress and oxidative stress, which may exacerbate autophagic dysfunction and accelerate the onset and progression of diabetic cataract. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying this relationship remain incompletely understood. This review systematically examines the regulatory role of autophagy inthe pathogenesis of diabetic cataract, with a particular focus on how autophagic impairment influences disease progression under the combined effects of glycation and oxidative stress. By elucidating these mechanisms, the paper aims to provide novel insights into molecular diagnostic approaches and targeted therapeutic strategies for diabetic cataract.
5.The Relationship Between Atherogenic Index of Plasma and Rapid Progression of Coronary Non-target Lesions
Wei WANG ; Haobo XU ; Juan WANG ; Jiansong YUAN ; Weixian YANG ; Rong LIU ; Shubin QIAO ; Jingang CUI
Chinese Circulation Journal 2025;40(11):1076-1080
Objectives:The study assessed the relationship between atherogenic index of plasma(AIP)and the rapid progression of coronary non-target lesions.Methods:A total of 1 247 patients with coronary artery disease who underwent two coronary angiography examinations at Fuwai Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between January 2010 and September 2014 were enrolled in this retrospective study.The AIP is defined as the base 10 logarithm of the ratio of the concentrations of triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.Patients were divided into the high AIP group(n=623)and the low AIP group(n=624)based on the median value of AIP.Lesion rapid progression is defined as an increase of more than 10%in the lumen stenosis of the lesion with a stenosis rate of more than 50%,or an increase of more than 30%in the lumen stenosis rate of the lesion with a stenosis rate of less than 50%,or a progression to total occlusion within 2 years.Results:Median AIP was 0.39(0.23-0.56)in this patient cohort.Rapid progression of non-target lesions occurred in 65(5.21%),including 42(6.74%)in the high AIP group.The Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the cumulative incidence of rapid progression of non-target lesions was higher in the high AIP group than in the low AIP group(HR=1.751,95%CI:1.053-2.912,log-rank P=0.028).In univariate cox analysis,the AIP and high AIP correlated with rapid progression of non-target lesions.After multivariate adjustment,AIP was an independent risk factor for rapid progression of non-target lesions(adjusted HR=2.731,95%CI:1.090-6.844,P=0.032).Conclusions:AIP is an independent risk factor for rapid progression of non-target lesions.AIP should be considered as a biomarker for estimating the risk of cardiovascular disease,along with other traditional risk factors.
6.Correlation of pyroptosis-related molecule GSDMB with immune infiltration of tumor microenvironment in ovarian cancer
Li TAN ; Xiaoting LIU ; Wei GAO ; Rong HUANG ; Qian CHEN ; Ling HE
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2025;41(11):1462-1471
Purpose To investigate the clinical significance of Gasdermin B(GSDMB)in ovarian cancer and its relationship with immune infiltration,aiming to explore novel biomarkers for immunotherapy.Methods Gene expres-sion matrix,somatic mutations,somatic copy number alterations(SCNA),and clinical data were obtained from the The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database.Copy number variation(CNV)analysis was performed using the GISTIC algorithm,and the CIBERSORT algorithm was applied to quantify the relative abundance of 22 immune cell types in the tumor microenvironment.Protein-protein interaction(PPI)network analysis was conducted to identify GSDMB-associ-ated interacting proteins.Additionally,multiplex immunofluorescence was used to verify the spatial distribution differ-ences of GSDMB protein in clinical ovarian cancer samples with different immune phenotypes and its interaction with immune cells.Results The expression level of the GSDMB gene was significantly higher in adjacent non-cancerous tissues than in tumor tissues(P<0.001).Patients with high GSDMB expression exhibited elevated levels of immune chemokines(such as CXCL9 and CXCL10,P<0.01)and tumor-killing lymphocytes(the proportion of CD8+T cell was significantly higher in the high-expression group than in the low-expression group,P<0.001).CNV analysis re-vealed that GSDMB copy number alterations significantly influenced immune cell infiltration:patients with GSDMB cop-y number amplification had decreased infiltration levels of CD4+T cells and dendritic cells(P<0.05),while those with deep deletion of GSDMB had significantly reduced infiltration levels of CD8+T cells and neutrophils(P<0.01).PPI network analysis indicated that GSDMB might interact with key immune molecules,including IL-37,IL-18BP,IL-33,and IL-2(Pearson correlation coefficient r>0.6,P<0.001).Multiplex immunofluorescence analysis demonstra-ted that tumors with high GSDMB expression were more likely to exhibit an immune-inflamed phenotype(52.6%),while tumors in the low-expression group were predominantly immune-desert type(47.3%).Immunotherapy cohort a-nalysis suggested that GSDMB could serve as a potential predictive biomarker for immunotherapy responsiveness,with high predictive efficacy in multiple immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy cohorts targeting PD-1,PD-L1,and CTLA4(AUC>0.8).Conclusion GSDMB plays a crucial role in reshaping the tumor microenvironment in ovarian cancer and may serve as a novel sensitizing target for immunotherapy.
7.Comparison of the effects of two different concentrations of mydriatic drugs in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized controlled trial
Yifan ZHOU ; Hua RONG ; Zhiqing LI ; Danyang YU ; Ruoxuan LIU ; Haoru LI ; Zixun WANG ; Ruihua WEI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology 2025;43(8):739-744
Objective:To compare the mydriatic effects of a combination of 1% tropicamide and 2.5% phenylephrine with a 0.5% tropicamide and 0.5% phenylephrine combination in patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods:A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted.Ninety Chinese patients (90 eyes) with dark irises and type 2 diabetes who needed mydriasis examination at the Fundus Disease Clinic of Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital from June to September 2024 were included.The subjects were divided into control group (30 patients 30 eyes), high concentration group (30 patients 30 eyes) and half-dilution group (30 patients 30 eyes) using the random number table method, which received 2 drops of a mixture of 0.5% tropicamide and 0.5% phenylephrine, 2 drops of a mixture of 1% tropicamide and 2.5% phenylephrine, 1 drop of a mixture of 1% tropicamide and 2.5% phenylephrine+ 1 drop of saline respectively.The pupil diameter of the patients was measured with a pupillometer 40 minutes before and after instillation.The study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki and the study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital (No.2024KY-16).Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.Results:The proportions of patients whose pupil diameters reached 7 mm 40 minutes after the initial administration in the control group, high-concentration group, and half-dilution group were 56.7%(17/30), 86.7%(26/30) and 66.7%(20/30), respectively, with a statistically significant overall difference ( χ2=6.667, P=0.036).The proportion of patients in the high-concentration group whose pupil diameter reached 7 mm 40 minutes after the initial administration was higher than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05).The pupil diameters 40 minutes after the initial administration in the control group, the high-concentration group and the half-dilution group were (7.01±0.86), (7.64±0.61) and (7.49±1.15)mm, respectively, with a statistically significant overall difference ( F=4.019, P=0.021), and the pupil diameter of the high-concentration group was significantly higher than that of the control group ( P=0.024).Changes in pupil diameter 40 minutes after the initial administration in the control group, high-concentration group and half-dilution group were (3.23±0.81), (3.82±0.60) and (3.62±0.75)mm, respectively, with a statistically significant overall difference ( F=5.121, P=0.008), and the change in pupil diameter in the high-concentration group was higher than that in the control group ( P=0.007). Conclusions:The combination of 1% tropicamide and 2.5% phenylephrine has better pupil dilation than the combination of 0.5% tropicamide and 0.5% phenylephrine.It is recommended that pupil dilation be performed with a high-concentration mydriatic drug prior to outpatient fundus examination for diabetic patients.
8.Exploration and practice of course integration in medical imaging technology for a five-year medical imaging program based on education digitization
Zhijie YIN ; Xianglin LI ; Wen WANG ; Shuai WANG ; Quanyuan LIU ; Kang RONG ; Xinkai LIU ; Wei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(2):209-214
In response to the new requirements for course instruction outlined in the revised training program for medical imaging program, this study integrated medical imaging technology courses based on the principle of outcome-oriented education and by leveraging self-developed digital resources, with imaging methods as the entry point. The core elements of the course teaching were re-optimized and reorganized to transcend the temporal and spatial limitations of course delivery, enabling the rational application of diverse teaching methods. This approach facilitated the integration of knowledge across three specialized courses, namely medical imaging physics, medical imaging equipment, and medical imaging examination techniques, and achieved full-dimensional and whole-process teaching evaluation. While reducing the number of hours allocated to theoretical instruction, the teaching objectives were achieved with high quality, providing a reference for the integration of digital technologies into the teaching of medical imaging and related disciplines.
9.Clinical application and outcomes of natural cycle and modified natural cycle IVF for individualized assisted reproduction among patients with DOR
Jiaxin LYU ; Wei GUO ; Nana LIU ; Tian TIAN ; Lixue CHEN ; Xiumei ZHEN ; Rong LI ; Rui YANG ; Jie QIAO
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(9):902-909
Objective:To investigate the outcomes of natural cycle (NC) and modified natural cycle (MNC) assisted reproductive technology (ART) in patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), and to provide a scientific basis for individualized treatment strategies for DOR patients.Methods:A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on the clinical data of DOR patients who underwent ART at the Center for Reproductive Medicine of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2023. Patients were divided into the NC group ( n=801) and the MNC group ( n=385) based on their treatment protocol. The primary outcomes were cycle cancellation rate and oocyte retrieval rate. Secondary outcomes included clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate per fresh embryo transfer cycle and frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycle, cumulative pregnancy rate and cumulative live birth rate per started cycle and per transfer cycle, as well as laboratory parameters such as the number of retrieved oocytes, the number of two pronuclei (2PN) fertilized oocytes, the number of transferable embryos, and transferable embryo formation rate. Further, multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the impact of the treatment protocol on pregnancy and live birth outcomes. Results:There were no statistically significant differences between the NC and MNC groups in terms of general characteristics such as age, body mass index, and baseline hormone levels (all P>0.05). The cycle cancellation rate was significantly higher in the NC group [19.10% (153/801)] than in the MNC group [10.65% (41/385), P<0.001], and the oocyte retrieval rate was significantly lower in the NC group [66.31% (431/650)] than in the MNC group [74.86% (259/346), P=0.005]. The number of retrieved oocytes [1 (0,1)], the number of 2PN fertilized oocytes [1 (0,1)], and the number of transferable embryos [0 (0, 1)] were also significantly lower in the NC group than in the MNC group [1 (1, 2), P<0.001; 1 (1, 1), P<0.001; 0 (0, 1), P<0.001]. However, there were no statistically significant differences in 2PN fertilization rate and transferable embryo formation rate between the NC and MNC groups (all P>0.05). In both fresh embryo transfer cycles and frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles, there were no statistically significant differences in clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate between the NC and MNC groups (all P>0.05). The cumulative pregnancy rate per started cycle and transfer cycle, the cumulative live birth rate per started cycle and per transfer cycle were also not significantly different between the NC and MNC groups (all P>0.05). Multivariate logistic analysis showed no significant association between NC and clinical pregnancy or live birth compared with MNC. Conclusion:While MNC to some extent reduced the cycle cancellation rate and improved oocyte retrieval rates compared with NC, it did not ultimately improve pregnancy outcomes in DOR patients.
10.Construction of mindfulness based cancer rehabilitation training program for patients with malignant hematologic diseases based on the Liverpool mindfulness model
Jie LIU ; Wei ZHANG ; Rongrong WANG ; Jianlan REN ; Rong FU
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(27):2147-2154
Objective:To construct a mindfulness based cancer rehabilitation training program for patients with malignant hematologic diseases based on the Liverpool mindfulness model, providing practical guidance for improving their physical and mental symptoms.Methods:The system searched for relevant literature on the application of mindfulness intervention in patients with malignant hematological diseases retrieved from Cochrane Library, PubMed, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. The search period was from January 1, 1982 to December 26, 2023. Using the Liverpool mindfulness model as the theoretical framework, based on the literature review, group meetings and semi-structured interviews, a preliminary draft of a mindfulness cancer rehabilitation training program for patients with malignant hematologic diseases was developed. After 2 rounds of Delphi expert consultation, the final version of the intervention plan was determined.Results:Among the 19 experts, there were 4 males and 15 females, aged 30-61 (47.11 ± 7.64) years old. The effective recovery rates of the two rounds of expert inquiry questionnaires were both 19/19, and the expert authority coefficients were both 0.88. The Kendall coordination coefficients for the two rounds of inquiry were 0.214 and 0.220, respectively ( χ2=77.37, 108.66, both P<0.01).A mindfulness based cancer rehabilitation training program for patients with malignant hematologic diseases was ultimately developed, including intervention subjects, intervention personnel, intervention sites and forms, intervention timing, intervention intensity, intervention process and training theme content. Conclusions:The mindfulness based cancer rehabilitation training program for patients with malignant hematologic diseases constructed based on the Liverpool mindfulness model is necessary, scientific, and clinically suitable, and can provide a basis for clinical psychological nursing practice for patients with malignant hematologic diseases.

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