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.Colonization, drug resistance, and molecular epidemiological characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among dairy farm workers in Xinjiang
Jiguo JIN ; Zhaojie WANG ; Yanggui CHEN ; Xixiao MA ; Wanting XU ; Xingyu WANG ; Xiangnan WEI ; Fan WU ; Xintao DANG ; Xueying XIANG ; Jianyong WU ; Fuye LI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(2):201-207
Background Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important pathogen for both human bloodstream infections and mastitis in cows. However, little attention has been paid to the cross-host transmission of MRSA from cows to high-risk groups in China. Objective To determine the MRSA colonization rates among dairy cows and dairy farm workers in Xinjiang, identify the antibiotic resistance profiles and molecular characteristics of the isolates, and provide scientific evidence for the formulation of targeted infection control strategies. Method A cross-sectional survey combined with laboratory pathogen analysis was conducted. From June to August 2024, large-scale dairy farms in Xinjiang region were selected as study sites. Nasal swabs (n=96) and skin swabs (n=39) were collected from workers, and bovine nasal swab samples (n=109) were collected simultaneously. All samples were subjected to MRSA isolation, cultivation, and identification, followed by antibiotic susceptibility testing to characterize resistance phenotypes. Staphylococcus aureus protein A (Spa) typing was performed to determine strain genotypes and elucidate MRSA colonization rates and molecular epidemiological patterns. Results A total of 35 MRSA strains was successfully isolated from 244 samples. The MRSA colonization rates among dairy farm workers and dairy cows were 20.83% (20/96) and 12.84% (14/109), respectively, with an overall isolation rate of 14.34% (35/244). Among the workers, the nasal colonization rate was 16.67% (16/96), and the skin colonization rate was 12.82% (5/39). One worker exhibited MRSA colonization at multiple body sites. All MRSA strains were resistant to cefoxitin (100%, 35/35). The resistance rates to erythromycin and clindamycin were 42.86% (15/35) and 34.29% (12/35), respectively. Thirteen strains showed a multidrug-resistant phenotype, whereas all strains were susceptible to vancomycin. The MRSA isolates exhibited high genetic diversity, with 13 Spa types identified, among which t441 was the most prevalent (8 strains). Both t441 and t034 types were detected in samples from both the dairy cows and their handlers. These two Spa types also carried and stably inherited specific resistance combinations, including erythromycin–clindamycin–cefoxitin and ciprofloxacin–erythromycin–clindamycin–gentamicin–cefoxitin–tetracycline, and a statistically significant association was also observed between the two resistance profiles and the bacterial types (P < 0.001). In addition, one novel Spa type strain was identified. Conclusion MRSA colonization rates among dairy cows and dairy farm workers in Xinjiang are relatively high, with evidence of multi-site colonization. The isolates exhibit high levels of multidrug resistance and genetic diversity, indicating a potential risk of cross-host transmission.
3.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”.
4.Research Progress on Pathogenesis and Targeted Intervention Strategies of Chinese Herbal Active Components in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review
Lyuyuan LIANG ; Jialei CAO ; Shengjia DING ; Qirong WANG ; Yiping WANG ; Fangyuan CHEN ; Fengzhen GUO ; Yunkai WANG ; Yuxin ZHANG ; Yuxin LI ; Bingqi WEI ; Bingxiang MA ; Weili DANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(19):303-314
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with rapidly increasing global prevalence, characterized by core symptoms of social communication deficits and stereotyped repetitive behaviors. Although genetic predisposition, abnormal epigenetic regulation, perinatal environmental exposure, and nutritional-metabolic imbalances are recognized as major risk factors, the precise etiological mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Current clinical management primarily relies on behavioral interventions, with limited pharmacological options accompanied by adverse effects. Recent studies have demonstrated the unique therapeutic value of active components from Chinese herbal medicine in ASD intervention. This article reviews the mechanisms underlying various Chinese herbal active components in ASD treatment, including improvements in synaptic dysfunction, blood-brain barrier impairment, neurotransmitter regulation, cerebellar dysfunction, immune dysregulation and neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, programmed neuronal cell death, and lipid metabolism. These bioactive components exhibit multi-target and multi-pathway regulatory effects, providing novel therapeutic strategies and directions for ASD.
5.Textual Research on Historic Evolution and Ancient and Modern Application of Classic Prescription Huangqintang
Yuxin LI ; Lyuyuan LIANG ; Jialei CAO ; Tongyi HUANG ; Hejia WAN ; Bingqi WEI ; Mengting ZHAO ; Xiaoyang TIAN ; Bingxiang MA ; Weili DANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):184-191
Huangqintang, with its accurate efficacy, is a classic formula specialized in treating dysentery recommended and promoted by medical experts from successive generations, and it was included in the Catalogue of Ancient Classic Prescriptions (the Second Batch, Han Chinese medicine prescriptions) published by the National Administration of Traditional Chinses Medicine (TCM) in 2023. The method of bibliometrics was applied in this study to conduct textual research on the classic formula Huangqintang and provide a literature reference for the development of modern preparations of Huangqintang. A total of 2 026 pieces of ancient literature were searched with "Huangqintang" as the key word, and 23 pieces of effective data were selected, involving 15 ancient TCM books. The historic evolution, composition, dosage, origin, processing methods, preparation and decocting methods, efficiency, and application of Huangqintang were carefully reviewed. The results showed that Huangqintang was first recorded in the Treatise on Febrile Diseases written by ZHANG Zhongjing. It has the effect of clearing heat, stopping dysentery, regulating the middle, and downbearing counterflow and has become one of the classic formulas widely used in clinical practice. Because of its accurate efficacy, medical experts from later generations have modified it from its original composition. Though many prescriptions have different names, it is the manifestation of physicians' inheritance and development of the thought of ZHANG Zhongjing. Ancient literature showed this prescription had wide indications yet centered on digestive system diseases such as dysentery and abdominal pain. Modern applications of Huangqintang involve digestive, respiratory, ophthalmology and otolaryngology, gynecological, skin, musculoskeletal system, and connective tissue, and this prescription has great potential in treating ulcerative colitis, diarrhea, acute enteritis, and damp-heat dysentery. Through a systematic textual excavation and review of the ancient literature about Huangqintang, the paper has confirmed its key information, so as to provide a scientific basis for the clinical application and new drug development of classic formulas.
6.Individualized dosage study of vitamin D3 based on physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modeling
Yuanyuan WEI ; Tao MA ; Yuezhou TANG ; Hubo LI ; Xiaoyu TIAN ; Yunjie DANG ; Xu ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2025;30(8):1067-1075
AIM:To establish a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic(PBPK)model for vitamin D in adults,aiming to provide guidance for the ratio-nal clinical use of vitamin D in individuals with vita-min D deficiency.METHODS:Relevant literature and databases were reviewed to obtain the physi-cochemical properties and pharmacokinetic param-eters of vitamin D3.The PBPK model for adult whole-body vitamin D was constructed,optimized,and predicted using PK-Sim? software.The model's predictive performance was evaluated using confi-dence intervals,goodness of fit,and fold error(FE).The effectiveness of commonly used clinical dosing regimens was assessed based on the final opti-mized model,and personalized dosing recommen-dations were provided.RESULTS:The established adult whole-body PBPK model for vitamin D had a goodness of fit R2 of 0.961,approaching 1,and the FE values for AUC0-∞ and Cmax were both within the range of 0.5 and 2,indicating that the constructed PBPK model possesses good data predictive capa-bility.CONCLUSION:A successful PBPK model for oral vitamin D3 in adults has been established,showing good predictive performance for single oral doses of vitamin D3.Single oral doses of vita-min D3(7 500 μg and 15 000 μg)are safe and effec-tive dosing regimens for improving vitamin D insuf-ficiency or deficiency in Asian adults.Regular moni-toring of vitamin D levels before and during treat-ment is recommended to achieve the optimal out-comes of personalized therapy.
7.Epidemiological characteristics and trend prediction of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Weinan City, Shaanxi Province from 2010 to 2023
Dandan LI ; Wei LIU ; Ning MA ; Caimei JING ; Lin CHENG ; Gang LIU ; Zhen DANG ; Pengbo YU ; Lin DANG
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2025;44(3):209-214
Objective:To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Weinan City, Shaanxi Province, and study the predictive effect of the seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model.Methods:Relevant information on HFRS cases reported by the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System from January 2010 to August 2024 in Weinan City, as well as the epidemiological investigation data on clinical diagnosis and confirmed HFRS cases in Weinan City were collected. Epidemiological characteristics of HFRS were analyzed by descriptive epidemiological methods. At the same time, a SARIMA model was constructed based on the monthly incidence of HFRS from 2010 to 2023, the incidence of HFRS from January to August 2024 was used to test the simulation prediction effect, and the optimal model was used to predict the incidence of HFRS from September to December 2024.Results:A total of 4 373 HFRS cases were reported in Weinan City from 2010 to 2023, with an average annual incidence of 6.39/100 000. The incidence rate showed a cyclical fluctuation trend, reaching two peaks in 2012 (10.25/100 000) and 2021 (12.26/100 000), respectively. The incidence of HFRS presented a seasonal bimodal distribution, with the peak predominantly in autumn and winter (from October to January of the following year), accounting for 67.83% (2 966/4 373), and the peak in spring and summer (form May to July) accounting for 17.27% (755/4 373). HFRS cases were reported in all counties (cities and districts) of Weinan City, and the top 3 annual incidence rates were Huazhou District (17.84/100 000), Linwei District (16.10/100 000) and Huayin City (9.15/100 000). The age of onset was mainly concentrated in the age group of 15 - 59 years old, accounting for 68.31% (2 987/4 373). The male to female ratio was 2.96∶1.00 (3 268∶1 105). The main occupation was farmers, accounting for 82.07% (3 589/4 373). SARIMA (1, 0, 1) (2, 1, 1) 12 model was the optimal model for short-term prediction of HFRS incidence rate in Weinan City, and the residual difference was listed as white noise ( Q = 7.45, P = 0.878), the model could be used for disease prediction. The model was used to predict the incidence of HFRS from September to December 2024, and the predicted values of each month were 0.17/100 000, 0.59/100 000, 1.85/100 000 and 1.61/100 000, respectively. Conclusions:The epidemic range of HFRS in Weinan City is wide, and the incidence has obvious seasonality. The population are mainly males, young and middle-aged adults and farmers. The SARIMA (1, 0, 1) (2, 1, 1) 12 model constructed can be used for predicting the short-term incidence trend of HFRS in Weinan City.
8.Leptin promotes breast cancer cell MCF-7 migration and invasion through inhibiting ACSL5
Tao ZENG ; Lan WEI ; Yong-zhu XU ; Shi-yu YANG ; Hao-li SUN ; Ting-ting DANG ; Yi-qing YOU ; Jia-feng TANG ; Yan ZHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(4):654-660
Aim To explore the possible regulatory effect of leptin on acyl-CoA synthetase long chain fami-ly member ACSL5 and their effect on migration and in-vasion of breast cancer cell,and to explore the underly-ing mechanism.Methods The expression of leptin receptor was detected by immunofluorescence assay.The migration and invasion ability of MCF-7 cells were detected by wound healing assay and Transwell assay respectively.The downstream target gene of leptin was analyzed by PCR microarray data.The expression of ACSL5 in breast cancer and its correlation with the staging and prognosis of breast cancer patients were as-sessed uing bioinformatics methods.The expression of ACSL5 in MCF-7 cells treated with different concentra-tions of leptin was detected using real time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR).Overexpressing ACSL5 was constructed by lentiviral transfection;the expressions of EMT related proteins,AMPK-α and p-AMPK-α were detected by Western blot.Results Leptin promoted breast cancer cell mi-gration and invasion and EMT.ACSL5 was significant-ly low expressed in breast cancer and related to progno-sis.Leptin downregulated the expression of ACSL5 through OBR.Leptin activated AMPK pathway to downregulate ACSL5 and promote migration,invasion and EMT of breast cancer cells.Conclusions Leptin may promote the migration,invasion and EMT of breast cancer by downregulating ACSL5 through activating AMPK pathway.
9.Epidemiological characteristics and trend prediction of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Weinan City, Shaanxi Province from 2010 to 2023
Dandan LI ; Wei LIU ; Ning MA ; Caimei JING ; Lin CHENG ; Gang LIU ; Zhen DANG ; Pengbo YU ; Lin DANG
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2025;44(3):209-214
Objective:To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Weinan City, Shaanxi Province, and study the predictive effect of the seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model.Methods:Relevant information on HFRS cases reported by the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System from January 2010 to August 2024 in Weinan City, as well as the epidemiological investigation data on clinical diagnosis and confirmed HFRS cases in Weinan City were collected. Epidemiological characteristics of HFRS were analyzed by descriptive epidemiological methods. At the same time, a SARIMA model was constructed based on the monthly incidence of HFRS from 2010 to 2023, the incidence of HFRS from January to August 2024 was used to test the simulation prediction effect, and the optimal model was used to predict the incidence of HFRS from September to December 2024.Results:A total of 4 373 HFRS cases were reported in Weinan City from 2010 to 2023, with an average annual incidence of 6.39/100 000. The incidence rate showed a cyclical fluctuation trend, reaching two peaks in 2012 (10.25/100 000) and 2021 (12.26/100 000), respectively. The incidence of HFRS presented a seasonal bimodal distribution, with the peak predominantly in autumn and winter (from October to January of the following year), accounting for 67.83% (2 966/4 373), and the peak in spring and summer (form May to July) accounting for 17.27% (755/4 373). HFRS cases were reported in all counties (cities and districts) of Weinan City, and the top 3 annual incidence rates were Huazhou District (17.84/100 000), Linwei District (16.10/100 000) and Huayin City (9.15/100 000). The age of onset was mainly concentrated in the age group of 15 - 59 years old, accounting for 68.31% (2 987/4 373). The male to female ratio was 2.96∶1.00 (3 268∶1 105). The main occupation was farmers, accounting for 82.07% (3 589/4 373). SARIMA (1, 0, 1) (2, 1, 1) 12 model was the optimal model for short-term prediction of HFRS incidence rate in Weinan City, and the residual difference was listed as white noise ( Q = 7.45, P = 0.878), the model could be used for disease prediction. The model was used to predict the incidence of HFRS from September to December 2024, and the predicted values of each month were 0.17/100 000, 0.59/100 000, 1.85/100 000 and 1.61/100 000, respectively. Conclusions:The epidemic range of HFRS in Weinan City is wide, and the incidence has obvious seasonality. The population are mainly males, young and middle-aged adults and farmers. The SARIMA (1, 0, 1) (2, 1, 1) 12 model constructed can be used for predicting the short-term incidence trend of HFRS in Weinan City.
10.Leptin promotes breast cancer cell MCF-7 migration and invasion through inhibiting ACSL5
Tao ZENG ; Lan WEI ; Yong-zhu XU ; Shi-yu YANG ; Hao-li SUN ; Ting-ting DANG ; Yi-qing YOU ; Jia-feng TANG ; Yan ZHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(4):654-660
Aim To explore the possible regulatory effect of leptin on acyl-CoA synthetase long chain fami-ly member ACSL5 and their effect on migration and in-vasion of breast cancer cell,and to explore the underly-ing mechanism.Methods The expression of leptin receptor was detected by immunofluorescence assay.The migration and invasion ability of MCF-7 cells were detected by wound healing assay and Transwell assay respectively.The downstream target gene of leptin was analyzed by PCR microarray data.The expression of ACSL5 in breast cancer and its correlation with the staging and prognosis of breast cancer patients were as-sessed uing bioinformatics methods.The expression of ACSL5 in MCF-7 cells treated with different concentra-tions of leptin was detected using real time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR).Overexpressing ACSL5 was constructed by lentiviral transfection;the expressions of EMT related proteins,AMPK-α and p-AMPK-α were detected by Western blot.Results Leptin promoted breast cancer cell mi-gration and invasion and EMT.ACSL5 was significant-ly low expressed in breast cancer and related to progno-sis.Leptin downregulated the expression of ACSL5 through OBR.Leptin activated AMPK pathway to downregulate ACSL5 and promote migration,invasion and EMT of breast cancer cells.Conclusions Leptin may promote the migration,invasion and EMT of breast cancer by downregulating ACSL5 through activating AMPK pathway.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail