1.Electroacupuncture Ameliorates NLRP3-mediated Pyroptosis in Spinal Cord Injury Rats by Reshaping The Gut Microbiota
Yin-Jie CUI ; Hong-Ru LI ; Jing-Yi LIU ; Hai-Lin DU ; Shu-Wen LIU ; Yuan YANG ; Chen-Guang ZHENG ; Jian-Qin XIANG ; Xiao-Juan SONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1132-1153
ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.
2.Electroacupuncture Ameliorates NLRP3-mediated Pyroptosis in Spinal Cord Injury Rats by Reshaping The Gut Microbiota
Yin-Jie CUI ; Hong-Ru LI ; Jing-Yi LIU ; Hai-Lin DU ; Shu-Wen LIU ; Yuan YANG ; Chen-Guang ZHENG ; Jian-Qin XIANG ; Xiao-Juan SONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1132-1153
ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.
3.The first record of Anopheles messeae (Diptera: Culicidae) parasitized by water mites in China
Xue-ru CHEN ; Wen-zhen YAO ; Yu-hao LI ; Gui-chang LI ; Tao MENG ; Qun-ling FENG ; Xin-hui LIU ; Li-hong QIAO ; Xiang-ting WU ; Xue-feng ZHANG ; Cheng-lin LI ; Xue-cheng DONG ; Da-wei WANG ; Xiao-yan SI ; Yu-hong GUO
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(1):53-57
Objective This study reports on the obligatory parasitism of water mites Arrenurus sp. on Anopheles messeae at the Manzhouli Port, Inner Mongolia, China. Methods Duing July 2024, a survey on the mosquito diversity was conducted at the Manzhouli Port. Captured mosquitoes and their ectoparasites were identified to species level. Results A total of 1840 adult mosquitoes were collected, representing species from three genera: Culex(Cx. modestus, Cx. pipiens pallens), Aedes(Ae. dorsalis, Ae. flavidorsalis, Ae. flavescens), and Anopheles (An. messeae). Among all the mosqutioes specimens,3 out of 150 captured An. messeae were found to carry ectoparasitic mites, with number of 2,4,27 mites separately. Morphological and molecular identification reached the same result as water mites(Hydrachnidiae, Hydracrina). COI gene sequence showed 94% similarity with the closest species Arrenurus truncatellus. Conlusions Literature review suggests water mites are host-specific parasitism of mosquito species and herein with the first record of Arrenurus sp. parasiting on An. Messeae in the most high-latitude region globally.
4.Dual Targeting of TBK1 and JAK-STAT1 Pathways by (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate Suppresses Type I Interferon-driven Inflammation
Liang LI ; Qi-Huan SHENG ; Huan LIU ; Wen-Hao YANG ; Jia-Lin SHI ; Ying-Jie SUN ; Rui JING ; Wei-Hua MAI ; Zhi-Min LI ; Xiao-Li XIE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):1969-1983
ObjectiveType I interferon (IFN-I) signaling is essential for antiviral innate immunity, yet its sustained or excessive activation contributes to the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases and interferonopathies, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and Aicardi-Goutières syndrome. Current strategies targeting this pathway, exemplified by JAK inhibitors, act mainly on downstream signal transduction and provide limited direct control over upstream IFN-I production, while also carrying the risk of broad immunosuppression. Phyllanthus emblica L. has long been used in traditional medicine for inflammatory disorders, but the bioactive constituent responsible for its regulation of IFN-I signaling and the underlying molecular mechanism have not been clearly defined. This study aimed to identify the active anti-inflammatory component of P. emblica and to characterize its mechanism of action on the IFN-I pathway in macrophages. MethodsActive components ofP. emblica and their candidate targets were screened by network pharmacology using the TCMSP and DrugBank databases (oral bioavailability≥30%, drug-likeness≥0.18) and intersected with inflammation-related genes retrieved from public databases. The predicted interaction between EGCG and IFN-I pathway proteins (TBK1, IRF3, STAT1) was evaluated by molecular docking, with BX795 and GSK8612 used as reference TBK1 inhibitors. Mechanistic experiments were performed in THP-1-derived macrophages and primary bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). Upstream signaling was activated by transfection of the nucleic acid analogs poly(I∶C) and poly(dA∶dT) or by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, whereas downstream signaling was activated by exogenous IFN-β. An siRNA-mediated TREX1 knockdown model was used to mimic endogenous nucleic acid-driven interferonopathy. Expression of IFN-β1 and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) was measured by RT-qPCR, protein phosphorylation by Western blot, and IFN-β secretion by ELISA. Cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) were used to probe the interactionbetween EGCG and IRF3. ResultsNetwork pharmacology identified (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as a candidate IFN-I-suppressive constituent of P. emblica, with predicted binding to TBK1, IRF3, and STAT1. Molecular docking yielded binding energies of -9.2, -7.2, and -8.2 kcal/mol for TBK1, IRF3, and STAT1, respectively, indicating an affinity for TBK1 comparable to that of the reference inhibitors BX795 (-5.7 kcal/mol) and GSK8612 (-6.4 kcal/mol). EGCG suppressed IFN-β1 and ISG mRNA expression under poly (I∶C), poly (dA∶dT), and LPS stimulation in both THP-1 macrophages and BMDM. At the protein level, EGCG reduced the phosphorylation of TBK1 and IRF3 without affecting the levels of the upstream sensors cGAS and RIG-I, and lowered IFN-β secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. CETSA and DARTS showed that EGCG did not enhance the thermal stability or protease resistance of IRF3, indicating that its effect on IRF3 is indirect. Following IFN-β stimulation, prolonged EGCG treatment reduced STAT1 phosphorylation in a time-dependent manner without an apparent change in IRF9, and partially attenuated ISG transcription; this effect was not monotonicly concentration-dependent, and CXCL10 showed the most consistent suppression. In TREX1-knockdown cells, the elevated mRNA levels of ISG15, ISG56, and CXCL10 were reduced by EGCG. ConclusionEGCG suppresses IFN-I responses by concurrently inhibiting TBK1-IRF3-dependent IFN‑β production and JAK-STAT1-mediated downstream transcription. These in vitro findings provide a mechanistic basis for the anti-inflammatory use of P. emblica in traditional medicine and identify EGCG as a candidate for further evaluation in interferon-driven autoimmune disease models.
5.Mechanism of Ethoxysanguinarine in Regulating IRE1/RIDD Signaling Pathway to Inhibit Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Alleviate Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis
Zucheng SHANG ; Hongzheng LI ; Mengfan LI ; Wen SUN ; Guosheng LIN ; Aling SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):141-148
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of ethoxysanguinarine (ETH) on angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ)-mediated cardiomyocyte apoptosis and its regulatory effects of inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1)/regulated IRE1-dependent decay (RIDD) signaling pathway and endoplasmic reticulum stress. MethodsWestern blot was used to detect the establishment of the H9c2 model via Ang Ⅱ stimulation, which was identified as a cardiomyocyte apoptosis model. Subsequently, the inhibitory effect of ETH on cell proliferation was assessed using the cell counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) to determine the optimal effective dose of ETH. H9c2 cardiomyocytes were divided into a blank group, a model group (Ang Ⅱ, 1 mmol·L-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose ETH groups (1.25, 2.5, and 5 mmol·L-1). Morphological changes in cardiomyocytes induced by Ang Ⅱ were detected using phalloidin staining. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was assessed using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick and labeling (TUNEL) staining. The apoptosis cycle was detected by Annexin V/PI flow cytometry. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and IRE1/RIDD pathway-related proteins. ResultsWestern blot results showed that 1 mmol/mL Ang Ⅱ stimulation significantly increased the protein expression levels of Bip, p-IRE1, and Bid in H9c2 cells (P<0.05, P<0.01), indicating the induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress, activation of the IRE1/RIDD signaling pathway, and initiation of the apoptosis process. Compared with the blank group, the model group showed a significant increase in the surface area of H9c2 cells and the apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes, as well as in both early and late apoptosis rates (P<0.01). The expression levels of Bid, Bax, cleaved-Caspase-3, and cleaved-Caspase-8 proteins were significantly increased, while the expression level of Bcl-2 protein was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The expression levels of Bip, p-IRE1, and p-RIDD proteins were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, the surface area of cardiomyocytes and the apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes in all ETH groups were significantly decreased after drug intervention. Both early and late apoptosis rates were significantly decreased. The expression level of cleaved-Caspase-8 was significantly decreased in the low-dose ETH group (P<0.05). The expression levels of Bid, Bax, and cleaved-Caspase-8 were significantly decreased in the medium-dose ETH group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The high-dose ETH group significantly reduced the expression levels of Bid, Bax, cleaved-Caspase-3, and cleaved-Caspase-8 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and significantly increased the expression level of Bcl-2 (P<0.05). The level of p-IRE1 protein in the medium-dose ETH group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The expression levels of Bip, p-IRE1, and p-RIDD proteins in the high-dose ETH group were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionETH can alleviate Ang Ⅱ-mediated cardiomyocyte apoptosis by inhibiting the IRE1/RIDD signaling pathway and further alleviate the cardiac injury caused by hypertension.
6.Mechanism of Ethoxysanguinarine in Regulating IRE1/RIDD Signaling Pathway to Inhibit Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Alleviate Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis
Zucheng SHANG ; Hongzheng LI ; Mengfan LI ; Wen SUN ; Guosheng LIN ; Aling SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):141-148
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of ethoxysanguinarine (ETH) on angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ)-mediated cardiomyocyte apoptosis and its regulatory effects of inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1)/regulated IRE1-dependent decay (RIDD) signaling pathway and endoplasmic reticulum stress. MethodsWestern blot was used to detect the establishment of the H9c2 model via Ang Ⅱ stimulation, which was identified as a cardiomyocyte apoptosis model. Subsequently, the inhibitory effect of ETH on cell proliferation was assessed using the cell counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) to determine the optimal effective dose of ETH. H9c2 cardiomyocytes were divided into a blank group, a model group (Ang Ⅱ, 1 mmol·L-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose ETH groups (1.25, 2.5, and 5 mmol·L-1). Morphological changes in cardiomyocytes induced by Ang Ⅱ were detected using phalloidin staining. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was assessed using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick and labeling (TUNEL) staining. The apoptosis cycle was detected by Annexin V/PI flow cytometry. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and IRE1/RIDD pathway-related proteins. ResultsWestern blot results showed that 1 mmol/mL Ang Ⅱ stimulation significantly increased the protein expression levels of Bip, p-IRE1, and Bid in H9c2 cells (P<0.05, P<0.01), indicating the induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress, activation of the IRE1/RIDD signaling pathway, and initiation of the apoptosis process. Compared with the blank group, the model group showed a significant increase in the surface area of H9c2 cells and the apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes, as well as in both early and late apoptosis rates (P<0.01). The expression levels of Bid, Bax, cleaved-Caspase-3, and cleaved-Caspase-8 proteins were significantly increased, while the expression level of Bcl-2 protein was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The expression levels of Bip, p-IRE1, and p-RIDD proteins were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, the surface area of cardiomyocytes and the apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes in all ETH groups were significantly decreased after drug intervention. Both early and late apoptosis rates were significantly decreased. The expression level of cleaved-Caspase-8 was significantly decreased in the low-dose ETH group (P<0.05). The expression levels of Bid, Bax, and cleaved-Caspase-8 were significantly decreased in the medium-dose ETH group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The high-dose ETH group significantly reduced the expression levels of Bid, Bax, cleaved-Caspase-3, and cleaved-Caspase-8 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and significantly increased the expression level of Bcl-2 (P<0.05). The level of p-IRE1 protein in the medium-dose ETH group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The expression levels of Bip, p-IRE1, and p-RIDD proteins in the high-dose ETH group were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionETH can alleviate Ang Ⅱ-mediated cardiomyocyte apoptosis by inhibiting the IRE1/RIDD signaling pathway and further alleviate the cardiac injury caused by hypertension.
7.Ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter for identifying metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a prospective study
Yun-Lin HUANG ; Chao SUN ; Ying WANG ; Juan CHENG ; Shi-Wen WANG ; Li WEI ; Xiu-Yun LU ; Rui CHENG ; Ming WANG ; Jian-Gao FAN ; Yi DONG
Ultrasonography 2025;44(2):134-144
Purpose:
This study assessed the performance of the ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter (UGAP) in diagnosing and grading hepatic steatosis in patients with metabolic dysfunctionassociated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) served as the reference standard.
Methods:
Patients with hepatic steatosis were enrolled in this prospective study and underwent UGAP measurements. MRI-PDFF values of ≥5%, ≥15%, and ≥25% were used as references for the diagnosis of steatosis grades ≥S1, ≥S2, and S3, respectively. Spearman correlation coefficients and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were calculated.
Results:
Between July 2023 and June 2024, the study included 88 patients (median age, 40 years; interquartile range [IQR], 36 to 46 years), of whom 54.5% (48/88) were men and 45.5% (40/88) were women. Steatosis grades exhibited the following distribution: 22.7% (20/88) had S0, 50.0% (44/88) had S1, 21.6% (19/88) had S2, and 5.7% (5/88) had S3. The success rate for UGAP measurements was 100%. The median UGAP value was 0.74 dB/cm/MHz (IQR, 0.65 to 0.82 dB/ cm/MHz), and UGAP values were positively correlated with MRI-PDFF (r=0.77, P<0.001). The AUCs of UGAP for the diagnoses of ≥S1, ≥S2, and S3 steatosis were 0.91, 0.90, and 0.88, respectively. In the subgroup analysis, 98.4% (60/61) of patients had valid controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) values. UGAP measurements were positively correlated with CAP values (r=0.65, P<0.001).
Conclusion
Using MRI-PDFF as the reference standard, UGAP demonstrates good diagnostic performance in the detection and grading of hepatic steatosis in patients with MASLD.
8.Analysis on trend of hearing changes in infants with p.V37I mutation in GJB2 gene at different months of age.
Shan GAO ; Cheng WEN ; Yiding YU ; Yue LI ; Lin DENG ; Yu RUAN ; Jinge XIE ; Lihui HUANG
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(1):10-18
Objective:To explore the trend of hearing changes in infants with GJB2 gene p.V37I mutation at different months. Methods:The subjects were 54 children(108 ears) with p.V37I homozygous or compound heterozygous mutation in GJB2 gene. All the subjects underwent auditory brainstem response, auditory steady-state response, acoustic immittance and other audiological tests. Children were divided into three groups according to their age, 26 cases in group A were ≤3 months old, 17 cases in group B were>3~≤6 months old, and 11 cases in group C were>6 months old. Statistical analysis was performed on the three groups of ABR response threshold, hearing degree, the ASSR average response threshold of four frequencies and the ASSR response thresholds for each frequency of 500, 1 000, 2 000 and 4 000 Hz. Results:Among the 54 cases, 35 were male and 19 were female, with an age rang of 2-27 months and a median age of 4 months. The ABR response threshold of the three groups were ranked from low to high as group A, group B and group C, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The ABR response thresholds of the three groups were ranked from low to high as group A, group B, and group C. The comparison between groups showed that the ABR response thresholds of group C was higher than that of group A(P=0.006). The proportion of confirmed hearing loss in the three groups was 34.61%, 50.00% and 63.64%, respectively, and the difference of hearing level among the three groups was statistically significant(P<0.05). The comparison between groups showed that the difference between group A and group C was statistically significant(P=0.012), normal hearing accounted for the highest proportion in group A(65.39%), while mild hearing loss accounted for the highest proportion in group C(45.46%). The ASSR average response thresholds of the four frequencies in the three groups were ranked from low to high as group A, group B and group C, and the difference is statistically significant(P<0.05). The comparison between groups showed that response ASSR thresholds of group C was higher than that of group A(P=0.002). Response thresholds of ASSR in each frequency in the three groups were all ranked from low to high as in group A, group B and group C, and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). Compared with each other between groups, response ASSR thresholds of group C was higher than those of group A(P=0.003) and group B(P=0.015) at 500 Hz, while response ASSR thresholds of group C was higher than group A at 1 000 Hz(P=0.010) and 2 000 Hz(P<0.001), and there was no statistical difference at 4 000 Hz. Conclusion:The incidence of hearing loss in GJB2 gene p.V37I mutation increased with age, and the degree of hearing loss increased, the hearing progression was mainly 500, 1 000 and 2 000 Hz suggesting regular follow-up and alert to hearing changes.
Humans
;
Connexin 26
;
Male
;
Female
;
Infant
;
Child, Preschool
;
Mutation
;
Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem
;
Connexins/genetics*
;
Auditory Threshold
;
Hearing/genetics*
;
Hearing Loss/genetics*
9.Perception of Mandarin aspirated/unaspirated consonants in children with cochlear implants.
Yani LI ; Qun LI ; Jian WEN ; Lin LI ; Yun ZHENG
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(4):312-318
Objective:This study aims to investigate the perception of Mandarin aspirated and unaspirated consonants by children with cochlear implants (CIs) under quiet and noisy conditions. It also examines factors that may affect their acquisition, such as auditory conditions, place of articulation, manner of articulation, chronological age, age at implantation, and non-verbal intelligence. Methods:Twenty-eight CI children aged 3 to 5 years who received implantation from 2018 to 2023 were recruited. Additionally, 88 peers with normal hearing (NH) were recruited as controls. Both groups participated in a perception test for aspirated/unaspirated consonants under quiet and noisy conditions, along with tests for speech recognition, speech production, and non-verbal intelligence. The study analyzed the effects of group (CI vs. NH), auditory condition, and consonant characteristics on children's perception of aspirated/unaspirated consonants in Mandarin, as well as the factors contributing to CI children's acquisition of these consonants. Results:①CI children's ability to perceive aspirated/unaspirated consonants was significantly poorer than that of their NH peers (χ²= 14.16, P<0.01), and their perception accuracy was influenced by the acoustic features of consonants (P<0.01); ②CI children's consonant perception abilities were adversely affected by noise (P<0.01), with accuracy in noisy conditions particularly influenced by the manner of articulation (P<0.05); ③The age at implantation significantly affected CI children's ability to perceive aspirated/unaspirated consonants (β= -0.223, P=0.012), with earlier implantation associated with better performance. Conclusion:It takes time for CI children to acquire Mandarin aspirated/unaspirated consonants, and early implantation shows many advantages, especially for the perception ability of fine speech features.
Humans
;
Cochlear Implants
;
Child, Preschool
;
Speech Perception
;
Cochlear Implantation
;
Male
;
Female
;
Language
10.Time-Dependent Transcriptional Dynamics of Contextual Fear Memory Retrieval Reveals the Function of Dipeptidyl Peptidase 9 in Reconsolidation.
Wen-Ting GUO ; Wen-Xing LI ; Yu-Chen LIU ; Ya-Bo ZHAO ; Lin XU ; Qi-Xin ZHOU
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(1):16-32
Numerous studies on the formation and consolidation of memory have shown that memory processes are characterized by phase-dependent and dynamic regulation. Memory retrieval, as the only representation of memory content and an active form of memory processing that induces memory reconsolidation, has attracted increasing attention in recent years. Although the molecular mechanisms specific to memory retrieval-induced reconsolidation have been gradually revealed, an understanding of the time-dependent regulatory mechanisms of this process is still lacking. In this study, we applied a transcriptome analysis of memory retrieval at different time points in the recent memory stage. Differential expression analysis and Short Time-series Expression Miner (STEM) depicting temporal gene expression patterns indicated that most differential gene expression occurred at 48 h, and the STEM cluster showing the greatest transcriptional upregulation at 48 h demonstrated the most significant difference. We then screened the differentially-expressed genes associated with that met the expression patterns of those cluster-identified genes that have been reported to be involved in learning and memory processes in addition to dipeptidyl peptidase 9 (DPP9). Further quantitative polymerase chain reaction verification and pharmacological intervention suggested that DPP9 is involved in 48-h fear memory retrieval and viral vector-mediated overexpression of DPP9 countered the 48-h retrieval-induced attenuation of fear memory. Taken together, our findings suggest that temporal gene expression patterns are induced by recent memory retrieval and provide hitherto undocumented evidence of the role of DPP9 in the retrieval-induced reconsolidation of fear memory.
Animals
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Fear/physiology*
;
Male
;
Dipeptidyl-Peptidases and Tripeptidyl-Peptidases/genetics*
;
Memory Consolidation/physiology*
;
Time Factors
;
Mental Recall/drug effects*
;
Mice
;
Gene Expression Profiling


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