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.Differences in deltamethrin resistance and kdr gene mutation in Culex tritaeniorhynchus population in and outside the Yellow Sea wetland
Xiao-er ZHANG ; Zhi-ming WU ; Ye TIAN ; Qian CUI ; Yu-qian JI ; Huan WANG ; Shu-juan YANG ; Yi-chao ZHAO ; Yu WANG ; Hua-yu YIN ; Yu DING ; Guo-jin YAN ; Min-sen ZHAO ; Shou-gang ZHANG ; Bing-dong SONG ; Hong-na CHEN ; Jian GAO ; Wei-fang YANG ; Yu-fu ZHANG ; Hui LIU ; Hong-liang CHU
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(2):101-107
Objective To gain insights into the biological characteristics of different populations of Culex tritaeniorhynchus within and around the Yellow Sea wetland from the perspective of the occurrence of resistance, we investigated the levels of resistance to deltamethrin and kdr gene mutation in the wetland and its peripheral areas. Methods Specimens were collected from Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations at two monitoring sites in the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area, and also from two populations in Yancheng City and the Liuhe District of Nanjing, and the resistance of these mosquitoes to deltamethrin was determined using the CDC biotest bottle method. For each concentration of deltamethrin assessed, a random subset of exposed specimens was selected for amplification of the kdr gene fragment, followed by Sanger sequencing to identify and analyze resistance-associated mutations. Results The LC50 levels of deltamethrin among mosquitoes from the four populations in Luhe, Yancheng, the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and the Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area were 2.048 5, 7.798 2, 3.473 3, and 17.695 5 mg/mL, respectively, with corresponding concentrations of deltamethrin ranging from 0.005 to 5.000,0.050 to 50.000,0.050 to 25.000 and 0.050 to 50.000 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the ranges of the KT50 values were 11.76-107.43, 67.05-216.30,29.77-107.43 and 28.40-329.51 min; the 1-h knockdown rates were 34.58%-99.15%, 9.52%-43.80%, 55.09%-73.01%, and 10.09%-68.07%; and the 24-h mortality rates were 12.15%-67.52%,9.52%-79.56%,13.17%-82.21%, and 11.01%-78.99%, respectively. With respect to kdr gene mutation, we assayed a total of 63,70,59, and 57 mosquitoes for the four populations, for which we detected L1014F mutation frequencies of 14.29%, 35.00%, 20.34%, and 31.58%, respectively, with a majority of these mutations being heterozygous for resistance. In addition, five adult mosquitoes were identified has having synonymous mutations at site 1011[i. e. , AAT(asparagine)mutation to AAC(asparagine)]. Conclusions Our findings revealed the clear resistance of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus to deltamethrin in the Yancheng region of the Yellow Sea wetland, and the resistance phenotype and kdr frequency of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment were comparable to those of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment, thereby indicating that the resistance of different populations of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus was homogeneous under the pressure of different insecticide selection within and around the wetland. However, the underlying mechanisms need to be further studied.
4.One Health theory and practice in China:history,present and future
Mu-xin CHEN ; Tian TIAN ; Yang HONG ; Jun-hu CHEN ; Jing-shu LIU ; Jian HE ; Xian-fa CHEN ; Qin LI ; Jin-xin ZHENG ; Tie-jian FENG ; Xiao-nong ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(5):447-455
This paper summarizes the progress of theoretical research and practice of One Health in China,and discusses the paradigm of One Health governance to improve the prevention and control of infectious diseases in China and the world,and provide an example for the improvement of the public health system.In particular,China has long history to apply the concept of One Health in the national schistosomiasis control programmes and patriotic health campaigns,which were not only focusing on human health,but also emphasizing the sustainable development of animal health and ecological environment.At the same time,the application of tools such as system dynamics model,eDNA technology,One Health economic assessment and global One Health index(GOHI)in the field of disease control and environmental health provides technical support for the concept of One Health.Despite the challenges of practical application of these tools,the One Health concept will play a greater role in providing sustainable solutions for human-animal-environmental health by strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration,improving standardization protocols and promoting inter-national cooperation.
5.China's One Health governance of emerging infectious disease prevention and control systems:current status and challenges
Jing-shu LIU ; Shi-yi HUO ; Bo-wen LIU ; Xiao-nong ZHOU ; Shi-zhu LI
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(5):456-462
Globally,emerging zoonotic diseases have revealed the close links among human,animal and environmental health,and the difficulties in addressing such complex health problems through a single entity.The concept of One Health has emerged,emphasizing the common strength of cross-sectoral,multidisciplinary,and social participation in addressing global health threats from a holistic perspective.China's action to address emerging infectious diseases since 2020 are reviewed,and the current status of and challenges in China's One Health governance of emerging infectious disease prevention and control systems are analyzed and summarized.The outlook for the development of a One Health governance system to help prepare for future pandemic diseases is also discussed.
6.Design and performance verification of high altitude adaptive oxygen generator
Bo WANG ; Xiao-feng LIU ; Wen-jia LIU ; Yi LI ; Ya-nan WU ; Shu-jie CUI ; Wei ZHANG
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(4):29-34
Objective To design a high altitude adaptive oxygen generator for the crews to alleviate their high altitude reaction in high altitude environment and meet their requirements for oxygen supply.Methods A high altitude adaptive oxygen generator based on the mature pressure swing adsorption oxygen production method was designed with the key technologies of discharge capacity compensation of air compression pump and airway fusion of molecular sieve tower,which had the components of molecular sieve tower,air compression pump,controller,cooling fan,cooler,solenoid valve,regulator,flow meter and etc.Trials were carried out at the simulated altitude and field plateau environment so as to verify the high altitude adaptive performance of the oxygen generator developed.Results The trial results showed the oxygen generator met the desired objectives and the requirements for oxygen volume fraction in GJB 2799-1996 General specification for medical oxygen generator using molecular sieve method.Conclusion The oxygen generartor provides oxygen supply effectively for vehicle operators in plateau environments or the ones rushing into the plateau.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(4):29-34]
7.Study on medical equipment configuration management of ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation
Lu JIA ; Juan DU ; Yu LI ; Huan-shu LIU ; Zhao ZHANG ; Xiao-li LIU ; Xiang-yan RUAN
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(4):63-69
The technologies for ovarian tissue cryopreservation and entire process for ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation were introduced,and the medical equipment configuration was summarized for each stage of ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation.Detailed plans and management methods were proposed for the medical equipment configuration of ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation,and relevant precautions,possible problems and solutions during the process were put forward.References were provided for medical institutions planning to carry out ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(4):63-69]
8.A case report of premature ovarian insufficiency caused by a novel FANCL mutation(c.1033G>A)and in vitro functional validation
Yi-qing LIU ; Shu-ting REN ; Yun-cheng PAN ; Feng ZHANG ; Xiao-jin ZHANG ; Yan-hua WU
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(2):270-276,291
Objective To investigate the characteristics of a novel FANCL mutation identified in a patient with premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)and to explore its potential functional impacts in vitro.Methods A novel FANCL heterozygous mutation c.1033G>A(p.Glu345Lys)was screened in a patient with POI using whole exome sequencing(WES),which was found to be inherited from a mother who had undergone early menopause.The authenticity of the mutation was identified by Sanger sequencing and the conserved nature of the mutation site was predicted by software.Overexpressing FANCL mutant and wildtype plasmids were constructed and transiently transfected into HEK293T cell lines,and the effect of the mutation was detected by qPCR,immunofluorescence and Western blot.Results The mutation site of FANCL was located within the Ring domain of FANCL,which was highly conserved across multiple species.The mutant showed no significant change in mRNA expression level,while the protein expression level was significantly down-regulated.In vitro cellular experiments further revealed that the mutation leads to decreased expression levels by reducing protein stability.Conclusion A FANCL c.1033G>A mutation was found and it may cause disease in the POI patient due to decreased protein stability.
9.Therapeutic effects of focused ultrasound and ATP-infrared bioeffect on non-neoplastic vulvar intraepithelial lesions
Shu-xian FENG ; Ying-fang DOU ; Hong-ni XIAO ; Ling LIU
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(6):59-64
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of focused ultrasound and ATP-infrared bioeffect for non-neoplastic epithelial disorders of the vulva(NNEDV),aiming to provide references for the clinical study and selection of individualized treatment plans of NNEDV patients.Methods The clinical data of 278 NNEDV patients attending the gynecology department of some hospital from May 2020 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed,who were divided into an observation group receiving focused ultrasound treatment and a control group receiving ATP-infrared bioeffect treatment with the single random grouping mmethod.The observation group enrolled in 143 patients including 84 cases of lichen simplex chronicus(LSC)and 59 cases of vulvar lichen sclerosus(VLS),and the control group had 135 patients including 71 LSC cases and 64 VLS cases.Comparisons were carried out in terms of the therapeutic effect and safety in the two groups,the efficacy for LSC and VLS between and within the two groups,and the clinical symptom scores and the quality of life scores before and after treatment of the two groups.SPSS 23.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results The two groups had no significant differences in response rate and recurrence rate(P>0.05),while the observation group had the cure rate higher and the complication rate higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).In the observation group,the overall response rates for LSC and VLS were not significantly different(P>0.05);in the control group,the overall response rate for LSC was higher than that for VLS significantly(P<0.05).The cure rate for LSC in the observation group was higher than that in the control group,with the differences being statistically significant(P<0.05);the two groups had no significant differences in the cure rate for VLS(P>0.05).The two groups had significant differences in the skin color socre,vitiligo area scoring index and skin elasticity one month,three months and six months after treatment(P<0.05),with the differences being statistically significant in the tissue structure score three months and six months after treatment(P<0.05);there were no significant differences found between the two groups in the pruritus score one month,three months and six months after treatment and in tissue structure score one month after treatment(P>0.05).In the two groups the differences were all statistically significant in the quality of life score three and six months after treatment(P<0.05);the two groups had significant differences in the quality of life score before and after treatment(P>0.05).Conclusion Focused ultrasound and ATP-infrared bioeffect are both effective for NNEDV.Focused ultrasound gains advantages in restoring the color and tissue structure of vulvar skin,and the physical therapy is the first choice for NNEDV that has failed drug therapy and risks for recurrence and canceration;ATP-infrared bioeffect with a low complication rate can be used for the patients with mild symptoms,cracked skin inflammation or those unable to tolerate ultrasound.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(6):59-64]
10.Selection of exosomal microRNA biomarkers for brucellosis diagnosis and construction of a potential miRNA-mRNA regulation network
Jin ZHAO ; Zhi-qiang CHEN ; Bing-Li WANG ; Shu-ling LI ; Xiao-yu ZHU ; Jin-tong JIA ; Ye-zi LIU ; Zhi-wei LI
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(3):269-277
This study was aimed at exploring novel auxiliary diagnostic biomarkers for brucellosis and their potential miR-NA-mRNA regulatory networks.High-throughput sequencing was used to compare miRNA expression differences in serum ex-osomes between patients with brucellosis and healthy controls.Subsequently,RT-qPCR was used to validate the expression of significantly upregulated exosomal miRNAs.The diagnostic value of these miRNAs was assessed with ROC curves,and bioin-formatics analyses were performed to investigate the potential roles of the miRNAs in brucellosis infection.The ROC curve a-nalysis indicated that the area under the curve for exosomal hsa-miR-11400(P<0.05),hsa-miR-199a-5p(P<0.05),and hsa-miR-148a-5p(P<0.05)was 0.79,0.81,and 0.74,respectively.A total of 465 differentially expressed miRNAs and their tar-get genes were predicted,including 25 immune-related target genes,most of which were closely associated with cancer-related proteoglycans,NF-kappa B signaling pathways,and IL-17 signaling pathways.The constructed differentially expressed gene network indicated that the immune genes PLXNA2,IL17RA,PRKCA,CD22,ACVR1B,and CBL might be regulated by hsa-miR-199a-5p and hsa-miR-148a-5p.These findings suggest that exosomal miRNAs might serve as auxiliary diagnostic indicators for brucellosis.Our exosomal miRNA-mRNA regulatory network provides new insights into the pathogenesis and treatment of brucellosis.


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