1.Overview of the Research on Mechanisms and Application of Essential Oil of Aromatic Chinese Medicinals in Prevention of Respiratory Infectious Disease
Wan Ling LI ; Xinxin WU ; Xiaolei LI ; Mingzhao HAO ; Fang ZHANG ; Yue ZHANG ; Haoyue LI ; Jing ZHAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(6):638-644
Aromatic Chinese medicinal essential oils are volatile oils extracted from aromatic Chinese herbs, which can prevent and treat respiratory infectious diseases through multiple synergistic mechanisms including pathogen inhibition, immune regulation, and inflammatory response regulation. Essential oils are primarily used externally on the body to prevent infections and alleviate symptoms through methods like inhalation, smearing, topical application, bathing, gargling or as a suppository. They can also be utilized in the environment for disinfection and air purification, through methods like diffusion, vaporization, or spraying. The external application of essential oils extracted from Chinese aromatic herbs has the advantages of convenience, quick absorption, and simultaneous influence on both the body and mind. However, there are still challenges and deficiencies in aspects such as the positioning of functions, indications, safety, and the research on the mechanism of action. It has been proposed to combine the theory of aromatic Chinese medicinals with the characteristics of essential oils, and formulate prescriptions of Chinese medicinal essential oils under the principles of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation, and prevent and treat respiratory infectious diseases efficiently, accurately, and safely, thereby expanding the clinical application of aromatic Chinese medicinals and the preventive theory of traditional Chinese medicine.
2.Different exercise modalities promote functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury
Xiaoxuan ZHAO ; Shuaiyi LIU ; Qi LI ; Zheng XING ; Qingwen LI ; Xiaolei CHU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(6):1248-1256
BACKGROUND:Exercise as a form of active rehabilitation can improve the dysfunction caused by peripheral nerve injury,and different exercise modalities target different lesion sites and recovery mechanisms. OBJECTIVE:To comprehensively analyze the application and mechanisms of different exercise modalities in functional recovery from peripheral nerve injury. METHODS:A computerized search was conducted in PubMed and CNKI databases for relevant literature published before January 2024.The search terms used were"peripheral nerve injury,spinal cord,exercise,cerebral cortex,muscle atrophy,mirror therapy,blood flow restriction training"in both English and Chinese.Finally,77 articles were included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Peripheral nerve injury can cause systemic pathological changes such as skeletal muscle atrophy,corresponding spinal cord segmental lesions,and sensorimotor cortex remodeling.Aerobic exercise can improve dysfunction by enhancing the immune response,promoting glial cell polarization,and promoting the release of nerve growth factor.Blood flow restriction exercise can regulate the secretion of muscle growth factor,promote muscle growth and enhance muscle strength.Mirror movement has a good effect in activating the cerebral cortex and reducing cortical remodeling.Different exercise modalities have potential benefits in functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury;however,there are still some problems and challenges,such as the choice of exercise modalities,the control of exercise intensity and frequency,and the detailed analysis of mechanisms.
3.Application of virtual reality technology in functional recovery of peripheral nerve injury
Shuyang ZHANG ; Xinyu DU ; Donglin ZHAO ; Zheng XING ; Xiaolei CHU ; Qi LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(21):4593-4601
BACKGROUND:Virtual reality technology is a popular human-computer intelligent interaction technology in recent years,and has been widely used in leisure and entertainment,vocational training,medical rehabilitation and other fields. OBJECTIVE:To explore the potential of virtual reality technology combined with different therapies in functional recovery of patients with peripheral nerveinjury,summarize its mechanism of action,evaluate its application effects and prospects,and discuss its advantages and disadvantages,so as to provide new ideas and methods for rehabilitation practice after peripheral nerve injury.METHODS:The relevant literature of CNKI and PubMed database from inception to May 2024 was retrieved by computer. Chinese and English search terms were "peripheral nerves injury,virtual reality,endoplasmic reticulum stress,muscle atrophy,cerebral cortex,mirror therapy,tendon vibration,treadmill training." Finally,68 articles were included for analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Virtual reality technology,as a new auxiliary means,simulates the real environment to provide immersive multi-sensory experiences for patients,greatly enriching the dimensions of rehabilitation training and significantly accelerating the recovery process of patients with peripheral nerve injury. Its mechanism of action is to promote cortical plasticity through multi-sensory stimulation,invading the dormant areas adjacent to the cortex,and these areas responding to other inputs or generating new muscle activation,thereby promoting functional recovery. (2) Virtual reality technology has been widely combined with traditional therapies,showcasing its unique advantages. When combined with mirror therapy,the advantage of virtual reality is breaking the limitation of body position and advancing the time point of rehabilitation intervention. When combined with tendon vibration,virtual reality technology enhances the dual stimulation of visual and tactile perception to enhance the illusion of movement,significantly improving the perception and motor ability of patients,but also raises the issue of increased perception of limb weight. In running machine training,virtual reality technology further leverages its advantages by simulating real-life environments through multi-sensory stimulation to enhance balance and walking function,but problems such as motion sickness still exist. (3) Therefore,in actual applications,due to the fact that virtual reality combined with mirror therapy and tendon vibration will enhance the illusion of movement for patients,it is more suitable for early stages of rehabilitation. Meanwhile,the combination of virtual reality and treadmill training is suitable for the later stage of rehabilitation,helping patients to better return to their daily lives. (4) Although virtual reality technology has shown great potential in peripheral nerve injury rehabilitation,there are still some problems and challenges,such as motion sickness,the design and application of virtual reality rehabilitation games,and ethical considerations. Future research should focus on solving these problems to further promote the development of virtual reality technology in the field of rehabilitation.
4.Clinical features of Chlamydia pneumoniae pneumonia in 10 children
Xiaohui WEN ; Huimin LI ; Xiaoyan ZHANG ; Hui LIU ; Xiaolei TANG ; Xiaohui WU ; Weihan XU ; Shunying ZHAO ; Haiming YANG
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(4):362-366
Objective:To summarize the clinical features of Chlamydia pneumoniae pneumonia (CPP) in children. Methods:Case series study. Clinical data of 10 children with CPP hospitalized in Department No.2 of Respiratory Medicine of Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2019 to August 2024 were retrospectively collected, including general information, clinical manifestations, chest imaging, laboratory examination and treatment. The clinical features and prognosis were summarized.Results:Among the 10 children with CPP, 7 were male and 3 were female. The age of onset was 11.2 (10.3, 13.1) years. The course were 17 (7, 23) days. Cough occurred in 9 cases with wet cough in 7 cases, while moderate and high fever occurred in 6 cases. Besides, chest pain occurred in 4 cases, rash and hemoptysis occurred in 1 case respectively. High density mass shadow was found in 7 cases chest CT imaging, accompanied by air bronchogram sign, surrounded by halo sign, 6 cases of which were distributed under the pleura, while patchy consolidation in the remaining 3 cases. Pulmonary embolism was present in 2 cases. Among the 10 children with CPP, bilateral lung involvement was found in 3 cases and unilateral lung involvement in 7 cases. The white blood cell count was 10.21 (7.45, 11.64)×10 9/L and the proportion of neutrophils was 0.69 (0.63, 0.71). C-reactive protein increased in 7 cases, with the level of 33 (16, 77) mg/L. D-dimer increased slightly in 3 cases (0.393, 0.396, 0.739 mg/L). Serum Chlamydia pneumoniae-IgM antibody test was positive in 6 cases. Chlamydia pneumoniae nucleic acid test by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) next-generation sequencing was positive in 6 cases. Both serum IgM antibody and BALF nucleic acid tests were positive in 2 cases. Among the 10 children with CPP, azithromycin alone was used in 5 cases, while glucocorticoid was added in 1 case. Due to poor response to azithromycin in 4 cases, doxycycline was replaced in 3 cases and minocycline was replaced in 1 case, while glucocorticoid was added in 2 cases. Moxifloxacin combined with glucocorticoid therapy was adopted in 1 case with long course after the poor response to azithromycin and doxycycline. All patients were cured finally. Conclusions:CPP mostly occurs in elderly children. The main clinical manifestations include cough, fever and chest pain. The common chest imaging feature is subpleural high-density mass shadow with halo sign. Pulmonary embolism is present in a few cases. Nucleic acid detection and (or) serology is helpful for etiological diagnosis. Some cases need glucocorticoid therapy.
5.Combined screening of two primary immunodeficiency diseases and spinal muscular atrophy in neonates by multiplex real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR
Chao ZHANG ; Jianbin YANG ; Shiqiang SHANG ; Chi CHEN ; Huaqing MAO ; Xiaolei HUANG ; Fang HONG ; Haixia MIAO ; Hanyi ZHAO ; Rulai YANG
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;48(2):249-257
Objective:To explore the feasibility of joint screening of the two primary immunodeficiency diseases [severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and X-linked agammaglobulinemia(XLA)] and spinal muscular atrophy(SMA) in newborns by multiplex real-time quantitative PCR technology, and to provide evidence for early screening, diagnosis and treatment of children.Methods:Cross-sectional study. From July 2021 to January 2023, a total of 103 240 dry blood spots samples of newborns were collected which were delivered to Neonatal Disease Screening Center of Zhejiang by cold chain transportation. The concentrations of the T cell receptor excision ring (TREC), Kappa deletion of the recombinant excision loop (KREC), and exon 7 deletion of Survival Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene in dry blood spots were simultaneously detected by multiplex real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, taken ribonuclease P/MRP 30 000 subunits (RPP30) as an internal reference gene. The positive newborns were further diagnosed by other laboratory tests and gene sequencing was taken as gold standard. Children samples from 1 case of SCID, 3 cases of XLA and 2 cases of SMA were used for positive verification. The correlation between detected concentration of TREC/KREC and basic information in newborns were analyzed. The differences among groups for each factor were analyzed.Results:One case of SCID, 2 cases of XLA, 9 cases of SMA and 7 cases of other genetic diseases (4 cases of DiGeorge syndrome, 1 case of trisomy 21 syndrome, 1 case of Noonan syndrome and 1 case of super male syndrome) were identified by multiplex real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. The positive predictive values of screening neonatal SCID, XLA and SMA were 2.44% (1/41), 2.78% (2/72) and 9/9 respectively. Taking the samples from clinically diagnosed 1 case of SCID, 3 cases of XLA and 2 cases of SMA as positive validation samples, which were all identified. The detected results of TREC/KREC correlated with time of blood collection, sex, weight, gestational age and delivery mode of newborns, whose r values were 0.162/0.187, 0.066/0.032, 0.045/0.042, ?0.015/?0.088 and 0.014/0.068 respectively (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Relying on current neonatal screening platform in Zhejiang, it is feasible to screen jointly two kinds of primary immunodeficiency diseases and spinal muscular atrophy in newborns by multiple real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR technology.
6.Clinical value of inferior phrenic vein in retroperitoneal laparoscopic left adrenalectomy
Qingjun GUAN ; Nan ZHANG ; Kun CHEN ; Yang ZHAO ; Haibo ZHANG ; Xiaolei QIAN
China Journal of Endoscopy 2025;31(11):75-82
Objective To explore the feasibility of using the left inferior phrenic vein as an anatomical landmark and prioritizing the dissection of the central adrenal vein in retroperitoneal laparoscopic left adrenalectomy(RLLA).Methods 116 patients who had RLLA carried out in our hospital between January 2021 and December 2023 were chosen.They were separated into the experimental group(RLLA with the left inferior phrenic vein as an anatomical landmark and prioritizing the dissection of the central adrenal vein)and the control group[conventional three-layer method anatomic retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy(RLA)],with 58 cases in each group.The clinical data of the two groups were compared,and the intraoperative and postoperative 24 h clinical indicators,stress indicators,immune function,and complications were evaluated.Results RLLA was successfully completed in two groups,and no cases were converted to open surgery.The operation time,time for searching the central vein,retention time of the drainage tube and postoperative hospital stay in the experimental group were significantly shorter than those in the control group.The intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage volume were significantly less than those in the control group,the differences were all statistically significant(P<0.05);There was no statistically significant difference in the recovery time of gastrointestinal function between the two groups of patients after surgery(P>0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in preoperative inflammatory factors,stress indicators and immune function indicators between the two groups of patients(P>0.05).The white blood cell(WBC),C-reaction protein(CRP)and interleukin-6(IL-6)of the two groups of patients 24 hours after the operation were significantly higher than those before the operation,but the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The malondialdehyde(MDA)of the two groups of patients 24 hours after the operation was significantly higher than that before the operation,while the superoxide dismutase(SOD)and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)were significantly lower than those before the operation,and the MDA in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group,and the SOD and GSH-Px were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).The levels of CD4+and CD4+/CD8+in experimental groups of patients 24 hours after the operation were significantly decreased than those before the operation,and the levels of CD3+,CD4+and CD4+/CD8+in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group.The differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in CD8+between the two groups of patients 24 hours after surgery(P>0.05).The number of cases with intraoperative blood pressure fluctuations in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Neither peritoneal injury,renal pedicle vascular injury or retroperitoneal hematoma occurred during or after the operation in the two groups of patients.Conclusion In RLLA,using the left inferior phrenic vein as an anatomical landmark and prioritizing the dissection of the central adrenal vein is feasible,which can improve surgical indicators,reduce stress response and immune response,and have clinical application value.
7.Molecular epidemiology study of Enterobacteriales carrying blaNDM gene in Lishui area
Jiaoli CHEN ; Zhiming GONG ; Jianfen XU ; Xiaopeng LIU ; Shiqi FAN ; Yun′an ZHAO ; Xinmi ZHAO ; Xiaolei HU ; Jiansheng HUANG
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2025;45(4):317-323
Objective:To analyze the drug-resistance pattern and molecular epidemiological characteristics of Enterobacteriales carrying the blaNDM gene in Lishui, aiming to guide clinical anti-infection treatment. Methods:Non-duplicate blaNDM-carrying Enterobacteriales, isolated from Lishui Central Hospital, were collected and identified by VITEK MS. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were detected by the broth microdilution method. The ST types of the strains were determined by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Plasmid types were identified by transformation or conjugation experiments and replication initiator amplification experiments. The transposon structures were detected by PCR amplification. Finally, the epidemic regularity of blaNDM gene in Lishui was analyzed from three levels: clonal group, plasmid, and mobile genetic elements. Results:A total of 109 blaNDM-positive strains were collected. Among them, 60 strains carried the blaNDM-1 gene and 49 strains carried the blaNDM-5 gene. The 109 strains showed 100% resistance to ceftazidime and cefotaxime. The resistance rates to peracillin-tazobactam and imipenem were higher than 80%. Strains carrying the blaNDM-5 gene were more resistant to meropenem than those carrying blaNDM-1 gene( P<0.05). A total of 68 STs were detected from 109 strains, and IncX3, IncFⅡγ, IncA/C and IncT/R plasmids were detected, and 90.83% of the blaNDM genes were located in the IncX3 plasmid. Twelve types of blaNDM gene surrounding structures existed, and they all carried the highly conserved blaNDM- bleMBL- trpF gene sequence. Conclusions:The blaNDM gene has diverse transmission modes in Lishui. The IncX3 plasmid is the main factor mediating its transfer, and all strains carry highly conserved blaNDM- bleMBL- trpF gene sequence.
8.Setd2 overexpression rescues bivalent gene expression during SCNT-mediated ZGA.
Xiaolei ZHANG ; Ruimin XU ; Yuyan ZHAO ; Yijia YANG ; Qi SHI ; Hong WANG ; Xiaoyu LIU ; Shaorong GAO ; Chong LI
Protein & Cell 2025;16(6):439-457
Successful cloning through somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) faces significant challenges due to epigenetic obstacles. Recent studies have highlighted the roles of H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 as potential contributors to these obstacles. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. In this study, we generated genome-wide maps of H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 in mouse pre-implantation NT embryos. Our analysis revealed that aberrantly over-represented broad H3K4me3 domain and H3K27me3 signal lead to increased bivalent marks at gene promoters in NT embryos compared with naturally fertilized (NF) embryos at the 2-cell stage, which may link to relatively low levels of H3K36me3 in NT 2-cell embryos. Notably, the overexpression of Setd2, a H3K36me3 methyltransferase, successfully restored multiple epigenetic marks, including H3K36me3, H3K4me3, and H3K27me3. In addition, it reinstated the expression levels of ZGA-related genes by reestablishing H3K36me3 at gene body regions, which excluded H3K27me3 from bivalent promoters, ultimately improving cloning efficiency. These findings highlight the excessive bivalent state at gene promoters as a potent barrier and emphasize the removal of these barriers as a promising approach for achieving higher cloning efficiency.
Animals
;
Mice
;
Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase/biosynthesis*
;
Histones/genetics*
;
Nuclear Transfer Techniques
;
Female
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
;
Promoter Regions, Genetic
;
Epigenesis, Genetic
;
Embryo, Mammalian/metabolism*
9.Mediation analysis of plasma phosphorylated tau217 in the association between periodontitis and mild cognitive impairment.
Yanbiao ZHANG ; Meirong WEI ; Xuejuan ZHAO ; Xiaolei QI ; Shanshan ZUO ; Shumei MAO ; Jun WANG ; Gang DING
West China Journal of Stomatology 2025;43(6):845-859
OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to investigate the potential mediating role of plasma phosphorylated tau217 (p-tau217) in the association between periodontitis and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
METHODS:
In this case-control study, patients diagnosed with MCI in the Neurology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University from November 2023 to May 2024 were selected as the case group (MCI group). Cognitively normal (CN) volunteers, matched for age and education level and recruited from the physical examination center during the same period, served as the control group (CN group). The general demographic data of the study participants were collected. The Beijing versions of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), clinical dementia rating (CDR), and activities of daily living scale (ADL) were used to assess neuropsychological functions. Clinical periodontal examinations were conducted, the periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) was calculated, and the periodontitis stage was determined in accordance with the 2018 classification. Fasting elbow venous blood samples were collected in the morning, and blood biochemical indicators were measured. Plasma p-tau217 levels were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analyses were performed using t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, partial correlation analysis, multivariate Logistic regression analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression analysis, and mediation effect analysis.
RESULTS:
Among the 192 participants, 96 belong to the MCI group and 96 to the CN group. The prevalence of periodontitis was 63.5% in the MCI group and 43.8% in the CN group, with a statistically significant difference (χ²=7.561, P=0.006). The plasma p-tau217 levels in the MCI group were significantly higher than those in the CN group [7.00 (4.27-9.65) ng/mL versus 2.02 (0.80-3.81) ng/mL, Z=-8.108, P<0.001]. Partial correlation analysis revealed that plasma p-tau217 levels were positively correlated with all the clinical periodontal indices (all P<0.001). After adjustments for baseline covariates, multivariate Logistic regression indicated that periodontitis was an independent risk factor for MCI. Patients with periodontitis had a 1.977-fold higher MCI risk than those without periodontitis (OR=1.977, 95%CI: 1.088-3.594, P=0.025). Moreover, the MCI risk for stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ periodontitis and stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ periodontitis was 1.878 times (OR=1.878, 95%CI: 1.029-3.425, P=0.040) and 2.625 times (OR=2.625, 95%CI: 1.073-6.246, P=0.035) higher than that for patients without periodontitis, respectively. Trend test showed that the MCI risk increased with periodontitis severity (Ptrend=0.016). After adjustments for baseline covariates, multiple linear regression analysis showed that periodontitis was an independent risk factor for increased plasma p-tau217 levels (β=3.309, 95%CI: 2.363-4.254, P<0.001). Compared with patients without periodontitis, those with stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ periodontitis (β=1.838, 95%CI: 0.869-2.806, P<0.001) and stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ periodontitis (β=5.539, 95%CI: 4.442-6.636, P<0.001) had significantly higher plasma p-tau217 levels. In addition, trend test indicated that plasma p-tau217 levels increased with periodontitis severity (Ptrend<0.001). After adjustments for baseline covariates, RCS regression analysis further revealed that PISA had a positive linear dose-response relationship with MCI risk (Poverall=0.002, Pnonlinear=0.344) and plasma p-tau217 levels (Poverall<0.001, Pnonlinear=0.140). After adjustments for baseline covariates, mediation analysis showed that plasma p-tau217 mediated the association between periodontitis and MCI, with a mediation proportion of 13.99% (95% Bootstrap CI: 0.38%-49.39%, P=0.038).
CONCLUSIONS
Periodontitis was independently positively associated with MCI risk, and plasma p-tau217 plays a mediating role in this association.
Humans
;
Cognitive Dysfunction/complications*
;
tau Proteins/blood*
;
Periodontitis/complications*
;
Case-Control Studies
;
Male
;
Female
;
Phosphorylation
;
Aged
;
Middle Aged
;
Activities of Daily Living
10.Interferon Gamma and Secretory Immunoglobulin A Levels Decrease in Persistent Anal Condyloma Acuminatum Infection
Yuanli GUO ; Zi ZHANG ; Lipei ZHAO ; Xiaohui MA ; Tingting MAO ; Xiaolei CHENG ; Qiulin GAO ; Manli QI
Annals of Dermatology 2025;37(3):140-145
Background:
Condyloma acuminatum (CA) is a common sexually transmitted disease caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). In recent years, research on anal CA has primarily focused on treatment rather than underlying mechanisms. The mechanism of HPV persistence and recurrence in CA require further exploration. It needs multiple researches in mechanisms to focalize treatment targets.
Objective:
To investigate the relationship between intestinal mucosal immunity and the relapse of anal CA and persistent infection.
Methods:
Levels of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbnent assay in anal mucosal cells obtained from patients treated at Tianjin Union Medical Center from September 2022 to December 2024. All the participants signed Informed Consent and the whole plan was approved by Institutional Review Board in Tianjin Union Medical Center (No. B155).
Results:
The levels of IFN-γ and sIgA significantly decreased after infection, and persistent infection exhibited even lower levels. These two factors increased following treatment, reaching peak concentrations at 4 weeks before decreasing again.
Conclusion
These findings demonstrate a significant association between persistent anal CA infection and dysregulation of intestinal mucosal immunity.

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