1.Body image disturbance status in AS patients and analysis of its influencing factors
Min NIU ; Jingman YUAN ; Liya MA ; Hao XU ; Jun LI ; Meixi YAN ; Xinru DU ; Hanhui MA ; Xichao YANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(1):158-162
Objective To understand the status of body image disturbance and its influencing factors in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), so as to provide a scientific basis for the clinical management of AS. Methods A total of 353 AS patients admitted from January 2022 to December 2024 were selected as research subjects. Chinese version of Body Image Disturbance Questionnaire (BIDQ) was used to investigate the body image disturbance in AS patients. Single factor analysis was performed by t test and analysis of variance, and multiple factors were analyzed by multivariate linear regression. Results The total score of BIDQ in 342 AS patients was (25.01±4.22). Multivariate linear regression analysis results showed that self-paid medical expense, nighttime VAS score and negative emotion PANAS score could positively predict body image disturbance in AS patients (standardized regression coefficient=0.413, 0.413, 0.460, P<0.05), and PSSS score, positive emotion PANAS score and exercise management CDSSM score could negatively predict body image disturbance (standardized regression coefficient=-0.245, -0.134, -0.247, P<0.05). Conclusion The body image disturbance in AS patients is worthy of clinical attention. Nighttime pain, negative emotion and self-paid medical treatment can increase the risk of body image disturbance. Positive emotion, social support and high self-management level of exercise behavior can reduce the formation of body image disturbance, which can provide new ideas for clinical management of AS patients.
2.Neck-related work-related musculoskeletal disorders: Prevalence and associated factors among occupational workers from 8 industries in Shanghai
Yan LIU ; Feng YANG ; Weiwei GUO ; Niu DI ; Yan YIN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(4):443-450
Background Neck-related work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a major type of musculoskeletal disorders with a relatively high proportion. Shanghai has a large number of occupational populations; however, the occurrence of WMSDs at neck among the occupational populations across industries in this city has not been reported, and needs to be addressed. Objective To understand the occurrence of neck-related WMSDs and their influencing factors among occupational populations in 8 industries in Shanghai, and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of WMSDs in this population. Methods From February 2024 to February 2025, a cross-sectional survey employed stratified cluster sampling to select
3.A Mechanistic Framework of Exercise-induced Amelioration of Autism Spectrum Disorder via miR-132, miR-34a, and miR-146a
Xiao YANG ; Ya-Qi XUE ; Xin-Jian SHU ; Yan-Yan WANG ; Niu LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(8):2210-2219
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with a steadily rising global prevalence, yet effective pharmacological interventions remain notably limited, highlighting an urgent need for safe, accessible, and mechanism-based therapeutic strategies. Physical exercise has emerged as a promising non-pharmacological intervention that ameliorates both core symptoms—social communication deficits and restricted repetitive behaviors—and associated features including cognitive dysfunction and motor impairments, in children and adolescents with ASD. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating these beneficial effects remain incompletely defined, impeding the development of evidence-based exercise prescriptions and biomarker-driven rehabilitation protocols. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are evolutionarily conserved small non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate approximately 60% of protein-coding genes. Within the central nervous system, miRNAs orchestrate diverse neurobiological processes including neural progenitor proliferation, neuronal differentiation, dendritic spine morphogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and neuroinflammatory homeostasis. Notably, miRNAs are remarkably stable in biological fluids and can be packaged into extracellular vesicles, rendering them attractive candidates as both mechanistic mediators and non-invasive peripheral biomarkers. Among the hundreds of miRNAs expressed in the brain, three—miR-132, miR-34a, and miR-146a—have emerged as particularly relevant to ASD pathophysiology. This review focuses on these three miRNAs for the following reasons: miR-132 is a master regulator of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity through its modulation of BDNF/MeCP2/PTEN signaling and has been consistently downregulated in ASD prefrontal cortex; miR-34a functions as a pro-apoptotic factor that suppresses Bcl-2-mediated neuronal survival pathways and is upregulated in ASD cerebellum; and miR-146a serves as a key brake on neuroinflammation via TLR7/IRAK1 signaling and shows region-specific dysregulation in ASD temporal lobe. We first summarize evidence from human post-mortem brain tissues and ASD animal models demonstrating the consistent dysregulation of these three miRNAs. Notably, the pathological consequences of these miRNA alterations—impaired synaptic plasticity, excessive neuronal apoptosis, and sustained neuroinflammation—are interconnected and collectively contribute to the heterogeneous symptomatology of ASD. We then present a synthesis of emerging evidence demonstrating that various exercise modalities, including swimming, treadmill running, and voluntary wheel running, can concurrently reverse these ASD-like behavioral phenotypes and normalize the expression of the three key miRNAs. These data provide the first direct experimental evidence linking exercise-induced miRNA modulation to ASD symptom improvement. On the basis of these findings, we propose an integrative “exercise-miRNA-ASD” framework wherein exercise functions as a multi-targeted modulator—simultaneously enhancing synaptic plasticity, promoting neuronal survival, and attenuating neuroinflammation—through coordinated regulation of the three miRNAs. Importantly, this framework is not merely descriptive but offers testable predictions: exercise-induced miRNA changes should be dose-dependent, show temporal correlation with behavioral improvements, and be blunted by miRNA-specific antagonists or CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout. Beyond its specific application to ASD, this framework has broader implications. The miR-132/BDNF, miR-34a/Bcl-2, and miR-146a/TLR7 pathways are not ASD-specific but represent fundamental neural stress and repair mechanisms that are dysregulated across Alzheimer’s disease (AD), traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease (PD), and major depressive disorder. Exercise has been shown to modulate these same miRNAs in several of these conditions, suggesting that the “exercise-miRNA-neural function” axis may represent a conserved neuroprotective mechanism that transcends diagnostic boundaries. Thus, we propose that ASD serves as an ideal model disease for elucidating this universal mechanism, with findings potentially generalizable to other neurological disorders. We also critically evaluate current translational barriers: the near-absence of human clinical trials with serial miRNA profiling; the undefined dose-response relationships between exercise parameters and miRNA expression; the unresolved causality issue (current evidence demonstrates association, not causation); and the uncertain correlation between peripheral exosomal miRNA levels and brain miRNA dynamics. We argue that future research must prioritize CRISPR/Cas9-based miRNA manipulation in animal models combined with longitudinal exercise interventions to establish causality, and that cross-disease validation studies are essential to determine whether exercise-induced miRNA changes represent a shared neuroprotective signature or disease-specific responses. Ultimately, we envision a paradigm where a simple blood test measuring exosomal miR-132, miR-34a, and miR-146a levels could guide personalized exercise prescriptions, enabling precision rehabilitation for individuals with ASD and potentially other neurological conditions.
4.Palpitations, Shortness of Breath, Weakness in Limbs, Edema, and Dyspnea: A Rare Inflammatory Myopathy with Positive Aniti-mitochondrial Antibodies and Cardiac Involvement
Chunsu LIANG ; Xuchang ZHANG ; Ning ZHANG ; Lin KANG ; Xiaohong LIU ; Jiaqi YU ; Yingxian LIU ; Lin QIAO ; Yanli YANG ; Xiaoyi ZHAO ; Ruijie ZHAO ; Na NIU ; Xuelian YAN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(1):248-255
This article presents a case study of a patient who visited the Geriatric Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital due to "palpitations, shortness of breath for more than 2 years, limb weakness for 6 months, edema, and nocturnal dyspnea for 2 months". The patient exhibited decreased muscle strength in the limbs and involvement of swallowing and respiratory muscles, alongside complications of heart failure and various arrhythmias which were predominantly atrial. Laboratory tests revealed the presence of multiple autoantibodies and notably anti-mitochondrial antibodies. Following a comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation, the patient was diagnosed with anti-mitochondrial antibody-associated inflammatory myopathy. Treatment involved a combination of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants, along with resistance exercises for muscle strength and rehabilitation training for lung function, resulting in significant improvement of clinical symptoms. The case underscores the importance of collaborative multidisciplinary approaches in diagnosing and treating rare diseases in elderly patients, where careful consideration of clinical manifestations and subtle abnormal clinical data can lead to effective interventions.
5.Epidemiological investigation of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections in patients with diabetic foot ulcers
Meirong YANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Yonghan NIU
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(1):156-159
Objective To analyse the distribution characteristics and drug resistance of multidrug-resistant bacteria infections in patients with diabetic foot ulcers, and to investigate the relevant risk factors affecting the infection of multidrug-resistant bacteria in patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Methods We selected 352 patients with diabetic foot ulcers admitted to our hospital from January 2021 to December 2023, and retrospectively collated and analysed the clinical data of all patients, collected the ulcer wound specimens of all patients, analysed the infection of multidrug-resistant bacteria and bacterial resistance, compared the differences in the relevant data of patients with different infections, and analysed the risk factors affecting the patients with diabetic foot ulcers by using multivariate logistic regression model. Multiple logistic regression model was used to analyse the risk factors affecting patients with diabetic foot ulcers infected with multi-drug resistant bacteria. Results A total of 352 patients with diabetic foot ulcers, 20.45% developed multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, and a total of 91 strains of bacteria were detected, with the predominant strains being Staphylococcus aureus (41.76%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (24.18%) and Enterobacteriaceae (21.98%).Compared with uninfected patients, patients with MDRI had a longer duration of diabetes, longer duration of ulcers, a higher proportion of Wagner grade 3-5, ischaemic ulcers, multiple hospitalisations, combined osteomyelitis, larger ulcers, and a longer duration of antibiotic use (P < 0.05).Multifactorial analysis showed that long duration of diabetes mellitus, high Wagner grading, long duration of ulcer, large ulcer size, multiple hospitalisations, prolonged antibiotic use, and comorbid osteomyelitis were all risk factors for MDRI (P < 0.05). Conclusion Patients with diabetic foot ulcers are at risk of multi-resistant bacterial infections, and longer duration of diabetes mellitus, Wagner grade 3-5, longer duration of ulcers prior to hospitalisation, larger ulcer size, hospitalisation for the same wound >2 times/year, prolonged use of antibiotics prior to hospitalisation, and comorbidity with osteomyelitis can increase the risk of multi-resistant bacterial infections in patients with diabetic foot ulcers, therefore, controlling and reducing multi-resistant bacterial infections is the key to improving the prognosis of patients with diabetic foot ulcers.
6.Historical Evolution and Modern Clinical Application of Huoxiang Zhengqisan
Weilu NIU ; Mengjie YANG ; Chengqi LYU ; Cuicui SHEN ; Congcong LI ; Huangchao JIA ; Liyun WANG ; Xuewei LIU ; Mingsan MIAO ; Xiaomeng WANG ; Yawei YAN ; Chunyong LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):156-167
In this study, bibliometric methods were used to systematically investigate the name and origin, the evolution of prescription composition, dose evolution, origin and processing method, decoction method, ancient application, modified application, modern application and other information of Huoxiang Zhengqisan. After research, Huoxiang Zhengqisan, also known as Huoxiang Zhengqitang, was first recorded in Taiping Huimin Hejijufang. The original formula is composed of 41.3 g of Arecae Pericarpium, 41.3 g of Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, 41.3 g of Perilla frutescens(actually Perillae Folium), 41.3 g of Poria, 82.6 g of Pinelliae Rhizoma, 82.6 g of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, 82.6 g of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium(actually Citri Exocarpium Rubbum), 82.6 g of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, 82.6 g of Platycodonis Radix, 123.9 g of Pogostemonis Herba, and 103.25 g of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. In this formula, Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex is processed according to the specifications for ginger-processed products, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma is processed according to the specifications for stir-fried products, and other herbs are used in their raw products. The botanical sources of the herbs are consistent with the 2020 edition of Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. The above herbs are ground into a fine powder with a particle size passing through a No. 5 sieve. For each dose, take 8.26 g of the powdered formula, add 300 mL of water, along with 3 g of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens and 3 g of Jujubae Fructus, and decoct until reduced to 140 mL. The decoction should be administered hot, with three times daily. To induce sweating, the patient should be kept warm under a quilt, and an additional dose should be prepared and taken if needed. This formula is traditionally used to relieve the exterior and resolve dampness, regulate Qi and harmonize the middle, which is mainly used to treat a series of diseases of digestive and respiratory systems. However, potential adverse reactions, including allergies, purpura and disulfiram-like reactions, should be considered during clinical use. Huoxiang Zhengqisan features a rational composition, extensive clinical application, and strong potential for further research and development.
7.Key Information Research and Modern Clinical Application of Famous Classical Formula Yanghetang
Weilu NIU ; Mengjie YANG ; Chengqi LYU ; Shunxi WANG ; Ziwen WANG ; Huangchao JIA ; Liyun WANG ; Xuewei LIU ; Mingsan MIAO ; Xiaomeng WANG ; Yawei YAN ; Chunyong LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):238-246
Through data collection and collation combined with bibliometrics, this study conducted a series of textual research on Yanghetang, such as the name and origin, the evolution of prescription composition and modern clinical application. Yanghetang was first recorded in Bencao Yidu of WANG Ang in the Qing dynasty. In addition to Yanghetang, there were 3 bynames of Jiawei Yanghetang, Quanshengji Yanghetang and Zhenjun Yanghetang. Regarding the composition of the formula, a total of 4 versions of Yanghetang were collected. The first version is the 5 medicines version of Cervi Cornus Colla, Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, Cinnamomi Cortex, Zingiberis Rhizoma and Ephedrae Herba in Bencao Yidu. The second version is the 7 medicines version of Waike Zhengzhi Quanshengji, changing Zingiberis Rhizoma to Zingiberis Rhizoma Praeparatum Carbonisata(ZRPC) and adding Sinapis Semen and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma(GRR) on the basis of Bencao Yidu, and most of the Yanghetang is of this version. The third version is the 6 medicines version of Wushi Yifang Huibian, that is, on the basis of Bencao Yidu, Zingiberis Rhizoma is changed into ZRPC, and Sinapis Semen is added. The fourth version is the 6 medicines version in Yifang Jiedu, that is, on the basis of Bencao Yidu, Zingiberis Rhizoma is changed into Zingiberis Rhizoma Praeparatum, and GRR Praeparata cum Melle is added. Regarding the dose of Yanghetang, the doses of the medicines in Waike Zhengzhi Quanshengji was converted into the modern doses as follows:37.3 g of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, 1.87 g of Ephedrae Herba, 11.19 g of Cervi Cornus Colla, 7.46 g of Sinapis Semen, 3.73 g of Cinnamomi Cortex, 3.73 g of GRR, and 1.87 g of ZRPC. The origins of the above medicines are consistent with the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The processing specification of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata is steaming method, ZRPC is ginger charcoal, Sinapis Semen is the fried products, and the rest of the medicines are raw products. The decoction method was verified by the decoction method in Chonglou Yuyao, which is similar in the time, and it is recommended that the above medicines should be added with 600 mL of water, decocted to 100 mL, and taken warmly 30 min after meal. For each dose, it is recommended to use 1-3 doses per day according to the doctor's advice in combination with clinical practice. The diseases involved in the ancient applications involved 42 diseases in 11 departments, including orthopedics, dermatology and gynecology, which were dominated by Yin-cold syndrome. However, the diseases involved in modern research also include 148 related diseases in 10 departments, such as orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology, which is consistent with the ancient books. In recent years, the research hotspots of Yanghetang have focused on more than 10 fields, including osteoblasts, malignant tumors, wound healing, traditional Chinese medicine fumigation and so on, which are widely used. It is suitable for comprehensive research and development because of its rational formula composition, clear origin, processing and decoction method, and wide clinical application.
8.Historical Evolution and Modern Clinical Application of Huoxiang Zhengqisan
Weilu NIU ; Mengjie YANG ; Chengqi LYU ; Cuicui SHEN ; Congcong LI ; Huangchao JIA ; Liyun WANG ; Xuewei LIU ; Mingsan MIAO ; Xiaomeng WANG ; Yawei YAN ; Chunyong LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):156-167
In this study, bibliometric methods were used to systematically investigate the name and origin, the evolution of prescription composition, dose evolution, origin and processing method, decoction method, ancient application, modified application, modern application and other information of Huoxiang Zhengqisan. After research, Huoxiang Zhengqisan, also known as Huoxiang Zhengqitang, was first recorded in Taiping Huimin Hejijufang. The original formula is composed of 41.3 g of Arecae Pericarpium, 41.3 g of Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, 41.3 g of Perilla frutescens(actually Perillae Folium), 41.3 g of Poria, 82.6 g of Pinelliae Rhizoma, 82.6 g of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, 82.6 g of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium(actually Citri Exocarpium Rubbum), 82.6 g of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, 82.6 g of Platycodonis Radix, 123.9 g of Pogostemonis Herba, and 103.25 g of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. In this formula, Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex is processed according to the specifications for ginger-processed products, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma is processed according to the specifications for stir-fried products, and other herbs are used in their raw products. The botanical sources of the herbs are consistent with the 2020 edition of Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. The above herbs are ground into a fine powder with a particle size passing through a No. 5 sieve. For each dose, take 8.26 g of the powdered formula, add 300 mL of water, along with 3 g of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens and 3 g of Jujubae Fructus, and decoct until reduced to 140 mL. The decoction should be administered hot, with three times daily. To induce sweating, the patient should be kept warm under a quilt, and an additional dose should be prepared and taken if needed. This formula is traditionally used to relieve the exterior and resolve dampness, regulate Qi and harmonize the middle, which is mainly used to treat a series of diseases of digestive and respiratory systems. However, potential adverse reactions, including allergies, purpura and disulfiram-like reactions, should be considered during clinical use. Huoxiang Zhengqisan features a rational composition, extensive clinical application, and strong potential for further research and development.
9.Lower vs. standard starting dose oral roxadustat for treating anemia in Chinese patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis: A prospective, randomized clinical trial.
Yan TU ; Yan XU ; Li YAO ; Beiru ZHANG ; Tiekun YAN ; Aiping YIN ; Xinzhou ZHANG ; Min YANG ; Jun LIU ; Caili WANG ; Xiaomei PENG ; Jianqin WANG ; Wei NIU ; Wenqing JIANG ; Bi-Cheng LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(19):2520-2522
10.Discovery of selective HDAC6 inhibitors driven by artificial intelligence and molecular dynamics simulation approaches.
Xingang LIU ; Hao YANG ; Xinyu LIU ; Minjie MOU ; Jie LIU ; Wenying YAN ; Tianle NIU ; Ziyang ZHANG ; He SHI ; Xiangdong SU ; Xuedong LI ; Yang ZHANG ; Qingzhong JIA
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(8):101338-101338
Increasing evidence showed that histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) dysfunction is directly associated with the onset and progression of various diseases, especially cancers, making the development of HDAC6-targeted anti-tumor agents a research hotspot. In this study, artificial intelligence (AI) technology and molecular simulation strategies were fully integrated to construct an efficient and precise drug screening pipeline, which combined Voting strategy based on compound-protein interaction (CPI) prediction models, cascade molecular docking, and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. The biological potential of the screened compounds was further evaluated through enzymatic and cellular activity assays. Among the identified compounds, Cmpd.18 exhibited more potent HDAC6 enzyme inhibitory activity (IC50 = 5.41 nM) than that of tubastatin A (TubA) (IC50 = 15.11 nM), along with a favorable subtype selectivity profile (selectivity index ≈ 117.23 for HDAC1), which was further verified by the Western blot analysis. Additionally, Cmpd.18 induced G2/M phase arrest and promoted apoptosis in HCT-116 cells, exerting desirable antiproliferative activity (IC50 = 2.59 μM). Furthermore, based on long-term MD simulation trajectory, the key residues facilitating Cmpd.18's binding were identified by decomposition free energy analysis, thereby elucidating its binding mechanism. Moreover, the representative conformation analysis also indicated that Cmpd.18 could stably bind to the active pocket in an effective conformation, thus demonstrating the potential for in-depth research of the 2-(2-phenoxyethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one scaffold.


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