1.Mechanism of Yangjing Zhongyutang in Regulating SIRT1/PGC-1α Signaling Pathway to Promote Mitochondrial Function and Alleviate Oxidative Stress Damage in Rats with Diminished Ovarian Reserve
Ping ZHANG ; Lijuan YANG ; Shenghui CHEN ; Wenliang YAO ; Yuliang ZHOU ; Ling MA ; Huiying WU ; Yanwen XU ; Ziyan ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):46-55
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Yangjing Zhongyutang (YJZYT) on mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative stress damage mediated by the silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1α) signaling pathway in cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced rats with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), and to explore its mechanism in improving ovarian reserve function and follicular development. MethodsForty-two 8-week-old female SD rats with normal estrous cycles were randomly divided into a blank control group (n=7) and a model group (n=35). Rats in the model group received a single intraperitoneal injection of CTX (90 mg·kg-1) to establish the DOR model. After modeling, estrous cycles were monitored for 7 consecutive days, and model success was confirmed based on criteria for estrous cycle disruption. After successful modeling, rats were divided into groups for intervention: estradiol valerate group (0.09 mg·kg-1), and YJZYT high-, medium-, and low-dose groups (19.98, 9.99, 5.00 g·kg-1). The blank control group and model group were given an equal volume of distilled water by gavage. All groups received daily gavage once for 4 consecutive weeks. The general state, body weight, and ovarian wet weight of rats were observed and recorded, and the ovarian organ index was calculated. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe ovarian histomorphological changes and follicular development status. Immunofluorescence was used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) expression levels. Colorimetric assays were employed to measure adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in ovarian tissues. Quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number and the mRNA expression levels of key genes including SIRT1, PGC-1α, nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1), and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM). Western blot was performed to detect the protein expression levels of SIRT1, PGC-1α, NRF1, and TFAM. ResultsCompared with the blank group, rats in the model group exhibited disrupted estrous cycles, obviously reduced body weight, and decreased ovarian index (P<0.05). Ovarian histopathology revealed cortical thinning, loose structure, and a significant reduction in both primordial and growing follicles (P<0.01). Serum FSH and LH levels were significantly elevated (P<0.01), while E2 and AMH levels were obviously reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). ATP content and mtDNA copy number decreased in ovarian tissue (P<0.01), ROS expression increased, MDA levels rose, while SOD and GSH-Px activities obviously decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), mRNA and protein expression levels of SIRT1, PGC-1α, NRF1, and TFAM were obviously downregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, compared with the model group, body weight and ovarian index obviously recovered in rats administered various doses of YJZYT (P<0.05), serum E2 and AMH levels increased, while FSH and LH levels obviously decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), ovarian tissue ATP content and mtDNA copy number were up-regulated, ROS and MDA levels decreased, and antioxidant enzymes SOD and GSH-Px activity obviously increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), Gene and protein expression levels related to the SIRT1/PGC-1α /NRF1/TFAM signaling pathway were obviously up-regulated compared to the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01), HE staining revealed that ovarian structure gradually recovered to integrity in all treatment groups, with a obviously increase in the number of primordial and growing follicles (P<0.05, P<0.01). Granulosa cells were neatly arranged, indicating marked improvement in ovarian function. ConclusionYJZYT may improve ovarian function and follicular development in rats with diminished ovarian reserve by activating the SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway, promoting mitochondrial biogenesis, enhancing mitochondrial function, and alleviating oxidative stress damage.
2.Hair transplantation in wound healing and scar repair in special areas.
Zhewei HUANG ; Xifei QIAN ; Yanwen XU ; Samuel Tumaini KAINDI ; Collins Daniel PAKAYA ; Jufang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(5):647-654
OBJECTIVE:
To review recent advances in the application of hair transplantation in wound healing and scar repair in special areas.
METHODS:
An extensive review of the literature on the application of hair transplantation in wound healing and scar repair in special areas was conducted, focusing on cellular functions, molecular mechanisms, and clinical applications.
RESULTS:
Hair transplantation has been shown to effectively promote wound healing and scar repair in special areas. The underlying mechanisms are complex, but current understanding emphasizes a strong association with hair follicle-associated stem cells (including epidermal stem cells, dermal papilla cells, dermal sheath cells, etc).
CONCLUSION
The application of hair transplantation in wound healing and scar repair in special areas remains in its early stages. Further investigation into its mechanisms of action is essential, and randomized controlled trials are needed to establish its efficacy.
Humans
;
Wound Healing/physiology*
;
Cicatrix/therapy*
;
Hair/transplantation*
;
Hair Follicle/transplantation*
3.GGN repeat length of the androgen receptor gene is associated with antral follicle count in Chinese women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation.
Xinyan LIU ; Qi FAN ; Mingfen DENG ; Yan XU ; Jing GUO ; Ping CAO ; Canquan ZHOU ; Yanwen XU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(2):213-222
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the association of GGN repeat polymorphism of androgen receptor (AR) with ovarian reserve and ovarian response in controlled ovarian stimulation (COS).
METHODS:
This genetic association study was conducted among a total of 361 women aged ≤40 years with basal FSH≤12 U/L undergoing the GnRH-agonist long protocol for COS in a university-affiliated IVF center. GGN repeat in the AR gene was analyzed with Sanger sequencing. The primary endpoint was the number of antral follicle counts (AFCs), and the secondary endpoints were stimulation days, total dose of gonadotropin (Gn) used, total number of retrieved oocytes, ovarian sensitivity index, and follicular output rate.
RESULTS:
The GGN repeat in exon 1 of the AR gene ranged from 13 to 24, and the median repeat length was 22. Based on the genotypes (S for GGN repeats <22, L for GGN repeats ≥22), the patients were divided into 3 groups: SS, SL, and LL. Generalized regression analysis indicated that the number of AFCs in group SS was significantly lower than those in group SL (adjusted β=1.8, 95% CI: 0.2-3.4, P=0.024) and group LL (adjusted β=1.5, 95% CI: 0.2-2.7, P=0.021). No significant difference was observed in the number of AFCs between group SL and group LL (P>0.05). Generalized regression analysis indicated no significant differences in ovarian stimulation parameters among the 3 groups, either before or after adjusting for confounding factors (P>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
GGN repeat length on the AR gene is associated with AFC but not with ovarian response in Chinese women, indicating that AR gene polymorphisms may affect ovarian reserve.
Adult
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Genotype
;
Ovarian Follicle/cytology*
;
Ovarian Reserve/genetics*
;
Ovulation Induction/methods*
;
Polymorphism, Genetic
;
Receptors, Androgen/genetics*
;
East Asian People/genetics*
4.Spatial-temporal characteristics of drug-resistant tuberculosis in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, in 2016-2021
Min XU ; Lili CHEN ; Yixing ZHANG ; Yanwen CUI ; Shihong LI ; Shaotan XIAO
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(4):41-44
Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and spatial-temporal distribution of drug-resistant tuberculosis in Pudong New Area from 2016 to 2021 and to provide scientific basis for the prevention and control of drug-resistant tuberculosis. Methods The data of tuberculosis patients in Pudong New Area from 2016 to 2021 were collected through the Tuberculosis Information Management System of China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The geographic information database was established by ArcGIS software and the vector map of Pudong New Area for trend surface analysis and spatial autocorrelation analysis . Results From 2016 to 2021, a total of 3916 patients with etiological positive tuberculosis were found to be drug resistant with the drug resistance rate of 13.13%. The drug resistance rate of each year showed a decreasing trend (χ2trend=14.917, P<0.001). The rates of drug resistance of male, retiree, age 50~<60 years old, 60~<70 years old and recurrent patient were higher. From 2016 to 2021, the incidence of drug-resistant TB showed no spatial aggregation.In the south - north direction, the north is higher than the south generally. In the east - west direction, the west is higher than the east generally. Conclusion Drug resistance screening should be strengthened for men, retirees, over 50 years old, and recurrent TB patients,. Prevention and control measures should be strengthened in street towns with dense population and large floating population.
5.Effect and mechanism of type ⅩⅦ collagen on hair growth in mice with androgenetic alopecia
Hanxiao CHENG ; Jini QI ; Yanwen XU ; Xifei QIAN ; Jufang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2024;40(1):56-68
Objective:To investigate the effect and mechanism of type ⅩⅦ collagen (COL17) on hair growth in mice with androgenetic alopecia (AGA).Methods:Forty-eight C57BL/6J mice were used to establish AGA model (the back hair of the mice was removed and dihydrotestosterone solution was applied) and divided into 6 groups of 8 mice each by random number table. Negative control group, injection of saline in the depilated area (single point injection of 0.05 ml, 5 points in total); positive control group, topical application of 5% minoxidil tincture in the depilated area, 1 ml/d; COL17 low, medium and high concentration groups, injection of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/ml COL17 in the depilated area respectively (single point injection of 0.05 ml, 5 points in total); type Ⅲ and ⅩⅦ collagen (COL3+ COL17) combined high concentration group, injection of 2.0 mg/ml COL3 and COL17 in the depilated area (single point injection of 0.05 ml, 5 points in total). The total treatment time was 21 days, during which the hair growth of mice in each group was observed and recorded. After 21 days, the skin and subcutaneous tissue in the depilated area of the mice were taken to make pathological sections for HE staining, and the number and morphological changes of hair follicles were observed; fresh skin tissue in the depilated area of the mice was taken for total RNA sequencing analysis, and the differentially co-expressed genes were annotated by gene ontology (GO) functional annotation, Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA).Results:After 21 days of treatment, compared with the negative control group, the depilation area on the back of the mice in the positive control group, COL17 high concentration group, and COL3+ COL17 combined high concentration group was significantly reduced, and HE staining showed that the number of hair follicles was also significantly increased. Pearson correlation analysis, principal component analysis and cluster heat map between groups showed that COL17 high concentration group had high gene correlation with the positive control group ( R2=0.95, P=0.024), and the gene expression was relatively close, with 3 882 differentially expressed genes (1 705 up-regulated and 2 177 down-regulated) in the two groups, while COL3+ COL17 combined high concentration group had the highest gene correlation with the positive control group ( R2=0.96, P=0.001), and the gene expression was the closest, with 1 289 differentially expressed genes (385 up-regulated and 904 down-regulated). KEGG analysis showed that compared with the negative control group, the positive control group, COL17 high concentration group and COL3+ COL17 combined high concentration group of mice all upregulated Wnt signaling pathway, cell adhesion molecules and hedgehog signaling pathway related to hair growth. GO enrichment analysis suggested that COL17 high concentration group and COL3+ COL17 combined high concentration group had upregulated genes related to skin development and hair cycle. GSEA enrichment analysis found that COL17 high concentration group had upregulated genes related to fibroblast proliferation and interleukin-1 secretion, while COL3+ COL17 combined high concentration group had upregulated genes related to fibroblast migration, clearance of apoptotic cells and accelerated metabolism of reactive oxygen species. Conclusion:Local injection of 2.0 mg/ml COL17 has a certain promoting effect on hair growth in AGA model mice, and the effect is more significant after combined injection of 2.0 mg/ml COL3. Activation of Wnt signaling pathway is one of the main mechanisms of COL17 promoting hair growth.
6.Effect and mechanism of type ⅩⅦ collagen on hair growth in mice with androgenetic alopecia
Hanxiao CHENG ; Jini QI ; Yanwen XU ; Xifei QIAN ; Jufang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2024;40(1):56-68
Objective:To investigate the effect and mechanism of type ⅩⅦ collagen (COL17) on hair growth in mice with androgenetic alopecia (AGA).Methods:Forty-eight C57BL/6J mice were used to establish AGA model (the back hair of the mice was removed and dihydrotestosterone solution was applied) and divided into 6 groups of 8 mice each by random number table. Negative control group, injection of saline in the depilated area (single point injection of 0.05 ml, 5 points in total); positive control group, topical application of 5% minoxidil tincture in the depilated area, 1 ml/d; COL17 low, medium and high concentration groups, injection of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/ml COL17 in the depilated area respectively (single point injection of 0.05 ml, 5 points in total); type Ⅲ and ⅩⅦ collagen (COL3+ COL17) combined high concentration group, injection of 2.0 mg/ml COL3 and COL17 in the depilated area (single point injection of 0.05 ml, 5 points in total). The total treatment time was 21 days, during which the hair growth of mice in each group was observed and recorded. After 21 days, the skin and subcutaneous tissue in the depilated area of the mice were taken to make pathological sections for HE staining, and the number and morphological changes of hair follicles were observed; fresh skin tissue in the depilated area of the mice was taken for total RNA sequencing analysis, and the differentially co-expressed genes were annotated by gene ontology (GO) functional annotation, Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA).Results:After 21 days of treatment, compared with the negative control group, the depilation area on the back of the mice in the positive control group, COL17 high concentration group, and COL3+ COL17 combined high concentration group was significantly reduced, and HE staining showed that the number of hair follicles was also significantly increased. Pearson correlation analysis, principal component analysis and cluster heat map between groups showed that COL17 high concentration group had high gene correlation with the positive control group ( R2=0.95, P=0.024), and the gene expression was relatively close, with 3 882 differentially expressed genes (1 705 up-regulated and 2 177 down-regulated) in the two groups, while COL3+ COL17 combined high concentration group had the highest gene correlation with the positive control group ( R2=0.96, P=0.001), and the gene expression was the closest, with 1 289 differentially expressed genes (385 up-regulated and 904 down-regulated). KEGG analysis showed that compared with the negative control group, the positive control group, COL17 high concentration group and COL3+ COL17 combined high concentration group of mice all upregulated Wnt signaling pathway, cell adhesion molecules and hedgehog signaling pathway related to hair growth. GO enrichment analysis suggested that COL17 high concentration group and COL3+ COL17 combined high concentration group had upregulated genes related to skin development and hair cycle. GSEA enrichment analysis found that COL17 high concentration group had upregulated genes related to fibroblast proliferation and interleukin-1 secretion, while COL3+ COL17 combined high concentration group had upregulated genes related to fibroblast migration, clearance of apoptotic cells and accelerated metabolism of reactive oxygen species. Conclusion:Local injection of 2.0 mg/ml COL17 has a certain promoting effect on hair growth in AGA model mice, and the effect is more significant after combined injection of 2.0 mg/ml COL3. Activation of Wnt signaling pathway is one of the main mechanisms of COL17 promoting hair growth.
7.Knowledge-embedded spatio-temporal analysis for euploidy embryos identification in couples with chromosomal rearrangements
Fangying CHEN ; Xiang XIE ; Du CAI ; Pengxiang YAN ; Chenhui DING ; Yangxing WEN ; Yanwen XU ; Feng GAO ; Canquan ZHOU ; Guanbin LI ; Qingyun MAI
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(6):694-703
Background::The goal of the assisted reproductive treatment is to transfer one euploid blastocyst and to help infertile women giving birth one healthy neonate. Some algorithms have been used to assess the ploidy status of embryos derived from couples with normal chromosome, who subjected to preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) treatment. However, it is currently unknown whether artificial intelligence model can be used to assess the euploidy status of blastocyst derived from populations with chromosomal rearrangement.Methods::From February 2020 to May 2021, we collected the whole raw time-lapse videos at multiple focal planes from in vitro cultured embryos, the clinical information of couples, and the comprehensive chromosome screening results of those blastocysts that had received PGT treatment. Initially, we developed a novel deep learning model called the Attentive Multi-Focus Selection Network (AMSNet) to analyze time-lapse videos in real time and predict blastocyst formation. Building upon AMSNet, we integrated additional clinically predictive variables and created a second deep learning model, the Attentive Multi-Focus Video and Clinical Information Fusion Network (AMCFNet), to assess the euploidy status of embryos. The efficacy of the AMCFNet was further tested in embryos with parental chromosomal rearrangements. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the superiority of the model. Results::A total of 4112 embryos with complete time-lapse videos were enrolled for the blastocyst formation prediction task, and 1422 qualified blastocysts received PGT-A ( n = 589) or PGT for chromosomal structural rearrangement (PGT-SR, n = 833) were enrolled for the euploidy assessment task in this study. The AMSNet model using seven focal raw time-lapse videos has the best real-time accuracy. The real-time accuracy for AMSNet to predict blastocyst formation reached above 70% on the day 2 of embryo culture, and then increased to 80% on the day 4 of embryo culture. Combing with 4 clinical features of couples, the AUC of AMCFNet with 7 focal points increased to 0.729 in blastocysts derived from couples with chromosomal rearrangement. Conclusion::Integrating seven focal raw time-lapse images of embryos and parental clinical information, AMCFNet model have the capability of assessing euploidy status in blastocysts derived from couples with chromosomal rearrangement.
8.The chemical reprogramming of unipotent adult germ cells towards authentic pluripotency and de novo establishment of imprinting.
Yuhan CHEN ; Jiansen LU ; Yanwen XU ; Yaping HUANG ; Dazhuang WANG ; Peiling LIANG ; Shaofang REN ; Xuesong HU ; Yewen QIN ; Wei KE ; Ralf JAUCH ; Andrew Paul HUTCHINS ; Mei WANG ; Fuchou TANG ; Xiao-Yang ZHAO
Protein & Cell 2023;14(7):477-496
Although somatic cells can be reprogrammed to pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) with pure chemicals, authentic pluripotency of chemically induced pluripotent stem cells (CiPSCs) has never been achieved through tetraploid complementation assay. Spontaneous reprogramming of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) was another non-transgenic way to obtain PSCs, but this process lacks mechanistic explanation. Here, we reconstructed the trajectory of mouse SSC reprogramming and developed a five-chemical combination, boosting the reprogramming efficiency by nearly 80- to 100-folds. More importantly, chemical induced germline-derived PSCs (5C-gPSCs), but not gPSCs and chemical induced pluripotent stem cells, had authentic pluripotency, as determined by tetraploid complementation. Mechanistically, SSCs traversed through an inverted pathway of in vivo germ cell development, exhibiting the expression signatures and DNA methylation dynamics from spermatogonia to primordial germ cells and further to epiblasts. Besides, SSC-specific imprinting control regions switched from biallelic methylated states to monoallelic methylated states by imprinting demethylation and then re-methylation on one of the two alleles in 5C-gPSCs, which was apparently distinct with the imprinting reprogramming in vivo as DNA methylation simultaneously occurred on both alleles. Our work sheds light on the unique regulatory network underpinning SSC reprogramming, providing insights to understand generic mechanisms for cell-fate decision and epigenetic-related disorders in regenerative medicine.
Male
;
Mice
;
Animals
;
Cellular Reprogramming/genetics*
;
Tetraploidy
;
Pluripotent Stem Cells/metabolism*
;
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/metabolism*
;
DNA Methylation
;
Spermatogonia/metabolism*
;
Germ Cells/metabolism*
9.Single-cell transcriptomic analysis uncovers the origin and intratumoral heterogeneity of parotid pleomorphic adenoma.
Xiuyun XU ; Jiaxiang XIE ; Rongsong LING ; Shengqi OUYANG ; Gan XIONG ; Yanwen LU ; Bokai YUN ; Ming ZHANG ; Wenjin WANG ; Xiqiang LIU ; Demeng CHEN ; Cheng WANG
International Journal of Oral Science 2023;15(1):38-38
Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common benign tumour in the salivary gland and has high morphological complexity. However, the origin and intratumoral heterogeneity of PA are largely unknown. Here, we constructed a comprehensive atlas of PA at single-cell resolution and showed that PA exhibited five tumour subpopulations, three recapitulating the epithelial states of the normal parotid gland, and two PA-specific epithelial cell (PASE) populations unique to tumours. Then, six subgroups of PASE cells were identified, which varied in epithelium, bone, immune, metabolism, stemness and cell cycle signatures. Moreover, we revealed that CD36+ myoepithelial cells were the tumour-initiating cells (TICs) in PA, and were dominated by the PI3K-AKT pathway. Targeting the PI3K-AKT pathway significantly inhibited CD36+ myoepithelial cell-derived tumour spheres and the growth of PA organoids. Our results provide new insights into the diversity and origin of PA, offering an important clinical implication for targeting the PI3K-AKT signalling pathway in PA treatment.
Humans
;
Adenoma, Pleomorphic/genetics*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
;
Transcriptome
;
Myoepithelioma
10.Clinical and imaging features of bilateral Wallerian degeneration of the middle cerebellar peduncles secondary to isolated pontine infarction
Hui XU ; Yanwen YAO ; Hongying BAI
International Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2022;30(10):745-751
Objective:To investigate the clinical and imaging features of bilateral Wallerian degeneration of the middle cerebellar peduncles secondary to isolated pontine infarction.Methods:Patients diagnosed as bilateral Wallerian degeneration of cerebellar middle peduncle after isolated pontine infarction admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2017 to December 2021 were retrospectively included. Patients with bilateral Wallerian degeneration of cerebellar middle peduncle after isolated pontine infarction reported between January 2001 and December 2021 were collected by searching Chinese and English databases, and their clinical and imaging characteristics were summarized.Results:A total of 48 patients with bilateral Wallerian degeneration of cerebellar middle peduncle after isolated pontine infarction were included, including 14 patients admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, and 34 patients collected by searching the Chinese and English databases. Thirty-three patients were males (68.75%) and 15 were females (31.25%). Their age was 65.8±10.7 years old (range, 37-88 years). Most patients had vascular risk factors, and hypertension was the most common. Dysarthria and limb weakness were the main clinical symptoms at admission. The infarct sites of all 48 patients were located in the blood supply area of paramedian pontine arteries, of which 37 (77.08%) were unilateral (18 on the left and 19 on the right), 6 (12.50%) were bilateral sides, and 5 (10.42%) had incomplete data. When Wallerian degeneration was diagnosed, 8 patients (16.67%) had dizziness or ataxia, 6 (12.50%) had aggravated original symptoms, and the remaining 34 (70.83%) had no new symptoms or aggravated original symptoms. All patients showed symmetrical abnormal signals in bilateral middle cerebellar peduncles, with obvious hyperintensity on T 2 or diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). One patient showed T 2 hyperintensity in bilateral middle cerebellar peduncle on the next day after the onset of the infarction, which was the earliest case to find secondary Wallerian degeneration after isolated pontine infarction. Conclusions:Wallerian degeneration should be considered when symmetrical lesions of bilateral middle cerebellar peduncles occur after isolated pontine infarction. Wallerian degeneration may occur early after isolated pontine infarction. Most cases have no new symptoms or aggravated original symptoms. Conventional MRI can identify it early.


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