1.Effect of Acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) on Improving Autism by Promoting Myelination Through The METTL14/m⁶A/PTEN Axis Based on “Xuanfu-Suiqiao” Theory
Wei-Li DANG ; Lü-Yuan LIANG ; Yu-Xin LI ; Zhi-Yao LI ; Sai-Dan LIU ; Jia-Lei CAO ; Rong-Ze MA ; Yun-Kai WANG ; Xiao-Qing YANG ; Bing-Qi WEI ; Bing-Xiang MA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1165-1177
ObjectiveTo clarify whether METTL14 mediates the core role of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) in promoting myelination and improving behavior in young autistic rats through gene intervention technology. MethodsThe ASD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (VPA) in pregnant rats. Male offspring were intracerebroventricularly injected with adenovirus-packaged METTL14 shRNA (sh-METTL14) or its control (sh-NC) on postnatal day 1, with a model group set as well. Subsequently, the juvenile rats were divided into model group, acupuncture group, acupuncture+sh-NC group, and acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) from postnatal day 7, once daily for 21 consecutive days. Neurobehavioral changes were evaluated by behavioral tests; METTL14 knockdown efficiency and the expression of METTL14, METTL3, and PTEN were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB); PTEN m6A levels were measured by RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR); myelin ultrastructure, expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and neurofascin 155 (NF155), and dendritic spine density were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and primary neuron culture. ResultsBehaviorally, knockdown of METTL14 significantly counteracted the beneficial effects of acupuncture in improving self-grooming, open field exploration, three-chamber social interaction, and Morris water maze learning and memory (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture+sh-NC group, the acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of hippocampal METTL14 (P<0.01), and the upregulating effects of acupuncture on METTL3 and PTEN expression were reversed (P<0.01). Meanwhile, knockdown of METTL14 significantly inhibited the acupuncture-induced increase in PTEN m6A levels (P<0.01). Morphologically, knockdown of METTL14 attenuated the improvement of myelin structure by acupuncture, reversed the downregulation of MBP and upregulation of NF155 induced by acupuncture, and blocked the increase in dendritic spine density (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMETTL14 is a key molecule mediating the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Neiguan. Acupuncture at Neiguan upregulates METTL14, thereby enhancing m6A methylation modification of PTEN mRNA to stabilize its expression, ultimately promoting myelin development and improving behavioral symptoms in ASD juvenile rats. This preliminarily reveals the modern biological connotation of “opening Xuanfu and dredging myelin”.
2.Effect of Acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) on Improving Autism by Promoting Myelination Through The METTL14/m⁶A/PTEN Axis Based on “Xuanfu-Suiqiao” Theory
Wei-Li DANG ; Lü-Yuan LIANG ; Yu-Xin LI ; Zhi-Yao LI ; Sai-Dan LIU ; Jia-Lei CAO ; Rong-Ze MA ; Yun-Kai WANG ; Xiao-Qing YANG ; Bing-Qi WEI ; Bing-Xiang MA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1165-1177
ObjectiveTo clarify whether METTL14 mediates the core role of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) in promoting myelination and improving behavior in young autistic rats through gene intervention technology. MethodsThe ASD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (VPA) in pregnant rats. Male offspring were intracerebroventricularly injected with adenovirus-packaged METTL14 shRNA (sh-METTL14) or its control (sh-NC) on postnatal day 1, with a model group set as well. Subsequently, the juvenile rats were divided into model group, acupuncture group, acupuncture+sh-NC group, and acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) from postnatal day 7, once daily for 21 consecutive days. Neurobehavioral changes were evaluated by behavioral tests; METTL14 knockdown efficiency and the expression of METTL14, METTL3, and PTEN were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB); PTEN m6A levels were measured by RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR); myelin ultrastructure, expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and neurofascin 155 (NF155), and dendritic spine density were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and primary neuron culture. ResultsBehaviorally, knockdown of METTL14 significantly counteracted the beneficial effects of acupuncture in improving self-grooming, open field exploration, three-chamber social interaction, and Morris water maze learning and memory (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture+sh-NC group, the acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of hippocampal METTL14 (P<0.01), and the upregulating effects of acupuncture on METTL3 and PTEN expression were reversed (P<0.01). Meanwhile, knockdown of METTL14 significantly inhibited the acupuncture-induced increase in PTEN m6A levels (P<0.01). Morphologically, knockdown of METTL14 attenuated the improvement of myelin structure by acupuncture, reversed the downregulation of MBP and upregulation of NF155 induced by acupuncture, and blocked the increase in dendritic spine density (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMETTL14 is a key molecule mediating the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Neiguan. Acupuncture at Neiguan upregulates METTL14, thereby enhancing m6A methylation modification of PTEN mRNA to stabilize its expression, ultimately promoting myelin development and improving behavioral symptoms in ASD juvenile rats. This preliminarily reveals the modern biological connotation of “opening Xuanfu and dredging myelin”.
3.Stage-Ⅰ treatment of primary obstructive megaureter with severe hydroureteronephrosis in infants under 1 year old:loop cutaneous ureterostomy
Zhiwei WANG ; Huangchenghao ZHANG ; Guiping YAO ; Qiurong LI ; Dewei ZHANG ; Bing YAN
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(5):380-385
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and prognosis of loop cutaneous ureterostomy (LCU) in the treatment of primary obstructive megaureter (POM) with severe hydroureteronephrosis (HUN) in infants under 1 year of age,so as to provide reference for infants unsuitable for stage-Ⅰ ureteral reimplantation. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 12 infants with POM and severe HUN treated with LCU in our hospital during Jan.2019 and Dec.2023.The clinical characteristics,surgical techniques,indications,postoperative complications,stage-Ⅱ surgical approaches,and follow-up outcomes were summarized. Results: All operations were successful,with an average operation time of (37.08±7.53) min (6 left-sided LCU and 6 right-sided LCU).During the mean follow-up of (10.12±2.70) months,all infants showed clinical improvement,with complete resolution or significant alleviation of hydronephrosis,reduced ureteral diameter,and increased renal cortical thickness.Complications included asymptomatic bacteriuria in 3 cases (25%) and urinary tract infection (UTI) in 1 case,all resolved with oral antibiotics.Four cases developed peristomal rashes,which improved with topical treatment.Eleven infants underwent stage-Ⅱ Cohen ureterovesical reimplantation at a mean age of (15.20±2.07) months.Notably,27.3%(3/11) required ureteral tailoring or plication during reimplantation,which reduced the risk of ischemic necrosis from excessive trimming.During the follow-up of (22.17±13.93) months,hydronephrosis and renal function improved,and no febrile UTI or bladder dysfunction occurred. Conclusion: LCU is a safe and effective method,which can provide adequate urinary drainage,relieve obstruction,stabilize renal function,and allow time for ureteral maturation and renal parenchymal recovery.LCU also facilitates subsequent stage-Ⅱ surgery by reducing ureteral dilation.
4.Construction and application of the "Huaxi Hongyi" large medical model
Rui SHI ; Bing ZHENG ; Xun YAO ; Hao YANG ; Xuchen YANG ; Siyuan ZHANG ; Zhenwu WANG ; Dongfeng LIU ; Jing DONG ; Jiaxi XIE ; Hu MA ; Zhiyang HE ; Cheng JIANG ; Feng QIAO ; Fengming LUO ; Jin HUANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(05):587-593
Objective To construct large medical model named by "Huaxi HongYi"and explore its application effectiveness in assisting medical record generation. Methods By the way of a full-chain medical large model construction paradigm of "data annotation - model training - scenario incubation", through strategies such as multimodal data fusion, domain adaptation training, and localization of hardware adaptation, "Huaxi HongYi" with 72 billion parameters was constructed. Combined with technologies such as speech recognition, knowledge graphs, and reinforcement learning, an application system for assisting in the generation of medical records was developed. Results Taking the assisted generation of discharge records as an example, in the pilot department, after using the application system, the average completion times of writing a medical records shortened (21 min vs. 5 min) with efficiency increased by 3.2 time, the accuracy rate of the model output reached 92.4%. Conclusion It is feasible for medical institutions to build independently controllable medical large models and incubate various applications based on these models, providing a reference pathway for artificial intelligence development in similar institutions.
5.Finite element analysis of simulated treatment of Sanders type Ⅲcalcaneal fractures with sustentacular screw placement of sustentaculum tali
Guang-Sheng TANG ; Qi WANG ; Yao XU ; Bing WANG ; Jian-Ning SUN ; De-Guang WANG
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(3):315-322
Objective To construct a finite element analysis model for the treatment of calcaneal fracture for Sanders Ⅲ type calcaneal by using simulated sustentaculum tali sustentacular screw placement,and to explore the effectiveness of the treatment of Sanders typeⅢcalcaneal fracture.Methods The finite element analysis method was used to study the effectiveness of the treatment of Sanders Ⅲ calcaneal fracture.Three calcaneal specimens of a healthy adult were taken for Micro-CT scanning to obtain the CT sections data,then Mimics 21.0 and Geomagic Wrap 2017 software were used to reconstruct the three-dimensional model of normal calcaneal bone,and SolidWorks 2017 software was used to map the internal fixation and fracture model according to the clinical fracture cases,and simulated surgery was performed.The data obtained were imported into ANSYS 17.0 finite element analysis software for material assignment and mesh division to establish a three-dimensional finite element model.The load and boundary constraints were applied to each model to perform finite element analysis and calculation,and then the stress of the finite element model and the maximum displacement of the fracture end were extracted.Results The maximum stress of the overall structure of each model was concentrated on internal fixation,in which the maximum stress of sustentaculum tali fracture and the maximum stress of screws in all fracture models are located on the sustentaculum tali sustentacular screw.The displacement of fracture end in each finite element model was less than 0.15 mm,and no internal fixation failure occurred.Conclusion It is effective to simulate the treatment of calcaneal fracture of Sanders type Ⅲ by using of sustentaculum tali sustentacular screw.
6.Enzyme-directed Immobilization Strategies for Biosensor Applications
Xing-Bao WANG ; Yao-Hong MA ; Yun-Long XUE ; Xiao-Zhen HUANG ; Yue SHAO ; Yi YU ; Bing-Lian WANG ; Qing-Ai LIU ; Li-He ZHANG ; Wei-Li GONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):374-394
Immobilized enzyme-based enzyme electrode biosensors, characterized by high sensitivity and efficiency, strong specificity, and compact size, demonstrate broad application prospects in life science research, disease diagnosis and monitoring, etc. Immobilization of enzyme is a critical step in determining the performance (stability, sensitivity, and reproducibility) of the biosensors. Random immobilization (physical adsorption, covalent cross-linking, etc.) can easily bring about problems, such as decreased enzyme activity and relatively unstable immobilization. Whereas, directional immobilization utilizing amino acid residue mutation, affinity peptide fusion, or nucleotide-specific binding to restrict the orientation of the enzymes provides new possibilities to solve the problems caused by random immobilization. In this paper, the principles, advantages and disadvantages and the application progress of enzyme electrode biosensors of different directional immobilization strategies for enzyme molecular sensing elements by specific amino acids (lysine, histidine, cysteine, unnatural amino acid) with functional groups introduced based on site-specific mutation, affinity peptides (gold binding peptides, carbon binding peptides, carbohydrate binding domains) fused through genetic engineering, and specific binding between nucleotides and target enzymes (proteins) were reviewed, and the application fields, advantages and limitations of various immobilized enzyme interface characterization techniques were discussed, hoping to provide theoretical and technical guidance for the creation of high-performance enzyme sensing elements and the manufacture of enzyme electrode sensors.
7.Effect of NEP1-40/PLGA on facial nerve repair in rats
XUE Bing ; XI Hualei ; YAO Lihong ; XU Wanqiu ; XU Xiaohang ; LIN Song ; PIAO Guiyan ; WANG Xiumei
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2025;33(2):110-119
Objective:
To investigate the effect of neurite outgrowth inhibitor extracellular peptide residues 1-40 (NEP1-40) combined with poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and gelatin electrospun fiber membrane on facial nerve repair in rats.
Methods:
According to the principle of random grouping, 108 male SD rats were divided into four groups (n = 27 in each group, approved by the ethics committee), namely, the sham group, control group, PLGA group, and NEP1-40 + PLGA group. A facial nerve fracture model was established for all of the groups except for the sham group. The control group received no further treatment, the PLGA group and the NEP1-40+PLGA group were supported by PLGA membrane, and the NEP1-40+PLGA group received one immediate local injection of NEP1-40 (5 μg/μL) at a dose of 10 μL. Facial nerve function analysis, electrophysiological examination, transmission electron microscope observation, HE staining, and immunohistochemical staining of myelin marker S100β and axonal marker β3-tubulin were used to evaluate the recovery of injured facial nerves of rats at 2, 4 and 8 weeks.
Results :
At 8 weeks, the facial nerve function score of the NEP1-40+PLGA group was better than that of the control group and PLGA group (P < 0.001), and facial nerve function was significantly restored. Electrophysiological examination of nerve action potentials at the injured facial nerve showed that the amplitude in the NEP1-40+PLGA group was higher than that of the control group and PLGA group (P < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in latency and conduction velocity results between the groups (P > 0.05). At 2, 4, and 8 weeks, transmission electron microscopy showed that the number of myelinated nerve fibers and myelin sheath thickness in the cross-section of the injured facial nerve in the NEP1-40+PLGA group were greater than those in the other groups (P < 0.05). At 8 weeks, HE staining showed that the facial nerves in the control group had partially recovered, but the overall cell distribution was uneven and the boundary with surrounding tissues was slightly blurred. In contrast, the NEP1-40+PLGA group had a relatively uniform cell distribution and a clearer boundary with surrounding tissues. At 2, 4, and 8 weeks, the immunohistochemical results showed that in the cross-section of the injuried facial nerve, NEP1-40 increased the expression of neural markers S100 β and β3-tubulin, especially β3-tubulin, which was close to normal levels (P > 0.05)
Conclusion
NEP1-40 is beneficial for the generation of new myelin sheaths and axons at the site of injury, and it can promote the repair and regeneration of injured facial nerves to a certain extent, thus accelerating the recovery of injured nerve function.
8.Analysis on Acupuncture in the Treatment of Post-stroke Dysphagia Based on the Theory of "Latent Pathogen in Cerebral Collaterals"
Hongtao LI ; Yaqi HUANG ; Lulu YAO ; Bing GAO ; Yu YE ; Nenggui XU ; Lin WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(9):901-905
Dysphagia is a common complication of stroke. Combining the principles of traditional Chinese medicine with modern research findings, it is proposed that "latent pathogen in the cerebral collaterals" constitutes the core pathogenesis of post-stroke dysphagia (PSD). In clinical practice, treatment is tailored according to the location of PSD. During the oral stage, when the pathogen invades the face and mouth, resulting in excessive salivation, acupoints are primarily selected from the foot shaoyin (少阴) kidney channel, in combination with ren mai (任脉) , du mai (督脉), chong mai (冲脉) and the spleen channel, to replenish essence and fill the marrow, dispel dampness and unblock the channels. In the pharyngeal stage, as the pathogen obstructs the throat, disrupting normal swallowing, the therapy emphasizes dredging the shaoyang (少阳) channel and warming and tonifying the jueyin (厥阴) channel, by taking acupoints mainly from the hand and foot shaoyang channels, along with the jueyin channels, so as to soothe the liver and promote bile secretion, regulate and harmonize qi and blood. During the esophageal stage, where the pathogen damages the esophagus, impeding food passage, the treatment emphasizes activating the yangming (阳明) channels and regulating taiyin (太阴) channels; acupoints are mainly selected from the foot yangming stomach channel, along with the taiyin channels, aiming to warm yang, unblock the channels and dispel stasis.
9.Nomogram model for posterior circulation acute cerebral infarction in patients with VBD based on MR-VWI characteristics of the vertebrobasilar artery
Tiegang GUAN ; Zhilei KANG ; Xinying WANG ; Yao XIAO ; Bing LIU
Journal of China Medical University 2025;54(11):1036-1041,1047
Objective To construct a predictive model for patients with verte-brobasilar dolichoectasia(VBD)complicated by posterior circulation acute cerebral infarction(ACI)based on the characteristics of verte-brobasilar artery magnetic resonance vascular wall imaging(MR-VWI),thereby providing a reference for clinical prevention.Methods A total of 102 patients with VBD complicated by posterior circulation ACI who were admitted to our hospital between March 2016 and January 2023 were selected as the concurrent group.An addi-tional 102 patients with VBD without concurrent posterior circulation ACI were selected as the non-concurrent group at a 1∶1 ratio.The MR-VWI characteristics(basilar artery[BA]diameter,BA length,vertebral artery[VA]intracranial segment length,BA deviation grade,and BA bifurcation height grade)and clinical data of the two groups were compared,and the factors influencing posterior circulation ACI in patients with VBD were analyzed.Based on the MR-VWI features and related influencing factors,a nomogram prediction model of pos-terior circulation ACI in patients with VBD was constructed,and the clinical significance of the nomogram prediction model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)and calibration curves.Results A significant difference were observed in the D-dimer levels between the two groups(P<0.05).BA diameter,BA length,and VA intracranial length were greater in the concurrent group than in the non-concurrent group.The proportion of BA bifurcation height grade ≥ 2 and BA deviation grade≥2 in the concurrent group was higher than that in the non-concurrent group(P<0.05).BA diameter,BA length,BA bifurcation height classification,BA deviation classi-fication,and D-dimer level were all independent risk factors for posterior circulation ACI in patients with VBD(P<0.05).The area under the curve of the posterior circulation ACI predicted using the nomogram model was 0.900(95%CI:0.858-0.943),and good calibration was noted.Conclusion BA diameter,BA length,BA bifurcation height classification,BA offset classification,and D-dimer level were inde-pendent influencing factors of posterior circulation ACI in patients with VBD.Based on these factors,a nomogram prediction model was constructed with high prediction efficiency and good calibration.
10.A novel homozygous mutation of CFAP300 identified in a Chinese patient with primary ciliary dyskinesia and infertility.
Zheng ZHOU ; Qi QI ; Wen-Hua WANG ; Jie DONG ; Juan-Juan XU ; Yu-Ming FENG ; Zhi-Chuan ZOU ; Li CHEN ; Jin-Zhao MA ; Bing YAO
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(1):113-119
Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a clinically rare, genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous condition characterized by chronic respiratory tract infections, male infertility, tympanitis, and laterality abnormalities. PCD is typically resulted from variants in genes encoding assembly or structural proteins that are indispensable for the movement of motile cilia. Here, we identified a novel nonsense mutation, c.466G>T, in cilia- and flagella-associated protein 300 ( CFAP300 ) resulting in a stop codon (p.Glu156*) through whole-exome sequencing (WES). The proband had a PCD phenotype with laterality defects and immotile sperm flagella displaying a combined loss of the inner dynein arm (IDA) and outer dynein arm (ODA). Bioinformatic programs predicted that the mutation is deleterious. Successful pregnancy was achieved through intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Our results expand the spectrum of CFAP300 variants in PCD and provide reproductive guidance for infertile couples suffering from PCD caused by them.
Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Pregnancy
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China
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Ciliary Motility Disorders/genetics*
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Codon, Nonsense
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East Asian People/genetics*
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Exome Sequencing
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Homozygote
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Infertility, Male/genetics*
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Kartagener Syndrome/genetics*
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Pedigree
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Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic
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Cytoskeletal Proteins/genetics*


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