1.Activation of the Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)ergic Neural Circuit in Salicylate-Induced Tinnitus: the Inferior Colliculus to the Medial Geniculate Body
Xu-Yuan PENG ; Jiang WANG ; Ming-Yue GONG ; Li-Yuan ZHANG ; Min ZHANG ; Zhi-Bin CHEN ; Zheng-Quan TANG ; Lei CHENG
Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology 2026;19(1):55-69
Objectives:
. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory functions of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neural circuits from the inferior colliculus (IC) to the medial geniculate body (MGB) in salicylate-induced tinnitus.
Methods:
. Mice were treated with salicylate to induce tinnitus, and tinnitus-like behaviors were evaluated via gap prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle. Using combined viral tracing methodologies, we identified and mapped the pathways and connections from the IC to the MGB. Furthermore, we employed Gq-coupled human M3 designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) and Gi-coupled human M4 DREADDs to achieve targeted excitation or suppression of GABAergic neurons in the IC and MGB. Following the administration of clozapine N-oxide, which binds to these receptors, we modulated these neural circuits to assess their impact on tinnitus severity in a mouse model.
Results:
. Our findings demonstrated that mice exposed to salicylate exhibited tinnitus-like behaviors. GABAergic neurons projecting retrogradely from the MGB to the IC were primarily concentrated in the external nucleus of the IC. After clozapine N-oxide administration, chemogenetic activation of IC-MGB GABAergic neurons aggravated salicylate-induced tinnitus. Additionally, activation of GABAergic neurons between the IC and MGB induced the perception of tinnitus even without salicylate. However, chemogenetic inhibition of the IC-MGB GABAergic circuit did not reverse salicylate-induced tinnitus.
Conclusion
. These findings suggest that activation of the IC-MGB GABAergic neural circuit may contribute to tinnitus generation through a mechanism distinct from that of salicylate-induced tinnitus. This study provides novel insights into the mechanisms underlying tinnitus.
2.Quality control standards for biological specimens from patients with oral and maxillofacial tumors
CHEN Wantao ; PAN Xinhua ; HE Yue ; YAN Ming ; WANG Lizhen ; WANG Yan&rsquo ; an ; LI Siyi ; LI Zhihui ; ZHANG Zhen ; DU Mengxuan
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(9):833-842
Quality control (QC) of biospecimens from oral and maxillofacial tumors patients constitutes a critical foundation for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and precision medicine research of these diseases. Biospecimen quality directly governs the discovery and validation of disease biomarkers, the elucidation of pathogenesis, and the efficacy of clinical translation. QC spans the entire biospecimen lifecycle—encompassing collection, processing, storage, transportation, and utilization. Its primary objectives are to ensure sample integrity, reliability, traceability, and consistency, thereby guaranteeing the robustness of research data; the accuracy of molecular subtyping, biomarker identification, and treatment response prediction; and the precision of clinical decision-making. However, current QC frameworks for these biospecimens remain underdeveloped. Drawing on domestic and international technical standards, regulatory guidelines, and recent research advances, this paper elaborates on the importance of implementing a QC management system throughout the biospecimen lifecycle. It focuses on QC methodologies tailored to diverse biospecimen types, examining how standardized sampling procedures, regulated preprocessing workflows, and optimized long-term storage conditions influence sample quality. We aim to provide concrete guidance and a transferable paradigm for establishing standardized QC protocols and an informatics-enabled traceability system specific to oral and maxillofacial tumors. Such efforts are intended to enhance the research value and clinical utility of these biospecimens, furnishing reliable sample resources and technical support for the development of precision diagnostics and therapeutics. Furthermore, we advocate for a dual-track “QC plus Ethics” management framework within biobanks. This approach would reinforce ethical and legal safeguards, establishing a robust barrier to support safe scientific innovation and clinical translation.
3.From medical humanities to health humanities: value system and resilience governance based on social-ecological system
Yue ZHANG ; Jiani SHAO ; Jinfan WANG ; Ming LU ; Yanshuang ZHAO
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(9):1220-1226
Against the backdrop of comprehensively advancing the construction of a “Healthy China” and promoting the core socialist values, the traditional closed governance model of medical humanities is confronted with multiple challenges such as imbalances in health resource allocation, cultural-cognitive conflicts, and data barriers. Grounded in social-ecological system theory, this study argued that the modern evolution of medical humanities inevitably shifted toward a health humanities ecology centered on “people’s health.” Through the value recognition and reconstruction of health humanities, a “four-dimensional” governance framework comprising the value, element, process, and management dimensions was constructed, and corresponding analytical models and measurement indicators were established. It particularly emphasized that medicine represented a means to achieve health, whereas universal health constituted the ultimate value destination of humanistic governance. Furthermore, action pathways for Chinese-style resilience governance were proposed. First, it was necessary to strengthen cooperation promotion mechanisms among multiple stakeholders, thereby highlighting the institutional advantages of socialism in terms of solidarity and collaboration. Second, it was essential to promote data standardization across the entire chain of health humanities governance, thus serving the modernization of China’s national governance system and governance capacity. Third, it was vital to innovate explicit measurement methods for health humanities values, thereby reinforcing quality orientation and responsibility awareness.
4.Effect of Icariin on Steroid-induced Ferroptosis in Rat Bone Microvascular Endothelial Cells
Jiancheng TANG ; Yue ZHANG ; Ruichen JIANG ; Zhengrong YUE ; Ming LI ; Yaqi ZHANG ; Zetao YIN ; Weiguo WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):131-140
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of icariin (ICA) on steroid-induced ferroptosis in bone microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs). MethodsRat BMECs were selected and treated with 500 mg·L-1 hydrocortisone for 1.5 h to establish a ferroptosis model of BMECs. The experimental cells were divided into a blank group, hormone group (500 mg·L-1 hydrocortisone), ICA group (500 mg·L-1 hydrocortisone + 34 mg·L-1 ICA), and ferroptosis agonist group (500 mg·L-1 hydrocortisone + 34 mg·L-1 ICA + 2.7 mg·L-1 erastin). Cell viability was detected by CCK-8. The levels of ferrous ion, glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by related kit species. The ferroptosis-related proteins, such as glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4), ferritin light chain (FTL), and transferrin receptor protein1 (sTfR) were detected by Western blot, as well as autophagy-related proteins including microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B), Beclin1, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Caspase-3. Results500 mg·L-1 hydrocortisone intervention for 1.5 h could effectively induce ferroptosis in BMECs, and ferroptosis levels could reach a peak as the intervention continued. In terms of cellular antioxidant capacity, compared with those in the blank group, the cell vitality, GSH in the hormone group decreased significantly, and the levels of ROS, SOD, MDA, and ferrous ions were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with those in the hormone group, the cell viability, GSH were significantly increased, and the levels of ROS, SOD, MDA, and ferrous ions were decreased in the ICA group (P<0.01). Compared with those in the ICA group, the cell vitality, GSH in the ferroptosis agonist group decreased significantly, and the levels of ROS, SOD, MDA, and ferrous ions increased significantly (P<0.01). In terms of the relationship between ferroptosis and autophagy, compared with the blank group, the hormone group had significantly increased expression levels of LC3B, sTfR, Beclin1, and FTL and significantly decreased expression levels of GPX4 (P<0.01). Compared with the hormone group, The ICA group had significantly decreased expression levels of LC3B, sTfR, and FTL and significantly increased expression levels of Beclin 1 and GPX4 (P<0.01). Compared with those in the ICA group, the expression levels of LC3B, sTfR, and FTL increased in the rapamycin group, and those of Beclin 1 and GPX4 decreased (P<0.01). In terms of cell ferroptosis and apoptosis,compared with the blank group, the hormone group had significantly increased expression levels of FTL, sTfR and Caspase-3 and significantly decreased expression levels of GPX4, and Bcl-2 (P<0.01). Compared with the hormone group, the ICA group had significantly decreased expression levels of FTL, sTfR and Caspase-3 and significantly increased expression levels of GPX4, and Bcl-2 (P<0.01). Compared with those in the ICA group, the expression levels of FTL, sTfR and Caspase-3 in the ferroptosis agonist group were increased, and the expression levels of GPX4, and Bcl-2 were decreased (P<0.01). In terms of cell function,compared with that in the blank group, the ability of cell migration and tube formation was significantly decreased in the hormone group (P<0.01). Compared with that in the hormone group, the cell migration and tube formation ability in the ICA group were significantly increased (P<0.01). ConclusionFerroptosis is involved in steroid-induced damage in BMECs. ICA can inhibit steroid-induced ferroptosis in BMECs, and the mechanism may be associated with the inhibition of ferroptosis by regulating autophagy.
5.Progress in ablation therapy for liver cancer and multidisciplinary application
Ming KUANG ; Wei WANG ; Manxia LIN ; Wenxuan XIE ; Han XIAO ; Yue ZENG
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2025;63(4):271-275
Liver Cancer is a prevalent malignant tumor worldwide,with various treatment options available. Among these, ablation therapy holds a significant role in liver cancer treatment due to its minimally invasive nature and lower complication rate. This article reviews the indications and contraindications of liver cancer ablation,the basic principles of different ablation techniques,and their advantages and limitations in clinical applications for liver cancer. Each ablation technique possesses unique characteristics regarding therapeutic efficacy,application scope,and complication profiles,necessitating the selection of the most appropriate approach tailored to the patient′s specific condition and tumor attributes. Furthermore,this article also discusses the potential role of ablation therapy in multidisciplinary treatment,highlighting its synergistic application with liver transplantation,interventional therapy,and immunotargeted therapy to significantly improve outcomes for unresectable liver cancer. Specifically,ablation therapy can induce an anti-tumor immune response by locally destroying the tumor,offering a potential application prospect for combining ablation with immunotherapy. Looking forward,with advances in nanotechnology,artificial intelligence,and image-guided techniques,ablation therapy is expected to progress towards higher precision,personalization,and safety,offering optimized treatment options for liver cancer patients.
6.Effect of Yiqi Jiedu Huayu Recipe on ulcerative colitis model rats in negative regulation of JAK2/STAT3 pathway by SOCS
Yue WANG ; Ansheng ZHA ; Ming LI
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(5):1140-1144
Objective:To explore the mechanism of Yiqi Jiedu Huayu Recipe(YQJDHY)on ulcerative colitis model rats based on the negative regulation of JAK2/STAT3 pathway by SOCS.Methods:The rats with ulcerative colitis were cloned by TNBS/ethanol method,and randomly divided into normal group,model group,SASP group,YQJDHY high-dose,medium-dose and low-dose groups.Serum IL-21 and IL-22 were detected by ELISA.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain assay(RT-PCR)was used to detect IL-23,IL-6,IL-17A,cytokine signaling inhibitor 1(SOCS1),SOCS3,tyrosine protein kinase 2(JAK2),transcription activa-tor 3(STAT3),retinoic acid-associated orphan receptorγ antibody(RORγt)mRNA expressions.Results:Pathological examination of rats in model group showed obvious inflammation and ulceration,indicating successful modeling.Compared with normal group,IL-21 and IL-22 contents in model group were significantly increased(P<0.05);the down-regulation of IL-21 and IL-22 in YQJDHY groups and SASP group were statistically different(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with model group,IL-23,IL-6,JAK2,STAT3 and IL-17A mRNA levels in intestinal mucosa and serum of YQJDHY groups and SASP group were significantly down-regulated(P<0.01),the ex-pressions of SOCS1 and SOCS3 mRNA in intestinal mucosa were increased in YQJDHY groups(P<0.01).The levels of RORγt mRNA in serum and intestinal mucosa of YQJDHY high-dose group and SASP group were increased(P<0.01).Compared with SASP group,the mRNA levels of JAK2 and STAT3 in YQJDHY high-dose group were increased(P<0.05).Conclusion:YQJDHY can increase the levels of SOCS1 and SOCS3 in ulcerative colitis model rats,and then inhibit JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway,down-regulate the pro-duction of inflammatory factors,and reduce immune inflammatory response.
7.Teaching Practice and Exploration of"Tutorial System"Based on The Cultivation of Scientific Research and Innovation Ability of Medical Students
Qiao ZHANG ; Yin-Feng YANG ; Yue-Li NI ; Zhuo-Ran TENG ; Wen-Jing LIU ; Jing WU ; Yan-Rui WU ; Yu DOU ; Ming HE ; Shu-De LI ; Ping GAN ; Fang YUAN ; Zhe YANG ; Xin-Wang YANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(3):470-480
The scientific research and innovation capabilities of medical students are intrinsically linked to the sustained and high-quality development of national healthcare initiatives.Cultivating outstanding medi-cal students with independent scientific capabilities and innovative consciousness is a critical component in the education and training of high-level medical professionals.Our investigation revealed that within the imperfections of the cultivating model,some faculty and students at medical schools have an insufficient understanding of scientific research and innovation and lack motivation for engaging in such activities,which hinder the progression of scientific research activities.Consequently,we initiated a teaching practice and exploratory study on the"tutorial system"aimed at fostering medical students'scientific research and innovation abilities.Based on the principle of"research informing teaching,teaching and research advan-cing together,"this study implements a"tutorial system"coordinated by tutors,supplemented by graduate and undergraduate student mentors,to cultivate innovative thinking,stimulate interest in scientific re-search,and enhance practical and research skills among medical students.Through collaborative efforts within"scientific research innovation teams,"various educational methods—including preliminary re-search,in-class and extracurricular activities,intra-group and inter-group interactions,and theoretical and practical applications—are employed to improve and strengthen the cultivation of medical students'scientif-ic research and innovation abilities.This study aims to provide valuable references for optimizing medical education management systems and enhancing the quality of medical student training.
8.Novel Structural Features of Isoflavone Synthase from Medicago truncatula Shed Light on Its Unique Enzymatic Mechanism
Chao SHI ; Zhao-Yang YE ; Fei XU ; Xiang-Ning DU ; Zhang-Xin CHEN ; Ming-Yue GU ; Jie DENG ; Wei WANG ; Liang-Yu LIU ; Mei-Ying WANG ; Xiao-Dong SU ; He-Li LIU ; Ming-Ying SHANG ; Li-Xin HUANG ; Zhen-Zhan CHANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(8):1204-1213,中插1-中插6
Isoflavones which mainly distributed in leguminous plants have plenty of health benefits.Isoflavone synthase(IFS)is a membrane-associated cytochrome P450 enzyme(CYP450)which carries out the unique aryl-ring migration and hydroxylation.So far,few crystal structures of plant P450s have been obtained.We determined the crystal structure of IFS from Medicago truncatula at 1.9 ? by MAD method using a selenomethionine substituted crystal and conducted molecular docking and mutagenesis study.The structure of IFS complexed with imidazole exhibits the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif which cor-responds to helix Ⅰ of other P450s.Compared with structures of common P450s,IFS/imidazole structure contains an extra domain,i.e.,the γ-domain.The structure reveals a homodimer in which the γ-domain of one molecule interacts with the β-domain of another.The plane of heme group makes an angle of ap-proximately 40° with the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif.Molecular docking combined with mutagenesis study suggested that Trp-128 and Asp-300 might play important roles in substrate binding and recogni-tion.Phe-301,Ser-303 and Gly-305 from the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif may play important roles in the aryl-ring migration.These novel structural features reveal insights into the unique reaction mechanism of IFS and provide a basis for engineering IFS in leguminous crops for health purpose.
9.Analysis on the Curative Care Expenditure of Cancer Patients before and after the Comprehensive Reform of"Medical-Pharmaceutical Separation"and"Linkage of Medical Consumption"in Beijing
Yue WANG ; Ming WU ; Xiaowei MAN ; Liying ZHAO ; Yan JIANG
Chinese Health Economics 2025;44(1):72-78
Objective:To explore the changes of the Curative Care Expenditure(CCE)of outpatient and inpatient among local cancer patients and foreign cancer patients before and after the comprehensive reform of medical-pharmaceutical Separation and linkage of medical consumption in Beijing.Methods:According to A System of Health Accounts 2011(SHA 2011),multi-stage stratified sampling and multi-stage stratified sampling were used to analyze the CCE of cancer patients in Beijing from 2016 to 2019.Results:Compared with 2016,the proportion of drugs in the CCE of local residents in secondary hospitals and tertiary hospitals in 2019 decreased by 8.62 and 9.26 percentage points,respectively,and the proportion of drugs in the CCE of foreign patients in secondary hospitals and tertiary hospitals decreased by 5.60 and 5.66 percentage points,respectively.The consumption of local and nonlocal patients in tertiary hospitals decreased by 6.89 and 8.86 percentage points.In Beijing,the proportion of outpatient services in local secondary hospitals for patients increased from 30.32%to 35.09%,and the proportion of inpatient services increased from 43.25%to 52.27%.The proportion of in-patient services in tertiary hospitals for patients with external medical treatment increased to 91.91%after the comprehensive reform of linkage of medical consumption.Conclusion:The comprehensive reform on drug standard and consumption proportion are remarkable,and the flow of patients from different sources of cancer was optimized by comprehensive medical reform,but it is necessary to strengthen the role of primary medical institutions in cancer prevention and treatment and focus on the medical burden of non-local patients in Beijing.
10.Carvacrol alleviates LPS-induced mammary epithelial cell inflammation and endo-plasmic reticulum stress in dairy cows
Yue YANG ; Ming LI ; Jingyi WANG ; Huijing ZHANG ; Qingnian HUANG ; Shihao SONG ; Chuang XU
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(11):2447-2456
This study investigated the regulatory effects of carvacrol on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced inflammatory response and endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress in bovine mammary epithe-lial cells using in vitro cell culture techniques.Western blot analysis revealed significantly elevated expression levels of NF-κB pathway-related proteins and ER stress marker proteins in mastitis samples compared to healthy mammary tissues(P<0.05).Cells were divided into a blank control group and carvacrol(CAV)treatment groups with varying concentrations(50,100,250,500,750,1 000 μmol/L).After 24 hours of culture,cell proliferation was assessed using the CCK-8 assay.An inflammatory model was established by stimulating MAC-T cells(a bovine mammary epithelial cell line)with LPS(10 mg/L)for 12 h,followed by measurement of the transcriptional levels of inflammatory-related genes(IL-6,IL-1β,and TNFα).MAC-T cells were pretreated with low,medi-um,and high doses of CAV for 12 h before LPS stimulation.Molecular docking analysis was per-formed to examine the interaction between CAV and GRP78,a key ER stress protein.Real-time quantitative PCR(qPCR)was used to analyze the mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cyto-kines(IL-6,IL-1β,TNFα),while Western blot was employed to assess the expression levels of NF-κB pathway proteins(p-IκB,p-NF-κB p65)and ER stress-related proteins(p-PERK,p-IRE1α,ATF6,GRP78,CHOP).The results from Western blot and qPCR demonstrated that CAV alleviated LPS-induced inflammatory response and cellular damage by inhibiting the NF-κB signa-ling pathway and ER stress.


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