1.Influenza A virus infection activates TLR3-mediated necroptosis
Weijie LI ; Congying HUANG ; Ziling ZENG ; Xiang LI ; Jia XU ; Tian GONG ; Hao ZHANG ; Xinyan ZHANG ; Ping WANG ; Yuanjia HU ; Haiyu XU ; Lijuan SONG
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(1):40-49
Background: Influenza A virus (IAV) is a negative-sense RNA virus of the Orthomyxoviridae family and is the etiological agent of a highly contagious acute respiratory disease that can lead to acute lung injury. Objective: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of IAV infection, an integrative research approach combining gene expression profiling, multinetwork analysis, and in vivo experimental validations was employed. Methods: First, a series of network-based analyses were performed, including protein-protein interaction network construction, weighted gene co-expression network analysis, and subsequent gene set enrichment analysis, to identify the major underlying mechanisms of IAV infection. Following gene expression analysis, core targets, both direct and indirect regulators, were screened. An IAV (H1N1) strain A/PR/8/34-induced acute lung injury mouse model was constructed for in vivo validations. Batch one included two groups to evaluate findings from the multi-network analysis: Mock (n = 10; 5 males and 5 females) and IAV (n = 10; 5 males and 5 females). Batch two included three groups to assess the role of toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) in IAV infection: Mock (n = 6; 3 males and 3 females), IAV (n = 6; 3 males and 3 females), and TLR3 inhibitor (n = 6; 3 males and 3 females). Body weight was measured on days 0, 3, and 5 after infection. On day 5, lung tissues were collected to assess viral load and histopathological changes. Key targets were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining, both in sera and lung tissues. Results: IAV infection was significantly associated with dysregulation of the immune-inflammation system, such as the LTR, nucle-otide-binding oligomerization domain-(NOD) like receptor, retinoic acid-inducible gene I-like receptor, and nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathways. Gene set enrichment analysis further indicated that the TLR and necroptosis signaling pathways played crucial roles in the progression of IAV infection (TLR signaling pathway normalized enrichment score = 2.3941, P = 1.00 × 10 −10; necroptosis normalized enrichment score = 1.9421, P = 6.21 × 10 −7). Among the core targets, TLR3 and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) may regulate gene expression at the transcriptional level (all P < 0.05). In vivo validation using an IAV (PR8) infected acute lung injury mouse model demonstrated increased viral load and lung index, alveolar structural damage, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Immunofluorescence staining exhibited large gaps in Lamin B1 staining and breaches in Emerin signals following IAV-PR8 infection. Expression levels of TLR3, p-receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 3 (RIPK3)/RIPK3, and p-mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL)/MLKL proteins in lung tissues, as well as proinflammatory factors and mediators in sera, were significantly elevated after IAV infection. Moreover, enhanced neutrophil infiltration (myeloperoxidase) and citrullinated histone H3 (a neutrophil extracellular trap-specific marker), both established indicators of neutrophil extracellular trap formation, were observed. Notably, treatment with a TLR3 inhibitor significantly ameliorated IAV-induced acute lung injury by regulating necroptosis-related targets. Conclusion: Our study provides network-based in vivo evidence that TLR3-receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 3-MLKL-mediated necroptosis may underlie IAV-induced acute lung injury and could serve as a potential therapeutic target in severe influenza cases.
2.The Icarian flight of antibody-drug conjugates: target selection amidst complexity and tackling adverse impacts.
Han LIU ; Hongye ZENG ; Xiaojing QIN ; Wenjing NING ; Lin XU ; Shiting YANG ; Xue LIU ; Wenxin LUO ; Ningshao XIA
Protein & Cell 2025;16(7):532-556
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) represent a promising class of targeted cancer therapeutics that combine the specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the potency of cytotoxic payloads. Despite their therapeutic potential, the use of ADCs faces significant challenges, including off/on-target toxicity and resistance development. This review examines the current landscape of ADC development, focusing on the critical aspects of target selection and antibody engineering. We discuss strategies to increase ADC efficacy and safety, including multitarget approaches, pH-dependent antibodies, and masked peptide technologies. The importance of comprehensive antigen expression profiling in both tumor and normal tissues is emphasized, highlighting the role of advanced technologies, such as single-cell sequencing and artificial intelligence, in optimizing target selection. Furthermore, we explore combination therapies and innovations in linker‒payload chemistry, which may provide approaches for expanding the therapeutic window of ADCs. These advances pave the way for the development of more precise and effective cancer treatments, potentially extending ADC applications beyond oncology.
Humans
;
Immunoconjugates/adverse effects*
;
Neoplasms/immunology*
;
Animals
;
Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use*
;
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use*
3.Assessment of Genotoxicity of Tissue Engineered Materials Based on Improved in vivo Hepatocyte Unscheduled DNA Synthesis(UDS)Assay
Luan-luan WANG ; Li HOU ; Xiang-yu CHU ; Zi-yi YANG ; Ling-xiao SUN ; Xiao-fei WANG ; Qiu-jin QU ; Jing XU ; Zeng-xiang LIU ; Xiao-xia SUN
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(17):2740-2748
Objective:An in vivo mammalian hepatocyte Unscheduled DNA Synthesis(UDS)test was used to evaluate the genotoxicity of Cross-linked Sodium Hyaluronate Gel and Bone Repair Materials,providing experimental evidence for establishing a UDS testing method for medical devices and materials.Methods:0.9%sodium chloride injection and cottonseed oil were used as the solvent for test materials and negative control,respectively.N-dimethylnitrosamine(NDMA)was used as the positive control for the early sampling times,and 2-acetylaminofluorene(2-AAF)was used as the positive control for the late sampling times.SD rats were administered a single dose for toxic exposure,and liver tissues were collected at 4 h and 16 h,respectively.Hepatocytes were isolated using collagenase perfusion.After labeling with 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine(EdU),and the net average fluorescence intensity(NAFI)of cell nuclei and nucleoplasm was measured by fluorescence microscope.Data from 50 cells were used to analyze the DNA repair level.Results:Compared with the negative control groups,the positive control groups(NDMA and 2-AAF)showed highly statistically significant differences in NAFI(P<0.01),indicating successful induction of DNA damage.There was no statistically significant differences between the cross-linked sodium hyaluronate gel groups,bone repair material groups and the negative control group(P>0.05),suggesting that these materials did not significantly induce DNA damage under the experimental conditions.Conclusion:This study first applied EdU labeling technology to the in vivo hepatic UDS assay,achieving non-radioactive labeling through click chemistry reactions.Under the conditions of this study,cross-linked sodium hyaluronate gel and bone repair materials did not exhibit genotoxicity.In the follow-up,the sample range can be expanded and the observation period can be prolonged to further improve the genotoxicity evaluation system of medical devices.
4.Effect of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on upper limb function of stroke patients based on motor sequence learning
Wanting SUN ; Ailipinai YASEN ; Xiang GONG ; Yue XIAO ; Zhaodan GAN ; Mingjie LIU ; Lanting ZENG ; Shuyue MA ; Jun LU ; Guangxu XU
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2025;31(7):812-821
Objective To investigate the effects of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(HF-rTMS)applied to the supplementary motor area(SMA)or primary motor cortex(M1)on upper limb function in stroke patients in terms of motor sequence learning.Methods From April,2024 to February,2025,60 inpatients were recruited from the First Affiliated Hospital with Nan-jing Medical University.They were randomly assigned into the control group,SMA group and M1 group,with 20 patients in each group.All the groups received medication and conventional rehabilitation.On this basis,SMA group underwent HF-rTMS on the affected side's SMA,while M1 group received HF-rTMS on the affected side's M1 for two weeks.All the groups were measured with motor evoked potentials(MEP),the serial reaction time(RT)task,Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities(FMA-UE)and modified Barthel Index(MBI)before and after intervention.Results The SMA and M1 groups dropped one case respectively.MEP elicitation rate of the affected side's increased in SMA and M1 groups(P<0.05),and it was better than that in the control group(χ2>4.792,P<0.05).The intra-group effects of RTsequential sequence,FMA-UE and MBI scores were significant(|F|>81.546,P<0.05).The inter-group effects of RTrandom sequence,RTsequential sequence,?RT,and MBI scores were significant(F>3.228,P<0.05).The in-teractive effects of RTrandom sequence,RTsequential sequence,?RT,FMA-UE and MBI scores were significant(|F|>3.520,P>0.05).After intervention,RTsequential sequence,?RT,FMA-UE and MBI scores improved(P<0.05).RTrandom sequence was lower in SMA group than in the control group(P<0.017),RTsequential sequence,?RT,FMA-UE and MBI scores im-proved more in SMA and M1 groups than in the control group(P<0.05),but no significant difference was found between the SMA group and the M1 group(P>0.05).Conclusion HF-rTMS applied to the affected SMA or M1 can activate motor sequence learning and promote the recov-ery of upper limb function in stroke patients.
5.Standardized scheme for deploying and withdrawing surgical module of new-type tent hospital system
Zeng-biao SU ; Bin-hong PEI ; Er-xiang XU ; Hai-ying CHEN ; Jia-na CHEN ; Jin-shen PAN ; Yi-feng HUANG ; Qian XU
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(2):74-79
Objective To explore the scheme for the deployment and withdrawal of the surgical module of the new-type tent hospital system.Methods A set of standardized scheme for deploying and withdrawing the surgical module of the new-type tent hosital system was proposed and implemented in terms of labor division,operation precedure,operation technique and precaution.The operating time,number of operational errors and number of equipment damages were recorded for each of the five deployment and withdrawal operations before and after the program was executed,and the team members'immediate heart rate,percentage of maximum heart rate(MHR)and rating of perceived exercise(RPE)at the end of the operation were recorded after the program was implemented.SPSS 26.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results The standardized scheme had the deployment time shortened from(85.15±11.430)min to(58.23±8.513)min,withdrawal time decreased from(65.36±9.369)min to(48.92±7.129)min,with the differences being statistically significant(P<0.05);the numbers of operatio-nal errors and equipment damages were both reduced when compared with those before the implementation of the schemce;the immediate heart rate of the team members at the end of the operation ranged from 43 to 157 beats/min,with an average value of 151.1 beats/min,the individual MHR percentages were from 75%to 87%,with an average value of 81.1%,and the RPE scores were from 14 to 17,with an average value of 15.3,which all could be categorized as moderate-operation intensity.Condusion The standardized deployment and withdrawal scheme for the surgical module meets the needs of actual combat and training assessment,and thus is worthy promoting in medical institutions equipped with the surgical module of the new-type tent hosital system.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(2):74-79]
6.Percutaneous coronary intervention vs . medical therapy in patients on dialysis with coronary artery disease in China.
Enmin XIE ; Yaxin WU ; Zixiang YE ; Yong HE ; Hesong ZENG ; Jianfang LUO ; Mulei CHEN ; Wenyue PANG ; Yanmin XU ; Chuanyu GAO ; Xiaogang GUO ; Lin CAI ; Qingwei JI ; Yining YANG ; Di WU ; Yiqiang YUAN ; Jing WAN ; Yuliang MA ; Jun ZHANG ; Zhimin DU ; Qing YANG ; Jinsong CHENG ; Chunhua DING ; Xiang MA ; Chunlin YIN ; Zeyuan FAN ; Qiang TANG ; Yue LI ; Lihua SUN ; Chengzhi LU ; Jufang CHI ; Zhuhua YAO ; Yanxiang GAO ; Changan YU ; Jingyi REN ; Jingang ZHENG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(3):301-310
BACKGROUND:
The available evidence regarding the benefits of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on patients receiving dialysis with coronary artery disease (CAD) is limited and inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the association between PCI and clinical outcomes as compared with medical therapy alone in patients undergoing dialysis with CAD in China.
METHODS:
This multicenter, retrospective study was conducted in 30 tertiary medical centers across 12 provinces in China from January 2015 to June 2021 to include patients on dialysis with CAD. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and non-fatal stroke. Secondary outcomes included all-cause death, the individual components of MACE, and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium criteria types 2, 3, or 5 bleeding. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between PCI and outcomes. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and propensity score matching (PSM) were performed to account for potential between-group differences.
RESULTS:
Of the 1146 patients on dialysis with significant CAD, 821 (71.6%) underwent PCI. After a median follow-up of 23.0 months, PCI was associated with a 43.0% significantly lower risk for MACE (33.9% [ n = 278] vs . 43.7% [ n = 142]; adjusted hazards ratio 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.45-0.71), along with a slightly increased risk for bleeding outcomes that did not reach statistical significance (11.1% vs . 8.3%; adjusted hazards ratio 1.31, 95% confidence interval, 0.82-2.11). Furthermore, PCI was associated with a significant reduction in all-cause and cardiovascular mortalities. Subgroup analysis did not modify the association of PCI with patient outcomes. These primary findings were consistent across IPTW, PSM, and competing risk analyses.
CONCLUSION
This study indicated that PCI in patients on dialysis with CAD was significantly associated with lower MACE and mortality when comparing with those with medical therapy alone, albeit with a slightly increased risk for bleeding events that did not reach statistical significance.
Humans
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Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/methods*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Coronary Artery Disease/drug therapy*
;
Retrospective Studies
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Renal Dialysis/methods*
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Middle Aged
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Aged
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China
;
Proportional Hazards Models
;
Treatment Outcome
7.4'-O-methylbavachalcone improves vascular cognitive impairment by inhibiting neuroinflammation via EPO/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.
Xin-Yuan ZHANG ; Chen WANG ; Hong-Qing CHEN ; Xiang-Bing ZENG ; Jun-Jie WANG ; Qing-Guang ZHANG ; Jin-Wen XU ; Shuang LING
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(14):3990-4002
This study aims to explore the effects and mechanisms of 4'-O-methylbavachalcone(MeBavaC), an active compound from Psoraleae Fructus, in regulating white matter neuroinflammation to improve vascular cognitive impairment. Male Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham group, model group, high-dose MeBavaC group(14 mg·kg~(-1)), and low-dose MeBavaC group(7 mg·kg~(-1)). The rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion(CCH) was established using bilateral common carotid artery occlusion. The Morris water maze test was performed to evaluate the learning and memory abilities of the rats. Luxol fast blue staining, Nissl staining, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy were utilized to observe the morphology and ultrastructure of the white matter myelin sheaths, axon integrity, the morphology and number of hippocampal neurons, and the loss and activation of glial cells in the white matter. Transcriptome analysis was performed to explore the potential mechanisms of white matter injury induced by CCH. Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR) assays were conducted to measure the expression levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3), absent in melanoma 2(AIM2), gasdermin D(GSDMD), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1(caspase-1), interleukin-18(IL-18), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), erythropoietin(EPO), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2), and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) in the white matter of rats. The results showed that compared with the model group, MeBavaC significantly improved the learning and memory abilities of rats with CCH, improved the damage of white matter myelin sheath, maintained axonal integrity, reduced the loss of hippocampal neurons and oligodendrocytes in the white matter, inhibited the activation of microglia and the proliferation of astrocytes in the white matter, and suppressed the NLRP3/AIM2/caspase-1/GSDMD pathway. The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly reduced, while EPO expression and the expression of Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway were notably elevated. In conclusion, MeBavaC can alleviate cognitive impairment in rats with CCH and suppress neuroinflammation in cerebral white matter. The mechanism of action may involve activation of EPO activity, promotion of endogenous antioxidant pathways, and inhibition of neuroinflammation in the white matter. This study suggests that MeBavaC exhibits antioxidant and anti-neuroinflammatory effects, showing potential application in improving cognitive dysfunction.
Animals
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Male
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
NF-E2-Related Factor 2/immunology*
;
Rats
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Chalcones/administration & dosage*
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Cognitive Dysfunction/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Neuroinflammatory Diseases/drug therapy*
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Heme Oxygenase-1/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing)/genetics*
8.Assessment of Genotoxicity of Tissue Engineered Materials Based on Improved in vivo Hepatocyte Unscheduled DNA Synthesis(UDS)Assay
Luan-luan WANG ; Li HOU ; Xiang-yu CHU ; Zi-yi YANG ; Ling-xiao SUN ; Xiao-fei WANG ; Qiu-jin QU ; Jing XU ; Zeng-xiang LIU ; Xiao-xia SUN
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(17):2740-2748
Objective:An in vivo mammalian hepatocyte Unscheduled DNA Synthesis(UDS)test was used to evaluate the genotoxicity of Cross-linked Sodium Hyaluronate Gel and Bone Repair Materials,providing experimental evidence for establishing a UDS testing method for medical devices and materials.Methods:0.9%sodium chloride injection and cottonseed oil were used as the solvent for test materials and negative control,respectively.N-dimethylnitrosamine(NDMA)was used as the positive control for the early sampling times,and 2-acetylaminofluorene(2-AAF)was used as the positive control for the late sampling times.SD rats were administered a single dose for toxic exposure,and liver tissues were collected at 4 h and 16 h,respectively.Hepatocytes were isolated using collagenase perfusion.After labeling with 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine(EdU),and the net average fluorescence intensity(NAFI)of cell nuclei and nucleoplasm was measured by fluorescence microscope.Data from 50 cells were used to analyze the DNA repair level.Results:Compared with the negative control groups,the positive control groups(NDMA and 2-AAF)showed highly statistically significant differences in NAFI(P<0.01),indicating successful induction of DNA damage.There was no statistically significant differences between the cross-linked sodium hyaluronate gel groups,bone repair material groups and the negative control group(P>0.05),suggesting that these materials did not significantly induce DNA damage under the experimental conditions.Conclusion:This study first applied EdU labeling technology to the in vivo hepatic UDS assay,achieving non-radioactive labeling through click chemistry reactions.Under the conditions of this study,cross-linked sodium hyaluronate gel and bone repair materials did not exhibit genotoxicity.In the follow-up,the sample range can be expanded and the observation period can be prolonged to further improve the genotoxicity evaluation system of medical devices.
9.Study on the Mechanism of Malt Alcoholic Extract in the Treatment of Depression Induced by Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress in Rats Based on Intestinal Flora
Yindan XIANG ; Ping NI ; Mengjuan TAO ; Tianhang LI ; Yujie ZHOU ; Huilan XU ; Bin WANG ; Qingyuan ZENG ; Yonggang CHEN
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(8):1199-1207
Objective To explore the mechanism of malt alcohol extract improving depression-like behavior induced by CUMS in rats by regulating gut microbiota.Methods The depression model of rats was established using an 8-weeks CUMS procedure,and the administration group was given low(59.6 mg·kg-1)and high(178.8 mg·kg-1)doses of malt alcohol extract,respectively.The depression-like behavior of rats was evaluated by classic behavioral test.The composition of intestinal microbiota of rats was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing.The morphological changes of colon were observed by hematoxylin and eosin(HE),the expression of ZO-1 and Occludin in colon was detected by immunofluorescence(IF),and the expression of IL-10,IL-1βand 5-HT were detected by ELISA.Results The low dose of malt alcohol extract attenuated the depressive behavior and restored the expression of 5-HT in the brain of CUMS rats.16S rRNA sequencing results showed that the diversity and relative abundance of gut microbiota changed after treatment with the low dose of malt alcohol extract.ELISA results showed that the low dose of malt alcohol extract significantly reversed the CUMS-induced reduction of IL-10 and elevation of IL-1 β.HE results showed that the low dose of malt alcohol extract significantly ameliorated CUMS-induced structural damage in colon.IF results showed increased protain expression of intestinal epithelial barrier tight junction proteins ZO-1 and Occludin by the low dose of malt alcohol extract.Conclusion The low dose of malt alcohol extract can ameliorate CUMS-induced depressive-like behavior in rats by modulating intestinal flora,restoring 5-HT expression in the brain,inhibiting inflammation,and repairing the intestinal barrier.
10.Effect of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on upper limb function of stroke patients based on motor sequence learning
Wanting SUN ; Ailipinai YASEN ; Xiang GONG ; Yue XIAO ; Zhaodan GAN ; Mingjie LIU ; Lanting ZENG ; Shuyue MA ; Jun LU ; Guangxu XU
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2025;31(7):812-821
Objective To investigate the effects of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(HF-rTMS)applied to the supplementary motor area(SMA)or primary motor cortex(M1)on upper limb function in stroke patients in terms of motor sequence learning.Methods From April,2024 to February,2025,60 inpatients were recruited from the First Affiliated Hospital with Nan-jing Medical University.They were randomly assigned into the control group,SMA group and M1 group,with 20 patients in each group.All the groups received medication and conventional rehabilitation.On this basis,SMA group underwent HF-rTMS on the affected side's SMA,while M1 group received HF-rTMS on the affected side's M1 for two weeks.All the groups were measured with motor evoked potentials(MEP),the serial reaction time(RT)task,Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities(FMA-UE)and modified Barthel Index(MBI)before and after intervention.Results The SMA and M1 groups dropped one case respectively.MEP elicitation rate of the affected side's increased in SMA and M1 groups(P<0.05),and it was better than that in the control group(χ2>4.792,P<0.05).The intra-group effects of RTsequential sequence,FMA-UE and MBI scores were significant(|F|>81.546,P<0.05).The inter-group effects of RTrandom sequence,RTsequential sequence,?RT,and MBI scores were significant(F>3.228,P<0.05).The in-teractive effects of RTrandom sequence,RTsequential sequence,?RT,FMA-UE and MBI scores were significant(|F|>3.520,P>0.05).After intervention,RTsequential sequence,?RT,FMA-UE and MBI scores improved(P<0.05).RTrandom sequence was lower in SMA group than in the control group(P<0.017),RTsequential sequence,?RT,FMA-UE and MBI scores im-proved more in SMA and M1 groups than in the control group(P<0.05),but no significant difference was found between the SMA group and the M1 group(P>0.05).Conclusion HF-rTMS applied to the affected SMA or M1 can activate motor sequence learning and promote the recov-ery of upper limb function in stroke patients.

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