1.Scientific basis for acupuncture combined with neural stem cells for repairing spinal cord injury
Xiaomeng HUANG ; Zhilan ZHANG ; Wenya SHANG ; Jing HUANG ; Huilin WEI ; Bing LI ; Yafeng REN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(19):4111-4121
BACKGROUND:Spinal cord injury is a neurological disorder caused by traumatic or non-traumatic events,often leading to severe functional impairment below the injured segment.In recent years,neural stem cell transplantation has been considered to have significant therapeutic potential in regulating the inflammatory response after spinal cord injury,inhibiting excessive proliferation of glial scars,and promoting nerve regeneration. OBJECTIVE:To review and discuss the potential mechanism of action of acupuncture and neural stem cell transplantation therapy in inhibiting spinal cord injury-induced secondary injury,and to delve into the scientific basis for its treatment of spinal cord injury. METHODS:PubMed,Elsevier,WanFang,and CNKI databases were searched using"spinal cord injury,acupuncture,neural stem cells,SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis"as Chinese and English search terms.Totally 96 articles were finally included.The research findings of acupuncture combined with neural stem cells in the treatment of spinal cord injury were summarized and analyzed,and the mechanism of this combination therapy in the treatment of secondary injury after spinal cord injury was summarized. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The stromal-derived factor 1α(SDF-1α)/chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4)axis plays a crucial role in neural stem cell transplantation for spinal cord injury.This signaling mechanism not only affects neural stem cell migration,proliferation,and differentiation,but is also a key factor in determining the efficiency of stem cell homing to the injury site.Therefore,the regulation of targeting this axis is of great significance in enhancing the therapeutic effect of spinal cord injury.(2)Acupuncture,as a traditional Chinese medicine therapy,shows unique advantages in the regulation of secondary injury in spinal cord injury.It can effectively reduce secondary injury after spinal cord injury by regulating inflammatory response,inhibiting apoptosis,improving microcirculation,reducing glial scar formation,and counteracting oxidative stress.(3)Acupuncture was also able to influence the expression and function of the SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis,thereby enhancing the homing and survival ability of neural stem cells and promoting nerve regeneration and functional recovery.(4)The therapy combining acupuncture and stem cell transplantation is an innovative treatment strategy for spinal cord injury and suitable for repairing neural circuits.It combines the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine with the advantages of modern biotechnology,providing a new treatment option for spinal cord injury patients.However,this combination therapy is still in the research and exploration stage,and its long-term efficacy and safety need to be further verified.(5)Taken together,acupuncture and neural stem cell transplantation for the treatment of spinal cord injury has great potential for clinical application,but in-depth research and optimization of treatment options are still needed.In the future,we look forward to further revealing the efficacy mechanism and optimal indications of this therapy through more clinical trials and mechanism studies,so as to bring better hope of recovery and more efficient therapeutic effects to spinal cord injury patients.
2.Moderating effects of outdoor activity on infancy responsive caregiving trajectory and early child development level
SHANG Bingzi, JING Guangzhuang, YE Peiqi, MAIHELIYAKEZI Tuersunniyazi, SHI Huijing
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(2):249-254
Objective:
To explore the role of outdoor activity in the relationship between infancy responsive caregiving trajectories and early childhood development, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the promotion of early child development.
Methods:
The study participants were drawn from the Shanghai Maternal-Child Pairs Cohort and 4 723 mother-child pairs who completed responsive caregiving questionnaires at 2, 6 and 12 months old were included. Questionnaires were used to assess children s responsive caregiving and average daily hours of outdoor activity at 2 years of age. The Age-Stage Questionnaire, Third Edition (ASQ-3) was used to evaluate children s development problems at 2-5 years old. Group based trajectory model was applied to fit infancy responsive caregiving trajectory. Modified Poisson regression was used to analyze associations between different responsive caregiving trajectory groups and child development, and moderating effects were tested for hours of outdoor activity.
Results:
Infancy responsive caregiving trajectories were categorized into general group ( n =3 871), declining group( n =160), and fluctuating group( n =646). After adjusting for confounding factors, such as parents educational level, annual household income, maternal progestation body mass index,maternal tobacco exposure during pregnancy,maternal anxiety and depression during pregnancy, maternal age at delivery,maternal gestational age,maternal mode of delivery, children s gender,children s birth weight, and duration of breastfeeding, the results of modified Poission regression analysis showed that compared with the general group, children at the age of 2 in declining and fluctuating group had increased risks of suspected developmental delays in communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving, and personal-social scales ( OR =1.41,1.31,1.35,1.23,1.21;1.07,1.08,1.08,1.09,1.06);but children only had increased risk of suspected developmental delays in communication of declining group ( OR =1.08), personal-social scales of fluctuating group ( OR =1.06) at 3-5 years of age ( P <0.05). At lower levels of outdoor activity, children in fluctuating group had reduced scores in communication ( β =-1.41), fine motor ( β =-2.34), problem solving ( β =-1.11) and personal-social scales ( β =-1.99) as compared to general group; and children in declining group had reduced scores in gross motor ( β =-4.78)( P <0.05). While at higher levels of outdoor activity, no differences were found between children in fluctuating, declining groups and those in general group in scores of different scales ( P >0.05).
Conclusion
Prolonged outdoor activity attenuates the adverse effects of declining and fluctuating trajectories of infancy responsive caregiving on early childhood development.
3.Effect of childhood maltreatment on depression in college students: a moderated mediation model
Xinghua LAI ; Huitong ZHAO ; Ruofan XIAO ; Can CUI ; Ameng ZHAO ; Wei FU ; Jing JIANG ; Tinghuizi SHANG ; Honglong LI ; Zengyan YU
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(3):247-253
BackgroundCurrently, the problem of depressed mood in college students is becoming more prominent. The experience of childhood maltreatment is a significant contributor to depression among college students. Although the association between the two has been confirmed, the specific psychosocial mechanisms underlying how childhood maltreatment affects college students' mental health remain insufficiently evidenced. ObjectiveTo explore the mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and depression among college students, and to investigate the moderated effects of psychological resilience and family socioeconomic status, aiming to provide references for improving depressive symptoms in college students. MethodsOn 14 March 2024, a cluster sampling method was employed to recruit 751 college students from a university in Heilongjiang Province. Participants were assessed with Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), Patients' Health Questionnaire Depression Scale-9 item (PHQ-9), 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10) and Family Socioeconomic Status Questionnaire. Pearson correlation analysis was adopted to examine the correlation between the scores of scales. Model 4 and model 7 in Process 4.2 were used to test the mediating effects of emotional regulation difficulties and the moderated effects of psychological resilience and family socioeconomic status. Results① A total of 712 (94.81%) valid questionnaires were collected. ② College students' CTQ score was positively correlated with DERS score and PHQ-9 score (r=0.296, 0.507, P<0.01), and negatively correlated with CD-RISC-10 score and Family Socioeconomic Status Questionnaire score (r=-0.148, -0.229, P<0.01). ③ The indirect effect value of difficulties in emotion regulation on the relationship between childhood maltreatment and depression was 0.091 (95% CI: 0.018~0.046), accounting for 17.95% of the total effect. ④ The first half of the mediation model "childhood maltreatment → difficulties in emotion regulation → depression" (childhood maltreatment → difficulties in emotion regulation) was moderated by psychological resilience (β=-0.030, t=-6.147, 95% CI: -0.040~-0.020) and family socioeconomic status (β=-0.051, t=-3.929, 95% CI: -0.077~-0.026). ConclusionChildhood maltreatment exerts both a direct effect on college students' depression and an indirect effect through emotion regulation difficulties. The childhood maltreatment → emotion regulation difficulties pathway in this mediation model is moderated by psychological resilience and family socioeconomic status. [Funded by Qiqihar Medical University Graduate Student Innovation Fund Project (number, QYYCX2023-48); Special Research Fund Project for Young Doctors of Qiqihar Academy of Medical Sciences (number, QMSI2021B-08)]
4. Mechanism of Fufang Congrong Yizhi Capsules in treatment of mild cognitive impairment based on network pharmacology
Qin HAN ; Xiao-Yu XU ; Yi-Fei GENG ; Xiao-Bo SUN ; Yun LUO ; Jing-Jing LIU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(2):334-343
Aim To predict the mechanism of Fufang Congrong Yizhi Capsules (FCYC) in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by network pharmacology method, and further validate it in combination with cellular experiments. Methods TCMSP, Gene-Cards, OMIM and TTD databases, Chinese Pharmacopoeia and related literature were used to screen the active ingredients of FCYC and the targets of MCI treatment. The TCM-compound-target-disease network and PPI of intersection targets were constructed, and the GO and KEGG analysis were performed by the Ehamb bioinformation platform. GO and KEGG analysis were performed through Yihanbo biological information platform. Cell model of MCI was established by PC-12 injury induced by Aβ
5.Cinobufacini inhibits the metastasis of colorectal cancer by regulating polarization of M2 macrophages
Jing SHANG ; Yun WANG ; Jinbao CHEN ; Donghao TANG ; Linlin JIA ; Wei LI ; Hongjie YU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(2):224-229
Objective To investigate the effect of cinobufacini on inhibiting colorectal cancer metastasis by regula-ting the polarization of M2 macrophages.Methods THP-1 was induced into M0 type macrophages.The condi-tioned medium of HCT116 cells was collected to stimulate M0 type macrophages.The polarization of M2 type mac-rophages was observed by flow cytometry,real-time quantitative PCR and ELISA experiments.The conditioned me-dium of M0 type macrophages and HCT116-Mφ cells was collected to stimulate HCT116 cells.The ability of migra-tion and invasion was observed by wound healing assay and Transwell assay.The effect of cinobufacini on the via-bility of HCT116 cells was detected by CCK-8 assay.The conditioned medium of HCT116 and HCT116+cinobufa-cini was collected to stimulate M0 type macrophages.The polarization of M2 type macrophages was observed by flow cytometry,real-time quantitative PCR and ELISA experiments.The conditioned media of HCT116-Mφ cells and(HCT116+cinobufacini)-Mφ cells were collected to stimulate HCT116 cells.The changes of migration and inva-sion ability were observed by wound healing assay and Transwell assay.Results After stimulation of M0 type mac-rophages in HCT116 cell conditioned medium,the morphology of M0 macrophages turned into fusiform cells,the proportion of CD11b+CD206+cells increased,and the expression of M2 macrophage markers IL-10 and TGF-β in-creased.The migration and invasion ability of HCT116 cells were significantly enhanced after stimulation in the conditioned medium of HCT1 16-Mφ cells.After the addition of cinobufacini,not only the polarization proportion of M2 macrophages decreased,but also the metastatic effect mediated by M2 macrophages was inhibited.Conclusion HCT116 cells can induce the polarization of M2 macrophages,while cinobufacini can inhibit the tumor metastasis mediated by M2 macrophages by inhibiting the polarization of M2 macrophages.
6.Inhibition of M2-type macrophage-mediated migration and epithelial mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer by bufalin
Donghao TANG ; Jinbao CHEN ; Linlin JIA ; Dongxiao SHEN ; Jing SHANG ; Yuejiao FENG ; Jiahao LU ; Zengyou XIAO ; Yujie HE ; Jie WANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(2):310-315
Objective To investigate the role of bufalin(BU)in inhibiting M2-type macrophage-mediated colorec-tal cancer metastasis.Methods Human acute leukemia mononuclear cells(THP-1)were differentiated into M0 macrophages using phorbol ester induction(PMA)for 48 hours.The M0 macrophages were then treated with IL-4 and IL-13 medium.Surface markers and morphological changes were observed through ELISA,morphology,and RT-qPCR experiments.RT-PCR and ELISA experiments were conducted to detect the surface markers TGF-β and IL-10 of M2 macrophages.The secretion level of IL-6 in the supernatant of M2 macrophages and colorectal cancer cells HCT116 was compared using ELISA.Additionally,the effect of conditioned medium on colorectal cancer cell HCT116 was assessed through Transwell,Wound healing,RT-qPCR,and Western blot experiments.Subsequent-ly,bufalin was added to the conditioned medium and the changes in AKT/PI3K protein,migration,and epithelial-mesenchymal transition ability in HCT116 were observed using Western blot,Transwell,Wound healing and RT-qPCR experiments.Results THP-1 were successfully differentiated into M2 macrophages.The activation of AKT/PI3K protein in HCT116 cells was induced by the secretion of IL-6 from M2 macrophages,which in turn promoted the migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition ability of the HCT116 cells.The migration and epithelial-mes-enchymal transition mediated by M2 macrophages in HCT116 cells were effectively inhibited by Bufalin.Conclu-sion The release of IL-6 from M2 macrophages activates the AKT/PI3K signaling pathway in colorectal cancer cells,thereby promoting their migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition capacity.Moreover,bufalin exhibits inhibitory effects on this effect.
7.The Effect of Mitochondrial Damage in Chondrocytes on Osteoarthritis
Zhen-Wei LI ; Jing-Yu HOU ; Yu-Ze LIN ; Zhi-Qi ZHANG ; Shang-Yi LIU ; Xiao-Wen LIU ; Kang-Quan SHOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(7):1576-1588
The pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) is related to a variety of factors such as mechanical overload, metabolic dysfunction, aging, etc., and is a group of total joint diseases characterized by intra-articular chondrocyte apoptosis, cartilage fibrillations, synovial inflammation, and osteophyte formation. At present, the treatment methods for osteoarthritis include glucosamine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate, etc., which are difficult to take effect in a short period of time and require long-term treatment, so the patients struggle to adhere to doctor’s advice. Some methods can only provide temporary relief without chondrocyte protection, and some even increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and gastrointestinal disease. In the advanced stages of OA, patients often have to undergo joint replacement surgery due to pain and joint dysfunction. Mitochondrial dysfunction plays an important role in the development of OA. It is possible to improve mitochondrial biogenesis, quality control, autophagy balance, and oxidative stress levels, thereby exerting a protective effect on chondrocytes in OA. Therefore, compared to traditional treatments, improving mitochondrial function may be a potential treatment for OA. Here, we collected relevant literature on mitochondrial research in OA in recent years, summarized the potential pathogenic factors that affect the development of OA through mitochondrial pathways, and elaborated on relevant treatment methods, in order to provide new diagnostic and therapeutic ideas for the research field of osteoarthritis.
8.Correlation between preoperative plasma fibrin degradation products level and clinicopathological features in patients with non-small cell lung cancer
Juanjuan CHE ; Jing WANG ; Mu HU ; Hongchao ZHEN ; Haishan LIN ; Kun SHANG ; Bangwei CAO
Cancer Research and Clinic 2024;36(1):1-5
Objective:To investigate the relationship between preoperative plasma fibrin degradation products (FDP) level and clinicopathological features of patients with completely resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods:A retrospective case series study was performed. The clinical data of 521 patients who were pathologically diagnosed with NSCLC in Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 2016 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Among 521 cases, 406 cases were postoperatively pathologically confirmed as non-lymph node and non-distant metastasis (non-metastasis group) and 115 cases were postoperatively pathologically confirmed as lymph node or distant metastasis (metastasis group). The preoperative FDP level and clinicopathological characteristics as well as the clinicopathological characteristics of NSCLC patients with different FDP levels were compared between the two groups. The correlation between preoperative FDP level and TNM staging was analyzed by using Spearman correlation analysis.Results:Among 521 NSCLC patients, 266 cases were female, 255 cases were male; the age [ M( Q1, Q3)] was 59 years (54 years, 65 years); 441 cases were adenocarcinoma and 70 cases were squamous cell carcinoma. The preoperative median FDP level was 2.78 mg/L (2.35 mg/L, 3.13 mg/L) and 2.99 mg/L (2.56 mg/L, 4.16 mg/L), respectively of NSCLC patients in non-metastasis group and metastasis group, and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = 6.13, P < 0.001). The preoperative FDP level was 2.56 mg/L (2.35 mg/L, 3.20 mg/L) and 2.99 mg/L (2.56 mg/L, 3.20 mg/L), respectively in the early-stage NSCLC (stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ) and advanced NSCLC (stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ) patients, and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = 8.42, P < 0.001). Spearman correlation analysis showed that preoperative FDP level was positively correlated with tumor diameter ( r = 0.287, P < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between preoperative FDP level and the number of metastatic lymph nodes in 115 patients with lymph node metastasis ( r = 0.679, P < 0.001). According to the preoperative median FDP (2.78 mg/L), all patients were divided into FDP ≤2.78 mg/L group and FDP >2.78 mg/L, and there were statistically significant differences in age, metastasis, tumor staging, tumor diameter, the metastatic number of lymph node and histological types of NSCLC patients in both groups (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:The increase of preoperative plasma FDP level may be related to the tumor metastasis and clinical stage of NSCLC patients
9.Research progress on immune system function damage induced by microwave radiation
Sanya YUE ; Rong WANG ; Yuhua WANG ; Jing LI ; Mengjuan SHANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(8):954-960
With the rapid advancement and wide application of microwave technology, it enhances convenience while potentially endangering health. The immune system, as a vital shield, is an important protective barrier and also one of the sensitive targets of microwave radiation. The immune system is particularly affected by microwave radiation via innate and adaptive immune responses, which is supported by both population surveys and experimental studies; however, the precise mechanism of immunotoxicity of microwave radiation remains under investigation. In light of recent scientific advances in the correlation between microwave radiation and the immune system, the deleterious impact of microwave radiation on innate immunity was delineated. Microwave radiation can induce irregular innate immune function by damaging macrophages, neutrophils, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells. The effects of microwave radiation on adaptive immunity were also elucidated. Microwave radiation can impair cellular immune response by influencing T cell proliferation, maturation and activation, and distribution of T cell subpopulation, and also hinder humoral immune function by influencing B lymphocyte protein expression, maturation during development, and number of B cells. Disparity in the immune function of the body can precipitate the onset of various immune-associated diseases, so the immunotoxic effects of microwave radiation and associated protection need considerable attention and detailed investigation. This article reviewed the shortcomings of existing studies, and suggested that future experimental studies should use experimental parameters that are more similar to the actual scene of life and work, pay more attention to the biological effects of combined multi-frequency microwave exposure on the immune system, use standardized and unified experimental methods, and incorporate more sophisticated experimental technologies to further elucidate the laws of damage effect and exact mechanism of microwave radiation on the immune system, so as to provide a scientific basis for potent protection against the damage effect of microwave radiation on the immune system.
10.Predictive value of the combination of serum TyG index, nesfatin-1, and retinol-binding protein 4 for diabetic retinopathy
Lixiao SHANG ; Jing WEI ; Qilian XIE ; Yan LI
International Eye Science 2024;24(11):1802-1806
AIM: To explore the predictive value of the combination of triglyceride-glucose(TyG)index, nesfatin-1, and retinol-binding protein 4(RBP4)for diabetic retinopathy, and provide evidence for early prediction of DR.METHODS: The clinical data of 164 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)who admitted to the hospital between February 2022 and December 2023 were retrospectively collected. Based on the fundus examination results, these patients were divided into two groups: the DR group(n=43), including proliferative DR(PDR, n=19)and non-proliferative DR(NPDR, n=24), and the T2DM without DR group(n=121). The TyG index and the level of nesfatin-1 and RBP4 were measured after admission.RESULTS:T2DM patients with DR had a longer disease duration compared with T2DM patients without DR, and the DR group had higher fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, TyG index, and RBP4 levels, while lower high-density lipoprotein and nesfatin-1 levels(all P<0.001). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that the duration of T2DM(OR=1.338, 95%CI: 1.059-1.690), glycosylated hemoglobin(OR=5.065, 95%CI: 1.659-15.470), low density lipoprotein(OR=12.715, 95%CI: 2.385-67.790), TyG index(OR=23.057, 95%CI: 2.936-181.073)and RBP4(OR=1.319, 95%CI: 1.028-1.692)were the independent risk factors for DR, while nesfatin-1(OR=0.007, 95%CI: 0.003-0.016)was an independent protective factor for DR. The ROC curves were drawn, and the results indicated that the TyG index, nesfatin-1, and RBP4 had certain predictive values for DR patients with T2DM, with areas under curve(AUC)of 0.804, 0.878 and 0.738, respectively. The combined AUC of the TyG index, nesfatin-1, and RBP4 was 0.946, sensitivity was 83.72%, and specificity was 92.56%. Patients with PDR had a higher TyG index, higher RBP4 level, and lower nesfatin-1 level than patients with NPDR(all P<0.05). Spearman's correlations indicated a positive association between the TyG index, RBP4 and DR degree, and a negative association between nesfatin-1 and DR degree(rs=0.557, 0.392, -0.359, repectively, all P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis indicated a negative correlation between the TyG index and the levels of nesfatin-1, a positive correlation between the TyG index and the levels of RBP4, and a negative correlation between the levels of nesfatin-1 and RBP4 in DR patients with T2DM(r=-0.486, 0.538, -0.592, all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The serum of TyG index and the levels of nesfatin-1 and RBP4 were early predictive markers for DR and were associated with the risk of the occurrence and severity of the disease. Besides, the combined prediction performance of TyG index, nesfatin-1, and RBP4 was better for DR.


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