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Analysis of influencing factors and risk prediction model for spasticity severity in stroke patients with hemiplegia

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Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research2026

Analysis of influencing factors and risk prediction model for spasticity severity in stroke patients with hemiplegia

BACKGROUND: Spastic hemiplegia remains a challenging clinical problem that urgently needs to be addressed. Currently, most research primarily focuses on discussing the influencing factors of spasticity onset. This study, however, utilizes binary logistic regression to primarily explore the key factors affecting the severity of spasticity in stroke patients, providing a reliable basis for personalized treatment plans for patients. OBJECTIVE: To identify the influencing factors of spasticity severity in stroke patients with hemiplegia through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, and to construct a risk prediction model. METHODS: A total of 120 patients with post-stroke spasticity hospitalized at the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from November 2024 to March 2025 were enrolled. A self-designed questionnaire was used for data collection. Logistic regression analysis was performed to screen the influencing factors of spasticity severity in hemiplegic patients, and a risk prediction model was constructed. The predictive performance of the model was evaluated via a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Among 120 stroke spasticity patients, 66 had mild spasticity with Modified Ashworth Scale < 2 and 54 had severe spasticity with Modified Ashworth Scale ≥ 2. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that for stroke spasticity patients, advanced age, normal sensory function, higher Barthel index, and Fugl-Meyer motor function score were protective factors for spasticity severity; while depression and anxiety, poor sleep quality, and pain were risk factors. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the logistic regression model for spasticity severity in stroke hemiplegic patients was 0.969 [95%CI (0.944, 0.994)], indicating that the prediction model based on these factors has high predictive efficacy. Clinicians should adopt multidimensional and individualized intervention strategies to actively prevent and reduce spasticity, thereby improving functional prognosis and quality of life.

Read Full Abstract10.12307/2026.21273

Sarcopenia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: analysis of the gut microbiota

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Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research2026

Sarcopenia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: analysis of the gut microbiota

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have established a correlation between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and sarcopenia; however, their causal relationship remains uncertain. The gut-muscle-liver axis hypothesis posits intricate interactions between the gut microbiota and both sarcopenia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, yet the precise pathogenic mechanisms underlying these interactions remain poorly elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential causal relationship between sarcopenia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease using Mendelian randomization analysis and to delve into the potential role of the gut microbiota in mediating or influencing the interplay between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and sarcopenia. METHODS: Sarcopenia data were sourced from the UK Biobank (the UK National-Level Biomedical Database, supported by the UK government and developed in 2006 in collaboration with institutions such as the University of Oxford and the University of Manchester, which encompasses multidimensional data including genes, imaging, and health records from 500 000 participants), with relevant traits including appendicular muscle mass, grip strength, and walking speed. The non-alcoholic fatty liver disease dataset was derived from a publicly accessible GWAS summary dataset compiled by Ghodsian et al., comprising aggregated statistics from GWAS cohorts including eMERGE and FinnGen, updated GWAS data of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease from the UK Biobank, and newly conducted GWAS data from the Estonian Biobank. The 211 gut microbiota data were obtained from a large-scale human gut microbiome composition study conducted by the MiBioGen consortium. Inverse variance weighting, weighted median, MR-Egger, weighted model, and simple model methods were used to assess the mutual influences among non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, sarcopenia, and gut microbiota-related traits. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The inverse variance weighting analysis indicated that walking speed and appendicular muscle mass were negatively correlated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, while left and right hand grip strength showed no significant correlation with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease risk. Reverse Mendelian randomization analysis showed that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was negatively correlated with appendicular muscle mass, but no significant correlation was found between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and walking speed or left and right hand grip strength. Thirty-nine gut microbiota taxa were significantly associated with sarcopenia onset, and six gut microbiota taxa had a causal relationship with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The study suggests that gut microbiota may regulate the 'gut-liver-muscle axis' through short-chain fatty acid metabolism, providing a new direction for cross-organ mechanism research for Chinese scholars. Combined with the unique genetic background of the Chinese population (such as ALDH2 mutations and genes related to high-salt diet), it can further analyze the race-specific pathways of metabolic-muscle comorbidity, providing a scientific basis for formulating dietary recommendations that conform to the Chinese dietary structure (such as high grain intake).

Read Full Abstract10.12307/2026.21264

Traditional Chinese sports in the treatment of osteoporosis: potential biological mechanisms and clinical application progress

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Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research2026

Traditional Chinese sports in the treatment of osteoporosis: potential biological mechanisms and clinical application progress

BACKGROUND: Although traditional drug therapy has achieved good results in the treatment of osteoporosis, long-term use often leads to adverse events. Currently, exercise intervention (including traditional Chinese sports) has gradually become a hot topic and a new choice for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the biological mechanisms and related clinical application progress of traditional Chinese sports (such as Tai Chi Chuan, Baduanjin, Wuqinxi, Yijinjing) in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, and to explore their potential mechanisms and effects in improving bone health in multiple aspects. METHODS: Relevant literature search was retrieved in the Web of Science, PubMed, CNKI, WanFang Database, and VIP Journal Database. The search terms included "Osteoporosis, Traditional Chinese Exercises, Tai Chi Chuan, Baduanjin, Wuqinxi, Yijinjing, Bone Mineral Density, Bone Metabolism, Blood Circulation, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Clinical Application" in English and Chinese. Finally, 59 articles were included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Traditional Chinese exercises significantly improve bone mineral density and mitigate bone loss through the combined effects of multiple pathways, including mechanical loading to regulate bone metabolism, modulating the gut microbiota-bone axis, enhancing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and endocrine regulation. Clinical evidence has indicated that Tai Chi Chuan has particularly significant effects on improving lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density in postmenopausal women; Baduanjin combined with medication can significantly regulate glucose metabolism and bone turnover; Wuqinxi indirectly reduces fracture risk by improving joint function; Yijinjing shows advantages in gender-related bone mineral density maintenance. Notably, traditional exercises regulate immune cells (such as Th1 cells, regulatory T cells) and oxidative stress pathways, providing a theoretical basis for developing novel exercise intervention programs.

Read Full Abstract10.12307/2026.21258

m6A-related ferroptosis gene expression and its association with immune infiltration in Alzheimer’s disease: machine learning and molecular biology validation

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Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research2026

m6A-related ferroptosis gene expression and its association with immune infiltration in Alzheimer’s disease: machine learning and molecular biology validation

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder. Although β-amyloid and Tau proteins are core biomarkers for AD diagnosis, their heterogeneity and diagnostic limitations necessitate the exploration of novel biomarkers for disease diagnosis and treatment. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the interaction between N6-methyladenosine (m6A) epitranscriptomic modifications and ferroptosis genes in AD using machine learning, bioinformatics analysis, and experimental validation, to identify characteristic genes for AD pathogenesis, and to reveal their association with immune microenvironment regulation, thereby providing novel biomarkers for early diagnosis and precise treatment of AD. METHODS: Genomic data of human hippocampal tissues from GSE5281, GSE48350 (training sets), and GSE33000 (validation set) in the GEO database were integrated. Differentially expressed m6A regulators in AD were screened in the training sets, and the correlation between m6A and ferroptosis genes was assessed to identify ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes associated with m6A. Support vector machine recursive feature elimination combined with Boruta feature selection was used to determine AD characteristic genes. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed to dissect functional modules of characteristic genes. A logistic regression model combined with receiver operating characteristic curves was constructed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of characteristic genes in the validation set. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis was applied to quantify immune cell infiltration levels and analyze their regulatory association with characteristic genes. Transcription factor/miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks were predicted using ENCORI, miRWalk 3.0, and NetworkAnalyst databases. Potential therapeutic compounds were screened via the CTD database. qRT-PCR and western blotting were used to validate characteristic genes in hippocampal tissues of APP/PS1 double-transgenic mice. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Two significantly differentially expressed m6A regulators, Wilms tumor 1 associated protein (WTAP) and methyltransferase-like protein 14 (METTL14), were identified, with 16 ferroptosis-related genes associated with them. (2) Machine learning identified five core characteristic genes: fumarate hydratase (FH), aspartate aminotransferase (GOT1), HRas proto-oncogene (HRAS), metallothionein 3 (MT3), and SET domain containing 1B (SETD1B). (3) Characteristic genes were functionally enriched in oxidative phosphorylation, Huntington disease, Parkinson disease, fatty acid degradation and metabolism, and proteasome signaling pathways. (4) The logistic regression diagnostic model achieved area under the curve values of 0.873 and 0.904 in the training and validation sets, respectively, indicating excellent diagnostic efficacy. (5) Immune microenvironment analysis showed that HRAS was significantly correlated with chemokine receptor family and plasmacytoid dendritic cell infiltration levels. (6) A regulatory network comprising 5 mRNAs, 37 miRNAs, and 142 transcription factors was constructed, and 71 potential therapeutic drugs were predicted. (7) Experimental validation showed that mRNA and protein expression of GOT1, HRAS, and SETD1B in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice were significantly different (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), consistent with bioinformatics analysis. (8) The results reveal that FH, GOT1, HRAS, MT3, and SETD1B can serve as characteristic genes for AD; immune infiltration correlation analysis suggests that HRAS may serve as a potential immunotherapeutic marker for AD, providing a theoretical basis for early diagnosis and targeted therapy.

Read Full Abstract10.12307/2026.21311

Scientometric deconstruction of developmental dynamics in upper-limb rehabilitation robotics: evidence network analysis via CiteSpace

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Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research2026

Scientometric deconstruction of developmental dynamics in upper-limb rehabilitation robotics: evidence network analysis via CiteSpace

BACKGROUND: Upper limb rehabilitation robots have emerged as an indispensable component in global healthcare systems. Despite the extensive body of research in this field, which primarily focuses on areas such as development and application, there remains a significant need for comprehensive, systematic literature analysis to thoroughly examine the current research landscape, identify emerging hotspots, and predict future trends in this domain. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a visual analysis of research status, hotspots, and trends in the field of upper limb rehabilitation robots over the past decade using CiteSpace software, with the aim of identifying key research directions and providing intuitive references for researchers. METHODS: This study systematically retrieved literature related to upper-limb rehabilitation robotics from CNKI and the Web of Science Core Collection published between January 1, 2015, and March 13, 2025. CiteSpace 6.1.R1 software was employed for visualized analysis of included literature, covering key dimensions such as publication volume, authors, institutions, keywords, clusters, and bursts. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) A total of 1 054 articles were included, involving 659 authors. The United States held the highest overall ranking in terms of both research publication volume and centrality in this field. Among the contributing institutions, Northeast University and Univ Shanghai Sci&Technol ranked the highest in publication volume. Visualization analysis indicated an overall upward trend in upper limb rehabilitation robotics research, yet revealed limited collaboration among researchers and institutions. Main research directions included core technical methods, robot design and optimization, control strategies and algorithms, clinical application and evaluation, and emerging technologies and interdisciplinary integration. (2) Future research could focus on technological integration and intelligent upgrading, interdisciplinary collaborative innovation, and improvement of clinical applications to promote the continuous development and refinement of the upper limb rehabilitation robot field.

Read Full Abstract10.12307/2026.21309

Association between immune cells and cardiovascular disease risk: a genome-wide association study in European populations

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Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research2026

Association between immune cells and cardiovascular disease risk: a genome-wide association study in European populations

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have linked immune cells to cardiovascular disease risk. As confounding factors are incompletely addressed, the causal relationship between them remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential causal relationship between immune cells and cardiovascular disease. METHODS: The source of research data mainly involves three databases: Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) database (GWAS Catalog, jointly maintained by the National Institute of Human Genomics and the European Institute of Bioinformatics), UK biobank (a database of British population genomics, health, and disease phenotypes supported by the UK government and the Wellcome Trust), and IEU OpenGWAS (a GWAS database developed by the MRC Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, UK, primarily for European populations). All are open databases, and the study has been approved by the relevant institutional review boards. Using 731 immune cell phenotypes as exposures and 7 cardiovascular diseases (atrial fibrillation, dilated cardiomyopathy, coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, heart failure, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hypertension, and valvular heart disease) as outcomes, a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was performed. Inverse variance weighting and weighted median methods were mainly used for Mendelian randomization analysis and sensitivity analysis to assess heterogeneity and pleiotropy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) After false discovery rate correction, immune phenotypes had statistically significant effects on atrial fibrillation and hypertension. Five cell types were associated with atrial fibrillation risk, including CD11c on monocytes (OR=0.917, 95%CI: 0.876-0.960), FSC-A on myeloid dendritic cells (OR=0.942, 95%CI: 0.910-0.974), CX3CR1 on CD14+ CD16- monocytes (OR=1.045, 95%CI: 1.022-1.070), CX3CR1 on monocytes (OR=1.050, 95%CI: 1.024-1.076), and CX3CR1 on CD14+ CD16+ monocytes (OR=1.050, 95%CI: 1.024-1.077). Three immune phenotypes with protective effects on hypertension were identified: CD19 on switched memory B cells (OR=0.986, 95%CI: 0.980-0.993), CD25++CD8+ T cells (OR=0.993, 95%CI: 0.990-0.997), and CD25++CD8+ T cells absolute count (OR=0.993, 95%CI: 0.989-0.996). No potential heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy was observed in sensitivity analyses. (2) The study found causal relationships between 4 monocyte types and 1 myeloid dendritic cell type and atrial fibrillation, and potential causal relationships between 1 memory B cell type and 2 T cell types and hypertension, suggesting the necessity of considering immune cell phenotypes when monitoring and treating atrial fibrillation and hypertension. This study used public databases for analysis, providing a reference for research on immune cell subsets and cardiovascular disease in the Chinese population, and offering insights for further prevention and treatment of atrial fibrillation and hypertension in Chinese people.

Read Full Abstract10.12307/2026.21263

Association between environmental exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and the risk of type 1 diabetes

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Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research2026

Association between environmental exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and the risk of type 1 diabetes

BACKGROUND: As a group of ubiquitous exogenous compounds in the environment, endocrine disrupting chemicals can interfere with endocrine system function and contribute to various diseases. In recent years, the correlation between exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and type 1 diabetes risk has become a research hotspot, but the exact underlying mechanisms remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress on the association between endocrine disrupting chemicals and type 1 diabetes in terms of epidemiological studies, animal experiments, and related mechanism studies. METHODS: The literature retrieval was conducted on CNKI and PubMed databases from January 2000 to January 2025 with the keywords of “endocrine disrupting chemicals; EDCs; type 1 diabetes; T1DM” in Chinese and English, respectively. A total of 55 articles were selected for the review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Typical endocrine disrupting chemicals such as bisphenol A, pesticides and heavy metals can promote the development of type 1 diabetes through various pathways, including inducing immune dysregulation, activating oxidative stress, and epigenetic regulation. However, existing studies are limited by issues such as non-unified exposure assessment methods, an unclear dose-response relationship, and population heterogeneity. Future research should focus on identifying critical exposure windows and integrating multi-omics approaches to provide new strategies for the prevention of type 1 diabetes.

Read Full Abstract10.12307/2026.21260

Roles and mechanisms of mitochondrial dynamics in bone defect repair

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Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research2026

Roles and mechanisms of mitochondrial dynamics in bone defect repair

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial dynamic changes, such as fusion, fission and autophagy, are particularly important for maintaining mitochondrial health homeostasis and cellular balance. Increasing studies have shown that these mitochondrial dynamic changes play a significant role in the healing process of bone defects. In-depth research on mitochondrial dynamics creates new possibilities for the treatment of bone defects. OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism and principles of mitochondrial dynamics and its research and development in bone defect repair. METHODS: Relevant literature was retrieved from databases such as CNKI, WanFang Data, and PubMed published from 1990 to 2024 using the keywords of “mitochondrial dynamics, bone defect repair, mitochondrial fusion and fission, osteocytes” in Chinese and “mitochondrial dynamics, bone defect repair, mitochondrial dysfunction” in English. All retrieved documents were strictly screened, analyzed, and sorted one by one according to the inclusion criteria. A total of 77 documents were included for comprehensive analysis, consisting of 15 Chinese documents and 62 English documents. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The repair of bone defects is finely regulated by a variety of cells and molecular signaling pathways, which is a highly complex process. Mitochondrial dynamics play a particularly critical role in this process, as they can significantly influence bone cell function and bone metabolism, thereby further promoting the repair of bone defects. (2) Future research could focus on in-depth exploration of the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial dynamics, development of novel nano-targeted particles and mitochondrial clinical drugs, and creating more possibilities for the clinical application of mitochondrial dynamics in bone defect repair.

Read Full Abstract10.12307/2026.21254

Animal experimental study on the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration with Chinese herbal compound: species selection, modeling method and drug administration

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Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research2026

Animal experimental study on the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration with Chinese herbal compound: species selection, modeling method and drug administration

BACKGROUND: Chinese herbal compound has a unique curative effect on lumbar disc degeneration. In order to further understand the mechanism of its action, researchers have carried out many animal experiments in vivo, but there is no agreement on the animal model, the way of administration and the choice of observation indicators. OBJECTIVE: To review the progress in animal experimental studies on the treatment of lumbar disc degeneration with Chinese herbal compounds, focusing on the preparation of animal models of lumbar disc degeneration, the administration methods of Chinese herbal compounds and the evaluation indexes of efficacy, in order to provide a reference for related studies. METHODS: CNKI, WanFang, VIP, PubMed and Web of Science were retrieved by computer for relevant literature published from database inception to November 2024. The Chinese terms were “Chinese medicine, compound, Chinese medicine, herbal, drug combination, soup, formula, low back pain, degenerative disc disease, disc degeneration, intervertebral disc injury, animal, rat, mouse, rabbit, dog, pig, sheep, monkey, primate, model, modeling, experiment, research, progress, review”; the English terms were “traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese herbal medicine, Chinese medicine formula, herbal formula, intervertebral disc degeneration, degenerative disc disease, disc degeneration, intervertebral disc injury, animal model, animal experiment, preclinical study, rat, mouse, rabbit, sheep, dog, pig, non-human primate, monkey, primate, treatment, therapy, effect, intervention”. A total of 789 relevant articles were retrieved, and 139 articles met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Researchers using Chinese herbal compounds to treat intervertebral disc degeneration preferred rats, gerbils, guinea pigs, mice, or New Zealand rabbits as experimental animals. (2) Various modeling methods for intervertebral disc degeneration have their own advantages and disadvantages; the annulus fibrosus puncture model is the most widely used model in such studies, and combined modeling methods can better simulate the process of intervertebral disc degeneration. (3) The administration routes of Chinese herbal compounds in animal models are consistent with those in humans, with oral administration being the main route. (4) Chinese herbal compounds have good therapeutic effects on intervertebral disc degeneration, often verified by imaging, behavioral, molecular biological, and histological methods.

Read Full Abstract10.12307/2026.21257

Glycocalyx: the new link between exercise and disease

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Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research2026

Glycocalyx: the new link between exercise and disease

BACKGROUND: The glycocalyx serves as a selective permeability barrier that enables the controlled exchange of substances and maintains fluid balance between within and outside the blood vessels. It is also involved in various pathological processes, including inflammation, thrombus formation, and microcirculation disorders, and is significantly associated with the development and progression of diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and cancer. OBJECTIVE: To correlate glycocalyx with exercise and disease. METHODS: A literature search was conducted across international databases (MedReading, PubMed, and Web of Science) and Chinese databases (CNKI, WanFang, and VIP) to identify academic articles. The search terms used were “glycocalyx, physical exercise, disease” in Chinese and “glycocalyx, physical exercise, exercises, physical activity, acute exercise, isometric exercises, aerobic exercise, resistance training, exercise training, disease, diseases” in English. A total of 81 publications were included in the final analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: As a biological barrier of the vascular endothelium, the glycocalyx plays a key role in regulating vascular permeability, mediating inflammatory responses, sensing blood shear stress, and facilitating anticoagulation. The integrity of the glycocalyx is essential for maintaining stable normal blood circulation and ensuring the physiological functions of various organs in the body. Shedding of the glycocalyx can induce structural changes in the endothelial barrier, leading to an abnormal increase in endothelial permeability and accelerating the pathological processes associated with atherosclerosis. Research has confirmed that the extensive thickening and shedding of the glycocalyx on the surface of cancer cells promote tumor proliferation, metastasis, and disease progression. In traumatic diseases, the severity can be assessed by measuring the levels of debris resulting from glycocalyx injury. The glycocalyx is influenced by factors such as the duration of exercise, changes in exercise mode, and exercise intensity. Acute exercise can induce microvascular changes and increase glycocalyx thickness. Aerobic exercise-induced shedding sensitivity of glycocalyx components varies by sex, age, and body mass index. Resistance exercise has positive acute effects on endothelial glycocalyx. Long-term exercise training can protect the glycocalyx. The glycocalyx serves as an intervention target for atherosclerosis, sepsis, cancer, and other diseases, providing theoretical support for developing non-pharmacological therapeutic strategies. However, clinical application of glycocalyx damage markers is not yet standardized, and the mechanisms among glycocalyx, exercise, and disease require further investigation.

Read Full Abstract10.12307/2026.21261

Mitophagy regulates osteoclasts: a new perspective for osteoporosis treatment

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Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research2026

Mitophagy regulates osteoclasts: a new perspective for osteoporosis treatment

BACKGROUND: The development of osteoporosis is closely associated with the disruption of bone homeostasis, particularly due to the enhanced bone resorption activity of osteoclasts. Mitophagy, an autophagic pathway that selectively degrades damaged mitochondria, has recently been identified as being intricately linked to the pathogenesis and progression of osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the mechanisms of mitophagy and its regulatory roles in osteoclasts and to investigate the potential mechanisms by which mitophagy influences bone homeostasis through the regulation of osteoclastogenesis and apoptosis. METHODS: The databases searched included PubMed, CNKI, WanFang Data, and VIP databases. The search terms were “mitophagy, bone metabolism, osteoclasts, bone homeostasis, bone resorption, bone loss” in Chinese and English. The search time frame was from January 2008 to April 2025. Based on the inclusion criteria, the search results were screened and excluded, and 101 articles were finally included for review and analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUTION: Mitophagy is a crucial mitochondrial quality control mechanism within cells, primarily responsible for the selective elimination of damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria. The main pathways of mitophagy include the phosphatase and tensin homolog-induced kinase 1/E3 ubiquitin ligase pathway and the receptor-mediated mitophagy pathway. Mitophagy often exhibits dual beneficial and detrimental properties in the body. Excessive mitophagy can lead to imbalance of bone metabolism and subsequent osteoporosis by maintaining intracellular reactive oxygen species homeostasis, regulating energy metabolism, promoting osteoclast differentiation, inhibiting osteoclast apoptosis, and increasing bone resorption.

Read Full Abstract10.12307/2026.21262

Application and progress of transcriptomics and proteomics techniques in the study of intervertebral disc degeneration

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Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research2026

Application and progress of transcriptomics and proteomics techniques in the study of intervertebral disc degeneration

BACKGROUND: Intervertebral disc degeneration is a chronic spinal disease characterized by accelerated apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells and decomposition of the extracellular matrix, which often leads to low back pain and spinal dysfunction. The molecular mechanism has not been fully understood, hindering the development of precision treatment strategies. Transcriptomics technology can be used to deeply analyze gene expression patterns, and proteomics technology can be used to identify protein function dynamics. The combined application of these two technologies provides an important means to elucidate the pathological mechanism of intervertebral disc degeneration. OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress of transcriptomics and proteomics technologies in intervertebral disc degeneration, and discuss the key roles of these two omics technologies in analyzing molecular mechanisms, screening diagnostic markers, and exploring therapeutic targets. METHODS: A computerized search of relevant literature published from January 1995 to April 2025 in PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Sinomed databases was performed. Chinese search terms were "transcriptomics, ribonucleic acid sequencing, proteomics, intervertebral disc degeneration, nucleus pulposus, annulus fibrosus, cartilage endplate" and English search terms were "transcriptomics, ribonucleic acid sequencing, proteomics, intervertebral disc degeneration, nucleus pulposus, annulus fibrosus, cartilage endplate". After excluding duplicate and irrelevant literature, 24 articles were included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Transcriptomics studies have elucidated the dynamic evolution of gene expression in intervertebral disc degeneration, revealing key regulatory networks involved in apoptosis, inflammatory response, and matrix degradation. Proteomics has deeply analyzed the dynamic changes in protein composition in the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus, emphasizing the key functions of matrix metalloproteinases and cytokines in matrix degradation. The combination of the two provides a multi-dimensional perspective on the molecular mechanisms of intervertebral disc degeneration, enhancing the depth of mechanistic research. Comprehensive analysis indicates that the synergistic application of transcriptomics and proteomics shows significant potential in revealing the molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets of intervertebral disc degeneration.

Read Full Abstract10.12307/2026.21256

Exercise interventions regulate thyroid hormones: effects on the liver, skeleton, muscle, heart, and brain

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Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research2026

Exercise interventions regulate thyroid hormones: effects on the liver, skeleton, muscle, heart, and brain

BACKGROUND: Thyroid hormones play a critical role in regulating growth, development, energy metabolism, and maintaining homeostasis in mammals. Exercise interventions can modulate thyroid hormones levels through various mechanisms. However, the regulatory effects of exercise on multiple organs via thyroid hormones have not yet been fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To summarize thyroid hormones synthesis, metabolism, and its regulation through exercise, and explore its dynamic regulatory functions in the liver, bone, muscle, heart, and brain. METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted in databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang database, VIP, Web of Science, and PubMed for relevant articles published from database inception until February 2025. The search terms were “thyroid hormones, thyroxine, triiodothyronine, thyroid, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, exercise, training, physical activity, liver, hepatic, muscle, bone, osteoporosis, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, heart, myocardium, cardiomyopathy, cardiac, myocardial infarction, brain, cognition, nervous” in Chinese and English. A total of 81 studies were included in this review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Exercise can regulate thyroid hormones levels, reshape tissue-specific expression of deiodinases, or alter target organ thyroid hormone receptor sensitivity, forming dynamic regulation of multiple organs. Exercise interventions have the potential to reverse multi-organ pathological phenotypes caused by thyroid dysfunction, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease, bone homeostasis imbalance, muscle function decline, cardiac function decline, and cognitive dysfunction. Although existing evidence reveals the regulatory effects of exercise on thyroid hormones, its molecular mechanisms and regulatory effects on multiple organs still need further analysis. In addition, current related studies are mostly based on rodents and mostly aerobic exercise; the extent to which they apply to human metabolic diseases requires more clinical evidence support.

Read Full Abstract10.12307/2026.21259

Mitophagy impairment mediated muscular atrophy: insights from the Drosophila model

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Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research2026

Mitophagy impairment mediated muscular atrophy: insights from the Drosophila model

BACKGROUND: Muscular atrophy is a pathological process characterized by the progressive decline in muscle mass and function, which severely affects patients' quality of life. In recent years, the role of mitophagy, as an important mitochondrial quality control mechanism for maintaining intracellular homeostasis, has attracted significant attention in the context of muscle atrophy. Drosophila, as a classical model organism, has become a crucial tool for studying the connection between muscle atrophy and mitophagy mechanism due to its conserved muscle functional structure and straightforward genetic manipulation. OBJECTIVE: To review the molecular mechanism of mitophagy dysfunction in muscular atrophy and to summarize the research progress of relevant Drosophila models in this field, with the aim of providing new insights and directions for the study of the pathological mechanism and the development of therapeutic strategies for muscular atrophy. METHODS: PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched using keywords including 'skeletal muscle, muscle regenerate, denervation muscle atrophy, muscle atrophy, sarcopenia, drosophila, drosophila melanogaster, mitophagy, mitochondrial dysfunction' and 'muscle atrophy, skeletal muscle, muscle regeneration, sarcopenia, denervation muscle atrophy, Drosophila, mitophagy, mitochondrial dysfunction'. The search period was from January 2001 to February 2025. After screening, 68 articles were included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Studies using Drosophila models indicate that mitophagy plays a critical role in the development of muscle atrophy. Mitophagy dysfunction leads to the accumulation of damaged mitochondria in muscle cells, triggering oxidative stress, energy metabolism disorders, and inducing myocyte apoptosis, thereby exacerbating muscle atrophy. Furthermore, Drosophila models have shown great advantages in screening potential therapeutic targets and identifying intervention strategies, providing new avenues for mechanistic research and therapeutic development for muscle atrophy. By summarizing the findings from Drosophila models, this review emphasizes the strategy of treating muscle atrophy by modulating mitophagy mechanisms, highlights the unique advantages of Drosophila models in studying the molecular mechanisms of mitophagy and muscle atrophy, and suggests that future research should integrate translational medicine, high-throughput molecular screening, and multi-omics approaches to further explore unknown molecular mechanisms and new therapeutic targets.

Read Full Abstract10.12307/2026.21253

Biological mechanisms and future research trends of cartilaginous endplate degeneration

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Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research2026

Biological mechanisms and future research trends of cartilaginous endplate degeneration

BACKGROUND: The cartilaginous endplate is the bridge connecting the intervertebral disc to the vertebral body. Degeneration of the cartilaginous endplate is a central link in various degenerative spinal disorders. OBJECTIVE: To conduct an in-depth analysis of the biological mechanisms of cartilaginous endplate degeneration and to reveal the key role of cartilaginous endplate degeneration in intervertebral disc degeneration. METHODS: Computerized searches were conducted in Web of Science, PubMed, CNKI, WanFang, and VIP databases. The search terms included “cartilaginous endplate degeneration, inflammatory factors, biomechanics, extracellular matrix” in Chinese and English. The literature search spanned from the inception of each database to August 2024. Based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 68 articles were ultimately selected for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Intervertebral disc degeneration is a cascade reaction triggered by changes in the mechanical environment, leading to cell-mediated biochemical, mechanical, and structural changes. The cartilaginous endplate, as a dynamic mechanical barrier of the intervertebral disc, has biomechanical properties determined by the components of the extracellular matrix. The degeneration of the cartilaginous endplate is characterized by changes in the extracellular matrix components, including the degradation of type II collagen and proteoglycans, and the increase in type I collagen and type X collagen. These changes directly impact the attachment, proliferation, and differentiation of cartilaginous endplate cells. Maintaining and restoring a healthy extracellular matrix is the main direction for the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration. Cartilaginous endplate degeneration is a complex process involving multiple factors and mechanisms, spanning biomechanics, biochemistry, and cell biology. Through multidisciplinary collaboration, such as the combination of biomechanics and molecular biology, applying controlled fixation-traction under a comprehensive understanding of the mechanism of traction promoting intervertebral disc regeneration may provide more effective treatment for patients with intervertebral disc degeneration.

Read Full Abstract10.12307/2026.21255

Keloid pathogenesis is correlated with fibroblast heterogeneity genes: single-cell transcriptomic analysis based on GEO database

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Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research2026

Keloid pathogenesis is correlated with fibroblast heterogeneity genes: single-cell transcriptomic analysis based on GEO database

BACKGROUND: Keloid is a chronic fibrotic skin disorder driven by abnormal fibroblast activation and dysregulated immune responses. However, its underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unclear. With the advancement of single-cell transcriptomic technologies, integrating public databases with systematic bioinformatics analyses offers new opportunities to identify diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. OBJECTIVE: To identify key biomarkers associated with fibroblast heterogeneity and immune cell interactions in the pathogenesis of keloids. METHODS: Single-cell transcriptomic dataset GSE181297 and bulk transcriptomic dataset GSE14572 were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) public database. Cell subtypes were annotated and analyzed for changes in cellular composition. Pseudotime analysis was applied to infer differentiation trajectories of various cell populations. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis and differential gene expression analysis were conducted to identify fibroblast-related differentially expressed genes. Functional enrichment analyses, including Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, were used to determine the involved biological processes and pathways. Protein-protein interaction network analysis, combined with three machine learning algorithms, was employed to identify hub genes. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted to assess the diagnostic value of the candidate biomarkers. The expression patterns and correlation of hub genes in immune cells were evaluated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Single-cell transcriptomic analysis revealed significantly increased proportions of endothelial cells, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, T cells, mast cells, macrophages, and lymphatic endothelial cells in keloid tissues, with fibroblasts being the predominant cell type. Pseudotime analysis showed that fibroblasts were mainly distributed in states 1, 2, and 3, at the initial stage of differentiation, with high developmental potential. Differential analysis identified 80 fibroblast-related differentially expressed genes, mainly enriched in regionalization, skeletal system morphogenesis, and embryonic skeletal development pathways. Integrating protein-protein interaction network and multiple machine learning models, HOXC4 was finally identified as a key biomarker. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that HOXC4 had good diagnostic performance and was highly expressed in keloid tissues. Correlation analysis showed that HOXC4 was significantly positively correlated with resting natural killer cells, while negatively correlated with activated dendritic cells and activated natural killer cells. This study systematically revealed the heterogeneity of keloid fibroblasts and their association with the immune microenvironment. HOXC4 was identified as a key biomarker related to fibroblast functional status and immune regulation, providing a potential new target for early diagnosis and targeted therapy of keloids.

Read Full Abstract10.12307/2026.21308

Multi-omics approach unveils novel therapeutic targets for osteoporosis: integrated analysis of Asian and European gene-tissue expression consortium data

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Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research2026

Multi-omics approach unveils novel therapeutic targets for osteoporosis: integrated analysis of Asian and European gene-tissue expression consortium data

BACKGROUND: With the acceleration of China's aging population, the number of osteoporosis patients has been increasing significantly. Recent advancements in genome-wide association studies and single-cell transcriptomic sequencing have empowered researchers to identify novel osteoporosis-associated genes through integrative multi-omics analyses. OBJECTIVE: To identify potential therapeutic targets for osteoporosis using summary data-based Mendelian randomization approaches that integrate genome-wide association studies and transcriptomic data from Asian and European populations. METHODS: By integrating cis-expression quantitative trait loci (cis-eQTL) and protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) datasets from multiple tissues (blood and muscle-bone) with osteoporosis genome-wide association study data (the 2021 European population osteoporosis GWAS data from FinnGen and the 2020 East Asian population GWAS from Biobank Japan), we employed summary data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) to identify osteoporosis-associated genes. Colocalization analysis, single-cell sequencing, and enrichment analysis were performed for further validation. All data were obtained from published studies or publicly available databases with ethical approval and informed consent. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: SMR analysis identified 64 genes significantly associated with osteoporosis (after removing duplicates), among which HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQA2, HLA-DQB1, HLA-DQB2, and HLA-DRB5 were validated in both outcome datasets. Colocalization analysis provided evidence for HLA-DQA2 and HLA-DQB1 (posterior probability PPH4 > 0.8). Plasma levels of HLA-DQA2 were associated with reduced osteoporosis risk. Single-cell analysis revealed increased abundance of dendritic cells, B cells, macrophages, and neutrophils in the osteoporotic immune microenvironment. Enrichment analysis showed that identified genes were enriched in MHC class II antigen presentation pathway. This study identified several previously unreported osteoporosis-associated genes through bioinformatics integration of Asian and European GWAS data, warranting further exploration as potential therapeutic targets.

Read Full Abstract10.12307/2026.21307

Visual analysis of the research literature on plantar fasciitis

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Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research2026

Visual analysis of the research literature on plantar fasciitis

BACKGROUND: Existing research on plantar fasciitis predominantly focuses on single techniques, short-term efficacy, pathogenesis, and diagnostic/evaluation studies. Systematic integration of global research trends and core hotspots is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the current status, hotspots, and trends in research on plantar fasciitis. METHODS: Search terms and free-text keywords related to plantar fasciitis were retrieved from PubMed to construct a search strategy. Relevant literature published between 1996 and 2025 was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database. CiteSpace software, Excel, and Sci Explorer were used to perform co-occurrence analysis, salience analysis, and clustering analysis on countries, authors, institutions, disciplines, journals, keywords, and cited literature within this field. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A total of 1 606 articles were included in this visual analysis. The number of publications in plantar fasciitis research showed a fluctuating upward trend from 1996 to 2025. The United States was the most prolific country, contributing 423 articles (27.10% of the total). The institution with the highest output was Harvard University (USA) with 36 publications. The most prolific author was Landorf KB from La Trobe University with 33 publications. The most influential journal was Foot & Ankle International, with 112 articles and 950 total citations. The most influential paper was 'Shock Wave Therapy for Chronic Proximal Plantar Fasciitis'. In the field of plantar fasciitis, major treatment hotspots include extracorporeal shock wave therapy, platelet-rich plasma, and corticosteroid injections, but the long-term effectiveness, safety, cost, and standardized treatment protocols remain controversial and are current clinical research hotspots. In diagnosis, shear wave elastography is a hotspot for diagnostic evaluation, and more objective and quantitative diagnostic criteria are current research focuses. In mechanism exploration, research includes the biomechanical chain of vertical pressure transmission from hip-knee-ankle-foot and its influence on the occurrence of plantar fasciitis.

Read Full Abstract10.12307/2026.21310

Traditional Chinese Medicine compound formula and effective ingredients for treating intervertebral disc degeneration: a multi-targeted and holistic regulation concept

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Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research2026

Traditional Chinese Medicine compound formula and effective ingredients for treating intervertebral disc degeneration: a multi-targeted and holistic regulation concept

BACKGROUND: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has significant potential and benefits in the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration. However, reviews on the mechanisms by which TCM ameliorates disc degeneration are relatively limited. OBJECTIVE: To review how TCM compounds and their active ingredients improve intervertebral disc degeneration through mechanisms such as anti-inflammation, antioxidative stress, maintenance of extracellular matrix balance and regulation of programmed cell death. METHODS: CNKI, WanFang, PubMed, and Web of Science were retrieved for relevant literature published from January 2001 to June 2025. The Chinese search terms were “Chinese herb, compound, traditional Chinese medicine, herbal medicine, soup, formula, degenerative disc disease, disc degeneration, disc injury, annulus fibrosus, cartilage endplates, nucleus pulposus, research, progress, review, experiment, inflammation, oxidative stress, extracellular matrix, programmed cell death, apoptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, autophagy, immune cells, mechanism”, and English search terms were “Traditional Chinese medicine, herbal medicine, herbal formula, Intervertebral Disc Degeneration, Intervertebral Disc, disc degeneration, nucleus pulposus, annulus fibrosus, cartilage endplate, Oxidative Stress, Extracellular Matrix, Inflammation, Programmed Cell Death, Apoptosis, Pyroptosis, Ferroptosis, Autophagy, review, progress, experiment”. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 104 articles were finally included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: TCM can effectively inhibit the release of inflammatory factors and activation of inflammatory pathways through multiple mechanisms, improving the local inflammatory state of the intervertebral disc, but the specific mechanisms in immune cell-mediated inflammatory responses remain unclear. TCM shows strong multi-target regulatory ability in alleviating oxidative stress in the intervertebral disc, especially in enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity, stabilizing mitochondrial function, and inhibiting reactive oxygen species accumulation. However, systematic comparisons of antioxidant effects of different active ingredients in different disc cell types are lacking, and the crosstalk between related signaling pathways needs further exploration. TCM can effectively alleviate disc structural disruption by regulating extracellular matrix synthesis and degradative enzyme activity. Apoptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and autophagy collectively participate in the development of intervertebral disc degeneration; they are not isolated but interact through complex signaling networks. Therefore, the multi-target and holistic regulatory advantages of TCM are expected to simultaneously regulate multiple programmed cell death processes, protecting disc cells from multiple levels and delaying degeneration.

Read Full Abstract10.12307/2026.21300

Effects of antioxidant pretreatment on skeletal muscle damage and oxidative stress following acute high-intensity exercise: a meta-analysis

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Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research2026

Effects of antioxidant pretreatment on skeletal muscle damage and oxidative stress following acute high-intensity exercise: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: Current evidence indicates that exercise-induced oxidative stress involves a dual role of reactive oxygen species, which participate in exercise adaptation while potentially causing tissue damage, highlighting the necessity for precise regulation of antioxidant dosage and timing. This study employs a Meta-analytic approach to systematically evaluate the effects of antioxidant pretreatment on biomarkers of skeletal muscle oxidative stress injury following acute strenuous exercise, and to explore the moderating effects of dosage, intervention duration, and training status. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted for randomized controlled trials that investigated the effects of antioxidant pretreatment on exercise-induced oxidative stress in PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, CNKI, VIP and WanFang databases from inception to February 2025. Literature quality was assessed using the physiotherapy evidence database scale. Data analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 and Stata statistical software. RESULTS: (1) This meta-analysis included 16 studies from 12 publications, comprising 264 athletes and regularly exercising individuals. (2) The physiotherapy evidence database scale scores ranged from 6-8 (7 studies) to 9 (5 studies), indicating overall high methodological quality. (3) Meta analysis results showed that antioxidant pretreatment significantly decreased post-exercise serum creatine kinase [standardized mean difference (SMD)=-0.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) (-0.63, 0.00), P=0.05], interleukin-6 [SMD=-0.66, 95%CI (-1.03, -0.29), P=0.0005], and malondialdehyde levels [SMD=-1.10, 95%CI (-1.96, -0.23), P=0.01], and increased glutathione peroxidase activity [SMD=1.33, 95%CI (0.87, 1.78), P < 0.00001] and total antioxidant capacity [MD=4.77, 95%CI (3.87, 5.67), P < 0.00001]. Subgroup analysis showed that low-dose (≤500 mg/d) short-term (≤14 d) intervention had a more significant inhibitory effect on malondialdehyde levels (SMD=-1.15), while high-dose long-term intervention may inhibit exercise adaptation. Training status significantly moderated the effect size, with general athletes showing greater reduction in malondialdehyde levels than elite athletes (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Antioxidant pretreatment can effectively alleviate oxidative stress damage induced by acute strenuous exercise, but its effect is influenced by dosage, intervention duration, and training status. Short-term high-dose supplementation is suitable for rapid recovery during competition periods, while long-term application requires weighing antioxidant benefits against the risk of adaptation inhibition.

Read Full Abstract10.12307/2026.21303

Traditional Chinese sports intervene in sarcopenia and its complications in the elderly: a meta-analysis on improving muscle strength, mass, and physical function

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Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research2026

Traditional Chinese sports intervene in sarcopenia and its complications in the elderly: a meta-analysis on improving muscle strength, mass, and physical function

OBJECTIVE: Muscle function decline and physical impairment caused by sarcopenia and its complications increase the risk of adverse health outcomes in the elderly. However, systematic evidence on the efficacy of traditional Chinese sport interventions for these conditions remains insufficient. Therefore, this study employs meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of traditional Chinese sports in treating sarcopenia and its complications. METHODS: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CNKI, and Wanfang databases to choose randomized controlled trials evaluating traditional Chinese sport interventions for sarcopenia and its complications. Experimental group received one or more traditional Chinese sports, including Yijinjing, Tai Chi, and Baduanjin, while control group received health education, usual care, or remote Tai Chi instruction. Outcome measures included handgrip strength, knee muscle strength, appendicular skeletal muscle mass index, sit-to-stand test, gait speed, timed up-and-go test, and short physical performance battery. Meta-analysis was performed using Revman 5.4 and Stata 15.1 software, and subgroup analyses were conducted to identify optimal intervention parameters. RESULTS: A total of 21 studies (n=1,313) were included. Meta-analysis showed that traditional Chinese sports significantly improved handgrip strength (MD=1.83, 95%CI: 1.65, 2.01, P < 0.00001), knee muscle strength (MD=5.98, 95%CI: 3.85, 8.11, P < 0.00001), appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (MD=0.22, 95%CI: 0.10, 0.34, P=0.0004), gait speed (MD=0.12, 95%CI: 0.09, 0.16, P < 0.00001), sit-to-stand test performance (MD=1.92, 95%CI: 1.41, 2.43, P < 0.00001), timed up-and-go test performance (SMD=-1.00, 95%CI: -1.25, -0.74, P < 0.00001), and short physical performance battery score (MD=1.12, 95%CI: 0.77, 1.46, P < 0.00001). Subgroup analyses revealed that for improving handgrip strength, Yijinjing (intervention >12 weeks, >3 times/week, ≤30 min/session) was most effective; for improving appendicular skeletal muscle mass index, Baduanjin (12 weeks, ≤3 times/week, >30 min/session) was optimal; for improving gait speed, both Tai Chi (>12 weeks, >3 times/week, ≤30 min/session) and Baduanjin (12 weeks, 3 times/week, >30 min/session) were effective; for improving sit-to-stand test performance, Yijinjing (8 weeks, 5 times/week, ≤40 min/session) was best; and for improving timed up-and-go test performance, Baduanjin (>12 weeks, ≤3 times/week, >30 and ≤40 min/session) was most significant. CONCLUSION: Traditional Chinese sports can effectively improve handgrip strength, knee muscle strength, appendicular skeletal muscle mass, and physical function in elderly patients with sarcopenia and its complications, with specific effects under different intervention parameters. It is recommended to prescribe personalized exercise programs based on target outcomes.

Read Full Abstract10.12307/2026.21304

Network meta-analysis of different virtual reality devices for treating upper limb motor dysfunction after stroke

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Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research2026

Network meta-analysis of different virtual reality devices for treating upper limb motor dysfunction after stroke

OBJECTIVE: Upper limb dysfunction after stroke is a common complication that seriously affects the quality of life and daily activity of patients. Virtual reality technology, as an emerging rehabilitation method, can effectively promote neural remodeling and functional recovery. This study will systematically evaluate the therapeutic effects of different virtual reality devices on upper limb motor dysfunction in patients with stroke. METHODS: The China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang Database, VIP website, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched to retrieve relevant literature. Relevant data were extracted, and their quality was assessed. The control group received conventional rehabilitation treatment, while the experimental group received virtual reality rehabilitation training in addition to the treatment provided to the control group. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 18.0 software. RESULTS: (1) A total of 12 articles and 571 patients were included in the meta-analysis. (2) Meta-analysis results showed that the Fugl-Meyer score of the upper limb in the virtual reality group was 7.29 times that of the conventional group (MD=7.29, 95%CI: 5.60-8.98, P < 0.05); the Action Research Arm Test score in the virtual reality group was 10.69 times that of the conventional group (MD=10.69, 95%CI: 4.96-16.43, P < 0.05); the modified Barthel index score in the virtual reality group was 8.25 times that of the conventional group (MD=8.25, 95%CI: 3.38-13.12, P < 0.05). (3) Subgroup analysis showed that patients aged 50-59 years had better improvement in upper limb Fugl-Meyer score; patients with disease duration within 3 months had better improvement; intervention duration ≥4 weeks had the best improvement. (4) Network meta-analysis showed that smart glove intervention [MD=-1.05, 95%CI(-1.85, -0.24), P < 0.05] was most effective for improving upper limb motor function; Armeo Spring intervention [MD=-1.19, 95%CI(-1.87, -0.51), P < 0.05] was most effective for improving upper limb coordination; Kinect intervention [MD=-0.59, 95%CI(-1.13, -0.06), P < 0.05] was most effective for improving hand dexterity; VREX intervention [MD=-0.76, 95%CI(-1.28, -0.23), P < 0.05] was most effective for improving activities of daily living. CONCLUSION: For improving upper limb motor function, the smart glove system is the first choice; for improving upper limb coordination, the Armeo Spring system is the first choice; for improving hand dexterity, the Kinect system is the first choice; for improving activities of daily living, the VREX system is the first choice. This study has certain limitations, and the above conclusions should be interpreted with caution.

Read Full Abstract10.12307/2026.21305

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Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research2026

Exercise-intestinal flora and aging

BACKGROUND: The benefits of exercise as a classical intervention for aging have been widely recognized. The homeostatic balance of a wide range of microorganisms in the intestinal flora indirectly regulates aging, and the bidirectional association between exercise and the intestinal flora can collectively influence the process of aging. OBJECTIVE: To sort out the effects of exercise, intestinal flora and their interactions on aging, and to explore the specific physiological mechanisms involved. METHODS: A computer-based search in CNKI, WanFang, VIP, PubMed, MedReading, and Web of Science, with the time limit of 1976-01-01/2025-02-28, was conducted to collect the relevant studies on the effects of exercise and intestinal flora on aging. The search terms were “intestinal flora, gut microbiota, physical exercise, age, aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, low intensity exercise, moderate intensity exercise, high intensity exercise” in Chinese and English. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Exercise and intestinal flora are both means to intervene in aging, and the combined benefits of exercise and gut microbiota in intervening in aging are even more pronounced. (2) Exercise changes the composition and function of intestinal flora, stimulates intestinal production of short-chain fatty acids, regulates host metabolism and immune function, reduces inflammatory response, and promotes the synthesis of vitamins and neurotransmitters. (3) The specific manifestations of aging, when the intestinal flora is regulated via different exercise modes, are different. (4) Different gut-organ axis regulated by exercise has different effects on aging.

Read Full Abstract10.12307/2026.21302

The interaction and balance between cellular senescence and tissue repair

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Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research2026

The interaction and balance between cellular senescence and tissue repair

Background: The role of cellular senescence in tissue injury repair has attracted increasing attention. The accumulation of senescent cells not only affects normal physiological functions but also exacerbates inflammatory responses and fibrosis, thereby accelerating the aging process. In recent years, the potential therapeutic value of clearing senescent cells in tissue repair has become a research hotspot. Objective: To review the dual role of cellular senescence in tissue injury repair and explore the application prospects of senescent cell clearance strategies in delaying aging and promoting tissue repair. Methods: The authors searched PubMed for relevant literature up to May 2025 using English search terms "Senolytics, aging, senescence, treatment, clearance, tissue injury". After initial screening by reading titles and abstracts, and excluding irrelevant, outdated, or repetitive studies, 137 articles were selected for analysis. Results and Conclusion: Cellular senescence is an important hallmark of organismal aging. Senescent cells secrete senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors, affecting local tissue repair and regeneration. Clearing senescent cells can alleviate chronic inflammation, promote tissue functional recovery, and delay the onset of aging-related diseases. Current strategies for clearing senescent cells include non-targeted and targeted approaches. Non-targeted strategies delay aging through lifestyle modifications, while targeted strategies selectively eliminate senescent cells via drugs, transgenic techniques, gene editing, reprogramming, and immunotherapy, thereby delaying the aging process.

Read Full Abstract10.12307/2026.21297