Category: Technology

Researchers uncover how distinct cell populations and fibrotic signals drive permanent scarring after rotator cuff tears

CHINA, March 9, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Rotator cuff tears often heal with stiff, dysfunctional scar tissue, limiting recovery. A new study reveals why tendon regeneration fails after injury. Using single-cell profiling of tens of thousands of cells from patient tendon samples, the study maps the first atlas of human tendon scarring and identifies pro-fibrotic stem cells, senescent tendon cells, scar-forming macrophages, and transitioning endothelial cells. Targeting key fibrotic signals reduced scarring in animal models, suggesting new therapeutic strategies.

Rotator cuff tears are among the most common and debilitating musculoskeletal injuries, frequently causing chronic pain, reduced shoulder mobility, and a high risk of re-injury even after surgical repair. Although modern surgical techniques can reconnect injured tendons to bone, healing outcomes remain inconsistent. Unlike fetal tendons, which are capable of regenerating without scarring, adult human tendons typically repair themselves by forming dense fibrotic tissue. This scar tissue lacks the highly organized collagen architecture and elastic mechanical properties of healthy tendon, ultimately compromising strength, flexibility, and long-term recovery. Despite the major clinical burden of rotator cuff disease, the cellular and molecular mechanisms that lock adult tendons into this scarring response have remained poorly understood.

To address this gap, researchers analyzed tendon tissue from patients with acute, subacute, and chronic rotator cuff tears using a combination of histological imaging and single-cell RNA sequencing. This integrated approach enabled scar formation to be examined at unprecedented resolution, with nearly 90,000 individual cells profiled from injured human tendons. By comparing samples across different stages of injury, the team was able to capture both early and persistent changes in tendon structure and cell behavior. The analysis revealed marked architectural disruption following injury, including severely disorganized collagen fibers, an imbalance in the ratio of collagen types I and III, and abnormally thin collagen fibrils that persisted even months after the initial tear. These structural abnormalities closely mirrored the long-term functional deficits commonly observed in patients. The findings were published on February 5, 2026, in Volume 14, Issue 17 of the journal Bone Research.

The research was led by Professor Jianzhong Hu from the Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics and Professor Hongbin Lu from the Department of Sports Medicine at Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, China.

At the cellular level, the study uncovered a surprisingly complex and self-reinforcing fibrotic microenvironment. Tendon stem cells and progenitor cells, which normally contribute to tissue repair, failed to fully differentiate into mature, functional tendon cells. Instead, they remained in a prolonged activated state, continuously secreting extracellular matrix components that contributed to scar buildup. In parallel, a large fraction of resident tenocytes entered a senescent state. These aging cells lost their capacity to remodel damaged tissue but remained metabolically active, releasing signals that further promoted collagen accumulation. “We were struck by how tendon cells that should support healing instead became drivers of fibrosis,” said Prof. Hu. “This helps explain why scarring persists even long after inflammation subsides.”

Immune cells were also found to play a central role in sustaining fibrosis. While most inflammatory cells gradually declined as injury progressed, macrophages persisted at the injury site and underwent a striking functional transition. These cells adopted a distinct scar-associated phenotype characterized by direct production of collagen and other fibrotic proteins. The study showed that this transition was driven by the transcription factor SOX9, which reprogrammed macrophages into matrix-secreting cells. “These macrophages are not just bystanders,” explained Prof. Lu. “They actively build scar tissue, creating a self-sustaining fibrotic environment that is difficult to reverse.”

Beyond identifying cellular mechanisms, the study highlights meaningful translational opportunities. In the short term, targeting key fibrotic pathways such as osteopontin (OPN) and transforming growth factor–beta (TGF-β) signaling could be used alongside surgery to reduce scar formation and lower the risk of re-tear.

Over the longer term, the cellular roadmap provided by this work may enable regenerative therapies that actively redirect tendon healing toward true tissue restoration. The findings also point to broader relevance, as similar fibrotic mechanisms operate in heart, lung, and liver diseases. Understanding scar biology at single-cell resolution extends well beyond orthopedics, bringing the field closer to therapies that help tissues heal properly rather than merely closing wounds.

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Reference
Title of original paper: Single cell atlas decodes the molecular dynamics of scar repair after human rotator cuff tear
Journal: Bone Research
DOI: 10.1038/s41413-025-00501-5

About Central South University, Changsha, China
Central South University is a leading national research university in China, recognized for excellence in medicine, engineering, and the life sciences. Located in Changsha, the university is committed to advancing healthcare through the integration of clinical practice and cutting-edge research. Xiangya Hospital, its flagship medical center, is among China’s most prestigious teaching hospitals and serves as a major hub for translational biomedical research aimed at improving patient outcomes worldwide.
Website: https://en.csu.edu.cn/

About Professor Jianzhong Hu
Prof. Jianzhong Hu is a Professor of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics at Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. He is also Director of the Mobile Health Ministry of Education–China Mobile Joint Laboratory and the Digital Medical Research Center at Central South University. His research focuses on acute spinal column injury, osteoarthritis, digital health technologies, smart healthcare, and hospital management. He holds multiple leadership roles in national orthopedic and health informatics associations and is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Xiangya Medicine.

About Professor Hongbin Lv
Prof. Hongbin Lv is a Professor of Sports Medicine at Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. She earned his PhD in Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma in 2006 from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Her research focuses on sports medicine, spinal cord injury, and orthopaedic trauma. Professor Lu has published 65 peer-reviewed papers, accumulated more than 370 citations, and had an h-index of 21. She has co-authored 36 key publications and maintains active academic collaborations through previous affiliations with The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and contributes to international conferences and clinical training programs worldwide.

Funding Information
This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NO. 82230085, 82272572, 82030071), National Key Research and Development Program of China (NO. 2022YFC2010204) and Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province (NO. 2024JJ6637).

Yini Bao
Bone Research Editorial Office
+86 2885546461
br@scu.edu.cn
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Hormonal dysregulation and gut microbiota alterations as potential contributors to cognitive dysfunction

CHINA, March 9, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are commonly associated with visual disturbances and endocrine abnormalities; however, many patients also experience cognitive deficits, particularly in memory, attention, and executive function, which significantly affect quality of life. Despite increasing recognition of this burden, the mechanisms underlying cognitive impairment remain unclear. Traditionally, cognitive changes have been attributed to tumor mass effects or direct compression of surrounding structures. Emerging evidence, however, implicates hormonal dysregulation and the gut–brain axis, suggesting that intestinal microbiota may influence cognition through inflammatory, metabolic, and endocrine pathways.

To bridge this gap, researchers from Kunming Medical University, led by Dr. Xingli Deng, conducted a prospective cross-sectional study to evaluate cognitive function in patients with PitNETs and examine associations among tumor lineage, hormonal abnormalities, and gut microbiota composition. The study made available online and published in Volume 11, Issue 33 of the Chinese Neurosurgical Journal on 30 December 2025. Dr. Deng explained the motivation behind the study, “By integrating neurocognitive assessment with endocrine profiling and microbiome analysis, we aimed to move beyond traditional explanations centered solely on tumor size and mass effect, and instead explore a more comprehensive, biologically grounded model of cognitive dysfunction in PitNET patients.”

This prospective cross-sectional study included 42 patients with PitNETs and 42 matched healthy controls. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) before surgery and again three months postoperatively. Tumor characteristics, including volume and invasiveness on MRI, and pituitary hormone levels, were recorded. Tumors were classified as functional or nonfunctional and grouped by molecular lineage (PIT1 and SF-1). Fecal samples collected before treatment underwent 16S rRNA sequencing to characterize gut microbiota composition. Statistical analyses evaluated group differences and correlations between cognitive scores, clinical variables, and microbial profiles.

The findings were remarkable. “Patients with PitNETs demonstrated significantly lower cognitive performance than healthy controls, particularly in attention, executive function, and memory, with impairments more pronounced in functional and PIT1-lineage tumors,” noted Dr. Deng. Cognitive impairment was especially pronounced in patients with functional tumors, particularly those classified within the PIT1 lineage. Notably, tumor volume and invasiveness were not significantly associated with cognitive outcomes, challenging the assumption that structural mass effects are the primary drivers of neurocognitive decline. Importantly, cognitive scores improved three months after surgical tumor removal, accompanied by reductions in elevated hormone levels such as growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and prolactin (PRL). These findings support a potential endocrine mechanism underlying cognitive dysfunction and recovery.

Microbiome analysis revealed distinct alterations in gut bacterial composition among PitNET patients. Reduced abundance of the butyrate-producing genus Agathobacter, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, was observed, along with increased levels of potentially pro-inflammatory taxa such as Alistipes indistinctus and UBA1819. These changes suggest that inflammatory and metabolic pathways linked to gut microbiota alterations may interact with hormonal dysregulation to influence cognitive outcomes.

This study integrates clinical, endocrine, cognitive, and microbiome data within a well-characterized cohort, strengthened by pre- and postoperative assessments and household-matched controls. By linking tumor lineage and microbiota alterations to cognitive impairment, it moves beyond traditional structural explanations and proposes a multifactorial model involving endocrine and gut–brain axis mechanisms. However, the modest sample size and cross-sectional microbiome design render the findings exploratory. Larger longitudinal studies are needed to clarify causality and to determine whether microbiota-targeted interventions could meaningfully enhance cognitive outcomes alongside surgical management.

In conclusion, cognitive impairment appears to be common among patients with PitNETs, particularly those with PIT1-lineage tumors. Cognitive dysfunction is more strongly associated with hormonal dysregulation and gut microbiota alterations than with conventional indicators of tumor burden. Surgical intervention is associated with measurable cognitive improvement, and modulation of the gut–brain axis may represent a promising future therapeutic avenue. Collectively, these findings provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the multifactorial basis of neurocognitive dysfunction in PitNET patients and open new directions for integrated treatment strategies aimed at improving neurological function and quality of life.

***

Reference
Title of original paper: Distinct gut microbial profile in PIT1 lineage PitNETs: a potential link to cognitive impairment
Journal: Chinese Neurosurgical Journal
DOI: 10.1186/s41016-025-00421-7

About Kunming Medical University
Kunming Medical University (KMU), located in Kunming, is a leading medical university in southwest China. Founded in 1933, it has developed into a comprehensive institution dedicated to medical education, research, and healthcare services. The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs across clinical medicine, public health, pharmacy, and biomedical sciences. KMU is affiliated with several teaching hospitals, including the First Affiliated Hospital, which serve as major centers for clinical training and research. With a strong emphasis on scientific innovation and regional health development, KMU plays a vital role in advancing medical education and healthcare in Yunnan Province and beyond.
Website: https://www.kmmu.edu.cn/

About Dr. Xingli Deng from Kunming Medical University
Dr. Xingli Deng is a neurosurgeon and researcher in the Department of Neurosurgery at The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China. His work focuses on pituitary neuroendocrine tumors and related neurosurgical diseases. He has co-authored peer-reviewed studies on tumor biology, molecular mechanisms, and clinical outcomes, including research on tumor invasiveness and cognitive function in affected patients. His research integrates clinical practice with translational neuroscience, contributing to improved understanding, diagnosis, and management of pituitary and other neurosurgical conditions.

Funding information
This study was supported by the Special Foundation Projects of Joint Applied Basic Research of Yunnan Provincial Department of Science and Technology
with Kunming Medical University (No. 202101AY070001-081), Yunnan Provincial Basic Research Program Project (No. 202301AT070096), Yunnan Provincial
High-level Health Talents Program (No. L2025025), and “Xingdian Talents” Support Project of Yunnan Province.

Yi Lu
Chinese Neurosurgical Journal
+861059978478 ext.
luyi617@sina.cn

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To optimize performance and reduce energy consumption, Kepak relied on Busch Vacuum Solutions, a partner they have worked with for around 15 years now.

ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND, March 9, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — When a family sets a premium cut of beef on the dinner table, or a restaurant serves a perfectly aged steak, few stop to think about how that meat stays fresh, safe, and full of flavor until it arrives at their plates. What ensures this quality is a technology that preserves freshness from the outset: vacuum packaging.

That process comes to life at Kepak McIntosh Donald just outside Aberdeen, one of Scotland’s largest red meat processors. Inside the plant, multiple vacuum packaging lines work tirelessly to ensure that fresh meat is securely packed, preserved, and ready for distribution. At the core of this large-scale operation lies one crucial element: reliable and efficient vacuum supply.

Making food packaging more efficient
To optimize performance and reduce energy consumption, Kepak relied on Busch Vacuum Solutions, a partner they have worked with for around 15 years now. Together, they implemented ECOTORQUE – the variable speed drive (VSD) technology from Busch, which they retrofitted to the facility’s existing R5 oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pumps. The results spoke for themselves: By matching the pumping speed to the actual vacuum requirements of the process, ECOTORQUE cut energy usage massively. This not only drove down operating costs but also delivered a major step toward Kepak’s ambitious sustainability and carbon reduction goals.
But the benefits did not stop there: With efficient vacuum pump operation and reduced strain on equipment, Kepak can look forward to lower maintenance requirements and extended service life for their vacuum pumps, ensuring reliability well into the future.

How vacuum packaging works at Kepak
At the heart of Kepak’s packaging process are four main vacuum packaging lines. Each line relies on advanced chamber-type vacuum packaging machines to remove air from packages prior to sealing. In each cycle, portions of meat are placed in barrier bags and loaded into the chamber. The machine lid then closes to seal the chamber, and a Busch R5 oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pump, along with a vacuum booster, evacuate the air until the required vacuum level is reached. Once achieved, sealing bars close the bags to create a hermetic seal. The chamber is then returned to atmospheric pressure, and the finished packs are removed for onward handling.
By removing oxygen, the process extends shelf life, prevents spoilage and oxidation, and helps preserve the color, texture, and taste that customers expect. Any downtime or inconsistent vacuum performance would directly impact production targets and product quality.
“Our packaging machines typically run from six in the morning until at least four in the afternoon,” explains Malcolm Baillie, Kepak’s Engineering Manager. “Uptime and reliability of the vacuum supply are absolutely essential to keep product moving.”

The challenge
Traditionally, the vacuum pumps at Kepak operated at a fixed speed of 50 Hz, running continuously regardless of demand. Even when packaging chambers stood idle and no vacuum was required, the vacuum pumps consumed the same amount of energy. ECOTORQUE changed this dynamic and introduced intelligent speed control. By adjusting pumping speed in real time, the system slowed down or switched into Eco-mode during idle phases. This not only cut unnecessary energy use and CO₂ emissions but also reduced mechanical wear by avoiding constant high-speed operation.
What first appeared to be a modest adjustment quickly proved to be a major efficiency gain. For pumps operating continuously through long production shifts, optimizing idle periods quickly translated into significant cost savings, greater operational efficiency, and tangible sustainability gains.

Identifying the opportunity
During a visit to Kepak’s plant, Busch experts recognized an opportunity to reduce the vacuum system’s energy use significantly. Rather than presenting a theoretical case, they proposed a practical demonstration: installing ECOTORQUE on one of the chamber packaging machines to measure the impact directly. “Busch didn’t come to us with just a sales pitch,” noted Malcolm Baillie. “They brought data and a trial plan to measure actual energy use before and after, so we could see the difference for ourselves.”
The trial involved setting up a power logger to monitor baseline energy consumption for a week. ECOTORQUE was then installed, enabling the rotary vane vacuum pump to dynamically adjust speed in response to real vacuum demand. A second week of measurements provided a clear before-and-after comparison. “The technical team from Busch stayed on site to fine-tune the VSD controls so they synchronized perfectly with the machine’s cycle,” added Malcolm Baillie. “That hands-on support is what really created value for us.”

Proven results in energy efficiency
The data spoke louder than any projection: Kepak’s trial showed weekly energy consumption dropping by more than 64%. During active production, energy savings reached around 26%. The biggest impact came during breaks: Thanks to Eco-mode, energy use dropped by an astonishing 94%, as the pump no longer consumed power when no vacuum was needed. Before ECOTORQUE, average power consumption of the vacuum pump during active production was 16 kW. After ECOTORQUE installation, this fell to just 11.8 kW. Across the trial week, this translated into savings of roughly 903 kWh – worth around £207 *, which translates to annual savings of around £10,350* for 1 machine. “The projections Busch provided were already attractive,” said Malcolm Baillie. “But the actual trial results were even better.”
*Based on an energy price of 23p per kWh and 50 weeks of production in a year.

Long-term reliability
The benefits went beyond energy savings. By avoiding continuous full-speed operation, mechanical wear on vanes, bearings, and other components was reduced. Lower oil temperatures slowed oil degradation, extending service intervals and cutting maintenance costs. Together, these factors help improve overall reliability and increase uptime, as the vacuum pumps are less likely to require unplanned maintenance. With ECOTORQUE in place, Kepak can keep its packaging lines running smoothly and consistently, reducing the risk of interruptions to production while also lowering the total cost-of-ownership. ECOTORQUE also provides flexibility to increase pump speed up to 60 Hz if required. This means that if production scales up, the same pump can deliver up to 20% higher capacity without additional investment in new equipment.

Driving sustainability
Kepak operates under ambitious group-wide sustainability goals, including reducing CO₂ footprint and improving energy efficiency. Initiatives like installing ECOTORQUE directly support these goals. “We are continually working with our sustainability teams to cut waste and improve efficiency,” explains Malcolm Baillie. “This project not only saves energy but also reduces our carbon impact per package.”
Following the successful trial, Kepak has rolled out ECOTORQUE to other suitable pumps on site and plans to extend the solution to additional Kepak locations, multiplying the benefits across the group.

Smooth implementation and expert support
For Kepak, the transition was seamless. Busch supplied the VSD, managed installation and commissioning, captured and analyzed the data, and produced a detailed performance report. Their technical experts also remained on site to fine-tune the system in real production conditions. For Kepak, ECOTORQUE proved to be far more than a simple energy-saving device. It generated measurable cost savings, supported both maintenance and sustainability goals, and showcased the impact of data-driven optimization. By reducing mechanical wear, it has also enhanced reliability. Reduced downtime and the ability to increase pump capacity can contribute directly to higher overall productivity. “This project paid for itself quickly and fits perfectly within our wider efficiency strategy,” concludes Malcolm Baillie.

Dr Sandra Thirtle-Höck
Busch Group
+49 4964 418021460
email us here

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