Emerging evidence suggests that dysbiosis of the gut microbiota is associated with the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. The microbiota-gut-brain axis plays a crucial role in the development and progression of PD, and numerous studies have demonstrated the potential therapeutic benefits of modulations in the intestinal microbiota. This review provides insights into the characterization of the gut microbiota in patients with PD and highlights associations with clinical symptoms and underlying mechanisms. The discussion underscores the increased influence of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of PD. While the relationship is not fully elucidated, existing research demonstrates a strong correlation between changes in the composition of gut microbiota and disease development, and further investigation is warranted to explain the specific underlying mechanisms.
Humans ; Parkinson Disease/microbiology* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology* ; Dysbiosis/microbiology*

BACKGROUND: Gait impairment is closely related to quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). This study aimed to explore alterations in brain microstructure in PD patients and healthy controls (HCs) and to identify the correlation of gait impairment in the ON and OFF states of patients with PD, respectively. METHODS: We enrolled 24 PD patients and 29 HCs from the Movement Disorders Program at Beijing Friendship Hospital Capital Medical University between 2019 and 2020. We acquired magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and processed the diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) images. Preprocessing of diffusion-weighted data was performed with Mrtrix3 software, using a directional distribution function to track participants' main white matter fiber bundles. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded. Quantitative gait and clinical scales were used to assess the status of medication ON and OFF in PD patients. RESULTS: The axial kurtosis (AK), mean kurtosis (MK), and radial kurtosis (RK) of five specific white matter fiber tracts, the bilateral corticospinal tract, left superior longitudinal fasciculus, left anterior thalamic radiation, forceps minor, and forceps major were significantly higher in PD patients compared to HCs. Additionally, the MK values were negatively correlated with Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) scores in both the ON and OFF in PD patients. Within the PD group, higher AK, MK, and RK values, whether the patients were ON or OFF, were associated with better gait performance (i.e., higher velocity and stride length). CONCLUSIONS PD exhibits characteristic regional patterns of white matter microstructural degradation. Correlations between objective gait parameters and DKI values suggest that dopamine-responsive gait function depends on preserved white matter microstructure. DKI-based Tract-Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) analysis may serve as a tool for evaluating PD-related motor impairments (e.g., gait impairment) and could yield potential neuroimaging biomarkers.
Humans ; Parkinson Disease/diagnostic imaging* ; White Matter/physiopathology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Gait/physiology* ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging/methods*

Radiopharmaceuticals operate by combining radionuclides with carriers. The radiation energy emitted by radionuclides is utilized to selectively irradiate diseased tissues while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. In comparison to external beam radiation therapy, radionuclide drugs demonstrate research potential due to their biological targeting capabilities and reduced normal tissue toxicity. This article reviews the applications and research progress of radiopharmaceuticals in cancer treatment. Several key radionuclides are examined, including ²²³Ra, ⁹⁰Y, Lutetium-177 (¹⁷⁷Lu), ²¹²Pb, and Actinium-225 (²²⁵Ac). It also explores the current development trends of radiopharmaceuticals, encompassing the introduction of novel radionuclides, advancements in imaging technologies, integrated diagnosis and treatment approaches, and equipment-medication combinations. We review the progress in the development of new treatments, such as neutron capture therapy, proton therapy, and heavy ion therapy. Furthermore, we examine the challenges and breakthroughs associated with the clinical translation of radiopharmaceuticals and provide recommendations for the research and development of novel radionuclide drugs.
Humans ; Radiopharmaceuticals/therapeutic use* ; Neoplasms/radiotherapy* ; Radioisotopes/therapeutic use* ; Animals

Deep brain stimulation(DBS),including optical stimulation and electrical stimulation,has been demonstrated considerable value in exploring pathological brain activity and developing treatments for neural disorders.Advances in DBS microsystems based on implantable microelectrode array(MEA)probes have opened up new opportunities for closed-loop DBS(CL-DBS)in situ.This technology can be used to detect damaged brain circuits and test the therapeutic potential for modulating the output of these circuits in a variety of diseases simultaneously.Despite the success and rapid utilization of MEA probe-based CL-DBS microsystems,key challenges,including excessive wired communication,need to be urgently resolved.In this review,we considered recent advances in MEA probe-based wireless CL-DBS microsystems and outlined the major issues and promising prospects in this field.This technology has the potential to offer novel therapeutic options for psychiatric disorders in the future.

Objective To investigate the impact of anti-reflux modified duodenal exclusion surgery on glucose metabolism in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to elucidate the role of the duodenum in maintaining glucose homeostasis. MethodsForty male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 5 weeks were fed a high-fat diet and induced with T2DM using low-dose streptozotocin. Thirty-six rats that met the T2DM model criteria were randomly divided into three groups: the simple duodenal exclusion surgery group (DE group), the anti-reflux modified duodenal exclusion group (MDE group), and the sham operation group (SO group), with 12 rats in each group. Gastroenterography was performed 4 weeks after surgery, and the body weight, fasting blood glucose levels, and serum glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) concentrations were measured before surgery and at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks post-surgery. Eight weeks post-surgery, the rats were euthanized, and a 1 cm segment of the biliopancreatic loop was collected from each group for pathological sectioning and HE staining to observe the intestinal mucosal villus length under an optical microscope. Results Gastroenterography showed that there was significant reflux of the contrast agent into the duodenal lumen in the DE group, while no reflux was observed in the MDE group. At one week post-surgery, the body weights of rats in all three groups significantly decreased compared to before surgery (P<0.05), and then the body weights of all groups increased over time, with no significant differences between the groups (P>0.05). Compared with the SO group, the fasting blood glucose levels in the MDE and DE groups significantly decreased at all time points post-surgery (P<0.05), while GLP-1 concentrations significantly increased (P<0.05). The fasting blood glucose levels in the MDE group were lower than those in the DE group at all time points post-surgery (P<0.05), but there were no significant differences in serum GLP-1 concentrations between the MDE and DE groups (P>0.05). Regarding intestinal mucosal morphology, the villus lengths of the biliopancreatic loops in the MDE group were significantly shorter than those in the DE and SO groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Anti-reflux modified duodenal exclusion surgery effectively improves glucose metabolism in T2DM rats by preventing the reflux of chyme into the diverted duodenum, thereby enhancing its hypoglycemic effect.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of overweight and obesity (overweight/obesity) on symptom severity and quality of life in Chinese patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was used to collect general data on height, weight, gender and age of 435 FMS patients who visited the rheumatology clinic of Guang 'anmen Hospital from October 2018 to December 2021. The numbers of tender points, widespread pain index and symptom severity scale were used as diagnostic indicators of the disease. The pain visual analogue scale, Beck depression inventory, perceived stress scale (PSS), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and multidimensional fatigue scale were used to assess the severity of pain and negative emotions, stress perception, sleep quality, and fatigue symptoms of this disease. The revised fibromyalgia impact questionnaire, fibromyalgia symptom scale (FS) and quality of life assessment scale (36 item short-form health survey, SF-36) were used to evaluate the overall condition and quality of life of the FMS patients. At the same time, 50 healthy volunteers matched in gender and age were recruited as the control group. Covariance analysis was used to explore the effects of overweight/obesity on the FMS patients after adjusting for age and gender. RESULTS: According to the Chinese body mass index (BMI) standard, there were 242 (59%) and 170 (41%) FMS patients in the normal weight group and overweight/obesity group, respectively, with average BMI of (21.66±1.42) kg/m² and (26.25±1.83) kg/m², respectively. Compared with the normal weight FMS patients, the overweight/obesity patients had higher PSS scores (P=0.010), PSQI sub-dimension sleep efficiency scores (P < 0.001) and FS scores (P=0.025), and lower SF-36 sub-dimension physical functioning scores (P=0.041). However, there were no statistical differences in the above indicators between normal weight and overweight/obesity patients in the healthy control group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION Compared with normal-weight FMS patients, overweight/obesity patients have higher levels of perceived stress, lower sleep efficiency, and more severe fibromyalgia symptoms, as well as a low quality of life characterized by decreased physiological function. It is important for overweight/obesity FMS patients to control BMI actively in order to improve sleep efficiency, psychological state, physical functioning, and the overall condition.
Humans ; Fibromyalgia/psychology* ; Quality of Life ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Overweight/psychology* ; Obesity/psychology* ; Female ; Male ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Pain Measurement ; Severity of Illness Index ; Fatigue/etiology* ; Sleep Quality ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Depression/psychology*

Uveal melanoma (UM) poses a significant lethality, with approximately 50% of those developing metastases surviving less than one year. In the progression of UM, vasculogenic mimicry (VM) induced by hypoxia plays a pivotal role, which also partially explains the resistance of UM to anti-angiogenic therapies. Nevertheless, the crucial molecular mechanisms underlying VM in the progression of UM remain unclear. We identified ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2 G2 (UBE2G2) as a critical suppressor through transcriptomic sequencing and metastasis correlation screening. In UM, hypoxia-induced VM and metastasis are markedly exacerbated by UBE2G2 knockdown and significantly alleviated by its overexpression. Mechanistically, UBE2G2 directly binds to galectin 3 binding protein (LGALS3BP) and forms a complex with the E3 ubiquitin ligase tripartite motif containing 38 (TRIM38), facilitating ubiquitination-mediated degradation of LGALS3BP at the K104 residue. Furthermore, UBE2G2 inhibits oncogenic phenotypes by inactivating intracellular PI3K/AKT signaling and reprogramming the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, targeting intercellular and intracellular molecular mechanisms of the hypoxia-UBE2G2-LGALS3BP axis may contribute to developing various therapeutic strategies for UM.

Objective:To investigate the effect of Stigma Maydis Palysaccharide(SMPS)on ATP synthesis in kidney mitochondria of D-galactose-induced aging mice, and to clarify its possible mechanism.Methods:The aging mouse model was established by subcutaneous injection of D-galactose solution in the back of the neck.The 48 SPF male mice were randomly divided into normal control group(control group), D-galactose model group(D-Gal group), SMPS low-dose group and SMPS high-dose group(n=12 for each). The control group was subcutaneously injected with 150 mg/kg normal saline on the back of the neck every day, while the other three groups were subcutaneously injected with 150 mg/kg of D-gal solution on the back of the neck every day.SMPS-L and-H dose groups were given 30 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg of SMPS solution by gavage at the same day of D-Gal injection.The control group and D-GAL group were given the same volume of normal saline daily by gavage for 42 days.Blood samples were collected from the eyeball under general anesthesia after 42 days of intervention for the detection of serum levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD), glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)and MDA.After harvesting the kidney tissue, various tests were used to detect ATP content, the mRNA expression levels and protein expression levels in kidney.Luciferase assay was used to detect ATP content in renal tissue.Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of succinate dehydrogenase(SDH)of complex Ⅱ, cytochrome C reductase(Cycs)of complex Ⅲ, complex Ⅳ(COXⅣ)and ATP5b in ATP synthase in mitochondrial oxidative respiratory chain.Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of mitochondrial fusion protein 2(MFN2), dynamin-related protein1(DRP1)and mitochondrial autophagy related protein P62 in renal tissues of each group.Results:Compared with control group, the activities of serum of SOD(116.53±10.01)U/mg and GSH-Px(127.58±8.74)μmol/L were significantly decreased in D-GAL group(both P< 0.01), and serum MDA content(15.42±0.91)μmol/L increased significantly in D-GAL group( P<0.01). Compared with D-GAL group, the activities of SOD(152.80±9.29)U/mg and GSH-Px(274.07±10.73)μmol/L were significantly increased in SMPS intervention group( P< 0.01), while the MDA content(8.10±0.66)μmol/L decreased significantly in SMPS intervention group( P< 0.01). Compared with control group, the content of ATP(178±4)10 -4 μmol in D-gal group was significantly decreased( P<0.01), the mRNA expression levels of SDH, Cycs and COXⅣ were not significantly changed in D-gal group, and the mRNA expression level of ATP5b(0.67±0.01)was down-regulated in D-gal group( P<0.01), the expression of MFN2 protein(0.29±0.02)was significantly decreased in D-gal group( P<0.01), and the expression of DRP1 and P62 protein(0.31±0.02 and 0.21±0.01)was significantly increased in D-gal group(both P<0.01). Compared with the D-gal group, the ATP content(193±1)10 -4 μmol in the kidney tissue of the mice was significantly increased in SMPS intervention group( P< 0.01), and the ATP5b mRNA expression and MFN2 protein expression(0.87±0.05 and 0.71±0.08)were significantly increased in SMPS intervention group(both P< 0.01), DRP1 and P62 protein expressions(0.20±0.01 and 0.10±0.01)were significantly down-regulated in in SMPS intervention group(both P< 0.01). Conclusions:SMPS can improve the mitochondrial dynamic homeostasis disorder in aging mice by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, up-regulating the expression of ATP5b mRNA and MFN2 protein, down-regulating the expression of DRP1 and P62 protein, and promoting the generation of mitochondrial ATP in D-gal-induced aging mice kidney tissue.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of sexuality education for parents of preschoolers, to provide a basis for sexuality educational programs in rural settings. Methods: This community intervention trial chose four kindergartens in Jiangyang District of Luzhou City as the intervention group and other four kindergartens in Jiangyou City of Mianyang City of Sichuan Province as the control group. Sexuality education for parents was carried out in the intervention group, and the control group received routine arrangement. The baseline survey was conducted from March to May 2019, and the final survey was conducted in December 2019. The investigators conducted a face to face or self filled questionnaires among each parent who agreed to participate in the survey by using the self designed questionnaire "Research on Current Situation and Countermeasures of Early Childhood Sexuality Education in Rural Areas (Parent)". Results: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference in the basic information of parents and their children, and the situation of early childhood sexuality education between the intervention group and the control group( P > 0.05 ). After intervention, parents of the intervention group and the control group showed differences in correct rate of the knowledge regarding early childhood sexuality education (41.5%，32.1%), proportion of recognition of parental responsibility (90.7%， 81.3 %), sexuality education in the family (55.7%，45.9%), sexuality education in schools (70.2%，39.1%) and attitude behavior consistency (28.9%，16.3%) ( χ 2=4.05，8.05，4.17，42.48，9.59， P <0.05). Conclusion Sexuality education towards parents is effective through improving knowledge, responsibility, the implementation of sexuality education in the family, and attitude behavior consistency among parents.

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility of Full-stack Smart Pelvic Floor Ultrasound (FSPFU) software in the acquisition and measurement of the minimal levator hiatus (LH).Methods:Transperineal pelvic floor ultrasonography was performed in 119 women of 6-month postpartum from Nov.2020 to Jan.2021 of Shenzhen Second People′s Hospital. Mid-sagittal plane of pelvic floor was set as the initial plane, and the three-dimensional volume data was acquired. The dataset was stored in the machine. The offline volume data was manually adjusted to obtain the minimal LH images and measured by four physicians (two junior physicians as the D1 group and two senior physicians as the D2 group). For comparison, the results were also obtained using the fully automated method—the FSPFU software by a junior physician (the D3 group). The obtained parameters of minimal LH included area, circumference, anterioposterior diameter, transverse diameter, left and right levator-urethral gap distance. Analysis time was recorded for each group. The contours of minimal LH were outlined by three groups and the overlapping rate was calculated. The quality of the resulted images was evaluated and scored by another two senior physicians(A and B) independently.Results:The D3 group had a significant shorter analysis time compared with the other two groups, and the D1 group took a longer time than the D2 group, regardless of the cystocele severity (D1: 82.97 s, D2: 62.51 s, D3: 2.71 s, all P<0.05). The intergroup agreements and correlations of the minimum LH area were good (all ICC>0.85, rs>0.70, P<0.001) and the outlined contours were largely overlapped (>92%). There was no significant difference in image quality among the three groups(all P>0.05). Conclusions:FSPFU software can automatically obtain and measure the minimum LH in an efficient and accurate way, which can improve the effectiveness of the present pelvic floor examination. FSPFU software can be an useful tool in the diagnosis of pelvic floor dysfunctional diseases.