1.Erk Signaling Pathway in Striatal D2-MSNs: an Essential Pathway for Exercise-induced Improvement in Parkinson’s Disease
Bo GAO ; Yi-Ning LAI ; Yi-Tong GE ; Wei CHEN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):61-71
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), primarily manifesting as motor dysfunctions such as resting tremor, muscle rigidity, and bradykinesia. According to the classical model of basal ganglia motor control, approximately half of the medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the striatum are D1-MSNs, which constitute the direct pathway. These neurons express D1-dopamine receptor (D1R) and substance P, and they mainly participate in the selection, initiation, and execution of movements. The other half are D2-MSNs, which constitute the indirect pathway. These neurons express D2-dopamine receptor (D2R) and adenosine 2A receptors and are involved in inhibiting unnecessary movements or terminating ongoing movements, thereby adjusting movement sequences to perform more precise motor behaviors. The direct pathway in the striatum modulates the activity of motor cortex neurons by exciting D1-MSNs through neurotransmitters such as glutamate (Glu), allowing the motor cortex to send signals more freely to the motor system, thus facilitating the generation and execution of specific motor behaviors. Studies using D1-Cre and D2-Cre mice with neurons labeled for D1R and D2R have shown that both types of neurons are involved in the execution of movements, with D1-MSNs participating in movement initiation and D2-MSNs in inhibiting actions unrelated to the target movement. These findings suggest that the structural and functional plasticity of D1-MSNs and D2-MSNs in the basal ganglia circuitry enables motor learning and behavioral regulation. Additionally, when SNpc DA neurons begin to degenerate, D1-MSNs are initially affected but do not immediately cause motor impairments. In contrast, when D2-MSNs undergo pathological changes, they are first activated by upstream projecting neurons, leading to the inhibition of most motor behaviors and resulting in motor dysfunction. Therefore, it is hypothesized that motor impairments such as bradykinesia and initiation difficulties are more closely related to the functional activity of D2-MSNs. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway has been identified as a critical modulator in the pathophysiology of PD. Recent findings indicate that Erk/MAPK signaling pathway can mediate DA and Glu signaling in the central nervous system, maintaining normal functional activity of striatal MSNs and influencing the transmission of motor control signals. Within this complex regulatory network, the Erk/MAPK signaling pathway plays a key role in transmitting motor information to downstream neurons, regulating normal movements, avoiding unnecessary movements, and finely tuning motor behaviors. Our laboratory’s previous research found that 4 weeks of aerobic exercise intervention improved motor dysfunction in PD mice by inhibiting the Erk1/2 signaling upstream of striatal MSNs, primarily involving the Erk1/2 signaling in D2-MSNs rather than D1-MSNs. This review summarizes the neurobiological mechanisms of Erk/MAPK signaling pathway in D2-MSNs for the prevention and treatment of motor dysfunction in PD. By exploring the role of this signaling pathway in regulating motor abnormalities and preventing motor dysfunction in the central nervous system of PD, this review provides new theoretical perspectives for related mechanistic research and therapeutic strategies.
2.Multi-evidence Integration Methodology for Traditional Chinese Medicine: the MERGE Framework
Honghao LAI ; Zhe WANG ; Ying LI ; Wenjing TANG ; Beibei WANG ; Peidong SUN ; Mingyao SUN ; Jiajie HUANG ; Zhipan XIAO ; Ying LI ; Chen ZHAO ; Hongcai SHANG ; Kehu YANG ; Jie LIU ; Long GE
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2024;15(1):172-182
In the era of evidence-based medicine, it is necessary to explore the unique advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) based on standardized technical methods and operating procedures in order to achieve the modernization and internationalization of TCM and benefit all humanity. The proposal of a three-pronged evidence system combining TCM theory, human experience and experimental evidence marks an important progress in the thinking method of the TCM evaluation system. The multi-evidence body integrated through appropriate methods provides a strong support for the clinical guideline recommendations and evidence-based health decision-making in TCM. Based on the current methodological progress of international evidence synthesis and grading, this paper proposes a novel approach for integrating multi-evidence in TCM: the MERGE framework. The aim is to establish a solid foundation for the development of this methodology and provide guidance for the advancement of evidence-based medicine framework in TCM.
3.Genotype-phenotype analysis of Fabry disease caused by GLA gene variation in a pedigree
Zhuhui GE ; Zhihong LU ; Xiaodan PAN ; Tingting LAI ; Miaojuan YANG ; Huaqin YANG ; Huibin ZHANG ; Guangyin LI ; Zhangqiao DAI ; Jianhua MAO
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2024;62(4):345-350
Objective:To investigate the clinical phenotype and genetic characteristics of patients with Fabry disease caused by a GLA variant, IVS4+919G>A.Methods:It was a prospective study. Fabry disease screening was conducted among high-risk population in Ninghai from October 2021 to August 2023. Those children with decreased α-galactosidase enzyme activity<2.40 μmol/(L·h) or elavated Lyso-GL-3 level>1.10 μg/L in dried blood spot (DBS) method underwent GLA genetic testing for diagnosis confirmation. Meanwhile, family screening was carried out. A proband and his family members diagnosed with Fabry disease were research subjects. The clinical and genetic characteristics of patients with Fabry disease caused by the GLA variant (IVS4+919G>A) were analyzed.Results:The female proband aged 9.8 years with pain in both lower limbs as the initial symptom was found to have a heterozygous GLA variant IVS4+919G>A among 102 patients. In family screening, there were 4 family members (proband's father, elder sister, elder male cousin and elder female cousin) with Fabry disease and a family member (proband's fifth aunt) with a GLA variant. Among these 4 diagnosed family members, the elder male cousin of the proband, a boy aged 13.2 years had a heterozygous GLA variant, IVS4+919G>A with intermittent pain in both lower limbs as the initial symptom. The proband′s father had knee joint pain. The proband′s elder sister had decreased vision and his elder female cousin had no obvious symptoms. The proband′s fifth aunt with a GLA variant had decreased vision.Conclusions:High-risk screening in children and family screening are helpful for early diagnosis and treatment of Fabry disease. Neuropathic pain may be a early symptom in children with Fabry disease caused by the GLA variant, IVS4+919G>A.
4.An intelligent model for classifying supraventricular tachycardia mechanisms based on 12-lead wearable electrocardiogram devices
Hongsen WANG ; Lijie MI ; Yue ZHANG ; Lan GE ; Jiewei LAI ; Tao CHEN ; Jian LI ; Xiangmin SHI ; Jiancheng XIU ; Min TANG ; Wei YANG ; Jun GUO
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(5):851-858
Objective To develop an intelligent model for differential diagnosis of atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia(AVNRT)and atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia(AVRT)using 12-lead wearable electrocardiogram devices.Methods A total of 356 samples of 12-lead supraventricular tachycardia(SVT)electrocardiograms recorded by wearable devices were randomly divided into training and validation sets using 5-fold cross validation to establish the intelligent classification model,and 101 patients with the diagnosis of SVT undergoing electrophysiological studies and radiofrequency ablation from October,2021 to March,2023 were selected as the testing set.The changes in electrocardiogram parameters before and during induced tachycardia were compared.Based on multiscale deep neural network,an intelligent diagnosis model for classifying SVT mechanisms was constructed and validated.The 3-lead electrocardiogram signals from Ⅱ,Ⅲ,and V1 were extracted to build new classification models,whose diagnostic efficacy was compared with that of the 12-lead model.Results Of the 101 patients with SVT in the testing set,68 were diagnosed with AVNRT and 33 were diagnosed with AVRT by electrophysiological study.The pre-trained model achieved a high area under the precision-recall curve(0.9492)and F1 score(0.8195)for identifying AVNRT in the validation set.The total F1 scores of the lead Ⅱ,Ⅲ,V1,3-lead and 12-lead intelligent diagnostic models in the testing set were 0.5597,0.6061,0.3419,0.6003 and 0.6136,respectively.Compared with the 12-lead classification model,the lead-Ⅲ model had a net reclassification index improvement of-0.029(P=0.878)and an integrated discrimination index improvement of-0.005(P=0.965).Conclusion The intelligent diagnostic model based on multiscale deep neural network using wearable electrocardiogram devices has an acceptable accuracy for classifying SVT mechanisms.
5.An intelligent model for classifying supraventricular tachycardia mechanisms based on 12-lead wearable electrocardiogram devices
Hongsen WANG ; Lijie MI ; Yue ZHANG ; Lan GE ; Jiewei LAI ; Tao CHEN ; Jian LI ; Xiangmin SHI ; Jiancheng XIU ; Min TANG ; Wei YANG ; Jun GUO
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(5):851-858
Objective To develop an intelligent model for differential diagnosis of atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia(AVNRT)and atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia(AVRT)using 12-lead wearable electrocardiogram devices.Methods A total of 356 samples of 12-lead supraventricular tachycardia(SVT)electrocardiograms recorded by wearable devices were randomly divided into training and validation sets using 5-fold cross validation to establish the intelligent classification model,and 101 patients with the diagnosis of SVT undergoing electrophysiological studies and radiofrequency ablation from October,2021 to March,2023 were selected as the testing set.The changes in electrocardiogram parameters before and during induced tachycardia were compared.Based on multiscale deep neural network,an intelligent diagnosis model for classifying SVT mechanisms was constructed and validated.The 3-lead electrocardiogram signals from Ⅱ,Ⅲ,and V1 were extracted to build new classification models,whose diagnostic efficacy was compared with that of the 12-lead model.Results Of the 101 patients with SVT in the testing set,68 were diagnosed with AVNRT and 33 were diagnosed with AVRT by electrophysiological study.The pre-trained model achieved a high area under the precision-recall curve(0.9492)and F1 score(0.8195)for identifying AVNRT in the validation set.The total F1 scores of the lead Ⅱ,Ⅲ,V1,3-lead and 12-lead intelligent diagnostic models in the testing set were 0.5597,0.6061,0.3419,0.6003 and 0.6136,respectively.Compared with the 12-lead classification model,the lead-Ⅲ model had a net reclassification index improvement of-0.029(P=0.878)and an integrated discrimination index improvement of-0.005(P=0.965).Conclusion The intelligent diagnostic model based on multiscale deep neural network using wearable electrocardiogram devices has an acceptable accuracy for classifying SVT mechanisms.
6.Effects of collagen modification on the osteogenic performance of different surface-modified titanium samples in vitro Tab 1 Primer sequences for osteogenic differentiation-related genes
Danni DONG ; Yanling HUANG ; Yingzhen LAI ; Ge YIN
West China Journal of Stomatology 2024;42(4):452-461
Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of collagen modification on the osteogenic performance of different surface-modified titanium,including alkaline etching,alkaline etching followed by silaniza-tion,and alkaline etching followed by dopamine modifi-cation.The proliferation,adhesion,and osteogenic differ-entiation abilities of MC3T3-E1 cells on the surfaces with collagen modification were analyzed and compared.Methods Collagen was immobilized on the surfaces of pure titanium(Ti-C),alkaline-etched titanium(Ti-Na-C),alkaline-etched and silanized titanium(Ti-A-C),and alkaline-etched and dopamine-modified titanium(Ti-D-C),with pure titanium(Ti)as the control group.The surface morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and the surface elemental composition was analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS).Contact angle measurements were conducted to evaluate the hydrophilicity of the surfaces.MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured on the surfaces,and their proliferation,adhesion,and osteogenic differentiation abilities were assessed using CCK-8 assay,laser scanning confocal microscope,alkaline phosphatase(ALP)staining,Alizarin red staining and quantitative analysis,as well as real-time quan-titative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)to evaluate the mRNA expression levels of osteogenic-related genes,includ-ing ALP,typeⅠcollagen(COL-1),osteocalcin(OCN),osteopontin(OPN).Results SEM and XPS results confirmed the successful immobilization of collagen on the titanium surfaces,with the Ti-Na-C group exhibiting a higher amount of col-lagen modification.Contact angle measurements showed improved hydrophilicity of the surfaces after collagen modifica-tion.CCK-8 results indicated good compatibility of the materials with MC3T3-E1,with enhanced cell proliferation on the collagen-modified surfaces.Cell fluorescence staining revealed better cell spreading on the collagen-modified surfaces,and ALP and Alizarin red staining results suggested that the Ti-Na-C group exhibited the best osteogenic performance,with significantly higher absorbance values in the Alizarin red quantification analysis.RT-qPCR analysis showed that the Ti-Na-C group had the highest expression of the osteogenic-related gene OPN.Conclusion Among the different colla-gen modification approaches employed in this study,collagen modification on alkaline-etched titanium surfaces showed the most conducive effects on MC3T3-E1 cell adhesion,spreading,proliferation,and osteogenic differentiation.This ap-proach can be considered as the optimal collagen modification strategy for enhancing osteogenesis on titanium surfaces.
7.Analysis of five Chinese individuals with rare thalassemia mutation HBB: c. 93-21G>A
Guangkuan ZENG ; Yiyuan GE ; Xiaomin MA ; Xiaohua YU ; Bairu LAI ; Yuwei LIAO ; Lili LIU ; Yanbin CAO ; Yanqing ZENG ; Yuchan HUANG ; Jianlian LIANG ; Liye YANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2024;41(10):1171-1175
Objective:To explore the hematological phenotype and genotypic characteristics of five Chinese individuals with a rare thalassemia mutation HBB: c. 93-21G>A. Methods:A retrospective study was carried out on five individuals identified by the People′s Hospital of Yangjiang and Guangzhou Hybribio Co., Ltd. from May 2018 to September 2022. Routine blood test and hemoglobin electrophoresis were performed, and the genotypes of five subjects were determined by using PCR combined with reverse dot blotting (RDB), nested PCR, Gap-PCR and Sanger sequencing. This study was approved by Medical Ethics Cornmittee of the People′s Hospital of Yangjiang (Ethics No. 20240001).Results:Among the five individuals, hematological data of one was unavailable, and the remaining four had presented with microcytosis and hypochromia. The results of hemoglobin electrophoresis indicated that all of them had a HbA 2 level of ≥4.7%. Genetic analysis showed that one case had harbored compound heterozygous mutations of ααα anti3.7 triplet and HBB: c. 93-21G>A, one had compound heterozygous mutations of -α 3.7 and HBB: c. 93-21G>A, whilst the remaining three were heterozygous for the HBB: c. 93-21G>A mutation. Conclusion:The hematological phenotype of β-thalassemia carriers ( HBB: c. 93-21G>A) is similar to that of other β + thalassemia heterozygotes with mild β-thalassemia characteristics.
8.Clinical study of central nervous system complications associated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Tonglin HU ; Zhen SHANG ; Yang CAO ; Yicheng ZHANG ; Fankai MENG ; Yang YANG ; Jue WANG ; Donghua ZHANG ; Linjing LAI ; Shan LIU ; Hangping GE ; Yi XIAO
Chinese Journal of Organ Transplantation 2023;44(11):675-681
Objective:To explore the risk factors and outcomes of central nervous system(CNS)complications associated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT).Methods:A total of 550 recipient after HSCT in the department of hematology of Tongji Hospital affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January 1 2019 to August 31 2021were enrolled.According to the occurrence of CNS complications, they were divided into the CNS group(24 cases)and the non CNS group(526 cases). The clinical information and prognosis were compared.We further analyzed the risk factors associated with CNS complications, and conducted multivariate logistic regression on statistically significant indicators.Cox regression analysis is conducted on prognostic factors such as age, gender and risk degree.Results:A total of 550 recipients were enrolled, of which 330 underwent allo-HSCT, and others received auto-HSCT.A total of 24 cases (4.36%)had CNS complications, of which 4 cases had 2 types of CNS complications.The type of CNS complications included intracranial infection(8 cases, 28.57%), transplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy(TA-TMA)(6 cases, 21.43%), central tumor invasion(4 cases, 14.29%), intracranial hemorrhage(4 cases, 14.29%), leucodystrophy(2 cases, 7.14%)and unexplained encephalopathy(4 cases, 14.29%). Logistic regression analysis of risk factors related to CNS complications showed that, Platelet implantation time( β=0.084, OR=1.088, P=0.048), CMV infection( β=1.295, OR=3.65, P=0.008)is positively correlated with the occurrence of CNS complications in HSCT recipients but age( β=-0.052, OR=0.949, P=0.004)is negatively correlated with it.Nine of the 24 cases(37.50%)who experienced CNS complications died, including 3 cases of intracranial infection, 3 cases of cerebral hemorrhage, 2 cases of TMA, and 1 case of unexplained encephalopathy.Platelet implantation time is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis of CNS complications in HSCT recipients. Conclusions:Our results indicated that, age, CMV infection and platelet implantation time were associated with the occurrence of CNS complications after HSCT.Platelet implantation time is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis of CNS complications in HSCT recipients.
9.Vitruvian Plot: A Visual Tool for Intuitive Display of Evidence Summarization Results
Honghao LAI ; Mingyao SUN ; Ying LI ; Jiajie HUANG ; Jianing LIU ; Bei PAN ; Jinhui TIAN ; Long GE
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2023;15(3):668-675
The development of clinical practice guidelines involves a series of evidence-based decision-making processes, of which the formation of recommendations is particularly challenging. It demands decision-makers to have a thorough and precise understanding of the evidence, weigh the potential benefits and risks of interventions, and make valuable judgments and clinical choices. Compared to traditional approaches of presenting evidence information, the use of visualization tools can facilitate the communication and analysis of evidence, simplify information interpretation, and improve the efficiency of decision-making. Based on previousstudies, this paper proposes a visualization tool, vitruvian plot, for summarizing evidence and provides illustrative examples to demonstrate its usage and effects, with the aim of offering valuable guidance for researchers.
10.The Brain Structure Volume Estimation Based on Synthetic MRI in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Wei-feng HOU ; Shu SU ; Ying-qian CHEN ; Long QIAN ; Yan-lai TANG ; Li-bin HUANG ; Zhi-yun YANG ; Li-ping LIN
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2023;44(2):271-276
ObjectiveCentral nervous system (CNS) infiltration commonly occurs in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Early subclinical CNS infiltration in pediatric ALL is hard to detect with conventional methods. This study aimed to investigate the changes of brain structure volume parameters based on Synthetic MRI (SyMRI) in pediatric ALL without clinically diagnosed CNS infiltration. MethodsThirty-six ALL and twenty-nine typically developing (TD) children were prospectively collected and all underwent SyMRI. The Synthetic MR software was used to obtain brain volumetric parameters including total white matter volume (WMV), gray matter volume (GMV), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume, etc. and their within-group differences were assessed by analysis of covariance. The Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation between biological characteristics and statistically significant brain volume parameters. ResultsALL children showed increased CSF volume (PFDR-corrected = 0.009) and decreased GMV (PFDR-corrected = 0.027) when compared to TD children. We also found a moderately negative association between GMV/intracranial volume and risk classification in pediatric ALL (rs = -0.380, P = 0.022). ConclusionsPediatric ALL without clinically diagnosed CNS infiltration presented with accumulation of CSF and reduction of gray matter. The brain volumetric changes in subclinical CNS infiltration of pediatric ALL provides a new attempt for exploring the underlying mechanism and early detection of CNS infiltration in pediatric ALL.

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