1.Impact of vestibular dysfunction on cognitive function
Ruiqi ZHANG ; Yanli ZHAO ; Dongmei ZHANG ; Wenyan LI ; Peixia WU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(2):218-224
Objective To investigate the impact of vestibular dysfunction on various domains of cognitive function, providing a basis for developing comprehensive vestibular-cognitive intervention strategies. Methods A total of 33 patients with confirmed unilateral vestibular dysfunction treated at Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University between June 2024 and December 2024. Vestibular function was assessed using vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP), caloric testing, video head impulse test (vHIT), and sensory organization test (SOT). Cognitive function was evaluated using mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), Stroop color-word test, trail making test (TMT), and auditory verbal learning test (AVLT). Subjective symptoms were assessed using dizziness handicap inventory (DHI). Results In the vestibular function assessment of patients, abnormalities in caloric testing, utricle VEMP and saccule VEMP results were most common, with rates of 87.9%, 57.6%, and 66.7%, respectively; SOT abnormality primarily characterized by impaired vestibular function (21.2%). Spearman correlation analysis showed age, years of education, hearing ability, and emotional state were associated with overall or specific domains of cognitive function in patients. Greater vestibular dysfunction severity was associated with longer TMT-A time (r=0.443,P=0.010), most severe damage of short-term (r=-0.405,P=0.019) and long-term delayed recalls (r=-0.537,P=0.001). Patients with 31-60 of DHI scores showed longer TMT-A time than patients with 0-30 of DHI scores (P=0.033). Conclusions Patients with vestibular dysfunction exhibit significant impairment in low-frequency semicircular canal and utricle function, which affects attention allocation, information processing speed, and memory performance in cognitive tasks.
2.Risk factors of complications in facial autologous fat transplantation
Qian WU ; Haina PEI ; Guiwen ZHOU ; Qiang FU ; Ruiqi BAI ; Peixuan ZHANG ; Minliang CHEN
Chinese Journal of Medical Aesthetics and Cosmetology 2025;31(5):496-501
Objective:To explore the risk factors for complications of facial autologous fat transplantation.Methods:A total of 51 female patients (case group) with moderate to severe complications following facial autologous fat transplantation at the Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from November 2016 to October 2022 were included in this retrospective study. The median age was 31.0 (27.0, 40.0) years. After age and surgical date were matched with ratio of 1∶1, a total of 51 female patients who received autologous fat transplants at several official medical facilities and experienced no complications within a year after the procedure made up the control group. The median age of the control group was 32.0 (26.0, 41.0) years. The clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared, and the factors for complications of facial autologous fat transplantation were examined using a multivariate logistic regression model.Results:In the case group, complications included facial artery embolism (7 cases), ophthalmic artery embolism (19 cases), infection (19 cases), and fat necrosis (6 cases), with 26 severe and 25 moderate cases. No significant differences were found between the two groups in age, body mass index (BMI), marital status, history of hypertension, infectious diseases, allergies, smoking, or alcohol consumption (all P>0.05). However, significant differences were observed in a history of facial surgery, perimenstrual phase, surgical site, and fat donor site (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a history of facial surgery ( OR=17.289, 95% CI: 4.851-61.616, P<0.001) and the surgical site being a clinic/outpatient department (compared to a hospital, OR=7.708, 95% CI: 2.482-23.939, P<0.001) were risk factors for postoperative complications after facial autologous fat transplantation. Conclusion:A history of facial surgery and the surgical site being a clinic/outpatient department (compared to a hospital) are risk factors for complications of facial autologous fat transplantation.
3.Effect of electroacupuncture on learning and memory abilities in vascular dementia rats via the NCOA4/FTH1 signaling pathway-mediated ferritinophagy.
Wei SUN ; Yinghua CHEN ; Tong WU ; Hongxu ZHAO ; Haoyu WANG ; Ruiqi QIN ; Xiaoqing SU ; Junfeng LI ; Yuanyu SONG ; Yue MIAO ; Xinran LI ; Yusheng HAN
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(9):1271-1280
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the effect of electroacupuncture at "Sishencong" (EX-HN1) and "Fengchi" (GB20) on hippocampal neuronal ferritinophagy mediated by the nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4)/ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) signaling pathway in vascular dementia (VD) rats, and to explore the potential mechanisms of electroacupuncture for VD.
METHODS:
A total of 60 male rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into a blank group (12 rats), a sham surgery group (12 rats) and a modeling group (36 rats). In the modeling group, the modified 4-vessel occlusion method was used to establish the VD model. The 24 successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group and an electroacupuncture group, with 12 rats in each group. In the electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture was applied at left and right "Sishencong" (EX-HN1), and bilateral "Fengchi" (GB20), with continuous wave, in frequency of 2 Hz and current intensity of 1 mA, 30 min a time, once daily for 21 consecutive days. The learning and memory abilities were assessed using the Morris water maze test before modeling, after modeling and after intervention, as well as the novel object recognition test after intervention. After intervention, the neuronal morphology in the hippocampus was observed by Nissl staining; the iron deposition was observed by Prussian blue staining; the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was detected by dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescence staining; the levels of iron, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the hippocampal tissue were measured by the colorimetric assay, TBA method, and WST-1 method, respectively; the positive expression of NCOA4, FTH1 and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) was detected by immunohistochemistry; the protein expression of NCOA4, FTH1, GPX4, and the ratio of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B) Ⅱ/Ⅰ in the hippocampus were detected by Western blot.
RESULTS:
Compared with the sham surgery group, in the model group, the escape latency was prolonged, and the number of platform crossings reduced (P<0.01), the recognition index (RI) was decreased (P<0.01); the hippocampal neurons displayed a blurred laminar structure, disorganized cellular arrangement, and the number of Nissl bodies was decreased (P<0.01); the percentage of iron deposition area in the hippocampus was increased (P<0.01); in the hippocampus, the levels of ROS, iron, MDA, and the protein expression of NCOA4, as well as the LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio were increased (P<0.01), the SOD level, and the protein expression of FTH1 and GPX4 were decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the electroacupuncture group, the escape latency was shortened and the number of platform crossings was increased (P<0.01), the RI was increased (P<0.01); the hippocampal neurons exhibited more regular morphology, better-organized cellular structure, and the number of Nissl bodies was increased (P<0.05); the percentage of iron deposition area in the hippocampus reduced (P<0.01); in the hippocampus, the levels of ROS, iron, MDA, and the protein expression of NCOA4, as well as the LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), the SOD level, and the protein expression of FTH1 and GPX4 were increased (P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
Electroacupuncture at "Sishencong" (EX-HN1) and "Fengchi" (GB20) can improve learning and memory abilities in VD rats, and its mechanism may be associated with the regulation of the hippocampal NCOA4/FTH1 signaling pathway, inhibition of ferritinophagy, and alleviation of oxidative stress damage.
Animals
;
Electroacupuncture
;
Dementia, Vascular/genetics*
;
Male
;
Rats
;
Signal Transduction
;
Humans
;
Memory
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Nuclear Receptor Coactivators/genetics*
;
Ferritins/genetics*
;
Learning
;
Hippocampus/metabolism*
;
Acupuncture Points
4.Causal relationship between immune cells and chronic pancreatitis:a bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis
Jiaoxing WU ; Ruiqi CAO ; Zhengyuan FENG ; Shuai WU ; Wanxing DUAN ; Xue YANG ; Cancan ZHOU ; Zheng WU
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(3):455-462
Objective To explore the casual relationship between immune cells and chronic pancreatitis(CP)using Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis.Methods The immune cell phenotypes and CP GWAS data used in this study were obtained from public databases,and 731 immune cell phenotypes were included.The bidirectional MR analysis was used to explore the causal relationship between immune cells and CP,and various sensitivity analysis methods were used to verify the heterogeneity and level multiplicity of the results.Results This study identified 33 immune cell phenotypes with a causal relationship with CP,of which 18 were inhibitory factors,and the rest were risk factors.Among the 18 inhibitory factors,CD25 on CD4+in the Treg cell group showed the most significant inhibitory effect.Among the 15 risk factors,CD8br AC in the TBNK cell group,CD8br on TD CD8br in the mature T cell group,and CD39+CD8br% T cell and CD28 on CD4+in the Treg cell group showed statistical significance.The reverse MR results further confirmed the unidirectionality of the causal relationship.Conclusion Our study revealed the close relationship between immune cells and CP through MR method,highlighting the complex interaction pattern between the immune system and CP.
5.Research advances in primary graft dysfunction after heart transplantation
Xinyue YIN ; Ruiqi SANG ; Zhiyong WU ; Yongle RUAN
Chinese Journal of Organ Transplantation 2025;46(6):475-481
Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is a severe early complication following heart transplantation, which directly affects the survival of the transplanted heart. At present, considerable challenges remain in the diagnosis, classification, and treatment of PGD after heart transplantation. This article summarizes and reviews the latest research advances in the diagnosis and management of PGD, aiming to provide scientific evidence for the clinical prevention and treatment of PGD following heart transplantation, thereby improving the quality of life of heart transplant recipients.
6.Molecular mechanism of active ingredients of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus against osteoporosis
Wenchi WANG ; Tian XIA ; Ruiqi WU ; Haohan LIANG ; Zhenyang NI ; Zhenhao ZHANG ; Zhenxing LI ; Guanghui CHEN ; Han SU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(18):3856-3867
BACKGROUND:Traditional Chinese medicine has been proved to have a significant role in anti-osteoporosis,and the effectiveness and mechanism of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus and its the active ingredients against osteoporosis have gradually gained the attention of scholars.OBJECTIVE:To analyze and summarize the research progress of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus and its active ingredients against osteoporosis in vitro and in vivo.METHODS:We searched the relevant literature included in CNKI and PubMed databases using the search terms of"Osteoporosis,Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,Osteoblast,Osteoclast,Ligustri Lucidi Fructus,Signal path"in Chinese and English,respectively.According to the needs of the research,we established the corresponding criteria and screened the literature.A total of 82 papers were included in the final review.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The active ingredients of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus that exert anti-osteoporotic effects in vitro and in vivo mainly involve the following:Salidroside activates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by inhibiting the expression of Sclerostin and Dickkopf-related protein 1.This activation process enhances the expression of phosphorylated low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 in ovariectomized rats and primary osteoblasts,while decreasing the expression of glycogen synthase kinase 3β.Further,it promotes the expression of β-catenin,runt-related transcription factor 2 and cellular myelocytomatosis oncogene in the nucleus,thereby promoting the bone formation capacity of osteoblasts.The advantage is that it acts directly on osteoblasts to promote bone formation,which provides a new strategy for the treatment of osteoporosis.(2)Olive bittersweet significantly increases bone mineral density and regulates bone metabolism by decreasing terminal interleukin-6 and alkaline phosphatase concentrations in Sprague-Dawley rats.In vitro experiments showed that olive bittersweet promotes the proliferation of osteoblasts and up-regulates the protein and mRNA expression of osteoprotegerin,while inhibiting the protein and mRNA expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand.This mechanism of action is closely related to the regulation of the balance of the osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand system,demonstrating the advantage of increasing bone mineral density and maintaining bone health by regulating factors related to bone metabolism,but there is no significant effect on Ca2+concentration,which may limit its use in some specific types of osteoporosis.(3)By decreasing the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase,reducing the phosphorylation of protein kinase B and the expression of osteoclast-specific marker protein c-Fos,pineconiferin effectively inhibits the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B/c-Fos pathway in osteoclasts.This inhibition reduces the proliferation and maturation of osteoclasts,which can help to reduce bone resorption.The advantage of this inhibition is that it can directly target osteoclasts,which provides a new target for osteoporosis treatment.However,the specific regulatory mechanism of osteoclasts needs to be studied in depth,and its long-term effect and safety need to be further evaluated.(4)The active ingredients of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus have shown good therapeutic effects on osteoporosis,but their mechanism of action is complex,involving the interaction of multiple genes,proteins and signaling pathways.In the future,large-scale clinical trials need to be carried out to verify its effectiveness and safety,and the strategy of combining the active ingredients of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus with other drugs needs to be further explored in order to obtain better therapeutic effects.
7.Bidirectional mendelian randomization study on the causal relationship between autism spectrum disorder and chronic pancreatitis
Fangzhou WANG ; Ruiqi CAO ; Cancan ZHOU ; Zheng WANG ; Zheng WU
Chinese Journal of Pancreatology 2025;25(5):362-366
Objective:To evaluate the causal relationship between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and chronic pancreatitis (CP) using a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.Methods:Based on genome-wide association study (GWAS) data, forward and reverse two-sample MR analyses were conducted to examine the causal relationship between ASD and CP. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) reaching genome-wide significance were selected from the GWAS data as candidate instrumental variables, and the Steiger directionality test was used to confirm the causal direction. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was applied as the primary analysis to estimate the causal effect of the exposure on the outcome. MR-Egger regression and weighted median methods were used as supplementary sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of the results. Pleiotropy and heterogeneity tests were performed to evaluate the reliability of the findings.Results:The forward MR analysis ultimately identified 29 SNPs. The IVW analysis indicated that ASD had a significant positive causal effect on CP risk ( OR=1.197, 95% CI 1.047-1.368, P=0.008), with no evidence of horizontal pleiotropy or significant heterogeneity. In the reverse MR analysis, 17 SNPs were included; the IVW analysis did not detect a significant causal effect of CP on ASD ( OR=0.990, 95% CI 0.935-1.047, P=0.717), also with no evidence of horizontal pleiotropy or significant heterogeneity. Causal effect estimates from MR-Egger regression and weighted median analyses were generally consistent with those of IVW. Conclusions:These findings indicate that, at the level of genetic susceptibility, ASD is a risk factor for CP.
8.Causal relationship between immune cells and chronic pancreatitis:a bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis
Jiaoxing WU ; Ruiqi CAO ; Zhengyuan FENG ; Shuai WU ; Wanxing DUAN ; Xue YANG ; Cancan ZHOU ; Zheng WU
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(3):455-462
Objective To explore the casual relationship between immune cells and chronic pancreatitis(CP)using Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis.Methods The immune cell phenotypes and CP GWAS data used in this study were obtained from public databases,and 731 immune cell phenotypes were included.The bidirectional MR analysis was used to explore the causal relationship between immune cells and CP,and various sensitivity analysis methods were used to verify the heterogeneity and level multiplicity of the results.Results This study identified 33 immune cell phenotypes with a causal relationship with CP,of which 18 were inhibitory factors,and the rest were risk factors.Among the 18 inhibitory factors,CD25 on CD4+in the Treg cell group showed the most significant inhibitory effect.Among the 15 risk factors,CD8br AC in the TBNK cell group,CD8br on TD CD8br in the mature T cell group,and CD39+CD8br% T cell and CD28 on CD4+in the Treg cell group showed statistical significance.The reverse MR results further confirmed the unidirectionality of the causal relationship.Conclusion Our study revealed the close relationship between immune cells and CP through MR method,highlighting the complex interaction pattern between the immune system and CP.
9.Molecular mechanism of active ingredients of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus against osteoporosis
Wenchi WANG ; Tian XIA ; Ruiqi WU ; Haohan LIANG ; Zhenyang NI ; Zhenhao ZHANG ; Zhenxing LI ; Guanghui CHEN ; Han SU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(18):3856-3867
BACKGROUND:Traditional Chinese medicine has been proved to have a significant role in anti-osteoporosis,and the effectiveness and mechanism of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus and its the active ingredients against osteoporosis have gradually gained the attention of scholars.OBJECTIVE:To analyze and summarize the research progress of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus and its active ingredients against osteoporosis in vitro and in vivo.METHODS:We searched the relevant literature included in CNKI and PubMed databases using the search terms of"Osteoporosis,Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,Osteoblast,Osteoclast,Ligustri Lucidi Fructus,Signal path"in Chinese and English,respectively.According to the needs of the research,we established the corresponding criteria and screened the literature.A total of 82 papers were included in the final review.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The active ingredients of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus that exert anti-osteoporotic effects in vitro and in vivo mainly involve the following:Salidroside activates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by inhibiting the expression of Sclerostin and Dickkopf-related protein 1.This activation process enhances the expression of phosphorylated low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 in ovariectomized rats and primary osteoblasts,while decreasing the expression of glycogen synthase kinase 3β.Further,it promotes the expression of β-catenin,runt-related transcription factor 2 and cellular myelocytomatosis oncogene in the nucleus,thereby promoting the bone formation capacity of osteoblasts.The advantage is that it acts directly on osteoblasts to promote bone formation,which provides a new strategy for the treatment of osteoporosis.(2)Olive bittersweet significantly increases bone mineral density and regulates bone metabolism by decreasing terminal interleukin-6 and alkaline phosphatase concentrations in Sprague-Dawley rats.In vitro experiments showed that olive bittersweet promotes the proliferation of osteoblasts and up-regulates the protein and mRNA expression of osteoprotegerin,while inhibiting the protein and mRNA expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand.This mechanism of action is closely related to the regulation of the balance of the osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand system,demonstrating the advantage of increasing bone mineral density and maintaining bone health by regulating factors related to bone metabolism,but there is no significant effect on Ca2+concentration,which may limit its use in some specific types of osteoporosis.(3)By decreasing the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase,reducing the phosphorylation of protein kinase B and the expression of osteoclast-specific marker protein c-Fos,pineconiferin effectively inhibits the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B/c-Fos pathway in osteoclasts.This inhibition reduces the proliferation and maturation of osteoclasts,which can help to reduce bone resorption.The advantage of this inhibition is that it can directly target osteoclasts,which provides a new target for osteoporosis treatment.However,the specific regulatory mechanism of osteoclasts needs to be studied in depth,and its long-term effect and safety need to be further evaluated.(4)The active ingredients of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus have shown good therapeutic effects on osteoporosis,but their mechanism of action is complex,involving the interaction of multiple genes,proteins and signaling pathways.In the future,large-scale clinical trials need to be carried out to verify its effectiveness and safety,and the strategy of combining the active ingredients of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus with other drugs needs to be further explored in order to obtain better therapeutic effects.
10.Bidirectional mendelian randomization study on the causal relationship between autism spectrum disorder and chronic pancreatitis
Fangzhou WANG ; Ruiqi CAO ; Cancan ZHOU ; Zheng WANG ; Zheng WU
Chinese Journal of Pancreatology 2025;25(5):362-366
Objective:To evaluate the causal relationship between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and chronic pancreatitis (CP) using a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.Methods:Based on genome-wide association study (GWAS) data, forward and reverse two-sample MR analyses were conducted to examine the causal relationship between ASD and CP. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) reaching genome-wide significance were selected from the GWAS data as candidate instrumental variables, and the Steiger directionality test was used to confirm the causal direction. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was applied as the primary analysis to estimate the causal effect of the exposure on the outcome. MR-Egger regression and weighted median methods were used as supplementary sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of the results. Pleiotropy and heterogeneity tests were performed to evaluate the reliability of the findings.Results:The forward MR analysis ultimately identified 29 SNPs. The IVW analysis indicated that ASD had a significant positive causal effect on CP risk ( OR=1.197, 95% CI 1.047-1.368, P=0.008), with no evidence of horizontal pleiotropy or significant heterogeneity. In the reverse MR analysis, 17 SNPs were included; the IVW analysis did not detect a significant causal effect of CP on ASD ( OR=0.990, 95% CI 0.935-1.047, P=0.717), also with no evidence of horizontal pleiotropy or significant heterogeneity. Causal effect estimates from MR-Egger regression and weighted median analyses were generally consistent with those of IVW. Conclusions:These findings indicate that, at the level of genetic susceptibility, ASD is a risk factor for CP.

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