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.Chinese expert consensus on postoperative follow-up for non-small cell lung cancer (version 2025)
Lunxu LIU ; Shugeng GAO ; Jianxing HE ; Jian HU ; Di GE ; Hecheng LI ; Mingqiang KANG ; Fengwei TAN ; Fan YANG ; Qiang PU ; Kaican CAI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(03):281-290
Surgical treatment is one of the key approaches for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Regular postoperative follow-up is crucial for early detection and timely management of tumor recurrence, metastasis, or second primary tumors. A scientifically sound and reasonable follow-up strategy not only extends patient survival but also significantly improves quality of life, thereby enhancing overall prognosis. This consensus aims to build upon the previous version by incorporating the latest clinical research advancements and refining postoperative follow-up protocols for early-stage NSCLC patients based on different treatment modalities. It provides a scientific and practical reference for clinicians involved in the postoperative follow-up management of NSCLC. By optimizing follow-up strategies, this consensus seeks to promote the standardization and normalization of lung cancer diagnosis and treatment in China, helping more patients receive high-quality care and long-term management. Additionally, the release of this consensus is expected to provide insights for related research and clinical practice both domestically and internationally, driving continuous development and innovation in the field of postoperative management for NSCLC.
3.Treatment of Neurological Diseases with Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiangtang: A Review
Ge HAO ; Changyu GAO ; Zexin PAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):313-322
Neurological diseases encompass a wide range of conditions, and their incidence and mortality rates have been increasing year by year, severely endangering the health and lives of patients. Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiangtang is a recognized prescription formulated by ZHANG Zhongjing, which has a wide application in clinical practices. It exerts the effects of harmonizing and releasing Shaoyang, warming the spleen to dispel cold, and producing fluid and astringing Yin. Clinical studies have confirmed that Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiangtang, with modified herbs or in combination with acupuncture, moxibustion, or Western medicine, exhibits remarkable efficacy, minimal adverse reactions, and high safety in the treatment of neurological diseases such as insomnia, depression, anxiety disorders, dizziness, headache, perimenopausal syndrome (PMS), diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), post-stroke restless legs syndrome (RLS), bipolar disorders, and tic disorders in children. Modern pharmacological studies have pointed out that the main active ingredients of single herbs in the whole formula and composition of Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiangtang, such as saikosaponins, estradiol, cinnamaldehyde, baicalin, oroxindin, gingerol, 6-shogaol, glycyrrhizic acid, and liquiritin, can exert multi-target and multi-pathway effects, including reducing oxidative stress, alleviating neuroinflammation, inhibiting ferroptosis, microglial cell activation, and neuroapoptosis, and regulating neurotransmitter levels, estrogen levels, synaptic plasticity, neuronal autophagy level, and gluconeogenic metabolism. By reviewing relevant literature in recent years, this article summarized the clinical research and mechanism of action of Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiangtang in the treatment of neurological diseases and put forward corresponding suggestions, providing references for in-depth research.
4.Epidemiological characteristics of scrub typhus in Huai'an, Jiangsu Province in 2006 - 2024
Lei XU ; Zhizhen CUI ; Qiang GAO ; Hao JU ; Chuanyu WAN ; Ranfeng HANG ; Shiyao WU ; Ben CAI ; Zheng ZHANG ; Haiyan GE
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(6):39-42
Objective To describe and analyze the epidemiological characteristics of scrub typhus in Huai'an, Jiangsu Province from 2006 to 2024 and explore the long-term incidence trend and distribution of high-risk areas, and to formulate targeted prevention and control strategies. Methods The scrub typhus case report data of Huai'an from 2006 to 2024 in the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System were extracted for descriptive analysis. Results A total of 898 cases of scrub typhus were reported in Huai'an, with an average annual incidence rate of 0.96 per 100 000 from 2006 to 2024. There was a turning point in the incidence trend of scrub typhus in 2011. From 2006 to 2011, the annual percentage change (APC) was 47.09% (95% CI: 7.53 - 859.39), and the upward trend was statistically significant (P < 0.05). From 2012 to 2024, the APC was -2.12% (95% CI: -29.09 - 3.75), and the downward trend was not statistically significant. October and November were the high-incidence months, and the total concentration from 2006 to 2024 was 0.93, indicating that scrub typhus had strict seasonality. The circular distribution method estimated that the peak period of the epidemic was from October 11th to November 25th, and the peak day of incidence was November 3rd. Jinhu County was a high-incidence area. The ratio of male to female cases was 1.03. The age group with the highest reported incidence was 40 to < 80 years old. The occupation with the highest proportion was farmers, accounting for 78.03%. Conclusion From 2006 to 2024, scrub typhus in Huai'an shows a peak every 3 - 4 years. Middle-aged and elderly farmers are the key population at risk, and Jinhu County is a key area. In the future, targeted health education should be carried out to effectively control the prevalence of scrub typhus.
5.Research on deep learning assisted diagnosis technology of jaw lesions using panoramic radiographs
GAO Ge ; LIU Chang ; ZENG Mengyu ; PENG Junjie ; GUO Jixiang ; TANG Wei
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2024;32(10):789-796
Objective :
To study the effect of deep learning applied to the assisted diagnosis of radiolucent lesions and radiopaque lesions of the jaws in panoramic radiography and to reduce the missed diagnosis, with early screening to assist doctors to improve the diagnostic accuracy.
Methods:
This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the West China Stomatological Hospital of Sichuan University. The YOLO v8m-p2 neural network model was constructed with 443 panoramic images as a subject to read. The labeled images were divided into 354 training sets, 45 verification sets, and 44 test sets, which were used for model training, verification, and testing. Accuracy, recall, F-1 score, G score, and mAP50 were used to evaluate the detection performance of the model.
Results:
443 panoramic images covered the common benign lesions of the jaw, the number of radiolucent lesions of the jaw was 318, containing dentigerous cyst, odontogenic keratocyst, and ameloblastoma. The number of radiopaque lesions was 145, containing idiopathic osteosclerosis, odontoma, cementoma, and cemento-osseous dysplasia; the samples are well representative. The accuracy of the YOLO v8m-p2 neural network model in identifying jaw lesions was 0.887, and the recall, F-1 score, G score, and mAP50 were 0.860, 0.873, 0.873, and 0.863, respectively. The recall rates of dentigerous cyst, odontogenic keratocyst, and ameloblastoma were 0.833, 0.941, and 0.875, respectively.
Conclusion
YOLO v8m-p2 neural network model has good diagnostic performance in preliminary detection of radiolucent and radiopaque lesions of the jaws in panoramic radiography and multi-classification monitoring of radiolucent lesions of jaws, which can assist doctors to screen jaw diseases in panoramic radiography.
6.Analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Characteristics and Related Factors of Yang Deficiency Syndrome in Postoperative Gastric Cancer Patients: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study
Yuansha GE ; Ruike GAO ; Jie LI ; Bowen XU ; Jingyuan WU ; Luchang CAO ; Ziyu KUANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(24):2565-2571
ObjectiveTo explore the distribution characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes in postoperative gastric cancer patients, and to analyse the factors associated with yang deficiency syndrome and its severity. MethodsTotally, 173 patients who underwent postoperative gastric cancer surgery and were treated in four centers nationwide from February 22, 2022 to March 21, 2023, were enrolled. General information and TCM syndromes were collected, and Diagnostic Scale for Yang Deficiency Syndrome in Gastric Malignancies was filled in. The frequency of TCM syndromes after gastric cancer surgery was analyzed, and univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed on the related factors of yang deficiency syndrome versus non-yang deficiency syndrome and between different severity of yang deficiency syndrome. ResultsThe most common syndrome after gastric cancer surgery was qi deficiency (95 cases, 54.91%), followed by yang deficiency (87 cases, 50.29%). Patients with yang deficiency syndrome were often suffered from qi deficiency, qi stagnation, and phlegm dampness syndrome. Comparing yang deficiency syndrome with non-yang deficiency syndrome, univariate analysis showed that history of alcohol consumption, pathological stage, degree of differentiation, Lauren grade, signet ring cell carcinoma, vascular cancer thrombus, and nerve invasion were statistically significant (P<0.05); and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that history of alcohol consumption, signet ring cell carcinoma, pathological stage Ⅲ, Ⅳ, and vascular cancer thrombus may be correlated with yang deficiency syndrome in postoperative gastric cancer patients (P<0.05). The univariate analysis showed that age, pathological stage, precancerous lesions, and body mass index grade were significantly different when compared between mild and severe yang deficiency syndrome (P<0.05); multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, low body weight, and pathological stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ might be correlated with severe yang deficiency syndrome after gastric cancer surgery (P<0.05). ConclusionQi deficiency and yang deficiency are common TCM syndromes in postoperative patients with gastric cancer. Alcohol consumption history, pathological staging (stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ), signet ring cell carcinoma, and the presence of vascular cancer thrombus may be correlated with the occurrence of yang deficiency syndrome, and higher age, low body weight, and pathological staging (stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ) may be the correlates of severe yang deficiency syndrome.
7.Current status of indoor microbial pollution and evaluation of air purifier effectiveness in Xi'an
Ling CHANG ; Feng ZHANG ; Ping LIU ; Fan GAO ; Jian HU ; Ge MI ; Yonggang ZHAO ; Dong LIU ; Qian LIU ; Xinmiao LIU ; Xiaoyan WU ; Jinlong MA
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(6):59-62
Objective To investigate the current situation and health effects of indoor microbial pollution in Xi'an, to analyze the purification effect of air purifiers on indoor microbial pollution, and to provide reference for improving the indoor environment. Methods Through stratified random sampling, 20 families from rural areas and 20 families from upwind and downwind urban areas respectively were selected from Xi'an. Data was collected by questionnaire surveys and on-site environmental sampling. Non-parametric analysis and correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results Overall, the standard-exceeding rate of total count of bacteria was 5.00%. The medians of the total count of bacteria and fungi were 312.50 cfu/m3 and 260.00 cfu/m3, respectively. In terms of health effects, the correlation between rhinitis and cold with total bacterial count was statistically significant (P<0.05), with the correlation coefficients of 0.182 and 0.223, respectively. Purification effect of air purifiers on microbial pollution was statistically significant (P<0.05). After opening for 2 hours, the total numbers of bacteria and fungi decreased significantly. Conclusion The occurrence risk of colds and rhinitis is increased by indoor microbial pollution. Air purifiers have a certain effect on decreasing the total number of bacteria and fungi. It is recommended to use air purifiers with high CADR of particulate matter, double-layer filter and sterilization and dehumidification function, and replace the filters regularly to reduce indoor microbiological contamination.
8.Energy metabolism, immune function, and intestinal flora in rats with kidney-yin deficiency treated with raw or saltwater-processed Phellodendron chinense Schneid
Wenjing Ren ; Jiahui Zhao ; Li Li ; Xiutong Ge ; Yue Zhou ; Yang Chen ; Shiru Jiang ; Tianzhu Jia ; Hui Gao ; Fan Zhang
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2024;11(4):488-499
Objective:
To clarify the specific mechanisms of action of raw Phellodendron chinense Schneid. (RPC) and saltwater-processed PC (SPC) in the treatment of rats with a kidney-yin deficiency pattern (KYDP).
Methods:
Healthy rats were administered hydrocortisone to establish a KYDP model. The rats were divided into seven groups: blank control, model, positive control (Liuwei Dihuang pills), high-dose RPC, low-dose RPC, high-dose SPC, and low-dose SPC. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the levels of cAMP, cGMP, TRH, TSH, T3, T4, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and testosterone in the serum and the levels of Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase in the liver. TRH mRNA expression in the rat hypothalamus was measured using RT-PCR. THRα1+2 protein expression in the hypothalamus of rats was measured using Western blot. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the expression levels of FAS, FasL, and TSHR. Flow cytometry was used to determine CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte levels. Illumina MiSeq sequencing technology was used to evaluate the diversity of intestinal flora in KYDP rats.
Results:
The cAMP/cGMP ratio was significantly higher in the model group than in the blank control group (P = .048). Compared with the model group, after administration, the levels of the above-mentioned serum and liver indexes decreased, except that of testosterone. The CD4+/CD8+ ratio also decreased. Compared with the RPC group, the levels of T3, IFN-γ, FAS, FasL, and TSHR in the SPC group decreased whereas that of testosterone increased. Additionally, immune function and intestinal flora diversity improved in the SPC group. SPC proved to be more effective in improving liver energy metabolism in KYDP rats than RPC.
Conclusion
SPC had a better therapeutic effect on KYDP than RPC. The underlying mechanism of action may be related to improvements in liver energy metabolism, immune function, and intestinal flora diversity.
9.Safety and strategy of intravascular intervention in ruptured intracranial vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm
Hao ZHU ; Yingang WU ; Hao CUI ; Jian YU ; Yu CHEN ; Daqun GU ; Yang ZHANG ; Chaoshi NIU ; Ge GAO
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2024;23(2):164-168
Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of intravascular intervention in ruptured intracranial vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm (IVADA).Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed; 25 patients with ruptured IVADA (25 aneurysms) admitted to Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China from January 2020 to June 2023, were chosen. Aneurysm and parent artery occlusion or stent-assisted spring coil embolization were performed according to location of the aneurysms, degrees of aneurysm immediate embolization were evaluated by Raymond grading, and perioperative adverse events were recorded. The patients were followed up for 6-48 months, and aneurysm recurrence was determined according to DSA results; prognoses were assessed by modified Rankin Scale (mRS), with scores of 0-2 as good prognosis and scores of 3-6 as poor prognosis.Results:All 25 patients had unilateral ruptured IVADA, 10 (40%) received aneurysm and parent artery occlusion (occlusion of dissection segment) and 15 (60%) received stent-assisted embolization. Immediately after surgery, 19 patients (76%) had grading I embolization, 4 (16%) grading II embolization, and 2 (8%) grading III embolization. No aneurysm rupture or stent related thrombosis was observed during procedure; 3 patients (12%) died after procedure, with postoperative rebleeding in 1, postoperative cerebellar infarction with respiratory failure in 1, and severe pneumonia in 1. In the 22 survivals, 18 had good prognosis and 4 had poor prognosis. In the 5 relapsed patients (all accepted stent-assisted embolization), 4 underwent re-intervention, and one with visualization at aneurysm neck was relatively stable on re-examination and accepted regular follow up.Conclusion:Aneurysm and parent artery occlusion can be used for non-dominant vertebral artery aneurysms not involving posterior inferior cerebellar artery, whose recurrence rate is lower than that of stent-assisted coil embolization.
10.Correlation between remnant cholesterol and anterior ischemic optic neuropathy
Qinglin FAN ; Yingjun LUN ; Renqing TAI ; Yao GE ; Hongcheng GAO ; Chen CHEN
International Eye Science 2024;24(8):1328-1331
AIM: To explore the correlation between remnant cholesterol(RC)and anterior ischemic optic neuropathy(AION).METHODS: A total of 80 cases of AION patients hospitalized in the department of ophthalmology of Linyi People's Hospital from January 2020 to December 2023 were selected as the observation group, and 80 cases of those who had completed health checkups in Linyi People's Hospital during the same period(without ischemic optic neuropathy and other fundus vasculopathies)were selected as the control group. The general data and biochemical indexes of the two groups were compared to evaluate the correlation between RC and AION.RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the levels of RC, fasting blood glucose(FBG), triglyceride(TG), total cholesterol(TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)in patients with AION were significantly higher than those in the control group(all P<0.01). Spearman correlation analysis showed that RC was positively correlated with TG, TC, and LDL-C(all P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that RC and FBG were risk factors for the development of AION. The analysis of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves showed that the level of RC had a better predictive value for the development of AION compared with FBG.CONCLUSION: RC is associated with the development of AION and is a risk factor for the development of AION. Clinical standardization of the management of people with high RC values can reduce the risk of the development of AION, which is of clinical significance.


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