ObjectiveMicrotube associated protein-2 （MAP-2）， alpha-tubulin （α-tubulin）， and synaptophysin （SYP） are important proteins in neuronal signal communication. This paper observed the effects of modified Zhigancao Tang on the expression of serum α-Synuclein （α-Syn） and its oligomers， MAP-2， α-tubulin， and SYP of patients with liver and kidney deficiency of Parkinson's disease （PD）， analyzed their correlation， and evaluated the therapeutic effect of modified Zhigancao Tang in patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD based on α-Syn transmission pathway mediated by neuronal communication in vivo. MethodsA total of 60 patients with PD who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a treatment group （30 cases） and a control group （30 cases）. Both groups were treated on the basis of PD medicine， and the treatment group was treated with modified Zhigancao Tang. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. The changes in UPDRS score， TCM syndrome score， and expression of serum α-Syn and its oligomers， MAP-2， α-tubulin， and SYP were observed before and after 12 weeks of treatment in each group. The correlation between the above-mentioned serum biological indexes and the levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers was analyzed. ResultsAfter treatment， the TCM syndrome score， UPDRS score， UPDRS-Ⅱ score， and UPDRS-Ⅲ score of the treatment group were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The UPDRS score， UPDRS-Ⅱ score， and UPDRS-Ⅲ scores in the treatment group were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment （P<0.05）. After treatment， the total effective rate of the control group was 63.3% （19/30）， and that of the treatment group was 86.7% （26/30）. The clinical effect of the observation group was better than the control group （Z=-2.03， P<0.05）. The total effective rate of the observation group was better than that of the control group， and the difference was statistically significant （χ²=5.136， P<0.05）. After treatment， the oligomer level of serum α-Syn and MAP-2 level in the treatment group were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers， as well as α-tubulin in the treatment group， were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Serum α-Syn was correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-Syn oligomer in patients with PD （P<0.05， P<0.01） but not correlated with serum SYP . Serum α-Syn oligomers of patients with PD were correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-tubulin （P<0.05， P<0.01） but not correlated with serum SYP level. Serum SYP of patients with PD was correlated with serum MAP-2 （P<0.05）. ConclusionModified Zhigancao Tang has a therapeutic effect on patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD by inhibiting the production of α-Syn oligomers and intervening α-Syn microtubule transport pathway in vivo.

BackgroundWith the acceleration of population aging in China， studies have documented an increased prevalence of dementia in the elderly. Behavioral and psychological symptoms and impaired cognitive function are important problems affecting the quality of life in the elderly with dementia. It has been noted that there are certain limitations on the management of problems mentioned above by drug treatment alone， while its combination with music intervention is emerging as an effective approach. However， the application of this approach in the elderly with moderate to severe dementia is still in its relative infancy. ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of music assisted drug treatment on behavioral and psychological symptoms and cognitive function in the elderly with moderate to severe dementia， so as to provide insights for the development of effective intervention. MethodsA randomized controlled study was utilized to enroll a coherent of 43 elderly patients with moderate to severe dementia who were hospitalized in Geriatric Psychiatry of Deyang Mental Health Center from January to July 2023 and met the International Classification of Diseases， tenth edition （ICD-10） diagnostic criteria for dementia. Eligible subjects were divided into study group （n=22） and control group （n=21） based on random allocation using SPSS 26.0. Both groups received routine drug treatment and nursing care， while the study group added music intervention， which consisted of two 30-minute sessions per week for 8 weeks. Neuro Psychiatric Inventory （NPI） and Mini-Mental State Examination （MMSE） were administered to all patients before and after intervention. ResultsA total of 36 patients completed the study， including 20 case in study group and 16 case in control group. No statistical difference was noted in baseline NPI score and MMSE score between two groups （P>0.05）. After intervention， study group reported a statistical reduction in NPI total score ［58.00 （49.00， 79.25） vs. 78.50 （55.00， 95.50）， Z=-3.902， P<0.01）］ along with a clinically unremarkable increase in MMSE score （P>0.05） compared with baseline data. After intervention， NPI total score and scores on sub-domains including agitation/aggression， depression/dysphoria， anxiety and aberrant motor behavior were all significantly lower in study group than those in control group （Z=-2.183， -2.438， -2.691， -3.716， -2.250， P<0.05 or 0.01）， while there was no significant difference in MMSE score between two groups （P>0.05）. ConclusionMusic assisted drugintervention may ameliorate behavioral and psychological symptoms in the elderly with moderate to severe dementia， while no significant improvement is documented on cognitive function. ［Fund by the "14^th Five Year Plan" for Philosophy and Social Sciences Research in Deyang （number， DY232C002）］

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder among the elderly, and BuChE has emerged as a potential therapeutic target. In this study, we reported the development of compound 8e, a selective reversible BuChE inhibitor (eqBuChE IC₅₀ = 0.049 μmol/L, huBuChE IC₅₀ = 0.066 μmol/L), identified through extensive virtual screening and lead optimization. Compound 8e demonstrated favorable blood-brain barrier permeability, good drug-likeness property and pronounced neuroprotective efficacy. Additionally, 8e exhibited significant therapeutic effects in zebrafish AD models and scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments in mice. Further, 8e significantly improved cognitive function in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Proteomics analysis demonstrated that 8e markedly elevated the expression levels of very low-density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR), offering valuable insights into its potential modulation of the Reelin-mediated signaling pathway. Thus, compound 8e emerges as a novel and potent BuChE inhibitor for the treatment of AD, with significant implications for further exploration into its mechanisms of action and therapeutic applications.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the association between susceptibility genes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children with obesity. METHODS: We conducted a two-step case-control study. Ninety-three participants were subjected to whole-exome sequencing (exploratory set). Differential genes identified in the small sample were validated in 1,022 participants using multiplex polymerase chain reaction and high-throughput sequencing (validation set). RESULTS: In the exploratory set, 14 genes from the NAFLD-associated pathways were identified. In the validation set, after adjusting for sex, age, and body mass index, ECI2 rs2326408 (dominant model: OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.02-1.72; additive model: OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.01-1.47), C6orf201 rs659305 (dominant model: OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.01-1.69; additive model: OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.00-1.45), CALML5 rs10904516 (pre-ad dominant model: OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.01-1.83; adjusted dominant model: OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.03-1.91; and pre-ad additive model: OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.04-1.66) polymorphisms were significantly associated with NAFLD in children with obesity ( P < 0.05). Interaction analysis revealed that the gene-gene interaction model of CALML5 rs10904516, COX11 rs17209882, and SCD5 rs3733228 was optional ( P < 0.05), demonstrating a negative interaction between the three genes. CONCLUSION In the Chinese population, the CALML5 rs10904516, C6orf201 rs659305, and ECI2 rs2326408 variants could be genetic markers for NAFLD susceptibility.
Humans ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/genetics* ; Child ; Male ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Case-Control Studies ; Exome Sequencing ; Adolescent ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Obesity/complications* ; Pediatric Obesity/complications* ; China

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Tai Chi and Qigong on patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Methods: Relevant data were retrieved from nine English and Chinese databases, including Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Wanfang Data, etc. from inception to June 2024. All published randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of Tai Chi and Qigong on visual analog scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, and other health indicators in participants with LDH compared to usual medical care or other treatments were included. Grey literature, trials involving the pushing of hands (Tui Shou) or Tai Chi with weapons, and trials with co-interventions (Tai Chi/Qigong plus another treatment) were excluded. Methodological quality was analyzed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and evidence quality was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) tool. Results: Fourteen trials (954 patients) were included in this study. Tai Chi and Qigong were associated with lower VAS pain scores (standardized mean difference −0.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.95 to −0.15, P = .01), higher JOA scores (mean difference [MD] 4.40, 95% CI 2.62 to 6.18, P < .001) and straight leg raise test results (MD 9.40°, 95% CI 7.64 to 11.15, P < .001) in patients with LDH. Furthermore, compared with usual care, Tai Chi and Qigong showed enhanced effects on pain and JOA scores. When compared to other exercises or massage, the effect on pain scores was similar but that on JOA scores was significant. Conclusions Tai Chi and Qigong may have favorable effects on VAS pain and JOA scores compared with usual care, and on JOA scores compared with other exercises or massage in patients with LDH. Given the overall poor quality of the evidence, the results of current study should be interpreted cautiously.

This study was designed to explore the immune reconstitution efficacy of human thymic slices transplanted into renal capsule,subcutaneous or muscle of nude mice,and further explore the optimal location of heterotopic transplantation.The thymus tissue discarded from congenital heart disease patients was made into 0.5-1 mm thick tissue sections and cultured in vitro to remove immune cells.H&E staining and immunohistochemical staining were used to assess the residual tissue structure and cell types in thymic slices,while quantitative PCR methods were used to assess the function of residual cells in thymic slices.Then thymic slices were transplanted into the renal capsule,subcutaneous or muscle of nude mice,and the immune reconstitution efficacy was compared by flow cytometry and histology.Data showed that after 14 days of culture in vitro,the clearance rate of T lymphocytes in the thymic slices was more than 90%,and the epithelial cell network structure of the tissue was intact,while a large number of macrophages,dendritic cells and endothelial cells remained.Quantitative PCR results showed that the gene expression levels of epithelial cell markers and secreted cytokines in cultured thymic slices could be effectively maintained.Flow cytometry showed that at 16 weeks after transplantation,the proportion of T cells in peripheral blood of mice in different transplantation groups were significantly increased,whereas the proportion of T cells in muscle group was the highest.In situ histological examination showed that the regeneration of thymus tissue was detected at all three transplant sites.In addition,the graft detection rate was 40%in the renal capsule group,60%in the subcutaneous group and 100%in the musclegroup.In conclusion,the human thymic slices cultured in vitro for 14 days retain a complete thymic matrix microenvironment.Transplantation of human thymic slices can effectively reconstruct the ratio of T cells in nude mice,and the muscle is the most effective transplantation site.

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of liver cancer in Chinese children from 2006-2017, and to explore the correlation between hepatitis B and liver cancer in Children. Methods　The data of childhood liver cancer from 2006 to 2017 were collected from the Chinese Cancer Registry Annual Report. Joinpoint regression program was used to analyze the trends of standardized incidence. Analysis was conducted to determine the distributions of incidence by region, sex and age group. The data of hepatitis B were collected from China Public Health Science Data Center. Pearson correlation was used to explore the incidence correlation between hepatitis B and liver cancer. Results　From 2006 to 2017, the standardized incidence rate of childhood liver cancer in China showed a downward trend before 2010, and then remained relatively stable (AAPC=-5.09%，95%CI:-13.22%~3.80%，P=0.253). The standardized incidence rate of liver cancer showed a decreased trend in urban children (AAPC=-3.52%，95%CI:-6.82%~-0.10%，P=0.045), while the standardized incidence rate was on an upward trend in rural children (AAPC=4.95%，95%CI:1.40%~8.63%，P=0.011). The incidence rates of liver cancer were higher in urban children than in rural children (ｚ=-4.071， P<0.001), in boys than in girls (ｚ=-2.425， P=0.015), and in children of the 0~4 age group than in children of the 5~9 and 10~14 age groups (H=22.285, P<0.001). The incidence rates of both hepatitis B and liver cancer showed a downward trend from 2006 to 2017， and there was a significant correlation（r=0.775，95%CI:0.319~0.927，P=0.005). Conclusion From 2006 to 2017, the incidence of liver cancer in Chinese children showed a decreased trend with significant differences between urban-rural areas, both sexes and age groups. Boys in urban areas and children in the 0~4 years age group should be the key targets for prevention and control in the future.

Purpose::To identify the risk factors for training-related lower extremity muscle injuries in young males by a non-invasive method of body composition analysis.Methods::A total of 282 healthy young male volunteers aged 18 -20 years participated in this cohort study. Injury location, degree, and injury rate were adjusted by a questionnaire based on the overuse injury assessment methods used in epidemiological studies of sports injuries. The occurrence of training injuries is monitored and diagnosed by physicians and treated accordingly. The body composition was measured using the BodyStat QuadScan 4000 multifrequency Bio-impedance system at 5, 50, 100 and 200 kHz to obtain 4 impedance values. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to check whether the data conformed to a normal distribution. Data of normal distribution were shown as mean ± SD and analyzed by t-test, while those of non-normal distribution were shown as median (Q 1, Q 3) and analyzed by Wilcoxon rank sum test. The receiver operator characteristic curve and logistic regression analysis were performed to investigate risk factors for developing training-related lower extremity injuries and accuracy. Results::Among the 282 subjects, 78 (27.7%) developed training injuries. Lower extremity training injuries revealed the highest incidence, accounting for 23.4% (66 cases). These patients showed higher percentages of lean body mass ( p = 0.001), total body water (TBW, p=0.006), extracellular water ( p=0.020) and intracellular water ( p=0.010) as well as a larger ratio of basal metabolic rate/total weight ( p=0.006), compared with those without lower extremity muscle injuries. On the contrary, the percentage of body fat ( p=0.001) and body fat mass index ( p=0.002) were lower. Logistic regression analysis showed that TBW percentage > 65.35% ( p=0.050, odds ratio =3.114) and 3rd space water > 0.95% ( p=0.045, odds ratio =2.342) were independent risk factors for lower extremity muscle injuries. Conclusion::TBW percentage and 3rd space water measured with bio-impedance method are potential risk factors for predicting the incidence of lower extremity muscle injuries in young males following training.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) and the efficacy of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) eradication therapy in children. Methods: The retrospective cohort study was conducted on 125 children with gastroscopy and positive rapid urease test (RUT) from September 2016 to December 2018 who presented to the Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine due to gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, acid reflux, heartburn, chest pain, vomiting blood and melena. Hp culture and drug susceptibility test were carried out with gastric antrum mucosa before treatment. All the patients completed 2 weeks of standardized Hp eradication therapy and had ¹³C urea breath test 1 month after that, which was used to evaluate the curative effect. The DNA of gastric mucosa after RUT was analyzed and CYP2C19 gene polymorphism was detected. Children were grouped according to metabolic type. Combined with the results of Hp culture and drug susceptibility, the relationship between CYP2C19 gene polymorphism and the efficacy of Hp eradicative treatment was analyzed in children. Chi square test was used for row and column variables, and Fisher exact test was used for comparison between groups. Results: One hundred and twenty five children were enrolled in the study, of whom 76 were males and 49 females. The genetic polymorphism of CYP2C19 in these children found poor metabolizer (PM) of 30.4% (38/125), intermediate metabolizer (IM) of 20.8% (26/125), normal metabolizer (NM) of 47.2% (59/125), rapid metabolizer (RM) of 1.6% (2/125), and ultrarapid metabolizer (UM) of 0. There were statistically significant in positive rate of Hp culture among these groups (χ²=124.00, P<0.001). In addition, the successful rates of Hp eradication in PM, IM, NM and RM genotypes were 84.2% (32/38), 53.8% (14/26), 67.8% (40/59), and 0, respectively, with significant differences (χ²=11.35, P=0.010); those in IM genotype was significantly lower than that in PM genotype (P=0.011). With the same standard triple Hp eradicative regimen, the successful rate of Hp eradication for IM type was 8/19, which was lower than that of PM (80.0%, 24/30) and NM type (77.3%, 34/44) (P=0.007 and 0.007, respectively). There was a significant difference in the efficacy of Hp eradication treatment among different genotypes (χ²=9.72, P=0.008). According to the clarithromycin susceptibility result, the successful rate of Hp eradication treatment for IM genotype was 4/15 in the sensitive group and 4/4 in the drug-resistant group (χ²=6.97, P=0.018). Conclusions: The genetic polymorphism of CYP2C19 in children is closely related to the efficacy of Hp eradication treatment. PM has a higher successful rate of eradication treatment than the other genotypes.
Female ; Male ; Humans ; Child ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C19/genetics* ; Helicobacter pylori ; Retrospective Studies ; Genotype ; Abdominal Pain