1.Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Sleep Deprivation-induced Acceleration of Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology
Si-Ru YAN ; Ming-Yang CAI ; Ya-Xuan SUN ; Qing HUO ; Xue-Ling DAI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(10):2474-2485
Sleep deprivation (SD) has emerged as a significant modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with mounting evidence demonstrating its multifaceted role in accelerating AD pathogenesis through diverse molecular, cellular, and systemic mechanisms. SD is refined within the broader spectrum of sleep-wake and circadian disruption, emphasizing that both acute total sleep loss and chronic sleep restriction destabilize the homeostatic and circadian processes governing glymphatic clearance of neurotoxic proteins. During normal sleep, concentrations of interstitial Aβ and tau fall as cerebrospinal fluid oscillations flush extracellular waste; SD abolishes this rhythm, causing overnight rises in soluble Aβ and tau species in rodent hippocampus and human CSF. Orexinergic neurons sustain arousal, and become hyperactive under SD, further delaying sleep onset and amplifying Aβ production. At the molecular level, SD disrupts Aβ homeostasis through multiple converging pathways, including enhanced production via beta-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) upregulation, coupled with impaired clearance mechanisms involving the glymphatic system dysfunction and reduced Aβ-degrading enzymes (neprilysin and insulin-degrading enzyme). Cellular and histological analyses revealed that these proteinopathies are significantly exacerbated by SD-induced neuroinflammatory cascades characterized by microglial overactivation, astrocyte reactivity, and sustained elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6) through NF‑κB signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of neurotoxicity. The synaptic and neuronal consequences of chronic SD are particularly profound and potentially irreversible, featuring reduced expression of critical synaptic markers (PSD95, synaptophysin), impaired long-term potentiation (LTP), dendritic spine loss, and diminished neurotrophic support, especially brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) depletion, which collectively contribute to progressive cognitive decline and memory deficits. Mechanistic investigations identify three core pathways through which SD exerts its neurodegenerative effects: circadian rhythm disruption via BMAL1 suppression, orexin system hyperactivity leading to sustained wakefulness and metabolic stress, and oxidative stress accumulation through mitochondrial dysfunction and reactive oxygen species overproduction. The review critically evaluates promising therapeutic interventions including pharmacological approaches (melatonin, dual orexin receptor antagonists), metabolic strategies (ketogenic diets, and Mediterranean diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids), lifestyle modifications (targeted exercise regimens, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia), and emerging technologies (non-invasive photobiomodulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation). Current research limitations include insufficient understanding of dose-response relationships between SD duration/intensity and AD pathology progression, lack of long-term longitudinal clinical data in genetically vulnerable populations (particularly APOE ε4 carriers and those with familial AD mutations), the absence of standardized SD protocols across experimental models that accurately mimic human chronic sleep restriction patterns, and limited investigation of sex differences in SD-induced AD risk. The accumulated evidence underscores the importance of addressing sleep disturbances as part of multimodal AD prevention strategies and highlights the urgent need for clinical trials evaluating sleep-focused interventions in at-risk populations. The review proposes future directions focused on translating mechanistic insights into precision medicine approaches, emphasizing the need for biomarkers to identify SD-vulnerable individuals, chronotherapeutic strategies aligned with circadian biology, and multi-omics integration across sleep, proteostasis and immune profiles may delineate precision-medicine strategies for at-risk populations. By systematically examining these critical connections, this analysis positions sleep quality optimization as a viable strategy for AD prevention and early intervention while providing a comprehensive roadmap for future mechanistic and interventional research in this rapidly evolving field.
2.Influencing factors for kinesiophobia among elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
HE Huan ; ZHAO Xue ; CAI Peng ; ZHAN Xiaoya ; MA Lei
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(7):659-663
Objective:
To investigate the influencing factors for kinesiophobia among elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), so as to provide the reference for alleviating kinesiophobia among COPD patients.
Methods:
From December 2023 to July 2024, COPD patients aged 60 years and above who sought medical treatment at a tertiary grade-a hospital in Guiyang City were selected. Demographic information was collected through questionnaire surveys. Kinesiophobia, exercise self-efficacy, social support, type D personality and coping styles were assessed using the Chinese version of Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, the Chinese version of the Self-Efficacy for Exercise Scale, Social Support Rating Scale, Type D Personality Scale and Chinese version of the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire, respectively. Factors affecting kinesiophobia among elderly patients with COPD were analyzed using a multiple linear regression model.
Results:
A total of 300 COPD patients were surveyed, including 238 males (79.33%) and 62 females (20.67%). The majority of patients had a disease duration of less than 5 years, with 130 cases (43.33%). The average kinesiophobia score was (48.01±7.74) points. The average exercise self-efficacy score was (3.39±1.01) points. The average social support score was (34.42±6.76) points. There were 280 patients (93.33%) with type D personality. The average scores of the confrontation, avoidance, and resignation dimensions of coping styles were (17.42±5.00), (13.76±1.91), and (11.81±2.95) points, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age (70-<80 years, β'=0.124; ≥80 years, β'=0.205), educational level (primary school and below, β'=0.228; junior high school, β'=0.182), household monthly income per capita (<3 000 yuan, β'=0.234; 3 000~<5 000 yuan, β'=0.165), social support (β'=0.294), type D personality (β'= 0.170), and coping styles (confrontation dimension, β'=-0.140; avoidance dimension, β'=0.154; resignation dimension, β'=0.175) statistically associated with kinesiophobia among elderly patients with COPD.
Conclusion
Kinesiophobia among elderly patients with COPD is associated with age, educational level, household monthly income per capita, social support, type D personality and coping styles.
3.Prevalence of common illness among primary school freshmen in Guiyang and parental health management service needs after the examination
CAI Jinghui, ZHU Yan, ZHANG Jiacai, FANG Xue
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(2):285-289
Objective:
To understand the health status of primary school freshmen in Guiyang and the health management service needs of parents after examination, so as to provide a reference for establishment of a collaborative health management framework involving schools, families, and healthcare providers.
Methods:
From September to October 2024, a stratified random cluster sampling method was used in Guiyang City to select 3 210 students and 3 133 parents who participated in the physical examination for primary school freshmen. Demographic indicators, physical examination indicators and laboratory examination indicators of students were collected, and parents needs for post examination health management service were investigated by self designed questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analysis was adopted to investigate the related factors of parents health management service needs after the examination.
Results:
The detection rates of common illness among primary school freshmen were 60.22% for dental caries, 17.23 % for screening myopia, 6.11% for obesity, 3.86% for iron deficiency anemia, and 1.15% for scoliosis. The co-occurrence rate of common illness among freshmen during the physical examination was 23.89% ( n =767), among which the comorbidity rate of screening myopia and dental caries (8.22%) and obesity and dental caries (4.27%) were higher. About 63.80% parents indicated that the physical examination items were simple, and 2 366 parents (75.52%) indicated a demand for post examination management services; the average score of parents demands for post examination services was (3.12±0.70). In terms of the scores of each dimension, the mean score of nutrition and health (3.58±0.74) was the highest, while the lowest mean score was for traditional Chinese medicine health care (2.77±0.67). The mean scores for the other dimensions were as follows:exercise intervention (3.29± 0.79 ), psychological monitoring (3.17±0.58), and health education and signing (2.81±0.73). The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that parents educational level (junior high school, high school/vocational school, college/undergraduate and above), living conditions (floating), and children s illness status (1, 2, >3 types) were the related factors of parents health management service needs after the entrance examination for new students ( B =2.16, 3.07, 3.68; -2.19; 3.14, 3.34, 3.11, P <0.05).
Conclusions
The prevalence of common illness in primary schools in Guiyang is characterized by a heavy burden from single diseases, with a notable occurrence of multiple comorbidities. After the physical examination, parents have obvious demand for follow up health management services. These health management services should integrate the concept of multi disease prevention according to the needs of parents.
5.Practice and challenge of age-friendly functional restoration of stomatognathic system based on the strategy of functional tooth loss.
Yiting CHENG ; Yi MAN ; Yang LIU ; He CAI ; Ran CHENG ; Li CHENG ; Fanglong WU ; Hongkun WU ; Fanyuan YU ; Xueyang LIAO ; Yimin SUN ; Jing WANG ; Xue YANG ; Jinyi ZHU ; Xingqun CHENG ; Zumu YI ; Ling YE ; Tao HU
West China Journal of Stomatology 2025;43(1):15-27
Geriatric oral health care encounters significant challenges with the increase in the proportion of older individuals. Age-related changes in the dentition, muscles, and joints result in a decline in objective masticatory function, subjective restoration requirements, and acceptability among the elderly population, with individual variations influenced by systemic health. Considering functional requirements, the adaptability of stomatognathic and systemic health conditions, health economics and other factors, the authors believe that it should not be limited to the conventional "one-to-one" strategy for replacing missing teeth in geriatric prosthodontics. There is an urgent need for a precise and adaptable restoration strategy that is more suitable for older individuals. The proposal of a new concept of functional tooth loss updates the minimal restoration standards for elderly patients and establishes the theory of age-friendly functional restoration. Based on the restoration strategy of functional tooth loss, this paper proposes a new concept termed "age-friendly functional restoration of the stomatognathic system", which integrates treatment considerations including endodontics, periodontology, mucosa, muscles, temporomandibular joint, and systemic health. Efforts should be made in four areas as follows. Firstly, the "assessment of accessible function" should be enhanced by considering the interrelationship between stomatognathic and systemic health. Secondly, the "evaluation of appropriate function" is supposed to be optimised in view of subjective needs and objective evaluation of the stomatognathic system. Moreover, the "formulation of treatment plans" needs to be accomplished with the aid of assistive technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to accurately exert appropriate functional restoration. Lastly, the "management and maintenance of health" is likely to be strengthened through follow-ups, propaganda and education, and preventive healthcare, so as to improve quality of life and ultimately achieve healthy ageing among older individuals.
Humans
;
Tooth Loss/therapy*
;
Aged
;
Stomatognathic System
;
Oral Health
;
Dental Care for Aged
;
Dental Restoration, Permanent/methods*
6.Exploration and practice of teaching reform in Synthetic Biology.
Bo ZHANG ; Lianggang HUANG ; Aiping PANG ; Zheyan WU ; Junping ZHOU ; Xue CAI ; Lijuan WANG ; Kun NIU ; Liqun JIN ; Zhiqiang LIU ; Yuguo ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(8):3311-3317
Synthetic biology is a crucial tool for the development of the bio-industry and bio-economy, representing a significant aspect of new quality productive forces. As a core course for graduate students in bioengineering, Synthetic Biology plays a vital role in ensuring the supply of essential talents for the development of the bio-industry in the new era. To better serve regional economic development and provide high-level talents for China's progress in the bio-industry, we analyzed typical issues encountered in the past teaching activities, set up a multi-disciplinary teaching team, optimized the course contents, adjusted the teaching mode, and mobilized students' learning interest. With the application of scientific research project as the starting point, we guided students to think and discuss deeply through the simulation of application writing and project defense, which improved students' critical thinking and innovative thinking. With industrialization as a focus, we explored a new training model combining production, education, and research through the joint practice base of the university and enterprises introduced typical cases of biomanufacturing to encourage students to engage in scientific research. The teaching reform significantly enhances the comprehensive abilities and national sentiments of graduate students. This paper hopes to serve as a reference for colleagues engaged in teaching in this field.
Synthetic Biology/education*
;
Teaching
;
China
;
Humans
7.Best essential surgical technique training course to improve surgical residents′ laparoscopic peritoneal suturing skills: a cohort study
Zhenghao CAI ; Haiqin SONG ; Jing SUN ; Pei XUE ; Luyang ZHANG ; Chao WU ; Hiju HONG ; Xi CHENG ; Sen ZHANG ; Minhua ZHENG ; Lu ZANG ; Ruijun PAN ; Jianwen LI ; Bo FENG
Journal of Surgery Concepts & Practice 2025;30(2):132-137
Objective To explore the effectiveness of an integrated laparoscopic simulation training course (best essential surgical technique training, BEST) in enhancing laparoscopic peritoneal suturing techniques in surgical residents.Methods As an integrated two-stage program, the BEST course applied basic laparoscopic training system with simple molds in phase Ⅰ training, and then adopted advanced laparoscopic training system, 3D Laparoscope and ex-vivo animal models in phase Ⅱ training. The laparoscopic suturing techniques were practiced in phase Ⅱ training. From August 2021 to July 2024, surgical residents in the second year of the national standardized training program were divided into pilot and control groups based on whether they had undergone the BEST course. Two cases of laparoscopic peritoneal suture were performed by the surgical residents under supervision in the department of gastrointestinal surgery. The operative time, quality of suture, and independent completion rate were compared between the two groups.Results A total of 33 surgical residents (19 in pilot group and 14 in control group) were included in this study, and a total of 66 cases of laparoscopic peritoneal suture were performed (38 in pilot group and 28 in control group). The operative time was significantly shorter in pilot group than that in control group (15.7 min vs. 17.5 min, P=0.025). The quality of suture was significantly better in pilot group compared to control group (P=0.023). In pilot group, all peritoneal sutures were performed by residents independently, whereas in control group, 3 cases (10.7%) were assisted by the supervisor, and the independent completion rate was different significantly (P=0.039).Conclusions The BEST course can help improve surgical residents′ laparoscopic peritoneal suturing techniques and could be promoted in the national standardized training program for surgical residents.
8.Advances in application of new technologies in scholarly journal publishing by CiteSpace visualized analysis
Yueyang WANG ; Linfang MO ; Liang CAI ; Youhua HU ; Liu YANG ; Fengzhao XUE ; Huiliang GAN
Journal of Navy Medicine 2025;46(8):826-832
Objective To perform visual analysis for the literatures related to the application of new technologies in academic journal publishing,and to explore the research hotspots and development trends of new technologies applied to academic journal publishing in China.Methods We searched literatures in CNKI with the search formula SU%='Academic Journal Publishing'*('New Technology'+'5G'+'Big Data'+'Artificial Intelligence'+'Blockchain'+'Mobile Terminal'+'Cloud Computing'+'Internet'+'Database'+'VR/AR'+'Multimedia'),and using CiteSpace software,we analyzed the research hotspots and development trends of new technologies applied to academic journal publishing.Results A total of 436 articles were included in this study.The journal with the largest number of articles was China Science and Technology Journal Research.There were 34 core authors in the literatures included,and the collaboration between authors was relatively loose.The cooperation and communication between research institutions were not sufficient,and the cross-institutional cooperation needed to be strengthened.The keywords related to dimensional analysis,such as co-occurrence,clustering,and highlighting had significant characteristics.The research mainly focused on"the integrated development of academic journals and digital publishing","the innovation and development of the publishing under the background of internet+","media integration and communication strategy of academic journals","research on the application of artificial intelligence in the publishing",and"research on the communication effect of scientific and technical journals on cnki and other platforms".Conclusion The research of new technologies applied to academic journal publishing is still at a primary stage.The research mainly focuses on digital publishing,new media integration,talent training,and journal publishing reform,aiming to explore the way of talent training,academic dissemination strategy,innovative development path,and integrative development direction of academic journals in the digital era.
9.Risk Factors for Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients With Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Tao CAI ; Yuxiang CHEN ; Xiaocun XING ; Xue XIAO ; Jinlin YANG
Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) 2025;56(4):1083-1088
Objective The risk of death in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis(MHD)significantly increases if they develop concomitant gastrointestinal bleeding(GIB).This study aims to investigate the clinical characteristics of MHD patients with concomitant GIB,identify risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality among them,and provide a basis for the early clinical identification and optimized clinical management of this specific patient population.Methods The clinical data of MHD patients with GIB admitted to West China Hospital,Sichuan University between July 2019 and May 2024 were collected and a retrospective analysis was conducted accordingly.The patients were divided into a death group and a survival group based on their discharge status.Clinical characteristics,laboratory test results,endoscopic findings,etc.,of the two groups were collected.Oversampling was used to reduce the bias caused by data imbalance between the two groups,and stepwise logistic regression and other methods were used for analysis.Results A total of 212 patients were included,with 40 in the death group and 172 in the survival group.According to the findings of logistic regression,the following were identified as independent risk factors for mortality among the patients:activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT)(odds ratio[OR]=1.014;95%CI,1.002-1.027;P=0.024),Glasgow-Blatchford bleeding score(GBS)(OR=2.348;95%CI,1.686-3.269;P<0.001),and age-corrected Charlson comorbidity index(aCCI)(OR=1.522;95%CI,1.185-1.954;P<0.001),and small intestinal vascular malformation(OR=0.372 2;95%CI,0.161-0.858;P=0.020).Conclusion For MHD patients with concomitant GIB,APTT,GBS,aCCI,and small intestinal vascular malformation are independent risk factors for in-hospital death.
10.Effect of hypoxia inducible factor-1α/aquaporin-4 pathway in high altitude cerebral edema after blood brain barrier damage in rats
Cai-Yan QIU ; Tian-Sha SUO ; Tao LIN ; Rong-Fu ZHANG ; Xue-Ling LI ; Juan SUN
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(2):163-170
Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of hypoxia inducible factor-1 α/aquaporin-4(HIF-1α/AQP4)pathway in high altitude cerebral edema(HACE)after blood-brain barrier injury in rats.Methods Adult male SD rats(n=40)were randomly divided into two groups:control group(Ctrl,n=20)and high altitude cerebral edema group(HACE,n=20).The rats in the control group were reared in Xining(altitude 2261 m)for 4 days,and the rats in HACE group were reared in low-pressure simulation chamber(altitude 5000 m)for 4 days.Brain water content was measured by the method of dry and wet weight.The intracranial structure,morphology and signal changes of small animals were observed through T2 weighted image of 7.0 T MRI.The morphological changes of neurons and the apoptosis of nerve cells in the CA1 region of hippocampal tissue were observed by the staining of Nissl and TUNEL.Immunohistochemical staining was performed to observe the extravasation of immunoglobulin G(IgG).The expressions of HIF-1α,AQP4,matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9),claudin-5,occludin and zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)in the tissue of hippocampal were detected by the method of Western blotting and immunofluorescent staining.Results The brain water content increased significantly in the HACE group(P<0.05).The neurons in CA1 region of hippocampal tissue were atrophic and deformed,the arrangement of neurons was disordered in the HACE group.The number of neurons decreased significantly,the apoptosis of nerve cells increased significantly,and the IgG exudates obviously in the CA1 region of hippocampal tissue in the HACE group.The expressions of HIF-1α,AQP4 and MMP-9 proteins increased significantly,while claudin-5,occludin and ZO-1 proteins decreased significantly in the CA1 region of hippocampal tissue,which detected by the method of Western blotting and immunofluorescent staining(P<0.05).Conclusion Acute high-altitude hypoxia can induce to blood-brain barrier disruption through the HIF-1α/AQP4 pathway,resulting in high-altitude cerebral edema.


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