Alzheimer's disease （AD） is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by amyloid-β （Aβ） plaque deposition， neurofibrillary tangle （NFT） formation， and chronic neuroinflammation. Its global incidence and mortality continue to rise， yet effective curative therapies remain unavailable. In recent years， dysregulated cholesterol metabolism and immune-inflammatory responses have been increasingly recognized as key drivers of AD pathological progression. Both clinical and experimental studies have shown that patients with AD exhibit disrupted cholesterol homeostasis and aberrant T-cell function， with a significant correlation between these alterations， suggesting that cholesterol metabolic disturbances may participate in and amplify neuroinflammatory responses by modulating T-cell differentiation and activation states. This review systematically delineates the coupling relationship among cholesterol homeostasis imbalance， T-cell abnormalities， AD neuroinflammation， and related pathological injury. Specifically， we summarize the immunometabolic pathological links spanning the peripheral and central compartments， ranging from the effects of peripheral cholesterol metabolic disturbances on T-cell activation， differentiation， and blood-brain barrier permeability to the regulatory role of impaired brain cholesterol homeostasis in infiltrating T-cell inflammatory responses， glial activation， and neural microenvironment remodeling. We further highlight how abnormalities in cholesterol synthesis， transport， efflux， and oxidative product accumulation promote Th17/Treg imbalance， enhanced CD8⁺ T-cell effector activity， increased inflammatory cytokine release， as well as Aβ deposition， blood-brain barrier disruption， glial activation， and neuronal injury. In addition， we review recent progress in natural herbal formulas and bioactive phytochemicals that alleviate T-cell abnormalities and neuroinflammation through restoration of cholesterol homeostasis. Taken together， current evidence suggests that cholesterol homeostasis imbalance is not only a fundamental metabolic abnormality in AD， but may also construct and amplify AD neuroinflammation and related pathological injury by reshaping T-cell immunophenotypes. Therefore， immunometabolic intervention strategies aimed at restoring cholesterol homeostasis may provide a new theoretical basis for mechanistic studies and multi-target prevention and treatment of AD.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of schisanlactone E in ameliorating neuroinflammation and synaptic injury in APP/PS1 mice and to elucidate whether its mechanism is related to the regulation of helper T cell 17 （Th17）/regulatory T cell （Treg） immune balance. MethodsAPP/PS1 transgenic mice were assigned into model， low- and high-dose （2 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 and 4 mg·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively） schisanlactone E， and donepezil （1 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） groups. C57BL/6J mice were used as the control group. Each group received the corresponding drug by gavage for 30 days. Learning and memory abilities were assessed by the Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests. The percentages of Th17 and Treg cells in the peripheral blood were analyzed by flow cytometry. The mRNA levels of retinoid-related orphan receptor γt （RORγt）， interleukin （IL）-17A， forkhead box protein 3 （FoxP3）， and IL-4 in the hippocampus were determined by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The synaptic ultrastructure in the hippocampus was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The protein levels of synapsin Ⅰ and postsynaptic density protein 95 （PSD95） in the hippocampus were measured by Western blot. Aβ aggregation and microglial activation in the hippocampus were observed by immunofluorescence staining. The mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， IL-6， and IL-1β in the hippocampus were determined by Real-time PCR. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group showed prolonged escape latency （P<0.05）， decreased time spent in the target quadrant， platform crossings， novel object exploration time， and percentage of novel object contact frequency （P<0.05， P<0.01）， increased Aβ aggregation in the hippocampal tissue （P<0.01）， an increased proportion of Th17 cells （P<0.05）， a decreased proportion of Treg cells （P<0.05）， and an increased Th17/Treg ratio （P<0.01） in the peripheral blood. Furthermore， the hippocampal tissue in the model group exhibited upregulated mRNA levels of RORγt and IL-17A （P<0.05， P<0.01）， downregulated mRNA levels of FoxP3 and IL-4 （P<0.01）， decreased synapses （P<0.05）， decreased PSD density， synaptic interface curvature， and active zone length （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and increased synaptic cleft width （P<0.05）， downregulated protein levels of Synapsin Ⅰ and PSD95 （P<0.01）， increased microglial activation （P<0.01）， and upregulated mRNA levels of TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the high-dose schisanlactone E group and the donepezil group exhibited shortened escape latency and increased time in the target quadrant and platform crossings （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The schisanlactone E groups and the donepezil group showed increased novel object exploration time （P<0.05， P<0.01） and percentage of novel object contact frequency （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and reduced hippocampal Aβ aggregation （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The schisanlactone E groups showed a decreased proportion of Th17 cells （P<0.05） and an increased proportion of Treg cells （P<0.05） in the peripheral blood， and all treatment groups showed a decreased Th17/Treg ratio （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The high-dose schisanlactone E group showed a downregulated mRNA level of RORγt in the hippocampal tissue （P<0.05）， and all treatment groups showed a downregulated mRNA level of IL-17A （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and upregulated mRNA levels of FoxP3 and IL-4 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The schisanlactone E groups and the donepezil group showed increased synapses， active zone length， synaptic interface curvature， and PSD density， decreased synaptic cleft width （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and upregulated protein levels of synapsin Ⅰ and PSD95 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The high-dose schisanlactone E group and the donepezil group showed decreased microglial activation in the hippocampus （P<0.01）. The schisanlactone E groups and the donepezil group showed downregulated mRNA levels of TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β in the hippocampal tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionSchisanlactone E significantly improves the cognitive function in APP/PS1 mice by regulating the Th17/Treg immune balance， inhibiting neuroinflammation， and ameliorating synaptic injury.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of aspirin curcumin ester （CA） on the activation and glucose metabolism reprogramming of the mouse microglia （BV2） model of inflammation induced by high glucose/β-amyloid （Aβ）_1-42， and to explore the potential mechanism of CA in reducing neuroinflammatory response in the brain. MethodsThe BV2 activation model was constructed by high glucose combined with Aβ_1-42 oligomers. BV2 cells were treated with Aβ_1-42 oligomers （10 μmol·L^-1） in a high glucose （50 mmol·L^-1） environment and allocated into normal， high glucose， Aβ， and high glucose + Aβ groups. The cell morphology of each group was observed under a bright field. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was adopted to assess the mRNA levels of inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） as well as glycolysis-related glucose transporter type 1 （GLUT1）， hexokinase 2 （HK2）， phospofructokinase-2/fructose-2，6-bisphosphatase 3 （PFKFB3）， and pyruvate kinase M2 （PKM2）. To reveal the effects of CA on inflammatory response and glucose metabolism in BV2 cells exposed to high glucose/Aβ_1-42， this study established the BV2 cell model of inflammatory activation by high glucose and Aβ_1-42 oligomer intervention. The cells were allocated into normal， model （50 mmol·L^-1 glucose + 10 μmol·L^-1 Aβ_1-42）， CA （10 μmol·L^-1）， 2DG （0.2 mmol·L^-1）， and DADA （1 mmol·L^-1） groups. Cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） was used to detect cell survival rate. The cell morphology of each group was observed under a bright field. The expression of inflammatory factors TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β and glycolysis-related key enzymes GLUT1， HK2， PFKFB3， and PKM2 at the mRNA level in each group was measured by real-time PCR. The protein levels of GLUT1， HK2， PFKFB3， and PKM2 were determined by Western blot. The glycolysis rate in each group was measured by seahorse. LC-MS was employed to identify the glucose metabolism intermediates. The morphology of mitochondria in cells was observed by electron microscopy. ResultsConstruction of the BV2 cell model： Compared with the normal group， the Aβ group and the high glucose + Aβ group showed more amoeboid-shaped cells and cell aggregation. The high glucose + Aβ group exhibited increased the mRNA levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， as well as those of key glycolytic enzymes GLUT1， HK2， PFKFB3， and PKM2 （P<0.01）. The Aβ group also showed significantly increased mRNA levels of PKM2 and PFKFB3 （P<0.01）. Effects of CA on the inflammatory response and glucose metabolism in BV2 cells exposed to high glucose/Aβ_1-42： Compared with the normal group， the model group exhibited amoeboid-shaped cells and cell aggregation， upregulated mRNA levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， iNOS， GLUT1， HK2， PFKFB3， and PKM2 （P<0.01） and protein levels of GLUT1， HK2， and PFKFB3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， an increased basal glycolysis rate （P<0.01）， a decreased compensatory glycolysis rate （P<0.01）， increased glycolytic intermediates and reduced TCA cycle intermediates. In addition， the mitochondria in the model group exhibited a decreased number （P<0.05）， impaired crista integrity （P<0.01）， an increased proportion of vacuolization （P<0.01）， and abnormal mitochondrial morphology. Compared with those in the model group， the number of amoeboid-shaped BV2 cells reduced in the CA and 2DG groups， while most BV2 cells in the DADA group became elongated spindle-shaped. All the three treatment groups showed downregulated mRNA levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， GLUT1， HK2， PFKFB3， and PKM2 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， downregulated protein levels of GLUT1， HK2， and PFKFB3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and slow compensatory glycolysis and basal glycolysis （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Glycolytic intermediates were decreased and TCA cycle intermediates were increased in the CA and 2DG groups. Mitochondrial morphology largely returned to the normal level in all the three treatment groups， with an increase in mitochondrial number （P<0.05）， improved crista integrity （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and a decreased proportion of vacuolization （P<0.05）. ConclusionAβ_1-42 oligomers can activate BV2 cells and enhance glycolytic activity in the high glucose environment. CA can reduce the expression of inflammatory factors and inhibit the activation of BV2 cells by regulating the glucose metabolism reprogramming in BV2 cells.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of paeoniflorin （PF） on neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment in the rat model of Alzheimer's disease （AD） and to clarify whether its mechanism is associated with regulation of the Janus kinase 2 （JAK2）/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） signaling pathway. MethodsGlycosides related to AD-associated neuroinflammation were screened through bibliometric analysis， and the potential targets of PF were predicted through network pharmacology and molecular docking. A rat model of AD was established by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose （100 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）. Rats were assigned into a control group， a model group， a PF （200 mg·kg^-1） group， and a donepezil （0.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） group， and drugs were administered by gavage for 21 days. The learning and memory abilities were evaluated by the Morris water maze （MWM）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Nissl staining were performed to observe hippocampal neuronal morphology. The mRNA levels of inflammatory factors were determined by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， and the protein levels of molecules in the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group showed prolonged escape latency and decreased platform crossings and time spent in the target quadrant （P<0.05， P<0.01）， accompanied by increased expression of interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， as well as elevated ratios of phosphorylated （p）-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the PF group and donepezil group exhibited shortened escape latency and increased platform crossings and time spent in the target quadrant （P<0.05， P<0.01）， decreased expression levels of IL-1β and TNF-α， upregulated mRNA levels of interleukin-4 （IL-4） and interleukin-10 （IL-10）， and reduced ratios of p-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionPaeoniflorin can alleviate cognitive impairment and neuroinflammation in the rat model of AD by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of the combination of a flexible negative pres-sure suction sheath with ureteroscopy in the treatment of lower calyx renal stones.Methods This study in-cluded 169 patients with lower calyx calculi admitted to Yongchuan Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University from January 2021 to December 2023.they were divided into a control group(n=81)and an exper-imental group(n=89).The control group underwent traditional flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy,while the experimental group underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy combined with a flexible negative pressure suction sheath.The surgical time,postoperative infection status,complications,stone clearance rate,and stone compo-sition analysis were compared between the two groups.Results The experimental group showed shorter oper-ation time than the control group(P＜0.05).Postoperative inflammatory and infection indicators[procalcito-nin(PCT),C reactive protein(CRP),white blood cell count(WBC),systemic inflammatory response syn-drome(SIRS)incidence and positive blood culture rate]in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The experimental group also demonstrated lower inci-dence of postoperative fever,reduced back pain,lower urinary red blood cell counts and serum creatinine levels(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01)compared to the control group.The stone clearance rate was significantly higher in the experimental group(P＜0.01)than in control group.There was no statistically significant difference in the composition of stones of the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion The combination of a flexible negative pres-sure suction sheath with ureteroscopy for the treatment of lower calyx renal stones is an effective treatment method.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of jingjin needling combined with rehabilitation training and conventional acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training for post-stroke spastic paralysis. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with post-stroke spastic paralysis were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. Both groups received conventional rehabilitation training. In the observation group, jingjin needling was applied at tendon blockage points of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle. In the control group, conventional acupuncture was applied at Jianyu (LI15), Quchi (LI11), Hegu (LI4), Biguan (ST31), Fengshi (GB31), Taichong (LR3), etc. on the affected side. Treatment was given once daily, 5 days a week for 4 weeks in both groups. The scores of clinical spasticity index (CSI), modified Ashworth scale, modified Barthel index (MBI), and Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA) were evaluated before and after treatment, and the onset time was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the scores of CSI and modified Ashworth scale were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.001), while the scores of MBI and FMA were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.001) in the two groups. After treatment, the scores of CSI and modified Ashworth scale in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05), the MBI score in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in FMA scores between the two groups (P>0.05). The onset time of the observation group was earlier than that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Both jingjin needling combined with rehabilitation training and conventional acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training can effectively treat post-stroke spastic paralysis, jingjin needling combined with rehabilitation training exhibits better therapeutic effect and rapider onset.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Stroke/complications* ; Adult ; Acupuncture Points ; Muscle Spasticity/etiology* ; Treatment Outcome ; Stroke Rehabilitation ; Paralysis/therapy* ; Combined Modality Therapy

Background::Psychological stress has been reported to be a potential risk factor for hypertension among females, but it remains unclear whether spousal chronic stress levels alter the risk of hypertension among women. We examined the associations between stress within the family and hypertension among married women.Methods::Reproductive-aged women who were planning for pregnancy and their husbands were recruited from the National Free Pre-pregnancy Checkup Projects (NFPCP) across 31 provinces in China in 2016 and 2017. Perceived stress of wives or husbands was measured with a 5-point Likert-type scale, and assessed from three domains: work/life-related stress, economic stress, and overall stress. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between stress status and the prevalence of hypertension.Results::Of 10,027,644 couples, 261,098 (2.60%) women had hypertension. The results showed that higher stress levels among themselves or their husbands were associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension in women ( Pfor trend <0.001). Compared with non-stressed participants, female participants with the highest stress themselves were at a greater risk of hypertension, with adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.31 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25-1.37); and compared with participants whose husbands had no stress, those whose husbands had the highest stress level were at a higher risk of hypertension with adjusted OR of 1.24 (95% CI: 1.20-1.29). Moreover, compared with non-stressed status for both couples, only-wife-stressed, only-husband-stressed, and both-stressed couples were found to be significantly associated with increased risks of wives’ hypertension, with adjusted ORs of 1.28 (95% CI: 1.25-1.31), 1.19 (95% CI: 1.17-1.21), and 1.28 (95% CI: 1.26-1.31), respectively. Conclusion::Moderate to severe stress in both spouses might be associated with female hypertension prevalence, which highlights the importance of paying attention to the psychological stresses of couples within the family.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Danggui Shaoyaosan （DSS） on the morphology and function of mitochondria in rats model of Alzheimer's disease （AD） and its possible mechanism. MethodRats model of AD was established by injection of streptozocin （STZ） into bilateral ventricles of SD rats. The 40 rats were randomly divided into sham group， model group， low， medium and high dosages of Danggui Shaoyaosan （12，24，36 g·kg^-1·d^-1） groups，observed the morphological changes of mitochondria in hippocampus of rats by electron microscopy after 14 days of continuous gavage. In situ end labeling（TUNEL） staining used to detect apoptosis and immunofluorescencereactive used to observe the expression of reactive oxygen species （ROS） and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ coactivator lalpha （PGC-1α），quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR）detected the mRNA expression of dynamin-related protein 1 （Drp1），mitochondrial fusion protein 2 （MFN2） ，cytochrome C oxidase subunit Ⅳ （COX Ⅳ） and PGC-1α. Western blot detected the protein expression of adenosine 5'-monophosphate （AMP）-activated protein kinase （AMPK），phosphorylation（p）-AMPK，recombinant Sirtuin 1 （SIRT1） and PGC-1α. ResultCompared with the sham group，the results of model group showed that the damage of mitochondria in hippocampus was more obvious，accelerated the ROS production and apoptosis rate （P<0.01），decreased the mRNA level of MFN2，COX Ⅳ，PGC-1α，increased the mRNA level of Drp1，and descended the protein of p-AMPK/AMPK，SIRT1，PGC-1α （P<0.05，P<0.01）.Compared with the model group，the medium and high dose of DSS group notably improved the damage of mitochondria，reduced the production of ROS and apoptosis rate （P<0.01），promoted the mRNA expression of MFN2，COX Ⅳ，PGC-1α，inhibited the mRNA expression of Drp1，and up-regulated the protein of p-AMPK/AMPK，SIRT1，PGC-1α （P<0.01）. ResultDSS can significantly ameliorate the mitochondrial homeostasis imbalance in AD rats.

Adipose tissue is a promising target for treating obesity and metabolic diseases. However, pharmacological agents usually fail to effectively engage adipocytes due to their extraordinarily large size and insufficient vascularization, especially in obese subjects. We have previously shown that during cold exposure, connexin43 (Cx43) gap junctions are induced and activated to connect neighboring adipocytes to share limited sympathetic neuronal input amongst multiple cells. We reason the same mechanism may be leveraged to improve the efficacy of various pharmacological agents that target adipose tissue. Using an adipose tissue-specific Cx43 overexpression mouse model, we demonstrate effectiveness in connecting adipocytes to augment metabolic efficacy of the β ₃-adrenergic receptor agonist Mirabegron and FGF21. Additionally, combing those molecules with the Cx43 gap junction channel activator danegaptide shows a similar enhanced efficacy. In light of these findings, we propose a model in which connecting adipocytes via Cx43 gap junction channels primes adipose tissue to pharmacological agents designed to engage it. Thus, Cx43 gap junction activators hold great potential for combination with additional agents targeting adipose tissue.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic performance of Xpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis/rifampin (Xpert MTB/RIF) assay for pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Methods:Clinical data of 226 patients with AIDS and suspected pulmonary TB in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University from July 2017 to November 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Fluorescence staining microscopy of sputum smear, BACTEC MGIT 960 liquid culture (or Roche solid culture) and Xpert MTB/RIF assay were implemented respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of Xpert MTB/RIF in the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection and rifampin resistance were analyzed. Results:Totally 226 patients of suspected pulmonary TB were enrolled. There were 94(41.6%) patients had positive mycobacterium culture, in which 51 (54.3%) were MTB and 43 (45.7%) were nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). Using the positive MTB culture of sputum and mycobacterial protein from BCG of Rm 0.64 in electrophoresis (MPB64) as reference standard, the sensitivity and specificity of Xpert MTB/RIF assay for MTB diagnosis were 72.6%(95% confidence interval ( CI) 66.7%-78.4%) and 97.1% (95% CI 95.0%-99.3%), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of Xpert MTB/RIF assay for MTB diagnosis in patients with positive sputum smear were 76.7%(95% CI 67.7%-85.8%) and 90.0(95% CI 83.6%-96.5%), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of Xpert MTB/RIF assay for MTB diagnosis in patients with negative sputum smear were 50.0%(95% CI 41.8%-58.2%)and 99.3%(95% CI 97.9%-100.0%), respectively. With phenotypic resistance as reference standard, the sensitivity and specificity of Xpert MTB/RIF assay for rifampicin resistance were 75.0% and 100.0%, respectively. Conclusion:Among AIDS patients, the performance of Xpert MTB/RIF assay for pulmonary TB diagnosis is pretty good and could differentiate MTB from NTM rapidly, which has good application value.