1.Mechanism of vagus nerve stimulation in the neuroregulation of attention
Jincao ZHI ; Xueyan JIA ; Qing CHANG ; He XU ; Weiwei JI ; Yan WANG
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(2):139-146
Attention refers to the body's capacity to maintain alert awareness of internal and external stimuli.Attention deficit can impair an individual's learning capacity and working proficiency,resulting in a heavy burden to the family and society.Vagus nerve stimulation(VNS)is an emerging neuro regulatory technique that can achieve reciprocal interaction between the central and peripheral nervous systems,which has demonstrated great potential for the treatment of neurological and psychiatric diseases;however,it has not been used clinically to treat attention-deficient developmental disorders in children or neurodegenerative diseases in the aged population.We briefly review the anatomical and physiological bases of VNS,and its application status and potential use in treating attention deficit diseases.A potential mechanism by which VNS participates in attention-related nervous regulation is proposed,to lay a theoretical foundation for the application of VNS in the field of attention nervous regulation.
2.Mechanism of vagus nerve stimulation in the neuroregulation of attention
Jincao ZHI ; Xueyan JIA ; Qing CHANG ; He XU ; Weiwei JI ; Yan WANG
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(2):139-146
Attention refers to the body's capacity to maintain alert awareness of internal and external stimuli.Attention deficit can impair an individual's learning capacity and working proficiency,resulting in a heavy burden to the family and society.Vagus nerve stimulation(VNS)is an emerging neuro regulatory technique that can achieve reciprocal interaction between the central and peripheral nervous systems,which has demonstrated great potential for the treatment of neurological and psychiatric diseases;however,it has not been used clinically to treat attention-deficient developmental disorders in children or neurodegenerative diseases in the aged population.We briefly review the anatomical and physiological bases of VNS,and its application status and potential use in treating attention deficit diseases.A potential mechanism by which VNS participates in attention-related nervous regulation is proposed,to lay a theoretical foundation for the application of VNS in the field of attention nervous regulation.
3.Association between dietary choline intake trajectories and cognitive function in middle-aged and older population
Yibing LIU ; Wenwen DU ; Qiuye CAO ; Huijun WANG ; Chang SU ; Yuna HE ; Jingang JI ; Jing LI ; Xiaofang JIA
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(2):210-217
Objective:To identify the trajectories of dietary choline intake in middle-aged and older population, and to analyze its longitudinal association with cognitive function.Methods:Subjects aged 55 to 79 years with at least two rounds of completed population economics, lifestyle, disease history, cognitive function, dietary assessments and physical measurements in 1997-2018 and those with at least three rounds of dietary measures in 1991-2015 were selected from the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Dietary survey was conducted using three consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls combined with a weighing inventory at the household level. Cognitive assessment was performed using part of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status Scale. Group-based univariate trajectory modeling was used to identify trajectory of choline intake, and three-level linear mixed-effects models or three-level logistic mixed-effects models was employed to analyze the relationship between trajectory groups and cognitive function. Subgroup analyses were conducted by gender and age at baseline.Results:Four trajectories of dietary choline intake were identified in the whole population, named as low-intake-stable group (61.0%), medium-intake-stable group (23.9%), medium-intake-slowly-declined group (11.2%), and high-intake-stable group (3.9%). Three trajectories were identified for each subgroup. Low-intake-stable group accounted for more than 60% in total population as well as each subgroup, especially in women and 55-59 years group. After adjusting for covariates, global cognitive scores were 0.54 (95% CI: 0.26-0.82), 0.77 (95% CI: 0.36-1.18), and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.21-1.48) points higher in medium-intake-stable, medium-intake- slowly-declined and high-intake-stable groups in the whole population, respectively, compared with the low-intake-stable group. The likelihoods of cognitive decline were 18.4% ( OR=0.816,95% CI: 0.709-0.939), 17.6% ( OR=0.824, 95% CI: 0.680-0.998), 24.4% ( OR=0.756, 95% CI: 0.589-0.970) and 22.4% ( OR=0.776,95% CI: 0.623-0.968) lower in medium-intake-stable group of dietary choline in the whole population, medium-intake-stable group in males, medium-intake-slightly-increased group in females and medium-intake-slowly-increased group in 55-59 years at baseline than in low-intake-stable group, respectively. Conclusions:Dietary choline intake is generally lower in the Chinese population aged 55-79 years. Long-term lower choline intake has a negative impact on cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults and may increase the risk of cognitive decline. The increment in the consumption of choline-enriched foods should be recommended.
4.Effect of life reconstruction training on anxiety and depression among individuals with chronic spinal cord injury and their caregivers
Haixia XIE ; Xinxing HU ; Hua ZHAI ; Peipei LIN ; Jianhui HE ; Jia ZHANG ; Xiaowan DONG ; Fengshui CHANG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2025;31(11):1333-1341
Objective To explore the effect of life reconstruction training on anxiety and depression among individuals with chronic spinal cord injury(SCI)and their caregivers,and to analyze the influencing factors.Methods A total of 216 SCI patients and 79 caregivers who participated in life reconstruction training were recruited from the Hope House for SCI individuals in Shanghai Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital from May,2017 to Octo-ber,2019.They were assessed with Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)and Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS)be-fore and after intervention.Results After intervention,the scores of SAS and SDS decreased(P<0.05)in both SCI patients and their caregivers.SAS scores were more likely to reduce in SCI patients who suffered anxiety at admission(OR=2.315,95%CI 1.328 to 4.033,P=0.003)and their caregivers(OR=3.632,95%CI 1.270 to 10.390,P=0.016),as well as non-agricultural-registered SCI patients(OR=1.908,95%CI 1.074 to 3.391,P=0.028).Being unmarried,having an injury duration≥21 years,injury due to disease,and having depression at admission significantly promoted the reduction in SDS scores among SCI patients(P<0.05).Caregivers with a junior-high-school education or less were more likely to experience reductions in scores of SAS and SDS compared with those with higher education(P<0.05).Caregivers with five to 15 years of caregiving experience achieved more anxiety reduction(OR=7.155,95%CI 1.806 to 28.342,P=0.005).Conclusion Life reconstruction training is effective on anxiety and depression among individuals with chronic SCI and their caregivers.It is recommended to prioritize anxiety interventions for patients with rural household registra-tion in China,along with depression management for the married/divorced/widowed individuals,with<21 years since injury,and trauma-induced lesions.For caregivers,it is needed to focus to anxiety and depression in better-educated individuals,as well as anxiety in those with either<5 or≥15 years of caregiving experience.
5.Screening and Identification of Nanobodies Against β-Conglycinin
Jia-Shu CHANG ; Hua-Bo SUN ; Yu-Ting WANG ; Xiao-Hui WANG ; Bo YANG ; Hong-Rui LIU ; Yue-Xin LI ; Yuan-Zhao SUN ; Shao-Peng GU ; Jin-Xin HE
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(5):764-770
Soy is a vital source of plant carbohydrates.However,it poses significant allergenic risks,particularly to young children and animals.Among the various proteins in soy,β-conglycinin,which con-stitutes approximately 30%of total soy carbohydrates,is a primary allergen.Undigested β-conglycinin can lead to intestinal damage by inhibiting cell growth,disrupting the cytoskeleton,and inducing apopto-sis.It can also enter the lymphatic and circulatory systems,triggering allergic reactions.Conventional ELISA methods for detecting β-conglycinin rely on polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies,which are limited by their large molecular weight,difficulty in accessing the protein core,and sensitivity to acidic and bas-ic conditions.To address these limitations,this study aimed to develop nanobodies(Nbs)against β-con-glycinin.Nbs,derived from the variable regions of heavy-chain antibodies found in camelids,have a mo-lecular weight approximately one-tenth that of conventional antibodies.They offer advantages such as small size,stable structure,high specificity,and strong affinity.A female alpacas was immunized five times using β-conglycinin,which showed a heavy chain antibody potency of 1∶16 000 by ELISA.Pe-ripheral blood lymphocytes were subsequently isolated and total RNA was extracted.The variable region of the heavy-chain antibody was amplified via PCR,and recombinant plasmids were constructed and transformed into the E.coli competency strain ER2738.The resulting library contained about 3.5×108 CFU/mL,which increased to 1.15×1012 PFU/mL after phage rescue,with a 100%Nbs gene insertion rate,indicating high diversity.Its Nbs phage output was significantly enriched by four rounds of solid-phase elution with an enrichment rate of 155.9.Four rounds of solid-phase panning yielded 35 positive clones,all of which shared the same amino acid sequence upon sequencing.The selected Nb was ex-pressed in a prokaryotic system,and its binding ability to β-conglycinin was confirmed using Western blotting and ELISA.The results demonstrated excellent specificity and affinity.This research lays the groundwork for developing a rapid and efficient detection method for β-conglycinin using Nbs,potentially enhancing food safety and allergen management.
6.Effect of life reconstruction training on anxiety and depression among individuals with chronic spinal cord injury and their caregivers
Haixia XIE ; Xinxing HU ; Hua ZHAI ; Peipei LIN ; Jianhui HE ; Jia ZHANG ; Xiaowan DONG ; Fengshui CHANG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2025;31(11):1333-1341
Objective To explore the effect of life reconstruction training on anxiety and depression among individuals with chronic spinal cord injury(SCI)and their caregivers,and to analyze the influencing factors.Methods A total of 216 SCI patients and 79 caregivers who participated in life reconstruction training were recruited from the Hope House for SCI individuals in Shanghai Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital from May,2017 to Octo-ber,2019.They were assessed with Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)and Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS)be-fore and after intervention.Results After intervention,the scores of SAS and SDS decreased(P<0.05)in both SCI patients and their caregivers.SAS scores were more likely to reduce in SCI patients who suffered anxiety at admission(OR=2.315,95%CI 1.328 to 4.033,P=0.003)and their caregivers(OR=3.632,95%CI 1.270 to 10.390,P=0.016),as well as non-agricultural-registered SCI patients(OR=1.908,95%CI 1.074 to 3.391,P=0.028).Being unmarried,having an injury duration≥21 years,injury due to disease,and having depression at admission significantly promoted the reduction in SDS scores among SCI patients(P<0.05).Caregivers with a junior-high-school education or less were more likely to experience reductions in scores of SAS and SDS compared with those with higher education(P<0.05).Caregivers with five to 15 years of caregiving experience achieved more anxiety reduction(OR=7.155,95%CI 1.806 to 28.342,P=0.005).Conclusion Life reconstruction training is effective on anxiety and depression among individuals with chronic SCI and their caregivers.It is recommended to prioritize anxiety interventions for patients with rural household registra-tion in China,along with depression management for the married/divorced/widowed individuals,with<21 years since injury,and trauma-induced lesions.For caregivers,it is needed to focus to anxiety and depression in better-educated individuals,as well as anxiety in those with either<5 or≥15 years of caregiving experience.
7.A phase Ⅲ clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of antaitasvir phosphate combined with yiqibuvir in the treatment of adults with chronic hepatitis C
Lai WEI ; Jia SHANG ; Xuan AN ; Guoqiang ZHANG ; Yujuan GUAN ; Hongxin PIAO ; Jinglan JIN ; Lang BAI ; Xingxiang YANG ; Daokun YANG ; Xinhua LUO ; Shufang YUAN ; Yingren ZHAO ; Yingjie MA ; Guangming LI ; Feng LIN ; Xiaoping WU ; Jiawei GENG ; Guizhou ZOU ; Jiabao CHANG ; Zuojiong GONG ; Xiaorong MAO ; Jing ZHU ; Wentao GUO ; Qingwei HE ; Lin LUO ; Yulei ZHUANG ; Hongming XIE ; Yingjun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2025;33(6):560-569
Objective:To assess the efficacy and safety profile of antaitasvir phosphate combined with yiqibuvir in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) of various genotypes, without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis.Methods:394 cases with CHC from 22 centers were collected from October 2021 to April 2023. They were randomly assigned to receive either the experimental drugs (antaitasvir phosphate 100 mg+yiqibuvir 600 mg) or placebo treatment in a 3∶1 ratio. The patients were administered drugs once a day for 12 consecutive weeks, and then followed up for 24 weeks after treatment cessation. All subjects were unblinded at the four-week follow-up following drug discontinuation, with the experimental drug group continuing to complete subsequent post-discontinuation follow-up. The placebo group was switched to receive the experimental drugs for a repeated 12-week treatment period and followed up for another 24 weeks after discontinuation of the drug (placebo delayed treatment phase).The sustained virologic response rate (SVR12) was observed for subjects in the double-blind phase and the placebo delayed-treatment phase at 12 weeks after treatment cessation.Virological resistance analysis was performed on subjects who failed treatment. The primary efficacy endpoint was SVR12. The number and percentage of subjects who achieved "HCV RNA
8.Association between dietary choline intake trajectories and cognitive function in middle-aged and older population
Yibing LIU ; Wenwen DU ; Qiuye CAO ; Huijun WANG ; Chang SU ; Yuna HE ; Jingang JI ; Jing LI ; Xiaofang JIA
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(2):210-217
Objective:To identify the trajectories of dietary choline intake in middle-aged and older population, and to analyze its longitudinal association with cognitive function.Methods:Subjects aged 55 to 79 years with at least two rounds of completed population economics, lifestyle, disease history, cognitive function, dietary assessments and physical measurements in 1997-2018 and those with at least three rounds of dietary measures in 1991-2015 were selected from the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Dietary survey was conducted using three consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls combined with a weighing inventory at the household level. Cognitive assessment was performed using part of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status Scale. Group-based univariate trajectory modeling was used to identify trajectory of choline intake, and three-level linear mixed-effects models or three-level logistic mixed-effects models was employed to analyze the relationship between trajectory groups and cognitive function. Subgroup analyses were conducted by gender and age at baseline.Results:Four trajectories of dietary choline intake were identified in the whole population, named as low-intake-stable group (61.0%), medium-intake-stable group (23.9%), medium-intake-slowly-declined group (11.2%), and high-intake-stable group (3.9%). Three trajectories were identified for each subgroup. Low-intake-stable group accounted for more than 60% in total population as well as each subgroup, especially in women and 55-59 years group. After adjusting for covariates, global cognitive scores were 0.54 (95% CI: 0.26-0.82), 0.77 (95% CI: 0.36-1.18), and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.21-1.48) points higher in medium-intake-stable, medium-intake- slowly-declined and high-intake-stable groups in the whole population, respectively, compared with the low-intake-stable group. The likelihoods of cognitive decline were 18.4% ( OR=0.816,95% CI: 0.709-0.939), 17.6% ( OR=0.824, 95% CI: 0.680-0.998), 24.4% ( OR=0.756, 95% CI: 0.589-0.970) and 22.4% ( OR=0.776,95% CI: 0.623-0.968) lower in medium-intake-stable group of dietary choline in the whole population, medium-intake-stable group in males, medium-intake-slightly-increased group in females and medium-intake-slowly-increased group in 55-59 years at baseline than in low-intake-stable group, respectively. Conclusions:Dietary choline intake is generally lower in the Chinese population aged 55-79 years. Long-term lower choline intake has a negative impact on cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults and may increase the risk of cognitive decline. The increment in the consumption of choline-enriched foods should be recommended.
9.Mechanism of total flavone of Abelmoschus manihot in treating ulcerative colitis and depression via intestinal flora-glycerophospholipid metabolism- macrophage polarization pathway.
Chang-Ye LU ; Xiao-Min YUAN ; Lin-Hai HE ; Jia-Rong MAO ; Yu-Gen CHEN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(5):1286-1297
This study delves into the mechanism of total flavone of Abelmoschus manihot(TFA) in treating ulcerative colitis(UC) and depression via inhibiting M1 polarization of macrophages and reshaping intestinal flora and glycerolphospholipid metabolism. The study established a mouse model of UC and depression induced by chronic restraint stress(CRS) and dextran sulfate sodium(DSS). The fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT) experiment after TFA intervention was conducted. Mice in the FMT donor group were modeled and treated, and fecal samples were taken to prepare the bacterial solution. Mice in the FMT receptor group were treated with antibiotic intervention, and then administered bacterial solution by gavage from mice in the donor group, followed by UC depression modeling. After the experiment, behavioral tests were conducted to evaluate depressive-like behaviors by measuring the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) in the hippocampus of mice. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6),and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)in the brain and colon tissue of mice were also measured, and the polarization status of macrophages was evaluated by measuring the mRNA levels of CD86 and CD206. 16S ribosomal RNA(16S rRNA) sequencing technology was used to analyze changes in the intestinal flora of mice. Wide target lipidomics was used to detect serum lipid metabolite levels in mice after FMT,and correlation analysis was conducted between lipids and differential intestinal flora significantly regulated by TFA. In vitro experiments, representative glycerophospholipid metabolites and glycerophospholipid inhibitors were used to intervene in Raw264.7 macrophages, and the mRNA levels of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,CD86,and CD206 were detected. The results showed that TFA and FMT after intervention could significantly improve depressive-like behavior and intestinal inflammation in mice with UC and depression, significantly downregulate pro-inflammatory cytokines and CD86 mRNA expression in brain and colon tissue, inhibiting M1 polarization of macrophages, and significantly upregulate CD206 mRNA expression, promoting M2 polarization of macrophages. In addition, the high-dose group had a more significant effect. After TFA intervention, FMT significantly corrected the metabolic disorder of glycerophospholipids in mice with UC and depression, and there was a significant correlation between differential intestinal flora and glycerophospholipids. In vitro experiments showed that glycerophospholipid metabolites, especially lysophosphatidylcholine(LPC),significantly upregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines and CD86 mRNA expression, promote M1 polarization of macrophages, while glycerophospholipid inhibitors had the opposite effect. The results indicate that TFA effectively treats depression and UC by correcting intestinal flora dysbiosis and reshaping glycerophospholipid metabolism, thereby inhibiting M1 polarization of macrophages.
Animals
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Mice
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Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
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Abelmoschus/chemistry*
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Macrophages/metabolism*
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Colitis, Ulcerative/immunology*
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Flavones/administration & dosage*
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Male
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Depression/genetics*
;
Glycerophospholipids/metabolism*
;
Humans
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
10.Cognitive function disparities among atrial fibrillation patients with varying comorbidities.
Mei-Qi ZHAO ; Ting SHEN ; Man-Lin ZHAO ; Jia-Xin LIU ; Mei-Lin XU ; Xin LI ; Liu HE ; Yu KONG ; Chang-Sheng MA
Journal of Geriatric Cardiology 2025;22(10):859-870
BACKGROUND:
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is common in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients and may develop earlier in those with multiple cardiovascular comorbidities, potentially impairing self-management and treatment adherence. This study aimed to characterize the prevalence and profile of MCI in AF patients, examine its associations with cardiovascular comorbidities, and assess how these comorbidities influence specific cognitive domains.
METHODS:
This cross-sectional study analyzed data from AF patients who underwent cognitive assessment between 2017 and 2021. Cognitive status was categorized as MCI or non-MCI based on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Associations between comorbidities and MCI were assessed by logistic regression, and cognitive domains were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test.
RESULTS:
Of 4136 AF patients (mean age: 64.7 ± 9.4 years, 64.7% male), 33.5% of patients had MCI. Among the AF patients, 31.2% of patients had coronary artery disease, 20.1% of patients had heart failure, and 18.1% of patients had hypertension. 88.7% of patients had left atrial enlargement, and 11.0% of patients had reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Independent factors associated with higher MCI prevalence included older age (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.03-1.05, P < 0.001), lower education level (OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.31-1.73, P < 0.001), hypertension (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.07-1.52, P = 0.001), heart failure (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.04-1.48, P = 0.020), and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.04-1.98, P = 0.028). A higher CHA2DS2-VASc score (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.22-1.33, P < 0.001; ≥ 2 points vs. < 2 points), and greater atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease burden (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.02-2.08, P = 0.040; 2 types vs. 0 type) were linked to increased MCI risk. These above factors influenced various cognitive domains.
CONCLUSIONS
MCI is common in AF and closely associated with cardiovascular multimorbidity. Patients with multiple comorbidities are at higher risk, highlighting the importance of routine cognitive assessment to support self-management and integrated care.

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