1.Differences in postural control ability between older adults with mild cognitive impairment and those with normal cognition under different single-task and dual-task conditions
Yuxin ZHANG ; Cong YU ; Cui ZHANG ; Jianjun DING ; Yan CHEN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(8):1643-1649
BACKGROUND:The decreased postural control ability due to mild cognitive impairment in elderly people leads to the increased risk of falls.Dual-task is the primary research paradigm for evaluating the relationship between cognition and postural control in the scenes close to real life.The sample entropy of the plantar center of pressure(COP)displacement during standing can represent the complexity of postural control. OBJECTIVE:Based on the COP displacement sample entropy,to analyze the differences in postural stability characteristics and control strategies between older adults with mild cognitive impairment and cognitively normal older adults during the dual-task with postural control and spatial working memory,aiming to explore the impact of cognitive impairment on the postural control ability during standing. METHODS:Sixteen older adults with mild cognitive impairment and 17 cognitively normal older adults were eligible and selected for the study.They completed five test tasks,including spatial working memory,double-feet balance stance,Romberg stance,double-feet balance stance-spatial working memory dual-task,and Romberg stance-spatial working memory dual-task,with three valid completions of each task.The plantar COP data were collected by the Kistler 3D force platform.The indicators included cognitive behavior(cognitive score and reaction time)and kinematic indexes(COP displacement and sample entropy). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The older adults with mild cognitive impairment performed the spatial working memory task with the greatest cognitive score and the shortest reaction time,the double-feet balance stance-spatial working memory dual-task with moderate cognitive score and reaction time,and the Romberg stance-spatial working memory dual-task with the smallest cognitive score and the longest reaction time,where the differences were significant among the tasks(P<0.05).In the older adults with mild cognitive impairment,the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral COP displacements were significantly greater,and their sample entropy values were significantly smaller in the double-feet balance stance-spatial working memory dual-task and Romberg stance-spatial working memory dual-task than in the double-feet balance stance and Romberg stance tasks(P<0.05).In the spatial working memory task,there were no significant differences in cognitive score and reaction time between the both groups(P>0.05);however,in the double-feet balance stance-spatial working memory dual-task and Romberg stance-spatial working memory dual-task,cognitive scores were significantly smaller and reaction times were longer in the older adults with mild cognitive impairment compared with the cognitively normal older adults(P<0.05).In the double-feet balance stance-spatial working memory dual-task and Romberg stance-spatial working memory dual-task,the older adults with mild cognitive impairment exhibited significantly greater anterior-posterior and medial-lateral COP displacements and significantly smaller sample entropy values compared with the cognitively normal older adults(P<0.05).All findings indicate that compared with cognitively normal older adults,older adults with mild cognitive impairment exhibit smaller complexity,poorer systematic adaption and decreased automatic regulation of the postural control during performing the dual-tasks,who are more susceptible to spatial working memory interference,leading to the increased risk of falls.
2.Correlation between the health literacy of reducing salt,oil and sugar on overweight and obesity among fourthgrade elementary school students and their parents
HAO Ying, LIU Danru, CHEN Xianxian, REN Jie, XU Cong, DU Fengjun, GUO Xiaolei, DONG Jing, MA Jixiang
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(4):489-493
Objective:
To analyze the effects of health literacy on overweight and obesity among primary school students and their parents in terms of salt, oil and sugar reduction (referred to as the "three reductions"), so as to provide a theoretical basis for the development of obesity control measures.
Methods:
From March to April 2024, a total of 1 022 fourthgrade primary school students and 913 parents were surveyed in 24 classes in six counties in Shandong Province using multistage cluster random sampling, and physical measurements of primary school students were conducted. Pearsons correlation analysis and ordered multivariate Logistic regression were used to investigate the associations between health literacy of primary school students and their parents with overweight and obesity among children.
Results:
The detection rates of overweight and obesity primary school students in Shandong Province were 14.87% and 24.66%, respectively, with significant sex difference in obesity rate (29.46% for boys and 19.76% for girls) (χ2=12.93, P<0.01). In addition to students reducing oil scores, parental reducing salt,reducing oil,reducing sugar, comprehensive health literacy scores and students reducing salt,reducing sugar and comprehensive health literacy scores showed a negative relationship with students overweight and obesity (r=-0.10, -0.08, -0.07, -0.10, -0.04, -0.07, -0.03, P<0.05). The overweight and obesity rates among primary school students with high parental reducing salt,reducing oil,reducing sugar and composite health literacy scores were lower (OR=0.69, 0.69, 0.71, 0.63, P<0.05); and the overweight and obesity rate among students with high parental and low parental and high and low parental health literacy scores were lower (OR=0.68, 0.57, P<0.05).
Conclusion
Improving health literacy regarding "three reductions" for parents and children, especially parents, can effectively reduce the risk of childhood overweight and obesity.
3.Effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Qingzhi Formula on the cGAS/STING/TBK1 signaling pathway in mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus combined with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Yangyang GOU ; Jiahui MA ; Cong CHEN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(3):370-378
Objective:
To investigate how Zuogui Jiangtang Qingzhi Formula (ZGJTQZF), a traditional Chinese medicine compound for lowering blood glucose levels and clearing lipids based on Zuogui Pill, regulates the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)/stimulator of interferon genes (STING)/TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) signaling pathway to improve type 2 diabetes mellitus combined with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Methods:
According to fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, body weight, and sex, 40 MKR mice, with half being male and the other half female, were randomly divided into four groups: blank, model, ZGJTQZF (29.6 g/kg), metformin + simvastatin ([65.0+ 2.6] mg/kg), 10 mice per group, and a normal group consisting of 10 age-matched FVB mice. Mice in all groups, except in the normal and blank groups, were fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks to induce the disease model. Each group received daily gavage of the respective treatments for 8 weeks after successful modeling. Various parameters were measured, including FBG, liver function (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and aspartate transaminase [AST]), and blood lipids (triglyceride [TG] and total cholesterol [TC]). Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Histological liver changes were examined using transmission electron and optical microscope. cGAS, STING, and TBK1 protein and mRNA expression levels in liver tissues were detected using Western blotting and real-time PCR, respectively.
Results:
Compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited significant fat accumulation in hepatocytes and liver damage. Additionally, FBG, ALT, AST, serum TNF-α, IL-6, cGAS, STING and TBK1 expression levels in liver tissues were significantly elevated (P<0.05). Treatment with ZGJTQZF and metformin + simvastatin significantly improved FBG, ALT, AST, TG, TC, TNF-α, and IL-6 (P<0.01). Histologically, hepatic steatosis was notably alleviated. Expression of protein and mRNA of cGAS, STING, and TBK1 in liver tissues was significantly reduced (P<0.05).
Conclusion
ZGJTQZF improves lipid and glucose metabolism, mitigates liver injury, and reduces inflammatory markers in MKR mice. These effects may be mediated through the regulation of the cGAS/STING/TBK1 signaling pathway.
4.Mechanisms by which microgravity causes osteoporosis
Dejian XIANG ; Xiaoyuan LIANG ; Shenghong WANG ; Changshun CHEN ; Cong TIAN ; Zhenxing YAN ; Bin GENG ; Yayi XIA
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(10):2132-2140
BACKGROUND:The imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation in microgravity environments leads to significant bone loss in astronauts.Current research indicates that bone loss under microgravity conditions is the result of the combined effects of various cells,tissues,and systems. OBJECTIVE:To review different biological effects of microgravity on various cells,tissues,or systems,and summarize the mechanisms by which microgravity leads to the development of osteoporosis. METHODS:Databases such as PubMed,Web of Science,and the Cochrane Database were searched for relevant literature from 2000 to 2023.The inclusion criteria were all articles related to tissue engineering studies and basic research on osteoporosis caused by microgravity.Ultimately,85 articles were included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In microgravity environment,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells tend to differentiate more into adipocytes rather than osteoblasts,and hematopoietic stem cells in this environment are more inclined to differentiate into osteoclasts,reducing differentiation into the erythroid lineage.At the same time,microgravity inhibits the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts,promotes apoptosis of osteoblasts,alters cell morphology,and reduces the mineralization capacity of osteoblasts.Microgravity significantly increases the number and activity of osteoclasts.Microgravity also hinders the differentiation of osteoblasts into osteocytes and promotes the apoptosis of osteocytes.(2)In a microgravity environment,the body experiences changes such as skeletal muscle atrophy,microvascular remodeling,bone microcirculation disorders,and endocrine disruption.These changes lead to mechanical unloading in the bone microenvironment,insufficient blood perfusion,and calcium cycle disorders,which significantly impact the development of osteoporosis.(3)At present,the mechanism by which microgravity causes osteoporosis is relatively complex.A deeper study of these physiological mechanisms is crucial to ensuring the health of astronauts during long-term space missions,and provides a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
5.Shionone Inhibits Glomerular Fibirosis by Suppressing NLRP3 Related Inflammasome though SESN2-NRF2/ HO-1 Pathway
Tian XIAO ; Hanzhen ZHAO ; Yucong WANG ; Mengyin CHEN ; Cong WANG ; Chen QIAO
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(1):34-48
Background:
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most common and serious complication of diabetes mellitus. Shionone (SH), an important triterpenoid compound in the root extract of Aster, might exert a protective effect in DN mice and high glucose cultivated glomerular podocytes. The current study aimed to unravel the underlying mechanism by which SH mitigates DN. We postulate that SH stimulates the expression of sestrin-2 (SESN2), a pivotal stress-inducible protein in the anti-inflammasome machinery.
Methods:
We utilized high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin (55 mg/kg intraperitoneal) for DN mice model, and high glucose (30 mM, 48 hours) cultured glomerular podocytes for DN cell model to evaluate the effect of SH. We also preformed experimentation on SESN2 deficiency models (SESN2 knockout mice and SESN2 siRNA in cells) to further prove our hypothesis.
Results:
The results demonstrated that SH effectively suppressed glomerular fibrosis, induced adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation, and inhibited NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) activation. Furthermore, our findings revealed that SH exerted its anti-inflammatory effect through Sesn2-dependent nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) nuclear translocation and subsequent activation of its downstream target heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1).
Conclusion
In summary, our findings suggest that SH serves as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of DN-related glomerular fibrosis. SH enhances the expression of SESN2, attenuates α-smooth muscle actin accumulation, and suppresses NLRP3-related inflammation through the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
6.Hybrid decompression-based surgical strategy for treating multilevel thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum: a retrospective study
Cong NIE ; Kaiwen CHEN ; Shenyan GU ; Feizhou LYU ; Jianyuan JIANG ; Xinlei XIA ; Chaojun ZHENG
Asian Spine Journal 2025;19(1):74-84
Methods:
Motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) and somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEPs) were recorded in 48 patients with TOLF (hybrid 20 vs. en bloc 28) during surgery. Patients were categorized based on MEP/SEP improvement, deterioration, or no change, and MEP/SEP improvement rates were measured in the improvement group. Furthermore, all patients were assessed using the Ashworth and modified Japanese Orthopedic Association scores.
Results:
The incidences of both MEP/SEP improvement (21.4% vs. 25.0%, p=0.772) and deterioration (21.4% vs. 20.0%, p=0.904) were similar between the en bloc and hybrid laminectomy groups, and no difference in preoperative and postoperative clinical assessments was observed between the two groups (p>0.05). In four patients (4/28, 14.3%) undergoing en bloc laminectomy, MEP amplitudes initially increased after OLF removal but gradually decreased. This delayed MEP reduction did not occur in the hybrid laminectomy group. Furthermore, more patients undergoing en bloc laminectomy had CFL than those undergoing hybrid laminectomy (46.4% vs. 15.0%, p=0.023). In the improvement group, the hybrid laminectomy group exhibited higher MEP improvement rates in the bilateral abductor hallucis than the en bloc laminectomy group (left side: 213.4%±35.9% vs. 152.5%±41.0%, p=0.028; right side: 201.2%±32.0% vs. 145.2%±46.3%, p=0.043).
Conclusions
Compared with en bloc laminectomy, hybrid laminectomy may be a safe and effective method for treating multilevel TOLF, potentially reducing intraoperative spinal cord irritation and CFL and causing relatively better functional recovery.
7.Shionone Inhibits Glomerular Fibirosis by Suppressing NLRP3 Related Inflammasome though SESN2-NRF2/ HO-1 Pathway
Tian XIAO ; Hanzhen ZHAO ; Yucong WANG ; Mengyin CHEN ; Cong WANG ; Chen QIAO
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(1):34-48
Background:
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most common and serious complication of diabetes mellitus. Shionone (SH), an important triterpenoid compound in the root extract of Aster, might exert a protective effect in DN mice and high glucose cultivated glomerular podocytes. The current study aimed to unravel the underlying mechanism by which SH mitigates DN. We postulate that SH stimulates the expression of sestrin-2 (SESN2), a pivotal stress-inducible protein in the anti-inflammasome machinery.
Methods:
We utilized high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin (55 mg/kg intraperitoneal) for DN mice model, and high glucose (30 mM, 48 hours) cultured glomerular podocytes for DN cell model to evaluate the effect of SH. We also preformed experimentation on SESN2 deficiency models (SESN2 knockout mice and SESN2 siRNA in cells) to further prove our hypothesis.
Results:
The results demonstrated that SH effectively suppressed glomerular fibrosis, induced adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation, and inhibited NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) activation. Furthermore, our findings revealed that SH exerted its anti-inflammatory effect through Sesn2-dependent nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) nuclear translocation and subsequent activation of its downstream target heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1).
Conclusion
In summary, our findings suggest that SH serves as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of DN-related glomerular fibrosis. SH enhances the expression of SESN2, attenuates α-smooth muscle actin accumulation, and suppresses NLRP3-related inflammation through the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
8.Shionone Inhibits Glomerular Fibirosis by Suppressing NLRP3 Related Inflammasome though SESN2-NRF2/ HO-1 Pathway
Tian XIAO ; Hanzhen ZHAO ; Yucong WANG ; Mengyin CHEN ; Cong WANG ; Chen QIAO
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(1):34-48
Background:
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most common and serious complication of diabetes mellitus. Shionone (SH), an important triterpenoid compound in the root extract of Aster, might exert a protective effect in DN mice and high glucose cultivated glomerular podocytes. The current study aimed to unravel the underlying mechanism by which SH mitigates DN. We postulate that SH stimulates the expression of sestrin-2 (SESN2), a pivotal stress-inducible protein in the anti-inflammasome machinery.
Methods:
We utilized high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin (55 mg/kg intraperitoneal) for DN mice model, and high glucose (30 mM, 48 hours) cultured glomerular podocytes for DN cell model to evaluate the effect of SH. We also preformed experimentation on SESN2 deficiency models (SESN2 knockout mice and SESN2 siRNA in cells) to further prove our hypothesis.
Results:
The results demonstrated that SH effectively suppressed glomerular fibrosis, induced adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation, and inhibited NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) activation. Furthermore, our findings revealed that SH exerted its anti-inflammatory effect through Sesn2-dependent nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) nuclear translocation and subsequent activation of its downstream target heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1).
Conclusion
In summary, our findings suggest that SH serves as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of DN-related glomerular fibrosis. SH enhances the expression of SESN2, attenuates α-smooth muscle actin accumulation, and suppresses NLRP3-related inflammation through the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
9.Hybrid decompression-based surgical strategy for treating multilevel thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum: a retrospective study
Cong NIE ; Kaiwen CHEN ; Shenyan GU ; Feizhou LYU ; Jianyuan JIANG ; Xinlei XIA ; Chaojun ZHENG
Asian Spine Journal 2025;19(1):74-84
Methods:
Motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) and somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEPs) were recorded in 48 patients with TOLF (hybrid 20 vs. en bloc 28) during surgery. Patients were categorized based on MEP/SEP improvement, deterioration, or no change, and MEP/SEP improvement rates were measured in the improvement group. Furthermore, all patients were assessed using the Ashworth and modified Japanese Orthopedic Association scores.
Results:
The incidences of both MEP/SEP improvement (21.4% vs. 25.0%, p=0.772) and deterioration (21.4% vs. 20.0%, p=0.904) were similar between the en bloc and hybrid laminectomy groups, and no difference in preoperative and postoperative clinical assessments was observed between the two groups (p>0.05). In four patients (4/28, 14.3%) undergoing en bloc laminectomy, MEP amplitudes initially increased after OLF removal but gradually decreased. This delayed MEP reduction did not occur in the hybrid laminectomy group. Furthermore, more patients undergoing en bloc laminectomy had CFL than those undergoing hybrid laminectomy (46.4% vs. 15.0%, p=0.023). In the improvement group, the hybrid laminectomy group exhibited higher MEP improvement rates in the bilateral abductor hallucis than the en bloc laminectomy group (left side: 213.4%±35.9% vs. 152.5%±41.0%, p=0.028; right side: 201.2%±32.0% vs. 145.2%±46.3%, p=0.043).
Conclusions
Compared with en bloc laminectomy, hybrid laminectomy may be a safe and effective method for treating multilevel TOLF, potentially reducing intraoperative spinal cord irritation and CFL and causing relatively better functional recovery.
10.Exercise Ameliorates Chronic Restraint Stress-induced Anxiety via PVN CRH Neurons
Jing CHEN ; Cong-Cong CHEN ; Kai-Na ZHANG ; Yu-Lin LAI ; Yang ZOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):501-512
ObjectiveTo investigate the role of paraventricular nucleus (PVN) corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) neurons in chronic restraint stress (CRS)-induced anxiety-like behavior. And whether exercise relieves chronic restraint stress-induced anxiety through PVN CRH neurons. MethodsTwenty 8-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control (Ctrl) group and chronic restraint stress (CRS) group. The open field test (OFT) and elevated plus maze (EPM) were used to evaluate anxiety-like behavior of the mice. Food intake was recorded after CRS. Immunofluorescence staining was used to label the expression of c-Fos expression in PVN and calculate the co-expression of c-Fos and CRH neurons. We used chemogenetic activation of PVN CRH neurons to observed the anxiety-like behavior. 8-week treadmill training (10-16 m/min, 60 min/d, 6 d/week) were used to explore the role of exercise in ameliorating CRS-induced anxiety behavior and how PVN CRH neurons involved in it. ResultsCompared with Ctrl group, CRS group exhibited significant anxiety-like behavior. In OFT, the mice in CRS groups spent less time in center area (P<0.001). In EPM, the time in open arm in CRS group were significantly decreased (P<0.001). Besides, food intake was also suppressed in CRS group compared with Ctrl group (P<0.05). Compared with Ctrl group, CRS significantly increase c-Fos expression in PVN and most of CRH neurons co-express c-Fos (P<0.001). Chemogenetic activation of PVN CRH neurons induced anxiety-like behavior (P<0.05) and inhibited feeding behavior (P<0.01). Exercise relieves chronic restraint stress-induced anxiety (P<0.001) and relieved the anorexia caused by chronic restraint stress (P<0.05). Aerobic exercise inhibited the CRS labeled c-Fos in PVN CRH neurons (P<0.001). Furthermore, ablation of PVN CRH neurons attenuated CRS induced anxiety-like behavior. ConclusionCRS activated PVN CRH neurons, induced anxiety-like behavior and reduced food intake. 8-week exercise attenuated CRS-induced anxiety-like behavior through inhibiting PVN CRH neuron. Ablation of CRH PVN neurons ameliorated CRS-induced anxiety-like behavior. These finding reveals a potential neural mechanism of exercise-relieving CRS-induced anxiety-like behavior. This provides a new idea and theoretical basis for the treatment of anxiety and related mental disorders.


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