1.Impact of vestibular dysfunction on cognitive function
Ruiqi ZHANG ; Yanli ZHAO ; Dongmei ZHANG ; Wenyan LI ; Peixia WU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(2):218-224
Objective To investigate the impact of vestibular dysfunction on various domains of cognitive function, providing a basis for developing comprehensive vestibular-cognitive intervention strategies. Methods A total of 33 patients with confirmed unilateral vestibular dysfunction treated at Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University between June 2024 and December 2024. Vestibular function was assessed using vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP), caloric testing, video head impulse test (vHIT), and sensory organization test (SOT). Cognitive function was evaluated using mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), Stroop color-word test, trail making test (TMT), and auditory verbal learning test (AVLT). Subjective symptoms were assessed using dizziness handicap inventory (DHI). Results In the vestibular function assessment of patients, abnormalities in caloric testing, utricle VEMP and saccule VEMP results were most common, with rates of 87.9%, 57.6%, and 66.7%, respectively; SOT abnormality primarily characterized by impaired vestibular function (21.2%). Spearman correlation analysis showed age, years of education, hearing ability, and emotional state were associated with overall or specific domains of cognitive function in patients. Greater vestibular dysfunction severity was associated with longer TMT-A time (r=0.443,P=0.010), most severe damage of short-term (r=-0.405,P=0.019) and long-term delayed recalls (r=-0.537,P=0.001). Patients with 31-60 of DHI scores showed longer TMT-A time than patients with 0-30 of DHI scores (P=0.033). Conclusions Patients with vestibular dysfunction exhibit significant impairment in low-frequency semicircular canal and utricle function, which affects attention allocation, information processing speed, and memory performance in cognitive tasks.
2.Effects of Combined Tongue Three-Needle Acupuncture and Acupoint Application on Lianquan (CV 23) on Swallowing Function and Surface Electromyography Signals in Patients with Dysphagia after Ischemic Stroke
Xiaoyu DENG ; Dongmei XU ; Qiong FAN ; Lei YUAN ; Wei WU ; Haimei LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(15):1559-1565
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effectiveness and potential mechanism of combined tongue three-needle acupuncture and acupoint application on Lianquan (CV 23) for patients with dysphagia after ischemic stroke. MethodsA prospective study was conducted on 160 patients with post-stroke dysphagia, who were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, with 80 cases in each group. The control group received conventional rehabilitation training, while the treatment group received tongue three-needle acupuncture combined with acupoint application on Lianquan (CV 23) on the basis of conventional rehabilitation training, for 4 weeks in both groups. We compared the clinical effectivenss of both groups after treatment, and assessed the swallowing function including videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), standardized swallowing assessment (SSA) and functional oral intake scale (FIOS), swallowing contrast test including hyoid maximum displacement (HmaxD), pharyngeal transit time (PTT), and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening, surface electromyography (sEMG) test including maximum amplitude and swallowing duration as well as swallowing quality of life questionnaire (SWAL-QOL) score of the patients in both groups before treatment, after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment, respectively. ResultsThe total effective rate in treatment group was 82.50% (66/80), significantly higher than 66.25% (53/80) in control group (P<0.05). The VFSS, and FOIS scores, UES opening rate and HmaxD, sEMG maximal amplitude values, and SWAL-QOL scores were increased in both groups after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment compared with the values before treatment (P<0.05), while SSA scores, PTT, and swallowing duration were decreased compared within group before treatment (P<0.05). VFSS and FOIS scores, UES opening rate and HmaxD, sEMG maximal amplitude values, and SWAL-QOL scores after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment in the treatment group were higher (P<0.05), while SSA scores, PTT, and swallowing duration were lower (P<0.05) than those in the control group at the same time. ConclusionCombined tongue three-needle acupuncture and acupoint application on Lianquan (CV 23) for patients with dysphagia after ischemic stroke can significantly improve swallowing activities, and its mechanism of action may be related to the improvement of the contraction ability and coordination of swallowing-related muscle groups.
3.Effects of metformin on gut microbiota and short-/medium-chain fatty acids in high-fat diet rats.
Ying SHI ; Lin XING ; Shanyu WU ; Fangzhi YUE ; Tianqiong HE ; Jing ZHANG ; Lingxuan OUYANG ; Suisui GAO ; Dongmei ZHANG ; Zhijun ZHOU
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(5):851-863
OBJECTIVES:
Recent evidence suggests that the gut may be a primary site of metformin action. However, studies on the effects of metformin on gut microbiota remain limited, and its impact on gut microbial metabolites such as short-/medium-chain fatty acids is unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of metformin on gut microbiota, short-/medium-chain fatty acids, and associated metabolic benefits in high-fat diet rats.
METHODS:
Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: 1) Normal diet group (ND group), fed standard chow; 2) high-fat diet group (HFD group), fed a high-fat diet; 3) high-fat diet + metformin treatment group (HFD+Met group), fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks, followed by daily intragastric administration of metformin solution (150 mg/kg body weight) starting in week 9. At the end of the experiment, all rats were sacrificed, and serum, liver, and colonic contents were collected for assessment of glucose and lipid metabolism, liver pathology, gut microbiota composition, and the concentrations of short-/medium-chain fatty acids.
RESULTS:
Metformin significantly improved HFD-induced glucose and lipid metabolic disorders and liver injury. Compared with the HFD group, the HFD+Met group showed reduced abundance of Blautia, Romboutsia, Bilophila, and Bacteroides, while Lactobacillus abundance significantly increased (all P<0.05). Colonic contents of butyric acid, 2-methyl butyric acid, valeric acid, octanoic acid, and lauric acid were significantly elevated (all P<0.05), whereas acetic acid, isoheptanoic acid, and nonanoic acid levels were significantly decreased (all P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis revealed that Lactobacillus abundance was negatively correlated with body weight gain and insulin resistance, while butyrate and valerate levels were negatively correlated with insulin resistance and liver injury (all P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Metformin significantly increases the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and promotes the production of short-/medium-chain fatty acids including butyric, valeric, and lauric acid in the colonic contents of HFD rats, suggesting that metformin may regulate host metabolism through modulation of the gut microbiota.
Animals
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Metformin/pharmacology*
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects*
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Rats
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Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
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Male
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Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism*
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Fatty Acids/metabolism*
4.Ursodeoxycholic acid inhibits the uptake of cystine through SLC7A11 and impairs de novo synthesis of glutathione.
Fu'an XIE ; Yujia NIU ; Xiaobing CHEN ; Xu KONG ; Guangting YAN ; Aobo ZHUANG ; Xi LI ; Lanlan LIAN ; Dongmei QIN ; Quan ZHANG ; Ruyi ZHANG ; Kunrong YANG ; Xiaogang XIA ; Kun CHEN ; Mengmeng XIAO ; Chunkang YANG ; Ting WU ; Ye SHEN ; Chundong YU ; Chenghua LUO ; Shu-Hai LIN ; Wengang LI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(1):101068-101068
Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a naturally occurring, low-toxicity, and hydrophilic bile acid (BA) in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA. Solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate, and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers. Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RLPS) refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area. Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly downregulated metabolites in sera of RLPS patients compared with healthy subjects. The augmentation of UDCA concentration (≥25 μg/mL) demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells. [15N2]-cystine and [13C5]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione (GSH) synthesis. Mechanistically, UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis, leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage. Furthermore, UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers (Erastin, RSL3), the murine double minute 2 (MDM2) inhibitors (Nutlin 3a, RG7112), cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) inhibitor (Abemaciclib), and glutaminase inhibitor (CB839). Together, UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity, and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA. More importantly, in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments, UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.
5.(+)-Strebloside induces Non-Hodgkin lymphoma cell death through the STEAP3-Mediated Ferroptosis and MAPK pathway.
Yu ZHAO ; Jing CAI ; Ying YANG ; Dongmei ZHANG ; Jiayi REN ; Shuyun XIAO ; Jian XU ; Feng FENG ; Rong WU ; Jie ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(10):1221-1231
(+)-Strebloside, a significant bioactive compound isolated from the roots of Streblus asper Lour., demonstrates inhibitory effects against multiple malignancies. However, its specific function and underlying mechanistic pathways in Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) remain unexplored. This investigation sought to elucidate the role and potential mechanisms of (+)-strebloside-induced NHL cell death. The results demonstrated that (+)-strebloside significantly induced apoptosis and ferroptosis in NHL cells, including those from Raji cell-derived xenograft models. Mechanistic analyses revealed that (+)-strebloside enhanced six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate 3 (STEAP3)-induced ferroptosis in NHL, and STEAP3 inhibition reduced the proliferation-inhibitory effects of (+)-strebloside. Furthermore, (+)-strebloside suppressed NHL proliferation through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibition diminished the proliferation-inhibitory activity induced by (+)-strebloside. These findings indicate that (+)-strebloside presents promising therapeutic potential for NHL treatment.
Humans
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Ferroptosis/drug effects*
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Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/physiopathology*
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Cell Line, Tumor
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MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects*
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Animals
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Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
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Mice
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
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Membrane Proteins/genetics*
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Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Male
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Mice, Nude
6.Advances of pathological diagnosis and molecular pathology of lung neuroendocrine neoplasms
Jianghua WU ; Yanli ZHU ; Haiyue WANG ; Yanhui LIU ; Dongmei LIN
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2024;53(2):109-115
The pathological classification and diagnostic criteria for lung neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) in the 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) lung tumor classification are similar to the prior classifications. However, the advances on the molecular studies of lung NENs have shown that both small cell lung carcinoma and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma are highly heterogeneous tumors with neuroendocrine characteristics and can be subclassified based on the features of genomics or transcriptomics, which are valuable in the diagnosis of lung NENs subtypes and patient treatment. In addition, it is necessary to interpret emerging concepts such as "lung neuroendocrine tumor G3" and "histological transformation" from pathological perspectives, as well as to know the novel neuroendocrine biomarkers such as INSM1 and POU2F3. This article summarized the diagnostic changes and the advances of molecular pathology of lung NENs based on the latest WHO classification and molecular research.
7.Prevalence and influencing factors on food allergy among children aged 0-5 years in China
Lahong JU ; Liyun ZHAO ; Xiaoqi WEI ; Hongyun FANG ; Jiaxi LI ; Xingxing WU ; Xiaoli XU ; Shuya CAI ; Weiyi GONG ; Dongmei YU
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2024;45(6):817-823
Objective:To describe the prevalence of food allergy among children aged 0-5 years in China and to explore related influencing factors.Methods:Multistage stratified random sampling method was used to collect data from 275 surveillance sites of the China National Nutrition and Health Survey of Chinese children and lactating mothers programs in 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) of China in 2016-2017. A total of 70 107 participants aged 0-5 years were included in this study. The study collected information of participants' demographic characteristics and food allergies by face-to-face questionnaire. The prevalence of food allergy was analyzed, using the complex data weighting method. The logistic regression models were used to analyze the influencing factors related to food allergy.Results:The overall prevalence of self-reported food allergy among children aged 0-5 years was 4.81%. Prevalence rates in infants aged 0-5 months, and 6-23 months and preschool children aged 2-5 years were 0.81%, 4.68% and 5.26%, respectively. The results of logistic analysis showed that there was a significantly positive correlation between factors including children from 6 months to 5 years old, urban area, southwest area, first-born, mothers with college education or above, and the prevalence of food allergy in children. Shrimp, poultry eggs, crab shellfish, fruit, milk and fish appeared the common allergic foods in children aged 0-5 years, with prevalence rates of self-reported food allergy as 1.55%, 1.25%, 0.99%, 0.97%, 0.87% and 0.86%, respectively. The proportion of single food allergy in children with allergies was 69.85%.Conclusions:Among children aged 0-5 years, the prevalence of self-reported food allergy increases with age, in China. Foods that is prone to allergies include fish, shrimp, crab, shellfish, poultry eggs, milk and fruits, etc. Most allergies were only caused by single food in children, under observation.
8.Anti-inflammatory Effect and Mechanism of Active Constituents from Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Lonicerae Flos: A Review
Jingyue WEI ; Shiwen LUO ; Lingran FENG ; Wanjun LIN ; Keqing WU ; Xuhui LIAO ; Qinhui TUO ; Dongmei YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(11):273-281
Inflammation is involved in the development of various acute and chronic diseases in the body. Sustained inflammatory responses are key driving factors for diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and arthritis. Therefore, finding anti-inflammatory drugs is crucial for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. In recent years, there has been increasing attention to finding natural drugs with minimal toxic side effects. Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Lonicerae Flos, as traditional Chinese medicines potent in clearing heat and removing toxins, have strong biological activity and multiple pharmacological effects. They are widely distributed in the plant world and have significant medicinal value. With the continuous advancement of the research on Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Lonicerae Flos, they have been widely used in the medical field and possess great development potential. Currently, research mainly focuses on the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Lonicerae Flos, while systematic summaries of their anti-inflammatory active ingredients are rare. Therefore, this paper focuses on the differential analysis of the anti-inflammatory active components of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Lonicerae Flos. In addition, it reviewed the possible mechanisms by which extracts and active ingredients of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Lonicerae Flos may exert anti-inflammatory effects through various pathways, such as influencing the release of cellular inflammatory factors, regulating inflammatory signaling pathways such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/NF-κB, and Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathways, increasing antioxidant stress capacity, enhancing immune defense capabilities, and improving intestinal microbiota, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the rational clinical application of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Lonicerae Flos.
9.Mechanism of malignant behavior in cervical cancer cells based on NOD2-mediated AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway
Ruiting DU ; Dongyue WU ; Qingmin GUO ; Dongmei JIN
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(2):316-324
Objective To explore the mechanism of malignant behavior of cervical cancer(CC)cells based on AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/rapamycin target protein(mTOR)signaling pathway mediated by nucleo-tide-binding oligomerization domain receptor 2(NOD2).Methods Bioinformatics analysis was performed to deter-mine the expression of NOD2 in CC tissue.Plasmids targeting NOD2(shNOD2)and shRNAs negative control(shNC),NOD2 overexpression(NOD2)and vectors(Vec)were transfected into CC cells.The effect of NOD2 on the growth of CC cells was determined by cell counting kit-8 assay,colony formation and Transwell cell invasion as-say.Transcriptome analysis was performed by high throughput RNA sequencing(RNA-Seq).Western blot was used to detect the expression of NOD2,AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway and autophagy protein in the cell line.24 female BALB/c nude mice were randomly divided into four groups,with 6 mice in each group:vector group(Vec group),NOD2 overexpression group(NOD2 group),shNC group and shNOD2 group.The distant metastasis mod-el was established in mice,and the fluorescence intensity of lung metastasis was monitored and the number of lung metastasis nodules was counted.Results On-line database analysis showed that the expression of NOD2 in CC tis-sues was significantly higher than that in normal tissues,and there were significant differences in the mRNA expres-sion of NOD2 in different stages of CC(P<0.05).In addition,the high expression of NOD2 was associated with poor overall survival and disease-free survival(P<0.05).NOD2 overexpression promoted the proliferation,colony formation,migration and invasion of CC cells,while NOD2 knock-down was the opposite.Consistent with the re-sults in vitro,the lung colonization and lung metastasis of CC cells in NOD2 group were significantly higher than those in Vec group(P<0.05),while those in shNOD2 group were significantly lower than those in shNC group(P<0.05).RNA-Seq results showed that the expression of NOD2 was significantly related to AMPK signal activa-tion,mTOR signal inhibition,autophagy regulation pathway activation and autophagy formation.Compared with shNC group,the expression of phosphorylated AMPK and LC3 protein decreased significantly in shNOD2 group(P<0.05),and the expression levels of phosphorylated mTOR and p62 protein increased significantly(P<0.05).Compared with Vec group,the expression levels of LC3 and AMPK protein in NOD2 group increased significantly(P<0.05),and the expression levels of phosphorylated mTOR and p62 protein decreased significantly(P<0.05).Compared with shNC group,the point accumulation of GFP-mRFP-LC3 in shNOD2 group decreased signifi-cantly(P<0.05).Compared with Vec group,the point accumulation of GFP-mRFP-LC3 increased significantly(P<0.05).Conclusion NOD2 may promote the proliferation,migration and invasion of CC through AMPK/mTOR signal,and its mechanism partly involves autophagy activation.
10.Curative effect of autologous periosteal iliac bone graft and allogeneic bone powder combined with PRP on HeppleⅤ talus osteochondral injury
Suqi WU ; Hansong WU ; Dongmei YU ; Qiong CHEN ; Rongrong CHI
China Modern Doctor 2024;62(5):40-43
Objective To analyze and compare the treatment of HeppleⅤ talus osteochondral injury(OLT)with autologous periosteal iliac bone graft and allogeneic bone powder combined with platelet rich gel(PRP).Methods Totally 62 HeppleⅤOLT patients admitted to our hospital from October 2018 to October 2022 were selected as the research subjects.They were divided into a transplantation group(31 patients received autologous periosteal iliac bone transplantation treatment)and a combination group(31 patients received allogeneic bone powder combined with PRP treatment)based on their treatment methods.Conduct a 12 month postoperative outpatient follow-up study on patients,evaluate and compare the treatment effectiveness,ankle joint range of motion(ROM),American Society of Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgeons(AOFAS)ankle posterior foot score,pain score,satisfaction,and incidence of complications between the two groups of patients at 12 months after surgery.Results The total effective rate of the transplantation group(96.77%)was not significantly different from that of the combination group(93.55%,P>0.05).At 12 months after surgery,the ROM and AOFAS scores of both groups improved(P<0.05),and there was no statistically significant difference between the groups(P>0.05).At 1 month,3 months,6 months,and 12 months after surgery,the pain scores of both groups decreased compared to before surgery(P<0.05).The subjective overall satisfaction of patients in the transplantation group(77.42%)was lower than that in the combination group(96.77%,P<0.05).The total incidence of complications in the transplantation group(19.35%)was significantly higher than that in the combination group(3.23%,P<0.05).Conclusion Allogeneic bone powder combined with PRP can avoid additional surgical incisions,increase patient subjective satisfaction,and increase the incidence of postoperative complications.

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