BACKGROUND:Obesity is not only related to metabolic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease,but also closely related to the increased risk of cognitive decline,dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases.Studies have found that aerobic exercise and resistance exercise can help improve obesity-related cognitive impairment,but their therapeutic effects and related mechanisms of action are still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To explore the protective effects of aerobic and resistance exercises on the nervous center of obesity-related cognitive impairment mice.METHODS:Forty-eight 8-week-old C57BL/6J wild-type male mice were randomly divided into four groups:a control group was fed normally for 20 weeks;a high fat group was fed with high fat diet(60％fat energy)for 20 weeks;an aerobic exercise group was fed with 12 weeks of high-fat diet followed by 8 weeks of aerobic exercise;and a resistance exercise group was fed with 12 weeks of high-fat diet followed by 8 weeks of resistance exercise.After the exercise intervention,body mass was weighed,insulin tolerance and glucose tolerance were tested to evaluate insulin resistance,and cognitive function of mice in each group was detected by new object recognition experiment and Y-maze experiment.The morphology of hippocampal and cortical tissue cells was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.The mRNA relative expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR,and the protein expressions of Bax,Bcl-2,nuclear factor-κB,Cleaved Caspase-1,Caspase-3,synapsin 1 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor were detected by western blot.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the control group,the body mass of mice increased in the high-fat group(P＜0.05),accompanied by insulin resistance and cognitive dysfunction,the expression levels of nuclear factor-κB,Bax,Caspase-3,Cleaved Caspase-1 in the hippocampus were significantly increased(P＜0.05),the expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor,synapsin 1and Bcl-2 proteins were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),Bcl-2/Bax ratio was significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines,tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6,were significantly up-regulated(P＜0.05).(2)Compared with the high-fat group,the above indexes were significantly improved in the aerobic exercise group(P＜0.05),while in the resistance exercise group,the body mass of mice was significantly decreased,the levels of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 mRNA were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),the protein expression of Caspase-3 was significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and the protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor was significantly up-regulated(P＜0.05),but no significant changes were observed in the other indexes(P＞0.05).In conclusion,long-term exercise can reduce insulin resistance,down-regulate the expression of nuclear factor-κB pathway,weaken inflammatory response,inhibit neuronal apoptosis and improve synaptic plasticity,resulting in neuroprotective effects,and effectively alleviate obesity-related cognitive dysfunction in obese mice.The therapeutic effect of aerobic exercise is superior to that of resistance exercise.

BACKGROUND:Obesity is not only related to metabolic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease,but also closely related to the increased risk of cognitive decline,dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases.Studies have found that aerobic exercise and resistance exercise can help improve obesity-related cognitive impairment,but their therapeutic effects and related mechanisms of action are still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To explore the protective effects of aerobic and resistance exercises on the nervous center of obesity-related cognitive impairment mice.METHODS:Forty-eight 8-week-old C57BL/6J wild-type male mice were randomly divided into four groups:a control group was fed normally for 20 weeks;a high fat group was fed with high fat diet(60％fat energy)for 20 weeks;an aerobic exercise group was fed with 12 weeks of high-fat diet followed by 8 weeks of aerobic exercise;and a resistance exercise group was fed with 12 weeks of high-fat diet followed by 8 weeks of resistance exercise.After the exercise intervention,body mass was weighed,insulin tolerance and glucose tolerance were tested to evaluate insulin resistance,and cognitive function of mice in each group was detected by new object recognition experiment and Y-maze experiment.The morphology of hippocampal and cortical tissue cells was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.The mRNA relative expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR,and the protein expressions of Bax,Bcl-2,nuclear factor-κB,Cleaved Caspase-1,Caspase-3,synapsin 1 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor were detected by western blot.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the control group,the body mass of mice increased in the high-fat group(P＜0.05),accompanied by insulin resistance and cognitive dysfunction,the expression levels of nuclear factor-κB,Bax,Caspase-3,Cleaved Caspase-1 in the hippocampus were significantly increased(P＜0.05),the expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor,synapsin 1and Bcl-2 proteins were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),Bcl-2/Bax ratio was significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines,tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6,were significantly up-regulated(P＜0.05).(2)Compared with the high-fat group,the above indexes were significantly improved in the aerobic exercise group(P＜0.05),while in the resistance exercise group,the body mass of mice was significantly decreased,the levels of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 mRNA were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),the protein expression of Caspase-3 was significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and the protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor was significantly up-regulated(P＜0.05),but no significant changes were observed in the other indexes(P＞0.05).In conclusion,long-term exercise can reduce insulin resistance,down-regulate the expression of nuclear factor-κB pathway,weaken inflammatory response,inhibit neuronal apoptosis and improve synaptic plasticity,resulting in neuroprotective effects,and effectively alleviate obesity-related cognitive dysfunction in obese mice.The therapeutic effect of aerobic exercise is superior to that of resistance exercise.

Objective To explore the clinical factors influencing complete response in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT). Methods Clinical data of LARC patients treated in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Beijing Shijitan Hospital between January 2013 and December 2024 were retrospectively collected. All patients received nCRT, after which surgery or a watch-and-wait approach was adopted based on treatment response. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors influencing complete response. A clinical prediction model was constructed based on the multivariable analysis results, and its predictive performance was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results A total of 113 eligible patients were included. After nCRT, 19 patients (16.8%) achieved complete response, including 3 with clinical complete response and 16 with pathological complete response. Univariable analysis indicated that pretreatment clinical N stage, extramural venous invasion, carcinoembryonic antigen level, and neoadjuvant treatment regimen were associated with complete response after nCRT (P<0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified pretreatment extramural venous invasion, carcinoembryonic antigen level, and neoadjuvant treatment regimen as independent influencing factors for complete response (P<0.05). A prediction model incorporating these independent factors yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.813 (95% confidence interval: 0.713-0.913), with a sensitivity of 89.5% and a specificity of 60.6%, demonstrating good predictive performance. Conclusion Pretreatment extramural venous invasion, carcinoembryonic antigen level, and neoadjuvant treatment regimen are independent factors influencing complete response after nCRT in LARC patients. The prediction model combining these factors may assist in evaluating treatment efficacy following nCRT in LARC patients.

ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the mechanism by which Yishen Huoxue Tongqiao Formula improves metabolism-neuroplasticity and treats unilateral vestibular labyrinth destruction by regulating the metabolic balance of glutamate （Glu）/γ-aminobutyric acid （GABA）. Methods48 Sprague-Dawley （SD） adult rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group， model group， Yishen Huoxue Tongqiao Formula groups with low， medium， and high doses （9.20， 18.39， 36.78 g·kg^-1）， and betahistine group （1.62 mg·kg^-1）. A unilateral vestibular labyrinth destruction （vestibular dysfunction） model was established by intratympanic injection of chloroform into the right ear， while the control group received intratympanic injection of normal saline. Drugs were administered once daily for seven consecutive days. During the period， behavioral tests were performed to evaluate the behaviors of rats after unilateral vestibular labyrinth destruction. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the neuronal morphology in the medial vestibular nucleus. Golgi staining was employed to assess the number of dendritic spines of neurons in the medial vestibular nucleus. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （LC-ESI-MS/MS） was utilized to detect Glu/GABA. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expressions of neuronal nuclei （NeuN）， growth-associated protein 43 （GAP-43）， and glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP）. Western blot and real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were applied to determine the expressions of glutamate-immunoreactive （Glu-IR）， GABA， GFAP， postsynaptic density protein 95 （PSD-95）， and GAP-43. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group， the model group presented with head deviation， balance disorder， increased tail suspension score， nuclear consolidation of medial vestibular nerve neurons， and decreased Nissl bodies （P<0.01）. The number of dendritic spines in neurons and NeuN-positive cells decreased. The content of Glu decreased. The content of GABA increased （Glu/GABA decreased）. The expression of GAP-43 was down-regulated， and GFAP was up-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expressions of Glu-IR， PSD-95， and GAP-43 proteins， as well as Glu-IR mRNA decreased， while the expressions of GABA and GFAP proteins and mRNA increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with those in the model group， the head deviation， imbalanced behavior， and tail suspension scores in each treatment group decreased， with alleviated neuronal injury and recovered Nissl bodies （P<0.01）. The number of dendritic spines of neurons increased， and the number of NeuN-positive cells rebounded. The content of Glu increased， and the content of GABA decreased （Glu/GABA increased）. GFAP was down-regulated， and GAP-43 was up-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expressions of Glu-IR， PMD-95， and GAP-43 proteins， as well as Glu-IR mRNA increased， while the expressions of GABA and GFAP proteins and mRNA decreased. The effect was more significant in the high-dose group （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe Yishen Huoxue Tongqiao Formula can alleviate vestibular dysfunction， and its mechanism may be associated with regulating the metabolic balance of Glu/GABA， mitigating neural damage， improving synaptic plasticity （promoting GAP-43 expression and inhibiting GFAP expression）， and facilitating vestibular compensation.

Osteoarthritis (OA), a highly prevalent degenerative joint disease worldwide, is defined by articular cartilage degradation, abnormal bone remodeling, and persistent chronic inflammation. It severely compromises patients’ quality of life, and currently, there is no radical cure. Abnormal mechanical stress is widely regarded as a core driver of OA pathogenesis, and the exploration of mechanical signal perception and transduction mechanisms has become crucial for deciphering OA’s pathophysiological processes. Piezo1, a key mechanosensitive cation channel belonging to the Piezo protein family, has recently gained significant attention due to its pivotal role in mediating cellular responses to mechanical stimuli in joint tissues. This review systematically examines Piezo1’s expression patterns, regulatory mechanisms, and pathological functions in OA, with a particular focus on its dual roles in modulating chondrocyte homeostasis and bone metabolism disorders, while also delving into the underlying molecular signaling pathways and potential therapeutic implications. Piezo1, consisting of approximately 2 500 amino acids and forming a unique trimeric propeller-like structure, is widely expressed in chondrocytes, osteocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, and synovial cells. It exhibits permeability to cations such as Ca²⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺, and directly responds to membrane tension changes induced by mechanical stimuli like fluid shear stress and mechanical overload. In OA patients and animal models, Piezo1 expression is significantly upregulated, especially in cartilage regions subjected to abnormal mechanical stress (e.g., human temporomandibular joint cartilage). This overexpression is closely associated with aggravated cartilage degeneration, increased chondrocyte apoptosis, accelerated cellular senescence, and intensified inflammatory responses. Mechanical overload and pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β) are key inducers of Piezo1 upregulation: IL-1β activates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to enhance Piezo1 expression, forming a pathogenic positive feedback loop that inhibits chondrocyte autophagy, promotes apoptosis, and further accelerates joint degeneration. Mechanistically, Piezo1 mediates OA progression through multiple interconnected pathways. When activated by mechanical stress, Piezo1 triggers excessive Ca²⁺ influx, leading to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and mitochondrial dysfunction, which directly induce chondrocyte apoptosis. This process involves the activation of downstream signaling cascades such as cGAS-STING and YAP-MMP13/ADAMTS5. YAP, a transcriptional regulator, upregulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) and aggrecanase (ADAMTS5), thereby accelerating cartilage matrix degradation. Additionally, Piezo1-driven Ca²⁺ overload promotes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulates senescence markers (p16 and p21), accelerating chondrocyte senescence via the p38MAPK and NF-κB pathways. Senescent chondrocytes secrete senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors (e.g., IL-6, IL-1β), further amplifying joint inflammation. In terms of bone metabolism, Piezo1 maintains joint homeostasis by promoting the differentiation of fibrocartilage stem cells into chondrocytes and balancing bone formation and resorption through regulating the FoxC1/YAP axis and RANKL/OPG ratio. Therapeutically, targeting Piezo1 shows promising potential. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that Piezo1 inhibitors (e.g., GsMTx4) can reduce joint damage and alleviate pain in OA mice. Simultaneously, siRNA-mediated co-silencing of Piezo1 and TRPV4 (another mechanosensitive channel) decreases intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration, inhibits chondrocyte apoptosis, and promotes cartilage repair. Conditional knockout of Piezo1 using Gdf5-Cre transgenic mice alleviates cartilage degeneration in post-traumatic OA models by downregulating MMP13 and ADAMTS5 expression. Despite existing challenges, such as off-target effects of inhibitors, inefficient local drug delivery, and interindividual genetic variability, strategies like developing selective Piezo1 antagonists, optimizing targeted nanocarriers, and combining Piezo1-targeted therapy with physical therapy provide viable avenues for clinical translation. The authors propose that Piezo1 serves as a critical therapeutic target for OA, and future research should focus on deciphering its context-dependent regulatory networks, developing tissue-specific intervention strategies, and validating their efficacy and safety in clinical trials to address the unmet medical needs of OA patients.

Objective To explore the risk factors of progression to dementia within 2 years in patients with recent subcortical small infarction (RSSI) complicated with cognitive dysfunction. Methods A total of 340 patients with RSSI complicated with cognitive dysfunction who were treated in the hospital and completed 2-year follow-up were selected from February 2021 to February 2025. According to whether the patients progressed to dementia, they were classified into dementia group (n=105) and non-dementia group (n=235). The clinical data were compared between both groups, and the independent risk factors were screened by Logistic regression analysis. Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that history of hypertension (OR=1.919), history of diabetes mellitus (OR=1.597), multiple infarctions (OR=1.455), severe white matter lesions (OR=1.595), no cognitive function training (OR=1.923), increased infarct size (OR=1.069), reduced MMSE score (OR=0.945) and increased levels of NfL (OR=1.049) and IL-6 (OR=1.038) were independent risk factors for the progression to dementia (all P<0.05). Conclusion The progression to dementia in patients with recent subcortical small infarction and cognitive dysfunction is affected by multiple factors. In clinical practice, the integration of vascular risk factors, imaging features, cognitive assessment and serum biomarkers (NfL, IL-6) helps to construct an early risk prediction model and implement targeted interventions for high-risk groups.

This paper systematically summarizes the practical experience of the 2025 Dingri earthquake emergency medical rescue in Tibet. It analyzes the requirements for earthquake medical rescue under conditions of high-altitude hypoxia, low temperature, and low air pressure. The paper provides a detailed discussion on the strategic layout of earthquake medical rescue at the national level, local government level, and through social participation. It covers the construction of rescue organizational systems, technical systems, material support systems, and information systems. The importance of building rescue teams is emphasized. In high-altitude and cold conditions, rapid response, scientific decision-making, and multi-party collaboration are identified as key elements to enhance rescue efficiency. By optimizing rescue organizational structures, strengthening the development of new equipment, and promoting telemedicine technologies, the precision and effectiveness of medical rescue can be significantly improved, providing important references for future similar disaster rescues.

Objective: To accurately determine the ABO blood group of samples exhibiting forward/reverse grouping discrepancies by combining first-generation (Sanger) and third-generation (long-read) sequencing technologies. Methods: Five samples with ABO forward/reverse grouping discrepancies were selected. Serological testing was conducted using automated blood typing instruments and the tube method. Genotyping was conducted using both Sanger and long-read sequencing technologies. Results: Sanger sequencing identified specific genetic mutations in two samples, with genotypes of ABO BA. 04/ABO O.01.01 and ABO B3.05/ABO O.01.02. Further analysis with long-read sequencing revealed specific mutations in the +5.8kb region of intron 1 (c.28+5885C>T and c.28+5861T>G) in three samples where mutations were not detected by Sanger sequencing. These mutations affect the expression of the ABO antigens and are likely responsible for the ABO subgroup phenotypes. Conclusion: The integration of Sanger and long-read sequencing technologies effectively identifies genetic variations causing ABO subtypes, providing a scientific basis for enhancing clinical transfusion safety and ensuring accurate blood group determination.

Objective: To accurately determine the ABO blood group of samples exhibiting forward/reverse grouping discrepancies by combining first-generation (Sanger) and third-generation (long-read) sequencing technologies. Methods: Five samples with ABO forward/reverse grouping discrepancies were selected. Serological testing was conducted using automated blood typing instruments and the tube method. Genotyping was conducted using both Sanger and long-read sequencing technologies. Results: Sanger sequencing identified specific genetic mutations in two samples, with genotypes of ABO BA. 04/ABO O.01.01 and ABO B3.05/ABO O.01.02. Further analysis with long-read sequencing revealed specific mutations in the +5.8kb region of intron 1 (c.28+5885C>T and c.28+5861T>G) in three samples where mutations were not detected by Sanger sequencing. These mutations affect the expression of the ABO antigens and are likely responsible for the ABO subgroup phenotypes. Conclusion: The integration of Sanger and long-read sequencing technologies effectively identifies genetic variations causing ABO subtypes, providing a scientific basis for enhancing clinical transfusion safety and ensuring accurate blood group determination.

Objective: To investigate the effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Formula (ZGJTJYF) on histone H3 lysine 18 lactylation (H3K18la) in the hippocampus of rats with diabetes mellitus complicated with depression (DD) and predict the regulatory genes of H3K18la. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control, model, and positive drug (metformin [0.18 g/kg] and fluoxetine [1.8 mg/kg]) groups, and the three groups were treated with high, medium, and low ZGJTJYF doses (20.52, 10.26, and 5.13 g/kg, respectively), with 10 rats per group. After treatment, the forced swimming and water maze tests were performed to assess depressive-like behaviors and cognitive function. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure blood insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin, lactate levels, and lactate content in the hippocampus. Western blotting was used to detect H3K18la expression in the hippocampus. Cleavage Under Targets and lagmentation(CUT&Tag) experiments targeted hippocampal H3K18la epigenetic modification regions to analyze the transcription factors bound by H3K18la. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Protein-Protein Interaction networks were constructed to identify key pathways and target genes regulated by H3K18la. Results: Compared with the normal group, the model group rats showed prolonged immobility time in the forced swim test, increased escape latency in the water maze experiment, decreased target quadrant distance ratio (P<0.01), increased serum lactate content, and decreased lactate content in hippocampal homogenate (P<0.01), as well as decreased H3K18la protein expression in the hippocampus (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, ZGJTJYF reduced the immobility time in the forced swim test and the escape latency in the water maze test (P<0.01), while the distance ratio in the target quadrant increased (P<0.01) in model rats. Lowered fasting blood glucose, insulin, and glycosylated hemoglobin levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) were also observed. ZGJTJYF also increased the lactate content and H3K18la protein expression in hippocampal homogenate (P<0.05, P<0.01). The DNA sequences bound by H3K18la were predominantly enriched at the transcription start sites. ZGJTJYF modulated H3K18la-associated pathways, including cell adhesion junctions, tumor growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling, stem cell pluripotency regulation, mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling pathway, and insulin resistance, leading to the identification of 12 target genes. Conclusion ZGJTJYF enhances hippocampal lactate levels and H3K18la modification in DD rats, which may regulate neural cell interactions, neurogenic stem cell function, TGF-β signaling, MAPK signaling, and insulin resistance pathways.