1.Controllability Analysis of Structural Brain Networks in Young Smokers
Jing-Jing DING ; Fang DONG ; Hong-De WANG ; Kai YUAN ; Yong-Xin CHENG ; Juan WANG ; Yu-Xin MA ; Ting XUE ; Da-Hua YU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):182-193
ObjectiveThe controllability changes of structural brain network were explored based on the control and brain network theory in young smokers, this may reveal that the controllability indicators can serve as a powerful factor to predict the sleep status in young smokers. MethodsFifty young smokers and 51 healthy controls from Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology were enrolled. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to construct structural brain network based on fractional anisotropy (FA) weight matrix. According to the control and brain network theory, the average controllability and the modal controllability were calculated. Two-sample t-test was used to compare the differences between the groups and Pearson correlation analysis to examine the correlation between significant average controllability and modal controllability with Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence (FTND) in young smokers. The nodes with the controllability score in the top 10% were selected as the super-controllers. Finally, we used BP neural network to predict the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in young smokers. ResultsThe average controllability of dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus, supplementary motor area, lenticular nucleus putamen, and lenticular nucleus pallidum, and the modal controllability of orbital inferior frontal gyrus, supplementary motor area, gyrus rectus, and posterior cingulate gyrus in the young smokers’ group, were all significantly different from those of the healthy controls group (P<0.05). The average controllability of the right supplementary motor area (SMA.R) in the young smokers group was positively correlated with FTND (r=0.393 0, P=0.004 8), while modal controllability was negatively correlated with FTND (r=-0.330 1, P=0.019 2). ConclusionThe controllability of structural brain network in young smokers is abnormal. which may serve as an indicator to predict sleep condition. It may provide the imaging evidence for evaluating the cognitive function impairment in young smokers.
2.The Mechanism of Exercise Regulating Intestinal Flora in The Prevention and Treatment of Depression
Lei-Zi MIN ; Jing-Tong WANG ; Qing-Yuan WANG ; Yi-Cong CUI ; Rui WANG ; Xin-Dong MA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1418-1434
Depression, a prevalent mental disorder with significant socioeconomic burdens, underscores the urgent need for safe and effective non-pharmacological interventions. Recent advances in microbiome research have revealed the pivotal role of gut microbiota dysbiosis in the pathogenesis of depression. Concurrently, exercise, as a cost-effective and accessible intervention, has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in alleviating depressive symptoms. This comprehensive review synthesizes current evidence on the interplay among exercise, gut microbiota modulation, and depression, elucidating the mechanistic pathways through which exercise ameliorates depressive symptoms via the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis. Depression is characterized by gut microbiota alterations, including reduced alpha and beta diversity, depletion of beneficial taxa (e.g., Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Coprococcus), and overgrowth of pro-inflammatory and pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Morganella, Klebsiella, and Enterobacteriaceae). Metagenomic analyses reveal disrupted metabolic functions in depressive patients, such as diminished synthesis of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), impaired tryptophan metabolism, and dysregulated bile acid conversion. For instance, Bifidobacterium longum deficiency correlates with reduced synthesis of neuroactive metabolites like homovanillic acid, while decreased Coprococcus abundance limits butyrate production, exacerbating neuroinflammation. Furthermore, elevated levels of indole derivatives from Clostridium species inhibit serotonin (5-HT) synthesis, contributing to depressive phenotypes. These dysbiotic profiles disrupt the MGB axis, triggering systemic inflammation, neurotransmitter imbalances, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity. Exercise exerts profound effects on gut microbiota composition, diversity, and metabolic activity. Longitudinal studies demonstrate that sustained aerobic exercise increases alpha diversity, enriches SCFA-producing genera (e.g., Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Roseburia, and Akkermansia), and suppresses pathobionts (e.g., Desulfovibrio and Streptococcus). For example, a meta-analysis of 25 trials involving 1 044 participants confirmed that exercise enhances microbial richness and restores the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, a biomarker of metabolic health. Notably, endurance training promotes Veillonella proliferation, which converts lactate into propionate, enhancing energy metabolism and delaying fatigue. Exercise also strengthens intestinal barrier integrity by upregulating tight junction proteins (e.g., ZO-1, occludin), thereby reducing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) translocation and systemic inflammation. However, excessive exercise may paradoxically diminish microbial diversity and exacerbate intestinal permeability, highlighting the importance of moderate intensity and duration. Exercise ameliorates depressive symptoms through multifaceted interactions with the gut microbiota, primarily via 4 interconnected pathways. First, exercise mitigates neuroinflammation by elevating anti-inflammatory SCFAs such as butyrate, which suppresses NF-κB signaling to attenuate microglial activation and oxidative stress in the hippocampus. Animal studies demonstrate that voluntary wheel running reduces hippocampal TNF‑α and IL-17 levels in stress-induced depression models, while fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from exercised mice reverses depressive behaviors by modulating the TLR4/NF‑κB pathway. Second, exercise regulates neurotransmitter dynamics by enriching GABA-producing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, thereby counteracting neuronal hyperexcitability. Aerobic exercise also enhances the abundance of Lactobacillus plantarum and Streptococcus thermophilus, which facilitate 5-HT and dopamine synthesis. Clinical trials reveal that 12 weeks of moderate exercise increases fecal Coprococcus and Blautia abundance, correlating with improved 5-HT bioavailability and reduced depression scores. Third, exercise normalizes HPA axis hyperactivity by reducing cortisol levels and restoring glucocorticoid receptor sensitivity. In rodent models, chronic stress-induced corticosterone elevation is reversed by probiotic supplementation (e.g., Lactobacillus), which enhances endocannabinoid signaling and hippocampal neurogenesis. Furthermore, exercise upregulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) via microbial metabolites like butyrate, promoting histone acetylation and synaptic plasticity. FMT experiments confirm that exercise-induced microbiota elevates prefrontal BDNF expression, reversing stress-induced neuronal atrophy. Fourth, exercise reshapes microbial metabolic crosstalk, diverting tryptophan metabolism toward 5-HT synthesis instead of neurotoxic kynurenine derivatives. Butyrate inhibits indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), a key enzyme in the kynurenine pathway linked to depression. Concurrently, exercise-induced Akkermansia enrichment enhances mucin production, fortifies the gut barrier, and reduces LPS-driven neuroinflammation. Collectively, these mechanisms underscore exercise as a potent modulator of the microbiota-gut-brain axis, offering a holistic approach to alleviating depression through microbial and neurophysiological synergy. Current evidence supports exercise as a potent adjunct therapy for depression, with personalized regimens (e.g., aerobic, resistance, or yoga) tailored to individual microbiota profiles. However, challenges remain in optimizing exercise prescriptions (intensity, duration, and type) and integrating them with probiotics, prebiotics, or FMT for synergistic effects. Future research should prioritize large-scale randomized controlled trials to validate causality, multi-omics approaches to decipher MGB axis dynamics, and mechanistic studies exploring microbial metabolites as therapeutic targets. The authors advocate for a paradigm shift toward microbiota-centric interventions, emphasizing the bidirectional relationship between physical activity and gut ecosystem resilience in mental health management. In conclusion, this review underscores exercise as a multifaceted modulator of the gut-brain axis, offering novel insights into non-pharmacological strategies for depression. By bridging microbial ecology, neuroimmunology, and exercise physiology, this work lays a foundation for precision medicine approaches targeting the gut microbiota to alleviate depressive disorders.
3.Longitudinal cross lagged analysis of body mass index and weight stigma with depressive symptom in adolescents
DONG Ziqi, SONG Xinli, YUAN Wen, LI Jing, YANG Tian, ZHANG Xiuhong, SONG Yi, DONG Yanhui
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(9):1242-1245
Objective:
To explore the bidirectional associations among body mass index Z scores (BMI Z scores) and weight stigma with depressive symptoms in adolescents, thereby providing evidence for targeted intervention strategies.
Methods:
A stratified cluster random sampling method was employed to select 18 301 adolescents aged 12-18 years from all 12 prefectures (103 counties) in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and two waves of longitudinal surveys were conducted in September 2023 (T1) and September 2024 (T2) among the adolescents. Weight stigma was assessed by using a self developed questionnaire, depressive symptom was measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and BMI Z scores were calculated according to the World Health Organization standards. Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine associations among variables, and cross lagged panel models were constructed to investigate the dynamic bidirectional relationships among the three variables.
Results:
Adolescents BMI Z scores and weight stigma with depressive symptoms all exhibited autoregressive stability across the two time points (autoregressive paths, all P <0.01). Cross lagged model comparisons indicated that the bidirectional path model achieved the best fit ( χ 2=12.65, RMSEA =0.017, CFI =1.000; △ χ 2=193.39, P <0.01), supporting dynamic bidirectional associations among the three variables. After adjusting for gender, age, subjective social status and only child status, T1 BMI Z scores among adolescents positively predicted T2 weight stigma ( β =0.061), and T1 weight stigma positively predicted T2 depressive symptoms ( β =0.608); in the reverse direction, T1 depressive symptoms predicted T2 weight stigma ( β =0.003), and T1 weight stigma predicted T2 BMI Z scores ( β =0.081) (all P <0.01).
Conclusions
There is a bidirectional cross lagged relationship among adolescents BMI Z scores and weight stigma with depressive symptoms, suggesting that weight stigma may serve as a key psychological variable linking obesity and depressive symptoms. Greater attention should be paid to the potential threat of weight stigma to adolescents mental health, with intervention strategies expanded from a solely physiological focus to encompass psychosocial dimensions.
4.Research progress on neurobiological mechanisms underlying antidepressant effect of ketamine
Dong-Yu ZHOU ; Wen-Xin ZHANG ; Xiao-Jing ZHAI ; Dan-Dan CHEN ; Yi HAN ; Ran JI ; Xiao-Yuan PAN ; Jun-Li CAO ; Hong-Xing ZHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(9):1622-1627
Major depressive disorder(MDD)is a prevalent con-dition associated with substantial impairment and low remission rates.Traditional antidepressants demonstrate delayed effects,low cure rate,and inadequate therapeutic effectiveness for man-aging treatment-resistant depression(TRD).Several studies have shown that ketamine,a non-selective N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor(NMDAR)antagonist,can produce rapid and sustained antidepressant effects.Ketamine has demonstrated efficacy for reducing suicidality in TRD patients.However,the pharmaco-logical mechanism for ketamine's antidepressant effects remains incompletely understood.Previous research suggests that the an-tidepressant effects of ketamine may involve the monoaminergic,glutamatergic and dopaminergic systems.This paper provides an overview of the pharmacological mechanism for ketamine's anti-depressant effects and discuss the potential directions for future research.
5.Effects of astragalus angelica on apoptosis and expression of Bax and caspase-3/9 in rabbit chondrocytes after fresh osteochondral allograft
Wan-Tao DONG ; Pan YANG ; Xiu-Juan YANG ; Shi-Ming QIU ; Peng YUAN ; Jing-Yi LIU ; Jiu-Mei HUANG ; Yu ZHOU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(12):2288-2294
Aim To observe the effect of Astragalus membranaceus and Angelica sinensis on the apoptosis of chondrocytes,and to investigate the effect of Astrag-alus membranaceus and Angelica sinensis on the sur-vival of fresh ostecartilage allograft.Methods Forty-eight 4-month-old New Zealand white rabbits,half male and half female,were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,positive group and As-tragalus and Angelica 5∶1 group.In addition to the sham operation group,the other groups were both male and female donors and recipients for knee joint osteo-cartilage cross transplantation modeling.After 8 weeks of drug intervention,samples were taken for general observation,HE staining,saffrane-O staining,immu-nohistochemical staining,qPCR and Western blot de-tection.Results Compared with model group,As-tragalus and Angelica 5∶1 group and positive group,the repair site healed better,the morphology of osteo-chondrocytes tended to be normal,and the division and proliferation were obvious.Proteoglycan deposition in-creased and type Ⅱ collagen content was higher,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).qPCR and Western blot results showed that compared with model group,the mRNA and protein expressions of Bax,caspase-3 and caspase-9 in other groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion As-tragalus and Angelica can promote the survival of fresh osteochondral allograft,and its mechanism may be re-lated to promoting collagen production,promoting chondrocyte proliferation and inhibiting chondrocyte apoptosis.
6.Clinical analysis of different anastomotic methods in superficial branch perforator flap transplantation of superficial circumflex iliac artery
Zhi-Guo DU ; Hui-Dong ZHANG ; Le-Le GUO ; Jing-Chao GENG ; Ming-Bin DING ; Wen-Qiang HUANG ; Yuan-Lin ZHANG
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2024;33(6):528-531
Objective To analyze the effects of different anastomotic methods on flap survival rate and wound healing factors of patients with transplantation of superficial branch perforator flap of superficial circumflex iliac artery(SCIA).Methods A total of 100 patients with skin defects of limbs admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to August 2022 were selected and divided into end-to-end anastomosis group(56 cases)and end-to-side anastomosis group(44 cases)according to different anastomosis methods.In the end-to-end anastomosis group,the end of the flap artery was anastomosed with the end of the aortic branch in the affected area.In the end-to-side anastomosis group,the end of recipient flap artery was anastomosed with the side of aorta.Patients in both groups were followed up for 6 to 12 months,the arterial caliber,lateral caliber and anastomosis time were compared between the two groups.The survival of the flap,the occurrence of venous crisis,the shape and function of the flap and donor area were observed.Results There was no statistically significant difference in the arterial caliber or lateral caliber of patients between the two groups(P>0.05).The anastomosis time of patients in the end-to-end anastomosis group was significantly shorter than that in the end-to-side anastomosis group(P<0.05).All 56 cases in the end-to-end anastomosis group survived.In the end-to-side anastomosis group,venous crisis occurred in 4 cases,with venous thrombosis,2 cases survived after re-anastomosis,2 cases were changed to abdominal pedicled flap when venous crisis occurred again,the appearance and function of the flap and donor area were satisfactory 6 months to 1 year after surgery(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in color,thickness,vascular distribution or flexibility of donor area of patients between the two groups(P>0.05).There was no significant difference in pain,appearance,vitality and recreation of recipient area of patients between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion The application of different arterial anastomosis methods in the transplantation of superficial branch perforator flap of SCIA for the treatment of skin and soft tissue defects of limbs is safe and reliable,the postoperative survival of the flap is good,the healing is not affected by the anastomosis method,and the appearance of the affected area is satisfactory,which is worthy of clinical promotion.
7.Surveillance of antifungal resistance in clinical isolates of Candida spp.in East China Invasive Fungal Infection Group from 2018 to 2022
Dongjiang WANG ; Wenjuan WU ; Jian GUO ; Min ZHANG ; Huiping LIN ; Feifei WAN ; Xiaobo MA ; Yueting LI ; Jia LI ; Huiqiong JIA ; Lingbing ZENG ; Xiuhai LU ; Yan JIN ; Jinfeng CAI ; Wei LI ; Zhimin BAI ; Yongqin WU ; Hui DING ; Zhongxian LIAO ; Gen LI ; Hui ZHANG ; Hongwei MENG ; Changzi DENG ; Feng CHEN ; Na JIANG ; Jie QIN ; Guoping DONG ; Jinghua ZHANG ; Wei XI ; Haomin ZHANG ; Rong TANG ; Li LI ; Suzhen WANG ; Fen PAN ; Jing GAO ; Lu JIANG ; Hua FANG ; Zhilan LI ; Yiqun YUAN ; Guoqing WANG ; Yuanxia WANG ; Liping WANG
Chinese Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy 2024;24(4):402-409
Objective To monitor the antifungal resistance of clinical isolates of Candida spp.in the East China region.Methods MALDI-TOF MS or molecular methods were used to re-identify the strains collected from January 2018 to December 2022.Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using the broth microdilution method.The susceptibility test results were interpreted according to the breakpoints of 2022 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)documents M27 M44s-Ed3 and M57s-Ed4.Results A total of 3 026 strains of Candida were collected,65.33%of which were isolated from sterile body sites,mainly from blood(38.86%)and pleural effusion/ascites(10.21%).The predominant species of Candida were Candida albicans(44.51%),followed by Candida parapsilosis complex(19.46%),Candida tropicalis(13.98%),Candida glabrata(10.34%),and other Candida species(0.79%).Candida albicans showed overall high susceptibility rates to the 10 antifungal drugs tested(the lowest rate being 93.62%).Only 2.97%of the strains showed dose-dependent susceptibility(SDD)to fluconazole.Candida parapsilosis complex had a SDD rate of 2.61%and a resistance rate of 9.42%to fluconazole,and susceptibility rates above 90%to other drugs.Candida glabrata had a SDD rate of 92.01%and a resistance rate of 7.99%to fluconazole,resistance rates of 32.27%and 48.24%to posaconazole and voriconazole non-wild-type strains(NWT),respectively,and susceptibility rates above 90%to other drugs.Candida tropicalis had resistance rates of 29.55%and 26.24%to fluconazole and voriconazole,respectively,resistance rates of 76.60%and 21.99%to posaconazole and echinocandins non-wild-type strains(NWT),and a resistance rate of 2.36%to echinocandins.Conclusions The prevalence and species distribution of Candida spp.in the East China region are consistent with previous domestic and international reports.Candida glabrata exhibits certain degree of resistance to fluconazole,while Candida tropicalis demonstrates higher resistance to triazole drugs.Additionally,echinocandins resistance has emerged in Candida albicans,Candida glabrata,Candida tropicalis,and Candida parapsilosis.
8.Isolation,identification,and biological characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus infection in yaks
Hong-Cai MA ; Hao-Feng QIN ; Jiang-Yong ZENG ; Duo-Ji JINMEI ; Dong-Jing WANG ; Zhen-Jie YUAN
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(7):662-669
To understand the pathogenicity,virulence genes,drug resistance genes,and drug resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from yaks in some areas of Lhasa and Nagqu City,55 yak nasal swab samples were analyzed for S.aureus in this study.The cocci were isolated and identified,and the carriage of virulence genes and drug resistance genes,as well as the pathogenicity and drug sensitivity of the isolated S.aureus strains,were detected with PCR,artificially infected mice,and the K-B drug susceptibility disk method.Seven strains of S.aureus were isolated from the 55 yak nasal swab samples,with an iso-lation rate of 12.73%.The isolated strains were all pathogenic to mice,with a fatality rate exceeding 60%.These seven strains of S.aureus carried three drug resistance genes(tetM,tet,and mecA)and six virulence genes(seb,sec,clfA,hla,hlb,and nuc).The detection rate of the three drug resistance genes was 100%,whereas the detection rate of the six virulence genes in the isolates ranged from 83.33%to 100%.The resistance rates of the isolated strains to penicillin,ampicillin,and cotrimox-azole reached 85.71%-100%,whereas the resistance rates to tetracycline and ceftazidime were both 28.57%.Thus,yaks in Lhasa and Nagqu cities were found to be infected by S.aureus strains carrying various drug-resistance genes and virulence genes.These strains were highly pathogenic and showed sensi-tivity to most antibacterial drugs.These findings may serve as a reference for treating S.aureus infection in yaks in the cities of Lhasa and Nagqu.
9.Consistency of chemical constituents between formula granules and standard decoction of Coptidis Rhizoma
Dai-Liang ZHANG ; Xin-Na DONG ; Lei SHI ; Xiao-Di DONG ; Yong-Qiang LIN ; Rong-Fei ZHANG ; Jing-Hua ZHANG ; Yuan-Cheng YAO ; Feng-Chao ZHANG ; Gui-Yun CAO ; Zhao-Qing MENG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2024;46(9):2851-2858
AIM To investigate the consistency of chemical constituents between formula granules and standard decoction of Coptidis Rhizoma.METHODS Eighteen batches of standard decoctions were prepared,after which the extraction rate and contents,transfer rates of magnolflorine,jatrorrhizine,columbamine,epiberberine,coptisine,palmatine,berberin were determined,HPLC characteristic chromatograms were established.RESULTS There were 11 common peaks in the characteristic chromatograms of 18 batches of standard decoctions and 24 batches of formula granules with the similarities of 0.861-1.000,which were clusterd into two categories.The formula granules and standard decoction demonstrated approximated extraction rate and contents,transfer rates of index constituents.CONCLUSION The chemical constituents between formula granules and standard decoction of Coptidis Rhizoma display good consistency,which can provide references for the quality control,process research and clinical application of the former.
10.Efficacy observation of different doses of bortezomib combined with chemotherapy for multiple myeloma
Yuan GAO ; Peng DONG ; Tingwu YI ; Huan LIN ; Lejia LIU ; Yanyu WANG ; Aixin WANG ; Dan HUANG ; Jing TIAN
Cancer Research and Clinic 2024;36(7):532-535
Objective:To investigate the efficacy of different doses of bortezomib combined with chemotherapy for multiple myeloma (MM).Methods:A prospective case series study was performed. A total of 81 MM patients at Leshan People's Hospital from February 2022 to May 2023 were collected as study subjects. According to the random number table method, patients were divided into high-dose bortezomib group (39 cases treated with 1.6 mg/m 2 bortezomib combined with dexamethasone and thalidomide) and low-dose bortezomib group (42 cases treated with 1.3 mg/m 2 bortezomib combined with dexamethasone and thalidomide). The clinical efficacy after 4 courses of treatment, adverse reactions, C-reactive protein (CRP), β 2 microglobulin (β 2-MG) and serum creatinine levels before and after treatment, survival and prognosis of patients in both groups were compared. Results:There were 29 males and 10 females in the high-dose bortezomib group and the age was (59±5) years; there were 31 males and 11 females in the low-dose bortezomib group and the age was (59±6) years. The differences in the general data of both groups were statistically significant (all P > 0.05). The overall effectiveness rate was 87.2% (34/39) and 80.9% (34/42), respectively in the high-dose bortezomib group and the low-dose bortezomib group, and the difference was not statistically significant of both groups ( χ2 = 0.58, P = 0.446). The incidence rate of adverse reactions was 30.8% (12/39), 19.0% (8/39), respectively in the high-dose bortezomib group and the low-dose bortezomib group, and the difference was not statistically significant of both groups ( χ2 = 1.49, P = 0.222). Before treatment, there were no statistically significant differences in the levels of CRP, β 2-MG and serum creatinine between the 2 groups (all P > 0.05); after treatment, there were statistically significant differences in the levels of CRP [(23.6±2.2) g/L vs. (31.5±3.6) g/L)], β 2-MG [(2 317±63) μg/L vs. (4 212±114) μg/L] and serum creatinine [(70±5) μmol/L vs. (79±7) μmol/L] in the high-dose bortezomib group and the low-dose bortezomib group ( t value was 4.28, 18.29, 4.00, all P<0.05); and the levels of above 3 indicators after treatment were lower than those before treatment of both groups (all P < 0.05). The mortality rate was 10.3% (4/39) and 14.3% (6/42), respectively in the high-dose bortezomib group and the low-dose bortezomib group 1-year follow-up after treatment, and the difference was not statistically significant ( χ2 = 0.30, P = 0.582). Conclusions:The efficacy and safety of high-dose bortezomib combined with chemotherapy are comparable to those of low-dose bortezomib combined with chemotherapy in treatment of MM, while the former could improve renal function and inflammatory status of MM patients.


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