1.Gender Differences in Depression:Mechanistic Insights from Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine and Advances in Antidepressant Research
Hao-quan TIAN ; Jin PAN ; Lu-si XU ; Xiao-yan XUE ; Qian-cheng MAO ; Liu-xuan HUANG ; Ying-ying ZHU ; Ke MA
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(13):2231-2240,2153
Depression is a highly heterogeneous psychiatric disorder with complex pathogenesis influenced by the interplay of biological,psychological,and social-environmental factors.Based on the 2021 edition of the Chinese Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Depressive Disorders,which explicitly identify gender as a significant risk factor for depression onset,this paper systematically reviews the gender-differentiated pathogenesis and therapeutic advances in depression from both traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and Western medical perspectives.In Western medicine,a large number of studies have demonstrated the sex-specific mechanism of estrogen/testosterone fluctuations and monoamine transmitter system regulation.While in TCM,although the constitution theory proposes that there are significant gender differences in congenital constitution and that qi depression and qi deficiency are associated with susceptibility to depression,current evidence primarily relies on cross-sectional surveys and lacks validation through high-quality RCTs.Compared with Western medicine,the direct research on gender-differentiated antidepressant effects in TCM remains relatively underdeveloped.In future study,it may be possible to deepen and improve the research on anti-depression in TCM from the biological markers of particular constitutions in the gender dimension.This paper advocates establishing a bio-psycho-social integrated intervention model,advancing mechanistic exploration through prospective cohort studies and multi-omics technologies,and promoting precision diagnosis and treatment systems based on gender differences,and to form a three-dimensional diagnosis and treatment and research system that covers biomarkers,social role assessment,and TCM constitution identification,in order to provide a new theoretical framework and a practical pathway for the precise medical treatment of depression.
2.Short-term outcome study on cervical deep lymph node-venous anastomosis technique in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Cheng GAN ; Zhengdong KONG ; Xiaoye RAN ; Shudong QIAO ; Yixin ZHANG ; Lu YUE ; Yingjie WANG ; Hui BI ; Dong YANG ; Hongtong MA ; Yuan CHEN ; Hongli CHAI ; Ying JIA ; Chenhao MA ; Zixiang CHEN ; Ke LI ; Miao WANG ; Liguo XUE ; Siwen ZHAO ; Ke WEN ; Lin YIN ; Bo DING ; Shan ZHU ; Yuanbo LIU ; Mengqing ZANG
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2025;41(2):130-143
Objective:To explore the short-term clinical effects of deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Methods:A prospective exploratory study was conducted on the treatment of AD patients using the cervical deep lymph node-venous anastomosis technique in Scar and Wound Treatment Department, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from September to October 2024. The patients underwent high-frequency ultrasound to locate deep cervical lymph nodes and the external jugular vein. Under general anesthesia, bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses were performed. Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography was conducted via subcutaneous injection behind the ear to visualize lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. After making a skin incision along the posterior margin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the external jugular vein, internal jugular veins, and associated lymph nodes were exposed. Adjacent veins were selected for anastomosis of lymph node. Using microsurgical techniques, end-to-side or end-to-end anastomosis was completed for lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. Preoperative assessments included the mini-mental state examination (MMSE, a higher score indicates better cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog, a higher score indicates greater impairment of cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease cooperative study scale for activities of daily living (ADCS-ADL, a higher score indicates better ability to perform daily activity), and neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI, a higher score indicates more severe behavioral and emotional symptom). Postoperative follow-up included the same scales to observe changes in cognitive function, activities of daily living, and emotional communication.Results:Four patients (1 male, 3 females, aged 58-79 years) with AD were included. All were diagnosed based on cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. All patients successfully underwent bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses. On average, 4.3 (2-7 per person) anastomoses were performed per patient. Surgical procedures lasted an average of 6.5 h (5.5-8.5 h) with minimal blood loss (less than 50 ml). Patients resumed normal activity within 6 hours postoperatively and were discharged after an average of 4.1 d (3.5-5.0 d). Postoperative complications included one case each of aspiration pneumonia, lower limb venous thrombosis, and transient delirium, all of whom resolved without long-term effects. Clinical symptoms, including memory decline, mood swings, and anxiety, showed varying degrees of improvement. Patients reported enhanced quality of life, emotional stability, and social engagement, confirming the procedure’s safety and potential cognitive benefits. At one month postoperatively, the MMSE scores of the four patients increased by an average of 0.8 points compared to preoperative levels. Additionally, the two patients who completed the ADAS-Cog assessments showed a decrease in their scores (reduced by 1.0 points and 11.3 points, respectively, compared to preoperative scores), indicating a certain degree of improvement in cognitive function during this period. The ADCS-ADL and NPI scores of four patients varied significantly, without showing any clear pattern.Conclusion:Lymphovenous anastomosis of the deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis may provide a new surgical intervention approach for AD, but further large-scale studies and long-term follow-up are needed to validate its safety and effectiveness.
3.Gender Differences in Depression:Mechanistic Insights from Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine and Advances in Antidepressant Research
Hao-quan TIAN ; Jin PAN ; Lu-si XU ; Xiao-yan XUE ; Qian-cheng MAO ; Liu-xuan HUANG ; Ying-ying ZHU ; Ke MA
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(13):2231-2240,2153
Depression is a highly heterogeneous psychiatric disorder with complex pathogenesis influenced by the interplay of biological,psychological,and social-environmental factors.Based on the 2021 edition of the Chinese Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Depressive Disorders,which explicitly identify gender as a significant risk factor for depression onset,this paper systematically reviews the gender-differentiated pathogenesis and therapeutic advances in depression from both traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and Western medical perspectives.In Western medicine,a large number of studies have demonstrated the sex-specific mechanism of estrogen/testosterone fluctuations and monoamine transmitter system regulation.While in TCM,although the constitution theory proposes that there are significant gender differences in congenital constitution and that qi depression and qi deficiency are associated with susceptibility to depression,current evidence primarily relies on cross-sectional surveys and lacks validation through high-quality RCTs.Compared with Western medicine,the direct research on gender-differentiated antidepressant effects in TCM remains relatively underdeveloped.In future study,it may be possible to deepen and improve the research on anti-depression in TCM from the biological markers of particular constitutions in the gender dimension.This paper advocates establishing a bio-psycho-social integrated intervention model,advancing mechanistic exploration through prospective cohort studies and multi-omics technologies,and promoting precision diagnosis and treatment systems based on gender differences,and to form a three-dimensional diagnosis and treatment and research system that covers biomarkers,social role assessment,and TCM constitution identification,in order to provide a new theoretical framework and a practical pathway for the precise medical treatment of depression.
4.Short-term outcome study on cervical deep lymph node-venous anastomosis technique in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Cheng GAN ; Zhengdong KONG ; Xiaoye RAN ; Shudong QIAO ; Yixin ZHANG ; Lu YUE ; Yingjie WANG ; Hui BI ; Dong YANG ; Hongtong MA ; Yuan CHEN ; Hongli CHAI ; Ying JIA ; Chenhao MA ; Zixiang CHEN ; Ke LI ; Miao WANG ; Liguo XUE ; Siwen ZHAO ; Ke WEN ; Lin YIN ; Bo DING ; Shan ZHU ; Yuanbo LIU ; Mengqing ZANG
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2025;41(2):130-143
Objective:To explore the short-term clinical effects of deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Methods:A prospective exploratory study was conducted on the treatment of AD patients using the cervical deep lymph node-venous anastomosis technique in Scar and Wound Treatment Department, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from September to October 2024. The patients underwent high-frequency ultrasound to locate deep cervical lymph nodes and the external jugular vein. Under general anesthesia, bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses were performed. Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography was conducted via subcutaneous injection behind the ear to visualize lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. After making a skin incision along the posterior margin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the external jugular vein, internal jugular veins, and associated lymph nodes were exposed. Adjacent veins were selected for anastomosis of lymph node. Using microsurgical techniques, end-to-side or end-to-end anastomosis was completed for lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. Preoperative assessments included the mini-mental state examination (MMSE, a higher score indicates better cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog, a higher score indicates greater impairment of cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease cooperative study scale for activities of daily living (ADCS-ADL, a higher score indicates better ability to perform daily activity), and neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI, a higher score indicates more severe behavioral and emotional symptom). Postoperative follow-up included the same scales to observe changes in cognitive function, activities of daily living, and emotional communication.Results:Four patients (1 male, 3 females, aged 58-79 years) with AD were included. All were diagnosed based on cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. All patients successfully underwent bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses. On average, 4.3 (2-7 per person) anastomoses were performed per patient. Surgical procedures lasted an average of 6.5 h (5.5-8.5 h) with minimal blood loss (less than 50 ml). Patients resumed normal activity within 6 hours postoperatively and were discharged after an average of 4.1 d (3.5-5.0 d). Postoperative complications included one case each of aspiration pneumonia, lower limb venous thrombosis, and transient delirium, all of whom resolved without long-term effects. Clinical symptoms, including memory decline, mood swings, and anxiety, showed varying degrees of improvement. Patients reported enhanced quality of life, emotional stability, and social engagement, confirming the procedure’s safety and potential cognitive benefits. At one month postoperatively, the MMSE scores of the four patients increased by an average of 0.8 points compared to preoperative levels. Additionally, the two patients who completed the ADAS-Cog assessments showed a decrease in their scores (reduced by 1.0 points and 11.3 points, respectively, compared to preoperative scores), indicating a certain degree of improvement in cognitive function during this period. The ADCS-ADL and NPI scores of four patients varied significantly, without showing any clear pattern.Conclusion:Lymphovenous anastomosis of the deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis may provide a new surgical intervention approach for AD, but further large-scale studies and long-term follow-up are needed to validate its safety and effectiveness.
5.Role of intestinal flora in hypertension complicated with osteoporosis
Mei-Long SI ; Hua JIN ; Min-Ke LIU ; Shuang-Fang LIU ; Bi-Shi LING ; Shang-Wen QI ; Xue-Li MA
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(3):449-453
Hypertension and osteoporosis(OP)are common diseases in middle-aged and elderly people,and the number of patients with both diseases has gradually increased in recent years.Because the onset of the disease is hidden,it is easy to cause fractures and serious complications of heart,brain and kidney in the later stage,which not only seriously damages the quality of life of patients,but also increases the difficulty of clinical treatment.Therefore,it is particularly necessary to strengthen the research on this disease.More and more studies have found that the disorder of intestinal flora will lead to the occurrence of OP,while the intestinal flora of patients with hypertension is obviously out of balance.Therefore,this paper thinks that intestinal flora may be the key influencing factor of hypertension complicated with OP,and the imbalance of intestinal flora will lead to the imbalance of short-chain fatty acid metabolism,immune inflammatory reaction and increased sympathetic nerve activity,thus causing the imbalance of bone homeostasis and promoting the occurrence of OP.Therefore,it is suggested that regulating intestinal flora may be a new way to intervene hypertension complicated with OP.
6.Research status of quercetin-mediated MAPK signaling pathway in prevention and treatment of osteoporosis
Ke-Xin YUAN ; Xing-Wen XIE ; Ding-Peng LI ; Yi-Sheng JING ; Wei-Wei HUANG ; Xue-Tao WANG ; Hao-Dong YANG ; Wen YAN ; Yong-Wu MA
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(9):1375-1379
Quercetin can mediate the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling pathways to prevent osteoporosis(OP).This paper comprehensively discusses the interrelationship between MAPK and osteoporosis-related cells based on the latest domestic and international research.Additionally,it elucidates the research progress of quercetin in mediating the MAPK signaling pathway for OP prevention.The aim is to provide an effective foundation for the clinical prevention and treatment of OP and the in-depth development of quercetin.
7.Standardized operational protocol for the China Human Brain Bank Consortium(2nd edition)
Xue WANG ; Zhen CHEN ; Juan-Li WU ; Nai-Li WANG ; Di ZHANG ; Juan DU ; Liang YU ; Wan-Ru DUAN ; Peng-Hao LIU ; Han-Lin ZHANG ; Can HUANG ; Yue-Shan PIAO ; Ke-Qing ZHU ; Ai-Min BAO ; Jing ZHANG ; Yi SHEN ; Chao MA ; Wen-Ying QIU ; Xiao-Jing QIAN
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2024;55(6):734-745
Human brain banks use a standardized protocol to collect,process and store post-mortem human brains and related tissues,along with relevant clinical information,and to provide the tissue samples and data as a resource to foster neuroscience research according to a standardized operating protocols(SOP).Human brain bank serves as the foundation for neuroscience research and the diagnosis of neurological disorders,highlighting the crucial rule of ensuring the consistency of standardized quality for brain tissue samples.The first version of SOP in 2017 was published by the China Human Brain Bank Consortium.As members increases from different regions in China,a revised SOP was drafted by experts from the China Human Brain Bank Consortium to meet the growing demands for neuroscience research.The revised SOP places a strong emphasis on ethical standards,incorporates neuropathological evaluation of brain regions,and provides clarity on spinal cord sampling and pathological assessment.Notable enhancements in this updated version of the SOP include reinforced ethical guidelines,inclusion of matching controls in recruitment,and expansion of brain regions to be sampled for neuropathological evaluation.
8.Investigation and analysis of the current status of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt treatment for portal hypertension in China
Haozhuo GUO ; Meng NIU ; Haibo SHAO ; Xinwei HAN ; Jianbo ZHAO ; Junhui SUN ; Zhuting FANG ; Bin XIONG ; Xiaoli ZHU ; Weixin REN ; Min YUAN ; Shiping YU ; Weifu LYU ; Xueqiang ZHANG ; Chunqing ZHANG ; Lei LI ; Xuefeng LUO ; Yusheng SONG ; Yilong MA ; Tong DANG ; Hua XIANG ; Yun JIN ; Hui XUE ; Guiyun JIN ; Xiao LI ; Jiarui LI ; Shi ZHOU ; Changlu YU ; Song HE ; Lei YU ; Hongmei ZU ; Jun MA ; Yanming LEI ; Ke XU ; Xiaolong QI
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2024;58(4):437-443
Objective:To investigate the current situation of the use of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for portal hypertension, which should aid the development of TIPS in China.Methods:The China Portal Hypertension Alliance (CHESS) initiated this study that comprehensively investigated the basic situation of TIPS for portal hypertension in China through network research. The survey included the following: the number of surgical cases, main indications, the development of Early-TIPS, TIPS for portal vein cavernous transformation, collateral circulation embolization, intraoperative portal pressure gradient measurement, commonly used stent types, conventional anticoagulation and time, postoperative follow-up, obstacles, and the application of domestic instruments.Results:According to the survey, a total of 13 527 TIPS operations were carried out in 545 hospitals participating in the survey in 2021, and 94.1% of the hospital had the habit of routine follow-up after TIPS. Most hospitals believed that the main indications of TIPS were the control of acute bleeding (42.6%) and the prevention of rebleeding (40.7%). 48.1% of the teams carried out early or priority TIPS, 53.0% of the teams carried out TIPS for the cavernous transformation of the portal vein, and 81.0% chose routine embolization of collateral circulation during operation. Most of them used coils and biological glue as embolic materials, and 78.5% of the team routinely performed intraoperative portal pressure gradient measurements. In selecting TIPS stents, 57.1% of the hospitals woulel choose Viator-specific stents, 57.2% woulel choose conventional anticoagulation after TIPS, and the duration of anticoagulation was between 3-6 months (55.4%). The limitation of TIPS surgery was mainly due to cost (72.3%) and insufficient understanding of doctors in related departments (77.4%). Most teams accepted the domestic instruments used in TIPS (92.7%).Conclusions:This survey shows that TIPS treatment is an essential part of treating portal hypertension in China. The total number of TIPS cases is far from that of patients with portal hypertension. In the future, it is still necessary to popularize TIPS technology and further standardize surgical indications, routine operations, and instrument application.
9.Effects of climate change on scrub typhus in Xiamen
Xue-Mei KE ; Jiao-Na CHEN ; Shan-Shan MA ; Si-Han WU ; Chun-Xiang CAI ; Xiao-Yan WANG ; Shi-Jie HUANG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(10):965-970
This study was aimed at examining the influence of meteorological factors on scrub typhus in Xiamen.Scrub ty-phus monitoring data and meteorological factors were collected in Xiamen from 2005 to 2023.Spearman correlation analysis and nonlinear regression were used to analyze the correlation between scrub typhus incidence and meteorological factors.The inci-dence of scrub typhus first increased and subsequently decreased in Xiamen from 2005 to 2023.The highest incidence was be-tween 2014 and 2016,and the peak incidence was from June to October.The monthly incidence of scrub typhus positively cor-related with daily minimum temperature(r=0.637,P<0.001,daily average temperature(r=0.627,P<0.001),daily maxi-mum temperature(r=0.612,P<0.001),sunshine duration(r=0.405,P<0.001),average relative humidity(r=0.346,P<0.001),and daily rainfall(r=0.207,P=0.002),and negatively correlated with average atmospheric pressure(r=-0.549,P<0.001),whereas no correlation was observed with the average wind speed in Xiamen.The regression equation of scrub ty-phus monthly incidence and meteorological parameters was y=-433.869-11.503x1+0.381x1 2+9.150x2-0.197x2 2+3.936 x3-0.132x3 2+0.881x4+0.035x4 2-1.048x5+0.009x5 2+0.186x6-0.023x6 2+0.421x7+6.210×10-5x8-1.051 × 10-10x8 2 in Xiamen,and the R2 was 0.473,thus indicating good model fit.Scrub typhus incidence correlated with the daily minimum av-erage temperature,average temperature,daily maximum tem-perature,sunshine duration,daily rainfall,relative humidity,and average atmospheric pressure in Xiamen.Various meteoro-logical factors had differing effects on scrub typhus.
10.Methodological study on in vitro release of etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol compound vaginal ring
Shasha WANG ; Pan CHEN ; Jia ZENG ; Man XUE ; Fang LI ; Feng PAN ; Yanhong ZHAO ; Shiyu MA ; Fuzheng REN ; Yanxiong KE ; Linglin FENG
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2023;43(8):813-819
Objective:To develop an etonogestrel (ENG)/ethinyl estradiol (EE) compound vaginal ring with good sustained-release properties, studying its in vitro release assay methodology, and establishing an accelerated release method with good correlation with real-time release methods. Methods:Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) was used as the matrix to prepare ENG/EE compound vaginal ring by hot melt extrusion method, and an in vitro real-time release assay method and an accelerated release assay method based on shake flask method were established. The in vitro release behavior and release mechanism of ENG/EE compound vaginal ring were investigated, and the correlation between real-time release and accelerated release over time was analyzed. Results:The obtained vaginal ring had a round appearance and a smooth surface, and the drug was slowly released under the optimal real-time release conditions in vitro (release medium: 200 mL of pure water, shaking at 60 r/min in a constant temperature water bath shaker at 37 ℃), and the cumulative release of ENG and EE on the 21st day were 54.39% and 46.80%, respectively. The correlation coefficients of drug release and its mechanism under the optimized in vitro accelerated conditions (release medium: 200 mL of 0.6% sodium dodecyl sulfate aqueous solution, shaking at 60 r/min at 55 ℃) with the results under real-time release conditions were all greater than 0.99. Conclusion:The ENG/EE compound vaginal ring obtained in this study has a significant in vitro sustained-release effect, and the established accelerated release conditions have a good correlation with real-time release conditions, which can provide a useful reference for the quality evaluation research of such vaginal ring products and the formulation of guidelines for in vitro release research methods.

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