1.Neuroplasticity Mechanisms of Exercise-induced Brain Protection
Li-Juan HOU ; Lan-Qun MAO ; Wei CHEN ; Ke LI ; Xu-Dong ZHAO ; Yin-Hao WANG ; Zi-Zheng YANG ; Tian-He WEI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1435-1452
Neuroscience is a significant frontier discipline within the natural sciences and has become an important interdisciplinary frontier scientific field. Brain is one of the most complex organs in the human body, and its structural and functional analysis is considered the “ultimate frontier” of human self-awareness and exploration of nature. Driven by the strategic layout of “China Brain Project”, Chinese scientists have conducted systematic research focusing on “understanding the brain, simulating the brain, and protecting the brain”. They have made breakthrough progress in areas such as the principles of brain cognition, mechanisms and interventions for brain diseases, brain-like computation, and applications of brain-machine intelligence technology, aiming to enhance brain health through biomedical technology and improve the quality of human life. Due to limited understanding and comprehension of neuroscience, there are still many important unresolved issues in the field of neuroscience, resulting in a lack of effective measures to prevent and protect brain health. Therefore, in addition to actively developing new generation drugs, exploring non pharmacological treatment strategies with better health benefits and higher safety is particularly important. Epidemiological data shows that, exercise is not only an indispensable part of daily life but also an important non-pharmacological approach for protecting brain health and preventing neurodegenerative diseases, forming an emerging research field known as motor neuroscience. Basic research in motor neuroscience primarily focuses on analyzing the dynamic coding mechanisms of neural circuits involved in motor control, breakthroughs in motor neuroscience research depend on the construction of dynamic monitoring systems across temporal and spatial scales. Therefore, high spatiotemporal resolution detection of movement processes and movement-induced changes in brain structure and neural activity signals is an important technical foundation for conducting motor neuroscience research and has developed a set of tools based on traditional neuroscience methods combined with novel motor behavior decoding technologies, providing an innovative technical platform for motor neuroscience research. The protective effect of exercise in neurodegenerative diseases provides broad application prospects for its clinical translation. Applied research in motor neuroscience centers on deciphering the regulatory networks of neuroprotective molecules mediated by exercise. From the perspectives of exercise promoting neurogenesis and regeneration, enhancing synaptic plasticity, modulating neuronal functional activity, and remodeling the molecular homeostasis of the neuronal microenvironment, it aims to improve cognitive function and reduce the incidence of Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. This has also advanced research into the molecular regulatory networks mediating exercise-induced neuroprotection and facilitated the clinical application and promotion of exercise rehabilitation strategies. Multidimensional analysis of exercise-regulated neural plasticity is the theoretical basis for elucidating the brain-protective mechanisms mediated by exercise and developing intervention strategies for neurological diseases. Thus,real-time analysis of different neural signals during active exercise is needed to study the health effects of exercise throughout the entire life cycle and enhance lifelong sports awareness. Therefore, this article will systematically summarize the innovative technological developments in motor neuroscience research, review the mechanisms of neural plasticity that exercise utilizes to protect the brain, and explore the role of exercise in the prevention and treatment of major neurodegenerative diseases. This aims to provide new ideas for future theoretical innovations and clinical applications in the field of exercise-induced brain protection.
2.Application of motor behavior evaluation method of zebrafish model in traditional Chinese medicine research.
Xin LI ; Qin-Qin LIANG ; Bing-Yue ZHANG ; Zhong-Shang XIA ; Gang BAI ; Zheng-Cai DU ; Er-Wei HAO ; Jia-Gang DENG ; Xiao-Tao HOU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(10):2631-2639
The zebrafish model has attracted much attention due to its strong reproductive ability, short research cycle, and ease of maintenance. It has always been an important vertebrate model system, often used to carry out human disease research. Its motor behavior features have the advantages of being simpler, more intuitive, and quantifiable. In recent years, it has received widespread attention in the study of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)for the treatment of sleep disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, fatigue, epilepsy, and other diseases. This paper reviews the characteristics of zebrafish motor behavior and its applications in the pharmacodynamic verification and mechanism research of TCM extracts, active ingredients, and TCM compounds, as well as in active ingredient screening and safety evaluation. The paper also analyzes its advantages and disadvantages, with the aim of improving the breadth and depth of zebrafish and its motor behavior applications in the field of TCM research.
Zebrafish/physiology*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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Disease Models, Animal
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Drug Evaluation, Preclinical/methods*
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Animals
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Sleep Wake Disorders/physiopathology*
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Epilepsy/physiopathology*
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Neurodegenerative Diseases/physiopathology*
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Fatigue/physiopathology*
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Behavior, Animal/physiology*
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Motor Activity/physiology*
3.Two new taraxerane triterpenoids from mastic.
Zhi-Qiang ZHAO ; Xue-Rui AN ; Tian-Zhi LI ; Ting HE ; Hao-Kun HOU ; Wei LIU ; Tao YUAN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(13):3723-3743
Three taraxerane nortriterpenoids were isolated from mastic by using various modern chromatographic separation techniques. They were identified as(5R,8R,9R,10S,11S,12R,13S,17R,18R)-28-norlupa-11,12-epoxy-14-taraxerene-3,16-dione(1),(5R,8R,9R,10S,11S,12R,13S,17S,18S)-17-hydroxy-28-norlupa-11,12-epoxy-14-taraxerene-3-one(2), and(5R,8R,9R,10R,11S,12R,13R,14S,17S,18S)-14,17-epoxy-28-norlupa-11,12-oxidotaraxerone(3) through the high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry(HR-ESI-MS), infrared(IR), ultraviolet(UV), nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques as well as comparison with literature data. Compounds 1-3 were C-28 nortriterpenoids and isolated from mastic for the first time, and compounds 1-2 were new ones. In the model for RAW264.7 cell anti-inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS), compound 1 demonstrates an inhibitory effect on nitric oxide(NO) [IC_(50)=(13.38±0.68) μmol·L~(-1)], comparable to the activity of the positive control dexamethasone [IC_(50)=(14.59±1.49) μmol·L~(-1)]. Compounds 2 and 3 exhibit weaker inhibitory effects, with IC_(50) values of(24.17±2.56) and(22.25±2.84) μmol·L~(-1), respectively.
Animals
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Mice
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Triterpenes/isolation & purification*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification*
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Mastic Resin/chemistry*
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Nitric Oxide
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Molecular Structure
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Macrophages/immunology*
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RAW 264.7 Cells
4.Reduction in mitochondrial DNA methylation leads to compensatory increase in mitochondrial DNA content: novel blood-borne biomarkers for monitoring occupational noise.
Jia-Hao YANG ; Zhuo-Ran LI ; Zhuo-Zhang TAN ; Wu-Zhong LIU ; Qiang HOU ; Pin SUN ; Xue-Tao ZHANG
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;30():40-40
BACKGROUND:
Prolonged occupational noise exposure poses potential health risks, but its impact on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage and methylation patterns remains unclear.
METHOD:
We recruited 306 factory workers, using average binaural high-frequency hearing thresholds from pure-tone audiometry to assess noise exposure. MtDNA damage was evaluated through mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) and lesion rate, and mtDNA methylation changes were identified via pyrophosphate sequencing.
RESULTS:
There was a reduction in MT-RNR1 methylation of 4.52% (95% CI: -7.43% to -1.62%) among workers with abnormal hearing, whereas changes in the D-loop region were not statistically significant (β = -2.06%, 95% CI: -4.44% to 0.31%). MtDNAcn showed a negative association with MT-RNR1 methylation (β = -0.95, 95% CI: -1.23 to -0.66), while no significant link was found with D-loop methylation (β = -0.05, 95% CI: -0.58 to 0.48). Mediation analysis indicated a significant increase in mtDNAcn by 10.75 units (95% CI: 3.00 to 21.26) in those with abnormal hearing, with MT-RNR1 methylation mediating 35.9% of this effect.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that occupational noise exposure may influence compensatory increases in mtDNA content through altered MT-RNR1 methylation.
Humans
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DNA, Mitochondrial
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DNA Methylation
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Male
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Adult
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Noise, Occupational/adverse effects*
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Middle Aged
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Occupational Exposure/adverse effects*
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Biomarkers/blood*
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Female
5.Kitchen Ventilation Attenuate the Association of Solid Fuel Use with Sarcopenia: A Cross-Sectional and Prospective Study.
Ying Hao YUCHI ; Wei LIAO ; Jia QIU ; Rui Ying LI ; Ning KANG ; Xiao Tian LIU ; Wen Qian HUO ; Zhen Xing MAO ; Jian HOU ; Lei ZHANG ; Chong Jian WANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(4):511-515
6.FGF18 induces differentiation of human gingival fibroblasts into osteoblasts by upregulating BMP2
Yali Hou ; Huijuan Liu ; Hao Zhang ; Jingyuan Sun ; Peng Song ; Yueyao Liu ; Hexiang Li
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(2):279-285
Objective:
To investigate whether fibroblast growth factor 18(FGF18) can induce human gingival fibroblasts(HGFs) isolatedin vitroto differentiate into osteoblast-like cells, and to explore the mechanism of osteogenesis.
Methods :
HGFs were isolated, cultured and identified by tissue block method. The third generation of HGFs were divided into experimental group and control group. FGF18 and L-DMEM was added to the experimental group while L-DMEM was added to the control group.The effects of different concentrations of FGF18(0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06 mg/L) on proliferation of HGFs were detected by Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay. Alkaline phosphatase(ALP) and alizarin red staining were used to detect the osteogenesis and mineralization ability of the cells after induction. RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry staining, and Western blot were used to detect the expression of genes and proteins related to osteogenesis and BMP2 in the BMP signaling pathway.
Results:
Compared with the control group, the experimental group could promote the proliferation of HGFs at 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11days(P<0.05),ALP activity and mineral salt deposition increased after induction at 14 and 21 days(P<0.05), and the expressions of ALP, OPN, OCN mRNA and BMP2 mRNA in BMP signaling pathway significantly increased(P<0.01). The expressions of OPN, OCN and BMP2 protein at 21 days were significantly higher than those at 14 days(P<0.01).
Conclusion
FGF18 can promote the proliferation of HGFs, and induce the differentiation of HGFs into functional osteoblasts. The osteogenic mechanism is related to the upregulation of BMP2.
7.Emerging role of lysosomal regulation in Alzheimer's disease
Mengqi HAO ; Wenbo JI ; Yuankai GU ; Xinyu LU ; Li WANG ; Siqi LI ; Along HOU ; Chao GAO ; You YIN
Academic Journal of Naval Medical University 2025;46(4):518-523
Alzheimer's disease(AD)is the most common neurodegenerative disease in the elderly,and its main pathological manifestations include senile plaques formed by β-amyloid deposition and neuronal fibrillar nodules formed by hyperphosphorylation of tau proteins.Lysosome is an important organelle in eukaryotic cells,containing a variety of hydrolytic enzymes that can break down proteins and other biomolecules.It is closely related to intracellular transport and autophagy,and is important for maintaining cellular homeostasis.This review summarizes the interaction between lysosomal dysfunction and the development and progression of AD and the potential therapeutic mechanisms in treating AD by regulating and restoring the functions of lysosomes.Lysosomal dysfunction can lead to neurodegenerative diseases such as AD.Modulation of lysosomal function is a promising treatment strategy for AD.It is expected that more drugs and therapeutic regimens based on this mechanism can be used in the clinical treatment for AD patients in the future.
8.Chemical Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treating Alzheimer's Disease and Its Mechanism: A Review
Zhengcai DU ; Runhua HU ; Ruilin LI ; Erwei HAO ; Xiaotao HOU ; Jiagang DENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(5):236-245
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common diseases in the elderly population. Its etiology involves multiple pathogenic factors and pathological links such as abnormal deposition of β amyloid protein (Aβ), hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein, abnormalities of the cholinergic system, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response. However, its specific pathogenesis has not been clarified, and no specific therapeutic drugs have been found. In recent years, more and more studies have paid attention to the potential of chemical components of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of AD. However, the diversity and complexity of the chemical components of TCM may have a positive impact on multiple pathological links of AD. Researchers have isolated many active components from TCMs, and the effects of treating AD have been confirmed by modern pharmacological studies. Through literature analysis, this article found that the main chemical components of TCM with anti-AD effects were saponins (31%), flavonoids (24%), polysaccharides (20%), lactones (8%), alkaloids (7%), phenols (3%), and other compounds (7%). Among them, ginsenoside, notoginsenoside, epimedium flavones, puerarin, baicalein, schisandra polysaccharide, angelica polysaccharide, ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide, pachyman, huperzine A, berberine, andrographolide, curcumin, emodin, and gastrodin have been extensively studied in terms of their anti-AD effects, and their mechanisms of pharmacological action have been involved in many aspects of AD pathogenesis. This article reviews the anti-AD activities and possible mechanisms of chemical components of TCM, so as to provide a reference for the development of new drugs for the prevention and treatment of AD.
9.Healthcare-associated infection in a thoracic surgery ICU based on case mix index and relative weight of diagnosis-related groups
Hao JI ; Yuan LIU ; Jia YU ; Ai-Mi HUANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Li-Shan LI ; Xu-Min HOU
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2024;23(1):78-85
Objective To explore the correlation between healthcare-associated infection(HAI)and partial inde-xes in the diagnosis-related groups(DRGs)of patients in thoracic surgery intensive care unit(ICU).Methods DRGs,case mix index(CMI),relative weight(RW),and HAI of patients in thoracic surgery ICU and four subspe-cialty departments(pulmonary surgery group,esophageal surgery group,mediastinum group[mainly thymic sur-gery],and trachea group)in a tertiary chest hospital in Shanghai from January to December 2022 were retrospec-tively analyzed and compared through DRGs index grouping.Results A total of 1 429 patients in the department of thoracic surgery ICU were analyzed,including 59 HAI cases,with a HAI rate of 4.13%.The incidences of HAI in pulmonary surgery group,esophageal surgery group,mediastinum group and trachea group were 3.74%(30/803),5.84%(25/428),1.27%(2/157)and 4.88%(2/41),respectively.There was no statistically significant differ-ence in the incidences of HAI among different subspecialty groups(P>0.05).A total of 35 DRGs were involved,with CMI of 2.75,3.41,2.35 and 1.25 in pulmonary surgery group,esophageal surgery group,mediastinum group and trachea group,respectively,and RW ranged from 0.53 to 12.62.In the pulmonary surgery group,inci-dence of HAI in male patients was higher than that in female patients.Higher RW score level was associated with higher incidence of HAI.Differences were all statistically significant(all P 0.05).Among patients in the esophageal surgery group,the age of HAI group was higher than that of the non-HAI group(P<0.05).Higher RW score level was associated with higher incidence of HAI(P<0.05).Among patients in the mediastinum sur-gery group,the age of patients in the infected group was higher than that in the non-infected group(P<0.05).Among the 59 HAI cases,31 were infected with MDROs.Conclusion Focusing on CMI and RW in the DRGs in-dex system,analyzing HAI from the perspectives of disease complexity and overall technical difficulties of medical services can provide reference for the precise management of HAI in the new era.
10.Characteristics and significance of age-related changes in cervical uncinate process-related angle
Dezhou ZHANG ; Chaoqun WANG ; Jun SHI ; Kun LI ; Shaojie ZHANG ; Yuan MA ; Erfei HOU ; Danyang ZHAO ; Yunteng HAO ; Simin WANG ; Xiaohe LI ; Haiyan WANG ; Zhijun LI ; Xing WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(36):5766-5772
BACKGROUND:As a unique structure of the cervical spine,the occurrence,development and progression of the uncovertebral joint directly affect the stability and range of motion of the cervical spine,and are also closely related to the pathogenesis of cervical spondylosis.A thorough understanding of the developmental characteristics of the uncovertebral joint is of great significance for the pathogenesis,diagnosis,and treatment of cervical spondylosis. OBJECTIVE:By using imaging and three-dimensional reconstruction technology to measure and observe the cervical uncinate process-related angle in a large sample of different age groups,the aim is to reveal the characteristics of its changes with age and vertebral growth,as well as its relationship with cervical spine stability. METHODS:Using a retrospective research design,we collected 1 447 cases of raw CT imaging data that meet the study requirements for complete cervical spine segments.The raw data were imported into Mimics 21.0 software in DICOM format for post-processing and measurement of angle of uncinate process and sagittal angle of uncinate process.The data were grouped based on gender,age,and side. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)With the increase of vertebral sequence,the angle of uncinate process increased in a V-shaped shape,and the lowest peak was at C5.The overall population showed a sharp peak with the increase of age,and the peak value mostly occurred in the age range of 30-39 years.(2)The sagittal angle of the uncinate process increased like a fishhook with the increase of the vertebral sequence,and the overall angle of the uncinate process increased with age,and the peak value mostly occurred in the age range of 20-29 years.The uncinate process angle and sagittal angle showed only partial significant differences between sides and genders(P<0.05).(3)It is concluded that the angle of the uncinate process increased with the increase of vertebral sequence in a V-shaped manner.The sagittal angle of the uncinate process increases like a fish hook with increasing vertebral order,while the two angles generally peak with increasing age.The angle of the uncinate process is about 131°,which may be closely related to the stability of the cervical spine,while the sagittal angle of the uncinate process is about 14°,and its function may play a certain role in limiting the excessive rotation of the cervical spine.


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