1.Characteristics of the amygdala and its subregions in premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual dysphoric disorder patients.
Ming CHENG ; Baoyi LI ; Zhen ZHANG ; Zhaoshu JIANG ; Jie YANG ; Peng JIANG ; Zhonghao YUAN
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(3):492-500
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is considered a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). As a key brain region involved in emotional regulation and stress responses, the amygdala has been implicated in the pathogenesis of PMS/PMDD. The amygdala is composed of multiple subregions, each playing distinct roles in emotion, memory, and stress responses, and forms complex brain areas. Summarizing the interconnections among amygdala, subregions and their connectivity with external areas, and exploringt the neuroimaging characteristics of the amygdala, as well as changes in its neural circuits and brain networks in these patients, will help provide a theoretical foundation for targeted modulation of amygdala function in the treatment of PMS/PMDD.
Humans
;
Amygdala/diagnostic imaging*
;
Female
;
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder/pathology*
;
Premenstrual Syndrome/pathology*
;
Emotions/physiology*
;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
2.A retrospective cohort study of the efficacy and safety of oral azvudine versus nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in elderly hospitalized COVID-19 patients aged over 60 years.
Bo YU ; Haiyu WANG ; Guangming LI ; Junyi SUN ; Hong LUO ; Mengzhao YANG ; Yanyang ZHANG ; Ruihan LIU ; Ming CHENG ; Shixi ZHANG ; Guotao LI ; Ling WANG ; Guowu QIAN ; Donghua ZHANG ; Silin LI ; Quancheng KAN ; Jiandong JIANG ; Zhigang REN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1333-1343
Azvudine and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) are recommended for COVID-19 treatment in China, but their safety and efficacy in the elderly population are not fully known. In this multicenter, retrospective, cohort study, we identified 5131 elderly hospitalized COVID-19 patients from 32,864 COVID-19 patients admitted to nine hospitals in Henan Province, China, from December 5, 2022, to January 31, 2023. The primary outcome was all-cause death, and the secondary outcome was composite disease progression. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to control for confounding factors, including demographics, vaccination status, comorbidities, and laboratory tests. After 2:1 PSM, 1786 elderly patients receiving azvudine and 893 elderly patients receiving Paxlovid were included. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses revealed that compared with Paxlovid group, azvudine could significantly reduce the risk of all-cause death (log-rank P = 0.002; HR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.573-0.883, P = 0.002), but there was no difference in composite disease progression (log-rank P = 0.52; HR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.877-1.260, P = 0.588). Four sensitivity analyses verified the robustness of above results. Subgroup analysis suggested that a greater benefit of azvudine over Paxlovid was observed in elderly patients with primary malignant tumors (P for interaction = 0.005, HR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.18-0.57) compared to patients without primary malignant tumors. Safety analysis revealed that azvudine treatment had a lower incidence of adverse events and higher lymphocyte levels than Paxlovid treatment. In conclusion, azvudine treatment is not inferior to Paxlovid treatment in terms of all-cause death, composite disease progression and adverse events in elderly hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
3.Expert consensus on digital restoration of complete dentures.
Yue FENG ; Zhihong FENG ; Jing LI ; Jihua CHEN ; Haiyang YU ; Xinquan JIANG ; Yongsheng ZHOU ; Yumei ZHANG ; Cui HUANG ; Baiping FU ; Yan WANG ; Hui CHENG ; Jianfeng MA ; Qingsong JIANG ; Hongbing LIAO ; Chufan MA ; Weicai LIU ; Guofeng WU ; Sheng YANG ; Zhe WU ; Shizhu BAI ; Ming FANG ; Yan DONG ; Jiang WU ; Lin NIU ; Ling ZHANG ; Fu WANG ; Lina NIU
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):58-58
Digital technologies have become an integral part of complete denture restoration. With advancement in computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM), tools such as intraoral scanning, facial scanning, 3D printing, and numerical control machining are reshaping the workflow of complete denture restoration. Unlike conventional methods that rely heavily on clinical experience and manual techniques, digital technologies offer greater precision, predictability, and efficacy. They also streamline the process by reducing the number of patient visits and improving overall comfort. Despite these improvements, the clinical application of digital complete denture restoration still faces challenges that require further standardization. The major issues include appropriate case selection, establishing consistent digital workflows, and evaluating long-term outcomes. To address these challenges and provide clinical guidance for practitioners, this expert consensus outlines the principles, advantages, and limitations of digital complete denture technology. The aim of this review was to offer practical recommendations on indications, clinical procedures and precautions, evaluation metrics, and outcome assessment to support digital restoration of complete denture in clinical practice.
Humans
;
Denture, Complete
;
Computer-Aided Design
;
Denture Design/methods*
;
Consensus
;
Printing, Three-Dimensional
4.The Refinement and Innovation of The UV Cross-linking and Immunoprecipitation
Jia-Min ZHAO ; Cheng-Jiang LU ; Ming YANG ; Nashun BUHE ; Gang WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):1036-1052
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are ubiquitous components within cells, fulfilling essential functions in a myriad of biological processes. These proteins interact with RNA molecules to regulate gene expression at various levels, including transcription, splicing, transport, localization, translation, and degradation. Understanding the intricate network of RBP-RNA interactions is crucial for deciphering the complex regulatory mechanisms that govern cellular function and organismal development. Ultravidet (UV) cross-linking and immunoprecipitation (CLIP) stands out as a powerful approach designed to map the precise locations where RBPs bind to RNA. By using UV light to create covalent bonds between proteins and RNA, followed by immunoprecipitation to isolate the protein-RNA complexes, researchers can identify the direct targets of specific RBPs. The advent of high-throughput sequencing technologies has revolutionized CLIP, enabling the identification of not only the types but also the exact sequences of RNA bound by RBPs on a genome-wide scale. The evolution of CLIP has led to the development of specialized variants, each with unique features that address specific challenges and expand the scope of what can be studied. High-throughput sequencing CLIP (HITS-CLIP) was one of the first advancements, significantly increasing the throughput and resolution of RNA-protein interaction mapping. Photoactivatable-ribonucleoside-enhanced CLIP (PAR-CLIP) introduced the use of photoactivatable ribonucleosides to enhance cross-linking efficiency and specificity, reducing background noise and improving the detection of low-abundance RNA-protein interactions. Individual-nucleotide resolution CLIP (iCLIP) further refined the technique, achieving unprecedented precision by resolving individual nucleotides involved in RBP binding, which is particularly valuable for studying the fine details of RNA structure and function. Despite the remarkable progress, there remains room for improvement in CLIP technology. Researchers continue to seek methods to increase sensitivity, reduce technical variability, and improve the reproducibility of results. Advances in sample preparation, data analysis algorithms, and computational tools are critical for addressing these challenges. Moreover, the application of CLIP to more diverse biological systems, including non-model organisms and clinical samples, requires the development of tailored protocols and the optimization of existing ones. Looking forward, the field of RNA biology is poised to benefit greatly from ongoing innovations in CLIP technology. The exploration of non-canonical RNA-protein interactions, such as those involving long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), promises to reveal new layers of cellular regulation and may lead to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets. Furthermore, integrating CLIP data with other omics approaches, such as proteomics and metabolomics, will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamic interplay between RNA and its binding partners within the cell. In conclusion, the continuous refinement and expansion of CLIP techniques have not only deepened our knowledge of RNA biology but have also opened up new avenues for investigating the molecular underpinnings of health and disease. As the technology matures, it is expected to play an increasingly pivotal role in both basic and applied research, contributing to the advancement of medical science and biotechnology.
5.Transzonal Projections and Follicular Development Abnormalities in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Di CHENG ; Yu-Hua CHEN ; Xia-Ping JIANG ; Lan-Yu LI ; Yi TAN ; Ming LI ; Zhong-Cheng MO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(10):2499-2511
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder affecting a substantial proportion of women of reproductive age. It is frequently associated with ovulatory dysfunction, infertility, and an increased risk of chronic metabolic diseases. A hallmark pathological feature of PCOS is the arrest of follicular development, closely linked to impaired intercellular communication between the oocyte and surrounding granulosa cells. Transzonal projections (TZPs) are specialized cytoplasmic extensions derived from granulosa cells that penetrate the zona pellucida to establish direct contact with the oocyte. These structures serve as essential conduits for the transfer of metabolites, signaling molecules (e.g., cAMP, cGMP), and regulatory factors (e.g., microRNAs, growth differentiation factors), thereby maintaining meiotic arrest, facilitating metabolic cooperation, and supporting gene expression regulation in the oocyte. The proper formation and maintenance of TZPs depend on the cytoskeletal integrity of granulosa cells and the regulated expression of key connexins, particularly CX37 and CX43. Recent studies have revealed that in PCOS, TZPs exhibit significant structural and functional abnormalities. Contributing factors—such as hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and dysregulation of critical signaling pathways (including PI3K/Akt, Wnt/β‑catenin, and MAPK/ERK)—collectively impair TZP integrity and reduce their formation. This disruption in granulosa-oocyte communication compromises oocyte quality and contributes to follicular arrest and anovulation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of TZP biology, including their formation mechanisms, molecular composition, and stage-specific dynamics during folliculogenesis. We highlight the pathological alterations in TZPs observed in PCOS and elucidate how endocrine and metabolic disturbances—particularly androgen excess and hyperinsulinemia—downregulate CX43 expression and impair gap junction function, thereby exacerbating ovarian microenvironmental dysfunction. Furthermore, we explore emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at preserving or restoring TZP integrity. Anti-androgen therapies (e.g., spironolactone, flutamide), insulin sensitizers (e.g., metformin), and GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., liraglutide) have shown potential in modulating connexin expression and enhancing granulosa-oocyte communication. In addition, agents such as melatonin, AMPK activators, and GDF9/BMP15 analogs may promote TZP formation and improve oocyte competence. Advanced technologies, including ovarian organoid models and CRISPR-based gene editing, offer promising platforms for studying TZP regulation and developing targeted interventions. In summary, TZPs are indispensable for maintaining follicular homeostasis, and their disruption plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of PCOS-related folliculogenesis failure. Targeting TZP integrity represents a promising therapeutic avenue in PCOS management and warrants further mechanistic and translational investigation.
6.The correlation between abnormal metabolic indexes and the severity of coronary artery lesions in patients with acute coronary syndrome
Yajun ZHAO ; Ming LIU ; Yuxiang DAI ; Xiaopan LI ; Xuelin CHENG ; Qizhe WANG ; Ru LIU ; Yaxin XU ; Sunfang JIANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(3):441-448
Objective To explore the influencing factors of coronary artery lesion severity in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods Clinical data of ACS patients admitted to Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from December 2017 to December 2019 were consecutively collected. The modified Gensini score was used to assess the severity of coronary artery lesions. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to identify independent factors associated with coronary artery lesion severity. Results A total of 1 689 ACS patients were included, with an average age of (64.04±11.45) years; 1 353 (80.11%) were male, and the mean modified Gensini score was (8.12±4.03). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that sex (β=0.97, P=0.001), age (β=0.03, P=0.021), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; β=-0.03, P<0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; β=0.58, P<0.001), apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1; β=-1.28, P=0.012), lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a); β=0.001, P=0.033], and glycated hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C; β=0.45, P<0.001) were independent influencing factors of the modified Gensini score. Conclusions Metabolic indicators, including Apo A1, LDL-C, HbA1C, and Lp(a), may serve as risk factors for coronary artery lesion severity in ACS patients, with Apo A1 demonstrating the strongest impact.
7.Effects of Orexin-A/OX1R/OX2R on iron death and lipid peroxidation regulation in chronic unpredictable mild stress depressed rats
Zhen ZHANG ; Ming CHENG ; Zhaoshu JIANG ; Jie YANG ; Zhenliang LUO ; Feng CAO
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(16):2507-2514
Objective To investigate whether orexin A(orexin-A),orexin receptor 1(OX1R)and orexin receptor 2(OX2R)are involved in iron death and lipid peroxidation regulation in chronically unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)depressed rats.Methods Forty rats were randomly divided into a normal group(NC group),a modeling group(Mod group),an exogenous Orexin-A group(Orexin-A group,),and an OX1R/OX2R blocker group(TCS1102 group),with 10 rats in each group.After modeling,behavioral changes were observed using the absent field test(OFT),sugar-water preference test(SPT)and forced swimming test(FST),action potential(PA)and resting membrane potential(Vm)were detected by diaphragm-clamp technique,Orexin-A/OX1R/OX2R protein expression in orbital frontal cortex(OFC)tissues was detected by protein immunoblotting(WB)method,RT-PCR The mRNA expression of glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),long chain acyl coenzyme A synthase 4(ACSL4)and cysteine/glutamate transporter light chain(SLC7A11)were detected by RT-PCR method,and the intensity of the expression of rat glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)and lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynon-enal(4-HNE)was labeled by immunofluorescence.Results Compared with the NC group,there were significant differences in OFT,SPT and FST behavioral in the Mod group(P<0.01),with lower number of PA issuance(P<0.001),higher Vm(P<0.01),and higher expression of Orexin-A/OX1R/OX2R proteins(P<0.01,P<0.001,and P<0.001).GPX4/SLC7A11 mRNA expression was decreased(P<0.01),ACSL4 mRNA expression was elevated(P<0.01),and the fluorescence intensity expression of both GFAP and 4-HNE was elevated(P<0.001);the number of PA issuance was decreased in the Orexin-A group compared to the Mod group(P<0.05),and the Orexin-A/OX1R/OX2R protein expression was elevated(P<0.05,P<0.01),GPX4/SLC7A11 mRNA ex-pression was decreased(P<0.05),ACSL4 mRNA expression was elevated(P<0.05),and the fluorescence in-tensity of GFAP and 4-HNE expression was elevated(P<0.05,P<0.01);the TCS1102 group had higher expres-sion of GFAP and 4-HNE in the behavioral,Orexin-A/OX1R/OX2R protein expression,PA and Vm,GPX4/SLC7A11/ACSL4 mRNA,and GFAP and 4-HNE fluorescence intensity expression showed a reversed trend.Con-clusions Orexin-A/OX1R/OX2R is involved in the regulation of iron death and lipid peroxidation in CUMS de-pressed rats,and the mechanism may be that Orexin-A enhances the excitability of OFC neurons by activating the OX1R/OX2R signaling pathway,up-regulates the expression of the key factor of iron death,ACSL4/4-HNE,and decreases the expression of GPX4/SLC7A11,which promotes lipid peroxidation and iron death.
8.Effects of Orexin-A/OX1R/OX2R on iron death and lipid peroxidation regulation in chronic unpredictable mild stress depressed rats
Zhen ZHANG ; Ming CHENG ; Zhaoshu JIANG ; Jie YANG ; Zhenliang LUO ; Feng CAO
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(16):2507-2514
Objective To investigate whether orexin A(orexin-A),orexin receptor 1(OX1R)and orexin receptor 2(OX2R)are involved in iron death and lipid peroxidation regulation in chronically unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)depressed rats.Methods Forty rats were randomly divided into a normal group(NC group),a modeling group(Mod group),an exogenous Orexin-A group(Orexin-A group,),and an OX1R/OX2R blocker group(TCS1102 group),with 10 rats in each group.After modeling,behavioral changes were observed using the absent field test(OFT),sugar-water preference test(SPT)and forced swimming test(FST),action potential(PA)and resting membrane potential(Vm)were detected by diaphragm-clamp technique,Orexin-A/OX1R/OX2R protein expression in orbital frontal cortex(OFC)tissues was detected by protein immunoblotting(WB)method,RT-PCR The mRNA expression of glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),long chain acyl coenzyme A synthase 4(ACSL4)and cysteine/glutamate transporter light chain(SLC7A11)were detected by RT-PCR method,and the intensity of the expression of rat glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)and lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynon-enal(4-HNE)was labeled by immunofluorescence.Results Compared with the NC group,there were significant differences in OFT,SPT and FST behavioral in the Mod group(P<0.01),with lower number of PA issuance(P<0.001),higher Vm(P<0.01),and higher expression of Orexin-A/OX1R/OX2R proteins(P<0.01,P<0.001,and P<0.001).GPX4/SLC7A11 mRNA expression was decreased(P<0.01),ACSL4 mRNA expression was elevated(P<0.01),and the fluorescence intensity expression of both GFAP and 4-HNE was elevated(P<0.001);the number of PA issuance was decreased in the Orexin-A group compared to the Mod group(P<0.05),and the Orexin-A/OX1R/OX2R protein expression was elevated(P<0.05,P<0.01),GPX4/SLC7A11 mRNA ex-pression was decreased(P<0.05),ACSL4 mRNA expression was elevated(P<0.05),and the fluorescence in-tensity of GFAP and 4-HNE expression was elevated(P<0.05,P<0.01);the TCS1102 group had higher expres-sion of GFAP and 4-HNE in the behavioral,Orexin-A/OX1R/OX2R protein expression,PA and Vm,GPX4/SLC7A11/ACSL4 mRNA,and GFAP and 4-HNE fluorescence intensity expression showed a reversed trend.Con-clusions Orexin-A/OX1R/OX2R is involved in the regulation of iron death and lipid peroxidation in CUMS de-pressed rats,and the mechanism may be that Orexin-A enhances the excitability of OFC neurons by activating the OX1R/OX2R signaling pathway,up-regulates the expression of the key factor of iron death,ACSL4/4-HNE,and decreases the expression of GPX4/SLC7A11,which promotes lipid peroxidation and iron death.
9.Prospective study on the association between lifestyles and the risk of type 2 diabetes in adult residents
Meng-ru HE ; Xiao-li XU ; Gen-ming ZHAO ; Xing LIU ; Hui-lin XU ; Dan-dan HE ; Yu-ping CHENG ; Yong-gen JIANG ; Qian PENG ; Jian-hua SHI ; Xiao-hua LIU
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(5):647-656,685
Objective To analyze the association between lifestyle and the risk of type 2 diabetes(T2D)among adult residents.Methods The data was sourced from the Shanghai Suburban Adult Cohort and Biobank.A total of 42 096 adult residents who had not developed T2D were recruited from four districts of Shanghai(Songjiang,Jiading,Minhang,and Xuhui)between 2016 and 2019.The follow-up ended on Feb 28,2023.A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on six lifestyle-related items,including smoking,alcohol consumption,BMI,waist circumference(WC),physical activity,and diet.The unhealthy lifestyle scores(UHLS)were calculated by counting the number of all the unhealthy lifestyle items,with a range of 0-6.New-onset T2D events diagnosed by physicians were obtained through the medical information system.Cox proportional hazards regression model and restricted cubic spline model were utilized to evaluate the association between unhealthy lifestyles and the risk of T2D incidence.Results About 28.1%of the participants led 4-6 unhealthy lifestyles.A total of 1 752 new T2D cases were identified during 218 513.4 person-years of follow-up.Analysis of single unhealthy lifestyle showed that abnormal WC(HR=1.5,95%CI:1.4-1.7)and abnormal BMI(HR=1.3,95%CI:1.2-1.5)were associated with an increased risk of T2D.Compared with individuals with a UHLS of 0-1,those with a UHLS of 3 and 4-6 had 30%(95%CI:1.1-1.6)and 50%(95%CI:1.2-1.8)higher risks of T2D,respectively.Each additional unhealthy lifestyle was associated with a 10%increase in T2D incidence risk(HR=1.1,95%CI:1.1-1.2).Conclusion The risk of T2D in adult residents increases with the cumulative number of unhealthy lifestyles.Adult residents with abnormal WC or BMI,or have three or more unhealthy lifestyles accumulated,will increase the risk of new-onset T2D.
10.Involvement of sympathetic nerve in the regulation of disuse atrophy of skeletal muscles: a preliminary study
Dongliang CHENG ; Mingming ZHANG ; Jiang LIU ; Junmin SHEN ; Zhongqi WANG ; Xinyu SUN ; Duanyang WANG ; Feifan CHANG ; Haobo ZHANG ; Pincong FU ; Ming CHEN ; Yi LI ; Pengbin YIN ; Licheng ZHANG ; Peifu TANG
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2025;27(3):242-249
Objective:To investigate the changes in sympathetic nerve activity after lower limb immobilization and the role of sympathetic nerve in regulating disuse atrophy of skeletal muscles.Methods:The experiment was divided into the following 3 parts: ① Twelve 8-week-old male C57 mice were randomly divided into a blank control group and a hind limb fixation group ( n=6). The blank control group received no intervention while the hind limb fixation group received splint fixation of the hind limbs for 2 weeks before the musculoskeletal multi-dimensional characterization was completed at the behavioral, pathological and molecular levels. ② Thirty-six 8-week-old male C57 mice were selected and randomly divided into a control group and 5 hind limb fixation groups (for 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days) ( n=6). The control group was fed normally until 14 days without any intervention while the 5 hind limb fixation groups were sampled after fixation for 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days, respectively. The level of norepinephrine in the serum and the expression level of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a marker of sympathetic nerve activity in the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN), were detected to observe the plasticity of sympathetic nerve activity. ③ Eighteen 8-week-old male C57 mice were selected and randomly divided into a blank control group, a hind limb fixation group and a hind limb fixation plus medication group ( n=6). The blank control group received no intervention while the 2 fixation groups were injected with phosphate buffer (PBS) and propranolol hydrochloride solution for 2 consecutive weeks, respectively. The parameters related to the skeletal muscles were compared between the 3 groups. Results:① Compared with the control group, the mass and function of skeletal muscles in the hind limb fixation group were statistically significantly decreased ( P<0.05). ② The levels of serum norepinephrine [(3.27±1.03) ng/mL, (9.21±1.05) ng/mL, (6.36±0.88) ng/mL, (3.84±1.00) ng/mL, and (3.91±0.75) ng/mL] and the PVN TH levels (42.00%±5.38%, 61.67%±5.57%, 55.82%±3.11%, 50.90%±2.53%, and 39.17%±9.07%) in the 5 hind limb fixation groups (for 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days) were significantly higher than those in the control group [(1.81±0.72)] ng/mL and 23.33%±5.50%] ( P<0.05). ③ The wet weight of the gastrocnemius muscle [(93.50±4.32) mg] and the cross-section area of the tibial anterior muscle [(1,180.00±95.09) μm 2] in the hind limb fixation plus medication group were increased significantly compared with those in the hind limb fixation group [(80.83±9.99) mg and (907.80±121.00) μm 2] ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system occurs in the mice model of skeletal muscle disuse atrophy after hind limb fixation. Inhibition of sympathetic nerve activity may reduce the severity of skeletal muscle atrophy at the lower limbs.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail