Abnormal synaptic plasticity is an early pathological feature of Alzheimer disease (AD). Synaptic damage and dysfunction initiate neuronal degeneration and death, ultimately leading to cognitive impairment. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can effectively ameliorate cognitive dysfunction through multitarget regulation of synaptic plasticity. This review summarizes the mechanisms by which TCM, including active components, single herbs, and classical formulas, modulates synaptic plasticity, offering new insights for future research and clinical applications. Relevant experimental studies published between 2020 and 2024 were retrieved from major databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the National Science and Technology Library, Wanfang Data, Elsevier, ScienceDirect, PubMed, SpringerLink, and Web of Science. Network pharmacology and bioinformatics approaches were used to predict the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of TCM on AD-related synaptic plasticity. In total, 15 TCM single herbs and 11 TCM formulas were identified as enhancing AD-related synaptic plasticity. Additionally, 15 active ingredients targeting synaptic plasticity in AD were retrieved from TCM databases over the past decade. This review provides novel perspectives and strategic directions for future AD research and therapeutic development.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a central neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment in clinical. Currently, there are no effective treatments for AD. In recent years, a variety of therapeutic approaches from different perspectives have been explored to treat AD. Although the drug therapies targeted at the clearance of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) had made a breakthrough in clinical trials, there were associated with adverse events. Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of AD. Continuous neuroinflammatory was considered to be the third major pathological feature of AD, which could promote the formation of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. At the same time, these toxic substances could accelerate the development of neuroinflammation, form a vicious cycle, and exacerbate disease progression. Reducing neuroinflammation could break the feedback loop pattern between neuroinflammation, Aβ plaque deposition and Tau tangles, which might be an effective therapeutic strategy for treating AD. Traditional Chinese herbs such as Polygonum multiflorum and Curcuma were utilized in the treatment of AD due to their ability to mitigate neuroinflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and indomethacin had been shown to reduce the level of inflammasomes in the body, and taking these drugs was associated with a low incidence of AD. Biosynthetic nanomaterials loaded with oxytocin were demonstrated to have the capability to anti-inflammatory and penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively, and they played an anti-inflammatory role via sustained-releasing oxytocin in the brain. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells could reduce neuroinflammation and inhibit the activation of microglia. The secretion of mesenchymal stem cells could not only improve neuroinflammation, but also exert a multi-target comprehensive therapeutic effect, making it potentially more suitable for the treatment of AD. Enhancing the level of TREM2 in microglial cells using gene editing technologies, or application of TREM2 antibodies such as Ab-T1, hT2AB could improve microglial cell function and reduce the level of neuroinflammation, which might be a potential treatment for AD. Probiotic therapy, fecal flora transplantation, antibiotic therapy, and dietary intervention could reshape the composition of the gut microbiota and alleviate neuroinflammation through the gut-brain axis. However, the drugs of sodium oligomannose remain controversial. Both exercise intervention and electromagnetic intervention had the potential to attenuate neuroinflammation, thereby delaying AD process. This article focuses on the role of drug therapy, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, gut microbiota therapy, exercise intervention, and brain stimulation in improving neuroinflammation in recent years, aiming to provide a novel insight for the treatment of AD by intervening neuroinflammation in the future.

To explore the effects of different exercise prescriptions on glycemic metabolism in East Asian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to compare the differences in the impact of population characteristics and exercise components on glycemic metabolism.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the effects of 4-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on synaptic plasticity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), and to explore its potential mechanisms. MethodsA total of 48 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control (C), model (M), control plus HIIT (HC), and model plus HIIT (HM). Rats in groups M and HM underwent 8 weeks of CUMS to establish depression-like behaviors, while groups HC and HM received HIIT intervention beginning from the 5th week for 4 consecutive weeks. The HIIT protocol consisted of repeated intervals of 3 min at high speed (85%-90% maximal training speed, S_max) alternated with one minute at low speed (50%-55% S_max), with 3 to 5 sets per session, conducted 5 d per week. Behavioral assessments and tail-vein blood lactate levels were measured at the end of the 4th and 8th weeks. After the intervention, rat PFC tissues were collected for Golgi staining to analyze synaptic morphology. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were employed to detect brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1), lactate, and glutamate levels in the PFC, as well as serotonin (5-HT) levels in serum. Additionally, Western blot analysis was conducted to quantify the expression of synaptic plasticity-related proteins, including c-Fos, activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc), and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1 (NMDAR1). ResultsCompared to the control group (C), the CUMS-exposed rats (group M) exhibited significant reductions in sucrose preference rates, number of grid crossings, frequency of upright postures, and entries into and duration spent in open arms of the elevated plus maze, indicating marked depressive-like behaviors. Additionally, the group M showed significantly reduced dendritic spine density in the PFC, along with elevated levels of c-Fos, Arc, NMDAR1 protein expression, and increased concentrations of lactate and glutamate. Conversely, BDNF and MCT1 contents in the PFC and 5-HT levels in serum were significantly decreased. Following HIIT intervention, rats in the group HM displayed considerable improvement in behavioral indicators compared with the group M, accompanied by significant elevations in PFC MCT1 and lactate concentrations. Furthermore, HIIT notably normalized the expression levels of c-Fos, Arc, NMDAR1, as well as glutamate and BDNF contents in the PFC. Synaptic spine density also exhibited significant recovery. ConclusionFour weeks of HIIT intervention may alleviate depressive-like behaviors in CUMS rats by increasing lactate levels and reducing glutamate concentration in the PFC, thereby downregulating the overexpression of NMDAR, attenuating excitotoxicity, and enhancing synaptic plasticity.

To investigate the correlation between vitamin D nutritional status and insulin resistance in pubertal adolescents.

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a congenital malformation resulting from abnormal embryonic development of the heart and great vessels, accounting for approximately 25% of all congenital malformations. Children with CHD are often complicated by short stature. Although surgical treatment can improve their growth and development to a certain extent, some children still experience growth retardation after surgery. Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is the main drug for treating short stature, but its efficacy and safety in the treatment of patients with concomitant CHD warrant further investigation. This article reports six cases of children with CHD and short stature who were treated with rhGH. Through a literature review, we summarize and discuss the therapeutic efficacy, follow-up experiences, and adverse reactions of rhGH treatment, aiming to provide references for clinicians in applying rhGH to treat patients with CHD and short stature.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor autoantibody (AT1-AA) and semen parameters. Methods： The semen samples of 820 male patients who were treated in the Reproductive Medicine Center of Taiyuan Central Hospital from August 2022 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The levels of AT1-AA and Ang Ⅱ of semen were detected by ELISA, and the function of AT1-AA was detected by cardiomyocyte beating assay in suckling rats. The patients were divided into low group, median group and high group according to the OD values of AT1-AA. The differences in general data and semen parameters between different groups were analyzed. And the correlation between AT1-AA level and semen parameters in semen of all study subjects was analyzed by the method of Spearman analysis. And the relationships between AT1-AA OD value, Ang Ⅱ level and semen parameters in the AT1-AA high value group were analyzed as well. RESULTS: AT1-AA was present in semen with good function. There was no significant difference in the general data of patients in different AT1-AA levels (P>0.05). In the comparison of semen parameters among the groups with different levels of AT1-AA, there were differences in sperm concentration, PR concentration, NP％, and ALH among the three groups (P<0.05). And AT1-AA OD value was positively correlated with total sperm count, sperm concentration, PR concentration, and NP％, and negatively correlated with semen volume (P<0.05). In the AT1-AA high value group, the OD value of AT1-AA in semen was negatively correlated with inactive sperm, and positively correlated with total motility (［PR+NP］％), curve rate, mean path rate, and ALH. However, there was no correlation between the level of Ang Ⅱ in semen and semen parameters (P>0.05). CONCLUSION The presence of AT1-AA in semen may be associated with the promotion of sperm motility.
Male ; Humans ; Autoantibodies ; Sperm Motility ; Semen ; Retrospective Studies ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1/immunology* ; Animals ; Rats ; Angiotensin II ; Adult ; Sperm Count ; Semen Analysis ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2/immunology*

Objective To explore the potential categories of health risk behaviors among students aged 11 to 18 years in Minhang District,Shanghai in order to identify the influencing factors of health risk behaviors among different categories of students.Methods Using stratified cluster sampling techniques,a random selection of 1 690 middle school students from Minhang District,Shanghai,were chosen as the study sample.Data was collected using the"Shanghai Adolescent Health-Related Behavior Survey Questionnaire"to assess participants'scores on six categories of health risk behaviors.Latent profile analysis(LPA)was employed to cluster students'health risk behaviors,and a multifactorial Logistic regression model was used to analyze the related influencing factors.Results The health risk behaviors of students aged 11 to 18 in Minhang District,Shanghai,were categorized into 3 groups:Class 1,comprising 915 students(54.14%),with moderate to low scores in health risk behaviors,named"the group with moderately low levels of various health risk behaviors";Class 2,comprising 539 students(31.89%),with higher scores in psychological addiction,named"the group with psychological addiction as the prominent health risk behavior";Class 3,comprising 236 students(13.97%),with higher scores in substance addiction,named"the group with substance addiction as the prominent health risk behavior".The results of the univariate analysis for the three potential categories of student health risk behaviors show that there are statistically significant differences in the 3 potential categories of health risk behaviors among students of different schools,ages,ethnicities,and boarding situations(P<0.05).The analysis results of the multivariate Logistic regression indicate that compared to junior high school students,both senior high school students and vocational high school students have a higher risk of exhibiting unhealthy behaviors characterized by psychological addiction and substance addiction,with all differences being statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion The latent profile analysis reveals three distinct categories of health risk behaviors among students aged 11 to 18 years in Minhang District,Shanghai,with significant distribution differences among students from diverse backgrounds.Consequently,it is recommended that tailored health education and intervention measures be implemented for students with different school characteristics and at various educational stages.

BACKGROUND:Bone tissue,as a highly mineralized and structurally complex connective tissue,plays a pivotal role in maintaining the form and function of living organisms.Traditional imaging techniques have been insufficient to meet the demands for in-depth observation of bone.The advent of tissue clearing technology has enabled researchers to more clearly observe the intricate structures within bones,such as trabecular bone,bone marrow cavities,and neural and vascular networks interacting with bone tissue.This has opened new perspectives for research and clinical applications in orthopedics.OBJECTIVE:To comprehensively summarize the applications of tissue clearing technology in the field of orthopedics and to explore its potential in the study of bone tissue structure and function,elucidation of disease mechanisms,and innovation in treatment strategies.Additionally,it provides an outlook on innovative directions.METHODS:The review encompassed a search of the CNKI and PubMed databases using search terms"tissue clearing,tissue optical,bone"in English and"tissue clearing,bone,bone defect"in Chinese,combined with Boolean logic to optimize the search strategy.The inclusion criteria were scholarly articles and dissertations directly related to tissue clearing technology and orthopedic research,excluding literature with weak relevance,duplication,or incomplete data.A total of 82 articles were finally analyzed,focusing on the efficacy of clearing techniques,their scope of application,and their contributions to orthopedic research.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Tissue clearing technology has demonstrated unique advantages in various domains,including the analysis of bone structure,the study of bone metabolism,the pathological characteristics of bone tumors,the process of fracture healing,the mechanisms of bone infection,and the evaluation of biocompatibility of bone grafts and implant materials.(2)The application of this technology has not only accelerated the progress of basic research in the field of orthopedics but also provides new strategies and methods for clinical treatment,indicating a broad application prospect in orthopedic research.

Objective To investigate the effects of Yitangkang on renal ectopic lipid deposition and the PPAR-α/PGC-1α signaling pathway in db/db mice;To explore its mechanism in improving renal injury.Methods Totally 30 db/db mice were divided into model group,Yitangkang group and losartan potassium group(10 mice in each group)using a random number table method.An additional 10 db/m mice were assigned as the blank group.The mice received corresponding interventions for 8 weeks.Body mass,fasting blood glucose(FBG),serum creatinine(SCr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),and 24-hour urinary protein content were measured,renal morphology and injury were observed using HE,PAS and Masson staining,lipid deposition in renal tissue was observed by oil red O staining,renal ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy,immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expressions of CPT1A and Nrf2 in renal tissue,RT-qPCR was performed to assess the mRNA expressions of PPAR-α and PGC-1α,Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of PPAR-α,CPT1A,PGC-1α,Nrf2,NRF1 and TFAM.Results Compared with the blank group,the body mass and FBG significantly increased in the model group(P<0.05),and the contents of SCr,BUN and 24-hour urinary protein significantly increased(P<0.05);histopathology revealed glomerular hypertrophy,mesangial cell and matrix proliferation,thickened basement membrane,abnormal deposition of interstitial collagen fibers,increased lipid deposition in renal tissue,widespread foot process effacement,reduced foot process density(P<0.05),blurred mitochondrial outer membranes,swollen morphology,and indistinct cristae;mRNA expressions of PPAR-α and PGC-1α significantly decreased(P<0.05),and protein expressions of PPAR-α,CPT1A,PGC-1α,Nrf2,NRF1 and TFAM significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the body mass and FBG of mice in Yitangkang group significantly decreased(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference in the above indexes in losartan potassium group(P>0.05);the contents of SCr,BUN and 24-hour urinary protein in Yitangkang group and losartan potassium group significantly decreased(P<0.05);the pathological damage and lipid deposition of renal tissue was alleviated,the ultrastructure of podocytes was improved,and the density of podocytes significantly increased(P<0.05);the mRNA expressions of PPAR-α and PGC-1α in renal tissue increased,and the protein expressions of PPAR-α,CPT1A,PGC-1α,Nrf2,NRF1 and TFAM increased,with statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusion Yitangkang can effectively alleviate renal injury in diabetic nephropathy mice.The mechanism may be related to the activation of PPAR-α/PGC-1α signaling pathway and the reduction of renal lipid deposition and mitochondrial biogenesis.