1.Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Sleep Deprivation-induced Acceleration of Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology
Si-Ru YAN ; Ming-Yang CAI ; Ya-Xuan SUN ; Qing HUO ; Xue-Ling DAI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(10):2474-2485
Sleep deprivation (SD) has emerged as a significant modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with mounting evidence demonstrating its multifaceted role in accelerating AD pathogenesis through diverse molecular, cellular, and systemic mechanisms. SD is refined within the broader spectrum of sleep-wake and circadian disruption, emphasizing that both acute total sleep loss and chronic sleep restriction destabilize the homeostatic and circadian processes governing glymphatic clearance of neurotoxic proteins. During normal sleep, concentrations of interstitial Aβ and tau fall as cerebrospinal fluid oscillations flush extracellular waste; SD abolishes this rhythm, causing overnight rises in soluble Aβ and tau species in rodent hippocampus and human CSF. Orexinergic neurons sustain arousal, and become hyperactive under SD, further delaying sleep onset and amplifying Aβ production. At the molecular level, SD disrupts Aβ homeostasis through multiple converging pathways, including enhanced production via beta-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) upregulation, coupled with impaired clearance mechanisms involving the glymphatic system dysfunction and reduced Aβ-degrading enzymes (neprilysin and insulin-degrading enzyme). Cellular and histological analyses revealed that these proteinopathies are significantly exacerbated by SD-induced neuroinflammatory cascades characterized by microglial overactivation, astrocyte reactivity, and sustained elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6) through NF‑κB signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of neurotoxicity. The synaptic and neuronal consequences of chronic SD are particularly profound and potentially irreversible, featuring reduced expression of critical synaptic markers (PSD95, synaptophysin), impaired long-term potentiation (LTP), dendritic spine loss, and diminished neurotrophic support, especially brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) depletion, which collectively contribute to progressive cognitive decline and memory deficits. Mechanistic investigations identify three core pathways through which SD exerts its neurodegenerative effects: circadian rhythm disruption via BMAL1 suppression, orexin system hyperactivity leading to sustained wakefulness and metabolic stress, and oxidative stress accumulation through mitochondrial dysfunction and reactive oxygen species overproduction. The review critically evaluates promising therapeutic interventions including pharmacological approaches (melatonin, dual orexin receptor antagonists), metabolic strategies (ketogenic diets, and Mediterranean diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids), lifestyle modifications (targeted exercise regimens, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia), and emerging technologies (non-invasive photobiomodulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation). Current research limitations include insufficient understanding of dose-response relationships between SD duration/intensity and AD pathology progression, lack of long-term longitudinal clinical data in genetically vulnerable populations (particularly APOE ε4 carriers and those with familial AD mutations), the absence of standardized SD protocols across experimental models that accurately mimic human chronic sleep restriction patterns, and limited investigation of sex differences in SD-induced AD risk. The accumulated evidence underscores the importance of addressing sleep disturbances as part of multimodal AD prevention strategies and highlights the urgent need for clinical trials evaluating sleep-focused interventions in at-risk populations. The review proposes future directions focused on translating mechanistic insights into precision medicine approaches, emphasizing the need for biomarkers to identify SD-vulnerable individuals, chronotherapeutic strategies aligned with circadian biology, and multi-omics integration across sleep, proteostasis and immune profiles may delineate precision-medicine strategies for at-risk populations. By systematically examining these critical connections, this analysis positions sleep quality optimization as a viable strategy for AD prevention and early intervention while providing a comprehensive roadmap for future mechanistic and interventional research in this rapidly evolving field.
2.Characterization of hippocampal components of Danzhi Xiaoyao Formula based on HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and network pharmacology and assessment of its therapeutic potential for nervous system diseases.
Wen-Qing HU ; Hui-Yuan GAO ; Li YANG ; Yu-Xin WANG ; Hao-Jie CHENG ; Si-Yu YANG ; Mei-Yu ZHANG ; Jian SUN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(14):4053-4062
In this study, the pharmacodynamic components and potential pharmacological functions of Danzhi Xiaoyao Formula in treating nervous system diseases were investigated by hippocampal component characterization and network pharmacology. After rats were administrated with Danzhi Xiaoyao Formula by gavage, high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was employed to explore the components in the hippocampus of rats. Fifty-seven components were identified in the hippocampus of rats by comparing the extract of Danzhi Xiaoyao Formula, herbal components in the hippocampus after administration, and blank samples. KEGG and GO analyses predicted 74 core targets including GSK3B, MAPK1, AKT, IL6. These targets were involved in PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, MAPK, JAK/STAT, Wnt, and other signaling pathways. The results indicated that Danzhi Xiaoyao Formula may ameliorate other nervous system diseases enriched in DO, such as neurodegenerative diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, and mental and emotional disorders by mediating target pathways, inhibiting inflammation, reducing neuronal damage, and alleviating hippocampal atrophy. The relevant activities exhibited by this formula in nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and diabetic neuropathy have extremely high development value and are worthy of further in-depth research. This study provides a theoretical basis and practical guidance for expanding the application of Danzhi Xiaoyao Formula in the treatment of nervous system diseases.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Animals
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Rats
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Hippocampus/metabolism*
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Network Pharmacology
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Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
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Tandem Mass Spectrometry
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Male
;
Nervous System Diseases/genetics*
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Humans
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
3.Correlation between dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI imaging and clinical pathological features of invasive breast cancer and lymphovascular invasion
Shi-Qi GUO ; Yu-Jiao XIE ; Qing-Yang LI ; Si-Yi CHEN ; Jia-Hong SUN ; Zhao-Feng GAO ; Jun-Qing LIANG ; Yu-Hui CHEN ; Bao-Shi BAO ; Li ZHU ; Jian-Dong WANG
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(7):847-854
Objective To explore the relationship between dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(DCE-MRI)and clinical pathological features of invasive breast cancer and lymphovascular invasion(LVI).Methods Imaging and clinical pathological data were retrospectively collected from 508 patients with invasive breast cancer who underwent breast DCE-MRI at the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2019 to August 2021.Patients were divided into the LVI-positive(LVI+)group(n=79)and LVI-negative(LVI-)group(n=429)based on postoperative pathological results.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors for LVI.Results Compared with LVI-group,LVI+group had a higher proportion of patients aged<45 years(44.3%vs.27.0%,P=0.002),non-mass-like enhancement(NME)(31.7%vs.17.7%,P=0.004),Ki-67 expression rate(40.0%vs.30.0%,P<0.001),high Ki-67 expression(94.9%vs.78.1%,P=0.001),Luminal B subtype(76.0%vs.60.1%,P=0.008),and positive axillary lymph nodes rate(72.2%vs.31.5%,P<0.001),while the proportion of Luminal A subtype was lower(2.5%vs.21.5%,P<0.001).Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that age≥45 years(OR=0.468,95%CI 0.280-0.783,P=0.004)was an independent protective factor for LVI,while NME(OR=1.987,95%CI 1.126-3.444,P=0.016)was an independent risk factor.Compared with Luminal A subtype,patients with Luminal B subtype(OR=10.482,95%CI 3.164-64.923,P=0.001),HER-2 overexpression subtype(OR=11.571,95%CI 2.755-79.341,P=0.003)and triple-negative subtypes(OR=8.433,95%CI 1.985-57.908,P=0.009)had a higher risk of LVI.Conclusions Age≥45 years is an independent protective factor for LVI,while NME is an independent risk factor.Among molecular subtypes,patients with Luminal B,HER-2 overexpression and triple-negative subtypes have a higher risk of LVI compared with the Luminal A subtype.
4.Chemical constituents from Euphorbia humifusa and their in vitro anti-hepatoma activity
Si-fan YAO ; Wu-hui SUN ; Yi ZHANG ; Wen AI ; Xue-jing LI ; Bi-qing ZHAO ; Xiao-jiang ZHOU
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(7):2243-2249
AIM To study the chemical constituents from Euphorbia humifusa Willd.and their in vitro anti-hepatoma activity.METHODS Silica gel,D101 macroporous adsorption resin and semi-preparative RP-HPLC were used for isolated and purified,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity was determined by MTT mothod.RESULTS Eighteen compounds were isolated and identified as 22-O-angeloyl-R1-barrigenol(1),dimethyl 3,3'-[oxybis(4,1-phenylene)](2E,2'E)-diacrylate(2),N-(3-methoxy-1,3-dioxopropyl)-D-tryptophan methyl ester(3),N-acetyltryptophan methyl ester(4),N-(methoxycarbonyl)-tryptophan methyl ester(5),(3β,5α,17β)-4,4,8,14-tetramethyl-18-norandrostane-3,17-diol(6),3β,18,19β-trihydroxylupane(7),pregnenolone(8),3-hydroxy-5,6-epoxy-7-megastigmen-9-one(9),dehydrovomifoliol(10),loliolide(11),2,2'-oxybis(1,4-di-tert-butylbenzene)(12),dibutyl phthalate(13),4-methoxycinnamic acid(14),3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acid(15),methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate(16),kaempferol(17),quercetin(18).The IC50 values of compounds 1,7 and 8 on HepG2 cells were(17.27±0.92),(19.11±2.14)and(7.53±1.09)μmol/L,respectively.CONCLUSION Compounds 1-16 are first isolated from this plant.Compounds 1,7 and 8 have anti-hepatoma activity.
5.Analysis of differences in oral behaviors among 212 patients with acute and chronic pain associated with temporomandib-ular disorders
Qing XUE ; Jiarui SI ; Yanyu SUN ; Hao WANG ; Qiaoyu CHENG ; Xin XIONG
STOMATOLOGY 2025;45(9):681-686
Objective To retrospectively analyze the distribution and differences of oral behavior among patients with acute and chro-nic painassociated with temporomandibular disorders(TMD).Methods A total of 212 patients with pain TMD in West China Hospital of Stomatology completed oral behaviors checklist(OBC).SPSS statistical software was used to analyze all the data.Results The pa-tients with pain-related TMD had specific oral behaviors,such as"pressure on the jaw during sleep"(49.5%),"unilateral chewing"(49.5%),"upper and lower teeth contact when not eating"(37.7%),etc.Scores of"upper and lower teeth contact when not eating"and"muscle tension when teeth are not clenched or teeth are not in contact"in patients with chronic pain TMD were higher than those of acute patients,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The total OBC scores and daytime OBC scores of chronic pain TMD patients were higher than those of acute pain patients,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in OBC scores of patients with acute and chronic pain TMD during sleep(P>0.05).Conclusion Pain-related TMD patients had specific oral behaviors,and patients with chronic pain TMD exhibited higher levels of total OBC,daytime OBC,"upper and lower teeth contact when not eating"and"muscle tension when teeth do not bite or teeth are not in contact"oral behavior than acute pain TMD patients.In the treatment of patients with painful TMD,correcting the patient's bad oral behavior can help the treatment of pain-related TMD.
6.Modeling and finite element analysis of human trabecular meshwork outflow pathways.
Shiya BAO ; Qing SUN ; Si CHEN ; Xinyu CHEN ; Xiang PENG ; Jing ZHANG
Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2025;42(3):585-591
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, with its primary risk factor arising from elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) due to an imbalance between aqueous humor production and outflow. This study aims to establish quantitative correlations among IOP, iris mechanical properties, channel microstructures, and aqueous humor dynamics through three-dimensional modeling and finite element analysis, overcoming the limitations of conventional experimental techniques in studying aqueous flow within the trabecular meshwork (TM) outflow pathway. A three-dimensional fluid-structure interaction (FSI) model incorporating the layered TM structure, Schlemm's canal (SC), iris, and other anterior segment tissues was developed based on human ocular anatomy. FSI simulations were performed to quantify the effects of IOP variations and iris Young's modulus on tissue morphology and aqueous humor dynamics parameters. The computational results demonstrated that axial iris deformation showed significant correlations with IOP and iris Young's modulus. Although elevated IOP exhibited minimal effects on hydrodynamic parameters in the anterior and posterior chambers, it markedly suppressed aqueous flow velocity in the TM region. Additionally, wall shear stress in SC and collector channels displayed high sensitivity to IOP variations. These findings reveal that the tissue mechanics-FSI mechanism modulates outflow resistance by regulating aqueous humor dynamics, offering valuable references for developing clinical therapies targeting IOP reduction in glaucoma management.
Humans
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Trabecular Meshwork/anatomy & histology*
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Finite Element Analysis
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Aqueous Humor/metabolism*
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Intraocular Pressure/physiology*
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Glaucoma/physiopathology*
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Iris/anatomy & histology*
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Computer Simulation
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Models, Biological
7.Association of higher serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels with successful microdissection testicular sperm extraction outcomes in nonobstructive azoospermic men with reduced testicular volumes.
Ming-Zhe SONG ; Li-Jun YE ; Wei-Qiang XIAO ; Wen-Si HUANG ; Wu-Biao WEN ; Shun DAI ; Li-Yun LAI ; Yue-Qin PENG ; Tong-Hua WU ; Qing SUN ; Yong ZENG ; Jing CAI
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(3):440-446
To investigate the impact of preoperative serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels on the probability of testicular sperm retrieval, we conducted a study of nonobstructive azoospermic (NOA) men with different testicular volumes (TVs) who underwent microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE). A total of 177 NOA patients undergoing micro-TESE for the first time from April 2019 to November 2022 in Shenzhen Zhongshan Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital (formerly Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China) were retrospectively reviewed. The subjects were divided into four groups based on average TV quartiles. Serum hormone levels in each TV group were compared between positive and negative sperm retrieval subgroups. Overall sperm retrieval rate was 57.6%. FSH levels (median [interquartile range]) were higher in the positive sperm retrieval subgroup compared with the negative outcome subgroup when average TV was <5 ml (first quartile [Q1: TV <3 ml]: 43.32 [17.92] IU l -1 vs 32.95 [18.56] IU l -1 , P = 0.048; second quartile [Q2: 3 ml ≤ TV <5 ml]: 31.31 [15.37] IU l -1 vs 25.59 [18.40] IU l -1 , P = 0.042). Elevated serum FSH levels were associated with successful micro-TESE sperm retrieval in NOA men whose average TVs were <5 ml (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.06 per unit increase; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.11; P = 0.011). In men with TVs ≥5 ml, larger TVs were associated with lower odds of sperm retrieval (adjusted OR: 0.84 per 1 ml increase; 95% CI: 0.71-0.98; P = 0.029). In conclusion, elevated serum FSH levels were associated with positive sperm retrieval in micro-TESE in NOA men with TVs <5 ml. In men with TV ≥5 ml, increases in average TVs were associated with lower odds of sperm retrieval.
Humans
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Male
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Azoospermia/surgery*
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Sperm Retrieval/statistics & numerical data*
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Adult
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Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood*
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Retrospective Studies
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Testis/pathology*
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Microdissection
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Organ Size
8.Analysis of differences in oral behaviors among 212 patients with acute and chronic pain associated with temporomandib-ular disorders
Qing XUE ; Jiarui SI ; Yanyu SUN ; Hao WANG ; Qiaoyu CHENG ; Xin XIONG
STOMATOLOGY 2025;45(9):681-686
Objective To retrospectively analyze the distribution and differences of oral behavior among patients with acute and chro-nic painassociated with temporomandibular disorders(TMD).Methods A total of 212 patients with pain TMD in West China Hospital of Stomatology completed oral behaviors checklist(OBC).SPSS statistical software was used to analyze all the data.Results The pa-tients with pain-related TMD had specific oral behaviors,such as"pressure on the jaw during sleep"(49.5%),"unilateral chewing"(49.5%),"upper and lower teeth contact when not eating"(37.7%),etc.Scores of"upper and lower teeth contact when not eating"and"muscle tension when teeth are not clenched or teeth are not in contact"in patients with chronic pain TMD were higher than those of acute patients,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The total OBC scores and daytime OBC scores of chronic pain TMD patients were higher than those of acute pain patients,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in OBC scores of patients with acute and chronic pain TMD during sleep(P>0.05).Conclusion Pain-related TMD patients had specific oral behaviors,and patients with chronic pain TMD exhibited higher levels of total OBC,daytime OBC,"upper and lower teeth contact when not eating"and"muscle tension when teeth do not bite or teeth are not in contact"oral behavior than acute pain TMD patients.In the treatment of patients with painful TMD,correcting the patient's bad oral behavior can help the treatment of pain-related TMD.
9.Chemical constituents from Euphorbia humifusa and their in vitro anti-hepatoma activity
Si-fan YAO ; Wu-hui SUN ; Yi ZHANG ; Wen AI ; Xue-jing LI ; Bi-qing ZHAO ; Xiao-jiang ZHOU
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(7):2243-2249
AIM To study the chemical constituents from Euphorbia humifusa Willd.and their in vitro anti-hepatoma activity.METHODS Silica gel,D101 macroporous adsorption resin and semi-preparative RP-HPLC were used for isolated and purified,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity was determined by MTT mothod.RESULTS Eighteen compounds were isolated and identified as 22-O-angeloyl-R1-barrigenol(1),dimethyl 3,3'-[oxybis(4,1-phenylene)](2E,2'E)-diacrylate(2),N-(3-methoxy-1,3-dioxopropyl)-D-tryptophan methyl ester(3),N-acetyltryptophan methyl ester(4),N-(methoxycarbonyl)-tryptophan methyl ester(5),(3β,5α,17β)-4,4,8,14-tetramethyl-18-norandrostane-3,17-diol(6),3β,18,19β-trihydroxylupane(7),pregnenolone(8),3-hydroxy-5,6-epoxy-7-megastigmen-9-one(9),dehydrovomifoliol(10),loliolide(11),2,2'-oxybis(1,4-di-tert-butylbenzene)(12),dibutyl phthalate(13),4-methoxycinnamic acid(14),3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acid(15),methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate(16),kaempferol(17),quercetin(18).The IC50 values of compounds 1,7 and 8 on HepG2 cells were(17.27±0.92),(19.11±2.14)and(7.53±1.09)μmol/L,respectively.CONCLUSION Compounds 1-16 are first isolated from this plant.Compounds 1,7 and 8 have anti-hepatoma activity.
10.Identification of a Novel Synthetic Cathinone CMMP
Si-Yang HE ; Qian-Ya DENG ; Shui-Qing ZHENG ; Chun-Fang NI ; Wen-Juan SUN ; Fang-Qi CAO ; Chen LIANG ; Fei-Jun GONG
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2024;40(6):550-556
Objective To establish a method to identify an unknown substance based on the combined use of gas chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(GC-QTOF-MS),ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q/Orbitrap HRMS)and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)techniques.Methods The unknown substance was dissolved in methanol and was detected by GC-QTOF-MS and UPLC-Q/Orbitrap HRMS,and was dissolved in methanol-d4 to be detected by NMR.Results The main characteristics ion peaks of components with retention time of 9.67 min in GC-QTOF-MS measured were 84.080 8,110.999 7,128.107 0(base peak),138.994 7,etc.The protonated molecular ion peak m/z in UPLC-Q/Orbitrap HRMS was 268.109 3.It was inferred that the unknown substance was an analog of the syn-thetic cathinone substance 2-methyl-1-[4-(methylthio)phenyl]-2-morpholinopropan-1-one(MTMP)by comparing the mass spectrum information and molecular structure of MTMP.NMR analysis confirmed it as a novel N-morpholine substituted synthetic cathinone substance 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-methyl-2-morpholinopropan-1-one(CMMP).Conclusion The method established in this study can be used for structural confirmation of CMMP.

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