1.Effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation combined with sertraline on cognitive function in patients with depressive disorder
Dan LI ; Zhong XIA ; Wenli ZHU ; Dandan LIANG ; Wenwen MIAO ; Chuanfu SONG
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(3):204-210
BackgroundCognitive function is closely related to an individual's quality of life and social functioning, with approximately 20%~35% of patients with depressive disorder experiencing some degree of cognitive impairment even after clinical symptom remission. Existing evidence suggests that tACS can improve specific cognitive domains, such as memory function, while its effects on other cognitive dimensions, such as executive functioning, attention, and information processing speed, remain unclear. ObjectiveTo explore the effects of tACS on the multidimensional cognitive functions and emotional problems of patients with depressive disorder, thus to provide references for the treatment of depressive disorder. MethodsForty-nine patients with depressive disorder who were hospitalized in the Fourth People's Hospital of Wuhu from November 2022 to October 2024 and met the diagnostic criteria for depressive disorder outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5), were selected as study participants. Subjects were randomly divided into study group (n=23) and control group (n=26) based on Microsoft Excel. Both groups received sertraline treatment. The initial dose was 50 mg/day, which gradually titrated upward based on individual variability, drug tolerance, and therapeutic response, with a maintenance dose ranging from 100 to 200 mg/day. In addition, the study group underwent tACS therapy for 4 weeks, with 5 sessions per week, each lasting 20 minutes. The control group received sham stimulation, in which the stimulus was interrupted after the first 30 seconds. At baseline, the 4th week, and the 12th week of treatment, patients were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Scale-17 item (HAMD-17), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), and MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB). ResultsRepeated measures analysis of variance indicated that both the time effect and the time×group interaction effect for HAMD-17 scores were statistically significant between the two groups (F=260.437, 25.309, P<0.01). At week 12 of treatment, the HAMD-17 score in the study group was lower than that in the control group (t=4.236, P<0.01). For HAMA scores, the time effect, group effect, and time×group interaction effect were all statistically significant between the two groups (F=248.082, 4.506, 9.500, P<0.05 or 0.01). At weeks 4 and 12, study group reported lower HAMA scores compared with control group (t=4.580, 2.608, P<0.05 or 0.01). Regarding the MCCB scores for attention/vigilance, verbal learning, and overall composite, the time effect, group effect, and time×group interaction effect were all statistically significant between the two groups (F=70.331, 27.882, 51.679, 5.560, 10.948, 7.860, 8.490, 3.874, 5.025, P<0.05 or 0.01). After intervention, the study group showed significantly higher MCCB scores for attention/vigilance, verbal learning, and overall composite at both week 4 (t=-2.149, -3.530, -2.740, P<0.05) and week 12 (t=-3.534, -3.576, -3.838, P<0.01) when compared to the control group. ConclusionThe combined tACS and sertraline therapy may demonstrate superior efficacy to pharmacotherapy alone in the short term for improving attention/vigilance, verbal learning, overall cognitive function, and anxiety symptoms in patients with depressive disorders. Based on the 12-week outcomes, the combined tACS and sertraline therapy not only sustaine its previously observed advantages in improving cognitive domains and anxiety symptoms, but also demonstrate potentially superior efficacy over monotherapy in alleviating depressive symptoms. [Fund by Clinical Medical Research Transformation Special Project of Anhui Province (number, 202204295107020065)]
2.Comparison of Histopathological and Molecular Pathological Phenotypes in Mouse Models of Intrauterine Adhesions Induced by Two Concentrations of Ethanol Perfusion
Juan JIANG ; Ning SONG ; Wenbo LIAN ; Congcong SHAO ; Wenwen GU ; Yan SHI
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(4):393-402
Objective To construct intrauterine adhesion (IUA) mouse models induced by two different concentrations of ethanol injury, compare the phenotypes, and optimize a more stable IUA modeling method. Methods Twenty 8-week-old female C57BL/6N mice were randomly divided into two groups: the 95% ethanol injury group and the 50% ethanol injury group. Using a self-control method, the left uterine horn was infused with ethanol to establish the IUA model, while the right uterine horn was infused with saline as the sham operation. Five mice from each group were euthanized on day 7 and 15 after modeling, and uterine tissues were collected. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the endometrial pathology, and Masson staining was used to assess the degree of endometrial fibrosis. Quantitative real-time PCR was employed to detect the expression levels of fibrosis markers and pro-inflammatory factors in the uterine tissues. Results Compared to the sham operation, these two ethanol injury led to a significant reduction in elasticity of the uterus, an increase in inflammatory infiltration, and a marked increase in the degree of fibrosis on day 7 after modeling (P<0.05). The 95% ethanol injury group showed a significant decrease in endometrial thickness (P<0.05), whereas no significant change was observed in the 50% ethanol injury group when compared to the sham operation (P>0.05). The expression levels of fibrotic marker molecules collagen type Ⅳ alpha 1 chain (Col4A1), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and pro-inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were significantly elevated in the 50% ethanol injury group when compared to the sham operation (P<0.05), although there was an increasing trend of the same markers in the 95% ethanol injury group, the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). On day 15 after modeling, the histopathological changes in both ethanol injury groups were not significant when compared to the sham operation, the expression levels of Col4A1, TGF-β, TNF-α and IL-1β remained significantly higher in the 50% ethanol injury group (P<0.05), while only IL-1β was significantly elevated in the 95% ethanol injury group (P<0.05). Conclusion Uterine infusion with 95% ethanol results in more marked histopathological changes in the IUA mouse model compared to the 50% ethanol injury group. The 95% ethanol injury model is suitable for histopathological studies. However, the 50% ethanol injury group shows higher expression levels of fibrosis markers and pro-inflammatory factors compared to the 95% ethanol injury group, suggesting that the 50% ethanol injury model is more suitable for molecular pathological study.
3.Analysis on the research path of the digital intelligence for ancient acupuncture-moxibustion literature based on knowledge meta-theory.
Kunlingzi WANG ; Feng YANG ; Ruiqing WANG ; Wenwen LIU ; Chen LI ; Bingxin SONG ; Xia LIU
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(5):577-585
With the technological innovation and the advances in information technology, acupuncture-moxibustion is on the path of modernization and high-quality development. The research on ancient acupuncture-moxibustion literature has been gradually transformed from traditional sorting and digital research to intelligent knowledge services, so as to realize the deep integration of ancient acupuncture-moxibustion knowledge with the needs of modern clinical practice and scientific research. Guided by the characteristics of acupuncture-moxibustion knowledge and based on the knowledge meta-theory, the in-depth analytical indexing and knowledge organization are conducted on more than 400 kinds of ancient acupuncture-moxibustion literature. Taking ancient literature of meridian symptoms/manifestations as an example, thematic literature research and database construction are carried out. Integrated with database, cloud platform, knowledge domain mapping and other technologies, the sharing service platform of ancient acupuncture-moxibustion knowledge is constructed. As a result, the research and development achievements can be adopted by the researchers in the field of basic theory, clinical practice and research of acupuncture-moxibustion. Finally, through the way of "digital reconstruction + intelligent application", the path and paradigm of digital research of ancient acupuncture-moxibustion literature are explored to provide the references for the innovative utilization of ancient acupuncture-moxibustion literature.
Moxibustion/history*
;
Humans
;
Acupuncture Therapy/history*
;
History, Ancient
;
Knowledge
4.Study on knowledge organization and representation of medical records of stroke treated with acupuncture and moxibustion in ancient time.
Kunlingzi WANG ; Feng YANG ; Wenwen LIU ; Bingxin SONG ; Yu ZHANG ; Xia LIU
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(6):851-860
OBJECTIVE:
To organize and display systematically the ancient medical records of stroke treated with acupuncture and moxibustion based on the knowledge element theory of information technology, so as to provide the path and paradigm for the construction of ancient acupuncture and moxibustion knowledge model.
METHODS:
The medical records of stroke treated with acupuncture and moxibustion were collected from the monographs of acupuncture and moxibustion and tuina, medical reports, the ancient works of traditional Chinese medicine of comprehensive collection and clinical disorders of each medical department, from the pre-Qin period to the late Qing Dynasty, collected in Zhonghua Yidian (Canon of Chinese Medicine), the fifth edition. Using "knowledge processing platform of ancient Chinese medicine books", the medical records of stroke treated with acupuncture and moxibustion in ancient time were deeply analyzed and indexed. With the MS SQL Server database adopted, the indexing results were exported into logical data; and Neo4j database was employed to build the knowledge graph of stroke treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion in ancient time.
RESULTS:
There were 43 medical records in 18 ancient books that met the inclusion criteria, and a logical structure was organized and composed of 65 knowledge bodies, 462 knowledge elements, 1,413 semantic types and 315 semantic associations.
CONCLUSION
Based on the knowledge element theory, the medical records of stroke treated with acupuncture and moxibustion in ancient time have been explored, and the logical data formed can accurately reflect the knowledge of the different attributes inside these medical records. It displays the knowledge organization category from the overall to the local. The knowledge graph generated according to the logical data is conducive to presenting the ancient acupuncture knowledge in view of the "vertical and horizontal" dimensions.
Moxibustion/history*
;
Humans
;
Acupuncture Therapy/history*
;
Stroke/history*
;
History, Ancient
;
Medical Records
;
China
5.Distribution of MN blood type among China's minority ethnic groups.
Wenwen WANG ; Ping CHEN ; Aowei SONG ; Wenhua WANG ; Jiameng NIU ; Lili XING ; Jiangcun YANG ; Yang SUN ; Chao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(1):51-56
Objective This study aims to investigate and analyze the distribution of MN blood type among ethnic minorities in China. Methods Through a systematic retrieval of the 981 literature related to MN blood group distribution, 120 literature, meeting the criteria of this study, with complete data were selected. The literature covers 49 ethnic minorities. SPSS 26 statistical software was used to analyze the data. Results The results showed that among the 49 ethnic minorities in China, the phenotype distribution of MN blood type was MN>MM>NN, with proportions of 42.54%, 41.86%, and 15.06% respectively. The gene frequency for MN blood type exhibited a trend of m>n, with a gene frequency of m being 0.6313 and n being 0.3687. Cluster analysis divided the Chinese ethnic minorities into three groups based on the gene frequency for m, showing the characteristics of Group I>Group II>Group III. Conclusion The MN blood type characteristics in Chinese ethnic minorities show a higher frequency of the M gene compared to the N gene. The frequency of the M gene is higher in southern ethnic minorities than in northern ones. There are significant differences between southwestern ethnic minorities and the Han nationality, but no differences with long-term mixed/settled Han populations.
Humans
;
China/ethnology*
;
Minority Groups
;
Ethnicity/genetics*
;
Gene Frequency
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Asian People/genetics*
;
Blood Group Antigens/genetics*
6.The advances in the application of image-guided system in endoscopic skull base surgery.
Shiqi WANG ; Tiechuan CONG ; Wenwen SU ; Pan SONG ; Yong QIN
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(8):771-780
With the advancement of rigid endoscopic nasal surgery techniques, the indications for surgery have continued to expand, encompassing an increasing number of anatomical regions. As a surgical adjunct, imaging-guided system assists surgeons in identifying vital structures and mitigating surgical risks, and they are extensively employed in operations involving the nasal cavity, sinuses, and skull base. Nevertheless, existing imaging-guided system faces several unresolved challenges. With ongoing technological advancements and the integration of novel technologies, these systems are demonstrating renewed vigor.
Humans
;
Skull Base/surgery*
;
Endoscopy/methods*
;
Surgery, Computer-Assisted/methods*
7.Development and validation of a nomogram for predicting cervical lymph node metastasis based on hematological parameters and clinicopathological characteristics in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
Shanshan TIAN ; Yu SONG ; Ningyuan WANG ; Jianqiang LI ; Wenwen CHEN ; Deli WANG
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(10):949-956
Objective:To explore the predictive value of preoperative peripheral hematological parameters combined with clinicopathological features for cervical lymph node metastasis(CLNM) in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma(LSCC), and to construct and validate a nomogram model for CLNM. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 264 LSCC patients who underwent surgical treatment and were pathologically confirmed, collected from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Taian 88 Hospital. Specifically, 161 patients from one hospital were allocated to the training cohort, while 103 patients from another hospital constituted the validation cohort. Based on postoperative pathological results, patients were categorized into CLNM-positive and CLNM-negative groups. The general clinical data, clinicopathological features, and hematological parameters of the two groups were analyzed and compared. A preoperative predictive model for CLNM was developed using logistic regression analysis, followed by validation and sensitivity analysis to evaluate the robustness of the model's predictive performance. Results:The results showed that there were significant differences in tumor location, tumor size, tumor differentiation, neutrophil percentage, lymphocyte count, lymphocyte percentage, c-reactive protein(CRP), fibrinogen, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(PLR), systemic immune-inflammation index(SII), systemic inflammation response index(SIRI), and prognostic inflammatory index(PIV) between the CLNM-positive and CLNM-negative groups(P<0.05). Lasso regression identified tumor location, clinical T stage, tumor size, tumor differentiation degree, red blood cell distribution width(RDW) -coefficient of variation(RDW-CV), CRP, FIB, D-dimer, NLR, and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio(LMR) were the most predictive parameters. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that tumor location, tumor size, tumor differentiation degree, CRP, and NLR were independent risk factors for CLNM in LSCC patients(P<0.05). A nomogram was constructed based on these five factors. The model demonstrated excellent discrimination, with a C-index of 0.837(95%CI 0.766-0.908) in the training cohort and 0.809(95%CI 0.698-0.920) in the validation cohort. Calibration curves and DCA curves in both cohorts confirmed the clinical utility of the model. Sensitivity analysis further supported the robustness of the results, showing good discrimination and calibration across different age and BMI subgroups. Conclusion:Tumor location, tumor size, tumor differentiation degree, CRP, and NLR were independent risk factors for CLNM in LSCC patients. The nomogram based on these variables exhibits strong discrimination, calibration, and clinical applicability, and may serve as a valuable tool for preoperative risk assessment and individualized treatment planning.
Humans
;
Nomograms
;
Laryngeal Neoplasms/blood*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Lymphatic Metastasis
;
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/blood*
;
Lymph Nodes/pathology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Neck
;
C-Reactive Protein
;
Aged
;
Logistic Models
;
Neutrophils
;
Prognosis
8.Discovery of a novel polymyxin adjuvant against multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria through oxidative stress modulation.
Taotao LU ; Hongguang HAN ; Chaohui WU ; Qian LI ; Hongyan HU ; Wenwen LIU ; Donglei SHI ; Feifei CHEN ; Lefu LAN ; Jian LI ; Shihao SONG ; Baoli LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1680-1695
Antibiotic adjuvants offer a promising strategy for restoring antibiotic sensitivity, expanding antibacterial spectra, and reducing required dosages. Previously, compound 15 was identified as a potential adjuvant for Polymyxin B (PB) against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa DK2; however, its clinical utility was hindered by high cytotoxicity, uncertain in vivo efficacy, and an unclear synergetic mechanism. To address these challenges, we synthesized and evaluated a series of novel benzamide derivatives, with A22 emerging as a particularly promising candidate. A22 demonstrated potent synergistic activity to PB, minimal cytotoxicity, improved water solubility, and broad-spectrum synergism of polymyxins against various clinically isolated MDR Gram-negative strains. In vivo studies using Caenorhabditis elegans and mouse models further confirmed the efficacy of A22. Moreover, A22 effectively suppressed the development of PB resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa DK2. Mechanistic investigations revealed that A22 enhances polymyxins activity by inducing reactive oxygen species production, reducing ATP levels, increasing NOX activity, and inhibiting biofilm formation, leading to bacterial death. These findings position A22 as a highly promising candidate for the development of polymyxin adjuvants, offering a robust approach to combating MDR Gram-negative bacterial infections.
9.Sexually Dimorphic Cellular Architecture and Neural Circuity of ovBNST Proenkephalin Neurons.
Limei SONG ; Yuqing ZHANG ; Mengqi FENG ; Wenwen SU ; Riming ZHU ; Bin ZHANG ; Xia ZHANG ; Jie LI
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(9):1589-1602
Sexual dimorphism in the brain underlies behavioral differences between sexes. The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a complex nucleus that differs between males and females, but the sexual dimorphism in cytoarchitecture and the connectome of its oval subdivision (ovBNST) remains largely unexplored. By combining snRNA-seq and transgenic labeling, we found a higher density of ovBNST proenkephalin (ovBNSTPENK) neurons in male than female mice. Anatomically, we virally mapped the efferents and afferents of ovBNSTPENK neurons, finding reciprocally dimorphic connections with the hypothalamus and striatum. Gene enrichment analysis suggests that ovBNSTPENK neurons are modulated by the upstream dopamine pathway. Functionally, by applying caspase-3-mediated depletion of ovBNSTPENK neurons, we found that loss of these neurons enhanced locomotor activity in male but not female mice, without altering the anxiety-like phenotypes in either sex. Our study may pave the way for a better understanding of the anatomical and functional profiles of ovBNSTPENK neurons from a sexually dimorphic perspective.
Animals
;
Male
;
Female
;
Septal Nuclei/physiology*
;
Sex Characteristics
;
Neurons/physiology*
;
Enkephalins/metabolism*
;
Mice
;
Mice, Transgenic
;
Protein Precursors/metabolism*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Neural Pathways/physiology*
10.Effects of fluoride exposure on kidney injury and SIRT3-FOXO3a-PINK1/PARKIN pathway in rats
Juhui SONG ; Wenwen HE ; Ruichao LI ; Yunyan LUO ; Ting ZHANG ; Chanjuan WANG ; Yangting DONG ; Yan HE
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2024;43(7):528-535
Objective:To investigate the effects of fluoride exposure on kidney injury in rats and the sirtuin 3 (SIRT3)-fork head protein O3a (FOXO3a)-tensin homolog induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1)/E3 ubiquitin ligase (PARKIN) pathway.Methods:Twenty-four 4-week-old SD rats (clean grade, body mass 100 - 150 g) were selected and divided into three groups according to the randomized numeric table: control group, low fluoride group, and high fluoride group, with eight rats in each group (half male and half female). The control group was given free access to tap water (fluoride ion concentration < 0.5 mg/L), while the low fluoride and high fluoride groups were given free access to tap water and sodium fluoride solutions with fluoride ion concentrations of 5.0 and 50.0 mg/L, respectively, for a period of 180 days. The formation of dental fluorosis in rats was observed and recorded, and the femur, urine and blood samples of rats were collected to measure bone fluoride, urinary fluoride, and blood fluoride levels, and to detect kidney function related indicators (serum uric acid, creatinine, and urea nitrogen contents). Morphological changes of renal tissues stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) were observed under a light microscope. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of renal SIRT3, FOXO3a, PINK1, PARKIN, microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), autophagy receptor protein (P62), respectively.Results:Seven and one rats in the low and high fluoride groups were found to haveⅠdegree dental fluorosis, while zero and seven rats were found to haveⅡdegree dental fluorosis. Compared with the control group, rats in the low and high fluoride groups had higher levels of bone fluoride (μg/g: 1.18 ± 0.06, 2.16 ± 0.07 vs 0.52 ± 0.05), urinary fluoride (mg/L: 4.43 ± 0.11, 7.46 ± 0.09 vs 2.58 ± 0.14), blood fluoride (μg/ml: 0.77 ± 0.06, 1.68 ± 0.10 vs 0.52 ± 0.08), serum uric acid (μg/ml: 61.01 ± 4.17, 103.92 ± 5.43 vs 28.68 ± 2.91), creatinine (μg/ml: 74.82 ± 9.61, 132.05 ± 5.35 vs 22.38 ± 4.11), and urea nitrogen (μg/ml: 13.36 ± 1.27, 14.55 ± 0.34 vs 0.29 ± 0.07, P < 0.05). Under the light microscope, the kidneys of the control group showed tight and orderly arrangement of renal tubules and glomerular cells, with complete and clear cell contours. The low fluoride group was similar to the control group and no significant abnormalities were observed. The high fluoride group showed abnormal glomerular structure and atrophy, with some areas of renal tubules showing epithelial cell edema and unclear intercellular boundaries. The results of qRT-PCR assay showed that compared with the control group, the low and high fluoride groups had lower mRNA expression levels of SIRT3 (0.82 ± 0.03, 0.58 ± 0.02 vs 1.00 ± 0.08), P62 (0.75 ± 0.07, 0.28 ± 0.09 vs 1.00 ± 0.07, P < 0.05), and higher mRNA expression levels of FOXO3a (1.35 ± 0.04, 3.01 ± 0.23 vs 1.00 ± 0.08), PINK1 (1.58 ± 0.09, 3.28 ± 0.09 vs 1.00 ± 0.07), PARKIN (1.51 ± 0.04, 1.67 ± 0.10 vs 1.00 ± 0.05), LC3 (1.74 ± 0.07, 2.38 ± 0.18 vs 1.00 ± 0.08, P < 0.05). The results of Western blotting showed that compared with the control group, the low and high fluoride groups had lower protein expression levels of SIRT3 (0.91 ± 0.01, 0.55 ± 0.03 vs 1.00 ± 0.01), P62 (0.94 ± 0.27, 0.66 ± 0.38 vs 1.00 ± 0.19, P < 0.05), and higher protein expression levels of FOXO3a (1.14 ± 0.03, 1.22 ± 0.05 vs 1.00 ± 0.02), PINK1 (1.46 ± 0.03, 1.56 ± 0.03 vs 1.00 ± 0.05), PARKIN (1.98 ± 0.02, 2.33 ± 0.11 vs 1.00 ± 0.06), LC3 (4.10 ± 0.58, 4.93 ± 0.33 vs 1.00 ± 0.13, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Exposure to fluoride can cause renal tissue injury in rats, with downregulation of SIRT3 and P62 expression levels, and upregulation of FOXO3a, PINK1, PARKIN, and LC3 expression levels.

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