1.A VBM study on gray matter structure alterations in patients with Alzheimer’s disease comorbid with apathy
Yi JI ; Xuerui PANG ; Chaoyi YANG ; Yulong DAI ; Shanshan ZHOU ; Xingqi WU ; Kai WANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(1):156-162
ObjectiveTo investigate the characteristics of gray matter structure and clinical symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) comorbid with apathy (AD-A). MethodsThe study included 30 patients with AD-A, 30 AD disease patients without apathy (AD without apathy, AD-NA), and 30 healthy controls (HCs) matched in gender, age, and years of education. All participants underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used to analyze changes in gray matter volume among the three groups. Additionally, the correlation between the identified abnormal brain regions and apathy scale scores was analyzed. ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences among the three groups in terms of age, gender, years of education, or total intracranial volume. Compared with the HCs group, both the AD-A and AD-NA groups showed significantly lower scores in cognitive function (P<0.001). The AD-A group exhibited significantly higher apathy scale scores compared with the AD-NA group (P<0.001). Compared with the AD-NA group, the AD-A group showed reduced gray matter volume in the bilateral caudate nucleus, left orbitofrontal cortex, lingual gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, entorhinal cortex, right middle frontal gyrus and posterior cingulate cortex (FWE-corrected, P<0.05 for all). Compared with the HCs group, the AD-A group exhibited reduced gray matter volume in the bilateral middle temporal gyrus, left fusiform gyrus, calcarine sulcus, postcentral gyrus, right inferior frontal gyrus and supramarginal gyrus (FWE-corrected, P<0.05 for all). Compared with the HCs group, the AD-NA group showed reduced gray matter volume in the left precuneus, inferior temporal gyrus, and right inferior temporal gyrus (FWE-corrected, P<0.05 for all). In the AD-A group, changes in the gray matter volume of the left caudate nucleus (r= -0.557, P=0.002) and right middle frontal gyrus (r=-0.620, P=0.001) were negatively correlated with the apathy evaluation scale (AES) scores. ConclusionPatients in the AD-A group exhibited significant atrophy in the frontal-temporal-basal ganglia circuit, and the degree of gray matter atrophy was correlated with the severity of apathy.
2.Innovative application of modified objective structured clinical examination in the practical teaching of Diseases of the Locomotor System in a military medical university
Chuan DONG ; Hu WANG ; Hongtao ZHANG ; Xin DONG ; Xiaoxiang LI ; Qian ZHANG ; Zhiyuan ZHANG ; Xuerui YANG ; Zheng GUO ; Yunfei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(5):668-674
Objective:In alignment with the practical teaching objectives of Diseases of the Locomotor System and the competency requirements for graduates of military medical universities, this study conducted a multidimensional modification of the traditional objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) to provide a novel training mode that enhances the effectiveness of practical teaching of this course.Methods:The traditional OSCE was modified from the four dimensions of integration, individuality, immersion, and intelligence. The first three stations were set as "diagnosis" and the last three stations were set as "operation" to reflect the "integration" of diagnosis and treatment. The last station of "operation" was set as "medical cares of combat and training injuries" to reflect "individuality" of military medical training. The method of situation creation was used to reflect "immersion", and the application of intelligent terminals reflected "intelligence". The study involved 50 trainees who were assigned to either a modified OSCE group or a traditional teaching group through a random drawing process. The teaching effectiveness was assessed through evaluation of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and participant satisfaction. The statistical analysis was conducted by SPSS 22.0, with parametric data assessed by t-tests and non-parametric data assessed by chi-square tests. Results:Before entering the department, there were no statistically significant differences in theoretical ( P=0.832) and practical ( P=0.513) scores between the two groups of trainees. However, after the internship, the modified OSCE group demonstrated significantly enhanced scores compared to the traditional teaching group, both in theory assessment [(93.88±1.92) vs. (90.76±2.85), P=0.001] and skill assessment [(94.32±1.25) vs. (91.68±2.82), P=0.001]. Additionally, the self-assessment of clinical capability improvement by the modified OSCE group was markedly higher across all dimensions than the traditional teaching group ( P=0.001). Furthermore, the evaluation conducted by basic combat unit on the job competency of graduated trainees indicated that the modified OSCE group outperformed the traditional teaching group in basic clinical diagnosis and treatment [(4.72±0.46) vs. (3.44±0.71), P=0.001], emergency management of combat and training injuries [(4.72±0.46) vs. (3.52±0.71), P=0.001], application of information technology [(4.44±0.71) vs. (3.91±0.80), P=0.029], basic military qualities [(4.40±0.71) vs. (3.92±0.91), P=0.043], mental health and resilience [(4.36±0.70) vs. (3.68±0.85), P=0.003], and the capacity for continuous learning [(4.64±0.70) vs. (3.83±0.76), P=0.001]. Conclusions:The modified OSCE teaching mode can better meet the practical teaching requirements for Diseases of the Locomotor System in the military medical university and thus holds promise for further application.
3.Qualitative study on neurosurgical nurses′ experience of lack of perioperative nursing for intracranial tumors patients
Xuerui YANG ; Yuxin ZHAN ; Pei WANG ; Yali WAN ; Jiaohua YU
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(4):310-315
Objective:To deeply understand the experience of neurosurgery nurses on the lack of perioperative nursing for intracranial tumors patients, so as to provide reference for reducing the lack of nursing and improving the quality of nursing and patients′ medical experience.Methods:From December 2023 to February 2024, the neurosurgical nurses of Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology were selected by the purpose sampling method with maximum differentiation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with phenomenological research methods. The interview data were transcribed, coded, categorized and described.Results:A total of 17 neurosurgical nurses were enrolled, including 6 males and 11 females, aged 24-45(33.29 ± 6.74) years. Three themes of perioperative nursing lack experience of neurosurgery nurses were obtained, including nursing lack experience (lack of safety nursing, lack of timely nursing, lack of high efficiency nursing, lack of effectiveness nursing, lack of fair nursing, and lack of patient-centered), the physical and mental effects of nursing lack on nurses (impacts of lack of nursing on nurses′ physiology and psychology), and reasons for lack of nursing (personnel, equipment, materials, organization management, environment).Conclusions:Neurosurgical nurses lack of perioperative nursing for patients with intracranial tumor, which has a certain impact on the physical and mental health of nurses, suggesting that neurosurgical nurses should attach great importance to the lack of nursing for patients with intracranial tumor and formulate a scientific and effective management system.
4.Innovative application of modified objective structured clinical examination in the practical teaching of Diseases of the Locomotor System in a military medical university
Chuan DONG ; Hu WANG ; Hongtao ZHANG ; Xin DONG ; Xiaoxiang LI ; Qian ZHANG ; Zhiyuan ZHANG ; Xuerui YANG ; Zheng GUO ; Yunfei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(5):668-674
Objective:In alignment with the practical teaching objectives of Diseases of the Locomotor System and the competency requirements for graduates of military medical universities, this study conducted a multidimensional modification of the traditional objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) to provide a novel training mode that enhances the effectiveness of practical teaching of this course.Methods:The traditional OSCE was modified from the four dimensions of integration, individuality, immersion, and intelligence. The first three stations were set as "diagnosis" and the last three stations were set as "operation" to reflect the "integration" of diagnosis and treatment. The last station of "operation" was set as "medical cares of combat and training injuries" to reflect "individuality" of military medical training. The method of situation creation was used to reflect "immersion", and the application of intelligent terminals reflected "intelligence". The study involved 50 trainees who were assigned to either a modified OSCE group or a traditional teaching group through a random drawing process. The teaching effectiveness was assessed through evaluation of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and participant satisfaction. The statistical analysis was conducted by SPSS 22.0, with parametric data assessed by t-tests and non-parametric data assessed by chi-square tests. Results:Before entering the department, there were no statistically significant differences in theoretical ( P=0.832) and practical ( P=0.513) scores between the two groups of trainees. However, after the internship, the modified OSCE group demonstrated significantly enhanced scores compared to the traditional teaching group, both in theory assessment [(93.88±1.92) vs. (90.76±2.85), P=0.001] and skill assessment [(94.32±1.25) vs. (91.68±2.82), P=0.001]. Additionally, the self-assessment of clinical capability improvement by the modified OSCE group was markedly higher across all dimensions than the traditional teaching group ( P=0.001). Furthermore, the evaluation conducted by basic combat unit on the job competency of graduated trainees indicated that the modified OSCE group outperformed the traditional teaching group in basic clinical diagnosis and treatment [(4.72±0.46) vs. (3.44±0.71), P=0.001], emergency management of combat and training injuries [(4.72±0.46) vs. (3.52±0.71), P=0.001], application of information technology [(4.44±0.71) vs. (3.91±0.80), P=0.029], basic military qualities [(4.40±0.71) vs. (3.92±0.91), P=0.043], mental health and resilience [(4.36±0.70) vs. (3.68±0.85), P=0.003], and the capacity for continuous learning [(4.64±0.70) vs. (3.83±0.76), P=0.001]. Conclusions:The modified OSCE teaching mode can better meet the practical teaching requirements for Diseases of the Locomotor System in the military medical university and thus holds promise for further application.
5.Qualitative study on neurosurgical nurses′ experience of lack of perioperative nursing for intracranial tumors patients
Xuerui YANG ; Yuxin ZHAN ; Pei WANG ; Yali WAN ; Jiaohua YU
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(4):310-315
Objective:To deeply understand the experience of neurosurgery nurses on the lack of perioperative nursing for intracranial tumors patients, so as to provide reference for reducing the lack of nursing and improving the quality of nursing and patients′ medical experience.Methods:From December 2023 to February 2024, the neurosurgical nurses of Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology were selected by the purpose sampling method with maximum differentiation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with phenomenological research methods. The interview data were transcribed, coded, categorized and described.Results:A total of 17 neurosurgical nurses were enrolled, including 6 males and 11 females, aged 24-45(33.29 ± 6.74) years. Three themes of perioperative nursing lack experience of neurosurgery nurses were obtained, including nursing lack experience (lack of safety nursing, lack of timely nursing, lack of high efficiency nursing, lack of effectiveness nursing, lack of fair nursing, and lack of patient-centered), the physical and mental effects of nursing lack on nurses (impacts of lack of nursing on nurses′ physiology and psychology), and reasons for lack of nursing (personnel, equipment, materials, organization management, environment).Conclusions:Neurosurgical nurses lack of perioperative nursing for patients with intracranial tumor, which has a certain impact on the physical and mental health of nurses, suggesting that neurosurgical nurses should attach great importance to the lack of nursing for patients with intracranial tumor and formulate a scientific and effective management system.
6.NE activates Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway to regulate oxidative stress in human endometrial epithelial cells
Xue YANG ; Ruixin MA ; Jiaxin LI ; Xuerui KONG ; Junping LI ; Yan LUO
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(5):767-773
Objective To investigate whether norepinephrine (NE) regulates the oxidative stress in human endom-etrial epithelial cells (hEECs) by activating nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/ heme oxygenase -1(HO-1) signal pathway.Methods Cultured hEECs were used.The expression of α and β adrenergic receptors was detec-ted by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay was applied to test the effect of NE on cell viability, then the cells were divided into Control group and NE treatment group, and the appropriate concentrations were chosen.The expression of tight junction proteins Occludin and zona occludens-1(ZO-1), apoptosis-related proteins apoptosis-related protein B-cell lymphoma-2 protein(Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associ-ated X protein(Bax) , antioxidant proteins Nrf2 and HO-1 were examined by Western blot.The apoptosis was de-tected by flow cytometry.The malonaldehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) in the cell culture medium were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays kit (ELISA).Results The mRNA expression of α1 a,α1 b,α2 a,α2 b,α2 c,β1, β3 was detected in the hEECs.After the NE treatment, no significant change in cell viability was observed in low concentration (5 μmol/L and 10 μmol/L) groups, while 15 μmol/L and 20μmol/L NE treatments for 6 h or 24 h promoted the cell viability significantly.The expression of ZO-1 and Occlu-din increased significantly in 15 μmol/L group after 24 h treatment, the expression of ZO-1 decreased in 6 h treat-ment group, significant down regulation was observed after 15 μmol/L NE application, the expression of Occludin increased in 6 h group.The cell apoptosis increased compared with the control group after NE stimulation, espe-cially a significantly increase in 6 h 15 μmol/L group was detected,while the fall in increased apoptosis was ob-served after 24 h treatment.The ration of Bcl-2/Bax>1.The expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 was elevated by NE.There was no obvious change in MDA level while significant elevation in SOD was detected in cell culture medium.Conclusion Nrf2/HO-1 signal is activated after application of NE to the hEECs, which may responsible for the upregulation of SOD, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effect in the hEECs.
7.Research progress of glutathione peroxidase 4/glutathione ferroptosis defense system in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer
Yuan ZHOU ; Yang LYU ; Xuerui LI ; Xiaoyue YANG ; Jiaqi SONG ; Huixia LU
Journal of Xinxiang Medical College 2024;41(10):991-995
Ferroptosis is a way of cell death with lipid peroxides as the core.Cells can reduce ferroptosis sensitivity by relying on glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)/glutathione(GSH)antioxidant systems.Triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)cells are more dependent on the intracellular antioxidant mechanism than normal cells,thus induction of ferroptosis based on the GPX4/GSH system has shown bright anti-TNBC prospects.This paper reviews the recent research on TNBC treatment with ferroptosis in the background of GPX4/GSH,in order to provide references for the clinical treatment of TNBC.
8.Protective Effect of Ginsenoside Rg3 on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Neuronal-Galial Interaction Injury Model
Xingyu CAI ; Daofeng YANG ; Xuerui ZHUO ; Yiming SUN
Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) 2024;55(6):1543-1549
Objective To investigate the protective effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on lipopolysaccharide-induced galial-neuronal interaction injury model.Methods Primary microglia cells and HT-22 cell lines were cultured,and the cells were divided into the control group(CON),the 100 ng/mL LPS group(LPS),the control inflammation model group(CM),the ginsenoside Rg3 group,and the inflammation model plus ginsenoside Rg3 treatment group(CM+Rg3).Ginsenoside Rg3 was administered in the ginsenoside Rg3 group and the CM+Rg3 group at the doses of 2.5,5,10,and 20 μmol/L.Galial-neuronal interaction modeling was performed in the CM group and the CM+Rg3 group.The purity of the primary microglia cells was assessed by immunofluorescence,the viability of the HT-22 cells in each group was assessed by CCK-8,and changes in the levels of inflammatory cytokines,including interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),and IL-10,in the cell samples of each group were assessed with the ELISA kits.The level of cellular oxidative damage was measured with a ROS kit,and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins,including Bax and Bcl-2,was assessed by Western blot.The activity of Caspase-3 enzyme in each group was measured with a Caspase-3 enzyme activity kit.Results The purity of the microglia cultured reached over 95%and was suitable for subsequent experiments.After ginsenoside Rg3 stimulation at different doses,the survival rate of HT-22 was not much different from that of the CON group.The survival rate of neurons after 100 ng/mL LPS stimulation was 98%,indicating that Rg3 and LPS had no effect on the survival of neurons.Compared with that of the CON group,the survival rate of HT-22 cells in the CM group was significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the CM group,the CM+Rg3 group showed a significant increase in the viability of neurons(P<0.0l),indicating that the glia-neuron interaction model was successfully constructed.When Rg3 dose was 10 μmol/L,the HT-22 cells in CM+Rg3 group showed the highest viability(P<0.05).Hence,10 μmol/L Rg3 was selected for further experiments.After 100 ng/mL LPS stimulation,the concentrations of IL-1 β,IL-6,TNF-α,and IL-10 in HT-22 cells were not significantly different from those in the CON group.After 100 ng/mL LPS stimulation,the concentrations of IL-lβ and TNF-α in microglia were higher than those in the CON group(P<0.05),but the concentrations of IL-1 β and TNF-α in the LPS+Rg3 group were lower than those in the LPS group(P<0.05).The concentration of reactive oxygen species in the CM+Rg3 group was slightly higher than that in the CON group,and significantly lower than that in the CM group(P<0.01).The expression of Bax in the CM+Rg3 group was higher than that in the CON group,and lower than that in the CM group.The expression of Bcl-2 was lower in the CON group,and higher than that in the CM group(P<0.01).The Caspase-3 enzyme activity in the CM group was significantly higher than that in the CON group(P<0.01).The Caspase-3 enzyme activity in the CM+Rg3 group was significantly lower than that in the CM group(P<0.01).Conclusion Ginsenoside Rg3 may play a role in the alleviation of neuronal apoptosis by regulating glial cell damage,reducing the secretion of inflammatory factors,and inhibiting neuronal apoptosis.
9.Compound Danshen Dripping Pill inhibits hypercholesterolemia/atherosclerosis-induced heart failure in ApoE and LDLR dual deficient mice via multiple mechanisms.
Yanfang YANG ; Ke FENG ; Liying YUAN ; Yuxin LIU ; Mengying ZHANG ; Kaimin GUO ; Zequn YIN ; Wenjia WANG ; Shuiping ZHOU ; He SUN ; Kaijing YAN ; Xijun YAN ; Xuerui WANG ; Yajun DUAN ; Yunhui HU ; Jihong HAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2023;13(3):1036-1052
Heart failure is the leading cause of death worldwide. Compound Danshen Dripping Pill (CDDP) or CDDP combined with simvastatin has been widely used to treat patients with myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular diseases in China. However, the effect of CDDP on hypercholesterolemia/atherosclerosis-induced heart failure is unknown. We constructed a new model of heart failure induced by hypercholesterolemia/atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and LDL receptor (LDLR) dual deficient (ApoE-/-LDLR-/-) mice and investigated the effect of CDDP or CDDP plus a low dose of simvastatin on the heart failure. CDDP or CDDP plus a low dose of simvastatin inhibited heart injury by multiple actions including anti-myocardial dysfunction and anti-fibrosis. Mechanistically, both Wnt and lysine-specific demethylase 4A (KDM4A) pathways were significantly activated in mice with heart injury. Conversely, CDDP or CDDP plus a low dose of simvastatin inhibited Wnt pathway by markedly up-regulating expression of Wnt inhibitors. While the anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative stress by CDDP were achieved by inhibiting KDM4A expression and activity. In addition, CDDP attenuated simvastatin-induced myolysis in skeletal muscle. Taken together, our study suggests that CDDP or CDDP plus a low dose of simvastatin can be an effective therapy to reduce hypercholesterolemia/atherosclerosis-induced heart failure.
10.Analysis of Key Stakeholders in the National Drug Centralized Procurement Policy
Jinping XIE ; Xuerui ZHANG ; He ZHANG ; Yifan YANG ; Rong SHAO
China Pharmacy 2021;32(21):2677-2682
OBJECTIVE:To provide reference for the better implementation of National Drug Centralized Procurement Policy (hereinafter referred to as the“National Centralized Procurement Policy”). METHODS:Based on the stakeholder theory, combining with literature research and interview research methods,the role orientation,interest demands and mutual relations of the main stakeholders involved in National Centralized Procurement Policy,such as government departments,pharmaceutical enterprises,medical institutions and patients were analyzed. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS:Government departments include medical insurance department,health department,drug supervision department and other departments,which plan and lead the National Centralized Procurement Policy;their main interest demand is to ensure the orderly implementation of the policy,the rational use and supply guarantee of the selected varieties in clinic,etc. Pharmaceutical enterprises include pharmaceutical production enterprises and pharmaceutical circulation enterprises,which directly participate in the National Centralized Procurement Policy; the main interest demand of drug production enterprises is to ensure reasonable profits to support their product R&D and promote enterprise transformation;that of pharmaceutical circulation enterprises is to obtain the variety distribution right, so as to improve the market share of enterprises,expand the breadth and depth of marketing,and obtain operating profits,etc. As the main provider of medical services and drugs, medical institutions are responsible for implementing the selected category results of the National Centralized Procurement Policy;their main interest demand is to improve its own popularity and reputation. Patients are not only the demanders of medical services and drugs,but also the main beneficiaries of the reform of National Centralized Procurement Policy;their main interest demand is to reduce the drug burden and ensure that the drugs used are safe and effective. In order to better promote the National Centralized Procurement Policy,it is suggested to give play to the leading role of the government and promote the reform of“tripartite system reform”in coordination with other policies;optimize the drug procurement mechanism and guide the reasonable formation of market price;encourage enterprises to continuously improve the quality of varieties through generic drug consistency evaluation,and strengthen quality supervision.


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