1.Neuroplasticity Mechanisms of Exercise-induced Brain Protection
Li-Juan HOU ; Lan-Qun MAO ; Wei CHEN ; Ke LI ; Xu-Dong ZHAO ; Yin-Hao WANG ; Zi-Zheng YANG ; Tian-He WEI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1435-1452
Neuroscience is a significant frontier discipline within the natural sciences and has become an important interdisciplinary frontier scientific field. Brain is one of the most complex organs in the human body, and its structural and functional analysis is considered the “ultimate frontier” of human self-awareness and exploration of nature. Driven by the strategic layout of “China Brain Project”, Chinese scientists have conducted systematic research focusing on “understanding the brain, simulating the brain, and protecting the brain”. They have made breakthrough progress in areas such as the principles of brain cognition, mechanisms and interventions for brain diseases, brain-like computation, and applications of brain-machine intelligence technology, aiming to enhance brain health through biomedical technology and improve the quality of human life. Due to limited understanding and comprehension of neuroscience, there are still many important unresolved issues in the field of neuroscience, resulting in a lack of effective measures to prevent and protect brain health. Therefore, in addition to actively developing new generation drugs, exploring non pharmacological treatment strategies with better health benefits and higher safety is particularly important. Epidemiological data shows that, exercise is not only an indispensable part of daily life but also an important non-pharmacological approach for protecting brain health and preventing neurodegenerative diseases, forming an emerging research field known as motor neuroscience. Basic research in motor neuroscience primarily focuses on analyzing the dynamic coding mechanisms of neural circuits involved in motor control, breakthroughs in motor neuroscience research depend on the construction of dynamic monitoring systems across temporal and spatial scales. Therefore, high spatiotemporal resolution detection of movement processes and movement-induced changes in brain structure and neural activity signals is an important technical foundation for conducting motor neuroscience research and has developed a set of tools based on traditional neuroscience methods combined with novel motor behavior decoding technologies, providing an innovative technical platform for motor neuroscience research. The protective effect of exercise in neurodegenerative diseases provides broad application prospects for its clinical translation. Applied research in motor neuroscience centers on deciphering the regulatory networks of neuroprotective molecules mediated by exercise. From the perspectives of exercise promoting neurogenesis and regeneration, enhancing synaptic plasticity, modulating neuronal functional activity, and remodeling the molecular homeostasis of the neuronal microenvironment, it aims to improve cognitive function and reduce the incidence of Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. This has also advanced research into the molecular regulatory networks mediating exercise-induced neuroprotection and facilitated the clinical application and promotion of exercise rehabilitation strategies. Multidimensional analysis of exercise-regulated neural plasticity is the theoretical basis for elucidating the brain-protective mechanisms mediated by exercise and developing intervention strategies for neurological diseases. Thus,real-time analysis of different neural signals during active exercise is needed to study the health effects of exercise throughout the entire life cycle and enhance lifelong sports awareness. Therefore, this article will systematically summarize the innovative technological developments in motor neuroscience research, review the mechanisms of neural plasticity that exercise utilizes to protect the brain, and explore the role of exercise in the prevention and treatment of major neurodegenerative diseases. This aims to provide new ideas for future theoretical innovations and clinical applications in the field of exercise-induced brain protection.
2.Association between left behind status and health risk behaviors among adolescents
WANG Chengchen, HOU Hao, DAI Xingyu, YANG Bingxiang, ZHOU Yang
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(10):1387-1391
Objective:
To examine the association between the left behind status and health risk behaviors (HRB) among adolescents, so as to provide empirical evidence for identifying high risk groups and developing intervention measures for HRB.
Methods:
From October to November 2023, by using a combination of convenient sampling and cluster sampling,14 964 adolescents from 6 schools in a county level city in Hubei Province (3 junior high schools and 3 senior high schools) and 7 schools in a county level city in Hunan Province (all junior high schools) were selected as the research subjects. The adolescents were divided into non-left-behind, father absent, mother absent, and both parents absent groups based on their left behind status. A self designed adolescent HRB questionnaire was utilized to investigate the prevalence of 12 types of HRBs and their co-existence among the subjects. Multifactorial Logistic regression and unordered multinomial Logistic regression analyses were used to explore the association between the left behind status of adolescents and the occurrence of individual HRBs as well as the co-existence of multiple HRBs.
Results:
After controlling for gender, age, only child, and subjective socioeconomic status, the results of the multiple factor Logistic regression analysis showed that having father in absence for working was positively associated with screen use long time on school days ( OR= 1.15, 95%CI =1.05-1.26) and rest days ( OR=1.16, 95%CI =1.06-1.26); having mother in absence for working was significantly associated with increased risks of smoking ( OR=1.68, 95%CI =1.22-2.32), spending long time on screen during school days ( OR= 1.19, 95%CI =1.00-1.41)and rest days ( OR=1.36, 95%CI =1.16-1.59), skipping breakfast ( OR=1.20, 95%CI =1.03-1.39), skipping dinner ( OR=1.20, 95%CI =1.01-1.43), not eating fruit ( OR=1.34, 95%CI =1.12-1.61), and consuming sugar sweetened beverages ( OR=1.30, 95%CI =1.09-1.55); having both parents in absence for working was positively associated with screen use on rest days ( OR=1.51, 95%CI =1.38-1.65), skipping dinner ( OR=1.15, 95%CI =1.04-1.27), not eating fruit ( OR=1.80, 95%CI =1.62-1.99),and non suicidal self injury ( OR=1.16, 95%CI =1.04-1.29), and negatively associated with fast food consumption ( OR=0.72, 95%CI =0.65-0.79)(all P <0.05).The results of unordered multiclass Logistic regression analysis showed that mother absence for working was associated with an increased risk of moderate and high co-occurrence of HRBs ( OR= 1.25, 95%CI=1.06-1.47; OR=1.67, 95%CI =1.30-2.13), both parents absence for working was also positively correlated with a high cooccurrence risk of HRBs ( OR=1.29, 95%CI =1.11-1.50) (all P <0.05).
Conclusion
Father absence for working is only related to adolescents screen time, while adolescents with mother absence or both parents absent for working are priority groups for HRB prevention.
3.Research progress in traditional Chinese medicine treatment of kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome by regulating neuro-endocrine-immune system.
Xiao YANG ; Jia-Geng GUO ; Yu DUAN ; Zhen-Dong QIU ; Min-Qi CHEN ; Wei WEI ; Xiao-Tao HOU ; Er-Wei HAO ; Jia-Gang DENG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(15):4153-4165
Kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome is a common geriatric disease that underlies chronic conditions such as diabetic nephropathy, chronic kidney disease, and osteoporosis. As age progresses, the kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome showcases increasingly pronounced manifestations, emerging as a key factor in the comorbidities experienced by elderly patients and affecting their quality of life and overall health status. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has been extensively utilized in the treatment of kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome, with Epimedii Folium, Cinnamomi Cortex, and Lycii Fructus widely used in clinical settings. Despite the complexity of the molecular mechanisms involved in treating kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome, the potential therapeutic value of TCM remains compelling. Delving into the mechanisms of TCM treatment of kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome by regulating the neuro-endocrine-immune system can provide a scientific basis for targeted treatments of this syndrome and lay a foundation for the modernization of TCM. The pathophysiology of kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome involves multiple systems, including the interaction of the neuro-endocrine-immune system, the decline in renal function, the intensification of oxidative stress responses, and energy metabolism disorders. Understanding these mechanisms and their interrelationships can help untangle the etiology of kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome, aiding clinicians in making more precise diagnoses and treatments. Furthermore, the research on the specific applications of TCM in research on these pathological mechanisms can enhance the international recognition and status of TCM, enabling it to exert a greater global influence.
Humans
;
Yang Deficiency/physiopathology*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Kidney Diseases/physiopathology*
;
Neurosecretory Systems/physiopathology*
;
Animals
;
Kidney/physiopathology*
;
Endocrine System/physiopathology*
;
Immune System/physiopathology*
4.Three-dimensional human-robot mechanics modeling for dual-arm nursing-care robot transfer based on individualized musculoskeletal multibody dynamics.
Zhiqiang YANG ; Funing HOU ; Qiang LIN ; Jiexin XIE ; Hao LU ; Shijie GUO
Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2025;42(1):96-104
During transfer tasks, the dual-arm nursing-care robot require a human-robot mechanics model to determine the balance region to support the patient safely and stably. Previous studies utilized human-robot two-dimensional static equilibrium models, ignoring the human body volume and muscle torques, which decreased model accuracy and confined the robot ability to adjust the patient's posture in three-dimensional spatial. Therefore, this study proposes a three-dimensional spatial mechanics modeling method based on individualized human musculoskeletal multibody dynamics. Firstly, based on the mechanical features of dual-arm support, this study constructed a foundational three-dimensional human-robot mechanics model including body posture, contact position and body force. With the computed tomography data from subjects, a three-dimensional femur-pelvis-sacrum model was reconstructed, and the individualized musculoskeletal dynamics was analyzed using the ergonomics software, which derived the human joint forces and completed the mechanic model. Then, this study established a dual-arm robot transfer platform to conduct subject transfer experiments, showing that the constructed mechanics model possessed higher accuracy than previous methods. In summary, this study provides a three-dimensional human-robot mechanics model adapting to individual transfers, which has potential application in various scenarios such as nursing-care and rehabilitating robots.
Humans
;
Robotics
;
Biomechanical Phenomena
;
Posture
;
Imaging, Three-Dimensional
;
Nursing Care
5.Risk factors for cutout failure in geriatric intertrochanteric fracture patients after cephalomedullary nail fixation.
You-Liang HAO ; Fang ZHOU ; Hong-Quan JI ; Yun TIAN ; Zhi-Shan ZHANG ; Yan GUO ; Yang LYU ; Zhong-Wei YANG ; Guo-Jin HOU
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(2):141-147
OBJECTIVE:
To determine risk factors for cutout failure in geriatric intertrochanteric fracture patients after cephalomedullary nail fixation.
METHODS:
A retrospective review of 518 elderly patients who underwent cephalomedullary nail fixation for intertrochanteric fractures between January 2008 and August 2018 was conducted, including 167 males and 351 females, age from 65 to 97 years old. All patients were followed up for at least one year after surgery and divided into a healed group and a cutout group based on whether the hip screw cutout occurred. Among all patients, 10 cases experienced hip screw cutout. The general information, surgical data, and radiological data of the two groups were compared, and risk factors influencing hip screw cutout were analyzed. Propensity score matching was then performed on the cutout group based on gender, age, body mass index(BMI), and American Society of Anesthesiologists(ASA), and 40 patients from the healed group were matched at a ratio of 1∶4. Key risk factors affecting hip screw cutout were further analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate associations between variables and cutout failure.
RESULTS:
There were no statistically significant differences between the healed group and the cutout group in terms of age, gender, BMI, ASA, and AO classification. However, statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of reduction quality(P=0.003) and tip-apex distance(TAD), P<0.001. Multivariate analysis identified poor reduction quality OR=23.138, 95%CI(2.163, 247.551), P=0.009 and TAD≥25 mm OR=30.538, 95%CI(2.935, 317.770), P=0.004 as independent risk factors for cutout failure.
CONCLUSION
The present study identified poor reduction quality and TAD≥25 mm as factors for cutout failure in geriatric intertrochanteric fractures treated with cephalomedullary nails. Further studies are needed to calculate the optimal TAD for cephalomedullary nails.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Hip Fractures/surgery*
;
Aged, 80 and over
;
Aged
;
Risk Factors
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary/adverse effects*
;
Bone Nails
;
Bone Screws
6.Reduction in mitochondrial DNA methylation leads to compensatory increase in mitochondrial DNA content: novel blood-borne biomarkers for monitoring occupational noise.
Jia-Hao YANG ; Zhuo-Ran LI ; Zhuo-Zhang TAN ; Wu-Zhong LIU ; Qiang HOU ; Pin SUN ; Xue-Tao ZHANG
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;30():40-40
BACKGROUND:
Prolonged occupational noise exposure poses potential health risks, but its impact on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage and methylation patterns remains unclear.
METHOD:
We recruited 306 factory workers, using average binaural high-frequency hearing thresholds from pure-tone audiometry to assess noise exposure. MtDNA damage was evaluated through mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) and lesion rate, and mtDNA methylation changes were identified via pyrophosphate sequencing.
RESULTS:
There was a reduction in MT-RNR1 methylation of 4.52% (95% CI: -7.43% to -1.62%) among workers with abnormal hearing, whereas changes in the D-loop region were not statistically significant (β = -2.06%, 95% CI: -4.44% to 0.31%). MtDNAcn showed a negative association with MT-RNR1 methylation (β = -0.95, 95% CI: -1.23 to -0.66), while no significant link was found with D-loop methylation (β = -0.05, 95% CI: -0.58 to 0.48). Mediation analysis indicated a significant increase in mtDNAcn by 10.75 units (95% CI: 3.00 to 21.26) in those with abnormal hearing, with MT-RNR1 methylation mediating 35.9% of this effect.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that occupational noise exposure may influence compensatory increases in mtDNA content through altered MT-RNR1 methylation.
Humans
;
DNA, Mitochondrial
;
DNA Methylation
;
Male
;
Adult
;
Noise, Occupational/adverse effects*
;
Middle Aged
;
Occupational Exposure/adverse effects*
;
Biomarkers/blood*
;
Female
7.Succinylation of tumor suppressor PPP2R1A K541 by HAT1 converses the role in modulation of gluconeogenesis/lipogenesis remodeling to display oncogene function.
Guang YANG ; Yufei WANG ; Hongfeng YUAN ; Huihui ZHANG ; Lina ZHAO ; Chunyu HOU ; Pan LV ; Jihui HAO ; Xiaodong ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5294-5311
Metabolic reprogramming plays a central role in tumors. However, the key drivers modulating reprogramming of gluconeogenesis/lipogenesis are poorly understood. Here, we try to identify the mechanism by which histone acetyltransferase 1 (HAT1) confers reprogramming of gluconeogenesis/lipogenesis in liver cancer. Diethylnitrosamine (DEN)/carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis was hardly observed in HAT1-knockout mice. Multi-omics identified that HAT1 modulated gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis in liver. Protein phosphatase 2 scaffold subunit alpha (PPP2R1A) promoted gluconeogenesis and inhibited lipogenesis by phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1) serine 90 dephosphorylation to suppress the tumor growth. HAT1 succinylated PPP2R1A at lysine 541 (K541) to block the assembly of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) holoenzyme and interaction with PCK1, resulting in the depression of dephosphorylation of PCK1. HAT1-succinylated PPP2R1A contributed to the remodeling of gluconeogenesis/lipogenesis by PCK1 serine 90 phosphorylation, leading to the inhibition of gluconeogenic enzyme activity and activating sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) nuclear accumulation-induced lipogenesis gene expression, which enhanced the tumor growth. In conclusion, succinylation of PPP2R1A lysine 541 by HAT1 converses the role in modulation of gluconeogenesis/lipogenesis remodeling through PCK1 S90 phosphorylation to support liver cancer. Our finding provides new insights into the mechanism by which post-translational modifications (PTMs) confer the conversion of tumor suppressor function to oncogene.
8.Trace component fishing strategy based on offline two-dimensional liquid chromatography combined with PRDX3-surface plasmon resonance for Uncaria alkaloids.
Hui NI ; Zijia ZHANG ; Ye LU ; Yaowen LIU ; Yang ZHOU ; Wenyong WU ; Xinqin KONG ; Liling SHEN ; Sihan CHEN ; Huali LONG ; Cheng LUO ; Hao ZHANG ; Jinjun HOU ; Wanying WU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(9):101244-101244
The rapid screening of bioactive constituents within traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) presents a significant challenge to researchers. Prevailing strategies for the screening of active components in TCM often overlook trace components owing to their concealment by more abundant constituents. To address this limitation, a fishing strategy based on offline two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) combined with surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was utilized to screen bioactive trace components targeting peroxiredoxin 3 (PRDX3), using Uncaria alkaloids (UAs) as a case study. Initially, an orthogonal preparative offline 2D-LC system combining a positively charged C18 column and a conventional C18 column under disparate mobile phase conditions was constructed. To fully reveal the trace alkaloids, 13 2D fractions of UAs were prepared, and their components were characterized using mass spectrometry (MS). Subsequently, employing PRDX3 as the targeting protein, a SPR-based screening approach was established and rigorously validated with geissoschizine methyl ether (GSM) serving as a positive control for binding. Employing this refined strategy, 29 candidate binding alkaloids were fished from the 13 2D fractions. Notably, combining offline 2D-LC with SPR increased the yield of candidate binding components from 10 to 29 when compared to SPR-based screening alone. Subsequent binding affinity assays confirmed that PRDX3 was a direct binding target for the 12 fished alkaloids, with isovallesiachotamine (IV), corynoxeine N-oxide (CO-N), and cadambine (CAD) demonstrating the highest affinity for PRDX3. Their interactions were further validated through molecular docking analysis. Subsequent intracellular H2O2 measurement assays and transfection experiments confirmed that these three trace alkaloids enhanced PRDX3-mediated H2O2 clearance. In conclusion, this study introduced an innovative strategy for the identification of active trace components in TCM. This approach holds promise for accelerating research on medicinal components within this field.
9.Spatial Heterogeneity and Risk Factors of Dental Caries in 12-Year-Old Children in Shanxi Province,China
Hou RUXIA ; Yang TINGTING ; Liu JIAJIA ; Chen HAO ; Kang WEN ; Li JUNMING ; Shi XIAOTONG ; Liang YI ; Liu JUNYU ; Zhao BIN ; Wang XIANGYU
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2024;37(10):1173-1183
Objective This study aimed to explore the spatial heterogeneity and risk factors for dental caries in 12-year-old children in Shanxi province,China. Methods The data encompassed 3,721 participants from the two most recent oral health surveys conducted across 16 districts in Shanxi Province in 2015 and 2018.Eighteen specific variables were analyzed to examine the interplay between socioeconomic factors,medical resources and environmental conditions.The Geo-detector model was employed to assess the impacts and interactions of these ecological factors. Results Socioeconomic factors(Q=0.30,P<0.05)exhibited a more substantial impact compared to environmental(Q=0.19,P<0.05)and medical resource factors(Q=0.25,P<0.05).Notably,the urban population percentage(UPP)demonstrated the most significant explanatory power for the spatial heterogeneity in caries prevalence,as denoted by its highest q-value(q=0.51,P<0.05).Additionally,the spatial distribution's heterogeneity of caries was significantly affected by SO2 concentration(q=0.39,P<0.05)and water fluoride levels(q=0.27,P<0.05)among environmental factors. Conclusion The prevalence of caries exhibited spatial heterogeneity,escalating from North to South in Shanxi Province,China,influenced by socioeconomic factors,medical resources,and environmental conditions to varying extents.
10.Design, synthesis and anti-tumor activity evaluation of quinoline derivatives as histone deacetylase 8 inhibitors
Yi ZHOU ; Wen-qing SHAO ; Xin-ying YANG ; Xu-ben HOU ; Hao FANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(4):979-986
As a member of class I histone deacetylase (HDACs), HDAC8 is an important anticancer drug target. Based on our previously developed pharmacophore model for the HDAC8 inhibitor, we designed and synthesized 13 quinoline acid derivatives as new HDAC8 inhibitors. Among them, the compound SDFZ-E2 and SDFZ-E3 exhibited good HDAC8 inhibitory activities and isoform selectivity. In cell experiments, the target compounds SDFZ-E2 and SDFZ-E3 showed better antiproliferation activities than the known HDAC8 selective inhibitor PCI-34051. In addition, the proposed binding mode of SDFZ-E2 was investigated using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. This work is a new attempt to develop HDAC8 selective inhibitor using quinoline as the scaffold, and the active compounds could serve as lead compounds for further structural optimization.


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