1.Neuroprotective Effects of Transcranial Magneto-acoustic Stimulation on Parkinson’s Disease Model Mice by Regulating Mitophagy and Mitochondrial Homeostasis
Shuai ZHANG ; Yan-Bin WANG ; Yi-Hao XU ; Jin-Rui MI ; Xiao-Chao LU ; Yu-Chen AN ; Ji-Zhou LIU ; Jia-Qi SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1457-1470
ObjectiveTranscranial magneto-acoustic stimulation (TMAS) is an emerging non-invasive neuromodulation technique that may provide a novel non-pharmacological intervention strategy for Parkinson's disease (PD). PD is characterized by the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), leading to motor impairments such as bradykinesia, tremor, and rigidity. Increasing evidence indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired mitochondrial quality control are central mechanisms underlying dopaminergic neuronal loss. In particular, abnormalities in mitophagy and mitochondrial fission-fusion balance contribute substantially to oxidative stress, energy metabolic failure, and neuronal injury. At present, most clinical treatments for PD mainly alleviate symptoms but do not effectively halt disease progression. Therefore, exploring new interventions targeting the core pathological mechanisms is of considerable significance. This study aims to investigate whether TMAS can improve neural damage and motor dysfunction in PD mice by regulating mitophagy and the fission/fusion dynamic balance, thereby providing theoretical and experimental support for its application in PD treatment. MethodsMale C57BL/6 mice were used in this study. A PD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) for 7 consecutive days. After model induction, mice in the intervention group received TMAS once daily for 14 consecutive days, whereas the corresponding control group received sham stimulation. The stimulation target was positioned over the primary motor cortex (M1). Motor performance was evaluated using the pole test and the open-field test. To verify the activation effect of TMAS on the target cortical region, c-Fos immunohistochemistry was performed in the M1. To assess nigral dopaminergic neuronal injury, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry was used to quantify TH-positive neurons in the SNc. Mitochondrial function was evaluated by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content in the SNc. Western blot was further performed to determine the expression of mitophagy-related proteins, including PINK1, Parkin, LC3-II, and p62, as well as mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins, including Drp1 and Opa1. ResultsTMAS significantly increased the number of c-Fos-positive cells in M1 (P<0.000 1), indicating effective activation of neurons in the targeted cortical region. Compared with the control group, MPTP-treated mice exhibited marked motor dysfunction, including a significant reduction in total distance traveled in the open-field test (P<0.000 1) and mean speed (P=0.000 1), as well as significant prolongation of turn time and total climbing time in the pole test (P<0.000 1). These behavioral impairments were accompanied by a substantial loss of TH-positive dopaminergic neurons in the SNc, whereas TMAS significantly increased TH-positive neuron survival (P<0.000 1). In parallel, MPTP induced a pronounced increase in ROS levels and a significant reduction in ATP content, indicating severe mitochondrial dysfunction and energy metabolism impairment (P<0.01). TMAS treatment significantly improved motor performance, as reflected by the reversal of MPTP-induced impairment in the open-field and pole tests, and significantly reduced ROS accumulation (P<0.01) while restoring ATP production (P<0.001). At the molecular level, MPTP markedly downregulated PINK1 and Parkin, decreased p62 expression, increased LC3-II accumulation, elevated Drp1 expression, and reduced Opa1 expression, whereas TMAS significantly reversed these abnormalities, suggesting restoration of mitophagy-related mitochondrial quality control and re-establishment of mitochondrial fission-fusion balance. Collectively, these findings indicate that TMAS ameliorates MPTP-induced neurotoxicity and restores mitochondrial homeostasis and energy metabolism. ConclusionTMAS effectively attenuates neural damage and improves motor dysfunction in MPTP-induced PD mice. Its neuroprotective effects are closely associated with multidimensional regulation of the mitochondrial quality control system, including restoration of PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy and rebalancing of Drp1/Opa1-related mitochondrial dynamics. Rather than acting only as a symptomatic neuromodulatory intervention, TMAS may influence a key pathological axis of PD by improving mitochondrial homeostasis in SNc and protecting nigral dopaminergic neurons. These findings provide experimental evidence supporting TMAS as a promising non-invasive physical intervention for PD.
2.Neuroprotective Effects of Transcranial Magneto-acoustic Stimulation on Parkinson’s Disease Model Mice by Regulating Mitophagy and Mitochondrial Homeostasis
Shuai ZHANG ; Yan-Bin WANG ; Yi-Hao XU ; Jin-Rui MI ; Xiao-Chao LU ; Yu-Chen AN ; Ji-Zhou LIU ; Jia-Qi SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1457-1470
ObjectiveTranscranial magneto-acoustic stimulation (TMAS) is an emerging non-invasive neuromodulation technique that may provide a novel non-pharmacological intervention strategy for Parkinson's disease (PD). PD is characterized by the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), leading to motor impairments such as bradykinesia, tremor, and rigidity. Increasing evidence indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired mitochondrial quality control are central mechanisms underlying dopaminergic neuronal loss. In particular, abnormalities in mitophagy and mitochondrial fission-fusion balance contribute substantially to oxidative stress, energy metabolic failure, and neuronal injury. At present, most clinical treatments for PD mainly alleviate symptoms but do not effectively halt disease progression. Therefore, exploring new interventions targeting the core pathological mechanisms is of considerable significance. This study aims to investigate whether TMAS can improve neural damage and motor dysfunction in PD mice by regulating mitophagy and the fission/fusion dynamic balance, thereby providing theoretical and experimental support for its application in PD treatment. MethodsMale C57BL/6 mice were used in this study. A PD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) for 7 consecutive days. After model induction, mice in the intervention group received TMAS once daily for 14 consecutive days, whereas the corresponding control group received sham stimulation. The stimulation target was positioned over the primary motor cortex (M1). Motor performance was evaluated using the pole test and the open-field test. To verify the activation effect of TMAS on the target cortical region, c-Fos immunohistochemistry was performed in the M1. To assess nigral dopaminergic neuronal injury, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry was used to quantify TH-positive neurons in the SNc. Mitochondrial function was evaluated by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content in the SNc. Western blot was further performed to determine the expression of mitophagy-related proteins, including PINK1, Parkin, LC3-II, and p62, as well as mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins, including Drp1 and Opa1. ResultsTMAS significantly increased the number of c-Fos-positive cells in M1 (P<0.000 1), indicating effective activation of neurons in the targeted cortical region. Compared with the control group, MPTP-treated mice exhibited marked motor dysfunction, including a significant reduction in total distance traveled in the open-field test (P<0.000 1) and mean speed (P=0.000 1), as well as significant prolongation of turn time and total climbing time in the pole test (P<0.000 1). These behavioral impairments were accompanied by a substantial loss of TH-positive dopaminergic neurons in the SNc, whereas TMAS significantly increased TH-positive neuron survival (P<0.000 1). In parallel, MPTP induced a pronounced increase in ROS levels and a significant reduction in ATP content, indicating severe mitochondrial dysfunction and energy metabolism impairment (P<0.01). TMAS treatment significantly improved motor performance, as reflected by the reversal of MPTP-induced impairment in the open-field and pole tests, and significantly reduced ROS accumulation (P<0.01) while restoring ATP production (P<0.001). At the molecular level, MPTP markedly downregulated PINK1 and Parkin, decreased p62 expression, increased LC3-II accumulation, elevated Drp1 expression, and reduced Opa1 expression, whereas TMAS significantly reversed these abnormalities, suggesting restoration of mitophagy-related mitochondrial quality control and re-establishment of mitochondrial fission-fusion balance. Collectively, these findings indicate that TMAS ameliorates MPTP-induced neurotoxicity and restores mitochondrial homeostasis and energy metabolism. ConclusionTMAS effectively attenuates neural damage and improves motor dysfunction in MPTP-induced PD mice. Its neuroprotective effects are closely associated with multidimensional regulation of the mitochondrial quality control system, including restoration of PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy and rebalancing of Drp1/Opa1-related mitochondrial dynamics. Rather than acting only as a symptomatic neuromodulatory intervention, TMAS may influence a key pathological axis of PD by improving mitochondrial homeostasis in SNc and protecting nigral dopaminergic neurons. These findings provide experimental evidence supporting TMAS as a promising non-invasive physical intervention for PD.
3.TANG Rongchuan's Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach to Insomnia Based on the Theory of "Yin-Yang,Water-Fire,Qi-Blood"
Yi YANG ; Shaosong WANG ; Jingqing SUN ; Bin LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(15):1682-1685
In Treatise on Blood Syndromes (《血证论》), TANG Rongchuan proposed the theory of "yin-yang, water-fire, qi-blood", interpreting the pathogenesis and treatment of insomnia from the perspectives of the mutual generation between water and fire as well as between blood and fire. He considered the "disharmony of blood and fire" in the heart and liver as an important mechanism underlying insomnia. Blood deficiency failing to restrain fire and heart fire harassing the spirit may lead to insomnia, which should be treated by clearing fire and nourishing blood, with Huanglian Ejiao Decoction (黄连阿胶汤). Yin deficiency with qi stagnation and water retention transforming into phlegm, followed by phlegm disturbing the heart spirit, may cause insomnia, which should be treated by nourishing yin, promoting urination, and regulating qi, using Zhuling Decoction (猪苓汤). Failure of blood to nourish the liver and the presence of fire in liver channel may result in insomnia, which should be treated by nourishing blood and clearing fire, with Suanzaoren Decoction (酸枣仁汤). Hyperactivity of ministerial fire and phlegm obstructing qi movement, thereby disturbing the liver spirit, should be treated by regulating qi and resolving phlegm, with Wendan Decoction (温胆汤). Floating yang failing to be restrained and the ethereal soul failing to return to the liver should be treated by restraining yang and guiding it back to the liver, with modifications of Erjia Longgu Decoction (二加龙骨汤).
4.TANG Rongchuan's Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach to Insomnia Based on the Theory of "Yin-Yang,Water-Fire,Qi-Blood"
Yi YANG ; Shaosong WANG ; Jingqing SUN ; Bin LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(15):1682-1685
In Treatise on Blood Syndromes (《血证论》), TANG Rongchuan proposed the theory of "yin-yang, water-fire, qi-blood", interpreting the pathogenesis and treatment of insomnia from the perspectives of the mutual generation between water and fire as well as between blood and fire. He considered the "disharmony of blood and fire" in the heart and liver as an important mechanism underlying insomnia. Blood deficiency failing to restrain fire and heart fire harassing the spirit may lead to insomnia, which should be treated by clearing fire and nourishing blood, with Huanglian Ejiao Decoction (黄连阿胶汤). Yin deficiency with qi stagnation and water retention transforming into phlegm, followed by phlegm disturbing the heart spirit, may cause insomnia, which should be treated by nourishing yin, promoting urination, and regulating qi, using Zhuling Decoction (猪苓汤). Failure of blood to nourish the liver and the presence of fire in liver channel may result in insomnia, which should be treated by nourishing blood and clearing fire, with Suanzaoren Decoction (酸枣仁汤). Hyperactivity of ministerial fire and phlegm obstructing qi movement, thereby disturbing the liver spirit, should be treated by regulating qi and resolving phlegm, with Wendan Decoction (温胆汤). Floating yang failing to be restrained and the ethereal soul failing to return to the liver should be treated by restraining yang and guiding it back to the liver, with modifications of Erjia Longgu Decoction (二加龙骨汤).
5.Shaping and reflection on the responsible conduct of research among clinical researchers from the perspective of reinforcement theory
Meihua YE ; Lingqian ZHANG ; Yi LU ; Pin WANG ; Bin CAI ; Luojing ZHOU
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(10):1330-1335
High-quality clinical research represents the scientific foundation for generating credible medical evidence, guiding evidence-based practice, and optimizing public health strategies. The responsible conduct of research by clinical researchers serves as the core guarantee of research quality. Any act of research misconduct will not only result in the waste of research resources and damage the reputation of relevant individuals and institutions, but also undermine the validity of research evidence, mislead evidence-based medical practice, raise risks for public health decision-making, and ultimately impede the progress of medical innovation. Based on the framework of reinforcement theory, this paper elaborated on the internal correlation between reinforcement theory and the shaping of responsible conduct of research among clinical researchers, and demonstrated the necessity of shaping responsible conduct of research in the new context. It also summarized practical challenges encountered in such shaping, such as utilitarian-oriented research evaluation, complex conflicts of interest, inadequate review and supervision, constrained research resources, and insufficient education on responsible conduct of research. It further proposed countermeasures that were conducive to shaping the responsible research conduct of clinical researchers. These encompassed reconstructing the orientation of performance evaluation, dynamically managing risks arising from conflicts of interest, implementing precise constraints via ethical supervision, arranging tiered resource support, and internalizing cultural recognition of responsible research conduct.
6.The epidemiologic characteristics of parasitic and vector-borne diseases in Minhang and Jinshan districts, Shanghai
Dun-jia WANG ; Xiao-lu HE ; Tian-tian ZHANG ; Tang WANG ; Zhao-peng DONG ; Can-lei SONG ; Shi-ji TAO ; Zheng-xing HOU ; Yu-ping CHENG ; Yi-bin ZHOU
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(3):173-179
Objective The aim of the study is to analyze the incidence patterns and epidemiological characteristics of parasitic and vector-borne diseases in the Minhang and Jinshan districts of Shanghai, and provide evidence-based information for optimizing prevention and control measures. Methods We collected information from epidemic reports and epidemiological investigation forms for cases of parasitic and vector-borne diseases from 2005 to 2024 in Shanghai's Minhang and Jinshan districts. Descriptive epidemiological method were adopted to conduct a comparative analysis of incidence trends, epidemic characteristics, and infection sources. Results A total of 229 cases in 7 categories were reported between 2005 and 2024, with an average annual incidence rate of 0.36/100 000. The average annual incidence rate in Minhang District was significantly higher than that in Jinshan District. The most prevalent diseases were malaria and dengue fever, followed by Japanese encephalitis. Monthly case reports were available, predominantly from June to October, with a peak in July-August. A statistically significant difference was observed between the two districts in case distribution during June-October (P<0.001), whereas no significant difference was found for July-August (P=0.331). The majority of cases were young men (111/229,48.47%), aged 20-39 years. Migrant workers/farmers constituted the largest occupational group (55/229, 24.02%). Registered residents of other provinces and cities (147/229,64.19%), and the main source of infection was overseas importation (112/229,48.91%). There were no statistically significant differences in gender and household-registration composition between the two districts (P>0.05). Significant differences existed in age, occupation, and source of infection (P<0.05). The imported diseases were malaria and dengue fever, with Africa and Southeast Asia being the primary source locations. Malaria was the predominant disease imported from other provinces and cities, with cases having been imported from abroad since 2012. Local infections were mainly Japanese encephalitis, followed by malaria (with the last local case reported in 2010). Cases between 2005 and 2009 were predominantly imported from other provinces and cities. The proportion of cases imported from abroad increased sharply after 2010, particularly in Minhang District. Local infections sometimes arise in Jinshan District, with Japanese encephalitis serving as the primary type. Conclusions Incidence rates of parasitic and vector-borne diseases in Minhang and Jinshan districts have generally remained low. To further reduce this disease burden, it will be necessary to strengthen joint measures for prevention and control, eliminate the environmental risk factors of vector organisms, enhance monitoring and precise control of the environment and inbound personnel to prevent the occurrence and transmission of parasitic and vector-borne diseases.
7.Molecular Mechanisms of LIGHT Regulating Tumor Vascular Microenvironment and Its Precision Delivery Strategies for Solid Tumor Immunotherapy
Jun-Yi YUAN ; Shao-Xia WANG ; Li-Ming JIN ; Bin-Chun LI ; Guo-Bin DING
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(10):2583-2595
The drug resistance in the treatment of solid tumors is closely related to abnormalities in the tumor vascular microenvironment (TVM). The TVM is dynamically composed of multiple stromal, vascular, and immune cell populations together with extracellular matrix. Its structural disorder and functional imbalance can lead to abnormal angiogenesis, perfusion disorders, limited drug delivery, and insufficient immune cell infiltration, thereby creating a microenvironment conducive to tumor progression and treatment resistance. Therefore, the coordinated regulation of TVM through vascular normalization and immune remodeling has become an important research direction for improving the treatment effect of solid tumors. Tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 14 (TNFSF14), also known as LIGHT (homologous to lymphotoxin, inducible, competes with herpes simplex virus (HSV) glycoprotein D for herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM), expressed by T lymphocyte), is an important molecule connecting tumor vascular remodeling and immune regulation. LIGHT can bind to the lymphotoxin β receptor (LTβR) to activate the NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B)-related signaling pathway, regulate the functions of vascular endothelial cells and stromal cells, and induce the expression of adhesion molecules and chemokines such as VCAM-1(vascular cell adhesion molecule 1), ICAM-1(intercellular adhesion molecule 1), CCL19 (C-C motif chemokine ligand 19), CCL21 (C-C motif chemokine ligand 21), and CXCL13 (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13), promoting the formation of high endothelial venules (HEVs). HEVs can improve the vascular access of immune cells into tumor tissues and further promote the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS), providing a structural basis for the recruitment of effector T cells and sustained anti-tumor immune responses. At the same time, LIGHT interacts with HVEM to provide costimulatory signals to T cells, enhancing their activation, proliferation, and cytotoxic function. Thus, LIGHT can link tumor vascular normalization, immune cell recruitment, and T cell activation through the dual actions mediated by LTβR and HVEM, forming a coordinated regulation model of “vascular remodeling-immune infiltration-immune activation”, providing new molecular targets for the treatment of solid tumors. Despite LIGHT’s good anti-tumor potential, its therapeutic application is still limited by factors such as insufficient stability in vivo, short half-life, and potential off-target effects due to systemic exposure. In recent years, researchers have developed various strategies for the precise delivery of LIGHT, including fusion proteins, bacterial vectors, viral vectors, nanoparticles, chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T), and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), to enhance the enrichment, expression, or sustained release of LIGHT in tumor sites through different approaches, thereby improving its therapeutic efficacy and safety. This article systematically reviews the structural characteristics, biological functions, and molecular mechanisms mediating TVM remodeling by LIGHT, with a focus on the signal transduction mediated by LTβR and HVEM and their roles in tumor immune regulation. Subsequently, it systematically outlines the molecular mechanisms by which LIGHT regulates the tumor vascular microenvironment and its intrinsic connection with immune cell recruitment and activation, from the perspectives of TVM abnormalities, vascular normalization, HEV formation, and TLS induction. Furthermore, it categorizes and summarizes precise delivery strategies such as LIGHT fusion proteins, bacterial vectors, viral vectors, nanoparticles, CAR-T cells, and MSCs according to delivery vectors and modes of action, and compares their functional characteristics, antitumor effects, and potential advantages and limitations. On this basis, the article further discusses the key issues that LIGHT therapeutic strategies still face in terms of targeting, controllability,in vivo stability, safety, and clinical translation, and anticipates the potential value of its combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors, anti-angiogenic therapy, and other tumor treatment methods. This article aims to deepen the understanding of the antitumor mechanism of LIGHT from the perspective of synergistic regulation of tumor vascular microenvironment remodeling and immune activation, providing theoretical basis and new research ideas for the design of solid tumor treatment strategies based on precise regulation of TVM and the clinical translation of LIGHT-related treatment systems.
8.Efficacy and safety of proximal gastrectomy versus total gastrectomy for Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Yingjie LU ; Ziqiang HONG ; Hongchao LI ; Gang JIN ; Wenhao WANG ; Yi YANG ; Bin LIU ; Zijiang ZHU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(05):693-699
Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of proximal gastrectomy (PG) versus total gastrectomy (TG) for the treatment of Siewert type Ⅱ/Ⅲ adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG). Methods PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMbase, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP databases were searched for literature comparing the efficacy and safety of PG and TG for the treatment of Siewert type Ⅱ/Ⅲ AEG. The search period was from database inception to March 2023. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 software. Results A total of 23 articles were included, including 16 retrospective cohort studies, 5 prospective cohort studies, and 2 randomized controlled trials. The total sample size was 2 826 patients, with 1 389 patients undergoing PG and 1 437 patients undergoing TG. Meta-analysis results showed that compared with TG, PG had less intraoperative blood loss [MD=−19.85, 95%CI (−37.20, −2.51), P=0.02] and shorter postoperative hospital stay [MD=−1.23, 95%CI (−2.38, −0.08), P=0.04]. TG had a greater number of lymph nodes dissected [MD=−6.20, 95%CI (−7.68, −4.71), P<0.001] and a lower incidence of reflux esophagitis [MD=3.02, 95%CI (1.24, 7.34), P=0.01]. There were no statistically significant differences between the two surgical approaches in terms of operative time, postoperative survival rate (1-year, 3-year, 5-year), and postoperative overall complications (P>0.05). Conclusion PG has advantages in terms of intraoperative blood loss and postoperative hospital stay, while TG has advantages in terms of the number of lymph nodes dissected and the incidence of reflux esophagitis. There is no significant difference in long-term survival between the two surgical approaches.
9.Clinical efficacy of valve surgery for infective endocarditis in 343 patients: A retrospective study in a single center
Shuanglei ZHAO ; Zhou LIU ; Bin WANG ; Zhaoqing SUN ; Mingxiu WEN ; Qianxian LI ; Yi HU ; Wenjian JIANG ; Jie HAN ; Jiangang WANG ; Ming GONG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(08):1133-1139
Objective To analyze the clinical efficacy of valve surgeries for infective endocarditis and the affecting factors, and compare the early- and long-term postoperative outcomes of different surgery approaches. Methods The patients with infective endocarditis who underwent valve replacement/valvuloplasty in our hospital from 2010 to 2022 were retrospectively collected. The clinical data of the patients were analyzed. Results A total of 343 patients were enrolled, including 197 patients with mechanical valve replacement, 62 patients with bioprosthetic valve replacement, and 84 patients with valvuloplasty. There were 238 males and 105 females with an average age of (44.2±14.8) years. Single-valve endocarditis was present in 200 (58.3%) patients, and multivalve involvement was present in 143 (41.7%) patients. Sixty (17.5%) patients had suffered thrombosis before surgery, including cerebral embolisms in 32 patients. The mean follow-up time was (60.6±43.8) months. Early mortality within one month after the surgery occurred in 17 (5.0%) patients, while later mortality occurred in 19 (5.5%) patients. Eight (2.3%) patients underwent postoperative dialysis, 13 (3.8%) patients suffered postoperative stroke, 6 patients underwent reoperation, and 3 patients suffered recurrence of infective endocarditis. Smoking (P=0.002), preoperative embolisms (P=0.001), duration of surgery (P=0.001), and postoperative dialysis (P=0.001) were risk factors for early mortality, and left ventricular ejection fraction ≥60% (P=0.022) was protective factor for early mortality. New York Heart Association classification Ⅲ-Ⅳ (P=0.010) and ≥3 valve procedures (P=0.028) were risk factors for late mortality. The rate of composite endpoint events was significantly lower in the valvuloplasty group than that in the valve replacement group. Conclusion For patients with infective endocarditis, smoking and preoperative embolisms are associated with high postoperative mortality, multiple-valve surgery is associated with a poorer prognosis, and valvuloplasty has advantages over valve replacement and should be attempted in the surgical management of patients with infective endocarditis.
10.The Influence of Social Context on Perceptual Decision Making and Its Computational Neural Mechanisms
Yu-Pei LIU ; Yu-Shu WANG ; Bin ZHAN ; Rui WANG ; Yi JIANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(10):2568-2584
Perceptual decision making refers to the process by which individuals make choices and judgments based on sensory information, serving as a fundamental ability for human adaptation to complex environments. While traditional research has focused on perceptual decision making in isolated contexts, growing evidence highlights the profound influence of social contexts prevalent in real-world scenarios. As a crucial factor supporting individual survival and development, social context not only provides rich information sources but also shapes perceptual decision making through top-down processing mechanisms, prompting researchers to recognize the inherently social nature of human decisions. Empirical studies have demonstrated that social information, such as others’ choices or group norms, can systematically bias individuals’ perceptual decisions, often manifesting as conformity behaviors. Social influence can also facilitate performance under certain conditions, particularly when individuals can accurately identify and adopt high-quality social information. The impact of social context on perceptual decisions is modulated by a variety of external and internal factors, including group characteristics(e.g., group size, response consistency), attributes of peers (e.g., familiarity, social status, distinctions between human and artificial agents), as well as individual differences such as confidence, personality traits, and developmental stage. The motivations driving social influence encompass three primary mechanisms: improving decision accuracy through informational influence, gaining social acceptance through normative influence, and maintaining positive self-concept. Recent computational approaches have employed diverse theoretical frameworks to provide valuable insights into the cognitive mechanisms underlying social influence in perceptual decision making. Reinforcement learning models demonstrate how social feedback shapes future choices through reward-based updating. Bayesian inference frameworks describe how individuals integrate personal beliefs with social information based on their respective reliabilities, dynamically updating beliefs to optimize decisions under uncertainty. Drift diffusion models offer powerful tools to decompose social influence into distinct cognitive components, allowing researchers to differentiate between changes in perceptual processing and shifts in decision criteria. Collectively, these models establish a comprehensive methodological foundation for disentangling the multiple pathways by which social context shapes perceptual decisions. Neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies provide converging evidence that social context influences perceptual decision making through multi-level neural mechanisms. At early perceptual processing stages, social influence modulates sensory evidence accumulation in parietal cortex and directly alters primary visual cortex activity, while guiding selective attention to stimulus features consistent with social norms through attentional alignment mechanisms. At higher cognitive levels, the reward system (ventral striatum, ventromedial prefrontal cortex) is activated during group-consistent decisions; emotion-processing networks (anterior cingulate cortex, insula, amygdala) regulate experiences of social acceptance and rejection; and mentalizing-related brain regions (dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, temporoparietal junction) support inference of others’ mental states and social information integration. These neural circuits work synergistically to achieve top-down multi-level modulation of perceptual decision making. Understanding the mechanisms by which social context shapes perceptual decision making has broad theoretical and practical implications. These insights inform the optimization of collective decision-making, the design of socially adaptive human-computer interaction systems, and interventions for cognitive disorders such as autism spectrum disorder and anorexia nervosa. Future studies should combine computational modeling and neuroimaging approaches to systematically investigate the multi-level and dynamic nature of social influences on perceptual decision making.


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