Emerging evidence suggests that dysbiosis of the gut microbiota is associated with the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. The microbiota-gut-brain axis plays a crucial role in the development and progression of PD, and numerous studies have demonstrated the potential therapeutic benefits of modulations in the intestinal microbiota. This review provides insights into the characterization of the gut microbiota in patients with PD and highlights associations with clinical symptoms and underlying mechanisms. The discussion underscores the increased influence of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of PD. While the relationship is not fully elucidated, existing research demonstrates a strong correlation between changes in the composition of gut microbiota and disease development, and further investigation is warranted to explain the specific underlying mechanisms.
Humans ; Parkinson Disease/microbiology* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology* ; Dysbiosis/microbiology*

BACKGROUND: Gait impairment is closely related to quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). This study aimed to explore alterations in brain microstructure in PD patients and healthy controls (HCs) and to identify the correlation of gait impairment in the ON and OFF states of patients with PD, respectively. METHODS: We enrolled 24 PD patients and 29 HCs from the Movement Disorders Program at Beijing Friendship Hospital Capital Medical University between 2019 and 2020. We acquired magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and processed the diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) images. Preprocessing of diffusion-weighted data was performed with Mrtrix3 software, using a directional distribution function to track participants' main white matter fiber bundles. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded. Quantitative gait and clinical scales were used to assess the status of medication ON and OFF in PD patients. RESULTS: The axial kurtosis (AK), mean kurtosis (MK), and radial kurtosis (RK) of five specific white matter fiber tracts, the bilateral corticospinal tract, left superior longitudinal fasciculus, left anterior thalamic radiation, forceps minor, and forceps major were significantly higher in PD patients compared to HCs. Additionally, the MK values were negatively correlated with Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) scores in both the ON and OFF in PD patients. Within the PD group, higher AK, MK, and RK values, whether the patients were ON or OFF, were associated with better gait performance (i.e., higher velocity and stride length). CONCLUSIONS PD exhibits characteristic regional patterns of white matter microstructural degradation. Correlations between objective gait parameters and DKI values suggest that dopamine-responsive gait function depends on preserved white matter microstructure. DKI-based Tract-Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) analysis may serve as a tool for evaluating PD-related motor impairments (e.g., gait impairment) and could yield potential neuroimaging biomarkers.
Humans ; Parkinson Disease/diagnostic imaging* ; White Matter/physiopathology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Gait/physiology* ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging/methods*

AIM To evaluate the quality of benchmark sample of Zexie Decoction.METHODS HPLC fingerprints were established,after which the content determination of epoxy alisma ene,23-acetyl alisol B,23-acetyl alisol C,alisol A,alisol B,atractylenolide Ⅰ,atractylenolide Ⅱ and atractylenolide Ⅲ was performed,and the transfer rate and paste yield were calculated.RESULTS There were 20 common peaks in the fingerprints for 15 batches of benchmark samples with the similarities of more than 0.95.The average contents of various effective constituents were 180.86 μg/g for alisol B 23-acetate,18.65 μg/g for alisol C 23-acetate,34.74 μg/g for alismoxide,17.65 μg/g for alisol A,238.19 μg/g for alisol B,2.85 μg/g for atractylenolide Ⅰ,6.38 μg/g for atractylenolide Ⅱ,and 15.42 μg/g for atractylenolide Ⅲ,respectively.In the decoction piece-benchmark sample,alisol B 23-acetate,alisol C 23-acetate,atractylenolide Ⅰ,atractylenolide Ⅱ and atractylenolide Ⅲ demonstrated the average transfer rates of 12.09％,16.45％,3.93％,12.17％and 34.37％respectively.The paste yields in various batches of benchmark samples were 15.2％-20.2％.CONCLUSION HPLC fingerprints combined with content determination can be used for the quality control of benchmark sample of Zexie Decoction,thus provides a reference for the development of its compound preparations.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between lean lipid accumulation product (LAP) and metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD).Methods:This cross-sectional study consecutively enrolled 1 990 adult subjects who underwent health examinations at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University between June 2021 and May 2023. All recruited participants had a body mass index (BMI)<23 kg/m2. Data collection included general information, physical examination, serum biochemical parameter measurements, and liver ultrasonography. Participants were divided into four groups (Q1-Q4) according to quartiles value of LAP from low to high. The differences of biochemical parameters and the prevalence of lean MAFLD were compared among the groups. Logistic regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used to explore the relationship between LAP and lean MAFLD and assess the diagnostic predictive value of LAP for lean MAFLD.Results:A total of 1990 participants were selected, and the detection rate of lean MAFLD was 4.97% (99 cases). The detection rate of lean MAFLD showed a significant increasing trend from Q1 to Q4 groups ( P<0.001) and respectively was 0.40%, 0.81%, 4.01% and 14.70%. The average age, male proportion, BMI and waist circumference significantly increased in a dose-response manner from Q1 to Q4 (all P<0.001). Indirect bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyltranspeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, serum uric acid, fasting blood glucose, fatty liver index, fibrosis-4 index and every metabolic syndrome component in groups Q2 to Q4 were significantly higher than in the Q1 group, while high-density lipoprotein levels gradually decreased (all P<0.05). RCS showed that the risk of lean MAFLD rose significantly with the increase of LAP ( P<0.005), presenting a nonlinear relationship between them ( P for nonlinear<0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that after adjusting other confounding factors, the risk of lean MAFLD in the Q4 group remained 4.75 times higher than that in the Q1 group (95% CI: 11.22-31.69, P<0.05). ROC curve demonstrated that LAP had a better predictive value for lean MAFLD than BMI and waist circumference, with area under the curve of 0.839, critical value of 19.59, diagnostic sensitivity of 82.8% and specificity of 75.1%. Conclusions:Elevated LAP is independently and positively correlated with the risk of lean MAFLD, and its predictive efficacy is significant superior to traditional obesity indicators.

Objective To investigate the association between plasma atherogenic index of plasma(AIP)and metabolism-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD),and to evaluate the potential value of AIP as a predictive marker for MASLD risk.Methods We enrolled a total of 4 850 health check-up participants from The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University between June 2021 and May 2023.The participants were divided into quartiles(Q1-Q4)according to their AIP level.Biochemical indicators and MASLD prevalence were compared across groups.Logistic regression,subgroup analysis,and restricted cubic splines(RCS)were used to explore the relationship between AIP and MASLD.Results Among the 4 850 participants,the prevalence of MASLD was 26.08％(1 265/4 850).MASLD prevalence increased across AIP quartiles:4.0％,13.8％,30.8％,and 55.6％in Q1-Q4,respectively(P＜0.001).Compared with Q1,Q2-Q4 groups showed higher proportions of males,BMI,smokers,overweight/obesity,central obesity,prediabetes,hypertension,serum uric acid,and fatty liver index(FLI)(all P＜0.001).Lipid profiles worsened with increased AIP:total cholesterol,triglycerides,and LDL-C increased,while HDL-C decreased(P＜0.001).RCS analysis demonstrated a significant linear relationship between AIP and MASLD risk.After adjusting for confounders,the participants in Q4 had an 8.71-fold higher risk of MASLD than those in Q1(OR:8.71,95％CI:6.20-12.23,P＜0.001).A composite model incorporating AIP,BMI,and FLI showed superior discriminative performance(AUC:0.883,95％CI:0.873-0.892).Interaction analysis suggested that AIP had significant interactions with BMI,hypertension,and prediabetes(P＜0.05).In individuals without these metabolic abnormalities,the association between AIP and MASLD was more pronounced.Conclusion Elevated AIP was significantly associated with an increased risk of MASLD,with a stronger association observed in individuals with normal BMI,blood pressure,and blood glucose levels,suggesting that AIP may serve as a potential indicator for early screening of MASLD.

Objective To investigate the association between plasma atherogenic index of plasma(AIP)and metabolism-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD),and to evaluate the potential value of AIP as a predictive marker for MASLD risk.Methods We enrolled a total of 4 850 health check-up participants from The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University between June 2021 and May 2023.The participants were divided into quartiles(Q1-Q4)according to their AIP level.Biochemical indicators and MASLD prevalence were compared across groups.Logistic regression,subgroup analysis,and restricted cubic splines(RCS)were used to explore the relationship between AIP and MASLD.Results Among the 4 850 participants,the prevalence of MASLD was 26.08％(1 265/4 850).MASLD prevalence increased across AIP quartiles:4.0％,13.8％,30.8％,and 55.6％in Q1-Q4,respectively(P＜0.001).Compared with Q1,Q2-Q4 groups showed higher proportions of males,BMI,smokers,overweight/obesity,central obesity,prediabetes,hypertension,serum uric acid,and fatty liver index(FLI)(all P＜0.001).Lipid profiles worsened with increased AIP:total cholesterol,triglycerides,and LDL-C increased,while HDL-C decreased(P＜0.001).RCS analysis demonstrated a significant linear relationship between AIP and MASLD risk.After adjusting for confounders,the participants in Q4 had an 8.71-fold higher risk of MASLD than those in Q1(OR:8.71,95％CI:6.20-12.23,P＜0.001).A composite model incorporating AIP,BMI,and FLI showed superior discriminative performance(AUC:0.883,95％CI:0.873-0.892).Interaction analysis suggested that AIP had significant interactions with BMI,hypertension,and prediabetes(P＜0.05).In individuals without these metabolic abnormalities,the association between AIP and MASLD was more pronounced.Conclusion Elevated AIP was significantly associated with an increased risk of MASLD,with a stronger association observed in individuals with normal BMI,blood pressure,and blood glucose levels,suggesting that AIP may serve as a potential indicator for early screening of MASLD.

AIM To evaluate the quality of benchmark sample of Zexie Decoction.METHODS HPLC fingerprints were established,after which the content determination of epoxy alisma ene,23-acetyl alisol B,23-acetyl alisol C,alisol A,alisol B,atractylenolide Ⅰ,atractylenolide Ⅱ and atractylenolide Ⅲ was performed,and the transfer rate and paste yield were calculated.RESULTS There were 20 common peaks in the fingerprints for 15 batches of benchmark samples with the similarities of more than 0.95.The average contents of various effective constituents were 180.86 μg/g for alisol B 23-acetate,18.65 μg/g for alisol C 23-acetate,34.74 μg/g for alismoxide,17.65 μg/g for alisol A,238.19 μg/g for alisol B,2.85 μg/g for atractylenolide Ⅰ,6.38 μg/g for atractylenolide Ⅱ,and 15.42 μg/g for atractylenolide Ⅲ,respectively.In the decoction piece-benchmark sample,alisol B 23-acetate,alisol C 23-acetate,atractylenolide Ⅰ,atractylenolide Ⅱ and atractylenolide Ⅲ demonstrated the average transfer rates of 12.09％,16.45％,3.93％,12.17％and 34.37％respectively.The paste yields in various batches of benchmark samples were 15.2％-20.2％.CONCLUSION HPLC fingerprints combined with content determination can be used for the quality control of benchmark sample of Zexie Decoction,thus provides a reference for the development of its compound preparations.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between lean lipid accumulation product (LAP) and metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD).Methods:This cross-sectional study consecutively enrolled 1 990 adult subjects who underwent health examinations at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University between June 2021 and May 2023. All recruited participants had a body mass index (BMI)<23 kg/m2. Data collection included general information, physical examination, serum biochemical parameter measurements, and liver ultrasonography. Participants were divided into four groups (Q1-Q4) according to quartiles value of LAP from low to high. The differences of biochemical parameters and the prevalence of lean MAFLD were compared among the groups. Logistic regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used to explore the relationship between LAP and lean MAFLD and assess the diagnostic predictive value of LAP for lean MAFLD.Results:A total of 1990 participants were selected, and the detection rate of lean MAFLD was 4.97% (99 cases). The detection rate of lean MAFLD showed a significant increasing trend from Q1 to Q4 groups ( P<0.001) and respectively was 0.40%, 0.81%, 4.01% and 14.70%. The average age, male proportion, BMI and waist circumference significantly increased in a dose-response manner from Q1 to Q4 (all P<0.001). Indirect bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyltranspeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, serum uric acid, fasting blood glucose, fatty liver index, fibrosis-4 index and every metabolic syndrome component in groups Q2 to Q4 were significantly higher than in the Q1 group, while high-density lipoprotein levels gradually decreased (all P<0.05). RCS showed that the risk of lean MAFLD rose significantly with the increase of LAP ( P<0.005), presenting a nonlinear relationship between them ( P for nonlinear<0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that after adjusting other confounding factors, the risk of lean MAFLD in the Q4 group remained 4.75 times higher than that in the Q1 group (95% CI: 11.22-31.69, P<0.05). ROC curve demonstrated that LAP had a better predictive value for lean MAFLD than BMI and waist circumference, with area under the curve of 0.839, critical value of 19.59, diagnostic sensitivity of 82.8% and specificity of 75.1%. Conclusions:Elevated LAP is independently and positively correlated with the risk of lean MAFLD, and its predictive efficacy is significant superior to traditional obesity indicators.

Sonogenetics is an emerging synthetic biology technique that uses sound waves to activate mechanosensitive ion channel proteins on the cell surface to regulate cell behavior and function.Due to the widespread presence of mechanically sensitive ion channel systems in cells and the advantages of non-invasion,strong penetrability,high safety and high accuracy of sonogenetics technology,it has great development potential in basic biomedical research and clinical applications,especially in neuronal regulation,tumor mechanism research,sonodynamic therapy and hearing impairment.This review discusses the basic principles of sonogenetics,the development status of sonogenetics and its application in the prevention and treatment of noise-induced hearing loss,summarizes and analyzes the current challenges and future development direction,thus providing a reference for further research and development of sonogenetics in the field of military medicine.

Objective To investigate the association of triglyceride-glucose index(TyG)with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and its diagnostic value for NAFLD in non-obese individuals.Methods We retrospectively collected the data of non-obese individuals(BMI<25 kg/m2)undergoing routine health examination at Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University between May,2020 and December,2023,who all received abdominal ultrasound examination for NAFLD screening.The nonlinear relationship between TyG and non-obese NAFLD was explored using restricted cubic splines(RCS),and LASSO regression was used for variable screening;the correlation between TyG and NAFLD risk was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression.The diagnostic value of TyG for non-obese NAFLD was assessed using receiver-operating characteristic(ROC)curves and sensitivity analysis.Results A total of 3723 non-obese subjects were enrolled in this study,including 432(11.6%)patients with NAFLD.Compared with the healthy individuals,the patients with NAFLD had significant elevations of systolic and diastolic blood pressures,total cholesterol,triglycerides,LDL-C,blood uric acid,fasting blood glucose,and TyG index and a decreased HDL-C level(P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression revealed that for each one-unit increase of TyG,the risk of non-obese NAFLD increased by 2.2 folds(OR=3.22,95%CI:2.53-4.12,P<0.001).Compared with a TyG index in the lowest quartile Q1,a TyG index in the Q2,Q3 and Q4 quartiles was associated with an increased risk of NAFLD by 1.52 folds(OR=2.52,95%CI:1.20-5.95),3.56 folds(OR=4.56,95%CI:2.28-10.46),and 8.66-folds(OR=9.66,95%CI:4.83-22.18),respectively.The RCS curve demonstrated a significant linear correlation between TyG index and non-obese NALFD risk(P for nonlinear=0.019).For diagnosing non-obese NALFD,TyG index had an area under ROC curve of 0.819 with a sensitivity of 78.0%and a specificity of 71.2%.Conclusion An increase of TyG index is correlated with increased risks of NAFLD in non-obese individuals and can serve as an indicator for screening early NAFLD in healthy individuals.