1.Effect Analysis of Different Interventions to Improve Neuroinflammation in The Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Jiang-Hui SHAN ; Chao-Yang CHU ; Shi-Yu CHEN ; Zhi-Cheng LIN ; Yu-Yu ZHOU ; Tian-Yuan FANG ; Chu-Xia ZHANG ; Biao XIAO ; Kai XIE ; Qing-Juan WANG ; Zhi-Tao LIU ; Li-Ping LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):310-333
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a central neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment in clinical. Currently, there are no effective treatments for AD. In recent years, a variety of therapeutic approaches from different perspectives have been explored to treat AD. Although the drug therapies targeted at the clearance of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) had made a breakthrough in clinical trials, there were associated with adverse events. Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of AD. Continuous neuroinflammatory was considered to be the third major pathological feature of AD, which could promote the formation of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. At the same time, these toxic substances could accelerate the development of neuroinflammation, form a vicious cycle, and exacerbate disease progression. Reducing neuroinflammation could break the feedback loop pattern between neuroinflammation, Aβ plaque deposition and Tau tangles, which might be an effective therapeutic strategy for treating AD. Traditional Chinese herbs such as Polygonum multiflorum and Curcuma were utilized in the treatment of AD due to their ability to mitigate neuroinflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and indomethacin had been shown to reduce the level of inflammasomes in the body, and taking these drugs was associated with a low incidence of AD. Biosynthetic nanomaterials loaded with oxytocin were demonstrated to have the capability to anti-inflammatory and penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively, and they played an anti-inflammatory role via sustained-releasing oxytocin in the brain. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells could reduce neuroinflammation and inhibit the activation of microglia. The secretion of mesenchymal stem cells could not only improve neuroinflammation, but also exert a multi-target comprehensive therapeutic effect, making it potentially more suitable for the treatment of AD. Enhancing the level of TREM2 in microglial cells using gene editing technologies, or application of TREM2 antibodies such as Ab-T1, hT2AB could improve microglial cell function and reduce the level of neuroinflammation, which might be a potential treatment for AD. Probiotic therapy, fecal flora transplantation, antibiotic therapy, and dietary intervention could reshape the composition of the gut microbiota and alleviate neuroinflammation through the gut-brain axis. However, the drugs of sodium oligomannose remain controversial. Both exercise intervention and electromagnetic intervention had the potential to attenuate neuroinflammation, thereby delaying AD process. This article focuses on the role of drug therapy, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, gut microbiota therapy, exercise intervention, and brain stimulation in improving neuroinflammation in recent years, aiming to provide a novel insight for the treatment of AD by intervening neuroinflammation in the future.
2.Screening and influencing factors analysis of myopia in children and adolescent in Wulong district of Chongqing
Huabin ZHENG ; Ting XIAO ; Ji LI ; Qirong HUANG ; Zhi ZHOU
International Eye Science 2025;25(2):297-300
AIM:To investigate myopia status and analyze the influence factors in children and adolescent in Wulong district of Chongqing.METHODS:Cross-sectional study. A stratified cluster sampling method was used to select 2 504 primary and secondary school students in Wulong district, and all students underwent myopia screen and questionnaire survey, statistics and analyses the data.RESULTS:Totally 2 431 students were participated in this study, and 1 217 students with myopia were screened out, the prevalence rate of myopia was 50.06%, awareness rate of myopia was 64.59%, glasses wearing rate of myopia was 51.85%. The prevalence of myopia increased with age and grade(P<0.05), the prevalence of myopia in male(46.97%)was lower than in female(53.18%), and the prevalence of myopia in township(47.06%)was lower than in urban area(52.11%; all P<0.05). Regression analysis showed that outdoor activities were protective factor for myopia, while female, myopic parents, near vision work, short sleep duration and sweet tooth were risk factors for myopia.CONCLUSION:The prevalence rate of myopia was higher in children and adolescent in Wulong district of Chongqing, awareness rate of myopia and glasses wearing rate of myopia were lower, and the genesis of myopia is highly relevant to outdoor activities, gender, myopic parents, near vision work, short sleep duration and sweet tooth.
3.Interpretation of 2024 ESC guidelines for the management of elevated blood pressure and hypertension
Yu CHENG ; Yiheng ZHOU ; Yao LÜ ; ; Dongze LI ; Lidi LIU ; Peng ZHANG ; Rong YANG ; Yu JIA ; Rui ZENG ; Zhi WAN ; Xiaoyang LIAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(01):31-40
The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) released the "2024 ESC guidelines for the management of elevated blood pressure and hypertension" on August 30, 2024. This guideline updates the 2018 "Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension." One notable update is the introduction of the concept of "elevated blood pressure" (120-139/70-89 mm Hg). Additionally, a new systolic blood pressure target range of 120-129 mm Hg has been proposed for most patients receiving antihypertensive treatment. The guideline also includes numerous additions or revisions in areas such as non-pharmacological interventions and device-based treatments for hypertension. This article interprets the guideline's recommendations on definition and classification of elevated blood pressure and hypertension, and cardiovascular disease risk assessment, diagnosing hypertension and investigating underlying causes, preventing and treating elevated blood pressure and hypertension. We provide a comparison interpretation with the 2018 "Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension" and the "2017 ACC/AHA guideline on the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults."
4.Effect of Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription on Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Rats with Chronic Atrophic Gastritis
Jinye ZHOU ; Haofeng ZHANG ; Ziwei LIU ; Yican WANG ; Yanru CAI ; Yuxi GUO ; Jie WANG ; Zheng ZHI ; Qian YANG ; Bolin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):41-47
ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription on chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) in rats based on the Hedgehog signaling pathway. MethodsThe CAG rat model was established by sodium salicylate, N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitroguanidine (MNNG), and irregular feeding. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group (180 mg·L-1), a moradan group (1.4 g·kg-1), and Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription groups with high, medium, and low doses (36, 9, 18 g·kg-1), followed by drug intervention. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe morphological changes in the gastric mucosa. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of gastric mucosa cells. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), Patched 1 (Ptch1), and Glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (Gli1). Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of Shh, Ptch1, and Gli1 in the gastric mucosa. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the protein expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the CAG model group showed a reduction in gastric mucosal intrinsic glands and infiltration of inflammatory cells. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal cells showed nuclear pyknosis, fewer mitochondria, and abnormal mitochondrial structure. The mRNA and protein expression of Shh, Ptch1, and Gli1 in the gastric mucosa were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and E-cadherin protein expression was decreased. Compared with the model group, the intervention groups showed varying degrees of improvement in histopathological morphology and cellular ultrastructure. The mRNA and protein expression of Shh, Ptch1, Gli1, and E-cadherin increased to varying degrees. Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription upregulated the expression of key Hedgehog pathway factors and E-cadherin at both the mRNA and protein levels (P<0.05). ConclusionXianglian Huazhuo prescription has a therapeutic effect on CAG in rats, and its mechanism may be related to activation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway and inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
5.The Functional Diversity and Regulatory Mechanism of Clathrin Plaques
Yi-Ge ZHAO ; Zhao-Hong JIANG ; Qian-Yi ZHOU ; Zhi-Ming CHEN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(8):1958-1971
Clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) is a critical process by which cells internalize macromolecular substances and initiate vesicle trafficking, serving as the foundation for many cellular activities. Central to this process are clathrin-coated structures (CCSs), which consist of clathrin-coated pits (CCPs) and clathrin plaques. While clathrin-coated pits are well-established in the study of endocytosis, clathrin plaques represent a more recently discovered but equally important component of this system. These plaques are large, flat, and extended clathrin-coated assemblies found on the cytoplasmic membrane. They are distinct from the more typical clathrin-coated pits in terms of their morphology, larger surface area, and longer lifespan. Recent research has revealed that clathrin plaques play roles that go far beyond endocytosis, contributing to diverse cellular processes such as cellular adhesion, mechanosensing, migration, and pathogen invasion. Unlike traditional clathrin-coated pits, which are transient and dynamic structures involved primarily in the internalization of molecules, clathrin plaques are more stable and extensive, often persisting for extended periods. Their extended lifespan suggests that they serve functions beyond the typical endocytic role, making them integral to various cellular processes. For instance, clathrin plaques are involved in the regulation of intercellular adhesion, allowing cells to better adhere to one another or to the extracellular matrix, which is crucial for tissue formation and maintenance. Furthermore, clathrin plaques act as mechanosensitive hubs, enabling the cell to sense and respond to mechanical stress, a feature that is essential for processes like migration, tissue remodeling, and even cancer progression. Recent discoveries have also highlighted the role of clathrin plaques in cellular signaling. These plaques can serve as scaffolds for signaling molecules, orchestrating the activation of various pathways that govern cellular behavior. For example, the recruitment of actin-binding proteins such as F-actin and vinculin to clathrin plaques can influence cytoskeletal dynamics, helping cells adapt to mechanical changes in their environment. This recruitment also plays a pivotal role in regulating cellular migration, which is crucial for developmental processes. Additionally, clathrin plaques influence receptor-mediated signal transduction by acting as platforms for the assembly of signaling complexes, thereby affecting processes such as growth factor signaling and cellular responses to extracellular stimuli. Despite the growing body of evidence that supports the involvement of clathrin plaques in a wide array of cellular functions, much remains unknown about the precise molecular mechanisms that govern their formation, maintenance, and turnover. For example, the factors that regulate the recruitment of clathrin and other coat proteins to form plaques, as well as the signaling molecules that coordinate plaque dynamics, remain areas of active research. Furthermore, the complex interplay between clathrin plaques and other cellular systems, such as the actin cytoskeleton and integrin-based adhesion complexes, needs further exploration. Studies have shown that clathrin plaques can respond to mechanical forces, with recent findings indicating that they act as mechanosensitive structures that help the cell adapt to changing mechanical environments. This ability underscores the multifunctional nature of clathrin plaques, which, in addition to their role in endocytosis, are involved in cellular processes such as mechanotransduction and adhesion signaling. In summary, clathrin plaques represent a dynamic and versatile component of clathrin-mediated endocytosis. They play an integral role not only in the internalization of macromolecular cargo but also in regulating cellular adhesion, migration, and signal transduction. While much has been learned about their structural and functional properties, significant questions remain regarding the molecular mechanisms that regulate their formation and their broader role in cellular physiology. This review highlights the evolving understanding of clathrin plaques, emphasizing their importance in both endocytosis and a wide range of other cellular functions. Future research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms by which clathrin plaques contribute to cellular processes and to better understand their implications for diseases, including cancer and tissue remodeling. Ultimately, clathrin plaques are emerging as crucial hubs that integrate mechanical, biochemical, and signaling inputs, providing new insights into cellular function and the regulation of complex cellular behaviors.
6.Pharmacological actions of the bioactive compounds of Epimedium on the male reproductive system: current status and future perspective.
Song-Po LIU ; Yun-Fei LI ; Dan ZHANG ; Chun-Yang LI ; Xiao-Fang DAI ; Dong-Feng LAN ; Ji CAI ; He ZHOU ; Tao SONG ; Yan-Yu ZHAO ; Zhi-Xu HE ; Jun TAN ; Ji-Dong ZHANG
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(1):20-29
Compounds isolated from Epimedium include the total flavonoids of Epimedium , icariin, and its metabolites (icaritin, icariside I, and icariside II), which have similar molecular structures. Modern pharmacological research and clinical practice have proved that Epimedium and its active components have a wide range of pharmacological effects, especially in improving sexual function, hormone regulation, anti-osteoporosis, immune function regulation, anti-oxidation, and anti-tumor activity. To date, we still need a comprehensive source of knowledge about the pharmacological effects of Epimedium and its bioactive compounds on the male reproductive system. However, their actions in other tissues have been reviewed in recent years. This review critically focuses on the Epimedium , its bioactive compounds, and the biochemical and molecular mechanisms that modulate vital pathways associated with the male reproductive system. Such intrinsic knowledge will significantly further studies on the Epimedium and its bioactive compounds that protect the male reproductive system and provide some guidances for clinical treatment of related male reproductive disorders.
Male
;
Epimedium/chemistry*
;
Humans
;
Genitalia, Male/drug effects*
;
Flavonoids/therapeutic use*
;
Animals
7.A novel homozygous mutation of CFAP300 identified in a Chinese patient with primary ciliary dyskinesia and infertility.
Zheng ZHOU ; Qi QI ; Wen-Hua WANG ; Jie DONG ; Juan-Juan XU ; Yu-Ming FENG ; Zhi-Chuan ZOU ; Li CHEN ; Jin-Zhao MA ; Bing YAO
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(1):113-119
Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a clinically rare, genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous condition characterized by chronic respiratory tract infections, male infertility, tympanitis, and laterality abnormalities. PCD is typically resulted from variants in genes encoding assembly or structural proteins that are indispensable for the movement of motile cilia. Here, we identified a novel nonsense mutation, c.466G>T, in cilia- and flagella-associated protein 300 ( CFAP300 ) resulting in a stop codon (p.Glu156*) through whole-exome sequencing (WES). The proband had a PCD phenotype with laterality defects and immotile sperm flagella displaying a combined loss of the inner dynein arm (IDA) and outer dynein arm (ODA). Bioinformatic programs predicted that the mutation is deleterious. Successful pregnancy was achieved through intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Our results expand the spectrum of CFAP300 variants in PCD and provide reproductive guidance for infertile couples suffering from PCD caused by them.
Adult
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Pregnancy
;
China
;
Ciliary Motility Disorders/genetics*
;
Codon, Nonsense
;
East Asian People/genetics*
;
Exome Sequencing
;
Homozygote
;
Infertility, Male/genetics*
;
Kartagener Syndrome/genetics*
;
Pedigree
;
Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic
;
Cytoskeletal Proteins/genetics*
8.Novel biallelic MCMDC2 variants were associated with meiotic arrest and nonobstructive azoospermia.
Hao-Wei BAI ; Na LI ; Yu-Xiang ZHANG ; Jia-Qiang LUO ; Ru-Hui TIAN ; Peng LI ; Yu-Hua HUANG ; Fu-Rong BAI ; Cun-Zhong DENG ; Fu-Jun ZHAO ; Ren MO ; Ning CHI ; Yu-Chuan ZHOU ; Zheng LI ; Chen-Cheng YAO ; Er-Lei ZHI
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(2):268-275
Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA), one of the most severe types of male infertility, etiology often remains unclear in most cases. Therefore, this study aimed to detect four biallelic detrimental variants (0.5%) in the minichromosome maintenance domain containing 2 ( MCMDC2 ) genes in 768 NOA patients by whole-exome sequencing (WES). Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) demonstrated that MCMDC2 deleterious variants caused meiotic arrest in three patients (c.1360G>T, c.1956G>T, and c.685C>T) and hypospermatogenesis in one patient (c.94G>T), as further confirmed through immunofluorescence (IF) staining. The single-cell RNA sequencing data indicated that MCMDC2 was substantially expressed during spermatogenesis. The variants were confirmed as deleterious and responsible for patient infertility through bioinformatics and in vitro experimental analyses. The results revealed four MCMDC2 variants related to NOA, which contributes to the current perception of the function of MCMDC2 in male fertility and presents new perspectives on the genetic etiology of NOA.
Humans
;
Male
;
Azoospermia/genetics*
;
Meiosis/genetics*
;
Spermatogenesis/genetics*
;
Adult
;
Exome Sequencing
;
Microtubule-Associated Proteins/genetics*
;
Alleles
;
Infertility, Male/genetics*
9.Clinical application of single-balloon and double-balloon enteroscopy in pediatric small bowel diseases: a retrospective study of 576 cases.
Can-Lin LI ; Jie-Yu YOU ; Yan-Hong LUO ; Hong-Juan OU-YANG ; Li LIU ; Wen-Ting ZHANG ; Jia-Qi DUAN ; Na JIANG ; Mei-Zheng ZHAN ; Chen-Xi LIU ; Juan ZHOU ; Ling-Zhi YUAN ; Hong-Mei ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(7):822-828
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the effectiveness of single-balloon and double-balloon enteroscopy in diagnosing pediatric small bowel diseases and assess the diagnostic efficacy of computed tomography enterography (CTE) for small bowel diseases using enteroscopy as the reference standard.
METHODS:
Clinical data from 576 children who underwent enteroscopy at Hunan Children's Hospital between January 2017 and December 2023 were retrospectively collected. The children were categorized based on enteroscopy type into the single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE) group (n=457) and double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) group (n=119), and the clinical data were compared between the two groups. The sensitivity and specificity of CTE for diagnosing small bowel diseases were evaluated using enteroscopy results as the standard.
RESULTS:
Among the 576 children, small bowel lesions were detected by enteroscopy in 274 children (47.6%).There was no significant difference in lesion detection rates or complication rates between the SBE and DBE groups (P>0.05), but the DBE group had deeper insertion, longer procedure time, and higher complete small bowel examination rate (P<0.05). The complication rate during enteroscopy was 4.3% (25/576), with 18 cases (3.1%) of mild complications and 7 cases (1.2%) of severe complications, which improved with symptomatic treatment, surgical, or endoscopic intervention. Among the 412 children who underwent CTE, the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing small bowel diseases were 44.4% and 71.3%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
SBE and DBE have similar diagnostic efficacy for pediatric small bowel diseases, but DBE is preferred for suspected deep small bowel lesions and comprehensive small bowel examination. Enteroscopy in children demonstrates relatively good overall safety. CTE demonstrates relatively low sensitivity but comparatively high specificity for diagnosing small bowel diseases.
Retrospective Studies
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Double-Balloon Enteroscopy/statistics & numerical data*
;
Single-Balloon Enteroscopy/statistics & numerical data*
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Child
;
Operative Time
;
Tomography, X-Ray Computed/statistics & numerical data*
;
Sensitivity and Specificity
;
Intestine, Small/surgery*
;
Intestinal Diseases/surgery*
10.Clinical Features, Prognostic Analysis and Predictive Model Construction of Central Nervous System Invasion in Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma.
Ya-Ting MA ; Yan-Fang CHEN ; Zhi-Yuan ZHOU ; Lei ZHANG ; Xin LI ; Xin-Hua WANG ; Xiao-Rui FU ; Zhen-Chang SUN ; Yu CHANG ; Fei-Fei NAN ; Ling LI ; Ming-Zhi ZHANG
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(3):760-768
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the clinical features and prognosis of central nervous system (CNS) invasion in peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) and construct a risk prediction model for CNS invasion.
METHODS:
Clinical data of 395 patients with PTCL diagnosed and treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2022 were analyzed retrospectively.
RESULTS:
The median follow-up time of 395 PTCL patients was 24(1-143) months. There were 13 patients diagnosed CNS invasion, and the incidence was 3.3%. The risk of CNS invasion varied according to pathological subtype. The incidence of CNS invasion in patients with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) was significantly higher than in patients with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) (P <0.05). The median overall survival was significantly shorter in patients with CNS invasion than in those without CNS involvement, with a median survival time of 2.4(0.6-127) months after diagnosis of CNS invasion. The results of univariate and multivariate analysis showed that more than 1 extranodal involvement (HR=4.486, 95%CI : 1.166-17.264, P =0.029), ALCL subtype (HR=9.022, 95%CI : 2.289-35.557, P =0.002) and ECOG PS >1 (HR=15.890, 95%CI : 4.409-57.262, P <0.001) were independent risk factors for CNS invasion in PTCL patients. Each of these risk factors was assigned a value of 1 point and a new prediction model was constructed. It could stratify the patients into three distinct groups: low-risk group (0-1 point), intermediate-risk group (2 points) and high-risk group (3 points). The 1-year cumulative incidence of CNS invasion in the high-risk group was as high as 50.0%. Further evaluation of the model showed good discrimination and accuracy, and the consistency index was 0.913 (95%CI : 0.843-0.984).
CONCLUSION
The new model shows a precise risk assessment for CNS invasion prediction, while its specificity and sensitivity need further data validation.
Humans
;
Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral/pathology*
;
Prognosis
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Central Nervous System Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Neoplasm Invasiveness
;
Male
;
Female
;
Central Nervous System/pathology*
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult

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