1.Eye Movement and Gait Variability Analysis in Chinese Patients With Huntington’s Disease
Shu-Xia QIAN ; Yu-Feng BAO ; Xiao-Yan LI ; Yi DONG ; Zhi-Ying WU
Journal of Movement Disorders 2025;18(1):65-76
Objective:
Huntington’s disease (HD) is characterized by motor, cognitive, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Oculomotor impairments and gait variability have been independently considered as potential markers in HD. However, an integrated analysis of eye movement and gait is lacking. We performed multiple examinations of eye movement and gait variability in HTT mutation carriers, analyzed the consistency between these parameters and clinical severity, and then examined the associations between oculomotor impairments and gait deficits.
Methods:
We included 7 patients with pre-HD, 30 patients with HD and 30 age-matched controls. We collected demographic data and assessed the Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) score. Examinations, including saccades, smooth pursuit tests, and optokinetic (OPK) tests, were performed to evaluate eye movement function. The parameters of gait include stride length, walking velocity, step deviation, step length, and gait phase.
Results:
HD patients have significant impairments in the latency and velocity of saccades, the gain of smooth pursuit, and the gain and slow phase velocities of OPK tests. Only the speed of saccades significantly differed between pre-HD patients and controls. There are significant impairments in stride length, walking velocity, step length, and gait phase in HD patients. The parameters of eye movement and gait variability in HD patients were consistent with the UHDRS scores. There were significant correlations between eye movement and gait parameters.
Conclusion
Our results show that eye movement and gait are impaired in HD patients and that the speed of saccades is impaired early in pre-HD. Eye movement and gait abnormalities in HD patients are significantly correlated with clinical disease severity.
2.Eye Movement and Gait Variability Analysis in Chinese Patients With Huntington’s Disease
Shu-Xia QIAN ; Yu-Feng BAO ; Xiao-Yan LI ; Yi DONG ; Zhi-Ying WU
Journal of Movement Disorders 2025;18(1):65-76
Objective:
Huntington’s disease (HD) is characterized by motor, cognitive, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Oculomotor impairments and gait variability have been independently considered as potential markers in HD. However, an integrated analysis of eye movement and gait is lacking. We performed multiple examinations of eye movement and gait variability in HTT mutation carriers, analyzed the consistency between these parameters and clinical severity, and then examined the associations between oculomotor impairments and gait deficits.
Methods:
We included 7 patients with pre-HD, 30 patients with HD and 30 age-matched controls. We collected demographic data and assessed the Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) score. Examinations, including saccades, smooth pursuit tests, and optokinetic (OPK) tests, were performed to evaluate eye movement function. The parameters of gait include stride length, walking velocity, step deviation, step length, and gait phase.
Results:
HD patients have significant impairments in the latency and velocity of saccades, the gain of smooth pursuit, and the gain and slow phase velocities of OPK tests. Only the speed of saccades significantly differed between pre-HD patients and controls. There are significant impairments in stride length, walking velocity, step length, and gait phase in HD patients. The parameters of eye movement and gait variability in HD patients were consistent with the UHDRS scores. There were significant correlations between eye movement and gait parameters.
Conclusion
Our results show that eye movement and gait are impaired in HD patients and that the speed of saccades is impaired early in pre-HD. Eye movement and gait abnormalities in HD patients are significantly correlated with clinical disease severity.
3.Eye Movement and Gait Variability Analysis in Chinese Patients With Huntington’s Disease
Shu-Xia QIAN ; Yu-Feng BAO ; Xiao-Yan LI ; Yi DONG ; Zhi-Ying WU
Journal of Movement Disorders 2025;18(1):65-76
Objective:
Huntington’s disease (HD) is characterized by motor, cognitive, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Oculomotor impairments and gait variability have been independently considered as potential markers in HD. However, an integrated analysis of eye movement and gait is lacking. We performed multiple examinations of eye movement and gait variability in HTT mutation carriers, analyzed the consistency between these parameters and clinical severity, and then examined the associations between oculomotor impairments and gait deficits.
Methods:
We included 7 patients with pre-HD, 30 patients with HD and 30 age-matched controls. We collected demographic data and assessed the Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) score. Examinations, including saccades, smooth pursuit tests, and optokinetic (OPK) tests, were performed to evaluate eye movement function. The parameters of gait include stride length, walking velocity, step deviation, step length, and gait phase.
Results:
HD patients have significant impairments in the latency and velocity of saccades, the gain of smooth pursuit, and the gain and slow phase velocities of OPK tests. Only the speed of saccades significantly differed between pre-HD patients and controls. There are significant impairments in stride length, walking velocity, step length, and gait phase in HD patients. The parameters of eye movement and gait variability in HD patients were consistent with the UHDRS scores. There were significant correlations between eye movement and gait parameters.
Conclusion
Our results show that eye movement and gait are impaired in HD patients and that the speed of saccades is impaired early in pre-HD. Eye movement and gait abnormalities in HD patients are significantly correlated with clinical disease severity.
4.Effects of Different Modes in Hypoxic Training on Metabolic Improvements in Obese Individuals: a Systematic Review With Meta-analysis on Randomized Controlled Trail
Jie-Ping WANG ; Xiao-Shi LI ; Ru-Wen WANG ; Yi-Yin ZHANG ; Feng-Zhi YU ; Ru WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1587-1604
This paper aimed to systematically evaluate the effects of hypoxic training at different fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) on body composition, glucose metabolism, and lipid metabolism in obese individuals, and to determine the optimal oxygen concentration range to provide scientific evidence for personalized and precise hypoxic exercise prescriptions. A systematic search was conducted in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and CNKI databases for randomized controlled trials and pre-post intervention studies published up to March 31, 2025, involving hypoxic training interventions in obese populations. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software to assess the effects of different fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2≤14% vs. FiO2>14%) on BMI, body fat percentage, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), with subgroup analyses based on oxygen concentration. A total of 22 studies involving 292 participants were included. Meta-analysis showed that hypoxic training significantly reduced BMI (mean difference (MD)=-2.29,95%CI: -3.42 to -1.17, P<0.000 1), body fat percentage (MD=-2.32, 95%CI: -3.16 to -1.47, P<0.001), waist circumference (MD=-3.79, 95%CI: -6.73 to -0.85, P=0.01), fasting blood glucose (MD=-3.58, 95%CI: -6.23 to -0.93, P=0.008), insulin (MD=-1.60, 95%CI: -2.98 to -0.22, P=0.02), TG (MD=-0.18, 95%CI: -0.25 to -0.12, P<0.001), and LDL-C (MD=-0.25, 95%CI: -0.39 to -0.11, P=0.000 3). Greater improvements were observed under moderate hypoxic conditions with FiO2>14%. Changes in HOMA-IR (MD=-0.74, 95%CI: -1.52 to 0.04,P=0.06) and HDL-C (MD=-0.09, 95%CI: -0.21 to 0.02, P=0.11) were not statistically significant. Hypoxic training can significantly improve body composition, glucose metabolism, and lipid metabolism indicators in obese individuals, with greater benefits observed under moderate hypoxia (FiO>14%). As a key parameter in hypoxic exercise interventions, the precise setting of oxygen concentration is crucial for optimizing intervention outcomes.
5.The Role of AMPK in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy and Related Intervention Strategies
Fang-Lian LIAO ; Xiao-Feng CHEN ; Han-Yi XIANG ; Zhi XIA ; Hua-Yu SHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(10):2550-2567
Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a distinct form of cardiomyopathy that can lead to heart failure, arrhythmias, cardiogenic shock, and sudden death. It has become a major cause of mortality in diabetic patients. The pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy is complex, involving increased oxidative stress, activation of inflammatory responses, disturbances in glucose and lipid metabolism, accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), abnormal autophagy and apoptosis, insulin resistance, and impaired intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. Recent studies have shown that adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a crucial protective role by lowering blood glucose levels, promoting lipolysis, inhibiting lipid synthesis, and exerting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-ferroptotic effects. It also enhances autophagy, thereby alleviating myocardial injury under hyperglycemic conditions. Consequently, AMPK is considered a key protective factor in diabetic cardiomyopathy. As part of diabetes prevention and treatment strategies, both pharmacological and exercise interventions have been shown to mitigate diabetic cardiomyopathy by modulating the AMPK signaling pathway. However, the precise regulatory mechanisms, optimal intervention strategies, and clinical translation require further investigation. This review summarizes the role of AMPK in the prevention and treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy through drug and/or exercise interventions, aiming to provide a reference for the development and application of AMPK-targeted therapies. First, several classical AMPK activators (e.g., AICAR, A-769662, O-304, and metformin) have been shown to enhance autophagy and glucose uptake while inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory responses by increasing the phosphorylation of AMPK and its downstream target, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and/or by upregulating the gene expression of glucose transporters GLUT1 and GLUT4. Second, many antidiabetic agents (e.g., teneligliptin, liraglutide, exenatide, semaglutide, canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, and empagliflozin) can promote autophagy, reverse excessive apoptosis and autophagy, and alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation by enhancing AMPK phosphorylation and its downstream targets, such as mTOR, or by increasing the expression of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor‑α (PPAR‑α). Third, certain anti-anginal (e.g., trimetazidine, nicorandil), anti-asthmatic (e.g., farrerol), antibacterial (e.g., sodium houttuyfonate), and antibiotic (e.g., minocycline) agents have been shown to promote autophagy/mitophagy, mitochondrial biogenesis, and inhibit oxidative stress and lipid accumulation via AMPK phosphorylation and its downstream targets such as protein kinase B (PKB/AKT) and/or PPAR‑α. Fourth, natural compounds (e.g., dihydromyricetin, quercetin, resveratrol, berberine, platycodin D, asiaticoside, cinnamaldehyde, and icariin) can upregulate AMPK phosphorylation and downstream targets such as AKT, mTOR, and/or the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), thereby exerting anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-pyroptotic, antioxidant, and pro-autophagic effects. Fifth, moderate exercise (e.g., continuous or intermittent aerobic exercise, aerobic combined with resistance training, or high-intensity interval training) can activate AMPK and its downstream targets (e.g., acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), GLUT4, PPARγ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), PPAR-α, and forkhead box protein O3 (FOXO3)) to promote fatty acid oxidation and glucose uptake, and to inhibit oxidative stress and excessive mitochondrial fission. Finally, the combination of liraglutide and aerobic interval training has been shown to activate the AMPK/FOXO1 pathway, thereby reducing excessive myocardial fatty acid uptake and oxidation. This combination therapy offers superior improvement in cardiac dysfunction, myocardial hypertrophy, and fibrosis in diabetic conditions compared to liraglutide or exercise alone.
6.Interaction between neuron-glial cell gap junction and neural circuit
Hong-Bin WANG ; Jiao YAO ; Hui-Qin WANG ; Zhi-Feng TIAN ; Qi-Di AI ; Mei-Yu LIN ; Yan-Tao YANG ; Song-Wei YANG ; Nai-Hong CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(7):1210-1214
Gap junction(GJ),also known as gap junction,is widely found between neurons and glial cells,and can connect neighboring cells and mediate the transmission of electrical sig-nals between neighboring cells.The GJ channel,which exists between neurons and mediates intercellular electrical signaling,is also known as an electrical synapse.Connexins(Cxs)are the molecular basis of GJ,and are expressed to different degrees in different neurons and glial cells.The presence of GJ mediates different functions among neurons and glial cells,which further influences the establishment of various mature neural circuits,re-flecting the importance of GJ in the maintenance of neural cir-cuits.This review summarizes the relationship between GJ and neural circuits in relation to the effects of GJ and different Cxs on neurons and glial cells,providing new research ideas for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.
7.Development and in vivo biomechanics of goat mobile artificial lumbar spine complex
Feng ZHANG ; Xi-Jing HE ; Jian-Tao LIU ; Rui WANG ; Jie QIN ; Quan-Jin ZANG ; Ting ZHANG ; Zhi-Yu LIU
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2024;37(3):281-287
Objective Mobile artificial lumbar complex(MALC)which suitable for reconstruction after subtotal lumbar resection in goats was developed,and to test stability of the complex and postoperative lumbar segmental motor function.Methods Eighteen male boer goats aged from 1 to 2 years old(weighted from 35 to 45 kg)were selected and divided into con-trol group,fusion group and non-fusion group,with 6 goats in each group.According to preoperative CT scans and MRI exami-nations of lumbar,the goat MALC was designed and performed by 3D printed for non-fusion group.Operation was performed on three groups respectively,and only vertebral body and disc were exposed in control group.In fusion group,L4 part of vertebral body and the upper and lower complete disc tissues were removed,and the lumbar spine bone plate fixation was performed with titanium mesh bone grafting.In non-fusion group,vertebral body and disc were removed in the same way,and MALC was im-planted.AP and lateral X-rays of lumbar vertebrae in goat were taken at 6 months after surgery,in order to understand whether the plant was dislocated,displaced and fractured.Biomechanical tests were performed on the specimens by mechanical instru-ment to measure range of motion(ROM)of L2,3,L,4,L4,5intervertebral space and the overall ROM of L2-5 lumbar vertebrae.Results MALC of lumbar vertebra was designed by 3D printing,and its component artificial vertebrae and upper and lower ar-tificial end plates were manufactured.The semi-spherical structure was fabricated by precision lathe using high-crosslinked polyethylene material,and the prosthesis was assembled.Postoperative AP and lateral X-rays of lumbar vertebra at 6 months showed the implant position of implant and MALC were good without displacement and dislocation.In vitro biomechanical test of lumbar vertebrae specimens:(1)There were no statistical significance in ROM of lumbar intervertebral space flexion and extension,lateral flexion and rotation on L.4 and L4,5,between non-fusion group and control group(P>0.05),while ROM of fu-sion group was significantly reduced compared with the other two groups(P<0.05).There were no significant difference in ROM of L2.3 intervertebral flexion and extension,lateral flexion and rotation between non-fusion group and control group(P>0.05),while fusion group was significantly increased compared with the other two groups(P<0.001).(2)There was no signifi-cant difference in overall lumbar ROM of L2-5(P>0.05).Conclusion The individual MALC could restore intervertebral height of lumbar vertebra while maintaining the stability of lumbar vertebra and re-establishing motor function of lumbar space.
8.Clinical Analysis of Reversible Posterior Encephalopathy Syndrome after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Children
Zuo-Feng LI ; Hao XIONG ; Zhi CHEN ; Li YANG ; Ming SUN ; Wen-Jie LU ; Shan-Shan QI ; Fang TAO ; Lin-Lin LUO ; Yu-Qing JIAO
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(5):1560-1565
Objective:To summarize the clinical features of reversible posterior encephalopathy syndrome(PRES)after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(allo-HSCT)in children.Methods:The clinical data of six children who developed PRES after undergoing allo-HSCT in the Department of Hematology of Wuhan Children's Hospital from June 2016 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed,and their clinical characteristics,imaging examination,laboratory examination,and treatment regression were summarized.Results:Among 281 children underwent allo-HSCT,6 cases(2.14%)developed PRES,with a median age of 5.1(1.5-9.7)years old.4 cases underwent related haploidentical donor transplantation,and 2 cases underwent sibling allografting and unrelated donor allografting donor transplantation,respectively.All six children had an acute onset of illness,with clinical manifestations of nausea and vomiting,seizures,psychiatric disorders,visual disturbances.The five cases elevated blood pressure.All children with PRES were treated with oral immunosuppressive drugs during seizures,and 3 cases were combined with different degrees of graft-versus-host disease.Most of the children showed effective improvement in clinical symptoms and imaging after adjusting/discontinuing suspected medications(cyclosporine,etc.)and symptomatic supportive treatments(oral antihypertensive,diazepam for antispasmodic,mannitol to lower cranial blood pressure),and one of them relapsed more than 8 months after the first seizure.Conclusion:PRES is rare after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children,and its onset may be related to hypertension,cytotoxic drugs,graft-versus-host disease,etc.Most of them can be recovered after active treatment,but not completely reversible,and the prognosis of those who combined with TMA is poor.
9.Application value of ultrasound technology in transurethral enucleation and resection of the prostate
Yu XIONG ; Feng-Feng LU ; Qi JIANG ; Zhen-Qian SONG ; Xiao-Feng ZHU ; Ze-Peng ZHU ; Zhi-Feng WEI ; Ai-Bing YAO
National Journal of Andrology 2024;30(4):300-305
Objective:To investigate the application value of ultrasound technology in transurethral enucleation and resection of the prostate(TUERP).Methods:This study included 78 BPH patients admitted in our hospital from June 2021 to June 2023,aged 70.68±8.63 years and with the indication of surgery.We randomly divided them into two groups to receive TUERP(the control group,n=39)and ultrasound-assisted TUERP(the US-TUERP group,n=39).We statistically analyzed and compared the rele-vant parameters obtained before and after operation between the two groups.Results:No statistically significant differences were ob-served in the operation time and bladder irrigation time between the two groups(P>0.05).More glandular tissues were removed but less intraoperative bleeding and fewer perioperative complications occurred in the US-TUERP group than in the control.Compared with the baseline,IPSS,postvoid residual urine volume(PVR),quality of life score(QOL)and maximum urinary flow rate(Qmax)were significantly improved in both groups at 1 and 3 months after surgery,even more significantly in the US-TUERP than in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:US-TUERP helps achieve complete resection of the hyperplastic prostatic tissue along the surgical capsule at the anatomical level,with a higher safety,fewer perioperative complications,and better therapeutic effects.
10.Ionizing radiation-induced damage(IRD)to and repair mechanisms of the male reproductive system:Report of testicular function changes in a case of IRD
Neng-Liang DUAN ; Hua-Pei WANG ; Yuan-Shuai RAN ; Zhi-Xiang GAO ; Feng-Mei CUI ; Qiu CHEN ; Yu-Long LIU ; You-You WANG ; Bo-Xin XUE ; Xiao-Long LIU
National Journal of Andrology 2024;30(8):687-695
Objective:To investigate the impact of ionizing radiation(IR)on the structure and function of the testis and pro-vide some strategies for the prevention and treatment of IR-induced damage(IRD).Methods:Using radiation dose simulation,se-men analysis,hormone testing,electron microscopy and single-cell transcriptome sequencing,we assessed and analyzed a case of IRD.We established a mouse model of IRD to validate the results of single-cell sequencing,and investigated the specific biological mecha-nisms of IRD and potential strategies for its intervention.Results:IR at 1-2 Gy significantly reduced sperm concentration and mo-tility,which gradually recovered after 12 months but the percentage of morphologically normal sperm remained low.It also caused im-balanced levels of various steroid hormones,decreased testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate,increased progesterone,prolac-tin,luteinizing hormone,and follicle-stimulating hormone.Electron microscopy revealed damages to the testis structure,including loss of germ cells,atrophy of the seminiferous tubules,nuclear membrane depression of the spermatocytes,mitochondrial atrophy and de-formation,and reduction of mitochondrial cristae.Single-cell sequencing indicated significant changes in the function of the Leydig cells and macrophages and disrupted lipid-related metabolic pathways after IRD.Administration of L-carnitine to the mouse model im-proved lipid metabolism disorders and partially alleviated IRD to the germ cells.Conclusion:Ionizing radiation can cause disorders of testicular spermatogenesis and sexual hormones and inhibit lipid metabolism pathways in Leydig cells and macrophages.Improving lipid metabolism can alleviate IRD to germ cells.

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