OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of early life intervention with Bifidobacterium bifidum BD-1 (B. bifidum BD-1) on hyperactivity in a female mouse model of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Eight newborn female Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and 6 spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs) were gavaged with saline and another 6 SHRs were gavaged with B. bifidum BD-1 (10⁹ CFU) daily for 3 weeks. Open field test of the rats was conducted at 7 weeks, and fecal samples were collected at weaning (3 weeks) and at 7 weeks for 16S rRNA sequencing. Immunofluorescent staining was used to detect dopamine transporter (DAT) and tyrosine hydroxylase (Th) levels in the striatum and activated microglia in the prefrontal cortex. Treg cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen and blood were analyzed using flow cytometry. RESULTS: The SHRs traveled a significantly greater distance in open fields test than WKY rats, and this behavior was significantly attenuated by B. bifidum BD-1 intervention. The expression of DAT and Th in the striatum was significantly lower in the SHRs than in WKY rats, while B. bifidum BD-1 treatment obviously increased Th levels in the SHRs. B. bifidum BD-1 intervention significantly deceased the number of activated microglia and increased Treg cell counts in the spleen of SHRs. The treatment also enhanced α diversity in gut microbiota of the SHRs and resulted in a decreased Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio, more active Muribaculaceae growth, and suppression of Clostridia_UCG-014 proliferation. CONCLUSIONS Early life intervention with B. bifidum BD-1 alleviates hyperactivity in female SHRs by modulating the gut microbiota and peripheral immune response, suppressing neuroinflammation and improving dopaminergic system function. These findings provide evidence for early prevention strategies and support the development and application of psychobiotics for ADHD.
Animals ; Female ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/therapy* ; Bifidobacterium bifidum ; Probiotics/therapeutic use* ; Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins/metabolism* ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase/metabolism* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Disease Models, Animal

Objective:To compare the effects of tele-rehabilitation delivered via a WeChat mim-program with traditional outpatient-home combined rehabilitation for non-specific neck pain patients.Method:Individuals with non-specific neck pain were recruited from the Rehabilitation Medicine Department of West China Hospital between January 2021 and August 2021,were randomly assigned to either tele-rehabili-tation treatment group(TRG)or outpatient-home combined rehabilitation group.Both groups received compre-hensive exercise therapy at home or in the clinic for 4 weeks.Assessments were conducted at baseline,4 weeks,and 8 weeks post-intervention,using the Neck Disability Index(NDI),Numeric Pain Rating Scale(NPRS),and Pain Self-efficacy Questionnaire(PSEQ).Result:A total of 60 patients completed the intervention,with 30 in each group.There were no significant de-mographic differences between groups.At the 4-week mark,both groups showed significant improvements in NDI,NPRS and PSEQ scores compared to baseline,but no significant differences were found between groups.By the 8th week,the tele-rehabilitation group showed further improvements in all three metrics,with NDI and NPRS scores significantly better than those of the outpatient-home combined rehabilitation group.Conclusion:Both remote and outpatient-home combined comprehensive exercise therapies demonstrate short-term effects on non-specific neck pain.However,tele-rehabilitation exhibited more sustained improvements,sug-gesting that it holds promise for further clinical application.

Objective:To compare the effects of tele-rehabilitation delivered via a WeChat mim-program with traditional outpatient-home combined rehabilitation for non-specific neck pain patients.Method:Individuals with non-specific neck pain were recruited from the Rehabilitation Medicine Department of West China Hospital between January 2021 and August 2021,were randomly assigned to either tele-rehabili-tation treatment group(TRG)or outpatient-home combined rehabilitation group.Both groups received compre-hensive exercise therapy at home or in the clinic for 4 weeks.Assessments were conducted at baseline,4 weeks,and 8 weeks post-intervention,using the Neck Disability Index(NDI),Numeric Pain Rating Scale(NPRS),and Pain Self-efficacy Questionnaire(PSEQ).Result:A total of 60 patients completed the intervention,with 30 in each group.There were no significant de-mographic differences between groups.At the 4-week mark,both groups showed significant improvements in NDI,NPRS and PSEQ scores compared to baseline,but no significant differences were found between groups.By the 8th week,the tele-rehabilitation group showed further improvements in all three metrics,with NDI and NPRS scores significantly better than those of the outpatient-home combined rehabilitation group.Conclusion:Both remote and outpatient-home combined comprehensive exercise therapies demonstrate short-term effects on non-specific neck pain.However,tele-rehabilitation exhibited more sustained improvements,sug-gesting that it holds promise for further clinical application.

Objective To explore association between serum uric acid(SUA)in early pregnancy and the subsequent risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy.Methods In this cohort study,2875 pregnant women who went to obstetrics department of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January 2017 to December 2021 were retrospectively included.Univariate and mult-ivariate penalized smoothing splines cox regression was applied to model the association of serum UA with risk of preeclamp-sia.Results Non-linear associations between serum UA and preeclampsia risk were observed,and there was a U-shaped associ-ation of uric acid with the risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women.pregnant women had the lowest risk of PE when SUA=282μmol/L.The cox regression result showed that the risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women with SUA levels＜220 μmol/L or≥325 μmol/L in the first trimester was 2.72 times(95％CI:1.83-4.05)or 2.82 times(95％CI:1.88-4.22)than those with uric acid levels of 275-299 μmol/L.Conclusion There is a U-shaped association between serum UA levels in early pregnancy and preeclampsia.Either too high or too low SUA will increase the risk of PE.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between the age of men and the quality of semen, as well as the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) in assisted reproduction couples.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted, collecting clinical data from 3 361 men who underwent assisted reproductive technology for fertility treatment at the Reproductive Medicine Center of Wuhan University People's Hospital from January 2020 to August 2023 due to non-male factors. Computer-assisted semen analysis system (CASA) was used to analyze semen quality parameters, and DFI was measured by Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA). Patients were categorized into three groups based on age: 20-29 years (group A), 30-39 years (group B), and 40-59 years (group C). Multiple linear regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) were used to analyze the correlation between age and semen quality parameters as well as DFI.Results:The study included 3 361 participants with an average age of (34.86±5.34) years. In groups B and C, sperm progressive motility [(40.17±18.16)%, (37.83±16.96)%] and total motility [(55.27±21.37)%, (53.09±21.14)%] were significantly lower than those in group A [(43.78±18.16)%, (58.29±20.24)%], sperm concentration [(78.96±63.04)×10 6/mL, (91.93±72.28)×10 6/mL] and DFI [(19.18±12.18)%, (21.73±12.52)%] were significantly higher than those in group A [(71.75±57.44)×10 6/mL, (16.31±10.04)%], semen volume was significantly lower in group C [(2.94±1.42) mL] than in groups B and A [(3.28±1.43) mL, (3.15±1.58) mL], with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). After adjusting for education level, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, and abstinence days, the results of multiple linear regression showed that compared with group A, the age of group B was negatively associated with sperm progressive motility ( β=-3.055, 95% CI: -4.879--1.231) and total motility ( β=-2.366, 95% CI:-4.516--0.216), while positively associated with sperm concentration ( β=7.752, 95% CI: 1.398-4.106) and DFI ( β=2.744, 95% CI: 1.526-3.961). Compared with group A, the age of group C was negatively correlated with semen volume ( β=-0.379, 95% CI: -0.565--0.192), sperm progressive motility ( β=-5.507, 95% CI: -7.714--3.301), and total motility ( β=-4.932, 95% CI: -7.532--2.331), while positively correlated with sperm concentration ( β=17.288, 95% CI: 9.604-24.973) and DFI ( β=5.226, 95% CI: 3.753-6.699). The results of RCS analysis indicated a significant linear dose-response relationship between age and semen volume ( Pnon-linearity=0.424), showing a decline in semen volume with increasing age ( P<0.001). Non-linear dose-response relationships were observed between age and sperm density ( Pnon-linearity=0.003), sperm progressive motility ( Pnon-linearity<0.001), total motility ( Pnon-linearity<0.001), and DFI ( Pnon-linearity=0.004). Conclusion:In men undergoing assisted reproductive technology for fertility treatment due to non-male factors, age greater than 30 years is significantly associated with a decrease in semen volume, sperm progressive motility, and total motility, as well as an increase in sperm density and DFI.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between the age of men and the quality of semen, as well as the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) in assisted reproduction couples.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted, collecting clinical data from 3 361 men who underwent assisted reproductive technology for fertility treatment at the Reproductive Medicine Center of Wuhan University People's Hospital from January 2020 to August 2023 due to non-male factors. Computer-assisted semen analysis system (CASA) was used to analyze semen quality parameters, and DFI was measured by Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA). Patients were categorized into three groups based on age: 20-29 years (group A), 30-39 years (group B), and 40-59 years (group C). Multiple linear regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) were used to analyze the correlation between age and semen quality parameters as well as DFI.Results:The study included 3 361 participants with an average age of (34.86±5.34) years. In groups B and C, sperm progressive motility [(40.17±18.16)%, (37.83±16.96)%] and total motility [(55.27±21.37)%, (53.09±21.14)%] were significantly lower than those in group A [(43.78±18.16)%, (58.29±20.24)%], sperm concentration [(78.96±63.04)×10 6/mL, (91.93±72.28)×10 6/mL] and DFI [(19.18±12.18)%, (21.73±12.52)%] were significantly higher than those in group A [(71.75±57.44)×10 6/mL, (16.31±10.04)%], semen volume was significantly lower in group C [(2.94±1.42) mL] than in groups B and A [(3.28±1.43) mL, (3.15±1.58) mL], with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). After adjusting for education level, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, and abstinence days, the results of multiple linear regression showed that compared with group A, the age of group B was negatively associated with sperm progressive motility ( β=-3.055, 95% CI: -4.879--1.231) and total motility ( β=-2.366, 95% CI:-4.516--0.216), while positively associated with sperm concentration ( β=7.752, 95% CI: 1.398-4.106) and DFI ( β=2.744, 95% CI: 1.526-3.961). Compared with group A, the age of group C was negatively correlated with semen volume ( β=-0.379, 95% CI: -0.565--0.192), sperm progressive motility ( β=-5.507, 95% CI: -7.714--3.301), and total motility ( β=-4.932, 95% CI: -7.532--2.331), while positively correlated with sperm concentration ( β=17.288, 95% CI: 9.604-24.973) and DFI ( β=5.226, 95% CI: 3.753-6.699). The results of RCS analysis indicated a significant linear dose-response relationship between age and semen volume ( Pnon-linearity=0.424), showing a decline in semen volume with increasing age ( P<0.001). Non-linear dose-response relationships were observed between age and sperm density ( Pnon-linearity=0.003), sperm progressive motility ( Pnon-linearity<0.001), total motility ( Pnon-linearity<0.001), and DFI ( Pnon-linearity=0.004). Conclusion:In men undergoing assisted reproductive technology for fertility treatment due to non-male factors, age greater than 30 years is significantly associated with a decrease in semen volume, sperm progressive motility, and total motility, as well as an increase in sperm density and DFI.

Astrocytes are increasingly recognized to play an active role in learning and memory, but whether neural inputs can trigger event-specific astrocytic Ca²⁺ dynamics in real time to participate in working memory remains unclear due to the difficulties in directly monitoring astrocytic Ca²⁺ dynamics in animals performing tasks. Here, using fiber photometry, we showed that population astrocytic Ca²⁺ dynamics in the hippocampus were gated by sensory inputs (centered at the turning point of the T-maze) and modified by the reward delivery during the encoding and retrieval phases. Notably, there was a strong inter-locked and antagonistic relationship between the astrocytic and neuronal Ca²⁺ dynamics with a 3-s phase difference. Furthermore, there was a robust synchronization of astrocytic Ca²⁺ at the population level among the hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex, and striatum. The inter-locked, bidirectional communication between astrocytes and neurons at the population level may contribute to the modulation of information processing in working memory.
Animals ; Astrocytes ; Hippocampus/physiology* ; Humans ; Memory, Short-Term/physiology* ; Mice ; Neurons/physiology* ; Population Dynamics