1.Optical coherence tomography angiography in diabetic retinopathy: focusing on microvascular changes
Xiongyi YANG ; Guoguo YI ; Yanxia CHEN ; Siyu YANG ; Shibei AI ; Cong ZHENG ; Mingzhe CAO ; Min FU
International Eye Science 2025;25(2):179-190
AIM:To investigate the value of optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)indicators in the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy(DR), and to provide patients with diabetic nephropathy(DN)with more sensitive OCTA screening indicators to detect concurrent DR at an early stage.METHODS: A total of 200 patients who treated in the ophthalmology department of the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University from 2022 to 2023 were included, including 95 first-diagnosed DR patients and 105 patients without DR, and all patients underwent OCTA examination and a collection of demographics and renal function parameters. After a quality check, automated measurements of the foveal avascular zone area, vessel density(VD), and perfusion density(PD)of both 3 mm×3 mm and 6 mm×6 mm windows were obtained.RESULTS: Using random forest and multivariate Logistic regression methods, we developed a diagnostic model for DR based on 12 variables(age, FBG, SBP, DBP, HbA1c, ALT, ALP, urea/Scr, DM duration, HUA, DN, and CMT). Adding specific OCTA parameters enhanced the efficacy of the existing diagnostic model for DR(outer vessel density in 6 mm×6 mm window, AUC=0.837 vs 0.819, P=0.03). In the study of DN patients, the parameters in the 6 mm×6 mm window improved the diagnostic efficacy of DR(inner VD; outer VD; full VD; outer PD; full PD).CONCLUSION:The outer VD in the 6 mm×6 mm window can enhance the efficacy of the traditional DR diagnostic model. Meanwhile, compared with the 3 mm×3 mm window, the microvascular parameters in the 6 mm× 6 mm window focusing on DN patients can be more sensitive to diagnosing the occurrence of DR.
2.The Mechanism of Exercise Regulating Intestinal Flora in The Prevention and Treatment of Depression
Lei-Zi MIN ; Jing-Tong WANG ; Qing-Yuan WANG ; Yi-Cong CUI ; Rui WANG ; Xin-Dong MA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1418-1434
Depression, a prevalent mental disorder with significant socioeconomic burdens, underscores the urgent need for safe and effective non-pharmacological interventions. Recent advances in microbiome research have revealed the pivotal role of gut microbiota dysbiosis in the pathogenesis of depression. Concurrently, exercise, as a cost-effective and accessible intervention, has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in alleviating depressive symptoms. This comprehensive review synthesizes current evidence on the interplay among exercise, gut microbiota modulation, and depression, elucidating the mechanistic pathways through which exercise ameliorates depressive symptoms via the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis. Depression is characterized by gut microbiota alterations, including reduced alpha and beta diversity, depletion of beneficial taxa (e.g., Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Coprococcus), and overgrowth of pro-inflammatory and pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Morganella, Klebsiella, and Enterobacteriaceae). Metagenomic analyses reveal disrupted metabolic functions in depressive patients, such as diminished synthesis of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), impaired tryptophan metabolism, and dysregulated bile acid conversion. For instance, Bifidobacterium longum deficiency correlates with reduced synthesis of neuroactive metabolites like homovanillic acid, while decreased Coprococcus abundance limits butyrate production, exacerbating neuroinflammation. Furthermore, elevated levels of indole derivatives from Clostridium species inhibit serotonin (5-HT) synthesis, contributing to depressive phenotypes. These dysbiotic profiles disrupt the MGB axis, triggering systemic inflammation, neurotransmitter imbalances, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity. Exercise exerts profound effects on gut microbiota composition, diversity, and metabolic activity. Longitudinal studies demonstrate that sustained aerobic exercise increases alpha diversity, enriches SCFA-producing genera (e.g., Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Roseburia, and Akkermansia), and suppresses pathobionts (e.g., Desulfovibrio and Streptococcus). For example, a meta-analysis of 25 trials involving 1 044 participants confirmed that exercise enhances microbial richness and restores the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, a biomarker of metabolic health. Notably, endurance training promotes Veillonella proliferation, which converts lactate into propionate, enhancing energy metabolism and delaying fatigue. Exercise also strengthens intestinal barrier integrity by upregulating tight junction proteins (e.g., ZO-1, occludin), thereby reducing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) translocation and systemic inflammation. However, excessive exercise may paradoxically diminish microbial diversity and exacerbate intestinal permeability, highlighting the importance of moderate intensity and duration. Exercise ameliorates depressive symptoms through multifaceted interactions with the gut microbiota, primarily via 4 interconnected pathways. First, exercise mitigates neuroinflammation by elevating anti-inflammatory SCFAs such as butyrate, which suppresses NF-κB signaling to attenuate microglial activation and oxidative stress in the hippocampus. Animal studies demonstrate that voluntary wheel running reduces hippocampal TNF‑α and IL-17 levels in stress-induced depression models, while fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from exercised mice reverses depressive behaviors by modulating the TLR4/NF‑κB pathway. Second, exercise regulates neurotransmitter dynamics by enriching GABA-producing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, thereby counteracting neuronal hyperexcitability. Aerobic exercise also enhances the abundance of Lactobacillus plantarum and Streptococcus thermophilus, which facilitate 5-HT and dopamine synthesis. Clinical trials reveal that 12 weeks of moderate exercise increases fecal Coprococcus and Blautia abundance, correlating with improved 5-HT bioavailability and reduced depression scores. Third, exercise normalizes HPA axis hyperactivity by reducing cortisol levels and restoring glucocorticoid receptor sensitivity. In rodent models, chronic stress-induced corticosterone elevation is reversed by probiotic supplementation (e.g., Lactobacillus), which enhances endocannabinoid signaling and hippocampal neurogenesis. Furthermore, exercise upregulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) via microbial metabolites like butyrate, promoting histone acetylation and synaptic plasticity. FMT experiments confirm that exercise-induced microbiota elevates prefrontal BDNF expression, reversing stress-induced neuronal atrophy. Fourth, exercise reshapes microbial metabolic crosstalk, diverting tryptophan metabolism toward 5-HT synthesis instead of neurotoxic kynurenine derivatives. Butyrate inhibits indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), a key enzyme in the kynurenine pathway linked to depression. Concurrently, exercise-induced Akkermansia enrichment enhances mucin production, fortifies the gut barrier, and reduces LPS-driven neuroinflammation. Collectively, these mechanisms underscore exercise as a potent modulator of the microbiota-gut-brain axis, offering a holistic approach to alleviating depression through microbial and neurophysiological synergy. Current evidence supports exercise as a potent adjunct therapy for depression, with personalized regimens (e.g., aerobic, resistance, or yoga) tailored to individual microbiota profiles. However, challenges remain in optimizing exercise prescriptions (intensity, duration, and type) and integrating them with probiotics, prebiotics, or FMT for synergistic effects. Future research should prioritize large-scale randomized controlled trials to validate causality, multi-omics approaches to decipher MGB axis dynamics, and mechanistic studies exploring microbial metabolites as therapeutic targets. The authors advocate for a paradigm shift toward microbiota-centric interventions, emphasizing the bidirectional relationship between physical activity and gut ecosystem resilience in mental health management. In conclusion, this review underscores exercise as a multifaceted modulator of the gut-brain axis, offering novel insights into non-pharmacological strategies for depression. By bridging microbial ecology, neuroimmunology, and exercise physiology, this work lays a foundation for precision medicine approaches targeting the gut microbiota to alleviate depressive disorders.
3.Effects of Quorum Sensing Molecules on The Immune System
Wen-Min MA ; Xuan-Qi CHEN ; Hong-Xia MA ; Wen-Hui ZHANG ; Ling-Cong KONG ; Yu-Jia ZHOU ; Yuan-Yuan HU ; Yu JIA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(11):2853-2867
In recent years, the development of host-acting antibacterial compounds has gradually become a hotspot in the field of anti-infection. Through research on the interaction mechanism between hosts and pathogenic bacteria, it has been found that the immune system is one of the key targets of host-acting antibacterial compounds. There is a communication system called the quorum sensing system in microorganisms, which mainly adjusts the structure of multi-microbial community and coordinates the group behavior. When the quorum sensing molecules secreted by microorganisms reach a threshold concentration, the quorum sensing system is activated and the overall gene expression of the microorganism is changed. In addition to regulating the density of microorganisms, quorum sensing molecules can also act as a link between pathogenic microorganisms and hosts, entering the host immune system and playing a role in affecting the morphological structure of immune cells, secreting cytokines, and inducing apoptosis, leading to host immune injury and causing host immune dysfunction.The key mechanism of 3-oxo-C12-HSL and other acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) molecules in the innate immune system has been extensively studied. The lipid solubility allows AHLs to pass through the plasma membrane of host immune cells easily and induce dissolution of lipid domains. Then, it acts through signaling pathways such as p38MAPK and JAK-STAT, further influencing the immune cell’s defense response to bacteria and potentially leading to cell apoptosis. Additionally, the human lactonase paraoxonase 2, which can degrade3-oxo-C12-HSL, has been found in macrophage. It acts as an immune regulator that promotes macrophage phagocytosis of pathogens and is hypothesized to have the ability to reduce bacterial resistance. The mechanism of quorum sensing molecules in the adaptive immune system is less studied, the current results suggest that 3-oxo-C12-HSL is closely related to the mitochondrial pathway in host immune cells. For example, 3-oxo-C12-HSL induces apoptosis of Jurkat cells by inhibiting the expression of three mitochondrial electron transport chain proteins; it can also trigger mitochondrial dysfunction and induce mast cell apoptosis through Ca2+ signaling.Among the quorum sensing molecules, the AHLs have the greatest impact on plant immune system. The different effects on plant resistance depends on the chain lengths of acyl groups in bacterial-produced AHLs. Short-chain AHLs (C4-HSL and C8-HSL) induce plant resistance to pathogenic bacteria mainly through the auxin pathway and jasmonic acid pathway. Long-chain AHL (3-oxo-C14-HSL) is commonly used in hosts against fungal pathogens by inducing stomata defense responses, and the reaction process is related to salicylic acid. Diffusible signal factor molecules also interfere with the stomatal immunity caused by pathogens. It may act through the formin nanoclustering-mediated actin assembly and MPK3 pathway to inhibit the innate immunity of Arabidopsis. In summary, AHLs induced different plant pathways and affects the plant-bacteria interactions to trigger plant immunity. As a quorum sensing molecule of fungi, farnesol has similar effects on host immunity as AHLs, such as stimulating cytokine secretion and activating an inflammatory response. It also plays a unique role on dendritic cell differentiation and maturation. In addition, studies have found that farnesol has a protective effect on autoimmune encephalomyelitis, which may be related to its effect on the composition of intestinal microorganisms of the host.Therefore, targeting the host immune system and quorum sensing molecules to develop antibacterial compounds can effectively inhibit the invasion of pathogens and subserve the host to resist the influence of pathogenic bacteria. This article will review the mechanism of host immune responses triggered by important quorum sensing molecules, aiming to explore the targets of host-acting antibacterial compounds and provide new directions for the prevention or treatment of causative infectious sources and the development of related drugs.
4.Effect of timely induction intervention on postpartum urination of primipara in vaginal delivery
Dan GUO ; Min LING ; Zijing WANG ; Yan BI ; Huijing SHI ; Xiaoyan LIU ; Fenghui CONG
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2024;40(6):401-406
Objective:To explore the effect of timely induction intervention on postpartum urination in primipara during vaginal delivery, so as to provide the evidence for preventing the occurrence of postpartum urinary retention and relieving the pain of primipara.Methods:This study adopted a randomized controlled trial design, and selected 400 cases of primipara who were hospitalized for vaginal delivery in the Obstetric Department of Dalian Women and Children's Medical Group Sports New Town Hospital from June 2021 to September 2022 as the study objects by convenience sampling method. They were divided into the intervention group and the control group with 200 cases each by random number table method, and the control group received routine postpartum care. Instruct active urination within 6 hours after delivery. The intervention received timely induction urination intervention. The general condition and bladder urine volume of the women in the intervention group were evaluated at 2, 4, 6 h after delivery, respectively, and personalized guidance was implemented, including the frequency of massage of the bottom of the uterus, the control of water intake, the selection of methods and timing of inducing urination, etc., and routine postpartum care was given when the women completed their first urination and had no complaints of discomfort. The first urination time, first urination volume, first bladder irritation during the first urination and the incidence of postpartum urinary retention in different periods were compared between the two groups.Results:The patients in the control group were (29.60 ± 3.20) years old, while the patients in the intervention group were (28.81 ± 3.42) years old. The first urination time in the intervention group was (6.89 ± 2.18) h, which was shorter than that in the control group (9.11 ± 3.86) h, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-2.49, P<0.01). The first urination volume in the intervention group was (322.36 ± 120.15) ml, which was higher than that in the control group (262.93 ± 105.68) ml, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=3.39, P<0.05). The incidence of the first bladder irritation in the intervention group was 22.0%(44/200), which was lower than that in the control group 33.5%(67/200), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=6.60, P<0.05). The incidence of postpartum urinary retention within 24 h in the intervention group was 5.5%(11/200), which was lower than that in the control group 11.5%(23/200), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.63, P<0.05). The incidence of postpartum urinary retention within 1 week in the intervention group was 9.5%(19/200), which was lower than that in the control group 16.5%(33/200), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.33, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postpartum urinary retention within 24 to 72 h between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Timely induction intervention can reduce the incidence of postpartum urinary retention, shorten the time of first urination, increase the volume of first urination and improve the comfort of first urination, which is worthy of clinical application.
5.Distributions of Visual Receptive Fields from Retinotopic to Craniotopic Coordinates in the Lateral Intraparietal Area and Frontal Eye Fields of the Macaque.
Lin YANG ; Min JIN ; Cong ZHANG ; Ning QIAN ; Mingsha ZHANG
Neuroscience Bulletin 2024;40(2):171-181
Even though retinal images of objects change their locations following each eye movement, we perceive a stable and continuous world. One possible mechanism by which the brain achieves such visual stability is to construct a craniotopic coordinate by integrating retinal and extraretinal information. There have been several proposals on how this may be done, including eye-position modulation (gain fields) of retinotopic receptive fields (RFs) and craniotopic RFs. In the present study, we investigated coordinate systems used by RFs in the lateral intraparietal (LIP) cortex and frontal eye fields (FEF) and compared the two areas. We mapped the two-dimensional RFs of neurons in detail under two eye fixations and analyzed how the RF of a given neuron changes with eye position to determine its coordinate representation. The same recording and analysis procedures were applied to the two brain areas. We found that, in both areas, RFs were distributed from retinotopic to craniotopic representations. There was no significant difference between the distributions in the LIP and FEF. Only a small fraction of neurons was fully craniotopic, whereas most neurons were between the retinotopic and craniotopic representations. The distributions were strongly biased toward the retinotopic side but with significant craniotopic shifts. These results suggest that there is only weak evidence for craniotopic RFs in the LIP and FEF, and that transformation from retinotopic to craniotopic coordinates in these areas must rely on other factors such as gain fields.
Animals
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Macaca
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Visual Fields
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Frontal Lobe/physiology*
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Eye Movements
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Brain
6.Chemical diversity of azaphilones from the marine-derived fungus Talaromyces sp. HK1-18
Jia-cheng XUE ; Zhong-hui LI ; Bao-cong HAO ; Yao-yao ZHENG ; Xia-hao ZHU ; Zhi-xin CHEN ; Min CHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(5):1478-1483
GNPS-based mass spectrum-molecular networks is an effective strategy for rapidly identifying known natural products and discovering novel structures. The chemical diversity of azaphilones from the fermentation extracts of
7.Study on the Mechanisms of Successful Aging at Work of Senior Clinicians in Public Hospitals Based on Grounded Theory
Yating CONG ; Min WANG ; Jingjia ZHU ; Yueming LI ; Hongbing TAO
Chinese Hospital Management 2024;44(11):65-69
Objective An exploratory study of the mechanisms for achieving successful aging at work of clinicians in public hospitals by applying grounded theory and proposing appropriate management recommendations.Methods 24 medical staff from 5 public hospitals in Hubei and Shandong Provinces were interviewed in semi-structured interviews by using purposive sampling methods from June to August in 2023.The interview records were coded,analyzed and integrated with grounded theory.Results Through open coding,spindle coding and selective coding,204 original concepts,47 categories,16 main categories and 5 core category related to model of the mechanism for achieving successful aging at work of clinicians.Conclusion Successful aging at work of senior clinicians encompasses five main areas:physical and mental health,work adaptation,relationships and legacy,internal and external compensation,and value realization.Organizational support factors,individual job crafting affect successful aging at work of senior clinicians by meeting the psychological needs,achieving effective resource management,and promoting person-job matching;individual characteristic factors play a moderating role;job crafting mediates the effect of organizational support factors on successful aging at work among clinicians.
8.Study on the Mechanisms of Successful Aging at Work of Senior Clinicians in Public Hospitals Based on Grounded Theory
Yating CONG ; Min WANG ; Jingjia ZHU ; Yueming LI ; Hongbing TAO
Chinese Hospital Management 2024;44(11):65-69
Objective An exploratory study of the mechanisms for achieving successful aging at work of clinicians in public hospitals by applying grounded theory and proposing appropriate management recommendations.Methods 24 medical staff from 5 public hospitals in Hubei and Shandong Provinces were interviewed in semi-structured interviews by using purposive sampling methods from June to August in 2023.The interview records were coded,analyzed and integrated with grounded theory.Results Through open coding,spindle coding and selective coding,204 original concepts,47 categories,16 main categories and 5 core category related to model of the mechanism for achieving successful aging at work of clinicians.Conclusion Successful aging at work of senior clinicians encompasses five main areas:physical and mental health,work adaptation,relationships and legacy,internal and external compensation,and value realization.Organizational support factors,individual job crafting affect successful aging at work of senior clinicians by meeting the psychological needs,achieving effective resource management,and promoting person-job matching;individual characteristic factors play a moderating role;job crafting mediates the effect of organizational support factors on successful aging at work among clinicians.
9.Study on the Mechanisms of Successful Aging at Work of Senior Clinicians in Public Hospitals Based on Grounded Theory
Yating CONG ; Min WANG ; Jingjia ZHU ; Yueming LI ; Hongbing TAO
Chinese Hospital Management 2024;44(11):65-69
Objective An exploratory study of the mechanisms for achieving successful aging at work of clinicians in public hospitals by applying grounded theory and proposing appropriate management recommendations.Methods 24 medical staff from 5 public hospitals in Hubei and Shandong Provinces were interviewed in semi-structured interviews by using purposive sampling methods from June to August in 2023.The interview records were coded,analyzed and integrated with grounded theory.Results Through open coding,spindle coding and selective coding,204 original concepts,47 categories,16 main categories and 5 core category related to model of the mechanism for achieving successful aging at work of clinicians.Conclusion Successful aging at work of senior clinicians encompasses five main areas:physical and mental health,work adaptation,relationships and legacy,internal and external compensation,and value realization.Organizational support factors,individual job crafting affect successful aging at work of senior clinicians by meeting the psychological needs,achieving effective resource management,and promoting person-job matching;individual characteristic factors play a moderating role;job crafting mediates the effect of organizational support factors on successful aging at work among clinicians.
10.Study on the Mechanisms of Successful Aging at Work of Senior Clinicians in Public Hospitals Based on Grounded Theory
Yating CONG ; Min WANG ; Jingjia ZHU ; Yueming LI ; Hongbing TAO
Chinese Hospital Management 2024;44(11):65-69
Objective An exploratory study of the mechanisms for achieving successful aging at work of clinicians in public hospitals by applying grounded theory and proposing appropriate management recommendations.Methods 24 medical staff from 5 public hospitals in Hubei and Shandong Provinces were interviewed in semi-structured interviews by using purposive sampling methods from June to August in 2023.The interview records were coded,analyzed and integrated with grounded theory.Results Through open coding,spindle coding and selective coding,204 original concepts,47 categories,16 main categories and 5 core category related to model of the mechanism for achieving successful aging at work of clinicians.Conclusion Successful aging at work of senior clinicians encompasses five main areas:physical and mental health,work adaptation,relationships and legacy,internal and external compensation,and value realization.Organizational support factors,individual job crafting affect successful aging at work of senior clinicians by meeting the psychological needs,achieving effective resource management,and promoting person-job matching;individual characteristic factors play a moderating role;job crafting mediates the effect of organizational support factors on successful aging at work among clinicians.

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