1.The Use of Speech in Screening for Cognitive Decline in Older Adults
Si-Wen WANG ; Xiao-Xiao YIN ; Lin-Lin GAO ; Wen-Jun GUI ; Qiao-Xia HU ; Qiong LOU ; Qin-Wen WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):456-463
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that severely affects the health of the elderly, marked by its incurability, high prevalence, and extended latency period. The current approach to AD prevention and treatment emphasizes early detection and intervention, particularly during the pre-AD stage of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which provides an optimal “window of opportunity” for intervention. Clinical detection methods for MCI, such as cerebrospinal fluid monitoring, genetic testing, and imaging diagnostics, are invasive and costly, limiting their broad clinical application. Speech, as a vital cognitive output, offers a new perspective and tool for computer-assisted analysis and screening of cognitive decline. This is because elderly individuals with cognitive decline exhibit distinct characteristics in semantic and audio information, such as reduced lexical richness, decreased speech coherence and conciseness, and declines in speech rate, voice rhythm, and hesitation rates. The objective presence of these semantic and audio characteristics lays the groundwork for computer-based screening of cognitive decline. Speech information is primarily sourced from databases or collected through tasks involving spontaneous speech, semantic fluency, and reading, followed by analysis using computer models. Spontaneous language tasks include dialogues/interviews, event descriptions, narrative recall, and picture descriptions. Semantic fluency tasks assess controlled retrieval of vocabulary items, requiring participants to extract information at the word level during lexical search. Reading tasks involve participants reading a passage aloud. Summarizing past research, the speech characteristics of the elderly can be divided into two major categories: semantic information and audio information. Semantic information focuses on the meaning of speech across different tasks, highlighting differences in vocabulary and text content in cognitive impairment. Overall, discourse pragmatic disorders in AD can be studied along three dimensions: cohesion, coherence, and conciseness. Cohesion mainly examines the use of vocabulary by participants, with a reduction in the use of nouns, pronouns, verbs, and adjectives in AD patients. Coherence assesses the ability of participants to maintain topics, with a decrease in the number of subordinate clauses in AD patients. Conciseness evaluates the information density of participants, with AD patients producing shorter texts with less information compared to normal elderly individuals. Audio information focuses on acoustic features that are difficult for the human ear to detect. There is a significant degradation in temporal parameters in the later stages of cognitive impairment; AD patients require more time to read the same paragraph, have longer vocalization times, and produce more pauses or silent parts in their spontaneous speech signals compared to normal individuals. Researchers have extracted audio and speech features, developing independent systems for each set of features, achieving an accuracy rate of 82% for both, which increases to 86% when both types of features are combined, demonstrating the advantage of integrating audio and speech information. Currently, deep learning and machine learning are the main methods used for information analysis. The overall diagnostic accuracy rate for AD exceeds 80%, and the diagnostic accuracy rate for MCI also exceeds 80%, indicating significant potential. Deep learning techniques require substantial data support, necessitating future expansion of database scale and continuous algorithm upgrades to transition from laboratory research to practical product implementation.
2.Determination of biological activity of teduglutide by a homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence method
Xiao-ming ZHANG ; Ran MA ; Li-jing LÜ ; Lü-yin WANG ; Ping LÜ ; Cheng-gang LIANG ; Jing LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):211-217
In this study, we constructed a GLP-2R-HEK293 cell line and established a method for the determination of the
3.An Ethnic Minority Perspective: Association Between Negative Life Events and Depressive Symptoms in Yi Adolescents in China
Qingqing XIAO ; Xiaozhen SONG ; Shoukang ZOU ; Ying WANG ; Tuge WAQI ; Li YIN
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(4):405-411
Objective:
This study explored whether anxiety and core self-evaluation mediate the relationship between negative life events and depressive symptoms in adolescents of the Yi ethnic minority in China.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 627 Yi adolescents 10–19 years old (252 males, 40.2%) from primary, middle and high schools in Liangshan Prefecture in China completed the Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist (ASLEC) to report on negative life events, the Second Edition of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) to report on depressive symptoms, the Core Self-Evaluations Scale (CSES) to describe core self-evaluation, and the Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) to report anxiety symptoms.
Results:
In Pearson correlation analysis, total score and dimension subscores on the ASLEC correlated positively with total score and dimension subscores on the SCARED survey as well as with total score on the BDI. Total ASLEC score and dimension subscores correlated negatively with total CSES score. Mediation analysis indicated that negative life events affected depressive symptoms directly, as well as indirectly via core self-evaluation (mediating effect was 0.087; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.063–0.113; p<0.001). The chain-mediated pathway effect was significant (mediating effect was 0.017; 95% CI, 0.011–0.026; p<0.001).
Conclusion
Yi adolescents in Liangshan Prefecture show certain prevalence of anxiety and depression, and they score relatively low on core self-evaluation. In this ethnic group, negative life events can affect depressive symptoms directly as well as indirectly through chain-mediated effects of anxiety and core self-evaluation.
4.An Ethnic Minority Perspective: Association Between Negative Life Events and Depressive Symptoms in Yi Adolescents in China
Qingqing XIAO ; Xiaozhen SONG ; Shoukang ZOU ; Ying WANG ; Tuge WAQI ; Li YIN
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(4):405-411
Objective:
This study explored whether anxiety and core self-evaluation mediate the relationship between negative life events and depressive symptoms in adolescents of the Yi ethnic minority in China.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 627 Yi adolescents 10–19 years old (252 males, 40.2%) from primary, middle and high schools in Liangshan Prefecture in China completed the Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist (ASLEC) to report on negative life events, the Second Edition of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) to report on depressive symptoms, the Core Self-Evaluations Scale (CSES) to describe core self-evaluation, and the Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) to report anxiety symptoms.
Results:
In Pearson correlation analysis, total score and dimension subscores on the ASLEC correlated positively with total score and dimension subscores on the SCARED survey as well as with total score on the BDI. Total ASLEC score and dimension subscores correlated negatively with total CSES score. Mediation analysis indicated that negative life events affected depressive symptoms directly, as well as indirectly via core self-evaluation (mediating effect was 0.087; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.063–0.113; p<0.001). The chain-mediated pathway effect was significant (mediating effect was 0.017; 95% CI, 0.011–0.026; p<0.001).
Conclusion
Yi adolescents in Liangshan Prefecture show certain prevalence of anxiety and depression, and they score relatively low on core self-evaluation. In this ethnic group, negative life events can affect depressive symptoms directly as well as indirectly through chain-mediated effects of anxiety and core self-evaluation.
5.An Ethnic Minority Perspective: Association Between Negative Life Events and Depressive Symptoms in Yi Adolescents in China
Qingqing XIAO ; Xiaozhen SONG ; Shoukang ZOU ; Ying WANG ; Tuge WAQI ; Li YIN
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(4):405-411
Objective:
This study explored whether anxiety and core self-evaluation mediate the relationship between negative life events and depressive symptoms in adolescents of the Yi ethnic minority in China.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 627 Yi adolescents 10–19 years old (252 males, 40.2%) from primary, middle and high schools in Liangshan Prefecture in China completed the Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist (ASLEC) to report on negative life events, the Second Edition of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) to report on depressive symptoms, the Core Self-Evaluations Scale (CSES) to describe core self-evaluation, and the Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) to report anxiety symptoms.
Results:
In Pearson correlation analysis, total score and dimension subscores on the ASLEC correlated positively with total score and dimension subscores on the SCARED survey as well as with total score on the BDI. Total ASLEC score and dimension subscores correlated negatively with total CSES score. Mediation analysis indicated that negative life events affected depressive symptoms directly, as well as indirectly via core self-evaluation (mediating effect was 0.087; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.063–0.113; p<0.001). The chain-mediated pathway effect was significant (mediating effect was 0.017; 95% CI, 0.011–0.026; p<0.001).
Conclusion
Yi adolescents in Liangshan Prefecture show certain prevalence of anxiety and depression, and they score relatively low on core self-evaluation. In this ethnic group, negative life events can affect depressive symptoms directly as well as indirectly through chain-mediated effects of anxiety and core self-evaluation.
6.An Ethnic Minority Perspective: Association Between Negative Life Events and Depressive Symptoms in Yi Adolescents in China
Qingqing XIAO ; Xiaozhen SONG ; Shoukang ZOU ; Ying WANG ; Tuge WAQI ; Li YIN
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(4):405-411
Objective:
This study explored whether anxiety and core self-evaluation mediate the relationship between negative life events and depressive symptoms in adolescents of the Yi ethnic minority in China.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 627 Yi adolescents 10–19 years old (252 males, 40.2%) from primary, middle and high schools in Liangshan Prefecture in China completed the Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist (ASLEC) to report on negative life events, the Second Edition of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) to report on depressive symptoms, the Core Self-Evaluations Scale (CSES) to describe core self-evaluation, and the Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) to report anxiety symptoms.
Results:
In Pearson correlation analysis, total score and dimension subscores on the ASLEC correlated positively with total score and dimension subscores on the SCARED survey as well as with total score on the BDI. Total ASLEC score and dimension subscores correlated negatively with total CSES score. Mediation analysis indicated that negative life events affected depressive symptoms directly, as well as indirectly via core self-evaluation (mediating effect was 0.087; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.063–0.113; p<0.001). The chain-mediated pathway effect was significant (mediating effect was 0.017; 95% CI, 0.011–0.026; p<0.001).
Conclusion
Yi adolescents in Liangshan Prefecture show certain prevalence of anxiety and depression, and they score relatively low on core self-evaluation. In this ethnic group, negative life events can affect depressive symptoms directly as well as indirectly through chain-mediated effects of anxiety and core self-evaluation.
7.An Ethnic Minority Perspective: Association Between Negative Life Events and Depressive Symptoms in Yi Adolescents in China
Qingqing XIAO ; Xiaozhen SONG ; Shoukang ZOU ; Ying WANG ; Tuge WAQI ; Li YIN
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(4):405-411
Objective:
This study explored whether anxiety and core self-evaluation mediate the relationship between negative life events and depressive symptoms in adolescents of the Yi ethnic minority in China.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 627 Yi adolescents 10–19 years old (252 males, 40.2%) from primary, middle and high schools in Liangshan Prefecture in China completed the Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist (ASLEC) to report on negative life events, the Second Edition of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) to report on depressive symptoms, the Core Self-Evaluations Scale (CSES) to describe core self-evaluation, and the Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) to report anxiety symptoms.
Results:
In Pearson correlation analysis, total score and dimension subscores on the ASLEC correlated positively with total score and dimension subscores on the SCARED survey as well as with total score on the BDI. Total ASLEC score and dimension subscores correlated negatively with total CSES score. Mediation analysis indicated that negative life events affected depressive symptoms directly, as well as indirectly via core self-evaluation (mediating effect was 0.087; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.063–0.113; p<0.001). The chain-mediated pathway effect was significant (mediating effect was 0.017; 95% CI, 0.011–0.026; p<0.001).
Conclusion
Yi adolescents in Liangshan Prefecture show certain prevalence of anxiety and depression, and they score relatively low on core self-evaluation. In this ethnic group, negative life events can affect depressive symptoms directly as well as indirectly through chain-mediated effects of anxiety and core self-evaluation.
8.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.
9.Network pharmacology-based study of the mechanism of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) in the treatment of atherosclerosis by activating PPARγ
Ziyuan WANG ; Hui TAO ; Yingxue XIAO ; Zhiqi YIN
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(2):225-235
To investigate the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on lipids accumulation and the progression of atherosclerosis(AS), ApoE-/- mice fed with HFD were injected i.g. with two different doses of GBE (GBE-L 50 mg/(kg·d) or GBE-H 150 mg/(kg·d)) for 9 weeks. The core targets and potential mechanisms of GBE therapy for AS were investigated using network pharmacological target prediction. Subsequently, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced THP-1 was used to investigate the effect of GBE on foam cell formation through oil red staining and Dil-oxLDL fluorescent staining. The mRNA alterations in cholesterol uptake and efflux receptors were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. Finally, the impact of GBE on the expression of PPARγ as the core target was assessed through Western blot and immunofluorescence. It was found that GBE improved serum lipid profile, reduced necrotic cores and lipid deposition in aortic root plaques, and decreased the level of inflammatory factors in serum of ApoE-/- mice. Moreover, GBE treatment reduced the level of intracellular lipid accumulation and inhibited cholesterol uptake and efflux to alleviate foam cell formation. GBE activated PPARγ to enhance ABCA1/ABCG1-induced cholesterol efflux in THP-1. These results suggest that GBE can suppress lipid accumulation and alleviate foam cell formation by activating PPARγ pathway.
10.Two types of coumarins-specific enzymes complete the last missing steps in pyran- and furanocoumarins biosynthesis.
Yucheng ZHAO ; Yuedong HE ; Liangliang HAN ; Libo ZHANG ; Yuanzheng XIA ; Fucheng YIN ; Xiaobing WANG ; Deqing ZHAO ; Sheng XU ; Fei QIAO ; Yibei XIAO ; Lingyi KONG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(2):869-880
Pyran- and furanocoumarins are key representatives of tetrahydropyrans and tetrahydrofurans, respectively, exhibiting diverse physiological and medical bioactivities. However, the biosynthetic mechanisms for their core structures remain poorly understood. Here we combined multiomics analyses of biosynthetic enzymes in Peucedanum praeruptorum and in vitro functional verification and identified two types of key enzymes critical for pyran and furan ring biosynthesis in plants. These included three distinct P. praeruptorum prenyltransferases (PpPT1-3) responsible for the prenylation of the simple coumarin skeleton 7 into linear or angular precursors, and two novel CYP450 cyclases (PpDC and PpOC) crucial for the cyclization of the linear/angular precursors into either tetrahydropyran or tetrahydrofuran scaffolds. Biochemical analyses of cyclases indicated that acid/base-assisted epoxide ring opening contributed to the enzyme-catalyzed tetrahydropyran and tetrahydrofuran ring refactoring. The possible acid/base-assisted catalytic mechanisms of the identified cyclases were theoretically investigated and assessed using site-specific mutagenesis. We identified two possible acidic amino acids Glu303 in PpDC and Asp301 in PpOC as vital in the catalytic process. This study provides new enzymatic tools in the epoxide formation/epoxide-opening mediated cascade reaction and exemplifies how plants become chemically diverse in terms of enzyme function and catalytic process.

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