06 August 2025, Volume 56 Issue 4

    

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  Effects of high-fructose diet on hippocampal neurometabolites and anxiety and depression-like behaviors in mice

  ZHANG Shan-shan LIU Ying ZHANG Yu-wen WANG He LI Wen-sheng LIU Qiong

  Acta Anatomica Sinica. 2025, 56(4): 381-388. https://doi.org/10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2025.04.001

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   Objective  To investigate the effects of short-term and long-term high-fructose diets on hippocampal neurometabolites and anxiety and depression-like behaviors in mice, revealing the potential mechanisms of high-fructose diets in mood disorders and providing a experimental basis for the prevention and treatment of related diseases.  Methods C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into two groups, control group (standard diet, n=10) and experimental group (high-fructose diet, n=10). Four weeks (short-term) and eight weeks (long-term) later, each group of mice was examined for body weight and fasting blood glucose, and neurometabolites levels in the hippocampus were detected by hydrogen proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy(1H-MRS), followed by the open-field test, the forced-swimming test, and the tail-suspension test to evaluate anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors.   Results  High fructose diet for 4 weeks elevated glutamate levels and reduced glutathione and myo-inositol levels in mice, accompanied by shortened immobility time in the forced swim test. High fructose diet for 8 weeks not only led to abnormalities in body weight and glucose metabolism but also caused a reversal decrease in hippocampal glutamate levels and induced significant anxiety-like behaviors, and the decrease in hippocampal glutamate levels showed a significant negative correlation with the enhancement of anxiety-like behaviors.   Conclusion   Altered hippocampal glutamate levels may be a key contributing factor to the anxiety-like behaviors induced by long-term high-fructose diet.

  
  
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  Exercise alleviating fear and anxiety in mice with post-traumatic stress disorder by promoting hippocampal neuroregeneration and dendritic development

  SU Chang XU Zi-xuan JIN Shuo ZHANG Xiao-xiao XI Chao SUN Li-na

  Acta Anatomica Sinica. 2025, 56(4): 389-397. https://doi.org/10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2025.04.002

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  Objective To investigate the mechanism of hippocampal neuronal plasticity of newborn neurons in the hippocampus by which exercise improves the fear and anxiety symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).   Methods Totally 40 C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into by control group (Ctrl) and PTSD group, the PTSD group was divided into a no-exercise group (PTSD), a low-intensity exercise group (L) and a high-intensity exercise group (H). The PTSD model mice were constructed by combining conditioned plantar-foot shock (CF) and single-session sustained stress (SPS). After the exercise intervention, the fear and anxiety levels of the mice were assessed using the conditioned fear test and the elevated cross maze test; Subsequently, the densities of the newborn mature neurons in dentate gyrus(DG) of hippocampus were detected by immunofluorescent double-labelling staining, and the newborn neuron morphology was marked by injecting retrovirus pRetro-U6-EF1-EGFP-3xFLAG-WPRE in DG of hippocampus to observe its morphology. The morphology of the newborn neurons was labelled to observe their dendritic length and the number of branch points; Meanwhile, the concentration level of adiponctin(APN) in the hippocampal area was determined by ELISA.  Results The result  showed that both high and low-intensity exercise interventions significantly reduced the freezing time of PTSD mice in the conditioned fear test, and in the elevated cross maze experiment, the residence time and the number of entries in the open arm of the mice in the H group increased significantly compared with those in the PTSD group, while the residence time and the number of entries in the closed arm were significantly reduced. In addition, both high and low-intensity exercise interventions significantly increased the surface density and dendritic length of newborn mature neurons in the hippocampal DG region of PTSD mice, and high-intensity exercise significantly increased the number of dendritic branching points, and the density of newborn mature neurons in the H group was more significantly increased compared with that in the L group. At the same time, the hippocampal APN concentration increased significantly in both L and H groups compared with the PTSD group, and it was more significant in the H group.  Conclusion Exercises have an ameliorative effect on anxiety and fear symptoms in PTSD mice, and at the same time, it can increase hippocampal neuroplasticity and adiponctin secretion in PTSD mice, suggesting that the improvement of fear and anxiety symptoms in PTSD by exercise may be related to the increase of hippocampal neuroplasticity and APN secretion, and the improvement effect is better with high-intensity exercise.

  
  
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  Labeling chicken embryo auditory nerves using promoter-controlled green fluorescent protein

  YONG An-lu WANG Xiao-yu

  Acta Anatomica Sinica. 2025, 56(4): 398-403. https://doi.org/10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2025.04.003

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  Objective   To utilize promoter-controlled membrane-bound (myristoylated) green fluorescent protein (mGFP) to label the auditory nerve (AN) in chicken embryos, providing a higher-resolution map of AN development.    Methods  At chicken embryonic 2.5 day  (E2.5), mGFP plasmids controlled by the neurogenic differentiation factor 1 (NeuroD1) or GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3) promoters were microinjected and electroporated into the epithelium of otocyst in chicken embryos. The projection of AN axons to the cochlear nucleus in the brainstem was tracked at different developmental stages, and synapse formation was observed, and the labeling specificity of the two promoters was compared.   Results  Both NeuroD1 and GATA3 promoters controlled mGFP selectively labeled the AN, with mGFP-labeled AN axons projecting to the cochlear nucleus in the auditory brainstem. GATA3-mGFP specifically labeled early (E9-E10) projecting AN with significantly fewer labeling in vestibular nerves. NeuroD1-mGFP labeled auditory nerves throughout the development, and showed synaptic formation at E15. A additionally, NeuroD1-mGFP also labeled vestibular nerves projecting to the vestibular nuclei in the brainstem.   Conclusion  The use of promoter-controlled mGFP to label the AN provides a higher-resolution map of AN development. 

  
  
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  Palmitic acid increasing the entry of lipopolysaccharide into microglial cytosol and eliciting pyroptosis and apoptosis

  FENG Yu-hu YANG Yan-zhuo Lü Hai-yan YU Qing-ting YANG Zui-su YUAN Fa-lei

  Acta Anatomica Sinica. 2025, 56(4): 404-412. https://doi.org/10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2025.04.004

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  Objective  To investigate the types and mechanisms of microglial cell death induced by interaction between palmitic acid (PA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS).  Methods  BV-2 microglial cells were divided into three groups for apoptosis research, BSA group, PA treatment group, and staurosporine (STA) group. They were further divided into four groups for necrosis research, BSA group, BSA + inhibitor group, PA group, and PA + inhibitor group. Western blotting was conducted to assess the expression levels of key proteins involved in apoptosis and necrosis pathways. The effect of PA on microglial cells was validated through feeding a high-fat diet to Institute of Cancer Research(ICR) mice. Results  Apoptotic microglia were observed in both BSA group and PA group, PA significantly induced the activation of caspase-3, caspase-7, and poly ADP-ribose polymerase(PARP). However, compared to the BSA group, the level of activated Caspase-7 in the STA group did not change significantly. Inhibition of ferroptosis, necroptosis, or autophagy did not protect against PA-induced cell damage, while the Caspase-11 inhibitor, wedelolactone (WE), significantly improved PA induced cell damage. This study also found that PA could promote LPS entry into microglial cells and induce pyroptosis. This phenomenon and the protective effect of WE were further confirmed in a high-fat diet mouse model through immunofluorescent staining and Western blotting.   Conclusion  PA induces apoptosis and pyroptosis in microglial cells, while simultaneously promoting LPS entry into microglial cells and inducing pyroptosis.

  
  
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  Role of SLIT-ROBO Rho GTPase-activating protein 2 in motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

  WANG Chen-chen ZHANG Xue GAO Xue-shuai BAI Xue YAN Qiu-peng WANG Xue-mei LIU Jin-meng CHEN Yan-chun

  Acta Anatomica Sinica. 2025, 56(4): 413-420. https://doi.org/10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2025.04.005

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  Objective To explore the role of SLIT-ROBO Rho GTPase-activating protein 2 (srGAP2) in spinal motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).   Methods   Applied bioinformatics analysis to investigate the expression changes of srGAP2 in the spinal cord of human superoxide dismutase 1(hSOD1) mutant ALS transgenic mice. hSOD1G93A mutant ALS transgenic mice were selected for animal experimental validation, with littermate wild type(WT) mice serving as the control group. A total of 36 pairs were divided into four groups, namely the pre-onset stage, early-onset stage, mid-onset stage, and late-onset stage. The expression changes and cellular localization of srGAP2 in the spinal cord of ALS mice were detected by Real-time PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescent double-label staining. The hSOD1G93A mutant NSC34 motor neuron-like cell model was established, and in vitro experiments were carried out to detect the changes in srGAP2 expression, and the effects of srGAP2 over-expression on the viability of hSOD1G93A mutant NSC34 cells and the growth of cell protrusions.   Results  Bioinformatics analysis revealed abnormally low expression of srGAP2 in the spinal cord of hSOD1 mutant ALS  mice. Animal experiments verified that compared with the WT mice, the expression of srGAP2 was reduced at both mRNA level and protein level in the spinal cord of hSOD1G93A mutant ALS transgenic mice at early-onset, mid-onset and late-onset stages. Compared with the WT mice, srGAP2 integral absorbance (IA) values in srGAP2⁺/NeuN⁺ double-positive cells in the anterior horn of the spinal cord of hSOD1G93A mutant ALS transgenic mice were lower, srGAP2 IA values in srGAP2⁺/GFAP⁺ double-positive cells were higher; Compared with the hSOD1WT NSC34 cells, the expression of srGAP2 was reduced at both mRNA level and protein level in hSOD1G93A mutant NSC34 cells. Over-expression of srGAP2 elevated the viability of hSOD1G93A mutant NSC34 cells, and up-regulated the expression level of synapse-related protein βⅢ-tubulin and growth associated protein 43（GAP43）.   Conclusion   Low expression of srGAP2 is closely associated with the progression of ALS, while over-expression of srGAP2 can promote outgrowth of cell protrusions and exert a protective effect on spinal motor neurons in ALS. 

  
  
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  PERK-mediated inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress in lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses in microglia

  DING Jia-xin Lü Meng-jun LU Lin-xia JIFU Ci-li XIA Jun WANG Jing-tao

  Acta Anatomica Sinica. 2025, 56(4): 421-430. https://doi.org/10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2025.04.006

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  Objective To explore the role of the protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway in a model of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced microglia inflammation.   Methods  To investigate its effects on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, an inflammation model of microglia was established by stimulating with LPS at gradient concentrations for 24 hours and with 1 mg/L LPS for different durations. Cell viability was assessed by the CCK-8 assay; The mRNA and protein expression levels of related inflammatory factors were measured by Real-time PCR and ELISA kits. Cellular oxidative stress was evaluated by detecting reactive oxygen species (ROS), and Realtime PCR and Western blotting were used to examine the mRNA and protein expression levels of ER stress pathway markers associated with inflammation.   Results  1. The effects of different concentrations of LPS on cell viability and morphology were not statistically significant after acting on BV-2 cells for 24 hours (P>0.05); 2. 1 mg/L LPS incubated with BV-2 cells for different times and the cell viability decreased with the increase of time; 3. Compared with the 0 hour group, the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA and protein expression increased significantly (P<0.05) in the LPS-stimulated 9 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours groups, and the inflammation model was successfully established; 4. Compared with the 0 hour group, the protein and mRNA expression levels of the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway-related indexes in the LPS-stimulated 9 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours groups increased significantly (P<0.01), which showed the time-dependence; 5. After adding the PERK inhibitor GSK2606414, the mRNA and protein expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related indicators in the PERK inhibitor group were significantly reduced compared with those in the LPS group (P<0.05); 6. The mRNA and protein expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the fluorescence intensity of ROS in the PERK inhibitor group were significantly reduced compared with those in the LPS group (P<0.01). Conclusion  Targeting PERK-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory responses in microglia. 

  
  
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  Therapeutic effect of remimazolam on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury rats by regulating the AMP-activated protein kinase/NOD-like receptor protein 3 signaling pathway

  FAN Teng LI Xiao-fang SHEN Dan ZHANG Hong-wei YUE Xiu-qin

  Acta Anatomica Sinica. 2025, 56(4): 431-437. https://doi.org/10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2025.04.007

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  Objective To investigate the effects of remimazolam (REM) on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) rats and the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway. Methods  One hundred rats were selected to construct the CIRI rat model(Mod) and stochastically separated into a Mod group, low, medium, and high dose remifentanil groups (REM-L, REM-M, REM-H), and high dose remifentanil+pathway inhibitor Compound C group (REM-H+Compound C), with 20 rats in each group. Another 20 healthy rats were included as the control(Ctrl) group. All rats were subjected to neurobehavioral scoring. The water content, infarct area, and oxidative stress indicators of brain tissue were detected. The morphology and apoptosis of brain tissue were observed by HE and TUNEL staining. Western blotting was applied to detect protein expression related to the AMPK/NLRP3 signaling pathway. Results  Compared with the Mod group, with the increase of REM dose, the movement disorders in rats were alleviated, the overall structure of brain tissue gradually recovered, pathological damage was reduced, the area of cerebral infarction, brain water content, and apoptosis rate of brain tissue cells decreased, reactive oxygen species(ROS) level, malondialdehyde(MDA) content, and NLRP3 and Caspase-1 protein expression levels decreased, superoxide dismutase the(SOD) content and AMPK protein expression level increased (P<0.05). Compared with the REM-H group, the REM-H+Compound C group showed aggravated motor disorders, and more severe pathological damage to brain tissue, the area of cerebral infarction, cerebral water content and apoptosis rate of brain tissue cells increased, the ROS level, MDA content and the protein expression of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 increased, while the content of SOD and the protein expression decreased (P<0.05).   Conclusion  Remimazolam can enhance the antioxidant function of the body, reduce brain cell apoptosis, alleviate brain tissue injury, and thus have a certain protective effect on ischemia-reperfusion brain injury in rats, the mechanism of which may be related to the activation of the AMPK/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

  
  
Cell and Molecules Biology
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  Construction and evaluation of intestinal mucosal epithelial-myofibroblast co-culture model

  YU Peng-xin WANG Ming-qi GUO Li-na YU Yu WANG Xiu-li

  Acta Anatomica Sinica. 2025, 56(4): 438-443. https://doi.org/10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2025.04.008

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  Objective  To construct a three-dimensional bionic model of intestinal mucosal structure in vitro.   Methods Using fibroin protein with villous-crypt structure as scaffold and Caco-2 and HT29-MTX-E12 as seed cells, the intestinal mucosal epithelial-myofibroblast co-culture model was constructed by three-dimensional co-culture with myofibroblasts in vitro. The growth, activity, histological characteristics and expression of functional genes of model cells were investigated through the detection of cell signature proteins and genes.  Results  1. An intestinal mucosal epithelial-myofibroblast co-culture model was successfully constructed with good cell activity. 2. Mucous secretion increased and muc2 gene expression was up-regulated in the co-culture model.  Conclusion  The co-culture of intestinal mucosal epithelial-myofibroblasts with villous-crypt structure can promote the functional differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells and better simulate the structure and function of intestinal mucosa in vivo. 

  
  
Cancer Biology
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  Mechanism of SOS1-IT1 promoting EZH2 expression in human endometrial cancer cells by regulating acetylation modification

  LIU Hong-yang LOU Xue-ling ZHANG Rong-jing FENG Quan-ling GUO Kai-ge WANG Hao-fan LI Ying-ying WAN Jun-hu ZHANG Lin-dong

  Acta Anatomica Sinica. 2025, 56(4): 444-451. https://doi.org/10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2025.04.009

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  Objective To explore the molecular mechanism by which SOS Ras/Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1-intronic transcript 1 (SOS1-IT1) affects enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) protein expression in endometrial cancer cells Ishikawa and RL95-2.   Methods  Lentiviral transfection of short hairpin RNA(shRNA) and overexpression plasmid were used in Ishikawa and RL95-2 cell lines to knock down and overexpress SOS1-IT1. The mechanism of EZH2 expression regulation was studied using Real-time PCR, Western blotting, and chromatin immunoprecipitation.  Results The expression of SOS1-IT1 and EZH2 genes was positively correlated in endometrial cancer tissues. Knocking down SOS1-IT1 significantly reduces the expression of EZH2, inhibited the proliferation and migration of Ishikawa and RL95-2 cells, and could reduced the acetylation of histone H3 at position 27 (H3K27) and the enrichment of CREB binding protein (CBP) in the EZH2 gene promoter region. Overexpression of SOS1-IT1 could increased the expression of EZH2 and enhance the acetylation of H3K27 and the enrichment of CBP. CBP could bind to SOS1-IT1 RNA, and this binding ability was weakened when CBP was knocked down. Conclusion   SOS1-IT1 can promote the expression level of EZH2 in endometrial cancer cells Ishikawa and RL95-2 by regulating the acetylation modification level of the EZH2 gene promoter region, thereby affecting the proliferation and migration ability of endometrial cancer cells. 

  
  
Anatomy
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  Epidemiological characteristics and magnetic resonance angiography features of duplicated and accessory middle cerebral artery

  WANG Juan ZHANG Yong SHANG Wei

  Acta Anatomica Sinica. 2025, 56(4): 452-458. https://doi.org/10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2025.04.010

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  Objective To explore the epidemiological characteristics and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) features of duplicated and accessory middle cerebral artery (DMCA and AMCA), and to raise awareness of this vascular variation.

   Methods  Imaging data of 8131 patients underwent cranial MRI and MRA examinations in Anyang People’s Hospital from April 2023 to August 2023 were collected, and DMCA or AMCA variation were investigated. The epidemiological characteristics, MRA features and classification of DMCA and AMCA were analyzed. Meanwhile the concurrent other cerebrovascular variations were observed. Results  Totally 113 of 8131 patients were detected to have 119 DMCA or AMCA vascular variants. There were 64 DMCA including 24 type A and 40 type B, and there were 55 AMCA including 38 of type 1 and 17 of type 2. The relative diameter of type A DMCA was larger than that of type B DMCA, type 1 and type 2 AMCA. The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The incidence of DMCA and AMCA combined with other cerebrovascular variations was 54.69% and 34.69%, respectively.   Conclusion  MRA is simple and practicable, and can intuitively display DMCA or AMCA. So, it can be used as an important method  for the diagnostic of DMCA or AMCA. The DMCA and AMCA variation make related surgeries more complex, and it plays an undeniable role in the prognosis of related cerebral infarction. This vascular variation has important clinical significance for guiding neurosurgeons and neurologists to formulate reasonable treatment plans.

  
  
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  Fractional anisotrophy analysis and visualization on the reverse computing of RGB components as diffusion tensor in substantia nigra

  LIU Yu-qing WANG Xiao-jun JI Da-feng SUN Hai-hua XU Xiao-lu ZHANG Xin-hua

  Acta Anatomica Sinica. 2025, 56(4): 459-465. https://doi.org/10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2025.04.011

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  Objective To explore the application value of fractional anisotropy (FA) analysis of RGB component transformation in different directions of fibers in substantia nigra in Parkinson’s disease (PD).   Methods  There were 35 cases of PD and 37 cases of normal control group. After being performed by brain diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) scanning, the sequence was imported into 3DSlicense 5. 6. 0, and the diffusion module was used to implement pseudo color mapping based on FA, locate and segment substantia nigra, and use the substantia nigra mask as the tracking starting point. After forming tracing, fibers were imported into DTIANALYSIS 1.51, converting the RGB components into FA values for analysis, and visualized the analysis result . At the same time, fiber length, fiber density, and segmented FA point cloud percentage were compared.  Results  Compared with the normal group, the length of substantia nigra fibers in the PD group was shorter［(95.14±19.85) mm vs (115.99± 21.39) mm,P<0.01］, and there was a statistical difference between the two groups. There was no statistical difference in fiber density［(0.07 ± 0.05)/mm3 vs (0.10 ± 0.12)/mm3, P >0.05］ between control group and PD group. The percentage of FA segment point clouds in the PD group was lower than that in the normal group at 0. 9-1, but the principal component characteristics of the point cloud ratios in each FA segment were not significant.  Conclusion  Based on the transformation of RGB components into FA analysis, the length, density, and FA values of substantia nigra nerve fibers in PD patients can be quantified and visualized, providing a basis for the study of PD neural pathways.

  
  
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  Visualization on the anatomical position of different running fibers of the pyramidal tract and the basal nucleus

  ZHANG Xia-tong HU Liang JI Da-feng WANG Xiao-jun

  Acta Anatomica Sinica. 2025, 56(4): 466-471. https://doi.org/10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2025.04.012

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  Objective To explore the visualization effect of different walking fibers and anatomical positions of the basal nucleus in the postcentral gyrus based on the diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) fiber bundle of the precentral gyrus and internal capsule reconstruction model.  Methods  A set of diffusion tensor volume (DTV) data was used to visualize and export a mesh model by a 3DSlicense 5. 6. 2 software. The basal nucleus were reconstructed by 3DSlicense through T1W1 data from the same scan, and exported the mesh model, and thus imported the above model into DTIANALYSIS 1.51 software for visualization. By adjusting the RGB component threshold, the fiber bundles were screened to obtain fiber bundles that mainly run left and right, front and back, and up and down. The anatomical relationship between the fiber bundles and the basal nucleus was observed.  Results  The fiber bundles originating from the precentral gyrus were mainly distributed in the inner and lower parts, and run above and outside the basal nucleus; The fiber bundles that mainly run forward and backward are distributed on the outer side and run on the outer side of the basal nucleus; The fiber bundles that mainly run up and down were distributed in the upper and middle parts of the precentral gyrus, with some fibers running towards the hypothalamus. They intersect in the corpus callosum and ventral pons, and run along the posterior part of the space between the lentiform nucleus and the dorsal thalamus.   Conclusion  Based on the RGB components in DTI, fibers with different walking directions in the precentral gyrus can be screened to display their anatomical position relationship with the basal ganglia.

  
  
Anthropology
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  Sexual dimorphism of body traits in Taiwanese populations, China

  DU Bao-pu JING Peng HUO Xiu-li LIU Li DU Jing GAO Yan

  Acta Anatomica Sinica. 2025, 56(4): 472-482. https://doi.org/10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2025.04.013

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  Objective To examine the distribution of sexual dimorphism in body metrical traits among Taiwanese populations in China. Methods   This study analyzed a total of 45 groups Taiwanese populations in China, including Gaoshan ethnic groups such as the Ami, Atayal, Bunun, Paiwan, Panapanayan, Pingpu, Rukai and Tsou, as wells as Han ethnic groups including Minnan and Waisheng. A total of 28 somatic traits were selected to calculate the sexual dimorphism index (I_sd), enabling us to observe the distribution of sexual dimorphism across Taiwanese populations. Results  The range of variation in I_sd among Taiwanese populations was substantial, with values ranging from -1.04% to 11.88% in the Gaoshan ethnic groups and -1.00% to 13.95% in the Han ethnic groups. Most traits exhibited more than moderate sex differences, while the pelvic width, spinal breadth and thigh circumference showed a low degree of sexual dimorphism. Clustering analysis revealed that the Ami, Bunun, Pingpu, Atayal, Paiwan and Minnan clustered together, and the Rukai, Tsou, Waisheng and Panapanayan clustered separately. Additionally, the Taiwanese populations and mainland Chinese populations were intermixed in a combined cluster. Conclusion  The distribution of I_sd among Taiwanese populations in China demonstrates significantly variation, providing novel insights into the physical characteristics of Taiwanese populations.

  
  
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  Characteristics of the human mandibles from Beijing region

  HAN Yuan-yuan JING Peng WANG Zhen LIU Li DU Bao-pu GAO Yan

  Acta Anatomica Sinica. 2025, 56(4): 483-492. https://doi.org/10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2025.04.014

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  Objective To study the mandibular characteristics of the modern population in Beijing region. Methods  In this study, we examined 22 measurements and their sexual dimorphism index (SDI) of 193 adult mandibles (126 males, 67 females) collected from the Beijing region. In addition, eight mandibular indexes were calculated. These mandibular dimensions of the Beijing population were compared with those of other modern and contemporary populations in Asia, as well as Neolithic-historical populations in Northern China. Results  The predominant mandibular index in the contemporary Beijing population was dolichostenomandibular. The SDI of mandibular size exhibited a wide range of variation. It was noteworthy the minimum height of mandibular ramus, height of mandibular ramus, height of coronoid process and minimum breadth of mandibular ramus demonstrate significant sexual dimorphism (SDI ≥10%). The mandibular size aligned with the variation range of modern and contemporary Asian populations, with the cluster analysis indicating an affiliation with Northern Mongoloids. But the Beijing population was far away from other Northern populations in China. The mandibular size was more gracile compared to ancient populations in Northern China, whereas the height of mandibular ramus was greater than those of the latter. Conclusion  This study provides valuable insights into the physical characteristics of modern populations in Beijing region.

  
  
Review
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  Genetic factors inducing abnormal lipid metabolism microglial cell formation in Alzheimer’s disease

  SUN Hong-yi LIU Wei

  Acta Anatomica Sinica. 2025, 56(4): 493-498. https://doi.org/10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2025.04.015

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  Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most common degenerative diseases of the central nervous system in the elderly population, and genetic factors play an important role in its development. Microglia, as resident macrophages in the central nervous system, are closely related to the occurrence and development of AD. Human AD brain tissue staining result  and Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) indicate that AD risk genes such as apolipoprotein E (APOE)4, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), REV-ERBα and ATP binding cassette (ABC) family are involved in inducing lipid metabolism disorders in microglia and the occurrence of lipid-droplet-accumulating microglia (LDAM). This article reviews the genetic causes of LDAM, and discusses the possible mechanism of AD induced by neuronal damage and other means.

  
  
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  Research progress on paranasal sinuses morphology

  LI Hai-jun GAO Ya SONG Qiong

  Acta Anatomica Sinica. 2025, 56(4): 499-505. https://doi.org/10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2025.04.016

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  Paranasal sinuses, also known as nasal sinuses, are a collective term for the air-filled cavities surrounding the nasal cavity within the skull. The paranasal sinuses comprise the maxillary sinuses, ethmoid sinuses, frontal sinuses, and sphenoid sinuses, which are bilaterally symmetrical, totaling four pairs. Due to the deep-seated anatomical location of the paranasal sinuses within the skull, accurate measurement has been historically challenging, resultsing in relatively limited early investigations in this field. In recent years, with the continuous advancement of imaging technologies, research on the morphology of the paranasal sinuses has progressively increased. In this paper we provides a systematic review of domestic and international research on the variations of paranasal sinuses among different populations, factors influencing their growth and development, evolutionary characteristics, and measurement method-ologies. Furthermore, a concise retrospective analysis and future prospects for studies on the paranasal sinuses within the domestic context are provided.