1.Mechanism of Xielitang Against Ulcerative Colitis in Mice Based on "Intestinal Flora-bile Acid" Axis
Xiaotian WANG ; Yaning BIAO ; Yixin ZHANG ; Jian CHEN ; Ya GAO ; Yufang ZHANG ; Muqing ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):30-38
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of Xielitang on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) mice and its possible mechanism. MethodsDSS was used to establish UC model. Sixty mice were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a sulfasalazine group (0.6 g·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose Xielitang groups (1.67, 3.34, 6.68 g·kg-1). After treatment for 42 d, the colon length was recorded, and the disease activity index (DAI) score was calculated. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathomorphological changes of colon. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of farnesoid X receptor (FXR), small heterodimer partner (SHP), liver receptor homolog-1 (LRH-1), cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), and fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) in liver and FXR, sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT), and fibroblast growth factor 15 (FGF15) in ileum. 16S rRNA sequencing was used to analyze the intestinal flora. Moreover, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect the bile acid content. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly decreased colon length, IL-10 content, α-diversity index, abundance of Firmicutes and Lactobacillus, and content of deoxycholic acid (DCA) and lithocholic acid (LCA) (P<0.01), significantly increased DAI score, IL-6 and TNF-α content, abundance of Bacteroidetes, and the content of cholic acid (CA), chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), and taurocholic acid (TCA) (P<0.05, P<0.01), significantly down-regulated protein expression of FXR, SHP, and FGFR4 in liver and FXR, ASBT, and FGF15 in ileum (P<0.01), and significantly up-regulated protein expression of LRH-1 and CYP7A1 in liver (P<0.01). In addition, the structure of colonic mucosa was destroyed, and inflammatory cells infiltrated in the model group. Compared with the model group, Xielitang could significantly increase the colon length, IL-10 content, α-diversity index, the abundance of Firmicutes and Lactobacillus, and DCA and LCA content (P<0.05, P<0.01), decrease DAI score, abundance of Bacteroidetes, and the content of IL-6, TNF-α, CA, CDCA, and TCA (P<0.01), up-regulate the protein expression of FXR, SHP, and FGFR4 in liver and FXR, ASBT, and FGF15 in ileum (P<0.01), and down-regulate the protein expression of LRH-1 and CYP7A1 in liver (P<0.01). The pathological damage of colonic mucosa was obviously alleviated. ConclusionXielitang protects against UC probably by regulating the "intestinal microbiota-bile acid" axis, regulating intestinal flora imbalance, and maintaining bile acid homeostasis.
2.Dietary nutrition status and nutritional intervention strategy of 1302 patients with Alzheimer's disease
Yufang WANG ; Yuanfang ZHAO ; Xiaomei HAO ; Yining LIANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(2):47-51
Objective To explore the dietary nutrition status and nutritional intervention strategy of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods Among the 1 332 patients with AD diagnosed at Xijing Hospital from January 2021 to December 2023 were enrolled as the study subjects. The dietary intake data of patients were collected through questionnaire surveys and dietary reviews. During the study period, 30 patients did not complete the intervention due to withdrawal or loss of follow-up. Based on the actual number of people who completed the intervention, AD patients were randomly divided into intervention group (n=651, individualized nutritional intervention strategy) and control group (n=651, routine nutritional intervention), and both groups were intervened for 3 months. The cognitive function (MMSE score and MoCA score), nutritional status (MNA scale, NRS-2002 scale), and quality of life (GQOL-74) of the two groups of AD patients were compared to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention strategies. Results A total of 1 332 questionnaires were distributed, and 1 302 valid questionnaires were finally recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 97.75% (1 302/1 332). The survey results showed that there were no statistical differences in baseline characteristics and dietary nutrition status between the two groups of AD patients before intervention (P>0.05). After nutritional intervention, the cognitive function, quality of life, and nutritional status of patients in the intervention group were significantly improved. The MMSE score, MoCA score, MNA score, and GQOL-74 score of the intervention group were significantly higher than those of the control group, while the NRS-2002 score was lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Nutritional intervention strategy has a significant effect on improving nutritional status, cognitive function, and quality of life of AD patients.
3.Differences and related factors of preschool children s evaluation by parents and teachers using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire
WANG Lu, LEI Huiqian, CHEN Yanxian, LIU Liqun, XIE Yufang
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(7):985-988
Objective:
To explore differences in the factors influencing parents and teachers assessments of preschool children s mental health using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), so as to provide reference for promoting children s mental health.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on the SDQ survey data of 14 763 middle and senior kindergarten children in Nanshan District, Shenzhen, from March to June 2023. Chi square χ 2 tests were used to analyze differences in mental health assessments between parents and teachers. Multivariate Logistic regression was employed to examine the factors influencing parental assessments, and Kappa coefficients were used to evaluate the consistency between parent and teacher evaluations.
Results:
The positive rate of mental health problems reported by parents (7.2%) was significantly higher than that reported by teachers (6.2%) ( χ 2=254.27, P <0.01). Gender differences revealed that parents reported a lower positive rate for boys (7.9%) compared to teachers (8.5%), whereas for girls, the parental positive rate (6.4%) was higher than that reported by teachers (3.8%) ( χ 2=163.59, 81.26, all P <0.01). Age related differences showed that parental positive rates for 4, 5, and 6 year olds (8.5%, 7.4%, 5.8%) were consistently higher than teachers assessments (6.3%, 6.7%, 5.4%) ( χ 2=41.23, 157.53, 63.67, all P <0.05). Univariate analysis of parental assessments indicated higher positive rates among boys (7.9%), 4 year olds (8.5%), mothers aged 20-35 ( 6.6 %), mothers with high school education or below (9.8%), fathers aged 23-40 (6.4%), fathers with high school education or below (10.3%), and children exposed to secondhand smoke (7.9%) ( χ 2=23.56-235.24, all P <0.01). Multivariate Logistic regression identified lower parental education levels and exposure to secondhand smoke as significant risk factors for abnormal SDQ assessments by parents ( χ 2=2.05, 1.62, 3.15, all P <0.05). The Kappa coefficients for parent-teacher agreement across SDQ subscales and total difficulties ranged from 0.04 to 0.12 (all P <0.01).
Conclusions
Parental education level and exposure to secondhand smoke are significant factors influencing preschool children s mental health. Differences exist between parental and teacher assessments of children s mental health, and incorporating teacher evaluations can provide a more comprehensive understanding of preschoolers psychological well being.
4.Nasal-to-Brain Drug Delivery Strategies for Active Ingredients of Traditional Chinese Medicine:A Review
Yang CHEN ; Tiantian WANG ; Yufang HUANG ; Guangdi YANG ; Shengmou HU ; Xiaomeng LEI ; Wenliu ZHANG ; Dongxun LI ; Canjian WANG ; Guosong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):252-261
Central nervous system(CNS) disorders are characterized by complex pathological mechanisms and the presence of the blood-brain barrier(BBB), which significantly limits the effectiveness of drug therapy. Traditional drug delivery modes include oral administration, intravenous injection and transdermal delivery, which have certain advantages, but it is difficult for the drugs to effectively cross the BBB. Therefore, it is crucial to find drug delivery modes that can efficiently traverse the BBB. Nasal drug delivery, as a non-invasive method, can realize the targeted delivery of drugs to the CNS via three pathways, including olfactory neurons, trigeminal neurons and blood circulation, and shows a broad application prospect in the treatment of CNS diseases. Numerous studies have further confirmed that nasal drug delivery combined with novel drug delivery systems such as lipid nanocarriers, nanoparticles, nanoemulsions and composite in situ gels can effectively load the active components of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), and significantly increase drug concentration in the brain, which provides new strategies for the treatment of CNS diseases. In this paper, the current status of drug delivery for CNS diseases was systematically sorted out, the characteristics of nasal drug delivery were discussed in depth, and the research progress of passive targeting, active targeting, and "guiding the meridian" drug delivery strategies for the nasal-to-brain transport of TCM active components was summarized and analyzed, which was aimed to provide references and insights for the development of drugs for CNS diseases and the application of TCM in nasal-to-brain delivery.
5.Nasal-to-Brain Drug Delivery Strategies for Active Ingredients of Traditional Chinese Medicine:A Review
Yang CHEN ; Tiantian WANG ; Yufang HUANG ; Guangdi YANG ; Shengmou HU ; Xiaomeng LEI ; Wenliu ZHANG ; Dongxun LI ; Canjian WANG ; Guosong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):252-261
Central nervous system(CNS) disorders are characterized by complex pathological mechanisms and the presence of the blood-brain barrier(BBB), which significantly limits the effectiveness of drug therapy. Traditional drug delivery modes include oral administration, intravenous injection and transdermal delivery, which have certain advantages, but it is difficult for the drugs to effectively cross the BBB. Therefore, it is crucial to find drug delivery modes that can efficiently traverse the BBB. Nasal drug delivery, as a non-invasive method, can realize the targeted delivery of drugs to the CNS via three pathways, including olfactory neurons, trigeminal neurons and blood circulation, and shows a broad application prospect in the treatment of CNS diseases. Numerous studies have further confirmed that nasal drug delivery combined with novel drug delivery systems such as lipid nanocarriers, nanoparticles, nanoemulsions and composite in situ gels can effectively load the active components of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), and significantly increase drug concentration in the brain, which provides new strategies for the treatment of CNS diseases. In this paper, the current status of drug delivery for CNS diseases was systematically sorted out, the characteristics of nasal drug delivery were discussed in depth, and the research progress of passive targeting, active targeting, and "guiding the meridian" drug delivery strategies for the nasal-to-brain transport of TCM active components was summarized and analyzed, which was aimed to provide references and insights for the development of drugs for CNS diseases and the application of TCM in nasal-to-brain delivery.
6.Advances in Diagnosis and Targeted Therapy of KRASG12C Mutant Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.
Jiahe SHI ; Yufang WANG ; Jing ZHENG ; Jianya ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2025;28(8):597-611
Lung cancer stands as the primary cause of cancer-related mortalities globally, presenting a severe menace to human health. In individuals with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS) mutations serve as crucial oncogenic drivers. NSCLC with KRASG12C mutation is among the most prevalent subtypes. Currently, the detection methods for KRAS mutations predominantly concentrate on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing platforms. The diverse derivative technologies of these two platforms each exhibit distinct merits and demerits in terms of testing performance and detection throughput, and find significant applications in tissue biopsy and liquid biopsy. In targeted therapies, KRASG12C targeted drugs, including Sotorasib, Adagrasib, Fulzerasib, Garsorasib, and Glecirasib, have demonstrated certain therapeutic efficacies in clinical trials and have obtained marketing approval. To tackle drug resistance and enhance patient's prognoses, combination therapeutic strategies that integrate targeted agents with chemotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase 2 (SHP2) inhibitors, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies have emerged. This paper systematically reviews the advancements in the diagnosis and targeted therapy of NSCLC with KRASG12C mutation, aiming to offer a reference for the selection of clinical treatment regimens and subsequent research.
.
Humans
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Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy*
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Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/genetics*
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Mutation
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Molecular Targeted Therapy
7.Gallstones, cholecystectomy, and cancer risk: an observational and Mendelian randomization study.
Yuanyue ZHU ; Linhui SHEN ; Yanan HUO ; Qin WAN ; Yingfen QIN ; Ruying HU ; Lixin SHI ; Qing SU ; Xuefeng YU ; Li YAN ; Guijun QIN ; Xulei TANG ; Gang CHEN ; Yu XU ; Tiange WANG ; Zhiyun ZHAO ; Zhengnan GAO ; Guixia WANG ; Feixia SHEN ; Xuejiang GU ; Zuojie LUO ; Li CHEN ; Qiang LI ; Zhen YE ; Yinfei ZHANG ; Chao LIU ; Youmin WANG ; Shengli WU ; Tao YANG ; Huacong DENG ; Lulu CHEN ; Tianshu ZENG ; Jiajun ZHAO ; Yiming MU ; Weiqing WANG ; Guang NING ; Jieli LU ; Min XU ; Yufang BI ; Weiguo HU
Frontiers of Medicine 2025;19(1):79-89
This study aimed to comprehensively examine the association of gallstones, cholecystectomy, and cancer risk. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to estimate the observational associations of gallstones and cholecystectomy with cancer risk, using data from a nationwide cohort involving 239 799 participants. General and gender-specific two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was further conducted to assess the causalities of the observed associations. Observationally, a history of gallstones without cholecystectomy was associated with a high risk of stomach cancer (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50-4.28), liver and bile duct cancer (aOR=2.46, 95% CI 1.17-5.16), kidney cancer (aOR=2.04, 95% CI 1.05-3.94), and bladder cancer (aOR=2.23, 95% CI 1.01-5.13) in the general population, as well as cervical cancer (aOR=1.69, 95% CI 1.12-2.56) in women. Moreover, cholecystectomy was associated with high odds of stomach cancer (aOR=2.41, 95% CI 1.29-4.49), colorectal cancer (aOR=1.83, 95% CI 1.18-2.85), and cancer of liver and bile duct (aOR=2.58, 95% CI 1.11-6.02). MR analysis only supported the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer. This study added evidence to the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer, highlighting the importance of cancer screening in individuals with gallstones.
Humans
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Mendelian Randomization Analysis
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Gallstones/complications*
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Female
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Male
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Cholecystectomy/statistics & numerical data*
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Middle Aged
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Risk Factors
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Aged
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Adult
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Neoplasms/etiology*
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Stomach Neoplasms/epidemiology*
8.Clinical significance of determining the level of biliary calprotectin in patients with cholangiocarcinoma or choledocholithiasis
Tingting JI ; Bingqing BAI ; Yufang CUI ; Shaofei WANG ; Jianglong HONG ; Yang LI ; Junjun BAO ; Qiao MEI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(3):568-572
ObjectiveTo investigate the difference in the level of biliary calprotectin between patients with cholangiocarcinoma and those with choledocholithiasis. MethodsClinical data and bile samples were collected from 34 patients with cholangiocarcinoma and 78 patients with choledocholithiasis who were diagnosed and treated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from May 2021 to September 2022. Fluorescence lateral flow immunoassay was used to measure the levels of calprotectin, hemoglobin, and lactoferrin in bile. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups; the Spearman correlation test was used for correlation analysis; the DeLong test was used for comparison of the area under the ROC curve (AUC). ResultsCompared with the choledocholithiasis group, the cholangiocarcinoma group had significant increases in the levels of calprotectin [4 795.50 (2 286.79 — 20 179.73) ng/mL vs 411.16 (67.03 — 1 991.88) ng/mL, Z=5.572, P<0.001] and fluoride [115.70 (109.10 — 125.50) mmol/L vs 106.60 (98.60 — 114.40) mmol/L, Z=2.702, P=0.007]. The patients with cholangiocarcinoma were further divided into high cholangiocarcinoma group and low cholangiocarcinoma group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups in the level of calprotectin [3 867.71 (2 235.66 — 26 407.40) ng/mL vs 4 795.50 (2 361.15 — 13 070.53) ng/mL, Z=0.129, P>0.05]. Biliary calprotectin level was correlated with white blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, and lactoferrin concentration in bile (r=0.316, 0.353, and 0.464, all P<0.05). The ROC curve analysis showed that biliary calprotectin (with a sensitivity of 79.4% and a specificity of 75.6%), blood CA19-9 (with a sensitivity of 82.4% and a specificity of 78.2%), and their combination (with a sensitivity of 88.2% and a specificity of 73.1%) had good sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma. ConclusionThere is an increase in the level of biliary calprotectin in patients with cholangiocarcinoma, and therefore, it might become a biomarker for the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma.
9.Effects of grain-sized moxibustion on Th1/Th2 balance and transcription factors T-bet and GATA3 in immunosuppressed mice induced by cyclophosphamide
Tao ZHU ; Zhenzhi WANG ; Jia REN ; Yanting CHENG ; Zhen GAO ; Yufang JI ; Jinling MIAO ; Laixi JI
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(6):818-825
Objective To observe the effects of grain-sized moxibustion on Th1 cell/Th2 cell(Th1/Th2)balance and transcription factors T-box transcription factor(T-bet)and GATA binding protein 3(GATA3)in immunosuppressive mice induced by chemotherapy.Methods According to the random number table method,32 SPF male CD-1(ICR)mice were randomly divided into the normal group,model group,levamisole hydrochloride group,and grain-sized moxibustion group,with eight mice per group.Except for the normal group,the immunosuppressive model was established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide(80 mg/kg,once daily for three consecutive days).Mice in the levamisole hydrochloride group were given levamisole hydrochloride solution(10 mg/kg)by gavage.Mice in the grain-sized moxibustion group was given grain-sized moxibustion at"Guanyuan"(CV4),bilateral"Zusanli"(ST36),and bilateral"Sanyinjiao"(SP6),with three Zhuang at each acupoint for approximately 30 s each.The intervention was administered once daily for seven consecutive days.The general condition of mice was observed.The spleen mass and spleen index were detected.The pathological changes of spleen tissue were observed by HE staining.The protein and mRNA expressions of T-bet,GATA3,interferon-γ(IFN-γ),and interleukin(IL)-4 in spleen tissue of mice were detected by Western blotting and real-time PCR.The contents of IFN-γ,IL-2,and IL-4 in serum of mice were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results Compared with the normal group,the mice in the model group were slow in response,unstable in gait;the spleen weight and spleen index were increased(P<0.05);the structure of spleen tissue was disordered,the mRNA and protein expressions of T-bet and IFN-γ in spleen tissue were decreased,and the mRNA and protein expressions of GATA3 and IL-4 were increased(P<0.05);the contents of IFN-γ and IL-2 in serum were decreased,and the content of IL-4 was increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the general condition of mice in the levamisole hydrochloride group and the grain-sized moxibustion group was improved,the structure of spleen tissue was improved,the mRNA and protein expressions of T-bet and IFN-γ in spleen tissue were decreased,and the mRNA and protein expressions of GATA3 and IL-4 were increased(P<0.05);the contents of IFN-γ and IL-2 in serum were decreased,and the content of IL-4 was increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Grain-sized moxibustion can significantly improve the immunosuppressive symptoms induced by chemotherapy.The mechanism may be through regulating the expressions of transcription factors T-bet and GATA3,regulating Th1/Th2 balance,and thus restoring the immune balance.
10.OX40L promotes early antibody production after recombinant rabies virus immunization by activating dendritic cells
Yufang WANG ; Ting GAO ; Xiao XING ; Yong WANG ; Shaomei ZI ; Yaping LIU ; Yang HU ; Kang LI ; Yingying LI
Immunological Journal 2024;40(5):425-432
This study performed to determine whether OX40L overexpressed by recombinant rabies virus(LBNSE-OX40L)can enhance the innate immune response through activation of dendritic cells and thus activate early antibody production.Bone marrow dendritic cells(BMDCs)were extracted from the femur of Balb/c mice and cultured for 6 days,and the cultured BMDCs were infected with the parental virus LBNSE and the recombinant virus LBNSE-OX40L with the multiplicity of infections(MOI)=1.The effect of each virus on the maturation of BMDCs was analyzed by flow cytometry;ELISA was used to detect the expression of innate immunity-related cytokines such as interferon-α(IFN-α)and interleukin-12p40(IL-12p40)in the supernatants of the infected BMDCs.For in vivo study,Balb/c female mice were injected intramuscularly with 106 FFU of parental virus LBNSE and recombinant virus LBNSE-OX40L in both hind limbs,and the inguinal lymph nodes of mice were collected on day 6 after immunization,and the proportion of mature DCs was detected by flow cytometry.The serum was collected on day 6 after immunization,and the content of virus-neutralizing antibody(VNA)was detected by antiviral neutralizing antibody titration.Mouse serum was collected on day 6 after immunization,and virus neutralizing antibody content was measured by titration of antiviral neutralizing antibody,while IgG antibody in mouse serum was detected by ELISA.IgM antibody subclasses were detected by ELISA on days 2,4,and 6 after immunization.Compared with the parental virus LBNSE,the recombinant virus LBNSE-OX40L was able to activate more BMDCs in vitro and produce significantly higher levels of IFN-α and IL-12p40.Furthermore,the recombinant virus LBNSE-OX40L stimulated the maturation and differentiation of the DCs in vivo,which led to the rapid production of high levels of VNA and RABV-specific IgG and IgM antibodies.Taken together,LBNSE-OX40L activates dendritic cells to promote the body's innate immune response,and in turn enhances early antibody production,thus can be an early effective rabies vaccine candidate.


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