1.Correlation Between Cardiovascular Events and Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis:A Cross-Sectional Study
Fuyuan ZHANG ; Quan JIANG ; Jun LI ; Yuchen YANG ; Xieli MA ; Tian CHANG ; Congmin XIA ; Jian WANG ; Xun GONG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(15):1572-1578
ObjectiveTo explore the correlation between the occurrence of cardiovascular events in rheumatoid arthritis(RA) and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndrome. MethodsThe cross-sectional study selected 6713 RA patients from 122 centres nationwide, in which general information such as name, gender, age, height, body weight, and course of disease were collected by completing a questionnaire; patients were classified into eight types of syndrome according to the information of their four examinations,i.e. wind-dampness obstruction syndrome, cold-dampness obstruction syndrome, dampness-heat obstruction syndrome, phlegm-stasis obstruction syndrome, stasis-blood obstructing collateral syndrome, qi-blood deficiency syndrome, liver-kidney insufficiency syndrome, and qi-yin deficiency syndrome. According to the occurrence of cardiovascular events, they were divided into the occurrence group and the non-occurrence group, and the condition assessment data and laboratory examination indexes were recorded. The test of difference between groups was used to analyse the possible risk factors for the occurrence of RA cardiovascular events, and binary logistic regression was used to analyse the correlation between TCM syndromes and RA cardiovascular events. ResultsA total of 6713 RA patients were included, including 256 cases in occurrence group and 6457 in non-occurrence group. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of height, gender, insomnia, appetite, white blood cell(WBC), hemoglobin(HGB), platelets(PLT), rheumatoid factor(RF), anti-cyclic peptide containing citrulline(CCP), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT), urea creatinine(CREA), and glucose(GLU)(P>0.05). The TCM syndromes between groups showed significant statistic differences(P<0.05). Patients in occurrence group had longer disease duration, heavier body weight, and older age; more severe conditions such as disease activity(DAS-28), number of painful joints(TJC), number of swollen joints(SJC), health questionnaire scores(HAQ), visual analog scores(VAS), restlessness, and fatigue; higher blood sedimentation rate(ESR), low-density lipoprotein(LDL-C), triglyceride(TG), total cholesterol(TC), D-Dimer, and lower high-density lipoprotein(HDL-C)(P<0.05). The distribution of syndrome types showed that dampness-heat obstruction syndrome accounted for the largest proportion of patients in both groups and was higher in RA cardiovascular events. Logistic regression analysis showed that the occurrence of RA cardiovascular events was strongly associated with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome[OR=5.937, 95%CI (4.434, 7.949), P<0.001]. ConclusionThe occurrence of RA cardiovascular events were associated with TCM syndromes, and the probability of cardiovascular events in the RA patients with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome was 5.937 times higher than patients with other TCM syndromes.
2.Complex associations among modifiable determinants of circadian syndrome among employed people in southwestern China.
Shujuan YANG ; Peng JIA ; Lei ZHANG ; Yuchen LI ; Peng YU ; Jiqi YANG ; Sihan WANG ; Honglian ZENG ; Bo YANG ; Bin YU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(21):2804-2812
BACKGROUND:
Circadian syndrome (CircS) may be closely linked to lifestyle, psychological, and occupational factors, but evidence is lacking. This study aimed to explore complex associations between lifestyle, psychological and occupational factors and CircS among employed people in southwestern China.
METHODS:
In this study, network analysis was used to identify complex associations between lifestyle, psychological and occupational factors and CircS in employed people from the Chinese Cohort of Working Adults (CCWA). The centrality of each variable was estimated by strength centrality index, which was calculated by the sum of edge weights connected to the variable. Bridge in the network was identified as the variables in the top 80 th percentile of overall bridge strength, which was defined as the most strongly connected variables across lifestyle, psychological and occupational factors and CircS. The differences were assessed in network structures between subgroups divided by the median score of the variable with the strongest bridge strengthen.
RESULTS:
Among 31,105 participants from CCWA, 5213 (16.76%) had CircS. In the constructed network, anxiety (edge weights: 0.28), smoking (edge weights: 0.15), drinking (edge weights: 0.10), perceived noise at work (edge weights: 0.08), and implicit health attitude (edge weights: -0.02) were directly related to CircS, with 83.31% of the variance for CircS explained by these neighboring factors. Anxiety was the most central variable (strength centrality: 1.20) in the network and the strongest bridge (bridge strength: 0.84) connecting all domains of variables. A stronger association between anxiety and CircS was observed in the network of participants with more severe anxiety (edge weight: 0.23) than those with less severe anxiety (edge weight: 0.03).
CONCLUSION
Anxiety had the strongest association with CircS and was the central factor with the highest strength centrality, also the bridge with the highest bridge strength in the network.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Adult
;
China
;
Middle Aged
;
Life Style
;
Chronobiology Disorders/epidemiology*
3.A high clinically translatable strategy to anti-aging using hyaluronic acid and silk fibroin co-crosslinked hydrogels as dermal regenerative fillers.
Jialing CHENG ; Zhiyang CHEN ; Demin LIN ; Yanfang YANG ; Yanjing BAI ; Lingshuang WANG ; Jie LI ; Yuchen WANG ; Hongliang WANG ; Youbai CHEN ; Jun YE ; Yuling LIU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(7):3767-3787
An ideal dermal filler should integrate filling, repair, and anti-aging effects, with immediate tissue augmentation, slow degradation, and progressive stimulation of collagen regeneration. However, commonly used hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels, while effective for rapid filling, suffer from limited duration of support, weak cell adhesion, and an inability to promote collagen regeneration. Silk fibroin (SF), a natural protein from silkworm cocoons, is known for its excellent cell adhesion and collagen-stimulating abilities. However, its limited gelation capability restricts its potential application as a standalone injectable hydrogel. Based on a complementary strategy, this study combines the rapid gelling properties of HA with the collagen regenerative properties of SF to create a co-crosslinked HA-SF hydrogel. The composite hydrogel merges HA's rapid filling effect with SF's strong tissue adhesion and collagen-stimulating abilities. The formulation, physicochemical properties, degradation, biocompatibility, and filling effects of the HA-SF hydrogel were systematically investigated. HA-SF hydrogel exhibits excellent mechanical properties and ensures long-term support while maintaining injectability. Interestingly, after intradermal injection in the UVB-induced photoaging model, HA-SF hydrogel not only enhances hydrogel-cell interaction but also continues to stimulate collagen regeneration, especially type III collagen. This dual action achieves the biological effects of repair and anti-aging while maintaining the filling effect. Proteomic analysis confirms that repair and anti-aging effects are enhanced by the regulation of skin fibroblasts and modulation of amino acid and lipid metabolism. This composite hydrogel holds strong promise for clinical applications, offering a safer, long-lasting, and more natural injectable filler that combines filling, repair, and anti-aging into one system.
4.Photodynamic enhancement of PROTAC prodrug activation in hypoxic tumors.
Zhongliang FU ; Chunrong YANG ; Yuchen YANG ; Meichen PAN ; Hongwei HOU ; Jinghong LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4945-4960
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for targeted protein degradation. However, the clinical application of PROTACs may be hindered by off-target toxicity resulting from non-tissue-specific protein degradation and ingenious prodrug strategies may open new avenues to addressing this concern. Herein, we propose a light-induced positive feedback strategy to use photodynamic therapy (PDT) to improve the activation efficiency of PROTAC prodrugs, monitor PROTAC release, and combine PROTAC to induce tumor cell apoptosis. In the hypoxic tumor microenvironment, the azo bond in AZO-PRO selectively cleaves, triggering the release of the potent protein degrader PRO and the multifunctional photosensitizer. Once activated, the fluoresce signal of the photosensitizer dramatically recovers, allowing monitoring of prodrug activation. Additionally, upon irradicating the tumor site using near-infrared (NIR) laser, PDT exacerbates tumor hypoxia, further promoting AZO-PRO activation. Our work introduces a novel approach to efficiently track and activate PROTAC prodrugs, enhance their antitumor efficacy, and mitigate off-target systemic toxicity.
5.New insights into translational research in Alzheimer's disease guided by artificial intelligence, computational and systems biology.
Shulan JIANG ; Zixi TIAN ; Yuchen YANG ; Xiang LI ; Feiyan ZHOU ; Jianhua CHENG ; Jihui LYU ; Tingting GAO ; Ping ZHANG ; Hongbin HAN ; Zhiqian TONG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5099-5126
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by cognitive and functional deterioration, with pathological features such as amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregates in the extracellular spaces of parenchymal neurons and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles formed by the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein. Despite a thorough investigation, current treatments targeting the reduction of Aβ production, promotion of its clearance, and inhibition of tau protein phosphorylation and aggregation have not met clinical expectations, posing a substantial obstacle in the development of drugs for AD. Recently, artificial intelligence (AI), computational biology (CB), and systems biology (SB) have emerged as promising methodologies in AD research. Their capacity to analyze extensive and varied datasets facilitates the identification of intricate patterns, thereby enriching our comprehension of AD pathology. This paper provides a comprehensive examination of the utilization of AI, CB, and SB in the diagnosis of AD, including the use of imaging omics for early detection, drug discovery methods such as lecanemab, and complementary therapies like phototherapy. This review offers novel perspectives and potential avenues for further research in the realm of translational AD studies.
6.Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Approaches of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Secondary Gynecological and Obstetric Diseases Based on the Theory of "Bi (痹) of both Body and Viscera"
Hui XU ; Quan JIANG ; Congmin XIA ; Rouman ZHANG ; Xun GONG ; Chuanhui YAO ; Zixia LIU ; Yuchen YANG ; Xieli MA
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(23):2438-2442
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may lead to secondary gynecological and obstetric disorders such as decreased ovarian reserve function, menstrual abnormalities, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Based on "bi (痹) of both body and viscera" theory, this paper proposed that the core mechanism of SLE secondary gynecological and obstetric diseases lies in the mutual transformation between "body bi" and "viscera bi", which together affect the uterus. Physiologically, uterus forms an internal-external network with the body and viscera through the meridians and blood vessels. Pathologically, when the healthy qi is deficient, nourishment of the body and viscera is impaired; when toxins and stasis accumulate, pathogenic factors disturb the uterus through the chong (冲) and ren (任) meri-dians. The resulting obstruction in the uterus can, in turn, manifest externally and aggravate damage to the body and viscera. Therefore, the pathogenesis of SLE secondary gynecological and obstetric diseases follows a dynamic trajectory of "body bi first, body bi affecting viscera, and then bi of both body and viscera". In treatment, the principle of harmonizing and balancing the healthy qi is emphasized. The main approach is to regulate the viscera, stabilize the body, and nourish the uterus, with the coordination of nourishing the viscera through the body, thereby achieving simultaneous treatment of both body and viscera. This highlights the guiding significance of the "bi of both body and viscera" theory in preventing and treating SLE secondary gynecological and obstetric diseases.
7.Distritution Characteristics of TCM Syndromes and Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Efficacy in 2506 Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients with Different Course of Disease:A Real-World Retrospective Study
Zhengyao SHEN ; Jingtao LI ; Yuchen YANG ; Shujuan ZHANG ; Quan JIANG ; Xun GONG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(23):2453-2459
ObjectiveTo investigate the syndrome evolution patterns, characteristics of the used herbal medicinals, and efficacy variations across different stages of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) progression. MethodsBased on the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN), 2,506 RA patients were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into <6 months group (166 cases), 6 months to <5 years group (1063 cases), 5 to <20 years group (1067 cases), and ≥20 years group (210 cases). Syndromes were differentiated before and after traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment, including damp-heat obstruction, wind-damp obstruction, cold-damp obstruction, blood stasis obstructed in the collaterals, phlegm-stasis obstruction, liver-kidney insufficiency, qi and blood deficiency, and qi-yin deficiency. The syndrome evolution rate was calculated for high-frequency syndromes before and after treatment. Analysis was conducted on top 20 frequently used Chinese herbs at the first diagnosis. Clinical efficacy of the 28-joint disease activity score based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) and 28-joint disease activity score based on C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) before and after treatment were assessed. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors affecting the efficacy of TCM treatment. ResultsPatients with course of disease shorter than 6 months predominantly presented with cold-dampness obstruction syndrome (49/166, 29.5%), wind-dampness obstruction syndrome (46/166, 27.7%), and dampness-heat obstruction syndrome (43/166, 25.9%). For patients with course of disease logner than 6 months and shorter than 5 years and those within 5 to 20 years, the dominant syndrome was dampness-heat obstruction syndrome (324/1063, 30.5% and 318/1067, 29.8%, respectively). In patients with disease duration ≥20 years, liver-kidney insufficiency syndrome and dampness-heat obstruction syndrome both predominated, each accounting for 25.24% (53/210). The syndromes with more than 100 cases before treatment and a syndrome evolution rate greater than 10% after treatment were dampness-heat obstruction (201/738, 27.2%), liver-kidney insufficiency (119/367, 32.4%), and phlegm-stasis obstruction syndromes (73/172, 42.4%). These were classified as high-frequency syndromes. After treatment, damp-heat obstruction syndrome and liver-kidney insufficiency syndrome primarily evolved into wind-damp obstruction syndrome, while phlegm-stasis obstruction syndrome evolved into damp-heat obstruction and cold-damp obstruction syndrome. The top two commonly used Chinese herbs across all groups were Gancao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) and Baishao (Radix Paeoniae Alba). In the <6 months group and the 6 months to <5 years group, high-frequency herbs also included Fangfeng (Radix Saposhnikoviae), Duhuo (Radix Angelicae Pubescentis), Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong), and Qianghuo (Radix et Rhizoma Notopterygii). In the 5 to <20 years group and the ≥20 years group, the usage of Huangqi (Radix Astragali), Fuling (Poria), Niuxi (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae), and Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) increased, while the proportion of Fangfeng and Duhuo decreased. After treatment, the DAS28-ESR and DAS28-CRP scores in all groups significantly decreased (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in clinical efficacy based on DAS28-ESR and DAS28-CRP across all groups (P<0.01). Multivariate logistic regression revealed significantly reduced treatment efficacy in the 6 months-5 years group (OR=0.4), 5~20 years group (OR=0.5), and ≥20 years group (OR=0.4) compared to the <6 months group. ConclusionRA syndromes follow a progression pattern from excess to deficiency, with corresponding transition in herbal usage from pathogen-eliminating to healthy qi-reinforcing approaches. TCM intervention can significantly reduce disease activity of RA, with superior efficacy in patients with disease duration shorter than 6 months.
8.Analysis of Serum Sestrin2 and TLR7 Level Expression in Patients with Severe Pneumonic Sepsis and Predictive Value for Heart Failure
Jian ZHANG ; Yuxing XU ; Yuchen LUO ; Qiqiang FAN ; Yang PANG ; Qingmei GONG
Journal of Modern Laboratory Medicine 2024;39(3):131-135,175
Objective To investigate the expression of serum Sestrin2 and Toll-like receptor 7(TLR7)in patients with severe pneumonia and sepsis and their predictive value for heart failure.Methods A total of 86 patients with severe pneumonia and sepsis complicated with heart failure(complicated with heart failure group)and 86 patients with severe pneumonia and sepsis(uncomplicated with heart failure group)who were diagnosed and treated in Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital from February 2022 to May 2023 were studied.Another 86 patients who underwent health examinations were included as the control group.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)method was applied to measure serum levels of Sestrin2 and TLR7.Color doppler echocardiography was applied to measure cardiac function related indicators:left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular end diastolic diameter(LVEDD),and left ventricular end systolic diameter(LESD).The expression of Sestrin2 and TLR7 levels and cardiac function in three groups was analyzed.Pearson correlation was applied to analyze the relationship between serum levels of Sestrin2 and TLR7 and cardiac function related indicators in patients with heart failure.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was applied to analyze the predictive value of serum levels of Sestrin2 and TLR7 in patients with severe pneumonia and sepsis complicated with heart failure.Results The serum levels of Sestrin2(11.59±3.31 ng/ml,16.13±3.62 ng/ml),TLR7(48.93±9.52 ng/ml,61.74±10.11 ng/ml),and cardiac function related indicators[LVEDD(53.28±5.76 mm,62.54±6.11 mm)and LESD(38.16±4.38 mm,48.15±5.02 mm)]were higher in uncomplicated heart failure group and complicated heart failure group than those in control group(7.11±2.34 ng/ml,40.12±10.16 ng/ml,44.86±5.02 mm,29.02±4.07 mm),with significant differences(qSestrin2=13.241,26.659,qTLR7=8.224,20.182,qLVEDD=13.824,29.028,qLESD=18.805,39.359,all P<0.05),and those values in complicated with heart failure group were higher than those in uncomplicated with heart failure group,with significant differences(q=13.418,11.985,15.203,20.554,all P<0.05).The LVEF(55.43%±6.62%,41.67%±5.84%)index in uncomplicated heart failure group and complicated heart failure group was lower than that in control group(62.75%±7.16%),with significant differences(q=10.344,29.789,all P<0.05),and the index in complicated with heart failure group was lower than that in uncomplicated with heart failure group,with significant difference(q=19.455,P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum levels of Sestrin2 and TLR7 in patients with heart failure were negatively correlated with LVEF(r=-0.419,-0.467,all P<0.05),and positively correlated with LVEDD and LESD(r=0.456,0.419;0.402,0.437,all P<0.05).Sestrin2 was positively correlated with TLR7(r=0.641,P<0.05).ROC curve results showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of serum Sestrin2 combined TLR7 for predicting heart failure in severe pneumonia sepsis patients was 0.940,with sensitivity of 74.9%and specificity of 73.3%.Conclusion The serum levels of Sestrin2 and TLR7 in patients with severe pneumonia and sepsis were elevated and may have good predictive value for patients with heart failure.
9.Analysis of Employment Status of Undergraduate Graduates in Health Services and Management in China
Hongkun CHEN ; Yuchen ZHOU ; Yuhuan SUN ; Yang YI ; Jianping SI ; Shucong LIU ; Jianping REN ; Dahui WANG
Chinese Journal of Health Management 2024;18(10):777-782
Objective:To investigate and analyze the employment status of college graduates majoring in health service and management in China.Methods:From April 2023 to June 2024, a cross-sectional survey was conducted on undergraduate graduates majoring in health service and management from 34 universities in China using convenient sampling method. General information was collected (such as gender, household registration at graduation, only child status, average monthly family income, previous experience as a student cadre, average grade point, part-time job experience, entrepreneurial experience, whether a first batch graduate of the university and the major, self-assessment of professional competence level) alongside employment status. Statistical descriptive analysis was employed to analyze the graduates′ basic employment situation, job competence and professional skill demand, types of certificates valued by employers, factors influencing job selection, evaluation of work and profession, and perceptions of professional employment prospects. A total of 1 417 questionnaires were collected in this study, with 1 315 valid responses (92.8%). Chi-square tests were used to compare employment differences among various factors, and binary logistic regression was used to analyze factors influencing employment outcomes.Results:Among 564 employed graduates in the Health Services and Management field, 98 (17.4%) work in health management companies and 97 (17.2%) in hospitals. Regarding important job competencies, 413 (73.2%), 409 (72.5%), and 364 (64.5%) respectively emphasized the importance of information collection and statistical analysis, organizational coordination, and communication skills. Key professional skills highly valued by employers included health risk assessment 175 (66.3%), health measurement 160 (60.6%), and health education and promotion 152 (57.6%). Additionally, 281 (49.8%) highlighted the importance of Health Management Professional Qualification Certificates. Factors influencing job choices included salary and benefits 454 (80.5%) and personal interests and hobbies 279 (49.5%). While 397 (70.4%) of the graduates provided positive feedback on their profession, only 274 (48.6%) were optimistic about their future job prospects. Binary logistic regression analysis indicated significant correlations (all P<0.05) between employment outcomes and factors such as part-time work experience ( OR=1.31) and average grade point ( OR=0.61, 0.68). Conclusions:The employment rate of undergraduate graduates majoring in health service and management in China is low in the health service market, with a low degree of job specialization matching. Graduates are not optimistic about the future employment prospects in their field, possibly due to unclear positioning in talent cultivation in universities and an imperfect job market.
10.Exploration of online and offline mixed teaching methods in Medical Microbiology teaching
Ye SUN ; Guangyan LIU ; Biao YANG ; Chunling XIAO ; Yuchen CHE ; Xinming LI ; Shuyin LI
Journal of Shenyang Medical College 2024;26(1):104-107
Objective:To improve the teaching quality of Medical Microbiology by optimizing the teaching method,adjusting the teaching content and reforming the assessment model.Methods:The students of grade 2020 and 2021 of the same major were divided into the control group and the reform group.The control group received the traditional teaching method.The reform group received the"online + offline"blended teaching method,which integrates online learning resources and ideological and political education into the theoretical content of the curriculum.And the whole process assessment system was applied to the teaching method.The teaching quality was evaluated by the whole process examination results and questionnaire survey.Results:Compared with the control group,the score in the reform group was significantly improved(P<0.01).Results of the questionnaire survey showed that students'satisfaction with the mixed teaching method reached 97.5% .The integration of hot issues of microbiology and curriculum ideological and political education significantly improved students'learning interest,and more students wanted to engage in the work of microbiology related fields in the future.Conclusion:The practice results show that optimizing the teaching method,adjusting the teaching content and reforming the assessment mode can stimulate the students'learning interest,improve the students'independent learning ability and improve the teaching quality.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail