1.Exploring Biological Characteristics of Rat Model of Atrial Fibrillation with Phlegm-heat and Blood Stasis Pattern Based on Metabolomics
Ailin HOU ; Yuxuan LIU ; Wenxi YU ; Xing JI ; Chan WU ; Dazhuo SHI ; Ying ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):245-255
ObjectiveTo establish an animal model of atrial fibrillation(AF) that accurately reflects the phlegm-heat and blood stasis(TRYZ) pathogenesis in traditional Chinese medicine. MethodsForty SPF-grade SD rats were randomly assigned using a random number table to the following groups:the control group, the TRYZ+AF group,the AF group and the TRYZ group, with ten rats in each group. The TRYZ+AF and TRYZ groups underwent a high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide(LPS) injection to simulate the pathological alterations of TRYZ syndrome. Groups TRYZ+AF and AF were induced with acetylcholine-calcium chloride(Ach-CaCl2) via caudal vein injection to induce AF. The control group received no intervention and was maintained under normal conditions. The modeling period lasted 3 weeks. Electrocardiography was used to assess AF episodes and duration, echocardiography evaluated left atrial dimensions and cardiac function, fully automated biochemical analyzer measured the levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), hemoreometer analyzed the whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, and whole blood reduced viscosity, a coagulation analyzer assessed prothrombin time(PT), activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT), thrombin time(TT), and fibrinogen(FIB), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to determine the levels of C-reactive protein(CRP), interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-17, tumour necrosis factor(TNF)-α, matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9), galectin-3(Gal-3), Collagen Ⅰ, and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Masson's trichrome staining were used to analyze pathological changes in atrial myocardium, Western blot was employed to detect MMP-9, Collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA protein expression in myocardial tissue, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) evaluated fibrous factor gene expression levels. Changes in the TRYZ syndrome were assessed via body weight, tongue color[red(R), green(G), and blue(B)], and rectal temperature. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was employed to detect differential metabolites between the control group and the TRYZ+AF group. ResultsFollowing three weeks of sustained modeling, compared with the control group, rats in the TRYZ+AF and the TRYZ groups exhibited reduced body weight, dry faeces, elevated rectal temperature, dark red tongue, decreased RGB values on the tongue surface, and markedly elevated TC and LDL-C levels(P<0.05, P<0.01). The TRYZ+AF, TRYZ, and AF groups exhibited significantly decreased TT, APTT and PT, along with markedly elevated whole blood viscosity and FIB(P<0.05, P<0.01). Rats in the TRYZ+AF and AF groups exhibited AF rhythm, markedly decreased heart rate, prolonged RR intervals, enlarged left atrium, and significantly reduced ejection fraction and shortening fraction(P<0.05, P<0.01). Serum levels of CRP, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α, MMP-9, Gal-3, Collagen Ⅰ, and α-SMA were elevated in rats from the TRYZ+AF, TRYZ, and AF groups compared to the control group, with the most pronounced increase observed in the TRYZ+AF group(P<0.05, P<0.01). Histopathology revealed that the collagen fiber deposition in the atrial of rats in the TRYZ+AF, TRYZ and AF groups was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05, P<0.01). Western blot and Real-time PCR results further demonstrated that the protein and mRNA expression levels of MMP-9, Collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA in the myocardial tissue of the TRYZ+AF group were higher than those in the other three groups(P<0.05, P<0.01). Metabolomic analysis revealed 173 differentially expressed metabolites in the TRYZ+AF group and the control group, primarily enriched in pathways such as glycerophospholipid metabolism and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. ConclusionThis study successfully establishes a rat model of AF integrated with the TRYZ syndrome, demonstrating the pathological process where the interactions of phlegm, heat and stasis jointly trigger tremor, this provides a reliable experimental tool for in-depth research into the biological basis of this disease syndrome.
2.Expressions levels of miR-34a,β-catenin and PD-L1 in cancer tissues of patients with cervical cancer and their correlation with prognosis
Chan LI ; Weiqin LYU ; Ting LI ; Junli ZHANG ; Lina ZHAO ; Changping YAN
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(20):2439-2445
Objective To investigate the expression levels of microRNA-34a(miR-34a),β-catenin and pro-grammed death receptor-1(PD-L1)in cancer tissues of patients with cervical cancer(CC)and their correla-tion with patients' prognosis.Methods A total of 83 patients with CC admitted to Yuncheng Central Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University from June 2021 to January 2024 were selected as the research objects.General data,CC tissue and adjacent normal tissue samples of all patients were collected.The mRNA expres-sion levels of miR-34a,β-catenin and PD-L1 in CC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were detected by fluo-rescence quantitative PCR and compared.The expression levels of β-catenin and PD-L1 in CC tissues and adja-cent normal tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of prognosis in CC patients.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the predictive value of miR-34a,β-catenin and PD-L1 expression levels in CC pa-tients with poor prognosis.Results Compared with adjacent normal tissues,the expression level of miR-34a of the CC tissues was lower,while the expression levels of β-catenin and PD-L1 were higher(P<0.05).The positive expression rates of β-catenin and PD-L1 protein in CC tissues were higher than those of adjacent nor-mal tissues(89.16%vs.10.84%,78.31%vs.20.48%,x2=101.807,55.526,P<0.05).There were no sig-nificant differences in age and body mass index(BMI)between the good prognosis group and the poor progno-sis group(t=1.508,1.820,both P>0.05),while there were significant differences in International Federa-tion of Gynecology and Obstetrics(FIGO)stage and differentiation degree between the two groups(x2=8.451,9.115,both P<0.05).Compared with the good prognosis group,the expression level of miR-34a of the poor prognosis group was lower,while the expression levels of β-catenin and PD-L1 were higher(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that increased expression of miR-34a was an protective factor for poor prognosis in CC patients,while the increased expression levels of β-catenin and PD-L1,Ⅱ a and Ⅱ b FIGO staging and low differentiation were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in CC patients(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that miR-34a,β-catenin and PD-L1 all had certain predictive value for the poor prognosis of CC patient,and the area under the curve(AUC)of the single detection was 0.765,0.836 and 0.797,respectively.The AUC of the combined detection was 0.914(Z=2.631,2.331,2.571,P=0.009,0.020,0.010).Conclusion The expression levels of miR-34a,β-catenin and PD-L1 mRNA affect the prognosis of CC patients.Increased expression of miR-34a is an protective factor for poor prognosis in CC patients,in-creased β-catenin and PD-L1 expressions are independent risk factors for poor prognosis in CC patients,and all three factors can be used as biomarkers to predict poor prognosis in CC patients,and the combined detection of the three has the highest prognostic value.
3.Digitalization of education empowers the construction of professional courses in medical school
Hongyu YAN ; Fumin HUANG ; Guo LIANG ; Zhimin HU ; Binghao WANG ; Junda CHAN ; Qin ZHANG
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(5):697-700
With the rapid development of information technology,digitization of education has become an important driving force to promote education reform.In the education system of medical colleges,the construction and imple-mentation of professional curriculum courses play an important role in the cultivation of qualified medical talents.Emergence of education digitization has brought unprecedented opportunities but also some challenges to the curric-ulum construction by teachers in medical school.This paper aims to explore how to effectively promote construction of professional curriculums with information technology(IT)guided by education digitization strategy and to recom-mend a series of methods in terms of strategy implementation in medical schools.
4.Efficacy and safety of acupoint application for gastrointestinal function in treating post-stroke depression: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Xuan Zhang ; Shuhui Li ; Juntao Wang ; Chung Tai Lau ; Jacky C.P. Chan
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2025;2025(4):552-558
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupoint application for post-stroke depression (PSD) by regulating gastrointestinal function. A secondary objective is to explore the potential mechanism underlying this approach from the perspective of gut microbiota.MethodsThis multicenter, randomized, double-blind (patients and assessors), placebo-controlled trial will enroll 80 patients with PSD, and include a 1-week run-in period, a 4-week treatment phase, and a 12-week follow-up. Eligible participants will randomly be assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the acupoint application or placebo (non-acupoint) groups. Treatments will be administered thrice weekly for 4 weeks. The primary outcome is change in the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) score. Secondary outcomes include the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living, Social Adaptation Self–Evaluation Scale (SASS), and gut microbiota profiling. All outcomes will be assessed at baseline (prior to treatment), during treatment (weeks 2 and 4), and during follow-up (weeks 8, 12, and 16). The Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) will be used for evaluation throughout the 4-week treatment phase.DiscussionThe results of this study will provide important evidence supporting a novel treatment strategy for PSD that targets gastrointestinal regulation, potentially informing future clinical practice.
5.Effect of m6A demethylase ALKBH5 on proliferation and migration of cardiac fibroblasts induced by high glucose
Zhi-yan LIU ; Li-chan LIN ; Zhen-yu LIU ; Ji-ming SHA ; Peng LIU ; Sui MAO ; Yun-sen ZHANG ; Rui LI ; Ye ZHANG ; Hui TAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(2):235-241
Aim To investigate the effect of N6-methy-ladenosine(m6A)demethylase ALKBH5 on the prolif-eration and migration of cardiac fibroblasts(CFs)in-duced by high glucose.Methods Primary CFs were isolated from neonatal mouse hearts and identified u-sing optical and confocal microscopy.Cell activation was induced using a high-glucose medium(33 mmol·L-1 glucose).An ALKBH5 overexpression model was established by transfecting CFs with an ALKBH5 ex-pression vector in a high-glucose medium.The expres-sion of ALKBH5 in CFs was assessed through immuno-fluorescence staining,Western blot and RT-qPCR.Changes in m6A levels were evaluated using Dot blot a-nalysis.Additionally,Alterations in the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)and collagenⅠ,a pivotal fibrosis indicator,were measured using Western blot.The proliferation and migration ability of CFs were assessed through EdU staining and Transwell migration assay,respectively.Results Following treatment with high glucose,the expression of ALKBH5 in CFs notably decreased,while m6A level increased.This was accompanied by a significant increase in the expression of the proliferation marker PCNA and the fi-brosis marker collagen Ⅰ.Additionally,there was a sig-nificant improvement in the ability of proliferation and migration.Overexpression of ALKBH5 resulted in a significant decrease in the expressions of PCNA and collagen Ⅰ,leading to the inhibition of both proliferation and migration in CFs.Conclusion Overexpression of ALKBH5 suppresses the expression of PCNA and colla-gen Ⅰ,consequently reducing the proliferation and mi-gration of CFs,potentially through m6A methylation modification.
6.Effects of Shaoyao Gancao Decoction on autophagy following post-ERCP pancreatitis in rats
Meng CHEN ; Gan CAI ; Biao GONG ; Xi-wen ZHANG ; Chan LÜ ; Tao LI ; Yong-hong HU ; Fu LI
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(3):759-766
AIM To investigate the mechanism of Shaoyao Gancao Decoction in preventing meglumine diatrizoate-induced post-ERCP pancreatitis in rats through autophagy regulation.METHODS The rats were randomized into the normal group,the model group,the low-dose and high-dose Shaoyao Gancao Decoction(1.5,3.0 g/kg),and the indomethacin suppository group.A rat model of post-ERCP pancreatitis was induced by meglumine diatrizoate injection into the pancreatic duct under continuous pressure.The rats had their pancreatic tissues stained with HE to observe the pathological alterations,inflammatory cell infiltration,hemorrhage and necrosis;their serum levels of IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,TNF-α,AMS,and IL-10 identified by ELISA;their autophagic vacuoles in pancreatic acinar cells observed by transmission electron microscopy;their pancreatic protein expressions of Beclin1,LC3B,p62,TRAF2 and p-JNK detected by IHC and Western blot;and their pancreatic mRNA expressions of Beclin1 and TRAF2 detected by RT-qPCR.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the high-dose Shaoyao Gancao Decoction group displayed no obvious hemorrhage;improvement in edema of acinar and interstitial cells;obviously less cellular inflammatory infiltration;substantially decreased serum levels of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α and AMS(P<0.05,P<0.01);drastically reduced amount of autophagosomes in acinar cells;and down-regulated expressions of autophagy-related proteins Beclin1,LC3,p62,TRAF2 and p-JNK(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Shaoyao Gancao Decoction can prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis by ameliorating pancreatic tissue injury,decreasing serum inflammatory response level,and interfering with abnormal autophagy of pancreatic acinar cells.Its molecular mechanism may involve inhibition of TRAF2 protein expression and modulation of p-JNK activation.
7.Construction and application of a nursing consultation information system based on information interaction needs
Chan HUANG ; Yanyu CHI ; Yudi MIN ; Peiye CAO ; Jun LIU ; Rongxin ZHENG ; Haiyan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(6):645-651
Objective To construct a nursing consultation information system based on consultation process and information interaction needs and explore its application effect.Methods The nursing consultation process and information interaction needs were analyzed;the information process,content modules and information interaction interface were designed;the structured records for nursing consultation were developed.The system was officially applied in January 2024.The application effect was evaluated by comparing the completion time of nursing consultations,nursing consultation record quality score,nursing consultation evaluation completion rate,and satisfaction rate before(August 2023 to October 2023)and after(January 2024 to March 2024)the application of the information system.Results After the application of the nursing consultation information system,the implementation rate of nursing consultation for inpatients increased from 1.27% before the application of the system to 1.47%(P=0.019).The completion time of nursing consultation in the whole hospital reduced from 351(225,421)minutes before the application of the system to 310(156,402)minutes(P<0.001),and there was a statistically significant difference in the completion time of nursing consultation among the 3 specialties of intravenous therapy,blood purification,and diabetes nursing(P<0.05).The quality score of nursing consultation records increased from 90.5(82.0,100)points to 95.5(92.0,100)points(P<0.001).The completion rate of nursing consultation evaluation was higher than those before the system application,with statistical significance(21.6% vs 78.4%,P<0.001).Conclusion Nursing consultation information system based on information interaction needs can improve the implementation of nursing consultation for inpatients,shorten the completion time of nursing consultations,improve the writing quality of nursing consultation records and the completion rate of nursing consultation evaluation,and it succeeded in real-time quality monitoring.
8.Establishment of PK-PD Binding Model for Multi-Components of Crossbow Medicine Microemulsion Based on a Rat Model of Knee Osteoarthritis
Chan ZHAO ; Huan XIE ; Jian XU ; Yao LIU ; Fangfang YANG ; Yinglong CHEN ; Yongping ZHANG
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(6):804-812
OBJECTIVE To establish a combined pharmacokinetic(PK)-pharmacodynamic(PD)model for knee osteoarthritis(KOA)of crossbow drug microemulsion multi-components(benzoylmesaconine,benzoylhypacoitine,mesaconitine,periplocin,neo-chlorogenic acid,vanillic acid,chlorogenic acid),and elucidate the dynamic changes in the KOA rats and the interrelation with the e-lapsed efficacy of the drug.METHODS A KOA rat model was induced by 4%papain;the PK process of crossbow medicine microe-mulsion components in rat synovial fluid was analyzed by UPLC to establish a PK model;the contents of MMP-3,MMP-13,TNF-α and IL-1β in KOA rats at different time points after administration were determined by ELISA analysis to establish a PD model;Phoe-nix WinNonlin software was used to fit the PK and PD data to obtain a PK-PD model.RESULTS PK results showed that the multi-components of the microemulsion were slowly absorbed in the joint cavity and gradually reached the peak value within 3-5 h.The Cmax of benzoylmesaconine,benzoylhypacoitine mesaconitine,periplocoside,neochlorogenic acid,vanillic acid and chlorogenic acid were 1.23,1.48,1.62,4.67,0.93,1.25 and 2.35 μg·mL-1,respectively;the area under the drug-time curve(AUC0-11)was 2.58,4.04,3.54,12.15,2.51,2.41 and 4.11 h·μg·mL-1,respectively.PD results showed that at different time points after adminis-tration,the contents of MMP-3,IL-1β,TNF-α,and MMP-13 decreased to varying degrees,among which MMP-3 decreased insig-nificantly,with significant differences only at 6 h;the contents of the remaining IL-1β,TNF-α,and MMP-13 decreased significantly(P<0.05,P<0.01),and showed the phenomenon of lagged efficacy;the PK-PD binding model showed that the drug concentration of the multi-component drug in the crossbow medicine microemulsion could be well fitted with its drug efficacy data.CONCLUSION The established PK-PD binding model can predict the drug efficacy changes after administration,and provides a corresponding refer-ence for the crossbow medicine microemulsion treatment of KOA.
9.The relationship between white matter injury and sleepiness,sleep disorders,and cognitive decline in patients with obstructive sleep apnea
Yaoyao ZHAI ; Xiaoxia LIU ; Chan MENG ; Lei ZHAO ; Zhiming ZHANG ; Dahai WU
Chinese Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2025;32(4):244-250
OBJECTIVE To explore the relationship between white matter damage and sleepiness,decreased sleep quality,and cognitive decline in patients with OSA.METHODS There were 55 confirmed cases of OSA diagnosed by polysomnography(PSG)from January 2018 to May 2023 were selected,with 29 non-OSA controls also diagnosed by PSG.DKI scanning and Epworth sleepiness scale(ESS),Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI),and Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA)scores were performed for all subjects.Differences in kurtosis fractional anisotropy(KFA)of various brain regions were compared between the two groups to identify differential brain regions,and pairwise correlations were analyzed between KFA reduction and apnea-hypopnea index(AHI),lowest oxygen saturation(LSaO2)and various scale scores in OSA patients.RESULTS The KFA values in right external capsule,bilateral corona radiata,bilateral superior longitudinal fasciculus,corpus callosum,posterior cingulate gyrus of OSA group were lower than control group(P<0.05).For the OSA group:The correlation between ESS scores and KFA values of right posterior corona radiata,left superior longitudinal fasciculus,body of corpus callosum,splenium of corpus callosum are all negative(r=-0.287,-0.286,-0.276,-0.449,P<0.05).The correlation between PSQI scores and KFA values of right posterior corona radiata,left posterior corona radiata,splenium of corpus callosum are all negative(r=-0.390,-0.274,-0.348,P<0.05).The correlation between MoCA scores and KFA values of right posterior corona radiata,right superior longitudinal fasciculus,left anterior corona radiata,left posterior corona radiata,left superior corona radiata,left superior longitudinal fasciculus,genu of corpus callosum,body of corpus callosum,are all positive(r=0.290,0.389,0.298,0.278,0.340,0.473,0.344,0.344,P<0.05).The correlation between visuospatial and executive function scores and AHI,LSaO2,ESS scores and KFA values of right posterior corona radiata,left superior corona radiata,left superior longitudinal fasciculus and splenium of corpus callosum are all significant(r=-0.350,0.470,-0.343,0.401,0.284,0.387,0.274,P<0.05).CONCLUSION Patients with OSA exhibit damage to the white matter in certain brain regions.The damage to the corpus callosum,posterior corona radiata,and superior longitudinal fasciculus has the greatest impact on patients'sleepiness,reduced sleep quality,and cognitive impairment.In particular,the impairment in visuospatial and executive function is closely associated with white matter damage in the corona radiata and superior longitudinal fasciculus.
10.Pinelliae Rhizoma: a systematic review on botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, preclinical and clinical evidence.
Zuanji LIANG ; Jinchao WEI ; Sioi CHAN ; Siyuan ZHANG ; Li XU ; Chenxiao SHEN ; Zhangfeng ZHONG ; Yitao WANG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(1):1-20
Pinelliae Rhizoma (PR), known as Banxia in Chinese, Hange in Japanese, and Banha in Korean, is a renowned herbal medicine in East Asia derived from the dry tuber of Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Breit. (PT). It is extensively utilized in dispensing granules, classical prescriptions, and herbal formulas to treat various conditions, including cough, infection, phlegm, nausea, asthma, and inflammation. Despite numerous studies on PR and its classical prescriptions over recent decades, a comprehensive synthesis of available evidence regarding its multifunctional roles and therapeutic potential is lacking. This review aims to address this gap by examining emerging evidence from metabonomics, preclinical studies, and clinical trials, while exploring potential trends and prospects for future research. A systematic literature search was conducted across six electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Wanfang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, to identify relevant articles on PR published until March 2023. PR contains 107 compounds with diverse pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, immune regulatory, anti-viral, anti-cancer, anti-asthma, antitussive and expectorant, antioxidant, anti-obesity, anti-atherosclerosis, anti-microbial, emetic and anti-emetic, anti-convulsant and anti-epileptic, sedative and hypnotic, learning and memory enhancement, and anti-depressant effects. Metabonomic studies suggest that raw PR may exhibit cardiotoxicity and pregnancy toxicity while showing no apparent hepatorenal toxicity. However, limited pharmacokinetic investigations on PR constrain its clinical translation. Furthermore, clinical safety data on PR is scarce, with only four clinical trials assessing its positive effects in pediatric epilepsy, nausea and vomiting, soft tissue injury, and chronic sinus tract. This review aims to enhance understanding of PR and provide valuable information and recommendations for further research and development of herbal medicine.
Humans
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Pinellia/chemistry*
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Animals
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Ethnopharmacology
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Phytochemicals/chemistry*
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Rhizome/chemistry*


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