1.Quality Evaluation of Gegen Qinlian Tablets Based on HPLC Multi-component Quantification Combined with Chemical Pattern Recognition and TOPSIS Analysis
Ping QIN ; Yingying LU ; Wenming ZHANG ; Zifang FENG ; Lihong GU ; Chenjie XIA ; Minmin HU ; Xiaowei CHEN ; Zhenhua BIAN ; Xiwan LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):217-224
ObjectiveTo establish a high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) for the quantitative analysis of multiple components in Gegen Qinlian tablets, and to comprehensively evaluate the quality of samples from different manufacturers by integrating chemical pattern recognition and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution(TOPSIS), in order to provide a reference basis for quality evaluation and control of Gegen Qinlian tablets. MethodsHPLC was employed to determine the contents of 10 components in 28 batches of Gegen Qinlian tablets collected from 6 manufacturers, and taking the detection results as variables, SIMCA 14.1 and SPSS 26.0 were employed for cluster analysis(CA), principal component analysis(PCA), and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) to identify key components affecting the quality. Then, TOPSIS analysis was employed to rank the quality of Gegen Qinlian tablets from the 6 manufacturers and establish a comprehensive quality evaluation method. ResultsA quantitative method for Gegen Qinlian tablets was established. After methodological validation, the method was found to be stable and reliable, and could be used for the quantitative analysis of this preparation. The contents of 3′-hydroxy puerarin, puerarin, 3′-methoxy puerarin, daidzein, coptisine hydrochloride, epiberberine, jatrorrhizine hydrochloride, berberine hydrochloride, palmatine hydrochloride and baicalin in 28 batches of samples were 3.58-7.35, 24.88-42.32, 4.20-9.36, 4.33-7.60, 2.52-6.44, 0.93-4.10, 0.58-3.05, 10.68-22.92, 0.82-4.82, 11.73-60.16 mg·g-1, respectively. Among them, puerarin, berberine hydrochloride and baicalin all met the limit requirements for this preparation specified in the 2025 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. CA and PCA clustered the 28 batches of samples into 5 categories, PCA extracted 2 principal components with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 90.588%, and OPLS-DA screened out 4 differential markers with variable importance in the projection(VIP) values>1.0, namely baicalin, 3′-hydroxy puerarin, coptisine hydrochloride and palmatine hydrochloride, which might be the main components affecting the quality of Gegen Qinlian tablets. TOPSIS analysis showed that the comprehensive score of each evaluation index(Ci) values of different manufacturers were different. Among them, the Ci of manufacturer B was ranked higher, indicating potentially superior quality, while the Ci of manufacturer A was ranked lower, suggesting potentially inferior quality. ConclusionThis study establishes a quantitative method for Gegen Qinlian tablets, and the content uniformity of the same manufacturer is good, while there are differences in the contents of active components among different manufacturers. Through the chemical pattern recognition analysis, it is found that the content differences of Gegen Qinlian tablets may be related to baicalin, 3′-hydroxy puerarin, coptisine hydrochloride and palmatine hydrochloride.
2.Effects of polysaccharide liposomes of dendrobium officinale targeting hair follicles in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia
Li XIA ; Sijie ZHAO ; Yang HU ; Yafei WAN
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2026;57(2):224-232
Based on previous research on the promoting effect of dendrobium officinale polysaccharides (DOP) on hair growth, this study aimed to regulate the skin keratin penetration and hair follicle targeting ability of DOP through molecular weight and nano-carriers to enhance its therapeutic effect on androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Three molecular weight polysaccharides, namely high (DOP), medium (MDOP), and low (LDOP), were prepared by mannanase hydrolysis, and the corresponding liposomes (DOP-lip/MDOP-lip/LDOP-lip) were constructed. Studies have shown that DOP liposomes can effectively achieve follicular targeted delivery and promote efficient uptake by human dermal papilla cells through caveolin-mediated pathways. In the testosterone-induced AGA mouse model, LDOP-lip demonstrated excellent therapeutic effects, restoring the number and morphology of hair follicles to nearly normal levels. In summary, DOP liposomes show significant potential for promoting hair follicle repair through precise delivery and efficient cellular uptake.
3.Advances in application of lens constant optimization for IOL power calculation
Ruoqiu XIA ; Hao XU ; Xuanxuan WANG ; Chenqiong HU
International Eye Science 2026;26(7):1180-1184
With the advent of the refractive era of cataract surgery, postoperative residual refractive error has become a key factor affecting visual quality. The accuracy of intraocular lens(IOL)power calculation is affected by multiple factors, including ocular biological parameters, calculation formulas, and lens constants. Currently, the lens constants widely used in clinical practice are mostly based on Western populations, which have a mismatch with the ocular characteristics of the Chinese population, such as shorter axial length and steeper cornea. Therefore, the personalized optimization of the constant has become a research hotspot. This review primarily summarizes the research progress on lens constant optimization in improving the accuracy of IOL power calculation. Currently, there is no consensus on lens constant optimization methods. Single-constant formulas can be optimized through iterative methods, while multi-constant formulas require the combination of linear or nonlinear strategies. Simplified gradient descent and data-driven techniques offer new optimization pathways, but cross-validation is needed to evaluate their performance. Segmented optimization based on axial length, corneal curvature, and anterior chamber depth has shown significant effectiveness in patients with special anatomical structures, effectively reducing postoperative refractive errors in different patient groups, but limitations remain in some extreme cases. The interaction of multiple parameters significantly impacts the predictive accuracy of complex cases. While new-generation formulas integrating multiple parameters or incorporating AI algorithms have improved accuracy, constant optimization still holds value. Currently, the complex relationships between multiple parameters and intraoperative dynamic changes require further in-depth research. Future research, including targeted population optimization studies, the development of real-time monitoring technologies, and innovative IOL designs, may make achieving zero postoperative refractive error a possibility.
4.Epidemiological characteristics and antimicrobial resistance analyses of foodborne Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Wenzhou City of Zhejiang Province from 2016 to 2024
Maomao WU ; Yuqin HU ; Ziqi XIA ; Leyi ZHANG ; Minhe CHEN
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(6):453-457
ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological status, serotypes, and drug resistance characteristics of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in foodborne disease surveillance in Wenzhou from 2016 to 2024, and to provide scientific evidence and data support for the prevention and control of Vibrio parahaemolyticus infections. MethodsA total of 45 980 stool or anal swab samples were collected from patients with vomiting and diarrhea as the main symptoms and a history of consuming suspicious food at medical institutions at all levels in Wenzhou from 2016 to 2024. Isolation, identification, and drug susceptibility testing were performed. Case information was collected through the National Foodborne Disease Surveillance Reporting System. The Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel (CMH) chi-square test was used to analyze the detection rates among groups. ResultsAmong the 45 980 suspected samples, 2 821 were positive for Vibrio parahaemolyticus, with an overall detection rate of 6.14%. A comparison of detection rates across different population groups revealed that the highest rates were found among adults aged 20‒39 (8.57%,1 603/18 697) and among farmers and workers (7.93%, 994/12 537). A comparison of detection rates across different seasons revealed that the detection rates were higher from June to October (5.12%, 9.04%, 15.04%, 14.68%, and 7.80%, respectively), peaking in August. Analyses of the sampling results for suspect foodstuffs revealed that aquatic products and their derivatives accounted for the highest proportion (42.86%). Regarding the setting of food consumption, the household accounted for 44.53% (1 257/2 821). From 2016 to 2020, the predominant serotype was O3:K6 (28.82%, 813/2 821), followed by O10:K4 (28.25%, 797/2 821) and O4:KUT (23.61%, 666/2 821). In terms of drug resistance, the resistance rate to cefazolin was the highest at 84.15% (393/467), and the multi-drug resistance rate was 6.21% (29/467). ConclusionFrom 2016 to 2024, patients with suspected foodborne illnesses in Wenzhou City experienced a peak in Vibrio parahaemolyticus infections during the summer and autumn months (June to October). Young adults aged 20‒39, as well as farmers and manual workers, were the key target groups for the prevention and control of Vibrio parahaemolyticus infections. The predominant serotype of Vibrio parahaemolyticus shifted from O3:K6 to O10:K4. Vibrio parahaemolyticus exhibited a high level of resistance to cefazolin. It is essential to strengthen surveillance of the epidemiological trends of the predominant serotype, monitor changes in the antibiotic resistance of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, enhance health education for key populations, and intensify regulatory inspections of high-risk foods such as aquatic products and their derivatives.
5.Comprehensive evaluation of benign and malignant pulmonary nodules using combined biological testing and imaging assessment in 1 017 patients: A retrospective cohort study
Lei ZHANG ; Zihao LI ; Nan LI ; Jun CHENG ; Feng ZHANG ; Pinghui XIA ; Wang LÜ ; ; Jian HU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(01):60-66
Objective By combining biological detection and imaging evaluation, a clinical prediction model is constructed based on a large cohort to improve the accuracy of distinguishing between benign and malignant pulmonary nodules. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of the 32 627 patients with pulmonary nodules who underwent chest CT and testing for 7 types of lung cancer-related serum autoantibodies (7-AABs) at our hospital from January 2020 to April 2024. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were performed to screen independent risk factors for benign and malignant pulmonary nodules, based on which a nomogram model was established. The performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Results A total of 1 017 patients with pulmonary nodules were included in the study. The training set consisted of 712 patients, including 291 males and 421 females, with a mean age of (58±12) years. The validation set included 305 patients, comprising 129 males and 176 females, with a mean age of (58±13) years. Univariate ROC curve analysis indicated that the combination of CT and 7-AABs testing achieved the highest area under the curve (AUC) value (0.794), surpassing the diagnostic efficacy of CT alone (AUC=0.667) or 7-AABs alone (AUC=0.514). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that radiological nodule diameter, nodule nature, and CT combined with 7-AABs detection were independent predictors, which were used to construct a nomogram prediction model. The AUC values for this model were 0.826 and 0.862 in the training and validation sets, respectively, demonstrating excellent performance in DCA. Conclusion The combination of 7-AABs with CT significantly enhances the accuracy of distinguishing between benign and malignant pulmonary nodules. The developed predictive model provides strong support for clinical decision-making and contributes to achieving precise diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary nodules.
6.Role of SPINK in Dermatologic Diseases and Potential Therapeutic Targets
Yong-Hang XIA ; Hao DENG ; Li-Ling HU ; Wei LIU ; Xiao TAN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):417-424
Serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type (SPINK) is a skin keratinizing protease inhibitor, which was initially found in animal serum and is widely present in plants, animals, bacteria, and viruses, and they act as key regulators of skin keratinizing proteases and are involved in the regulation of keratinocyte proliferation and inflammation, primarily through the inhibition of deregulated tissue kinin-releasing enzymes (KLKs) in skin response. This process plays a crucial role in alleviating various skin problems caused by hyperkeratinization and inflammation, and can greatly improve the overall condition of the skin. Specifically, the different members of the SPINK family, such as SPINK5, SPINK6, SPINK7, and SPINK9, each have unique biological functions and mechanisms of action. The existence of these members demonstrates the diversity and complexity of skin health and disease. First, SPINK5 mutations are closely associated with the development of various skin diseases, such as Netherton’s syndrome and atopic dermatitis, and SPINK5 is able to inhibit the activation of the STAT3 signaling pathway, thereby effectively preventing the metastasis of melanoma cells, which is important in preventing the invasion and migration of malignant tumors. Secondly, SPINK6 is mainly distributed in the epidermis and contains lysine and glutamate residues, which can act as a substrate for epidermal transglutaminase to maintain the normal structure and function of the skin. In addition, SPINK6 can activate the intracellular ERK1/2 and AKT signaling pathways through the activation of epidermal growth factor receptor and protease receptor-2 (EphA2), which can promote the migration of melanoma cells, and SPINK6 further deepens its role in stimulating the migration of malignant tumor cells by inhibiting the activation of STAT3 signaling pathway. This process further deepens its potential impact in stimulating tumor invasive migration. Furthermore, SPINK7 plays a role in the pathology of some inflammatory skin diseases, and is likely to be an important factor contributing to the exacerbation of skin diseases by promoting aberrant proliferation of keratinocytes and local inflammatory responses. Finally, SPINK9 can induce cell migration and promote skin wound healing by activating purinergic receptor 2 (P2R) to induce phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor and further activating the downstream ERK1/2 signaling pathway. In addition, SPINK9 also plays an antimicrobial role, preventing the interference of some pathogenic microorganisms. Taken as a whole, some members of the SPINK family may be potential targets for the treatment of dermatological disorders by regulating multiple biological processes such as keratinization metabolism and immuno-inflammatory processes in the skin. The development of drugs such as small molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies has great potential for the treatment of dermatologic diseases, and future research on SPINK will help to gain a deeper understanding of the physiopathologic processes of the skin. Through its functions and regulatory mechanisms, the formation and maintenance of the skin barrier and the occurrence and development of inflammatory responses can be better understood, which will provide novel ideas and methods for the prevention and treatment of skin diseases.
7.The Use of Speech in Screening for Cognitive Decline in Older Adults
Si-Wen WANG ; Xiao-Xiao YIN ; Lin-Lin GAO ; Wen-Jun GUI ; Qiao-Xia HU ; Qiong LOU ; Qin-Wen WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):456-463
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that severely affects the health of the elderly, marked by its incurability, high prevalence, and extended latency period. The current approach to AD prevention and treatment emphasizes early detection and intervention, particularly during the pre-AD stage of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which provides an optimal “window of opportunity” for intervention. Clinical detection methods for MCI, such as cerebrospinal fluid monitoring, genetic testing, and imaging diagnostics, are invasive and costly, limiting their broad clinical application. Speech, as a vital cognitive output, offers a new perspective and tool for computer-assisted analysis and screening of cognitive decline. This is because elderly individuals with cognitive decline exhibit distinct characteristics in semantic and audio information, such as reduced lexical richness, decreased speech coherence and conciseness, and declines in speech rate, voice rhythm, and hesitation rates. The objective presence of these semantic and audio characteristics lays the groundwork for computer-based screening of cognitive decline. Speech information is primarily sourced from databases or collected through tasks involving spontaneous speech, semantic fluency, and reading, followed by analysis using computer models. Spontaneous language tasks include dialogues/interviews, event descriptions, narrative recall, and picture descriptions. Semantic fluency tasks assess controlled retrieval of vocabulary items, requiring participants to extract information at the word level during lexical search. Reading tasks involve participants reading a passage aloud. Summarizing past research, the speech characteristics of the elderly can be divided into two major categories: semantic information and audio information. Semantic information focuses on the meaning of speech across different tasks, highlighting differences in vocabulary and text content in cognitive impairment. Overall, discourse pragmatic disorders in AD can be studied along three dimensions: cohesion, coherence, and conciseness. Cohesion mainly examines the use of vocabulary by participants, with a reduction in the use of nouns, pronouns, verbs, and adjectives in AD patients. Coherence assesses the ability of participants to maintain topics, with a decrease in the number of subordinate clauses in AD patients. Conciseness evaluates the information density of participants, with AD patients producing shorter texts with less information compared to normal elderly individuals. Audio information focuses on acoustic features that are difficult for the human ear to detect. There is a significant degradation in temporal parameters in the later stages of cognitive impairment; AD patients require more time to read the same paragraph, have longer vocalization times, and produce more pauses or silent parts in their spontaneous speech signals compared to normal individuals. Researchers have extracted audio and speech features, developing independent systems for each set of features, achieving an accuracy rate of 82% for both, which increases to 86% when both types of features are combined, demonstrating the advantage of integrating audio and speech information. Currently, deep learning and machine learning are the main methods used for information analysis. The overall diagnostic accuracy rate for AD exceeds 80%, and the diagnostic accuracy rate for MCI also exceeds 80%, indicating significant potential. Deep learning techniques require substantial data support, necessitating future expansion of database scale and continuous algorithm upgrades to transition from laboratory research to practical product implementation.
8.Characteristics of mitochondrial translational initiation factor 2 gene methylation and its association with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma
Huajie XIE ; Kai CHANG ; Yanyan WANG ; Wanlin NA ; Huan CAI ; Xia LIU ; Zhongyong JIANG ; Zonghai HU ; Yuan LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):284-291
ObjectiveTo investigate the characteristics of mitochondrial translational initiation factor 2 (MTIF2) gene methylation and its association with the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MethodsMethSurv and EWAS Data Hub were used to perform the standardized analysis and the cluster analysis of MTIF2 methylation samples, including survival curve analysis, methylation signature analysis, the association of tumor signaling pathways, and a comparative analysis based on pan-cancer database. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison between two groups; a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to perform the univariate and multivariate survival analyses of methylation level at the CpG site. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to investigate the survival differences between the patients with low methylation level and those with high methylation level, and the Log-likelihood ratio method was used for survival difference analysis. ResultsGlobal clustering of MTIF2 methylation showed that there was no significant difference in MTIF2 gene methylation level between different races, ethnicities, BMI levels, and ages. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that the patients with N-Shore hypermethylation of the MTIF2 gene had a significantly better prognosis than those with hypomethylation (hazard ratio [HR]=0.492, P<0.001), while there was no significant difference in survival rate between the patients with different CpG island and S-Shore methylation levels (P>0.05). The methylation profile of the MTIF2 gene based on different ages, sexes, BMI levels, races, ethnicities, and clinical stages showed that the N-Shore and CpG island methylation levels of the MTIF2 gene decreased with the increase in age, and the Caucasian population had significantly lower N-Shore methylation levels of the MTIF2 gene than the Asian population (P<0.05); the patients with clinical stage Ⅳ had significantly lower N-Shore and CpG island methylation levels of the MTIF2 gene than those with stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ (P<0.05). Clinical validation showed that the patients with stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ HCC had a significantly lower methylation level of the MTIF2 gene than those with stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ HCC and the normal population (P<0.05). ConclusionN-Shore hypomethylation of the MTIF2 gene is a risk factor for the development and progression of HCC.
9.Effects of platelet isolation optimization and its activation productson on proliferation of endothelial progenitor cells
Jiajun XIAO ; Yue ZHAO ; Lu BAI ; Cheng XU ; Jinhua ZUO ; Yahui HU ; Kai XIA ; Bicheng WANG ; Xiaotong XIE ; Xiangxiang TANG
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(10):2269-2274
Objective To optimize the platelet enrichment method,and to analyze the concentration changes of key molecules in platelet-rich plasma(PRP)before and after activation,as well as the impact of its activated products on the proliferation of rat endothelial progenitor cells.Methods The tube double-centrifu-gation method was employed to optimize platelet enrichment,and the platelet count in the enriched PRP was measured.ELISA was used to detect the concentration changes of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),endostatin(ES),and P-selectin(CD62P)in PRP before and after activation.The PRP was activated by using liquid nitrogen freeze-thaw method,and the effect of its activated products on the proliferation of rat endothelial progenitor cells was evaluated by using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)assay.Results The optimal enrichment coefficient of platelets achieved by the double-centrifugation method was 4.63.After low-speed,long-duration double centrifugation,the platelet count was highest in the upper layer of the buffy coat.For PRP with a platelet count of 500× 109/L obtained by machine collection,the VEGF con-centrations before and after activation were(3 418.12±488.80)pg/mL and(4 530.04±308.30)pg/mL,re-spectively,the ES concentrations were(6 168.98±253.22)pg/mL and(6 594.65±82.47)pg/mL,respec-tively,the CD62P concentrations were(6 678.23±324.15)pg/mL and(17 630.53±746.24)pg/mL,respec-tively,statistically significant differences were observed in the above indicators before and after activation(P<0.01).The activated PRP was diluted in a gradient manner by using a specialized culture medium for en-dothelial progenitor cells.MTT assay results indicated that,in the basal medium,the optimal volume fraction for promoting endothelial progenitor cell proliferation was 0.25%after 48 hours of culture;in the complete medium,the optimal volume fractions for promoting endothelial progenitor cell proliferation were 0.062 5%after 24 hours and 0.125%after 48 hours.Conclusion The concentrations of VEGF,ES,and CD62P in the optimized,enriched PRP exhibited significant changes before and after activation.The optimal volume fraction for promoting endothelial progenitor cell proliferation in the basal medium was 0.25%.
10.Altered expression of adenosine A1 receptor in the paraventricular thalamus and its role in the regulation of sleep
Yifeng ZHU ; Na WANG ; Junya HU ; Mengzhu LEI ; Jianxia XIA ; Yaling WANG ; Zhi'an HU
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(8):766-774
Objective To explore the expression profile of adenosine A1 receptor in the paraventricular thalamic nucleus(PVT)in wakefulness/sleep state and its role in regulating sleep.Methods Male C57BL/6J mice(6~12 weeks old,weighing 22~28 g)were randomly divided into ZT0,ZT6,ZT10,ZT12,and sleep deprivation and recover0y sleep groups(n=16 or n=4).RT-qPCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization were used to observe the changes of adenosine A1 receptor in PVT.Whole-cell patch-clamp recording was conducted to determine the effects of adenosine on the membrane potential and discharge frequency of PVT neurons.The experimental animals were divided into adenosine A1 receptor interference group(n=8)and interference control group(n=7).After RNA interference,electroencephalography(EEG)and electromyography(EMG)were applied simultaneously to observe the changes in wake and sleep time between the 2 groups during sleep deprivation for 6 h and sleep recovery for 4 h.Results RT-qPCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization confirmed that the expression of adenosine A1 receptor in PVT was affected by wakefulness/sleep state,with the level in the ZT0 group(active stage)significantly higher than that in the ZT12 group(non-active stage,P<0.05).Whole-cell patch clamp recording indicated that adenosine exerted inhibitory effects on PVT neurons through 2 distinct response types(P<0.05),and the inhibition was in a diminishing trend with a decrease in the expression level of adenosine A1 receptor.After sleep deprivation,the expression level of adenosine A1 receptor showed significant intergroup differences:the level was significantly higher in the sleep deprivation group than the recovery sleep group(P<0.05),while that of the recovery sleep group was higher than that of the ZT6 group and that of the ZT10 group(P<0.05).After knocking down adenosine A1 receptor(shRNA-A1R)in the PVT,the wakefulness timing of the shRNA-A1R group was significantly increased,while the sleep timing was significantly decreased within 1 h after sleep recovery when compared with the interference control group(P<0.05).Conclusion The expression of adenosine A1 receptor in the PVT is dynamically regulated by sleep pressure,which was increasing as sleep pressure rises.

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