1.Treatment of Coexisting Dryness and Dampness in Sjögren's Syndrome Based on "Three Methods for Liver Diseases"
Yuze LIU ; Fengtao PANG ; Jiale HE ; Xiaopo TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(14):1495-1498
This paper summarizes clinical insights on treating the syndrome of coexisting dryness and dampness in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) based on the "three methods for liver diseases". It is proposed that the core pathogenesis of this subtype lies in the liver's failure to regulate and disperse, leading to fluid retention and transformation into dryness; disharmony between wood (liver) and earth (spleen), resulting in internal generation of dryness and dampness; and liver impairment affecting the kidney, eventually causing extreme dryness to transform into dampness. This syndrome is thus characterized by disharmony between the liver and spleen, as well as dysfunction between ti (character, 体) and yong (function, 用). Drawing from the Guide to Clinical Case (《临证指南医案》), the "three methods for liver diseases" are applied as follows,i.e. using pungent and dispersing herbs to regulate the liver and resolve qi stagnation; using sweet and gentle herbs to soothe the liver and address the root of concurrent dryness and dampness; and using sour and purgative herbs to soften the liver and restore fluid balance. The coordinated use of these three methods, treating both ti and yong, facilitates the separation of dryness and dampness, providing a novel approach to syndrome differentiation and treatment for this subtype of SS.
2.Research progress on gut microbiome metabolites and depressive disorders
HE Jingkai ; HU Jieqiong ; ZHANG Jiale ; JI Yunxin
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(6):583-587
Depressive disorders are common mental illnesses characterized by significant and persistent low mood, with features such as high prevalence, high disability rate, and high suicide rate. The microbiota-gut-brain axis may be one of the potential mechanisms underlying depressive disorders. Gut microbiota metabolites, as important mediators of MGBA signaling, play roles in depressive disorders through multiple pathways. These include short-chain fatty acids, which can regulate the transmission of the vagus nerve, inflammatory responses, and 5-hydroxytryptamine synthesis; secondary bile acids, which can activate farnesoid X receptor and Takeda G protein-compled receptor 5; and choline, which can regulate DNA methylation and trimethylamine N-oxide production. This article reviews the literature on the potential mechanisms of action of gut microbiota metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, secondary bile acids, and choline, in depressive disorders. The literature was retrieved from CNKI, PubMed, and Web of Science databases from 2010 to 2025. It aims to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of depressive disorders.
3.From 2D to 3D: transforming malignant bone tumor research with advanced culture models.
Zhengcheng HE ; Haitao HUANG ; Jiale FANG ; Huiping LIU ; Xudong YAO ; Hongwei WU
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2025;26(11):1059-1075
Osteosarcoma (OS), chondrosarcoma (CS), and Ewing sarcoma (ES) represent primary malignant bone tumors and pose significant challenges in oncology research and clinical management. Conventional research methods, such as two-dimensional (2D) cultured tumor cells and animal models, have limitations in recapitulating the complex tumor microenvironment (TME) and often fail to translate into effective clinical treatments. The advancement of three-dimensional (3D) culture technology has revolutionized the field by enabling the development of in vitro constructed bone tumor models that closely mimic the in vivo TME. These models provide powerful tools for investigating tumor biology, assessing therapeutic responses, and advancing personalized medicine. This comprehensive review summarizes the recent advancements in research on 3D tumor models constructed in vitro for OS, CS, and ES. We discuss the various techniques employed in model construction, their applications, and the challenges and future directions in this field. The integration of advanced technologies and the incorporation of additional cell types hold promise for the development of more sophisticated and physiologically relevant models. As research in this field continues to evolve, we anticipate that these models will play an increasingly crucial role in unraveling the complexities of malignant bone tumors and accelerating the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Bone Neoplasms/pathology*
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Humans
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Osteosarcoma/pathology*
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Tumor Microenvironment
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Sarcoma, Ewing/pathology*
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Chondrosarcoma/pathology*
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Animals
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Cell Culture Techniques/methods*
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Cell Culture Techniques, Three Dimensional/methods*
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Cell Line, Tumor
4.Associations of Life's Crucial 9 and the risk of thyroid dysfunction: a cohort study
Juanjuan ZHANG ; Yuerong HE ; Zhiyuan TANG ; Xiangdong SUN ; Jiale SHEN ; Jianping GONG ; Chao LIU ; Yang XIA
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(8):1400-1408
Objective:Exploring the association between Life's Crucial 9 (LC9) and the risk of thyroid dysfunction (TD), as well as its potential predictive capacity.Methods:A total of 247 600 TD-free participants from the UK Biobank were enrolled in the study. The LC9 score was divided into three CVH groups: low (0-), medium (50-), and high (80-100). Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to calculate the HRs and 95% CIs of the risk of TD with LC9 CVH status. Calculate Harrell's concordance index ( C-index), net reclassification improvement (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) to evaluate the predictive ability of the LC9 score and Life's Essential 8 (LE8) score. Results:During a median follow-up of 12.3 years, 5 515, 911, and 4 869 new cases of TD, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism were documented, respectively. Participants with a high LE8 CVH group had 57.00% ( HR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.38-0.49), 55.00% ( HR=0.45, 95% CI: 0.34-0.60), and 58.00% ( HR=0.42, 95% CI: 0.37-0.47) lower risk of TD, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism, respectively, than those with low CVH group. Compared with the LE8 score, the improvement in C-index for the LC9 score predicted TD risk was 0.004 (95% CI: 0.001-0.007), the NRI was 0.101 (95% CI: 0.021-0.103), and the IDI was 0.001 (95% CI: 0.000-0.001). Conclusions:The better CVH status, defined by LC9, was associated with a lower risk of TD. Compared to the LE8 score, the LC9 score demonstrated a significant enhancement in both risk discrimination and reclassification capability for TD risk.
5.Hypoxic transcriptional phenotype and cellular ultrastructural changes of tumor-associated macrophages in gliomas
Haizhen FAN ; Lixia WANG ; Yue CHENG ; Lujing WANG ; Qianying RUAN ; Jiale JI ; Mengru WANG ; Zhen QIN ; Yi ZHANG ; Zhicheng HE ; Yifang PING ; Yu SHI
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(9):904-911
Objective To investigate the effects of hypoxia on the transcriptional phenotype and ultrastructure of tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs)in glioma.Methods CD14+monocytes were isolated from healthy human peripheral blood samples collected from the Blood Bank of the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University,and the cells were induced to differentiate into TAMs through co-culture with glioma cell-conditioned medium.Hypoxic TAM models were established using varying concentrations of cobalt chloride hexahydrate(CoCl2,50~400 μmol/L)or hypoxic conditions(1%,5%,10%O2)for 48 h,while normoxic TAM models(21%O2)served as controls.RT-qPCR and transcriptome sequencing were employed to analyze transcriptional changes in TAMs under normoxic and hypoxic conditions.Gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)was applied to compare the differences in angiogenesis,glycolysis and other hypoxia-responsive pathways between the 2 conditions.Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)or immunofluorescence staining was conducted to assess the ultrastructural alterations in cytoskeleton,endoplasmic reticulum(ER),and mitochondria in normoxic and hypoxic TAMs(1%O2).Results Hypoxic TAMs exhibited up-regulated transcription of hypoxia-responsive markers(oxygen transport,glycolysis,pro-angiogenesis),with the effects correlating with hypoxia severity(P<0.05).GSEA revealed significant up-regulation of hypoxia,angiogenesis regulation,glycolysis and gluconeogenesis,and starvation stress pathways,alongside down-regulation of innate immunity,macrophage activation,cytoskeleton,and protein maturation pathways in hypoxic TAMs(P<0.05).TEM and immunofluorescence staining demonstrated obvious ultrastructure changes,including disrupted cytoskeletal organization,shortened rough ER with reduced ribosomes,mitochondrial swelling with cristae damage,and diminished ER-mitochondria contacts in hypoxic TAMs.Conclusion CoCl2 and hypoxia induce a hypoxic transcriptional phenotype in TAMs,which may potentially associated with ultrastructural remodeling of the cytoskeleton,ER,and mitochondria.
6.Research progress in the clinical application and mechanisms of Chinese materia medica in treating chronic atrophic gastritis of spleen-stomach damp-heat syndrome
Lining SU ; Junhong LIU ; Dan WANG ; Jinxue ZHANG ; Hongmei LI ; Bingrui XU ; Jiale CHEN ; Yudie HE
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(12):1792-1797
Spleen-stomach damp-heat syndrome is currently the most prevalent TCM pattern in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), with internal damp-heat accumulation regarded as a key factor contributing to its prolonged and refractory course. This syndrome represents a critical stage in the progressive pathogenesis of CAG, characterized by a deepening pathological evolution. Modern TCM practitioners generally agree that its core pathogenesis lies in "deficiency in root and excess in superficiality, with internal damp-heat retention", and emphasize a treatment strategy that combines eliminating pathogenic factors and reinforcing the body's healthy qi through dynamic syndrome differentiation. Chinese materia medica used in treating CAG with spleen-stomach damp-heat syndrome can effectively relieve clinical symptoms, improve the internal damp-heat environment, mitigate gastric mucosal atrophy and intestinal metaplasia, and delay the inflammation-to-cancer transformation. Its mechanisms may involve eradication of Helicobacter pylori, repair of gastric mucosal injury, regulation of immune inflammatory response and other aspects, which has the advantages of multi-channel and multi-target.
7.Integrating Data Mining and Network Pharmacology to Explore the Optimization Strategy and Mechanism of Qishen Granules in Treating Coronary Heart Disease with Heart Failure
Jianwei YUE ; Jianglin XU ; Ligen DAO ; Jiale HE ; Jiangfeng ZHAO ; Jun WANG ; Zhi YANG ; Chun LI ; Wei WANG
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(6):1454-1463
Objective To explore the optimization strategy of Qishen Granules in treating coronary heart disease with heart failure(CHD-HF)based on data mining and the pathogenic"toxin"theory,and to predict its active components and mechanisms using network pharmacology.Methods Literature on traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)for treating CHD-HF was collected from relevant databases,and prescriptions were screened and established into a database according to inclusion and exclusion criteria.Frequency,association rules,and hierarchical clustering analyses were performed using the Ancient and Modern Medical Case Cloud Platform.Network pharmacology techniques were applied to screen potential targets of the optimized combination for treating CHD-HF,and carry out the targets and pathways enrichment analysis.Results A total of 336 articles and 339 prescriptions involving 191 herbs were included,with 12 herbs used more than 100 times.The core drug combinations for treating CHD-HF included Astragali Radix,Poria,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Chuanxiong Rhizoma,etc,while commonly used detoxifying herbs included Leonuri Herb,Coptidis Rhizoma,etc.Association rule analysis yielded 10 two-item associations and 17 three-item associations;clustering analysis grouped the data into 5 categories.Based on data mining and the pathogenic"toxin"theory,the combination for treating CHD-HF was optimized to include Astragali Radix,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata,Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Coptidis Rhizoma,and Taraxaci Herba.Network pharmacology analysis identified 366 common targets between the optimized combination and CHD-HF,with 16 core targets screened out.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)analysis revealed significant enrichment in pathways such as cancer pathways,lipid and atherosclerosis,Rap1 signaling pathway,hypoxia-inducible factor 1(HIF-1)signaling pathway,phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt)signaling pathway,Ras signaling pathway,and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling pathway.Conclusion TCM treatment for CHD-HF primarily focuses on replenishing qi and warming yang,activating blood circulation and resolving fluid retention.Based on data mining results and the pathogenic"toxin"theory,the formulation strategy of Qishen Granules for treating CHD-HF was optimized,potentially exerting therapeutic effects through anti-inflammatory,anti-apoptotic,and anti-hypoxia physiological processes.
8.Analysis of infection status and genetic evolution of B2L and F1L genes in epidemic orf virus isolates from primary goat and sheep-producing areas in Anhui Province from 2021 to 2023
Liujun ZHANG ; Jiale CHEN ; Xing FENG ; Weizhen CHEN ; Yafei DENG ; Bo WANG ; Guolin ZUO ; Shaojun HE ; Honglei XIN ; Deyi LIU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(7):697-703
This study was aimed at investigating the infection status of orf virus(ORFV)and the genetic evolution characteristics of epidemic ORFV isolates from Anhui province.A total of 303 clinical samples collected from major meat sheep breeding cities in An-hui during 2021-2023 were subjected to ORFV detection with fluorescence quantitative PCR(qPCR).The full-length B2L and F1L genes of ORFV in the positive samples were amplified through conventional PCR and sequenced.Genetic evolution analysis of the B2L and F1L genes was conducted after sequencing.The qPCR results indicated a total ORFV positivity rate in the clinical samples of 48.8%(148/303).Multiple sequence comparisons indicated that the B2L genes of 56 sample isolates shared 96.7%-100.0%DNA and 97.4%-100.0%amino acid sequence identity.Moreover,the F2L genes of 56 sample isolates shared 95.1%-100.0%DNA and 95.0%-100.0%amino acid sequence identity.The genetic evolution tree constructed with the B2L gene DNA sequences indicated sample iso-lates and 21 reference strains located in subgroup 1,and 26 sheep-derived sample isolates and 17 reference strains located in sub-group 2.Among them,the goat-derived sample isolate FY-TYA was located in the same sub-branch as the human-derived reference strain Gansu,whereas the goat-derived sample isolate FY-XQC was located in the same sub-branch as the reference strains China Vaccine and OV-HLJ-04.The genetic evolution tree constructed with the F1L gene DNA sequences showed,the goat sample isolates FY-XQA and FY-XQC were located in the same sub-branch as the sheep-derived reference strain Xinjiang.ORFV infection was rela-tively widespread in the major meat sheep breeding areas of Anhui province,and the DNA and amino acid sequences of the B2L and F1L genes of current circulating ORFV isolates showed different degrees of genetic variation,among which F1L gene had a high de-gree of variation.Furthermore,some goat-derived sample isolates were closely related to human,vaccine,and sheep-derived refer-ence strains.These results may serve as a reference for the prevention and control of ORFV infection in Anhui province.
9.A cross-sectional study on foot development characteristics of children and adolescents aged 3-18 years in Guangzhou
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2025;40(5):357-362
Objective:To investigate the foot development of children and adolescents in Guangzhou and provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment of pediatric flat feet.Methods:Cross-sectional study.The foot health screening data of students from 3 kindergartens, 1 primary school, and 1 middle school in Guangzhou between January 2023 and June 2023 were collected.Foot parameters including foot length, arch index (AI), arch volume (AV), hallux valgus angle, forefoot width, and heel width were measured.Additionally, general information such as gender, age, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) was also recorded.The students were divided into groups by gender, left and right sides, and subgroups by age (in years).The changes of foot parameters with age were observed in each group, and percentile line charts were drawn.Furthermore, the correlation among BMI, AI, AV, hallux valgus angle and foot length were analyzed.Results:A total of 2 520 students aged 3-18 years were included according to the inclusion criteria.There were 1 382 males and 1 138 females, with a total of 5 040 feet on both sides.The AI of boys decreased at a constant rate before the ages of 14 years.However, the AI values between the ages of 14 and 18 years showed no statistical difference ( P=0.743), with the mean value of 0.27 (0.25, 0.30).The AI of girls decreased at a constant rate before the ages of 12 years.The AI values between the ages of 12 and 18 years had no statistical difference ( P=0.155), with the mean value of 0.25 (0.23, 0.28).In every age group from 3 to 18 years old, the AI value of girls was smaller by 0.01-0.04 than that of boys (all P<0.05).At the ages of 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, and 17 years, the AI of the right foot was 0.01 smaller than that of the left foot (all P<0.05).There were statistically significant differences in arch type between boys and girls at ages other than 3 and 8 years old (all P<0.05).In some age groups, BMI is positively correlated with AI and AV, foot length is positively correlated with AI, and hallux valgus angle is correlated with AI positively and AV negatively.There was a negative correlation between AI and AV across all age groups. Conclusions:Chinese children and adolescents, represented by Guangzhou, have slower development in foot and a larger AI.The arch is in the development stage before the age of 14 years in boys and 12 years in girls.A proper physical therapy is recommended if the AI value deviates from the normal range during development.
10.Associations of Life's Crucial 9 and the risk of thyroid dysfunction: a cohort study
Juanjuan ZHANG ; Yuerong HE ; Zhiyuan TANG ; Xiangdong SUN ; Jiale SHEN ; Jianping GONG ; Chao LIU ; Yang XIA
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(8):1400-1408
Objective:Exploring the association between Life's Crucial 9 (LC9) and the risk of thyroid dysfunction (TD), as well as its potential predictive capacity.Methods:A total of 247 600 TD-free participants from the UK Biobank were enrolled in the study. The LC9 score was divided into three CVH groups: low (0-), medium (50-), and high (80-100). Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to calculate the HRs and 95% CIs of the risk of TD with LC9 CVH status. Calculate Harrell's concordance index ( C-index), net reclassification improvement (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) to evaluate the predictive ability of the LC9 score and Life's Essential 8 (LE8) score. Results:During a median follow-up of 12.3 years, 5 515, 911, and 4 869 new cases of TD, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism were documented, respectively. Participants with a high LE8 CVH group had 57.00% ( HR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.38-0.49), 55.00% ( HR=0.45, 95% CI: 0.34-0.60), and 58.00% ( HR=0.42, 95% CI: 0.37-0.47) lower risk of TD, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism, respectively, than those with low CVH group. Compared with the LE8 score, the improvement in C-index for the LC9 score predicted TD risk was 0.004 (95% CI: 0.001-0.007), the NRI was 0.101 (95% CI: 0.021-0.103), and the IDI was 0.001 (95% CI: 0.000-0.001). Conclusions:The better CVH status, defined by LC9, was associated with a lower risk of TD. Compared to the LE8 score, the LC9 score demonstrated a significant enhancement in both risk discrimination and reclassification capability for TD risk.


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