1.Targeted Regulation of Inflammation-related Signaling Pathways by Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerosis: A Review
Shuang ZHAO ; Mingxue ZHANG ; Ning LIU ; Jianan SU ; Yuhan AO ; Jing LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):273-283
Atherosclerosis (AS) is the main pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases and seriously threatens human quality of life. Its prevention and treatment urgently need breakthroughs. The inflammatory response, which runs through the physiological and pathological evolution process of AS, is one of the important mechanisms for AS occurrence. Currently, the treatment methods for AS in Western medicine are relatively mature. However, they have adverse reactions such as abnormal liver and kidney function, drug tolerance, target vessel restenosis, and stent thrombosis, which remain the key bottleneck restricting clinical efficacy. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), characterized by multiple components, multiple targets, and multi-pathway synergy, shows unique clinical application potential and efficacy advantages in the intervention of AS. This article reviewed the research progress of TCM in intervening in AS by regulating inflammatory-related signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Toll-like receptors (TLRs), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), in the past five years. It summarized the combined mechanism of action of TCM monomers, TCM pairs, and compound preparations in inhibiting the inflammatory cascade reaction through multiple targets, regulating lipid metabolism disorders, and improving vascular endothelial dysfunction and the imbalance of the microenvironment. It deepened the research on the molecular mechanism of TCM in anti-AS, so as to provide a scientific basis for the clinical transformation application and related theoretical research of TCM in anti-AS.
2.Targeted Regulation of Inflammation-related Signaling Pathways by Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerosis: A Review
Shuang ZHAO ; Mingxue ZHANG ; Ning LIU ; Jianan SU ; Yuhan AO ; Jing LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):273-283
Atherosclerosis (AS) is the main pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases and seriously threatens human quality of life. Its prevention and treatment urgently need breakthroughs. The inflammatory response, which runs through the physiological and pathological evolution process of AS, is one of the important mechanisms for AS occurrence. Currently, the treatment methods for AS in Western medicine are relatively mature. However, they have adverse reactions such as abnormal liver and kidney function, drug tolerance, target vessel restenosis, and stent thrombosis, which remain the key bottleneck restricting clinical efficacy. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), characterized by multiple components, multiple targets, and multi-pathway synergy, shows unique clinical application potential and efficacy advantages in the intervention of AS. This article reviewed the research progress of TCM in intervening in AS by regulating inflammatory-related signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Toll-like receptors (TLRs), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), in the past five years. It summarized the combined mechanism of action of TCM monomers, TCM pairs, and compound preparations in inhibiting the inflammatory cascade reaction through multiple targets, regulating lipid metabolism disorders, and improving vascular endothelial dysfunction and the imbalance of the microenvironment. It deepened the research on the molecular mechanism of TCM in anti-AS, so as to provide a scientific basis for the clinical transformation application and related theoretical research of TCM in anti-AS.
3.Artificial intelligence-based quality control of hand hygiene for hospital-acquired infection
Xuchen YANG ; Jingwen LI ; Wan ZHANG ; Shasha FENG ; Min ZENG ; Jianan SHI ; Youqiong CHEN ; Tao ZHENG ; Xun YAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(02):241-247
Objective To explore an artificial intelligence (AI)-based method for automated hand hygiene monitoring and to compare the effectiveness of three algorithms (UniFormerV2, TDN, C3D) in recognizing hand hygiene steps in surgical settings, thereby aiding hospital infection control. Methods From April to October 2024, we non-invasively collected 641 video recordings of healthcare staff performing hand hygiene at four-bay scrub sinks in two tertiary hospitals using overhead HD cameras. The dataset was annotated by five trained experts for model training and validation. Results Following training on 385 samples, internal validation (n=119) showed the C3D model achieved 81% accuracy, 87% recall, and an 83% F1-score. The TDN model achieved 93%, 91%, and 92% for the same metrics. The UniFormerV2 model outperformed both, with an accuracy, recall, and F1-score of 93%—an improvement of over 10 percentage points compared to traditional CNNs (TDN, C3D). It also achieved an 84% accuracy in external validation, demonstrating strong generalization. Conclusion The UniFormerV2 model is more accurate than CNN-based models for hand hygiene step recognition and shows robust performance in external validation. It presents a viable tool for healthcare facilities to enhance hand hygiene management, ultimately improving medical quality and patient safety.
4.The role of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells transplantation in alleviating radiation-induced ovarian injury
Mei ZHANG ; Chao YANG ; Bo CHENG ; Jianan WANG ; Yinghao MA ; Zheng ZHANG ; Qingxiang HOU ; Li MA
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(4):584-589
Objective Using female mice to investigate the reparative effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on radiation-induced ovarian injury. Methods Mice were randomly divided into three groups: a blank control group, a radiation model group, and a cell therapy group. Mice in the radiation model group and the cell therapy group received a single whole-body irradiation of 5 Gy X-rays. Within 2 hours post-irradiation, mice in the cell therapy group underwent ovarian transplantation of UC-MSCs. On days 1, 7, and 14 post-irradiation, body weight was measured, ovarian index was calculated, histopathological changes in ovarian tissue were examined, serum levels of reproductive hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone, anti-Müllerian hormone, and estradiol) were determined, and the colonization of implanted UC-MSCs in the mice was observed. Results On days 1, 7, and 14 post-irradiation, both the cell therapy group and the radiation model group showed decreased body weight compared to the blank control group (P < 0.05). On day 1 post-irradiation compared to day 1 pre-irradiation within the same group, the radiation model group exhibited a greater decrease in body weight than the cell therapy group (P < 0.05). On days 1, 7, and 14 post-irradiation, the ovarian index decreased in both the radiation model group and the cell therapy group compared to the blank control group (P < 0.05). On days 7 and 14 post-irradiation, the ovarian index in the cell therapy group was significantly higher than that in the radiation model group (P < 0.05). Ovarian tissue in the radiation model group exhibited atrophy and a reduction in the number of follicles at all stages. In contrast, follicles in the cell therapy group were large and abundant. On days 1, 7, and 14 post-irradiation, serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels in the cell therapy group were lower than those in the radiation model group, while anti-Müllerian hormone and estradiol levels were higher than those in the radiation model group (P < 0.01). In vivo fluorescence imaging demonstrated that UC-MSCs successfully colonized the ovarian tissue on days 1, 7, and 14 after transplantation. Conclusion UC-MSCs exert a repair effect on radiation-induced ovarian injury in mice.
5.Epidemiological characteristics of mumps in Guangxi in 2012-2024
Jiagui CHEN ; Qiuyun DENG ; Rencong YANG ; Jing LIU ; Sha LI ; Ying HUANG ; Jianan WEI ; Jinfa DU
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(6):21-24
Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of mumps in Guangxi from 2012 to 2024, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating prevention and control strategies. Methods Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the incidence data of mumps in Guangxi from 2012 to 2024. Results A total of 159 873 mumps cases were reported from 2012 to 2024 in Guangxi, with an average annual reported incidence of 25.41/100 000, and no death. Mumps occurred every month, with the peak incidence mainly concentrated in April to July and October to January of the next year. There were 96,118 male cases (29.43 /100 000), and 63 755 female cases (21.07 /100 000). The male to female ratio was 1.40:1, and the difference between male and female was significant (χ2=4 321.276,P<0.05). The annual incidence of mumps showed a certain periodic change, with the incidence peak and trough alternating every 4 - 5 years. The majority of patients were under 15 years old, accounting for 85.32% of the total number of cases. The patients mainly included students, preschool children and scattered children. The highest average incidence was in Nanning City with 40 231 cases (42.08/100 000), and the lowest was in Qinzhou City with 3 466 cases (8.16/100 000). From 2012 to 2024, a total of 210 mumps outbreaks with 4 483 cases were reported in Guangxi. Conclusion The incidence of mumps in Guangxi from 2012 to 2024 shows a periodic change and obvious seasonality. People under 15 years old are the key group at risk of mumps. The prevention and control of the epidemic of mumps in schools and kindergartens should be strengthened. It is suggested to carry out long-term monitoring of mumps as well as immune effect research, and continue to maintain a high vaccination rate of 2 doses of mumps-containing vaccines.
6.N 6-Methyladenosine modification of circDcbld2 in Kupffer cells promotes hepatic fibrosis via targeting miR-144-3p/Et-1 axis.
Sai ZHU ; Xin CHEN ; Lijiao SUN ; Xiaofeng LI ; Yu CHEN ; Liangyun LI ; Xiaoguo SUO ; Chuanhui XU ; Minglu JI ; Jianan WANG ; Hua WANG ; Lei ZHANG ; Xiaoming MENG ; Cheng HUANG ; Jun LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):296-313
Kupffer cells (KCs), as residents and sentinels of the liver, are involved in the formation of hepatic fibrosis (HF). However, the biological functions of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in KCs to HF have not been determined. In this study, the expression levels of circRNAs, microRNAs, and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in KCs from a mouse model of HF mice were investigated using microarray and circRNA-Seq analyses. circDcbld2 was identified as a candidate circRNA in HF, as evidenced by its up-regulation in KCs. Silver staining and mass spectrometry showed that Wtap and Igf2bp2 bind to cirDcbld2. The suppression of circDcbld2 expression decreased the KC inflammatory response and oxidative stress and inhibited hepatic stellate cell (HSCs) activation, attenuating mouse liver fibrogenesis. Mechanistically, Wtap mediated the N 6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation of circDcbld2, and Igf2bp2 recognized m6A-modified circDcbld2 and increased its stability. circDcbld2 contributes to the occurrence of HF by binding miR-144-3p/Et-1 to regulate the inflammatory response and oxidative stress. These findings indicate that circDcbld2 functions via the m6A/circDcbld2/miR-144-3p/Et-1 axis and may act as a potential biomarker for HF treatment.
7.PARylation promotes acute kidney injury via RACK1 dimerization-mediated HIF-1α degradation.
Xiangyu LI ; Xiaoyu SHEN ; Xinfei MAO ; Yuqing WANG ; Yuhang DONG ; Shuai SUN ; Mengmeng ZHANG ; Jie WEI ; Jianan WANG ; Chao LI ; Minglu JI ; Xiaowei HU ; Xinyu CHEN ; Juan JIN ; Jiagen WEN ; Yujie LIU ; Mingfei WU ; Jutao YU ; Xiaoming MENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4673-4691
Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation) is a specific form of post-translational modification (PTM) predominantly triggered by the activation of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase 1 (PARP1). However, the role and mechanism of PARylation in the advancement of acute kidney injury (AKI) remain undetermined. Here, we demonstrated the significant upregulation of PARP1 and its associated PARylation in murine models of AKI, consistent with renal biopsy findings in patients with AKI. This elevation in PARP1 expression might be attributed to trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me3). Furthermore, a reduction in PARylation levels mitigated renal dysfunction in the AKI mouse models. Mechanistically, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry indicated that PARylation mainly occurred in receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1), thereby facilitating its subsequent phosphorylation. Moreover, the phosphorylation of RACK1 enhanced its dimerization and accelerated the ubiquitination-mediated hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) degradation, thereby exacerbating kidney injury. Additionally, we identified a PARP1 proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC), A19, as a PARP1 degrader that demonstrated superior protective effects against renal injury compared with PJ34, a previously identified PARP1 inhibitor. Collectively, both genetic and drug-based inhibition of PARylation mitigated kidney injury, indicating that the PARylated RACK1/HIF-1α axis could be a promising therapeutic target for AKI treatment.
8.Anthraquinones of Cassiae Semen alleviate lipid accumulation in obesity by regulating brown adipose tissue and liver function.
Yijie LI ; Ruiyu WU ; Xin LI ; Jianan LI ; Yinhao ZHANG ; Yanbo HUANG ; Guifang FAN ; Xiaojiaoyang LI
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2025;17(3):488-499
OBJECTIVE:
Cassiae Semen (CS, Juemingzi in Chinese) is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine with a variety of pharmacological effects. This study aimed to investigate the potential therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms of anthraquinones of CS (AQS) for adiposity.
METHODS:
The chemical components of the AQS were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Network pharmacology analysis was used to predict potential anti-obesity targets of action for AQS. We constructed high fat with high sugar water diet-induced obese mice and observed their body weight and whole-body lipid metabolism to evaluate the efficacy of AQS in promoting lipid metabolism. Subsequently, the epidermal temperature at the brown adipose tissue (BAT) before and after cold stimulation was observed and the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes in the liver and BAT tissues was detected to clarify the mechanism of action of AQS.
RESULTS:
Network pharmacology analysis showed that AQS was involved in the regulation of liver and adipose tissue function under obesity. Pathological and biochemical results showed that AQS reduced lipid accumulation in the liver and adipose tissue induced by an unhealthy diet. With the increase of cold tolerance, the volume and weight of BAT were increased by AQS, suggesting that it regulated the body heat production dominated by BAT. After AQS treatment, the levels of genes related to uncoupling protein1 (UCP1)-mediated adaptive thermogenesis in BAT tissues and lipid metabolism in the liver were also increased, which further proved that AQS activated BAT function to promote lipid metabolism in the whole body.
CONCLUSION
This study revealed the pharmacological effects of AQS, thereby providing a scientific basis for regulating BAT thermogenesis and liver lipid metabolism to alleviate obesity and providing clues for further exploring the application of natural active ingredients in the treatment of metabolism-related diseases.
9.Expert consensus on the management of low anterior resection syndrome in patients after rectal cancer surgery
Hongyan LI ; Jianan SUN ; Qing ZHANG ; Yanjun WANG ; Meiling WANG ; Haiyan HU ; Quan WANG ; Kaili HU ; Yingjiang YE ; Jieman HU ; Ying LIU ; Hui WANG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(11):1285-1288
Objective To establish an expert consensus on the management of low anterior resection syndrome(LARS)in patients with rectal cancer post-surgery(hereinafter referred to as"consensus"),aiming to standardize the related work of medical institutions in the context of post-operative LARS.Methods A comprehensive search of domestic and international databases was conducted to collect guidelines,expert consensuses,systematic reviews,evidence summaries,and original research related to post-operative LARS in rectal cancer published from the establishment of the databases until August 2024.Based on clinical practice experience,a preliminary draft of the"consensus"was formed.From September to November 2024,22 experts were invited to participate in 2 rounds of expert consultations,during which the draft content was revised and improved,and the final version of the"consensus"was determined through expert validation.Results A total of 22 experts responded,achieving a response rate of 100%.The effective recovery rate of the consultation questionnaires in both rounds was 100%,with an expert authority coefficient of 0.89,a judgment coefficient of 0.97,and a familiarity degree of 0.84.The Kendall harmony coefficients for the 2 rounds of expert consultations were 0.122 and 0.136,respectively(P<0.001).This consensus covers 5 main aspects:definition,assessment,prevention,treatment,and follow-up management of LARS.Conclusion This consensus demonstrates a high level of scientific rigor and can provide a strong reference for clinical nursing personnel in the specialized care of rectal cancer patients with post-operative LARS.
10.Acute impact of persistent high ambient fine particulate matter exposures on hospital visits for respiratory diseases from 2013 to 2018 in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and surrounding areas
Yiqi QIU ; Chen CHEN ; Jianan LI ; Yue LIANG ; Changzhen XIANG ; Huiting LING ; Jinxia YANG ; Yu WANG ; Jianlong FANG ; Jiaonan WANG ; Chen MAO ; Xiaoming SHI
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(6):979-985
Objective:To investigate the acute effects of persistent high exposure to atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) on residents' outpatient visits for respiratory diseases. Methods:We collected daily outpatient records from 92 hospitals in 13 cities across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, along with daily PM 2.5, nitrogen dioxide (NO 2), and meteorological data from 2013 to 2018. Five persistent high PM 2.5 exposure scenarios were defined in terms of daily mean PM 2.5 concentrations (>75 μg/m 3 and >150 μg/m 3), duration (≥2 days and ≥3 days), and whether or not there was concurrent exposure to high levels of NO 2 (daily mean NO 2 concentration >50 μg/m 3). A two-stage statistical analysis strategy based on a generalized linear model was applied to conduct a time-series analysis to assess the exposure-response relationship between persistent high PM 2.5 exposure scenarios and residents' outpatient visits for a variety of respiratory diseases, and to estimate excess outpatient visits. Results:During the period, M ( Q1, Q3) PM 2.5 and NO 2 concentrations were 61.2 (42.3, 95.1) μg/m 3 and 40.2 (31.4, 54.4) μg/m 3, respectively, and the daily respiratory disease outpatient visits were 57 (52, 66) cases. When compared with non-permanent high PM 2.5 exposure periods, exposure scenarios with PM 2.5 >75 μg/m 3 and lasting for ≥2 days caused an increased risk of outpatient visits for respiratory diseases by 2.10% (95% CI: 1.44%-2.77%), and resulted in 43 787 (95% CI: 30 025-57 757) excess visits; in this scenario, the concurrent exposure to high levels of NO 2 had a greater acute effect on respiratory disease visits than the absence of exposure to high levels of NO 2 ( P<0.001). The risk of respiratory disease visits increased substantially by 4.41% (95% CI: 3.15%-5.68%) when the daily mean PM 2.5 concentration exceeded 150 μg/m 3 for ≥2 days. Subgroup disease analyses showed that scenarios with daily mean PM 2.5 concentrations exceeding 75 μg/m 3 for ≥3 days caused a significant increase in the risk of lower respiratory tract infections, chronic lower respiratory disease, and asthma visits. Conclusions:Sustained persistent high PM 2.5 exposure increases the risk of outpatient visits for various respiratory diseases; concurrent exposure to high concentrations of NO 2 leads to a greater risk of visiting the clinic, suggesting that the prevention and control of PM 2.5 pollution should be synchronized with the control of mobile source emissions, to synergistically manage the compound pollution of PM 2.5 and NO 2 in the atmosphere.


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