1.Protective Effect and Mechanisms of Taohong Siwutang Against Retinal Vasculitis Based on JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):49-56
ObjectiveBased on the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway, this study explores the protective effect and mechanism of Taohong Siwutang against retinal vasculitis (RV) from the perspective of angiogenesis. MethodsSPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were used to establish a RV model induced by experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), and the protective effect of Taohong Siwutang on RV was investigated. Fifty mice were randomly assigned to a blank group, model group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose Taohong Siwutang groups (3.315、6.63、13.26 g·kg-1,10 mice in each group). After modeling, gavage administration was performed for 20 consecutive days. A small-animal retinal imaging system and fluorescein sodium angiography were used to observe pathological changes in the retinal tissue and vessels. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess retinal histopathological changes. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate CD31-positive expression. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of JAK2, phosphorylated (p)-JAK2, STAT3, p-STAT3, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in retinal tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to determine the relative expression level of VEGFR2 mRNA in retinal vessels. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed relative optic disc swelling, multiple areas of inflammatory cell infiltration around retinal veins with partial vascular occlusion, vessel thickening and morphological alterations, uneven retinal thickness, wrinkling and bending of inner and outer layers, vascular dilation, and disordered cellular arrangement. Compared with the model group, the Taohong Siwutang groups showed markedly reduced CD31-positive expression and effectively improved perivascular inflammatory infiltration, vascular tortuous dilation, angiogenesis, vascular occlusion, and hemorrhage. Western blot results showed that compared with the model group, the expression of VEGFR2 and the phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3 were significantly decreased in the Taohong Siwutang groups (P0.01). Real-time PCR results indicated that VEGFR2 mRNA expression was significantly decreased in the Taohong Siwutang groups compared with the model group (P0.05). ConclusionTaohong Siwutang can effectively alleviate angiogenesis in RV and, through the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, reduce angiogenesis and improve retinal pathological injury, thereby exerting a protective effect on retinal vessels.
2.Protective Effect and Mechanisms of Taohong Siwutang Against Retinal Vasculitis Based on JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):49-56
ObjectiveBased on the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway, this study explores the protective effect and mechanism of Taohong Siwutang against retinal vasculitis (RV) from the perspective of angiogenesis. MethodsSPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were used to establish a RV model induced by experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), and the protective effect of Taohong Siwutang on RV was investigated. Fifty mice were randomly assigned to a blank group, model group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose Taohong Siwutang groups (3.315、6.63、13.26 g·kg-1,10 mice in each group). After modeling, gavage administration was performed for 20 consecutive days. A small-animal retinal imaging system and fluorescein sodium angiography were used to observe pathological changes in the retinal tissue and vessels. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess retinal histopathological changes. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate CD31-positive expression. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of JAK2, phosphorylated (p)-JAK2, STAT3, p-STAT3, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in retinal tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to determine the relative expression level of VEGFR2 mRNA in retinal vessels. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed relative optic disc swelling, multiple areas of inflammatory cell infiltration around retinal veins with partial vascular occlusion, vessel thickening and morphological alterations, uneven retinal thickness, wrinkling and bending of inner and outer layers, vascular dilation, and disordered cellular arrangement. Compared with the model group, the Taohong Siwutang groups showed markedly reduced CD31-positive expression and effectively improved perivascular inflammatory infiltration, vascular tortuous dilation, angiogenesis, vascular occlusion, and hemorrhage. Western blot results showed that compared with the model group, the expression of VEGFR2 and the phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3 were significantly decreased in the Taohong Siwutang groups (P0.01). Real-time PCR results indicated that VEGFR2 mRNA expression was significantly decreased in the Taohong Siwutang groups compared with the model group (P0.05). ConclusionTaohong Siwutang can effectively alleviate angiogenesis in RV and, through the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, reduce angiogenesis and improve retinal pathological injury, thereby exerting a protective effect on retinal vessels.
3.The development process, research status, and prospect of physical ablation in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Xiaoyu ZHOU ; Yirong AN ; Ran JU ; Haoze LENG ; Shiran TAO ; Jiawei TIAN ; Ming' ; e WU ; Haoyang ZHU ; Yi LÜ ; ; Nana ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(04):646-651
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common chronic respiratory disease around the world, and pharmacotherapy is the foremost treatment method currently. In recent decades, with the rapid development of bronchoscopic interventional therapy, endoscopic physical ablation technology presents a therapeutic effect in treating COPD, with few treatment-related side effects, showing excellent application prospects in treating COPD. Since ablation techniques in this field are emerging technologies with low patient acceptance, they are not widely used in the clinical treatment of COPD. This article reviews the development process of physical ablation techniques. Moreover, their current application status and the prospects in the field of COPD treatment are also summarized and analyzed. We hope to promote the application of physical ablation in the clinical treatment of COPD and provide practical references and a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of COPD.
4.Investigation of natural radionuclide activity indrinking water in Hohhot, China
Bo JU ; Gerilemandahu ; Yulong BAO ; Shuai ZHANG ; Xiang LIU ; Haribala ; Xiao XU ; Zhichao SUN ; Xiaojuan YANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2026;35(2):159-164
Objective :
To investigate the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in drinking water (tap water andwell water) in urban and rural areas of Hohhot, assess the safety of drinking water, and to provide data support for localdrinking water radioactivity monitoring and management.
Methods :
Representative samples of well water and tap waterwere collected from nine banners/counties/districts in Hohhot. Activity concentrations were measured using a low-back-ground gross α/β counter, an α spectrometer, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and a radium/radon analyzer.
Results :
A total of nine tap water samples and nine well water samples were analyzed. For the tap water samples, gross αactivity concentrations ranged from 0.093 to 0.193 Bq/L, gross β from 0.091 to 0.225 Bq/L, uranium mass concentrationsfrom 2.32 to 10.36 μg/L, thorium mass concentrations from 0.09 to 0.20 μg/L,210Po activity concentrations from below theminimum detectable limit to 0.41 mBq/L, and 226Ra activity concentrations from 8.70 to 13.35 mBq/L. For the well watersamples, gross α activity concentrations ranged from 0.111 to 0.203 Bq/L, gross β from 0.111 to 0.270 Bq/L, uranium massconcentrations from 2.31 to 13.28 μg/L, thorium mass concentrations from 0.17 to 0.26 μg/L,210Po activity concentrationsfrom 1.03 to 2.12 mBq/L, and 226Ra activity concentrations from 15.38 to 23.63 mBq/L.
Conclusion
The activityconcen-trations of natural radionuclides in both well water and tap water in the Hohhot region were at environmental backgroundlevels and met national drinking water hygiene standards.
5.Mechanism of Action of Kaixinsan in Ameliorating Alzheimer's Disease
Xiaoming HE ; Xiaotong WANG ; Dongyu MIN ; Xinxin WANG ; Meijia CHENG ; Yongming LIU ; Yetao JU ; Yali YANG ; Changbin YUAN ; Changyang YU ; Li ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):20-29
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of action of Kaixinsan in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and animal experimental validation. MethodsThe Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP) and the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine(ETCM) databases were used to obtain the active ingredients and targets of Kaixinsan. GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM), TTD, PharmGKB, and DrugBank databases were used to obtain the relevant targets of AD. The intersection (common targets) of the active ingredient targets of Kaixinsan and the relevant targets of AD was taken, and the network interaction analysis of the common targets was carried out in the STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction(PPI) network. The CytoNCA plugin within Cytoscape was used to screen out the core targets, and the Metascape platform was used to perform gene ontology(GO) functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. The “drug-active ingredient-target” interaction network was constructed with the help of Cytoscape 3.8.2, and AutoDock Vina was used for molecular docking. Scopolamine (SCOP) was utilized for modeling and injected intraperitoneally once daily. Thirty-two male C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into blank control (CON) group (0.9% NaCl, n=8), model (SCOP) group (3 mg·kg-1·d-1, n=8), positive control group (3 mg·kg-1·d-1 of SCOP+3 mg·kg-1·d-1 of Donepezil, n=8), and Kaixinsan group (3 mg·kg-1·d-1 of SCOP+6.5 g·kg-1·d-1 of Kaixinsan, n=8). Mice in each group were administered with 0.9% NaCl, Kaixinsan, or Donepezil by gavage twice a day for 14 days. Morris water maze experiment was used to observe the learning memory ability of mice. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining method was used to observe the pathological changes in the CA1 area of the mouse hippocampus. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to determine the serum acetylcholine (ACh) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) contents of mice. Western blot method was used to detect the protein expression levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3) and nuclear transcription factor(NF)-κB p65 in the hippocampus of mice. ResultsA total of 73 active ingredients of Kaixinsan were obtained, and 578 potential targets (common targets) of Kaixinsan for the treatment of AD were screened out. Key active ingredients included kaempferol, gijugliflozin, etc.. Potential core targets were STAT3, NF-κB p65, et al. GO functional enrichment analysis obtained 3 124 biological functions, 254 cellular building blocks, and 461 molecular functions. KEGG pathway enrichment obtained 248 pathways, mainly involving cancer-related pathways, TRP pathway, cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) pathway, and NF-κB pathway. Molecular docking showed that the binding of the key active ingredients to the target targets was more stable. Morris water maze experiment indicated that Kaixinsan could improve the learning memory ability of SCOP-induced mice. HE staining and ELISA results showed that Kaixinsan had an ameliorating effect on central nerve injury in mice. Western blot test indicated that Kaixinsan had a down-regulating effect on the levels of NF-κB p65 phosphorylation and STAT3 phosphorylation in the hippocampal tissue of mice in the SCOP model. ConclusionKaixinsan can improve the cognitive impairment function in SCOP model mice and may reduce hippocampal neuronal damage and thus play a therapeutic role in the treatment of AD by regulating NF-κB p65, STAT3, and other targets involved in the NF-κB signaling pathway.
6.Effects of sacral neuromodulation on urodynamic parameters during the storage phase in patients with neurogenic bladder
Haichao LIU ; Guoqing CHEN ; Peng ZHANG ; Fan ZHANG ; Baihui WANG ; Fei ZHOU ; Yanhe JU
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(12):1075-1079
Objective To explore the effects of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) on urodynamic parameters during the storage phase in patients with neurogenic bladder (NB), so as to provide reference for evaluating the efficacy of SNM. Methods A total 49 NB patients undergoing SNM at our hospital during Oct.2012 and May 2025 were enrolled. Baseline data and video-urodynamic parameters were collected. Changes in maximum cystometric capacity, maximum detrusor pressure during storage phase, and bladder compliance before and after treatment were assessed. Improvements in detrusor overactivity (DO) and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) were also analyzed. Results Among the 49 patients,27 were male and 22 were female, with a mean age of (37.41±15.15) years, a median disease duration of 5.0 (2.0,15.5) years, and a median follow-up of 11 (1,32) months. Up to 37 patients (75.5%) received permanent sacral nerve pulse generator implantation (permanent implant group), while the remaining 12 were classified as the non-permanent implant group. Before and after the test period, all patients showed a significant increase in maximum cystometric capacity [ (218.0 (93.0,358.5) mL vs.300.0 (238.5, 400.0) mL, P<0.001], a decrease in maximum detrusor pressure during the filling phase [32.0 (13.5,71.0) cmH_2 O vs. 20.0 (9.0,50.0) cmH_2 O, P<0.001], and an improvement in bladder compliance [11.8 (8.3,25.6) mL/cmH_2 O vs.26.7 (8.6,44.1) mL/cmH_2O, P<0.001]. In the permanent implant group, comparisons before and after the test period showed an increase in maximum bladder capacity [ (239.16±147.23) mL vs. (312.24±121.83) mL, P<0.001], a decrease in maximum detrusor pressure during filling[32.0 (15.0,58.0) cmH_2 O vs.15.0 (9.0,41.0) cmH_2 O, P<0.05], and improved bladder compliance [10.8 (8.3,23.6) mL/cmH_2 O vs.28.6 (8.6,41.4) mL/cmH_2 O, P<0.001]. No statistically significant differences in these parameters before and after the test period were observed in the non-permanent implant group (P>0.05). A total of 17 patients in the permanent implant group underwent follow-up video urodynamics. Compared to pre-test values, significant improvements were observed in maximum detrusor pressure during filling, and bladder compliance both at the end of the test period and at the last follow-up (P<0.05). However, no statistically significant differences were found in maximum cystometric capacity, maximum detrusor pressure during filling, and bladder compliance between the end of the test period and the last follow-up (P>0.05). Among the 49 patients,21 had DO and 20 had VUR. Both DO and VUR showed improvement after the test period and at the last follow-up. Conclusion SNM can effectively improve storage function in NB patients, ameliorate detrusor overactivity and bladder compliance, and relieve or eliminate VUR in some patients. Long-term follow-up confirms that SNM provides stable therapeutic effects, demonstrating significant clinical value.
7.Potential biological mechanisms underlying spaceflight-induced depression symptoms in astronauts.
Zejun LI ; Jin LIU ; Bangshan LIU ; Mi WANG ; Yumeng JU ; Yan ZHANG
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(8):1355-1362
Long-term spaceflight exposes astronauts to multiple extreme environmental factors, such as cosmic radiation, microgravity, social isolation, and circadian rhythm disruption, that markedly increase the risk of depressive symptoms, posing a direct threat to mental health and mission safety. However, the underlying biological mechanisms remain complex and incompletely understood. The potential mechanisms of spaceflight-induced depressive symptoms involve multiple domains, including alterations in brain structure and function, dysregulation of neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, neuroendocrine system imbalance, and gut microbiota disturbances. Collectively, these changes may constitute the biological foundation of depressive in astronauts during spaceflight. Space-related stressors may increase the risk of depressive symptoms through several pathways: impairing hippocampal neuroplasticity, suppressing dopaminergic and serotonergic system function, reducing neurotrophic factor expression, triggering oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and disrupting gut microbiota homeostasis. Future research should integrate advanced technologies such as brain-computer interfaces to develop individualized monitoring and intervention strategies, enabling real-time detection and effective prevention of depressive symptoms to safeguard astronauts' psychological well-being and mission safety.
Space Flight
;
Humans
;
Astronauts/psychology*
;
Depression/physiopathology*
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome
;
Weightlessness/adverse effects*
;
Oxidative Stress
;
Brain/physiopathology*
;
Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System
;
Neuronal Plasticity
;
Pituitary-Adrenal System
8.Prospects and technical challenges of non-invasive brain-computer interfaces in manned space missions.
Yumeng JU ; Jiajun LIU ; Zejun LI ; Yiming LIU ; Hairuo HE ; Jin LIU ; Bangshan LIU ; Mi WANG ; Yan ZHANG
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(8):1363-1370
During long-duration manned space missions, the complex and extreme space environment exerts significant impacts on astronauts' physiological, psychological, and cognitive functions, thereby posing direct risks to mission safety and operational efficiency. As a key bridge between the brain and external devices, brain-computer interface (BCI) technology enables precise acquisition and interpretation of neural signals, offering a novel paradigm for human-machine collaboration in manned spaceflight. Non-invasive BCI technology shows broad application prospects across astronaut selection, mission training, in-orbit task execution, and post-mission rehabilitation. During mission preparation, multimodal signal assessment and neurofeedback training based on BCI can effectively enhance cognitive performance and psychological resilience. During mission execution, BCI can provide real-time monitoring of physiological and psychological states and enable intention-based device control, thereby improving operational efficiency and safety. In the post-mission rehabilitation phase, non-invasive BCI combined with neuromodulation may improve emotional and cognitive functions, support motor and cognitive recovery, and contribute to long-term health management. However, the application of BCI in space still faces challenges, including insufficient signal robustness, limited system adaptability, and suboptimal data processing efficiency. Looking forward, integrating multimodal physiological sensors with deep learning algorithms to achieve accurate monitoring and individualized intervention, and combining BCI with virtual reality and robotics to develop intelligent human-machine collaboration models, will provide more efficient support for space missions.
Brain-Computer Interfaces
;
Humans
;
Space Flight
;
Astronauts/psychology*
;
Neurofeedback
;
Cognition
;
Electroencephalography
;
Man-Machine Systems
9.Network analysis of the relationship between perfectionism traits and mobile phone dependence among Chinese university students.
Zhengzong LIU ; Yanjun CHEN ; Jin LIU ; Xiaotian ZHAO ; Yumeng JU ; Bangshan LIU ; Yan ZHANG ; Jiao CHENG
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(8):1418-1427
OBJECTIVES:
Mobile phone dependence has become increasingly prominent among university students, posing significant risks to their social functioning and mental health. Previous studies suggest that perfectionistic personality traits may be key psychological predictors of mobile phone dependence, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to identify core symptoms of mobile phone dependence among university students and to examine the pattern of associations between different dimensions of perfectionism and mobile phone dependence.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among 1404 university students nationwide. The Mobile Phone Involvement Questionnaire (MPIQ) and the Forst Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS) were used to assess mobile phone use and perfectionism traits. The EBIC-GLASSO network model was constructed to analyze the network structure linking perfectionism and mobile phone dependence.
RESULTS:
A total of 56.48% of university students in the sample met the criteria for mobile phone dependence. The total FMPS score was positively correlated with the total MPIQ score (r=0.47, P<0.001). Results of multiple linear regression controlling for demographic variables showed that dimensions of FMPS score significantly predicted MPIQ score (all P<0.05). Network analysis revealed that the central dimension in perfectionism is "organization" (expected influence=2.69) and the core symptom of mobile phone dependence was "I lose track of how much I am using my smartphone" (expected influence= 0.78). Bridge centrality analysis identified "organization" as a key bridging factor linking perfectionism and mobile phone dependence (bridge strength=1.96). Among the symptom-to-symptom connections, "parental expectations" showed the strongest positive association with "arguments have arisen with others because of my mobile phone use" (partial correlation coefficient=0.15), serving as a risk factor. In contrast, "organization" was most strongly negatively associated with the same symptom (partial correlation coefficient=-0.13), serving as a protective factor, suggesting a protective effect.
CONCLUSIONS
Mobile phone dependence is common among college students and is primarily characterized by a lack of self-control in phone use. Although perfectionism is generally positively associated with mobile phone dependence, its internal dimensions appear to exert a dual effect. Specifically, "parental expectations" and "doubt over actions" may increase the risk of mobile phone dependence, whereas "organization" serves as a protective factor, particularly against interpersonal conflicts related to phone dependency.
Humans
;
Perfectionism
;
Students/psychology*
;
Cell Phone
;
Universities
;
Cross-Sectional Studies
;
Male
;
Female
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
;
China
;
Young Adult
;
Adult
;
Adolescent
;
Personality
10.Usefulness of intraoperative choledochoscopy in laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy for severe cholecystitis
Rui-Hui ZHANG ; Xiang-Nan WANG ; Yue-Feng MA ; Xue-Qian TANG ; Mei-Ju LIN ; Li-Jun SHI ; Jing-Yi LI ; Hong-Wei ZHANG
Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery 2025;29(2):192-198
Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSC) has been a safe and viable alternative to conversion to laparotomy in cases of severe cholecystitis. The objective of this study is to determine the utility of intraoperative choledochoscopy in LSC for the exploration of the gallbladder, cyst duct, and subsequent stone clearance of the cystic duct in cases of severe cholecystitis. A total of 72 patients diagnosed with severe cholecystitis received choledochoscopy-assisted laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (CALSC). A choledochoscopy was performed to explore the gallbladder cavity and/or cystic duct, and to extract stones using a range of techniques. The clinical records, including the operative records and outcomes, were subjected to analysis. No LSC was converted to open surgery, and no bile duct or vascular injuries were sustained. All stones within the cystic duct were removed by a combination of techniques, including high-frequency needle knife electrotomy, basket, and electrohydraulic lithotripsy. A follow-up examination revealed the absence of residual bile duct stones, with the exception of one common bile duct stone, which was extracted via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. In certain special cases, CALSC may prove to be an efficacious treatment for the management of severe cholecystitis. This technique allows for optimal comprehension of the situation within the gallbladder cavity and cystic duct, facilitating the removal of stones from the cystic duct and reducing the residue of the non-functional gallbladder remnant.

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