1.Xuefu Zhuyutang Ameliorates Metabolic-associated Fatty Liver Disease via AMPK Signaling Pathway
Ming HAN ; Ying ZHANG ; Lingya KONG ; Jun DAI ; Ting ZHANG ; Zhihong MA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):1-12
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Xuefu Zhuyutang (XFZYT) for metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) through integrated network pharmacology and animal experiments. MethodsNetwork pharmacology was utilized to predict the core components, key therapeutic targets, and signaling pathways of XFZYT in the treatment of MAFLD. For animal experiments, a rat model of MAFLD was established by feeding a high-cholesterol diet for 4 weeks. Intervention was then administered with low-dose (2 g·kg-1) and high-dose (4 g·kg-1) XFZYT for 2 weeks. Biochemical assays were performed to measure the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). In addition, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) in the serum were measured. The same way was adopted to measure the levels of TC and TG in the liver tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to quantify the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Histopathological evaluations included hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining for liver tissue morphology, Oil Red O staining for lipid deposition, and dihydroethidium (DHE) probe staining for reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Western blot analysis was conducted to assess the protein levels of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), phosphorylated (p)-AMPK, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and p-NF-κB in the liver tissue. Untargeted metabolomics analysis of the serum was performed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). ResultsNetwork pharmacology analysis predicted 155 potential targets of XFZYT for MAFLD treatment, with core targets including signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), protein kinase B1 (Akt1), TNF, and IL-6. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment primarily implicated the AMPK signaling pathway. Animal experiments demonstrated that compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited dyslipidemia, hepatic function impairment, pronounced hepatic lipid deposition, and inflammatory manifestations, with elevated serum levels of AST, ALT, TC, TG, LDL, and MDA (P<0.05), reduced HDL and GSH levels plus decreased SOD and CAT activities (P<0.05), downregulated protein levels of Nrf2, HO-1, and p-AMPK (P<0.05), and upregulated protein level of p-NF-κB (P<0.05) in the liver tissue. Compared with the model group, XFZYT intervention groups showed significant amelioration of dyslipidemia and hepatic function impairment, markedly reduced hepatic lipid deposition and inflammatory cell infiltration, decreased serum levels of AST, ALT, TC, TG, LDL, and MDA (P<0.05), increased HDL and GSH levels plus enhanced SOD and CAT activities (P<0.05), upregulated protein levels of Nrf2, HO-1, and p-AMPK (P<0.05), and downregulated protein level of p-NF-κB (P<0.05). Serum metabolomics revealed 511 differentially expressed metabolites (231 upregulated and 280 downregulated) between normal and model groups, while XFZYT groups versus model group showed 94 differential metabolites (51 upregulated and 43 downregulated). Among them, 11 metabolites displayed the most significant alterations, with enriched pathways including glycerolipid metabolism, cholesterol metabolism, and insulin resistance, multiple of which demonstrated AMPK association. ConclusionXFZYT alleviates MAFLD by regulating the AMPK signaling pathway and associated metabolic networks.
2.Detection Ability of Quality of Life Changes and Responsiveness of the KOQUSS-40 and the EORTC QLQ-C30/STO22 in Patients Who Underwent Gastrectomy: A Prospective Comparative Study
Bang Wool EOM ; Keun Won RYU ; Ji Yeong AN ; Yun-Suhk SUH ; In CHO ; Sung Geun KIM ; Ji-Ho PARK ; Hoon HUR ; Hyung-Ho KIM ; Sang-Hoon AHN ; Sun-Hwi HWANG ; Hong Man YOON ; Ki Bum PARK ; Hyoung-Il KIM ; In-Gyu KWON ; Han-Kwang YANG ; Byoung-Jo SUH ; Sang-Ho JEONG ; Tae-Han KIM ; Oh Kyoung KWON ; Hye-Seong AHN ; Ji Yeon PARK ; Ki Young YOON ; Myoung Won SON ; Seong-Ho KONG ; Young-Gil SON ; Geum Jong SONG ; Jong Hyuk YUN ; Jung-Min BAE ; Do Joong PARK ; Sol LEE ; Jun-Young YANG ; Kyung Won SEO ; You-Jin JANG ; So Hyun KANG ; Joongyub LEE ; Hyuk-Joon LEE ;
Cancer Research and Treatment 2026;58(1):221-231
Purpose:
The aim of this study is to compare the detection ability of quality of life (QoL) changes and responsiveness of the KOrean QUality of life in Stomach cancer patients Study group (KOQUSS)-40 and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ).
Materials and Methods:
A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted to evaluate QoL changes after various gastrectomies between January 2021 and April 2022. Participants were instructed to complete the KOQUSS-40 and EORTC QLQ-C30/STO22 preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. QoL changes over time and QoL responsiveness were assessed for each questionnaire.
Results:
Data from 491 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer at 22 institutions were analyzed. The summary scores of the KOQUSS-40 and EORTC QLQ-STO22 showed significant differences between the total and proximal gastrectomy groups (p=0.044 and p=0.038, respectively), but no difference was observed for the EORTC QLQ-C30. Dysphagia on the KOQUSS-40 was significantly different between the total and proximal gastrectomy groups (p=0.031); however, dysphagia on the EORTC QLQ-STO22 did not differ. The responsiveness of the KOQUSS-40 was similar to that of the EORTC QLQ in patients who experienced ≥ 10% body weight loss, but approximately 10% less in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy than the EORTC QLQ.
Conclusion
KOQUSS-40 has several advantages over EORTC QLQ-C30/STO22 when comparing QoL between the total and proximal gastrectomy groups. The findings provide information for researchers investigating the QoL of patients who have undergone curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer.
3.Development and preliminary internal validation of a prediction model for brace treatment failure in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using pretreatment and initial brace-fitting information
Ying MA ; Jun REN ; Shoujian WANG ; Xin ZHOU ; Tianxiang HE ; Lingjun KONG ; Min FANG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2026;32(7):850-860
ObjectiveTo develop and preliminarily validate a prediction model for brace treatment failure risk in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), based on information obtained before brace treatment and during initial brace fitting. MethodsA total of 191 patients with AIS who initiated thoracolumbosacral orthosis treatment at Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March, 2015 to August, 2024 and had determinable outcomes were retrospectively included. Patients were divided according to a prespecified scheme into a training set (n = 133) and a validation set (n = 58). Brace treatment failure was defined as progression of the major-curve Cobb angle by ≥ 5° from baseline during follow-up or at brace weaning, or a final major-curve Cobb angle > 45°. Logistic regression, random forest, support vector machine with radial basis function kernel, and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) models were developed using routinely available clinical and radiographic variables before brace treatment and during initial brace fitting. Stratified five-fold cross-validation was used for hyperparameter tuning in the training set. Model performance was evaluated in the validation set using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), area under the precision-recall curve (AUPRC), Brier score, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) was used to interpret the main explanatory model. ResultsIn cross-validation of the training set, both random forest and XGBoost showed good discriminative performance, with cross-validation-AUC values of 0.871 and 0.880, respectively. In the validation set, the AUC values of random forest and XGBoost were 0.888 and 0.899, the AUPRC values were 0.678 and 0.830, and the Brier scores were 0.086 and 0.076, respectively. Random forest was selected as the primary model for interpretation, with a calibration intercept of 0.091 and a calibration slope of 0.995. SHAP analysis indicated that the in-brace correction rate and the major-curve Cobb angle measured in the brace contributed most to the model predictions. ConclusionThe random forest model developed using routinely available pretreatment and initial-fitting variables shows preliminary predictive value for brace treatment failure risk in AIS, and may provide quantitative support for follow-up scheduling, brace-fit reassessment and early adherence-oriented management.
4.Clinical Analysis of Torque Teno Virus Infection after Hematopoi-etic Stem Cell Transplantation in Children
Ye-Ping SHENG ; Ling-Jun KONG ; Pei-Pei CHU ; Ya-Lin XIA ; Chen-Tao SHEN ; Jie-Fan SUN
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(6):1784-1789
Objective:To investigate the incidence,clinical characteristics,and complications of Torque teno virus(TTV)in children after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT).Methods:A total of 40 children with hematological diseases who underwent HSCT were selected,and metagenomic next-generation sequencing(mNGS)technology was used to detect the gene sequences of pathogenic microorganisms in the blood.Combined with clinical data,the characteristics of TTV infection were analyzed.Results:Among the 40 pediatric patients post-HSCT,the TTV positive rate was 42.5%(17/40).There were no statistically significant differences between the TTV-positive group and the TTV-negative group in sex,age,white blood cell count(WBC),red blood cell count(RBC),hemoglobin,platelet count,neutrophil count,lymphocyte count,and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(all P>0.05).The incidence of TTV infection was significantly higher in children who underwent haploidentical HSCT and in those with bone marrow stem cells(BMSC)as the transplant source(P<0.05).However,there were no significant differences in the TTV infection rate among patients with different disease types,different HLA matching statuses,or different engraftment times of neutrophils and platelets(all P>0.05).Among 17 children infected with TTV,13(76.5%)had co-infections with other viruses,mainly including cytomegalovirus(58.8%,10/17),human polyomavirus(41.2%,7/17),and Epstein-Barr virus(17.6%,3/17).In children with TTV infection,the most common complications were sepsis(82.4%),graft-versus-host disease(GVHD)(70.6%),pulmonary infection(41.2%),and hemorrhagic cystitis(17.6%).The incidence of GVHD in the TTV-positive group was significantly higher than that in the TTV-negative group(P<0.05).Conclusion:TTV infection is common in children undergoing HSCT,and it is prone to be complicated with cytomegalovirus infection and GVHD,which has an important influence on the clinical outcomes.
5.Epidemic status and control strategies of tuberculosis in sheep and goats
Jia-xing AN ; Wen-jun KONG ; Zheng-zhong XU ; Cheng-kun ZHENG ; Xiang CHEN ; Xin-an JIAO
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(4):346-350
Sheep and goats are important tuberculosis hosts found predominantly in plateau and mountainous regions.In recent years,the number of reported tuberculosis cases in sheep and goats has increased.The tuberculosis pathogen can spread among vari-ous animal species and even infect humans,thus further complicating disease prevention and control,and posing a serious threat to the health of both humans and livestock.This article summarizes the global prevalence of tuberculosis in sheep and goats,and specifi-cally analyzes the epidemic status in China.Frequently used tuberculosis detection methods in sheep and goats are described,and the shortcomings of each method are briefly introduced.Additionally,on the basis of frequently applied methods for monitoring,handling,and controlling tuberculosis in sheep and goats worldwide,suggestions are offered to provide a reference for tuberculosis control in sheep and goats in China.
6.Analgesic Effect of Different Doses of Dexmedetomidine Combined with Propofol in Elderly Patients Undergoing Radical Thyroidectomy for Thyroid Cancer and its Impact on Cognitive Function
Chen XU ; Xu-hua KONG ; Dan GAO ; Wan-jun LIU ; Jun-bo LI
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(15):2504-2510
Objective:To explore the application effect of different doses of dexmedetomidine combined with propofol in elderly patients undergoing radical thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer.Methods:This study was a prospective study,102 elderly patients undergoing radical thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer at Shayang County People's Hospital of Jingmen from April 2022 to April 2024 were selected,they were randomly divided into low-dose group and high-dose group used random number table method,with 51 patients in each group.Low-dose group received propofol(2.0 mg/kg)combined with dexmedetomidine(loading dose 0.3 μg/kg)for anesthesia induction,while high-dose group received propofol(1.0 mg/kg)combined with dexmedetomidine(loading dose 0.6 μg/kg)for anesthesia induction.The postoperative recovery indicators,pain level,cognitive function,hemodynamic indicators[mean arterial pressure(MAP)and heart rate(HR)],and adverse reactions between two groups were compared.Results:Compared with high-dose group,low-dose group had shorter awakening time,spontaneous breathing recovery time,tracheal extubation time,and lower incidence of adverse reactions(P<0.05).Compared with high-dose group at 6 h,12 h,and 24 h after surgery,low-dose group had lower pain visual analog scale(VAS)scores and higher mini-mental state examination(MMSE)scores(P<0.05).Compared with high-dose group at separation of thyroid gland(T2)to completion of surgery(T3),low-dose group had lower MAP and HR(P<0.05).Conclusion:Loading dose 0.3 μg/kg dexmedetomidine combined with propofol has a good analgesic effect in elderly patients undergoing radical surgery for thyroid cancer,it can also maintain hemodynamic stability,reduce the impact on cognitive function,and lower the incidence of adverse reactions.
7.Related factors of cognitive impairment in middle-aged and old-aged patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Jiayu WANG ; Yangfan CHAI ; Qirun LI ; Jun MA ; Ying GAO ; Wei LIU ; Youyuan HUANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Jia JIA ; Shuyu WANG ; Wenbo WANG ; Liguang DONG ; Anping WANG ; Yingkui SI ; Guilan KONG ; Jian ZHANG ; Junqing ZHANG
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(1):13-19
Objective:To investigate the related factors of cognitive impairment in middle-aged and old-aged patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods:A total of 970 patients with T2DM(585 middle-aged group and 385 old-aged group)were selected from residents of a large community in Beijing from September to December 2018.The Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)was used to assess the cognitive func-tion.Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the related factors.Results:The detection rates of cognitive impairment were 12.0%and 13.5%in middle-aged and old-aged patients with T2DM,respectively.Among mid-dle-aged patients with T2DM,work(OR=0.22,95%CI:0.03-0.77)and education at the junior college or un-dergraduate level and above(OR=0.18,95%CI:0.04-0.55)were protective factors for cognitive impair-ment.Myocardial infarction(OR=4.13,95%CI:1.26-13.63)was a risk factor for cognitive impairment.Among old-aged patients with T2DM,drinking tea 1-2 times a week(OR=0.11,95%CI:0.01-0.58)and education at the junior college or undergraduate level and above(OR=0.19,95%CI:0.05-0.54)were protective factors for cognitive impairment.Stroke(OR=3.64,95%CI:1.55-8.39)and good sleep self-assessment(OR=2.75,95%CI:1.13-7.35)were risk factors for cognitive impairment.Conclusion:Cognitive impairment in middle-aged pa-tients with T2DM is related to work,education level and myocardial infarction,and cognitive impairment in old-aged patients with T2DM is related to lifestyle,education level and stroke.
8.A qualitative study on the training experience of palliative care nurses participating in a prognosis disclosure workshop based on Kolb's experiential learning model
Xin CHEN ; Meiyuan WANG ; Tingting WANG ; Biyun XIA ; Yiyun YANG ; Jun KONG ; Li DAI ; Ting LIU ; Li LI
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(34):4675-4681
Objective:To explore the training experiences of palliative care nurses participating in a prognosis disclosure workshop based on Kolb's experiential learning model, and to provide references for future educational programs in palliative care nursing.Methods:Using purposive sampling, 11 nurses were recruited who had participated in the "Palliative Care Competency Training Program for Nurses" in Shanghai between March and May 2025 and selected the Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University as their clinical training site. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data were analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step method.Results:A total of three major themes emerged: a sense of benefit from enhanced competencies; complex emotional experiences; recommendations for course optimisation.Conclusions:Workshops based on Kolb's experiential learning model offer positive value in palliative care education. They effectively improve core competencies such as communication and empathy. However, the emotional experiences of nurses must also be considered, and multifaceted optimizations to the training design are recommended to further enhance training outcomes.
9.Faecalibacterium prausnitzii supernatant inhibits liver inflammation by enhancing intestinal barrier function in mice with liver fibrosis
Xi CHEN ; Aiyu ZHANG ; Tong KANG ; Guangyao KONG ; Jun YANG ; Yang ZHAO
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(1):112-118
Objective To investigate the effects of the culture supernatant of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii(F.prausnitzii)on intestinal barrier function and liver fibrosis progression in mice.Methods A total of 24 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to three groups:normal control group(Control),liver fibrosis model group(Model),and model mice+F.prausnitzii supernatant group(Model+S).Hepatic fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride in both the Model group and the Model+S group over a period of 10 weeks.Following a 2-week modeling period,the mice in the Model+S group were subjected to an 8-week treatment with bacterial supernatant.The colon and liver were analyzed for pathological morphology using HE staining.Additionally,impairment of intestinal barrier function was assessed by periodic acid schiff staining,ELISA,and fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran(FITC-Dextran)fluorescent probe.Changes in the gut microbiota structure were analyzed with 16S rDNA sequencing.The degree of liver fibrosis was assessed using sirius red staining,and the expression levels of markers associated with intestinal barrier function,liver fibrosis,and inflammation were measured using qPCR and ELISA.Results Compared with the Model group,the severity of intestinal damage and the expressions of pro-inflammatory factors in the Model+S group were decreased.Additionally,there was a significant increase in the expressions of multiple genes related to intestinal barrier function,as well as a decrease in the concentration of FITC-Dextran in peripheral blood and lipopolysaccharide in the liver(all P<0.05),and there was an improvement in the composition of the gut microbiota.Furthermore,while the liver function and extent of liver fibrosis in the Model+S group did not show any significant differences compared to the Model group,there was a noticeable decrease in the infiltration of inflammatory cells within the liver.Additionally,the expressions of pro-inflammatory factors such as Tlr4,Il-6 and Tnf-α,and the concentration of IL-6 in the liver was significantly decreased(all P<0.05).Conclusion The F.prausnitzii supernatant exhibits the potential to enhance intestinal barrier function and rectify gut microbiota imbalance in mice with liver fibrosis,thus reducing hepatic inflammation.However,it does not exert any significant effect on the progression of liver fibrosis.
10.Clinical Analysis of Torque Teno Virus Infection after Hematopoi-etic Stem Cell Transplantation in Children
Ye-Ping SHENG ; Ling-Jun KONG ; Pei-Pei CHU ; Ya-Lin XIA ; Chen-Tao SHEN ; Jie-Fan SUN
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(6):1784-1789
Objective:To investigate the incidence,clinical characteristics,and complications of Torque teno virus(TTV)in children after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT).Methods:A total of 40 children with hematological diseases who underwent HSCT were selected,and metagenomic next-generation sequencing(mNGS)technology was used to detect the gene sequences of pathogenic microorganisms in the blood.Combined with clinical data,the characteristics of TTV infection were analyzed.Results:Among the 40 pediatric patients post-HSCT,the TTV positive rate was 42.5%(17/40).There were no statistically significant differences between the TTV-positive group and the TTV-negative group in sex,age,white blood cell count(WBC),red blood cell count(RBC),hemoglobin,platelet count,neutrophil count,lymphocyte count,and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(all P>0.05).The incidence of TTV infection was significantly higher in children who underwent haploidentical HSCT and in those with bone marrow stem cells(BMSC)as the transplant source(P<0.05).However,there were no significant differences in the TTV infection rate among patients with different disease types,different HLA matching statuses,or different engraftment times of neutrophils and platelets(all P>0.05).Among 17 children infected with TTV,13(76.5%)had co-infections with other viruses,mainly including cytomegalovirus(58.8%,10/17),human polyomavirus(41.2%,7/17),and Epstein-Barr virus(17.6%,3/17).In children with TTV infection,the most common complications were sepsis(82.4%),graft-versus-host disease(GVHD)(70.6%),pulmonary infection(41.2%),and hemorrhagic cystitis(17.6%).The incidence of GVHD in the TTV-positive group was significantly higher than that in the TTV-negative group(P<0.05).Conclusion:TTV infection is common in children undergoing HSCT,and it is prone to be complicated with cytomegalovirus infection and GVHD,which has an important influence on the clinical outcomes.

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