1.Longitudinal association between trajectories of class belongingness and depressive symptoms among college students
LI Hailing, LIU Lu, ZHANG Kuo, WANG Jingxin, YANG Yandong
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(4):527-530
Objective:
To explore the dynamic developmental trajectories of college students class belongingness during their college years and its longitudinal predictive effects on depressive symptoms, so as to provide targeted insights for precise campus psychological interventions.
Methods:
In October 2021 (T1), a total of 4 720 college students from a university in Shandong Province were selected by cluster sampling method and followed up for 3 years. Surveys were conducted annually (T2: October 2022, T3: October 2023, T4: October 2024). The Class Belongingness Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were used to assess students class belongingness and depressive symptoms. Latent growth mixture modeling was employed to identify trajectories of class belonging, and multinomial Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the predictive effects of these trajectory classes on depressive symptoms.
Results:
Mean scores of class belongingness across T1-T4 were (73.24±11.95, 74.76±12.25, 75.25±12.38, 77.64±11.63), and the scores of depressive symptoms were [1.00 (0, 5.00), 0 (0, 3.00), 0 (0, 2.00), 0 (0, 2.00)]. The developmental trajectories of class belongingness were categorized into three types: the high-starting ascending group ( 56.61 %), the low-starting descending group (11.91%), and the medium-starting stable group (31.48%). Multinomial Logistic regression analysis showed that, compared to the medium-starting stable group, the high-starting ascending group had a lower probability of developing mild depressive symptoms ( OR=0.27, 95%CI =0.15-0.47) and moderate or above depressive symptoms ( OR=0.29, 95% CI = 0.14-0.60) (both P <0.05). Conversely, the low-starting descending group had a higher probability of developing mild depressive symptoms ( OR=2.31, 95%CI =1.65-3.22) and moderate or above depressive symptoms ( OR=7.49, 95%CI = 3.82-14.69) (both P <0.05).
Conclusion
Declining trajectory of class belongingness is a risk factor for depressive symptoms, while sustained upward trend may mitigate such risks.
2.TCM formula optimization for treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy: Network pharmacology, machine learning, and experimental verification
Yang DU ; Juqin PENG ; Fuzhi ZHANG ; Qingyuan YU ; Xuezhong ZHOU ; Kuo YANG ; Junguo REN
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(2):152-162
Background: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common chronic complication of diabetes mellitus that significantly impairs patients’ quality of life. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as a major component of complementary and alternative medicine, has accumulated numerous effective formulas for the clinical management of DPN. However, systematic approaches for optimizing TCM formulas remain limited. Objective: To establish a pathway-oriented approach for TCM formula optimization and to evaluate the efficacy and mechanisms of the optimized formula in DPN. Methods: We developed 2 formula optimization algorithms that defined pathway-oriented herbal correlation (HC) and herbal contribution (HO) to screen and construct a new herbal formula, Qihongtongbi (QHTB), for treating Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome complicated with DPN. An animal experiment was subsequently conducted to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of QHTB. A total of 32 specific-pathogen-free male ob/ob mice (18–20 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups: model, Mudan Granules (MDG), QHTB low- and high-dose groups (n = 8). Ten male C57BL/6J mice (18–20 g) served as the control group. Metabolomics analysis was further employed to elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying the effects of QHTB. Results: Based on our previous study on TCM medication patterns for treating DPN, 22 candidate herbs were selected for formula optimization. The top 5 candidate herbs (total HC = 25.24 × 10
) exhibited HC values comparable to those of MDG (total HC = 26.1 × 10
). These herbs were Carthamus tinctorius L. (HC = 5.40 × 10
), Astragalus mongholicus Bunge (HC = 5.23 × 10
), Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (HC = 5.15 × 10
), Commiphora myrrha (T. Nees) Engl. (HC = 5.02 × 10
), and Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (HC = 4.44 × 10
). HO analysis showed that the cumulative HO of these 5 herbs exceeded 50%. In vivo experiments demonstrated that, compared with the model group, QHTB significantly lowered blood glucose (P < 0.05), enhanced nerve conduction velocity (P < 0.01), improved nociceptive hypersensitivity (P < 0.01), and ameliorated sciatic nerve morphology, with efficacy comparable to MDG. Serum and fecal metabolomics further revealed that QHTB exerted multipathway regulatory effects, among which nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism represented a key mechanism. Conclusion: In summary, this study provides a methodological reference for the systematic optimization of TCM formulas.
3.Functional chimeric perforator flap of medial femoral condyle for osteochondral and soft tissue reconstruction in hand and foot joints.
Mingwu ZHOU ; Yanfeng LI ; Yang GAO ; Kai ZHANG ; Zhiwei ZHAO ; Kuo WEI ; Jia CHEN
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(9):1106-1113
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the effectiveness of free medial femoral condyle (MFC) functional chimeric perforator flap (FCPF) transplantation in reconstructing joint function by repairing concomitant osteochondral defects and soft tissue defect in hand and foot joints.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was performed on 6 patients (5 males, 1 female; mean age of 33.4 years, range 21-56 years) with traumatic osteochondral joint defects and associated tendon, nerve, and soft tissue defects treated between January 2019 and November 2024. Defect locations included metacarpal heads (n=2), metacarpophalangeal joint (n=1), first metatarsal head (n=1), base of first proximal phalanx (n=1), and talar head (n=1), with soft tissue defects in all cases. Osteochondral defect sizes ranged from 1.5 cm×1.2 cm×0.7 cm to 4.0 cm×0.6 cm×0.6 cm, and skin defects ranged from 4 cm×3 cm to 13 cm×4 cm. The stage Ⅰ treatment included debridement, antibiotic-loaded bone cement filling of bone-cartilage defects, fracture internal fixation, and coverage with vacuum sealing drainage. Stage Ⅱ involved harvesting a free MFC- FCPF included an osteochondral flap (range of 1.5 cm×1.2 cm×0.7 cm to 4.0 cm×0.6 cm×0.6 cm), gracilis and/or semitendinosus tendon grafts (length of 4-13 cm), saphenous nerve graft (length of 3.5-4.0 cm), and a perforator skin flap (range of 6 cm×4 cm to 14 cm×6 cm), each with independent vascular supply. The flap was transplanted to reconstruct joint function. Donor sites were closed primarily or with skin grafting. Flap survival was monitored postoperatively. Radiographic assessment was used to evaluate bone/joint healing. At last follow-up, the joint function recovery was assessed.
RESULTS:
All 6 MFC-FCPF survived completely, with primary healing of wounds and donor sites. All patients were followed up 6-44 months (mean, 23.5 months). The flaps at metacarpophalangeal joint in 1 case and at ankle joint in 1 case were treated with degreasing repair because of their bulky appearance, while the other flaps had good appearance and texture. At 3 months after operation, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score for pain during joint movement of recipient site was 0-2, with an average of 0.7; at last follow-up, the VAS score of the donor site was 0-1, with an average of 0.3. According to the Paley fracture healing scoring system, the osteochondral healing of all the 6 patients was excellent. The range of motion of the metacarpophalangeal joint in 3 cases was 75%, 90%, and 100% of contralateral side respectively, the range of motion of the metatarsophalangeal joint in 2 cases was 65% and 95% of contralateral side respectively, and the range of motion of the ankle joint in 1 case was 90% of contralateral side. The hand function was evaluated as excellent in 2 cases and good in 1 case according to the upper limb function evaluation standard of the Chinese Medical Association Hand Surgery Society, and the foot function was evaluated as excellent in 2 cases and fair in 1 case according to the Maryland foot function score of 93, 91, and 69, respectively. The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score of 6 knees was 91-99, with an average of 95.2.
CONCLUSION
The free MFC-FCPF enables precise anatomical joint reconstruction with three-dimensional restoration of tendon, nerve, capsule, and soft tissue defects, effectively restoring joint function and improving quality of life.
Humans
;
Male
;
Adult
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods*
;
Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery*
;
Perforator Flap/blood supply*
;
Femur/surgery*
;
Young Adult
;
Foot Joints/injuries*
;
Treatment Outcome
4.YOLOX-SwinT algorithm improves the accuracy of AO/OTA classification of intertrochanteric fractures by orthopedic trauma surgeons.
Xue-Si LIU ; Rui NIE ; Ao-Wen DUAN ; Li YANG ; Xiang LI ; Le-Tian ZHANG ; Guang-Kuo GUO ; Qing-Shan GUO ; Dong-Chu ZHAO ; Yang LI ; He-Hua ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Traumatology 2025;28(1):69-75
PURPOSE:
Intertrochanteric fracture (ITF) classification is crucial for surgical decision-making. However, orthopedic trauma surgeons have shown lower accuracy in ITF classification than expected. The objective of this study was to utilize an artificial intelligence (AI) method to improve the accuracy of ITF classification.
METHODS:
We trained a network called YOLOX-SwinT, which is based on the You Only Look Once X (YOLOX) object detection network with Swin Transformer (SwinT) as the backbone architecture, using 762 radiographic ITF examinations as the training set. Subsequently, we recruited 5 senior orthopedic trauma surgeons (SOTS) and 5 junior orthopedic trauma surgeons (JOTS) to classify the 85 original images in the test set, as well as the images with the prediction results of the network model in sequence. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) to compare the differences among the SOTS, JOTS, SOTS + AI, JOTS + AI, SOTS + JOTS, and SOTS + JOTS + AI groups. All images were classified according to the AO/OTA 2018 classification system by 2 experienced trauma surgeons and verified by another expert in this field. Based on the actual clinical needs, after discussion, we integrated 8 subgroups into 5 new subgroups, and the dataset was divided into training, validation, and test sets by the ratio of 8:1:1.
RESULTS:
The mean average precision at the intersection over union (IoU) of 0.5 (mAP50) for subgroup detection reached 90.29%. The classification accuracy values of SOTS, JOTS, SOTS + AI, and JOTS + AI groups were 56.24% ± 4.02%, 35.29% ± 18.07%, 79.53% ± 7.14%, and 71.53% ± 5.22%, respectively. The paired t-test results showed that the difference between the SOTS and SOTS + AI groups was statistically significant, as well as the difference between the JOTS and JOTS + AI groups, and the SOTS + JOTS and SOTS + JOTS + AI groups. Moreover, the difference between the SOTS + JOTS and SOTS + JOTS + AI groups in each subgroup was statistically significant, with all p < 0.05. The independent samples t-test results showed that the difference between the SOTS and JOTS groups was statistically significant, while the difference between the SOTS + AI and JOTS + AI groups was not statistically significant. With the assistance of AI, the subgroup classification accuracy of both SOTS and JOTS was significantly improved, and JOTS achieved the same level as SOTS.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the YOLOX-SwinT network algorithm enhances the accuracy of AO/OTA subgroups classification of ITF by orthopedic trauma surgeons.
Humans
;
Hip Fractures/diagnostic imaging*
;
Orthopedic Surgeons
;
Algorithms
;
Artificial Intelligence
5.New perspectives on microbiome-dependent gut-brain pathways for the treatment of depression with gastrointestinal symptoms: from bench to bedside.
Menglin LIU ; Genhao FAN ; Lingkai MENG ; Kuo YANG ; Huayi LIU
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2025;26(1):1-25
Patients with depression are more likely to have chronic gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms than the general population, but such symptoms are considered only somatic symptoms of depression and lack special attention. There is a chronic lack of appropriate diagnosis and effective treatment for patients with depression accompanied by GI symptoms, and studying the association between depression and GI disorders (GIDs) is extremely important for clinical management. There is growing evidence that depression is closely related to the microbiota present in the GI tract, and the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) is creating a new perspective on the association between depression and GIDs. Identifying and treating GIDs would provide a key opportunity to prevent episodes of depression and may also improve the outcome of refractory depression. Current studies on depression and the microbially related gut-brain axis (GBA) lack a focus on GI function. In this review, we combine preclinical and clinical evidence to summarize the roles of the microbially regulated GBA in emotions and GI function, and summarize potential therapeutic strategies to provide a reference for the study of the pathomechanism and treatment of depression in combination with GI symptoms.
Humans
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology*
;
Depression/microbiology*
;
Gastrointestinal Diseases/physiopathology*
;
Brain
;
Animals
;
Brain-Gut Axis
;
Gastrointestinal Tract/microbiology*
6.Effects of Indirect Moxibustion on DNA Methylation of BDNF Promoter Region in the Uterus of Dysmenorrheal Rats
Yanxue XING ; Min ZHOU ; Xiaoyan WANG ; Kuo BI ; Di WANG ; Zhiguo ZHAO ; Liyun YANG ; Xuanping ZHANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Fei GAO ; Wenli LI ; Xinhua LI
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(9):113-119
Objective To investigate the effects of indirect moxibustion on the expressions of DNA methyltransferases(DNMT)and methylation of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)promoter region in uterine tissues of rats with primary dysmenorrhea(PD);To explore the mechanism of epigenetic regulation of indirect moxibustion on PD model rats.Methods A total of 32 female SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,indirect moxibustion group and Western medicine group,with 8 rats in each group.The PD model with cold dampness stagnation syndrome was established using ice-water baths combined with estradiol benzoate and oxytocin.Starting from the first day of modeling,the indirect moxibustion group received salt-partitioned moxibustion at"Shenque"and ginger-partitioned moxibustion at"Guanyuan"for 20 min,while the Western medicine group was gavaged ibuprofen solution.Both interventions were given once a day for 10 days.On day 11,writhing responses were observed and scored after oxytocin injection,Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to detect protein and mRNA expression of BDNF,DNMT3A and DNMT3B in uterine tissue,immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the positive expressions of DNMT3A and DNMT3B in uterine tissue.The DNA methylation of BDNF promoter region in uterine tissue was detected by sulfite sequencing.Results Compared with the blank group,the writhing latency was shortened and the writhing score increased in the model group(P<0.01);the protein and mRNA expressions of BDNF,DNMT3A and DNMT3B in uterine tissue increased(P<0.01),the positive expressions of DNMT3A and DNMT3B increased(P<0.01),and the DNA methylation rate in BDNF promoter region decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the writhing latency was lengthened and the writhing score decreased in the indirect moxibustion group and Western medicine group(P<0.05,P<0.01);the protein and mRNA expressions of BDNF,DNMT3A and DNMT3B in uterine tissue decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),the positive expressions of DNMT3A and DNMT3B decreased(P<0.01),and the DNA methylation rate in BDNF promoter region increased(P<0.01).Conclusion Indirect moxibustion at"Shenque"and"Guanyuan"may inhibit the transcription of BDNF by increasing the DNA methylation level of BDNF promoter region,and reduce the expression of BDNF,so as to relieve the pain of PD rats.
7.Effects of Jieyu Huatan Xiaoyu Formula on Clinical Efficacy and Nrf2-Keap Signaling Pathway in Patients with Gastric Precancerous Lesions of Liver-Stomach Disharmony Type
Yuxin CHEN ; Kuo YANG ; Huayi LIU
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(11):2697-2704
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Jieyu Huatan Xiaoyu Formula(JYHTXYF)in patients with gastric precancerous lesions(GPL)of liver-stomach disharmony type and to observe its effects on the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)-Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap1)signaling pathway.Methods A prospective study enrolled 100 GPL patients with liver-stomach disharmony syndrome treated at the Department of Gastroenterology,Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin Academy of Chinese Medicine from August 2023 to August 2024.Participants were randomized into control group(n=50,treated with Moluodan Pills)and trial group(n=50,treated with JYHTXYF decoction)for 6 months.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,gastroscopic pathological scores,serum superoxide dismutase(SOD)and malondialdehyde(MDA)levels,along with Nrf2-Keap pathway-related gene/protein expressions were assessed before and after treatment.Results(1)Regarding clinical efficacy,after 6 months of treatment,the total effective rate was 94.00%(47/50)in the trial group and 76.00%(38/50)in the control group.Intergroup comparison(by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy of the trial group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P<0.05).(2)In terms of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,after treatment,the scores for TCM syndromes such as epigastric pain,gastric distension,belching,and poor appetite decreased in both groups compared to those before treatment(P<0.05),and the reduction in the trial group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).(3)Regarding gastroscopic pathological scores,after treatment,the scores for gastric mucosal atrophy,intestinal metaplasia,dysplasia,and chronic inflammation decreased in both groups compared to those before treatment(P<0.05),and the reduction in the trial group was significantly greater than that in the control group(P<0.01).(4)In terms of oxidative stress indicators,after treatment,SOD levels increased in both groups compared to before treatment(P<0.05),while serum MDA levels decreased(P<0.05).The magnitude of increase in serum SOD levels and the magnitude of decrease in serum MDA levels in the trial group were significantly greater than those in the control group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).(5)Regarding the expression levels of genes related to the Nrf2-Keap signaling pathway,after treatment,the relative mRNA expression levels of Nrf2,NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1(NQO1),and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)in gastric mucosal tissue increased in both groups compared to those before treatment(P<0.05),and the increase in the trial group was significantly greater than that in the control group(P<0.01).(6)Regarding the expression levels of proteins related to the Nrf2-Keap signaling pathway,after treatment,the relative protein expression levels of Nrf2,HO-1,and mitochondrial superoxide dismutase(SOD2)in gastric mucosal tissue increased in both groups compared to those before treatment(P<0.05),and the increase in the trial group was significantly greater than that in the control group(P<0.01).Conclusion JYHTXYF effectively improves TCM syndromes and gastroscopic pathology in GPL patients of liver-stomach disharmony type,elevates serum antioxidant enzyme levels,and upregulates the expression of genes and proteins associated with the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway,thereby enhancing clinical efficacy.The study will provide novel insights and approaches for the treatment of gastric precancerous lesions.
8.Development of medical risk awareness in clinical teaching of oral medicine
Zhen LI ; Kuo WAN ; Jinming JIANG ; Xiaowei ZHANG ; Wendong YANG
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(8):1108-1111
In light of the professional characteristics of oral medicine,oral medical students may be challenged with higher medical risks during the clinical internship stage.This article analyzes the potential risk factors in the process of oral medicine internships and proposes corresponding preventive strategies,aiming to ensure medical safety and promote the healthy development of medical students.
9.Differential Analysis of Heart Rate Variability in Repeated Continuous Performance Tests Among Healthy Young Men
Chung-Chih HSU ; Tien-Yu CHEN ; Jia-Yi LI ; Terry B. J. KUO ; Cheryl C. H. YANG
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(2):148-155
Objective:
Executive function correlates with the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) based on static heart rate variability (HRV) measurements. Our study advances this understanding by employing dynamic assessments of the PNS to explore and quantify its relationship with inhibitory control (IC).
Methods:
We recruited 31 men aged 20–35 years. We monitored their electrocardiogram (ECG) signals during the administration of the Conners’ Continuous Performance Test-II (CCPT-II) on a weekly basis over 2 weeks. HRV analysis was performed on ECG-derived RR intervals using 5-minute windows, each overlapping for the next 4 minutes to establish 1-minute intervals. For each time window, the HRV metrics extracted were: mean RR intervals, standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN), low-frequency power with logarithm (lnLF), and high-frequency power with logarithm (lnHF). Each value was correlated with detectability and compared to the corresponding baseline value at t0.
Results:
Compared with the baseline level, SDNN and lnLF showed marked decreases during CCPT-II. The mean values of HRV showed significant correlation with d’, including mean SDNN (R=0.474, p=0.012), mean lnLF (R=0.390, p=0.045), and mean lnHF (R=0.400, p=0.032). In the 14th time window, the significant correlations included SDNN (R=0.578, p=0.002), lnLF (R=0.493, p=0.012), and lnHF (R=0.432, p=0.031). Significant correlation between d’ and HRV parameters emerged only during the initial CCPT-II.
Conclusion
A significant correlation between PNS and IC was observed in the first session alone. The IC in the repeated CCPT-II needs to consider the broader neural network.
10.Daurisoline Inhibits Progression of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Regulating the γγ-Secretase/Notch Axis
Xiangyi ZHAN ; Xiaoyong CHEN ; Mei FENG ; Kuo YAO ; Kefan YANG ; Hui JIA
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2025;33(2):331-343
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer that is challenging to treat and lacks targeted therapeutic drugs in the clinic. Natural active ingredients provide promising opportunities for discovering and developing targeted therapies for TNBC. This study investigated the effects of daurisoline on TNBC and elucidated its potential mechanisms. Using network pharmacology, a correlation was identified between daurisoline, derived from Menispermum dauricum, and breast cancer, particularly involving the Notch signaling pathway. The effects of daurisoline on the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells were evaluated in vitro. Additionally, the impact of daurisoline on the growth of MDA-MB-231 xenograft tumors in nude mice was assessed through in vivo experiments. Expression levels of Notch signaling pathway-related proteins, including Notch-1, NICD, PSEN-1, Bax, and Bcl-2, were examined using molecular docking and Western blotting to explore the underlying mechanisms of daurisoline’s anti-breast cancer effects. It was revealed that daurisoline could effectively inhibit the proliferation and migration of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells and promote apoptosis. Furthermore, it significantly reduced the growth of subcutaneous tumors in nude mice. Notably, daurisoline could reduce the hydrolytic activity of γ-secretase by binding to the catalytic core PSEN-1, thereby inhibiting activation of the γ-secretase/Notch axis and contributing to its anti-TNBC effects.This study supported the development of naturally targeted drugs for TNBC and provided insights into the research on dibenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, such as daurisoline.


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