1.Effect and Mechanisms of Bushen Tongluo Prescription on Pulmonary Fibrosis via Inhibiting Macrophage Polarization Through Wnt3a/β-catenin Signaling Pathway
Yanxia LIANG ; Xuelian YU ; Wenwen WANG ; Guangsen LI ; Hongfei XING ; Maorong FAN ; Bin YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):112-123
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate whether Bushen Tongluo prescription inhibits macrophage polarization by regulating the Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby reducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition and excessive extracellular matrix deposition, in order to elucidate the anti-pulmonary fibrosis mechanisms of Bushen Tongluo prescription and provide a new theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. MethodsFifty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank group, model group, pirfenidone group, and high- and low-dose Bushen Tongluo prescription groups. Except for the blank group, the pulmonary fibrosis model was established by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. Intervention was initiated on day 28 after modeling. The high- and low-dose Bushen Tongluo prescription groups were administered Bushen Tongluo prescription at doses of 30.88, 15.44 g·kg-1, respectively, by intragastric gavage. The pirfenidone group was administered pirfenidone capsules at 110 mg·kg-1 by intragastric gavage. The blank and model groups were given an equal volume of normal saline by gavage, once daily for 90 days. After treatment, the level of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Morphological changes in lung tissue and the collagen volume fraction were compared. The protein distribution and expression of E-cadherin, cytokeratin 19, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), vimentin, collagen type Ⅰ (Col Ⅰ), and collagen type Ⅲ (Col Ⅲ) in lung tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry. The protein distribution and expression of CD68, arginase-1 (Arg-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Wnt3a, and β-catenin in lung tissue were detected by immunofluorescence. The protein expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin in lung tissue was detected by Western blot, and the mRNA expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin was detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsCompared with the blank group, a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated the airway walls, alveolar spaces, and interstitial tissue in the model group, with obvious fibrous tissue hyperplasia. The level of TGF-β1 in BALF was significantly increased. The protein expression of E-cadherin and cytokeratin 19 in lung tissue was decreased, whereas the protein expression of α-SMA, Vimentin, Wnt3a, β-catenin, Col Ⅰ, and Col Ⅲ was increased. The fluorescence-positive area ratios of CD68, Arg-1, iNOS, Wnt3a, and β-catenin in lung tissue were increased. The protein and mRNA expression levels of Wnt3a and β-catenin in lung tissue were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all treatment groups showed varying degrees of improvement in inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrous tissue hyperplasia in the airway walls, alveolar spaces, and interstitial tissue, decreased TGF-β1 levels in BALF, increased protein expression of E-cadherin and cytokeratin 19 in lung tissue, decreased protein expression of α-SMA, Vimentin, Col Ⅰ, and Col Ⅲ, decreased fluorescence-positive area ratios of CD68, Arg-1, iNOS, Wnt3a, and β-catenin in lung tissue, and decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of Wnt3a and β-catenin in lung tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionBushen Tongluo prescription can improve bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition and reducing excessive extracellular matrix deposition. The mechanism may be related to inhibition of the Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway and the macrophage polarization mediated by this pathway.
2.A systematic review on the integrated application of evidence-based narrative education and undergraduate nursing teaching
Nannan BAI ; Meng LI ; Qian LIANG ; Chou YAO ; Yan WANG ; Ju HAN ; Chenyang HOU ; Nana XING
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(2):229-237
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the application of narrative education in undergraduate nursing teaching, to understand the current application status of narrative education, and to provide a theoretical basis for the subsequent establishment of a sound narrative education system. MethodsA systematic search was conducted for studies published in Chinese and English databases on applying narrative education to undergraduate nursing teaching, with the search period ranging from database inception to February 23, 2025. Literature was screened, and relevant information was extracted. A rigorous quality evaluation was conducted on the included studies, and a descriptive analysis was performed on their content. ResultsA total of 20 papers were included, involving 3,180 research subjects, all of whom were undergraduate nursing students. The results of descriptive analysis showed that the teaching model of narrative education primarily encompassed reading narrative works, watching films and videos, performing narrative scenarios, and writing reflective journals. The course setting and content covered pre-teaching preparation and in-teaching implementation. The evaluation of teaching effectiveness included the evaluation of teachers’ teaching methods (student evaluation/self-evaluation) and the evaluation of students’ learning effectiveness (course grade evaluation/humanistic care scale/empathy scale assessment, and others). ConclusionNarrative education combines abstract concepts with concrete clinical situations, which not only enriches students’ learning experiences but also enhances their humanistic literacy. Meanwhile, it provides teachers with opportunities to develop their narrative teaching skills, which requires them to possess profound professional knowledge and employ narrative techniques to guide students in reflection and critical thinking, thereby improving teaching quality and learning outcomes. Future efforts should consistently deepen the connotation research of narrative education and build a systematic nursing education system.
3.Expert consensus on precise intervention with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for sleep disorders in the elderly
Yuan SHAO ; Jian WANG ; Wei LIANG ; Yingli ZHANG ; Gangqiang HOU ; Xia LI ; Yi XING ; Lu WANG ; Shi TANG ; Yongjun WANG
Sichuan Mental Health 2026;39(2):97-105
In recent years, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has garnered significant attention as a therapeutic approach for sleep disorders in the elderly. However, the prevailing rTMS protocols are predominantly developed based on normative neurophysiological data derived from young adults and fail to incorporate individualized parameters tailored to the brain characteristics of the elderly. To address this gap, the consensus development group synthesized the latest evidence from 2010 to 2025 and established a standardized rTMS protocol specifically for elderly patients with sleep disorders. Adhering to the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) framework, systematically screened randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews regarding rTMS in the treatment of sleep disorders across various conditions. Meanwhile, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system was employed to rigorously grade the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations. This consensus guideline delineates precise rTMS protocols for the management of sleep disorders in the elderly, highlights the adjustment of stimulation intensity according to scalp-cortex distance recommends either MRI‑guided neuronavigation or the Beam F3/F4 heuristic approach for accurate target localization, thereby providing precise rTMS intervention protocol for sleep disorders in the elderly, aiming to enhance clinical efficacy while ensuring treatment safety. [Funded by National Key Research and Development Program (number, 2023YFC3603200); General Program of Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission (number, JCYJ20240813112859008, JCYJ20240813112900002); Youth Program of Shenzhen Kangning Hospital (number, KN2023A004); www.guidelines-registry.cn number, PREPARE-2026CN530]
4.Trpc6 knockout suppresses inflammasome activity and alleviates myocardial inflammatory damage in mice
Haoyu LIANG ; Lei FAN ; Xing ZHU ; Lei HUANG ; Weiping LI ; Weizu LI
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(4):591-598
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Trpc6 knockout on chronic lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced myocardial inflammation and fibrosis in mice and its potential mechanisms. MethodsMale C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice and Trpc6 knockout (Trpc6-/-) mice of the same background were randomly divided into four groups: WT control, WT+LPS (200 μg/kg), Trpc6-/- control, and Trpc6-/-+LPS (200 μg/kg). Group with LPS received intraperitoneal LPS injections for 21 consecutive days to induce chronic myocardial inflammatory injury. Cardiac ultrasound assessed changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), left ventricular shortening fraction (FS), and cardiac output (CO). Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining were used to examine morphological alterations in myocardial tissue. Masson’s trichrome staining was used to assess myocardial fiber alterations; Western blot analysis was used to measure myocardial tissue expression of transient receptor potential calcium channel 6 (TRPC6), NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 inflammasome (NLRP3),absent in melanoma 2 inflammasome (AIM2), Caspase-1, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β in mouse myocardial tissue. ResultsCompared with the WT control group, the WT+LPS group exhibited decreased cardiac EF (P<0.01), FS (P<0.01), and CO (P<0.05), along with significantly increased myocardial tissue damage, glycoprotein deposition, and fibrosis (P<0.01). Further analysis revealed that compared with the WT control group, the WT+LPS group exhibited markedly increased myocardial tissue expression of TRPC6, NLRP3, AIM2, Caspase-1, IL-6, and IL-1β (P<0.01). Compared with the WT+LPS group, mice in the Trpc6-/- +LPS group exhibited elevated EF (P<0.01) and FS (P<0.05), along with reduced myocardial tissue injury, glycoprotein deposition, and fibrosis (P<0.05). ConclusionChronic LPS treatment can activate NLRP3/AIM2 inflammasomes through the up-regulation of TRPC6 expression, and then lead to chronic myocardial inflammatory injury and fibrosis, while Trpc6 knockdown can reduce myocardial inflammatory injury and fibrosis, and the mechanism is related to inhibiting the activation of NLRP3/AIM2 inflammasomes.
5.Reprogramming miR-146b-snphb Signaling Activates Axonal Mitochondrial Transport in the Zebrafish M-cell and Facilitates Axon Regeneration After Injury.
Xin-Liang WANG ; Zong-Yi WANG ; Xing-Han CHEN ; Yuan CAI ; Bing HU
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(4):633-648
Acute mitochondrial damage and the energy crisis following axonal injury highlight mitochondrial transport as an important target for axonal regeneration. Syntaphilin (Snph), known for its potent mitochondrial anchoring action, has emerged as a significant inhibitor of both mitochondrial transport and axonal regeneration. Therefore, investigating the molecular mechanisms that influence the expression levels of the snph gene can provide a viable strategy to regulate mitochondrial trafficking and enhance axonal regeneration. Here, we reveal the inhibitory effect of microRNA-146b (miR-146b) on the expression of the homologous zebrafish gene syntaphilin b (snphb). Through CRISPR/Cas9 and single-cell electroporation, we elucidated the positive regulatory effect of the miR-146b-snphb axis on Mauthner cell (M-cell) axon regeneration at the global and single-cell levels. Through escape response tests, we show that miR-146b-snphb signaling positively regulates functional recovery after M-cell axon injury. In addition, continuous dynamic imaging in vivo showed that reprogramming miR-146b significantly promotes axonal mitochondrial trafficking in the pre-injury and early stages of regeneration. Our study reveals an intrinsic axonal regeneration regulatory axis that promotes axonal regeneration by reprogramming mitochondrial transport and anchoring. This regulation involves noncoding RNA, and mitochondria-associated genes may provide a potential opportunity for the repair of central nervous system injury.
Animals
;
Zebrafish
;
MicroRNAs/genetics*
;
Nerve Regeneration/physiology*
;
Mitochondria/metabolism*
;
Zebrafish Proteins/genetics*
;
Axons/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction/physiology*
;
Axonal Transport/physiology*
;
Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics*
6.Supramolecular prodrug inspiried by the Rhizoma Coptidis - Fructus Mume herbal pair alleviated inflammatory diseases by inhibiting pyroptosis.
Wenhui QIAN ; Bei ZHANG ; Ming GAO ; Yuting WANG ; Jiachen SHEN ; Dongbing LIANG ; Chao WANG ; Wei WEI ; Xing PAN ; Qiuying YAN ; Dongdong SUN ; Dong ZHU ; Haibo CHENG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(2):101056-101056
Sustained inflammatory responses are closely related to various severe diseases, and inhibiting the excessive activation of inflammasomes and pyroptosis has significant implications for clinical treatment. Natural products have garnered considerable concern for the treatment of inflammation. Huanglian-Wumei decoction (HLWMD) is a classic prescription used for treating inflammatory diseases, but the necessity of their combination and the exact underlying anti-inflammatory mechanism have not yet been elucidated. Inspired by the supramolecular self-assembly strategy and natural drug compatibility theory, we successfully obtained berberine (BBR)-chlorogenic acid (CGA) supramolecular (BCS), which is an herbal pair from HLWMD. Using a series of characterization methods, we confirmed the self-assembly mechanism of BCS. BBR and CGA were self-assembled and stacked into amphiphilic spherical supramolecules in a 2:1 molar ratio, driven by electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic interactions, and π-π stacking; the hydrophilic fragments of CGA were outside, and the hydrophobic fragments of BBR were inside. This stacking pattern significantly improved the anti-inflammatory performance of BCS compared with that of single free molecules. Compared with free molecules, BCS significantly attenuated the release of multiple inflammatory mediators and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pyroptosis. Its anti-inflammatory mechanism is closely related to the inhibition of intracellular nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) p65 phosphorylation and the noncanonical pyroptosis signalling pathway mediated by caspase-11.
7.Perturbation response scanning of drug-target networks: Drug repurposing for multiple sclerosis.
Yitan LU ; Ziyun ZHOU ; Qi LI ; Bin YANG ; Xing XU ; Yu ZHU ; Mengjun XIE ; Yuwan QI ; Fei XIAO ; Wenying YAN ; Zhongjie LIANG ; Qifei CONG ; Guang HU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(6):101295-101295
Combined with elastic network model (ENM), the perturbation response scanning (PRS) has emerged as a robust technique for pinpointing allosteric interactions within proteins. Here, we proposed the PRS analysis of drug-target networks (DTNs), which could provide a promising avenue in network medicine. We demonstrated the utility of the method by introducing a deep learning and network perturbation-based framework, for drug repurposing of multiple sclerosis (MS). First, the MS comorbidity network was constructed by performing a random walk with restart algorithm based on shared genes between MS and other diseases as seed nodes. Then, based on topological analysis and functional annotation, the neurotransmission module was identified as the "therapeutic module" of MS. Further, perturbation scores of drugs on the module were calculated by constructing the DTN and introducing the PRS analysis, giving a list of repurposable drugs for MS. Mechanism of action analysis both at pathway and structural levels screened dihydroergocristine as a candidate drug of MS by targeting a serotonin receptor of serotonin 2B receptor (HTR2B). Finally, we established a cuprizone-induced chronic mouse model to evaluate the alteration of HTR2B in mouse brain regions and observed that HTR2B was significantly reduced in the cuprizone-induced mouse cortex. These findings proved that the network perturbation modeling is a promising avenue for drug repurposing of MS. As a useful systematic method, our approach can also be used to discover the new molecular mechanism and provide effective candidate drugs for other complex diseases.
8.Clinical efficacy of separation surgery in treating spinal metastases accompanied by neurological symptoms.
Qiang WANG ; Min-Hao LU ; Xing-Wu WANG ; Ming FANG ; Wu-Liang YU ; Jian-Meng LU
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(2):157-163
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the safety and effectiveness of separation surgery in patients with neurological symptoms of spinal metastases.
METHODS:
From January 2020 to December 2022, 14 patients with neurological symptoms of spinal metastases underwent separation surgery, including 7 males and 7 females, aged from 30 to 76 years old with an average of (61.57±12.16) years old. In comparison with eleven patients underwent conservative treatment during the same period, including 6 males and 5 femals, aged from 46 to 88 years old with an average of (66.55±12.32) years old. The changes in visual analogue scale (VAS), Frankel grades, Karnofsky scores, and quality of life score (QOL) before and after treatment were compared between two groups.
RESULTS:
Fourteen patients in the separation surgery group underwent surgery successfully, with surgery time of (218.57±50.00) minutes and intraoperative blood loss of (864.29±332.97) ml, 2 patients developed delayed hematoma and recovered well finally after emergency surgery, the follow-up time was 3 to 36 months, after separation surgery, the pain was significantly relieved, and neurological function recovered well in the patients. Three months after treatment, the VAS in the separation surgery group (1.43±0.76) scores was significantly lower than that in the conservative treatment group (8.64±0.51) scores (P<0.05);and the Frankel grades, Karnofsky scores, and QOL scores in the separation surgery group were significantly better than those in the conservative treatment group(P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
For patients with obvious neurological symptoms of spinal metastases, separation surgery not only can rapidly relieve nerve compression but also carry relatively low surgical risks, and improve the quality of life of patients.
Humans
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Female
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Aged
;
Spinal Neoplasms/complications*
;
Adult
;
Aged, 80 and over
;
Quality of Life
9.Clinical application of three-dimensional printing technology combined with customized bone plate in the treatment of acetabulum fracture.
Yan-Chao ZANG ; Quan-Yong ZHAO ; Li YANG ; Jin-Zeng ZUO ; Wei QI ; Wei-Dong LIANG ; Jie XING
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(2):203-207
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the application value and clinical effect of 3D printing combined with customized bone plate in the treatment of acetabular fracture.
METHODS:
From June 2020 to June 2022, 11 patients with acetabular fractures underwent preoperative planning using 3D printing technology and were treated with customized bone plates including 8 males and 3 females, aged 25 to 66 years old. The fractures were classified according to Letournel-Judet:4 posterior wall fractures, 2 T-type fractures, 2 transverse posterior wall fractures, 2 double column fractures, and 1 anterior column with posterior semi-transverse fractures. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, postoperative drainage volume, postoperative fracture healing time, and hip function score were recorded and analyzed.
RESULTS:
The operation time of 11 patients was 80 to 150 min, intraoperative blood volume was 150 to 700 ml, fluoroscopy frequency was 2 to 6, postoperative drainage flow was 60 to 195 ml, and the fracture healing time was 2.5 to 6.0 months. Fracture reduction was evaluated according to Matta score:anatomical reduction in 3 cases and satisfactory reduction in 8 cases. Eleven patients were followed up for 7 to 18 months. The hip Merle d'Aubigne function scores were excellent in 6 cases, good in 3 cases, fair in 1 case and poor in 1 case. Incision fat liquefaction occurred in 1 case and obturator nerve traction in 1 case.
CONCLUSION
The application of 3D printing technology combined with customized bone plates in the treatment of acetabular fracture is effective. In addition, the printed model can provide the operator with the results of the three-dimensional shape of the fracture, which is convenient for surgical reduction and effectively improves the efficiency of surgery.
Humans
;
Female
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Acetabulum/surgery*
;
Printing, Three-Dimensional
;
Adult
;
Aged
;
Bone Plates
;
Fractures, Bone/surgery*
;
Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods*
10.Analysis of factors affecting the incidence of osteoarthritis following arthroscopic surgery for degenerative posterior horn of medial meniscus injuries.
Bin WANG ; Qiang-Bing DOU ; Xing-Xing LI ; Liang-Ye SUN
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(7):722-728
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the risk factors associated with the development of knee osteoarthritis (OA) following arthroscopic surgery for degenerative lesions of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus.
METHODS:
Between January 2012 and January 2014, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 506 patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery for degenerative disease of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. The cohort included 230 males and 276 females, aged from 32 to 58 years old with an average of (46.77±9.02) years old. According to the results of postoperative follow-up, patients were categorized into a knee osteoarthritis(OA) group and a non-OA group. The following parameters were recorded for each subject:gender, medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), presence of bone edema on MRI, physical characteristics (including McMurray test results, locking symptoms, and medial knee tenderness points), meniscus protrusion, type of meniscus injury, and free body condition as observed via arthroscopy. Multivariate unconditional Logistic regression analysis was employed to investigate the associated factors influencing the 10-year postoperative incidence of knee osteoarthritis following surgery for degenerative injury of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. Independent risk factors potentially influencing the development of postoperative OA were identified, and a nomogram-based predictive model for postoperative OA was established. The discriminatory ability and calibration accuracy of the model were assessed using the C-index and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, respectively. Furthermore, internal validation was performed using the bootstrap resampling method.
RESULTS:
Within a 10-year period following arthroscopic surgery, there were 123 patients in the OA group and 383 patients in the non-OA group. Significant differences were observed between two groups with respect to gender (χ2=5.156, P=0.023), MPTA<86.6° (χ2=21.671, P<0.001), varus lower limb alignment( χ2= 80.086, P<0.001). Additionally, meniscus extrusion (χ2=6.371, P=0.012), meniscus transverse tear (χ2=14.573, P<0.001), and bone edema detected on MRI(χ2=9.881, P=0.002) were identified as factors associated with the development of postoperative knee OA. The multifactorial Logistic regression analysis revealed that the lower limb line of force inversion OR=4.324, 95%CI (1.391, 13.443), P=0.011;MPTA <86.6°, OR=2.519, 95%CI (1.150, 5.519), P=0.021;transverse meniscus tear, OR=4.546, 95%CI (1.827, 11.310), P=0.001;meniscus ectropion, OR=5.401, 95%CI (1.992, 14.646), P=0.001;and bone edema manifestation on MRI OR=2.692, 95%CI (1.169, 6.200), P=0.020. They were independent risk factors associated with the development of postoperative OA. The area under the ROC curve predicted by the model was 0.927, 95%CI (0.903, 0.950). The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, used to evaluate the accuracy of the model, yielded P=0.689. Additionally, the internally sampled calibration curve demonstrated good consistency with the actual postoperative OA outcomes.
CONCLUSION
Varus alignment of the lower extremity, MPTA <86.6°, transverse meniscus tear, lateral meniscus injury, and bone marrow edema observed on MRI were independent risk factors for the development of knee osteoarthritis following arthroscopic surgery. Additionally, the prognostic model demonstrated excellent predictive performance.
Humans
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Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Arthroscopy/adverse effects*
;
Adult
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Tibial Meniscus Injuries/surgery*
;
Osteoarthritis, Knee/epidemiology*
;
Risk Factors
;
Menisci, Tibial/surgery*
;
Incidence
;
Postoperative Complications/epidemiology*

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