1.Herbal Textual Research on Inulae Flos in Famous Classical Formulas
Caixia LIU ; Yue HAN ; Yanzhu MA ; Lei GAO ; Sheng WANG ; Yan YANG ; Wenchuan LUO ; Ling JIN ; Jing SHAO ; Zhijia CUI ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):210-221
In this paper, by referring to ancient and modern literature, the textual research of Inulae Flos has been conducted to clarify the name, origin, production area, quality evaluation, harvesting, processing and others, so as to provide reference and basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. After textual research, it could be verified that the medicinal use of Inulae Flos was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing of the Han dynasty. In successive dynasties, Xuanfuhua has been taken as the official name, and it also has other alternative names such as Jinfeicao, Daogeng and Jinqianhua. The period before the Song and Yuan dynasties, the main origin of Inulae Flos was the Asteraceae plant Inula japonica, and from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the present, I. japonica and I. britannica are the primary source. In addition to the dominant basal species, there are also regional species such as I. linariifolia, I. helianthus-aquatili, and I. hupehensis. The earliest recorded production areas in ancient times were Henan, Hubei and other places, and the literature records that it has been distributed throughout the country since modern times. The medicinal part is its flower, the harvesting and processing method recorded in the past dynasties is mainly harvested in the fifth and ninth lunar months, and dried in the sun, and the modern harvesting is mostly harvested in summer and autumn when the flowers bloom, in order to remove impurities, dry in the shade or dry in the sun. In addition, the roots, whole herbs and aerial parts are used as medicinal materials. In ancient times, there were no records about the quality of Inulae Flos, and in modern times, it is generally believed that the quality of complete flower structure, small receptacles, large blooms, yellow petals, long filaments, many fluffs, no fragments, and no branches is better. Ancient processing methods primarily involved cleaning, steaming, and sun-drying, supplemented by techniques such as boiling, roasting, burning, simmering, stir-frying, and honey-processing. Modern processing focuses mainly on cleaning the stems and leaves before use. Regarding the medicinal properties, ancient texts describe it as salty and sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature, and mildly toxic. Modern studies characterize it as bitter, pungent, and salty in taste, with a slightly warm nature. Its therapeutic effects remain consistent across eras, including descending Qi, resolving phlegm, promoting diuresis, and stopping vomiting. Based on the research results, it is recommended that when developing famous classical formulas containing Inulae Flos, either I. japonica or I. britannica should be used as the medicinal source. Processing methods should follow formula requirements, where no processing instructions are specified, the raw products may be used after cleaning.
2.Herbal Textual Research on Inulae Flos in Famous Classical Formulas
Caixia LIU ; Yue HAN ; Yanzhu MA ; Lei GAO ; Sheng WANG ; Yan YANG ; Wenchuan LUO ; Ling JIN ; Jing SHAO ; Zhijia CUI ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):210-221
In this paper, by referring to ancient and modern literature, the textual research of Inulae Flos has been conducted to clarify the name, origin, production area, quality evaluation, harvesting, processing and others, so as to provide reference and basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. After textual research, it could be verified that the medicinal use of Inulae Flos was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing of the Han dynasty. In successive dynasties, Xuanfuhua has been taken as the official name, and it also has other alternative names such as Jinfeicao, Daogeng and Jinqianhua. The period before the Song and Yuan dynasties, the main origin of Inulae Flos was the Asteraceae plant Inula japonica, and from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the present, I. japonica and I. britannica are the primary source. In addition to the dominant basal species, there are also regional species such as I. linariifolia, I. helianthus-aquatili, and I. hupehensis. The earliest recorded production areas in ancient times were Henan, Hubei and other places, and the literature records that it has been distributed throughout the country since modern times. The medicinal part is its flower, the harvesting and processing method recorded in the past dynasties is mainly harvested in the fifth and ninth lunar months, and dried in the sun, and the modern harvesting is mostly harvested in summer and autumn when the flowers bloom, in order to remove impurities, dry in the shade or dry in the sun. In addition, the roots, whole herbs and aerial parts are used as medicinal materials. In ancient times, there were no records about the quality of Inulae Flos, and in modern times, it is generally believed that the quality of complete flower structure, small receptacles, large blooms, yellow petals, long filaments, many fluffs, no fragments, and no branches is better. Ancient processing methods primarily involved cleaning, steaming, and sun-drying, supplemented by techniques such as boiling, roasting, burning, simmering, stir-frying, and honey-processing. Modern processing focuses mainly on cleaning the stems and leaves before use. Regarding the medicinal properties, ancient texts describe it as salty and sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature, and mildly toxic. Modern studies characterize it as bitter, pungent, and salty in taste, with a slightly warm nature. Its therapeutic effects remain consistent across eras, including descending Qi, resolving phlegm, promoting diuresis, and stopping vomiting. Based on the research results, it is recommended that when developing famous classical formulas containing Inulae Flos, either I. japonica or I. britannica should be used as the medicinal source. Processing methods should follow formula requirements, where no processing instructions are specified, the raw products may be used after cleaning.
3.Analysis of the incidence and mortality trends of type 2 diabetic nephropathy in China from 1990 to 2021
Xuewei DOU ; Wenfei CUI ; Ling NIU ; Binglei YIN ; Jinjin WANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(1):176-182
ObjectiveTo analyze the long-term trend of incidence and mortality of type 2 diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in China from 1990 to 2021. MethodsThe Joinpoint regression model was used to analyze the average annual percentage change (AAPC) of standardized incidence rate and standardized mortality rate, and the age-period-cohort (APC) model was constructed to analyze the longitudinal age change, period and cohort effect risk ratio (RR). ResultsFrom 1990 to 2021, the standardized incidence rate of type 2 DKD in males and females showed an overall upward trend, with AAPC of 0.08% and 0.36%, respectively. The age-standardized mortality rate of the total population and female showed a downward trend, with AAPC of -0.61% and -1.03%, respectively. However, there was no significant difference in males. APC model showed that the age effect existed: the peak age was 75-79 years old, the mortality rate of females increased, and the mortality rate of males decreased after 80-84 years old. For the effect of time period, the risk of type 2 DKD incidence in females in 2017—2021 was 1.05 times that in 2002—2006, and the risk of death in males and females in 2017—2021 was 0.84 and 0.71 times that in 2002—2006, respectively. For cohort effects, the highest risk of disease was seen in men and women born in 1967—1971, and the highest risk of death was seen in men born in 1952—1956 and women born in 1912—1916. ConclusionFrom 1990 to 2021, the standardized incidence rate of type 2 DKD in China shows an upward trend, and the standardized mortality rate shows a downward trend. It is necessary to strengthen the health behavior publicity and education of type 2 DKD, and actively carry out early screening to reduce the disease burden.
4.Effect of RUNX3 on the activation, proliferation, and migration capabilities of hepatic stellate cells
Hui LING ; Xianchen WANG ; Junbo YOU ; Jiahao FAN ; Xiao CUI ; Jiming SHA ; Liquan YU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):277-284
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of targeted silencing of Runt-related Transcription Factor 3 (RUNX3) on the proliferation and migration of Mouse Hepatic Stellate Cells (HSCs), as well as subsequent collagen deposition. MethodsMouse hepatic stellate cell line (JS-1) was selected and then morphologically observed and identified under a microscope. After the cells had fully adhered, they were treated with 5 ng/mL of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) for 24 hours to induce hepatic stellate cell activation. Furthermore, a RUNX3 silencing model was established using RUNX3 lentiviral infection. The experiment was divided into four groups: Control group, TGF-β1 group, TGF-β1+siRNA-NC group, and TGF-β1+siRNA-RUNX3 group. Protein expression changes of RUNX3, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and Alpha 1 type I collagen (Collagen I) were detected using Western blot method. Cellular immunofluorescence assays were employed to investigate the deposition changes of α-SMA and RUNX3 in hepatic stellate cells. RT-qPCR was utilized to examine the mRNA expression changes of RUNX3, α-SMA, and Collagen I. The proliferative capacity of hepatic stellate cells was assessed using Edu staining. The migratory ability of hepatic stellate cells was evaluated through wound healing assays and Transwell migration experiments. ResultsCompared with Control group, a significant elevation in RUNX3 was observed in the TGF-β1-induced activated HSCs (P<0.01). Meanwhile, the protein and mRNA levels of fibrosis-related markers and α-SMA and Collagen I were significantly upregulated (P<0.001). Additionally, the proliferation and migration capabilities of HSCs were significantly enhanced (P<0.001). In contrast, when compared to TGF-β1+siRNA-NC group, TGF-β1+siRNA-RUNX3 group exhibited a notable decrease in RUNX3 and other related indicators, such as the protein and mRNA levels of α-SMA and Collagen I (P<0.05). Concurrently, the proliferation and migration capabilities of HSCs were significantly inhibited in TGF-β1+siRNA-RUNX3 group (P<0.01). ConclusionSilencing RUNX3 can inhibit the deposition of collagen and the proliferation and migration of hepatic stellate cells. Conversely, RUNX3 promotes the proliferation and migration capabilities of HSCs, thereby facilitating the activation of HSC.
5.Brain functional changes following electroacupuncture in a mouse model of comorbid pain and depression: A resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study.
Xuan YIN ; Xiao-Ling ZENG ; Jing-Jing LIN ; Wen-Qing XU ; Kai-Yu CUI ; Xiu-Tian GUO ; Wei LI ; Shi-Fen XU
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(2):159-168
OBJECTIVE:
Comorbid pain and depression are common but remain difficult to treat. Electroacupuncture (EA) can effectively improve symptoms of depression and relieve pain, but its neural mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) to detect cerebral changes after initiating a mouse pain model via constriction of the infraorbital nerve (CION) and then treating these animals with EA.
METHODS:
Forty male C57BL/6J mice were divided into 4 groups: control, CION model, EA, and sham acupuncture (without needle insertion). EA was performed on the acupoints Baihui (GV20) and Zusanli (ST36) for 20 min, once a day for 10 consecutive days. The mechanical withdrawal threshold was tested 3 days after the surgery and every 3 days after the intervention. The depressive behavior was evaluated with the tail suspension test, open-field test, elevated plus maze (EPM), sucrose preference test, and marble burying test. The rs-fMRI was used to detect the cerebral changes of the functional connectivity (FC) in the mice following EA treatment.
RESULTS:
Compared with the CION group, the mechanical withdrawal threshold increased in the EA group at the end of the intervention (P < 0.05); the immobility time in tail suspension test decreased (P < 0.05); and the times of the open arm entry and the open arm time in the EPM increased (both P < 0.001). There was no difference in the sucrose preference or marble burying tests (both P > 0.05). The fMRI results showed that EA treatment downregulated the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations and regional homogeneity values, while these indicators were elevated in brain regions including the amygdala, hippocampus and cerebral cortex in the CION model for comorbid pain and depression. Selecting the amygdala as the seed region, we found that the FC was higher in the CION group than in the control group. Meanwhile, EA treatment was able to decrease the FC between the amygdala and other brain regions including the caudate putamen, thalamus, and parts of the cerebral cortex.
CONCLUSION
EA can downregulate the abnormal activation of neurons in the amygdala and improve its FC with other brain regions, thus exerting analgesic and antidepressant effects. Please cite this article as: Yin X, Zeng XL, Lin JJ, Xu WQ, Cui KY, Guo XT, Li W, Xu SF. Brain functional changes following electroacupuncture in a mouse model of comorbid pain and depression: a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(2): 159-168.
Animals
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Electroacupuncture
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Male
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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Depression/diagnostic imaging*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Brain/diagnostic imaging*
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Disease Models, Animal
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Mice
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Pain/diagnostic imaging*
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Acupuncture Points
6.Endobronchial Metastasis From Rectal Cancer Treated by High-Frequency Electrocautery Ablation via Bronchoscope and Targeted Drugs:Report of One Case.
Jian-Hua YUAN ; Zong-Zhou XIE ; Y U WEI-LING ; Rong-Hua CUI ; L I JIAN-WANG
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2025;47(1):142-145
The lungs are the most common sites of metastases from non-pulmonarymalignancies. Endobronchial metastases are rare and have no specificity in clinical manifestations,thus being prone to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.The common tumors associated with endobronchial metastasis are renal,breast,and colorectal cancers.This article reported one case of postoperative rectal cancer with endobronchial and lung metastases,which was relieved by high-frequency electrocautery ablation via bronchoscope,chemotherapy,and targeted drugs,aiming to provide a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Humans
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Rectal Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Electrocoagulation/methods*
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Bronchial Neoplasms/drug therapy*
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Bronchoscopy
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Lung Neoplasms/secondary*
;
Bronchoscopes
7.Interpretation of Guideline for the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus in China(2024 edition):a nursing practice perspective
Li YU ; Long CUI ; Ling LI ; Yong LIAO ; Danlan PU ; Jingxia YIN
Journal of Chongqing Medical University 2025;50(10):1317-1322
The Guideline for the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus in China(2024 edition),released by the Chinese Dia-betes Society on January 20,2025,has updated evidence on diabetes mellitus from various aspects including its epidemiological status in China,diagnosis and treatment progress,and complication management,aiming to guide and facilitate standardized comprehensive management of diabetes mellitus in clinical practice.This paper interprets the guideline from the perspective of nursing practice,focus-ing on nursing care for special diabetic conditions,lifestyle and behavioral interventions,and the procedures of relevant nursing tech-niques.We hope to provide nursing professionals with standardized guidance on diabetes prevention and treatment,thereby further standardizing and refining specialized nursing care for diabetes mellitus,enhancing the quality of patient care,and improving patient prognosis.
8.A Survey on the Perceived Experience and Acceptance of Intrapartum Ultrasound as a Novel Method for Labor Progress Assessment
Xinjuan CHEN ; Jinhui CUI ; Liping OUYANG ; Ling LI ; Jianhui FAN ; Ping LI
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(3):535-540
ObjectiveTo investigate the perceived experience and acceptance of intrapartum ultrasound (IPUS) as a novel method for labor progress assessment among pregnant women. MethodsFrom February 2023 to December 2024, a total of 180 pregnant women admitted to the Labor Ward of Lingnan Hospital, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, who were planned for vaginal trial of labor , were accessed for labor progress using IPUS and vaginal examination (VE) after the onset of labor and prior to the initiation n of labor analgesia. A self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate the women's perceived experiences with both examination methods and their acceptance of IPUS. The pain intensity associated with the examinations was evaluated using the visual analogue pain scale (VAS). Differences in the women's experiences and pain intensity between the two labor progress assessment methods were compared. ResultsThe acceptance rate of IPUS was 96.67% (174/180), with the remaining 6 cases undecided. Over 60% of the pregnant women reported IPUS assessment as comfortable and none of them felt discomfort, whereas 32.8% felt uncomfortable with VE (χ2=196.02, P<0.001). Nearly two-thirds of the pregnant women believed that VE would cause psychological distress, while none reported such effect with IPUS (χ2=261.52, P<0.001). Approximately 77.78% (140/180) of the pregnant women believed that IPUS could reduce their fear of vaginal delivery and enhance their confidence if it replaced VE. The VAS score for IPUS [0 (0, 2)] was significantly lower than that for VE [4 (4, 6)] (Z=-14.62, P<0.001). Further stratified analysis showed that over 90% (164/180) of the pregnant women found IPUS painless, with no moderate or severe pain reported, compared to 43.33% (78/180) experienced moderate or severe pain with VE (P<0.001). ConclusionAs a novel approach for labor progress assessment, IPUS not only alleviates the pain and discomfort associated with traditional VE and reduces the fear of childbirth but also enhances women's confidence in delivery, thereby achieving a high level of acceptance among parturient women in China.
9.Influencing factors for the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasonography for colorectal submucosal tumors
Xiaobing CUI ; Kui YUAN ; Lin LING ; Chunling XU ; Pei GUO ; Genhua YANG ; Chongju BAO ; Wei HU ; Wei GONG
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2025;42(10):780-788
Objective:To identify the factors influencing the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) for colorectal submucosal tumors (SMT).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 330 colorectal SMT lesions (from 323 patients) diagnosed by EUS at Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University from December 2015 to October 2023. Pathological diagnosis were confirmed through endoscopic resection, EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) or surgical resection. Diagnostic accuracy was calculated for each type of colorectal SMT. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to identify factors affecting EUS diagnostic accuracy.Results:The overall diagnostic accuracy of EUS for colorectal SMT was 73.6% (243/330). Among 19 SMT subtypes enrolled, neuroendocrine neoplasms (51.2%, 169/330) and lipomas (15.5%, 51/330) were most prevalent, while 17 rare subtypes each accounted for <6%. Seven rare SMT (mucosal chronic inflammation, colorectal schwannoma, xanthogranulomatous inflammation, capillary hemangioma, colonic xanthoma, lymphadenoid complex, and angiomyolipoma) showed 0% diagnostic accuracy. Seven other subtypes (granular cell tumor, leiomyoma, rectal tonsil, intestinal schistosomiasis, fibrous tissue hyperplasia, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, and lymphangioma) showed accuracy <30%, whereas five subtypes (cyst, bowel endometriosis, neuroendocrine neoplasm, lipoma, and pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis) achieved >60% accuracy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that the lesion location (left colon VS rectum: OR=0.06, 95% CI: 0.02-0.17, P<0.001; right colon VS rectum: OR=0.04, 95% CI: 0.01-0.13, P<0.001; ileocecal valve VS rectum: OR=0.09, 95% CI: 0.02-0.42, P=0.002); echogenicity (anechoic VS hypoechoic: OR=6.26, 95% CI: 1.31-29.97, P=0.022; hyperechoic VS hypoechoic: OR=13.39, 95% CI: 4.16-43.09, P<0.001) and ultrasonic layer (layer 4 VS layer 3: OR=0.22, 95% CI: 0.06-0.81, P=0.023) were independent influencing factors of EUS diagnostic accuracy for colorectal SMT. Conclusion:Neuroendocrine neoplasms and lipomas represent the most common colorectal SMT, whereas rare and uncommon SMT exhibit low EUS diagnostic accuracy. Lesion location, echogenicity, and ultrasonic layer significantly influence EUS diagnostic accuracy for colorectal SMT.
10.Effect of rosa roxburghii Tratt polysaccharides on insulin resistance in gestational diabetes mellitus rats by regulating adenosine monophosphate-activated proteinkinase/peroxlsome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactlvator-1α signaling pathway
Xiuping CHI ; Jinling YAN ; Wenhua CUI ; Ling LIU ; Lixuan WEN
Chinese Journal of Diabetes 2025;33(7):536-542
Objective To investigate the effect of rosa roxburghii Tratt polysaccharides(RRTP)on insulin resistance(IR)in rats with gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)by regulating adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/peroxlsome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactlvator-1α(PGC-1α)signaling pathway.Methods Ten pregnant rats served as normal control(NC)group,and 50 GDM rats were randomly divided into GDM group,RRTP 100 mg/kg(RRTP 100)group,RRTP 200 mg/kg(RRTP 200)group,positive drug(PD)group,RRTP 200 mg/kg+Dorsomorphin(RRTP 200+Dorsomorphin)group.The indexes of glucose and lipid metabolism,superoxide dismutase(SOD),malondialdehyde(MDA),interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and pathological changes were evaluated in each group,and Schmidt scoring shall be performed.Additionally,apoptosis and the expression of proteins related to the AMPK/PGC-1α pathway in tissues shall be detected.Results Fasting plasma glucose,fasting insulin,homeostatic model assessment-IR,total cholesterol,triglycerides,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,MDA,IL-6,TNF-α,Schmidt score and apoptosis index were higher in GDM group than in NC group(P<0.05),while the expressions of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,SOD,p-AMPK/AMPK,p-AMPK and PGC-1α protein were lower in GDM group than in NC group(P<0.05).The above indexes improved in RRTP 100,RRTP 200 and PD groups.In the RRTP 200+Dorsomorphin group,the ameliorative effect of RRTP on IR was reversed.Conclusions RRTP improve IR in GDM rats by activating the AMPK/PGC-1α signaling pathway.

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