1.Early screening strategies for metabolic associated fatty liver disease
Kaiye HUA ; Mengfan JIA ; Yingwei ZHU ; Zhonghua LU ; Jian LU ; Hong TANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(2):420-426
Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a common chronic liver disease worldwide, and timely and precise intervention can delay disease progression and significantly reduce the risk of serious complications such as liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Although traditional liver biopsy combined with metabolic markers is the gold standard, it may cause complications such as pain and bleeding as an invasive examination, which has promoted scientific research to shift its focus to the construction of noninvasive assessment systems. In recent years, noninvasive diagnostic technologies based on multi-dimensional detection strategies have been continuously updated, including serological models, imaging techniques, and clinical algorithms. This article systematically reviews the screening methods for MAFLD during the fibrotic stages F1—F3, especially deep learning models based on artificial intelligence, in order to provide ideas for the early screening of MAFLD, as well as a scientific reference for optimizing disease management strategies.
2.Preparation and identification of rabbit polyclonal antibody against human FAM21
Tuo TANG ; Yanji LU ; Wenlong LI ; Tao WANG ; Xian HONG ; Zhihui DENG
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(6):1484-1489
Objective:To prepare rabbit polyclonal antibody against human FAM21 and analyze antibody specificity.Methods:Using the plasmid encoding human FAM21 full-length gene as a template,the nucleotide sequence of its 2 431~3 006 base was amplified by PCR and connected to the pGEX-6p-1 prokaryotic expression vector to construct pGEX-6P-1-FAM21 recombinant plasmid expressing the 811~1 002 amino acid fragment of FAM21.The recombinant plasmid was transformed into BL21(DE3)compe-tent Escherichia coli and was expressed inductively,and the protein was purified using GST fusion protein purification magnetic beads.The purified GST fusion protein was used as an antigen to immunize New Zealand rabbits,and the collected antiserum was purified by an agarose column containing GST protein.The specificity of antibody was detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence assay in stable FAM21 knockdown HeLa cells.Results:The pGEX-6p-1-FAM21 prokaryotic expression plasmid was successfully constructed and induced to express in BL21(DE3)competent Escherichia coli.The purified GST fusion protein had a molecular weight of approxi-mately 50 kD,and the purified antibody titer from immunized New Zealand rabbits was greater than 1∶128 000,with high specificity.Conclusion:The pGEX-6p-1-FAM21 prokaryotic expression plasmid is successfully constructed,and the rabbit polyclonal antibody against human FAM21 is prepared for Western blot and immunofluorescence assay.
3.Huanglian-Renshen-Decoction Maintains Islet β-Cell Identity in T2DM Mice through Regulating GLP-1 and GLP-1R in Both Islet and Intestine.
Wen-Bin WU ; Fan GAO ; Yue-Heng TANG ; Hong-Zhan WANG ; Hui DONG ; Fu-Er LU ; Fen YUAN
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(1):39-48
OBJECTIVE:
To elucidate the effect of Huanglian-Renshen-Decoction (HRD) on ameliorating type 2 diabetes mellitus by maintaining islet β -cell identity through regulating paracrine and endocrine glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)/GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) in both islet and intestine.
METHODS:
The db/db mice were divided into the model (distilled water), low-dose HRD (LHRD, 3 g/kg), high-dose HRD (HHRD, 6 g/kg), and liraglutide (400 µ g/kg) groups using a random number table, 8 mice in each group. The db/m mice were used as the control group (n=8, distilled water). The entire treatment of mice lasted for 6 weeks. Blood insulin, glucose, and GLP-1 levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The proliferation and apoptosis factors of islet cells were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) staining. Then, GLP-1, GLP-1R, prohormone convertase 1/3 (PC1/3), PC2, v-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homologue A (MafA), and pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1) were detected by Western blot, IHC, IF, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively.
RESULTS:
HRD reduced the weight and blood glucose of the db/db mice, and improved insulin sensitivity at the same time (P<0.05 or P<0.01). HRD also promoted mice to secrete more insulin and less glucagon (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, it also increased the number of islet β cell and decreased islet α cell mass (P<0.01). After HRD treatment, the levels of GLP-1, GLP-1R, PC1/3, PC2, MafA, and PDX1 in the pancreas and intestine significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
HRD can maintain the normal function and identity of islet β cell, and the underlying mechanism is related to promoting the paracrine and endocrine activation of GLP-1 in pancreas and intestine.
Animals
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Glucagon-Like Peptide 1/metabolism*
;
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism*
;
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor/metabolism*
;
Insulin-Secreting Cells/pathology*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Male
;
Blood Glucose/metabolism*
;
Insulin/blood*
;
Mice
;
Intestinal Mucosa/pathology*
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Islets of Langerhans/pathology*
4.Applications of artificial intelligence in the research of molecular mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine formulas.
Hongyu CHEN ; Ruotian TANG ; Mei HONG ; Jing ZHAO ; Dong LU ; Xin LUAN ; Guangyong ZHENG ; Weidong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(11):1329-1341
Traditional Chinese medicine formula (TCMF) represents a fundamental component of Chinese medical practice, incorporating medical knowledge and practices from both Han Chinese and various ethnic minorities, while providing comprehensive insights into health and disease. The foundation of TCMF lies in its holistic approach, manifested through herbal compatibility theory, which has emerged from extensive clinical experience and evolved into a highly refined knowledge system. Within this framework, Chinese herbal medicines exhibit intricated characteristics, including multi-component interactions, diverse target sites, and varied biological pathways. These complexities pose significant challenges for understanding their molecular mechanisms. Contemporary advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping research in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), offering immense potential to transform our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying TCMFs. This review explores the application of AI in uncovering these mechanisms, highlighting its role in compound absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) prediction, molecular target identification, compound and target synergy recognition, pharmacological mechanisms exploration, and herbal formula optimization. Furthermore, the review discusses the challenges and opportunities in AI-assisted research on TCMF molecular mechanisms, promoting the modernization and globalization of TCM.
Artificial Intelligence
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacokinetics*
;
Humans
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Animals
5.Expert consensus on early orthodontic treatment of class III malocclusion.
Xin ZHOU ; Si CHEN ; Chenchen ZHOU ; Zuolin JIN ; Hong HE ; Yuxing BAI ; Weiran LI ; Jun WANG ; Min HU ; Yang CAO ; Yuehua LIU ; Bin YAN ; Jiejun SHI ; Jie GUO ; Zhihua LI ; Wensheng MA ; Yi LIU ; Huang LI ; Yanqin LU ; Liling REN ; Rui ZOU ; Linyu XU ; Jiangtian HU ; Xiuping WU ; Shuxia CUI ; Lulu XU ; Xudong WANG ; Songsong ZHU ; Li HU ; Qingming TANG ; Jinlin SONG ; Bing FANG ; Lili CHEN
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):20-20
The prevalence of Class III malocclusion varies among different countries and regions. The populations from Southeast Asian countries (Chinese and Malaysian) showed the highest prevalence rate of 15.8%, which can seriously affect oral function, facial appearance, and mental health. As anterior crossbite tends to worsen with growth, early orthodontic treatment can harness growth potential to normalize maxillofacial development or reduce skeletal malformation severity, thereby reducing the difficulty and shortening the treatment cycle of later-stage treatment. This is beneficial for the physical and mental growth of children. Therefore, early orthodontic treatment for Class III malocclusion is particularly important. Determining the optimal timing for early orthodontic treatment requires a comprehensive assessment of clinical manifestations, dental age, and skeletal age, and can lead to better results with less effort. Currently, standardized treatment guidelines for early orthodontic treatment of Class III malocclusion are lacking. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the etiology, clinical manifestations, classification, and early orthodontic techniques for Class III malocclusion, along with systematic discussions on selecting early treatment plans. The purpose of this expert consensus is to standardize clinical practices and improve the treatment outcomes of Class III malocclusion through early orthodontic treatment.
Humans
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Malocclusion, Angle Class III/classification*
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Orthodontics, Corrective/methods*
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Consensus
;
Child
6.Qishen Granule protects against myocardial ischemia by promoting angiogenesis through BMP2-Dll4-Notch1 pathway.
Yiqin HONG ; Hui WANG ; Hanyan XIE ; Xinyi ZHONG ; Xu CHEN ; Lishuang YU ; Yawen ZHANG ; Jingmei ZHANG ; Qiyan WANG ; Binghua TANG ; Linghui LU ; Dongqing GUO
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2025;17(1):139-147
OBJECTIVE:
Therapeutic angiogenesis has become a promising approach for treating ischemic heart disease (IHD). The present study aims to investigate the effects of Qishen Granule (QSG) on angiogenesis in myocardial ischemia (MI) and the potential mechanism.
METHODS:
In vivo study was conducted on rat model of myocardial infarction. QSG was performed daily at a dose of 2.352 g/kg for four weeks. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiogram and pro-angiogenic effects were evaluated by Laser Doppler and CD31 expression. Oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) was applied in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Cell viability, wound healing and tube formation assay were used to test functions of HUVECs. ELISA and Western blots were used to assess protein expressions of bone morphogenetic protein 2-delta-like 4-notch homolog 1 (BMP2-Dll4-Notch1) signaling pathway.
RESULTS:
The results showed that QSG improved heart function, cardiac blood flow and microvessel density in myocardial ischemic rats. In vitro, QSG protected HUVECs by promoting the cell viability and tube formation. QSG upregulated bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2) and downregulated delta-like 4 (Dll4) and notch homolog 1 (Notch1) expressions both in rats and HUVECs.
CONCLUSION
QSG protected against MI by promoting angiogenesis through BMP2-Dll4-Notch1 pathway. BMP2 might be a promising therapeutic target for IHD.
7.Development of a classification system for nursing science and directions of future development
Ying WU ; Lanshu ZHOU ; Siyuan TANG ; Changrong YUAN ; Hongying PI ; Xiuying HU ; Hong LU ; Jingli CHEN ; Yanling WANG ; Mei SUN ; Guihua XU
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(13):1541-1547
As an independent first-level discipline,an appropriate classification of nursing science is significant.In China,each nursing degree-granting institution has developed its own secondary-level discipline directions based on its research characteristics and strengths,with varying names and research scopes.Furthermore,there is no unified global classification system.This paper,based on the characteristics of nursing as a discipline and combined with China's discipline classification principles,used literature analysis,comprehensive classification,philosophical reflection,logical reasoning,and expert consultation methods to explore the connotation of nursing,its unique research objects and scope,and to construct a secondary-level discipline classification system for nursing science that is suitable for China's national conditions.The paper also discussed the challenges faced by the nursing discipline and its future development directions,providing theoretical and practical guidance for the development of the nursing discipline.
8.Mechanistic investigation of Fuzheng Hefu Zhiyang Formula in alleviating psoriasis inflammatory microenvironment via P38/Erk/NF-κB signaling pathway
Yi-jing LIAO ; Yan-jie LIU ; Yue LU ; Bin TANG ; Jun-hong ZHANG ; Jing-jie YU ; Hao DENG ; Ling HAN ; Chuan-jian LU ; Hai-ming CHEN
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(8):2550-2558
AIM To investigate the effect of Fuzheng Hefu Zhiyang Formula(FZHFZY)on psoriasis-like skin lesions and immune regulation in mice.METHODS In the in vivo experiment,30 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the blank group,the model group,the dexamethasone group(1.5 g/kg of compound dexamethasone acetate cream),and the low-dose(2.5 g/kg)and high-dose(5 g/kg)FZHFZY groups,with six mice in each group.The experiment groups were treated with respective FZHFZY and dexamethasone,and the other groups were given normal saline for 10 consecutive days,during which psoriatic skin lesions were induced with imiquimod cream for 7 consecutive days.The mice had their area and severity of psoriasis assessed by PASI score;their histological changes of skin lesions.observed with Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining;their F4/80 ratio of skin lesions observed with immunohistochemical(IHC)staining;their protein expressions of P38,p-P38,Erk,p-Erk,P65 and p-P65 detected by Western blot;and their mRNA expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),IL-17,IL-23 and IL-1β detected by RT-qPCR.In the in vitro research,the cultured RAW264.7 cells were divided into the blank group,the LPS group,and the FZHFZY groups(1 200,600,300,150 μg/mL).The cells had their protein expressions of P38,p-P38,Erk,p-Erk,P65 and p-P65 detected with Western blot;and their mRNA expressions of IL-6,TNF-α,IL-23 and IL-8 detected by RT-qPCR.RESULTS The in vivo experiment showed that compared to the model group,the FZHFZY groups demonstrated decreased PASI score(P<0.01);improved epidermal thickening and parakeratosis of skin lesions as revealed by HE staining result and increased expression of F4/80 in IHC staining sections;decreased protein expression ratios of p-P38/P38,p-ERK/Erk and p-P65/P65 in skin(P<0.05,P<0.01);and reduced mRNA expressions of TNF-α,IL-17,IL-23 and IL-1β in the skin(P<0.01).FZHFZY(0~2 400 μg/mL)showed no significant cytotoxicity towards RAW264.7 cells in vitro(P>0.05).Compared to those of the LPS group,the cells exposed to FZHFZ at concentrations of 1 200 and 600 μg/mL demonstrated decreased protein expression ratios of p-P38/P38,p-ERK/Erk,and p-P65/P65(P<0.05,P<0.01);and significantly decreased mRNA expressions of TNF-α,IL-17,IL-23 and IL-1β(P<0.01).CONCLUSION FZHFZY alleviates imiquimod-induced psoriatic lesions in mice and suppresses inflammatory response in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells by inhibiting P38/Erk/NF-κB signaling pathway.
9.Expert consensus on surgical treatment and rehabilitation for competitive sports athletes returning to sports after anterior cruciate ligament injury (version 2025)
Kai HUANG ; Lunhao BAI ; Qing BI ; Hong CHEN ; Jiwu CHEN ; Xuesong DAI ; Wenyong FEI ; Weili FU ; Zhizeng GAO ; Lin GUO ; Yinghui HUA ; Jingmin HUANG ; Suizhu HUANG ; Xuan HUANG ; Jian LI ; Qiang LI ; Shuzhen LI ; Yanlin LI ; Yunxia LI ; Zhong LI ; Ning LIU ; Yuqiang LIU ; Wei LU ; Hongbin LYU ; Haile PAN ; Xiaoyun PAN ; Chao QI ; Weiliang SHEN ; Luning SUN ; Jin TANG ; Zimin WANG ; Bide WANG ; Ru WANG ; Shaobai WANG ; Licheng WEI ; Weidong XU ; Yongsheng XU ; Jizhou YANG ; Liang YANG ; Rui YANG ; Hongbo YOU ; Tengbo YU ; Jiakuo YU ; Bing YUE ; Hua ZHANG ; Hui ZHANG ; Qingsong ZHANG ; Xintao ZHANG ; Jiajun ZHAO ; Lilian ZHAO ; Qichun ZHAO ; Song ZHAO ; Jiapeng ZHENG ; Jiang ZHENG ; Zhi ZHENG ; Jingbin ZHOU ; Jinzhong ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2025;41(4):325-338
With the rapid development of competitive sports, the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is on the rise. Such injuries may shorten athletes′ career and lead to other long-term adverse consequences. Although athletes generally recover well after ACL reconstruction, many still struggle to return to their pre-injury performance levels. Advances in the understanding of ACL anatomy and injury mechanisms, along with the evolution of surgical techniques and rehabilitation methods, have provided more individualized and tailored options for athletes following ACL injuries. However, there is currently no consensus in China regarding surgical and rehabilitation strategies for competitive athletes aiming to return to sports after ACL injuries. To this end, the Sports Medicine Committee of the Chinese Research Hospital Association and the Editorial Board of the Chinese Journal of Trauma jointly formulated the Expert consensus on surgical treatment and rehabilitation for competitive sports athletes returning to sports after anterior cruciate ligament injury ( version 2025), and presented 14 recommendations covering surgical indications, preoperative rehabilitation, surgical timing, surgical strategies and postoperative rehabilitation strategies, aiming to improve the surgical treatment and rehabilitation system for ACL injuries in competitive athletes and facilitate their return to high-level sports performance after injury.
10.Association of hippocampal subfield volumes and cross-domain associative memory impairment in patients with schizophrenia
Zhao-lin ZHAI ; Di CHANG ; Xuan LI ; Chang LU ; Yu-ke DONG ; Yan WANG ; Chun-hong SHAO ; Qing KANG ; Deng-tang LIU
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(6):775-782
Objective To investigate the possible association between cross-domain associative memory(AM)impairment and hippocampal subfield volumes in patients with schizophrenia(SCZ).Methods We enrolled 28 SCZ patients from Shanghai Mental Health Center,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine,and 28 healthy controls(HCs)between 2019 and 2021.Based on an innovative AM paradigm and automated segmentation,3D-T1 weighted data of the objects were processed with PhiPipe and FreeSurfer.Differences in subfield volums between the two groups were analyzed using ANCOVA,while their relationship with AM scores was assessed using Pearson correlation.Results SCZ patients exhibited significantly poorer AM performance across three conditions compared with HCs.Marginally significant reductions were observed in the total volume of bilateral hippocampus,encompassing both the hippocampal head and body.Significant volume reductions were identified in the bilateral presubiculum and parasubiculum.The volumes of bilateral presubiculum head(r=0.273,P=0.042),parasubiculum(r=0.397,P=0.002),and CA1 head(r=0.382,P=0.004)exhibited positive correlations with cross-domain AM performance.Conclusion The bilateral presubiculum and parasubiculum,as hippocampal subregions significantly associated with cross-modal AM deficits in SCZ,may play a crucial role in the pathology of AM.

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