1.Programmed Cell Death in Endometriosis and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention: A Review
Zuoliang ZHANG ; Wanrun WANG ; Wen LI ; Xue HAN ; Xiaohong CHEN ; Nan SU ; Huiling LIU ; Quansheng WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):48-57
Endometriosis (EMT) is a common disease with frequent occurrence and difficult to be cured in modern clinical practice of obstetrics and gynaecology. It is characterized by progressively worsening dysmenorrhoea, pelvic mass, and infertility. The incidence of EMT is growing and increasingly younger patients are diagnosed with this disease, which poses a serious threat to the reproductive and psychological health of women of childbearing age and adolescent females. However, the pathogenesis of EMT is still not completely clear, and the disease has a long course. Therefore, developing new therapies is an urgent clinical problem to be solved. Great progress has been achieved in the treatment of EMT with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), while the underlying mechanism remains in exploration. Programmed cell death (PCD) is a cell death mode mediated by a variety of bio-molecules with specific signaling cascades. The known PCD processes include apoptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and cuproptosis, which all play a pivotal role in the development of EMT. Researchers have made achievements in the treatment of EMT with TCM, which regulates PCD via multiple pathways, routes, targets, and mechanisms. However, the progress in the regulation of PCD in the treatment of EMT with TCM remains to be reviewed. This paper reviews the research progress in the treatment of EMT with TCM from five PCD processes (apoptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and cuproptosis), with the aim of providing a theoretical basis for the clinical prevention and treatment of EMT.
2.Inner Ear Delivery of Polyamino Acid Nanohydrogels Loaded with Dexamethasone
Pingping AI ; Lidong ZHAO ; Zhaohui TANG ; Chaoliang HE ; Xuesi CHEN ; Shiming YANG ; Nan WU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(2):370-378
To develop a novel polyamino acid-based nanohydrogel drug delivery system for dexamethasone to enhance its delivery efficiency to the inner ear. A fluorescein-labeled polyglutamic acid-based polyamino acid dexamethasone nanohydrogel was synthesized, and its gelation time was measured. The hydrogel was surgically injected into the round window niche of guinea pigs to determine its degradation time in the middle ear cavity in vivo. The safety, pharmacokinetics, and distribution patterns of dexamethasone in the inner ear were evaluated. The hydrogel exhibited a gelation time of 80 seconds in a 37℃ water bath. In vivo, the hydrogel was almost completely degraded within 7 days in the middle ear cavity of guinea pigs. Transient hearing loss was observed one day after administration, but hearing gradually returned to normal over time. No significant cytotoxicity, vestibular stimulation signs, or pathological abnormalities in spiral ganglion cells were observed. Histopathological examination revealed no significant inflammatory reactions. Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated sustained drug release and prolonged dexamethasone activity. Immunofluorescence staining confirmed the distribution of dexamethasone in both the cochlea and vestibular organs. The polyamino acid nanohydrogel exhibits excellent injectability and biodegradability, representing a safe and effective drug delivery system for the inner ear.
3.A Case Report of Pachydermoperiostosis by Multidisciplinary Diagnosis and Treatment
Jie ZHANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Li HUO ; Ke LYU ; Tao WANG ; Ze'nan XIA ; Xiao LONG ; Kexin XU ; Nan WU ; Bo YANG ; Weibo XIA ; Rongrong HU ; Limeng CHEN ; Ji LI ; Xia HONG ; Yan ZHANG ; Yagang ZUO
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2025;4(1):75-82
A 20-year-old male patient presented to the Department of Dermatology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital with complaints of an 8-year history of facial scarring, swelling of the lower limbs, and a 4-year history of scalp thickening. Physical examination showed thickening furrowing wrinkling of the skin on the face and behind the ears, ciliary body hirsutism, blepharoptosis, and cutis verticis gyrate. Both lower limbs were swollen, especially the knees and ankles. The skin of the palms and soles of the feet was keratinized and thickened. Laboratory examination using bone and joint X-ray showed periostosis of the proximal middle phalanges and metacarpals of both hands, distal ulna and radius, tibia and fibula, distal femurs, and metatarsals.Genetic testing revealed two variants in
4.Degradation dynamics and residue determination of pyriclobenzuron in rice and paddy environments
Huanqi WU ; Junmin WANG ; Kongtan YANG ; Xumi WANG ; Nan FANG ; Liping DUAN ; Changpeng ZHANG ; Xiangyun WANG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2025;37(2):201-208
Objective To establish a method for determination of pyriclobenzuron (PBU) residues in rice and paddy environments, and to determine the residual amounts and observe the degradation dynamics of PBU. Methods In July 2022, the paddies of Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences were selected as experimental fields, and were divided into the blank control group (no pesticide application), the 1-fold-concentration pesticide group (1 kg/667 m2), and the 5-fold-concentration pesticide group (5 kg/667 m2), with a 100 m2 area in each group. At the early tillering stage of rice, 20% suspension of PBU sulfate was sprayed once in the 1-fold-concentration and 5-fold-concentration pesticide groups, and rice plants, paddy water and soil samples were collected 2 h, and 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 14, 21, 28, 35, 49 d and 63 d following spraying PBU, while rice straw, field soil, brown rice and rice husk samples were collected 98 d following spraying. PBU was extracted and purified in samples using a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) pretreatment technique, and the PBU contents were determined in samples using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The solvent standard working solution and matrix standard working solution were prepared. A linear regression equation was fitted between PBU concentration (x-axis) and peak area (y-axis), and the ratio of the slope (k) of the matrix standard curve to the slope (K) of the solvent standard curve was calculated to evaluate the matrix effect of PBU in samples. According to the Guidelines for Pesticide Residue Testing in Crops (NY/T 788—2018), the addition levels of PBU were set at 0.005, 0.050, 5.000, 1 000.000 mg/kg in rice plants, 0.005, 0.050, 2.000, 10.000 mg/kg in paddy water, 0.005, 0.050, 2.000 mg/kg in soil, and 0.005, 0.050, 5.000 mg/kg in brown rice and rice husks. The recovery and relative standard deviation (RSD) of PBU addition were calculated to evaluate the effectiveness of UPLC-MS/MS for determination of PBU contents. The first-order kinetic equation of PBU concentration was fitted in samples at different sampling time points to analyze the trends in PBU degradation in rice plants, paddy water, and soil, and the half-life of PBU was calculated in different samples. Results There was a good linear relationship between the mass concentration and peak area of PBU at concentrations of 0.000 1 to 0.020 0 mg/kg under solvent and matrix conditions (R2 = 0.985 8 to 0.999 7, t = -0.47 to 1.62, all P values < 0.01). The matrix effects of PBU were 70.26%, 65.42% and 65.12% in rice plants, brown rice and rice husks, indicating a matrix-inhibitory effect, and the matrix effect was 87.06% in soils, indicating a weak matrix effect. The recovery of PBU addition was 77.61% to 100.12% in different samples, with RSD of 1.43% to 6.74%, and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.005 mg/kg, and the addition recovery and RSD met the requirements of the Guidelines for Pesticide Residue Testing in Crops (NY/T 788—2018), validating the effectiveness of UPLC-MS/MS assay. Following spraying PBU at a dose of 1 kg/667 m2, the half-life of PBU was 6.24 d in rice plants and 3.43 d in paddy water samples, respectively. The final residues of PBU were lower than the LOQ of 0.005 mg/kg in brown rice and rice husk samples 98 d following spraying PBU. Following spraying PBU at a dose of 5 kg/667 m2, the half-life of PBU was 15.75 d in rice plants and 7.62 d in paddy water samples, respectively. The final residue of PBU was lower than the LOQ of 0.005 mg/kg in brown rice 98 d following spraying PBU, and the final residue of PBU was 0.049 mg/kg in rice husks. Conclusions A simple, and highly accurate and precise UPLC-MS/MS assay has been developed for determination of PBU residues in rice plants and paddy environments through extraction and purification of PBU from matrix samples using QuEChERS pretreatment. After spraying PBU in paddies, the concentration of PBU gradually decreases in rice plants and paddy water over time, and the final residual concentration is low.
5.Association analyses of early medication clocking-in trajectory with smart tools and treatment outcome in pulmonary tuberculosis patients
Chunhua XU ; Zheyuan WU ; Yong WU ; Qing WANG ; Zichun WANG ; Nan QIN ; Xinru LI ; Yucong YAO ; Kehua YI ; Yi HU
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(3):210-214
ObjectiveTo construct a group-based trajectory model (GBTM) for early medication adherence check-in, and to analyze the relationship between different trajectories and treatment outcomes in tuberculosis patients using data that were generated from smart tools for monitoring their medication adherence and check-in. MethodsFrom October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023, a total of 163 pulmonary tuberculosis patients diagnosed in Fengxian District were selected as the study subjects. The GBTM was utilized to analyze the weekly active check-in trajectories of the subjects during the first 4 weeks and establish different trajectory groups. The χ² tests were employed to compare the differences between groups and logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between different trajectory groups and treatment outcomes. ResultsA total of four groups were generated by GBTM analyses, of which a low level of punch card was maintained in group A, 6% of the drug users increased rapidly from a low level in group B, 17% of drug users increased gradually from a low level in group C, and 18% of drug users maintained a high level of punch card in group D. The trajectory group was divided into two groups according to homogeneity, namely the low level medication punch card group (group A) and the high level medication punch card group (group B, group C, and group D). The results of multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that low-level medication check-in (OR=3.250, 95%CI: 1.089‒9.696), increasing age (OR=1.030, 95%CI: 1.004‒1.056), and not undergoing sputum examination at the end of the fifth month (OR=2.746, 95%CI: 1.090‒7.009) were significantly associated with poor treatment outcomes. ConclusionThe medication check-in trajectory of pulmonary tuberculosis patients within the first 4 weeks is correlated with adverse outcomes, or namely consistent low-level medication adherence check-ins are associated with poor treatment outcomes, while high-level medication adherence check-ins are associated with a lower incidence of adverse outcomes.
6.Effects of peripheral blood-derived exosomes intervened by Naozhenning on injury of neuron induced by microglia
Li GAO ; Le ZHAO ; Liya WU ; Weiyi ZHANG ; Nan LI ; Nannan WEI ; Yonghui WANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(19):2393-2398
OBJECTIVE To study the effects of peripheral blood-derived exosomes (Exo) intervened by Naozhenning (NZN) on injury of neuron cells HT22 induced by microglia BV-2 cells. METHODS Wistar rats were selected to prepare peripheral blood- derived Exo intervened by NZN (66.83 g/kg), referred to as NZN-Exo; peripheral blood-derived Exo intervened by normal saline and piracetam (PLXT, 1.62 g/kg) were prepared using the same method, denoted as KB-Exo and PLXT-Exo respectively, and all Exo were subsequently identified. Meanwhile, BV-2 cells were stimulated with 1 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to prepare LPS- stimulated supernatant, and non-LPS-stimulated supernatant was prepared following the same protocol. HT22 cells were divided into four groups: KB-Exo group (treated with non-LPS-stimulated supernatant+KB-Exo), model group (treated with LPS-stimulated supernatant+KB-Exo), PLXT-Exo group (treated with LPS-stimulated supernatant+PLXT-Exo), and NZN-Exo group (treated with LPS-stimulated supernatant+NZN-Exo), with the concentration of the corresponding Exo in all groups being 50 μg/mL. After 24 hours of culture, the proliferation of HT22 cells was detected by the CCK-8 assay and EdU assay; the apoptosis of HT22 cells was detected; the microstructure of HT22 cells was observed; the contents of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-10, nuclear factor-κB (NF- κB), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in HT22 cells were measured, as well as the expression levels of TNF-α, NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3), Caspase-1, B-cell lymphoma-2( Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax). RESULTS KB-Exo, PLXT-Exo and NZN-Exo were successfully prepared, and all Exo exhibited typical cup-shaped contours and membrane-enclosed characteristics. Compared with KB-Exo group, model group showed significantly decreased cell proliferation rates (detected by CCK-8 and EdU), intracellular IL-10 levels, and Bcl-2 protein expression levels (P<0.05); while the cell apoptosis rate, intracellular levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and NF-κB, as well as the expression levels of NLRP3, TNF-α, Caspase-1, and Bax proteins were significantly increased (P<0.05). Additionally, in the model group, the cells showed volume swelling, incomplete cell membrane, nucleolar rupture, significant swelling and deformation of mitochondria, and severe vacuolization. Compared with model group, the above quantitative indicators in the PLXT-Exo group and NZN-Exo group were significantly reversed (P<0.05), with large and round cell nuclei, intact nuclear membranes, and reduced mitochondrial vacuolization. CONCLUSIONS Peripheral blood-derived Exo intervened by naozhenning can alleviate the injury of neuronal cells HT22 by inhibiting inflammatory responses and cell apoptosis.
7.Expert consensus on the positioning of the "Three-in-One" Registration and Evaluation Evidence System and the value of orientation of the "personal experience"
Qi WANG ; Yongyan WANG ; Wei XIAO ; Jinzhou TIAN ; Shilin CHEN ; Liguo ZHU ; Guangrong SUN ; Daning ZHANG ; Daihan ZHOU ; Guoqiang MEI ; Baofan SHEN ; Qingguo WANG ; Xixing WANG ; Zheng NAN ; Mingxiang HAN ; Yue GAO ; Xiaohe XIAO ; Xiaobo SUN ; Kaiwen HU ; Liqun JIA ; Li FENG ; Chengyu WU ; Xia DING
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(4):445-450
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as a treasure of the Chinese nation, plays a significant role in maintaining public health. In 2019, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council proposed for the first time the establishment of a TCM registration and evaluation evidence system that integrates TCM theory, "personal experience" and clinical trials (referred to as the "Three-in-One" System) to promote the inheritance and innovation of TCM. Subsequently, the National Medical Products Administration issued several guiding principles to advance the improvement and implementation of this system. Owing to the complexity of its implementation, there are still differing understandings within the TCM industry regarding the positioning of the "Three-in-One" Registration and Evaluation Evidence System, as well as the connotation and value orientation of the "personal experience." To address this, Academician WANG Qi, President of the TCM Association, China International Exchange and Promotion Association for Medical and Healthcare and TCM master, led a group of academicians, TCM masters, TCM pharmacology experts and clinical TCM experts to convene a "Seminar on Promoting the Implementation of the ′Three-in-One′ Registration and Evaluation Evidence System for Chinese Medicinals." Through extensive discussions, an expert consensus was formed, clarifying the different roles of the TCM theory, "personal experience" and clinical trials within the system. It was further emphasized that the "personal experience" is the core of this system, and its data should be derived from clinical practice scenarios. In the future, the improvement of this system will require collaborative efforts across multiple fields to promote the high-quality development of the Chinese medicinal industry.
8.Simultaneous determination of cyromazine and melamine in poultry eggs and meat with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
ZHANG Xiang ; WU Xiaoqiong ; GE Miaohua ; ZHOU Ying ; OUYANG Nan
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(7):751-756
Objective:
To establish an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method based on solid-phase extraction column purification for simultaneous determination of cyromazine and melamine in poultry eggs and meat.
Methods:
Eggs, quail eggs, and chicken were collected from markets. After homogenization, the sample was extracted with 0.5% formic acid in acetonitrile, subjected to solid-phase extraction using an MCX cartridge, and eluted with 5% ammonia in methanol. The eluate was collected, evaporated to near dryness under nitrogen, and reconstituted in a 10% aqueous methanol solution. Separated using TSK gel Amide-80 column (2.0 mm×150 mm, 5 μm), cyromazine and melamine were simultaneously detected in positive ion multiple reaction monitoring mode via tandem mass spectrometry, with quantification achieved by isotope dilution internal standard methods. Efficiency was enhanced and matrix interference minimized by optimizing conditions such as sample extraction, solid-phase extraction cartridge selection, and instrumental parameters. Calibration curves were constructed, and detection limits, quantification limits, spiked recoveries, and relative standard deviations for (RSD) of cyromazine and melamine were calculated.
Results:
After method optimization, matrix effects for cyromazine and melamine ranged from 0.97 to 1.04, indicating no significant matrix suppression or enhancement. Both cyromazine and melamine exhibited excellent linearity within the concentration range of 1.0-200.0 ng/mL, with correlation coefficients ≥0.999 5. The limits of detection were 0.3 μg/kg for cyromazine and 0.5 μg/kg for melamine, the quantification limits were 1.0 and 1.5 μg/kg, respectively. At spiked levels of 1.0, 20.0, and 150.0 μg/kg, the average recoveries ranged from 78.6% to 103.1%, with RSD between 3.5% and 6.3%. Among 95 samples tested, cyromazine was detected in 6 samples and melamine in 5 samples; neither cyromazine nor melamine was detected in chicken samples.
Conclusion
The UPLC-MS/MS method established in this study enables simultaneous detection and accurate quantification of cyromazine and melamine in poultry eggs and meat.
9.Coexistence and related factors of malnutrition and depressive symptoms among middle school students in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
WU Nan, YANG Tian, ZHANG Xiuhong, MA Caixia, GAO Sheng
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(10):1449-1453
Objective:
To understand the current status of malnutrition, depressive symptoms, and their coexistence among middle school students, so as to provide references for exploring the "comorbidity-common cause-common prevention" model for these conditions.
Methods:
In September 2023, a stratified random cluster sampling method was adopted to select 88 594 students from junior high schools, regular high schools, and vocational high schools in 12 leagues/cities (covering 103 banners/counties) of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Physical examinations were conducted to collect data on malnutrition, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale was used to assess depressive symptoms. The Chi-square test and multivariate linear stepwise regression analysis were employed to analyze the related factors of malnutrition, depressive symptoms, and their coexistence.
Results:
In 2023, the detection rates of malnutrition, depressive symptoms, and their coexistence among middle school students in Inner Mongolia were 4.60%, 21.85%, and 0.90%, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the detection rates of malnutrition, depressive symptoms, and their coexistence among middle school students of different genders, monitoring sites (except for malnutrition), and school stages ( χ 2=4.95-817.39, all P <0.05). The results of the multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that high school students,drink sugar sweetened beverages ≥1 time per day and those with Internet addiction had higher risk of coexisting malnutrition and depressive symptoms [ OR (95% CI )=1.38 (1.04-1.83), 1.46 (1.20-1.78), 2.28 (1.90-2.74), respectively, all P <0.05 ]. The risk of coexistence was lower among female students, those who ate fresh fruits at least once a day, those who engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for ≥1 time/day, those who engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for ≥1 hour/day on ≥5 days/week, those who did not use cough syrup without therapeutic need, those who did not use sedative hypnotic drugs without medical advice, and non-drinking students [ OR (95% CI )=0.84 (0.73-0.98), 0.77 (0.66-0.89), 0.82 (0.68-0.98), 0.66 (0.53- 0.80 ), 0.57 (0.41-0.78), 0.63 (0.53-0.72), respectively, all P <0.05].
Conclusions
The occurrence of undernutrition, depressive symptoms, and their coexistence among middle school students in Inner Mongolia can t be ignored. Schools, the government and society should implement a strategy aimed at concurrent prevention of multiple conditions through comprehensive interventions.
10.Influencing factors and current status of heart failure in patients with unstable angina pectoris
Nan FENG ; Xing WU ; Qingrong ZHOU ; Jianfeng WANG ; Gang CHEN
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(6):184-187
Objective To explore the current status and influencing factors of heart failure occurrence in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP), and to provide a scientific basis for developing individualized prevention and treatment strategies. Methods A total of 310 patients with UAP admitted to the Fifth People's Hospital from October 2021 to October 2024 were selected as study subjects. The current status of the patients' heart failure was statistically analyzed, and the patients were divided into heart failure group and non-heart failure group according to whether they had heart failure. Univariate and logistic multivariate regression analyses were used to analyze the risk factors for the occurrence of heart failure in patients with UAP. Results Among the 310 patients with UAP, 63 cases had heart failure, with an incidence rate of 20.32%. After logistic multivariate analysis, it was found that diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, number of coronary artery lesions, homocysteine and plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels were risk factors of heart failure in patients with UAP, and hemoglobin level was a protective factor (OR: 2.010, 95%CI: 1.063-3.800; OR: 4.495, 95%CI: 2.228-9.067; OR: 2.408, 95%CI: 1.256-4.617; OR: 3.655, 95%CI: 1.812-7.372; OR: 4.693, 95%CI: 2.622-8.399; OR: 0.359, 95%CI: 0.205-0.628, P<0.05). Conclusion The coronary heart disease risk of heart failure is high in patients with UAP, and is affected by comorbidities, number of coronary artery lesions, homocysteine, and plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels. It is necessary to perform clinical screening and pay attention to such patients, and take active prevention and control interventions.


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