1.Necrotizing sialometaplasia of the palate: a case report and literature review
BU Xiangwen ; YE Chuanjin ; CHU Zhijuan ; DUAN Ning ; WANG Xiang ; WANG Wenmei ; PENG Qiao
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(3):273-280
Objective:
To enhance the recognition of necrotizing sialometaplasia (NS) by elucidating its clinical, pathological characteristics and key diagnostic points, providing a basis for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Methods:
This study has been reviewed and approved by the Medical Ethics Committee, and informed consent has been obtained from patients. Review the data of a patient with NS occurring at the junction of the right soft and hard palate, and comprehensively analyze its diagnostic process based on its clinical manifestations, imaging, and histopathological examination results. And review the relevant literature on the disease.
Results:
This study describes a 24-year-old male patient with a documented betel nut habit (2 pieces/day for >6 months), who presented with a bone-deep, irregular crateriform ulcer (3 mm × 6 mm × 5 mm) localized to the right hard-soft palate junction. Spiral CT showed a local soft tissue defect with no apparent underlying bone destruction. Histopathology demonstrated chronic inflammation of the mucosal and minor salivary gland tissues, with no evidence of malignancy. A final diagnosis of NS was established. The ulcer healed completely three weeks after initiation of local anti-inflammatory therapy. A literature review indicates that NS is a rare, benign salivary gland disorder, typically occurring at the hard-soft palate junction in middle-aged men (40-60 years). Its etiology remains unclear, but it is widely attributed to salivary lobe infarction following mechanical trauma-induced ischemia. Due to its clinical resemblance to malignancy, it is often misdiagnosed. Treatment entails local anti-inflammatory measures and meticulous wound care aimed at promoting mucosal healing.
Conclusion
NS is a self-limiting, benign condition that poses a significant diagnostic challenge due to its close clinical simulation of malignancy. Thus, accurate diagnosis requires a combined assessment of clinical presentation, radiological features, and pathological findings. Treatment is predicated based on a conservative strategy with an emphasis on symptomatic management.
2.Correlation of daytime outdoor light exposure and moderate to vigorous physical activities with sleep quality among primary school students
WANG Ziyi, DUAN Zhihong, MAIHELIYAKEZI Tuersunniyazi, PENG Hui, ZHU Yanhong, SHI Huijing
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):351-354
Objective:
To analyze the independent and interaction effects of daytime outdoor light exposure and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) duration on sleep quality of primary school students, so as to provide scientific evidence for interventions on children s sleep health.
Methods:
From April to June 2024, a total of 444 students from grades 3 and 4 in 2 primary schools in Jiading District, Shanghai were selected using stratified random cluster sampling method for continuous 7 day monitoring. Wearable devices "Clouclip" were used to monitor daytime outdoor activity time (represented by time with light intensity ≥ 1 000 lx ), and accelerometers were used to monitor MVPA time and sleep quality related indicators. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the associations of daytime outdoor activity and MVPA with sleep quality.
Results:
Both daytime outdoor light exposure and MVPA duration(longer actual sleep duration per night,longer time in bed,fewer awakening and shorter post sleep awakening shic) were independently associated with multiple sleep indicators( β =0.52, 0.46, -0.83, -2.19, all P <0.05), with no significant interaction between the associations ( P >0.05). After controlling for MVPA, more daytime outdoor light exposure was significantly and independently associated with longer actual sleep time ( β =0.50, 95% CI =0.21-0.79, P <0.05). After controlling for light exposure, longer MVPA duration was independently associated with shorter post-sleep awakening duration ( β=-4.15, 95% CI = -6.33 to -1.96, P <0.05).
Conclusion
Increased daytime outdoor activity and MVPA are both associated with better sleep quality in primary school students.
3.Analysing differences in volatile organic compounds between purple-brown and yellow-brown Ziziphi Spinosae Semen based on HS-GC-IMS technology
DUAN Xiao ; KANG Bingtao ; ZHAO Fan ; YAN Yonggang ; ZHANG Gang ; PENG Liang
Drug Standards of China 2026;27(1):0028-0036
Objective: To systematically compare the types and contents of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in purplish-brown and yellow-brown Ziziphi Spinosae Semen, and to provide a scientific basis for their rapid identification and quality evaluation.
Methods: Headspace-gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) was employed to determine the VOCs in two colored samples. GC-IMS spectra and fingerprint profiles were established, and chemometric methods including principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were applied to visualize the differences in volatile components.
Results: A total of 44 VOCs were identified, including 1 aldehyde, 9 esters, 10 ketones, 2 enals, 14 alcohols, 3 acids, 2 furans, 1 disulfide, and 2 hydrocarbons. Alcohols and esters were the main volatile components. The fingerprint profiles showed high consistency within groups but significant differences between groups. Both PCA and PLS-DA effectively distinguished the two sample types. Compounds such as pentanol, methyl butyrate, 2-ethylfuran, 2-hexanol, and 2-methylpropenal were identified as key markers for differentiation.
Conclusion: HS-GC-IMS combined with chemometrics accurately distinguishes the volatile compounds of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen with different colors. This method is rapid, sensitive, and suitable for quality control and rapid authentication of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen.
4.Phenomics of traditional Chinese medicine 2.0: the integration with digital medicine
Min Xu ; Xinyi Shao ; Donggeng Guo ; Xiaojing Yan ; Lei Wang ; Tao Yang ; Hao LIANG ; Qinghua PENG ; Lingyu Linda Ye ; Haibo Cheng ; Dayue Darrel Duan
Digital Chinese Medicine 2025;8(3):282-299
Abstract
Modern western medicine typically focuses on treating specific symptoms or diseases, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) emphasizes the interconnections of the body’s various systems under external environment and takes a holistic approach to preventing and treating diseases. Phenomics was initially introduced to the field of TCM in 2008 as a new discipline that studies the laws of integrated and dynamic changes of human clinical phenomes under the scope of the theories and practices of TCM based on phenomics. While TCM Phenomics 1.0 has initially established a clinical phenomic system centered on Zhenghou (a TCM definition of clinical phenome), bottlenecks remain in data standardization, mechanistic interpretation, and precision intervention. Here, we systematically elaborates on the theoretical foundations, technical pathways, and future challenges of integrating digital medicine with TCM phenomics under the framework of “TCM phenomics 2.0”, which is supported by digital medicine technologies such as artificial intelligence, wearable devices, medical digital twins, and multi-omics integration. This framework aims to construct a closed-loop system of “Zhenghou–Phenome–Mechanism–Intervention” and to enable the digitization, standardization, and precision of disease diagnosis and treatment. The integration of digital medicine and TCM phenomics not only promotes the modernization and scientific transformation of TCM theory and practice but also offers new paradigms for precision medicine. In practice, digital tools facilitate multi-source clinical data acquisition and standardization, while AI and big data algorithms help reveal the correlations between clinical Zhenghou phenomes and molecular mechanisms, thereby improving scientific rigor in diagnosis, efficacy evaluation, and personalized intervention. Nevertheless, challenges persist, including data quality and standardization issues, shortage of interdisciplinary talents, and insufficiency of ethical and legal regulations. Future development requires establishing national data-sharing platforms, strengthening international collaboration, fostering interdisciplinary professionals, and improving ethical and legal frameworks. Ultimately, this approach seeks to build a new disease identification and classification system centered on phenomes and to achieve the inheritance, innovation, and modernization of TCM diagnostic and therapeutic patterns.
5.Mechanism of Si Junzitang in Treatment of Liver Injury in Rats with Spleen Qi Deficiency Syndrome Based on Liver and Spleen Correlation
Peng PENG ; Min BAI ; Jin JIN ; Qihui YUAN ; Xiaoyi YANG ; Juan DU ; Yongqiang DUAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(24):11-20
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Si Junzitang in treating liver injury in rats with spleen Qi deficiency syndrome based on transcriptomics and to experimentally verify its effects. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, low-dose Si Junzitang (6 g·kg-1·d-1), medium-dose Si Junzitang group (12 g·kg-1·d-1), high-dose Si Junzitang group (24 g·kg-1·d-1), and natural recovery group, with 10 rats in each group. A composite multifactorial modeling method (forced swimming + intragastric administration of Xiao Chengqitang + irregular diet) was used to establish a spleen Qi deficiency model. After 30 days of continuous intervention, body weight and 3-hour food intake were measured, and macroscopic symptom scores for spleen Qi deficiency syndrome were evaluated. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in each group were detected, and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to observe histopathological changes in liver tissue. Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among the blank, model, and high-dose Si Junzitang groups. Gene ontology(GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genome(KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed on the DEGs. Immunofluorescence (IF) and Western blot were used to detect NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), Caspase-1, and the N-terminal domain of gasdermin D (GSDMD-N). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the expression of downstream inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-18 (IL-18). ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed significantly reduced body weight and 3-hour food intake, significantly increased macroscopic symptom scores, and elevated serum AST and ALT levels (P<0.01), with mild inflammatory liver injury observed histologically. Compared with the model group, Si Junzitang at all doses significantly improved these parameters and alleviated liver injury in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05,P<0.01). RNA-Seq analysis revealed 1 254 DEGs between the blank and model groups, and 842 DEGs between the model and high-dose Si Junzitang groups. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway was activated in liver injury associated with spleen Qi deficiency, suggesting that the NLRP3 inflammasome may be a key target. Results from IF, IHC, and Westernblot showed that compared with the blank group, the expression of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, GSDMD-N, and the downstream inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-18 were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.01), while these levels were markedly decreased in the high-dose Si Junzitang group (P<0.01). ConclusionSi Junzitang effectively improves mild inflammatory liver injury in rats with spleen Qi deficiency syndrome in a dose-dependent manner. Its mechanism may be associated with inhibition of the NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1 signaling pathway, downregulation of the pyroptosis executioner protein GSDMD-N, and reduction of pyroptosis-related inflammatory cytokine release.
6.Construction of a Prognostic Model for Lysosome-dependent Cell Death in Gastric Cancer Based on Single-cell RNA-seq and Bulk RNA-seq Data.
Peng NI ; Kai Xin GUO ; Tian Yi LIANG ; Xin Shuang FAN ; Yan Qiao HUA ; Yang Ye GAO ; Shuai Yin CHEN ; Guang Cai DUAN ; Rong Guang ZHANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(4):416-432
OBJECTIVE:
To identify prognostic genes associated with lysosome-dependent cell death (LDCD) in patients with gastric cancer (GC).
METHODS:
Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using The Cancer Genome Atlas - Stomach Adenocarcinoma. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed to identify the key module genes associated with LDCD score. Candidate genes were identified by DEGs and key module genes. Univariate Cox regression analysis, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed for the selection of prognostic genes, and risk module was established. Subsequently, key cells were identified in the single-cell dataset (GSE183904), and prognostic gene expression was analyzed. Cell proliferation and migration were assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and the wound healing assay.
RESULTS:
A total of 4,465 DEGs, 95 candidate genes, and 4 prognostic genes, including C19orf59, BATF2, TNFAIP2, and TNFSF18, were identified in the analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curves indicated the excellent predictive power of the risk model. Three key cell types (B cells, chief cells, and endothelial/pericyte cells) were identified in the GSE183904 dataset. C19orf59 and TNFAIP2 exhibited predominant expression in macrophage species, whereas TNFAIP2 evolved over time in endothelial/pericyte cells and chief cells. Functional experiments confirmed that interfering with C19orf59 inhibited proliferation and migration in GC cells.
CONCLUSION
C19orf59, BATF2, TNFAIP2, and TNFSF18 are prognostic genes associated with LDCD in GC. Furthermore, the risk model established in this study showed robust predictive power.
Stomach Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Humans
;
Prognosis
;
Lysosomes/physiology*
;
RNA-Seq
;
Cell Death
;
Single-Cell Analysis
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Single-Cell Gene Expression Analysis
7.Regulatory role of flavonoids in the signaling pathway of ischemic brain injury
Junlin PENG ; Zihao SHEN ; Jiamin CHEN ; Zengyu ZHANG ; Lunhui DUAN ; Ensi HONG ; Suyou ZHU
International Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2025;33(1):59-66
In recent years, significant progress has been made in pharmacological research on the treatment of ischemic stroke with monomeric components of traditional Chinese medicine, among which flavonoids have shown good neuroprotective effects. This article reviews the regulatory role of flavonoids in the signaling pathway of ischemic brain injury.
8.Correlation between cerebral blood flow measured by 3D pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling and gait disorder in patients with cerebral small vessel disease
Xiyu PENG ; Haiyan LIU ; Cuicui ZHANG ; Zuowei DUAN ; Shuya LI
International Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2025;33(2):101-107
Objective:To investigate the correlation between cerebral blood flow (CBF) in different brain regions and gait disorder (GD) in patients with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD).Methods:Patients with CSVD visited the Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from November 2023 to October 2024 were included prospectively. They were divided into GD group (<0.8 m/s) and non-GD group (≥0.8 m/s) based on their step speed. CBF was measured using 3D pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (3D-pCASL) perfusion imaging. Gait parameters were quantitatively evaluated using a wearable gait analyzer. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent factors associated with GD in patients with CSVD. Partial correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation between gait parameters and CBF in different brain regions. Results:A total of 52 patients with CSVD were enrolled, including 26 males and 26 females, aged 67.00±6.84 years. Thirty-eight cases (73.1%) had mild overall burden of CSVD, and 14 cases (26.9%) had a moderate to severe overall burden of CSVD. There were 17 patients (32.7%) in the GD group and 35 (67.3%) in the non-GD group. Compared with the non-GD group, the body mass index was significantly higher, the CBF of the left occipital lobe and bilateral cerebellum decreased significantly, the step speed, step length, stride length, step frequency, swing phase, peak arm angular velocity, arm swing amplitude, maximum calf anterior/posterior swing angle, peak calf angular velocity, foot swing speed, and peak sagittal plane angular velocity in the torso decreased significantly, while the number of steps, stance phase, step length asymmetry, stride length, and step length variability increased significantly in the GD group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that left cerebellar CBF was an independent protective factor for GD in patients with CSVD (odds ratio 0.902, 95% confidence interval 0.827-0.982; P=0.019). For every 1 ml/(100 g.min) decreased in left cerebellar CBF, the patients with CSVD had an increased risk of developing GD by approximately 9.8%. Partial correlation analysis showed that left occipital lobe CBF was significantly positively correlated with step speed ( r=0.305, P=0.032), maximum calf back swing angle ( r=0.314, P=0.026), and peak calf angular velocity ( r=0.356, P=0.011). The left cerebellar CBF was significantly positively correlated with step speed ( r=0.295, P=0.037) and significantly negatively correlated with step length variability ( r=-0.335, P=0.017); the right cerebellar CBF was significantly positively correlated with step speed ( r=0.309, P=0.029) and significantly negatively correlated with step length variability ( r=-0.344, P=0.014). Conclusion:GD in patients with CSVD is associated with decreased CBF in the left occipital lobe and bilateral cerebellum, and decreased CBF in the left cerebellum significantly increased the risk of GD in patients with CSVD.
9.Expression and clinical significance of IL-17A in restenosis after intracavitary treatment of lower extremity arteriosclerosis occlusion
Peng ZHANG ; Xi YANG ; Chen DUAN ; Zhanfeng GAO
International Journal of Surgery 2025;52(7):461-467
Objective:To assess the expression level and clinical significance of interleukin-17A(IL-17A) in restenosis after endoluminal treatment of lower extremity atherosclerotic occlusive (LEASO).Methods:Using retrospective analysis, 252 LEASO patients admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University from April 2021 to October 2023 were selected; 20 patients were lost to follow-up and 232 patients were enrolled. The patients underwent endoluminal intervention(balloon dilatation/stent placement) after admission, and they were divided into the restenosis group ( n=52) and the non-stenosis group ( n=180) according to the occurrence of restenosis during the follow-up period. Gender, age, body mass index, history of hypertension, history of diabetes mellitus, history of smoking, history of coronary artery disease, surgically diseased limb, C-reactive protein, total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), blood glucose, and length of vascular occlusion were recorded and compared between the two groups. Serum IL-17A expression levels were measured in the enrolled patients preoperatively, 24 h postoperatively, 1 month postoperatively, 3 months postoperatively, and 6 months postoperatively. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the preoperative clinical data of patients in the restenosis group and non-restenosis group, and to investigate the risk factors affecting the occurrence of restenosis in patients. Immunohistochemistry was applied to determine the expression level of IL-17A in the plaque tissues of the restenosis group and the non-stenosis group, and to assess the predictive value of IL-17A for restenosis after endoluminal therapy in patients with LEASO. Measurement data with normal distribution were expressed as mean ± standard deviation ( ± s), and t-test was used for comparison between groups; measurement data with skewed distribution were expressed as median (interquartile range) [ M( Q1, Q3)], and Mann-Whitney U-test was used for comparison between groups; and count data were expressed as the number of cases and percentage, and Chi-square test was used for comparison between groups; comparisons between the two groups with multiple time-point indicators were performed using repeated-measures data ANOVA. Factors associated with the occurrence of postoperative restenosis in LEASO patients were assessed using univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses. Risk prediction efficacy analysis was performed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The correlation between IL-17A expression and the degree of restenosis was analysed using the Spearman method. Results:The relative expression level of IL-17A in the serum of patients in the restenosis group was higher than that in the non-stenosis group, and showed an increasing trend in patients with moderate-to-severe stenosis and complete occlusion. The results of the immunohistochemical method showed that the rate of IL-17A-positive cells and the intensity of staining in the plaque tissues of patients in the restenosis group were higher than those in the non-stenosis group ( P< 0.01), and the composite score of the positive rate×intensity of staining in the restenosis group was 6.7 (5.0, 8.0), and that in the non-stenosis group was 2.1 (1.0, 3.0). The expression level of IL-17A in the plaque tissue of the restenosis group was positively correlated with the degree of stenosis ( r= 0.76, P< 0.001). The results of the ROC curve analysis showed that predictive value of IL-17A for restenosis after LEASO intervention was high. Conclusions:IL-17A may play an important role in postoperative restenosis in LEASO patients by promoting inflammation response. It provides a new detection index for the early prediction of restenosis after LEASO intervention.
10.Analysis on the compositional differences of different processing products of Atractylodes lancea Rhizoma based on HS-GC-MS and UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS
Li WANG ; Rong LUO ; Xuyang HAN ; Kaijing WANG ; Wei XIAO ; Dechun JIANG ; Songleng DUAN ; Peng ZHANG ; Yanxin ZHAI ; Jiankun WU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(6):833-842
Objective:To compare the differences in chemical compositions before and after processing by different processing methods; To optimize the processing method of Atractylodes lancea Rhizoma.Methods:Atractylodes lancea Rhizoma was processed by stir-frying with bran and treating with rice washing water. The volatile and non-volatile components of raw Atractylodes lancea Rhizoma, bran-fried Atractylodes lancea Rhizoma and rice washing water treated Atractylodes lancea Rhizome were qualitatively analyzed by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS), and the differences in chemical composition before and after processing were compared.Results:The volatile components of the three different products were determined to have 18 common components, such as agarospirol, β-eudesol, etc. In addition, 86 non-volatile components were determined. The peak area response value of atractylodin, the index component prescribed by pharmacopoeia, decreased after processing, but there was little difference in bran stir-frying and rice-washed water frying.Conclusions:Different processing methods have certain effects on the chemical composition of Atractylodes lancea Rhizoma. Among them, the bran-frying method is superior in improving the quality of preparations, reducing production costs and improving production efficiency. The bran-fried product can be used as raw material for preparation production.


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