1.Flavonoids Intervene in Diabetic Nephropathy by Regulating TGF-β/Smad Signaling Pathway: A Review
Qihui QIU ; Chang LIU ; Xiaotong YAN ; Jinwei HAN ; Hui SUN ; Fengting YIN ; Yuhang WANG ; Mengmeng WANG ; Xijun WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):300-309
Diabetic nephropathy (DKD), as a common microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), is a major cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Its clinical manifestations include increased urinary protein excretion, thickening of the glomerular basement membrane, and renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. The pathogenesis of DKD is complex and involves multiple factors, including disordered glucose metabolism, hemodynamic alterations, and oxidative stress. Although modern medical approaches can alleviate certain symptoms, they still have limitations such as insufficient therapeutic targeting and prominent adverse effects. The transforming growth factor-β/Smad (TGF-β/Smad) signaling pathway is not only a tissue fibrosis pathway that has attracted considerable attention in recent years, but also regulates multiple protein molecules, including the glomerular podocyte slit diaphragm protein Podocin, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), thereby participating in various pathological processes and ultimately mediating renal injury. Flavonoid compounds, owing to their sustained pharmacological effects, broad spectrum of action, and high safety profile, have become ideal candidates for targeted therapy research in DKD. Existing studies have shown that these compounds can exert inhibitory effects on renal fibrosis, alleviate inflammatory responses, protect podocytes, and reduce oxidative stress by regulating the interactions between the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and the aforementioned protein molecules, thereby maintaining renal structure and function, reducing proteinuria, and significantly improving DKD lesions. This review briefly outlines the composition and functions of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway, elucidates the mechanisms by which this pathway regulates DKD, and focuses on summarizing major studies from the past decade on flavonoid-based interventions in DKD through targeted inhibition of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. Furthermore, it discusses the considerable therapeutic potential of flavonoids in the treatment of this disease, aiming to provide a scientific basis for future clinical prevention and treatment of DKD and to promote the development of targeted drugs.
2.Research progress on current situation of occupational health risk assessment and application of occupational health big data in China
Weiqi SUN ; Jiming ZHANG ; Yan YIN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(2):242-246
Occupational hazards pose a major public health challenge that seriously endangers the health of the working population. As a statutory key component of occupational health work, occupational health risk assessment urgently requires more attention. Currently, commonly used occupational health risk assessment methods exhibit notable deficiencies such as insufficient comprehensive assessment capabilities and limited applicability. The absence of assessment methods that accurately align with occupational health practices has constrained the depth and breadth of occupational health risk assessment in China, resulting in inadequate risk identification and significant deficiencies in social service provision, decision-making support, and health protection. Meanwhile, under the current assessment system, the occupational health big data obtained from risk assessments, occupational health examinations, biological monitoring, and other sources suffer from issues such as fragmented resources and low utilization rates. As a result, existing systems are unable to effectively support critical operational needs, including accurate risk early warning, timely risk response, and refined risk management. This study systematically reviewed the common occupational health risk assessment methods and the current status of occupational health risk assessment and big data applications in China, identified existing shortcomings, proposed a comprehensive risk assessment and risk prediction-early warning scheme based on the application of occupational health big data. The scheme is expected to provide theoretical foundations and methodological references for advancing comprehensive risk assessment of occupational health through big data analytics, and to enhance the level of occupational health management, thereby safeguarding worker health and promoting sustainable socioeconomic development.
3.Correlation between serum total bile acid level and cognitive function in patients with stable schizophrenia and its predictive value for cognitive impairment
Cong CAO ; Hang YIN ; Xuehao XU ; Fenglan WANG ; Qiuyan LU ; Weishan SUN ; Qin WANG ; Aihua ZHOU
Sichuan Mental Health 2026;39(2):133-139
BackgroundPersistent cognitive impairment is prevalent among patients with stable schizophrenia. While serum total bile acid (TBA) level in acute-phase patients are known to be associated with cognitive dysfunction, the relationship between serum TBA and multi-dimensional cognitive functions in stable phase patients remains unclear. ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between serum TBA level and cognitive function in patients with stable schizophrenia, and to evaluate its predictive value for cognitive impairment, thereby providing a serological biomarker for the timely identification and objective assessment of cognitive dysfunction. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 137 inpatients with stable schizophrenia at The Fourth People's Hospital of Yancheng from March to December 2024. All participants met the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5). Cognitive function was evaluated using the Chinese Brief Cognitive Test (C-BCT), patients were categorized into four groups: normal cognition (n=28), mild impairment (n=28), moderate impairment (n=47), and severe impairment (n=34). Fasting venous blood samples were collected, and serum TBA level was quantified using an enzymatic cycle assay. Spearman correlation analysis was ultilized to determine the relationship between serum TBA level, overall cognitive function, and specific cognitive domains. Binary Logistic regression model was used (adjusting for covariates such as age, gender, and disease duration) to analyze the impact of serum TBA level on overall and individual cognitive functions. The predictive value of serum TBA level for overall cognitive impairment was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. ResultsSerum TBA levels differed significantly among the four groups (H=18.677, P<0.01). Specifically, serum TBA levels in both the moderate and severe cognitive impairment groups were significantly higher than those in the normal cognitive group (adjusted P<0.01). Serum TBA level was positively correlated with the severity grading of overall cognitive impairment (rs=0.354, P<0.05), and negatively correlated with T-scores on the trail making test (rs=-0.328, P<0.05), continuous performance test (rs=-0.247, P<0.05), digit span (rs=-0.265, P<0.05), and symbol coding (rs=-0.221, P<0.05). Binary Logistic regression analysis identified serum TBA level as an independent risk factor for overall cognitive impairment (OR=1.322, 95% CI: 1.021 - 1.713, P=0.034), with a particularly robust predictive ability for impaired information processing speed (OR=1.325, 95% CI: 1.057 - 1.661, P=0.015). The area under ROC curve (AUC) for serum TBA level in predicting overall cognitive impairment was 0.738, with a sensitivity of 60.61% and a specificity of 78.64%. ConclusionIn patients with stable schizophrenia, elevated serum TBA levels are associated with worse overall cognitive function, as well as deficits in information processing speed, attention, working memory, and executive function. Serum TBA serves as an independent risk factor and exhibits moderate predictive value for overall cognitive impairmen,particularly in the domain of information processing speed. [Funded by Yancheng Municipal Health Commission Medical Research Project (number, YK2024141)]
4.Intervention effects of moderate to vigorous classroom physical exercise on psychological sub health among Uyghur junior high school students
BI Cunjian, RAN Xiaokang, ZHANG Feng, YIN Xiaojian, GUO Yaru, SUN Pengwei, ZHU Yongfei
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(6):837-840
Objective:
To analyze the intervention effects of moderate to vigorous classroom physical exercise on psychological sub health among Uyghur junior high school students, providing reference for mental health promotion and intervention in the ethnic group.
Methods:
From April to July 2022, 647 eighth grade Uighur junior high school students from two middle schools in the Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang, were selected using a random cluster digital sampling method. They were randomly assigned to a control group ( n =326) and an intervention group ( n =321). While adhering to the regular curriculum, the intervention group additionally received 12 week, 36 session (every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoon) moderate to vigorous classroom physical exercise intervention (45 minutes per session, including warm up, main exercises, and cool down activities). Self administered psychological sub health was completed through Brief Instrument on Psychological Health of Youths before and after intervention, and the data were analyzed using covariance analysis.
Results:
Before intervention, there were no statistically significant differences between the control and intervention groups in the total scores for psychological sub health or in the scores for the three dimensions including emotional problems, conduct problems, and social adaptation difficulties ( t =0.76, 0.40, 0.01, 0.94 , all P >0.05). After intervention, the scores of the intervention group s junior high school students on the emotional problems, conduct problems, and social adaptation difficulties dimensions decreased by 0.50, 0.28, and 0.18, respectively, compared with the control group, and all differences were statistically significant ( t =3.35, 3.36, 2.07, all P <0.05). The main effect of the psychological sub health category was statistically significant ( F =60.66, P <0.01, partial η 2=0.09). Compared with the control group, the psychological sub health scores of junior high school students in the intervention group decreased by 0.96 ( t =3.42, P < 0.05 ).
Conclusion
The 12 week moderate to vigorous classroom physical exercise intervention has a positive effect on the psychological sub health of Uyghur junior high school students.
5.Preliminary establishment of comprehensive risk assessment indicator system for occupational health based on Delphi method and analytic hierarchy process
Weiqi SUN ; Meixia LIU ; Tongning GAO ; Yuqi CHEN ; Yan YIN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(6):754-761
Background Occupational health risk assessment is the foundation of safeguarding workers' occupational health. However, traditional assessment methods often fail to adequately account for health effects and enterprise-specific characteristics, limiting their comprehensive evaluation capabilities. Additionally, these methods suffer from inconsistent standards, narrow application scopes, insufficient hazard sub-categorization, and indicator systems that poorly support informatization and digital transformation. To address these gaps, this study proposes methodological innovations focusing on the assessment indicator system. Objective To construct a systematic, generalizable, and practical occupational health comprehensive risk assessment indicator system by leveraging occupational health practices and surveillance big data from Shanghai. Methods Initial system indicators were extrated through literature review. Subsequently, expert interviews and group discussions, combined with occupational health surveillance big data, were used to refine these indicators, forming a candidate pool covering two major dimensions: risk factor characteristics and enterprise characteristics. The Delphi method was applied to evaluate and screen the indicators, while the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to construct a hierarchical model and determine indicator weights. Results A total of 76 articles were reviewed, identifying 25 candidate indicators. After two rounds of Delphi expert consultation, 8 primary indicators (e.g. hazard characteristics, exposure characteristics, health effects, industry characteristics, management characteristics, protective features, adverse events, and uncertainty) and 17 secondary indicators (hazard factor characteristics, exposure levels, number of people exposed, number of factor exposure, special physical exam indicators, suspected occupational diseases, occupational diseases, industry categories, organizational management, hazard reporting, occupational health training, hazard factor testing, occupational health exams, protective facilities, personal protective equipment, administrative penalties, and data quality) were finalized. The expert response rate was 100%, and the expert authority coefficient was 0.86. The Kendall's W coefficients for importance and accessibility scores across the two consultation rounds were 0.41, 0.40 and 0.41, 0.50. A hierarchical model targeting the comprehensive occupational health risk index was constructed, comprising two major elements and three levels of indicators. AHP was applied to calculate the weights, with all judgment matrices demonstrating satisfactory consistency (consistency ratio < 0.1). Conclusion By integrating risk factor profiles with enterprise-specific characteristics via the Delphi-AHP approach, a robust occupational health comprehensive risk assessment indicator system is established. This system provides a practical framework for digitized occupational health management, though further empirical validation in real-world settings is warranted.
6.Application of central auditory testing combined with electroencephalogram characteristics in the early screening of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease
Fengyi SUN ; Haiyan YIN ; Tingting YIN ; Bingqing YANG ; Jianpeng GU ; Yan WANG ; Yamei BAI ; Guihua XU ; Yulei SONG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2026;32(9):1016-1024
ObjectiveTo investigate the application of central auditory testing combined with electroencephalographic features in the early screening of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease. MethodsA convenience sampling method was used to conduct a field survey in the Qixia District of Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, from July to September, 2025. A total of 40 older adults diagnosed as mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease and 23 cognitively normal older adults were recruited. Auditory N-back and dichotic listening paradigms were employed for assessment, while the scores of Montreal Cognitive Assessment Beijing Version (MoCA-BJ) and 32-channel electroencephalogram (EEG) data were simultaneously collected. Binary logistic regression analysis was applied to identify predictive indicators, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. ResultsThe total score of dichotic listening was positively correlated with overall cognitive function (r = 0.475, P < 0.01), while right-ear advantage showed negative correlations with overall cognition, visuospatial ability, abstract reasoning, and delayed recall (r < -0.276, P < 0.05). Task performance across all conditions of the N-back task was positively correlated with overall cognitive function (r > 0.249, P < 0.05). Regarding EEG features, δ and θ band power and power peaks were positively correlated with delayed recall (r > 0.258, P < 0.05), whereas (α+θ)/(α+β) and θ/(α+β) were positively correlated with naming ability and visuospatial executive function, respectively (r > 0.261, P < 0.05). The results of the binary logistic regression analysis showed that the total score of binaural dichotic listening, the accuracy of 1-back task, the average power of δ waves, and the ratio of θ/(α+β) were independent influencing factors for mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease (P < 0.05). The ROC analysis indicated that the AUC for auditory task performance and EEG features were 0.845 and 0.735 respectively, and when combined, the AUC increased to 0.862. ConclusionThe screening model based on the integration of auditory task performance and EEG features can be used in the early identification of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease.
7.Pediatric Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction Complicated with Ipsilateral Ureterovesical Junction Obstruction: Analysis of Diagnosis and Management in 14 Cases
Ye ZHANG ; Wenting PEI ; Qihang SUN ; Jiabin JIANG ; Yin ZHANG ; Min CHAO
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2026;47(4):715-721
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics, diagnostic challenges, and treatment strategies in pediatric patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) complicated with ipsilateral ureterovesical junction obstruction (UVJO). MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of pediatric patients admitted to our hospital between January 2014 and December 2024 with a confirmed diagnosis of UPJO complicated with UVJO. The collected clinical parameters included gender, age at presentation, initial diagnosis, lesion laterality, imaging findings, surgical procedures, and follow-up outcomes. ResultsThe study cohort comprised 14 pediatric patients (male=10 and female=4) with a median age of 3.1 months at presentation. The initial diagnoses were UPJO in 9 cases and UVJO in 5 cases. Preoperatively, only 6 cased showed ureteral dilation on MRU. The definitive diagnosis was confirmed by intraoperative retrograde pyelography in 5 cases, postoperative antegrade pyelography via a nephrostomy tube in 7 patients, and combined application of the two modalities in 2 patients. For primary surgical intervention, 9 patients underwent pyelo-plasty, 2 underwent ureteral reimplantation, 2 received percutaneous nephrostomy, and 1 underwent ureteral orifice dilation. Intraoperative nephrostomy tube placement was performed in 10 patients. With a median follow-up duration of 5.5 years, 4 patients required revision surgery. Of these, only 1 patient , who had an initial diagnosis of UPJO, required staged management for persistent obstruction, whereas UPJ obstruction resolved after ureteroneocystostomy in the remaining 3 patients with an initial diagnosis of UVJO. Among the 10 patients who did not undergo revision surgery, 8 showed delayed distal urinary drainage on APG, yet remained asymptomatic with continuous improvement of hydronephrosis after nephrostomy tube clamping. ConclusionsPreoperative diagnosis of concurrent UPJO and ipsilateral UVJO in pediatric patients is clinically challenging. Further intraoperative evaluation is mandatory when antegrade or retrograde ureteral stent placement fails during surgery. For patients with an initial diagnosis of UPJO, pyeloplasty is the first-line treatment. Routine retrograde pyelography is not recommended, whereas nephrostomy tube with subsequent postoperative APG evaluation can prevent unnecessary ureteroneocystostomy. For patients with an initial diagnosis of UVJO accompanied by severe ureteral dilation, primary ureteroneocystostomy is feasible initial management strategy.
8.Comparison of Intubation Time and Epistaxis Between Left Versus Right Nostril Approaches for Flexible Intubation Video Endoscope-guided Pediatric Nasotracheal Intubation
Kun YUE ; Jingru WANG ; Yuanling XU ; Yin XIA ; Yingying SUN
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2026;47(4):730-738
ObjectiveCurrently, evidence regarding whether the left or right nostril should be preferentially selected for nasotracheal intubation (NTI) in children remains insufficient, particularly under continuous visualization conditions. This study aimed to compare the efficiency and safety of NTI via the left versus right nostril in children under flexible intubation video endoscope (FIVE) guidance. MethodsA total of 100 children aged 3-7 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-II, who were scheduled for elective dental caries treatment under general anesthesia, were randomly assigned to undergo FIVE-guided NTI via either the left nostril (group L) or the right nostril (group R). The primary outcome was intubation time. Secondary outcomes included first-attempt success rate, number of intubation attempts, incidence and severity of epistaxis, peri-intubation hemodynamic and respiratory parameters, and postoperative procedure-related complications (nasal blockage, sore throat, and hoarseness). ResultsNo statistically significant between-group difference was found in intubation time (L group: 36.86 ± 6.04 s vs. R group: 37.96 ± 6.20 s; P=0.371) or first-attempt success rate (96% vs. 92%, respectively; P=0.400). The incidence and severity of epistaxis were comparable between groups (10% vs. 12%; P=0.749). No statistically significant between-group differences were observed in hemodynamic and respiratory parameters at all measured time points (all P>0.05). The incidences of postoperative nasal congestion, sore throat, and hoarseness were low in both groups. ConclusionIn children undergoing FIVE-guided NTI, tracheal catheter insertion via the left or right nostril yields comparable efficacy and safety. When using visualization-guided techniques in routine pediatric clinical practice, nostril laterality does not need to be prioritized when selecting the insertion side for NTI.
9.Research advances in the disease burden of viral hepatitis in China
Jian LI ; Fuzhen WANG ; Zhongdan CHEN ; Jinlei QI ; Ailing WANG ; Fanghui ZHAO ; Yuanyuan KONG ; Jing SUN ; Jiaqi KANG ; Zundong YIN ; Zhongfu LIU ; Jidong JIA ; Yu WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):221-227
Over the past three decades, China has made significant progress in the prevention and control of viral hepatitis, and the incidence rates of new-onset pediatric hepatitis B virus infections and acute viral hepatitis in the population have reduced to a relatively low level; however, there is still a heavy disease burden of chronic viral hepatitis in China, which severely affects the health status of the population. This study systematically summarizes the achievements of viral hepatitis prevention and control in China, analyzes existing problems and challenges, and proposes comprehensive prevention and control strategies and measures to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat based on the national conditions of China, in order to provide a reference for related departments in China on how to achieve the action targets for eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
10.Gandouling Regulates PI3K/Akt/mTOR Autophagy Signaling Pathway via LncRNA H19 for Treatment of Wilson Disease Liver Fibrosis
Xin YIN ; Han WANG ; Daiping HUA ; Lanting SUN ; Yunyun XU ; Wenming YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):131-138
ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanisms and pathways through which Gandouling (GDL) exerts its effects in the treatment of liver fibrosis in Wilson disease. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: the normal group, the model group, the GDL low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (0.24, 0.48, 0.96 g·kg-1), and the penicillamine group (90 mg·kg-1), with 10 rats in each group. A copper-loaded Wilson disease rat model was established by gavage administration of 300 mg·kg-1 copper sulfate pentahydrate to all groups except the normal group. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson staining were used to observe the pathomorphological changes in the liver. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the levels of hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), procollagen type-Ⅲ peptide (PC-Ⅲ), and collagen type-Ⅳ (C-Ⅳ). Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the ultrastructure of liver tissues. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of liver tissues and serum exosomal long noncoding RNA H19 (LncRNA H19), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Western blot analysis was performed to assess the expression levels of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, and their phosphorylated forms, as well as autophagy-related proteins Beclin1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ) in liver tissues. Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ fluorescence signal intensity was observed by immunofluorescence. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group exhibited inflammatory cell infiltration in hepatocytes, unclear nuclear boundaries with cell cleavage and necrosis, and collagen fiber deposition around confluent areas. The levels of HA, LN, PC-Ⅲ, and C-Ⅳ were significantly elevated (P<0.01). Transmission electron microscopy revealed an increased number of autophagic vesicles, with autophagic lysosomes exhibiting a single-layer membrane structure following degradation of most envelopes. Expression levels of Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ were significantly increased (P<0.01), and fluorescence signals of Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ were markedly enhanced. The protein expression levels of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and p-mTOR were reduced (P<0.01), while LncRNA H19 expression was increased (P<0.01), and mRNA expression levels of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR were decreased (P<0.01). After treatment with GDL, the degree of liver fibrosis was significantly improved, with decreased levels of HA, LN, PC-Ⅲ, and C-Ⅳ. The number of autophagic vesicles was significantly reduced, and expression levels of Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ proteins were lower (P<0.01). The fluorescence signals of Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ weakened dose-dependently. The protein levels of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and p-mTOR were elevated (P<0.01), while the expression level of LncRNA H19 was reduced (P<0.01). Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionGDL may alleviate liver fibrosis and reduce liver injury by regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR autophagy signaling pathway via LncRNA H19.


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