1.Xuefu Zhuyutang Ameliorates Metabolic-associated Fatty Liver Disease via AMPK Signaling Pathway
Ming HAN ; Ying ZHANG ; Lingya KONG ; Jun DAI ; Ting ZHANG ; Zhihong MA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):1-12
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Xuefu Zhuyutang (XFZYT) for metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) through integrated network pharmacology and animal experiments. MethodsNetwork pharmacology was utilized to predict the core components, key therapeutic targets, and signaling pathways of XFZYT in the treatment of MAFLD. For animal experiments, a rat model of MAFLD was established by feeding a high-cholesterol diet for 4 weeks. Intervention was then administered with low-dose (2 g·kg-1) and high-dose (4 g·kg-1) XFZYT for 2 weeks. Biochemical assays were performed to measure the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). In addition, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) in the serum were measured. The same way was adopted to measure the levels of TC and TG in the liver tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to quantify the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Histopathological evaluations included hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining for liver tissue morphology, Oil Red O staining for lipid deposition, and dihydroethidium (DHE) probe staining for reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Western blot analysis was conducted to assess the protein levels of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), phosphorylated (p)-AMPK, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and p-NF-κB in the liver tissue. Untargeted metabolomics analysis of the serum was performed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). ResultsNetwork pharmacology analysis predicted 155 potential targets of XFZYT for MAFLD treatment, with core targets including signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), protein kinase B1 (Akt1), TNF, and IL-6. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment primarily implicated the AMPK signaling pathway. Animal experiments demonstrated that compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited dyslipidemia, hepatic function impairment, pronounced hepatic lipid deposition, and inflammatory manifestations, with elevated serum levels of AST, ALT, TC, TG, LDL, and MDA (P<0.05), reduced HDL and GSH levels plus decreased SOD and CAT activities (P<0.05), downregulated protein levels of Nrf2, HO-1, and p-AMPK (P<0.05), and upregulated protein level of p-NF-κB (P<0.05) in the liver tissue. Compared with the model group, XFZYT intervention groups showed significant amelioration of dyslipidemia and hepatic function impairment, markedly reduced hepatic lipid deposition and inflammatory cell infiltration, decreased serum levels of AST, ALT, TC, TG, LDL, and MDA (P<0.05), increased HDL and GSH levels plus enhanced SOD and CAT activities (P<0.05), upregulated protein levels of Nrf2, HO-1, and p-AMPK (P<0.05), and downregulated protein level of p-NF-κB (P<0.05). Serum metabolomics revealed 511 differentially expressed metabolites (231 upregulated and 280 downregulated) between normal and model groups, while XFZYT groups versus model group showed 94 differential metabolites (51 upregulated and 43 downregulated). Among them, 11 metabolites displayed the most significant alterations, with enriched pathways including glycerolipid metabolism, cholesterol metabolism, and insulin resistance, multiple of which demonstrated AMPK association. ConclusionXFZYT alleviates MAFLD by regulating the AMPK signaling pathway and associated metabolic networks.
2.TCM Treatment of Sarcopenia Based on PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway: A Review
Yan CHEN ; Ting DAI ; Changsheng GUO ; Zhihai FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):316-326
Sarcopenia is a systemic skeletal muscle disease characterized by the gradual decline of muscle mass,strength,and function,and its occurrence and development are related to multiple factors,involving several signaling pathways. Among them,the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway,as a key pathway regulating cellular growth,survival,and metabolism,plays an important role in the formation and development of sarcopenia. Its abnormal activation or deactivation may lead to an imbalance in muscle protein metabolism,resulting in muscle atrophy and reduction. Modern medicine is still in the exploratory stage of treatment for sarcopenia. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM),with its multi-pathway and multi-target characteristics,has shown increasing advantages in the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia. In recent years,various monomers, extracts,and compound formulas of TCM have been proven to effectively prevent and treat sarcopenia by promoting muscle cell protein synthesis,reducing protein degradation,inhibiting cell apoptosis and inflammatory response,and improving mitochondrial function. This paper reviewed the improvement effects of TCM on sarcopenia based on the PI3K/Akt pathway and explored its specific action mechanisms, aiming to provide new insights for the treatment of sarcopenia with TCM.
3.Effects of different electromagnetic stimulation protocols on hand function and activities of daily living for stroke patients: a network meta-analysis
Shan LIU ; Kunyao XU ; Zhimeng ZHOU ; Lingyun ZHOU ; Mao ZENG ; Sha HE ; Luoyang DAI ; Ting QIN ; Qinglin HU ; Jiahai YANG ; Rui LI
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2026;32(8):916-926
ObjectiveTo systematically compare the effects of diverse electromagnetic stimulation protocols on hand function and activities of daily living (ADL) in stroke patients using network meta-analysis (NMA), and screen the optimal stimulation strategy for post-stroke hand dysfunction rehabilitation. MethodsNMA was performed in accordance with the PRISMA-NMA statement. Databases of CNKI, Wanfang data, VIP, CBM, PubMed, Web of Science and Embase were searched from database inception to April, 2026 for eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing different electromagnetic stimulation protocols for post-stroke hand impairment. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and PEDro scale were used to assess methodological quality of included studies, while the GRADE system was adopted to grade evidence quality of primary outcomes of Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE) and modified Barthel Index (MBI). After literature screening, data extraction and bias evaluation, RevMan 5.4 and Stata 17.0 were used for meta-analysis and NMA. ResultsA total of 22 RCT involving 17 electromagnetic stimulation protocols were finally included. The PEDro scores ranged from six to ten. The top five protocols for improving FMA-UE score were repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) + repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) + rPMS, iTBS + transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) and contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation (CCFES). tDCS was the most effective on MBI, followed by TEAS and iTBS+rPMS. Evidence quality for FMA-UE and MBI was moderate. Funnel plots suggested low risk of publication bias, and consistency tests verified good coherence between direct and indirect comparisons in network models. ConclusionElectromagnetic stimulation significantly facilitates upper limb and hand functional recovery, and improves ADL in stroke patients. The combined central-peripheral magnetic stimulation protocol may be the most effective on motor rehabilitation, whereas tDCS on ADL.
4.Mitochondrial Quality Control Regulating Pathogenesis of Sarcopenia and Its Intervention by Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Ting DAI ; Yan CHEN ; Changsheng GUO ; Jing GAO ; Xiaodong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):279-286
Sarcopenia is a clinical syndrome characterized by a decrease in skeletal muscle strength and quality, often accompanied by adverse outcomes such as falls, loss of function and weakness. The pathogenesis of sarcopenia is complex, and studies have shown that dysfunction due to impaired mitochondrial quality control is an important pathological factor in the occurrence and development. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has been widely favoured for regulating mitochondrial homeostasis and preventing sarcopenia by virtue of its multi-target and multi-pathway advantages. They can play a role in the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia by regulating the mitochondrial quality control system to inhibit the occurrence of mitochondrial oxidative stress, regulate the balance of mitochondrial dynamics, inhibit mitochondrial autophagy, promote mitochondrial biosynthesis, resist the occurrence of mitochondrial apoptosis, and maintain the mitochondrial calcium and protein homeostasis. Based on this, the paper reviewed the relationship between mitochondrial quality control and sarcopenia, as well as the mechanism of TCM in intervening the mitochondrial quality control system to treat sarcopenia, in order to provide a new idea for the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia by TCM and to a theoretical basis for the clinical research on TCM intervention in sarcopenia.
5.Exploratory study of MRI of the clavicle's sternal end in the assessment of bone age in chinese adolescents
Qinjin LIU ; Yushan LIN ; Junhong LIU ; Lirong QIU ; Yufan GUI ; Yihui LUO ; Ting LU ; Hao DAI ; Zhao PENG ; Bo REN ; Cuiping ZHANG ; Gang NING ; Zhenhua DENG ; Ming YANG ; Fei FAN
Chinese Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;40(1):49-55
Objective To investigate the value of MRI of the sternal end of clavicle in bone age assessment in Chinese population,especially its applicability in the determination of criminal responsible age.Methods A total of 431 patients aged from 10.00 to 29.99 years with neck or chest MRI were retrospectively collected.According to the Schmeling grading method,the epiphyseal development of the clavicle MRI was divided into five grades.The consistency of methods was evaluated.The correlation and general descriptive analysis between MRI grades and age was analyzed.The sex difference was analyzed.Curve fitting was used to establish a nonlinear model between age and grades.Results The grades of clavicle MRI showed a significant age-related trend(Figure 2),and the correlation was 0.861(0.887 in males and 0.840 in females).Except for grade 1,there was no significant difference between males and females in other grades.The minimum age of male grade 3 was greater than 14 years old,and the minimum age of female grade 3 was greater than 16 years old.The minimum age in grade 4 and grade 5 was over 18 years old in both sexes.The best curve fitting model was cubic model for both sexes(R2=0.805 for men and 0.722 for women).Conclusion Clavicle MRI can be used for the assessment of bone age in Chinese population.Complete epiphyseal plate closure can be used as a reliable indicator for the determination of age at 18 years old,and it is expected to achieve radiation-free forensic bone age assessment.
6.A qualitative study on the training experience of palliative care nurses participating in a prognosis disclosure workshop based on Kolb's experiential learning model
Xin CHEN ; Meiyuan WANG ; Tingting WANG ; Biyun XIA ; Yiyun YANG ; Jun KONG ; Li DAI ; Ting LIU ; Li LI
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(34):4675-4681
Objective:To explore the training experiences of palliative care nurses participating in a prognosis disclosure workshop based on Kolb's experiential learning model, and to provide references for future educational programs in palliative care nursing.Methods:Using purposive sampling, 11 nurses were recruited who had participated in the "Palliative Care Competency Training Program for Nurses" in Shanghai between March and May 2025 and selected the Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University as their clinical training site. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data were analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step method.Results:A total of three major themes emerged: a sense of benefit from enhanced competencies; complex emotional experiences; recommendations for course optimisation.Conclusions:Workshops based on Kolb's experiential learning model offer positive value in palliative care education. They effectively improve core competencies such as communication and empathy. However, the emotional experiences of nurses must also be considered, and multifaceted optimizations to the training design are recommended to further enhance training outcomes.
7.Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis complicated with pulmonary hypertension:a case report
Jie ZHANG ; Xiang-ting LU ; Hai-long DAI
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(9):532-535
Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis(PLAM)is a rare low-grade,destructive,and metastatic tumor characterized by diffuse cystic lesions in the lungs,mainly occurring in women of childbearing age.The occurrence of pulmonary hypertension(PH)in lung diseases often indicates poor prognosis,and case reports of PLAM combined with PH are relatively rare.This case report presents a 45 year old female patient with recurrent dyspnea as the main symptom.After completing relevant examinations such as right heart catheterization,echocardiography,chest CT,lung function,and vascular endothelial growth factor-D(VEGF-D),the diagnosis of PLAM combined with PH.This case report has important clinical significance for early diagnosis and corresponding measures for patients with PLAM combined with PH.
8.The impact of county-level"Unified ECG Network"construction on the treatment efficiency and clinical outcomes of patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
Ting-qiao YE ; Heng YANG ; Tao JIANG ; Min DAI ; Yu LI ; Qiang LI ; Xian-hua YANG ; Yuan-bao LI
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(10):561-567
Objective To investigate the impact of county-level"Unified ECG Network"construction on the treatment efficiency and clinical outcomes of patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of STEMI patients from Beichuan County and Yanting County in Mianyang City,and Jiange County in Guangyuan City,Sichuan Province,during the 18 months before(128 cases)and 18 months after(187 cases)the establishment of the"Unified ECG Network."Differences in demographic characteristics,treatment efficiency,therapeutic methods,and clinical outcomes between the two groups were compared.Results There was no statistically significant difference in general demographic characteristics between the two groups(all P>0.05).Compared with the pre-construction group,the post-construction group showed significantly shorter times in initial ECG completion[5(3,7)min vs.6(4,8)min],initial ECG diagnosis[3(2,4)min vs.5(2,6)min],first medical contact to preliminary diagnosis[10(9,12)min vs.13(11,15)min],network hospital door-in-door-out time[21(19,23)min vs.26(23,30)min],and first medical contact to wire-crossing time[(94.82±11.87)min vs.(107.97±18.39)min](allP<0.001).The proportion of patients bypassing the emergency department and coronary care unit significantly increased(64.17%vs.32.81%,P<0.001).The proportion of patients undergoing emergency percutaneous coronary intervention significantly increased(72.73%vs.51.56%,P<0.001),while the proportions of thrombolytic therapy and non-reperfusion therapy significantly decreased(both P<0.05).Additionally,in-hospital mortality rate,Killip class≥Ⅱ proportion,incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events,and average length of hospital stay were all significantly reduced(all P<0.05).There were no statistically significant differences among the three county-level chest pain centers in terms of major treatment efficiency,therapeutic strategies,or clinical outcomes(all P>0.05).Conclusions The construction of the county-level"Unified ECG Network"can significantly improve the treatment efficiency of STEMI patients,optimize reperfusion therapy strategies,improve clinical outcomes,and demonstrate substantial clinical promotion value.
9.The potential mechanism of brain functional remodeling in acupuncture treatment in patients with chron-ic non-specific low back pain based on resting-state fMRI
Ting XU ; Dechun DAI ; Qin XUE
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;40(4):542-549
Objective:To observe the characteristics of brain functional activity in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain(CNLBP)and to explore the potential mechanism of brain functional remodeling in acupuncture treatment based on resting-state fMRI.Method:The 22 patients with CNLBP were included as the CNLBP group,and 22 healthy subjects(HCs)were included as the HCs group.The visual analogue scale(VAS)for pain,Oswestry disability index(ODI),Japanese Orthopedic Association(JOA)score for lumbar spine were collected before and after acu-puncture treatment in the CNLBP group.Resting-state fMRI data were acquired for all participants.The frac-tional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation(fALFF)values of the different brain regions in CNLBP patients before treatment compared with the HCs group were extracted and correlated with the differences in VAS,ODI,and JOA scores.Result:Acupuncture treatment significantly improved the VAS,ODI,and JOA scores in the CNLBP group(P<0.001);Before treatment,the CNLBP group showed higher fALFF values in the right orbital middle frontal gy-rus,right anterior cingulate gyrus,left anterior cingulate gyrus and left precuneus compared to the HCs group,while lower fALFF values were observed in the right precentral gyrus/right postcentral gyrus,left precentral gy-rus/left postcentral gyrus,right thalamus,right postcentral gyrus/precentral gyrus,and left thalamus.After treat-ment,the CNLBP group exhibited increased fALFF values in the right precentral gyrus/postcentral gyrus,left precentral gyrus/postcentral gyrus,and left middle temporal gyrus,and decreased fALFF values in the left me-dial superior frontal gyrus,right precuneus/left precuneus compared to pre-treatment.Additionally,pre-treatment fALFF value in the right orbital part of the middle frontal gyrus,right anterior cingulate gyrus and left anteri-or cingulate gyrus in the CNLBP group was negatively correlated with the changes in VAS scores(r=-0.699,P=0.000).Conclusion:Acupuncture treatment can significantly improve pain intensity and lumbar spinal dysfunction in CNLBP.CNLBP has multiple abnormalities in brain functional activities related to pain regulation pathways and the default mode network(DMN),and acupuncture treatment can restore most of these abnormal brain ac-tivities;the characteristic of brain functional activity in the right orbital part of the middle frontal gyrus,right anterior cingulate gyrus and left anterior cingulate gyrus before CNLBP treatment is related to the difference in VAS score,providing a potential imaging biomarker for predicting treatment efficacy.
10.Effect of fine needle aspiration technique on laparoscopic thyroid surgery
Ting-ting SU ; Yuan-bing XU ; Dai PAN ; Hao-yuan SHEN ; Yin-hua GAO ; Fang QIAN ; Yuan-yuan ZOU ; Chao-hua HU
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(3):236-240
Objective To investigate the effect of local histopathological changes of thyroid nodules after ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy(US-FNBA)on laparoscopic thyroid surgery.Methods The clinical data of 120 patients with thyroid malignant tumors admitted to Xiaogan Hospital of Wuhan University of Science and Technology from January 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed,and according to whether received US-FNAB before surgery they were divided into the observation group(with US-FNAB)and the control group(without US-FNAB),with 60 cases in each group.The operation time,change of parathyroid hormone(ΔPTH)before and after surgery,change of serum Ca2+concentration(serum ΔCa2+)before and after surgery,drainage volume 24 hours after surgery and incidence of complications were compared between the two groups.According to fine needle aspiration-to-surgery(FTS),the patients in the observation group were further divided into the group A(FTS≤3 days)and the group B(FTS>3 days),and the effect of US-FNAB on laparoscopic thyroid surgery was explored combined with the pathological changes of the thyroid puncture capsule of the two groups.Results The operation time of the observation group was longer than that of the control group(P<0.05),and there was no significant difference in the drainage volume 24 hours after surgery,ΔPTH,serum ΔCa2+,or proportions of facial or limb numbness,hypoparathyroidism,recurrent laryngeal nerve integrity,and hypocalcemia between the two groups(P>0.05).There was no significant difference in the operation time,ΔPTH,serum ΔCa2+,drainage volume 24 hours after surgery,hypocalcemia,recurrent laryngeal nerve integrity or hypothyroidism between the group A and group B(P>0.05).The proportion of patients with facial or limb numbness after surgery in the group A was significantly lower than that in the group B(P<0.05).Conclusion Preoperative US-FNAB for thyroid nodules may prolong the operation time in patients undergoing laparoscopic thyroid surgery,and surgical treatment in early aspiration can help decrease this effect and reduce the incidences of postoperative hypocalcemia and hypothyroidism.

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