1.Current status of research on the mechanism of action of emodin in the prevention and treatment of chronic liver diseases
Yajie CHEN ; Xin WANG ; Yunjuan WU ; Ying SU ; Yuhan WANG ; Jinxue ZHANG ; Ning YAO ; Ying QIN ; Xiaoning ZUO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):228-234
Chronic liver diseases are a group of diseases in which the liver is subjected to a variety of injuries over a long period of time, resulting in irreversible pathological changes that last longer than 6 months. Emodin (EMO) is a natural anthraquinone derivative derived from Rheum officinale, and its pharmacological effect has been extensively studied, exhibiting a variety of biological properties and involving multiple signaling molecules and pathways. Western medicine or surgical treatment is currently the main treatment regimen for chronic liver diseases, and the advance in treatment is limited by various reasons such as side effects and high costs. Due to its natural origin and efficacy, EMO has unique advantages in the treatment of chronic liver diseases and has now become a research hotspot. This article summarizes the therapeutic effect of EMO on chronic liver diseases and its mechanism, in order to provide a certain scientific basis for the traditional Chinese medicine treatment of chronic liver diseases and the development of drugs in clinical practice.
2.Effects of aerobic exercise on cognitive function in elderly patients with bipolar disorder
Xiangjun ZHAO ; Yongli ZHANG ; Xiaoning HUO ; Xiping SHEN ; Xiaoli YANG ; Xirong QIAO ; Xingtong SHU
Sichuan Mental Health 2026;39(3):206-211
BackgroundBipolar disorder is a severe mental disorder characterized by alternating episodes of mania and depression. It has a high recurrence rate and a high rate of disability. Elderly patients often suffer from more severe cognitive impairment due to neurodegenerative changes. The clinical intervention for bipolar disorder mainly relies on drug treatment, but drugs have limited effects on improving cognitive function, and some drugs may even aggravate cognitive impairment. Aerobic exercise, as a non-drug intervention method, has shown positive effects in improving cognitive function in patients with mental disorders. However, there are still insufficient studies on elderly patients with bipolar disorder. ObjectiveTo explore the impact of aerobic exercise on the cognitive function of elderly patients with bipolar disorder, so as to provide references for the formulation of strategies to improve the cognitive function of this population. MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 60 elderly patients who were hospitalized at the Third People's Hospital of Lanzhou from January 2024 to March 2025 and met the diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder as defined in the International Classification of Diseases,tenth edition (ICD-10) were selected. They were divided into the study group and the control group, with 30 cases in each group, based on the random number table method. Both groups were given quetiapine fumarate tablets and magnesium valproate sustained-release tablets. The study group additionally received aerobic exercise (including slow walking, doing exercises, and running), three times a week, for 30 minutes each time. At the baseline and at the end of the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th week of the intervention, the Hamilton Depression Scale -24 item (HAMD-24), the Young Manic Rating Scale (YMRS), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Revised in China (WMS-RC) were used for assessment. ResultsThe time effect of the HAMD-24 score was statistically significant (Wald χ2=124.564, P<0.01). The time effect of the YMRS score was also statistically significant (Wald χ2=145.608, P<0.01), and the interaction effect between time and group was statistically significant (Wald χ2=14.968, P<0.05). At the 3rd, 9th, and 12th week of the intervention, the YMRS score of the study group was lower than that of the control group in the same period, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The time effect and group effect of the MoCA score were both statistically significant (F=99.347, 16.623, P<0.01). The time effect, group effect, and interaction effect between time and group of the WMS-RC memory quotient were all statistically significant (F=64.678, 10.197, 12.472, P<0.01). At the 6th, 9th, and 12th weeks of the intervention, the MoCA score and WMS-RC memory quotient of the study group were higher than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). ConclusionAerobic exercise may help improve the manic symptoms and cognitive functions (especially memory ability) of elderly patients with bipolar disorder. [Funded by Science and Technology Project of Gansu Province (number, 24JRRA775); Science and Technology Project of Lanzhou City(number, 2022-5-155)]
3.Development and Preliminary Evaluation of a Transition-to-Residency Curriculum for Surgical Residents
Tong NIU ; Jingcheng ZHANG ; Xuehan GAO ; Runzhu LIU ; Xiaoning SUN ; Yang SONG ; Lu PING ; Jie YI ; Chao GUO ; Xisheng WENG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(5):1256-1264
This study aimed to systematically construct a transitional curriculum for newly recruited surgical residents and to evaluate its preliminary application outcomes through pre and postimplementation assessments, so as to provide practical references for the design and dissemination of such curricula. A singlecenter historical controlled design was adopted. Residents admitted in 2020 served as the traditional teaching group (preimplementation), while those admitted in 2024 served as the teaching reform group (postimplementation). Both groups completed selfadministered surveys three months after admission. Following Kern's sixstep approach, the transitional curriculum for surgical residents was developed based on needs assessment results, comprising 18 theoretical lectures and 3 practical skill training sessions, all delivered within the first three months after admission. Selfadministered questionnaires were used to assess clinical readiness and teaching satisfaction in both groups at three months postadmission. Betweengroup comparisons were performed using independent samples ttests, with Cohen's d effect sizes calculated, along with sensitivity analyses and power analyses. The teaching reform group ( The transitional curriculum developed in this study provides a systematized framework of theoretical instruction and foundational skills training for newly admitted surgical residents, and its feasibility has been preliminarily validated. Its effectiveness, however, warrants further confirmation through largersample, prospective studies with objective outcome measures.
4.Huoxue Wentong Prescription Ameliorates Post-myocardial Infarction Ventricular Remodeling in Rats via HIF-1α/TGF-β1/POSTN-mediated Regulation of EndMT
Xiaoning SUN ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Cheng LI ; Qingqing WANG ; Jianguo LIN ; Mingyue WANG ; Ying YANG ; Kuiwu YAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(22):148-158
ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism by which Huoxue Wentong prescription (HXWT) ameliorates post-myocardial infarction (MI) ventricular remodeling by regulating endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) via the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/periostin (POSTN) signaling pathway. MethodsEighty SPF-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to a sham-operated group (n=10) and a modeling group (n=70). The MI model was established by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation. Successfully modeled rats were further randomized into a model group, a sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto, 0.021 g·kg-1) group, and low, medium, and high-dose (4.15, 8.30, and 16.60 g·kg-1, respectively) HXWTF groups (n=10 per group). From postoperative day 2, rats received HXWTF or sacubitril/valsartan by gavage once daily for 4 weeks, and those in sham and model groups received an equal volume of normal saline. After intervention, general conditions were assessed. Echocardiography was performed to measure the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS), left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), and left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVESD). Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was employed to evaluate myocardial histopathology, and Masson's trichrome staining to assess myocardial fibrosis. Serum levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Collagen type Ⅰ (ColⅠ) expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Immunofluorescence double staining was adopted to detect the expression of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Western blot was performed to quantify the expression of collagen type Ⅰ α2 (Col1A2), VE-cadherin, CD31, α-SMA, HIF-1α, TGF-β1, and POSTN. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group exhibited thinning and collapse of the left ventricular wall, decreased LVEF and LVFS and increased LVEDD and LVESD (P<0.01), disrupted myocardial fibers with marked inflammatory cell infiltration, increased collagen deposition, enhanced ColⅠ immunoreactivity, elevate serum BNP, IL-6, and MMP-9 levels, a reduced IL-10 level (P<0.01), downregulated expression of CD31 and VE-cadherin, and upregulated expression of α-SMA, Col1A2, HIF-1α, TGF-β1, and POSTN (P<0.05,P<0.01), accompanied by increased CD31/α-SMA co-localization. Compared with the model group, the sacubitril/valsartan group and all HXWTF groups showed improved ventricular wall structure, increased LVEF and LVFS, decreased LVEDD and LVESD, attenuated myocardial injury with reduced inflammatory infiltration and collagen deposition, declined serum BNP, IL-6, and MMP-9 levels, an elevated serum IL-10 level, upregulated expression of CD31 and VE-cadherin, downregulated expression of α-SMA, Col1A2, HIF-1α, TGF-β1, and POSTN, and reduced CD31/α-SMA co-localization (P<0.05,P<0.01). No significant differences were observed between the sacubitril/valsartan group and the medium- and high-dose HXWTF groups. ConclusionHXWTF may regulate the HIF-1α/TGF-β1/POSTN pathway to inhibit EndMT, thereby ameliorating post-MI ventricular remodeling.
5.Capsaicin (CAP) exerts a protective effect against ethanol-induced oxidative gastric mucosal injury by modulating the chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4)/Src/p47phox signaling pathway both in vitro and in vivo.
Zhiru YANG ; Haolin GUO ; Pengfei ZHANG ; Kairui LIU ; Junli BA ; Xue BAI ; Shiti SHAMA ; Bo ZHANG ; Xiaoning GAO ; Jun KANG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(2):191-202
Ethanol (EtOH) is a common trigger for gastric mucosal diseases, and mitigating oxidative stress is essential for attenuating gastric mucosal damage. Capsaicin (CAP) has been identified as a potential agent to counteract oxidative damage in the gastric mucosa; however, its precise mechanism remains unclear. This study demonstrates that CAP alleviates EtOH-induced gastric mucosal injuries through two primary pathways: by suppressing the chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4)/Src/p47phox axis, thereby reducing oxidative stress, and by inhibiting the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB) p65, resulting in diminished inflammatory responses. These findings elucidate the mechanistic pathways of CAP and provide a theoretical foundation for its potential therapeutic application in the treatment of gastric mucosal injuries.
Ethanol/toxicity*
;
Animals
;
Gastric Mucosa/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
;
Capsaicin/pharmacology*
;
Male
;
NADPH Oxidases/genetics*
;
Mice
;
Humans
;
src-Family Kinases/genetics*
6.Analysis of health-related lifestyles among primary and secondary school students in nutrition improvement program regions of China between 2021 and 2023
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(6):788-791
Objective:
To analyze the features of unhealthy lifestyle patterns among primary and secondary school students in the nutrition improvement program for rural compulsory education students (NIPRCES) areas in China in 2021 and 2023, so as to provide data support for lifestyle promotion and healthy development among primary and secondary school students.
Methods:
Adopting a cluster random sampling method, data on primary and secondary students aged 7-15 years from nutrition and health surveillance of China NIPRCES in 2021 and 2023 were collected. The prevalence of unhealthy lifestyles among primary and secondary students such as physical inactivity, outdoor inactivity, excessive screen time, and sleep deprivation by gender, school section, urban/rural, and region were analyzed. The reporting rates of the above indicators among primary and secondary students were compared by Chi-square test.
Results:
In 2021 and 2023, the rates of moderate to vigorous physical inactivity among primary and secondary school students were 79.2% and 80.4%, the rates of outdoor inactivity were 42.8% and 49.3%, the rates of excessive video time were 2.6% and 2.9%, the rates of sleep deprivation were 32.9% and 22.6%, and the differences were statistically significant( χ 2=51.86,1 071.48,18.36,3 296.99, P <0.05). In 2023, the rate of outdoor inactivity for primary and secondary students increased by 6.5 percentage points compared with 2021, and the rate of sleep deprivation decreased by 10.3 percentage points compared with that in 2021. In 2021 and 2023, the reporting rates of moderate to vigorous physical inactivity, outdoor inactivity, and sleep deprivation among girls and junior high school students were higher than those among boys ( χ 2=174.41,180.11; 175.75, 85.46 ;92.22,151.35) and elementary school students ( χ 2=136.64,5.75; 40.55,4.71;162.80,3 291.61); the reporting rates of moderate to vigorous physical inactivity( χ 2=194.43,118.60) and sleep deprivation ( χ 2=969.66,983.72) among urban students were higher than those among rural students; the reporting rates of excessive video time for boys and junior high school students were higher than those for girls ( χ 2=103.62,84.85) and elementary school students ( χ 2=810.09,626.51)( P <0.05). From a regional distribution perspective, the reporting rates of moderato to vigorous physical inactivity, outdoor inactivity, and excessive video time among primary and seconday school students in the central and western regions were lower than those in the eastern region ( χ 2= 663.44,302.78; 356.97,82.10;50.89,81.83) ( P <0.05).
Conclusions
Unhealthy lifestyles remain prevalent among primary and secondary students in NIPRCES areas of China. These findings underscore the need to strengthen policy implementation for promoting healthy lifestyles among primary and secondary school students.
7.Elevated blood pressure and its association with dietary patterns among Chinese children and adolescents aged 7-17 years
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(6):863-867
Objective:
To understand the prevalence of elevated blood pressure and its association with dietary patterns in children and adolescents in China, providing evidence for developing dietary intervention of hypertension in children and adolescents.
Methods:
Data were derived from the China Children s Nutrition and Health System Survey and Application Project(2019-2021). A stratified cluster random sampling method was used to include 7 933 participants from 28 survey sites in seven major regions of Northeast, North, Northwest, East, Central, South and Southwest China. Multivariate Logistic regression models were used to analyze associations between demographic characteristics, nutritional status and elevated blood pressure. Exploratory factor analysis identified dietary patterns, which were divided into three quartile groups (T3, T2, T1) based on factor scores (compliance for dietary pattern) from high to low, and multivariate Logistic regression model assessed the correlation between elevated blood pressure and dietary patterns.
Results:
The prevalence of elevated blood pressure was 15.4% among Chinese children aged 7-17 years. Significant differences were observed across nutritional status (reference: underweight; normal weight: OR =1.57; overweight: OR = 2.61 ; obesity: OR =3.85), urban/rural residence (reference: rural; urban: OR =0.86), and paternal education (reference: junior high school and below; bachelor degree or above: OR =0.68) ( P <0.05). The detection rates of high blood pressure in T3 group children and adolescents with four dietary patterns (staple food, animal based food, snacks, vegetables and fruits) were 15.7%, 14.6%, 16.8%, and 15.8%, respectively. After adjusting for residence, paternal education, and nutritional status, the "snack dietary pattern" (mainly candy, sugar sweetened beverages, and processed snacks) showed positive associations with elevated blood pressure in T2 ( OR =1.21) and T3 ( OR =1.19) tertiles ( P <0.05).
Conclusions
The snack dietary pattern is a related factor for elevated blood pressure in children and adolescents. Restricting unhealthy snack intake may promote cardiovascular health.
8.Analysis of depressive symptoms and associated factors among primary and secondary school students in the in depth monitoring counties Rural Nutrition Improvement Program
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(2):219-222
Objective:
To understand the prevalence and related factors of depressive symptoms among primary and secondary school students in the in depth monitoring counties of China s Rural Compulsory Education Nutrition Improvement Program, so as to provide a basis for prevention and psychological intervention of depressive symptoms among children and adolescents in rural areas.
Methods:
In November 2022, a stratified random sampling method was adopted to collect height and weight data, basic personal and family information of 7 949 primary and secondary school students from grade three to grade nine through physical measurements and questionnaires in 56 key monitoring schools implementing the Student Nutrition Improvement Program in 7 in depth monitoring counties (Jalaid Banner in Inner Mongolia, Jinzhai County in Anhui, Mao Xian in Sichuan, Tiandeng County in Guangxi, Mian County in Shaanxi, Zhaozhou County in Heilongjiang and Youxi County in Fujian), and to obtain the information related to their depressive symptoms through the self assessment questionnaire on depression. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the prevalence of depressive symptoms among primary and secondary school students, as well as their related factors.
Results:
The detection rate of depressive symptoms among primary and secondary school students in the in depth monitored counties was 23.5%. Logistic regression analysis showed that the probability of detecting depressive symptoms was higher among female students, middle school students, students whose video screen duration per day was >2 h, and students whose parents marital status was divorced or widowed ( OR =1.40, 1.64, 1.60, 1.24), and students whose sleep duration reached the recommended standard, whose parents usually accompanied them daily for time was 60-<120 min and ≥120 min, and students whose mothers literacy level was middle school graduation had lower probability of detecting depressive symptoms ( OR =0.85, 0.84, 0.71, 0.76) ( P < 0.05 ).
Conclusion
The detection rate of depressive symptoms among students in the in depth monitoring area is high, and targeted interventions need to be developed for students to reduce the risk of mental health problems.
9.Diagnostic and Treatment Approach to Coronary Microvascular Disease from the Perspective of "Disharmony of Blood Collaterals and Dysfunction of Qi Transformation"
Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Jianguo LIN ; Xiaoning SUN ; Ziyi SUN ; Tong TONG ; Wenqian ZUO ; Zeqi WANG ; Kuiwu YAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(7):755-759
The study explores the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnostic and treatment approach to coronary microvascular disease (CMVD) from the perspective of "disharmony of blood collaterals and dysfunction of qi transformation". It is proposed that the core pathogenesis of CMVD lies in these two mechanisms. From an integrative medicine perspective, different CMVD types are analyzed based on their specific pathogenesis. Through clinical practice, four targeted treatment methods, i.e. warming, unblocking, tonifying, and activating, are formulated. CMVD caused by atherosclerosis is primarily associated with myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, and coronary revascularization, with corresponding pathological mechanisms of latent pathogenic obstruction, toxic accumulation in the collaterals, and deficiency with collateral stasis. The disease progression exhibits characteristics of correlation, staging, and transformation. Accordingly, treatment principles include warming to assist qi transformation, unblocking obstruction and dispelling turbidity, activating to disperse toxic stasis and invigorate collaterals, and tonifying to eliminate stasis and nourish collaterals. For CMVD unrelated to atherosclerosis, attention should be paid to the underlying disease, analyzing the main syndromes of blood and collateral disharmony. An approach combining disease-syndrome differentiation with blood and collateral regulation is emphasized for precise treatment.
10.Study on the screening value of platelet parameters for MYH9-related disorders
Xiaojuan LUO ; Ke CAO ; Tao HUANG ; Xiaoning MAO ; Yan ZHANG ; Shiyang CHEN ; Meizhu LUO ; Changgang LI ; Xiaoying FU ; Yunsheng CHEN
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;48(8):1028-1033
Objective:To explore the screening value of platelet parameters from blood cell analysis for MYH9-related disorders(MYH9-RD).Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted with 38 patients diagnosed with MYH9-RD at Shenzhen Children's Hospital from May 1, 2016, to August 31, 2024, including 24 males and 14 females; the median age was 11.5 (3.8, 35) years; categorized by gene mutation location into "head region" ( n=8 ) and "tail region" ( n=30); and by clinical manifestations into " isolated hematological manifestations" ( n=16) and "hematological manifestations with extra-hematological involvement"( n=22). The control groups included 39 cases of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), 38 cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and 40 healthy individuals. Platelet-related parameters were detected by hematology analyzer, and platelet counts and sizes were confirmed by manually counting and microscopic observation. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare platelet parameters between MYH9-RD and control groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the diagnostic efficacy of platelet parameters for MYH9-RD. Results:In MYH9-RD patients the median value of mean platelet volume (MPV) was 13.4 (11.2, 14.7) fl, immature platelet fraction (IPF) was 52.7% (43.5%, 58.0%), platelet large cell ratio(PLCR) was 57.6 %(45.0%, 62.9%), and microscopic large platelet ratio (PLCR-M) was 30.0% (25.0%, 30.0%).And those values weresignificantly higher than in ITP, ALL, and healthy controls (all P<0.05). Patients with MYH9 gene "head region" mutations had a lower platelet count [24.5 (15.0, 47.5)×10 9/L]than those with "tail region" mutations [69.0 (49.5, 86.3) ×10 9/L]( Z=-3.493, P<0.001), but a higher IPF ( t=2.024, P=0.044).Patients with "extra-hematological involvement had a lower platelet count than those with "isolated hematological manifestations" ( t=-2.015, P=0.043). The optimal cutoff value for diagnosing MYH9-RD with IPF was 26.7%, with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 98.7%; the area under the curve was 0.999 (95% CI 0.995-1.000), which was superior toMPV, PLCR and PLCR-M parameters. Conclusion:IPF is superior to other platelet parameters sush as MPV,showing high diagnostic efficacy in distinguishing MYH9-RD from ITP and ALL. It can be used as a simple and effective indicator for early screening of MYH9-RD.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail