1.Study on the development strategy of community- and home-based integrated elderly care and medical services in urban from the perspective of emotional governance
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(3):302-309
Community- and home-based integrated elderly care and medical services represents the development direction of the integrated elderly care and medical services model. Achieving balanced development of both service supply and demand, and enhancing the overall governance effectiveness of services, are essential for the aging society governance. Taking XJ comprehensive elderly care service center in J district, N city as an example, this paper found the main reasons for the service supply-demand contradiction in urban community- and home-based integrated elderly care and medical services by adopting case studies and in-depth interview methods, including insufficient social awareness of the services and low scientific level of policies; low trust of service demanders and insufficient willingness to pay autonomously; and insufficient initiative of service providers and prominent administrative governance characteristics. Through the deduction of emotional governance theory, it was believed that under the consensus of high collaboration and synergy between the government and all sectors of society, emotional interaction among multiple participating subjects can be strengthened by the organic combination of the three levels of spiritual governance, emotional governance, and emotional labor, so as to build an efficient emotional governance system of community- and home-based integrated elderly care and medical services.
2.Mechanism of Congrong Zonggan Capsules in Improving Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Impairment in 5×FAD Mice Based on NF-κB/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway
Yanru ZHOU ; Xinru GU ; Yuru LIU ; Shun ZHANG ; Yaozhong LYU ; Zhenzhong WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):130-138
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Congrong Zonggan capsules (CRZG) on cognitive impairment in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) model of mice and its related mechanisms. MethodsSPF grade 4-week-old 5×FAD mice were divided into a model group, low-dose CRZG (0.819 g·kg-1) and high-dose CRZG (1.638 g·kg-1) groups, and Donepezilepezil hydrochloride group (2 mg·kg-1), with eight mice in each group. Eight C57 mice with the same background were set as the normal group. After one week of adaptive feeding, mice were orally administered continuously for six months. On the 5th month of drug administration, Y maze, new object recognition, and Morris water maze tests were conducted separately. After administration, mouse brain tissue was taken, and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in brain tissue were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunofluorescence (IF) was used to detect the expression of small glial cell markers Iba1, astrocyte markers GFAP, and amyloid protein 1-42 (Aβ1-42) in the hippocampus of the brain tissue. The hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to detect pathological changes in the hippocampus of brain tissue. Western blot was used to detect the expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65, NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), cleaved Caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), and other proteins in the brain tissue. ResultsCompared with those in the normal group, the mice in the model group had obvious cognitive impairment. The spontaneous alternation rate of the Y maze was decreased, and the discrimination index of novel object recognition was decreased significantly (P<0.01). The escape latency in the water maze was shortened significantly (P<0.01). The contents of IL-6 and TNF-α in brain tissue were increased. The fluorescence levels of Iba1 and Aβ1-42 in the hippocampus were significantly increased (P<0.01). There was a significant increase in neuronal lesions, neuronal atrophy, loose arrangement of tissue structure, and abnormal erythrocyte aggregation in the hippocampus. The protein expressions of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65, cleaved Caspase-1, ASC, IL-6, and IL-1β were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the spontaneous alternation rate and discrimination index of the high-dose CRZG group were increased significantly (P<0.01), and the escape latency was shortened significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01). The content of IL-6 decreased in the brain, and that of TNF-α dropped significantly (P<0.01). The expression of Iba1 protein and Aβ1-42 in the hippocampus decreased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01). The hippocampal neurons were densely arranged, and the pyramidal nuclei were clear and centered. The abnormal aggregation of red blood cells was alleviated. The value of p-NF-κB/NF-κB proteins and the expression of ASC, cleaved Caspase-1, IL-6, and IL-1β were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionCRZG can effectively improve cognitive impairment in 5×FAD mice with Alzheimer's disease, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway to reduce the abnormal activation of microglia and inhibit neuroinflammation.
3.Mechanisms by which the gut microbiota regulates depressive disorder via the tryptophan metabolic pathway.
Jing DU ; Jiao LI ; Pule LIU ; Yan ZHANG ; Qiangli DONG ; Ning YANG ; Xinru LIU
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(7):1263-1270
The relationship between gut microbiota and depressive disorder has become a research focus in recent years. Within the microbiota-gut-brain axis, the gut microbiota influences the onset and progression of depressive disorder primarily through the tryptophan metabolic pathway. Tryptophan, an essential amino acid in humans, is subject to dual regulation by intestinal microorganisms, which modulate its metabolic balance via inflammatory stimulation and microbial metabolite production. In depression, excessive activation of the kynurenine branch of tryptophan metabolism leads to the accumulation of proinflammatory and neurotoxic metabolites, thereby exacerbating neuroinflammation in the brain. Intervention studies indicate that the antidepressant-like effects of probiotics and traditional Chinese medicine are associated with remodeling of the gut microbiota, restoration of tryptophan metabolic balance, and alleviation of neuroinflammation. Furthermore, targeted inhibition of kynurenine 3-monooxygenase can mitigate neuroinflammation by regulating microglial activity, thus improving depressive-like behaviors. In summary, the metabolite-inflammation axis represents a central node in the interaction regulation between tryptophan metabolism and the microbiota-gut-brain axis. This provides a theoretical foundation for developing novel therapeutic strategies targeting depression through modulation of gut microbiota-mediated tryptophan metabolism.
Tryptophan/metabolism*
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Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology*
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Humans
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Depressive Disorder/microbiology*
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Probiotics/therapeutic use*
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Brain/metabolism*
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Kynurenine/metabolism*
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Metabolic Networks and Pathways
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Animals
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
4.Polysaccharides from armillariella tabescens mycelia alleviates 5-fluorouracil-induced chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis via inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway
Mengru Yuan ; Zhongxuan Gui ; Xinru Wan ; Wenna Zhang ; Yan Chen ; Mei Zhang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(7):1275-1281, 1290
Objective:
To investigate whether armillariella tabescens polysaccharides (ATPS) alleviates inflamma- tory responses and tissue damage in 5-fluorouracil ( 5-FU ) -induced chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis ( CIM) by inhibiting the TLR4 /MyD88 /NF-κB signaling pathway.
Methods:
Thirty 8-weeks-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups ( n = 6 per group) : control group,model group ,and ATPS-treated groups (low,medium,high dose : 100,200,400 mg / kg) .Body weight changes were recorded ; Disease activity in- dex (DAI) scores were evaluated ; small intestinal length and histopathology were measured ; HE staining and his- topathological scoring were performed ; immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of tight junction pro- teins (ZO-1,Occludin) in the small intestine ; serum levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit ; Western blot was employed to quantify ZO-1,Occludin,and TLR4 /MyD88 /NF-κB pathway-related protein TLR4,MyD88,NF-κB p65,IκBα , p-NF-κB p65,p-IκBα protein expression.
Results :
Compared with the control group,mice in the model group exhibited significant reductions in body weight ,elevated DAI scores ,shortened small intestinal length,increased histopathological scores,marked downregulation of ZO-1 and Occludin expression,and elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6.Additionally,protein expression levels of TLR4,MyD88,p-NF- κB p65,and p-IκBα were significantly upregulated ( all P <0. 01 ) . In contrast ,mice in ATPS-treated groups showed dose-dependent improvements,attenuated weight loss,reduced DAI scores,restored intestinal length,de- creased histopathological scores,upregulated ZO-1 and Occludin expression,reduced TNF-α and IL-6 levels,and downregulated TLR4,MyD88,p-NF-κB p65,and p-IκBα protein expression (all P<0. 01) .
Conclusion
ATPS alleviates 5-FU-induced CIM by inhibiting the TLR4 /MyD88 /NF-κB signaling pathway.
5.Neck Seven-Line Method Combined with Periauricular Acupuncture for 33 Patients with Sudden Hearing Loss in Non-Acute Stage: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Chongyang ZHANG ; Junjie LIANG ; Yang LI ; Xinru WANG ; Yu XING ; Xueshi DI ; Wenting SUN ; Peng BAI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(15):1571-1577
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of neck seven-line method combined with periauricular acupuncture as salvage treatment for sudden hearing loss in non-acute stage. MethodsSixty-six patients with non-acute stage of sudden hearing loss with a disease duration of 15-90 days were randomly divided into 33 cases each in treatment group and control group. The treatment group was given neck seven-line method combined with acupuncture at periauricular points; the control group used sham acupuncture and sham electroacupuncture at the same points. Both groups were treated 3 times a week for 6 weeks. The pure tone average hearing threshold of impaired frequencies were examined before treatment, after treatment finish and at follow-up (week 10), and the difference between pure tone average hearing threshold of impaired frequencies before and after treatment was calculated; calculate the proportion of patients with ≥10 dB improvement in pure tone average hearing threshold of impaired frequency after treatment and at follow-up; compare the patients' Tinnitus Evaluation Scale (TEQ) scores, Chinese Medicine Quality of Life Assessment Scale (CQ-11D) health utility values and the difference between before and after treatment, and record the occurrence of adverse events. ResultsThe pure tone average of impaired frequency in the treatment group were (50.57±18.07) dB and (47.70±17.42) dB at post-treatment and follow-up respectively, and (54.38±21.77) dB and (53.36±20.99) dB in the control group at post-treatment and follow-up. Compared with the pre-treatment period, the pure tone average hearing threshold of impaired frequency in the two groups significantly decreased (P<0.05) at post-treatment and follow-up. The difference of pure tone average hearing threshold of impaired frequency in the treatment group after treatment and at the follow-up visit compared to that before treatment was lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, 13 patients (39.39%) in the treatment group and 10 patients (30.30%) in the control group showed improvement of ≥10 dB in pure tone average hearing threshold of impaired frequency; at the follow-up visit, 18 patients (54.55%) in the treatment group and 10 patients (30.30%) in the control group showed improvement of ≥10 dB in the pure tone average hearing threshold of impaired frequency, and there was no statistical significance for comparison between groups at the time of post-treatment and follow-up (P>0.05). The TEQ score of the treatment group significantly lower than that before treatment (P<0.05); the TEQ score of the treatment group and the difference between before and after treatment significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). The difference in CQ-11D health utility values and the difference between before and after treatment were not statistically significant between the two groups (P>0.05). Eight cases of acupuncture-related adverse events occurred among 66 patients, including subcutaneous haematomas after needling, severe pain during needling and needle fainting, which disappeared after symptomatic treatment and did not affect the following treatment. ConclusionNeck seven-line method combined with periauricular acupuncture could be used as salvage treatment for sudden hearing loss in non-acute stage to improve the pure tone average hearing threshold of impaired frequency, alleviate tinnitus, with safety.
6.Research Progress on Signaling Pathways Related to Treatment of Diabetic Cognitive Dysfunction with Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Xinrui LI ; Yuqing WANG ; Ming SU ; Xinru SUN ; Hui ZHANG ; Kangning XIAO ; Shanxin LIU ; Xinjun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(19):225-232
Diabetic cognitive dysfunction (DCD) is one of the complications of diabetes, which is characterized by impaired brain structure and progressively decreased learning and memory ability. With the increasing incidence of diabetes worldwide, DCD has become a serious medical and social problem. However, its pathophysiological mechanisms are not well understood. The occurrence and development of DCD involve multiple pathological links and mechanisms, and the prevention and treatment require multi-link and multi-target therapeutic measures. At present, there is no specific drug to prevent or improve DCD. Hypoglycemic drugs such as metformin and vigagliptin or anti-dementia drug including Donepezil are commonly used in clinical treatment to delay the occurrence and progression of cognitive dysfunction, but these drugs have a single target and obvious side effects. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and central cognitive diseases, and it has many unique advantages such as multiple components, multiple targets, side effects, and low price. A large number of studies have confirmed that traditional Chinese medicine has a significant prevention and treatment effect on DCD, which can improve insulin resistance, synaptic dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and neuronal apoptosis by regulating phosphatidylin-ositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt), advanced glycation end products (AGEs)/advanced glycation end products receptor (RAGE)/nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB), NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and endoplasmic reticulum stress and nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathways. This article reviewed the effects and related mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine on DCD in recent years, so as to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of DCD by traditional Chinese medicine.
7.Epithelial remodeling and its influencing factors after corneal refractive surgery
Zhenhong* FAN ; Mengman* GAO ; Xinru ZHANG ; Xiujin GUO
International Eye Science 2024;24(11):1743-1746
The corneal epithelium, an essential refractive interface, plays an integral role in the corneal healing after corneal refractive surgery. All existing corneal refractive surgeries entail a degree of corneal epithelial remodeling; however, excessive epithelial remodeling precipitates adverse outcomes on the refractive correction efficacy of such surgeries. This review summarizes the application of corneal epithelial remodeling in the corneal refractive surgery, and more comprehensively investigates the influencing factors of perioperative epithelial remodeling after corneal refractive surgery, with a view to augmenting the safety, efficacy, predictability, and stability of corneal refractive surgical outcomes.
8.Sub-chronic aluminum exposure induces cognitive impairment through ALKBH5/PTEN/AKT signaling pathway in rats
Yan LIU ; Xiaoyu ZHANG ; Weitao ZHANG ; Feifan XIAO ; Ping CUI ; Binhong WANG ; Xinru CHEN ; Bin JIANG ; Huan CHEN ; Li LIN ; Jing ZHANG ; Huan LI
China Occupational Medicine 2024;51(2):144-149
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of maltol aluminum exposure on miR-193a-3p, demethylase AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5), phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) and protein kinase B (AKT), and whether miR-193a-3p is involved in aluminum-induced cognitive impairment by regulating ALKBH5/PTEN/AKT signaling pathway. Methods Specific pathogen-free male SD rats were randomly divided into control group and low-, medium- and high- dose groups according to their body weight, with eight rats in each group. Rats in the low-, medium-, and high- dose groups were intraperitoneally injected with maltol aluminum solution at concentrations of 10.00, 20.00, and 40.00 μmol/kg body weight, respectively, while the rats in control group were given an equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Rats were injected for five days every week for three months. After injection, the novel object recognized test was used to assess the learning and memory ability of the rats. The relative expression of miR-193a-3p and B-cell lymphocytoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) and cysteine aspartate protease-3 (Caspase-3) mRNA in rat hippocampus was detected using the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The relative protein expression of ALKBH5, PTEN, and AKT2 in the rat hippocampus was detected using Western blot. Results The discrimination index and the preference index of the new object recognition test of the rats in high-dose group were lower than those in control group and low-dose group (all P<0.05). The relative expression of miR-193a-3p and Bcl-2 mRNA in the hippocampus of the rats in high-dose group was lower than those in control group and low-dose group (all P<0.05). The relative mRNA expression of Bax in the high-dose group was higher than those in the control group and low-dose group (both P<0.05). The relative mRNA expression of Caspase-3 of the rats in the high-dose group was higher than that in the other three groups (both P<0.05). The relative protein expression of ALKBH5 in the hippocampus of the rats in the high-dose group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The relative expression of PTEN protein was higher than those in the control group and low-dose group (both P<0.05). The relative protein expression of AKT2 was lower than those in the control group and low-dose group (both P<0.05). Conclusion Sub-chronic aluminum exposure can inhibit the expression of miR-193a-3p in the hippocampus of rats, which may disrupt the ALKBH5/PTEN/AKT pathway and affect normal neuronal homeostasis and cellular function. This pathway may play an important role in aluminum-induced cognitive impairment.
9.Discussion on Differentiation and Treatment of Sudden Hearing Loss by Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on the Classification of Hearing Curve
Xinru WANG ; Yang LI ; Jiajia ZHANG ; Yan MENG ; Chongyang ZHANG ; Xueshi DI ; Zhiwei FENG ; Junjie LIANG ; Peng BAI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(11):1126-1131
Pure-tone audiometry can be performed to evaluate the type and degree of hearing loss, whose results can be divided into four types including low-frequency descending, high-frequency descending, flat descending and total deafness. The low-frequency descending type of sudden hearing loss (SHL) is more likely to be spleen deficiency and dampness exuberance, the high-frequency descending type is often due to yin deficiency of liver and kidney, the flat descending type is commonly associated with qi and blood depletion, and the type of total deafness is often linked to blood stasis. Our team has further developed a comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic approach for SHL, emphasizing "the integration of disease and syndrome, the combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine, and dynamically administering treatment". Firstly, it advocates integrating disease diagnosis with syndrome differentiation. Secondly, it recommends combining acupuncture and herbal medicine, with local acupoints such as Ermen (TE 21), Tinggong (SI 19), Tinghui (GB 2), and Yifeng (TE 17) used to unblock the auditory orifice, and herbal prescriptions tailored to the hearing curve patterns. For the low-frequency descending type, it is recommended to fortify the spleen and percolate dampness by taking distal points of spleen channel and stomach channel and using Shenling Baizhu Powder (参苓白术散). For the high-frequency descending type, the method of nourishing kidney and calming liver is recommended, using distal points of kidney and liver channels and taking Erlong Zuoci Pills (耳聋左慈丸). Regarding the flat descending type, tonifying qi and nourishing blood is advised, for which acupoints of Conception Vessel, spleen, stomach and large intestine channels can be needled, and Yiqi Congming Decoction (益气聪明汤) can be administered. For the total deafness type, it is recommended to activate blood and dissipate stasis, often with Xuehai (SP 10) and Geshu (BL 17) needled and Tongqiao Huoxue Decoction (通窍活血汤) administered. All these are conducted to treat the root and branch simultaneously. At the same time, it emphasizes the need to consider complex syndrome presentations and disease progression, dynamically analyze the disease causes and mechanisms, and adjust treatment according to the changing syndromes. In conclusion, this article is expected to inspire clinical diagnosis and treatment of SHL.
10.Analysis of learning curve for robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: a single operator’s initial experience in 65 cases
Ruihang ZHANG ; Jianwen HUANG ; Ying WANG ; Xinru ZHANG ; Lujie SONG ; Qiang FU ; Yinglong SA
Journal of Modern Urology 2024;29(3):219-223
【Objective】 To explore the learning curve of single-surgeon robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP), which provides a reference for physicians who intend to carry out RARP. 【Methods】 The clinical data of 65 prostate cancer patients who underwent RARP in our hospital during Sep.2022 and Dec.2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients’ median age was 67.5(58.1-82.4) years, median total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was 15.6 (6.7-98.4) ng/mL, median body mass index (BMI) was 20.8(17.4-27.3) and preoperative clinical stage of tumor was T2aN0M0-T3bN1M0.The cumulative sum (CUSUM) method was used to fit the learning curves of machine installation time and operation time.According to the inflection points, the learning curves were divided into different learning stages, and the clinical data of patients at different learning stages were compared. 【Results】 The learning curve of RARP was 12 cases.The 65 cases were divided into three stages: 1st-12th cases in the learning stage, 13rd-43rd cases in the mastery stage, and 44th-65th cases in the proficiency stage.With the increase of the number of surgical cases, the median operation time [191(100-360) min vs. 116(83-165) min vs. 90(75-105) min] and median intraoperative blood loss [403(180-900) mL vs. 236(180-305) mL vs. 94(30-200) mL] in the three stages showed a gradual downward trend (P<0.05).The median machines installation time of the learning stage was significantly longer than that in the mastery stage and the proficiency stage [25(21-28) min vs. 12(11-15) min vs. 12(11-14) min] (P<0.05).The positive surgical marginrate (PSM) in the learning stage was significantly higher than that in the mastery stage and proficiency stage (41.7% vs.22.6% vs.22.7%) (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 For surgeons with rich experience in traditional laparoscopic surgery, the learning curve of RARP is about 12 cases, and after 43 cases, the operation time and intraoperative blood loss can be further reduced.


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