1.Efficacy and safety of Babaodan Capsule in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection comorbid with gallbladder polyps
Qianqian NIU ; Huan CHEN ; Ying ZHENG ; Chunyan GOU ; Chen XU ; Li LI ; Xinxin WANG ; Jianping LIU ; Zhaolan LIU ; Xiuhui LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(2):304-311
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of Babaodan Capsule (BBD) in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder comorbid with gallbladder polyps. MethodsA randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled single-center trial was conducted among 120 patients with chronic HBV infection who were admitted to Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, from August 2020 to April 2023, and they were divided into treatment group (BBD) and control group (placebo), with 60 patients in each group. The course of treatment was 24 weeks, and follow-up assessments were conducted every 4 weeks. The primary outcome measures were the number and maximum diameter of gallbladder polyps (assessed by ultrasound), and the secondary outcome measures included traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score, blood lipid levels, and liver function parameters. The independent-samples t test or the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups, and the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups; the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison of ranked data between two groups; the generalized estimating equation was used to analyze repeated measures data. ResultsAfter 8 weeks of treatment, the treatment group had a significantly smaller diameter of polyps and a significantly lower number of polyps than the control group (Z=-1.76 and -1.80, both P<0.05), and after 24 weeks of treatment, the treatment group had a significantly higher polyp reduction rate than the control group (30.51% vs 10.91%, P<0.05). The subgroup analysis showed that patients receiving combined antiviral therapy, male patients, patients with a diameter of polyps of <5 mm, and patients with multiple polyps tended to achieve significantly greater benefits. At week 8 of treatment, the treatment group had a significantly better TCM syndrome score than the control group (Z=-2.35, P<0.05); after treatment, compared with the control group, the treatment group had a significantly greater increase in high-density lipoprotein (Z=-1.85, P<0.05) and significantly lower levels of alanine aminotransferase (Z=-2.06, P <0.05), aspartate aminotransferase (Z=-2.13, P<0.05), total bilirubin (Z=-2.12, P<0.05), and direct bilirubin (Z=-3.09, P<0.05). No serious adverse events were reported in either group. ConclusionBBD can effectively reduce the size of gallbladder polyps, improve TCM syndrome score, and reduce the level of bilirubin in patients with chronic HBV infection with damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder, with a favorable safety profile, and it may be more suitable for patients receiving combined antiviral therapy and specific subgroups (male patients, patients with a diameter of polyps of <5 mm, and patients with multiple polyps.
2.Interventional Effect of Active Ingredients of Chinese Medicine and Compound Formulas on Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition in Lung Cancer: A Review
Shanshan SONG ; Min JIANG ; Xinxin LIU ; Bozhen HUANG ; Siyi MA ; Guoyu WANG ; Wanqing WANG ; Luyao WANG ; Liang WANG ; Ruiqing BO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):336-346
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and tumor metastasis is a key factor contributing to the mortality of most lung cancer patients. Aberrant activation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a major driver of lung cancer progression and metastasis. EMT is characterized by the loss of apical-basal polarity and intercellular adhesion in highly differentiated, polarized, and organized epithelial cells, which acquire motility, migratory potential, and invasive properties. During this process, cells undergo cytoskeletal remodeling and transform into a mesenchymal phenotype, accompanied by associated changes in cellular markers. The EMT process is highly complex and is tightly regulated by intricate networks involving multiple transcription factors, post-translational controls, epigenetic modifications, and non-coding RNAs. Therefore, therapies targeting the mechanisms of malignant transformation and their associated pathways in lung cancer are of significant clinical importance. In recent years, EMT has attracted increasing attention as a potential target for cancer therapy. Chinese medicine, with its characteristics of multi-target action, low side effects, and good therapeutic efficacy, has demonstrated an important role in anticancer treatment. A series of studies have investigated the role of Chinese medicine in inhibiting EMT in lung cancer. Active ingredients of Chinese medicine, including flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, terpenoids, saccharides, and alkaloids, as well as Chinese medicine compound formulas, have shown significant regulatory effects on EMT. Their mechanisms mainly involve multiple pathways, targets, and links, including signaling pathways, exosomes, microRNAs (miRNAs), and the tumor-associated immune microenvironment. This article summarizes the mechanisms by which EMT promotes malignant tumor progression and reviews the current research on how Chinese medicine active ingredients, monomers, and compound formulas inhibit EMT and suppress lung cancer cell migration and invasion. This study is expected to provide comprehensive theoretical information for basic and translational research on lung cancer.
3.Targeting ER lipid raft-associated 1 reveals a coordinated cholesterol-dependent vulnerability in hepatocellular carcinoma
Yiming ZHANG ; Yushan HOU ; Xinxin WANG ; Kaikun XU ; Pei JIANG ; Siqi WANG ; Huimin KANG ; Hu ZHANG ; Jingzhuo JIN ; Xiaofen HUANG ; Zifeng LIU ; Songpeng YANG ; Jiaqi LIU ; Lingqiang ZHANG ; Fuchu HE ; Chunyan TIAN ; Aihua SUN
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):866-883
Background/Aims:
Dysregulated cholesterol metabolism is a hallmark of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that drives tumor initiation and progression. However, clinical targeting of cholesterol metabolism has yielded limited benefits due to stringent feedback in tumor cells. Identifying a central mediator capable of restoring cholesterol homeostasis within the cell’s intrinsically fine-tuned regulatory framework is urgently needed.
Methods:
We integrated a proteomic dataset from patients with cholesterol-dysregulated HCC into a global cholesterol metabolic regulatory network to identify potential therapeutic targets for disrupted cholesterol homeostasis. The prognostic significance of the candidate targets was further validated in an independent cohort through immunohistochemistry. Functional and mechanistic studies were conducted in vitro using HCC cell lines and in vivo using mouse models. The pharmacological efficacy of the candidate agent was evaluated in both subcutaneous and orthotopic HCC mouse models.
Results:
ER lipid raft-associated 1 (ERLIN1), a pivotal regulator of cholesterol metabolism reprogramming, was identified as an independent favorable prognostic indicator in HCC. ERLIN1 constrains HCC progression both in vitro and in vivo by stabilizing the INSIG1–SCAP–SREBP2 axis and maintaining the metabolic balance of intracellular cholesterol. Under hypoxia, impaired factor-inhibiting hypoxia-1-dependent hydroxylation of ASB11 at asparagine residues 90 and 92 enhances ASB11-mediated ERLIN1 degradation. Pharmacological targeting of this axis using zoledronic acid (ZoA) attenuated HCC progression by weakening the ASB11–ERLIN1 interaction and restoring cholesterol homeostasis.
Conclusions
ERLIN1 represents a druggable metabolic vulnerability in cholesterol-dysregulated HCC. Targeting the ASB11–ERLIN1 axis with the clinically approved ZoA reestablishes cholesterol homeostasis and offers a promising therapeutic strategy to overcome the current limitations of cholesterol-targeted HCC therapies.
4.Expert Consensus on Treatment of Simple Obesity in Children with Chinese Herbal Medicine
; Yingke LIU ; Xinxin REN ; Tiefeng ZHANG ; Yuqing LIU ; Junhong WANG ; Juan YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(17):175-183
Childhood obesity is a chronic nutritional disorder caused by multiple factors that result in excessive total body fat and/or increased local fat content and abnormal fat distribution,sometimes accompanied by complications such as metabolic syndrome. The obesity caused by other factors excluding the secondary factors like genetics or metabolism is referred to as simple obesity. The incidence of childhood obesity in China is showing a trend toward younger ages and rapid growth,posing a serious threat to people's health and creating a heavy economic burden. Therefore,it is urgent to control and effectively intervene in childhood obesity. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine has long been a representative of internal treatment and shows effectiveness and advantages in the clinical treatment of childhood obesity. However,there is currently a lack of a comprehensive set of diagnostic and treatment standards,as well as evidence-based clinical practice. In order to improve clinical physicians' understanding of this disease and to promote the standardization and rationalization of herbal treatment,experts in clinical Chinese and Western medicine,nutrition,and methodology from across China were invited. On the basis of expert experience and current evidence,the Grading of Recommendations Assessment,Development,and Evaluation (GRADE) method was used to grade the evidence and recommendations. After two rounds of Delphi expert consultations,the guideline secretariat revised and refined the materials based on expert opinions. Ultimately,14 entries of expert consensus and recommendations were formulated,highlighting the advantages and characteristics of herbal treatment for childhood obesity,clarifying syndrome differentiation,medication,treatment cycles,and combination therapy plans for common clinical syndromes,thereby providing more treatment ideas in clinical practice and better leveraging therapeutic advantages.
5.Construction of a COPD risk prediction model based on machine learning and the COPD-SQ questionnaire
Lin CHEN ; Luna ZHAO ; Yue ZHOU ; Panpan WANG ; Jingkun LI ; Wenwen ZHANG ; Xinxin ZHANG ; Chao WU ; Dong LIU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(7):1261-1268
ObjectiveTo construct and evaluate various machine learning models for predicting the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in individuals, thereby providing data support for early screening and intervention. MethodsA total of 823 subjects were selected for this study, comprising 142 individuals in the high-risk group for COPD and 681 individuals in the low-risk group. Data collected included demographic characteristics, smoking history, symptoms (such as cough and shortness of breath), and scores from the Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease screening questionnaire. Four machine learning algorithms—Logistic regression, random forest, support vector machine, and XGBoost—were utilized to construct risk prediction models. The performance of these models was assessed using 5-fold cross-validation, with evaluation metrics including accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and average precision (AP). Furthermore, a feature importance analysis was performed. ResultsThe Logistic Regression model exhibited superior performance, achieving an AUC of 0.982 and an AP of 0.939. This was closely followed by the Random Forest model, which recorded an AUC of 0.975 and an AP of 0.890. Feature importance analysis revealed that smoking history, symptoms of shortness of breath, and body weight were significant predictors. All models demonstrated robust performance in identifying low-risk populations; however, variations were observed in their efficacy in identifying high-risk populations. ConclusionMachine learning models have proven effective in identifying individuals at high risk for COPD. Among these, the Logistic regression model exhibits the best overall performance, efficiently identifying high-risk populations and serving as a valuable clinical auxiliary screening tool. Various models, each with distinct performance characteristics, are suited to different clinical screening scenarios, thereby offering targeted decision-making support for the establishment of a hierarchical and intelligent COPD screening pathway.
6.Association between near work duration under different illuminance levels and screening myopia among third and fourth grade primary school students in Jiading District of Shanghai
CHANG Yuchen, MAIHELIYAKEZI Tuersunniyazi, ZHU Yanhong, LIU Su, LIU Xinxin, SHI Huijing
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(8):1086-1090
Objective:
To analyze near work illuminance patterns on school days and weekends among third and fourth grade primary school students by using objectively monitored data, and to examine the associations of the duration of near work under different illuminance levels and time weighted average near work illuminance with screening myopia.
Methods:
From April to June 2024, students from grades 3 and 4 in two primary schools in Jiading District, Shanghai were selected as study subjects by using stratified random cluster sampling method. Continuous objective monitoring of near work behavior was conducted for 7 days while information from uncorrected visual acuity and refractive assessment was collected, and an online questionnaire survey was administered to their parents. Valid samples comprised 372 students on school days and 292 on weekends. Welch s t test was used to compare differences in the duration of near work under different illuminance levels between the screening myopia and non-myopia groups. Multivariable binary Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the association between the duration of near work under different illuminance levels and screening myopia. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) model was used to explore the nonlinear association between time weighted average near work illuminance with 60 cm and screening myopia, and the critical thresholds identified by the RCS model were used to categorize illuminance levels for subsequent Logistic regression analyses.
Results:
Objective monitoring of near work behavior showed that the duration of near work in the low illuminance range of [0,125)lx was significantly longer on weekends[(4.12±2.21)h] than on school days [(2.42±1.22)h]. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that only on school days, each additional hour of near work duration in the [0,125)lx ( OR =1.56, 95% CI =1.23-1.98) and ≥1 000 lx range ( OR =5.92, 95% CI =1.48-23.73) were significantly associated with higher odds of screening myopia(both P < 0.05). RCS plot showed that on school days, time weighted average near work illuminance with 60 cm had a non-linear association with screening myopia ( P non-linear <0.05). On weekends, no significant association was found between near work illuminance indicators and screening myopia (all P >0.05).
Conclusions
Primary school students engage in near work for considerable durations in insufficient lighting environments on both school days and weekends. Increased duration of near work in overly dim or bright environments on school days may increase the risk of screening myopia.
7.Experimental study on Yiyiren Decoction in the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with syndrome of cold-dampness obstruction
Jianbo CUI ; Songyun TIAN ; Xinxin LIU ; Yan GE ; Guobin ZHANG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(9):1249-1254
Objective:To evaluate the effect of Yiyiren Decoction on the prevention and treatment of collagen induced arthritis with syndrome of cold-dampness obstruction (CIA-CDO) its mechanism.Methods:A cold dampness obstruction type CIA rat model was prepared by injecting type Ⅱ collagen and simulating a cold and humid environment in an artificial climate chamber. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group, a positive group, and Yiyiren Decoction high- and low-dosage groups according to a random number table method. Additionally, 8 normal rats were set as the blank group. The Yiyiren Decoction high- and low-dosage groups were orally administered with Yiyiren Decoction at dosages of 24 and 12 g/kg, the positive group was orally administered with leflunomide at a dosage of 10 mg/kg, and the blank group and model group were orally administered with equal volumes of normal saline once a day for 4 consecutive weeks. The overall signs of the rats were observed daily, and the arthritis index (AI) of the limbs and paws was assessed weekly; after 4 weeks of drug administration, the serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) were detected by ELISA, histopathology of the ankle joint sections was observed under the light microscope, and gene expressions of synovial MMP-3 and TIMP-1 were determined by RT-qPCR.Results:The overall physical signs and joint symptoms of rats in the Yiyiren Decoction high- and low-dosage group increased; compared with the model group, after 3 and 4 weeks of administration, the AI scores of the Yiyiren Decoction high- and low-dosage group and positive group decreased ( P<0.01); the Yiyiren Decoction high- and low-dosage group showed varying degrees of improvement in inflammatory cell infiltration, synovial/fibrous tissue proliferation, and bone and cartilage structure damage in the ankle joint; compared with the model group, the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β in the high and Yiyiren Decoction low-dosage groups decreased ( P<0.01), while the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 increased ( P<0.01); the mRNA level of MMP-3 in synovium decreased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the mRNA level of TIMP-1 increased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion:Yiyiren Decoction can improve the joint symptoms of CIA rats with cold-dampness obstruction, and its preventive and therapeutic effects may be related to correcting the imbalance of pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory cytokines and MMP-3/TIMP-1, reducing the inflammatory reaction in the joint cavity and the whole body, and inhibiting the metabolic disorder of joint matrix.
8.Role of Apolipoprotein E4 in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease and Thoughts for Early Intervention with Traditional Chinese Medicine
Jingwen LIU ; Zijia ZHANG ; Kaili WANG ; Jiayan HUANG ; Weimin LI ; Xinxin ZHOU
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(2):512-517
Alzheimer's disease(AD)is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with hidden onset.Recent researches have shown that apolipoprotein E4(APOE4)is a high-risk genetic factor of AD,and the clinical symptoms in APOE4 genotype AD patients are closely related to metabolic disorders.This paper reviewed the role of APOE4 in the pathogenesis of AD,and it is indicated that APOE4 contributes to the injury of the cerebral blood-brain barrier,is associated with the disorder of cerebral glucose and lipid metabolism,and leads to the damage of the scavenging ability of microglia.Moreover,this paper explored the approach of early intervention of AD with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)based on the APOE4 pathogenesis.Based on the pathogenesis of AD being deficiency in origin and excess in superficiality,and under the guidance of the principle of prevention before illness in TCM,it is proposed that early TCM intervention for APOE4 genotype AD patients with metabolic disorders can be performed through improving the phlegm-dampness constitution,by focusing on insulin resistance-related indicators,and with traditional Chinese drug therapy based on syndrome differentiation alone or together with comprehensive management of exercises,diet control and drug interventions,thus to reduce or delay the onset of APOE4 genotype AD.
9.Application of health belief model in blood pressure management in patients with moyamoya disease after cerebral vascular reconstruction surgery
Na LI ; Hongyan CHEN ; Xi REN ; Xinxin DONG ; Qinglin LIU ; Donghong ZHAO
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(12):120-124
Objective To explore the application effect of blood pressure management based on the health belief model in patients with moyamoya disease after cerebral vascular reconstruction sur-gery.Methods From February to July 2024,210 patients with moyamoya disease who underwent cerebral vascular reconstruction surgery in our hospital were selected as study subjects.They were randomly divided into control group and intervention group,with 105 cases in each group.The control group received routine nursing care,while the intervention group applied blood pressure management based on the health belief model on the basis of routine nursing care.The postoperative cerebral hy-perperfusion syndrome and blood pressure control status of the two groups were compared,and the Health Belief Scale and the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale were used to evaluate the effects before and after intervention.Results A total of 203 patients completed the study,including 100 cases in the control group and 103 cases in the intervention group.There were statistically significant differ-ences in the incidence of cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome and the proportion of patients with blood pressure higher than baseline data between the two groups(P<0.05).After the intervention,there were statistically significant differences in the postoperative cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome status and blood pressure control status between the two groups(P<0.05).After intervention,there were statistically significant differences in the scores of susceptibility and health motivation dimensions as well as the total score in the Health Belief Scale between the intervention group and the control group(P<0.05).After the intervention,there were statistically significant differences in the scores of ambiguity and unpredictability dimensions as well as the total score in the Mishel Uncertainty in Ill-ness Scale between the intervention group and the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Blood pressure management based on the health belief model can effectively control blood pressure,reduce the incidence of cerebral hyperperfusion,improve health beliefs,and reduce the sense of uncertainty about the disease.
10.Stromal infiltration of lymphocytes and expression of immune checkpoint genes in early esophageal cancer patients with different stages
Mingming ZHAO ; Hongmei ZHAO ; Jinping GAO ; Xinxin LIU
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(17):7-12
Objective To investigate lymphocyte interstitial infiltration condition and the changes of immune checkpoint gene expression in different stages of early esophageal cancer.Methods A ret-rospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 90 patients with early esophageal cancer.Based on the pathological depth of infiltration,they were divided into three types:T1a-M1,T1a-M2,and T1a-M3,with 30 cases in each type.Additionally,30 cases of paired normal mucosa tissues adja-cent to the cancer were selected.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe tissue morpholo-gy.Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression of CD3,CD4,CD8,and CD20.Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)was applied to measure the mRNA expression levels of immune checkpoint genes[programmed death ligand-1(PD-L1),cytotoxic T-lym-phocyte-associated protein 4(CTLA4),T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-3(TIM-3),lympho-cyte activation gene 3(LAG3),programmed death receptor-1(PD-1),programmed death ligand-2(PD-L2),and T-cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains protein(TIGIT)].Results As the stage of early esophageal cancer progressed,the ratio of tumor cells to lymphocytes increased.The number of CD3+T cells was greater than that of CD20+B cells,and the proportion of CD4+T cells among total T cells was higher than that of CD8+T cells(P<0.001).The mRNA expression levels of gene in immune checkpoints in patients were elevated(P<0.05).Compared with normal adja-cent tissues,the expression levels of PD-L1 mRNA,CTLA4 mRNA,TIM-3 mRNA,PD-1 mRNA,and TIGIT mRNA were elevated in patients with T1a-M1,T1a-M2,and T1a-M3 types(P<0.05).Compared with normal adjacent tissues,the expression levels of LAG3 mRNA and PD-L2 mRNA were increased in patients with T1a-M2 and T1a-M3 types(P<0.05).Conclusion The progres-sion of early esophageal cancer staging is correlated with increased immune checkpoint gene expres-sion and a decreased lymphocyte ratio,suggesting that changes in the immune microenvironment may be involved in tumor progression.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail