1.Study on the mechanism of Juanxiao decoction in improving bronchial asthma
Bangqing CAO ; Qiangqiang YU ; Meinian LIU ; Zhixi WU ; Lizhen ZENG ; Mengyao TONG ; Yunhua DENG ; Hanrong XUE
China Pharmacy 2026;37(2):155-160
OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential mechanism by which Juanxiao decoction improves bronchial asthma (hereinafter referred to as “asthma”) based on the nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome signaling pathway. METHODS Female SD rats were randomly assigned to normal group, model group and Juanxiao decoction low-, medium- and high-dose groups (0.36, 0.72 and 1.44 g/kg, calculated based on crude drug weight), as well as positive control group (Dexamethasone acetate tablets, 0.2 mg/kg), with 10 rats in each group. Except for the normal group, asthma models were established in the remaining groups via intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin combined with aluminum hydroxide, followed by nebulized inhalation of ovalbumin. On day 14 of the experiment, rats in each group received intragastric administration of the corresponding solution or normal saline, once a day, for 7 consecutive days. Following the final administration, the following parameters were measured in each group: lung function indexes (forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 0.3 second, peak expiratory flow), serum levels of inflammatory markers (interleukin-1β, interleukin- 18), and the percentages of inflammatory cells (lymphocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Histopathological changes in lung tissue were observed, and the protein and mRNA expressions of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF- κB), NLRP3 and caspase-1 in lung tissue were detected. RESULTS Compared with the normal group, pathological changes such as alveolar wall thickening and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in rats in the model group. All pulmonary function indicators were significantly reduced in rats in the model group and the administration groups. The levels of inflammatory markers, the percentages of inflammatory cells, and the protein and mRNA expressions of NF-κB, NLRP3 and caspase-1 were significantly elevated or up-regulated (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, pathological changes in rats in each dosage group of Juanxiao decoction were significantly alleviated, and all quantitative indicators showed dose-dependent improvements (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Juanxiao decoction can reduce airway inflammatory responses in asthmatic rats, alleviate lung function impairment, and improve pathological changes such as inflammatory cell infiltration. Those effects may be related to the inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway.
2.Study on The Anti-aging Effects of Longevity-enriched Metabolite Dimethylglycine
Jie HU ; Gong-Yu PU ; Jun-Lin LI ; Ju CAO ; Zhi-Xin LIN ; Wei-Wei AN ; Xue-Meng LI ; Jing AN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):1048-1061
ObjectiveThe exacerbating trend of global population aging poses profound socioeconomic and public health challenges, making the comprehensive elucidation of biological aging mechanisms and the discovery of effective anti-aging interventions an urgent priority in the life sciences. Based on our previous serum metabolomics findings that dimethylglycine, an intermediate metabolite of amino acid metabolism naturally present in the human body, was significantly enriched in the serum of longevity families, this study aimed to systematically investigate the anti-aging effects of dimethylglycine both in living organisms and in controlled laboratory environments, and to preliminarily elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms. While existing literature indicates that dimethylglycine possesses antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties, its direct anti-aging efficacy and the specific molecular pathways through which it operates remain largely unexplored. MethodsTo comprehensively evaluate the anti-aging properties of dimethylglycine, we utilized replicative senescent human embryonic lung fibroblasts, specifically the WI-38 cell line, as an experimental model in a controlled laboratory environment. Cell viability and safety were thoroughly assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8 and lactate dehydrogenase release assays across various concentrations of dimethylglycine. The impact of dimethylglycine on cellular senescence phenotypes, oxidative stress, and proliferative capacity was evaluated via senescence-associated beta-galactosidase staining, reactive oxygen species fluorescence detection, and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation assays. Furthermore, the molecular alterations of senescence-associated secretory phenotype factors and core senescence signaling pathways were quantified using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for the messenger RNA levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, p21, and matrix metalloproteinase-1, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the measurement of p16 and p21 protein expression levels. For the living organism model, the wild-type nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was used to evaluate systemic physiological effects. We conducted a comprehensive lifespan analysis at 20°C, heat stress resistance survival assays at 35℃, senescence-associated beta-galactosidase staining, lipofuscin accumulation tracking, intracellular reactive oxygen species measurement, and Oil Red O staining to ascertain systemic lipid accumulation. Additionally, network pharmacology bioinformatics tools, including PharmMapper and STRING databases, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis were utilized to predict target pathways, alongside highly detailed molecular docking simulations utilizing SwissDock and Protein-Ligand Interaction Profiler to examine interactions with the cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily C member 9 protein. ResultsThe experimental outcomes robustly demonstrate the potent anti-aging capabilities of dimethylglycine. At the cellular level, toxicity analyses firmly confirmed that dimethylglycine is highly safe; continuous treatment with 50 mol/L and 70 mol/L of dimethylglycine for 5 d did not induce any cellular membrane damage or cytotoxicity, but rather actively promoted cellular proliferation. Utilizing the optimal standardized concentration of 50 mol/L, dimethylglycine treatment significantly ameliorated senescent phenotypic markers in human embryonic lung fibroblasts, which was evidenced by a drastic and highly significant reduction in the senescence-associated beta-galactosidase positive cell percentage (P<0.000 1) and intracellular reactive oxygen species levels (P<0.000 1), alongside a marked increase in the 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine-positive proliferation rate (P=0.003 5). On a molecular expression scale, dimethylglycine significantly downregulated the messenger RNA expression of multiple core senescence-associated secretory phenotype inflammatory factors, including interleukin-6, interleukin-8, p21, and matrix metalloproteinase-1. Concurrently, it effectively suppressed the protein expression of critical cell cycle arrest markers, diminishing p16 protein levels by 57.3% (P=0.000 4) and p21 protein levels by 27.2% (P=0.000 7). In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans animal model, dimethylglycine significantly extended the mean lifespan from 20.402 d to an impressive 23.066 d (P<0.000 1) and notably enhanced overall survival rates under severe heat stress environmental conditions (P=0.017). Furthermore, systemic dimethylglycine intervention significantly mitigated age-related physiological decline by decreasing bodily lipofuscin accumulation (P<0.000 1), significantly reducing senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity, lowering systemic reactive oxygen species fluorescence (P=0.008), and effectively alleviating overall fat accumulation (P<0.000 1). Mechanistically, extensive network pharmacology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses strongly revealed that the potential targets of dimethylglycine are significantly enriched in fundamental drug metabolism and oxidative stress response pathways. Precision molecular docking simulations conclusively demonstrated that dimethylglycine forms highly stable structural interactions with the cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily C member 9 protein, specifically highlighting the definitive formation of 5 stable hydrogen bonds involving serine 365, leucine 366, and serine 429 residues, as well as two critical salt bridge formations with arginine 97 and histidine 368 residues. It is additionally predicted to interact favorably with glutathione S-transferase family proteins. ConclusionDimethylglycine exhibits a profoundly significant and multifaceted anti-aging activity at both the cellular and entire living animal levels. By powerfully alleviating oxidative stress, heavily suppressing the core p16 and p21-dependent cellular senescence signaling pathways, and substantially mitigating the detrimental senescence-associated secretory phenotype, dimethylglycine effectively delays fundamental cellular senescence processes and drastically extends whole-organism lifespan. The biological mechanisms driving these robust protective effects are highly likely closely associated with its direct stable interactions with crucial metabolic and detoxifying enzyme systems, such as cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily C member 9 and glutathione S-transferase family proteins, thereby systemically improving metabolic dysregulation and restoring critical redox homeostasis. This comprehensive study provides highly solid experimental evidence supporting dimethylglycine as a highly potent and safe potential anti-aging intervention agent, while simultaneously offering a clear molecular mechanistic explanation for the previously documented high abundance of dimethylglycine observed within exceptionally long-lived human populations.
3.Network meta-analysis of pneumonitis and interstitial lung disease associated with antibody-drug conjugates in the treatment of breast cancer
Xiaohan WANG ; Wei CHEN ; Fang YANG ; Keming CAO ; Jingxin WANG ; Wenxin XUE
China Pharmacy 2026;37(10):1370-1375
OBJECTIVE To compare the risk of pneumonitis and interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with different antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) in the treatment of breast cancer. METHODS CNKI, VIP, PubMed, Embase and other Chinese and English databases, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from the inception to June 15, 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) about pneumonitis and ILD associated with ADC (T-DM1, T-DXd, SG, Dato-DXd, SHR-A1811,ARX788, and T-Duo) in the treatment of breast cancer were included. After literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment, a network meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 17.0 software, and the surface under the cumulative ranking curve(SUCRA) of all interventions were ranked. RESULTS A total of 19 RCTs involving 10 556 patients were included. The overall incidence of pneumonitis with ARX788 and T-DXd was significantly higher than that with T-DM1, T-DM1 plus TPC(T-DM1combined with pertuzumab or atezolizumab), TPC(treatment of primary care), and SG ( P <0.05), for grade 1-2 pneumonitis, ARX788 and T-DXd showed significantly higher incidence than T-DM1, T-DM1 plus TPC, and TPC ( P <0.05). For both indicators, ARX788 and T-Duo were ranked as the top two by SUCRA. For the incidence of grade ≥3 pneumonitis, T-DXd and T-DM1 were significantly higher than SG ( P <0.05), T-Duo and Dato-DXd were ranked as the top two by SUCRA. For overall incidence of ILD, ARX788 was significantly higher than T-DM1, SHR-A1811, TPC, and SG ( P <0.05), for the incidence of grade 1-2 ILD, ARX788 was significantly higher than T-DM1, SHR-A1811, and TPC ( P <0.05), for the incidence of grade ≥3 ILD, ARX788 was significantly higher than TPC ( P <0.05). For three indicators above, ARX788 and T-DXd combined with pertuzumab were ranked as the top two by SUCRA. CONCLUSIONS Compared with other ADCs, ARX788 and T-Duo are associated with a higher risk of pneumonitis and ILD in patients with breast cancer.
4.Staged Prevention and Treatment for Low Anterior Resection Syndrome Using Acupuncture
Ruotong CAO ; Mengqi WANG ; Xue CAO ; Yuning QIN ; Jia LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(11):1157-1161
Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is a common complication of sphincter-preserving rectal cancer surgery, and its manifestations change dynamically at different stages. By analyzing and summarizing the clinical symptoms and pathomechanism evolution of LARS across different stages, this paper proposes a staged prevention and treatment strategy using acupuncture. During perioperative stage, the main principle is activating the transport function of the body, supplemented by regulating the mind, with the use of dredging the bowels as needed. During the stoma reversal stage, treatment focuses primarily on fortifying the spleen, with draining dampness as a supplementary method, to help consolidate the intestines. During the radiotherapy or chemotherapy stage, the main focus is reinfor-cing healthy qi, with reducing toxin as an adjunct, to achieve the effect of activating the transport of the pivot. During the survival management stage, treatment primarily focuses on tonifying the kidneys and secondarily on fortifying the spleen, with regulating the corporeal soul as the therapeutic emphasis. Acupoints are selected and combined in accordance with the treatment principles at each stage, and different stimulation methods such as electroacupuncture and moxibustion are applied. An analysis of the mechanisms underlying acupuncture for LARS is also provided, offering a theoretical basis and practical approach for the prevention and treatment of LARS with acupuncture.
5.Three-dimensional automated right ventricular quantification for predicting right ventricular function dysfunction in patients with severe aortic stenosis
Wei CAO ; Wei JING ; Xue YANG ; Fang WANG ; Li ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Interventional Imaging and Therapy 2025;22(8):520-524
Objective To explore the value of three-dimensional automated right ventricular quantification(3D Auto RV)for predicting right ventricular function dysfunction in patients with severe aortic stenosis(AS).Methods Eighty severe AS patients were retrospectively enrolled.Based on right ventricular ejection fraction(RVEF)obtained with 3D Auto RV,the patients were classified into right ventricular compensation group(RVEF≥45%,compensation group,n=56)and right ventricular function decompensation(RVEF<45%,decompensation group,n=24)group.Ultrasonic parameters related to right ventricular structure and function were compared between groups.Univariable analysis and multivariable logistic regression were performed to observe ultrasound parameters related to right ventricular function,so as to screen out the independent predictors of right ventricular functional decompensation(dysfunction)in patients with severe AS.Results Compared with those in compensation group,right ventricular end diastolic volume and right ventricular end systolic volume of decompensation group increased,while right ventricular fractional area change,tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion,right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain(RVFWLS),septal longitudinal strain(SLS),right ventricular stroke volume and RVEF all decreased(all P<0.05).Valvulo-arterial impedance(OR=2.337),left ventricular ejection fraction(OR=0.751)and RVFWLS/pulmonary artery systolic pressure(right ventricle-pulmonary artery coupling)(OR=0.653)were all independent predictors of right ventricular dysfunction in patients with severe AS(all P<0.05).Conclusion 3D Auto RV could be used to effectively predict right ventricular dysfunction in patients with severe AS.
6.Feature of Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic Syndrome Among Ethnic Minorities in Yunnan,China
Nuerguli TUERDI ; Xue CAO ; Yujie ZHANG ; Zixuan DONG ; Weiping LI ; Fan LI ; Xin WANG ; Congyi ZHENG ; Yixin TIAN ; Chenye CHANG ; Xuyan PEI ; Qinglan JIA ; Jialu YANG ; Zengwu WANG
Chinese Circulation Journal 2025;40(10):1022-1029
Objectives:To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and ethnic differences of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome(CKM)among the Hani,Dai,Bai,and Lisu populations in Yunnan Province,and to provide evidence for developing effective prevention and control strategies for CKM.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted among four ethnic minority groups.A total of 3 906 permanent residents aged 18 years and older were enrolled using a multistage cluster random sampling method.CKM stages(0-4)were defined based on the 2023 American Heart Association criteria,stages 3-4 were classified as advanced CKM.Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to compare the prevalence of CKM stages across ethnic groups.Modified Poisson regression was applied to estimate relative risk(RR)and 95%confidence intervals(CI)for factors associated with advanced CKM.Results:The prevalence rates of CKM stage 1 and above among the Hani,Dai,Bai and Lisu ethnic groups were 80.1%,87.3%,84.8%and 67.8%,respectively.The prevalence of CKM was generally higher in males than in females,and the prevalence of CKM increased significantly with age.The Dai ethnic group had the highest prevalence of advanced CKM(24.7%,95%CI:22.1%-27.4%),while the Lisu ethnic group had the lowest prevalence of advanced CKM(13.7%,95%CI:11.5%-15.9%).Modified Poisson regression analysis showed that older age and higher body mass index were common risk factors for advanced CKM across all four ethnic groups.Additionally,except for the Lisu ethnic group,the other three ethnic groups had specific individual risk factors:among the Hani ethnic group,low educational attainment(RR=2.18,95%CI:1.12-4.25)and low income(RR=1.47,95%CI:1.00-2.18)were the primary risk factors of CKM.Among the Dai ethnic group,smoking(RR=1.60,95%CI:1.07-2.37)and a family history of cardiovascular disease(RR=1.61,95%CI:1.14-2.27)are the primary risk factors of CKM.Among the Bai ethnic group,male gender(RR=0.48,95%CI:0.29-0.79)was the primary risk factor of CKM.Conclusions:The prevalence of CKM stage 1 or higher is relatively high among the four minority ethnic groups in Yunnan province.There are significant differences in staging characteristics and primary risk factors across ethnic groups,necessitating the development of stratified,differentiated intervention strategies to achieve precise prevention and control and ethnic health equity in terms of CKM.
7.Development and reliability and validity testing of hospice care perceptions and attitudes scale in family members of critically ill patients
Xiuxia SHI ; Jinxia FANG ; Xue CHEN ; Yuyang JU ; Heng CAO
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(1):63-68
Objective:To develop a scale on hospice care perception and attitude in family members of critically ill patients, so as to provide a valid tool for measuring the cognition and attitude level of hospice care among family members of critically ill patients.Methods:During May 2022 to 2023, an initial pool of scale entries was formed through the literature analysis method and group discussion. The scale′s first draft was formed by applying the Delphi correspondence method and a small sample pre-survey. The developed scale was administered to 98 family members of critically ill patients in Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University to test the reliability and validity of scale.Results:The results of exploratory factor analysis extracted 5 explanatory factors with a cumulative contribution rate of 77.65%. The developed Hospice Care Perceptions and Attitudes of Families of Critically Ill Patients Scale had 19 items. The content validity of 0.922 and a Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.816 showed good validity and reliability.Conclusions:The scale has sufficient reliability and can be used to assess cognitive and attitudinal levels of hospice care in family members of critically ill patients.
8.Chinese version of the Attitude Tool of Delirium Scale and its reliability and validity test
Yanfei SUN ; Mengxin XUE ; Sijiao HU ; Chengcheng FU ; Wenli JIANG ; Mengyao CAO ; Huajuan HOU
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(3):191-197
Objective:To translate the English version of the Attitude Tool of Delirium (ATOD) into Chinese and test the reliability and validity of its application in Chinese nurses, and to provide an assessment tool for assessing nurses ′ attitudes towards delirium patients. Methods:After obtaining authorization from the source scale developer, the English version of the ATOD scale was translated, back-translated, expert-consulte, pre-surveyed and cross-culturally adapted according to the Brislin translation model. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 298 nurses with experience in caring for patients with delirium in three tertiary hospitals in Jiangsu Province using a convenience sampling method. The critical ratio value and correlation coefficient were used to analyze the scale items. Exploratory factor analysis was used to evaluate the structural validity of the scale, and experts were invited to evaluate the content validity of the scale. Cronbach α coefficient and test-retest reliability were used to evaluate the reliability of the scale. Results:The Chinese version of the ATOD scale contains 3 dimensions of cognitive attitudes, behavioral attitudes, and emotional attitudes toward patients with delirium, with a total of 23 entries. The Cronbach α coefficient for the entire scale was 0.896, with each dimension′s Cronbach α coefficient ranging from 0.614 to 0.912. The retest reliability of the scale was 0.868, with each dimension ′s retest reliability ranging from 0.603 to 0.927. Exploratory factor analysis extracted three eigenvalues with common factors greater than 1, and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 63.812%. Conclusions:The Chinese version of the ATOD scale has good reliability and validity, and can be used as an evaluation tool for evaluating nurses ′ attitudes towards delirium patients in China, so as to provide an effective basis for the formulation of corresponding interventions.
9.Latent profile analysis of apathy in young and middle-aged patients with hemorrhagic stroke
Xiaomin WANG ; Huayan WANG ; Rong WANG ; Xue HOU ; Huimin CAO
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(10):783-789
Objective:To understand the latent categories of apathy in young and middle-aged patients with hemorrhagic stroke and analyze the relationship between these categories and disability acceptance, providing a theoretical basis for targeted interventions.Methods:A convenience sampling method was used to select young and middle-aged patients with hemorrhagic stroke hospitalized at Huai′an First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University between September 2020 and September 2023. A general information questionnaire, the Apathy Evaluation Scale-Clinician Administered, and the Acceptance of Disability Scale Revised were used for a cross-sectional survey. Latent profile analysis was conducted using Mplus 8.7 software to categorize apathy in these patients, and differences in disability acceptance among the categories were compared.Results:A total of 210 questionnaires were distributed and 203 valid questionnaires were collected. Among 203 patients were included, with 112 males and 91 females, aged 30-59 (47.60 ± 8.51) years old. The apathy score was (46.66 ± 8.78) points, and three latent categories were identified: "high active ability-low apathy" (26.1%, 53/203), "high social ability-moderate apathy" (28.6%, 58/203), and "generally high apathy" (45.3%, 92/203). The total disability acceptance scores for the three categories were (78.19 ± 13.30), (69.50 ± 11.01), and (60.86 ± 14.00) points, respectively, with statistically significant differences ( F=30.39, P<0.01). Conclusions:Apathy in young and middle-aged patients with hemorrhagic stroke can be categorized into three latent profiles, with differences in disability acceptance among the categories. Targeted management and interventions should be developed based on these homogeneous groups to improve disability acceptance.
10.Expression and detection significance of CARDS toxin in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in children with severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia
Baoying ZHENG ; Hanyu FU ; Guanhua XUE ; Ling CAO
Journal of Capital Medical University 2025;46(2):333-339
Objective To analyze the expression and detection significance of community acquired respiratory distress syndrome(CARDS)toxin in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)in children with severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(SMPP).Methods The BALF samples of children diagnosed with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MPP)were collected from the Department of Pulmonology,Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics from August 2021 to April 2022,the relative expression of CARDS toxins was determined by quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction(qPCR).The patients were divided into SMPP group and non-SMPP group(control group).The relative expression of CARDS toxin and other clinical indicators were compared between the two groups.The risk factors of SMPP were analyzed.The predictive value of the indicators was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.Results ①The relative expression level of CARDS toxin(Z=-6.151),D-dimer(Z=-5.102)and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)(Z=-6.337)in SMPP group were significantly higher than those in control group(P<0.001).The white blood cell(Z=-2.155),neutrophil ratio(t=2.988)and C-reactive protein(CRP)(Z=-3.360)were higher than those in control group(P<0.05).②The relative expression of CARDS toxin was positively correlated with serum LDH(r=0.258,P<0.05).③Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that fever time(OR=1.271,95% CI:1.079-1.497),LDH(OR=1.011,95% CI:1.005-1.017)and CARDS toxin(OR=6.210,95% CI:2.646-14.577)were risk factors for SMPP.Conclusion CARDS toxin was closely related to MPP disease,and was significantly increased in SMPP group.CARDS toxin was one of the independent risk factors for SMPP and positively correlated with serum LDH level.It can be used as a good indicator to evaluate the condition,combined with fever time and LDH has clinical significance.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail