1.Role of IL-17A in acute inhalational pneumonia caused by highly virulent and multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Qi KUANG ; Xiaoyu ZHU ; Lu LI ; Xueyan WANG ; Peijie YAN ; Lili ZHANG ; Meng LÜ ; Lingfei HU ; Dongsheng ZHOU ; Wenhui YANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(4):599-605
ObjectiveTo investigate the role of interleukin (IL)-17A in acute inhalational pneumonia induced by the highly drug-resistant and hypervirulent Staphylococcus aureus strain USA300-R in mice. MethodsAn acute inhalational pneumonia model was established in mice using an aerosolized pulmonary delivery technique. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were employed to examine the expression dynamics of Il17a mRNA and IL-17A protein, respectively, in the lungs of infected mice. Il17a knockout (Il17a-/-) mice were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology. The survival rate, body weight, bacterial load in lung tissue, and histopathological changes were compared between Il17a-/- and wild-type (WT) mice following inhalational infection with USA300-R. Results12 hours after USA300-R infection, compared to pre-infection, the expression level of Il17a mRNA in lung tissue and the level of IL-17A protein in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) increased by approximately 50-fold (P<0.01) and 6-fold (P<0.001), respectively. Compared to WT mice, Il17a-/- mice exhibited approximately 10-fold higher bacterial loads in lung tissue at both 12 and 24 hours post-infection (P<0.001, P<0.05). However, they showed significantly attenuated lung histopathological injury, reduced alveolar wall thickening, markedly decreased neutrophil infiltration, and an approximately 50% improvement in survival rate (P<0.05). ConclusionIn acute Staphylococcus aureus USA300-R inhalational pneumonia, IL-17A contributes to bacterial clearance by recruiting neutrophils; however, excessive neutrophil infiltration exacerbates pulmonary inflammation and injury, reduces survival rates, and represents a potential therapeutic target.
2.Evaluation of CARIFS Score and Negative Antigen Conversion Rate of Qingxuan Daozhi Formula in Treatment of Influenza in Children (Heat Accumulation in Lung and Stomach Syndrome):A Multi-center Randomized Controlled Clinical Study
Jing WANG ; Liqun WU ; Tiegang LIU ; Yongning CAO ; Jing QIU ; Jing LI ; Huaqing TAN ; Ying ZHANG ; Xulei GOU ; Jia WANG ; Jing LI ; Haipeng CHEN ; Xueying QIN ; Yuanshuo TIAN ; Yang WANG ; Chen BAI ; Zhendong WANG ; Qianqian LI ; He YU ; Xueyan MA ; Fei DONG ; Lin JIANG ; Yingqi XU ; Jianping LIU ; Xiaohong GU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):188-196
ObjectiveThis paper aims to observe the syndrome improvement and negative antigen conversion rate of Qingxuan Daozhi formula in the treatment of influenza in children (heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome). MethodsThrough a multi-center randomized controlled methodology design,confirmed influenza cases were collected from October 2022 to April 2023 in the pediatrics department of eight hospitals,such as Dongfang Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. A total of 180 children with influenza and heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome conforming to the standard were recruited through the clinic. The sick children meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into groups by a block-randomized method. The children in the experimental group were treated with Qingxuan Daozhi formula for five days,and those in the control group were treated with Oseltamivir Phosphate Granules for five days. The primary efficacy indicator was the negative conversion rate of influenza antigen detection. Secondary efficacy indicators were the Canadian acute respiratory illness and flu scale (CARIFS) and the incidence of complications,severe cases, and critical cases. Follow-up observation was conducted on the day of enrollment,48 hours after medication,72 hours after medication, and (6+1) d after medication. ResultsOne hundred and eighty participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (90 cases) or the control group (90 cases). All participants were followed up during the study. Comparison of influenza antigen detection results in the primary efficacy indicators showed that the average time of negative influenza antigen conversion in the experimental group was (5.29±1.25) d,and that in the control group was (5.40±1.68) d,without a statistically significant difference. After five days of intervention,52 cases in the experimental group and 51 cases in the control group converted to negative,without a statistically significant difference. CARIFS score results in the secondary efficacy indicators showed that during 72 hours after intervention,there were statistically significant differences between the experimental group and the control group in three dimensions, including headache,muscle soreness, and the need for extra care (P<0.05). On the (6+1) days after the intervention,the differences in both the experimental group and the control group were statistically significant in 10 dimensions, including sore throat,bad sleep,uncomfortable feeling,poor spirit and fatigue,crying more than usual,the need for extra care,symptom,function,influence on parents,and total score (P<0.05). The comparison results within the group in the dimensional scores of symptom, function, and influence on parents,as well as the CARIFS total score showed that with the delay of follow-up time,scores of both groups decreased significantly,with a statistically significant difference (P<0.01). Inter-group comparison results showed that the mean score of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group at the time of enrollment. With the progress of intervention,the score of the experimental group was significantly decreased compared with that of the control group. At the end of follow-up,the mean score of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group,with no statistically significant difference. In terms of the incidence of complications,severe cases, and critical cases, there were no complications,severe cases, and critical cases in the two groups,without a statistically significant difference. ConclusionThe symptom improvement effect and negative antigen conversion rate of Qingxuan Daozhi formula in the treatment of influenza in children (heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome) are not inferior to Oseltamivir Phosphate granules, and children's acceptance is better. It can be more widely used in clinical treatment of influenza in children (heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome).
3.Study on synthetic process of 18α-glycyrrhizic acid
Yuxing LI ; Xueyan MA ; Ke ZHAO ; Jiaxing ZHAO
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2026;57(3):288-294
In this study, the synthetic process of 18α-glycyrrhizic acid was optimized. Using 18β-glycyrrhizic acid monoammonium salt as the starting material, the target compound 18α-glycyrrhizic acid was obtained through isomerization, esterification, and hydrolysis, with a total yield of 9.43%, purity of 99.23% and key impurity A of 0.17% (HPLC). The optimized process significantly improved the isomerization conversion rate, reduced the formation of related substances, simplified the purification steps, and enhanced both industrial scalability and cost efficiency.
4.Latent Profile Analysis of Sleep Patterns and Their Association with Gastrointestinal Heat Accumulation in 6878 Preschool Children in Beijing
Hanwen ZHANG ; Xiaohong GU ; Xueyan MA ; Xue LI ; Lina LIU ; Jiyu JIANG ; Shuxuan LI ; Qingpu MA ; Tiegang LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(16):1759-1766
ObjectiveTo explore the latent profiles of sleep patterns and their association with gastrointestinal heat accumulation syndrome in preschool children in Beijing. MethodsA cross-sectional study design was adopted, and preschool children were recruited from 57 kindergartens in Beijing using convenience sampling. Sleep characteristics and gastrointestinal heat accumulation syndrome was assessed using the Chinese version of the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) and Self-rating Diagnostic Scale for Gastrointestinal Heat Retention Syndrome in children (GHRS). Latent profile analysis (LPA) was applied to identify distinct sleep-related subgroups, and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association between different sleep profiles and gastrointestinal heat accumulation syndrome. ResultsA total of 6878 preschool children were included in the study. Among them, 3.46% of the children (238/6878) had sleep disorders, while 54.42% (3743/6878) had gastrointestinal heat accumulation. Compared to children without gastrointestinal heat accumulation syndrome, those with this syndrome exhibited a higher prevalence of sleep disorders, higher SDSC scores, higher T-transformed total scores, and higher scores across all dimensions, including disorders of initiating sleep, disorders of maintaining sleep, sleep hyperhidrosis, sleep breathing disorders, parasomnias, nonrestorative sleep and excessive somnolence (P<0.01). Latent profile analysis identified four distinct sleep characteristic profiles, which were the mixed high-symptom group (32.39%, 2228/6878), sleep initiation and maintenance difficulty symptom group (49.07%, 3375/6878), low-symptom group (14.19%, 976/6878), and the group with no significant symptoms (4.35%, 299/6878). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the mixed high-symptom group, sleep initiation and maintenance difficulty symptom group, and low-symptom group were significantly associated with gastrointestinal heat accumulation syndrome. Among them, the mixed high-symptom group had the most significant association with gastrointestinal heat accumulation (OR=12.657, P<0.001), followed by the sleep initiation and maintenance difficulty symptom group (OR=4.964, P<0.001). ConclusionSleep characteristics in preschool children mainly present as composite patterns with different symptom combinations. Moreover, the sleep latent profiles of the mixed high-symptom group, the sleep initiation and maintenance difficulty symptom group, and the low-symptom group were significantly associated with gastrointestinal heat accumulation syndrome.
5.Research on the mechanism of Danshen injection in reducing oxidative damage in human brain organoid via the Nrf2 pathway
Zijuan YAN ; Guandong LI ; Zizhen ZHAO ; Xueyan WANG ; Xueyu CHEN ; Runling WU ; Shuhua MU ; Jiachuan WANG
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(5):783-794
Objective To investigate whether Danshen injection (DSI) can protect human brain organoids from oxidative stress damage by regulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway and its mechanism. Methods A Nrf2 plasmid was constructed, lentivirus was packaged and transfected into human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) to form a stable cell line. Brain organoids with Nrf2 overexpression (LV-Nrf2 group) and knockdown (sh-Nrf2 group) were constructed using kit. The transfection efficiency was verified by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction. An oxidative stress injury model was established by inducing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Intervention was performed either in combination or without DSI pre-treatment. Cell viability was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), and the expression levels of Nrf2, malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin (IL)-1β, sex-determining region Y-box protein 2 (SOX2) and neuronal-specific nuclear protein (NeuN) were detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining. Total RNA from human brain organoids was extracted for transcriptome sequencing and analysis. Results LV-Nrf2 group and sh-Nrf2 group brain organoid models were successfully constructed. The CCK-8 results determined that the oxidative stress model was established with 32 mmol/L H2O2 intervention conditions. The fluorescence expression of Nrf2 in LV-Nrf2 group was higher than that in control group, and the fluorescence expressions of MDA and IL-1β were lower than those in control group; sh-Nrf2 group showed a damage phenotype of low Nrf2 expression, high MDA and IL-1β expression (all P < 0.05). Compared with H2O2 group, the Nrf2 signal in DSI + H2O2 group was stronger, and the levels of MDA and IL-1β were lower. Among them, the protective effect of LV-Nrf2 was the most significant. H2O2 treatment could down-regulate the protein levels of Nrf2, SOX2 and NeuN, and DSI intervention could effectively reverse the downward trend of these indicators. Sh-Nrf2 could weaken the recovery effect of DSI on SOX2 and NeuN, while LV-Nrf2 could synergistically enhance the regulatory effect of DSI. Conclusions DSI may antagonize oxidative stress damage in human brain organoids through the Nrf2 signaling pathway, and maintaining the stability of the neural cell lineage is its core therapeutic characteristic.
6.Predictive performance of CT images-based 3D ResNet18 model for identifying lung tuberculosis drug resistance
Chunhua LI ; Xueyan LIU ; Jiaofeng ZHENG ; Xiangxin ZENG ; Yurui LI ; Wenwen LIU ; Shengxiu LYU
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(14):1676-1684
Objective To develop and validate a deep learning model based on chest CT images to accurately distinguish between drug-resistant(DR-TB)and-sensitive tuberculosis(DS-TB).Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 722 cases of confirmed secondary tuberculosis admitted in our center from January 2019 to December 2022.According to the results of antimicrobial susceptibility test,they were divided into 357 DS-TB cases and 365 DR-TB cases.Pre-existing U-Net segmentation model was employed to segment the lung parenchyma regions in CT images.The dataset was randomly partitioned into a training set and a testing set in an 8:2 ratio.Six 3D deep learning architectures(3D Swin Transformer,3D ShuffleNet v2,3D ViT,3D MobileNet v2,3D DenseNet,and 3D ResNet18)were employed to evaluate the discriminative efficiency between DS-TB and DR-TB.Hyperparameters were optimized by five-fold cross-validation on the training set to construct the optimal model.The performance of the constructed model was assessed using area under the curve(AUC),sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value(PPV),negative predictive value(NPV),and F1-score.Six radiologists independently evaluated DR-TB identification on the test set,and their performance was compared with the best-performing deep learning model.Results The AUC value in DR-TB prediction was 0.583,0.704,0.698,0.758,0.736,and 0.841,respectively,for 3D Swin Transformer,3D ShuffleNet v2,3D ViT,3D MobileNet v2,3D DenseNet,and 3D ResNet18.The 3D ResNet18 model demonstrated optimal performance,achieving a sensitivity of 0.935(95%CI:0.880~0.987),a specificity of 0.642(95%CI:0.492~0.757),a PPV of 0.750(95%CI:0.663~0.835),an NPV of 0.896(95%CI:0.809~0.976),an AUC value of 0.841,and a F1-score of 0.832.The radiologists got a F1-score of 0.571,0.450,0.675,0.623,0.617 and 0.635,respectively,and the F1-score of the 3D ResNet18 model is all higher than that of the radiologists.The highest-performing radiologist achieved sensitivity,specificity,PPV and NPV of 0.701(95%CI:0.605~0.802),0.567(95%CI:0.447~0.684),0.651(95%CI:0.549~0.757),and 0.623(95%CI:0.500~0.754),with all these values lower than those of the 3D ResNet18 model(P<0.05).Class activation mapping showed that the 3D ResNet18 model could focus on key lesion areas.The class activation mapping demonstrated that the 3D ResNet18 model could effectively focus on critical lesion regions.Conclusion Our 3D ResNet18 model shows the best predictive performance in identifying DR-TB,and is expected to assist clinical diagnosis for DR-TB.
7.Role of NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated microglia activation in myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion-induced brain injury in mice
Hu CHENG ; Xiao CHENG ; Xueyan LI ; Yasen YALI ; Jianjiang WU ; Long YANG ; Wenbin YU ; Kuo ZHU ; Jiang WANG
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2025;45(7):827-833
Objective:To evaluate the role of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated microglia activation in myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion-induced brain injury in mice.Methods:Fifty-two SPF healthy male wild-type C57BL/6 mice and 52 NLRP3 -/- mice, aged 8-10 weeks, were divided into 4 groups ( n=26 each) using a random number table method: wild type sham operation group (W-S group), wild type myocardial ischemia-reperfusion group (W-IR group), NLRP3 -/- sham operation group (NLRP3 -/--S group), and NLRP3 -/- myocardial ischemia-reperfusion group (NLRP3 -/--IR group). The myocardial ischemia-reperfusion-induced brain injury model was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery for 45 min followed by 24 h of reperfusion in anesthetized mice. The cognitive function was evaluated using the modified Morris water maze test at 24 h of reperfusion. The mice were sacrificed after blood specimens were collected, and brain tissues were obtained for measurement of the blood-brain barrier permeability and water content, for microscopic examination of the pathological changes of brain tissues, and for determination of serum S-100β protein and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) concentrations, contents of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in hippocampal tissues (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), expression of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), cleaved cysteine aspartate protease 1 (cleaved-caspase-1), gasdermin D (GSDMD), ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1), and occludin in hippocampal tissues (by immunofluorescence and/or Western blot). The apoptosis rate of neurons and density of dendritic spine were calculated. Results:Compared with sham operation group, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the number of crossing the original platform was decreased, and the time spent in the target quadrant was shortened, the concentrations of serum S-100β protein and NSE were increased, the blood-brain barrier permeability and brain water content were increased, the dendritic spine density in the hippocampal CA1 area was decreased, the contents of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were increased, the expression of NLRP3, ASC, cleaved-caspase-1, GSDMD and Iba-1 was up-regulated, and the expression of occludin was down-regulated ( P<0.05), and the pathological injury to brain tissues was found in ischemia-reperfusion group. Compared with W-IR group, the escape latency was significantly shortened, the number of crossing the original platform was increased, and the time spent in the target quadrant was prolonged, the concentrations of serum S-100β protein and NSE were decreased, the blood-brain barrier permeability and brain water content were decreased, the dendritic spine density in the hippocampal CA1 area was increased, the contents of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were decreased, the expression of NLRP3, ASC, cleaved-caspase-1, GSDMD and Iba-1 was down-regulated, and the expression of occludin was up-regulated ( P<0.05), and the pathological injury to brain tissues was alleviated in NLRP3 -/--IR group. Conclusions:NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated microglia activation is involved in myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion-induced brain injury in mice.
8.Reconstruction of immunology curriculum system improve teaching quality of undergraduate students in preventive medicine
Boyu DU ; Yang GUO ; Peipei YUAN ; Pingfei LI ; Lan JIN ; Ling CAO ; Xueyan XI
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(5):1220-1222
At present,reforming and innovating the public health talent training model are the challenges that the construc-tion of new medical in our country.Medical Immunology is the initial driving force in preventive medicine.Based on the course con-struction of Medical Immunology and centering on the core link of post competency of preventive medicine undergraduates,this study comprehensively reshapes the course system of Medical Immunology from the aspects of theoretical courses,practical courses,experi-mental courses,ideological and political courses and assessment methods,so as to provide reference for improving the teaching quality of preventive healthcare undergraduates.
9.Study on the Correlation between Serum USP14 and GRB2 Levels and Vascular Lesions of the Lower Limbs in Elderly Patients with T2DM
Lihua LI ; Chunyan SHI ; Huan ZHANG ; Xueyan CHAI
Journal of Modern Laboratory Medicine 2025;40(2):140-144
Objective To investigate the correlation between serum ubiquitin-specific protease 14(USP14)and growth factor receptor binding protein 2(GRB2)levels and vascular lesions of the lower limbs(LEAD)in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes(T2DM).Methods 153 elderly T2DM patients admitted to Beijing Nuclear Industrial Hospital from July 2020 to August 2023 were selected and divided into lesion group(n=64)and non-lesion group(n=89)according to the presence or absence of LEAD,in addition and 153 healthy volunteers who matched the age of elderly T2DM patients in the same period were selected as the control group.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect serum USP14 and GRB2 levels in patients.Multifactorial Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors affecting the occurrence of LEAD in patients with elderly T2DM.Receiver operating curve(ROC)analysis of USP14 and GRB2 levels in elderly T2DM patients for the diagnostic value of LEAD occurrence.Results Compared with the control group,serum USP14(8.56±1.57ng/ml,6.34±1.27ng/ml vs 4.23±1.02ng/ml),GRB2 levels(7.45±1.56ng/ml,5.23±1.12ng/ml vs 3.19±0.78ng/ml)were significantly increased in the diseased and non-diseased groups,and the differences were statistically significant(q=33.555,18.259;37.326,19.960,all P<0.05).Class A,B and C serum USP14(7.14±1.31ng/ml,8.67±1.52ng/ml,9.98±2.01ng/ml),GRB2 levels(6.31±1.25ng/ml,7.47±1.58ng/ml,8.69±1.74ng/ml)increased in that order,and the differences were all statistically significant(F=14.754,11.404,all P<0.05).Multifactorial Logistic regression analysis showed that USP14,GRB2,TC,TG,LDL-C and HbA1c were all influencing factors affecting the occurrence of LEAD in patients with T2DM(Wald χ2=11.618~41.458,all P<0.05).The results of the ROC curve showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of the combined diagnosis of LEAD by serum USP14 and GRB2 was greater than that of USP14 and GRB2 diagnosed alone(Z=2.706,3.124,all P<0.05).Conclusion USP14 and GRB2 were both highly expressed in the serum of patients with elderly T2DM combined with LEAD,which increased with the increase of LEAD grade,and can be used as serum markers for the diagnosis of elderly T2DM combined with LEAD,and the efficacy of the combined detection of the two is better.
10.Clinical Efficacy of Yiqi Wenyang Lishui Formula in Treating Heart Failure with Yang Deficiency and Fluid Retention Syndrome:Changes in Cardiac Function and Remodeling,and Analysis of Risk Factors Affecting Therapeutic Efficacy
Min SHI ; Chuanwei ME ; Bing HE ; Hongli SHI ; Xueyan ZHANG ; Yong SUI ; Yan LI
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(11):2637-2643
Objective To investigate the effects of Yiqi Wenyang Lishui Formula(derived from Wuling San combined with Astragali Radix and Descurainiae Semen Lepidii Semen)on cardiac function and remodeling in heart failure(HF)patients with yang deficiency and fluid retention syndrome and to analyze risk factors for influencing therapeutic efficacy.Methods A total of 120 HF patients with yang deficiency and fluid retention syndrome admitted to Liaocheng Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February 2022 to January 2024 were enrolled and randomly divided into observation group(n=60)and control group(n=60)using a random number table.The control group received conventional western therapy,while the observation group received Yiqi Wenyang Lishui Formula additionally.Both groups were treated for 2 months.Changes in cardiac function indicators and remodeling markers were observed.Clinical efficacy was evaluated,and univariate and binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors affecting treatment outcomes.Results(1)The total effective rate was 81.67%(49/60)in the observation group versus 70.00%(42/60)in the control group.Intergroup comparison(by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy in the observation group was superior to the control group(P<0.05).(2)After treatment,both groups showed significant reductions compared to those before treatment in left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD),left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVESD),and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)(P<0.01).The reduction in LVEDD,LVESD,and serum NT-proBNP levels in the observation group was significantly greater than that in the control group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).(3)Univariate analysis revealed that New York Heart Association(NYHA)functional classification,LVEDD,LVESD,and NT-proBNP levels were significantly associated with the therapeutic efficacy of the Yiqi Wenyang Lishui Formula in heart failure patients with yang deficiency and fluid retention syndrome(P<0.05).(4)Logistic regression identified NYHA classification,LVEDD,LVESD,and NT-proBNP as independent risk factors(P<0.05)in affecting therapeutic effect of Yiqi Wenyang Lishui Formula in treating HF with yang deficency and fluid retention syndrome,increasing the risk of ineffective treatment by 4.12-fold,1.21-fold,1.19-fold,and 1.00-fold,respectively.Conclusion Yiqi Wenyang Lishui Formula effectively improves cardiac function and remodeling in HF patients with yang deficiency and fluid retention syndrome.NYHA classification,LVEDD,LVESD,and NT-proBNP are independent risk factors for influencing efficacy,warranting close monitoring for optimized therapeutic adjustments.

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