1.Effect and Mechanisms of Bushen Tongluo Prescription on Pulmonary Fibrosis via Inhibiting Macrophage Polarization Through Wnt3a/β-catenin Signaling Pathway
Yanxia LIANG ; Xuelian YU ; Wenwen WANG ; Guangsen LI ; Hongfei XING ; Maorong FAN ; Bin YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):112-123
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate whether Bushen Tongluo prescription inhibits macrophage polarization by regulating the Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby reducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition and excessive extracellular matrix deposition, in order to elucidate the anti-pulmonary fibrosis mechanisms of Bushen Tongluo prescription and provide a new theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. MethodsFifty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank group, model group, pirfenidone group, and high- and low-dose Bushen Tongluo prescription groups. Except for the blank group, the pulmonary fibrosis model was established by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. Intervention was initiated on day 28 after modeling. The high- and low-dose Bushen Tongluo prescription groups were administered Bushen Tongluo prescription at doses of 30.88, 15.44 g·kg-1, respectively, by intragastric gavage. The pirfenidone group was administered pirfenidone capsules at 110 mg·kg-1 by intragastric gavage. The blank and model groups were given an equal volume of normal saline by gavage, once daily for 90 days. After treatment, the level of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Morphological changes in lung tissue and the collagen volume fraction were compared. The protein distribution and expression of E-cadherin, cytokeratin 19, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), vimentin, collagen type Ⅰ (Col Ⅰ), and collagen type Ⅲ (Col Ⅲ) in lung tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry. The protein distribution and expression of CD68, arginase-1 (Arg-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Wnt3a, and β-catenin in lung tissue were detected by immunofluorescence. The protein expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin in lung tissue was detected by Western blot, and the mRNA expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin was detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsCompared with the blank group, a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated the airway walls, alveolar spaces, and interstitial tissue in the model group, with obvious fibrous tissue hyperplasia. The level of TGF-β1 in BALF was significantly increased. The protein expression of E-cadherin and cytokeratin 19 in lung tissue was decreased, whereas the protein expression of α-SMA, Vimentin, Wnt3a, β-catenin, Col Ⅰ, and Col Ⅲ was increased. The fluorescence-positive area ratios of CD68, Arg-1, iNOS, Wnt3a, and β-catenin in lung tissue were increased. The protein and mRNA expression levels of Wnt3a and β-catenin in lung tissue were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all treatment groups showed varying degrees of improvement in inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrous tissue hyperplasia in the airway walls, alveolar spaces, and interstitial tissue, decreased TGF-β1 levels in BALF, increased protein expression of E-cadherin and cytokeratin 19 in lung tissue, decreased protein expression of α-SMA, Vimentin, Col Ⅰ, and Col Ⅲ, decreased fluorescence-positive area ratios of CD68, Arg-1, iNOS, Wnt3a, and β-catenin in lung tissue, and decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of Wnt3a and β-catenin in lung tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionBushen Tongluo prescription can improve bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition and reducing excessive extracellular matrix deposition. The mechanism may be related to inhibition of the Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway and the macrophage polarization mediated by this pathway.
2.Construction of a prediction model for early hormone remission after prolactinoma surgery based on machine learning
Yanxia DENG ; Jiahui LIU ; Jing XU ; Weijie WANG ; Kun SUN ; Lianshu DING ; Jian JIANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(3):406-413
Objective To explore factors associated with early postoperative hormonal remission in patients with prolactinoma and to develop prediction models based on clinical and radiological features. Methods Data from 107 patients with prolactinoma who underwent transsphenoidal surgery at The First People’s Hospital of Huai’an, Nanjing Medical University between January 2020 and December 2024 was collected, included general clinical characteristics, preoperative laboratory indicators, and imaging features. Based on whether early postoperative prolactin (PRL) levels normalized, patients were divided into a remission group (n=76) and a non-remission group (n=31). Univariate logistic regression was used for preliminary evaluation of candidate variables, followed by LASSO regression for feature selection. Multiple machine learning models were constructed, including logistic regression, random forest, support vector machine, K-nearest neighbors, naive Bayes, decision tree, neural network, and gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT). All models were trained and evaluated using ten-fold cross-validation, with comprehensive assessment of model performance based on the area under the ROC curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, precision, and F1 score. Results The maximum diameter of tumors in the non remission group was larger than that in the remission group (P=0.019), and the incidence of tumor stroke and preoperative PRL levels were significantly higher than those in the remission group (P<0.001). Univariate analysis showed that sex, maximum tumor diameter, tumor stroke, and preoperative PRL levels were influencing factors for early postoperative hormone response in patients with prolactinoma (P<0.05). The comparison results of machine learning models show that the neural network model performs the best (AUC=0.921) and has good clinical application value, followed by the GBDT model (AUC=0.893) and the support vector machine model (AUC=0.884). Other models also show certain predictive ability. Conclusions Sex, preoperative PRL levels, maximum tumor diameter, Hounsfield unit value, and tumor stroke are important factors affecting early hormone response after prolactinoma surgery. The machine learning model constructed based on the above variables has good predictive performance, and performs the best and has good clinical application value.
3.Relationship between sleep disorders and physical activity in patients with Alzheimer's disease, and the effectiveness of light therapy intervention
Yanxia LIU ; Xiaojiao WANG ; Xin JIA
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(4):110-113
Objective To investigate the current status of sleep disorders in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and its relationship with physical activity, and analyze the intervention effect of light therapy. Methods A total of 345 patients with AD admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from June 2020 to June 2025 were included. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate the sleep disorders, and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) was applied to evaluate the physical activity. Pearson correlation analysis model was adopted to analyze the correlation between PSQI and PASE in patients with AD. 345 patients with AD were treated with light therapy intervention for 4 weeks. The changes of PSQI and PASE scores were compared before and after intervention. Results Among the 345 patients with AD, 251 cases had sleep disorders, accounting for 72.75% (251/345), and the PSQI score was (9.87±2.95) points. The scores of leisure activity, housework and occupation-related activity of PASE were (25.81±6.12) points, (78.15±12.93) points, and (45.31±8.74) points, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis model revealed that the leisure activity score of PASE was negatively correlated with the PSQI score (P<0.05), and the scores of housework and occupation-related activity were not significantly correlated with the PSQI score (P>0.05). After 4 weeks of light therapy intervention, the score of leisure activity of patients was increased significantly (P<0.05), while the scores of housework and occupation-related activity did not change significantly (P>0.05), and the PSQI scores were decreased significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion There is a correlation between sleep disorders and leisure time and physical activity in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The implementation of light therapy intervention can effectively improve sleep disorders in AD patients.
4.Pathogenesis and Treatment of Recurrent Acute Exacerbation of Bronchiectasis Based on the Theory of "Yang Floating and Yin Weakness"
Guangsen LI ; Bing WANG ; Xia SHI ; Yanxia LIANG ; Wenwen WANG ; Huiying ZHAO ; Tingting XIANG ; Maorong FAN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(20):2245-2248
The pathogenesis of recurrent acute exacerbations of bronchiectasis is considered to be "yang floating and yin weakness". Yin weakness refers to the depletion of the water and fire of true yin in the lower jiao (焦), which is the root of the disease. Yang floating refers to the ministerial fire floating upward and scorching the lung metal due to the failure of true yin to nourish and constrain yang, which is the manifestation of acute exacerbations. Yin weakness and yang floating interact with each other, forming a vicious cycle of "yin depletion leading to fire floating, and floating fire in turn injuring yin", which leads to recurrent, prolonged, and refractory acute exacerbations of bronchiectasis. Based on the pathogenesis of yang floating and yin weakness, therapeutic formulas are proposed. Yinhuo Decoction (引火汤) can be used to nourish true yin and anchor floating fire, while a combination of Qianyang Pill (潜阳丹) and Fengsui Pill (封髓丹) is applied to warm the kidneys, subdue yang, and secure true fire, and Quanzhen Yiqi Decoction (全真一气汤) is utilized to drastically supplement the primal origin and rescue both yin and yang simultaneously.
5.A ten-year retrospective analysis of HCV infection among blood donors in Qinghai province
Yingnan DANG ; Shengju LI ; Yanxia LI ; Hailin WU ; Shiyu WANG ; Chenglin MA ; Xianlin YE
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(11):1562-1566
Objective: To retrospectively analyze the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among voluntary blood donors in Qinghai Province over a ten-year period and to provide evidence for refining blood safety screening strategies. Methods: Blood samples from 362 066 blood donors in Qinghai collected between January 2015 and April 2024 were simultaneously screened using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and nucleic acid testing (NAT). Follow-up was conducted for donors with reactive HCV RNA screening results, and alanine transaminase (ALT) was detected by rate method. Results: The HCV positive rate among blood donors in Qinghai was 0.22%. Gender, marital status, number of blood donations, and educational level were associated with HCV infection. Significant differences in HCV positive rates were observed among donors across regions and ethnic groups. The HCV positive rate among donors in Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (with an average altitude of 4 330 m) was significantly higher than that in Xining (0.52% vs 0.21%, P<0.001). Positivity rates were also significantly higher in Salar (0.84%), Hui (0.81%), Zang (0.60%), and Tu (0.45%) ethnic groups compared to the Han ethnic group (0.17%) (P<0.001). The abnormal rate of ALT in HCV-positive donors was higher than in non-HCV donors (6.13% vs 1.55%) (P<0.001). Conclusion: The relatively high HCV positivity rate among blood donors in Qinghai highlights the need for further investigation into viral sources, risk factors, and transmission routes. Optimized screening strategies are essential to ensure blood safety.
6.Application of radiological indicators combined with the methylation of HOXA7 and SOX17 in plasma circulating tumor DNA in the early diagnosis of lung cancer
Ruifei YANG ; Baojing LIU ; Man WU ; Feixue FENG ; Yuxin ZHANG ; Zhanzheng WANG ; Yanxia MA
Journal of Chongqing Medical University 2025;50(3):403-408
Objective:To investigate the value of diameter of pulmonary nodules,radiological indicators,serum tumor markers(CEA,CYFRA21-1,and SCC),and methylation of HOXA7 and SOX17 in circulating tumor DNA(ctDNA)in the early diagnosis of lung can-cer.Methods:A total of 60 patients with malignant pulmonary nodules and 60 patients with benign pulmonary nodules who were admit-ted to our hospital from September 2021 to December 2022 were enrolled as lung cancer group and benign nodule group,respectively,and 80 healthy individuals who underwent physical examination in our hospital during the same period of time were enrolled as control group.The three groups were compared in terms of the diameter of nodules,spiculation sign,levels of serum tumor markers,and meth-ylation rates of HOXA7 and SOX17 in plasma ctDNA,and a multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify the independent risk factors for carcinogenesis and establish a predictive model.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the model.Results:Compared with the benign nodule group and the control group,the lung cancer group had significantly higher diameter of pulmonary nodules,proportion of patients with spiculation sign,CEA,ProGRP,CYFRA21-1,and methylation rates of serum HOXA7,and SOX17,and the lung can-cer group had a significantly higher level of SCC than the control group(all P<0.05).The diameter of pulmonary nodules,spiculation sign,and methylation rates of HOXA7 and SOX17 in serum ctDNA were independent risk factors for malignant pulmonary nodules(P<0.05),and a predictive model was established as Y=ex/(1+ex),where x=-7.233+(0.108×nodule diameter)+(3.860×spiculation sign)+(0.021×HOXA7 methylation rate)+(0.043×SOX17 methylation rate).The predictive model had an area under the ROC curve(AUC)of 0.981,with a significantly larger AUC than each indicator alone and the Mayo and LCBP models(P<0.05).Conclusion:The diameter of pulmonary nodules,spiculation sign,and methylation rates of HOXA7 and SOX17 in ctDNA have a relatively high value in the early diagnosis of lung cancer,and the predictive model based on these indicators can significantly improve diagnostic performance.
7.Effect of circulating plasma cell on the prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma
Miaoyu LI ; Lulu WANG ; Biao TIAN ; Wanting XIAO ; Yanxia WENG ; Wenrui SUN ; Hailong TANG ; Guangxun GAO
Journal of Chongqing Medical University 2025;50(7):905-912
Objective:To investigate the effect of circulating plasma cell(CPC)on the prognosis of multiple myeloma(MM),and to es-tablish and validate a modified CPC-RISS staging system based on CPC and RISS.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 639 treatment-na?ve patients with MM who were treated in Department of Hematology,Xijing Hospital,from January 2006 to June 2023.Peripheral blood smear was used to calculate the percentage of CPC in patients,and the impact of CPC and other related factors on the prognosis of MM patients was analyzed.A CPC-RISS staging system was established based on RISS stage and the percentage of CPC,and the differences in survival and prognosis were analyzed between patients with different stages.Results:Compared with the patients without CPC,detectable CPC was significantly associated with various high-risk factors for MM,and the MM patients with CPC had a lower complete remission rate and shorter overall survival time and progression-free survival time.The modified CPC-RISS staging system was used to classify the patients with MM into four stages,and there were significant differences in median survival time and progression-free survival time between the patients with different stages of MM.Conclusion:The MM pa-tients with the presence of CPC exhibit more aggressive features,worse response to treatment,and a reduction in long-term survival rate.The modified CPC-RISS staging system can effectively predict the prognosis of treatment-na?ve MM patients.
8.Research progress in moxibustion for treating gastrointestinal dysfunction after laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Shuo LI ; Dongdong LU ; Qiuhui LIANG ; Quanxin LIU ; Weiwei JIAO ; Ying ZHEN ; Min DENG ; Lingyun WEN ; Jinbao WANG ; Yanxia CAO
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(9):1327-1331
TCM believes that the main pathogenesis of gastrointestinal dysfunction (GD) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is spleen and stomach weakness, liver and stomach disharmony, liver depression and spleen deficiency, and intestinal depression. Moxibustion in the treatment of GD after LC can avoid the aggravation of gastrointestinal burden caused by oral drugs. The intervention methods mainly include suspension moxibustion, umbilical moxibustion, heat sensitive moxibustion, thunder fire moxibustion, warm acupuncture, partition moxibustion, etc. Moxibustion is often performed on the acupoints in liver meridian, spleen meridian, stomach meridian, small intestine meridian, large intestine meridian and Conception Vessel, such as Taichong (LR3), Ganshu (BL18), Yinlingquan (SP9), Zusanli (ST36), Tianshu (ST25), Wangu (SI4), Hegu (LI4), Zhongwan (CV12), Shenque (CV8) and Qihai (CV6). At present, most studies combined with moxibustion on the basis of conventional Western medicine treatment can significantly improve the efficacy, and have certain advantages in improving gastrointestinal motility decline, intestinal flora imbalance, first exhaust time, gastrointestinal hormone level disorder and intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction. However, there are still some problems in the existing research: small sample size of clinical research, not perfect scoring scale, not unified treatment plan and operation standard, relatively scarce basic research, relatively simple acupoint research, lack of biochemical evaluation indicators, and the research of national moxibustion needs to be explored and improved in the future.
9.Clinical and pathogenic characteristics and prognosis of 47 patients with Candida bloodstream infection
Tiantian ZHANG ; Huan WANG ; Li CHEN ; Lifen FENG ; Yanxia SUN ; Yafei HAN
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2025;24(7):967-974
Objective To analyze the clinical and pathogenic characteristics,as well as influencing factors for the prognosis of patients with Candida bloodstream infection(CBSI).Methods Clinical data of 47 CBSI patients in a hospital from January 2015 to September 2024 were collected.Distribution of departments and infection strains,an-timicrobial resistance,and influencing factors for the poor prognosis of patients were analyzed.Results A total of 51 strains of Candida were detected from 47 CBSI patients,mainly from the intensive care unit(ICU;n=25,53.2%),department of intestinal fistula surgery(n=8,17.0%),and department of respiratory medicine(n=4,8.6%),et al.The main detected pathogens were Candida albicans(n=29,56.9%),Candida tropicalis(n=7,13.7%),Candida glabrata(n=6,11.8%),and Candida parapsilosis(n=6,11.8%).Resistance rate of Candida albi-cans to fluconazole was 11.5%(3/26).According to the prognosis results,patients were divided into a good prog-nosis group(n=26,55.3%)and a poor prognosis group(n=21,44.7%).Univariate analysis showed statistically significant differences between patients in the good prognosis group and the poor prognosis group in terms of abso-lute neutrophil count,ICU admission,mechanical ventilation,tracheal intubation,gastrointestinal hemorrhage/per-foration,and surgical treatment(lesion clearance,drainage or unblocking for obstruction)(all P<0.05).Prelimi-nary multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that gastrointestinal hemorrhage/perforation was a potential risk factor for the poor prognosis in CBSI patients(OR=11.156,95%CI:1.434-86.809,P=0.021).Conclusion The detected CBSI strains are mainly Candida albicans,and gastrointestinal hemorrhage/perforation may be one of the potential risk factors affecting the prognosis of CBSI patients.These patients are generally in critical condition and should be detected and treated as early as possible to improve their prognosis.Due to the small amount of speci-mens,further research is still needed for confirmation.
10.CRTC2 attenuates cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by inhibiting cardiomyocyte ferroptosis
Zhaoyue WANG ; Hongyu ZHENG ; Yanxia WANG ; Yuanqin ZHAO ; Wei DENG ; Kun ZHOU ; Qian XU ; Huiting LIU ; Shao OUYANG ; Miao JIANG ; Zhongzhou YANG ; Zhisheng JIANG
Chinese Journal of Arteriosclerosis 2025;33(10):849-858
Aim To investigate the role and regulatory mechanism of CREB regulated transcription coactivator 2(CRTC2)in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.Methods A pathological cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model was established in C57BL/6 mice by intraperitoneal injection of isoproterenol(ISO),the expression of CRTC2 in cardiac tissue was detec-ted by Western blot.The CRTC2 knockout mice model was constructed,the cardiac function of mice was detected by small animal echocardiography,the collagen fiber content in mice cardiac tissue was detected by Masson staining,the car-diomyocyte hypertrophy related proteins:skeletal muscle α1-actin(ACTA1)and brain natriuretic peptide(BNP),as well as ferroptosis related proteins:acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4(ACSL4),solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)in mice cardiac tissue were detected by Western blot,the iron ion content in mice cardiac tissue was detected by iron ion kit,to evaluate the correlation between CRTC2 and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and ferroptosis.H9c2 cells were induced by ISO to construct an in vitro model of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy,the protein expressions of CRTC2,ACTA1,BNP,ACSL4,SLC7A11 and GPX4 were detected after intervention with fer-roptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1(Fer-1).H9c2 cells with CRTC2 overexpression induced by ISO were used to construct an in vitro model of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy,the related indicators of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and ferroptosis were detec-ted to explore the mechanism of CRTC2 in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.Results Compared with the control group,the expression of CRTC2 protein in the cardiac tissue of ISO induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy mice was increased(P<0.05).Compared with wild-type mice,CRTC2-/-mice showed worsened cardiac function,manifested as increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD),left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVESD),left ventricular posterior wall thickness(LVPWT),heart weight/tibia length(HW/TL)and heart weight/body weight(HW/BW),decreased short axis shortening(FS)and ejection fraction(EF),increased collagen fiber content in cardiac tissue,upregulated ex-pression of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy-related proteins ACTA1 and BNP,increased mRNA and protein expression of ferrop-tosis-related protein ACSL4,decreased mRNA and protein expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4,and elevated iron ion content in cardiac tissue(P<0.05 or P<0.01).In vitro experiments showed that compared with ISO group,the ISO+Fer-1 group had no significant change in CRTC2 protein expression(P>0.05),the expression of ACTA1 and BNP protein decreased,the surface area of cardiomyocyte reduced,the expression of ACSL4 protein decreased,and the expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 proteins increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with the ISO group,the LV-CRTC2+ISO group showed a decrease in surface area of cardiomyocytes(P<0.01),a decrease in ACTA1,BNP and ACSL4 protein ex-pression,an increase in SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein expression,and a decrease in ROS and iron ion content(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion CRTC2 alleviates cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and protect cardiac function by suppressing fer-roptosis in cardiomyocytes.


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