1.Combination of Components from Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma-Chuanxiong Rhizoma Affects RA-FLSs by Regulating NF-κB, Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathways and Bcl-2/Caspase-3 Expression
Yongmei GUAN ; Zhiyan WAN ; Shuhui WANG ; Weifeng ZHU ; Zhiyong LIU ; Cheng JIANG ; Zhenzhong ZANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):17-26
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of the combination of components from Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma and Chuanxiong Rhizoma on rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLSs) and the underlying mechanism. MethodsRA-FLSs were grouped as follows: blank control, positive control (methotrexate), Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma components, Chuanxiong Rhizoma components, and components from Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma+Chuanxiong Rhizoma. The cell-counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was employed to the cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis. The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and malondiadehyde (MDA) in cells were measured. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65, phosphorylated inhibitory subunit of NF-κBα (p-IκBα), cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3 (Caspase-3), and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). Real-time PCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of Nrf2, HO-1, and NF-κB p65. ResultsThe cells in the groups of positive control, Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma components, Chuanxiong Rhizoma components, and components from Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma+Chuanxiong Rhizoma were treated with 2.50 mg·L-1 methotrexate, 0.20 mg·L-1 triptolide + 0.20 mg·L-1 celastrol, 5.00 mg·L-1 ferulic acid + 20.00 mg·L-1 ligustrazine, 0.20 mg·L-1 triptolide + 0.20 mg·L-1 celastrol + 5.00 mg·L-1 ferulic acid + 20.00 mg·L-1 ligustrazine, respectively. Compared with the blank control group, drug administration reduced the proliferation and invasion and increased the apoptosis of cells (P<0.01), lowered the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, ROS, and MDA (P<0.01), up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of Caspase-3, Nrf2, and HO-1 (P<0.01), and down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2, NF-κB p65, and p-IκBα (P<0.01). Compared with the Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma components group, the combination of components from Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma+Chuanxiong Rhizoma inhibited the proliferation and invasion (P<0.05) and promoted the apoptosis of RA-FLSs, up-regulated the mRNA levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 and protein levels of Nrf2 and Caspase-3 (P<0.05), and down-regulated the protein levels of NF-κB p65 and p-IκBα (P<0.05). ConclusionThe combination of components from Chuanxiong Rhizoma and Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma can inhibit the proliferation and invasion and promote the apoptosis of RA-FLSs and alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway, activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, and regulating the expression of Bcl-2/Caspase-3.
2.Connotation and Prevention Strategies of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Panvascular Diseases
Jie WANG ; Jun LI ; Yan DONG ; Cong CHEN ; Yongmei LIU ; Chao LIU ; Lanchun LIU ; Xuan SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):1-14
Panvascular disease, with vascular diseases as the common pathological feature, is mainly manifested as atherosclerosis. Panvascular disease mainly affects the important organs of the heart, brain, kidney, and limbs. It is one of the leading causes of death for Chinese residents at present. Previously, due to the narrow branches of disciplines, too much attention was paid to local lesions, resulting in the neglect of panvascular disease as a systemic one. The fact that panvascular disease has overall pathology and comprehensive and individualized treatment strategies, makes the disease highly compatible with the principles of holism concept and syndrome differentiation and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is believed that blood stasis is the core pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and is involved in the whole process of atherosclerosis. The theories of ''blood vessel'', ''meridians'', ''visceral manifestation'', and ''organs-meridians'' in TCM are helpful to comprehensively understand the complexity of panvascular diseases. Moreover, those theories can provide systematic treatment strategies. The TCM syndromes of panvascular diseases evolve from ''phlegm, stasis, stagnation, and deficiency''. Panvascular arteriosclerosis is related to the syndrome of ''stasis and phlegm'', and the treatment mainly promotes blood circulation and removes phlegm. There are different specific drugs and mechanisms of action for coronary atherosclerosis, cerebral atherosclerosis, and renal artery atherosclerotic stenosis. Panvascular venous lesions are related to the syndrome of ''deficiency and stasis'' in TCM, and the TCM treatment mainly invigorates Qi and promotes blood circulation, which can inhibit venous thrombosis, improve venous ulcers, and resist venous endothelial damage. Panvascular microcirculatory lesions are inseparable from the ''stagnation and stasis'' in TCM, and the treatment mainly promotes Qi and dredges collaterals, which has a good effect on coronary microvascular lesions, diabetic microvascular lesions, pulmonary microvascular lesions, and pancreatic microvascular lesions. Panvascular lymphatic lesions are related to the syndrome of ''water and stasis'' in TCM. The treatment method focuses on promoting blood circulation and water excretion, which can promote lymphangiogenesis and enhance lymphatic reflux. In addition, the combination of TCM and modern technology, especially the application of artificial intelligence, can improve the efficiency of early identification and personalized treatment, resulting in early screening and comprehensive management of panvascular diseases. Therefore, TCM will play a vital role in the prevention and treatment of panvascular diseases.
3.Connotation and Prevention Strategies of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Panvascular Diseases
Jie WANG ; Jun LI ; Yan DONG ; Cong CHEN ; Yongmei LIU ; Chao LIU ; Lanchun LIU ; Xuan SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):1-14
Panvascular disease, with vascular diseases as the common pathological feature, is mainly manifested as atherosclerosis. Panvascular disease mainly affects the important organs of the heart, brain, kidney, and limbs. It is one of the leading causes of death for Chinese residents at present. Previously, due to the narrow branches of disciplines, too much attention was paid to local lesions, resulting in the neglect of panvascular disease as a systemic one. The fact that panvascular disease has overall pathology and comprehensive and individualized treatment strategies, makes the disease highly compatible with the principles of holism concept and syndrome differentiation and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is believed that blood stasis is the core pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and is involved in the whole process of atherosclerosis. The theories of ''blood vessel'', ''meridians'', ''visceral manifestation'', and ''organs-meridians'' in TCM are helpful to comprehensively understand the complexity of panvascular diseases. Moreover, those theories can provide systematic treatment strategies. The TCM syndromes of panvascular diseases evolve from ''phlegm, stasis, stagnation, and deficiency''. Panvascular arteriosclerosis is related to the syndrome of ''stasis and phlegm'', and the treatment mainly promotes blood circulation and removes phlegm. There are different specific drugs and mechanisms of action for coronary atherosclerosis, cerebral atherosclerosis, and renal artery atherosclerotic stenosis. Panvascular venous lesions are related to the syndrome of ''deficiency and stasis'' in TCM, and the TCM treatment mainly invigorates Qi and promotes blood circulation, which can inhibit venous thrombosis, improve venous ulcers, and resist venous endothelial damage. Panvascular microcirculatory lesions are inseparable from the ''stagnation and stasis'' in TCM, and the treatment mainly promotes Qi and dredges collaterals, which has a good effect on coronary microvascular lesions, diabetic microvascular lesions, pulmonary microvascular lesions, and pancreatic microvascular lesions. Panvascular lymphatic lesions are related to the syndrome of ''water and stasis'' in TCM. The treatment method focuses on promoting blood circulation and water excretion, which can promote lymphangiogenesis and enhance lymphatic reflux. In addition, the combination of TCM and modern technology, especially the application of artificial intelligence, can improve the efficiency of early identification and personalized treatment, resulting in early screening and comprehensive management of panvascular diseases. Therefore, TCM will play a vital role in the prevention and treatment of panvascular diseases.
4.Research on the framework construction and promotion strategy of medical care capability based on the core literacy of palliative care
Shenghua DING ; Yongmei LIU ; Hongjuan CHEN ; Weiwei WANG ; Shengnan ZHAO
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(7):943-948
This paper aims to discuss the construction and promotion strategy of medical care capacity framework based on the core literacy of palliative care, combining domestic and foreign research and clinical status. The research results show that it is particularly important to construct a framework of medical care competence based on palliative care. The core competencies required for palliative care include the ability to comprehensively evaluate and formulate personalized programs, effective communication skills, interdisciplinary teamwork skills, and the ability to continuously learn and improve themselves. The quality of care can be further improved if the above abilities are incorporated into the framework of medical care ability based on palliative care. However, there are a series of problems in the process of constructing the framework of palliative medical care capacity, such as difficult implementation of policy support, poor professionalism of talent team, single and irregular service model, low social acceptance, and difficult interdisciplinary cooperation and resource integration. After a detailed analysis of the problems, this paper puts forward the countermeasures to construct the framework of caring ability literacy based on palliative care. Effective countermeasures such as increasing policy support, cultivating comprehensive talents, developing diversified palliative care models, improving social recognition, and strengthening interdisciplinary cooperation and resource integration can effectively improve the core literacy and professional ability of medical care personnel, and then promote the development and improvement of palliative care services. In-depth discussion of the above contents can provide scientific reference for building a care model and literacy framework with palliative care as the core.
5.Molecular Mechanism of Danshen Tongluo Formula in Intervention of Coronary Artery Disease-dominated Panvascular Disease
Jiawen CHENG ; Chao LIU ; Jie WANG ; Yongmei LIU ; Wenjing LIAN ; Chengzhi HOU ; Chenyang ZHU ; Cheng MA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(24):86-93
ObjectiveEndothelial cell dysfunction being the core link. This study explores the molecular mechanism of Danshen Tongluo formula in treating coronary artery disease-dominated panvascular disease with endothelial cell changes as the core through animal experiments and single-cell transcriptome sequencing. MethodsA rat model of coronary artery disease-dominated panvascular disease was established by ligating the left anterior coronary artery. Rats were randomized into a blank group, a model group, and a Danshen Tongluo formula (28 mg·kg-1·d-1) group. The efficacy was evaluated by examining the cardiac ultrasound, determination of the plasma level of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, and pathological staining. After single-cell sequencing, SingleR package, public datasets, and related literature were used for annotation of the cells. Cell chat was used for intercellular communication and ligand-receptor analysis, and scmetabolism was used for metabolic analysis of endothelial cells. ResultsAnimal experiments showed that Danshen Tongluo formula reduced the N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide ( NT-proBNP ) level (P<0.05), ameliorated myocardial cell damage and fibrosis, and increase left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEF) in the rat model of heart failure after myocardial infarction(P<0.05). Single-cell sequencing results showed that Danshen Tongluo formula increased the proportion of arterial endothelial cells, venous endothelial cells, and capillary-arterial endothelial cells, while reducing the proportion of capillary-venous endothelial cells. In addition, this formula increased the interaction intensity of endothelial cells with cardiomyocytes and M1 macrophages and reduced the interaction intensity of endothelial cells with fibroblasts and T cells. Danshen Tongluo formula upregulated CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling in endothelium-B cells and Ptprm-Ptprm signaling in endothelial endothelial cells, while downregulating Mif-(CD74+CXCR44) signaling in endothelium-M1 macrophages and Mif-(CD74+CD44) signaling in endothelium-M2 macrophages. It reduced the citric acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycolysis and increased the glycolysis/oxidative phosphorylation ratio in endothelial cells. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that arterial endothelial cells, venous endothelial cells, and venous capillary endothelial cells can all regulate oxidative phosphorylation, cell adhesion molecules, and tyrosine metabolism. Lymphatic endothelial cells regulate immunity and vascular constriction to participate in the metabolism of various amino acids and fatty acids. ConclusionDanshen Tongluo Formula can ameliorate coronary artery disease-dominated panvascular disease by changing the composition of endothelial cells and regulating the communication between myocardial endothelial cells and non-endothelial cells.
6.Effects of modified Xuanfuhua Decoction on pain behavior and p38MAPK signaling pathway-mediated spinal cord neuroinflammation in rats with sciatic nerve injury
Yuanyuan HOU ; Yalun FENG ; Dou WANG ; Wenying XUE ; Yongmei YAN
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(4):451-457
Objective:To observe the effects of modified Xuanfuhua Decoction on pain behaviour and spinal cord neuroinflammation mediated by phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 (p38MAPK) signaling pathway in rats with sciatic nerve injury; To analyse the mechanism of its effects.Methods:Totally 108 SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group, model group, pregabalin group, decoction low-, medium- and high-dosage groups, with 18 rats in each group. The CCI model was established by ligation of sciatic nerve in other groups except sham-operation group. On the postoperative day, the decoction low-, medium-, high-dosage groups were gavaged with 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 g/kg of modified Xuanfuhua Decoction concentrate, respectively. The pregabalin group was gavaged with 15 mg/kg of pregabalin. The sham-operation group and the model group were gavaged with equal amounts of saline once/d for 15 days. Pain behavioural assays were performed before, on the 3rd, 7th, 11th and 15th day of administration respectively. The levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-10 were detected by ELISA method. The expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65) were detected by immunohistochemistry staining. The phosphorylated p38MAPK (p-p38MAPK) were measured in the spinal cord by Western blot.Results:Compared with the model group, the scores of spontaneous pain in decoction high-dosage group decreased ( P<0.05), the thermal foot shrinkage latency (TWL) was prolonged ( P<0.05), and the mechanical foot shrinkage reflex threshold (MWT) increased ( P<0.05); the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in spinal cord tissue of decoction low-, medium- and high-dosage groups decreased ( P<0.05), the level of IL-10 increased ( P<0.05), the average gray values of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 in spinal cord decreased ( P<0.05), and the expression of P-P38MAPK protein decreased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Modified Xuanfuhua Decoction can effectively improve neurogenic pain in CCI rats, and the mechanism may be related to inhibition of p38MAPK-TLR4 signaling pathway activation-mediated spinal cord neuroinflammation.
7.The value of dynamic nomogram of multi spiral CT features combined with inflammatory indicators in predicting microvascular invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma before surgery
Chao REN ; Yongmei YU ; Shujian WU ; Xue ZHANG ; Pengfei CHEN ; Beibei WANG
Journal of Practical Radiology 2024;40(4):590-594,601
Objective To explore the value of dynamic nomogram constructed by multi spiral computed tomography(MSCT)features combined with inflammatory indicators in predicting the status of microvascular invasion(MVI)of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)before surgery.Methods The clinical and imaging data of 137 patients with postoperative pathologically confirmed HCC were analyzed retrospectively.According to the status of the MVI,they were divided into positive group(44 cases)and negative group(93 cases).Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen independent risk factors for predicting the MVI status of HCC patients,and a joint prediction model was constructed,which was displayed in the form of a dynamic nomogram.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,calibration curve and Hosmer-Lemeshow test were used to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency,calibration and goodness of fit of the model,Akaike information criterion(AIC)and Bayesian information criterion(BIC)were used for comparison between the models,and a 5-fold cross-validation and decision curve analysis(DCA)were also used to evaluate the stability and clinical applicability of the model.Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that necrosis and delayed-phase enhancement(DEd),and alkaline phosphatase to lymphocyte ratio(ALR)were independent risk factors for predicting MVI status in HCC patients.The area under the curve(AUC)of the dynamic nomogram was 0.721,with the sensitivity of 0.705 and the specificity of 0.656.The AIC and BIC values were 152.372 and 158.212,respectively.The calibration curve and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that the model had a high degree of calibration and goodness of fit(χ2=2.372,P=0.967),the average AUC of the 5-fold cross-validation was 0.787,and the DCA showed that the nomogram model had a good clinical applicability.Conclusion The dynamic nomogram model constructed by MSCT features combined with inflammatory indicators is feasible to predict the MVI status of HCC patients before surgery,and the dynamic nomogram can directly generate the prediction results of different individuals.
8.Summary of the best evidence for respiratory management in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Xu WANG ; Li LI ; Baohua ZHOU ; Baohua LI ; Ji HE ; Yongmei LUO
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2024;40(6):420-426
Objective:To retrieve, evaluate and summarize the relevant evidence for respiratory management in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and provide reference for clinical nursing.Methods:The best practices, guidelines, expert consensus and other evidence on respiratory management in ALS patients were systematically retrieved from dometic and foreign relevant guide websites, professional associations and databases. The retrieve period was from January 1, 2016 to April 15, 2023. After the literature quality evaluation, the evidence was extracted from the literature that meets the quality standards.Results:A total of 12 references were included, including 3 guidelines, 1 expert consensus, 1 evidence summary, 4 systematic reviews, and 3 randomized controlled trails. The 25 pieces of evidence were summarized from the patients with ALS, including respiratory assessment, mechanical ventilation, secreta management, and respiratory rehabilitation.Conclusions:This study summarizes the best evidence on respiratory tract management in patients with ALS, which is convenient for clinical medical personnel to carry out more targeted and scientific respiratory assessment, intervention and guidance for patients with ALS.
9.Height development of 25 225 children aged 6 to 15 years in Nanning City
Na GAN ; Yubo LIANG ; Yongmei LONG ; Xianlan TANG ; Xu XIE ; Qiang WANG ; Desheng ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Child Health Care 2024;32(1):89-92
【Objective】 To analyze the height growth of children aged 6 - 15 years in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, so as to provide evidence for the assessment of local children′s height development. 【Methods】 A total of 25 225 children aged 6 - 15 years were selected to get their physical examination data from 41 primary schools in Nanning by stratified cluster sampling method in December 2021.Then the height data were compared with the current domestic standards. 【Results】 The average height of boys in Nanning was lower than the national standard before the age of 10 years and 7 months, and the gap with the national standard gradually narrowed after the age of 10 years and 7 months. The average height of boys in Nanning City exceeded the national standard between the age of 11 years and 1 month and 13 years and 6 months, and then lagged behind the national standard again after the age of 13 years and 7 months. The mean height of girls in Nanning City was lower than the national standard height in several age groups, and it was more obvious before the age of 9 years and 7 months. The proportion of height ≤-2s,≤-s,≥ +s and ≥+2s in boys aged 6 to 15 years in Nanning City fluctuated from 2.59% to 6.04%, 12.09% to 23.43%, 7.18% to 18.79% and 0.93% to 3.14%, respectively; the total proportions were 4.56%, 17.46%, 11.35% and 1.74%, respectively; the minimum/maximum proportion values of each height group were at 11 years old /8 years old, 14 years old/8 years old, 8 years old/12 years old, and 6 years old/11 years old, respectively. The proportions of girls aged 6 - 15 years in Nanning City with height ≤-2s, ≤-s, ≥+s, and ≥+2s fluctuated from 2.06% to 5.19%, 9.35% to 25.15%, 8.21% to 15.80% and 1.23% to 3.49%, respectively; the total proportions were 3.38%, 16.91%, 11.97% and 2.29%, respectively; and the minimum/maximum proportion values of each height group were at 13 years old/6 years old, 12 years old/6 years old, 7 years old/12 years old, and 6 years old/11 years old, respectively. 【Conclusions】 The overall height level of children in Nanning is still lower than the national level, with short prepubertal basal heights, an earlier age of onset of accelerated pubertal height, and a shorter duration of accelerated pubertal height in boys. Strengthening pre-pubertal height management and emphasizing the onset and duration of children′s pubertal development, especially the height development of boys during puberty, can help improve the adult lifelong height of children in this region.
10.Exploration of the method and efficacy of treatments for intractable pelvic pain caused by rectal or bladder fistula
Yongmei ZHANG ; Gangcheng WANG ; Yingjun LIU ; Youchai WANG ; Guoqiang ZHANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Congqing GAO ; Cong WANG ; Zhi ZHANG ; Jun YANG ; Li JIN ; Yanping WANG ; Zhulin NIU
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(3):263-268
Objective:To explore the causes and therapeutic effects of pelvic pain caused by rectal fistula or bladder fistula after comprehensive treatment of cervical cancer and rectal cancer (radiotherapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and other treatments).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and pathological data of patients with pelvic tumors admitted to the First People's Hospital of Yinchuan City, Ningxia and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2016 to June 2022. The causes of persistent pelvic pain in patients after comprehensive treatment was investigated, and the corresponding therapeutic effects after clinical treatment was observed.Results:Thirty-two tumor patients experienced persistent pain after comprehensive treatment, including 22 cases of cervical cancer and 10 cases of rectal cancer. The preoperative pain of the entire group of patients was evaluated using the digital grading method, with a pain score of (7.88±1.31) points. Among the 32 patients, there were 16 cases of rectovaginal fistula or ileovaginal fistula, 9 cases of vesicovaginal fistula, 5 cases of rectoperineal fistula, and 2 cases of vesicovaginorectal fistula. Thirty-two patients were initially treated with medication to relieve pain, and according to the ruptured organs, a fistula was made to the corresponding proximal intestinal canal and renal pelvis to intercept the intestinal contents and urine. However, the pain did not significantly be improved. The pain score of treatment with the above methods for one week was (8.13±1.13) points, and there was no statistically significant difference compared to preoperative treatment ( P=0.417). In the later stage, based on a comprehensive evaluation of whether the tumor had recurred, the value of organ preservation, the benefits of surgery, the balance between survival time and improving quality of life, pathological organ resection or repair was performed. The surgical methods included repair of leaks, local debridement combined with irrigation of proximal intestinal fluid, distal closure of the sigmoid colon combined with proximal ostomy, posterior pelvic organ resection, anterior pelvic organ resection, and total pelvic organ resection. One week after surgery, the patients' pain completely relieved or disappeared, with the pain score of (1.72±1.37) points, which was significantly divergent from the preoperative and initial surgical treatments ( P<0.001). Conclusions:Palliative pyelostomy and proximal enterostomy cannot effectively alleviate persistent pelvic floor pain. The fundamental way to alleviate pain is complete blocking of the inflammatory erosion of the intestinal fluid and urine.

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