1.Characterization and Application of Moisture Absorption Kinetics of Traditional Chinese Medicines Based on Double Exponential Model:A Review
Yanting YU ; Lei XIONG ; Yan HE ; Wei LIU ; Jing YANG ; Yao ZHANG ; Jiali CHEN ; Xiaojian LUO ; Xiaoyong RAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):340-346
Hygroscopicity research has long been a key focus and hot topic in Chinese materia medica(CMM). Elucidating hygroscopic mechanisms plays a vital role in formulation design, process optimization, and storage condition selection. Hygroscopic models serve as essential tools for characterizing CMM hygroscopic mechanisms, with various types available. The double exponential model is a kinetic mathematical model constructed based on the law of conservation of energy and Fick's first law of diffusion, tailored to the physical properties of CMM extracts. In recent years, this model has been extensively applied to simulate the dynamic moisture absorption behavior of CMM extracts and solid dosage forms under varying humidity conditions. It has revealed the correlation between moisture absorption kinetic parameters and material properties, offering a new perspective for characterizing the moisture uptake behavior of CMM. This paper systematically reviews the application progress of this model in the field of CMM, analyzes its advantages, disadvantages, and challenges in this domain, and explores its potential application trends in other fields. It aims to provide references for elucidating the moisture absorption mechanisms of CMM and researching moisture-proofing technologies, while also offering insights for its broader application in food and polymer materials.
2.Value of immunoglobulin G/immunoglobulin M ratio in predicting the prognosis of patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma treated by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitor and programmed cell death protein-1 inhibitor
Xingzhi LI ; Wei LUO ; Yuan FENG ; Yu CAI ; Xiaohong LIU ; Feixiang WU ; Yong PENG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):117-124
ObjectiveTo investigate the association between immunoglobulin G (IgG)/immunoglobulin M (IgM) ratio and prognosis in patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (iuHCC) receiving TTP triple therapy with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), and programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) inhibitors. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 151 iuHCC patients who received TTP triple therapy in Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, from November 2019 to December 2022, and according to IgG/IgM ratio, they were divided into high IgG/IgM group (IgG/IgM ratio >13.23) and low IgG/IgM group (IgG/IgM ratio ≤13.23). The t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test were used for survival analysis, and the Cox proportional hazards model was used to investigate the potential influencing factors for overall survival (OS). ResultsThe 151 patients had a median OS of 26.7 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 19.8-not reached) and a median progression-free survival of 12.5 months (95%CI: 10.4 — 15.8). The objective response rate was 83.4% and the disease control rate was 94.0%. There were no significant differences in baseline data between the high IgG/IgM group and the low IgG/IgM group (all P>0.05). There was a significant difference in median OS between the high IgG/IgM group and the low IgG/IgM group (20.6 months vs not reached, P=0.016). In both the high IgG/IgM group and the low IgG/IgM group, salvage hepatectomy was significantly associated with the improvement in OS (χ2=8.297 and 10.307, both P<0.05). The multivariate analysis showed that high IgG/IgM ratio (hazard ratio [HR]=1.799, 95%CI: 1.077 — 3.006, P=0.025), baseline alpha-fetoprotein >400 ng/mL (HR=1.762, 95%CI: 1.017 — 3.050, P=0.043), and BCLC stage (HR=2.265, 95%CI: 1.212 — 4.232, P=0.010) were independent influencing factors for OS. ConclusionHigh IgG/IgM ratio is associated with a poorer prognosis in iuHCC patients receiving TTP triple therapy, and salvage hepatectomy has a potential value in improving the prognosis of patients with a high IgG/IGM ratio.
3.Microscopic Mechanism of Ulcerative Colitis and New Ideas on Medicine Management Based on Theory of Mutual Interference Between Lucidity and Turbidity
Yuying XU ; Changpu ZHAO ; Lei LUO ; Renwu CHEN ; Zishun LI ; Meiling LI ; Rongzhi LI ; Yu ZHANG ; Guangjie SHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):288-299
The chapter Zhouyu in Guoyu says "Qi of the heaven and the earth moves without losing its order." With lucidity ascending and turbidity descending, Qi moves in a normal state, and Yin and Yang consolidate the foundation of the body. The mutual interference between lucidity and turbidity leads to the disorder of Qi movement, thus causing diseases. It is a pathological state of disorder between ascending and descending, as well as between entering and exiting, gradually evolving into a state of turbidity affecting lucidity and transforming into pathogen, which can be used to interpret and analyze the core of disease pathogenesis. The theory of lucidity and turbidity is connected with the harmony of nutrient and defensive aspects, Qi circulation, and sweat pore associating with Qi movement, and it has common implications with immune responses and nutrient metabolism system, intestinal mucosal barrier function, and mitochondrial energy synthesis. Modern studies have shown that intestinal flora imbalance, bile acid receptor inactivation, macrophage polarization imbalance, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, ferroptosis and other related microscopic pathological mechanisms are involved in the development and progression of ulcerative colitis. By delving into the common meaning of the classic theory of mutual interference between lucidity and turbidity in traditional Chinese medicine and modern medical pathological mechanisms, this paper summarizes the correspondence between the micropathological mechanism and the theory of mutual interference between lucidity and turbidity in the regulation and mamagement of ulcerative colitis. The combined use of sweet and warm medicinal materials consolidates the middle Qi and activates Qi circulation, thus ascending lucidity and descending turbidity. The combined use of pungent medicinal materials for dispersing and bitter medicinal materials for descending simultaneously raises warm and clear Qi. Wind-extinguishing medicinal materials facilitate the ascending of Qi and the opening of sweat pores. Accordingly, turbidity descends and lucidity ascends. The prescriptions incorporating these medication principles are in agreement with the therapeutic approach of following the normal flow of lucidity and turbidity. This paper clarifies the scientific connotation and micropathologic mechanism of ulcerative colitis from the perspective of mutual interference between lucidity and turbidity, providing new theories and prescriptions for the clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of ulcerative colitis.
4.Long-term Outcomes of Endoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation versus Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Widespread Superficial Esophageal Squamous Cell Neoplasia
Xin TANG ; Qian-Qian MENG ; Ye GAO ; Chu-Ting YU ; Yan-Rong ZHANG ; Yan BIAN ; Jin-Fang XU ; Lei XIN ; Wei WANG ; Han LIN ; Luo-Wei WANG
Gut and Liver 2025;19(2):198-206
Background/Aims:
Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (ERFA) is a treatment option for superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN), with a relatively low risk of stenosis; however, the long-term outcomes remain unclear. We aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of patients with widespread superficial ESCN who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or ERFA.
Methods:
We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with superficial ESCN who underwent ESD or ERFA between January 2015 and December 2021. The primary outcome measure was recurrence-free survival.
Results:
Ninety-two and 33 patients with superficial ESCN underwent ESD and ERFA, respectively. The en bloc, R0, and curative resection rates for ESD were 100.0%, 90.2%, and 76.1%, respectively. At 12 months, the complete response rate was comparable between the two groups (94.6% vs 90.9%, p=0.748). During a median follow-up of 66 months, recurrence-free survival was significantly longer in the ESD group than in the ERFA group (p=0.004), while no significant differences in overall survival (p=0.845) and disease-specific survival (p=0.494) were observed.Preoperative diagnosis of intramucosal cancer (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.55; vs high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia) was an independent predictor of recurrence. Significantly fewer patients in the ERFA group experienced stenosis compare to ESD group (15.2% vs 38.0%, p=0.016).
Conclusions
The risk of recurrence was higher for ERFA than ESD for ESCN but overall survival was not affected. The risk of esophageal stenosis was significantly lower for patients who underwent ERFA.
5.Effect of Huanglian Jiedutang in Regulating Ferroptosis in Mice with Atherosclerosis Based on Nrf2/GPX4 Signaling Pathway
Zhaohui GONG ; Li GAO ; Huiqi ZHAI ; Jinzi YU ; Qingmin CHU ; Chuanjin LUO ; Lijin QING ; Wei WU ; Rong LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):22-28
ObjectiveTo study the mechanism of Huanglian Jiedutang (HLJDT) in treating mice with atherosclerosis (AS) by improving ferroptosis. MethodsA total of 10 SPF C57BL/6J mice were selected as a normal group, and 50 ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into five groups: model group, low-dose group of HLJDT, medium-dose group of HLJDT, high-dose group of HLJDT, and atorvastatin (ATV) group. ApoE-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet for eight weeks to establish the AS model, and at the 9th week, they were given normal saline, low, medium, and high doses of HLJDT (3.9, 7.8, 15.6 g·kg-1·d-1), and atorvastatin calcium tablets (0.01 g·kg-1·d-1), respectively, for a total of eight weeks. The formation of aortic plaque in mice was observed by gross oil red O staining and Masson staining. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in blood fat were measured by the automatic biochemical analyzer, and the mitochondrial structure of the aorta was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The content of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The content of reduced glutathione (GSH) in serum was detected by the microplate method, and that of malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum was detected by the TBA method. The protein expression of nuclear factor E2-associated factor 2 (Nrf2)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) signaling pathway was detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with those of the normal group, the contents of TC, LDL-C, TG, HDL-C, and MDA in the serum and the aortic vascular plaque deposition of the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01), while the expression levels of SOD and GSH in serum, as well as Nrf2, solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), and GPX4 in aorta were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Mice in the model group appeared mitochondrial fragmentation and vacuolation in the aorta, volume atrophy, mitochondrial crista reduction, or a loose and disorganized form. Compared with those in the model group, the aortic vascular plaque deposition was significantly decreased in the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of HLJDT and ATV group, and the contents of serum TC, LDL-C, TG, and MDA in serum were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The contents of serum SOD and GSH and the expression levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 in the aorta were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the symptoms of aortic mitochondrial vacuolation were alleviated. The number of cristae was increased, and they were ordered neatly. ConclusionHLJDT can reduce aortic vascular plaque deposition, decrease blood lipid and MDA expression, increase SOD and GSH expression, and ameliorate the pathological changes of ferroptosis, the mechanism of which is related to the Nrf2/GPX4 signaling pathway.
6.Treatment Effect on Structure and Function of Submandibular Gland in Sjögren's Syndrome Model Mice by Artemisinin
Ziwei HUANG ; Qian HE ; Jiahe LIAO ; Xinbo YU ; Jing LUO ; Weijiang SONG ; Qingwen TAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):158-165
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of artemisinin (ART) on histopathological damage and salivary secretion in the submandibular gland (SMG) of mice with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) model,and on the expression of aquaporin 5 (AQP5) in SMG cells. MethodsThe NOD/Ltj mice were used as a model of SS and randomly divided into the SS model group,the ART group,and the hydroxychloroquine sulfate (HCQ) group,with six mice per group. Another 6 female BALB/c mice at the same week were selected as the control group. Mice in the ART group was fed with the ART solution daily in the dosage of 50 mg·kg-1,and mice in the HCQ group was given with the HCQ solution (1 300 mg·kg-1). Mice in the SS model and control groups were given saline daily. The treatment lasted for 8 weeks. The 24-hour average water intake,salivary flow rate,SMG pathology scores of mice in each group were measured,as well as the expression levels of AQP5 protein and gene in the SMG tissues. ResultsCompared with the control group,the 24-hour average water intake of mice in the model group was significantly increased (P<0.01),and the saliva flow rate was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared to the SS model group,the 24-hour average water intake of mice in the ART and HCQ groups was significantly reduced (P<0.01),and the salivary flow rate was significantly increased in the ART group(P<0.01),comparisons between groups showed that the ART was superior to the HCQ in reducing water intake and improving saliva flow rate in SS model mice (P<0.05). The HE staining results showed that,compared with the normal group,the number of lymphocyte infiltration foci in SMG tissue in the model group increased,and the pathological score increased (P<0.01). Compared to the SS model group,after the intervention of the ART and HCQ,the number of lymphocytic infiltration foci in the SMG tissue decreased,the area of the lymphocytic infiltration foci was reduced,and the pathology score of the SMG tissues was lowered in the ART group(P<0.01). However,there was no difference in pathological scores between the ART and HCQ groups . The results of IHC,Western blot,and Real-time PCR showed that,compared with the normal group,the expression levels of AQP5 protein and gene in SMG tissue in the model group significantly decreased (P<0.05). Comparing with the SS model group,the ART and HCQ groups could significantly up-regulated the expression levels of AQP5 protein and mRNA in the SMG tissue,and the treatment effect was better than that of HCQ. ConclusionART was able to ameliorate SMG structural damage and salivary secretion function in SS model mice,and its mechanism of action may be related to the up-regulation of AQP5 protein and gene expression levels in SMG cells.
7.Research and Application of Scalp Surface Laplacian Technique
Rui-Xin LUO ; Si-Ying GUO ; Xin-Yi LI ; Yu-He ZHAO ; Chun-Hou ZHENG ; Min-Peng XU ; Dong MING
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):425-438
Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a non-invasive, high temporal-resolution technique for monitoring brain activity. However, affected by the volume conduction effect, EEG has a low spatial resolution and is difficult to locate brain neuronal activity precisely. The surface Laplacian (SL) technique obtains the Laplacian EEG (LEEG) by estimating the second-order spatial derivative of the scalp potential. LEEG can reflect the radial current activity under the scalp, with positive values indicating current flow from the brain to the scalp (“source”) and negative values indicating current flow from the scalp to the brain (“sink”). It attenuates signals from volume conduction, effectively improving the spatial resolution of EEG, and is expected to contribute to breakthroughs in neural engineering. This paper provides a systematic overview of the principles and development of SL technology. Currently, there are two implementation paths for SL technology: current source density algorithms (CSD) and concentric ring electrodes (CRE). CSD performs the Laplace transform of the EEG signals acquired by conventional disc electrodes to indirectly estimate the LEEG. It can be mainly classified into local methods, global methods, and realistic Laplacian methods. The global method is the most commonly used approach in CSD, which can achieve more accurate estimation compared with the local method, and it does not require additional imaging equipment compared with the realistic Laplacian method. CRE employs new concentric ring electrodes instead of the traditional disc electrodes, and measures the LEEG directly by differential acquisition of the multi-ring signals. Depending on the structure, it can be divided into bipolar CRE, quasi-bipolar CRE, tripolar CRE, and multi-pole CRE. The tripolar CRE is widely used due to its optimal detection performance. While ensuring the quality of signal acquisition, the complexity of its preamplifier is relatively acceptable. Here, this paper introduces the study of the SL technique in resting rhythms, visual-related potentials, movement-related potentials, and sensorimotor rhythms. These studies demonstrate that SL technology can improve signal quality and enhance signal characteristics, confirming its potential applications in neuroscientific research, disease diagnosis, visual pathway detection, and brain-computer interfaces. CSD is frequently utilized in applications such as neuroscientific research and disease detection, where high-precision estimation of LEEG is required. And CRE tends to be used in brain-computer interfaces, that have stringent requirements for real-time data processing. Finally, this paper summarizes the strengths and weaknesses of SL technology and envisages its future development. SL technology boasts advantages such as reference independence, high spatial resolution, high temporal resolution, enhanced source connectivity analysis, and noise suppression. However, it also has shortcomings that can be further improved. Theoretically, simulation experiments should be conducted to investigate the theoretical characteristics of SL technology. For CSD methods, the algorithm needs to be optimized to improve the precision of LEEG estimation, reduce dependence on the number of channels, and decrease computational complexity and time consumption. For CRE methods, the electrodes need to be designed with appropriate structures and sizes, and the low-noise, high common-mode rejection ratio preamplifier should be developed. We hope that this paper can promote the in-depth research and wide application of SL technology.
8.Role of autophagy in treatment of paracetamol-induced liver injury
Guojing XING ; Lifei WANG ; Longlong LUO ; Xiaofeng ZHENG ; Chun GAO ; Xiaohui YU ; Jiucong ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):389-394
N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP) is an antipyretic analgesic commonly used in clinical practice, and APAP overdose can cause severe liver injury and even death. In recent years, the incidence rate of APAP-induced liver injury (AILI) tends to increase, and it has become the second most common cause of liver transplantation worldwide. Autophagy is a highly conserved catabolic process that removes unwanted cytosolic proteins and organelles through lysosomal degradation to achieve the metabolic needs of cells themselves and the renewal of organelles. A large number of studies have shown that autophagy plays a key role in the pathophysiology of AILI, involving the mechanisms such as APAP protein conjugates, oxidative stress, JNK activation, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammatory response and apoptosis. This article elaborates on the biological mechanism of autophagy in AILI, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of AILI and the development of autophagy regulators.
9.Bacterial contamination of platelets apheresis: a single-center retrospective analysis
Yuanyuan LUO ; Chunya MA ; Lihui FU ; Zeshan WANG ; Yang YU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(2):233-237
[Objective] To evaluate the risk of bacterial contamination of platelets apheresis and improve the clinical diagnosis rate of transfusion-transmitted bacterial infections. [Methods] A retrospective analysis was conducted on 11 cases involving bacterial contamination detected in apheresis platelets during quality inspections at our center from 2021 to 2023, as well as cases of transfusion-transmitted bacterial infection (TTBI) caused by platelet transfusion. The return of positive platelet bacteria test results and clinical transfusion adverse reactions were statistically analyzed. [Results] There were 9 donors with bacteria-contaminated platelets, of which 3 were reported as clinical transfusion reaction, 4 were detected by quality sampling, and 2 were identified by appearance detection before transfusion. The bacterial contamination rate of platelets was about 0.08% (9/10 762). The contaminated platelets were involved in 11 cases of TTBI, with an incidence of TTBI of approximately 0.05% (11/21 916). Only 3 cases of transfusion reactions were clinically reported, while the rest were case tracking with positive results of platelet bacterial test from quality sampling. The clinical return rate of TTBI was 27.27% (3/11), with an average reporting time of 8.12 hours after the occurrence of transfusion reactions. The majority of the contaminated platelets were detected at the end stage of storage, with 55.56% (5/9) of platelets collected on the 4th day after collection. Partial contaminated platelets were identified through quality sampling, with a positive rate of 2.78% (4/144). [Conclusion] The platelet bacterial contamination rate is high, but with low clinical return rate. It is recommended to conduct routine platelet bacterial monitoring and improve clinical diagnostic level.
10.Relationship between acute stress response and depression among college students: the mediating role of rumination and the moderated role of perceived social support
Gui LUO ; Fenghui YUAN ; Yunjing MOU ; Haijun YU ; Jingjing LIANG ; Jiangbo DANG ; Bin GAO
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(2):153-158
BackgroundDepression has become a public health concern that affects the physical and mental health of college students. acute stress response is a risk factor of depression. Exploring the relationship and mechanism between acute stress response and depression is of great significance for preventing and intervening depression in college students. ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between acute stress response and depression among college students, and to analyze the mediating role of rumination and the moderated effect of perceived social support, so as to provide references for the prevention and intervention of depression in college student . MethodsFrom March to April 2020, a cluster sampling method was employed to select 1 355 college students from three universities in Hubei, Jiangxi and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Participants were assessed with Acute Stress Disorder Scale (ASDS), Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS), Brief form of Perceived Social Support Questionnaire (F-SozU) and Patients' Health Questionnaire Depression Scale-9 item (PHQ-9). Pearson correlation analysis was adopted to examine the correlation between the scores of each scale. The mediating role of rumination between acute stress response and depression and the moderated role of perceived social support were examined respectively by using Model 4 and Model 14 in Macro Program Process 3.3. ResultsA total of 1 303 valid questionnaires were collected, yielding a valid response rate of 96.16%. The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that ASDS score was positively correlated with RRS score and PHQ-9 score (r=0.649, 0.528, P<0.01) among college students. The mediation analysis results demonstrated that rumination played a partial mediating role between acute stress response and depression, with the mediating effect value of 0.273 (95% CI:0.222~0.328), accounting for 68.59% of the total effect. Perceived social support played a moderated role in the latter path of the mediation model (rumination → depression) (β=-0.004, 95% CI: -0.017~-0.004, P<0.01). ConclusionRumination played a partial mediating role between acute stress response and depression in college students, and perceptive social support played a moderated role between rumination and depression. [Funded by Scientific Research Fund Project of Education Department of Yunnan Province (number, 2025J0437)]

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