1.Effect of Astragali Radix on Gut Microbiota and GLP-1 in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Patients with Qi Deficiency Type
Keke HOU ; Lin CHEN ; Zhidan ZHANG ; Yunyi YANG ; Fangli ZHANG ; Yuanying XU ; Hongping YIN ; Lan DING ; Tao LEI ; Wenjun SHA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):161-170
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of Astragali Radix-mediated changes in gut microbiota on treating type 2 diabetes (T2DM). MethodsA 12-week randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled eighty patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and poor glycemic control in the Qi deficiency type. All patients received insulin therapy. The observation group (40 cases) was administered with Astragali Radix Granules, while the control group (40 cases) received a placebo. Both treamtents were taken orally twice daily. Changes in gut microbiota were assessed by 16s rDNA sequencing. Serum glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Glucose metabolism indicators including fasting blood glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2 h PG),glycated albumin(GA), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were evaluated. Pancreatic function was evaluated using fasting C-peptide (FCP), 2-hour postprandial C-peptide (2 h CP), and C-peptide area under the curve (AUCcp). Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, clinical efficacy, and safety indicators were also observed. ResultsIn terms of glucose metabolism indicators, compared with the baseline, both groups exhibited significantly lower FPG, 2 h PG, GA and HbA1C (P<0.01),while FCP, 2 h CP and AUCcp were significantly higher (P<0.01). Compared with the control group after the treatment, the observation group showed significantly lower FPG, 2 h PG, GA and HbA1C(P<0.05, P<0.01),and significantly higher FCP, 2 h CP and AUCcp (P<0.05, P<0.01), indicating that Astragali Radix can improve glucose metabolism. In terms of the diversity of gut microbiota, no significant differences were detected in the Chao1, Shannon and Simpson indexes of the two groups compared with their respective baselines. However, compared with the post-treatment control group, the observation group demonstrated significant increases in the Chao1, Shannon and Simpson indexes (P<0.05, P<0.01). The β-diversity analysis showed significant separation in gut microbiota composition before and after treatment in both groups, indicating that Astragali Radix can significantly alter the structure and improve the diversity of gut microbiota. At the phylum level, compared with the baseline, both groups showed a significant increase in the relative abundance of Bacteroidota(P<0.01). The relative abundance of the potentially harmful phylum Proteobacteria was significantly lower in the observation Group after treatment (P<0.01). Compared with the post-treatment control group, the observation group had a significantly higher relative abundance of Bacteroidota(P<0.01). No significant difference was found in Firmicutes/Bacteroidota (F/B) ratio between the two groups after treatment, and other phyla showed no significant differences. At the genus level, compared with the baseline, the observation group exhibited a significant increase in Bacteroides (P<0.01) and a significant decrease in Escherichia-Shigella (P<0.01), whereas no significant difference was seen in the control group . Compared with the control group after treatment, the observation group after treatment had a significantly higher relative abundance of Bacteroides (P<0.01). No significant differences were seen in other genera. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) identified potential characteristics taxa: in the observation group, Bacteroidota at the phylum level and Bacteroides and Dubosiella at the genus level, in the control group, Proteobacteria at the phylum level as well as Barnesiella and Staphylococcus at the genus level. Correlation analysis based on a heatmap revealed that GLP-1 levels were positively correlated with Firmicutes, F/B ratio and Fusobacterium, and negatively correlated with Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria, Bacteroides and Escherichia-Shigella. In terms of clinical efficacy, compared with the control group, the total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher (P<0.05). Compared with the baseline, the scores for shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, spontaneous sweating and reluctance to speak significantly decreased in both groups (P<0.01). Compared with the control group after treatment, the score for weakness was significantly lower in the observation group (P<0.01),indicating that Astragali Radix could improve clinical symptoms and alleviate weakness symptoms. In terms of safety, compared with the baseline, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels significantly decreased in both groups (P<0.05,P<0.01),indicating that Astragali Radix did not induce any significant abnormalities in liver and kidney functions. ConclusionAstragali Radix demonstrates the potential to significantly improve the gut microbiota environment in patients of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes with Qi deficiency. The therapeutic effect may contribute to glycemic control, possibly mediated by an elevation in GLP-1 level. These findings may support its further clinical investigations and potential applications.
2.HJT-sRNA-m7 bencaosome modulates fibrosis progression in a silicosis mouse model
Jiahui CHANG ; Pengju REN ; Yunyi ZHOU ; Chengyu JIANG ; Yanli ZHANG
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(7):874-881
Objective To explore the role and mechanism of HJT-sRNA-m7(M7)bencaosome in a silicosis mouse model.Methods C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups:blank,control,negative control(NC)oligonucleotide,and M7 treatment(HJT-sRNA-m7 bencaosome)groups.After three rounds of pretreatment with HJT-sRNA-m7 bencaosome,all groups except the blank one were modeled via a single intratracheal exposure.Each mouse received 50 μL of a silica suspension at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight via intratracheal instillation.From day 6 to day 26,the bencaosome was administered every other day via oral gavages.On day 28,pulmonary function tests were performed.Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected for flow cytometry and cytokine analysis.The left lung was harvested for histopathological examination and Masson's trichrome staining to evaluate collagen fiber dep-osition.The right lung was used for hydroxyproline quantification to assess collagen accumulation.Results The re-sults of pulmonary function test,pathological analysis and hydroxyproline measurements all indicated that M7 ben-caosome treatment significantly alleviated silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis.Moreover,flow cytometry analysis of BALF confirmed that M7 bencaosome inhibited the silica-induced inflammatory response,that was supported by cy-tokine analysis.Conclusions HJT-sRNA-m7 bencaosome is quite effective to treat silicosis and inhibits mitigating pulmonary fibrosis progression in mouse models.
3.Severity assessment criteria for rosacea
Yue ZHANG ; Meng TAO ; Min LI ; Peiyu JIANG ; Yunyi LIU ; Yixuan LIU ; Ruoxin PAN ; Yang XU
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2024;57(2):182-185
Rosacea is a chronic recurrent inflammatory skin disease, and correct assessment of clinical symptoms and severity may facilitate treatment options. This review summarizes a range of subjective, semi-subjective and objective methods currently used in the assessment of rosacea severity, in order to provide useful tools for clinical assessment of rosacea severity and give guidance on treatment modification according to the therapeutic effect.
4.Advances on toxicity of nano-cerium oxide to male reproductive system
Bin YUWEN ; Zehan JIA ; Yunyi ZHANG ; Wenwen ZHENG ; Jie ZHANG ; Xing ZHANG ; Fenju QIN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(8):947-953
Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs), as the oxides of the most abundant elements in rare earths, have been widely used in biomedical and industrial production and other fields that are closely related to human life. China is a large country in resources and production of rare earth, and the impact of CeO2 NPs on human health has been increasingly concerned. In response to the possible health risks of CeO2 NPs, researchers begin to focus on their toxic effects on living organisms, especially on the reproductive system. The male reproductive system is not only responsible for producing sperm and regulating the secretion of testosterone, but also plays a key role in maintaining male sexual characters and function. Any adverse effects on the male reproductive system may lead to reduced fertility and reproductive dysfunction. Some studies have shown that long-term exposure to CeO2 NPs may lead to gonadal damage, sex hormone disorders, and other problems in male animals. Therefore, an in-depth study of the potential effects of CeO2 NPs on the male reproductive system is of great scientific significance and practical value. In this study, we reviewed the male reproductive toxicity of CeO2 NPs in terms of spermatogenic cells, spermatozoa structure, blood-testis barrier, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, and functional changes in epididymis, and analyzed the effects of the size and shape of physicochemical parameters of CeO2 NPs on the toxicity to male reproductive system. The findings will provide a theoretical basis and scientific evidence for the rational use of CeO2 NPs.
5.Network pharmacology reveals the effect and mechanism of Ganoderma leucocontextum ethanol extract on improving inflammatory response in silicosis lungs
Rui QIAN ; Luoning ZHANG ; Yunyi XU ; Donglei SUN ; Liqun WANG ; Xuxi CHEN ; Yuqin YAO ; Linshen XIE
China Occupational Medicine 2024;51(1):6-15
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Ganoderma leucocontextum ethanol extract (GLE) on silicosis and its potential molecular mechanism using network pharmacology, molecular docking technology and animal experiments. Methods i) The components of GLE were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-Q Exactive-mass spectrometry (UPLC-QE-MS) method. The active components, potential molecular pathways and targets of GLE in the intervention of inflammation process of silicosis was explored using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. ii) Specific pathogen free male C57BL6/J mice were divided into four groups with 10 mice in each group. The mice in the silicosis model group and GLE intervention group were given a dose of 80 μL silica suspension with a mass concentration of 50 g/L once by non-exposed tracheal instillation, and the mice in the blank control group and GLE control group were given an equal volume of sterile 0.9% sodium chloride solution. From the second day after modeling, GLE control group and GLE intervention group were given GLE at a dose of 200 mg/(kg•d) by gavage, while blank control group and silicosis model group were given the same volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution by gavage, once per day for 35 days. After that, the histopathological changes of lung tissues of mice were observed, the lung mass coefficient, inflammation score and the ratio of collagen deposition area were calculated, and the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -α, interleukin (IL) -1β and IL-6 in the lung tissues of mice were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results i) A total of 76 active components of GLE were detected by UPLC-QE-MS. Among them, 36 ingredients met the screening criteria of the five principles of drug-like components. A total of 67 potential targets of the 36 GLE active ingredients to improve the inflammatory response of silicosis were screened based on the network pharmacology theory. The result of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis and Gene Ontology functional analysis showed that IL signaling and cytokine signaling of immune cells played a key role in the process of anti-silicosis of GLE. The results of molecular docking showed that the top 10 targets based on the 67 intersection targets were TNF, IL6, B-cell lymphoma 2, cellular tumor antigen p53, Caspase-3 subunit p12, JUN, epidermal growth factor receptor, IL1B, 67 kDa matrix metalloproteinase-9 and prostaglandin G/H synthase 2. The result of protein-protein interaction analysis showed that glycyrrhetinic acid had the strongest affinity with the key targets TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, followed by ganoderma acid DM, alismatol C, ganoderma acid β and red sapogenin. ii) The results of histopathological examination showed that the inflammatory response and collagen deposition were alleviated in the lungs of mice with silicosis. The lung mass coefficient, inflammation score, ratio of collagen deposition area and IL-6 expression in lung were lower in mice of the GLE intervention group (all P<0.05), compared with the silicosis model group. However, there was no significant difference in the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in lung tissues between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion GLE may reduce silica-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis by inhibiting the IL-6 level in lung tissues of mice. Its mechanism is associated with the synergistic action of multi-components, multi-targets and multi-pathways.
6.Application of immune combination therapy in MSS/pMMR-type colorectal cancer: current status and future perspectives
Xiaoling ZHANG ; Wenxuan FAN ; Yunyi DU ; Yan ZHANG ; Fei SU ; Wenqing HU ; Jun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(8):725-736
In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been widely used in malignant solid tumors with remarkable efficacy. However, in colorectal cancer (CRC), ICIs have shown significant therapeutic effects only in patients with highly microsatellite unstable/mismatch repair-deficient metastatic CRC and these patients are only a minority of all CRC patients. In contrast, the majority of patients, those with microsatellite stable (MSS)/mismatch repair-complete (pMMR)-type metastatic CRC, could hardly benefit from ICI monotherapies, and immune combination therapies have become the key to solveing this clinical challenge. This article introduces the common patterns and possible mechanisms of immune-combination therapies for MSS/pMMR-type CRC, the exploration and progress made in the application of immune-combination therapies, as well as the possible predictive markers of efficacy of immune therapies. The prospects and directions of ICIs in the treatment of MSS/pMMR-type CRC are also discussed.
7.Application of immune combination therapy in MSS/pMMR-type colorectal cancer: current status and future perspectives
Xiaoling ZHANG ; Wenxuan FAN ; Yunyi DU ; Yan ZHANG ; Fei SU ; Wenqing HU ; Jun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(8):725-736
In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been widely used in malignant solid tumors with remarkable efficacy. However, in colorectal cancer (CRC), ICIs have shown significant therapeutic effects only in patients with highly microsatellite unstable/mismatch repair-deficient metastatic CRC and these patients are only a minority of all CRC patients. In contrast, the majority of patients, those with microsatellite stable (MSS)/mismatch repair-complete (pMMR)-type metastatic CRC, could hardly benefit from ICI monotherapies, and immune combination therapies have become the key to solveing this clinical challenge. This article introduces the common patterns and possible mechanisms of immune-combination therapies for MSS/pMMR-type CRC, the exploration and progress made in the application of immune-combination therapies, as well as the possible predictive markers of efficacy of immune therapies. The prospects and directions of ICIs in the treatment of MSS/pMMR-type CRC are also discussed.
8.Spiradenocarcinoma, cylindrocarcinoma and spiradenocylindrocarcinoma: a clinicopathological study of seven cases
Jiaojie LYU ; Xu CAI ; Na LYU ; Yan ZHANG ; Xuebing JIANG ; Min REN ; Yunyi KONG
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2024;53(12):1224-1230
Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of spiradenocarcinoma, cylindrocarcinoma, and spiradenocylindrocarcinoma, and to understand the correlations between their morphological patterns and clinical behaviors.Methods:Seven cases of spiradenocarcinoma, cylindrocarcinoma, and spiradenocylindrocarcinoma diagnosed at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China from 2015 to 2021 were collected. The clinicopathological characteristics and follow-up data were retrospectively analyzed. Histopathologic evaluation and immunohistochemical studies were carried out.Results:There were four men and three women in the cohort, with ages ranging from 46 to 75 years (mean, 61 years). The tumors were located on the head and neck (four cases), extremities (two cases), and trunk (one case). Histologically, the residuum of a benign neoplasm was present in all cases. One case presented salivary gland-type basal cell adenocarcinoma-like pattern, low-grade (BCAC-LG). Another case showed salivary gland-type basal cell adenocarcinoma-like pattern, high-grade (BCAC-HG). The remaining five cases were invasive adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified (IAC-NOS). One of IAC-NOS contained a mucinous adenocarcinoma component. Immunohistochemically, BCAC-LG and BCAC-HG predominantly expressed basal cell markers such as p63 and p40, whereas IAC-NOS primarily exhibited positivity for CK7, a glandular epithelial marker. Follow-up was available for six patients, ranging from 1 to 9 years (mean, 4.5 years). Among the four patients of IAC-NOS with follow-up, three showed recurrences, two had regional lymph node metastases, and one died.Conclusions:The malignant components of spiradenocarcinomas, cylindrocarcinomas, and spiradenocylindrocarcinomas in this cohort contain BCAC-LG, BCAC-HG and IAC-NOS. This study also shows the presence of mucinous adenocarcinoma components in IAC-NOS. The tumors with IAC-NOS have a relatively poorer prognosis than those without.
9.Discussion on the Application Prospects and Challenges of Generative Artificial Intelligence Represented by ChatGPT in the Field of Hospital Management
Mingwang FANG ; Ling GUO ; Yingde HUANG ; Wei YUAN ; Yunyi GAO ; Yi ZHOU ; Yiyang ZHAO ; Bingxing SHUAI ; Xiangjun CHEN ; Weiyi ZHANG ; Dajiang LI
Journal of Medical Informatics 2024;45(10):18-21
Purpose/Significance To explore the changes,challenges,key application scenarios and future development directions of generative artificial intelligence(AI)represented by ChatGPT in the field of hospital management,and to provide references for the ap-plication of AI natural language processing(NLP)technology in the field of hospital management in China.Method/Process Through literature review and analysis,the changes and challenges brought about by the rapid development of generative AI in the field of hospital management are sorted out,its key application scenarios and future development directions in the field of hospital management are empha-sized and explored.Result/Conclusion AI has broad application prospects in the field of hospital management,and it should focus on exploring its practical application scenarios and strategic directions to provide reference and guidance for promoting the high-quality de-velopment of public hospitals.
10.Establishment and validation of a fluorescence PCR with internal positive control for Mycoplasma detection
Yu LIU ; Yunyi WU ; Xiaoxiao WANG ; Shaohua LIU ; Shanru LIU ; Lei CHEN ; Long TIAN ; Zhongyang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2024;44(9):792-800
Objective:To establish and validate a fluorescence PCR with internal positive control for rapid Mycoplasma detection. Methods:A fluorescence PCR with internal positive control for Mycoplasma detection was developed and verified for its specificity, limit of detection, and robustness. A sample of fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTSV) virus strains was tested with this method, and the result was compared with those of culture method and indicator cell culture method. Results:The established fluorescence PCR had good specificity and could amplify 11 kinds of plasmids containing Mycoplasma 16S rRNA gene with high efficiency. There was no cross reaction with the genomic DNAs of Clostridium sporogenes, Clostridium acetobutylicum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, Vero cells, RD cells, and SF9 cells. The amplification efficiency of the internal positive control was basically consistent with that of the target gene of Mycoplasma, suggesting that the internal positive control could be used to detect the presence of PCR inhibitors. The sensitivity of the established method was high, and the detection limit was 10 colony-forming unit (CFU)/ml for Mycoplasma fermentans, 5 CFU/ml for Mycoplasma arginine, 5 CFU/ml for Mycoplasma gallisepticum, 5 CFU/ml for Mycoplasma hyorhinis, 5 CFU/ml for Acholeplasma laidlawii, 5 CFU/ml for Mycoplasma orale, 5 CFU/ml for Mycoplasma pneumoniae, 5 CFU/ml for Mycoplasma synoviae, and 1 CFU/ml for Spiroplasma citri by 7500 Fast real-time PCR system. At the detection limit of each species, there was no significant difference in the positive detection rate using different thermal cycler types. The established fluorescence PCR, culture method, and indicator cell culture were performed to detect Mycoplasma in the sample of SFTSV virus strains, and the results all showed Mycoplasma contamination. Conclusions:The established fluorescence PCR has high specificity, sensitivity, and robustness, and can be used as an alternative method for rapid detection of Mycoplasma.

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