1.Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine Against Gouty Arthritis via Regulating Nrf2 Signaling Pathway: A Review
Siyi CHEN ; Shumin HUANG ; Yushan ZHAO ; Jiajin LIN ; Qian SHI ; Yefeng CHEN ; Yize ZHANG ; Zhongwen ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):323-330
Gouty arthritis (GA) is an inflammatory disorder caused by monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposition, accompanied by elevated oxidative stress and aberrant release of inflammatory cytokines, resulting in joint tissue damage and intense pain. Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a key transcription factor regulating the antioxidant defence system, exerts cytoprotective effects through dissociation from Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and activates downstream antioxidant response element (ARE)-mediated pathways. It can upregulate the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NADH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione transferase (GST) to preserve redox homeostasis. Moreover, Nrf2 can suppress activation of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes, reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine production and release, modulate nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transcriptional activity, regulate gut microbiota balance, enhance mitophagy, and inhibit apoptosis, so as to reduce joint inflammation and pain and promote body recovery. This review systematically examined recent advancements in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for GA prevention and treatment via regulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway. It delineated Nrf2's molecular mechanisms and its role in GA pathogenesis and elucidated how TCM intervenes in multiple pathways including Keap1/Nrf2/ARE, Nrf2/HO-1(NQO1), and Nrf2/NF-κB/NLRP3 to exert therapeutic effects. The study demonstrated that TCM monomers and compounds effectively counteract oxidative damage, attenuate inflammatory responses, promote autophagy, and inhibit apoptosis via regulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway. These findings not only clarify the scientific basis of TCM in GA treatment but also offer strategic insights for developing novel Nrf2-targeted anti-gout drugs.
2.Factors influencing childhood thyroid enlargement in Tianjin
Yang WANG ; Dandan ZHANG ; Wenfeng LI ; Yushan CUI
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(4):27-31
Objective To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of thyroid enlargement in school-age children in Tianjin. Methods School-age children were randomly selected in Tianjin to undergo thyroid ultrasound examination, and salt iodine, urine iodine, height, and weight tests. A questionnaire survey was conducted. Univariate and multivariate regression models were used to analyze the risk factors for thyroid enlargement. Results A total of 917 children aged 7-13 years in Tianjin were surveyed, with a thyroid enlargement rate of 4.03% and a median thyroid volume of 2.60 ml. There was a non-linear relationship between children's body mass index (BMI) and the incidence of thyroid enlargement in children (P=0.008), and a linear relationship between children's body surface area (BSA) and the incidence of thyroid enlargement in children (P<0.001). Being 9 years old (OR=3.728, 95%CI: 1.343-10.343, P=0.012), obesity (OR=3.886, 95%CI: 1.801-8.384, P=0.001), having lunch at school (OR=3.157, 95%CI: 1.497-6.658, P=0.003) and frequent consumption of preserved foods (OR=4.611, 95%CI: 1.643-12.945, P=0.004) were risk factors for goiter in children. Regular consumption of seaweed (OR=0.305, 95%CI: 0.100-0.927, P=0.036) was a protective factor for goiter in children. Conclusion The incidence of thyroid enlargement in children in Tianjin meets national standards. Obesity, eating lunch at school, frequently consuming pickled foods, and being 9 years old may be risk factors for thyroid enlargement in children. Eating seaweed or kelp regularly is a protective factor. At the same time, attention should be paid to the relationship between BMI, BSA, and thyroid enlargement rate in children..
3.Study on the effect of fluoride exposure on dyslipidemia in the elderly
Wenfeng LI ; Fang LI ; Dandan ZHANG ; Yani DUAN ; Yushan CUI ; Yang WANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(4):55-59
Objective To explore the association between different levels of fluoride exposure and dyslipidemia in elderly people, and to analyze the influencing factors and their interactions. Methods A total of 1 143 elderly people over 60 years old were randomly selected from historical high water fluorosis areas and control areas in Tianjin. Logistic regression model and classification tree model were used to analyze the influencing factors of dyslipidemia, and to analyze the interaction between high fluoride exposure and relevant influencing factors on dyslipidemia. Results The prevalence of elevated low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was 5.69% (65/1 143). There was a significant difference in the prevalence of high LDL-C in different fluoride-exposed areas (2 = 0.092,P = 0.762). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that high fluoride exposure (OR=2.306,95%CI:1.185-4.491) and abdominal obesity (OR=2.274,95%CI:1.299-3.978) were risk factors for high LDL-C, while type B personality (OR=0.529,95%CI:0.308-0.908) was a protective factor for high LDL-C. The results of classification tree model showed that abdominal obesity contributed the most to the prevalence of high LDL-C in the elderly, followed by high fluoride exposure and hyperglycemia. There was a significant multiplicative interaction between high fluoride exposure and abdominal obesity on dyslipidemia (OR=5.191,95%CI:1.609-16.745,P=0.006). Conclusion High fluoride exposure may increase the risk of high LDL-C, and there is a multiplicative interaction between high fluoride exposure and abdominal obesity on dyslipidemia.
4.Treatment of Diabetic Kidney Disease with Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition-related Pathways: A Review
Jintao SHI ; Zhiyi ZHANG ; Yushan GAO ; Baicun GUO ; Yifei HU ; Jiarui HAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(24):288-298
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) stands as one of the most prevalent microvascular complications of diabetes,noted for its concealed onset and tendency to evolve into end-stage renal disease,profoundly impacting patients' life expectancy and quality of life. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a central pathological process in the initiation and progression of DKD,facilitating disease advancement and renal fibrosis,thus representing a crucial focus of research into the pathological mechanisms of DKD. EMT is driven by the abnormal activation of signaling pathways,including transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad,secreted glycoprotein/β-catenin,Notch,tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB),and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR),leading to renal cellular injury and subsequently accelerating renal fibrosis and the progression of DKD. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM),characterized by its multi-target and multi-pathway therapeutic approach,demonstrates unique advantages in addressing DKD and EMT. Recent research has shown that active ingredients in TCM,including glycosides,flavonoids,and polyphenols,as well as TCM formulas,can precisely target these relevant signaling pathways,effectively inhibiting cellular injury in DKD and intervening in the EMT process. These findings not only underscore the potential of TCM monomers and formulas in treating DKD and EMT but also pave new directions for research in this field within TCM. This paper systematically reviewed the signaling pathways associated with EMT and provided an in-depth analysis of the research achievements and underlying mechanisms of TCM monomers and formulas in treating DKD and intervening in EMT,aiming to offer new insights and directions for TCM in the treatment of DKD and research on EMT,thereby further promoting the modernization and development of TCM.
5.Biomechanical study on wing shaped titanium plate fixation of acetabular anterior column and posterior hemi-transverse fracture under multiple working conditions.
Jianwu ZHANG ; WURIKAIXI AIYITI ; Gang LYU ; MAIMAIAILI YUSHAN ; Zhiqiang MA ; Chao MA
Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2025;42(2):351-358
This article aims to compare and analyze the biomechanical differences between wing-shaped titanium plates and traditional titanium plates in fixing acetabular anterior column and posterior hemi-transverse (ACPHT) fracture under multiple working conditions using the finite element method. Firstly, four sets of internal fixation models for acetabular ACPHT fractures were established, and the hip joint stress under standing, sitting, forward extension, and abduction conditions was calculated through analysis software. Then, the stress of screws and titanium plates, as well as the stress and displacement of the fracture end face, were analyzed. Research has found that when using wing-shaped titanium plates to fix acetabular ACPHT fractures, the peak stress of screws decreases under all working conditions, while the peak stress of wing-shaped titanium plates decreases under standing and sitting conditions and increases under forward and outward extension conditions. The relative displacement and mean stress of the fracture end face decrease under all working conditions, but the values are higher under forward and outward extension conditions. Wing-shaped titanium plates can reduce the probability of screw fatigue failure when fixing acetabular ACPHT fractures and can bear greater loads under forward and outward extension conditions, improving the mechanical stability of the pelvis. Moreover, the stress on the fracture end surface is more conducive to stimulating fracture healing and promoting bone tissue growth. However, premature forward and outward extension rehabilitation exercises should not be performed.
Titanium
;
Bone Plates
;
Humans
;
Acetabulum/surgery*
;
Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods*
;
Biomechanical Phenomena
;
Finite Element Analysis
;
Bone Screws
;
Fractures, Bone/surgery*
;
Stress, Mechanical
;
Working Conditions
6.Identification and expression pattern analysis of α-glucosidase and β-glucosidase gene family members in melon.
Yushan LIANG ; Zhaoyang ZHANG ; Tingru YUE ; Lichao ZHANG ; Qingjie DU ; Jiqing WANG ; Huaijuan XIAO ; Meng LI
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(2):791-808
Glucosidases are an indispensable class of enzymes in the sugar metabolism of organisms. To investigate the biological functions and expression patterns of α-glucosidases (AGLUs) and β-glucosidases (BGLUs), we identified the two family members in the genome of melon (Cucumis melo). The number, location on chromosomes, gene structure, subcellular localization, conserved motifs, and phylogenetic relationship of the two family members were analyzed. Based on the cis-acting elements in the promoter region and protein interaction models, their functions were preliminarily predicted. Furthermore, the gene expression of the two family members was determined by qRT-PCR. The results showed that the melon genome contained five AGLU family members on five chromosomes, and all of the five members were located in the extracellular matrix, with the amino acid sequence lengths ranging from 899 aa to 1 060 aa. The melon genome carried 18 BGLU family members on 8 chromosomes, and all the members were located in the cell membrane or cytoplasm, with the amino acid lengths ranging from 151 aa to 576 aa. The qRT-PCR results showed that the expression of about 50% of the genes was down-regulated upon cold stress. CmAGLU5 and CmBGLU7 may be key members of the two families, respectively, in response to cold stress. The expression of all members of the two families was up-regulated under abscisic acid (ABA), high salt, and drought stress. In the AGLU family, CmAGLU3 was the key gene in response to ABA and high salt stress, while CmAGLU4 was the key gene in response to drought stress. In the BGLU family, CmBGLU18 was the key gene in response to ABA, while CmBGLU6 was the key gene in response to high salt and drought stress.
beta-Glucosidase/metabolism*
;
Phylogeny
;
alpha-Glucosidases/metabolism*
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
;
Cucurbitaceae/enzymology*
;
Multigene Family
;
Cucumis melo/enzymology*
;
Stress, Physiological
7.Urinary fluoride benchmark dose and its association with dental fluorosis among children from drinking water borne endemic fluorosis areas in Tianjin
DUAN Yani, WANG Yang, LI Fang, CUI Yushan, LI Wenfeng, ZHANG Dandan
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(12):1800-1804
Objective:
To understand the dose response relationship between urinary fluoride and dental fluorosis among children from drinking water borne endemic fluorosis areas in Tianjin, so as to provide a scientific basis for assessing fluoride exposure risk among children from endemic areas and establishing reference values for urinary fluoride.
Methods:
From January to December 2024, 83 endemic villages were selected in Tianjin. A total of 2 382 children aged 8-12 years from these villages underwent dental fluorosis examination, along with water fluoride and urinary fluoride testing. Additionally, data from areas where the drinking water fluorosis control target was achieved for more than 12 years (10 villages, 50 people per village) were included as controls. A restricted cubic spline model was used to analyze the relationship between urinary fluoride levels and dental fluorosis prevalence, and benchmark dose (BMD) and benchmark dose lower bound (BMDL), as well as reference dose (RfD), were calculated using the benchmark dose method.
Results:
The prevalence rates of dental fluorosis among children in drinking water borne endemic fluorosis areas and areas of normal fluoride content in water in Tianjin were 10.58%, 7.60%, with a geometric mean urinary fluoride level of 0.72 and 0.60 mg/L,respectively. There were statistically significant differences in both dental fluorosis prevalence and geometric mean urinary fluoride levels between the drinking water borne endemic fluorosis areas group and the areas of normal fluoride content in water ( χ 2/Z = 4.05 , -7.31, both P <0.05). Across different periods of water source improvement, there were statistically significant differences in overall population, male, and female dental fluorosis prevalence rates and geometric mean urinary fluoride levels ( χ 2/H =44.95, 23.96, 21.05; 168.39, 63.93, 107.50, all P <0.01). Significant differences were also observed across age groups among children from drinking water borne endemic fluorosis areas in terms of dental fluorosis prevalence and geometric mean urinary fluoride levels ( χ 2/H =32.14, 79.73, both P <0.01). The results of the restricted cubic spline model showed that the risk of dental fluorosis in different sex, age and overall children in the drinking water borne endemic fluorosis areas increased significantly with rising urinary fluoride concentration(all P-general trend <0.05). The BMD value for the drinking water borne endemic fluorosis areas was 1.72 mg/L, the BMDL was 1.31 mg/L, and the RfD was 1.31 mg/L.
Conclusions
The prevalence of dental fluorosis among children in the drinking water borne endemic fluorosis areas in Tianjin has been effectively controlled, but it is still higher than that in the areas of normal fluoride content in water. Moreover, urinary fluoride levels and dental fluorosis prevalence among children from drinking water borne endemic fluorosis areas show a clear dose response relationship.
8.Establishment of a standardized training assessment indicator system for young teachers in medical colleges and universities
Yushan HE ; Hongming MIAO ; Guoxiang LIU ; Lili ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2024;23(4):533-538
Objective:The establish a standardized training assessment indicator system for young teachers in medical colleges and universities, and to improve the quality of training.Methods:A preliminary assessment indicator system was established through literature analysis and small-sample expert interviews, and then the Delphi method was used to conduct consultation with 40 experts familiar with the standardized training of young teachers in medical colleges and universities. The assessment indicator system was modified based on the opinions of the experts, and consultation was conducted again until basically consistent opinions were obtained from the experts. The analytic hierarchy process was used to assign weights to each indicator, and SPSS 17.0 was used for data analysis and processing.Results:After two rounds of expert consultation, 35 experts agreed with each indicator at a rate of more than 90%, and their opinions were basically consistent. The weight variation coefficient (W value) of each indicator ranged from 0.00 to 0.15, indicating a high degree of concentration. Finally, a standardized training assessment indicator system was established for young teachers, which consisted of 4 first-level indicators, 11 second-level indicators, and 35 third-level indicators.Conclusions:This assessment indicator system provides a basis for scientific evaluation of the quality of standardized training for young teachers in medical colleges and universities and improves the quality and efficiency of standardized training for young teachers by "promoting construction through evaluation and promoting supervision through evaluation".
9.Sentiment Analysis of Online Medical Reviews Based on BERT and Semantics Collaboration through Dual-channel
Wen ZHANG ; Jiantong ZHANG ; Yushan GUO
Journal of Medical Informatics 2024;45(11):30-35
Purpose/Significance To use artificial intelligence(AI)technology to quickly screen negative comments from a large num-ber of reviews,so as to understand the needs and grievances of patients,and promote the sustainable development of telemedicine.Meth-od/Process Taking comments from Haodf.com as an example,the paper first uses bidirectional encoder representations from transformers(BERT)to generate word embeddings,which are then fed into a convolutional neural network(CNN)and a bidirectional long short-term memory(BiLSTM)network in a dual-channel manner.Finally,a feature fusion strategy is employed to obtain textual sentiment informa-tion to achieve a binary classification task.Result/Conclusion The proposed dual-channel model based on BERT can better integrate the advantages of CNN and BiLSTM.It achieves the highest classification accuracy and macro F1-score compared to other 9 models,including BERT,BERT_BiLSTM,BERT_CNN,etc.,which is effective in sentiment classification tasks for online medical reviews.
10.The value of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid enhanced MRI T1 mapping,R2* and their combined indicators in assessing hepatitis B liver function
Xiaoyan ZHANG ; Peiqi MA ; Lei ZHANG ; Yushan YUAN ; Zhongqiu WANG ; Bin PENG ; Zongxi ZHANG ; Xu LI
Journal of Practical Radiology 2024;40(6):917-921
Objective To explore the value of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid(Gd-EOB-DTPA)enhanced MRI T1 mapping,R2*quantitative parameters,and their combined indicators in assessing liver function in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis.Methods The data from 52 patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis who underwent Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI and modified Dixon quantification(mDixon-Quant)scans were analyzed retrospectively.Patients were divided into three groups based on Child-Pugh scores:Child-Pugh A,B,and C.T1 mapping images were obtained pre,mid,and HBP.Quantitative values of T1 relaxation time reduction rates(△T1 mid and △T1 HBP),liver-related T1 relaxation times(T1 pre,T1 mid,and T1 HBP),fat fraction(FF),and R2* were measured and calculated.One-way ANOVA was used to compare the differences in MRI quantitative parameters between different Child-Pugh grading groups.Spearman's rank correlation analysis was performed to assess the correlation between MRI quantitative parameters and Child-Pugh grading.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the performance of distinguishing liver function classification by statistically significant MRI parameters.Results Between different Child-Pugh grading groups,the differences in T1 mid,T1 HBP,△T1 mid,△T1 HBP,and R2*were statistically significant(P<0.05),however T1 pre and FF were not statistically significant(P>0.05).T1 mid,T1 HBP and R2*were positively correlated with Child-Pugh grading(rs=0.365,0.566,0.597,respectively;P<0.05),meanwhile △T1 mid and△T1 HBP were negatively correlated with Child-Pugh grading(rs=-0.680,-0.771,respectively;P<0.05).There were no significant correlations between T1 pre,FF and Child-Pugh grading(P>0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of T1 HBP,△T1 mid,△T1 HBP,R2*and their combined indicators for distinguishing Child-Pugh A grade from Child-Pugh B grade were about 0.888,0.784,0.955,0.764,and 0.961,respectively(P<0.05).The AUC of △T1 mid,△T1 HBP,R2* and their combined indicators for distinguishing Child-Pugh B grade from Child-Pugh C grade were about 0.853,0.860,0.797,and 0.941,respectively(P<0.05).Conclusion Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI T1 mapping and R2*quantitative parameters can be used to independently evaluate the status of liver function in hepatitis B cirrhosis,and the combined evaluation of the two kinds of parameters has a higher diagnostic efficiency.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail