1.Relationship Between Severe Pneumonia and Signaling Pathways and Regulation by Chinese Medicine: A Review
Cheng LUO ; Bo NING ; Xinyue ZHANG ; Yuzhi HUO ; Xinhui WU ; Yuanhang YE ; Fei WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):294-302
Severe pneumonia is one of the most common and critical respiratory diseases in clinical practice. It is characterized by rapid progression, difficult treatment, high mortality, and many complications, posing a significant threat to the life and health of patients. The pathogenesis of severe pneumonia is highly complex, and studies have shown that its occurrence and development are closely related to multiple signaling pathways. Currently, the treatment of severe pneumonia mainly focuses on anti-infection, mechanical ventilation, and glucocorticoids, but clinical outcomes are often not ideal. Therefore, finding safe and effective alternative therapies is particularly important. In recent years, with the deepening of research into traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it has gained widespread attention in the treatment of severe pneumonia. This paper reviewed the relationship between severe pneumonia and relevant signaling pathways in recent years and how TCM regulated these pathways in the treatment of severe pneumonia. It was found that TCM could regulate the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathways, playing a role in reducing the inflammatory response, inhibiting cell apoptosis and pyroptosis, improving oxidative stress, and other effects in the treatment of severe pneumonia. Among these pathways, it was found that all of them regulated inflammation to treat severe pneumonia. Therefore, reducing inflammation is the core mechanism by which Chinese medicine treats severe pneumonia. This review provides direction for the clinical treatment of severe pneumonia and offers a scientific basis for the research and development of new drugs.
2.Characterization of Animal Models of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Hypertension Based on Clinical Symptoms in Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Ziyi WANG ; Xingyu FAN ; Yuzhi JIA ; Qingyong HE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):230-236
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension are common and frequent chronic non-communicable diseases, which often coexist in clinical practice, resulting in a large number of cardiovascular events and deaths, and their case fatality rate far exceeds that of other factors such as dyslipidemia and obesity. Based on the diagnostic standards, guidelines, and animal model evaluation methods of T2DM with hypertension at home and abroad, this study summarized, evaluated, and analyzed the characteristics of the existing animal models of T2DM with hypertension based on the clinical symptoms in traditional Chinese and Western medicine. The animal models showing high fitting degrees with the clinical symptoms in Western medicine are mainly established by injection of streptozocin (STZ) in SHR rats in the surgical induction and chemical induction methods and feeding a high-fat and high-salt diet combined with STZ injection in SD rats in the dietary induction methods. The models showcasing high fitting degrees with the clinical symptoms in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are mainly established by the surgical induction method. Considering the fitting degrees and the advantages and disadvantages, the ideal modeling method for T2DM with hypertension is the two-kidney, one clip (2K1C) method (a surgical induction method) combined with feeding a high-fat and high-sugar diet and STZ injection. However, the available models lack the characteristics of TCM and the evaluation indicators have poor specificity. This study found that there are few animal models of T2DM with hypertension considering the characteristics of both disease and syndrome, which may be related to the identification and attribution of TCM syndromes in animal macroscopic information. In view of this problem, it is suggested that the evaluation criteria should be established and improved for the animal models combining disease and syndrome, which can help to evaluate the fitting degree of the pathological characteristics of different syndromes in the animal models of T2DM with hypertension. In this way, ideal animal models of T2DM with hypertension can be established to simulate the disease occurrence and development in the human body. The animal models are expected to provide an ideal approach for the further research on the pathogenesis of T2DM and its prevention and treatment with TCM, which is of great significance for the treatment and prevention of T2DM with hypertension and the prognosis of its complications. At the same time, breakthroughs in the basic syndrome models of comorbidities are expected to lay a foundation for the leapfrog development of TCM research.
3.Characterization of Animal Models of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Hypertension Based on Clinical Symptoms in Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Ziyi WANG ; Xingyu FAN ; Yuzhi JIA ; Qingyong HE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):230-236
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension are common and frequent chronic non-communicable diseases, which often coexist in clinical practice, resulting in a large number of cardiovascular events and deaths, and their case fatality rate far exceeds that of other factors such as dyslipidemia and obesity. Based on the diagnostic standards, guidelines, and animal model evaluation methods of T2DM with hypertension at home and abroad, this study summarized, evaluated, and analyzed the characteristics of the existing animal models of T2DM with hypertension based on the clinical symptoms in traditional Chinese and Western medicine. The animal models showing high fitting degrees with the clinical symptoms in Western medicine are mainly established by injection of streptozocin (STZ) in SHR rats in the surgical induction and chemical induction methods and feeding a high-fat and high-salt diet combined with STZ injection in SD rats in the dietary induction methods. The models showcasing high fitting degrees with the clinical symptoms in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are mainly established by the surgical induction method. Considering the fitting degrees and the advantages and disadvantages, the ideal modeling method for T2DM with hypertension is the two-kidney, one clip (2K1C) method (a surgical induction method) combined with feeding a high-fat and high-sugar diet and STZ injection. However, the available models lack the characteristics of TCM and the evaluation indicators have poor specificity. This study found that there are few animal models of T2DM with hypertension considering the characteristics of both disease and syndrome, which may be related to the identification and attribution of TCM syndromes in animal macroscopic information. In view of this problem, it is suggested that the evaluation criteria should be established and improved for the animal models combining disease and syndrome, which can help to evaluate the fitting degree of the pathological characteristics of different syndromes in the animal models of T2DM with hypertension. In this way, ideal animal models of T2DM with hypertension can be established to simulate the disease occurrence and development in the human body. The animal models are expected to provide an ideal approach for the further research on the pathogenesis of T2DM and its prevention and treatment with TCM, which is of great significance for the treatment and prevention of T2DM with hypertension and the prognosis of its complications. At the same time, breakthroughs in the basic syndrome models of comorbidities are expected to lay a foundation for the leapfrog development of TCM research.
4.Animal Models of Carotid Vulnerable Plaques Based on Clinical Disease and Syndrome Characteristics of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Yuzhi JIA ; Qingyong HE ; Ziyi WANG ; Suwen CHEN ; Hui ZHANG ; Jing GAO ; Peihao WANG ; Junqiao AN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):235-240
The rupture of carotid vulnerable plaques is the core pathological basis for major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. However, the insufficient alignment between existing animal models and the clinical disease and syndrome characteristics of traditional Chinese and western medicine has limited research progress. In this study, biomedical databases in China and abroad were systematically searched, and the modeling mechanisms and evaluation systems of carotid vulnerable plaque animal models were systematically assessed based on diagnostic criteria of both traditional Chinese and western medicine. Analysis of the clinical correspondence indicated that existing animal models can be categorized into four types: simple high-fat diet, surgical induction combined with high-fat feeding, genetic engineering combined with high-fat feeding, and drug induction combined with high-fat feeding. Among these, the compound strategy of surgical induction combined with high-fat feeding has become the current mainstream approach, showing good concordance with western medicine. The study found that the double balloon injury rabbit model and the ApoE-/- mouse carotid artery tandem constriction combined with high-fat feeding model demonstrated a high degree of clinical correspondence with both traditional Chinese and western medicine in terms of vulnerable plaque imaging and pathological features. Nevertheless, existing models still face significant technical limitations in faithfully simulating plaque pathology and in translating findings to clinical applications. To address these challenges, integrating complex comorbidity mechanism construction, multimodal dynamic mechanism monitoring, and collaborative evaluation systems of traditional Chinese and western medicine could enable the development of highly concordant carotid vulnerable plaque disease-syndrome combination animal models. Such models would provide a reproducible experimental platform for targeted drug development to regulate plaque stability and for individualized precision treatment, as well as a theoretical basis for innovation in clinical diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
5.Effect of Bushen Huoxue Granule (补肾活血颗粒) on Dopamine Homeostasis and ERK/CREB/VMAT2 Signaling Pathways in the Striatum in Parkinson's Disease Model Mice
Hehao SUN ; Yingfan CHEN ; Peng WANG ; Xiaohan GENG ; Yuzhi ZHANG ; Qian ZHANG ; Min LI ; Shaodan LI ; Minghui YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(23):2484-2493
ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of Bushen Huoxue Granule (补肾活血颗粒, BHG) in treating Parkinson's disease (PD) from the perspecitve of dopamine (DA) homeostasis. MethodsSeventy-two mice were randomly divided into blank group, model group, madopar group and BHG low-, medium- and high-dose groups, with 12 mice in each group. Except for the blank group, all mice were administered intraperitoneal injections of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) for 7 consecutive days to induce a PD model. On the day following the injection, BHG low-, medium- and high-dose groups were administered BHG at doses of 1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/(g·d) by oral gavage, respectively, while the madopar group received madopar tablets at dose of 0.093 8 mg/(g·d) by oral gavage. The blank group and the model group were given 0.2 ml/10 g of distilled water by gavage. All treatments were given once daily for 14 days. Open field test, pole climbing test and grip test were used to evaluate the behavior of mice in each group. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in striatum. Nissl staining was used to detect the activity of striatal neurons. The contents of DA and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in striatum were detected by ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The number and volume of synaptic vesicles were observed by transmission electron microscope. The expression of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) in striatum was detected by immunofluorescence. Western Blot was used to detect the expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), phosphorylated CREB (p-CREB) and VMAT2 in striatum. ResultsCompared to the blank group, mice in the model group showed a significant decline in total distance and average speed in the open field test, along with an increase in total resting time; in the pole test, both the time required for the mice to turn completely downward (T-turn) and the total time taken to reach the bottom of the pole (T-total) were prolonged; forelimb grip strength was reduced; in the striatum, the mean optical density of TH, the average fluorescence intensity of VMAT2 protein, and DA content all decreased, while the number of striatal neurons was reduced, and the DOPAC/DA ratio was elevated; the levels of p-ERK/ERK, p-CREB/CREB, and VMAT2 in the striatum significantly decreased (P<0.01); transmission electron microscopy revealed that both the number and volume of synaptic vesicles in striatal neurons were markedly reduced. Compared to the model group, mice in the madopar group and BHG low-, medium- and high-dose groups showed significant improvements in all the above indicators (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared to madopar group, the BHG high-dose group exhibited increased DA content and elevated p-CREB/CREB ratio in the striatum (P<0.05). Compared to the BHG low-dose group, the BHG high-dose group showed increased total distance and mean velocity, decreased total resting time, T-turn, and T-total, as well as enhanced forelimb grip strength; moreover, the average fluorescence intensity of VMAT2 protein, DA content, p-ERK/ERK, p-CREB/CREB, and VMAT2 levels in the striatum were all significantly elevated (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionBHG may restore DA homeostasis and alleviate the damage of dopaminergic neurons by regulating ERK/CREB/VMAT2 signaling pathway.
6.Application and effect evaluation of MOOC combined with flipped classroom in the teaching of urology courses
Yuzhi ZUO ; Yi ZHOU ; Jingmin ZHOU ; Houfeng HUANG ; Weigang YAN ; Zhien ZHOU
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2024;44(10):1478-1480
Objective To evaluate the efficacy of MOOC combined with flipped classroom teaching in clinical train-ing of urology.Methods A total of 100 clinical medical students from Peking Union Medical College were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group.The experimental group adopted the teaching mode of MOOC combined with flipped classroom,while the control group adopted classic teaching method.The two groups were compared in terms of their theoretical exam scores,case analysis skills and teaching satisfaction level.Results There were no significant difference in theoretical examination scores between experimental group and con-trol group(the mean value of scores are 45.12 and 44.50,respectively).However,the interview scores from ex-perimental group was significant higher than that of control group(the mean value of scores are 42.28 and 40.10,respectively,P<0.001).The MOOC combined with flipped classroom mode significantly improved students'capacity building of clinical reasoning for diagnosis and communication skills.Students were more willing to continue receiving this teaching mode.Conclusions The integration of MOOC with the flipped classroom model sig-nificantly enhances the quality and efficacy of urology teaching.
7.Effect of pH value of reaction system on properties of pegylated bovine hemoglobin conjugate
Chen CHANG ; Guoxing YOU ; Wei WANG ; Weidan LI ; Ying WANG ; Kai ZHU ; Hong ZHOU ; Lian ZHAO ; Yuzhi CHEN
Military Medical Sciences 2024;48(10):753-759
Objective To explore the impact of pH value of the reaction system on the properties of bovine hemoglobin modified with aldehydeated polyethylene glycol(PEG-bHb).Methods PEG-bHb conjugates were synthesized under varying pH conditions(6.0,6.5,7.4 and 8.0)of the reaction system while consistent molar ratios,temperature,and reaction time were maintained.The structural and functional attributes of PEG-bHb were characterized.Results The proportion of methemoglobin decreased with an increase in pH.In a weakly acidic reaction environment,the PEG-bHb was found to be relatively highly modified.At pH 6.5,the average number of PEG chains attached to the bHb surface was 6.86±0.38.Selective PEG modification of the N-terminal α-NH2 groups was more pronounced under weakly acidic conditions.Specifically,at pH 6.5,the modification efficiency of the N-terminal α-NH2 groups of bHb by aldehyde-activated PEG reached 95.4%for the α-chains and 99.3%for the β-chains.The PEG modification influenced the heme region microenvi-ronment of bHb,with minimal structural impact observed at pH 6.5.After modification,the oxygen affinity of PEG-bHb was enhanced,the Hill coefficient was reduced,and there were significant increases in colloid osmotic pressure,viscosity,and particle size,all of which differed markedly from the unmodified bHb group(P<0.001).Conclusion The synthesis of PEG-bHb under weakly acidic conditions can result in a high degree of selective modification of the N-terminal α-NH2 groups and an overall high degree of modification.
8.Construction and verification of nomogram model for predicting prognosis and complications of patients with humeral fracture treated with LC-DCP treatment
Gang ZHANG ; Yuzhi ZHANG ; Chen XIE
Journal of Clinical Surgery 2024;32(10):1069-1073
Objective To collect the clinical data of patients and construct a nomogram model to predict the prognosis of patients with humeral fracture treated with limited contact dynamic compression plate(LC-DCP).Methods A total of 372 patients with humeral fractures who received LC-DCP in our hospital from January 2013 to December 2020 weree randomly divided into a modeling cohort(n=260)and a validation cohort(n=112)according to 7∶3.Logistic regression model was used to analyze the data of the modeling cohort,and a Nomogram model was established according to the results of the influencing factors of poor prognosis of LC-DCP treatment for patients with humerus fractures.Nomogram was validated internally(modeling cohort)and externally(validation cohort)using calibration curve and ROC curve.Results The incidence of poor prognosis was 20.43%(76/372)in 372 patients with humeral fracture treated with LC-DCP.Univariate analysis showed that the age,incision length,intraoperative blood loss,time to start functional exercise and postoperative complications in the good prognosis group were significantly lower than those in the poor prognosis group(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥60 years old,incision length ≥5 cm,intraoperative blood loss ≥110 ml,start time of functional exercise ≥7 days after surgery,and postoperative complications were independent risk factors for the efficacy of LC-DCP in the treatment of proximal humeral fracture(P<0.05).The calibration curve and ROC curve of the Nomogram model showed that the slope of the calibration curve for internal verification and external verification was close to 1,and the area under ROC for internal verification and external verification was 0.823 and 0.839 respectively.Conclusion The Nomogram model established in this study based on postoperative complications,intraoperative blood loss,age,postoperative functional exercise start time and incision length is effective and discriminative.
9.The root canal microbiota in apical periodontitis and pulpitis based on 16S rDNA sequencing
Yuzhi LI ; Xu SU ; Xiaotao CHEN ; Jie XU ; Li ZHAO
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(9):1669-1674,1687
Objective To analyze the relationship between microorganisms and endodontic disease by using 16S rDNA sequencing to compare the composition of the microbial community in the root canals of teeth with pulpitis and apical periodontitis.Methods Clinical samples were collected from teeth requiring root canal treatment.The to-tal DNA of the bacteria in the samples and the gene fragments of the V3-V4 highly variable region on the 16S rDNA fragments were amplified through PCR.After sequencing by NovaSeq,statistical and bioinformatic analysis,inclu-ding phylogenetic analysis,diversity analysis and analysis of group differences,were performed.Results In total,6 teeth with pulpitis and 7 teeth with apical periodontitis were collected,and a total of 8 510 OTUs were obtained after next-generation sequencing,and the analysis of bacterial diversity showed that the difference between pulpitis and apical periodontitis in terms of the composition of the bacterial flora was statistically significant(P<0.05).In particular,the relative abundance of Proteobacteria,Acidobacteriota and Actinobacteriota phylum was significantly higher in the roots of teeth affected by pulpitis than apical periodontitis.The relative abundance of Bacteroidota phylum and Synergistota phylum was significantly higher in the root canals of teeth with apical periodontitis.Con-clusion There is a complex diversity of infecting microorganisms in the root canals of teeth affected by endodontic diseases.The microbial communities in the infected root canals of pulpitis and apical periodontitis show some differ-ences,and changes in the microbial composition of the root canals may be associated with the development of endo-dontic diseases.
10.Effect of different regional blocks on postoperative acute and chronic pain in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy
Yuzhi JIANG ; Hailing YIN ; Yong ZHANG ; Li SHI
Chongqing Medicine 2024;53(1):108-113
Objective To compare the effect of serratus anterior plane block(SAPB)and thoracic para-vertebral block(TPVB)on acute and chronic pain and plasma tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)level after breast cancer modified radical operation.Methods A total of 99 patients with elective breast cancer modified radical operation,aged 35-70 years,American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status(ASA):grade Ⅰ-11,Body Mass Index(BMI):18-25 kg/m2,were randomly divided into three groups:the simple patient-con-trolled intravenous analgesia(PCIA)group(C group),PCIA combined with TPVB group(TC group)and PCI A combined witj SAPB group(SC group).TPVB and SAPB were performed before induction in the TC group and the SC group,and the relevant situation of regional blocking operation was recorded.The Visual Analogue Scales(VAS)scores in rest and activity at 2,4,8,12,24,48 h after operation,effective pressing times of analgesic pump and remedial analgesia situation after operation were recorded.The TNF-α levels be-fore anesthesia and at postoperative 12,48 h,in postoperative 3,6 months were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results Compared with the TC group,the block operation time in the SC group was shorter(P<0.05).Compared with the C group,the VAS scores in the state of rest and activity at postoperative 2,4,8,12,24 h in the TC group and SC group were significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the dosage of remifentanil during operation,incidence rates of postoperative nausea and vomiting,effective press-ing times of analgesic pump and rate of remedial analgesia were all decreased(P<0.05).There was no statis-tical difference in the incidence rate of post-mastectomy pain syndrome(PMPS)among the three groups(P>0.05).Compared with the C group,the levels of plasma TNF-α in the TC group and SC group were decreased at postoperative 12,48 h,in postoperative 3,6 months,moreover the VAS score in the patients with PMPS was lower(P<0.05).Compared with the patients without PMPS occurrence,the levels of plasma TNF-α in postoperative 3,6 months in the patients with PMPS were significantly up-regulated(P<0.05).Conclusion By blocking the afference of pain signals caused by peripheral injury and reducing plasma TNF-α level,SAPB or TPVB may relieve the acute and chronic pain degree in the patients with breast cancer modified radi-cal operation.

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