1.Effects of total flavonoids from Carthamus tinctorius L. on hepatic stellate cell activation based on miRNA-204/NUAK1/Hippo signaling axis
Mingqi LI ; Xiaolu ZHAO ; Chenlu ZHANG ; Yinghe WANG ; Yuehong MA
China Pharmacy 2026;37(3):311-316
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of total flavonoids from Carthamus tinctorius L. (TFCTL) on hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation based on the microRNA (miRNA)-204/NUAK family SNF1-like kinase 1 (NUAK1)/Hippo signaling axis, thereby elucidating the potential mechanism underlying their antifibrotic effects. METHODS The HSC-T6 cells were divided into control group, model group, TFCTL low-concentration group (20 μg/mL), TFCTL medium-concentration group (40 μg/mL), and TFCTL high-concentration group (60 μg/mL). Except for control group, the remaining groups were treated with 5 ng/mL of transforming growth factor-β to induce the activation of hepatic stellate cells, followed by the addition of corresponding drug solutions/culture medium and incubation for 24 hours. Cell apoptosis was assessed, the expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), type Ⅰ collagen (Collagen Ⅰ) and proteins associated with the Hippo/Yes-associated protein (YAP) pathway [YAP, large tumor suppressor kinase 1 (LATS1), and mammalian STE20-like kinase 1 (MST1)] were detected. Additionally, cell transfection was used to investigate the activity of the miRNA-204/NUAK1/Hippo signaling axis at both the genetic and protein levels. RESULTS After intervention with TFCTL, the apoptosis rate of HSC-T6 cells and the protein expressions of MST1 (except for the TFCTL high-concentration group) and LATS1 were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the protein expressions of α-SMA, CollagenⅠ, and YAP (except for the TFCTL medium-concentration group) were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Further results from cell transfection experiments revealed that after transfection with miRNA-204 mimics, the mRNA it’s protein expressions of α-SMA, CollagenⅠ, NUAK1, and YAP in HSC-T6 cells were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the mRNA and protein expressions of LATS1 and the mRNA expression of MST1 were significantly increased (P<0.05). Conversely, the results were opposite following transfection with miRNA-204 inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS TFCTL can exert anti-hepatic fibrosis effects by up-regulating the expression of miRNA-204, thereby down- regulating the expressions of NUAK1, inactivating the Hippo/YAP pathway, which in turn suppresses the activation of HSC and promotes their apoptosis.
2.Analysis of depressive symptoms and predictive factors in children and adolescents in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
Guiwei CHEN ; Lu TONG ; Ziyu LI ; Xiaojuan GAO ; Ruiqi WANG ; Xiaolu ZHANG ; Le LIU ; Yinxia BAI
Sichuan Mental Health 2026;39(1):83-88
BackgroundIn recent years, the incidence of depression among adolescents has been increasing steadily, posing a serious threat to their physical and mental health and even leading to severe consequences such as self-harm and suicide. At the same time, the detection rate of subclinical depression symptoms among adolescents is even higher. Although these symptoms do not meet the clinical diagnostic criteria, they have significantly affected their quality of life, and their persistence over time may further develop into depression. Therefore, in-depth exploration of adolescent depression symptoms and the predictive factors holds significant practical significance and research value. However, up to now, no large-scale investigation and research on depression symptoms among children and adolescents has been conducted in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. ObjectiveTo understand the prevalence of depressive symptoms among children and adolescents in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, in order to provide references for formulating scientific and effective prevention strategies and intervention measures. MethodsBy using the cluster stratified random sampling method, 6 281 students from the third grade of primary school to the second grade of high school in 12 leagues and cities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were selected in March 2024. A self-designed questionnaire and the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used for on-site investigation. ResultsA total of 6 058 (96.45%) children and adolescents completed the valid questionnaire survey, and 2 728 cases (45.03%) were found to have depressive symptoms. There were statistically significant differences in the detection rates of depressive symptoms among children and adolescents of different genders, ages, whether they were only children, different family types, family monthly income, parents' educational levels, and whether the mother was employed (χ2=33.769, 40.618, 48.593, 29.972, 142.648, 195.999, 168.190, 5.445, P<0.05 or 0.01).The results of the Logistic regression analysis showed that for children and adolescents, being female, aged between 12 and 16, over 16 years old, not being an only child, living in a reconstituted family, having a monthly family income of less than 5 000 yuan, and having parents with an education level of primary school or below were predictors of depressive symptoms (OR=1.241, 1.427, 1.273, 1.177, 1.549, 1.278, 1.462, 1.417, 1.514, 1.929, 1.660, 1.528, P<0.05 or 0.01). ConclusionThe detection rate of depressive symptoms among children and adolescents in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is relatively high. Factors that may predict depressive symptoms in children and adolescents include female gender, ages between 12 and 16, ages over 16 years old, non-only children, families with a restructured structure, monthly family income of less than 5 000 yuan, and parents with an education level of primary school or below. [Funded by Science and Technology Planning Project of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (number, 2022YFSH0119)]
3.A Single-cell Transcriptomic Study of Wenyang Jiedu Granules in Alleviating Influenza Virus Pneumonia by Suppressing Interferon Responses and Apoptotic Pathways in AT1 Cells
Jingyan XIN ; Shengle QIN ; Taoyu CHEN ; Yuntao LIU ; Xiaolu WANG ; Chaofeng LIANG ; Zhongde ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):76-85
ObjectiveTo investigate the molecular mechanisms by which Wenyang Jiedu granules (WYJD) alleviate influenza A virus (IAV)-induced pneumonia based on single-cell transcriptome sequencing. MethodsThirty female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into a blank control group (Control), IAV group, and WYJD low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (WYJD-L, WYJD-M, WYJD-H; 2.925, 5.85, 11.7 g·kg-1, n=6). Except for the Control group, all other groups were intranasally inoculated with IAV subtype H1N1 (A/PR/8/34) to establish an infection model. Two hours after modeling, drug administration was initiated and continued for 5 consecutive days, with daily monitoring of body weight and general condition. On day 6, mice were sacrificed and samples were collected. Lung index was calculated, and histopathological examination of lung tissue was performed. Lung tissues from the Control, IAV, and WYJD-H groups were subjected to single-cell transcriptome sequencing (n=3), focusing on type I alveolar epithelial cells (AT1) to analyze changes in gene expression and signaling pathways. Western blot was used to detect the expression changes of relevant proteins to validate the single-cell sequencing results. ResultsCompared with the Control group, the IAV group exhibited significantly decreased body weight (P<0.05) and significantly increased lung index (P<0.05). Compared with the IAV group, all WYJD-treated groups exhibited significantly increased body weight (P<0.01) and significantly decreased lung index (P<0.01). Single-cell sequencing analysis revealed that WYJD inhibited overactivation of interferon and inflammatory signaling pathways in AT1 cells after IAV infection, including interferon-γ response, interferon-α response, tumor necrosis factor-α/nuclear factor-κB (TNF-α/NF-κB), and interleukin-6/Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (IL-6/JAK/STAT3) pathways. Compared with the Control group, the number of AT1 cells in the IAV group showed a decreasing trend. Compared with the IAV group, the WYJD-H group showed an increasing trend, although neither difference was statistically significant. Further analysis of AT1 cell subpopulation gene expression showed that, compared with the Control group, the IAV group exhibited increased expression of pro-apoptotic genes FAS cell surface death receptor (FAS) and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A), a significant increase in tumor protein p53 (Tp53) expression (P<0.05), and significant decreases in expression of the AT1 marker gene advanced glycosylation end-product-specific receptor (AGER) and membrane structural gene caveolin1 (CAV1) (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the IAV group, the WYJD-H group showed significantly decreased expression of FAS, CDKN1A, and Tp53 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and significantly increased expression of AGER and CAV1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Regarding interferon response-related genes, compared with the Control group, the IAV group showed increased expression of interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15), interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 3 (IFIT3), signal transducer and activator of transcription 2 (STAT2), bone marrow stromal cell antigen 2 (BST2), and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10), with a significant increase in 2′,5′-oligoadenylate synthetase-like protein 1 (OASL1) (P<0.05). Compared with the IAV group, the WYJD-H group showed significantly decreased expression of all the above genes, with highly significant differences for ISG15, IFIT3, STAT2, BST2, and OASL1 (P<0.01), and a significant difference for CXCL10 (P<0.05). Among inflammation-related genes, compared with the Control group, the IAV group showed significantly increased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1), tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3), keratin 8 (KRT8), tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1A (TNFRSF1A), and TNFRSF1B (P<0.01), and increased expression of NFKBIA, a negative regulator of NF-κB (P<0.05). Compared with the IAV group, the WYJD-H group showed significantly decreased expression of KRT8 and TNFRSF1B (P<0.05), while ICAM1, NFKBIA, TNFAIP3, and TNFRSF1A showed decreasing trends without statistical significance. Western blot validation showed that, compared with the Control group, protein expression levels of ISG15, FAS, p53, and phosphorylated p65 (p-p65) in lung tissue of the IAV group were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the IAV group, the WYJD-H group showed significantly decreased expression of these proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionWYJD may alleviate viral pneumonia by targeting gene expression in AT1 cells, inhibiting overactivated interferon and inflammatory signaling pathways after IAV infection, and downregulating pro-apoptotic signaling, thereby reducing alveolar epithelial injury.
4.Hypoperfusion intensity ratio of CT perfusion for predicting infarct core progression and prognosis of acute ischemic stroke
Yao LU ; Wenbo CAO ; Jingkai LI ; Miao ZHANG ; Xiaolu FEI ; Jie LU
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(5):718-722
Objective To observe the value of hypoperfusion intensity ratio(HIR)of CT perfusion(CTP)for predicting infarct core progression and prognosis of acute ischemic stroke(AIS).Methods Totally 271 AIS patients were retrospectively enrolled and divided into rapid progression group(group A,n=92)and slow progression group(group B,n=179)according to infarction growth rate(IGR).Clinical data,CTP parameters,treatment strategies and patients' outcome were compared between groups.Receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn,the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to evaluate the efficacy of HIR for predicting rapid progression in infarct core of AIS.The mediating relationships among HIR,IGR and modified Rankin scale(mRS)90 days after treatment were analyzed.Results Significant differences of National Institute of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)score,Alberta stroke program early CT score(ASPECTS),also of interval time between onset and CTP,infarct core volume,hypoperfusion volume,HIR,whether intravenous thrombolysis and mRS score 90 days after treatments were found between groups(all P<0.05).The AUC of HIR for predicting infarct core progression of AIS was 0.856,with sensitivity and specificity was 73.91%and 81.56%,respectively,when the optimal cutoff value was 0.42.IGR was a complete mediating variable between HIR and mRS score 90 days after treatment.Conclusion HIR of CTP could be used to effectively predict infarct core progression of AIS,which completely affected prognosis through mediating variable IGR.
5.Conceptual Analysis and Study of Patient-Reported Outcomes
Xiaolu ZHANG ; Rui LI ; Jiayi LIN ; Xin PENG ; Xin GAO ; Peimeng WANG ; Mo YU ; Xue LI ; Wudong GUO
Chinese Health Economics 2025;44(4):1-7,17
Patient-Reported Outcomes(PRO)is a subjective outcome indicator based on the concept of"patient-centered",in which patients report their own information such as health status,functional status,and treatment feelings,which is an ef-fective supplement to traditional objective outcome indicators.Based on the development status of the Patient Reported Outcome Measure(PROM),it systematically analyzed the concepts related to PRO with the goal of clarifying the Patient Experience Data(PED)with research value,and proposed six core types of PROs in the medical field,including health-related quality of life,health preference,health behavior,symptom burden,functional status and patient-reported experience.For each type of PRO,the key characteristics of the study were analyzed,the evidence and application directions of related PED and the production based on PED were described,and the existing international mainstream PROMs were reviewed.It is hoped that the connotation of PRO-related concepts can be comprehensively expounded,and PEDs with research significance and value can be explored,so as to provide guidance for the focus of PRO-related research in China,so as to promote the application and development of PRO in China.
6.Current Status of the International Use of Patient-Reported Outcomes(PROs)
Xiaolu ZHANG ; Rui LI ; Jiayi LIN ; Xin PENG ; Xin GAO ; Peimeng WANG ; Mo YU ; Xue LI ; Wudong GUO
Chinese Health Economics 2025;44(4):8-17
Patient-Reported Outcomes(PRO)refers to a subjective outcome measure based on the concept of"patient-cen-tered",in which patients report their own health status,functional status,treatment feelings and other information,which is an ef-fective supplement to traditional objective outcome indicators.With the continuous promotion of PRO research,its application in the world is also constantly enriched.It takes the different application scenarios of PRO as the starting point and the evidence-based evidence that PRO can generate as the evaluation object,reviews the application status of PRO in the US,the European Union,the UK,Canada and other countries,regions or organizations,and summarizes the main application methods of PRO in different medical decision-making scenarios,in order to provide international experiences for the application research of PRO in China.
7.Hypoperfusion intensity ratio of CT perfusion for predicting infarct core progression and prognosis of acute ischemic stroke
Yao LU ; Wenbo CAO ; Jingkai LI ; Miao ZHANG ; Xiaolu FEI ; Jie LU
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(5):718-722
Objective To observe the value of hypoperfusion intensity ratio(HIR)of CT perfusion(CTP)for predicting infarct core progression and prognosis of acute ischemic stroke(AIS).Methods Totally 271 AIS patients were retrospectively enrolled and divided into rapid progression group(group A,n=92)and slow progression group(group B,n=179)according to infarction growth rate(IGR).Clinical data,CTP parameters,treatment strategies and patients' outcome were compared between groups.Receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn,the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to evaluate the efficacy of HIR for predicting rapid progression in infarct core of AIS.The mediating relationships among HIR,IGR and modified Rankin scale(mRS)90 days after treatment were analyzed.Results Significant differences of National Institute of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)score,Alberta stroke program early CT score(ASPECTS),also of interval time between onset and CTP,infarct core volume,hypoperfusion volume,HIR,whether intravenous thrombolysis and mRS score 90 days after treatments were found between groups(all P<0.05).The AUC of HIR for predicting infarct core progression of AIS was 0.856,with sensitivity and specificity was 73.91%and 81.56%,respectively,when the optimal cutoff value was 0.42.IGR was a complete mediating variable between HIR and mRS score 90 days after treatment.Conclusion HIR of CTP could be used to effectively predict infarct core progression of AIS,which completely affected prognosis through mediating variable IGR.
8.Detection of Adulterated Fritillaria thunbergii Miq.in Juhong Pills Based on National Drug Sampling and Testing
Ping XUE ; Xiaolu ZHANG ; Jiali ZHANG ; Qiangyan HUANG ; Zhengrong GU ; Minhong LIU ; Jialiang ZHU
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(9):1410-1417
Objective To establish a method for the simultaneous determination of peimine,peiminine,and hupehenine in Juhong pills,to investigate the raw material usage of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq.,and to preliminarily develop a detection approach for identifying adulteration with Fritillaria hupehensis Hsiao et K.C.Hsia.Methods The high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadruple mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS/MS)was performed on an Agilent Poroshell 120 SB C18 column(2.1 mm×100 mm,2.7 μm)with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-methanol(1∶1)and 0.1%formic acid under gradient elution.The flow rate was set at 0.3 mL·min-1.The column temperature was maintained at 35℃,and the injection volume was 2 μL.Electrospray ionization(ESI)in positive ion mode and multiple reaction monitoring were employed to quantify the three components in 170 batches of Juhong pills.Simulated positive samples with varying adulteration ratios of Fritillaria hupehensis Hsiao et K.C.Hsia were prepared to establish a simple yet efficient detection limit for adulteration.Results Three components showed good linear correlation within their ranges(r≥0.997 5),and the averaged recoveries ranged from 92.0%-106.2%.A total of 61 batches were suspected of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq.adulteration with Fritillaria hupehensis Hsiao et K.C.Hsia in raw material inputs,with the peimine to peiminine ratio below 1.15.Among these samples,27 batches were large honey-bound pills with hupehenine levels of 2.636-9.939 μg·g-1;34 batches were water-honeyed pills showing significantly higher hupehenine contamination at 6.752-48.137 μg·g-1.Conclusion The established method is simple,reliable,and accurate for the quality control of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq.adulteration in Juhong pills without imposing significant additional costs.
9.Detection of Adulterated Fritillaria thunbergii Miq.in Juhong Pills Based on National Drug Sampling and Testing
Ping XUE ; Xiaolu ZHANG ; Jiali ZHANG ; Qiangyan HUANG ; Zhengrong GU ; Minhong LIU ; Jialiang ZHU
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(9):1410-1417
Objective To establish a method for the simultaneous determination of peimine,peiminine,and hupehenine in Juhong pills,to investigate the raw material usage of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq.,and to preliminarily develop a detection approach for identifying adulteration with Fritillaria hupehensis Hsiao et K.C.Hsia.Methods The high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadruple mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS/MS)was performed on an Agilent Poroshell 120 SB C18 column(2.1 mm×100 mm,2.7 μm)with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-methanol(1∶1)and 0.1%formic acid under gradient elution.The flow rate was set at 0.3 mL·min-1.The column temperature was maintained at 35℃,and the injection volume was 2 μL.Electrospray ionization(ESI)in positive ion mode and multiple reaction monitoring were employed to quantify the three components in 170 batches of Juhong pills.Simulated positive samples with varying adulteration ratios of Fritillaria hupehensis Hsiao et K.C.Hsia were prepared to establish a simple yet efficient detection limit for adulteration.Results Three components showed good linear correlation within their ranges(r≥0.997 5),and the averaged recoveries ranged from 92.0%-106.2%.A total of 61 batches were suspected of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq.adulteration with Fritillaria hupehensis Hsiao et K.C.Hsia in raw material inputs,with the peimine to peiminine ratio below 1.15.Among these samples,27 batches were large honey-bound pills with hupehenine levels of 2.636-9.939 μg·g-1;34 batches were water-honeyed pills showing significantly higher hupehenine contamination at 6.752-48.137 μg·g-1.Conclusion The established method is simple,reliable,and accurate for the quality control of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq.adulteration in Juhong pills without imposing significant additional costs.
10.Policy Analysis of Reimbursement Medical Consumables Catalogue and Payment Management in China
Yuzheng ZHANG ; Peimeng WANG ; Mengting JIA ; Yue LIU ; Xiaohui WANG ; Xue LI ; Yaoling WANG ; Rui LI ; Feiyi XIAO ; Lei ZHONG ; Xin GAO ; Xiaolu ZHANG ; Xuefei GU ; Wudong GUO
Chinese Health Economics 2025;44(2):34-40
Objective:To analyze the current situation of medical consumables management policy in China,and to provide a reference for the refined management of medical consumables.Methods:Through the policy triangle model and policy tool theory,it comprehensively analyzes the reimbursement medical consumables catalogue and payment management policy of medical insurance in China,covering the policy background,content,process,and participant dimensions.Results:The use frequency of medical consumables policy tools is not balanced,the payment management rules need to be refined,and the participation of multi-stakeholders such as patients is lacking.Conclusion:It is necessary to further strengthen the foundational management of reimbursement medical consumables catalogue,improve the access mechanism of medical consumables for medical insurance,and explore the formulation of categorized payment standards and innovative payment mechanisms.

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