1.Mechanisms of Qiaobai cold compress solution in improving acne vulgaris based on transcriptomics and experiment
Zhenjiang XIE ; Weina ZHU ; Liangliang CAO ; Fuqiong ZHOU ; Shupan ZHANG ; Bingwen ZHOU ; Yinsheng CHEN ; Wen LI ; Ying ZHAO
China Pharmacy 2026;37(4):425-430
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism by which Qiaobai cold compress solution (QBCS) improves acne vulgaris (AV) based on transcriptomics and animal experiments. METHODS Rats were randomly divided into a blank control group ( n =6) and a modeling group ( n =30). AV models were established in the modeling group by topical application of oleic acid to the inner surface of both ears, combined with subcutaneous injection of Cutibacterium acnes suspension into the auricle. Successfully modeled rats were further divided into the model group, positive control group (Tretinoin cream, 0.045 g/kg), and QBCS low-, medium-, high-dose groups [3.55, 7.11, 14.22 g/kg (calculated by the amount of crude drug) ] , with 6 rats in each group. Rats in each d rug group were treated with the corresponding drugs once daily for 14 consecutive days. After the final administration, changes in the appearance of the ears and histopathological changes in the ear tissues were observed, and serum levels of inflammatory factors, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1β, were measured. Auricular tissues from the blank control group, model group and QBCS medium-dose group were collected for transcriptome sequencing. Differential expressed genes (DEGs) were screened and subjected to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis, followed by validation using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assay. RESULTS Compared with the model group, rats in all QBCS groups showed alleviated auricular acne symptoms, with reduced epidermal thickening, sebaceous gland hyperplasia, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Serum levels of TNF-α (except for the QBCS low-dose group), IL-6 (except for the QBCS low-dose group) and IL-1β were significantly decreased ( P <0.05). A total of 590 DEGs were identified (blank control group vs. model group), and 596 DEGs were identified (model group vs. QBCS medium-dose group). Above DEGs (blank control group vs. model group) were mainly enriched in Toll-like receptor (TLR) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways, etc. Validation experiments showed that, compared with model group, low-, medium- and high-dose of QBCS reduced, to varying degrees, the mRNA expression of TNF-α, TLR2, interferon-γ and CXC chemokine ligand 8 in the auricular tissues of AV rats, increased the mRNA expression of peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor gamma and tumor protein 53, and inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 protein as well as the expressions of TLR2 and myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88(MyD88) ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS QBCS can alleviate auricular inflammation and skin lesions in AV rats. This effect may be related to inhibition of the TLR/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby suppressing the expression of downstream inflammatory factors such as TNF-α.
2.Heme metabolism: a metabolic interface in tumor radioimmunotherapy
Xun WANG ; Yifan HAN ; Zhiwu WANG ; Zhenjiang LI
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2026;35(3):460-466
The combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy is not merely a superposition of therapeutic effects but rather a dynamic competition involving radiation-induced damage, tissue repair programs, and antitumor immune amplification. Accumulating evidence indicates that heme metabolism does more than supply prosthetic groups. It acts as a critical interface connecting radiation stress, mitochondrial homeostasis, redox imbalance, iron metabolism, and tumor immune remodeling. Focusing on the "radiation-heme-immunotherapy" axis, this review systematically examines how radiation reshapes the heme synthesis-degradation network via reactive oxygen species (ROS) bursts, Nrf2/BACH1 responses, mitochondrial damage, and disruption of iron homeostasis. In turn, these changes reprogram the cGAS-STING-type I interferon axis, myeloid cell polarization, T-cell function, and the hypoxic/stromal state of the tumor microenvironment. We pay special attention to the functional paradox of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1): it protects normal tissues from radiation injury yet promotes tumor tolerance. We propose that HO-1 outcomes are not determined solely by its expression level but are collectively shaped by the expressing cell type, the intensity and duration of induction, subcellular localization, and the microenvironmental context. Accordingly, HMOX1/HO-1 and related heme metabolic features may serve as novel biomarkers for patient stratification and sensitization of radioimmunotherapy combinations. The key to its clinical translation lies in establishing detection systems with spatial and temporal resolution and developing localized, temporally sequenced, and population-selective targeted therapeutic strategies.
3.Analysis of associated factors of two pertussis cluster outbreaks in primary schools of Yangzhong City in 2025
LI Taiyue, TONG Haiyuan, SHI Xiaohua, HUO Xiang, CHEN Qiang, QIN Si, ZHOU Yin
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(8):1184-1188
Objective:
To analyze the epidemiological characteristics, associated factors, and vaccine effectiveness of two pertussis cluster outbreaks in two primary schools in Yangzhong City in 2025, so as to provide evidence for school based epidemic prevention and control.
Methods:
From August 26 to 30, 2025, a pertussis questionnaire was administered to the epidemic affected classes of two primary schools (school A and school B) in Yangzhong City. A descriptive epidemiological retrospective analysis was used to characterize the pertussis cluster outbreaks in Yangzhong City from March to July 2025. A 1∶5 matched case control study (79 cases, 395 controls) was performed. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to identify associated factors, and the clinical symptom incidence rates, types of pertussis containing vaccines, and timeliness of vaccination were compared between groups using Fisher s exact test.
Results:
From March to July 2025, a total of 79 pertussis cases were reported in the two schools, with attack rates of 1.33% and 1.01%, respectively. Cases were predominantly aged 7-8 years (85.37% in school A, 73.68% in school B), and the main clinical manifestation was productive cough (63.29%). The pneumonia incidence rate among hospitalized cases ( 57.14 %) was higher than that among nonhospitalized cases(4.17%)(Fisher s exact test, P <0.01). The interval from the last dose to onset was concentrated at 6 to <7 years (44 cases). Logistic regression showed that children exposed to secondhand smoke in daily life ( OR = 3.86 ), those whose desk mates or front/back desk mates took leave due to cough ( OR =4.67), and those whose dining table mates or front/back table mates took leave due to cough ( OR =3.67) had significantly higher risks of pertussis (all P <0.05). A high proportion of both the case group and the control group received the acellular DTaP vaccine (97.47% and 96.96%, respectively),while a low proportion received the pentavalent vaccine (1.27% and 3.04%, respectively). Additionally, one case received only three doses of the acellular DTaP vaccine.The difference in vaccine type distribution between the two groups was not statistically significant (Fisher s exact test, P =0.31).
Conclusions
The outbreaks represent breakthrough infections under high vaccine coverage. Close contact and secondhand smoke exposure are the main risk factors. A booster immunization strategy with diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine should be implemented for school aged children.
4.Preventive Effect and Safety Evaluation of Xiaozhen Formula (消疹方) on Skin Toxicity Induced by Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors in the Treatment of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer:A Multicenter,Randomized,Double-Blind,Placebo-Controlled Trial
Ling LUO ; Xintian WANG ; Cheng CHENG ; Zitong HAN ; Chunru WANG ; Guoli WEI ; Jianyue LI ; Li WANG ; Jirong WANG ; Peng SHU ; Liang LI ; Fenglin LIU ; Ran SONG ; Jing BAI ; Haiyan XING
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(18):1987-1994
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Xiaozhen Formula (消疹方) in preventing skin toxicity induced by epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) in patients with EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MethodsA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical study was conducted. A total of 120 patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC from seven centers were enrolled and randomly assigned to a treatment group (60 cases) or a control group (60 cases). On the basis of EGFRI-targeted therapy, patients in the treatment group received Xiaozhen Formula granules, whereas those in the control group received Xiaozhen Formula placebo granules, both at 10 g twice daily for 4 consecutive weeks. The primary outcomes were the grading of skin toxicity evaluated using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE) version 5.0 and the incidence of rash. Secondary outcomes included the time to onset and time to resolution of the highest-grade rash, the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) scores, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores, and disease control rate, together with safety assessments. ResultsBased on the full analysis set (FAS), the incidence of skin toxicity in the treatment group was 18.33% (11/60), significantly lower than 45.00% (27/60) in the control group (P<0.01), with the highest severity of skin toxicity in both groups was grade 2. Among patients who developed rash, the resolution rate in the treatment group was 90.91% (10/11), higher than that 33.33% (9/27) in the control group. The median time to resolution was 15 days (95%CI: 8-17 days) in the treatment group and it was not reached in the control group; the distribution of time to resolution differed significantly between groups (P<0.001). After treatment, the treatment group had higher EORTC QLQ-C30 functional scale and global health status/quality-of-life scores, and lower symptom scale, single-item scores, as well as HADS-A, and HADS-D scores than the control group (P<0.05). In the FAS analysis, the disease control rate (DCR) was 85.0% (51/60) in the treatment group, lower than 100.0% (60/60) in the control group (P=0.003), whereas no significant between-group difference was observed in the per-protocol set (PPS) analysis (P=0.464). The incidence of adverse events did not differ significantly between the two groups (P>0.05), and no definite safety signals related to the investigational drug were observed. ConclusionXiaozhen Formula can reduce the incidence of EGFRI-induced skin toxicity, and improve the outcome of rash regression, the patients' quality of life and psychological status in EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients.
5.Influence of interaction of physical exercise and pre-sleep screen time on sleep quality among college students
SONG Qingyao, FAN Xiaofei, HUANG Wei, LI Qiangqiang, CHEN Yuchu
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(9):1288-1292
Objective:
To investigate the dynamic influence mechanism of the interaction between physical exercise and pre-sleep screen time on sleep quality among college students, so as to provide a theoretical basis for sleep health interventions in the population.
Methods:
From March to April 2025, a convenience sample of 2 075 students was recruited from eight universities in Jiangsu Province to participate in an online survey. Physical exercise was assessed using the Physical Activity Rating Scale-3 (PARS-3), sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and pre-sleep screen time behaviors were recorded using a self-designed structured questionnaire. Binary Logistic regression was used to examine the independent associations of physical activity level and pre-sleep screen time with sleep disorders. An interaction effect model was then applied to plot the dose-response relationship among the three variables.
Results:
The overall prevalence of sleep disorder among college students was 50.3%. Significant differences in the prevalence of sleep disorder were observed across groups of sex, academic discipline, grade, pre-sleep screen time, and physical exercise ( χ 2=42.45, 14.81, 18.99, 113.23, 40.61, all P <0.05). Binary Logistic regression showed that pre-sleep screen time was associated with the risk of sleep disorders (≤15 min: OR =1.70; 16- 30 min : OR =1.91; 31-60 min: OR =3.31; >60 min: OR =5.32), while both moderate ( OR =0.44) and high ( OR =0.57) physical exercise were associated with a reduced risk (all P <0.05). The interaction effect was statistically significant (Wald χ 2= 6.82 , P <0.01). The dose-response curves revealed that, in the low-exercise group, sleep quality deteriorated sharply with increasing screen time (the predicted mean dropped to 28% at the >60 min threshold, P <0.01); in the moderate exercise group, an inverted U-shaped trend was observed, with an optimal window of 16-30 min; and in the high exercise group, a significant buffering effect was found, with the predicted mean remaining at 43% even under >60 min screen exposure, representing a decrease of only 4% compared with the no-screen use group ( P >0.05).
Conclusions
High screen exposure combined with low physical exercise represents the primary behavioral pattern associated with a high prevalence of sleep disorders. Regular physical exercise can partially offset the negative effects of excessive screen time on sleep.
6.Monitoring as well as prevention and control strategies for nasal vestibular colonized bacteria of healthcare workers in pediatric intensive care unit
Zixuan LI ; Lili HUANG ; Zhenjiang BAI ; Shuiyan WU ; Linna ZHANG ; Zhiqin ZHANG ; Chunmei SU
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2025;24(10):1424-1429
Objective To explore the distribution characteristics and influencing factors of nasal colonized bacteria of healthcare workers(HCWs)in pediatric intensive care unit(PICU).Methods A cross-sectional study was con-ducted.Nasal swab specimens from 104 HCWs in the PICU of a hospital were collected for bacterial culture and an-timicrobial susceptibility testing.According to the identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing results of strains,distribution characteristics of colonized bacteria was analyzed.Basic information of studied subjects were collected through questionnaire survey,and risk factors for colonized bacterial infection were conducted using logis-tic regression analysis.Results Among 104 specimens,colonized bacteria were detected from 66 specimens,with an overall detection rate of 63.46%.Gram-positive bacteria was mainly Staphylococcus aureus,with a detection rate of 34.62%(n=36),out of which methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA)accounted for 2.88%(n=3).Gram-negative bacteria was mainly Klebsiella spp.,with a detection rate of 21.15%(n=22).Multiva-riate logistic regression analysis showed that HCWs with junior professional titles(OR=11.400,95%CI:2.329-55.801,P=0.003)was an independent risk factor for Staphylococcus aureus colonization,and male(OR=4.260,95%CI:1.160-15.653,P=0.029)was an independent risk factor for Klebsiella spp.colonization.Conclusion Nasal cavity of HCWs in PICU has a high detection rate of colonized bacteria,with Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella spp.being the major colonized bacteria.
7.Dose-effect relationship between dexmedetomidine and ropivacaine during pericapsular nerve group block in elderly patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty
Yuanfeng LI ; Pufeng YE ; Guifeng PAN ; Zhenjiang MAI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(21):4514-4520
BACKGROUND:Ropivacaine and dexmedetomidine are two commonly used local anesthetic agents and adjuvants in elderly total hip arthroplasty. They provide sedation and analgesic effects during peripheral hip nerve blocks.OBJECTIVE:To explore the dose-effect relationship between dexmedetomidine and ropivacaine in continuous sedation during pericapsular nerve group block in elderly patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty.METHODS:A total of 120 elderly patients who received total hip arthroplasty in Dongguan Hospital,Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from January 2021 to January 2023 were selected as study subjects and randomly divided into two groups 1∶1 matching according to propensity matching method. The observation group (n=60) received pericapsular nerve group block by giving 20 mL mixture of ropivacaine and 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine. The control group (n=60) received received pericapsular nerve group block by giving 20 mL of ropivacaine. The general data,perioperative indexes,postoperative analgesia,hemodynamic indexes,inflammatory factors,stress indexes,postoperative adverse reactions,length of hospital stay,and the occurrence of postoperative complications were compared and analyzed between the two groups. The median effective dose and 95% effective dose concentrations of ropivacaine pericapsular nerve group block were calculated by the Probit method.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The postoperative analgesia of the observation group was better than that of the control group,and the visual analog scale score at 6-hour dynamic,12-hour static,12-hour dynamic,24-hour static,24-hour dynamic,48-hour static,48-hour dynamic,as well as the time of first patient-controlled analgesia compression and the number of patient-controlled analgesia compression at 24 and 48 hours postoperatively were statistically different (P<0.05). (2) There were significant differences between the two groups in mean arterial pressure and heart rate at extubation and 12 hours after extubation (P<0.01). (3) The levels of interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor-α,epinephrine,and noradrenaline in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group at 24 and 48 hours after surgery (P<0.01). (4) There was significant difference in the length of hospital stay between the two groups (P<0.01),and no difference was detected in the occurrence of postoperative complications (P>0.05). (5) The median effective dose and 95% effective dose values of dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine were 0.164% and 0.188%,respectively,while the median effective dose and 95% effective dose values of ropivacaine alone were 0.194% and 0.276%,respectively. (6) It is concluded that using dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine in pericapsular nerve group block can effectively alleviate postoperative analgesia in elderly patients with total hip arthroplasty,help maintain the hemodynamic stability of patients,reduce postoperative inflammation and stress response,and shorten the length of hospital stay. In addition,dexmedetomidine can reduce the dosage of ropivacaine under the condition of effective pericapsular nerve group block reaction.
8.Development of a prediction model based on decision tree for acute kidney injury in critically ill children and its predictive value
Huiwen LI ; Jiao CHEN ; Junlong HU ; Jing XU ; Zhenjiang BAI ; Xiaozhong LI ; Yanhong LI
Chinese Pediatric Emergency Medicine 2025;32(2):128-134
Objective:To establish and validate a prediction model based on least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)regression and classification and regression tree(CART)algorithm for acute kidney injury(AKI)in PICU.Methods:The prospective derivation cohort consisted of 350 critically ill children admitted to the PICU of Children′s Hospital of Soochow University from September 2020 to January 2021.The external data set consisting of 866 critically ill children admitted to the PICU of Children′s Hospital of Soochow University from February 2021 to February 2022 was employed for the external validation.Clinical data was obtained from the electronic medical record system,including demographic characteristics,laboratory data and the pediatric risk of mortality Ⅲ(PRISM Ⅲ)score.The variables associated with AKI were identified using LASSO regression.Subsequently,a decision tree prediction model was built using the CART algorithm.The predictive value of decision tree prediction model was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,calibration curve,and decision curve analysis.Results:Among the 350 children in the derivation cohort,107(30.6%)developed AKI during the PICU stay;and of 866 children in the external validation cohort,165(19.1%)developed AKI during the PICU stay.The LASSO regression screened 16 candidate variables for further analysis,and the decision tree model ultimately identified 4 variables more closely associated with AKI,including fold change in serum creatinine from baseline,urine volume,PRISM Ⅲ,and C-reactive protein.The decision tree model exhibited high accuracy with AUC of 0.92,0.88,and 0.86 in the training,internal validation,and external validation cohorts,respectively.The model demonstrated good calibration and clinical applicability based on the calibration curve and decision curve analysis.Conclusion:The decision tree model based on the 4 identified clinical indicators,including fold change in serum creatinine from baseline,urine volume,PRISM Ⅲ,and C-reactive protein,is effective for the early prediction of AKI.
9.The value and application prospects of heat shock protein 70 in tumor immunotherapy.
Fugang ZHANG ; Li JIANG ; Deqiang WANG ; Ablimit MAMATNIYAZ ; Kang SUN
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(11):1034-1040
Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), an evolutionarily conserved molecular chaperone, serves as a central regulator within tumor immune networks. This review summarizes the multiple immune regulatory mechanisms mediated by HSP70 through its specific domains: promoting antigen presentation and cross-presentation processes; prolonging immune response duration; regulating innate and adaptive immune responses; and interacting with immune checkpoint molecules like programmed death-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1). In translation of clinical research, HSP70 can serve as a vaccine adjuvant to enhance immunogenicity, while its inhibitors can overcome resistance to immunotherapy. Additionally, membrane-bound HSP70 represents a potential immunotherapeutic target, and its targeting strategies show significant synergistic effects when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, due to the functional redundancy of the molecular chaperone network, the clinical efficacy of single-agent HSP70 inhibition is limited. In-depth elucidation of HSP70's synergistic regulatory mechanisms within the chaperone interaction network has important implications for developing novel tumor immunotherapy strategies.
HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Immunotherapy/methods*
;
Neoplasms/immunology*
;
Animals
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B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism*
10.Protective effects and mechanisms of sodium pyruvate on storage lesions in human red blood cells
Haoning CHEN ; Qi MIAO ; Qiang GAO ; Xin SUN ; Shunyu MEI ; Li WANG ; Yun LIAN ; Honglin LUO ; Chenjie ZHOU ; Hao LI
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(6):833-838
Objective: To investigate the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of sodium pyruvate (SP) on RBC storage lesions using an oxidative damage model. Methods: Six units of leukocyte-depleted suspended RBCs (discarded for non-infectious reasons within three days post-collection) were randomly assigned to four groups: negative control (NS), positive control (PS), experimental group 1 (SP1), and experimental group 2 (SP2). Oxidative stress was induced in the PS group by the addition of hydrogen peroxide (H
O
), while SP1 and SP2 received SP supplementation at different concentrations (25 mM and 50 mM, respectively) in the presence of H
O
. After 1 hour of incubation, RBC morphology was assessed microscopically, and biochemical indicators including glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), methemoglobin (MetHb), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and Na
/K
-ATPase activity were measured. Results: RBCs in the PS group exhibited pronounced morphological damage, including cell shrinkage and echinocyte formation, whereas both SP-treated groups showed significantly reduced structural injury. SP treatment led to elevated GSH levels and decreased concentrations of MDA and MetHb, suggesting attenuation of oxidative stress. Additionally, SP enhanced intracellular ATP levels and Na
/K
-ATPase activity, thereby contributing to membrane stability. Notably, the SP2 group (50 mM) demonstrated superior protective effects compared to SP1 (25 mM). Conclusion: Sodium pyruvate effectively attenuates oxidative storage lesions in RBCs, primarily through its antioxidant properties, energy metabolism supporting ability, and celluar membrane stabilizing function. These findings suggest SP as a promising additive for enhancing the quality and safety of stored RBCs.


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