1.Danggui Niantongtang in Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Review
Enhui ZHOU ; Zhiying CHE ; Zhenliang WANG ; Erping XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):343-349
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by symmetrical polyarthritis, which may lead to joint deformity and loss of joint function in the long term, severely impairing patients' quality of life. Danggui Niantongtang, originated from Medical Revelations by Zhang Yuansu in the Jin Dynasty, has the effects of clearing heat and draining dampness, dispelling wind and alleviating pain, and serves as a classic formula for treating RA damp-heat stagnation syndrome. By searching CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed and other databases, the author systematically reviewed the clinical efficacy and experimental research of Danggui Niantongtang in the treatment of RA, and elucidated its mechanisms of action, so as to provide a valuable reference for future clinical and basic research of Danggui Niantongtang in the field of RA. Clinical studies demonstrated that Danggui Niantongtang can improve core symptoms in RA patients with the damp-heat stagnation syndrome, including joint swelling and pain, morning stiffness and limited joint mobility, decrease inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and facilitate postoperative rehabilitation in RA patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). When combined with Western medicines such as methotrexate, it can enhance the anti-inflammatory efficacy and mitigate adverse reactions, including gastrointestinal discomfort and hepatic injury. Experimental studies revealed that this formula can modulate the inflammatory cytokine network, promote synoviocyte apoptosis, inhibit abnormal synoviocyte autophagy, suppress synovial angiogenesis, and maintain intestinal flora homeostasis. However, several limitations exist in current research, such as insufficient clinical quality, unclear interaction between mechanisms and networks, and insufficient research on dosage form optimization. In the future, high-quality clinical research, multi-omics mechanistic studies, and dosage form improvement are needed to provide scientific basis for its clinical promotion and in-depth research.
2.Diagnostic value of combining the corneal stress-strain index with corneal biomechanical parameters for early keratoconus
Dian PU ; Qian KANG ; Zhiying MA ; Hongliang XU
International Eye Science 2025;25(9):1491-1494
AIM: To explore the diagnostic value of combining the corneal stress-strain index(SSI)with corneal biomechanical parameters for early keratoconus.METHODS:A retrospective study was conducted on 34 patients(53 eyes)with early keratoconus diagnosed and treated in our hospital from March 2022 to February 2024. Additionally, 112 normal volunteers(112 eyes)who underwent physical examinations in our hospital during the same period were selected as a healthy control group. The CorvisST equipment was utilized for measurement and recorded deformation with Scheimpflug camera to obtain 10 biomechanical parameters: first applanation time(A1T), first applanation length(A1L), velocity of initial applanation(Vin), second applanation time(A2T), second applanation length(A2L), velocity of outward applanation(Vout), highest concavity time(HCT), highest concavity depth of applanation(HCDA), highest concavity radius(HCR), and peak distance(PD), as well as stress-strain index(SSI), and the corneal biomechanical parameters of the two groups were compared. Furthermore, Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for keratoconus, and ROC curves were plotted to analyze the biomechanical parameters of the cornea for early diagnosis of keratoconus.RESULTS:The SSI(0.77±0.17)in patients with keratoconus was lower than that in healthy controls(1.01±0.24; P<0.001). Patients with keratoconus had lower A1T, A1L, A2L, and HCR, and higher Vout, HCDA, and PD compared to healthy controls(all P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that decreased SSI, A1T, A1L, A2L, and HCR, as well as increased Vout, HCDA, and PD, were risk factors for the development of keratoconus(P<0.001). ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC value for combined diagnosis of early keratoconus was 0.997, with a Youden's index of 0.954, sensitivity and specificity of 98.1% and 97.3%, respectively, and a 95% CI of 0.994-1.000.CONCLUSION:The combination of SSI and corneal biomechanical parameters holds diagnostic significance for early keratoconus, and the joint diagnostic value is even higher. It can be considered as a diagnostic or screening indicator for early keratoconus.
3.Development of Non-Invasive Bi-Level Breathing Therapy System.
Zhiying YUAN ; Mingyue LI ; Jieying SHAN ; Kai WANG ; Jilun YE ; Xu ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Instrumentation 2025;49(1):89-95
At present, there is no effective drug treatment for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). It is usually treated by mechanical ventilation through a ventilator. In this paper, a non-invasive bi-level breathing therapy system suitable for home scenarios is developed. The system supports single-level and bi-level positive airway pressure therapies, and introduces the function of inspiratory synchronous trigger based on flow monitoring to enhance the synchrony of patient-ventilator synchronization. The test results show that the performance indicators of the system meet expectations. Each ventilation mode can operate normally and can meet the requirements for the use of home non-invasive ventilators.
Humans
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Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/therapy*
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Equipment Design
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Noninvasive Ventilation/instrumentation*
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Respiration, Artificial
4.Acute effects and moderators of sedentary interruption on vascular function in adults:a Meta-analysis
Mingyue YIN ; Qian LIU ; Xiongzhuang XU ; Zhiying MA ; Shengji DENG ; Jianfeng DENG ; Yongming LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(17):3684-3696
OBJECTIVE:Prolonged sedentary behavior can acutely reduce peripheral and central vascular function,thereby increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.Interrupting sedentary behavior may be a potential practical strategy to prevent vascular dysfunction caused by prolonged sitting.However,current research findings on its acute effects are inconsistent,and specific application recommendations have not yet been established.This study aims to perform a Meta-analysis on the acute effects of interrupting sedentary behavior on peripheral and central vascular function in adults and to explore its regulatory factors.METHODS:Following PRISMA reporting guidelines,literature search was conducted in March 2024 using the keywords of"interrupting,""sedentary,"and"vascular function"in the Web of Science Core Collection,PubMed,and China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI)databases.Acute randomized crossover trials addressing the acute effects of interrupting sedentary behavior on peripheral and central vascular function in adults were included.Risk of Bias 2 developed by Cochrane was used to assess bias risk,and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment,Development,and Evaluation(GRADE)system was used to evaluate the evidence level.The"meta"and"metaphor"packages in R(version 4.2.0)were used for main effect aggregation(Hedge's g acted as the effect size indicator),publication bias testing,subgroup analysis,and regression analysis.RESULTS:Twenty-two randomized crossover trials involving 364 subjects(aged 21 to 70 years)were included.Meta-analysis results showed that compared with prolonged sitting,interrupting sedentary behavior acutely improved peripheral vascular blood flow volume(Hedge's g=0.48,95%confidence interval:0.14-0.82,P<0.01,I2=63%,low evidence level),shear stress(Hedge's g=0.65,95%confidence interval:0.37-0.93],P<0.01,I2=54%,moderate evidence level),and flow-mediated dilation(Hedge's g=0.43,95%confidence interval:0.15-0.72,P<0.01,I2=61%,moderate evidence level).Disease had a significant moderating effect on the main effect aggregation for blood flow volume(P=0.01 between subgroups),while the mode(P=0.01 between subgroups)and frequency(P=0.02 between subgroups)of interruptions had significant moderating effects on shear stress.Improvements in peripheral vascular shear stress from interrupting sedentary behavior were affected by age(β=-0.02,95%confidence interval:-0.03-0.01,P=0.09)and body mass index(β=-0.10,95%confidence interval:-0.18 to-0.02,P<0.01).Improvements in flow-mediated dilation were influenced by the total number of interruptions(β=-0.09,95%confidence interval:-0.17 to-0.01,P=0.03)and the duration of sitting during the control period(β=-0.21,95%confidence interval:-0.34 to-0.09,P<0.01).Each additional hour of sitting was associated with a 0.67%reduction in the acute improvement effect of flow-mediated dilation from interrupting sedentary behavior(P<0.01),and acute benefits disappeared when sitting control time exceeded 6 hours.A qualitative systematic review found that interrupting sedentary behavior did not significantly affect pulse wave velocity in various populations but could effectively prevent central vascular function decline in older adults due to prolonged sitting.CONCLUSION:Interrupting sedentary behavior acutely improves peripheral vascular blood flow volume(low evidence level),shear stress(moderate evidence level),and flow-mediated dilation(moderate evidence level)in adults and may prevent or protect against central vascular function decline in older adults due to prolonged sitting(very low evidence level).Characteristics of subjects(disease factors,sex,age,and body mass index),interruption intervention schemes(mode,frequency,total number of interruptions),and duration of sitting control all influence the acute improvement effects of interrupting sedentary behavior on vascular function.It is recommended that adults interrupt sedentary behavior with exercises involving large muscle groups,such as stair climbing,at high frequencies(e.g.,once every 40 minutes)with at least 5 minutes of moderate-to low-intensity activity each time,and limit the cumulative duration of prolonged sitting to no more than 6 hours per day.
5.Design requirements for closed-eye pupil monitoring system by nurses in the Neurointensive Care Unit: a qualitative study
Zhiying SHANG ; Lu CHEN ; Bo XU ; Xiaoyan BAI ; Jingyu LI ; Shuang LIANG ; Lingwei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(30):4081-4086
Objective:To explore the design requirements of nurses in the Neurointensive Care Unit (NICU) for the closed-eye pupil monitoring system, providing reference for the refinement and upgrade of the system.Methods:This study was descriptive and qualitative. From December 2024 to February 2025, 15 NICU nurses from Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, were selected using purposive sampling for semi-structured interviews. Content analysis method was used to analyze data and extract key themes.Results:NICU nurses' design requirements for closed-eye pupil monitoring system were categorized into six themes and 18 sub-themes, namely physical characteristics requirements (strong device stability, compact and lightweight design), comfort and safety requirements (wear comfort and safety, prevention of light source thermal injury, convenient disinfection and infection control, assisting eyelid closure), functional requirements (automated monitoring and data collection, intelligent alarm and alert mechanisms), operational requirements (ready-to-use, easy to wear, simple operation), data monitoring requirements (data storage and integrity, data visualization and timeliness, data analysis and prediction, system integration and data management), and extended functional requirements (consciousness state monitoring, fundus lesion examination, vision and visual field screening) .Conclusions:NICU nurses' design requirements for the closed-eye pupil monitoring system are multidimensional and multi-level. System developers should continuously optimize system design based on the actual needs of nurses.
6.The relationship between serum lncRNA NEAT1,miR-106 a-5p expression and the severity and prognosis of sepsis patients
Chunli ZHANG ; Manlin XU ; Yaping CUI ; Zhiying DING ; Yi ZHOU
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(13):1647-1652
Objective To investigate the relationship between the expression of serum long non coding RNA nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1(lncRNA NEAT1)and microRNA-106a-5p(miR-106a-5p)and the severity and prognosis of sepsis patients.Methods A total of 185 patients with sepsis who were diagnosed and treated in this hospital from August 2021 to July 2024 were selected as the study group,and another 215 healthy volunteers who underwent physical examinations in this hospital during the same period were selected as the control group.The research group was divided into the mild group(n=92),the severe group(n=58)and the shock group(n=35)according to the severity of the disease.The research group was divided into the good prognosis group(n=121)and the poor prognosis group(n=64)according to the prognosis.The expres-sions of lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-106a-5p were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction,and the correlation of the expressions of lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-106a-5p in the study group was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis.The binding sites of lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-106a-5p were an-alyzed by StarBase,and the influencing factors of poor prognosis in patients were analyzed by multivariate Lo-gistic regression.The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the diagnostic value of the combination of lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-106a-5p for poor prognosis in patients.Results The expression of lncRNA NEAT1 in the study group was higher than that in the control group,and the expression of miR-106a-5p was lower than that in the control group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The expressions of lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-106a-5p in the study group were negatively correlated(r=-0.413,P<0.001),and there were binding sites between the two.With the increase of the severity of sepsis,the ex-pression of lncRNA NEAT1 increased and the expression of miR-106a-5p decreased,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ)score,sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA)score,tumor necrosis factor-α,C-reactive protein,and ln-cRNA NEAT1 in the poor prognosis group were higher than those in the good prognosis group,while the ex-pression of miR-106a-5p was lower than that in the good prognosis group,the difference was statistically sig-nificant(P<0.05).Elevated APACHE Ⅱ score,SOFA score and lncRNA NEAT1 were independent risk fac-tors for poor prognosis in patients,and miR-106a-5p was an independent protective factor(P<0.05).The ar-ea under the curve of the combined diagnosis of the two was 0.918(95%CI:0.868-0.953),which was supe-rior to the separate diagnosis of each(Zcombined with lncRNA NEAT1=4.112,Zcombined with miR-106a-5p=4.023,P<0.05).Con-clusion With the increase of disease severity in patients with sepsis,the expression of lncRNA NEAT1 in-creases and the expression of miR-106a-5p decreases.The combined diagnosis of the two for poor prognosis in patients has a high clinical value.
7.Correlation of sleep quality with depression,anxiety and stress among special service convalescents
Jingjing CHEN ; Zhiying LUO ; He ZHANG ; Bo XIONG ; Lei WANG ; Hua XU
Journal of Navy Medicine 2025;46(4):327-330
Objective To investigate the current status of sleep quality,depression,anxiety and stress of special service convalescents and their correlation.Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted on 311 special service convalescents by the Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI)and the depression-anxiety-stress self-rating scale-21(DASS-21)from May to July 2022.Results The mean total PSQI score of 311 special service convalescents was 4.93±3.14,and 63 of them(20.26%)had sleep quality problems(total score of PSQI>7).The proportions of respondents with the scores≥2 in sleep time,daytime dysfunction,subjective sleep quality,and fall-asleep time were 30.87%,26.05%,21.22%,and 20.26%,respectively.The proportions of respondents with mild depression,anxiety and stress were 6.11%,4.50%and 2.57%,respectively,which were higher than the other three grades(moderate,severe and very serious).The incidence of sleep quality problems,depression,anxiety,and stress in respondents aged 40 years and above was higher than those in the other age groups,and there was a tendency to increase with age.The total score of PSQI and all factors(except hypnotic drugs)were positively correlated with depression,anxiety,and stress in special service convalescents(all P<0.01).Regression analysis showed that depression and stress were the direct influencing factors of sleep quality.Conclusion The special service convalescents have varying degrees of sleep quality problems and negative emotions such as depression,anxiety,and stress,especially those aged 40 years and above.Sleep quality is closely related to depression,anxiety,and stress.
8.A new strategy for pharmacodynamic substance screening and research on gut microbiota pathway mechanisms based on UPLC-Q-orbitrap-MS and 16S rRNA
Zhiying Yu ; Tong Li ; Jie Yang ; Jianghua He ; Weijiang Zhang ; Siyuan Li ; Yunpeng Qi ; Yihui Yin ; Ling Dong ; Wenjuan Xu
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2025;2025(1):56-70
Objective:
To establish a progressive research strategy for “colonic components analysis - efficacy verification and mechanism exploration - gut microbiota”, screen pharmacodynamic substances, and investigate their mechanism via gut microbiota.
Methods:
The pharmacodynamics of Gegen Qinlian decoction (GQD) were assessed using a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis (UC). Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometer was used to identify the prototype and metabolic components of GQD in the colon during UC. To analyze the structure and function of characteristic genera of GQD and its active components, 16S rRNA sequencing was performed.
Results:
We identified 67 prototypic and 14 metabolic components of GQD in the UC colon. The primary prototype components are flavonoids and alkaloids, including puerarin (PUE), baicalin (BAI), and berberine (BER). The metabolism was predominantly sulfonation. Efficacy verification showed that the main active components, puerarin, baicalin, and berberine, had good therapeutic effects on UC. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that GQD improved UC by regulating the structure and function of the gut microbiota. The abundance of gut microbiota involved in the metabolism of the prototype components was influenced by the corresponding components. The function prediction results showed that PUE was the most comparable to GQD, with 24 consistent pathways. BAI and BER showed comparable gut microbiota regulation pathways. Characteristic pathways of BER include glucometabolic processes.
Conclusion
This study focused on the key issues in the gut microbiota pathway and developed a progressive research strategy to understand the transformation mechanisms of colonic components. This research systematically analyzed the active components and metabolic transformation of GQD in the colon during the pathological state of UC, as well as changes in the structure and function of the gut microbiota, clarified the mechanism of GQD and its active components in improving UC via the gut microbiota pathway.
9.Validating the pathogenic mechanism of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease induced by negative emotions via Mendelian randomization and traditional Chinese medicine theory of emotions
Zhiying WANG ; Yun LI ; Zhixian ZHONG ; Ling XU ; Yi ZHONG ; Jian CHEN
Digital Chinese Medicine 2025;8(2):196-205
Objective:
We employed Mendelian randomization (MR) to test the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory of emotional pathogenesis concept and explore the causal relationship between negative emotions and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Methods:
Data of negative emotions, bronchitis, emphysema, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were downloaded from genome-wide association study (GWAS) public database for a two-sample MR analysis. Independent single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with negative emotions, bronchitis, and emphysema were selected as instrumental variables. Primary causal estimates were derived using inverse-variance weighting (IVW), supplemented by weighted median (WM), and simple mode (SM) methods. Sensitivity analyses included MR-Egger regression and MR-PRESSO to assess pleiotropy, Cochran’s Q test for heterogeneity, and multivariate MR to adjust for smoking. Mediation analysis evaluated the role of inflammatory markers. Reverse MR was tested for bidirectional causality. Weak instrument bias was mitigated via F-statistic thresholds (> 10). All analyses were conducted in RStudio.
Results:
MR analysis identified significant causal effects of several negative emotions on COPD. Genetically, the IVW analysis of seen doctors for nerves anxiety tension or depression [ORIVW = 1.006, 95% CI = (1.002, 1.010), P = 0.002], sensitivity/hurt feelings [ORIVW = 1.024, 95% CI = (1.004, 1.044), P = 0.017], and irritability [ORIVW = 1.019, 95% CI = (1.003, 1.035), P = 0.019 were robustly associated with increased risks of COPD. No heterogeneity was detected among the different instrumental variables (IVs) for depression (P = 0.655) and irritability (P = 0.163). MR-Egger regression intercepts for all emotional exposures were close to zero and statistically non-significant, indicating no evidence of directional pleiotropy. The horizontal pleiotropy results showed that except for worry (MR-PRESSO P = 0.006), other emotion exposures confirming no substantial pleiotropic bias. Multivariable MR demonstrated that anxiety remained independently associated with COPD after adjusting for smoking (P = 0.002), while associations with other negative emotions were attenuated post-adjustment. The mediation analysis revealed that CRP mediated 3.93% of the total effect of anxiety on COPD. However, reverse MR analysis found no evidence of reverse causality.
Conclusion
This study confirmed the causal effects of negative emotions on COPD through MR analysis and revealed that negative emotions may trigger CRP production, which plays an essential mediating role in this relationship. This study provides a reliable modern theoretical basis for emotion theory in TCM.
10.Summary of the best evidence for lower limb rehabilitation robot exercise rehabilitation in stroke patients
Lingwei ZHANG ; Lu CHEN ; Bo XU ; Jingyu LI ; Shuang LIANG ; Zhiying SHANG ; Tianlan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(24):3271-3279
Objective:To summarize the best evidence for lower limb rehabilitation robot exercise rehabilitation in stroke patients.Methods:Clinical decisions, best practices, guidelines, evidence summaries, expert consensus, systematic reviews, and randomized controlled trials on lower limb rehabilitation robot exercise rehabilitation in stroke patients were systematically searched in national and international guideline networks, websites of relevant professional societies, and databases. The search period was from database establishment to October 17, 2024. Two researchers independently conducted literature quality evaluation, evidence extraction, and integration.Results:A total of 13 papers were included, including four guidelines, seven systematic reviews, one expert consensus, and one randomized controlled trial. Twenty-six pieces of best evidence were summarized in seven aspects of multidisciplinary teamwork, applicable conditions, rehabilitation management, exercise implementation, evaluation of rehabilitation outcomes, abnormal training responses, and considerations.Conclusions:This study is based on a number of high-quality evidence, standardizing the relevant theories and clinical applications, with a certain degree of scientific and cutting-edge nature, providing practical, reliable and valuable evidence-based references and guidance for medical and nursing staff to use lower limb rehabilitation robots.


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