1.Study on the efficacy and mechanism of Tongbianling capsule in the treatment of constipation
Ying CHEN ; Zihua XU ; Bei HU ; Yaling CUI ; Huan GAO ; Qiong WU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(1):10-16
Object To study the efficacy and potential mechanism of Tongbianling capsule in constipation. Methods The effects of Tongbianling capsule on intestinal motility in normal mice and carbon powder propulsion rate in small intestine of constipation model mice after were observed administration. The potential targets and key pathways of Tongbianling capsule in treating constipation were identified through network pharmacology. To verify the mechanism, the expression of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT/AKT and CASP3 proteins in mouse colon tissue was detected by the western blot. Results The time for mice to excrete the first black stool was shortened and the number of fecal particles was increased in Tongbianling capsule administration group, and the carbon powder propulsion rate of mice in each Tongbianling capsule administration group was increased. The results of network pharmacology showed that treatment of constipation by Tongbianling capsule may be related to signaling pathways such as PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and 5-HT. The protein expression of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT/AKT, and CASP3 in mouse colon tissue could be significantly downregulated in administration group. Conclusion Tongbianling capsule could effectively promote intestinal peristalsis in mice, increase the frequency of defecation, and effectively treat constipation. The mechanism of its action may be related to the direct or indirect regulation of intestinal motility by the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.
2.Effects of Bimin Formula (鼻敏方) on the Nasal Mucosa TMEM16A/NF-κB/MUC5AC Signaling Pathway in a Rat Model of Allergic Rhinitis with Lung-Spleen Qi Deficiency
Ningcong XU ; Yiwei HUA ; Xi TAN ; Jinhan WANG ; Zihua LIANG ; Shiqing ZHOU ; Yunying LI ; Wenyong CHEN ; Jiyan XIA ; Qiulan LUO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(8):842-848
ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Bimin Formula (鼻敏方) in treating lung-spleen qi deficiency syndrome of allergic rhinitis (AR) with high mucin secretion. MethodsThirty-four SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group (8 rats), a model group (8 rats), a low-dose Bimin Formula group (8 rats), and a high-dose Bimin Formula group (10 rats). Except for the blank group, the other groups were subjected to AR lung-spleen qi deficiency rat models induced by smoking, gavage of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract, and ovalbumin. After modeling, rats in the low- and high-dose Bimin Formula groups were given Bimin Formula concentrate (concentration of 2.16 g/ml) by gavage at doses of 1.08 g/100 g and 2.16 g/100 g, respectively, while rats in the model group were given 0.5 ml/100 g of normal saline by gavage, once daily for 28 days; the blank group was not intervened. Behavioral assessments were performed after intervention. ELISA was used to detect the levels of peripheral blood total immunoglobulin E (IgE). HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of nasal mucosa epithelium in rats, while immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of transmembrane protein 16A (TMEM16A) and mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) protein in nasal mucosa. Western Blot was used to detect the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) protein, and RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of TMEM16A, MUC5AC, and NF-κB mRNA in nasal mucosa. ResultsHE staining showed that the nasal mucosa epithelial cell structure in the blank group was intact without shedding, swelling, or necrosis; the nasal mucosa epithelial tissue of rats in the model group was thickened and partially shed, with infiltration of eosinophils and lymphocytes visible; the pathological changes in nasal mucosa tissue of rats in the high- and low-dose Bimin Formulagroups were improved, and more improvement was showen in the high-dose group. Compared with those in the blank group, the behavioral scores and peripheral blood total IgE levels of rats in the model group significantly increased, as well as the expression of TMEM16A, MUC5AC, and NF-κB proteins and mRNA in nasal mucosa (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, the behavioral scores and peripheral blood total IgE levels of rats in the high-dose Bimin Formula group decreased, and the expression of TMEM16A, MUC5AC, and NF-κB proteins and mRNA in nasal mucosaalso decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01); the behavioral scores and peripheral blood total IgE levels of rats in the low-dose Bimin Formula group were reduced, and the expression of TMEM16A and MUC5AC proteins and mRNA in nasal mucosa, as well as the expression of NF-κB protein decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), but the difference in NF-κB mRNA expression was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Compared with the low-dose Bimin Formula group, the expression of NF-κB protein in the high-dose group decreased (P<0.01). ConclusionBimin Formula may improve the symptoms and high mucus secretion of AR lung-spleen qi deficiency by regulating the TMEM16A/NF-κB/MUC5AC signaling pathway in nasalmucosa.
3.Research progress on the current status and associated factors of airborne microbial pollution in college campuses
DENG Xunuo, LIU Yuheng, GAO Chunyan, XU Zihua, MA Xuezheng, REN Liping, CHEN Xiaoqin
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(5):751-756
Abstract
Airborne microorganisms, especially pathogenic microorganisms, are easily transmitted through dust and droplets, leading to various infectious diseases. The study summarizes the status of airborne microbial pollution, potential exposure levels, particle size, and species distribution of microorganisms, discusses the impact of airborne microorganisms on human health, and analyzes specific factors affecting campus air microorganisms from four aspects:climate, anthropogenic factors, time, and space, to provide a scientific basis for formulating effective improvement measures, improving air quality and safeguarding the health of teachers and students.
4.Effect of Huashi Runzao Prescription on Structure and Function of Submandibular Gland in Sjögren's Syndrome Model Mice
Qian HE ; Xinbo YU ; Ziwei HUANG ; Jiahe LIAO ; Guangyao CHEN ; Zihua WU ; Jiaqi CHEN ; Jianying YANG ; Jing LUO ; Qingwen TAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(8):36-44
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Huashi Runzao prescription (HRP) on the histopathological injury and function of submandibular gland in naive non-obese diabetic (NOD/Ltj) mouse model of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and its regulatory effect on aquaporin 5 (AQP5) expression in submandibular gland cells. MethodThe SS model was induced in NOD/Ltj mice. The NOD/Ltj female mice aged nine weeks were selected and randomly assigned into model group,HRP group (7.15 g·kg-1·d-1),and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) group (1.30 g·kg-1·d-1), and female BALB/c mice in the same age were selected and assigned into the normal group, with six mice in each group. Drug intervention lasted eight weeks. The water consumption and salivary flow rate (SFR) of each group were recorded. The pathological staining results of the submandibular gland of mice in each group were observed and scored. AQP5 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot. ResultCompared with the normal group, the model group showed increased water consumption (P<0.05) and reduced SFR (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the HRP group showed decreased water consumption (P<0.05) and increased SFR (P<0.05), and the HCQ group showed increased SFR (P<0.05). In terms of histopathological results of the submandibular gland,compared with the normal group,the model group showed increased pathological score, number of lymphocyte infiltration foci,and percentage of lymphatic infiltration area (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the HRP group showed reduced pathological scores and number of lymphocyte infiltration foci (P<0.05), and the HRP group and the HCQ group showed reduced percentage of lymphatic infiltration area(P<0.05). The results of IHC and Western blot showed that compared with the normal group,the model group showed down-regulated expression level of AQP5 protein (P<0.05), and compared with the model group and the HCQ group,the HRP group showed up-regulated expression level of AQP5 protein (P<0.05). ConclusionHRP can improve the secretion function of submandibular gland acinous cells and glandular structure injury in SS model mice, and its mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of AQP5 protein expression level in submandibular gland cells.
5.Effect of Huashi Runzao Prescription on Primary Sjögren's Syndrome
Zihua WU ; Ziwei HUANG ; Jiaqi CHEN ; Qian HE ; Jianying YANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Jiahe LIAO ; Xinbo YU ; Jing LUO ; Qingwen TAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(8):45-51
ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy and safety of Huashi Runzao prescription for patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) of combined dryness and dampness pattern. MethodA total of 105 eligible patients were randomized into the experimental group (65 cases) and control group (40 cases), and they were respectively treated with Huashi Runzao prescription and hydroxychloroquine for 12 weeks. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was employed to assess the symptoms. The symptoms of dryness, fatigue, and pain, European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Sjögren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI), EULAR Sjögren's syndrome disease activity index (ESSDAI), and immune inflammatory indicators before and after treatment were compared between the two groups, and adverse reactions were observed. ResultAfter treatment, the ESSPRI score was lower than that before treatment in the experimental groups (P<0.01) and was lower in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.05). The VAS scores of dry mouth, dry eyes, overall dryness, fatigue, and pain in the experimental group decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01), and the experimental group had lower VAS scores of dry mouth and overall dryness than the control group (P<0.01). After treatment, the ESSDAI score of both groups decreased compared with that before treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01), but there was no significant difference between the groups. After treatment, the level of immunoglobulin M (IgM) decreased (P<0.01) and the level of complement C3 increased (P<0.01) in the experimental group, while the level of complement C3 decreased in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the laboratory indexes between groups. During the treatment, stomachache occurred to one case in the experimental group, which was alleviated after the treatment, and no adverse reaction was observed in the control group. According to the chi-square test, the occurrence of adverse reactions was insignificantly different between the two groups. ConclusionHuashi Runzao prescription can alleviate the symptoms of dryness, fatigue, and pain, and reduce disease activity without associated side effects in pSS patients with combined dampness and dryness pattern.
6.Characteristics of Tongue Manifestations and Syndromes of Patients with Primary Sjögren's Syndrome of Different Time
Yan ZHANG ; Jianying YANG ; Lining ZHANG ; Zihua WU ; Qi HU ; Ziwei HUANG ; Jiaqi CHEN ; Xinbo YU ; Jing LUO ; Qingwen TAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(8):52-58
ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics of tongue manifestations and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) of different time. MethodpSS patients who visited TCM Department of Rheumatism in China-Japan Friendship Hospital from December 2018 to October 2021 were included and grouped according to the disease courses (short<5 years, medium 5-10 years, long > 10 years). Chi-square test was used for comparison between three groups and Bonferroni method for multiple comparisons. In the pairwise comparison, P<0.017 indicated significant difference. Chi-square test was performed on the syndrome and specific tongue manifestations with inter-group differences to analyze the trend of tongue manifestations and TCM syndromes over time (interval: two years). ResultA total of 193 pSS patients were enrolled, with 85 (44.0%) of short disease course, 69 (35.8%) of medium disease course, and 39 (20.2%) of long disease course. The common tongue manifestations were crimson tongue, fissured tongue, thin tongue, lack of fluid, and dry coating, which showed no significant difference among the three groups. Higher proportion of patients with light red tongue was observed in the group with short disease course than in group with medium disease course (χ2=6.407, P<0.017). Higher proportions of patients with thick coating (χ2=6.784, P<0.017) and phlegm-dampness syndrome (χ2=11.545, P<0.017) and lower proportion of patients with Qi deficiency syndrome (χ2=12.706, P<0.017) were found in the group with short disease course than in the group with long disease course. Patients with medium (χ2=6.358, P<0.017) and long (χ2=8.279, P<0.017) disease course tended to have exfoliated coating compared with those with short disease course, and the proportion of patients with exfoliated coating rose and the proportion of patients with thick greasy coating decreased over time (Ptrend<0.05). In addition, the proportion of patients with phlegm-dampness syndrome decreased and that with Qi deficiency syndrome increased over time (Ptrend<0.05). ConclusionIn the early stage, patients with pSS often show both dryness and dampness, as manifested by the thick greasy coating and phlegm-dampness syndrome. In the medium and late stage, patients often have Qi-Yin deficiency, as evidenced by exfoliated coating and Qi deficiency. In the clinical practice, medicines should be prescribed based on tongue manifestations and TCM syndrome of patients.
7.Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome of Primary Sjögren's Syndrome Patients with Interstitial Lung Disease
Jiaqi CHEN ; Jianying YANG ; Zihua WU ; Lining ZHANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Qi HU ; Qian HE ; Ziwei HUANG ; Xinbo YU ; Jing LUO ; Qingwen TAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(8):66-72
ObjectiveTo summarize the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and to explore associated factors. MethodA survey was conducted and pSS patients who were treated in TCM department of rheumatism at China-Japan Friendship Hospital from December 2018 to April 2022 were included. Tongue manifestations and syndromes of patients were recorded. pSS patients with ILD were classified into the pSS-ILD group and those without the ILD were included in the pSS-non-ILD group. The tongue manifestations, syndromes, and laboratory indexes were compared between the two groups, and logistic regression was used to explore the factors associated with pSS-ILD. ResultA total of 200 pSS patients were included, with 186 (93.0%) females, median age of 57 years, and median disease course of 60 months, of which 44 (22%) had pSS-ILD. In terms of tongue manifestations, pSS-ILD patients generally had dark/purple/stasis tongue, fissured tongue, and tongue with little fluid, thick coating, yellow coating, and greasy coating. The proportion patients with yellow coating was higher in pSS-ILD group than in the pSS-non-ILD group (χ2=4.799,P<0.05). In terms of syndrome, more than 40% of pSS-ILD patients had Qi deficiency, Yin deficiency, phlegm-dampness, Qi stagnation, and/or blood stasis syndrome. As for Yin deficiency, liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome ranked the first. For Qi deficiency, lung Qi deficiency syndrome was most commonly seen. The proportion of patients with lung Qi deficiency was higher in the pSS-ILD group than in the pSS-non-ILD group (χ2=18.667,P<0.01). As to laboratory indexes, compared with the pSS-non-ILD group, pSS-ILD group had high proportion of anti-SSA-positive patients (P<0.05) and high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) (P<0.01), complement C3 (χ2=4.332,P<0.05), and complement C4 (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that pSS with ILD was positively associated with lung Qi deficiency [odds ratio (OR)=6.079, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.585-14.298, P<0.01)] and yellow coating (OR=5.260, 95% CI 1.337-20.692, P<0.05) and negatively associated with low C4 (OR=0.199, 95% CI 0.070-0.564, P<0.01). ConclusionAbout 22% of pSS patients had ILD, and patients with pSS-ILD generally have Qi deficiency, Yin deficiency, phlegm-dampness, Qi stagnation, and/or blood stasis syndrome. Yellow coating, lung Qi deficiency and C4 level are factors associated with pSS combined with ILD.
8.Analysis of serum allergen-specific immunoglobulin E in 3 051 patients with eczema or dermatitis in an allergy clinic
Fanping YANG ; Li MA ; Sheng′an CHEN ; Zihua CHEN ; Lanting WANG ; Zhen ZHANG ; Ying ZHAO ; Qinyuan ZHU ; Yu XU ; Lin TANG ; Yao HU ; Xiaoqun LUO
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2023;56(2):136-141
Objective:To analyze measurement results of serum allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) in patients with eczema/dermatitis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on serum allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in 3 051 patients with eczema/dermatitis, who visited the allergy clinic of Huashan Hospital from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. The serum allergen-specific IgE level was detected by using the Phadia allergen detection system, and positive rates of allergens were calculated to determine common inhaled allergens and food allergens in patients with eczema/dermatitis. Comparisons of enumeration data between groups were performed by chi-square test.Results:Among the 3 051 patients with eczema/dermatitis, there were 1 412 with atopic dermatitis and 1 639 were other eczema/dermatitis. Detection of serum allergen-specific IgE showed that 1 629 (53%) patients were positive for allergens, and the number of positive allergen-specific IgEs in each patient was 3.0 ± 1.6. The top 3 common inhaled allergens in patients with eczema/dermatitis were Dermatophagoides farinae (904/1 522, 59%) , Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (891/1 513, 59%) and Alternaria alternata (206/1 068, 19%) , and the top 3 common food allergens were shrimps (251/1 432, 18%) , egg white (165/992, 17%) and cow milk (149/994, 15%) . Among the 3 051 patients, 25 (1%) were aged < 2 years, 571 (19%) aged 2 - 12 years, 285 (9%) aged 12 - 18 years, and 2 170 (71%) were aged > 18 years. The most common food allergens were both egg white in the age groups of < 2 years and 2 -12 years (77%, 37%, respectively) , and were both shrimps in the age groups of 12 - 18 years and > 18 years (31%, 17%, respectively) . Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farina were the top 2 common inhaled allergens in all age groups, with the positive rate ranging from 36% to 84%; in addition, the positive rate of molds was relatively high in the age group of 2 - 12 years (mold mixture: 37%; Alternaria alternata: 27%) . From April 2021 to March 2022, the positive rate of outdoor allergens ranged from 10% to 15% among outpatients in every month; the positive rates of tree pollen and grass pollen increased from April 2021, and peaked in October 2021. The patients with atopic dermatitis showed a significantly increased positive rate of allergens (73%) compared with those with other eczema/dermatitis (37%, χ2 = 389.36, P<0.001) , and the rank of common allergens in the patients with atopic dermatitis was basically the same as that in those with eczema/dermatitis. Conclusions:The common allergens were Dermatophagoides farina, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Alternaria alternata in the patients with eczema/dermatitis. Food allergy was more common in infant patients, and inhalation allergy was more common in child, adolescent and adult patients. The positive rate of allergen-specific IgEs was markedly higher in the patients with atopic dermatitis than in those with other eczema/dermatitis.
9.Effectiveness of artificial intelligence-endoscopic ultrasound biliary and pancreatic recognition system: a crossover study
Boru CHEN ; Liwen YAO ; Lihui ZHANG ; Zihua LU ; Huiling WU ; Honggang YU
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2023;40(10):778-783
Objective:To explore the effectiveness of the artificial intelligence-endoscopic ultrasound (AI-EUS) biliary and pancreatic recognition system in assisting the recognition of EUS images.Methods:Subjects who received EUS due to suspicious biliary and pancreatic diseases from December 2019 to August 2020 were prospectively collected from the database of Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University. Pancreatic EUS images of 28 subjects were included for recognition of pancreas standard station. EUS images of bile duct of 29 subjects were included for recognition of bile duct standard station. Eight new endoscopists from the Gastroenterology Department of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University read the 57 EUS videos with and without the assistance of AI-EUS biliary and pancreatic recognition system. Accuracy of endoscopists' identification of biliary and pancreatic standard sites with and without the assistance of AI-EUS was compared.Results:The accuracy of pancreas standard station identification of the new endoscopists increased from 67.2% (903/1 344) to 78.4% (1 054/1 344) with the assistance of AI-EUS. The accuracy of bile duct standard station identification increased from 56.4% (523/928) to 73.8% (685/928).Conclusion:AI-EUS biliary and pancreatic recognition system can improve the accuracy of EUS images recognition of biliary and pancreatic system, which can assist diagnosis in clinical work.
10.Construction and application of competency-based portfolios for medical students
Zihua LI ; Yikai CHEN ; Linxiang HUANG ; Guiyin ZHUANG ; Jiali WANG ; Endong CAO ; Fei XIAO ; Gang XIN ; Shaoyan ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2023;22(11):1671-1675
Objective:To retrospectively construct competency-based portfolios for medical students to analyze the factors influencing competency self-assessment, and to explore an approach to efficient portfolio construction.Methods:The participants were randomly selected among medical graduates of 2015 in Shantou University Medical College. Through records collection and an online questionnaire survey, portfolios were built for the participants based on their development data during eight years from college entrance, college education, to post-graduation medical education. The correlation between variables was determined using Kendall's tau-b correlation coefficients. The inter-group differences were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results:A total of 126 usable questionnaires for effective developmental portfolios were collected. There were a total of 208 indicators collected, including 79 questionnaire indicators (including 36 for competency self-assessment). The reliability coefficient (Cronbach's α) of the questionnaire was 0.984. The factors related to competency self-assessment were identified. Conclusion:This study provides a basis for the implementation of portfolio assessment, which can promote students' self-assessment and competency development. Optimizing the indicator system, building an online platform, increasing participants' participation motivation, and emphasizing self-reflection and feedback will help improve the efficiency of developmental portfolio construction and its performance.


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