1.From tradition to modernity: the integrated development of medical humanities and narrative medicine
Xiaoxiong ZHU ; Lijia DU ; Yingru LIU ; Xiaoying ZHANG ; Jia NA ; Zhifen YANG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(2):201-206
Medical humanities consistently run through the entire process of medical development and educational reform. However, with the increasingly prominent dominance of evidence-based medicine in clinical practice, the medical humanities have gradually been weakened in both medical education and clinical practice. Narrative medicine, through telling and listening to patients’ stories, enhances healthcare professionals’ empathy, fosters doctor–patient communication, and facilitates a return to the humanistic essence of medical education and clinical practice. By sorting out and reviewing related literature and developmental trends both at home and abroad, this paper pointed out the existing structural problem of an imbalance between technological priority and humanistic care in medical education, focusing on how to achieve an effective integration of medical humanities and narrative medicine in medical education. This paper also systematically analyzed the significance of both medical humanities and narrative medicine in the medical education system and proposed promoting the deep embedding of narrative medicine in medical education from three entry points, namely, curriculum integration, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the construction of teaching evaluation systems. The aim was to provide theoretical support and practical experience for medical education reform, foster the coordinated development of professional competence and humanistic spirit among medical talents, and truly achieve the goal of cultivating well-rounded medical talents.
2.Pharmacological Mechanism of Chinese Medicine in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Narrative Review.
Bo-Yu ZHU ; Zhi-Chao LIU ; Zhen-Xi ZHAO ; Hui-Ping HUANG ; Na ZHANG ; Jia XIA ; Wei-Wei CHEN
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(2):157-169
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting multiple systems, characterized by the development of harmful autoantibodies and immune complexes that lead to damage in organs and tissues. Chinese medicine (CM) plays a role in mitigating complications, enhancing treatment effectiveness, and reducing toxicity of concurrent medications, and ensuring a safe pregnancy. However, CM mainly solves the disease comprehensively through multi-target and multi-channel regulation process, therefore, its treatment mechanism is often complicated, involving many molecular links. This review introduces the research progress of pathogenesis of SLE from the aspects of genetics, epigenetics, innate immunity and acquired immunity, and then discusses the molecular mechanism and target of single Chinese herbal medicine and prescription that are commonly used and effective in clinic to treat SLE.
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology*
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Humans
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Animals
3.Integrative transcriptomic and epigenomic analysis identifies BCL6B as a novel regulator of human pluripotent stem cell to endothelial differentiation.
Yonglin ZHU ; Jinyang LIU ; Jia WANG ; Shuangyuan DING ; Hui QIU ; Xia CHEN ; Jianying GUO ; Peiliang WANG ; Xingwu ZHANG ; Fengzhi ZHANG ; Rujin HUANG ; Fuyu DUAN ; Lin WANG ; Jie NA
Protein & Cell 2025;16(11):985-990
4.Co-Circulation of Respiratory Pathogens that Cause Severe Acute Respiratory Infections during the Autumn and Winter of 2023 in Beijing, China.
Jing Zhi LI ; Da HUO ; Dai Tao ZHANG ; Jia Chen ZHAO ; Chun Na MA ; Dan WU ; Peng YANG ; Quan Yi WANG ; Zhao Min FENG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(5):644-648
5.Comparative Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses Reveal the Mechanism by Which Foam Macrophages Restrict Survival of Intracellular Mycobacterium Tuberculosis.
Xiao PENG ; Yuan Yuan LIU ; Li Yao CHEN ; Hui YANG ; Yan CHANG ; Ye Ran YANG ; Xuan ZHANG ; An Na JIA ; Yong Bo YU ; Yong Li GUO ; Jie LU
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(7):781-791
OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to investigate the impact of foam macrophages (FMs) on the intracellular survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and identify the molecular mechanisms influencing MTB survival.
METHODS:
An in vitro FM model was established using oleic acid induction. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses were conducted to identify the key molecular pathways involved in FM-mediated MTB survival.
RESULTS:
Induced FMs effectively restricted MTB survival. Transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling revealed distinct changes in gene and metabolite expression in FMs during MTB infection compared with normal macrophages. Integrated analyses identified significant alterations in the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway, indicating that its activation contributes to the FM-mediated restriction of MTB survival.
CONCLUSIONS
FMs inhibit MTB survival. The cAMP signaling pathway is a key contributor. These findings enhance the understanding of the role of FMs in tuberculosis progression, suggest potential targets for host-directed therapies, and offer new directions for developing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies against tuberculosis.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis/physiology*
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Transcriptome
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Metabolomics
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Foam Cells/microbiology*
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Humans
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Metabolome
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Tuberculosis/microbiology*
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Gene Expression Profiling
6.Phenotypic Function of Legionella pneumophila Type I-F CRISPR-Cas.
Ting MO ; Hong Yu REN ; Xian Xian ZHANG ; Yun Wei LU ; Zhong Qiu TENG ; Xue ZHANG ; Lu Peng DAI ; Ling HOU ; Na ZHAO ; Jia HE ; Tian QIN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(9):1105-1119
OBJECTIVE:
CRISPR-Cas protects bacteria from exogenous DNA invasion and is associated with bacterial biofilm formation and pathogenicity.
METHODS:
We analyzed the type I-F CRISPR-Cas system of Legionella pneumophila WX48, including Cas1, Cas2-Cas3, Csy1, Csy2, Csy3, and Cas6f, along with downstream CRISPR arrays. We explored the effects of the CRISPR-Cas system on the in vitro growth, biofilm-forming ability, and pathogenicity of L. pneumophila through constructing gene deletion mutants.
RESULTS:
The type I-F CRISPR-Cas system did not affect the in vitro growth of wild-type or mutant strains. The biofilm formation and intracellular proliferation of the mutant strains were weaker than those of the wild type owing to the regulation of type IV pili and Dot/Icm type IV secretion systems. In particular, Cas6f deletion strongly inhibited these processes.
CONCLUSION
The type I-F CRISPR-Cas system may reduce biofilm formation and intracellular proliferation in L. pneumophila.
Legionella pneumophila/pathogenicity*
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CRISPR-Cas Systems
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Biofilms/growth & development*
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Phenotype
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Bacterial Proteins/metabolism*
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Gene Deletion
7.Validation and Reproducibility of an Iodine-specific Food Frequency Questionnaire for Evaluating Dietary Iodine Intake in the Elderly Population of Gansu Province, China.
Qi JIN ; Tao WANG ; Mei Na JI ; Ji Zun WANG ; Xing MA ; Xin Yi WANG ; Jia Qi WANG ; He Xi ZHANG ; Yan Ling WANG ; Wen Xing GUO ; Wan Qi ZHANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(9):1168-1172
8.Aloe-emodin inhibits scar tissue fibrosis through thrombospondin-1-PI3k-Akt pathway.
Hongbao GENG ; Xingyi ZHANG ; Siwei ZHOU ; Na LI ; Jia LIU ; Xuewei YUAN ; Chunliu NING ; Xudong ZHANG ; Wei HUANG
West China Journal of Stomatology 2025;43(5):636-647
OBJECTIVES:
To propose a hypothesis that aloe-emodin may inhibit scar tissue fibrosis through thrombospondin-1(THBS1)-PI3K-Akt pathway.
METHODS:
By cultivating fibroblasts derived from scar tissue after cleft palate surgery in humans, aloe emodin of different concentrations (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 μmol/L) was added to the cells which activity was detected. At the same time, transcriptome sequencing was performed on scar tissue and cells, and bioinformatics methods were used to explore potential targets and signaling pathways of scar tissue fibrosis.
RESULTS:
Aloe-emodin had a concentration dependent inhibitory effect on fibroblast proliferation,with the 40 μmol/L concentration group showing the most significant effect. The results of tissue and cell sequencing indicated that differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in extracellular matrix-receptor interaction pathway, and shared a common differential gene which was THBS1. The ORA analysis results indicated that differentially expressed genes, including THBS1, were significantly enriched in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.
CONCLUSIONS
Aloe emodin may inhibit the PI3K-Akt pathway by downregulating THBS1, thereby reducing the proliferation activity of fibroblasts derived from postoperative palatal scar tissue.
Thrombospondin 1/genetics*
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Humans
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Fibroblasts/cytology*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
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Fibrosis
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Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
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Cicatrix/metabolism*
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Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
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Anthraquinones/pharmacology*
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Cells, Cultured
9.Exploring the practical ways and significance of narrative ability training for resident physicians
Lijia DU ; Rui ZHENG ; Jia NA ; Xiaoxiong ZHU ; Zhifen YANG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(6):695-703
ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of narrative medicine education on the narrative ability of resident physicians undergoing standardized residency training, and to explore its application value in clinical practice. MethodsA total of 23 obstetricians and gynecologists who participated in residency training at the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from October 2021 to June 2024 were randomly selected to receive a 3-month residency training program integrated with narrative medicine education, including narrative theory learning, text reading, reflective writing, and scenario-based case analysis. A questionnaire survey was conducted to analyze the personal situation of resident physicians, their narrative ability before and after receiving narrative medicine education, and their satisfaction with teaching. ResultsThe results of the questionnaire survey showed that resident physicians who had received narrative medicine education scored higher on the narrative ability assessment scale than before training, including improved narrative abilities in the dimensions of life and health narrative awareness, professional narrative thinking, professional development narrative behavior, peer communication narrative behavior, and doctor-patient interaction narrative behavior (P<0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences in the dimensions of life and health narrative behavior and family connection narrative behavior (P>0.05). Meanwhile, resident physicians’ interest in active learning, clinical thinking ability, doctor-patient communication ability, and satisfaction with teaching methods have also been improved (P<0.05). ConclusionNarrative medicine education can effectively enhance the narrative ability of resident physicians and make up for the current deficiencies in humanistic literacy and ethical education in current medical education. It is of great significance for improving doctor-patient relationships and the quality of medical services. Therefore, it is recommended to integrate narrative medicine education into the regular training curriculum for resident physicians.
10.Analysis of the Efficacy of Fumai Zhuyu Decoction Combined with Radial Shock Wave Therapy for Lower Limb Spasm in Convalescent Stroke Patients and Its Effect on Serum Neuron-Specific Enolase and Transforming Growth Factor β1
Chong MA ; Xiaona WANG ; Teng WANG ; Wansen CUI ; Na JIA
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(5):1084-1090
Objective To investigate the efficacy of Fumai Zhuyu Decoction combined with radial shock wave therapy(RSWT)in treating convalescent stroke patients with lower limb spasm,and to observe its effect on serum neuron-specific enolase(NSE)and transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1).Methods From January 2022 to January 2024,a total of 111 convalescent stroke patients with lower limb spasm of qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome were selected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University.According to the treatment method,the patients were divided into two groups.The 55 patients in the western medicine(WM)group were treated with RSWT,and 56 patients in the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)group were treated with Fumai Zhuyu Decoction orally and RSWT.The course of treatment for the two groups covered 6 months.Before and after treatment,the two groups were observed in the changes of modified Ashworth Scale(MAS)score for the evaluation of muscle tone of hemiplegic limbs,Clinical Spasticity Index(CSI)score,Barthel Index(BI)score for the evaluation of activities of daily living,three-dimensional gait parameters(velocity,cadence,step length),serum levels of NSE and TGF-β1,and hemorheological indicators of plasma viscosity(PV),low-shear blood viscosity(LBV),high-shear blood viscosity(HBV)and platelet aggregation rate(PAR).After treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated.Results(1)After 6 months of treatment,the total effective rate of the TCM group was 94.64%(53/56),and that of the WM group was 76.36%(42/55).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy of the TCM group was significantly superior to that of the WM group(P<0.01).(2)After treatment,the MAS and CSI scores of the two groups were lowered(P<0.05)and the BI scores were increased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05).The decrease of MAS and CSI scores and the increase of BI scores in the TCM group were significantly superior to those in the WM group(P<0.01).(3)After treatment,the three-dimensional gait parameters of velocity,cadence,and step length in the two groups were increased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the increase of gait parameters in the TCM group was significantly superior to that in the WM group(P<0.01).(4)After treatment,the serum NSE level of the two groups was significantly decreased that before treatment(P<0.05),and the serum TGF-β1 level was significantly increased compared with that before treatment(P<0.05).The decrease of serum NSE level and the increase of serum TGF-β1 level in the TCM group were significantly superior to those in the WM group(P<0.01).(5)After treatment,the hemorheological indexes such as PV,LBV,HBV and PAR in the two groups were significantly lowered compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease in the TCM group was significantly superior to that in the WM group(P<0.01).Conclusion Fumai Zhuyu Decoction combined with RSWT can effectively improve the limb spasm degree and walking function,reduce serum NSE level,increase serum TGF-β1 level,and correct the abnormal blood hemorheology in convalescent stroke patients with lower limb spasm of qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.The curative effect of the combined treatment is significantly superior to that of RSWT alone.

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