1.Pathogenic Mechanisms of Spleen Deficiency-Phlegm Dampness in Obesity and Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment Strategies:from the Perspective of Immune Inflammation
Yumei LI ; Peng XU ; Xiaowan WANG ; Shudong CHEN ; Le YANG ; Lihua HUANG ; Chuang LI ; Qinchi HE ; Xiangxi ZENG ; Juanjuan WANG ; Wei MAO ; Ruimin TIAN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):31-37
Based on spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness as the core pathogenesis of obesity, and integrating recent advances in modern medicine regarding the key role of immune inflammation in obesity, this paper proposes a multidimensional pathogenic network of "obesity-spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness-immune imbalance". Various traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs that strengthen the spleen, regulate qi, and resolve phlegm and dampness can treat obesity by improving spleen-stomach transport and transformation, promoting water-damp metabolism, and regulating immune homeostasis. This highlights immune inflammation as an important entry point to elucidate the TCM concepts of "spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness" and the therapeutic principle of "strengthening the spleen and eliminating dampness to treat obesity". By systematically analyzing the intrinsic connection between "spleen deficiency generating dampness, internal accumulation of phlegm dampness" and immune dysregulation in obesity, this paper aims to provide theoretical support for TCM treatment of obesity based on dampness.
2.Association of personality and sleep quality with psychological distress of junior and senior high school stduents
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(1):65-69
Objective:
To explore the effects of personality and sleep quality with psychological distress of junior and senior high school stduents, so as to provide a reference basis for precise interventions of junior and senior high school students mental health.
Methods:
In October 2023, a convenience sampling method was used to select 9 034 students aged 12-17 from Shiyan City as the study subjects. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) were used to collect information on sleep quality and psychological distress of junior and senior high school stduents. Between group comparison was conducted by using t-test and Chi-square test. Generalized linear models were employed to analyze the interaction and joint effects of personality and sleep quality on psychological distress.
Results:
The generalized linear model analysis showed that the interaction between personality and sleep quality on psychological distress was statistically significant of junior and senior high school students(effect size=0.80, P <0.01). The general linear model analysis indicated that, after adjusting for variables such as age, gender, screen time, and daily sitting time with the extroverted and good sleep quality group as the reference, the introverted and poor sleep quality group had the largest mean difference in psychological distress scores (difference=0.51, P <0.05). When stratified by sleep quality, psychological distress scores were higher in the introverted and neutral personality groups with both poor and good sleep quality compared to the extroverted group (poor sleep quality: introverted difference=3.71, neutral difference=1.14; good sleep quality: introverted difference=2.23, neutral difference=0.57, all P < 0.05). When stratified by personality, psychological distress scores were higher in the poor sleep quality groups for introverted, neutral, and extroverted individuals compared to their good sleep quality counterparts (differences=8.66, 7.83, 7.34, all P < 0.05 ).
Conclusions
Personality and sleep quality have interactive and joint effects on psychological distress of junior and senior high school stduents. Personalized psychological interventions should be developed based on personality and sleep quality.
3.Research progress on ferroptosis mediated by microglia in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage.
Tao GUO ; Hanjun ZUO ; Xianfeng KUANG ; Shukun ZHANG ; Bolin CHEN ; Lixing LUO ; Xiao YANG ; Zhao WANG ; Juanjuan LI
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(6):552-558
In hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD), the programmed cell death known as ferroptosis is significantly activated. Microglial cells demonstrate a high level of sensitivity to iron accumulation. Understanding how to regulate the dual role of microglia and transforming the microglial ferroptosis to a moderate and controllable process has considerable implications for the targeted treatment in HIBD. This paper serves as an overview of microglia-mediated ferroptosis in HIBD as a disease model. We discuss various aspects centered around microglia, including pathophysiological mechanisms, polarization and functions of microglia, molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis, signaling pathways, and therapeutic strategies. The review aims to provide a reference for studies of ferroptosis in microglia.
Microglia/physiology*
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Ferroptosis/physiology*
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Humans
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Animals
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Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain/pathology*
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Signal Transduction
4.USP20 as a super-enhancer-regulated gene drives T-ALL progression via HIF1A deubiquitination.
Ling XU ; Zimu ZHANG ; Juanjuan YU ; Tongting JI ; Jia CHENG ; Xiaodong FEI ; Xinran CHU ; Yanfang TAO ; Yan XU ; Pengju YANG ; Wenyuan LIU ; Gen LI ; Yongping ZHANG ; Yan LI ; Fenli ZHANG ; Ying YANG ; Bi ZHOU ; Yumeng WU ; Zhongling WEI ; Yanling CHEN ; Jianwei WANG ; Di WU ; Xiaolu LI ; Yang YANG ; Guanghui QIAN ; Hongli YIN ; Shuiyan WU ; Shuqi ZHANG ; Dan LIU ; Jun-Jie FAN ; Lei SHI ; Xiaodong WANG ; Shaoyan HU ; Jun LU ; Jian PAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4751-4771
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a highly aggressive hematologic malignancy with a poor prognosis, despite advancements in treatment. Many patients struggle with relapse or refractory disease. Investigating the role of the super-enhancer (SE) regulated gene ubiquitin-specific protease 20 (USP20) in T-ALL could enhance targeted therapies and improve clinical outcomes. Analysis of histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) data from six T-ALL cell lines and seven pediatric samples identified USP20 as an SE-regulated driver gene. Utilizing the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) and BloodSpot databases, it was found that USP20 is specifically highly expressed in T-ALL. Knocking down USP20 with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) increased apoptosis and inhibited proliferation in T-ALL cells. In vivo studies showed that USP20 knockdown reduced tumor growth and improved survival. The USP20 inhibitor GSK2643943A demonstrated similar anti-tumor effects. Mass spectrometry, RNA-Seq, and immunoprecipitation revealed that USP20 interacted with hypoxia-inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (HIF1A) and stabilized it by deubiquitination. Cleavage under targets and tagmentation (CUT&Tag) results indicated that USP20 co-localized with HIF1A, jointly modulating target genes in T-ALL. This study identifies USP20 as a therapeutic target in T-ALL and suggests GSK2643943A as a potential treatment strategy.
5.Gastrodin inhibits ferroptosis to alleviate hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in neonatal mice by activating GPX4/SLC7A11/FTH1 signaling.
Tao GUO ; Bolin CHEN ; Jinsha SHI ; Xianfeng KUANG ; Tengyue YU ; Song WEI ; Xiong LIU ; Rong XIAO ; Juanjuan LI
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(10):2071-2081
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the therapeutic effect of gastrodin against hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) in neonatal mice and explore the role of GPX4/SLC7A11/FTH1 signaling in mediating its effect.
METHODS:
Twenty-four 9- to 11-day-old C57BL/6J mice were randomized equally into 4 groups for sham operation, HIBD modeling by right common carotid artery ligation and subsequent exposure to hypoxia for 1 h, or gastrodin treatment at 100 or 200 mg/kg before and at 1 and 2 days after modeling. The mice then underwent neurological assessment (Zea-Longa scores), and the cerebral cortical penumbra tissue were collected for HE and Nissl staining, detection of ferroptosis biomarkers and protein expressions of GPX4, SLC7A11, and FTH1 with Western blotting and immunofluorescence co-localization, and observation of mitochondrial ultrastructure with electron microscopy. In cultured HT22 neuronal cells with oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) for 2 h, the effects of pretreatments with 0.5 mmol/L gastrodin, 10 μmol/L RSL3 (a GPX4 inhibitor), alone or in combination, were analyzed on expressions of ferroptosis-related proteins, cellular Fe²⁺, ROS, lipid peroxidation, MDA, and GSH levels, mitochondrial membrane potential (JC-1), and cell viability.
RESULTS:
Gastrodin treatment at the two doses both significantly ameliorated HIBD and neurological deficits of the mice, reduced mitochondrial damage and Fe²⁺, MDA and ROS levels, increased GSH level, and upregulated GPX4, SLC7A11, and FTH1 protein expressions. In HT22 cells, gastrodin pretreatment obviously attenuated OGD-induced ferroptosis and improved cell viability and mitochondrial function. Co-treatment with RSL3 potently abrogated the inhibitory effects of gastrodin on Fe²⁺, ROS, BODIPY-C11, and MDA levels and attenuated its protective effects on GSH level, cell viability, and mitochondrial membrane potential.
CONCLUSIONS
Gastrodin provides neuroprotective effects in neonatal mice with HIBD by suppressing neuronal ferroptosis via upregulating the GPX4/SLC7A11/FTH1 signaling pathway.
Animals
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Ferroptosis/drug effects*
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Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain/drug therapy*
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase
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Glucosides/pharmacology*
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Animals, Newborn
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Benzyl Alcohols/pharmacology*
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Amino Acid Transport System y+/metabolism*
6.Msx2 regulates differentiation of outer enamel epithelial cells by modu-lating cytoskeleton and cell-cell interactions
Zhe YU ; Xiaohe JI ; Jingkun BAI ; Lihui ZHANG ; Juanjuan ZHANG ; Yan SUN ; Limei CHEN ; Xiaoying LIU
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(3):555-561
AIM:To investigate the mechanism by which muscle segment homeobox 2(Msx2)regulates the differentiation of outer enamel epithelial cells in the enamel organ.METHODS:Tissue paraffin sections were prepared and subjected to hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining to analyze the effect of Msx2 deficiency on the differentiation status of epithelial cells in the enamel organ at the morphological level.At the ultrastructural level,alterations in cell structure were analyzed.The intermediate steps mediating cell differentiation were identified.Transcriptome sequencing analysis was performed to validate the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed phenomena.RESULTS:Msx2 deficiency was innovatively found to induce severe squamous epithelial hyperplasia in outer enamel epithelial cells of enamel organ,accompanied by dynamic restructuring of the cell cytoskeleton and alterations in cell adhesion at the ultrastructure level.As a transcriptional repressor,the loss of Msx2 expression results in significant increases(P<0.05 or P<0.01)in the mRNA expression levels of integrin β2(Itgβ2),ItgαM,Itgα4,Rac family small GTPase 2(Rac2),Rac/Cdc42 guanine nucleo-tide exchange factor 6(Arhgef6)and protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type C(Ptprc).CONCLUSION:Msx2 regu-lates cytoskeleton structure and cell-cell interaction through the Rho GTPases signaling pathway,thereby influencing the differentiation state of outer enamel epithelial cells.This study reveals the mechanism through which Msx2 regulates the differentiation of outer enamel epithelial cells,providing a theoretical foundation for the prevention and treatment of enam-el-related clinical dental diseases.
7.Prevalence characteristics of autoimmune thyroid disease in women aged 10-59 years in Qingdao City from 2022 to 2024
Xin CHEN ; Junting YANG ; Jinxin GUO ; Shuya LI ; Zhike LIU ; Yingliang ZHU ; Fengjuan LI ; Siyan ZHAN ; Juanjuan GUO
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(3):507-513
Objective:To analyze the characteristics of Hashimoto thyroiditis(HT)and Graves disease(GD),two autoimmune thyroid diseases aged 10-59 in Qingdao City from 2022 to 2024,and to provide scientific basis for making targeted prevention and treatment measures.Methods:A cross-sectional study design was adopted,based on the data of the Regional Health Information Platform in Qingdao,the con-firmed cases of HT and GD from 2022 to 2024 were included,and combined with the data of the seventh population census,the three-year and annual prevalence rates of HT and GD were calculated,and the time trend of annual prevalence was analyzed by Cochran-Armitage trend test.The distribution characte-ristics of HT and GD prevalence in different age groups and regions were analyzed,and Chi-square test was used to compare the differences between the groups.Results:The total number of HT patients among women aged 10-59 in Qingdao City from 2022 to 2024 was 40 362.The proportion of HT patients in 30-34 years old was the highest(19.83%).The proportion of HT patients in Huangdao District was the highest(17.72%).The three-year prevalence of HT was 1 206.53/100 000.In 2022-2024,the annual prevalence of HT increased significantly(P<0.001),from 385.32/100 000 in 2022 to 1 206.32/100 000 in 2024.The three-year prevalence of HT was significantly different in age distribution(P<0.001).The three-year prevalence of HT in 25-29 years(2 354.44/100 000)and 35-39 years(2 022.20/100 000)was higher than that in other age groups,showing a bimodal distribution.There were significant differences in the three-year prevalence of HT in different regions(P<0.001),among which the three-year prevalence of HT in Shinan District was the highest(2 392.90/100 000),followed by Licang Dis-trict(1 492.41/100 000),and Laixi City was the lowest(659.940/100 000).The total number of GD patients was 2 095,among which the proportion of GD patients in the 35-39 age group was the highest(15.42%),and the proportion of GD patients from Jimo District was the highest(12.27%).From 2022 to 2024,the three-year prevalence rate of GD was 62.63/100 000,and the annual prevalence rate of GD showed an increasing trend(P<0.001),from 20.33/100 000 in 2022 to 62.63/100 000 in 2024.There were significant differences in the prevalence of GD by age(P<0.001).The three-year prevalence of GD reached the highest value in the 25-29 age group(98.90/100 000),followed by the 35-39 age group(85.21/100 000),and the lowest in the 10-14 age group(14.43/100 000).In the regional distribution,there were significant differences in the 3-year prevalence of GD(P<0.001).Laoshan District had the highest three-year prevalence of GD(107.58/100 000),followed by Shinan District(97.83/100 000)and Huangdao District(28.92/100 000).Conclusion:The three-year pre-valence of HT and GD in females aged 10-59 years in Qingdao City from 2022 to 2024 is low,but the annual prevalence is on the rise,and the three-year prevalence of HT and GD in females aged 25-39 years is higher than that in other age groups,so it is necessary to strengthen the screening and monitoring of this population.
8.Study on the Quality of Gansu Chuanxiong Rhizoma Based on Intelligent Sensory Technology,HPLC and HS-SPME-GC-MS
Jialing ZHANG ; Yiyang CHEN ; Juanjuan LIU ; Liangcai WANG ; Xiaohui MA ; Ling JIN
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(2):129-136
Objective To evaluate the quality of Xi xiong(Gansu Chuanxiong)based on the combination of intelligent sensory technology,HPLC and HS-SPME-GC-MS.Methods The chromaticity values of 10 batches of Gansu Chuanxiong Rhizoma samples were measured using a colorimeter and clustering analysis was performed;an electronic nose was used to measure the odor of Gansu Chuanxiong Rhizoma,and Loadings and PCA were conducted;According to the method under the Chuanxiaong Rhizoma section of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia,the moisture,ash content and extract were determined;HPLC was used to determine the contents of ferulic acid,chlorogenic acid and ligustrazine;the volatile components were analyzed by HS-SPME-GC-MS;the quality of Gansu Chuanxiong Rhizoma was evaluated by analyzing the correlation between chromaticity value,odor and active components.Results The total color value of Gansu Chuanxiong Rhizoma ranged from 31.210 1±1.193 7 to 43.976 3±0.721 4,at the Euclidean distance of 10,and the 10 batches of Gansu Chuanxiong Rhizoma could be clustered into four categories;Loadings and PCA showed that the higher contribution of sensors W2S,W5S,W2W,W1W and W1S to Gansu Chuanxiong Rhizoma samples,the variance contribution of the first and second principal components was 62.6%and 22.4%,respectively;water,ash and extract in 10 batches of Gansu Chuanxiong Rhizoma all met the standards of Chinese Pharmacopoeia;the HPLC determination results indicated that the content of ferulic acid in Gansu Chuanxiong Rhizoma was greater than 0.192 6%,ligustrazine content was between 0.001 2%and 0.006 1%,chlorogenic acid content was greater than 0.016 4%;HS-SPME-GC-MS results indicated 52 volatile components were identified in Gansu Chuanxiong Rhizoma samples,the olefin compounds were rich in species,phenyphthalide compounds had the highest relative content;the correlation analysis showed that the color values ΔL*,Δb* and ΔE showed a high degree of correlation with ferulic acid and ligusticum tecidate A.Conclusion This study clarifies the intrinsic quality of Gansu Chuanxiong Rhizoma and provides a theoretical basis for research on Gansu Chuanxiong Rhizoma.
9.Analysis on the TCM Syndrome Characteristics of Aging in Female Insomnia Patients
Ke NIE ; Ying CHEN ; Juanjuan AI ; Weiwei ZHONG ; Deyu YANG ; Rujin ZHENG ; Xin SONG ; Wenzheng ZHANG ; Lifeng YUE
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(12):148-153
Objective To analyze the characteristics of TCM symptoms of aging in female insomnia patients;To provide syndrome differentiation evidence for clinical prevention and treatment of female aging.Methods A cross-sectional study method was used to include female insomnia patients who attended outpatient clinics at Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,Beijing Changping District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,and the Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from August 2021 to July 2024.The patients'clinical information was collected,and frequency analysis,factor analysis,and clustering analysis of the relevant clinical information of the 107 female insomnia patients were conducted,which,together with the experts'opinions,resulted in characteristics of TCM syndrome elements and syndrome distribution of aging in female insomnia patients.Results Totally 20 core items were screened and 7 common factors were obtained from the factor analysis.There were 5 types of syndrome elements of disease location associated with aging symptoms in female patients with insomnia,including heart,liver,spleen,kidney and lung;and there were 7 types of syndrome elements of disease property,including qi deficiency,yin deficiency,qi stagnation,blood deficiency,heat,phlegm,and dampness.There were 4 types of syndromes were obtained from the systematic clustering,including heart-kidney disharmony syndrome,heart-liver stagnation syndrome,spleen deficiency and qi stagnation syndrome,lung-spleen qi deficiency syndrome.Conclusion By analyzing the TCM syndrome characteristics of aging symptoms in female patients with insomnia,four types of syndromes are obtained.The heart-kidney disharmony syndrome is the common syndrome.The internal relationship between insomnia and aging process in female patients with insomnia is revealed from the perspective of pathogenesis,which can provide a research basis for the clinical practice of TCM anti-aging guided by syndrome differentiation and treatment in the future.
10.A comprehensive report on the clinical,pathological,and genetic characteristics of Stormorken syndrome attributed to a STIM1 gene mutation,diagnosed in adulthood
Lili LIU ; Lin ZHU ; Jun HU ; Wenyuan LUO ; Xuhui CHEN ; Di CHEN ; Juanjuan CHEN
Chinese Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases 2025;51(1):60-64
To report a case of Stormorken syndrome(STRMK)diagnosed in adulthood and to study its clinical,pathological and genetic characteristics.The individual was a 31-year-old male whose symptoms started from childhood with epilepsy as initial symptom.He gradually developed progressive muscle weakness and atrophy.The patient's clinical data,laboratory results,and imaging studies were collected.A biopsy on the patient's left gastrocnemius muscle was conducted.Simultaneously,whole-exome sequencing on both the patient and his parents was performed.The physical examination of the patient showed short stature,proximal muscle weakness with lower limb predominance,accompanied by joint contracture and scoliosis.Abdominal CT examination revealed asplenia and magnetic resonance image(MRI)showed obvious fat infiltration in the bilateral lower limb muscle.Muscle biopsy was consistent with tubular-aggregate myopathy.Genetic test indicated that the patient had a c.326A>G(p.His109Arg)heterozygous mutation in the stromal interaction molecule 1(STIM1)gene,a known pathogenic mutation.This study further enables neurologists to gain a better understanding of this rare disease.


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