1.Aromatic Substances and Their Clinical Application: A Review
Yundan GUO ; Lulu WANG ; Zhili ZHANG ; Chen GUO ; Zhihong PI ; Wei GONG ; Zongping WU ; Dayu WANG ; Tianle GAO ; Cai TIE ; Yuan LIN ; Jiandong JIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):264-272
Aromatherapy refers to the method of using the aromatic components of plants in appropriate forms to act on the entire body or a specific area to prevent and treat diseases. Essential oils used in aromatherapy are hydrophobic liquids containing volatile aromatic molecules, such as limonene, linalool, linalool acetate, geraniol, and citronellol. These chemicals have been extensively studied and shown to have a variety of functions, including reducing anxiety, relieving depression, promoting sleep, and providing pain relief. Terpenoids are a class of organic molecules with relatively low lipid solubility. After being inhaled, they can pass through the nasal mucosa for transfer or penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream upon local application. Some of these substances also have the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, thereby exerting effects on the central nervous system. Currently, the academic community generally agrees that products such as essential oils and aromatherapy from aromatic plants have certain health benefits. However, the process of extracting a single component from it and successfully developing it into a drug still faces many challenges. Its safety and efficacy still need to be further verified through more rigorous and systematic experiments. This article systematically elaborated on the efficacy of aromatic substances, including plant extracts and natural small molecule compounds, in antibacterial and antiviral fields and the regulation of nervous system activity. As a result, a deeper understanding of aromatherapy was achieved. At the same time, the potential of these aromatic substances for drug development was thoroughly explored, providing important references and insights for possible future drug research and application.
2.RXRα modulates hepatic stellate cell activation and liver fibrosis by targeting CaMKKβ-AMPKα axis.
Lijun CAI ; Meimei YIN ; Shuangzhou PENG ; Fen LIN ; Liangliang LAI ; Xindao ZHANG ; Lei XIE ; Chuanying WANG ; Huiying ZHOU ; Yunfeng ZHAN ; Gulimiran ALITONGBIEKE ; Baohuan LIAN ; Zhibin SU ; Tenghui LIU ; Yuqi ZHOU ; Zongxi LI ; Xiaohui CHEN ; Qi ZHAO ; Ting DENG ; Lulu CHEN ; Jingwei SU ; Luoyan SHENG ; Ying SU ; Ling-Juan ZHANG ; Fu-Quan JIANG ; Xiao-Kun ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(7):3611-3631
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the primary fibrogenic cells in the liver, and their activation plays a crucial role in the development and progression of hepatic fibrosis. Here, we report that retinoid X receptor-alpha (RXRα), a unique member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is a key modulator of HSC activation and liver fibrosis. RXRα exerts its effects by modulating calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ)-mediated activation of AMP-activated protein kinase-alpha (AMPKα). In addition, we demonstrate that K-80003, which binds RXRα by a unique mechanism, effectively suppresses HSC activation, proliferation, and migration, thereby inhibiting liver fibrosis in the CCl4 and amylin liver NASH (AMLN) diet animal models. The effect is mediated by AMPKα activation, promoting mitophagy in HSCs. Mechanistically, K-80003 activates AMPKα by inducing RXRα to form condensates with CaMKKβ and AMPKα via a two-phase process. The formation of RXRα condensates is driven by its N-terminal intrinsic disorder region and requires phosphorylation by CaMKKβ. Our results reveal a crucial role of RXRα in liver fibrosis regulation through modulating mitochondrial activities in HSCs. Furthermore, they suggest that K-80003 and related RXRα modulators hold promise as therapeutic agents for fibrosis-related diseases.
3.Analysis of clinical phenotypes and genotypic characteristics in children with epilepsy.
Yanli JIANG ; Lulu YAN ; Bin FU ; Dongli CAI ; Min XIE ; Xinhua SHAO ; Changshui CHEN ; Shanshan WU ; Haibo LI
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(9):1045-1052
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the clinical phenotypes and genetic variant characteristics in children with epilepsy.
METHODS:
A total of 91 children with epilepsy admitted to the Women's and Children's Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University from July 2021 to October 2022 were selected as the study subjects. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the children for whole exome sequencing. Candidate genetic variants were validated by Sanger sequencing and copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq). The clinical phenotypes and treatment outcomes of the children with epilepsy were followed up, and an analysis of the relationship between genotype and phenotype was conducted. This study was approved by the Women's and Children's Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University (Ethics No.: EC2020-048).
RESULTS:
Among the 91 children with epilepsy, 21 cases (23.08%, 21/91) were found to carry pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants. Of these, 18 cases had involved single base variant or insertional deletion, while 3 cases involved copy number variations. The gene with the highest detection rate was PRRT2 (38.10%, 8/21). Among the children with genetic variants, 47.62% (10/21) had onset during infancy, with 8 diagnosed with Benign familial infantile epilepsy (BFIE), 8 with Developmental epileptic encephalopathy (DEE), and 3 with Epileptic encephalopathy (EE). One case of Dravet syndrome (DS) and one case of Infantile spasms (IS) were also noted. The clinical manifestations of children were diverse and primarily included generalized tonic-clonic seizures and focal seizures. Among them, 52.38% (11/21) had exhibited cluster seizures, 23.81% (5/21) showed fever sensitivity, and 14.29% (3/21) experienced status epilepticus. After pharmacological treatment, 42.86% (9/21) of children had achieved complete seizure control, while 61.90% (13/21) had intellectual disability and 19.05% (4/21) had co-morbid autism spectrum disorder.
CONCLUSION
Pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were identified in 23.08% of the pediatric epilepsy cases, with the PRRT2 gene being the most frequently involved. Among children carrying genetic variants, 47.62% had seizure onset during infancy. Genetic factors are an important cause of epilepsy, and early genetic testing may facilitate precise diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic evaluation.
Humans
;
Female
;
Male
;
Epilepsy/genetics*
;
Child, Preschool
;
Child
;
Phenotype
;
Genotype
;
DNA Copy Number Variations/genetics*
;
Infant
;
Membrane Proteins/genetics*
;
Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics*
;
Adolescent
;
Exome Sequencing
4.Investigation and analysis of the charging status and standard of pharmacy intravenous admixture service in China
Jie CAO ; Xuefeng CAI ; Yongning LYU ; Jun CHEN ; Yuqi FU ; Lulu SUN
China Pharmacy 2024;35(15):1807-1811
OBJECTIVE To investigate and analyze the operational costs and current charging policies of pharmacy intravenous admixture service (PIVAS) in China, and provide a reference for promoting high-quality and sustainable development of PIVAS. METHODS Questionnaires were distributed in 30 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities across the country through the “Wenjuanxing” platform from May 6th to July 1st, 2022. The operational costs, charging status and suggestions of PIVAS were investigated and analyzed. RESULTS A total of 761 PIVAS participated in the survey nationwide, including 666 tertiary medical institutions, 93 secondary medical institutions, and 2 primary medical institutions. Approximately 60.58% of PIVAS had implemented a charging system that allowed charges. Among them, most PIVAS required inspection and evaluation before charging. The annual operating cost of PIVAS in China was approximately 2 098 100 yuan, with the integrated operating cost comprising 89.36% of the total, while the dispensing cost accounted for only 10.64%. Human costs emerged as the highest annual consumption (74.20%), followed by decoration and facility maintenance costs (4.77%) and equipment acquisition costs (3.44%). Regarding charges for different drugs nationwide, common drugs had an average charge standard of 4.39 yuan per bag while antibacterial drugs averaged 5.01 yuan per bag; hazardous drugs had an average charge of 23.17 yuan per bag, whereas parenteral nutrition solutions averaged 38.75 yuan per bag. However, the recommended average charges of the four drugs mentioned above were 6.71, 9.63, 38.35 and 44.03 yuan per bag, respectively. CONCLUSIONS At present, there is no unified inspection and evaluation standard and charging standard in China. Moreover, the current charging standard is lower than the recommended standard. It is necessary to combine operational costs and develop more reasonable and fair charging standards.
5.Evaluation of glial lymphatic system function of cerebral hemorrhage based on diffusion tensor imaging analysis along the perivascular space index
Jingyun SHA ; Lulu CAI ; Houliang ZHAO ; Pengcheng HU ; Kai XU ; Chao ZHANG
Journal of Practical Radiology 2024;40(5):689-692
Objective To explore the functional changes of the glial lymphatic system in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage(sICH)by MR diffusion tensor imaging(DTI).Methods The clinical and imaging data of 32 sICH patients(sICH group)and 31 healthy volunteers(control group)were retrospectively collected,and the diffusivity values of DTI in different direc-tions were collected from all the subjects,the diffusion tensor imaging analysis along the perivascular space(DTI-ALPS)index was calculated,the difference of DTI-ALPS index values between the sICH group and the control group was compared,the changes in the function of the glial lymphatic system in sICH patients were evaluated,and the correlation between DTI-ALPS index and clinical indi-cators in sICH patients was further analyzed.Results The DTI-ALPS index of cerebral hemispheres on the lesions side of sICH group was significantly lower than that on the unaffected side(P<0.01,t=-5.03),and lower than that on the left side of control group(P<0.01,t=-9.85)and the right side(P<0.01,t=-8.80).In addition,vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)tes-ting was performed in 8 of the 32 patients,and the levels[(187.40±19.11)pg/mL]were significantly higher than the normal range(0-142.20 pg/mL).Conclusion Through the quantitative analysis of the DTI-ALPS index,the damage to the function of the glial lymphatic system of sICH can be reflected,and perhaps the mechanism of pathophysiological changes in the brain after sICH can be reflected from a new perspective by using MR DTI technology.
6.Trends and age-period-cohort analysis of leukemia incidence in Qidong from 1972 to 2021
Jian ZHU ; Yongsheng CHEN ; Jun WANG ; Yonghui ZHANG ; Lulu DING ; Yuanyou XU ; Yongfeng YAN ; Jianguo CHEN ; Hong CAI
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(10):961-967
Objective:To describe the epidemiological characteristics and trends of leukemia incidence in Qidong between 1972 and 2021, and provide guidelines for prevention and control measures and strategies.Methods:The cancer registry data was collected and analyzed on leukemia incidence during 1972—2021 in Qidong by sex, age and time. Crude incidence rate (CR), China age-standardized rate (ASRC), world age-standardized rate (ASRW), and average annual change percentage (AAPC) was calculated by Joinpoint software. Age-period-cohort (APC) model was used to analyze the influence of age, period and birth cohort on the changes in the incidence trend of leukemia patients.Results:From 1972 to 2021, there were 2 948 patients with leukemia in Qidong, accounting for 2.00% of all cancer new cases, CR of leukemia was 5.26/10 5, ASRC was 4.34/10 5, ASRW was 4.35/10 5. The truncated incidence of 35—64 years old was 5.29/10 5, the cumulative incidence rate between the ages of 0 and 74 years old was 0.40%, the cumulative risk was 0.40%. There were 1 608 male patients, the CR, ASRC, and the ASRW were 5.81/10 5, 4.88/10 5 and 4.85/10 5. The number of female patients were 1 340, and the CR, ASRC, and the ASRW were 4.71/10 5, 3.86/10 5 and 3.91/10 5, respectively. Temporal trends indicated significant upward trends in ASRC among both gender, males and females with AAPC values of 1.41% ( P<0.001), 1.15% ( P<0.001), and 1.73% ( P<0.001), respectively. The results of the APC model showed that the average net drift value of leukemia incidence in all age groups was 1.57% (95% CI, 1.24%-1.89%), and the highest value of local drift was 3.20% (95% CI, 1.63%-4.78%) in the 80~ years old group. The incidence of leukemia increased with age. With the passage of time, the risk of leukemia incidence increased gradually compared with the rate ratio of leukemia incidence (risk ratio [ RR], 1.00) in 1992—1996, the RR of leukemia incidence increased from 0.70 during 1972—1976 to 1.57 during 2017—2021. The later the cohort was born, the greater the risk of leukemia incidence compared with the relative risk of leukemia incidence ( RR, 1.00) in 1952—1956 cohort, the RR of leukemia incidence increased from 0.24 in the 1892—1896 cohort to 2.73 in the 2017—2021 cohort. Conclusions:The incidence of the leukemia has presented a rising trend in the past fifty years. Leukemia incidence increased with age, and the period and cohort effects on the risk of incidence increase. Further research is needed to investigate the risk factors related to leukemia.
7.Trends and age-period-cohort analysis of leukemia incidence in Qidong from 1972 to 2021
Jian ZHU ; Yongsheng CHEN ; Jun WANG ; Yonghui ZHANG ; Lulu DING ; Yuanyou XU ; Yongfeng YAN ; Jianguo CHEN ; Hong CAI
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(10):961-967
Objective:To describe the epidemiological characteristics and trends of leukemia incidence in Qidong between 1972 and 2021, and provide guidelines for prevention and control measures and strategies.Methods:The cancer registry data was collected and analyzed on leukemia incidence during 1972—2021 in Qidong by sex, age and time. Crude incidence rate (CR), China age-standardized rate (ASRC), world age-standardized rate (ASRW), and average annual change percentage (AAPC) was calculated by Joinpoint software. Age-period-cohort (APC) model was used to analyze the influence of age, period and birth cohort on the changes in the incidence trend of leukemia patients.Results:From 1972 to 2021, there were 2 948 patients with leukemia in Qidong, accounting for 2.00% of all cancer new cases, CR of leukemia was 5.26/10 5, ASRC was 4.34/10 5, ASRW was 4.35/10 5. The truncated incidence of 35—64 years old was 5.29/10 5, the cumulative incidence rate between the ages of 0 and 74 years old was 0.40%, the cumulative risk was 0.40%. There were 1 608 male patients, the CR, ASRC, and the ASRW were 5.81/10 5, 4.88/10 5 and 4.85/10 5. The number of female patients were 1 340, and the CR, ASRC, and the ASRW were 4.71/10 5, 3.86/10 5 and 3.91/10 5, respectively. Temporal trends indicated significant upward trends in ASRC among both gender, males and females with AAPC values of 1.41% ( P<0.001), 1.15% ( P<0.001), and 1.73% ( P<0.001), respectively. The results of the APC model showed that the average net drift value of leukemia incidence in all age groups was 1.57% (95% CI, 1.24%-1.89%), and the highest value of local drift was 3.20% (95% CI, 1.63%-4.78%) in the 80~ years old group. The incidence of leukemia increased with age. With the passage of time, the risk of leukemia incidence increased gradually compared with the rate ratio of leukemia incidence (risk ratio [ RR], 1.00) in 1992—1996, the RR of leukemia incidence increased from 0.70 during 1972—1976 to 1.57 during 2017—2021. The later the cohort was born, the greater the risk of leukemia incidence compared with the relative risk of leukemia incidence ( RR, 1.00) in 1952—1956 cohort, the RR of leukemia incidence increased from 0.24 in the 1892—1896 cohort to 2.73 in the 2017—2021 cohort. Conclusions:The incidence of the leukemia has presented a rising trend in the past fifty years. Leukemia incidence increased with age, and the period and cohort effects on the risk of incidence increase. Further research is needed to investigate the risk factors related to leukemia.
8.Application of multidisciplinary integrated fracture liaison service in the prevention of postoperative refracture after osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures
Lulu CAI ; Guan SHI ; Weiwei SONG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(28):3901-3907
Objective:To explore the application effect of multidisciplinary integrated fracture liaison services in preventing postoperative refracture after osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) .Methods:Using the convenient sampling method, a total of 230 OVCF patients who were admitted to Orthopedics Department of Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from March 2022 to August 2023 were selected and they were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group by the random number table method, with 115 patients in each group. The control group received routine follow-up management after surgery, while the observation group received multidisciplinary integrated fracture liaison services on the basis of the control group, with an intervention period of 1 year for both groups. Before and after intervention, Osteoporosis Knowledge Tests (OKT), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and lumbar quantitative computed tomography (QCT) were used to evaluate the osteoporosis knowledge level, lumbar spine function and bone density of the two groups. After a one-year follow-up, the incidence of recurrent fractures was compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 7 cases fell off during the intervention period, and 110 cases were collected in the control group and 113 cases in the observation group. After intervention, the total score of OKT and the scores of all dimensions in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). After intervention, the ODI score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group, and the bone density value was higher than that of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The incidence of recurrent fractures in the control group and observation group was respectively 20.91% (23/110) and 7.96% (9/113), and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Multidisciplinary integrated fracture liaison services can effectively improve the knowledge level and bone density of postoperative patients with OVCF, improve lower back function and reduce the occurrence of recurrent fractures.
9.Model informed precision medicine of Chinese herbal medicines formulas-A multi-scale mechanistic intelligent model
Qian YUANYUAN ; Wang XITING ; Cai LULU ; Han JIANGXUE ; Huang ZHU ; Lou YAHUI ; Zhang BINGYUE ; Wang YANJIE ; Sun XIAONING ; Zhang YAN ; Zhu AISONG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2024;14(4):585-600
Recent trends suggest that Chinese herbal medicine formulas(CHM formulas)are promising treatments for complex diseases.To characterize the precise syndromes,precise diseases and precise targets of the precise targets between complex diseases and CHM formulas,we developed an artificial intelligence-based quantitative predictive algorithm(DeepTCM).DeepTCM has gone through multilevel model cali-bration and validation against a comprehensive set of herb and disease data so that it accurately captures the complex cellular signaling,molecular and theoretical levels of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).As an example,our model simulated the optimal CHM formulas for the treatment of coronary heart disease(CHD)with depression,and through model sensitivity analysis,we calculated the balanced scoring of the formulas.Furthermore,we constructed a biological knowledge graph representing interactions by associating herb-target and gene-disease interactions.Finally,we experimentally confirmed the thera-peutic effect and pharmacological mechanism of a novel model-predicted intervention in humans and mice.This novel multiscale model opened up a new avenue to combine"disease syndrome"and"macro micro"system modeling to facilitate translational research in CHM formulas.
10.Drug use evaluation of bemiparin sodium injection based on weighted TOPSIS method
Lulu TIAN ; Meijuan LI ; Deqiu ZHU ; Huiya CAI ; Jinhua ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology 2024;33(5):481-488
Objective To establish the drug use evaluation(DUE)criteria for bemiparin sodium injection,and evaluate the use of bemiparin sodium injection by weight technique for order prefer by similarity to ideal solution(TOPSIS),and to provide reference for improving the rational use of bemiparin sodium injection.Methods Based on the instructions of bemiparin sodium injection,and referring to relevant guidelines and literatures,the DUE criteria of bemiparin sodium injection was established by expert consultation.The weighted TOPSIS method was used to evaluate the rationality medication in the cases of inpatients who use bemiparin sodium injection from June to July 2021 in the Tongji Hospital of Tongji University.Results In the established DUE criteria of bemiparin sodium injection,the top two relative weight coefficients of ten secondary indicators were contraindications and adverse reaction disposal,and the bottom two were administration methods and indications.A total of 100 medical records were including.There was not a case close to the optimal regimen(Ci≥0.8)(reasonable);Ci was between 0.6 and 0.8(basically reasonable)in 83 cases(83.00%);and Ci<0.6(unreasonable)in 17 cases(17.00%).The unreasonable uses of bemiparin sodium injection mainly appeared in off-lable uses of indications and the dosing method,a potential drug-drug interaction,inappropriate dosage,and violation of drug contraindications.Conclusion The drug use evaluation method of bemiparin sodium injection based on weighted TOPSIS method can synthesize multiple evaluation indexes,and the evaluation results are objective and reliable.The results showed that most clinical application of bemiparin sodium injection in this hospital was basically reasonable,but to provide basis for rational clinical drug use and to ensure patients'medication safety,it is necessary to accelerate the off-label evidence-based evaluation process and strengthen the management of rational drug use.

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