1.Differences in chemical components and quality analysis of Gardenia jasminoides before and after processing with ginger
Lihua TANG ; Yu WU ; Xuedi HUANG ; Xiaolian HU ; Yi TANG ; Zilong CHEN ; Xiaofan XIAO ; Xide YE
China Pharmacy 2026;37(2):168-173
OBJECTIVE To analyze the differences in chemical components of Gardenia jasminoides before and after processing with ginger, and to evaluate the quality differences among different producing areas. METHODS Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to analyze the compositional differences of G. jasminoides before and after processing with ginger. The water content, total ash, and ethanol-soluble extract content of ginger- processed G. jasminoides were determined according to the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. High performance liquid chromatography was adopted to determine the contents of genipin gentiobioside, geniposide, crocin Ⅰ and crocin Ⅱ in ginger- processed G. jasminoides. RESULTS A total of 49 chemical components were identified from raw G. jasminoides and ginger- processed G. jasminoides, including 14 flavonoids, 15 iridoids, 10 organic acids, 2 alkaloids and 8 other compounds. Among them, 42 components were detected in raw G. jasminoides, 28 in ginger-processed G. jasminoides, and 21 components were common to both. After processing with ginger, raw G. jasminoides lost 21 components (including iridoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and others), while 7 chemical components were added (including coumarins, organic acids, organic acid esters, and flavonoids). For the 15 batches of ginger-processed G. jasminoides, the water content ranged from 5.64% to 7.11%, total ash from 2.92% to 4.87%, and ethanol-soluble extract from 40.61% to 58.02%. The average contents of genipin gentiobioside, geniposide, crocin Ⅰ and crocin Ⅱ were 0.108 7, 0.542 2, 0.565 0, and 0.012 5 mg/g, respectively. CONCLUSIONS After processing with ginger, G. jasminoides loses 21 components, while 7 new components are added. Differences are observed in the water content, total ash, ethanol-soluble extract, and the contents of genipin gentiobioside, geniposide, crocin Ⅰ, and crocin Ⅱ of ginger-processed G. jasminoides from different producing areas. Notably, samples from Fujian exhibit high contents of genipin gentiobioside and ethanol-soluble extract, while samples from Jiangxi have a high content of crocin Ⅰ.
2.Differential Analysis of Heart Rate Variability in Repeated Continuous Performance Tests Among Healthy Young Men
Chung-Chih HSU ; Tien-Yu CHEN ; Jia-Yi LI ; Terry B. J. KUO ; Cheryl C. H. YANG
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(2):148-155
Objective:
Executive function correlates with the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) based on static heart rate variability (HRV) measurements. Our study advances this understanding by employing dynamic assessments of the PNS to explore and quantify its relationship with inhibitory control (IC).
Methods:
We recruited 31 men aged 20–35 years. We monitored their electrocardiogram (ECG) signals during the administration of the Conners’ Continuous Performance Test-II (CCPT-II) on a weekly basis over 2 weeks. HRV analysis was performed on ECG-derived RR intervals using 5-minute windows, each overlapping for the next 4 minutes to establish 1-minute intervals. For each time window, the HRV metrics extracted were: mean RR intervals, standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN), low-frequency power with logarithm (lnLF), and high-frequency power with logarithm (lnHF). Each value was correlated with detectability and compared to the corresponding baseline value at t0.
Results:
Compared with the baseline level, SDNN and lnLF showed marked decreases during CCPT-II. The mean values of HRV showed significant correlation with d’, including mean SDNN (R=0.474, p=0.012), mean lnLF (R=0.390, p=0.045), and mean lnHF (R=0.400, p=0.032). In the 14th time window, the significant correlations included SDNN (R=0.578, p=0.002), lnLF (R=0.493, p=0.012), and lnHF (R=0.432, p=0.031). Significant correlation between d’ and HRV parameters emerged only during the initial CCPT-II.
Conclusion
A significant correlation between PNS and IC was observed in the first session alone. The IC in the repeated CCPT-II needs to consider the broader neural network.
3.Theoretical Research on the Detailed Classification of Traditional Chinese Medicine Visceral Syndrome Differentiation Based on Syndrome-Formula Correspondence
Liqiu YU ; Zhuien WANG ; Mengfan LI ; Chengye CHEN ; Jiayu ZHANG ; Yi YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(14):1504-1507
The current classification methods for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) visceral syndrome differentiation suffer from excessive generalization, which hinders their clinical application. Based on the analysis of the pattern of "one syndrome corresponding to multiple formulas", this paper focused on the principle of syndrome-formula correspondence, and proposed that formula-syndromes are the smallest units for refining visceral syndromes. By establishing the correspondence between formula-syndromes and visceral syndromes, this study aims to further clarify the refined categories of syndromes and their treatment patterns, providing a new perspective for the standardization and objectification of TCM syndromes.
4.Association between sleep quality and executive functions among middle school students
YU Xiumin, CHEN Fule, YAN Jingfei, YIN Xiaojian, WU Huipan, WANG Yi, GUO Yaru, XU Dingkun
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(6):774-778
Objective:
To explore the relationship between sleep quality and executive function among middle school students, so as to provide theoretical support for the promotion of adolescents physical and mental health development.
Methods:
From September to December 2023, 5 713 junior and senior high school students aged 13 to 18 were selected by stratified cluster random sampling method from Shanghai, Suzhou, Taiyuan, Wuyuan, Xingyi, and Urumqi. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to conduct sleep quality survey. And conduct executive function was tested on middle school students, including inhibitory function, refresh function and conversion function tests. Spearman correlation and linear regression were used to analyze the relationship between sleep quality and executive function of middle school students.
Results:
The total Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score of boys was [4.0(2.0,6.0)] and that of girls was [5.0(3.0,6.0)], and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-10.90, P < 0.01 ). The total PSQI score of boys was positively correlated with both 2-back reaction time and conversion function of executive function ( r =0.04, 0.04); the total PSQI score of girls was negatively correlated with 2-back reaction time ( r =-0.04) ( P <0.05). After controlling for variables such as mental health, physical activity and nutritional status,linear regression analyses showed that PSQI total score of middle school students was positively correlated with the inhibitory function and the conversion function response time [ B (95% CI )=1.28(0.21-2.34), 7.62(2.34-12.90), P <0.05]; the associations of total PSQI scores among middle school students with both 2-back and 1-back response time were not statistically significant [ B (95% CI )=-5.88(-16.14-4.37), 8.05( -3.39 -19.50), P >0.05].
Conclusion
Positive correlations are observed on sleep quality with inhibitory and conversion functions of executive function among middle school students.
5.Effects of superoxide dismutase inhibition of AFP expression on the malignant biological behavior of PLC/PRF/5 liver cancer cells
Yi CHEN ; Baoying CHEN ; Yuli ZHOU ; Haixia XU ; Yu CAO ; Yue GU ; Mingyue ZHU ; Mengsen LI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(17):2120-2126
OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD) administration on the malignant behavior of PLC/PRF/5 liver cancer cells, and analyze the correlation between SOD and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) expression, to provide new ideas for targeting AFP with SOD as a drug for hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS Normal human liver cells L-02, AFP- negative human liver cancer cells HLE, and AFP-positive human liver cancer cells PLC/PRF/5 were used as experimental cells. Western blot assay and SOD activity detection kit were used to detect the expression of AFP, SOD and activity of SOD in cells before and after changing AFP expression; the effects of different concentrations of SOD [0 (control), 0.188, 0.375, 0.75, 1.5, 3 U/mL] administration on the migration and proliferation of PLC/PRF/5 cells were detected using cell scratch assay and CCK-8 assay. The effects of SOD overexpression on the expression of malignant biological behavior-related proteins AFP and sarcoma virus protein (Src) in PLC/PRF/5 cells were detected using Western blot. RESULTS Compared with L-02 group and HLE group, the expression levels of SOD1 and SOD2, and SOD activity in PLC/PRF/5 cells were significantly reduced (P<0.05). After down-regulating AFP expression in PLC/PRF/ 5 cells, compared with PLC/PRF/5 group, the expression levels of SOD1 and SOD2, as well as SOD activity, were significantly increased in the PLC/PRF/5-shAFP group (low-expression) (P<0.05). After 48 hours of SOD treatment, compared with control group, the scratch healing rates of PLC/PRF/5 cells in the 0.375, 0.75, 1.5 and 3 U/mL SOD groups were significantly reduced (P<0.05); after 72 hours of SOD treatment, compared with control group, the scratch healing rates of PLC/PRF/5 cells in the 0.375, 0.75, and 1.5 U/mL SOD groups were significantly reduced (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with control group, proliferation rates of PLC/PRF/5 cells were significantly reduced in the 0.375, 0.75, 1.5 and 3 U/mL SOD groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the PLC/PRF/5 group before up-regulating SOD1 and SOD2 expression, the expression levels of AFP and Src in the PLC/PRF/5-oeSOD1 and PLC/PRF/5-oeSOD2 groups (over-expression) after up-regulating SOD1 and SOD2 expression were significantly reduced (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS A certain concentration of SOD can inhibit malignant behavior such as migration and proliferation of PLC/PRF/5 cells, and the expression level and activity of SOD are negatively correlated with AFP.
6.Discriminating Tumor Deposits From Metastatic Lymph Nodes in Rectal Cancer: A Pilot Study Utilizing Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI
Xue-han WU ; Yu-tao QUE ; Xin-yue YANG ; Zi-qiang WEN ; Yu-ru MA ; Zhi-wen ZHANG ; Quan-meng LIU ; Wen-jie FAN ; Li DING ; Yue-jiao LANG ; Yun-zhu WU ; Jian-peng YUAN ; Shen-ping YU ; Yi-yan LIU ; Yan CHEN
Korean Journal of Radiology 2025;26(5):400-410
Objective:
To evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in differentiating tumor deposits (TDs) from metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) in rectal cancer.
Materials and Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients with rectal cancer, including 168 lesions (70 TDs and 98 MLNs confirmed by histopathology), who underwent pretreatment MRI and subsequent surgery between March 2019 and December 2022. The morphological characteristics of TDs and MLNs, along with quantitative parameters derived from DCE-MRI (K trans , kep, and v e) and DWI (ADCmin, ADCmax, and ADCmean), were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Multivariable binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of significant individual quantitative parameters and combined parameters in distinguishing TDs from MLNs.
Results:
All morphological features, including size, shape, border, and signal intensity, as well as all DCE-MRI parameters showed significant differences between TDs and MLNs (all P < 0.05). However, ADC values did not demonstrate significant differences (all P > 0.05). Among the single quantitative parameters, v e had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.772 for distinguishing TDs from MLNs. A multivariable logistic regression model incorporating short axis, border, v e, and ADC mean improved diagnostic performance, achieving an AUC of 0.833 (P = 0.027).
Conclusion
The combination of morphological features, DCE-MRI parameters, and ADC values can effectively aid in the preoperative differentiation of TDs from MLNs in rectal cancer.
7.Differential Analysis of Heart Rate Variability in Repeated Continuous Performance Tests Among Healthy Young Men
Chung-Chih HSU ; Tien-Yu CHEN ; Jia-Yi LI ; Terry B. J. KUO ; Cheryl C. H. YANG
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(2):148-155
Objective:
Executive function correlates with the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) based on static heart rate variability (HRV) measurements. Our study advances this understanding by employing dynamic assessments of the PNS to explore and quantify its relationship with inhibitory control (IC).
Methods:
We recruited 31 men aged 20–35 years. We monitored their electrocardiogram (ECG) signals during the administration of the Conners’ Continuous Performance Test-II (CCPT-II) on a weekly basis over 2 weeks. HRV analysis was performed on ECG-derived RR intervals using 5-minute windows, each overlapping for the next 4 minutes to establish 1-minute intervals. For each time window, the HRV metrics extracted were: mean RR intervals, standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN), low-frequency power with logarithm (lnLF), and high-frequency power with logarithm (lnHF). Each value was correlated with detectability and compared to the corresponding baseline value at t0.
Results:
Compared with the baseline level, SDNN and lnLF showed marked decreases during CCPT-II. The mean values of HRV showed significant correlation with d’, including mean SDNN (R=0.474, p=0.012), mean lnLF (R=0.390, p=0.045), and mean lnHF (R=0.400, p=0.032). In the 14th time window, the significant correlations included SDNN (R=0.578, p=0.002), lnLF (R=0.493, p=0.012), and lnHF (R=0.432, p=0.031). Significant correlation between d’ and HRV parameters emerged only during the initial CCPT-II.
Conclusion
A significant correlation between PNS and IC was observed in the first session alone. The IC in the repeated CCPT-II needs to consider the broader neural network.
8.Exploration of the role of PIVAS pharmacists in optimization of parenteral nutrition prescription systems and medication safety monitoring
Xingru DOU ; Di YU ; Ying CHEN ; Xiujuan PAN ; Yi SUN ; Jianguo ZHU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(11):1394-1398
OBJECTIVE To provide references for ensuring the safety of prescription preparation, dispensing, and use of parenteral nutrition solution, as well as for expanding the scope of pharmaceutical services provided by pharmacists in the Pharmacy Intravenous Admixture Services (PIVAS). METHODS Under the guidance of PIVAS pharmacists, the rules for reviewing medical orders of parenteral nutrition in the PIVAS system and the information displayed on the infusion labels of finished parenteral nutrition solutions were refined. The process management of dispensing parenteral nutrition solution was strengthened, and detailed quality control and inspection rules were formulated. Additionally, Clinical Safety Monitoring Form for Finished Parenteral Nutrition Infusions was designed to conduct clinical monitoring and inspections for abnormalities in the finished infusions, infusion operations, and complications that may arise during the use of finished parenteral nutrition infusions. The implementation effects of the aforementioned optimization/inspection measures were evaluated by comparing data on the efficiency of medical order review for parenteral nutrition, the rate of irrational medical orders, the compliance rate of vascular access selection and infusion rate standardization, the rate of dispensing error, as well as the abnormalities occurring during clinical use, before and after the optimization/inspection initiatives were put into place. RESULTS The optimized prescription review system achieved automatic review of medical orders for parenteral nutrition, enhancing the efficiency of order review. The average time taken to review one parenteral nutrition medical order was reduced from approximately 1 minute to 10 seconds. The irrational rate of parenteral nutrition orders decreased by 31.87%. The dispensing error rate of parenteral nutrition decreased by 56.55%. The standard rate of vascular access selection and standard rate of infusion speed were increased by 13.29% and 3.54%, respectively. The PIVAS pharmacists identified and intervened in 5 abnormal cases out of 298 cases examined for use of parenteral nutrition solutions. CONCLUSIONS By optimizing the prescription review system, improving labeling information, and strengthening quality control inspections during both preparation and administration processes, PIVAS pharmacists have enhanced the safety of compounded parenteral nutrition solutions. This initiative has expanded the scope and depth of pharmaceutical care provided by dispensing pharmacists.
9.Comparison of small-sample multi-class machine learning models for plasma concentration prediction of valproic acid
Xi CHEN ; Shen’ao YUAN ; Hailing YUAN ; Jie ZHAO ; Peng CHEN ; Chunyan TIAN ; Yi SU ; Yunsong ZHANG ; Yu ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(11):1399-1404
OBJECTIVE To construct three-class (insufficient, normal, excessive) and two-class (insufficient, normal) models for predicting plasma concentration of valproic acid (VPA), and compare the performance of these two models, with the aim of providing a reference for formulating clinical medication strategies. METHODS The clinical data of 480 patients who received VPA treatment and underwent blood concentration test at the Xi’an International Medical Center Hospital were collected from November 2022 to September 2024 (a total of 695 sets of data). In this study, predictive models were constructed for target variables of three-class and two-class models. Feature ranking and selection were carried out using XGBoost scores. Twelve different machine learning algorithms were used for training and validation, and the performance of the models was evaluated using three indexes: accuracy, F1 score, and the area under the working characteristic curve of the subject (AUC). RESULTS XGBoost feature importance scores revealed that in the three-class model, the importance ranking of kidney disease and electrolyte disorders was higher. However, in the two-class model, the importance ranking of these features significantly decreased, suggesting a close association with the excessive blood concentration of VPA. In the three-class model, Random Forest method performed best, with F1 score of 0.704 0 and AUC of 0.519 3 on the test set; while in the two-class model, CatBoost method performed optimally, with F1 score of 0.785 7 and AUC of 0.819 5 on the test set. CONCLUSIONS The constructed three-class model has the ability to predict excessive VPA blood concentration, but its prediction and model generalization abilities are poor; the constructed two-class model can only perform classification prediction for insufficient and normal blood concentration cases, but its model performance is stronger.
10.Antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis B with mildly elevated aminotransferase: A rollover study from the TORCH-B trial
Yao-Chun HSU ; Chi-Yi CHEN ; Cheng-Hao TSENG ; Chieh-Chang CHEN ; Teng-Yu LEE ; Ming-Jong BAIR ; Jyh-Jou CHEN ; Yen-Tsung HUANG ; I-Wei CHANG ; Chi-Yang CHANG ; Chun-Ying WU ; Ming-Shiang WU ; Lein-Ray MO ; Jaw-Town LIN
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(1):213-226
Background/Aims:
Treatment indications for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remain contentious, particularly for patients with mild alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation. We aimed to evaluate treatment effects in this patient population.
Methods:
This rollover study extended a placebo-controlled trial that enrolled non-cirrhotic patients with CHB and ALT levels below two times the upper limit of normal. Following 3 years of randomized intervention with either tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) or placebo, participants were rolled over to open-label TDF for 3 years. Liver biopsies were performed before and after the treatment to evaluate histopathological changes. Virological, biochemical, and serological outcomes were also assessed (NCT02463019).
Results:
Of 146 enrolled patients (median age 47 years, 80.8% male), 123 completed the study with paired biopsies. Overall, the Ishak fibrosis score decreased in 74 (60.2%), remained unchanged in 32 (26.0%), and increased in 17 (13.8%) patients (p<0.0001). The Knodell necroinflammation score decreased in 58 (47.2%), remained unchanged in 29 (23.6%), and increased in 36 (29.3%) patients (p=0.0038). The proportion of patients with an Ishak score ≥ 3 significantly decreased from 26.8% (n=33) to 9.8% (n=12) (p=0.0002). Histological improvements were more pronounced in patients switching from placebo. Virological and biochemical outcomes also improved in placebo switchers and remained stable in patients who continued TDF. However, serum HBsAg levels did not change and no patient cleared HBsAg.
Conclusions
In CHB patients with minimally raised ALT, favorable histopathological, biochemical, and virological outcomes were observed following 3-year TDF treatment, for both treatment-naïve patients and those already on therapy.


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