1.Mechanism of action of bile-gut axis in the development and progression of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Xue YU ; Tianhao SHEN ; Cheng ZHOU ; Yu LIU ; Wei LI ; Tinghui JIANG ; Yongqiang ZHU ; Yan LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(3):588-593
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a malignant tumor with an extremely poor prognosis, and its pathogenesis is complex and remains unclear. In recent years, more and more studies have focused on the role of bile-gut axis in the development and progression of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Bile-gut axis refers to the complex interaction between bile and gut microbiota, including bile salt metabolism, dynamic changes of microbiota, inflammatory response, and immune system regulation. This article elaborates on the potential mechanisms of bile-gut axis in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, especially gut microbiota dysbiosis, abnormal bile salt metabolism, chronic inflammatory response, and immune system interaction, this article aims to provide new perspectives and possible therapeutic targets for future research and promote the early diagnosis and effective treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
2.Characteristics of unintentional injury among college students and its association with sexual orientation and gender identity
LI Ruyu, ZHOU Xiaoding, GAO Qi, CHENG Peixia, ZHU Huiping
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(9):1272-1276
Objective:
To analyze the occurrence of unintentional injuries among college students and their association with sexual orientation and gender identity, so as to provide a targeted scientific basis for injury prevention measures and intervention strategies.
Methods:
From October 24 to November 18, 2023, a sample of 1 629 college students from two general universities in Beijing was selected using convenience sampling method. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect information on the gender identity, sexual orientation and occurrence of unintentional injuries among college students in the past year. The Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and Delaware Bullying Victimization Scale-Student (DBVS-S) were used to assess mental health, sleep quality, childhood trauma, and dysfunctional impulsivity status. Analyses of sexual orientation and gender identity were conducted. The t-test and Chi square test were used for intergroup comparison,and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to examine risk factors for unintentional injuries among college students of different gender identities.
Results:
The incidence rate of unintentional injuries among college students was 16.94%, with boys (17.08%) being higher than girls (16.90%). Compared with those who did not experience unintentional injuries (5.28± 3.60 , 118.68±41.38), college students who experienced unintentional injuries had poorer sleep quality and mental health status ( 6.38 ±3.93, 135.59±50.96)( t =-3.92, -4.26); the differences in the incidence of unintentional injury among college students with non suicidal self injury, interpersonal violence, childhood trauma, and different sexual orientations and gender identities were all statistically significant ( χ 2=28.75, 75.18, 9.83, 16.20, 4.13) (all P <0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for age, gender and body mass index, non heterosexual orientation increased the risk of unintentional injuries ( OR=1.61, 95%CI =1.09-2.38), whereas existing non suicidal self injury behaviors ( OR=2.10, 95%CI =1.02-4.37) and poorer mental health status ( OR=1.54, 95%CI =1.05-2.27) increased the risk of unintentional injuries among non heterosexual college students (all P <0.05).
Conclusions
The incidence rate of unintentional injuries among college students is relatively high, with non heterosexual groups having increased risk of unintentional injuries. Mental health status and non suicidal self injury behaviors are important factors related to unintentional injuries among non heterosexual college students.
3.Rules of moxibustion for low back pain by ZHOU Meisheng based on data mining and knowledge graph technology.
Chi WANG ; Caifeng ZHU ; Jiayu ZHANG ; Bingyuan ZHOU ; Xiaoyu CHEN ; Le CHENG ; Miaomiao XIE ; Xuechun DING
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(6):823-833
OBJECTIVE:
To analyze the rules of moxibustion for low back pain by ZHOU Meisheng by using data mining and knowledge graph technology.
METHODS:
Taking the medical cases of moxibustion for low back pain from ZHOU Meisheng's legacy manuscripts and existing works as the research objects, information on disease types, symptoms, tongue manifestations, pulse conditions, syndrome patterns, moxibustion methods and acupoints were collected. Frequency statistics and community analysis were conducted by the ancient and modern medical record cloud platform V 2.3.7, cluster analysis of high-frequency acupoints was performed by SPSS26.0, association rule analysis of high-frequency acupoints was performed by SPSS Modeler 18.0, and the generated linked data were imported into Cytoscape 3.9.1 for complex network analysis. Knowledge graph of moxibustion for low back pain by ZHOU Meisheng was constructed based on the results of data mining. The data storage and display of knowledge graph were realized through the Neo4j 3.5.25 graph database, and the Cypher query language was used for knowledge graph retrieval and discovery.
RESULTS:
A total of 219 medical cases were collected, involving 14 disease types, 85 related clinical symptoms, 5 related TCM syndrome types, and 6 moxibustion methods. The acupoints were mostly attributed to the governor vessel, the bladder meridian of foot-taiyang, non-meridian and non-acupoint areas. The core prescription of acupoints derived from complex network analysis included tender points, Shenshu (BL23), Jinsuo (GV8), Yinjiao (CV7), Yaoyangguan (GV3), Yanglingquan (GB34), which were largely coincides with high-frequency acupoints. Cluster analysis obtained 4 cluster combinations. Community analysis yielded 6 communities, each corresponding to different acupoints.The constructed knowledge graph contained 187 nodes and 696 relationships, by retrieving clinical elements related to low back pain, the disease-moxibustion association graph, disease-acupoint association graph, accompanying symptom-acupoint association graph and syndrome type-matching point association graph were obtained.
CONCLUSION
When treating low back pain with moxibustion, ZHOU Meisheng adopts the principle of promoting circulation, distinguishing diseases to determine the treatment, selecting acupoints according to the diseases, and matching points according to the symptoms.And taking tender points, Shenshu (BL23), Jinsuo (GV8), Yinjiao (CV7), Yaoyangguan (GV3), Yanglingquan (GB34) as core acupoints, combined with tenderness point selection, acupoint selection based on meridian and zangfu syndrome differentiation, "sunshine area" acupoint selection, yin-yang acupoint matching. Additionally, he skillfully employs special points, such as Zhongzhu (KI15) and ear tips, pays attention to the reform of moxibustion tools, and innovates the moxibustion techniques, using distinctive moxibustion tools and methods to treat low back pain.
Moxibustion/methods*
;
Humans
;
Data Mining
;
Low Back Pain/history*
;
Acupuncture Points
;
History, Ancient
;
Female
;
China
;
Male
;
Adult
;
Middle Aged
4.Burden of alopecia areata in China, 1990-2021: Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.
Xiangqian LI ; Huixin LIU ; Wenhui REN ; Qijiong ZHU ; Peng YIN ; Lijun WANG ; Jianzhong ZHANG ; Jinlei QI ; Cheng ZHOU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(3):318-324
BACKGROUND:
Research has indicated that the disease burden of alopecia areata (AA) in China exceeds the global average. Therefore, accurate and updated epidemiological information is crucial for policymakers. In this study, we aimed to comprehensively assess the disease burden of AA in China.
METHODS:
The following four key indicators were utilized: the prevalence of cases; disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs); the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR); and the age-standardized DALY rate (ASDR) of AA according to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2021. We analyzed the epidemiological burden of AA in China during 2021, examined changes between 1990 and 2021, and performed a Bayesian age-period-cohort analysis to predict trends over the course of the next decade (2022-2030). Additionally, a Gaussian process regression model was applied to estimate the relationship between the gross domestic product (GDP) and the ASPR and ASDR of AA at the provincial level between 1992 and 2021.
RESULTS:
In 2021, the estimated number of patients with AA in China was approximately 3.49 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI], 3.37-3.62 million); of these patients, 1.20 million (95% UI, 1.16-1.25 million) were male and 2.29 million (95% UI, 2.20-2.37 million) were female. This large number of patients with AA resulted in a total of 114,431.25 DALYs (95% UI, 74,780.27-160,318.96 DALYs). Additionally, the ASPR and ASDR were 224.61 per 100,000 population (95% UI, 216.73-232.65 per 100,000 population) and 7.41 per 100,000 population (95% UI, 4.85-10.44 per 100,000 population), respectively; both of these rates were higher than the global averages. The most affected demographic groups were young and female individuals 25-39 years of age. Slight regional disparities were observed, with the northern and central regions of China bearing comparatively higher burdens. Between 1990 and 2021, the health loss and disease burden caused by AA in China remained relatively stable. The ASPR and ASDR of AA increased with the GDP when the annual GDP was less than 2 trillion Chinese yuan; however, a downward trend was observed as the GDP surpassed 2 trillion Chinese yuan. A slight upward trend in the disease burden of AA in China is predicted to occur over the next decade.
CONCLUSIONS
AA continues to be a public health concern in China that shows no signs of declining. Targeted efforts for young individuals and females are necessary because they experience a disproportionately high burden of AA.
Humans
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Alopecia Areata/epidemiology*
;
Global Burden of Disease
;
Female
;
Male
;
Adult
;
Disability-Adjusted Life Years
;
Middle Aged
;
Prevalence
;
Adolescent
;
Young Adult
;
Bayes Theorem
;
Child
;
Quality-Adjusted Life Years
;
Child, Preschool
5.Concordance and pathogenicity of copy number variants detected by non-invasive prenatal screening in 38,611 pregnant women without fetal structural abnormalities.
Yunyun LIU ; Jing WANG ; Ling WANG ; Lin CHEN ; Dan XIE ; Li WANG ; Sha LIU ; Jianlong LIU ; Ting BAI ; Xiaosha JING ; Cechuan DENG ; Tianyu XIA ; Jing CHENG ; Lingling XING ; Xiang WEI ; Yuan LUO ; Quanfang ZHOU ; Ling LIU ; Qian ZHU ; Hongqian LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(4):499-501
6.One-year seedling cultivation technology and seed germination-promoting mechanism by warm water soaking of Polygonatum kingianum var. grandifolium.
Ke FU ; Jian-Qing ZHOU ; Zhi-Wei FAN ; Mei-Sen YANG ; Ya-Qun CHENG ; Yan ZHU ; Yan SHI ; Jin-Ping SI ; Dong-Hong CHEN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(4):1022-1030
Polygonati Rhizoma demonstrates significant potential for addressing both chronic and hidden hunger. The supply of high-quality seedlings is a primary factor influencing the development of the Polygonati Rhizoma industry. Warm water soaking is often used in agriculture to promote the rapid germination of seeds, while its application and molecular mechanism in Polygonati Rhizoma have not been reported. To rapidly obtain high-quality seedlings, this study treated Polygonatum kingianum var. grandifolium seeds with sand storage at low temperatures, warm water soaking, and cultivation temperature gradients. The results showed that the culture at 25 ℃ or sand storage at 4 ℃ for 2 months rapidly broke the seed dormancy of P. kingianum var. grandifolium, while the culture at 20 ℃ or sand storage at 4 ℃ for 1 month failed to break the seed dormancy. Soaking seeds in 60 ℃ warm water further increased the germination rate, germination potential, and germination index. Specifically, the seeds soaked at 60 ℃ and cultured at 25 ℃ without sand storage treatment(Aa25) achieved a germination rate of 78. 67%±1. 53% on day 42 and 83. 40%±4. 63% on day 77. The seeds pretreated with sand storage at 4 ℃ for 2 months, soaked in 60 ℃ water, and then cultured at 25 ℃ achieved a germination rate comparable to that of Aa25 on day 77. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that warm water soaking might promote germination by triggering reactive oxygen species( ROS), inducing the expression of heat shock factors( HSFs) and heat shock proteins( HSPs), which accelerated DNA replication, transcript maturation, translation, and processing, thereby facilitating the accumulation and turnover of genetic materials. According to the results of indoor controlled experiments and field practices, maintaining a germination and seedling cultivation environment at approximately 25 ℃ was crucial for the one-year seedling cultivation of P. kingianum var. grandifolium.
Germination
;
Seedlings/genetics*
;
Water/metabolism*
;
Seeds/metabolism*
;
Polygonatum/genetics*
;
Temperature
;
Plant Proteins/genetics*
;
Plant Dormancy
7.Identification of terpenoid synthases family in Perilla frutescens and functional analysis of germacrene D synthase.
Pei-Na ZHOU ; Zai-Biao ZHU ; Lei XIONG ; Ying ZHANG ; Peng CHEN ; Huang-Jin TONG ; Cheng-Hao FEI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(10):2658-2673
Based on whole-genome identification of the TPS gene family in Perilla frutescens and screening, cloning, bioinformatics, and expression analysis of the synthetic enzyme for the insect-resistant component germacrene D, this study lays the foundation for understanding the biological function of the TPS gene family and the insect resistance mechanism in P. frutescens. This study used bioinformatics tools to identify the TPS gene family of P. frutescens based on its whole genome and predicted the physicochemical properties, systematic classification, and promoter cis-elements of the proteins. The relative content of germacrene D was detected in both normal and insect-infested leaves of P. frutescens, and the germacrene D synthase was screened and isolated. Gene cloning, bioinformatics analysis, and expression profiling were then performed. The results showed that a total of 99 TPS genes were identified in the genome, which were classified into the TPS-a, TPS-b, TPS-c, TPS-e/f, and TPS-g subfamilies. Conserved motif analysis showed that the TPS in P. frutescens has conserved structural characteristics within the same subfamily. Promoter cis-element analysis predicted the presence of light-responsive elements, multiple hormone-responsive elements, and stress-responsive elements in the TPS family of P. frutescens. Transcriptome data revealed that most of the TPS genes in P. frutescens were highly expressed in the leaves. GC-MS analysis showed that the relative content of germacrene D significantly increased in insect-damaged leaves, suggesting that it may act as an insect-resistant component. The germacrene D synthase gene was screened through homologous protein binding gene expression and was found to belong to the TPS-a subfamily, encoding a 64.89 kDa protein. This protein was hydrophilic, lacked a transmembrane structure and signal peptide, and was predominantly expressed in leaves, with significantly higher expression in insect-damaged leaves compared to normal leaves. In vitro expression results showed that germacrene D synthase tended to form inclusion bodies. Molecular docking showed that farnesyl pyrophosphate(FPP) fell into the active pocket of the protein and interacted strongly with six active sites. This study provides a foundation for further research on the biological functions of the TPS gene family in P. frutescens and the molecular mechanisms underlying its insect resistance.
Perilla frutescens/chemistry*
;
Plant Proteins/chemistry*
;
Multigene Family
;
Sesquiterpenes, Germacrane/metabolism*
;
Alkyl and Aryl Transferases/chemistry*
;
Phylogeny
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
8.Optimal harvesting period of cultivated Notopterygium incisum based on HPLC specific chromatogram combined with chemometrics and entropy weight-gray correlation analysis.
Jing-Cheng WANG ; Hong-Bing SUN ; Teng LIU ; Wen-Tao ZHU ; Hong-Lan WANG ; Yi ZHOU ; Wei-Yan WANG ; Ping YANG ; Shun-Yuan JIANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(14):3878-3886
To determine the optimal cultivation duration and harvest period for cultivated Notopterygium incisum and promote its industrial development, this study established a characteristic chromatographic profile of cultivated N. incisum and employed chemometrics combined with entropy-weighted grey correlation analysis to assess differences in agronomic traits and quality indicators across different cultivation years and harvest periods. By comparing with reference substances, ten common peaks were identified, including chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, marmesinin, nodakenin, isochlorogenic acid B, notopterol, phenethyl ferulate, isoimperatorin, and falcarindiol. The similarity between the characteristic chromatographic profiles of N. incisum at different cultivation years and the reference profile was all above 0.932. Principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) revealed that the quality of 1-to 3-year-old cultivated N. incisum was highly dispersed and unstable, whereas the quality of 4-year-old cultivated N. incisum remained relatively stable across different harvest periods. This suggests that the accumulation of relevant compounds in the medicinal material had reached a plateau, confirming that the optimal cultivation period for N. incisum is four years. Entropy-weighted grey correlation analysis indicated that the quality of 4-year-old cultivated N. incisum across different harvest periods ranked from highest to lowest as follows: November, December, October, August, July, and September, demonstrating that November is the optimal harvest time. The findings of this study establish the suitable cultivation duration and optimal harvest period for N. incisum, providing a scientific basis for cultivation guidance and quality standardization.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods*
;
Apiaceae/chemistry*
;
Entropy
;
Chemometrics/methods*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Principal Component Analysis
;
Quality Control
9.Thoracoscopic minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of flail chest with multiple rib fractures.
Pan ZHOU ; Zhong-Quan WU ; Jie ZHU ; Ling-Ling CHENG ; Sheng SHU
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(1):47-54
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the clinical efficacy of thoracoscopic minimally invasive surgery with nickel-titanium shape memory alloy wrap bone plate versus rib periosteal internal fixation in patients with multiple rib fractures (MRF) and flail chest.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was performed on 100 patients with MRF and flail chest treated with thoracoscopic minimally invasive surgery and internal fixation with rib fracture preservation between January 2019 and December 2022, including 54 males and 46 females, aged from 20 to 65 years old, with an average age of (38.0±18.0)years old. The duration of the disease ranged from 8 to 21 days. According to the different surgical methods, the patients were divided into control group and study group, with 50 patients in each group. The control group consisted of 23 males and 27 females, with an average age of (38.35±18.05) years old, who underwent rib preservation periosteal internal fixation. In the study group, there were 31 males and 19 females, with an average age of (38.15±17.99) years old, treated with thoracoscopic nickel-titanium shape memory alloy circumferential bone plate. The pulmonary function indices, electrocardiographic monitoring indices, pain severity, levels of inflammatory factors, complications, rehabilitation indices, and therapeutic efficacy were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.
RESULTS:
All patients were followed up for 6 months. After 3 days of treatment, the heart rate of both groups was (102.43±13.74) beats per minute vs (86.26±8.06) beats per minute, respiratory rate (28.45±3.40) breaths per minute vs (22.05±2.85) breaths per minute, blood oxygen saturation (89.68±3.66)% vs (98.46±4.84)%, rest pain (3.5±0.5) points vs (2.6±0.6) points, movement pain (3.6±0.5) points vs (2.5±0.5) points, and these differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). The levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) (102.30±17.00) pg·ml-1 vs (85.68±21.20) pg·ml-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)(33.44±4.85) pg·ml-1 vs (18.14±4.28) pg·ml-1 in both groups exhibited an increase post-treatment, while the C-reactive protein (CRP) (75.51±10.54) mg·L-1 vs (60.75±9.84) mg·L-1 demonstrated a decrease compared to pre-treatment levels. Furthermore, the study group displayed significantly lower levels than the control group (P<0.05). After 10 days of treatment, the peak expiratory flow rate (3.31±0.52) L·s-1 vs (5.69±0.74) L·s-1, forced expiratory volume (1.46±0.29) L vs (2.06±0.38) L, and forced vital capacity (2.68±0.95) L vs (4.26±1.05) L of both groups exhibited significant improvements compared to pre-treatment levels. Moreover, the study group demonstrated significantly higher values than the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications in the study group was significantly lower compared to the control group (6 cases vs 14 cases, P<0.05). Additionally, the duration of bone callus formation(9.50±1.40) days and fracture healing (72.20±8.32) days in the study group was significantly shorter compared to the control group(11.35±2.15) days, (93.70±9.90) days (P<0.001).
CONCLUSION
Compared with traditional rib-preserving internal fixation, patients with MRF and flail chest treated with minimally invasive internal fixation with thoracoscopic nickel-titanium shape memory alloy surround bone plate have better therapeutic effect, because of less surgical trauma, less pain and inflammatory reaction, fewer postoperative pulmonary complications, faster and better recovery of lung function, and thus promote the recovery of patients.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Rib Fractures/surgery*
;
Aged
;
Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods*
;
Flail Chest/surgery*
;
Thoracoscopy/methods*
;
Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods*
10.A qualitative study of sensory hypersensitivity in children with autism spectrum disorder and individuals with subclinical autistic traits.
Yan-Cheng LIU ; Dan-Ling ZHU ; Xin-Ru HONG ; Han-Yu ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(9):1082-1088
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the manifestations of sensory hypersensitivity in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and individuals with subclinical autistic traits.
METHODS:
From September 2021 to April 2023, interviews were conducted on 18 college students with high levels of autistic traits and sensory hypersensitivity selected using the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile and the Autism Spectrum Quotient (as subclinical group). Interviews were also conducted on the parents of 11 children with ASD aged 6-13 years selected using the intensity sampling method (as clinical group). Qualitative content analysis and thematic analysis were performed on the interview texts to investigate the scenarios and impact of sensory hypersensitivity and coping strategies in the two groups.
RESULTS:
The Autism Spectrum Quotient score was significantly positively correlated with sensory hypersensitivity (r=0.504, P<0.001; n=225). Sensory modalities that triggered sensitive reactions were similar in the subclinical and clinical groups, with auditory hypersensitivity being the most prominent. Sensory hypersensitivity had significant negative impact on emotional wellbeing, cognitive ability, physical health, interpersonal relationships, and general adaptive functioning. These dimensions were interconnected, culminating in a holistic experience. Avoidance was the most commonly used coping mechanism for both groups (16 subclinical participants mentioned it 44 times; 8 clinical participants mentioned it 40 times). The clinical group required more support and help from their caregivers (18 times), while the subclinical group used more proactive coping strategies (e.g., facing sensitive scenarios, distracting attention) to alleviate the negative impact (51 times).
CONCLUSIONS
Sensory hypersensitivity is a common manifestation across the broad ASD phenotype, posing negative effects on multiple aspects of their lives. There is an urgent need for social tolerance and acceptance as well as the development of effective intervention measures.
Humans
;
Child
;
Autism Spectrum Disorder/physiopathology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Adolescent
;
Adaptation, Psychological
;
Autistic Disorder/psychology*
;
Sensation Disorders/etiology*
;
Qualitative Research


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