1.Effect of Astragali Radix on Gut Microbiota and GLP-1 in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Patients with Qi Deficiency Type
Keke HOU ; Lin CHEN ; Zhidan ZHANG ; Yunyi YANG ; Fangli ZHANG ; Yuanying XU ; Hongping YIN ; Lan DING ; Tao LEI ; Wenjun SHA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):161-170
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of Astragali Radix-mediated changes in gut microbiota on treating type 2 diabetes (T2DM). MethodsA 12-week randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled eighty patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and poor glycemic control in the Qi deficiency type. All patients received insulin therapy. The observation group (40 cases) was administered with Astragali Radix Granules, while the control group (40 cases) received a placebo. Both treamtents were taken orally twice daily. Changes in gut microbiota were assessed by 16s rDNA sequencing. Serum glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Glucose metabolism indicators including fasting blood glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2 h PG),glycated albumin(GA), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were evaluated. Pancreatic function was evaluated using fasting C-peptide (FCP), 2-hour postprandial C-peptide (2 h CP), and C-peptide area under the curve (AUCcp). Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, clinical efficacy, and safety indicators were also observed. ResultsIn terms of glucose metabolism indicators, compared with the baseline, both groups exhibited significantly lower FPG, 2 h PG, GA and HbA1C (P<0.01),while FCP, 2 h CP and AUCcp were significantly higher (P<0.01). Compared with the control group after the treatment, the observation group showed significantly lower FPG, 2 h PG, GA and HbA1C(P<0.05, P<0.01),and significantly higher FCP, 2 h CP and AUCcp (P<0.05, P<0.01), indicating that Astragali Radix can improve glucose metabolism. In terms of the diversity of gut microbiota, no significant differences were detected in the Chao1, Shannon and Simpson indexes of the two groups compared with their respective baselines. However, compared with the post-treatment control group, the observation group demonstrated significant increases in the Chao1, Shannon and Simpson indexes (P<0.05, P<0.01). The β-diversity analysis showed significant separation in gut microbiota composition before and after treatment in both groups, indicating that Astragali Radix can significantly alter the structure and improve the diversity of gut microbiota. At the phylum level, compared with the baseline, both groups showed a significant increase in the relative abundance of Bacteroidota(P<0.01). The relative abundance of the potentially harmful phylum Proteobacteria was significantly lower in the observation Group after treatment (P<0.01). Compared with the post-treatment control group, the observation group had a significantly higher relative abundance of Bacteroidota(P<0.01). No significant difference was found in Firmicutes/Bacteroidota (F/B) ratio between the two groups after treatment, and other phyla showed no significant differences. At the genus level, compared with the baseline, the observation group exhibited a significant increase in Bacteroides (P<0.01) and a significant decrease in Escherichia-Shigella (P<0.01), whereas no significant difference was seen in the control group . Compared with the control group after treatment, the observation group after treatment had a significantly higher relative abundance of Bacteroides (P<0.01). No significant differences were seen in other genera. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) identified potential characteristics taxa: in the observation group, Bacteroidota at the phylum level and Bacteroides and Dubosiella at the genus level, in the control group, Proteobacteria at the phylum level as well as Barnesiella and Staphylococcus at the genus level. Correlation analysis based on a heatmap revealed that GLP-1 levels were positively correlated with Firmicutes, F/B ratio and Fusobacterium, and negatively correlated with Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria, Bacteroides and Escherichia-Shigella. In terms of clinical efficacy, compared with the control group, the total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher (P<0.05). Compared with the baseline, the scores for shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, spontaneous sweating and reluctance to speak significantly decreased in both groups (P<0.01). Compared with the control group after treatment, the score for weakness was significantly lower in the observation group (P<0.01),indicating that Astragali Radix could improve clinical symptoms and alleviate weakness symptoms. In terms of safety, compared with the baseline, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels significantly decreased in both groups (P<0.05,P<0.01),indicating that Astragali Radix did not induce any significant abnormalities in liver and kidney functions. ConclusionAstragali Radix demonstrates the potential to significantly improve the gut microbiota environment in patients of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes with Qi deficiency. The therapeutic effect may contribute to glycemic control, possibly mediated by an elevation in GLP-1 level. These findings may support its further clinical investigations and potential applications.
2.Nitazoxanide protects against heart failure with preserved ejection and metabolic syndrome induced by high-fat diet (HFD) plus L-NAME "two-hit" in mice.
Jiahui CHEN ; Liping ZHANG ; Ting XIE ; Xiao ZHANG ; Congcong PAN ; Fangli SUN ; Wenfeng LI ; Zhijie SUN ; Deli DONG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1397-1414
The clinical antiprotozoal drug nitazoxanide has been demonstrated to improve the experimental diabetes mellitus, lipid metabolism disorders, atherosclerosis and inhibit inflammation. Since the pathogenesis of heart failure with preserved ejection (HFpEF) is multifactorial and closely associated with the aforementioned diseases, we aim to study the effect of nitazoxanide on high-fat diet (HFD) plus L-NAME (N ω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester)-induced HFpEF and metabolic syndrome in mice. We found that oral nitazoxanide improved cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis, cardiac diastolic dysfunction, increased blood pressure, impaired exercise tolerance, impaired glucose handling, serum lipid disorders, hepatic steatosis, increased weight of white adipose tissues and kidney fibrosis in HFD + L-NAME-treated mice. In the established HFD + L-NAME-induced HFpEF and metabolic syndrome mouse model, therapeutic treatment with nitazoxanide rescued HFD + L-NAME-induced pathological phenotypes as mentioned above. The in vitro experiments revealed that tizoxanide, the active metabolite of nitazoxanide, increased the basal mitochondria metabolism of cardiomyocytes, inhibited cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and collagen secretion from cardiac fibroblasts, and relaxed phenylephrine- and U46619-induced constriction of rat mesenteric arteries, indicating that the direct effect of tizoxanide might partly contribute to the protective effect of nitazoxanide against HFpEF in vivo. The present study suggests that nitazoxanide might be a potential drug for HFpEF and metabolic syndrome therapy.
3.Current status and advances in the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory breast cancer
Wenjing ZENG ; Juan HUANG ; Shouman WANG ; Yangyi LI ; Weizhi XIA ; Yulong ZHANG ; Jun WU ; Taohong SHEN ; Fangli ZHOU ; Ayong CAO
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(5):1044-1055
Inflammatory breast cancer(IBC)is a rare but highly aggressive subtype of breast cancer characterized by rapid clinical progression and poor prognosis.Although it accounts for only 2%-4%of all breast cancer cases,it is responsible for 8%-10%of breast cancer-related mortality.The etiology of IBC is multifactorial,involving genetic,hormonal,environmental,and socioeconomic factors.Pathologically,IBC is marked by the presence of dermal lymphatic tumor emboli,and molecular subtypes are predominantly HER2-positive and triple-negative,indicating high tumor invasiveness.Diagnosis relies on characteristic clinical manifestations and histopathological confirmation,while imaging techniques such as MRI and PET/CT play important roles in evaluating disease extent and metastasis.Given that IBC is often diagnosed at a locally advanced or metastatic stage,there is currently no specific treatment protocol.Instead,management generally follows the treatment paradigm of non-IBC,emphasizing systemic therapy within a multidisciplinary framework.HER2-positive IBC benefits from chemotherapy combined with dual-targeted anti-HER2 therapy;triple-negative IBC may respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors;and CDK4/6 inhibitors show potential efficacy in hormone receptor-positive subtypes.Despite advancements,the prognosis remains poor,with a high risk of early recurrence and distant metastasis.Prognostic factors include lymph node involvement,molecular subtype,and response to neoadjuvant therapy.As research into the tumor microenvironment and molecular mechanisms deepens,targeted and individualized therapies hold promise for improving outcomes.This review summarizes the epidemiology,pathology,diagnostic criteria,treatment strategies,and prognostic factors of IBC,aiming to inform clinical practice and future research.
4.Current status and advances in the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory breast cancer
Wenjing ZENG ; Juan HUANG ; Shouman WANG ; Yangyi LI ; Weizhi XIA ; Yulong ZHANG ; Jun WU ; Taohong SHEN ; Fangli ZHOU ; Ayong CAO
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(5):1044-1055
Inflammatory breast cancer(IBC)is a rare but highly aggressive subtype of breast cancer characterized by rapid clinical progression and poor prognosis.Although it accounts for only 2%-4%of all breast cancer cases,it is responsible for 8%-10%of breast cancer-related mortality.The etiology of IBC is multifactorial,involving genetic,hormonal,environmental,and socioeconomic factors.Pathologically,IBC is marked by the presence of dermal lymphatic tumor emboli,and molecular subtypes are predominantly HER2-positive and triple-negative,indicating high tumor invasiveness.Diagnosis relies on characteristic clinical manifestations and histopathological confirmation,while imaging techniques such as MRI and PET/CT play important roles in evaluating disease extent and metastasis.Given that IBC is often diagnosed at a locally advanced or metastatic stage,there is currently no specific treatment protocol.Instead,management generally follows the treatment paradigm of non-IBC,emphasizing systemic therapy within a multidisciplinary framework.HER2-positive IBC benefits from chemotherapy combined with dual-targeted anti-HER2 therapy;triple-negative IBC may respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors;and CDK4/6 inhibitors show potential efficacy in hormone receptor-positive subtypes.Despite advancements,the prognosis remains poor,with a high risk of early recurrence and distant metastasis.Prognostic factors include lymph node involvement,molecular subtype,and response to neoadjuvant therapy.As research into the tumor microenvironment and molecular mechanisms deepens,targeted and individualized therapies hold promise for improving outcomes.This review summarizes the epidemiology,pathology,diagnostic criteria,treatment strategies,and prognostic factors of IBC,aiming to inform clinical practice and future research.
5.Correlation among diabetes-related distress, self-management behavior, empowerment, and glycated hemoglobin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Yongqiao FANG ; Fangli TANG ; Danyu ZHANG ; Jiaohong LUO ; Wenjun WANG ; Yetong WANG ; Dan CHENG ; Rijing LI ; Qingqing LOU
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(23):3155-3160
Objective:To investigate the correlations among diabetes-related distress, self-management behavior, empowerment, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) .Methods:A convenience sampling method was used to recruit a total of 1 927 hospitalized patients with T2DM from the Endocrinology Departments of five tertiary general hospitals in Hainan, Jiangsu, and Henan Provinces between December 2022 and December 2023. General demographic and clinical data were collected. The Problem Areas in Diabetes 5 (PAID-5), the Summary of Diabetes Self Care Activities (SDSCA), and the Diabetes Empowerment Scale-Short Form (DES-SF) were used to evaluate patients' psychological distress, self-management behaviors, and empowerment levels. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationships among diabetes-related distress, empowerment, self-management behaviors, and HbA1c levels.Results:Pearson correlation analysis showed that diabetes-related distress was negatively correlated with empowerment ( r=-0.119, P<0.001) and the total score of self-management behavior ( r=-0.106, P<0.001), and positively correlated with HbA1c levels ( r=0.103, P<0.001). Empowerment was positively correlated with self-management behavior ( r=0.538, P<0.001) and negatively correlated with HbA1c levels ( r=-0.170, P<0.001). Self-management behavior was negatively correlated with HbA1c levels ( r=-0.165, P<0.001) . Conclusions:Diabetes-related distress, empowerment, and self-management behavior are all associated with glycemic control. Future research and interventions should focus on enhancing patients' self-management abilities, strengthening empowerment, and providing psychological support in order to improve glycemic outcomes and offer a more comprehensive and effective management approach for patients with T2DM.
6.Correlation among diabetes-related distress, self-management behavior, empowerment, and glycated hemoglobin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Yongqiao FANG ; Fangli TANG ; Danyu ZHANG ; Jiaohong LUO ; Wenjun WANG ; Yetong WANG ; Dan CHENG ; Rijing LI ; Qingqing LOU
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(23):3155-3160
Objective:To investigate the correlations among diabetes-related distress, self-management behavior, empowerment, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) .Methods:A convenience sampling method was used to recruit a total of 1 927 hospitalized patients with T2DM from the Endocrinology Departments of five tertiary general hospitals in Hainan, Jiangsu, and Henan Provinces between December 2022 and December 2023. General demographic and clinical data were collected. The Problem Areas in Diabetes 5 (PAID-5), the Summary of Diabetes Self Care Activities (SDSCA), and the Diabetes Empowerment Scale-Short Form (DES-SF) were used to evaluate patients' psychological distress, self-management behaviors, and empowerment levels. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationships among diabetes-related distress, empowerment, self-management behaviors, and HbA1c levels.Results:Pearson correlation analysis showed that diabetes-related distress was negatively correlated with empowerment ( r=-0.119, P<0.001) and the total score of self-management behavior ( r=-0.106, P<0.001), and positively correlated with HbA1c levels ( r=0.103, P<0.001). Empowerment was positively correlated with self-management behavior ( r=0.538, P<0.001) and negatively correlated with HbA1c levels ( r=-0.170, P<0.001). Self-management behavior was negatively correlated with HbA1c levels ( r=-0.165, P<0.001) . Conclusions:Diabetes-related distress, empowerment, and self-management behavior are all associated with glycemic control. Future research and interventions should focus on enhancing patients' self-management abilities, strengthening empowerment, and providing psychological support in order to improve glycemic outcomes and offer a more comprehensive and effective management approach for patients with T2DM.
7.Prediction of core behaviors of self-management in diabetes mellitus by empowerment and theory of planned behavior
Fangli TANG ; Wenjun WANG ; Jiaohong LUO ; Danyu ZHANG ; Leilei ZHU ; Zhumin JIA ; Huanhuan LIU ; Qingqing LOU
Chinese Journal of Diabetes 2024;32(10):750-755
Objective To explore the predictive effect of empowerment and theory of planned behavior(TPB)on the four core behaviors of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)self-management,and analyze the influence path of TPB model and behavioral intention on the four core behaviors.Methods A total of 500 T2DM patients who were hospitalized in the Endocrinology Department of three tertiary general hospitals in different provinces from December 2022 to May 2023 were selected for investigation.Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to explore the predictive effects of empowerment and TPB models on self-management behaviors.Bootstrap method was used to analyze the influence path of TPB model and behavior intention on self-management behaviors.Results Empowerment had a predictive effect on self-management behavior,which was improved after the addition of TPB,with medication R2=0.194,blood glucose monitoring R2=0.308,regular diet R2=0.337 and regular exercise R2=0.343,respectively.Mediation effect analyses revealed that attitude,subjective norm,and perceived behavioral control were observed to predict behavior intention across the four behaviors,and the three except through the behavior intention indirectly affect behavior,can also directly affect the behavior.Conclusions Empowerment can predict self-management behavior,and adding TPB to this can improve the prediction effect.Attitude,subjective norms and perceived control can indirectly or directly affect self-management behavior through behavioral intention.
8.Prediction model of insomnia disorder in perimenopausal women based on machine learning method
Jinli HU ; Jiebai SHI ; Fangli LIAO ; Lixiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2024;40(20):1535-1542
Objective:To explore the influencing factors of insomnia disorder in perimenopausal women and construct a prediction model of insomnia disorder in perimenopausal women based on machine learning method.Methods:A case-control study was used in this study. A total of 140 perimenopausal women who were examined in Lishui Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2019 to June 2021 were selected as the study objects for retrospective analysis by convenient sampling method. They were divided into occurrence and non-occurrence groups based on the presence of insomnia disorders. Relevant data of the patients were collected and risk factors analysis was conducted. Multivariate Logistic regression, decision classification regression tree (CRT) and back propagation neural network (BPNN) algorithm based on machine learning, the prediction model of insomnia disorder in perimenopausal women was constructed.Results:A total of 140 perimenopausal women were included, including 88 patients (62.86%) in the occurrence group, aged (50.16 ± 4.73) years old, and 52 patients (37.14%) in the non-occurrence group, aged (47.33 ± 4.54) years old. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that percapita family monthly income ( OR = 0.019, 95% CI 0.001-0.422, P<0.05), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) score ( OR = 1.665, 95% CI 1.108-2.502, P<0.05) and Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) score ( OR = 1.407, 95% CI 1.085-1.826, P<0.05) of the two groups were independent risk factors for the occurrence of insomnia disorder in perimenopausal women. The prediction model constructed by CRT showed that SAS score, HAMD score and percapita family monthly income were the influencing factors for the occurrence of insomnia disorder in perimenopausal women. The results of BPNN model showed that the importance ranking of influencing factors was SAS score>percapita family monthly income>HAMD score>body mass index>age>work status>daily exercise cumulative time. Among the models constructed by the three machine learning algorithms, the area under the curve of multivariate Logistic regression analysis was 0.998, the sensitivity was 96.6%, the specificity was 100.0%, which had the best predictive performance. Conclusions:In this study, the prediction model of insomnia disorder in perimenopausal women based on machine learning method has good prediction efficiency, among which the multivariate Logistic regression model has the best diagnostic efficiency, and the established prediction model has good prediction accuracy.
9.Application of micro-video tracing training model to emerging infectious diseases knowledge training in emergency department nurses
Binxia LI ; Yuhong ZHANG ; Meiqiong YAN ; Li FENG ; Ping WANG ; Fangli ZHENG ; Jia'nan QIN
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2024;23(1):108-113
Objective:To explore the impact of applying micro-video tracing training model to emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) knowledge training on the autonomous learning ability and learning outcomes among emergency department nurses.Methods:In this study, the training content was developed from the perspective of the historical development of EIDs. The training program was constructed in the form of a micro-video classification module and periodic WeChat group push-based autonomous learning. Convenience sampling was used to select 85 emergency nurses ( n=85) from a grade A tertiary general hospital in Shanghai for micro-video tracing training. The nurses were provided with EIDs knowledge training using a module consisting of 11 episodes, each of which included 5 sessions, i.e., enlightening thinking, micro-video learning, key point consolidation, key point analysis, and extension and expansion. After the intervention, the nurses were compared for their autonomous learning ability and their knowledge, belief, and action levels of EIDs, and their degree of satisfaction with the training model was evaluated. SPSS 20.0 and GraphPad Prism 9.3.0 were used for non-parametric Wilcoxon paired tests of quartiles ( Q25, M, and Q75). Results:After the training, the emergency department nurses had significantly higher scores in overall autonomous learning ability ( Z=-4.69, P<0.001) and in each dimension: concept of self-motivation ( Z=-4.48, P<0.001), task analysis ( Z=-4.06, P<0.001), self-monitoring and regulation ( Z=-4.50, P<0.001), and self-evaluation ( Z=-4.82, P<0.001); they had significantly higher scores in overall knowledge, belief, and action levels of EIDs ( Z=-4.65, P<0.001) and in each dimension: knowledge ( Z=-4.04, P<0.001), belief ( Z=-3.24, P=0.001), and action ( Z=-4.05, P<0.001). Emergency department nurses had a high degree of satisfaction with the training model (degree of satisfaction for each item >90%). Conclusions:The micro-video tracing training model can effectively improve the autonomous learning ability of emergency department nurses and their knowledge, belief, and action levels of EIDs, with a high degree of satisfaction among the nurses, making it promising for wide use.
10.Efficacy of magnetic traction hyoid suspension surgery in the animal model of OSAHS
Chongwen XU ; Fangli YANG ; Hao DAI ; Qian ZHAO ; Shaoqiang ZHANG ; Jinfeng YAN ; Yanxia BAI ; Jigang BAI
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2023;44(3):460-465
【Objective】 To explore the effectiveness of creating the obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) animal model of glossocoma using the botulinum toxin type A in white rabbits, and to explore the effectiveness and safety of magnetic traction hyoid suspension operation in the OSAHS animal model of glossocoma. 【Methods】 A total of 12 adult male experimental white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups. The animals in the experimental group were injected with 0.4 mL (10 U) of botulinum toxin type A in the genioglossus muscle to construct the OSAHS animal model of glossocoma. The animals in the control group were injected with 0.4 mL of normal saline. We designed and 3D printed a polyacrylate shell that could be loaded with inner and outer neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) magnets. After the modeling, a polyacrylate shell with the inner magnet device was fixed on the hyoid bone of the animals in the experimental group. All animals in the experimental group wore the polyacrylate orthotic neck brace containing the outer magnet 10 days after the operation. The arterial blood oxygen detector was used to record the oxygen saturation (SaO

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail