1.A Novel Risk Prediction Model for Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine Spleen Deficiency and Blood Stasis Syndromes and Gastric Stem Cell Dynamics
Qingqing ZHANG ; Di WU ; Fengyun GUO ; Shengnan YANG ; Ruiying ZHANG ; Lijing BAO ; Ping WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):191-200
ObjectiveTo construct a risk prediction model for chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) that combines disease and syndrome by integrating spleen deficiency and blood stasis syndrome scores, gastric stem cell marker analysis, and network pharmacology and to elucidate the mechanism link between spleen deficiency, blood stasis, and gastric stem cell dysregulation. MethodsA total of 60 patients were stratified into high-risk CAG, low-risk CAG, and non-atrophic groups based on the operative link for gastritis assessment (OLGA)/operative link for gastric intestinal metaplasia assessment (OLGIM) stages. General data and syndrome scores of the patients were collected. Immunohistochemistry was employed to measure the protein levels of leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5), trefoil factor 2 (TFF2), and β-catenin in gastric mucosa across groups. Transcriptomic data (GSE130823) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were analyzed to validate the expression of these molecular markers at the gene level. A Firth penalized maximum likelihood logistic regression model was employed to integrate clinical, molecular, and TCM syndrome data to develop a CAG risk prediction model. Finally, network pharmacology analysis was conducted on spleen-invigorating herbs (Astragali Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, and Dioscorea Rhizoma) and blood-activating herbs (Hedyotis diffusa, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and Curcumae Rhizoma) to identify overlapping targets between these herbs and differentially expressed genes between low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN) and gastritis, thereby clarifying the role of spleen deficiency and blood stasis in CAG progression from a pharmacological perspective. ResultsHigh-risk CAG patients exhibited higher blood stasis scores (4.60±1.50,2.62±1.32, P<0.01), progressive nuclear accumulation of β-catenin (A 0.28-0.53, P<0.01), and an increased LGR5+/TFF2+ ratio (A 1.02-1.92, P<0.01). Blood stasis scores were correlated with LGR5/TFF2 imbalance (P=0.03) and activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway (CTNNB1 increase, log2=0.78). The integrated prediction model (blood stasis score≥5 + β-catenin>0.38 + LGR5/TFF2>1.5) outperformed a pure biomarker approach [Area Under the Curve (AUC) 0.92,0.89, ΔAUC=0.03, P=0.02]. Moreover, network pharmacology revealed 66 overlapping targets between spleen-invigorating/blood-activating herbs and LGIN, which were functionally enriched in mucosal repair and anti-oxidative stress, and negatively correlated with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway (P<0.01). ConclusionThis study developed an integrated risk prediction model for CAG by combining TCM spleen deficiency and blood stasis syndromes with gastric stem cell molecular markers. Furthermore, it proposed for the first time the "blood stasis-Wnt/β-catenin-stem cell axis" hypothesis, preliminarily elucidating that spleen deficiency and blood stasis may exacerbate gastric stem cell dysregulation and promote malignant transformation of CAG through hypoxia-induced Wnt activation. This provides a theoretical foundation and a translational tool for risk stratification and multi-target TCM intervention in CAG.
2.A Novel Risk Prediction Model for Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine Spleen Deficiency and Blood Stasis Syndromes and Gastric Stem Cell Dynamics
Qingqing ZHANG ; Di WU ; Fengyun GUO ; Shengnan YANG ; Ruiying ZHANG ; Lijing BAO ; Ping WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):191-200
ObjectiveTo construct a risk prediction model for chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) that combines disease and syndrome by integrating spleen deficiency and blood stasis syndrome scores, gastric stem cell marker analysis, and network pharmacology and to elucidate the mechanism link between spleen deficiency, blood stasis, and gastric stem cell dysregulation. MethodsA total of 60 patients were stratified into high-risk CAG, low-risk CAG, and non-atrophic groups based on the operative link for gastritis assessment (OLGA)/operative link for gastric intestinal metaplasia assessment (OLGIM) stages. General data and syndrome scores of the patients were collected. Immunohistochemistry was employed to measure the protein levels of leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5), trefoil factor 2 (TFF2), and β-catenin in gastric mucosa across groups. Transcriptomic data (GSE130823) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were analyzed to validate the expression of these molecular markers at the gene level. A Firth penalized maximum likelihood logistic regression model was employed to integrate clinical, molecular, and TCM syndrome data to develop a CAG risk prediction model. Finally, network pharmacology analysis was conducted on spleen-invigorating herbs (Astragali Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, and Dioscorea Rhizoma) and blood-activating herbs (Hedyotis diffusa, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and Curcumae Rhizoma) to identify overlapping targets between these herbs and differentially expressed genes between low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN) and gastritis, thereby clarifying the role of spleen deficiency and blood stasis in CAG progression from a pharmacological perspective. ResultsHigh-risk CAG patients exhibited higher blood stasis scores (4.60±1.50,2.62±1.32, P<0.01), progressive nuclear accumulation of β-catenin (A 0.28-0.53, P<0.01), and an increased LGR5+/TFF2+ ratio (A 1.02-1.92, P<0.01). Blood stasis scores were correlated with LGR5/TFF2 imbalance (P=0.03) and activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway (CTNNB1 increase, log2=0.78). The integrated prediction model (blood stasis score≥5 + β-catenin>0.38 + LGR5/TFF2>1.5) outperformed a pure biomarker approach [Area Under the Curve (AUC) 0.92,0.89, ΔAUC=0.03, P=0.02]. Moreover, network pharmacology revealed 66 overlapping targets between spleen-invigorating/blood-activating herbs and LGIN, which were functionally enriched in mucosal repair and anti-oxidative stress, and negatively correlated with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway (P<0.01). ConclusionThis study developed an integrated risk prediction model for CAG by combining TCM spleen deficiency and blood stasis syndromes with gastric stem cell molecular markers. Furthermore, it proposed for the first time the "blood stasis-Wnt/β-catenin-stem cell axis" hypothesis, preliminarily elucidating that spleen deficiency and blood stasis may exacerbate gastric stem cell dysregulation and promote malignant transformation of CAG through hypoxia-induced Wnt activation. This provides a theoretical foundation and a translational tool for risk stratification and multi-target TCM intervention in CAG.
3.Association of tobacco/alcohol-excessive Internet usage and insufficient sleep with depressive symptoms among middle school students
BAO Xiaoyan, HUANG Yuting, DU Wei, LUO Chunyan, YANG Dongling, ZHANG Zhe, FAN Lijun, ZHANG Fengyun
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(11):1609-1613
Objective:
To explore the association of tobacco/alcohol-excessive Internet usage and insufficient sleep with depressive symptoms among middle school students, so as to provide a reference for improving mental health of middle school students.
Methods:
In accordance with the cluster random sampling method, a total of 18 484 middle school students in Shanghai were surveyed from September to November 2022. Tobacco/alcohol-excessive Internet usage and sleep duration with depressive symptoms were assessed using the relevant scale items included in the questionnaire of Surveillance for Common Disease and Health Risk Factors among Students. The χ 2 test was used for inter group comparison, Logistic regression analysis and likelihood ratio test were used to analyze the independent and aggregated associations of tobacco/alcohol-excessive Internet use and insufficient sleep wiht depressive symptoms.
Results:
Self reported rates of tobacco/alcohol-excessive Internet usage, insufficient sleep and depressive symptoms among adolescents were 14.7%, 73.5% and 16.3%, respectively. Tobacco/alcohol-excessive Internet usage ( OR=2.69, 95%CI =2.44-2.97) and insufficient sleep ( OR=1.76, 95%CI =1.58-1.95) were associated with depressive symptoms ( P <0.05). Compared to middle school students with no tobacco/alcohol-excessive Internet usage and sufficient sleep, those with both tobacco/alcohol-excessive Internet usage and insufficient sleep showed the higher rate of depressive symptoms ( OR=4.71, 95%CI =4.08-5.44, P <0.05). Further stratified analysis results showed that, compared to the boys and the high school students, the separate and joint association of tobacco/alcohol-excessive Internet usage and insufficient sleep with depressive symptoms were more pronounced in the girls and the middle school students [ OR (95% CI ) for tobacco/alcohol-excessive Internet usage were 3.09 (2.68-3.56) and 4.74 (3.86-5.83), respectively; OR (95% CI ) for insufficient sleep were 1.86 (1.60-2.17) and 2.00 (1.58-2.53), respectively; and the OR (95% CI ) for the joint association were 6.05 (5.01-7.31) and 9.15 (6.98-11.99), respectively, P <0.05].
Conclusions
Tobacco/alcohol-excessive Internet usage and insufficient sleep are associated with depressive symptoms in middle school students. Prevention and control strategies for adolescent mental health should be developed with consideration of health related behaviors, and also need to be tailored by focusing on gender and grade differences.
4.Preliminary study on the mechanism of infertility in female SD rats with spontaneous dwarfism
Hong LONG ; Chunmao HUO ; Kang LI ; Fengyun BAO ; Tingyang QIN ; Yujia ZHAO ; Shibin ZHANG
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2023;31(11):1415-1422
Objective To investigate the causes of infertility and its pathological mechanism in female SD rats with spontaneous dwarfism(short stature rat,SSR).Methods Adult wildtype and SSR female SD rats were used in this study.A vaginal smear was used to observe changes in the motile cycle.Ovulation promotion was compared using the simultaneous estrus supernumerary ovulation method.Ovarian and uterine weight and body weight,and ovarian and uterine indices were measured.AMH,E2,FSH,LH,and FSH/LH levels in serum were measured.Transcriptome sequencing of ovarian tissues was performed to analyze gene expression differences.Results No abnormalities were observed in the estrous cycle of SSR female rats.The body weight of SSR female rats was significantly lower than that of wildtype rats,and their ovarian and uterine indices were significantly higher than that of wildtype rats.The mean number of ovulations was significantly higher in wildtype rats than in SSR female infertile rats(P<0.001).Serum AMH(P<0.01)and E2(P<0.05)levels were significantly higher in wildtype rats than in SSR female infertile rats,and serum levels of FSH,LH,and FSH/LH(P<0.05)were significantly lower in SSR infertile females than in SSR infertile rats,while PROG showed no significant difference.Transcriptome sequencing yielded 250 differentially expressed genes,including 190 upregulated and 60 downregulated genes.p53 signaling pathway and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction.The MCC,MNC,EPC,and degree calculations of the CytoHubba plug-in were used to screen the top 10 significant nodes.The intersection was used to finally obtain nine hub genes,namely Cxcl1,Cxcl2,IL1a,IL1b,Cd80,Mmp13,Mmp8,Fgf3,and Ptgs2.Conclusions Infertility in SSR female rats may be related to a decreased ovarian reserve function and poor ovarian response.Cxcl1,Cxcl2,IL1a,IL1b,Cd80,Mmp13,Mmp8,Fgf3,and Ptgs2 were associated with infertility,laying a theoretical foundation to further explore infertility mechanisms.


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