1.Clinical and Mechanistic Research Progress on Classical Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulas in Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure
Guo YANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Ziyang YUAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):256-265
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a clinical syndrome characterized by impaired ventricular ejection function due to cardiac abnormalities, representing the terminal stage of most cardiovascular diseases. With its rising prevalence and significant impact on patients' quality of life, CHF has emerged as a major global public health concern. Current Western medicine treatments mainly involve the oral administration of the "new quadruple therapy" drugs and diuretics. Despite substantial progress in pathological research and clinical treatment, challenges persist, including considerable side effects, drug resistance, and marked interindividual variability in therapeutic response. Therefore, exploring and leveraging the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating CHF has become an urgent research priority. TCM has a millennia-long history in the prevention and treatment of heart failure, accumulating extensive clinical experience. Characterized by its multi-component and multi-target properties, TCM enables holistic regulation of multiple systemic functions and intervention in the progression of heart failure, demonstrating significant clinical relevance in its management. By employing therapeutic strategies such as warming Yang, promoting diuresis, replenishing Qi, nourishing Yin, and activating blood circulation, TCM effectively improves myocardial fibrosis, inhibits oxidative stress responses, enhances myocardial contractility, and ameliorates ventricular remodeling. Modern proprietary Chinese medicines derived from classic formulas, based on the theoretical foundation of traditional prescriptions, not only exhibit favorable clinical efficacy but also offer notable advantages in convenience, stability, and safety. This review systematically examined the significant therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of classical TCM formulas in the treatment of CHF, and provided an overview of the clinical application of modern proprietary Chinese medicines. It aims to provide new strategies for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CHF.
2.Network meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of dual amoxicillin-based regimens for Helicobacter pylori eradication
Ziwen SONG ; Xinmiao YUAN ; Liyuan LUO ; Yufang HE ; Lingshu YANG ; Yixu HUANG ; Jianpeng SHE ; Peihan WEI ; Sihan GUO ; Fei DUAN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(8):1074-1079
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of amoxicillin combined with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) or potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB) for Helicobacter pylori (Hp) eradication. METHODS Randomized controlled trial (RCTs) on amoxicillin combined with PPI or P-CAB for Hp eradication were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP data. The search time frame was from database inception to September 5, 2025. After literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment, a network meta-analysis was performed using Stata 17.0 software. RESULTS A total of 12 RCTs involving 5 515 patients were included, encompassing 8 therapeutic regimens: PPI combined with high-dose amoxicillin for 14 days (TR1), PPI combined with low-dose amoxicillin for 14 days (TR2), P-CAB combined with high-dose amoxicillin for 7 days (TR3), P-CAB combined with high-dose amoxicillin for 14 days (TR4), P-CAB combined with high-dose amoxicillin for 10 days (TR5), P-CAB combined with low-dose amoxicillin for 7 days (TR6), P-CAB combined with low-dose amoxicillin for 14 days (TR7), and P-CAB combined with low-dose amoxicillin for 10 days (TR8). The network meta-analysis results showed that, in terms of intention-to-treat Hp eradication rates, the eradication rates of TR5 and TR4 were significantly higher than those of TR3, TR8, TR6 and TR1 ( P <0.05). The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values from highest to lowest were: TR4 (89.7%)>TR5 (82.3%)>TR7 (71.5%)> TR2 (48.6%)>TR1 (43.9%)>TR8 (28.7%)>TR3 (22.7%)>TR6 (12.6%). Regarding safety, the incidence of adverse reactions in TR3 and TR5 was significantly lower than that in TR1 ( P <0.05). The SUCRA values from highest to lowest were: TR1 (91.3%)>TR4 (79.8%)>TR5 (55.0%)>TR7 (50.9%)>TR8 (41.3%)>TR2 (36.4%)>TR3 (27.6%) >TR6 (17.7%). CONCLUSIONS Although the regimen of P-CAB combined with high-dose amoxicillin for 14 days demonstrates the best efficacy, the combination of P-CAB with high-dose amoxicillin for 10 days exhibits a better balanced profile in terms of both efficacy and safety.
3.Exploring on Quality Evaluation Methods of Clinical Case Reports in Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on China Clinical Cases Library of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Kaige ZHANG ; Feng ZHANG ; Bo ZHOU ; Haimin CHEN ; Yong ZHU ; Changcheng HOU ; Liangzhen YOU ; Weijun HUANG ; Jie YANG ; Guoshuang ZHU ; Shukun GONG ; Jianwen HE ; Yang YE ; Yuqiu AN ; Chunquan SUN ; Qingjie YUAN ; Buman LI ; Xingzhong FENG ; Kegang CAO ; Hongcai SHANG ; Jihua GUO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Zhining TIAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):271-276
As the core vehicle for preserving and transmitting traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) academic thought and clinical experience, the establishment of a robust quality evaluation system for TCM clinical case reports is a crucial component in the current standardization and modernization of TCM. Based on the practical experience of constructing the China Clinical Cases Library of Traditional Chinese Medicine by the China Association of Chinese Medicine, this study conducted a comprehensive analysis of critical challenges, including insufficient authenticity and unfocused evaluation criteria. It proposed a three-dimensional evaluation framework grounded in the structure-process-outcome logic, encompassing three dimensions of authenticity and standardization, characteristics and advantages, application and translational impact. This framework integrated 12 key evaluation indicators in a systematic manner. The model preserved the academic characteristics of TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment, while aligning with modern scientific research standards, achieving a balance between individualized TCM experience and standardized evaluation. Concurrently, this study provided theoretical foundations and methodological guidance for evaluating the quality of TCM clinical cases, contributing significantly to the inheritance of TCM knowledge, evidence-based practice, and the reform of talent evaluation mechanisms.
4.Efficacy of modified Wendan Decoction combined with antipsychotic drugs in the treatment of schizophrenia and its impact on patients' cognitive function: a Meta-analysis
Jiaxuan YUAN ; Fei GUO ; Chen ZHAO ; Ailing DU ; Yongxin CHEN ; Shichang YANG
Sichuan Mental Health 2026;39(2):183-192
BackgroundSchizophrenia, as a common chronic mental disorder, although second-generation antipsychotic drugs have shown significant efficacy in alleviating positive symptoms, the widespread cognitive dysfunction among patients remains a challenge in clinical treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine has unique advantages in the treatment of mental disorders. However, the current clinical research on the combination of Wendan Decoction and antipsychotic drugs for schizophrenia varies in quality, and there is a lack of systematic reviews evaluating its effects on cognitive improvement and safety. ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the effects of modified Wendan Decoction combined with antipsychotic drugs on schizophrenia symptoms and cognitive improvement, providing evidence-based support for the clinical application of Wendan Decoction. MethodsLiterature searches were conducted in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP Information, China Biomedical Literature Service System, China Clinical Trial Registry, PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Embase to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of modified Wendan Decoction combined with antipsychotic drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia. The search period was from the establishment of the databases to March 19, 2026. The quality of the included literature was evaluated using the Cochrane 6.3. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. ResultsA total of 11 studies were included, involving 1 130 patients with schizophrenia. Among them, 566 cases were in the study group (receiving modified Wendan Decoction combined with antipsychotic drugs), and 564 cases were in the control group (receiving antipsychotic drugs only). Meta-analysis showed that the effective rate of improvement in psychotic symptoms in the study group was higher than that in the control group (RR=1.21,95% CI: 1.15–1.27, P<0.01). In terms of psychotic symptoms, the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) positive symptom score (MD=-3.69, 95% CI: -5.87–-1.51, P<0.01) and PANSS total score (MD=-9.20, 95% CI: -11.80–-6.59, P<0.01) of the study group were lower than those of the control group. In cognitive function assessments, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score (MD=2.51, 95% CI: 1.33–3.68, P<0.01) and the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA) score (MD=11.85, 95% CI: 2.55–21.15, P=0.010) of the study group were higher than those of the control group, and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) score was lower than that of the control group (MD=-9.34, 95% CI: -12.57–-6.11, P<0.01). The levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (SMD=1.34, 95% CI: 0.63–2.05, P<0.01) and nerve growth factor (NGF) (MD=6.94, 95% CI: 4.00–9.89, P<0.01) of the study group were higher than those of the control group. In terms of safety, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (RR=0.60, 95% CI: 0.31–1.18, P=0.14). ConclusionThe modified Wendan Decoction combined with antipsychotic drugs may be more effective than antipsychotic drugs alone in improving positive symptoms and cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia, and it also exerts a favorable neurotrophic regulatory effect. [Funded by Postgraduate Education Reform and Quality Improvement Project of Henan Province (number, YJS2023AL060); Key Scientific Research Projects of Higher Education Institutions in Henan Province (number, 24B320018, 25B310004)]
5.A Randomized Controlled Trial of Stone Needle Thermocompression and Massage for Treating Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in the Shoulder and Back:A Secondary Analysis of Muscle Elasticity as a Mediator
Jingjing QIAN ; Yuanjing LI ; Li LI ; Yawei XI ; Ying WANG ; Cuihua GUO ; Jiayan ZHOU ; Yaxuan SUN ; Shu LIU ; Guangjing YANG ; Na YUAN ; Xiaofang YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(9):935-940
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of stone needle thermocompression and massage compared to flurbiprofen gel patch in relieving chronic musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and back, and to explore the potential mediating mechanism through muscle elasticity. MethodsA total of 120 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and back were randomly assigned to either stone needle group or flurbiprofen group, with 60 patients in each. The stone needle group received stone needle thermocompression and massage for 30 minutes, three times per week; the flurbiprofen group received flurbiprofen gel patch twice daily. Both groups were treated for 2 weeks. Pain improvement, as the primary outcome, was assessed using the Global Pain Scale (GPS) at baseline, after 2 weeks of treatment, and again 2 weeks post-treatment. To explore potential mechanisms, a mediator analysis was conducted by measuring changes in superficial and deep muscle elasticity using musculoskeletal ultrasound at baseline and after the 2-week treatment period. ResultsThe stone needle group showed significantly greater pain relief than the flurbiprofen group 2 weeks post-treatment. After adjusting for confounders related to pain duration, the between-group mean difference was -8.8 [95% CI (-18.2, -0.7), P<0.05]. Part of the therapeutic effect was mediated by changes in deep muscle elasticity, with a mediation effect size of -1.5 [95% CI (-2.0, -0.9), P = 0.024], accounting for 17.9% of the total effect. ConclusionStone needle thermocompression and massage can effectively relieve chronic musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and back, partly through a mediating effect of improved deep muscle elasticity.
6.Review on alcohol exposure associated embryonic stem cell differentiation mechanisms
Jing GAO ; Bingchun LIU ; Hong CHEN ; Peixin XU ; Xin GUO ; Jianlong YUAN ; Yang LIU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(5):637-643
Alcohol exposure, as a widespread environmental factor, is highly toxic and teratogenic. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are pluripotent and key to development, and their gene expression is tightly regulated, allowing the cells to differentiate without self-renewal. Numerous studies showed that alcohol is an important factor affecting the differentiation of ESCs. In this paper, we systematically summarized four major molecular mechanisms underlying alcohol associated differentiation of ESCs: (1) inhibition of the Wnt signaling pathway; (2) restriction of the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) pathway; (3) alteration of the expression of pluripotent transcription factors; and (4) activation of the nuclear transcriptional program. Through the above mechanisms, alcohol induces aberrant expression of differentiation-related genes and alters the direction of cellular differentiation towards specific lineages, thereby affecting normal embryonic development. Based on the studies on ESCs modeling and other in vitro and in vivo differentiation experiments, the molecular basis of how alcohol affects differentiation by interfering with signaling networks and transcriptional regulation was elucidated, and the results of current research in this field were also summarized, which is crucial for understanding alcohol-mediated toxic effects.
7.The impact of internet use on the well-being of the elderly in China:A trajectory-based analysis
Jing GUO ; Pei WANG ; He LIU ; Yuan YAO ; Yan-xi HU ; Yao YANG
Chinese Journal of Health Policy 2025;18(10):40-48
Objective:To identify the developmental trajectories of internet use and well-being among the elderly in China,and to explore the dynamic relationship between these trajectories and the moderating role of intergenerational support from children.Methods:Group-Based Trajectory Modeling was employed to identify developmental trajectories,and moderated generalized logits models were used to analyze the relationship between trajectories and the moderating effect of intergenerational support from children.Results:Both internet use and well-being among the elderly exhibited differentiated developmental trajectories.Internet use trajectories had a significant positive impact on well-being trajectories.Compared with the low-level group,the elderly in the moderate internet use group being classified into the medium-and high-level well-being groups were 1.550 times(P<0.01)and 1.539 times(P<0.05)those of the offline group respectively,while those in the high-frequency internet use group were 9.560 times(P<0.01)and 9.030 times(P<0.01),respectively.Intergenerational support from children negatively moderated this relationship(medium-level well-being group:OR=0.768,P<0.05;high-level well-being group:OR=0.733,P<0.05).Conclusions:Internet use can sustainably enhance the well-being of the elderly over the long term,with this effect being more pronounced among those receiving less intergenerational support from children.It is recommended to establish a dual-track service system integrating online and offline channels,and to prioritize internet empowerment as a targeted social support strategy for the elderly with insufficient intergenerational support from children.
8.Therapeutic effect of neurosurgical robot-assisted stereotactic puncture and drainage for brain abscess
Xu RAN ; Jing-peng LIU ; Ju-hong PENG ; Zuo-xin ZHANG ; Yuan XIE ; Yan XIANG ; Lin YANG ; Jin-bo YIN ; Guo-long LIU ; Sheng-qing LYU
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(11):987-992
Objective To evaluate the clinical outcome of neurosurgical robot-assisted stereotactic puncture and drainage for brain abscess.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 53 patients with brain abscess admitted to our hospital from January 2018 to December 2024.Among them,29 cases underwent craniotomy for abscess resection(craniotomy group),while 24 cases received neurosurgical robot-assisted stereotactic puncture and drainage(robot-assisted group).The operation time,intraoperative blood loss,decompressive craniectomy rate,proportion of postoperative antibiotic regimen adjustment,postoperative hospital stay,incidence of postoperative complications,mortality rate and Glasgow outcome scale(GOS)scores 6 months after surgery of patients were compared between the two groups.Results Compared with the craniotomy group,the robot-assisted group demonstrated significantly shorter operation time,less intraoperative blood loss,and lower incidence of postoperative complication,the differences were all statistically significant(P<0.05).However,there were no statistically significant differences in terms of decompressive craniectomy rate,postoperative hospital stay,mortality rate,GOS score,or proportion of the postoperative antibiotic regimen adjustment between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion As a precise and minimally invasive surgical method,neurosurgical robot-assisted stereotactic puncture and drainage for patients with brain abscess can effectively improve the operational efficiency,shorten the operation time,reduce intraoperative injury,and lower the risk of postoperative complications.It has high clinical application value and potential for widespread adoption.
9.Effect of health knowledge and social support on health behaviors in patients with ischemic stroke: the dual mediating effects of health belief and depression
Yuying GUO ; Mengyu ZHANG ; Xinxin ZHOU ; Yuying XIE ; Peng ZHAO ; Juanjuan WANG ; Caixia YANG ; Yuanli GUO ; Ao YUAN ; Qinyang LI ; Shuo DU ; Yanjin LIU ; Lina GUO
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(11):1018-1024
Objective:To explore the dual mediating effects of health belief and depression among health knowledge, social support, and health behaviors based on the capacity, opportunity, motivation-behavior (COM-B) model, and analyze the influencing factors of health behaviors in patients with ischemic stroke.Methods:This multi-center cluster sampling research recruited ischemic stroke patients ( n=1 696) who were hospitalized in neurology departments of five tertiary hospitals in Henan Province from October 2023 to October 2024. A cross-sectional investigation was conducted using the general information questionnaire, social support rating scale (SSRS), stroke prevention knowledge questionnaire(SPKQ), short form health belief model scale(SF-HBMS), health promoting lifestyle profile-Ⅱ (HPLP-Ⅱ), and patient health questionnaire-9(PHQ-9) to ultimately reveal the pathways and effect sizes among variables. Partial correlation analysis and multiple linear stepwise regression analysis were conducted to examine the relationships among social support, health knowledge, health belief, health behaviors, and depression in stroke patients by SPSS 26.0 software. Structural equation modeling was constructed using AMOS 28.0 software, and the mediating effect was tested using the Bootstrap method. Results:The scores of social support, health knowledge, health belief, and health behaviors among ischemic stroke patients were (37.46±9.94), (26.56±6.84), (75.62±12.62) and (130.79±26.27), respectively. The score of depression was 5.00 (2.00, 8.00). Health behaviors were positively correlated with health knowledge, social support, and health belief( r=0.333, 0.246, 0.267, all P<0.05), while negatively correlated with depression ( r=-0.146, P<0.05). Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis showed that health knowledge, social support, health belief, and depression were all influencing factors of health behaviors in ischemic stroke patients (all P<0.05). Health belief (effect value=0.068, 95% CI=0.048-0.093) and depression (effect value=0.009, 95% CI=0.003-0.018) both played partial mediating roles between health knowledge and health behaviors, accounting for 17.3%(0.077/0.446) of the total effect. Meanwhile, health belief (effect value=0.045, 95% CI=0.029-0.063) and depression (effect value=0.016, 95% CI=0.008-0.027) both played partial mediating roles between social support and health behaviors, accounting for 26.5%(0.061/0.230) of the total effect. Conclusion:Health knowledge and social support can not only directly influence health behaviors but also indirectly affect them through health belief and depression in patients with ischemic stroke.
10.Effect of histone methyltransferase SMYD2 on macrophage-myofibro-blast transition-promoted renal fibrosis in diabetic kidney disease
Yuan YANG ; Rui PENG ; Zeying LIU ; Xue ZOU ; Xia LI ; Huixiong YUAN ; Hehua LONG ; Teng WANG ; Mingjie CEN ; Bing GUO ; Liying ZHU ; Lirong LIU
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(2):239-249
AIM:This study aims to investigate the role of histone methyltransferase SET and MYND domain containing 2(SMYD2)in facilitating renal fibrosis through the macrophage-myofibroblast transition in diabetic kidney dis-ease(DKD).METHODS:(1)C57BL/6J mice were intraperitoneally administered 55 mg/kg of streptozotocin to induce diabetes mellitus(DM).The experimental groups were categorized as follows:normal control,DM(20 weeks),DM(28 weeks),and DM(36 weeks).Blood glucose(BG),serum creatinine(SCr)and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)levels were determined using a biochemical analyzer.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and Masson staining were performed to assess morphological and fibrotic changes in renal tissues.Western blot analysis was used to measure the protein levels of SMYD2,histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation(H3K4me3),arginase-1,matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9),collagen type Ⅰ(Col Ⅰ)and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA).Immunofluorescence staining was conducted to examine the localization and expression of F4/80,α-SMA,SMYD2,CD86,CD206 and CD163.(2)Mouse monocyte/macrophage RAW264.7 cells were cultured in vitro and assigned to groups as follows:normal glucose(NG)+negative control siRNA(siNC),high glucose(HG)+siNC,NG+SMYD2 siRNA(siSMYD2),and HG+siSMYD2.Western blot analysis was used to assess the expression of relevant proteins.RESULTS:(1)Compared with normal control group,the levels of BG,SCr and BUN were significantly elevated in DM(28 weeks)and DM(36 weeks)groups(P<0.05).Renal tissue exhibited tubular atro-phy,dilation,and collagen fiber deposition.The levels of H3K4me3,arginase-1,MMP9,Col Ⅰ and α-SMA proteins were up-regulated(P<0.05).The CD86,CD206,CD163 and F4/80 were primarily localized in the interstitial macrophages of the renal tubules,α-SMA was predominantly detected in the renal interstitium,and SMYD2 was mainly expressed in renal tubular epithelial cells and the renal interstitium.(2)Compared with NG+siNC group,the protein levels of SMYD2,H3K4me3,arginase-1,CD163,Col Ⅰ,α-SMA,transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)and p-Smad3 in the cells of HG+siNC group were significantly increased(P<0.05).Knockdown of SMYD2 resulted in a reduction of these indicators(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The SMYD2 protein appears to facilitate renal fibrosis in DKD by promoting the macrophage-myofibroblast transition,potentially through the modulation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway.

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