1.Mechanism of Shenmai Injection to Improve Cisplatin Resistance in NSCLC Based on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Through PERK/ATF4/CHOP Signaling Pathway
Shengnan GUO ; Hao CAO ; Dan WANG ; Wenjun LIU ; Jianguang WANG ; Jialu LYU ; Chun WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):70-78
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Shenmai injection in improving cisplatin resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) based on the endoplasmic reticulum stress through protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)/activated transcription factor 4 (ATF4)/C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) signaling pathway. MethodsBALB/c nude mice bearing cisplatin-resistant human lung cancer cell line (A549/cisplatin) were randomly divided into four groups: Blank control group (0.9% sodium chloride), cisplatin group (5 µg·g-1cisplatin), Shenmai injection group (5.2 mg·g-1 Shenmai injection), and combination therapy group (5.2 mg·g-1 Shenmai injection +5 µg·g-1cisplatin). The drug intervention lasted for 4 weeks, and the changes in body weight and tumor volume were monitored. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe tumor tissue pathology. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to assess the morphology of the endoplasmic reticulum. Immunohistochemical assay was conducted to measure the positive expressions of PERK, ATF4, and CHOP in tumor tissues. Western blot quantified the protein expression of immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein (BIP), PERK, phosphorylated PERK (p-PERK), eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α), phosphorylated eIF2α (p-eIF2α), ATF4, CHOP, B-cell lymphoma -2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2 Associated X protein (Bax). A549/cis cells were divided into blank group: Blank control group (normal culture medium), cisplatin group (23.3 µmol·L-1 cisplatin), Shenmai Injection group (20 g·L-1 Shenmai injection), and combination therapy group (20 g·L-1 Shenmai injection+23.3 µmol·L-1 cisplatin). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method was used to detect cell viability, TEM was used to observe the morphology of endoplasmic reticulum, and Western blot was used to detect endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis-related proteins. ResultsCompared with the cisplatin group, the combination therapy group showed increased body weight (P<0.05), decreased tumor volume (P<0.05), and expanded endoplasmic reticulum in tumor cells. The positive expressions of PERK, ATF4, and CHOP increased (P<0.05). Western blot revealed elevated protein expression levels of BIP, p-PERK/PERK, p-eIF2α/eIF2α, ATF4, CHOP, and Bax (P<0.05), while Bcl-2 expression decreased (P<0.05). As shown in the in vitro experiment, compared with the cisplatin group, the combination therapy group exhibited a reduced cell survival rate (P<0.05). TEM revealed increased endoplasmic reticulum dilation and vesicular degeneration. Western blotting showed increased protein levels of BIP, p-PERK/PERK, p-eIF2α/eIF2α, ATF4, CHOP and Bax (P<0.05), with decreased Bcl-2 expression (P<0.05). ConclusionShenmai injection combined with cisplatin has a synergistic antitumor effect in NSCLC, which may be attributed to the activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress response mediated by the PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway and the induction of tumor cell apoptosis.
2.Thromboelastographic features of patients with primary liver cancer and their value in assessing coagulation function
Chunjuan YE ; Chun ZHANG ; Jialu LI ; Sinan LIU ; Zheng WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):111-116
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical application value of thromboelastographic parameters in assessing coagulation function by analyzing the thromboelastographic features of patients with primary liver cancer (PLC), and to provide a basis for coagulation management and prognostic evaluation in liver cancer patients. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for 1 253 PLC patients who were admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University from May 2015 to December 2022. According to the presence or absence of cirrhosis, the patients were divided into non-cirrhosis group with 262 patients and cirrhosis group with 991 patients, and according to the presence or absence of HBV infection, they were divided into HBV infection group with 1 055 patients and non-HBV infection group with 198 patients. The patients were stratified based on the severity of liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh class and MELD score) and liver reserve function (indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes [ICGR15]), and thromboelastography was used to measure thromboelastographic parameters (reaction time [R], coagulation formation time [K], α-angle, maximum thrombosis amplitude [MA], and coagulation composite index [CI]) and conventional coagulation markers. The t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups; a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the Bonferroni correction method was used for further comparison between two groups. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between grouips, and the Spearman test was used for correlation analysis. ResultsAmong the 991 patients in the cirrhosis group, 826 had Child-Pugh class A (5 — 6 points), and 165 had Child-Pugh class B (7 — 9 points); 812 had an MELD score of <10, and 179 had an MELD score of ≥10; 679 had an ICGR15 of <10%, and 294 had an ICGR15 of ≥10%. Compared with the patients with Child-Pugh class A, the patients with Child-Pugh class B had a significantly longer K time and significant reductions in α-angle, MA, and CI (all P <0.001); compared with the MELD score <10 group, the MELD score ≥10 group had a significantly longer K time and significant reductions in α-angle, MA, and CI (all P<0.001); compared with the ICGR15 <10% group, the ICGR15 ≥10% group had a significantly longer K time and a significant reduction in MA (both P <0.001). Among the 1 253 patients, MA was strongly positively correlated with fibrinogen and platelet count (r=0.675 and 0.667, both P<0.001); The MA had a weak correlation with Child-Pugh score, MELD score, and ICGR15 (r=-0.112, -0.250, and -0.117, all P<0.001), while the K time,α-angle and CI were weakly correlated with the MELD score (r=0.222, -0.184, and -0.183, all P<0.001),R time was negatively correlated with ICGR15 (r=-0.080, P=0.005). The HBV infection group had significantly higher MA and CI than the non-HBV infection group (P<0.05). ConclusionThromboelastography can sensitively identify the hypocoagulable state associated with the progression of liver cirrhosis and the hypercoagulable tendency in HBV-related liver cancer, which provides an important reference for individualized anticoagulant therapy in clinical practice.
3.Erchentang Ameliorates SiO2-induced Lung Injury by Regulating Oxidative Stress and Metabolic Disorders via Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway
Jun LU ; Xinyi ZHU ; Ziyi LIU ; Jixia HU ; Jialu CHEN ; Rong XIAO ; Zhibin WANG ; Chang LIU ; Fangguo LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):32-42
ObjectiveTo observe the protective effect of Erchentang (ECT) on SiO2-induced lung injury in rats and to explore its underlying mechanism. MethodsA rat model of lung injury was established by a single intratracheal instillation of 50 mg·mL-1 SiO2 suspension. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned to five groups: control, model, low and high-dose (4.5 g·kg-1·d-1 and 9 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively) ECT, and dexamethasone (0.2 mg·kg-1·d-1). All the groups were treated for 4 consecutive weeks. Histopathological alterations in the lung tissue were examined by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the lung tissue were measured through biochemical assays. The expression of key molecules in the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway was determined by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), Western blot, and immunofluorescence assay. The primary active components of ECT were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), and their binding affinity to Nrf2/HO-1 was assessed by molecular docking. Untargeted metabolomics of the lung tissue was performed based on UPLC-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS), and correlation analysis was performed to identify differential metabolites and parameters closely associated with the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group exhibited a reduction in body weight gain, an increase in lung index, increased MDA content, weakened SOD and GSH-Px activities in the lung tissue, down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Nrf2 and protein levels of HO-1 and GPX4, and an up-regulated protein level of Keap1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Treatment with ECT attenuated the SiO2-induced decline in body weight (P<0.05), alleviated inflammatory cell infiltration and silicotic nodule formation in alveoli, and reduced the MDA content and enhanced the SOD and GSH-Px activities in the lung tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). UPLC-MS/MS and molecular docking revealed that core components of ECT, such as hesperidin and glycyrrhizic acid, displayed strong binding affinity to Nrf2/HO-1. Molecular biological experiments demonstrated that ECT promoted nuclear translocation of Nrf2, up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of HO-1 and GPX4, and down-regulated Keap1 expression (P<0.05, P<0.01). Metabolomic analysis indicated that ECT reversed the SiO2-induced aberrant expression of metabolites, including linoleic acid and glutamine (P<0.05, P<0.01). Correlation analysis showed that Nrf2 and HO-1 were positively correlated with SOD and GSH-Px (P<0.05, P<0.01), but negatively correlated with glutamine and serine (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionECT may activate the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway through its core active components, thereby regulating oxidative stress and metabolic disorders to ameliorate SiO2-induced lung injury in rats. This study provides experimental evidence for ECT in the prevention and treatment of occupational lung injury.
4.Mechanisms of Tongmai Yangxin Pills and Tongxinluo Capsules in Treating Myocardial No-reflow Based on Treating Same Disease with Different Methods
Siqi LIU ; Wenqing YANG ; Ting CHEN ; Yan TANG ; Ju WANG ; Yaxuan PENG ; Haoxue QIN ; Lanyue DENG ; Jialu GONG ; Ning XU ; Shuying ZHANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Ting CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(17):125-133
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms of Tongmai Yangxin pills (TMYX) and Tongxinluo capsules (TXL) in treating no-reflow (NR) after myocardial ischemia and reperfusion following the concept of treating the same disease with different methods, based on integrative pharmacology and experimental validation. MethodsEighty 8-week-old SPF-grade SD rats were randomly assigned into four groups (n=20): sham operation, NR, TMYX (4 g·kg-1), and TXL (2 mg·kg-1). A rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion no-reflow was established by in-situ ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Gastric gavage was first performed 4 h after the operation, and samples were collected on day 7. Thioflavin S staining was used to observe the NR area in rat myocardium. Echocardiography was performed to examine the cardiac function. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was conducted to observe the pathological changes of the myocardial tissue. An automatic biochemical analyzer was adopted to measure myocardial enzyme activity. Then, integrated pharmacology was applied for Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Finally, Western blot was employed to quantify the protein levels of key targets in the myocardial tissue, including soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)/dependent protein kinase (PKG), phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (p-PI3K), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). ResultsCompared with the sham operation group, the NR group showed increased NR area of myocardium, decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), left ventricular fractional shortening (FS), left ventricular outflow tract peak velocity (LVOT Peak), and left ventricular stroke volume (LVSV) (P<0.01), fractured and disordered myocardial fibers as well as inflammatory cell infiltration in the myocardial tissue, enhanced activities of creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the myocardial tissue (P<0.01), and downregulated protein levels of sGC, PKG, phosphorylated (p)-PI3K (Tyr458), and p-Akt (Tyr315) in the myocardial tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). The expression level of HIF-1α protein showed a downward trend. Compared with the NR group, the TMYX group and TXL group exhibited a decreasing trend in myocardial NR area, EF, FS, and LVOT Peak significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), LVSV showed an upward trend, ameliorated myocardial pathological morphology and inflammatory infiltration, reductions in CK, CK-MB, and LDH activities (P<0.05, P<0.01), and upregulated protein levels of sGC, PKG, p-PI3K (Tyr458) in myocardial tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), the protein expressions of p-Akt (Tyr315) and HIF-1α showed an upward trend. A comparison of the therapeutic effects between the two compound prescriptions showed that TMYX tended to exert a better effect in restoring cardiac function and protecting cardiac structure in NR rats, whereas TXL was more effective in reducing myocardial NR area and lowering myocardial enzyme activities in NR rats. Integrative pharmacology analysis combined with experimental verification demonstrated that both TMYX and TXL could alleviate NR through the following mechanisms: activating the cyclic cGMP/PKG signaling pathway to regulate vascular tone, activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to dilate blood vessels, and activating the HIF-1 signaling pathway to inhibit oxidative stress. However, TMYX had an advantage in activating the cGMP/PKG pathway, while TXL was superior in activating the PI3K/Akt pathway. The two compound prescriptions exerted comparable effects on the HIF-1 signaling pathway, which might serve as their common therapeutic pathway. ConclusionBoth TMYX and TXL could alleviate NR damage. TMYX exerts its protective effect against NR mainly by activating the cGMP/PKG signaling pathway, while TXL exerts its effect mainly through the PI3K/Akt pathway. The HIF-1α signaling pathway may be a common pathway for the two compound prescriptions to exert their protective effects against NR. This study reveals the similarities and differences between TMYX and TXL in the treatment effect and mechanism for NR, providing an experimental basis and a theoretical basis for better clinical application of the two compound prescriptions.
5.Buzhong Yiqitang Combined with Cisplatin Inhibits Lung Adenocarcinoma Cell Proliferation by Suppressing PDK1/Akt Signaling Pathway and Regulating Glycolysis
He LI ; Sijia BAI ; Wenjun LIU ; Jianguang WANG ; Jialu LYU ; Chun WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(19):1-12
ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of Buzhong Yiqitang combined with cisplatin on the proliferation of human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells through regulation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway and influence on glycolysis. MethodsTranscriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) was employed to compare the expression of glycolysis-related genes between A549 cells and cisplatin-resistant human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549/DDP). Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was employed to knock down PDK1, and the knockdown efficiency was verified by Western blot and Read-time PCR. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to assess the survival and viability of A549 cells under the following conditions: siRNA negative control+cisplatin (128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 0 μmol·L-1), siPDK1+cisplatin (128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 0 μmol·L-1), and siPDK1+cisplatin (128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 0 μmol·L-1)+Buzhong Yiqitang (10%)-containing serum. The 20% inhibitory concentration (IC20) of the siRNA negative control+cisplatin group (7.832 μmol·L-1) was calculated and used as the subsequent cisplatin concentration. Colony formation assay was performed to evaluate the proliferation of A549 cells. Lactate and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) assay kits were used to measure lactate and ATP production. The mitochondrial membrane potential was detected with the fluorescent probe JC-1. Western blotting was conducted to examine the expression levels of PDK1, phosphorylated (p)-Akt, Akt, pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA). Confocal immunofluorescence was employed to detect PDK1 and p-Akt. ResultsRNA-seq results identified PDK1 as a highly expressed differential gene in glycolysis metabolism between A549 cells and A549/DDP cells, and it was highly expressed in tumor cells. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) revealed upregulated and downregulated genes in glycolysis and gluconeogenesis pathways. Western blot and RT-qPCR confirmed that PDK1-si-2 had the highest transfection efficiency, with a PDK1 knockdown rate exceeding 60%. CCK-8 assay determined the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for each group as (30.698±5.348), (16.372±3.562), (13.237±1.573) μmol·L-1, while the IC20 of cisplatin in siRNA negative control-transfected A549 cells was (7.832±0.672) μmol·L-1. Compared with the siRNA negative control group, the siRNA negative control+cisplatin group showed decreased colony formation rate, reduced lactate production, lowered mitochondrial membrane potential, downregulated protein levels of p-Akt, GLUT1, PDK1, PDH, and LDHA, and reduced PDK1 fluorescence intensity (P<0.05). The siPDK1 group exhibited decreased colony formation rate, reduced lactate production, increased ATP production, lowered mitochondrial membrane potential, downregulated protein levels of p-Akt, PKM2, GLUT1, PDK1, PDH, and LDHA, and reduced PDK1 and p-Akt fluorescence intensity (P<0.05). Compared with the siPDK1 group, the siPDK1+Buzhong Yiqitang group showed decreased colony formation rate, reduced lactate production, downregulated protein levels of PKM2, GLUT1, and PDK1, and reduced PDK1 fluorescence intensity (P<0.05). The siPDK1+cisplatin group exhibited decreased colony formation rate, reduced lactate production, increased ATP production, lowered mitochondrial membrane potential, downregulated protein levels of PKM2, GLUT1, PDK1, and PDH, and reduced PDK1 and p-Akt fluorescence intensity (P<0.05). The siPDK1+cisplatin+Buzhong Yiqitang group demonstrated decreased colony formation rate, reduced lactate production, increased ATP production, lowered mitochondrial membrane potential, downregulated protein levels of p-Akt, PKM2, GLUT1, PDK1, PDH, and LDHA, and reduced PDK1 and p-Akt fluorescence intensity (P<0.05). Compared with the siPDK1+Buzhong Yiqitang group, the siPDK1+cisplatin group showed decreased colony formation rate, downregulated protein levels of p-Akt and PDH, and reduced PDK1 and p-Akt fluorescence intensity (P<0.05). The siPDK1+cisplatin+Buzhong Yiqitang group exhibited decreased colony formation rate, reduced lactate production, increased ATP production, lowered mitochondrial membrane potential, downregulated protein levels of p-Akt, GLUT1, PDH, and LDHA, and reduced PDK1 and p-Akt fluorescence intensity (P<0.05). Compared with the siPDK1+cisplatin group, the siPDK1+cisplatin+Buzhong Yiqitang group showed decreased colony formation rate, increased ATP production, and downregulated protein levels of p-Akt, PKM2, and LDHA (P<0.05). ConclusionBuzhong Yiqitang combined with cisplatin can suppress lung adenocarcinoma cell proliferation by modulating glycolysis through the PDK1/Akt signaling pathway.
6.Efficacy and Mechanism of Shenling Qushi Prescription in Treatment of Hyperuricaemia Mice
Xuan LIU ; Jialu QUE ; Caixia PANG ; Shuhui TAN ; Luyu CHEN ; Yihuan LI ; Xiaofeng LIN ; Qi LIANG ; Cuiling LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(19):197-206
ObjectiveTo investigate the urate-lowering effect of Shenling Qushi prescription in the mouse model of hyperuricaemia. MethodsSixty-three C57BL/6N mice were randomly assigned to the following groups (n=9): Control, model, low-dose (6 g·kg-1) Shenling Qushi prescription, medium-dose (12 g·kg-1) Shenling Qushi prescription, high-dose (24 g·kg-1) Shenling Qushi prescription, medium-dose Shenling Qushi prescription plus febuxostat (12+0.003 g·kg-1), and febuxostat (3 mg·kg-1). A mouse model of persistent hyperuricaemia was established via intraperitoneal injection of potassium oxazolamide (250 mg·kg-1) combined with oral administration of allopurinol (300 mg·kg-1) over a 28-day period. Concurrently, the prescription was administered orally at the specified doses once daily for 21 consecutive days. Throughout the experiment, mouse body weight, food intake, water consumption, and urine output were measured and recorded. Kidney and liver indices were calculated. Renal histopathological changes were observed by haematoxylin and eosin staining. Serum uric acid (SUA) and urinary uric acid (UUA) levels, along with xanthine oxidase (XOD) and adenosine deaminase (ADA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, were determined. Real-time PCR was employed to assess the mRNA levels of urate anion transporter 1 (URAT1) and glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9) in the renal tissue, alongside those of XOD and ADA in the liver tissue. The protein levels of URAT1 and GLUT9 in the renal tissue were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group, model mice exhibited reduced food intake and body weight (P<0.01), decreased water consumption yet increased urine output, no significant change in the liver index but increased kidney index (P<0.01). Pathological findings revealed renal tissue damage including glomerular atrophy, epithelial cell detachment, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Furthermore, the model group exhibited elevated UUA and SUA levels (P<0.01), enhanced activities of ALT, AST, XOD, and ADA in the liver tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), upregulated mRNA and protein levels of URAT1 and GLUT9 in the renal tissue (P<0.05), alongside markedly elevated mRNA levels of XOD and ADA in the liver (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Shenling Qushi prescription groups showed no significant changes in body weight or food intake, with water consumption and urine output remaining within normal ranges, alleviated glomerular atrophy, with reduced pathological damage such as inflammatory infiltration, declined UUA and SUA levels (P<0.01), and increased activities of ALT, AST, XOD, and ADA in the serum (P<0.01). Real-time PCR results demonstrated that Shenling Qushi prescription downregulated the mRNA levels of URAT1 and GLUT9 in the renal tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01) and XOD and ADA in the hepatic tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). Western blot results demonstrated Shenling Qushi prescription reduced the protein levels of URAT1 and GLUT9 (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionShenling Qushi prescription modulates fluid balance and reduces uric acid levels, thereby alleviating renal injury in hyperuricaemic mice. This effect is highly likely mediated through inhibition of uric acid synthesis and reabsorption.
7.Impact of early detection and management of emotional distress on length of stay in non-psychiatric inpatients: A retrospective hospital-based cohort study.
Wanjun GUO ; Huiyao WANG ; Wei DENG ; Zaiquan DONG ; Yang LIU ; Shanxia LUO ; Jianying YU ; Xia HUANG ; Yuezhu CHEN ; Jialu YE ; Jinping SONG ; Yan JIANG ; Dajiang LI ; Wen WANG ; Xin SUN ; Weihong KUANG ; Changjian QIU ; Nansheng CHENG ; Weimin LI ; Wei ZHANG ; Yansong LIU ; Zhen TANG ; Xiangdong DU ; Andrew J GREENSHAW ; Lan ZHANG ; Tao LI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(22):2974-2983
BACKGROUND:
While emotional distress, encompassing anxiety and depression, has been associated with negative clinical outcomes, its impact across various clinical departments and general hospitals has been less explored. Previous studies with limited sample sizes have examined the effectiveness of specific treatments (e.g., antidepressants) rather than a systemic management strategy for outcome improvement in non-psychiatric inpatients. To enhance the understanding of the importance of addressing mental health care needs among non-psychiatric patients in general hospitals, this study retrospectively investigated the impacts of emotional distress and the effects of early detection and management of depression and anxiety on hospital length of stay (LOS) and rate of long LOS (LLOS, i.e., LOS >30 days) in a large sample of non-psychiatric inpatients.
METHODS:
This retrospective cohort study included 487,871 inpatients from 20 non-psychiatric departments of a general hospital. They were divided, according to whether they underwent a novel strategy to manage emotional distress which deployed the Huaxi Emotional Distress Index (HEI) for brief screening with grading psychological services (BS-GPS), into BS-GPS ( n = 178,883) and non-BS-GPS ( n = 308,988) cohorts. The LOS and rate of LLOS between the BS-GPS and non-BS-GPS cohorts and between subcohorts with and without clinically significant anxiety and/or depression (CSAD, i.e., HEI score ≥11 on admission to the hospital) in the BS-GPS cohort were compared using univariable analyses, multilevel analyses, and/or propensity score-matched analyses, respectively.
RESULTS:
The detection rate of CSAD in the BS-GPS cohort varied from 2.64% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.49%-2.81%) to 20.50% (95% CI: 19.43%-21.62%) across the 20 departments, with a average rate of 5.36%. Significant differences were observed in both the LOS and LLOS rates between the subcohorts with CSAD (12.7 days, 535/9590) and without CSAD (9.5 days, 3800/169,293) and between the BS-GPS (9.6 days, 4335/178,883) and non-BS-GPS (10.8 days, 11,483/308,988) cohorts. These differences remained significant after controlling for confounders using propensity score-matched comparisons. A multilevel analysis indicated that BS-GPS was negatively associated with both LOS and LLOS after controlling for sociodemographics and the departments of patient discharge and remained negatively associated with LLOS after controlling additionally for the year of patient discharge.
CONCLUSION
Emotional distress significantly prolonged the LOS and increased the LLOS of non-psychiatric inpatients across most departments and general hospitals. These impacts were moderated by the implementation of BS-GPS. Thus, BS-GPS has the potential as an effective, resource-saving strategy for enhancing mental health care and optimizing medical resources in general hospitals.
Humans
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Retrospective Studies
;
Male
;
Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data*
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Female
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Middle Aged
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Adult
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Psychological Distress
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Inpatients/psychology*
;
Aged
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Anxiety/diagnosis*
;
Depression/diagnosis*
8.Novel paradigms in KRAS targeting: Unveiling strategies to combat drug resistance.
Xiyuan LUO ; Feihan ZHOU ; Yuemeng TANG ; Xiaohong LIU ; Ruilin XIAO ; Minzhi GU ; Jialu BAI ; Decheng JIANG ; Gang YANG ; Lei YOU ; Yupei ZHAO
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(18):2243-2267
The Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog ( KRAS ) mutation is one of the most prevalent activating alterations in cancer. It indicates a poor overall prognosis due to its highly invasive nature. Although several KRAS inhibitors have been developed in recent years, a significant clinical challenge has emerged as a substantial proportion of patients eventually develop resistance to these therapies. Therefore, identifying determinants of drug resistance is critical for guiding treatment strategies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the mutation landscape and molecular mechanisms of KRAS activity in various cancers. Meanwhile, it summaries the progress and prospects of small molecule KRAS inhibitors undergoing clinical trials. Furthemore, this review explores potential strategies to overcome drug resistance, with the ultimate goal of steering toward patient-centric precision oncology in the foreseeable future.
Humans
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Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/metabolism*
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Mutation/genetics*
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Neoplasms/genetics*
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Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use*
9.Design and verification of the pressure regulation module in underwater positive pressure protective suit
Qingwei HUANG ; Wanxin ZHANG ; Dongyue LIU ; Jialu MA ; Shaosong LI ; Hailong FAN ; Hao HUANG
Space Medicine & Medical Engineering 2025;36(2):159-163
Objective Maintain a sable differential pressure inside the Underwater Positive Pressure Protective Suit(UPPPS)to ensure normal breathing and safe underwater operations for the diver.Methods Utilize a pressure regulator as the UPPPS's pressure control valve to automatically maintain the differential pressure inside the suit.Results By establishing a physical model,the relationship between the steady-state differential pressure with the ventilation flow rate and the ambient pressure was obtained.(1)The ventilation flow rate is positively correlated with the steady-state differential pressure,the higher the ventilation flow rate,the greater the steady-state differential pressure.(2)At the same ventilation flow rate,the larger the ambient pressure is,the smaller the steady-state differential pressure is.Underwater unmanned and manned experiments using the UWT suit were conducted.The expermental results are in agreement with the theoretical analysis.Conclusion The performance of pressure regulator has been verified by the underwater experiments,it effectively stabilizes the differential pressure within the UPPPS.
10.Prenatal BPA exposure in maternal rabbits impairs reproductive function in F1 fe-male offspring through oxidative stress and inflammatory responses
Qianhui ZHAO ; Jialu PAN ; Yanan CHUO ; Chenggong LIU ; Xiao WANG ; Wanyu SHI ; Yongzhan BAO
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(6):1314-1321
Bisphenol A(BPA)is an environmental endocrine disruptor commonly found in industri-al products such as plastics,resin coatings,and paper coatings,and it poses potential reproductive hazards.Despite extensive research,studies examining its effects on the F1 generation of rabbits are limited.This study established a BPA exposure model in pregnant female rabbits to investigate its impact on reproductive hormones,apoptosis,oxidative stress,inflammatory responses,and tissue integrity in weaned female offspring.The results indicate that BPA exposure induces oxidative stress and inflammation in F1 rabbits,disrupts hormonal balance,and affects antioxidant enzymes and inflammatory mediators through the modulation of the Nrf2 and NF-κB signaling pathways,ultimately leading to apoptosis and tissue damage.

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