1.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates NF-κB Signaling Pathway for Treatment of Obesity: A Review
Zijing WU ; Jixin LI ; Linjie QIU ; Yan REN ; Chacha ZOU ; Meijie LI ; Wenjie LI ; Jin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):310-318
Obesity is a chronic low-grade inflammation and a risk factor for diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and malignant tumors, demonstrating an increasingly grim development situation. The nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway is a key signaling pathway involved in the immune response and inflammatory response. In obese individuals, the expression of NF-κB is overactivated, which leads to abnormal inflammatory responses in the body. Therefore, it is expected to alleviate inflammation and treat obesity by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway, which has been proven effective by a large number of studies. The available studies on the NF-κB signaling pathway mostly focus on tumors, and there is no systematic review of the mechanism of this pathway in mediating obesity and the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment. We reviewed the research progress in the pathological and physiological processes of obesity mediated by NF-κB signaling pathway and TCM treatment, aiming to give insights into the clinical treatment of obesity with TCM and provide reference targets and research directions for exploring the biological foundations and the development of new TCM preparations.
2.Biomechanical effects of postural and cognitive loads on trunk of workers performing assembly tasks at hand functional height
Huishuan WU ; Yu JIN ; Yan LIU ; Siyi ZENG ; Cunwen QIAN ; Kezhi JIN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(4):392-399
Background The neck, shoulders, and lower back are the primary affected areas of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. In manual tasks, combinations of hand functional height (defined as working height below the waist), awkward postures, and cognitive load are common risk factors. However, there is limited literature documenting how these factors specifically alter biomechanical load on the neck, shoulders, and lower back when working at hand functional height. Objective To explore quantitative differences in biomechanical load on the neck, shoulders, and lower back of workers performing manual tasks at hand functional height under different postures and cognitive load combinations. Methods A 3x2 within-subject design was implemented, with three postures (squat, kneeling, and stoop) and two levels of cognitive load (with cognitive load induced by a 2back task and without cognitive load). Ten male university students were recruited to perform a predetermined assembly task (a sequence of loosening and tightening screws) at hand functional height. Surface electromyography (sEMG) and 3D motion capture system were employed to assess the participants’ trunk biomechanical load in executing the tasks. Additionally, subjective perception, including fatigue, muscle pain, and cognitive load, were evaluated using scales. Results Significant variations in biomechanical load were observed across the three postures (P<0.05). The stoop posture exhibited the lowest muscle activation in most target muscles, except for the sternocleidomastoid, and showed the fastest decline in instantaneous median frequency (IMF) of the erector spinae, with a rate of (-0.050±0.008) Hz per unit time (0.128 s), and the greatest trunk flexion angle (35.14°±4.40°). Performing the task by squatting resulted in the highest muscle activation, especially in the upper trapezius, where maximum voluntary contraction percentage reached 20.07%±1.26%. In addition, the squatting posture also resulted in larger joint angles in the sagittal plane for the neck (−7.03°±2.70°), shoulders (60.20°±7.89°), and lower back (34.42°±4.20°). The kneeling posture showed intermediate muscle activation, the slowest IMF decline for the erector spinae in the lower back (−0.005±0.008) Hz per unit time (0.128s), and the joint angles were closest to neutral. The task performance results were also superior in the kneeling posture. Regarding cognitive load, no significant differences were found for most biomechanical indicators, except for subjective cognitive load scores, neck flexion, and shoulder external rotation angles. Conclusion In assembly tasks performed at hand functional height, kneeling results in moderate biomechanical load on the neck, shoulders, and lower back while also improves task performance compared to squatting and forward bending. Additionally, no significant effects of cognitive load under the 2back condition on biomechanical load are observed.
3.Emergency medical response strategy for the 2025 Dingri, Tibet Earthquake
Chenggong HU ; Xiaoyang DONG ; Hai HU ; Hui YAN ; Yaowen JIANG ; Qian HE ; Chang ZOU ; Si ZHANG ; Wei DONG ; Yan LIU ; Huanhuan ZHONG ; Ji DE ; Duoji MIMA ; Jin YANG ; Qiongda DAWA ; Lü ; JI ; La ZHA ; Qiongda JIBA ; Lunxu LIU ; Lei CHEN ; Dong WU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(04):421-426
This paper systematically summarizes the practical experience of the 2025 Dingri earthquake emergency medical rescue in Tibet. It analyzes the requirements for earthquake medical rescue under conditions of high-altitude hypoxia, low temperature, and low air pressure. The paper provides a detailed discussion on the strategic layout of earthquake medical rescue at the national level, local government level, and through social participation. It covers the construction of rescue organizational systems, technical systems, material support systems, and information systems. The importance of building rescue teams is emphasized. In high-altitude and cold conditions, rapid response, scientific decision-making, and multi-party collaboration are identified as key elements to enhance rescue efficiency. By optimizing rescue organizational structures, strengthening the development of new equipment, and promoting telemedicine technologies, the precision and effectiveness of medical rescue can be significantly improved, providing important references for future similar disaster rescues.
4.Research progress on impacts of air pollutants, gut microbiota, and seminal microbiota on semen quality
Wenchao XIA ; Jiahua SUN ; Yuya JIN ; Ruixin LUO ; Ruyan YAN ; Yuming GUI ; Yongbin WANG ; Fengquan ZHANG ; Wei WU ; Weidong WU ; Huijun LI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(8):1003-1008
In recent years, China has been facing the dual challenges of declining fertility rates and births, with male reproductive health issues, especially the decline in semen quality, identified as a pivotal contributor to this phenomenon. Meanwhile, accumulating evidence indicates that air pollutants, an increasingly severe environmental problem, can damage semen quality not only directly through their biological toxicity but also indirectly by disrupting the composition of microbial communities in the gut and semen, thereby dysregulating immune function, endocrine homeostasis, and oxidative stress responses. The gut microbiota and semen microbiota, as important components of the human microecosystem, play crucial roles in maintaining reproductive health. This article comprehensively reviewed the research progress on the potential effects of air pollutants (particulate matter and gaseous pollutants), gut microbiota, and semen microbiota on semen quality. Specifically, it elucidated the mechanisms of interaction between these factors and explored how they affect male fertility.
5.A cohort study of lipid levels and recurrence risk of ischemic stroke in a community-based natural population in Songjiang District, Shanghai
Yangbo GENG ; Huayuan FEI ; Yunlong KAN ; Minhua TANG ; Yunhui WANG ; Jianguo YU ; Jiedong XU ; Yiling WU ; Genming ZHAO ; Yonggen JIANG ; Yan JIN
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(7):562-568
ObjectiveTo investigate the recurrence of ischemic stroke (IS) and to analyze the association between four indices of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) and the risk of IS recurrence by analyzing the follow-up data related to IS in the community-based natural population of Songjiang District, Shanghai, so as to provide a scientific basis for improving the prognosis of stroke patients in the community and controlling IS recurrence. MethodsA prospective follow-up study was conducted among the IS patients in the community-based cohort population, collecting data about patient’s age, gender, disease history, biochemical indicators, and etc. Cox regression model and restricted cubic spline model were used to analyze the relationship between different levels of plasma lipids and the recurrence of IS in these patients. ResultsA total of 1 368 patients with IS were included. The total follow-up duration was 7 171.46 person-years, with a median follow-up time of 6.24 years. There were 420 cases of IS recurrence, resulting in a cumulative recurrence rate of 30.70%. The results of multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the recurrence risk of IS was reduced when the baseline TC and LDL-C levels of IS patients were in the ranges of 4.65‒5.67 mmol·L-1 and 2.52‒3.46 mmol·L-1, respectively. The results of restricted cubic spline analysis showed a U-shaped relationship between baseline TC and LDL-C levels and the recurrence risk in IS patients. ConclusionThe cumulative recurrence rate of patients with IS in the community of Songjiang District in Shanghai is high, and the levels of TC and LDL-C at baseline survey are correlated with the recurrence of IS in these patients. It is suggested to pay more attention to the levels of LDL-C and TC in patients with IS, so as to improve the prognosis.
6.A Case of Multidisciplinary Treatment for Deficiency of Adenosine Deaminase 2
Jingyuan ZHANG ; Xiaoqi WU ; Jiayuan DAI ; Xianghong JIN ; Yuze CAO ; Rui LUO ; Hanlin ZHANG ; Tiekuan DU ; Xiaotian CHU ; Peipei CHEN ; Hao QIAN ; Pengguang YAN ; Jin XU ; Min SHEN
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2025;4(3):316-324
This case report presents a 16-year-old male patient with deficiency of adenosine deaminase 2(DADA2). The patient had a history of Raynaud′s phenomenon with digital ulcers since childhood. As the disease progressed, the patient developed retinal vasculitis, intracranial hemorrhage, skin necrosis, severe malnutrition, refractory hypertension, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Genetic testing revealed compound heterozygous mutations in the
7.Redefining multiple myeloma treatment: Advances, challenges, and future directions in immunotherapy.
Chengcheng FU ; Yingying ZHAI ; Lingzhi YAN ; Song JIN ; Jingjing SHANG ; Xiaolan SHI ; Depei WU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(19):2399-2410
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy that poses significant treatment challenges due to its heterogeneity and propensity for relapse and progression. In the last two decades, the therapeutic landscape of MM has changed dramatically, but the disease remains largely incurable, with many patients facing treatment resistance. This review evaluates the current status of MM treatments, emphasizing the limitations of traditional therapies and the emerging role of immunotherapy in improving patient outcomes. It highlights the importance of achieving and maintaining minimal residual disease negativity and a balanced immune response as key treatment goals. Furthermore, it discusses the advancements in immunotherapies that are improving the prospects for patients, particularly those with relapsed or refractory disease. Innovative strategies, such as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, bispecific antibodies, and bispecific T cell engagers, have shown significant promise by targeting the malignant cells and the bone marrow microenvironment, which are essential for disease persistence and resistance to therapy. Future research should focus on refining MM treatment strategies, including the integration of immunotherapy into earlier treatment lines and the development of predictive biomarkers for personalized treatment approaches, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.
8.Metabolomics and pharmacokinetics of Corni Fructus in ameliorating myocardial ischemic injury.
Xiang-Feng LIU ; Yu WU ; Chao-Yan YANG ; Hua-Wei LIAO ; Yan-Fen CHEN ; Xin HE ; Ying-Fang WANG ; Jin-Ru LIANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(5):1363-1376
This study aims to investigate the ameliorating effect of Corni Fructus(CF) on the myocardial ischemic injury and the pharmacokinetic properties of characteristic components of CF. The mouse model of isoproterenol-induced myocardial ischemia was established and administrated with the aqueous extract of CF. The general efficacy of CF in ameliorating the myocardial ischemic injury was evaluated based on the cardiac histopathology and the levels of myocardial injury markers: creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I(cTn-I). The metabolomics analysis was carried out for the heart and serum samples of mice to screen the biomarkers of CF in ameliorating the myocardial ischemic injury and then the predicted biomarkers were submitted to metabolic pathway enrichment. The pharmacokinetic analysis was performed for morroniside, loganin, and cornuside Ⅰ in mouse heart and serum samples to obtain the pharmacokinetic parameters of these components. The pharmacokinetic parameters were then integrated on the basis of self-defined weighting coefficients to simulate an integrated pharmacokinetic profile of CF iridoid glycosides in the heart and serum of the mouse model of myocardial ischemia. The results indicated that CF reduced the pathological damage to cardiac cells and tissue(hematoxylin-eosin staining) and lowered the levels of CK-MB and cTn-I in the serum of the mouse model of myocardial ischemia(P<0.01). Metabolomics analysis screed out 31 endogenous metabolites in the heart and 35 in the serum as biomarkers of CF in ameliorating the myocardial ischemic injury. These biomarkers were altered by modeling and restored by CF. Six metabolic pathways in the heart and 5 in the serum were enriched based on these metabolic markers. The main integrated pharmacokinetic parameters of CF iridoid glycosides were T_(max)=1 h, t_(1/2)=(1.52±0.05) h in the heart and T_(max)=1 h, t_(1/2)=(1.56±0.50) h in the serum. Both concentration-time curves showed a double-peak phenomenon. In conclusion, CF demonstrated the cardioprotective effect by regulating metabolic pathways such as taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, and pantothenic acid and coenzyme A biosynthesis. The integrated pharmacokinetics reflect the general pharmacokinetic properties of characteristic components in CF.
Animals
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Cornus/chemistry*
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Mice
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Metabolomics
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Male
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Myocardial Ischemia/metabolism*
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Humans
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Troponin I/metabolism*
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Myocardium/pathology*
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Disease Models, Animal
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Biomarkers/metabolism*
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Creatine Kinase, MB Form/metabolism*
9.Innovation and application of traditional Chinese medicine dispensing promoted through integration of whole-process data elements.
Huan-Fei YANG ; Si-Yu LI ; Chen-Qian YU ; Jian-Kun WU ; Fang LIU ; Li-Bin JIANG ; Chun-Jin LI ; Xiang-Fei SU ; Wei-Guo BAI ; Hua-Qiang ZHAI ; Shi-Yuan JIN ; Yong-Yan WANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(11):3189-3196
As a new type of production factor that can empower the development of new quality productivity, the data element is an important engine to promote the high quality development of the industry. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) dispensing is the most basic work of TCM clinical pharmacy, and its quality directly affects the clinical efficacy of TCM. The integration of data elements and TCM dispensing can stimulate the innovation and vitality of the TCM dispensing industry and promote the high-quality and sustainable development of the industry. A large-scale, detailed, and systematic study on TCM dispensing was conducted. The innovative practice path of data fusion construction in the whole process of TCM dispensing was investigated by integrating the digital resources "nine full activities" of TCM dispensing, creating the digital dictionary of "TCM clinical information data elements", and exploring innovative applications of TCM dispensing driven by data and technology, so as to promote the standardized, digital, and intelligent development of TCM dispensing in medical health services. The research content of this project was successfully selected as the second batch of "Data element×" typical cases of National Data Administration in 2024, which is the only selected case in the field of TCM.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal
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Humans
10.Polarized light microscopic mineral phase authentication and health risk assessment of raw and calcined fossil mineral Chinese medicinal material Draconis Os.
Yan-Qiong PAN ; Zheng LIU ; Li-Wen ZHENG ; Ying ZHANG ; Liu ZHOU ; Xi-Long QIAN ; Fang FANG ; Xiao WU ; Sheng-Jin LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(15):4238-4247
This study aims to investigate the polarized microscopic mineral phase characteristics, inorganic element content, and potential health risks associated with the intake of raw and calcined fossil mineral Chinese medicinal material Draconis Os. Microscopy was employed to observe the mineralogical characteristics of Draconis Os and compare the microscopic features and phase composition of raw and calcined Draconis Os under monochromatic and orthogonal polarized light. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS) was employed to determine the content of 30 inorganic elements. Health risk assessment was conducted by calculating the single pollution index(P_i), average daily intake of elements for adults(ADI), target hazard quotient(THQ), non-carcinogenic assessment method-hazard quotient(HQ), and the carcinogenic risk of elements(CR). The results indicated that under monochromatic polarized light, the Draconis Os powder sections exhibited light gray-brown to gray-brown irregular fragments, some with undulating textures that were slightly curved. Under crossed polarized light, they appeared dark gray, grayish-white, and yellowish-white. Clear apatite was visible in the ground sections of Draconis Os under crossed polarized light. P_i results indicated that Draconis Os samples were free from contamination and were of good quality. According to the maximum allowable limits of heavy metals stipulated in ISO Traditional Chinese Medicine: Determination of heavy metals in herbal medicines used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, ADI, THQ, HQ, and CR were taken as assessment indicators. Only the THQ value for As(arsenic) in raw Draconis Os was greater than 1, while the THQ values for other heavy metal elements in the Draconis Os samples were all less than 1. The study demonstrates that the primary mineral phase of raw and calcined Draconis Os is apatite, with some samples co-existing with calcite, which can serve as one of the means for quality control of Draconis Os. The elemental analysis results from ICP-MS provide scientific evidence for the safety assessment of Draconis Os, indicating that Draconis Os is safe in clinical application.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis*
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Risk Assessment
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Minerals/chemistry*
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Fossils
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Humans
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Drug Contamination
;
Mass Spectrometry

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