1.Association of liver fibrosis markers and inflammation markers with the risk of gallstones in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease
Shuai ZHANG ; Shoulu JIN ; Wanqing LI ; Xijing SHI ; Hao LIANG ; Hao DONG ; Dailong LU ; Ying ZHU ; Xiaoxing XIANG ; Jun LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):579-585
ObjectiveTo investigate the association of liver fibrosis scores and inflammation markers with gallstones in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), as well as the mediating role of liver fibrosis scores in the relationship between inflammation markers and gallstones. MethodsA total of 14 567 patients who received physical examination and were diagnosed with MAFLD in Subei People’s Hospital from January 2014 to June 2023 were enrolled in this study, and according to the results of abdominal color Doppler ultrasound, they were divided into gallstone group with 1 724 patients and non-gallstone group with 12 843 patients. Related clinical data were collected from all patients, including demographic data, medical history, family history, physical examination, Color Doppler ultrasound, and biochemical parameters. The biomarkers associated with metabolic disorders and insulin resistance included triglyceride-glucose index (TyG), TyG-body mass index (BMI) index, atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHHR); the biomarkers associated with inflammation and nutritional status included neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio (NPAR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR); the biomarkers for assessing liver fibrosis degree and liver function included albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score, NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI). The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, while the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis, restricted cubic spline analysis, and mediating effect analysis were used to assess the association of liver fibrosis markers and inflammation markers with the risk of gallstones. ResultsThe prevalence rate of gallstones was 11.8% among the MAFLD patients. There were significant differences between the gallstone group and the non-gallstone group in sex, age, smoking history, diabetes, hypertension, lymphocytes, platelets, glucose, albumin, serum uric acid, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, red blood cell, NLR, NPAR, MLR, NFS, FIB-4 index, and ALBI score (all P<0.05). The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that NLR (odds ratio [OR]=1.091, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.028 — 1.160, P<0.05), NPAR (OR=1.073, 95%CI: 1.042 — 1.105, P<0.05), MLR (OR=1.142, 95%CI: 1.057 — 1.232, P<0.05), NFS (OR=1.239, 95%CI: 1.190 — 1.291, P<0.05), and FIB-4 index (OR=1.326, 95%CI: 1.241 — 1.417, P<0.05) were influencing factors for the prevalence rate of gallstones. The restricted cubic spline analysis showed a significant non-linear association between NFS/FIB-4 index and the risk of gallstone (non-linear P<0.05). The mediating effect analysis further showed that the association of NLR, MLR, and NPAR with gallstones was partially mediated by NFS or FIB-4 index, with a mediating effect accounting for 36.79%、28.09%、29.67% and 18.31%、17.70、11.57%, respectively. ConclusionNFS and FIB-4 index have a non-linear association with the prevalence rate of gallstones in MAFLD patients, and they also mediate the association of NLR, NPAR, and MLR with the risk of gallstone.
2.Effect of sitravatinib on a mouse model of carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis and its mechanism
Huan ZHANG ; Xiangyu WU ; Qianwen ZHAO ; Fajuan RUI ; Nan GENG ; Rui JIN ; Jie LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):600-607
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of sitravatinib on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in mice. MethodsA total of 30 male C57BL/6J mice, aged 8 weeks, were randomly divided into control group, CCl4 model group, and low- (5 mg/kg), middle- (10 mg/kg), and high-dose (20 mg/kg) sitravatinib groups. All mice except those in the control group were given intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 for 4 consecutive weeks to induce liver fibrosis, and since the first day of modeling, the mice in the low-, middle-, and high-dose sitravatinib groups were given sitravatinib at the corresponding dose by gavage every day. The serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured for the mice in each group; hepatic hydroxyproline content was measured; HE staining, Masson staining, and Sirius Red staining were used to observe liver histopathological changes; quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type I alpha 1 (Col1a1) in liver tissue. The therapeutic effect of sitravatinib was assessed based on the above results. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group had significant increases in the levels of TC, TG, and ALT (all P<0.05), and there were no significant differences in the levels of TC, TG, and ALT between the model group and the low-, middle-, and high-dose sitravatinib groups (all P>0.05). Hepatic hydroxyproline content decreased after sitravatinib intervention, with a significant difference between the middle-/high-dose sitravatinib groups and the CCl4 model group (both P<0.05). Histopathological staining showed that the sitravatinib treatment groups had a reduction in collagen deposition, along with thinning and fragmentation of fibrous septa, and in the high-dose sitravatinib group, 4 mice had a fibrosis stage of S0—S1 and 2 mice had a fibrosis stage of S2—S3, suggesting a certain degree of alleviation of liver fibrosis degree compared with the CCl4 model group (mainly S3—S4). The measurement of related molecules showed that sitravatinib downregulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-SMA and Col1a1 (all P<0.05). ConclusionSitravatinib can effectively alleviate CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice, possibly by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation and collagen synthesis.
3.Challenges and Recommendations for Implementing Key Technologies in Decentralized Clinical Trials of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Runze WANG ; Xuehan WEI ; Xiaoying CHEN ; Yingqian ZHANG ; Jin SUN ; Chunli LU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):926-934
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinical trials face challenges such as low participant compliance, insufficient geographical coverage, and cost-effectiveness imbalances. Decentralized clinical trials (DCT), enabled by digital technology for remote data collection and monitoring, offer a new direction for TCM clinical trial research. This article systematically reviews three novel clinical trial design models. Combining the holistic concept and indivi-dualized treatment characteristics of TCM, it analyzes the challenges currently faced in TCM DCT practice, including the digitization and standardization of TCM theory, data security, privacy protection and patient engagement difficu-lties, insufficient ethical review and regulatory system adaptation, inadequate personnel training, and a shortage of interdisciplinary talent. Addressing these challenges, the article proposes methodological recommendations for DCT implementation that align with the principles of TCM diagnosis and treatment. These recommendations include promoting the intelligentization and standardization of TCM practices, constructing a full-chain data security and privacy protection system, improving the ethical framework and clarifying regulatory responsibilities, and cultivating and building interdisciplinary talent and capabilities, which provide theoretical and technical references for establishing standardized DCT practices in TCM.
4.Challenges and Recommendations for Implementing Key Technologies in Decentralized Clinical Trials of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Runze WANG ; Xuehan WEI ; Xiaoying CHEN ; Yingqian ZHANG ; Jin SUN ; Chunli LU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):926-934
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinical trials face challenges such as low participant compliance, insufficient geographical coverage, and cost-effectiveness imbalances. Decentralized clinical trials (DCT), enabled by digital technology for remote data collection and monitoring, offer a new direction for TCM clinical trial research. This article systematically reviews three novel clinical trial design models. Combining the holistic concept and indivi-dualized treatment characteristics of TCM, it analyzes the challenges currently faced in TCM DCT practice, including the digitization and standardization of TCM theory, data security, privacy protection and patient engagement difficu-lties, insufficient ethical review and regulatory system adaptation, inadequate personnel training, and a shortage of interdisciplinary talent. Addressing these challenges, the article proposes methodological recommendations for DCT implementation that align with the principles of TCM diagnosis and treatment. These recommendations include promoting the intelligentization and standardization of TCM practices, constructing a full-chain data security and privacy protection system, improving the ethical framework and clarifying regulatory responsibilities, and cultivating and building interdisciplinary talent and capabilities, which provide theoretical and technical references for establishing standardized DCT practices in TCM.
5.Action Mechanism of Huamoyan Granules in Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis Based on TRPV1/p38 MAPK Pathway
Jin ZHANG ; Lili YANG ; Canwen ZHENG ; Jing KANG ; Yanlei MA ; Yue SHI ; Lei LI ; Hongxu MENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):79-89
ObjectiveThis paper aims to observe the protective effect of Huamoyan granules on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and explore whether its protective effect is oriented toward an anti-inflammatory direction by regulation of macrophage polarization, which can effectively inhibit the progression of pathological inflammatory response, reduce the release of inflammatory pain mediators, and downregulate the protein expression level of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), so as to provide experimental evidence for its clinical application and investigate its action mechanism. MethodsAfter adaptive feeding, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into six groups: sham group, model group, celecoxib group, and high, medium, and low-dose synovitis granule groups (9.6, 4.8, 2.4 g·kg-1). The administration dose of celecoxib capsules was 20 mg·kg-1. There were 10 rats in the sham group and 12 rats in the model group and each administration group. A KOA animal model was established by means of intra-articular injection of sodium iodoacetate into the knee joint. From the 10th day of the experiment, each administration group was given intragastric administration at a dose of 10 mL·kg-1 for 4 weeks. General conditions of rats in each group were assessed daily. The pressure pain threshold (PPT) to mechanical stimulation and joint diameter were recorded. X-ray examination was performed on the right knee joints of rats for imaging analysis. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and other pro-inflammatory cytokines in rat serum samples, as well as the expression levels of neurogenic inflammatory mediators such as nerve growth factor (NGF) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Histopathological changes in the knee joint synovial tissues were examined by hematoxylineosin (HE) staining. Safranin O-fast green staining was performed to observe and evaluate the degree of knee cartilage lesions. Western blot was employed to quantitatively analyze TRPV1, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), and phosphorylated (p)-p38 MAPK in rat knee synovial tissues. Immunofluorescence (IF) was used to measure and assess M1/M2 macrophage polarization. ResultsCompared with those in the sham group, the circumference and joint diameter of the right knee were markedly enlarged in the model group (P<0.01), while PPTs of rats showed a significant reduction (P<0.01). The contents of IL-1β, TNF-α, CGRP, and NGF in rats' serum were significantly elevated (P<0.01), and the synovial Krenn score was increased (P<0.01). The Mankin score of cartilage tissue was increased (P<0.01), and the protein expressions of TRPV1 and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK were significantly upregulated (P<0.01). The experimental intervention significantly reduced the proportion of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages in the total macrophage population (P<0.01), and the percentage of M2 macrophages was decreased (P<0.01). The M1/M2 macrophage ratio was significantly elevated (P<0.01). Knee joint diameters of all dose groups of Huamoyan granules and the celecoxib group were reduced (P<0.01) compared with those of the model group, and the PPT recovery speeds in the high and medium-dose groups of Huamoyan granules were more obvious (P<0.05). The contents of IL-1β, CGRP, and NGF in the rats' serum in all administration groups were significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the content of TNF-α in rats' serum was significantly reduced (P<0.01). All dose groups of Huamoyan granules demonstrated significant reductions in both synovial Krenn score (P<0.05, P<0.01) and protein expression of TRPV1 and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK in rats' synovial tissues (P<0.01). The percentage of M1 macrophages in the synovial tissues of the celecoxib group and all dose groups of Huamoyan granules was decreased (P<0.01). The percentage of M2 macrophages was increased (P<0.05), and the M1/M2 ratio was decreased (P<0.01). ConclusionHuamoyan granules can alleviate the inflammatory response of KOA, reduce the release of inflammatory pain mediators, and downregulate TRPV1 protein expression by regulating macrophage polarization. Its mechanism may be related to the TRPV1/p38 MAPK signaling pathway, thereby achieving the effect of improving peripheral pain hypersensitivity in KOA.
6.Analysis of influencing factors of adverse reactions in whole blood donation in Jinan
Na HU ; Qiang ZHANG ; Xiyuan WANG ; Bing FAN ; Mengmin JIN ; Weidong HE
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(1):76-82
Objective: To explore the distribution characteristics and influencing factors of adverse reactions in whole blood donation in Jinan, Shandong, so as to provide evidence for the prevention and control of such adverse reactions in this region. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on whole blood donors and adverse reaction cases in Jinan during 2023. To explore influencing factors of adverse reactions, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine the relationships between adverse reactions and factors such as gender, age, donation organization mode, donation frequency, donation volume, time slot, and health examination results. Results: A total of 122 961 whole blood donations were recorded in Jinan in 2023. Donation-related adverse reactions occurred in 2 054 cases, with an incidence rate of 1.67%. Univariate analysis revealed significant differences in the incidence of adverse reactions across donor characteristics: the rate was higher in females (2.35%, 921/39 192) than in males (1.35%, 1 133/83 769), donors aged 18-25 years had the highest incidence (3.48%, 1 799/51 733), the incidence in group donations (3.13%, 1,737/55 534) was significantly higher than in individual donations (0.47%, 317/67 427), and insufficient blood collection was closely associated with adverse reactions (all P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified group donation, female gender, and a pulse rate of 81-99 beats per minute as risk factors for adverse reactions (all P<0.001), while systolic blood pressure of 116-139 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure of 76-89 mmHg were protective factors (all P<0.05). Compared to younger and lower-weight donor groups, older and higher-weight donors had a significantly lower risk of adverse reactions (all P<0.05). Donors giving 400 mL had a higher risk than those giving 200 mL (P<0.001). In addition, compared with the donation time slot of 7:00-8:59, the risk of adverse reactions was significantly higher during 9:00-16:59, with the time slot of 13:00-14:59 showing the most prominent risk (all P<0.05). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the time slot of 17:00-20:59 and that of 7:00-8:59 (P>0.05). The primary clinical manifestation of adverse reactions was donation-related vasovagal reaction, with mental tension being the leading precipitating factor, accounting for 69.08% (1 419/2 054) of cases. Conclusion: The occurrence of adverse reactions in whole blood donation in the Jinan is influenced by multiple factors, including donor demographic characteristics, donation organization mode, physiological indicators, and time of donation. It is recommended to enhance the identification and intervention for high-risk groups, and optimize donation processes and service models to reduce the incidence of adverse reactions, thereby ensuring donor safety and blood quality.
7.Dynamic Pathogenesis and Tiered Intervention Strategies for Allergic Diseases from the Perspective of "Latent Pathogens with Transformative Potential" Theory
Minye QU ; Ping ZHU ; Kaifeng WEI ; Yanliang ZHANG ; Haitong WAN ; Jin YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):375-380
Allergic diseases exhibited the characteristics of latent concealment and dynamic transmutation, which highly align with the pathogenic features of "latency and transformative change" described in the theory of latent pathogens. Based on the "latent pathogens with transformative potential" theory, this paper systematically explored the mechanisms of occurrence, transmission, and outcome of allergic diseases. It proposed that the insufficiency of kidney essence is the root cause enabling pathogens to lurk internally, leading to disease onset due to deficient healthy qi and lurking pathogens; the dysfunction of sanjiao serves as the pathway for pathogen stagnation, driving multi-system transmission; the accumulation of phlegm, stasis, and toxins constitutes the predicament of a protracted course, ultimately resulting in intractable pathological entanglement. Accordingly, a tiered intervention strategy is formulated,i.e. during the latency period, treatment should tonify the kidney and replenish essence to consolidate the foundation and halt the tendency of pathogens to lurk internally; during the transmission period, treatment should regulate sanjiao to intercept disease transmission and curb multi-system proliferation; during the protracted period, treatment should purge phlegm and resolve stasis to eliminate stubborn lesions, and break the vicious cycle of chronic accumulation and damage.
8.Clinical Application of Harmonizing and Regulating Pivot Method in Pulmonary Fibrosis:Based on the Characteristics of Essence-Attribute-Function
Mingsheng LYU ; Hongsheng CUI ; Jia ZHU ; Weibo BI ; Ruifeng JIN ; Zhijie ZHANG ; Qiuyi CHEN ; Siyang YU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):381-385
Based on the theory of "shaoyang(少阳) resembling the pivot" and collateral diseases, this article proposes that pulmonary fibrosis (PF) can be divided into three stages including wind bi (痹), constraint bi, and atrophy bi. The core pathogenesis of PF is the obstruction of the pivot and pulmonary collateral obstruction. In terms of treatment, the basic principles are to harmonize and regulate the pivot, and to promote the circulation of the lung collaterals. Depending on the different characteristics of the "essence-attribute-function", treatment methods such as harmonizing and regulating the pivot, resolving phlegm and removing stasis, supplementing deficiency and harmonizing collaterals are suggested. This approach ensures the regulation of the pivot, smooth circulation of qi and blood, unblocking of the lung collaterals and nourishing the lung body, achieving the goals of balancing the ascending and descending of qi, removing phlegm and stasis, and relieving cough and wheezing.
9.Current status and influencing factors of knowledge-attitude-practice in myopia prevention and control among children and adolescents in Ningbo
Jue WANG ; Xiaotian LIU ; Xia JIN ; Yanli ZHANG ; Hongjun LI ; Honger SUN ; Aiai CHEN ; Yuan TANG
International Eye Science 2026;26(3):518-522
AIM:To investigate the current status and influencing factors of knowledge-attitude-practice in myopia prevention and control among children and adolescents in Ningbo City, thereby providing a scientific basis for formulating targeted prevention strategies.METHODS: Children and adolescents aged 6-12 years old were selected from the medical-school collaborative myopia prevention network in Ningbo City between August 2024 and May 2025 using stratified cluster sampling. Information on myopia prevention knowledge(15 items)and practice(9 items)was collected through questionnaire surveys. Logistic regression models were used to analyze factors influencing myopia occurrence in children and adolescents.RESULTS: A total of 664 children and adolescents aged 6-12 years were enrolled in this study. Participants were divided by age into three groups: 6-7 years old(n=221), 8-9 years old(n=221), and 10-12 years old(n=222). Of the 664 questionnaires distributed, 637 valid questionnaires were returned(201 from the 6-7 age group, 235 from the 8-9 age group, and 201 from the 10-12 age group), yielding an effective response rate of 95.9%. Based on myopia screening results, the non-myopic group comprised 203 participants(31.9%), including 100 males and 103 females, with a mean age of 8.82±1.98 years old. The myopic group comprised 434 participants(68.1%), including 213 males and 221 females, with a mean age of 9.10±1.95 years old. The myopia prevalence rates in the 6-7, 8-9, and 10-12 age groups were 37.8%(76/201), 71.9%(169/235), and 94.0%(189/201), respectively(P<0.001). Regarding the knowledge and practice of myopia prevention, the overall awareness rate in the non-myopic group(59.7%±9.7%)was significantly higher than that in the myopic group(48.7%±8.5%; P<0.001). Additionally, the non-myopic group scored higher on the key practice of “regular eye examinations”(4.27±0.96)compared to the myopic group(4.10±1.05; P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that age was the primary risk factor for myopia occurrence.CONCLUSION: Age is the dominant factor in the onset of myopia, and there is a phenomenon of “knowledge-practice gap”; the traditional health education model has limitations, and a precise prevention and control system based on developmental patterns should be established.
10.Study on the effect and mechanism of Qiwei dongqingye powder against bronchial asthma based on transcriptomics
Jiacheng JIN ; Wenyan CHEN ; Xin LI ; Qing XU ; Hangyu WANG ; Ke ZHANG ; Pinghua SUN ; Jinhui WANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(5):595-601
OBJECTIVE To investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Qiwei dongqingye powder (QDP) on bronchial asthma in mice. METHODS The mice were divided into blank group (normal saline), model group (normal saline), dexamethasone group (2 mg/kg), and QDP low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (200, 400, 800 mg/kg), with 14 mice in each group. Except for the blank group, mice in all other groups were given ovalbumin via intraperitoneal injection followed by aerosol inhalation to induce a bronchial asthma model. During the modeling process, mice in each group were administered corresponding drug solutions or normal saline intragastrically/intraperitoneally. After the last medication, the number of cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of the mice was observed and counted; the pathological changes of the bronchus and lung tissue were observed; the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the lung tissue of the mice were determined, and the level of interleukin-17 (IL-17) in the BALF and serum was determined. Transcriptomics was employed to predict and validate the mechanism of action of QDP against bronchial asthma. RESULTS Compared with the model group, the total cell count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, and macrophage counts in the BALF of the QDP high-dose group were all significantly reduced ( P <0.05); the levels of MDA and NO in the lung tissue, and the levels of IL-17 in the BALF and serum were all decreased significantly ( P <0.05); the levels of T-SOD and GSH-Px were significantly increased ( P <0.05); the arrangement of lung tissue cells tended to normalize, with reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells and decreased exfoliation of bronchial simple columnar epithelial cells. The transcriptomic results revealed that the differentially expressed genes were B-cell receptor signaling pathway, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway, ferroptosis signaling pathway, and others. Further validation revealed that, compared with the model group, the expression levels of NF-κB p65 and chemokine ligand 20, as well as the phosphorylation level of NF-κB inhibitor protein α, were significantly decreased in the lung tissues of the mice in all QDP groups ( P <0.05). Conversely, the protein expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) were significantly increased ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS QDP can effectively alleviate bronchial asthma by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway, activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, regulating oxidative stress, and reducing inflammatory responses.

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