1.Attenuation of esophageal precancerous lesions in mice by Banxia Xiexin Decoction through gut microbiota modulation
Man JIN ; Wenfei ZHU ; Zhaoling WANG ; Kuai YU ; Jianping WU ; Junfeng ZHANG
Digital Chinese Medicine 2026;9(1):114-129
Objective:
To investigate the microbial mechanisms of Banxia Xiexin Decoction (半夏泻心汤, BXXXD) in the treatment of esophageal precancerous lesions.
Methods:
A total of 30 specific pathogen-free (SPF) grade female C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 6) and a 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO)-exposed group (n = 24). Esophageal precancerous lesions were induced by providing the 4-NQO-exposed group with 4-NQO in drinking water (100 μg/mL) for 17 consecutive weeks, whereas control group received sterile drinking water. After model establishment, the mice in 4-NQO-exposed group were further randomized into model group and three BXXXD-treated groups: low-dose (BXXXD-L, 3.7 g/kg), medium-dose (BXXXD-M, 7.4 g/kg), and high-dose (BXXXD-H, 14.8 g/kg) groups (n = 6 per group). During the subsequent intervention period, mice in control and model groups were gavaged with sterile water, while mice in BXXXD groups were gavaged once daily with the corresponding dose of BXXXD aqueous extract for 4 weeks. Histopathological changes in esophageal tissues were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The fecal and esophageal microbiota were profiled via 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing to evaluate bacterial diversity, community structure, and co-occurrence networks. BXXXD chemical fingerprints were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole QExactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QE-MS). Serum short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) level was quantified by targeted metabolomics using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Transcriptomic analysis of esophageal tissues was performed to assess gene expression profiles.
Results:
Compared with model group, BXXXD-M group exhibited reduced mucosal hyperplasia and more orderly epithelial cell arrangement, with superior therapeutic effects in comparison with both BXXXD-L and BXXXD-H groups (P < 0.01). Microbiota analysis revealed that BXXXD increased the abundance of beneficial Enterococcus and reduced pathogenic Escherichia-Shigella in the esophagus. In the gut, BXXXD elevated the relative abundance of beneficial taxa, including Lactobacillus, Dubosiella, Bacteroides, and Faecalibacterium. Targeted metabolomics showed that BXXXD significantly reduced total serum SCFA level (P < 0.01). Transcriptomic analysis indicated that BXXXD downregulated the expression of genes associated with the progression, migration, and invasion of esophageal cancer, which were identified as kallikrein-related peptidase 6 (Klk6), defensin beta 4 (Defb4), family with sequence similarity 3 member B (Fam3b), carboxypeptidase A4 (Cpa4), serum amyloid A1 (Saa1), and chitinase-like 1 (Chil1) (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
BXXXD may reduce the expression levels of esophageal cancer-related genes and improve esophageal precancerous lesions through modulation of the gut microbiota and metabolites.
2.Prevalence and influencing factors of metabolic syndrome in the population aged 35-75 years in Hubei Province
Peijun ZHANG ; Meng LEI ; Shuzhen ZHU ; Junfeng QI ; Shenghong HAN ; Junlin LI
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(3):80-84
Objective To analyze the prevalence characteristics and influencing factors of metabolic syndrome (MS) in people aged 35-75 years in Hubei Province. Methods The follow-up data from 2016 to 2022 in the early screening and comprehensive intervention project for high-risk cardiovascular population in Hubei Province were collected. SAS 9.4 software was used to conduct 2-test and multivariate logistic regression to analyze the prevalence of MS and its influencing factors. Results Among the 89 199 subjects, 24 757 were affected by MS, with a prevalence rate of 27.75% and a standardized rate of 23.55%. Among the various components of MS, the prevalence of abnormal blood pressure was the highest, at 70.88%, and the standardized rate was 59.32%. Secondly, abnormal blood glucose was 36.26%, and the standardized rate was 30.04%. Central obesity was 33.12%, and the standardized rate was 30.28%. Hypertriglyceridemia was 32.90%, and the standardized prevalence rate was 32.70%. The rate of low HDL-C syndrome was 10.25%, and the standardized rate was 11.67%. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of MS increased with age, and the risk of MS in urban residents was lower than that in rural residents (OR=0.835, 95%CI: 0.77-0.886). Administrative and professional workers had a higher risk of MS than farmers (OR=1.313, 95%CI:1.194-1.445). Overweight, obesity, central obesity, history of self-reported hypertension, history of self-reported diabetes, and history of self-reported dyslipidemia were associated with a higher risk of MS, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion The prevalence of MS is high in people aged 35-75 years in Hubei Province. On the basis of comprehensive intervention, focus monitoring should be strengthened to control the risk factors of MS and reduce the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
3.Analysis of the efficiency of HLA-compatible platelet matching using a platelet genotype database
Jiangtian CHEN ; Xianguo XU ; Xiaozhen HONG ; Kairong MA ; Junfeng GUO ; Wei ZHANG ; Faming ZHU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(8):1105-1109
Objective: To evaluate the operational efficiency of a single-center platelet genotype database in HLA genotype-matched platelet search and applcation, and to compare the efficiency among different matching strategies, hospitals, and between first-time versus repeat application modes. Methods: Data on platelet genotype-based matching applications from December 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026, at our center were collected. Four time intervals were defined according to the workflow: the time from clinical hospital application to blood center receipt confirmation (Δt
); the time from blood center confirmation to completion of platelet gene database search (Δt
); the time from completion of database searching to availability of compatible platelet products (Δt
); and the time from clinical hospital application to availability of compatible platelet products (Δt
). Applications were classified as first-time or repeat based on application history, and as speed-priority matching strategy or classical matching strategy based on matching approach, with efficiency differences compared across the groups. Results: A total of 1 051 valid matching applications were included. The median values of Δt
, Δt
, Δt
, and Δt
were 6.2 h, 0.1 h, 0.2 h, and 11.5 h, respectively. Overall, 55.9% of genotype-based matches resulted in compatible platelets being available on the same day. The median Δt
of the speed-priority strategy was significantly shorter than that of the classical strategy (5.2 h vs 39.6 h, P<0.001). Median Δt
differed significantly among hospitals (P<0.001), with the shortest being 4.4 h. The median Δt
for repeat applications was 6.9 h, significantly shorter than that for first-time applications (27.7 h, P<0.001). Conclusion: The platelet gene database demonstrates sufficient efficiency in HLA genotype-matched platelet searching and application to meet clinical demands. Optimizing matching strategies and hospital application workflows may shorten the time for obtaining compatible platelets.
4.Association between occupational physical activity and cardiometabolic abnormalities in people aged 35 years and above at high risk of cardiovascular disease in Hubei Province
Longzhu XIONG ; Junfeng QI ; Chuansha WU ; Xiaojie SUN ; Shuzhen ZHU ; Junlin LI ; Ting ZHOU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(8):908-917
Background The association between occupational physical activity (OPA) and cardiometabolic risk factors remains controversial, potentially due to differences in the associations between OPA and various cardiometabolic indicators, as well as the lack of a clearly defined optimal OPA range for multiple-indicator synergistic benefits. Objective To investigate the relationship between OPA and cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals at high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Hubei Province, and to explore an optimal OPA range for multi-indicator improvements. Methods Data were derived from the Hubei Province dataset of the China Health Evaluation And Risk Reduction Through Nationwide Teamwork from 2015 to 2023, including
5.Five-year outcomes of metabolic surgery in Chinese subjects with type 2 diabetes.
Yuqian BAO ; Hui LIANG ; Pin ZHANG ; Cunchuan WANG ; Tao JIANG ; Nengwei ZHANG ; Jiangfan ZHU ; Haoyong YU ; Junfeng HAN ; Yinfang TU ; Shibo LIN ; Hongwei ZHANG ; Wah YANG ; Jingge YANG ; Shu CHEN ; Qing FAN ; Yingzhang MA ; Chiye MA ; Jason R WAGGONER ; Allison L TOKARSKI ; Linda LIN ; Natalie C EDWARDS ; Tengfei YANG ; Rongrong ZHANG ; Weiping JIA
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(4):493-495
6.Effect of continuous theta burst stimulation on postoperative cognitive dysfunction in mice: association with excitability of parvalbumin neurons in medial prefrontal cortex
Junfeng ZHONG ; Youjia YU ; Teng LI ; Liwei WANG ; Yangzi ZHU
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2025;45(9):1167-1171
Objective:To evaluate the effect of continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) on postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in mice and its association with the excitability of parvalbumin (PV) neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC).Methods:Twenty-four specific pathogen-free healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 8 weeks, weighing 18-24 g, in which adeno-associated virus (AAV) for labeling PV neurons was injected into the mPFC using stereotaxic surgery, were used in this study. Three weeks later, the mice were divided into 3 groups ( n=8 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), POCD group (group P) and cTBS group. Group C received no treatment. A mouse model of POCD was established by performing tibial fracture surgery under sevoflurane anesthesia and the mice received sham stimulation from postoperative day 0 to day 4 in group P. Group cTBS underwent POCD model establishment and received cTBS stimulation from postoperative day 0 to day 4. Cognitive function was assessed using contextual fear conditioning, Y-maze and novel object recognition tests on postoperative day 5. The spontaneous firing frequency of PV neurons in the mPFC was then measured using ex vivo patch-clamp electrophysiology. Results:The results of contextual fear conditioning test showed that compared to group C, the percentage of freezing time was significantly increased in group P ( P<0.05); compared to group P, the percentage of freezing time was significantly decreased in group cTBS ( P<0.05). The results of Y-maze test showed that compared to group C, the alternation accuracy was significantly decreased in group P ( P<0.05); compared to group P, the alternation accuracy was significantly increased in group cTBS ( P<0.05). The results of novel object recognition test showed that compared to group C, the percentage of time spent exploring the novel object was significantly decreased in group P ( P<0.05); compared to group P, this percentage of time spent exploring the novel object was significantly increased in group cTBS ( P<0.05). The results of ex vivo patch-clamp electrophysiology showed that compared to group C, the spontaneous firing frequency of PV neurons in the mPFC was significantly decreased in group P ( P<0.05); compared to group P, the spontaneous firing frequency of PV neurons in the mPFC was significantly increased in group cTBS ( P<0.05). Conclusions:cTBS can ameliorate POCD in mice, and the mechanism is related to the restoration of excitability of PV neurons in the mPFC.
7.Establishment of a nursing quality evaluation indicator system for pulse indicator continuous cardiac output monitoring
Yirong ZHU ; Lizhu WANG ; Qian LI ; Junfeng HE ; Xiaodan LU ; Yan XIANG ; Meijuan LAN
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(4):267-274
Objective:To construct a nursing quality evaluation indicator system for pulse indicator continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) monitoring and provide a basis for evaluating the nursing quality of PiCCO monitoring.Methods:Using Donabedian′s "structure-process-result" three-dimensional quality evaluation model as the theoretical framework, the nursing quality evaluation indicator system for PiCCO was established through literature search, Delphi expert correspondence, and hierarchical analysis during the period May to August 2023.Results:Of the 22 experts, 6 were male and 16 were female, aged (46.59 ± 4.34) years. The return rates of the questionnaires of the 2 rounds of expert correspondence were both 100%, the coefficients of expert authority were both 0.945, and the Kendall coordination coefficients were 0.045-0.186 ( χ2 values were 2.00-221.46, all P<0.05) and 0.045-0.132 ( χ2 values were 2.00-82.16, all P<0.05), respectively. The finalized nursing quality evaluation indicator system for PiCCO included 3 primary indicators, 7 secondary indicators, and 36 tertiary indicators. Conclusions:The nursing quality evaluation indicator system for PiCCO is practical and scientific, which can provide reference for PiCCO monitoring nursing quality evaluation.
8.Research progress in the design and application of whole-cell biosensors for antibiotics.
Yuke LUO ; Yiling ZHU ; Jianping XU ; Junfeng LIU ; Jianhua YIN
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(1):79-91
Antibiotics are chemicals with bactericidal or bacteriostatic activity produced by microorganisms and artificially synthesized. Since the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928, antibiotics have been widely used in clinical treatments as well as in the animal husbandry and aquaculture, leading to antibiotic residues in soil, water, food and other environments. At the same time, antibiotic resistance is increasingly serious, which necessitates the discovery of novel antibiotics. In recent years, with the development of synthetic biology, researchers have developed a variety of whole-cell biosensors that can respond to antibiotics. These whole-cell biosensors use microbial cells to convert antibiotic signals into readable signals, which can not only perform dynamic detection of antibiotics simply, quickly, sensitively and accurately but also effectively discover novel antibiotics. This review comprehensively summarizes the reported whole-cell biosensors for antibiotics, classifies them into two types (specific and general), and elaborates on the design principles and applications of the two types of antibiotic biosensors. This review will provide reference for the construction and application of other whole-cell biosensors for antibiotics.
Biosensing Techniques/methods*
;
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*
9.Effect of continuous theta burst stimulation on postoperative cognitive dysfunction in mice: association with excitability of parvalbumin neurons in medial prefrontal cortex
Junfeng ZHONG ; Youjia YU ; Teng LI ; Liwei WANG ; Yangzi ZHU
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2025;45(9):1167-1171
Objective:To evaluate the effect of continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) on postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in mice and its association with the excitability of parvalbumin (PV) neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC).Methods:Twenty-four specific pathogen-free healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 8 weeks, weighing 18-24 g, in which adeno-associated virus (AAV) for labeling PV neurons was injected into the mPFC using stereotaxic surgery, were used in this study. Three weeks later, the mice were divided into 3 groups ( n=8 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), POCD group (group P) and cTBS group. Group C received no treatment. A mouse model of POCD was established by performing tibial fracture surgery under sevoflurane anesthesia and the mice received sham stimulation from postoperative day 0 to day 4 in group P. Group cTBS underwent POCD model establishment and received cTBS stimulation from postoperative day 0 to day 4. Cognitive function was assessed using contextual fear conditioning, Y-maze and novel object recognition tests on postoperative day 5. The spontaneous firing frequency of PV neurons in the mPFC was then measured using ex vivo patch-clamp electrophysiology. Results:The results of contextual fear conditioning test showed that compared to group C, the percentage of freezing time was significantly increased in group P ( P<0.05); compared to group P, the percentage of freezing time was significantly decreased in group cTBS ( P<0.05). The results of Y-maze test showed that compared to group C, the alternation accuracy was significantly decreased in group P ( P<0.05); compared to group P, the alternation accuracy was significantly increased in group cTBS ( P<0.05). The results of novel object recognition test showed that compared to group C, the percentage of time spent exploring the novel object was significantly decreased in group P ( P<0.05); compared to group P, this percentage of time spent exploring the novel object was significantly increased in group cTBS ( P<0.05). The results of ex vivo patch-clamp electrophysiology showed that compared to group C, the spontaneous firing frequency of PV neurons in the mPFC was significantly decreased in group P ( P<0.05); compared to group P, the spontaneous firing frequency of PV neurons in the mPFC was significantly increased in group cTBS ( P<0.05). Conclusions:cTBS can ameliorate POCD in mice, and the mechanism is related to the restoration of excitability of PV neurons in the mPFC.
10.Effects of hepatitis B virus genotypes B and C on hepatic stellate cells under different alanine aminotransferase statuses
Peng GAO ; Longdong ZHU ; Junfeng LI ; Liqiong YAO
Journal of China Medical University 2025;54(6):500-504,509
Objective To explore the effects of hepatitis B virus genotypes B and C on hepatic stellate cells(HSC)proliferation,cell cycle,and secretion under different alanine aminotransferase(ALT)statuses.Methods A total of 270 patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B in the First Hospital of Lanzhou University between January 2023 to December 2023 were selected by stratified random sam-pling.In the group with normal ALT,there were 42 patients with genotype B and 48 patients with genotype C.In the group with ALT ≥ the upper normal limit(UNL)and<2 times the UNL(2 UNL),there were 48 patients with genotype B and 45 patients with genotype C.In the group with ALT≥2 UNL,there were 45 patients with genotype B and 42 patients with genotype C.Sera from these patients was used as the interfering sera.After HSC were treated with the interfering serum,the proliferation of HSC was detected by the MTT method,the cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry,the mRNA expressions of TGF-β1,Smad3,Smad7,α-SMA,Collagen Ⅰ,and Collagen Ⅲ were detected by real-time PCR,and the expressions of the corresponding proteins were detected by Western blotting.Results When the ALT level was normal,hepatitis B virus genotypes B and C had no obvious effect on HSCs.When the ALT level was abnormal,particularly in the group with ALT ≥ 2 UNL,the virus with genotype C was more likely to promote the proliferation of HSC,reduce the number of cells in the G0/G1 phase,increase the number of cells in the S phase and G2/M phase,enhance the mRNA and protein expressions of TGF-β1,Smad3,Collagen Ⅰ,Collagen Ⅲ,and α-SMA,and decrease the mRNA and protein expressions of Smad7,with significant differences(P<0.05).Conclusion The effects of hepatitis B virus genotypes B and C on HSC differ varying ALT statuses.During abnormal ALT elevation,genotype C hepatitis B virus demonstrates more pronounced effects on HSC proliferation,cell cycle progression,and secretory function compared to genotype B.


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