1.Pathogenic Mechanisms of Spleen Deficiency-Phlegm Dampness in Obesity and Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment Strategies:from the Perspective of Immune Inflammation
Yumei LI ; Peng XU ; Xiaowan WANG ; Shudong CHEN ; Le YANG ; Lihua HUANG ; Chuang LI ; Qinchi HE ; Xiangxi ZENG ; Juanjuan WANG ; Wei MAO ; Ruimin TIAN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):31-37
Based on spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness as the core pathogenesis of obesity, and integrating recent advances in modern medicine regarding the key role of immune inflammation in obesity, this paper proposes a multidimensional pathogenic network of "obesity-spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness-immune imbalance". Various traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs that strengthen the spleen, regulate qi, and resolve phlegm and dampness can treat obesity by improving spleen-stomach transport and transformation, promoting water-damp metabolism, and regulating immune homeostasis. This highlights immune inflammation as an important entry point to elucidate the TCM concepts of "spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness" and the therapeutic principle of "strengthening the spleen and eliminating dampness to treat obesity". By systematically analyzing the intrinsic connection between "spleen deficiency generating dampness, internal accumulation of phlegm dampness" and immune dysregulation in obesity, this paper aims to provide theoretical support for TCM treatment of obesity based on dampness.
2.Advances in the assessment of diabetic retinopathy severity in periarterial capillary-free zone by optical coherence tomography angiography
International Eye Science 2026;26(3):441-446
Diabetic retinopathy(DR), the most common microvascular complication of diabetes, has become a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness across all age groups. The early diagnosis and severity assessment of DR rely on the precise evaluation of retinal microvascular alterations. The periarterial capillary-free zone(paCFZ), a physiological avascular region surrounding retinal arteries, has recently been recognized as an important biomarker reflecting the status of retinal microcirculation. Advances in optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)have enabled noninvasive, high-resolution quantification of the paCFZ, offering a novel approach for the early detection and stratification of DR. This review systematically summarizes the definition and developmental mechanism of the paCFZ, as well as its morphological characteristics across different stages of DR, with a particular focus on the advantages of OCTA in visualizing and quantifying the paCFZ. We further discuss the differential manifestations of the paCFZ in nonproliferative DR and proliferative DR, and its associations with retinal ischemia and oxygenation status. In addition, the potential clinical value of paCFZ in evaluating responses to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)therapy and predicting disease progression is summarized. Finally, the challenges in clinical translation and future research directions are addressed, aiming to provide theoretical support and new perspectives for early screening, risk stratification, and personalized management of DR.
3.ESCRT Mechanism-mediated Repair of Plasma Membrane Damage Induced by Regulatory Cell Death
Tian-Yang FENG ; Le DENG ; Gou XU ; Li LI ; Miao-Miao GUO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1099-1112
The plasma membrane (PM) plays an essential role in maintaining cell homeostasis, therefore, timely and effective repair of damage caused by factors such as mechanical rupture, pore-forming toxins, or pore-forming proteins is crucial for cell survival. PM damage induces membrane rupture and stimulates an immune response. However, damage resulting from regulated cell death processes, including pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and necroptosis, cannot be repaired by simple sealing mechanisms and thus, requires specialized repair machinery. Recent research has identified a PM repair mechanism of regulated cell death-related injury, mediated by the endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) machinery. Here, we review recent progress in elucidating the ESCRT machinery-mediated repair mechanism of PM injury, with particular focus on processes related to regulated cell death. This overview, along with continued research in this field, may provide novel insights into therapeutic targets for diseases associated with dysregulation of regulated cell death pathways.
4.Label-free Fluorescence Probe Based on Primer Exchange Reaction for High Sensitivity Detection of Apurinic/Apyrimidinic Endonuclease 1
Yun-Hua WANG ; Le-Ru WANG ; Li-Gai YANG ; Jia-Zheng CHEN ; Yu-Run DU ; Jia-Hui HOU ; Xiang ZHAI ; Xu-Hua ZHAO ; Bao-Feng YU
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(3):464-471
Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1(APE 1)is a multifunctional protein that plays important roles in DNA repair and regulation of gene expression.Because APE 1 is overexpressed in various cancers,it can serve as a cancer biomarker for aiding clinical diagnosis,guiding therapy,and monitoring prognosis.On this basis,a label-free fluorescent probe was designed based on the primer exchange reaction(PER)strategy for highly sensitive detection of APE 1 activity.In the absence of APE 1,the structure of catalytic hairpin(HP)was stable and could not form G-quadruplex.Therefore,the background fluorescence of this sensing system was very low due to the dissociation of thioflavin T(ThT).In the presence of APE 1,the apurinic/apyrimidinic(AP)site of HP was cleaved by APE 1 and a short nucleic acid fragment that acted as a primer to initiate PER was generated.After PER reaction,a large number of G-quadruplex were produced,which could specifically bind with ThT and resulted in significant increase of fluorescence signal.The combination of low background design of HP and PER amplification made this biosensor had high sensitivity with a detection limit(3σ)of 0.0008 U/mL.Furthermore,the primer sequence was directly generated by the cleavage of APE 1 without additional addition,which not only increased the specificity of the reaction,but also simplified the experiment procedure.Moreover,the use of label-free fluorescence signal reduced the cost of the experiment,and realized rapid detection of APE 1.Finally,this sensor was used to detect APE 1 in human serum samples with spiked recoveries of 91%-104%,proving great potential in study of biological enzyme.
5.Progress on the relationship between small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and functional gastrointestinal disorders
Xiaoli FU ; Xuxia WEI ; Junjie XU ; Hongling CHEN ; Le ZHANG ; Ning XUE
International Journal of Pediatrics 2025;52(1):27-32
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth(SIBO)is a clinically common but poorly recognized disease with clinical symptoms that overlap with those of functional gastrointestinal disorders(FGID). FGID is a common risk factor for the occurrence of SIBO,and its SIBO incidence rate is significantly higher than that of healthy people,and has a certain correlation. Intestinal microbiota dysbiosis(including SIBO)plays an important role in the pathophysiology of FGID. At present,the diagnosis and treatment of SIBO still face challenges,and the treatment plan of FGID is gradually introduced into the treatment of SIBO. SIBO and FGID are closely related in clinical manifestations,incidence rate,pathophysiology,treatment and other aspects,but there is little research on the relationship between them. Prospective and large-scale clinical research is still needed to improve understanding and diagnostic accuracy.This article reviews the research progress on the relationship between SIBO and FGID.
6.Predictive value of serum IP-10 and S100A8 levels for poor prognosis in patients with severe pneumonia
Jiajia WANG ; Le WU ; Yifeng ZHANG ; Xu ZHANG ; Dan SHEN
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(16):2000-2005
Objective To investigate the relationship between serum levels of interferon-inducible protein 10(IP-10)and S100 calcium-binding protein A8(S100A8)and the prognosis of patients with severe pneumo-nia(SP).Methods A total of 315 SP patients admitted to the hospital from January 2021 to December 2023 were selected as the SP group,and 315 non-SP patients admitted to the hospital during the same period were selected as the non-SP group.According to the prognosis of SP patients 28 d after admission,they were divided into good prognosis group(199 cases)and poor prognosis group(116 cases).Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum IP-10 and S100A8 levels in SP patients.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between IP-10,S100A8 levels and infection indicators[high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),procalcitonin(PCT),interleukin-6(IL-6)].Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of poor prognosis in SP patients.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the value of hs-CRP,PCT,IP-10 and S100A8 levels in predicting the poor prognosis of SP patients.Results The serum levels of IP-10,S100A8,hs-CRP,PCT and IL-6 in SP group were higher than those in non-SP group(P<0.05).Paerson correlation analysis showed that serum IP-10 level in SP group was positively correlated with hs-CRP,PCT and IL-6(r=0.744,0.757,0.740,P<0.05).S100A8 level was posi-tively correlated with hs-CRP,PCT and IL-6(r=0.769,0.718,0.744,P<0.05).There were significant differences in oxygenation index,acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ score,clinical pulmonary in-fection score and levels of hs-CRP,PCT,IP-10 and S100A8 between the poor prognosis group and the good prognosis group(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that hs-CRP,PCT,IP-10 and S100A8 were risk factors for poor prognosis in SP patients,and oxygenation index was a protective factor(P<0.05).The ROC curve showed that the area under curve(AUC)of the combination of hs-CRP,PCT,IP-10 and S100A8 in predicting poor prognosis of SP patients was 0.965,which was greater than the AUC of the four alone(Zhs-CRP=4.009,ZPCT=4.022,ZIP-10=3.696,ZS100A8=3.309,P<0.05).Conclusion The serum lev-els of IP-10 and S100A8 are up-regulated in SP patients.The combination of IP-10 and S100A8 has a high pre-dictive value for poor prognosis in SP patients.
7.Efficacy and influencing factors of antiviral therapy for hepatitis B e antigen-positive chronic hepatitis B in children
Pengfei XU ; Yufeng ZHANG ; Xiaoyan WANG ; Ruiqing LIU ; Le YAN ; Nan JIA ; He SONG ; Huiling DENG
Chinese Pediatric Emergency Medicine 2025;32(6):464-469
Objective:To investigate the efficacy of antiviral therapy and influencing factors of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg) negative conversion for hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B(CHB) in children.Methods:The clinical data of 38 children with CHB who received antiviral treatment in Children's Hospital Affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2019 to August 2024 were collected.All patients were treated with interferon alpha monotherapy or combined with nucleoside analogues for 48 weeks.The patients were divided into HBsAg negative group and HBsAg non-negative group according to the therapeutic results at 48 weeks.Multivariate Logistic regression were used to identify influencing factors of HBsAg negative conversion at 48 weeks.The receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the predictive value of each factor to HBsAg negative conversion.Results:The alanine aminotransferase normalization rate,hepatitis B virus DNA negative rate,HBeAg negative rate and HBsAg negative rate were 76.3%,94.7%,39.5% and 47.4%,respectively at 48 weeks.There were 18 cases in HBsAg negative group and 20 cases in HBsAg non-negative group.There were statistical significant differences in age and HBsAg decline level at 12 and 24 weeks of antiviral treatment between HBsAg negative group and HBsAg non-negative group( P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age and HBsAg decline level at 12 and 24 weeks of antiviral treatment were independent predictors of HBsAg negative conversion at 48 weeks( OR=0.664,95% CI 0.473-0.932, P=0.018; OR=8.719,95% CI 1.920-39.604, P=0.005; OR=6.182,95% CI 2.083-18.347, P=0.001).The area under the curve of age and HBsAg decline level at 12 and 24 weeks were 0.737(95% CI 0.576-0.899, P=0.012),0.847(95% CI 0.725-0.969, P<0.001)and 0.939(95% CI 0.811-0.991, P<0.001),respectively.When the age was less than 4.625 years,the sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value and negative predictive value of HBsAg negative conversion at 48 weeks were 83.3%,65.0%,68.2% and 81.3%,respectively.A decrease in HBsAg level of >1.07 lg IU/mL at 12 weeks of treatment had a sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,and negative predictive value of 72.2%,90.0%,86.7%,and 78.3%,respectively,for predicting HBsAg seroclearance at 48 weeks.A reduction in HBsAg of >1.92 lg IU/mL at 24 weeks of treatment showed a sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,and negative predictive value of 83.3%,90.0%,88.2%,and 85.7%,respectively,in predicting HBsAg seroclearance at 48 weeks. Conclusion:The children with CHB have a higher rate of HBsAg negative conversion after antiviral therapy at 48 weeks.Age and HBsAg decline level at 12 and 24 weeks of antiviral treatment can serve as early predictors for HBsAg negative conversion in children with CHB.
8.Current status of cognitive frailty among the elderly in community
ZHAI Yujia ; ZHANG Tao ; GU Xue ; XU Le ; WU Mengna ; LIN Junfen ; WU Chen
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(8):762-766,772
Objective:
To investigate the current status and influencing factors for cognitive frailty among the elderly in community, so as to provide the evidence for early identification and prevention of cognitive frailty among the elderly.
Methods:
Residents aged 60 years and above with local household registration from 11 counties (cities, districts) in Zhejiang Province from 2021 to 2023 were selected as study participants using a multistage random sampling method. Demographic information, lifestyle, and health status were collected through questionnaire surveys. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire. Cognitive frailty was evaluated using the FRAIL Scale and the Mini-Mental State Examination. Factors affecting cognitive frailty among the elderly in community were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model.
Results:
A total of 16 613 individuals were surveyed, including 7 465 males (44.93%) and 9 148 females (55.07%). The average age was (70.97±7.29) years. A total of 784 individuals were detected with depressive symptoms, with a detection rate of 4.72%. A total of 724 individuals were detected with cognitive frailty, with a detection rate of 4.36%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that females (OR=1.419, 95%CI: 1.179-1.708), aged ≥70 years (70-<80 years old, OR=1.869, 95%CI: 1.490-2.345; ≥80 years old, OR=5.017, 95%CI: 3.935-6.398), without a spouse (OR=1.495, 95%CI: 1.234-1.810), sedentary (OR=2.420, 95%CI: 1.829-3.202), chronic diseases (1 type, OR=1.456, 95%CI: 1.175-1.804; ≥2 types, OR=1.639, 95%CI: 1.314-2.045), and depressive symptoms (OR=4.191, 95%CI: 3.361-5.225) were associated with a higher risk of cognitive frailty among the elderly in community. Conversely, a lower risk of cognitive frailty was seen among the elderly in community who had primary school or above (primary school, OR=0.512, 95%CI: 0.389-0.676; junior high school or above, OR=0.464, 95%CI: 0.354-0.608), engaged in physical exercise (OR=0.396, 95%CI: 0.291-0.539), and were reported average or good self-rated health status (average, OR=0.641, 95%CI: 0.475-0.866; good, OR=0.150, 95%CI: 0.109-0.208).
Conclusions
The detection rate of cognitive frailty among the elderly in community is relatively low and is influenced by demographic factors such as gender, age, education level, as well as lifestyle like sedentary and physical exercise, and health status. It is recommended to reduce the risk of cognitive frailty among the elderly through multidimensional interventions, including health education, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and enhanced mental health support.
9.Drug resistance before anti-retroviral therapy among newly dignosed HIV/AIDS patients aged 50 years and above in Yangzhou City
XU Li ; LIU Ping ; BIAN Yuxun ; CHEN Yuanyuan ; LI Xinna ; ZHOU Le
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(8):779-782,788
Objective:
To investigate the status of drug resistance before anti-retroviral therapy among newly dignosed HIV/AIDS patients aged ≥50 years in Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province, so as to provide the evidence for improving the anti-retroviral therapy effect of AIDS.
Methods:
HIV/AIDS patients aged ≥50 years who were newly dignosed in Yangzhou City from 2021 to 2024 and did not receive anti-retroviral therapy were selected. Basic information were collected through the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. Blood samples were collected to determine CD4+T lymphocyte (CD4 cell) counts and HIV-1 viral load. Following nucleic acid extraction, the pol gene region was amplified using reverse transcription and nested PCR, and subsequently subjected to Sanger sequencing. The resulting sequences were uploaded to the Stanford University HIV Drug Resistance Database to analyze drug resistance to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), protease inhibitors (PIs), and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs).
Results:
Totally 404 blood samples from HIV/AIDS patients were collected, with successful sequencing of the pol gene region in 341 cases. Among them, 253 (74.19%) were males and 88 (25.81%) were females, with a mean age of (62.48±7.60) years. A total of 152 cases (44.57%) had CD4 cell counts below 200 cells/μL, and 296 cases (86.80%) had HIV-1 viral loads exceeding 5 000 copies/mL. A total of 87 cases exhibited drug resistance-associated mutations, corresponding to a mutation rate of 25.51%. The predominant mutation site was V179, with a mutation rate of 17.01%. A total of 29 cases exhibited resistance to at least one drug, resulting in a resistance rate of 8.50%. The resistance rates to NNRTIs, PIs, and NRTIs were 5.57%, 2.93%, and 1.17%, respectively. The HIV/AIDS patients exhibited varying degrees of resistance to 13 anti-retroviral drugs, with low- or intermediate-level drug resistance being predominant. High-level drug resistance cases were observed against NNRTIs such as nevirapine and efavirenz.
Conclusions
The drug resistance rate before anti-retroviral therapy among newly dignosed HIV/AIDS patients aged ≥50 years in Yangzhou City was at a moderate level. The predominant resistance mutation was observed at V179 site, with NNRTIs resistance being most prevalent, primarily demonstrating low- or intermediate-level drug resistance.
10.Construction of a nomogram prediction model for Alzheimer's disease among the elderly in community
ZHANG Tao ; LIN Junfen ; GU Xue ; XU Le ; LI Fudong ; WU Chen
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(9):875-880
Objective:
To establish a nomogram prediction model for Alzheimer's disease (AD) among the elderly in community, so as to provide the evidence for early screening and prevention of AD.
Methods:
Based on the Zhejiang Healthy Aging Cohort Study, the elderly aged 60-90 years who completed the baseline survey were selected as the study subjects. Follow-up surveys were conducted from 2015 to 2016 and from 2019 to 2021. Sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, medical history, and waist circumference were collected through questionnaire surveys and physical examinations. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and a diagnosis of AD was made based on the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale and medical history. The participants were randomly divided into training and validation sets at 8∶2 ratio. LASSO regression was used to screen for predictive factors. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to analyze predictive factors and construct a nomogram. The model was analyzed and evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and decision curve analysis (DCA).
Results:
A total of 6 988 elderly were included at baseline, with a mean age of (68.19±6.63) years. There were 3 438 males (49.20%), and 3 550 females (50.80%). The median follow-up duration was 4.90 (interquartile range, 3.80) years, with 817 new cases of AD were identified, yielding an incidence of 11.69%. LASSO regression and multivariable logistic regression showed that age (OR=1.017, 95%CI: 1.005-1.030), gender (female, OR=1.820, 95%CI: 1.533-2.165), educational level (primary school, OR=0.813, 95%CI: 0.673-0.980), physical exercise (not active, OR=1.572, 95%CI: 1.260-1.980), dining companions (spouse and children, OR=0.771, 95%CI: 0.598-0.995), baseline MMSE score (OR=0.843, 95%CI: 0.821-0.866), and waist circumference (OR=0.981, 95%CI: 0.973-0.989) were risk predictors for AD among the elderly in community. The prediction model demonstrated an area under the ROC curve of 0.740 (95%CI: 0.698-0.783) in the validation set, with a sensitivity of 0.731 and a specificity of 0.667. DCA indicated that when the probability threshold was 0.060 to 0.325, the clinical net benefit was relatively high.
Conclusion
The AD risk prediction model constructed in this study has good discrimination and clinical practicability, can be used for early screening of AD among the elderly in the community.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail