1.Trends and global comparisons of non-rheumatic degenerative mitral valve disease burden in China from 1990 to 2023
Junning LIU ; Peidong LI ; Qilin LU ; Kanglin XU ; Ziao LU ; Yong LEI ; Guiying ZHU ; Haibo ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(09):1439-1447
Objective To analyze the disease burden trend of non-rheumatic degenerative mitral valve disease (NR-DMVD) in China from 1990 to 2023 and compare it with global levels and those in the United States and India. Methods Based on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 database, data on incidence, mortality, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for NR-DMVD were extracted. Joinpoint regression, decomposition analysis, and autoregressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA) were used to analyze trends, drivers, and project burden to 2040. Results In 2023, China's age-standardized DALY rate (2.56/100 000) and mortality rate (0.037/100 000) for NR-DMVD were significantly lower than those in the United States, India, and globally, while its age-standardized incidence rate (10.39/100 000) and prevalence rate (126.03/100 000) showed slow increases. From 1990 to 2023, the estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) for China's age-standardized DALY rate and mortality rate were –2.11% [95%CI (–2.25%, –1.98%)] and –4.54% [95%CI (–4.92%, –4.16%)], respectively, while the incidence rate and prevalence rate continued to rise; India showed increasing trends in all burden indicators. Decomposition analysis indicated that population aging was the primary driver of the increase in DALYs and prevalence cases, while epidemiological improvement was the key factor that led to the reduction in the number of deaths. Joinpoint analysis showed that China's age-standardized DALY rate declined most rapidly between 2000 and 2013, while the age-standardized mortality rate decreased fastest between 2007 and 2013. ARIMA models projected that China's prevalence rate would continue to rise and mortality rate would continue to decline through 2040. Conclusion NR-DMVD in China exhibits a dual-track pattern of "declining mortality but rising prevalence", driven by population aging. A tiered prevention and control system focusing on the elderly and high-risk male groups is needed.
2.Research progress on advance care planning for elderly patients with chronic diseases
Yongpeng SUN ; Song LI ; Kangli SHI ; Guiying FENG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(3):281-288
With the continuous intensification of aging, chronic diseases among the elderly have become a widely concerned public health issue. In the terminal stage, they often lose the ability to express their medical care wishes autonomously, leading to a disconnect between medical decision-making and the actual needs of the patients and increasing their physical and psychological suffering. With the rapid aging process in China, the incidence of chronic diseases in the elderly is continuously rising, which has become a serious public health problem. Studies have shown that advance care planning (ACP) has achieved remarkable results in maintaining the dignity of life for terminal chronic disease patients, improving patients’ quality of life, as well as alleviating the physical, mental, and economic burdens on their families. Therefore, the implementation of ACP is crucial for elderly patients with chronic diseases. This paper reviewed the concept of ACP, as well as application effects, challenges and limitations, and corresponding recommendations and countermeasures of ACP in elderly patients with chronic diseases, with a view to providing a solid theoretical and practical basis for the application of ACP in elderly population with chronic diseases in China.
3.Reporting quality and influencing factors of patient-reported outcomes in randomized controlled trials of lung cancer: Based on the CONSORT-PRO extension
Guiying ZHANG ; Yueyuan YOU ; Xiaoqin ZHOU ; Jing LI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(03):322-331
Objective To evaluate the reporting quality and influencing factors of patient-reported outcome (PRO) data in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of lung cancer. Methods RCTs of lung cancer with PRO as either primary or secondary endpoints were searched from PubMed, EMbase, Medline, CNKI, Wanfang Data, and VIP databases between January 1, 2010 and April 20, 2024. Reporting quality of included RCTs were assessed based on the CONSORT-PRO extension. Descriptive statistics and bivariate regression analysis were used to describe the reporting quality and analyze the factors influencing the reporting quality. Results A total of 740 articles were retrieved. After screening, 53 eligible RCTs of lung cancer with 22 780 patients were included. The patients were mainly with non-small cell lung cancer (84.91%), with the median sample size of the included studies was 364.0 (160.5, 599.5) patients. The primary PRO tool used was the EORTC QLQ-C30 (60.38%). There were 52 (98.11%) studies whose PRO measured the domain of "symptom management of cough, dyspnea, fatigue, pain, etc.", and 45 (84.91%) studies measured "health-related quality of life". Multicenter studies accounted for 84.91%, and randomized non-blind trials accounted for 62.26%. PRO was used as the primary endpoint in 33.96% of the studies and as secondary endpoints in 66.04%. The reliability and validity of the PRO tools were explicitly mentioned in 11.32% and 7.55% of the studies, respectively. The average completeness of reporting according to the CONSORT-PRO guidelines was 60.00%, ranging from 25.00% to 93.00%. The main factors affecting the completeness of CONSORT-PRO reporting included sample size and publication year. For every increment in sample size, the completeness of reporting increased by 27.5% (SE=0.00, t=2.040, P=0.046). Additionally, studies published after 2018 had a 67.2% higher completeness of reporting compared to those published in or before 2018 (SE=17.8, t=–3.273, P=0.006). Conclusion The study reveals that the overall reporting quality of PRO in lung cancer RCTs is poor. Particularly, the reporting of PRO measures reliability and validity, PRO assumptions, applicability, and handling of missing data need further improvement. Future research should emphasize comprehensive adherence to the CONSORT-PRO guidelines.
4.Zingiberis Rhizoma Alleviates Inflammatory Bowel Disease Through Regulating TLR4/MAPK Signaling Pathway in Ly6Chi Monocytes/Macrophages
Yalan LI ; Chonghao ZHANG ; Huachen LIU ; Jialong SU ; Na LI ; Mengyu ZHOU ; Guiying PENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):66-75
ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanisms of Zingiberis Rhizoma in treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by integrating network pharmacology with in vitro and in vivo experiments. MethodsTraditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database And Analysis Platform (TCMSP), Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Database (TCMID) Database were used to obtain the active component targets of Zingiberis Rhizoma. GeneCards was used to obtain the IBD targets. DAVID was used to perform Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses on core targets. Cytoscape 3.10.2 was used to establish the "active component-disease target-signaling pathway" interaction network. Mice were randomly assigned to control, model, and Zingiberis Rhizoma (400 mg·kg-1) groups. An IBD model was induced via dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). The colonic tissue was collected post-treatment to assess histology, expression of Ly6C+ monocytes/macrophages, and mRNA levels of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and inflammatory cytokines. The effect of Zingiberis Rhizoma aqueous extract on RAW264.7 cell viability was evaluated. Furthermore, the effects of the extract at 100, 10, and 1 mg·L-1 on LPS-induced differentiation of RAW264.7 cells into Ly6Chi monocytes/macrophages, mRNA levels of TLR4 and inflammatory cytokines, and protein levels of factors in the TLR4/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. ResultsA total of 241 targets were identified for Zingiberis Rhizoma and 6 787 for IBD, with 122 shared targets among Zingiberis Rhizoma, ulcerative colitis (UC), and Crohn's disease (CD). The enrichment analyses yielded 297 GO terms and 88 KEGG pathways. Associations were noted between Zingiberis Rhizoma's active component targets and IBD targets. In vivo experiments: Compared with the control group, the model group showed decreased body weight and disease activity index (DAI)(P<0.01), shortened colon length, damaged mucosal epithelium with inflammatory cell infiltration, raised pathological scores (P<0.05), increased Ly6Chi and Ly6Clo monocytes/macrophages (P<0.05), and up-regulated mRNA levels of TLR4, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 (P<0.05) and protein levels of TLR4, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2), and phosphorylated p38 MAPK (p-p38 MAPK) (P<0.05). Zingiberis Rhizoma intervention reversed these changes and reduced Ly6Chi monocytes/macrophages (P<0.01). In vitro experiments: compared with the control, LPS increased the proportion and number of Ly6Chi monocytes/macrophages and mRNA levels of TLR4, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 (P<0.01) and enhanced the expression of TLR4, p-ERK1/2, and p-p38 MAPK (P<0.05). Zingiberis Rhizoma reduced Ly6Chi monocytes/macrophages (P<0.05), down-regulated the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines (P<0.05), and suppressed the TLR4/MAPK pathway (P<0.05). ConclusionZingiberis Rhizoma alleviates IBD by suppressing the TLR4/ERK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway and reducing inflammatory cytokine levels in Ly6Chi monocytes/macrophages.
5.Mume Fructus Restores Intestinal Mucosal Epithelial Barrier Through MEK/ERK Signaling Pathway in Mouse Model of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Huachen LIU ; Chonghao ZHANG ; Yalan LI ; Jie LIU ; Jialong SU ; Na LI ; Shaoshuai LIU ; Qing WANG ; Guiying PENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):76-85
ObjectiveTo clarify the repair effect of Mume Fructus on the intestinal mucosal epithelial barrier in the mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and explore the repair mechanism. MethodsThirty-six male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into six groups: normal, model, low-, medium-, and high-dose (200, 400, and 800 mg·kg-1) Mume Fructus, and sulfasalazine (300 mg·kg-1). Except the normal group, the rest groups had free access to 2% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) solution for seven days to establish the IBD model, followed by a seven-day drug intervention. The body weight change and disease activity index (DAI) were recorded. After the last administration, spleen and colon tissue samples were collected to analyze the differences in colon length and spleen index. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the morphology of the colon tissue. The level of diamine oxidase (DAO) in the serum was measured by the DAO assay kit. Immunohistochemistry was employed to determine the expression of tight junction proteins such as Claudin-1, Occludin, and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in the colon tissue. Real-time PCR was performed to measure the mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the colon tissue. Finally, Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), phosphorylated (p)-MEK, and phosphorylated ERK in the colon tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group exhibited decreases in body weight and colon length (P<0.01), increases in DAI, spleen index, and serum DAO level (P<0.01), damaged colonic epithelium and goblet cells, and obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells. In addition, the model group exhibited higher positive expression of Claudin-1, Occludin, and ZO-1 (P<0.01), higher mRNA levels of TNF-α and IL-1β (P<0.01), and higher protein levels of p-MEK and p-ERK (P<0.05, P<0.01) than the normal group. However, sulfasalazine and three doses of Mume Fructus markedly decreased the body weight and DAI (P<0.05), recovered the colon length and spleen index, alleviated colon tissue damage, lowered the level of DAO in the serum (P<0.01), and down-regulated the mRNA levels of TNF-α and IL-1β (P<0.01) and the protein levels of p-MEK and p-ERK (P<0.05). Sulfasalazine and low- and medium-dose Mume Fructus increased the positive expression of Occludin, Claudin-1, and ZO-1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Furthermore, high-dose Mume Fructus elevated the protein expression of Occludin (P<0.05). ConclusionMume Fructus can restore the expression of intestinal epithelial tight junction proteins by inhibiting the phosphorylation of proteins in the MEK/ERK signaling pathway and down-regulating the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β, thus repairing the intestinal mucosal barrier in the mouse model of IBD.
6.Regulatory Effect of Modified Wumeiwan on Th17/Treg Balance and Intestinal Microbiota in Ulcerative Colitis with Dampness-heat Obstruction Syndrome in Human Flora-associated Model
Chonghao ZHANG ; Peiguang MA ; Huachen LIU ; Jialong SU ; Jie LIU ; Yalan LI ; Guichuan XU ; Na LI ; Guiying PENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):86-93
ObjectiveTo investigate the modulating effect of modified Wumeiwan (MWMW) on the ulcerative colitis (UC)-associated intestinal helper T cell 17 (Th17)/regulatory T cell (Treg) balance and intestinal flora by using a human flora-associated model of UC patients with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome, thus providing a new idea for the UC-related research and therapeutic strategies. MethodsThe 24 male C57BL/6J mice were randomized into normal control, model, and MWMW groups (n=8). Model and MWMW groups were first treated with an antibiotic cocktail (vancomycin, 0.1 g·kg-1; neomycin sulfate, 0.2 g·kg-1; ampicillin, 0.2 g·kg-1; metronidazole, 0.2 g·kg-1) for 21 days. At the end of antibiotic treatment, the gavage of fecal microbiota suspension from UC patients with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome was started at a dose of 0.2 mL·d-1 for 19 consecutive days, by which a human flora-associated model of UC was obtained. The MWMW group was administrated daily with MWMW liquid (12.5 g·kg-1), while the normal control and model groups were administrated by gavage with an equal amount of sterile water for 7 consecutive days. The symptoms of dampness-heat obstruction were observed. The colon length and spleen index were measured and calculated, and the proportions of Th17 and Treg cells were detected by flow assay. The intestinal flora was analyzed by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. ResultsCompared with the normal control group, the model group showed shortened colon (P<0.05) and increased spleen index (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the MWMW group showed prolonged colon (P<0.01) and decreased spleen index (P<0.05). After the intervention of MWMW, the Th17 proportion and Th17/Treg ratio in the colon decreased (P<0.01), and the proportion of Treg cells increased (P<0.05). The number of species and alpha and beta diversity of intestinal flora in mice were regulated by MWMW (P<0.05). In terms of intestinal flora composition, MWMW increased the relative abundance of several phyla (Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Fusobacteriota, Actinobacteriota, and Gemmatimonadota), the genus Bacteroides, and two species (Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and B. fragilis) in model mice. Moreover, Spearman's correlation analysis showed that the relative abundance of B. thetaiotaomicron and B. fragilis were negatively correlated with the Th17 level (P<0.05). In addition, the above changes in intestinal flora caused the changes in microbial genes involved in 14 pathways, such as glycolysis, amino acid degradation, inorganic nutrient metabolism, biosynthesis of pyrimidine deoxyribonucleotides, antibiotic resistance, and degradation of polysaccharides. ConclusionsThe human flora-associated model successfully simulated the changes (marked by a decrease in the abundance of Bacteroides) of intestinal flora in UC patients with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome. MWMW can enrich the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as B. thetaiotaomicron and B. fragilis and promote the synergistic intestinal immune modulation with the metabolic functions centered on glycolysis, amino acid metabolism, and nucleotide synthesis through bacterial polysaccharide utilization sites to reduce the Th17/Treg ratio, thereby exerting a protective effect on UC.
7.Evolution of Medication Patterns in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Chen WANG ; Xiaoyu CAO ; Yalan LI ; Shaoshuai LIU ; Guiying PENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):94-102
ObjectiveTo explore the evolution of medication patterns and syndrome-herb associations of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), providing a theoretical foundation for precise syndrome differentiation and treatment in clinical practice. MethodsMedical case literature on TCM treatment of IBD from 1960 to 2024 was retrieved to establish a database. Frequency statistics, cluster analysis, change point detection, and association rule mining were employed to comprehensively analyze the syndrome distribution, therapeutic methods, medication patterns, and their temporal variations. ResultsA total of 685 medical cases were included. Common syndromes were dampness-heat (66.42%) and spleen deficiency (56.20%). Primary therapeutic methods included heat clearing (63.65%), spleen invigorating (47.45%), and dampness draining (36.79%). High-frequency herbs included Coptidis Rhizoma (354), Paeoniae Radix Alba (303), Aucklandiae Radix (292), Codonopsis Radix (253), and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (244). Initial prescription clustering revealed three core therapeutic method combinations: heat clearing and detoxifying (represented by Baitouweng Tang), spleen invigorating and Qi reinforcing (represented by Shenling Baizhusan), and cold-heat regulation (represented by Wumeiwan combined with Shaoyao tang). Temporal analysis identified 2008 as a key transition point in TCM treatment of IBD, with significantly increased usage frequency of heat-clearing and dampness-drying herbs such as Fraxini Cortex, Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex, Sophorae Flavescentis Radix, and Scutellariae Radix as well as hemostatic herbs such as carbonized Sanguisorbae Radix, Bletillae Rhizoma, Agrimoniae Herba, and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma. Follow-up efficacy analysis showed median improvement rates of 64.0% at the first follow-up, 76.0% at the second follow-up, and 78.7% at the third follow-up. Syndrome-drug association analysis revealed specific herb pairs with significant therapeutic advantages, including Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma + Coicis Semen, Sanguisorbae Radix + Coptidis Rhizoma, and Codonopsis Radix + Aconii Lateralis Radix Praeparaia. ConclusionTCM medication patterns for treating IBD demonstrate distinct temporal evolution characteristics, with significantly increased usage frequency of herbs such as Fraxini Cortex, Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma, and Agrimoniae Herba. Significant therapeutic method-herb associations and syndrome-herb association patterns exist, with the formation of specific herb pairs, providing evidence-based support for precise syndrome differentiation and treatment of IBD.
8.Analysis of abnormal individual dose monitoring results in 206 medical institutions in a selected region in 2024
Hua TUO ; Wenyan LI ; Lantao LIU ; Guiying ZHANG ; Zeqin GUO ; Heyan WU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(4):471-476
Objective To analyze the abnormal individual dose monitoring results in 206 medical institutions in a selected region in 2024, and to propose improvement measures. Methods Individuals with monitoring results exceeding the investigation level were subjected to high-dose investigation, and the results were statistically analyzed. Results In 2024, the individual dose monitoring of 206 medical institutions in a selected region showed 1.04% abnormal results. The proportions of abnormal results from primary, secondary, and tertiary medical institutions were 12.22%, 3.33%, and 84.45%, respectively. In analysis of the causes of abnormal results, 52.53% of the cases were due to personal dosimeters left in the radiation workplace, and 20.20% were due to the confusion in wearing personal dosimeters inside and outside the lead apron. In analysis of the occupational distribution of the radiation workers with abnormal monitoring results, interventional radiology and diagnostic radiology accounted for 73.34% and 24.44%, respectively. Statistical analysis of the dose range showed that doses in the ranges of 1.25-2.0 mSv and 2.0-5.0 mSv accounted for 42.22% and 33.33%, respectively. In the report of abnormal monitoring results, the proportions of reporting notional dose and reporting measured results accounted for 88.89% and 11.11%, respectively. Among institutions with consecutive abnormal results, primary, secondary, and tertiary medical institutions accounted for 15.39%, 7.69%, and 76.92%, respectively. Conclusion The level of the hospital, occupational type, the perceived importance of the hospital to the management of radiation protection, and the perceived importance and compliance of the radiation workers with the individual dose monitoring are potential causes of abnormal results. It is recommended that employers should enhance radiation protection training for their radiation workers to ensure proper wearing and storage of dosimeters, and progressively improve the standardization and effectiveness of individual dose monitoring practice.
9.Diet and exercise intervention practice for overweight/obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome based on multidisciplinary dynamic feedback model
Xiaoqing LI ; Jieyu WANG ; Xueyun ZHANG ; Feifei LIANG ; Chunyan WANG ; Jingxian CHENG ; Dongmei JI ; Guiying LUO
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(13):121-127
Objective To develop and evaluate dietary and exercise intervention program for over-weight/obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).Methods Seventy patients with over-weight/obese PCOS were prospectively selected as research subjects and divided into intervention group(n=35)and control group(n=35)according to random number table method.According to the completion of the intervention plan,29 cases were finally included in the intervention group and 28 cases in the control group.The control group was given conventional nursing intervention,while the intervention group was applied with the diet and exercise intervention program for overweight/obese patients with PCOS.Both groups were intervened for 3 months.The physical indicators,PCOS sign scores,natural pregnancy rate,degree of self-body image distress(Multidimensional Self-body Im-age Relationship Questionnaire-Appearance Subscale)and self-efficacy level(Self-efficacy Scale)before and after the intervention were compared between the two groups.The occurrence of adverse reactions during the intervention period between the two groups were compared.Results After 1 month and 3 months of intervention,the body mass index(BMI)and PC OS sign score of the pa-tients in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The natural conception rate of the intervention group was 34.48%(10/29),which was significantly higher than 10.71%(3/28)of the control group(P<0.05).After 1 month and 3 months of inter-vention,the scores of the self-body image relationship-appearance subscale of the patients in the inter-vention group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.001).After 3 months of intervention,the score of the Self-efficacy Scale of patients in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.001).During the intervention period,no adverse reac-tions caused by diet and exercise intervention occurred in either group.Conclusion Implementing a diet and exercise intervention program for overweight/obese patients with PCOS is beneficial for re-ducing patients' BMI,increasing the natural pregnancy rate,improving self-body image disorders,and enhancing self-efficacy.
10.Mechanisms and regulatory strategies of soft palate muscle fibrosis following cleft palate repair
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2025;41(8):875-879
Surgery is the primary treatment for cleft palate. However, excessive fibrosis during soft palate muscle regeneration significantly impairs functional recovery postoperatively. Current evidence indicates that transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), myostatin and denervation caused by surgical trauma are key contributors to fibrosis in the soft palate muscles. This article extensively reviewed the mechanisms underlying fibrosis during muscle regeneration after cleft palate repair, analyzed the factors leading to soft palate muscle fibrosis, and summarized multidisciplinary strategies to inhibit fibrosis and improve muscle function. The findings aimed to provide a theoretical foundation for enhancing surgical outcomes and the quality of life of children with cleft palate.

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