1.Surveillance of schistosomiasis in Jiangsu Province from 2012 to 2024
Wei LI ; Jianfeng ZHANG ; Liang SHI ; Tao WANG ; Yun FENG ; Lu LIU ; Kun YANG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(1):8-13
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of schistosomiasis surveillance in Jiangsu Province during the stage moving from transmission control to transmission interruption, and to analyze the current risk and challenges, so as to provide the evidence for achieving the target of schistosomiasis elimination. Methods Schistosomiasis surveillance data were collected from Jiangsu Province from 2012 to 2024, and the endemic areas, Schistosoma japonicum infections in humans and livestock, Oncomelania hupensis snail distribution and implementation of integrated interventions were descriptively analyzed. In addition, the trends in areas with snails, seroprevalence of human S. japonicum infections and numbers of advanced schistosomiasis cases were assessed using a Joinpoint regression model. Results The endemic areas of schistosomiasis continued to shrink in Jiangsu Province from 2012 to 2024, with the number of schistosomiasis-eliminated counties (cities, districts) increasing from 53 (75.71%) to 63 (96.92%), and interruption of schistosomiasis transmission was achieved across the province. A total of 4 600 300 person-times were tested for serum antibodies against S. japonicum, with 28 719 person-times positive detected; and 616 500 person-times were tested S. japonicum infections among local residents in Jiangsu Province from 2012 to 2024, with only 3 egg-positives detected, and no egg-positives found since 2017. A total of 187 600 herd-times were tested for schistosomiasis in livestock, and no S. japonicum infections were found. O. hupensis snail survey was performed covering 1 018 408.97 hm2, and a total of 35 556.35 hm2 was found with snail-infested habitats, including 174.40 hm2 of emerging snail-infested habitats. A total of 1 102 800 O. hupensis snails were identified for S. japonicum infections, and no infections were found. The areas of snail-infested habitats appeared a tendency towards a rise in Jiangsu Province from 2019 to 2023 (APC = 23.67%, P < 0.05), and the actual areas of snail-infested habitats appeared a tendency towards a decline from 2012 to 2015 (APC = −22.77%, P < 0.05), and towards a rise from 2015 to 2023 (APC = 9.76%, P < 0.01). The seroprevalence of anti-S. japonicum antibodies appeared a tendency towards a decline among residents in Jiangsu Province from 2017 to 2023 (APC = −14.92%, P < 0.01). In addition, the number of newly diagnosed advanced schistosomiasis cases appeared a tendency towards a decline from 2012 to 2024 (APC = −12.02%, P < 0.01), and the numbers of advanced schistosomiasis patients requiring treatment showed a tendency towards a decline from 2012 to 2021 (APC = −10.56%, P < 0.01) and from 2021 to 2023 (APC = −20.06%, P < 0.01). Conclusions Great progresses had been achieved in schistosomiasis control in Jiangsu Province following transmission control, and transmission interruption had been achieved; however, there are still snail-infested habitats. High-intensity surveillance and integrated control are required to be maintained to advance the achievement of the target of schistosomiasis elimination in Jiangsu Province.
2.Time-series analysis of daily temperature, atmospheric pressure, and pre-hospital cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease emergencies in Yantai, Shandong Province, 2016–2022
Mingshun WU ; Qing ZHANG ; Liang CHANG ; Lan LI ; Suqiu YANG ; Jiarong LI ; Xinhui YU ; Linlin LI ; Jiawei FENG ; Tieying NI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(4):458-466
Background Meteorological factors are among the key extrinsic triggers for the onset and exacerbation of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (CVD). Against the backdrop of sustained global warming, elucidating the impact of ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure on CVD, especially on pre-hospital CVD emergent events, has become imperative for evidence-based prevention and emergency preparedness. Objective To quantify the temporal trends of daily mean temperature and atmospheric pressure and their associations with pre-hospital CVD emergent events in Yantai, and to explore effect modification by demographic subgroups and geographic areas, thereby providing an empirical basis for the rational allocation of emergency medical resources. Methods Pre-hospital CVD emergency data from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2022 were selected from the Yantai 120 Emergency Medical Command System. Synchronous meteorological factors and environmental pollutant data were obtained from the websites of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Centers for Environmental Information of the United States. Time-series analysis combined with distributed lag non-linear model was used to analyze the association between daily temperature, atmospheric pressure, and pre-hospital CVD emergencies. Average annual percentage changes (AAPC) were calculated using Joinpoint (version 5.2.0.0) to reflect temporal trends. Spearman correlation analysis was employed to screen variables with low collinearity for inclusion in the multi-pollutant adjusted models. Results From 2016 to 2022, a total of
3.Spinal cord stimulation for spinal cord injury from 1999 to 2025: a bibliometric analysis
Yuanyuan QI ; Haifeng GAO ; Lina LIU ; Yujie XIE ; Jing XU ; Feng GAO ; Liang CHEN ; Degang YANG ; Jun LI
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2026;32(4):373-386
ObjectiveTo analyze the research hotspots and development trends in the field of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for spinal cord injury (SCI). MethodsLiterature about SCS for SCI was retrieve from the Web of Science (WOS) Core Collection database, with a time range from January, 1999 to July, 2025. VOSviewer 1.6.20 and CiteSpace 6.4.R2 were used to analyze the annual publication volume, countries, authors, institutions, journals and keywords. ResultsA total of 636 literatures were included. From 1999 to 2025, the overall publication trend in this field showed an upward trajectory, with recent years fluctuating but tending to stabilize. The country with the most publications was the United States (429 papers), followed by Russia (98 papers) and China (70 papers). The institution with the highest number of publications was the University of California, Los Angeles (76 papers), the author with the most publications was V. Reggie Edgerton (70 papers), and the journal with the most publications was Journal of Clinical Medicine (31 papers). The most frequently cited study focused on exploring the combination of epidural spinal cord stimulation with task-specific training to restore motor function in patients with complete SCI. Keyword analysis showed that the research hotspots in this field were mainly focused on neuroregulation mechanisms, recovery of motor and autonomic nervous dysfunction, artificial intelligence, closed-loop stimulation and brain-computer interface technology innovations. In recent years, the research focus gradually shifted from basic mechanisms to personalized and precise multifunctional rehabilitation strategies. ConclusionThe field of SCS for SCI has undergone phases of basic mechanism exploration and clinical application expansion. Current research hotspots and future trends focus primarily on the development of new stimulation paradigms and combined innovative technologies.
4.Polypeptide-based Nanocarriers for Oral Targeted Delivery of CAR Genes to Pancreatic Cancer
Feng XIN ; Jian REN ; Zhao-Zhen LI ; Quan FANG ; Rui-Jing LIANG ; Lan-Lan LIU ; Lin-Tao CAI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):431-441
ObjectivePancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits a limited response to current treatments due to its dense fibrotic stroma and highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In recent years, advancements in cellular immunotherapy, particularly chimeric antigen receptor macrophage (CAR-M) therapy, have offered new hope for pancreatic cancer treatment. Although CAR-M therapy demonstrates dual potential in directly killing tumor cells and remodeling the immune microenvironment, it still faces challenges such as complex in vitro preparation processes and low in vivo targeting and delivery efficiency. Therefore, developing strategies for efficient and targeted in vivo delivery of CAR genes has become crucial for overcoming current therapeutic limitations. This study aims to develop an orally administrable nano-gene delivery system for the targeted delivery of CAR genes to pancreatic tumor sites. MethodsCore nano-gene particles (PNP/pCAR) were constructed by loading plasmid DNA encoding CAR (pCAR) with cationic polypeptides (PNP). Subsequently, PNP/pCAR was surface-modified with β-glucan to prepare the targeted nanoparticles (βGlus-PNP/pCAR). The loading efficiency of PNP for pCAR was quantitatively assessed by gel retardation assay. The particle size, Zeta potential, morphology, and storage stability of PNP/pCAR were characterized using a Malvern particle size analyzer and transmission electron microscopy. At the cellular level, RAW 264.7 macrophages were selected. The cytotoxicity of PNP/pCAR was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. The cellular uptake efficiency and lysosomal escape ability of the nanoparticles were assessed via flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Transfection efficiency was quantitatively evaluated by detecting the expression of the reporter gene GFP using flow cytometry. At the in vivo level, an orthotopic pancreatic cancer mouse model was established. Cy7-labeled βGlus-PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were administered orally, and the fluorescence distribution in mice was dynamically monitored at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 h post-administration using a small animal in vivo imaging system. Forty-eight hours after oral gavage, the mice were euthanized, and pancreatic tumor tissues were collected for further analysis of intratumoral fluorescence signals using the imaging system. Additionally, βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP nanoparticles loaded with the reporter gene (GFP) were administered orally. Forty-eight hours post-administration, pancreatic tumor tissues were harvested to prepare frozen sections, and GFP expression was observed and analyzed under a fluorescence microscope. ResultsThe PNP carrier exhibited a high loading capacity for pCAR. The successfully prepared PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were regular spheres with a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately (120±10) nm and a Zeta potential of about +(6±1) mV. They maintained good structural stability after incubation in PBS buffer for 7 d. Cell experiments demonstrated that PNP/pCAR exhibited no significant cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells while being efficiently internalized and effectively escaping lysosomal degradation. The transfection positive rate of PNP/pCAR-GFP in RAW 264.7 cells reached (25±3)%, surpassing that of Lipofectamine 2000-loaded pCAR-GFP (Lipo/pCAR-GFP), which was (20±1)%.In vivo experiments revealed that, compared to unmodified PNP/pCAR, βGlus-PNP/pCAR exhibited strongerin situ pancreatic tumor targeting ability after oral administration. Furthermore, oral administration of βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP resulted in significant GFP protein expression detectable within pancreatic tumor tissues. ConclusionThis study successfully constructed and validated an orally administrable, pancreatic cancer-targeting polypeptide-based nano-gene delivery system. It provides an important technological foundation in delivery systems and experimental basis for the subsequent development of in situ CAR-M-based therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer.
5.Polypeptide-based Nanocarriers for Oral Targeted Delivery of CAR Genes to Pancreatic Cancer
Feng XIN ; Jian REN ; Zhao-Zhen LI ; Quan FANG ; Rui-Jing LIANG ; Lan-Lan LIU ; Lin-Tao CAI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):431-441
ObjectivePancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits a limited response to current treatments due to its dense fibrotic stroma and highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In recent years, advancements in cellular immunotherapy, particularly chimeric antigen receptor macrophage (CAR-M) therapy, have offered new hope for pancreatic cancer treatment. Although CAR-M therapy demonstrates dual potential in directly killing tumor cells and remodeling the immune microenvironment, it still faces challenges such as complex in vitro preparation processes and low in vivo targeting and delivery efficiency. Therefore, developing strategies for efficient and targeted in vivo delivery of CAR genes has become crucial for overcoming current therapeutic limitations. This study aims to develop an orally administrable nano-gene delivery system for the targeted delivery of CAR genes to pancreatic tumor sites. MethodsCore nano-gene particles (PNP/pCAR) were constructed by loading plasmid DNA encoding CAR (pCAR) with cationic polypeptides (PNP). Subsequently, PNP/pCAR was surface-modified with β-glucan to prepare the targeted nanoparticles (βGlus-PNP/pCAR). The loading efficiency of PNP for pCAR was quantitatively assessed by gel retardation assay. The particle size, Zeta potential, morphology, and storage stability of PNP/pCAR were characterized using a Malvern particle size analyzer and transmission electron microscopy. At the cellular level, RAW 264.7 macrophages were selected. The cytotoxicity of PNP/pCAR was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. The cellular uptake efficiency and lysosomal escape ability of the nanoparticles were assessed via flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Transfection efficiency was quantitatively evaluated by detecting the expression of the reporter gene GFP using flow cytometry. At the in vivo level, an orthotopic pancreatic cancer mouse model was established. Cy7-labeled βGlus-PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were administered orally, and the fluorescence distribution in mice was dynamically monitored at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 h post-administration using a small animal in vivo imaging system. Forty-eight hours after oral gavage, the mice were euthanized, and pancreatic tumor tissues were collected for further analysis of intratumoral fluorescence signals using the imaging system. Additionally, βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP nanoparticles loaded with the reporter gene (GFP) were administered orally. Forty-eight hours post-administration, pancreatic tumor tissues were harvested to prepare frozen sections, and GFP expression was observed and analyzed under a fluorescence microscope. ResultsThe PNP carrier exhibited a high loading capacity for pCAR. The successfully prepared PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were regular spheres with a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately (120±10) nm and a Zeta potential of about +(6±1) mV. They maintained good structural stability after incubation in PBS buffer for 7 d. Cell experiments demonstrated that PNP/pCAR exhibited no significant cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells while being efficiently internalized and effectively escaping lysosomal degradation. The transfection positive rate of PNP/pCAR-GFP in RAW 264.7 cells reached (25±3)%, surpassing that of Lipofectamine 2000-loaded pCAR-GFP (Lipo/pCAR-GFP), which was (20±1)%.In vivo experiments revealed that, compared to unmodified PNP/pCAR, βGlus-PNP/pCAR exhibited strongerin situ pancreatic tumor targeting ability after oral administration. Furthermore, oral administration of βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP resulted in significant GFP protein expression detectable within pancreatic tumor tissues. ConclusionThis study successfully constructed and validated an orally administrable, pancreatic cancer-targeting polypeptide-based nano-gene delivery system. It provides an important technological foundation in delivery systems and experimental basis for the subsequent development of in situ CAR-M-based therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer.
6.Effect of Oral Sodium Butyrate on Skeletal Muscle Atrophy via The Gut-muscle Axis in Antibiotic-pretreated CT26 Tumor-bearing Mice and Its Mechanism
Shu-Ling ZHANG ; Jun-Wei WANG ; Shi-Liang HU ; Tu-Tu WANG ; Shun-Chang LI ; Jia FAN ; Jun-Zhi SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):724-739
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of oral sodium butyrate on skeletal muscle atrophy in CT26 tumor mice through the gut microbiota-skeletal muscle axis and its potential mechanism. MethodsSixty SPF BALB/c male mice aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into a normal control group (NC, n=18) and a ABX-depleted group (ABX, n=42). The ABX mice were pretreated with a quadruple antibiotic cocktail via oral gavage (0.2 ml per administration, once daily, 6 d per week, for 2 weeks), whereas NC received an equal volume of sterile water. The quadruple antibiotic cocktail consisted of metronidazole (1 g/L), vancomycin (0.5 g/L), ampicillin (1 g/L), and gentamicin (1 g/L). Following successful pretreatment, six mice from each group were randomly selected for gut microbiota sequencing analysis and designated as the Abx group and the NC0 group, respectively. Theremaining mice in ABX were subcutaneously inoculated in the dorsum with 0.2 ml of CT26 cell suspension (at a cell density of 1×107/ml). Then these mice were randomly allocated into three subgroups: a control tumor bearing model group (0_NaB, n=12), a tumor-bearing model group receiving low-dose oral sodium butyrate (L_NaB, n=12), a tumor-bearing model group receiving high-dose oral sodium butyrate (H_NaB, n=12). And mice in NC were inoculated at the same site with 0.2 ml of normal saline. The administration dose for L_NaB was 0.3 g/(kg·d), that for H_NaB was 0.5 g/(kg·d), while NC and 0_NaB were given the same volume of normal saline (0.2ml per time, once daily, 6 d per week, for 4 weeks). The general condition of mice was monitored, and forelimb grip strength gastrocnemius muscle mass and its muscle fiber cross-sectional area were measured for each group. The structural changes in gut microbiota were assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing of cecal contents. Pathological alterations in the intestinal wall were examined via HE staining. Serum and gastrocnemius muscle levels of TNF‑α, IL-6, IL-1β, and LPS were quantified using ELISA. The protein expression of ZO-1 and occludin in the small intestine, as well as proteins associated with the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in the gastrocnemius muscle, were detected by Western blot analysis. Results(1) The alpha-diversity in Abx was significantly lower than that in NC0 (P<0.01), a significant decrease of the mass and muscle fiber cross-sectional area of the gastrocnemius (P<0.01), with the majority of gut microbiota being effectively depleted. (2) Compared with NC, the subcutaneous tumors of mice in 0_NaB were prominent, a significant increase of the mass and muscle fiber cross-sectional area of the gastrocnemius, accompanied by a significant decrease in body weight at the end of the 3th and 4th week (P<0.05), and a significant weakening of the forelimb grasping strength at the 5th and 6th week (P<0.01). Compared with 0_NaB, the tumor mass of mice in L_NaB and H_NaB showed a significant decreasing trend, and the grip strength of the forelimbs significantly increased at the 5th and 6th week (P<0.05, P<0.01). (3) Compared with 0_NaB, the Shannon and Observed species indices in α diversity of L_NaB and H_NaB were significantly increased (P<0.05). At the genus level, compared with 0_NaB, L_NaB exhibited a significant decrease in the relative abundance of Parasutterella (P< 0.01), while H_NaB showed significant reductions in the relative abundances of both Escherichia-Shigella and Parasutterella (P < 0.01). (4) Compared with 0_NaB, the small intestinal tissue structure in L_NaB and H_NaB was more intact, the infiltration of inflammatory cells was significantly reduced, and the capillaries were slightly dilated. The expression levels of ZO-1 and occludin proteins in L_NaB were significantly increased (P<0.01). (5) The LPS concentration in the gastrocnemius muscle and the protein expression levels of TLR4, MyD88, p-IκBα, and p-NF‑κB p65 in L_NaB and H_NaB were significantly lower than those in 0_NaB (P<0.05). The serum TNF‑α concentration in H_NaB and TNF-α concentration in the gastrocnemius muscle of the L_NaB and H_NaB were significantly lower than those in 0_NaB (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.01). ConclusionOral administration of NaB can improve gut microbiota α diversity, adjusting its composition, improving intestinal mucosal barrier function, reducing the LPS-induced pro-inflammatory response, and delaying skeletal muscle atrophy. The underlying mechanism may involve down regulation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling in skeletal muscle.
7.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.
8.Evaluation of repeated testing with blood screening platform in confirmation of NAT non-discriminatory reactive samples
Mengfan LI ; Xuelian DENG ; Liang ZANG ; Lei ZHOU ; Xiaochun LIU ; Xiaohua LIANG ; Lunan WANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(4):458-464
Objective: To evaluate repeated testing on blood screening platforms in confirmation of non-discriminatory reactive (NDR) samples in nucleic acid testing (NAT). Methods: A total of 102 HBsAg-negative/NAT NDR samples were collected from voluntary blood donors at Dalian Blood Center between January 2021 and December 2023. Repeated testing was performed using two NAT platforms (Cobas s201 and Panther). For the first round of repeated testing, all samples were tested 12 times on each system; for the second round, the samples which were non-reactive or only reactive once in the first round were tested an additional 8 times. Anti-HBc and anti-HBs was detected using electrochemiluminescence assay (ECA). Meanwhile, blood donors were followed up. Results: The proportion of anti-HBc+ in 102 NDR samples was 88.2%. Forty-one samples (40.2%, 41/102) and 7 samples were confirmed HBV DNA+ in first-round and second-round repeated testing, respectively. The cumulative confirmation rate of HBV DNA+ was 47.1% (48/102) after repeated testing. Extra five blood donors detected HBV DNA+ in follow-up were identified as anti-HBc+ occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI), while no window period infection was observed. Ultimately, there were 53 HBV infected donors confirmed, 46 HBV infection-unconfirmed, and 3 HBV uninfected. No significant difference was observed between the confirmation rate of the first-round testing and the cumulative confirmation rate after the second-round testing (P>0.05). The proportion of anti-HBc+ donors was quite high in both HBV infection-confirmed (98.1%) and unconfirmed group (82.6%), and donors with seronegative and anti-HBs-only occupied a high proportion in the latter (P<0.05). Conclusion: Numerous repeated testing of NDR samples using NAT platforms cannot achieve complete confirmation of HBV infection. Supplementary anti-HBc testing can minimize potential OBI risk among NDR donors, and is low-cost and efficient.
9.Zuoguiwan Mitigates Oxidative Stress in Rat Model of Hyperthyroidism Due to Kidney-Yin Deficiency via DRD4/NOX4 Pathway
Ling LIN ; Qianming LIANG ; Changsheng DENG ; Li RU ; Zhiyong XU ; Chao LI ; Mingshun SHEN ; Yueming YUAN ; Muzi LI ; Lei YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):43-51
ObjectiveTo decipher the mechanism by which Zuoguiwan (ZGW) treat hyperthyroidism in rats with kidney-Yin deficiency based on the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4)/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 4 (NOX4) signaling pathway. MethodsThe rat model of kidney-Yin deficiency was induced by unilateral intramuscular injection of dexamethasone (0.35 mg·kg-1). After successful modeling, the rats were randomized into model, methimazole (positive control, 5 mg·kg-1), low-, medium-, and high-dose (1.85, 3.70, 7.40 g·kg-1, respectively) ZGW, and normal control groups. After 21 days of continuous gavage, the behavioral indexes and body weight changes of rats were evaluated. The pathological changes of the renal tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The serum levels of thyroid hormones [triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)], renal function indexes [serum creatine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)], energy metabolism markers [cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)], and oxidative stress-related factors [superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and NADPH)] were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blot was employed to analyze the expression of DRD4, NOX4, mitochondrial respiratory chain complex proteins [NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit S4 (NDUFS4) and cytochrome C oxidase subunit 4 (COX4)], and inflammation-related protein [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)] pathway in the renal tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed mental malaise, body weight decreases (P<0.01), inflammatory cell infiltration in the renal tissue, a few residual parotid glands in the thyroid, elevations in serum levels of T3, T4, Scr, BUN, cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, MDA, and NADPH (P<0.01), down-regulation in protein levels of TSH, SOD, and DRD4 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and up-regulation in expression of NOX4, p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK, and inflammatory factors (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, ZGW increased the body weight (P<0.05, P<0.01), reduced the infiltration of renal interstitial inflammatory cells, restored the thyroid structure and follicle size, lowered the serum levels of T3, T4, Scr, BUN, cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, MDA and NADPH (P<0.05, P<0.01), up-regulated the expression of TSH, SOD and DRD4 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and down-regulated the expression of NOX4, p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK, and inflammatory factors (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, high-dose ZGW outperformed methimazole (P<0.05). ConclusionBy activating DRD4, ZGW can inhibit the expression of NOX4 mediated by the p38 MAPK pathway, reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory response, thereby ameliorating the pathological state of hyperthyroidism due to kidney-Yin deficiency. This study provides new molecular mechanism support for the clinical application of ZGW.
10.Analysis of Animal Models of Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration Based on Clinical Disease-syndrome Characteristics of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):183-190
ObjectiveIn recent years, with the deepening trend of population aging in China, the incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been rising. Wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) is a type of advanced AMD that can cause severe vision loss. Based on the clinical disease-syndrome characteristics of wAMD, this study reviewed and analyzed existing wAMD animal models, including the animals used, modeling methods, and the advantages and disadvantages of each model, aiming to provide references for the establishment and study of wAMD models integrating disease and syndrome. MethodsLiterature on wAMD-related animal models was retrieved from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP, and PubMed. Relevant indicators were collected and analyzed, and model characteristics were quantified and evaluated according to the diagnostic criteria of diseases and syndromes in both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine. ResultsCurrently, the alignment of wAMD models with Western medicine clinical syndromes mainly reflects the characteristics of macular neovascularization (MNV) and fundus changes, with limited observation of visual function. For TCM, scoring mainly focuses on ocular syndromes, while systemic syndromes are insufficiently observed, which is inadequate to fully reflect the complexity of wAMD pathogenesis and manifestations. Among the main models, alignment with Western medicine clinical syndromes is relatively high. Laser photocoagulation-induced models are the most commonly used and show the highest alignment, and their correspondence with the TCM syndrome of “spleen deficiency and dampness retention” is relatively high. ConclusionCurrent models generally show moderate alignment with clinical disease-syndrome characteristics in both TCM and Western medicine, especially with TCM syndromes, where alignment is low. This limits the development and study of models integrating disease and syndrome. Future research should further explore other TCM syndrome types and compound syndromes to establish wAMD animal models with higher alignment with TCM.

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