1.Nasal-to-Brain Drug Delivery Strategies for Active Ingredients of Traditional Chinese Medicine:A Review
Yang CHEN ; Tiantian WANG ; Yufang HUANG ; Guangdi YANG ; Shengmou HU ; Xiaomeng LEI ; Wenliu ZHANG ; Dongxun LI ; Canjian WANG ; Guosong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):252-261
Central nervous system(CNS) disorders are characterized by complex pathological mechanisms and the presence of the blood-brain barrier(BBB), which significantly limits the effectiveness of drug therapy. Traditional drug delivery modes include oral administration, intravenous injection and transdermal delivery, which have certain advantages, but it is difficult for the drugs to effectively cross the BBB. Therefore, it is crucial to find drug delivery modes that can efficiently traverse the BBB. Nasal drug delivery, as a non-invasive method, can realize the targeted delivery of drugs to the CNS via three pathways, including olfactory neurons, trigeminal neurons and blood circulation, and shows a broad application prospect in the treatment of CNS diseases. Numerous studies have further confirmed that nasal drug delivery combined with novel drug delivery systems such as lipid nanocarriers, nanoparticles, nanoemulsions and composite in situ gels can effectively load the active components of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), and significantly increase drug concentration in the brain, which provides new strategies for the treatment of CNS diseases. In this paper, the current status of drug delivery for CNS diseases was systematically sorted out, the characteristics of nasal drug delivery were discussed in depth, and the research progress of passive targeting, active targeting, and "guiding the meridian" drug delivery strategies for the nasal-to-brain transport of TCM active components was summarized and analyzed, which was aimed to provide references and insights for the development of drugs for CNS diseases and the application of TCM in nasal-to-brain delivery.
2.Nasal-to-Brain Drug Delivery Strategies for Active Ingredients of Traditional Chinese Medicine:A Review
Yang CHEN ; Tiantian WANG ; Yufang HUANG ; Guangdi YANG ; Shengmou HU ; Xiaomeng LEI ; Wenliu ZHANG ; Dongxun LI ; Canjian WANG ; Guosong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):252-261
Central nervous system(CNS) disorders are characterized by complex pathological mechanisms and the presence of the blood-brain barrier(BBB), which significantly limits the effectiveness of drug therapy. Traditional drug delivery modes include oral administration, intravenous injection and transdermal delivery, which have certain advantages, but it is difficult for the drugs to effectively cross the BBB. Therefore, it is crucial to find drug delivery modes that can efficiently traverse the BBB. Nasal drug delivery, as a non-invasive method, can realize the targeted delivery of drugs to the CNS via three pathways, including olfactory neurons, trigeminal neurons and blood circulation, and shows a broad application prospect in the treatment of CNS diseases. Numerous studies have further confirmed that nasal drug delivery combined with novel drug delivery systems such as lipid nanocarriers, nanoparticles, nanoemulsions and composite in situ gels can effectively load the active components of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), and significantly increase drug concentration in the brain, which provides new strategies for the treatment of CNS diseases. In this paper, the current status of drug delivery for CNS diseases was systematically sorted out, the characteristics of nasal drug delivery were discussed in depth, and the research progress of passive targeting, active targeting, and "guiding the meridian" drug delivery strategies for the nasal-to-brain transport of TCM active components was summarized and analyzed, which was aimed to provide references and insights for the development of drugs for CNS diseases and the application of TCM in nasal-to-brain delivery.
3.Investigation of latent tuberculosis infection among the elderly in rural areas of Changxing County, Zhejiang Province
Jian ZHANG ; Yufang SONG ; Feilin REN ; Xuejing LI ; Jiasheng QIN ; Bin SHAO
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(6):503-506
ObjectiveTo investigate the current status of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among the elderly population in rural areas of Changxing County, Zhejiang Province, and to provide an evidence for the development of LTBI prevention and control measures. MethodsBetween January and May 2024, elderly individuals participating in urban and rural residents’ health checkups were screened for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection using a domestically produced interferon-γ release assay (IGRA) kit. Individuals tested positive by IGRA but without active tuberculosis were classified as LTBI cases. The prevalence of LTBI among the participants was subsequently analyzed. ResultsAmong the 6 765 subjects, 637 tested positive by IGRA, including one identified active tuberculosis patient, resulting in a LTBI prevalence rate of 9.40%. There was a statistically significant difference in positivity rates across different IGRA methodologies (χ2=35.530, P<0.001). Higher LTBI rate was observed in males, individuals with a history of diabetes mellitus, and those with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis, exhibiting statistically significant differences (χ2=32.401, P<0.001; χ2=5.789, P=0.020; χ2=39.248, P<0.001, respectively.) No statistically significant difference in LTBI rate was found across different age groups (χ2=0.238, P=0.971). ConclusionThe prevalence of LTBI among the elderly rural residents in Changxing County is relatively low. Male, individuals with a history of diabetes mellitus, and those with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis have an increased risk of LTBI, warranting targeted risk monitoring and timely interventions.
4.A survey on the current status of gynecological and breast diseases among 13 031 women in Pudong New Area, Shanghai in 2023
Lu LI ; Xichang ZHAO ; Yuwei ZHANG ; Yufang YE
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(2):160-163
ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of gynecological and breast diseases among retired or economically disadvantaged women in part of Pudong New Area of Shanghai under the policy support of screening gynecological diseases and breast diseases for retired and women with economic difficulties in life in Shanghai, to analyze the characteristics of these diseases, so as to provide a scientific basis for the improvement of relevant prevention and treatment strategies. MethodsBased on the gynecological census data of 13 031 cases in five towns, including Xinchang Town, Xuanqiao Town, Laogang Town, Wanxiang Town and Shuyuan Town, conducted by Shanghai Pudong Hospital in 2023, descriptive analysis methods were used to explore the prevalence and age characteristics of common gynecological and breast diseases. ResultsThe total detection rate of gynecological and breast diseases among women in the screening area in this study was 68.29%, with uterine fibroid (22.35%), sarcoidosis of the breast (17.06%), cervicitis (15.37%), vaginitis (8.39%) and ovarian cyst (2.61%) ranking the top 5 in the detection rate among the screening population. The differences of the detection rates in the four major diseases [uterine fibroid (χ2=233.217, P<0.001), breast nodules(χ2=169.896, P<0.001), cervicitis (χ2=388.683, P<0.001), and ovarian cysts (χ2=72.298, P<0.001)] by different age groups were statistically significant (P<0.05) . Moreover, the results of pairwise comparison of different age groups showed that the detection rates in the age group under 45 years old and 45‒55 years old were higher than that in the age group of 55‒65 years old and over 65 years old. ConclusionThe detection rate of gynecological and breast diseases in the younger age group was higher, indicating a certain trend of younger onset of diseases. Uterine fibroid, sarcoidosis of the breast , and reproductive tract diseases such as cervicitis, vaginitis, and ovarian cyst are the main diseases affecting the research subjects. Therefore, medical institutions can combine routine work in screening diseases and carry out corresponding health education and health promotion activities for these key diseases to improve women’s health.
5.Screening of biomarkers for fibromyalgia syndrome and analysis of immune infiltration
Yani LIU ; Jinghuan YANG ; Huihui LU ; Yufang YI ; Zhixiang LI ; Yangfu OU ; Jingli WU ; Bing WEI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(5):1091-1100
BACKGROUND:Fibromyalgia syndrome,as a common rheumatic disease,is related to central sensitization and immune abnormalities.However,the specific mechanism has not been elucidated,and there is a lack of specific diagnostic markers.Exploring the possible pathogenesis of this disease has important clinical significance. OBJECTIVE:To screen the potential diagnostic marker genes of fibromyalgia syndrome and analyze the possible immune infiltration characteristics based on bioinformatics methods,such as weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA),and machine learning. METHODS:Gene expression profiles in peripheral serum of fibromyalgia syndrome patients and healthy controls were obtained from the gene expression omnibus(GEO)database.The differentially co-expressed genes were screened in the expression profile by differential analysis and WGCNA analysis.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination(SVM-RFE)machine learning algorithm were further used to identify hub biomarkers,and draw receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)to evaluate the accuracy of diagnosing fibromyalgia syndrome.Finally,single sample gene set enrichment analysis(ssGSEA)and gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)were used to evaluate the immune cell infiltration and pathway enrichment in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Eight down-regulated differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were obtained after differential analysis of the GSE67311 dataset according to the conditions of log2|(FC)|>0 and P<0.05.After WGCNA analysis,497 genes were included in the module(MEdarkviolet)with the highest positive correlation(r=0.22,P=0.04),and 19 genes were included in the module(MEsalmon2)with the highest negative correlation(r=-0.41,P=6×10-5).After intersecting DEGs and the module genes of WGCNA,seven genes were obtained.Four genes were screened out by LASSO regression algorithm and five genes were screened out by SVM-RFE machine learning algorithm.After the intersection of the two,three core genes were identified,which were germinal center associated signaling and motility like,integrin beta-8,and carboxypeptidase A3.The areas under the ROC curve of the three core genes were 0.744,0.739,and 0.734,respectively,indicating that they have good diagnostic value and can be used as biomarkers for fibromyalgia syndrome.The results of immune infiltration analysis showed that memory B cells,CD56 bright NK cells,and mast cells were significantly down-regulated in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome compared with the control group(P<0.05),and were significantly positively correlated with the above three biomarkers(P<0.05).The enrichment analysis suggested that there were nine fibromyalgia syndrome enrichment pathways,mainly related to olfactory transduction pathway,neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction,and infection pathway.The above results showed that the occurrence and development of fibromyalgia syndrome are related to the involvement of multiple genes,abnormal immune regulation,and multiple pathways imbalance.However,the interactions between these genes and immune cells,as well as their relationships with various pathways need to be further investigated.
6.Gallstones, cholecystectomy, and cancer risk: an observational and Mendelian randomization study.
Yuanyue ZHU ; Linhui SHEN ; Yanan HUO ; Qin WAN ; Yingfen QIN ; Ruying HU ; Lixin SHI ; Qing SU ; Xuefeng YU ; Li YAN ; Guijun QIN ; Xulei TANG ; Gang CHEN ; Yu XU ; Tiange WANG ; Zhiyun ZHAO ; Zhengnan GAO ; Guixia WANG ; Feixia SHEN ; Xuejiang GU ; Zuojie LUO ; Li CHEN ; Qiang LI ; Zhen YE ; Yinfei ZHANG ; Chao LIU ; Youmin WANG ; Shengli WU ; Tao YANG ; Huacong DENG ; Lulu CHEN ; Tianshu ZENG ; Jiajun ZHAO ; Yiming MU ; Weiqing WANG ; Guang NING ; Jieli LU ; Min XU ; Yufang BI ; Weiguo HU
Frontiers of Medicine 2025;19(1):79-89
This study aimed to comprehensively examine the association of gallstones, cholecystectomy, and cancer risk. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to estimate the observational associations of gallstones and cholecystectomy with cancer risk, using data from a nationwide cohort involving 239 799 participants. General and gender-specific two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was further conducted to assess the causalities of the observed associations. Observationally, a history of gallstones without cholecystectomy was associated with a high risk of stomach cancer (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50-4.28), liver and bile duct cancer (aOR=2.46, 95% CI 1.17-5.16), kidney cancer (aOR=2.04, 95% CI 1.05-3.94), and bladder cancer (aOR=2.23, 95% CI 1.01-5.13) in the general population, as well as cervical cancer (aOR=1.69, 95% CI 1.12-2.56) in women. Moreover, cholecystectomy was associated with high odds of stomach cancer (aOR=2.41, 95% CI 1.29-4.49), colorectal cancer (aOR=1.83, 95% CI 1.18-2.85), and cancer of liver and bile duct (aOR=2.58, 95% CI 1.11-6.02). MR analysis only supported the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer. This study added evidence to the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer, highlighting the importance of cancer screening in individuals with gallstones.
Humans
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Mendelian Randomization Analysis
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Gallstones/complications*
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Female
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Male
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Cholecystectomy/statistics & numerical data*
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Middle Aged
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Risk Factors
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Aged
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Adult
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Neoplasms/etiology*
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Stomach Neoplasms/epidemiology*
7.Construction and usability evaluation of a clinical decision support system for frequency repositioning in ICU patients
Jiamin LI ; Haoqi WU ; Yufang HAO ; Zhiwen WANG ; Xinjuan WU
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(7):827-831
Objective This study aims to construct and evaluate a clinical decision support system for individualized frequency repositioning in ICU patients using big data and modern information technology,with the goal of improving ICU nursing quality.Methods From February to August 2023,a dedicated research team was established to construct a data model based on real-world data from 3,988 ICU patients,assessing the impact of different position change frequencies on the incidence of pressure injuries.Based on this model,a decision support system was designed and developed,incorporating modules for personalized patient characteristics input,data analysis and result queries,decision recording,and patient file management.From September to November 2023,ICU nurses at a tertiary hospital in Qingdao city was selected to use the system.A usability survey was conducted using the System Usability Scale(SUS)to evaluate the system's usability.Results The constructed decision support system can display the outcomes for patients under 7 different position change frequencies based on the input of personalized patient characteristics and the calculation results from the data model,providing precise decision support for nurses.A total of 85 nurses participated in the system usability evaluation,with the SUS score of 64.22±13.9.Conclusion The constructed individualized frequency of repositioning decision support system for ICU patients demonstrates good scientific validity and usability,providing clinical nurses with a valuable reference for implementing personalized position change frequencies for patients.
8.Investigation and analysis of hypoglycemic drugs and glycated hemoglobin levels in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Xiaoyu LI ; Yun TAN ; Yufang XIE
Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine in Intensive and Critical Care 2025;32(1):88-92
Objective To explore the differences in the use of hypoglycemic drugs and glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c)levels among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)of different age groups,and to provide some references for individualized blood glucose control in elderly T2DM patients.Methods A retrospective study was conducted.A total of 187 elderly(≥70 years old)T2DM patients admitted to Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from October 2022 to August 2024 were selected as the research subjects.The patients were divided into three groups according to age:70-79(93 cases),80-89(52 cases),and≥90(42 cases)years old.The differences in glucose metabolism,lipid metabolism,renal function and the use of hypoglycemic drugs among the groups were compared.Results With increasing age,the hospital stays for the 70-79,80-89,and≥90 years old groups significantly increased(days:7.78±2.84,10.17±7.97,15.45±11.21,P<0.05),diastolic blood pressure gradually decreased[mmHg(1 mmHg≈ 0.133 kPa):75.60±9.15,73.77±10.79,67.45±9.50],estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)and HbA1c both significantly decreased[eGFR(mL·min-1·1.73 m-2):65.55±23.01,49.68±20.19,46.39±16.41;HbA1c(9.02±1.99)%,(8.75±2.21)%,(7.80±1.43)%,all P<0.05].In terms of hypoglycemic treatment,the average number of hypoglycemic drugs used by the≥90 years old group was significantly less than that of the 80-89 years old group and the 70-79 years old group(types:1.86±0.78 vs.2.67±1.12,2.88±0.93,both P<0.01).With increasing age,the usage rates of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors(SGLT-2i)and metformin(MET)in the 70-79,80-89,and≥90 years old groups gradually decreased[SGLT-2i:50.54%(47/93),42.31%(22/52),26.19%(11/42),MET:46.24%(43/93),30.77%(16/52),7.14%(3/42),all P<0.05].Conclusions Medical workers have fully considered factors such as renal function,diabetic cardiovascular complications,health status,and life expectancy in the use of hypoglycemic drugs for elderly T2DM patients and have implemented individualized blood glucose management.However,in the≥90 years old group,the HbA1c level is too strict,and the risk of hypoglycemia should be carefully prevented.
9.Predictive value of quantitative evaluation of shear wave ultrasound elastography on the hardness of soleus muscle for short-term progress of distal deep venous thrombosis of lower extremities
Yufang LI ; Guiyao MU ; Kun XU ; Liju MA
China Medical Equipment 2025;22(3):58-62
Objective:To explore predictive value of quantitative evaluation of shear wave ultrasonic elastography(SWUE)on the hardness of soleus muscle for short-term progress of the distal deep venous thrombosis(DVT)of lower extremities.Methods:A total of 100 DVT patients who admitted to the second hospital of Zhangjiakou from January 2021 to December 2023 were retrospectively selected,and they were divided into group with progress(n=45)and group without progress(n=55)according to the results of the ultrasonic reexamination of blood vessels of lower extremities at the 2nd week after they were confirmed.Univariate and multivariate logistics regression analysis were used to analyze the influencing factors for short-term progress of DVT patients.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to analyze the applied value of SWUE quantitative assessment for the hardness of soleus muscle in predicting the short-term progress of DVT patients.The coagulation indicators of the two groups before and after treatment were further compared.Results:There were no significant differences between the two groups in cholesterol,neutrophil count,platelet count,central venous catheterization,bed rest,history of thrombosis,injury of vascular wall,and history of surgery for lower limb(P>0.05).The average hardness values of soleus muscle of group with progress and group without progress were respectively(6.46±1.15)kPa and(5.42±1.13)kPa,and the difference of that between two groups was significant(t=4.542,P<0.05).Multivariate logistics regression analysis showed that hardness of soleus muscle was the independent risk factor for short-term progress of DVT patients(OR=3.135,P<0.05).The results of ROC analysis showed that the area under curve(AUC)value of the hardness of soleus muscle in predicting short-term progress of DVT patients was 0.9074(95%CI:0.8175~0.9972),and the best cutoff value was 0.70,and the sensitivity and the specificity were respectively 78.26%and 91.30%at this time.Before treatment,there were no significant differences in the comparison of prothrombin time(PT),activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),thrombin time(TT)and D-dimer(D-dimer)between the two groups of patients(P>0.05).After treatment,the PT,APTT and TT levels of patients in the group without progress were respectively higher than those in the group with progress,and the D-dimer level was lower than that in the group with progress,there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups(t=3.568,15.176,4.091,9.981,P<0.05),respectively.Conclusion:SWUE quantitative evaluation for the hardness of soleus muscle has a favorable predictive value for the short-term progress of distal DVT of lower extremities,which is contribute to early find the DVT short-term progress,thus can timely adopt intervention measure,and reduce the risk of complication,and improve the prognosis.
10.LuoFuShan Rheumatism Plaster ameliorates neuropathic pain in mice by suppressing TLR4/TNF-α signaling
Yufang FU ; Weiling TAN ; Xiaocui LI ; Rongtian LIN ; Shuwen LIU ; Ling YE
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(11):2285-2296
Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of LuoFuShan Rheumatism Plaster(LFS)on neuropathic pain(NP)and its molecular mechanism.Methods Mouse models of sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury(CCI)were treated with low,medium,and high doses(2.2,4.4,and 8.8 cm2,respectively)of LFS by topical application for 14 consecutive days.The therapeutic effects were assessed by evaluating the mechanical withdrawal threshold(MWT),paw withdrawal latency(PWL),plasma IL-6 and TNF-α levels,and histopathology of the sciatic nerve.Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to identify the key targets and signaling pathways.The key targets were verified by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry.The biosafety of LFS was evaluated by measuring the organ indices and damage indicators of the heart,liver,and kidneys.Results Compared with the CCI group,LFS dose-dependently increased MWT and PWL,reduced plasma IL-6 and TNF-α levels,and alleviated sciatic nerve inflammation in the mouse models.Network pharmacology identified 378 bioactive compounds targeting 279 NP-associated genes enriched in TLR and TNF signaling.Molecular docking showed that quercetin and ursolic acid in LFS could stably bind to TLR4 and TNF-α.In the mouse models of sciatic nerve CCI,LFS significantly downregulated the mRNA expression levels of Tlr4 and Tnf-α in the spinal cord in a dose-dependent manner and lowered the protein expressions of TLR4 and TNF-α in the sciatic nerve.LFS treatment did not cause significant changes in the organ indices or damage indicators of the heart,liver and kidneys as compared with those in the CCI model group and sham-operated group.Conclusion LFS alleviates NP in mice by suppression of TLR4/TNF-α-mediated neuroinflammation with a good safety profile.

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