1.Efficacy and safety analysis of Wuling capsules combined with fluoxetine in the treatment of adolescents with first-episode moderate-to-severe depressive disorder accompanied by insomnia
Lian HE ; Yanping SHU ; Yuan YUN ; Yun MO ; Qian ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(4):456-461
OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy and safety of Wuling capsules combined with fluoxetine in the treatment of adolescents with first-episode moderate-to-severe depressive disorder accompanied by insomnia. METHODS The clinical data of 476 adolescents with first-episode moderate-to-severe depression accompanied by insomnia admitted to our hospital from June 2022 to May 2025, were retrospectively collected. According to the initial treatment regimen, patients were divided into a control group (241 cases, treated with fluoxetine alone) and an observation group (235 cases, treated with Wuling capsules combined with fluoxetine). The depression severity (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 Item and the Self-Rating Depression Scale scores), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score, sleep latency, wake after sleep onset, total sleep time, sleep efficiency), serum neuroendocrine indicator (cortisol) and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, interleukin-6) were compared between the two groups before treatment and at 4th and 8th weeks of treatment. The effective rate at 8th weeks and the occurrence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were also compared between the two groups. RESULTS Before treatment, there were no significant differences in depression severity, sleep quality, serum neuroendocrine indicator, and inflammatory markers between the two groups ( P >0.05). At 4th and 8th weeks, both groups showed significant improvement in these indicators compared to those before treatment, with the observation group demonstrating significantly greater improvement than the control group at the corresponding time points ( P <0.05). At 8th week, the eff ective rate of the observation group was 90.21%, significantly higher than 80.50% in the control group ( P <0.05). The incidence of nausea, headache, fatigue, dry mouth, and palpitations, as well as the total incidence of ADRs, did not differ significantly between the two groups ( P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS Wuling capsules combined with fluoxetine can significantly improve the effective rate in adolescents with first-episode moderate-to-severe depression accompanied by insomnia, accelerate the relief of depressive symptoms, improve sleep quality, and reduce serum neuroendocrine indicator and inflammatory markers, with a favorable safety profile.
2.From Cathartic Colon to Cathartic-dependent Constipation: Diagnostic-therapeutic Strategies from Integrative Medicine Perspective
Youcheng HE ; Fengru JIANG ; Yanru WANG ; Minghan HUANG ; Yue WU ; Chunyu ZHOU ; Lian MO ; Lifeng WEI ; Keyi PAN ; Shuyu CAI ; Jianye YUAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):162-172
Both cathartic colon (CC) and cathartic-dependent constipation (CDC) are caused by the abuse of stimulant laxatives, while their concepts are not completely the same.Starting from the disease name of CC, this article traced the origin and evolution of the concept of CC, summarizes and compared the similarities and differences between CC, CDC, and slow transit constipation (STC), and called for strict differentiation among the three.Furthermore, this article explored the specific contents of Western medicine clinical subtypes and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome differentiation of CDC and delved into the TCM pathogenesis of CDC according to both literature and clinical practice.The relationship between clinical subtypes and TCM syndromes was established, and the syndrome characteristics of CDC of different clinical subtypes and TCM syndromes were summarized.The recommended prescriptions for corresponding syndromes were listed.A systematic CDC diagnosis and treatment approach of "clinical subtypes-syndrome differentiation-syndrome characteristics-recommended prescriptions" was thus formed.Additionally, the paper provides an overview of current research on CDC in both Western medicine and TCM contexts, identifies future research directions, and suggests research pathways for refining and advancing CDC studies.
3.Clinical Efficacy of Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue Prescription in Treatment of Cathartic Colon and Analysis of Influencing Factors of Disease Severity
Youcheng HE ; Jingyi SHAN ; Fengru JIANG ; Yue WU ; Chunyu ZHOU ; Lu HANG ; Yan ZHOU ; Lian MO ; Shuyu CAI ; Keyi PAN ; Lifeng WEI ; Jianye YUAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):173-184
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of the Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue prescription (YYHP) in the treatment of cathartic colon (CC) and its effects on fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and to explore the correlations among CC severity indicators and between these indicators and patient history. MethodsAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 98 patients meeting the diagnostic criteria of both traditional Chinese and Western medicine for CC with the syndrome of Qi-Yin deficiency complicated by blood stasis were randomly assigned to an observation group and a control group. The observation group received YYHP granules, while the control group received lactulose. Both medications were administered twice daily, one sachet each time, half an hour after breakfast and dinner, with a treatment course of 8 weeks. The primary constipation symptom score, Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) score, and TCM syndrome score were assessed before and after treatment and at the 8th week after the end of treatment. The overall clinical effective rate, as well as the efficacy attenuation index and degree, were evaluated. Fecal SCFA levels were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Spearman correlation analysis was performed to explore the correlations among CC severity indicators and between these indicators and patient history. ResultsThe overall clinical effective rate in the observation group (95.83%) was higher than that in the control group (78.72%) (P<0.05). After treatment, the total scores for primary constipation symptoms, PAC-QOL, and TCM syndromes decreased in both groups (P<0.05), with more significant reductions in the observation group (P<0.05). The severity of all primary constipation symptoms was alleviated in both groups (P<0.05). In terms of "excessive straining and difficult defecation", "anal heaviness, incomplete evacuation, and bloating sensation", "abdominal distension", and "defecation frequency", the observation group showed better efficacy than the control group (P<0.05). Scores of the four PAC-QOL dimensions and the scores and severity of primary and secondary TCM symptoms were reduced in both groups (P<0.05), with more significant reductions in the observation group (P<0.05). After treatment, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and total SCFAs in the observation group increased significantly (P<0.05). The efficacy attenuation index and degree in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). No severe adverse reactions occurred in either group, and there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups. Positive correlations of varying degrees were observed among the total scores of primary constipation symptoms, PAC-QOL, and TCM syndromes, as well as between these scores and the history of stimulant laxative use, disease duration, and age. ConclusionYYHP can effectively alleviate the primary constipation symptoms in CC patients, improve quality of life, and ameliorate TCM syndromes, with good safety. It also has the advantage of a lower rebound degree after drug withdrawal, and its mechanism may be related to increasing fecal SCFA levels. Long-term abuse of stimulant laxatives may aggravate the severity of CC and prolong the disease course.
4.Mechanism of Action of Modified Tongluo Tangtai Formula in Improving Myelin Damage in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Based on Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway
Zhigang HE ; Mingzhu CHEN ; Jialu BAI ; Chunguang XIE ; Lian DU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):247-258
ObjectiveThis paper aims to explore the action and molecular mechanism of modified Tongluo Tangtai Formula(MTLTT) on myelin damage in diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) based on network pharmacology and in vitro experiments. MethodsThe chemical components of the MTLTT were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database and literature, and the component targets were collected from the SwissTargetPrediction database. The targets of DPN were collected from the GeneCards, OMIM, Disgenet, and GEO databases. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed using the Metascape database, and a network diagram was constructed using Cytoscape software. The binding actions of core components with glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β) and β-catenin were analyzed by Autodock Vina. An in vitro DPN model was established by high glucose-induced Schwann cells and dorsal root ganglion cells (SCs/DRGs). The ultrastructural morphological changes of SCs and DRGs were observed by scanning electron microscope(SEM), and the expressions of myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) and myelin basic protein (MBP) were detected by immunofluorescence staining. The mRNA and protein expression levels of MAG, MBP, myelin protein 0 (P0), peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22), and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related protein β-catenin, GSK-3β, Wnt family member 3α (Wnt3α), and Wnt inhibitory factor-1 (Wif-1) were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot. ResultsNetwork pharmacology analysis revealed that MTLTT components may treat DPN via the Wnt signaling pathway, involving key proteins such as GSK-3β, β-catenin and Wif-1. The molecular docking results indicate that atropine, apigenin, baicalein, isoflavanone, and albiflorin have good binding activity with GSK-3β, and that all 13 core components have stable binding activity with β-catenin. Cell experiments showed that compared with the blank group, SCs and DRGs in the model group exhibited severe morphological and structural abnormalities such as disintegration, shrinkage and axonal rupture, while these abnormal changes were improved after MTLTT intervention. Immunofluorescence results indicated that the fluorescence intensity of MAG and MBP was markedly decreased in the model group relative to the blank group(P<0.01), while MTLTT treatment obviously upregulated the expression of MAG and MBP compared with the model group (P<0.01). Real-time PCR and Western blot assays revealed that the expression levels of myelin-related molecules MAG, MBP, P0 and PMP22 were significantly reduced in the model group (P<0.05,P<0.01), and MTLTT remarkably increased their expression levels (P<0.05). In the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, the mRNA levels of GSK-3β, Wif-1 and Wnt3α were elevated and β-catenin mRNA expression was declined in the model group (P<0.01). Meanwhile, the protein expressions of GSK-3β and Wif-1 were upregulated, whereas those of Wnt3α and β-catenin were downregulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, MTLTT at different doses reduced the mRNA and protein levels of GSK-3β and Wif-1 to varying degrees (P<0.05), and distinctly enhanced the protein expression of Wnt3α and β-catenin(P<0.01). ConclusionMTLTT can alleviate high glucose-induced myelin damage. Its protective mechanism may promote myelin repair by upregulating the expression of MAG, MBP, P0 and PMP22, and the therapeutic effect is possibly associated with the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
5.Enzyme-directed Immobilization Strategies for Biosensor Applications
Xing-Bao WANG ; Yao-Hong MA ; Yun-Long XUE ; Xiao-Zhen HUANG ; Yue SHAO ; Yi YU ; Bing-Lian WANG ; Qing-Ai LIU ; Li-He ZHANG ; Wei-Li GONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):374-394
Immobilized enzyme-based enzyme electrode biosensors, characterized by high sensitivity and efficiency, strong specificity, and compact size, demonstrate broad application prospects in life science research, disease diagnosis and monitoring, etc. Immobilization of enzyme is a critical step in determining the performance (stability, sensitivity, and reproducibility) of the biosensors. Random immobilization (physical adsorption, covalent cross-linking, etc.) can easily bring about problems, such as decreased enzyme activity and relatively unstable immobilization. Whereas, directional immobilization utilizing amino acid residue mutation, affinity peptide fusion, or nucleotide-specific binding to restrict the orientation of the enzymes provides new possibilities to solve the problems caused by random immobilization. In this paper, the principles, advantages and disadvantages and the application progress of enzyme electrode biosensors of different directional immobilization strategies for enzyme molecular sensing elements by specific amino acids (lysine, histidine, cysteine, unnatural amino acid) with functional groups introduced based on site-specific mutation, affinity peptides (gold binding peptides, carbon binding peptides, carbohydrate binding domains) fused through genetic engineering, and specific binding between nucleotides and target enzymes (proteins) were reviewed, and the application fields, advantages and limitations of various immobilized enzyme interface characterization techniques were discussed, hoping to provide theoretical and technical guidance for the creation of high-performance enzyme sensing elements and the manufacture of enzyme electrode sensors.
6.Rumination level and its influencing factors among middle-advanced cancer inpatients: a multicenter cross-sectional study
Songmei DU ; Xiaolin WU ; Dan HE ; Qinggui WU ; Yuying LIAN ; Hongxia GONG
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(1):41-45
BackgroundRumination can play a certain degree role of psychological adjustment in cancer patients. Previous studies have focused on studying the level of rumination in a single type of cancer patient, but there is a lack of comprehensive investigation and influencing factor research on rumination levels in different types of cancer patients. ObjectiveTo explore the level of rumination and its influencing factors among middle-advanced cancer inpatients, so as to provide certain guidance for targeted psychological care in clinical practice. MethodsFrom January 2021 to December 2022, a systematic sampling technique was used to recruit 346 patients with TNM stage III or above tumors hospitalized in Nuclear Industry 416 Hospital, Chengdu Sixth People's Hospital and the First People's Hospital of Yibin. All individuals were assessed using Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) and the Chinese version of Event-Related Ruminant Inventory (C-ERRI), and Logistic regression analysis was utilized to identify the influencing factors of rumination. ResultsIn terms of C-ERRI, patients scored (15.59±5.61) on intrusive rumination and (14.59±5.43) on deliberate rumination. Education levels of junior high school/high school/vocational training school (OR=0.817, P<0.01) and junior college and above (OR=0.579, P<0.05) were the protective factors of intrusive rumination, whereas annual personal incomes of <10 000 yuan (OR=4.918, P<0.01) or 10 000~50 000 yuan (OR=2.076, P<0.01) and low (OR=6.882, P<0.01) or middle (OR=3.114, P<0.01) level of social support were the risk factors of intrusive rumination. For deliberate rumination, education levels of junior high school/high school/vocational training school (OR=0.574, P<0.01) and junior college and above (OR=0.449, P<0.05) were the protective factors, and low (OR=1.391, P<0.01) or middle (OR=1.161, P<0.05) levels of social support were the risk factors. ConclusionThe level of intrusive rumination of inpatients with middle-advanced cancer is related to education level, economic status and social support, furthermore, the level of deliberate rumination is related to the educational level and social support. [Funded by Medical Research Project of Chengdu Health Commission ( number, 2020119)]
7.Research progress of vacuum compression molding technology in pharmaceutical fields
Yixuan WANG ; Xin CHEN ; Lian HE ; Congcong ZHANG ; Peiya SHEN ; Yuan GAO ; Jianjun ZHANG
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(5):654-660
Vacuum compression molding (VCM) is a novel technology supporting the research and development of pharmaceutical solid dispersions. It is widely applied due to its precision and convenience in sample preparation. This technology integrates the principles of heating, melting, cooling, and vacuum compression to transform solid powders into shaped solids directly. By selecting different molds, temperatures, and pressures, researchers can prepare samples with diverse characteristics. This paper presents an overview of the equipment composition and working principles of VCM technology, demonstrating its distinct advantages in the formulation screening process of amorphous solid dispersions through comparative analysis with hot melt extrusion using case studies, and introduces its applications in the development of drug delivery systems and rheological characterization analysis, with a perspective on the future development of its functions.
8.Prometive effect of knockdown of KIF3B gene on autophagy in mouse embryonic palatal mesenchymal cells by inhibiting Shh signaling pathway
Zhongzheng LIU ; Shubo LIAN ; Wenxuan FENG ; Xin WEN ; Hanyu LIU ; Wei HE
Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) 2025;51(6):1445-1451
Objective:To discuss the effect of knock down of gene of kinesin family member 3B(KIF3B),an important component of primary cilia(PC)of in mouse embryonic palatal mesenchymal on the autophagy level of cells(mEPMCs)cells,and to clarify its mechanism.Methods:The mEPMCs from gestational day 14.5 C57BL/6J mice cultured in vitro were collected and divided into control group(administered normal saline),empty lentivirus transfected cell group(sh-NC group)(administered lentivirus transfection),KIF3B knockdown group(sh-KIF3B group)(administered KIF3B gene knockdown),and KIF3B knockdown plus Smoothened receptor agonist(SAG)group(sh-KIF3B+SAG group)(administered KIF3B gene knockdown followed by SAG addition),based on whether the KIF3B gene was knocked down and whether the SAG was used to activate the sonic hedgehog(Shh)signaling pathway and its downstream coreceptor Smo,with 5 rats in each group.Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the morphology and the number of autophagosomes/autolysosomes in the mEPMCs in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins Beclin-1 and p62,and the Shh signaling pathway proteins Shh and Smo in the mEPMCs in various groups.Results:The transmission electron microscope observation results showed that compared with control group,the number of autophagosomes/autolysosomes in sh-KIF3B group was significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with sh-KIF3B group,the number of autophagosomes/autolysosomes in the mEPMCs in sh-KIF3B+SAG group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The Western blotting results showed that compared with control group,the Beclin-1 protein expression level in the mEPMCs in sh-KIF3B group was significantly increased(P<0.05),and the KIF3B,p62,Shh,and Smo protein expression levels were significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared with sh-KIF3B group,the Shh,Smo,and p62 protein expression levels in the mEPMCs in sh-KIF3B+SAG group were significantly increased(P<0.01),and the Beclin-1 protein expression level was significantly decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion:Knockdown of KIF3B gene can promote autophagy of the mEPMCs,and the mechanism may be related to its inhibition of the Shh signaling pathway.
9.Study on the mechanism of N-acetylcysteine in alleviating cisplatin-induced liver injury
Biqian YANG ; Huiming HE ; Tingmei YIN ; Xiaoyan FU ; Guangmiao GAO ; Lingling YANG ; Jie LI ; Xiaolong LIAN ; Yi DENG
Journal of Chongqing Medical University 2025;50(6):815-820
Objective:To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of N-acetylcysteine(NAC)on rats with liver injury induced by cisplatin and its effect on intestinal flora and the expression of interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB).Methods:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group(CG),cisplatin group(CP),and NAC group.The rats in the NAC group were given NAC 15 mg/kg by gavage for 8 consecutive days.At half an hour after intragastric administration on the fifth day,all rats except those in the NC group were given intraperitoneal injection of 8 mg/kg cisplatin to induce acute liver injury.An automatic biochemical analyzer was used to measure the content of aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),and total bilirubin(TBIL);liver index was calculated for the rats;Western blot was used to measure the relative expression levels of NF-κB,IL-6,and TNF-α in liver tissue;the 16S rDNA technique was used to measure and analyze the amplification information of the V3-V4 regions of each sample.Results:Compared with the NC group,the CP group had significant increases in the content of AST,ALT,ALP,and TBIL,while NAC reversed the abnormal liver function caused by cisplatin.Compared with the NC group,the CP group had a sig-nificant increase in liver index(P=0.000),while the NAC group had a significant reduction in liver index compared with the CP group(P=0.007).Compared with the NC group,the CP group had signifi-cant increases in the expression levels of IL-6,TNF-α,and NF-κB,while the NAC group showed reductions in the expression of these genes,with significant differences in the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α(P=0.006 and 0.000).Compared with the NC group,the CP group had a significant increase in the α-diversity index of intesti-nal flora,while compared with the CP group,the NAC group tended to have a reduction in the α-diversity index of intestinal flora.Com-pared with the CP group at the phylum level,the NAC group had an increase in the abundance of Actinobacteria and a reduction in the abundance of Firmicutes.Compared with the CP group at the genus level,the NAC group had a reduction in the abundance of Rumino-coccaceae and increases in the abundance of Bifidobacterium and Allobaculum.Conclusion:NAC can alleviate acute liver injury caused by cisplatin,possibly by downregulating the expression of IL-6,TNF-α,and NF-κB and regulating the abundance and diver-sity of intestinal flora.
10.A comparative study of anterolateral thigh perforator flap and calf pedicled propeller perforator flap in treatment of soft tissue defect of foot and ankle
Kaixuan DONG ; Ya ZHOU ; Xingye LIAN ; Xi YANG ; Yuexian XU ; Yongyue SU ; Xiaoqing HE
Chinese Journal of Microsurgery 2025;48(2):135-141
Objective:To compare the clinical application of the anterolateral thigh perforator flap (ALTPF) and the calf pedicled propeller perforator flap (PPPF) in reconstruction of soft tissue defect of foot and ankle.Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted. From March 2013 to June 2019, 48 patients with soft tissue defect around ankle and in foot were reconstructed with ALTPF and PPPF in the Department of Orthopaedics, 920th Hospital of the Joint Logistic Support Force, People's Liberation Army of China. According to the types of flap, the patients were divided into 2 groups: ALTPF group (21 patients,13 males and 8 females, aged 16-67 years, mean 38.71 years±15.30 years. Donor sites were all directly sutured.) and PPPF group (27 patients, 12 males and 15 females, aged 12-69 years, mean 35.18 years±13.96 years. Five cases in the donor site required partial skin grafting, and the rest 22 cases were repaired by directly suture.). The wound size of the former was 5 cm×6 cm-15 cm×18 cm, and at 2 cm×3 cm-14 cm×17 cm for the latter. The surgical time and flap size of the 2 groups were recorded during the surgery. The survival and complications of the flap were observed, and the days of hospital stay were recorded after surgery. Follow-ups were conducted by outpatient clinic and via telephone and WeChat interviews. The colour, texture, appearance, donor scar, complications and thinning of the flap were observed during the follow-up. The ankle function was evaluated according to the score of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), and the donor scar was evaluated according to the score of Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). SPSS 22.0 statistical software was used for data analysis, and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:The surgical time for the ALTPF group was 118-203 (154.71±25.42) min, and that for the PPPF group was 52-92 (72.78±10.04) min. The size of the flap in the ALTPF group was 5 cm×8 cm-8 cm×18 cm (75.00 cm 2±8.69 cm 2), while it was 3 cm×7 cm-7 cm×17 cm (53.56 cm 2±19.49 cm 2) in the PPPF group. In the ALTPF group, 3 flaps had vascular complications within 24 hours after surgery, which survived after exploration and thrombectomy. Partial necrosis occurred in 1 flap. The rest 17 flaps survived uneventfully. In the PPPF group, 2 flaps had partial necrosis due to infection and they healed after dressing changes, 3 flaps had venous occlusion and survived after phlebotomy, partial suture removal and massage. The rest 22 flaps in 2 groups survived uneventfully. The postoperative days of hospital stay for the ALTPF group was 6-14 (8.71±2.03) days, and that was 4-12 (6.03±2.16) days in the PPPF group. Flap thinning was performed on 19 flaps in the ALTPF group and 2 in the PPPF group. Follow-up was performed for 7 to 21 months. All the flaps were good in colour, shape and texture. All donor sites healed well. At the final follow-up, 19 patients achieved ankle function of excellent, 1 of good and 1 of fair in the ALTPF group, and 21 patients achieved ankle function of excellent, 4 of good and 2 of fair in the PPPF group, according to the AOFAS. According to the VSS, scores of donor site scar was rated 4-8 (6.33±1.35) points for the ALTPF group, and 3-10 (5.92±1.80) points for the PPPF group. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of early postoperative complications, flap survival rate, ankle function, and VSS scores ( P>0.05). However, there were statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of surgical time, hospital stay, flap size, and the number of flap thinning ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Both ALTPF and PPPF have good clinical effects in reconstruction of soft tissue defect of foot and ankle. For small to medium-sized wounds, PPPF is the preferred choice due to the advantages in surgical time and postoperative hospital stay. For larger wounds, the ALTPF is the first choice with multiple surgery.

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