1.Mechanism of action of remifentanil in alleviating lung ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by modulating HIF-1α/NLRP3 pathway to inhibit cell pyroptosis
Lifang ZHAO ; Jiangong YANG ; Mingyong LI ; Kun SHAO ; Changli SHEN ; Jiajie LI ; Hong ZHU ; Liangchao QU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(3):395-401
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of action of remifentanil (RMZL) in alleviating lung ischemia-reperfusion injury (LIRI) in rats by inhibiting pyroptosis through modulating hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) pathway. MethodsRats were stochastically assigned into Control group, LIRI group, RMZL low-dose group, RMZL medium-dose group, RMZL high-dose group, and RMZL high-dose+HIF-1α activator dimethyloxallyl glycine (DMOG) group, with 18 rats in each group. Rats in Control group only had their left pulmonary hilum free and did not undergo ischemia-reperfusion treatment. Except for the Control group, LIRI models were constructed in all other groups. Rats in LIRI group were intraperitoneally injected with an equal amount of physiological saline 15 minutes before constructing LIRI model; rats in Control group were intraperitoneally injected with an equal amount of physiological saline 15 minutes before freeing left pulmonary hilum; rats in other groups were intraperitoneally injected with corresponding dose of drug 15 minutes before constructing LIRI model. The wet/dry weight ratio of lungs was calculated. HE staining was used to study lung tissue pathology. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the relative fluorescence intensity of gasdermin D (GSDMD) and NLRP3 double positive cells in lung tissue. ELISA was used to detect interleukin-1β and IL-18 in lung tissue. Western blot was used to detect HIF-1α, NLRP3, cysteine-aspartic protease-1 (Cleaved caspase-1), and gasdermin D-N (GSDMD-N) proteins in lung tissue. ResultsCompared to the Control group, the LIRI group showed disordered alveolar structure, thickened alveolar septa, and abundant inflammatory cell infiltration in rats. The lung wet/dry weight ratio, relative fluorescence intensity of GSDMD and NLRP3 double positive cells in lung tissue, IL-1β, IL-18 levels, and HIF-1α, NLRP3, Cleaved caspase-1, and GSDMD-N proteins increased (P0.05). For the LIRI group, rats in the RMZL low, medium, and high-dose groups displayed attenuated alveolar septal thickening and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration. The lung wet/dry weight ratio, relative fluorescence intensity of GSDMD and NLRP3 double positive cells in lung tissue, IL-1β, IL-18 levels, and HIF-1α, NLRP3, Cleaved caspase-1, and GSDMD-N proteins declined, and the RMZL high-dose group showed the most prominent trend (P0.05). Compared with the RMZL high-dose group, rats in the RMZL high-dose+DMOG group exhibited thickened alveolar septa and more inflammatory cell infiltration, along with increased lung wet/dry weight ratio, relative fluorescence intensity of GSDMD and NLRP3 double positive cells in lung tissue, levels of IL-1β and IL-18, and protein expression of HIF-1α, NLRP3, Cleaved caspase-1, and GSDMD-N (P0.05). ConclusionRMZL may inhibit pyroptosis in LIRI rats by suppressing HIF-1α/NLRP3 pathway.
2.Development status and ethical challenges of artificial intelligence in traditional Chinese medicine
Jiaqing DAI ; Yuxuan JIANG ; Jingnan HU ; Liu YANG ; Lifang GUO
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(2):173-178
In the context of the rapid development of 5G technology, the development of artificial intelligence (AI) in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) faces new opportunities and challenges. Focusing on how to uphold tradition while innovating in the development of AI in TCM, starting from the current development status of AI in Chinese medicine, including the integration of four diagnostic methods, syndrome differentiation and treatment, auxiliary diagnosis and treatment, research and development of Chinese herbal medicine, prevention and treatment of diseases, knowledge inheritance, and other aspects, this paper discussed the support of policies and technical advancements, as well as development opportunities such as increased demand for health. Regarding machine ethics, data ethics, regulatory review, and other aspects, it also proposed some suggestions that the training algorithm should be improved to assist medical work; data ownership should be clarified to ensure data security; and an AI ethics committee should be set up to improve the review system, aiming to maximize the advantages of smart healthcare and accelerate the modernization of TCM for the benefit of patients and the service of human health.
3.The correlation of HBV DNA levels with peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets and IL-6 in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Peiran LI ; Chengrong BIAN ; Bo LI ; Juling ZHANG ; Ning YANG ; Wei HONG ; Xiuling HE ; Lifang XIA ; Yeli HE ; Bo′an LI
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;48(4):484-489
Objective:To explore the correlation of different HBV DNA loads with peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with chronic hepatitis B.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 519 patients with chronic hepatitis B admitted to the Fifth Medical Center of the General Hospital of the People′s Liberation Army from April 2019 to June 2024 were included. The patients were divided into high, medium, and low viral load groups and a negative group based on HBV DNA load. Another 100 healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations during the same period were recruited as the control group. The quantities of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets and IL-6 levels were compared among the groups. Meanwhile, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were recorded and compared among the groups. The correlation of HBV DNA levels with lymphocyte subsets and IL-6 was analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis.Results:HBV DNA loads were negatively correlated with the counts of CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 +, CD19 +, and CD56 + lymphocyte subsets (correlation coefficients r were -0.483, -0.508, -0.524, -0.573, and -0.561, respectively; all P<0.001) and positively correlated with IL-6 levels ( r=0.862, P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the counts of each lymphocyte subset were higher in the high, medium, and low viral load groups ( P<0.05). In the HBV DNA-negative chronic hepatitis B group, the counts of CD8 + and CD19 + lymphocyte subsets were significantly higher [712.32(526.00,898.64) and 495.62(345.74,645.50) cells/μl] than those in the control group [612.10(479.89,744.31) and 470.32 (396.00,544.64) cells/μl] ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The degree of HBV replication activity in patients with chronic hepatitis B is associated with the immune status of the body, and negatively correlated with the quantities of lymphocyte subsets and positively correlated with IL-6 levels.
4.Construction and application of critical care system based on regional coordination.
Yongguang YANG ; Xinliang LIANG ; Jingge ZHAO ; Jianpeng JIAO ; Erdan HUANG ; Jing LI ; Lei QI ; Lifang ZHANG
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2025;37(7):671-675
In the context of continuously deepening medical and health system reforms and comprehensively promoting the "Healthy China" strategy, Henan Provincial People's Hospital has established a regional collaborative and vertically integrated critical care service structure and network. This initiative aims to enhance information empowerment, strengthen regional collaboration, improve the insufficient primary medical services, and ensure timely and effective treatment for critically ill patients. By establishing a comprehensive dispatch service platform for regional collaborative critical care, building a "top-down" remote medical collaboration network, and forming a cross-regional specialty alliance for critical care, the hospital has improved the efficiency of medical services and enhanced regional capabilities for treating critically ill patients. Simultaneously, for critically serious patients and those with complex diseases at primary medical institutions, a one-stop consultation and referral service has been implemented. This service adopts a "three specialists" approach and a multidisciplinary consultation mechanism within the hospital, constructs a multi-dimensional critical care transfer mode integrating air, ground, and the internet, creates a regional collaborative rescue mode, and implements full-cycle treatment for critically serious patients. The comprehensive, flexible, and efficient service pathway for regional collaborative critical care established by this system ensures timely and safe treatment for critically ill patients, promotes the distribution of high-quality medical resources, and effectively addresses issues such as uneven distribution of high-quality medical resources and varying levels of critical care capabilities. It has facilitated the formation of a new tiered diagnosis and treatment order characterized by "first diagnosis at the primary level, two-way referral, separate treatment for acute and chronic diseases, and vertical integration". This approach has enhanced the diagnostic and comprehensive service capabilities of primary medical institutions. Currently, by strengthening information empowerment and sharing, creating a full-process critical care diagnosis and treatment model, providing medical assistance and cultivating primary-level critical care talent, and promoting appropriate technologies, the hospital has gradually overcome challenges such as barriers to information exchange and sharing between hospitals, overloaded critical care teams, high pressure on patient reception and transfer, and limited critical care capabilities at primary medical institutions. This article summarizes the construction and practical application of this regionally coordinated critical care system, aiming to provide a reference for the management of critical care treatment.
Humans
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China
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Critical Care/organization & administration*
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Delivery of Health Care/organization & administration*
5.Mass spectral database-based methodologies for the annotation and discovery of natural products.
Fengyao YANG ; Zeyuan LIANG ; Haoran ZHAO ; Jiayi ZHENG ; Lifang LIU ; Huipeng SONG ; Guizhong XIN
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(4):410-420
Natural products (NPs) have long held a significant position in various fields such as medicine, food, agriculture, and materials. The chemical space covered by NPs is extensive but often underexplored. Therefore, high-throughput and efficient methodologies for the annotation and discovery of NPs are desired to address the complexity and diversity of NP-based systems. Mass spectrometry (MS) has emerged as a powerful platform for the annotation and discovery of NPs. MS databases provide vital support for the structural characterization of NPs by integrating extensive mass spectral data and sample information. Additionally, the released annotation methodologies, based on a variety of informatics tools, continuously improve the ability to annotate the structure and properties of compounds. This review examines the current mainstream databases and annotation methodologies, focusing on their advantages and limitations. Prospects for future technological advancements are then discussed in terms of novel applications and research objectives. Through a systematic overview, this review aims to provide valuable insights and a reference for MS-based NPs annotation, thereby promoting the discovery of novel natural entities.
Biological Products/chemistry*
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Mass Spectrometry/methods*
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Databases, Factual
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Drug Discovery/methods*
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Humans
6.The impact of electrothermal acupuncture on the upper limb motor function of hemiplegic stroke survivors
Liying GUO ; Hong LI ; Jiang MA ; Shining YANG ; Tingting CHEN ; Xianying LIU ; Yi GONG ; Qing LI ; Lifang ZHANG ; Feng ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2025;47(4):307-312
Objective:To observe any impact of supplementing conventional rehabilitation training with electrothermal acupuncture on the upper limb motor functioning of hemiplegic stroke survivors.Methods:Thirty-six hemiplegic persons who had recently survived a stroke were divided at random into an electrothermal acupuncture group ( n=18) and a control group ( n=18). Both groups received conventional rehabilitation training, while the electrothermal acupuncture group was additionally provided with daily 30-minute sessions of electrothermal acupuncture, 6 days per week for 3 weeks. Before and after the treatment everyone′s upper limb motor functioning was quantified using the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA-UE), and their ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) was assessed using the modified Barthel index (MBI). The Hong Kong version of the functional test for the hemiplegic upper extremity (FTHUE-HK) was also administered. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was employed to compute the co-contraction ratios (CRs) of the agonist to antagonist muscles during elbow flexion and extension. Results:After the treatment, both groups exhibited significant improvements in their average FMA-UE, FTHUE-HK and MBI results, but with significantly greater improvement in the electrothermal acupuncture group. The root mean square values of the wrist flexor and extensor and elbow flexor muscles during flexion showed significant improvement in both groups, with the average values in the electrothermal acupuncture group significantly better than those of the control group. The CR values during elbow extension in the electrothermal acupuncture group demonstrated significant improvement compared to before the treatment.Conclusions:Supplementing conventional rehabilitation measures with electrothermal acupuncture can better increase the strength of the elbow and wrist extensor muscles in the early days after a stroke. It promotes the recruitment of muscle fibers in the extensor muscle group, reduces abnormal coordination patterns in the elbow joint, and improves upper limb motor function, the practicality of hand function, and ability in the activities of daily living.
7.Detection of Free T4 in Cerebrospinal Fluid Predicts Autism-like Behaviors in Offspring Rats Induced by Hypothyroidism during Pregnancy
Lifang LI ; Jiaqi ZHANG ; Junhua YANG ; Yuxin MA ; Guoying LI
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(6):1029-1040
[Objective]To investigate the potential value of thyroid hormones in cerebrospinal fluid in predicting autism-like behaviors induced by hypothyroidism in pregnant rats.[Methods]Twelve pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group and a hypothyroidism group(hypothyroidism model group).Offspring from both groups had serum and cerebrospinal fluid levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH),total triiodothyronine(TT3),total thyroxine(TT4),free triiodothyronine(FT3),and free thyroxine(FT4)levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid.Ultrasonic vocalization tests were conducted on postnatal day 2(P2),day 7(P7),and day 14(P14),while behavioral tests using the three-box social interaction test were performed on day 21(P21).[Results]Compared with the control group,free T4(FT4)levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of the hypothyroidism group were significantly reduced during the developmental period(P0-P21;P2:P<0.05;P7:P<0.05;P14:P<0.01;P21:P<0.01),with no statistical difference between the two groups only at P0(P>0.05).In the ultrasonic vocalization(USV)tests,the number and duration of USVs in offsprings from the hypothyroidism group were significantly reduced compared with those of the control group on P2,P7 and P14:for USV counts(P2:P<0.05;P7:P<0.001;P14:P<0.01);for USV duration(P2:P<0.05;P7:P<0.001;P14:P<0.001).In the three-box social tests,offsprings of the hypothyroidism group showed significantly reduced sniffing time with unfamiliar rats at P21 compared to the control group(all P<0.001).The FT4 levels in cerebrospinal fluid had a significantly positive correlation with USV counts(P7:r=0.883,P<0.05;P14:r=0.902,P<0.05)and sniffing time with unfamiliar rats(r=0.814,P<0.01).[Conclusion]Measuring free T4 in cerebrospinal fluid can predict autism-like behaviors in offsprings of rats induced by hypothyroidism during pregnancy.
8.Safety evaluation of food and drug packaging pigments
Ruomeng YANG ; Lifang WANG ; Wei DU ; Shouqian JIA ; Rundong FENG
Adverse Drug Reactions Journal 2025;27(8):486-494
Objective:To analyze the safety of pigments and inks commonly used in food and drug packaging materials.Methods:The acute oral toxicity, skin irritation, and eye irritation tests in 4 different batches of pigment samples (YP-001 to YP-008) and one kind of ink (YP-009) were investigated by animal experiments. Median lethal dose (LD 50), body weight, and stimulation intensity were used as detection indicators. The test sample with LD 50>5 000 mg/kg was judged as practically non-toxicity, the test sample with skin irritation intensity of 0-<0.50 points and eye irritation intensity of 0-3 points were judged as no irritation. Bacterial reverse mutation test, in vitro mammalian chromosome aberration test, and mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test were carried out on oil paint (YP-007). The number of revertant colonies, chromosome aberration rate, and erythrocyte micronucleus rate were used as the detection indexes. If the number of revertant colonies in each dose group in the test sample was less than 2 times of that in the blank control group, the chromosome aberration rate and erythrocyte micronucleus rate were not statistically significant compared with the negative control group, the test sample was judged to be negative. Results:The acute oral toxicity test showed that the weight of mice in different test groups was not reduced, and the LD 50 was more than 5 000 mg/kg, so the samples were judged to be practically non-toxic, no irritation to skin and eyes of rabbits. The bacterial reverse mutation test showed that the results in 5 different dose groups and 5 repeated dose groups of oil paint test samples were all negative. The in vitro mammalian chromosome aberration test showed that the results in 3 dose groups of oil paint test samples (5.0, 2.5 and 1.25 mg/ml) were all negative. The mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test showed that the results in 3 dose groups of oil paint test samples (10.0, 5.0 and 2.5 mg/kg) were all negative. Conclusions:The test samples of 4 different batches of pigments and one kind of ink are practically non-toxic and free of skin and eye irritation. The oil paint (YP-007) has no genotoxicity and potential carcinogenicity in vivo and in vitro.
9.Construction and effect evaluation of the respiratory rehabilitation calisthenics for school-age children with bronchial asthma
Xixuan LIU ; Yulin LIU ; Sha LIU ; Fan YANG ; Xiaohong XIE ; Zijuan WANG ; Lifang LIU ; Hongyu WEI
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(9):1043-1050
Objective To construct the respiratory rehabilitation calisthenics for school-age children with asthma,and evaluate its effects,in order to provide a guidance for the scientific and effective implementation of respiratory rehabilitation in clinical work.Methods By convenience sampling method,the school-age children with asthma treated in the respiratory outpatient department of a tertiary specialized children's hospital in Chongqing from De-cember 2023 to February 2024 were selected.The children were randomly divided into an experimental group and the control group(25 of each group)by a random number table.Both groups were given routine asthma drug in-halation treatment and health education.Additionally,the experimental group received respiratory rehabilitation calis-thenics training and the control group received conventional aerobic exercise training.After 3-month intervention,the effects of adherence to respiratory rehabilitation training,lung functions,exercise capacity,inspiratory muscle strength and occurrence of adverse events were evaluated between 2 groups.Results 24 children of each group completed the study.After 3-month intervention,the adherence to respiratory rehabilitation training,exercise capacity and in-spiratory muscle strength were improved in the experimental group compared with those in the control group,and all differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).There were no adverse events in both groups.Conclusion The respiratory rehabilitation calisthenics for school-age children with asthma constructed in this study was scientif-ic,feasible and safe,and could improve exercise capacity and inspiratory muscle strength for children with asthma.
10.The impact of electrothermal acupuncture on the upper limb motor function of hemiplegic stroke survivors
Liying GUO ; Hong LI ; Jiang MA ; Shining YANG ; Tingting CHEN ; Xianying LIU ; Yi GONG ; Qing LI ; Lifang ZHANG ; Feng ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2025;47(4):307-312
Objective:To observe any impact of supplementing conventional rehabilitation training with electrothermal acupuncture on the upper limb motor functioning of hemiplegic stroke survivors.Methods:Thirty-six hemiplegic persons who had recently survived a stroke were divided at random into an electrothermal acupuncture group ( n=18) and a control group ( n=18). Both groups received conventional rehabilitation training, while the electrothermal acupuncture group was additionally provided with daily 30-minute sessions of electrothermal acupuncture, 6 days per week for 3 weeks. Before and after the treatment everyone′s upper limb motor functioning was quantified using the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA-UE), and their ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) was assessed using the modified Barthel index (MBI). The Hong Kong version of the functional test for the hemiplegic upper extremity (FTHUE-HK) was also administered. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was employed to compute the co-contraction ratios (CRs) of the agonist to antagonist muscles during elbow flexion and extension. Results:After the treatment, both groups exhibited significant improvements in their average FMA-UE, FTHUE-HK and MBI results, but with significantly greater improvement in the electrothermal acupuncture group. The root mean square values of the wrist flexor and extensor and elbow flexor muscles during flexion showed significant improvement in both groups, with the average values in the electrothermal acupuncture group significantly better than those of the control group. The CR values during elbow extension in the electrothermal acupuncture group demonstrated significant improvement compared to before the treatment.Conclusions:Supplementing conventional rehabilitation measures with electrothermal acupuncture can better increase the strength of the elbow and wrist extensor muscles in the early days after a stroke. It promotes the recruitment of muscle fibers in the extensor muscle group, reduces abnormal coordination patterns in the elbow joint, and improves upper limb motor function, the practicality of hand function, and ability in the activities of daily living.

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