1.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates AMPK Signaling Pathway to Prevent and Treat Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Review
Lijuan DAN ; Shuanglan CHEN ; Tianyuan WANG ; Xiaojie YOU ; Xiuyan LI ; Hongfei SONG ; Dong WANG ; Jie MU ; Qiao LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):133-143
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most prevalent forms of liver diseases globally. Its progression can lead to cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease, and there is currently a lack of effective pharmacological treatments. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), as a regulatory hub for maintaining cellular energy homeostasis, can coordinate key cellular processes such as adipogenesis, glucose metabolism, and mitochondrial functions. Its activation exerts metabolic regulatory effects through pathways including inhibiting lipogenesis, enhancing mitochondrial β-oxidation, regulating inflammation and oxidative stress, and promoting autophagy. Accordingly, AMPK emerges as a potential target for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with low toxicity, high accessibility, and multi-component, multi-target synergistic effects, has demonstrated unique value in NAFLD treatment, particularly showing notable advantages in regulating the AMPK signaling pathway. Sichuan is known as the treasure house of TCM, and the active components of its authentic medicinal materials such as Coptidis Rhizoma not only reflect regional characteristics in AMPK signaling regulation but also form a multi-level metabolic regulatory network through crosstalk with pathways such as sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα). They can achieve specific regulation by directly activating AMPK and modulating upstream and downstream targets, exerting prominent effects in ameliorating hepatic steatosis and inflammation. This study systematically reviews the research findings on TCM for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD over the past five years, elaborating the mechanisms by which TCM treats NAFLD through regulating the AMPK signaling pathway. It aims to provide new perspectives and references for clinical diagnosis and treatment, basic research, and drug development.
2.Mechanism of action of mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex in treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease
Xinyu ZHANG ; Lijuan DAN ; Xiaojie YOU ; Jie MU ; Hongfei SONG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(8):1952-1959
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a chronic liver condition closely associated with dysregulated lipid metabolism, with the central pathological event of mitochondrial dysfunction in hepatocytes. The mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) complex is a key molecular apparatus regulating mitochondrial calcium (mtCa2+) homeostasis, and mtCa2+ overload due to its dysfunction plays a critical role in the progression of MAFLD. This article systematically elaborates on the pathogenesis of MAFLD, with a particular focus on how the central signaling axis of “MCU complex dysfunction-mtCa2+ overload” drives the disease progression of MAFLD by disrupting energy metabolism, activating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, triggering the NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome, and inducing cell death. It also points out that traditional Chinese medicine can exert an interventional effect on multiple downstream pathways through various targets and has shown unique advantages and a significant potential in alleviating MAFLD by maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis and targeting the MCU complex, and therefore, it is expected to provide new strategies for the prevention and treatment of MAFLD.
3.Screening and validation of diagnostic biomarkers in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease based on data-independent acquisition quantitative proteomics
Hongfei SONG ; Lijuan DAN ; Xiuyan LI ; Xiaojie YOU ; Shengjie WU ; Haibo YIN ; Wenping LIU ; Qiao LI ; Jie MU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(9):2075-2085
ObjectiveTo screen for and validate key differentially expressed proteins in serum of patients with metabolic dysfunction‑associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), and to provide a basis for identifying diagnostic biomarkers and developing intervention strategies for this disease. MethodsA total of 20 patients who were diagnosed with MAFLD in the third affiliated hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from December 2024 to January 2025 were enrolled as MAFLD group, and 20 healthy controls were enrolled as HC group. Demographic data and serum biochemical parameters were collected from both groups. Data-independent acquisition (DIA) quantitative proteomics was used to measure the relative expression levels of serum proteins, and related methods were used to obtain significantly differentially expressed proteins, including the gene ontology functional enrichment analysis, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, Hub node interaction, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Rats were given a high-fat diet to establish a model of MAFLD, and randomly assigned to the control group and model group. Serum biochemical parameters and inflammatory factors were measured, liver histopathological changes were observed, and the protein expression levels of MER proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase (MERTK) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in liver tissue were verified. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups, while the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data or data with heterogeneity of variance between groups; the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. ResultsCompared with the HC group, the MAFLD group had significant increases in the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (t=-7.348, P<0.05), alanine aminotransferase (Z=5.088, P<0.05), alkaline phosphatase (t=-3.943, P<0.05), triglyceride (Z=2.070, P<0.05), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (t=3.867, P<0.05). A total of 3 559 proteins were identified by DIA serum proteomics, among which 160 differentially expressed proteins were mainly enriched in pathways including metabolic disorders, immune inflammatory response, and extracellular matrix remodeling. The PPI network and the Hub node analysis showed that serpin family E member 1, MMP-9, and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 were core regulatory proteins. WGCNA showed that the MEyellow module was significantly positively correlated with MAFLD phenotype (cor=0.55, P<0.001), which was functionally enriched in the efferocytosis pathway. MERTK (P<0.001) and MMP-9 (P<0.001) showed the most significant differential expression in this module. A rat model of MAFLD was successfully established using a high-fat diet, and compared with the control group, the model group had enlarged, yellowish, and greasy liver and disordered structure of hepatic lobules, hepatocyte fatty degeneration, and inflammatory cell infiltration based on HE staining, as well as massive lipid droplet deposition based on oil red O staining, while no obvious fibrous cords were observed in Masson staining. Compared with the control group, the model group had significant increases in the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (t=-5.148, P<0.05), alanine aminotransferase (t=-5.663, P<0.05), total bilirubin (t=-13.061, P<0.05), triglyceride (Z=-2.722, P<0.05), total cholesterol (t=3.588, P<0.05), and tumor necrosis factor-α (t=-16.741, P<0.05), as well as significant increases in the protein expression levels of MERTK (t=-11.448, P<0.001) and MMP-9 (t=-10.875, P<0.001) in liver tissue. ConclusionMMP-9 and MERTK are abnormally expressed in MAFLD and may be used as potential diagnostic biomarkers for this disease.
4.Chronic HBV infection affects health-related quality of life in pregnant women in the second and third trimesters and postpartum period: a prospective cohort study.
Yueying DENG ; Yawen GENG ; Tingting PENG ; Junchao QIU ; Lijuan HE ; Dan XIE ; Ziren CHEN ; Shi OUYANG ; Shengguang YAN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(5):995-1002
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the impact of HBV infection on pre- and postpartum health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in pregnant women.
METHODS:
A prospective matched cohort consisting of 70 HBV-infected and 70 healthy pregnant women was recruited from the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University between April 17 and September 25, 2023. HRQoL of the participants was assessed at 16-24 weeks of gestation, between 32 weeks and delivery, and 5-13 weeks postpartum. Mixed linear models were used for evaluating temporal trends of HRQoL changes, and univariate ANOVA with multiple linear regression was used to identify the predictors of HRQoL.
RESULTS:
Compared with healthy pregnant women, HBV-infected pregnant women had consistently lower total HRQoL scores across all the 3 intervals, with the lowest scores observed between 32 weeks of gestation and delivery, during which these women had significantly reduced mental component scores (74.27±13.43 vs 80.21±12.9, P=0.009) and postpartum mental (76.52±16.19 vs 85.02±6.51, P<0.001) and physical component scale scores (77.17±14.71 vs 83.09±10.1, P=0.009). HBV infection was identified as an independent risk factor affecting HRQoL during late pregnancy and postpartum periods. Additional independent risk factors for postpartum HRQoL reduction included self-pay medical expenses, spouse's neutral attitude toward the current pregnancy, and preexisting comorbidities (all P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
HRQoL of pregnant women deteriorates progressively in late pregnancy, and HBV infection exacerbates reductions of physical function and role emotion in late pregnancy and after delivery, suggesting the importance of targeted interventions for financial burdens, partner support and comorbid conditions to improve HRQoL of pregnant women with HBV infection.
Humans
;
Female
;
Pregnancy
;
Quality of Life
;
Prospective Studies
;
Postpartum Period
;
Hepatitis B, Chronic/psychology*
;
Adult
;
Pregnancy Trimester, Third
;
Pregnancy Trimester, Second
;
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
5.Cross-sectional survey of healthcare-associated infection in 5 736 medical institutions across China in 2024
Cui ZENG ; Wuqiang GAO ; Fu QIAO ; Hui ZHAO ; Xu FANG ; Linping LI ; Xiuwen CHEN ; Jiansen CHEN ; Dan LI ; Yuan ZHOU ; Lingli YU ; Qinglan MENG ; Xia MOU ; Lijuan XIONG ; Weiguang LI ; Ding LIU ; Jiaqing XIAO ; Limei OU ; Baozhen LI ; Jun YIN ; Haojun ZHANG ; Qiang FU ; Qun LU ; Biao WU ; Ya-wei XING ; Shumei SUN ; Shuncai WANG ; Longmin DU ; Jingping ZHANG ; Wen-ying HE ; Gui CHENG ; Nan REN ; Xun HUANG ; Anhua WU
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2025;24(11):1572-1583
Objective To understand the current situation of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in China,pro-vide data support and decision-making basis for formulating scientific and effective strategies for HAI prevention and control.Methods A nationwide cross-sectional survey on HAI was conducted among various types and levels of medical institutions in China according to a unified protocol of bedside surveys and case investigations.Results In 2024,a total of 5 736 medical institutions and 2 751 765 patients were surveyed.Among them,34 889 HAI cases were identified,with a prevalence rate of 1.27%.The number of HAI episodes was 38 032,and case prevalence rate was 1.38%.The prevalence rate of HAI in medical institutions in different regions of China ranged from 0.66%to 2.35%.Among medical institutions of different scales,those with a bed capacity of ≥900 had the high-est incidence of HAI,reaching 1.65%.The most common infection site was the lower respiratory tract(44.66%),followed by the urinary tract(12.94%),surgical site(9.32%),upper respiratory tract(7.02%),and bloodstream infection(5.78%).The top 3 departments with the highest HAI rates were the general intensive care unit(10.02%),department of neurosurgery(5.51%),and department(group)of hematology(5.34%).A total of 23 238 strains of HAI pathogens were detected,with 10 714 strains(46.10%)from lower respiratory tract speci-mens.The top 5 detected strains were Klebsiella pneumoniae(14.76%),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(13.33%),Escherichia coli(12.79%),Acinetobacter baumannii(9.23%),and Staphylococcus aureus(7.88%).231 944 pa-tients underwent class Ⅰ incision surgery were monitored,with 1 647 cases experienced surgical site infection,and the prevalence rate of surgical site infection was 0.71%.The number of patients who should undergo pathogen de-tection(patients receiving therapeutic and therapeutic combined prophylactic antimicrobial agents)was 715 179,while the actual number was 480 492,with a pathogen detection rate of 67.18%.425 225 patients received patho-genic detection before treatment,with a detection rate of 59.46%.Conclusion The overall HAI prevalence in Chi-na is lower,showing disparities among medical institutions of different regions and scales.Therefore,precise imple-mentation of measures is necessary for HAI prevention and control,with a focus on high-risk institutions and high-risk departments,key areas,and critical procedures.All levels of medical institutions should continuously reduce the incidence of HAI by strengthening monitoring,standardizing the use of antimicrobial agents,and reinforcing basic HAI prevention and control measures.
6.Analysis of the correlation between sex hormones and micropenis after mild hypospadias surgery in children
Jiayi WANG ; Haiyang ZHANG ; Lijuan GUO ; Hui LIU ; Hongxia LIU ; Ru JIA ; Yakai LIU ; Dan SU ; Cuiping SONG
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2025;40(8):619-624
Objective:To analyze the correlation between sex hormone levels and micropenis after mild hypospadias surgery in children.Methods:A case control study was carried out.The clinical data of 71 children aged 1 to 13 years who underwent mild hypospadias surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from April 2022 to April 2024 were analyzed.Preoperatively, the children were divided into a mild hypospadias group (Group A) and a mild hypospadias with micropenis group (Group B) based on the stretched penile length (SPL).Prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone, and testosterone (TES) levels of the 2 groups were measured.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to construct a risk prediction model.The discrimination capability of the model was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.SPL and sex hormone levels were measured again 6 months after surgery.The children were divided into a normal penile group (Group AA) and a micropenis group (Group BB) after mild hypospadias according to SPL.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to construct a risk prediction model, which was evaluated using the ROC curve.Results:The levels of FSH, LH and TES in group A before the operation were 3.28(2.02, 4.46) IU/L, 0.53(0.25, 0.79) IU/L and 25.24(17.94, 36.67) ng/dL, respectively, and those in group B were 1.42(1.10, 1.84) IU/L, 0.14(0.09, 0.23) IU/L and 15.73 (12.92, 17.00) ng/dL, respectively.The difference was all statistically significant (all P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed statistical significance ( OR=0.515, 95% CI: 0.271-0.977; OR=0.035, 95% CI: 0.002-0.542; OR=0.883, 95% CI: 0.796-0.980).The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the prediction model was 0.906, with a sensitivity of 75.00% and a specificity of 95.74%.The levels of FSH, LH and TES in the postoperative AA group were 2.97 (1.88, 4.28) IU/L, 0.46 (0.23, 0.78) IU/L and 20.92 (17.34, 33.27) ng/dL, respectively.The median levels of FSH, LH and TES in the BB group were 1.52 (1.27, 1.82) IU/L, 0.17 (0.12, 0.26) IU/L and 15.08(11.68, 16.68) ng/dL, respectively.The difference was all statistically significant (all P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed statistical significance ( OR=0.484, 95% CI: 0.236-0.992; OR=0.061, 95% CI: 0.004-0.939; OR=0.891, 95% CI: 0.795-0.999).The AUC of the prediction model constructed was 0.877, with a sensitivity of 94.12% and a specificity of 68.52%. Conclusions:Lower FSH, LH and TES levels are risk factors for the micropenis after mild hypospadias surgery, and preoperative hormone levels have higher predictive value.
7.Formulation and Interpretation of Prescription Evaluation Standard
Lijuan YANG ; Jiancun ZHEN ; Wei ZHANG ; Jin LU ; Dan MEI ; Pengmei LI ; Haiying ZHANG ; Nan ZHANG
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(3):400-403
Prescription evaluation is an important innovative medication supervision mode in China,which is an impor-tant means to ensure rational drug use.The Pharmaceutical Specialized Committee of the Chinese Hospital Association had led the formulation of the Pharmacy Administration and Pharmacy Practice in Healthcare Institutions—Part 4-9:Pharmacy Administra-tion—Prescription Evaluation.The standard regulated 11 key elements in the three aspects of basic requirements,evaluation re-quirements,and quality management and evaluation improvement,which can be used as the basis for guiding medical institutions to standardize prescription evaluation work.This paper introduced the formulation process of the prescription evaluation standard and interpreted the key contents of the standard,which was helpful for peers to deeply understand the standard,promote the imple-mentation of the standard,and further improve the quality of prescription evaluation work.
8.Analysis of risk factors and establishment of prediction model of acute pancreatitis complicated with hypotension
Dan DONG ; Lijuan CHEN ; Hehua YU
Tianjin Medical Journal 2025;53(5):509-513
Objective To investigate the risk factors of acute pancreatitis(AP)complicated with hypotension and establish a prediction model.Methods From April 2020 to April 2024,198 patients with AP in our hospital were selected as the research objects.The incidence of hypotension during treatment was measured.Patients with hypotension were included in the observation group,and those without hypotension were included in the control group.The risk factors of hypotension in AP patients were screened by Logistic regression analysis.R3.5.1 software was used to establish and verify the prediction model of AP complicated hypotension based on the selected risk factors.Results Among 198 AP patients during hospitalization,88(44.44%)had hypotension.Advanced age,history of hypotension,combined hypertension,severity of disease,secondary infection and respiratory system damage were the independent risk factors for AP complicated hypotension,and higher body mass index(BMI)was the protective factor(P<0.05).The C-index of the nomogram prediction model was 0.899,and the AUC for predicting AP with hypotension was 0.899(95%CI:0.848-0.937).The sensitivity was 85.23%,the specificity was 83.64%,the Yoden index was 0.689,the Brier score of the calibration curve was 0.146 and the calibration slope was 0.735.The risk of AP complicated with hypotension predicted by the nomogram model was in good agreement with the actual risk.Conclusion The nomogram prediction model established based on influencing factors demonstrates good discrimination and applicability in predicting AP complicated with hypotension.
9.Acquisition of the standard for intubation and maintenance of nasointestinal tube in adult patients among 1 350 nurses:a cross-sectional study
Haiyan SHI ; Zhongyan HAN ; Xiao MA ; Yu DING ; Dan NIE ; Lijuan ZHANG ; Shanshan YANG ; Aixia REN ; Yanlan MA
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(13):1617-1623
Objective To investigate the acquisition of the"standard for intubation and maintenance of nasointestinal tube in adult patients"of Chinese Nursing Association,and its influencing factors,so as to provide a basis for targeted training programs.Methods A multi-centered,cross-sectional study was performed in 31 provinces from September to November 2023,and nurses from different departments which use nasointestinal tubes like intensive care units,gastroenterology,neurology,geriatrics were included by a convenient sampling method.The tool was a self-designed questionnaire based on the group standard and the survey was conducted.Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of nurses'knowledge of nasointestinal tubes intubation and maintenance.Results 1 350 valid questionnaires were collected.Only 61.63%of the respondents knew about the publishing of the standard.The score of knowledge of tube intubation and maintenance was(61.09±13.56).The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed the influencing factors of the score of knowledge of intubation and maintenance were as follows:education level,professional title,job position,intubation experience within half a year,and corresponding achievements(P<0.05).Conclusion The acqui-sition level of nurses for the standard calls for continuous promotion.Nursing managers should establish targeted training programs based on the related influencing factors,so as to advance the implementation of the group standard.
10.Analysis of the correlation between sex hormones and micropenis after mild hypospadias surgery in children
Jiayi WANG ; Haiyang ZHANG ; Lijuan GUO ; Hui LIU ; Hongxia LIU ; Ru JIA ; Yakai LIU ; Dan SU ; Cuiping SONG
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2025;40(8):619-624
Objective:To analyze the correlation between sex hormone levels and micropenis after mild hypospadias surgery in children.Methods:A case control study was carried out.The clinical data of 71 children aged 1 to 13 years who underwent mild hypospadias surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from April 2022 to April 2024 were analyzed.Preoperatively, the children were divided into a mild hypospadias group (Group A) and a mild hypospadias with micropenis group (Group B) based on the stretched penile length (SPL).Prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone, and testosterone (TES) levels of the 2 groups were measured.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to construct a risk prediction model.The discrimination capability of the model was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.SPL and sex hormone levels were measured again 6 months after surgery.The children were divided into a normal penile group (Group AA) and a micropenis group (Group BB) after mild hypospadias according to SPL.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to construct a risk prediction model, which was evaluated using the ROC curve.Results:The levels of FSH, LH and TES in group A before the operation were 3.28(2.02, 4.46) IU/L, 0.53(0.25, 0.79) IU/L and 25.24(17.94, 36.67) ng/dL, respectively, and those in group B were 1.42(1.10, 1.84) IU/L, 0.14(0.09, 0.23) IU/L and 15.73 (12.92, 17.00) ng/dL, respectively.The difference was all statistically significant (all P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed statistical significance ( OR=0.515, 95% CI: 0.271-0.977; OR=0.035, 95% CI: 0.002-0.542; OR=0.883, 95% CI: 0.796-0.980).The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the prediction model was 0.906, with a sensitivity of 75.00% and a specificity of 95.74%.The levels of FSH, LH and TES in the postoperative AA group were 2.97 (1.88, 4.28) IU/L, 0.46 (0.23, 0.78) IU/L and 20.92 (17.34, 33.27) ng/dL, respectively.The median levels of FSH, LH and TES in the BB group were 1.52 (1.27, 1.82) IU/L, 0.17 (0.12, 0.26) IU/L and 15.08(11.68, 16.68) ng/dL, respectively.The difference was all statistically significant (all P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed statistical significance ( OR=0.484, 95% CI: 0.236-0.992; OR=0.061, 95% CI: 0.004-0.939; OR=0.891, 95% CI: 0.795-0.999).The AUC of the prediction model constructed was 0.877, with a sensitivity of 94.12% and a specificity of 68.52%. Conclusions:Lower FSH, LH and TES levels are risk factors for the micropenis after mild hypospadias surgery, and preoperative hormone levels have higher predictive value.

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