1.Exploring Anti-inflammatory Synergistic Mechanism of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma Processed with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus Juice Based on Differential Component Tracking Strategy
Hongda XUAN ; Shengnan SHEN ; Linlin LI ; Jingjing LIAO ; Xianyu XU ; Xiaoxia LIU ; Haining LYU ; Fang WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):228-237
ObjectiveTaking Aurantii Fructus Immaturus juice(AFI)-processed Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma(AMR) as an example, this study aims to systematically compare the volatile and non-volatile components of AMR and its processed products, investigate the key differential components, evaluate their anti-inflammatory activities, and elucidate the synergistic mechanism of processing. MethodsThe chemical compositions of volatile and non-volatile components in AMR and AFI-processed AMR were systematically characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS), with relative mass fractions and response values determined separately. Volatile components were identified through searches in the National Institute of Standards and Technology(NIST)17 database, comparison with retention index(RI) and fragmentation pattern matching. Non-volatile components were identified by searching Waters Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) spectral library, in conjunction with PubChem and MassBank, characteristic fragmentation patterns and response values were also used to support identification. Differential components were screened using principal component analysis(PCA), orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), with variable importance in the projection(VIP) value >1. Components with high log2fold change(FC) among major differential groups were selected as those exhibiting significant changes before and after processing. The anti-inflammatory activity of the differential compounds was evaluated by assessing their effects on nitric oxide(NO) production in a lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophage model. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the effects of the differential components on tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6, and monocyte chemotactic protein(MCP)-1 levels, and immunofluorescence(IF) was employed to assess their effects on nuclear transcription factor(NF)-κB p65 translocation, thereby elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms. ResultsA total of 36 compounds were identified in the volatile components of AMR and AFI-processed AMR, among which, sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes were significantly increased after processing. In the non-volatile components, 36 compounds were identified, and the main differential components were flavonoids, sesquiterpenoids, and triterpenoids. Flavonoids were the primary differential components distinguishing AMR from its processed products, representing compounds directly introduced during processing. Five compounds, including atractylenolide Ⅲ, tangeritin, nobiletin, hesperidin and narirutin, were selected as representatives of three classes based on their most prominent differential expression among different compound types for subsequent anti-inflammatory activity studies. The results showed that 100 μmol·L-1 tangerine and narirutin could significantly inhibit LPS-induced NO production(P<0.01) in a concentration-dependent manner. Tangeritin was able to significantly inhibit the levels of TNF-α and MCP-1 secreted by RAW264.7(P<0.05), while narirutin significantly inhibited the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, MCP-1 and IL-6(P<0.01). IF revealed that both tangeritin and narirutin significantly blocked the translocation of NF-κB p65 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. ConclusionAFI-processed AMR significantly alters the chemical composition profile of AMR, and the newly introduced flavonoid components during processing may be key to its enhanced anti-inflammatory effects.
2.Relationship between traumatic infectious endophthalmitis and the levels of serum macrophage inflammatory protein 1α, heat shock protein 70, and soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1
Ruihong WANG ; Linlin ZHANG ; Yanna WANG ; Junxia REN ; Cuiying LIU
International Eye Science 2026;26(1):119-124
AIM: To investigate the distribution characteristics of pathogens in patients with post-traumatic infectious endophthalmitis(PTIE)and their relationship with serum levels of macrophage inflammatory protein 1α(MIP-1α), heat shock protein 70(HSP70), and soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1(sTREM-1).METHODS:A total of 157 patients with PTIE from the Handan City Eye Hospital(The Third Hospital of Handan)from May 2023 to May 2025 were selected as the study group. They were divided into a good prognosis group and a poor prognosis group based on their uncorrected visual acuity at discharge. Meanwhile, 157 patients with ocular trauma but without endophthalmitis during the same period were selected as control group 1, and 157 healthy volunteers who underwent physical examinations during the same period were selected as control group 2. Aqueous humor and vitreous fluid samples were collected from the study group to detect the distribution of pathogens. The levels of serum MIP-1α, HSP70, and sTREM-1 were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for poor prognosis. The predictive value of serum MIP-1α, HSP70, and sTREM-1 levels for poor prognosis was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)and decision curve analysis(DCA).RESULTS: The general data of the participants in the three groups was comparable. A total of 173 pathogens were detected in the 157 patients with PTIE, with Gram-positive bacteria being the predominant type. The levels of serum MIP-1α and sTREM-1 in the study group were higher than those in control groups 1 and 2, while the level of HSP70 was lower than those in control groups 1 and 2(all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the levels of serum MIP-1α, HSP70, and sTREM-1 between control groups 1 and 2(all P>0.05). In the poor prognosis group, the time of wound suture was ≥24 h, the wound location was in zones II/III, the type of trauma was rupture, the proportion of rupture injuries, and the levels of serum C-reactive protein, MIP-1α, and sTREM-1 were higher than those in the good prognosis group, while the level of HSP70 was decreased(all P<0.001). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the time of wound suture, wound location, type of trauma, C-reactive protein, MIP-1α, HSP70, and sTREM-1 were risk factors for poor visual prognosis in patients with PTIE(all P<0.05). The ROC curve results showed that the combined prediction of serum MIP-1α, HSP70, and sTREM-1 for poor visual prognosis in PTIE patients had an AUC value of 0.965, which was significantly higher than that of individual predictions(ZMIP-1α, ZHSP70, ZsTREM-1=3.628, 4.705, 3.930, all P<0.05). Additionally, the DCA curve showed that the combined prediction had a higher net benefit rate than individual predictions in the high-risk threshold range of 0.03-0.97.CONCLUSION:Gram-positive bacteria are the predominant type of pathogenic bacteria in patients with PTIE, with elevated levels of serum MIP-1α and sTREM-1 and decreased levels of HSP70. The combined detection of these three factors has a high predictive efficacy for visual prognosis in patients.
3.Exploration on the Approach to Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment of Pediatric Infectious Mononucleosis Based on the "Sweat Pore-Qi and Liquid-Collaterals" Theory
Linlin LIU ; Ying DING ; Yongbin YAN ; Yinglin DUAN ; Yu LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(16):1668-1671
Based on the "sweat pore-qi and liquid-collaterals" theory, it is considered that the core pathogenesis of pediatric infectious mononucleosis lies in the obstruction of sweat pores, the failure of qi and liquid to disperse, and damage to the collaterals due to pathogenic toxins. Accordingly, the treatment principles proposed include unblocking the sweat pores, regulating qi and liquid, and smoothing the collaterals. In clinical practice, treatment is differentiated according to stages: initial, acute, and late stages. In the initial stage, invasion of warm pathogenic toxins into the lung defense leads to obstruction of the sweat pores, which should be treated by unblocking the sweat pores and expelling pathogens outward. In the acute stage, the obstruction of the sweat pores worsens, leading to the failure of qi and liquid dispersal, resulting in intense heat toxins with accumulation of dampness, phlegm, and blood stasis, which should be treated by promoting qi movement, resolving dampness and phlegm, clearing heat, detoxifying, and dispersing stasis to regulate qi and liquid. In the late stage, residual pathogens remain, with qi and yin deficiency and unsmooth collaterals, which should be treated by unblocking the collaterals, dissipating nodules, tonifying qi, and nourishing yin to smooth the collaterals. This approach may provide new insights for the clinical treatment of pediatric infectious mononucleosis.
4.Characteristics of ecological executive function in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Xiaolan CAO ; Zhaomin WU ; Juan LIU ; Ying LI ; Linlin ZHANG ; Binrang YANG
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(4):295-301
BackgroundExecutive function deficits constitute a core problem in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Previous assessments of executive function in children with ADHD have predominantly relied on performance-based neuropsychological tests conducted in laboratory settings, though their predictive validity for real-world functional outcomes remains limited. In contrast, ecological executive function emphasizes the evaluation of complex task management in naturalistic contexts, demonstrating a stronger predictive power for functional adaptation in daily living among children with ADHD, such as multitasking performance, social interactions and so on. However, current empirical evidence regarding ecological executive function in this population remains insufficient. ObjectiveTo investigate the executive function characteristics of children with ADHD from an ecological perspective, thereby providing references for developing targeted interventions. MethodsA case control study was conducted, including 277 ADHD children who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) criteria and were selected at the Child Health Care and Mental Health Center of Shenzhen Children's Hospital from June 2017 to December 2020, as well as 98 healthy controls were recruited from primary and secondary schools in Shenzhen. All participants were assessed using Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, fourth edition (WISC-IV) and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). Differences in WISC-IV and BRIEF scores were compared between ADHD group and control groups, followed by the comparison of BRIEF scores by gender and ADHD subtypes. ResultsAmong the 277 children with ADHD, 136 cases (49.10%) had predominantly inattentive type (ADHD-I), 6 cases (2.17%) had predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type (ADHD-HI), and 135 cases (48.73%) had combined type (ADHD-C). ADHD group demonstrated significantly lower scores on both the WISC-IV total IQ and four index scores (verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory and processing speed) than control group (t=3.698~9.335, P<0.01). After controlling for WISC-IV total IQ as a covariate, the scores of each factor in the dimensions of behavioral regulation index (inhibition, shifting, emotional control) and metacognition index (task initiation, working memory, planning, monitoring and organization) were all higher in ADHD group than in control group, and the differences were statistically significant (F=46.563~290.475, P<0.01). In terms of gender, no statistically significant difference was found in BRIEF composite scores (behavioral regulation index or metacognition index) of children with ADHD (t=0.105~1.190, P>0.05). In terms of ADHD subtypes, children with ADHD-C reported significantly higher scores than those with ADHD-I on the scores of inhibition, emotional control, organization and monitoring in BRIEF (t=2.481~7.343, P<0.05 or 0.01). ConclusionChildren with ADHD have multidimensional deficits in ecological executive function, which vary across different subtypes. [Funded by Shenzhen Excellent Science and Technology Innovation Talent Training Project (number, RCYX20221008092849069); the Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhen]
5.Current disease control level of middle-aged and elderly COPD patients and its correlation with disease cognition
Yamei SONG ; Linlin LIU ; Lifeng ZHENG ; Chaobo CUI ; Ying LUAN ; Jing WANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(5):50-53
Objective To evaluate the current situation of disease control in middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and analyze the relationship with disease cognition. Methods Among the 360 middle-aged and elderly COPD patients diagnosed and treated in our hospital from January 2022 to June 2024 were retrospectively selected as research subjects, and the COPD Assessment Test Questionnaire (CAT), COPD Patient Knowledge Questionnaire (BCKQ) and the hampion Health Belief Model Scale were used to evaluate disease control, disease cognition and health beliefs in COPD patients. The Pearson chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship between disease control level and disease cognition and health beliefs in older patients with COPD. Results A total of 360 middle-aged and elderly COPD patients, 112 were in the complete control group, 189 were in the partial control group, and 59 were in the uncontrolled group, the disease control rate was 83.61%. The differences in disease cognitive scores, severity cognition, susceptibility cognition, disorder cognition, benefit cognition, health motivation, self-efficacy score and total health belief scores in middle-aged and elderly COPD patients with different disease control conditions are statistically significant. The scores of the complete control group were higher than those of partial control group and uncontrolled group, and the scores of partial control group were higher than those of the uncontrolled group (P <0.05). The disease control level of middle-aged and elderly patients with COPD is positively correlated with disease cognitive level and health belief in all dimensions. The higher the disease control level, the higher the disease cognitive level and health belief in the patient . Conclusions Middle-aged and elderly COPD patients still have insufficient awareness of the disease, and the level of disease control needs to be improved. There is a significant correlation between disease cognition, health beliefs and the level of disease control, and the improved cognitive level may help to improve the disease management and control effect. For middle-aged and elderly COPD patients, the community can provide health education courses, personalized health guidance and self-management training to enhance their awareness of diseases, so as to improve the long-term management of COPD and the quality of life of patients.
6.Case analysis on sequential latent occupational acute organotin poisoning
Lizhuang LU ; Linlin FAN ; Yinghua SONG ; Jia LIU ; Yongjian YAN
China Occupational Medicine 2025;52(3):308-312
A retrospective investigation was conducted to analyze the occupational exposure history, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, imaging findings, and diagnosis and treatment of two cases of sequential latent occupational acute organotin poisoning. Both patients were successively employed in the same enterprise, engaged in crushing of waste polyvinyl chloride plastics, and thus potentially exposed to organotin hazards. Within several days of employment, both patients developed discomfort symptoms, and central nervous system impairment was observed, including short-term memory loss, slow response, and cognitive dysfunction. Hypokalemia was detected in both cases. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed abnormalities (multiple ischemic lesions in the bilateral frontal and parietal lobes), and urinary tin was positive. Symptoms relieved in both patients after treatments with tin-exclusion, potassium supplementation, and neurotrophic treatment. Based on the GBZ 26-2007 Diagnostic Criteria of Occupational Acute Trialkyltin Poisoning, and combined with worksite survey of occupational health and exclusion of cerebrovascular disease, viral encephalitis, and autoimmune encephalitis and other neurological disorders, both patients were diagnosed with mild occupational acute trialkyltin poisoning. Sequential latent occupational acute organotin poisoning is prone to misdiagnosis, with great difficulty in etiological identification. Comprehensive assessment of occupational exposure history and biomarker testing are essential for differential diagnosis. Early recognition and intervention improve prognosis, highlighting the need for strengthened occupational health supervision and protection in high-risk work posts.
7.Improvement effects and mechanism of Zhichi suanzaoren decoction on oxidative stress injury of hippocampal neurons in perimenopausal insomnia mice
Yufei LIU ; Zeyu ZHANG ; Yonghua ZHANG ; Linlin HU ; Xin ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(19):2372-2378
OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effects and mechanism of Zhichi suanzaoren decoction (ZSD) on hippocampal oxidative stress injury in hippocampal neurons of mice with perimenopausal insomnia. METHODS The potential targets of active ingredients in ZSD were predicted using TCMSP and TCMIP databases; the targets related to insomnia were searched through GeneCards, OMIM and DisGeNET databases; protein-protein interaction network of intersecting targets of ZSD ingredients and insomnia was constructed; Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses were conducted on key targets. Sixty mice were divided into sham operation group, model group, ZSD low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (11, 22, and 33 g/kg), and eszopiclone group (positive control, 1 mg/kg). Except for sham operation group, the perimenopausal insomnia model was constructed by ovariectomy (OVX) in the other groups. After successful modeling, mice in each group were gavaged with normal saline or the corresponding drug solution, once a day, for three consecutive weeks. The sleep status of mice was evaluated through the pentobarbital sodium sleep synergy experiment, and the pathological changes of hippocampal neurons and the expressions of related genes and proteins in mice were observed by HE staining, immunohistochemistry staining, immunofluorescence staining, transcriptome sequencing technology and Western blot. RESULTS The results of network pharmacology showed that there were 296 intersection targets between ZSD and perimenopausal insomnia. Protein kinase B1 (Akt1) was a key target for treating insomnia with ZSD. After administration of ZSD, the sleep latency of mice was shortened, the sleep duration was prolonged significantly, and the mean optical density value of neuron-specific nuclear protein in the hippocampal CA1 region was significantly increased (P<0.01). Additionally, hippocampal neuron damage in OVX mice was significantly alleviated. The results of transcriptome sequencing showed that ZSD significantly upregulated the transcriptional levels of Nfe2l2 gene in hippocampal tissue of OVX mice (P<0.05). After administration of ZSD, protein expressions of nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in hippocampal tissue of OVX mice, as well as the phosphorylated Akt level, were increased significantly (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS ZSD can ameliorate hippocampal oxidative stress injury of hippocampal neurons in perimenopausal insomnia mice by activating the Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
8.Association of metabolic score for insulin resistance with bone mineral content and bone metabolic markers among adolescents
LIU Jianxi, SHI Longkai, CHEN Linlin, XU Yingli, DING Wenqing
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(10):1498-1502
Objective:
To investigate the relationship of metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR) with bone mineral content (BMC) and bone metabolic markers levels among adolescents, so as to provide a scientific foundation for the early identification and prevention of bone related diseases.
Methods:
From 2017 to 2019 and 2023, a total of 1 414 adolescents aged 12-18 years from Yinchuan were selected using a method combining convenient sampling with stratified cluster random sampling. The data of basic information, body mass index, BMC, serum osteocalcin (OC), type I collagen cross linked C-terminal peptide (CTX) and calcium (Ca), METS-IR among adolescents were obtained by questionnaire survey, physical measurement and laboratory examination,and METS-IR was divided into four groups Q1-Q 4 according to P 25 , P 50 and P 75 . Logistic regression models combined with restricted cubic splines were employed to analyze the relationship between METS-IR and low BMC as well as low bone metabolic markers. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate METS-IR effectiveness in diagnosing low BMC.
Results:
The levels of BMC, OC, CTX, Ca and METS-IR in the surveyed adolescents were (2.66±0.52)kg, (20.49±13.77) ng/mL , (2 460.89±1 818.96)pg/mL, (2.47±0.67)mmol/L, 30.63±7.58. After adjusting for gender, age and physical activity level, METS-IR in Q 4 group had a reduced risk of low BMC and low CTX [ OR (95% CI )=0.03(0.01-0.07), 0.45(0.32-0.65)] and an elevated risk of low OC [ OR (95%CI )=1.85(1.28-2.67)], compared with the Q 1 group (all P <0.05). Gender stratified analyses revealed similar trends for both males and females (all P <0.05). Non linear dose response relationships were observed between METS-IR and low BMC ( P total trend <0.01, P non linearity =0.01), as well as low OC ( P total trend <0.01, P non linearity =0.01), while a linear relationship was detected with low CTX ( P total trend <0.01, P non linearity =0.72). ROC curves revealed that METS-IR had the best diagnostic performance for low BMC (AUC=0.85, 95% CI=0.82-0.88, P <0.01).
Conclusions
Higher METS-IR score is linked to reduced risk of low BMC and CTX but increase risk of low OC among adolescents. These findings suggest METS-IR is a reliable indicator for assessing BMC and early predicting bone health risk among adolescents.
9.A randomized controlled trial of interest induction combined with integrated healthcare nursing for improvements of psychological health and prognosis in children with lobar pneumonia
Qianli GUO ; Linlin LIU ; Yanna DU ; Xuejiao LIU ; Yuxiao HU
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(18):126-130
Objective To explore the effect of interest induction combined with integrated healthcare nursing on improvements of mental health and prognosis in children with lobar pneumonia.Methods A total of 126 children diagnosed as lobar pneumonia in the Hebei Children's Hospital from October 2023 to October 2024 were selected as research objects and randomly divided into study group(n=63)and control group(n=63).The control group received conventional nursing interven-tions,while the study group received the interest induction combined with integrated healthcare nursing model.The time for improvement of clinical symptoms,psychological scores,therapeutic compliance,and the occurrence of complications were compared between the two groups.Results The resolution time for fever,obvious alleviation time for cough,relief time for shortness of breath,and disappear-ance time for moist rales in the study group were significantly shorter than those in the control group(P<0.05).After the intervention,the scores of the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children(MASC-C)and the Child Behavior Checklist(CBCL)in both groups were significantly lower than those before the intervention,and the scores in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The compliance scores of the study group in terms of taking medication on time,functional exercise,dietary adjustment,and self-monitoring dimensions were all significantly higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).In the study group,there was 1 case of atelecta-sis and 1 case of pneumothorax,with a total complication rate of 3.17%(2/63);there was 1 case of pleural effusion,1 case of atelectasis,and 2 cases of pneumothorax in the control group,with a total complication rate of 6.35%(4/63).There was no significant difference in the total complica-tion rate between the two groups(x2=0.700,P>0.05).Conclusion The interest induction combined with integrated healthcare nursing model can improve therapeutic compliance,shorten the time for improvement of clinical symptoms,and enhance the mental health of children.
10.Porphyromonas gingivalis promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression and enhances cetuximab resistance via EGFR/GSK3β pathway induced EMT
Yaowu Lang ; Pan Chen ; Zichao Zhang ; Ke Liu ; Linlin Shi ; Shegan Gao
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(10):1908-1917
Objective:
To investigate the regulatory role of Porphyromonas gingivalis(Pg) infection on the EGFR/GSK3β signaling axis, and its impact on epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) and cetuximab(Ctx) resistance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).
Methods:
Single cell RNA sequencing was employed to perform differential analysis of cellular subpopulations, identifying differentially expressed genes in ESCC tissues infected and non-infected with Pg. IHC was conducted to assess the expression of Pg and epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) in ESCC tissues. Western blot, RT-PCR, and IF staining were performed to evaluate EGFR expression in Pg infected ESCC cell lines KYSE70 and TE1. ESCC cells were treated with Pg and EGFR inhibitor Ctx, and divided into four groups: control(NC) group, Pg group, Ctx group, Pg+Ctx group. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion abilities were evaluated using CCK-8, plate cloning, wound healing and Transwell assay. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expression of EMT and EGFR/GSK3β signaling pathway-associated proteins and their phosphorylation levels. Transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) was used to induce EMT in ESCC cells, promoting a transition from the epithelial phenotype to mesenchymal-like phenotype. The differential effects of Ctx on these two phenotypic states were subsequently compared.
Results:
Epithelial cells were predominantly enriched in Pg-positive tissues, and Pg infection promoted the upregulation of EGFR expression in ESCC cells. Compared to the NC group, Pg treatment significantly enhanced the proliferation, invasion and migration capabili-ties of ESCC cells, and also increased chemoresistance to Ctx and reduced its antitumor efficacy. Pg induced EMT in ESCC cellsviathe EGFR/GSK3β signaling pathway. Notably, Ctx exhibited markedly weaker inhibitory effects on mesenchymal-like cells compared to epithelial ESCC cells.
Conclusion
Pg promotes ESCC cells proliferation, invasion and migration by regulating EMT through the EGFR/GSK3β signaling pathway, and enhances chemoresistance to Ctx.


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