1.Correlation between serum total bile acid level and cognitive function in patients with stable schizophrenia and its predictive value for cognitive impairment
Cong CAO ; Hang YIN ; Xuehao XU ; Fenglan WANG ; Qiuyan LU ; Weishan SUN ; Qin WANG ; Aihua ZHOU
Sichuan Mental Health 2026;39(2):133-139
BackgroundPersistent cognitive impairment is prevalent among patients with stable schizophrenia. While serum total bile acid (TBA) level in acute-phase patients are known to be associated with cognitive dysfunction, the relationship between serum TBA and multi-dimensional cognitive functions in stable phase patients remains unclear. ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between serum TBA level and cognitive function in patients with stable schizophrenia, and to evaluate its predictive value for cognitive impairment, thereby providing a serological biomarker for the timely identification and objective assessment of cognitive dysfunction. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 137 inpatients with stable schizophrenia at The Fourth People's Hospital of Yancheng from March to December 2024. All participants met the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5). Cognitive function was evaluated using the Chinese Brief Cognitive Test (C-BCT), patients were categorized into four groups: normal cognition (n=28), mild impairment (n=28), moderate impairment (n=47), and severe impairment (n=34). Fasting venous blood samples were collected, and serum TBA level was quantified using an enzymatic cycle assay. Spearman correlation analysis was ultilized to determine the relationship between serum TBA level, overall cognitive function, and specific cognitive domains. Binary Logistic regression model was used (adjusting for covariates such as age, gender, and disease duration) to analyze the impact of serum TBA level on overall and individual cognitive functions. The predictive value of serum TBA level for overall cognitive impairment was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. ResultsSerum TBA levels differed significantly among the four groups (H=18.677, P<0.01). Specifically, serum TBA levels in both the moderate and severe cognitive impairment groups were significantly higher than those in the normal cognitive group (adjusted P<0.01). Serum TBA level was positively correlated with the severity grading of overall cognitive impairment (rs=0.354, P<0.05), and negatively correlated with T-scores on the trail making test (rs=-0.328, P<0.05), continuous performance test (rs=-0.247, P<0.05), digit span (rs=-0.265, P<0.05), and symbol coding (rs=-0.221, P<0.05). Binary Logistic regression analysis identified serum TBA level as an independent risk factor for overall cognitive impairment (OR=1.322, 95% CI: 1.021 - 1.713, P=0.034), with a particularly robust predictive ability for impaired information processing speed (OR=1.325, 95% CI: 1.057 - 1.661, P=0.015). The area under ROC curve (AUC) for serum TBA level in predicting overall cognitive impairment was 0.738, with a sensitivity of 60.61% and a specificity of 78.64%. ConclusionIn patients with stable schizophrenia, elevated serum TBA levels are associated with worse overall cognitive function, as well as deficits in information processing speed, attention, working memory, and executive function. Serum TBA serves as an independent risk factor and exhibits moderate predictive value for overall cognitive impairmen,particularly in the domain of information processing speed. [Funded by Yancheng Municipal Health Commission Medical Research Project (number, YK2024141)]
2.Effects of Qizhi Tongluo Granules on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Nrf2/OASL1 Signaling Pathway in Rats with Membranous Nephropathy
Qin LU ; Fei GAO ; Xiaomeng WANG ; Zhenhua WU ; Guodong YUAN ; Fengwen YANG ; Jinchuan TAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):134-143
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic efficacy of Qizhi Tongluo granules on proteinuria in membranous nephropathy (MN) and its potential protective effects and underlying mechanism against endoplasmic reticulum stress. MethodsAfter 70 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were adaptively fed for one week, the MN rat model was established by injecting cationic bovine serum albumin (C-BSA) into the tail vein. Rats were divided into the normal group, model group, low-dose Qizhi Tongluo granules group (2.43 g·kg-1), medium-dose group (4.86 g·kg-1), high-dose group (9.72 g·kg-1), and benazepril group (0.01 g·kg-1), with 10 rats in each group. Treatment was administered for four weeks. The 24-hour urinary total protein (UTP) content, as well as the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in renal tissues, were measured. Renal pathological changes were assessed using immunoglobulin G (IgG) staining, periodic acid-silver methenamine (PASM) staining, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The localization and expression levels of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), phosphorylated inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (p-IRE1α), phosphorylated protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (p-PERK), activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetase-like protein 1 (OASL1) in rat kidneys were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The mRNA and protein expression levels of Nrf2, thioredoxin 1 (Trx1), thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), and OASL1 in rat kidneys were measured using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot analysis. ResultsCompared with the normal group, UTP levels were significantly increased in the model rats (P<0.05), with obvious renal pathological damage. GPX content levels were significantly decreased in renal tissue (P<0.05), while ROS and MDA content levels were significantly increased (P<0.05). The expression of GRP78, p-IRE1α, p-PERK, and ATF4 proteins was significantly increased in the kidneys (P<0.05), while the mRNA and protein expression levels of Trx1 and Nrf2 were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expression levels of TXNIP and OASL1 were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the UTP levels of rats in the Qizhi Tongluo granules groups and the benazepril group decreased to varying degrees (P<0.05), and renal pathological damage was significantly alleviated. The GPX content in renal tissue was significantly increased (P<0.05), while the ROS and MDA levels were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The expression of GRP78, p-IRE1α, p-PERK, and ATF4 proteins in the kidney was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expression levels of Trx1 and Nrf2 were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the mRNA and protein expression levels of TXNIP and OASL1 were significantly decreased (P<0.05). ConclusionQizhi Tongluo granules alleviates proteinuria in MN rats by modulating the Nrf2/OASL1 signaling pathway in renal tissues to reduce endoplasmic reticulum stress, which represents its underlying mechanism.
3.miRNA Regulatory Network and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention in Asthma and Cough Variant Asthma from Perspective of Airway Microenvironment: A Review
Lisha LU ; Wen QIN ; Mingshu YANG ; Xiaochang WANG ; Lujia LIU ; Youpeng WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):282-294
Asthma and cough variant asthma (CVA) are both chronic heterogeneous diseases characterized by airway microenvironment homeostasis disruption as their core pathological basis. In recent years, micro ribonucleic acid (miRNA), as core post-transcriptional regulators, have been shown to finely modulate multiple critical signaling pathways, including Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), transforming growth factor-β/Smad (TGF-β/Smad), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), as well as various pathological processes such as airway epithelial barrier restoration, type 1 helper T cell(Th1)/Th2 immune balance, M1/M2 macrophage polarization, airway smooth muscle cell function, and airway hyperresponsiveness. miRNAs play a pivotal role in maintaining and disrupting airway microenvironment homeostasis. Based on recent Chinese and international literature, a logical framework centered on "airway microenvironment homeostasis disruption, miRNA regulation, and microenvironment restoration" was constructed. From the perspective of the airway microenvironment, the therapeutic roles of miRNA in asthma and CVA were systematically summarized, and the cascade regulatory mechanisms of miRNA throughout the entire disease course were elucidated. The hub miRNA was identified, and research progress on traditional Chinese medicine intervention strategies was explored. Furthermore, current clinical studies on RNA therapeutics and traditional Chinese medicine in achieving multi-target and multi-pathway integrated treatment by modulating miRNA were analyzed. The value of miRNA as biomarkers for diagnosis, phenotyping, and prognosis assessment, as well as the potential and application prospects of miRNA mimics and antagonists in precision therapy, were summarized, with the ultimate goal of advancing precision therapy for asthma and CVA.
4.Research progress on regulation of antitumor immune function of γδ T cells by active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine
Binrui WANG ; Zheng CHANG ; Meijing QIN ; Limei ZHAO ; Juanmei MO ; Xiang LU ; Chunhua LU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(13):1773-1777
γδ T cells possess both innate and adaptive immune characteristics. Their antigen recognition is independent of major histocompatibility complex presentation, and they can directly recognize abnormal tumor metabolism, showing unique application potential in tumors with low immune infiltration. This paper systematically sorts out the biological characteristics and antitumor immune functions of γδ T cells, and mainly reviews the relevant mechanisms by which active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine regulate γδ T cells to exert antitumor immune functions. Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide and Astragalus polysaccharide can enhance the antitumor immune function of γδ T cells by promoting the expression of various cytokines, regulating intestinal flora and alleviating immunosuppressive state. Quercetin and puerarin can strengthen γδ T cell-mediated tumor cell killing by regulating the proliferation of γδ T cells, the expression of cytotoxic effector molecules and related signaling pathways. Toosendanin can potentiate γδ T cell-induced tumor cell killing by down-regulating the expression of anti-apoptotic protein in tumor cells. Artesunate can boost γδ T cell-mediated antitumor immune responses by enhancing the effector function of γδ T cells and weakening tumor immune escape. Future research shall focus on exploring the synergistic effects and molecular mechanisms of the combined application of active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine and γδ T cell immunotherapy, and identifying the key targets for γδ T cells to exert antitumor immune functions.
5.Advances in posterior scleral reinforcement for pathological myopia
Zhouyi HUANG ; Hongxia LIAO ; Dongcheng LIU ; Qiuying YE ; Jingwen LIU ; Yijie LU ; Tongmiao WANG ; Bo QIN
International Eye Science 2026;26(8):1400-1404
Pathologic myopia(PM)is characterized by progressive axial elongation, posterior staphyloma, and fundus degenerative changes, representing a leading cause of blindness in Asian countries.Posterior scleral reinforcement(PSR)is currently the only surgical intervention to slow axial elongation. Its mechanisms involve mechanical reinforcement, improved blood circulation, and biological stimulation of scleral remodeling. This article reviews recent advances in PSR: surgical techniques have evolved from complex, classic procedures to standardized single-strip methods, incorporating 3D MRI to quantify posterior staphyloma morphology for personalized graft design and facilitating minimally invasive, precision surgery. Among implant materials, biomaterials such as allogeneic dura mater are being continuously optimized, while biomimetic piezoelectric smart materials actively promote scleral collagen synthesis through electrical signals, achieving a paradigm shift from “passive support”to “active reinforcement”. Clinical outcomes indicate advantages in regulating axial length, enhancing visual function and blood circulation, and facilitating early intervention in children. Combined procedures with ICL implantation, cataract surgery or vitrectomy provide comprehensive treatment regimens for individual patients with varied conditions. This article also analyzes long-term issues and core controversies including ectopic posterior staphyloma and reoperation, and prospects future research directions such as artificial intelligence assistance, translation of smart materials and full-cycle prevention and treatment systems, so as to provide references for clinical practice and scientific research.
6.Research progress on regulation of antitumor immune function of γδ T cells by active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine
Binrui WANG ; Zheng CHANG ; Meijing QIN ; Limei ZHAO ; Juanmei MO ; Xiang LU ; Chunhua LU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(13):1773-1777
γδ T cells possess both innate and adaptive immune characteristics. Their antigen recognition is independent of major histocompatibility complex presentation, and they can directly recognize abnormal tumor metabolism, showing unique application potential in tumors with low immune infiltration. This paper systematically sorts out the biological characteristics and antitumor immune functions of γδ T cells, and mainly reviews the relevant mechanisms by which active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine regulate γδ T cells to exert antitumor immune functions. Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide and Astragalus polysaccharide can enhance the antitumor immune function of γδ T cells by promoting the expression of various cytokines, regulating intestinal flora and alleviating immunosuppressive state. Quercetin and puerarin can strengthen γδ T cell-mediated tumor cell killing by regulating the proliferation of γδ T cells, the expression of cytotoxic effector molecules and related signaling pathways. Toosendanin can potentiate γδ T cell-induced tumor cell killing by down-regulating the expression of anti-apoptotic protein in tumor cells. Artesunate can boost γδ T cell-mediated antitumor immune responses by enhancing the effector function of γδ T cells and weakening tumor immune escape. Future research shall focus on exploring the synergistic effects and molecular mechanisms of the combined application of active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine and γδ T cell immunotherapy, and identifying the key targets for γδ T cells to exert antitumor immune functions.
7.Experience of ZHANG Boli in Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome Based on the Theory of "Diseases Related to Damp,Turbidity,Phlegm,and Rheum"
Hongchang JI ; Jiabao WANG ; Xiao LI ; Guangning QIN ; Lu XIAO ; Jingxian YAN ; Xianglong HUANG ;
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(18):1936-1940
This paper summarized professor ZHANG Boli's experience in syndrome differentiation and treatment of metabolic syndrome (MetS) based on the theory of "diseases related to damp, turbidity, phlegm, and rheum". It is considered that damp, turbidity, phlegm, and rheum are the key pathological factors in the onset of MetS. The core pathogenesis of this disease includes the failure of the liver to govern the free flow of qi, the depletion of spleen and kidney, and the accumulation and impairment caused by damp, turbidity, phlegm, and rheum. It is important to emphasize early intervention, sequential treatment, and thorough elimination of pathogenic factors. The treatment takes fortifying the spleen and promoting middle jiao (焦), soothing the liver and regulating qi, and tonifying the kidney to restore transformation as the fundamental principles. Furthermore, targeted treatments are implemented according to the evolution of damp, turbidity, phlegm, and rheum, including treating damp early, examining the tongue coating to eliminate turbidity, differentiating and treating concurrent phlegm, and applying warm dredging moderately. At the same time, specific medicinals are combined based on abnormal indicators such as blood glucose, blood lipids, blood pressure, and uric acid, aiming to address both root causes and symptoms simultaneously.
8.Comparison on odor components before and after processing of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum based on electronic nose, HS-GC-MS, and odor activity value.
Xiao-Yu YAO ; Ke SHEN ; Di WU ; Xiao-Fei SUN ; Chun-Qin MAO ; Li FU ; Xiao-Yan WANG ; Hui XIE ; Tu-Lin LU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(2):421-431
Processing for deodorization is widely used in the production of animal-derived Chinese medicinal materials. In this study, Heracles Neo ultra-fast gas-phase electronic nose combined with chemometrics was employed to analyze the overall odor difference of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum(focusing on that derived from Cervus nippon Temminck in this study) before and after processing. The results showed that the electronic nose effectively distinguished between the medicinal materials and decoction pieces of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum. HS-GC-MS was used to identify and quantify the volatile components in the medicinal materials and decoction pieces of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum, and 35 and 37 volatile components were detected in the medicinal materials and decoction pieces, respectively. The medicinal materials and decoction pieces contained 28 common volatile components contributing to the odor of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum. The odor activity value(OAV) of each volatile component was calculated based on the olfactory threshold and relative content. The results showed that there were 17 key odor substances such as isovaleraldehyde, 2-methylbutanal, isobutyraldehyde, hexanal, and methanethiol in the medicinal materials and decoction pieces of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum. All of them had bad odor and were the main source of the odor of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum. The results of principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) showed that there were significant differences in volatile components between the medicinal materials and decoction pieces of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum. Based on the thresholds of P<0.05 and Variable Importance in Projection(VIP)>1, 21 differential volatile odor components were screened out. Among them, isopentanol, isovaleraldehyde, 2-methylbutanal, n-nonanal, and dimethylamine were the key differential odor compounds between the medicinal materials and decoction pieces of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum. The odor compounds and their relative content reduced, and some flavor substances such as esters were produced after processing with wine, which was the main reason for the reduction of the odor after processing of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum.
Odorants/analysis*
;
Electronic Nose
;
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/methods*
;
Animals
;
Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis*
;
Deer
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
9.Rapid characterization and identification of non-volatile components in Rhododendron tomentosum by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS method.
Su-Ping XIAO ; Long-Mei LI ; Bin XIE ; Hong LIANG ; Qiong YIN ; Jian-Hui LI ; Jie DU ; Ji-Yong WANG ; Run-Huai ZHAO ; Yan-Qin XU ; Yun-Bo SUN ; Zong-Yuan LU ; Peng-Fei TU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(11):3054-3069
This study aimed to characterize and identify the non-volatile components in aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the stems and leaves of Rhododendron tomentosum by using sensitive and efficient ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS) combined with a self-built information database. By comparing with reference compounds, analyzing fragment ion information, searching relevant literature, and using a self-built information database, 118 compounds were identified from the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of R. tomentosum, including 35 flavonoid glycosides, 15 phenolic glycosides, 12 flavonoids, 7 phenolic acids, 7 phenylethanol glycosides, 6 tannins, 6 phospholipids, 5 coumarins, 5 monoterpene glycosides, 6 triterpenes, 3 fatty acids, and 11 other types of compounds. Among them, 102 compounds were reported in R. tomentosum for the first time, and 36 compounds were identified by comparing them with reference compounds. The chemical components in the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of R. tomentosum leaves and stems showed slight differences, with 84 common chemical components accounting for 71.2% of the total 118 compounds. This study systematically characterized and identified the non-volatile chemical components in the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of R. tomentosum for the first time. The findings provide a reference for active ingredient research, quality control, and product development of R. tomentosum.
Rhododendron/chemistry*
;
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Mass Spectrometry/methods*
;
Plant Leaves/chemistry*
10.Audiovisual emotion recognition based on a multi-head cross attention mechanism.
Ziqiong WANG ; Dechun ZHAO ; Lu QIN ; Yi CHEN ; Yuchen SHEN
Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2025;42(1):24-31
In audiovisual emotion recognition, representational learning is a research direction receiving considerable attention, and the key lies in constructing effective affective representations with both consistency and variability. However, there are still many challenges to accurately realize affective representations. For this reason, in this paper we proposed a cross-modal audiovisual recognition model based on a multi-head cross-attention mechanism. The model achieved fused feature and modality alignment through a multi-head cross-attention architecture, and adopted a segmented training strategy to cope with the modality missing problem. In addition, a unimodal auxiliary loss task was designed and shared parameters were used in order to preserve the independent information of each modality. Ultimately, the model achieved macro and micro F1 scores of 84.5% and 88.2%, respectively, on the crowdsourced annotated multimodal emotion dataset of actor performances (CREMA-D). The model in this paper can effectively capture intra- and inter-modal feature representations of audio and video modalities, and successfully solves the unity problem of the unimodal and multimodal emotion recognition frameworks, which provides a brand-new solution to the audiovisual emotion recognition.
Emotions
;
Humans
;
Attention
;
Algorithms

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail