1.Ershen Zhenwu Decoction Treats Chronic Heart Failure by Regulating miR-423-5p/Smad7/TGF-β1/Smads Axis and Myocardial Fibrosis Indicators
Lan GE ; Zhenpeng ZHU ; Xinyue WANG ; Dan CHENG ; Yulong LIU ; Maomao ZHANG ; Xiaoyu CHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):157-165
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effect of Ershen Zhenwu Decoction on chronic heart failure (CHF) due to heart-kidney Yang deficiency and blood stasis and its regulatory effects on miR-423-5p/Smad7/transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smads axis and myocardial fibrosis indicators. MethodsOne hundred and fourteen patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) were randomly allocated into a control group and an observation group. The control group was treated with dapagliflozin tablets, sacubitril-valsartan sodium tablets, metoprolol succinate, and spironolactone, and the observation group was treated with Ershen Zhenwu Decoction on the basis of the therapy in the control group. The course of treatment was 8 weeks in both groups. The 6-min walking distance, New York Heart Association (NYHA) heart function grade, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) score, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVIDd), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVIDs), interventricular septum thickness at diastole (IVSd), left ventricular end-diastolic posterior wall thickness (LVPWd), left ventricular shortening fraction (FS), miR-423-5p, Smad7, Smad2, Smad3, Smad4, TGF-β1, Ang Ⅱ, type Ⅰ collagen (Col Ⅰ), type Ⅲ collagen (Col Ⅲ), mRNA levels of fibronectin (Fn) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the myocardial tissue were observed before and after treatment in both groups to evaluate the efficacy of cardiac function and drug safety. ResultsAfter treatment, both groups showed declined levels of NT-proBNP, Ang Ⅱ, miR-423-5p, Smad2, Smad3, Smad4, TGF-β1, Col Ⅰ, Col Ⅲ, and mRNA levels of Fn and α-SMA (P0.05), and the levels of the indicators above were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P0.05). After treatment, the Smad7 level increased obviously in both groups (P0.05) and was higher in the observation group than in the control group (P0.05). After treatment, both groups showed decreased MLHFQ scores and increased 6-min walking distance (P0.05), and the observation group had lower MLHFQ score and longer 6-min walking distance than the control group (P0.05). After treatment, the control group showed increased LVEF and FS (P0.05) and the observation group showcased decreased LVIDd and LVIDs and increased LVEF and FS (P0.05). Moreover, the observation group had lower LVIDd and LVIDs (P0.05) and higher LVEF and FS (P0.05) than the control group. The total response rate of cardiac function in the observation group was 90.38% (47/52), which was higher than that (70.59%, 36/51) in the control group (P0.05). No adverse reactions associated with Ershen Zhenwu Decoction were observed during the study period. ConclusionErshen Zhenwu Decoction can improve the cardiac function, exercise tolerance, and quality of life, regulate neuroendocrine factors, and slow down/reverse myocardial remodeling in the patients with HFrEF and HFmrEF (syndrome of heart-kidney Yang deficiency and blood stasis by regulating the miR-423-5p/Smad7/TGF-β1/Smads axis, inhibiting α-SMA and Fn expression, and alleviating myocardial fibrosis. It is worthy of further study.
2.Ershen Zhenwu Decoction Treats Chronic Heart Failure by Regulating miR-423-5p/Smad7/TGF-β1/Smads Axis and Myocardial Fibrosis Indicators
Lan GE ; Zhenpeng ZHU ; Xinyue WANG ; Dan CHENG ; Yulong LIU ; Maomao ZHANG ; Xiaoyu CHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):157-165
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effect of Ershen Zhenwu Decoction on chronic heart failure (CHF) due to heart-kidney Yang deficiency and blood stasis and its regulatory effects on miR-423-5p/Smad7/transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smads axis and myocardial fibrosis indicators. MethodsOne hundred and fourteen patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) were randomly allocated into a control group and an observation group. The control group was treated with dapagliflozin tablets, sacubitril-valsartan sodium tablets, metoprolol succinate, and spironolactone, and the observation group was treated with Ershen Zhenwu Decoction on the basis of the therapy in the control group. The course of treatment was 8 weeks in both groups. The 6-min walking distance, New York Heart Association (NYHA) heart function grade, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) score, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVIDd), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVIDs), interventricular septum thickness at diastole (IVSd), left ventricular end-diastolic posterior wall thickness (LVPWd), left ventricular shortening fraction (FS), miR-423-5p, Smad7, Smad2, Smad3, Smad4, TGF-β1, Ang Ⅱ, type Ⅰ collagen (Col Ⅰ), type Ⅲ collagen (Col Ⅲ), mRNA levels of fibronectin (Fn) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the myocardial tissue were observed before and after treatment in both groups to evaluate the efficacy of cardiac function and drug safety. ResultsAfter treatment, both groups showed declined levels of NT-proBNP, Ang Ⅱ, miR-423-5p, Smad2, Smad3, Smad4, TGF-β1, Col Ⅰ, Col Ⅲ, and mRNA levels of Fn and α-SMA (P0.05), and the levels of the indicators above were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P0.05). After treatment, the Smad7 level increased obviously in both groups (P0.05) and was higher in the observation group than in the control group (P0.05). After treatment, both groups showed decreased MLHFQ scores and increased 6-min walking distance (P0.05), and the observation group had lower MLHFQ score and longer 6-min walking distance than the control group (P0.05). After treatment, the control group showed increased LVEF and FS (P0.05) and the observation group showcased decreased LVIDd and LVIDs and increased LVEF and FS (P0.05). Moreover, the observation group had lower LVIDd and LVIDs (P0.05) and higher LVEF and FS (P0.05) than the control group. The total response rate of cardiac function in the observation group was 90.38% (47/52), which was higher than that (70.59%, 36/51) in the control group (P0.05). No adverse reactions associated with Ershen Zhenwu Decoction were observed during the study period. ConclusionErshen Zhenwu Decoction can improve the cardiac function, exercise tolerance, and quality of life, regulate neuroendocrine factors, and slow down/reverse myocardial remodeling in the patients with HFrEF and HFmrEF (syndrome of heart-kidney Yang deficiency and blood stasis by regulating the miR-423-5p/Smad7/TGF-β1/Smads axis, inhibiting α-SMA and Fn expression, and alleviating myocardial fibrosis. It is worthy of further study.
3.Decision-making behavior in patients with depressive disorder and its relationship with depressive and anxiety symptoms
Yuxiang WANG ; Luoya ZHANG ; Maomao ZHANG ; Juan DENG ; Yanjie PENG ; Xiaotong CHENG ; Kezhi LIU ; Wei LEI ; Jing CHEN
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(1):22-27
BackgroundPatients with depressive disorder often exhibit impaired decision-making functions. However, the relationship between decision-making abilities and depressive and anxiety symptoms in these patients remains unclear. ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics of decision-making behavior in patients with depressive disorder, and to analyze its relationship with clinical symptoms. MethodsA total of 48 patients diagnosed with depressive disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) were recruited from the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine of the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from October 2020 to May 2023. Concurrently, 52 healthy individuals matched for age and gender were recruited from Luzhou as the control group. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were used for assessment, and decision-making behavior was evaluated using Probabilistic Reversal Learning (PRL) task. Indicators assessed included the number of trials to criterion, perseverative errors, win-stay rate and lose-shift rate. Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between BDI and BAI scores and PRL task indicators. ResultsThe depression group showed a significantly higher lose-shift rate compared with the control group (t=3.684, P<0.01). There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in trials to criterion, perseverative errors and win-stay rate (t=0.329, 0.132, 0.609, P>0.05). In depression group, BDI and BAI scores were positively correlated with the win-stay rate(r=0.450, 0.398, P<0.01). ConclusionPatients with depressive disorder are more likely to change their decision-making strategies following negative outcomes. Furthermore, the severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms is associated with a greater propensity to maintain existing decisions after receiving positive feedback. [Funded by 2019 Joint Project of Luzhou Science and Technology Bureau-Southwest Medical University (number, 2019LZXNYDJ39]
4.Analysis of influencing factors and pathway of medication safety behaviors in elderly cancer patients
Maomao ZHANG ; Liuliu ZHANG ; Aizhen WU ; Meiying ZOU ; Yuchen JIAO ; Bing WU ; Chunli LIU ; Rong YU
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(17):2056-2062
Objective To explore the current situation of medication safety behavior of elderly cancer patients and the path relationship of various influencing factors for improving medication safety behavior.Methods A total of 340 elderly cancer patients were investigated by a demographic questionnaire,the Medication Safety Behavior Scale,the Medication Literacy Scale,the Family Care Index Questionnaire,and the Chinese version of the Empowerment Scale for Cancer Patients from August to December 2024.The multiple linear regression analysis was applied to analyze influencing factors,and data were analyzed using SmartPLS 4.0 to construct a partial least squares structural equation model with path analysis.Results A total of 307 valid questionnaires were collected.The mean medication safety behavior score was 31.89±5.38.Residential area,drug literacy,family care,and health empowerment are factors that affect medication safety in elderly cancer patients,accounting for 37.3%of the total variation.The path analysis results indicated that health empowerment(β=0.480),medication literacy(β=0.154),and family care(β=0.227)positively correlate with medication safety behavior.Health empowerment played a partial mediating role between family care and medication safety behavior,as well as between medication literacy and medication safety behavior.The mediating effects are 0.125 and 0.332(P<0.001),accounting for 35.51%and 68.31%of the total effect,respectively.Conclusion Medication safety behaviors among elderly cancer patients are at a median level and influenced by multiple factors.By improving their levels of health empowerment,healthcare professionals can motivate patients to take an active role in medication safety management.Further,promoting education on medication knowledge and teaching relevant medical skills,and together with guiding patients to perceive family care and support,can collectively improve their overall medication safety behaviors.
5.Analysis of influencing factors and pathway of medication safety behaviors in elderly cancer patients
Maomao ZHANG ; Liuliu ZHANG ; Aizhen WU ; Meiying ZOU ; Yuchen JIAO ; Bing WU ; Chunli LIU ; Rong YU
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(17):2056-2062
Objective To explore the current situation of medication safety behavior of elderly cancer patients and the path relationship of various influencing factors for improving medication safety behavior.Methods A total of 340 elderly cancer patients were investigated by a demographic questionnaire,the Medication Safety Behavior Scale,the Medication Literacy Scale,the Family Care Index Questionnaire,and the Chinese version of the Empowerment Scale for Cancer Patients from August to December 2024.The multiple linear regression analysis was applied to analyze influencing factors,and data were analyzed using SmartPLS 4.0 to construct a partial least squares structural equation model with path analysis.Results A total of 307 valid questionnaires were collected.The mean medication safety behavior score was 31.89±5.38.Residential area,drug literacy,family care,and health empowerment are factors that affect medication safety in elderly cancer patients,accounting for 37.3%of the total variation.The path analysis results indicated that health empowerment(β=0.480),medication literacy(β=0.154),and family care(β=0.227)positively correlate with medication safety behavior.Health empowerment played a partial mediating role between family care and medication safety behavior,as well as between medication literacy and medication safety behavior.The mediating effects are 0.125 and 0.332(P<0.001),accounting for 35.51%and 68.31%of the total effect,respectively.Conclusion Medication safety behaviors among elderly cancer patients are at a median level and influenced by multiple factors.By improving their levels of health empowerment,healthcare professionals can motivate patients to take an active role in medication safety management.Further,promoting education on medication knowledge and teaching relevant medical skills,and together with guiding patients to perceive family care and support,can collectively improve their overall medication safety behaviors.
6.Item Response Theory Analysis of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Criteria for Internet Gaming Disorders
Luoya ZHANG ; Xingzi LU ; Yanjie PENG ; Wenyuan WANG ; Zhen ZENG ; Juan DENG ; Shuang FENG ; Yuxiang WANG ; Maomao ZHANG ; Yuwen CHEN ; Ke GONG ; Kezhi LIU ; Jing CHEN ; Wei LEI
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(12):1358-1367
Objective:
The nine diagnostic criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) proposed in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) have been widely adopted, but have also faced significant criticism. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the nine DSM-5 criteria for IGD using item response theory (IRT).
Methods:
Four DSM-5-based scales, including the Game Addiction Scale, the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale Short-Form, the Ten- Item Internet Gaming Disorder Test, and the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale, were administered to 1,530 Chinese adolescents and young adults. IRT models were used to assess the psychometric properties of these criteria. The potential for differential item functioning (DIF) related to sex and between adolescents and adults was also evaluated.
Results:
All nine DSM-5 criteria demonstrated very high to perfect discrimination (a >1.38), providing substantial diagnostic information (item information >0.476) for diagnosing IGD. These scales, despite variations in wording and scoring methods, exhibited strong correlations in total scores (r≥0.502, p<0.001) and high consistency (Kendall’s W ≥0.656, p<0.05) concerning the fitted IRT parameters. Among the nine criteria, escape showed the lowest cross-scale discrimination, item information, and difficulty. In contrast, withdrawal showed the highest item information and discrimination, and the second highest difficulty. Additionally, there was no evidence of DIF related to sex or age (adolescents vs. adults) across nearly all scale items.
Conclusion
These findings indicate that the nine DSM-5 criteria generally possess acceptable psychometric properties for diagnosing IGD. Notably, withdrawal may represent a core symptom of IGD. Conversely, escape demonstrated inferior performance compared to the other eight criteria, indicating a potential need for further revision.
7.Metacognitive capacities in relation to clinical symptoms in youth hospitalized adolescent patients with major depressive disorder
Maomao ZHANG ; Luoya ZHANG ; Yuxiang WANG ; Juan DENG ; Xiaotong CHENG ; Kezhi LIU ; Jing CHEN ; Wei LEI
Sichuan Mental Health 2024;37(5):433-438
Background Metacognition,the capacity to monitor and control one's cognitive processes,has been identified as a crucial component of effective decision-making and behavioral adaptation.Previous research has revealed cognitive deficits in patients with major depressive disorder(MDD),while findings about metacognitive capacities in patients with MDD have been inconsistent across studies,and the exact relationship between metacognitive capacities and clinical symptoms in MDD patients remains uncertain.Objective To examine the metacognitive capacities of adolescent hospitalized patients with MDD and to explore its relationship with depressive and anxiety symptoms,thus providing an unprecedented insight into the prevention of MDD.Methods A coherent 56 adolescent hospitalized patients with MDD in the Psychiatry Department at the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from March 2022 to June 2023 and met the diagnostic criteria for depression as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,fourth edition(DSM-IV)were enrolled as MDD group.At the same time,62 healthy individuals matched with the age and sex of the MDD group residing in Luzhou were concurrently selected as control group.The metacognitive ability of the two groups was evaluated by perceptual decision-making task and confidence rating task,and the indicators included confidence deviation,reaction time of confidence evaluation and metacognitive efficiency.Additionally,the severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms was measured with Beck Depression Inventory(BDI)and Beck Anxiety Inventory(BAI).Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to examine the relationship between metacognitive capacities and clinical symptoms.Results MDD group scored higher on BDI and BAI when compared with control group(t=-13.722,-9.674,P<0.01).In terms of decision-making performance,no statistically significant difference was noted in accuracy and response time between two groups(t=-0.655,0.975,P>0.05).In terms of metacognitive performance,MDD group reported a reduction in overall confidence,confidence in correct decisions,confidence in incorrect decisions and metacognitive efficiency compared with control group(t=3.044,2.769,2.836,3.667,P<0.01).MDD group demonstrated significantly longer confidence evaluation response time than that of control group(t=-2.561,P<0.05).Correlation analysis revealed that among the MDD patients,overall confidence,confidence in correct decisions and confidence in incorrect decisions were negatively correlated with BDI score(r=-0.310,-0.307,-0.298,P<0.05),and the overall confidence and confidence in correct decisions were negatively correlated with BAI score(r=-0.284,-0.280,P<0.05),while no statistical significance existed in the correlation between confidence in incorrect decisions and BAI score(r=-0.229,P>0.05).Furthermore,metacognitive efficiency in MDD patients exhibited negative correlation with both BDI and BAI scores(r=-0.269,-0.290,P<0.05).Conclusion Hospitalized adolescent patients with MDD have impaired metacognition,and metacognitive capacity is found to be associated with severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms.
8.Construction and application of a management process for enteral nutrition-associated diarrhea in postoperative esophageal cancer patients
Bainü WU ; Yuanyuan MI ; Yi ZHENG ; Liuliu ZHANG ; Maomao ZHANG ; Ping ZHU ; Chunli LIU ; Bing WU ; Yan QIANG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2024;59(3):338-345
Objective To explore the application effect of enteral nutrition-related diarrhea in postoperative esophageal cancer patients.Methods Based on literature search and expert meeting,a management process for enteral nutrition-associated diarrhea in postoperative esophageal cancer patients was constructed.A convenience sampling method was used to select a total of 68 patients with enteral nutrition-related diarrhea after esophageal cancer surgery admitted to the thoracic surgery department of a tertiary A cancer hospital in Jiangsu Province.Among them,patients admitted from January 2022 to December 2022 were set as an experimental group.The experimental group was implemented the management process for enteral nutrition-associated diarrhea in postoperative esophageal cancer patients.Those admitted from January 2021 to December 2021 were set as a control group with routine nursing.Then,the time of stopping diarrhea,the King's of Stool Chart(KSC-Tr)diarrhea score,and abnormal incidence of nutrition-related indexes,electrolytes abnormalities(low sodium,low potassium,and low calcium)were compared between 2 groups.Results The time of stopping diarrhea,KSC diarrhea score after 3 days of intervention and the time to achieve target feeding volume of the experimental group were lower than those in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in hemoglobin,albumin,prealbumin after 3 days of intervention,the incidence of electrolyte abnormalities(low sodium,low potassium,and low calcium)after 3 days of intervention,and the BMI index after 7 days of intervention between 2 groups(P>0.05).Conclusion The management process for enteral nutrition-associated diarrhea in postoperative esophageal cancer patients can reduce the time of diarrhea,improve the severity of diarrhea,and shorten the time to achieve the target feeding,but has no significant change in the incidence of electrolyte abnormalities.
9.The Association Between Causality Orientation and Internet Gaming Disorder, and the Role of Sensation Seeking, Anxiety, and Depression
Yanjie PENG ; Yuxiang WANG ; Zhenle PENG ; Xiaoyuan LIAO ; Ke GONG ; Cheng QIN ; Mingyuan TIAN ; Xiaotong CHENG ; Xinyi ZHOU ; Juan DENG ; Yuwen CHEN ; Shuang FENG ; Maomao ZHANG ; Kezhi LIU ; Bo XIANG ; Wei LEI ; Jing CHEN
Psychiatry Investigation 2024;21(11):1268-1278
Objective:
Self-determination theory (SDT) deems that people have three causality orientations: autonomy orientation, control orientation, and impersonal orientation. Previous studies suggested that lower autonomy orientation or higher control and impersonal orientations may be associated with more addictive behaviors. Our study aimed to investigate if these associations exist in Internet gaming disorder (IGD), and if sensation seeking, anxiety, and depression could influence the associations between causality orientations and IGD symptoms.
Methods:
A total of 1,400 college students completed the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale, General Causality Orientation Scale, Brief Sensation Seeking Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire. Correlation, multiple linear regressions, structural equation model (SEM) analyses, and moderation analyses were conducted to explore the associations.
Results:
The control and impersonal orientations were positively associated with IGD symptoms, while the autonomy orientation was negatively associated with them. Moreover, SEM analyses showed that the autonomy-IGD relationship was totally mediated by anxiety and depression, the impersonal-IGD relationship was partially mediated by anxiety, and the control-IGD relationship was partially mediated by depression. Finally, the effects of causality orientations on IGD were moderated by sensation seeking.
Conclusion
Overall, autonomy orientation is linked to fewer gaming problems, whereas control and impersonal orientations are associated with more gaming problems. Moreover, the relationships between causality orientations and IGD symptoms are mediated by anxiety and depression and moderated by sensation seeking. Our findings inform theory on the motivations of gaming behaviors and may shed light on the prevention and intervention of IGD from the perspective of SDT.
10.The Association Between Causality Orientation and Internet Gaming Disorder, and the Role of Sensation Seeking, Anxiety, and Depression
Yanjie PENG ; Yuxiang WANG ; Zhenle PENG ; Xiaoyuan LIAO ; Ke GONG ; Cheng QIN ; Mingyuan TIAN ; Xiaotong CHENG ; Xinyi ZHOU ; Juan DENG ; Yuwen CHEN ; Shuang FENG ; Maomao ZHANG ; Kezhi LIU ; Bo XIANG ; Wei LEI ; Jing CHEN
Psychiatry Investigation 2024;21(11):1268-1278
Objective:
Self-determination theory (SDT) deems that people have three causality orientations: autonomy orientation, control orientation, and impersonal orientation. Previous studies suggested that lower autonomy orientation or higher control and impersonal orientations may be associated with more addictive behaviors. Our study aimed to investigate if these associations exist in Internet gaming disorder (IGD), and if sensation seeking, anxiety, and depression could influence the associations between causality orientations and IGD symptoms.
Methods:
A total of 1,400 college students completed the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale, General Causality Orientation Scale, Brief Sensation Seeking Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire. Correlation, multiple linear regressions, structural equation model (SEM) analyses, and moderation analyses were conducted to explore the associations.
Results:
The control and impersonal orientations were positively associated with IGD symptoms, while the autonomy orientation was negatively associated with them. Moreover, SEM analyses showed that the autonomy-IGD relationship was totally mediated by anxiety and depression, the impersonal-IGD relationship was partially mediated by anxiety, and the control-IGD relationship was partially mediated by depression. Finally, the effects of causality orientations on IGD were moderated by sensation seeking.
Conclusion
Overall, autonomy orientation is linked to fewer gaming problems, whereas control and impersonal orientations are associated with more gaming problems. Moreover, the relationships between causality orientations and IGD symptoms are mediated by anxiety and depression and moderated by sensation seeking. Our findings inform theory on the motivations of gaming behaviors and may shed light on the prevention and intervention of IGD from the perspective of SDT.

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