1.Clinical and Mechanism of Modified Xiaoyaosan and Its Effective Components in Treatment of Thyroid Diseases: A Review
Shanshan LI ; Yu FU ; Dandan WEI ; Fei WANG ; Mengjiao XU ; Ting WANG ; Shuxun YAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):302-310
Thyroid diseases are common clinical endocrine disorders, and their pathogenesis is generally considered to be closely related to genetic predisposition factors, immune system disorders, hormone levels, etc. Xiaoyaosan is widely used in the treatment of various thyroid diseases with excellent effects. This study summarized the relevant literature on the treatment of thyroid diseases with modified Xiaoyaosan prescriptions and their active ingredients from aspects such as theoretical analysis, clinical research, and mechanism research. Theoretical analysis revealed that Xiaoyaosan could not only disperse stagnated liver qi but also replenish deficient spleen Qi, which was consistent with the etiology and pathogenesis of thyroid diseases. Clinical studies found that Xiaoyaosan and its modified prescriptions could be widely used in the treatment of multiple thyroid diseases, such as hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and thyroid nodules. Both the use of modified Xiaoyaosan alone and in combination with medications such as methimazole, propylthiouracil, and euthyrox could effectively improve patients' clinical symptoms. In the mechanism research, this study discovered that the whole formula of Xiaoyaosan and its modified prescriptions could inhibit inflammatory reactions, regulate immune balance, and delay liver damage during the treatment of thyroid diseases. The research on Xiaoyaosan for treating thyroid diseases mainly focused on thyroid cancer, autoimmune thyroiditis, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism. The mechanisms of action mainly involved promoting cell apoptosis, inhibiting cell proliferation and migration, arresting the cell cycle, and regulating thyroid hormone levels. In conclusion, this study systematically combs and summarizes the research status of Xiaoyaosan in treating thyroid diseases through literature retrieval, aiming to provide new perspectives and new ideas for the prevention and treatment of thyroid diseases with traditional Chinese medicine.
2.Effect of Zishen Tongguan Formula on "Gut-prostate" Axis of Rats with Chronic Non-bacterial Prostatitis Based on 16S rDNA Sequencing
Xiran LI ; Mengjiao CHEN ; Kaiping ZOU ; Chenguang ZHAO ; Xingbin DAI ; Xiaoqing ZHANG ; Shun LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):63-71
ObjectiveBased on the theory of "gut-prostate" axis, this study explored the effects and mechanisms of Zishen Tongguan formula and Cinnamomi Cortex in the formula in treating rats with chronic non-bacterial prostatitis(CNP) by detecting the levels of inflammatory factors, and the composition and structure of intestinal flora in CNP rats. MethodsEight out of 42 SD rats were randomly selected as the normal group, and the remaining rats were injected with carrageenan to prepare the CNP model. After successful modeling, 32 rats were randomly divided into the model group, Ningmitai capsule group(0.50 g·kg-1), Zishen Tongguan formula group(2.00 g·kg-1), and the Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex-Anemarrhenae Rhizoma pair group(PCC-AR group, 2.00 g·kg-1), with 8 rats in each group. The administered groups were given the corresponding medicinal solution by gavage, and the normal and model groups were intragastrically administered with an equal volume of normal saline, once a day for 14 consecutive days. The prostate tissues of rats were collected and subjected to hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Masson staining to observe the pathological changes of the tissues in each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of related inflammatory factors in rat serum, and 16S rDNA sequencing was used to analyze the abundance and diversity changes of gut microbiota before and after administration, and species difference analysis was performed. ResultsAll the administered groups could alleviate the inflammatory symptoms of CNP rats, increase the expression levels of anti-inflammatory factors and decrease the expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors, with the most sIgnificant effect observed in the Zishen Tongguan formula group. Compared with the normal group, the expression levels of interleukin(IL)-8, hypersensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP), immunoglobulin(Ig)M, secretory IgA (sIgA), and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) were sIgnificantly increased in the model group(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression levels of the above inflammatory factors in all administered groups were significantly reduced(P<0.01). When compared with the PCC-AR group, the Zishen Tongguan formula group showed a significant decrease in transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1 expression level(P<0.05) and a significant increase in IgM expression level(P<0.01). The results of gut microbiota analysis showed that, compared with the PCC-AR group, at the order level, the Zishen Tongguan formula group significantly reduced the relative abundance of conditional pathogens such as Bacteroidales, Acidaminococcales, Rhodospirillales, Clostridiales, and Elusimicrobiales(P<0.01). And at the genus level, the Zishen Tongguan formula group significantly decreased the relative abundance of pathogenic microbiota such as Lachnospira and Bacteroides(P<0.01) and significantly increased the relative abundances of beneficial microbiota such as Ruminococcus and Lactobacillus(P<0.01). ConclusionZishen Tongguan formula can reduce the level of harmful intestinal bacteria, increase the level of beneficial intestinal bacteria, down-regulate the expression of serum inflammatory factors, and the small amount of Cinnamomi Cortex in the formula may play a key role in the treatment of CNP with this formula.
3.Effect of Zishen Tongguan Formula on "Gut-prostate" Axis of Rats with Chronic Non-bacterial Prostatitis Based on 16S rDNA Sequencing
Xiran LI ; Mengjiao CHEN ; Kaiping ZOU ; Chenguang ZHAO ; Xingbin DAI ; Xiaoqing ZHANG ; Shun LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):63-71
ObjectiveBased on the theory of "gut-prostate" axis, this study explored the effects and mechanisms of Zishen Tongguan formula and Cinnamomi Cortex in the formula in treating rats with chronic non-bacterial prostatitis(CNP) by detecting the levels of inflammatory factors, and the composition and structure of intestinal flora in CNP rats. MethodsEight out of 42 SD rats were randomly selected as the normal group, and the remaining rats were injected with carrageenan to prepare the CNP model. After successful modeling, 32 rats were randomly divided into the model group, Ningmitai capsule group(0.50 g·kg-1), Zishen Tongguan formula group(2.00 g·kg-1), and the Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex-Anemarrhenae Rhizoma pair group(PCC-AR group, 2.00 g·kg-1), with 8 rats in each group. The administered groups were given the corresponding medicinal solution by gavage, and the normal and model groups were intragastrically administered with an equal volume of normal saline, once a day for 14 consecutive days. The prostate tissues of rats were collected and subjected to hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Masson staining to observe the pathological changes of the tissues in each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of related inflammatory factors in rat serum, and 16S rDNA sequencing was used to analyze the abundance and diversity changes of gut microbiota before and after administration, and species difference analysis was performed. ResultsAll the administered groups could alleviate the inflammatory symptoms of CNP rats, increase the expression levels of anti-inflammatory factors and decrease the expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors, with the most sIgnificant effect observed in the Zishen Tongguan formula group. Compared with the normal group, the expression levels of interleukin(IL)-8, hypersensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP), immunoglobulin(Ig)M, secretory IgA (sIgA), and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) were sIgnificantly increased in the model group(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression levels of the above inflammatory factors in all administered groups were significantly reduced(P<0.01). When compared with the PCC-AR group, the Zishen Tongguan formula group showed a significant decrease in transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1 expression level(P<0.05) and a significant increase in IgM expression level(P<0.01). The results of gut microbiota analysis showed that, compared with the PCC-AR group, at the order level, the Zishen Tongguan formula group significantly reduced the relative abundance of conditional pathogens such as Bacteroidales, Acidaminococcales, Rhodospirillales, Clostridiales, and Elusimicrobiales(P<0.01). And at the genus level, the Zishen Tongguan formula group significantly decreased the relative abundance of pathogenic microbiota such as Lachnospira and Bacteroides(P<0.01) and significantly increased the relative abundances of beneficial microbiota such as Ruminococcus and Lactobacillus(P<0.01). ConclusionZishen Tongguan formula can reduce the level of harmful intestinal bacteria, increase the level of beneficial intestinal bacteria, down-regulate the expression of serum inflammatory factors, and the small amount of Cinnamomi Cortex in the formula may play a key role in the treatment of CNP with this formula.
4.Risk factors for pyogenic liver abscess comorbid with sepsis and construction of a nomogram prediction model
Jiayi GUO ; Haiquan KANG ; Mengjiao WANG ; Deyang XI ; Xuebing YAN ; Chunyang LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(6):1143-1149
ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors for pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) comorbid with sepsis by analyzing clinical features, and to construct a predictive model. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for 489 patients who were hospitalized and diagnosed with PLA in The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2019 to December 2023, and according to the presence or absence of sepsis, they were divided into sepsis group with 306 patients and non-sepsis group with 183 patients. Related data were collected, including general information, laboratory markers, and outcome measures. The patients were further divided into a training set of 342 patients and a validation set of 147 patients at a ratio of 7∶3, and the training set was used for screening of variables and construction of a predictive model, while the validation set was used to test the performance of the model. An LASSO regression analysis was used for the screening of variables, and a multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to construct the predictive model and plot a nomogram. The calibration curve, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the decision curve analysis were used for the validation of the model, and internal validation was performed for assessment. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical variables between groups. ResultsThere were significant differences between the sepsis group and the non-sepsis group in pulse rate, mean arterial pressure, duration pf symptoms, comorbidity of liver cirrhosis or malignant tumor, leukocyte count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, platelet count (PLT), activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, albumin, total bilirubin (TBil), creatinine, potassium, and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) (all P<0.05). In the training set, the LASSO regression analysis identified four predictive factors of pulse rate, PLT, TBil and PNI, and the multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that pulse rate (odds ratio [OR]=1.033, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.006 — 1.061, P=0.018), PLT (OR=0.981, 95%CI: 0.975 — 0.987, P<0.001), TBil (OR=1.086, 95%CI: 1.053 — 1.125, P<0.001), and PNI (OR=0.935, 95%CI: 0.882 — 0.988, P=0.019) were independent influencing factors for the risk of sepsis in patients with PLA. The model constructed based on these factors showed a good predictive ability, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.948 (95%CI: 0.923 — 0.973) in the training set and 0.912 (95%CI: 0.848 — 0.976) in the validation set. The decision curve analysis showed that the model has a good net benefit within the range of 0.3 — 0.9 for threshold probability. ConclusionThe nomogram prediction model constructed based on pulse rate, PLT, TBil, and PNI has a certain clinical value and can well predict the risk of sepsis in patients with PLA.
5.Influencing factors for sarcopenia among elderly male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
LI Meilin ; ZHOU Mengjiao ; WU Jiayun ; YU Zhe ; KONG Liping
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(6):588-592
Objective:
To explore the influencing factors for sarcopenia among elderly male patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), so as to provide the basis for the early prevention and treatment of sarcopenia.
Methods:
Male T2DM patients aged 60 and above admitted to Hangzhou First People's Hospital from January to December 2024 were selected as the study subjects. Demographic data, T2DM complications, and blood biochemical parameters were collected. Physical activity levels were assessed using the Chinese version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The diagnosis of sarcopenia was made according to the diagnostic procedures and criteria established by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia in 2019. Factors affecting sarcopenia among elderly male patients with T2DM were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression model.
Results:
A total of 455 elderly male patients with T2DM were surveyed, with a mean age of (71.80±9.55) years. The predominant physical activity level was moderate with 226 cases accounting for 49.67%. The disease course of T2DM was mainly from 10-<20 years, with 229 cases accounting for 50.33%. There were 140 cases of T2DM complications, accounting for 30.77%. A total of 138 cases of sarcopenia were detected, with a prevalence of 30.33%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR=1.077, 95%CI: 1.003~1.156), body mass index (<18.5kg/m2, OR=11.056, 95%CI: 3.343~36.547; 18.5~<25.0 kg/m2, OR=2.633, 95%CI: 1.420~4.881), physical activity level (low, OR=2.469, 95%CI: 1.421~4.292), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (yes, OR=1.871, 95%CI: 1.091~3.206), T2DM complications (yes, OR=3.015, 95%CI: 1.516~6.001), glycated hemoglobin (≥7%, OR=2.822, 95%CI: 1.423~5.590) and albumin (OR=0.810, 95%CI: 0.662~0.991) were factors affecting sarcopenia among elderly male patients with T2DM (P<0.05).
Conclusion
Advanced age, body mass index <25.0 kg/m2, low physical activity level, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, T2DM complications, high glycated hemoglobin and low albumin are associated with a higher risk of sarcopenia in elderly male patients with T2DM.
6.Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 promotes survival of human induced pluripotent stem cells during differentiation into functional midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cells in vitro
Yangyang LI ; Jiajia XU ; Chengcheng JIANG ; Zilong CHEN ; Ying CHEN ; Mengjiao YING ; Ao WANG ; Caiyun MA ; Chunjing WANG ; Yu GUO ; Changqing LIU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(2):236-243
Objective To improve the efficiency of induced differentiation of primitive neural epithelial cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells(hiPSCs-NECs)into functional midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cells(DAPs).Methods HiPSCs were cultured in mTeSRTM medium containing DMH1(10 μmol/L),SB431542(10 μmol/L),SHH(200 ng/mL),FGF8(100 ng/mL),purmorphamine(2 μmol/L),CHIR99021(3 μmol/L),and N2(1%)for 12 days to induce their differentiation into primitive neuroepithelial cells(NECs).The hiPSCs-NECs were digested with collagenase IV and then cultured in neurobasal medium supplemented with 1%N2,2%B27-A,BDNF(10 ng/mL),GDNF(10 ng/mL),AA,TGF-β,cAMP,and 1%GlutaMax in the presence of different concentrations of Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632,and the culture medium was changed the next day to remove Y27632.Continuous induction was performed until day 28 to obtain DAPs.Results Human iPSCs expressed the pluripotency markers OCT4,SOX2,Nanog,and SSEA1 and were positive for alkaline phosphatase staining.The hiPSCs-NECs were obtained on day 13 in the form of neural rosettes expressing neuroepithelial markers SOX2,nestin,and PAX6.In digested hiPSCs-NECs,the addition of 5 μmol/L Y27632 significantly promoted survival of the adherent cells,increased cell viability and the proportion of S-phase cells(P<0.01),and reduced the rate of apoptotic cells(P<0.05).On day 28 of induction,the obtained cells highly expressed the specific markers of DAPS(TH,FOXA2,NURR1,and Tuj1).Conclusion Treatment with Y27632(5 μmol/L)for 24 h significantly promotes the survival of human iPSCs-NECs during their differentiation into DPAs without affecting the cell differentiation,which indirectly enhances the efficiency of cell differentiation.
7.Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 promotes survival of human induced pluripotent stem cells during differentiation into functional midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cells in vitro
Yangyang LI ; Jiajia XU ; Chengcheng JIANG ; Zilong CHEN ; Ying CHEN ; Mengjiao YING ; Ao WANG ; Caiyun MA ; Chunjing WANG ; Yu GUO ; Changqing LIU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(2):236-243
Objective To improve the efficiency of induced differentiation of primitive neural epithelial cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells(hiPSCs-NECs)into functional midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cells(DAPs).Methods HiPSCs were cultured in mTeSRTM medium containing DMH1(10 μmol/L),SB431542(10 μmol/L),SHH(200 ng/mL),FGF8(100 ng/mL),purmorphamine(2 μmol/L),CHIR99021(3 μmol/L),and N2(1%)for 12 days to induce their differentiation into primitive neuroepithelial cells(NECs).The hiPSCs-NECs were digested with collagenase IV and then cultured in neurobasal medium supplemented with 1%N2,2%B27-A,BDNF(10 ng/mL),GDNF(10 ng/mL),AA,TGF-β,cAMP,and 1%GlutaMax in the presence of different concentrations of Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632,and the culture medium was changed the next day to remove Y27632.Continuous induction was performed until day 28 to obtain DAPs.Results Human iPSCs expressed the pluripotency markers OCT4,SOX2,Nanog,and SSEA1 and were positive for alkaline phosphatase staining.The hiPSCs-NECs were obtained on day 13 in the form of neural rosettes expressing neuroepithelial markers SOX2,nestin,and PAX6.In digested hiPSCs-NECs,the addition of 5 μmol/L Y27632 significantly promoted survival of the adherent cells,increased cell viability and the proportion of S-phase cells(P<0.01),and reduced the rate of apoptotic cells(P<0.05).On day 28 of induction,the obtained cells highly expressed the specific markers of DAPS(TH,FOXA2,NURR1,and Tuj1).Conclusion Treatment with Y27632(5 μmol/L)for 24 h significantly promotes the survival of human iPSCs-NECs during their differentiation into DPAs without affecting the cell differentiation,which indirectly enhances the efficiency of cell differentiation.
8.Effectiveness of cold-air anesthesia during fractional carbon-dioxide laser treatment
Lidan ZHANG ; Xiaolei QIN ; Yanmei WANG ; Mengjiao CHEN ; Kai LI
Chinese Journal of Medical Aesthetics and Cosmetology 2024;30(3):292-295
Objective:To evaluate the impact of cold-air anesthesia on patients′ comfort and side effects during ablative fractional carbon-dioxide (CO 2) laser treatment for acnescars. Methods:Eighteen patients with atrophic acne scars treated with CO 2 laser were used as split-face comparative study with a cold-air device combined with 5% lidocaine cream on the left side of the face, and the right side as a control group treated with 5% lidocaine cream only. Symptoms and signs of patients were observed during treatment, immediately after treatment, 15 minutes, 30 minutes and 1 month after treatment. The score of patient′s comfort and incidence of adverse events was evaluated. Results:The results were obvious difference between each group. The surface temperature in combined group (33.1±1.3) showed significantly better results compared with other groups (36.9±0.4) during the operative period while the same result after the treatment immediately shown in the combined group (35.1±1.3) compared with other groups (36.4±0.2). The score of erythema shown that combined group (48.7±8.4) was significantly lower than that of the control group (54.8±8.0) ( P<0.05) as the score of exudation in combined group (6.2±1.6) was lower than that in the control group (7.8±1.6). There was significant statistical difference regarding scores of erythema between combined group (46.9±6.6) and control group (51.8±6.9) a month after the treatment. The pigmentation score revealed the same result that the combined group (48.9±8.8) was lower than the other groups (51.4±7.0). No patients had severe adverse events. Conclusions:The cold-air cooling application is safe and effective to reduce the surface temperature, pain and side effects during fractional carbon-dioxide laser treatment.
9.A real-world study on the features of postpartum hepatitis flares in pregnant women with chronic HBV infection
Zhan ZENG ; Mingfang ZHOU ; Yanjie LIN ; Xiaoyue BI ; Liu YANG ; Wen DENG ; Tingting JIANG ; Leiping HU ; Mengjiao XU ; Lu ZHANG ; Wei YI ; Minghui LI
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2024;32(2):113-118
Objective:To analyze the clinical features of postpartum hepatitis flares in pregnant women with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted. Patients who met the enrollment criteria were included. Liver function and HBV virology tests were collected from pregnant women with chronic HBV infection at delivery, 6, 24, 36, and 48 weeks after delivery through the hospital information and test system. Additionally, antiviral therapy types and drug withdrawal times were collected. Statistical analysis was performed on all the resulting data.Results:A total of 533 pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria were included, with all patients aged (29.5±3.7) years old. A total of 408 cases received antiviral drugs during pregnancy to interrupt mother-to-child transmission. There was no significant difference in the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT, z ?=?-1.981, P ?=?0.048), aspartate aminotransferase (AST, z ?=?-3.956, P ?0.001), HBV load ( z ?=?-15.292, P ?0.001), and HBeAg ( z ?=?-4.77, P ?0.001) at delivery in patients who received medication and those who did not. All patients ALT, AST, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and albumin showed an upward trend within six weeks after delivery. A total of 231 cases developed hepatitis within 48 weeks after delivery. Among them, 173 cases first showed ALT abnormalities within six weeks postpartum. Conclusion:Hepatitis flare incidence peaked six weeks after delivery or six weeks after drug withdrawal in pregnant women with chronic HBV infection.
10.Meta-synthesis of qualitative research on the real experiences of medical staff's organizational silence behavior
Yonge GAO ; Jiawei YANG ; Wanhui YU ; Jiao LUO ; Rui LIU ; Chunyu LI ; Mengjiao CAO ; Wei SHEN
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(32):4386-4392
Objective:To synthesize the real experiences of medical staff's organizational silence behavior.Methods:A systematic search was conducted in databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, EBSCO, ProQuest, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, VIP, and China Biology Medicine disc, collecting qualitative studies on medical staff's experiences related to organizational silence behavior. The search period covered the establishment of the databases until June 2024. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute's qualitative research quality evaluation standards, and results were integrated using an aggregative synthesis approach.Results:A total of 10 studies were included, with 65 findings summarized into 11 new categories, which were further synthesized into four overarching conclusions: organizational silence is complex, with respect and concern coexisting, many factors contribute to organizational silence, medical staff experience negative emotions as a result of organizational silence, there is a desire for recognition and support.Conclusions:The experience of organizational silence behavior among medical staff is complex. Managers should focus on this issue, encourage individuals to voice their concerns, provide diverse support mechanisms, and enhance positive experiences to reduce the prevalence of organizational silence.


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