1.Mechanism of Shenqi Dihuangtang in Blocking Renal Fibrosis Injury in Diabetic Kidney Disease Mediated by Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition Through Inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad Signaling Axis
Liangjing LIU ; Haolan LIU ; Xiaoling MAO ; Min YU ; Weitong YAN ; Chao LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):32-45
ObjectiveThis paper aims to study the potential active compound components and action mechanism of Shenqi Dihuangtang in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) through network pharmacology and in vivo experimental verification. MethodsUltra-high-performance liquid chromatography-Q-exactive orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS) technology was used to clarify the main active chemical components of Shenqi Dihuangtang, and it was combined with network pharmacology methods such as gene ontology (GO) functional annotations and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genome (KEGG) to predict the potential action mechanism of Shenqi Dihuangtang in treating DKD. Subsequently, the DKD model of db/db male mice was established, and the mice were randomly divided into model group, low-dose Shenqi Dihuangtang group (6.10 g·kg-1), medium-dose Shenqi Dihuangtang group (12.19 g·kg-1), high-dose Shenqi Dihuangtang group (24.38 g·kg-1), and daplizin group (1.25 mg·kg-1). During the same period, C57BL/6J male mice were selected into normal group and received drug intervention for 8 weeks, respectively. During this period, the body weight and fasting blood glucose (FBG) of the mice were dynamically monitored, and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT) were performed at the end of dosing. The levels of serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA), albumin (ALB), and total protein (TP) were measured by an automatic biochemical analyzer, and 24-hour urine protein was measured by a urine protein quantitative kit. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE), periodic-acid Schiff (PAS), and Masson staining were employed to observe the renal histopathology. The expression of nephrotic protein Nephrin was observed by immunohistochemistry. Western blot was used to detect the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins such as TGF-β1, Smad2/3, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), neural-cadherin (N-Cadherin), and snail protein. ResultsUPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS identified 384 active compounds in the aqueous extract of Shenqi Dihuangtang. According to oral bioavailability≥30% and the five drug-like principles, 44 key active ingredients were screened out, and 169 intersection targets highly correlated with DKD were matched. Among them, there was a significant interaction relationship between tumor necrosis factor(TNF), interleukin(IL)-6, protein kinase B(Akt)1, Caspase-3, Jun proto-oncogene (JUN), hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α), B cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), matrix metallopeptidase-9(MMP-9), IL-1β, and TGF-β1. GO functional annotations were significantly enriched in cellular components such as membrane rafts, membrane microdomains, and collagen-containing extracellular matrix, molecular functions such as DNA-binding transcription factor binding, R-Smad binding, and Smad protein binding, as well as biological processes such as reactions to lipopolysaccharides(LPS), reactions to bacteria-derived molecules, and wound healing. The KEGG pathway was significantly enriched in lipids and atherosclerosis, TGF-β signaling pathway, phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway, etc. In vivo experimental results showed that the high-dose Shenqi Dihuangtang group could significantly reduce FBG levels in db/db mice (P<0.01), improve OGTT (P<0.01) and ITT (P<0.01) levels, reduce SCr (P<0.01), BUN (P<0.01), UA (P<0.01) and 24-hour BUN (P<0.01), and increase ALB (P<0.01) and TP (P<0.01) levels. Pathological staining confirmed that the high-dose Shenqi Dihuangtang group could significantly reduce the glomerular mesangial matrix area and collagen deposition (P<0.01) and upregulate the positive expression rate of Nephrin (P<0.01). Western blot results showed that the high-dose Shenqi Dihuangtang group significantly downregulated the expression of TGF-β1 (P<0.01) and Smad2/3 (P<0.01) signal molecules and inhibited the protein levels of α-SMA (P<0.01), N-Cadherin (P<0.01), and Snail (P<0.01). ConclusionShenqi Dihuangtang can inhibit the TGF-β1/Smad signaling axis and block the renal EMT process, thereby improving DKD renal fibrosis damage. Further analysis of its key active components and clinical transformation pathways is needed in the future.
2.A Case of Multidisciplinary Treatment for a Patient with Gorham-Stout Disease
Jing HU ; Ying JIN ; Yan ZHANG ; Ji LI ; Wenhui WANG ; Yue CHI ; Chunxu LI ; Zhenjie ZHANG ; Yaping LIU ; Xiaotian CHU ; Jin XU ; Min SHEN
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(1):52-59
Gorham-Stout disease(GSD) is a rare osteolytic disorder characterized by spontaneous and progressive osteolysis, along with abnormal angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, with no new bone formation. We present a case of a 15-year-old female admitted due to " recurrent right leg pain for 5 years, 11 months after undergoing right femoral fracture surgery". Through comprehensive integration of the patient's clinical phenotype, laboratory tests, imaging findings, pathological examinations, and molecular biological test results, GSD was considered highly likely. A multidisciplinary treatment approach was conducted, including a combination of zoledronic acid and sirolimus to inhibit osteolysis, along with rehabilitation training and orthopedic intervention, providing a personalized and comprehensive treatment strategy.
3.A Case of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex with Multiple Organ Involvement Caused by TSC2 Gene Mutation
Hongli ZHANG ; Jiayuan DAI ; Yan WANG ; Weihong ZHANG ; Wenbin MA ; Hanhui FU ; Chunxia HE ; Jun ZHENG ; Wenda WANG ; Wei ZUO ; Yaping LIU ; Min SHEN
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(1):60-67
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder primarily caused by pathogenic variants in the
4.Differences in deltamethrin resistance and kdr gene mutation in Culex tritaeniorhynchus population in and outside the Yellow Sea wetland
Xiao-er ZHANG ; Zhi-ming WU ; Ye TIAN ; Qian CUI ; Yu-qian JI ; Huan WANG ; Shu-juan YANG ; Yi-chao ZHAO ; Yu WANG ; Hua-yu YIN ; Yu DING ; Guo-jin YAN ; Min-sen ZHAO ; Shou-gang ZHANG ; Bing-dong SONG ; Hong-na CHEN ; Jian GAO ; Wei-fang YANG ; Yu-fu ZHANG ; Hui LIU ; Hong-liang CHU
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(2):101-107
Objective To gain insights into the biological characteristics of different populations of Culex tritaeniorhynchus within and around the Yellow Sea wetland from the perspective of the occurrence of resistance, we investigated the levels of resistance to deltamethrin and kdr gene mutation in the wetland and its peripheral areas. Methods Specimens were collected from Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations at two monitoring sites in the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area, and also from two populations in Yancheng City and the Liuhe District of Nanjing, and the resistance of these mosquitoes to deltamethrin was determined using the CDC biotest bottle method. For each concentration of deltamethrin assessed, a random subset of exposed specimens was selected for amplification of the kdr gene fragment, followed by Sanger sequencing to identify and analyze resistance-associated mutations. Results The LC50 levels of deltamethrin among mosquitoes from the four populations in Luhe, Yancheng, the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and the Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area were 2.048 5, 7.798 2, 3.473 3, and 17.695 5 mg/mL, respectively, with corresponding concentrations of deltamethrin ranging from 0.005 to 5.000,0.050 to 50.000,0.050 to 25.000 and 0.050 to 50.000 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the ranges of the KT50 values were 11.76-107.43, 67.05-216.30,29.77-107.43 and 28.40-329.51 min; the 1-h knockdown rates were 34.58%-99.15%, 9.52%-43.80%, 55.09%-73.01%, and 10.09%-68.07%; and the 24-h mortality rates were 12.15%-67.52%,9.52%-79.56%,13.17%-82.21%, and 11.01%-78.99%, respectively. With respect to kdr gene mutation, we assayed a total of 63,70,59, and 57 mosquitoes for the four populations, for which we detected L1014F mutation frequencies of 14.29%, 35.00%, 20.34%, and 31.58%, respectively, with a majority of these mutations being heterozygous for resistance. In addition, five adult mosquitoes were identified has having synonymous mutations at site 1011[i. e. , AAT(asparagine)mutation to AAC(asparagine)]. Conclusions Our findings revealed the clear resistance of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus to deltamethrin in the Yancheng region of the Yellow Sea wetland, and the resistance phenotype and kdr frequency of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment were comparable to those of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment, thereby indicating that the resistance of different populations of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus was homogeneous under the pressure of different insecticide selection within and around the wetland. However, the underlying mechanisms need to be further studied.
5.Epidemiological characteristics of common viral respiratory infections before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Huzhou,Zhejiang Province
Min-yi YANG ; Yan LIU ; Su-yi ZHANG ; Qiang WANG ; Guang-tao LIU ; Bo ZHENG ; Xin-yu WANG ; Dan-ni ZHAO ; Jian-yong SHEN ; Wei-bing WANG
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(6):819-828
Objective To investigate and compare the epidemiological characteristics of common respiratory viruses among influenza-like illness(ILI)and severe acute respiratory infection(SARI)cases in Huzhou,Zhejiang Province before and after the COVID-19 pandemic,so as to provide a basis for formulating and adjusting the prevention and control strategies for viral respiratory infectious diseases.Methods ILI and SARI cases at two influenza surveillance sentinel hospitals in Huzhou and had throat swab samples collected during Nov 2017 to Feb 2020(pre-COVID-19 pandemic period)and Dec 2022 to Apr 2024(post-COVID-19 mitigation phase)were selected as the participants.Seven common viral respiratory pathogens were tested,including influenza A virus(H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes),influenza B virus(Victoria lineage,FluB),respiratory syncytial virus(RSV),rhinovirus(HRV),adenovirus(ADV),and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2).The positive rates of respiratory pathogens before and after the COVID-19 pandemic were compared across different age groups and different time.Results A total of 7 948 ILI samples and 2 294 SARI samples were included.The overall positive rate of ILI samples increased from 33.6%to 47.1%,primarily due to the increase in influenza and COVID-19 infections;the overall positive rate of SARI samples decreased from 31.4%to 24.8%,mainly due to the reduction in HRV and ADV infections.During the post-COVID-19 mitigation phase,SARS-CoV-2(22.1%),H3N2(12.7%),and FluB(6.0%)were the primary pathogens in ILI samples,while RSV(7.1%),H3N2(5.3%),and HRV(4.5%)dominated in SARI samples.During the post-COVID-19 mitigation phase,the influenza virus circulation period was shortened.Before the COVID-19 pandemic,RSV was mainly detected in autumn and winter,while during the post-COVID-19 mitigation phase,out-of-season RSV epidemics were observed in spring and summer.Co-infection rate in ILI cases increased significantly in the post-COVID-19 mitigation phase,predominantly consisting of co-infections of COVID-19 and influenza A virus,while co-infection rate in SARI cases showed a decline.Conclusion We found important epidemiological changes in respiratory viruses in Huzhou during the post-COVID-19 mitigation phase compared to pre-COVID-19 period,including increased positive rates of influenza and COVID-19,and disruptions to the seasonal patterns of influenza and RSV.The prevention and control strategies should be adjusted in a timely manner based on the monitoring data.
6.Value of serum P-selectin,IL-18,and Hcy levels in predicting poor out-come of interventional therapy for elderly patients with lower extremity deep venous thrombosis
Hong-jian CHI ; Yan-bing JI ; Min LIU ; Qi-xue LIU
Chinese Journal of Current Advances in General Surgery 2025;28(3):185-190
Objective:To explore the value of serum P-selectin,Interleukin-18(IL-18),and Homocysteine(Hcy)levels in predicting the adverse outcomes of interventional therapy in elderly patients with deep vein thrombosis(DVT)in the lower extremities.Methods:A total of 165 elderly patients with DVT from January 2020 to August 2023 were se-lected.All patients underwent transcatheter intervention thrombolysis therapy.Patients were divided into good outcome group and poor outcome group according to the clinical treatment outcome.Serum P-selectin,IL-18,and Hcy levels were compared between the two groups.The correlation between serum P-selectin,IL-18,and Hcy levels and disease indicators,as well as the outcomes of interventional therapy was analyzed.The predictive value of serum P-selectin,IL-18,and Hcy levels for the outcomes of interventional therapy was evaluated.Results:The total effective rate of catheter-based interventional thrombolysis in 165 patients was 81.82%(135/165).The patients with good outcomes were included in the good outcome group,and the patients with poor outcomes were included in the poor outcome group.The difference in circumference between the affected side and the healthy side of the thigh and the difference in circumference between the affected side and the healthy side of the calf in the poor outcome group were greater than those in the good outcome group(P<0.05).The levels of serum P-selectin,IL-18,and Hcy in the poor outcome group were higher than those in the good outcome group(P<0.05).The levels of serum P-selectin,IL-18,and Hcy were posi-tively correlated with the difference in circumference between the affected and healthy thighs and the difference in cir-cumference between the affected and healthy calves,and negatively correlated with the outcome of interventional therapy(P<0.05).Before and after correcting other factors,serum P-selectin,IL-18,and Hcy were all independent risk factors for the outcome of interventional therapy in elderly patients with DVT(P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of serum P-selectin,IL-18,and Hcy for predicting the outcome of interventional therapy for elderly DVT was 0.789(95%CI:0.718-0.848),0.812(95%CI:0.744-0.868),and 0.792(95%CI:0.722-0.851),respectively.The cutoff values were 44.21 ng/mL,185.73 ng/L,and 23.60 μmol/L,with sensitivities of 70.00%,70.00%,and 80.00%,and specificities of 82.22%,82.96%,and 68.15%,respectively.The AUC of the combined prediction of the outcomes of interventional therapy for elderly DVT was 0.935(95%CI:0.886-0.967),with a cutoff value of 44.08 ng/mL,185.16 ng/L,and 23.37 μmol/L for the three variables,with a sensitivity of 86.67%and a specificity of 88.15%.This was significantly better than the individual prediction values of the three variables(Z=5.817,4.753,5.206,all P<0.001).Conclusion:Serum P-selectin,IL-18,and Hcy are significantly correlated with disease indicators and interventional treatment outcomes in el-derly patients with DVT,and can effectively predict the outcome of interventional treatment,with a high combined pre-dictive value.
7.Investigation on the current nursing practice status of prone position ventilation in patients with moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome among intensive care unit nurses in Shandong province
Lixia CHANG ; Jicheng ZHANG ; Min DING ; Fengzhi CHEN ; Yan CHEN ; Beibei LIU ; Li CHEN ; Xue BAI
Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine in Intensive and Critical Care 2025;32(1):67-72
Objective To understand the nursing practice of prone position ventilation for patients with moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)in intensive care unit(ICU)in Shandong province,so as to provide basis for standardizing the nursing practice process of prone position ventilation and carrying out training for hospitals.Methods A self-made questionnaire was used,and convenience sampling was adopted.From September 15th to November 5th,2023,ICU nurses were selected from various hospital levels in Shandong province to investigate the obstructive factors of prone ventilation implementation,the weak links in nursing practice and status,and the occurrence of complications.Results A total of 1 188 questionnaires were collected,of which 991 were valid.92.8%(920/991)of nurses had performed prone position ventilation.The biggest obstacle to the implementation of prone position ventilation was the complexity of patient treatments and multiple devices involved[74.6%(686/920)].Regarding the status of training,90.5%(897/991)of nurses had received training on prone position ventilation and 77.0%(763/991)of nurses felt that training was needed.As for pre-operation assessment,more than 80.0%of nurses evaluated patients'vital signs,airway and secretions and so on,among which the evaluation awareness of analgesia was the worst[81.6%(751/920)].As for the main points of implementation,only 14.0%(129/920)of nurses chose the opposite side of the most important pipeline as the turning direction;48.6%(447/920)of nurses chose the anti-Trendelenburg position;36.3%(334/920)of nurses chose to ventilate≥12 hours.Facial edema[81.7%(752/920)],skin pressure injury[78.9%(726/920)]and eye complication[75.8%(697/920)]were the top 3 most frequent complications.Conclusions ICU nurses'prone position ventilation practices were generally line with the nursing team standard for prone position of adult mechanically ventilated patients and the best evidence recommendation,and needs to be further standardized in aspects of turning direction,position management,ventilation duration,and enteral nutrition management.It is recommended that nursing managers at all levels of hospitals further improve the quality of nursing practice of prone position ventilation according to relevant evidence-based evidence and the actual situation of hospitals.
8.Effect of social activity participation on self-rated mental health disparity between urban and rural older adults in China
Zhuang TIAN ; Xueyi WANG ; He YANG ; Yueqin HUANG ; Min ZHAI ; Yan LIU
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(2):143-150
Objective:To explore the effect of different types of social activity participation on self-rated men-tal health disparity between urban and rural older adults in China.Methods:The study data was sourced from the 2018 wave of Chinese General Social Survey(CGSS).Factor analysis was applied to divide social activities into three dimensions:entertainment activities,cultural activities,family and friend gatherings.Logistic regression model was adopted to analyze the effect of social activity on self-rated mental health.Fairlie decomposition model was ap-plied to explore the effect of social activity on urban-rural disparity in self-rated mental health.Results:The self-ra-ted good mental health proportion of urban old persons(n=3 139)was 72.0%,which was higher than that of rural old persons(n=1 549)(53.7%)(P<0.001).Recreational activities and gatherings of friends and relatives sig-nificantly improved self-rated mental health in urban and rural old persons.Fairlie decomposition result revealed that approximately 18.7%of self-rated mental health disparity could be attributed to urban-rural disparity in entertain-ment activities.Moreover,urban-rural disparity in family and friends gatherings could explain about 3.9%of the disparity.Conclusion:Urban older adults have better mental health than their rural counterparts.Furthermore,social activity is beneficial to mental health for both urban and rural older adults.Urban-rural disparity in entertainment ac-tivities make an important contribution to mental health disparity between urban and rural older adults.
9.Significance of basophil levels in prognostic evaluation of intra-abdominal infection
Ming-min PANG ; Shao-hua FAN ; Mei-chen YAN ; Bao LIU ; Ju YANG ; Ya-nan LI ; Shi-han ZHANG ; Ting-yu MENG ; Tao GAO
Chinese Journal of Current Advances in General Surgery 2025;28(5):367-372
Objective:To assess the relationship between basophil levels and mortality in patients with intra-abdominal infection.Methods:Information on patients with intraperitoneal infection admitted to the intensive care unit were extracted from the MIMIC database.A time-dependent Cox regression model was used to adjust for confounders associated with 28-day mortality.Propensity score matching(PSM)was used to balance the baseline differences be-tween groups with different basophil levels,and a restricted cube chart(RCS)was used to show the relationship between basophil count and 28-day mortality in patients with intra-abdominal infection.Results:A total of 4403 patients with intra-abdominal infection were enrolled in the MIMIC database.Patients with high basophil levels have lower mortality than those with low basophil levels.There was an L-shaped curve between basophil level and 28-day mortality,with a cut-off value of 0.47×109/L.Cox regression analysis showed that basophil levels were an independent protective factor for mortal-ity in patients with intra-abdominal infection after adjusting for potential confounders(HR=0.586,95%CI:0.443-0.769).Protective factors for death at basophil levels remained after PSM adjusted for potential confounders(HR=0.628,95%CI:0.470-0.832).Conclusion:Basophil level is an independent protective factor for mortality in patients with intra-abdominal infection,and basophil levels should be dynamically monitored to better evaluate the prognosis of patients.
10.Significance of basophil levels in prognostic evaluation of intra-abdominal infection
Ming-min PANG ; Shao-hua FAN ; Mei-chen YAN ; Bao LIU ; Ju YANG ; Ya-nan LI ; Shi-han ZHANG ; Ting-yu MENG ; Tao GAO
Chinese Journal of Current Advances in General Surgery 2025;28(5):367-372
Objective:To assess the relationship between basophil levels and mortality in patients with intra-abdominal infection.Methods:Information on patients with intraperitoneal infection admitted to the intensive care unit were extracted from the MIMIC database.A time-dependent Cox regression model was used to adjust for confounders associated with 28-day mortality.Propensity score matching(PSM)was used to balance the baseline differences be-tween groups with different basophil levels,and a restricted cube chart(RCS)was used to show the relationship between basophil count and 28-day mortality in patients with intra-abdominal infection.Results:A total of 4403 patients with intra-abdominal infection were enrolled in the MIMIC database.Patients with high basophil levels have lower mortality than those with low basophil levels.There was an L-shaped curve between basophil level and 28-day mortality,with a cut-off value of 0.47×109/L.Cox regression analysis showed that basophil levels were an independent protective factor for mortal-ity in patients with intra-abdominal infection after adjusting for potential confounders(HR=0.586,95%CI:0.443-0.769).Protective factors for death at basophil levels remained after PSM adjusted for potential confounders(HR=0.628,95%CI:0.470-0.832).Conclusion:Basophil level is an independent protective factor for mortality in patients with intra-abdominal infection,and basophil levels should be dynamically monitored to better evaluate the prognosis of patients.


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