1.Textual Research on Key Information and Modern Clinical Application of Classical Famous Formula Liumotang
Xinyu ZHANG ; Chong LI ; Yixuan HU ; Luming LIANG ; Ye ZHAO ; Xiaoting LU ; Yu WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):201-212
Liumotang comes from the Yuan dynasty's Effective Prescription Handed Down for Generations of Physicians. It is composed of six medicinal materials: Arecae Semen, Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum, Aucklandiae Radix, Linderae Radix, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, and Aurantii Fructus. It is a classical formula for treating abdominal pain due to Qi stagnation and constipation accompanied by heat. This study systematically collated the records of Liumotang in ancient medical books and modern clinical literature and conducted in-depth analysis and textual research on its formula source, main diseases, composition, dosage, medical books, container capacity, processing, preparation method, usage, drug basis, formula meaning, and other key information, so as to provide a powerful reference for the development and clinical application of compound preparations of the classical formula Liumotang. The results show that Liumotang was first seen in Effective Prescription Handed Down for Generations of Physicians, and many medical books of the past dynasties have imitated this. In terms of drug basis, the dried and mature seeds of the palm plant Areca catechu, resin-containing wood of the Daphneaceae plant Aquilaria sinensis, the dried roots of the Asteraceae plant woody Aucklandia lappa, the dried tuber root of the Lauraceae plant Lindera aggregata, the dried roots and rhizomes of the knotweed plant, R. palmatum, R.tangutikum, and R. officinale, and the dried and unripe fruits of the citrus genus C. aurantium and its cultivated varieties from the family Rutaceae were selected. In terms of dosage, through the textual research on bowls in the Ming and Qing dynasties, combined with the conversion of medicines and bowl capacity in the Qing dynasty, it was estimated that the dosage of each drug in the Yuan dynasty was 10.86 g. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, the dosage of drugs was mostly equal, but the dosage of drugs was somewhat different. In terms of processing, preparation method, and usage, in the medical books of the past dynasties, the processing of drugs has slightly changed, but raw drugs are used in all preparations. The preparation method and usage did not change much during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, except for certain differences in dosage. In terms of syndrome, Liumotang was first used to treat abdominal pain due to Qi stagnation and constipation accompanied by heat. Medical books of the past dynasties often omit the symptoms of heat. In modern clinical practice, Liumotang is mainly used in the digestive system and urinary system diseases and is mostly used to treat constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, biliary reflux gastritis, functional constipation, slow transit constipation, and other diseases, with no adverse reactions found yet. The above results provide a reliable scientific basis for the development and clinical treatment of Liumotang compound preparations.
2.Characteristic analysis of human parvovirus B19 infection in patients with hematological disease
Wei WEI ; Lei WANG ; Yimin ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(1):78-84
Objective To explore the infection status and clinical characteristics of human parvovirus B19 (HPV-B19) in patients with hematological disease. Methods A total of 94 patients with benign hematological disease, 128 patients with hematological malignancy, and 89 healthy individuals at Shanghai Eighth People’s Hospital from February 2019 to February 2020 were selected. The levels of specific IgM and nucleic acid of HPV-B19 in the plasma were detected using ELISA and PCR. The infection rates among the 3 groups and clinical characteristics between HPV-B19 positive and negative patients with hematological disease were compared. Results The positive rate of HPV-B19 IgM was 9.6% (9/94), the positive rate of nucleic acid was 11.7% (11/94), and the overall infection rate of HPV-B19 (IgM and/or nucleic acid positive) was 14.9% (14/94) in benign group of patients. The positive rate of HPV-B19 IgM was 18.0% (23/128), the positive rate of nucleic acid was 19.5% (25/128), and the overall infection rate of HPV-B19 was 26.6% (34/128) in malignant group of patients. The positive rate of HPV-B19 IgM was 1.1% (1/89), the positive rate of nucleic acid was 2.2% (2/89), and the overall infection rate of HPV-B19 was 2.2% (2/89) in healthy controls. The overall HPV-B19 infection rate in benign group of patients was higher than that in healthy controls (P=0.006). The overall HPV-B19 infection rate was higher in malignant group of patients than that in benign group of patients (P=0.037) and healthy controls (P<0.001). In the benign group, the HPV-B19 infection rates in patients with pure red cell aplasia (PRCA), autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), and aplastic anemia (AA) were higher, with 44.4% (4/9), 27.3% (3/11), 25.0% (4/16), and 21.4% (3/14), respectively. In the malignant group, the HPV-B19 infection rates in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) were higher, with 42.9% (9/21) and 37.5% (6/16), respectively. The HPV-B19 positive patients in both hematological disease groups were older (P<0.05). In patients with NHL, CLL or multiple myeloma (MM), HPV-B19 infection decreased the reticulocyte ratio (P<0.05); in patients with NHL, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), HPV-B19 infection prolonged bone marrow suppression time after chemotherapy (P<0.05). Conclusions HPV-B19 infection rate in patients with hematological disease is elevated and HPV-B19 infection may influence the condition and treatment efficiency of these patients.
3.Jujuboside A Improves Cognitive Function in Rat Model of VCI via PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Zixuan HUANG ; Shuo YANG ; Jiaqi ZHOU ; Gengchao ZHANG ; Qiuyun YOU ; Aihua TAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):107-114
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of jujuboside A (JuA) on the learning and memory abilities and histopathological changes in the rat model of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) and explore the potential mechanisms by which JuA treats VCI. MethodsA total of 50 male SPF-grade SD rats were randomized into a sham operation group (n=10), a blank control group (n=10), and a modeling group (n=30). The rats in the modeling group underwent bilateral carotid artery ligation (2-VO) for the modeling of VCI. After stabilization, the VCI rats were randomized into model, JuA (20 mg·kg-¹), and donepezil (0.45 mg·kg-¹) groups. After 4 weeks of gavage, the novel object recognition and Morris water maze tests were conducted to evaluate the learning and memory abilities of rats. Nissl staining was employed to evaluate the morphology and number of hippocampal neurons. Real-time PCR was employed to measure the mRNA levels of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (Akt) in the hippocampal tissue. Western blot was employed to quantify the protein levels of GSK-3β, p-GSK-3β, p-CREB, Bcl-2, PI3K, p-PI3K, Akt, and p-Akt in the hippocampal tissue. ResultCompared with the sham operation group, the model group exhibited declines in the learning and memory abilities (P<0.01), neuronal damage and decreased neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region (P<0.01), up-regulation in the mRNA level of GSK-3β (P<0.01), and down-regulation in the mRNA levels of PI3K, Akt, CREB, and Bcl-2, as well as the protein levels of p-PI3K, p-Akt, p-GSK-3β, p-CREB, and Bcl-2 (P<0.01). In comparison to the model group, both the JuA and donepezil groups demonstrated improvements in the learning and memory abilities (P<0.05, P<0.01), with reduced neuronal damage and increased neurons (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, the two groups showed down-regulation in the mRNA level of GSK-3β (P<0.01) and up-regulation in the mRNA levels of PI3K, Akt, CREB, and Bcl-2 and the protein levels of p-PI3K, p-Akt, p-GSK-3β, p-CREB, and Bcl-2 (P<0.05, P<0.01). There were no statistically significant differences between the blank control and sham operation groups in terms of the learning and memory abilities, neuron count, and mRNA and protein levels of PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathway-related factors. ConclusionJuA can ameliorate the cognitive impairment in the rat model of VCI by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, reducing the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons, and alleviating the hippocampal neuronal damage.
4.Downregulation of USP46 alleviates hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced pyroptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells by inhibiting NLRP3 deubiquitination
Shiqi GU ; Haiqiang NI ; Xuan PENG ; Xiaotian CAO ; Nianqiao GONG
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(3):416-424
Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of ubiquitin-specific protease 46 (USP46) in hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced pyroptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells. Methods Renal tubular epithelial cells were divided into negative control siRNA group (si-CTL group), USP46 knockdown group (si-USP46 group), negative control siRNA + H/R treatment group (si-CTL+H/R group), and USP46 knockdown + H/R treatment group (si-USP46+H/R group). Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis in each group. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was employed to measure the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of USP46, NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), gasdermin D (GSDMD), interleukin (IL)-18, and IL-1β. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of USP46, NLRP3, GSDMD, and cleaved cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase (C-Caspase)-1. The levels of inflammatory factors and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the cell supernatants were detected, and the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the cells were detected. Co-immunoprecipitation was used to verify the interaction between USP46 and NLRP3. Results Compared with the si-CTL group, the si-CTL+H/R group exhibited increased cell apoptosis, elevated protein expression of USP46, NLRP3, GSDMD-N and C-Caspase-1, increased mRNA expression of USP46, NLRP3, GSDMD, IL-18 and IL-1β, higher levels of IL-18, IL-1β, TNF-α and LDH, and increased ROS and MDA levels (all P < 0.05). Compared with the si-CTL+H/R group, the si-USP46+H/R group showed decreased cell apoptosis, reduced protein expression of USP46, NLRP3, GSDMD-N and C-Caspase-1, decreased mRNA expression of USP46, GSDMD and IL-18, lower levels of IL-18, IL-1β, TNF-α and LDH, and decreased ROS and MDA levels (all P < 0.05). Co-immunoprecipitation results indicated that USP46 could bind to NLRP3. Conclusions Downregulation of USP46 alleviates H/R-induced pyroptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells, possibly by inhibiting USP46-dependent NLRP3 deubiquitination and promoting NLRP3 ubiquitination and degradation.
5.Association between serum cryoglobulinemia and clinical manifestation in chronic hepatitis C patients
Amin-Erdene G ; Gantogtokh D ; Yumchinsuren Ts ; Dolgion D ; Bolor U ; Otgongerel N ; Enkhmend Kh ; Ganchimeg D ; Tulgaa L ; Sarnai Ts ; Batbold B
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2025;88(4):92-99
Background:
The most common clinical manifestation of HCV infection, which includes both hepatic and extrahepatic
manifestations, is mixed cryoglobulinemia, which is characterized by the precipitation of certain proteins in the blood at
temperatures below 37°C (in vitro), aggregation, and deposition in the walls of small and medium-sized vessels, causing
vasculitis, which is clinically manifested by a triad of joint pain, fatigue, and rash on the soles of the feet. Cryoglobulinemia is commonly diagnosed in people with HCV infection, with a prevalence ranging from 10% to 70%. Vasculitis that
occurs when cryoglobulinemia is detected mainly affects the small vessels of the skin, kidneys, and peripheral nerves,
causing complications in other organ systems.
Aim :
To determine the prevalence of cryoglobulinemia in people with HCV infection, study it in relation to the stage of
liver fibrosis, and determine its clinical relevance.
Materials and Methods :
200 chronic HCV infected individuals were included in the study according to the inclusion
and exclusion criteria. After obtaining informed consent from each participant, a questionnaire was used to collect information, perform physical measurements, and collect peripheral blood samples. Complete blood count and biochemical
tests (liver and kidney function) were performed. The degree of liver fibrosis was assessed non-invasively (APRI, FIB4). The glomerular filtration rate was calculated electronically using the MDRD GFR Equation. Skin examination was
performed to assess the presence of rash, ulcers, and scarring on the shins and ankles of cryoglobulinemia. To determine
cryoglobulinemia, 8 ml of blood was collected in a tube without anticoagulant, and the sample was kept motionless for
1 hour at room temperature until clotting was complete. After centrifugation, the samples were separated and stored in a
refrigerator at +4°C for 7 days, and then at room temperature for 30 minutes, the precipitate was detected.
Results :
A total of 200 people participated in the study, of which 71 were men (35.5%), the average age was 53.39±13.0.
Cryoglobulinemia protein precipitates were determined in a total of 148 people, of which 50 were men (33.8%), the
average age was 52.95±13.0. Cryoglobulinemia protein precipitates were detected in 89 people, or 60.1% of the study
participants. Of the total study participants, 176 (88.0%) had chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Of these, 57 people had CHC
with cryoglobulinemia. Comparing laboratory parameters, the mean GGT level in the cryoglobulinemia group was statistically significantly higher than in the non-cryoglobulinemia group (p=0.039). However, when laboratory parameters
were grouped by increasing or decreasing, AST and ALT levels were significantly higher in the cryoglobulinemia group,
indicating more hepatocellular damage (p<0.000). Increased creatinine levels may be associated with the risk of renal
dysfunction. The FIB-4 index and APRI index showed a more severe degree of fibrosis in the cryoglobulinemia group
(p<0.005; p<0.000). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that age was associated with the occurrence of cryoglobulinemia (OR=2.48; 95% CI:1.31–4.70; p=0.005). Platelet count had a statistically significant positive effect in multivariate analysis (OR=14.38; 95% CI:1.26–163.89; p=0.032).
Conclusion
The prevalence of cryoglobulinemia among HCV-infected patients was 60.1%, and older age and decreased
platelet count among infected individuals were associated with the occurrence of cryoglobulinemia.
6.Open broström-gould repair vs arthroscopic anatomical repair of the anterior talofibular ligament for chronic lateral ankle instability
Amgalankhuu O ; Shiirevnyamba A ; Batsukh S ; Erdenebold B ; Zoljargal S ; Naranbat L ; Munkhsaikhan T
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2025;88(4):221-225
Background:
During inversion injuries of the ankle joint, the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) is the most commonly
injured structure. Injuries to the lateral collateral ligaments of the ankle, either in isolation or in combination with injury
to the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL), account for approximately 60-65% of all ankle ligament injuries. In recent years,
several studies have examined the impact of lateral ankle ligament injuries on lifestyle and overall health. Repeated inversion injuries-particularly those occurring three or more times-can lead to chronic ankle instability (CAI). In the treatment
of ankle instability, both open and arthroscopic surgical techniques are widely used internationally. In Mongolia, there is
an increasing clinical need to evaluate and compare the outcomes of arthroscopic versus open surgical repair of lateral
ankle ligament injuries. This need forms the basis of the current study.
Aim:
The comparative studies on open vs arthroscopic anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) repair are limited. This study
aimed to compare the early therapeutic efficacy and cost between the traditional open Broström-Gould repair and all-arthroscopic anatomical repair of the ATFL for chronic lateral ankle instability.
Materials and Methods:
A total of 40 patients with chronic lateral ankle instability undergoing repair of the ATFL be
tween September 2024 and February 2025 were retrospectively included with a traditional open surgery (n=10) group
and an arthroscopy (n=17) group. The surgery duration, surgical cost, postoperative complications, and the preoperative/postoperative American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Score (AOFAS) and Karlsson-Peterson score were compared
between groups.
Results:
Compared to the anatomical group, the non-anatomical group had significantly shorter surgery and hospitalization durations. Three months after the operation, the AOFAS and Karlsson scores significantly improved in both groups.
Nevertheless, there was no significant difference in the AOFAS and Karlsson scores between groups at both preoperative
and postoperative assessments. No significant difference was found in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups.
Conclusion
1. These results suggest that open Broström-Gould repair and all-arthroscopic anatomical repair of the ATFL have
comparable therapeutic efficacy for chronic lateral ankle instability.
2. The arthroscopic surgery had a smaller incision, while the open Broström-Gould had a shorter surgery duration and
lower cost.
7.Current Status and Challenges of the Development on Rare Disease Multi-Security Mechanisms Driven by Data Intelligence in China
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2025;4(1):1-6
The major obstacle to optimizing the design of rare disease coverage is the fragmented decision-making process among medical services, pharmaceuticals, and medical insurance departments. There is an urgent need to realize data sharing and digital empowerment, as well as to adopt top-level design and systematic decision-making. It is also crucial to establish mechanisms, facilitated by digital intelligence, for sharing power and responsibilities, and assessing rewards and punishments. Furthermore, there is an urgent need to incorporate the theories of collaborative governance, digital governance, and the full life cycle into the entire process, which includes patient classification, diagnosis and treatment, medical assistance, medication protection, and health insurance fund management for rare diseases. This integration aims to provide theoretical reference for the effective linkage of medical services, pharmaceuticals, and medical insurance, and to improve the efficiency and equity of resource allocation in the public sector.
8.The Application Status and Trends of Data-Intelligence Technology in the Diagnosis of Lysosomal Storage Diseases
Xinyu DU ; Shengfeng WANG ; Jing XIE ; Jian GUO ; Shuyang ZHANG
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2025;4(1):112-121
To summarize the applications of data-intelligence technology in diagnosing lysosomal storage disease(LSD), analyze their opportunities and challenges in clinical practice as well as their development trends, and provide insights and recommendations for advancing digitally driven auxiliary diagnostic technologies. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang Database, and VIP. The studies focusing on the application of digital-intelligence technologies in LSD diagnosis were included. A qualitative analysis was performed, categorizing and summarizing research based on the types of digital-intelligence technologies employed, and exploring future development trends. The analysis revealed that digital-intelligence technologies, particularly in areas such as big data storage and management, data mining and analytics, machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision, held significant potential for early screening and diagnosis of LSD. These technologies facilitated the identification of potential patients, discovery of new biomarkers, quantitative analysis of symptoms, and elucidation of gene-disease relationships, ultimately enhancing diagnostic efficiency and accuracy. Digital-intelli-gence technologies present promising prospects for advancing LSD diagnostic research and improving diagnostic precision. Future efforts should focus on developing a comprehensive, multidimensional diagnosis system and diagnostic technologies under the guidance of the DI-HEALTH theoretical framework, in the hope of paving the way for further development of digitally assisted diagnostic solutions.
9.Current Situation, Trend, and Opportunity of Applying Blockchain to the Supply Chain of Orphan Drugs
Wenyan LI ; Yile YOU ; Jindong WU ; Xinrui LI ; Yunyun JIANG ; Shengfeng WANG
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2025;4(1):14-21
The exploration and pilot studies of applying blockchain to drug supply chain show great potential in promoting information sharing, collaboration competence among the actors, regulatory efficiency, and etc. In the future, with the help of blockchain, the optimization of the entire supply chain for orphan drugs is expected to be realized. However, there is no such exploration in China at present. This paper systematically sorts out the whole process of supply chain for orphan drugs and the existing problems of the chain. The article concludes that at present, blockchain is mainly used in the " circulation" and " use" of the drug supply chain. It helps to improve the traceability of drugs, to cope with the problem of counterfeit drugs, to enable actors of the drug supply chain to form a collaborative network in optimizing resource allocation, and to improve the operation and supervision efficiency of the supply chain. In the future, the application faces challenges such as high costs in system conversion, lack of personnel awareness, and incomplete supporting systems. Based on the three dimensions of technology, practice, and research, this paper also looks into the future and suggests for the future use of blockchain in the supply chain of orphan drugs by constructing a practice model, the so called DI-GIVE (Digital, Intelligence, Government′s supervision, Innovation, Views of variety, Evaluation-based) hoping to innovate the supply chain of orphan drugs and to ensure the drug use for the patients with rare diseases in China.
10.The Current Status and Prospects of the Application of Digital Technology in the Field of Pharmacovigilance of Rare Diseases
Ying CAO ; Xinru LIU ; Shengfeng WANG ; Lin ZHUO
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2025;4(1):22-29
To summarize the current status in the application of digital and intelligent technologies in the field of pharmacovigilance and to provide reference to the selection and development of methods for pharmacovigilance of rare diseases. Searched five major databases-CNKI, WANFANG, VIP, PubMed, and Embase, selected and the data of application of digital technology in the field of drug vigilance for rare diseases, extracted relevant information and conducted a systematic review. The application of digital technology in drug surveillance has not yet been used in the special field of rare diseases. Relevant case studies are insufficient. Two major challenges need to be addressed. One is the insufficient data sources and the other is technical limitations. Based on the characteristics of drugs for rare diseases, this paper identifies data sources and intelligent technologies suitable for the field of drug vigilance for rare disease, proposes direction for potential development in the future, and makes targeted suggestions.

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