1.Mechanisms of Yishen Juanbi Pills-containing Bone Marrow Fluid in Improving Kidney-deficiency Rheumatoid Arthritis by Regulating CD4+ T Lymphocyte Differentiation via SDF-1/CXCR4 Signaling Pathway
Jinlin TONG ; Yuyao WANG ; Hong LIU ; Jinghua PAN ; Danping FAN ; Hongyan ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):90-99
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Yishen Juanbi pills (YSJB)-containing bone marrow fluid on the migration and differentiation phenotypes of CD4⁺T lymphocytes based on the stromal cell-derived factor-1/chemokine receptor 4 (SDF-1/CXCR4) signaling pathway. MethodsPrimary CD4⁺T lymphocytes were isolated from mice using magnetic bead separation and identified for purity by flow cytometry. A CD4⁺T lymphocyte culture system was then established to observe the effects of SDF-1 on CD4⁺T-cell migration and differentiation. On this basis, the experimental groups included the Sham group, the ovariectomy (OVX) group, the Sham+collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) group, the OVX+CIA group, the Sham+CIA+YSJB group (2.16 g·kg-1), the OVX+CIA+YSJB group (2.16 g·kg-1), and the OVX+CIA+methotrexate (MTX) group (1.5 mg·kg-1). Bone marrow fluid from each group was prepared according to previous methods and added to the CD4⁺ T-cell culture system at 5% (v/v). Transwell assays were used to examine CD4⁺T-cell migration in each group. Real-time PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of interleukin (IL)-17, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), retinoic-acid-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt), IL-10, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), forkhead box P3 (FoxP3), CXCR4, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (Akt). Western blot was used to detect the expression of helper T (Th)17/regulatory T (Treg) cell signature factors (RORγt, FoxP3), CXCR4, PI3K, phosphorylated (p)-PI3K, Akt, and p-Akt. In a separate set of experiments, cells were divided into the Sham group, OVX+CIA group, OVX+CIA+CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 group, and OVX+CIA+YSJB+AMD3100 group to observe changes in the above indicators following AMD3100 intervention. ResultsCompared with the Sham group, the number of migrated cells in the lower chamber was significantly increased in the Sham+CIA and OVX+CIA groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). The mRNA expression of RORγt, IL-17, TNF-α, CXCR4, PI3K, and Akt was significantly upregulated, whereas FoxP3, IL-10, and TGF-β mRNA expression was significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Protein expression of RORγt, CXCR4, p-PI3K/PI3K, and p-Akt/Akt was significantly increased, while FoxP3 protein expression was markedly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the OVX+CIA group, the OVX+CIA+YSJB group and OVX+CIA+MTX group showed significantly reduced migration (P<0.05), mRNA expression of RORγt, IL-17, TNF-α, CXCR4, PI3K, and Akt was also significantly decreased, while FoxP3, IL-10, and TGF-β mRNA expression was significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). RORγt protein expression was significantly downregulated, and FoxP3 protein expression markedly upregulated (P<0.05). In the OVX+CIA+YSJB group, CXCR4, p-PI3K/PI3K, and p-Akt/Akt protein expression was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the OVX+CIA group, RORγt, CXCR4, PI3K, and Akt mRNA expression in CD4⁺T cells was significantly decreased in the OVX+CIA+AMD3100 group and the OVX+CIA+YSJB+AMD3100 group, while FoxP3 mRNA and protein expression was significantly upregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). RORγt, CXCR4, p-PI3K/PI3K, and p-Akt/Akt protein expression was also markedly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the OVX+CIA+AMD3100 group, the OVX+CIA+YSJB+AMD3100 group showed significantly decreased RORγt and Akt mRNA expression (P<0.05) and significantly lower p-Akt/Akt protein expression (P<0.05). ConclusionYSJB-containing bone marrow fluid suppresses CD4⁺T-cell migration and regulates Th17/Treg balance by downregulating Th17-associated signature factors and upregulating Treg-associated signature factors through inhibition of the SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling pathway and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling pathway is one of the targets through which YSJB inhibits CD4⁺T-cell differentiation.
2.Role of endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated DEAD-box helicase 3 X-linked in a mouse model of concanavalin A-induced immune-mediated liver injury
Zhenzhen PAN ; Ling XU ; Xianru ZHU ; Zihao FAN ; Yaling CAO ; Yinkang MO ; Sai YAN ; Feng REN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):134-142
ObjectiveTo investigate the role of DEAD-box helicase 3 X-linked (DDX3X) in immune-mediated liver injury (ILI), and to clarify its mechanism by regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-dependent apoptotic pathway and its association with the clinical progression of hepatitis B. MethodsMice were given injection of concanavalin A (ConA) via the caudal vein to establish a model of ILI, PBS (control group) and different concentrations of ConA were injected into the tail vein of hepatocyte-specific DDX3X-knockout mice (DDX3XΔHep and DDX3X-flox mice (DDX3Xfl/fl), respectively.. The log-rank survival analysis, measurement of the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and HE staining of liver tissue were performed to assess liver injury, and qRT-PCR and Western Blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), and DDX3X in liver tissue. Intraperitoneal injection of 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA, 100 mg/kg) was performed to inhibit ERS. Serum samples (n=30) and liver tissue samples (n=6) were collected from healthy controls, chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, and hepatitis B virus-associated liver failure (HBV-LF) patients; ELISA was used to measure the serum level of DDX3X, and qRT-PCR/Western Blot was used to analyze the expression of targets in liver tissue. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the control group of mice, the expression of DDX3X in the liver of mice induced by ConA was significantly increased after liver injury (P<0.05), and hepatocyte-specific DDX3X knockout increased the 72-hour survival rate of mice by 55% (compared with 20% in the DDX3Xfl/fl group), with significant reductions in the serum levels of ALT and AST (P<0.000 1) and the expression levels of the ERS markers GRP78 and CHOP (P<0.05). After ERS was inhibited by 4-PBA, there was alleviation of liver injury (with reductions in ALT and AST, P <0.001) and a reduction in DDX3X expression (P<0.01). The analysis of clinical samples showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of liver DDX3X in CHB patients and HBV-LF patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (all P<0.01), and there was a significant increase in the serum level of DDX3X in HBV-LF patients (P<0.000 1). ConclusionDDX3X exacerbates ILI by regulating the ERS-dependent apoptotic pathway (GRP78/CHOP), and its expression is associated with the progression of hepatitis B. Therefore, it can be used as a potential therapeutic target.
3.Changing trajectories of sleep problems and teacher support among first year junior high school students
FAN Xuemei, LIU Guangzeng, CHENG Gang, PAN Yangu, ZHAO Zhanfeng, ZHU Zhengguang, ZHANG Dajun
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(2):241-245
Objective:
To examine the changing trajectories of sleep problems and teacher support among first year middle school students and their covariant relationship,so as to provide theoretical basis for the prevention strategy of sleep problems for the first year junior high school students.
Methods:
In September 2020, a multistage cluster random sampling method was used to select 1 027 first year junior high school students from two schools of Anshun and Guiyang cities in Guizhou Province for survey and follow up assessments (T1:September 2020, T2:October 2020, T3:November 2020, T4:December 2020). The Student Perceived Teacher Support Behavior Questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale were administered to assess sleep problems and teacher support among first year junior high school students. Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between sleep problems and teacher support. A multivariate latent growth curve model was employed to analyze the changing trajectories and covariant relationship between teacher support and sleep problems, followed by a multi group analysis.
Results:
For first year junior high school students, teacher support scores at T1-T4 were 4.00 (3.47, 4.53), 4.00 (3.47, 4.58), 3.95 (3.47, 4.61) and 4.00 (3.48, 4.67), respectively; sleep problem scores were 0.83 (0.50, 1.17), 0.67 (0.50, 1.17), 0.83 (0.50, 1.17) and 0.67 (0.33, 1.17), respectively. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that teacher support and sleep problems were negatively correlated across all four period ( r =-0.28 to -0.14, all P <0.01). Teacher support perceived by students showed a linear increasing trend (intercept=3.98, slope=0.02), while sleep problems showed a linear decreasing trend (intercept=0.86, slope= -0.02 ) (all P <0.05). The multivariate latent growth model indicated that the rate of increase in teacher support after enrollment effectively predicted the rate of decrease in sleep problem levels ( β=-0.34, P <0.01). Multigroup analysis showed that the covariant relationship was not moderated by gender or boarding status (both P >0.05).
Conclusions
The increase in teacher support experienced by first year junior high school students during the transition period after enrollment, accompanied by a reduction in sleep problems, constitutes a dynamic protective process. The process is not moderated by gender or boarding status.
4.Lightweight end-to-end model-based korotkoff sounds phase identification and blood pressure measurement
Zhiyu JIANG ; Wenyi KOU ; Li LI ; Qijun ZHAO ; Yongjun QIAN ; Fan PAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(02):248-254
Objective To propose a lightweight end-to-end neural network model for automated Korotkoff sound phase recognition and subsequent blood pressure (BP) measurement, aiming to improve measurement accuracy and population adaptability. Methods We developed a streamlined architecture integrating depthwise separable convolution (DSConv), multi-head attention (MHA), and bidirectional gated recurrent unit (BiGRU). The model directly processes Korotkoff sound time-series signals to identify auscultatory phases. Systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were determined using phase Ⅰ and phaseⅤdetections, respectively. Given the clinical relevance of phase Ⅳ for specific populations (e.g., children and pregnant women, denoted as DBPⅣ), BP values from this phase were also recorded.Results The study enrolled 106 volunteers with 70 males and 36 females at mean age of (40.0±12.0) years. The model achieved 94.25% phase recognition accuracy. Measurement errors were (0.1±2.5) mm Hg (SBP), (0.9±3.4) mm Hg (DBPⅣ), and (0.8±2.6) mm Hg (DBP). Conclusion Our method enables precise phase recognition and BP measurement, demonstrating potential for developing population-adaptive blood pressure monitoring systems.
5.Clinical and Neuroelectrophysiological Features of Autoimmune Nodopathy
Hongfei TAI ; Xunyan HUANG ; Songtao NIU ; Bin CHEN ; Yuzhi SHI ; Xingao WANG ; Fan JIAN ; Hua PAN ; Zaiqiang ZHANG
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(2):191-199
To summarize the clinical characteristics, antibody spectrum and neuroelectrophysiological features of autoimmune nodopathy(AN), and to explore the phenotypic differences among different antibody-positive subgroups. The clinical and electrophysiological data of patients definitely diagnosed with AN in Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, from October 2018 to January 2026 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 33 patients with AN were included. Antibody examination results showed that, anti-neurofascin(NF)155 antibody was the most prevalent, detected in 17 patients(51.50%), followed by anti-contactin-1(CNTN1) antibody in 8 patients(24.24%). Anti-NF186 antibody(4 cases, 12.12%), anti-contactin-associated protein 1(Caspr1) antibody(2 cases, 6.06%) and dual-target antibody positivity(2 cases, 6.06%) were relatively uncommon. The main clinical manifestations of AN patients included symmetric distal paresthesia of the extremities(32 cases, 96.97%), limb weakness(31 cases, 93.93%) and sensory ataxia(25 cases, 75.76%). Different antibody-positive subgroups presented distinct phenotypic features: patients with positive anti-NF155 antibody had a relatively younger age of onset, chronic onset and a high incidence of tremor, which was dominated by immunoglobulin(Ig)G4 subclass antibodies; patients with positive anti-CNTN1 antibody had a relatively advanced age of onset, mostly presented with acute or subacute onset, and were prone to complicated nephrotic syndrome; patients with positive anti-NF186 antibody had relatively mild nerve conduction damage; patients with anti-Caspr1 antibody manifested acute or subacute onset, with relatively elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein level and 24-h intrathecal IgG synthesis rate. The prominent neuroelectrophysiological manifestations of AN included decreased motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities, prolonged distal latency, frequent non-compressive conduction block and abnormal temporal dispersion. Definite sensory nerve action potentials could not be elicited in more than half of the patients. Patients with AN show high heterogeneity in clinical and neuroelectrophysiological characteristics, and different antibody-positive subgroups correspond to specific clinical and neuroelectrophysiological phenotypes.
6.5G remote robot-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy/segmentectomy for ten patients
Fan SHEN ; Jia HUANG ; Yu TIAN ; Hanbo PAN ; Jiantao LI ; Long JIANG ; Hong GUO ; Bentong YU ; Qingquan LUO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):908-912
Objective To explore the safety and feasibility of 5G remote robot-assisted thoracoscopic anatomic lobectomy and segmentectomy. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent 5G remote robot-assisted thoracoscopic anatomic lobectomy or segmentectomy between July and September 2024. The surgeries were performed collaboratively by Shanghai Chest Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, and The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. Perioperative outcomes were recorded and analyzed. Results Ten patients were included, comprising 4 anatomic lobectomies and 6 segmentectomies. The median age was 61.0 (56.0, 72.0) years. The median intraoperative bi-directional network latency was 52.5 (39.0, 54.0) ms. There were no instances of network interruption, robot-related adverse events, or conversions to open thoracotomy. The median postoperative chest tube drainage volume was 500.0 (375.0, 600.0) mL, and the median hospital stay was 5.5 (4.0, 6.0) days. No complications of Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅱor higher occurred. All patients were recurrence-free and alive during the 6-month postoperative follow-up period. Conclusion 5G remote robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery demonstrates high safety and operational stability. This technology shows promising potential for clinical application and is worthy of further development and utilization.
7.Analysis of clinical characteristics and risk factors of airway mucus plugging in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Yuanhang LI ; Zhangyan KE ; Xueqin JIANG ; Guoqing SHU ; Lei WANG ; Xu CHEN ; Min PAN ; Yufei XU ; Xiaoyun FAN
Chinese Journal of Health Management 2025;19(11):882-889
Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of airway mucus plugging in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).Methods:This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. A total of 322 hospitalized AECOPD patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from February 2023 to February 2025 were enrolled. Based on chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings of airway mucus plugging, patients were classified into mucus plugging and non-mucus plugging groups. General and clinical data were collected, including age, sex, disease duration, smoking and alcohol history, comorbidities, number of acute exacerbations in the past year, routine blood tests, biochemical indices, pulmonary function, and pathogen detection. The incidence of airway mucus plugging in AECOPD patients was calculated, and differences in baseline characteristics, laboratory parameters, and pulmonary function between the two groups were compared. Logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for mucus plugging, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to evaluate the predictive value of relevant indicators.Results:Of the 322 enrolled patients, 87(27.02%) were found to have airway mucus plugging. Univariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences between the mucus plug group and the non-plug group in the following parameters (all P<0.05): body mass index (BMI), disease duration, smoking status, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) classification, modified British Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score, frequency of acute exacerbations, neutrophil percentage, absolute lymphocyte count, lymphocyte percentage, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, fibrin(ogen) degradation products, D-dimer, Aspergillus infection rate, percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to predicted value (FEV 1%pred), ratio of FEV 1 to forced vital capacity (FEV 1/FVC), and percentage of maximal mid-expiratory flow to predicted value (MMEF 75/25%pred). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the following as independent risk factors for airway mucus plugs (all P<0.05): elevated CRP ( OR=1.022, 95% CI: 1.013-1.036), decreased albumin ( OR=0.891, 95% CI: 0.825-0.959), Aspergillus infection ( OR=1.774, 95% CI: 1.366-2.317), and reduced MMEF 75/25%pred value ( OR=0.978, 95% CI: 0.964-0.990). ROC curve analysis showed that the combined predictive model incorporating CRP, albumin, Aspergillus infection, and MMEF 75/25%pred had an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.776(95% CI: 0.714-0.838), which was superior to each individual indicator alone, with AUCs of 0.721 for CRP, 0.687 for albumin, 0.579 for Aspergillus infection, and 0.631 for MMEF 75/25%pred. Conclusions:AECOPD patients with airway mucus plugging exhibit higher inflammatory markers, poorer nutritional status, a higher likelihood of Aspergillus infection, worse pulmonary function, and poorer prognosis. Aspergillus infection, elevated CRP, decreased albumin, and reduced MMEF 75/25%pred are independent risk factors for mucus plugs in AECOPD.
8.Establishment of real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR method for detecting the N subgenome of SARS-CoV-2
Taoli HAN ; Zhi ZHANG ; Jiaxin ZHAO ; Pan LU ; Yang JIAO ; Jianhong ZHAO ; Yan GAO ; Shiyao ZHANG ; Kuankuan LIU ; Yujie LIU ; Ru FAN ; Wenjing LI ; Lingli SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2025;39(1):96-101
Objective:To establish a fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR assay based on N_sgRNA of SARS-CoV-2 and preliminarily apply it on real samples.Methods:Recombinant plasmid, specific primers and probes of N_sgRNA were designed and synthesized based on Wuhan-Hu-1/2019_MN908947 and synthesis mechanism of subgenomic RNA (sgRNA). Using recombinant plasmid as amplification templates, the optimal reaction conditions and reaction system were screened according to the Ct value, fluorescence intensity, and shape of amplification curve and was evaluated for sensitivity, reproducibility, and specificity. Meanwhile, the possibility of practical application of the method was explored by testing 172 clinical samples and 256 municipal wastewater samples. Results:A qRT-PCR assay for N_sgRNA in SARS-CoV-2 was initially established. The detection limit of the assay was 20 copies/mL, and the variation coefficients of in-batch (0.002%~0.767%) and batch to batch repetition (0.016%~0.752%) were less than 1%. Only N_sgRNA recombinant plasmid was detected in the specificity assay. So the method is more highly sensitive, specific and reproducible. The RatiosgRNA/ gRNA of clinical samples HK.3, EG.5.1, JN.1 and their sub-lineages and their corresponding urban sewage samples in epidemic period were significantly different ( P<0.05). There is a strong correlation between the median of RatiosgRNA/ gRNA in clinical samples and sewage samples in the same period (correlation coefficient r=1.000, P=0.010). Conclusions:In this study, a qRT-PCR method for detecting N_sgRNA of SARS-CoV-2 was established and the method has the characteristics of higher sensitivity, stronger specificity and better repeatability, and it can be used to detect SARS-CoV-2 infectivity.
9.Research advances of association between age at natural menopause and diabetes risk: evidence from prospective studies
Meng WANG ; Yunqi GUAN ; Weiwei GONG ; Xiaoyan ZHOU ; Zhimin MA ; Jin PAN ; Mingbin LIANG ; Jieming ZHONG ; Fan WU ; Min YU
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(8):1502-1505
The menopausal age is one of the important menopausal factors, and women of different menopausal ages have different risks of diabetes. This study reviewed the evidence from prospective studies on the association between the age at natural menopause and diabetes risk, both domestically and internationally, and presented its research design and main findings. Advanced menopause, especially premature and early menopause, will increase the risk of diabetes in postmenopausal women. The research on the influence of delayed menopause on the incidence of diabetes is still insufficient. Many factors may modify the association between menopausal age and the risk of diabetes.
10.Measurement and Analysis of Kinetic Parameters in Lin's Squeezing-Pressing Adjustment Manipulation and Its Clinical Significance
Wenzhong CUI ; Yuanming LI ; Yanrong HE ; Yanbin HUANG ; Shan WU ; Zhiyong FAN ; Bingcheng PAN
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(7):1680-1686
Objective The kinetic parameters of Lin's squeezing-pressing adjustment manipulation were collected for the analysis of its mechanical characteristics,thus to establish a standardized operating procedure to guide clinical teaching of this technique.Methods Ten healthy male trainees(aged 20-30 years)from the Tuina Department of Guangdong Provincial of Chinese Medicine were selected as the subjects.A multi-point thin-film pressure testing system was used to collect mechanical parameters during the operation of Lin's squeezing-pressing adjustment manipulation.The mechanical characteristics were analyzed,and then a mathematical model of time-mechanics curve was constructed.Results(1)The kinetic parameters of Lin's squeezing-pressing adjustment manipulation were as follows:preload force averaged(279.45±19.36)N with a duration of(0.98±0.03)s,the valley value of preload force averaged(137.45±3.59)N,the maximum impact force was(495.56±7.33)N,the impact duration averaged(0.15±0.01)s,the impact velocity averaged(3 183.96±94.76)N/s,and the impulse was(57.16±1.82)N/s.(2)The fitting function of impact force showed large absolute values for both ascending and descending slopes,and the ascending slope was significantly greater than the descending slope,indicating that the Lin's manipulation stressed on rapid outburst of the strength and withdrawal of the strength.(3)One-way ANOVA revealed no statistically significant differences in the preload force and its duration and valley value,the maximum impact force,and impact time among different operators(P>0.05).Conclusion The analysis of kinetic parameters demonstrates that skilled operators maintain relatively stable mechanical parameters when performing Lin's squeezing-pressing adjustment manipulation.This study provides a preliminary digital analysis of the mechanical characteristics of Lin's bone-setting manipulation in addressing"bone misalignment and tendon displacement",which supplies objective evaluation criteria for the technique.


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