1.Exploring Mechanism of Anti-atherosclerosis Effect of Huangqi Chifengtang Based on AMPK/PPARα Signaling Pathway and NLRP3 Inflammasome
Yuqin LIANG ; Jie LIU ; Chi ZHANG ; Pingping CHEN ; Fang LU ; Shumin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):131-139
ObjectiveTo explore the improving effect of Huangqi Chifengtang(HCT) on atherosclerosis(AS), and elucidate its mechanism in relation to adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α(PPARα) signaling pathway and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain(NOD)-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3) inflammasome. MethodsEight C57BL/6J mice were set as the normal group, and 32 ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into the model group, the positive drug group(atorvastatin, 5 mg·kg-1·d-1), HCT low- and high-dose groups(1.95, 3.90 g·kg-1·d-1). ApoE-/- mice were fed with high-fat and high-cholesterol feed to establish an AS mouse model. After modeling, they were orally administered corresponding dose of drugs for 28 days, while the normal and model groups received an equal volume of physiological saline via oral gavage. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological status of the aorta and liver in mice, Biochemical testing and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) were used to detect the levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), C-reactive protein(CRP), interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-18 in the serum, as well as superoxide dismutase(SOD), malondialdehyde(MDA), and reduced glutathione(GSH) in the liver. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1(Caspase-1), Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) in the aorta, and fatty acid synthase(FAS), stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1(SCD1), PPARα, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A(CPT1A) in the liver. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the protein expressions of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and ASC in the aorta, and Western blot was used to measure the protein expressions of AMPK, p-AMPK, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c(SREBP-1c), CPT1A, and FAS in the liver. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed a significant increase in lipid plaque deposition in the aorta and lipid accumulation in the liver, the levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, AST, ALT, IL-1β, IL-18 and CRP in the serum were significantly increased(P<0.01), and the mRNA and protein expressions of aortic TLR4, NLRP3, Caspase-1 and ASC were significantly upregulated(P<0.01). The levels of SOD and GSH in the liver were significantly reduced, while the level of MDA was significantly increased(P<0.01). The mRNA expressions of FAS and SCD1 in the liver were significantly downregulated, while the mRNA expressions of PPARα and CPT1A were significantly upregulated. The protein expressions of p-AMPK/AMPK and CPT1A in the liver were significantly reduced, while the expressions of SREBP-1c and FAS proteins were significantly increased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the low- and high-dose HCT groups showed significant improvements in aortic plaques and hepatic lipid deposition. The levels of TC, LDL-C, AST, IL-1β and IL-18 in the serum of the low-dose HCT group, as well as TC, TG, LDL-C, AST, ALT, IL-1β, IL-18 and CRP in the serum of the high-dose HCT group, were significantly reduced(P<0.01). The mRNA expressions of TLR4, NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in the aorta of the low-dose HCT group, as well as TLR4, NLRP3, Caspase-1 and ASC in the aorta of the high-dose HCT group, were significantly downregulated(P<0.01). The protein expressions of Caspase-1 and ASC in the aorta of the low-dose HCT group, as well as NLRP3, Caspase-1 and ASC in the high-dose HCT group, were significantly downregulated(P<0.01). The levels of SOD and GSH in the liver of the low- and high-dose HCT groups were significantly increased, while the level of MDA in the high-dose HCT group was significantly decreased(P<0.05, P<0.01). In the HCT-treated group, the mRNA expressions of FAS and SCD1 in the liver were significantly upregulated, while the mRNA expressions of PPARα and CPT1A were significantly downregulated, the protein expressions of p-AMPK/AMPK and CPT1A in the liver were significantly increased, while the protein expressions of SREBP-1c and FAS were significantly decreased(P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionHCT can improve lipid metabolism by activating the AMPK/PPARα pathway and inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated inflammatory responses, thereby reducing hepatic lipid deposition and AS plaque formation.
2.Treatment Principles and Paradigm of Diabetic Microvascular Complications Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine
Anzhu WANG ; Xing HANG ; Lili ZHANG ; Xiaorong ZHU ; Dantao PENG ; Ying FAN ; Min ZHANG ; Wenliang LYU ; Guoliang ZHANG ; Xiai WU ; Jia MI ; Jiaxing TIAN ; Wei ZHANG ; Han WANG ; Yuan XU ; .LI PINGPING ; Zhenyu WANG ; Ying ZHANG ; Dongmei SUN ; Yi HE ; Mei MO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Linhua ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):272-279
To explore the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and integrative TCM-Western medicine approaches in the treatment of diabetic microvascular complications (DMC), refine key pathophysiological insights and treatment principles, and promote academic innovation and strategic research planning in the prevention and treatment of DMC. The 38th session of the Expert Salon on Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine, hosted by the China Association of Chinese Medicine, was held in Beijing, 2024. Experts in TCM, Western medicine, and interdisciplinary fields convened to conduct a systematic discussion on the pathogenesis, diagnostic and treatment challenges, and mechanism research related to DMC, ultimately forming a consensus on key directions. Four major research recommendations were proposed. The first is addressing clinical bottlenecks in the prevention and control of DMC by optimizing TCM-based evidence evaluation systems. The second is refining TCM core pathogenesis across DMC stages and establishing corresponding "disease-pattern-time" framework. The third is innovating mechanism research strategies to facilitate a shift from holistic regulation to targeted intervention in TCM. The fourth is advancing interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance the role of TCM in new drug development, research prioritization, and guideline formulation. TCM and integrative approaches offer distinct advantages in managing DMC. With a focus on the diseases responding specifically to TCM, strengthening evidence-based support and mechanism interpretation and promoting the integration of clinical care and research innovation will provide strong momentum for the modernization of TCM and the advancement of national health strategies.
3.Effects of different disinfection methods on venipuncture disinfection of patients with psoriasis
Bin LIANG ; Jingjing ZHANG ; Jianhua YANG ; Yiyu WANG ; Yadi ZHANG ; Pingping LIANG ; Youfu XU
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(18):2847-2850
OBJECTIVE To optimize the venipuncture disinfection procedures for the patients with psoriasis by modifying the skin pretreatment,number of times of disinfection and action time,evaluate the disinfection effects before and after the modification and observe the impact on skin barrier function.METHODS A total of 78 patients with psoriasis who were hospitalized in Air Force Medical Center of Special Medicine from Jan.2024 to Mar.2025 were enrolled in the study and were randomly divided into the control group and the study group,with 39 cases in each group.Both groups were disinfected with povidone iodine swabs.The control group was treated with a single clockwise spiral wipe centered on the puncture site,and the total time of embrocation and drying time was 60 s;the study group was treated with the modified disinfection method'pretreatment-bidirectional disinfec-tion-120-second drying',which was unidirectional wiping of puncture site skin of hand back with sterile swab in-filtrating with normal saline,a single clockwise spiral wipe centered on the puncture site,counter-clockwise wipe for two times,the total time of embrocation and drying 120 s in total.The skin specimens were collected from the puncture sites for culture and identification of pathogens before the disinfection and after the drying,and the trans-epidermal water loss(TEWL)volume was detected by TewameterTM 300 instrument.RESULTS Totally 16 types of pathogens were isolated from the two groups of patients before the disinfection,among which Staphylococcus spp was dominant.The bacterial colony counts were[26.00(8.00,74.00)]CFU/cm2 in the study group before the disinfection,[41.00(13.00,94.00)]CFU/cm2 in the control group,and there was no significant difference(P=0.081).The bacterial colony counts of the two groups were lower after the disinfection and drying than before the disinfection(P<0.001),and the bacterial colony counts of the study group were[0.00(0.00,1.00)]CFU/cm2,lower than[1.00(0.00,4.00)]CFU/cm2 of the control group(P=0.042).The TEWL value of the two groups was greater after the disinfection than before the disinfection(P<0.001),however,there was no between-group difference(P=0.933).CONCLUSION The modified disinfection procedure has more advantages in eradicating pathogens without increasing damage to skin barrier,it provides safer disinfection plans for the patients with psoriasis and is worthy to be promoted in the hospital.
4.Exploration on the Mechanism of Fuzheng Yangxin Prescription in Improving Cardiac Function of Heart Failure Rats with Reduced Ejection Fraction Based on AMPK/mTOR Signaling Pathway
Pingping HUANG ; Hongwei ZHANG ; Wenyang YOU ; Jinhui ZHANG ; Zhibo ZHANG ; Lijun GUO ; Xiaochang MA
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(11):106-111
Objective To investigate the mechanism of Fuzheng Yangxin Prescription in improving cardiac function in rats with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF)through regulation of AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.Methods An HFrEF rat model was established via left anterior descending coronary artery ligation.Rats were randomized divided into sham-operation group,model group,Fuzheng Yangxin Prescription group and Entresto group,followed by 28 days of intervention.Echocardiography was used to measure left ventricular internal dimension at end-systole(LVIDs),left ventricular internal dimension at end-diastole(LVIDd),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFS),HE staining and Masson staining were used to observe myocardial morphology and fibrosis,serum contents of NT-proBNP and inflammatory factors(TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6)were detected by ELISA,Western blot was performed to analyze p-AMPK,p-mTOR and protein expressions of autophagy markers(Beclin1,LC3,p62).Results Compared with sham-operation group,the LVIDs and LVIDd in model group significantly increased(P<0.05),while LVEF and LVFS significantly decreased(P<0.05),the structure of myocardial cells was disordered and arranged loosely,the deposition of collagen fibers in the infarct area was increased,and the contents of NT-proBNP,TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 in serum significantly increased(P<0.05),the protein expressions of p-AMPK,Beclin1 and LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ in myocardial tissue significantly decreased(P<0.05),while the protein expressions of p-mTOR and p62 significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with the model group,the LVIDs and LVIDd of rats in Fuzheng Yangxin Prescription group significantly decreased(P<0.05),the LVEF and LVFS were significantly increased(P<0.05),the disorder of myocardial cell arrangement and fibrosis were alleviated,the contents of NT-proBNP,TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 in serum significantly decreased(P<0.05),the protein expressions of p-AMPK,Beclin1 and LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ in myocardial tissue significantly increased(P<0.05),while the protein expressions of p-mTOR and p62 significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion Fuzheng Yangxin Prescription may regulate autophagy by activating AMPK/mTOR pathway and improve cardiac function in HFrEF rats.
5.Six cases of pulmonary siderosis caused by iron and its compounds
Pingping SONG ; Hua ZHANG ; Xiaowei SUN ; Limei LUO ; Jingjing ZHANG ; Jianjian HAN
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2025;43(11):854-856
Pulmonary siderosis caused by iron and its compound dust is prone to misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis due to its insidious exposure pathways and non-specific imaging manifestations. This study analyzes the occupational histories and clinical data of six patients with occupational pulmonary siderosis diagnosed at Qingdao Central Hospital between January 2017 and December 2023, summarizes its characteristics, and evaluates the value of AI-assisted diagnosis. All six patients were male, with five being welders. The median dust exposure duration was 9.4 years, and the median latency period was 8.4 years. The main symptoms were chest tightness, cough, and shortness of breath. High-kilovolt chest radiographs were negative in four cases and showed thickened bronchovascular markings in two cases. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) revealed centrilobular nodules and tree-in-bud opacities in all cases. Pulmonary siderosis caused by iron and its compound dust is characterized by mild symptoms and a favorable prognosis. Comprehensive assessment and HRCT are crucial for early diagnosis. The development of AI models could enhance diagnostic recognition efficiency and promote precision diagnosis in the future.
6.Safety analysis of blinatumomab in the treatment of pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Danni LI ; Wenwen DING ; Xiaona LIU ; Pingping WEI ; Lei ZHANG ; Hui LIANG
Adverse Drug Reactions Journal 2025;27(9):545-551
Objective:To analyze the safety profile of blinatumomab in children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).Methods:Demographic and clinical data of 33 pediatric B-cell ALL patients treated with blinatumomab in the Women and Children′s Hospital, Qingdao University from January 2022 to November 2024 were retrospectively collected. Demographic data included gender and age, while clinical data comprised leukemia risk stratification, minimal residual disease (MRD) status before blinatumomab use, treatment duration (14-day or 28-day courses), and safety outcomes included drug-related fever, cytokine release syndrome (CRS), tachycardia, blood pressure abnormalities, elevated transaminases, immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), oral mucositis, rash, and infections. Patients were stratified by CRS occurrence and transaminase elevation for comparative analysis of demographic/clinical characteristics.Results:A total of 33 children with B-cell type ALL who received blinatumomab treatment were included. Among them, 21 were male and 12 were female; the age was 5.2 (4.7, 7.0) years, ranging from 1.7 to 10.0 years. Risk stratification included low (2 cases), intermediate (23 cases), and high (8 cases) risk. Pre-treatment MRD was negative in 16 and positive in 17 patients. Eight patients received a 14-day blinatumomab course, while 25 cases received a 28-day course. The overall adverse events (AEs) rate was 81.8% (27/33). Among the 27 patients who experienced AEs, there were 5 cases (18.5%) of severe adverse events (all grade 3). The specific adverse events that occurred in the 33 patients included drug-related fever in 21 cases (63.6%) [including 16 cases (48.5%) of CRS], elevated transaminases in 10 cases (30.3%), infectious symptoms in 5 cases (15.2%), rash in 4 cases (12.1%), tachycardia in 3 cases (9.1%), ICANS in 2 cases (6.1%), and oral mucositis in 1 case (3.0%). No statistically significant differences were observed in gender, age, risk stratification, pretreatment MRD status, and treatment duration between the CRS and non-CRS groups, transaminase-elevated and normal groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:In pediatric B-cell ALL, the most common AEs related to blinatumomab are CRS and elevated transaminases, but most reactions are mild, with rapid recovery and favorable tolerability.
7.Predictive value of clinical combined MRI scoring scale in placenta previa with placenta implantation
Qi YAO ; Oucheng WANG ; Pingping JIE ; Liulu ZHANG ; Yao XIAO
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(1):72-76
Objective To explore the clinical value of clinical combined MRI scoring scale in predicting placenta previa with pla-centa accreta spectrum disorders(PAS).Methods The clinical and MRI data of 96 pregnant women with placenta previa were ana-lyzed retrospectively,including 37 cases in the non-PAS group and 59 cases in the PAS group.In the PAS group,there were 14 cases in the placenta accreta(PA)group,33 cases in the placenta increta(PI)group and 12 cases in the placenta percreta(PP)group.The differences in clinical and imaging features of the variables between non-PAS,PA,PI,and PP groups were analyzed to establish a sco-ring scale,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to calculate the critical values of the different groups.Results Ten clinical and 15 imaging features were included for evaluation,there were statistically significant differences in 14 indicators,including the number of caesarean sections,placental thickness,abnormal subplacental vessels,and short T2 signal bands within the placenta(P<0.05).Incorporate the above indicators into the MRI scoring scale.The ROC curves showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of the MRI scoring scale analyzed diagnostic non-PAS group versus PA group was 0.874,with a significance of 0.000 and a critical value of 5.5,the AUC of the PA group versus PI group was 0.784,with a significance of 0.002 and a critical value of 9.5,and the AUC of the PI group versus PP group was 0.986,with a significance of 0.000 and a critical value of 14.5.Conclusion Clini-cal combined MRI scoring scale can evaluate whether placenta previa is accompanied by PAS and evaluate the depth of PAS,which has important clinical value.
8.A case report of recurrent posterior circulation infarction caused by bilateral bow hunter's syndrome
Jun ZHANG ; Huan ZHANG ; Pingping WANG ; Yuan WANG ; Ting YANG ; Qingfeng MA ; Longfei WU
Chinese Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2025;22(9):631-635
Bow hunter's syndrome,also referred to as rotational vertebral artery occlusion syndrome,is a rare etiological factor of posterior circulation infarction.This article reported a case of a young male patient who experienced recurrent posterior circulation infarctions caused by bilateral bow hunter's syndrome.Carotid ultrasonography confirmed a marked reduction in blood flow velocity in both vertebral arteries during neck rotation.High-resolution MR angiography and CT angiography of the head and neck revealed dissection involving the V3 segment of the left vertebral artery.The findings suggested that bow hunter's syndrome may be associated with thrombus formation secondary to repetitive mechanical compression of the vertebral artery intima,which could potentially lead to arterial embolism and subsequent cerebral infarction.This paper presents the patient's diagnostic and therapeutic course and includes a review of relevant literature aimed to enhance clinical awareness and understanding of this uncommon condition.
9.Functional decellularized porcine cartilage particles promote the repair of articular osteochondral de-fects
Peixue ZHUANG ; Pingping YUAN ; Na WEI ; Xinchi ZHANG ; Yujiao WANG ; Wei WU
Journal of Practical Stomatology 2025;41(3):305-313
Objectives:To evaluate the effectiveness of functionalized decellularized extracellular matrix(F-dECM)prepared from porcine auricular cartilage or porcine rib cartilage in repairing xenogeneic articular osteochondral defects.Methods:The por-cine auricular cartilage and rib cartilage were crushed and decellularized.Heparin modification and multi-factor loading were a-chieved through amide bond reaction.The physical characteristics of the particles were characterized by SEM observation and mer-cury intrusion.The chemical characteristics of the particles were characterized by tissue section staining and kit detection.The rabbit knee joint full-thickness defect models were established and implanted by different particles respectively.After 6 weeks and 12 weeks of operation,the samples were taken for gross observation,CT scanning and tissue sectioning to comprehensively evaluate the repair effect.Results:After heparin modification,the glycosaminoglycan lost during the decellularization process was replen-ished.Both heparinized auricular cartilage and costal cartilage presented a highly developed porous structure.Among them,the porosity and pore diameter of costal cartilage were both lower than those of auricular cartilage(P<0.05).During the observation periods of 6 weeks and 12 weeks,the porcine costal cartilage F-dECM implantation group was superior to other experimental groups in knee joint repair effects(P<0.05).Conclusion:Costal-derived F-dECM is a joint osteochondral defect repair material with application potential.
10.Clinical research on the relationship between betatrophin and glucose and lipid metabolism in overweight and obese children
Qi JI ; Ye WANG ; Yanting GUO ; Pingping ZHANG
International Journal of Pediatrics 2025;52(6):416-420
Objective:To investigate the changes in blood betatrophin in overweight and obese children,and analyze the relationship with glucose and lipid metabolism.Methods:A total of 177 children,including overweight-obese children and healthy controls,who visited the pediatric endocrinology clinic of Tianjin First Central Hospital from July 1,2021 to May 31,2023 were selected as study subjects. They were divided into an overweight-obese group(104 cases)and a normal control group(73 cases). Data from both groups were collected and analyzed to explore the relationship between betatrophin and parameters such as body mass index(BMI)and glycolipid metabolism-related indicators.Results:The age[10.5(8.0,12.0)years vs 8.0(6.0,12.0)years],fasting insulin[19.99(11.47,31.60)μIU/ml vs 7.27(5.02,10.99)μIU/ml],triglyceride[0.95(0.74,1.31)mmol/L vs 0.75(0.62,0.92)mmol/L],total cholesterol[(3.88 ± 0.72)mmol/L vs(3.60 ± 0.66)mmol/L],low-density lipoprotein cholesterol[(2.37 ± 0.63)mmol/L vs(2.06 ± 0.62)mmol/L],uric acid[353.20(287.40,434.12)μmol/L vs 278.60(218.00,313.80)μmol/L],Betatrophin[22.54(17.08,27.53)mIU/L vs 19.30(15.78,23.33)mIU/L],and fatty liver[31 cases(29.8%)vs 1 case(1.4%)]in overweight-obese group children were all higher than those in the normal control group children,and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.01).After adjusting for confounding factors such as age and BMI,partial correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between betatrophin and triglycerides( P<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis indicated that a betatrophin level of 22 mIU/L had predictive value for hypertriglyceridemia,with an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.705(95% CI:0.566-0.843),showing statistical significance( P=0.014). Conclusion:Betatrophin may be associated with weight gain in children,mainly involved in the triglyceride metabolism.

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