1.Mechanism of MEK/Ras/Raf/ERK Signaling Pathway Modulated by Mimenghua Prescription on Inflammatory Response in Dry Eye Animal Model
Shi TAN ; Pei LIU ; Yuan ZHONG ; Sainan TIAN ; Pengfei JIANG ; Genyan QIN ; Qinghua PENG ; Jun PENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):211-221
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the effects and mechanism of Mimenghua prescription in modulating the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (Ras)/rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma kinase (Raf)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway to inhibit inflammatory responses in a dry eye animal model. MethodsA total of 60 C57BL/6J mice (eight weeks old, half male and half female) were used in the experiment. Ten mice were randomly selected as the blank control group, while the remaining 50 were exposed to a controlled dry system and received instillation of 0.2% benzalkonium chloride (BAC) into the eyes for four weeks to establish a dry eye mouse model. After successful modeling, the mice were randomly divided into five groups: Model group, sodium hyaluronate group, and Mimenghua prescription groups with low dose (4.83 g·kg-1), medium dose (9.67 g·kg-1), and high dose (19.34 g·kg-1). The mice in the model group received an equal volume of normal saline via gavage for four weeks. The mice in the sodium hyaluronate group received instillation of sodium hyaluronate eye drops twice daily for 14 consecutive days. The tear secretion volume, tear film break-up time (TBUT), and corneal fluorescein staining were evaluated once every two weeks. After four weeks of administration, mice were euthanized, and their lacrimal gland tissues and corneas were harvested. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess histopathological morphology. Western blot was performed to detect the protein expression levels of MEK, Ras, Raf, and ERK. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the contents and expressions of MEK, Ras, Raf, ERK, and interleukin (IL)-1β in lacrimal gland and corneal tissues of the mice in each group. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was employed to determine mRNA expression levels of MEK, Ras, Raf, and ERK. ResultsThe Mimenghua prescription groups and the sodium hyaluronate group exhibited significantly increased tear secretion volume (P<0.05) and prolonged TBUT (P<0.05) after treatment. Ocular surface damage of mice was visibly recovered. Western blot results indicated that protein expression levels of MEK, Ras, Raf, and ERK in the lacrimal gland and corneal tissues were significantly downregulated in the sodium hyaluronate group and Mimenghua prescription group with high dose (P<0.05). ELISA results showed that IL-1β levels were highest in the model group but significantly reduced in the sodium hyaluronate group and Mimenghua prescription groups (P<0.05). Both ELISA and Real-time PCR results demonstrated that the expression levels of MEK, Ras, Raf, and ERK in the lacrimal glands and corneal tissues were significantly elevated in the model group (P<0.05), but markedly downregulated in the sodium hyaluronate group and Mimenghua prescription groups (P<0.05), suggesting that Mimenghua prescription can decrease the expressions of MEK, Ras, Raf, and ERK in the lacrimal glands and corneal tissues. ConclusionMimenghua prescription can reduce inflammatory responses, increase tear secretion, prolong TBUT, and promote corneal recovery by inhibiting the MEK, Ras, Raf, and ERK signaling pathways in lacrimal gland and corneal tissues.
2.Evaluation of CARIFS Score and Negative Antigen Conversion Rate of Qingxuan Daozhi Formula in Treatment of Influenza in Children (Heat Accumulation in Lung and Stomach Syndrome):A Multi-center Randomized Controlled Clinical Study
Jing WANG ; Liqun WU ; Tiegang LIU ; Yongning CAO ; Jing QIU ; Jing LI ; Huaqing TAN ; Ying ZHANG ; Xulei GOU ; Jia WANG ; Jing LI ; Haipeng CHEN ; Xueying QIN ; Yuanshuo TIAN ; Yang WANG ; Chen BAI ; Zhendong WANG ; Qianqian LI ; He YU ; Xueyan MA ; Fei DONG ; Lin JIANG ; Yingqi XU ; Jianping LIU ; Xiaohong GU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):188-196
ObjectiveThis paper aims to observe the syndrome improvement and negative antigen conversion rate of Qingxuan Daozhi formula in the treatment of influenza in children (heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome). MethodsThrough a multi-center randomized controlled methodology design,confirmed influenza cases were collected from October 2022 to April 2023 in the pediatrics department of eight hospitals,such as Dongfang Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. A total of 180 children with influenza and heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome conforming to the standard were recruited through the clinic. The sick children meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into groups by a block-randomized method. The children in the experimental group were treated with Qingxuan Daozhi formula for five days,and those in the control group were treated with Oseltamivir Phosphate Granules for five days. The primary efficacy indicator was the negative conversion rate of influenza antigen detection. Secondary efficacy indicators were the Canadian acute respiratory illness and flu scale (CARIFS) and the incidence of complications,severe cases, and critical cases. Follow-up observation was conducted on the day of enrollment,48 hours after medication,72 hours after medication, and (6+1) d after medication. ResultsOne hundred and eighty participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (90 cases) or the control group (90 cases). All participants were followed up during the study. Comparison of influenza antigen detection results in the primary efficacy indicators showed that the average time of negative influenza antigen conversion in the experimental group was (5.29±1.25) d,and that in the control group was (5.40±1.68) d,without a statistically significant difference. After five days of intervention,52 cases in the experimental group and 51 cases in the control group converted to negative,without a statistically significant difference. CARIFS score results in the secondary efficacy indicators showed that during 72 hours after intervention,there were statistically significant differences between the experimental group and the control group in three dimensions, including headache,muscle soreness, and the need for extra care (P<0.05). On the (6+1) days after the intervention,the differences in both the experimental group and the control group were statistically significant in 10 dimensions, including sore throat,bad sleep,uncomfortable feeling,poor spirit and fatigue,crying more than usual,the need for extra care,symptom,function,influence on parents,and total score (P<0.05). The comparison results within the group in the dimensional scores of symptom, function, and influence on parents,as well as the CARIFS total score showed that with the delay of follow-up time,scores of both groups decreased significantly,with a statistically significant difference (P<0.01). Inter-group comparison results showed that the mean score of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group at the time of enrollment. With the progress of intervention,the score of the experimental group was significantly decreased compared with that of the control group. At the end of follow-up,the mean score of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group,with no statistically significant difference. In terms of the incidence of complications,severe cases, and critical cases, there were no complications,severe cases, and critical cases in the two groups,without a statistically significant difference. ConclusionThe symptom improvement effect and negative antigen conversion rate of Qingxuan Daozhi formula in the treatment of influenza in children (heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome) are not inferior to Oseltamivir Phosphate granules, and children's acceptance is better. It can be more widely used in clinical treatment of influenza in children (heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome).
3.Construction of a predictive model for poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma in pulmonary nodules using CT combined with tumor markers
Jie JIANG ; Feng LIU ; Bo WANG ; Qin WANG ; Jian ZHONG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(01):73-79
Objective To establish and internally validate a predictive model for poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma based on CT imaging and tumor marker results. Methods Patients with solid and partially solid lung nodules who underwent lung nodule surgery at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University in 2023 were selected and randomly divided into a training set and a validation set at a ratio of 7:3. Patients' CT features, including average density value, maximum diameter, pleural indentation sign, and bronchial inflation sign, as well as patient tumor marker results, were collected. Based on postoperative pathological results, patients were divided into a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma group and a non-poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma group. Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed on the training set to establish the predictive model. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the model's discriminability, the calibration curve to assess the model's consistency, and the decision curve to evaluate the clinical value of the model, which was then validated in the validation set. Results A total of 299 patients were included, with 103 males and 196 females, with a median age of 57.00 (51.00, 67.25) years. There were 211 patients in the training set and 88 patients in the validation set. Multivariate analysis showed that carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) value [OR=1.476, 95%CI (1.184, 1.983), P=0.002], cytokeratin 19 fragment antigen (CYFRA21-1) value [OR=1.388, 95%CI (1.084, 1.993), P=0.035], maximum tumor diameter [OR=6.233, 95%CI (1.069, 15.415), P=0.017], and average density [OR=1.083, 95%CI (1.020, 1.194), P=0.040] were independent risk factors for solid and partially solid lung nodules as poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Based on this, a predictive model was constructed with an area under the ROC curve of 0.896 [95%CI (0.810, 0.982)], a maximum Youden index corresponding cut-off value of 0.103, sensitivity of 0.750, and specificity of 0.936. Using the Bootstrap method for 1000 samplings, the calibration curve predicted probability was consistent with actual risk. Decision curve analysis indicated positive benefits across all prediction probabilities, demonstrating good clinical value. Conclusion For patients with solid and partially solid lung nodules, preoperative use of CT to measure tumor average density value and maximum diameter, combined with tumor markers CEA and CYFRA21-1 values, can effectively predict whether it is poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, allowing for early intervention.
4.Analysis of influencing factors for early residual low back pain after percutaneous vertebro plasty
Fengwei QIN ; Jiang LIU ; Wen CHEN ; Yonghui FENG ; Sineng ZHANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(18):2884-2889
Objective To investigate the factors influencing the persistence of residual low back pain following percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP)in patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures(OVF),in order to provide a scientific basis for clinical intervention strategies.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 1 120 patients diagnosed with OVF who received PVP treatment between July 2020 and June 2025.Among them,61 patients who experienced residual low back pain in the early postoperative period(defined as 2 days to 1 month after surgery)with a postoperative visual analog scale(VAS)score greater than 3 points were selected as the observation group.An additional 61 control subjects were matched to the observation group at a 1∶1 ratio based on age(±5 years),gender,and preoperative bone mineral density(±0.5 standard deviation).Univariate and logistic regression analyses were subsequently performed to evaluate potential influencing factors.Results Univariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups with respect to preoperative thoracolumbar fascia injury(TFI),MRI-detected liquefaction signals in the affected vertebrae,the number of involved vertebrae(≥2),and suboptimal bone cement distribution(P<0.05).Multivariate regression analysis confirmed that these factors were independent risk factors,with corresponding odds ratios(ORs)of 5.378,6.111,3.245,and 2.890(all P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of the predictive model was 0.929,indicating a high level of predictive accuracy.Conclusion Preoperative TFI,MRI-demonstrated liquefaction signals in the affected vertebrae,the presence of multiple responsible vertebrae,and suboptimal bone cement distribution may contribute to an increased risk of early residual low back pain following PVP.
5.Application of the"safe harbor"humanistic care model in mechanically ventilated patients
Suqin XIAO ; Hongsuo LIU ; Qin XIONG ; Rong JIANG ; Lingpeng TANG
Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine in Intensive and Critical Care 2025;32(2):206-211
Objective To explore the application effect of the"safe harbor"humanistic care program in mechanically ventilated patients.Methods A quasi experimental study design method was used to select 106 mechanically ventilated patients admitted to the department of intensive care unit(ICU)of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from December 2024 to February 2025 as the study subjects.They were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group,with 53 patients in each group.The control group adopted a conventional nursing mode(pain relief and sedation management,daily awakening,active and passive limb activities,respiratory function exercise,nutritional and psychological support,etc.),while the experimental group implemented a"safe harbor"humanistic care mode plan based on conventional nursing(structured visit management,therapeutic environment creation,professional nursing process optimization,and multidimensional safety guarantee system,including 6 dimensions and 16 measures,mainly including:family support system reconstruction,progressive activity training,structured visit management,therapeutic environment creation,professional nursing process optimization,and multidimensional safety guarantee system).The difference in the incidence of anxiety and depression,ICU-acquired weakness(ICU-AW),ICU delirium and mechanical ventilation time,ICU hospitalization time,Barthel index scores were compared between the two groups.Results Ultimately,97 patients completed the study,with 52 in the control group and 45 in the experimental group.The incidence of anxiety and depression,ICU-AW,delirium in the experimental group was significantly reduced compared to the control group[anxiety and depression incidence:26.67%(12/45)vs.46.15%(24/52),ICU-AW incidence:13.33%(6/45)vs.40.38%(21/52),delirium incidence:17.78%(8/45)vs.42.31%(22/52),all P<0.05],the ICU hospitalization time and mechanical ventilation time in the experimental group were significantly shortened compared to the control group[ICU hospitalization time(days):9(8,10)vs.10(9,11),mechanical ventilation time(hours):67.0(60.5,78.5)vs.85.0(63.0,75.0),both P<0.05].The Barthel index score significantly increased[66.0(56.0,75.5)vs.58.0(48.5,69.5),P<0.05].Conclusion The"safe harbor"humanistic care model can improve the physical and mental outcomes of mechanically ventilated patients and has clinical promotion value.
6.Research on the current status and risk prediction model of oral frailty among the elderly in Anhui Prov-ince
Wenyi JIANG ; Huan LIU ; Xiubin TAO ; Qin XU ; Jiahui MIN ; Yang LUO ; Ming ZHANG
Journal of Practical Stomatology 2025;41(2):261-266
Objective:To investigate the occurrence and influencing factors of oral frailty among the elderly in China.Methods:General information questionnaire,Oral Frailty Scale,Sarcopenia Screening Questionnaire(SARC-F),Social Network Scale-6(LSNS-6)and Subjective Cognitive Decline Questionnaire(SCD-Q9)were used to conduct a survey in Anhui Province.A survey was conducted among 3 063 elderly people to analyze their current status and influencing factors related to oral frailty.Results:The incidence of oral frailty among the elderly in Anhui Province was 46.82%(1434/3063).Binary logistic regression analysis showed sarcopenia(OR=8.742,95%CI:7.156-10.679),social isolation(OR=1.601,95%CI:1.313-1.953),and subjective cogni-tive decline(OR=2.424,95%CI:1.905-3.085),90 years old and above(OR=2.261,95%CI:1.304-3.922)and having disability(OR=1.341,95%CI:1.040~1.729)are risk factors for oral frailty in the elderly in Anhui Province.Conclusion:The incidence of oral frailty is high among the elderly in Anhui Province.Risk factors for oral frailty include sarcopenia,social isolation,subjective cognitive decline,advanced age,and disability.
7.Correlation Between Intervertebral Disc Degeneration and Paravertebral Muscle Fat Infiltration in Chronic Low Back Pain via Quantitative MRI
Rui JIANG ; Min LUO ; Futing FENG ; Lusi LIU ; Meining CHEN ; Qin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2025;33(3):326-330
Purpose To investigate the correlation between intervertebral disc degeneration and paraspinal muscle fatty infiltration in chronic low back pain(CLBP)using quantitative MRI techniques.Materials and Methods A total of 63 CLBP patients and 42 volunteers in Zigong Fourth People's Hospital from September 2023 to March 2024 were retrospectively collected.Magnetic resonance scans were performed using multi-echo water-fat separation technique and T2 mapping technique.Intervertebral disc degeneration was assessed using the Pfirrmann grading,while paraspinal muscle fatty infiltration was evaluated using the Goutallier grading.Proton density fat fraction(PDFF)of the multifidus and erector spinae muscles,and T2 values of the nucleus pulposus were quantitatively measured.The relationships between these parameters and their associations with age and gender were analyzed.Results Compared with healthy volunteers,CLBP patients showed significantly reduced T2 values of the nucleus pulposusand significantly increased PDFF of the paraspinal muscles(Z=-5.54-4.65,all P<0.001).The Pfirrmann grading of intervertebral discs and the Goutallier grading of paraspinal muscles were significantly correlated with the T2 value of the nucleus pulposus and the PDFF of the paraspinal muscles(|r|>0.4,P<0.05).Age and Pfirrmann grading were independent predictors of paraspinal muscle fat infiltration(β=0.228-5.682,all P<0.001),and gender was also an independent predictor at the L4/5 intervertebral disc level(β=-2.834,-3.352,both P<0.05).Conclusion Intervertebral disc degeneration and paraspinal muscle fat infiltration are closely related in CLBP,age and gender also have an impact.
8.MRI quantitative parameters and free/total prostate-specific antigen ratio for diagnosing prostate imaging reporting and data system 3-point clinically significant prostate cancer
Zewen LIU ; Qin LI ; Xiaomei JIANG ; Yongsheng CHEN ; Ying CHEN ; Qingliang NIU
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(5):768-772
Objective To explore the value of MRI quantitative parameters and free/total prostate-specific antigen ratio(f/tPSA)for diagnosing prostate imaging reporting and data system(PI-RADS)3-point clinically significant prostate cancer(csPCa).Methods Totally 57 patients with PI-RADS 3-point prostate lesions were retrospectively enrolled,including 18 prostate cancer(PCa)(PCa group)and 39 benign hyperplasia with chronic prostatitis(non-PCa group).The former included 12 cases of csPCa and 6 cases of clinically insignificant PCa(ciPCa).Taken non-PCa and ciPCa into non-csPCa group(n=45),laboratory and MRI parameters(apparent diffusion coefficient[ADC],T1,T2,proton density[PD]values)were compared between PCa and non-PCa groups,also between csPCa and non-csPCa groups.Based on laboratory and MRI parameters being statistically different between groups according to univariate analysis,combined models were established using logistic regression.The efficacy of laboratory,MRI parameters and combined models for differentiating PCa and non-PCa as well as csPCa and non-csPCa were evaluated.Results ADC,T1,T2,PD values in PCa group were all lower those in non-PCa group(all P<0.05),and f/tPSA,ADC,T1,T2 and PD values in csPCa group were all lower than those in non-csPCa group(all P<0.05).AUC of ADC,T1,T2 and PD values for differentiating PCa from non-PCa was 0.662,0.755,0.793 and 0.729 respectively,while of ADC-T1-T2-PD combined model was 0.839,higher than that of ADC alone(P<0.05)but not significantly different with T1,T2 and PD values alone(all P>0.05).AUC of f/tPSA,ADC,T1,T2 and PD values for differentiating csPCa from non-csPCa was 0.692,0.759,0.741,0.805 and 0.737,respectively,while of ADC-T1-T2-PD combined model was 0.889,higher than that of f/tPSA,ADC and T1 values alone(all P<0.05)but not significantly different with that of T2 and PD value alone(both P>0.05).AUC of f/tPSA-ADC-T1-T2-PD combined model was 0.898,higher than that of f/tPSA,ADC,T1 and PD values alone(all P<0.05)but not significantly different with T2 value and ADC-T1-T2-PD combined model(both P>0.05).Conclusion MRI quantitative parameters combined with f/tPSA could effectively diagnose PI-RADS 3-point csPCa.
9.Status and influencing factors of post-traumatic stress disorder in postoperative breast cancer patients
Meifeng LIU ; Fawei QIN ; Rui WANG ; Yongqin CAI ; Wenjing YANG ; Rui JIANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(31):4255-4261
Objective:To investigate the status of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its influencing factors in postoperative breast cancer patients.Methods:A convenience sampling method was used to select 410 postoperative breast cancer patients from the Provincial Hospital of the First Medical University of Shandong between January 2023 and December 2024. The PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and the Simple Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ) were used for assessment. Binary Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze influencing factors.Results:A total of 410 questionnaires were distributed, and 405 valid questionnaires were returned, with an effective recovery rate of 98.78% (405/410). Among them, 150 patients were PTSD-positive. Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that educational level, monthly family income, psychological resilience, and coping style were influencing factors for PTSD in postoperative breast cancer patients ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Low education level, low income, and negative coping style are risk factors for PTSD in postoperative breast cancer patients; positive coping style and high psychological resilience are protective factors. Clinical practitioners should develop preventive or intervention measures based on these influencing factors to reduce the occurrence of PTSD in postoperative breast cancer patients.
10.Analysis of influencing factors for early residual low back pain after percutaneous vertebro plasty
Fengwei QIN ; Jiang LIU ; Wen CHEN ; Yonghui FENG ; Sineng ZHANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(18):2884-2889
Objective To investigate the factors influencing the persistence of residual low back pain following percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP)in patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures(OVF),in order to provide a scientific basis for clinical intervention strategies.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 1 120 patients diagnosed with OVF who received PVP treatment between July 2020 and June 2025.Among them,61 patients who experienced residual low back pain in the early postoperative period(defined as 2 days to 1 month after surgery)with a postoperative visual analog scale(VAS)score greater than 3 points were selected as the observation group.An additional 61 control subjects were matched to the observation group at a 1∶1 ratio based on age(±5 years),gender,and preoperative bone mineral density(±0.5 standard deviation).Univariate and logistic regression analyses were subsequently performed to evaluate potential influencing factors.Results Univariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups with respect to preoperative thoracolumbar fascia injury(TFI),MRI-detected liquefaction signals in the affected vertebrae,the number of involved vertebrae(≥2),and suboptimal bone cement distribution(P<0.05).Multivariate regression analysis confirmed that these factors were independent risk factors,with corresponding odds ratios(ORs)of 5.378,6.111,3.245,and 2.890(all P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of the predictive model was 0.929,indicating a high level of predictive accuracy.Conclusion Preoperative TFI,MRI-demonstrated liquefaction signals in the affected vertebrae,the presence of multiple responsible vertebrae,and suboptimal bone cement distribution may contribute to an increased risk of early residual low back pain following PVP.

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