1.Treatment of Hyperlipidemia from the Perspective of Cold
Yuhan YANG ; Tong TONG ; Wenxi ZUO ; Qingqing WANG ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Kuiwu YAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(13):1451-1454
It is proposed that cold pathogen plays an important promoting role in the onset and progression of hyperlipidemia. External exposure to cold, the gradual generation of internal cold, and the covert consumption of yang qi caused by modern lifestyle factors may all provide a pathological basis for the development of hyperlipidemia. Based on the pathogenic characteristics of cold, namely its tendency to damage yang, induce stagnation, and cause contraction, this paper suggests that the treatment of hyperlipidemia should focus on warming and tonifying, warming and resolving, and warming and unblocking, respectively. This provides a theoretical reference for the diagnosis and treatment of hyperlipidemia with traditional Chinese medicine.
2.Incidence and influencing factors of atrial fibrillation in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Jiajia LI ; Hui HU ; Jian ZHANG ; Ju ZHAO ; Qiumei YANG ; Qingqing TANG ; Ling YUAN
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(4):86-90
Objective To analyze the incidence rate and risk factors of atrial fibrillation (AF) in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods A total of 392 patients with COPD in the hospital were selected from December 2020 to December 2024. Patients' data (medical history, echocardiographic data, etc.) were recorded. The incidence rate of AF in patients was recorded and the patients were grouped according to whether or not they developed AF. The differences were compared between the two groups, and the risk factors of AF occurrence in elderly patients with COPD were analyzed. Results Among the 392 patients with COPD, 127 cases (32.40%) met the diagnostic criteria of AF. There were statistically significant differences in age, pulmonary infection, heart failure, diabetes, smoking history, disease duration, LAD, severe renal insufficiency and coronary heart disease between the AF group and the non-AF group (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that age, pulmonary infection, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, smoking history, disease course, LAD, severe renal insufficiency and coronary heart disease were all risk factors for elderly patients with COPD (OR=1.129, 4.246, 3.955, 4.125, 2.038, 1.112, 1.102, 4.397, and 3.865, P<0.05). Conclusion The incidence rate of AF is high in elderly patients with COPD. Age, pulmonary infection, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, smoking history, course of disease, LAD, severe renal insufficiency, and coronary heart disease are all risk factors for AF.
3.A Novel Risk Prediction Model for Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine Spleen Deficiency and Blood Stasis Syndromes and Gastric Stem Cell Dynamics
Qingqing ZHANG ; Di WU ; Fengyun GUO ; Shengnan YANG ; Ruiying ZHANG ; Lijing BAO ; Ping WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):191-200
ObjectiveTo construct a risk prediction model for chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) that combines disease and syndrome by integrating spleen deficiency and blood stasis syndrome scores, gastric stem cell marker analysis, and network pharmacology and to elucidate the mechanism link between spleen deficiency, blood stasis, and gastric stem cell dysregulation. MethodsA total of 60 patients were stratified into high-risk CAG, low-risk CAG, and non-atrophic groups based on the operative link for gastritis assessment (OLGA)/operative link for gastric intestinal metaplasia assessment (OLGIM) stages. General data and syndrome scores of the patients were collected. Immunohistochemistry was employed to measure the protein levels of leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5), trefoil factor 2 (TFF2), and β-catenin in gastric mucosa across groups. Transcriptomic data (GSE130823) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were analyzed to validate the expression of these molecular markers at the gene level. A Firth penalized maximum likelihood logistic regression model was employed to integrate clinical, molecular, and TCM syndrome data to develop a CAG risk prediction model. Finally, network pharmacology analysis was conducted on spleen-invigorating herbs (Astragali Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, and Dioscorea Rhizoma) and blood-activating herbs (Hedyotis diffusa, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and Curcumae Rhizoma) to identify overlapping targets between these herbs and differentially expressed genes between low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN) and gastritis, thereby clarifying the role of spleen deficiency and blood stasis in CAG progression from a pharmacological perspective. ResultsHigh-risk CAG patients exhibited higher blood stasis scores (4.60±1.50,2.62±1.32, P<0.01), progressive nuclear accumulation of β-catenin (A 0.28-0.53, P<0.01), and an increased LGR5+/TFF2+ ratio (A 1.02-1.92, P<0.01). Blood stasis scores were correlated with LGR5/TFF2 imbalance (P=0.03) and activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway (CTNNB1 increase, log2=0.78). The integrated prediction model (blood stasis score≥5 + β-catenin>0.38 + LGR5/TFF2>1.5) outperformed a pure biomarker approach [Area Under the Curve (AUC) 0.92,0.89, ΔAUC=0.03, P=0.02]. Moreover, network pharmacology revealed 66 overlapping targets between spleen-invigorating/blood-activating herbs and LGIN, which were functionally enriched in mucosal repair and anti-oxidative stress, and negatively correlated with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway (P<0.01). ConclusionThis study developed an integrated risk prediction model for CAG by combining TCM spleen deficiency and blood stasis syndromes with gastric stem cell molecular markers. Furthermore, it proposed for the first time the "blood stasis-Wnt/β-catenin-stem cell axis" hypothesis, preliminarily elucidating that spleen deficiency and blood stasis may exacerbate gastric stem cell dysregulation and promote malignant transformation of CAG through hypoxia-induced Wnt activation. This provides a theoretical foundation and a translational tool for risk stratification and multi-target TCM intervention in CAG.
4.A Novel Risk Prediction Model for Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine Spleen Deficiency and Blood Stasis Syndromes and Gastric Stem Cell Dynamics
Qingqing ZHANG ; Di WU ; Fengyun GUO ; Shengnan YANG ; Ruiying ZHANG ; Lijing BAO ; Ping WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):191-200
ObjectiveTo construct a risk prediction model for chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) that combines disease and syndrome by integrating spleen deficiency and blood stasis syndrome scores, gastric stem cell marker analysis, and network pharmacology and to elucidate the mechanism link between spleen deficiency, blood stasis, and gastric stem cell dysregulation. MethodsA total of 60 patients were stratified into high-risk CAG, low-risk CAG, and non-atrophic groups based on the operative link for gastritis assessment (OLGA)/operative link for gastric intestinal metaplasia assessment (OLGIM) stages. General data and syndrome scores of the patients were collected. Immunohistochemistry was employed to measure the protein levels of leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5), trefoil factor 2 (TFF2), and β-catenin in gastric mucosa across groups. Transcriptomic data (GSE130823) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were analyzed to validate the expression of these molecular markers at the gene level. A Firth penalized maximum likelihood logistic regression model was employed to integrate clinical, molecular, and TCM syndrome data to develop a CAG risk prediction model. Finally, network pharmacology analysis was conducted on spleen-invigorating herbs (Astragali Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, and Dioscorea Rhizoma) and blood-activating herbs (Hedyotis diffusa, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and Curcumae Rhizoma) to identify overlapping targets between these herbs and differentially expressed genes between low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN) and gastritis, thereby clarifying the role of spleen deficiency and blood stasis in CAG progression from a pharmacological perspective. ResultsHigh-risk CAG patients exhibited higher blood stasis scores (4.60±1.50,2.62±1.32, P<0.01), progressive nuclear accumulation of β-catenin (A 0.28-0.53, P<0.01), and an increased LGR5+/TFF2+ ratio (A 1.02-1.92, P<0.01). Blood stasis scores were correlated with LGR5/TFF2 imbalance (P=0.03) and activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway (CTNNB1 increase, log2=0.78). The integrated prediction model (blood stasis score≥5 + β-catenin>0.38 + LGR5/TFF2>1.5) outperformed a pure biomarker approach [Area Under the Curve (AUC) 0.92,0.89, ΔAUC=0.03, P=0.02]. Moreover, network pharmacology revealed 66 overlapping targets between spleen-invigorating/blood-activating herbs and LGIN, which were functionally enriched in mucosal repair and anti-oxidative stress, and negatively correlated with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway (P<0.01). ConclusionThis study developed an integrated risk prediction model for CAG by combining TCM spleen deficiency and blood stasis syndromes with gastric stem cell molecular markers. Furthermore, it proposed for the first time the "blood stasis-Wnt/β-catenin-stem cell axis" hypothesis, preliminarily elucidating that spleen deficiency and blood stasis may exacerbate gastric stem cell dysregulation and promote malignant transformation of CAG through hypoxia-induced Wnt activation. This provides a theoretical foundation and a translational tool for risk stratification and multi-target TCM intervention in CAG.
5.Risk factors for low blood pressure in patients with refractory heart failure: a discussion based on comorbidities and clinical indicators
Jiamin ZAN ; Bailing ZHANG ; Fenglai ZHOU ; Shuling ZHANG ; Rong ZHANG ; Tiantian YUAN ; Jingli DAI ; Yuanxin KANG ; Qingqing YANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(5):101-105
Objective To analyze the occurrence status of low blood pressure (BP) in patients with refractory heart failure (RHF) and its relationship with comorbidities. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 360 patients with RHF who were hospitalized in department of cardiology of Affiliated Nantong Hospital of Shanghai University from May 2021 to May 2025. These patients were divided into the RHF with BP group and the RHF group based on their blood pressure at admission. The general data and comorbidities were compared between both groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for coexisting BP. Results The heart rate (HR), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), blood urea nitrogen, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, right atrial diameter, proportion of cardiac function grade IV, use rate of diuretics and prevalence rate of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in the RHF with BP group were higher while the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), albumin, left ventricular ejection fraction, use rate of lipid-lowering drugs and prevalence rate of coronary heart disease were lower compared to the RHF group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that increased HR (OR=1.685, 95%CI: 1.106-2.569), increased NT-proBNP (OR=1.772, 95%CI: 1.138-2.759), decreased HDL-C (OR=0.605, 95%CI: 0.400-0.917) and DCM (OR=1.956, 95%CI: 1.176-3.255) were independent risk factors affecting BP in RHF patients (P<0.05). Conclusion The incidence rate of low blood pressure in elderly RHF patients is about 19.17%. Increased heart rate, increased NT-proBNP, decreased HDL-C and dilated cardiomyopathy are closely linked to the occurrence of low blood pressure, and they can be used as clinically related factors to identify patients at high risk of low blood pressure.
6.Huoxue Wentong Prescription Ameliorates Post-myocardial Infarction Ventricular Remodeling in Rats via HIF-1α/TGF-β1/POSTN-mediated Regulation of EndMT
Xiaoning SUN ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Cheng LI ; Qingqing WANG ; Jianguo LIN ; Mingyue WANG ; Ying YANG ; Kuiwu YAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(22):148-158
ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism by which Huoxue Wentong prescription (HXWT) ameliorates post-myocardial infarction (MI) ventricular remodeling by regulating endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) via the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/periostin (POSTN) signaling pathway. MethodsEighty SPF-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to a sham-operated group (n=10) and a modeling group (n=70). The MI model was established by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation. Successfully modeled rats were further randomized into a model group, a sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto, 0.021 g·kg-1) group, and low, medium, and high-dose (4.15, 8.30, and 16.60 g·kg-1, respectively) HXWTF groups (n=10 per group). From postoperative day 2, rats received HXWTF or sacubitril/valsartan by gavage once daily for 4 weeks, and those in sham and model groups received an equal volume of normal saline. After intervention, general conditions were assessed. Echocardiography was performed to measure the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS), left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), and left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVESD). Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was employed to evaluate myocardial histopathology, and Masson's trichrome staining to assess myocardial fibrosis. Serum levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Collagen type Ⅰ (ColⅠ) expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Immunofluorescence double staining was adopted to detect the expression of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Western blot was performed to quantify the expression of collagen type Ⅰ α2 (Col1A2), VE-cadherin, CD31, α-SMA, HIF-1α, TGF-β1, and POSTN. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group exhibited thinning and collapse of the left ventricular wall, decreased LVEF and LVFS and increased LVEDD and LVESD (P<0.01), disrupted myocardial fibers with marked inflammatory cell infiltration, increased collagen deposition, enhanced ColⅠ immunoreactivity, elevate serum BNP, IL-6, and MMP-9 levels, a reduced IL-10 level (P<0.01), downregulated expression of CD31 and VE-cadherin, and upregulated expression of α-SMA, Col1A2, HIF-1α, TGF-β1, and POSTN (P<0.05,P<0.01), accompanied by increased CD31/α-SMA co-localization. Compared with the model group, the sacubitril/valsartan group and all HXWTF groups showed improved ventricular wall structure, increased LVEF and LVFS, decreased LVEDD and LVESD, attenuated myocardial injury with reduced inflammatory infiltration and collagen deposition, declined serum BNP, IL-6, and MMP-9 levels, an elevated serum IL-10 level, upregulated expression of CD31 and VE-cadherin, downregulated expression of α-SMA, Col1A2, HIF-1α, TGF-β1, and POSTN, and reduced CD31/α-SMA co-localization (P<0.05,P<0.01). No significant differences were observed between the sacubitril/valsartan group and the medium- and high-dose HXWTF groups. ConclusionHXWTF may regulate the HIF-1α/TGF-β1/POSTN pathway to inhibit EndMT, thereby ameliorating post-MI ventricular remodeling.
7.Evaluation of the Efficacy of an Eye-Protective Compound Formula on the Retina in a Mouse Model of Blue Light-Induced Damage
Haochen XU ; Qingqing LE ; Xiwen HE ; Bing CAI ; Longhe YANG
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2026;46(5):650-659
ObjectiveTo investigate the time-dependent pattern of blue light-induced retinal damage in mice, establish a suitable animal model, and evaluate the protective effects of a compound formula containing lutein esters, DHA algal oil, Lycium ruthenicum, and other ingredients used as both food and medicine. MethodsThirty-two of the 56 SPF-grade male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a control group and model groups (1 h, 3 h, and 6 h irradiation) (n=8 per group) to determine the optimal blue light irradiation time. First, mice were exposed to blue light from a 467 nm light-emitting diode at (5 000±200) lx for 1 h, 3 h, and 6 h, respectively. Retinal histopathology and thickness were examined using hematoxylin‑eosin (HE) staining. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured using assay kits. Retinal inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression was assessed by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription PCR. After 3 h of blue light exposure was confirmed as the appropriate modeling condition, the remaining 24 mice were used in an intervention experiment to evaluate the protective effect of the eye-protective compound formula on blue light-induced retinal damage. The mice were administered the compound formula (1 000 mg·kg-1·d-1) by gavage for 14 days, followed by 3 h of blue light irradiation, and the same indicators were evaluated as described above. ResultsWith prolonged irradiation time, the thickness of each retinal layer gradually decreased (P<0.05 to P<0.01) and cell arrangement became disordered. Serum MDA levels progressively increased (P<0.01), while GSH levels gradually decreased (P<0.01). The mRNA expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in retinal tissue was significantly upregulated with increasing irradiation time. The 1 h irradiation group showed only minor changes (P>0.05), whereas the 6 h irradiation group exhibited the most pronounced changes (P<0.000 1). Therefore, 3 h of blue light irradiation (P<0.001), which showed significant yet moderate differences in all indicators, was selected as the subsequent modeling condition. After intervention with the eye-protective compound formula, compared with the model group, serum MDA level was significantly reduced (P<0.01), and serum GSH level was significantly increased (P<0.05). The expression levels of retinal inflammatory cytokines IL-1β (P<0.000 1), IL-6 (P<0.001), and TNF-α (P<0.01) were significantly downregulated. Total retinal thickness (P<0.01), as well as the thicknesses of the inner plexiform layer (P<0.05), inner nuclear layer (P<0.05), outer plexiform layer (P<0.05), and outer nuclear layer (P<0.01), were significantly increased compared with the model group. Histopathological examination also showed that the regularity and density of retinal cell arrangement were markedly better than those in the model group. ConclusionBlue light irradiation at a specific illuminance for 3 h can establish a stable mouse model of retinal damage. The compound formula alleviates retinal damage through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways, providing an experimental basis for the development of related functional foods.
8.Evaluation of effectiveness of a family-school collaborative on sleep health intervention among fifth-grade primary school students
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(10):1395-1340
Objective:
To evaluate the effectiveness of a family-school collaborative intervention on sleep health among fifth-grade primary school students, so as to provide scientific evidence for promoting sleep health among primary school students.
Methods:
From April to June 2024, a baseline survey was conducted on 342 fifth-grade students and their parents from one primary school in a district of Beijing, using the convenient sampling method. A semester of sleep health education was implemented from September to December 2024, covering cognitive, behavioral and environmental factors that affected timely bedtime; and the program took various forms, including student courses, popular-science articles for parents, and personalized feedback reports. Another primary school in the same area was conveniently selected as the control group, where 313 fifth-grade students and their parents received routine health education. The subjects were assessed for their baseline and end-point (March to June 2025) sleep conditions using sleep diaries (222 participants in the intervention group and 225 in the control group) and accelerometers (120 participants in the intervention group and 88 in the control group), respectively. The independent samples t-test and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used to compare characteristics between groups,and linear mixed models were employed to evaluate the intervention effects.
Results:
In the sleep diary evaluation, the intervention group had an earlier weekend wake up time and a smaller social jetlag than the control group at baseline ( t/Z =3.42, 7.21); in the accelerometer evaluation, the intervention group exhibited a smaller social jetlag than the control group at baseline ( Z =3.90) (all P <0.05). In the sleep diary evaluation, compared with the control group, the intervention group showed a reduced pre-to-post change in school-day bedtime ( β = -6.70), whereas the pre-to-post changes in school-day sleep duration, weekend wake-up time, weekend sleep duration, and average sleep duration were all increased at baseline and at the end ( β =8.41, 22.58, 27.03,13.74) (all P <0.05). In the accelerometer evaluation, compared with the control group, the intervention group showed reduced pre-to-post changes in school-day sleep onset time and school-day wake time ( β =-14.75, -6.24), whereas the pre-to-post change in school-day sleep duration increased at baseline and at the end ( β =8.01) (all P <0.05).
Conclusion
A family-school collaborative sleep health intervention may be an effective strategy for improving sleep among fifth-grade primary school students.
9.Application of healthcare failure mode and effects analysis in risk management of drug clinical trial projects
Qingqing WANG ; Miao MIAO ; Fei LIU ; Haijuan ZHAO ; Lang ZHAO ; Yao LIU ; Han YANG ; Shuang ZHAO ; Xin WANG
Chinese Journal of Hospital Administration 2025;41(6):485-490
Objective:To improve the risk management process for clinical trial projects using healthcare failure mode and effect analysis(HFMEA), for references for enhancing the risk identification and preventing capabilities of drug clinical trial institutions.Methods:From June to December 2022, this study focused on the project management process of a clinical trial centre in a tertiary public hospital. Following HFMEA procedures, a research team was established. Core processes prone to failure modes in the drug clinical trial project management and their potential failure modes were identified through group discussions, literature analysis, the Delphi method, and decision tree analysis. High-risk failure modes were screened via risk assessment, corresponding improvement measures were formulated and performed, and their effectiveness was validated.Results:The study identified 6 main processes, 17 sub-processes, and 102 potential failure modes. Delphi analysis confirmed 88 failure modes, with 19 having a failure risk priority number(RPN)≥8.00. Decision tree analysis identified 16 high-risk failure modes, involving 5 main processes and 10 sub-processes. Targeted improvements, such as adopting standardized hospital contract templates and setting deadlines for final payment settlement, etc., were implemented. One year post-implementation(January 2024), the RPN for all 16 high-risk failure modes were<8.00.Conclusions:HFMEA could help hospital clinical trial institutions comprehensively and systematically identify high-risk failure modes in the project management process, develop targeted improvement measures, and improve the level of drug clinical trial project management.
10.Progresses of structural and functional MRI in research of hippocampal changes in Alzheimer disease continuum
Qingqing SHANG ; Bingyuan CHU ; Ming YANG ; Hanxi ZHANG ; Xinlu LI ; Ze FENG ; Weiqing LI ; Feng WANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(9):1595-1599
Alzheimer disease(AD)is a neurological disease characterized by cognitive decline.AD continuum refers to the dynamic development progression from early pathological changes to obvious clinical symptoms,covering the continuous spectrum of subjective cognition decline(SCD)stage,mild cognitive impairment(MCI)stage and dementia stage.As one of the key brain regions involved in early stage,hippocampus(HP)in AD continuum is closely related to the progression of disease.MRI has been widely used in the study of HP in the AD continuum.The progresses in structural and functional MRI research of HP changes in AD continuum were reviewed in this article.


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