1.A VBM study on gray matter structure alterations in patients with Alzheimer’s disease comorbid with apathy
Yi JI ; Xuerui PANG ; Chaoyi YANG ; Yulong DAI ; Shanshan ZHOU ; Xingqi WU ; Kai WANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(1):156-162
ObjectiveTo investigate the characteristics of gray matter structure and clinical symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) comorbid with apathy (AD-A). MethodsThe study included 30 patients with AD-A, 30 AD disease patients without apathy (AD without apathy, AD-NA), and 30 healthy controls (HCs) matched in gender, age, and years of education. All participants underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used to analyze changes in gray matter volume among the three groups. Additionally, the correlation between the identified abnormal brain regions and apathy scale scores was analyzed. ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences among the three groups in terms of age, gender, years of education, or total intracranial volume. Compared with the HCs group, both the AD-A and AD-NA groups showed significantly lower scores in cognitive function (P<0.001). The AD-A group exhibited significantly higher apathy scale scores compared with the AD-NA group (P<0.001). Compared with the AD-NA group, the AD-A group showed reduced gray matter volume in the bilateral caudate nucleus, left orbitofrontal cortex, lingual gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, entorhinal cortex, right middle frontal gyrus and posterior cingulate cortex (FWE-corrected, P<0.05 for all). Compared with the HCs group, the AD-A group exhibited reduced gray matter volume in the bilateral middle temporal gyrus, left fusiform gyrus, calcarine sulcus, postcentral gyrus, right inferior frontal gyrus and supramarginal gyrus (FWE-corrected, P<0.05 for all). Compared with the HCs group, the AD-NA group showed reduced gray matter volume in the left precuneus, inferior temporal gyrus, and right inferior temporal gyrus (FWE-corrected, P<0.05 for all). In the AD-A group, changes in the gray matter volume of the left caudate nucleus (r= -0.557, P=0.002) and right middle frontal gyrus (r=-0.620, P=0.001) were negatively correlated with the apathy evaluation scale (AES) scores. ConclusionPatients in the AD-A group exhibited significant atrophy in the frontal-temporal-basal ganglia circuit, and the degree of gray matter atrophy was correlated with the severity of apathy.
2.Berberine Alleviates Chronic Retinal Light Damage in Mice:A Study of the Role of P2X7R and the Mechanisms Involved
Leshu DAI ; Shanshan YE ; Zixuan SONG ; Jiantao SONG
Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) 2025;56(1):35-40
Objective To investigate the trend of dynamic changes and the mechanisms of P2X7R by which berberine(BBR)alleviates chronic retinal light injury in mice.Methods A total of 90 mice were randomly divided into three groups,a blank control group(n=10),a group exposed to low-intensity blue light(500 lux)for 12 hours per day for a duration of 3 months,which was referred to as the LD group(n=40),and another group given BBR at a dose of 200 mg/kg via gastric gavage on top of the blue light exposure for the LD group,which was referred to as the LD+BBR group(n=40).After the light exposure and gavage were completed,eye tissues were collected from the mice.Hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining was performed to observe the protective effects of berberine on chronic retinal light damage in mice.TUNEL assay was performed to assess the effect of berberine on apoptotic cells in mice with chronic retinal light injury.Additionally,quantitative polymerase chain reaction(QPCR)was performed to assess the expression level of P2X7 receptors in chronic retinal light injury relieved by BBR.Results Compared with the blank control group,the LD group exhibited abnormal retinal morphology,with some ganglion cells displaying reduced nuclei,a deeper stain,and loose arrangement.In the LD group,the cells in the inner nuclear layer appeared to be slightly more loosely arranged,while the cells in the outer nuclear layer cells were arranged in a disorderly way.Furthermore,the thickness of the outer nuclear layer of the retina from mice in the LD group was(47.11±2.01)μm,and a significant number of apoptotic cells were observed in the outer nuclear layer,resulting in an apoptosis rate of(71.16±5.99)%(P<0.05).In contrast,the LD+BBR group showed mild abnormal retinal morphology with loosely arranged ganglion cells.In the LD+BBR group,the cells in both inner and outer nuclear layers of retina exhibited relatively intact morphology,uniform staining pattern,and tight arrangement.Moreover,the thickness measurement for outer nuclear layer revealed a value of(54.07±2.05)μm,and there were only a few apoptotic cells present,resulting in an apoptotic rate of(16.02±2.68)%(P<0.05).Compared with that of the blank control group,the relative expression of P2X7R mRNA in the retinas of the LD group was upregulated,with the difference between the two groups being statistically significant(P<0.05).The relative expression of P2X7R mRNA in the retinas of the LD+BBR group was downregulated,showing no statistical significance compared with that of the blank control group.However,compared with that of the LD group,the relative expression of P2X7R mRNA in the retinas of the LD+BBR group showed a significant downward trend,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Berberine can alleviate chronic retinal photodamage in mice,and inhibit the activation of P2X7R,thereby preventing the formation of retinal photodamage.
3.Exploring the Mechanism of Pinggan Yishen Decoction Against Target Organ Damage in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats Based on UPLC-Q-TOF/MS and Network Pharmacology
Weiting ZHANG ; Qiong WANG ; Yadong FAN ; Huihui WANG ; Shanshan CHEN ; Siqi ZHANG ; Yiying CHEN ; Lei WU ; Guoliang DAI ; Bingbing SONG ; Zhuyuan FANG
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;40(9):949-961
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanisms by which Pinggan Yishen Decoction(PGYSD)contributes to alleviating target organ damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats.METHODS The chemical components of PGYSD were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF/MS)and were analyzed by target a-nalysis and functional enrichment combined with network pharmacology methods to predict the potential mechanism of PGYSD in trea-ting hypertension and its target organ damage.Spontaneously hypertensive rats were randomly divided into the model group,low-dose PGYSD group(2 g·kg-1),high-dose PGYSD group(5 g·kg-1),and valsartan group(7.2 mg·kg-1),with 6 rats in each group.Wistar-Kyoto rats were used as the control group,and the control group and the model group were gavaged with normal saline for 8 consecutive weeks.HE and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological damage and fibrosis degree of rat heart and tho-racic aorta.Immunohistochemical staining and Western blot were used to detect the expression level of EGFR in the heart,liver and kidney of rats.Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the co-localization of EGFR and EEA1 in the heart,liver and kidney of rats.RESULTS Twenty-six components of PGYSD were detected by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS.Network pharmacology revealed that EG-FR,PIK3R1 and EP300 may be key therapeutic targets of action of PGYSD for the treatment of hypertension and its target organ dam-age,and that the treatment of hypertension and its target organ damage by PGYSD may be closely related to EGFR tyrosine kinase in-hibitor resistance,lipids and atherosclerosis and HIF-1 signaling pathway.The high-dose group of PGYSD significantly reduced sys-tolic blood pressure and mean blood pressure in rats(P<0.05,P<0.01),attenuated pathological damage and fibrosis in the heart and thoracic aorta(P<0.01,P<0.001),significantly reduced the expression level of EGFR in the liver and kidney of rats(P<0.01),and treated fibrosis in liver and kidney,reduced the co-localization of EGFR and EEA1 in the kidney of rats(P<0.001),attenuated fibro-sis in kidney.CONCLUSION The paper integrates UPLC-Q-TOF/MS,network pharmacology and spontaneously hypertensive rat model and preliminarily explores the effect mechanism of PGYSD in the treatment of hypertension and its target organ damage,provi-ding a scientific basis for further mechanism research and clinical application of PGYSD in the treatment of hypertension.
4.The relationship between microscopic pattern of blood stasis and renal pathological grade and related physical and chemical indexes in 800 children with Henoch-Sch?nlein purpura nephritis based on"zhengjia in the kidney collateral"
Min GAO ; Ying DING ; Ruihong WU ; Xianqing REN ; Yan XU ; Shanshan HAN ; Yanlin DAI ; Yanjie HUANG ; Xiaoqing YANG ; Shanshan XU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(1):97-106
Objective We aimed to investigate the relationship between microscopic pattern of blood stasis and renal pathological grade and related physical and chemical indexes in children with Henoch-Sch?nlein purpura nephritis(HSPN).Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 800 HSPN children from the medical records of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine.Laboratory indicators(blood routine test,urine routine test,coagulation test,liver function)and renal pathological indicators of them were collected.According to the severity of renal pathological microscopic lesions,the microscopic pattern of blood stasis was divided into three types,including choroidal discord,dead blood coagulation and intracarenal disease accumulation.The classification of renal microscopic pattern of blood stasis and the correlation between laboratory indexes and renal pathological index were analyzed by Spearman grade correlation and binary Logistic regression analysis.Results(ⅰ)There was no statistical difference of the distribution of the renal microscopic pattern of blood stasis in the different traditional Chinese medicine patterns.(ⅱ)There were significant differences in the contents or the grade of albumin and fibrinogen in the HSPN children with different microscopic pattern of blood stasis(all P<0.05).(ⅲ)The maximum area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve between fibrinogen and intracarenal disease accumulation was 0.594(95%CI from 0.540 to 0.633,P<0.001);sensitivity was 0.447,specificity was 0.725;the best threshold on the ROC curve of 0.172 was 3.755 g/L.(ⅳ)There were positive correlations between the content of fibrinogen,ISKDC grade and Bohle A grade respectively with the scores of intracarenal disease accumulation type(r=0.176,r=0.315,r=0.656;all P<0.001).(ⅴ)There were positive correlations between the content of fibrinogen,ISKDC grade and Bohle A grade respectively with the renal microscopic pattern of blood stasis(r=0.157,r=0.377,r=0.429;all P<0.001).Conclusion The microscopic renal pattern of blood stasis can not only reflect the severity of renal blood stasis,but also reflect the severity and long-term prognosis of renal diseases.Albumin and urinary protein grade can reflect the early stage of the microscopic renal pattern of the blood stasis(choroidal discord).The content of fibrinogen increases with the aggravation of renal microscopic pattern of blood stasis,reflecting the end-stage of HSPN,which has the correlation with the formation and severity of related indexes.Fibrinogen can be used as a laboratory indicator to assist in the diagnosis of irreversible lesionsin the renal pathology of HSPN children.
5.Trend and Flow Analysis of the Total Cost of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China Based on the Institutional Flow Approach
Xueyun TIAN ; Zhi WANG ; Shanshan XIAO ; Zixuan DAI ; Zi YANG ; Sijia QI ; Xiaowei MAN
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(9):40-43
Objective:To analyze the total expendition,developmental changes and flow of the total cost of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)in China from 2016 to 2021,and to study the development of the total cost of TCM in different medical institutions.Methods:Institutional flow method and case-base aggregation method were used to account for the total TCM costs.Results:From 2016 to 2021,the total amount of total TCM costs flowed to TCM-type hospitals was the highest in China,the proportion of total TCM costs in primary healthcare organizations was increased,and TCM-type clinics and outpatient clinics were developed more rapidly.The share of Chinese medicine drug costs in total Chinese medicine costs has been declined,and the share of county hospitals in their total health costs has been risen overall Conclusion:In the future,it would increase the TCM investment,attach importance to the development of TCM services in non-Chinese medicine hospitals,improve the capacity of primary Chinese medicine services,continue to consolidate the policy of"strengthening the primary",and maintain the rapid development of Chinese medicine clinics and outpatient clinics;the value of Chinese medicine technical labor should be emphasized,and the driving force of county hospitals should be brought into full play.
6.Trend and Flow Analysis of the Total Cost of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China Based on the Institutional Flow Approach
Xueyun TIAN ; Zhi WANG ; Shanshan XIAO ; Zixuan DAI ; Zi YANG ; Sijia QI ; Xiaowei MAN
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(9):40-43
Objective:To analyze the total expendition,developmental changes and flow of the total cost of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)in China from 2016 to 2021,and to study the development of the total cost of TCM in different medical institutions.Methods:Institutional flow method and case-base aggregation method were used to account for the total TCM costs.Results:From 2016 to 2021,the total amount of total TCM costs flowed to TCM-type hospitals was the highest in China,the proportion of total TCM costs in primary healthcare organizations was increased,and TCM-type clinics and outpatient clinics were developed more rapidly.The share of Chinese medicine drug costs in total Chinese medicine costs has been declined,and the share of county hospitals in their total health costs has been risen overall Conclusion:In the future,it would increase the TCM investment,attach importance to the development of TCM services in non-Chinese medicine hospitals,improve the capacity of primary Chinese medicine services,continue to consolidate the policy of"strengthening the primary",and maintain the rapid development of Chinese medicine clinics and outpatient clinics;the value of Chinese medicine technical labor should be emphasized,and the driving force of county hospitals should be brought into full play.
7.Trend and Flow Analysis of the Total Cost of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China Based on the Institutional Flow Approach
Xueyun TIAN ; Zhi WANG ; Shanshan XIAO ; Zixuan DAI ; Zi YANG ; Sijia QI ; Xiaowei MAN
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(9):40-43
Objective:To analyze the total expendition,developmental changes and flow of the total cost of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)in China from 2016 to 2021,and to study the development of the total cost of TCM in different medical institutions.Methods:Institutional flow method and case-base aggregation method were used to account for the total TCM costs.Results:From 2016 to 2021,the total amount of total TCM costs flowed to TCM-type hospitals was the highest in China,the proportion of total TCM costs in primary healthcare organizations was increased,and TCM-type clinics and outpatient clinics were developed more rapidly.The share of Chinese medicine drug costs in total Chinese medicine costs has been declined,and the share of county hospitals in their total health costs has been risen overall Conclusion:In the future,it would increase the TCM investment,attach importance to the development of TCM services in non-Chinese medicine hospitals,improve the capacity of primary Chinese medicine services,continue to consolidate the policy of"strengthening the primary",and maintain the rapid development of Chinese medicine clinics and outpatient clinics;the value of Chinese medicine technical labor should be emphasized,and the driving force of county hospitals should be brought into full play.
8.Trend and Flow Analysis of the Total Cost of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China Based on the Institutional Flow Approach
Xueyun TIAN ; Zhi WANG ; Shanshan XIAO ; Zixuan DAI ; Zi YANG ; Sijia QI ; Xiaowei MAN
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(9):40-43
Objective:To analyze the total expendition,developmental changes and flow of the total cost of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)in China from 2016 to 2021,and to study the development of the total cost of TCM in different medical institutions.Methods:Institutional flow method and case-base aggregation method were used to account for the total TCM costs.Results:From 2016 to 2021,the total amount of total TCM costs flowed to TCM-type hospitals was the highest in China,the proportion of total TCM costs in primary healthcare organizations was increased,and TCM-type clinics and outpatient clinics were developed more rapidly.The share of Chinese medicine drug costs in total Chinese medicine costs has been declined,and the share of county hospitals in their total health costs has been risen overall Conclusion:In the future,it would increase the TCM investment,attach importance to the development of TCM services in non-Chinese medicine hospitals,improve the capacity of primary Chinese medicine services,continue to consolidate the policy of"strengthening the primary",and maintain the rapid development of Chinese medicine clinics and outpatient clinics;the value of Chinese medicine technical labor should be emphasized,and the driving force of county hospitals should be brought into full play.
9.Trend and Flow Analysis of the Total Cost of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China Based on the Institutional Flow Approach
Xueyun TIAN ; Zhi WANG ; Shanshan XIAO ; Zixuan DAI ; Zi YANG ; Sijia QI ; Xiaowei MAN
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(9):40-43
Objective:To analyze the total expendition,developmental changes and flow of the total cost of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)in China from 2016 to 2021,and to study the development of the total cost of TCM in different medical institutions.Methods:Institutional flow method and case-base aggregation method were used to account for the total TCM costs.Results:From 2016 to 2021,the total amount of total TCM costs flowed to TCM-type hospitals was the highest in China,the proportion of total TCM costs in primary healthcare organizations was increased,and TCM-type clinics and outpatient clinics were developed more rapidly.The share of Chinese medicine drug costs in total Chinese medicine costs has been declined,and the share of county hospitals in their total health costs has been risen overall Conclusion:In the future,it would increase the TCM investment,attach importance to the development of TCM services in non-Chinese medicine hospitals,improve the capacity of primary Chinese medicine services,continue to consolidate the policy of"strengthening the primary",and maintain the rapid development of Chinese medicine clinics and outpatient clinics;the value of Chinese medicine technical labor should be emphasized,and the driving force of county hospitals should be brought into full play.
10.Trend and Flow Analysis of the Total Cost of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China Based on the Institutional Flow Approach
Xueyun TIAN ; Zhi WANG ; Shanshan XIAO ; Zixuan DAI ; Zi YANG ; Sijia QI ; Xiaowei MAN
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(9):40-43
Objective:To analyze the total expendition,developmental changes and flow of the total cost of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)in China from 2016 to 2021,and to study the development of the total cost of TCM in different medical institutions.Methods:Institutional flow method and case-base aggregation method were used to account for the total TCM costs.Results:From 2016 to 2021,the total amount of total TCM costs flowed to TCM-type hospitals was the highest in China,the proportion of total TCM costs in primary healthcare organizations was increased,and TCM-type clinics and outpatient clinics were developed more rapidly.The share of Chinese medicine drug costs in total Chinese medicine costs has been declined,and the share of county hospitals in their total health costs has been risen overall Conclusion:In the future,it would increase the TCM investment,attach importance to the development of TCM services in non-Chinese medicine hospitals,improve the capacity of primary Chinese medicine services,continue to consolidate the policy of"strengthening the primary",and maintain the rapid development of Chinese medicine clinics and outpatient clinics;the value of Chinese medicine technical labor should be emphasized,and the driving force of county hospitals should be brought into full play.

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