1.Therapeutic Effect and Mechanism of Shentong Zhuyutang Combined with Dilongtang in Treatment of Lumbar Disc Herniation with Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis Syndrome
Huangsheng TAN ; Yinbo WANG ; Yong HUANG ; Juyi LAI ; Hualong FENG ; Zhiming LAN ; Yuanfei FU ; Yong JIANG ; Shenghua HE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):47-54
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of Shentong Zhuyutang combined with Dilongtang in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome, and its effect on nucleus pulposus reabsorption and immune-inflammatory factors, exploring its therapeutic mechanism from the perspective of reabsorption. MethodsA total of 120 patients with LDH from the Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, treated between June 2020 and January 2023, were randomly divided into the control group (52 cases, with 8 dropouts) and the observation group (49 cases, with 11 dropouts) according to a random number table. The control group received routine treatment, while the observation group was treated with Shentong Zhuyutang combined with Dilongtang in addition to routine treatment. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score were measured before treatment and after 3 courses of treatment. Venous blood samples were collected for the determination of serological indexes. MR examination was performed during the 6-month follow-up to calculate the absorption rate. ResultsAfter treatment, both groups showed significant reductions in VAS, ODI, TCM syndrome score, serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels, and a significant increase in JOA score compared with pre-treatment values (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the observation group showed significantly lower VAS, ODI, TCM syndrome score, serum TNF-α, MMP-9, and VEGF levels, and a significantly higher JOA score (P<0.05). The proportion of nucleus pulposus reabsorption in the observation group was 57.14% (28/49), significantly higher than 21.15% (11/52) in the control group (χ2=6.161, P<0.05). ConclusionShentong Zhuyutang combined with Dilongtang can effectively relieve pain, improve lumbar function, and alleviate TCM clinical symptoms in LDH patients with Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome. Imaging findings suggest that the treatment promotes the reabsorption of nucleus pulposus protrusion, while laboratory testing shows reduced serum levels of TNF-α, MMP-9, and VEGF, which contribute to the rehabilitation of patients.
2.Cryo-EM structures of Nipah virus polymerase complex reveal highly varied interactions between L and P proteins among paramyxoviruses.
Lu XUE ; Tiancai CHANG ; Jiacheng GUI ; Zimu LI ; Heyu ZHAO ; Binqian ZOU ; Junnan LU ; Mei LI ; Xin WEN ; Shenghua GAO ; Peng ZHAN ; Lijun RONG ; Liqiang FENG ; Peng GONG ; Jun HE ; Xinwen CHEN ; Xiaoli XIONG
Protein & Cell 2025;16(8):705-723
Nipah virus (NiV) and related viruses form a distinct henipavirus genus within the Paramyxoviridae family. NiV continues to spillover into the humans causing deadly outbreaks with increasing human-bat interaction. NiV encodes the large protein (L) and phosphoprotein (P) to form the viral RNA polymerase machinery. Their sequences show limited homologies to those of non-henipavirus paramyxoviruses. We report two cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the Nipah virus (NiV) polymerase L-P complex, expressed and purified in either its full-length or truncated form. The structures resolve the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and polyribonucleotidyl transferase (PRNTase) domains of the L protein, as well as a tetrameric P protein bundle bound to the L-RdRp domain. L-protein C-terminal regions are unresolved, indicating flexibility. Two PRNTase domain zinc-binding sites, conserved in most Mononegavirales, are confirmed essential for NiV polymerase activity. The structures further reveal anchoring of the P protein bundle and P protein X domain (XD) linkers on L, via an interaction pattern distinct among Paramyxoviridae. These interactions facilitate binding of a P protein XD linker in the nucleotide entry channel and distinct positioning of other XD linkers. We show that the disruption of the L-P interactions reduces NiV polymerase activity. The reported structures should facilitate rational antiviral-drug discovery and provide a guide for the functional study of NiV polymerase.
Nipah Virus/chemistry*
;
Cryoelectron Microscopy
;
Viral Proteins/genetics*
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RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase/genetics*
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Phosphoproteins/genetics*
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Humans
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Models, Molecular
;
Protein Binding
3.Association between sleep and blood pressure among primary and secondary school students with different nutritional status
YANG Fan, ZHU Weiwei, YAO Qingbing, LU Shenghua
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(1):124-128
Objective:
To explore the association between sleep quality, sleep duration with blood pressure in primary and secondary school students with different nutritional status, so as to provide a reference for targeted intervention measures.
Methods:
By using stratified cluster random sampling method, a total of 10 871 students aged 7 to 18 years were selected from 36 primary and secondary schools in 6 counties of Yangzhou from October to November 2023. Physical examination and questionnaire survey were conducted respectively. Student Health Status and Influencing Factors Questionnaire was used to collected basic information. The overweight/obesity and sleep quality of primary and secondary school students were determined according to the Screening for Overweight and Obesity among School age Children and Adolescents and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scale. The χ 2 test was used to compare the prevalence of elevated blood pressure in different groups of primary and secondary school students. Multivariate Logistic regression model was used to explore the association between sleep and blood pressure in primary and secondary school students.
Results:
The prevalence of elevated blood pressure among primary and secondary school students in Yangzhou was 13.86 %, higher among boys (15.13%) than girls (12.62%) ( χ 2=14.30, P <0.01). The elevated blood pressure rate of obese and overweight primary and secondary school students were 26.98% and 14.90%, respectively, higher than 8.71% of non overweight and obese children ( χ 2=482.58, P <0.01). There were statistically significant differences in elevated blood pressure rate among primary and secondary school students in different sleep quality and sleep duration ( χ 2= 8.45, 71.58, P <0.05). After controlling for gender, residence, educational stage, parental education, sedentary time, the results of multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that no correlation between sleep quality and elevated blood pressure under different nutritional status was found among primary and secondary school students. In primary and secondary school students with obesity, prevalence of elevated blood pressure was higher among those with sleep duration <8 and 8 to <9 h/d ( OR=1.54, 1.72, P <0.05). However, there was no significant association found in the other groups ( OR=1.04-1.28, P >0.05). In gender stratification, sleep duration < 8, 8 to <9 and 9 to <10 h/d of obese boys were positively correlated with elevated blood pressure ( OR=1.97, 2.09, 1.86, P <0.05).
Conclusion
Among obese primary and secondary school students, sleep duration <9 h/d is associated with an increased risk of elevated blood pressure, especially among obese boys.
4.Changes and Functions Analysis of Intestinal Flora in Children with Food Allergy and Constipation
Hui WU ; Shenghua XIONG ; Congfu HUANG
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(2):345-353
ObjectiveTo investigate the changes of intestinal flora in children with food allergy and constipation by high-throughput sequencing, and to analyze the function of intestinal flora, to provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of food allergy and constipation in children. MethodsTotally 33 children with food allergy and constipation in Longgang District of Shenzhen were selected as the disease group (CPFA group), another 59 healthy children of the same age were recruited as the HC group. Stool samples were collected and subjected to high-throughput sequencing of 16SrRNA genes, followed by bioinformatics analysis. Results① The species abundance of HC group was higher than that of CPFA group, and the diversity of intestinal microbial community was different between the two groups; ② At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Bacteroidota, Desulfobacterota in CPFA group was lower than that in HC group, and the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria in CPFA group was higher than that in HC Group(P< 0.05); ③ At the genus level, the relative abundance of Bacteroids, Parabacteroides in the CPFA group was lower than that in the HC group, and the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium, Escherichia-Shigella and Veillonella in the CPFA group was higher than that in the HC group; ④ Functional analysis showed that there were significant differences in functional genes between the two groups. Compared with those in the HC group, the abundance of functional genes in valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis, cysteine and methionine metabolism, fatty acid metabolism and Staphylococcus aureus infection were significantly increased in the CPFA group (P<0.05). The abundance of functional pathways related to bile acid biosynthesis and retinol metabolism was significantly decreased (P<0.05). ConclusionThere are differences in intestinal flora and function between children with CPFA and HC, which may help to explore the pathogenesis of food allergy and constipation, and provide a theoretical basis for new therapeutic interventions.
5.Research on the framework construction and promotion strategy of medical care capability based on the core literacy of palliative care
Shenghua DING ; Yongmei LIU ; Hongjuan CHEN ; Weiwei WANG ; Shengnan ZHAO
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(7):943-948
This paper aims to discuss the construction and promotion strategy of medical care capacity framework based on the core literacy of palliative care, combining domestic and foreign research and clinical status. The research results show that it is particularly important to construct a framework of medical care competence based on palliative care. The core competencies required for palliative care include the ability to comprehensively evaluate and formulate personalized programs, effective communication skills, interdisciplinary teamwork skills, and the ability to continuously learn and improve themselves. The quality of care can be further improved if the above abilities are incorporated into the framework of medical care ability based on palliative care. However, there are a series of problems in the process of constructing the framework of palliative medical care capacity, such as difficult implementation of policy support, poor professionalism of talent team, single and irregular service model, low social acceptance, and difficult interdisciplinary cooperation and resource integration. After a detailed analysis of the problems, this paper puts forward the countermeasures to construct the framework of caring ability literacy based on palliative care. Effective countermeasures such as increasing policy support, cultivating comprehensive talents, developing diversified palliative care models, improving social recognition, and strengthening interdisciplinary cooperation and resource integration can effectively improve the core literacy and professional ability of medical care personnel, and then promote the development and improvement of palliative care services. In-depth discussion of the above contents can provide scientific reference for building a care model and literacy framework with palliative care as the core.
6.Association of sleep and eating behavior on the comorbidity of overweight/obesity and elevated blood pressure among primary and secondary school students
YANG Fan, YAO Qingbing, ZHU Weiwei, HU Mingliang, LI Shasha, LU Shenghua
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(7):1037-1041
Objective:
To analyze the prevalence and determinants of comorbid overweight/obesity and elevated blood pressure among primary and secondary school students in Yangzhou City, and to explore the association between sleep patterns, eating behavior and the comorbidity of overweight/obesity and elevated blood pressure, so as to provide reference for developing prevention strategies targeting common comorbidities in students.
Methods:
By using stratified cluster random sampling, a total of 8 735 primary and secondary school students were selected from 36 schools in six counties of Yangzhou from October to November 2023. Students underwent physical examinations and a questionnaire survey was conducted using the questionnaire on students health status and influencing factors. The Chi square test was used to compare the detection rate of comorbid overweight/obesity and elevated blood pressure in different groups of primary and secondary school students. The Logistic regression model was used to explore the association between sleep and dietary behaviors and their combined effects and coexistence.
Results:
The detection rate of comorbid overweight/obesity and elevated blood pressure among primary and secondary school students in Yangzhou was 9.85%, which was higher among boys (12.14%) than girls (7.59%)( χ 2=50.86, P <0.01). After controlling for gender, residence, educational stage, parental education, smoking, drinking, and moderate to vigorous exercise, multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that irregular breakfast consumption and inadequate daily sleep were associated with a higher risk of comorbidities compared with regular breakfast consumption and adequate daily sleep among overall and primary school students (overall: OR =1.52, 95% CI =1.18- 1.96 , primary school students: OR =2.79, 95% CI =1.61-4.82)(both P <0.05). From the perspective of primary school students of different genders, the risk of comorbidities in girls who consumed breakfast irregularly and had inadequate daily sleep was 3.59 times higher than that in girls who consumed breakfast irregularly and had inadequate daily sleep (95% CI =1.65-7.82, P <0.01).
Conclusion
The sleep patterns and breakfast behaviors of primary and secondary school students are found to be associated with comorbid overweight/obesity and elevated blood pressure, especially in primary school girls.
7.Research Progress of Antibacterial Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Synergistic Antibacterial Drugs to Reverse Drug Resistance
Jiamin CHEN ; Xinyu ZHAO ; Shuhua YUE ; Zihao SHEN ; Chujiong CHEN ; Shenghua LU ; Zengyu ZHANG ; Jie REN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(5):1157-1169
With the widespread use of antimicrobial agents, bacterial drug resistance has become an increasingly severe issue, posing significant challenges to global healthcare. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has emerged as a research focus in the field of bacterial resistance due to its broad sources, high safety profile, low toxicity, and antimicrobial mechanisms distinct from those of chemical drugs. Studies have shown that various TCM herbs, such as Scutellaria baicalensis, exert antibacterial effects through multiple pathways, including disrupting the integrity of bacterial cell walls and membranes, inhibiting nucleic acid and protein synthesis, and impairing energy production and metabolism. Additionally, certain TCM herbs, including Scutellaria baicalensis, Coptis chinensis, and Fritillaria thunbergii, can reverse antimicrobial resistance by eliminating resistant plasmids, inhibiting bacterial efflux pump function, and suppressing β-lactamase activity. TCM holds promising potential for antibacterial applications and synergistically reversing antimicrobial resistance, though systematic analyses remain limited. This review summarizes the mechanisms of antibacterial action of TCM and current research on its synergistic use with antimicrobial agents to reverse drug resistance, aiming to provide insights for developing novel TCM-based antimicrobials and addressing bacterial resistance.
8.Predictive value of changes in serum VIP and 5-HT levels for the outcome of spinal cord electrical stimulation in patients with postherpetic neuralgia
Yongqiang YE ; Shenghua LIU ; Bizheng TIAN ; Jianqiang HAO ; Jianwei LYU ; Fei XIE ; Hongbin LIU
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(9):1041-1045,1050
Objective To investigate the predictive value of serum vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP)and 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)levels on the outcome of spinal cord electrical stimulation(SCS)in patients with postherpetic neuralgia(PHN).Methods A total of 96 PHN patients who received SCS treatment in Ziy-ang Central Hospital from January 2022 to December 2023 were selected.According to the disease outcomes of all PHN patients after 6 months of treatment,a good group(n=71)and a poor group(n=25)were set up.The clinical data of the two groups were collected and the serum VIP and 5-HT levels were detected in all pa-tients before treatment.The predictive value of serum VIP and 5-HT on disease outcome after SCS treatment in PHN patients was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,and the influencing factors of disease outcome after SCS treatment in PHN patients was explored by multivariate Logistic steppe gression a-nalysis.Results The levels of serum VIP and 5-HT in poor group were higher than those in good group(P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of serum VIP and 5-HT for predicting the disease outcome of PHN patients after SCS treatment were 0.829(95%CI:0.779-0.874)and 0.743(95%CI:0.693-0.793),respec-tively,and the AUC of combined prediction was 0.941(0.891-0.986).There were no significant differences in age,gender,body moss index,education,location of onset,hypertension and drinking history between the two groups(P>0.05).The time of initial hospital admission in the poor group was longer than that in the good group,skin rash area in the poor group was larger than that in the good group,and diabetes mellitus and smoking history in the poor group were higher than those in the good group(P<0.05).The time of admis-sion for initial treatment>3 d(OR=2.188,95%CI:1.383-3.461),skin rash area>10 cm2(OR=2.018,95%CI:1.283-3.173),diabetes mellitus(OR=2.264,95%CI:1.379-3.717),serum VIP level ≥41.78 ng/L(OR=3.022,95%CI:1.685-5.420),serum 5-HT level ≥99.27 ng/mL(OR=3.579,95%CI:1.885-6.793)were the influencing factors of disease outcome after SCS treatment in PHN patients(P<0.05).Con-clusion The elevated levels of serum VIP and 5-HT before treatment are associated with poor outcomes after SCS in patients with PHN,and could be used as potential markers to predict the outcomes of SCS in patients with PHN.
9.Excess mortality risk associated with atmospheric PM2.5 exposure
ZHANG Kaiyue ; LI Xiaoqin ; XIA Junpeng ; DAI Xiangyu ; WU Jingjing ; JIANG Meng ; WANG Fang ; LU Shenghua
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(11):950-952,957
Objective:
To evaluate the risk of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on excess mortality among residents.
Methods:
The data of residential mortality in Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province from 2015 to 2021 were collected from the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The average daily mass concentration of PM2.5 and meteorology data were collected from the Yangzhou Environmental Monitoring Station and Yangzhou Meteorological Bureau, respectively. The effects of PM2.5 on non-accidental mortality, morality of respiratory diseases and mortality of circulatory diseases were evaluated using a generalized additive model. The risk of excess mortality was evaluated using excess risk (ER) and the number of excess mortality.
Results:
The median average annual mass concentration of PM2.5 was 38.00 (interquartile range, 31.95) µg/m3 in Yangzhou City from 2015 to 2021, decreasing from 51.75 (interquartile range, 32.82) µg/m3 in 2015 to 28.00 (interquartile range, 23.42) µg/m3 in 2021. The median average annual number of non-accidental mortality, mortality of respiratory diseases and mortality of circulatory diseases were 96 (interquartile range, 22), 9 (interquartile range, 5) and 38 (interquartile range, 13) cases, respectively. The greatest effects of per 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 mass concentration on non-accidental mortality, mortality of respiratory diseases, and mortality of circulatory diseases were seen at a cumulative lag of 1 day (ER=0.528%, 95%CI: 0.293%-0.763%), a cumulative lag of 2 days (ER=0.917%, 95%CI: 0.125%-1.714%) and a cumulative lag of 1 day (ER=0.595%, 95%CI: 0.232%-0.961%), respectively. The number of excess mortality caused by PM2.5 on non-accidental mortality, mortality of respiratory diseases, and mortality of circulatory diseases in Yangzhou City from 2015 to 2021 were 2 125, 412 and 977 cases, respectively; compared with 2015, the number of excess mortality in 2021 decreased by 66.95%, 75.53% and 64.42%, respectively.
Conclusions
An increase in the mass concentration of atmospheric PM2.5 may elevate the risk of excess mortality among residents. Compared to 2015, the number of excess deaths attributed to exposure to atmospheric PM2.5 declined in 2021.
10.Relationship between serum procalcitonin level and severity and prognosis in patients with traumatic brain injury in plateau areas
Lianyu ZHANG ; Fabin ZHANG ; Huanying BAI ; Huibin YUN ; Zhao ZHENG ; Shuncai LIU ; Shenghua A ; Zhongshan SHI ; Yuhai HU
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2024;36(1):56-61
Objective:To analyze the changes rule of serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels in patients with traumatic brain injury in plateau areas, and to evaluate its value in assessing the severity and prognosis of the patients.Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted. The patients with traumatic brain injury admitted to the critical care medicine departments of Xining Third People's Hospital (at an altitude of 2 260 metres) and Golmud City People's Hospital (at an altitude of 2 780 metres) from May 2018 to September 2022 were enrolled. According to the Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score at admission, the patients were divided into mild injury group (GCS score 13-15), severe injury group (GCS score 9-12), and critical injury group (GCS score 3-8). All patients received active treatment. Chemiluminescence immunoassay was used to measure the serum PCT levels of patients on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th day of admission. The Kendall tau-b correlation method was used to analyze the correlation between serum PCT levels at different time points and the severity of the disease. The patients were followed up until October 30, 2022. The prognosis of the patients was collected. The baseline data of patients with different prognosis were compared. The Cox regression method was used to analyze the relationship between baseline data, serum PCT levels at different time points and prognosis. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was drawn to analyze the predictive value of serum PCT levels at different time points for death during follow-up.Results:Finally, a total of 120 patients with traumatic brain injury were enrolled, including 52 cases in the mild injury group, 40 cases in the severe injury group, and 28 cases in the critical injury group. The serum PCT levels of patients in the mild injury group showed a continuous downward trend with the prolongation of admission time. The serum PCT levels in the severe injury and critical injury groups reached their peak at 3 days after admission, and were significantly higher than those in the mild injury group (μg/L: 3.53±0.68, 4.47±0.63 vs. 0.40±0.14, both P < 0.05), gradually decreasing thereafter, but still significantly higher than the mild injured group at 7 days. Kendall tau-b correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between serum PCT levels on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 of admission and the severity of disease ( r value was 0.801, 0.808, 0.766, 0.528, respectively, all P < 0.01). As of October 30, 2022, 92 out of 120 patients with traumatic brain injury survived and 28 died, with a mortality of 23.33%. Compared with the survival group, the GCS score, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, white blood cell count (WBC) in peripheral blood, and PCT levels in cerebrospinal fluid at admission in the death group were significantly increased [GCS score: 5.20±0.82 vs. 4.35±0.93, IL-6 (ng/L): 1.63±0.45 vs. 0.95±0.27, blood WBC (×10 9/L): 14.31±2.03 vs. 11.95±1.98, PCT in cerebrospinal fluid (μg/L): 11.30±1.21 vs. 3.02±0.68, all P < 0.01]. The serum PCT levels of patients in the survival group showed a continuous downward trend with prolonged admission time. The serum PCT level in the death group peaked at 3 days after admission and was significantly higher than that in the survival group (μg/L: 4.11±0.62 vs. 0.52±0.13, P < 0.01), gradually decreasing thereafter, but still significantly higher than the survival group at 7 days. Cox regression analysis showed that serum IL-6 levels [hazard ratio ( HR) = 17.347, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 5.874-51.232], WBC in peripheral blood ( HR = 1.383, 95% CI was 1.125-1.700), PCT levels in cerebrospinal fluid ( HR = 1.952, 95% CI was 1.535-2.482) at admission and serum PCT levels on admission days 1, 3, 5, and 7 [ HR (95% CI) was 6.776 (1.844-24.906), 1.840 (1.069-3.165), 3.447 (1.284-9.254), and 6.666 (1.214-36.618), respectively] were independent risk factors for death during follow-up in patients with traumatic brain injury (all P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of serum PCT levels on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 for predicting death during follow-up in patients with traumatic brain injury was all > 0.8 [AUC (95% CI) was 0.898 (0.821-0.975), 0.800 (0.701-0.899), 0.899 (0.828-0.970), 0.865 (0.773-0.958), respectively], indicating ideal predictive value. The optimal cut-off value for serum PCT level at 3 days of admission was 1.88 μg/L, with the sensitivity of 78.6% and specificity of 88.0% for predicting death during follow-up. Conclusions:Abnormal expression of serum PCT levels in patients with traumatic brain injury on the 3rd day of admission was found. The serum PCT levels greater than 3 μg/L may be related to severe illness. The serum PCT levels greater than 1.88 μg/L can predict the poor prognosis of patients. Dynamic observation of changes in serum PCT levels has good evaluation value for the severity and prognosis of patients with traumatic brain injury in plateau areas.


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