1.Metabolomics Reveals Mechanism of Abelmoschi Corolla Total Flavonoids in Regulating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in IgA Nephropathy
Shuying SONG ; Changqing WEN ; Luwan XING ; Yan ZHANG ; Haitao GE ; Fujiang WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):153-161
ObjectiveTo elucidate the mechanism by which total flavonoids of Abelmoschi Corolla (TFA) treat immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN) through serum metabolomics analysis. MethodsSPF-grade male SD rats were randomly assigned into six groups (n=10): blank, model, low-dose TFA (TFA-L, 27 mg·kg-1), medium-dose TFA (TFA-M, 54 mg·kg-1), high-dose TFA (TFA-H, 108 mg·kg-1), and losartan potassium (LST, 4.5 mg·kg-1) groups. The remaining five groups, excluding the blank group, were modeled with bovine serum albumin (BSA), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Specifically, from weeks 1 to 10, BSA was administered via gavage every other day, and a mixture of castor oil and CCl4 was injected subcutaneously once a week, with LPS injected into the tail vein at weeks 6 and 8. After successful modeling, each intervention group was administrated with the medication prepared with distilled water once daily by gavage for a continuous period of 4 weeks. The levels of 24-hour urinary total protein (24 h UP) and serum creatinine (SCr) were quantified by kits, and the serum IgA level was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Renal pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. Renal IgA deposition was assessed by immunofluorescence (IF). Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were employed to detect the expression of ER stress-related factors. Non-targeted metabolomics was used to screen differential metabolites for analysis, and key metabolites arachidonic acid (AA), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were validated. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed increased 24-hour urine protein (24 h UP) and serum creatinine (SCr) levels (P<0.01), obvious renal pathological damage, elevated serum IgA level (P<0.01), increased renal AA and PGE2 levels (P<0.01), and up-regulated protein levels of COX-2, glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (P-EIF2α), activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α), and spliced X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1s) in the renal tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the intervention groups showed reductions in 24 h UP and SCr levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), alleviated renal pathological injury, decreased serum IgA level (P<0.05, P<0.01), and reduced renal AA and PGE2 levels (P<0.01). Western blot and IHC results showed that TFA reduced the levels of COX-2, GRP78, P-EIF2α, ATF4, IRE1α, and XBP1s in the renal tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). Metabolomics results indicated that 51 commonly differential metabolites were found among the normal, model, and TFA-M groups. TFA ameliorated IgAN by affecting metabolic pathways related to the biosynthesis of arachidonic acid and arginine through L-aspartic acid, prostaglandin 2α, leukotriene B4, leukotriene D4, among others. ConclusionTFA can regulate the arachidonic acid metabolism pathway, thereby modulating ER stress, reducing renal damage, and ameliorating IgA nephropathy.
2.Clinical efficacy of the traditional Mongolian medicine Zadi-5 pills combined with escitalopram oxalate in the treatment of first-episode depression
Zeyu ZHANG ; Yongqing HUANG ; Yumei QI ; Wenzhi DU ; Shuying BAI
Sichuan Mental Health 2026;39(3):199-205
BackgroundThe global prevalence of depressive disorders is high, with a significant treatment gap remaining. Escitalopram oxalate, as a commonly used antidepressant in clinical practice, has a single target and is prone to cause adverse reactions such as gastrointestinal discomfort. The traditional Mongolian medicine Zadi-5 pills has a multi-target anti-depression mechanism and unique advantages such as improving the intestinal flora. However, there is currently a lack of randomized controlled trial evidence for the combined treatment of first-episode depression, along with insufficient research on its metabolic safety and potential drug interactions. ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy and safety of Zadi-5 pills combined with escitalopram oxalate in the treatment of the first-episode depression, so as to provide references for Mongolian medicine in depression management. MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 103 patients with first-episode depression who were treated in the outpatient or inpatient departments of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Mental Health Center from January 2023 to December 2024 and met the diagnostic criteria for depressive episode as defined in International Classification of Diseases, tenth edition (ICD-10) were included. Random numbers were generated using the RAND function in Excel software, and the patients were divided into the study group (n=52) and the control group (n=51). Both groups received escitalopram oxalate treatment, starting from 5 mg/d and gradually increasing to 20 mg/d. The study group additionally received Zadi-5 pills, 13 pills per day. The treatment duration for both groups was 6 weeks. Before treatment and at the 2nd, 4th, and 6th weeks of treatment, the severity of depressive symptoms was evaluated using the Hamilton Depression Scale-24 item (HAMD-24). At these time points, blood was collected on an empty stomach at 7∶00 for the detection of liver function (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase), triglycerides, and the blood concentration of escitalopram oxalate. ResultsA total of 100 patients completed the study, with 50 cases in the study group and the control group. The results of the repeated measures ANOVA showed that the interaction effect between group and time in the HAMD-24 score was statistically significant (F interaction= 18.070, P<0.01). At the end of the 4th and 6th weeks of treatment, the HAMD-24 score of the study group was lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). At each time point after treatment, the reduction rate of the HAMD-24 score in the study group was higher than those of the control group, and the differences were all statistically significant (P<0.05). The interaction effect between the triglyceride level groups and time was statistically significant (Finteraction=3.381, P<0.05).After treatment, the triglyceride levels in the study group showed a downward trend, while those in the control group showed an upward trend. There was no statistically significant interaction effect between the groups and time for liver function (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase) and the blood concentration of escitalopram oxalate (P>0.05). ConclusionCompared with escitalopram oxalate treatment alone, the combination of Zadi-5 pills and escitalopram oxalate is more effective in treating the first-episode depression, without increasing the risk of liver damage. The combined medication may have a potential beneficial effect on lipid metabolism. [Funded by Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Health Science and Technology Planning Project (number, 202202107)]
3.Mechanisms of Tongmai Yangxin Pills and Tongxinluo Capsules in Treating Myocardial No-reflow Based on Treating Same Disease with Different Methods
Siqi LIU ; Wenqing YANG ; Ting CHEN ; Yan TANG ; Ju WANG ; Yaxuan PENG ; Haoxue QIN ; Lanyue DENG ; Jialu GONG ; Ning XU ; Shuying ZHANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Ting CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(17):125-133
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms of Tongmai Yangxin pills (TMYX) and Tongxinluo capsules (TXL) in treating no-reflow (NR) after myocardial ischemia and reperfusion following the concept of treating the same disease with different methods, based on integrative pharmacology and experimental validation. MethodsEighty 8-week-old SPF-grade SD rats were randomly assigned into four groups (n=20): sham operation, NR, TMYX (4 g·kg-1), and TXL (2 mg·kg-1). A rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion no-reflow was established by in-situ ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Gastric gavage was first performed 4 h after the operation, and samples were collected on day 7. Thioflavin S staining was used to observe the NR area in rat myocardium. Echocardiography was performed to examine the cardiac function. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was conducted to observe the pathological changes of the myocardial tissue. An automatic biochemical analyzer was adopted to measure myocardial enzyme activity. Then, integrated pharmacology was applied for Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Finally, Western blot was employed to quantify the protein levels of key targets in the myocardial tissue, including soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)/dependent protein kinase (PKG), phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (p-PI3K), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). ResultsCompared with the sham operation group, the NR group showed increased NR area of myocardium, decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), left ventricular fractional shortening (FS), left ventricular outflow tract peak velocity (LVOT Peak), and left ventricular stroke volume (LVSV) (P<0.01), fractured and disordered myocardial fibers as well as inflammatory cell infiltration in the myocardial tissue, enhanced activities of creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the myocardial tissue (P<0.01), and downregulated protein levels of sGC, PKG, phosphorylated (p)-PI3K (Tyr458), and p-Akt (Tyr315) in the myocardial tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). The expression level of HIF-1α protein showed a downward trend. Compared with the NR group, the TMYX group and TXL group exhibited a decreasing trend in myocardial NR area, EF, FS, and LVOT Peak significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), LVSV showed an upward trend, ameliorated myocardial pathological morphology and inflammatory infiltration, reductions in CK, CK-MB, and LDH activities (P<0.05, P<0.01), and upregulated protein levels of sGC, PKG, p-PI3K (Tyr458) in myocardial tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), the protein expressions of p-Akt (Tyr315) and HIF-1α showed an upward trend. A comparison of the therapeutic effects between the two compound prescriptions showed that TMYX tended to exert a better effect in restoring cardiac function and protecting cardiac structure in NR rats, whereas TXL was more effective in reducing myocardial NR area and lowering myocardial enzyme activities in NR rats. Integrative pharmacology analysis combined with experimental verification demonstrated that both TMYX and TXL could alleviate NR through the following mechanisms: activating the cyclic cGMP/PKG signaling pathway to regulate vascular tone, activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to dilate blood vessels, and activating the HIF-1 signaling pathway to inhibit oxidative stress. However, TMYX had an advantage in activating the cGMP/PKG pathway, while TXL was superior in activating the PI3K/Akt pathway. The two compound prescriptions exerted comparable effects on the HIF-1 signaling pathway, which might serve as their common therapeutic pathway. ConclusionBoth TMYX and TXL could alleviate NR damage. TMYX exerts its protective effect against NR mainly by activating the cGMP/PKG signaling pathway, while TXL exerts its effect mainly through the PI3K/Akt pathway. The HIF-1α signaling pathway may be a common pathway for the two compound prescriptions to exert their protective effects against NR. This study reveals the similarities and differences between TMYX and TXL in the treatment effect and mechanism for NR, providing an experimental basis and a theoretical basis for better clinical application of the two compound prescriptions.
4.Development of a nomogram for predicting cognitive impairment risk among older adults with heart disease
Xiaolei WANG ; Xiaoqing ZHAO ; Shuying CHEN ; Minghao ZHANG ; Xiaoyu ZHOU ; Haiyan LI ; Jianhua ZHANG ; Qi JING ; Zhiwei DONG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2026;32(9):993-1002
ObjectiveTo develop and validate a nomogram for predicting the risk of concurrent cognitive impairment in older adults with heart disease. MethodsSelf-reported data from 2 673 respondents in the 2020 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were analyzed. The participants were randomly divided into a training set (n = 1 871) and a validation set (n = 802). Heart disease status was determined using a self-report questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors, and a nomogram for predicting the risk of concurrent cognitive impairment in older adults with heart disease was developed using R software. Bootstrap resampling was used for internal validation, and model performance was further evaluated in the randomly split validation set. The predictive performance of the model was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and calibration curves.. ResultsA total of 2 673 older adults with heart disease were included, out of whom 315 participants in the training set had cognitive impairment. Lasso regression analysis identified age, education level, place of residence, instrumental activities of daily living and depression as predictors of concurrent cognitive impairment. A prediction model incorporating these five variables was constructed. The AUC were 0.827 (95%CI 0.804 to 0.850) in the training set and 0.847 (95%CI 0.812 to 0.882) in the validation set. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test yielded P = 0.154 and P = 0.716 in the training and validation sets, respectively. Calibration curves showed good agreement between predicted and observed probabilities. Decision curve analysis indicated that the model provided favorable net benefit and predictive performance. ConclusionThe nomogram may provide a useful reference for risk screening and early intervention for cognitive impairment in older adults with heart disease.
5.Ginkgo biloba extract ameliorates cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in rats via AGEs/RAGE pathway
Jingjing JIA ; Baoyuan ZHANG ; Shuying WANG
Chinese Journal of Neuroanatomy 2025;41(2):173-180
Objective:To explore the mechanism of Ginkgo biloba extract(EGb)on cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury(CIRI)in rats via the advanced glycation end products(AGEs)/receptor for AGEs(RAGE)pathway.Methods:SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group(Sham group),CIRI group,CIRI+EGb pretreat-ment group(CIRI+EGb group),CIRI+AGEs inhibitor alagebrium chloride(ALT711)group(CIRI+ALT711 group)and CIRI+EGb+ALT711 group.HE,Nissl and Prussion blue staining were used to observe pathological chan-ges in the cerebral cortical area.The expression of AGEs,RAGE and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxi-dase 4(NOX4)in the cerebral cortical area was detected by immunohistochemistry,the expression of AGEs,RAGE,NOX4,ferritin heavy chain 1(FTH),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)and solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)in the cerebral cortical area was detected by Western blot,and the expression of RAGE and NOX4 mRNA in the cerebral cortical area was detected by RT-qPCR.Results:Compared with the Sham group,the pathological dam-age in the brain tissue of rats in the CIRI group was observed;the expression of AGEs,RAGE and NOX4 was increased(P<0.01),the expression of FTH,GPX4 and SLC7A11 was reduced(P<0.01),the expression of RAGE and NOX4 mRNA was increased(P<0.01);compared with the CIRI group,the pathological damage in the brain tissue of rats in the CIRI+EGb group and CIRI+ALT711 group was reduced,the expression of AGEs,RAGE and NOX4 was reduced(P<0.01),the expression of FTH,GPX4 and SLC7A11 was increased(P<0.01),the expression of RAGE and NOX4 mRNA was reduced(P<0.05);compared with the CIRI+ALT711 group,the pathological damage in the brain tissue of rats,as well as the expression of AGEs,RAGE and NOX4 in the CIRI+EGb+ALT711 group were re-duced(P<0.01),the expression of FTH,GPX4 and SLC7A11 was increased(P<0.01),the expression of RAGE and NOX4 mRNA was reduced(P<0.01).Conclusion:EGb could protect CIRI by inhibiting NOX4 and ameliorating ferroptosis through the AGEs/RAGE pathway.
6.Association analysis between antenatal WBC and the risk of late pregnancy premature rupture of membranes combined with histological chorioamnionitis
Yan CHEN ; Shuying ZHANG ; Lijuan JIANG ; Yu CHEN
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(20):2507-2512
Objective To investigate the association between antenatal white blood cell count(WBC)and the risk of histological chorioamnionitis(HCA)in pregnant women with late pregnancy premature rupture of membranes(PROM).Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on totally 118 pregnant women with PROM in late pregnancy from March 2018 to August 2021 in the hospital.They were divided into HCA group and non-HCA group according to the presence or absence of HCA.The general clinical data,laboratory indica-tors and delivery outcomes of the two groups were compared.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression were used to analyze the association between prenatal WBC and HCA risk.Generalized additive models were used for curve fitting,and segmented regression models were used to further explain the nonlinear relationship between maternal prenatal WBC and HCA risk.Results The prenatal WBC of the HCA group was signifi-cantly higher than that of the non-HCA group(P<0.001).After adjusting for covariates,elevated prenatal WBC increased the risk of HCA,with an OR of 1.190(95%CI:1.006-1.406,P=0.042).Curve fitting showed that there was a nonlinear relationship between prenatal WBC and HCA risk,and the log-likelihood ratio test of WBC at the inflection point 13.5×109/L(95%CI:11.75-14.56)was statistically significant(P=0.029).For the three groups of prenatal WBC,the risk of HCA in pregnant women gradually increased with the increase of WBC level,which was 0.314(95%CI:0.200-0.456)in the normal group,0.439(95%CI:0.252-0.645)in the high group,and 0.682(95%CI:0.354-0.893)in the elevated group.Conclusion The higher the prenatal WBC of pregnant women with PROM in late pregnancy,the greater the risk of HCA,but there is no simple linear relationship between the two,and there is a threshold effect.
7.Retrospective epidemiological analysis of fungal infection of a hospital from 2018 to 2024
Zhihao LIU ; Yali LIU ; Lina GUO ; Yao WANG ; Ying ZHAO ; Xiuli XIE ; Wenjing LIU ; Renyuan ZHU ; Hongli SUN ; Hongtao DOU ; Dingding LI ; Lingli LIU ; Shuying YU ; Menglan ZHOU ; Qiwen YANG ; Yingchun XU ; Li ZHANG
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(21):2588-2594
Objective To analyze the main epidemiological characteristics of fungal infection in this hospital in the past 7 years,and to provide reference for clinical treatment and prevention and control strategies of fun-gal infection.Methods The fungal data and clinical data of related patients isolated from clinical samples in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from early January 2018 to the end of May 2024 were selected,and the main epidemiological characteristics of fungal infection in this hospital were identified and described through multi-angle statistical analysis.Results A total of 4 479 patients with filamentous fungal infection were en-rolled.The proportion of male patients[57.5%(2 576/4 479)]was higher than that of female patients[42.5%(1 903/4 143)],mainly distributed in internal medicine,Intensive Care Unit(ICU)and emergency de-partment,among which internal medicine accounted for the highest proportion[50.0%(2 241/4 479)].About 90.0%of the specimens were from the lower respiratory tract,in addition to specimens from skin and soft tis-sue,tissue,ear and blood culture.In terms of seasonal distribution,there are more patients in winter.The fun-gi were mainly composed of Aspergillus,Mucor,Cerdosporium,Fusarium and Penicillium,among which As-pergillus was the most abundant,accounting for 74.6%of the total.Aspergillus fumigatus was the most a-bundant Aspergillus,accounting for 42.5%of the total Aspergillus(1 418/3 340).Among the related infec-tions caused by mold,Aspergillus was the most common in the lower respiratory tract,accounting for 76.8%.Among them,Aspergillus fumigatus accounted for the highest proportion(33.6%).98.6%of the molds infected the ear were Aspergillus,of which Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus terreus were the most common.Skin infections are mainly caused by Sporothrix schenckii,Trichophyton rubrum,Microsporum ca-nis.The results of in vitro drug sensitivity test showed that the four common Aspergillus isolated in this hos-pital were sensitive to voriconazole,and amphotericin B had better antifungal activity against Mucorales in vitro.Conclusion Based on the main epidemiological characteristics of fungal infections in this hospital,it is recommended that special attention be paid to the admission of patients in the respiratory department during the peak infection period in autumn and winter.In the treatment of fungal infections in different regions and on different body parts,attention should be paid to the differences in the distribution of bacterial species.
8.Research on lunar dust adhesion effects of fiber materials
Hongrui YANG ; Rongqing WANG ; Shuying CHEN ; Zhiqiang MEI ; Zhiqiang WU ; Meng LI ; Wanxin ZHANG
Space Medicine & Medical Engineering 2025;36(2):112-117
Objective The effect of lunar dust adhesion performance by fiber surface characteristics were investigated for the lunar dust adhesion mitigation of spacesuits.Methods In this research,an adhesion test method under ultraviolet ray radiation in vacuum was developed to measure the adhesion quantity of simulated lunar dust on fiber materials.Based on the microscopic image of the fiber sample after test,the influence of conductive and surface energy characteristics of the fiber materials on the lunar dust adhesion performance was studied.Results The simulated lunar dust were activated under ultraviolet ray radiation,which induced an increase of the adhesion quantity of simulated lunar dust on fiber materials;Lower surface energy or higher conductive characteristics of the fiber was both beneficial to reduce the adhesion quantity of simulated lunar dust.Conclusion The static electric forces were likely to be the major forces between the fiber and the lunar dust under ultraviolet ray radiation in vacuum.In addition to reducing surface energy,improving conductive characteristics of the fiber was more beneficial to reduce the adhesion quantity of simulated lunar dust.
9.Performance optimization of rubber seals based on Mooney-Rivlin model
Yanglin PENG ; Shuying CHEN ; Huilong YAN ; Li ZHANG ; Lei LIU ; Meng SHI
Space Medicine & Medical Engineering 2025;36(2):174-177
The sealing performance is directly related to the safety,reliability and mission success rate of aerospace equipment.The sealing performance of rubber seals and the optimized design of the compression force directly affect the performance and work efficiency of the equipment.Based on the hyperelastic Mooney-Rivlin model of nonlinear materials,the mechanical properties of rubber are simulated,and a finite element model of rubber seals is established.Through simulation analysis,the effects of different cross-section dimensions and compression amounts on the sealing performance are studied and compared,and key parameters such as the contact stress distribution,maximum contact stress,and compression force.The size of the fillet affects the final deformation and the contact state.By optimizing the geometric parameters,the compression force can be reduced while ensuring the sealing performance,providing a theoretical basis for the optimized design of rubber seals.
10.Evaluation on the Operation Management of Public Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospitals in Shandong Province Based on Ecological Niche Width and Situation Model
Yingzhe ZHAO ; Xingru LIN ; Ya LIU ; Xiaolei WANG ; Shuying CHEN ; Zhiwei DONG ; Jingjie SUN ; Jianhua ZHANG ; Qi JING
Chinese Health Economics 2025;44(5):58-63
Objective:Using ecological niche width and situation model,the operation and management of public Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)hospitals in 16 cities in Shandong Province were evaluated to put forward countermeasures.Methods:The relevant index data of public TCM hospitals in 16 cities in Shandong Province from 2019 to 2022 were collected to analyze the development status.The ecological niche width model and niche situation model were applied to evaluate the operation and management of public TCM hospitals in 16 cities in Shandong.Results:The top three public TCM hospitals in terms of average ecological niche width were City G,City P and City F.The ecological niche situation value of public TCM hospitals in City K,City A and City J ranked the top three.Conclusion:The dimensions of operation management structure of public TCM hospitals in Shandong need to be enhanced and the development of operation management space needs to be balanced.It is feasible to evaluate operation management by using ecological niche width and situation model.It is suggested to improve the allocation efficiency of health personnel,facilities,funds and other resources;promote the spatial balanced development of operation management;promote the application of ecological niche width and situation model in the field of medicine and health management.

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