1.Effects of Zuogui Pill (左归丸) Decoction on Cerebral Perfusion and Corticospinal Tract Remodeling in Patients With Ischemic Stroke of the Liver-Kidney Yin Deficiency Syndrome
Xinyu XU ; Dan WU ; Xiaohui YAN ; Hao HUA ; Siqi MEI ; Zihan ZHOU ; Jinglin ZHAO ; Shiyu HE ; Xiaoyu FEI ; Yangfan LIU ; Yue SU ; Li LI ; Wenlei LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(21):2302-2310
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Zuogui Pill (左归丸,ZGP) decoction on neurological function, motor function, and activities of daily living in patients with ischemic stroke (IS) of liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome, and to assess its potential mechanisms from the perspectives of cerebral perfusion and corticospinal tract (CST) remodeling. MethodsA total of 108 patients with IS of liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome and onset time ≤14 days were enrolled and randomly divided into a control group and a treatment group, with 54 cases in each group. The control group received conventional western medicine, while the treatment group received ZGP decoction (one dose per day) in addition to the conventional treatment. Both groups were treated for 90 days. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), modified Barthel Index (MBI), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), and Chinese medicine syndrome score (CMS) were evaluated before treatment and after (90±3) days of treatment. Three-dimensional arterial spin labeling (3D-ASL) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were performed to obtain ipsilesional cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the unaffected and affected hemispheres, relative CBF (rCBF), and fractional anisotropy (FA) of the CST. Nodal analysis of FA values along the CST was also conducted. Correlation analysis was used to assess the relationships between post-treatment cerebral perfusion parameters (CBF and rCBF), and FA values with clinical neurological function scores. ResultsAfter treatment, both groups showed significantly decreased NIHSS, mRS and CMS scores, together with significantly increased FMA and MBI scores (P<0.01). Intergroup comparison showed that NIHSS, mRS, and CMS scores in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group , while MBI and FMA scores were significantly higher (P<0.01). The 3D-ASL results revealed that CBF and rCBF values in the affected hemisphere significantly increased in both groups after treatment, and the treatment group had significantly higher values (P<0.01). DTI showed that the FA value of the CST on the affected side in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group after treatment (P<0.05). Nodal analysis along the CST further demonstrated that the continuity of FA values at lesion-related nodes 45~99 in the treatment group was significantly better than that in the control group (P<0.01), with significant increases at nodes 65~71 and 76~81 compared with baseline (P<0.05 or P<0.01), whereas the control group showed a decreasing trend at nodes 80~93 (P<0.05). Correlation analysis indicated that CBF and rCBF values in the affected hemisphere were negatively correlated with NIHSS and mRS scores and positively correlated with MBI score (P<0.05). FA value of the CST on the affected side, both before and after treatment, were negatively correlated with NIHSS score and positively correlated with FMA score (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionZGP decoction can effectively improve neurological function, motor function, and activities of daily living in IS patients with liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome, and its mechanism may be related to enhanced cerebral perfusion in the affected hemisphere and corticospinal tract structural remodeling.
2.Machine learning analysis of the influence of workload factors and social psychological factors on WMSDs
Siqi CHEN ; Cheng TANG ; Yong YAO ; Bifeng LU ; Yong MEI ; Zhenlong CHEN
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2025;43(7):498-503
Objective:To explore the effects of workload factors and social psychological factors on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) , construct a preventive decision-assisted ensemble learning model, and propose screening methods with clinical significance.Methods:In October 2022, 1071 workers from optoelectronic enterprises were selected as the research subjects by cluster sampling method. The general situation of workers, workload factors, social psychological factors and the occurrence of WMSDs were collected by using questionnaires. logistic regression, Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) , ensemble learning and classification chain model were adopted to explore the key factors influencing WMSDs, and the area under curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the model performance.Results:The incidence of WMSDs among workers in optoelectronic enterprises in the past year was 47.7% (511/1071) , among which the incidence of multi-site WMSDs was 54.4% (278/511) . logistic regression analysis showed that prolonged sitting, personnel shortage and forward neck tilt were risk factors for the occurrence of WMSDs in workers ( P<0.05) . XGBoost identified the key social psychological factors influencing WMSDs as low mood, mental tension, perceived happiness level, psychological calmness and tranquility. The integrated classification chain model based on the ordered label order had certain efficacy (AUC>0.7) when analyzing WMSDs at the neck, waist, shoulder, back, elbow and hip positions. Conclusion:Workload factors are the main risk factors for the occurrence of WMSDs among workers in optoelectronic enterprises, and social psychological factors also have potential influences. The construction of a classification chain model can accurately identify the occurrence of WMSDs in multiple parts. The alternating prevention strategy of workload factors and social psychological factors has important public health significance.
3.Meta-synthesis of qualitative research of exercise behavior perception in community-dwelling older adults with frailty
Siqi JIANG ; Huanhuan HUANG ; Lijuan CHEN ; Ying PENG ; Xinyu YU ; Chunni WANG ; Mei CHEN ; Li XU ; Qinghua ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(1):113-120
Objective To systematically evaluate and integrate qualitative studies on perception of exercise behaviors in community-dwelling older adults with frailty,and to provide references for clinical development of targeted exercise intervention strategies.Methods A systematic search of PubMed,Medline,Embase,PsycINFO,the Cochrane Library,SinoMed,Wanfang Database,CNKI,and VIP Database for qualitative studies on perception of exercise behaviors in older adults with frailty in the community was conducted from the inception of the databases to June 2024.Literature quality was evaluated using the Australian Joanna Briggs Institute Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care Quality Assessment Criteria for Qualitative Research(2016 edition),and Meta-synthesis was performed using the theme synthesis method.Results A total of 10 papers were included,grouped into 10 categories and integrated into the 3 domains of the capability,opportunity,and motivation-behavior model(COM-B model),i.e.Preparation for exercise behavior is influenced by capability factors(physical reserve,knowledge reserve,psychological preparation);stage-specific motivational evolution promotes the internalization of exercise behavior(guiding,focusing,stimulating,and maintaining);external conditions provide opportunities for exercise behavior(individual interaction,community environment,and social support).Conclusion Perceptions of exercise behavior among community-dwelling older adults with frailty or are complex and influenced by a variety of factors.Future exercise intervention strategies should consider modifiable factors,enhance knowledge education,stimulate intrinsic motivation,and solidify external conditions,while also accommodating individual differences and preferences,so as to promote exercise participation and health enhancement in this group.
4.Machine learning analysis of the influence of workload factors and social psychological factors on WMSDs
Siqi CHEN ; Cheng TANG ; Yong YAO ; Bifeng LU ; Yong MEI ; Zhenlong CHEN
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2025;43(7):498-503
Objective:To explore the effects of workload factors and social psychological factors on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) , construct a preventive decision-assisted ensemble learning model, and propose screening methods with clinical significance.Methods:In October 2022, 1071 workers from optoelectronic enterprises were selected as the research subjects by cluster sampling method. The general situation of workers, workload factors, social psychological factors and the occurrence of WMSDs were collected by using questionnaires. logistic regression, Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) , ensemble learning and classification chain model were adopted to explore the key factors influencing WMSDs, and the area under curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the model performance.Results:The incidence of WMSDs among workers in optoelectronic enterprises in the past year was 47.7% (511/1071) , among which the incidence of multi-site WMSDs was 54.4% (278/511) . logistic regression analysis showed that prolonged sitting, personnel shortage and forward neck tilt were risk factors for the occurrence of WMSDs in workers ( P<0.05) . XGBoost identified the key social psychological factors influencing WMSDs as low mood, mental tension, perceived happiness level, psychological calmness and tranquility. The integrated classification chain model based on the ordered label order had certain efficacy (AUC>0.7) when analyzing WMSDs at the neck, waist, shoulder, back, elbow and hip positions. Conclusion:Workload factors are the main risk factors for the occurrence of WMSDs among workers in optoelectronic enterprises, and social psychological factors also have potential influences. The construction of a classification chain model can accurately identify the occurrence of WMSDs in multiple parts. The alternating prevention strategy of workload factors and social psychological factors has important public health significance.
5.Meta-synthesis of qualitative research of exercise behavior perception in community-dwelling older adults with frailty
Siqi JIANG ; Huanhuan HUANG ; Lijuan CHEN ; Ying PENG ; Xinyu YU ; Chunni WANG ; Mei CHEN ; Li XU ; Qinghua ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(1):113-120
Objective To systematically evaluate and integrate qualitative studies on perception of exercise behaviors in community-dwelling older adults with frailty,and to provide references for clinical development of targeted exercise intervention strategies.Methods A systematic search of PubMed,Medline,Embase,PsycINFO,the Cochrane Library,SinoMed,Wanfang Database,CNKI,and VIP Database for qualitative studies on perception of exercise behaviors in older adults with frailty in the community was conducted from the inception of the databases to June 2024.Literature quality was evaluated using the Australian Joanna Briggs Institute Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care Quality Assessment Criteria for Qualitative Research(2016 edition),and Meta-synthesis was performed using the theme synthesis method.Results A total of 10 papers were included,grouped into 10 categories and integrated into the 3 domains of the capability,opportunity,and motivation-behavior model(COM-B model),i.e.Preparation for exercise behavior is influenced by capability factors(physical reserve,knowledge reserve,psychological preparation);stage-specific motivational evolution promotes the internalization of exercise behavior(guiding,focusing,stimulating,and maintaining);external conditions provide opportunities for exercise behavior(individual interaction,community environment,and social support).Conclusion Perceptions of exercise behavior among community-dwelling older adults with frailty or are complex and influenced by a variety of factors.Future exercise intervention strategies should consider modifiable factors,enhance knowledge education,stimulate intrinsic motivation,and solidify external conditions,while also accommodating individual differences and preferences,so as to promote exercise participation and health enhancement in this group.
6.Exploring the Cocktail Factor Approach to Generate Salivary Gland Progenitors through Co-Culture Techniques
Yifei ZHANG ; Shuang YAN ; Zi MEI ; He ZHANG ; Chong DING ; Siqi ZHANG ; Shicheng WEI
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine 2024;21(5):749-759
BACKGROUND:
The derivation of salivary gland (SG) progenitors from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) presents significant potential for developmental biology and regenerative medicine. However, the existing protocols for inducing SG include limited factors, making it challenging to mimic the in vivo microenvironment of embryonic SGs.
METHODS:
We reported a cocktail factor approach to promote the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC)-derived oral epithelium (OE) into SG progenitors through a three-dimensional co-culture method. Upon confirming that the embryonic SG can promote the differentiation of mESC-derived OE, we performed RNA sequence analysis to identify factors involved in the differentiation of SG progenitors.
RESULTS:
Our findings highlight several efficient pathways related to SG development, with frequent appearances of four factors: IFN-c, TGF-b2, EGF, and IGF-1. The combined treatment using these cocktail factors increased the expression of key SG progenitor markers, including Sox9, Sox10, Krt5, and Krt14. However, absence of any one of these cocktail factors did not facilitate differentiation. Notably, aggregates treated with the cocktail factor formed SG epitheliallike structures and pre-bud-like structures on the surface.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, this study offers a novel approach to developing a differentiation protocol that closely mimics the in vivo microenvironment of embryonic SGs. This provides a foundation for generating PSC-derived organoids with near-physiological cell behaviors and structures.
7.Simultaneous multi-slice technique applicated in diffusion tensor imaging for evaluating brain glioma
Yakun HE ; Xiaoyu CHEN ; Siqi YI ; Yuntao HU ; Mei LAN ; Jia CHEN ; Jing REN ; Peng ZHOU ; Heping DENG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Imaging and Therapy 2024;21(8):495-498
Objective To explore the application value of simultaneous multi-slice(SMS)technique in diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)for evaluating brain glioma.Methods Thirty-four brain glioma patients were prospectively enrolled,and brain conventional DTI and SMS-DTI were acquired.The subjective scores of image quality,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)were compared between SMS-DTI and conventional DTI,so were the numbers of whole brain fiber bundles,tumor relative fractional anisotropy(rFA)and relative mean diffusivity(rMD)obtained based on SMS-DTI and conventional DTI.Results Among 34 patients,there were 23 cases of high-grade glioma and 11 cases of low-grade glioma.No significant difference of subjective scores of image quality,tumor edge clarity nor magnetic susceptibility artifacts was found between SMS-DTI and conventional DTI(all P>0.05).SNR and CNR on SMS-DTI were both lower than those on conventional DTI(both P<0.05).No significant difference of the numbers of whole brain fiber bundles,rFA nor rMD of gliomas with different pathological grades was detected based on SMS-DTI compared with those on conventional DTI(all P>0.05).Conclusion SMS applicated in DTI for evaluating brain gliomas was able to shorten acquisition time under the condition of ensuring image quality and quantitative analysis accuracy.
8.Glutathione regulates glycometabolism and inflammation of macrophages and ameliorates collagen induced arthritis in mice via demethylation of histone H3K27
Wenting HAO ; Wei PAN ; Jing LIANG ; Siqi SHAO ; Song ZHAO ; Zhanbiao MEI ; Yile REN
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(10):2058-2063,2070
Objective:To observe the anti-inflammatory and glycometabolic effects of glutathione(GSH)on macrophages in collagen induced arthritis(CIA)mice.Methods:①CIA model establishment and groups:A total of 14 female DBA/1J mice were ran-domly divided into:CIA+PBS group and CIA+GSH group.The mice were sacrificed on the 50th day,collecting serum and isolating bone marrow derived macrophages(BMDM),which were marked as BMDM1.②Trained immunity model establishment and groups:BMDM were isolated from normal DBA/1J mice,and were pretreated with histone H3K27 demethylases inhibitor(GSKJ1)or PBS for 2 h.Then,serum from CIA model mice in vivo was incubated for 24 h,and the samples were grouped as follows:(CIA+GSH)+PBS group,(CIA+GSH)+GSKJ1 group,(CIA+PBS)+PBS group,(CIA+PBS)+GSKJ1 group.Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)was adopted to stimulated cells on the 6th day,which were marked as BMDM2.③RNA sequencing was used to detect differentially expressed genes(DEGs)and their function in BMDM1 and BMDM2.q-PCR was adopted to estimate the mRNA levels of PFK and Idh3g.The culture supernatants were used to measure the protein levels of TNF-α and IL-6 by ELISA.Results:①Compared with CIA+PBS group,the mice in CIA+GSH group showed lighter of joint swelling(P<0.05),less arthritis index(P<0.05),HE staining suggested less inflam-matory cell infiltration,Safranin O-fast green staining showed more chondrocytes,TRAP staining indicated reduced osteoclasts.②In BMDM1,GO analysis showed that DEGs were mainly involved in glutathione derivative metabolic process,IL-6 production,inflammatory response,innate immune response,regulation of primary metabolic process and glycolipid binding,compared with CIA+GSH and CIA+PBS group.In CIA+GSH group,the mRNA level of PFK was significantly decreased(P<0.05),while Idh3g was also significantly up-regulated(P<0.05),and the expression of TNF-α,IL-6 were both reduced(P<0.05)compared with CIA+PBS group.③In BMDM2,GO analysis showed that DEGs were also involved in inflammatory response,activation of innate immune response,regulation of tumor necrosis factor production,positive regulation of IL-6 production,regulation of glycolytic process and 1,3-β-D-glucan binding between CIA+GSH and CIA+PBS group.Furthermore,in(CIA+GSH)+PBS group,PFK was decreased(P<0.05),Idh3g was up-regulated(P<0.05),and IL-6 was also significantly down-regulated(P<0.05)compared with(CIA+PBS)+PBS group.However,there was no significant difference in the expression of Idh3g and PFK,moreover,TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly up-regulated compared with(CIA+GSH)+GSKJ1 group and(CIA+GSH)+PBS group.Conclusion:GSH can regulate glycometabolism and inflammatory response of macrophages via demethylation of histone H3K27,and it can also alleviate CIA in mice.
9.Comparative permeability of three saikosaponins and corresponding saikogenins in Caco-2 model by a validated UHPLC-MS/MS method
Ren SIQI ; Liu JINGJING ; Xue YUNWEN ; Zhang MEI ; Liu QIWEI ; Xu JIE ; Zhang ZUNJIAN ; Song RUI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2021;11(4):435-443
Saikosaponins (SSs) are the main active components extracted from Bupleuri Radix (BR) which has been used as an important herbal drug in Asian countries for thousands of years.It has been reported that the intestinal bacteria plays an important role in the in vivo disposal of oral SSs.Although the deglycosylated derivatives (saikogenins,SGs) of SSs metabolized by the intestinal bacteria are speculated to be the main components absorbed into the blood after oral administration of SSs,no studies have been reported on the characteristics of SGs for their intestinal absorption,and those for SSs are also limited.Therefore,a rapid UHPLC-MS/MS method was developed to investigate and compare the apparent permeability of three common SSs (SSa,SSd,SSb2) and their corresponding SGs (SGF,SGG,SGD) through a bidirectional transport experiment on Caco-2 cell monolayer model.The method was validated according to the latest FDA guidelines and applied to quantify the six analytes in transport medium samples extracted via liquid-liquid extraction (LLE).The apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) determined in this study indicated that the permeability of SGs improved to the moderate class compared to the corresponding parent compounds,predicting a higher in vivo absorption.Moreover,the efflux ratio (ER) value demonstrated an active uptake of SSd and the three SGs,while a passive diffusion of SSa and SSb2.
10.Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Inhibiting the Fibrosis and Autoimmune Development in HOCl-Induced Systemic Scleroderma Mouse Model
Xin JIN ; Jiali HOU ; Ke ZHENG ; Dan WEI ; Ali ZHANG ; Siqi WANG ; Hua MEI ; Chuang LI ; Lamei CHENG ; Xuan SUN
International Journal of Stem Cells 2021;14(3):262-274
Background and Objectives:
Systemic scleroderma (SSc) is a rare and serious connective tissue disease, an autoimmune disease, and a rare refractory disease. In this study, preventive effect of single systemic human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) transfusion on SSc was preliminarily explored.
Methods:
and Results: SSc mouse model was established by daily intradermal injection of Hypochlorite (HOCl). SSc mice were treated by single transfusion of UC-MSCs at 0.625×10 5 , 2.5×105 and 1×106 respectively. At the 42nd day of intradermal injection of HOCl, the symptoms showed up by skin and alveolar wall thickening, lymphocytic infiltration, increased collagen in skin/lung, and the increased proportion of CD3 + CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ cells (a Treg subset) in spleen. After UC-MSCs transfusion, the degree of skin thickening, alveolar wall thickening and lymphocyte infiltration were decreased, the collagen sedimentation in skin/lung was decreased, and the proportion of CD3+ CD4+ CD25+FoxP3+ cells was decreased.
Conclusions
UC-MSC can achieve a preventive effect in SSc mice by fibrosis attenuation and immunoregulation.

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