1.Artificial intelligence-based quality control of hand hygiene for hospital-acquired infection
Xuchen YANG ; Jingwen LI ; Wan ZHANG ; Shasha FENG ; Min ZENG ; Jianan SHI ; Youqiong CHEN ; Tao ZHENG ; Xun YAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(02):241-247
Objective To explore an artificial intelligence (AI)-based method for automated hand hygiene monitoring and to compare the effectiveness of three algorithms (UniFormerV2, TDN, C3D) in recognizing hand hygiene steps in surgical settings, thereby aiding hospital infection control. Methods From April to October 2024, we non-invasively collected 641 video recordings of healthcare staff performing hand hygiene at four-bay scrub sinks in two tertiary hospitals using overhead HD cameras. The dataset was annotated by five trained experts for model training and validation. Results Following training on 385 samples, internal validation (n=119) showed the C3D model achieved 81% accuracy, 87% recall, and an 83% F1-score. The TDN model achieved 93%, 91%, and 92% for the same metrics. The UniFormerV2 model outperformed both, with an accuracy, recall, and F1-score of 93%—an improvement of over 10 percentage points compared to traditional CNNs (TDN, C3D). It also achieved an 84% accuracy in external validation, demonstrating strong generalization. Conclusion The UniFormerV2 model is more accurate than CNN-based models for hand hygiene step recognition and shows robust performance in external validation. It presents a viable tool for healthcare facilities to enhance hand hygiene management, ultimately improving medical quality and patient safety.
2.Association between takeout fast foods and sugar sweetened beverage consumption with co-occurrence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among first year junior high school students in Yunnan Province
HU Dongyue, ZHANG Zhengwu, XU Zenglei, TAO Lei, ZENG Anna, GUAN Liao, CHANG Litao,〖JZ〗 HUANG Xin, CHEN Weiwei, LI Jiangli, XU Honglü ;
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(1):23-26
Objective:
To explore the association between takeout fast foods and sugar sweetened beverage consumption with co-occurrence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among first year junior high school students in Yunnan Province, so as to provide theoretical basis for the prevention of anxiety and depressive symptoms co-occurrence among adolescents.
Methods:
A random cluster sampling involving 8 500 first year junior high school students in 11 counties in Yunnan Province was conducted by a questionnaire survey from October to December 2022. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) was applied to assess anxiety and depressive symptoms in first year junior high school students. Chi-square test was used to compare the anxiety-depression co-occurrence symptoms of first year junior high school students with different demographic characteristics. The association between takeout fast foods and sugar sweetened beverage consumption with co-occurrence of anxiety and depressive symptoms of adolescents was analyzed by binary Logistic regression models.
Results:
The detection rate of co-occurrence of anxiety and depression symptoms among first year junior high school students in Yunnan Province was 26.92%. After controlling for demographic variables and other confounders, takeout fast foods and sugar sweetened beverage consumption( OR=1.50, 95%CI =1.27-1.77) was associated with anxiety-depression co-occurrence symptoms among first year junior high school students in Yunnan Province ( P <0.01). Stratified analysis showed that both Han ( OR=1.37, 95%CI =1.07-1.77) and ethnic minorities ( OR=1.60, 95%CI =1.29-2.00) exhibited statistically significant associations between takeout fast foods and sugar sweetened beverage consumption with co-occurrence of anxiety and depressive symptoms(both P <0.05).
Conclusions
Takeout fast foods and sugar sweetened beverage consumption increases the risk of co-occurrence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among first year junior high school students in Yunnan Province. It is recommended to strengthen guidance on the consumption of such products among junior high school students to prevent co-occurrence of anxiety and depressive symptoms.
3.Modified Huangqi Jianzhong Decoction Alleviates Gastric Precancerous Conditions in Mice by Regulating Mitochondrial Function via FoxO3/ROS Signaling Pathway
Yueqiang WEN ; Li ZHOU ; Dan LUO ; Maoyuan ZHAO ; Jun HAN ; Xueyi LI ; Jianguo LI ; Zhelin HE ; Tao SHEN ; Jinhao ZENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):216-225
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of modified Huangqi Jianzhong decoction (HQJZ) on gastric precancerous conditions (GPC). MethodsIn the cell experiment, human gastric mucosal epithelial cells underwent malignant transformation induced by N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) for the modeling of GPC (MC cells). The cells were allocated into four groups: control , model, low-dose HQJZ (HQJZ-L), and high-dose HQJZ (HQJZ-H). The control and model groups were cultured with the complete medium, while HQJZ-L and HQJZ-H groups received additional interventions with HQJZ at low (0.5 g·L-1) and high (1.0 g·L-1) doses, respectively. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to evaluate cytotoxicity, Transwell assay to assess cell invasion, Annexin V-FITC/PI staining to detect apoptosis, immunofluorescence assay to analyze reactive oxygen species (ROS) expression and mitochondrial autophagy, and Western blot to verify expression of proteins in key pathways. In the animal experiment, the GPC model was established in healthy BALB/c mice through MNNG induction. Twenty-four mice were allocated into four groups: control, model, HQJZ-L, and HQJZ-H. Control and model groups received normal saline (10 mL·kg-1·d-1) orally, while HQJZ-L and HQJZ-H groups were administrated with low-dose (6.24 g·kg-1·d-1) and high-dose (12.48 g·kg-1·d-1) HQJZ, respectively. After treatment, hematoxylin‑eosin (HE) staining and AB-PAS staining were performed to observe histopathological changes in the gastric tissue. Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) levels in the gastric mucosa, TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining to assess apoptosis rates, and Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) to analyze the expression levels of Ki67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and foxhead box O3 (FoxO3). ResultsCell viability assays showed that HQJZ dose-dependently reduced MC cell viability compared with the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Transwell assays revealed that the model group exhibited enhanced cell invasion compared with the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, HQJZ treatment attenuated the cell invasion (P<0.05). Gastric mucosal pathology in mice demonstrated that compared with the control group, the model group showed elevated HE and AB-PAS pathological scores (P<0.05), while HQJZ treatment reduced these scores (P<0.05). Transmission electron microscopy revealed increased mitochondrial number and volume in the model group compared with the control group. HQJZ treatment resulted in abnormal mitochondrial structure and significant alterations in rough endoplasmic reticulum morphology and distribution, presenting as dilated and hollow forms. Mitochondrial and apoptosis assessments indicated that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited enhanced Mito Tracker Green fluorescence (P<0.05), no significant change in DCFH-DA fluorescence, Mito Tracker Red CMXRos fluorescence, ROS immunofluorescence, or malondialdehyde (MDA) level, increased GSH level (P<0.05), enhanced LC3 fluorescence (P<0.05), no significant change in apoptosis rate, and elevated ATP content in cells and mouse serum (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, HQJZ treatment reduced Mito Tracker Green fluorescence (P<0.05), increased DCFH-DA fluorescence, Mito Tracker Red fluorescence, MDA level, LC3 fluorescence, and apoptosis rate (P<0.05), and decreased cellular ATP content (P<0.05). The HQJZ-L group showed no significant change in ROS immunofluorescence or GSH level, whereas the HQJZ-H group demonstrated enhanced ROS immunofluorescence and glutathione (GSH) level (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting revealed that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited increased numbers of PCNA- and Ki67-positive cells (P<0.05) and elevated protein levels of FoxO3, sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), and B-cell lymphoma 6 (Bcl-6) (P<0.05). HQJZ treatment reduced the numbers of PCNA- and Ki67-positive cells (P<0.05) and lowered the protein levels of FoxO3, SIRT1, and Bcl-6 (P<0.05). ConclusionHQJZ alleviates the progression of gastric precancerous lesions by regulating mitochondrial function via the FoxO3/ROS pathway and promoting apoptosis of GPC-malignant cells.
4.From Bedside to Molecular Diagnosis-Multidisciplinary Treatment of a Rare Case of Autoinflammatory Disease Presenting with Skin Induration and Limb Weakness
Hanhui FU ; Wenjun WANG ; Yaping LIU ; Hui YOU ; Tao WANG ; Wen ZHANG ; Xuejun ZENG ; Liying CUI ; Huijuan ZHU ; Xiuli ZHAO ; Min SHEN ; Yicheng ZHU
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(2):207-213
This article reports a rare case of autoinflammatory disease presenting initially with skin induration and swelling after trauma as the initial manifestation, followed by progressive limb weakness. The patient was a middle-aged female who developed skin induration and swelling after trauma, which gradually progressed to limb weakness, dysarthria and bilateral facial paralysis, accompanied by livedo reticularis of the lower extremities, diffuse skin induration of the limbs, and beaded subcutaneous nodules in the right upper limb. The patient had a susceptibility to infection since childhood and a history of chronic livedo reticularis. Skin pathological examination revealed panniculitis. A comprehensive etiological screening for special infections and autoimmune diseases was completed with an unremarkable results, and whole-exome sequencing showed no abnormal findings. Following a multidisciplinary discussion combined with RNA sequencing results, the patient was diagnosed with an autoinflammatory disease, with a suspected type Ⅰ interferonopathy. Treatment with tofacitinib resulted in gradual improvement of clinical symptoms. This case highlights the importance of detailed medical history collection, systematic physical examination and multidisciplinary collaborative diagnosis and treatment, and underscores the pivotal role of molecular diagnosis in the confirmation of rare diseases. It can provide a reference for the clinical diagnosis and management of similar rare cases.
5.Construction and application of a comprehensive evaluation system for oral Chinese patent medicines in children
Sichao YAN ; Jingtai CHEN ; Weixin ZENG ; Tao YANG ; Jianliang LI ; Ying CHEN ; Guofeng PAN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(18):2357-2362
OBJECTIVE To construct a comprehensive evaluation system for oral Chinese patent medicines in children that is compatible with pediatric physiological characteristics and the features of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and provide a basis for the selection, pharmaceutical management, and medical insurance procurement of oral Chinese patent medicines in children.METHODS According to the Guidelines for the Management of Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation of Drugs ( 2021 Trial Edition ) and related policy documents and literatures, six first-level indicators were determined: safety, efficacy, suitability, economy, accessibility, and innovation. An initial indicator pool was constructed through literature retrieval, policy text analysis, and semi-structured expert interviews. A preliminary survey using a 5-point Likert scale was conducted to determine the primary indicator list. Two rounds of Delphi expert consultation were carried out. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to determine the weights and scores of indicators at all levels, and the methodological quality of the questionnaire and reliability were evaluated. Five oral Chinese patent medicines for pediatric respiratory diseases were selected for empirical evaluation. Two independent blinded reviewers scored the medicines, and the Kappa value was calculated to evaluate inter-rater consistency.RESULTS Both rounds of Delphi consulting had 21 experts, with a positive coefficient of 100% and an authoritative coefficient of 0.89. The Kendall’s W coefficients of concordance for the first and second rounds of Delphi expert consultation were 0.812 and 0.856, respectively ( P <0.01). The consistency ratios of all AHP judgment matrices ranged from 0.032 to 0.087 (all <0.10). The Cronbach’s α coefficient was 0.847. A comprehensive evaluation system for oral Chinese patent medicines in children was established, comprising 6 first-level indicators, 25 second-level indicators, and 78 third-level indicators. The weights of the first-level indicators were 0.32, 0.24, 0.16, 0.13, 0.10 and 0.05, respectively, for safety, effectiveness, suitability, economy, accessibility and innovation. The empirical evaluation showed that Xiao’er chiqiao qingre granules obtained the highest comprehensive score (90.8 points), followed by Xiao’er feire kechuan oral liquid (86.3 points), Ertong qingfei oral liquid (82.8 points), Xiao’er xiaoji zhike oral liquid (82.0 points), and Jinzhen oral liquid (81.5 points). The inter-rater consistency Kappa value was 0.91.CONCLUSIONS The comprehensive evaluation system for oral Chinese patent medicines in children constructed in this study, includes 12 pediatric-specific third-level indicators and integrates key evaluation points of both traditional Chinese and Western medicine. It demonstrates good consistency and reliability, with good operability and reproducibility.
6.Protective Effect of Huayu Jiedu Prescription Against PC12 Cell Damage Induced by Combination of NETs and OGD
Wuchaonan LIU ; Ruiyu HUANG ; Qianru ZENG ; Mengge ZHANG ; Yunhao YI ; Tao GAO ; Dingxiang LI ; Yihui DENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):120-130
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of Huayu Jiedu prescription against PC12 cell damage induced by a combination of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). MethodsFirst, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was used to induce the differentiation of the human promyelocytic leukemia cell line (HL-60) into neutrophil-like cells (dHL-60), and cell differentiation was assessed through Giemsa staining and flow cytometry. Next, phorbol myristate (PMA) was used to induce the formation of NETs in dHL-60 cells. The formation of NETs was assessed via SYTOX Green staining, and NETs were extracted by low-speed centrifugation. Finally, the NETs prepared through the conditioned medium were combined with OGD to induce a high-differentiation PC12 neuronal cell damage model through the co-culture method. This model was treated with the Huayu Jiedu prescription-containing serum. Cells were randomly allocated into a normal control group, a model (NETs + OGD) group, a traditional Chinese medicine (NETs + OGD + 5% Huayu Jiedu prescription-containing serum) group, and a NETosis inhibitor (100 mg·L-1 DNase I + NETs + OGD) group. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to evaluate cell viability and screen the optimal intervention concentrations of NETs and Huayu Jiedu Formula-containing serum, as well as the optimal intervention time for OGD. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to measure the levels of myeloperoxidase-DNA complexes (MPO-DNA), citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3), and neutrophil elastase (NE). Western blot was employed to quantify the protein levels of CitH3 and cleaved Caspase-3. Terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay (TUNEL) staining and flow cytometry were employed to assess neuronal apoptosis. ResultsCompared with those in the normal control group, cells in the model group successfully differentiated into dHL60 cells after DMSO induction. Wright-Giemsa staining revealed that the cells in the model group had disappeared nucleoli, distinct reniform and lobulated changes of nuclei, highly condensed chromatin, and the cytoplasm containing pale purple fine granules. Flow cytometry showed that the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of CD11b in the model group was enhanced (P<0.01). Compared with those in the normal control group, dHL60 cells in the model group successfully generated NETs after PMA induction. SYTOX Green staining revealed loss of cell membrane integrity, with chromatin released from the cytoplasm to form abundant extracellular, cloud-like fibrillar structures, and a marked increase in fluorescence intensity (P<0.01). Through the CCK-8 assay for assessing the viability of highly differentiated PC12 cells, the optimal concentration for NETs was determined as 1 000 ng·L-1, the optimal concentration of Huayu Jiedu formula-containing serum as 5%, and the optimal duration for OGD as 2 h. Compared with the normal control group, the model group showed elevated levels of MPO-DNA, CitH3, and NE (P<0.01) and upregulated protein levels of CitH3 and cleaved Caspase-3 (P<0.01). Furthermore, TUNEL staining revealed an increased proportion of apoptotic cells (P<0.01) and flow cytometry showed an increased apoptosis rate (P<0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the Huayu Jiedu formula-containing serum group and the NETosis inhibitor group exhibited declined levels of MPO-DNA, CitH3, and NE (P<0.05,P<0.01) and downregulated protein levels of CitH3 and cleaved Caspase-3 (P<0.01). In addition, TUNEL staining showed a decrease in the proportion of apoptotic cells (P<0.01), and flow cytometry revealed a decrease in the apoptosis rate (P<0.01). ConclusionHuayu Jiedu prescription may exert a protective effect against ischemic neuronal damage by inhibiting NET formation or alleviating NET-induced neurotoxicity
7.Clinical Observation of Xiere Xingpi Yin in Treatment of Simple Obesity and Effect on Obesity-related miRNAs
Yelin ZHU ; Yiwen HUANG ; Ke ZHANG ; Xianchang ZENG ; Zhenxiu LIU ; Hejin LAI ; Feng TAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):177-185
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Xiere Xingpi Yin (XRXPY) on the body mass and body fat distribution in patients with simple obesity, and to preliminarily explore whether the mechanism involves the regulation of specific obesity-related microRNAs (miRNAs). MethodsA randomized controlled trial design was employed to recruit patients with simple obesity diagnosed with the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome of dampness-heat accumulating in the spleen. Using a randomized controlled trial design, 95 patients with simple obesity of dampness-heat encumbering the Spleen syndrome were recruited, after 3 were excluded, 92 were randomly assigned in a 1∶1 ratio by means of a random number table. On the basis of lifestyle intervention, the observation group received XRXPY granules, while the control group received a placebo. Serum samples and TCM symptom scores were collected before and after the 12-week observation period. Differences in body mass loss, body composition, lipid metabolism, and TCM symptom scores were compared between the groups. An obesity-related miRNA dataset was constructed by searching the Human MicroRNA Disease Database. Library construction, sequencing, and quality control were performed on 6 selected patients from each group to screen the differentially expressed miRNAs. The intersection of these miRNAs with the obesity-related miRNAs was verified by bioinformatics and correlation analysis. ResultsBaseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups before treatment. A total of 86 patients completed the study (42 cases in the observation group and 44 cases in the control group). The proportion of patients achieving ≥5% body weight reduction was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group 81.0% (34/42) vs. 43.2% (19/44) (χ2=12.963, P<0.01). Compared with baseline within the observation group, body weight, waist circumference, and TCM syndrome score were significantly decreased (P<0.01), as were body fat percentage (P<0.01) and serum triglyceride level (P<0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, waist circumference and TCM syndrome score were significantly lower in the observation group (P<0.01), and body weight showed a trend toward reduction. When changes from baseline were compared between the two groups, the magnitudes of decrease in body weight, waist circumference, and TCM syndrome score were all significantly greater in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.01). With respect to safety, no serious adverse events occurred in either group and no participant discontinued the study because of adverse events. Compared with baseline, alanine aminotransferase levels decreased significantly in both the control and observation groups (P<0.01), and urea decreased significantly in the observation group (P<0.01), indicating a favorable safety profile. Sequencing identified nine differentially expressed miRNAs. After intersecting with the obesity-related miRNA dataset (187 miRNAs), 3 miRNAs were identified: miR-221 (log2FC=-6.62, P=0.009), miR-29a (log2FC=6.33, P=0.016), and miR-10b (log2FC=-5.91, P=0.029). A total of 262 target genes of the 3 miRNAs were identified, which were significantly enriched in 67 pathways, including the lysine degradation pathway (P=0.001). Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between miR-221 and triglycerides (r=0.46, P=0.027), a negative correlation between miR-29a and waist-to-hip ratio (r=-0.41, P=0.047), and positive correlations of miR-10b with body fat percentage (r=0.49, P=0.014) and waist circumference (r=0.44, P=0.032). ConclusionXRXPY combined with lifestyle intervention can effectively reduce the body mass and improve body composition. The underlying mechanism may involve the regulation of the lysine degradation pathway via miR-221, miR-29a, and miR-10b, though further verification is required.
8.Protective Effect of Huayu Jiedu Prescription Against PC12 Cell Damage Induced by Combination of NETs and OGD
Wuchaonan LIU ; Ruiyu HUANG ; Qianru ZENG ; Mengge ZHANG ; Yunhao YI ; Tao GAO ; Dingxiang LI ; Yihui DENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):120-130
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of Huayu Jiedu prescription against PC12 cell damage induced by a combination of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). MethodsFirst, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was used to induce the differentiation of the human promyelocytic leukemia cell line (HL-60) into neutrophil-like cells (dHL-60), and cell differentiation was assessed through Giemsa staining and flow cytometry. Next, phorbol myristate (PMA) was used to induce the formation of NETs in dHL-60 cells. The formation of NETs was assessed via SYTOX Green staining, and NETs were extracted by low-speed centrifugation. Finally, the NETs prepared through the conditioned medium were combined with OGD to induce a high-differentiation PC12 neuronal cell damage model through the co-culture method. This model was treated with the Huayu Jiedu prescription-containing serum. Cells were randomly allocated into a normal control group, a model (NETs + OGD) group, a traditional Chinese medicine (NETs + OGD + 5% Huayu Jiedu prescription-containing serum) group, and a NETosis inhibitor (100 mg·L-1 DNase I + NETs + OGD) group. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to evaluate cell viability and screen the optimal intervention concentrations of NETs and Huayu Jiedu Formula-containing serum, as well as the optimal intervention time for OGD. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to measure the levels of myeloperoxidase-DNA complexes (MPO-DNA), citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3), and neutrophil elastase (NE). Western blot was employed to quantify the protein levels of CitH3 and cleaved Caspase-3. Terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay (TUNEL) staining and flow cytometry were employed to assess neuronal apoptosis. ResultsCompared with those in the normal control group, cells in the model group successfully differentiated into dHL60 cells after DMSO induction. Wright-Giemsa staining revealed that the cells in the model group had disappeared nucleoli, distinct reniform and lobulated changes of nuclei, highly condensed chromatin, and the cytoplasm containing pale purple fine granules. Flow cytometry showed that the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of CD11b in the model group was enhanced (P<0.01). Compared with those in the normal control group, dHL60 cells in the model group successfully generated NETs after PMA induction. SYTOX Green staining revealed loss of cell membrane integrity, with chromatin released from the cytoplasm to form abundant extracellular, cloud-like fibrillar structures, and a marked increase in fluorescence intensity (P<0.01). Through the CCK-8 assay for assessing the viability of highly differentiated PC12 cells, the optimal concentration for NETs was determined as 1 000 ng·L-1, the optimal concentration of Huayu Jiedu formula-containing serum as 5%, and the optimal duration for OGD as 2 h. Compared with the normal control group, the model group showed elevated levels of MPO-DNA, CitH3, and NE (P<0.01) and upregulated protein levels of CitH3 and cleaved Caspase-3 (P<0.01). Furthermore, TUNEL staining revealed an increased proportion of apoptotic cells (P<0.01) and flow cytometry showed an increased apoptosis rate (P<0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the Huayu Jiedu formula-containing serum group and the NETosis inhibitor group exhibited declined levels of MPO-DNA, CitH3, and NE (P<0.05,P<0.01) and downregulated protein levels of CitH3 and cleaved Caspase-3 (P<0.01). In addition, TUNEL staining showed a decrease in the proportion of apoptotic cells (P<0.01), and flow cytometry revealed a decrease in the apoptosis rate (P<0.01). ConclusionHuayu Jiedu prescription may exert a protective effect against ischemic neuronal damage by inhibiting NET formation or alleviating NET-induced neurotoxicity
9.Clinical Observation of Xiere Xingpi Yin in Treatment of Simple Obesity and Effect on Obesity-related miRNAs
Yelin ZHU ; Yiwen HUANG ; Ke ZHANG ; Xianchang ZENG ; Zhenxiu LIU ; Hejin LAI ; Feng TAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):177-185
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Xiere Xingpi Yin (XRXPY) on the body mass and body fat distribution in patients with simple obesity, and to preliminarily explore whether the mechanism involves the regulation of specific obesity-related microRNAs (miRNAs). MethodsA randomized controlled trial design was employed to recruit patients with simple obesity diagnosed with the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome of dampness-heat accumulating in the spleen. Using a randomized controlled trial design, 95 patients with simple obesity of dampness-heat encumbering the Spleen syndrome were recruited, after 3 were excluded, 92 were randomly assigned in a 1∶1 ratio by means of a random number table. On the basis of lifestyle intervention, the observation group received XRXPY granules, while the control group received a placebo. Serum samples and TCM symptom scores were collected before and after the 12-week observation period. Differences in body mass loss, body composition, lipid metabolism, and TCM symptom scores were compared between the groups. An obesity-related miRNA dataset was constructed by searching the Human MicroRNA Disease Database. Library construction, sequencing, and quality control were performed on 6 selected patients from each group to screen the differentially expressed miRNAs. The intersection of these miRNAs with the obesity-related miRNAs was verified by bioinformatics and correlation analysis. ResultsBaseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups before treatment. A total of 86 patients completed the study (42 cases in the observation group and 44 cases in the control group). The proportion of patients achieving ≥5% body weight reduction was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group 81.0% (34/42) vs. 43.2% (19/44) (χ2=12.963, P<0.01). Compared with baseline within the observation group, body weight, waist circumference, and TCM syndrome score were significantly decreased (P<0.01), as were body fat percentage (P<0.01) and serum triglyceride level (P<0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, waist circumference and TCM syndrome score were significantly lower in the observation group (P<0.01), and body weight showed a trend toward reduction. When changes from baseline were compared between the two groups, the magnitudes of decrease in body weight, waist circumference, and TCM syndrome score were all significantly greater in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.01). With respect to safety, no serious adverse events occurred in either group and no participant discontinued the study because of adverse events. Compared with baseline, alanine aminotransferase levels decreased significantly in both the control and observation groups (P<0.01), and urea decreased significantly in the observation group (P<0.01), indicating a favorable safety profile. Sequencing identified nine differentially expressed miRNAs. After intersecting with the obesity-related miRNA dataset (187 miRNAs), 3 miRNAs were identified: miR-221 (log2FC=-6.62, P=0.009), miR-29a (log2FC=6.33, P=0.016), and miR-10b (log2FC=-5.91, P=0.029). A total of 262 target genes of the 3 miRNAs were identified, which were significantly enriched in 67 pathways, including the lysine degradation pathway (P=0.001). Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between miR-221 and triglycerides (r=0.46, P=0.027), a negative correlation between miR-29a and waist-to-hip ratio (r=-0.41, P=0.047), and positive correlations of miR-10b with body fat percentage (r=0.49, P=0.014) and waist circumference (r=0.44, P=0.032). ConclusionXRXPY combined with lifestyle intervention can effectively reduce the body mass and improve body composition. The underlying mechanism may involve the regulation of the lysine degradation pathway via miR-221, miR-29a, and miR-10b, though further verification is required.
10.Mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway regulates the development of osteoarthritis:guiding targeted therapy with traditional Chinese medicine
Hao LI ; Hongcheng TAO ; Ping ZENG ; Jinfu LIU ; Qiang DING ; Chicheng NIU ; Kai HUANG ; Hongyu KANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(6):1476-1485
BACKGROUND:Osteoarthritis is pathologically characterized by progressive degeneration of the articular cartilage and abnormal deformation of the subchondral bone.In recent years,with the deepening of medical research,it has been found that the mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPK)signaling pathway has a regulatory role in inflammatory cell infiltration,inflammatory factor release,and chondrocyte proliferation,which is particularly important for the treatment of osteoarthritis.OBJECTIVE:To briefly review the main research progress in the mechanism of MAPK signaling pathway regulating osteoarthritis in recent years,aiming to provide new ideas for the treatment of osteoarthritis.METHODS:CNKI,WanFang and PubMed databases were searched for relevant literature using the search terms of"mitogen-activated protein kinases,osteoarthritis,extracellular signal-regulated MAP kinases,p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases,JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase"in Chinese and English.Relevant literature published from January 2019 to November 2024 was searched,and 108 articles were finally included for summary analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Various stimuli inside and outside the cells activate the MAPK signaling pathway,regulate gene transcription and protein synthesis,and promote the release of inflammatory factors,such as tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-6.The release of these inflammatory factors aggravates the progression of osteoarthritis.(2)The active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine,mainly saponins and flavonoids,as well as Chinese herbal formulas and preparations with the main effects of activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis,tonifying the liver and kidney,can play a therapeutic role in osteoarthritis by inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway,regulating the release of matrix metalloproteinases,balancing the homeostatic state of osteogenesis and osteoblastogenesis,attenuating the synovial inflammation,decreasing the release of inflammatory factors and inflammatory vesicles,decreasing cellular pyroptosis,promoting autophagy,and ameliorating oxidative stress.(3)Although traditional Chinese medicine has become popular in the treatment of osteoarthritis by virtue of its own advantages of multi-components,multi-targets,multi-pathways,and low side effects,the use of MAPK signaling pathway to guide the treatment of individual osteoarthritis is the difficulty of the technology,which needs to be continuously researched and explored.(4)Therefore,further development of relevant herbal inhibitors that can modulate the MAPK signaling pathway may be a potential drug strategy for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the future.


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