1.Effects and mechanism of short-acting exenatide on improving diabetic cognitive dysfunction
Xin LING ; Deming WANG ; Qi LU ; Jinyue HUANG ; Xian ZHENG ; Xiaona ZHU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(5):589-594
OBJECTIVE To investigate the ameliorative effect and mechanism of short-acting exenatide on diabetic cognitive dysfunction. METHODS Spontaneously diabetic db / db mice were randomly divided into model group (normal saline) and exenatide group (50 μg/kg), with db / m mice as the normal control group (normal saline), with 8 mice in each group. Mice in each group were subcutaneously injected with corresponding drugs or normal saline twice daily for 8 consecutive weeks. Body weight and fasting blood glucose were measured at a fixed time every week. Cognitive function was evaluated by Morris water maze test. The levels of oxidative st ress indicators [malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) ] , cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and protein kinase A (PKA) were detected in hippocampus tissue of mice. The hippocampal neuronal HT22 cells of mice were divided into control group (25 mmol/L glucose), high glucose group (125 mmol/L glucose), high glucose+exenatide group (125 mmol/L glucose+20 nmol/L exenatide), high glucose+exenatide+H89 (PKA inhibitor) group (125 mmol/L glucose+20 nmol/L exenatide+10 μmol/L H89), and high glucose+H89 group (125 mmol/L glucose+10 μmol/L H89). After 48 h of intervention with corresponding solutions/culture medium, the levels of oxidative stress indicators, cAMP and PKA, the activities of mitochondrial respiratory enzymes Ⅱ and Ⅳ, and the phosphorylation level of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) were measured. RESULTS Animal experiments showed that compared with the normal control group, the model group exhibited significantly increased body weight, fasting blood glucose and MDA level in the hippocampus ( P <0.05), as well as significantly prolonged escape latency ( P <0.05); swimming speed significantly slowed down, the time spent in the target quadrant, the number of platform crossings, and the levels of SOD, GSH, cAMP and PKA in the hippocampus were significantly decreased ( P <0.05). Compared with model group, all the above indicators (except for swimming speed) in the exenatide group were significantly reversed ( P <0.05). Cell experiments showed that compared with high glucose group, the high glucose+exenatide group had significantly decreased MDA level ( P <0.05), and significantly increased levels of SOD, GSH, cAMP and PKA, the activities of mitochondrial respiratory enzymes Ⅱ and Ⅳ, and phosphorylation level of Drp1 ( P <0.05). Compared with high glucose+exenatide group, the above indicators in the high glucose+exenatide+H89 group were significantly reversed ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Short-acting exenatide can activate the cAMP/PKA pathway, promote Drp1 phosphorylation, and increase the activities of mitochondrial respiratory enzymes, thereby maintaining mitochondrial stability, reducing oxidative stress injury, and ultimately improving diabetic cognitive dysfunction.
2.Preparation,characterization,and in vitro antitumor activity of Gambogic acid-loaded intelligent responsive liposome-hydrogel nanopreparation
Yu CHEN ; Shengnan HUANG ; Ziang WANG ; Yunlong ZHAO ; Gaojian WEI ; Sinan WU ; Yanbin GUAN ; Xiali ZHU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(5):613-619
OBJECTIVE To prepare an intelligent responsive liposome-hydrogel nanopreparation co-loaded with gambogic acid (GA), and characterize its antitumor activity in vitro . METHODS GA-ICG-Lip-gel was prepared by ethanol injection and cold dissolution, incorporating GA and the photosensitizer indocyanine green (ICG). The appearance and microscopic morphology of GA-ICG-Lip-gel were observed, its encapsulation efficiency and drug loading capacity were measured, and its photothermal conversion performance, photothermal stability, and infrared imaging properties were investigated, along with the determination of its in vitro release profile. Human breast cancer MCF-7 cells were used as objects to investigate the effects of GA-ICG-Lip-gel (or with near-infrared light irradiation) on cell viability, migration ability, and the cellular uptake capacity of GA-ICG-Lip-gel. RESULTS GA-ICG-Lip-gel existed in a solution state at room temperature and transformed into a gel state at 37 ℃. Its microstructure was dense with small pores, and its encapsulation efficiency and drug loading were (96.07±0.86) % and (6.28±1.16) %, respectively. After exposure to near-infrared light, the temperature of GA-ICG-Lip-gel rose above 42 ℃, with no significant attenuation observed in the heating curve. The heating efficiency was dependent on both the irradiation time and drug concentration. Compared to media without gelatinase, the cumulative release rate of GA-ICG-Lip-gel increased in media containing gelatinase. In vitro studies showed that GA-ICG-Lip-gel could be efficiently taken up by MCF-7 cells; GA-ICG-Lip-gel significantly inhibited the viability and migration ability of MCF-7 cells ( P <0.05), and this inhibitory effect was further enhanced under near-infrared light irradiation. CONCLUSIONS This study successfully prepares GA-ICG-Lip-gel, which exhibits favorable photothermal conversion properties and temperature/enzyme dual-responsive drug release characteristics, and demonstrates significant inhibitory effects on the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells.
3.Predicting intraoperative blood transfusion risk in hip fracture patients using explainable machine learning models
Fengting LU ; Xiaoming LI ; Dekui LI ; Xianyuan XIE ; Jiazhong WANG ; Qing YU ; Gan HUANG ; Jun SHEN
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(2):196-202
Objective: To investigate the factors influencing intraoperative blood transfusion in patients with hip fractures and to develop a machine learning (ML) model for predicting this risk. Methods: A total of 424 patients with hip fractures who underwent surgical treatment between November 2022 and March 2025 in our hospital were selected. Key feature variables of intraoperative blood transfusion risk were identified using the Boruta algorithm. Four different ML algorithms—support vector machine (SVM), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), mixed discriminant analysis (MDA), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost)—were used to develop predictive models for intraoperative blood transfusion risk. The predictive performance of the four ML models were evaluated using accuracy, precision, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, precision-recall curves (PRC), precision-recall gain curves (PRGC), and F1 scores. Shapley additive interpretation (SHAP) was used to interpret the final model. Results: Among the 424 patients, 77(18.2%) received intraoperative blood transfusion. The Boruta algorithm identified albumin (ALB), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), types of anesthesia, types of fracture, and hemoglobin (Hb) as key feature variables for predicting intraoperative blood transfusion risk. In model evaluation, the SVM model outperforms the other three models across multiple metrics, including the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), recall, recall gain, accuracy, precision, F1 score, and the area under the precision-recall curve (PRC-AUC). The SVM model, interpreted and visualized based on SHAP values, effectively predicted intraoperative blood transfusion risk in patients with hip fracture. A visual online application was developed based on the SVM model (https://pbo-nomogram.shinyapps.io/blood/). Conclusion: Preoperative low ALB and Hb levels, prolonged APTT, general anesthesia, and intertrochanteric fractures are risk factors for intraoperative blood transfusion in hip fracture patients. The risk prediction model for intraoperative blood transfusion constructed based on the SVM algorithm has optimal performance, which provides new ideas and methods for the clinical early identification of hip fracture patients with high transfusion risk and the implementation of targeted interventions.
4.Major changes in the United Kingdom Serious Hazards of Transfusion System (Part 2): promoting learning from continuing excellence in transfusion
Yongjian GUO ; Hongjie WANG ; Junhong YANG ; Xia HUANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(2):294-304
As the second part of this series, this article summarizes and synthesizes the key aspects of UK Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT), SHOT’s continuous promotion of learning from excellent daily transfusion events over the past six years. This summary is based on an introduction to the holistic approach to improving patient safety—proactively learning from both failures and successes. The covered topics include an overview, definitions, case studies, implementation methods, safety culture, psychological safety in the workplace, civility in work, the use of neutral language, leading and lagging indicators, and compassionate governance. It is hoped that this article will assist domestic colleagues in understanding and studying the strategic significance of the transformation of transfusion safety governance in the UK, and inspire reflection on the strategic development direction of transfusion safety governance in China.
5.Diabetic Kidney Disease and Gut-kidney Axis: A Review
Yingchao WANG ; Yexin CHEN ; Hua ZHANG ; Jiangteng LIU ; Zhichao RUAN ; Xingru PAN ; Weijun HUANG ; Jinxi ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):310-320
With the rising incidence of diabetes, diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has become a significant global health burden. Although current prevention and treatment strategies can partially delay the progression of DKD, the risk of patients advancing to end-stage renal disease remains high. Since the concept of the "gut-kidney axis" was first introduced at the International Congress on Dialysis in 2011, research on the role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of DKD has received increasing attention. This review summarizes the current research on gut microbiota, explores the mechanisms through which it contributes to DKD development, and outlines clinical approaches for DKD prevention and treatment based on the "gut-kidney axis" theory. Evidence indicates that dietary interventions, intake of probiotics or prebiotics, use of metformin and novel antidiabetic drugs, and application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound formulas can effectively improve gut microbiota composition, influence metabolite production, and restore the intestinal mucosal barrier. These interventions can further regulate intestinal innate immunity and inflammatory responses, thereby modulating the progression of DKD. Despite challenges posed by the traditional oral administration of water-decocted TCM compound formulas and the complexity of their ingredients, increasing evidence suggests that TCM may indirectly affect the occurrence and development of DKD by modulating gut microbiota. This finding provides a new perspective on the potential mechanisms of TCM in DKD treatment and may offer novel strategies for DKD prevention and therapy.
6.Advancements in the diagnosis and treatment strategies for molar-incisor hypomineralization
ZHAO Fang ; WANG Xin ; HUANG Jinwei ; LIU Jingping ; XU He
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(3):292-301
Molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a developmental defect of enamel that is characterized primarily by abnormal enamel mineralization affecting the first permanent molars and permanent incisors. Due to insufficient mineralization, teeth affected by MIH are prone to post-eruptive breakdown and caries, potentially leading to sequelae such as tooth sensitivity and occlusal problems. The diagnosis of MIH is primarily based on relevant perinatal and infantile medical history, the characteristic distribution of affected teeth, and the morphological features of the enamel defects. Based on the extent and severity of the enamel defect, MIH is classified as mild or severe. Diagnosis and treatment strategies emphasize early screening, diagnosis, and intervention, prioritizing prevention, providing symptomatic care, and implementing regular recall assessments. Mild MIH predominantly manifests as demineralized enamel opacities or discoloration, typically without significant enamel breakdown. Treatment focuses on caries prevention and aesthetic restoration, employing techniques such as remineralization, micro-abrasion, resin infiltration, bleaching, fluoride application, and fissure sealants. Severe MIH typically presents with extensive enamel opacities accompanied by substantial enamel breakdown and may be complicated by caries and tooth sensitivity. Management primarily involves restoring the structural defects or, for teeth that cannot be preserved, extraction followed by orthodontic treatment. Comprehensive management often requires a multimodal approach integrating various therapeutic modalities to restore both the function and aesthetics of the affected teeth and overall dentition. This article provides a review of advancements in diagnosis and the treatment strategies for MIH, offering a reference for clinical practice.
7.Effect of Ligustilide on Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Rats with Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury
Qian WU ; Yang WANG ; Jianing ZHOU ; Zhihan WAN ; Ke HU ; Qi HUANG ; Ning WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):82-88
ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanisms by which ligustilide (LIG) exerts neuroprotective effects on ischemic stroke (IS) by inhibiting the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), promoting blood-brain barrier repair, and alleviating post-ischemic neuroinflammation, thereby providing a new direction for IS treatment. MethodsA middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was established in rats. The rats were divided into the sham operation (Sham) group, model (Model) group, low- and high-dose LIG groups (20, 40 mg·kg-1), and the NET inhibitor CI-amidine group (CI-amidine, 10 mg·kg-1). Drug treatments were administered for 3 days. Neurological injury after ischemia was evaluated by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, neurological deficit scoring, and brain index measurement. Flow cytometry and Western blot were used to analyze changes in neutrophil expression. Immunofluorescence was used to observe the fluorescence intensity of the NET marker citrullinated histone H3 (H3Cit). Western blot was performed to detect the expression of blood-brain barrier tight junction-related proteins and inflammatory factors, including interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). ResultsCompared with the Sham group, the Model group exhibited significant brain tissue injury (P<0.05), significantly increased neutrophil numbers and NET expression (P<0.05), significantly impaired blood-brain barrier permeability (P<0.05), and significantly increased expression of inflammatory factors (P<0.05). Compared with the Model group, both low- and high-dose LIG significantly alleviated brain tissue injury in rats (P<0.01), inhibited neutrophil numbers and NET expression (P<0.01), reduced blood-brain barrier damage (P<0.01), and suppressed the expression of inflammatory factors IL-18 and IL-1β (P<0.01), thereby ultimately exerting a neuroprotective effect. ConclusionThe neuroprotective effect of LIG in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury may be related to inhibition of neutrophils and the NETs induced by them.
8.Mechanistic Study on Tougu Xiaotong Capsules in Regulating PANoptosis to Delay Degeneration of Chondrocytes in Knee Osteoarthritis
Jinxia YE ; Yixin LIN ; Xiaoqing LEI ; Yanfeng HUANG ; Changlong FU ; Desen LI ; Wenyi WANG ; Lan WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):149-161
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Tougu Xiaotong capsules (TGXTC) on the regulation of chondrocyte PANoptosis, delay of chondrocyte degeneration, and improvement of the symptoms in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). MethodsIn vivo experiments: 50 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into five groups (n=10 per group): sham operation group, model group, low-dose TGXTC group (7.2 g·kg-1), high-dose TGXTC group (14.4 g·kg-1), and diclofenac sodium group (0.05 g·kg-1). Except for the sham group, KOA models were established in all other groups using the modified Hulth method. Following successful model induction, the TGXTC groups received daily oral gavage of 7.2 or 14.4 g·kg-1 for 6 weeks, while the diclofenac sodium group received 0.05 g·kg-1 solution daily over the same duration. Model evaluation was performed using Lequesne MG score; micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was used to scan the knee, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and safranin O-fast green staining were used to observe the morphology of cartilage, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to determine ultrastructural changes of PANoptosis. Multiple immunofluorescence (IF) co-localization assays was performed to detect the co-localization of cleaved Caspase-3, receptor-interacting protein 3 (RlPK3), and the N-terminal domain of gasdermin D (GSDMD-N) in cartilage tissue, while western blot was employed to detect the expression levels of cleaved Caspase-3, RIPK3, and GSDMD-N. In vitro experiments: The knee cartilages of 4-week-old SD rats were isolated, and a chondrocyte in vitro culture system was established through mechanical digestion with 0.2% type Ⅱ collagenase. Second-generation chondrocytes were divided into three groups: the control group, the model group (pretreated with 10 mg·L-1 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h followed by treatment with 1 μmol·L-1 nigericin for 4 h), and the TGXTC treatment group (pretreated with 10 mg·L-1 LPS for 24 h, followed by exposure to 1 μmol·L-1 nigericin for 4 h and subsequently treated with 100 mg·L-1 TGXTC for an additional 24 h). The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis of chondrocytes were evaluated via fluorescence microscopy following staining with ROS detection, AO/EB and YO-PRO-1/PI staining kits. Transmission electron microscopy was utilized to investigate the ultrastructural changes associated with PANoptosis in cartilage tissue of KOA mice. Inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-1β and IL-18) were measured using ELISA. Western blot was conducted to assess protein expressions related to PANoptosis, including cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-8, RIPK3, ZBP1, GSDMD-N, and NLRP3. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the Lequesne MG scores were significantly up-regulated(P<0.01) in the model group, and the pathological changes of cartilage were significantly, with joint spaces narrower, osteophyte formation increased, secere abrasion of cartilage surface. Ultrastructural analysis revealed pronounced chondrocyte apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis, along with markedly elevated expression of cleaved Caspase-3, RlPK3, and GSDMD-N in cartilage tissue (P<0.01). In addition, The mean fluorescence intensities of ROS, orange-red fluorescence in AO/EB staining, green fluorescence and red fluorescence in YO-PRO-1/PI staining were increased of chondrocyte in the model group (P<0.01) . The levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-18 in the supernatant were increased (P<0.01). The expression of PANoptosis related proteins (cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-8, RIPK3, ZBP1, GSDMD-N, and NLRP3) were also significantly upregulated(P<0.05). Compared to the model group, the TGXTC group demonstrated a significant improvement in various parameters of mice. These included a reduction in the Lequesne MG score, an increase in joint space, a decrease in osteophyte formation, diminished cartilage damage, reduced release of ROS, and alleviation of apoptotic, necroptotic, and pyroptotic processes in chondrocytes. Additionally, mitochondrial swelling and endoplasmic reticulum dilation were also mitigated. The levels of ROS as well as IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Furthermore, the expression levels of proteins associated with PANoptosis in cartilage tissue showed marked reductions (P<0.05). Similar results were observed in chondrocytes: cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-8, RIPK3, ZBP1, GSDMD-N, and NLRP3 exhibited significant decreases as well (P<0.05). ConclusionTGXTC may mitigate chondrocytes degeneration and alleviate KOA symptoms by reducing oxidative stress and suppressing the activation of PANoptosis pathways.
9.Risk prediction models for hospital readmission in patients with schizophrenia: a systematic review
Junjie YE ; Sirui HUANG ; Jiaojiao HE ; Ying WANG ; Yufeng BIAN ; Xinzhuo ZHAO
Sichuan Mental Health 2026;39(1):89-96
BackgroundIndividuals with schizophrenia are prone to higher rates of hospital readmission, presenting significant clinical challenges and imposing considerable social burdens within the mental health domain. In recent years, various risk prediction models have been developed to forecast readmission in patients with schizophrenia and support clinical decision-making, but their predictive performance and clinical applicability require comprehensive evaluation. ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the risk prediction models for readmission in patients with schizophrenia, so as to provide insights for the development of high-performance and highly applicable readmission risk prediction models for patients with schizophrenia. MethodsOn July 5, 2025, a systematic literature search was conducted across multiple electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL, CNKI, China Biomedical Literature Database, Wanfang Database, and VIP Database, to identify risk prediction models for readmission in patients with schizophrenia. The search period was from the establishment of the databases to July 1, 2025. Two researchers independently performed literature screening, data extraction, risk of bias assessment, and applicability assessment. ResultsA total of 9 studies were included in this review, encompassing 18 risk prediction models for readmission in patients with schizophrenia. Among them, 4 models reported the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), ranging from 0.734 to 0.820, 16 models provided AUC values of 0.642–0.879 for internal validation, and 1 model demonstrated an AUC of 0.841 for external validation. Key predictors included disease duration and the concomitant therapy of antipsychotic medications. The risk of bias was assessed as "high" in all included studies. ConclusionThe development of risk prediction models for readmission in patients with schizophrenia remains in an exploratory stage. Although the model exhibits favorable predictive performance, it is associated with a high risk of bias and insufficient performance evaluation.
10.Effect of Ligustilide on Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Rats with Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury
Qian WU ; Yang WANG ; Jianing ZHOU ; Zhihan WAN ; Ke HU ; Qi HUANG ; Ning WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):82-88
ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanisms by which ligustilide (LIG) exerts neuroprotective effects on ischemic stroke (IS) by inhibiting the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), promoting blood-brain barrier repair, and alleviating post-ischemic neuroinflammation, thereby providing a new direction for IS treatment. MethodsA middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was established in rats. The rats were divided into the sham operation (Sham) group, model (Model) group, low- and high-dose LIG groups (20, 40 mg·kg-1), and the NET inhibitor CI-amidine group (CI-amidine, 10 mg·kg-1). Drug treatments were administered for 3 days. Neurological injury after ischemia was evaluated by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, neurological deficit scoring, and brain index measurement. Flow cytometry and Western blot were used to analyze changes in neutrophil expression. Immunofluorescence was used to observe the fluorescence intensity of the NET marker citrullinated histone H3 (H3Cit). Western blot was performed to detect the expression of blood-brain barrier tight junction-related proteins and inflammatory factors, including interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). ResultsCompared with the Sham group, the Model group exhibited significant brain tissue injury (P<0.05), significantly increased neutrophil numbers and NET expression (P<0.05), significantly impaired blood-brain barrier permeability (P<0.05), and significantly increased expression of inflammatory factors (P<0.05). Compared with the Model group, both low- and high-dose LIG significantly alleviated brain tissue injury in rats (P<0.01), inhibited neutrophil numbers and NET expression (P<0.01), reduced blood-brain barrier damage (P<0.01), and suppressed the expression of inflammatory factors IL-18 and IL-1β (P<0.01), thereby ultimately exerting a neuroprotective effect. ConclusionThe neuroprotective effect of LIG in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury may be related to inhibition of neutrophils and the NETs induced by them.


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