1.Attenuation of esophageal precancerous lesions in mice by Banxia Xiexin Decoction through gut microbiota modulation
Man JIN ; Wenfei ZHU ; Zhaoling WANG ; Kuai YU ; Jianping WU ; Junfeng ZHANG
Digital Chinese Medicine 2026;9(1):114-129
Objective:
To investigate the microbial mechanisms of Banxia Xiexin Decoction (半夏泻心汤, BXXXD) in the treatment of esophageal precancerous lesions.
Methods:
A total of 30 specific pathogen-free (SPF) grade female C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 6) and a 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO)-exposed group (n = 24). Esophageal precancerous lesions were induced by providing the 4-NQO-exposed group with 4-NQO in drinking water (100 μg/mL) for 17 consecutive weeks, whereas control group received sterile drinking water. After model establishment, the mice in 4-NQO-exposed group were further randomized into model group and three BXXXD-treated groups: low-dose (BXXXD-L, 3.7 g/kg), medium-dose (BXXXD-M, 7.4 g/kg), and high-dose (BXXXD-H, 14.8 g/kg) groups (n = 6 per group). During the subsequent intervention period, mice in control and model groups were gavaged with sterile water, while mice in BXXXD groups were gavaged once daily with the corresponding dose of BXXXD aqueous extract for 4 weeks. Histopathological changes in esophageal tissues were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The fecal and esophageal microbiota were profiled via 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing to evaluate bacterial diversity, community structure, and co-occurrence networks. BXXXD chemical fingerprints were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole QExactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QE-MS). Serum short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) level was quantified by targeted metabolomics using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Transcriptomic analysis of esophageal tissues was performed to assess gene expression profiles.
Results:
Compared with model group, BXXXD-M group exhibited reduced mucosal hyperplasia and more orderly epithelial cell arrangement, with superior therapeutic effects in comparison with both BXXXD-L and BXXXD-H groups (P < 0.01). Microbiota analysis revealed that BXXXD increased the abundance of beneficial Enterococcus and reduced pathogenic Escherichia-Shigella in the esophagus. In the gut, BXXXD elevated the relative abundance of beneficial taxa, including Lactobacillus, Dubosiella, Bacteroides, and Faecalibacterium. Targeted metabolomics showed that BXXXD significantly reduced total serum SCFA level (P < 0.01). Transcriptomic analysis indicated that BXXXD downregulated the expression of genes associated with the progression, migration, and invasion of esophageal cancer, which were identified as kallikrein-related peptidase 6 (Klk6), defensin beta 4 (Defb4), family with sequence similarity 3 member B (Fam3b), carboxypeptidase A4 (Cpa4), serum amyloid A1 (Saa1), and chitinase-like 1 (Chil1) (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
BXXXD may reduce the expression levels of esophageal cancer-related genes and improve esophageal precancerous lesions through modulation of the gut microbiota and metabolites.
2.Current situation and influencing factors of blood pressure measurement cognition and behavior in community patients
Jie YU ; Yawei ZOU ; Xi CHEN ; Junfeng ZHAO ; Yejing WANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(1):83-87
Objective To investigate the cognition level and behavior compliance of blood pressure measurement in community residents and analyze the related influencing factors, and to provide evidence for community health management and blood pressure control. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate 4470 community patients. Questionnaires included basic personal information,blood pressure measurement cognition, and blood pressure measurement behavior related issues. SPSS 19.0 was used to analyze the basic information, blood pressure measurement cognition, and pressure measurement behavior of the survey subjects. Logistic regression was performed to analyze relevant factors affecting blood pressure measurement cognition and behavior compliance. Results The overall cognitive compliance rate for blood pressure measurement among the visiting community patients was 31.52%. Age, education level, and chronic disease had a statistically significant impact on the cognitive knowledge (P<0.05). The overall behavior compliance rate of blood pressure measurement among the community patients was 23.69%. The cognition, age and education had a statistically significant impact on the overall behavior compliance rate of blood pressure measurement (P<0.05). Conclusion The cognitive level and standardized behavior of blood pressure measurement of community patients need to be improved. More attention should be paid to the elderly, low education level residents and community residents without chronic diseases, to promote community residents to form correct and standardized behavior of blood pressure measurement through health education.
3.Construction and validation of a digital and intelligent competence training program for specialized nurses in Central Sterile Supply Departments
Yuanzhi GUO ; Zhuoya YAO ; Junjie WANG ; Pei ZHAO ; Meng ZHAN ; Junfeng WANG ; Manchun LI
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(13):1624-1630
Objective To construct the training program for the digital and intelligent capabilities of specialized nurses in the Central Sterile Supply Department(CSSD),and conduct preliminary practice to provide talent support for the intelligent development of CSSD.Methods From February to April 2024,based on the core technologies of digital intelligence and related core capabilities,a training program for digital intelligence-related competencies of CSSD specialized nurses was constructed using literature review and the Delphi expert consultation method.From July to August 2024,the program was initially implemented in the training of CSSD specialized nurses.The nurses'information competency before and after the training was compared,and the nurses' satisfaction with the digital intelligence-related training program was assessed.Results This study conducted 2 rounds of expert consultation via questionnaire.The effective recovery rate of the questionnaires in both rounds was 100%.The expert authority coefficients were 0.790 and 0.800,respectively,and the variation coefficients ranged from 0 to 0.229 and 0 to 0.105.Ultimately,a training program for the digital-related competencies of CSSD specialty nurses was established,which includes 4 components:training objectives,training content,training methods,and assessment methods.Specifically,there were 3 indicators at the first level and 14 at the second level for training objectives,6 indicators at the first level and 32 at the second level for training content,and 6 indicators at the first level for training methods and assessment methods.After the implementation of the training program,the information competency of the nurses in all dimensions and the total score were significantly higher than those before training(P<0.05).Moreover,the average scores for the training content,training methods,and assessment methods were all above 3 points,indicating a high overall satisfaction among the nurses.Conclusion The construction process of the training program for the digital and intelligent capabilities of CSSD specialty nurses is scientific and reliable.The content is highly practical and distinctive in its specialty.The training methods and assessment approaches are diverse.This program can enhance nurses' information competency and provide a reference for the implementation of digital and intelligent training for CSSD specialty nurses.
4.Pathogenesis,syndrome differentiation,and treatment of chronic prostatitis based on the"host-guest interaction-collateral disease"theory
Yi WEI ; Zhiming HONG ; Junfeng QIU ; Zilong CHEN ; Shengjie WANG ; Wenshuo CHEN ; Lianqin ZHANG ; Chunxiu CHEN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(7):979-984
Chronic prostatitis,a common condition in andrology,is clinically characterized by a prolonged course,resistance to treatment,and frequent recurrence.In traditional Chinese medicine,it is classified under the categories of"turbid sperm,""overstrain strangury,"and"vaginal pain."Based on the"host-guest interaction-collateral disease"theory,we believe that healthy qi deficiency,latent pathogenic factors,and collateral obstruction are the primary pathological factors of this disease,which run through the entire process of chronic prostatitis occurrence and development.Accordingly,we propose that obstruction of collaterals and apathesia of the semen chamber are the core pathogenesis.The disease progression can be divided into three pathological stages:"deficiency,depression,and blood stasis."Spleen and kidney deficiency and malnutrition of collaterals form the pathological foundation.In the deficiency stage,treatment strategies involve reinforcing qi and nourishing the collaterals,using Fuzheng Yangrong Decoction.During disease progression,dampness and heat invasion,as well as collateral stagnation qi,are key contributors to disease progression.Thus,treatment focuses on clearing heat and dampness,promoting qi flow,and smoothing the collaterals,achieved with a modified Qiantongding Decoction.In the final stage,blood stasis and collateral obstruction dominate,warranting therapeutic strategies aimed at tonifying and removing blood stasis,addressing both the body and the collaterals simultaneously using the modified Guiling Huayu Decoction.Overall,the clinical treatment generally focuses on the concept of function through free flow,combination of unblocking and tonifying.This study provides a novel perspective and reference for clinical differentiation and treatment of chronic prostatitis.
5.Epidemiological characteristics of notifiable infectious diseases in a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou from 2020 to 2024
Junfeng NIE ; Zhumin HU ; Cuiyao XIAN ; Huadong GONG ; Yanfeng WANG
Modern Hospital 2025;25(5):790-793,797
Objective To investigate the registration and epidemiological characteristics of notifiable infectious diseases in a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou during 2020-2024,providing evidence for infectious disease prevention,control,and hospital infection management.Methods A retrospective analysis of surveillance data on statutory infectious diseases reported by the hospital from 2020 to 2024 was conducted using descriptive epidemiological methods.Results From 2020 to 2024,a total of 46229 cases of notifiable infectious diseases were reported at a tertiary hospital in Panyu District,Guangzhou,with an annual in-crease in reporting rates.Disease classifications showed Category B diseases accounted for 29.64%(13 703 cases),Category C diseases for 43.04%(19 895 cases),and other legally managed diseases for 27.32%(12 631 cases).Male patients signifi-cantly outnumbered female patients(63.8% vs.36.2%).The most frequently reported infectious diseases were influenza(11 603 cases,25.10%),hand-foot-and-mouth disease(6 188 cases,13.4%),and hepatitis B(4 110 cases,8.9%).Sta-tistically significant differences(P<0.05)were observed in disease composition ratios across years,age groups,genders,and seasons.Seasonal distribution was notable:influenza was prevalent in winter and spring(41.99%,27.16%),hand-foot-and-mouth disease peaked in summer(26.10%),and liver fluorosis was prominent in autumn(22.40%).Conclusion Notifiable infectious diseases exhibit distinct population and seasonal distribution patterns.Prioritized prevention and control measures should focus on influenza,hand-foot-mouth disease,and hepatitis B,with an integrated prevention and control system tailored to high-risk population characteristics and seasonal epidemiological patterns.
6.Effect of continuous theta burst stimulation on postoperative cognitive dysfunction in mice: association with excitability of parvalbumin neurons in medial prefrontal cortex
Junfeng ZHONG ; Youjia YU ; Teng LI ; Liwei WANG ; Yangzi ZHU
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2025;45(9):1167-1171
Objective:To evaluate the effect of continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) on postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in mice and its association with the excitability of parvalbumin (PV) neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC).Methods:Twenty-four specific pathogen-free healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 8 weeks, weighing 18-24 g, in which adeno-associated virus (AAV) for labeling PV neurons was injected into the mPFC using stereotaxic surgery, were used in this study. Three weeks later, the mice were divided into 3 groups ( n=8 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), POCD group (group P) and cTBS group. Group C received no treatment. A mouse model of POCD was established by performing tibial fracture surgery under sevoflurane anesthesia and the mice received sham stimulation from postoperative day 0 to day 4 in group P. Group cTBS underwent POCD model establishment and received cTBS stimulation from postoperative day 0 to day 4. Cognitive function was assessed using contextual fear conditioning, Y-maze and novel object recognition tests on postoperative day 5. The spontaneous firing frequency of PV neurons in the mPFC was then measured using ex vivo patch-clamp electrophysiology. Results:The results of contextual fear conditioning test showed that compared to group C, the percentage of freezing time was significantly increased in group P ( P<0.05); compared to group P, the percentage of freezing time was significantly decreased in group cTBS ( P<0.05). The results of Y-maze test showed that compared to group C, the alternation accuracy was significantly decreased in group P ( P<0.05); compared to group P, the alternation accuracy was significantly increased in group cTBS ( P<0.05). The results of novel object recognition test showed that compared to group C, the percentage of time spent exploring the novel object was significantly decreased in group P ( P<0.05); compared to group P, this percentage of time spent exploring the novel object was significantly increased in group cTBS ( P<0.05). The results of ex vivo patch-clamp electrophysiology showed that compared to group C, the spontaneous firing frequency of PV neurons in the mPFC was significantly decreased in group P ( P<0.05); compared to group P, the spontaneous firing frequency of PV neurons in the mPFC was significantly increased in group cTBS ( P<0.05). Conclusions:cTBS can ameliorate POCD in mice, and the mechanism is related to the restoration of excitability of PV neurons in the mPFC.
7.Analysis of clinical characteristics in 4 pediatric cases of glycogen storage disease type Ⅸa
Bingqing HUANG ; Caihong WANG ; Meilian LIU ; Zhiqiang ZHUO ; Junfeng WU ; Jianshe WANG
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(6):660-665
Objective:To investigate the clinical manifestations, pathological features, and genetic variant characteristics of children with glycogen storage disease type Ⅸa (GSD Ⅸa).Methods:A retrospective case series analysis was conducted to collected and analyzed the medical history, biochemical markers, liver ultrasound results, liver histopathological findings, genotypes, treatment regimens, and follow-up data of 4 pediatric patients diagnosed with GSD IXa in the Department of Infectious Diseases at Xiamen Children′s Hospital from January 2018 to May 2024. All patients were confirmed by genetic testing.Results:All 4 pediatric patients diagnosed with GSD Ⅸa were male. The ages of onset were 8 months, 2 years, 3 years and 3 months, 1 year and 5 months, respectively, with initial presentations including chronic diarrhea (Case 1), incidentally detected transaminase elevation during routine examinations (Cases 2 and 3), and delayed motor development (Case 4). Diagnosis was confirmed at ages 10 months, 3 years, 3 years 4 months and 1 year 6 months, respectively.At diagnosis, anthropometric parameters and biochemical profiles revealed:Height: 68 cm (< P3), 96 cm ( P25-50), 94 cm ( P3-10), and 94 cm ( P3-10).Weight: 7 kg (< P3), 17 kg ( P90-97), 14.4 kg ( P25-50), and 10.5 kg ( P25-50).Alanine aminotransferase: 299, 500, 271, and 313 U/L (reference range 0-40 U/L).Aspartate aminotransferase: 285, 543, 337 and 357 U/L (reference range 0-40 U/L).Fasting glucose: 2.80, 3.67, 2.98, and 3.66 mmol/L (reference range 3.90-6.10 mmol/L).Lactate: 4.3, 2.1, 1.3, and 2.6 mmol/L (reference range 0.5-2.2 mmol/L).Triglycerides: 5.22, 1.38, 1.32, and 1.88 mmol/L (reference range 0.56-1.70 mmol/L).Case 1 exhibited poor adherence to uncooked cornstarch therapy during initial treatment, with no significant improvement in biochemical parameters. Follow-up imaging at age 4 revealed hepatic adenoma. Subsequent improvement in therapeutic compliance led to biochemical normalization, reduced hepatic adenoma size, and growth parameters of 113 cm ( P10-25) and 26 kg ( P90-97) at 6 years 2 months. Cases 2-4 demonstrated biochemical improvement with regular uncooked cornstarch therapy and no evidence of hepatic adenoma.Liver histopathology in Cases 1-3 confirmed glycogen accumulation consistent with GSD, without cirrhotic changes. Genetic analysis identified PHKA2 variations in all cases: 2 missense variants, 1 frameshift variant and 1 nonsense variant. The c.2839dup and c.3267G>A variants represent novel pathogenic mutations. Conclusions:GSD Ⅸa in pediatric patients is predominantly characterized by hepatomegaly, hepatic dysfunction, and hypoglycemia. While uncooked cornstarch therapy typically yields favorable prognoses, a subset of patients may develop hepatic adenomas. Notably, children with hepatic adenoma exhibited younger age of onset, significant growth retardation, and more severe metabolic disturbances, suggesting that hepatic adenoma development may be closely linked to the severity of metabolic dysregulation.
8.Experimental study of anti-tumor immunologic response functions after combined treatment of cryoablation with GM-CSF for colorectal cancer liver metastases
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine 2025;64(7):670-674
Objective:To assess the anti-tumor immune response after combined cryoablation and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) treatment.Methods:A mouse model of colorectal liver metastases (CLM) was established using 80 BALB/c mice. All tumor-bearing mice were divided into a control group ( n=20), a GM-CSF group ( n=20), a cryoablation group ( n=20), and a cryoablation+GM-CSF group ( n=20). Cryoablation was applied using a 1.7-mm diameter cryosurgery needle from an argon-helium cryosurgery system. Tumor size and survival time were observed. Changes in the number of dendritic cells (DCs) in tumors were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Serum cytokine (IFN-γ, IL-4) levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the Th1/Th2 ratio was estimated from the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio. One-way analysis of variance was used for data analysis. Results:Our findings showed that combining cryoablation and GM-CSF synergistically increased infiltrating DC numbers. Among the four groups, cryoablation+GM-CSF group exhibited the highest DC count post-treatment (control group: 1.4±0.5/HPF, GM-CSF group: 15.3±1.8/HPF, cryoablation group: 9.6±1.5/HPF, cryoablation+GM-CSF group:17.4±1.3/HPF; F=138.60, P<0.05). Cryoablation, alone or combined with GM-CSF, elevated serum IFN-γ and reduced serum IL-4. IFN-γ levels of cryoablation group increased from 45.6±2.4 pg/ml to 57.8±3.3 pg/ml, F=170.09, P<0.05,and IFN-γ levels of cryoablation+GM-CSF group increased from 45.6±2.4 pg/ml to 86.3±1.9 pg/ml, F=664.31, P<0.05;and IL-4 levels of cryoablation group decreased from 7.21±0.63 pg/ml to 6.35±0.25 pg/ml, F=5.77, P<0.05,IL-4 levels of cryoablation+GM-CSF group decreased from 7.21±0.63 pg/ml to 6.42±0.21 pg/ml, F=10.93, P<0.05. Conversely, GM-CSF alone decreased serum IFN-γ and increased serum IL-4. Notably, combined cryoablation and GM-CSF significantly boosted Th1/Th2 ratios (cryoablation+GM-CSF group: from 6.32±0.45 to 13.43±0.64; F=379.95, P<0.05). Conclusion:Combined cryoablation with GM-CSF treatment exerted a promising anti-tumor immune effect in the treatment of colorectal cancer liver metastases. This approach increased the number of DCs in the tumor microenvironment and improved the anti-tumor immunologic response in tumor-bearing mice.
9.Methodological appraisal of statistical approaches to evaluating the impact of chronic graft-versus-host disease on mortality after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2025;46(10):905-913
Objective:Using the impact of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) on overall survival after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as an example, this study aims to introduces and critically appraises five statistical approaches for handling time-dependent events in survival analysis.Methods:This study was based on data from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) GV18-03 study. A total of 4361 patients with acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome were included, who were aged ≥40 years and had received an HLA 8/8 matched sibling donor transplant between 2008 and 2017. Five analytical approaches were used, treating cGVHD as: ① a baseline fixed covariate, ② a time-dependent covariate, ③ a time-dependent event via landmarking analysis, ④ a transitional event in a multi-state model, and ⑤ an exposure in the parametric g-formula. For each approach, we presented its core concept and results, and elaborated on its rationale, strengths, limitations, and applicable scenarios.Results:The five approaches showed significant differences in bias control, modeling flexibility, and clinical interpretability. Method 1 was prone to immortal time bias. Method 2 partially corrected this bias but was vulnerable to informative censoring and estimation instability due to insufficient sample sizes in the early-onset cGVHD group. Method 3 was straightforward but dependent on a predefined landmark time point and unable to account for cGVHD occurring after this point. Method 4 allowed for a comprehensive description of the impact of time-dependent events on survival prognosis by modeling dynamic clinical transitions. Method 5 could simultaneously handle both time-dependent events and confounders, making it suitable for estimating population-level effects of specific exposure strategies.Conclusion:Researchers should select the appropriate method based on their specific study objectives to ensure that the estimation of the impact of time-dependent events on outcomes is both statistically valid and clinically meaningful.
10.Protective effect of myrislignan on autoimmune hepatitis in mice
Xueyang SUN ; Wenbo LI ; Lin WANG ; Zhihong LIU ; Junfeng ZHANG ; Fenglian YAN ; Hui ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2025;45(11):920-927
Objective:To investigate the protective effect of myrislignan(MRL)on concanavalin A(Con A)-induced autoimmune hepatitis(AIH).Methods:C57BL/6J mice were divided into the following groups using a random number table,with five mice in each group:control group,MRL group,model group(Con A group),and MRL pretreatment group(MRL+Con A group). MRL was injected intraperitoneally at a dose of 30 μg/g;3 h after pretreatment,Con A(18 μg/g)was administrated by intravenous injection;mouse livers and serum samples were collected 12 h after injection for measuring serum transaminase levels and liver cell apoptosis. The mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-6,IL-12,and TNF-α were measured using qRT-PCR and ELISA. Flow cytometry was performed to detect the proportion and activation status of macrophages in liver tissues. Bone marrow-derived macrophages(BMDMs)were isolated and induced in vitro to analyze the regulatory effect of MRL on macrophages. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the differences in various indicators among groups. Results:Compared with the Con A group,MRL(30 μg/g)pretreatment significantly reduced alanine aminotransferase( P<0.05)and aspartate transaminase( P<0.01)levels,attenuated liver oxidative stress(increased superoxide dismutase activity,while decreased levels of malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase;all P<0.05),and suppressed hepatocyte apoptosis( P<0.01). Both in vivo and in vitro experiments confirmed that MRL(30 μg/g)could reduce the proportion of M1 macrophages( in vivo: P<0.05; in vitro:all P<0.001)and inhibit macrophage activation( in vivo: P<0.01; in vitro:all P<0.05). Conclusion:MRL effectively prevents Con A-induced autoimmune hepatitis by inhibiting liver cell apoptosis,attenuating liver oxidative stress,suppressing M1 macrophage polarization,and reducing inflammatory cytokine expression.


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