1.Current Status,Strategies and Prospects of Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Yandong WEN ; Zhi YANG ; Shaogang HUANG ; Zhongyu LI ; Xiangxue MA ; Qing XU ; Liqing DU ; Bochao YUAN ; Yibing TIAN ; Wentong GE ; Xiaofan ZHAO ; Chang LIU ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):404-409
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder characterized primarily by abdominal pain and altered defecation habits. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has made progress in multiple aspects of IBS research and treatment, including syndrome distribution, development of TCM formulas, clinical efficacy evaluation, external therapies, and psychosocial regulation. However, it still faces challenges such as over-reliance on symptomatic manifestations rather than biomarkers for diagnostic criteria, and the lack of high-quality evidence-based data supporting the efficacy of TCM formulas in treating IBS. This paper proposed that TCM diagnosis and treatment of IBS should adhere to the strategy of integrating the holistic concept with syndrome differentiation and treatment, combining TCM external therapies such as acupuncture, moxibustion and acupoint application), and emphasizing individualized diagnosis and treatment for psychosomatic abnormalities. Future research should integrate multi-omics technologies, artificial intelligence and other methods to deepen the understanding of the pathogenesis of IBS and the mechanisms of TCM formulas, so as to promote the standardization and internationalization of TCM in the diagnosis and treatment of IBS.
2.Divergent Small Vessel Disease Burden in Warfarin-Associated and Direct Oral Anticoagulant-Associated Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Sung-Chun TANG ; Ya-Fang CHEN ; Chih-Hao CHEN ; Ching-Hua KUO ; Yuan-Chang CHAO ; Yu-Fong PENG ; Shu-Wen LIN ; Shin-Yi LIN ; Jiann-Shing JENG
Journal of Stroke 2026;28(2):334-338
3.RICH1 regulates myocardial fibrosis through TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway
Lu-xuan WAN ; Ying-qing HU ; Yuan-yuan LIU ; Yong-song TANG ; Jun-yi HUANG ; Zi-xuan ZHANG ; Xiao-xiao MAO ; Xin-wen NIE ; Zhan-hong REN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2089-2096
Aim To reveal the mechanism of CIP4 homologs protein 1(RICH1)are involved in the regu-lation of myocardial fibrosis.Methods Mouse cardiac fibroblasts(MCFs)cells were treated with transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β1)to induce the formation of a myocardial fibrosis cell model;the level of the target protein was detected by Western blotting;and the RICH1 gene was detected by transfection of the cells with plasmid.The RICH1 gene was overexpressed(RICH 1 OE)using plasmid transfection;the RICH1 gene was silenced using siRNA fragment(siRICH1);and the expression levels of myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3 a1,and Acta2,were de-tected using RT-qPCR.Results RICH1 was signifi-cantly down-regulated in TGF-β1-treated MCFs;the expression levels of myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3a1,and Acta2,were down-regu-lated in the RICH1 OE+TGF-β1 group;and in the siRICH1+TGF-β1 group,myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3a1 and Acta2 were up-regulated at the expression level;phosphorylated SMAD2(p-SMAD2)and phosphorylated SMAD3(p-SMAD3)levels were down-regulated in the siRICH1 OE+TGF-β1 group.p-SMAD2 and P-SMAD3 levels were upregulated in the siRICH1+TGF-β1 group.Conclusion RICH1 inhibits TGF-β1-induced myo-cardial fibrosis;RICH1 inhibits TGF-β1-induced myo-cardial fibrosis by negatively regulating the SMAD2/3 signaling pathway.
4.House dust mite-induced autophagy affects airway epithelial barrier function through β-catenin-Snail signaling pathway
Ziling ZENG ; Xing WANG ; Hongmei TANG ; Zhibin WANG ; Ning MA ; Yuejiao LI ; Xiaoyun WANG ; Xiefang YUAN ; Guofeng XU ; Qiaoqiao WANG ; Wen ZHANG ; Jiayao DUAN ; Yun ZHANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(9):1309-1318
Objective To investigate the mechanism of autophagy induced by House dust mites(HDM)on airway epithelial tight junction through β-catenin-Snail signaling pathway.Methods Human bronchial epithelial cells(16HBE)were stimulated with HDM at different time points(0,3,6,12,24,48 h)and different concen-trations(0,40,100,200 μg/mL)to screen the appropriate stimulation concentration and stimulation time.16HBE cells were treated with oxidative stress inhibitor N-acetylcysteine(NAC),autophagy inhibitor 3-methylad-enine(3-MA),HDM,and their combinations.Cells were transfected with mCherry-EGFP-LC3B,Beclin-1-siRNA,and ATG14-siRNA lentivirus and then stimulated with NAC and HDM.Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression levels of autophagy-related protein LC3B,tight junction-related proteins Occludin,and ZO-1 in airway epithelial cells.The level of reactive oxygen species(ROS)was detected by using DCFH-DA in each group.The protein expression levels of Occludin,ZO-1,LC3B,Beclin-1,ATG5,ATG14,P62,Snail,β-catenin and p-β-catenin were detected by Western blot method.Results Immunofluorescence results showed that compared with the control group,200 μg/mL HDM stimulation induced cellular autophagy,increased the expression level of LC3B protein,and promoted the level of ROS,all with statistical significances(all P<0.05).Compared with the HDM group,the HDM+3-MA,HDM+ATG14-si,and HDM+Beclin-1-si groupsall showed significantincreases in the expression levels of tight junction-related proteins Occludin and ZO-1(P<0.05).The HDM+NAC group demonstrated significant decreases both in the level of ROS andin the expression level of LC3B protein.Western blot results revealed that compared with HDM,3-MA and autophagy protein low-expression beads(Beclin-1-si,ATG14-si)attenuated HDM-induced cellular autophagy(P<0.05),inhibited HDM-induced upregulation of Snail and p-β-catenin expression,and improved HDM-induced decreases in Occludin and ZO-1(P<0.05).Moreover,compared with the HDM group,the NAC+HDM group exhibited significant decreases both in the conversion of LC3BⅠ to LC3BⅡ(P<0.001)in the protein levels of Snail,p-β-catenin,Beclin-1 and ATG14(P<0.01),but significant increases in the protein levels of Occludin and ZO-1(P<0.05).Conclusion HDM affects the tight connections between airway epithelial cells by inducing autophagy,which may be attributed to the β-catenin-Snail signaling pathway.
5.RICH1 regulates myocardial fibrosis through TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway
Lu-xuan WAN ; Ying-qing HU ; Yuan-yuan LIU ; Yong-song TANG ; Jun-yi HUANG ; Zi-xuan ZHANG ; Xiao-xiao MAO ; Xin-wen NIE ; Zhan-hong REN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2089-2096
Aim To reveal the mechanism of CIP4 homologs protein 1(RICH1)are involved in the regu-lation of myocardial fibrosis.Methods Mouse cardiac fibroblasts(MCFs)cells were treated with transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β1)to induce the formation of a myocardial fibrosis cell model;the level of the target protein was detected by Western blotting;and the RICH1 gene was detected by transfection of the cells with plasmid.The RICH1 gene was overexpressed(RICH 1 OE)using plasmid transfection;the RICH1 gene was silenced using siRNA fragment(siRICH1);and the expression levels of myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3 a1,and Acta2,were de-tected using RT-qPCR.Results RICH1 was signifi-cantly down-regulated in TGF-β1-treated MCFs;the expression levels of myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3a1,and Acta2,were down-regu-lated in the RICH1 OE+TGF-β1 group;and in the siRICH1+TGF-β1 group,myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3a1 and Acta2 were up-regulated at the expression level;phosphorylated SMAD2(p-SMAD2)and phosphorylated SMAD3(p-SMAD3)levels were down-regulated in the siRICH1 OE+TGF-β1 group.p-SMAD2 and P-SMAD3 levels were upregulated in the siRICH1+TGF-β1 group.Conclusion RICH1 inhibits TGF-β1-induced myo-cardial fibrosis;RICH1 inhibits TGF-β1-induced myo-cardial fibrosis by negatively regulating the SMAD2/3 signaling pathway.
6.Design of a new spinal nerve assessment form and its clinical application effect in the nursing of patients with spinal cord injury
Liangqing TANG ; Qiujin LIANG ; Zhiling WEN ; Kai YUAN
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(9):689-694
Objective:To explore the application effect of a self-made new spinal nerve assessment form in the nursing of patients with spinal cord injury, and to evaluate the observation ability of clinical nurses on the changes in the condition of spinal cord injury patients.Methods:This study adopted a randomized controlled trial and designed and developed a novel spinal nerve assessment form based on the "International Classification of Spinal Cord Injury Neurology (2019 edition)". The 32 nursing staff from the Department of Spine and Orthopedics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine were selected and randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, with 16 nurses in each group. A total of 600 spinal cord injury patients admitted to the Department of Spine and Orthopedics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from April 2022 to April 2023 were grouped for evaluation. The observation group implemented a new spinal nerve assessment record form to evaluate patients. The control group nurses evaluated patients using routine functional assessment methods. The rates of incorrect evaluation, missed evaluation, evaluation time and other factors were compared between the two groups.Results:Both groups of nurses were female, with the control group aged (30.98 ± 2.38) years and the observation group aged (31.28 ± 1.68) years. There were 200 male and 100 female patients in the control group, aged (55.18 ± 15.28) years; there were 189 male and 111 female patients in the observation group, aged (54.48 ± 16.48) years. The error rate and omission rate of the observation group after using the new spinal nerve assessment tool were 2.31% (245/10 584) and 1.82% (196/10 780), respectively, while the control group was 3.51% (368/10 486) and 2.73% (294/10 780). The differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( χ2=25.40, 20.06, both P<0.05); the evaluation time for cervical and lumbar spine injuries in the observation group were (238.79 ± 10.41) and (118.99 ± 11.12) h, respectively, while in the control group were (366.88 ± 11.89) and (197.22 ± 12.21) h. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( t=102.70, 82.51, both P<0.05). Conclusions:The self-made new spinal nerve assessment form can reduce error rate and omission rate in the spinal nerve assessment of spinal cord injury patients by nurses, save assessment time, standardize nurse operations, improve the quality of specialized nursing work, and ensure nursing safety.
7.House dust mite-induced autophagy affects airway epithelial barrier function through β-catenin-Snail signaling pathway
Ziling ZENG ; Xing WANG ; Hongmei TANG ; Zhibin WANG ; Ning MA ; Yuejiao LI ; Xiaoyun WANG ; Xiefang YUAN ; Guofeng XU ; Qiaoqiao WANG ; Wen ZHANG ; Jiayao DUAN ; Yun ZHANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(9):1309-1318
Objective To investigate the mechanism of autophagy induced by House dust mites(HDM)on airway epithelial tight junction through β-catenin-Snail signaling pathway.Methods Human bronchial epithelial cells(16HBE)were stimulated with HDM at different time points(0,3,6,12,24,48 h)and different concen-trations(0,40,100,200 μg/mL)to screen the appropriate stimulation concentration and stimulation time.16HBE cells were treated with oxidative stress inhibitor N-acetylcysteine(NAC),autophagy inhibitor 3-methylad-enine(3-MA),HDM,and their combinations.Cells were transfected with mCherry-EGFP-LC3B,Beclin-1-siRNA,and ATG14-siRNA lentivirus and then stimulated with NAC and HDM.Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression levels of autophagy-related protein LC3B,tight junction-related proteins Occludin,and ZO-1 in airway epithelial cells.The level of reactive oxygen species(ROS)was detected by using DCFH-DA in each group.The protein expression levels of Occludin,ZO-1,LC3B,Beclin-1,ATG5,ATG14,P62,Snail,β-catenin and p-β-catenin were detected by Western blot method.Results Immunofluorescence results showed that compared with the control group,200 μg/mL HDM stimulation induced cellular autophagy,increased the expression level of LC3B protein,and promoted the level of ROS,all with statistical significances(all P<0.05).Compared with the HDM group,the HDM+3-MA,HDM+ATG14-si,and HDM+Beclin-1-si groupsall showed significantincreases in the expression levels of tight junction-related proteins Occludin and ZO-1(P<0.05).The HDM+NAC group demonstrated significant decreases both in the level of ROS andin the expression level of LC3B protein.Western blot results revealed that compared with HDM,3-MA and autophagy protein low-expression beads(Beclin-1-si,ATG14-si)attenuated HDM-induced cellular autophagy(P<0.05),inhibited HDM-induced upregulation of Snail and p-β-catenin expression,and improved HDM-induced decreases in Occludin and ZO-1(P<0.05).Moreover,compared with the HDM group,the NAC+HDM group exhibited significant decreases both in the conversion of LC3BⅠ to LC3BⅡ(P<0.001)in the protein levels of Snail,p-β-catenin,Beclin-1 and ATG14(P<0.01),but significant increases in the protein levels of Occludin and ZO-1(P<0.05).Conclusion HDM affects the tight connections between airway epithelial cells by inducing autophagy,which may be attributed to the β-catenin-Snail signaling pathway.
8.Correlation between immune cells and cardiovascular diseases in patients with HIV/AIDS and the construction of a risk prediction model
Jiangying LONG ; Cuizhi LI ; Chunyan WEN ; Zhihua TANG ; Yu YUAN
Immunological Journal 2025;41(11):793-801
Objective To investigate the correlation between immune cells and the occurrence of cardiovascular disease(CVD)in patients with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(HIV/AIDS),and to construct a risk prediction model.Methods A total of 280 HIV/AIDS patients treated from June 2024 to August 2025 were selected as the research subjects and divided into a training set(n=200)and a test set(n=80)at a ratio of 5:2.The patients in the training set were subdivided into a CVD subgroup(n=60)and a non-CVD subgroup(n=140)according to whether they developed CVD.The baseline characteristics and immune cells of the two groups were compared,and the longitudinal trajectory changes of immune cells in the CVD subgroup and the non-CVD subgroup were analyzed.LASSO regression analysis was used to screen the independent influencing factors of CVD,multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the independent risk factors for the occurrence of CVD,and a risk prediction nomogram model was constructed.The area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC),Hosmer-Lem show test,calibration curve,and decision curve were used to compare the risk prediction nomogram model with the general cardiovascular risk assessment model,to evaluate its discrimination,goodness-of-fit,and clinical utility.Results There were significant differences in the baseline characteristics and immune cells between the two groups(P<0.05).The longitudinal trajectory plots revealed that the CD4+count,CD8+count,and CD4+/CD8+level in the CVD group exhibited substantial fluctuations,while the trajectories of these parameters in the non-CVD group remained relatively stable.After LASSO regression analysis screened out 11 non-zero coefficient variables,multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age,hypertension,total cholesterol,smoking,high-sensitivity C-reactive protein,CD4+count at the time of HIV diagnosis,CD8+count at the time of HIV diagnosis,and globulin were all independent influencing factors for the occurrence of CVD in HIV/AIDS patients(P<0.05).The AUC of the risk prediction nomogram model was 0.960 in the training set and 0.914 in the test set,indicating good discrimination of the model.The Hosmer-Lem show test and calibration curve showed good accuracy and consistency of the model,and the decision curve showed a high net benefit value,indicating good clinical utility.Conclusion The CVD risk in HIV/AIDS patients is jointly affected by immune dysfunction and traditional metabolic factors.The risk prediction nomogram model constructed significantly improves the accuracy of risk prediction of CVD and can provide a basis for early identification of high-risk patients and the formulation of individualized intervention strategies.
9.Establishment and validation of a predictive model for increased drainage volume after open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion
Yin HU ; Hai-long YU ; Hong-wen GU ; Kang-en HAN ; Shi-lei TANG ; Yuan-hang ZHAO ; Zhi-hao ZHANG ; Jun-chao LI ; Le XING ; Hong-wei WANG
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(11):981-986
Objective To analyze the risk factors for increased drainage volume after open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion(TLIF),and to establish a predictive model and then validate it.Methods The clinical data of 680 patients who underwent open TLIF at the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from January 2016 to December 2019 were collected and the patients were randomly divided into the training group(n=476)and the validation group(n=204).Taking the predictive factors screened out by LASSO regression analysis as independent variables,a multivariate Logistic regression predictive model was constructed.The model was internally validated through the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test,and calibration curve,and its clinical utility was assessed via decision curve analysis(DCA).Results LASSO regression analysis screened out four predictive variables:age,number of surgical segments,operative duration,and intraoperative blood loss.The multivariate Logistic regression predictive model demonstrated that age≥60 years,number of surgical segments≥4,operative duration≥2 hours,and intraoperative blood loss≥200 mL were independent influencing factors for the increased postoperative drainage volume in patients undergoing TLIF(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis revealed an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.816(95%CI:0.798 to 0.867)in the training group and 0.783(95%CI:0.685 to 0.823)in the validation group,indicating that the predictive model had good discriminatory ability.Additionally,the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test and calibration curve indicated that the predictive model had a good degree of fit,and the predicted probability was basically consistent with the actual probability,demonstrating a good calibration.The DCA results confirmed that this predictive model could be applied in clinical practice.Conclusion The risk factors for increased drainage volume after open TLIF include age,number of surgical segments,operative duration,and intraoperative blood loss.The predictive model established based on these factors demonstrates good performance,and it can be applied in clinical guidance for the selection of drainage tube removal time after TLIF.
10.Research progress on modulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease with traditional Chinese medicine
Yuan TANG ; Yonglin LIU ; Wen ZHANG ; Jian SHAO ; Lingyu YANG ; Yiguang LI ; Jie CHEN
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(9):164-178
Alzheimer's disease(AD)is the most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide,characterized primarily by cognitive impairment and memory dysfunction.Its pathological mechanisms involve the toxic accumulation of amyloid β-protein(Aβ),hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein leading to neurofibrillary tangles,mitochondrial dysfunction,synaptic impairment,cholinergic system dysfunction,neuroinflammation,and oxidative stress.Current clinical treatments for AD include acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists,which can improve cognitive function but fail to slow disease progression and often have side effects.Research indicates that traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)may regulate the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/AKT)signaling pathway,promoting neuronal survival,inhibiting neuroinflammation,reducing oxidative stress,preventing apoptosis,and decreasing Aβ deposition,thus improving the symptoms of AD.This review summarizes the mechanisms by which individual TCM components,extracts,and formulas may regulate the PI3K/AKT pathway in the treatment of AD,with the aim of providing a theoretical foundation for the application of TCM in AD therapy.

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