1.Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment of Ischemic Stroke by Intervening in Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells: A Review
Wenxiu QIN ; Gang WEI ; Qingjie KONG ; Huiying SUN ; Junfeng XU ; Ying GAO ; Jian YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):336-346
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a physical and biochemical barrier that precisely regulates brain homeostasis and plays a central role in controlling the transport of endogenous and exogenous drugs and related metabolites across the blood-brain interface. These functions of the BBB are mediated by its major components, including brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs), tight junction protein complexes, and influx and efflux transporter proteins. One of the pathological features of ischemic stroke (IS) is BBB disruption, which plays an important role in the development of post-stroke brain injury and subsequent neurological dysfunction. Therefore, given the increasing incidence of IS, there is an urgent need to develop new therapeutic strategies to prevent BBB dysfunction and thereby protect injured brain tissue after IS. This study describes the pathological mechanisms by which BMEC injury after IS leads to BBB dysfunction and elucidates the association between BMECs and IS, including the regulation of apoptosis, autophagy, inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, neurotoxic effects, and cerebral edema. In addition, this article summarizes Chinese herbal medicines that may prevent and treat IS by targeting BMECs. These include monomeric compounds and single herbs such as flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, phthalides, terpenoids, and Styrax. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound formulas and preparations include oral formulations such as Buyang Huanwu decoction, Sailuotong, Naoxintong capsules, Dandeng Tongnao capsules, and Shexiang Tongxin dropping pills, as well as injectable preparations such as Tongluo Jiunao injection, Xingnaojing injection, Danshen polyphenolic acid for injection, Yiqi Fumai injection, and Shuxuetong injection. This study aims to explore the protective effects of TCM against IS through targeted regulation of BMEC function, providing new insights into the mechanisms of IS and endovascular therapeutic strategies.
2.A two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis of the causal relationship between NMR-based lipid metabolites and pancreatic cancer risk
Jing SUN ; Jiaoyan LIU ; Yongrong LIU ; Hongwei ZHU ; Kaiyan YANG ; Wenxiu ZHANG
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(7):1440-1450
Background and Aims:Pancreatic cancer(PC)is a highly lethal gastrointestinal malignancy with poorly understood pathogenesis.Previous studies suggest that alterations in plasma metabolomics may be associated with PC development;however,traditional observational studies are prone to confounding and reverse causation,making it difficult to establish causal relationships.This study employed a two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR)approach to systematically evaluate the potential causal relationship between 325 nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)metabolites and PC risk.Methods:Genome-wide association study(GWAS)data of 325 NMR metabolites from the UK Biobank were integrated with GWAS data of PC from FinnGen.Single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)significantly associated with metabolites were selected as instrumental variables.The inverse variance weighted method served as the primary analysis,supplemented by MR-Egger regression,weighted median,weighted mode,Bayesian weighted Mendelian randomization(BWMR),and constrained maximum likelihood(cML)for validation.Multiple sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the results.Results:Four metabolites were identified to have significant causal associations with PC risk.Higher phospholipid-to-total lipid ratios in intermediate-density lipoproteins(IDL)(GCST90445881)and small high density lipoproteins(HDL)(GCST90446027),as well as higher free cholesterol-to-total lipid ratios in extremely large very-low-density lipoproteins(VLDL)(GCST90446151),were inversely associated with PC risk.Conversely,an elevated triglyceride-to-total lipid ratio in chylomicrons and extremely large VLDL(GCST90446157)was positively associated with increased PC risk.The findings were consistently supported by multiple sensitivity analyses.Conclusion:This study provides genetic evidence linking lipid metabolism alterations to PC risk.Elevated phospholipid and free cholesterol ratios appear protective,whereas increased triglyceride levels act as risk factors.These metabolite profiles may serve as promising biomarkers for early diagnosis and intervention in PC,offering novel insights for risk assessment and potential metabolic-targeted therapies.
3.Exploration of embryonic chromosomal abnormalities in patients with recurrent miscarriage in the population undergoing IVF/ICSI-assisted pregnancy
Ming SHI ; Chen ZHANG ; Xin KANG ; Yuxin WANG ; Yang SHI ; Wenxiu ZHU ; Jing ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(5):489-494
Objective:To investigate the factors associated with chromosomal abnormalities in embryos of patients with recurrent miscarriage in the in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET) population, and to establish a prediction model for chromosomal abnormalities. Methods:This was a retrospective case-control study, aborted tissues were collected from 349 patients who attended the Reproductive and Genetic Laboratory Sports New Town Ward of Dalian Women's and Children's Medical Center (Group) after IVF/ICSI from September 2019 to October 2024, and the samples were examined by copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) combined with short tandem repeat (STR) technology. According to the test results, the aborted tissues were divided into chromosome normal and chromosome abnormal groups. Factors affecting the occurrence of chromosomal abnormalities were analyzed by univariate analysis and multifactorial logistic regression.Results:1) By CNV-seq combined with STR method, a total of 252 cases (72.21%, 252/349) of chromosomal abnormalities were detected, while 97 cases had normal chromosomes. 2) The results of univariate analysis showed that the differences in female age, female body mass index (BMI), gestational week, number of miscarriages, progesterone level after 14 d post-transplantation, ovarian reserve function, male age, and male BMI were statistically significant between the chromosome normal group and the chromosome abnormal group (all P<0.05). 3) The results of the multifactorial logistic regression model showed that female age ( OR=1.261, 95% CI: 1.137-1.398, P<0.001), female BMI ( OR=1.121, 95% CI: 1.038-1.227, P=0.004), gestational week ( OR=1.406, 95% CI: 1.155-1.711, P=0.001), progesterone level 14 d after transplantation ( OR=1.016, 95% CI: 1.000-1.031, P=0.043), and BMI of the male partner ( OR=1.132, 95% CI: 1.050-1.220, P=0.001) were the independent risk factors of chromosomal abnormalities. 4) There were statistically significant differences in female age, female BMI, gestational week, progesterone level 14 d after transplantation, and male BMI between patients with normal chromosomes and those with trisomy chromosomes in aborted tissues (all P<0.05).Advanced female age was correlated with the occurrence of trisomy 22 ( P<0.05), and there was a correlation between advanced female age and increased male BMI and the occurrence of trisomy 16 (all P<0.05). Conclusion:The increase in maternal age, BMI, gestational age, progesterone levels 14 d after transplantation, and male BMI can all lead to an increase in the rate of chromosomal abnormalities and an increase in the incidence of trisomy. The advanced age of the female, can lead to the occurrence of trisomy 22. The age of the female and the BMI of the male are positively correlated with the abnormality rate of trisomy 16.
4.Relationship between social media use and internalized homophobia in homosexual and bisexual persons
Nirui YU ; Wenxiu LI ; Jiajun CHENG ; Luna YANG ; Shen LIU
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(4):356-361
Objective:To explore the relationship between social media use and internalized homophobia in homosexual and bisexual persons,and the role of self-esteem and perceived social support.Methods:A total of 626 homosexual and bisexual persons were selected through online social media platforms,and the Social Media Use In-tensity Scale(SNSIS),Self-Esteem Scale(SES),Perceived Social Support Scale(PSSS)and Internalized Homo-phobia Scale(IHS)were used for measurement.Use the SPSS macro program PROCESS to test moderated media-tion effects.Results:The average SNSIS score was(3.0±1.0).The SES score played a partial mediating role in the relationship between SNSIS scores and IHS scores,and the value of mediating effect was 21.43%.The PSSS scores moderated the relationship between the SNSIS scores and the SES scores(β=-0.10,P<0.01),and the re-lationship between the SES scores and the IHS scores(β=-0.11,P<0.01).Conclusion:Social media use by ho-mosexual and bisexual persons is associated with internalized homophobia,self-esteem mediated the relationships,and perceived social support plays a moderating role.
5.Exploration of embryonic chromosomal abnormalities in patients with recurrent miscarriage in the population undergoing IVF/ICSI-assisted pregnancy
Ming SHI ; Chen ZHANG ; Xin KANG ; Yuxin WANG ; Yang SHI ; Wenxiu ZHU ; Jing ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(5):489-494
Objective:To investigate the factors associated with chromosomal abnormalities in embryos of patients with recurrent miscarriage in the in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET) population, and to establish a prediction model for chromosomal abnormalities. Methods:This was a retrospective case-control study, aborted tissues were collected from 349 patients who attended the Reproductive and Genetic Laboratory Sports New Town Ward of Dalian Women's and Children's Medical Center (Group) after IVF/ICSI from September 2019 to October 2024, and the samples were examined by copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) combined with short tandem repeat (STR) technology. According to the test results, the aborted tissues were divided into chromosome normal and chromosome abnormal groups. Factors affecting the occurrence of chromosomal abnormalities were analyzed by univariate analysis and multifactorial logistic regression.Results:1) By CNV-seq combined with STR method, a total of 252 cases (72.21%, 252/349) of chromosomal abnormalities were detected, while 97 cases had normal chromosomes. 2) The results of univariate analysis showed that the differences in female age, female body mass index (BMI), gestational week, number of miscarriages, progesterone level after 14 d post-transplantation, ovarian reserve function, male age, and male BMI were statistically significant between the chromosome normal group and the chromosome abnormal group (all P<0.05). 3) The results of the multifactorial logistic regression model showed that female age ( OR=1.261, 95% CI: 1.137-1.398, P<0.001), female BMI ( OR=1.121, 95% CI: 1.038-1.227, P=0.004), gestational week ( OR=1.406, 95% CI: 1.155-1.711, P=0.001), progesterone level 14 d after transplantation ( OR=1.016, 95% CI: 1.000-1.031, P=0.043), and BMI of the male partner ( OR=1.132, 95% CI: 1.050-1.220, P=0.001) were the independent risk factors of chromosomal abnormalities. 4) There were statistically significant differences in female age, female BMI, gestational week, progesterone level 14 d after transplantation, and male BMI between patients with normal chromosomes and those with trisomy chromosomes in aborted tissues (all P<0.05).Advanced female age was correlated with the occurrence of trisomy 22 ( P<0.05), and there was a correlation between advanced female age and increased male BMI and the occurrence of trisomy 16 (all P<0.05). Conclusion:The increase in maternal age, BMI, gestational age, progesterone levels 14 d after transplantation, and male BMI can all lead to an increase in the rate of chromosomal abnormalities and an increase in the incidence of trisomy. The advanced age of the female, can lead to the occurrence of trisomy 22. The age of the female and the BMI of the male are positively correlated with the abnormality rate of trisomy 16.
6.Expressions and prognostic analysis of LOXL2,CCL-18 and YKL-40 in connective tissue disease with pulmonary interstitial lesions
Yue ZHAO ; Jinliang YANG ; Huan LUO ; Wenxiu XI ; Junlu WANG ; Xuejun ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(7):1752-1756
Objective:To investigate the expressions and prognostic value of lysyl oxidase like protein 2(LOXL2),chemo-kine c-c-motif ligand 18(CCL-18)and chitinase protein 40(YKL-40)in connective tissue disease with pulmonary interstitial lesions.Methods:A total of 308 patients with connective tissue disease who were treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North Univer-sity from July 2021 to February 2022 were selected,including 108 patients with pulmonary interstitial disease(pathological group),200 patients without pulmonary interstitial disease(non pathological group),and another 35 healthy volunteers as the control group.Serum levels of LOXL2,CCL-18 and YKL-40 were detected by ELISA;Logistic regression analysis was applied to analyze the factors affecting the prognosis of patients with connective tissue disease and pulmonary interstitial disease;the predictive value of serum LOXL2,CCL-18 and YKL-40 levels on the prognosis of patients with connective tissue disease and pulmonary interstitial disease was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis.Results:Compared with control group,the serum levels of LOXL2,CCL-18 and YKL-40 in patients with connective tissue disease in the non pathological group and the pathological group were obviously increased(P<0.05);the serum levels of LOXL2,CCL-18 and YKL-40 in patients with connective tissue disease in the le-sion group were higher than those in the non lesion group(P<0.05);compared with the survival group,the serum levels of LOXL2,CCL-18 and YKL-40 in patients with connective tissue disease and pulmonary interstitial disease in the death group were obviously higher(P<0.05);Logistic regression analysis showed that LOXL2,CCL-18 and YKL-40 were risk factors for the prognosis of patients with connective tissue disease and pulmonary interstitial disease(P<0.05);the area under the ROC curve(AUC)of the combined detection of serum LOXL2,CCL-18 and YKL-40 in predicting the prognosis of patients with connective tissue disease and pulmonary interstitial disease was 0.967,which was better than their respective independent prediction(Zcombined detection-LOXL2=1.735,P=0.041;Zcombined detection-CCL-18=2.481,P=0.007;Zcombined detection-YKL-40=2.008,P=0.022).Conclusion:The serum levels of LOXL2,CCL-18 and YKL-40 in patients with connective tissue disease and pulmonary interstitial disease are elevated,which has certain value in the prognosis evaluation of patients with connective tissue disease combined with pulmonary interstitial disease.
7.Relationship between social media use and internalized homophobia in homosexual and bisexual persons
Nirui YU ; Wenxiu LI ; Jiajun CHENG ; Luna YANG ; Shen LIU
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(4):356-361
Objective:To explore the relationship between social media use and internalized homophobia in homosexual and bisexual persons,and the role of self-esteem and perceived social support.Methods:A total of 626 homosexual and bisexual persons were selected through online social media platforms,and the Social Media Use In-tensity Scale(SNSIS),Self-Esteem Scale(SES),Perceived Social Support Scale(PSSS)and Internalized Homo-phobia Scale(IHS)were used for measurement.Use the SPSS macro program PROCESS to test moderated media-tion effects.Results:The average SNSIS score was(3.0±1.0).The SES score played a partial mediating role in the relationship between SNSIS scores and IHS scores,and the value of mediating effect was 21.43%.The PSSS scores moderated the relationship between the SNSIS scores and the SES scores(β=-0.10,P<0.01),and the re-lationship between the SES scores and the IHS scores(β=-0.11,P<0.01).Conclusion:Social media use by ho-mosexual and bisexual persons is associated with internalized homophobia,self-esteem mediated the relationships,and perceived social support plays a moderating role.
8.The Construction of A Predictive Model for Clinical Pregnancy Outcome in Frozen-thawed Embryo Transfer Cycles in Women with Advanced Maternal Age
Junqiang WANG ; Ying CHEN ; Fengchen GAO ; Wenxiu ZHAO ; Shuxuan CAO ; Yixi LI ; Limei HE ; Zexing YANG
Journal of Kunming Medical University 2025;46(8):51-57
Objective To construct a predictive model for clinical pregnancy outcomes in frozen-thawed embryo transfer(FET)cycles in women with advanced maternal age(age≥35 years)and to analyze its influencing factors.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 2717 older patients who underwent FET treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from January 2018 to December 2023.These Patients were divided into a clinical pregnancy group(n=851)and a non-clinical pregnancy group(n=1866)based on whether the clinical pregnancy had occurred.The general characteristics and transplantation details of the two groups were compared,and a logistic regression analysis model was constructed.Results The clinical pregnancy rate(CPR)was 31.32%.The CPR for women aged 35-40 years(40.06%)was higher than that for women aged≥40 years(19.35%),with a statistically significant difference(χ2=133.371,P<0.05).The model results showed that the higher anti-Mullerian hormone(AMH)levels(OR=1.053,95%CI:1.012-1.095),the more high-quality blastocysts were transferred(OR=1.704,95%CI:1.143-2.542;OR=2.861,95%CI:1.921-4.262);the more high-quality blastocysts were transferred(OR=2.033,95%CI:1.077-3.836;OR=3.886,95%CI:2.035-7.420),the thicker the endometrial lining on the day of transfer(OR=1.150,95%CI:1.092-1.212)and it could increase the probability of clinical pregnancy.However,for women over 40 years of age(OR=0.551,95%CI:0.437-0.694)and secondary infertility(OR=0.704,95%CI:0.552-0.896),the probability of clinical pregnancy would be reduced;ROC curve analysis results showed that the AUC for predicting clinical pregnancy occurrence in the training set and validation set of the predictive model were 0.723(95%CI:0.699-0.748)and 0.726(95%CI:0.689-0.764),respectively,with cutoff values of 0.262 and 0.260 and the model fit was good(P>0.05).Conclusion Female age,AMH level,type of infertility,number of high-quality embryos(cleavage embryos,blastocysts)transferred,and endometrial thickness on the day of transfer are important factors affecting FET cycles in advanced maternal age women.The constructed prediction model based on these factors has a certain predictive ability for clinical pregnancy.
9.Effects and mechanism of astragalus mongholicus extract on lung injury in rats with rheumatoid arthritis induced interstitial lung disease
Yue Zhao ; Jinliang Yang ; Huan Luo ; Wenxiu Xi ; Junlu Wang ; Xuejun Zheng
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(7):1173-1179
Objective :
To investigate the effects of astragalus mongholicus extract ( AME) on lung injury and the myeloid differentiation factor 88 ( MyD88 ) / Toll-like receptor 4 ( TLR4 ) / nuclear factor kappa B ( NF-κB) p65 pathway in rheumatoid arthritis induced interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) rats.
Methods :
SD rats were randomly divided into a control group,RA-ILD group,low-dose AME group (5 g / L) ,high-dose AME group ( 10 g / L) ,and high-dose AME + lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group ( 10 g / L AME + 1 mg / L TLR4 activator LPS) .Except for the control group,rats in all other groups were injected with bovine type Ⅱ collagen,Freund ’s complete adjuvant, and bleomycin to establish the RA-ILD model.The arthritis index and lung tissue wet-dry weight ratio of rats were tested.ELISA was applied to detect the levels of inflammatory factors interleukin (IL) -1 β , IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α ( TNF-α) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Hematoxylin eosin staining was used to observe pathological changes of rat knee joint tissue and lung tissue.Western blot was applied to detect the expression of autophagy fac- tors Beclin 1,microtubule-associated protein 1A /1B-light chain 3 (LC3) Ⅱ / Ⅰ , and MyD88 /TLR4 /NF-κB p65 pathway related proteins in lung tissue.
Results :
Compared with control group,knee joint tissue and lung tissue of rats in RA-ILD group were damaged,the arthritis index,lung tissue wet-dry weight ratio,levels of IL-1 β , IL-6, and TNF-α , the expression levels of MyD88 and TLR4 proteins ,and p-NF-κB p65 /NF-κB p65 ratio increased (P<0. 01) ,the expression of Beclin 1 and LC3 Ⅱ / Ⅰ proteins decreased (P<0. 01) .Compared with RA-ILD group,the low-dose and high-dose AME groups showed reduced tissue damage in rats,the arthritis index,lung tis- sue wet-dry weight ratio,levels of IL-1 β , IL-6,and TNF-α , the expression levels of MyD88 and TLR4 proteins, and p-NF-κB p65 /NF-κB p65 ratio showed a dose-dependent decrease (P<0. 05 or P<0. 01) ,the expression of Beclin 1 and LC3 Ⅱ / Ⅰ proteins showed a dose-dependent increase (P<0. 05 or P<0. 01) .Compared with high- dose AME group,the tissue damage of rats in the high-dose AME + LPS group was worsened,the arthritis index, lung tissue wet-dry weight ratio,levels of IL-1 β , IL-6,and TNF-α , the expression levels of MyD88 and TLR4 pro- teins,and p-NF-κB p65 /NF-κB p65 ratio were higher (P<0. 01) ,the expression of Beclin 1 and LC3 Ⅱ / Ⅰ pro- teins was lower (P <0. 01 ) .
Conclusion
AME inhibits the MyD88 /TLR4 /NF-κB p65 pathway and alleviates lung injury in RA-ILD rats.
10.Analysis of clinical phenotype and genetic variant in a patient with De-differentiated liposarcoma.
Jingjing AO ; Feicheng YANG ; Yuzhong YANG ; Jia TIAN ; Chenjia LU ; Xiaoying LIU ; Zhe ZHANG ; Wenxiu YANG ; Chunjian MO
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(6):741-746
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the clinical characteristics and genetic etiology of a patient with De-differentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS).
METHODS:
A 38-year-old female patient with DDLPS who had visited Hunan Provincial People's Hospital in January 2025 was selected as the study subject. A retrospective study method was adopted to collect the patient's clinical data, including current and past medical history, auxiliary examinations, pathological diagnosis, and results of genetic testing. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Hunan Provincial People's Hospital (Ethics No.: KY2025-150).
RESULTS:
The patient had presented with abdominal pain and abdominal mass. Imaging studies revealed ascites and space-occupying abdominal lesions. Postoperative pathological examination showed that the tumor was composed of spindle cells, and its morphology and immunohistochemistry had made it difficult to distinguish between DDLPS and leiomyosarcoma. High-throughput sequencing revealed characteristic molecular alterations of DDLPS, and fluorescence in situ hybridization confirmed MDM2 gene amplification, leading to a diagnosis of DDLPS.
CONCLUSION
The patient was diagnosed with DDLPS. Her clinical manifestations and pathological features were consistent with the characteristics of DDLPS. Molecular pathological testing played a crucial role in the diagnosis and provided a crucial reference for subsequent treatment.
Humans
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Female
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Adult
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Liposarcoma/diagnosis*
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Phenotype
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2/genetics*


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