1.Interpretation of the role of circadian rhythm health in cardiometabolic health and disease risk: The scientific statement from the American Heart Association
Zixiong NIE ; Honghua YUE ; Weitao LIANG ; Zhong WU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(04):543-549
The circadian system maintains physiological homeostasis by precisely orchestrating 24-hour cycles of metabolic and cardiovascular functions. Circadian disruption has been substantiated as a contributor to cardiometabolic dysfunction, significantly elevating the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases, thereby emerging as a crucial target for global chronic disease prevention. In 2025, the American Heart Association (AHA) issued a dedicated scientific statement that systematically reviewed the regulatory mechanisms of circadian rhythms and their intrinsic links to cardiometabolic health. It highlighted the pivotal role of modifiable behavioral factors, including light exposure, sleep-wake patterns, meal timing, and timing of physical activity, and proposed multi-faceted intervention strategies centered on chronotherapy. Considering the distinct circadian characteristics and chronic disease epidemiology in the Chinese population compared to Western counterparts, this article, grounded in the statement's core framework and incorporating evidence from localized Chinese research, provides a systematic interpretation of the biological basis of circadian rhythms, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying disruption-related diseases, and potential intervention pathways. It particularly discusses the applicability of the statement's conclusions to clinical practice and public health strategies in China, aiming to offer an evidence-based reference for developing a cardiometabolic health support system tailored to the national context.
2.Pathogenesis and Treatment Approach of Cancer-Related Anorexia-Cachexia Syndrome Based on the Concept of "Blood Exhaustion" in The Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor (《黄帝内经》)
Jinbiao ZHU ; Mengyun YUAN ; Lu BAI ; Duorui NIE ; Mianhua WU ; Yingjie YAN ; Dawei DING
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(5):575-579
Based on the concept of "blood exhaustion" from The Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor (《黄帝内经》), a three-stage syndrome differentiation and treatment strategy for cancer-related anorexia-cachexia syndrome is proposeed. In the cancer-induced anorexia stage, the pathogenesis is characterized by cancer consuming the spleen and stomach, leading to stagnation of transportation and transformation in the middle jiao (焦). Treatment should focus on strengthening the spleen, promoting appetite, dispersing accumulation, and aiding digestion, with modified Zisheng Pills (资生丸) in Extensive Notes on Medicine from Xian Xing Studio (《先醒斋医学广笔记》) or Zisheng Decoction (资生汤) in Records of Chinese Medicine with Reference to Western Medicine (《医学衷中参西录》). In the pre-cachectic stage of malnutrition, the pathogenesis involves insufficient nourishment of blood and qi with essence depletion hindering production. Treatment should focus on nourishing blood and harmonizing ying (营), warming yang and supplementing qi, and modified Huangqi Jianzhong Decoction (黄芪建中汤) can be used. In the cachectic stage, the pathogenesis involves blood deficiency and essence exhaustion, with blood stasis obstructing the collaterals. The therapeutic approach should focus on tonifying deficiency and replenishing essence, unblocking collaterals, and removing stasis, and modified Buzhong Yiqi Decoction (补中益气汤) and Zuo Gui Beverage (左归饮) are suggested.
3.New perspectives on the neuro-immune mechanisms of itch in allergic conjunctivitis
Yuhua MA ; Lu ZHANG ; Junyang PAN ; Chunli WU ; Dinghuan NIE ; Yanting WANG ; Ao PENG ; Nan MA
International Eye Science 2026;26(7):1203-1209
Allergic conjunctivitis is a common ocular inflammatory disease, with intense itching being the most typical and distressing symptom for patients. In recent years, with the in-depth study of the interaction between the nervous and immune systems, significant progress has been made in understanding the mechanism of itching in allergic conjunctivitis. This review elaborates on the neurobiological basis of itching in allergic conjunctivitis, with a focus on the complex dialogue between immune cells and sensory neurons, particularly the core role of the IL-33-ST2-CGRP signaling axis in mediating itching. Additionally, this article introduces new findings in genetic susceptibility research, including the identification of susceptibility genes for allergic conjunctivitis through transcriptome-wide association studies. The sensory nervous system not only transmits itch signals but also actively participates in the formation of antigen channels related to conjunctival goblet cells, thereby regulating the local uptake of allergens and the initiation of the immune response. Moreover, targeted novel therapeutic strategies offer hope for patients with refractory allergic conjunctivitis. Exploring the molecular and cellular mechanisms of itching in allergic conjunctivitis will provide a theoretical basis for the development of more effective treatment methods.
4.Monitoring and improvement of disinfection procedure implementation in blood stations
Xia WANG ; Dongmei NIE ; Xinghui GU ; Qiong YU ; Caiming HE ; Guidan WU ; Xin ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(6):762-767
Objective: To systematically evaluate the application effectiveness of the full disinfection process in blood stations, identify key optimization links, and provide a scientific evidence for the formulation of specialized disinfection and hygiene standards for blood collection and supply institutions. Methods: On-site microbiological monitoring was conducted using techniques such as the plate settling method and cotton swab method. Stratified random sampling was performed on eight key control points: including evironmental air, hand hygiene, skin disinfection, blood transport boxes, pressure steam sterilization, sewage treatment, ultraviolet disinfection, and sterile swabs. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0. Measurement data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation(x-±s), and inter-group comparisons were conducted using t-tests or analysis of variance (ANOVA). Count data were expressed as rates, and inter-group comparisons were conducted using the χ
test. Trend analysis was performed using the Cochran-Armitage test, with a significance level of α=0.05. Results: The colony removal rate of plasma air disinfection machines (94.2%±0.8%) was significantly higher than that of the ultraviolet group (P<0.05). The qualification rate of quick-drying disinfectant hand was 100% within 30 days after opening the bottle, but decreased to 93.3% after 40 days (P<0.01). The qualification rate of disinfection for blood transport boxes using 500 mg/L chlorine-containing disinfectant (100%) was significant higher 75% alcohol (60%, P< 0.05). Skin disinfection with 2% alcoholic chlorhexidine gluconate balanced effectiveness and user experience (satisfaction score 4.8±0.3). The qualification rates for core procedures such as pressure steam sterilization and sewage treatment were both 100%. Conclusion: The current disinfection procedures in blood collection and supply institutions are reliable. The effective usage period of hand disinfectants, disinfection methods for transport boxes, and usage duration of sterile swabs are the main points for optimization. It is recommended that the opened hand disinfectants be used for ≤30 days and that chlorine-containing disinfectants be prioritized for wiping transport boxes, providing empirical support for the revision of protocols and the formulation of standards.
5.Comparison of glucose fluctuation between metformin combined with acarbose or sitagliptin in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes: A multicenter, randomized, active-controlled, open-label, parallel design clinical trial.
Xiaoling CAI ; Suiyuan HU ; Chu LIN ; Jing WU ; Junfen WANG ; Zhufeng WANG ; Xiaomei ZHANG ; Xirui WANG ; Fengmei XU ; Ling CHEN ; Wenjia YANG ; Lin NIE ; Linong JI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(9):1116-1125
BACKGROUND:
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors or dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors are both hypoglycemia agents that specifically impact on postprandial hyperglycemia. We compared the effects of acarbose and sitagliptin add on to metformin on time in range (TIR) and glycemic variability (GV) in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus through continuous glucose monitoring (CGM).
METHODS:
This study was a randomized, open-label, active-con-trolled, parallel-group trial conducted at 15 centers in China from January 2020 to August 2022. We recruited patients with type 2 diabetes aged 18-65 years with body mass index (BMI) within 19-40 kg/m 2 and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) between 6.5% and 9.0%. Eligible patients were randomized to receive either metformin combined with acarbose 100 mg three times daily or metformin combined with sitagliptin 100 mg once daily for 28 days. After the first 14-day treatment period, patients wore CGM and entered another 14-day treatment period. The primary outcome was the level of TIR after treatment between groups. We also performed time series decomposition, dimensionality reduction, and clustering using the CGM data.
RESULTS:
A total of 701 participants received either acarbose or sitagliptin treatment in combination with metformin. There was no statistically significant difference in TIR between the two groups. Time below range (TBR) and coefficient of variation (CV) levels in acarbose users were significantly lower than those in sitagliptin users. Median (25th percentile, 75th percentile) of TBR below target level <3.9 mmol/L (TBR 3.9 ): Acarbose: 0.45% (0, 2.13%) vs . Sitagliptin: 0.78% (0, 3.12%), P = 0.042; Median (25th percentile, 75th percentile) of TBR below target level <3.0 mmol/L (TBR 3.0 ): Acarbose: 0 (0, 0.22%) vs . Sitagliptin: 0 (0, 0.63%), P = 0.033; CV: Acarbose: 22.44 ± 5.08% vs . Sitagliptin: 23.96 ± 5.19%, P <0.001. By using time series analysis and clustering, we distinguished three groups of patients with representative metabolism characteristics, especially in GV (group with small wave, moderate wave and big wave). No significant difference was found in the complexity of glucose time series index (CGI) between acarbose users and sitagliptin users. By using time series analysis and clustering, we distinguished three groups of patients with representative metabolism characteristics, especially in GV.
CONCLUSIONS:
Acarbose had slight advantages over sitagliptin in improving GV and reducing the risk of hypoglycemia. Time series analysis of CGM data may predict GV and the risk of hypoglycemia.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2000039424.
Humans
;
Metformin/therapeutic use*
;
Sitagliptin Phosphate/therapeutic use*
;
Acarbose/therapeutic use*
;
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood*
;
Middle Aged
;
Male
;
Female
;
Adult
;
Blood Glucose/drug effects*
;
Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use*
;
Aged
;
Glycated Hemoglobin/metabolism*
;
Adolescent
;
Young Adult
;
China
;
East Asian People
6.Research progress on dihydrochalcones from Lithocarpus litseifolius extracts in treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications.
Yun-Qin WEI ; Yu-Lan CAI ; Yan YANG ; Shang-Heng FAN ; Lin-Li WU ; Gui-Lan NIE
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(3):658-671
Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) is a prevalent metabolic and endocrine disorder. Long-term hyperglycemia can lead to severe chronic complications, imposing substantial economic burdens on both society and patients. Despite the availability of various hypoglycemic agents for clinical use, these agents often fail to meet the therapeutic needs of T2DM and its complications. Consequently, there is an urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies and drugs. Lithocarpus litseifolius(L. litseifolius), commonly referred to as "cordyceps on trees", has a long history of use in traditional medicine and can be applied in tea, sugar, and medicine. Research indicates that L. litseifolius extracts are rich in dihydrochalcones, including trilobatin, phloridzin, and phloretin, which exhibit a range of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, and cardioprotective effects. These properties suggest potential applications in the treatment of T2DM and its complications. This review systematically compiled and organized the relevant literature from the past decade on dihydrochalcones(trilobatin, phloridzin, and phloretin) from L. litseifolius extracts. It highlighted recent research progress regarding their role in treating T2DM and its complications through mechanisms such as reducing insulin resistance, regulating glucose transport, improving glucose and lipid metabolism, modulating enzyme activity, regulating gut microbiota, and alleviating inflammation and oxidative damage. The purpose of this review is to provide a reference and basis for future research on the prevention and treatment of T2DM and its complications using dihydrochalcones(trilobatin, phloridzin, and phloretin) from L. litseifolius extracts.
Chalcones/chemistry*
;
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Animals
;
Elaeocarpaceae/chemistry*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Hypoglycemic Agents/chemistry*
;
Plant Extracts/chemistry*
7.Identification of high-risk preoperative blood indicators and baseline characteristics for multiple postoperative complications in rheumatoid arthritis patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty: a multi-machine learning feature contribution analysis.
Kejia ZHU ; Zhiyang HUANG ; Biao WANG ; Hang LI ; Yuangang WU ; Bin SHEN ; Yong NIE
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(12):1532-1542
OBJECTIVE:
To explore, identify, and develop novel blood-based indicators using machine learning algorithms for accurate preoperative assessment and effective prediction of postoperative complication risks in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
METHODS:
A retrospective cohort study was conducted including RA patients who underwent unilateral TKA between January 2019 and December 2024. Inpatient and 30-day postoperative outpatient follow-up data were collected. Six machine learning algorithms, including decision tree, random forest, logistic regression, support vector machine, extreme gradient boosting, and light gradient boosting machine, were used to construct predictive models. Model performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), F1-score, accuracy, precision, and recall. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) values were employed to interpret and rank the importance of individual variables.
RESULTS:
According to the inclusion criteria, a total of 1 548 patients were enrolled. Ultimately, 18 preoperative indicators were identified as effective predictive features, and 8 postoperative complications were defined as prediction labels for inclusion in the study. Within 30 days after surgery, 453 patients (29.2%) developed one or more complications. Considering overall accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score, the random forest model [AUC=0.930, 95% CI (0.910, 0.950)] and the extreme gradient boosting model [AUC=0.909, 95% CI (0.880, 0.938)] demonstrated the best predictive performance. SHAP analysis revealed that anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody, C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor, interleukin-6, body mass index, age, and smoking status made significant contributions to the overall prediction of postoperative complications.
CONCLUSION
Machine learning-based models enable accurate prediction of postoperative complication risks among RA patients undergoing TKA. Inflammatory and immune-related blood biomarkers, such as anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody, C-reactive protein, and rheumatoid factor, interleukin-6, play key predictive roles, highlighting their potential value in perioperative risk stratification and individualized management.
Humans
;
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/adverse effects*
;
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/blood*
;
Machine Learning
;
Postoperative Complications/blood*
;
Female
;
Male
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Middle Aged
;
Aged
;
Risk Factors
;
Preoperative Period
;
C-Reactive Protein/analysis*
;
Risk Assessment
8.Plasma club cell secretory protein reflects early lung injury: comprehensive epidemiological evidence.
Jiajun WEI ; Jinyu WU ; Hongyue KONG ; Liuquan JIANG ; Yong WANG ; Ying GUO ; Quan FENG ; Jisheng NIE ; Yiwei SHI ; Xinri ZHANG ; Xiaomei KONG ; Xiao YU ; Gaisheng LIU ; Fan YANG ; Jun DONG ; Jin YANG
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;30():26-26
BACKGROUND:
It is inaccurate to reflect the level of dust exposure through working years. Furthermore, identifying a predictive indicator for lung function decline is significant for coal miners. The study aimed to explored whether club cell secretory protein (CC16) levels can reflect early lung function changes.
METHODS:
The cumulative respiratory dust exposure (CDE) levels of 1,461 coal miners were retrospectively assessed by constructed a job-exposure matrix to replace working years. Important factors affecting lung function and CC16 were selected by establishing random forest models. Subsequently, the potential of CC16 to reflect lung injury was explored from multiple perspectives. First, restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were used to compare the trends of changes in lung function indicators and plasma CC16 levels after dust exposure. Then mediating analysis was performed to investigate the role of CC16 in the association between dust exposure and lung function decline. Finally, the association between baseline CC16 levels and follow-up lung function was explored.
RESULTS:
The median CDE were 35.13 mg/m3-years. RCS models revealed a rapid decline in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), and their percentages of predicted values when CDE exceeded 25 mg/m3-years. The dust exposure level (<5 mg/m3-years) causing significant changes in CC16 was much lower than the level (25 mg/m3-years) that caused changes in lung function indicators. CC16 mediated 11.1% to 26.0% of dust-related lung function decline. Additionally, workers with low baseline CC16 levels experienced greater reductions in lung function in the future.
CONCLUSIONS
CC16 levels are more sensitive than lung indicators in reflecting early lung function injury and plays mediating role in lung function decline induced by dust exposure. Low baseline CC16 levels predict poor future lung function.
Uteroglobin/blood*
;
Humans
;
Dust/analysis*
;
Occupational Exposure/analysis*
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Lung Injury/chemically induced*
;
Coal Mining
;
Biomarkers/blood*
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Air Pollutants, Occupational
;
Female
9.Expression of lymphocyte subsets in the bone marrow of patients with acute myeloid leukemia and its influence on prognosis
Jinhong NIE ; Jiebing XIAO ; Yingchun SHAO ; Chenghui LI ; Lu GAO ; Xiao MA ; Xiaojin WU ; Ziling ZHU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(7):902-908
Objective: To explore the correlation between the composition of bone marrow lymphocyte subsets and the clinical attributes observed in de novo AML patients, as well as their influence on prognosis. Methods: A detailed study was carried out on a cohort of 191 de novo acute myeloid leukemia patients who were admitted to our medical center between October 2022 and September 2024. In addition, a group of 24 patients with iron deficiency anemia individuals was carefully chosen as the control cohort. The proportions of lymphocyte subsets within the bone marrow of de novo AML patients were analyzed. Furthermore, an in-depth analysis was performed to investigate the association between the expression levels of these subsets in de novo AML patients and their clinical attributes, as well as their prognostic implications. Results: The proportion of CD19
and CD56
lymphocytes within the bone marrow of de novo AML patients significantly diminished compared to the control cohort (8.5% vs 13.2% P<0.05, and 15.5% vs 18.0%, P<0.05). Conversely, no significant discrepancies were observed in the CD3
, CD3
CD4
, and CD3
CD8
lymphocyte percentages between the AML patients and control group (71.7% vs 72.1%, 32.5% vs 33.7% and 32.8% vs 35.7%, P>0.05). When analyzing the relationships between lymphocyte subsets within the bone marrow of de novo patients and their respective clinical characteristics, patients aged 60 years and above exhibited diminished percentages of CD3
CD8
lymphocytes in the bone marrow compared to their younger counterparts (31.6% vs 34.1%, P<0.05), while the CD56
lymphocyte subsets demonstrated an increased prevalence (17.2% vs 14.4%, P<0.05). Furthermore, patients with leukocytosis (WBC≥100×10
/L) presented lower levels of CD3
and CD3
CD4
lymphocytes in the bone marrow compared with those without it (65.3% vs 72.9% P<0.05, and 28.9% vs 33.2%, P<0.05), respectively. The AML1-ETO fusion gene-positive cohort exhibited a higher prevalence of CD3
CD8
lymphocytes in the bone marrow than in the negative group (38.2% vs 32.3%, P<0.05), whereas the FLT3-ITD mutation-positive group presented a decreased prevalence of CD56
lymphocytes compared with the negative group (12.4% vs 16.8%, P<0.05). In addition, the NPM1 mutation-positive group demonstrated lower levels of CD3
CD8
lymphocytes in the bone marrow than in the negative group (29.1% vs 33.3%, P<0.05). Variables such as tumor protein p53(TP53) mutation positive, the absence of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and CD3
CD4
lymphocyte proportions below 25% were identified as independent adverse prognostic indicators for AML patients (P<0.05). Conclusion: The pathogenesis of AML is closely associated with an imbalance in bone marrow lymphocyte subsets. The FLT3-ITD mutation potentially contributes to the dysregulation of CD56
lymphocyte subset expression. The AML1-ETO fusion gene and NPM1 mutation are implicated in the abnormal expression of CD3
CD8
lymphocytes within the bone marrow. Moreover, the percentage of CD3
CD4
lymphocytes in the bone marrow serves as a prognostic factor for de novo AML patients.
10.Expression of lymphocyte subsets in the bone marrow of patients with acute myeloid leukemia and its influence on prognosis
Jinhong NIE ; Jiebing XIAO ; Yingchun SHAO ; Chenghui LI ; Lu GAO ; Xiao MA ; Xiaojin WU ; Ziling ZHU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(7):902-908
Objective: To explore the correlation between the composition of bone marrow lymphocyte subsets and the clinical attributes observed in de novo AML patients, as well as their influence on prognosis. Methods: A detailed study was carried out on a cohort of 191 de novo acute myeloid leukemia patients who were admitted to our medical center between October 2022 and September 2024. In addition, a group of 24 patients with iron deficiency anemia individuals was carefully chosen as the control cohort. The proportions of lymphocyte subsets within the bone marrow of de novo AML patients were analyzed. Furthermore, an in-depth analysis was performed to investigate the association between the expression levels of these subsets in de novo AML patients and their clinical attributes, as well as their prognostic implications. Results: The proportion of CD19
and CD56
lymphocytes within the bone marrow of de novo AML patients significantly diminished compared to the control cohort (8.5% vs 13.2% P<0.05, and 15.5% vs 18.0%, P<0.05). Conversely, no significant discrepancies were observed in the CD3
, CD3
CD4
, and CD3
CD8
lymphocyte percentages between the AML patients and control group (71.7% vs 72.1%, 32.5% vs 33.7% and 32.8% vs 35.7%, P>0.05). When analyzing the relationships between lymphocyte subsets within the bone marrow of de novo patients and their respective clinical characteristics, patients aged 60 years and above exhibited diminished percentages of CD3
CD8
lymphocytes in the bone marrow compared to their younger counterparts (31.6% vs 34.1%, P<0.05), while the CD56
lymphocyte subsets demonstrated an increased prevalence (17.2% vs 14.4%, P<0.05). Furthermore, patients with leukocytosis (WBC≥100×10
/L) presented lower levels of CD3
and CD3
CD4
lymphocytes in the bone marrow compared with those without it (65.3% vs 72.9% P<0.05, and 28.9% vs 33.2%, P<0.05), respectively. The AML1-ETO fusion gene-positive cohort exhibited a higher prevalence of CD3
CD8
lymphocytes in the bone marrow than in the negative group (38.2% vs 32.3%, P<0.05), whereas the FLT3-ITD mutation-positive group presented a decreased prevalence of CD56
lymphocytes compared with the negative group (12.4% vs 16.8%, P<0.05). In addition, the NPM1 mutation-positive group demonstrated lower levels of CD3
CD8
lymphocytes in the bone marrow than in the negative group (29.1% vs 33.3%, P<0.05). Variables such as tumor protein p53(TP53) mutation positive, the absence of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and CD3
CD4
lymphocyte proportions below 25% were identified as independent adverse prognostic indicators for AML patients (P<0.05). Conclusion: The pathogenesis of AML is closely associated with an imbalance in bone marrow lymphocyte subsets. The FLT3-ITD mutation potentially contributes to the dysregulation of CD56
lymphocyte subset expression. The AML1-ETO fusion gene and NPM1 mutation are implicated in the abnormal expression of CD3
CD8
lymphocytes within the bone marrow. Moreover, the percentage of CD3
CD4
lymphocytes in the bone marrow serves as a prognostic factor for de novo AML patients.

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