1.Effect of Yang-Reinforcing and Blood-Activating Therapy on the Long-Term Prognosis for Dilated Cardio-myopathy Patients with Yang Deficiency and Blood Stasis Syndrome:A Retrospective Cohort Study
Shiyi TAO ; Jun LI ; Lintong YU ; Ji WU ; Yuqing TAN ; Xiao XIA ; Fuyuan ZHANG ; Tiantian XUE ; Xuanchun HUANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):53-59
ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy on the long-term prognosis for patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) of yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome. MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 371 DCM patients with yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome. The yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy was defined as the exposure factor. Patients were categorized into exposure group (186 cases) and non-exposure group (185 cases) according to whether they received yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy combined with conventional western medicine for 6 months or longer. The follow-up period was set at 48 months, and the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to assess the cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in both groups. Cox regression analysis was used to explore the impact of yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy on the risk of MACE, and subgroup analysis was performed. Changes in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) score were compared between groups at the time of first combined use of yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy (before treatment) and 1 year after receiving the therapy (after treatment). ResultsMACE occurred in 31 cases (16.67%) in the exposure group and 47 cases (25.41%) in the non-exposure group. The cumulative incidence of MACE in the exposure group was significantly lower than that in the non-exposure group [HR=0.559, 95%CI(0.361,0.895), P=0.014]. Cox regression analysis showed that yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy was an independent factor for reducing the risk of MACE in DCM patients [HR=0.623, 95%CI(0.396,0.980), P=0.041], and consistent results were observed in different subgroups. Compared with pre-treatment, the exposure group showed decreased TCM syndrome score and MLHFQ score, reduced LVEDD, and increased LVEF and LVFS after treatment (P<0.05); in the non-exposure group, TCM syndrome score decreased, LVEF and LVFS increased, and LVEDD reduced after treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, the exposure group had higher LVEF and LVFS, smaller LVEDD, and lower TCM syndrome score and MLHFQ score compared with the non-exposure group (P<0.05). ConclusionCombining yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy with conventional western medicine can reduce the risk of MACE in DCM patients with yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, meanwhile improving their clinical symptoms, cardiac function, and quality of life.
2.Structural and Functional Abnormalities of White-matter Tracts in Male College Smokers
Xiao-Jiao LI ; Da-Hua YU ; Ting XUE ; Kai YUAN ; Zhen-Zhen MAI ; Xu-Wen WANG ; Fang DONG ; Juan WANG ; Yu-Xin MA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1770-1779
ObjectiveThe present study aimed to investigate alterations in white matter microstructure and spontaneous neural activity in male college smokers, and to further explore their associations with nicotine dependence. Given that adolescence and early adulthood represent critical periods for brain maturation, particularly for white matter development, understanding the neural correlates of smoking behavior during this stage is of substantial importance for both neuroscience and public health. MethodsA total of 115 male undergraduate students were initially recruited for this study. After quality control and exclusion procedures, 52 male college smokers and 42 demographically matched healthy non-smokers were included in the final analysis. All participants underwent multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI). White matter fiber tracts were reconstructed using the automated fiber quantification (AFQ) method, which enables precise identification and quantification of major fiber bundles. Eighteen major white matter tracts were segmented for each participant. Along the core trajectory of each tract, 100 equidistant nodes were sampled. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was calculated at each node to assess white matter microstructural integrity, while amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) was computed to evaluate spontaneous neural activity within white matter tracts. Between-group differences in FA and ALFF were assessed using two-sample t-tests, with appropriate corrections applied for multiple comparisons. Furthermore, Pearson correlation analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between imaging-derived metrics (FA and ALFF values in regions showing significant group differences) and nicotine dependence severity, as measured by the Fagerström test for nicotine dependence (FTND). ResultsCompared with healthy non-smokers, male college smokers exhibited significantly increased FA values in several white matter tracts, including the left thalamic radiation, right corticospinal tract, forceps major of the corpus callosum, left uncinate fasciculus, and right arcuate fasciculus. These findings suggest altered microstructural organization or increased directional coherence within these pathways. In addition, smokers demonstrated significantly elevated ALFF values in the forceps major, right uncinate fasciculus, and left arcuate fasciculus, indicating enhanced spontaneous neural activity in these white matter regions. Correlation analyses revealed that FA values in the left thalamic radiation and right corticospinal tract were negatively correlated with FTND scores, suggesting that higher levels of nicotine dependence were associated with reduced microstructural integrity or altered fiber organization in these regions. In contrast, ALFF values in the forceps major and right uncinate fasciculus were positively correlated with FTND scores, indicating that greater nicotine dependence was associated with increased spontaneous neural activity in specific white matter pathways. ConclusionThe present study provides evidence that male college smokers exhibit distinct alterations in both white matter microstructure and functional activity. These abnormalities are not uniformly distributed but rather localized to specific fiber tracts implicated in sensorimotor processing, interhemispheric communication, and higher-order cognitive and emotional regulation. Importantly, the observed associations between imaging metrics and nicotine dependence severity suggest that these structural and functional alterations may reflect neurobiological mechanisms underlying addiction. The combination of AFQ-based tract profiling and multimodal MRI offers a sensitive approach for detecting subtle changes along white matter pathways, highlighting its potential utility in identifying neuroimaging biomarkers of nicotine dependence. Overall, these findings indicate that smoking during early adulthood may disrupt ongoing white matter maturation, potentially leading to long-term consequences for brain function. This study provides novel insights into the neural basis of nicotine dependence and underscores the importance of early intervention and prevention strategies targeting young smokers.
3.Analysis of the incidence and associated factors of cyclosporine-associated acute kidney injury in hospitalized patients based on real-world data
Yaqing DOU ; Jiahui LAO ; Xue WANG ; Yanying SUN ; Xin HUANG ; Hanbing LI ; Xiao LI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(12):1584-1589
OBJECTIVE To analyze the incidence of cyclosporine (CsA)-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) in hospitalized patients, identify influencing factors, and construct a risk prediction model. METHODS A single-center retrospective study was conducted, enrolling clinical data from hospitalized patients treated with CsA at the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital from January 2018 to July 2024. The patients were classified into AKI group and non-AKI group based on the occurrence of CsA-related AKI. Univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to identify independent risk factors for CsA-related AKI, and a risk prediction model was constructed and its performance was evaluated. RESULTS A total of 439 patients were included, of whom 54 developed CsA-related AKI, with an incidence rate of 12.30%. The occurrence of CsA-associated AKI was positively correlated with concurrent bacterial pulmonary infection, cytomegalovirus viremia, respiratory failure, renal insufficiency, gastrointestinal bleeding, and peripheral central venous catheterization (odds ratios of 763.750, 16.944, 41.933, 236.806, 17.537 and 212.789, respectively; P <0.05); while uric acid, prealbumin, and calcium levels were negatively associated with it (odds ratios of 0.983, 0.967 and 0.058, respectively; P <0.05). The prediction model constructed based on the above factors yielded a χ 2 value of 10.254 ( P >0.05) in the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. The average area under the curve (AUC) from 10-fold cross-validation was 0.885. The AUC of the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.883, with a sensitivity of 84.3% and a specificity of 80.4%, respectively, at the optimal cutoff value of 0.1. CONCLUSIONS Six factors, including concurrent bacterial pulmonary infection and cytomegalovirus viremia, are positively associated with the occurrence of CsA-related AKI; while uric acid, prealbumin, and calcium levels are negatively associated. The Logistic regression model constructed based on these factors demonstrates good predictive performance and can assist clinic in conducting early risk assessment and personalized interventions.
4.Research progress on the role and mechanism of high mobility group box protein 1 after spinal cord injury
Xin XUE ; Chang-zheng YIN ; Jin-hui CHEN ; Lu-rong HUANG ; Xin ZHENG ; Yi-min LI ; Guo-bao XIAO ; Ping ZHANG ; Jian-hua ZHAO
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(10):918-923
High mobility group box protein 1(HMGB1)is one of the most widely expressed protein member in the HMGs family,which is well known for its involvement in the body inflammatory response.Previous researches have found that it plays a significant role in cell migration,immune identification and neuroprotection.Spinal cord injury is a disease that causes severe damage to the nervous system,and neural circuits are disrupted after a spinal cord injury,which leads to many conditions including ischemia and hypoxia,inflammatory responses,demyelinating lesions,and glial scar formation that are detrimental to nerve regeneration and repair,making it one of the most difficult diseases to treat in the modern spinal surgery field.HMGB1 is upregulated after spinal cord injury,thereby regulating neuroinflam-matory responses,and participating in the neuronal apoptosis,promoting neuronal regeneration,and inducing neural stem cell differentiation and migration,which plays an important role in the process of neural function recovery.This paper summarizes the structure and function of HMGB1,as well as its role in spinal cord injury,in order to provide direction for founding therapeutic target for neurological function recovery after spinal cord injury.
5.Association of afterschool physical exercise and sleep quality among preschool children in Minhang district of Shanghai
Li-li ZHANG ; Yi-dan JIA ; Xue-qing MIAO ; Xiao-feng YIN ; Hui-jing SHI ; Yan-qi HU
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(5):657-663
Objective To observe the association between afterschool physical exercise and sleep quality among preschool children,and to explore the proper afterschool physical exercise model for better sleep quality.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted.From Apr to Jun 2024,a total of 1 430 children from three public kindergartens in Minhang district were enrolled to participate in the survey.Parents were invited to complete the basic sociodemographic information,afterschool physical exercise information and the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire.One-way ANOVA and linear mixed effects models were used to explore the relationship between afterschool exercise and sleep quality.Results A total of 1 430 questionnaires were sent out and 1 384 were recovered with a recovery rate of 96.78%.Among them 1 366 were valid,with an effective rate of 95.52%.The average age of the children was(5.19±0.87)years old with gender ration of 1.07∶1(male:female).The prevalence of poor sleep quality was 80.60%(regarding a CSHQ total score>41 as cutoff).A one-way ANOVA indicated that time on afterschool physical exercise was significantly associated with sleep duration,Night waking,and sleep onset delay(P<0.05).After adjusting for age,gender,the only child or not,main caregiver,and parental education and occupation,linear mixed effects models showed that engaging in afterschool physical activity for at least 180 mins per week has a statistically significant predictive effect on sleep duration scores(β=-0.50,z=-4.52,95%CI:-0.72,-0.28,P<0.001),night waking scores(β=-0.16,z=-2.34,95%CI:-0.29,-0.02,P=0.020),and sleep onset delay scores(β=-0.14,z=-2.35,95%CI:-0.26,-0.02,P=0.019).Conclusion Afterschool exercise was significantly associated with sleep quality among preschool children in Minhang district of Shanghai.The time≥180 min on afterschool exercise per week in preschool children was significantly positively associated with maintaining sleep duration,reducing night wakings and shortening the latency to fall asleep.The habit of afterschool exercise and the time on afterschool exercise should be emphasized by parents and the society to improve sleep quality among preschool children.
6.Analysis of Immune Infiltration Characteristics in Molecular Subtypes of Endome-trial Cancer
Jingjing GUO ; Ting LI ; Li WANG ; Lisha LUO ; Xue XIAO
Journal of Practical Obstetrics and Gynecology 2025;41(4):312-318
Objective:To analyze the infiltration of immune cells in different molecular subtypes of endometrial cancer(EC)at the protein level and explore the correlation between immune infiltration and clinicopathological features.Methods:Clinical data from 75 mismatch repair-deficient(MMR-D)EC cases and 74 mismatch re-pair-proficient(MMR-P)EC cases with comparable differentiation levels,diagnosed at Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital between January 2013 and January 2021,were selected.Molecular classification of EC was con-ducted according to the ProMisE standard.Immunohistochemistry(IHC)staining and fluorescent multiplexed im-munohistochemistry(F-mIHC)techniques were used to quantify the distribution of CD8+T cells,regulatory T cells(Tregs),and macrophages.The clinicopathological features and immune infiltration characteristics of different subtypes were investigated.Results:Among 149 samples,75 were MMR-D,8 were POLE-mutated(POLEmut),13 were p53-mutated(p53abn),and 53 were p53 wild-type(p53wt).The infiltration characteristics of CD8+T cells,Tregs,and macrophages were no statistically significant differences correlated with age and pathological stage(P>0.05).Among the molecular subtypes of EC,MMR-D tumors demonstrated a significantly higher densi-ty of CD8+T cells and Tregs compared to MMR-P tumors(P<0.05).Further comparison across the four EC mo-lecular subtypes revealed that the MMR-D subtype,which had a favorable prognosis,displayed a significantly high density of CD8+T cells compared to the p53abn subtype and the p53wt subtype(P<0.05).Additionally,the Tregs density of the MMR-D tumors was significantly higher than that of the p53wt tumors,in both the tumor area(P<0.05)and the stroma area(P<0.05).The POLEmut type tumors,which had the best prognosis,showed a high infiltration of CD8+T cells and Tregs cells compared to the p53abn and p53wt types,although there was no signifi-cant statistical difference(P>0.05).The p53wt subtype,which had a moderate prognosis,exhibited low density of CD8+T cells(P<0.05)and Tregs(tumor area,P<0.01,stroma area,P<0.05)compared to MMR-D tumors.The p53abn subtype,which was associated with the worst prognosis,exhibited higher infiltration of M2-like macro-phages than the MMR-D subtype(P<0.05)and the p53wt subtype(P<0.05)in tumor region,and lower CD8+T cell density than the MMR-D subtype(P<0.05).No significant statistical difference was observed in the density of M1-like macrophages across the four molecular subtypes in either the tumor or stroma areae(P>0.05).Conclu-sions:There was no statistically significant relation found between infiltration characteristics of immune cells and clinicopathological features.The types and distribution of infiltrated immune cells were different across these EC molecular subtypes.This indicated that ECs with different molecular subtype exhibited different features of immune infiltration which is closely associated with patient prognosis.
7.Risk factors associated with hemodynamic instability in carotid artery stenting:a systematic review and meta-analysis
La-ting ZHANG ; Xiao-qing WANG ; Lin HAN ; Xin-hui LIANG ; Yao JIA ; Li-juan GAO ; Xue JIANG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(4):201-214
Objective To investigate the risk factors of hemodynamic instability after carotid artery stenting by meta-analysis.Methods Ten databases were searched:PubMed,ProQuest,ScienceDirect,Embase,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,China Knowledge Network,Wanfang Data,VIP Information Database,and China Biomedical Database.The search date was from inception until 2 February 2024,and meta-analysis was performed using Stata 16.0 statistical software.Results A total of 27 studies with 4199 subjects and 22 influencing factors were included.The studies showed a 37.4%(95%CI 30.3%-44.8%)incidence of haemodynamic instability after carotid stenting,Meta-analysis determined that age>60 years(P<0.001),hypertension(P<0.001),calcified plaque(P<0.001),stenosis>70%(P=0.008),eccentric plaque(P=0.002),distance from the largest stenosis to the carotid bifurcation≤ 10 mm(P<0.001),stenosis involvement of the balloon or bifurcation(P<0.001),balloon post-dilation(P=0.003),open-loop stenting(P<0.001),dilated balloon diameter≥5 mm(P=0.002),repeat balloon dilation(P=0.011)and balloon dilation pressure≥8 atm(P<0.001)are risk factors for intraoperative and postoperative haemodynamic instability in patients undergoing carotid artery stenting surgery.Statin use was a protective factor(P<0.001).Conclusions Medical staff working in the clinic should assess the patient's condition preoperatively,identify risk factors that may lead to haemodynamic instability,and avoid unnecessary intraoperative stimulation of patients who are already in a high-risk state.Reduce postoperative clinical complications in patients with carotid artery stenosis and improve patient recovery.
8.Longitudinal changes in theurinary extracellular domain of neurotrophin receptor p75 predict the severity and survival time in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Rui JIA ; Ronghua ZHANG ; Li XUE ; Jiaoting JIN ; Fangfang HU ; Xiao LIU ; Yonghui DANG ; Jingxia DANG
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(2):298-303
Objective To evaluate the ability of longitudinal changes in urinary extracellular domain of neurotrophin receptor p75(p75ECD)to serve as a prognostic biomarker of severity,progression and survival time in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS).Methods Forty patients with ALS attended follow-up appointments at 3-to 6-month interval,and 51 healthy control(HC)volunteers were recruited.The concentrations of urinary p75ECD were tested by a sandwich ELISA.The ALSFRS-r was used to quantify the severity of ALS.The change rate of urinary p75ECD(Δp75ECD)was calculated as the average monthly change during the period between the first and the last sampling.Results The concentration of urinary p75ECD was higher at the last follow-up than at baseline(P=0.002 3).Spearman analysis showed that there was a negative correlation between urinary p75ECD and ALSFRS-r score(r=-0.35,P=0.001 3);the course of ALS in the fast-changing Δp75ECD group was shorter than that in the slow-changing group(P=0.015 8);the Δp75ECD and course of ALS showed a negative correlation(r=-0.39,P=0.014),and the Δp75ECD in the fast-progression ALS group was significantly higher than in the slow-progression group(P=0.001 6).There was a positive correlation between Δp75ECD and progression in ALS patients(r=0.34,P=0.005).Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a longer median survival time in those with slow-changing Δp75ECD(P=0.03).Conclusion The change rate of urinary p75ECD has shown great potential as a biomarker for the prognosis of the severity,progression and survival time of ALS.
9.Risk factors associated with hemodynamic instability in carotid artery stenting:a systematic review and meta-analysis
La-ting ZHANG ; Xiao-qing WANG ; Lin HAN ; Xin-hui LIANG ; Yao JIA ; Li-juan GAO ; Xue JIANG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(4):201-214
Objective To investigate the risk factors of hemodynamic instability after carotid artery stenting by meta-analysis.Methods Ten databases were searched:PubMed,ProQuest,ScienceDirect,Embase,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,China Knowledge Network,Wanfang Data,VIP Information Database,and China Biomedical Database.The search date was from inception until 2 February 2024,and meta-analysis was performed using Stata 16.0 statistical software.Results A total of 27 studies with 4199 subjects and 22 influencing factors were included.The studies showed a 37.4%(95%CI 30.3%-44.8%)incidence of haemodynamic instability after carotid stenting,Meta-analysis determined that age>60 years(P<0.001),hypertension(P<0.001),calcified plaque(P<0.001),stenosis>70%(P=0.008),eccentric plaque(P=0.002),distance from the largest stenosis to the carotid bifurcation≤ 10 mm(P<0.001),stenosis involvement of the balloon or bifurcation(P<0.001),balloon post-dilation(P=0.003),open-loop stenting(P<0.001),dilated balloon diameter≥5 mm(P=0.002),repeat balloon dilation(P=0.011)and balloon dilation pressure≥8 atm(P<0.001)are risk factors for intraoperative and postoperative haemodynamic instability in patients undergoing carotid artery stenting surgery.Statin use was a protective factor(P<0.001).Conclusions Medical staff working in the clinic should assess the patient's condition preoperatively,identify risk factors that may lead to haemodynamic instability,and avoid unnecessary intraoperative stimulation of patients who are already in a high-risk state.Reduce postoperative clinical complications in patients with carotid artery stenosis and improve patient recovery.
10.Study on pricing of initiative hospice and palliative care services by service unit
Tian-shu CHU ; Yi-fan XU ; Li-mei JING ; Xue-ying LI ; Xiao-yu ZHANG ; Jun-mei DENG
Chinese Journal of Health Policy 2025;18(2):47-52
Objective:To conduct a study on pricing by service unit to address the problems of hospice and palliative care pricing and fee system in China.Methods:Combining theoretical research and empirical evidence,this study organized the pricing mechanism of initiative hospice and palliative care services and established a graded and categorized pricing strategy.Empirical research was conducted based on real-world data from 36 pilot institutions in typical areas.Results:This study developed a comprehensive pricing framework for value-based classification price standard of initiative hospice and palliative care services from the perspective of incentive regulation.We proposed a pricing plan based on service units,with inpatient bed fee ranging from 459 to 606 yuan or 459 to 1 102 yuan,and home visit fee ranging from 89 to 264 yuan.Conclusions and suggestions:This study proposes a pricing scheme based on the technique and service value with a gradient fluctuation by service unit,and forms a set of price standards with high economic and technical feasibility,which can provide scientific evidences for solving the pricing problem of hospice care.In addition,there is still a need to establish a multi-level incentive compensation mechanism to motivate all levels and types of organisations and healthcare provider,and to promote the high-quality and sustainable development of hospice and palliative care.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail