1.Effects of Xiebai San on the Morphological Structures of Lung and Intestinal Tissues and Expression Levels of PI3K and Akt in Rats with Allergic Asthma
Jing SONG ; Zongtong YANG ; Xiaojing LI ; Zifa LI ; Fengyun SU ; Dongchuan XU ; Zaiyun SUI
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2026;46(2):191-204
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Xiebai San regulates respiratory tract and intestinal mucosal immunity in rats with allergic asthma. MethodsForty male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups based on body weight: control group, model group, positive control group, and Xiebai San group. The model group, positive control group, and Xiebai San group were sensitized with ovalbumin to establish a rat model of allergic asthma. From day 21 (the aerosol challenge phase), each group received daily gavage interventions simultaneously: the positive control group was administered dexamethasone (0.068 mg/kg), the Xiebai San group received Xiebai San solution (2 g/mL, 11.3 mL/kg), while the control and model groups were given an equal volume of normal saline, once daily for 14 consecutive days. After euthanasia, lung and intestinal tissues were collected. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe histopathological changes. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to examine tissue ultrastructure. Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the positive reaction areas of phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (Akt) proteins. Total protein and total RNA were extracted from lung and intestinal tissues, then the protein and mRNA expression levels of PI3K and Akt genes were detected by Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR, respectively. ResultsHistopathological results showed alveolar emphysema accompanied by inflammatory cell infiltration, and intestinal mucosal injury with inflammatory cell infiltration in the model group as compared with the control group; the cellular structure of lung tissues was disrupted in the model group, with reduced organelles, while the ultrastructural lesions in the intestine were relatively mild. Compared with the model group, Xiebai San group exhibited milder pathological changes in lung tissues, with occasional alveolar wall damage and a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration; the intestinal mucosal structure was improved, glands were arranged regularly, and pathological changes such as tissue loosening and inflammatory infiltration were alleviated; the cellular structure of lung tissues was relatively intact with reduced severity of lesions, and no ultrastructural pathological changes were observed in intestinal tissues. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting results showed that compared with the control group, the specific positive reaction areas of PI3K and Akt in lung and intestinal tissues were significantly increased in the model group (all P<0.001); meanwhile, the protein expression levels of PI3K and Akt were significantly upregulated (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the positive area of Akt protein in lung tissue was significantly reduced in the Xiebai San group (P<0.001), and the positive area of PI3K in intestinal tissue was also significantly decreased (P<0.000 1). Additionally, the protein expression levels of PI3K and Akt in lung and intestinal tissues were significantly downregulated (all P<0.01). Real-time quantitative PCR results showed that compared with the control group, the mRNA expression levels of PI3K and Akt genes in lung and intestinal tissues were significantly elevated in the model group (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the mRNA expression levels of PI3K and Akt genes in lung and intestinal tissues were significantly reduced in the Xiebai San group (all P<0.05). ConclusionXiebai San exerts protective effects on rats with allergic asthma by inhibiting the expression of key nucleic acids and proteins in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in lung and intestinal tissues, improving the morphological structure of lung tissue, and maintaining intestinal mucosal integrity, and regulating intestinal mucosal immune function.
2.Construction and Validation of a Clinical Prediction Model for Inflammatory Remission Outcome of Bushen Zhiwang Decoction(补肾治尪汤)in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis with Liver and Kidney Deficiency Syndrome
Zihan WANG ; Xiaojing LIU ; Yanyu CHEN ; Tianyi LAN ; Huilan YANG ; Hongwei YU ; Qingwen TAO ; Yuan XU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(5):523-533
ObjectiveTo construct and validate a clinical prediction model for inflammatory remission outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with liver and kidney deficiency syndrome treated with Bushen Zhiwang Decoction (补肾治尪汤, BZD) based on metabolomics. MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted, enrol-ling 60 RA patients with liver and kidney deficiency syndrome. All patients were treated with BZD and conventional-dose oral conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) for 12 months. Clinical data were collected, and the change in disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28) after treatment compared with baseline (△DAS28) was used as the primary outcome and grouping criterion. Peripheral blood samples were collected before treatment to analyze plasma metabolites. Differential analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression were used to preliminarily screen differential metabolites, followed by machine learning algorithms to further identify a core metabolite combination. Based on the expression levels of the core metabolite combination, a novel metabolite index, namely the metabolomics-based inflammatory remission score (Met-IRS), was calculated using standar-dized metabolite values, and its clinical applicability was evaluated. A clinical prediction model was constructed by integrating clinical characteristics and Met-IRS, and the model performance was assessed. ResultsAmong the 60 patients, those with △DAS28 ≥ 0.27 were assigned to the high inflammatory remission group, while those with △DAS28 < 0.27 were assigned to the low inflammatory remission group, with 30 cases in each group. Compared to the low inflammatory remission group, the high inflammatory remission group showed a higher frequency of methotrexate use and a lower positive rate of rheumatoid factor (RF) (P<0.05). Seven core metabolites were identified as the optimal combination, including mangiferic acid, fatty acid-hydroxy fatty acid ester 40∶6, fatty acid-hydroxy fatty acid ester 18∶0, fatty acid-hydroxy fatty acid ester 36∶1, glucosylceramide, lysophosphatidylcholine 22∶5, and pregnanetriol ketone. The calculated Met-IRS comprehensively reflected the characteristics of differential metabolites and demonstrated clinical applicability. Met-IRS was significantly higher in the high inflammatory remission group than in the low inflammatory remission group, and was positively correlated with high inflammatory remission outcomes (P<0.05). Based on the variables Met-IRS, methotrexate use, leflunomide use, and RF positivity, a clinical prediction model for inflammatory remission in RA treatment (Cj-RTRM) was constructed. Model performance evaluation demonstrated that the model had good clinical predictive ability, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.880, sensitivity 0.967, specificity 0.700 and Youden's index 0.667. ConclusionThe clinical prediction model Cj-RTRM constructed based on the metabolomics-based inflammatory remission score Met-IRS can effectively predict clinical inflammatory remission outcomes in RA patients treated with BZD and accurately identify the advantageous population for this treatment. This model provides guiding evidence for dynamic inflammation monitoring, targeted management, and identification of populations with advantages in traditional Chinese medicine.
3.MRI and Clinical Characteristics of Gastric-Type Endocervical Adenocarcinoma
Hui WANG ; Xiaojing SHEN ; Bin DU ; Jiejun CHENG ; Jialu XU
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2025;33(8):862-866
Purpose To identify the distinct MRI findings of gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma(GEA)that can help differentiate it from usual-type endocervical adenocarcinoma(UEA)and reveal the radiologic-pathologic correlation.Materials and Methods All consecutive patients with cervical GEA(27 cases)and UEA(45 cases)treated at Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital from January 2015 to August 2023 were included retrospectively.All patients underwent enhanced pelvic MRI examination.The clinical characteristics,tumor location,tumor shape,presence and size of cysts,and presence of hydrometra were evaluated between the two groups.Results The clinical characteristics included vaginal discharge in 12 cases of GEA and one case of UEA,vaginal bleeding in seven cases of GEA and 28 cases of UEA(P=0.048).Additionally,there were two cases of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome in GEA.Among the 27 GEA cases,the lesion was in the upper cervix in nine cases and involved the entire cervix in 16 cases;among the 45 UEA cases,the lesions were in the upper,lower and entire cervix in 12,29 and four cases,respectively(P=0.023).Regarding the tumor growth pattern,in the GEA group,there were nine cases of mass-forming growth pattern and 18 cases of diffuse infiltrative pattern;in the UEA group,there were 35 cases of mass-forming growth pattern and ten cases of diffuse infiltrative pattern,with a statistically significant difference(χ2=10.718,P=0.014).In 27 GEA cases,14 cases had observed intrauterine fluid,while in 45 UEA cases,eight cases had observed intrauterine fluid(χ2=12.657,P=0.002).Among the GEA cases,five had no cysts,12 had microcysts and ten had macrocysts;among the UEA cases,14 had no cysts,31 had microcysts and macrocysts were not observed(P=0.001).The maximum diameter of the GEA masses was(4.030±0.375)cm,and that of UEA masses was(2.315±0.769)cm,with a statistically significant difference(t=7.134,P<0.001).Conclusion By integrating multiple MRI features of the diffuse infiltrative growth pattern(such as the predominant location in the upper or entire cervix,frequent association with uterine cavity effusion or larger cysts,and a maximum mass diameter≥4 cm),it aids in distinguishing GEA from UEA.
4.Research progress on intelligent diagnosis of eye diseases based on facial photos
Hanwen XU ; Moxin CHEN ; Xiaoyi LIANG ; Qin SHU ; Wanqin NIE ; Xuefeng YANG ; Minxuan SHEN ; Xiaojing LI ; Yu CAO ; Lin LI
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2025;45(9):1249-1255
The number of patients with eye diseases in China is enormous,and the negative effects of these conditions,such as impaired visual function,psychological burdens,and restricted social participation,are becoming increasingly severe.Due to the limited and unevenly distributed ophthalmic resources,and the significant limitations of traditional diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in terms of accuracy and efficiency,there is an urgent need for more sensitive and efficient modalities.With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence technology,ophthalmic diagnosis has entered a new stage of intelligent transformation.Facial photos,as a noninvasive and convenient medium,show unique advantages in eye disease diagnosis.Artificial intelligence systems based on facial photo analysis have been applied to the screening and diagnosis of conditions such as myopia,strabismus,ptosis,and thyroid eye disease,showing promising results.This review introduces the workflow of intelligent diagnosis for ocular diseases based on facial photographs,with a focus on recapitulating relevant research findings both domestically and internationally in recent years.It summarizes the innovative features and application advantages of intelligent diagnosis systems for eye diseases based on facial photos,analyzes the current technical bottlenecks and challenges in application,proposes corresponding countermeasures,and discusses future development directions,aiming to provide references and new insights for the intelligent screening and diagnosis of eye diseases.
5.Research advances in the application of multi-omics studies in the pathogene-sis of diabetic retinopathy
Xiaojing LIU ; Yue ZHANG ; Yanhui XU ; Zhimin CHEN
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2025;45(5):403-409
Diabetic retinopathy(DR),as one of the most common microvascular complications in patients with diabe-tes mellitus(DM),has a complex and multifaceted etiology that involves multiple factors.The unique characterization of DR in genomics,epigenomics,transcriptomics,proteomics,and metabolomics has opened new avenues for the exploration and development of novel therapeutic strategies for this disease.However,the inherent limitation of single-omics approa-ches is that they can only analyze the biological and molecular mechanisms underlying the disease from a single dimension,which makes it difficult to comprehensively capture the complex nature of DR.With the rapid advancement of high-throughput sequencing technology,multi-omics joint analysis combines the advantages of different histological techniques and can explore the pathogenesis of DR from multiple dimensions and levels.This paper aims to comprehensively review the latest progress of multi-omics technologies in revealing the pathogenesis of DR and its complex molecular mechanisms and thoroughly explore the new opportunities,current challenges,and future development prospects of multi-omics tech-nologies for DR research.
6.Application of dental implant robot technology in postgraduate dental implant education
Xueya WANG ; Quanchen XU ; Zhiqiang QI ; Xiaoqi SU ; Zhongxi SUN ; Xuehan LI ; Guowei WANG ; Xiaojing WANG
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2025;60(4):403-408
Objective:To explore the effectiveness of robotic implant technology in the postgraduate education of implant dentistry.Methods:The teaching method that combines of theory and model manipulation was used to teach 20 postgraduate students. After completing the theoretical course of implant dentistry, all students performed free hand, digital template, and dental implant robot implant surgery on the simulation jaw models. At the end of the course, an error analysis of the three and a feedback questionnaire distributed to the students were conducted in order to assess the effectiveness of the dental implant robot.Results:Compared to the freehand [2.45(1.1) mm,2.80(0.88) mm,4.95°(2.68°)] and digital template group [1.25(0.68) mm,2.00(0.90) mm, 3.35°(1.60°)], the dental robot implant group had smaller values for implant platform deviation, apical deviation and angular deviation [0.29(0.08) mm,0.26(0.20) mm,0.72°(0.13°)], and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001). The results of the questionnaire showed that dental implant robot helps to ensure the accuracy and safety of the implanting process and stimulates students′ interest in learning. Conclusions:At postgraduate level, the safety and accuracy of the implantation process was effectively improved and good teaching result achieved by introducing dental implant robot into the process of dental implant training.
7.Cell ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of vitiligo and advances in related therapeutic agents
Xuqing XU ; Wen HU ; Xiaojing KANG
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2025;58(9):886-889
Melanocyte death is the most notable feature of vitiligo, and ferroptosis is a unique pattern of programmed cell death, characterized by the iron-dependent accumulation of lethal lipid reactive oxygen species. Recent studies have found that ferroptosis is involved in the damage to melanocytes in the development of vitiligo. This review summarizes the possible mechanisms of ferroptosis in vitiligo and related therapeutic agents, aiming to provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of vitiligo, potential therapeutic targets, and associated targeted therapies.
8.Effect of Electroacupuncture on TGF-β1/Smads Signaling Pathway and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition-related Protein Expression in Rats with Neurogenic Bladder After Spinal Cord Injury
Xiaojing LUO ; Chuning TIAN ; Lifen ZHAN ; Qian LI ; Roujun LIANG ; Lubo XIAO ; Yue ZHUO ; Kun AI ; Ming XU ; Hong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(10):120-126
Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture(EA)on TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)related proteins in rats with neurogenic bladder(NB)after spinal cord injury;To explore the possible mechanism of EA in improving NB fibrosis.Methods Totally 36 female SD rats were randomly selected,with 10 rats in the sham-operation group and the remaining 26 rats undergoing complete transection of the spinal cord beneath the T8 vertebrae to establish a NB rat model.The modeling rats were randomly divided into model group and EA group,with 10 rats in each group.EA group was applied to"Ciliao","Zhongji"and"Sanyinjiao",20 min per time,once a day for 7 days.The general condition of the rats in each group was observed,the ultrasound index of the bladder was detected by ultrasound technique,the bladder function of the rats was detected by urodynamics,the body mass of the rats and the wet weight of the bladder were recorded,and the bladder index was calculated.HE staining was used to observe bladder tissue morphology,the degree of bladder tissue fibrosis and bladder wall thickness were detected by Masson staining.The positive expressions of E-cadherin,N-cadherin and Vimentin in bladder tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry.The protein expressions of TGF-β1,p-Smad2/3,E-cadherin,N-cadherin and Vimentin were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,the upper and lower diameter,anteroposterior diameter,transverse diameter,bladder volume of the model group significantly increased(P<0.001),the maximum bladder pressure,leak point pressure difference,perfusion time and maximum bladder capacity significantly increased(P<0.001),the bladder index increased significantly(P<0.001),the bladder epithelial cells were thickened and arranged irregularly,the bladder collagen volume fraction and bladder wall thickness significantly increased(P<0.001),the expressions of TGF-β1,p-Smad2/3,N-cadherin and Vimentin in bladder tissue increased(P<0.01),and the expression of E-cadherin decreased(P<0.001).Compared with the model group,the upper and lower diameter,anteroposterior diameter,transverse diameter,bladder volume of the EA group decreased significantly(P<0.05),the maximum bladder pressure,leak point pressure difference,perfusion time and maximum bladder capacity significantly decreased(P<0.05),the bladder index significantly decreased(P<0.05),the thickness of the bladder epithelial cell layer became thinner and arranged more neatly,and the bladder collagen volume fraction and bladder wall thickness of the bladder were significantly reduced(P<0.05),the expressions of TGF-β1,p-Smad2/3,N-cadherin and Vimentin in bladder tissue significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the expression of E-cadherin significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion EA may reduce the EMT of bladder epithelial cells and decrease the degree of bladder tissue fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway,thereby improving bladder function in NB rats after spinal cord injury.
9.Study on residents′ preference for traditional Chinese medicine health management services in community health service institutions
Xiaojing MA ; Hang XU ; Yuna PAN ; Jianping REN
Chinese Journal of Hospital Administration 2025;41(8):636-642
Objective:To investigate Beijing residents′ preferences, marginal willingness to pay (mWTP), and utilization probabilities regarding the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) health management services provided by community health service institutions, and to provide references for promoting the application and dissemination of TCM health management at the grassroots level.Methods:A questionnaire was designed based on a discrete choice experiment involving six attributes influencing residents′ utilization of TCM health management services: medical insurance coverage, technical effectiveness, service provider, physician seniority, treatment modality, and individual average out-of-pocket cost. A multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used to select 800 residents from three community health service institutions across three administrative districts of Beijing. The survey was conducted from November to December 2024. A mixed logit model was employed to analyze the factors influencing service utilization preferences, mWTP, and utilization probabilities.Results:A total of 733 valid questionnaires were included in the analysis. All six attributes significantly influenced residents′ service utilization preferences ( P<0.05). Residents showed stronger preferences for services with lower individual average out-of-pocket costs ( β=-0.214), combination therapies involving both internal medication and external treatments ( β=0.314), provision by senior-level professionals ( β= 0.522), fixed service providers ( β=0.851), longer treatment courses with better efficacy ( β=1.323), and services covered by medical insurance ( β=1.843). When services were covered by insurance, featured longer courses with better efficacy, and involved fixed service providers, the probability of service utilization increased to 76.52%. Heterogeneity in service utilization preferences was observed across different ages, genders and chronic health conditions ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Medical insurance coverage, technical efficacy and doctor service continuity are the most influential factors affecting residents′ service utilization. Optimizing the combination of TCM health management service attributes can enhance residents′ willingness to utilize these services. It is recommended to develop multi-tiered medical security strategies, selectively include high-value TCM health management services into insurance coverage, strengthen physician-patient trust, and design differentiated " disease prevention" service packages for residents with different characteristics to improve overall population health.
10.A study on genotype and clinical phenotype characteristics of children with epilepsy associated with SCN1B gene variations
Xiaojing XU ; Ting WANG ; Miaomiao CHENG ; Shijia OUYANG ; Ying YANG ; Xiaoling YANG ; Changhao LIU ; Yuehua ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2025;58(6):624-631
Objective:To summarize the genotype and clinical phenotype characteristics of children with epilepsy associated with the SCN1B gene encoding the sodium channel β1 subunit. Methods:The genotypes and clinical phenotypes of patients with SCN1B variants among suspected genetic epilepsy cases treated at the Children′s Medical Center of Peking University First Hospital between May 2016 and July 2024 were analyzed. These variants were identified using next-generation sequencing and subsequently validated by Sanger sequencing or quantitative polymerase chain reaction methods. Results:A total of 17 patients were analyzed, including 8 males and 9 females. Ten cases of missense variations (including 2 with the same variations), 4 cases of deletion variations, and 1 case each of nonsense variations, splice site variations, and exons 4-5 deletions were identified. Among them, 6 cases had novel SCN1B variations. The variants in 11 cases were inherited from 1 parent. Eleven types of gene variants have not been reported yet. Onset of epilepsy ranged from 3 months to 5 years and 3 months old (median age: 14 months). Types of seizures included generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) in 14 cases, focal seizures in 9 cases, myoclonic seizures in 3 cases, atypical absence seizures in 2 cases and epilepsy spasms, tonic seizures and atonic seizures in 1 case each. Eleven cases had diverse seizure types. Fourteen cases (14/17) demonstrated fever sensitivity. Electroencephalography revealed focal discharges in 3 cases, coinciding with focal and generalized discharges in 3 additional cases, and multifocal discharges in 6 cases. Seizures were identified in 4 cases: 1 case of myoclonic seizures, 1 case of GTCS, 1 case of atypical absence seizures, and 1 case exhibiting both myoclonic and tonic seizures. Nine cases (9/17) were diagnosed with genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus, 1 case diagnosed with myoclonic epilepsy in infancy and 1 diagnosed with infant epileptic spasms syndrome. There were 2 cases of nonspecific developmental epileptic encephalopathy, while the remaining 4 cases could not be diagnosed with a specific epileptic syndrome. Effective antiseizure medications (ASMs) included valproate in 8 cases, levetiracetam in 5 cases, topiramate in 3 cases, clobazam in 2 cases, clonazepam and vigabatrin in 1 case each. Sodium channel blockers exacerbated seizures in 3 cases, specifically oxcarbazepine in 2 cases and lamotrigine in 1 case. At the last follow-up, seizures were controlled for at least 6 months in 14 patients (14/17), while seizures remained uncontrolled in 3 patients despite trialing 2 or more ASMs. Thirteen patients exhibited normal development, while 4 experienced developmental delays. Conclusions:The heterozygous variants in children with SCN1B gene-related epilepsy include missense, deletion, nonsense, splice site variants, and exon deletions. The correlation between different genetic variants and clinical phenotypes remains unclear. These variants are associated with epilepsy onset from infancy to early childhood, presenting with various seizure types, with GTCS being the most common. Phenotypic manifestations can vary significantly in severity, ranging from benign febrile seizures or febrile seizures plus to developmental epileptic encephalopathy. Valproic acid demonstrates the highest effectiveness rate, while the use of sodium channel blockers may worsen seizures in certain patients, necessitating cautious administration.

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