1.Mechanism of Huoxue Rongluo Prescription Regulating Bmal1 Gene to Promote Blood-brain Barrier Repair After Ischemic Stroke
Yuanchen LIAO ; Desheng ZHOU ; Qiang MA ; Lei LUO ; Menghao HE ; Lijuan LIU ; Xiaofeng GAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):40-50
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Huoxue Rongluo prescription (HXRLP) in repairing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) after ischemic stroke (IS). MethodsMale C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham operation (Sham) group, cerebral infarction model (MCAO) group, environmental circadian disruption with cerebral infarction model (ECD-MCAO) group, low-, medium-, and high-dose HXRLP (HXRLP-L, M, and H) groups (8.5, 17, 34 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively), and positive drug butylphthalide (NBP) group (0.23 mL·d-1). In the Sham group, only the exposed blood vessels were isolated without suture insertion. In the other groups, the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of mice was prepared. In the ECD-MCAO group, HXRLP groups, and NBP group, the environmental circadian disruption (ECD) model was prepared. The mice in the Sham group, MCAO group, and ECD-MCAO group were given the same volume of soybean oil by gavage, while those in the other groups were given the corresponding drugs by gavage. Samples were collected after 7 consecutive days of administration. The mNSS score was used to evaluate the repair effect of HXRLP on neurological deficits after IS. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess the impact of HXRLP on the pathological damage of brain tissue after IS. 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and cerebral blood perfusion status were used to evaluate the repair effect of HXRLP on brain tissue damage after IS. Evans blue staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to evaluate the improvement effect of HXRLP on the permeability injury of BBB after IS. Immunofluorescence (IF) staining was used to observe the expression of von Willebrand Factor (vWF), brain and muscle Arnt-like 1 (Bmal1), and Occludin in brain tissue. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of Bmal1, Occludin, tight junction protein (Claudin-5), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and angiopoietins(Ang), and related analysis was conducted. ResultsCompared with the Sham group, the MCAO group exhibited significantly aggravated neurological deficits, cerebral infarction volume, brain pathological damage, and BBB leakage (P0.01) and significantly reduced cerebral blood perfusion (P0.01). The expression of Bmal1, vWF, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), and Ang in brain tissue was significantly enhanced (P0.01), while the expression of Occludin and Claudin-5 was significantly weakened (P0.01). Compared with the MCAO group, the ECD-MCAO group showed significantly aggravated neurological deficits, cerebral infarction volume, and BBB leakage (P0.01), obviously worsened brain pathological damage (P0.05), significantly reduced cerebral blood perfusion (P0.01), and significantly decreased expression of Bmal1, vWF, VEGFA, Ang, Occludin, and Claudin-5 in brain tissue (P0.01). Compared with the ECD-MCAO group, the HXRLP groups of all doses presented significantly improved neurological deficits, cerebral infarction volume, brain pathological damage, and BBB leakage (P0.01), significantly increased cerebral blood perfusion (P0.01), and enhanced expression levels of Bmal1, vWF, VEGFA, Ang, Occludin, and Claudin-5 in brain tissue (P0.01). ConclusionHXRLP can regulate the clock protein Bmal1 and promote the expression of VEGFA, Ang, Occludin, and Claudin-5, thereby improving BBB damage after IS.
2.Improvement effects and mechanism of Bazheng powder on chronic urinary tract infection in rats
Huirong XI ; Xiaofeng LI ; Xiaolei JIANG ; Jing LI ; Zheng’an MA ; Xixiang LI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(20):2525-2530
OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effects and its mechanism of Bazheng powder on chronic urinary tract infection (CUTI) induced by Escherichia coli in rats. METHODS The rats were divided into normal control group, model group, levofloxacin group (45 mg/kg) and Bazheng powder group (4.95 g/kg), with 10 rats in each group. Except for the normal control group, other groups were administered an intravesical injection of Escherichia coli suspension (1×10⁸ cfu/mL) via the urethra to establish CUTI model; at the same time, rats in each group were administered the corresponding medicinal solution or water by gavage once a day for 4 consecutive weeks. After the last medication, blood routine tests (white blood cell count and lymphocyte percentage), the levels of serum inflammatory factors [interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)], and immune indicators [CD4, CD8, secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA)], renal function indicators [cystatin C (Cys-C), α1- microglobulin (α1-MG), urea and creatinine] were all determined; the pathological changes in renal and bladder tissues in rats were observed. The protein expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) in rat bladder tissues were detected. RESULTS Compared with the normal control group, the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, CD8, Cys-C, α1-MG, urea and creatinine in serum, as well as the protein expressions of TLR4, NF-κB and NLRP3 in bladder tissues, were significantly elevated in the model group (P<0.05). Conversely, the levels of CD4 and SIgA were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Pathological changes, such as extensive infiltration of inflammatory cells, were observed in both renal and bladder tissues. Compared with the model group, the above quantitative indicators in the Bazheng powder group were significantly improved (P<0.05), with no obvious inflammatory lesions observed in either renal or bladder tissues. CONCLUSIONS Bazheng powder can alleviate inflammatory reaction and improve the immune function of CUTI rats, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB/ NLRP3 signaling pathway.
3.Smoking attitudes and behaviors among middle school students in Shijingshan District
HU Xiaofeng ; LIU Liyong ; MA Shitou ; LIU Gaoshan ; AN Xinhua
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(4):421-424
Objective:
To investigate smoking attitudes and behaviors among middle school students in Shijingshan District, Beijing Municipality, so as to provide the evidence for implementing tobacco control interventions for students.
Methods:
In 2019 and 2023, students from three junior high schools, two senior high schools and one vocational high school in Shijingshan District were selected using a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method. Data of basic information, smoking attitudes, cigarette use, e-cigarette use and secondhand smoke exposure were collected using questionnaire surveys. The changes in smoking attitudes and behaviors among middle school students between the two surveys were analyzed.
Results:
A total of 671 students were surveyed in 2019, including 343 males (51.12%) and 328 females (48.88%). A total of 759 students were surveyed in 2023, including 352 males (46.38%) and 407 females (53.62%). The proportion of students who thought that smoking made young people more attractive in 2023 was 3.29%, lower than 6.56% in 2019 (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the proportions of those who believed that secondhand smoke was definitely harmful, those who thought that quitting smoking was definitely difficult, and those who felt that smoking in social situations made them more comfortable between 2019 and 2023 (all P>0.05). In 2023, the proportions of current smoking rate and the attempted smoking rate were 0.66% and 5.53%, respectively, which were lower than 2.24% and 8.94% in 2019 (both P<0.05). The awareness rate of electronic cigarettes was 96.18% in 2023, higher than 88.97% in 2019 (P<0.05). The usage rate of electronic cigarettes was 5.01% in 2023, lower than 10.28% in 2019 (P<0.05). The proportion of exposure to secondhand smoke in family and public places was 73.25% in 2023, higher than 66.77% in 2019 (P<0.05). The proportion of those who saw someone smoking on campus within the past 30 days was 15.81% in 2023, lower than 29.96% in 2019 (P<0.05).
Conclusions
Compared with 2019, the smoking behaviors of middle school students in Shijingshan District decreased in 2023, and the awareness rate of electronic cigarettes and the proportion of secondhand smoke exposure in family and public places increased. Health education should be strengthened.
4.Molecular characterization of FGFR fusion in a large real-world population and clinical utility of bidirectional fusion.
Xinyi ZHANG ; Jing ZHAO ; Ling MA ; Yitong TIAN ; Jiaguang ZHANG ; Hejian ZHENG ; Junling ZHANG ; Runyu HE ; Luhang JIN ; Jing MA ; Mengli HUANG ; Xiao LI ; Xiaofeng CHEN
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(12):1510-1512
5.Historical Evolution and Modern Research Progress of Dipsaci Radix Processing
Weili MA ; Xiaofeng JIN ; Qiaoxia SHI ; Ziming JIN ; Xia DOU ; Li YANG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(9):174-179
Dipsaci Radix is a commonly used yang tonifying medicine in clinical practice.Ancient books record that its preparation methods are diverse,mainly concentrated in the Ming and Qing dynasties,including wine soaking,wine washing,wine baking,wine stir frying,stir frying,wine mixing,and salt water stir frying.Wine roasting can promote blood circulation,dispel cold stagnation,and has been used throughout history;salt roasting has been seen in modern times,which can induce Chinese materia medica to descend and enhance liver and kidney tonifying effects;at present,it is mainly used for slicing raw materials,but there are also processed products such as wine fried products,salt fried products,stir fried slices,and charcoal slices.This article reviewed the herbal monographs,TCM ancient books,processing standards and modern literature,and combed the related elaboration of the processing history and modern processing research of Dipsaci Radix in the literature,so as to provide references for the processing mechanism,method research,clinical application and resource development and utilization of Dipsaci Radix.
6.Clinical features of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in 8 children
Jiayi LIU ; Libing FU ; Juan SUN ; Zigang XU ; Lin MA ; Xiaofeng HAN
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2025;58(10):970-974
Objective:To summarize the clinical, pathological, and molecular genetic features of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) in children.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 8 children with DFSP in the Department of Dermatology, Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2017 to December 2024. General information, clinical manifestations, pathological examinations, molecular genetic examinations, and treatments were analyzed, and clinical features and prognosis were summarized.Results:All the 8 cases were females, with ages at onset ( M[ Q1, Q3]) of 1.3 (0.3, 2.6) years, including 2 congenital cases; their ages at diagnosis were 5.1 (3.7, 7.4) years. Skin lesions manifested as solitary dark red patches, plaques, or nodules, and were located on the trunk in 5 cases (3 on the back, 1 on the abdomen, and 1 on the chest) and on the lower limbs in 3 cases. Histopathological examinations of all the 8 cases showed tumor cells diffusely infiltrating the dermis and subcutaneous tissue without epidermal involvement. Immunohistochemical staining showed that all the cases were strongly positive for CD34 and negative for soluble 100 protein; the Ki-67 labeling index ( M[ Q1, Q3]) was 9.0% (8.0%, 17.5%). Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed the COL1A1-PDGFB fusion gene or PDGFB gene rearrangement in all 8 cases. All the patients underwent surgical excision of the primary skin lesions, including 3 treated with wide local excision, 2 with traditional Mohs surgery, and 3 with modified slow Mohs surgery, and all achieved negative margins. During the follow up of 6 months to 7 years, no tumor recurrence was observed. Conclusions:DFSP often occurred at a relatively young age in children, and mostly presented as atrophic patches or plaques. PDGFB gene alterations were commonly observed, and prognosis after surgical treatment was generally favorable.
7.Clinical application of the subclavian artery fenestration technique in endovascular repair of thoracic aortic lesions with insufficient proximal landing area
Xiaofeng HAN ; Xi GUO ; Guangrui LIU ; Tiezheng LI ; Xiaohai MA ; Zhijiang WANG
Chinese Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;41(8):467-474
Objective:To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of physician modified stent grafts technique and in situ fenestration technique for reconstructing the left subclavian artery in endovascular repair of thoracic aortic lesions with insufficient proximal landing area.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 75 patients with aortic arch lesions treated with physician modified stent grafts and in situ fenestration techniques at the Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment Department of Beijing Anzhen Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University from November 2021 to March 2024. Among them, 52 patients received within physician modified stent grafts (PMSGs group) and 23 patients received in situ fenestration (ISF group). Based on two fenestration techniques, to analyze the technical success rate of endovascular repair in reconstructing the left subclavian artery in the perioperative and early following up adverse events both groups.Results:The success rate of PMSGs group technique was 92.31% (48/52), while the success rate of ISF technique was 91.30%(21/23). In the PMSGs group, there was 1 case of TypeⅠa endoleak and 3 cases of TypeⅠc endoleak immediately during endovascular repair; There was 1 case of TypeⅠa endoleak and 1 case of vascular injury in the ISF group immediately during endovascular repair. One case of perioperative cerebral infarction and one case of transient blindness occurred in the PMSGs group; One case of transient blindness and 1 case of brachial artery thrombosis occurred in the perioperative period in the ISF group. During the follow-up period, there was 1 case of distal dissection aneurysm formation in the PMSGs group, and 3 cases of minor typeⅠc endoleak were found after 3 months; One case of subclavian artery stent occlusion and 2 cases of minor typeⅠc endoleak occurred in the ISF group 6 months later. There were no cases of aortic-related deaths during the follow-up period in both groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the technical success rate, incidence of adverse events during the perioperative period and follow-up period, and re-intervention rate between the two groups. The average fluoroscopy time consumed in the ISF group was significantly higher than that in the PMSGs group (34.57 min vs. 21.42 min, P<0.001), but the average hospitalization time in the PMSGs group was significantly higher than that in the ISF group (9.33 days vs. 4.71 days, P<0.001). Conclusion:PMSGs and ISF techniques for reconstructing the left subclavian artery in the treatment of thoracic aortic arch lesions showed good safety and effectiveness. The appropriate fenestration technique selected based on aorta arch anatomical and lesion conditions could achieve satisfactory efficacy in short-term, but long-term effects need to be further observed.
8.Exploration on Cell Pyroptosis in Acute Lung Injury Based on"Yin-yang"Theory and"Pathogenic Factors and Healthy Qi"Theory
Linfeng RUAN ; Yali LUO ; Xiaofeng QI ; Linna MA ; Nini LIAN ; Mengyong XIAO ; Yongqi LIU
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(4):19-24
In the pathological process of acute lung injury,uncontrolled inflammatory response will lead to severe consequences,and pyroptosis plays a vital factor in a cell programmed inflammatory necrosis.When the body is imbalanced due to excessive pyroptosis,it can lead to lung injury in the lungs.TCM emphasizes the balance of the body and the balance of yin and yang.Based on the"yin-yang"theory and"pathogenic factors and healthy qi"theory of TCM,this article discussed the yin-yang changes,growth and decline,and opposing constraints of cell pyroptosis in the occurrence and development of acute lung injury at the cellular level,and explained the possible basis of TCM in preventing and treating cell pyroptosis,providing theoretical reference for the intervention of TCM in the prevention and treatment of acute lung injury with cell pyroptosis.
9.Analysis of characteristics of joint fluid microbiome in knee osteoarthritis patients using long-read metagenomic sequencing
Xiaofeng CHANG ; Xiangxiang SUN ; Jianbing MA ; Liqiang ZHI
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2025;27(11):952-959
Objective:To detect the microbial signals in the synovial fluid from knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients using long-read metagenomic sequencing and assess the impact of intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate on the detection.Methods:This retrospective study enrolled 28 KOA patients [set as a KOA group: 13 males, 15 females; mean age of (65.5±5.7) years] who had undergone primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) at Department of Knee Joint Surgery, Honghui Hospital between January 2021 and January 2023. At the same time, samples of instrument cleaning water used for the 28 KOA patients were collected (set as a rinse solution group), and the knee synovial fluid was collected from 10 healthy adult volunteers [set as a control group: 5 males and 5 females; mean age of (29.7±12.1) years]. The KOA patients were stratified into an injection group ( n=5) and a non-injection group ( n=23) according to the history of injection of sodium hyaluronate within 6 months before operation. All samples were subjected to standard procedures for nucleic acid extraction and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) metagenomic sequencing to compare microbial taxa and detection frequencies. Results:No periprosthetic joint infections or infection-related clinical events occurred in the KOA patients during the 12-month postoperative follow-up. A total of 10 microbial species (30 isolates) were identified in the KOA synovial fluid (5 Gram-positive and 5 Gram-negative). The species with the top 5 detection rates were Escherichia coli (20.0%), Propionibacterium spp. (20.0%), Staphylococcus spp. (16.7%), Acinetobacter spp. (13.3%), and Pseudomonas spp. (6.7%). From the samples in the rinse solution group, 9 species (11 isolates) were detected, reflecting background contamination. All the joint fluid from the healthy volunteers in the control group was negative. Six species of microorganisms were detected in the injection group while 3 species in the non-injection group, showing a statistically significant difference ( P<0.001). Conclusions:Long-read metagenomic sequencing detects diverse microbial signatures in the synovial fluid from KOA patients, and preoperative injection of sodium hyaluronate is associated with increased detection of microbial species.
10.Efficacy of the fifth metatarsal perforator flap of the lateral plantar artery in repairing the wounds on the anterolateral side of the foot
Xuetao NIU ; Juhui ZHAO ; Xiao HE ; Huan MU ; Hong YU ; Xianjie MA ; Dingxue ZHAO ; Xiaofeng ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Burns 2025;41(4):364-369
Objective:To explore the efficacy of the fifth metatarsal perforator flap of the lateral plantar artery in repairing the wounds on the anterolateral side of the foot.Methods:This study was a retrospective observational study. Eight patients with skin and soft tissue defects on the anterolateral side of the foot and conformed to the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Department of Plastic Surgery of Hanzhong Central Hospital from July 2020 to July 2023. There were 6 males and 2 females, aged 22 to 72 years. Among the patients, there were three patients with electrical burns, four patients with trauma, and one patient with plantar wart. Preoperatively, a Doppler blood flow detector was used to clarify the number and location of the fifth metatarsal perforating vessels. The area of the wounds measured during the operation ranged from 4.0 cm×3.0 cm to 7.0 cm×5.0 cm, and the fifth metatarsal perforator flaps of the lateral plantar artery with area of 4.0 cm×4.0 cm to 9.0 cm×6.0 cm were designed and harvested to repair the wounds. The wounds in the flap donor sites were repaired with medium-thickness skin grafts from lower limb on the same side. The duration of surgery and intraoperative blood loss volume were recorded. The survivals of the transplanted flap and skin graft were observed after surgery. At the last follow-up, the appearance of the flap and the occurrence of complication were observed, the two-point discrimination distance of the flap was measured, and the shape of the flap donor site as well as the sensation and other functions of the affected foot were observed.Results:The duration of surgery ranged from 70 to 100 min, with an average of 84.6 min. The intraoperative blood loss volume ranged from 30 to 80 mL, with an average of 53.5 mL. After surgery, all flaps survived completely; only one patient developed partial necrosis of the skin graft in the wound in flap donor site, and the wound healed completely after dressing change and re-grafting medium-thickness skin graft from lower limb on the same side. Postoperative follow-up was conducted for 6 to 24 months, with an average of 13.8 months. At the last follow-up, none of the patients developed bloated and deformed flaps or pressure ulcers, and the two-point discrimination distance of the flap ranged from 5 to 13 mm. No tendon adhesion or scar hyperplasia was observed in the flap donor sites, and the sensation, weight-bearing, and walking functions of the affected feet were normal.Conclusions:The use of the fifth metatarsal perforator flap of the lateral plantar artery for repairing the wounds on the anterolateral side of the foot has the advantages of flexible flap design, minimal damage to the flap donor site, simple and feasible surgical operation, and good postoperative foot appearance and function, which is worthy of clinical application and promotion.


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