1.Construction and Evaluation of Animal Model with "Phlegm-dampness" Syndrome
Xiaoqin LIU ; Qingzhi LIANG ; Wei JIANG ; Ling DENG ; Haoyue FENG ; Rensong YUE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):26-39
According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, impaired spleen transportation function disrupts nutrient distribution, causing metabolic accumulation of lipids that transform into pathogenic phlegm-dampness. These pathological factors disseminate through the San Jiao and obstruct meridian pathways, ultimately forming the pathogenesis described as "all disorders involve phlegm". Phlegm and dampness share common pathogenic origins but manifest distinct clinical manifestations. Dampness, as the precursor, may congeal into phlegm, while existing phlegm accumulation can further exacerbate dampness stagnation, thereby establishing a self-perpetuating pathological cycle. Modern medical research has confirmed that the essence of "phlegm-dampness" syndrome is closely associated with energy metabolism disorders, serving as a common pathological basis for metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and other major chronic diseases. As a crucial vehicle for medical experimental research, disease-syndrome combination animal models serve as an indispensable means to advance the modernization of TCM. Currently, based on classical theories such as "rich and greasy foods produce phlegm" and "physical coldness combined with cold consumption causes external pathogens to invade the skin and hair, thereby generating internal dampness", researchers primarily employ two paradigms to construct animal models of phlegm-turbidity, dampness obstruction, and phlegm-dampness syndromes: the first involves simulating TCM etiological factors (through methods like dietary irregularities, imblanace between work and rest, and combined internal-external dampness exposure), while the second combines disease with syndrome differentiation (inducing pathological changes through physical, chemical, or biological interventions). Through comprehensive evaluation incorporating macroscopic observation and microscopic index detection, model animals undergo systematic biological and pathological assessment, with further syndrome type verification achieved via the "prescription-based syndrome detection" approach. However, existing models still exhibit significant deficiencies in both the standardization of modeling methodologies and the systematization of evaluation criteria. This paper reviews the strategies for constructing "phlegm-dampness" syndrome animal models and their corresponding evaluation indices, focusing on the pathological correlations among different modeling approaches. The aim is to provide methodological guidance for research on TCM syndromes related to "phlegm-dampness" syndrome and to support the development of TCM therapies for resolving phlegm and eliminating dampness. This study not only contributes to advancing the standardization of TCM syndrome research but also provides crucial technical support for the modernization of TCM.
2.Characteristics of brain glymphatic system changes in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment based on perivascular spaces and DTI-ALPS index assessment
Xiaoqin CHENG ; Guoqiang FEI ; Shen ZHAO ; Rui HUA ; Feng SHI ; Xiaoli PAN ; Ziyi HE ; Sirui LIU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(3):479-485
Objective To explore the characteristics and correlation between perivascular spaces (PVS) and diffusion tensor image analysis along perivascular spaces (DTI-ALPS) index in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Methods A retrospective study was conducted on a total of 118 participants, including cognitive normal (CN) healthy controls and aMCI patients, recruited from the Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from September 2020 to September 2022. All participants underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). An automatic segmentation algorithm was used to quantify PVS metrics in the brain, and DTI-ALPS index was calculated based on DTI. Differences in DTI-ALPS index and PVS metrics between the CN and aMCI groups were compared. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent factors influencing aMCI. Correlation analysis was performed to assess relationships among DTI-ALPS index, PVS metrics, and cognitive scores. Results A total of 80 CN healthy controls and 38 aMCI patients were included. The DTI-ALPS index was significantly lower in the aMCI group compared with the CN group (1.28±0.18 vs 1.37±0.21, P=0.018), while differences in PVS metrics between groups were not statistically significant. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that DTI-ALPS index was an independent factor affecting aMCI (OR=0.097, 95%CI 0.011–0.833, P=0.033). Correlation analysis revealed a positive relationship between DTI-ALPS index and MMSE score (r=0.210, P=0.023) as well as PVS length in the centrum semiovale (r=0.216, P=0.019). Conclusions The DTI-ALPS index may serve as an imaging biomarker for identifying early cognitive impairment, and patients with aMCI exhibit abnormal DTI-ALPS indices, suggesting that brain glymphatic system dysfunction may occur prior to morphological changes.
3.Mechanism of Shenfukang capsule in ameliorating renal interstitial fibrosis by regulating cellular crosstalk via the STAT3/YAP pathway
Wei DU ; Yufang YANG ; Yanhong LIAO ; Xiaoqin ZOU ; Zhiwei LIANG ; Xiangqian FENG ; Xiaobin ZHONG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(12):1547-1552
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism by which Shenfukang capsule (SFK) ameliorates renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) by regulating macrophage-fibroblast crosstalk via the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/Yes-associated protein (YAP) pathway. METHODS RAW264.7 macrophages were induced to polarize with transforming growth factor-β 1 (TGF-β 1 ). Subsequently, a non-contact co-culture system of macrophages with renal fibroblasts NRK-49F, as well as a non-contact co-culture system of macrophages with YAP-knockdown renal fibroblasts, were established. Cells were treated with low, medium, and high concentrations (4, 8, 16 μg/mL) of SFK, as well as a STAT3 inhibitor (STAT3-I,1.64 μg/mL) and losartan potassium tablets (positive control, 0.28 μg/mL), for 48 h. After intervention, the protein and mRNA expression levels of CD86, CD163, and STAT3 in macrophages, as well as CD86, F4/80, and STAT3 mRNA, were detected. In co-cultured renal fibroblasts, the protein and mRNA expression levels of α -smooth muscle actin ( α -SMA), Vimentin, collagen type Ⅰ (Col-Ⅰ), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), and YAP were detected. In co-cultured YAP-knockdown renal fibroblasts, the protein and mRNA expression levels of α -SMA, Vimentin, and MMP-1 were also detected. RESULTS Following TGF-β 1 induction, the protein expression levels of CD86, CD163, and STAT3, as well as the mRNA expression levels of CD86, F4/80, and STAT3 in macrophages were significantly increased ( P <0.05). The conditioned medium from polarized macrophages activated renal fibroblasts, as evidenced by significantly increased protein and mRNA expression levels of α -SMA, Vimentin, Col-Ⅰ, and YAP, and significantly decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of MMP-1 in renal fibroblasts ( P <0.05). Treatment with SFK and STAT3-I reversed the changes in the above indicators, with the medium concentration SFK group showing stronge r effects on some indicators than the low and high concentration groups. In the non-contact co-culture experiment of macrophages and YAP-knockdown renal fibroblasts, there were no statistically significant differences in the protein and mRNA expression of α-SMA, Vimentin, and MMP-1 among the groups. CONCLUSIONS SFK can inhibit macrophage-renal fibroblast crosstalk by blocking the STAT3/YAP pathway, thereby delaying the progression of RIF.
4.Recombinant expression of Sphingobium yanoikuyae esterase SyEst870 capable of degrading carbamate pesticides.
Xiaoqian XIE ; Yin FENG ; Yuanyuan ZHOU ; Xin YAN ; Xiaoqin YUAN ; Wuxia QIU ; Xinfang MAO ; Zhongyuan LIU
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(4):1605-1620
Carbamate pesticides, a new type of broad-spectrum pesticides for controlling pests, mites, and weeds, are developed to address the shortcomings of organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides. Their widespread use and slow degradation have led to environmental pollution, causing damage to ecosystems and human health. Managing pesticide residues is a pressing issue in the current environmental protection. This study aims to investigate the expression of SyEst870, a member of the SGNH/GDSL hydrolase family in Sphingobium yanoikuyae, in a prokaryotic system and evaluate the ability of the recombinant protein to degrade carbamate pesticides. The prokaryotic expression vector pET-32a-SyEst870 was constructed and transformed into the Escherichia coli BL21 for heterologous expression. The purified protein was studied in terms of enzyme activity and effects of temperature, pH, and metal ions on the enzyme activity, with p-nitrophenol acetate as the substrate and based on the standard curve of p-nitrophenol. LC-MS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) was employed to examine the degradation effects of SyEst870 on carbaryl, metolcarb, and isoprocarb. GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) was employed to detect the degradation products of SyEst870 for the three pesticides. The soluble protein SyEst870 was successfully obtained through the heterologous expression in Escherichia coli, which yielded an enzyme with the activity of 677.5 U after affinity chromatography. SyEst870 exhibited degradation rates of 82.34%, 84.43%, and 92.87% for carbaryl, metolcarb, and isoprocarb, respectively, at an initial concentration of 100 mg/L within 24 h at 30 ℃ and pH 7.0. The primary degradation products of carbaryl were identified as α-naphthol and methyl isocyanate. Metolcarb was mainly degraded into m-cresol and methyl isocyanate, and isoprocarb was mainly degraded into 2-isopropylphenol and methyl isocyanate. Compared with the half-life of carbamate pesticides in the natural environment, which ranges from a few days to several weeks, the recombinant protein SyEst870 can rapidly eliminate the residues of carbamate pesticides. This study lays a foundation for addressing pesticide residues in the environment and in fruits and vegetables.
Escherichia coli/metabolism*
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Sphingomonadaceae/genetics*
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Recombinant Proteins/metabolism*
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Biodegradation, Environmental
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Esterases/metabolism*
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Pesticides/isolation & purification*
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Carbamates/isolation & purification*
5.Interpretation of the group standard of " Humanistic Caring Management Standards for Patients in the Operating Room"
Ruiying YU ; Xinyue MIAO ; Qingmin ZHANG ; Yilan LIU ; Shujie GUO ; Huiling LI ; Guo CHEN ; Chunlan ZHOU ; Ting LIU ; Shuhua DENG ; Hongzhen XIE ; Yu CHENG ; Yinglan LI ; Yanlan MA ; Xia XIN ; Yanjin LIU ; Yongyi CHEN ; Gendi LU ; Xiaoqin GAN ; Feng XU ; Zuwei XIA ; Li HE ; Qinqin CHEN ; Fukang ZHANG ; Songmei WU ; Yi LI ; Wenjuan ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Hospital Administration 2025;41(7):512-517
Humanistic caring for patients in the operating room refers to providing the whole process of caring medical services for patients in the operating room. In order to standardize humanistic caring services for patients in the operating room of medical institutions, improve the comprehensive service level of the operating room, and enhance the surgical experience of patients, the Chinese Association for Life Care released the group standard " Humanistic Caring Management Standards for Patients in the Operating Room" in December 2023. This article interpreted the basic requirements for humanistic caring of patients in the operating room, the environment and facilities for humanistic caring, the procedures and measures for humanistic caring, and the quality management framework, aiming to assist administrators and clinical practitioners across various levels of medical institutions in accurately understanding and effectively implementing the standard, and to provide essential textual reference and practical guidance for promoting the application of the standard.
6.Guideline for the prevention of intraoperative acquired pressure injury in paraplegic patients with spinal cord injury (version 2025)
Aijun XU ; Shuixia LI ; Bo CHEN ; Mengyuan YE ; Lejiao LANG ; Ning NING ; Lin ZHANG ; Changqing LIU ; Zhonglan CHEN ; Weihu MA ; Weishi LI ; Xiaoning WANG ; Dongmei BIAN ; Jiancheng ZENG ; Xin WANG ; Yuan GAO ; Yaping CHEN ; Jiali CHEN ; Yun HAN ; Xiuting LI ; Yang ZHOU ; Xiaojing SU ; Qiong ZHANG ; Tianwen HUANG ; Ping ZHANG ; Hua LIN ; Xingling XIAO ; Ruifeng XU ; Fanghui DONG ; Bing HAN ; Luo FAN ; Yanling PEI ; Suyun LI ; Xiaoju TAN ; Rongchen GUO ; Yefang ZOU ; Xiaoyun HAN ; Junqin DING ; Yi WANG ; Shuhua DENG ; Jinli GUO ; Yinhua LIANG ; Yuan CEN ; Xiaoqin LIU ; Junru CHEN ; Haiyang YU ; Lunlan LI ; Ying REN ; Yunxia LI ; Jianli LU ; Ying YING ; Lan WEI ; Yin WANG ; Qinhong XU ; Yanqin ZHANG ; Yang LYU ; Shijun ZHANG ; Sui WENJIE ; Sanlian HU ; Shuhong YANG ; Guoqing LI ; Jingjing AN ; Baorong HE ; Leling FENG
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2025;41(6):530-541
Paraplegia caused by spinal cord injury is a serious neurological complication, for which surgery is currently the main treatment method. Due to different surgical approaches, patients are usually expected to maintain a passive prone position for a long time or switch between the supine and prone positions. Affected by multiple factors such as neurogenic sensory disorders, pathological changes in muscle tone and operative duration, the risk of intraoperative acquired pressure injury (IAPI) is significantly increased. Current clinical prevention strategies for IAPI in these patients predominantly focus on localized pressure relief during positioning, lacking systematic, standardized comprehensive prevention protocols or evidence-based guidelines. To address it, Department of Nursing, Orthopedics Branch, China International Exchange and Promotive Association for Medical and Health Care, Spinal Trauma Professional Committee, Orthopedics Branch, Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Nursing Group of Spine and Spinal Cord Professional Committee of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine organized experts in relevant fields to formulate Guideline for the prevention of intraoperative acquired pressure injury in paraplegic patients with spinal cord injury ( version 2025), based on evidence-based medical evidence and latest research results and clinical practice at home and abroad. Eleven recommendations were put forward from the aspects of preoperative risk assessment, intraoperative prevention strategies, postoperative handover and monitoring, and supportive mechanisms for IAPI prevention, aiming to standardize the prevention measures and management strategies of IAPI in paraplegic patients with spinal cord injury and accelerate the recovery of patients and improve the therapeutic effect.
7.Interpretation of the CONSORT 2025 statement: Updated guideline for reporting randomized trials
Geliang YANG ; Xiaoqin ZHOU ; Fang LEI ; Min DONG ; Tianxing FENG ; Li ZHENG ; Lunxu LIU ; Yunpeng ZHU ; Xuemei LIU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(06):752-759
The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement aims to enhance the quality of reporting for randomized controlled trial (RCT) by providing a minimum item checklist. It was first published in 1996, and updated in 2001 and 2010, respectively. The latest version was released in April 2025, continuously reflecting new evidence, methodological advancements, and user feedback. CONSORT 2025 includes 30 essential checklist items and a template for a participant flow diagram. The main changes to the checklist include the addition of 7 items, revision of 3 items, and deletion of 1 item, as well as the integration of multiple key extensions. This article provides a comprehensive interpretation of the statement, aiming to help clinical trial staff, journal editors, and reviewers fully understand the essence of CONSORT 2025, correctly apply it in writing RCT reports and evaluating RCT quality, and provide guidance for conducting high-level RCT research in China.
8.Herbal Textual Research on Picrorhizae Rhizoma in Famous Classical Formulas
Feng ZHOU ; Yihan WANG ; Yanmeng LIU ; Xiaoqin ZHAO ; Kaizhi WU ; Cheng FENG ; Wenyue LI ; Wei ZHANG ; Wentao FANG ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):228-239
This article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name, origin, quality evaluation, harvesting, processing and other aspects of Picrorhizae Rhizoma by referring to the medical books, prescription books, and other documents of the past dynasties, combined with relevant modern research materials, in order to provide a basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this medicinal herb. The research results indicate that Picrorhizae Rhizoma was first recorded in New Revised Materia Medica from the Tang dynasty. Throughout history, Huhuanglian has been used as its official name, and there are also aliases such as Gehu Luze, Jiahuanglian and Hulian. The main source of past dynasties is the the rhizomes of Picrorhiza kurrooa and P. scrophulariiflora. In ancient times, Picrorhizae Rhizoma was mainly imported by foreign traders via Guangzhou and other regions, and also produced in China, mainly in Xizang. In ancient times, it was harvested and dried in early August of the lunar calendar, while in modern times, it is mostly harvested from July to September, with the best quality being those with thick and crispy rhizomes without impurities, and bitter taste. Throughout history, Picrorhizae Rhizoma was collected, washed, sliced, and dried before being used as a raw material for medicine, it has a bitter and cold taste, mainly used to treat bone steaming, hot flashes, infantile chancre fever, and dysentery. There is no significant difference in taste and efficacy between ancient and modern times. Based on the research results, it is recommended that the rhizomes of P. scrophulariiflora in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, or the rhizomes of P. kurrooa, can be used in famous classical formulas containing this medicinal herb, which can be processed according to the processing requirements marked by the original formula. For those without clear processing requirements, the dried raw products are used as medicine.
9.Different Acupuncture Therapies for Insomnia with Heart and Spleen Deficiency:A Network Meta-analysis
Xinyi FENG ; Chunqing ZHOU ; Xiaoqin MA
Journal of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University 2025;49(2):241-248
[Objective]To evaluate the efficacy of different acupuncture therapies in treating patients with insomnia with heart and spleen deficiency,thereby providing evidence-based guidance for clinical practice in selecting optimal treatment regimens.[Methods]A systematic search was performed across China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),WanFang,China Biomedical Literature Database(SinoMed),China Science and Technology Journal Database(VIP),PubMed,the Cochrane Library,Web of Science and Embase for randomized controlled trials assessing different acupuncture interventions for heart-spleen deficiency insomnia.The retrieval time limit was from the establishment date of the databases to August 2024.Data were analyzed by using Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 17.0 software.[Results]Ultimately,28 studies were included,encompassing 10 distinct acupuncture modalities and involving a total of 2 117 patients.According to the network Meta-analysis,moxibustion,warm acupuncture,acupuncture plus moxibustion,ear acupuncture with moxibustion,as well as ear acupressure beads combined with acupuncture demonstrated superior effectiveness compared with conventional sedative-hypnotic medications in enhancing Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI)scores,and the ranking from high to low was warm acupuncture,ear acupoint pressure bead plus acupuncture,ear acupoint pressure bead plus moxibustion,moxibustion,acupuncture plus moxibustion,electroacupuncture,simple acupuncture,acupoint catgut embedding.Regarding clinical efficacy rates,warm acupuncture,acupuncture plus moxibustion,ear acupoint pressure bead plus acupuncture,pure acupuncture,electroacupuncture,and acupoint catgut embedding exhibited greater efficacy than conventional sedative-hypnotic medications.And the ranking in terms of clinical efficacy was electroacupuncture,warm acupuncture,acupoint catgut embedding,ear acupoint pressure bead plus acupuncture,simple acupuncture,acupuncture plus acupoint injection,acupoint injection,acupuncture plus moxibustion,ear acupoint pressure bead plus moxibustion.[Conclusion]Electroacupuncture can effectively increase the total clinical effective rate of insomnia treatment,warming moxibustion can effectively improve the PSQI score of patients.In clinical practice,an appropriate treatment plan can be selected based on the patient's own condition.
10.Role of intensive insulin pump therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with diabetic kidney disease
Wanrong DOU ; Ruixue DUAN ; Xiaoqin CHEN ; Yongliang FENG ; Shiwei LIU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2025;33(5):364-371
Objective:To investigate the effect of short-term intensive insulin pump therapy on blood glucose control and renal function in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD).Methods:The clinical data of 360 T2DM patients with DKD in Shanxi Bethune Hospital from January 2022 to October 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into an observation group ( n=192; treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion) and a control group ( n=168; treated with conventional hypoglycemic therapy) according to the different treatment modalities; subsequently, 103 pairs of patients entered final analysis by using the propensity score matching method. The differences in glycemic control and improvement of renal function were compared between these two groups. Results:Before the treatment, the blood glucose-, blood glucose fluctuation-, and kidney function-related indicators showed no significant differences between these two groups (all P>0.05). After the treatment, fasting blood glucose, two-hour postprandial blood glucose, and average blood glucose significantly decreased in both groups and were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (all P<0.05). In addition, the amplitude of postprandial blood glucose fluctuation, standard deviation of intraday multi-point blood glucose, and difference between the maximum and minimum intraday blood glucose values significantly declined after treatment and were also significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (all P<0.05). The observation group had a significantly higher total glycemic control rate and a significantly lowr incidence of hypoglycemia (both P<0.05). Finally, the 24-hour urine protein level, serum creatinine level, and urine albumin/creatinine ratio of the observation group significantly dropped after the treatment, and these results were significantly lower than those in the observation group (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Intensive insulin pump therapy benefits T2DM patients with DKD by improving glycemic control and enhancing renal function.

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