1.Taste Receptors and Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory of Five Flavors: A Review
Xiaoxiao XU ; Hongjie BAI ; Yu BI ; Zhenni QU ; Dianhua SHI ; Yanpeng DAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):322-330
Taste is a sensation produced by the reaction of substances in the mouth with taste receptor cells, and a normal taste function is essential for our daily life and health. As receivers of taste molecules, taste receptors include sour, bitter, sweet, salty, and umami receptors, which are mainly distributed in the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract epithelium and other organs and play a physiological role. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has five flavors (sour, bitter, sweet, pungent, and salty), which are closely related to the efficacy. Except the pungent flavor and umami taste receptors, the other five taste receptors correspond to the five flavors in the TCM theory, while the correlations between them have not been studied, such as those between bitter receptors and bitter TCM and between sweet receptors and sweet TCM. This article reviews the research reports on taste receptors in recent years. By analyzing the relationships of taste receptors with five flavors of TCM, signaling mechanisms, and diseases based on "receptor-TCM" correlations, this article puts forward the possibility of combining the TCM theory of five flavors with modern biomedical research, providing a reference for the research on "flavors" in TCM and the correlations between TCM and taste receptors.
2.Taste Receptors and Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory of Five Flavors: A Review
Xiaoxiao XU ; Hongjie BAI ; Yu BI ; Zhenni QU ; Dianhua SHI ; Yanpeng DAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):322-330
Taste is a sensation produced by the reaction of substances in the mouth with taste receptor cells, and a normal taste function is essential for our daily life and health. As receivers of taste molecules, taste receptors include sour, bitter, sweet, salty, and umami receptors, which are mainly distributed in the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract epithelium and other organs and play a physiological role. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has five flavors (sour, bitter, sweet, pungent, and salty), which are closely related to the efficacy. Except the pungent flavor and umami taste receptors, the other five taste receptors correspond to the five flavors in the TCM theory, while the correlations between them have not been studied, such as those between bitter receptors and bitter TCM and between sweet receptors and sweet TCM. This article reviews the research reports on taste receptors in recent years. By analyzing the relationships of taste receptors with five flavors of TCM, signaling mechanisms, and diseases based on "receptor-TCM" correlations, this article puts forward the possibility of combining the TCM theory of five flavors with modern biomedical research, providing a reference for the research on "flavors" in TCM and the correlations between TCM and taste receptors.
3.The clinical value of the procalcitonin-to-albumin ratio in predicting short-term prognosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction
Rong WANG ; Shanchen JU ; Xiaoling LIN ; Xiaoxiao DAI
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2025;48(1):54-59
Objective:To explore the predictive value of procalcitonin-to-albumin ratio (PAR) in the short-term prognosis of sequential treatment with butylphthalide for acute cerebral infarction (ACI) after interventional surgery.Methods:The clinical data of ACI patients admitted to 970th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the People′s Liberation Army of China from January 2020 to June 2022 were retrospectively included. According to the prognosis of sequential treatment of butylphthalide after interventional therapy, 80 patients with poor prognosis were included in the poor group, and 80 patients with good prognosis were included in the good group. The detection data of procalcitonin, albumin and other laboratory indexes of the two groups of patients on admission were collected, the PAR value was calculated, and the predictive value of PAR on the short-term prognosis of butylphthalide sequential therapy after ACI intervention was analyzed.Results:The levels of procalcitonin (PCT), PAR, D-dimer (D-D), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the poor group were higher than those in the good group: (24.74 ± 5.37) ng/L vs. (20.96 ± 4.11) ng/L, 0.91 ± 0.35 vs. 0.62 ± 0.19, (0.75 ± 0.22) mg/L vs. (0.56 ± 0.17) mg/L, (3.28 ± 0.43) mmol/L vs. (3.03 ± 0.45) mmol/L, while the levels of albumin (ALB) were lower than those in the good group: (29.43 ± 4.25) g/L vs. (33.71 ± 4.53) g/L, with a statistical significant difference ( P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that PCT, ALB, PAR, D-D, and LDL-C were all factors influencing the short-term prognosis of sequential treatment with butylphthalide after ACI intervention ( P<0.05). The results of receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) showed that PCT, ALB, PAR, D-D and LDL-C had certain predictive value for the short-term prognosis of butylphthalide sequential therapy after ACI intervention, and PAR had the best predictive value. Conclusions:PAR is an influential factor for the sequential short-term prognosis of butylphthalide after ACI intervention, and it has certain predictive value for the short-term prognosis of patients.
4.Serological characteristics and molecular tracing of 20 cases with rare A el/B el subtypes in the ABO blood group system
Cunquan KONG ; Yuwan DAI ; Lu YU ; Xiaoying ZHU ; Jingli SHI ; Xiaoxiao GE ; Tingting XU ; Lin CHEN ; Beizhan YAN ; Li LI
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;48(12):1592-1598
Objective:To analyze the serological and molecular characteristics of rare A el and B el subtypes in the ABO blood group system, and to explore their genotype-phenotype correlation and the potential clinical significance. Methods:From January 1st, 2021, to January 1st, 2025, 289, 815 samples subjected to ABO blood grouping in Henan Provincial People′s Hospital were selected. Samples demonstrating discrepancies between forward and reverse typing, or consistent typing but with abnormal agglutination degree were included. Those affected by underlying diseases, transplantation, age-related and other interferences were excluded. A total of 169 suspected ABO subgroup samples were identified. Sanger sequencing of exons 1-7 and relevant regulatory regions of the ABO gene was performed. Protein structure modeling and mutation effect analysis for two'el′ subtype glycosyltransferases (GTs) were conducted using SWISS-MODEL and PyMOL.Results:A total of 12 Ael, 6 B el, and 2 AB el subtypes were identified. Serological analysis revealed that all 18 A el/B el samples exhibited O phenotype in forward typing. Among them, A el subtypes showed weaker agglutination in reverse typing with A 1c than with Bc (>2+), while the opposite pattern was observed in B el subtypes. The two AB el samples were typed as A in forward typing, with agglutination ranging from 0-1+with Bc in reverse typing. Genetic analysis indicated that AEL.02 (c.646T>A, p.Phe216Ile) was the predominant allele in A el samples accounting for 7 cases. Also, we found an AEL.02-like variant (lacking c.681G>A), AEL.10 (c.963insC), and carrying a compound variant of c.322C>T (p.Gln108Ter) and c.296C>T (p.Thr99Ile). Among B el samples, BEL.03 (c.502C>T, p.Arg168Trp) accounted for 4 cases, one of which lacked the c.297A>G mutation, and novel mutations such as c.145_146dupCG were detected. Structural simulation demonstrated that AEL.02 and BEL.03 disrupted the hydrogen-bonding network within the active centers of GTA and GTB, respectively, and these mutations probably significantly impaired the structural stability of the corresponding GTs. Additionally, the c.296C>T mutation also markedly affected GTA structural stability. Conclusion:A el/B el subtypes are prone to mis-identify routine blood types. Their molecular mechanisms involved a variety of functional variantions, and integrating molecular detection is crucial for achieving accurate sub-typing and transfusion safety.
5.Revision,reliability and validity testing,and development of normative data of Inventory of Alienation Toward Parents in military personnel
Jieying TAN ; Xiaoxiao SUN ; Zongpei DAI ; Chenxuan JIN ; Wenjun XIANG ; Qin DAI
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(8):885-892,后插1
Objective To revise the Inventory of Alienation Toward Parents(IAP)and test its reliability and validity in a military population in order to provide a scientific tool for assessing the level and grade of parent-child alienation among military personnel.Methods Whole-cluster stratified random sampling was used to subject 8 641 service members from 8 Army units.Then all participants were surveyed with 18-item adolescent IAP,Beck Depression Inventory-Ⅱ,and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7.SPSS 27.0 and AMOS 26.0 were used to perform item analysis,exploratory factor analysis(EFA),and confirmatory factor analysis(CFA)to assess reliability and validity.Subsequently,our revised 16-item version of IAP was employed to develop means,percentiles,cut-off scores,and category norms.Results ①Items 3 and 12 were deleted in item analysis.②EFA extracted the original communication and emotional distance factors;CFA indicated that the two-factor model had good fitness,with the mother-child alienation scale:χ2/df=4.248,comparative fit index(CFI)=0.962,Tucker-Lewis index(TLI)=0.929,root mean square error of approximation(RMSEA)=0.028,standardized root mean squared residual(SRMR)=0.023;while the father-child alienation scale:χ2/df=5.41,CFI=0.939,TLI=0.901,RMSEA=0.032,SRMR=0.044.③The internal consistency reliability of the total IAP was good(0.744~0.888).④The total IAP score and scores of the mother-child and father-child subscales were positively correlated with depression and anxiety(r=0.395~0.493,P<0.01).⑤ The average total IAP score for military personnel was 17.27±4.21,and the scores of mother-child alienation and father-child alienation were 8.64±2.26 and 8.62±2.43,respectively.With percentiles of P75 and P90 as the cut-off points,the total IAP score can be stratified into 3 levels,that is,normal(≤16),moderate(17~19),and severe(≥20).Then,additional category norms were developed based on demographic characteristics.Conclusion Our revised 16-item military version of IAP shows good reliability and validity.A preliminary and representative norm is developed primarily,and can be used to assess the level and grade of military parental alienation.
6.The clinical value of the procalcitonin-to-albumin ratio in predicting short-term prognosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction
Rong WANG ; Shanchen JU ; Xiaoling LIN ; Xiaoxiao DAI
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2025;48(1):54-59
Objective:To explore the predictive value of procalcitonin-to-albumin ratio (PAR) in the short-term prognosis of sequential treatment with butylphthalide for acute cerebral infarction (ACI) after interventional surgery.Methods:The clinical data of ACI patients admitted to 970th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the People′s Liberation Army of China from January 2020 to June 2022 were retrospectively included. According to the prognosis of sequential treatment of butylphthalide after interventional therapy, 80 patients with poor prognosis were included in the poor group, and 80 patients with good prognosis were included in the good group. The detection data of procalcitonin, albumin and other laboratory indexes of the two groups of patients on admission were collected, the PAR value was calculated, and the predictive value of PAR on the short-term prognosis of butylphthalide sequential therapy after ACI intervention was analyzed.Results:The levels of procalcitonin (PCT), PAR, D-dimer (D-D), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the poor group were higher than those in the good group: (24.74 ± 5.37) ng/L vs. (20.96 ± 4.11) ng/L, 0.91 ± 0.35 vs. 0.62 ± 0.19, (0.75 ± 0.22) mg/L vs. (0.56 ± 0.17) mg/L, (3.28 ± 0.43) mmol/L vs. (3.03 ± 0.45) mmol/L, while the levels of albumin (ALB) were lower than those in the good group: (29.43 ± 4.25) g/L vs. (33.71 ± 4.53) g/L, with a statistical significant difference ( P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that PCT, ALB, PAR, D-D, and LDL-C were all factors influencing the short-term prognosis of sequential treatment with butylphthalide after ACI intervention ( P<0.05). The results of receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) showed that PCT, ALB, PAR, D-D and LDL-C had certain predictive value for the short-term prognosis of butylphthalide sequential therapy after ACI intervention, and PAR had the best predictive value. Conclusions:PAR is an influential factor for the sequential short-term prognosis of butylphthalide after ACI intervention, and it has certain predictive value for the short-term prognosis of patients.
7.Serological characteristics and molecular tracing of 20 cases with rare A el/B el subtypes in the ABO blood group system
Cunquan KONG ; Yuwan DAI ; Lu YU ; Xiaoying ZHU ; Jingli SHI ; Xiaoxiao GE ; Tingting XU ; Lin CHEN ; Beizhan YAN ; Li LI
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;48(12):1592-1598
Objective:To analyze the serological and molecular characteristics of rare A el and B el subtypes in the ABO blood group system, and to explore their genotype-phenotype correlation and the potential clinical significance. Methods:From January 1st, 2021, to January 1st, 2025, 289, 815 samples subjected to ABO blood grouping in Henan Provincial People′s Hospital were selected. Samples demonstrating discrepancies between forward and reverse typing, or consistent typing but with abnormal agglutination degree were included. Those affected by underlying diseases, transplantation, age-related and other interferences were excluded. A total of 169 suspected ABO subgroup samples were identified. Sanger sequencing of exons 1-7 and relevant regulatory regions of the ABO gene was performed. Protein structure modeling and mutation effect analysis for two'el′ subtype glycosyltransferases (GTs) were conducted using SWISS-MODEL and PyMOL.Results:A total of 12 Ael, 6 B el, and 2 AB el subtypes were identified. Serological analysis revealed that all 18 A el/B el samples exhibited O phenotype in forward typing. Among them, A el subtypes showed weaker agglutination in reverse typing with A 1c than with Bc (>2+), while the opposite pattern was observed in B el subtypes. The two AB el samples were typed as A in forward typing, with agglutination ranging from 0-1+with Bc in reverse typing. Genetic analysis indicated that AEL.02 (c.646T>A, p.Phe216Ile) was the predominant allele in A el samples accounting for 7 cases. Also, we found an AEL.02-like variant (lacking c.681G>A), AEL.10 (c.963insC), and carrying a compound variant of c.322C>T (p.Gln108Ter) and c.296C>T (p.Thr99Ile). Among B el samples, BEL.03 (c.502C>T, p.Arg168Trp) accounted for 4 cases, one of which lacked the c.297A>G mutation, and novel mutations such as c.145_146dupCG were detected. Structural simulation demonstrated that AEL.02 and BEL.03 disrupted the hydrogen-bonding network within the active centers of GTA and GTB, respectively, and these mutations probably significantly impaired the structural stability of the corresponding GTs. Additionally, the c.296C>T mutation also markedly affected GTA structural stability. Conclusion:A el/B el subtypes are prone to mis-identify routine blood types. Their molecular mechanisms involved a variety of functional variantions, and integrating molecular detection is crucial for achieving accurate sub-typing and transfusion safety.
8.Effect of parent-child alienation on epression among surface ship officers and soldiers:mediating role of resilience
Chong WEN ; Xiaoxiao SUN ; Beijing CHEN ; Wenjun XIANG ; Chenxuan JIN ; Jieying TAN ; Li MEI ; Fei XIE ; Qin DAI
Journal of Army Medical University 2024;46(14):1626-1632
Objective To investigate the effect of parent-child alienation on depression in surface ship officers and soldiers based on the theory of"diathesis-stress",and the mediating role of resilience between parent-child alienation and depression in them.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 599 officers and soldiers from a surface ship unit.The participants were surveyed with inventory of alienation toward parents,connor-davidson resilience scale and patient health questionnaire-9 to obtain and analyze their demographic-military characteristics of their depression scores.The participants with depression scores ≥5 were recruited as the subjects,and Spearman correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation among parent-child alienation,resilience and depression.On the basis of hierarchical regression analysis,AMOS software was used to establish a structural equation modelling of intermediary effects.Results The depression score was 1(0,4)in the participants,and the depression scores of those with service length ≥11 years were comparatively higher than those with shorter length.Our results indicated that parent-child alienation was positive correlated with depression(r=0.451,P<0.001),while resilience was negatively correlated with depression and parent-child alienation(r=-0.412,-0.407,P<0.001).Regression analysis revealed that parent-child alienation had a direct positive predictive value for depression(β=0.574,P<0.001),and resilience showed a negative predictive value for depression(β=-0.211,P<0.01).Model analysis displayed that resilience had a significant mediating role in the effect of parent-child alienation on depression among these surface ship officers and soldiers,with an effect value of 0.088,and accounting for 15.86%of the total effect.Conclusion Parent-child alienation has a significant influence on depression among surface ship officers and soldiers,with resilience playing a partial mediating role.
9.Diuretic effect and renal function impact of dapagliflozin in hospitalized patients with HFrEF.
Shanshan LI ; Youxuan WU ; Xiaolei HU ; Xiaoxiao MAO ; Huijun LIU ; Dai LI ; Pingsheng XU ; Ke XIA
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2024;49(11):1732-1740
OBJECTIVES:
Patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) often require diuretics during hospitalization to alleviate fluid retention and improve prognosis. However, the diuretic efficacy and renal impact of dapagliflozin in this population remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of dapagliflozin on diuresis and renal function in hospitalized patients with HFrEF.
METHODS:
This retrospective analysis included clinical data from 200 hospitalized HFrEF patients treated at Xiangya Hospital of Central South University between January 2021 and September 2022. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on whether they received dapagliflozin: a standard treatment group (n=120) and a dapagliflozin treatment group (n=80). The following were compared between the 2 groups during hospitalization: The 24-hour average difference of liquid intake and output during the first 5 days, urine output, cumulative urine output, diuretic efficiency, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), hospitalization costs, drug costs, and cost-effectiveness ratio (C/E).
RESULTS:
1) Primary outcome: The 24-hour average difference of liquid intake and output during the first 5 days was significantly higher in the dapagliflozin treatment group than in the standard treatment group (P<0.05). 2) Secondary outcomes: The 24-hour average urine volume, cumulative urine volume and diuretic efficiency in the first 5 days of dapagliflozin treatment group were higher than those in the standard treatment group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Among patients with impaired renal function on admission [eGFR between 45 and 90 mL/(min·1.73 m²)], the change in eGFR after treatment was significantly smaller in the dapagliflozin treatment group (P<0.05). For patients with normal renal function on admission [eGFR >90 mL/(min·1.73 m²)], the difference in eGFR changes between 2 groups was not significant (P>0.05). NT-proBNP decreased more in the dapagliflozin treatment group than in the standard treatment group during hospitalization (P<0.05). 3) Other indicators: The length of hospital stay was longer in the dapagliflozin treatment group. However, discharge systolic blood pressure, drug costs, and hospitalization costs were all higher in the standard group, though differences were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). The C/E was more favorable in the dapagliflozin treatment group (425.36 vs. 476.67).
CONCLUSIONS
In hospitalized patients with chronic HFrEF, dapagliflozin treatment increased 24-hour average difference of liquid intake and output and total urine output, reduced NT-proBNP levels, and showed a milder decline in eGFR in those with pre-existing renal impairment. Discharge blood pressure, drug costs, and hospital stay were not significantly affected. While standard therapy may offer better short-term clinical benefits, dapagliflozin demonstrated a superior short-term cost-effectiveness profile.
Humans
;
Benzhydryl Compounds/pharmacology*
;
Glucosides/pharmacology*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Male
;
Female
;
Heart Failure/physiopathology*
;
Hospitalization
;
Middle Aged
;
Aged
;
Glomerular Filtration Rate/drug effects*
;
Diuretics/therapeutic use*
;
Kidney/drug effects*
;
Natriuretic Peptide, Brain/blood*
;
Stroke Volume
;
Peptide Fragments/blood*
;
Diuresis/drug effects*
10.Clinicopathological analysis of primary nasopharyngeal melanomas in elderly patients
Yanqing LI ; Shanshan SHEN ; Xiaoli LOU ; Wei XIA ; Zhifei CAO ; Yongsheng ZHANG ; Guangqiang CHEN ; Xiaoxiao DAI
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics 2023;42(3):328-333
Objective:To investigate the clinicopathologic features and molecular genetics characteristics of sinonasal tract mucosal malignant melanomas(STMMMs)in elderly patients.Methods:The clinicopathological features, immunohistochemical features and BRAF, C-KIT, NRAS mutations of STMMM in ten elderly patients were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Among the 10 patients, 5 were female and 5 were male.The patients were aged 65-81 years, with an average age of(72.5 ± 8.5)years.The lesions in 7 cases were located in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, and in the other 3 cases were located in the nasopharynx.The morphologies of tumor cells under microscope was complex and diverse, showing plasma cell-like, rhabdomyoblast-like, small cell-like, epithelial-like, and spindle cell-like morphologies.Immunohistochemically, HMB-45 and S-100 were generally positive in 10 cases, and the positive rate of Melan A was 70.0%.The genes detection data showed no mutations in BRAF or NRAS genes in all the 10 cases, while C-KIT exon 11 c. 1666_1667insA mutation was found in one case, and the remaining 9 cases were wild-type for C-KIT.All the 10 cases were followed up for 4~50 months.Three cases survived so far.Conclusions:STMMM in elderly patients are rare and easy to be misdiagnosed.Immunohistochemistry and genetic testing provide guidance for accurate diagnosis and targeted therapy.

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