1.From tradition to modernity: the integrated development of medical humanities and narrative medicine
Xiaoxiong ZHU ; Lijia DU ; Yingru LIU ; Xiaoying ZHANG ; Jia NA ; Zhifen YANG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(2):201-206
Medical humanities consistently run through the entire process of medical development and educational reform. However, with the increasingly prominent dominance of evidence-based medicine in clinical practice, the medical humanities have gradually been weakened in both medical education and clinical practice. Narrative medicine, through telling and listening to patients’ stories, enhances healthcare professionals’ empathy, fosters doctor–patient communication, and facilitates a return to the humanistic essence of medical education and clinical practice. By sorting out and reviewing related literature and developmental trends both at home and abroad, this paper pointed out the existing structural problem of an imbalance between technological priority and humanistic care in medical education, focusing on how to achieve an effective integration of medical humanities and narrative medicine in medical education. This paper also systematically analyzed the significance of both medical humanities and narrative medicine in the medical education system and proposed promoting the deep embedding of narrative medicine in medical education from three entry points, namely, curriculum integration, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the construction of teaching evaluation systems. The aim was to provide theoretical support and practical experience for medical education reform, foster the coordinated development of professional competence and humanistic spirit among medical talents, and truly achieve the goal of cultivating well-rounded medical talents.
2.Study on the effect and mechanism of Xinyang Tablet on myocardial ferroptosis in mice with chronic heart failure
Jinhua KANG ; Pengpeng LIANG ; Xiaoxiong ZHOU ; Ao LIU ; Zhongqi YANG ; Hongyan WU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(4):516-528
Objective:
Exploring the effect and mechanism of Xinyang Tablet on reduction of ferroptosis in myocardial cells from mice with chronic heart failure.
Methods:
Sixty C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to the sham, model, Xinyang Tablet low-dose (0.34 g/kg), Xinyang Tablet medium-dose (0.68 g/kg), Xinyang Tablet high-dose (1.36 g/kg), and perindopril (0.607 mg/kg) groups using a random number table method (10 mice in each group). Except for the sham group, all other groups underwent aortic arch constriction surgery to construct a chronic heart failure model. On the third day after completion of the modeling, each treatment group was administered the corresponding medication by gavage, while the sham and model groups were administered equal volumes of water by gavage once a day for eight consecutive weeks. After treatment, cardiac ultrasound was used to detect the structure and function of the mouse heart. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to detect pathological changes in mouse heart tissue. Masson staining was used to detect the proportion of fibrotic area of mouse heart tissue. Realtime fluorescence PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), collagen 3α (Col3α), and myosin heavy chain 7 (MYH7) in mouse myocardial tissue. Transmission electron microscope was used to detect the ultrastructure of myocardial cell mitochondria. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) staining was used to detect the mean fluorescence intensity of ROS in myocardial tissue. Micro-determination was used to detect superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in myocardial tissue. An immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the mean fluorescence intensity of phosphorylated histone deacetylase 2 (p-HDAC2) in myocardial cell. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), p-HDAC2, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 1 (NOX1), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and cystine glutamate reverse transporter (xCT) in mouse myocardial tissue.
Results:
Compared to the sham group, the model group showed a decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular fraction shortening (LVFS), an increase in left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVESD) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), an increase in the proportion of cardiac fibrosis area, an increase in relative expression levels of ANP, BNP, Col3α, and MYH7 mRNA, an increase in ROS mean fluorescence intensity, a decrease in SOD activity, an increase in mean fluorescence intensity of p-HDAC2, an increase in relative expression levels of p-HDAC2 and NOX1 proteins, and a decrease in relative expression levels of Nrf2, GPX4, and xCT proteins (P<0.05). Myocardial fibrosis lesions are obvious, with disordered mitochondrial arrangement, decreased volume and shrinkage, increased membrane density, and reduced mitochondrial cristae. Compared to the model group, the LVEF and LVFS of mice in each dose group of Xinyang Tablet and the perindopril group increased, LVESD and LVEDD decreased, the proportion of fibrotic area of heart tissue decreased, the relative expression levels of ANP, BNP, Col3α, MYH7 mRNA decreased, ROS mean fluorescence intensity decreased, SOD activity increased, mean fluorescence intensity of p-HDAC2 decreased, relative expression levels of p-HDAC2 and NOX1 proteins decreased, and relative expression levels of Nrf2 and xCT proteins increased (P<0.05). Myocardial fibrosis was reduced, the mitochondrial arrangement was more regular, the mitochondria enlarged, the membrane density was reduced, and mitochondrial cristae increased. Compared to the model group, the relative expression level of the GPX4 protein in myocardial tissue increased in the Xinyang Tablet medium-, high-dose, and the perindopril groups (P<0.05).
Conclusion
Xinyang Tablet can improve ferroptosis and ventricular remodeling in mice with chronic heart failure by regulating the HDAC2-mediated Nrf2 antioxidant pathway.
3.Mechanism of action of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome and its regulation in liver injury.
Yifan LU ; Tianyu WANG ; Bo YU ; Kang XIA ; Jiayu GUO ; Yiting LIU ; Xiaoxiong MA ; Long ZHANG ; Jilin ZOU ; Zhongbao CHEN ; Jiangqiao ZHOU ; Tao QIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(9):1061-1071
Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) is a cytosolic pattern recognition receptor that recognizes multiple pathogen-associated molecular patterns and damage-associated molecular patterns. It is a cytoplasmic immune factor that responds to cellular stress signals, and it is usually activated after infection or inflammation, forming an NLRP3 inflammasome to protect the body. Aberrant NLRP3 inflammasome activation is reportedly associated with some inflammatory diseases and metabolic diseases. Recently, there have been mounting indications that NLRP3 inflammasomes play an important role in liver injuries caused by a variety of diseases, specifically hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury, hepatitis, and liver failure. Herein, we summarize new research pertaining to NLRP3 inflammasomes in hepatic injury, hepatitis, and liver failure. The review addresses the potential mechanisms of action of the NLRP3 inflammasome, and its regulation in these liver diseases.
Humans
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NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism*
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Inflammasomes/physiology*
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Animals
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Liver Diseases/metabolism*
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Liver/metabolism*
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Reperfusion Injury/metabolism*
4.Circular RNA circ-Olfm1 induces progression of Alzheimer's disease by regulating FOXO3a
Hongyan YANG ; Qirong LIAO ; Mingliang HOU ; Linqiu MA ; Jinping LI ; Xiaoxiong LI ; Jing LU ; Yating LIU ; Huadong ZHOU
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(1):60-70
Objective To investigate the role of circular RNAs(circRNA)in Alzheimer's disease(AD)and its potential mechanism.Methods Six-month-old APP/PS1 mouse model of AD and wild type(WT)mice were subjected and then randomly divided into WT group,WT+circ-Olfm1 knockout group,AD group(transgenic APP/PS1 mice),AD+circ-Olfm1 knockout group,AD+FOXO3a knockout group,with 3 mice in each group.① The total RNA of mouse brain was extracted,and the differential expression of circRNAs and mRNAs between the AD mice and WT mice was detected,and the obtained circRNAs and mRNAs were analyzed with gene ontology(GO)analysis.② RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of the top 10 up-regulated and down-regulated circRNAs,as well as the expression of circ-Olfm1 and miR-330-5p.③ Lentiviral vectors were prepared and stereotaxically injected into the cortex or hippocampus of WT and AD mice to knock out circ-Olfm1 gene.Water maze test was used to evaluate the effect of circ-Olfm1 knockout on cognitive function,and immunofluorescence assay was employed to observe the deposition of amyloid β(Aβ)plaque in the brain.④ The interaction between circ-Olfm1 and miR-330-5p was verified by double luciferase reporter gene analysis.⑤ The protein levels of AMPK and FOXO3a were detected by Western blotting.⑥ Transmission electron microscopy was utilized to observe the mitochondria of the hippocampus.⑦ The levels of inflammatory factors IL-6,IL-1β and TNF-α were detected by ELISA.Results There were totally 52 differentially expressed circRNAs identified between the AD and WT mice,including 28 up-regulated and 24 down-regulated(fold change>1.5,P<0.05).These differentially expressed genes are mainly involved in signal transduction,learning and memory and other functions.circ-Olfm1 was identified as the most significantly differentially expressed circRNA,which is highly expressed in the neurons and up-regulated in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the AD mice.Knockout of circ-Olfm1 reduced the number of Aβ plaques in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of AD mice(P<0.01).In starBase database,there are complementary sequences observed between circ-Olfm1 and miR-330-5p.Western blotting showed that the addition of Aβ42 significantly increased the expression of AMPK and FOXO3a in the neuronal cells(P<0.01).And silencing circ-Olfm1 led to decreased expression of AMPK and FOXO3a in neuronal cells+Aβ42(P<0.01).ELISA revealed that knockout of FOXO3a significantly increased the levels of inflammatory factors IL-6,IL-1β,and TNF-α(P<0.01).Transmission electron microscopy displayed that knocking FOXO3a out significantly aggravated mitochondrial damage(P<0.01).Conclusion circ-Olfm1 is up-regulated in the brain tissue and neurons+Aβ42 of AD rats,and the mechanism of cognitive impairment in AD rats may be through its regulating FOXO3a protein.
5.Galangin improves cardiac remodeling and dysfunction after myocardial infarction via inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis and inflammation
Jixian GAO ; Ming LI ; Bing WU ; Xiaoxiong LIU ; Hao XIA
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2024;26(1):71-75
Objective To investigate the effect of galangin on cardiac remodeling and cardiac func-tion after myocardial infarction(MI).Methods A total of 32 male C57/BL6 mice(8-10 weeks old)were subjected for MI modeling,and finally 24 mice were assigned into control group[sham operation+hydroxycellulose sodium(CMC-Na)],model group(MI+CMC-Na),and experimental group(MI+galangin),with 8 mice in each group.After MI modeling,the mice of the experimen-tal group were given 40 mg/kg galangin by gavage for 4 weeks,and those of the control group and the model group were given the same volume(0.4 ml)of CMC-Na solution.HE staining was used to observe the size of the infarct area.The mRNA levels of inflammatory factors in the heart were detected by qRT-PCR,and protein levels of related signaling pathway proteins were measured with Western blotting.Immunofluorescence(IF)assay was applied to detect the infiltration of in-flammatory cells in the infarct border zone.TUNEL staining was employed to detect cell apoptosis in the infarct border zone.Results At 4 weeks after modeling,larger infarct size,enhanced expression levels of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,p-P65,p-IκBα and Bax,elevated apoptotic rate,decreased cardiac function indicators such as FS and LVEF,and reduced Bcl-2 expression level were observed in the model group than the control group(P<0.05).The experimental group had sig-nificant smaller myocardial infarct size[(11.64±0.64)%vs(21.84±1.94)%],less CD3 positive T cells[(3.10±0.46)%vs(6.28±0.24)%],F4-80 positive macrophages[(1.98±0.50)%vs(5.35±0.62)%]and LY6G positive neutrophils[(6.33±0.67)%vs(11.33±1.77)%],decreased expression levels of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,p-P65,p-IκBα and Bax,reduced apoptotic rate[(21.45± 1.62)%vs(35.68±0.88)%],and increased FS and LVEF values and Bcl-2 expression level when compared with the model group(P<0.05).Conclusion Galangin improves myocardial remode-ling and cardiac dysfunction after MI by inhibiting inflammatory response and cell apoptosis.
6.Clinical and electrocardiographic characteristics of carriers with SCN5A mutations and non-SCN5A mutations in fever-induced Brugada syndrome
Keqin SHEN ; Zhonghe ZHANG ; Ganxiao CHEN ; Xiaoxiong LIU ; Guohua FAN ; Jinqiu LIU ; Hao XIA ; Hong JIANG ; Dan HU
Chinese Journal of Cardiology 2024;52(12):1377-1382
Objective:To investigate the differences in clinical and electrocardiographic characteristics between carriers of SCN5A mutations and non-SCN5A mutations in fever-induced Brugada syndrome.Methods:This study is a retrospective cohort study. A total of 263 patients with fever-induced Brugada syndrome who were admitted to Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January 2000 to December 2023 were selected. Their clinical manifestations, electrocardiographic characteristics, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at the time of diagnosis and during the follow-up period were collected. Among them, 200 patients underwent next-generation sequencing. Based on the genetic variation results, after excluding other mutations, they were divided into SCN5A mutation group, non-SCN5A sodium-related mutation group, potassium/calcium mutation group, and no mutation group. Comparisons were made among these groups in terms of their clinical and electrocardiographic characteristics.Results:Among the 263 patients with fever-induced Brugada syndrome, the mean age was (41.9±17.6) years, with 80.6% (212/263) being male. The median follow-up duration was 53.0 months, and 13.7% (36/263) of the patients experienced MACE. The rate of SCN5A mutation was 34.5% (69/200), while the rates of non-SCN5A sodium-related mutations and potassium/calcium-related mutations were 4.5% (9/200) and 3.5% (7/200), respectively. The SCN5A mutation group was younger than the non-SCN5A sodium-related mutation group and the no mutation group (ages were (33.8±14.7), (49.8±11.6), (44.6±15.7) years, respectively, P<0.001). The SCN5A mutation group also had a longer PR interval than the no mutation group ((176.8±32.3) ms vs. (163.9±28.6) ms, P=0.034). The incidence of MACE was higher in the non-SCN5A sodium-related mutation group than that in the no mutation group (55.6% (5/9) vs. 9.1% (9/99), P=0.002). Conclusions:Fever-induced Brugada syndrome patients carrying non-SCN5A mutations exhibit distinct clinical and electrocardiographic characteristics compared to those with SCN5A mutations. These differences warrant attention in clinical practice.
7.Study on the Quality Regionalization of Forsythia suspensa(Thunb.)Vahl in Shanxi Province Based on MaxEnt Model and ArcGIS
Xiaoxiong SUO ; Caixia LIU ; Yimeng ZHAO ; Chenhui DU ; Lili PING ; Haixian ZHAN ; Runli HE ; Cailing SHANG ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Tingting SHI ; Xiangping PEI
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;31(10):1-7
Objective To establish ecological suitability zone of Forsythia suspensa(Thunb.)Vahl in Shanxi Province;To study the quality regionalization of Forsythia suspensa(Thunb.)Vahl from different producing areas in Shanxi Province;To provide reference for reasonable planting and wild tending of Forsythia suspensa(Thunb.)Vahl.Methods Maximum entropy(MaxEnt)model and ArcGIS software were used to study the ecological suitability of Forsythia suspensa(Thunb.)Vahl in Shanxi Province;By screening the main environmental factors and combining them with the content of forsythoside and forsythoside A in Forsythia suspensa(Thunb.)Vahl of different regions,a quality zoning of Forsythia suspensa Thunb.Vahl medicinal materials in Shanxi Province based on forsythoside,forsythoside A and environmental factors was constructed.Results The ecological suitable areas of Forsythia suspensa Thunb.Vahl in Shanxi Province were mainly distributed in the southern part of Shanxi Province,mainly in Linfen,Yuncheng,Changzhi,and Jincheng.The general contents of forsythoside and forsythoside A in the Forsythia suspensa(Thunb.)Vahl medicinal material were gradually reduced from southern part to northern part of Shanxi Province.The comprehensive quality was high in southern part of Shanxi Province,mainly in Linfen,Changzhi,Yuncheng and Jincheng.Conclusion The results of this study are consistent with the actual survey.The southern part of Shanxi province is a suitable planting area for high quality Forsythia suspensa(Thunb.)Vahl,which provides a reference for the standardized planting and wild tending of Forsythia suspensa(Thunb.)Vahl.
8.Application of a new residency training model for emergency medicine in the context of sub-specialty zoning
Xiaoxiong CHEN ; Yuanjuan JIANG ; Qiang XIANG ; Yajing SHEN ; Minghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2024;23(4):543-547
Objective:To investigate the application and teaching effect of a new residency training model for emergency medicine in the context of sub-specialty zoning.Methods:A total of 30 emergency medicine residents were randomly divided into experimental group and control group, with 15 residents in each group. The residents in the experimental group received teaching based on the sub-specialty zoning model, while those in the control group received traditional teaching. SPSS 26.0 software was used for the t-test and the chi-square test, and the two groups were compared in terms of demographic variables, training assessment scores, and teaching feedback. Results:There were no significant differences between the two groups in the demographic variables such as age, sex, education background, and years of clinical work, and there was also no significant difference between the two groups in the final assessment score of Chongqing ( P>0.05), but there was a significant difference between the two groups in the score of intra-department theoretical examination before the final assessment [(81.20±2.83) vs. (89.73±3.01), P<0.001]. The survey of teaching feedback showed that both groups had high confidence in independent duty and a high degree of satisfaction with teaching, with no significant differences between the two groups ( P>0.05); however, compared with the control group, the experimental group had a significantly higher recognition of the development of emergency sub-specialties and significantly better orientations of scientific research and self-development. Conclusions:The new residency training model for emergency medicine in the context of sub-specialty zoning may help with the long-term development of emergency medicine and should be further promoted and validated in emergency medicine residency training.
9.Genetic safety evaluation of allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in hosts following traumatic brain injury
Sixian HUANG ; Zhiming FENG ; Yu XIE ; Xiaoxiong ZOU ; Kunlin LIU ; Shiting HUA ; Cong LI ; Yuxi ZOU ; Yingqian CAI ; Yanping TANG ; Xiaodan JIANG
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2023;22(6):575-584
Objective:To investigate the genetic safety of allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transplantation in traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods:(1) In vivo experiment: BMSCs from male SD rats were isolated and cultured. Moderate TBI models were prepared by implanting and fixing micro-drug injection cannula into the left ventricle of 12 female SD rats, and 3 d after that, striking the right cerebral cortex of the rats with pneumatic precision percussion device was performed. Four h, and 3, 6, 9, and 12 d after modeling, TBI rats were given a single/multiple BMSCs infusion (2.5×10 5/time, total volume 10 μL) by cannula; 48 and 72 h, and 10 and 14 d after modeling, brain tissues of TBI rats (3 at each time point) were prepared into paraffin specimens. Immunofluorescent staining was used to detect the microglia activation, and RNAscope ? technology was used to detect the co-localization of astrocytes, neurons, microglia and transplanted BMSCs to observe whether the allogeneic BMSCs were integrated with the host brain cells after transplantation into TBI host. (2) In vitro experiment: the frozen and revived microglial cell line BV2 was transfected with green fluorescent protein (GFP)-positive lentiviral particles, and then, BMSCs prelabeled with pHrodo RED probe and BV2 cells pretreated with lipopolysaccharide were co-cultured in a certain ratio (BV2:BMSCs=1:1, 1:2, 2:1); after 36 and 72 h of co-culture, the phagocytosis between the 2 kinds of cells was observed under confocal fluorescence inverted microscope to observe the specific action forms of microglia on BMSCs. Results:(1) In vivo experiment: 48 and 72 h, and 10 and 14 d after modeling, no colocalization of transplanted BMSCs with astrocytes or neurons was found in paraffin sections of brain tissue in TBI rats; however, 10 and 14 d after modeling, microglia in TBI rats were obviously activated and migrated to the left lateral ventricle and choroid plexus, and co-localization of microglia with transplanted BMSCs was observed. (2) In vitro experiment: phagocytosis occurred after co-culture of BV2 cells at different proportions with BMSCs for 36 and 72 h. Conclusion:After transplantation, allogeneic BMSCs do not integrate with astrocytes or neurons of the TBI host, but they could be phagocytosed by microglia, indicating that allogeneic BMSCs transplantation for TBI is genetically safe.
10.The status of homologous recombination deficiency and BRCA1/2 gene mutation in ovarian cancer patients in the Yunnan region and their clinical significance
CAI Jingjing ; LIU Xin ; LI Zhuoying ; HAN Tingting ; GUO Yinjin ; MA Luyao ; WANG Xiaoxiong ; LI Hongsheng ; LI Quan ; DU Yaqian ; LAN Yunyi ; SHEN Shaocong ; YANG Ruijiao ; WU Shunxian ; LIU Junxi ; ZHOU Yong
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2023;30(12):1082-1087
[摘 要] 目的:采用基于中国人群单核苷酸多态性位点开发的同源重组缺陷(HRD)检测工具评估云南地区卵巢癌患者的HRD状态和BRCA1/2基因突变频率并探讨其临床意义。方法:共纳入2021年1月至2023年5月间在云南省肿瘤医院收治的卵巢癌患者248例,HRD状态采用基因组瘢痕评分法(GSS)(主要依据拷贝数的长度、类型、位置及基因组断片)或HRD评分法(杂合性缺失、端粒等位基因失衡及大片段移位等基因组不稳定事件的总和)进行评估,当组织样本的GSS≥50分或HRD评分≥42分者或检测到有害的BRCA1/2基因突变时HRD被定义为阳性。分析患者HRD状态与临床病理特征的关系。结果:248名卵巢癌患者中70.97%的患者HRD呈阳性,其中BRCA1/2基因突变率为30.65%。Ⅲ~Ⅵ期、高级别浆液腺癌的卵巢癌患者具有更高的HRD阳性率(均P<0.01),HRD评分更高的患者其合并其他基因突变的频率也越高(P<0.05)。HRD状态与卵巢癌的病理类型、临床分期和其他基因突变均有关联(均P<0.01)。结论:云南地区卵巢癌患者HRD阳性率较高,HRD阳性的卵巢癌患者可以从聚ADP核糖聚合酶(PARP)抑制剂治疗中获得更大的收益。


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