1.Current status of research on the mechanism of action of emodin in the prevention and treatment of chronic liver diseases
Yajie CHEN ; Xin WANG ; Yunjuan WU ; Ying SU ; Yuhan WANG ; Jinxue ZHANG ; Ning YAO ; Ying QIN ; Xiaoning ZUO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):228-234
Chronic liver diseases are a group of diseases in which the liver is subjected to a variety of injuries over a long period of time, resulting in irreversible pathological changes that last longer than 6 months. Emodin (EMO) is a natural anthraquinone derivative derived from Rheum officinale, and its pharmacological effect has been extensively studied, exhibiting a variety of biological properties and involving multiple signaling molecules and pathways. Western medicine or surgical treatment is currently the main treatment regimen for chronic liver diseases, and the advance in treatment is limited by various reasons such as side effects and high costs. Due to its natural origin and efficacy, EMO has unique advantages in the treatment of chronic liver diseases and has now become a research hotspot. This article summarizes the therapeutic effect of EMO on chronic liver diseases and its mechanism, in order to provide a certain scientific basis for the traditional Chinese medicine treatment of chronic liver diseases and the development of drugs in clinical practice.
2.Analysis of characteristics of newly reported HIV positive male student cases in Jiangsu Province from 2023 to 2024
LIU Xiaoyan, CHEN Yuheng, SHI Hongjie, NING Xin, ZHANG Ying, YANG Dandan
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):425-429
Objective:
To investigate the characteristics and potential risk factors associated with HIV infection among newly reported HIV positive male student cases in Jiangsu Province from 2023 to 2024, so as to provide evidence for targeted intervention strategies.
Methods:
Data were obtained from the China CDC Surveillance System on newly reported HIV positive male student cases from 2023 to 2024. A survey was conducted to collect information on demographic characteristics, knowledge of AIDS prevention, education and training history, HIV testing history, behavioral and substance use patterns, and other relevant factors prior to HIV diagnosis among 343 newly reported HIV positive male student cases in Jiangsu Province. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the risk factors of HIV infection among male students.
Results:
Among the HIV positive male student cases, homosexual behavior accounted for 93.88% of transmission routes, while 10.20% involved heterosexual contact, as well as 4.08% for two sexual hehaviors. Awareness of HIV prevention knowledge was 97.08%, and 66.76% had previously undergone HIV testing. Among the respondents, 10.50% had used rush poppers as enhancers, and 72.30% had received HIV prevention education within the past year. Among students cases with homosexual behavior, the median time from first homosexual contact to HIV diagnosis was ≤2 years, with 54.66% of cases falling into this category; the most common way of finding same sex partners was through social software, accounting for 88.20% of cases, while the proportion of those via "Blued" app reached 87.07% ; the proportion of using condoms every time during sexual activity in the past six months was 12.27%. Among the student cases with homosexual behavior, the results of multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that student cases aged 18 to 24 ( OR =4.52) and >24 ( OR = 19.23 ), without receiving education on HIV prevention in the past year ( OR =1.86), having consistent condom use ( OR =2.73) and not using condoms ( OR =2.12) during the last sexual activity were more likely to had the first same sex sexual activity for more than 3 years before being diagnosed as HIV positive cases (all P <0.05). Student cases who were uncertain about their partner s sexual identity ( OR =0.33), and who primarily identified same sex partners through "other" means ( OR = 0.23 ) were more likely to avoid HIV testing; in contrast, student cases with consistent condom use during the last homosexual encounter ( OR =7.20) was significantly associated with increased likelihood of HIV testing (all P <0.05).
Conclusions
Newly reported HIV positive male student cases in Jiangsu Province exhibit serious discrepancies between knowledge and practice regarding HIV prevention. Measures are needed to accelerate the optimization of campus based HIV prevention education content and delivery methods. Simultaneously, enhanced management of extracurricular male populations is essential to effectively control the spread of HIV.
3.Detection rate of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and risk factors in the elderly population aged 60 and above undergoing physical examination in Nanjing
Xinri WU ; Ying XIA ; Caiqin ZHANG ; Xin HONG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(2):69-73
Objective To investigate the detection rate of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and influencing factors in the elderly population undergoing physical examination in Nanjing. Methods People who participated in the elderly physical examination in Nanjing from 2018 to 2023 were selected as the study subjects according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Basic information and physical examination results were collected. The t-test and Chi-square test were used to compare the detection status of NAFLD in different characteristic populations, and multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze influencing factors of NAFLD. Results A total of 41 066 people were included in the study, with a detection rate of 39.55%. The detection rate in males (24.12%) was significantly lower than that in females (49.75%) (χ2 = 2702.442, P<0.001). Trend χ2 test results showed that the detection rate of NAFLD increased gradually with BMI (χ2trend = 4084.414, Ptrend < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that female (OR = 3.055, 95% CI : 2.911-3.206), primary school or below (OR = 1.075, 95% CI : 1.009-1.146), unmarried (OR = 1.107, 95% CI : 1.039-1.179), BMI (18.5kg/m2-23.9 kg/m2: OR = 4.876, 95% CI :3.340-7.119; 24.0 kg/m2-27.9 kg/m2: OR = 15.324, 95% CI : 10.503-22.358; ≥28.0 kg/m2: OR = 37.433, 95% CI : 25.591-54.753), hypertension (OR = 1.095, 95% CI : 1.040-1.153), diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.317, 95% CI :1.250-1.387), and dyslipidemia (OR = 1.574, 95% CI : 1.501-1.652) were risk factors for NAFLD (all P<0.05). Conclusion The detection rate of NAFLD in the elderly population undergoing physical examinations in Nanjing is relatively high. Women, unmarried people, people with low education, overweight and obesity, and people with hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia are the high-risk groups.
4.Effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on functional brain activity in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness: A randomized controlled trial protocol using functional near-infrared spectroscopy and electroencephalography
Huan OUYANG ; Yifei WANG ; Ying HAN ; Jinling ZHANG ; Liang LI ; Chen XIN ; Jianghong HE ; Peijing RONG
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(2):181-187
Background: Advances in intensive care have markedly improved survival after severe brain injury, leading to a growing population of patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (pDOC). Current management of pDOC remains largely supportive, and evidence-based neuromodulatory interventions are limited; moreover, existing guidelines provide insufficiently explicit recommendations regarding mechanisms of action and objective biomarkers of treatment response. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) has emerged as a potential noninvasive intervention; however, its modulatory effects on brain function in pDOC are not yet well characterized, and the paucity of integrative mechanistic evidence has constrained its translation into routine clinical practice. Objectives: Within a multimodal assessment framework, this study aims to systematically elucidate the neurobiological mechanisms by which taVNS modulates brain function and autonomic activity in patients with pDOC, and to evaluate its clinical potential to enhance levels of consciousness. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 60 patients with vegetative state/minimally conscious state will be enrolled and randomly allocated to a taVNS group, a transcutaneous nonauricular vagus nerve stimulation group (sham), or a control group (n = 20 per group) for a 4-week intervention. The primary outcome will be changes in the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised scores from baseline to weeks 1, 2, and 4 of treatment. Secondary outcomes will include functional brain activity assessed by electroencephalography and functional near-infrared spectroscopy, as well as autonomic modulation indexed by heart rate variability. Functional prognosis will be evaluated using the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended at the end of treatment and at a 6-month follow-up. Safety will be assessed by continuous monitoring and documentation of adverse events throughout the study period. Results and discussion: By integrating electroencephalography–functional near-infrared spectroscopy with heart rate variability, this study will characterize the effects of taVNS on functional brain networks and consciousness recovery in pDOC across complementary behavioral, electrophysiological, hemodynamic, and autonomic domains, while interrogating potential sources of clinical and neurobiological heterogeneity. The findings are expected to provide a mechanistic and evidence-based foundation for the mechanism-driven clinical implementation of taVNS and the optimization of stimulation protocols in pDOC. Clinical trial registration: International Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Registry, ITMCTR20250021041, https://itmctr.ccebtcm.org.cn.
5.Donation-related adverse reactions and individual voluntary donation behavior following adjustments of the upper age limit for blood donation: a multicenter retrospective cohort study
Chenying WANG ; Jue WANG ; Changping LI ; Wei CHEN ; Ying LI ; Dan BAO ; Yuanqin ZHANG ; Xin ZHAO ; Jinfeng ZENG ; Yuwei HU ; Shuchang DAI ; Xiaoqiang WU ; Weimin FAN
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(9):1168-1178
Objective: To evaluate the risk of donation-related adverse reactions, donation behavior, and contributions to the blood supply among donors aged 56-65 years following extension of the upper age limit for voluntary blood donation, and to provide real-world evidence for optimizing blood donation age policies in China. Methods: A multicenter retrospective cohort was established using blood donation databases from Hainan, Shenzhen, and Jiangxi. A total of 1 180 767 donors contributing 2 020 407 whole-blood and apheresis donations were included. Donations were classified by donor age at each donation into the 18-55-year and 56-65-year groups. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to compare the risks of overall, local, and systemic donation-related adverse reactions between the two age groups. Restricted cubic spline analysis was used to assess the continuous association between donor age and the risk of overall adverse reactions. Poisson GEE models were used to compare annual donation frequency, and donation participation and contributions to the blood supply among donors aged 56-65 years were evaluated. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No.2025012) and registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2500114960). Results: A total of 1 960 711 donations were included in the 18-55-year group and 59 696 in the 56-65-year group. The overall donation-related adverse reaction rates were 3.890‰and 0.704‰, respectively. Multivariable GEE analysis showed that, compared with donors aged 18-55 years, those aged 56-65 years had lower risks of overall adverse reactions (adjusted OR=0.294, 95%CI: 0.217-0.398, P<0.001) and systemic adverse reactions (adjusted OR=0.163, 95%CI: 0.101-0.263, P<0.001), whereas no statistically significant difference was observed in the risk of local adverse reactions (adjusted OR=1.337, 95%CI: 0.487-3.670, P=0.573). Donor age was nonlinearly associated with the risk of overall adverse reactions (P overall<0.001, P nonlinear<0.001), with the risk generally decreasing with increasing age between 18 and 65 years. The mean annual donation frequency was higher among donors aged 56-65 years than among those aged 18-55 years (1.63 vs 1.24 donations per year; adjusted IRR=1.34, 95%CI: 1.30-1.39, P<0.001). During the study period, donors aged 56-65 years contributed 2.95% of all donations; their whole-blood donations and whole-blood collection volume accounted for 2.36% and 2.37% of the corresponding totals, respectively. Conclusion: Under current health screening and standardized donor management, donors aged 56-65 years did not show an increased risk of short-term donation-related adverse reactions and demonstrated a higher annual donation frequency, together with a measurable contribution to the blood supply. These findings support appropriately extending the upper age limit for voluntary blood donation under strict health screening to broaden the donor pool and supplement the blood supply.
6.Novel Structural Features of Isoflavone Synthase from Medicago truncatula Shed Light on Its Unique Enzymatic Mechanism
Chao SHI ; Zhao-Yang YE ; Fei XU ; Xiang-Ning DU ; Zhang-Xin CHEN ; Ming-Yue GU ; Jie DENG ; Wei WANG ; Liang-Yu LIU ; Mei-Ying WANG ; Xiao-Dong SU ; He-Li LIU ; Ming-Ying SHANG ; Li-Xin HUANG ; Zhen-Zhan CHANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(8):1204-1213,中插1-中插6
Isoflavones which mainly distributed in leguminous plants have plenty of health benefits.Isoflavone synthase(IFS)is a membrane-associated cytochrome P450 enzyme(CYP450)which carries out the unique aryl-ring migration and hydroxylation.So far,few crystal structures of plant P450s have been obtained.We determined the crystal structure of IFS from Medicago truncatula at 1.9 ? by MAD method using a selenomethionine substituted crystal and conducted molecular docking and mutagenesis study.The structure of IFS complexed with imidazole exhibits the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif which cor-responds to helix Ⅰ of other P450s.Compared with structures of common P450s,IFS/imidazole structure contains an extra domain,i.e.,the γ-domain.The structure reveals a homodimer in which the γ-domain of one molecule interacts with the β-domain of another.The plane of heme group makes an angle of ap-proximately 40° with the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif.Molecular docking combined with mutagenesis study suggested that Trp-128 and Asp-300 might play important roles in substrate binding and recogni-tion.Phe-301,Ser-303 and Gly-305 from the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif may play important roles in the aryl-ring migration.These novel structural features reveal insights into the unique reaction mechanism of IFS and provide a basis for engineering IFS in leguminous crops for health purpose.
7.Effects of fangchinoline derivative LYY-32 on biological properties of BLM DNA helicase
Wang-ming ZHANG ; Qin-ying FENG ; Xiao-yu SONG ; Xin-zhong ZHOU ; Juan LU ; Wan-qing XIE ; Zhi-wen LAI ; Wei-dong PAN ; Jie-lin LIU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(9):1680-1686
Aim To investigate the effects of the fangchinoline derivative LYY-32 on the biological prop-erties of the BLM642-1290 DNA helicase,in order to lay a foundation for further research on its antitumor activity.Methods Fluorescence polarization assay,malachite green-phosphate and ammonium molybdate colorime-try,and fluorescein-labeled DNA gel electrophoresis experiments were conducted to study the effects of fangchinoline derivative LYY-32 on the DNA binding activity,ATPase activity,and DNA unwinding activity of BLM642-1290 DNA helicase.The effects of LYY-32 on the DNA unwinding activity of DNA helicase in cells were studied using fluorescent techniques and time-lapse microscopy.Ultraviolet spectral scanning was used to investigate the effects of LYY-32 on the confor-mation of the BLM642-1290 DNA helicase.Results At a concentration of 10 μmol·L-1,the inhibition rate of LYY-32 on BLM642-1290 DNA helicase binding to dsDNA was 53.17%.At a concentration of 5 μmol·L-1,the inhibition rate of LYY-32 on BLM642-1290 DNA helicase binding to ssDNA was 88.49%.The inhibition rate of LYY-32 on the ATPase activity of BLM642-1290 DNA he-licase was 89.3%at a concentration of 50 μmol·L-1.When the concentration of LYY-32 exceeded 5μmol·L-1,its inhibition rate on the DNA unwinding activity of BLM642-1290 DNA helicase was 100%.LYY-32 also significantly inhibited the DNA unwinding ac-tivity of DNA helicase in cells.However,LYY-32 had no effect on the conformation of BLM642-1290 DNA heli-case.Conclusion The DNA binding activity,AT-Pase activity,and DNA unwinding activity of BLM642-1290 DNA helicase could be significantly inhibi-ted by the fangchinoline derivative LYY-32.
8.Establishment of a"#-shaped"method of radiotherapy marking of reflecting the range of respiratory motion in radiotherapy
Chenlei GUO ; Ying CAO ; Xin FENG ; Kaixuan ZHANG ; Zhen WANG ; Mingjian SUN ; Yongli SONG ; Xing LIU ; Wenyang LIU ; Jianrong DAI
China Medical Equipment 2025;22(8):52-56
Objective:To propose a novel radiotherapy marking method-the"#"-character method,which aimed at improving the accuracy and repeatability of positioning during radiotherapy.Methods:A specially"cross-shaped"stamp was designed by this study,which consisted of a handheld square base with a"cross-shaped"protrusion.Using this stamp,the extreme positions of end-expiration and end-inspiration were marked respectively at the laser-guided regions on the directly above and bilateral sides of the patient's body,and each position was printed a"+"character.Finally,a"#-shaped"signal was formed,which represented the full range of respiratory motion of patients.The study included two parts:surface displacement caused by respiration was simulated through a three-dimensional(3D)motion platform,which was used to conduct a phantom experiment for anthropomorphic dummy,A randomized controlled study involving 40 patients,who were treated between January and June 2024 at the Department of Radiotherapy,Cancer Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences,were conducted.The cohort included 20 patients with breast tumor(Positioning the outer contour by exposing the chest)and 20 patients with thoracic tumor(fixed position of using thermoplastic film).These patients were divided into two groups for comparison,which received respectively the"#-shaped"method and the conventional"+-shaped"method.The cone-beam computed tomography(CBCT)images before treatment were used to compare the influences of the two kinds of marking methods on the positioning errors of patients with breast tumor and patients with thoracic tumor.Then,the statistical analysis was used to assess precision and accuracy of positioning.Results:The result of phantom experiment indicated that the positioning error of the"#-shaped"method was significantly better than that of the"+-shaped"method under various parameters of respiratory movement.Under three kinds of different respiratory cycles(3,4,and 5 seconds)and amplitudes(8,12,and 15 mm),the positioning errors of the"#-shaped"method were respectively(0.15±0.04)cm,(0.19±0.05)cm and(0.35±0.14)cm,while the"+-shaped"method were respectively(0.42±0.16)cm,(0.64±0.28)cm and(0.88±0.37)cm,and the differences were statistically significant(t=8.347,3.416,2.901,P<0.05).The results of actual patients indicated the positioning error[(0.97±0.32)cm]of the"#-shaped"method was significantly lower than[(1.62±0.47)cm]of the"+-shaped"method for patients with breast tumor(Positioning the outer contour by exposing the chest),and the difference was significant(t=3.615,P<0.05).On the other hand,the positioning error[(0.69±0.24)cm]of the"#-shaped"method was significantly lower than[(0.97±0.39)cm]of the"+-shaped"method for patients with thoracic tumor(fixed position of using thermoplastic film),and the difference also was significant(t=1.934,P<0.05).Conclusion:Compared to the conventional"+-shaped"method,the"#-shaped"method appears higher accuracy and repeatability during the positioning process of radiotherapy,which especially is suitable to the treatment for breast tumor and thoracic tumor that need accurately control the influences of respiratory motion.
9.Analysis on the TCM Syndrome Characteristics of Aging in Female Insomnia Patients
Ke NIE ; Ying CHEN ; Juanjuan AI ; Weiwei ZHONG ; Deyu YANG ; Rujin ZHENG ; Xin SONG ; Wenzheng ZHANG ; Lifeng YUE
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(12):148-153
Objective To analyze the characteristics of TCM symptoms of aging in female insomnia patients;To provide syndrome differentiation evidence for clinical prevention and treatment of female aging.Methods A cross-sectional study method was used to include female insomnia patients who attended outpatient clinics at Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,Beijing Changping District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,and the Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from August 2021 to July 2024.The patients'clinical information was collected,and frequency analysis,factor analysis,and clustering analysis of the relevant clinical information of the 107 female insomnia patients were conducted,which,together with the experts'opinions,resulted in characteristics of TCM syndrome elements and syndrome distribution of aging in female insomnia patients.Results Totally 20 core items were screened and 7 common factors were obtained from the factor analysis.There were 5 types of syndrome elements of disease location associated with aging symptoms in female patients with insomnia,including heart,liver,spleen,kidney and lung;and there were 7 types of syndrome elements of disease property,including qi deficiency,yin deficiency,qi stagnation,blood deficiency,heat,phlegm,and dampness.There were 4 types of syndromes were obtained from the systematic clustering,including heart-kidney disharmony syndrome,heart-liver stagnation syndrome,spleen deficiency and qi stagnation syndrome,lung-spleen qi deficiency syndrome.Conclusion By analyzing the TCM syndrome characteristics of aging symptoms in female patients with insomnia,four types of syndromes are obtained.The heart-kidney disharmony syndrome is the common syndrome.The internal relationship between insomnia and aging process in female patients with insomnia is revealed from the perspective of pathogenesis,which can provide a research basis for the clinical practice of TCM anti-aging guided by syndrome differentiation and treatment in the future.
10.Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of Patients with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Complicated by Hypercalcemia
Ying LIN ; Rong-Dong ZHANG ; Zeng-Hua LIN ; Xin-Yu XU ; Ren-Li CHEN
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(4):1029-1035
Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics,treatment effect and prognosis of patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma(NHL)complicated by hypercalcemia.Methods:The clinical features,treatment and prognosis of 47 patients with NHL complicated by hypercalcemia in Ningde Municipal Hospital of Ningde Normal University and Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from January 2018 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Among the 47 lymphoma patients,33 cases were T-cell NHL,14 cases were B-cell NHL.The median serum calcium level of the 47 patients was 3.10(2.77-4.86)mmol/L,with 27 cases(57.4%)experiencing mild hypercalcemia(2.75-3.00 mmol/L),8 cases(17.0%)experiencing moderate hypercalcemia(3.00-3.50 mmol/L),and 12 cases(25.5%)experiencing severe hypercalcemia(>3.50 mmol/L).All 47 patients were treated with hydration,alkalization,diuresis,etc.32 cases(68.1%)received combination chemotherapy,21 cases(44.7%)received salmon calcitonin treatment,and 3 cases were treated with denosumab in 5 patients with renal insufficiency.After treatment,38 patients'serum calcium gradually returned to normal,with a median recovery time of 6(1-18)days,while 9 patients still failed to recover their serum calcium after treatment and all died within 1 month.32 patients undergoing combination chemotherapy were evaluated for efficacy after 2-4 courses of chemotherapy.Among them,8 cases(25.0%)achieved complete response(CR),11 cases(34.4%)achieved partial response(PR),7 cases(21.9%)showed stable disease(SD),and 6 cases(18.8%)showed progressive disease(PD).The median follow-up time was 10 months.There were 13 cases of disease progression after combination chemotherapy and a total of 28 deaths.The survival time ranged from 0.8 to 23.7 months,and the median progression time was 4.9 months.Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the T-cell NHL,blood calcium>3.5 mmol/L,and no decrease in blood calcium after treatment were independent risk factors for the OS,and the T-cell NHL was independent risk factors for the PFS.Conclusion:NHL complicated by hypercalcemia has a poor prognosis,and hypercalcemia can be used as one of the indicators reflecting the tumor burden.Patients with NHL complicated by hypercalcemia should be given more clinical attention and treated actively.


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