1.Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevents and Treats Ulcerative Colitis via TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway: A Review
Xi CUI ; Wenke DU ; Xing SHEN ; Cuicui LIU ; Rui ZHAI ; Hanghang LI ; Shuxun SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):284-294
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease primarily affecting the colon and rectum. With a rising incidence, UC has aroused an increasingly serious public health concern. The etiology and pathogenesis of UC are complex, involving genetic susceptibility, intestinal barrier dysfunction, immune dysregulation, and environmental factors such as diet, smoking, and infection. Current UC therapies face limitations including persistent drug resistance, multiple side effects, and compromised immune function, necessitating the exploration of novel intervention strategies. In recent years, with the continuous advancement of research into UC mechanisms, the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway has been revealved as one of the classical pathways involved in inflammation. Being crucial for maintaining intestinal homeostasis, this pathway regulates inflammatory and immune responses by controlling gene transcription, thereby playing a significant role in the occurrence and progression of UC. However, systematic summarization within this field remains lacking. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) possesses unique advantages through its multi-target, multi-pathway, and multi-mechanism approaches, being capable of curbing the pathological progression of UC by targeting key molecules in the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. This paper systematically summarizes the mechanisms by which TLR4/NF-κB-related pathways regulate UC, primarily encompassing inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, immune balance, and gut microbiota. It reviews single herbs (e.g., Rosa roxburghii root and Saposhnikoviae Radix), active components (e.g., resveratrol, Tripterygium glycosides, and gypenosides), herbal extracts (e.g., Zingiberis Rhizoma extract and Taraxaci Herba extract), and compound formulas for clearing heat and removing dampness, invigorating the spleen and warming the kidneys, clearing heat and detoxifying, harmonizing the liver and spleen, and treating cold and heat in complexity (e.g., Huaihua Powder, Shenling Baizhu Powder, and Jiedu Huayu Formula). The aim is to fully leverage the advantages of TCM in UC treatment and provide novel insights for clinical and pharmacological research on UC.
2.Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevents and Treats Ulcerative Colitis via TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway: A Review
Xi CUI ; Wenke DU ; Xing SHEN ; Cuicui LIU ; Rui ZHAI ; Hanghang LI ; Shuxun SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):284-294
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease primarily affecting the colon and rectum. With a rising incidence, UC has aroused an increasingly serious public health concern. The etiology and pathogenesis of UC are complex, involving genetic susceptibility, intestinal barrier dysfunction, immune dysregulation, and environmental factors such as diet, smoking, and infection. Current UC therapies face limitations including persistent drug resistance, multiple side effects, and compromised immune function, necessitating the exploration of novel intervention strategies. In recent years, with the continuous advancement of research into UC mechanisms, the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway has been revealved as one of the classical pathways involved in inflammation. Being crucial for maintaining intestinal homeostasis, this pathway regulates inflammatory and immune responses by controlling gene transcription, thereby playing a significant role in the occurrence and progression of UC. However, systematic summarization within this field remains lacking. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) possesses unique advantages through its multi-target, multi-pathway, and multi-mechanism approaches, being capable of curbing the pathological progression of UC by targeting key molecules in the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. This paper systematically summarizes the mechanisms by which TLR4/NF-κB-related pathways regulate UC, primarily encompassing inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, immune balance, and gut microbiota. It reviews single herbs (e.g., Rosa roxburghii root and Saposhnikoviae Radix), active components (e.g., resveratrol, Tripterygium glycosides, and gypenosides), herbal extracts (e.g., Zingiberis Rhizoma extract and Taraxaci Herba extract), and compound formulas for clearing heat and removing dampness, invigorating the spleen and warming the kidneys, clearing heat and detoxifying, harmonizing the liver and spleen, and treating cold and heat in complexity (e.g., Huaihua Powder, Shenling Baizhu Powder, and Jiedu Huayu Formula). The aim is to fully leverage the advantages of TCM in UC treatment and provide novel insights for clinical and pharmacological research on UC.
3.Epidemiological characteristics of imported dengue fever cases in Fengtai District, Beijing, from 2007 to 2025
Yan MENG ; Yang YANG ; Xiao-xing YANG ; Jun-yong YANG ; Ruo-yi DU ; Li-na TIAN ; Ruo-xi LI ; Gui-yin LIN ; Xiao-li RUAN ; Jian-jun ZHANG ; Zhen-jiang XIN ; Li-li TIAN
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(3):180-186
Objective We reviewed and analyzed the epidemiological data of 83 imported dengue fever cases reported in Fengtai District, Beijing, from 2007 to 2025, to delineate their epidemiological characteristics and guide the dengue fever prevention and control strategy in the future. Methods Data on dengue fever cases in Fengtai District from 2007 to 2025 were collected to identify the epidemic factors and characteristics using descriptive epidemiological method. Results All 83 dengue fever cases reported in this region over the past two decades have been imported from abroad or other domestic areas, with Southeast Asian countries being identified as the primary source of imported infections, accounting for 42 cases (50.60%), followed by 15 cases (18.07%) from Chinese provinces other than Beijing. The remaining import sources included 13 cases from South Asia,8 from African countries, and each from Oceania, South America, and Europe. Disease onset was found concentrated between May and November. The sex ratio (male-to-female) is 1.59:1. The age of onset ranged from 14 to 61 years old, with a median age of 36. The largest proportion of cases was observed among cadres and office workers (31 cases, 37.35%), followed by businessmen (13 cases, 15.67%), and householders or the unemployed (10 cases,12.05%). Travel visit was identified as the primary reason for their exposure history. Conclusions All dengue fever cases reported in Fengtai from 2007 to 2025 were imported, with an increasing trend of imported cases in Beijing originating from other Chinese provinces. It is essential to strengthen health education for foreign travelers and returning residents, enhance clinical diagnosis and treatment training for medical personnel, eliminate mosquito breeding sites, and reduce mosquito density through active patriotic health campaigns.
4.Hippocampal Extracellular Matrix Protein Laminin β1 Regulates Neuropathic Pain and Pain-Related Cognitive Impairment.
Ying-Chun LI ; Pei-Yang LIU ; Hai-Tao LI ; Shuai WANG ; Yun-Xin SHI ; Zhen-Zhen LI ; Wen-Guang CHU ; Xia LI ; Wan-Neng LIU ; Xing-Xing ZHENG ; Fei WANG ; Wen-Juan HAN ; Jie ZHANG ; Sheng-Xi WU ; Rou-Gang XIE ; Ceng LUO
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(12):2127-2147
Patients suffering from nerve injury often experience exacerbated pain responses and complain of memory deficits. The dorsal hippocampus (dHPC), a well-defined region responsible for learning and memory, displays maladaptive plasticity upon injury, which is assumed to underlie pain hypersensitivity and cognitive deficits. However, much attention has thus far been paid to intracellular mechanisms of plasticity rather than extracellular alterations that might trigger and facilitate intracellular changes. Emerging evidence has shown that nerve injury alters the microarchitecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and decreases ECM rigidity in the dHPC. Despite this, it remains elusive which element of the ECM in the dHPC is affected and how it contributes to neuropathic pain and comorbid cognitive deficits. Laminin, a key element of the ECM, consists of α-, β-, and γ-chains and has been implicated in several pathophysiological processes. Here, we showed that peripheral nerve injury downregulates laminin β1 (LAMB1) in the dHPC. Silencing of hippocampal LAMB1 exacerbates pain sensitivity and induces cognitive dysfunction. Further mechanistic analysis revealed that loss of hippocampal LAMB1 causes dysregulated Src/NR2A signaling cascades via interaction with integrin β1, leading to decreased Ca2+ levels in pyramidal neurons, which in turn orchestrates structural and functional plasticity and eventually results in exaggerated pain responses and cognitive deficits. In this study, we shed new light on the functional capability of hippocampal ECM LAMB1 in the modulation of neuropathic pain and comorbid cognitive deficits, and reveal a mechanism that conveys extracellular alterations to intracellular plasticity. Moreover, we identified hippocampal LAMB1/integrin β1 signaling as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of neuropathic pain and related memory loss.
Animals
;
Laminin/genetics*
;
Hippocampus/metabolism*
;
Neuralgia/metabolism*
;
Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology*
;
Male
;
Peripheral Nerve Injuries/metabolism*
;
Extracellular Matrix/metabolism*
;
Integrin beta1/metabolism*
;
Pyramidal Cells/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction
5.Exosomal circRNAs: Deciphering the novel drug resistance roles in cancer therapy.
Xi LI ; Hanzhe LIU ; Peiyu XING ; Tian LI ; Yi FANG ; Shuang CHEN ; Siyuan DONG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(2):101067-101067
Exosomal circular RNA (circRNAs) are pivotal in cancer biology, and tumor pathophysiology. These stable, non-coding RNAs encapsulated in exosomes participated in cancer progression, tumor growth, metastasis, drug sensitivity and the tumor microenvironment (TME). Their presence in bodily fluids positions them as potential non-invasive biomarkers, revealing the molecular dynamics of cancers. Research in exosomal circRNAs is reshaping our understanding of neoplastic intercellular communication. Exploiting the natural properties of exosomes for targeted drug delivery and disrupting circRNA-mediated pro-tumorigenic signaling can develop new treatment modalities. Therefore, ongoing exploration of exosomal circRNAs in cancer research is poised to revolutionize clinical management of cancer. This emerging field offers hope for significant breakthroughs in cancer care. This review underscores the critical role of exosomal circRNAs in cancer biology and drug resistance, highlighting their potential as non-invasive biomarkers and therapeutic targets that could transform the clinical management of cancer.
6.Research progress on indirect energy measurement in guiding energy and nutritional application in nutritional support therapy for critically ill patients.
Yinqiang FAN ; Jun YAN ; Ning WEI ; Jianping YANG ; Hongmei PAN ; Yiming SHAO ; Jun SHI ; Xiuming XI
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2025;37(8):794-796
Nutritional support therapy is one of the extremely important treatment methods for patients in the intensive care unit. Timely and effective nutritional support regimens can improve patients' immune function, reduce complications, and optimize clinical outcomes. Energy expenditure is influenced by multiple factors, including patients' baseline characteristics (such as physical condition, gender, age) and dynamic changes in indicators (such as body temperature, nutritional support regimens, and therapeutic interventions). The currently recognized "gold standard" for accurately assessing energy metabolism in clinical practice is the indirect calorimetry system, also known as the metabolic cart. This device monitors carbon dioxide production and oxygen consumption in real time and uses specific algorithms to estimate the metabolic proportions of the three major nutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) in energy expenditure. An appropriate nutrient ratio helps maintain the balance between supply and demand in the body's nutritional metabolism. In the management of critically ill patients, the application of the metabolic cart enables personalized nutritional therapy, avoiding over- or under-supply of energy and optimizing the use of medical resources. Furthermore, with real-time, quantitative data support from the energy metabolism monitoring system, clinicians can develop more precise nutritional intervention strategies, thereby improving patient prognosis. This article provides a systematic review of the technical features of the metabolic cart and its application value in various critical care scenarios, aiming to offer a reference for indirect calorimetry in clinical practice.
Humans
;
Critical Illness/therapy*
;
Nutritional Support
;
Energy Metabolism
;
Calorimetry, Indirect
7.Validation and Reproducibility of an Iodine-specific Food Frequency Questionnaire for Evaluating Dietary Iodine Intake in the Elderly Population of Gansu Province, China.
Qi JIN ; Tao WANG ; Mei Na JI ; Ji Zun WANG ; Xing MA ; Xin Yi WANG ; Jia Qi WANG ; He Xi ZHANG ; Yan Ling WANG ; Wen Xing GUO ; Wan Qi ZHANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(9):1168-1172
8.Association between Serum Chloride Levels and Prognosis in Patients with Hepatic Coma in the Intensive Care Unit.
Shu Xing WEI ; Xi Ya WANG ; Yuan DU ; Ying CHEN ; Jin Long WANG ; Yue HU ; Wen Qing JI ; Xing Yan ZHU ; Xue MEI ; Da ZHANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1255-1269
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the relationship between serum chloride levels and prognosis in patients with hepatic coma in the intensive care unit (ICU).
METHODS:
We analyzed 545 patients with hepatic coma in the ICU from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database. Associations between serum chloride levels and 28-day and 1-year mortality rates were assessed using restricted cubic splines (RCSs), Kaplan-Meier (KM) curves, and Cox regression. Subgroup analyses, external validation, and mechanistic studies were also performed.
RESULTS:
A total of 545 patients were included in the study. RCS analysis revealed a U-shaped association between serum chloride levels and mortality in patients with hepatic coma. The KM curves indicated lower survival rates among patients with low chloride levels (< 103 mmol/L). Low chloride levels were independently linked to increased 28-day and 1-year all-cause mortality rates. In the multivariate models, the hazard ratio ( HR) for 28-day mortality in the low-chloride group was 1.424 (95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.041-1.949), while the adjusted hazard ratio for 1-year mortality was 1.313 (95% CI: 1.026-1.679). Subgroup analyses and external validation supported these findings. Cytological experiments suggested that low chloride levels may activate the phosphorylation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, promote the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and reduce neuronal cell viability.
CONCLUSION
Low serum chloride levels are independently associated with increased mortality in patients with hepatic coma.
Humans
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Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Intensive Care Units
;
Prognosis
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Chlorides/blood*
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Aged
;
Coma/blood*
;
Adult
9.In vivo effects of albendazole-glucan particles in the treatment of secondary Echinococcus metacestode infections in mice
Hai-shan YANG ; Sheng-xue LI ; Hai-xia ZHANG ; Hong-chang ZHAO ; Tong-chuan XING ; Xi-chen WU ; Xiang ZHANG ; Yan LIU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(1):15-22
Albendazole-glucan particles(ABZ-GPS)and abendazole(ABZ)were used to treat secondary alveolar echinococ-cosis in mice.The therapeutic effects of ABZ-GPS on alveolar echinococcosis in vivo were evaluated,and the feasibility of using glucan particles as anti-hydatid drug carriers was further verified.Mice with echinococcosis were randomly divided into an ABZ group,glucan nanoparticle(GP)group,ABZ-GPS group,and control group.After four courses of administration with a final concentration of 50 mg/mL,the therapeutic effects of ABZ-GPS were evaluated on the basis of imaging,histopathological changes,ultrastructure,and immunology.After ABZ-GPS and ABZ administration,clear liver lesion tissue necrosis and large numbers of infiltrating lymphocytes were observed.Significant differences in the average cyst wet weight(t=7.83,P<0.05),were observed between the ABZ-GPS group and ABZ group.Imaging revealed that ABZ-GPs were targeted to liver tissue.Pa-thology and ultrastructure analyses demonstrated that the alveolar hydatid cells in the liver in the control group and GP group grew well,and the vesicles were large,filled with cystic fluid,and translucent or transparent;the cyst wall tension was high;no calcification was observed;the stratum corneum and germinal layer were clear;and more fertile capsules and different num-bers of protocephalospora were present in the liver.In the ABZ group,the capsular cavity collapsed,and showed partial necro-sis and lymphocyte infiltration.In the ABZ-GP group,the corneum and germinal layer of echinococcus vesicles were difficult to identify,and we observed bulbous necrosis,central calcification,fibrous tissue hyperplasia,inflammatory cell infiltration,coarser,shorter or absent microvilli of the germinal layer,nuclear shrinkage,dissolution or disappearance,clear expansion of cytoplasmic microtubules,and myelin-like or vacuole-like changes.Therefore,ABZ-GPs showed good targeting and killing ac-tivity in vivo in mice with secondary alveolar coccosis.
10.Establishment of visualized rapid detection method for Klebsiella pneumoniae based on RPA-LFD and its effect
Yuxuan ZANG ; Yanxia XING ; Yanhua LI ; Guobin SONG ; Guoping XI ; Yunfeng BAI
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(17):2603-2607
OBJECTIVE T o establish a simple,rapid,highly sensitive and highly specific visualized detection meth-od for Klebsiella pneumoniae based on recombinase polymerase amplification(RPA)technique combined with the lateral flow dipstick(LFD)technique.METHODS The specific primers targeting the khe gene of K.pneumoniae were designed for RPA,the reaction temperature and reaction time for RPA were optimized,the optimal experi-mental conditions for the LFD were determined based on the colorimetric results.The sensitivity,stability,speci-ficity and clinical practicability of RPA-LFD in detection of the K.pneumoniae were evaluated.RESULTS RPA could achieved the optimal detection result for simplification of K.pneumoniae at 34 ℃ for 10 min.The LFD showed the best color development when Milipore HF 135s was used as the nitrocellulose membrane,phosphate buffered saline containing Tween-20(PBST)was used as the sample developing solution,and the concentrations of streptavidin and secondary antibody were 0.8 mg/ml and 0.1 mg/ml,respectively.The detection limit of the RPA-LFD was 5 CFU/ml for detection of K.pneumoniae,the relative standard deviation of the band color inten-sity was less than 5%in six parallel experiments,and there was no cross reactions with other bacterial strains.In addition,the sensitivity of the RPA-LFD in detection of K.pneumoniae was not affected by the serum compo-nents such as proteins and lipids.CONCLUSION The rapid detection method for K.pneumoniae that is established based RPA-LFD is characterized by the simple operation,high sensitivity and high specificity,and it does not need complicated equipment or strict technical requirement for operators and provides a new technique for early diagno-sis and epidemiological survey of the K.pneumoniae.


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