1.Current Status,Challenges,and Strategies of Basic Research on the Brain-Gut Interaction Theory for Spleen and Stomach Diseases in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Ting CHEN ; Jinxia ZHU ; Xiaohua HOU ; Xiaoli ZHANG ; Lifei ZHENG ; Lei ZHANG ; Xinxin WANG ; Xuan LI ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(5):517-522
The brain-gut interaction theory is a multidimensional integrative concept based on the brain-gut axis, involving neural, endocrine, and immune regulatory networks as well as the gut microbiota. Zang-fu organs (脏腑) theory in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) shows a high degree of consistency with the brain-gut interaction theory, and the core functions such as the spleen and stomach governing the ascending of the clear and descending of the turbid, the liver governing the free flow of qi, and the heart governing mental and emotional activities are closely associated with the multi-level regulatory mechanisms of the brain-gut axis. TCM therapy can modulate brain-gut interactions through multiple pathways in the treatment of spleen and stomach diseases, including the regulation of gastrointestinal hormone secretion, neurotransmitter levels, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, immune homeostasis and inflammatory responses, as well as the gut microecology. However, current basic research on the brain-gut interaction theory in TCM for spleen and stomach diseases still faces several challenges, such as difficulties in integrating TCM spleen-stomach theory with modern pathophysiology, lack of innovation in research concepts, and limitations in research methodologies. It is therefore proposed that multidisciplinary collaboration, multi-omics technologies, and targeted research approaches should be adopted to provide more comprehensive methods for basic research on TCM spleen and stomach diseases, thereby promoting the in-depth development of brain-gut interaction theory.
2.Analysis of epidemiological trend and spatial aggregation characteristics from 2016 to 2023 of varicella in Shaanxi Province
ZHU Ni, YANG Guojing, WANG Shu, LI Xinxin
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(2):272-275
Objective:
To grasp the distribution characteristics and incidence trend of varicella in Shaanxi Province, so as to provide a reference for scientific and accurate prevention and control strategies.
Methods:
Data of 161 377 varicella cases in Shaanxi Province from 2016 to 2023 were collected and described from Surveillance Report Management System, a subsystem of National Disease Control and Prevention Information Systems of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. FlexScan 3.1.2 software was used to determine irregular spatial clustering, and spatial clustering area was detected for each year.
Results:
The incidence of varicella in Shaanxi Province showed a seasonal bimodal distribution with peaks from April to July (36.68%) and from October to next January (48.07%). The cases were mainly concentrated in the 3-12 years old group (60.50%), and there was a trend of high incidence age shift within the 0-19 age group from 2021. Most of the cases were students (62.40%) and preschool children ( 17.78 %). The outbreaks mainly occurred in primary schools (76.47%). The regional distribution was mainly concentrated in some areas of southern Shaanxi and Guanzhong. Through spatial analysis, the primary clusters were primarily concentrated in Ankang and Hanzhong cities in southern Shaanxi from 2016 to 2023, and the secondary clusters were mainly found in some areas of Guanzhong (Xi an, Baoji and Weinan cities).
Conclusions
Prevention and control of varicella should be focused on students and kindergartens aged 3-12 years in southern and Guanzhong areas of Shaanxi Province. Continuous varicella surveillance and vaccination measures should be carried out, and the two dose vaccination strategy and intensive vaccination of key groups should be actively promoted.
3.Epidemiological characteristics and trends of non-suicidal self-injury among middle school students in Jiading District of Shanghai from 2015 to 2023
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(9):1282-1286
Objective:
To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and changing trends of non suicidal self injury (NSSI) behaviors among middle school students in Jiading District of Shanghai, from 2015 to 2023, so as to provide a basis for the development of NSSI prevention and control measures among students.
Methods:
Using a stratified cluster random sampling method, a total of five times for Shanghai Adolescent Health Risk Behavior Surveys were conducted for every two years in Jiading District of Shanghai from 2015 to 2023. A total of 5 231 middle school students from junior high schools and senior high schools were selected for questionnaire surveys. Intergroup comparisons were performed using the x 2 test or the χ 2 trend test, and the JointPoint 5.0 software was used to analyze the changing trends, with the annual percent change (APC) used for evaluation. A binary Logistic regression model was employed to analyze the related factors of NSSI behavior among middle school students.
Results:
In 2023, the reported NSSI rate among middle school students in Jiading District was 14.2%. The rate was significantly higher among junior high school students (17.1%) than that among senior high school students (11.1%), and higher among females (19.2%) than that among males (10.0%) ( χ 2=10.04, 23.21, both P <0.01). From 2015 to 2023, the overall reported NSSI rate showed an increasing trend, rising from 8.6% in 2015 to 14.2% in 2023 ( χ 2 trend =22.25), with an APC of 6.64% ( t =3.49), and the APC for girls was 9.79 % ( t =3.20) (all P <0.05). Among students reporting NSSI, the proportion experiencing ≥6 episodes increased from 10.8% in 2015 to 19.2% in 2023 ( χ 2 trend =6.57, P <0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that girls, junior high school students, those with insomnia, depressive emotion and drinkers had higher risks of NSSI, compared to boys, senior high school students, those without insomnia, non depressive emotion students and non drinkers ( OR =1.71, 1.96, 3.44, 4.76, 1.77, all P < 0.05 ).
Conclusions
The reported rate of NSSI among middle school students in Jiading District of Shanghai, increased annually from 2015 to 2023, and the proportion of repeated NSSI also showed an upward trend. Early intervention measures targeting middle school students, especially junior high school students and females, should be implemented to prevent and control its occurrence and development.
4.Longitudinal association of dietary behavior scores trajectories with anxiety and depression symptoms among middle school students in Jiading District, Shanghai
TONG Min, LIU Xinxin, ZHANG qin, JING Guangzhuang, ZHU Yanhong, SHI Huijing
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(5):694-698
Objective:
To analyze the trajectory of dietary behaviors among middle school students in Jiading District, Shanghai, from 2021 to 2023, and longitudinally verify their association with anxiety and depression symptoms, aiming to provide scientific evidence for promoting the mental health of adolescents.
Methods:
The data were sourced from the National Monitoring and Intervention Project on Common Diseases and Health Impact Factors of students in Jiading District, Shanghai. A total of 1 217 middle school students who participated in at least two surveys from 2021 to 2023 were selected as the research objects, and group-based trajectory model was constructed to identify their dietary behavior scores trajectories. Modified Poisson regression was used to investigate the impact of dietary behavior scores trajectories on anxiety and depression, while Logistic regression was employed to explore the association between trajectories and changes in depression score levels.
Results:
The dietary behavior scores trajectories of middle school students were divided into three groups: Persistent Healthy Dietary Behavior (9.5%), Persistent Relatively Unhealthy Dietary Behavior (85.0%), and Persistent Very Unhealthy Dietary Behavior (5.5%). Students who perceived their academic performance as poor and whose parents had a cultural level of high school or below had a significantly lower proportion in the Persistent Healthy Dietary Behavior group compared to students with other characteristics ( χ 2=12.87, 8.69, 6.50, P <0.05). Compared with the Persistent Healthy Dietary Behavior group, the risk of anxiety symptoms in middle school students in the Persistent Very Unhealthy Dietary Behavior group was significantly increased ( aRR=3.04, 95%CI =1.15-8.02); Persistent Relatively Unhealthy Dietary Behavior and Persistent Very Unhealthy Dietary Behavior increased the risk of depressive symptoms ( aRR = 1.80 , 2.45, respectively), and were positively correlated with the increase in depression scores ( aOR =1.70, 2.24) ( P <0.05).
Conclusions
The dietary behavior of middle school students have not changed significantly in the past three years, with persistent unhealthy dietary behavior being the most common. Unhealthy dietary behaviors are positively correlated with the risk of anxiety and depressive symptoms and an increase in depression scores.
5.Construction, breeding, and gene identification of TREM2 knockout mice
Rong Huang ; Xinxin Zhao ; Hui Xue ; Mengjuan Zhu ; Jiajie Tu ; Xinming Wang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(6):977-983
Objective :
To construct triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2(TREM2) gene knockout(TREM2-/-) mice using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, to breed TREM2-/- mice and to analyze the genotype of TREM2-/- mice.
Methods :
CRISPR/Cas9 technology was used to selectively knock out exon 2-3 regions of TREM2 gene to construct a TREM2-/- mouse model, and the genetic background of all mice was C57BL/6J. Polymerase chain reaction(PCR) was used to identify the genotype of mice. Quantitative real-time PCR(qPCR) and Western blot were used to detect the expression level of TREM2 in major tissues of mice, and the authenticity and scientific nature of PCR identification results were verified from mRNA level and protein level. According to the sgRNA sequence, the possible off-target sites were predicted on the CCTop website, and the tail DNA of mice was extracted and amplified by PCR and then Sanger sequencing was performed to detect whether there was off-target effect in TREM2-/- mice.
Results :
TREM2-/- mice were successfully constructed by CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and the mice were genotyped. The results of agarose gel electrophoresis showed that the mouse genotype with only 415 bp band amplified was wild type(WT), the mouse genotype of the 449 bp band amplified only was TREM2-/-, and the mouse genotypes amplified with 415 bp and 449 bp double bands were heterozygous. qPCR results showed that compared with WT mice, the mRNA expression of TREM2 in heart and brain tissues of TREM2-/- mice was down-regulated(P-/- mice was reduced(P-/- mice.
Conclusion
TREM2-/- mice are successfully constructed and bred, a reliable genotype identification method is established, the genetic stability of the mouse model is verified, which will provide an important genetic animal model for the study of TREM2 gene function.
6.Evaluation of vaccine's effectiveness based on school varicella outbreaks
Ni ZHU ; Wenming BIAN ; Xinxin LI ; Shu WANG ; Ruidong LV ; Guojing YANG
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(3):517-521
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of vaccination on the onset of varicella and clinical symptoms of varicella based on the survey data of varicella outbreaks in schools.Methods Six schools with chickenpox outbreaks in Shaanxi Province were selected as the sites,and students in the classes or dormitories where the cases were located were chosen as the research subjects.A 1∶2 matching case control was used to conduct a questionnaire survey to analyze the relationship between the history of varicella vaccine immunization and the incidence of chickenpox so as to evaluate the effectiveness of varicella vaccine.Results The total prevalence of the six varicella outbreaks involved in this study was 1.39%.The proportion of chickenpox vaccinations was 44.53%,of which 15.78% were vaccinations with two doses.The overall effectiveness of varicella vaccine was 63.52% (95% CI:40.690%-77.560%),and the effectiveness of one and two doses was 58.72% and 72.90%,respectively.The effectiveness of varicella vaccine against moderate to high fever and moderate to severe rash was 82.77% and 76.27%,respectively.The risk of chickenpox in people with vaccination intervals of 6 to 8 years and ≥ 9 years was 13.05 times and 3.93 times higher than that of those vaccinated before the age of 3 years,respectively.Conclusion Varicella vaccine has a good effectiveness on high-exposure people,and the effectiveness of two doses is better than that of one dose.Varicella vaccination can lessen the clinical symptoms of chickenpox.It is recommended to further strengthen the publicities of varicella vaccination and increase the number of children to complete two doses of varicella vaccination before entering nurseries,so as to actively and effectively control varicella outbreaks.
7.Construction and validation of a risk prediction model for low fall alertness in elderly inpatients
Xinxin LI ; Xiaoju TENG ; Xinkai ZHOU ; Hongmei MA ; Yating HAN ; Yingxia LI ; Jiamei ZHU ; Kun LUO
Journal of Shenyang Medical College 2025;27(1):12-19
Objective:To analyze the influencing factors of low fall alertness in elderly inpatients,construct a risk prediction model and validate it,providing a reference for clinical medical staff to identify elderly inpatients with low fall alertness in the early stage.Methods:A total of 605 elderly inpatients treated in Yijishan Hospital affiliated to Wannan Medical College from Oct 2023 to Mar 2024 were enrolled and randomly divided into the training group(n=423)and validation group(n=182)at a ratio of 7∶3.The patients were evaluated using a general information questionnaire,the Social Frailty Screening Tool(HALFT),the Tilburg Frailty Indicator(TFI),and the Self-Awareness of Falls in Elderly scale(SAFE).Multivariate logistic analysis was used to determine the influencing factors of low fall alertness in elderly inpatients.RStudio was used to construct a risk prediction model of low fall alertness.The discrimination,calibration,and clinical net benefit of the model were verified using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves,calibration plots,and decision curve analysis(DCA).Results:Multivariate logistic analysis showed that the history of falls,monthly income,previous physical activity time,social frailty score and TFI score were independent risk factors for low fall alertness in elderly inpatients.The Hosmer-Lemeshow χ2 test showed that χ2=8.863,P=0.354,indicating good calibration of the prediction model.The area under the ROC curve of the training group and the validation group were 0.860(95%CI:0.815-0.904)and 0.937(95%CI:0.888-0.986),respectively,and the maximum Youden indices of the model was 0.576 and 0.788,respectively,indicating good discrimination of the model.The DCA decision curve showed that the model had good clinical effectiveness.Conclusion:The constructed model has a good prediction effect and can help clinical medical staff quickly and effectively screen out elderly inpatients at risk of low fall alertness.
8.Systematic review and Meta-analysis of unavoidable pressure injuries
Chengrui ZHANG ; Ying XING ; Zhu ZHU ; Xinxin WANG ; Wei LUAN
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(10):760-767
Objective:To conduct a systematic review and Meta-analysis of unavoidable pressure injuries (uPI) to provide evidence-based guidance for establishing standardized intervention protocols.Methods:Cross-sectional and cohort studies on uPI were systematically retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and China Biology Medicine disc databases up to February 5, 2024. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias in the included studies. Meta-analysis was performed using R4.3.2 software.Results:A total of 9 studies involving 10 research items were included. The Meta-analysis showed that the proportion of uPI was 42.92%. Subgroup analysis revealed that the proportions of uPI in acute care hospitals, intensive care units, and long-term care facilities were 53.14%, 33.56%, and 40.97%, respectively. The proportions in North America and Europe were 40.26% and 44.99%, respectively. The proportions of uPI in studies published between 2010-2015, 2016-2020, and 2021-2024 were 63.25%, 37.00%, and 40.61%, respectively. The proportions of uPI assessed using the Pressure Ulcer Prevention Inventory, National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel definition, empirical judgment, NHS definition, and end-stage pressure injury definition were 40.38%, 26.17%, 40.00%, 62.07%, and 51.32%, respectively.Conclusions:The incidence of uPI is high, with significant differences across healthcare settings, continents, years, and assessment criteria. A universal definition of uPI should be established, along with unified assessment standards, to optimize uPI care strategies and provide references for standardized prevention and intervention.
9.Efficacy and safety of subcutaneous stripping combined with gold radiofrequency dot matrix microneedles in treatment of atrophic acne scar
Xinxin XUE ; Haiying WANG ; Hongwei ZHU ; Jianhua LI ; Ailan LI ; Laiqiang GAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Aesthetics and Cosmetology 2025;31(3):232-236
Objective:To observe the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous stripping combined with gold radiofrequency dot matrix microneedles in the treatment of atrophic acne scar.Methods:A total of 122 patients with atrophic acne scar in Dongying People′s Hospital from January 2023 to January 2024 were prospectively included and divided into two groups by random number table method: Observation group, 61 patients, including 37 males and 24 females, aged 20-43 (31.5±4.7) years, received subcutaneous stripping combined with gold radiofrequency dot matrix microneedles; Control group, 61 patients, including 33 males and 28 females, aged 22-44 (32.6±4.5) years, were treated with subcutaneous dissection. Patients in both groups were treated once every 4 weeks for a total of 3 times. The total effective rate, skin barrier function, wound recovery time, scar condition and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results:The total effective rate of the observation group was 93.4% (57/61), which was higher than that of the control group [75.4% (46/61), P=0.005]. After treatment, the corneum protein content, lactate stimulation test score, skin erythema (a value), and transdermal water loss (TEWL) of the observation group were (29.52±3.22) μg, (1.72±0.18) min, 15.10±2.21, and (18.31±3.35) g/(h·m 2), respectively. They were lower than those (35.24±4.17) μg, (2.75±0.24) min, 19.14±2.57, and (21.23±4.52) g/(h·m 2) in the control group (all P<0.001). The wound healing time, shedding time and scab time in the observation group were (3.42±0.67), (6.57±1.21) and (1.73±0.32) d, respectively, which were shorter than those (5.31±0.99), (8.26±1.48) and (2.85±0.47) d in the control group (all P<0.001). The acne scar clinical score scale (ECCA) and Vancouver scar scale (VSS) scores in the observation group were (38.10±5.29) and (5.23±0.82) points, respectively, which were lower than those (43.65±6.44) and (6.34±0.97) points in the control group (all P<0.001). The incidence of adverse reactions was 11.5% (7/61) in the observation group and 8.2% (5/61) in the control group, the difference was not statistically significant ( P=0.540). Conclusion:Subcutaneous stripping combined with gold radiofrequency dot matrix microneedles is effective in the treatment of atrophic acne scars, which can improve skin barrier function, shorten wound recovery time, and improve scar symptoms with good safety.
10.The value of coronary CT angiography-based traditional features and radiomics in identification of culprit plaques to cause acute myocardial infarction
Pei NIE ; Shuo ZHANG ; Yan DENG ; Shifeng YANG ; Xinxin YU ; Kaiyue ZHI ; He ZHU ; Peng LI ; Jingjing CUI ; Wenjing CHEN ; Yanmei WANG ; Yuchao XU ; Dapeng HAO ; Ximing WANG
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(9):1017-1028
Objective:To investigate the value of coronary CTA (CCTA)-based traditional features and radiomics of plaque in the identification of culprit lesions that caused acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Methods:This was a retrospective multicenter study. From July 2016 to November 2023, a total of 344 patients from the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University (training cohort, n=184), Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University (validation cohort, n=88) and Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (test cohort, n=72) who received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) due to AMI and underwent CCTA within 48 hours of AMI were enrolled. The culprit plaques and non-culprit plaques were identified using a combination of electrocardiogram, CCTA, and angiographic findings. The vessel, plaque location, plaque type, Coronary Artery Disease-Reporting and Data System (CAD-RADS) score, high-risk plaque characteristics, plaque length, plaque volume, and burden were analyzed, and 1 904 radiomics features were extracted for each plaque. The traditional imaging model, the radiomics model, and the combined model were established by using multivariate Logistic regression analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the performance of each model in identifying culprit lesions. The DeLong test was used for the comparison of AUC between every two models. The net reclassification index (NRI) was used to evaluate the incremental value of the combined model to the traditional imaging model and the radiomics model. The decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to assess the clinical net benefit of these models. A correlation heatmap was used to evaluate the correlation between the radiomics score and traditional CCTA factors. The interpretable analysis of the decision process of the combined model was performed by the Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP). Results:In the validation cohort and the test cohort, the AUC of the traditional imaging model developed by the vessel, plaque type, positive remodeling and CAD-RADS score was 0.898 (95% CI 0.869-0.922) and 0.881 (95% CI 0.848-0.910), respectively. The radiomics model developed by six radiomics features was 0.863 (95% CI 0.831-0.891) and 0.863 (95% CI 0.827-0.864), respectively. The AUC of the combined model was 0.930 (95% CI 0.905-0.950)and 0.919 (95% CI 0.889-0.942), respectively. In the validation cohort and the test cohort, the AUC of the combined model was higher than that of the traditional imaging model ( Z=4.013, 4.272, P<0.001) and that of the radiomics model ( Z=4.819, 3.784, P<0.001), respectively. In the validation cohort, the combined model yielded an NRI of 20.43% (95% CI 10.43%-30.44%, P<0.001) and 20.21% (95% CI 9.62%-30.80%, P<0.001) for identifying culprit lesions compared with the traditional imaging model and the radiomics model, respectively. In the test cohort, the combined model yielded an NRI of 28.05% (95% CI 16.72%-39.38%, P<0.001) and 23.57% (95% CI 13.58%-33.56%, P<0.001) for identifying culprit lesions compared with the traditional imaging model and the radiomics model, respectively. DCA showed the combined model had the highest clinical net benefit. The correlation heatmap showed the radiomics score was not correlated or only weakly correlated with traditional CCTA factors. SHAP indicated the radiomics and CAD-RADS score contributed significantly to the model. Conclusion:The CCTA-based traditional features and radiomics of plaque have favorable performance for the identification of culprit plaques in patients with AMI.


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