1.Association of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes with blood lipid profiles and cardiovascular prognosis in post-percutaneous coronary intervention atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease patients: a prospective cohort study
Huangyu XU ; Qian LI ; Haozhe XIONG ; Weidong HONG ; Xinyi ZHOU ; Xiaoyan LU ; Xiaoli LIU ; Xinrong FAN
Digital Chinese Medicine 2026;9(1):91-102
Objective:
Patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are classified as very-high-risk individuals in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk stratification. The distribution pattern of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes in this patient population, as well as its association with blood lipid profiles and clinical prognosis, remains unclear. The present prospective cohort study aims to investigate these correlations, thereby providing insights to enrich the research fields.
Methods:
We enrolled consecutive patients with ASCVD who underwent PCI at the Integrated Cardiology Unit of China-Japan Friendship Hospital between September 1, 2020 and December 31, 2022. Demographics and clinical characteristics, signs and symptoms defining each TCM syndrome, and fasting venous blood samples were collected at baseline and follow up or upon major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). We analyzed the correlation between TCM syndromes, blood lipid profiles, and MACEs, and developed a new joint prognostic model incorporating both TCM syndromes and blood lipids using logistic regression. The analyses were based on detailed baseline and one-year follow-up data.
Results:
A per-protocol analysis was performed on 586 patients with complete data ultimately. During the one-year follow-up, 174 patients (29.69%) experienced a MACE. We performed statistical analyses on comorbidities, medication, and biochemical indicators across groups defined by TCM syndrome differentiation. When comparing different TCM syndromes, no significant differences were found in age, body mass index (BMI), history of revascularization, comorbidities, family history of CVD, smoking or drinking, or statin intensity (P > 0.05). Patients with intertwined phlegm and blood stasis syndrome exhibited significantly higher levels of total cholesterol (TC, 5.27 ± 1.18 mmol/L, P < 0.001), triglyceride (TG, 1.96 ± 1.33 mmol/L, P = 0.008), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, 3.35 ± 0.79 mmol/L, P < 0.001), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, 1.24 ± 0.81 mmol/L, P < 0.001) compared with those with other TCM syndromes combined. A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to predict MACEs. The model included TCM syndrome type [with intertwined phlegm and blood stasis as a predictor, adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.413, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.517 – 3.864, P = 0.501], age (adjusted OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.955 – 1.001, P = 0.057), male gender (adjusted OR = 0.698, 95% CI: 0.416 – 1.170, P = 0.173), TC (adjusted OR = 1.004, 95% CI: 0.513 – 1.965, P = 0.990), and LDL-C (adjusted OR = 5.825, 95% CI: 2.214 – 15.326, P < 0.001). This model demonstrated good discriminatory ability for MACEs in post-PCI ASCVD patients [the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) = 0.865, 95% CI: 0.816 – 0.914].
Conclusion
The intertwined phlegm and blood stasis TCM syndrome is associated with a distinct atherogenic lipid profile characterized by elevated levels of TC and LDL-C. The prognostic model that incorporates this TCM syndrome type along with conventional lipid parameters (TC and LDL-C) shows good discriminatory ability for predicting MACEs in ASCVD patients after PCI, underscoring the potential clinical utility of integrating TCM syndrome differentiation into CVD risk assessment.
2.Applications and prospects of prompt engineering in pharmaceutical popularization
Xinyi FAN ; Yan QIAN ; Mingyang ZHU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(11):1485-1489
OBJECTIVE This study aims to establish a prompt engineering system for large language models in pharmaceutical popularization, and provide references for pharmacists to carry out efficient and standardized science popularization work. METHODS This study systematically expounded the principles and classifications of prompt engineering, as well as its effect on alleviating problems including model output hallucinations and poor interpretability. The design and optimization strategies of prompt engineering were defined for two core scenarios, namely text-to-text and text-to-image. Typical examples were adopted to compare the output effects before and after application. In addition, the limitations of prompt engineering applied in pharmaceutical popularization at the current stage were summarized. RESULTS In the two major scenarios of pharmaceutical popularization, well-designed prompt engineering improved the accuracy, readability and efficiency of outputs generated by large language models, and produced personalized popularization content adapted to clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS Prompt engineering can effectively improve the output quality of pharmaceutical popularization. The formulated standardized prompt engineering templates tailored for pharmaceutical popularization, can help pharmacists improve the efficiency and quality of popularization content creation.
3.Research advances in prognostic score models and biomarkers for acute-on-chronic liver failure
Xinyi XU ; Xia YU ; Huilan TU ; Xiaohan QIAN ; Yida YANG ; Yu SHI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(6):1030-1036
Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a complex clinical syndrome, and early identification and accurate prognostic evaluation are of great importance for patient treatment and management. In recent years, with in-depth research on the pathogenesis of ACLF, multiple prognostic biomarkers have been proposed and used in clinical practice. This article systematically reviews the research advances in prognostic biomarkers for ACLF from the aspects of clinical predictive models, immunological biomarkers, metabolic biomarkers, genetic and epigenetic biomarkers, microbiome-related biomarkers, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and multi-omics, and it also discusses the value and application prospects of these biomarkers in the prognostic evaluation of ACLF and proposes future research directions, in order to provide a scientific and comprehensive reference for clinicians, guide individualized treatment and management of ACLF patients, and finally improve the clinical outcomes of patients.
4.Correlation between ICAM-1, CD62P, and inflammatory factors and cerebral artery stenosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction
Yunying WU ; Tao HAN ; Yanbo CHENG ; Qian ZHAO
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(5):89-92
Objective To investigate the correlation between levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), platelet surface P-selectin (CD62P), and inflammatory factors and cerebral artery stenosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI). Methods A total of 305 patients with ACI complicated with cerebral artery stenosis admitted to Zhongwu Hospital of Suqian City and Xinyi People's Hospital from January 2021 to December 2023 were selected as the research subjects. According to the degree of cerebral artery stenosis, they were divided into grade I group (stenosis degree<50%, n=85), grade II group (stenosis degree of 50%-75%, n=128), and grade III group (stenosis degree>75%, n=92). Sixty-eight ACI patients without cerebral artery stenosis during the same period were included in the reference group. The levels of serum inflammatory factors [C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-8 (IL-8)], ICAM-1 and CD62P were compared among the four groups. Spearman analysis was used to analyze the correlation between each factor and degree of cerebral artery stenosis. Results The levels of CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, ICAM-1 and CD62P in the grade I, II and III groups were higher than those in the reference group. The levels of these factors were higher in the grade II and III groups than those in the grade I group, while the levels of various factors were higher in the grade III group than those in the grade II group (P<0.05). Spearman analysis showed that CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, ICAM-1, and CD62P were positively correlated with the degree of cerebral artery stenosis in patients with ACI complicated with cerebral artery stenosis (P<0.05). Conclusion The levels of serum inflammatory factors, ICAM-1 and CD62P are significantly correlated with cerebral artery stenosis degree in patients with ACI.
5.Overview of Chemical Imaging Guidelines in the Chinese,United States and European Pharmacopoeias
Shifeng WEI ; Xinru QIAO ; Linghui QIAN ; Xinyi XU
Drug Standards of China 2025;26(4):345-348
In recent years,chemical imaging technology has found increasingly broad applications in pharmaceuti-cal analysis,encompassing component distribution analysis,assessment of mixing uniformity,content uniformity e-valuation,polymorphism identification,and studies of drug delivery mechanisms.Chemical imaging has been pro-gressively recognized as an efficient tool for real-time quality control and online analysis.This article provides an o-verview of the chemical imaging guidelines in the Chinese,United States,European pharmacopoeias.The discus-sion aims to promote the application of multi-information fusion technologies in pharmaceutical analysis,enhance regulatory efficiency,and further advance the high-quality development of the pharmaceutical industry in China.
6.Effects of SCRIB on proliferation,apoptosis and autophagy of glioblastoma cells by activating JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway
Xiaohan YAO ; Zhiqing WANG ; Mingchen YAO ; Danyang LI ; Heyang LI ; Xinyi SHEN ; Qian ZHANG ; Bin HAN
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(5):852-859
Objective To investigate the effects of scribble planar cell polarity protein(SCRIB)on proliferation,apoptosis,and autophagy of glioblastoma(GBM)and elucidate its potential underlying mechanisms.Methods The expression level of SCRIB in GBM tissue was queried through the Biomarker Exploration of Solid Tumors(BEST)database.Lentivirus-mediated shRNA interference was employed to downregulate SCRIB expression in human glioblastoma cell lines U87 and U251,which were divided into negative control group(mock)and SCRIB shRNA interference groups(kd1 and kd2).SCRIB expression levels were detected using Western blotting(WB)and quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR).EdU incorporation and cell apoptosis rates were detected by flow cytometry(FCM).CCK-8 assay was used to detect the proliferation vitality of U87 and U251 cells,and WB was used to detect the expression of proliferation-related proteins.Immunofluorescence(IF)staining was conducted to detect the expression of autophagy-related proteins LC3 and p62,followed by quantitative analysis across multiple fields.WB was also used to detect the expression levels of LC3,p62,and proteins in the JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway.Results Compared with that of normal tissues,SCRIB mRNA expression level was significantly upregulated in GBM tissues(P<0.05).FCM results showed that EdU incorporation rates were significantly reduced(P<0.001)while cell apoptosis rates were markedly increased(P<0.001)in U87 and U251 cells with SCRIB knockdown.CCK-8 results indicated that compared with the mock group,the proliferation vitality of U87 and U251 cells in the SCRIB knockdown group was significantly downregulated(P<0.001).IF staining showed that LC3 fluorescence aggregation was significantly enhanced(P<0.001),while p62 fluorescence aggregation was significantly reduced(P<0.001)in the SCRIB knockdown group.WB results showed that compared with the mock group,the protein expression levels of p27,LC3,p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 were upregulated,while C-Myc,Cyclin D1,MCM,PCNA and p62 were downregulated,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Conclusion Downregulation of SCRIB may induce autophagy and apoptosis in glioblastoma cells by inhibiting the JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway,thereby suppressing cell proliferation.
7.A comparative study of peripheral nerve conduction function in patients with Alzheimer disease and late-life depression
Xinyi QIAN ; Jun ZHAO ; Shifu XIAO ; Ling YUE
Chinese Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases 2025;51(8):462-468
Objective To compare the peripheral nerve conduction function among elderly individuals with late life depression(LLD),those with Alzheimer disease(AD),and with normal cognition(NC).Methods 29 LLD patients and 30 AD patients hospitalized in the Geriatrics Department,as well as 52 matched NC elderly(60 years old and over)were selected.Test and compare the sensory nerve conduction of the median nerve and the sural nerve,as well as the motor nerve conduction of the median nerve and the common peroneal nerve.The nerve conduction indicators were latency,amplitude,and conduction velocity.Results After controlling for gender,age,height,educational level,and somatic diseases with inter-group differences,the proximal latency[3.13(2.82,3.48)ms vs.3.62(3.10,4.42)ms,P=0.023],amplitude[proximal,(7.20±2.43)mV vs.(4.01±2.99)mV,P<0.001;distal,(6.16±2.25)mV vs.(4.03±3.19)mV,P<0.001],and velocity[(56.23±5.29)m/s vs.(49.44±5.87)m/s,P=0.002]of the median motor nerve conduction in AD group were worse than those in NC group.The latency[proximal,3.13(2.82,3.48)ms vs.4.17(3.36,4.85)ms,P<0.001;distal,7.24(6.82,7.84)ms vs.8.02(7.37,8.83)ms,P<0.001],and amplitude[proximal,(7.20±2.43)mV vs.(3.27±2.80)mV,P<0.001;distal,(6.16±2.25)mV vs.(3.05±2.85)mV,P<0.001]of the median motor nerve conduction in LLD group were worse than those in NC group as well.In terms of the common peroneal motor nerve conduction function,compared to NC group,AD group had slower velocity[(48.77±5.71)m/s vs.(41.86±5.02)m/s,P=0.033],and LLD group had longer proximal latency[4.14(3.38,5.48)ms vs.5.68(5.16,7.55)ms,P<0.001].Conclusion Both AD and LLD showed peripheral motor nerve conduction impairment,but with different patterns of dysfunction.These findings provided new directions for research into the mechanisms of the disease.
8.Experimental Study of lncRNA MALAT1 on Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells by Regulating miR-150-5p/XBP1 Axis
Qian ZHANG ; Xinyi TANG ; Lie WANG
Journal of Modern Laboratory Medicine 2025;40(4):79-85
Objective To investigate the effects of long non coding RNA(lncRNA)metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1(MALAT1)on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells(PDLSCs)by regulating the miR-150-5p/X-box binding protein 1(XBP1)axis.Methods Quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR)was used to detect the expression of lncRNA MALAT1,miR-150-5p and XBP1 mRNA in undifferentiated and differentiated PDLSCs.The third generation PDLSCs were divided into control group,pcDNA group,pcDNA-lncRNA MALAT1 group,anti-miR-NC group,anti-miR-150-5p group,pcDNA-lncRNA MALAT1+mimic NC group and pcDNA-lncRNA MALAT1+miR-150-5p mimic group.The expression of lncRNA MALAT1,miR-150-5p and XBP1 mRNA of PDLSCs were detected by qRT-PCR.CCK-8 and the clone formation assay were used to detect the proliferation of PDLSCs.P-nitrophenolphosphate substrate method was used to detect alkaline phosphatase(ALP)activity.Alizarin red staining was applied to detect the formation rate of mineralized nodules.Western blot was used to detect XBP1,Cyclin D1,osteocalcin(OCN),Runt related transcription factor 2(RUNX2)and osteopontin(OPN)proteins.Dual luciferase assay was used to verify the targeting relationship between lncRNA MALAT1 and miR-150-5p,and between miR-150-5p and XBP1 was validated.Results Compared with the undifferentiated group,the expression of lncRNA MALAT1(1.95±0.14 vs 1.00±0.00)and XBP1 mRNA expression(1.63±0.12 vs 1.00±0.00)increased in the differentiated PDLSCs,the expression of miR-150-5p decreased(0.26±0.01 vs 1.00±0.00)in differentiated group,with the differences were statistical significance(t=16.622,12.860,181.262,all P<0.001).Overexpression of lncRNA MALAT1 or down-regulation of miR-150-5p could promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human PDLSCs(t=13.693~45.518),miR-150-5p mimic reversed the effects of overexpression of lncRNA MALAT1 on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs(t=9.229~27.854),and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05),respectively.Dual luciferase assay confirmed that overexpression of miR-150-5P reduced the luciferase activity in transfected lncRNA MALAT1-WT and XBP1-WT cells(t=56.546,89.826,all P<0.001).Conclusion Overexpression of lncRNA MALAT1 may promote XBP1 expression by downregulating miR-150-5p,thereby promoting proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human PDLSCs.
9.Research on the construction and evaluation of an animal model of coronary heart disease and acute myocardial infarction based on the pathogenesis of"deficiency,stagnation,and toxicity"
Xiangyi QIAN ; Shuzhen GUO ; Xinyi FAN ; Lingwen CUI ; Aolong HE ; Kuo GAO ; Fanghe LI ; Xue YU ; Wei WANG
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(7):919-932
Objective To establish and evaluate a mouse model of acute myocardial infarction(AMI)with coronary heart disease(CHD)that integrates syndrome differentiation with disease diagnosis,based on the"deficiency-stagnation-toxicity"pathogenesis.Methods Forty-eight ICR mice were randomly divided into four groups using a random number table:sham-operated,normal diet,high-choline,and trimethylamine N-oxide(TMAO).From weeks 1 to 8,each group received corresponding dietary and water interventions.From the 9th week,the normal diet,high-choline,and TMAO groups underwent coronary artery ligation(left anterior descending artery,LAD).In contrast,the sham-operated group only had suture placement without ligation,maintaining the same dietary and water interventions.Data on general signs,body weight,food and water intake,urine and feces,auricle and paw conditions,and behavioral patterns were collected and compared macroscopically and microscopically to determine the syndrome type of the high-choline-induced AMI mouse model and observe changes in the"deficiency-stagnation-toxicity"syndrome indicators.After 12 weeks,echocardiography,hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,and Masson′s trichrome staining were used to assess cardiac function,myocardial tissue cellular morphology changes,and myocardial fibrosis levels,respectively.The stability and reliability of the model were evaluated by observing the fluorescence intensity of inflammatory cytokines in the myocardial tissues of each group using immunofluorescence.Results Mice in all groups post-AMI surgery exhibited significant weight loss,dull fur,lethargy,and reduced activity.Mice in the high-choline and TMAO groups showed more sluggish responses to stimuli.The high-choline and TMAO groups displayed increased food intake but slow weight gain from weeks 1 to 4,developing into a trend of"increased food and water intake with weight loss"from 5 to 8 weeks,accompanied by yellowish urine and dry stools(P<0.01).Postoperatively(9-12 weeks),body weight significantly decreased,with the most prominent weight loss observed in the high-choline group.The high-choline and TMAO groups exhibited abnormal RGB values in auricles and paws(P<0.01),and behavioral tests showed a significant decline in open-field activity(P<0.01).Cardiac function and pathological examinations revealed that,compared with the sham-operated and normal diet groups,mice in the high-choline and TMAO groups had increased left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes(P<0.01),decreased left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening(P<0.01),and elevated heart indices(P<0.05).HE staining of myocardial tissues indicated more pyknotic nuclei and inflammatory cell infiltration in the high-choline and TMAO groups.Masson′s trichrome staining showed extensive blue-stained collagen fiber distribution in the infarct border zones of the high-choline and TMAO groups,with aggravated fibrosis(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence revealed elevated interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels in the high-choline and TMAO groups compared with the sham-operated and normal diet groups(P<0.01).Conclusion A high-choline diet combined with LAD ligation successfully established an animal model of AMI with CHD that integrates syndrome differentiation with disease diagnosis,based on the"deficiency-stagnation-toxicity"pathogenesis.This model not only embodies the traditional Chinese medicine theory′s understanding of the pathogenic features of"deficiency-stagnation-toxicity",but also serves as a reference for assessing the interventional effects of Chinese herbal compound prescriptions and facilitating research on syndrome patterns in traditional Chinese medicine.
10.Mechanisms of cycloastragenol in ameliorating azithromycin-induced drug-induced liver injury
Cuifeng ZHANG ; Haiyi QIAN ; Yichen HE ; Jiayin WANG ; Xinyi XIE ; Qixiang XU ; Wenjun GUO
Journal of Shenyang Medical College 2025;27(2):141-148
Objective:To investigate the targets and mechanisms of cycloastragenol in ameliorating azithromycin-induced drug-induced liver injury(DILI)based on network pharmacology and in vitro experiment validation.Methods:Potential targets of cycloastragenol and DILI were predicted using databases.The common and key targets were screened and subjected to GO and KEGG enrichment analyses,as well as molecular docking validation.Primary hepatocytes from C57BL/6 mice were isolated.The optimal concentration and time for azithromycin-induced DILI in mouse primary hepatocytes were determined using CCK8 and ROS assays.The expression of genes and proteins such as NF-κB p65,p-NF-κB p65,AMPKα,and p-AMPKα was assessed using RT-qPCR and Western blot to evaluate the intervention effect of cycloastragenol(10-50 μmol/L).Results:Network pharmacology analysis identified 10 key genes related to cycloastragenol's improvement of DILI,including heat shock protein 90AA1(HSP90AA1),matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP2),etc.GO enrichment analysis suggested that cycloastragenol primarily regulates biological processes such as membrane potential and chemical synaptic transmission,and affects cellular components such as neuronal cell bodies and distal axons,and related kinase activities.KEGG enrichment analysis showed that it mainly exerts intervention effects through neuro-signaling pathways and IL-17 signaling pathways.Molecular docking demonstrated strong binding of cycloastragenol to HSP90AA1,MMP2,NF-κB p65,AMPKα,nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2),heme oxygenase 1(HO-1),and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1),with a binding energy≤-5.0 kcal/mol for Nrf2.In vitro experiments showed that azithromycin(50 μmol/L,12 h)significantly reduced hepatocyte viability and increased ROS levels(P<0.01).Different concentrations of cycloastragenol significantly improved the activity of mouse primary hepatocytes,reduced the generation of intracellular ROS,downregulated the phosphorylation level of NF-κB p65,and upregulated the mRNA and protein levels of AMPKα,Nrf2,HO-1,NQO1(P<0.05).Conclusions:Cycloastragenol may alleviate azithromycin-induced hepatocyte oxidative stress and inflammation by inhibiting NF-κB phosphorylation and activating the AMPK/Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 pathway,with its mechanism likely closely linked to targeting Nrf2.However,the complex mechanisms of DILI may involve additional unverified pathways.Therefore,further studies are necessary to validate the efficacy and safety of cycloastragenol in animal models.


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