1.The mechanism of Laggerae Herba in improving chronic heart failure by inhibiting ferroptosis through the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway
Jinling XIAO ; Kai HUANG ; Xiaoqi WEI ; Xinyi FAN ; Wangjing CHAI ; Jing HAN ; Kuo GAO ; Xue YU ; Fanghe LI ; Shuzhen GUO
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(3):343-353
Objective:
To investigate the role and mechanism of the heat-clearing and detoxifying drug Laggerae Herba in regulating the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2(Nrf2)/solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) signaling pathway to inhibit ferroptosis and improve chronic heart failure induced by transverse aortic arch constriction in mice.
Methods:
Twenty-four male ICR mice were divided into the sham (n=6) and transverse aortic arch constriction groups (n=18) according to the random number table method. The transverse aortic arch constriction group underwent transverse aortic constriction surgery to establish models. After modeling, the transverse aortic arch constriction group was further divided into the model, captopril, and Laggerae Herba groups according to the random number table method, with six mice per group. The captopril (15 mg/kg) and Laggerae Herba groups (1.95 g/kg) received the corresponding drugs by gavage, whereas the sham operation and model groups were administered the same volume of ultrapure water by gavage once a day for four consecutive weeks. After treatment, the cardiac function indexes of mice in each group were detected using ultrasound. The heart mass and tibia length were measured to calculate the ratio of heart weight to tibia length. Hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to observe the pathological changes in myocardial tissue. Masson staining was used to observe the degree of myocardial fibrosis. Wheat germ agglutinin staining was used to observe the degree of myocardial cell hypertrophy. Prussian blue staining was used to observe the iron deposition in myocardial tissue. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and glutathione (GSH) contents in mice serum. Colorimetry was used to detect the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in mice serum. Western blotting was used to detect the Nrf2, GPX4, SLC7A11, and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) protein expressions in mice cardiac tissue.
Results:
Compared with the sham group, in the model group, the ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) of mice decreased, the left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) increased, the left ventricular anterior wall end-systolic thickness (LVAWs) and left ventricular posterior wall end-systolic thickness (LVPWs) decreased, the ratio of heart weight to tibia length increased, the myocardial tissue morphology changed, myocardial fibrosis increased, the cross-sectional area of myocardial cells increased, iron deposition appeared in myocardial tissue, the serum NT-proBNP and MDA levels increased, the GSH level decreased, and Nrf2, GPX4, SLC7A11, and FTH1 protein expressions in cardiac tissue decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, in the captopril and Laggerae Herba groups, the EF, FS, and LVAWs increased, the LVESV and LVESD decreased, the ratio of heart weight to tibia length decreased, the myocardial cells were arranged neatly, the degree of myocardial fibrosis decreased, the cross-sectional area of myocardial cells decreased, the serum NT-proBNP level decreased, and the GSH level increased. Compared with the model group, the LVPWs increased, the iron deposition in myocardial tissue decreased, the serum MDA level decreased, and Nrf2, GPX4, SLC7A11, and FTH1 protein expressions in cardiac tissue increased (P<0.05) in the Laggerae Herba group.
Conclusion
Laggerae Herba improves the cardiac function of mice with chronic heart failure caused by transverse aortic arch constriction, reduces the pathological remodeling of the heart, and reduces fibrosis. Its mechanism may be related to Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway-mediated ferroptosis.
2.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.
3.Establishment and evaluation of an animal model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction integrating disease and syndrome based on the "deficiency-blood stasis-toxin" pathogenesis
Xiaoqi WEI ; Xinyi FAN ; Feng JIANG ; Wangjing CHAI ; Jinling XIAO ; Fanghe LI ; Kuo GAO ; Xue YU ; Wei WANG ; Shuzhen GUO
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(4):501-515
Objective:
This study aimed to construct an animal model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) that integrates disease and syndrome based on the "deficiency-blood stasis-toxin" pathogenesis and to evaluate it comprehensively.
Methods:
The HFpEF mouse model was constructed using a combination of Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and a high-fat diet. According to the random number table method, SPF-grade male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to the control, L-NAME, high-fat diet, and model groups, 10 in each group. Comprehensive observations and data collection on macroscopic signs (e.g., fur condition, mental state, stool and urine, oral and nasal condition, paw and body condition, etc.) and cardiac function were performed after 10 and 16 weeks of model induction. Additionally, the syndrome evolution was elucidated based on diagnostic criteria for clinical syndromes of heart failure. Furthermore, pathological and molecular biological examinations of myocardial tissue were performed to assess the stability and reliability of the model.
Results:
Mice in the model group showed typical characteristics of syndrome of qi deficiency and blood stasis, as well as syndrome of internal heat accumulation, including lethargy, slow response, dull paw color and oral/nasal color, exercise intolerance, abnormal platelet activation, dry feces, and dark yellow urine. The time window for these syndromes was between 10 and 16 weeks post-modeling. Cardiac function assessments revealed severe diastolic dysfunction, concentric myocardial hypertrophy, and myocardial fibrosis in the model group. Pathological examinations showed a significantly increased collagen deposition in the myocardial interstitium, enlarged cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes, and sparse coronary microvasculature in the model group. Molecular biological analyses indicated marked activation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase/nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells/NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 inflammatory pathway and significantly elevated inflammation levels in the myocardial tissue of the model group. Although mice in the L-NAME and high-fat diet groups also showed certain manifestations of qi deficiency syndrome, the substantial cardiac damage was relatively limited compared to the control group.
Conclusion
This study has constructed an animal model of HFpEF that integrates disease and syndrome based on the "deficiency-blood stasis-toxin" pathogenesis. The macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of this model are consistent with the manifestations of syndrome of qi deficiency and blood stasis, toxin syndrome, and syndrome of internal heat accumulation. Moreover, it can stably simulate the HFpEF state and reflect phenotypic changes in human disease. This model provides a suitable experimental platform to explore the pathogenesis of HFpEF, evaluate the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment regimens, and promote in-depth research on TCM syndromes of heart failure.
4.Practice of navigation bronchoscopy and artificial intelligence in the basic navigational bronchoscopy skills and technique training
Dingpei HAN ; Xinyi WANG ; Yanli XU ; Xijia FENG ; Yu ZHANG ; Lihua DENG ; Xiaoyang LI ; Hecheng LI
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2024;23(10):1326-1330
Objective:To investigate the effects of navigation bronchoscopy and artificial intelligence in the standardized training of residents on basic bronchoscopy skills, with the goal of enhancing their practical abilities.Methods:We selected 26 trainees (14 on standardized training of residents and 12 on standardized training of specialists) who participated in the basic navigational bronchoscopy skills and technique training (NBSTAT) at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from September 2023 to January 2024. The training was structured around a modular curriculum with navigation as the core design concept, consisting of five modules: lesion identification, precise localization, route planning, navigation operation, and real-time error correction. Theoretical teaching and skill practice were combined. The skill proficiency of the trainees was assessed using the Ruijin Hospital bronchoscopy simulation training system and the electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy system. SPSS 26.0 was used to perform the t-test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test for comparisons. Results:After the training, the trainees as a whole showed significant improvements in practicing the skills, with the simulated operation time was reduced from (125.08±48.16) seconds to (77.69±24.75) seconds, the number of errors decreased from 1 to 0, the total score increased from (60.77±15.01) to (75.19±17.63), and the navigation operation time was reduced from 3 (3, 4) minutes to 2 (2, 3) minutes (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in these assessment items between resident trainees and specialist trainees. The satisfaction rate of the trainees with the training reached 100.00%. Conclusions:The curriculum is effective in basic bronchoscopy skill training, remarkably enhancing the bronchoscopy skills of resident and specialist physicians, which is a useful approach for physicians to cope with the continuous development of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for pulmonary diseases.
5.Comparison of system architecture between Chinese,United States,European and Japanese pharmacopoeias
Xinyi XU ; Zhen LIU ; Leran TAO ; Haoyun SONG ; Dan LI ; Wenli YU ; Guannan WANG ; Hao LI ; Zhaopeng YANG
Drug Standards of China 2024;25(3):209-219
The standard system refers to the scientific organic whole formed by the internal connections of stand-ards within a certain range.The completeness of the drug standard system plays a crucial role in ensuring drug safety.Pharmacopoeia is the core of the drug standard system.This article compared the architecture of the Chi-nese Pharmacopoeia,the United States Pharmacopoeia,the European Pharmacopoeia,and the Japanese Pharma-copoeia on the aspects of overall architecture,monographs architecture,general notice architecture,general tech-nical requirements architecture,and other standard architecture,as well as the implementation of various types of standards,aiming to provide reference for the optimization and improvement of the standard system of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.
6.Research progress of factors influencing the efficacy of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Gulinigeer·AINIWAER ; Han XIE ; Xinyi CHEN ; Xudong MA ; Weihong GE ; Feng YU
China Pharmacist 2024;27(5):885-891
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs)are widely used to treat osteoarthritis,rheumatoid arthritis,and acute and chronic painful diseases.Significant interindividual heterogeneity in the efficacy of NSAIDs has been found in patients,which can lead to treatment failure or life-threatening adverse drug reactions.This review will discuss the causes of the variability in the efficacy of NSAIDs in terms of CYP2C9 enzyme gene polymorphism,cyclooxygenase enzyme gene polymorphism,and differences in the intestinal microbiota,to provide a reference for the development of individualized dosing regimens for NSAIDs.
7.Cognition and participation intention of patient-reported outcomes in patients with lower limb deep vein thrombosis: a qualitative study
Ranxun AN ; Yuan XU ; Lei WANG ; Yu WANG ; Haibo DENG ; Jianhua SUN ; Xiaojie WANG ; Liyun ZHU ; Qiaodan LU ; Xinyi ZHOU ; Yufen MA
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(1):95-100
Objective:To explore the cognition and intention of patients with lower limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT) to participate in patient-reported outcomes (PROs), so as to provide references for the promotion, application, and practice of PROs in lower limb DVT patients in China.Methods:This study adopted the phenomenological qualitative research method. From February to June 2023, 13 lower limb DVT patients admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital were selected for semi-structured in-depth interviews. Colaizzi 7-step analysis method was used for analyzing and summarizing data.Results:Thirteen patients with lower limb DVT highly recognized their own value in participating in PROs, namely health benefits, prevention of DVT complications, and reduction of disease uncertainty. Lower limb DVT patients expected to receive support from healthcare professionals, families, and portable and simplified reporting formats to promote their participation in PROs. From the patient 's own perspective, they perceived that insufficient attention to DVT caused by lack of awareness of the hazards of DVT and limited understanding of PROs made it difficult for them to participate in PROs. Conclusions:Lower limb DVT patients have a high intention to participate in PROs. The application and promotion of PROs in lower limb DVT patients in China require joint support from various sectors of society, among which strengthening effective health education for patients and their families and providing multi-channel reporting forms are the key to promoting of PROs.
8.Development of the PICC-related Thrombosis Prevention Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Questionnaire for Nurses and its reliability and validity
Ning ZHANG ; Yuan XU ; Haibo DENG ; Lei WANG ; Liyun ZHU ; Qiaodan LU ; Ranxun AN ; Xinyi ZHOU ; Yu WANG ; Jianhua SUN ; Yufen MA ; Xiaojie WANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(4):453-460
Objective:To construct a tool to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of nurses in the prevention of thrombosis related to peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) .Methods:From December 2022 to April 2023, based on the theory of knowledge, attitude, and practice, a preliminary draft of the PICC-related Thrombosis Prevention Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Questionnaire for Nurses was formed through systematic literature review, two rounds of Delphi expert consultations, and pre-survey. In May 2023, convenience sampling was used to select 573 nurses from Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College Hospital as the research subject for a survey to conduct item analysis, validity testing, and reliability testing on the questionnaire.Results:The final version of the PICC-related Thrombosis Prevention Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Questionnaire for Nurses included 20 knowledge items, 10 attitude items, and 10 practice items. In the content validity of the questionnaire, the average content validity index was 0.984, the overall consensus content validity index was 0.850, and the item level content validity index was 0.857 to 1.000. Exploratory factor analysis extracted three common factors with eigenvalues>1.000, with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 64.540% and factor loadings of 0.450 to 0.908 for each item. The total Cronbach's α coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.895, the half reliability coefficient was 0.947, and the retest reliability coefficient was 0.966.Conclusions:The PICC-related Thrombosis Prevention Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Questionnaire for Nurses has good reliability and validity, and can be used to evaluate PICC-related thrombosis prevention knowledge, attitude, and practice among nurses.
9.Enhancement of anti-tumor effect of immune checkpoint inhibitor anti-PD-L1 by shenqifuzheng injection and the mechanism study
Zhihua ZHOU ; Jingwen CHANG ; Yuanyuan YAN ; Yanan QI ; Jingjing HAN ; Xinyi ZHU ; Chen YU ; Hongyan WU ; Fangtian FAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2024;29(7):792-799
AIM:To investigate of the effect of Shenqifuzheng injection(SFI)combined with PD-L1 antibody on tumor immune microenvironment and its efficacy.METHODS:A subcutaneous transplanta-tion tumor model for B16F10-LUC melanoma was created.The expression of Ki67,CD31,CD8,CD16,CD163,FOXP3,LY6C,LY6G with labeling antibodies was used to detect CD8+T cells,Treg cells,NK cells,MDSCs cells,centrocytes,and granulocytes in the tumor tissues via immunohistochemistry.Flow cy-tometry was used to measure the ratios of CD11c+,IA/IE+,and CD80+cells in splenic tissue,as well as the ratios of CD8+T,CD4+T,and Treg cells in tumor tissue.Additionally,granulocyte count and NK cell expression were analyzed.RESULTS:The immuno-histochemistry results indicate that the drug admin-istration group effectively suppressed tumor angio-genesis and cell proliferation,while decreasing the expression level of immunosuppressive cytokines CD4+T cells,Treg cells,MDSCs and centroblasts.Ad-ditionally,CD8 and NK cell infiltration was promot-ed compared to the control group.The results of the flow analysis demonstrated a significant in-crease in the expression level of CD8+T cells within tumor tissues,as well as inhibition of CD4+T,Treg,and DC cell infiltration within the spleen in the drug administration group.Additionally,the tumor volume analysis indicated that the drug administra-tion group effectively inhibited tumor growth.The flow results illustrate that the group administering treatment exhibited significant increases in CD8+T cell expression levels in tumor tissue and DC cells in the spleen.Furthermore,the treatment effec-tively inhibited the infiltration of CD4+T and Treg cells.The results also indicate that the treatment significantly reduced tumor growth,with the tumor inhibition rate being better with PD-L1 antibody alone than with the SFI group.Additionally,combin-ing drugs resulted in superior results compared to the PD-L1 antibody group alone.CONCLUSION:SFI combined with a PD-L1 antibody can have synergis-tic anti-tumor effects,potentially enhancing DC cell infiltration and promoting T cell activation.Immu-nohistochemistry results indicate a positive impact on the tumor immune microenvironment.
10.A study on the current status of sarcopenia and diabetes self-management behaviors in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes
Min LI ; Li WANG ; Xinyi TU ; Jingying ZHOU ; Yingyue DONG ; Jing LI ; Kang YU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2024;32(2):71-79
Objective:To investigate the current status of sarcopenia and self-management in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to explore the identification of risk factors for sarcopenia by diabetes self-management ability.Methods:Using convenience sampling, 284 elderly patients with T2DM who visited a community health service center in Beijing from March to September 2023 were selected as subjects. The patients were screened for sarcopenia and received related health examinations based on Asian working group for sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 Consensus. Surveys were conducted using general information questionnaire, the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities measure, and other questionnaires. Patients were divided into groups according to the presence or absence of muscle attenuation (defined as suspected and confirmed sarcopenia).Results:The prevalence of muscle attenuation in the 284 elderly patients with T2DM was 48.9%, and the prevalence of sarcopenia was 15.9%. The proportions of females, patients who are over 70 years old, and patients with a sedentary lifestyle were significantly higher in the group with muscle attenuation compared with the group without muscle attenuation. High-quality protein intake, extremity skeletal muscle mass index, grip strength, and six-meter walking speed were significantly lower in the muscle attenuation group. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that age, alcohol consumption, a sedentary lifestyle, and high-quality protein intake were influencing factors for sarcopenia in elderly patients with T2DM ( P<0.05). The total self-care scores and subtotals in exercise domains showed significant differences ( P<0.05) between patients with and without muscle attenuation. Univariate analysis indicated significant differences in self-management behaviors among patient groups stratified by grip strengths and 6-meter walk speeds ( P<0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that grip strength and 6-meter walk speed were influencing factors for exercise management behaviors in elderly patients with T2DM ( P<0.05). Conclusions The prevalence of sarcopenia in elderly patients with T2DM is relatively high, and their level of diabetes self-management is medium to low. Practitioners should pay extra attention to patients who are over 70 years old, with sedentary habits, with low intake of high-quality protein, and females. It's recommended to use grip strength and 6-meter walk speed tests as initial screening tools for sarcopenia in elderly patients with T2DM, in order to identify risks early and implement targeted health management to promote the development of good self-management behaviors among patients.


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