1.Analysis of Differences in the Intestinal Flora of Rats and Mice after Drinking Chlorinated Water Based on 16S rRNA Sequencing
Xiufeng AI ; Lizong ZHANG ; Mingsun FANG ; Dongying LÜ ; Chu CHEN ; Zhaowei CAI ; Dejun WANG
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2026;46(3):437-445
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of drinking chlorinated water on the intestinal flora of rats and mice and to explore differences in the intestinal microecological responses of model animals to chlorine stimulation in chlorinated drinking water systems. MethodsSix 8-week-old male SD rats and six 8-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were acclimated for 5 days. Subsequently, the drinking water for both rats and mice was changed from pure water to water containing free chlorine at a concentration of 25.4–32.4 nmol/L. The intervention lasted for 8 weeks, during which all animals were fed the same diet. Fecal samples were collected before the intervention (week 0, as the control group) and on the last day of week 3 and week 8 (as the chlorinated water group), and microbial composition was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing, including α diversity (Chao1 and Shannon indices), β diversity [principal component analysis (PCA)], and linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis. ResultsAfter 3 weeks of intervention, α diversity of the intestinal flora in both rats and mice in the chlorinated water group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01). After 8 weeks of intervention, no significant difference in α diversity was observed between rats in the chlorinated water group and those in the control group, whereas α diversity in mice remained significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01). β diversity analysis showed significant alterations in microbial structure in the chlorinated water group. LEfSe analysis indicated that, compared with the control group, the abundances of Bacteroides and Ruminococcus were significantly reduced in the chlorinated water group, and microbial disturbance was more pronounced in mice [linear discriminant analysis (LDA) > 4.0], with a greater decrease in microbial diversity and a larger number of differentially abundant genera. ConclusionConsumption of chlorinated water can alter the diversity and structure of the intestinal flora in both rats and mice, with mice being more sensitive to this exposure. These findings suggest that the potential effects of chlorine on gut microecology should be considered in drinking water management and model selection for animal experiments.
2.Metabolomic features of energy metabolic dysregulation and related targeted therapeutic strategies in acute-on-chronic liver failure
Xinxin CHEN ; Juan LUO ; Fengqin YE ; Zhengyuan MO ; Xiufeng WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(7):1710-1716
Acute-on-chronic liver failure is an acute decompensated syndrome that occurs on the basis of chronic liver disease and is characterized by a high short-term mortality rate. Metabolomics reveals the presence of significant energy metabolic reprogramming, manifesting as extensive dysregulation of glucose/lipid/amino acid metabolism, mitochondrial metabolism, and intestinal flora, and it closely interacts with systemic inflammation and immune imbalance, jointly promoting disease progression. The core metabolic phenotypes include suppressed gluconeogenesis, enhanced glycolysis, impaired β-oxidation, inhibited mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, ammonia metabolic imbalance, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. This article analyzes the latest studies on metabolomic and molecular mechanisms and systematically reviews the dysregulation characteristics of the five major metabolic networks. In terms of intervention for energy metabolism, this article summarizes the five strategies of glucose metabolism regulation, lipid metabolism intervention, mitochondria-targeted protection, gut microbiota rebalancing, and amino-acid optimization and assesses their application value and prospects for clinical translation, so as to provide a scientific basis for the treatment, alleviation, and even reversal of disease progression.
3.Health Priority Development Strategy:Logic Analysis,Concept Connotation and Institutional System
Xiufeng WANG ; Ge GAN ; Hao WANG
Chinese Health Economics 2025;44(3):1-8
The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China puts forward the"health priority development strategy",marking that giving priority to health development has become an overall task of further deepening reform in the New Era.The health oriented development strategy is determined by the nature and purpose of the Communist Party of China,and has its historical inevitability and practical necessity."Giving priority to health development"is a collection of series concepts and development models that place the maintenance and promotion of health as the priority in the economic and social development goals,fields and matters of development,based on the basic status and leading role of health.The"health priority development strategy"is the institutionalization,systematization and integration of the concepts and models of giving priority to health development.It is a comprehensive strategy to realize the coordinated and mutually promoting development of health with economy and society.Prioritizing health development is a relative priority to the whole system,it is a development concept and value-oriented approach with free and comprehensive human development at core,it is a health-oriented model and path to achieve high-quality development,and it is a systematic project involving changes in values,lifestyles and modes of production,consumption,governance and institutional systems.The system of prioritizing health development is an organically linked institutional complex formed around the maintenance and promotion of people's health and various norms of conduct,and its practical requirements include the"priority"of concept,planning,policy,investment,team,organization and assessment.
4.Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis induced by thyrotoxicosis factitia: A case report
Liang WANG ; Huafeng LI ; Ruizhen REN ; Xiufeng HUA ; Yuxiao TANG ; Yaping HAO
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;41(7):584-587
Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis(TPP) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of thyrotoxicosis. TPP secondary to thyrotoxicosis factitia(TF) is exceptionally uncommon. Here, we report the case of a 31-year-old female who developed TF and subsequent TPP after taking laxatives containing unknown ingredients. The patient presented with acute onset of quadriplegia. Laboratory investigations revealed severe hypokalemia(serum potassium 1.47mmol/L), thyrotoxicosis[thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH)<0.005 mIU/L, free thyroxine(FT 4) 30.84 pmol/L, free triiodothyronine(FT 3) 7.71 pmol/L], and a decreased thyroglobulin level(3.08 ng/mL). The patient′s symptoms resolved rapidly following potassium supplementation, and thyroid function gradually normalized after discontinuation of the suspected medication. This case highlights the importance of considering TF in the differential diagnosis of TPP, particularly in patients with a history of unknown medication use. It also underscores the diagnostic value of thyroglobulin measurement in identifying TF and outlines clinical strategies for the management of TF-induced TPP.
5.Health Priority Development Strategy:Logic Analysis,Concept Connotation and Institutional System
Xiufeng WANG ; Ge GAN ; Hao WANG
Chinese Health Economics 2025;44(3):1-8
The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China puts forward the"health priority development strategy",marking that giving priority to health development has become an overall task of further deepening reform in the New Era.The health oriented development strategy is determined by the nature and purpose of the Communist Party of China,and has its historical inevitability and practical necessity."Giving priority to health development"is a collection of series concepts and development models that place the maintenance and promotion of health as the priority in the economic and social development goals,fields and matters of development,based on the basic status and leading role of health.The"health priority development strategy"is the institutionalization,systematization and integration of the concepts and models of giving priority to health development.It is a comprehensive strategy to realize the coordinated and mutually promoting development of health with economy and society.Prioritizing health development is a relative priority to the whole system,it is a development concept and value-oriented approach with free and comprehensive human development at core,it is a health-oriented model and path to achieve high-quality development,and it is a systematic project involving changes in values,lifestyles and modes of production,consumption,governance and institutional systems.The system of prioritizing health development is an organically linked institutional complex formed around the maintenance and promotion of people's health and various norms of conduct,and its practical requirements include the"priority"of concept,planning,policy,investment,team,organization and assessment.
6.A rapid and effective melanin-bleaching method for molecular detection of melanoma
Yuping ZHANG ; Hui WANG ; Xiufeng LI ; Jilan WAN ; Yunxiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2025;54(7):741-747
Objective:To establish a rapid and effective melanin-bleaching method to standardize and improve the molecular pathological analyses of melanoma.Methods:Fifteen cases of melanoma with melanin content exceeding 50% collected at the Precision Pathology Diagnosis Center, Weifang People′s Hospital, Weifang, China between 2023 and 2024 were included in the study. These tissue samples were subject to melanin-bleaching treatments using H 2O 2, potassium permanganate (KMnO 4), Tris-HCl or PBS method. The bleaching effects in each group were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Thereafter, the total amount, purity, and integrity of DNA extracted from bleached tissues were analyzed using UV spectrophotometry and Qsep1 Bio-fragment analyzer. Finally, in order to compare the efficiency of DNA amplification, C-KIT and PDGFRA were examined using Sanger sequencing, and BRAF was detected using real-time quantitative PCR. Results:Among the 15 cases, there were seven males and eight females whose median age was 68 (range, 63 to 71) years. Bleached tissue in Tris-HCl group had the highest HE score, which was significantly higher than those in the groups of PBS, H 2O 2, KMnO 4, and control ( F=113.3, P<0.05). The total DNA amount in the control and Tris-HCl groups was significantly higher than those in the groups of PBS, H 2O 2, and KMnO 4, respectively ( F=275, P<0.05). Meanwhile, the mean A260/ A280 values of DNA obtained from bleached tissue in Tris-HCl and KMnO 4 were better than that of control, and the mean A260/ A230 values of Tris-HCl and KMnO 4 were higher than that of control, PBS, and H 2O 2. Meanwhile, the proportion of >5 000 bp,>3 000 bp, and >1 000 bp DNA fragments in Tris-HCl was all significantly higher than those in other groups ( F=147.9, F=127.9 and F=61.9, respectively, P<0.05). C-KIT and PDGFRA genes were both successfully amplified based on DNA obtained from bleached tissue in Tris-HCl group, and the sequencing peaks were clear and free of noticeable noises. Real-time quantitative PCR results showed that Tris-HCl method had lower cycle threshold values than other methods in detecting BRAF gene ( F=30.36, P<0.05). Conclusions:Tris-HCl method is a fast and effective melanin-bleaching method for analyzing melanoma, which could remove melanin effectively, confirm high quality of DNA and good integrity of DNA, and improve the amplification efficiency of sequencing for melanoma related genes. This new method may help pathologists with reliable molecular typing and identifying therapeutic targets for melanoma. It may greatly improve clinical management of melanoma patients.
7.The Theoretical Logic of"Two Combinations"and Chinese Style Healthcare Reform
Changqing ZOU ; Mo MA ; Mingjuan YUAN ; Cong LI ; Xiufeng WANG
Chinese Health Economics 2025;44(6):1-6
As an important part of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics,health care plays a basic strategic support role in China's modernization drive.Deepening the reform of the medical and health system is an important part of comprehensively deepening the reform.Therefore,it is a new starting point to further deepen the reform to explore the Marx's theoretical logic of Chinese medical reform from the logic of"two combinations"and find the basis of Marx's theory and the ideological power of Chinese excellent traditional culture for the"big country medical reform".Under the guidance of the logical logic of the"two combinations",the theoretical system of Xi Jinping's important treatises on health work is built,contributing to further enrich and develop Xi Jinping's thought of socialism with Chinese characteristics in a new era.
8.Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis induced by thyrotoxicosis factitia: A case report
Liang WANG ; Huafeng LI ; Ruizhen REN ; Xiufeng HUA ; Yuxiao TANG ; Yaping HAO
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;41(7):584-587
Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis(TPP) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of thyrotoxicosis. TPP secondary to thyrotoxicosis factitia(TF) is exceptionally uncommon. Here, we report the case of a 31-year-old female who developed TF and subsequent TPP after taking laxatives containing unknown ingredients. The patient presented with acute onset of quadriplegia. Laboratory investigations revealed severe hypokalemia(serum potassium 1.47mmol/L), thyrotoxicosis[thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH)<0.005 mIU/L, free thyroxine(FT 4) 30.84 pmol/L, free triiodothyronine(FT 3) 7.71 pmol/L], and a decreased thyroglobulin level(3.08 ng/mL). The patient′s symptoms resolved rapidly following potassium supplementation, and thyroid function gradually normalized after discontinuation of the suspected medication. This case highlights the importance of considering TF in the differential diagnosis of TPP, particularly in patients with a history of unknown medication use. It also underscores the diagnostic value of thyroglobulin measurement in identifying TF and outlines clinical strategies for the management of TF-induced TPP.
9.A rapid and effective melanin-bleaching method for molecular detection of melanoma
Yuping ZHANG ; Hui WANG ; Xiufeng LI ; Jilan WAN ; Yunxiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2025;54(7):741-747
Objective:To establish a rapid and effective melanin-bleaching method to standardize and improve the molecular pathological analyses of melanoma.Methods:Fifteen cases of melanoma with melanin content exceeding 50% collected at the Precision Pathology Diagnosis Center, Weifang People′s Hospital, Weifang, China between 2023 and 2024 were included in the study. These tissue samples were subject to melanin-bleaching treatments using H 2O 2, potassium permanganate (KMnO 4), Tris-HCl or PBS method. The bleaching effects in each group were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Thereafter, the total amount, purity, and integrity of DNA extracted from bleached tissues were analyzed using UV spectrophotometry and Qsep1 Bio-fragment analyzer. Finally, in order to compare the efficiency of DNA amplification, C-KIT and PDGFRA were examined using Sanger sequencing, and BRAF was detected using real-time quantitative PCR. Results:Among the 15 cases, there were seven males and eight females whose median age was 68 (range, 63 to 71) years. Bleached tissue in Tris-HCl group had the highest HE score, which was significantly higher than those in the groups of PBS, H 2O 2, KMnO 4, and control ( F=113.3, P<0.05). The total DNA amount in the control and Tris-HCl groups was significantly higher than those in the groups of PBS, H 2O 2, and KMnO 4, respectively ( F=275, P<0.05). Meanwhile, the mean A260/ A280 values of DNA obtained from bleached tissue in Tris-HCl and KMnO 4 were better than that of control, and the mean A260/ A230 values of Tris-HCl and KMnO 4 were higher than that of control, PBS, and H 2O 2. Meanwhile, the proportion of >5 000 bp,>3 000 bp, and >1 000 bp DNA fragments in Tris-HCl was all significantly higher than those in other groups ( F=147.9, F=127.9 and F=61.9, respectively, P<0.05). C-KIT and PDGFRA genes were both successfully amplified based on DNA obtained from bleached tissue in Tris-HCl group, and the sequencing peaks were clear and free of noticeable noises. Real-time quantitative PCR results showed that Tris-HCl method had lower cycle threshold values than other methods in detecting BRAF gene ( F=30.36, P<0.05). Conclusions:Tris-HCl method is a fast and effective melanin-bleaching method for analyzing melanoma, which could remove melanin effectively, confirm high quality of DNA and good integrity of DNA, and improve the amplification efficiency of sequencing for melanoma related genes. This new method may help pathologists with reliable molecular typing and identifying therapeutic targets for melanoma. It may greatly improve clinical management of melanoma patients.
10.Efficacy of a baby smoothing and special caring cream in reducing the recurrence of atopic dermatitis in infancy: a randomized controlled trial
Qisa WANG ; Wenling ZHAO ; Xiufeng HAN ; Huanyue MA ; Haitao SHI ; Lin MA ; Zhe XU
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2025;58(10):975-979
Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of a baby smoothing and special caring cream in reducing the recurrence of atopic dermatitis (AD) in infancy.Methods:A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Children with moderate AD (with overall investigator's global assessment [IGA] scores of 3 - < 4) were enrolled from Shunyi Maternal and Children′s Hospital of Beijing Children′s Hospital from April 2021 to June 2024. During the induction period, all children were topically treated with 0.1% hydrocortisone butyrate cream twice daily on the lesional skin, as well as with a baby smoothing and special caring cream at least twice daily throughout the body; at the 2-week visit, patients with an IGA score of ≤ 1 point entered the maintenance phase, while those with an IGA score of > 1 point continued the treatment for another 2 weeks; at the 4-week visit, patients with an IGA score of ≤ 1 point entered the maintenance phase, while those still with an IGA score of > 1 point were withdrawn from the study, and received conventional treatment. Patients who entered the maintenance period were randomly divided into the test group and the control group in a 1∶1 ratio using a random number table. In the test group, the hydrocortisone butyrate cream was discontinued, while the baby smoothing and special caring cream was continued twice daily for 8 consecutive weeks; in the control group, both the hydrocortisone butyrate cream and the baby smoothing and special caring cream were discontinued. IGA and Scoring AD (SCORAD) scores were assessed by clinicians at weeks 4 and 8 in the maintenance phase, while the patient-oriented eczema measure (POEM) score was evaluated weekly by patients' parents. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Breslow test were used to compare recurrence rates in the two groups (the primary efficacy outcome), and a generalized estimating equation model was used to evaluate the changes in IGA, SCORAD, and POEM scores in the two groups (the secondary efficacy outcomes). Adverse reactions were monitored throughout the study to evaluate safety.Results:A total of 68 children with moderate AD aged from 3 months to 2 years were included. There were 38 females and 30 males, aged 11.72 ± 6.03 months. Fifty-two patients entered the maintenance phase; 2 were lost to follow-up, and 50 were included in the per-protocol set, with 28 in the test group and 22 in the control group. The recurrence rate during the maintenance phase was 7.14% (2/28) in the test group and 31.82% (7/22) in the control group, showing a significant difference between the two groups ( χ 2 = 5.08, P = 0.032). At weeks 4 and 8 in the maintenance phase, the IGA scores were significantly lower in the test group than in the control group (Wald χ 2 = 5.06, P = 0.024), whereas the SCORAD scores showed no significant differences between the two groups (Wald χ 2 = 2.92, P = 0.087). During weeks 1 - 8 in the maintenance phase, the POEM scores showed no significant differences between the two groups or over time (both P > 0.05), while the two groups showed different change trends in POEM scores over time (Wald χ 2interaction = 55.37, Pinteraction < 0.001). Throughout the entire study period, no adverse reactions were observed among all 68 subjects. Conclusion:With a high safety profile, the baby smoothing and special caring cream could reduce the recurrence rate during the maintenance phase, showing promise as an adjuvant therapy for the maintenance treatment of AD in infancy, and is worthy of clinical application.

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