1.Identification and Analysis of bHLH Genes Related to Color Formation of Gastrodia elata Stem
Xue JIANG ; Dandan RAN ; Xiuwen WANG ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Xiaohong OU ; Jie PAN ; Tao ZHOU ; Zhen OUYANG ; Jiao XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):202-209
ObjectiveGastrodia elata has evolved ecological types with shortened rhizome internodes and diversified flower and fruit coloration in response to different altitudes. Studying the genetic mechanisms of different ecotype germplasm is significant for guiding variety breeding in different cultivation areas. MethodsThe bHLH gene family was identified based on the whole-genome datasets of G. elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Subsequently, the gene family members were subject to analysis, including gene structure, chromosomal localization, cis-acting elements, gene synteny, and phylogeny. Combined with transcriptome data and quantitative Real-time PCR, the expression patterns of bHLH genes in the stems of the different G. elata ecotype germplasm were analyzed. Finally, correlation analysis was conducted between gene expression patterns and color to obtain the key bHLH genes regulating the color formation of stem. ResultsA total of 63 bHLH genes were identified in both G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca, unevenly distributed across 17 chromosomes and clustered into 16 subfamilies, with significant expansion in some family members. Obvious inversions of bHLH genes on the same chromosome and interchromosomal translocations were detected in the two ecotype germplasm. Among these genes, 12 bHLH genes (such as bHLH62-3 and bHLH74) were associated with the bright yellow color of G elata f. elata stem, while 9 bHLH genes (such as PIL13, UNE12, and bHLH130) were correlated with the red color of G. elata f. glauca stem. Compared to G. elata f. glauca, the bHLH48 expression level was significantly higher in flowers and scale leaves of G elata f. elata, and the bHLH62-3 expression level was significantly higher in all organs of G elata f. elata. ConclusionsFunctional pathway divergence of the bHLH family members has occurred across different chromosomes in G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Through synergism or antagonism with other genes, 21 bHLH genes participate in the coloration metabolic pathway regulation of stems, flowers, and fruits. Specifically, bHLH62-3 is involved in regulating stem color differentiation in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway of G. elata, thus relevant to the color formation of stem. Additionally, GebHLH48 positively regulates flowering-related pathways to promote the early-flowering phenotype of G. elata f. elata. These findings have laid the foundation for analyzing the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying the color formation of the G. elata stem.
2.Identification and Analysis of bHLH Genes Related to Color Formation of Gastrodia elata Stem
Xue JIANG ; Dandan RAN ; Xiuwen WANG ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Xiaohong OU ; Jie PAN ; Tao ZHOU ; Zhen OUYANG ; Jiao XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):202-209
ObjectiveGastrodia elata has evolved ecological types with shortened rhizome internodes and diversified flower and fruit coloration in response to different altitudes. Studying the genetic mechanisms of different ecotype germplasm is significant for guiding variety breeding in different cultivation areas. MethodsThe bHLH gene family was identified based on the whole-genome datasets of G. elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Subsequently, the gene family members were subject to analysis, including gene structure, chromosomal localization, cis-acting elements, gene synteny, and phylogeny. Combined with transcriptome data and quantitative Real-time PCR, the expression patterns of bHLH genes in the stems of the different G. elata ecotype germplasm were analyzed. Finally, correlation analysis was conducted between gene expression patterns and color to obtain the key bHLH genes regulating the color formation of stem. ResultsA total of 63 bHLH genes were identified in both G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca, unevenly distributed across 17 chromosomes and clustered into 16 subfamilies, with significant expansion in some family members. Obvious inversions of bHLH genes on the same chromosome and interchromosomal translocations were detected in the two ecotype germplasm. Among these genes, 12 bHLH genes (such as bHLH62-3 and bHLH74) were associated with the bright yellow color of G elata f. elata stem, while 9 bHLH genes (such as PIL13, UNE12, and bHLH130) were correlated with the red color of G. elata f. glauca stem. Compared to G. elata f. glauca, the bHLH48 expression level was significantly higher in flowers and scale leaves of G elata f. elata, and the bHLH62-3 expression level was significantly higher in all organs of G elata f. elata. ConclusionsFunctional pathway divergence of the bHLH family members has occurred across different chromosomes in G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Through synergism or antagonism with other genes, 21 bHLH genes participate in the coloration metabolic pathway regulation of stems, flowers, and fruits. Specifically, bHLH62-3 is involved in regulating stem color differentiation in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway of G. elata, thus relevant to the color formation of stem. Additionally, GebHLH48 positively regulates flowering-related pathways to promote the early-flowering phenotype of G. elata f. elata. These findings have laid the foundation for analyzing the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying the color formation of the G. elata stem.
3.Prognostic significance of TRIM28 elevation in non-M3 acute myeloid leukemia
Siqi GONG ; Cong LI ; Mengmeng FAN ; Huiping WANG ; Wanqiu ZHANG ; Xue LIANG ; Qianshan TAO ; Qiang HONG ; Zhimin ZHAI
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):301-308
ObjectiveTo clarify the expression of TRIM28 in non-M3 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and its correlation with clinical indicators and prognosis, and to further explore the effect of TRIM28 expression levels on the proliferation and apoptosis of AML cells using small interfering RNA. MethodsThe GSE34577 dataset was analyzed using R software to compare TRIM28 expression between healthy controls and non-M3 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Clinical samples from non-M3 AML patients were collected, with TRIM28 expression levels measured using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). The analysis focused on correlations between TRIM28 expression and various clinical indicators, treatment efficacy, and patient prognosis. Furthermore, small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology was employed to downregulate TRIM28 expression in human primary AML cells (HL60 cell line). The effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis were then assessed through CCK-8 assays and flow cytometry, respectively. ResultsThe results showed that TRIM28 was up-regulated in non-M3 AML of both online database GSE34577 and clinical samples (P<0.000 1), TRIM28 expression of new diagnosis group and relapsed refractory group was higher than iron deficiency anemia group (P<0.01), and there was no significance between different French-American-British classification systems subtype. TRIM28 expression was higher in non-M3 AML patients with a poor genetic prognosis stratified as moderate than in the good prognosis group, and TRIM28 expression was associated with NPM1 combined with the FLT3-ITD mutation, positively correlated with age, bone marrow blast, peripheral blood blast and white blood cell, negatively correlated with hemoglobin. In addition, interference TRIM28 greatly inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis. ConclusionThis study reveals that TRIM28 is highly expressed in non-M3 AML and associated with prognosis, and plays a key role in the proliferation and apoptosis of AML cells, suggesting that TRIM28 may serve as a novel therapeutic target for non-M3 AML.
4.Effect of Yang-Reinforcing and Blood-Activating Therapy on the Long-Term Prognosis for Dilated Cardio-myopathy Patients with Yang Deficiency and Blood Stasis Syndrome:A Retrospective Cohort Study
Shiyi TAO ; Jun LI ; Lintong YU ; Ji WU ; Yuqing TAN ; Xiao XIA ; Fuyuan ZHANG ; Tiantian XUE ; Xuanchun HUANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):53-59
ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy on the long-term prognosis for patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) of yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome. MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 371 DCM patients with yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome. The yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy was defined as the exposure factor. Patients were categorized into exposure group (186 cases) and non-exposure group (185 cases) according to whether they received yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy combined with conventional western medicine for 6 months or longer. The follow-up period was set at 48 months, and the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to assess the cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in both groups. Cox regression analysis was used to explore the impact of yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy on the risk of MACE, and subgroup analysis was performed. Changes in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) score were compared between groups at the time of first combined use of yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy (before treatment) and 1 year after receiving the therapy (after treatment). ResultsMACE occurred in 31 cases (16.67%) in the exposure group and 47 cases (25.41%) in the non-exposure group. The cumulative incidence of MACE in the exposure group was significantly lower than that in the non-exposure group [HR=0.559, 95%CI(0.361,0.895), P=0.014]. Cox regression analysis showed that yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy was an independent factor for reducing the risk of MACE in DCM patients [HR=0.623, 95%CI(0.396,0.980), P=0.041], and consistent results were observed in different subgroups. Compared with pre-treatment, the exposure group showed decreased TCM syndrome score and MLHFQ score, reduced LVEDD, and increased LVEF and LVFS after treatment (P<0.05); in the non-exposure group, TCM syndrome score decreased, LVEF and LVFS increased, and LVEDD reduced after treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, the exposure group had higher LVEF and LVFS, smaller LVEDD, and lower TCM syndrome score and MLHFQ score compared with the non-exposure group (P<0.05). ConclusionCombining yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy with conventional western medicine can reduce the risk of MACE in DCM patients with yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, meanwhile improving their clinical symptoms, cardiac function, and quality of life.
5.The first record of Anopheles messeae (Diptera: Culicidae) parasitized by water mites in China
Xue-ru CHEN ; Wen-zhen YAO ; Yu-hao LI ; Gui-chang LI ; Tao MENG ; Qun-ling FENG ; Xin-hui LIU ; Li-hong QIAO ; Xiang-ting WU ; Xue-feng ZHANG ; Cheng-lin LI ; Xue-cheng DONG ; Da-wei WANG ; Xiao-yan SI ; Yu-hong GUO
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(1):53-57
Objective This study reports on the obligatory parasitism of water mites Arrenurus sp. on Anopheles messeae at the Manzhouli Port, Inner Mongolia, China. Methods Duing July 2024, a survey on the mosquito diversity was conducted at the Manzhouli Port. Captured mosquitoes and their ectoparasites were identified to species level. Results A total of 1840 adult mosquitoes were collected, representing species from three genera: Culex(Cx. modestus, Cx. pipiens pallens), Aedes(Ae. dorsalis, Ae. flavidorsalis, Ae. flavescens), and Anopheles (An. messeae). Among all the mosqutioes specimens,3 out of 150 captured An. messeae were found to carry ectoparasitic mites, with number of 2,4,27 mites separately. Morphological and molecular identification reached the same result as water mites(Hydrachnidiae, Hydracrina). COI gene sequence showed 94% similarity with the closest species Arrenurus truncatellus. Conlusions Literature review suggests water mites are host-specific parasitism of mosquito species and herein with the first record of Arrenurus sp. parasiting on An. Messeae in the most high-latitude region globally.
6.Systemic Lupus Erythematosus as a Dominant Disease in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Zihan WANG ; Yanyu CHEN ; Yong CUI ; Qingwen TAO ; Mei MO ; Ke XUE ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Yuan XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):263-269
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a refractory autoimmune disease, is among the dominant diseases where traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) shows advantages in the field of rheumatology and immunology. The China-Japan Friendship Hospital hosted the "46th Youth Salon on Dominant Diseases (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)" organized by the China Association of Chinese Medicine, which led to a consensus on "the advantages, challenges, interdisciplinary approaches, and translational achievements of integrated TCM and Western medical approaches in the diagnosis and treatment of SLE." The diagnosis and treatment of SLE currently face several challenges, such as frequent misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis in the early stages, difficulty in achieving treatment targets, multiple side effects from pharmacotherapy, and the lack of management strategies for special populations, all of which hinder the fulfillment of the clinical needs of patients. Integrated TCM and Western medical approaches can improve clinical symptoms such as skin erythema, aversion to cold and cold limbs, fatigue, dry mouth, restlessness, and heat sensation in the palms and soles, thereby improving patients' quality of life. The approaches also help consolidate the efficacy of conventional Western medicine, slow disease progression, reduce relapse rates, address multi-organ involvement, and prevent or treat complications. Additionally, they enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity, prevent the side effects of Western medications, help reduce hormone use, and offer distinct advantages in the individualized intervention of special populations, contributing to the whole-process management of the disease. However, evidence-based medical support for this integrated approach remains limited, and the quality of available evidence is generally low. Common evaluation systems and modern research methodologies should be adopted to clarify the efficacy of TCM in SLE treatment. Efforts should be made to carry out high-quality evidence-based medical research, strengthen the development of fundamental and pharmacological research, and further explain the distinct advantages of TCM in the diagnosis and treatment of SLE. Future efforts should focus on advancing the integration of TCM and modern medicine, incorporating multi-omics technologies, individualized stratification, and other precision medicine concepts, in combination with artificial intelligence. Moreover, interdisciplinary collaboration should be promoted to utilize modern technology in exploring the essence of TCM theories and screening effective formulae, thereby comprehensively improving the diagnosis and treatment of SLE through integrated TCM and Western medical approaches.
7.Discriminating Tumor Deposits From Metastatic Lymph Nodes in Rectal Cancer: A Pilot Study Utilizing Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI
Xue-han WU ; Yu-tao QUE ; Xin-yue YANG ; Zi-qiang WEN ; Yu-ru MA ; Zhi-wen ZHANG ; Quan-meng LIU ; Wen-jie FAN ; Li DING ; Yue-jiao LANG ; Yun-zhu WU ; Jian-peng YUAN ; Shen-ping YU ; Yi-yan LIU ; Yan CHEN
Korean Journal of Radiology 2025;26(5):400-410
Objective:
To evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in differentiating tumor deposits (TDs) from metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) in rectal cancer.
Materials and Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients with rectal cancer, including 168 lesions (70 TDs and 98 MLNs confirmed by histopathology), who underwent pretreatment MRI and subsequent surgery between March 2019 and December 2022. The morphological characteristics of TDs and MLNs, along with quantitative parameters derived from DCE-MRI (K trans , kep, and v e) and DWI (ADCmin, ADCmax, and ADCmean), were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Multivariable binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of significant individual quantitative parameters and combined parameters in distinguishing TDs from MLNs.
Results:
All morphological features, including size, shape, border, and signal intensity, as well as all DCE-MRI parameters showed significant differences between TDs and MLNs (all P < 0.05). However, ADC values did not demonstrate significant differences (all P > 0.05). Among the single quantitative parameters, v e had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.772 for distinguishing TDs from MLNs. A multivariable logistic regression model incorporating short axis, border, v e, and ADC mean improved diagnostic performance, achieving an AUC of 0.833 (P = 0.027).
Conclusion
The combination of morphological features, DCE-MRI parameters, and ADC values can effectively aid in the preoperative differentiation of TDs from MLNs in rectal cancer.
8.Current status of cognitive frailty among the elderly in community
ZHAI Yujia ; ZHANG Tao ; GU Xue ; XU Le ; WU Mengna ; LIN Junfen ; WU Chen
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(8):762-766,772
Objective:
To investigate the current status and influencing factors for cognitive frailty among the elderly in community, so as to provide the evidence for early identification and prevention of cognitive frailty among the elderly.
Methods:
Residents aged 60 years and above with local household registration from 11 counties (cities, districts) in Zhejiang Province from 2021 to 2023 were selected as study participants using a multistage random sampling method. Demographic information, lifestyle, and health status were collected through questionnaire surveys. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire. Cognitive frailty was evaluated using the FRAIL Scale and the Mini-Mental State Examination. Factors affecting cognitive frailty among the elderly in community were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model.
Results:
A total of 16 613 individuals were surveyed, including 7 465 males (44.93%) and 9 148 females (55.07%). The average age was (70.97±7.29) years. A total of 784 individuals were detected with depressive symptoms, with a detection rate of 4.72%. A total of 724 individuals were detected with cognitive frailty, with a detection rate of 4.36%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that females (OR=1.419, 95%CI: 1.179-1.708), aged ≥70 years (70-<80 years old, OR=1.869, 95%CI: 1.490-2.345; ≥80 years old, OR=5.017, 95%CI: 3.935-6.398), without a spouse (OR=1.495, 95%CI: 1.234-1.810), sedentary (OR=2.420, 95%CI: 1.829-3.202), chronic diseases (1 type, OR=1.456, 95%CI: 1.175-1.804; ≥2 types, OR=1.639, 95%CI: 1.314-2.045), and depressive symptoms (OR=4.191, 95%CI: 3.361-5.225) were associated with a higher risk of cognitive frailty among the elderly in community. Conversely, a lower risk of cognitive frailty was seen among the elderly in community who had primary school or above (primary school, OR=0.512, 95%CI: 0.389-0.676; junior high school or above, OR=0.464, 95%CI: 0.354-0.608), engaged in physical exercise (OR=0.396, 95%CI: 0.291-0.539), and were reported average or good self-rated health status (average, OR=0.641, 95%CI: 0.475-0.866; good, OR=0.150, 95%CI: 0.109-0.208).
Conclusions
The detection rate of cognitive frailty among the elderly in community is relatively low and is influenced by demographic factors such as gender, age, education level, as well as lifestyle like sedentary and physical exercise, and health status. It is recommended to reduce the risk of cognitive frailty among the elderly through multidimensional interventions, including health education, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and enhanced mental health support.
9.Construction of a nomogram prediction model for Alzheimer's disease among the elderly in community
ZHANG Tao ; LIN Junfen ; GU Xue ; XU Le ; LI Fudong ; WU Chen
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(9):875-880
Objective:
To establish a nomogram prediction model for Alzheimer's disease (AD) among the elderly in community, so as to provide the evidence for early screening and prevention of AD.
Methods:
Based on the Zhejiang Healthy Aging Cohort Study, the elderly aged 60-90 years who completed the baseline survey were selected as the study subjects. Follow-up surveys were conducted from 2015 to 2016 and from 2019 to 2021. Sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, medical history, and waist circumference were collected through questionnaire surveys and physical examinations. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and a diagnosis of AD was made based on the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale and medical history. The participants were randomly divided into training and validation sets at 8∶2 ratio. LASSO regression was used to screen for predictive factors. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to analyze predictive factors and construct a nomogram. The model was analyzed and evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and decision curve analysis (DCA).
Results:
A total of 6 988 elderly were included at baseline, with a mean age of (68.19±6.63) years. There were 3 438 males (49.20%), and 3 550 females (50.80%). The median follow-up duration was 4.90 (interquartile range, 3.80) years, with 817 new cases of AD were identified, yielding an incidence of 11.69%. LASSO regression and multivariable logistic regression showed that age (OR=1.017, 95%CI: 1.005-1.030), gender (female, OR=1.820, 95%CI: 1.533-2.165), educational level (primary school, OR=0.813, 95%CI: 0.673-0.980), physical exercise (not active, OR=1.572, 95%CI: 1.260-1.980), dining companions (spouse and children, OR=0.771, 95%CI: 0.598-0.995), baseline MMSE score (OR=0.843, 95%CI: 0.821-0.866), and waist circumference (OR=0.981, 95%CI: 0.973-0.989) were risk predictors for AD among the elderly in community. The prediction model demonstrated an area under the ROC curve of 0.740 (95%CI: 0.698-0.783) in the validation set, with a sensitivity of 0.731 and a specificity of 0.667. DCA indicated that when the probability threshold was 0.060 to 0.325, the clinical net benefit was relatively high.
Conclusion
The AD risk prediction model constructed in this study has good discrimination and clinical practicability, can be used for early screening of AD among the elderly in the community.
10.Exploration on the acceptability of routine biochemical test results for serum samples with varying degrees of chylous high triglyceride
Xi ZHANG ; Qing YANG ; Tao KANG ; Ge LI ; Zhiyang WANG ; Li ZHANG ; Xue WANG ; Pei LI ; Kan ZHONG ; Yanguo TAN
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(7):780-785
Objective To explore the acceptability of routine biochemical test results for serum samples with varying degrees of chylous high triglyceride(TG).Methods Blood samples of 69 patients with different degrees of lipids were collected,including 33 patients with mild to moderate lipids(1.7 mmol/L≤TG<5.6 mmol/L)and 36 patients with severe lipids(TG≥5.6 mmol/L).Twenty-nine biochemical tests were detected before and after high-speed centrifugation.The result acceptability before high speed centrifugation of serum was compared with the results after high speed centrifugation as the gold standard[TG and total cholesterol(TC)before centrifugation].The acceptable criteria were subject to the following three conditions at the same time.Firstly,correlation coefficient(R2)was greater than or equal to 0.95.Secondly,the slope of linear re-gression equation was 1.00±0.05.Thirdly,for the same index,the number of samples whose result bias be-fore and after centrifugation was less than 1/2 total allowable error(TEa)in more than 90%of the total sam-ple numbers.Results Firstly,in the mild to moderate lipemia group,22 tests met the criteria,7 tests did not,including total protein(TP),albumin(ALB),TG,aspartate aminotransferase(AST),carbon dioxide(CO2),α-L-fucosidase(AFU),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)(bias<10%),and the coincidence rate was 75.9%.In the severe lipemia group,12 tests met the criteria,17 tests did not,including pre-albumin(PA),AFU,γ-glu-tamyltransferase(γ-GT),LDH,AST,TC,direct bilirubin(DBIL),CO2,5'-nucleotidase(5'-NT),small and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(sd-LDL-C),high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),adenosine deaminase(ADA),cystatin C(CysC),glycosylated albumin(GA),total bilirubin(TBIL)(bias>10%),the coincidence rate was 41.4%,and there was a statistically sig-nificant difference in the coincidence rate between the two groups(P<0.05).Secondly,there was no statisti-cally significant difference in the acceptability of results between continuous monitoring method and endpoint method detection methods(P>0.05).Conclusion Most test results of direct determination with mild or moderate lipemia samples are acceptable,and the bias of unacceptable tests is small(<10%),so it is recom-mended to issue a test report without further sample treatment.However,due to the large number of unacceptable tests and larger bias(>10%),severe lipemia samples should be determined after high-speed centrifugation.


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