1.Pathogenic Mechanisms of Spleen Deficiency-Phlegm Dampness in Obesity and Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment Strategies:from the Perspective of Immune Inflammation
Yumei LI ; Peng XU ; Xiaowan WANG ; Shudong CHEN ; Le YANG ; Lihua HUANG ; Chuang LI ; Qinchi HE ; Xiangxi ZENG ; Juanjuan WANG ; Wei MAO ; Ruimin TIAN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):31-37
Based on spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness as the core pathogenesis of obesity, and integrating recent advances in modern medicine regarding the key role of immune inflammation in obesity, this paper proposes a multidimensional pathogenic network of "obesity-spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness-immune imbalance". Various traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs that strengthen the spleen, regulate qi, and resolve phlegm and dampness can treat obesity by improving spleen-stomach transport and transformation, promoting water-damp metabolism, and regulating immune homeostasis. This highlights immune inflammation as an important entry point to elucidate the TCM concepts of "spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness" and the therapeutic principle of "strengthening the spleen and eliminating dampness to treat obesity". By systematically analyzing the intrinsic connection between "spleen deficiency generating dampness, internal accumulation of phlegm dampness" and immune dysregulation in obesity, this paper aims to provide theoretical support for TCM treatment of obesity based on dampness.
2.Time series study on influence of sulfur dioxide exposure on hospitalization of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Lanzhou from 2016 to 2020
Sheng LIN ; Boxi FENG ; Yongyue LI ; Yiwei HUANG ; Kai ZHENG ; Mingxuan LIU ; Yingying YANG ; Xingmin WEI ; Jianjun WU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(4):451-457
Background In 2021, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) emerged as the forth leading cause of death in the world. However, the impact of air pollutants on COPD is still inconsistent across current studies. Objective To analyze the relationship between ambient sulfur dioxide (SO2) exposure and hospital admissions for COPD in Lanzhou, and to examine the modified effects of SO2 across different genders, age groups, and seasons. Methods A total of
3.Three-dimensional Electrical Impedance Tomography for Monitoring Gastric Hemorrhage
Zi-Han ZHAO ; Bo SUN ; Jing-Shi HUANG ; Zhi-Wei LI ; Yang WU ; Nan LI ; Jia-Feng YAO ; Tong ZHAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):1062-1075
ObjectiveGastric hemorrhage is one of the most common and life-threatening emergencies of the upper digestive tract. Early identification and continuous monitoring are essential for reducing rebleeding rates and mortality, particularly within the critical early hours after onset. Although endoscopy and radiological imaging can accurately localize bleeding sites, these approaches are invasive, resource-intensive, and unsuitable for continuous bedside monitoring. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT), as a noninvasive and radiation-free functional imaging technique, offers real-time visualization of conductivity distribution and has the potential for detecting intragastric bleeding based on the electrical contrast between blood and surrounding gastric tissues. In this study, a three-dimensional gastric EIT (3D-gEIT) framework is proposed to achieve noninvasive, real-time, and dynamic monitoring of gastric hemorrhage, with emphasis on spatial localization and quantitative volume assessment. MethodsA three-dimensional upper-abdominal simulation model incorporating the stomach, gastric wall, gastric contents, and surrounding tissues was established. Three electrode configurations, namely the dual layer ring, the four layer staggered ring, and the opposed dual plane array, were designed and systematically compared to evaluate their influence on depth sensitivity and spatial resolution. Based on the Tikhonov-Noser hybrid regularization scheme, a region-clustering constraint was introduced to develop the TK-Noser-RCC algorithm. This approach aggregates spatially adjacent elements with similar conductivity variations, thereby enhancing structural continuity and suppressing isolated noise artifacts. To validate the proposed framework, an upper-abdominal physical phantom was constructed using agar to simulate background tissue conductivity. Hemispherical high-conductivity inclusions with volumes ranging from 10 ml to 50 ml were attached to the inner gastric wall to mimic localized bleeding under different gastric filling states. Boundary voltages were acquired under a 120 kHz excitation current and reconstructed using the TK-Noser-RCC algorithm. Furthermore, an in vivo animal experiment was performed using a porcine model with adult-scale abdominal dimensions. A total of 100 ml of autologous blood was injected incrementally into the stomach to simulate progressive gastric hemorrhage, and time-difference EIT reconstruction was conducted at each injection stage to assess the dynamic system response under physiological conditions. ResultsSimulation results demonstrated that the opposed dual-plane electrode array achieved superior depth sensitivity distribution and spatial resolution. For a 40 ml hemorrhage model, the average ICC and SSIM improved by 55.9% and 38.8% compared with the dual-layer ring configuration, and by 64.0% and 39.5% compared with the four-layer staggered configuration. The proposed region-clustering constraint significantly enhanced reconstruction stability. Under added Gaussian noise of 40 dB and 30 dB, ICC values remained approximately 0.85, indicating effective artifact suppression and preservation of boundary integrity. In physical phantom experiments, reconstructed hemorrhage volumes increased approximately linearly with the preset hemispherical volumes, and the reconstructed high-conductivity regions closely matched the actual bleeding locations. Both empty-stomach and full-stomach conditions were evaluated, demonstrating that the opposed dual-plane configuration maintained stable imaging performance across varying gastric contents. In the animal experiment, reconstructed low-impedance regions expanded progressively with increasing injected blood volume. The spatial localization of the hemorrhage remained stable throughout the procedure, and no significant artifacts were observed. Quantitative analysis showed that reconstructed volume and average conductivity variation exhibited an approximately linear growth trend with injected blood volume, confirming the sensitivity of the system to dynamic intragastric conductivity changes. ConclusionThe proposed 3D-gEIT framework enables quantitative reconstruction of gastric hemorrhage volume and spatial distribution with improved depth sensitivity, structural continuity, and noise robustness compared with conventional EIT approaches. By integrating optimized electrode configuration and a region-clustering-constrained reconstruction algorithm, the system provides stable dynamic monitoring under both controlled phantom conditions and in vivo physiological environments. This method offers a noninvasive, real-time, and low-cost imaging strategy for early diagnosis, postoperative monitoring, and bedside surveillance of gastric bleeding.
4.Analysis of high-frequency plateletpheresis on age-dependent bone metabolism in female donors
Huibin ZHONG ; Huaheng LI ; Wei YANG ; Jieting HUANG ; Zhen WANG ; Fenfang LIAO ; Yongmei NIE
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(1):97-102
Objective: To explore whether the long-term and frequent use of citrate anticoagulants negatively affects the bone metabolism balance of female frequent plateletpheresis donors, so as to better protect their health. Methods: A total of 65 female plateletpheresis donors and 55 female whole-blood donors from Guangzhou Blood Center (May to December 2024) were enrolled as experimental and control groups respectively, stratified into age subgroups (18-39 years and 40-60 years). Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP), osteocalcin (OC), and type I collagen carboxy-terminal telopeptide (CTX) were measured. Differences in bone metabolism markers between experimental and control groups across age subgroups were compared. ANOVA was used to analyze dose-response relationships between donation age, annual apheresis donation frequency, and biochemical indicators. Results: In the 40-60 age subgroup, 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in the experimental group (P<0.05), exhibiting a linear increase with age and a linear decrease with annual donation frequency. No significant differences in CTX or PINP levels were observed between experimental and control groups in either age subgroup. Conclusion: High-frequency plateletpheresis donation does not disrupt bone metabolic balance in female donors. However, it is associated with reduced vitamin D levels in female donors aged >40 years, potentially increasing the risk of osteoporosis. Vitamin D supplementation is recommended for high-frequency female plateletpheresis donors in this age group.
5.Association between meat consumption and anxiety symptoms in first year junior high school students in Yunnan Province
DING Shaocai, SHI Zelin, YANG Yongfu, YANG Yijun, LU Qiuan, XUE Yanfeng, WANG Yuan,〖JZ〗 XUE Wei, HUANG Xiaoli, XU Honglü ;
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):384-387
Objective:
To explore the association between meat consumption and anxiety symptoms in first year junior high school students in Yunnan Province, and to provide theoretical support for preventing and relieving anxiety symptoms in junior high school students.
Methods:
From October to December 2022, a random cluster sampling method was used to select 8 500 first year junior high school students from 11 counties in Yunnan Province as the survey subjects for a questionnaire survey. The study used Food Frequency Questionnaire and the Chinese version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) to assess the meat consumption and anxiety symptoms of junior high school students.The distribution differences in anxiety symptoms among first year junior high school students with different demographic characteristics were analyzed statistically by using the Chi-square test,and the association between meat consumption and anxiety symptoms in students was analyzed by using a generalized linear model.
Results:
The detection rate of anxiety symptoms was 48.47%. After controlling for demographic variables and confounding factors, the consumption of livestock meat, poultry meat, processed meat, cured meat, barbecued meat and raw skin meat was statistically significant with anxiety symptoms ( β =-0.05, 0.04, 0.04, 0.08, 0.14, 0.17, all P <0.05). Stratified by ethnicity, The consumption of livestock meat, cured meat and barbecue was statistically correlated with anxiety symptoms in Han adolescents ( β =-0.07, 0.14, 0.22 ); the consumption of processed meat and raw skin meat was statistically correlated with anxiety symptoms in ethnic minority adolescents ( β =0.08, 0.18) (all P <0.05).
Conclusions
There is a statistical association between meat comsumption and the risk of anxiety symptoms in first year junior high school students in Yunnan Province. Guidance on meat consumption should be strengthened to prevent the occurrence of anxiety symptoms.
6.Regulatory Pathways of Cell Apoptosis in Diabetic Kidney Disease and Intervention by Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Yunjie YANG ; Mingqian JIANG ; Chen QIU ; Yaqing RUAN ; Senlin CHEN ; Wenxin HUANG ; Hangbin ZHENG ; Yi WEI ; Pengfei LI ; Xueqin LIN ; Jing WU ; Shiwei RUAN ; Jianting WANG ; Yuliang QIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):294-306
Diabetic kidney disease(DKD) is a chronic kidney structural and functional disorder caused by diabetes. With the global prevalence of diabetes continuing to rise, DKD has gradually become a major cause of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease(ESRD), posing a serious threat to patients' quality of life and long-term health outcomes. Studies have shown that apoptosis plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of DKD, with its mechanisms involving abnormal activation of multiple signaling pathways such as Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB)/B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)/cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase(Caspase)-3, protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)/eukaryotic initiation factor 2α(eIF2α)/activating transcript factor 4(ATF4)/CCAAT enhancer-binding protein homologous protein(CHOP), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β), Janus kinase 2(JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) and silent information regulator 1(SIRT1)/tumor suppressor protein 53(p53), thereby accelerating renal pathological damage in DKD. Extensive evidence-based medical studies have confirmed that traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), leveraging its unique therapeutic advantages of multi-target, multi-component and multi-pathway approaches, has demonstrated remarkable efficacy and favorable safety profiles in treating DKD. Recent studies have demonstrated that active components of TCM can specifically target and modulate key effectors in apoptotic signaling pathways. Meanwhile, traditional compound formulations exert synergistic effects through multiple approaches such as replenishing deficiency and activating blood circulation, detoxifying and dredging collaterals, tonifying kidney essence, and removing stasis and purging turbidity, thereby comprehensively regulating critical pathological processes including endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial apoptosis pathways. This combined therapeutic approach of molecular targeting and holistic regulation provides novel strategies for delaying the progression of DKD. Based on this, this paper provides an in-depth analysis of key apoptotic signaling pathways and their regulatory mechanisms, while systematically summarizing recent research advances regarding the therapeutic effects of TCM active components, compound formulations, and proprietary Chinese medicines on DKD through modulation of these pathways, with particular emphasis on their underlying molecular mechanisms. These findings not only elucidate the modern scientific connotation and theoretical basis of TCM in treating DKD but also establish a solid theoretical and practical foundation for promoting the wider clinical application and further research of TCM in the field of DKD treatment.
7.Network meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of dual amoxicillin-based regimens for Helicobacter pylori eradication
Ziwen SONG ; Xinmiao YUAN ; Liyuan LUO ; Yufang HE ; Lingshu YANG ; Yixu HUANG ; Jianpeng SHE ; Peihan WEI ; Sihan GUO ; Fei DUAN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(8):1074-1079
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of amoxicillin combined with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) or potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB) for Helicobacter pylori (Hp) eradication. METHODS Randomized controlled trial (RCTs) on amoxicillin combined with PPI or P-CAB for Hp eradication were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP data. The search time frame was from database inception to September 5, 2025. After literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment, a network meta-analysis was performed using Stata 17.0 software. RESULTS A total of 12 RCTs involving 5 515 patients were included, encompassing 8 therapeutic regimens: PPI combined with high-dose amoxicillin for 14 days (TR1), PPI combined with low-dose amoxicillin for 14 days (TR2), P-CAB combined with high-dose amoxicillin for 7 days (TR3), P-CAB combined with high-dose amoxicillin for 14 days (TR4), P-CAB combined with high-dose amoxicillin for 10 days (TR5), P-CAB combined with low-dose amoxicillin for 7 days (TR6), P-CAB combined with low-dose amoxicillin for 14 days (TR7), and P-CAB combined with low-dose amoxicillin for 10 days (TR8). The network meta-analysis results showed that, in terms of intention-to-treat Hp eradication rates, the eradication rates of TR5 and TR4 were significantly higher than those of TR3, TR8, TR6 and TR1 ( P <0.05). The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values from highest to lowest were: TR4 (89.7%)>TR5 (82.3%)>TR7 (71.5%)> TR2 (48.6%)>TR1 (43.9%)>TR8 (28.7%)>TR3 (22.7%)>TR6 (12.6%). Regarding safety, the incidence of adverse reactions in TR3 and TR5 was significantly lower than that in TR1 ( P <0.05). The SUCRA values from highest to lowest were: TR1 (91.3%)>TR4 (79.8%)>TR5 (55.0%)>TR7 (50.9%)>TR8 (41.3%)>TR2 (36.4%)>TR3 (27.6%) >TR6 (17.7%). CONCLUSIONS Although the regimen of P-CAB combined with high-dose amoxicillin for 14 days demonstrates the best efficacy, the combination of P-CAB with high-dose amoxicillin for 10 days exhibits a better balanced profile in terms of both efficacy and safety.
8.Protective effects and mechanisms of luteolin on vascular injury induced by polystyrene microplastics
Deyu ZHU ; Qi HUANG ; Xiao LIANG ; Zhuangzhuang WEI ; Xinyu BAO ; Ping MA ; Yang WU ; Cuiyu BAO
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(3):432-438
ObjectiveTo explore the vascular endothelial injury in male mice caused by exposure to polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) and the intervention effect of luteolin on vascular remodeling. Additionally, to investigate the mechanism through the oxidative system and metabolomics. MethodsThirty-two C57BL/6 mice (6-8 weeks old) were randomly divided into the saline group (saline group), the 0.1 mg/kg PS-MPs exposure group (0.1PS-MPs group), the 1 mg/kg PS-MPs exposure group (1PS-MPs group), and the 1 mg/kg PS-MPs + luteolin treatment group (1PS-MPs + Lut group), with 8 mice in each group. After 8 weeks of intervention, the body weight, blood pressure, aortic organ coefficient, and aortic histopathological changes of mice in each group were detected; the total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) lipid metabolism-related indicators in the aorta of mice were detected; the reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) oxidative stress-related indicators were detected; the endothelin (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1/CD106), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1/CD54) endothelial function-related indicators and serum metabolomics were detected. ResultsCompared to the saline group, exposure to PS-MPs resulted in pathological thickening of the mouse aorta, increased aortic organ coefficient, and elevated blood pressure. Lipid metabolism-related indicators, including TC and TG, were elevated, while HDL-C was reduced, indicating lipid metabolism disorder in mice. Oxidative stress markers such as ROS and MDA increased, whereas GSH decreased, demonstrating oxidative damage. Vascular endothelial inflammation and injury markers, including ET-1, VEGF-A, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1, were upregulated, while the vasodilatory substance NO was downregulated, confirming endothelial injury. Furthermore, serum metabolomics results revealed that PS-MPs exposure induced endothelial damage by disrupting metabolic pathways such as the citrate cycle. Compared to the PS-MPs group, luteolin significantly reversed these effects, attenuating oxidative stress and lipid metabolism disorders, and effectively repairing endothelial injury. ConclusionPS-MPs induce vascular toxicity through oxidative stress and lipid metabolism. Luteolin effectively alleviates endothelial damage and vascular remodeling.
9.Association between triglyceride glucose-body mass index and new-onset metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease
Xiaohong XIANG ; Yang LI ; Bo LI ; Mei WEI ; Zhongfang ZHOU ; Suqiong HUANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(4):840-847
ObjectiveTo investigate the association between serum fasting triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI) and new-onset metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) within 10 years. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the data of individuals who underwent physical examination in The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University in 2013, 2018, and 2023 and were not diagnosed with MAFLD in 2013, and a total of 1 340 valid subjects were enrolled according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The gbmt package in R 4.3.0 was used to construct the dynamic change trajectory model of TyG-BMI, and four different TyG-BMI trajectory groups were determined, i.e., the low-level group (n=352), the medium-level group (n=517), the high-level group (n=314), and the extremely high-level group (n=157). The data on general information and blood biochemical parameters were collected from all subjects and were then compared between groups. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups, and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data with heterogeneity of variance between multiple groups. The Cox regression analysis was used to investigate the association between different TyG-BMI trajectories and the risk of MAFLD, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the value of TyG-BMI in the diagnosis of MAFLD. ResultsThe cumulative incidence rate of MAFLD increased with the increase in the level of TyG-BMI trajectory, with a cumulative incidence rate of 4.83% in the low-level group, 29.98% in the medium-level group, 61.15% in the high-level group, and 83.44% in the extremely high-level group (P<0.001), and the cumulative incidence rate of MAFLD in men was significantly higher than that in women (51.34% vs 20.67%, P<0.001). The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that increases in the levels of TyG-BMI trajectory, uric acid, diastolic blood pressure, hemoglobin, and alanine aminotransferase were independent risk factors for the onset of MAFLD (all P<0.05), while the increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was an independent protective factor against MAFLD (P<0.001). After adjustment for confounding factors, the medium-, high-, and extremely high-level groups had a hazard ratio of 4.430 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.660 — 7.377, P<0.001), 6.937 (95%CI: 4.110 — 11.708, P<0.001), and 7.989 (95%CI: 4.616 — 13.827, P<0.001), respectively. The ROC curve analysis showed that TyG-BMI had the highest diagnostic value, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.859 (95%CI: 0.840 — 0.879), a sensitivity of 79.8%, and a specificity of 76.3%. ConclusionThe risk of MAFLD increases with the increase in the level of TyG-BMI trajectory, and TyG-BMI can be used as a predictive indicator for MAFLD.
10.Impacts of combined exposure to PM2.5 and cold spells on non-accidental mortality in Zigong City from 2016 to 2021
Yizhang XIA ; Wei HUANG ; Yang LI ; Yuquan CHEN ; Jie ZHANG ; Haili REN ; Qinglan HUANG ; Xi CHEN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(1):35-42
Background Amid global climate change, extreme environmental events are occurring more frequently, and it is imperative to investigate the impacts of combined exposure to fine particluate matter (PM2.5) and cold spells (CS) on population mortality. Objective To analyze the association between sequential extreme PM2.5-cold spell (EP-CS) events and non-accidental mortality among residents in Zigong City from 2016 to 2021. Methods Using time-series study design, meteorological data in Zigong were collected from the Zigong Meteorological Bureau for the period from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2021, while daily non-accidental mortality data were obtained from the mortality surveillance system of the Zigong Center for Disease Control and Prevention. We adopted the percentile method to define extreme PM2.5 events and cold spells. We analyzed the risk effect of EP-CS events on non-accidental mortality among residents in this city and explored the potential amplification of damage resulting from different patterns of consecutive extreme events by using distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM). We also conducted stratified analyses based on age, gender, education level, and marital status. Results The EP-CS events demonstrated a significant impact on non-accidental mortality among the local residents, exhibiting a certain lagged effect. The effects on the overall residents lasted from lag0 (RR=1.030, 95%CI: 1.013, 1.048) to lag14 (RR=1.035, 95%CI: 1.019, 1.052). Notably, the effects were more pronounced among females, individuals aged 65 years and above, and those who were never married, divorced, or widowed. Different patterns of EP-CS events all associated with adverse effects, the health impact of EP-CS events was significantly greater than that of individual PM2.5 pollution or CS events. The analysis of lag effects across different event patterns revealed that the overall effect of EP-CS events with shorter intervals (0–7 d) had a stronger effect compared to EP-CS with longer intervals (8–14 d), and the RR values of lag14 were 1.034 (95%CI: 1.015, 1.054) and 1.017 (95%CI: 1.007, 1.027), suggesting that the damaging effect of compound events occurring in the short term was more significant. Conclusion All sequential extreme EP-CS events have an impact on non-accidental mortality among residents in this city, with compound events demonstrating a stronger effect. Females, individuals aged ≥65 years, and those who were never married, divorced, or widowed are more sensitive to EP-CS events.


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