1.Sex-specific effects of Semen Cuscutae aqueous extract on behavior, proteomics, and gut microbiota in rats
Zihan ZHAO ; Yaling YANG ; Junhui ZHOU ; Jie REN ; Zhiqiang LUO ; Ruibin BAI ; Jian YANG
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(1):50-61
Background: Sex-based differences often influence the therapeutic efficacy and safety of medications. Semen Cuscutae is a traditional tonic botanical drug with sex-specific characteristics, traditionally indicated for conditions such as impotence (exclusive to males) and restless fetus (exclusive to pregnant females). However, most existing studies have focused on a single sex. Objective: To evaluate the sex-specific biological effects of Semen Cuscutae in rats and explore its molecular mechanisms, with the aim of uncovering its pharmacological characteristics through a multiomics approach. Methods: A traditional aqueous extract of Semen Cuscutae (SCA) was used as the experimental material. Forty adult Sprague-Dawley rats (equal numbers of males and females) were randomly divided into 4 groups: male control, male SCA treatment (240 mg/kg), female control, and female SCA treatment (240 mg/kg), with 10 rats in each group. The biological effects were comprehensively evaluated using a combination of open field test, biochemical analyses, proteomics, and gut microbiota profiling. Results: As a tonic botanical drug, SCA appeared to directly affect the mental and behavioral state of rats. It significantly altered the time spent by rats in the center area during the open field test, showing a sex-dependent reversal of behaviors. Proteomic analysis of brain tissue identified 624 differentially expressed proteins across the groups, with 10 key differentially expressed proteins related to sex differences, including fibroblast growth factor receptor 3, transcription elongation factor A protein-like 1, 40S ribosomal protein S25, neural cell adhesion molecule, and anion exchange protein 2 (SLC4A2). Enrichment analysis revealed that in male rats, SCA upregulated proteins involved in biological processes such as ribosome function and energy derivation, supporting protein synthesis and enhancing energy supply, showing an overall gain effect. In contrast, in female rats, SCA downregulated proteins associated with processes such as positive regulation of target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling and vesicle transport, suggesting suppression of neuronal signaling and material transport, indicative of a shift toward a more restrained physiological state. Furthermore, SCA reduced gut microbiota diversity in female rats but increased it in males, including the abundance of Akkermansia, which may serve as a crucial mediator. Conclusion: Overall, the biological effects of SCA differ significantly between male and female rats, with evidence suggesting greater health benefits in males. These findings help elucidate the scientific basis of its traditional applications and provide guidance for the precise application of SCA as a functional health food.
2.Analysis of the incidence and influencing factors of collateral circulation in high-risk patients with sleep apnea complicated with stroke treated by continuous positive pressure ventilation.
Linna ZHU ; Yanli ZHOU ; Yang ZHANG ; Yaling LIU
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(4):368-375
Objective:To investigate the incidence of collateral circulation in high-risk patients with sleep apnea and stroke treated by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ventilation and to analyze the influencing factors. Methods:A total of 152 patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) combined with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) who were admitted to our hospital from January 2020 to June 2022 were selected for this study. Based on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), the patients were divided into three groups: mild (n=44), moderate (n=72), and severe (n=36). After treatment, the patients were further classified into a group without collateral circulation (n=30) and a group with collateral circulation (n=26), which included those with moderate collateral circulation (n=69) and good collateral circulation (n=27). Clinical data across the different groups were compared, and multiple factor analysis was performed to identify factors affecting the occurrence of collateral circulation. Results:The AHI and IL-6 levels in the severe group were significantly higher than those in the mild and moderate groups, while the levels of NO and PO2 were significantly lower in the severe group compared to the mild and moderate groups, with statistically significant differences among the three groups (P<0.05). After treatment, all groups showed improvement, and the proportion of patients with collateral circulation was 84.09% in the mild group, 81.94% in the moderate group, and 72.22% in the severe group. Significant differences in age, AHI, NIHSS, NO, MoCA, and MMSE scores were observed between the groups with and without collateral circulation (P<0.05). In the group with collateral circulation, the scores for age, AHI, and NIHSS in the good collateral circulation subgroup were significantly lower than those in the poor collateral circulation and moderate collateral circulation subgroups, while the scores for NO, MoCA, and MMSE were significantly higher in the good collateral circulation subgroup. Multi-factor analysis revealed that age, AHI, and NIHSS were independent risk factors for collateral circulation, whereas NO, MoCA, and MMSE served as protective factors that were negatively correlated with collateral circulation. Classification tree model results indicated that AHI had the greatest influence on the occurrence of collateral circulation among the five influencing factors, demonstrating good predictive capability. Conclusion:Most high-risk patients with sleep apnea and stroke are likely to develop collateral circulation following continuous positive airway pressure ventilation. Factors such as age, AHI, NIHSS, NO, MoCA, and MMSE are important determinants affecting the occurrence of collateral circulation.
Humans
;
Collateral Circulation
;
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
;
Stroke/physiopathology*
;
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/physiopathology*
;
Risk Factors
;
Male
;
Incidence
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Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Aged
;
Sleep Apnea Syndromes/physiopathology*
;
Interleukin-6/blood*
3.Expert consensus on imaging diagnosis and analysis of early correction of childhood malocclusion.
Zitong LIN ; Chenchen ZHOU ; Ziyang HU ; Zuyan ZHANG ; Yong CHENG ; Bing FANG ; Hong HE ; Hu WANG ; Gang LI ; Jun GUO ; Weihua GUO ; Xiaobing LI ; Guangning ZHENG ; Zhimin LI ; Donglin ZENG ; Yan LIU ; Yuehua LIU ; Min HU ; Lunguo XIA ; Jihong ZHAO ; Yaling SONG ; Huang LI ; Jun JI ; Jinlin SONG ; Lili CHEN ; Tiemei WANG
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):21-21
Early correction of childhood malocclusion is timely managing morphological, structural, and functional abnormalities at different dentomaxillofacial developmental stages. The selection of appropriate imaging examination and comprehensive radiological diagnosis and analysis play an important role in early correction of childhood malocclusion. This expert consensus is a collaborative effort by multidisciplinary experts in dentistry across the nation based on the current clinical evidence, aiming to provide general guidance on appropriate imaging examination selection, comprehensive and accurate imaging assessment for early orthodontic treatment patients.
Humans
;
Malocclusion/diagnostic imaging*
;
Child
;
Consensus
4.Establishment of a method for detecting the potency of recombinant human coagulation factor Ⅶa for injection
Rong WU ; Liping WANG ; Jinye LANG ; Yue ZHU ; Jing ZHOU ; Xun LIU ; Jing NI ; Shunbo ZHOU ; Yaling DING
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(3):415-420
[Objective] To establish a method for detecting the potency of recombinant human coagulation factor Ⅶa for injection. [Methods] By adding the sample and factor Ⅶ deficient plasma to the sample cup and activating the reaction with prothrombin time assay reagent (PT reagent), the coagulation time of the sample was determined by the change in magnetic bead swing amplitude in the sample cup. The logarithm of coagulation time was inversely proportional to the logarithm of human factor Ⅶa potency. [Results] Under the experimental conditions, the specificity of the methodology was evaluated through spiked recovery, and the recovery rates ranged from 90.0% to 110.0%. Within the range from 0.125 to 1.000 IU/mL, there was a good linear response between the potency and coagulation time of the standard and sample, with correlation coefficients r>0.99. As for the accuracy and repeatability, the recovery rates of various concentrations detected in the stock solution were 101.0%, 100.0% and 112.0%, respectively, with RSD values of 2.6%, 4.0% and 0.0%, respectively. The recovery rates of various concentrations in finished product testing were 104.0%, 94.7% and 112.0%, respectively, with RSD values of 1.9%, 2.4% and 0.0%, respectively. As for the intermediate precision, the RSD were 4.5% and 3.7%, respectively. After treated with sample diluent, the sample was tested at room temperature for 6 hours and still exhibited relatively stable biological activity. [Conclusion] This detection method is accurate, stable, easy to operate and highly automated, and is suitable for detecting the potency of recombinant human coagulation factor Ⅶa for Injection.
5.Severe COVID-19 and inactivated vaccine in diabetic patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Yaling YANG ; Feng WEI ; Duoduo QU ; Xinyue XU ; Chenwei WU ; Lihua ZHOU ; Jia LIU ; Qin ZHU ; Chunhong WANG ; Weili YAN ; Xiaolong ZHAO
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(10):1257-1259
6.Investigation and analysis of the etiology of suspected occupational asthma caused by toluene diisocyanate
Yao WU ; Yingchun HE ; Jun ZHANG ; Yaling SONG ; Yue HUA ; Zenghong ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2025;43(6):466-468
Objective:To conduct an occupational hygiene investigation and simulated sampling and testing on welding positions in a company in a certain province, and to perform a simulated analysis of the concentration of occupational hazard factors in workers suspected of occupational asthma.Methods:In November 2023, the investigation and analysis of workers' exposure to occupational hazard factors were carried out through occupational hygiene surveys, laboratory simulated sampling and testing, and a combination of qualitative and quantitative detection methods.Results:Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) was present in the workplace air of the employer. TDI was detected in the raw materials provided by the workers. Laboratory simulations of the production process and working conditions at the position were conducted with sampling at different distances, revealing a maximum TDI concentration of 0.49 mg/m 3 and a minimum concentration of 0.01 mg/m 3. The results showed that the closer the sampling distance was to the breathing zone, the more significantly the TDI concentration increased. The laboratory simulated sampling and testing results were highly consistent with the on-site sampling and testing results from a testing agency in Beijing. Conclusion:The occupational hazard factor TDI is present in the workers' workplace, and TDI may be the cause of the suspected occupational asthma in the workers.
7.Research progress on infection prevention and control as well as disinfec-tion in funeral parlors
Yaling QIN ; Jiayi LIN ; Xuemei ZHOU ; Hao WU ; Jin SHEN ; Hongyang DUAN
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2025;24(7):1010-1018
As the location with special public health environments,funeral parlors are of paramount importance in the prevention and control of infectious diseases as well as disinfection practices.This paper analyzes the unique hy-gienic characteristics of funeral parlors,summarizes relevant laws,regulations,standards,and literatures in funeral parlors at home and abroad,and elaborates the problems relevant to infection prevention and control in funeral par-lors from perspectives of body disposal risks,microbial contamination characteristics in funeral parlors,and the current status of staff's knowledge on infectious diseases.It aims to enhance the professional prevention and control capabilities of funeral service personnel and management personnel,ensure the health and safety of service recipients and staff,optimize service quality,provide theoretical basis and practical guidance for forming a sound infectious disease prevention and control system for funeral service institutions,and clarify research directions for the preven-tion and control of infectious diseases in funeral parlors in the future.
8.Research progress on infection prevention and control as well as disinfec-tion in funeral parlors
Yaling QIN ; Jiayi LIN ; Xuemei ZHOU ; Hao WU ; Jin SHEN ; Hongyang DUAN
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2025;24(7):1010-1018
As the location with special public health environments,funeral parlors are of paramount importance in the prevention and control of infectious diseases as well as disinfection practices.This paper analyzes the unique hy-gienic characteristics of funeral parlors,summarizes relevant laws,regulations,standards,and literatures in funeral parlors at home and abroad,and elaborates the problems relevant to infection prevention and control in funeral par-lors from perspectives of body disposal risks,microbial contamination characteristics in funeral parlors,and the current status of staff's knowledge on infectious diseases.It aims to enhance the professional prevention and control capabilities of funeral service personnel and management personnel,ensure the health and safety of service recipients and staff,optimize service quality,provide theoretical basis and practical guidance for forming a sound infectious disease prevention and control system for funeral service institutions,and clarify research directions for the preven-tion and control of infectious diseases in funeral parlors in the future.
9.A National Registry to Improve the Quality of Care for Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome and Diabetes: Protocol for the China Diabetes Cardiovascular (CDCV) Project
Na YANG ; Jing LIU ; Changsheng MA ; Dalong ZHU ; Smith Sidney C. ; Robert ECKEL ; Louise MORGAN ; Yongchen HAO ; Jun LIU ; Yan ZHOU ; Yaling HAN ; Dong ZHAO
Cardiology Discovery 2025;05(3):208-214
Evidence-based treatment strategies for patients with cardiovascular disease and diabetes have been updated in recent years. However, substantial gaps remain between guideline recommendations and clinical practice, which justify the urgent need to improve the quality of care for patients with these conditions. The Chinese Society of Cardiology and the Chinese Society of Diabetes, in collaboration with the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association, designed the China Diabetes Cardiovascular project. The China Diabetes Cardiovascular project is a nationwide registry study aimed at improving the quality of care for patients with acute coronary syndrome and diabetes in China. Launched in 2021, this project has enrolled 36 hospitals across mainland China. Patients with a primary discharge diagnosis of comorbid acute coronary syndrome and diabetes will be eligible to participate. Pre-defined performance measures will be adopted to evaluate the quality of care for these patients. Multiple quality improvement strategies will be adopted, including providing monthly quality reports based on these measures, conducting a series of training courses, and distributing educational materials. A comprehensive dataset, encompassing patients' characteristics, medical history, treatment before and during the current hospitalization, and discharge medications for secondary prevention, will be collected through a web-based data collection platform. This project has the potential to improve the quality of care and reduce the care disparities in the management of patients with these diseases. Moreover, with its comprehensive data collection, this project will provide a strong foundation for exploring key clinical questions.
10.Accelerated establishment of a Parkinson's disease model throughα-Syn PFF injection in A53T transgenic mice
Yuguang ZHOU ; Ying SU ; Yaling LIU ; Xinyu WEI ; Peiwen JIANG ; Chunlin ZOU
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(9):1312-1319
Objective This study sought to accelerate the establishment of a Parkinson's disease mouse model by intracerebral injection of α-synuclein preformed fibrils(α-Syn PFF)into B6-hSNCA-A53T transgenic mice to induce rapid development of Parkinson's-like pathological features.Methods C57BL/6J background α-Syn A53T transgenic mice were selected as the model group,with isogenic C57BL/6J mice as the control group.α-Syn PFF was delivered into the bilateral striatum using stereotactic brain injection.After modeling,the open-field test was used to assess spontaneous activity and anxiety-like behaviors,while the rotarod,grip strength,and pole tests evaluated motor coordination and limb muscle tone.The buried food test was conducted to assess olfactory function.Immunohistochemical staining was performed to investigate neuroinflammation and pathological α-synuclein in the mouse brain.Results Compared with the control group,1 month after the α-Syn PFF injection,model mice showed increased locomotion in the open-field test,with no significant differences in the rotarod,grip strength,or pole tests,but prolonged food-seeking time.Two months after model establishment,the model group showed significantly reduced locomotor activity in open field testing,impaired motor coordination in rotarod,grip strength and pole tests,and olfactory dysfunction in buried food tests.Phosphorylated α-synuclein accumulation was observed in the substantia nigra,cortex,and hippocampus,accompanied by pronounced microglial activation,Lewy body deposition,and substantial dopaminergic neuron loss in the substantia nigra.Conclusions A53T mice developed olfactory dysfunction and motor impairments more rapidly after α-Syn PFF injection.Significant pathological changes were observed,including the aggregation of α-synuclein/Lewy body in the substantia nigra,cortex,and hippocampus,and the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra.This model can serve as a rapidly established animal model for α-synucleinopathy-related Parkinson's disease.

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