1.Sanren Runchang Formula Regulates Brain-gut Axis to Treat IBS-C: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Teng LI ; Xinrong FAN ; He YAN ; Zhuozhi GONG ; Mengxi YAO ; Na YANG ; Yuhan WANG ; Huikai HU ; Wei WEI ; Tao LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):154-161
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of Sanren Runchang formula in treating constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) by regulating the brain-gut axis and the effects of the formula on serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and substance P (SP). MethodsA randomized controlled design was adopted, and 72 IBS-C patients meeting Rome Ⅳ criteria were randomized into observation and control groups (36 cases).The observation group received Sanren Runchang formula granules twice daily, and the control group received lactulose oral solution daily for 4 weeks. IBS Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS), IBS Quality of Life Scale (IBS-QOL), and Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) were used to assess clinical symptoms, and bowel movement frequency was recorded. The Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were employed to evaluate psychological status. ELISA was employed to measure the serum levels of 5-HT, VIP, and SP. ResultsThe total response rate in the observation group was 91.67% (33/36), which was higher than that (77.78%, 28/36) in the control group (χ2=4.50, P<0.05). After treatment, both groups showed increased defecation frequency and BSFS scores, decreased IBS-SSS total score, abdominal pain and bloating scores, IBS-QOL health anxiety, anxiety, food avoidance, and behavioral disorders scores, SAS and SDS scores, serum 5-HT and VIP levels, and increased SP levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, the observation group showed more significant changes in the indicators above than the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The SP level showed no significant difference between the two groups. During the 4-week follow-up, the recurrence rate was 5.88% in the observation group and 31.25% in the control group. No adverse events occurred in observation group, and 2 cases of mild diarrhea occurred in the control group. ConclusionSanren Runchang formula demonstrated definitive efficacy in alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms and improving the psychological status and quality of life in IBS-C patients, with a low recurrence rate. The formula can regulate serum levels of neurotransmitters such as 5-HT and VIP, suggesting its potential regulatory effect on the brain-gut axis through modulating neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. However, its complete mechanism of action requires further investigation through detection of additional brain-gut axis-related biomarkers.
2.Comprehensive analysis of an m6A regulator-based prognostic model and its associations with immune infiltration, drug sensitivity, and intercellular communication in cervical cancer
JIANG Bengui ; ZHOU Teng ; LU Qunfang ; TONG Lin ; ZHOU Xin ; LI Yan ; ZHI Shuang
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2026;33(6):678-689
[摘 要] 目的:探讨m6A调控因子在宫颈癌预后评估、免疫微环境特征及治疗反应中的作用,构建基于m6A调控因子的预后风险模型,并分析其与免疫浸润、药物敏感性及细胞间通信的关系。方法:基于TCGA和GEO数据库中宫颈鳞癌及腺癌(CESC)转录组数据,分析22个m6A调控因子的表达与突变情况;采用LASSO‑Cox回归构建m6A相关预后风险模型,并依据风险评分将患者分为高、低风险组。利用CIBERSORT和ESTIMATE算法评估两组免疫细胞浸润及微环境特征;通过oncoPredict预测抗肿瘤药物敏感性。整合单细胞转录组数据(E-MTAB-12305),采用CellChat分析细胞间通信网络。结果:共鉴定出12个在宫颈癌中差异表达的m6A调控因子。高风险组患者总生存期缩短(P < 0.05),免疫评分降低,且对紫杉醇、氟尿嘧啶、多柔比星等抗肿瘤药物敏感性较差(IC50较高)。单细胞分析显示宫颈癌组织中细胞间通信网络发生改变,其中T细胞与内皮/上皮细胞间的相互作用可能主要由CCL5‑ACKR1和MIF‑(CD74 + CXCR4)配体‑受体介导。在临床样本中,对关键的m6A调控因子进行mRNA和蛋白水平的验证,结果显示部分调控因子在宫颈癌组织中的表达水平高于正常宫颈组织(P < 0.05)。结论:m6A调控因子特征可有效预测宫颈癌患者预后,其风险评分与肿瘤免疫浸润、药物敏感性及细胞通信密切相关,为宫颈癌的预后分层及个体化治疗提供了新的分子依据。
3.The Neurobiological Mechanisms of Runner’s High
Yun-Teng WANG ; Jia-Qi LIANG ; Wan-Tang SU ; Li ZHAO ; Yan LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):358-373
“Runner’s high” refers to a momentary sense of pleasure that suddenly appears during running or other exercise activities, characterized by anti-anxiety, pain relief, and other symptoms. The neurobiological mechanism of “runner’s high” is unclear. This review summarizes human and animal models for studying “runner’s high”, analyzes the neurotransmitters and neural circuits involved in runner’s high, and elucidates the evidence and shortcomings of researches related to “runner’s high”. This review also provides prospects for future research. Research has found that exercise lasting more than 30 min and with an intensity exceeding 70% of the maximum heart rate can reach a “runner’s high”. Human experiments on “runner’s high” mostly use treadmill exercise intervention, and evaluate it through questionnaire surveys, measurement of plasma AEA, miRNA and other indicators. Animal experiments often use voluntary wheel running intervention, and evaluate it through behavioral experiments such as conditional place preference, light dark box experiments (anxiety), hot plate experiments (pain sensitivity), and measurement of plasma AEA and other indicators. Dopamine, endogenous opioid peptides, endogenous cannabinoids, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and other substances increase after exercise, which may be related to the “runner’s high”. However, attention should be paid to the functional differences of these substances in the central and peripheral regions, as well as in different brain regions. Moreover, current studies have not identified the targets of the neurotransmitters or neural factors mentioned above, and further in-depth researches are needed. The mesolimbic dopamine system, prefrontal cortex-nucleus accumbens projection, ventral hippocampus-nucleus accumbens projection, red nucleus-ventral tegmental area projection, cerebellar-ventral tegmental area projection, and brain-gut axis may be involved in the regulation of runner’s high, but there is a lack of direct evidence to prove their involvement. There are still many issues that need to be addressed in the research on the neurobiological mechanisms of “runner’s high”. (1) Most studies on “runner’s high” involve one-time exercise, and the characteristics of changes in “runner’s high” during long-term exercise still need to be explored. (2) The using of scales to evaluate subjects lead to the lacking of objective indicators. However, some potential biomarkers (such as endocannabinoids) have inconsistent characteristics of changes after one-time and long-term exercise. (3) The neurotransmitters involved in the formation of the “runner’s high” all increase in the peripheral and/or central nervous system after exercise. Attention should be paid to whether peripheral substances can enter the blood-brain barrier and the binding effects of neurotransmitters to different receptors are completely different in different brain regions. (4) Most of the current evidence show that some brain regions are activated after exercise. Is there a functional circuit mediating “runner’s high” between these brain regions? (5) Although training at a specific exercise intensity can lead to “runner’s high”, most runners have not experienced “runner’s high”. Can more scientific training methods or technological means be used to make it easier for people to experience the “runner’s high” and thus be more willing to engage in exercise? (6) The “runner’s high” and “addiction” behaviors are extremely similar, and there are evidences that exercise can reverse addictive behaviors. However, why is there still a considerable number of people in the sports population and even athletes who smoke or use addictive drugs instead of pursuing the “pleasure” brought by exercise? Solving the problems above is of great significance for enhancing the desire of exercise, improving the clinical application of neurological and psychiatric diseases through exercise, and enhancing the overall physical fitness of the population.
4.Study on the correlation between CXCR1 expression and neutrophil infiltration in chronic rhinosinusitis
Qing HAO ; Zhaonan XU ; Shuang TENG ; Bingrui YAN ; Shuo LIU ; Yanan SUN
Chinese Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2025;32(8):492-495,524
OBJECTIVE To investigate the differential expression of CXC chemokine receptor 1(CXCR1)in chronic rhinosinusitis(CRS)and its correlation with neutrophil infiltration.METHODS A total of 60 CRS patients with nasal polyps(CRSwNP group),30 CRS patients without nasal polyps(CRSsNP group),and 30 patients with deviated nasal septum(control group)were enrolled in this study.ELISA,immunohistochemistry,and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were employed to measure CXCR1 expression levels.Correlation analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationship between CXCR1 expression,neutrophil infiltration,and clinical symptom scores.RESULTS CXCR1 was highly expressed in both tissues and serum of CRSwNP patients.Serum CXCR1 levels showed positive correlations with peripheral blood neutrophil counts(r=0.363,P=0.004 4),neutrophil percentage(r=0.323,P=0.011 7),visual analog scale(VAS)score(r=0.328,P=0.010 5),Lund-Kennedy endoscopic score(r=0.331,P=0.009 9),and Lund-Mackay CT score(r=0.262,P=0.045 0).Tissue CXCR1 levels were positively correlated with tissue neutrophil counts(r=0.506,P=0.011 6)and percentage(r=0.564,P=0.004 1).CONCLUSION CXCR1 is highly expressed in CRSwNP patients,and its expression level is positively correlated with the degree of neutrophil infiltration and clinical symptom scores.Higher CXCR1 levels are associated with increased neutrophil migration in both serum and tissues,as well as more severe clinical symptoms.
5.Identification of Endogenous and Exogenous Testosterone and Dehydroepiandrosterone in Beef by Gas Chromatography Combustion Isotope Mass Spectrometry
Bo ZHAO ; Huan-Huan CHEN ; Wei CAI ; Hai LU ; Jie JIANG ; Teng XING ; Yan GAO ; Li LIN ; Wei LI
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(7):1167-1176
Accurate identification of endogenous and exogenous substances in food,particularly in competition supplies,is crucial for ensuring food safety and fair competition,as well as for protecting the legitimate rights and professional reputations of athletes.Testosterone(T)and dehydroepiandrosterone(DHEA)are important steroid hormones that can stimulate protein synthesis,increase the number and volume of muscle cells,and promote muscle growth and recovery.Both are often illegally used in the animal husbandry industry to promote animal growth and improve meat quality.However,current research in this area remains limited,and identification technologies require further investigation.This study focused on the techniques for identifying endogenous and exogenous hormones including T and DHEA in beef.A Soxhlet extraction method was established,reducing the pretreatment cycle to 110 min while achieving high extraction efficiency,with recovery rates of 102.5%for T and 91.9%for DHEA,respectively.Based on this,a gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry(GC-C-IRMS)method was developed for analyzing carbon isotopes in T and DHEA,eliminating the need for derivatization.By adding reference materials to the extract,simultaneous measurement of reference materials and target analytes was achieved.The measurement of caffeine reference material,T and DHEA was completed within 40 min,with a measurement repeatability of 0.02‰.Theδ13C values of T and DHEA in standard substances,which may serve as exogenous additives,were determined using elemental analysis-isotope ratio mass spectrometry(EA-IRMS).The results indicated an average δ13C value of-29.44‰±0.81‰(k=1)for 10 T standards and-30.86‰±0.87‰(k=1)for 14 kinds of DHEA standards.This approach effectively distinguished between endogenous sources and exogenous addition of these two hormones in beef,thereby providing vital technical support for the assurance and supervision of food safety.
6.Profiling of risk factors for and prognosis of brucellar spondylitis
Tongtong SHEN ; Jing KUANG ; Yiran YAN ; Shuangqin TENG ; Wei WANG ; Yadong WANG ; Caiyan ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy 2025;25(4):376-383
Objective This study aimed to examine the risk factors and prognostic factors of brucellar spondylitis for early prevention and treatment of the disease,and improving the outcomes of patients.Methods A retrospective case-control study was conducted on the patients with brucellosis who were hospitalized in the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from June 2020 to June 2022.Patients were assigned to brucellosis without spondylitis group or brucellar spondylitis group according to the presence of spondylitis.The patients in brucellar spondylitis group were followed for 1 year.Then they were stratified into a subgroup of good or poor prognosis according to clinical outcomes.The dataset for the demographic and clinical variables of patients were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 software.Results A total of 300 patients with brucellosis were enrolled,including 113 cases of brucellosis without spondylitis and 187 cases of brucellar spondylitis.Multivariate analysis showed that age,time from onset to diagnosis,low back pain,and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were independent risk factors for brucellar spondylitis(P<0.05).Of the 154 cases of brucellar spondylitis with known outcomes,121 cases showed good prognosis and 33 cases had poor prognosis.COX regression analysis showed that the time from onset to diagnosis,diabetes mellitus,paravertebral abscess,and neurological impairment were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with brucellar spondylitis(P<0.05).Conclusions Old age,prolonged time from onset to diagnosis,low back pain,and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate are independent risk factors for spondylitis in patients with brucellosis.Prolonged time from onset to diagnosis,diabetes mellitus,paravertebral abscess,and neurological impairment are independent risk factors for poor prognosis of brucellar spondylitis.
7.Investigation on influencing factors of depression,anxiety and comorbid depression-anxiety symptoms among college freshmen
Ruiyao MA ; Xinyang YU ; Yue WANG ; Jiatong CUI ; Zijing SHAO ; Yinliang ZHAO ; Teng XU ; Zehui YAN ; Lingling ZHAI
Journal of Shenyang Medical College 2025;27(2):129-134
Objective:To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of depression,anxiety and comorbid depression-anxiety symptoms among college freshmen,providing a theoretical basis for promoting their mental health.Methods:From Jan to Feb 2022,an online questionnaire survey was conducted,involving 483 online questionnaires from college freshmen(184 males,299 females).The depression-anxiety-stress self-rating scale,smartphone dependence self-rating scale for adolescents,and Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI)were used for online surveys.The influencing factors of depression,anxiety,and their comorbidity among college freshmen were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression analysis.Results:The detection rates of smartphone dependence,sleep disorders,depression,anxiety and comorbid depression-anxiety symptoms among college freshmen were 26.1%,12.8%,26.3%,32.1%,and 23.6%,respectively.The detection rates of depression,anxiety and comorbid depression-anxiety symptoms in male students were significantly higher than those in female students(P<0.05).Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that self-perceived poor mental health,smartphone dependence and sleep disorders were risk factors for depression,anxiety and comorbid depression-anxiety symptoms.Low satisfaction with college life was a risk factor for depression.Medical specialty was a risk factor for anxiety and comorbid depression-anxiety symptoms(P<0.05).Conclusions:Male college freshmen show higher rates of depression,anxiety,and their comorbidity.Low satisfaction with college life,self-perceived poor mental health,high academic pressure,smartphone dependence,medical specialty,and sleep disorders may be risk factors for depression,anxiety and comorbid depression-anxiety symptoms among college freshmen.
8.Teaching Practice and Exploration of"Tutorial System"Based on The Cultivation of Scientific Research and Innovation Ability of Medical Students
Qiao ZHANG ; Yin-Feng YANG ; Yue-Li NI ; Zhuo-Ran TENG ; Wen-Jing LIU ; Jing WU ; Yan-Rui WU ; Yu DOU ; Ming HE ; Shu-De LI ; Ping GAN ; Fang YUAN ; Zhe YANG ; Xin-Wang YANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(3):470-480
The scientific research and innovation capabilities of medical students are intrinsically linked to the sustained and high-quality development of national healthcare initiatives.Cultivating outstanding medi-cal students with independent scientific capabilities and innovative consciousness is a critical component in the education and training of high-level medical professionals.Our investigation revealed that within the imperfections of the cultivating model,some faculty and students at medical schools have an insufficient understanding of scientific research and innovation and lack motivation for engaging in such activities,which hinder the progression of scientific research activities.Consequently,we initiated a teaching practice and exploratory study on the"tutorial system"aimed at fostering medical students'scientific research and innovation abilities.Based on the principle of"research informing teaching,teaching and research advan-cing together,"this study implements a"tutorial system"coordinated by tutors,supplemented by graduate and undergraduate student mentors,to cultivate innovative thinking,stimulate interest in scientific re-search,and enhance practical and research skills among medical students.Through collaborative efforts within"scientific research innovation teams,"various educational methods—including preliminary re-search,in-class and extracurricular activities,intra-group and inter-group interactions,and theoretical and practical applications—are employed to improve and strengthen the cultivation of medical students'scientif-ic research and innovation abilities.This study aims to provide valuable references for optimizing medical education management systems and enhancing the quality of medical student training.
9.Cloning,expression,and functional analysis of capsule-specific depolymerase targeting carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae
Tao YAN ; Na WANG ; Qiuyan WANG ; Chengcheng MA ; Xuan TENG ; Kexue YU ; Honghua GE ; Zhou LIU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(7):1251-1257
Objective To construct the K64 capsule depolymerase recombinant protein,Dep44,and investigate its potential application against carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(CRKP)infections.Methods The de-polymerase-encoding phage vB_Kpn_HF1013(GenBank:PP803128)was isolated and genomically analyzed to screen for candidate depolymerases.The recombinant protein Dep44 was constructed and functionally verified for depolymerase activity.Dep44 sensitive range was validated and Dep44 antimicrobial activity was assessed by bio-film disruption and serum sterilization assays.Results The tail spike protein of phage vB_Kpn_HF1013 exhibited depolymerase activity and recombinant protein Dep44 specifically degraded K64 CRKP capsule.Biofilm eradication assays demonstrated that recombinant Dep44 at both 2 μg/mL and 10 μg/mL significantly disrupted bacterial bio-films relative to the control.Serum bactericidal assays showed that Dep44 exhibited synergistic activity with serum,dependent on the complement system,as Dep44 alone lacked bactericidal properties.Conclusion Dep44 effec-tively targets and degrades K64 CRKP capsule,disrupts biofilms,and enhances serum bactericidal activity,high-lighting its potential for managing K64 CRKP infections and clearing biofilms from medical devices.
10.Clinical Study of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction in the Prevention and Treatment of Radiation-Induced Lung Fi-brosis in Esophageal Cancer Patients with Blood Stasis Type Underwent Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy
Yijun WANG ; Lejun CHEN ; Jing YAN ; Teng HUANG ; Juan HAN ; Qiuyun YU ; Dahai YU ; Mianhua WU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(12):1657-1665
OBJECTIVE To observe the clinical efficacy of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction(XFZY)in the prevention and treatment of radiation-induced lung fibrosis(RILF)in esophageal cancer patients with blood stasis type underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy(CRT).METHODS A total of 130 esophageal cancer patients with blood stasis type who treated with concurrent CRT were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group,with 65 cases in each group.No patients dropped out during the study period.Patients in both groups received CRT and standardized symptomatic treatment was given according to the condition if radiation-induced lung injury occurred during treatment.On the basis of the treatment of the control group,the patients in the experimental group received XFZY from the beginning day until 30 days after the completion of CRT.The TCM syndrome score of the two groups were compared before and after treatment.The incidence of acute radiation pneumonia(RP)and chronic RILF and changes in pulmo-nary function indicators[forced expiratory volume in the first second as a percentage of predicted value(FEV1%pred),forced vital ca-pacity(FVC),FVC as a percentage of predicted value(FVC%pred),FEV1/FVC ratio,and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity as a per-centage of predicted value(DLCO%pred)]and serum cytokine levels[interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),and transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1)]were compared at 6 months and 12 months after the completion of CRT.The occurrence of adverse reaction during treatment was recorded.RESULTS The total score of TCM syndrome of the two groups was significantly improved and the experimental group was better than that of the control group(P<0.01)after treatment.The efficacy of TCM syndrome was better in the experimental group than that of the control group(P<0.01).There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence rate of acute RP between the two groups(P>0.05)at 6 months after the completion of CRT.The levels of lung function indicators FEV1%pred,FVC%pred,and DLCO%pred in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05),and the levels of various cytokines in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The incidence rate of chronic RILF in the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P<0.05)at 12 months after the completion of CRT.The DLCO%pred level in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.01),and the levels of cytokines HIF-1α,VEGF,and TGF-β1 were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01).There was no serious adverse event observed in either group of patients during the treat-ment.CONCLUSION XFZY can effectively prevent and treat RILF in esophageal cancer patients with blood stasis type underwent CRT,reducing the loss to lung function caused by radiotherapy,and its mechanism may be related to downregulating the levels of cyto-kines of HIF-1α,VEGF,and TGF-β1.

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