1.Clinical Efficacy of Janus Kinase Inhibitors in Combination with Chinese Herbal Medicine for Rheumatoid Arthritis:A Retrospective Study and A Meta-analysis
Chenguang ZHAN ; Shengqin YANG ; Xin LI ; Yu WEN ; Peng ZHANG ; Xingrui YAN ; Haifang DU ; Maojie WANG ; Xiaodong WU ; Liyan MEI ; Xiumin CHEN ; Yanlin LI ; Runyue HUANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(5):534-543
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors combined with Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MethodsClinical data from 169 RA patients were retrospectively collected. Among them, 71 cases received JAK inhibitors as the control group, while 98 cases received JAK inhibitors plus CHM as the observation group, both treated for 24 weeks. The rheumatoid factor (RF), cyclic citic peptide antibody (anti-CCP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and white blood cell count (WBC) were recorded before and after treatment. Databases including CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed and Web of Science were searched from inception till August 31st, 2025 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the combined use of JAK inhibitors and CHM for RA. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated using the risk of bias assessment tool. Meta-analyses were performed for RF, anti-CCP, ESR, CRP, 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28), overall clinical effective rate, and incidence of adverse events. Sensitivity analysis were also performed. ResultsThe retrospective study demonstrated that after treatment, ESR, CRP, and anti-CCP levels decreased in the observation group, while ESR and CRP levels decreased in the control group (P<0.05). Moreover, ESR and RF levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). A total of 9 RCTs involving 770 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The results indicated that the JAK inhibitors plus CHM group was superior to the JAK inhibitors group in reducing RF (MD=-8.97, 95%CI -15.01 to -2.94, P=0.004), CRP (MD=-3.34, 95%CI -3.82 to -2.86, P<0.001), ESR (MD=-5.33, 95%CI -7.98 to -2.69, P<0.001), and DAS28 score (MD=-0.54, 95%CI -0.74 to -0.34, P<0.001), as well as in improving the overall clinical effective rate (OR=4.53, 95%CI 2.55 to 8.03, P<0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed between groups in anti-CCP levels (SMD=-2.08, 95%CI -4.41 to 0.24, P=0.080) or incidence of adverse events (OR=0.93, 95%CI 0.55 to 1.57, P=0.790). ConclusionThe combination of JAK inhibitors and CHM demonstrates remarkable efficacy in treating RA, contributing to improved disease activity and reduced inflammatory markers with a favorable safety profile.
2.Identification and infection rate of densovirus in Culex pipiens pallens in Beijing in 2023
Xiu-yan XU ; Ting YAN ; Si-jie ZHU ; Jing LI ; Mei-de LIU ; Hong-jiang ZHANG ; Ting LIU ; Qiu-hong LI ; Xiao-jie ZHOU ; Ying TONG ; Yong ZHANG
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(1):25-30
Objective This study conducted molecular biological identification of the viruses carried by Culex pipiens pallens specimens collected in Shunyi District, Beijing in 2023, and observed the changes in the infection rate of the viruses carried by Cx. pipiens pallens at different collection times. Methods Cx. pipiens pallens were collected using carbon dioxide mosquito traps. The mosquito samples were ground in batches and analyzed by molecular biology technologies. The virus infection rate at different collection times was analyzed statistically. Results 17 strains of Culex pipiens pallens densovirus(CppDNV)were identified from Cx. pipiens pallens samples collected in Shunyi District, Beijing, in 2023. The nucleotide sequence analysis of the virus genome coding region showed that CppDNV was a single-stranded DNA virus with a total length of 3 335 nt, encoding 2 non-structural proteins(NS1, NS2)and 1 capsid protein(VP). The nucleotide(amino acid)sequence lengths of the three proteins were 2 376 nt(791 aa),1 092 nt(363 aa)and 1 071 nt(356 aa), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CppDNV was located in genus Brevihamaparvovirus. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference in infection rates across collection times(χ2=4.429, P=0.194). Conclusions CppDNV was identified in Cx. pipiens pallens in Beijing, and it was stably maintained in this natural population.
3.Astragali Radix and Its Formulas in Treatment of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy: A Review
Ran CUI ; Linping ZHU ; Jingshun YAN ; Pingting ZHANG ; Chuxuan XIE ; Yansong LIU ; Mei ZHAO ; Yuhong LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(18):248-259
Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common chronic complication of diabetes, categorized as consumptive thirst in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and it subsequently gives rise to chest impediment. DCM is characterized by a complex pathogenesis and exhibits long-term progression with poor prognosis in clinical practice. Astragali Radix, as a medicinal material with edible value, possesses diverse active components including saponins, polysaccharides, and flavonoids. It has the effects of tonifying Qi, elevating Yang, promoting fluid production, nourishing blood, expressing toxin, and expelling pus. Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed that Astragali Radix and its active components exert therapeutic effects in various aspects such as inhibition of inflammation, alleviation of stress injury, regulation of programmed cell death, modulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, inhibition of myocardial fibrosis, and regulation of gut microbiota and metabolites, treating DCM in a multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway manner. The compatibility of Astragali Radix exerts both synergistic and antagonistic effects. The compound preparations and extracts of Astragali Radix are widely used in clinical practice, and the development of novel nano and gel materials and extracellular vesicles helps to improve the oral bioavailability, providing more possibilities for the clinical application of Astragali Radix in DCM, though its potential for clinical translation requires ongoing exploration. This review summarizes the TCM theoretical basis of Astragali Radix in the treatment of DCM, and integrates modern pharmacological research results to delve into the effects and mechanisms of the herb combinations, compound preparations, extracts, and new composite materials of Astragali Radix in the treatment of DCM, aiming to provide a reference for in-depth research and new drug development of Astragali Radix for DCM.
4.Visualization of Wallerian Degeneration of The Corticospinal Tract and Glial Pathological Changes After Ischemic Stroke in Mice
Meng MENG ; Jiao MU ; Mei-Yu LI ; Jun-Yan GAO ; Xiao-Min ZHU ; Liang-Liang LIU ; Ying GUO ; Guo-Hui ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(10):2808-2819
ObjectiveStroke remains the leading cause of acquired disability in adults worldwide, imposing a substantial socioeconomic burden on patients, families, and healthcare systems. Among the various neurological deficits caused by stroke, motor dysfunction——particularly contralateral hemiplegia——is the most common and debilitating consequence, and it predominantly results from damage to the cortical motor conduction pathways. When motor cortex neurons or their projecting fibers are damaged, the distal axons and their associated myelin sheaths undergo a series of progressive, programmed degeneration, fragmentation, and eventual phagocytic clearance. This pathological process is termed Wallerian degeneration (WD). However, the temporal progression of WD following ischemic stroke and the associated alterations in the local glial microenvironment remain incompletely understood. The present study was designed to systematically elucidate the time course of corticospinal tract (CST) axonal WD after ischemic stroke in mice, and to simultaneously characterize the dynamic pathological changes of astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocyte lineage cells, and myelinating oligodendrocytes during the WD process. MethodsEight-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to control and ischemic stroke groups. A focal cortical ischemic stroke model was established in the right sensorimotor cortex using the photothrombotic method. This method induces localized intravascular thrombosis in the target cortical region through precisely controlled interaction between the photosensitizer and laser light of specific wavelength. At day 1 post‑surgery, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was performed to evaluate infarct volume, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining for histopathological examination, and Nissl staining for assessment of neuronal injury. For axonal degeneration time-course analysis, rAAV-CAG-mCherry anterograde viral tracing was employed to specifically label CST neurons. Cervical spinal cord sections at the CST region were collected at day 3, 5, 7, 14, and 60 post-injury. Morphological changes of mCherry-positive CST fibers were observed under fluorescence microscopy, and the fluorescence signal area fraction within the defined region was quantitatively analyzed to evaluate the dynamic process of axonal degeneration. For glial response assessment, immunofluorescence staining against Iba1 (microglia), GFAP (astrocytes), Olig2 (oligodendrocyte lineage cells), and APC (myelinating oligodendrocytes) was performed at day 7, 14, and 60 post‑surgery. The numbers of positive cells were counted to quantitatively analyze the dynamic changes in each glial population at different time points after ischemia, thereby revealing the evolution of the glial microenvironment during WD. ResultsThe photothrombotic method stably and reliably established an ischemic brain injury model confined to the sensorimotor cortex. Viral tracing revealed that the proportion of mCherry‑positive CST fibers was significantly reduced at day 7 after ischemic injury to the neuronal soma. Immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that during WD, the numbers of microglia and astrocytes in the CST region were significantly increased, whereas the numbers of oligodendrocyte lineage cells and myelinating oligodendrocytes showed no significant changes. ConclusionWD of CST axons is observed at day 7 post-ischemic stroke in a delayed manner. This degenerative process selectively activates microglia and astrocytes, while leaving the number of oligodendrocyte lineage cells largely unaffected.
5.Effects of Zuogui Pill (左归丸) Decoction on Cerebral Perfusion and Corticospinal Tract Remodeling in Patients With Ischemic Stroke of the Liver-Kidney Yin Deficiency Syndrome
Xinyu XU ; Dan WU ; Xiaohui YAN ; Hao HUA ; Siqi MEI ; Zihan ZHOU ; Jinglin ZHAO ; Shiyu HE ; Xiaoyu FEI ; Yangfan LIU ; Yue SU ; Li LI ; Wenlei LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(21):2302-2310
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Zuogui Pill (左归丸,ZGP) decoction on neurological function, motor function, and activities of daily living in patients with ischemic stroke (IS) of liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome, and to assess its potential mechanisms from the perspectives of cerebral perfusion and corticospinal tract (CST) remodeling. MethodsA total of 108 patients with IS of liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome and onset time ≤14 days were enrolled and randomly divided into a control group and a treatment group, with 54 cases in each group. The control group received conventional western medicine, while the treatment group received ZGP decoction (one dose per day) in addition to the conventional treatment. Both groups were treated for 90 days. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), modified Barthel Index (MBI), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), and Chinese medicine syndrome score (CMS) were evaluated before treatment and after (90±3) days of treatment. Three-dimensional arterial spin labeling (3D-ASL) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were performed to obtain ipsilesional cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the unaffected and affected hemispheres, relative CBF (rCBF), and fractional anisotropy (FA) of the CST. Nodal analysis of FA values along the CST was also conducted. Correlation analysis was used to assess the relationships between post-treatment cerebral perfusion parameters (CBF and rCBF), and FA values with clinical neurological function scores. ResultsAfter treatment, both groups showed significantly decreased NIHSS, mRS and CMS scores, together with significantly increased FMA and MBI scores (P<0.01). Intergroup comparison showed that NIHSS, mRS, and CMS scores in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group , while MBI and FMA scores were significantly higher (P<0.01). The 3D-ASL results revealed that CBF and rCBF values in the affected hemisphere significantly increased in both groups after treatment, and the treatment group had significantly higher values (P<0.01). DTI showed that the FA value of the CST on the affected side in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group after treatment (P<0.05). Nodal analysis along the CST further demonstrated that the continuity of FA values at lesion-related nodes 45~99 in the treatment group was significantly better than that in the control group (P<0.01), with significant increases at nodes 65~71 and 76~81 compared with baseline (P<0.05 or P<0.01), whereas the control group showed a decreasing trend at nodes 80~93 (P<0.05). Correlation analysis indicated that CBF and rCBF values in the affected hemisphere were negatively correlated with NIHSS and mRS scores and positively correlated with MBI score (P<0.05). FA value of the CST on the affected side, both before and after treatment, were negatively correlated with NIHSS score and positively correlated with FMA score (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionZGP decoction can effectively improve neurological function, motor function, and activities of daily living in IS patients with liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome, and its mechanism may be related to enhanced cerebral perfusion in the affected hemisphere and corticospinal tract structural remodeling.
6.Bibliographical cataloging for ancient TCM books
Hongtao LI ; Weina ZHANG ; Lin TONG ; Jingpeng DENG ; Qian ZHAO ; Honglei WANG ; Naiying LIU ; Mei SHI ; Qiang LIU ; Ying LIN ; Xiaohong ZHANG ; Lili FENG ; Mingrui ZHANG ; Yanqiu LUO ; Guangkun CHEN ; Yan DONG ; Bin LI ; Sihong LIU ; Bing LI ; Chen LI ; Meng LI ; Rui WANG ; He LU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(6):729-740
With reference to the Information and Documentation-Resource Description (GB/T 3792-2021) and Bibliographical Description for Ancient Chinese Books (GB/T 3792.7-2008) and other cataloging standards and rules, drawing on the practical experience of cataloging ancient TCM books, Bibliographical Cataloging for Ancient TCM Books was formulated. This standard specifies the entry items and their order of ancient TCM books, cataloging identifier, cataloging text, cataloging information source, and cataloging item details. The standard can provide standardized and unified guiding principles and methods for the work of ancient TCM books, and promote the sharing and utilization of ancient TCM books.
7.Transcriptome Sequencing and Bioinformatics Analysis of Herba Chlorophyti Laxi
Jingyu LI ; Yiheng DAI ; Yan GU ; Xuqiang LUO ; Yu MEI ; Jihua WANG
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(6):1485-1491
Objective To study the transcriptional expression of Chlorophyti Laxi R.Br.using high-throughput sequencing technology.Methods Total RNA of Chlorophtum laxum R.Br.was extracted,followed by library construction,sequencing,and de novo assembly to obtain unigene sequences.These sequences were then annotated and compared to acquire genetic information of the Chlorophtum laxum R.Br.transcriptome.Results A total of 29 325 unigene were identified,with an average length of 1 026 bp and an N50 of 1 697 bp.Among them,20 338 unigene were functionally annotated in at least one database,with Chlorophtum laxum R.Br.showing the highest sequence similarity to Asparagus officinalis.In the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)database,13 392 unigene were annotated,including genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis and ubiquinone and other terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis pathways.Thirty-five upstream genes related to Chlorophtum laxum R.Br.saponin biosynthesis were identified.In the Gene Ontology(GO)database,16 728 unigene were annotated,covering cellular anatomical entities,binding,and biological processes.Using the Microsatellite Identification Tool(MISA),11 486 assembled unigene longer than 1 000 bp were analyzed for simple sequence repeats(SSRs),resulting in the identification of 5 178 SSR loci,for which primers were designed using Primer 3.0.By comparing Chlorophtum laxum R.Br.unigene with the transcription factor database,657 transcription factors,including bHLH,MYB,and WRKY,were identified.Conclusion The transcriptome data provide a foundation for studying the biosynthetic pathways and functional genes of medicinal active components in Chlorophtum laxum R.Br.,and also contribute to the conservation and development of its resources.
8.Analysis of factors affecting rheumatoid-interstitial pulmonary diseases:a study based on an analysis of latent class
Yan-Cong NIE ; Mei-Lin YIN ; Xiao-Xia WANG ; Li-Xia QIU
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(2):146-153
Objective To analyze the classification characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis(RA)-related antibodies and to investigate the factors influencing the development of RA-related interstitial pulmonary diseases(RA-ILD)in RA patients using latent class analysis(LCA).Methods A retrospective analysis of 712 RA patients treated at the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from December 2019 to October 2022 was conducted.According to whether patients had RA-ILD or not,they were divided into simple RA group(n=523)and RA-ILD group(n=189).Then,the differences in general data,clinical features,medication use and laboratory indicators were compared between the two groups.Based on the differences in RA-related antibody indicators,712 patients were divided into 3 latent categories using LCA:high-risk group(n=364),medium-risk group(n=205),and low-risk group(n=143).One-way analysis of variance was employed to compare clinical characteristics of the 3 groups,and the prevalence of RA-ILD was calculated.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to identify independent affect factors of RA-ILD.Results Significant differences in gender,age,and smoking history were observed between simple RA group and RA-ILD group(P<0.05).The high,medium and low risk groups exhibited significant differences in gender,age,prednisone(PRED)and methotrexate(MTX)medication history,Red blood cell count(RBC),interleukin-2(IL-2),IL-4,IL-10,IL-17,TNF-α,interferon-γ(INF-γ),serum globulins,and white blood albumins(P<0.05).The high-risk group had a higher proportion of males,RBC,IL-2,IL-4,IL-10,IL-17,TNF-α,INF-γ,and serum globulin levels,and a lower proportion of MTX medication compared with medium-and low-risk groups(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The medium-risk group had a higher proportion of MTX administration than that in high-and low-risk groups(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The low-risk group had a higher proportion of females and older age than those in other two groups(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The prevalence of RA-ILD was 30.5%,23.9%and 20.3%in the three groups,respectively.Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that male(OR=2.920,95%CI 1.722-4.952),age(OR=1.055,95%CI 1.035-1.074),IL-17(OR=1.013,95%CI 1.003-1.023),TNF-α(OR=1.050,95%CI 1.017-1.083),INF-γ(OR=0.962,95%CI 0.932-0.993),Serum albumin(OR=0.919,95%CI 0.869-0.971)and high risk antibody indicators(OR=1.725,95%CI 1.084-2.745)were independent predictors for RA-ILD.Conclusions RA patients exhibit distinct categories of antibody indicators,with a higher prevalence in high-risk patients with RA-ILD.RA-ILD is more likely to occur in male,elderly patients with abnormal liver function and high-risk antibody indictors.More attention should be paid to these patients and individualized interventions should be developed and implemented in a timely manner to improve the quality of patient survival.
9.CURRENT SITUATION OF HUMAN INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTION IN JINUO INHABITED AREAS OF YUNNAN PROVINCE IN 2023
Juan ZHANG ; Hong TAO ; Yan-Zhong LI ; Meng CHEN ; Xiao-Mei ZHOU
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2025;32(2):78-83
Objective To investigate the infection with key intestinal parasites in the Jinuo-inhabited areas of Yunnan Province in 2023 and provide a scientific basis for preventing and controlling local parasitic diseases.Methods A cluster random sampling method was used to conduct a survey on human intestinal parasitic diseases in Jinuoshan Township,Jinghong City,Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture,Yunnan Province,from October to November 2023.Fecal samples and information on epidemiological factors were collected from permanent residents of the Jinuo ethnic group.Intestinal helminth eggs were detected and counted using the modified Kato-Katz technique(two slides per fecal sample).Intestinal protozoa were identified via iodine-stained smears.Each fecal sample was subjected to hookworm larval culture using the test tube filter paper method for species identification.Additionally,transparent adhesive tape anal swabs were used to detect Enterobius vermicularis eggs in children aged 3-9 years.Results A total of 1 367 individuals was examined,with 11 species of parasites detected,including 5 helminth species and 6 protozoan species.The overall intestinal parasite infection rate was 25.97%,with helminth and protozoan infection rates at 17.63%and 9.07%,respectively.The infection rate of E.vermicularis in children(via anal swabs)was 16.35%.The infection rates of specific parasites were as follows:Ascaris lumbricoides 0.07%,hookworm 13.97%,Trichuris sp.0.29%,Taenia solium 0.15%,Entamoeba nana 1.68%,Giardia lamblia 1.61%,Entamoeba histolytica 0.07%,Entamoeba coli 0.07%,Iodamolbe butschlii 1.61%,and Blastocystis hominis 4.10%.The degree of Acaris lumbricoides,hookworm,and Trichuris sp.infection was mainly mild.Hookworm species were identified as Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale.No statistically significant differences in infection rates were observed across different village committees,genders,age groups,or occupations(P>0.05).The infection rates of preschool children and illiterate people were higher at 82.61%and 67.02%,respectively(χ2=344.798,P<0.01).The infection rate of the Jinuo people was 32.49%,which is higher than that of other ethnic groups(χ2=109.493,P<0.01).Conclusions The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among the Jinuo ethnic group in Yunnan Province remains relatively high.Strengthened prevention and control measures targeting relevant populations are urgently needed,with a particular focus on hookworm infections and E.vermicularis infections in children.
10.ESTABLISHMENT AND APPLICATION OF A MULTIPLEX PCR DETECTION METHOD FOR THREE COMMON PATHOGENS CAUSING DIARRHEA IN YAKS
Yao PAN ; Jing ZHANG ; Mei-Jun JIN ; Ling-Xiang XIN ; Hai-Yue XIAO ; Yan LIU ; Wen-Sheng YAO ; Chuan CHENG ; Li-Li HAO ; Lan LAN ; Liang-Quan ZHU
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2025;32(3):146-152
Objective To establish a rapid,sensitive,and specific multiplex PCR detection method for the simultaneous detection of Cryptosporidium,Eimeria,and bovine parvovirus.Methods Specific primers targeting the SSU rRNA genes of Cryptosporidium and Eimeria,as well as the VP2 gene of bovine parvovirus were designed and the corresponding recombinant plasmid standards were constructed.To establish the multiplex PCR method,the reaction conditions were optimized using temperature gradient PCR and single-variable control methods.The sensitivity,specificity,reproducibility,and clinical application of the protocol were evaluated.Results The optimal annealing temperature was found to be 60.5℃,and the forward and reverse primer concentrations were determined to be 0.2 μmol/L for Eimeria,and 0.4 μmol/L for Cryptosporidium and bovine parvovirus.The assay demonstrated high sensitivity,with detection limits of 243,260,and 3 110 copies for the recombinant plasmid standards of Cryptosporidium,Eimeria,and bovine parvovirus,respectively.Specificity testing showed no cross-reactivity with ten common bovine pathogens,including Salmonella,bovine viral diarrhea virus,and bovine rotavirus.Consistent intra-and inter-batch results confirmed the strong reproducibility of the method.Clinical application to 81 diarrhea samples from various regions in the Ganzi Prefecture,Sichuan,revealed positivity rates of 18.52%(15/81)for Cryptosporidium,34.57%(28/81)for Eimeria,and 18.52%(15/81)forbovineparvovirus,withamixedinfectionrateof3.7%(3/81).Conclusions Themultiplex PCR method established in this study offers a reliable tool for differential diagnosis and epidemiological investigation of the three common diarrheal pathogens in yaks.


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