1.From Cathartic Colon to Cathartic-dependent Constipation: Diagnostic-therapeutic Strategies from Integrative Medicine Perspective
Youcheng HE ; Fengru JIANG ; Yanru WANG ; Minghan HUANG ; Yue WU ; Chunyu ZHOU ; Lian MO ; Lifeng WEI ; Keyi PAN ; Shuyu CAI ; Jianye YUAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):162-172
Both cathartic colon (CC) and cathartic-dependent constipation (CDC) are caused by the abuse of stimulant laxatives, while their concepts are not completely the same.Starting from the disease name of CC, this article traced the origin and evolution of the concept of CC, summarizes and compared the similarities and differences between CC, CDC, and slow transit constipation (STC), and called for strict differentiation among the three.Furthermore, this article explored the specific contents of Western medicine clinical subtypes and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome differentiation of CDC and delved into the TCM pathogenesis of CDC according to both literature and clinical practice.The relationship between clinical subtypes and TCM syndromes was established, and the syndrome characteristics of CDC of different clinical subtypes and TCM syndromes were summarized.The recommended prescriptions for corresponding syndromes were listed.A systematic CDC diagnosis and treatment approach of "clinical subtypes-syndrome differentiation-syndrome characteristics-recommended prescriptions" was thus formed.Additionally, the paper provides an overview of current research on CDC in both Western medicine and TCM contexts, identifies future research directions, and suggests research pathways for refining and advancing CDC studies.
2.Mechanism of Congrong Zonggan Capsules in Improving Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Impairment in 5×FAD Mice Based on NF-κB/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway
Yanru ZHOU ; Xinru GU ; Yuru LIU ; Shun ZHANG ; Yaozhong LYU ; Zhenzhong WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):130-138
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Congrong Zonggan capsules (CRZG) on cognitive impairment in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) model of mice and its related mechanisms. MethodsSPF grade 4-week-old 5×FAD mice were divided into a model group, low-dose CRZG (0.819 g·kg-1) and high-dose CRZG (1.638 g·kg-1) groups, and Donepezilepezil hydrochloride group (2 mg·kg-1), with eight mice in each group. Eight C57 mice with the same background were set as the normal group. After one week of adaptive feeding, mice were orally administered continuously for six months. On the 5th month of drug administration, Y maze, new object recognition, and Morris water maze tests were conducted separately. After administration, mouse brain tissue was taken, and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in brain tissue were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunofluorescence (IF) was used to detect the expression of small glial cell markers Iba1, astrocyte markers GFAP, and amyloid protein 1-42 (Aβ1-42) in the hippocampus of the brain tissue. The hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to detect pathological changes in the hippocampus of brain tissue. Western blot was used to detect the expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65, NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), cleaved Caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), and other proteins in the brain tissue. ResultsCompared with those in the normal group, the mice in the model group had obvious cognitive impairment. The spontaneous alternation rate of the Y maze was decreased, and the discrimination index of novel object recognition was decreased significantly (P<0.01). The escape latency in the water maze was shortened significantly (P<0.01). The contents of IL-6 and TNF-α in brain tissue were increased. The fluorescence levels of Iba1 and Aβ1-42 in the hippocampus were significantly increased (P<0.01). There was a significant increase in neuronal lesions, neuronal atrophy, loose arrangement of tissue structure, and abnormal erythrocyte aggregation in the hippocampus. The protein expressions of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65, cleaved Caspase-1, ASC, IL-6, and IL-1β were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the spontaneous alternation rate and discrimination index of the high-dose CRZG group were increased significantly (P<0.01), and the escape latency was shortened significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01). The content of IL-6 decreased in the brain, and that of TNF-α dropped significantly (P<0.01). The expression of Iba1 protein and Aβ1-42 in the hippocampus decreased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01). The hippocampal neurons were densely arranged, and the pyramidal nuclei were clear and centered. The abnormal aggregation of red blood cells was alleviated. The value of p-NF-κB/NF-κB proteins and the expression of ASC, cleaved Caspase-1, IL-6, and IL-1β were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionCRZG can effectively improve cognitive impairment in 5×FAD mice with Alzheimer's disease, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway to reduce the abnormal activation of microglia and inhibit neuroinflammation.
3.Effect of Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription on Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Rats with Chronic Atrophic Gastritis
Jinye ZHOU ; Haofeng ZHANG ; Ziwei LIU ; Yican WANG ; Yanru CAI ; Yuxi GUO ; Jie WANG ; Zheng ZHI ; Qian YANG ; Bolin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):41-47
ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription on chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) in rats based on the Hedgehog signaling pathway. MethodsThe CAG rat model was established by sodium salicylate, N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitroguanidine (MNNG), and irregular feeding. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group (180 mg·L-1), a moradan group (1.4 g·kg-1), and Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription groups with high, medium, and low doses (36, 9, 18 g·kg-1), followed by drug intervention. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe morphological changes in the gastric mucosa. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of gastric mucosa cells. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), Patched 1 (Ptch1), and Glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (Gli1). Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of Shh, Ptch1, and Gli1 in the gastric mucosa. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the protein expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the CAG model group showed a reduction in gastric mucosal intrinsic glands and infiltration of inflammatory cells. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal cells showed nuclear pyknosis, fewer mitochondria, and abnormal mitochondrial structure. The mRNA and protein expression of Shh, Ptch1, and Gli1 in the gastric mucosa were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and E-cadherin protein expression was decreased. Compared with the model group, the intervention groups showed varying degrees of improvement in histopathological morphology and cellular ultrastructure. The mRNA and protein expression of Shh, Ptch1, Gli1, and E-cadherin increased to varying degrees. Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription upregulated the expression of key Hedgehog pathway factors and E-cadherin at both the mRNA and protein levels (P<0.05). ConclusionXianglian Huazhuo prescription has a therapeutic effect on CAG in rats, and its mechanism may be related to activation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway and inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
4.Analysis of a child with You-Hoover-Fong syndrome due to compound heterozygous variants of the TELO2 gene and a literature review.
Pei LI ; Yanru HUANG ; Yixi ZHOU ; Shuxiang HU
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(11):1354-1363
OBJECTIVE:
To analyze the clinical manifestations and genotype of a child with You-Hoover-Fong syndrome (YHFS) to enhance clinical understanding of this disease.
METHODS:
Clinical data of a child who visited the Department of Pediatric Neurorehabilitation of the Women's and Children's Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University in March 2025 for global developmental delay was collected. Peripheral blood samples of the child and his parents were collected for chromosomal microarray analysis and whole exome sequencing (WES). Sanger sequencing was performed for parental validation, and candidate variant was assessed for pathogenicity. Clinical and genetic analyses were conducted based on the child's phenotype. A literature review was performed by retrieving previously reported cases of YHFS due to TELO2 gene variants. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Women's and Children's Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University (Ethics No.: KY-2023-044-K02).
RESULTS:
The child was a 1-year-and-2-month-old male presenting with global developmental delay, encephalodysplasia, congenital heart disease and distinctive facial features. WES revealed that the child has harbored compound heterozygous variants of the TELO2 gene, namely c.1826G>A (p.Arg609His) and c.1514_1515delAG (p.Glu505Alafs21). Sanger sequencing confirmed that his mother carried a heterozygous c.1826G>A variant and his father carried a heterozygous c.1514_1515delAG variant. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), both variants were classified as likely pathogenic (PM2_Supproting+PM3_Strong+PP1+PP3; PVS1+PM2_Supproting). Literature review has identified 9 articles reporting 31 cases of YHFS due to TELO2 gene variants, with primary clinical manifestations including developmental delay, intellectual disability, distinctive facial features, and congenital heart disease.
CONCLUSION
The c.1826G>A (p.Arg609His) and c.1514_1515delAG (p.Glu505Alafs*21) compound heterozygous variants of the TELO2 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of this child. Above finding has provided a basis for the clinical and genetic diagnosis of the child, which also enriched the mutational spectrum of the TELO2 gene, and improved understanding of YHFS.
Humans
;
Male
;
Infant
;
Heterozygote
;
Developmental Disabilities/genetics*
;
Female
;
Exome Sequencing
;
Mutation
;
Phenotype
;
Abnormalities, Multiple/genetics*
;
Child, Preschool
5.Effect of diquafosol sodium combined with sodium hyaluronate on dry eye after pterygium surgery
Yingwei WANG ; Yanru HE ; Jing BAI ; Xiaoyan LIU ; Yan ZHANG ; Jian ZHOU
International Eye Science 2024;24(8):1303-1307
AIM:To observe the clinical efficacy of 3% diquafosol sodium eye drops combined with sodium hyaluronate eye drops in the treatment of dry eyes after pterygium surgery with lacrimal insufficiency.METHODS: A total of 64 cases(64 eyes)of pterygium patients with lacrimal insufficiency were treated with pterygium resection combined with limbal stem cell transplantation, and they were given routine anti-inflammatory and infection prevention treatment postoperatively. In terms of postoperative dry eye treatment, all patients were randomly divided into two groups. The observation group was treated with 3% diquafosol sodium eye drops combined with sodium hyaluronate eye drops, and the control group was treated with sodium hyaluronate eye drops. The break-up time of tear film(BUT), fluorescein(FL), Schirmer's Ⅰ test(SⅠt), ocular surface disease index(OSDI)score, central corneal thickness(CCT)changes, adverse reactions and complications were observed and compared between the two groups at different times postoperatively.RESULTS: Both groups of pterygium patients were accompanied with mild to moderate dry eyes with insufficient tear secretion preoperatively. At 2 wk after operation, both groups showed shorter BUT and higher FL score compared with those preoperatively(P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05). At 4 wk after operation, BUT in the observation group was prolonged, OSDI score was decreased(both P<0.05), and FL score in both groups was decreased compared with those at with 2 wk after operation(P<0.05). The observation group was better than the control group(P<0.05). At the first day after operation, the CCT of the two groups was thicker than that preoperatively(P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in SⅠt between the two groups before and after operation(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: In the treatment of dry eye after pterygium surgery with lacrimal insufficiency, 3% diquafosol sodium eye drops combined with sodium hyaluronate eye drops can effectively reduce the postoperative dry eye symptoms, and its clinical effect is better than that of sodium hyaluronate eye drops alone.
6.Effects of Acupuncture at Acupoints along Meridians on the Expressions of Frontal Lobe Associated Protein Kinase in Insomnia Rats
Xuefen WU ; Zhou ZHU ; Qian MO ; Xiaoshan ZHANG ; Yangwanlin SHI ; Yanru WU ; Xiaoqi JIA ; Xiaofang YANG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;31(10):115-120
Objective To observe the effects of acupuncture at acupoints along the meridians on the expression of frontal lobe associated protein kinase in pchlorophenylalanine(PCPA)induced insomnia rats;To explore the mechanism of acupuncture in improving insomnia.Methods Totally 60 rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,sham acupuncture group,acupuncture group and Western medicine group,with 12 rats in each group.An insomnia model rat was induced by intraperitoneal injection of PCPA.The acupuncture group received acupuncture at"Baihui","Shenmen"(bilateral),and"Sanyinjiao"(bilateral),while the sham acupuncture group only fixed the needle at the corresponding acupoints but did not penetrate the skin,while the model group was only fixed for 30 minutes,the Western medicine group was given a solution of estazolam by gavage for 7 consecutive days,the blank group was not treated.The pentobarbital sodium reversal experiment was used to detect the sleep latency and sleep time of rats,ELISA was used to detect the content of melatonin(MT)in plasma,RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of calmodulin dependent protein kinase(CaMK)Ⅱ,protein kinase C(PKC)and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase(MAPK)in frontal lobe tissue,and Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of CaMKⅡ,PKC and p38MAPK in frontal lobe tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,the sleep latency of the model group rats were significantly prolonged and the sleep time were significantly shortened(P<0.01),the content of MT in plasma was significantly reduced(P<0.01),and the mRNA and protein expressions of CaMKⅡ and PKC in frontal lobe tissue were significantly decreased(P<0.01),the mRNA and protein expressions of p38MAPK were significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the sleep latency were significantly shortened and the sleep time were significantly prolonged in the acupuncture group and the Western medicine group(P<0.01),the plasma MT content significantly increased(P<0.01),the mRNA and protein expressions of CaMKⅡ and PKC in frontal lobe tissue significantly increased(P<0.05),and the mRNA and protein expression of p38MAPK significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the sham acupuncture group,the sleep latency shortened and sleep time were significantly prolonged in the acupuncture group and the Western medicine group(P<0.01),plasma MT content significantly increased(P<0.01),PKC mRNA expression in frontal lobe tissue significantly increased(P<0.01),and p38MAPK mRNA expression significantly decreased(P<0.01).There was no statistically difference in various indicators between the acupuncture group and the Western medicine group(P>0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture at acupoints along the meridians can shorten the sleep latency and prolong sleep time,improve sleep status by regulating the expression of associated protein kinase in frontal lobe of insomnia rats.
7.Study on the quality of Mori Ramulus from different producing areas based on HPLC fingerprinting combined with chemical pattern recognition
Yanru ZHOU ; Yaqi LIU ; Zuohua XIE ; Lixiang ZHOU ; Wensheng SHENG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(6):750-756
Objective:To establish HPLC fingerprint spectra and multi-component content determination methods for 20 batches of Mori Ramulus from different origins; To evaluate the quality of Mori Ramulus from different producing areas with similarity evaluation, CA, PCA, PLS-DA and other chemical pattern recognition methods.Methods:The chromatography was performed on Wondasil C18 column (4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) at the detection wavelength of 254 nm, with acetonitrile (A) -0.2% glacial acetic acid (B) as the mobile phase at the flow rate of 0.8 ml/min. The fingerprint was established through the "TCM chromatographic Fingerprint Similarity Evaluation System", the similarity was calculated, and the chemical pattern recognition was carried out by SPSS 26.0 and SIMCA 14.1 software.Results:The similarity calculation results of fingerprint spectra showed that the similarity of the production areas in Fujian, Zhejiang, and Hebei was>0.830, while the similarity of other production areas was>0.900; a total of 14 common peaks were identified, and 8 components of mulberroside A, chlorogenic acid, polydatin, oxyresveratrol, resveratrol, morin, kuwanone G and morusin were identified; CA, PCA analysis divided Mori Ramulus from different producing areas into two categories, extracted four principal components, and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 89.247%. PLS-DA analysis was based on a VIP value greater than 1, and three quality difference criteria of mulberroside A, kuwanone G and morusin were selected.Conclusions:The established HPLC fingerprint and content determination method is simple, reproducible, stable, accurate and reliable. Combined with the chemical stoichiometric analysis methods, the quality evaluation of Mori Ramulus from different origins can be complete, and provide a reference for the quality control of mulberry branches.
8.Optimal processing technology of Zhangbang wine moistening bran stir-fried Mori Ramulus through Box-Behnken response surface method
Yaqi LIU ; Yanru ZHOU ; Zuohua XIE ; Lixiang ZHOU ; Wensheng SHENG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(8):1032-1038
Objective:To optimize the technology of Zhangbang wine moistening bran stir-fried Mori Ramulus.Methods:Using the total contents of 8 components including mulberry bark glycoside A, chlorogenic acid, resveratrol, resveratrol glycoside, oxidized resveratrol, mulberry pigment, mulberry ketone G, and mulberry saponin as the examination indicators, single factor investigation of five influencing factors of Zhangbang wine moistening bran stir-fried Mori Ramulus: wheat bran dosage, yellow wine dosage, frying temperature, soaking time, and processing time was conducted. Box Behnken response surface methodology was used for experimental design, to optimize processing technology for Zhangbang wine moistening bran stir-fried Mori Ramulus.Results:The optimal processing technology of the response surface method was: soaking time 116 min, wheat bran amount 19%, rice wine amount 10%, roasting time 7 min, and roasting temperature 237 ℃. Under these conditions, the average total content of eight components in the prepared Mori Ramulus decoction pieces was 787.8 μg/g, and RSD was 0.98%. Conclusion:The optimal processing technology of Zhangbang wine moistening bran stir-fried Mori Ramulus is stable, reliable and repeatable, which can better guarantee the quality of Zhangbang wine moistening bran stir-fried Mori Ramulus.
9.Sinicization of the Index of Dental Anxiety and Fear Scale and the test of reliability and validity
Ping ZHOU ; Yanling TAN ; Yanru LONG ; Lilin ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2023;39(28):2161-2166
Objective:To sinicize the Index of Dental Anxiety and Fear (IDAF-4C +), and to test its reliability and validity. Methods:According to the Brislin translation model, the literal translation, back translation, cultural adjustment and pre-investigation of the scale were carried out to form the Chinese version of the IDAF-4C + Scale, and the convenience sampling method was used to investigate the outpatients of the Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanchang University from October 2021 to January 2022 to verify the reliability and validity of the scale. Results:The Chinese version of the IDAF-4C + Scale consisted of three modules (core anxiety module, fear module and stress module), with a total of 23 items, of which the core anxiety module included cognitive, physiological, behavioral and emotional dimensions. The content validity index of each item was 0.8-1.0, and the content validity index of the total scale was 0.913; the construct validity was 0.903, and a common factor was extracted by exploratory factor analysis of anxiety module. The contribution rate of cumulative variance was 72.037%. The results of confirmatory factor analysis showed that the model fitted well and all the adaptation indexes were up to the standard. Using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) as the criterion, the correlation coefficient between IDAF-4C module and MDAS was 0.66, the Cronbach α coefficient of the scale was 0.913, and the test-retest reliability was 0.923. Conclusions:The Chinese version of the IDAF-4C + Scale has good reliability and validity and can be used as a tool to measure and evaluate the level of dental anxiety and fear in oral patients.
10.A retrospective cohort study on postoperative radiotherapy and postoperative chemoradiotherapy for soft tissue sarcomas
Zhilei LI ; Li XU ; Jinwen SHEN ; Ning ZHOU ; Na ZHANG ; Peng LIU ; Ke LU ; Dong LIU ; Quanquan SUN ; Yanru FENG ; Luying LIU ; Yuan ZHU ; Jialin LUO
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2023;32(12):1057-1063
Objective:To analyze the differences in clinical outcomes and toxicities between postoperative radiotherapy alone and postoperative radiochemotherapy for soft tissue sarcoma (STS), as well as the related factors affecting clinical prognosis of STS patients.Methods:Retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with primary STS admitted to Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from May 2012 to May 2019 was performed, who received adjuvant radiotherapy after surgery, combined with or without postoperative chemotherapy. A total of 100 patients were enrolled and divided into postoperative radiotherapy group ( n=52) and postoperative radiochemotherapy group ( n=48). The median follow-up time was 65 months (24-124 months). The local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), overall survival (OS), and treatment-related toxicities were recorded in two groups. The survival rate was calculated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Log-rank test was used for univariate analysis, and Cox model was used for multivariate analysis. Results:In multivariate analysis, the maximum tumor diameter was an independent predictor of local tumor recurrence ( HR=4.80, 95% CI=1.16-19.85, P=0.031), distant metastasis ( HR=4.67, 95% CI=1.53-14.26, P=0.007) and OS ( HR=4.10, 95% CI=1.35-12.48, P=0.013). In addition, the degree of myelosuppression in patients in postoperative radiochemotherapy was significantly higher than that in their counterparts in postoperative radiotherapy group ( P<0.001). Conclusions:In the limited number of patients, radiochemotherapy has no advantages over radiotherapy alone in distant metastasis or survival rate. Besides, it increases toxicities, but the overall tolerability is favorable. It is necessary to conduct prospective randomized studies in a large population and subgroup analysis of histological subtypes, aiming to obtain results with better reference value.

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