1.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.
2.Association between CaSR Gene rs17251221,rs60388563 Loci Polymorphisms and Genetic Susceptibility to Breast Cancer
Mingchao LIU ; Huimin FENG ; Zepeng LIU ; Yansong LI ; Qiuxia JIANG
Journal of Modern Laboratory Medicine 2025;40(4):24-28
Objective To investigate the relationship between calcium-sensing receptor(CaSR)gene rs17251221,rs60388563 loci polymorphisms and the genetic susceptibility of breast cancer(BC).Methods A total of 122 patients with breast cancer admitted to Hengshui Second People's Hospital from January 2022 to June 2024 were selected as the BC group,and 100 healthy women without blood relationship at the same time were selected as the control group.The polymorphisms of CaSR gene rs17251221,rs60388563 loci were detected by polymerase chain reaction(PCR).The clinical data,genotype distribution and allele frequency were compared between the two groups.Non-conditional Logistic regression model was used to analyze the correlation between CaSR gene polymorphism and genetic susceptibility of BC patients.Results Comparing the general data of the two group,the proportion of family history of cancer in the BC group was significantly higher than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(t=12.246,P<0.05).The genotype distribution of CaSR gene rs17251221 and rs60388563 loci in the control group and the BC group was consistent with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium law(χ2=0.087~1.202,P>0.05),which was representative of the population.Under the co-dominant model of rs17251221 and rs60388563 loci,the risk of BC in GG genotype was significantly increased(OR=1.493,95%CI=1.070~2.108;OR=1.483,95%CI=1.034~2.121).Under the dominant model(AA vs GA+GG)and recessive model(GG vs GA+AA),the rs17251221 locus carrying G allele(OR=1.371,95%CI=1.023~1.824)and A allele(OR=0.524,95%CI=0.221~0.926)was significantly associated with the risk of BC(P<0.05).Under the dominant model(CC vs GC+GG)and recessive model(GG vs GC+CC),the rs60388563 locus carrying G allele(OR=1.245,95%CI=1.107~1.461)and C allele(OR=0.682,95%CI=0.523~0.974)was significantly associated with the risk of BC(P<0.05).Conclusion The rs17251221,rs60388563 loci polymorphisms of CaSR gene are closely related to BC susceptibility,and the risk of BC is high in individuals carrying G allele.
3.Melatonin attenuates the inflammatory response in rats with oxygen-induced retinopathy through the cGAS-STING-NLRP3 pathway
Chenxu WANG ; Peilun XIAO ; Yuze ZHAO ; Lijun ZHANG ; Zhongbao LIU ; Yuxuan LIN ; Xiaoli WANG ; Yansong ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Neuroanatomy 2025;41(4):429-436
Objective:To investigate the effects of melatonin(Mel)on inflammatory damage in the retina of rats with oxygen-induced retinopathy(OIR)and the molecular mechanisms.Methods:Healthy neonatal SD rats were di-vided into the sham group(Sham),the model group(OIR),and the melatonin treatment group(OIR+Mel).The OIR model was induced by alternating 50%/10%oxygen concentration exposure for 14 d.The OIR+Mel group was in-jected intraperitoneally with 10 mg-kg-1 melatonin.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the morpho-logical changes in the retinal tissue;immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of retinal cleaved-caspase-1 and IL-1β proteins;and immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of cGAS-STING-NL-RP3 signaling molecules and gasdermin(GSDMD)in the microglia of the retina.Results:HE staining results showed that compared with the Sham group,the retinal cells in the OIR group were disorganized and the thickness of the inner retina was significantly thinner,and the retinal cells in the OIR+Mel group were more neatly arranged compared with those in the OIR group(P<0.05).Immunohistochemical staining results showed that the number of cleaved-caspase-1+and IL-1β+cells in the retina of rats in the OIR group increased significantly compared with that in the Sham group,and the number of cleaved-caspase-1+and IL-1β+cells in the retina of rats in the OIR+Mel group decreased signifi-cantly compared with that of the OIR group(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence staining results showed that the number of cGAS+,STING+and NLRP3+cells in the retina of rats in the OIR group increased significantly compared with that in the Sham group,and the number of cGAS+,STING+and NLRP3+cells in the retina of rats in the OIR+Mel group de-creased significantly compared with that in the OIR group(P<0.05);The number of Iba-1+/N-GSDMD+cells in-creased significantly in the OIR group compared with the Sham group,whereas the number of Iba-1+/N-GSDMD+cells in the OIR+Mel group was significantly less than that in the OIR group,but still more than that in the Sham group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Mel inhibits the pyroptosis of retinal microglia,thus attenuates retinal inflammatory injury in OIR rats,and its mechanism may be related to the cGAS-STING-NLRP3 signaling pathway.
4.The role of diagnostic whole body scan in decision-making of 131I treatment for differentiated thyroid cancer
Xiaotong JIANG ; Jinchuan LIU ; Yingqiang ZHANG ; Tong WANG ; Ning GUO ; Yuqing SUN ; Cong SHI ; Bing YAN ; Yansong LIN
China Oncology 2025;35(1):77-84
Background and purpose:As one of the first-line treatment methods for differentiated thyroid cancer(DTC),131I treatment is an important therapeutic approach for most patients with medium-high recurrence risk DTC after total or near-total thyroidectomy.Risk stratification and real-time dynamic assessment before 131I treatment after surgery are important steps in deciding on 131I treatment,enabling individualized treatment.This retrospective study aimed to explore the role of diagnostic whole body scan(DxWBS)in the decision-making of treatment for DTC after surgery and before 131I therapy.Methods:DTC patients who underwent pre-ablation evaluation were included.Patients were divided into low,medium and high sTg groups based on their pre-131I treatment stimulated thyroglobulin(sTg)levels(<1 ng/mL,1 ng/mL≤sTg<10 ng/mL,sTg≥10 ng/mL).The concordance rates of DxWBS and post treatment whole body scan(RxWBS)in each patient of the whole cohort were compared.The lesion detection rate between DxWBS and RxWBS in different sTg level groups was also explored.The"thyroid stunning effect"by DxWBS was evaluated by RxWBS.Through these analyses,the role of DxWBS in 131I treatment decision-making and its predicting treatment objectives were assessed.This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Peking Union Medical College Hospital,Peking Union Medical College,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences(ethics number:JS-2151).Results:A total of 91 patients were included.The low,medium and high sTg groups accounted for 15.4%(14/91),34.1%(31/91)and 50.5%(46/91)of the patients,respectively.Comparison of DxWBS and RxWBS results in the same patients in each sTg group showed no evidence of a stunning effect on 131I treatment.The overall concordance rate between DxWBS and RxWBS was 89.0%(81/91);In different sTg level groups was 100.0%(14/14),90.3%(28/31),84.8%(39/46)respectively.Taking sTg levels into consideration,DxWBS accurately predicted the need for total thyroidectomy,with a 100%(20/20)agreement with RxWBS.Among the 71 patients who received adjuvant therapy and/or remnant ablation due to suspected elevated Tg or high recurrence risk stratification or the iodine-avid metastatic lesions identified by DxWBS,87.5%(63/71)showed only residual thyroid tissue by DxWBS;Through the purpose verification by RxWBS and single photon emission computed tomography(SPECT)/CT,only 12.7%(9/71)of cases were verified as adjuvant or tumoricidal treatment due to iodine-avid cervical lymph node and/or lung metastasis identified by RxWBS,87.3%(62/71)were residual thyroid ablation.In the medium and high sTg group,the overall detection rate of functional cervical lymph node metastasis by DxWBS and RxWBS was 5.5%(5/91).For the detection of functional lung metastases,the overall detection rate of DxWBS was slightly lower than that of RxWBS(3.3%vs 5.5%).This indicates that DxWBS can be used to accurately pre-judge the purposes of 131I treatment,particularly for thyroid ablation and adjuvant therapy.Conclusion:DxWBS did not induce"thyroid stunning"effect.Integrating DxWBS as a theranostic tool into the real-time decision-making and evaluation system of 131I treatment,as well as with sTg and other biochemical indicators,may help to bridge the limitations of static evaluations based on pathology and clinical data,and provides a clear understanding and more precise objectives of 131I treatment.
5.Application,research hotspots,and shortcomings of degradable zinc-based alloys in bone defect repair and reconstruction
Haoyang LIU ; Qiang XIE ; Mengran SHEN ; Yansong REN ; Jinhui MA ; Bailiang WANG ; Debo YUE ; Weiguo WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(4):839-845
BACKGROUND:Zinc-based alloy medical implant materials have excellent mechanical properties,complete degradability and good biocompatibility,and are mainly used in orthopedic implants,cardiovascular stents,bile duct stents,tracheal stents,nerve catheters,etc. OBJECTIVE:To review the research progress of biodegradable zinc-based alloys in bone defect repair and prospect the promising research direction and achievements of zinc-based materials. METHODS:After searching PubMed,Web of Science,WanFang Data,and CNKI databases from the establishment of the database to June 2023,various relevant articles on biodegradable zinc-based alloys for bone implant material research were collected.The basic characteristics of biodegradable zinc based alloys were summarized,and the role of zinc-based alloys in promoting bone tissue repair was sorted and summarized.The current research hotspots and shortcomings were discussed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Zinc-based alloys have good biocompatibility.Using zinc-based alloys as the matrix material,with the help of scaffold structure construction technology and coating optimization process,the bone conductivity of zinc-based alloys will be effectively improved,and their degradation products will have efficient bone induction to regulate the gene expression of osteoblasts and osteoclasts,thereby promoting the repair and reconstruction of bone defects.(2)However,in the research on optimizing zinc-based alloys,the coating process is relatively insufficient,and additive loading technology is still lacking.(3)Zinc-based alloys have excellent mechanical and biological properties.Through special processes,their bone conductivity and osteoinductivity can be increased to effectively improve their ability to promote bone repair and reconstruction,and it is expected to further achieve the development of personalized transplant materials.Further research and development are needed to optimize the integration of coating and additive loading technologies into zinc-based alloys.
6.Ancient and Modern Literature Analysis and Key Information Textual Research of Famous Classical Formula Qingzao Jiufeitang
Shuyue FAN ; Xuanyu CHEN ; Yilin ZHAO ; Shaoyuan LIU ; Xueyong HOU ; Luna YU ; Jiyao ZHANG ; Yansong ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(24):168-178
Qingzao Jiufeitang is a famous classical formula for treating lung injury caused by warm and dryness, included in the Catalogue of Ancient Famous Classical Formulas(The First Batch). By systematically organizing ancient and modern literature on this formula, this study analyzed and verified the origin, medicinal composition, original plants and processing, dosage and decoction method, efficacy and application of this formula. According to the research, Qingzao Jiufeitang was first recorded in Yimen Falyu in the Qing dynasty, and its creation was mainly inspired by the Ming dynasty physician MIAO Xiyong's idea of the moisturizing drugs with sweet flavour and cold nature. Based on the 2020 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China(hereinafter referred to as the Chinese Pharmacopoeia) and the textual research results of modern scholars on traditional Chinese herbal medicines, the botanical sources and processing methods of the herbs in this formula are basically clarified. Among them, Mori Folium, Gypsum Fibrosum, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Sesami Semen Nigrum, Asini Corii Colla, Ophiopogonis Radix and Eriobotryae Folium are consistent with the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The primary source of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma is the dried roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, family Leguminosae, while the primary source of Armeniacae Semen Amarum is the dried mature seeds of Prunus armeniaca, family Rosaceae. It is recommended to use Gypsum Ustum, stir-fried Sesami Semen Nigrum, stir-fried Armeniacae Semen Amarum, Asini Corii Colla bead, and honey-fried Eriobotryae Folium, and the rest of the raw products. According to the conversion of ancient and modern doses, the recommended dosages are 11.19 g for Mori Folium, 9.33 g for Gypsum Fibrosum, 3.73 g for Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 2.61 g for Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, 3.73 g for Sesami Semen Nigrum, 4.48 g for Ophiopogonis Radix, 2.61 g for Armeniacae Semen Amarum, 3.73 g for Eriobotryae Folium. The decoction method is to add 300 mL of water, decoct it down to 180 mL, remove the residue, and then add 2.98 g of Asini Corii Colla into the decoction. Take it warm after meals, two to three times a day. Qingzao Jiufeitang has the effects of clearing dryness and moistening the lungs, nourishing Yin and invigorating Qi. In ancient times, it was mainly used to treat stagnation and depression of various Qi, as well as paralysis, asthma and vomiting. In modern clinical practice, it is mostly used to treat diseases in respiratory system, otolaryngology, skin system and digestive system caused by warm-dry impairing lung, deficiency of both Qi and Yin. The above research results can provide a reference for the later development of Qingzao Jiufeitang.
7.Impact of early detection and management of emotional distress on length of stay in non-psychiatric inpatients: A retrospective hospital-based cohort study.
Wanjun GUO ; Huiyao WANG ; Wei DENG ; Zaiquan DONG ; Yang LIU ; Shanxia LUO ; Jianying YU ; Xia HUANG ; Yuezhu CHEN ; Jialu YE ; Jinping SONG ; Yan JIANG ; Dajiang LI ; Wen WANG ; Xin SUN ; Weihong KUANG ; Changjian QIU ; Nansheng CHENG ; Weimin LI ; Wei ZHANG ; Yansong LIU ; Zhen TANG ; Xiangdong DU ; Andrew J GREENSHAW ; Lan ZHANG ; Tao LI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(22):2974-2983
BACKGROUND:
While emotional distress, encompassing anxiety and depression, has been associated with negative clinical outcomes, its impact across various clinical departments and general hospitals has been less explored. Previous studies with limited sample sizes have examined the effectiveness of specific treatments (e.g., antidepressants) rather than a systemic management strategy for outcome improvement in non-psychiatric inpatients. To enhance the understanding of the importance of addressing mental health care needs among non-psychiatric patients in general hospitals, this study retrospectively investigated the impacts of emotional distress and the effects of early detection and management of depression and anxiety on hospital length of stay (LOS) and rate of long LOS (LLOS, i.e., LOS >30 days) in a large sample of non-psychiatric inpatients.
METHODS:
This retrospective cohort study included 487,871 inpatients from 20 non-psychiatric departments of a general hospital. They were divided, according to whether they underwent a novel strategy to manage emotional distress which deployed the Huaxi Emotional Distress Index (HEI) for brief screening with grading psychological services (BS-GPS), into BS-GPS ( n = 178,883) and non-BS-GPS ( n = 308,988) cohorts. The LOS and rate of LLOS between the BS-GPS and non-BS-GPS cohorts and between subcohorts with and without clinically significant anxiety and/or depression (CSAD, i.e., HEI score ≥11 on admission to the hospital) in the BS-GPS cohort were compared using univariable analyses, multilevel analyses, and/or propensity score-matched analyses, respectively.
RESULTS:
The detection rate of CSAD in the BS-GPS cohort varied from 2.64% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.49%-2.81%) to 20.50% (95% CI: 19.43%-21.62%) across the 20 departments, with a average rate of 5.36%. Significant differences were observed in both the LOS and LLOS rates between the subcohorts with CSAD (12.7 days, 535/9590) and without CSAD (9.5 days, 3800/169,293) and between the BS-GPS (9.6 days, 4335/178,883) and non-BS-GPS (10.8 days, 11,483/308,988) cohorts. These differences remained significant after controlling for confounders using propensity score-matched comparisons. A multilevel analysis indicated that BS-GPS was negatively associated with both LOS and LLOS after controlling for sociodemographics and the departments of patient discharge and remained negatively associated with LLOS after controlling additionally for the year of patient discharge.
CONCLUSION
Emotional distress significantly prolonged the LOS and increased the LLOS of non-psychiatric inpatients across most departments and general hospitals. These impacts were moderated by the implementation of BS-GPS. Thus, BS-GPS has the potential as an effective, resource-saving strategy for enhancing mental health care and optimizing medical resources in general hospitals.
Humans
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Retrospective Studies
;
Male
;
Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data*
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
;
Psychological Distress
;
Inpatients/psychology*
;
Aged
;
Anxiety/diagnosis*
;
Depression/diagnosis*
8.Efficacy of laparoscopic radical cystectomy with indocyanine green fluorescence imaging versus standard lymph node dissection: a randomized comparative study
Lifeng LIU ; Na CAO ; Yansong GUO ; Hao WANG ; Xiaopeng WANG ; Fengshuo YANG ; Yuepeng HU ; Longjiang TIAN ; Dawei TIAN
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(3):212-214
Objective: To investigate the efficacy,safety and feasibility of regional lymph node dissection in laparoscopic radical surgery for bladder cancer under the guidance of indocyanine green fluorescence imaging. Methods: A total of 30 patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer (T2/T3NxM0) who volunteered to enter the clinical trial were randomly divided into the indocyanine green imaging guided laparoscopic regional lymph node dissection group (n=15) and the standard pelvic lymph node dissection group (n=15).The number of positive lymph nodes,operation time,intraoperative bleeding volume,incidence of lymph leakage,and tumor recurrence and metastasis rate 2-year after surgery were collected. Results: The number of positive lymph nodes was (4.20±1.66) and (4.60±1.72) respectively in the indocyanine green and standard groups,with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05).There were no statistically significant difference in the tumor recurrence and metastasis rates 2-year after surgery between the two groups (P>0.05).However,the indocyanine green group had shorter operation time,less intraoperative bleeding volume,and lower incidence of lymphatic leakage than the standard group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Indocyanine green fluorescence imaging guided laparoscopic lymph node dissection has comparable clinical efficacy to standard lymph node dissection,but with fewer complications.
9.High glucose induces pro-inflammatory polarization of macrophages by inhibiting immune-responsive gene 1 expression.
Wei LUO ; Yuhang WANG ; Yansong LIU ; Yuanyuan WANG ; Lei AI
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(1):1-9
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the effect of high glucose on macrophage polarization and the role of immune-responsive gene 1 (IRG1) in mediating its effect.
METHODS:
RAW264.7 cells were transfected with IRG1-overexpressing plasmid or IRG1 siRNA via electroporation and cultured in either normal or high glucose for 72 h to observe the changes in cell viability and morphology using CCK-8 assay and phase contrast microscopy. The protein levels of IRG1, iNOS, Arg-1, IL-1β and IL-10 in the treated cells were detected with Western blotting, and the fluorescence intensities of iNOS and Arg-1 were detected using immunofluorescence assay. The protein levels of IL-1β and IL-10 in the culture medium were determined with ELISA.
RESULTS:
High glucose exposure significantly reduced IRG1 and Arg-1 expressions, increased iNOS and IL-1β expressions and IL-1β secretion, and decreased IL-10 level in RAW264.7 cells. Transfection with the IRG1-overexpressing plasmid provided the cells with obvious resistance to high glucose-induced changes in iNOS, Arg-1, IL-1β and IL-10, whereas IRG1 knockdown further enhanced the effects of high glucose exposure on Arg-1 expression and the expression and secretion of IL-10.
CONCLUSIONS
High glucose promotes M1 polarization of the macrophages possibly through a mechanism to inhibit the expression of IRG1 protein, thus leading to chronic inflammatory response.
Animals
;
Mice
;
Macrophages/drug effects*
;
Glucose/pharmacology*
;
Interleukin-10/metabolism*
;
Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/metabolism*
;
RAW 264.7 Cells
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Interleukin-1beta/metabolism*
;
Arginase/metabolism*
;
RNA, Small Interfering/genetics*
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Transfection
;
Inflammation
10.Local vibration combined with early rehabilitation helps to prevent acquired weakness in patients in intensive care
Yansong LIU ; Min LU ; Mushao HOU ; Yongzheng HE ; Hongling LI
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2025;47(9):827-833
Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of supplementing early rehabilitation with local vibration therapy in the prevention and treatment of ICU-acquired weakness (ICU-AW).Methods:Ninety-six critically ill patients were randomly divided into a control group, a rehabilitation group, and a combination group, each of 32. All received routine treatment and care, but the rehabilitation group and the combination group received earlier rehabilitation and the combination group early rehabilitation + local vibration therapy. Before and after 2 weeks of the treatments, the incidence of ICU-AW was recorded, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II) scoring was performed and ultrasound was used to detect the rehabilitation effect. The incidence of adverse events was also recorded.Results:The incidence of ICU-AW was significantly lower in the combination group than among the rehabilitation group, while that of the rehabilitation group was significantly lower than among the control group. The APACHE II scores showed the same progression. The thickness, cross-sectional area, muscle echo, and diaphragm thickness and activity of the rectus femoris, rectus abdominis, and biceps brachii muscles in the combination group were, on average, significantly better than among the rehabilitation group, but with the rehabilitation group′s results significantly better than among the control group. The average mechanical ventilation time and ICU stay of patients in the combination group were significantly shorter than the rehabilitation group′s averages, which in turn were significantly shorter than those of the control group. The combination group′s average Barthel Index after the experiment was significantly higher than that of the rehabilitation group, which was in turn significantly higher than the control group′s average. The incidence of adverse events in the combination group was significantly lower than in the rehabilitation group, with that of the latter significantly lower than among the control group.Conclusions:Combining local vibration therapy with early rehabilitation is beneficial for the safe prevention and treatment of ICU-AW.

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