1.Evaluation of the scientific validity and applicability of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025‒2030 and its implications for China
Yuxian CHEN ; Yaqi LI ; Xiang GAO
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(7):493-499
Dietary guidelines are nutritional policy tools formulated according to the global consensus on nutrition science and national conditions. Based on five core consensuses, namely dietary patterns, food group recommendations, full life cycle coverage, policy attributes, and sustainable diets, this paper reviews the scientific validity and applicability of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030. With “Eat Real Food” as its core concept, this guideline has adjusted its food recommendations, population-specific guidance, and policy implementation pathways. However, some of its scientific evidence such as protein and fat recommendations is controversial, and the feasibility of its implementation is fraught with challenges. Rationally reflecting on the practical experience from the U.S., we suggest the revision of the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents should optimize the dietary guidance system based on national conditions, and promote the policy transformation and practical application.
2.Analysis on Acupuncture in the Treatment of Post-stroke Dysphagia Based on the Theory of "Latent Pathogen in Cerebral Collaterals"
Hongtao LI ; Yaqi HUANG ; Lulu YAO ; Bing GAO ; Yu YE ; Nenggui XU ; Lin WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(9):901-905
Dysphagia is a common complication of stroke. Combining the principles of traditional Chinese medicine with modern research findings, it is proposed that "latent pathogen in the cerebral collaterals" constitutes the core pathogenesis of post-stroke dysphagia (PSD). In clinical practice, treatment is tailored according to the location of PSD. During the oral stage, when the pathogen invades the face and mouth, resulting in excessive salivation, acupoints are primarily selected from the foot shaoyin (少阴) kidney channel, in combination with ren mai (任脉) , du mai (督脉), chong mai (冲脉) and the spleen channel, to replenish essence and fill the marrow, dispel dampness and unblock the channels. In the pharyngeal stage, as the pathogen obstructs the throat, disrupting normal swallowing, the therapy emphasizes dredging the shaoyang (少阳) channel and warming and tonifying the jueyin (厥阴) channel, by taking acupoints mainly from the hand and foot shaoyang channels, along with the jueyin channels, so as to soothe the liver and promote bile secretion, regulate and harmonize qi and blood. During the esophageal stage, where the pathogen damages the esophagus, impeding food passage, the treatment emphasizes activating the yangming (阳明) channels and regulating taiyin (太阴) channels; acupoints are mainly selected from the foot yangming stomach channel, along with the taiyin channels, aiming to warm yang, unblock the channels and dispel stasis.
3.Association between gut microbiota diversity, inflammatory cytokine profiles, and disease severity in individuals with insomnia
Zhaoyan LYU ; Shangwu BAI ; Zhe WANG ; Tingting XIE ; Mengyuan YU ; Yaqi SUN ; Tingting WU ; Zhen GAO ; Yumei WANG
Chinese Journal of Psychiatry 2025;58(8):620-629
Objective:To investigate the alterations in gut microbiota diversity and inflammatory cytokine levels among patients with varying severities of insomnia, and to explore their interrelationships, in order to provide a theoretical basis for understanding the pathophysiology of insomnia.Methods:A total of 42 patients with chronic insomnia who visited the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University between March and December 2023 were enrolled in the insomnia group, and 22 age-and sex-matched healthy volunteers were recruited from the same hospital as the control group. General demographic data were collected, and Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was used to screen for comorbid psychiatric disorders. The Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) were employed to evaluate individual′s depressive and anxiety symptoms. Sleep quality and insomnia severity were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Participants′ gastrointestinal function and symptoms over the past week were evaluated using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS). Fecal and blood samples were collected from all participants. Gut microbiota diversity was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. Differential taxa were identified using linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) and random forest analysis. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Spearman correlation analysis was used to explore the relationships between insomnia symptoms, microbial diversity indices, key microbial taxa, and inflammatory markers. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with insomnia severity.Results:Compared to the control group, both the mild insomnia group and the moderate-to-severe insomnia group showed significantly higher GSRS scores ( Z=-3.51, -2.72, both P<0.05). The Chao1 index was significantly lower in the mild and moderate-to-severe insomnia groups than in controls ( Z=-3.53, -3.87, both P<0.05). Similarly, the Observed species index was lower in both the mild and moderate-to-severe groups ( Z=-3.33, -3.74, both P<0.05). The Shannon index was significantly reduced in the moderate-to-severe group compared to both the mild group and controls ( Z=-2.81, -2.23, both P<0.05). The Simpson index in the moderate-to-severe group also tended to be lower than in the mild group ( Z=-1.95, P=0.051). Beta diversity differed significantly among the mild insomnia group, the moderate-to-severe insomnia group ( P<0.05), and the control group ( F=2.96, 3.12, both P<0.05). Random forest analysis identified Ruminococcus_D and Klebsiella as key microbial genera distinguishing between mild and moderate-to-severe insomnia. Inflammatory cytokine levels were significantly elevated in both insomnia groups compared to controls ( P<0.05). PSQI scores were negatively correlated with the Shannon index, the Observed species index, and the relative abundance of Ruminococcus_D ( r=-0.34, -0.30, and -0.25, respectively; all P<0.05). Multiple linear regression revealed that serum IL-1β (β=0.339, 95% CI=0.014-0.716, P=0.042) and Ruminococcus_D (β=-0.309, 95% CI=-194.591--8.318, P=0.034) were independent predictors of insomnia severity. Conclusion:Elevated inflammatory cytokine levels and reduced gut microbial richness may be closely associated with increased insomnia severity. Additionally, Ruminococcus_D and IL-1β may be important factors contributing to the severity of insomnia in affected individuals.
4.Effect of acarbose and pioglitazone on hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis
Rong Xiao ; Yan Xue ; Xiaoman Gao ; Yaqi Zhang ; Lin Wang ; Datong Deng
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(7):1246-1251
Objective :
To investigate the effects of acarbose and pioglitazone on the levels of sex hormones in adult female rats ,and to explore their regulatory effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis ( HPOA) and its mechanism.
Methods :
Adult female SD rats aged 2 months were randomly divided into 0.9% sodium chloride so- lution control group (NS) ,acarbose low (AL) ,medium (AM) and high (AH) dose groups and pioglitazone low (PL) ,medium (PM) and high (PH) dose groups.AL,AM and AH groups were given 20,40 and 60 mg / (kg · d) acarbose,and PL,PM and PH groups were given 5,10 and 15 mg / (kg · d) pioglitazone,respectively.Af- ter 28 days of intervention,serum gonadotropin (FSH,LH) and ovarian secreted hormone ( E2,P,T) were de- tected by ELISA,and the effects of acarbose and pioglitazone on HPOA were investigated by organ index analysis and histopathological observation of pituitary gland and ovary.
Results :
Compared with the NS group,the serum FSH in the PL,PM and PH groups decreased ( all P<0. 01) ,the serum LH in the PL,PM and PH groups de- creased (P<0. 05,P<0. 01,P <0. 01) ,and the organ indices in the PM and PH groups decreased ( all P < 0. 01) .HE staining of the adenohypophysis in the PL,PM and PH groups showed an increase in eosinophils,a de- crease in basophils,and an expansion and increase in the number of blood sinuses.In the PM and PH groups,HE staining of the ovaries showed that there were no significant differences in follicles at all levels,but the development was poor,the number of primordial follicles decreased,and the number of corpus luteum increased.Compared with the NS group,the serum P in the AM and AH groups decreased ( all P <0. 01) ,and serum E2 in AM and AH groups decreasd (all P<0. 05) .
Conclusion
Pioglitazone affects HPOA by regulating pituitary function directly. However,the effect of acarbose on HPOA may be mediated through the gut-brain axis,and has no direct correlation with the ovarian structure.
5.Clinical Questions Construction in Clinical Practice Guidelines:Based on Case-guided Approach
Yicheng GAO ; Zijin YU ; Yaqi WANG ; Rui FANG ; Cheng WANG ; Yuanyuan LI ; Yingjie DENG ; Xue BAI ; Wenyuan XIANG ; Yutong FEI
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(1):198-203
Currently,there are practical and technical difficulties in the construction of clinical ques-tions in the development of clinical practice guidelines.Clinicians or guideline developers seldom construct clin-ical questions based the actual case scenario,leading to some information loss between structured and actual clinical connotation.To overcome this challenge,we proposed a case-guided questions construction approach,and carried out case research and verification in the formulation of the guideline.We found that this method could more efficiently and scientifically assist the formulation of clinical questions,and provide reference for clinicians or guideline developers.
7.Association between gut microbiota diversity, inflammatory cytokine profiles, and disease severity in individuals with insomnia
Zhaoyan LYU ; Shangwu BAI ; Zhe WANG ; Tingting XIE ; Mengyuan YU ; Yaqi SUN ; Tingting WU ; Zhen GAO ; Yumei WANG
Chinese Journal of Psychiatry 2025;58(8):620-629
Objective:To investigate the alterations in gut microbiota diversity and inflammatory cytokine levels among patients with varying severities of insomnia, and to explore their interrelationships, in order to provide a theoretical basis for understanding the pathophysiology of insomnia.Methods:A total of 42 patients with chronic insomnia who visited the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University between March and December 2023 were enrolled in the insomnia group, and 22 age-and sex-matched healthy volunteers were recruited from the same hospital as the control group. General demographic data were collected, and Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was used to screen for comorbid psychiatric disorders. The Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) were employed to evaluate individual′s depressive and anxiety symptoms. Sleep quality and insomnia severity were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Participants′ gastrointestinal function and symptoms over the past week were evaluated using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS). Fecal and blood samples were collected from all participants. Gut microbiota diversity was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. Differential taxa were identified using linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) and random forest analysis. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Spearman correlation analysis was used to explore the relationships between insomnia symptoms, microbial diversity indices, key microbial taxa, and inflammatory markers. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with insomnia severity.Results:Compared to the control group, both the mild insomnia group and the moderate-to-severe insomnia group showed significantly higher GSRS scores ( Z=-3.51, -2.72, both P<0.05). The Chao1 index was significantly lower in the mild and moderate-to-severe insomnia groups than in controls ( Z=-3.53, -3.87, both P<0.05). Similarly, the Observed species index was lower in both the mild and moderate-to-severe groups ( Z=-3.33, -3.74, both P<0.05). The Shannon index was significantly reduced in the moderate-to-severe group compared to both the mild group and controls ( Z=-2.81, -2.23, both P<0.05). The Simpson index in the moderate-to-severe group also tended to be lower than in the mild group ( Z=-1.95, P=0.051). Beta diversity differed significantly among the mild insomnia group, the moderate-to-severe insomnia group ( P<0.05), and the control group ( F=2.96, 3.12, both P<0.05). Random forest analysis identified Ruminococcus_D and Klebsiella as key microbial genera distinguishing between mild and moderate-to-severe insomnia. Inflammatory cytokine levels were significantly elevated in both insomnia groups compared to controls ( P<0.05). PSQI scores were negatively correlated with the Shannon index, the Observed species index, and the relative abundance of Ruminococcus_D ( r=-0.34, -0.30, and -0.25, respectively; all P<0.05). Multiple linear regression revealed that serum IL-1β (β=0.339, 95% CI=0.014-0.716, P=0.042) and Ruminococcus_D (β=-0.309, 95% CI=-194.591--8.318, P=0.034) were independent predictors of insomnia severity. Conclusion:Elevated inflammatory cytokine levels and reduced gut microbial richness may be closely associated with increased insomnia severity. Additionally, Ruminococcus_D and IL-1β may be important factors contributing to the severity of insomnia in affected individuals.
8.Clinical Questions Construction in Clinical Practice Guidelines: Based on Case-guided Approach
Yicheng GAO ; Zijin YU ; Yaqi WANG ; Rui FANG ; Cheng WANG ; Yuanyuan LI ; Yingjie DENG ; Xue BAI ; Wenyuan XIANG ; Yutong FEI
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2024;16(1):198-203
Currently, there are practical and technical difficulties in the construction of clinical questions in the development of clinical practice guidelines. Clinicians or guideline developers seldom construct clinical questions based the actual case scenario, leading to some information loss between structured and actual clinical connotation. To overcome this challenge, we proposed a case-guided questions construction approach, and carried out case research and verification in the formulation of the guideline. We found that this method could more efficiently and scientifically assist the formulation of clinical questions, and provide reference for clinicians or guideline developers.
9.CatBoost algorithm and Bayesian network model analysis based on risk prediction of cardiovascular and cerebro vascular diseases
Aimin WANG ; Fenglin WANG ; Yiming HUANG ; Yaqi XU ; Wenjing ZHANG ; Xianzhu CONG ; Weiqiang SU ; Suzhen WANG ; Mengyao GAO ; Shuang LI ; Yujia KONG ; Fuyan SHI ; Enxue TAO
Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) 2024;50(4):1044-1054
Objective:To screen the main characteristic variables affecting the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases,and to construct the Bayesian network model of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease incidence risk based on the top 10 characteristic variables,and to provide the reference for predicting the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease incidence.Methods:From the UK Biobank Database,315 896 participants and related variables were included.The feature selection was performed by categorical boosting(CatBoost)algorithm,and the participants were randomly divided into training set and test set in the ratio of 7∶3.A Bayesian network model was constructed based on the max-min hill-climbing(MMHC)algorithm.Results:The prevalence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in this study was 28.8%.The top 10 variables selected by the CatBoost algorithm were age,body mass index(BMI),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),total cholesterol(TC),the triglyceride-glucose(TyG)index,family history,apolipoprotein A/B ratio,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),smoking status,and gender.The area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC)for the CatBoost training set model was 0.770,and the model accuracy was 0.764;the AUC of validation set model was 0.759 and the model accuracy was 0.763.The clinical efficacy analysis results showed that the threshold range for the training set was 0.06-0.85 and the threshold range for the validation set was 0.09-0.81.The Bayesian network model analysis results indicated that age,gender,smoking status,family history,BMI,and apolipoprotein A/B ratio were directly related to the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and they were the significant risk factors.TyG index,HDL-C,LDL-C,and TC indirectly affect the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases through their impact on BMI and apolipoprotein A/B ratio.Conclusion:Controlling BMI,apolipoprotein A/B ratio,and smoking behavior can reduce the incidence risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.The Bayesian network model can be used to predict the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease incidence.
10.Repair Effect of Jiechang Buxu Pills on Mucosal Barrier Injury in Chronic Relapsing Ulcerative Colitis (Syndrome of Spleen-kidney Yang Deficiency)
Ning ZHANG ; Zongyue GAO ; Shuai LIU ; Yaqi ZHANG ; Jianxin NIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(20):111-119
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical effect of Jiechang Buxu pills on chronic relapsing ulcerative colitis (syndrome of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency) and the repair effect on mucosal barrier injury. MethodA total of 108 patients were randomly assigned into observation (54 cases) and control (54 cases) groups. Both groups were treated with mesalazine enteric-coated tablets, 0.5 g/time, 3 times/d. In addition, the observation group received Jiechang Buxu pills, 10 g/time, 3 times/d, and the control group received simulant of Jiechang Buxu pills, 10 g/time, 3 times/d. Both groups were treated for 3 consecutive months. During monthly follow-up, clinical response, clinical remission rate, C-reactive protein (CRP) compliance rate, fecal calprotectin (FC) compliance rate, and endoscopic mucosal healing rate were compared. The early recurrence rate was recorded after 3 months of follow-up. The modified Mayo score, mucosal histological score, colonoscopic mucosal score, inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire (IBDQ) score, and syndrome score of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency were compared before and after treatment. The levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), diamine oxidase (DAO), D-lactic acid (D-LA), interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-22, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), T helper 17 (Th17), and regulatory T cells (Treg), and Th17/Treg ratio were measured and calculated before and after treatment. ResultThe clinical response rate, clinical remission rate, and CRP compliance rate in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01) 1, 2 and 3 months after treatment. The FC compliance rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05) 2 and 3 months after treatment. After treatment, the observation group had higher endoscopic mucosal healing rate (P<0.01) and lower early recurrence rate (P<0.05) than the control group. In addition, the observation group had lower Mayo score, mucosal histological score, colonoscopic mucosal score, and syndrome score of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency (P<0.01), higher IBDQ score (P<0.01), lower levels of HIF-1α, DAO, D-LA, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, TNF-α, Th17, and Th17/Treg and higher levels of IL-22 and Treg (P<0.01) than the control group. ConclusionJiechang Buxu pills combined with mesalazine enteric-coated tablets can improve the clinical response rate, clinical remission rate, CRP compliance rate, FC compliance rate, and endoscopic mucosal healing rate, reduce the early recurrence rate and disease activity, promote histological remission, and improve the quality of life in the patients with chronic relapsing ulcerative colitis (syndrome of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency). The therapy may exert the therapeutic effect by inhibiting inflammation, inducing intestinal mucosal immune tolerance, and protecting the function of intestinal mucosal barrier.


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