1.Mechanism of Yishen Tongluo Formula regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway to ameliorate pyroptosis in diabetic nephropathy mice
Yifei ZHANG ; Zijing CAO ; Zeyu ZHANG ; Xuehui BAI ; Jingyi TANG ; Junyu XI ; Jiayi WANG ; Yiran XIE ; Yuqi WU ; Xi GUO ; Zhongjie LIU ; Weijing LIU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(1):21-33
Objective:
To investigate the mechanism of Yishen Tongluo Formula in ameliorating renal pyroptosis in diabetic nephropathy mice by regulating the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway.
Methods:
Sixty C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into control (10 mice) and intervention groups (50 mice) using random number table method. The diabetes nephropathy model was established by intraperitoneally injecting streptozotocin(50 mg/kg). After modeling, the intervention group was further divided into model, semaglutide (40 μg/kg), and high-, medium-, and low-dose Yishen Tongluo Formula groups (15.6, 7.8, and 3.9 g/kg, respectively) using random number table method. The high-, medium-, and low-dose Yishen Tongluo Formula groups were administered corresponding doses of medication by gavage, the semaglutide group received a subcutaneous injection of semaglutide injection, and the control group and model groups were administered distilled water by gavage for 12 consecutive weeks. Random blood glucose levels of mice in each group were monitored, and the 24-h urinary protein content was measured using biochemical method every 4 weeks; after treatment, the serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels were measured using biochemical method. The weight of the kidneys was measured, and the renal index was calculated. Hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, periodic Schiff-methenamine, and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes in renal tissue. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect urinary β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) levels. Western blotting and real-time fluorescence PCR were used to detect the relative protein and mRNA expression levels of nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3), Caspase-1, gasdermin D (GSDMD), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in renal tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the proportion of protein staining area of the TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB in renal tissue.
Results:
Compared with the control group, the random blood glucose, 24-h urinary protein, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, and renal index of the model group increased, and the urine β2-MG, NGAL, and KIM-1 levels increased. The relative protein and mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β, and IL-18 in renal tissue increased, and the proportion of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB protein positive staining areas increased (P<0.05). Pathological changes such as glomerular hypertrophy were observed in the renal tissue of the model group. Compared with the model group, the Yishen Tongluo Formula high-dose group showed a decrease in random blood glucose after 12 weeks of treatment (P<0.05). The Yishen Tongluo Formula high- and medium-dose groups showed a decrease in 24-h urinary protein, creatinine, urea nitrogen, and renal index, as well as decreased β2-MG, NGAL, and KIM-1 levels. NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1 β, and IL-18 relative protein and mRNA expression levels were also reduced, and the proportion of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB protein positive staining areas was reduced (P<0.05). Pathological damage to renal tissue was ameliorated.
Conclusion
Yishen Tongluo Formula may exert protective renal effects by inhibiting renal pyroptosis and alleviating tubular interstitial injury in diabetic nephropathy mice by regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.
2.Treatment and care experiences of elderly patients with comorbid chronic diseases: a Meta-synthesis of qualitative research
Min ZHU ; Yating HAN ; Min JIAO ; Yiran WU ; Xiubin TAO
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(9):1133-1141
Objective:To systematically review the treatment and care experiences of elderly patients with comorbid chronic diseases, providing insights to meet patient healthcare needs and improve their treatment and care experiences.Methods:A computer-based search was conducted in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, Medline, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, and VIP for qualitative studies on the treatment and care experiences of elderly patients with comorbid chronic diseases published from January 2019 to January 2024. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the qualitative research quality assessment criteria developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute of Evidence-Based Health Care in Australia. A cumulative integration method was used to synthesize the results.Results:A total of 17 studies were included, extracting 42 results, which were categorized into 10 themes and integrated into four main findings: patients' varying levels of understanding about chronic comorbid conditions (some patients lack awareness of their current health condition, while others have a clear understanding of their disease status) ; treatment and care experiences across different comorbidity patterns (treatment and care experiences of cancer comorbidity patients, cardiovascular-metabolic comorbidity patients, respiratory system comorbidity patients, sensory-mental comorbidity patients, and visceral arthritis comorbidity patients) ; negative psychological emotions in patients with chronic comorbidity (special psychological experiences in cancer comorbid patients, emotional vulnerability in comorbid chronic disease patients leading to complex emotions) ; urgent needs of comorbid chronic disease patients (differing needs based on comorbidity patterns) .Conclusions:There are differences in the treatment and care experiences of elderly patients with chronic comorbidities, and they require multi-faceted support. Healthcare providers should offer personalized care to patients with different comorbid conditions to help them control their health conditions, optimize comorbidity management, and improve their quality of life.
3.Identification of Medical Surge Risk Influencing Factors and Analysis of Causal Coupling Relationships Based on DEMATEL-ISM
Yiran GAO ; Nan MENG ; Tian YU ; Yanping WANG ; Min WEI ; Wanmeng TENG ; Jialin LU ; Peng WANG ; Kexin WANG ; Ning NING ; Yanhua HAO ; Avdeev SERGEY ; Qunhong WU
Chinese Hospital Management 2025;45(11):6-10
Objective To identify the key factors affecting the risk of medical surges and their coupling relation5 ships,providing strategic support for medical institutions to optimize risk management and emergency governance.Methods 17 influencing factors were determined based on WSR theory,and an expert scoring method was employed to assess the impact strength among the factors.The DEMATEL method was applied to calculate the centrality,cau5 sality,influence,and being influenced degrees of the influencing factors.The ISM method was used to construct a hierarchical structure of the influencing factors related to medical surge risks,thereby revealing the connections and interaction mechanisms among these factors.Results Seven critical influencing factors were identified,including the crisis decision-making capacity and leadership effectiveness of emergency managers,the completeness of the emer5 gency system and dynamic execution capabilities,and the cross-departmental coordination mechanism and com5 mand collaboration efficiency.Deep driving factors and coupling pathways were also revealed.Conclusion The risk of medical surges exhibits multi-factorial coupling cascade effects;attention should be directed towards the construc5 tion of mid-to-deep level mechanisms such as information systems,institutional frameworks,and organizational management,to enhance targeted capabilities and systemic resilience in risk governance.
4.Research on the Extraction of Elements of Complex Scenarios of Medical Surge and the Logical Deduction of Evolution
Tian YU ; Nan MENG ; Yiran GAO ; Min WEI ; Yanping WANG ; Lili JIANG ; Xin ZHANG ; Ning NING ; Zheng KANG ; Avdeev SERGEY ; Qunhong WU
Chinese Hospital Management 2025;45(11):11-16,21
Objective Exploring the components of complex scenarios of healthcare surges triggered by major epidemics to provide a theorical basis for building resilience in healthcare organizations.Methods A hybrid analysis method is used to summarize macro-meso-micro multi-level and multi-source heterogeneous information,extract the elements of complex scenarios of medical surge and evaluate the rationality.Fault Tree Analysis method is used to clarify the logical relationship between various scenario elements and construct scenario reasoning paths.Results 10 scenario states,11 disaster-bearing,24 emergency management and 23 scenario results are summarized and extracted to form the key elements of complex surge scenarios.Among them,M4 expansion and coordinated scheduling of key positions,B2 conventional drug inventory emergency/insufficient core treatment drugs,B emergency medical material transportation breakage,S3 disease symptom spectrum shift to severe disease,R13 prevention and control awareness laxity,and M5 media information dissemination management are the key driving factors that promote a major turning point in the scenario.The most positive scenario result is the orderly operation of the medical service system,and the most negative scenario result is the paralysis of the medical service system.Conclusion Medical institutions need to improve emergency plans based on the complex evolution scenarios of medical surges and agile governance capabilities targeting key turning points,focus on dynamically expanding and scheduling personnel in key positions,strengthen material rotation and reserve mechanisms,maintain smooth emergency logistics channels,and improve efficient management of media and public opinion,so as to comprehensively improve overall resilience.
5.A Dual-Layer Network Dynamics Modeling and Simulation of Medical Surge Risk Diffusion Based on MATLAB and REPAST
Nan MENG ; Yanping WANG ; Yiran GAO ; Tian YU ; Min WEI ; Wanmeng TENG ; Peng WANG ; Fengqian ZHONG ; Lili JIANG ; Jialin LU ; Ning NING ; Avdeev SERGEY ; Qunhong WU
Chinese Hospital Management 2025;45(11):22-27
Objective To explore the coupling mechanism between medical surge response resources and the spread of secondary risks during public health emergencies,as well as the effectiveness of relevant interventions.Methods Based on complex network theory,a dual-layer network model of medical resources and secondary events was constructed.The interactive feedback between medical resource status and secondary event risk,as well as the effects of network structure,were analyzed through MATLAB simulations,REPAST agent-based modeling,and mean-field analysis.Results Simulation and prediction results show that an increase in first-layer resource-deficient nodes significantly raises the activation rate and transmission speed of secondary events,while the clustering and spread of secondary events in the second layer,in turn,intensify resource depletion,creating a negative feedback loop.Mean-field analysis indicates a nonlinear positive correlation between the adequacy of medical resources and the likelihood of secondary events.Network structure analysis reveals that when the average node degree exceeds 8,resource allocation efficiency improves markedly.Conclusion There exists a dynamic coupling and bidirectional feedback relationship between medical resource status and secondary event risks.Enhancing the flexible allocation and responsiveness of medical resources,improving multi-sectoral collaborative monitoring and coordinated regulation,optimizing network connectivity and coordination mechanisms for resource distribution,and establishing dynamic monitoring and tiered early warning systems are key strategies for strengthening the resilience of healthcare systems and effectively containing the spread of secondary events.
6.Research on Conceptual Connotation and Theoretical Model Construction of Network Dynamic Collaboration Capacity in Medical Surge Response
Yanping WANG ; Nan MENG ; Min WEI ; Yiran GAO ; Tian YU ; Peng WANG ; Jialin LU ; Huan LIU ; Shue ZHANG ; Avdeev SERGEY ; Ning NING ; Yanhua HAO ; Qunhong WU
Chinese Hospital Management 2025;45(11):28-33
Objective To define the conceptual connotation of network dynamic collaboration capacity in medical surge response and construct its theoretical model.Methods A mixed concept analysis method was employed,integrating multidisciplinary literature and collecting empirical evidence through semi-structured expert interviews to extract the concept of network dynamic collaboration capacity in medical surge response.By integrating complex systems,network science,synergetics,and dynamic capability theory,and combining the interview results,the study used the analogy of flood control in hydraulic engineering to develop a"network-dynamic-collaboration"triangular capacity theoretical model.Results It reveals one antecedents(sudden external shocks have led to an abnormal and continuous surge in medical demand),six core attributes(information interconnection accessibility,dynamic resource adaptability,risk perception responsiveness,multi-party collaborative interactivity,service process adaptability elasticity,and learning iterative evolution),and four consequences(mitigation of crowding risk,protection of service continuity,minimization of crisis spillover,and enhancement of system resilience)for the network dynamic collaboration capacity in medical surge response.The theoretical model elucidates the coupling mechanisms among network structural resilience,dynamic regulation processes,and collaborative co-evolution in resisting medical surge.Conclusion The new concept and theoretical model proposed in this study deepen the understanding of medical surge response system mechanisms and offer a theoretical framework and practical guidance for strengthening the full-chain resilience of health emergency systems.
7.Research on the Path Construction of Improving Medical Surge Response Capabilities under Public Health Emergencies
Min WEI ; Yanping WANG ; Nan MENG ; Tian YU ; Yiran GAO ; Fengqian ZHONG ; Avdeev SERGEY ; Huan LIU ; Ning NING ; Yanhua HAO ; Qunhong WU
Chinese Hospital Management 2025;45(11):34-38
Objective To empirically analyze multiple pathways for enhancing medical surge response capacity and provide useful references for improving the resilience of health systems.Methods A comprehensive theoretical analysis framework for improving medical surge response capacity was constructed based on the 4S theory and collaborative governance theory.68 interview texts on medical surge response capacity conducted in July 2024 were selected as analysis samples.Using fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis(fsQCA),7 conditional variables were selected from four dimensions:management system,information system,materials,and personnel to analyze their impact on medical surge response capacity.Results(1)A single conditional variable does not constitute a necessary condition for improving medical surge response capacity;(2)After the combination of conditions,8 specific configuration paths for capacity improvement were identified.Through systematic and comprehensive refinement,they were summarized into three modes of comprehensive configuration capacity improvement paths,namely:rapid response and collaborative operation mode,information empowerment and precise response mode,and resource conditions and resilience construction mode.Conclusion It is necessary to explore and construct systematic,combined,modularized and path-oriented capacity building strategies,refine the operational implementation paths for improving China's medical surge response capacity,target the linkage and configuration modes of different conditional variables,promote the formulation and implementation of modular construction schemes oriented by key capacity,and make efforts from multiple aspects to enhance the resilience of the health system.
8.Treatment and care experiences of elderly patients with comorbid chronic diseases: a Meta-synthesis of qualitative research
Min ZHU ; Yating HAN ; Min JIAO ; Yiran WU ; Xiubin TAO
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(9):1133-1141
Objective:To systematically review the treatment and care experiences of elderly patients with comorbid chronic diseases, providing insights to meet patient healthcare needs and improve their treatment and care experiences.Methods:A computer-based search was conducted in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, Medline, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, and VIP for qualitative studies on the treatment and care experiences of elderly patients with comorbid chronic diseases published from January 2019 to January 2024. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the qualitative research quality assessment criteria developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute of Evidence-Based Health Care in Australia. A cumulative integration method was used to synthesize the results.Results:A total of 17 studies were included, extracting 42 results, which were categorized into 10 themes and integrated into four main findings: patients' varying levels of understanding about chronic comorbid conditions (some patients lack awareness of their current health condition, while others have a clear understanding of their disease status) ; treatment and care experiences across different comorbidity patterns (treatment and care experiences of cancer comorbidity patients, cardiovascular-metabolic comorbidity patients, respiratory system comorbidity patients, sensory-mental comorbidity patients, and visceral arthritis comorbidity patients) ; negative psychological emotions in patients with chronic comorbidity (special psychological experiences in cancer comorbid patients, emotional vulnerability in comorbid chronic disease patients leading to complex emotions) ; urgent needs of comorbid chronic disease patients (differing needs based on comorbidity patterns) .Conclusions:There are differences in the treatment and care experiences of elderly patients with chronic comorbidities, and they require multi-faceted support. Healthcare providers should offer personalized care to patients with different comorbid conditions to help them control their health conditions, optimize comorbidity management, and improve their quality of life.
9.Yishen Tongluo Prescription Ameliorates Oxidative Stress Injury in Mouse Model of Diabetic Kidney Disease via Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 Signaling Pathway
Yifei ZHANG ; Xuehui BAI ; Zijing CAO ; Zeyu ZHANG ; Jingyi TANG ; Junyu XI ; Shujiao ZHANG ; Shuaixing ZHANG ; Yiran XIE ; Yuqi WU ; Zhongjie LIU ; Weijing LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):41-51
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Yishen Tongluo prescription in protecting mice from oxidative stress injury in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) via the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)/NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) signaling pathway. MethodsSpecific pathogen-free (SPF) male C57BL/6 mice were assigned into a control group (n=10) and a modeling group (n=50). The DKD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The mice in the modeling group were randomized into a model group, a semaglutide (40 μg·kg-1) group, and high-, medium-, and low-dose (18.2, 9.1, 4.55 g·kg-1, respectively) Yishen Tongluo prescription groups, with 10 mice in each group. The treatment lasted for 12 weeks. Blood glucose and 24-h urine protein levels were measured, and the kidney index (KI) was calculated. Serum levels of creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were assessed. The pathological changes in the renal tissue were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, periodic acid-silver methenamine, and Masson’s trichrome staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to measure the levels of β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Immunohistochemical staining was performed to examine the expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot were employed to determine the mRNA and protein levels, respectively, of factors in the Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 signaling pathway. ResultsCompared with the control group, the DKD model group showed rises in blood glucose, 24-h urine protein, KI, SCr, BUN, and ALT levels, along with glomerular hypertrophy, renal tubular dilation, thickened basement membrane, mesangial expansion, and collagen deposition. Additionally, the model group showed elevated levels of β2-MG, NGAL, KIM-1, L-FABP, NOS, and 8-OHdG, lowered levels of GSH and T-AOC, up-regulated expression of MDA and Keap1, and down-regulated expression of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the semaglutide group and the medium- and high-dose Yishen Tongluo prescription groups showed reductions in blood glucose, 24-h urine protein, KI, SCr, BUN, and ALT levels, along with alleviated pathological injuries in the renal tissue. In addition, the three groups showed lowered levels of β2-MG, NGAL, KIM-1, L-FABP, NOS, and 8-OHdG, elevated levels of GSH and T-AOC, down-regulated expression of MDA and Keap1, and up-regulated expression of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, and GCLC (P<0.05). ConclusionYishen Tongluo prescription exerts renoprotective effects in the mouse model of DKD by modulating the Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 signaling pathway, mitigating oxidative stress, and reducing renal tubular injuries.
10.Dipsacus asper Treats Alzheimer's Disease in Caenorhabditis elegans by Regulating PPARα/TFEB Pathway
Mengmeng WANG ; Jianping ZHAO ; Limin WU ; Shuang CHU ; Yanli HUANG ; Zhenghao CUI ; Yiran SUN ; Pan WANG ; Hui WANG ; Zhenqiang ZHANG ; Zhishen XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):104-114
ObjectiveTo investigate the anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) effect of Dipsacus asper(DA) in the Caenorhabditis elegans model, and decipher the underlying mechanism via the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα)/transcription factor EB (TFEB) pathway. MethodsFirst, transgenic AD C. elegans individuals were assigned into the blank control, model, positive control (WY14643, 20 µmol·L-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (100, 200, and 400 mg·L-1, respectively) DA groups. The amyloid β-42 (Aβ42) formation in the muscle cells, the paralysis time, and the deposition of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) in the head were detected. The lysosomal autophagy in the BV2 cell model was examined by Rluc-LC3wt/G120A. The expression levels of lysosomal autophagy-related proteins LC3Ⅱ, LC3I, LAMP2, and TFEB were detected by Western blot. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was employed to determine the mRNA levels of autophagy-related genes beclin1 and Atg5 and lysosome-related genes LAMP2 and CLN2 downstream of PPARα/TFEB. A reporter gene assay was used to detect the transcriptional activities of PPARα and TFEB. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the fluorescence intensity of PPARα, and the active components of the ethanol extract of DA were identified by UPLC-MS. RCSB PDB, Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), and Autodock were used to analyze the binding between the active components and PPARα-ligand-binding domain (LBD). ResultsCompared with the model group, the positive control group and 200 and 400 mg·L-1 DA groups showed prolonged paralysis time (P<0.05), and all the treatment groups showed decreased Aβ deposition in the head (P<0.01). DA within the concentration range of 50-500 mg·L-1 did not affect the viability of BV2 cells. In addition, DA enhanced the autophagy flux (P<0.05), up-regulated the mRNA levels of beclin1, Atg5, LAMP2, and CLN2 (P<0.05, P<0.01), promoted the nuclear translocation of TFEB (P<0.05), increased LAMP2 expression and autophagy flux (P<0.05, P<0.01), and enhanced the transcriptional activities of PPARα and TFEB (P<0.01). The positive control group and 200 and 400 mg·L-1 DA groups showed enhanced fluorescence intensity of PPARα in the BV2 nucleus (P<0.01). UPLC-MS detected nine known compounds of DA, from which 8 active components of DA were screened out. The docking results suggested that a variety of components in DA could bind to PPARα-LBD and form stable hydrogen bonds. ConclusionDA may reduce the pathological changes in AD by regulating the PPARα-TFEB pathway.


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