1.Development and Validation of a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for Detecting Adrenocortical Hormones and Establishment of Age-Stratified Reference Intervals in Reproductive-Aged Women from Guangxi, China
Yixuan LIU ; Tingwei JIN ; Yushuang WEI ; Xuelian QIN ; Siyu DENG ; Jie ZHENG ; Boteng YAN ; Yuanyuan NONG ; Yu YE ; Shengzhu HUANG ; Yu LONG ; Jianmin LI ; Ganqin WANG ; Pei HUANG ; Jinghang JIANG ; Fan WU ; Zengnan MO ; Yonghua JIANG
Annals of Laboratory Medicine 2026;46(2):146-154
Background:
Adrenocortical hormones, particularly 11-oxygenated androgens, are pivotal in female reproductive health and fertility. Standardized detection kits and population-specific reference intervals are lacking in China, hindering related clinical applications.
Methods:
A HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) pipeline was developed, rigorously validated, and applied to simultaneously quantify corticosterone, cortisone, cortisol, 18-OH cortisol, androstenedione (A4), 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione (11-OH A4), dehydroepiandrosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in serum samples from 455 reproductive-aged women (18–45 yrs) in Guangxi, China. Age-dependent concentration trends were analyzed, and reference intervals stratified by age (2.5th to 97.5th percentiles) were established. Correlations with body-composition metrics, ethnicity, and the menstrual cycle were investigated.
Results:
The HPLC-MS/MS method demonstrated high precision (intra- and inter-assay CVs < 15%), accuracy, and sensitivity. All eight hormones exhibited significant age-related declines (P < 0.001 for seven hormones; P = 0.001 for 11-OH A4). Notably, 11-OH A4 levels were significantly lower in the 35–45-yr (3.05 nmol/L) and 25–34-yr (3.09 nmol/L) age groups than in the 18–24-yr (3.57 nmol/L) age group, whereas no significant difference was observed between the 35–45-yr and 25–34-yr age groups. Weak negative correlations were observed between the body mass index and corticosterone and cortisone levels, whereas ethnicity and the menstrual cycle showed no significant associations with hormone levels.
Conclusions
We developed an HPLC-MS/MS-based method for simultaneously quantifying eight adrenocortical hormones, including 11-OH A4, and defined age-specific reference intervals for reproductive-aged Chinese women. These findings advance the clinical utility of adrenocortical hormones in diagnosing and managing reproductive disorders.
2.Textual Research on Key Information of Classic Famous Formula Dabuyuanjian
Yixuan HU ; Suhua SONG ; Yu WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):23-33
Dabuyuanjian is one of the classic famous formulas in the Catalog of Ancient Classic Famous Formulas (Second Batch)-Medicine of Han Ethnic Group. It consists of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, Eucommiae Cortex, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Corni Fructus, Lycii Fructus, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle, and is used to treat the symptoms of men and women who have a great loss of Qi and blood and a critical and dramatic loss of spiritual guardianship. This study reviewed the ancient and modern literature, and used literature tracing and bibliometrics methods to mine the key information of the historical origin, formula name, drug composition, compatibility, drug dosage, original plants and processing of drugs, decocting method, and clinical application of Dabuyuanjian. The results showed that Dabuyuanjian was first recorded in the Jing Yue's Collected Works (Jing Yue Quan Shu), with the dosage mainly following the original formula. According to the dosage in the Ming and Qing dynasties, the formula is composed of 5.60 g (for mild cases)/39.17 g (for severe cases) Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, 7.46 g Dioscoreae Rhizoma, 9.32 g (for mild cases)/ 93.25 g (for severe cases) Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, 7.46 g Eucommiae Cortex, 9.32 g Angelicae Sinensis Radix, 3.73 g Corni Fructus, 9.32 g Lycii Fructus, and 5.60 g Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle. Regarding the original plants of drugs, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma is produced from the dried roots and rhizomes of Panax ginseng, Dioscoreae Rhizoma from stir-fried dried rhizomes of Dioscorea opposita, Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata from steamed dried roots of Rehmannia glutinosa, Eucommiae Cortex from the dried bark of Eucommia ulmoides, Angelicae Sinensis Radix from the dried roots of Angelica sinensis, Corni Fructus from the dried mature fruit flesh of Cornus officinalis, Lycii Fructus from the dried mature fruits of Lycium barbarum, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle from the honey-processed dried roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza uralensis. These medicinal materials are decocted in 400 mL water to reach a volume of 140 mL, and the decoction should be taken 1 h after meals, 2-3 doses per day. Dabuyuanjian has a wide range of clinical applications, including gynecological and obstetrical diseases, deficiency, baffling and panic, consumptive thirst, and blood, ear, nose, and throat diseases. In modern clinical practice, it is mainly used for diseases of the nervous system, gynecology, urinary system, cardiovascular system, digestive system, musculoskeletal system, connective tissue, immune system, blood, and men. Through the review of ancient and modern literature, this study sorted out the historical evolution and mined the key information of Dabuyuanjian, aiming to provide a theoretical reference for safe and effective clinical application and subsequent research and development of this formula.
3.Epidemiological characteristics and disease burden of liver cancer in Guangdong Province
Ying ZHANG ; Yixuan CHEN ; Rong CAO ; Yue GAO ; Yutong HAN ; Ye WANG ; Ruilin MENG ; Xueyan ZHENG ; Yu LIAO ; Zhuanping ZENG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(1):68-72
Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and disease burden of liver cancer in Guangdong Province in 2020, and to provide a scientific foundation for the development of regionalized prevention and control strategies for liver cancer. Methods According to the cancer registry data of Guangdong Province, the incidence, mortality and age-standardized rate by Chinese standard population in 2020 were calculated to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of liver cancer. The disability adjusted life years (DALYs), year of life loss (YLL), year of lived with disability (YLD), and cause-eliminated life expectancy were used to assess the disease burden of liver cancer. Results In 2020, the crude incidence rate and the age-standardized incidence rate of liver cancer in Guangdong Province were 27.79/100 000 and 20.84/100 000,respectively, and the crude mortality rate and the age-standardized mortality rate of liver cancer were 25.49/100,000 and 17.64/100 000, respectively. The total DALY and DALY rate of liver cancer in Guangdong Province were 515 311 person-years and 513.83/100 000, respectively. After eliminating the causes of death from liver cancer, the life expectancy in Guangdong Province increased from 84.60 years to 84.99 years. All indicators consistently demonstrated that the burden of liver cancer was higher in males than that in females, and the burden of liver cancer was higher in rural areas than that in urban areas. Conclusion Liver cancer in Guangdong Province exhibits a high incidence, mortality and disease burden level in 2020. There are obvious differences of gender, age and region in cancer burden. It is necessary to strengthen liver cancer screening and diagnosis and treatment in men, the elderly and those in rural areas to reduce the burden of liver cancer gradually in Guangdong Province.
4.Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor-related paronychia
Zixin HU ; Kexin TAN ; Huijing DONG ; Xu ZHANG ; Yixuan YU ; Xingyu LU ; Jia LI ; Huijuan CUI
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2025;58(3):276-281
Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor (EGFRI) -related paronychia is a condition clearly related to EGFRI therapy, characterized by periungual erythema, edema, purulent exudates, periungual or subungual granulomatous lesions, and sometimes accompanied by thinning, fragility or even splitting and seperation of nail plates. Inhibition of epidermal function, inflammation and secondary infections, as well as angiogenesis are the core processes in the occurrence and development of EGFRI-related paronychia. This review summarizes epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, prevention and treatment of EGFRI-related paronychia.
5.Sphingosine-1-phosphate Promotes Abnormal Ossification in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis through Angiogenesis-osteogenesis Coupling
Rujia MI ; Yixuan LU ; Yinliang LIU ; Wangchang WU ; Haoye YU ; Hongyu LI
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(6):1058-1070
[Objective]To investigate the role of sphingosine-1-phosphate(S1P)in abnormal ossification in ankylosing spondylitis(AS),clarify the relationship between S1P and"angiogenesis-osteogenesis"coupling,and provide new strategies for AS treatment.[Methods]Femoral heads from AS patients and patients undergoing routine hip replacement were collected for immunohistochemical(IHC)staining to evaluate osteogenesis and H-type vessel formation.In vitro,ELISA was used to quantify the synthesis of S1P and analyze the expression changes of S1P signaling pathway-related molecules during the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from patients with ankylosing spondylitis(ASMSCs)and those from healthy donors(HDMSCs),to evaluate the activation status of S1P pathway during osteogenesis.Sphingosine kinase 1(SK1)expression was knocked down in MSCs,and the S1P receptor inhibitor FTY720 was applied to block S1P signaling.Alkaline phosphatase(ALP)activity and Alizarin Red S(ARS)quantification were used to assess the effect of S1P on ASMSCs osteogenesis.Conditioned medium from osteogenically induced MSCs was used to treat human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)to evaluate the effect of S1P on angiogenesis.An AS mouse model(SKG mice)was treated with FTY720 or the SK1 inhibitor PF-543 citrate.IHC staining and micro-CT scanning were used to assess abnormal ossification and spinal fusion,and immunofluorescence was used to evaluate H-type vessel formation.[Results]Compared with Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head(ONFH)patients,AS patients exhibited excessive osteogenesis and H-type vessel formation(OCN P<0.001,CD31 P<0.001,EMCN P<0.001).During osteogenic differentiation,S1P expression and secretion were significantly higher in ASMSCs than in HDMSCs(P=0.0179).Inhibition of S1P signaling with FTY720 or SK1 knockdown significantly suppressed osteogenic differentiation(compared with ASMSC,ARS:HDMSC P=0.001 8,FTY720 P<0.001,si-SK1 P<0.001;ALP:HDMSC P=0.032 8,FTY720 P=0.001 6,si-SK1 P<0.001)of ASMSCs and the angiogenesis of HUVEC(compared with ASMSC,cell-covered area,total loops,total tube length and total branch points P<0.001).Treatment with FTY720 or PF-543 markedly inhibited abnormal ossification and spinal fusion(compared with Curdlan,arthritis index score,P<0.001;OCN:control P=0.002,PF-543 P=0.010 7,FTY720 P=0.015 9)in AS mice and reduced H-type vessel formation(CD31+EMCN+:compared with curdlan,control P<0.001,PF-543 P=0.001 7,FTY720 P=0.002 1).[Conclusion]Increased S1P synthesis in ASMSCs promotes osteogenic differentiation via autocrine mechanisms and further enhances ossification by facilitating H-type angiogenesis.Inhibiting S1P secretion in ASMSCs significantly suppresses abnormal ossification in AS.
6.Textual Research on Key Information and Modern Clinical Application of Classical Famous Formula Liumotang
Xinyu ZHANG ; Chong LI ; Yixuan HU ; Luming LIANG ; Ye ZHAO ; Xiaoting LU ; Yu WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):201-212
Liumotang comes from the Yuan dynasty's Effective Prescription Handed Down for Generations of Physicians. It is composed of six medicinal materials: Arecae Semen, Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum, Aucklandiae Radix, Linderae Radix, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, and Aurantii Fructus. It is a classical formula for treating abdominal pain due to Qi stagnation and constipation accompanied by heat. This study systematically collated the records of Liumotang in ancient medical books and modern clinical literature and conducted in-depth analysis and textual research on its formula source, main diseases, composition, dosage, medical books, container capacity, processing, preparation method, usage, drug basis, formula meaning, and other key information, so as to provide a powerful reference for the development and clinical application of compound preparations of the classical formula Liumotang. The results show that Liumotang was first seen in Effective Prescription Handed Down for Generations of Physicians, and many medical books of the past dynasties have imitated this. In terms of drug basis, the dried and mature seeds of the palm plant Areca catechu, resin-containing wood of the Daphneaceae plant Aquilaria sinensis, the dried roots of the Asteraceae plant woody Aucklandia lappa, the dried tuber root of the Lauraceae plant Lindera aggregata, the dried roots and rhizomes of the knotweed plant, R. palmatum, R.tangutikum, and R. officinale, and the dried and unripe fruits of the citrus genus C. aurantium and its cultivated varieties from the family Rutaceae were selected. In terms of dosage, through the textual research on bowls in the Ming and Qing dynasties, combined with the conversion of medicines and bowl capacity in the Qing dynasty, it was estimated that the dosage of each drug in the Yuan dynasty was 10.86 g. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, the dosage of drugs was mostly equal, but the dosage of drugs was somewhat different. In terms of processing, preparation method, and usage, in the medical books of the past dynasties, the processing of drugs has slightly changed, but raw drugs are used in all preparations. The preparation method and usage did not change much during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, except for certain differences in dosage. In terms of syndrome, Liumotang was first used to treat abdominal pain due to Qi stagnation and constipation accompanied by heat. Medical books of the past dynasties often omit the symptoms of heat. In modern clinical practice, Liumotang is mainly used in the digestive system and urinary system diseases and is mostly used to treat constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, biliary reflux gastritis, functional constipation, slow transit constipation, and other diseases, with no adverse reactions found yet. The above results provide a reliable scientific basis for the development and clinical treatment of Liumotang compound preparations.
7.Heterogeneity in pancreatic head cancer: prognostic implications of ventral pancreatic and dorsal pancreatic origins
Wenbin LIU ; Yun BIAN ; Chengwei CHEN ; Xiaohan YUAN ; Yixuan SHEN ; Xinyue ZHANG ; Yifei GUO ; Ying LI ; Jieyu YU ; Jianping LU
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2025;31(4):284-289
Objective:To investigate the impact of tumor origin (ventral pancreatic origin and dorsal pancreatic origin) on prognosis in patients with pancreatic head cancer.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 150 patients with pancreatic head cancer who received surgical treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of the Naval Medical University from October 2014 to December 2017. Among these patients, 92 were male and 58 were female, aged (61.2±8.8) years. The 150 patients were divided into two groups based on tumor origin: the ventral pancreatic cancer group ( n=72) and the dorsal pancreatic cancer group ( n=78). A comparative analysis of clinical, pathological, and imaging charac-teristics was conducted between the two groups. Univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the association between pancreatic head cancer origin and overall survival (OS). Results:Patients with pancreatic head carcinoma arising from the ventral and dorsal pancreas accounted for 48%(72/150) and 52%(78/150) of the study cohort, respectively. Pancreatic head carcinoma arising from the dorsal pancreas were more likely to show pathological features of pancreatic parenchymal atrophy [73.1%(57/78) vs. 47.2%(34/72), χ2=10.49, P=0.001] and pancreatitis [44.9%(35/78) vs. 29.2%(21/72), χ2=3.95, P=0.047]. In contrast, patients with pancreatic head carcinoma arising from the ventral pancreas was more frequently associated with contact with the superior mesenteric artery [25.0%(18/72) vs. 1.3%(1/78), χ2=19.04, P<0.001], perineural invasion [100%(72/72) vs. 88.5%(69/78), χ2=8.84, P=0.003], and positive surgical margins [15.3%(11/72) vs. 2.6%(2/78), χ2=7.65, P=0.006], with all differences statistically significant. The ventral pancreatic cancer group demonstrated cumulative survival rates of 33.2% and 0 at 1-year and 2-year postoperative intervals, respectively, while the dorsal pancreatic cancer group exhibited rates of 56.7% and 24.8% at the corresponding timepoints. Comparison of Kaplan-Meier survival curves between the two groups showed a statistically significant difference ( χ2=6.00, P=0.014). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis identified dorsal pancreatic origin pancreatic head cancer as an independent predictor of increased mortality risk compared to ventral origin tumors ( HR=2.75, 95% CI: 1.52-4.98, P=0.001). Conclusion:The embryonic origin of pancreatic head cancer determines its clinical, pathological, and imaging heterogeneity, and pancreatic head cancer arising from the ventral pancreas demonstrates significantly worse prognostic outcomes compared to dorsal pancreatic origin.
8.Determination of six psychotropic drug metabolites in human plasma by LC-MS/MS method
Yixuan CUI ; Huiling LI ; Yan YU ; Jing MA ; Bo ZHOU ; Fang DONG
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2025;43(6):445-448
Objective:To establish a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the determination of N-desalkylquetiapine, hydroxybupropion, N-desmethyl clozapine, N-desmethyl clomipramine, O-desmethyvenlafaxine and dehydro aripiprazole in human plasma.Methods:In June 2023, plasma samples were treated with methanol-acetonitrile (volume ratio of 1∶1) for protein precipitation and then detected by LC-MS/MS. It was separated by C18 column and eluted with 5 mmol/L ammonium acetate water and 5 mmol/L ammonium acetate methanol solution as mobile phase gradient. The metabolites of six psychotropic drugs were qualitatively and quantitatively by using electrospray positive ion multi-reactive ion monitoring scanning mode (MRM) .Results:The linear relationships of six psychotropic drug metabolites were good in the concentration range of 2-100 μg/L. The linear correlation coefficients were 0.9971-0.9999, the limits of quantification of the method were 0.10-6.00 μg/L, and the inter-and intra-day precision were 4.6%-9.8% and 1.5%-8.6%, with the recoveries of the spiked standards ranged from 90.0% to 106.1%.Conclusion:The LC-MS/MS method for the determination of metabolites of six psychotropic drugs in human plasma is simple, rapid and sensitive, and can be used for the qualitative and quantitative determination of metabolites in plasma samples of patients suspected of psychotropic drug poisoning.
9.Constructing an integrative Chinese and western medical clinical pathway for knee osteoarthritis based on guideline recommendations
Luping LIU ; Xiyou WANG ; Lingyun ZHANG ; Yuan LEI ; Yi AN ; Yixuan GAO ; Zhendong XING ; Jiaqi LIU ; Changhe YU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(1):9-17
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common chronic degenerative disease that not only causes pain and reduces the quality of life for patients but also imposes a significant societal burden. Clinical pathways can be developed by referencing recommendations from clinical practice guidelines to localize guidelines within the context of integrated traditional Chinese and western medical systems. However, existing clinical pathways suffer from shortcomings such as deficiencies in integrated traditional Chinese and western medical diagnosis and treatment, inadequate shared decision-making between healthcare providers and patients, and suboptimal visualization of clinical pathways. This study aimed to address and optimize the clinical pathway of KOA by comprehensively organizing and localizing the recommended guidelines. The concept of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine was reflected through the construction of a path of joint decision-making between doctors and patients, emphasizing the coexistence of diagnosis and screening, the combination of clinical and imaging staging, joint decision-making between doctors and patients, and treatment stages. This pathway emphasizes patient-centered approach, with pain relief and functional rehabilitation running parallel, achieving the implementation of evidence-based concepts in practical medical practice. It provides a concrete basis for joint decision-making between doctors and patients in the integrated treatment of KOA with traditional Chinese and western medicine, which helps to improve diagnosis and treatment efficiency and patient quality of life.
10.Dexmedetomidine alleviates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat models
Genfeng LIU ; Lu NAN ; Qin GAO ; Yixuan CHEN ; Jing ZHANG ; Peng YU ; Shuchun YU
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(3):303-309
Objective To investigate the relationship between the protective mechanism of dexmedetomidine(Dex)against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)injury and cuproptosis.Methods The Langendorff models were con-structed using SD rats(I/R group),which were divided into 4 groups according to different interventions during reperfusion as:sham group,I/R group,Dex group and Dex+ES-Cu group.The left ventricular peak pressure(LVSP)of the rats in the above four groups were continuously monitored in the immediate pre-ischemic period(T0),30 min of reperfusion(T1),60 min reperfusion(T2),90 min reperfusion(T3),2 h of reperfusion(T4).Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure(LVEDP),heart rate(HR),maximum rate of rise of left ventricular pressure(+dp/dtmax)and maximum rate of drop.Subsequently,the extent of myocardial infarction was shown by 1%triphenyltetrazoliumchloride(TTC)staining,and the degree of myocardial fibrosis was assessed by Sirius red staining;Myocardial enzyme profiles,oxidative stress and inflammation indexes were detected by ELISA;Copper ions were detected by copper ion detection kit in myocardial tissues;ATF3,SPI1 and FDX1 protein level expres-sion was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the sham-operated group,the extent of myocardial in-farction and fibrosis increased in the I/R group(P<0.05),the level of serum MDA,IL-6,IL-1β,and TNF-α was elevated(P<0.05),and the activity of SOD and GSH-Px decreased(P<0.05).The Dex group significantly alleviated the above changes in the I/R group,and compared with the Dex group,in the Dex+ES-Cu group myocardi-al tissue copper ion content at the end of perfusion was increased(P<0.05).Both ATF3 and SPI1 protein were in-creased and FDX1 protein was decreased(P<0.05).Conclusions Dex can regulate copper metabolism and improve myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MI/RI)resulted from oxidative stress and inflammation in rat model.


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