1.Clinical Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Patients with Cold Dampness Obstruction Syndrome
Yanyu CHEN ; Yanqi LI ; Longxiao LIU ; Liubo ZHANG ; Tianyi LAN ; Nan ZHANG ; Cheng XIAO ; Yuan XU ; Qingwen TAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):140-146
ObjectiveTo study the clinical characteristics and influencing factors of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the patients with cold dampness obstruction syndrome. MethodsThe RA patients treated in the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Rheumatology of the China-Japan Friendship Hospital from August 2022 to June 2024 were selected. The demographic information, clinical data, laboratory test results, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom information were collected for syndrome differentiation, on the basis of which the characteristics and influencing factors of cold dampness obstruction syndrome were analyzed. ResultsA total of 258 RA patients were selected in this study, including 88 (34.1%) patients with cold dampness obstruction syndrome, 53 (20.5%) patients with dampness and heat obstruction syndrome, 31 (12.0%) patients with wind dampness obstruction syndrome, 29 (11.2%) patients with liver-kidney deficiency syndrome, 19 (7.4%) patients with Qi-blood deficiency syndrome, 14 (5.4%) patients with phlegm-stasis obstruction syndrome, 15 (5.8%) patients with stasis obstructing collateral syndrome and 9 (3.5%) patients with Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome. The patients were assigned into two groups of cold dampness obstruction syndrome and other syndromes. The group of cold dampness obstruction syndrome had lower joint fever, 28-tender joint count (TJC28), and 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28)-C-reactive protein (CRP) and higher central sensitization, cold feeling of joints, fear of wind and cold, cold limbs, and abdominal distention than the group of other syndromes (P<0.05). The binary logistic regression analysis showed that central sensitization (OR 5.749, 95%CI 2.116-15.616, P<0.001) and DAS28-CRP (OR 0.600, 95% CI 0.418-0.862, P=0.006) were the independent factors influencing cold dampness obstruction syndrome in RA. ConclusionCold dampness obstruction syndrome is a common syndrome in RA patients. It is associated with central sensitization, cold feeling of joints, abdominal distension and may be a clinical syndrome associated with central sensitization.
2.Value of different noninvasive diagnostic models in the diagnosis of esophageal and gastric varices with significant portal hypertension in compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis
Cheng LIU ; Jiayi ZENG ; Mengbing FANG ; Zhiheng CHEN ; Bei GUI ; Fengming ZHAO ; Jingkai YUAN ; Chaozhen ZHANG ; Meijie SHI ; Yubao XIE ; Xiaoling CHI ; Huanming XIAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):263-268
ObjectiveTo investigate the value of different noninvasive diagnostic models in the diagnosis of esophageal and gastric varices since there is a high risk of esophageal and gastric varices in patients with compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis and significant portal hypertension, and to provide a basis for the early diagnosis of esophageal and gastric varices. MethodsA total of 108 patients with significant portal hypertension due to compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis who attended Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from November 2017 to November 2023 were enrolled, and according to the presence or absence of esophageal and gastric varices under gastroscopy, they were divided into esophageal and gastric varices group (GOV group) and non-esophageal and gastric varices group (NGOV group). Related data were collected, including age, sex, imaging findings, and laboratory markers. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups; the least significant difference t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic value of five scoring models, i.e., fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), LOK index, LPRI, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), and aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio (AAR). The binary logistic regression method was used to establish a combined model, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was compared between the combined model and each scoring model used alone. The Delong test was used to compare the AUC value between any two noninvasive diagnostic models. ResultsThere were 55 patients in the GOV group and 53 patients in the NGOV group. Compared with the NGOV group, the GOV group had a significantly higher age (52.64±1.44 years vs 47.96±1.68 years, t=0.453, P<0.05) and significantly lower levels of alanine aminotransferase [42.00 (24.00 — 17.00) U/L vs 82.00 (46.00 — 271.00) U/L, Z=-3.065, P<0.05], aspartate aminotransferase [44.00 (32.00 — 96.00) U/L vs 62.00 (42.50 — 154.50) U/L,Z=-2.351, P<0.05], and platelet count [100.00 (69.00 — 120.00)×109/L vs 119.00 (108.50 — 140.50)×109/L, Z=-3.667, P<0.05]. The ROC curve analysis showed that FIB-4, LOK index, LPRI, and AAR used alone had an accuracy of 0.667, 0.681, 0.730, and 0.639, respectively, in the diagnosis of esophageal and gastric varices (all P<0.05), and the positive diagnostic rates of GOV were 69.97%, 65.28%, 67.33%, and 58.86%, respectively, with no significant differences in AUC values (all P>0.05), while APRI used alone had no diagnostic value (P>0.05). A combined model (LAF) was established based on the binary logistic regression analysis and had an AUC of 0.805 and a positive diagnostic rate of GOV of 75.80%, with a significantly higher AUC than FIB-4, LOK index, LPRI, and AAR used alone (Z=-2.773,-2.479,-2.206, and-2.672, all P<0.05). ConclusionFIB-4, LOK index, LPRI, and AAR have a similar diagnostic value for esophageal and gastric varices in patients with compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis and significant portal hypertension, and APRI alone has no diagnostic value. The combined model LAF had the best diagnostic efficacy, which provides a certain reference for clinical promotion and application.
3.Predicting Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer Using Urine Metabolomics via Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry
Chung-Hsin CHEN ; Hsiang-Po HUANG ; Kai-Hsiung CHANG ; Ming-Shyue LEE ; Cheng-Fan LEE ; Chih-Yu LIN ; Yuan Chi LIN ; William J. HUANG ; Chun-Hou LIAO ; Chih-Chin YU ; Shiu-Dong CHUNG ; Yao-Chou TSAI ; Chia-Chang WU ; Chen-Hsun HO ; Pei-Wen HSIAO ; Yeong-Shiau PU ;
The World Journal of Men's Health 2025;43(2):376-386
Purpose:
Biomarkers predicting clinically significant prostate cancer (sPC) before biopsy are currently lacking. This study aimed to develop a non-invasive urine test to predict sPC in at-risk men using urinary metabolomic profiles.
Materials and Methods:
Urine samples from 934 at-risk subjects and 268 treatment-naïve PC patients were subjected to liquid chromatography/mass spectrophotometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomics profiling using both C18 and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) column analyses. Four models were constructed (training cohort [n=647]) and validated (validation cohort [n=344]) for different purposes. Model I differentiates PC from benign cases. Models II, III, and a Gleason score model (model GS) predict sPC that is defined as National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)-categorized favorable-intermediate risk group or higher (Model II), unfavorable-intermediate risk group or higher (Model III), and GS ≥7 PC (model GS), respectively. The metabolomic panels and predicting models were constructed using logistic regression and Akaike information criterion.
Results:
The best metabolomic panels from the HILIC column include 25, 27, 28 and 26 metabolites in Models I, II, III, and GS, respectively, with area under the curve (AUC) values ranging between 0.82 and 0.91 in the training cohort and between 0.77 and 0.86 in the validation cohort. The combination of the metabolomic panels and five baseline clinical factors that include serum prostate-specific antigen, age, family history of PC, previously negative biopsy, and abnormal digital rectal examination results significantly increased AUCs (range 0.88–0.91). At 90% sensitivity (validation cohort), 33%, 34%, 41%, and 36% of unnecessary biopsies were avoided in Models I, II, III, and GS, respectively. The above results were successfully validated using LC-MS with the C18 column.
Conclusions
Urinary metabolomic profiles with baseline clinical factors may accurately predict sPC in men with elevated risk before biopsy.
4.Zinc Finger Protein 639 Expression Is a Novel Prognostic Determinant in Breast Cancer
Fang LEE ; Shih-Ping CHENG ; Ming-Jen CHEN ; Wen-Chien HUANG ; Yi-Min LIU ; Shao-Chiang CHANG ; Yuan-Ching CHANG
Journal of Breast Cancer 2025;28(2):86-98
Purpose:
Zinc finger protein 639 (ZNF639) is often found within the overlapping amplicon of PIK3CA, and previous studies suggest its involvement in the pathogenesis of esophageal and oral squamous cell carcinomas. However, its expression and significance in breast cancer remain uncharacterized.
Methods:
Immunohistochemical analysis of ZNF639 was performed using tissue microarrays.Functional studies, including colony formation, Transwell cell migration, and in vivo metastasis, were conducted on breast tumor cells with ZNF639 knockdown via small interfering RNA transfection.
Results:
Reduced ZNF639 immunoreactivity was observed in 82% of the breast cancer samples, independent of hormone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status. In multivariate Cox regression analyses, ZNF639 expression was associated with favorable survival outcomes, including recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio, 0.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14–0.89) and overall survival (hazard ratio, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.16– 1.05). ZNF639 knockdown increased clonogenicity, cell motility, and lung metastasis in NOD/ SCID mice. Following the ZNF639 knockdown, the expression of Snail1, vimentin, and C-C chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20) was upregulated, and the changes in cell phenotype mediated by ZNF639 were reversed by the subsequent knockdown of CCL20.
Conclusion
Low ZNF639 expression is a novel prognostic factor for recurrence-free survival in patients with breast cancer.
5.Simultaneous TAVI and McKeown for esophageal cancer with severe aortic regurgitation: A case report
Liang CHENG ; Lulu LIU ; Xin XIAO ; Lin LIN ; Mei YANG ; Jingxiu FAN ; Hai YU ; Longqi CHEN ; Yingqiang GUO ; Yong YUAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(02):277-280
A 71-year-old male presented with esophageal cancer and severe aortic valve regurgitation. Treatment strategies for such patients are controversial. Considering the risks of cardiopulmonary bypass and potential esophageal cancer metastasis, we successfully performed transcatheter aortic valve implantation and minimally invasive three-incision thoracolaparoscopy combined with radical resection of esophageal cancer (McKeown) simultaneously in the elderly patient who did not require neoadjuvant treatment. This dual minimally invasive procedure took 6 hours and the patient recovered smoothly without any surgical complications.
6.Effect Analysis of Different Interventions to Improve Neuroinflammation in The Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Jiang-Hui SHAN ; Chao-Yang CHU ; Shi-Yu CHEN ; Zhi-Cheng LIN ; Yu-Yu ZHOU ; Tian-Yuan FANG ; Chu-Xia ZHANG ; Biao XIAO ; Kai XIE ; Qing-Juan WANG ; Zhi-Tao LIU ; Li-Ping LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):310-333
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a central neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment in clinical. Currently, there are no effective treatments for AD. In recent years, a variety of therapeutic approaches from different perspectives have been explored to treat AD. Although the drug therapies targeted at the clearance of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) had made a breakthrough in clinical trials, there were associated with adverse events. Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of AD. Continuous neuroinflammatory was considered to be the third major pathological feature of AD, which could promote the formation of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. At the same time, these toxic substances could accelerate the development of neuroinflammation, form a vicious cycle, and exacerbate disease progression. Reducing neuroinflammation could break the feedback loop pattern between neuroinflammation, Aβ plaque deposition and Tau tangles, which might be an effective therapeutic strategy for treating AD. Traditional Chinese herbs such as Polygonum multiflorum and Curcuma were utilized in the treatment of AD due to their ability to mitigate neuroinflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and indomethacin had been shown to reduce the level of inflammasomes in the body, and taking these drugs was associated with a low incidence of AD. Biosynthetic nanomaterials loaded with oxytocin were demonstrated to have the capability to anti-inflammatory and penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively, and they played an anti-inflammatory role via sustained-releasing oxytocin in the brain. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells could reduce neuroinflammation and inhibit the activation of microglia. The secretion of mesenchymal stem cells could not only improve neuroinflammation, but also exert a multi-target comprehensive therapeutic effect, making it potentially more suitable for the treatment of AD. Enhancing the level of TREM2 in microglial cells using gene editing technologies, or application of TREM2 antibodies such as Ab-T1, hT2AB could improve microglial cell function and reduce the level of neuroinflammation, which might be a potential treatment for AD. Probiotic therapy, fecal flora transplantation, antibiotic therapy, and dietary intervention could reshape the composition of the gut microbiota and alleviate neuroinflammation through the gut-brain axis. However, the drugs of sodium oligomannose remain controversial. Both exercise intervention and electromagnetic intervention had the potential to attenuate neuroinflammation, thereby delaying AD process. This article focuses on the role of drug therapy, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, gut microbiota therapy, exercise intervention, and brain stimulation in improving neuroinflammation in recent years, aiming to provide a novel insight for the treatment of AD by intervening neuroinflammation in the future.
7.Investigation of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and subthreshold states among children in Chongqing
Xiuying YANG ; Zhanming SHI ; Yi LI ; Jiasheng LIU ; Dengguo CHENG ; Tingting HE ; Wei ZHAO ; Gang YUAN ; Ludan ZHANG ; Chunni HUANG ; Junhao LUAN ; Xiaoyue JIA ; Tiantian CHEN ; Mei WANG ; Shiping ZHENG ; Chunying WU ; Yuanming REN ; Mengfei LI
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(6):561-567
BackgroundAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by age-inappropriate inattention, excessive activities incongruous with setting, and emotional impulsivity. Subthreshold ADHD (sADHD) is clinically defined as the presence of ADHD symptoms that do not meet the full diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Children with sADHD exhibit deficits in executive function, demonstrate more conduct, learning, and anxiety-related problems compared to typically developing children, and show even poorer working memory performance than children diagnosed with ADHD. Currently, there is limited epidemiological research on sADHD in China, with few studies simultaneously investigating the prevalence of both ADHD and sADHD in children. ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of ADHD and sADHD among children aged 6–13 years in Chongqing, analyzing their distribution characteristics within this population, with the aim of providing references for developing preventive measures against both ADHD and sADHD. MethodsFrom October to November 2023, a total of 3 398 students in grades 1–6 from six primary schools in Jiangbei District, Chongqing were selected using a stratified cluster random sampling method. The occurrence of ADHD and sADHD was evaluated by using the short version (18-item version) of the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham IV rating scales (SNAP-IV) and the Chinese vision of Schedule for Affective Disorder and Schizophrenia for School-aged Children-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL). ResultsThe ADHD detection rate among children in Chongqing was 1.90% (95% CI: 0.014–0.024). Boys showed a significantly higher ADHD detection rate than girls (χ2=7.733, P=0.005). No statistically significant differences were found in ADHD detection rates across different grades or age groups (χ2=7.347, 12.362, P>0.05). The sADHD detection rate was 6.32% (95% CI: 0.054–0.072). Similarly, boys exhibited significantly higher sADHD detection rates than girls (χ2=21.005, P<0.01). Significant differences emerged across different grades (χ2=20.559, P=0.001), while no statistically significant difference was observed in age groups (χ2=12.070, P=0.060). ConclusionThe ADHD detection rates were comparable across all grade levels and age groups from 6–13 years old. Second-grade children demonstrated notably higher sADHD rates compared to other grades, while boys demonstrated higher prevalence rates than girls for both ADHD and sADHD. [Funded by Science and Health Joint Medical Research Project in Jiangbei District, Chongqing City in the Second Half of 2023 (number, 2023JBKWLH022)]
8.Chemical constituents from the buds of Aralia chinensis var.nuda and their in vitro anti-inflammatory activities
Juan WANG ; Yuan YUAN ; Peng-cheng YIN ; Shao-hua LI ; Shuai CHEN ; Hai-shan QIAN ; Hong-fang LI ; Hong-ping HE ; Bao-jing LI
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(1):101-107
AIM To study the chemical constituents from the buds of Aralia chinensis L.var.nuda Nakai and their in vitro anti-inflammatory activities.METHODS The 70%ethanol extract from the buds of A.chinensis var.nuda was isolated and purified by silica gel,Sephadex LH-20,ODS and semi-preparative HPLC,then the structures of compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.Their anti-inflammatory activities in vitro were evaluated by RAW264.7 model.RESULTS Sixteen compounds were isolated and identified as 4-(2,2-dibutoxyethyl)phenol(1),trans-linalool-3,7-oxide-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(2),2'-O-(9Z,12Z,15Z-octadecatrienoyl)glyceryl β-D-galactopyranoside(3),quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(3'→ O-3''')quercetin-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside(4),syringaresinol-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(5),p-hydroxybenzaldehyde(6),7α-hydroxystigmasterol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(7),trans-p-hydroxy cinnamic acid methyl ester(8),funingensin A(9),3,4-dihydroxy-acetophenone(10),N-acetyltyramine(11),3,4-di-O-caffeoyl quinic acid(12),chlorogenic acid(13),aralia cerebroside(14),caffeic acid methyl ester(15),tetradecanoic acid(16).The IC50values of compounds 8,10,12 and 13 were(22.19±1.59),(35.25±1.30),(13.38±0.72),(15.73±1.16)μmol/L,respectively.CONCLUSION Compound 1 is a new compound,2-13 are isolated from genus Aralia for the first time.Compounds 8,10,12,13 exhibit significant in vitro anti-inflammatory activities.
9.Expert Consensus on the Ethical Requirements for Generative AI-Assisted Academic Writing
You-Quan BU ; Yong-Fu CAO ; Zeng-Yi CHANG ; Hong-Yu CHEN ; Xiao-Wei CHEN ; Yuan-Yuan CHEN ; Zhu-Cheng CHEN ; Rui DENG ; Jie DING ; Zhong-Kai FAN ; Guo-Quan GAO ; Xu GAO ; Lan HU ; Xiao-Qing HU ; Hong-Ti JIA ; Ying KONG ; En-Min LI ; Ling LI ; Yu-Hua LI ; Jun-Rong LIU ; Zhi-Qiang LIU ; Ya-Ping LUO ; Xue-Mei LV ; Yan-Xi PEI ; Xiao-Zhong PENG ; Qi-Qun TANG ; You WAN ; Yong WANG ; Ming-Xu WANG ; Xian WANG ; Guang-Kuan XIE ; Jun XIE ; Xiao-Hua YAN ; Mei YIN ; Zhong-Shan YU ; Chun-Yan ZHOU ; Rui-Fang ZHU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(6):826-832
With the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence(GAI)technologies,their widespread application in academic research and writing is continuously expanding the boundaries of sci-entific inquiry.However,this trend has also raised a series of ethical and regulatory challenges,inclu-ding issues related to authorship,content authenticity,citation accuracy,and accountability.In light of the growing involvement of AI in generating academic content,establishing an open,controllable,and trustworthy ethical governance framework has become a key task for safeguarding research integrity and maintaining trust within the academic community.This expert consensus outlines ethical requirements across key stages of AI-assisted academic writing-including topic selection,data management,citation practices,and authorship attribution.It aims to clarify the boundaries and ethical obligations surrounding AI use in academic writing,ensuring that technological tools enhance efficiency without compromising in-tegrity.The goal is to provide guidance and institutional support for building a responsible and sustainable research ecosystem.
10.Problems and suggestions for minor purchasing of medical equipment
Xian-ju YUAN ; Fei-ba CHANG ; Yong CHEN ; Cheng-qun MA ; Jia TAN ; Xi GUO ; Jin-chuan HAN
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(8):91-95
The minor purchasing process and mode of some hospital were introduced,and the implementation of the hospital's minor purchasing projects in the past year was analyzed.The causes for high failure rate of purchasing were pointed out including long interval between project creation and procurement,unreasonable demand presentation,insufficient demand demonstration and lack of active participation of suppliers.Some suggestions were put forward such as timely adjustment of demands,strengthening of demand demonstration,improvement of supplier motivation and enhancement of procurement process management,which were of great significance for increasing the success rate of minor purchasing of the hospital.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(8):91-95]

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