1.Establishment and Evaluation of Mouse Model of Dry Eye with Lung Yin Deficiency Syndrome
Liyuan CAO ; Pei LIU ; Yuhui QIN ; Qinghua PENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):182-190
ObjectiveTo establish a model of dry eye with lung Yin deficiency syndrome in mice. MethodsA total of 40 SPF C57BL/6J mice were assigned via the random number table method into 5 groups (n=8): Normal control, model control, and high-, medium-, and low-dose (11.7, 5.85, and 2.925 g·kg-1, respectively) Yangyin Qingfeitang. Mice in the normal control group were fed normally without any intervention. Mice in Yangyin Qingfeitang group and model control group were treated with 0.2% benzalkonium chloride eye drops (5 μL) twice a day and fed in a controlled drying system in a dry environment for 28 days. At the same time, the mice were administrated with thyroxine tablet solution by gavage and placed in a glass fumigation tank (SO2 concentration: 0.5 g·m-3) for 14 days. After 4 weeks, mice in Yangyin Qingfeitang groups were treated with Yangyin Qingfeitang by gavage and those in the normal control group and model control group were administrated with deionized water at 0.01 mL·g-1. The body mass, anal temperature, four examination information (claw and nail appearance), basic tear secretion test, tear film rupture time, corneal fluorescein staining, and lacrimal gland HE staining were compared among groups. Compound Yangyin Qingfeitang granules were used to measure the syndrome to verify the success of modeling. ResultsAfter 28 days of continuous modeling, compared with the normal control group, the model group exhibited listless and emaciated status, coughing, drowsiness, dry and dull hair, dry and hard stool, reduced food intake and water intake, red lip circumference, red tongue with reduced fluid, dry nose and teeth, red claws and nails, body mass gain, decreased anal mild tear secretion (P<0.05), and shortened tear film rupture time (P<0.05). After 28 days of modeling, the mice showed large corneal fluorescein staining range, severe corneal injury, and increased content of interleukin (IL)-18, IL-β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in lacrimal gland, compared with those in the normal control group (P<0.05). After the treatment with Yangyin Qingfeitang, the mice had good drinking and eating conditions, with lighter redness of the tongue, moist nose, moist and shiny teeth, and the claw and nail color close to that in the normal group. Compared with the model control group, Yangyin Qingfeitang groups showed increases in body mass and anal temperature (P<0.05), tear secretion (P<0.05), and tear film rupture time (P<0.05), narrowed range of corneal fluorescein staining, and declined levels of IL-18, IL-β, and TNF-α in lacrimal glands (P<0.01). The high-dose group had the best effect, with the indicators close to the levels in the normal control group. ConclusionThe animal model of dry eye with lung Yin deficiency syndrome can be established by culture in a controlled drying system, treatment with benzalkonium chloride eye drops for 28 days, and administration of thyroxine tablet solution combined with SO2 fumigation for 14 days.
2.Current Understanding of Retinitis Pigmentosa in Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Qing LI ; Ying DENG ; Li XIAO ; Jing LU ; Min AI ; Yasha ZHOU ; Yuhui QIN ; Qinghua PENG ; Yijing YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(14):1567-1573
This paper has summarized current studies on retinitis pigmentosa (RP) from two perspectives, which were disease mechanism insights from western medicine, and etiology, pathogenesis and therapeutic principles in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). From the perspective of western medicine, the understanding of RP has evolved from an early single-factor explanation focusing on pathogenic gene mutations to a more comprehensive, multifactorial model involving genetic abnormalities, photoreceptor cell degeneration, retinal pigment epithelium dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, microenvironmental imbalance, and vascular insufficiency. In TCM, RP is considered to be a disorder manifested in the eyes but rooted in dysfunction of the zang-fu (脏腑) organs. Its pathogenesis is primarily associated with congenital insufficiency, liver-kidney depletion, impaired spleen function of transportation and transformation, and stasis obstructing the meridians. The core pathological mechanism can be summarized as "deficiency complicated by stasis", emphasizing holistic imbalance, dynamic disease progression, and syndrome differentiation and treatment. The differences and complementarities between the two medical systems in understanding disease progression are further discussed. RP is proposed to be more appropriately regarded as a complex disease characterized by long-term progression, stage-dependent evolution, and persistent decompensation. Western medicine contributes to elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying RP and provides the foundation for targeted therapeutic interventions, whereas TCM offers a holistic perspective for understanding disease evolution through the assessment of overall functional status, disease-stage stratification, and long-term syndrome-based regulation.
3.Current Understanding of Retinitis Pigmentosa in Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Qing LI ; Ying DENG ; Li XIAO ; Jing LU ; Min AI ; Yasha ZHOU ; Yuhui QIN ; Qinghua PENG ; Yijing YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(14):1567-1573
This paper has summarized current studies on retinitis pigmentosa (RP) from two perspectives, which were disease mechanism insights from western medicine, and etiology, pathogenesis and therapeutic principles in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). From the perspective of western medicine, the understanding of RP has evolved from an early single-factor explanation focusing on pathogenic gene mutations to a more comprehensive, multifactorial model involving genetic abnormalities, photoreceptor cell degeneration, retinal pigment epithelium dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, microenvironmental imbalance, and vascular insufficiency. In TCM, RP is considered to be a disorder manifested in the eyes but rooted in dysfunction of the zang-fu (脏腑) organs. Its pathogenesis is primarily associated with congenital insufficiency, liver-kidney depletion, impaired spleen function of transportation and transformation, and stasis obstructing the meridians. The core pathological mechanism can be summarized as "deficiency complicated by stasis", emphasizing holistic imbalance, dynamic disease progression, and syndrome differentiation and treatment. The differences and complementarities between the two medical systems in understanding disease progression are further discussed. RP is proposed to be more appropriately regarded as a complex disease characterized by long-term progression, stage-dependent evolution, and persistent decompensation. Western medicine contributes to elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying RP and provides the foundation for targeted therapeutic interventions, whereas TCM offers a holistic perspective for understanding disease evolution through the assessment of overall functional status, disease-stage stratification, and long-term syndrome-based regulation.
4.Current Status and Prospects of Artificial Intelligence Technologyin Minimally Invasive Gastric Cancer Surgery
Tao ZHANG ; Boer SU ; Guanxing LIANG ; Shiman DAI ; Jiawei CHEN ; Zhengjie LIU ; Cheng PENG ; Rong LIU ; Qinglan LIN ; Yidan WU ; Yuhui WU ; Jiaming WEN ; Hong WANG ; Hao CHEN ; Jiang YU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(4):933-942
Gastric cancer remains a highly prevalent malignancy worldwide, with surgical resection currently constituting the cornerstone of treatment aimed at improving long-term patient survival. Owing to their notable advantages, including reduced surgical trauma and accelerated postoperative recovery, minimally invasive procedures are progressively supplanting conventional open surgery and have become the mainstream approach in gastric cancer management. Concurrently, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has enabled real-time intraoperative monitoring of surgical scenes, thereby furnishing novel technical support for adjunctive decision-making, surgical navigation, and skill assessment during gastrectomy. This article provides a systematic review of the current status of AI applications in minimally invasive gastric cancer surgery, with a particular focus on research progress pertaining to instrument recognition, surgical phase identification, delineation of normal anatomical structures, detection of metastatic foci, and early warning of intraoperative adverse events. Furthermore, we discuss the potential value of AI in enhancing surgical efficiency, ensuring patient safety, and optimizing surgical education. On this basis, we further analyze the principal challenges and inherent risks confronting current AI systems, with the aim of informing future technological innovation and facilitating clinical translation.
5.Dexmedetomidine Improves the Therapeutic Efficacy Against Mammary Tumors in Stress-exposed Mice by Inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB Pathway
Chuyi ZHANG ; Shan MENG ; Xin XU ; Peng FAN ; Xunyuan MAO ; Yuhui HUANG ; Sanqing JIN
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2026;47(4):601-612
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate whether dexmedetomidine (Dex) alleviates stress-induced mammary tumor progression in mice by inhibiting the TLR4/NF‑κB signaling pathway, and to examine its effects on anxiety‑depression‑like behaviors and stress hormone levels. MethodsAn orthotopic EMT6 mammary tumor model was established in mice, and chronic mild stress (CMS) was applied to induce anxiety‑depression‑like states. The mice were divided into six groups: naive, tumor, CMS, CMS+tumor, CMS+tumor+Dex, and CMS+tumor+Vehicle groups. Behavioral changes were evaluated using the open field test and tail suspension test. Plasma stress hormone levels were measured by high‑performance liquid chromatography. Western blot and RT‑qPCR were performed to detect the expression of TLR4, p‑NF‑κB p65, p‑IκBα, and inflammatory cytokines (IL‑6, IL‑1β, TNF‑α) in tumor tissues. In vitro, EMT6 cells were treated with cortisol to mimic the stress-related microenvironment, and the effects of Dex on the TLR4/NF‑κB pathway were assessed by CCK‑8, Western blot, and RT-qPCR. ResultsTumor‑bearing mice exhibited significant anxiety‑depression‑like behaviors (P<0.05), along with markedly elevated plasma levels of norepinephrine, epinephrine, and cortisol (P<0.05). Chronic stress further aggravated these behavioral abnormalities and promoted tumor growth (P<0.05). Dexmedetomidine intervention significantly improved anxiety‑depression‑like behaviors (P<0.05) and lowered peripheral stress hormone levels (P<0.05) in stress‑exposed tumor‑bearing mice. In vitro experiments demonstrated that cortisol treatment activated the TLR4/NF‑κB pathway (P<0.001) and upregulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines (P<0.05 in EMT6 cells, whereas dexmedetomidine effectively suppressed this activation (P<0.001). In the in vivo model, dexmedetomidine treatment downregulated the expression of TLR4, p‑NF‑κB p65, p‑IκBα, and pro‑inflammatory cytokines in tumor tissues (P<0.001) and significantly inhibited tumor growth (P<0.05). ConclusionDexmedetomidine inhibits the TLR4/NF‑κB signaling pathway, alleviates stress‑induced inflammatory responses, improves anxiety- and depression‑ like behaviors, reduces stress hormone levels, and suppresses mammary tumor progression. These findings provide an experimental basis for understanding anxiety- and depression- associated breast tumor progression and suggest that Dexmedetomidine and the TLR4/NF-κB pathway may serve as potential therapeutic targets.
6.A critical role for Phocaeicola vulgatus in negatively impacting metformin response in diabetes.
Manyun CHEN ; Yilei PENG ; Yuhui HU ; Zhiqiang KANG ; Ting CHEN ; Yulong ZHANG ; Xiaoping CHEN ; Qing LI ; Zuyi YUAN ; Yue WU ; Heng XU ; Gan ZHOU ; Tao LIU ; Honghao ZHOU ; Chunsu YUAN ; Weihua HUANG ; Wei ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2511-2528
Metformin has been demonstrated to attenuate hyperglycaemia by modulating the gut microbiota. However, the mechanisms through which the microbiome mediates metformin monotherapy failure (MMF) are unclear. Herein, in a prospective clinical cohort study of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients treated with metformin monotherapy, metagenomic sequencing of faecal samples revealed that Phocaeicola vulgatus abundance was approximately 12 times higher in nonresponders than in responders. P. vulgatus rapidly hydrolysed taurine-conjugated bile acids, leading to ceramide accumulation and reversing the improvements in glucose intolerance conferred by metformin in high-fat diet-fed mice. Interestingly, C22:0 ceramide bound to mitochondrial fission factor to induce mitochondrial fragmentation and impair hepatic oxidative phosphorylation in P. vulgatus-colonized hyperglycaemic mice, which could be exacerbated by metformin. This work suggests that metformin may be unsuitable for P. vulgatus-rich T2DM patients and that clinicians should be aware of metformin toxicity to mitochondria. Suppressing P. vulgatus growth with cefaclor or improving mitochondrial function using adenosylcobalamin may represent simple, safe, effective therapeutic strategies for addressing MMF.
7.Association of mother-child interaction and screen exposure with psychological and behavioral problems among preschool children
DENG Hong, WU Jun, WU Zhenzhen, YAO Peng, LI Ruoyu, HUANG Yongling, WAN Yuhui
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(11):1590-1593
Objective:
To analyze the association of mother-child interaction and screen exposure of preschool children with psychological and behavioural problems, so as to provide guidance for promoting the psychological development of preschool children.
Methods:
From November to December 2024, a convenience cluster sampling method was used to survey 2 977 mothers of preschool children in Daguan and Yingjiang districts of Anqing City. The Chinese Parent-Child Interaction Scale (CPCIS) was applied to evaluate the quality of mother-child interaction, and the Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire (PSQ) was used to assess the psychological and behavioral problems of preschool children. Binary Logistic regression was applied to analyze the association of mother-child interaction, screen exposure and their combined effect on psychological and behavioral problems among preschool children.
Results:
The detection rate of psychological and behavioral problems among preschool children was 13.9%. Binary Logistic regression results showed that low scores of mother-child interaction ( OR=2.31, 95%CI =1.72-3.11) and high screen exposure ( OR= 1.52 , 95%CI =1.23-1.88) were higher risks for psychological and behavioral problems in preschool children; the results of the combined effect showed that preschool children in low scores of mother-child interaction and low screen exposure group ( OR=2.18, 95%CI =1.46-3.28), low scores of mother-child interaction and high screen exposure group ( OR=3.13, 95%CI =2.10- 4.65 ) had significantly higher risks of abnormal detection in psychological and behavioral problems, compared to those in the high scores of mother-child interaction and low screen exposure group respectively (all P <0.05).
Conclusions
Both screen exposure and mother- child interaction are associated with psychological and behavioral problems in preschool children. High quality mother-child interaction can relieve the adverse effects of screen exposure on preschool children s psychological and behavioral development.
8.Effects of electroacupuncture modulation of IGF-1-mediated MAPK signaling pathway on neural function in rats with post-stroke depression
Yuhui HAN ; Feng LIU ; Xiujuan PENG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(11):1545-1552
Objective:To investigate the neural function and Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in post-stroke depression (PSD) model rats. The effect of IGF-1 on mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway.Methods:15 male SD rats were selected as sham-operation group. PSD rat model was prepared by Longa method and chronic unpredictability mild stress method with 70 rats. The successfully constructed PSD rats were divided into model group, fluoxetine group (2.31 mg/kg fluoxetine, gavage), electroacupuncture group [stimulation of "Baihui"(GV20), "Fengfu"(GV16), "Shenting"(GV24) and "Taichong"(LR3) acupoints by electroacupuncture]and positive drug group [stimulation of "Baihui"(GV20), "Fengfu"(GV16), "Shenting"(GV24) and "Taichong"(LR3) acupoints by electroacupuncture + 5 μl of Sb202190 solution was injected into the lateral ventricle with a concentration of 10 μmol/L]. According to random number table method, with 15 rats in each group. Each group received relevant administration, and the rats' body mass was measured at the end of treatment. mNSS scale was used to evaluate the neurological impairment of rats; the behavioral function of rats was evaluated by sugar water preference test and forced swimming test; Nissl and TUNEL staining were used to observe the number of NissL bodies and the apoptosis rate of neurons in hippocampus; the level of serum IGF-1 was Nissl by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); Western blot was used to detect the expressions of Caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (CREB), p-CREB, IGF-1, mitogen activated protein kinase (MEK), p-MEK, ERK, p-ERK, JNK, p-JNK, p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38), p-p38 protein in brain tissue.Results:Compared with the model group, the weight of rats increased in the fluoxetine, electroacupuncture, and positive drug groups ( P<0.05); mNSS and forced swim test immobility time decreased ( P<0.05). Sucrose consumption percentage and struggling time in the forced swim test were markedly elevated ( P<0.05); Nissl body counts in hippocampal neurons increased ( P<0.05), accompanied by reduced neuronal apoptosis rates ( P<0.05); serum IGF-1 level significantly increased ( P<0.05); the protein expressions of Caspase-3 and Bax in hippocampus decreased ( P<0.05), while the protein expressions of Bcl-2, p-CREB/CREB, BDNF, IGF-1, p-MEK/MEK, p-ERK/ERK, p-JNK/JNK and p-p38/p38 increased ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Electroacupuncture can improve neural function and depressive behavior in rats, reduce pathological damage in hippocampus, increase the number of Nissl bodies, and inhibit apoptosis. The mechanism of electroacupuncture may be related to the increase of IGF-1 and the activation of MAPK signaling pathway.
9.Correlation study of PNI and DPN in patients with newly diagnosed T2DM
Jiayao CAI ; Yuhui PENG ; Xue CHEN ; Haifei ZHENG ; Yi LIN
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(8):24-27
Objective To evaluate the prognostic nutritional index(PNI)in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellites(T2DM)complicated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN).Methods A total of 300 patients with newly diagnosed T2DM from the Wenzhou People's Hospital during January 2017 to March 2023 were enrolled in this study.The patients were divided into uncomplicated DPN(n=214)and complicated DPN(n=86).The general data,biochemical indicators,PNI and other clinical indicators of the two groups were compared.According to PNI thirds,patients were divided into three groups:low,medium and high,comparing the proportion of DPN among the three groups;Logistic regression calculated the risk of DPN in different groups;Drawing receiver operating characteristic curve to analyze PNI and other indicators to predict the value of DPN.Results Compared with the non-DPN group,patients had lower PNI in the DPN group(P<0.05);lower PNI was associated with higher risk of DPN(P<0.001).Area under the curve of PNI was 0.882(95%CI:0.841-0.923,P<0.001),and better predictive value of PNI for DPN than the systemic immune inflammation index,the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio.Conclusion PNI is closely associated with the occurrence of DPN in newly diagnosed T2DM complicated,and PNI may be used as an important indicator for screening patients with T2DM complicated with DPN.
10.Application of in situ simulation combined with the forgetting curve in trauma nurse training
Xuanxuan LI ; Zengliang LIU ; Hong YANG ; Yuhui PENG ; Chuanfang WU
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(9):1181-1187
Objective:To evaluate the application effect and long-term benefits of in situ simulation combined with the forgetting curve training mode in trauma nurse training, and to provide a basis for further promoting the development of trauma nurse training.Methods:From June to September 2022, a total of 78 nurses in the Trauma Center of a grade A tertiary hospital in Changsha, China were selected by the purposive sampling method as the research objects. The nurses were divided into an experimental group and a control group according to the random number table method. The control group received theoretical teaching and skill operation training by traditional teaching methods. The experimental group was trained by the teaching method of in-situ simulation combined with the forgetting curve. The scores of theoretical and operational skills of the two groups were compared by the repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) before training (T1), 1 day after training (T2), 1 month after training (T3), and 6 months after training (T4). The scores of core competence of trauma nurses before and after training were compared between the two groups by the t test. Results:There was no significant difference in theoretical, operational, and core competence scores between the two groups before training ( P>0.05). The results of repeated measures ANOVA showed significant differences in the time effect, inter-group effect, and interaction effect of theoretical and operational scores between the two groups ( P<0.001). The results of one-way repeated measures ANOVA showed that the theoretical and operational scores of the two groups increased first and then decreased with time. The results of multivariate ANOVA showed no significant difference in theoretical and operational scores between the two groups at observation time point T1 ( P>0.05), but significant differences at observation time points T2, T3, and T4, at which the scores in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group ( P<0.001). The results of independent samples t test showed that the core competence score of trauma nurses in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group after training ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The training mode of in situ simulation combined with the forgetting curve is more effective than traditional training mode in improving the professional skill level of trauma nurses and brings long-term training effect and benefits.


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