1.Mechanisms of Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodoutang in Improving Obesity-type Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Rats Based on PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Shiwei HU ; Biran ZHU ; Jinrong ZHANG ; Luyao RUAN ; Ji KUANG ; Jianghuan HUA ; Zhe LIU ; Yanyue YAO ; Ji WANG ; Min ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):21-31
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodoutang (MLC) improves obesity-type polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. MethodsThirty-six female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank control group (Con) and an obesity-type PCOS model preparation group. The model was induced by gavage with letrozole (1 mg·kg-1) combined with a high-fat diet (HFD). After model establishment, the obesity-type PCOS model preparation group was further divided into the model group (Mod, normal saline), metformin group (Met, 0.3 g·kg-1), low-dose MLC group (MLC-L, 4.3 g·kg-1), medium-dose MLC group (MLC-M, 8.6 g·kg-1), and high-dose MLC group (MLC-H, 17.2 g·kg-1). Active components of MLC and targets of obesity-type PCOS were screened from databases, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis was performed. The gut microbiota structure was analyzed based on 16S rRNA sequencing and correlated with network pharmacology pathways. Body weight and estrous cycle were dynamically monitored. Ovarian morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), testosterone (T), and estradiol (E2). Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of phosphorylated PI3K/PI3K (p-PI3K/PI3K), phosphorylated Akt/Akt (p-Akt/Akt), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax). ResultsNetwork pharmacology screening identified 124 active components of MLC and 408 overlapping targets between the herbal formula and the disease. Core targets such as Akt1 and Bcl-2 were revealed. As indicated by 16S rRNA sequencing, the abundances of Lachnospiraceae, Lachnoclostridium, and Dorea were increased in the MLC groups (P<0.05), while the abundance of Veillonella was decreased (P<0.05). KEGG correlation analysis integrating network pharmacology and gut microbiota data showed significant enrichment of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Animal experiments showed that, compared with the Mod group, body weight decreased to normal levels in the Met, MLC-M, and MLC-H groups. The estrous cycle became regular. The number of corpora lutea increased and cystic follicles decreased. Serum levels of T, FSH, and LH/FSH were reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the E2 level was increased (P<0.01). Ovarian cell apoptosis was reduced (P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, and Bcl-2 in ovarian tissue were significantly increased, whereas Bax protein expression was significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMLC can regulate gut microbiota structure, effectively improve ovarian pathology in rats with obesity-type PCOS, and inhibit ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis. The mechanism may be associated with upregulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
2.Mechanisms of Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodoutang in Improving Obesity-type Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Rats Based on PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Shiwei HU ; Biran ZHU ; Jinrong ZHANG ; Luyao RUAN ; Ji KUANG ; Jianghuan HUA ; Zhe LIU ; Yanyue YAO ; Ji WANG ; Min ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):21-31
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodoutang (MLC) improves obesity-type polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. MethodsThirty-six female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank control group (Con) and an obesity-type PCOS model preparation group. The model was induced by gavage with letrozole (1 mg·kg-1) combined with a high-fat diet (HFD). After model establishment, the obesity-type PCOS model preparation group was further divided into the model group (Mod, normal saline), metformin group (Met, 0.3 g·kg-1), low-dose MLC group (MLC-L, 4.3 g·kg-1), medium-dose MLC group (MLC-M, 8.6 g·kg-1), and high-dose MLC group (MLC-H, 17.2 g·kg-1). Active components of MLC and targets of obesity-type PCOS were screened from databases, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis was performed. The gut microbiota structure was analyzed based on 16S rRNA sequencing and correlated with network pharmacology pathways. Body weight and estrous cycle were dynamically monitored. Ovarian morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), testosterone (T), and estradiol (E2). Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of phosphorylated PI3K/PI3K (p-PI3K/PI3K), phosphorylated Akt/Akt (p-Akt/Akt), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax). ResultsNetwork pharmacology screening identified 124 active components of MLC and 408 overlapping targets between the herbal formula and the disease. Core targets such as Akt1 and Bcl-2 were revealed. As indicated by 16S rRNA sequencing, the abundances of Lachnospiraceae, Lachnoclostridium, and Dorea were increased in the MLC groups (P<0.05), while the abundance of Veillonella was decreased (P<0.05). KEGG correlation analysis integrating network pharmacology and gut microbiota data showed significant enrichment of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Animal experiments showed that, compared with the Mod group, body weight decreased to normal levels in the Met, MLC-M, and MLC-H groups. The estrous cycle became regular. The number of corpora lutea increased and cystic follicles decreased. Serum levels of T, FSH, and LH/FSH were reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the E2 level was increased (P<0.01). Ovarian cell apoptosis was reduced (P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, and Bcl-2 in ovarian tissue were significantly increased, whereas Bax protein expression was significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMLC can regulate gut microbiota structure, effectively improve ovarian pathology in rats with obesity-type PCOS, and inhibit ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis. The mechanism may be associated with upregulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
3.Erchentang Alleivates Depression in Obese Mice by Regulating PPAR Signaling Pathway
Qiao YU ; Shiwei HU ; Jinrong ZHANG ; Jun XU ; Min ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(19):22-31
ObjectiveTo observe the therapeutic effect of Erchentang on depression in obese mice and explore the therapeutic mechanism. MethodsC57BL/6J mice were randomized into the control, model, metformin (0.65 g·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (3.35, 6.7, and 13.4 g·kg-1, respectively) Erchentang groups. Gavage was initiated simultaneously with modeling and continued for 28 days. The therapeutic effects of Erchentang were evaluated through behavioral tests, liver and brain indices, liver function, lipid indicators, and histopathological changes in the liver and brain tissue. RNA-seq technology was used to conduct transcriptomic analysis of mouse liver tissue, and differentially expressed genes were screened and subjected to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. Key genes were further verified by Western blot and Real-time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR). ResultsBehavioral tests, liver function, lipid indicators, and histopathological changes in the liver and brain tissue all demonstrated that Erchentang had therapeutic effects on depression in obese mice. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of transcriptomic data indicated that Erchentang treated depression in obese mice mainly through the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway. Western blot and Real-time PCR results showed that compared with the model group, the low-, medium-, and high-dose Erchentang groups exhibited downregulated expression of fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) 1 (P<0.01) and upregulated expression of acyl-CoA oxidase (ACOX) 1, PPARα, cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A) 1, and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxy kinase (PCK) 1 (P<0.05) in the liver tissue. ConclusionErchentang exerts therapeutic effects on obesity-associated depression by regulating the PPAR signaling pathway and the expression of related genes FABP1, ACOX1, PPARα, CYP7A1, and PCK1.
4.Evaluation of c-MET Aberrations in Colorectal Cancer Based on Dual IHC/FISH Detection Strategy: New Evidence for Targeted Therapy Screening
Yanan YANG ; Yanggeling ZHANG ; De WU ; Luyao ZHANG ; Huiting HUANG ; Junqiu YUE ; Shiwei XIAO
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2026;53(8):589-599
Objective To investigate the expression characteristics of c-MET protein in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its associations with clinicopathological parameters, MET gene amplification status, and prognosis, and to evaluate the concordance between immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) detection strategies, thereby providing evidence for patient selection for MET-targeted therapy. Methods A total of 193 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples from CRC patients were collected. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect c-MET protein expression, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed to evaluate MET gene amplification status. The associations between c-MET protein expression and clinicopathological characteristics, including KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF mutation status, as well as progression-free survival (PFS), were analyzed. The concordance between IHC and FISH detection results was also evaluated. Results c-MET protein expression was significantly higher in tumor tissues than in adjacent normal tissues (P<0.05). Significant differences in c-MET expression were observed between primary tumors and liver or peritoneal/pelvic metastatic lesions (P<0.05). The proportion of high c-MET expression was significantly higher in KRAS-mutant patients than in KRAS wild-type patients (41.38% vs. 16.92%, P<0.05). The MET gene amplification rate was 8.29% (16/193), including clustered or diffuse amplification in 1.55% (3/193) and heterogeneous amplification in 6.74% (13/193). No MET exon 14 skipping mutation or amplification was detected by next-generation sequencing (NGS). Using an IHC H-Score≥150 as the threshold, the positive percent agreement (PPA) between IHC-detected c-MET protein expression and FISH-detected MET gene amplification was 100%. All clustered MET amplification regions exhibited diffuse strong c-MET expression (IHC 3+). No statistically significant association was observed between c-MET expression level and PFS (P>0.05). Conclusion High c-MET expression may represent a potential therapeutic target for KRAS-mutant CRC patients. An H-Score ≥150 is recommended as the initial screening threshold to rapidly identify patients suitable for MET-targeted therapy, with FISH testing when necessary. Diffuse strong c-MET expression (IHC 3+) shows high concordance with clustered MET gene amplification.
5.Current status of eating behaviors and its predictive role in overweight and obese of adolescents
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(1):53-57
Objective:
To explore the current status and influencing factors of eating behaviors in adolescents, so as to provide a theoretical foundation for health promotion education among adolescents.
Methods:
Based on the database from Survey of Chinese Family Health Index (2021), by a random number table method, 1 065 teenagers were selected from the provincial capitals of 22 provinces and 5 autonomous regions in China, as well as 4 municipalities directly under the central government. A general characteristic questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Short Form of the Family Health Scale (FHS-SF), 10-item Short Version of the Big Five Personality(BFP-10), Content-based Media Exposure Scale (CM-E) and Sakata Eating Behavior Scale Short Form(EBS-SF) were used to collect information. Multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis was employed to identify and analyze related factors of eating behaviors among adolescents. Receiver operating characteristic was used to validate the predictive ability of the EBS-SF score for overweight and obesity among adolescents.
Results:
The average scores of BFI-10,C-ME, FHS-SF, PHQ-9 and EBS-SF were (33.08±4.64)(19.20±4.55)(38.48±6.65)(6.09±5.63)(16.75±4.36), respectively. Multivariate linear regression showed that family type (other types), agreeableness, conscientiousness, family health and depression were the main related factors of EBS-SF scores among adolescents( B =2.61,-0.42,0.20,-0.11,0.23, P <0.05).The analysis of receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the EBS-SF scores had a good ability in predicting obesity among male adolescents ( AUC= 0.73, P <0.01).
Conclusions
Family type, big five personality, family health,depression are the related factors of eating behaviors among adolescents. EBS-SF scores are predictive of obesity in adolescents, which would provide a new perspective for promoting healthy eating habits among adolescents.
6.Safety analysis of Yttrium-90 resin microsphere selective internal radiation therapy on malignant liver tumors
Jia CAI ; Shiwei TANG ; Rongli LI ; Mingxin KONG ; Hongyan DING ; Xiaofeng YUAN ; Yuying HU ; Ruimei LIU ; Xiaoyan ZHU ; Wenjun LI ; Haibin ZHANG ; Guanwu WANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(1):24-29
Objective To explore the safety of Yttrium-90 resin microsphere selective internal radiation therapy (90Y-SIRT) on malignant liver tumors. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 64 patients with malignant liver tumors who underwent 90Y-SIRT from February 2023 to November 2024 at Weifang People’s Hospital. The clinical characteristics of the patients and the occurrence of adverse reactions after treatment were analyzed to assess the safety of 90Y-SIRT. Results Among the 64 patients, there were 52 males (81.25%) and 12 females (18.75%); the average age was (56.29±11.08) years. Seven patients (10.94%) had tumors with maximum diameter of less than 5 cm, 38 patients (59.38%) had tumors with maximum diameter of 5-10 cm, and 19 patients (29.68%) had tumors with maximum diameter of greater than 10 cm. There were 47 cases (73.44%) of solitary lesions and 17 cases (26.56%) of multiple lesions; 53 cases (82.81%) were primary liver cancers and 11 cases (17.19%) were metastatic liver cancers. Of the 64 patients, 63 successfully completed the Technetium-99m macroaggregated albumin (99mTc-MAA) perfusion test and received the 90Y-SIRT; one patient received 90Y-SIRT after the second 99mTc-MAA perfusion test due to a work error. The most common adverse reactions included grade 1 alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation in 26 cases (40.62%) and grade 2 in 2 cases (9.37%), grade 1 aspartate aminotransferase (AST) elevation in 27 cases (42.18%) and grade 2 in 7 cases (10.93%); grade 1 nausea in 17 cases (26.56%) and grade 2 in 6 cases (9.37%); grade 1 abdominal pain in 12 cases (18.75%), grade 2 in 5 cases (7.81%), and grade 3 in 1 case (1.56%); grade 1 vomiting in 11 cases (17.18%), grade 2 in 5 cases (7.81%), and grade 3 in 1 case (1.56%). Conclusion The adverse reactions of 90Y-SIRT for treating malignant liver tumors are mild, indicating good safety.
7.Cross-Lagged Analysis of Sleep Duration and Positive Youth Development in Primary and Secondary School Students
Zigang ZHANG ; Dongqiong CHEN ; Zhenchao LI ; Shiwei MEI ; Zhihan XIONG ; Zewei FAN ; Jiang SHEN ; Li ZHAO
Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) 2025;56(2):451-457
Objective To investigate the longitudinal relationship between sleep duration(SD)and positive youth development(PYD)among primary and secondary school students in Chengdu city using a cross-lagged model,and to provide scientific evidence for enhancing sleep management practices for students.Methods A total of 4061 students of grades 3 through 9 from the Chengdu Child Positive Development Cohort were included in this three-wave longitudinal study.There was a one-year interval between one survey and the following round of survey,and the time points for the baseline,12-month follow-up,and 24-month follow-up surveys were designated T0,T1,and T2.The PYD of the participants was assessed using the Chinese version of the Positive Youth Development Scale.The demographic data and the average daily SD over the past month were collected.Spearman correlation analysis was performed to examine the associations between SD and PYD,and a cross-lagged model was used to investigate the longitudinal relationship between them.Results The average daily SD for the 3 rounds of surveys conducted at T0,T1,and T2 was 9.00(8.04,10.00)hours,10.44(9.67,11.11)hours,and 10.39(9.83,11.00)hours,respectively,while the PYD scores were 5.30(4.73,5.71),5.27(4.73,5.73),and 5.39(4.89,5.77),respectively.Statistical significance was found in the differences of SD and PYD scores across the 3 rounds(P<0.05).Spearman correlation analysis revealed synchronous correlations between SD and PYD at all three time points(r=0.10 at T0,r=0.18 at T1,and r=0.21 at T2,P<0.05)and significant lagged correlations(e.g.,r=0.10 for T1-PYD and T2-SD,and likewise,significant correlation was found for the 3 other cross-lagged paths).The cross-lagged model demonstrated that PYD at T0 and T1 positively predicted SD at T1 and T2,respectively(β0-1=0.116[95%CI,0.083-0.150],β1-2=0.097(95%CI,0.067-0.127),P<0.05),and that SD at T0 and T1 also positively predicted PYD at T1 and T2(β0-1=0.028[95%CI,0-0.056],β1-2=0.042[95%CI,0.010-0.074],P<0.05).According to these findings,a bidirectional predictive relationship between SD and PYD across different time points was observed in primary and secondary school students.Furthermore,PYD demonstrated better performance for predicting SD than SD did for PYD.Subgroup analysis by sex confirmed the robustness of the predictive power of PYD for SD.Conclusion This study reveals a positive bidirectional predictive relationship between SD and PYD among primary and secondary school students,suggesting that higher levels of PYD may contribute to adequate sleep.These findings provide critical scientific evidence for schools and families to strengthen sleep management and promote the holistic development and well-being of adolescents.
8.Characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes and medication patterns in cerebral small vessel disease based on data mining
Hong ZHANG ; Wenyu LAN ; Shiwei YANG ; Shuang ZENG ; Hao LIU ; Tiansong YANG ; Chuwen FENG ; Shulin LI
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(8):6-11
Objective To explore the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome character-istics and medication patterns of cerebral small vessel disease(CSVD)using data mining techniques.Methods Clinical research literature on TCM treatment of CSVD,published from the establishment of the database to September 1,2024,was retrieved from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Wanfang,and VIP databases.Analyses were conducted on syndromes,drug frequencies,properties,flavors,and meridian tropisms.Data mining was performed using R4.4.1 software to ex-plore associations,correlations,and clustering of TCM herbs,aiming to elucidate medication patterns in CSVD treatment.Results A total of 60 prescription formulas for treating CSVD were screened,involving 142 TCM herbs with a total usage frequency of 1,312 times.The top five most frequently used herbs were Chuanxiong,Danggui,Dilong,Huangqi,and Chishao.Herb properties were pre-dominantly warm and cold;flavors were mainly pungent,bitter,and sweet;and meridian tropisms were primarily to the liver,spleen,and heart meridians.Twenty-nine strong association rules were identified,and association analysis revealed core herbal combinations centered around Chuanxiong,Chishao,and Danggui.Clustering analysis yielded five herbal combinations.Conclusion CSVD is characterized by a deficiency in essence and excess in superficiality.Treatment should focus on tonify-ing deficiencies and eliminating excesses,combining both tonification and purgation methods.Medication patterns predominantly involve herbs for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis,often combined with herbs for nourishing the kidney and marrow,calming the liver and suppressing wind,and awakening the mind and opening the orifices.
9.Expert consensus on prevention and control of respiratory infectious diseases in railway stations trains in China
Guoping ZHANG ; Jinshu YIN ; Xiaodong YUAN ; Liang CHEN ; Xiaoshan LIU ; Shiwei MA ; Qingyi JIN ; Chunhong ZHU ; Ting LIU ; Jing HUANG ; Yuewei ZHANG ; Hui CHEN ; Xiao LIU
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(16):2401-2405
OBJECTIVE To formulate an expert consensus on the prevention and control of respiratory infectious diseases in railway stations and trains in China,and to standardize the prevention and control of respiratory infec-tious diseases in railway stations and trains scientifically.METHODS The government authorities organized multi-ple prevention and control experts from transportation,medical care and prevention fields to conduct in-depth re-search through methods such as meetings and on-site investigations,and combined with their practical experi-ence in this field to formulate this expert consensus.RESULTS In-depth studies were conducted on the prevention and control strategies,measures and emergency response system construction of respiratory infectious diseases in railway stations and trains,and this expert consensus was formed.CONCLUSION This expert consensus supple-ments improves the existing prevention and control system for respiratory infectious diseases in railway stations and trains,and provides an important reference basis for the prevention and control of respiratory infectious disea-ses in railway stations and trains.
10.Early assessment of responsive neurostimulation for drug-resistant epilepsy in China: A multicenter, self-controlled study.
Yanfeng YANG ; Penghu WEI ; Jianwei SHI ; Ying MAO ; Jianmin ZHANG ; Ding LEI ; Zhiquan YANG ; Shiwei SONG ; Ruobing QIAN ; Wenling LI ; Yongzhi SHAN ; Guoguang ZHAO
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(4):430-440
BACKGROUND:
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the first cohort of people in China treated with a responsive neurostimulation system (Epilcure TM , GenLight MedTech, Hangzhou, China) for focal drug-resistant epilepsy in this study.
METHODS:
This multicenter, before-and-after self-controlled study was conducted across 8 centers from March 2022 to June 2023, involving patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who were undergoing responsive neurostimulation (RNS). The study was based on an ongoing multi-center, single-blind, randomized controlled study. Efficacy was assessed through metrics including median seizure count, seizure frequency reduction (SFR), and response rate. Multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted to explore the relationships of basic clinical factors and intracranial electrophysiological characteristics with SFR. The postoperative quality of life, cognitive function, depression, and anxiety were evaluated as well.
RESULTS:
The follow-up period for the 19 participants was 10.7 ± 3.4 months. Seizure counts decreased significantly 6 months after device activation, with median SFR of 48% at the 6th month (M6) and 58% at M12 ( P <0.05). The average response rate after 13 months of treatment was 42%, with 21% ( n = 4) of the participants achieving seizure freedom. Patients who have previously undergone resective surgery appear to achieve better therapeutic outcomes at M11, M12 and M13 ( β <0, P <0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in patients' scores of quality of life, cognition, depression and anxiety following stimulation when compared to baseline measurements. No serious adverse events related to the devices were observed.
CONCLUSIONS:
The preliminary findings suggest that Epilcure TM exhibits promising therapeutic potential in reducing the frequency of epileptic seizures. However, to further validate its efficacy, larger-scale randomized controlled trials are required.
REGISTRATION
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (No. ChiCTR2200055247).
Humans
;
Female
;
Male
;
Drug Resistant Epilepsy/therapy*
;
Adult
;
Young Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
China
;
Adolescent
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Quality of Life
;
Single-Blind Method
;
Seizures
;
Electric Stimulation Therapy/methods*


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