1.Current status of research on the mechanism of action of emodin in the prevention and treatment of chronic liver diseases
Yajie CHEN ; Xin WANG ; Yunjuan WU ; Ying SU ; Yuhan WANG ; Jinxue ZHANG ; Ning YAO ; Ying QIN ; Xiaoning ZUO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):228-234
Chronic liver diseases are a group of diseases in which the liver is subjected to a variety of injuries over a long period of time, resulting in irreversible pathological changes that last longer than 6 months. Emodin (EMO) is a natural anthraquinone derivative derived from Rheum officinale, and its pharmacological effect has been extensively studied, exhibiting a variety of biological properties and involving multiple signaling molecules and pathways. Western medicine or surgical treatment is currently the main treatment regimen for chronic liver diseases, and the advance in treatment is limited by various reasons such as side effects and high costs. Due to its natural origin and efficacy, EMO has unique advantages in the treatment of chronic liver diseases and has now become a research hotspot. This article summarizes the therapeutic effect of EMO on chronic liver diseases and its mechanism, in order to provide a certain scientific basis for the traditional Chinese medicine treatment of chronic liver diseases and the development of drugs in clinical practice.
2.Effects of aerobic exercise on cognitive function in elderly patients with bipolar disorder
Xiangjun ZHAO ; Yongli ZHANG ; Xiaoning HUO ; Xiping SHEN ; Xiaoli YANG ; Xirong QIAO ; Xingtong SHU
Sichuan Mental Health 2026;39(3):206-211
BackgroundBipolar disorder is a severe mental disorder characterized by alternating episodes of mania and depression. It has a high recurrence rate and a high rate of disability. Elderly patients often suffer from more severe cognitive impairment due to neurodegenerative changes. The clinical intervention for bipolar disorder mainly relies on drug treatment, but drugs have limited effects on improving cognitive function, and some drugs may even aggravate cognitive impairment. Aerobic exercise, as a non-drug intervention method, has shown positive effects in improving cognitive function in patients with mental disorders. However, there are still insufficient studies on elderly patients with bipolar disorder. ObjectiveTo explore the impact of aerobic exercise on the cognitive function of elderly patients with bipolar disorder, so as to provide references for the formulation of strategies to improve the cognitive function of this population. MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 60 elderly patients who were hospitalized at the Third People's Hospital of Lanzhou from January 2024 to March 2025 and met the diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder as defined in the International Classification of Diseases,tenth edition (ICD-10) were selected. They were divided into the study group and the control group, with 30 cases in each group, based on the random number table method. Both groups were given quetiapine fumarate tablets and magnesium valproate sustained-release tablets. The study group additionally received aerobic exercise (including slow walking, doing exercises, and running), three times a week, for 30 minutes each time. At the baseline and at the end of the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th week of the intervention, the Hamilton Depression Scale -24 item (HAMD-24), the Young Manic Rating Scale (YMRS), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Revised in China (WMS-RC) were used for assessment. ResultsThe time effect of the HAMD-24 score was statistically significant (Wald χ2=124.564, P<0.01). The time effect of the YMRS score was also statistically significant (Wald χ2=145.608, P<0.01), and the interaction effect between time and group was statistically significant (Wald χ2=14.968, P<0.05). At the 3rd, 9th, and 12th week of the intervention, the YMRS score of the study group was lower than that of the control group in the same period, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The time effect and group effect of the MoCA score were both statistically significant (F=99.347, 16.623, P<0.01). The time effect, group effect, and interaction effect between time and group of the WMS-RC memory quotient were all statistically significant (F=64.678, 10.197, 12.472, P<0.01). At the 6th, 9th, and 12th weeks of the intervention, the MoCA score and WMS-RC memory quotient of the study group were higher than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). ConclusionAerobic exercise may help improve the manic symptoms and cognitive functions (especially memory ability) of elderly patients with bipolar disorder. [Funded by Science and Technology Project of Gansu Province (number, 24JRRA775); Science and Technology Project of Lanzhou City(number, 2022-5-155)]
3.Capsaicin (CAP) exerts a protective effect against ethanol-induced oxidative gastric mucosal injury by modulating the chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4)/Src/p47phox signaling pathway both in vitro and in vivo.
Zhiru YANG ; Haolin GUO ; Pengfei ZHANG ; Kairui LIU ; Junli BA ; Xue BAI ; Shiti SHAMA ; Bo ZHANG ; Xiaoning GAO ; Jun KANG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(2):191-202
Ethanol (EtOH) is a common trigger for gastric mucosal diseases, and mitigating oxidative stress is essential for attenuating gastric mucosal damage. Capsaicin (CAP) has been identified as a potential agent to counteract oxidative damage in the gastric mucosa; however, its precise mechanism remains unclear. This study demonstrates that CAP alleviates EtOH-induced gastric mucosal injuries through two primary pathways: by suppressing the chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4)/Src/p47phox axis, thereby reducing oxidative stress, and by inhibiting the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB) p65, resulting in diminished inflammatory responses. These findings elucidate the mechanistic pathways of CAP and provide a theoretical foundation for its potential therapeutic application in the treatment of gastric mucosal injuries.
Ethanol/toxicity*
;
Animals
;
Gastric Mucosa/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
;
Capsaicin/pharmacology*
;
Male
;
NADPH Oxidases/genetics*
;
Mice
;
Humans
;
src-Family Kinases/genetics*
4.Research on the Hospital Performance Improvement Based on"Incremental Assessment"
Shunrui ZHANG ; Pengyuan WANG ; Yumeng GUO ; Xiaoning HAN
Chinese Health Economics 2025;44(1):61-65,84
Comprehensive performance appraisal,continuous optimization of performance appraisal indicators,reform of internal performance appraisal methods,and linking the appraisal results to salary allocation are important measures for the high-quality development of public hospitals.It is based on the performance allocation mechanism improvement in case hospital under the requirements of high-quality development.The implementation of performance reform practice based on incremental assessment has achieved the social benefits improvement,income structure optimization,performance distribution equity improvement,and more refined management of disciplines and other management objectives,with a view to providing lessons and references for medical colleagues to follow up to deepen the performance reform and improve the performance distribution.
5.The Improvement of Intestinal Damage and Lipid Metabolism in Diabetic Rats by the Regulation of IRAK1/NF-κB Signaling Pathway by"Srperficiality-Origin Matching Acupoints"Electroacupuncture
Congcheng WANG ; Xia SUN ; Yue SHENG ; Xiaoning ZHANG ; Fan PING
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(1):211-219
Objective To investigate the improvement of interleukin-1 receptor associated kinase(IRAK1)/nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway regulated by"srperficiality-origin matching acupoints"electroacupuncture on intestinal damage in diabetic rats and lipid metabolism.Methods SD rats were randomly separated into control group,diabetes group,diabetes+electroacupuncture group,diabetes+pcDNA group,diabetes+pcDNA-IRAK1 group,diabetes+electroacupuncture+pcDNA group,and diabetes+electroacupuncture+pcDNA-IRAK1 group,18 rats in each group.Except for the control group,rats in other groups were fed with high glucose and high fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ)to construct the model of diabetes rats.After successful modeling,rats in each group were treated every other day for 8 consecutive weeks.The weight,fasting blood glucose,serum triglycerides and total cholesterol levels of rats were detected.16S rRNA amplicon sequencing was applied to detect the relative abundance of rat gut microbiota;the intestinal permeability and water content of rats were tested.Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the average optical densities of zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)proteins in small intestine tissue.Western blot was applied to detect the expression of IRAK1,phosphorylated nuclear factor inhibitory protein(p-IκBα),and phosphorylated nuclear factor B p65(p-NF-κB p65)proteins in rat small intestine tissue.Results Compared with the control group,the levels of fasting blood glucose,triglyceride,total cholesterol,relative abundances of Firmicutes,Proteobacteria,Actinomycetes,Allobaculum,fluorescein isothiocyanate(FITC)-glucan concentration,intestinal water content and the expression of IRAK1,p-IκBα,p-NF-κB p65 proteins in the diabetes group increased significantly(P<0.05).Weight,the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes,Lactobacillus,Romboutsia,Lachnospiraceae,Ruminocoaceae,the average optical densities of occludin and ZO-1 proteins decreased significantly(P<0.05).Compared with the diabetes group,the levels of fasting blood glucose,triglyceride,total cholesterol,relative abundances of Firmicutes,Proteobacteria,Actinomycetes,Allobaculum,FITC-glucan concentration,intestinal water content and the expression of IRAK1,p-IκBα,p-NF-κB p65 proteins in the diabetes+electroacupuncture group decreased significantly(P<0.05).Weight,the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes,Lactobacillus,Romboutsia,Lachnospiraceae,Ruminocoaceae,the average optical densities of occludin and ZO-1 proteins increased significantly(P<0.05),the change trend of corresponding indicators in the diabetes+pcDNA-IRAK1 group was opposite to the above(P<0.05).Compared with the diabetes+electroacupuncture group and the diabetes+electroacupuncture+pcDNA group,the levels of fasting blood glucose,triglyceride,total cholesterol,relative abundances of Firmicutes,Proteobacteria,Actinomycetes,Allobaculum,FITC-glucan concentration,intestinal water content and the expression of IRAK1,p-IκBα,p-NF-κB p65 proteins in the diabetes+electroacupuncture+pcDNA-IRAK1 group increased significantly(P<0.05).Weight,the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes,Lactobacillus,Romboutsia,Lachnospiraceae,Ruminocoaceae,the average optical densities of occludin and ZO-1 proteins decreased significantly(P<0.05).Conclusion"Srperficiality-origin matching acupoints"electroacupuncture may improve intestinal flora imbalance and intestinal barrier damage in diabetes rats by inhibiting IRAK1/NF-κB signaling pathway,and improve diabetic glucose and lipid metabolism.
6.Exploring the neural circuitry mechanisms of acupuncture for depression:Insights centered on the nucleus accumbens
Hongyi SUN ; Sihong LUO ; Chengyu ZHANG ; Zihang MENG ; Zhuo CHEN ; Xiaoning LI
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(22):3618-3624
The pathogenesis and progression of depression are closely associated with functional dysregula-tion in the brain's reward and emotion-modulating circuits.As the central hub of the reward system,the nucleus accumbens(NAc)forms aberrant neural circuits with multiple brain regions-including the ventral tegmental area(VTA),medial prefrontal cortex(mPFC),amygdala(AMY),hippocampus(HIP),and paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus(PVT)-which have been empirically linked to depressive symptomatology.Acupuncture,with its multi-target therapeutic profile,aligns well with the multifactorial and multisystem dysregulation characteristic of depressive disorders.This review systematically examines the functional alterations of the NAc-centered neural circuitry in depression and explores the potential mechanisms of acupuncture intervention.Evidence suggests that acupuncture holistically ameliorates depression by:modulating dopaminergic transmission in the VTA-NAc pathway,enhancing neurotransmitter equilibrium in the mPFC-NAc circuit,bidirectionally regulating emotional stability via the AMY-NAc loop,attenuating HIP-NAc glutamatergic hyperactivity,and optimizing excitatory signaling in the thalamus-NAc circuit.Furthermore,this synthesis emphasizes a systems-level integration of circuit mechanisms,highlighting both the clinical applicability of acupuncture in depression treatment and recent advances in mechanistic research.The findings provide robust theoretical foundations and practical guidance for clinical practice,bridging translational neuroscience with therapeutic innovation.
7.Clinical characterization and genetic analysis of a patient with Xeroderma pigmentosum in conjunct with basal cell carcinoma and melanoma due to variants of XPC gene.
Yixing CHANG ; Xiaoning ZHANG ; Rui WANG ; Qiumei WANG ; Zhenghao LIU
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(11):1381-1386
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the clinical presentation and genetic etiology of a case with Xeroderma pigmentosum in conjunct with basal cell carcinoma and melanoma.
METHODS:
A male patient with Xeroderma pigmentosum treated at Xinxiang Central Hospital in October 2022 was selected as study subject. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out. Candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing of his family members. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the hospital (Ethics No.: 2021-167).
RESULTS:
Magnetic resonance imaging showed that the patient has a solid soft tissue mass in the anterior and lower part of his right eyeball and a small nodule on the left nasal wing. Histopathological biopsy showed that the periocular tumor was basal cell carcinoma in conjunct with malignant melanoma, and the nasal wing tumor was basal cell carcinoma. WES and Sanger sequencing revealed that he has harbored compound heterozygous variants of the XPC gene, namely c.2391delT (p.F797Lfs*11) and IVS1+1G>A, which were inherited from his father and mother, respectively. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the variants were rated as likely pathogenic (PVS1+PM2_Supporting+PM3) and pathogenic (PVS1+PM2_Supporting+PM3+PP5), respectively. The c.2391delT variant was unreported previously. Bioinformatic analysis suggests that it could significantly affect the tertiary structure of XPC protein.
CONCLUSION
The c.2391delT(p.F797Lfs*11) and IVS1+1G>A compound heterozygous variants probably underlay the pathogenesis in this patient. The detection of the novel variant has enriched the mutational spectrum of the XPC gene.
Humans
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Male
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Xeroderma Pigmentosum/genetics*
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Basal Cell Carcinoma/genetics*
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DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*
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Melanoma/genetics*
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Mutation
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Skin Neoplasms/genetics*
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Middle Aged
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Exome Sequencing
;
Pedigree
8.Analysis of depressive symptoms and associated factors among primary and secondary school students in the in depth monitoring counties Rural Nutrition Improvement Program
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(2):219-222
Objective:
To understand the prevalence and related factors of depressive symptoms among primary and secondary school students in the in depth monitoring counties of China s Rural Compulsory Education Nutrition Improvement Program, so as to provide a basis for prevention and psychological intervention of depressive symptoms among children and adolescents in rural areas.
Methods:
In November 2022, a stratified random sampling method was adopted to collect height and weight data, basic personal and family information of 7 949 primary and secondary school students from grade three to grade nine through physical measurements and questionnaires in 56 key monitoring schools implementing the Student Nutrition Improvement Program in 7 in depth monitoring counties (Jalaid Banner in Inner Mongolia, Jinzhai County in Anhui, Mao Xian in Sichuan, Tiandeng County in Guangxi, Mian County in Shaanxi, Zhaozhou County in Heilongjiang and Youxi County in Fujian), and to obtain the information related to their depressive symptoms through the self assessment questionnaire on depression. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the prevalence of depressive symptoms among primary and secondary school students, as well as their related factors.
Results:
The detection rate of depressive symptoms among primary and secondary school students in the in depth monitored counties was 23.5%. Logistic regression analysis showed that the probability of detecting depressive symptoms was higher among female students, middle school students, students whose video screen duration per day was >2 h, and students whose parents marital status was divorced or widowed ( OR =1.40, 1.64, 1.60, 1.24), and students whose sleep duration reached the recommended standard, whose parents usually accompanied them daily for time was 60-<120 min and ≥120 min, and students whose mothers literacy level was middle school graduation had lower probability of detecting depressive symptoms ( OR =0.85, 0.84, 0.71, 0.76) ( P < 0.05 ).
Conclusion
The detection rate of depressive symptoms among students in the in depth monitoring area is high, and targeted interventions need to be developed for students to reduce the risk of mental health problems.
9.Diagnostic and Treatment Approach to Coronary Microvascular Disease from the Perspective of "Disharmony of Blood Collaterals and Dysfunction of Qi Transformation"
Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Jianguo LIN ; Xiaoning SUN ; Ziyi SUN ; Tong TONG ; Wenqian ZUO ; Zeqi WANG ; Kuiwu YAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(7):755-759
The study explores the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnostic and treatment approach to coronary microvascular disease (CMVD) from the perspective of "disharmony of blood collaterals and dysfunction of qi transformation". It is proposed that the core pathogenesis of CMVD lies in these two mechanisms. From an integrative medicine perspective, different CMVD types are analyzed based on their specific pathogenesis. Through clinical practice, four targeted treatment methods, i.e. warming, unblocking, tonifying, and activating, are formulated. CMVD caused by atherosclerosis is primarily associated with myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, and coronary revascularization, with corresponding pathological mechanisms of latent pathogenic obstruction, toxic accumulation in the collaterals, and deficiency with collateral stasis. The disease progression exhibits characteristics of correlation, staging, and transformation. Accordingly, treatment principles include warming to assist qi transformation, unblocking obstruction and dispelling turbidity, activating to disperse toxic stasis and invigorate collaterals, and tonifying to eliminate stasis and nourish collaterals. For CMVD unrelated to atherosclerosis, attention should be paid to the underlying disease, analyzing the main syndromes of blood and collateral disharmony. An approach combining disease-syndrome differentiation with blood and collateral regulation is emphasized for precise treatment.
10.Analysis of health-related lifestyles among primary and secondary school students in nutrition improvement program regions of China between 2021 and 2023
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(6):788-791
Objective:
To analyze the features of unhealthy lifestyle patterns among primary and secondary school students in the nutrition improvement program for rural compulsory education students (NIPRCES) areas in China in 2021 and 2023, so as to provide data support for lifestyle promotion and healthy development among primary and secondary school students.
Methods:
Adopting a cluster random sampling method, data on primary and secondary students aged 7-15 years from nutrition and health surveillance of China NIPRCES in 2021 and 2023 were collected. The prevalence of unhealthy lifestyles among primary and secondary students such as physical inactivity, outdoor inactivity, excessive screen time, and sleep deprivation by gender, school section, urban/rural, and region were analyzed. The reporting rates of the above indicators among primary and secondary students were compared by Chi-square test.
Results:
In 2021 and 2023, the rates of moderate to vigorous physical inactivity among primary and secondary school students were 79.2% and 80.4%, the rates of outdoor inactivity were 42.8% and 49.3%, the rates of excessive video time were 2.6% and 2.9%, the rates of sleep deprivation were 32.9% and 22.6%, and the differences were statistically significant( χ 2=51.86,1 071.48,18.36,3 296.99, P <0.05). In 2023, the rate of outdoor inactivity for primary and secondary students increased by 6.5 percentage points compared with 2021, and the rate of sleep deprivation decreased by 10.3 percentage points compared with that in 2021. In 2021 and 2023, the reporting rates of moderate to vigorous physical inactivity, outdoor inactivity, and sleep deprivation among girls and junior high school students were higher than those among boys ( χ 2=174.41,180.11; 175.75, 85.46 ;92.22,151.35) and elementary school students ( χ 2=136.64,5.75; 40.55,4.71;162.80,3 291.61); the reporting rates of moderate to vigorous physical inactivity( χ 2=194.43,118.60) and sleep deprivation ( χ 2=969.66,983.72) among urban students were higher than those among rural students; the reporting rates of excessive video time for boys and junior high school students were higher than those for girls ( χ 2=103.62,84.85) and elementary school students ( χ 2=810.09,626.51)( P <0.05). From a regional distribution perspective, the reporting rates of moderato to vigorous physical inactivity, outdoor inactivity, and excessive video time among primary and seconday school students in the central and western regions were lower than those in the eastern region ( χ 2= 663.44,302.78; 356.97,82.10;50.89,81.83) ( P <0.05).
Conclusions
Unhealthy lifestyles remain prevalent among primary and secondary students in NIPRCES areas of China. These findings underscore the need to strengthen policy implementation for promoting healthy lifestyles among primary and secondary school students.


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