1.Exploring Chemical Constituent Distribution in Blood/Brain(Hippocampus) and Emotional Regulatory Effect of Raw and Vinegar-processed Products of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride
Yi BAO ; Yonggui SONG ; Qianmin LI ; Zhifu AI ; Genhua ZHU ; Ming YANG ; Huanhua XU ; Qin ZHENG ; Yiting HUANG ; Zihan GAO ; Dan SU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):189-197
ObjectiveTo investigate the migration and distribution characteristics of chemical constituents in blood and hippocampal tissues before and after vinegar processing of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride(CRPV), and to explore the potential material basis and mechanisms underlying their regulatory effects on emotional disorders by comparing the effects of raw and vinegar-processed products of CRPV. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was employed to characterize and identify the chemical constituents of raw and vinegar-processed products of CRPV extracts, as well as their migrating components in blood and hippocampal tissues after oral administration. Reference standards, databases, and relevant literature were utilized for compound annotation, with data processing performed using PeakView 1.2 software. Seventy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into seven groups, including the blank group, model group, diazepam group(2.5 mg·kg-1), raw CRPV low/high dose groups(0.6, 1.2 g·kg-1), and vinegar-processed CRPV low/high dose groups(0.6, 1.2 g·kg-1), with 10 mice per group. Except for the blank group, all other groups underwent chronic restraint stress(2 h·d-1) for 20 d. Each drug-treated group received oral administration at the predetermined dose starting 10 d after modeling, with a total treatment duration of 10 d. Following model-based drug administration, mice underwent open-field, forced swimming, and elevated plus maze tests. After anesthesia with isoflurane, whole brains were collected from each group of mice, and hippocampi were dissected. Reactive oxygen species(ROS) level in hippocampal tissues was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe hippocampal tissue morphology. Immunofluorescence was performed to detect neuronal nuclei(NeuN) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha(PPARα) expressions in hippocampal tissue. Then, pharmacodynamic evaluations were conducted to assess the effects of raw and vinegar-processed CRPV on mood disorders, exploring the potential mechanisms. ResultsVinegar processing caused significant changes in the chemical composition of CRPV, with 18 components showing increased relative content and 35 components showing decreased relative content. The primary changes occurred in flavonoid compounds, including 20 flavonoids, 20 flavonoid glycosides, 3 triterpenes, 3 phenolic acids, 1 alkaloid, and 6 other compounds. Twenty-one components were detected in blood(15 methoxyflavones, 4 flavonoid glycosides, and 2 phenolic acids), with 17 shared between raw and vinegar-processed CRPV. Seven components reached hippocampal tissues(all common to both forms). In regulating emotional disorders, Vinegar-processed CRPV exhibited superior antidepressant-like effects compared to raw products. HE staining revealed that both treatments improved hippocampal neuronal morphology, particularly in the damaged CA1 and CA3 regions. Immunofluorescence and ELISA analyses demonstrated that both raw and vinegar-processed CRPV significantly modulated NeuN and PPARα expressions in hippocampal tissue while alleviating oxidative stress induced by excessive ROS(P<0.05). ConclusionThe chemical composition of CRPV undergoes changes after vinegar processing, but the migrating components in blood and hippocampus are primarily methoxyflavonoids. These components may serve as the potential material basis for activating the PPARα pathway, thereby negatively regulating ROS generation in the hippocampus, reducing oxidative stress, and promoting the development of NeuN-positive neurons. These findings provide experimental evidence for enhancing quality standards, pharmacodynamic material research, and active drug development of raw and vinegar-processed CRPV.
2.Relationship between ambulatory blood pressure changes and health-related behaviors and sleep quality in hypertensive patients
Qun ZHENG ; Yinghua KUANG ; Dan XIAO
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(3):159-162
Objective To explore the relationship between ambulatory blood pressure changes and health-related behaviors as well as sleep quality in hypertensive patients. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 684 patients who underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring at Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital between January 2023 and April 2025. The cohort included 502 hypertensive patients and 182 non-hypertensive patients. Clinical data from both groups of patients were collected. Their health-related behaviors and sleep quality were investigated. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between ambulatory blood pressure changes and health-related behaviors as well as sleep quality in hypertensive patients. Results The differences in dSBP, dDBP, nSBP, nDBP, 24-hour SBP, 24-hour DBP, 24-hour SBP CV, and 24-hour DBP CV levels between the two groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). The scores of the Active Health Behavior Scale (AHBS) in the hypertension group were lower than those in the non-hypertension group, while the scores of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in the hypertension group were higher than those in the non-hypertension group (P<0.05). AHBS showed a negative correlation with dSBP, dDBP, nSBP, nDBP, 24 h SBP, 24 h DBP, 24 h SBP CV, and 24 h DBP CV (P<0.05), while PSQI showed a positive correlation with dSBP, dDBP, nSBP, nDBP, 24 h SBP, 24 h DBP, 24 h SBP CV, and 24 h DBP CV (P<0.05). Conclusion Health-related behaviors and sleep quality can influence ambulatory blood pressure through various mechanisms, including neural, endocrine, and vascular functions.
3.Discussion on Construction of a Multi-Agent "Cross-scale" Collective Decision-making Model for Superior Disease Entities in Sichuan-style Traditional Chinese Medicine
Qiuping CHEN ; Hang ZHOU ; Dan ZHENG ; Baixue LI ; Chenhao LIU ; Ju CHEN ; Jibin LIU ; Quansheng FENG ; JIANGYUMING ; Cen JIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):1-13
At present, the systematic excavation of the clinical experience and academic thought of the Sichuan school of Chinese medicine vis-à-vis its dominant disease entities remains fragmentary, and replicable paradigms are scarce. Confronted with empirical fragmentation, data heterogeneity and decision-making subjectivity, the standardised distillation, inheritance and clinical translation of these distinctive experiences has become a critical bottleneck constraining the development of the Sichuan school. The integration of artificial-intelligence technologies in data processing, pattern recognition and intelligent decision-making has rendered deep mining of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) clinical knowledge and patterns imperative. Constructing an intelligent modern TCM diagnostic-therapeutic-evaluative system is now the obligatory route for inheritance and innovation in Chinese medicine, and simultaneously provides a technological breakthrough for intelligent decision paradigms in the dominant diseases of the Sichuan school. Accordingly, this study adopts the regional academic school as its point of entry, focuses on the dominant diseases of the Sichuan school, and proposes an innovative pathway of "four-dimensional data-multi-modal fusion-multi-agent decision-making". Specifically, four data dimensions are defined and instantiated: (Ⅰ) knowledge from classical medical literature and historical case records. (Ⅱ) objective four-diagnosis phenotypic data. (Ⅲ) master physicians' prescribing regularities. (Ⅳ) characteristic mechanisms of renowned formulae. Leveraging multi-modal data fusion and generative artificial intelligence, the entire causal chain of Famous Physicians and Renowned Formulas is explicated to reconstruct the diagnostic-therapeutic cognitive logic of the regional school. Finally, a multi-agent collective-decision model is established and refined for the dominant diseases of the Sichuan school, capable of generating precise, individualised treatment regimens and thereby advancing an intelligent diagnostic-therapeutic paradigm that delivers more efficient and accurate clinical decision support.
4.Impact of capsaicin on the gut microbiota and antimicrobial peptides expression of Anopheles stephensi
ZHENG Dan ; LIU Zhilong ; WANG Jing
China Tropical Medicine 2025;25(1):15-
Objective To investigate the effects of capsaicin on gut microbiota and antimicrobial peptide expression of Anopheles stephensi, providing experimental references for the application of capsaicin in mosquito-borne disease prevention and control. Methods Anopheles stephensi were continuously fed with sugary water containing capsaicin or DMSO for the capsaicin-treated group and the control, respectively. The DNA of the female mosquito's midguts and gut bacteria was extracted. Bacterial 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR were used to analyze and compare the bacteria diversity, gut flora composition, relative abundance, and total bacterial load in female mosquitoes’ midgut between the control and capsaicin treatment groups. Total RNA was extracted from the midguts of the two groups of Anopheles mosquitoes, and the transcriptional levels of important antimicrobial peptides were detected and compared by reverse transcription and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Results A total of 10 phyla, 11 classes, 28 orders, 43 families, and 62 genera were identified in the two groups. The capsaicin-treated group had fewer taxa, with significantly reduced bacterial diversity, and different community composition and relative abundance of the flora compared to the control group. At the phylum level, Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria, and Firmicutes predominated in both two groups. At the order level, Flavobacteriales, Acetobacterales, Pseudomonadales, and Lactobacillales were the dominant bacteria, with reduced relative abundance of Pseudomonadales and Acetobacterales and increased relative abundance of Flavobacteriales and Lactobacillales in the capsaicin-treated group. At the genus level, Elizabethkingia was predominantly abundant in both samples, with higher relative abundance of Elizabethkingia, Leuconostoc, and Gluconobacter in the capsaicin-treated group, while Asaia and Acinetobacter had significantly lower relative abundance compared to the control group. In addition to these changes, the total bacterial load was increased and the transcriptional levels of attacin C, cecropin A, and defensin were significantly decreased by capsaicin treatment. Conclusions Capsaicin treatment significantly affects the composition of the gut flora in Anopheles stephensi and increases the total bacterial load while inhibiting the expression of antimicrobial peptides. Based on the analysis, it indicates that capsaicin might affect the fecundity and vector competence of Anopheles by changing the energy metabolism and immune-related bacteria.
5.Investigation on the gross α and gross β activity levels of drinking water around Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant
Mengmeng LIU ; Jianxi ZHA ; Jia LIU ; Qishan ZHENG ; Senxing ZHENG ; Dan LIN ; Yunhua QING ; Yan ZHANG ; Jianbo CHEN ; Lihua HUANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(5):648-653
Objective To investigate the levels of gross α and gross β activities in different water types within a 40-kilometer radius around the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant prior to its operation. Methods In 2018, drinking water samples were collected from the area surrounding the nuclear power plant during both the wet and dry seasons, including source water, treated water, tap water, and well water. The gross α and gross β activity concentrations were measured using a low-background α/β counter, followed by statistical analysis. Results A total of 80 water samples from different sources around the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant were collected. The average gross α and gross β activity concentrations during the wet season were (0.110 ± 0.036) Bq/L and (0.643 ± 0.028) Bq/L, respectively, while those during the dry season were (0.124 ± 0.032) Bq/L and (0.624 ± 0.026) Bq/L, respectively. There were no significant differences in the gross α and gross β activity concentrations between the wet and dry seasons for the overall sample set (P > 0.05). However, there were statistically significant differences in the gross α and gross β activity concentrations between the wet and dry seasons for source water and well water (Zwet = −2.005, −2.123; Zdry = −1.943, −3.090; P < 0.05). Conclusion The radioactivity levels in different water types within various ranges around the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant before its operation were determined. The measured activity concentrations were at the same level as those from previous investigations in other regions of Fujian Province.
6.Genetic diversity and molecular identity of Prunus mume with both ornamental and edible values based on fluorescence-labeled simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers.
Zixu WANG ; Dan ZHOU ; Yanbei ZHAO ; Yuhang TONG ; Weijun ZHENG ; Qingwei LI
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(2):639-656
We studied the genetic diversity and established the DNA molecular identify for Prunus mume with both ornamental and edible values, aiming to collect, identify, evaluate, and breed new varities of this plant and promote the upgrading of the P. mume industry chain in northern China. We employed 13 pairs of primers with good polymorphism, clear bands, and good repeatability to analyze the genetic diversity and establish the molecular identify of 68 germplasm accessions of P. mume with both ornamental and edible values from Xingtai, Hebei Province. We then employed the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic means (UPGMA) to perform the cluster analysis based on genetic distance. After that, we analyzed the genetic structure of the 68 germplasm accessions based on a Bayesian model. The 13 pairs of SSR primers amplified a total of 124 alleles from 68 P. mume germplasm accessions, with the mean number of alleles (Na) of 9.538 5, the minor allele frequency (MAF) of 0.369 3, the mean number of effective alleles (Ne) of 4.483 5, and the mean Shannon genetic diversity index (I) of 1.712 4. The mean Nei's gene diversity index (H) of 0.763 7, the mean observed heterozygosity (Ho) of 0.719 5, the mean expected heterozygosity (He) of 0.769 3, the mean polymorphism information content (PIC) of 0.733 6, and the mean genetic similarity (GS) of 0.772 9 suggested that there were significant genetic differences and rich genetic diversity among the studied P. mume germplasm accessions. The cluster analysis revealed that the 68 accessions were classified into three groups, with the mean genetic distance of 0.622 6. The population structure analysis classified the germplasm accessions into two populations. According to the PIC of primers, we selected primers for combination and constructed the combination with the fewest primers required for germplasm differentiation of P. mume with both ornamental and edible values. This study provides a theoretical basis for the innovation and industrial upgrading of P. mume with both ornamental and edible values in gardening and the improvement of breeding efficiency.
Prunus/classification*
;
Microsatellite Repeats/genetics*
;
Genetic Variation
;
China
;
Phylogeny
;
Polymorphism, Genetic
;
DNA, Plant/genetics*
;
Alleles
7.Nodal Marginal Zone B-Cell Lymphoma of a Single Lymph Node in the Adult Neck:Report of One Case.
Pan-Pan LI ; Ya-Ping LUO ; Xiao-Hua SHI ; Yu CHEN ; Feng-Dan WANG ; Tong SU ; Zhu-Hua ZHANG ; Feng FENG ; Zheng-Yu JIN
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2025;47(4):651-659
Nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma(NMZL),the least common subtype of marginal zone lymphoma,represents a low-grade malignancy arising from the marginal zone of lymph node follicles,composed of small B-cells with an inert non-Hodgkin lymphoma nature.It accounts for 1.5% to 1.8% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas and 10% of all marginal zone lymphomas.The low incidence and lack of typical clinical and pathological features pose a challenge to the diagnosis and clinical management of NMZL.In this article,we reported the diagnosis and treatment of a case of NMZL located in the parapharyngeal space of the left neck and reviewed the relevant literature from both domestic and international sources.We summarized the clinical manifestations,histopathological features,immunohistochemical characteristics,imaging features,diagnosis and treatment modalities,and prognosis of NMZL.
Humans
;
Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone/pathology*
;
Lymph Nodes/pathology*
;
Neck/pathology*
;
Male
8.Impacts of Internalized Weight Bias and Weight Control Beliefs on Eating Behaviors in Women Losing Weight.
Dan-Ping ZHENG ; Hong-Wei ZHU ; Yu-Jia YANG ; Jing-Yi ZHANG ; Hai-Yan ZHANG ; Zhi-Yuan ZHANG ; Wei CHEN
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2025;47(5):822-829
Objective To investigate the internalized weight bias and weight control beliefs regarding the current status,influencing factors,and impacts on eating behaviors of women losing weight. Methods A convenient sampling method was used to select the females who underwent physical examination in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital from August to December 2023.The general information questionnaire,Weight Bias Internalization Scale,Weight Control Belief Questionnaire,and Chinese version of Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire were utilized for investigation.Latent class analysis was conducted to explore the potential categories based on the characteristics of internalized weight bias and weight control beliefs.Univariate analysis and multiple-factor linear regression analysis were performed to explore influencing factors of potential categories and their effects on eating behaviors. Results A total of 518 subjects were included in this study.The internalized weight bias and weight control beliefs could be classified into three potential categories: low weight bias tolerance type(53.7%),medium weight bias persistence type(29.5%),and high weight bias overcritical type(16.8%).Logistic regression analysis showed that body mass index,unmarriage,and divorce were the influencing factors of the high weight bias overcritical type.The scores of non-control eating and emotional eating in medium weight bias persistence type and high weight bias overcritical type were higher than those in low weight bias tolerance type(all P<0.001). Conclusions The attitudes of Chinese women towards body weight can be categorized into low weight bias tolerance type,medium weight bias persistence type,and high weight bias overcritical type.The high weight bias overcritical type is characterized by high weight bias and high personal responsibility attribution,and it is closely associated with negative eating behaviors.A high body mass index,unmarriage,and divorce are high-risk factors for developing the high weight bias overcritical type.
Humans
;
Female
;
Feeding Behavior/psychology*
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
;
Adult
;
Body Mass Index
;
Weight Loss
;
Body Weight
;
Body Image
;
Middle Aged
;
Weight Prejudice
9.Clinical characteristics of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis and analysis of risk factors for early-onset children
Jing WANG ; Mingqi SHEN ; Rongxiu ZHENG ; Yue XIN ; Yunxia MA ; Ying ZHANG ; Dejing WU ; Dan LIU
International Journal of Pediatrics 2025;52(9):629-633
Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC)and analyze the risk factors for early-onset NEC.Methods:A total of 220 children with NEC admitted to the Department of Pediatrics,Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from January 1st,2018 to February 29th,2024 were retrospectively selected as the research objects. According to the time of onset,the early-onset group( n=120)and the late-onset group( n=100)were established,and the clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared. Another 150 cases of normal healthy newborns born in this hospital in the same period were selected as the control group,and the clinical data of the control group were collected. The clinical characteristics of the early-onset group and the control group were compared,and the risk factors of early-onset NEC were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression. Results:Compared with the late-onset group,the early-onset group had fever[50.0%(60/120)vs. 40%(40/100), χ2=7.333, P=0.007],apnea[39.17%(47/120)vs. 28%(28/100), χ2=7.568, P=0.006],no rise in body temperature[56.67%(68/120)vs. 39%(39/100), χ2=6.815, P=0.009],abdominal distension[25%(30/120)vs. 40%(40/100), χ2=13.200, P<0.001],vomiting[30.83%(37/120)vs. 45%(45/100), χ2=12.797, P<0.001]was significantly different(all P<0.05);Multivariate Logistic regression analysis:weight<1 500 g( OR=5.871,95% CI:3.153~9.673, P<0.001),gestational age<30 weeks( OR=4.256,95% CI:2.641~7.896, P=0.007),hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus(hs-PDA)( OR=3.113,95% CI:1.865~5.133, P=0.033),severe anemia( OR=3.057,95% CI:2.165~4.802, P=0.001),feeding intolerance( OR=4.215,95% CI:1.579~10.802, P=0.005),amniotic fluid pollution( OR=2.452,95% CI:1.579~3.111, P<0.001)were the independent risk factors for early-onset NEC(all P<0.05). Conclusion:Weight<1 500 g,gestational age<30 weeks,hs-PDA,severe anemia,feeding intolerance,and amniotic fluid contamination are independent risk factors for early-onset NEC. In clinical practice,more attention should be paid to these factors for disease prevention,early identification,and timely intervention in newborns to reduce the occurrence of NEC.
10.Associations between sleep patterns and anxiety and depression in hemodialysis patients based on latent profile analysis
Dan SUO ; Tianhui YOU ; Huiyi LU ; Jialian HUANG ; Yuehong WANG ; Jing ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(30):2380-2385
Objective:To investigate the association between different sleep patterns and anxiety and depression in hemodialysis patients, thereby providing a reference for improving their psychological and sleep conditions.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional survey.A convenience sampling method was used to select patients undergoing regular dialysis at a hemodialysis centre in the Sixth People's Hospital of Huizhou from May 2023 to May 2024. Sleep quality, anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Self-rating Anxiety Scale for (SAS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). Potential profiles were analyzed using Mplus 8.3 and mixed-effects Logistic regression was used to explore the association between sleep pattern category and anxiety-depression.Results:A total of 264 valid questionnaires were returned, of which 142 were males and 122 were females, aged (56.61 ± 12.69) years old. The sleep patterns of hemodialysis patients were divided into three potential categories:patients with overall better sleep quality31.4%(83/264), patients with poor sleep using hypnotic medication12.9%(34/264), and patients with poor sleep without hypnotic medication 55.7%(147/264). Significant differences were found in age, education, anxiety and depression across different sleep categories ( χ2 values were 9.75-25.72, all P<0.05). Compared with the group with overall better sleep quality, the risk of anxiety was higher in the group with sleep difficulties without hypnotic medication ( OR=5.409, P<0.05), and the risk of anxiety and depression ( OR=5.010, 6.488, both P<0.05) was higher in the group with sleep disorders using hypnotic medication. Compared with patients with poor sleep without hypnotic medication, patients with poor sleep using hypnotic medication had a higher risk of depression ( OR=6.501, P<0.05). Conclusions:There are three potential categories of sleep patterns in hemodialysis patients and significant correlations between them and anxiety and depression, and precise screening and individualized interventions need to be implemented in the clinic to improve patients' quality of life.


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