1.Dynamic Sequential Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric Nephrotic Syndrome Based on the "Sweat Pore-Qi and Liquid-Kidney Collaterals"
Zhenhua YUAN ; Mingyang CAI ; Yingying JIANG ; Jingjing WU ; Wenqing PAN ; Zichao DING ; Shuzi ZHANG ; Xianqing REN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(10):1007-1010
Based on the viewpoint of "sweat pore-qi and liquid-kidney collaterals", it is believed that children's nephrotic syndrome is caused by the core mechanism of sweat pore constraint and closure, qi and liquid imbalance, and kidney collaterals impairment, and it is proposed that the treatment principle is to nourish the sweat pore, regulate qi and fluid, and supplement the kidney and unblock the collaterals. In clinic, guided by sequential therapy and according to the different disease mechanism characteristics of the four stages, including early stage of the disease, hormone induction stage, hormone reduction stage, hormone maintenance stage, the staged dynamic identification and treatment was applied. For early stage of the disease with edema due to yang deficiency, modified Zhenwu Decoction (真武汤) was applied to warm yang and drain water; for hormone induction stage with yin deficiency resulting in effulgent fire, modified Zhibai Dihuang Pill (知柏地黄丸) plus Erzhi Pill (二至丸) was used to enrich yin and reduce fire; for hormone reduction stage with qi and yin deficiency, modified Shenqi Dihuang Decoction (参芪地黄汤) was used to boost qi and nourish yin; for hormone maintenance stage, modified Shenqi Pill (肾气丸) was used to supplement yin and yang. Meanwhile, the treatment also attaches importance to the combination of vine-based or worm medicinals to dredge collaterals, so as to providing ideas for clinical treatment.
2.Effect of Liangxue Tuizi Formula (凉血退紫方) on RAF/MEK/ERK Pathway in Skin Tissue and Serum NETs Biomarkers in Henoch-Schönlein Purpura Model Rats with Blood Heat Syndrome
Yingying JIANG ; Manxiang YANG ; Zhenhua YUAN ; Leying XI ; Mingyang CAI ; Diya MA ; Yifan LI ; Yuhang NIU ; Runze LIU ; Jiawen CAO ; Xilin CHEN ; Xianqing REN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(23):2475-2483
ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanism of Liangxue Tuizi Formula (凉血退紫方, LXTZF) in treating Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP) by examining its regulatory effect on neutrophil extracellular trap (NETs) dysregulation via the rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma kinase (RAF)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy Wistar rats were randomly allocated into a blank control group (n=14) and a modeling group (n=56). Rats in the modelling group underwent an eight-week modelling period to establish HSP rat models with blood-heat syndrome via modified ovalbumin (OVA) induction method combined with oral administration of heat-property Chinese herbal medicine. Fifty successfully modeled rats were subsequently randomly divided into five groups (n=10 per group), model group, compound glycyrrhizin group, LXTZF group, RAF inhibitor group, and LXTZF + RAF agonist group. Additionally, 10 rats were selected from the original blank control group for the final experiment. From the 11th week of modelling, rats in the blank control group and the model group received 1 ml/(100 g·d) ultrapure water via oral administration, in addition to 0.5 ml/(kg·d) 0.9% sodium chloride solution via intraperitoneal injection. The LXTZF group and the compound glycyrrhizin group received 7.5 g/(kg·d) LXTZF granule suspension via gavage, 13.5 mg/(kg·d) compound glycyrrhizin suspension via gavage, respectively. The RAF inhibitor group received 1 mg/(kg·d) GW5074 suspension via intraperitoneal injection and ultrapure water via oral administration; the LXTZF + RAF agonist group received 7.5 g/(kg·d) LXTZF granule suspension via gavage and 1 mg/(kg·d) paclitaxel suspension via intraperitoneal injection. All administrations were performed once daily for 4 weeks. After intervention, skin tissue histopathology was examined by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, immunoglobulin A (IgA) deposition was assessed via immunofluorescence, serum levels of neutrophil elastase (NE), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), serum myeloperoxidase (MPO) level was determined by a colorimetric assay; the mRNA expression levels of RAF, MEK, and ERK in skin tissue were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR); and the protein expression of RAF, MEK, ERK, as well as phosphorylated MEK (p-MEK) and phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK), were analyzed by Western Blot. ResultsSkin tissue in the blank control group rats remained normal, whereas the model group exhibited neutrophil infiltration and haemorrhage with red blood cell rupture. In all drug intervention groups, neutrophil infiltration and haemorrhagic exudation reduced markedly, with LXTZF group demonstrating the most pronounced improvement. Compared with the blank control group, rats in the model group exhibited enhanced IgA fluorescence intensity in skin tissue, elevated serum levels of NE, MPO, TNF-α and VCAM-1, increased mRNA expression of RAF, MEK, ERK1 and ERK2, as well as heightened RAF protein levels and p-MEK/MEK and p-ERK/ERK ratios (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the drug intervention groups exhibited reduced IgA fluorescence intensity in skin tissue, along with decreased serum levels of NE, MPO, TNF-α, and VCAM-1 (P<0.05). In LXTZF group and RAF inhibition groups, reduced mRNA expression of RAF, MEK, ERK1, and ERK2 was observed in rat skin tissue, alongside decreased RAF protein levels and reduced p-MEK/MEK and p-ERK/ERK ratios (P<0.05). Compared with LXTZF + RAF agonist group, the compound glycyrrhizin group, LXTZF group, and RAF inhibitior group exhibited reduced IgA fluorescence intensity in skin tissue, decreased serum NE, MPO, TNF-α, and VCAM-1 levels, and decreased MEK mRNA expression and p-MEK/MEK ratio (P<0.05). ConclusionThe potential mechanism by which LXTZF treats Henoch-Schönlein purpura with blood heat syndrome may involve blocking the RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway in skin tissue, and suppressing excessive formation of NETs, thereby reducing IgA deposition in dermal microvessels and attenuating systemic inflammatory responses.
3.Application of platelet-rich plasma combined with Xianling Gubao Capsule in treatment of rats with knee osteoarthritis
Zhenhua CAI ; Muzhou XIAO ; Heng LUO ; Zhilan WU ; Li LI ; Cong LÜ
Journal of Chongqing Medical University 2025;50(5):623-629
Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of platelet-rich plasma(PRP)combined with Xianling Gubao Capsule on rats with osteoarthritis(OA)and the changes in the levels of related factors.Methods:Anterior cruciate ligament transection was performed to establish a rat model of OA,and after modeling,the rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,Xianling Gubao Capsule group,PRP group,and Xianling Gubao Capsule+PRP group,with 10 rats in each group.After intervention,ELISA was used to measure the serum levels of IL-1β and TNF-α;knee articular cartilage was collected,and qPCR and Western blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of MMP3,MMP13,Col2,Aggrecan,and p-p38;Micro-CT was used to assess the changes in bones around the knee joint;HE staining and SF staining were used to observe the changes in knee articular cartilage.Results:ELISA showed that PRP combined with Xianling Gubao Capsule significantly reduced the serum levels of the inflammatory factors such as IL-1β and TNF-α(P<0.05).The results of qPCR and Western blot showed that PRP combined with Xianling Gubao Capsule significantly reduced the expression levels of MMP3,MMP13,and p-p38 and increased the expression levels of Col2 and Ag-grecan in knee articular cartilage(P<0.05).Micro-CT,HE staining,and SF staining showed a certain degree of improvement in knee articular cartilage degeneration in the Xianling Gubao Capsule+PRP group(P<0.05).Conclusion:PRP combined with Xianling Gubao Capsule exerts a therapeutic effect on rats with OA,possibly by regulating the p38MAPK signaling pathway.
4.Cell softness reveals tumorigenic potential via ITGB8/AKT/glycolysis signaling in a mice model of orthotopic bladder cancer
Shi QIU ; Yaqi QIU ; Linghui DENG ; Ling NIE ; Liming GE ; Xiaonan ZHENG ; Di JIN ; Kun JIN ; Xianghong ZHOU ; Xingyang SU ; Boyu CAI ; Jiakun LI ; Xiang TU ; Lina GONG ; Liangren LIU ; Zhenhua LIU ; Yige BAO ; Jianzhong AI ; Tianhai LIN ; Lu YANG ; Qiang WEI
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(2):209-221
Background::Bladder cancer, characterized by a high potential of tumor recurrence, has high lifelong monitoring and treatment costs. To date, tumor cells with intrinsic softness have been identified to function as cancer stem cells in several cancer types. Nonetheless, the existence of soft tumor cells in bladder tumors remains elusive. Thus, our study aimed to develop a microbarrier microfluidic chip to efficiently isolate deformable tumor cells from distinct types of bladder cancer cells.Methods::The stiffness of bladder cancer cells was determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The modified microfluidic chip was utilized to separate soft cells, and the 3D Matrigel culture system was to maintain the softness of tumor cells. Expression patterns of integrin β8 (ITGB8), protein kinase B (AKT), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) were determined by Western blotting. Double immunostaining was conducted to examine the interaction between F-actin and tripartite motif containing 59 (TRIM59). The stem-cell-like characteristics of soft cells were explored by colony formation assay and in vivo studies upon xenografted tumor models. Results::Using our newly designed microfluidic approach, we identified a small fraction of soft tumor cells in bladder cancer cells. More importantly, the existence of soft tumor cells was confirmed in clinical human bladder cancer specimens, in which the number of soft tumor cells was associated with tumor relapse. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the biomechanical stimuli arising from 3D Matrigel activated the F-actin/ITGB8/TRIM59/AKT/mTOR/glycolysis pathways to enhance the softness and tumorigenic capacity of tumor cells. Simultaneously, we detected a remarkable up-regulation in ITGB8, TRIM59, and phospho-AKT in clinical bladder recurrent tumors compared with their non-recurrent counterparts.Conclusions::The ITGB8/TRIM59/AKT/mTOR/glycolysis axis plays a crucial role in modulating tumor softness and stemness. Meanwhile, the soft tumor cells become more sensitive to chemotherapy after stiffening, that offers new insights for hampering tumor progression and recurrence.
5.The relationship between serum blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio and cardiac function in elderly patients with severe pneumonia
Jifei CAO ; Mozhen LI ; Zhenhua CAI ; Liangliang WANG ; Lei WANG
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2024;47(11):1001-1007
Objective:To explore the relationship between serum urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio (UCR) and cardiac function in elderly patients with severe pneumonia.Methods:A prospective selection of 100 elderly patients with severe pneumonia admitted to Group Wanbei General Hospital of Wanbei Coal Power from May 2020 to April 2023 was conducted as the case group, and an additional 50 patients who underwent health examinations in the hospital during the same period were selected as the control group. Serum urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), UCR value, myocardial injury indexes: cardiac troponin I (cTnI), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP), creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB), and cardiac function indexes: left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output index (CI) were detected in the two groups. The patients in the case group were divided into two subgroups based on the occurrence of heart failure during hospitalization: the heart failure subgroup and the normal heart function subgroup. The serum UCR, myocardial injury and cardiac function indexes were compared between the case group and the control group. The general data, myocardial injury and cardiac function indexes were compared between the heart failure group and the normal heart function group. The relationship between serum UCR and cardiac function in patients with severe pneumonia was analyzed by bivariate Pearson correlation. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of cardiac dysfunction in patients with severe pneumonia, and using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to analyze the value of serum UCR in predicting cardiac dysfunction in patients with severe pneumonia.Results:The values of BUN, UCR, cTnI, NT-ProBNP, CK and CK-MB in the case group were higher than those in the control group: (8.72 ± 1.14) μmol/L vs. (6.41 ± 0.76) μmol/L, 125.00 ± 19.75 vs. 86.12 ± 12.02, 0.04 (0.03, 0.05) μg/L vs. 0.04 (0.03, 0.05) μg/L, (185.49 ± 20.59) ng/L vs. (147.76 ± 20.85) ng/L, (104.78 ± 14.98) U/L vs. (99.33 ± 15.07) U/L, (31.59 ± 6.23) U/L vs. (29.13 ± 5.76) U/L. The values of Cr, LVEF, CO, SV and CI in the observation group were lower than those in the control group: (70.22 ± 5.76) μmol/L vs. (74.75 ± 5.12) μmol/L, (59.72 ± 2.41)% vs. (61.78 ± 2.16)%, (3.93 ± 0.43) L/min vs. (4.53 ± 0.62) L/min, (59.82 ± 6.12) ml vs. (62.23 ± 7.22) ml, (2.95 ± 0.30) L/(min·m 2) vs. (3.06 ± 0.33) L/(min·m 2), with a statistical significant difference ( P<0.05). In the case group, 21 patients had heart failure during hospitalization, accounting for 21.00%. The pneumonia severity index score on admission in the heart failure subgroup was higher than that in the normal heart function subgroup: (172.76 ± 9.18) points vs. (168.24 ± 8.81) points. The serum BUN and UCR levels were higher than those in the normal heart function subgroup: (9.51 ± 0.79) mmol/L vs. (8.51 ± 1.13) mmol/L, 141.62 ± 9.89 vs. 120.59 ± 19.39. The serum Cr level was lower than that in the normal heart function subgroup: (67.26 ± 5.34) μmol/L vs. (71.00 ± 5.65) μmol/L, with a significant statistical difference ( P<0.05). There was no significant statistical difference in other data between the two subgroups ( P>0.05). The bivariate Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum UCR was positively correlated with cardiac function indicators cTnI, NT-ProBNP, CK and CK-MB levels in severe pneumonia ( r = 0.40, 0.27, 0.32 and 0.33; P<0.05), and negatively correlated with LVEF, CO, SV and CI levels ( r = - 0.37, - 0.21, - 0.25 and - 0.21; P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the occurrence of cardiac dysfunction in elderly patients with severe pneumonia may be related to the pneumonia severity index score on admission and the abnormal expression of serum BUN, UCR and Cr levels ( P<0.05). ROC curve analysis found that the area under the curve for predicting the occurrence of cardiac dysfunction during hospitalization in severe pneumonia patients with serum UCR on admission was 0.85 (95% CI 0.77 to 0.92), which had certain predictive value. Conclusions:Elderly patients with severe pneumonia are accompanied by a certain degree of elevated serum UCR levels, and the higher the serum UCR level, the more severe the cardiac function damage and the greater the risk of cardiac dysfunction.
6.Current situation and influencing factors of knowledge,belief,and practice of grass-root health workers during war injury rescue in marine corps
Lianghua ZHANG ; Shuhong CAI ; Zhiyong YU ; Zhenhua ZHANG ; Juanjuan DONG ; Xisha LONG
Journal of Navy Medicine 2024;45(9):897-901
Objective To investigate the current situation of knowledge,belief,and practice of grass-root health workers during war injury rescue in marine corps,so as to provide a basis for targeted training of war injury rescue.Methods From March to May 2023,382 grass-root health workers were selected by convenience sampling method as research subjects,and a self-designed questionnaire was used for the survey.Results The average scores of knowledge,attitude,and behavior items related to war injury rescue were 3.78±0.94,4.55±0.64,and 3.50±1.08,respectively.Multiple linear regression analysis showed that military rank,workplace,and training experience were the main influence factors for the knowledge,belief,and practice of health workers in war injury rescue(P<0.05).Conclusion Grass-root health workers in the marine corps have a positive attitude towards war injury rescue,but their knowledge and practice are relatively weak.It is necessary to carry out targeted and graded training for them.
7.Splanchnic nerve neurolysis via the transdiscal approach under fluoroscopic guidance: a retrospective study
Zhenhua CAI ; Xiaolin ZHOU ; Mengli WANG ; Jiyu KANG ; Mingshuo ZHANG ; Huacheng ZHOU
The Korean Journal of Pain 2022;35(2):202-208
Background:
Neurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB) is a typical treatment for severe epigastric cancer pain, but the therapeutic effect is often affected by the variation of local anatomical structures induced by the tumor. Greater and lesser splanchnic nerve neurolysis (SNN) had similar effects to the NCPB, and was recently performed with a paravertebral approach under the image guidance, or with the transdiscal approach under the guidance of computed tomography. This study observed the feasibility and safety of SNN via a transdiscal approach under fluoroscopic guidance.
Methods:
The follow-up records of 34 patients with epigastric cancer pain who underwent the splanchnic nerve block via the T11-12 transdiscal approach under fluoroscopic guidance were investigated retrospectively. The numerical rating scale (NRS), the patient satisfaction scale (PSS) and quality of life (QOL) of the patient, the dose of morphine consumed, and the occurrence and severity of adverse events were recorded preoperatively and 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 2 months after surgery.
Results:
Compared with the preoperative scores, the NRS scores and daily morphine consumption decreased and the QOL and PSS scores increased at each postoperative time point (P < 0.001). No patients experienced serious complications.
Conclusions
SNN via the transdiscal approach under flouroscopic guidance was an effective, safe, and easy operation for epigastric cancer pain, with fewer complications.
8.Construction and operation of hospital radiation protection management information system
Zhenhua ZHAO ; Fei CAI ; Jiaqian ZHANG ; Min HAN ; Weijian ZHU ; Yanan HUANG ; Qianling LI
Chinese Journal of Hospital Administration 2022;38(12):927-931
The construction and operation of the hospital-wide radiation protection management information system is of great significance for improving the efficiency and quality of radiation protection management. A hospital has built a hospital-wide radiation protection management system, which consisted of four modules: radiation staff management module, protection items management module, site and equipment management module, and self-inspection module. The system adopted B/S mode, carried the lightweight J2EE framework-SpringBoot framework, and used mybatis, which was flexible and practical, as the persistence layer of the system, to store the data completely in the SQLServer database.Java language was used as the system development language, and the front and back-end separation architecture was used. Each of the four modules implemented the management responsibility departments and responsible personnel to carry out the all-round management of radiation protection, and realized the integrated, information-based and standardized management of radiation protection management in the hospital.
9.Efficacy of the biopsy strategy combining 6-core systematic and 3-core MRI-targeted biopsy in the detection of prostate cancer
Xiang TU ; Xingyu XIONG ; Chichen ZHANG ; Diming CAI ; Shengjiang BAI ; Weitao ZHENG ; Tianhai LIN ; Zhenhua LIU ; Lu YANG ; Qiang WEI
Chinese Journal of Urology 2022;43(12):914-919
Objective:To investigate the efficacy of the biopsy strategy combining 6-core systematic and 3-core MRI-targeted biopsy on prostate cancer (PCa) detection in biopsy-na?ve patients.Methods:The clinical data of 121 biopsy-na?ve patients who underwent transperineal prostate biopsy in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from July 2018 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The average age was (64.7±9.1) years old. Pre-biopsy prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was (12.4±7.5)ng/ml, f/t PSA was 0.13±0.05. Prostate volume was (43.1±26.1) ml and PASD was (0.35±0.27) ng/ml 2. The prostate-imaging and data system (PI-RADS) score of MRI before biopsy was reported to be 3 for 29 patients (24.0%), 4 for 54 patients (44.6%) and 5 for 38 patients (31.8%). All 121 patients underwent 12-core systematic biopsy combined with a 3-core or 5-core MRI-targeted biopsy, of which 61 patients underwent 3-core targeted biopsy and 60 underwent 5-core targeted biopsy. There was no significant difference in the pre-biopsy clinical data between the two groups ( P>0.05). A 6-core systematic biopsy was redefined as the results of 6 cores among the 12-core systematic biopsy. We compared the detection rates among the single 12-core systematic biopsy, 6-core systematic biopsy, MRI-targeted biopsy (3-core or 5-core), and different systematic biopsy combing with targeted biopsy for any PCa and clinically significant PCa, and we also analyzed the cumulative cancer detection rates for MRI-targeted biopsy of different cores. Results:Of the 121 patients in this study, the biopsy results were negative for 43 patients (35.5%) and positive for 78 (64.5%). The detection rate of clinically significant PCa was 55.4% (67/121). The detection rate of the 6-core systematic biopsy combined with MRI-targeted biopsy was 62.0% (75/121) for PCa and 55.4% (67/121) for clinically significant PCa, which was of no difference compared with that for the 12-core systematic biopsy combined with MRI-targeted biopsy ( P>0.05), but the 6-core systematic biopsy combined with MRI-targeted biopsy avoided the overdiagnosis of 3 patients with Gleason score 3+ 3. The detection rate of PCa for MRI-targeted biopsy was 57.9% (70/121), including 42.1% (51/121) for the first core, 55.4% (67/121) for the first two cores, and 57.9% (70/121) for the first three cores. Compared with the single-core targeted biopsy for suspicious lesions, the first 2-core targeted biopsy ( OR=1.7, 95% CI 1.0-2.8) and 3-core targeted biopsy ( OR=1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.1) can significantly increase the detection rate of PCa, while the fourth or fifth core of targeted biopsy can not increase the detection rate additionally (60%, 36/60). Conclusion:For patients with suspected PCa, the prostate biopsy strategy combing 6-core systematic and 3-core MRI-targeted biopsy performs no inferior than the current 12-core systematic biopsy combined with MRI-targeted biopsy.
10.Acute kidney injury in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: a single-center retrospective observational study.
Guanhua XIAO ; Hongbin HU ; Feng WU ; Tong SHA ; Zhenhua ZENG ; Qiaobing HUANG ; Haijun LI ; Jiafa HAN ; Wenhong SONG ; Zhongqing CHEN ; Shumin CAI
Journal of Southern Medical University 2021;41(2):157-163
OBJECTIVE:
To assess the predictors and outcomes of acute kidney injury (AKI) among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
OBJECTIVE:
This retrospective observational study was conducted among patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 admitted to Hankou Hospital between January, 5 and March 8, 2020. We evaluated the association of AKI with the demographic and biochemical parameters and clinical outcomes of the patients using univariate regression analysis.
OBJECTIVE:
Atotal of 287 COVID-19 patients, including 55 with AKI and 232 without AKI, were included in the analysis. Compared with the patients without AKI, the patients with AKI were older, predominantly male, and were more likely to have hypoxia and pre-existing hypertension and cerebrovascular diseases. The patients with AKI also had higher levels of white blood cells, D-dimer, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, a higher prevalence of hyperkalemia, lower lymphocyte counts, and higher chest computed tomographic scores. The incidence of stage 1 AKI was 14.3% and that of stage 2 or 3 AKI was 4.9%. The patients with AKI had much higher mortality rate than those without AKI.
OBJECTIVE
AKI is an important complication of COVID-19. An older age, a male gender, multiple pre- existing comorbidities, lymphopenia, increased infection indicators, elevated D-dimer, and impaired heart and liver functions are all potential risk factors ofAKI. COVID- 19 patients with AKI that progresses into stages 2 or 3 AKI have a high mortality rate. Prevention of AKI and monitoring kidney function is critical in the care of COVID-19 patients.
Acute Kidney Injury/epidemiology*
;
Aged
;
COVID-19
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Retrospective Studies
;
SARS-CoV-2

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