1.Role of Macrophage Activation and Polarization in Diabetes Mellitus and Its Related Complications and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention
Zhichao CHEN ; Qiaoni LIN ; Liya SUN ; Jinxi WANG ; Zishan FU ; Yufeng YANG ; Yan SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):311-320
The occurrence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is closely related to insulin resistance and islet β cell dysfunction. Modern studies have found that macrophages are widely present in the liver,fat,skeletal muscle,islets, and other tissues and organs. Macrophage M1/M2 polarization plays an important role in the occurrence and development of diabetes mellitus and its related complications by intervening in inflammatory response,improving insulin resistance,and promoting tissue repair. Most of the traditional Chinese medicines that regulate the activation and polarization of macrophages are Qi-replenishing and Yin-nourishing,heat-clearing, and detoxicating medicinal,which are consistent with the etiology and pathogenesis of diabetes and its related complications. Therefore,by summarizing the mechanisms between macrophage activation,polarization, and insulin resistance in various tissues,this paper reviewed traditional Chinese medicine and its effective components and compounds in improving diabetes mellitus and its related complications through multi-channel regulation of macrophage polarization and regulation of M1/M2 ratio,providing references for the future treatment of DM and its related complications with traditional Chinese medicine.
2.Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome with Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on the Core Pathogenesis Evolution of "Constraint,Heat,Deficiency,Stasis,and Toxin"
Zhichao RUAN ; Jiangteng LIU ; Hua ZHANG ; Weijun HUANG ; Qiang FU ; Shidong WANG ; Jinxi ZHAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(7):680-684
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers a rich theoretical foundation and clinical experience for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome(CKM), demonstrating unique advantage. Building on previous work in managing diabetes, its complications, and chronic kidney disease, our team has proposed a five-phase evolution theory of "constraint, heat, deficiency, stasis, and toxin" as the core pathogenesis. These phases correspond to the pathological progression of constraint of phlegm-dampness, constraint transforming into heat, heat damaging qi and yin, stasis accumulated in the collateral vessels, and toxin induced by deficiency and stasis. In the prevention and treatment of CKM by TCM, it is emphasized to integrate the concept of "treating disease before it arises" with constitution theory, and incorporate the "2-5-8" prevention and treatment strategy, which combines prevention with treatment, tailors interventions to different phases, and employs comprehensive treatment modalities. Our goal is to leverage TCM's holistic advantages in preventing and treating CKM.
3.Emphysematous pyelonephritis: one case report and analysis of 89 cases from published literature
Lei HU ; Jianfu ZHOU ; Zhichao WANG ; Haoqiang CHEN ; Xuehua LIU ; Songtao XIANG
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(6):497-503
Objective: To explore the clinical features, treatment and prognosis of emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN), so as to enhance the clinical awareness of this disease. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of one EPN patient at The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, and a literature review was performed on articles published in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure and PubMed databases from Jan.1, 2015 to Dec.31, 2024. Results: The patient, a 62-year-old male with a 5 years' history of type 2 diabetes, was admitted due to left flank pain for 4 days, with a temperature of 39.4 ℃.Laboratory tests indicated significantly elevated inflammatory markers, decreased platelet count, and abnormal coagulation function.Preoperative blood and urine cultures showed positivity for Escherichia coli.Computed tomography (CT) revealed complete erosion of the left kidney, with gas in the left ureter and surrounding effusion, as well as multiple free gas in the abdominal cavity, bilateral ureteral stones, right renal lower calyx stones.After a multidisciplinary consultation, he underwent emergency phase Ⅰ left pyeloplasty and perirenal drainage with ureteral stenting.After discharge, the patient received maintenance hemodialysis once every two days in the outpatient clinic.One week after-discharge, the patient was readmitted due to polypnea.Following symptomatic management, vital signs stabilized.Approximately 2 months after the first-stage surgery, ureteroscopic stone extraction was successfully performed.One month after the stone extraction procedure, a follow-up CT showed normalization of the left kidney, renal pelvis and calyces, leading to phase Ⅱ laparoscopic left nephrectomy via the abdominal approach, with postoperative pathology indicating renal necrosis.Among 89 EPN patients reported in 35 articles, the median age was 58(24-92) years old;there were 59(66.3%) females and 30(33.7%) males;fever was the most common clinical symptom (60.7%);73(82.0%) had diabetes, 12 (13.5%) had urinary tract obstruction;55 (61.8%) were infected with Escherichia coli, and 7 (7.9%) were infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae; 13 died due to ineffective treatmen. Conclusion: EPN presents acutely and progresses rapidly, often leading to misdiagnosis due to the lack of specific early symptoms.Abdominal CT is the preferred imaging modality for rapid diagnosis, and proactive interdisciplinary intervention can improve survival rates, reduce the need for nephrectomy, and enhance prognosis.
4.Clinical study on high-dose ilaprazole combined with amoxicillin for newly diagnosed elderly patients with Helicobacter pylori infection
Chen LI ; Yujing WANG ; Jianna MAO ; Hao GUO ; Yuhou SHEN ; Zhichao DONG ; Binbin YAN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(14):1792-1796
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of high-dose ilaprazole combined with amoxicillin for newly diagnosed elderly patients with Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, and analyze independent risk factors for failure of Hp infection eradication treatment. METHODS Totally 200 cases of newly diagnosed elderly patients with Hp infection in Xinxiang Central Hospital from August 1, 2021 to December 1, 2024 were selected and randomly divided into control group and study group, with 100 cases in each group. The control group was treated with classic quadruple therapy regimen (Amoxicillin capsules+ Clarithromycin tablets+Bismuth potassium citrate tablets+Ilaprazole enteric-coated tablets). The study group was treated with high- dose Ilaprazole enteric-coated tablets+Amoxicillin capsules. All patients were administered medication for 2 weeks. Hp eradication rates in the two groups were compared using intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses. The incidence of adverse reactions in both groups was also recorded. The multiple-factor Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for failure of Hp infection eradication treatment. RESULTS In ITT and PP analyses, there was no significant difference of Hp eradication rates between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in incidence of mild to moderate adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05). BMI ≤18.5 kg/m2, BMI >23.9 kg/m2, rural residence, concomitant diabetes and concomitant heart disease were identified as independent risk factors influencing the failure of Hp infection eradication treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The efficacy and safety of high-dose ilaprazole combined with amoxicillin are comparable to classic quadruple therapy regimen in treating newly diagnosed elderly patients with Hp infection. Independent risk factors influencing the failure of Hp infection eradication treatment include BMI ≤18.5 kg/m2, BMI >23.9 kg/m2, rural residence, concomitant diabetes and concomitant heart disease.
5.Recommendations for Standardized Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis of Animal Experiments
Qingyong ZHENG ; Donghua YANG ; Zhichao MA ; Ziyu ZHOU ; Yang LU ; Jingyu WANG ; Lina XING ; Yingying KANG ; Li DU ; Chunxiang ZHAO ; Baoshan DI ; Jinhui TIAN
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(4):496-507
Animal experiments are an essential component of life sciences and medical research. However, the external validity and reliability of individual animal studies are frequently challenged by inherent limitations such as small sample sizes, high design heterogeneity, and poor reproducibility, which impede the effective translation of research findings into clinical practice. Systematic reviews and meta-analysis represent a key methodology for integrating existing evidence and enhancing the robustness of conclusions. Currently, however, the application of systematic reviews and meta-analysis in the field of animal experiments lacks standardized guidelines for their conduct and reporting, resulting in inconsistent quality and, to some extent, diminishing their evidence value. To address this issue, this paper aims to systematically delineate the reporting process for systematic reviews and meta-analysis of animal experiments and to propose a set of standardized recommendations that are both scientific and practical. The article's scope encompasses the entire process, from the preliminary preparatory phase [including formulating the population, intervention, comparison and outcome (PICO) question, assessing feasibility, and protocol pre-registration] to the key writing points for each section of the main report. In the core methods section, the paper elaborates on how to implement literature searches, establish eligibility criteria, perform data extraction, and assess the risk of bias, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement, in conjunction with relevant guidelines and tools such as Animal Research: Reporting of in Vivo Experiments (ARRIVE) and a risk of bias assessment tool developed by the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation (SYRCLE). For the presentation of results, strategies are proposed for clear and transparent display using flow diagrams and tables of characteristics. The discussion section places particular emphasis on how to scientifically interpret pooled effects, thoroughly analyze sources of heterogeneity, evaluate the impact of publication bias, and cautiously discuss the validity and limitations of extrapolating findings from animal studies to clinical settings. Furthermore, this paper recommends adopting the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology to comprehensively grade the quality of evidence. Through a modular analysis of the entire reporting process, this paper aims to provide researchers in the field with a clear and practical guide, thereby promoting the standardized development of systematic reviews and meta-analysis of animal experiments and enhancing their application value in scientific decision-making and translational medicine.
6.Pollution characteristics and health risk analysis of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in atmospheric PM2.5 in two districts of Xi'an City in 2020 - 2022
Yongbing CHENG ; Sicen LIU ; Zhichao LIU ; Zhaowei MENG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(5):23-27
Objective To analyze the pollution characteristics of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in atmospheric PM2.5 in Yanta District and Lianhu District of Xi'an City, and assess their health risks to exposed populations through inhalation pathways. Methods From 2020 to 2022, monitoring sites were set up in Yanta District and Lianhu District of Xi'an City, and PM2.5 samples were collected regularly every month. The mass concentrations of PAHs were determined. The analysis and evaluation were carried out according to different years, regions, and seasons. The sources of PAHs in the atmosphere were identified by calculating characteristic ratios. Health risk assessments through inhalation routes were conducted for certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their total carcinogenic equivalent concentrations. Results The average mass concentrations of PAHs in Yanta District and Lianhu District were 6.38 ng/m3 and 6.06 ng/m3, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). Except for fluoranthene, there was no statistically significant difference in other PAHs between regions (P>0.05). Except for acenaphthylene and anthracene, the concentrations of other PAHs showed a decreasing trend year by year (P<0.05). The total mass concentration of PAHs in both urban areas showed a trend of winter>spring>autumn>summer (P<0.05), and all categories of PAHs showed the highest levels in winter and the lowest levels in summer (P<0.05). The proportion of 5-ring PAHs was the highest in summer, while the proportion of 4-ring PAHs was the highest in winter. The main sources of atmospheric PAHs in the two districts were a mixture of coal combustion, motor vehicle emissions, and biomass burning. The HQ values of benzo[a]pyrene and TEQs in both districts were less than 1. The carcinogenic risk through inhalation pathways for TEQs was 1.15×10-6, exceeding the acceptable level (1×10-6). Conclusion The pollution of PAHs in Yanta District and Lianhu District of Xi'an City continues to decrease, with seasonal differences. The main sources are mixed sources of coal combustion, motor vehicle emissions, and biomass burning, and overall PAHs pose a potential carcinogenic risk to residents.
7.Genetic characteristics of VP1 region of Coxsackievirus A10 in Yunnan Province
Yihui CAO ; Bingjun TIAN ; Zhichao WANG ; Jianping CUN ; Xiaofang ZHOU ; Lili JIANG ; Enfa QIAO
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(6):25-29
Objective To investigate the genetic characteristics of the VP1 region of Coxsackievirus A10 (CVA10) in Yunnan Province. Methods Fecal samples of suspected hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) were subjected to real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR for detection of enterovirus CVA10. Positive samples were subjected to VP1 gene sequence amplification and Sanger sequencing. Sequence splicing was performed with DNAstar7.1 Seqman software, and nucleotide sequence and amino acid site analysis were performed using Mega 6.0 software. Results The sequencing of VP1 gene of CVA10 obtained a sequence of 894 nucleotides, encoding 298 amino acids. Compared with the original strain, there were mainly three active amino acid mutation regions, 13-33, 141-142, and 283-285. The nucleotide difference rate between the Yunnan isolates and the reference strain ranged from 16.92% to 30.90%, and the amino acid difference rate ranged from 2.58% to 4.00%. C1 and C2 group nucleotide difference was 10.58%, and the amino acid difference rate was 1.80%. The VP1 150-176 region exhibited highly conserved characteristics. Six CVA10 strains and Sichuan strain MW178898 belonged to the C1 group of the C genotype. The other 14 CVA10 strains belonged to the C2 group. Conclusion VP1 gene mutation is active and CVA10 is an important pathogen of HFMD in Yunnan. C2 genotype of CVA10 is dominant in this study, and C1 and C2 have co-circulated in Yunnan. It is necessary to strengthen monitoring and develop multivalent vaccines containing CVA10 epidemic genotype.
8.Case of multi-dimensional cervical disorder treated with acupuncture based on jingjin theory.
Tao LI ; Dandan LI ; Zhichao GONG ; Lei LIU ; Wu LI ; Jiangshan LI
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(1):19-20
One case of multi-dimensional cervical disorder was diagnosed and treated using jingjin (sinew/muscle) theory. According to the patient's symptoms, guided by jingjin theory, this case was diagnosed as the jingjin (muscle region) disorder of foot-taiyang. On the distribution of the muscle region of foot-taiyang, the distal junctions of the muscle region, Kunlun (BL60) and Feiyang (BL58), as well as the knotted sites, Wangu (GB12), Tianzhu (BL10) and Cuanzhu (BL2) were the keys in the distal acupuncture technique along meridian. After three treatments, the movement of neck region was recovered, the foreign body sensation while swallowing and the discomforts in the supraclavicular fossa disappeared.
Humans
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Acupuncture Points
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Acupuncture Therapy
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Meridians
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Cervical Vertebrae/pathology*
9.Advancements in herbal medicine-based nanozymes for biomedical applications.
Mei YANG ; Zhichao DENG ; Yuanyuan ZHU ; Chenxi XU ; Chenguang DING ; Yujie ZHANG ; Mingxin ZHANG ; Mingzhen ZHANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(9):1037-1049
Nanozymes are a distinct category of nanomaterials that exhibit catalytic properties resembling those of enzymes such as peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Nanozymes derived from Chinese herbal medicines exhibit the catalytic functions of their enzyme mimics, while retaining the specific medicinal properties of the herb (termed "herbzymes"). These nanozymes can be categorized into three main groups based on their method of synthesis: herb carbon dot nanozymes, polyphenol-metal nanozymes, and herb extract nanozymes. The reported catalytic activities of herbzymes include POD, SOD, CAT, and GPx. This review presents an overview of the catalytic activities and potential applications of nanozymes, introduces the novel concept of herbzymes, provides a comprehensive review of their classification and synthesis, and discusses recent advances in their biomedical applications. Furthermore, we also discuss the significance of research into herbzymes, including the primary challenges faced and future development directions.
Nanostructures/chemistry*
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Humans
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Herbal Medicine/methods*
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Superoxide Dismutase/chemistry*
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Catalase/chemistry*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Catalysis
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Glutathione Peroxidase/chemistry*
10.Prognostic value of ultrasound carotid plaque length in patients with coronary artery disease.
Wendong TANG ; Zhichao XU ; Tingfang ZHU ; Yawei YANG ; Jian NA ; Wei ZHANG ; Liang CHEN ; Zongjun LIU ; Ming FAN ; Zhifu GUO ; Xianxian ZHAO ; Yuan BAI ; Bili ZHANG ; Hailing ZHANG ; Pan LI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(14):1755-1757


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