1.Mechanism of Sangpi Zhike Prescription in Treating Cough After Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Based on "Lung-intestine Co-treatment" Theory
Chuang SUO ; Xiaohong BAI ; Zhitong YU ; Xue GONG ; Chan XIU ; Qihui LYU ; Zhihui LIU ; Kelin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):126-137
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Sangpi Zhike prescription in treating cough after respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection through the "lung-intestine co-treatment" approach using network pharmacology and animal experimental validation. MethodsActive ingredients and targets of Sangpi Zhike prescription were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database. Disease targets were obtained from GeneCards and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM) databases. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and drug-component-target networks were constructed using overlapping targets between drugs and diseases to identify core targets. Gene ontology(GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed on the overlapping targets. Sixty mouse models were established: 10 as the normal group, and the remaining mice were infected with RSV via slow nasal drip of RSV suspension, with cough induced using capsaicin solution. After modeling, mice were divided into a model group, a Montelukast Sodium group (1 mg·kg-1·d-1), and low, medium, and high dose groups of Sangpi Zhike prescription (4.875,9.75,and 19.5 g·kg-1·d-1), with 10 mice per group. From day 14 after RSV infection, the normal and model groups received saline via gavage, while other groups received corresponding drug treatments once daily for 5 d. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe pathological changes in lung and intestinal tissue. The protein content of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphorylated (p)-ERK1/2 in the lung and colon tissue of mice was detected by Western blot. Real-time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) detected ERK1/2 mRNA expression in lung and intestinal tissue. Immunohistochemistry assessed p-MEK1/2, p-ERK1/2, p-c-Fos protein levels, and inflammatory cytokines interleukin(IL)-4 and (TNF)-α in lung and colon tissue. ResultsNetwork pharmacology identified 184 active ingredients and 684 targets in Sangpi Zhike prescription, with 1 344 RSV-related disease targets and 209 overlapping targets. Core targets included TNF, Fos, and Jun. KEGG enrichment revealed 179 pathways, primarily mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK), cancer, TNF, and IL-17 signaling pathways. Animal experiments showed that, compared to those of the normal group, the lung tissue sections of the model group showed typical inflammatory damage, infiltration of inflammatory cells, rupture of alveolar septa, extensive alveolar fusion, and disruption of tight junctions between single-layer columnar epithelial cells in the intestinal tissue. The values of p-ERK1/2 and ERK1/2 in lung and intestinal tissue were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the expression level of ERK1/2 mRNA was significantly elevated (P<0.01). The levels of ERK1/2, p-MEK1/2, p-ERK1/2, p-c-Fos, IL-4, and TNF-α along the ERK pathway were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared to the model group, Sangpi Zhike prescription groups showed reduced lung and intestinal inflammation, decreased p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 ratios (P<0.05,P<0.01), lower ERK1/2 mRNA levels, and downregulated ERK pathway proteins (P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionSangpi Zhike prescription alleviates cough and intestinal symptoms after RSV infection via the "lung-intestine co-treatment" mechanism by suppressing expression levels of ERK1/2, p-MEK1/2, p-ERK1/2, p-c-Fos, IL-4, and TNF-α on ERK pathway components, thereby mitigating lung and intestinal pathological damage.
2.Serological and genetic analysis of a novel 27delC variant in A subgroup: a case report
Yingjun ZHANG ; Yuli ZHU ; Zhihui FENG ; Shuhong YU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(2):280-283
[Objective] To conduct serological identification and molecular mechanism study on a ambiguous ABO blood group. [Methods] Standard serological techniques were used for the forward and reverse typing of ABO blood type. ABO gene coding and regulatory regions were analyzed by PCR after DNA extraction. Monoclonal sequencing was used to detect the haplotypes of the DNA sequence, and bioinformatics analysis was applied to predict the possible translation outcomes of the mutated DNA sequence. [Results] The sample’s red blood cells showed mixed field agglutination with anti-A, and the serum agglutinated with B cells, exhibiting serological characteristics of subtype A. Direct sequencing and monoclonal sequencing analysis of the ABO gene confirmed one allele as O02, the other had a c.27delC mutation compared with A102, which could cause the translation sequence to terminate prematurely at the 19th amino acids. Analysis and prediction suggested that the mutation might affect the function of the transferase through mechanisms such as shifting the initiation codon, altering the reading frame and affecting the splice sites. [Conclusion] This case is a rare A subtype caused by the c.27delC variation, and the impact on the glycosyltransferase may involve multiple mechanisms, which require further research and exploration.
3.Research on cardiometabolic risk factors of workers in new forms of employment
Siyuan WANG ; Xiaoshun WANG ; Rui GUAN ; Hong YU ; Xin SONG ; Binshuo HU ; Zhihui WANG ; Xiaowen DING ; Dongsheng NIU ; Tenglong YAN ; Huadong XU
China Occupational Medicine 2025;52(2):150-154
Objective To analyze the prevalence status of cardiometabolic risk factor (CMRF) and its aggregation among workers engaged in new forms of employment. Methods A total of 5 429 new employment workers (including couriers, online food delivery workers, and ride hailing drivers) who underwent health medical examinations at a tertiary hospital in Beijing City were selected as the research subjects using the judgment sampling method. Data on waist circumference, blood pressure, blood glucose, and blood lipid levels were collected to analyze their CMRF [central obesity, elevated blood pressure, elevated blood glucose, elevated triglycerides, and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)] and their aggregation (with ≥ 2 of the above 5 risk factors) status. Results The detection rates of central obesity, elevated blood pressure, elevated blood glucose, elevated triglycerides, and reduced HDL-C were 61.2%, 38.2%, 29.5%, 40.9% and 22.6%, respectively. The detection rates of CMRF aggregation was 57.8%. The result of multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that male, age ≥45 years, smoking, overweight, and obesity were risk factors for CMRF aggregation (all P<0.05). Conclusion The detection rate of CMRF and its aggregation among workers with new forms of employment in Beijing City is relatively high. Targeted prevention and control efforts should be strengthened for high-risk populations, especially males, workers aged ≥45 years, smokers, and those who are overweight or obese.
4.Role of artificial intelligence in medical image analysis.
Lu WANG ; Shimin ZHANG ; Nan XU ; Qianqian HE ; Yuming ZHU ; Zhihui CHANG ; Yanan WU ; Huihan WANG ; Shouliang QI ; Lina ZHANG ; Yu SHI ; Xiujuan QU ; Xin ZHOU ; Jiangdian SONG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(22):2879-2894
With the emergence of deep learning techniques based on convolutional neural networks, artificial intelligence (AI) has driven transformative developments in the field of medical image analysis. Recently, large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT have also started to achieve distinction in this domain. Increasing research shows the undeniable role of AI in reshaping various aspects of medical image analysis, including processes such as image enhancement, segmentation, detection in image preprocessing, and postprocessing related to medical diagnosis and prognosis in clinical settings. However, despite the significant progress in AI research, studies investigating the recent advances in AI technology in the aforementioned aspects, the changes in research hotspot trajectories, and the performance of studies in addressing key clinical challenges in this field are limited. This article provides an overview of recent advances in AI for medical image analysis and discusses the methodological profiles, advantages, disadvantages, and future trends of AI technologies.
Artificial Intelligence
;
Humans
;
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods*
;
Neural Networks, Computer
;
Deep Learning
;
Diagnostic Imaging/methods*
5.Observation of morphological and molecular biological changes of nasal mucosa in patients with type 2 inflammation chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps after Reboot surgery.
Xubo CHEN ; Xinhua ZHU ; Yu ZHU ; Zheng ZHOU ; Zhihui FU ; Hongbing LIU
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(9):809-816
Objective:To explore the effect, postoperative mucosal pathological changes and molecular biological changes of reboot operation for type 2 inflammation chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps(CRSwNP) patients, and to provide theoretical basis for the clinical application of this kind of operation. Methods:We collected 29 patients who were diagnosed with CRSwNP with type 2 inflammatino response and underwent Reboot surgery from June 2022 to August 2023, and 27 patients who were diagnosed with deviated septum and underwent simple submucosal resection of the septum as the control group. We conducted nasal symptom scoring, endoscopic sinusitis scoring, and CT scanning of the sinuses before and after surgery, as well as HE staining, immunohistochemical staining, and detection of inflammatory factors using Elisa kits at the time of surgery, 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. We also observed the ultrastructural changes using transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and performed proteomic analysis of the mucosa in the ethmoid sinus area of the sinusitis patients at the time of surgery and 6 months postoperatively. Results:After 6 months of postoperative follow-up, CT scores of the nasal cavity and sinuses had gradually decreased compared with the preoperative period. The VAS score of main symptoms, SNOT-22 score and Lund-Kennedy endoscopic score were decreased after 12 months follow-up. The histological morphology of the mucosa in the area of the screen was significantly improved compared with the preoperative period, with a reduction in the number of eosinophils. The levels of inflammatory factors such as IL-4 and IL-5 et al. in the mucosa of the area of the screen were gradually reduced compared with the preoperative period. The histological morphology, ultrastructure, and cilia structure of the mucosa in the area of the screen were gradually improved compared with the preoperative period, though not recovered completely. The number of CD4⁺T and CD8⁺T cells not changed significantly before and after the surgery yet. By conducting proteomic analysis of the ethmoidal sinus mucosa before and after surgery, differential proteins were selected, and bioinformatics analysis was conducted on the differentially expressed proteins. By using cytoHubba to identify hub genes and intersecting them with the genes related to chronic sinusitis, we found that MMP9 expression increased in non-type 2 CRS and type 2 CRS in sequence, while ACTC1 expression decreased in non-tpye 2 CRS and type 2 CRS in sequence. Conclusion:Reboot surgery can improve the postoperative symptoms and signs of patients, improve the pathological morphology of the mucosa, and influence the expression of protein after surgery. However, the surgery may not have a significant impact on the distribution of T cell subpopulations and inflammation signal pathway in the nasal mucosa.
Humans
;
Sinusitis/metabolism*
;
Nasal Polyps/metabolism*
;
Nasal Mucosa/ultrastructure*
;
Chronic Disease
;
Rhinitis/complications*
;
Inflammation
;
Male
;
Female
;
Postoperative Period
;
Adult
;
Interleukin-5/metabolism*
;
Interleukin-4/metabolism*
;
Middle Aged
;
Proteomics
;
Rhinosinusitis
6.Identification of HMA gene family and response to cadmium stress in Ophiopogon japonicas.
Zhihui WANG ; Erli NIU ; Yuanliang GAO ; Qian ZHU ; Zihong YE ; Xiaoping YU ; Qian ZHAO ; Jun HUANG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(2):771-790
Soil cadmium (Cd) pollution is one of the major environmental problems globally. Ophiopogon japonicus, a multifunctional plant extensively used in traditional Chinese medicine, has demonstrated potential in environmental remediation. This study investigated the Cd accumulation pattern of O. japonicus under cadmium stress and identified the heavy metal ATPase (HMA) family members in this plant. Our results demonstrated that O. japonicus exhibited a Cd enrichment factor (EF) of 2.75, demonstrating strong potential for soil Cd pollution remediation. Nine heavy metal ATPase (HMA) members of P1B-ATPases were successfully identified from the transcriptome data of O. japonicus, with OjHMA1-OjHMA6 classified as the Zn/Co/Cd/Pb-ATPases and OjHMA7-OjHMA9 as the Cu/Ag-ATPases. The expression levels of OjHMA1, OjHMA2, OjHMA3, and OjHMA7 were significantly up-regulated under Cd stress, highlighting their crucial roles in cadmium ion absorption and transport. The topological analysis revealed that these proteins possessed characteristic transmembrane (TM) segments of the family, along with functional A, P, and N domains involved in regulating ion absorption and release. Metal ion-binding sites (M4, M5, and M6) existed on the TM segments. Based on the number of transmembrane domains and the residues at metal ion-binding sites, the plant HMA family members were categorized into three subgroups: P1B-1 ATPases, P1B-2 ATPases, and P1B-4 ATPases. Specifically, the P1B-1 ATPase subgroup included the motifs TM4(CPC), TM5(YN[X]4P), and TM6(M[XX]SS); the P1B-2 ATPase subgroup featured the motifs TM4(CPC), TM5(K), and TM6(DKTGT); the P1B-4 ATPase subgroup contained the motifs TM4(SPC) and TM6(HE[X]GT), all of which were critical for protein functions. Molecular docking results revealed the importance of conserved sequences such as CPC/SPC, DKTGT, and HE[X]GT in metal ion coordination and stabilization. These findings provide potential molecular targets for enhancing Cd uptake and tolerance of O. japonicus by genetic engineering and lay a theoretical foundation for developing new cultivars with high Cd accumulation capacity.
Cadmium/metabolism*
;
Adenosine Triphosphatases/metabolism*
;
Ophiopogon/drug effects*
;
Soil Pollutants/toxicity*
;
Plant Proteins/metabolism*
;
Stress, Physiological
;
Multigene Family
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
7.Traditional Chinese Medicine and Its Effective Components in Treating Alzheimer's Disease: A Review
Shan CAO ; Zhihui CHEN ; Jingqi QIN ; Huiyong ZHANG ; Li YU ; Wei WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(10):258-268
Alzheimer's disease is a common central neurodegenerative disease, mainly manifested by cognitive impairment and non-cognitive neuropsychiatric symptoms that severely affect patients' daily life and behavioral functioning. The pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease is still unclear, and the western medicine currently used to treat Alzheimer's disease is only symptomatic, with a single pathway, limited efficacy, and many side effects. In recent years, with the deepening of research on Alzheimer's disease, the study and application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease have gradually increased. Several studies have shown that TCM and its effective components can exert anti-Alzheimer's disease effects by regulating molecular mechanisms such as pathological protein production and aggregation, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, ferroptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, neurogenesis and neurotransmission, and brain-gut axis. This paper summarized the research progress of TCM in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in recent years, so as to provide a reference for further study of the specific mechanism of TCM in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and the discovery of effective components of TCM.
8.Mechanism of Aurantii Fructus and Its Active Components in Regulating Gastrointestinal Motility: A Review
Junbao YU ; Jiayuan ZHU ; Wenya MEI ; Jiawei HE ; Yuqing LONG ; Zhihui WANG ; Xiaorong LIU ; Xiangdan LIU ; Ribao ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(10):290-298
Gastrointestinal motility disorder is an important cause of digestive system diseases. Patients often suffer from nausea, vomiting, gastric retention, gastroparesis, constipation, and many other symptoms, and their quality of life is seriously reduced. Prokinetic agents are routinely used in clinical practice, but their long-term use is prone to problems such as reduced efficacy and increased adverse reactions. Since the incidence of gastrointestinal diseases has continued to rise globally in recent years, there is an urgent need for clinical development of safe and effective treatment strategies. Aurantii Fructus, a traditional Chinese medicine, has the effect of smoothing Qi and eliminating distention, and it has been used to treat gastrointestinal diseases for thousands of years. In modern clinical practice, it is mainly used for the treatment and auxiliary treatment of various gastrointestinal diseases such as functional dyspepsia, functional constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome. The efficacy is remarkable, and no adverse reactions have been reported at conventional doses. Therefore, it can greatly improve the symptoms of patients with gastrointestinal diseases and improve their quality of life. Modern research has revealed that there are many active components in Aurantii Fructus, among which flavonoids have the highest content and the most types. Flavonoids are the main active components in Aurantii Fructus to regulate gastrointestinal motility. Aurantii Fructus and its active components can affect gastrointestinal hormones, neural pathways, Cajal mesenchymal cells, and other multiple mechanisms. They can adjust gastrointestinal motility and correct gastrointestinal motility disorders, showing potential application value in the treatment of gastrointestinal motility disorders. However, a comprehensive analysis of Aurantii Fructus in this aspect is still lacking. This study summarized the pharmacological activities of active components of Aurantii Fructus extract and its flavonoids, volatile oils, alkaloids, and coumarin on the regulation of gastrointestinal motility and explored the latest research progress on its mechanism. Finally, the adverse reactions of Aurantii Fructus were summarized. It aims to provide a scientific basis for the research and clinical application of Aurantii Fructus and its active components in the regulation of gastrointestinal motility.
9.Development and reliability and validity tests of Oral Health Caring Ability Assessment Scale for Caregivers of Infants and Young Children
Liu YANG ; Zhihui LI ; Yan KONG ; Guiling YU
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2024;59(10):1218-1225
Objective To develop an Oral Health Caring Ability Assessment Scale for Infants and Young Children Caregivers and test its reliability and validity,so as to provide a scientific tool for assessing the oral health caring ability of them.Methods Based on the IMB Skills Model,the initial version of the scale was formed through literature review,expert consultation,and pre-investigation.From May to July 2023,a total of 218 caregivers of infants and young children who were treated in the child health department of a tertiary A specialized hospital in Qingdao were selected by convenience sampling for project analysis and reliability and validity test.From August to September 2023,we selected 330 caregivers of infants and young children who were treated in the child health department of 3 tertiary A general hospitals in Shandong and Hunan Provinces by convenience sampling to further verify the stability of the scale structure.Results The Oral Health Caring Ability Assessment Scale for Caregivers of Infants and Young Children included 4 dimensions,including feeding knowledge,oral cleaning and examination knowledge,oral health caring attitude and oral health caring behavior skills,with a total of 27 items.According to exploratory factor analysis,4 common factors were extracted and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 62.022%.The Cronbach's α coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.938;the split-half reliability was 0.774;the test-retest reliability was 0.990.The content validity index at the scale level was 0.957,and the content validity index at the item level was 0.833-1.000.Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the model fitted well and the factor structure of the scale was stable.Conclusion The Oral Health Caring Ability Assessment Scale for Caregivers of Infants and Young Children has good reliability and validity,which can be used to assess the level of oral health caring ability for caregivers of infants and young children accurately.
10.Analysis of feasibility of selectively preserving the first branch of the right gastro-omental artery using bidirectional dissection in laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy
Zeyao YE ; Pengfei YU ; Yang CAO ; Tengjiao CHAI ; Binzhong ZHANG ; Jun SIMA ; Bing WANG ; Zhihui JIANG ; Pingyuan YU ; Weixing WU ; Yi'an DU
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2024;27(8):840-845
Objective:To assess the safety and feasibility of selectively preserving the first branch of the right gastro-omental artery using bidirectional dissection in laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (LPPG).Methods:In this retrospective analysis, we studied preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative, and follow-up data of 30 patients with early gastric cancer treated in the Department of Gastric Cancer in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital (28 patients), Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery in Jiaxing Second Hospital (one patient) and Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery in Hangzhou Red Cross Hospital (one patient) who had undergone selective preservation of the first branch of the right gastro-omental artery during LPPG. The main variables studied were as follows: (1) intraoperative preservation of the first branch of the right gastro-omental artery; (2) the overall surgical situation; and (3) postoperative small bowel follow-through and endoscopy findings.Results:LPPG with selective preservation of the right gastro-omental artery vascular branch was achieved in all 30 of the study patients. The mean operation time was (244.3±29.3) minutes and the median intraoperative blood loss 50 (20–200) mL. The median tumor diameter was 1.2 (0.5–3.6) cm and an average of 32.3±11.6 lymph nodes were dissected. The overall median number of positive lymph nodes was 0 (0–6), and of No. 6 lymph nodes 5.1±1.5. Postoperative feeding resumed at an average of 5.2±0.5 days and the postoperative hospital stay averaged 8.4±3.4 days. Pathological stages were as follows: T1a (14 cases), T1b (10 cases), and T2 (6 cases). Small bowel follow-through imaging showed good results in 28 patients 5 days post-surgery, the remaining two exhibiting good results 9 days post-surgery. There were no instances of delayed gastric emptying, and only one patient (3.3%) developed intra-abdominal infection (resolved with conservative treatment).Conclusion:Selective preservation of the right gastro-omental artery during laparoscopic early gastric cancer surgery is a safe and feasible procedure for treating early mid-gastric body cancer with pyloric preservation.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail