1.Research on dynamic monitoring of drug consumption based on seasonal Mann-Kendall trend test
Ziheng YU ; Chen CHEN ; Xiangyu YANG ; Lulu LI ; Shaohui ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(3):377-382
OBJECTIVE To investigate a dynamic monitoring of drug consumption (DMDC) model based on the seasonal Mann-Kendall trend test, aiming to provide scientific evidence for the efficient and macroscopic monitoring of drug use. METHODS A monitoring list of key outpatient drugs was established based on the top 20% of drugs ranked by sales volume in the outpatient pharmacy in October 2024. A DMDC model based on the Mann-Kendall trend test was constructed using the monthly usage data of key outpatient drugs from November 2021 to October 2024, aiming to eliminate the impact of seasonal fluctuations and analyze the temporal trends in drug consumption. Taking mucolytic expectorants, triazole derivatives for dermatophytosis, and single-agent hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors as examples, the monitoring effectiveness of the DMDC model was demonstrated, and its performance was compared with that achieved by the traditional sequential growth rate ranking method. RESULTS A total of 215 drug varieties were included in the monitoring list, and DMDC models were successfully established for all of them. Among these, 119 showed a significant increasing trend (P<0.05, S′>0). The model successfully monitored the monthly consumption of mucolytic expectorants, triazole derivatives for dermatophytosis, and single- agent HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. The precision and recall rates of the DMDC model for identifying abnormal drug use were 60.7% and 85.0%, respectively, both significantly higher than those of the sequential growth rate ranking method (8.3% and 15.0%, respectively) (χ2=20.114, P<0.001; χ2=19.600, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS DMDC model based on the seasonal Mann-Kendall trend test can effectively identify long-term trends in drug consumption, eliminate seasonal interference, enhance monitoring accuracy and management efficiency, and is suitable for the dynamic monitoring of drug consumption.
2.A new pathway for the homing of asthma bone mesenchymal stem cells: miR-139/Notch1 axis regulates macrophage polarization
Kun WANG ; Haoxiang FANG ; Xiaomei CAO ; Ziheng ZHU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):264-269
ObjectiveTo observe the expression of miR-139/Notch1 axis and macrophage polarization in the homing changes of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in asthmatic rats, and to explore the possible mechanism of immune regulation by BMSCs during asthma. Methods30 male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group, model control group and BMSCs implantation group, with 10 rats in each group. BMSCs labeled with CFSE were infused into the body of asthmatic rats through the tail vein, and the homing status of BMSCs in asthmatic lung tissue was detected by flow cytometry. Changes in the proportion of inflammatory cells in alveolar lavage fluid were detected by Wright-Giemsa Stain; the levels of macrophage polarization cytokines IFN⁃γ,IL-13,CD80 and CD206 in rat serum were detected by ELISA; the miR-139, Notch1, NOS2, Arg1 and CXCR4 in lung tissue were detected by RT-qPCR. ResultsCompared with the NC group, the expression of serum CD80 and IFN⁃γ in the MC group decreased, while the expression of IL-13 and CD206 increased (P<0.01). The expression of miR⁃139 in lung tissue of MC group rats decreased, and the expression of macrophage polarization markers NOS2, Arg1, and homing marker CXCR4 genes increased (P<0.01). Compared with the MC group, the expression of IFN-γ of rats in BMSCs group increased, while the expression of IL-13 and CD206 decreased (P<0.01). The expression of miR⁃139, CXCR4, and SDF⁃1 mRNA in the lung tissue of rats of BMSCs group increased, while the expression of Notch1, NOS2, and Arg1 decreased (P<0.01). Correlation analysis showed that CXCR4 was positively correlated with miR⁃139 (P<0.05), while CXCR4 was negatively correlated with Notch1 (P<0.05). SDF⁃1 and IFN⁃γ was a positively correlated (P<0.05), while SDF⁃1 was negatively correlated with Arg1 and CD206 (P<0.05). ConclusionThe miR⁃139/Notch1 axis can promote BMCs homing in asthmatic rats by affecting macrophage polarization in asthma.
3.Association between liver fibrosis staging and colorectal space-occupying lesions in metabolic associated fatty liver disease
Jing QI ; Ziheng ZHAO ; Shanshan GAO ; Kun LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(6):1301-1309
ObjectiveTo investigate whether there exists an independent association beyond shared risk factors between colorectal space-occupying lesions and metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), and to provide new ideas for early identification of colorectal space-occupying lesions in the MAFLD population. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for 12 252 patients who were hospitalized in The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital) and underwent both colonoscopy and abdominal imaging (abdominal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, or computed tomography) from September 1, 2018 to August 31, 2023. According to colonoscopy findings, the patients were divided into colorectal space-occupying lesion group with 6 545 patients and non-colorectal space-occupying lesion group with 5 707 patients. Baseline data were compared between the two groups. The univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to identify influencing factors for colorectal space-occupying lesions, and further analysis was performed to investigate the association of MAFLD and liver fibrosis (assessed by fibrosis-4 [FIB-4], nonalcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score [NFS], and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index) with colorectal space-occupying lesions. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data with skewed distribution between groups, and the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. ResultsThe univariate analysis showed that compared with the non-colorectal space-occupying lesion group, the colorectal space-occupying lesion group had significantly higher age (Z=-95.628, P<0.001), proportion of male patients (χ2=406.910, P<0.001), body weight (Z=-24.928, P<0.001), body mass index (BMI) (Z=-21.367, P<0.001), diastolic blood pressure (Z=-15.527, P<0.001), systolic blood pressure (Z=-16.965, P<0.001), proportion of patients with history of coronary heart disease (χ2=28.112, P<0.001)/hypertension (χ2=152.993, P<0.001)/diabetes (χ2=52.175, P<0.001)/cerebral infarction (χ2=14.097, P<0.001), white blood cell count (WBC) (Z=-12.801, P<0.001), hemoglobin (HGB) (Z=-19.258, P<0.001), aspartate aminotransferase (Z=-6.673, P=0.001), alanine aminotransferase (Z=-10.375, P<0.001), alkaline phosphatase (Z=-10.496, P<0.001), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) (Z=-18.893, P<0.001), blood urea nitrogen (Z=-13.291, P<0.001), creatinine (Z=-16.798, P<0.001), uric acid (Z=-16.822, P<0.001), triglyceride (Z=-10.186, P<0.001), and fasting blood glucose (Z=-15.761, P<0.001). The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age (odds ratio [OR]=1.052, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.045 — 1.057, P<0.001), sex (OR=0.523, 95%CI: 0.466 — 0.587, P<0.001), BMI (OR=1.031, 95%CI: 1.018 — 1.046, P<0.001), history of hypertension (OR=1.140, 95%CI: 1.019 — 1.276, P=0.022), WBC (OR=1.057, 95%CI: 1.028 — 1.087, P<0.001), GGT (OR=1.001, 95%CI: 1.000 — 1.002, P=0.021), Alb (OR=0.982, 95%CI: 0.969 — 0.995, P=0.008), and HGB (OR=1.004, 95%CI: 1.001 — 1.008, P=0.019) were independent influencing factors for colorectal space-occupying lesions. In the MAFLD population, after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, history of hypertension, WBC, HGB, GGT, and Alb, intermediate-to-high risk of advanced liver fibrosis assessed by FIB-4 and NFS was still an influencing factor for colorectal space-occupying lesions (FIB-4: OR=1.457, 95%CI: 1.176 — 1.810, P<0.05; NFS: OR=1.499, 95%CI: 1.244 — 1.809, P<0.05). Liver fibrosis degree based on FIB-4 was not significantly associated with the pathological type, location, size, or number of colorectal space-occupying lesions (all P>0.05). While intermediate-to-high risk of advanced liver fibrosis based on NFS was not associated with pathological type, location, or size, it might be associated with the number of lesions (χ2=9.770, P<0.05). ConclusionAge, sex, BMI, history of hypertension, WBC, HGB, GGT, and Alb are independent influencing factors for colorectal space-occupying lesions. Intermediate-to-high risk of advanced liver fibrosis assessed by FIB-4 or NFS is independently associated with colorectal space-occupying lesions, and liver fibrosis assessed by NFS might be associated with the increase in the number of lesions.
4.Study on the refined multi-campus management based on antibiotic use density and case mix index
Xiangyu YANG ; Lulu LI ; Ziheng YU ; Shaohui ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(15):2039-2044
OBJECTIVE To provide scientific evidence and practical references for refined antimicrobial stewardship in multi- branch medical institutions. METHODS Data of antibiotic use density (AUD) of inpatients as well as physician-level case mix index (CMI) were collected from the Liji Road main campus and Panlongcheng branch campus of our hospital from August 2023 to March 2026. The two-factor decomposition method was adopted to decompose total AUD variation into a level effect and structural effect. Grey relational analysis (GRA) was performed to quantify the correlation degree between ward CMI, physician CMI and physician AUD, so as to identify wards and physicians requiring targeted key intervention in different campuses. A refined antimicrobial management framework for multi-branch hospitals was constructed and implemented based on the above analytical results. An interrupted time series (ITS) model incorporating seasonal dummy variables was applied. The research period was divided into pre-intervention stage (August 2023 to March 2024) and post-intervention stage (April 2024 to March 2026). The temporal changing trends of AUD in two campuses were compared to evaluate management efficacy. RESULTS Driving factors for AUD variation presented significant heterogeneity between the two campuses. AUD variation in the main campus was dominated by level effect, while AUD variation in the branch campus was jointly affected by structural effect and level effect. The grey relational degrees of ward CMI and physician CMI with physician AUD were 0.901 and 0.882, respectively. After refined management implementation, AUD decreased by 7.48 DDDs/(100 bed·days) and 20.54 DDDs/(100 bed·days) in the main campus and branch campus, respectively; the rising trends of AUD in both campuses reversed to declining trends after intervention. CONCLUSIONS Driving factors of AUD variation under the multi-branch hospital model show obvious inter-campus heterogeneity. CMI is highly correlated with AUD. The refined management system developed via AUD attribution decomposition and CMI correlation analysis matches the differentiated clinical characteristics of multi- branch hospitals and effectively improves the precision of antimicrobial stewardship.
5.Danggui Shaoyaosan Regulates Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 Signaling Pathway to Inhibit Ferroptosis in Rat Model of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Xinqiao CHU ; Yaning BIAO ; Ying GU ; Meng LI ; Tiantong JIANG ; Yuan DING ; Xiaping TAO ; Shaoli WANG ; Ziheng WEI ; Zhen LIU ; Yixin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):35-42
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Danggui Shaoyaosan on ferroptosis in the rat model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and explore the underlying mechanism based on the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) signaling pathway. MethodsThe sixty SD rats were randomly grouped as follows: control, model, Yishanfu (0.144 g·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (2.44, 4.88, and 9.76 g·kg-1, respectively) Danggui Shaoyaosan. A high-fat diet was used to establish the rat model of NAFLD. After 12 weeks of modeling, rats were treated with corresponding agents for 4 weeks. Then, the body weight and liver weight were measured, and the liver index was calculated. At the same time, serum and liver samples were collected. The levels or activities of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and Fe2+ in the serum and TC, TG, free fatty acids (FFA), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and Fe2+ in the liver were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and oil red O staining were employed to observe the pathological changes in the liver. Immunofluorescence was used to assess the reactive oxygen species (ROS) content in the liver. Mitochondrial morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The protein levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, GPX4, transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1), and divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) in the liver were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed increases in the body weight, liver weight, liver index, levels or activities of TC, TG, ALT, AST, and Fe2+ in the serum, levels of TC, TG, FFA, MDA, Fe2+, and ROS in the liver, and protein levels of TFR1 and DMT1 in the liver (P<0.01), and decreases in the activities of SOD, GPX and the protein levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 in the liver (P<0.05, P<0.01). Meanwhile, the liver tissue in the model group presented steatosis, iron deposition, mitochondrial shrinkage, and blurred or swollen mitochondrial cristae. Compared with the model group, all doses of Danggui Shaoyaosan reduced the body weight, liver weight, liver index, levels or activities of TC, TG, ALT, AST, and Fe2+ in the serum, levels of TC, TG, FFA, MDA, Fe2+, and ROS in the liver, and protein levels of TFR1 and DMT1 in the liver (P<0.01), while increasing the activities of SOD and GPX and the protein levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 in the liver (P<0.01). Furthermore, Danggui Shaoyaosan alleviated steatosis, iron deposition, and mitochondrial damage in the liver. ConclusionDanggui Shaoyaosan may inhibit lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis by activating the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway to treat NAFLD.
6.The Development and Application of Chatbots in Healthcare: From Traditional Methods to Large Language Models
Zixing WANG ; Le QI ; Xiaodan LIAN ; Ziheng ZHOU ; Aiwei MENG ; Xintong WU ; Xiaoyuan GAO ; Yujie YANG ; Yiyang LIU ; Wei ZHAO ; Xiaolin DIAO
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(5):1170-1178
With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence technology, chatbots have shown great potential in the healthcare sector. From personalized health advice to chronic disease management and psychological support, chatbots have demonstrated significant advantages in improving the efficiency and quality of healthcare services. As the scope of their applications expands, the relationship between technological complexity and practical application scenarios has become increasingly intertwined, necessitating a more comprehensive evaluation of both aspects. This paper, from the perspective of he althcare applications, systematically reviews the technological pathways and development of chatbots in the medical field, providing an in-depth analysis of their performance across various medical scenarios. It thoroughly examines the advantages and limitations of chatbots, aiming to offer theoretical support for future research and propose feasible recommendations for the broader adoption of chatbot technologies in healthcare.
7.Angiogenesis, signaling pathways, and animal models.
Lasse JENSEN ; Ziheng GUO ; Xiaoting SUN ; Xu JING ; Yunlong YANG ; Yihai CAO
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(10):1153-1162
The vasculature plays a critical role in homeostasis and health as well as in the development and progression of a wide range of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases (and their complications), chronic inflammatory diseases, ophthalmic diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. As such, the growth of the vasculature mediates normal development and physiology, as well as disease, when pathologically induced vessels are morphologically and functionally altered owing to an imbalance of angiogenesis-stimulating and angiogenesis-inhibiting factors. This review offers an overview of the angiogenic process and discusses recent findings that provide additional interesting nuances to this process, including the roles of intussusception and angiovasculogenesis, which may hold promise for future therapeutic interventions. In addition, we review the methodology, including those of in vitro and in vivo assays, which has helped build the vast amount of knowledge on angiogenesis available today and identify important remaining knowledge gaps that should be bridged through future research.
Animals
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Signal Transduction/physiology*
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Humans
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Neovascularization, Pathologic/physiopathology*
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Neovascularization, Physiologic/physiology*
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Models, Animal
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Angiogenesis
8.Arthroscopic Total Internal Suture Combined With Platelet-rich Plasma for the Treatment of Lateral Meniscal Popliteal Hiatus Area Injuries
Pengfei ZHANG ; Yutong WANG ; Huiwen ZHOU ; Ziheng ZHANG ; Zihao HU ; Yansong QI ; Yongsheng XU
Chinese Journal of Minimally Invasive Surgery 2025;25(8):489-494
Objective To investigate the short-term efficacy of arthroscopic total internal suture combined with platelet-rich plasma(PRP)in the treatment of lateral meniscal popliteal hiatus area injuries.Methods Forty-eight patients diagnosed with lateral meniscal popliteal hiatus area injuries in our hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were selected and divided into Fast-Fix total internal suture group(FF group,n=23)and Fast-Fix total internal suture combined with PRP group(PRP group,n=25)according to treatment methods.The positive rate of McMurray test at 6 and 12 months after surgery,the preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scale(VAS)of pain,the International Knee Documentation Committee(IKDC)scores,the Lysholm Knee Function Scores,and the Knee Society Scores(KSS)were compared between the two groups.Results No adverse events such as vascular and nerve injury,fever and infection occurred in both groups.There was no significant difference between the two groups in the positive rates of McMurray test at 6 and 12 months(χ2=0.880,P=0.348;Fisher's exact test,P=0.479).In the PRP group,25 cases were followed up for11-14 months,with an average of(12.2±0.8)months;in the FF group,23 cases were followed up for11-14 months,with an average of(12.8±0.8)months.The VAS scores at 6 months and 12 months after surgery were significantly lower than those before surgery in both groups(all P=0.000).The VAS scores of the PRP group at 6 and 12 months after surgery were significantly lower than those of the FF group(P<0.05).Both groups showed significant improvements in IKDC,Lysholm,and KSS scores at 6 and 12 months after surgery compared to preoperative levels(all P=0.000).The IKDC,Lysholm,and KSS scores of the PRP group at 6 and 12 months after surgery were significantly higher than those of the FF group(P<0.05).Conclusion Compared to Fast-Fix total internal suture alone,PRP joint cavity adjuvant therapy based on Fast-Fix total internal suture surgery could reduce the postoperative pain of patients,and promote the functional recovery of the knee joint,which is more recommended in clinical practice.
9.Association between adiponectin copy number variation region and gestational diabetes mellitus
Ziheng LI ; Haiyan LIU ; Yao DONG ; Kailin WANG ; Jin LIU ; Huilu CUI ; Qing LI ; Anqun HU ; Zongguang LI ; Bin WANG ; Yingjie ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(5):867-873
Objective:To investigate the association between adiponectin-related copy number variation (CNV) region (CNVR) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Methods:Pregnant women who had prenatal screening in Anqing Municipal Hospital, Anhui Province, from February 2018 to December 2020 were surveyed for baseline information collection, and blood samples were collected. The outcome information was obtained by post pregnancy follow-up. Latex-enhanced immunoturbidimetry and ASA-CHIA chip were used to detect serum adiponectin levels and CNV of pregnant women, respectively. After genotyping, CNV data were processed with software PennCNV 1.0.5 following standard quality control procedure. CNVR were identified and integrated by using software R 4.3.3. Then the associations between CNVR and adiponectin was evaluated, and gene annotation and over-representation analysis were conducted. The log-binomial regression model was used to adjust relevant covariates and analyze the association between adiponectin-related CNVR and GDM.Results:The detection rate of GDM was 9.54% (176/1 845) in the pregnant women. The genotyping information of 1 840 people (99.73%) passed quality evaluation. A total of 33 878 CNVs were identified, and 1 449 CNVRs were obtained after integration. After the false discovery rate method correction, CNVR_132 (CHR2: 47611743-47635062), CNVR_254 (CHR3: 10182703-10183872), CNVR_691 (CHR7: 150637053-150834539) and CNVR_1101 (CHR14: 104248431-104830620) were correlated with adiponectin levels (all P<0.05). Over- representation analysis showed that the molecular function of ribonucleotide binding [Gene Ontology (GO): 0032553] was significantly enriched based on the GO database. The log-binomial regression model, adjusting age, pre-pregnancy BMI, history of miscarriage, smoking history, and family history of diabetes, indicated that CNVR_132 (CHR2: 47611743-47635062) and CNVR_1101 (CHR14: 104248431-104830620) were not statistically associated with the risk for GDM (both P>0.05). However, CNVR_254 (CHR3: 10182703-10183872, a RR=1.83, 95% CI: 1.15-2.91) and CNVR_691 (CHR7: 150637053-150834539, a RR=1.73, 95% CI: 1.23-2.43) might be associated with an increased risk for GDM (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Adiponectin-related CNVR_254 (CHR3: 10182703-10183872) and CNVR_691 (CHR7: 150637053-150834539) might be risk factors for the incidence of GDM.
10.Exploring the pathogenesis of "internal heat leading to zheng" in diabetic kidney disease from the perspective of "glucose toxicity" and its differential diagnosis and treatment
Yuxin HU ; Boning CAO ; Lin WANG ; Ziheng GAO ; Maoxuan LIN ; Zeyu XUE ; Weijing LIU ; Yaoxian WANG
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(3):386-391
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common microvascular complication of diabetes. "Internal heat leading to zheng" is the core pathogenesis of DKD, while "glucose toxicity" is transformed from subtle substances through "internal heat" and the cementation of various pathological products, which is pivotal to the transformation of diabetes to DKD. "Glucose toxicity" is characterized by deep and widespread heat, caused by various pathological factors, and its sticky nature makes it difficult to resolve, which can cause severe damage to the kidney collaterals. In the early stage of "glucose toxicity", it is yang pathogen, which can be transformed into yin pathogen in the later stage with disease progression. In clinical practice, treatment should be based on disease staging, with attention on grasping the pathogenesis of "internal heat leading to zheng" and identifying the nature of "glucose toxicity". During the diabetic period, clearing heat is the primary method, often using modified Yueju Pill and Dachaihu Decoction. In the early stage of DKD, treatment primarily focuses on clearing and penetrating latent heat to treat DKD, aiming to prevent toxic heat from transitioning from qi to blood. The approach emphasizes clearing heat and re-penetrating, detoxification, and re-clearing, often using a self-made modified Qingre Xiaozheng Decoction. In the middle and late stages of DKD, the focus shifts to clearing heat, eliminating zheng, strengthening vital qi, and dispelling turbidity, with commonly used treatments including the self-made modified Xiezhuo Xiaozheng Formula, Jingui Shenqi Pill, and Zhenwu Decoction.


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