1.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.
2.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.
3.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.
4.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.
5.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.
6.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.
7.Design of a modified tracheal intubation device and its application study in neurocritical patients
Guanyu WANG ; Yunxia CHEN ; Xiangrun KONG ; Ziheng GAO ; Mengli YANG ; Hao WANG ; Huali WANG ; Yingpu FENG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(20):2557-2560
Objective To design and evaluate the clinical application efficacy of a novel bilateral-separation endotracheal tube fixation device and provide references for clinical practice.Methods Using convenient sampling,60 patients from the Neurological Intensive Care Unit of a tertiary-level hospital in Zhengzhou were selected from May to December 2024.Patients were randomly divided into an experimental group(n=30)and a control group(n=30).The experimental group utilized the novel bilateral-separation endotracheal tube fixation device,while the control group employed traditional bandage fixation methods.Differences in fixation time,tube displacement,and intubation duration were compared between the 2 groups.Results The experimental group demonstrated significantly shorter tube fixation times compared to the control group(P<0.05).However,no statistically significant differences were observed between the groups regarding intubation duration and tube displacement(P>0.05).Conclusion The novel bilateral-separation endotracheal tube fixation device can reduce tube fixation time for patients in neurological intensive care and enhance nurse satisfaction.Despite not showing advantages in preventing tube displacement,the device still presents promising potential for broad clinical application.
8.Exploration on the treatment of diabetic kidney disease from the liver based on WANG Xugao's"thirty liver-regulating methods"
Yexin CHEN ; Gaiwen CUI ; Yuxin HU ; Ziheng GAO ; Hanzhang HONG ; Maoxuan LIN ; Lin WANG
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(11):1562-1568
Based on WANG Xugao's"thirty liver-regulating methods,"this paper summarized the clinical thinking of treating diabetic kidney disease from the liver.The liver is closely associated with the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease,including internal heat,essence depletion,latent wind,and the accumulation and dissipation of a conglomeration of kidney collateral zhengjia.WANG Xugao's"thirty liver-regulating methods"comprehensively reveals the physiological and pathological changes of the liver,as well as clinical approaches for liver treatment.Liver qi stagnation can lead to the generation of internal heat,liver stagnation and deficiency can cause essence depletion and collateral obstruction,and disharmony of the liver wood can cause internal wind disturbance,which all contribute to the progression of diabetic kidney disease at different stages.Treatment generally follows the essence of"thirty liver-regulating methods."In the early stage,treatment should focus on treating liver heat by soothing the liver qi,clearing the liver fire,and removing damp-heat to resolve stagnation and heat.In the middle stage,treatment should focus on treating liver deficiency by nourishing the liver yin to clear heat,replenishing the essence and blood to tonify deficiency,and promoting blood circulation to remove stasis,thereby strengthening the foundation and nurturing the primal essence.In the later stage,treatment should focus on treating liver wind to prevent complications and improve the patient's quality of life.Throughout the entire process,liver collaterals are treated using pungent herbs to invigorate qi and open the liver channels,relieving blood stasis and promoting circulation.In conjunction with the above methods,flexible selection of effective formulas and drug pairs should be used,each addressing specific treatment goals.
9.Biological connotation of the pathogenesis of the"internal heat leading to Zheng"theory in diabetic kidney disease based on lipophagy
Yexin CHEN ; Hanzhang HONG ; Ziheng GAO ; Maoxuan LIN ; Beibei YE ; Runze WANG ; Tunan DING ; Zeyu XUE ; Yuxin HU ; Gaiwen CUI ; Lin WANG
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(6):845-852
Diabetic kidney disease(DKD),a prevalent complication of diabetes mellitus,remains a leading cause of end-stage renal disease.Recent research has identified lipophagy,a novel mechanism in DKD pathogenesis,drawing increasing attention in the field.This paper explores the biological connotation of the"internal heat leading to Zheng"pathogenesis based on lipophagy.The study proposes that lipophagy represents the microscopic biological correlation of liver-spleen coordination in regulating spleen transport and the ascending-descending dynamics of the middle jiao.Under persistent hyperglycemia,the suppression of lipophagic activity mirrors the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)pathophysiological process described as"excessive fire consuming healthy qi,"whereas aberrant lipid accumulation in the kidney corresponds to the dynamic aggregation and dispersion of micro-zhengjia.Lipotoxicity,a key driver of DKD progression,is interpreted as the biological manifestation of accumulated turbidity transforming into toxicity,resulting in progressive impairment of renal essence and function.The dynamic process of lipophagy dysfunction under hyperglycemia,marked by renal microangiopathy,glomerular and tubular dysfunction,and renal fibrosis,closely mirrors the pathological evolution of"micro-zhengjia"and"internal heat leading to Zheng."Consequently,TCM strategies for DKD prevention and treatment should emphasize heat regulation,stage-specific interventions,liver-spleen harmonization,metabolic modulation,early collateral protection,and blood-activating approaches.
10.Oxidative stress-related genes and molecular mechanisms after spinal cord injury:data analysis and verification based on GEO database
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(32):6893-6904
BACKGROUND:The biological significance of oxidative stress in spinal cord injury has not been systematically investigated.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role of oxidative stress-related genes in the development of spinal cord injury and to elucidate the related molecular mechanisms.METHODS:The GSE151371 dataset was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database and selected a gene set highly relevant to oxidative stress from the GeneCards database(including 899 genes with relevance scores of no less than 7).Firstly,we performed differential expression gene analysis on samples from spinal cord injury patients and healthy controls.Subsequently,we cross-referenced these 899 oxidative stress genes with the differential expression genes to identify oxidative stress-related genes closely associated with spinal cord injury(spinal cord injury-reactive oxygen species-related genes).Then,the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator and Support Vector Machine-Recursive Feature Elimination algorithms were used to derive potential biomarkers based on the spinal cord injury-reactive oxygen species-related genes.Following this,Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses on these biomarkers were conducted to explore their roles in biological processes and the signaling pathways they participate in.Additionally,we constructed a competing endogenous RNA network and performed an in-depth analysis of the immune microenvironment.We predicted transcription factors related to these biomarkers and explored potential therapeutic drugs.Finally,fifteen blood samples from eight patients with acute spinal cord injury and seven controls were collected from Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University for reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis to evaluate the expression of biomarkers between spinal cord injury and control samples.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There were 2 511 differential expression genes between spinal cord injury and control samples.Cross-analysis of oxidative stress genes and differential expression gene resulted in 151 spinal cord injury-reactive oxygen species-related genes.Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator and Support Vector Machine-Recursive Feature Elimination identified six biomarkers-S100A9,PLAU,CASP4,GAPDH,CYP1B1,and HSPA1B-involved in activities such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidoreductase activity and oxidative phosphorylation.(2)Six messenger RNAs(mRNAs),eight microRNAs(miRNAs),and 50 long noncoding RNAs(lncRNAs)formed the mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA network,including relationships such as S100A9-hsa-mir-16-5p-HCG18 and CYP1B1-hsa-mir-429-KCNQ1OT1.(3)Infiltration levels of nine immune cells,including plasma cells,resting natural killer cells,and M0 macrophages,showed significant differences between spinal cord injury and control samples.(4)The top five predicted transcription factors were FOSB,ZNF581,SP110,NFIL3,and BATF2,with ZNF581 and NFIL3 showing significant expression differences between spinal cord injury and control samples.(5)The study predicted a variety of drugs based on the six biomarkers,and the molecular docking results showed that β-naphthoflavone had good binding activity to the target protein of CYP1B1.The interaction pairs they formed included DB01373-S100A9 and DB01065-CYP1B1.(6)In reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction verification,S100A9,GAPDH,CYP1B1,and HSPA1B showed significant differences between spinal cord injury and control groups,while PLAU and CASP4 showed an increasing trend in spinal cord injury group.(7)This study identified six key biomarkers,including S100A9,PLAU,CASP4,GAPDH,CYP1B1,and HSPA1B,and subsequently predicted 100 small-molecule drugs based on these biomarkers.These findings provide valuable insights for health management and disease prevention among the Chinese population,offering new perspectives for spinal cord injury treatment options.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail