1.Effect of Tongbian Decoction (通便汤) on the VAPB-PTPIP51 Complex and Autophagy of Interstitial Cells of Cajal in the Colon of Slow Transit Constipation Model Rats
Chuyue WANG ; Jiacheng LI ; Yingqi YANG ; Sicheng SHEN ; Zhiyang CHEN ; Zhizhong XU ; Bensheng WU ; Meiyao CHEN ; Ziwei XIONG ; Jinhui GU ; Xiaopeng WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):985-993
ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Tongbian Decoction (通便汤, TD) in treating slow transit constipation (STC). MethodsTwenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, TD group, and mosapride group, with 6 rats per group. Except for the normal group, STC models were established by intragastric administration of loperamide hydrochloride combined with normal saline. On the day following successful model establishment, rats in the TD group received 18.63 g·kg⁻¹ of TD by gavage, while those in the mosapride group received 1.605 mg·d⁻¹ of mosapride, and those in the normal group and the model group received 10 ml·kg⁻¹ of normal saline by gavage. All treatments were administered once daily for 7 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, fecal pellet number and fecal water content were measured. After intragastric administration of a 10% activated charcoal suspension, the small intestinal transit rate was calculated 30 minutes later. Serum levels of gastrin (GAS) and motilin (MTL) were measured by ELISA. Colonic histopathology was observed by HE staining, and mucus secretion by Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff (AB-PAS) staining. Ultrastructure of colon tissue was examined using transmission electron microscopy. Protein expression levels of C-kit, stem cell factor (SCF), autophagy-related protein 5 (ATG5), Beclin1, vesicle-associated membrane protein B (VAPB), and protein tyrosine phosphatase interacting protein 51 (VAPB-PTPIP51) were measured by Western Blot, and the mRNA levels were detected by real-time PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect SCF, C-kit, Beclin1, and ATG5 expression. The calcium content in colon tissue was determined by ELISA. ResultsCompared to the normal group, rats in the model group showed significantly reduced fecal pellet number, fecal water content, small intestinal transit rate, and serum GAS and MTL levels (P<0.01); the number of goblet cells decreased, and the mucosal and muscular layers of the colon became thinner; mRNA and protein expression levels of ATG5 and Beclin1 in colon tissue significantly increased, while calcium content decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01); and electron microscopy revealed vacuolar degeneration and increased autophagosomes in colonic cells. Compared to the model group, both TD group and mosapride group showed increased fecal pellet number, fecal water content, small intestinal transit rate, serum GAS and MTL levels, and colonic calcium content, along with decreased Beclin1 and ATG5 protein levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01); the mucosal thickness and goblet cell number increased significantly, and autophagosomes decreased; in the TD group, ATG5 and Beclin1 mRNA levels decreased; in the mosapride group, SCF, VAPB, and PTPIP51 mRNA levels increased, while Beclin1 mRNA decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared to the mosapride group, the TD group showed higher fecal pellet number, fecal water content, serum GAS levels, colonic calcium content, and C-kit expression, along with lower ATG5 and Beclin1 levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionTD may improve constipation symptoms by upregulating the VAPB-PTPIP51 complex during mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum interactions, reducing autophagy of interstitial cells of Cajal, and promoting intestinal motility.
2.Effect of Tongbian Decoction (通便汤) on the VAPB-PTPIP51 Complex and Autophagy of Interstitial Cells of Cajal in the Colon of Slow Transit Constipation Model Rats
Chuyue WANG ; Jiacheng LI ; Yingqi YANG ; Sicheng SHEN ; Zhiyang CHEN ; Zhizhong XU ; Bensheng WU ; Meiyao CHEN ; Ziwei XIONG ; Jinhui GU ; Xiaopeng WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):985-993
ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Tongbian Decoction (通便汤, TD) in treating slow transit constipation (STC). MethodsTwenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, TD group, and mosapride group, with 6 rats per group. Except for the normal group, STC models were established by intragastric administration of loperamide hydrochloride combined with normal saline. On the day following successful model establishment, rats in the TD group received 18.63 g·kg⁻¹ of TD by gavage, while those in the mosapride group received 1.605 mg·d⁻¹ of mosapride, and those in the normal group and the model group received 10 ml·kg⁻¹ of normal saline by gavage. All treatments were administered once daily for 7 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, fecal pellet number and fecal water content were measured. After intragastric administration of a 10% activated charcoal suspension, the small intestinal transit rate was calculated 30 minutes later. Serum levels of gastrin (GAS) and motilin (MTL) were measured by ELISA. Colonic histopathology was observed by HE staining, and mucus secretion by Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff (AB-PAS) staining. Ultrastructure of colon tissue was examined using transmission electron microscopy. Protein expression levels of C-kit, stem cell factor (SCF), autophagy-related protein 5 (ATG5), Beclin1, vesicle-associated membrane protein B (VAPB), and protein tyrosine phosphatase interacting protein 51 (VAPB-PTPIP51) were measured by Western Blot, and the mRNA levels were detected by real-time PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect SCF, C-kit, Beclin1, and ATG5 expression. The calcium content in colon tissue was determined by ELISA. ResultsCompared to the normal group, rats in the model group showed significantly reduced fecal pellet number, fecal water content, small intestinal transit rate, and serum GAS and MTL levels (P<0.01); the number of goblet cells decreased, and the mucosal and muscular layers of the colon became thinner; mRNA and protein expression levels of ATG5 and Beclin1 in colon tissue significantly increased, while calcium content decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01); and electron microscopy revealed vacuolar degeneration and increased autophagosomes in colonic cells. Compared to the model group, both TD group and mosapride group showed increased fecal pellet number, fecal water content, small intestinal transit rate, serum GAS and MTL levels, and colonic calcium content, along with decreased Beclin1 and ATG5 protein levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01); the mucosal thickness and goblet cell number increased significantly, and autophagosomes decreased; in the TD group, ATG5 and Beclin1 mRNA levels decreased; in the mosapride group, SCF, VAPB, and PTPIP51 mRNA levels increased, while Beclin1 mRNA decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared to the mosapride group, the TD group showed higher fecal pellet number, fecal water content, serum GAS levels, colonic calcium content, and C-kit expression, along with lower ATG5 and Beclin1 levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionTD may improve constipation symptoms by upregulating the VAPB-PTPIP51 complex during mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum interactions, reducing autophagy of interstitial cells of Cajal, and promoting intestinal motility.
3.Identification of unknown pollutants in drinking water based on solid-phase extraction and supramolecular solvent extraction
Zixin QIAN ; Yuhang CHEN ; Chao FENG ; Yuanjie LIN ; Qian XU ; Ziwei LIANG ; Xinyu WANG ; Dasheng LU ; Ping XIAO ; Zhijun ZHOU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(7):854-861
Background With the progression of industrialization, an increasing number of emerging contaminants are entering aquatic environments, posing significant threats to the safety of drinking water. Therefore, establishing a system for identifying unknown hazardous factors and implementing safety warning mechanisms for drinking water is of paramount importance. Among these efforts, non-target screening plays a critical role, but its effectiveness is largely constrained by the scope of coverage of sample pre-treatment methods. Objective To integrate modern chromatography/mass spectrometry techniques with advanced data mining methods to develop a non-discriminatory sample pre-treatment method for comprehensive enrichment of unknown contaminants in drinking water, laying a technical foundation for the discovery and identification of unknown organic hazardous factors in drinking water. Methods A non-discriminatory pre-treatment method based on supramolecular and solid-phase extraction was developed. The final target compounds including 333 pesticides, 194 pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), and 59 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were used for optimizing the pre-treatment method, confirming its coverage. The impacts of different eluents on the absolute recovery rates of target compounds were compared to select the conditions with the highest recovery for sample pre-treatment. The effects of different supramolecular solvents and salt concentrations on target compound recovery were also evaluated to determine the most suitable solvent and salt concentration. Results The solid-phase extraction elution solvents, supramolecular extraction solvents, and salt concentrations were optimized based on the target compound recovery rates. The optimal recovery conditions were achieved using 2 mL methanol, 2 mL methanol (containing 1% formic acid), 2 mL ethyl acetate, 2 mL dichloromethane, hexanediol supramolecular solvent, and 426 mg salt. The detection method developed based on these conditions showed a good linear relationship for all target compounds in the range of 0.1-100.0 ng·mL−1, with R² > 0.99. The method’s limit of detection ranged from 0.01 ng−1 to 0.95 ng−1, and 95% of target compounds were recovered in the range of 20%-120%, with relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 30%, indicating good precision. Conclusion The combined pre-treatment method of solid-phase extraction and supramolecular solvent extraction can effectively enrich contaminants in drinking water across low, medium, and high polarities, enabling broad-spectrum enrichment of diverse trace contaminants in drinking water. It provides technical support for broad-spectrum, high-throughput screening and identification of organic pollutants in drinking water, and also serves as a reference for establishing urban drinking water public safety warning systems.
4.Key questions of translational research on international standards of acupuncture-moxibustion techniques: an example from the WFAS Technical Benchmark of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: General Rules for Drafting.
Shuo CUI ; Jingjing WANG ; Zhongjie CHEN ; Jin HUO ; Jing HU ; Ziwei SONG ; Yaping LIU ; Wenqian MA ; Qi GAO ; Zhongchao WU
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(8):1159-1165
OBJECTIVE:
To provide the experience and demonstration for the transformation of acupuncture-moxibustion techniques standards from Chinese national standards to international standards.
METHODS:
Questionnaire research, literature research, semi-structured interviews and expert consultation were used.
RESULTS:
The safety of acupuncture-moxibustion techniques was evaluated through literature research, and based on the results of the questionnaire survey, expert interviews, and expert consultation, 11 main bodies and structure of the former Chinese national standard, Technical Benchmark of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: General Rules for Drafting, were adjusted and optimized in accordance with the requirements of international standard (including the language, normative references, purpose, scope, applicable environment, target population, work team, terms and definitions, general principles and basic requirements, structural elements and text structure, and compilation process); and the first international standard, World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societis (WFAS) Technical Benchmark of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: General Rules for Drafting was formulated to specify the general rules for drafting.
CONCLUSION
The 3 key questions, "international compatibility", "technical operability" and "safety" should be solved technically on the basis of explicit international requirements. It is the core technical issue during transforming the national standards of technical benchmark of acupuncture and moxibustion into international standards.
Moxibustion/methods*
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Acupuncture Therapy/methods*
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Humans
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Translational Research, Biomedical/standards*
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Surveys and Questionnaires
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China
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Benchmarking/standards*
5.Omics in IgG4-related disease.
Shaozhe CAI ; Yu CHEN ; Ziwei HU ; Shengyan LIN ; Rongfen GAO ; Bingxia MING ; Jixin ZHONG ; Wei SUN ; Qian CHEN ; John H STONE ; Lingli DONG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(14):1665-1675
Research on IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), an autoimmune condition recognized to be a unique disease entity only two decades ago, has processed from describing patients' symptoms and signs to summarizing its critical pathological features, and further to investigating key pathogenic mechanisms. Challenges in gaining a better understanding of the disease, however, stem from its relative rarity-potentially attributed to underrecognition-and the absence of ideal experimental animal models. Recently, with the development of various high-throughput techniques, "omics" studies at different levels (particularly the single-cell omics) have shown promise in providing detailed molecular features of IgG4-RD. While, the application of omics approaches in IgG4-RD is still at an early stage. In this paper, we review the current progress of omics research in IgG4-RD and discuss the value of machine learning methods in analyzing the data with high dimensionality.
Humans
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Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease/metabolism*
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Immunoglobulin G/metabolism*
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Machine Learning
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Animals
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Proteomics/methods*
6.Development and application of a Fear of Movement Assessment Scale for patients with peripherally inserted central catheters
Ziwei LI ; Lijuan FENG ; Xusheng CHEN ; Yi HUANG ; Jie YANG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(9):1099-1106
Objective To develop and test the reliability and validity of a Fear of Movement Assessment Scale for patients with peripherally inserted central catheters(PICC),and to make a preliminary application.The aim is to provide an effective tool for nurses to accurately assess the level of fear of movement in patients with PICC and to develop targeted interventions.Methods Based on the psychological imagination belief model,the initial version of the scale was formed through literature review,semi-structured interviews,expert correspondence and a pre-survey.From February to April 2024,211 patients with PICCs were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Wuhan by convenience sampling for project analysis and reliability and validity test.From May to July 2024,256 patients with PICCs from 3 tertiary hospitals in Wuhan were selected by convenience sampling method for further validating the structural validity of the scale and for preliminary application.Results A total of 203 valid questionnaires were collected in February to April 2024,228 valid questionnaires were collected in May to July 2024.The fear of movement assessment scale for patients included 4 dimensions,including the perception of risk,belief of fear,avoidance of movement,and dysfunction,with a total of 17 items.The Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.922;the split-half reliability was 0.867;the test-retest reliability was 0.958.The content validity index at the item level was 0.867~1.000,and the content validity index at the scale level was 0.951.Both exploratory factor analysis and parallel analysis extracted 4 factors.The cumulative variance contribution rate was 61.348%.Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the model fitted well.The preliminary application results showed that the score of fear of movement in patients with PICCs was 53.95±11.08,which was moderately high.Conclusion The Fear of Movement Assessment Scale for patients with PICCs has good measurement properties,and can be used to assess the degree of fear of movement in patients with PICCs.
7.Luspatercept combined with roxadustat in the treatment of refractory myelodysplastic neoplasms with ring sideroblasts: a prospective, randomized, single-center study
Xinyi LU ; Zhuxin ZHANG ; Ziwei LIU ; Chen YANG ; Miao CHEN ; Bing HAN
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2025;46(7):625-630
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of luspatercept combined with roxadustat in patients with refractory low-risk myelodysplastic neoplasms with ring sideroblasts (MDS-RS) patients.Methods:In this single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial, patients with refractory MDS-RS were randomly assigned in a 1:2 ratio to receive either combination therapy (luspatercept + roxadustat) or luspatercept monotherapy. The primary endpoint was erythroid response at 12 weeks, while secondary endpoints included erythroid response at 24 weeks, achievement of transfusion independence ≥8 weeks within the first 12 weeks, and other hematologic indicators.Results:The combination therapy and monotherapy groups included 16 and 32 patients, respectively. Baseline demographic characteristics, laboratory tests, IPSS-R risk classification, transfusion burden, EPO levels, and previous treatment history were comparable between the two groups ( P>0.05). With similar doses of luspatercept and follow-up durations, no significant differences were observed between the groups at either 12 or 24 weeks in terms of erythroid response, transfusion independence, or other clinical indicators (all P-values>0.05). The incidence of adverse events was similar in both groups (all P-values>0.05) . Conclusion:Luspatercept combined with roxadustat shows comparable efficacy and safety to luspatercept monotherapy in the treatment of refractory low-risk MDS-RS. Clinical trial register: Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing (K3697)
8.Significance of the 50% hemolytic complement in hemolysis assessment and efficacy of eculizumab in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
Ling LI ; Xiaoyi HUANG ; Xiaoqing DING ; Ziwei LIU ; Chen YANG ; Miao CHEN ; Jian YIN ; Bing HAN
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2025;46(9):860-864
This study retrospectively analyzed data from 25 patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital and Dongfang Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from January 2023 to June 2024. Patients receiving sufficient eculizumab treatment for at least 3 months and who completed hemolytic complex (CH50) level testing pre- and post-treatment for 3 and 6 months were selected. Blood routine, biochemistry, and the 50% CH50-related indicators were monitored pre- and post-treatment. Among these patients, 24 completed 6 months of treatment and CH50 testing. After 3 and 6 months of eculizumab treatment, all patients with PNH showed significant improvement in symptoms, with lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels decreasing from a baseline of (1 814.4 ± 924.8) U/L to (248.5 ± 61.0) U/L and (239.3 ± 44.8) U/L. Hemoglobin levels increased from a baseline of (73.9±14.4) g/L to (99.9 ± 21.3) g/L and (99.6 ± 19.8) g/L. The baseline CH50 level was (32.4±14.7) %, which decreased to 2.0% (1.0% –8.0% ) and 1.0% (1.0% –4.0% ) at 3 and 6 months posttreatment, respectively. At baseline, a linear correlation was found between CH50 and LDH levels ( P<0.001), and the trend of CH50 changes was significantly lower than LDH at 3 and 6 months post-treatment with eculizumab, with similar trends. However, no linear correlation was observed between CH50 and LDH levels or other parameters at 3 and 6 months of medication. Our case demonstrates that eculizumab is effective for PNH hemolysis treatment. The serum CH50 level may be a biomarker for complement blockade induced by eculizumab, which can, to some extent, reflect the intravascular hemolysis of PNH and the efficacy of eculizumab.
9.Efficacy and safety of lusutrombopag monotherapy for cyclosporine A-refractory, transfusion-dependent non-severe aplastic anemia
Yongxin ZHOU ; Yangyang WEI ; Ziwei LIU ; Chen YANG ; Miao CHEN ; Bing HAN
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2025;46(10):963-966
This study retrospectively analyzed 12 patients with transfusion-dependent, non-severe aplastic anemia (TD-NSAA) refractory to cyclosporine A (CsA) , who were treated with lusutrombopag monotherapy. These patients either had a variety of chronic comorbidities or medication-related risks, or they were unresponsive to or intolerant of other thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RA) . The median treatment duration with lusutrombopag was 4 months (range: 3-11 months) , while the median follow-up period was 8 months (range: 6-11 months) . The overall response (OR) rates at months 3, 6, and the end of follow-up were 50.0%, 58.3%, and 50.0%, respectively, with a median time to OR of 2 months (range: 1-4 months) . Complete response (CR) rates were 8.3%, 16.7%, and 16.7% at the same time points, with a median time to CR of 4 months (range: 2-5 months) . Adverse events were all Grade 1, with an incidence rate of 25.0%. During follow-up, one patient experienced a loss of OR after discontinuing treatment, with a relapse rate of 14.3%; no clonal evolution or mortality was observed. These findings suggest that lusutrombopag is both effective and well-tolerated in CsA-refractory TD-NSAA patients and represents a promising therapeutic option for those with poor treatment tolerability.
10.Safety and efficacy of 3D printing personalized intramedullary stem in tumor prosthesis revision
Kai ZHENG ; Xiuchun YU ; Ming XU ; Haocheng CUI ; Qian CHEN ; Ziwei HOU
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2025;45(2):102-108
Objective:To investigate the application and clinical efficacy of customized, 3D-printed femoral bone marrow stems in the revision of tumor prostheses.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed for the data of 11 patients (7 males and 4 females) aged 53.1±11.7 years (range, 38-75 years), who underwent 3D-printed customized revision of femoral intramedullary stems due to loosening of femoral tumor prostheses at the 960th Hospital of the Joint Support Force of the PLA from June 2021 to June 2023. The pathological types of tumors associated with the initial surgeries included 4 cases of giant cell tumor of bone, 5 cases of osteosarcoma, 1 case of chondrosarcoma, and 1 case of plasma cell tumor. The tumor was located at the distal femur in 8 cases and the proximal femur in 3 cases. The procedures included 3 initial revisions, 7 secondary revisions, and 1 tertiary revision. The average limb shortening measured 4.6±2.2 cm (range, 2.5-9.0 cm). Prior to revision, all prostheses were fixed with bone cement, revealing enlargement of the femoral medullary cavity and cortical bone thinning. Among them, 5 cases had intramedullary stems permeabilizing the femoral cortex, and 1 case had femoral cleavage fractures. All 11 patients received personalized data for the design and 3D printing of femoral bone marrow stems.Results:The lengths and diameters of the 3D-printed porous femoral bone marrow stems ranged from 80 to 160 mm and 20 to 22 mm, respectively. Ten patients were fitted with cylindrical intramedullary handles, while one received a conical intramedullary handle. A successful revision with the 3D-printed stems was achieved in 10 patients; however, 1 case failed to accommodate the conical handle and was instead revised with a bone cement prosthesis. During the implantation of the intramedullary stems, three patients experienced minor cortical splitting, which was managed with bundling and fixation during the procedure. Immediate stability was attained for all prostheses during surgery, yet postoperative limb shortening did not undergo significant correction. All patients exhibited normal healing of their postoperative incisions. The visual analog scale for limb pain decreased significantly from 8.0±0.8 points before surgery to 1.0±0.4 points three months postoperatively ( t=25.957, P<0.001). By six months after the surgery, none of the patients reported any limb pain. Follow-up data for all 11 patients indicated an average follow-up duration of 25.2±7.5 months (range, 16-36 months), during which limb function improved satisfactorily. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score increased from 7.9±1.4 points preoperatively to 20.9±2.7 points at the last follow-up, with this change also being statistically significant ( t=14.229, P<0.001). Imaging evaluations revealed normal lower limb force lines, no rotation or longitudinal displacement of the prosthetic stem, and successful integration with the femur. Conclusion:Personalized intramedullary stems produced through 3D printing demonstrate significant clinical effectiveness in femoral tumor prosthesis revision surgery, making them a viable option for such procedures.

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