1.Clinical Advantages of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Childhood Simple Obesity: Insights from Expert Consensus
Qi ZHANG ; Yingke LIU ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Guichen NI ; Heyin XIAO ; Junhong WANG ; Liqun WU ; Zhanfeng YAN ; Kundi WANG ; Jiajia CHEN ; Hong ZHENG ; Xinying GAO ; Liya WEI ; Qiang HE ; Qian ZHAO ; Huimin SU ; Zhaolan LIU ; Dafeng LONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):238-245
Childhood simple obesity has become a significant public health issue in China. Modern medicine primarily relies on lifestyle interventions and often suffers from poor long-term compliance, while pharmacological options are limited and associated with potential adverse effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a long history in the prevention and management of this condition, demonstrating eight distinct advantages, including systematic theoretical foundation, diversified therapeutic approaches, definite therapeutic efficacy, high safety profile, good patient compliance, comprehensive intervention strategies, emphasis on prevention, and stepwise treatment protocols. Additionally, TCM is characterized by six distinctive features: the use of natural medicinal substances, non-invasive external therapies, integration of medicinal dietetics, simple exercise regimens, precise syndrome differentiation, and diverse dosage forms. By combining internal and external treatments, TCM facilitates individualized regimen adjustment and holistic regulation, demonstrating remarkable effects in improving obesity-related metabolic indicators, regulating constitutional imbalance, and promoting healthy behaviors. However, challenges remain, such as inconsistent operational standards, insufficient high-quality clinical evidence, and a gap between basic research and clinical application. Future efforts should focus on accelerating the standardization of TCM diagnosis and treatment, conducting multicenter randomized controlled trials, and fostering interdisciplinary integration, so as to enhance the scientific validity and international recognition of TCM in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.
2.Construction and Evaluation of "Constitution-disease-syndrome" Trinity Model for Rodents with Qi Deficiency
Yasheng DENG ; Jiang LIN ; Yujiang XI ; Qian ZHOU ; Yanping FAN ; Wenyue LI ; Yonghui LIU ; Zhaobing NI ; Qiu CHEN ; Xi MING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):274-284
The theory of constitution in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has emerged as a new discipline in recent years. Constitution plays a vital role in the onset,progression,transformation,and prognosis of diseases. At present,some clinical scholars have adopted a novel diagnostic and treatment model of "constitution differentiation-disease identification-syndrome differentiation",in which constitution is regarded as a core element throughout the diagnostic and therapeutic process. Constitution is closely associated with etiology,onset,pathogenesis,syndrome differentiation,and treatment. Against this background,the construction of animal models based on constitution holds far-reaching significance for advancing clinical research. This paper focuses on the construction and evaluation of rodent models with Qi-deficiency constitution,aiming to explore how to further induce Qi-deficiency syndromes and related disease states on the basis of Qi-deficiency constitution models,thereby developing an integrated animal model that embodies the trinity of "constitution-disease-syndrome". The establishment of this model not only provides a solid experimental foundation for the development of new therapies and drugs in TCM targeting specific constitutions,diseases,and syndromes,but also greatly promotes the modernization and scientific advancement of TCM theory. By comprehensively applying multidisciplinary technologies and methods,the study evaluates the model's validity,reliability,and practicality,with the aim of opening new avenues for future research in TCM and promoting the development of the field.
3.Construction and Evaluation of "Constitution-disease-syndrome" Trinity Model for Rodents with Qi Deficiency
Yasheng DENG ; Jiang LIN ; Yujiang XI ; Qian ZHOU ; Yanping FAN ; Wenyue LI ; Yonghui LIU ; Zhaobing NI ; Qiu CHEN ; Xi MING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):274-284
The theory of constitution in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has emerged as a new discipline in recent years. Constitution plays a vital role in the onset,progression,transformation,and prognosis of diseases. At present,some clinical scholars have adopted a novel diagnostic and treatment model of "constitution differentiation-disease identification-syndrome differentiation",in which constitution is regarded as a core element throughout the diagnostic and therapeutic process. Constitution is closely associated with etiology,onset,pathogenesis,syndrome differentiation,and treatment. Against this background,the construction of animal models based on constitution holds far-reaching significance for advancing clinical research. This paper focuses on the construction and evaluation of rodent models with Qi-deficiency constitution,aiming to explore how to further induce Qi-deficiency syndromes and related disease states on the basis of Qi-deficiency constitution models,thereby developing an integrated animal model that embodies the trinity of "constitution-disease-syndrome". The establishment of this model not only provides a solid experimental foundation for the development of new therapies and drugs in TCM targeting specific constitutions,diseases,and syndromes,but also greatly promotes the modernization and scientific advancement of TCM theory. By comprehensively applying multidisciplinary technologies and methods,the study evaluates the model's validity,reliability,and practicality,with the aim of opening new avenues for future research in TCM and promoting the development of the field.
4.Influencing factors on the prevalence of depressive symptoms among middle school students in Yunnan Province in 2023
Xiaodong MU ; Hong LIU ; Fan YANG ; Tunan LI ; Junyu NI ; Yunjuan YANG
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(2):108-115
ObjectiveTo investigate the epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of depressive symptoms among middle school (junior, senior, and vocational high school) students in Yunnan Province, China, and to inform evidence-based intervention strategies for adolescent mental health. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted between October and November 2023 using stratified random cluster sampling. Students from eight counties (districts) across four prefectures (cities) in Yunnan Province were included. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to examine factors associated with depressive symptoms, with stratified analyses conducted by gender, educational stage, and ethnicity. ResultsA total of 4 672 questionnaires were distributed, with 4 670 valid questionnaires retrieved, yielding a valid response rate of 99.96%. The surveyed participants were predominantly female students (50.81%), junior high school students (49.13%), ethnic minorities (52.78%), and urban residents (79.29%). The mean CES-D score for middle school students in Yunnan Province was (15.31±10.83). Female students had a significantly higher mean score (16.63±11.41) than male students (13.95±10.02) (P<0.001). Senior high school students had a significantly higher mean score (16.61±10.61) compared to both junior high school students (14.74±11.45) and vocational high school students (13.10±7.71) (all pairwise comparisons P<0.001). The prevalence of depressive symptoms among middle school students in Yunnan Province was 28.18%. The prevalence was significantly higher in females (34.09%) than in males (22.07%). By school type, the detection rate was highest among senior high school students (33.39%), followed by junior high school students (26.29%) and vocational high school students (17.27%) (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that female gender (OR=2.16, 95%CI: 1.86‒2.50), being in junior high school (OR=2.43, 95%CI: 1.84‒3.20) or senior high school (OR=2.27, 95%CI: 1.73‒2.98), not living with parents (OR=1.24, 95%CI: 1.07‒1.44), irregular breakfast consumption (OR=1.52, 95%CI: 1.33‒1.75), lack of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (OR=1.69, 95%CI: 1.37‒2.09), sleep duration ≤5 h per night (OR=2.52, 95%CI: 2.02‒3.14) or 6‒7 h per night (OR=1.47, 95%CI: 1.25‒1.73), smoking (OR=1.86, 95%CI: 1.56‒2.23), and alcohol consumption (OR=1.81, 95%CI: 1.54‒2.13) were positively associated with depressive symptoms. In contrast, screen time ≤1 h (OR=0.71, 95%CI: 0.59‒0.86) was negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Stratified analyses showed that female students not living with parents (OR=1.29, 95%CI: 1.06‒1.58), senior high school students (OR=1.51, 95%CI: 1.21‒1.88), and Han Chinese students (OR=1.37, 95%CI: 1.11‒1.69) were more likely to experience depressive symptoms. Han Chinese students who smoked were also more likely to have depressive symptoms (OR=1.72, 95%CI: 1.34‒2.21). In contrast, male students with screen time ≤1 h (OR=0.71, 95%CI: 0.53‒0.95) and ethnic minority students (OR=0.74, 95%CI: 0.58‒0.95) were less likely to experience depressive symptoms. Regardless of gender, irregular breakfast consumption, lack of MVPA, sleep duration less than 8 h per night, smoking, and alcohol consumption were all positively associated with depressive symptoms (P<0.05). Among both junior and senior high school students, irregular breakfast consumption, lack of MVPA, smoking, and alcohol consumption were positively associated with depressive symptoms (all P<0.05), while screen time ≤1 h was negatively associated with depressive symptoms (all P<0.05). For junior high school students, engaging in 1‒2 days of MVPA per week, screen time more than 2 h per day, and sleep duration 6‒7 h per night were all positively associated with depressive symptoms (all P<0.05). Among junior high, senior high, and vocational high school students, sleep duration ≤5 h per night was positively associated with depressive symptoms (P<0.05). For both Han Chinese and ethnic minority students, irregular breakfast consumption, lack of MVPA, sleep duration less than 8 h per night, and alcohol consumption were all positively associated with depressive symptoms (all P<0.05). ConclusionThe prevalence of depressive symptoms among middle school students in Yunnan Province is comparable to that in central China and higher than that in northern regions. Prevention and control efforts should prioritize female students and those in junior and senior high school stages. Universal improvements in lifestyle behaviors among middle school students, such as regular breakfast consumption, MVPA, sufficient sleep (≥8 h), and abstinence from smoking and alcohol. Particular attention should be given to limiting excessive screen time among junior high school students and addressing the mental health needs of females not living with their parents, senior high school students, and Han Chinese students.
5.Acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase 2-mediated acetyl-coenzyme A accumulation promotes mitophagy and tumor growth via increased H3K27ac in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma
Shan LI ; Jie HU ; Yihan YAN ; Xinrui LIU ; Xiao DONG ; Huijun LIANG ; Xin TANG ; Junji TAO ; Rong ZHANG ; Yuan HU ; Ailong HUANG ; Kai WANG ; Ni TANG
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):661-682
Background/Aims:
Acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) is one of the most essential metabolites in cell metabolism but its function and concentration in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain elusive and controversial.
Methods:
A comprehensive analysis of acetyl-CoA levels and acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2) expression across a range of samples, including patient specimens from both hepatitis B virus (HBV) positive and HBV negative HCC individuals, HBV-transgenic mouse HCC models, and multiple cell lines. Furthermore, to evaluate the functional significance of ACSS2 in HBV-related HCC, we implemented both genetic and pharmacological inhibition strategies targeting ACSS2. Molecular mechanism and mitophagy assessment were revealed by cleavage under target and tagmentation sequencing, RNA sequencing, bioinformatic analyses, transmission electron microscopy and JC-1 staining.
Results:
Our study revealed a distinct metabolic signature of HBV-related HCC, marked by elevated acetyl-CoA, which was driven by ACSS2. ACSS2 was upregulated by the carbohydrate response element-binding protein in HBV-related HCC. Furthermore, ACSS2 improved tumor cell proliferation, an effect that was dependent on its enzymatic activity. Mechanistically, ACSS2-induced acetyl-CoA accumulation activated voltage-dependent anion channels 1 transcription through increased H3K27ac occupancy, which subsequently promoted mitophagy and HBV-related HCC tumorigenesis. Notably, targeting ACSS2 by depletion or inhibition with a catalytic inhibitor significantly suppressed tumor growth.
Conclusions
These findings not only illustrate the interplay between metabolic reprogramming, epigenetic modification, and tumorigenesis in the context of HBV infection, but also highlight ACSS2 as a novel metabolic vulnerability in HBV-related HCC. Therefore, targeting ACSS2 could be a novel strategy against HBV-related HCC.
6.Research progress on immune cells in cold ischemia-reperfusion injury of renal allografts
Kangyu LIU ; Zikai FANG ; Chengcheng YANG ; Jixian LIU ; Junjie ZHANG ; Zongyao FAN ; Bin NI ; Ming ZHENG ; Baixin SHEN
Journal of Modern Urology 2026;31(6):580-585
Cold ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) is a major contributor to delayed graft function and long-term graft failure after kidney transplantation.Its pathogenesis involves multiple mechanisms, including energy metabolism disorders, oxidative stress and sterile inflammatory responses.Increasing evidence indicates that immune cells play a central regulatory role in the initiation and progression of CIRI.Damage-associated molecular patterns released during cold ischemia and reperfusion activate innate immunity, leading to the rapid recruitment of neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells and amplification of inflammatory cascades.Subsequently, adaptive immune cells, including T cells and B cells, are activated and further contribute to sustained inflammation, disruption of immune tolerance and graft injury.Through cytokine signaling, chemokine-mediated recruitment and antigen presentation, different immune cell subsets form a complex interactive network that ultimately determines the severity and outcome of CIRI.This review summarizes the roles and mechanisms of innate and adaptive immune cells in renal allograft CIRI, highlights their interconnections, and discusses emerging immune cell-targeted therapeutic strategies, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for improving clinical outcomes in kidney transplantation.
7.Global Research of Medical Technology Management: A Bibliometric Analysis.
Liu-Fang WANG ; Yu-Ni HUANG ; Richard Sze-Wei WANG ; Xiao-Ping QIN ; Zhi-Yuan HU ; Bing-Long WANG ; Zhi-Min HU
Chinese Medical Sciences Journal 2025;40(2):120-131
OBJECTIVES:
To explore potential keywords, research clusters, collaborative pattern, and research trends in the field of medical technology management (MTM) through bibliometric analysis, providing insights for researchers, policy makers, and hospital administrators.
METHODS:
A retrieval formula was applied to the title, abstract, and keywords in the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection, along with system-recommended terms, to identify articles on MTM. A total of 181 articles published between 1974 and 2022 were retained for quantitative analysis. The global trend of research output; total citations, average citations, and H-index; and bibliographic coupling, co-authorship, and keyword co-occurrence were analyzed using VOSviewer.
RESULTS:
The number of articles on MTM has been steadily increasing year by year. The focus of research has shifted from addressing basic medical needs to prioritizing emergency response and medical information security. The United States, Italy, and the United Kingdom emerged as the main contributors, with the United States leading in both volume of publications (60 articles) and academic impact (H-index = 21). Authors from the United Kingdom and the United States led the way in cross-border cooperation. The top five institutions, ranked by total link strength among cross-institutional authors, were primarily located in Canada and Spain.
CONCLUSIONS
The field of MTM has experienced stable growth over the past three decades (1993-2022). The shift of research focus has prompted a heightened emphasis on protecting patient privacy and ensuring the security of medical data. Future research should emphasize interdisciplinary and professional collaboration, as well as international cooperation and open sharing of knowledge.
Bibliometrics
;
Humans
;
Biomedical Technology
8.Hypericin ameliorates stress-induced depressive-like behaviors in mice by modulating the CN-NFAT calcium signaling pathway in microglia.
Zhengtao GAO ; Pingyan LIN ; Bingcan ZHOU ; Mingheng CHEN ; Erqi LIU ; Tianxiang LEI ; Huixin NI ; Haixin LIU ; Yao LIN ; Qian XU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(3):506-513
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the role of the calcium/calmodulin (CaM)-mediated activation of calcineurin (CN)-nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) signaling pathway in mediating the regulatory effect of hyperforin (HY) on stress-induced depression-like disorder (DP) in mice.
METHODS:
C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group, DP model group, and hyperforin treatment group (n=15). Behavioral changes of the mice were assessed using open field test (OFT), sucrose preference test (SPT), tail suspension test (TST), light/dark box test (LDB), and novel object suppression test (NSFT). Immunohistochemistry was used to detect tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, and serum serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NA) levels were detected with ELISA. Western blotting was used to analyze the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2, and CN-NFAT pathway proteins. In cultured BV-2 microglial cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, the effects of hyperforin and CN inhibitor (CNIS) on expressions of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (IBA-1), 5-HT, NA, inflammatory cytokines and CN-NFAT pathway proteins were examined using immunofluorescence assay, ELISA or Western blotting.
RESULTS:
Compared with the control mice, the mice in DP group showed significantly reduced activity in OFT, decreased sucrose consumption in SPT, reduced shuttle crossing in LDB, and lowered food intake in NSFT with significantly increased immobility in TST. The mice with DP showed significantly decreased TH-positive neurons, lowered 5-HT and NA levels, and increased expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2 and CaM-CN-NFAT pathway proteins. In cultured BV-2 cells, LPS stimulation strongly increased cellular IBA-1 expression, decreased the levels of neurotransmitters (5-HT and NA), and increased the levels of inflammatory cytokines and CN-NFAT signaling, and these changes were effectively reversed by treatment with hyperforin or CNIS.
CONCLUSIONS
Hyperforin improves stress-induced depression-like behaviors in mice and activated BV-2 cells by targeting the CN-NFAT signaling pathway.
Animals
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Mice
;
Microglia/drug effects*
;
Depression/etiology*
;
Perylene/pharmacology*
;
Calcineurin/metabolism*
;
NFATC Transcription Factors/metabolism*
;
Calcium Signaling/drug effects*
;
Stress, Psychological
;
Phloroglucinol/pharmacology*
;
Signal Transduction
;
Male
;
Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
;
Terpenes
9.Asiaticoside alleviates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis.
Fenlan BIAN ; Shiyao NI ; Peng ZHAO ; Maonanxing QI ; Bi TANG ; Hongju WANG ; Pinfang KANG ; Jinjun LIU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(5):977-985
OBJECTIVES:
To study the mechanism mediating the protective effect of asiaticoside (AS) against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) in rats.
METHODS:
Fifty SD rats were randomized into sham-operated group, MIRI model group and AS treatment group. AS treatment was administered at low, moderate and high doses by daily gavage for 2 weeks before MIRI modeling (n=10). Serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), interleukin-18 (IL-18) and IL-1β, the volume of myocardial infarction and ischemia, and myocardial pathologies of the rats were determined or observed. The protein expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, GSDMD, GSDMD-N, IL-1β and IL-18 in the myocardial tissues were detected using Western blotting. The changes in the expression levels of these proteins were also detected in H9C2 cells with AS pretreatment prior to hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) injury.
RESULTS:
The rats models of MIRI exhibited significant myocardial infarction and ischemia with increased serum levels of LDH and CK-MB and myocardial expressions of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, GSDMD, GSDMD-N, IL-1β and IL-18. AS pretreatment effectively reduced myocardial infarction volume in the rat models and significantly reduced serum LDH and CK-MB levels and the protein levels in the myocardial tissue in a dose-dependent manner. In the H9C2 cell model of H/R injury, AS pretreatment significantly suppressed the elevation of the protein expressions of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, GSDMD, GSDMD-N, IL-1β and IL-18. Molecular docking studies showed that AS had a strong binding affinity with NLRP3.
CONCLUSIONS
Asiaticoside can alleviate MIRI in rats possibly by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis.
Animals
;
Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/metabolism*
;
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism*
;
Pyroptosis/drug effects*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
Inflammasomes/metabolism*
;
Triterpenes/pharmacology*
;
Interleukin-18/metabolism*
;
Male
;
Interleukin-1beta/metabolism*
;
Caspase 1/metabolism*
10.Mid-long term follow-up reports on head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma in children
Chao DUAN ; Sidou HE ; Shengcai WANG ; Mei JIN ; Wen ZHAO ; Xisi WANG ; Zhikai LIU ; Tong YU ; Lejian HE ; Xiaoman WANG ; Chunying CUI ; Xin NI ; Yan SU
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(1):62-69
Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of children with head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and to summarize the mid-long term efficacy of Beijing Children′s Hospital Rhabdomyosarcoma 2006 (BCH-RMS-2006) regimen and China Children′s Cancer Group Rhabdomyosarcoma 2016 (CCCG-RMS-2016) regimen.Methods:A retrospective cohort study. Clinical data of 137 children with newly diagnosed head and neck RMS at Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University from March 2013 to December 2021 were collected. Clinical characteristic of patients at disease onset and the therapeutic effects of patients treated with the BCH-RMS-2006 and CCCG-RMS-2016 regimens were compared. The treatments and outcomes of patients with recurrence were also summarized. Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method, and Log-Rank test was used for comparison of survival rates between groups.Results:Among 137 patients, there were 80 males (58.4%) and 57 females (41.6%), the age of disease onset was 59 (34, 97) months. The primary site in the orbital, non-orbital non-parameningeal, and parameningeal area were 10 (7.3%), 47 (34.3%), and 80 (58.4%), respectively. Of all patients, 32 cases (23.4%) were treated with the BCH-RMS-2006 regimen and 105 (76.6%) cases were treated with the CCCG-RMS-2016 regimen. The follow-up time for the whole patients was 46 (20, 72) months, and the 5-year progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates for the whole children were (60.4±4.4)% and (69.3±4.0)%, respectively. The 5-year OS rate was higher in the CCCG-RMS-2016 group than in BCH-RMS-2006 group ((73.0±4.5)% vs. (56.6±4.4)%, χ2=4.57, P=0.029). For the parameningeal group, the 5-year OS rate was higher in the CCCG-RMS-2016 group (61 cases) than in BCH-RMS-2006 group (19 cases) ((57.3±7.6)% vs. (32.7±11.8)%, χ2=4.64, P=0.031). For the group with meningeal invasion risk factors, the 5-year OS rate was higher in the CCCG-RMS-2016 group (54 cases) than in BCH-RMS-2006 group (15 cases) ((57.7±7.7)% vs. (30.0±12.3)%, χ2=4.76, P=0.029). Among the 10 cases of orbital RMS, there was no recurrence. In the non-orbital non-parameningeal RMS group (47 cases), there were 13 (27.6%) recurrences, after re-treatment, 7 cases survived. In the parameningeal RMS group (80 cases), there were 40 (50.0%) recurrences, with only 7 cases surviving after re-treatment. Conclusions:The overall prognosis for patients with orbital and non-orbital non-parameningeal RMS is good. However, children with parameningeal RMS have a high recurrence rate, and the effectiveness of re-treatment after recurrence is poor. Compared with the BCH-RMS-2006 regimen, the CCCG-RMS-2016 regimen can improve the treatment efficacy of RMS in the meningeal region.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail