1.Effect and mechanism of transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells with overexpression of the Numb gene in treatment of cholestatic liver fibrosis
Shihao ZHANG ; Changqing ZHAO ; Mingyan YANG ; Feifei XING ; Wei LIU ; Gaofeng CHEN ; Jiamei CHEN ; Ping LIU ; Yongping MU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):80-89
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hUC-MSC) with overexpression of the Numb gene in the treatment of cholestatic liver fibrosis (CLF). MethodsThe technique of lentiviral transfection was used to induce the overexpression of the Numb gene in hUC-MSC (hUC-MSCNumb-OE), and hUC-MSC transfected with empty vector (hUC-MSCOE-EV) was used as negative control. Bile duct ligation (BDL) was performed to establish a rat model of CLF, and then the rats were randomly divided into BDL group, hUC-MSC group, hUC-MSCOE-EV group, and hUC-MSCNumb-OE group, while a sham-operation group was also established. The rats in the intervention groups were given a single splenic injection of the corresponding cells after BDL, and samples were collected at the end of week 4. Related indicators were measured, including serum biochemistry, liver histopathology, the content of hydroxyproline (Hyp) in the liver, hepatic stellate cell activation, ductular reaction, liver regeneration, and the expression levels of key molecules in the Numb-p53 signaling axis. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the BDL group, the hUC-MSC group and the hUC-MSCOE-EV group had significant reductions in the levels of serum biochemical parameters (aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, total bile acid, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin), liver fibrosis markers (the content of Hyp and the expression levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin, tumor necrosis factor-α, and transforming growth factor-beta 1), and ductular reaction markers (the expression levels of CK7 and CK19) (all P <0.05), and compared with the hUC-MSCOE-EV group, the hUC-MSCNumb-OE group had significantly greater improvements in the above indicators (all P <0.05). In addition, compared with the hUC-MSCOE-EV group, the hUC-MSCNumb-OE group had significant improvements in the expression levels of liver regeneration-related markers (albumin and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α) and the molecules associated with the Numb-p53 signaling axis (Numb, pNumb, Mdm2, and p53) (all P <0.05). ConclusionOverexpression of the Numb gene can enhance the therapeutic effect of hUC-MSC on CLF, possibly by activating the Numb-PTBL-p53-HNF4α axis, promoting the hepatic differentiation of hUC-MSCs and subsequently enhancing liver regeneration.
2.Bibliometric visualization analysis of research literature of Angelica sinensis at home and abroad from 2012 to 2022 based on CiteSpace
Feifei LIU ; Liping CHEN ; Yan ZHONG ; Rong WANG ; Wenbin LI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(2):88-95
Objective Based on the visualization graph analysis of the research hotspots of Angelica sinensis, predict the future research trends, and provide references for the next step of Angelica sinensis research. Methods Chinese and English literatures on Angelica sinensis collected from CNKI, WanFang, VIP and Web of Science from 2012 to 2022 were retrieved. CiteSpace 6.1.R6 software was used to perform visualization econometrics analysis on the number of publications, authors, institutions, journals, keywords and other topics. Results
3.Effect and mechanism of Wnt5a knockdown on the efficacy of M1 bone marrow-derived macrophage in treatment of liver cirrhosis
Feifei XING ; Danyang WANG ; Xinrui ZHENG ; Yannan XU ; Shihao ZHANG ; Junyi ZHAN ; Wei LIU ; Gaofeng CHEN ; Jiamei CHEN ; Ping LIU ; Yongping MU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):618-628
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of M1 bone marrow-derived macrophages (M1-BMDM) with Wnt5a knockdown on liver fibrosis and regeneration in a rat model of liver cirrhosis, and to investigate its gain-of-function effect compared with unmodified M1-BMDM. MethodsPrimary bone marrow-derived macrophages were isolated from rats and were polarized to M1 phenotype to construct M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD cells. A rat model of liver cirrhosis induced by CCl4/2-AAF was established, and at the end of week 8, rats were randomly divided into model group, M1-BMDM group, M1-BMDM Wnt5a-knockdown empty vector group (M1-BMDMKD-EV group), and M1-BMDM Wnt5a-knockdown group (M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group), with 6 rats in each group. On the first day of week 9, the rats in each group were given a single injection of the corresponding cells via the caudal vein, along with an intraperitoneal injection of a CCR2 inhibitor. Six rats without any treatment were used as normal control group. Samples were collected at the end of week 12 to assess liver histopathology, serum liver function parameters, hepatic stellate cell activation, and the expression levels of mature hepatocyte markers. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had significant alleviation of liver inflammatory response and significant reductions in the activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum (all P<0.01), and the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significantly lower serum level of AST than the M1-BMDM group (P<0.05). The semi-quantitative analysis based on immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had a significant reduction in the percentage of CD68-positive area (all P<0.05), and compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significant reduction in the percentage of CD68-positive area and a significant increase in the percentage of CD163-positive area (both P<0.05). Compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels of CD68 and tumor necrosis factor-α (all P<0.05) and the protein expression level of CD68 (all P<0.01); compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significant increases in the protein and mRNA expression levels of CD163 (both P<0.05), significant reductions in the protein and mRNA expression levels of CD68 (both P<0.05), and a significant reduction in the protein expression level of tumor necrosis factor-α (P<0.01). Sirius Red collagen staining and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had significant alleviation of liver collagen deposition and α-SMA-positive area, with the most significant changes in the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group, and compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significantly smaller Sirius Red-positive area and α-SMA-positive area and a significantly lower content of hydroxyproline in liver tissue (all P<0.05). Compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significant reductions in the protein and mRNA expression levels of α-SMA and the mRNA expression level of COL-I and TGF-β (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had a significant increase in the protein expression level of HNF-4α in liver tissue (all P<0.05), and the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significantly higher protein and mRNA expression levels of HNF-4α and hepatocyte specific antigen than the M1-BMDMKD-EV group (both P<0.05). The M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significantly higher serum level of albumin than the M1-BMDMKD-EV group (P<0.01). Immunofluorescence co-staining showed that compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had a significant increase in the number of cells stained positive for HNF and HNF-4α and Ki67 (all P<0.01), and the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significantly higher number of such cells than the M1-BMDMKD-EV group (P<0.05). ConclusionInhibition of Wnt5a expression enhances the therapeutic effect of M1-BMDM on rats with liver cirrhosis induced by CCl4/2-AAF, which provides new ideas for enhancing the anti-cirrhotic effect of M1-BMDM through genetic modification.
4.Association of low-level ionizing radiation with peripheral blood cells in medical radiation workers
Zhong LIU ; Yan ZHANG ; Feifei YAN ; Zhongfen YUAN
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2026;35(3):379-386
Objective To investigate the association between low-level ionizing radiation exposure and peripheral blood parameters in medical radiation workers, and to provide evidence for radiation protection strategies and occupational health surveillance. Methods A total of 1261 medical radiation workers from medical institutions in Heze City, Shandong Province, China, were enrolled. Individual monitoring of occupational external exposure was performed. Demographic characteristics and physical examination data were collected. According to the median annual effective dose, the subjects were stratified into a low-dose group (0.10-0.43 mSv) and a high-dose group (>0.43-5.24 mSv). Logistic regression was used to assess the association between ionizing radiation and peripheral blood parameters. Subgroup analyses were conducted by gender, age, and exposure duration. Results A total of 1261 subjects were enrolled, of whom 893 (70.82%) were male and 368 (29.18%) were female. The median age was 39.00 (32.00, 47.00) years and the median exposure duration was 11.00 (5.00, 22.00) years. No statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics were observed between the two groups. The radiation dose ranged from 0.104 to 5.239 mSv, all below the occupational exposure limit (20 mSv). Basophil count, hematocrit, and mean corpuscular volume in the high-dose group were significantly higher than those in the low-dose group, while mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration was lower (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that ionizing radiation primarily affected erythrocyte parameters, with abnormal hematocrit (OR=1.449, 95%CI: 1.148-1.831), abnormal mean corpuscular volume (OR=1.407, 95%CI: 1.119-1.771), and abnormal mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (OR=1.608, 95%CI: 1.278-2.025) positively associated with ionizing radiation exposure. Subgroup analyses further revealed differences that were not observed in the total population These findings suggest that gender, age, and exposure duration may modify the effect of ionizing radiation on peripheral blood parameters. Conclusion Long-term low-level ionizing radiation exposure can affect peripheral blood parameters in medical radiation workers, particularly erythrocyte parameters. Enhanced occupational health monitoring and protection measures are warranted.
5.A Randomized Controlled Trial on Regulation of LncRNA EBLN3P/miR-369-3p/NFIX-JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway by Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsules to Restore Clinical and Laboratory Indicators in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Mengyu SUN ; Yuan WANG ; Feifei LIU ; Aihong WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(17):192-202
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Huangqin Qingre Chubi capsules (HQC) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the syndrome of dampness-heat obstruction and investigate the mechanism by which HQC restore clinical and laboratory parameters in RA patients through regulation of the long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) endogenous Bornavirus-like nucleoprotein 3 pseudogene (EBLN3P)/miR-369-3p/nuclear factor I X(NFIX)-Janus kinase(JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway,thereby providing new experimental evidence and potential therapeutic targets for the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment of RA. MethodsA randomized controlled trial design was adopted,with 100 RA patients meeting the criteria assigned into an observation group (n=50) and a control group (n=50). In addition,50 healthy controls were enrolled. The control group received leflunomide plus meloxicam,while the observation group additionally received HQC. Efficacy was assessed after 4 weeks of treatment. Observation indicators including Western medicine indicators (DAS28,CPRI-RA,SF-36,VAS,PGA,PhGA,and SAS/SDS),TCM syndrome scores (TCMSS-RADHP,TCMSS-RASDP),and laboratory indicators (ESR,CRP,RF,anti-CCP antibody,VEGF,bFGF,MMP-2/9,p-JAK2/STAT3,and LncRNA EBLN3P/miR-369-3p/NFIX expression) were measured to comprehensively explore the therapeutic mechanism of HQC. ResultsThe study included 45 healthy controls (34 males and 11 females) and 87 RA patients (22 males and 65 females). The median age,median disease duration,and median BMI of patients were 56 years old,10 years,and 21.51 kg·m-2,respectively. Compared with healthy controls,the RA group exhibited a typical state of immune-inflammatory activation as manifested by elevated levels of ESR,anti-CCP antibodies,CRP,and RF (P<0.01),raised clinical symptom scores (DAS28,VAS,PGA,PhGA,CPRI-RA,and TCM symptoms) (P<0.05,P<0.01),and reduced SF-36 domain scores (P<0.01). Molecular detection revealed abnormal expression of LncRNA EBLN3P and miR-369-3p,upregulated expression of key proteins in the JAK/STAT pathway (JAK2/p-JAK2 and STAT3/p-STAT3) and angiogenesis markers (VEGF,bFGF,and MMP-2/9),and downregulated expression of NFIX (P<0.05,P<0.01) in the RA group. Spearman correlation analysis further demonstrated associations of key molecules in the LncRNA EBLN3P/miR-369-3p/NFIX-JAK/STAT pathway with immune-inflammatory markers and clinical symptom scores (P<0.05,P<0.01). Regarding treatment response,both groups showed reductions in ESR,anti-CCP,CRP,and RF levels compared with baseline (P<0.01) and restored scores of DAS28,CPRI-RA,VAS,PGA,PhGA,TCM symptoms,SAS,SDS,and all SF-36 domains (P<0.01). The observation group outperformed the control group in restoring the scores of SAS,SDS,PGA,TCMSS-SDP,and SF-36 domains (PF,BP,GH,VT,and SF) (P<0.05). Real-time PCR analysis revealed that post-treatment expression levels of LncRNA EBLN3P,miR-369-3p,NFIX,JAK2,p-JAK2,STAT3,p-STAT3,VEGF,bFGF,MMP-2,and MMP-9 were recovered compared with pre-treatment levels (P<0.01). Notably,the observation group demonstrated superior regulatory effects on p-JAK2,STAT3,p-STAT3,and MMP-9 compared with the control group (P<0.05). Apriori association rule analysis revealed that HQC treatment was significantly correlated with reduced TCMSS-RADHP,ESR,SF,DAS28,SAS,and SDS scores,as well as increased VT,GH,and RP scores (confidence >80%,support >50%). Regarding safety,two patients in the observation group experienced mild gastrointestinal discomfort,and one patient in the control group developed a rash. All the symptoms resolved after symptomatic treatment. ConclusionHQC target and regulate the LncRNA EBLN3P/miR-369-3p/NFIX-JAK/STAT axis to inhibit angiogenesis and inflammatory responses,reduce immune inflammatory markers,alleviate clinical symptoms,and improve the quality of life in RA patients,exerting synergistic effects on symptoms and quality of life.
6.Study on meal preferences of school aged children based on discrete choice experiment
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(1):45-49
Objective:
To explore the relative importance of different food attributes and levels in food decision making of school aged children, and to understand their meal preferences, so as to provide the evidence for formulating precise intervention strategies for dietary behaviours of school aged children.
Methods:
From May to June 2024, a total of 854 children aged 11 to 15 years old were selected from 2 middle schools (each school in urban and rural areas) in both Hubei Province and Anhui Province by stratified cluster random sampling method to conduct a D-optimal discrete choice experiment. The mixed Logit model was used to analyze children s preference for meal attributes and different levels, and to calculate the relative importance (RI) of attributes and willingness to pay (WTP) in meal choices.
Results:
The included five food attributes had statistical significance on meal choice of school aged children ( P <0.05). The relative importance of food attributes affecting the meal choices of school aged children in descending order were dining mode ( RI =31.26%), food varieties ( RI =30.56%), cooking method( RI =23.84%), taste( RI =8.06%) and price ( RI =6.27%). Among them, school aged children preferred home cooked meals ( β =0.74) (WTP=86.3 yuan),varied foods(grain/tubers+vegetables+fish, meat, eggs and beans) ( β =0.61) (WTP=71.9 yuan), fried/roasted cooking ( β =0.51) and spicy taste ( β =0.33).Price was negatively correlated with meal choices( β =-0.01) ( P <0.05). Based on residential area and body mass index (BMI), the stratified analysis showed that dining mode was highest in the relative importance for rural children with overweight and obese children ( RI =31.28%,34.17%), both of whom preferred home cooked meals ( β =0.76, 0.91), and meals containing fish, meat, eggs and beans with grain/tubers or grain/tubers and vegetables in terms of food choice (area: β =0.53, 0.53 ; BMI: β =0.55, 0.56) ( P <0.05).
Conclusions
School aged children have different preferences for different attributes of meals. The quality of school meals should be improved,the cost of buying healthy meals should be reduced,targeted family health education should be carried out,and healthy cooking methods should be advocated.
7.Spatio-temporal clustering analysis of influenza in Jiaxing City
WANG Yuanhang ; FU Xiaofei ; QI Yunpeng ; LIU Yang ; ZHOU Wanling ; GUO Feifei
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(1):55-58
Objective:
To investigate the epidemiological and spatio-temporal characteristics of influenza in Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, so as to provide insights into perfecting the prevention and control strategies of influenza.
Methods:
Data of influenza in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2023 were collected from the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. Population data of the same period were collected from the Zhejiang Health Information Network Reporting System. The epidemiological characteristics of influenza were analyzed using descriptive analysis. Vector map information was collected from the Open Street Map, and the spatio-temporal clustering characteristics of influenza were analyzed using spatial autocorrelation and spatio-temporal scanning.
Results:
A total of 181 501 cases of influenza were reported in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2023, with an average annual reported incidence of 653.93/105. The majority of cases were aged 5 to <15 years (59 785 cases, 32.94%). The majority of the occupations were students (78 239 cases, 43.11%) and pre-school children (33 715 cases, 18.58%). The county (city, district) with the highest reported incidence was Haining City (1 451.70/105), and the town (street) with the highest reported incidence was Chang'an Town (1 932.78/105). Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that the incidence of influenza in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2023 had positive spatial correlations (all Moran's I>0, all P<0.05), with a high-high clustering in the southern region. Spatio-temporal scanning analysis showed that there was a spatio-temporal clustering of influenza in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2023, with the southern region being the primary-type clustering area and the period between November and January of the following year being the clustering time.
Conclusion
There was a significant spatio-temporal clustering of influenza in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2023, with winter being the peak season and the southern region being the primary area.
8.Effect of regulating intestinal acupuncture combined with fire-dragon cupping in the treatment of slow transit constipation after stroke in the elderly
Feifei LIU ; Shunxi CHEN ; Jing YU
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(22):54-57
Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of regulating intestinal acupuncture combined with fire-dragon cupping in the treatment of slow transit constipation(STC)after stroke in the elderly.Methods A total of 132 patients with STC after stroke who were diagnosed and treated in Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2023 to June 2024 were selected and divided into control group and observation group according to the random number table method,with 66 cases in each group.Patients in control group received defecation training,while patients in observation group were treated with regulating intestinal acupuncture combined with fire-dragon cupping on the basis of control group.Both groups of patients were treated continuously for 2 weeks.The therapeutic effects,Cleveland clinic constipation score(CCS),Bristol stool form scale(BSFS)scores and serum intestinal neurotransmitter levels of two groups of patients were compared,and the recurrence rate was statistically analyzed.Results The clinical effective rate of patients in observation group was significantly higher than that in control group(x2=5.893,P=0.015).After 2 weeks of treatment,the CCS,BSFS score and serum vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP)level of two groups of patients were significantly lower than those before treatment in same group,and 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)level was significantly higher than that before treatment in same group(P<0.05).The CCS,BSFS score and serum VIP level of patients in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group,and 5-HT level was significantly higher than that in control group(P<0.05).The recurrence rate of patients in observation group was significantly lower than that in control group(x2=3.986,P<0.05).Conclusion The treatment of regulating intestinal acupuncture combined with fire-dragon cupping can effectively alleviate the constipation degree of STC after stroke in the elderly,and its effectiveness may be related to the regulation of intestinal neurotransmitters.
9.Dynamic mutual damage between breast cancer and mixed anxiety and depressive disorder:a traditional Chinese medicine analysis of"earth stagnation and wood depression"theory
Yingyi WEI ; Feifei LI ; Yufei SHAN ; Yongrui YAN ; Youyang SHI ; Sheng LIU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(9):1203-1210
This artical starts from the perspective of"earth stagnation and wood depression"to analyze the dynamic mutual impairment process between breast cancer and mixed anxiety and depressive disorder(MADD),integrating pathological evidence of mutual causality between physical impairment and internal injury by emotional distress,to provide a theoretical framework elucidating the intrinsic unity of the microbiota-neuro-tumor interaction network in the comorbidity vicious cycle.The comorbidity of breast cancer and MADD manifests dynamic mutually aggravating impairment,with core pathogenesis according to the traditional Chinese medicine theory of"earth stagnation and wood depression":spleen earth stagnation leads to dampness-turbidity obstruction,while dysfunction of the middle jiao pivot result in abnormal liver qi conveyance and dispersion;liver depression transforming into fire further over-restricts on spleen earth.Mutual over-restriction and counter-restriction between the two causes toxic fire,phlegm and blood stasis to conglomerate into masses.The lingering disease progression causes mutual damage between body and spirit,leading to progressive consumption until physical collapse and spiritual decline,ultimately culminating in earth exhaustion and wood withering,toxins infiltrating the extraordinary vessels,and divorce of yin-yang.Gut microbiota dysbiosis induces abnormalities in the metabolic-immune-neuroendocrine network,driving emotional disorders and interacting with the tumor microenvironment to exacerbate deterioration.This mechanism not only validates the concept of"earth stagnation and wood depression-mutual physical-mental impairment",but also elucidates its role in inducing multi-system cascade failure,ultimately culminating in a pathological process marked by the emergence of severe clinical manifestations.
10.Automatic Detection of Valvular Regurgitation by Echocardiography Based on Deep Learning
Mate GUO ; Yanjie SONG ; Chan SHI ; Shimin SUN ; Jia MA ; Bohan LIU ; Qiushuang WANG ; Liwei ZHANG ; Feifei YANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2025;33(2):147-151
Purpose To investigate the feasibility of a deep learning framework to automatically analyze echocardiographic color Doppler videos in detecting valvular regurgitation.Materials and Methods This study retrospectively collected echocardiographic images of 1 109 patients with valvular regurgitation in the Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital,from June 2015 to September 2019 as the training and validation sets.A prospective continuous collection of 1 562 echocardiography images was used as the test set in the Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from May 13 to June 13,2023,including 378 cases of mitral regurgitation and 223 cases of aortic regurgitation.This study developed deep learning networks to establish view classification model and valvular regurgitation recognition model,including the efficiency of section classification of deep learning models.Results The deep learning view classification model in this study could automatically identify two views for diagnosing mitral regurgitation and aortic regurgitation.The recognition accuracy for the parasternal long axis color Doppler view and the apical four chamber mitral color Doppler view was 1.00 and 0.93,respectively.The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy and area under the curve of the deep learning model for diagnosing mitral regurgitation were 0.847,0.852,0.849 and 0.930,respectively.The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy and area under the curve of the deep learning model in diagnosing aortic regurgitation were 0.857,0.861,0.859 and 0.940,respectively.Conclusion Deep learning algorithms can automatically identify valvular regurgitation and have the potential to become a screening tool for valvular heart disease.


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