1.Research progress on stem cells in the treatment of sepsis
Ting CHEN ; Linlin CHEN ; Zhao CHEN ; Junping ZHANG ; Yan WANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(2):59-64
At present, the treatment of sepsis depends largely on non-specific methods, highlighting an urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies. Stem cells have garnered significant attention in the treatment of various diseases due to their unique biological properties. Stem cells enhance sepsis survival through mechanisms such as reducing bacterial burden, modulating inflammation, and ameliorating organ dysfunction. Recent studies have shown that stem cells can increase the survival rate of sepsis patients through multiple pathways such as reducing the bacterial load of the host, regulating inflammatory homeostasis, and improving multi-organ dysfunction. Their derivatives, exosomes, can also alleviate the imbalanced immune response in sepsis patients. Recent advances in stem cell-based therapies for sepsis were summarized in this paper.
2.Mechanism of Maimendong Yinzi in Alleviating Cough with Yin Deficiency and Lung Heat Syndrome by Modulating PAR1/Gαi/cAMP Signaling Pathway and TRPV1 Expression
Zihan ZHU ; Jiahui TANG ; Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Junping KOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):81-91
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Maimendong Yinzi (MMDYZ) on cough with Yin deficiency and lung heat syndrome and explore its potential mechanism of action. MethodsForty-eight Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, a Baihe Gujin Tablet (BHGJP) group (1.36 g·kg-1), and low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose MMDYZ groups (5, 10, 20 g·kg-1·d-1, based on the weight of crude drug), with eight mice in each group. The mouse model of cough with Yin deficiency and lung heat syndrome was prepared by a combination of smoke exposure, nasal drip of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), intragastric gavage with thyroxine, and capsaicin atomization. After successful modeling, drug interventions were administered for seven days. During modeling, the mice were observed for changes in general status, anal temperature, fecal water content, and water intake. After medication, the above indicators were evaluated again, along with assessments of spontaneous activity, cough sensitivity, lung function, lung index, and tracheal phenol red secretion. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was analyzed for cell differential counts, and the level of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in serum was measured via enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Lung injury was assessed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Network pharmacology was employed to predict the potential mechanism of MMDYZ in alleviation cough with Yin deficiency and lung heat syndrome. Western blot (WB) was used to measure protease-activated receptor1 (PAR1) and GTPhase αi subunit (Gαi) protein expressions in lung tissue. ELISA was used to determine lung cAMP content, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to evaluate transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) expression. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group exhibited significantly increased water intake and anal temperature and significantly decreased fecal water content (P<0.05). The total distance traveled in 5 min and the central zone duration were reduced, while standing frequency significantly increased (P<0.05). Cough sensitivity and enhanced pause (PenH) were elevated. Peak expiratory flow (PEF) significantly declined (P<0.05). BALF neutrophil (NEU) and white blood cell (WBC) counts rose. Serum cAMP and cAMP/cGMP ratio significantly increased, and cGMP significantly decreased (P<0.05). Serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels were significantly elevated (P<0.05). The lung injury was obvious, and the lung index was significantly elevated (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the medium-dose and high-dose MMDYZ groups and the BHGJP group showed significantly improved indicators mentioned above. Additionally, network pharmacology suggested that MMDYZ might alleviate cough with Yin deficiency and lung heat syndrome via cAMP, hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), and TNF signaling pathways. WB, ELISA, and IHC revealed that, compared with the control group, the model group exhibited significantly upregulated PAR1, Gαi, and TRPV1 expressions and significantly downregulated cAMP in lung tissue (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, MMDYZ reduced PAR1 (P<0.01), Gαi (P<0.05), and TRPV1 (P<0.01) while increasing cAMP level (P<0.01). ConclusionMMDYZ may alleviate cough with Yin deficiency and lung heat syndrome by modulating the PAR1/Gαi/cAMP pathway and TRPV1 expression.
3.Application and Reflection of Simiao Yong'an Tang in Pan-vascular Diseases
Aolin LI ; Kangzheng GUO ; Xitong SUN ; Lerong YU ; Wei ZHOU ; Junping ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):235-243
Pan-vascular diseases are a group of diseases involving the systemic vascular system, with vascular lesions (especially atherosclerosis) as a common pathological feature. Pan-vascular diseases have attracted widespread attention due to the high healthcare burden that accompanies high morbidity. Inflammation is the core pathogenesis of pan-vascular diseases. Targeted anti-inflammatory strategies have achieved certain success in basic research. However, due to the increased risk of infection, their clinical application has been hindered. Simiao Yong'an Tang (SMYAT), which has the effects of nourishing Yin, detoxifying, and activating blood, demonstrates unique therapeutic advantages. Clinical evidence indicates that SMYAT alone or in combination with conventional Western Medicine/other compound formulas/non-drug therapies can effectively alleviate the clinical symptoms and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes of pan-vascular diseases. At the same time, it can reduce the serum levels of inflammatory factors and the risk of infection, improve glucose and lipid metabolism and blood viscosity, and promote wound healing, thereby enhancing the quality of life. The research on the pharmacological material basis indicates that when SMYAT enters the bloodstream, it can be converted into various active components such as harpagide, harpagoside, and chlorogenic acid. Basic research suggests that SMYAT can exert anti-inflammatory effects through multiple pathways and targets, such as interfering with immune cell adhesion and aggregation, macrophage polarization, foam cell autophagy, neovascularization in the outer membrane and plaque, lipid metabolism and cholesterol reverse transport. The current research lacks comprehensive discussion on vascular diseases. In-depth studies on the effects and mechanisms of SMYAT can provide new therapeutic approaches for pan-vascular diseases. Moreover, they help to gain an overall understanding of the disease progression, demonstrating the superiority of the TCM concept of treating different diseases with the same method. This paper provides a systematic overview of the TCM and Western Medicine understanding of pan-vascular diseases, the theoretical framework and material basis of SMYAT, and the progress of clinical and basic research on SMYAT treatment of pan-vascular diseases. The ultimate goal is to provide theoretical evidence and guidance for the development and application of SMYAT in the field of pan-vascular diseases. In the future, further research should be conducted to standardize the compound formula and explore the mechanism of treatment with integrated TCM and Western Medicine.
4.Application and Reflection of Simiao Yong'an Tang in Pan-vascular Diseases
Aolin LI ; Kangzheng GUO ; Xitong SUN ; Lerong YU ; Wei ZHOU ; Junping ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):235-243
Pan-vascular diseases are a group of diseases involving the systemic vascular system, with vascular lesions (especially atherosclerosis) as a common pathological feature. Pan-vascular diseases have attracted widespread attention due to the high healthcare burden that accompanies high morbidity. Inflammation is the core pathogenesis of pan-vascular diseases. Targeted anti-inflammatory strategies have achieved certain success in basic research. However, due to the increased risk of infection, their clinical application has been hindered. Simiao Yong'an Tang (SMYAT), which has the effects of nourishing Yin, detoxifying, and activating blood, demonstrates unique therapeutic advantages. Clinical evidence indicates that SMYAT alone or in combination with conventional Western Medicine/other compound formulas/non-drug therapies can effectively alleviate the clinical symptoms and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes of pan-vascular diseases. At the same time, it can reduce the serum levels of inflammatory factors and the risk of infection, improve glucose and lipid metabolism and blood viscosity, and promote wound healing, thereby enhancing the quality of life. The research on the pharmacological material basis indicates that when SMYAT enters the bloodstream, it can be converted into various active components such as harpagide, harpagoside, and chlorogenic acid. Basic research suggests that SMYAT can exert anti-inflammatory effects through multiple pathways and targets, such as interfering with immune cell adhesion and aggregation, macrophage polarization, foam cell autophagy, neovascularization in the outer membrane and plaque, lipid metabolism and cholesterol reverse transport. The current research lacks comprehensive discussion on vascular diseases. In-depth studies on the effects and mechanisms of SMYAT can provide new therapeutic approaches for pan-vascular diseases. Moreover, they help to gain an overall understanding of the disease progression, demonstrating the superiority of the TCM concept of treating different diseases with the same method. This paper provides a systematic overview of the TCM and Western Medicine understanding of pan-vascular diseases, the theoretical framework and material basis of SMYAT, and the progress of clinical and basic research on SMYAT treatment of pan-vascular diseases. The ultimate goal is to provide theoretical evidence and guidance for the development and application of SMYAT in the field of pan-vascular diseases. In the future, further research should be conducted to standardize the compound formula and explore the mechanism of treatment with integrated TCM and Western Medicine.
5.Research progress on ANXA3 gene and protein
Tingting FENG ; Jingxiang ZHANG ; Yan WANG ; Weiheng XU ; Junping ZHANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(2):47-50
Annexin A3(ANXA3)is a member of the membrane associated protein family. It has two subtypes of 36 kDa and 33 kDa. Its gene is located on the fourth chromosome of human. ANXA3, widely expressed in human bone marrow, lung, placenta, prostate and thyroid, is closely related to several biological processes such as exoplasmosis, vascular production, fat cell maturity, and white blood cell migration. Studies have found that ANXA3 is abnormally expressed in various diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease and inflammation. It can regulate multiple signaling pathways such as JNK, NF-κB, PI3K/AKT, and may become a potential drug target for treatment of related diseases. The structure, functions, the link with diseases and related mechanisms of ANXA3 were summarized in this paper, which could provide reference for ANXA3 related research.
6.Machine learning combined with bioinformatics screening of key genes for pulmonary fibrosis associated with cellular autophagy and experimental validation
Yuehong GONG ; Mengjun WANG ; Hang REN ; Hui ZHENG ; Jiajia SUN ; Junpeng LIU ; Fei ZHANG ; Jianhua YANG ; Junping HU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(35):7679-7689
BACKGROUND:Early diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis is the foundation for timely antifibrotic drug therapy.Therefore,exploring and discovering ideal biomarkers that can be effectively used for the early diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis is crucial for the treatment of the disease.OBJECTIVE:To conduct an in-depth analysis of key autophagy-related genes involved in the process of pulmonary fibrosis by means of bioinformatics and machine learning techniques,in order to investigate whether autophagy-related core genes of pulmonary fibrosis can be used as reliable biomarkers in the assessment of the progression of pulmonary fibrosis.METHODS:Two datasets of pulmonary fibrosis,GSE24206 and GSE110147,were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database(a public database developed and maintained by the U.S.National Center for Biotechnology Information to store and share bioinformatics data),and the gene expression matrices of these two datasets were normalized by using the"limma"package in R software.The autophagy-related genes were extracted from GeneCards database(a database created by the U.S.National Center for Biotechnology Information,which automatically integrates gene-centric data from about 200 Web sources,including genomic,transcriptomic,proteomic,genetic,clinical,and functional information).Differential gene analysis was performed on the pulmonary fibrosis dataset,and the common genes were extracted by cross-comparing the differential genes with the autophagy genes,so as to identify autophagy genes that may play a role in the process of pulmonary fibrosis.The intersecting genes were analyzed for functional enrichment and cellular immune infiltration by gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes.Core genes of pulmonary fibrosis associated with autophagy were screened by protein-protein interactions and machine learning,and core genes were subjected to the enrichment analysis.Diagnostic models were constructed from the identified core genes.Calibration curves were used to assess the predictive ability of the line graph model.An external dataset,GSE21369,was used to perform a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to validate the expression profiles of pulmonary fibrosis genes associated with autophagy,as well as to predict Chinese herbs associated with the genes IL6 and COL1A2 via the Coremine database.Finally,human embryonic lung fibroblasts were cultured and modelled by transforming growth factor-β1 treatment,and the relative expression of genes in the model cells was verified using qRT-PCR.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)A total of 51 pulmonary fibrosis differential genes and 25 genes intersecting with autophagy genes were obtained.Gene ontology analysis showed that the 25 intersecting genes were related to extracellular matrix tissue,collagen metabolism,collagen pro-fibroblasts,and growth factor binding,etc.The results of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis indicated that they were mainly related to the Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway and the signaling pathway of the extracellular matrix-receptor interactions.(2)Immunoinfiltration analysis revealed that the expression of activated memory CD4+T cells,M0 macrophages,and resting dendritic cells was significantly elevated in the pulmonary fibrosis group(P<0.05),showing a strong correlation.(3)Two autophagy signature genes involved in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis were identified:COL1A2 and IL6.The column-line diagram model showed that the two core genes predicted the onset of pulmonary fibrosis more accurately,and the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the two characteristic genes had diagnostic significance.COL1A2 and IL6 were related to the cell-cycle pathway,mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway,Janus kinase-signal transduction and activator of transcription signaling pathway and cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions.A total of 20 Chinese herbs were predicted to be related to COL1A2 and IL6 genes,and their efficacies were mainly to clear away heat and detoxify toxins and to invigorate blood and move qi.COL1A2 and IL6 were verified to be highly expressed in pulmonary fibrosis.To conclude,COL1A2 and IL6 may be potential diagnostic biomarkers for pulmonary fibrosis,but its specificity to pulmonary fibrosis needs to be further investigated.
7.Experience and clinical exploration by multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment of cystic brain metastasis in a case of small cell lung cancer
Tao YU ; Junping WANG ; Rongxin ZHANG ; Bing LIU ; Dongbo XU ; Yuan CHEN ; Diansheng ZHONG
Tianjin Medical Journal 2025;53(12):1326-1329
With the continuous development of imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging,the detection rate of brain metastases is increasing.Although the incidence rate of cystic brain metastasis is far lower than that of solid brain metastasis,patients with cystic brain metastasis are in urgent condition and have obvious space occupying effect,which is an urgent clinical problem.Previous literature has reported that cystic brain metastasis is more common in breast cancer and lung adenocarcinoma,especially in lung cancer patients with positive driver gene.This article reports a case of small cell lung cancer with cystic brain metastasis,which started with neurological symptoms,and was clinically cured under a multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment model.Through dynamic imaging evaluation and molecular residual lesion detection,the patient can avoid overtreatment and achieved a relatively higher quality of life on the basis of prolonging survival.
8.Machine learning combined with bioinformatics screening of key genes for pulmonary fibrosis associated with cellular autophagy and experimental validation
Yuehong GONG ; Mengjun WANG ; Hang REN ; Hui ZHENG ; Jiajia SUN ; Junpeng LIU ; Fei ZHANG ; Jianhua YANG ; Junping HU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(35):7679-7689
BACKGROUND:Early diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis is the foundation for timely antifibrotic drug therapy.Therefore,exploring and discovering ideal biomarkers that can be effectively used for the early diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis is crucial for the treatment of the disease.OBJECTIVE:To conduct an in-depth analysis of key autophagy-related genes involved in the process of pulmonary fibrosis by means of bioinformatics and machine learning techniques,in order to investigate whether autophagy-related core genes of pulmonary fibrosis can be used as reliable biomarkers in the assessment of the progression of pulmonary fibrosis.METHODS:Two datasets of pulmonary fibrosis,GSE24206 and GSE110147,were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database(a public database developed and maintained by the U.S.National Center for Biotechnology Information to store and share bioinformatics data),and the gene expression matrices of these two datasets were normalized by using the"limma"package in R software.The autophagy-related genes were extracted from GeneCards database(a database created by the U.S.National Center for Biotechnology Information,which automatically integrates gene-centric data from about 200 Web sources,including genomic,transcriptomic,proteomic,genetic,clinical,and functional information).Differential gene analysis was performed on the pulmonary fibrosis dataset,and the common genes were extracted by cross-comparing the differential genes with the autophagy genes,so as to identify autophagy genes that may play a role in the process of pulmonary fibrosis.The intersecting genes were analyzed for functional enrichment and cellular immune infiltration by gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes.Core genes of pulmonary fibrosis associated with autophagy were screened by protein-protein interactions and machine learning,and core genes were subjected to the enrichment analysis.Diagnostic models were constructed from the identified core genes.Calibration curves were used to assess the predictive ability of the line graph model.An external dataset,GSE21369,was used to perform a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to validate the expression profiles of pulmonary fibrosis genes associated with autophagy,as well as to predict Chinese herbs associated with the genes IL6 and COL1A2 via the Coremine database.Finally,human embryonic lung fibroblasts were cultured and modelled by transforming growth factor-β1 treatment,and the relative expression of genes in the model cells was verified using qRT-PCR.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)A total of 51 pulmonary fibrosis differential genes and 25 genes intersecting with autophagy genes were obtained.Gene ontology analysis showed that the 25 intersecting genes were related to extracellular matrix tissue,collagen metabolism,collagen pro-fibroblasts,and growth factor binding,etc.The results of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis indicated that they were mainly related to the Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway and the signaling pathway of the extracellular matrix-receptor interactions.(2)Immunoinfiltration analysis revealed that the expression of activated memory CD4+T cells,M0 macrophages,and resting dendritic cells was significantly elevated in the pulmonary fibrosis group(P<0.05),showing a strong correlation.(3)Two autophagy signature genes involved in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis were identified:COL1A2 and IL6.The column-line diagram model showed that the two core genes predicted the onset of pulmonary fibrosis more accurately,and the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the two characteristic genes had diagnostic significance.COL1A2 and IL6 were related to the cell-cycle pathway,mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway,Janus kinase-signal transduction and activator of transcription signaling pathway and cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions.A total of 20 Chinese herbs were predicted to be related to COL1A2 and IL6 genes,and their efficacies were mainly to clear away heat and detoxify toxins and to invigorate blood and move qi.COL1A2 and IL6 were verified to be highly expressed in pulmonary fibrosis.To conclude,COL1A2 and IL6 may be potential diagnostic biomarkers for pulmonary fibrosis,but its specificity to pulmonary fibrosis needs to be further investigated.
9.Investigation of the Mechanism of Action of Qinggan Yipi Formula in the Inhibition of Hepatic Fibrosis Based on Network Pharmacology and Experiments
Haiqing LIU ; Wenjing XUE ; Jiaqi LOU ; Siqi WANG ; Lurong ZHANG ; Junping CHENG
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(8):2418-2430
Objective To investigate the mechanisms through which Qinggan Yipi formula(QgYp)may alleviate liver fibrosis by integrating network pharmacology with experiments.Methods The active ingredients and gene targets of QgYp,associated with liver fibrosis,were sourced from several databases,including the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database(TCMSP),various professional chemical databases,the HERB database,the GeneCards database,and the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM)database.Protein-protein interaction(PPI)networks were developed using the STRING database and visualized through Cytoscape software.Furthermore,GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis were conducted with the Metascape database,alongside molecular docking studies using the CB-DOCK 2 platform.HSC-T6 cells were used as the research model,and the MTT assay along with Western blotting were applied to evaluate cell proliferation and protein expression levels,and the expression of related proteins was also detected in the animal experiment.Results A total of 22 bioactive components and 124 gene targets were identified within the formula.Enrichment analyses revealed 896 GO entries and 123 signaling pathways,notably including the IL-7,TNF,Toll-like receptor,and NF-kappa B pathways.Molecular docking indicated that the key components of the formula exhibited a strong binding affinity with proteins involved in the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.Additionally,experiments confirmed that QgYp effectively inhibited the proliferation of HSC-T6 cells induced by LPS,and the expression of α-SMA,COL-1,TLR4,IκB-α,and NF-κB p65 proteins in both HSC-T6 cells and rats with liver fibrosis decreased.Conclusion QgYp can effectively inhibit the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and has a suppressive effect on the fibrosis process in hepatic stellate cells,offering a theoretical basis for its clinical application in treating liver fibrosis.
10.Role of executive function and depressive symptoms in relationship between nursing interns' perceived stress and clinical practice maladjustment
Xunqi ZHANG ; Wenjie ZHANG ; Hongyue SHEN ; Aixia MA ; Junping BIAN ; Naixue CUI
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(12):1087-1092
Objective:To examine the relationship between perceived stress and clinical practice maladjust-ment,as well as the mediating roles of executive function and depressive symptoms in the relationship among intern nurses.Methods:A total of 624 nursing interns were recruited and followed up during this eight-month longitudinal study.Baseline data(Tl)were collectedon the day of internship orientation(July 2022)with the Perceived Stress Scale(PSS),Geurten Executive Function Questionnaire(G-QEF)and Patient Health Questionnaire Depression Module(PHQ-9).Follow-up data(T2)were collected shortly before the end of the internship(March 2023)with the PSS,G-QEF,PHQ-9,and Nursing Students Clinical Internship Maladjustment Scale(NSCPMS).The chain me-diation effect of executive function and depressive symptoms in the relationship between perceived stress and clini-cal practice maladjustment was analyzed.Results:The PSS scores at T1 significantly predicted the NSCPMS scores at T2(β=-1.00,P<0.001).Executive function and depressive symptosm jointly mediated the relationship be-tween perceived stress and clinical practice maladjustment,with a mediation effect value of-0.01(95%CI=-0.026--0.004).Additionally,depressive symptoms alone significantly mediated the relationship between per-ceived stress at T1 and clinical practice maladjustment at T2,with a mediation effect value of-0.06(95%CI=-0.101--0.017).Conclusion:Perceived stress at the beginning of the internships may negatively impact long-term clinical adjustment among nursing interns,potentially through impaired executive function and depressive symptoms.This finding suggests that early prevention measures and interventions to reduce stress at the start of in-ternships are needed to help interns better adapt to clinical practice.

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