1.Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Regulating Immune Inflammation and Microvascular Damage in Preventing Recurrence of Pneumonia During Recovery Based on Combination of Pathogenic Factors
Xin PENG ; Haotian XU ; Lei LIANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Kun YANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):249-258
Pneumonia is an infectious disease with high morbidity and mortality worldwide, and its damage to the body is not limited to the acute phase. The theory of combination of pathogenic factors emphasizes that the combination of new pathogens and residual pathogens in the body leads to the occurrence of diseases, which generalizes the causes of recurrence during pneumonia recovery. During the recovery stage of pneumonia, pathological changes such as disturbance of immune homeostasis, persistent low-grade inflammation, and microvascular damage continue to affect the body function, impair the health and quality of life of patients, and increase the risk of secondary infection. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), pneumonia is caused by deficiency, and Qi deficiency and blood stasis is the core pathogenesis in the recovery stage. At this time, the body is not full of healthy qi and still has residual pathogens, and thus it is susceptible to external pathogenic factors that lead to disease recurrence. As an important part of the TCM philosophy of treating disease before its onset, prevention of recurrence after recovery emphasizes the need for aftercare in the recovery stage to prevent disease recurrence. Based on the pathogenesis theory of combination of pathogenic factors and the pathogenesis of Qi deficiency and blood stasis, this paper discusses the effect and connotation of TCM in regulating immune inflammation and microvascular damage in preventing recurrence of pneumonia during the recovery stage, aiming to develop new ideas for effective prevention and treatment of pneumonia at this stage.
2.Diagnosis and treatment of 281 elderly patients with pulmonary ground-glass opacity: A retrospective study in a single center
Lei SU ; Yi ZHANG ; Yan GAO ; Bing WEI ; Tengteng WANG ; Yuanbo LI ; Kun QIAN ; Peilong ZHANG ; Leiming WANG ; Xiuqin WEI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(01):94-99
Objective To explore the diagnosis and treatment strategies for elderly patients with ground-glass opacity (GGO). Methods The imaging features and postoperative pathological findings of the elderly patients with pulmonary GGO receiving surgery in our hospital from 2017 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into an elderly patient group and a non-elderly patient group based on their age. Results Finally 575 patients were included in the study. There were 281 elderly patients, including 83 males and 198 females, with an average age of (67.0±5.3) years. There were 294 non-elderly patients, including 88 males and 206 females, with an average age of (49.1±7.3) years. Compared with the non-elderly patients, elderly GGO patients showed the following distinct clinical features: long observation time for lesions (P=0.001), high proportion of rough edges of GGO (P<0.001), significant pleural signs (P<0.001) and bronchial signs (P<0.001), and high proportion of type Ⅱ-Ⅳ GGO (P<0.001), lobectomy type (P=0.013), and invasive lesions reported in postoperative pathology (P<0.001). There was no statistical difference in the average hospital stay between the two groups (P=0.106). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that GGO diameter and GGO type were the main factors affecting the operation. Observation time, GGO diameter, GGO type and pleural signs were the main influencing factors for postoperative pathological infiltrative lesions. The cut-off value of GGO diameter in predicting infiltrating lesions was 10.5 mm in the elderly patients group. Conclusion The size and type of GGO are important factors in predicting invasive lesions and selecting surgical methods. Elderly patients with radiographic manifestations of type Ⅱ-Ⅳ GGO lesions with a diameter greater than 10.5 mm should be closely followed up.
3.Thoughts of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment and Effect Mechanism of Haoqin Qingdantang in Treating Viral Pneumonia Based on Theory of Treating Different Diseases with Same Therapy
Xin PENG ; Haotian XU ; Lei LIANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Yihao ZHANG ; Kun YANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):209-217
The principle of treating different diseases with the same therapy is the essence of syndrome differentiation and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It means that when the same pathogenic changes or the same symptoms appear in the development of different diseases, the same principles or methods can be used for treatment. Due to the complexity and high variability of viral pathogenicity, the precise and effective treatment of different types of viral pneumonia (VP) has always been a research focus and difficulty in modern medicine. VP belongs to the category of external-contraction febrile disease, warm disease, and epidemic in TCM. Haoqin Qingdantang (HQQDD) is a representative formula for clearing heat and dispelling dampness in warm diseases, and its intervention in VP caused by various viral infections has significant effects. This study, guided by the theory of treating different diseases with the same therapy, links the related studies on using HQQDD to treat different types of VP and finds that influenza virus pneumonia (IVP), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and COVID-19 all have a common pathogenic mechanism of dampness-heat at different stages of respective diseases. When these diseases are dominated by damp-heat factors, the use of HQQDD yields remarkable therapeutic effects. Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed that HQQDD can inhibit virus replication, reduce fever reactions, inhibit the expression of inflammatory mediators, and regulate immune balance. Moreover, the sovereign medicine in this formula has excellent antiviral activity, and the formula reflects rich scientific connotations of treating VP. According to the theory of treating different diseases with the same therapy and based on the effective treatment practice and modern pharmacological research of HQQDD for different types of VP, this paper mines the underlying TCM theory of treatment with the same therapy, explores the syndrome differentiation and treatment strategy and effect mechanism of this formula for different types of VP, and analyzes the treatment mechanism and characteristics, with the aim of providing evidence and reference for the clinical application and modern research of HQQDD.
4.Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis in Chronic Heart Failure and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention
Kun LIAN ; Peiyao LI ; Zhiguang SONG ; Jianhang ZHANG ; Junxian LEI ; Lin LI ; Zhixi HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):165-172
Chronic heart failure is the terminal stage of various cardiovascular diseases, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis is the turning point of decompensation. Studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) could regulate apoptosis-related signaling pathways and factors and inhibit or up-regulate the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. Thus, TCM can reduce cardiomyocyte apoptosis, protect the myocardial tissue and improve the cardiac function, demonstrating remarkable clinical effects. In recent years, the research on the treatment of chronic heart failure based on the inhibition of cardiomyocyte apoptosis is increasing and becomes the current research hotspot. On the basis of literature review, this paper discovers that TCM regulates apoptosis factors and multiple signaling pathways to inhibit apoptosis and inflammation and delay the progression of chronic heart failure through classical pathways such as the death receptor pathway, the mitochondrial pathway, and the endoplasmic reticulum pathway. At the same time, the studies in this field have the following problems: Repeated studies with shallow, simple, and fragmented contents, treating animal models with TCM prescriptions without syndrome differentiation, treating diseases with drugs at only one concentration which is insufficient to indicate efficacy, and lacking comprehensive, holistic, and systematic studies on the relationships of apoptosis with inflammatory responses, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and autophagy. In the future, more scientific, reasonable, comprehensive, and feasible experimental schemes should be designed on the basis of comprehensively mastering the research progress in this field, and the communication and cooperation between researchers in different disciplines should be strengthened. The specific pathological mechanism of cardiomyocyte apoptosis in chronic heart failure and the signaling pathways, active components, and action targets of TCM in inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis in chronic heart failure should be elucidated. Such efforts are expected to provide sufficient reference for the clinical treatment of chronic heart failure.
5.Mediating effects of self-efficacy and self-management behaviors on depressive symptoms and glycemic control among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
LU Lijun ; YUAN Lei ; LI Dianjiang ; LU Kun ; ZHU Yixuan ; WANG Zhiyong ; LIU Sijun
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(5):455-459
Objective:
To analyze the mediating effects of self-efficacy and self-management behaviors on the relationship between depression symptoms and glycemic control among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), so as to provide references for optimizing health management of elderly T2DM patients.
Methods:
T2DM patients aged ≥60 years from 8 community health service centers in Nanjing City were selected using a convenience sampling method. Basic information such as gender and age was collected through questionnaires. Depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, and self-management behaviors were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire, the Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Diabetes Self-Management Behavior Scale, respectively. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was measured to evaluate glycemic control. A mediating effect model was constructed to analyze the mediating effects of self-efficacy and self-management behaviors on the relationship between depressive symptoms and glycemic control.
Results:
A total of 567 elderly T2DM patients were included, with a median age of 70.00 (interquartile range, 7.50) years. There were 248 males (43.74%) and 319 females (56.26%). The median scores of self-efficacy, self-management behaviors, depressive symptoms, and HbA1c were 3.89 (interquartile range, 0.78), 4.45 (interquartile range, 1.55), 4.00 (interquartile range, 6.00), and 6.80% (interquartile range, 1.40%), respectively. The mediating effect analysis showed that depressive symptoms indirectly affected glycemic control among elderly T2DM patients through the independent mediating effects of self-efficacy (β=0.028, 95%CI: 0.016-0.043) and self-management behaviors (β=0.009, 95%CI: 0.003-0.016), as well as the chain mediating effect of both (β=0.025, 95%CI: 0.017-0.035). The mediating effects of self-efficacy and self-management behaviors accounted for 36.66% and 11.35% of the total effect, respectively, while the chain mediating effect accounted for 32.15% of the total effect.
Conclusion
Self-efficacy and self-management behaviors play mediating roles in the relationship between depressive symptoms and glycemic control among elderly T2DM patients.
6.Study on the risk factors of cefoperazone/sulbactam-induced coagulation dysfunction in adult patients:a systematic review
Mingfu TUO ; Cai’e TANG ; Kun YANG ; Yabing SHEN ; Shixin LEI ; Liang YANG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(4):488-493
OBJECTIVE To systematically evaluate the risk factors for cefoperazone/sulbactam-induced coagulation dysfunction in adult patients. METHODS Retrieved from CNKI, VIP, CBM, Wanfang data, PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library, randomized controlled trial (RCT), case-control study or cohort study about cefoperazone/sulbactam-induced coagulation dysfunction in adult patients were collected from the inception to Apr. 30th, 2023. After literature screening, data extraction and quality evaluation, meta-analysis was carried out by using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS A total of 13 studies were included, among which 11 studies were case-control studies, and 2 studies were cohort studies, involving 18 387 patients in total. Meta- analysis showed that the proportion of advanced age [OR=2.04, 95%CI (1.14, 3.64), P=0.02], liver insufficiency [OR=5.95, 95%CI (4.21, 8.40), P<0.000 01], renal insufficiency [OR=3.51, 95%CI (3.04, 4.05), P<0.001], hypoproteinemia [OR= 1.90, 95%CI(1.37, 2.62), P<0.001], poor diet [OR=7.25, 95%CI (5.13, 10.24), P<0.000 01], daily dose of cefoperazone/ sulbactam ≥9 g [OR=3.95, 95%CI (2.45,6.37), P<0.001], medication duration of cefoperazone/sulbactam ≥10 d [OR=2.43, 95%CI (1.81, 3.28), P<0.001], combined use of anticoagulant drugs [OR=2.84, 95%CI (2.03, 3.97), P<0.001], combined with malignant tumor [OR=1.60, 95%CI (1.20, 2.15),P<0.001] in patients with abnormal coagulation function were significantly higher than those with normal coagulation function. CONCLUSIONS Advanced age, liver insufficiency, renal insufficiency, complicated with malignant tumors and hypoalbuminemia, combined use of anticoagulant drugs, poor diet, daily dose ≥9 g, and medication duration≥10 days are risk factors for coagulation dysfunction caused by cefoperazone/sulbactam.
7.Protective Effect of Liuwei Dihuangwan on Mitochondrial Damage in AD Model of Caenorhabditis Elegans
Jinfeng ZHANG ; Yuliang TONG ; Jiapeng WANG ; Ting SU ; Deping ZHAO ; Hao YU ; Kun ZUO ; Ziyue ZHU ; Meiling JIN ; Ning ZHANG ; Xia LEI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(3):18-25
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of the extract of Liuwei Dihuangwan (LW) on mitochondrial damage in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) model of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). MethodC. elegans transfected with human β-amyloid protein (Aβ) 1-42 gene was used as an AD model. The rats were divided into blank group, model group, metformin group (50 mmol·L-1), and low, medium, and high dose (1.04, 2.08, 4.16 g·kg-1) LW groups. Behavioral methods were used to observe the sensitivity of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in nematodes. Western blot was used to detect the expression of Aβ in nematodes. Total ATP content in nematodes was detected by the adenine nucleoside triphosphate (ATP) kit, and mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by the JC-1 method. In addition, the mRNA expression of Aβ expression gene (Amy-1), superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1), mitochondrial transcription factor A homologous gene-5 (HMG-5), mitochondrial power-associated protein 1 (DRP1), and mitochondrial mitoprotein 1 (FIS1) was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). ResultThe extract of LW could reduce the hypersensitivity of the AD model of nematodes to exogenous 5-HT (P<0.05) and delay the AD-like pathological characteristics of hypersensitivity to exogenous 5-HT caused by toxicity from overexpression of Aβ in neurons of the AD model of nematodes. Compared with the blank group, in the model group, the mRNA expression of Aβ protein and Amy-1 increased (P<0.01), and the mRNA expression of SOD-1 and HMG-5 decreased (P<0.01). The mRNA expression of DRP1 and FIS1 increased (P<0.01), and the level of mitochondrial membrane potential decreased (P<0.05). The content of ATP decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the positive medicine group and medium and high dose LW groups, the mRNA expression of Aβ protein and Amy-1 decreased (P<0.05,P<0.01), and the mRNA expression of SOD-1 and HMG-5 increased (P<0.01). The mRNA expression of DRP1 decreased (P<0.05,P<0.01), and that of FIS1 decreased (P<0.01). The level of mitochondrial membrane potential increased (P<0.01), and the content of ATP increased (P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionThe extract of LW may enhance the antioxidant ability of mitochondria, protect mitochondrial DNA, reduce the fragmentation of mitochondrial division, repair the damaged mitochondria, adjust the mitochondrial membrane potential, restore the level of neuronal ATP, and reduce the neuronal damage caused by Aβ deposition.
8.Preparation and Application of Polypyrrole Conductive Hydrogels in Biomedical Field
Kun-Yu REN ; Ru-Min FU ; Yu TIAN ; Xin-Chang KANG ; Lei ZHOU ; Guo-Xin TAN
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2024;52(1):1-12
Hydrogel is a kind of material with high water content,good biocompatibility and extracellular matrix-like property,among which polypyrrole(PPy)conductive hydrogels have both physical characteristics and excellent conductivity of hydrogels themselves.Its conductivity can be used to detect electrical signals generated in biological systems and provide electrical stimulation to regulate the activities and functions of cells and tissues.These characteristics make it widely used in the biomedical field.The recent progress of PPy conductive hydrogels in biomedical field was reviewed in this paper.In terms of classification,according to the cross-linking mechanism of PPy and hydrogel matrix,the non-covalent cross-linked PPy conductive hydrogels and covalent cross-linked PPy conductive hydrogels were divided.The applications of PPy conductive hydrogels in the biomedical field(Skin damage repair,nerve repair,myocardial repair and flexible sensing,etc.)were mainly introduced,and the development trend and challenges of PPy conductive hydrogels in the biomedical field were discussed.
9.Digital characteristics of brainstem morphology and age-related development in young children
Yanan LIU ; Xing WANG ; Kun LI ; Ruifen SUN ; Xueying MA ; Lei ZHAO ; Yuhang LIU ; Yang YANG ; Yunteng HAO ; Ziyu LI ; Shaojie ZHANG ; Zhijun LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(11):1730-1736
BACKGROUND:Previous brain studies have mostly focused on adults and fetuses,and the developmental characteristics of young children's brainstems have rarely been studied. OBJECTIVE:To observe the brainstem development characteristics of healthy young children and to explore the age-related differences and their correlation with sex. METHODS:From January 2019 to April 2022,a retrospective study of 3.0T MRI images of 174 children aged 2 to 6 years in the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University was conducted,and the median sagittal diameter,area and angle of the brainstem(including midbrain,pons and medulla oblongata)were measured. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There is an age-related increase in the anterior and posterior diameters of the midbrain,pons and medulla oblongata in the 2-5 years old group as well as in the longitudinal diameter and area of the midbrain,pons and medulla oblongata in the 2-6 years old group.Except for the longitudinal diameter of the medulla oblongata,all others show a positive correlation with age(r>0,P<0.05).In the 2-3 years old group and 4-5 years old group,the children are in the rapid growth and development stage,and these two age groups can be used as the key observation indicators for the development of young children.The anterior-posterior diameter,longitudinal diameter,area of the pons and total brainstem area are strongly correlated with age,which can be used as the key observation indicators for the brainstem development in young children.
10.Preparation and characterization of a novel self-assembled polypeptide hydrogel sustainably releasing platelet-rich plasma growth factors
Fengying QI ; Lei WANG ; Dongdong LI ; Shaoduo YAN ; Kun LIU ; Yizhe ZHENG ; Zixin HE ; Xiaoyang YI ; Donggen WANG ; Qiuxia FU ; Jun LIANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(15):2364-2370
BACKGROUND:Due to the sudden release and the rapid removal by proteases,platelet-rich plasma hydrogel leads to shorter residence times of growth factors at the wound site.In recent years,researchers have focused on the use of hydrogels to encapsulate platelet-rich plasma in order to improve the deficiency of platelet-rich plasma hydrogels. OBJECTIVE:To prepare self-assembled polypeptide-platelet-rich plasma hydrogel and to explore its effects on the release of bioactive factors of platelet-rich plasma. METHODS:The self-assembled polypeptide was synthesized by the solid-phase synthesis method,and the solution was prepared by D-PBS.Hydrogels were prepared by mixing different volumes of polypeptide solutions with platelet-rich plasma and calcium chloride/thrombin solutions,so that the final mass fraction of polypeptides in the system was 0.1%,0.3%,and 0.5%,respectively.The hydrogel state was observed,and the release of growth factors in platelet-rich plasma was detected in vitro.The polypeptide self-assembly was stimulated by mixing 1%polypeptide solution with 1%human serum albumin solution,so that the final mass fraction of the polypeptide was 0.1%,0.3%,and 0.5%,respectively.The flow state of the liquid was observed,and the rheological mechanical properties of the self-assembled polypeptide were tested.The microstructure of polypeptide(mass fraction of 0.1%and 0.001%)-human serum albumin solution was observed by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Hydrogels could be formed between different volumes of polypeptide solution and platelet-rich plasma.Compared with platelet-rich plasma hydrogels,0.1%and 0.3%polypeptide-platelet-rich plasma hydrogels could alleviate the sudden release of epidermal growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor,and extend the release time to 48 hours.(2)After the addition of human serum albumin,the 0.1%polypeptide group still exhibited a flowing liquid,the 0.3%polypeptide group was semi-liquid,and the 0.5%polypeptide group stimulated self-assembly to form hydrogel.It was determined that human serum albumin in platelet-rich plasma could stimulate the self-assembly of polypeptides.With the increase of the mass fraction of the polypeptide,the higher the storage modulus of the self-assembled polypeptide,the easier it was to form glue.(3)Transmission electron microscopy exhibited that the polypeptide nanofibers were short and disordered before the addition of human serum albumin.After the addition of human serum albumin,the polypeptide nanofibers became significantly longer and cross-linked into bundles,forming a dense fiber network structure.Under a scanning electron microscope,the polypeptides displayed a disordered lamellar structure before adding human serum albumin.After the addition of human serum albumin,the polypeptides self-assembled into cross-linked and densely arranged porous structures.(4)In conclusion,the novel polypeptide can self-assemble triggered by platelet-rich plasma and the self-assembly effect can be accurately adjusted according to the ratio of human serum albumin to polypeptide.This polypeptide has a sustained release effect on the growth factors of platelet-rich plasma,which can be used as a new biomaterial for tissue repair.


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