1.Development and Application of the Evidence Quality Rating Scale for Ancient Classical Prescriptions in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Juwen ZHANG ; Jianping LIU ; Xiangfei SU ; Wei WEI ; Xiaolan SU ; Xue FENG ; Fanya YU ; Xudong ZHANG ; Junhong YU ; Wei CHEN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(8):804-810
ObjectiveTo develop the Evidence Grading Scale for Ancient classical prescriptions in Traditional Chinese medicine, assess its reliability and validity, and apply it in practice to provide multi-source evidence for clinical practice guidelines development. MethodsLiterature retrieval was conducted to extract and screen existing evaluation dimensions, then the initial items were summarized using thematic analysis. Experts in the clinical medicine, medical history and literature participated in the Delphi questionnaire survey to evaluate and refine the items. An expert consensus meeting was conducted to finalize the included items, refine the method for items evaluation and evidence grading. The evidence quality rating scale for ancient classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescriptions was then established and tested for reliability and validity. ResultsThrough literature review, extraction, screening and summarization, a total of 3 dimensions and 12 initial items were formed. Questionnaires were sent to 69 experts to evaluate the initial items, with a questionnaire response rate of 100% and an expert authority coefficient of 0.92. All 12 items were retained for they had importance scores above 4. The Evidence Grading Scale on Ancient classical prescriptions in Traditional Chinese medicine includes 3 dimensions with 12 items. The 3 dimensions includes ancient evidence, inheritance status, and modern application. Each dimension contains 4 items, and each item has a full score of 5 points. The evidence was rated as high-level, moderate-level, and low-level according to the final scores. The content validity index (CVI) of the 12 items was >0.9, the average CVI of the scale was 0.98, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.90. ConclusionThe Evidence Grading Scale on Ancient classical prescriptions in Traditional Chinese medicine has good reliability and validity, which is practical for use in the development of TCM clinical guidelines and can better support clinical decision-making.
2.Establishment of Psoriasis Rat Model with Spleen Deficiency and Dampness Obstruction Syndrome Induced by External Dampness Factors
Yating ZHANG ; Haojie SU ; Fanlu LIU ; Panyu ZHOU ; Qing WANG ; Junhong ZHANG ; Jingjing WU ; Ling HAN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(13):1369-1377
ObjectiveTo construct a rat model of psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type), and evaluate the macroscopic manifestations and microscopic indicators of the model. MethodsTwenty-two SD rats were divided into normal group (n=3), common psoriasis group (n=5), spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) group (n=7), and psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) group (n=7). The spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) rat model was established through 32-week exposure to an artificially simulated high-humidity environment, while the common psoriasis model was developed via 7-day topical application of imiquimod cream, and these two approaches were combined to construct a composite model of psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type). Rats in the normal group were housed under normal humidity conditions. The general state, tongue manifestation of rats were observed to evaluate the macroscopic syndrome manifestations; the microscopic syndrome manifestations of rats were evaluated through adipose tissue and liver tissue changes; the severity of psoriasis in rats was evaluated through skin pathological changes, psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression and spleen tissue changes; changes in rat CD4+ interferon-γ+ cells (CD4+IFN-γ+ cells), CD4+ tumour necrosis factor-α+ cells (CD4+ TNF-α+ cells), and forkhead framing protein P3+ regulatory T cells (CD3+CD4+FoxP3+ Treg cells) were detected by flow cytometry. ResultsMacroscopically, both the spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) group and psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) group exhibited manifestations of spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction, including lethargy, huddling behavior, dull and disheveled fur, as well as soft or loose stools and perianal soiling in some individuals; both these two groups displayed enlarged tongue, swollen, and moist tongue texture, accompanied by slippery tongue surface. Microscopically, compared to the common psoriasis group, the psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) group showed increased epididymal fat index (P<0.05); compared to the normal group and spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) group, the psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) group demonstrated significantly elevated spleen mass (P<0.05), while hepatic gross morphology and HE staining revealed no significant histopathological changes across all groups. Dorsal skin lesions were markedly exacerbated in the psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) group when compared to those in common psoriasis group. Both the common psoriasis group and psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) group exhibited significantly higher erythema scores, scaling scores, infiltration scores, PASI total scores, and proportions of CD3+CD4+FoxP3+Treg cells compared to the normal group and spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) group (P<0.05), with pronounced PCNA-positive expression observed in the epidermal basal layer and dermis; the psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) group displayed significantly increased proportions of CD4+TNF-α+cells compared to the spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) group (P<0.05); whereas no significant differences were detected in CD4+IFN-γ+cell proportions among groups (P>0.05). ConclusionThe rat model of psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) can be successfully constructed by artificially simulating a high-humidity environment combined with imiquimod induction.
3.Mechanism prediction and validation of Kaixinsan in ameliorating neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease
Dandan XU ; Yongchang ZENG ; Shaoyu LIANG ; Qi LIU ; Junhong WU ; Kang HE
China Pharmacy 2025;36(12):1476-1482
OBJECTIVE To predict and validate the potential mechanisms of Kaixinsan (KXS) in ameliorating neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). METHODS Network pharmacology was employed to identify core anti- inflammatory components and key inflammatory targets of KXS for AD. Gene ontology (GO) functional annotation, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment, and molecular docking were performed. Based on these findings, male SD rats were used to establish an AD model via chronic D-galactose induction. The effects of KXS on AD rats were evaluated, including quantitative behavioral score, learning and memory parameters (escape latency, platform crossings, platform quadrant distance and time), organ indexes (heart, liver, spleen, thymus), histopathological alterations in the hippocampus, and expressions of inflammation-related pathway proteins and their upstream/downstream regulators. RESULTS Core anti-inflammatory components of KXS for AD included gomisin B, panaxytriol, gomisin A, enhydrin, vulgarin and panaxydol, while key inflammatory targets involved nuclear factor-kappa B subunit 1( NFKB1), nuclear factor-κB p65( NF-κB p65), interleukin-1β( IL- 1β), IL-6, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), tumor necrosis factor, nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain- containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) and caspase-1 (CASP1). GO and KEGG pathway enrichment involved inflammatory response, phosphorylation and the NF-κB signaling pathway. Molecular docking confirmed strong binding affinities between core components and key targets. Animal experiments demonstrated that, compared to the model group, KXS significantly alleviated histopathological damage (e.g., neuronal shrinkage, reduced Nissl bodies in hippocampal CA1, CA3, and DG regions), increased organ indexes (except for liver index) and Nissl-stained positive cells, improved learning and memory performance, and reduced behavioral scores (at the 8 and 12 weeks of the experiment) and protein expression of NF- κB p65, phosphorylated NF- κB p65, TLR4, NLRP3, CASP1 and IL-1β. CONCLUSIONS KXS effectively mitigates neuroinflammation, reduces hippocampal neuronal injury, and enhances learning and memory ability in AD rats, potentially through suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway and its upstream/ downstream regulators.
4.Disparities in unexpected antibody distribution and clinical features by frequency of cross-matching incompatibility
Danli CUI ; Bujin LIU ; Haiman ZOU ; Pengwei YIN ; Yun QING ; Huayou DAI ; Siqi WU ; Junhong YANG ; Xia HUANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(8):1063-1070
Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics, the types of unexpected antibodies, and their impacts on immunological risks among patients with different frequencies of cross-matching incompatibility, so as to propose corresponding solutions. Methods: Data of cross-matching incompatibility samples from 92 medical institutions during 2022 to 2024 were collected and divided into three groups based on the frequency of cross-matching. Statistical analysis was performed on disease types, distribution of hematologic diseases, alloantibody detection rates, and proportions of alloantibody types. Results: The 858 patients were divided into three groups based on the frequency of blood cross-matching incompatibility: ≥5 times (8.28%, 71/858), 2 to 4 times (28.21%, 242/858); 1 time (63.52%, 545/858). There was a clustered distribution of disease types in the ≥5 cross-matchings group, with 71.83% (51/71) of patients having tumors or hematologic and hematopoietic diseases. In contrast, the disease types in the 2 to 4 cross-matchings and 1 cross-matching groups were more diverse. An analysis of 249 patients with hematologic diseases found that multiple myeloma was the most common disease in all three groups, accounting for 31.43% (11/35), 35.37% (29/82), and 37.88% (50/132) respectively. In the ≥5 cross-matchings group, myelodysplastic syndrome (14.29%, 5/35) and thalassemia (14.29%, 5/35) were the second most common diseases. In contrast, in the 2 to 4 cross-matchings group and 1 cross-matching group, autoimmune hemolytic anemia was the second most common disease, with prevalence rates of 20.73% (17/82) and 24.24% (32/132), respectively. Alloantibodies were detected in 54.66% of the patients, with antibodies against Rh blood group being most frequent (>50%) in all three groups. The detection rates of alloantibodies/alloantibodies with coexisting autoantibodies decreased across groups: the ≥5 cross-matchings group (70.42%, 50/71) > the 2 to 4 cross-matchings group (54.96%, 133/242) > the 1 cross-matching group (52.48%, 286/545). Conclusion: The risk of alloantibody production increases in patients with multiple cross-matching incompatibilities, especially in those with tumors or hematologic diseases. For handling of cross-matching incompatibility cases, it is recommended to optimize the cross-matching process, implement individualized transfusion plans, and enhance the technical capabilities of clinical transfusion departments and blood group reference laboratories to ensure the safety and effectiveness of transfusions.
5.Study on the epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of long COVID among previously infected individuals in two communities in Shanghai
Junhong YUE ; Chen CHEN ; Qingqing JIA ; Xiaoxia LIU ; Huiting WANG ; Fei WU ; Yanlu YIN ; Jiajie ZANG ; Yanfei GUO ; Fan WU
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(7):597-605
ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics of long COVID and to investigate its main influencing factors by examining individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 between March and June 2022 in two communities in Shanghai, to lay the foundation for further research on the mechanism and clinical treatment of long COVID, and to provide the basis for the development of inexpensive, convenient, and feasible prevention and intervention strategies. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted, enrolling 6 410 individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey. The incidence and common symptoms of long COVID were analyzed, along with their associations with demographic characteristics, medical history, and behavioral factors. A logistic regression model was used to identify the major factors associated with the development of long COVID symptoms. ResultsThe overall incidence rate of long COVID among the study population was 13.9%. The most commonly reported symptoms included fatigue (65.1%), attention disorders (23.1%), and cough (16.9%). The analysis showed that having underlying chronic diseases (OR=2.580, 95%CI: 2.165‒3.074), a history of allergies (OR=1.418, 95%CI: 1.003‒1.971), current smoking (OR=1.461, 95%CI: 1.013‒2.079), ever smoking (OR=2.462, 95%CI: 1.687‒3.551), a greater number of symptoms during the acute phase [1 symptom (OR=1.778, 95%CI: 1.459‒2.162), 2 symptoms (OR=2.749, 95%CI: 2.209‒3.409), ≥3 symptoms (OR=7.792, 95%CI: 6.333‒9.593)] and aggravated symptoms during the acute phase (OR=1.082, 95%CI: 1.070‒1.094) were factors associated with a higher risk of developing long COVID symptoms. Additionally, individuals who had consumed alcohol in the past year (OR=1.914, 95%CI: 1.344‒2.684) were more prone to objective long COVID symptoms. Among individuals under 50 years of age, females (OR=1.427, 95%CI: 1.052‒1.943) were more likely to develop objective long COVID symptoms. ConclusionThis study has identified the diversity of long COVID symptoms, which involve multiple organs and systems, including fatigue, attention disorders, cough, and joint pain. It has also revealed associations between long COVID and various demographic factors (e.g., age, gender), personal medical history (e.g., underlying chronic diseases, history of allergies), acute-phase characteristics (e.g., number and severity of symptoms), and behavioral factors (e.g., smoking, alcohol consumption). These findings highlight the need for further research and ongoing surveillance of long COVID and may inform the development of more targeted health management strategies for specific populations.
6.Expression levels of methylated SIM2,GNA12 and CTGF in pregnant women with preeclampsia and its predictive value for disease
Kuo ZHANG ; Ying CHEN ; Dan LIU ; Junhong WANG
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;45(1):44-48
Objective To investigate the plasma levels of methylated DNA in the pregnant women with preeclampsia and its predictive value for the occurrence of preeclampsia.Methods A total of 82 pregnant women with preeclampsia admitted to the hospital from January to December 2022 were included as the obser-vation group,and another 82 healthy pregnant women were included as the control group.Total DNA was ex-tracted,and the relative expression levels of methylated single-intention homolog 2(SIM2),guanine nucleo-tide-binding protein(GNA12),and connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)genes in plasma were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR)after DNA bisulfite modification.The value of methyla-ted DNA in predicting preeclampsia was evaluated by correlation analysis and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The relative expression levels of methylated SIM2,GNA12 and CTGF in plasma in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05),and the relative expres-sion levels of methylated SIM2,GNA12 and CTGF in severe preeclampsia group was higher(P<0.05).Corre-lation analysis showed that the relative expression levels of methylated SIM2,GNA12 and CTGF in plasma were significantly positively correlated with the occurrence of preeclampsia in pregnant women(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis results showed that the relative expression levels of plasma methylation SIM2,GNA12,and CTGF,both individually and in combination,had good predictive efficacy in predicting preeclampsia in pregnant women,and the combined detection of the three had the highest predictive efficacy(area under the curve was 0.888,95%CI:0.827-0.949).Conclusion Compared with healthy pregnant women,the relative expression levels of methylated SIM2,GNA12 and CTGF in plasma are higher in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia,which are positively correlated with the occurrence of preeclampsia and the severity of the disease.The relative expression levels of methylated SIM2,GNA12 and CTGF are expected to be important predicting indicators for preeclampsia.
7.Analysis of the relationship between KRT15 and KRT18 protein expression and clinicopathological features and prognosis in colorectal cancer tissue
Junhong MENG ; Mingyue GAO ; Cheng GONG ; Xiaoya ZHANG ; Wenjie SHI ; Duxian LIU
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;45(4):435-440
Objective To investigate the relationship between the expression of keratin 15(KRT15)and keratin 18(KRT18)proteins in colorectal cancer tissue and their clinicopathological features and prognosis.Methods A total of 97 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent surgical treatment in a hospital from June 2018 to June 2019 were selected as the study objects.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the ex-pression of KRT15 and KRT18 protein in colorectal cancer tissues and adjacent tissues,and the differences of KRT15 and KRT18 protein expression in colorectal cancer patients with different clinicopathological features were compared.The patients with colorectal cancer were followed up for 3 years after discharge,and their o-verall survival(OS)during the follow-up period was analyzed.Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Log-rank test were used to analyze the difference in OS rate among colorectal cancer patients with different KRT15 and KRT18 protein expression.Univariate and multivariate COX proportional regression analysis was performed to analyze the factors affecting the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer.Results The positive expres-sion rates of KRT15 and KRT18 protein in colorectal cancer tissues were higher than those in adjacent tis-sues,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The positive expression rates of KRT15 and KRT18 protein in colorectal cancer tissues of patients with low differentiation,TNM Ⅲ stage,perineural inva-sion and preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)level ≥5 ng/mL were higher than those of patients with medium-high differentiation,TNM Ⅰ-Ⅱ stage,without perineural invasion and preoperative CEA level<5 ng/mL,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The 3-year OS rates of colorectal cancer patients with positive expression of KRT15 and KRT18 protein were 64.29%and 60.00%respectively,which were lower than those of patients with negative expression of KRT15 and KRT18 protein(83.64%and 85.96%respec-tively),and the difference was statistically significant(x2=6.497,7.987,P<0.05).Multivariate COX pro-portional regression analysis showed that TNM stage Ⅲ,positive expression of KRT15 protein and positive expression of KRT18 protein were risk factors affecting the survival of patients with colorectal cancer(P<0.05).Conclusion The expression of KRT15 and KRT18 protein in colorectal cancer tissues can provide ref-erence for prognosis assessment of patients with colorectal cancer.
8.BMI1/NF-κB axis remodeling TAMs phenotype promotes the malignant biological behavior of oral squa-mous cell carcinoma
Yahui LI ; Huan LI ; Yaodong HE ; Rong LIU ; Junhong HUANG ; Yating HU ; Jing LI ; Yanbing YAO ; Xin-Jie YANG ; Jianhua WEI
Journal of Practical Stomatology 2024;40(2):233-240
Objective:To investigate the impact of BMI1 expression in OSCC on the recruitment and differentiation of tumor-associat-ed macrophages(TAMs).Methods:BMI1 expression in 519 cases of OSCC tissues and 44 normal controls was analyzed using online datasets of GEPIA 2.0,and validated in 3 cases of OSCC samples and controls by qRT-PCR and western blotting.The function of BMI1/NF-κB axis during OSCC carcinogenesis was investigated by CCK8 assays,wound healing test and transwell assays.Macrophage phenotypes and recruitment were determined using qRT-PCR and western blotting following coculture of the cells with human monocyte cells(THP-1)by OSCC conditioned medium.Moreover,a cell line-derived xenograft(CDX)model was used to detect the effect of BMI1 on tumor growth in vivo.Results:Compared with the normal tissues and cells,the expression level of BMI1 in OSCC tissues and cells was significantly upregulated.BMI1 knockdown impaired the proliferation,migration,and invasion abilities of OSCC cell lines in NF-κB-dependent manner.Furthermore,OSCC cells with high BMI1 expression inhibited the migration of THP-1 cells,promoted M2-like macrophage polarization through NF-κB pathway in vitro.Xenograft experiments further confirmed the inhibitory effect of BMI1 knockdown on the tumorigenesis ability of OSCC cells in vivo.Conclusion:BMI1 promotes M2-like polarization by regulating NF-κB and may be used as a potential therapeutic target for antitumor immunity.
9.Application of binomial distribution-based statistical process control method in blood quality control
Xingchen LIU ; Huayou DAI ; Junhong YANG ; Danli CUI ; Siqi WU ; Pengwei YIN ; Xia HUANG ; Yongzhu XU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2024;37(2):196-202
【Objective】 This study endeavors to introduce the statistical process control (SPC) method to analyze the quality control index concerning red blood cells in additive solution with leukocytes reduced, with the aspiration to advance the effective utilization of blood quality control data, thereby providing empirical foundations for the continual enhancement of blood quality. 【Methods】 Between 2020 and 2022, test data pertaining to the quality control index of red blood cells in additive solution with leukocytes reduced were amassed from six blood stations in Chongqing area. Utilizing Minitab software, the SPC analysis was carried out, p-control charts were delineated, the non-conformance rates of each quality control index along with their 95% confidence intervals were computed, as well as the Process Capability Index (Z value). 【Results】 In accordance with the Whole Blood and Blood Components Quality Requirements, the appraisal of the quality control indexes for red blood cells in additive solution with leukocytes reduced manifested a conformity rate of 100% for appearance, end-of-storage hemolysis rate and sterility test. Nonetheless, the conformity rates for volume, hemoglobin, hematocrit and residual leukocytes did not attain 100%, albeit all were ≥75%. Through the employment of binomial distribution-based p-control charts, the controlled state of the production process was discerned. Although the overarching conformity rate satisfied the national standard stipulations, it was discerned that there were out-of-control points concerning volume, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and residual leukocytes across different institutions, exhibiting palpable trends. The non-conformance rates of all quality control indexes were less than 25%, yet at a 95% confidence level, the residual leukocyte counts from institutions B, C, E, and F did not adhere to the stipulations (exceeding 25%). By architecting the ability evaluation index Z value for count data process capability analysis, it was unveiled that the volume of institution E, the hematocrit of institutions B, C, and F, and the residual leukocytes Z values of all six blood collection and supply institutions were below 2, hinting at avenues for amelioration. 【Conclusion】 The SPC method anchored in binomial distribution exhibits substantial application merit in blood component quality management, facilitating real-time surveillance of blood collection, preparation, and storage procedures.
10.A study on the association between insulin resistance and genome-wide DNA methylation based on Shanghai monozygotic twins
Jingyuan FENG ; Rongfei ZHOU ; Hongwei LIU ; Zihan HU ; Fei WU ; Huiting WANG ; Junhong YUE ; Zhenni ZHU ; Fan WU
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2024;45(7):932-940
Objective:To explore the association between insulin resistance (IR) and genome-wide DNA methylation based on Shanghai twin study.Methods:Monozygotic twins (MZ) from Shanghai were recruited during 2012-2013, 2017-2018, and 2022-2023. Data were collected by questionnaire survey, physical examination and laboratory tests. Genome-wide DNA methylation was quantified. Generalized linear mixed effect model was applied to analyze the association between methylation level at each site and homeostatic model assessment 2-insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR). Non-paired and paired designs were used to assess the association between DNA methylation and phenotype of IR. Cluster analysis was conducted to identify the clusters of top significant sites. Generalized linear regression was performed to examine the differential methylation patterns from clusters.Results:A total of 100 MZ pairs were included in this study. Hypermethylated cg10535199-2q23.1 ( β=0.74%, P=1.51×10 -7, OR=1.06, 95% CI: 1.03-1.09) and ch.17.49619327- SPOP ( β=0.23%, P=7.54×10 -7, OR=1.17, 95% CI: 1.08-1.28) were identified with suggestive significance. After correcting for multiple testing, no sites reached genome-wide significance. There was no statistical significance in the paired analysis. Two clusters with hypomethylated ( β=-0.39%, P<0.001) and hypermethylated ( β=0.47%, P<0.001) patterns were observed for HOMA2-IR. Conclusions:IR was significantly associated with DNA methylation, and genetic factors might contribute to the association.

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