1.Dimethyl fumarate alleviates DEHP-induced intrahepatic cholestasis in maternal rats during pregnancy through NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway
Yue Jiang ; Yun Yu ; Lun Zhang ; Qianqian Huang ; Wenkang Tao ; Mengzhen Hou ; Fang Xie ; Xutao Ling ; Jianqing Wang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(1):117-123
Objective :
To investigate the protective effect of dimethyl fumarate(DMF) on maternal intrahepatic cholestasis(ICP) during pregnancy induced by di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate(DEHP) exposure and its mechanism.
Methods :
Thirty-two 8-week-old female institute of cancer research(ICR) mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: Ctrl group, DEHP group, DMF group and DEHP+DMF group. DEHP and DEHP+DMF groups were treated with DEHP(200 mg/kg) by gavage every morning at 9:00 a.m. DMF and DEHP+DMF groups were treated with DMF(150 mg/kg) from day 13 to day 16 of gestation by gavage. After completion of gavage on day 16 of pregnancy, maternal blood, maternal liver, placenta, and amniotic fluid were collected from pregnant mice after a six-hour abrosia. The body weight of the mother rats and the body weight of the fetus rats were sorted and analyzed; the levels of total bile acid(TBA), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase(AST/ALT) in serum and TBA in liver, amniotic fluid and placenta were detected by biochemical analyzer; HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of liver tissue; Quantitative reverse transcription PCR(RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin(IL)-6, IL-1, IL-18 and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3) in the liver; Western blot was used to detect the expression of the nuclear factor KappaB(NF-κB) and NLRP3.
Results :
Compared with the control group, the body weight of the DEHP-treated dams and pups decreased(P<0.05); the levels of TBA, ALP, AST/ALT in the serum of dams and the levels of TBA in the liver, amniotic fluid, and placenta of dams increased(P<0.05); the histopathological results showed that liver tissue was damaged, bile ducts were deformed, and there was inflammatory cell infiltration around them; the levels of inflammation-related factors TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1, IL-18 and NLRP3 transcription in maternal liver increased(P<0.05); the expression of NF-κB and NLRP3 protein in maternal liver significantly increased( P<0. 05). Compared with the DEHP group,the body weight of both dams and fetuses significantly increased in DEHP + DMF group( P<0. 05); the levels of TBA,ALP,AST/ALT in the serum of dams and amniotic fluid of fetuses decreased( P<0. 05); the degree of liver lesions was improved; the transcription levels of inflammation-related factors TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1,IL-18 and NLRP3 in maternal liver decreased( P<0. 05); the expression of NF-κB and NLRP3 protein in maternal liver significantly decreased( P<0. 05).
Conclusion
DMF can effectively protect the DEHP exposure to lead to female ICP,and its mechanism may be through inhibiting the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway and reducing liver inflammation.
2.Syndrome evolution of acute-on-chronic liver failure and ideas for diagnosis and treatment
Qianqian ZHANG ; Yu HUANG ; Kewei SUN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(6):1008-1015
Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is an acute and critical illness with a high short-term mortality rate, and current therapies mainly focus on elimination of causes, organ support, and prevention of complications. Although liver transplantation is the most effective treatment modality, its clinical application is limited, and traditional Chinese medicine has shown significant advantages and characteristics in the treatment of ACLF. In traditional Chinese medicine, ACLF is classified into the same category as diseases such as “jaundice”, and unlike traditional jaundice which is mostly characterized by excess and heat syndromes, the syndrome of ACLF has gradually transformed from Yang jaundice to Yin jaundice due to the changing disease spectrum of ACLF. With reference to the pathogenesis of ACLF in Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine theories, this article discusses the essential pathogenesis of ACLF in traditional Chinese medicine, explores the evolution of ACLF syndromes, and reviews the research advances in the clinical efficacy and mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine based on the three-factor differentiation-based treatment of damp-heat, blood stasis-heat, and spleen deficiency, as well as the safety of spleen-strengthening and Yang-warming drugs in the clinical treatment of ACLF, in order to provide ideas, methods, and evidence for the application of traditional Chinese medicine in ACLF.
3.Clinical Efficacy of Xiaoji Hufei Formula in Protecting Children with Close Contact Exposure to Influenza: A Multicenter,Prospective, Non-randomized, Parallel, Controlled Trial
Jing WANG ; Jianping LIU ; Tiegang LIU ; Hong WANG ; Yingxin FU ; Jing LI ; Huaqing TAN ; Yingqi XU ; Yanan MA ; Wei WANG ; Jia WANG ; Haipeng CHEN ; Yuanshuo TIAN ; Yang WANG ; Chen BAI ; Zhendong WANG ; Qianqian LI ; He YU ; Xueyan MA ; Fei DONG ; Liqun WU ; Xiaohong GU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):223-230
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of Xiaoji Hufei Formula in protecting children with close contact exposure to influenza, and to provide reference and evidence-based support for better clinical prevention and treatment of influenza in children. MethodsA multicenter, prospective, non-randomized, parallel, controlled trial was conducted from October 2021 to May 2022 in five hospitals, including Dongfang Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. Confirmed influenza cases and influenza-like illness (ILI) cases were collected, and eligible children with close contact exposure to these cases were recruited in the outpatient clinics. According to whether the enrolled close contacts were willing to take Xiaoji Hufei formula for influenza prevention, they were assigned to the observation group (108 cases) or the control group (108 cases). Follow-up visits were conducted on days 7 and 14 after enrollment. The primary outcomes were the incidence of ILI and the rate of laboratory-confirmed influenza. Secondary outcomes included traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom score scale for influenza, influenza-related emergency (outpatient) visit rate, influenza hospitalization rate, and time to onset after exposure to influenza cases. ResultsA total of 216 participants were enrolled, with 108 in the observation group and 108 in the control group. Primary outcomes: (1) Incidence of ILI: The incidence was 12.0% (13/108) in the observation group and 23.1% (25/108) in the control group, with the observation group showing a significantly lower incidence (χ2=4.6, P<0.05). (2) Influenza confirmation rate: 3.7% (4/108) in the observation group and 4.6% (5/108) in the control group, with no statistically significant difference. Secondary outcomes: (1) TCM symptom score scale: after onset, nasal congestion and runny nose scores differed significantly between the two groups (P<0.05), while other symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and cough showed no significant differences. (2) Influenza-related emergency (outpatient) visit rate: 84.6% (11 cases) in the observation group and 96.0% (24 cases) in the control group, with no significant difference. (3) Time to onset after exposure: The median onset time after exposure to index patients was 7 days in the observation group and 4 days in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). ConclusionIn previously healthy children exposed to infectious influenza cases under unprotected conditions, Xiaoji Hufei formula prophylaxis significantly reduced the incidence of ILI. Xiaoji Hufei Formula can be recommended as a specific preventive prescription for influenza in children.
4.Clinical Efficacy of Xiaoji Hufei Formula in Protecting Children with Close Contact Exposure to Influenza: A Multicenter,Prospective, Non-randomized, Parallel, Controlled Trial
Jing WANG ; Jianping LIU ; Tiegang LIU ; Hong WANG ; Yingxin FU ; Jing LI ; Huaqing TAN ; Yingqi XU ; Yanan MA ; Wei WANG ; Jia WANG ; Haipeng CHEN ; Yuanshuo TIAN ; Yang WANG ; Chen BAI ; Zhendong WANG ; Qianqian LI ; He YU ; Xueyan MA ; Fei DONG ; Liqun WU ; Xiaohong GU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):223-230
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of Xiaoji Hufei Formula in protecting children with close contact exposure to influenza, and to provide reference and evidence-based support for better clinical prevention and treatment of influenza in children. MethodsA multicenter, prospective, non-randomized, parallel, controlled trial was conducted from October 2021 to May 2022 in five hospitals, including Dongfang Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. Confirmed influenza cases and influenza-like illness (ILI) cases were collected, and eligible children with close contact exposure to these cases were recruited in the outpatient clinics. According to whether the enrolled close contacts were willing to take Xiaoji Hufei formula for influenza prevention, they were assigned to the observation group (108 cases) or the control group (108 cases). Follow-up visits were conducted on days 7 and 14 after enrollment. The primary outcomes were the incidence of ILI and the rate of laboratory-confirmed influenza. Secondary outcomes included traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom score scale for influenza, influenza-related emergency (outpatient) visit rate, influenza hospitalization rate, and time to onset after exposure to influenza cases. ResultsA total of 216 participants were enrolled, with 108 in the observation group and 108 in the control group. Primary outcomes: (1) Incidence of ILI: The incidence was 12.0% (13/108) in the observation group and 23.1% (25/108) in the control group, with the observation group showing a significantly lower incidence (χ2=4.6, P<0.05). (2) Influenza confirmation rate: 3.7% (4/108) in the observation group and 4.6% (5/108) in the control group, with no statistically significant difference. Secondary outcomes: (1) TCM symptom score scale: after onset, nasal congestion and runny nose scores differed significantly between the two groups (P<0.05), while other symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and cough showed no significant differences. (2) Influenza-related emergency (outpatient) visit rate: 84.6% (11 cases) in the observation group and 96.0% (24 cases) in the control group, with no significant difference. (3) Time to onset after exposure: The median onset time after exposure to index patients was 7 days in the observation group and 4 days in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). ConclusionIn previously healthy children exposed to infectious influenza cases under unprotected conditions, Xiaoji Hufei formula prophylaxis significantly reduced the incidence of ILI. Xiaoji Hufei Formula can be recommended as a specific preventive prescription for influenza in children.
5.Sleep quality among the elderly in nursing homes in Changning District
ZHAO Qianqian ; ZHANG Lei ; YU Li ; XIA Qinghua ; JIANG Yu
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(4):408-412
Objective:
To investigate the prevalence of sleep quality among the elderly in nursing homes in Changning District, Shanghai Municipality, so as to provide insights into prevention and intervention strategies for improving sleep quality and overall quality of life for the elderly.
Methods:
The elderly from 25 nursing homes in Changning District were selected using a two-stage sampling method. Basic information including gender, age and types of medication were collected. Sleep quality was assessed using the Athens Insomnia Scale, and depressive symptoms were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale. Factors affecting sleep quality among the elderly in nursing homes were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model.
Results:
A total of 739 participants were surveyed, including 516 males (69.82%) and 223 females (30.18%). The majority of participants were aged 80 to <90 years (478, 64.68%). Among them, 432 participants (58.46%) had normal sleep, 144 (19.49%) had suspected insomnia, and 163 (22.06%) had insomnia. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that older age (OR=1.030, 95%CI: 1.005-1.055), more medication types (OR=1.971, 95%CI: 1.381-2.812), frequent nighttime bathroom visits (OR=2.921, 95%CI: 1.853-4.605) and depressive symptoms (OR=3.295, 95%CI: 2.440-4.449) were associated with a higher risk of insomnia among the elderly in nursing homes.
Conclusions
Insomnia was reported in 22.06% of the elderly in nursing homes in Changning District. Age, the number of medication types, frequency of nighttime bathroom visits, and depressive symptoms are the main influencing factors for their sleep quality.
6.Analysis on Components Absorbed into Blood and Cerebrospinal Fluid of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus Based on Sequential Metabolism
Shuang YU ; Yanli PAN ; Huining LIU ; Xueyan LI ; Xinyu WANG ; Dongying QI ; Fulu PAN ; Qianqian WANG ; Xiaoyu CHAI ; Guopeng WANG ; Tao MA ; Yang LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(3):114-123
ObjectiveTo identify the prototypical components and metabolites absorbed into blood and cerebrospinal fluid of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus(SCF) based on sequential metabolism combined with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. MethodBlood and cerebrospinal fluid samples of integrated metabolism, intestinal metabolism and hepatic metabolism were collected from male SD rats after gavage and in situ intestinal perfusion administration, and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS) was used to analyze and compare the differences in the spectra of SCF extract, blank plasma, administered plasma, blank cerebrospinal fluid and administered cerebrospinal fluid with ACQUITY UPLC BEH Shield RP18 column(2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.7 µm), the mobile phase was acetonitrile(A)-0.1% formic acid aqueous solution(B) for gradient elution(0-7 min, 95%B; 7-12 min, 95%-35%B; 12-17 min, 35%-15%B; 17-20 min, 15%-12%B; 20-22 min, 12%-5%B; 22-23 min, 5%B; 23-25 min, 5%-95%B; 25-28 min, 95%B). And heated electrospray ionization(HESI) was used with positive and negative ion modes, the scanning range was m/z 100-1 500. The prototypical constituents and their metabolites absorbed into blood and cerebrospinal fluid of SCF were identified according to the retention time, characteristic fragments, molecular formulae and the information of reference substances. ResultA total of 42 chemical components were identified in the extract of SCF, including lignans, flavonoids, amino acids, tannins, and others, of which lignans were the main ones. A total of 27 prototypical components and 14 metabolites were identified in plasma samples from different sites. A total of 15 prototypical components and 9 metabolites were identified in cerebrospinal fluid. The main metabolic reactions involved in the formation of metabolites were mainly demethylation, methylation, demethoxylation and hydroxylation. ConclusionThrough the systematic identification of the prototypical components and metabolites of SCF in rats, it provides data support for further better exploring the material basis of SCF in the treatment of central nervous system diseases.
7.Analysis of Inhibitory Effect of Berberine Compounds on Acetylcholinesterase and Blood-brain Barrier Permeability
Fulu PAN ; Yang LIU ; Huining LIU ; Shuang YU ; Xueyan LI ; Xinyu WANG ; Dongying QI ; Xiaoyu CHAI ; Qianqian WANG ; Zirong YI ; Yanli PAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(9):116-124
ObjectiveTo examine the inhibitory effects of berberine compounds, including columbamine, on acetylcholinesterase from the perspectives of drug-target binding affinity and kinetics and explore the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability of these compounds in different multi-component backgrounds. MethodThe median inhibitory concentration (IC50) of acetylcholinesterase by berberine compounds including columbamine was measured using the Ellman-modified spectrophotometric method. The binding kinetic parameters (Koff) of these compounds with acetylcholinesterase were determined using the enzyme activity recovery method. A qualitative analysis of the ability of these components to penetrate the BBB and arrive at the brain tissue in diverse multi-component backgrounds (including medicinal herbs and compound formulas) was conducted using ultra performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS). ResultBerberine compounds, including columbamine, exhibited strong inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, with IC50 values in the nanomolar range. Moreover, they displayed better drug-target binding kinetics characteristics (with smaller Koff values) than the positive control of donepezil hydrochloride (P<0.01), indicating a longer inhibition duration of acetylcholinesterase. Berberine components such as columbamine could penetrate the BBB to arrive at brain tissue in the form of a monomer, as well as in the multi-component backgrounds of Coptis and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex medicinal extracts and the compound formula Huanglian Jiedutang. ConclusionThese berberine compounds such as columbamine exhibit a strong inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase and can arrive at brain tissue in multi-component backgrounds. In the level of pharmacological substance, this supports the clinical efficacy of compound Huanglian Jiedutang in improving Alzheimer's disease, providing data support for elucidating the pharmacological basis of compound Huanglian Jiedutang.
8.Effect of application of anti-seizure medications on the development of chronic epilepsy after autoimmune encephalitis
Qianqian WANG ; Nian YU ; Yanfang ZHANG ; Qing DI ; Haiyan MA
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2024;57(4):333-340
Objective:To investigate and analyze the use and duration of anti-seizure medications (ASMs) in patients with chronic epilepsy after autoimmune encephalitis (AE), as well as the effect of ASMs use on the formation of this epilepsy to provide relevant evidence for the choice of ASMs in patients with acute seizure or chronic epilepsy after AE.Methods:A retrospective follow-up study was performed on AE patients (including patients with antibody-negative autoimmune limbic encephalitis) diagnosed in the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from December 1, 2013 to October 31, 2022. The dates of the first seizure onset and the chronic epilepsy formation (defined as 1 year after immunotherapy) were recorded. The initial time, types and numbers of ASMs used in acute symptomatic seizure (ASS) and the maintenance time, types and numbers of ASMs in chronic epilepsy period (the continuation or the combined therapy of ASMs) were collected, respectively. A Logistic regression model was used to analyze multi-influencing factors on the formation of chronic epilepsy after AE.Results:A total of 332 patients were enrolled in this study, of whom 32.5% (108/332) with antibody-negative autoimmune limbic encephalitis. In total, 54.8% (182/332) of patients were males, and the age of onset was (40.7±19.7) years. Finally, 81.0% (269/332) of participants manifested ASS, and 57.2% (190/332) developed chronic epilepsy up to the last follow-up. The follow-up time was 1-8 years, with a median of 2 years. All patients received ASMs treatment during ASS period. Among the ASS patients, 48.0% (129/269) were prescribed monotherapy of ASMs, and 52.0% (140/269) were given the combined therapy of ASMs. Of all the patients with ASMs, 70.3% (189/269) were given early ASMs treatment (within 24 hours of the seizure onset), and 29.7% (80/269) were given delayed ASMs treatment. Subsequently, 81.0% (218/269) of the ASS patients continued the ASMs treatment (>6 months), and 19.0% (51/269) stopped use of ASMs. In the chronic epilepsy stage, 79.5% (151/190) of thee epilepsy patients continued ASMs, of whom 37.1% (56/151) were treated with monotherapy, and 62.9% (95/151) were treated with combined therapy. The incidence of chronic epilepsy was 81.3% (65/80) in the delayed ASMs treatment group, higher than the 66.1% (125/189) in the early ASMs treatment group,with statistically significant difference (χ 2=6.189, P=0.013). There were no statistically significant differences in the ASMs types and whether combined therapy of ASMs was used between chronic epilepsy group and non-chronic epilepsy group. The Logistic regression model showed that delayed ASMs treatment ( OR=2.306,95% CI 1.032-6.387, P=0.018), positive anti-neuronal intracellular antibodies ( OR=2.626,95% CI 1.536-9.531, P=0.004,compared with anti- neuronal surface antibodies), abnormal brain magnetic resonance imaging ( OR=9.883,95% CI 3.608-27.071, P<0.001), elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein ( OR=2.874,95% CI 1.115-7.409, P=0.029), and abnormal electroencephalogram ( OR=9.287,95% CI 3.767-22.896, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for chronic epilepsy after AE. Conclusions:The development of chronic epilepsy after AE is associated with the occurrence of ASS and the delayed use of ASMs, but the type of ASMs or whether the combined ASMs therapy is used is not associated with the formation of chronic epilepsy after AE. It is concluded that early ASMs treatment for the AE patients with ASS may reduce the incidence of chronic epilepsy. For AE patients with ASS who have undergone early standardized treatment, long-term, combined ASMs treatment may not be necessary.
9.Quantitative Evaluation of High-Quality Development Policies of Public Hospitals at Provincial Level Based on PMC Index Model
Zihan LANG ; Yixuan WU ; Lifang ZHOU ; Lingfeng XU ; Qianqian YU
Chinese Hospital Management 2024;44(10):1-4,9
Objective It evaluates the high-quality development policies of public hospitals at the provincial level in China,and provides theoretical basis and countermeasures for formulating and optimizing the high-quality develop-ment policies of public hospitals.Methods The ROST CM 6.0 software was used to conduct text mining for 11 sample policies,and the Policy Modeling Consistency(PMC)index model was constructed to evaluate the sample policies quantitatively.Results The average PMC index of 11 sample policies included in the study was 7.16 points,of which 8 were excellent grades and 3 were qualified grades.The first-level variables X5 service system(0.82),X8 Party leadership(0.91)and X6 organization and operation(0.94)scored higher;X2 policy timeliness(0.52),X7 cultural construction(0.68)and X4 service capability(0.71)scored low.Conclusion The content of the high-quality develop-ment policy of public hospitals at the provincial level is basically in line with the national policy,and is relatively excel-lent in the aspects of organization and operation,service system and party leadership,etc.,but there are some weaknesses in the aspects of policy timeliness,cultural construction and service capacity,etc.,which can be op-timized and improved from the aspects of improving service capacity,supplementing long-term policies and strengthening hospital cultural construction.
10.Research on the High-Quality Development Path of Tertiary Public Hospitals Based on fsQCA
Na XU ; Lingfeng XU ; Lifang ZHOU ; Junjie NIU ; Zihan LANG ; Yixuan WU ; Xiaoli JIANG ; Haibo PENG ; Wenqiang YIN ; Chengliang YIN ; Qianqian YU
Chinese Hospital Management 2024;44(10):5-9
Objective To explore the high-quality development path of tertiary public hospitals and provide scientific reference for deepening the reform of public hospitals.Methods Based on SPO theory,it constructed an analytical framework for the high-quality development of tertiary public hospitals,collected data of a quarterly monitoring in-dex for the performance assessment and high-quality development of tertiary public hospitals in a certain province in 2023,and analysed 73 tertiary public hospitals participating in the performance assessment as the object of analy-sis,and adopted the fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis to explore different condition sets of high-quality de-velopment of tertiary public hospitals and reveal the path of high-quality development of public hospitals.Results High-quality development is the result of multi-factor interaction.Four configurations were identified to promote the high-quality development of tertiary public hospitals:service quality-technology-driven path,service quality-driven path,comprehensive service-driven path,and service quality-benefit-driven path.Quality safety and functional orientation were found to be the core elements in promoting high-quality development of public hospitals.Conclusion Hospitals at all levels should strengthen the guidance of party building,combine with the actual functional positioning,take quality and safety as the core,and optimize the combination conditions of technical level,personnel structure,service process,and cost control.It is essential to clarify the development strategy of hospitals,implement the dynamic concept,and realize the high-quality development of public hospitals.


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