1.Effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Yishen Formula in regulating the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD signaling axis on pyroptosis in rats with diabetic kidney disease
Shujuan Hu ; Xuhua Li ; Yao Peng ; Lili Chen ; Rong Yu ; Yajun Peng
Digital Chinese Medicine 2025;8(3):379-388
Objective:
To investigate the effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Yishen Formula (左归降糖益肾方, ZGJTYSF) in regulating the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)/caspase-1/gasdermin D (GSDMD) signaling axis on pyroptosis in rats with diabetic kidney disease (DKD).
Methods:
Fifty male specific pathogen-free (SPF) grade Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats (12 weeks old) were fed a high-fat diet for one month to establish an early DKD model. Model establishment was confirmed when fasting blood glucose (FBG) ≥ 11.1 mmol/L and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) ≥ 30 mg/g. The successfully modeled early DKD rats were randomly divided by random number table into five groups (n = 10 per group): model group; dapagliflozin group (1.0 mg/kg, by gavage, served as positive control); and low-, medium-, and high-dose of ZGJTYSF groups (4.9, 9.9, and 19.9 g/kg, respectively, by gavage). Age-matched male SPF Wistar rats (n = 10) served as control group. Rats in control and model groups were gavaged with equivalent volumes of distilled water. Treatment lasted 12 weeks. Changes in uACR, FBG, and renal function were observed in all groups. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE), periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), and Masson staining were used to observe renal histopathological changes. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the localization and expression of caspase-1, GSDMD, and NLRP3 in rat renal tissues. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick end labeling (TUNEL) was utilized to detect pyroptosis in renal tissues. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blot were applied to detect mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, GSDMD, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-18.
Results:
Compared with model group, all doses of ZGJTYSF showed reductions in FBG, with medium- and high-dose of ZGJTYSF groups demonstrating significant decreases at week 8 and 12 (P < 0.05). For uACR, all doses of ZGJTYSF groups exhibited a decreasing trend, with high-dose of ZGJTYSF group being significantly lower than low- and medium-dose of ZGJTYSF groups at week 12 (P < 0.05) and showing no significant difference from dapagliflozin group (P > 0.05). No significant differences in renal function parameters (serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and uric acid) were observed among groups (P > 0.05). Histopathological examination revealed milder glomerular and tubular lesions in both ZGJTYSF groups and dapagliflozin group, with renal pathological changes in high-dose of ZGJTYSF group resembling those in dapagliflozin group. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated significantly reduced expression of caspase-1, GSDMD, and NLRP3 in renal tissues of dapagliflozin group and high-dose of ZGJTYSF group compared with model group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), while the differences in low- and medium-dose of ZGJTYSF groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). TUNEL assay showed significantly fewer TUNEL-positive cells in renal tissues of dapagliflozin and high-dose of ZGJTYSF groups (P < 0.01), indicating a marked reduction in pyroptotic cells. Molecular analysis revealed that compared with model group, both dapagliflozin and high-dose of ZGJTYSF groups showed significantly downregulated mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β, and IL-18 in renal tissues (P < 0.01), while low- and medium-dose of ZGJTYSF groups showed downward trends without statistical significance (P > 0.05).
Conclusion
ZGJTYSF may inhibit renal pyroptosis by regulating the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD signaling axis, thereby preventing and treating early renal injury in DKD and delaying the onset and progression of DKD.
2.Prevalence trends of elevated blood pressure and its association with nutritional status among primary and secondary school students in Inner Mongolia
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(9):1342-1345
Objective:
To analyze the prevalence trends of different types of elevated blood pressure and their association with nutritional status among primary and secondary school students in Inner Mongolia from 2019 to 2024, providing references for targeted prevention strategies.
Methods:
From September 2019 to 2024, a stratified random cluster sampling method was used to select 12 primary and secondary schools from each league city in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. A total of 177 108, 137 758, 190 182, 180 084 , 188 056, 180 351 primary and secondary school students (excluding grades one to three of primary school) were included for physical examination. The correlation between their nutritional status and high blood pressure was analyzed based on the basic situation of 129 821 primary and secondary school students who completed a questionnaire survey at the same time in 2024. Statistical analysis was conducted using a Chi-square test and multiple Logistic regression model.
Results:
From 2019 to 2024, the detection rates of elevated blood pressure were 13.60%, 13.68%, 17.60%, 17.24%, 14.77% and 15.96%, respectively. The rates for isolated systolic hypertension were 4.24%, 5.83%, 7.26%, 7.19%, 6.24% and 6.93%; isolated diastolic hypertension rates were 6.38%, 4.99%, 6.23 %, 6.41%, 5.39% and 5.66%; and combined systolic and diastolic hypertension rates were 2.97%, 2.86%, 4.11%, 3.65%, 3.14 % and 3.36%. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that girls, junior high school, senior high school, overweight, and obesity were positively associated with elevated blood pressure risk ( OR =1.27, 1.25, 1.32, 1.66, 3.07, all P <0.05); conversely, county residence, Mongolian ethnicity, and other ethnicities showed negative associations ( OR =0.90, 0.93, 0.90, all P <0.05).
Conclusions
Overweight and obesity among children and adolescents are closely related to various types of elevated blood pressure. Prevention strategies should prioritize effectively controlling weight issues among children and adolescents, thereby effectively reducing the incidence of elevated blood pressure.
3.Analysis of the current status of red blood cell transfusion in very preterm infants from Chinese Neonatal Network in 2022
Yan MO ; Aimin QIAN ; Ruimiao BAI ; Shujuan LI ; Xiaoqing YU ; Jin WANG ; K. Shoo LEE ; Siyuan JIANG ; Qiufen WEI ; Wenhao ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(1):55-61
Objective:To analyze the current status of red blood cell transfusion in very preterm infants (VPI) (gestational age at birth <32 weeks) from Chinese Neonatal Network (CHNN) in 2022.Methods:This cross-sectional study was based on the CHNN VPI cohort. It included 6 985 VPI admitted to CHNN 89 participating centers within 24 hours after birth in 2022. VPI with major congenital anomalies or those transferred to non-CHNN centers for treatment or discharged against medical advice were excluded. VPI were categorized based on whether they received red blood cell transfusions, their gestational age at birth, the type of respiratory support received during transfusion, and whether the pre-transfusion hemoglobin levels exceeded the thresholds. General characteristics, red blood cell transfusion rates, number of transfusions, timing of the first transfusion, and pre-transfusion hemoglobin levels were compared among different groups. The incidence of adverse outcomes between the group of VPI who received transfusions above the threshold and those who received transfusions below the threshold were compared. Comparison among different groups was conducted using χ2 tests, Kruskal-Wallis H tests, Mann-Whitney U test, and so on. Trends by gestational age at birth were evaluated by Cochran-Armitage tests and Jonckheere-Terpstra tests for trend. Results:Among the 6 985 VPI, 3 865 cases(55.3%) were male, with a gestational age at birth of 30.0 (28.6, 31.0) weeks and a birth weight of (1 302±321) g. Overall, 3 617 cases (51.8%) received red blood cell transfusion, while 3 368 cases (48.2%) did not. The red blood cell transfusion rate was 51.8% (3 617/6 985), with rates of 77.7% (893/1 150) for those born before 28 weeks gestational age and 46.7% (2 724/5 835) for those born between 28 and 31 weeks gestational age. A total of 9 616 times red blood cell transfusions were administered to 3 617 VPI, with 632 times missing pre-transfusion hemoglobin data, and 8 984 times included in the analysis. Of the red blood cell transfusions, 25.6% (2 459/9 616) were administered when invasive respiratory support was required, 51.3% (4 934/9 616) were receiving non-invasive respiratory support, while 23.1% (2 223/9, 616) were given when no respiratory support was needed. Compared to the non-transfusion group, the red blood cell transfusion group had a higher rate of pregnancy-induced hypertension in mothers, lower rates of born via cesarean section and mother′s antenatal steroid administration, smaller gestational age, lower birth weight, a higher proportion of small-for-gestational-age, multiple births, and proportions of Apgar score at the 5 th minute after birth ≤3 (all P<0.05). They were also less likely to be female, born in hospital or undergo delayed cord clamping (all P<0.01). Additionally, higher transport risk index of physiologic stability score at admission were observed in the red blood cell transfusion group ( P<0.001). The number of red blood cell transfusion was 2 (1, 3) times, with the first transfusion occurring at an age of 18 (8, 29) days, and a pre-transfusion hemoglobin level of 97 (86, 109) g/L. For VPI ≤7 days of age, the pre-transfusion hemoglobin levels for invasive respiratory support, non-invasive respiratory support, or no respiratory support, respectively, with no statistically significant differences between groups ( H=5.59, P=0.061). For VPI aged 8 to 21 days and≥22 days, the levels with statistically differences between groups (both P<0.01). Red blood cell transfusions above recommended thresholds were observed in all respiratory support categories at different stages of life, with the highest prevalence in infants aged 8 to 21 days and≥22 days who did not require respiratory support, at 90.1% (264/273) and 91.1%(1 578/1 732), respectively. The rate of necrotizing enterocolitis was higher in the above-threshold group ( χ2=10.59, P=0.001), and the duration of hospital stay was longer in the above-threshold group ( Z=4.67, P<0.001) compared to the below-threshold group. Conclusions:In 2022, the red blood cell transfusion rate was relatively high among VPI from CHNN. Pre-transfusion hemoglobin levels frequently exceeded recommended transfusion thresholds.
4.Clinical characteristics and treatment analysis of three cases of congenital ulnar collateral flexor contracture of the forearm.
Yu ZHANG ; Qian XU ; Haijun MAO ; Shujuan WANG ; Xiaojuan SHENG ; Guangyue XU
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2024;38(1):51-55
OBJECTIVE:
To report the clinical characteristics and treatment analysis of 3 cases of congenital ulnar collateral flexor contracture of the forearm and take a reference for clinic.
METHODS:
A total of 3 patients with congenital ulnar collateral flexor contracture of the forearm were admitted between February 2019 and August 2021. Two patients were male and 1 was female, and their ages were 16, 20, and 16 years, respectively. The disease durations were 8, 20, and 15 years, respectively. They all presented with flexion deformity of the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints of the middle, ring, and little fingers in the neutral or extended wrist position, and the deformity worsened in the extended wrist position. The total action motion (TAM) scores of 3 patients were 1 and the gradings were poor. The Carroll's hand function evaluation scores were 48, 55, and 57, and the grip strength indexes were 72.8, 78.4, and 30.5. Preoperative CT of case 2 showed a bony protrusion of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon at the proximal end of the ulna; and MRI of case 3 showed that the ulnar flexor digitorum profundus presented as a uniform cord. After diagnosis, all patients were treated with operation to release the denatured tendon, and functional exercise was started early after operation.
RESULTS:
The incisions of 3 patients healed by first intention. Three patients were followed up for 12, 35, and 12 months, respectively. The hand function and the movement range of the joints significantly improved, but the grip strength did not significantly improve. At last follow-up, TAM scores were 3, 4, and 4, respectively, among which 2 cases were excellent and 1 case was good. Carroll's hand function evaluation scores were 95, 90, and 94, and the grip strength indexes were 73.5, 81.3, and 34.2, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Congenital ulnar collateral flexor contracture is a rare clinical disease that should be distinguished from ischemic muscle contracture. The location of the contracture should be identified and appropriate surgical timing should be selected for surgical release. Active postoperative rehabilitation and functional exercise can achieve good hand function.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Forearm/surgery*
;
Contracture/surgery*
;
Muscle, Skeletal
;
Tendons/surgery*
;
Ulna/surgery*
;
Range of Motion, Articular
5.Self-neglect in elderly diabetic patients in the community:an interpretive phenomenological study
Yaping LUO ; Shujuan YU ; Miaomiao ZHU ; Hongying PAN
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2024;59(2):203-209
Objective To explore the experience and causes of self-neglect of elderly diabetic patients in community,so as to provide references for community nursing workers to identify and intervene the self-neglect behavior of elderly diabetic patients.Methods An interpretative phenomenological method was used to collect data from elderly diabetic patients registered in 3 community health service centers in Hangzhou,Zhejiang Province through semi-structured interviews.Van Manen's method was used to analyze qualitative data.Results The experience and reasons of self-neglect of elderly diabetic patients in community were summarized into 4 themes and 10 sub-themes,including neglecting personal health(low sense of self-worth,high level of self-esteem,being afraid of compromising the family),neglecting blood glucose management(weak health awareness,difficulty in blood glucose management),inadequate self-care capacity(poor financial situation,insufficient personal time,diminished mobility)and inadequate perceived support(low social support,insufficient emotional support).Conclusion The experience and reasons of self-neglect of elderly diabetic patients in community are diversified.Community health services and nursing workers should pay attention to the performance of self-neglect behavior of elderly diabetic patients and actively explore effective prevention and intervention measures.
6.Effect and Mechanism of Zuogui Jiangtang Yishen Prescription on Diabetic Kidney Disease in Rats via Regulation of MiRNA-27a/Wnt/β-catenin Pathway
Shujuan HU ; Xuhua LI ; Xiu LIU ; Yao PENG ; Lili CHEN ; Rong YU ; Yajun PENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(19):90-97
ObjectiveTo explore the protective effects and potential mechanism of Zuogui Jiangtang Yishen prescription (ZJYP) in Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats with early-stage diabetic kidney disease (DKD). MethodFifty 12-week-old male GK rats were included in this study. DKD was induced after one month of high-fat feeding, with fasting blood glucose (FBG) ≥ 11.1 mmol·L-1 and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) ≥ 30 mg·g-1 used as model criteria. After successful modeling, DKD rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=10 in each group): the model group, the western medicine group treated with dapagliflozin (1.0 mg·kg-1·d-1), low-, medium-, and high-dose ZJYP groups (4.9, 9.9, 19.9 g·kg-1·d-1 by gavage). Ten Wistar rats served as normal controls, with both the normal and model groups receiving physiological saline in the same volume as the treatment groups by gavage for 8 weeks. The urinary ACR, FBG, body weight, and liver and kidney functions of the rats were observed. Renal tissues were subjected to haematoxylin-eosin (HE) and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining and examined under an electron microscope to observe pathological changes. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot were used to detect miRNA-27a, Wnt, and β-catenin mRNA and protein expression levels in renal tissues. ResultCompared with the results in the normal group, the FBG levels in DKD rats of the model group increased significantly at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of drug intervention (P<0.05), and urinary ACR increased significantly at 0, 4, 8 weeks (P<0.05). Renal pathological staining and electron microscopy revealed an increase in mesangial cells and matrix, slight thickening of the basement membrane, and increased interstitial fibrosis and renal tubular atrophy in the model group. The mRNA expression levels of miRNA-27a, Wnt, and β-catenin were significantly higher in the model group than in the normal group (P<0.05). Renal Wnt and β-catenin protein levels were also significantly higher in the model group (P<0.05). After drug intervention, the FBG levels in the low-, medium-, and high-dose ZJYP groups showed a dose-dependent decrease compared with those in the model group at 6 and 8 weeks (P<0.05). The urinary ACR also showed a dose-dependent decrease in the low-, medium-, and high-dose ZJYP groups, but the differences were not statistically significant. There were no significant differences in liver function, renal function, renal index, or routine blood lipid test results among the low-, medium-, and high-dose ZJYP groups. Renal glomerular and tubular lesions were milder in the ZJYP groups and the western medicine group than in the model group, with similar pathological changes observed in the high-dose ZJYP group and the western medicine group. The renal mRNA levels of miRNA-27a, Wnt, and β-catenin were significantly lower in the high-dose ZJYP group (P<0.05), and renal Wnt and β-catenin protein levels were significantly lower in both the western medicine group and the high-dose ZJYP group compared with the levels in the model group (P<0.05). The Wnt and β-catenin protein levels were lower in the renal tissues of the low- and medium-dose ZJYP groups compared with the levels in the model group, but the differences were not statistically significant. ConclusionZJYP can effectively improve glucose metabolism and alleviate early damage in DKD rats, thereby delaying the progression of DKD. Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the miRNA-27a/Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in renal tissues.
7.Feasibility and safety of remote programming in postoperative follow-up of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices
Yu LONG ; Lin TONG ; Shujuan QIN ; Jin LI ; Shiqiang XIONG ; Lin CAI
Chinese Journal of Cardiology 2024;52(6):684-689
Objective:To explore the feasibility and safety of remote programming technology based on 5G cloud technology support platform in postoperative follow-up of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices(CIED).Methods:This study was a multicenter cross-sectional study. CIED patients from 12 hospitals lacking full-time follow-up specialists in Sichuan Province were enrolled from June 2021 to October 2021. All patients′ devices received remote inspecting and programming by the follow-up specialist of the remote follow-up center of the Third People′s Hospital of Chengdu through 5G cloud technology support platform. The baseline data, device alarm events, device reprogramming events, adverse reactions and satisfaction questionnaire survey results were collected.Results:A total of 195 CIED implantation patients were included, with an age of (72.5±11.3) years, including 103 males (52.6%). All patients completed remote inspecting and programming successfully, with a duration of (5.8±4.0) min. Ninety-one patients′ CIED were reprogrammed, with a total of 104 parameter adjustments. No abnormal communication or adverse events occurred. The satisfaction questionnaire showed that 97.9%(191/195) of the patients trusted or relatively trusted remote follow-up and 86.7%(169/195) of the patients were willing to choose remote follow-up mode for device management.Conclusion:The remote programming based on 5G cloud technology support platform may be feasible and safe for postoperative follow-up of CIED patients.
8.Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards scrub typhus control and associated influencing factors among residents in Longling County, Yunnan Province in 2023
Yu ZHOU ; Shujuan YANG ; Yuan YANG ; Yan HE ; Shulian YUAN ; Zhaowen CHEN ; Tianguang REN
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2024;36(5):507-513
Objective To investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) towards scrub typhus control and analyse the influencing factors among residents in Longling County, Yunnan Province in 2023, so as to provide insights into management of scrub typhus in the county. Methods Two townships were randomly sampled from Longling County, Baoshan City, Yunnan Province in July 2023, and 2 to 3 administrative villages were randomly selected from each township. Then, 20 to 40 households were randomly selected from each village, and 1 to 2 villagers were surveyed in each household. Residents’ KAP towards scrub typhus control was investigated, and factor affecting residents’ KAP towards scrub typhus control were identified with independent samples t test or analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple linear regression analysis. Results A total of 417 questionnaires were allocated, and 410 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 98.32%. Of all respondents, 65.85% (270/410) heard of scrub typhus but were not familiar with it, and 12.68% (52/410) and 1.95% (8/410) were familiar and very familiar with it, respectively. Residents mainly acquired scrub typhus control knowledge via their relatives and friends. The knowledge, attitude, and behavior scores of the respondents with regard to scrub typhus were (34.14 ± 13.07), (55.04 ± 6.69), and (21.40 ± 5.61), respectively, and the total score for knowledge, belief, and behavior in relation to scrub typhus prevention and control was (110.57 ± 18.80). Univariate analysis revealed that age (F = 3.12, P < 0.05), education (F = 10.77, P < 0.05), occupation (F = 4.89, P < 0.05), frequency of outdoor activities (F = 3.61, P < 0.05), and type of place of residence (t = 1.33, P < 0.05) were the factors that influenced the participants’ scores for knowledge of the prevention and control of scrub typhus. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that literacy level (β = 10.20 to 16.71, P < 0.05) and category of residence (β = −7.23, P < 0.05) were the factors that influenced residents’ current knowledge and trust behavior in relation to scrub typhus. Conclusions Place of residence and educational level are critical factors affecting scrub typhus control among residents in Longling County, Yunnan Province. Intensified health education pertaining to scrub typhus control and appropriate behavioral interventions are required among residents living in urban areas, with a low educational level and frequent outdoor activities.
9.Association between unhealthy lifestyles and hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia in old adults in China
Tingting YE ; Ying SHAO ; Bin YU ; Changwei CAI ; Chuanteng FENG ; Peng JIA ; Shujuan YANG
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2024;45(3):385-392
Objective:To analyze the individual and cumulative effects of unhealthy lifestyle on the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia in old adults in China, and find out the critical lifestyle in the network.Methods:Based on the baseline data of Yunnan Behavior and Disease Surveillance Cohort in 2021, a total of 16 763 older adults aged ≥60 years were included in our study. The unhealthy lifestyle factors including smoking, drinking, unhealthy eating habit, lower physical activity level, abnormal BMI and abnormal waist circumference. We calculated the unhealthy lifestyle score by using the cumulative exposures of each participant. Multiple logistic regression and mixed graphical models were used to describe the association between unhealthy lifestyle and the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia.Results:The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia were 57.0%, 11.5% and 37.0%, respectively. Most of the unhealthy lifestyles included in the study were risk factors for hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia, and the risks of disease increased with the increase of the unhealthy lifestyle score. The participants with the highest score (score: 6) had significantly higher prevalence of hypertension ( OR=3.99, 95% CI: 1.81-8.80), diabetes ( OR=4.64, 95% CI: 1.64-13.15) and dyslipidemia ( OR=4.26, 95% CI: 2.08-8.73) compared with those with lowest score (score: 0). In the network constructed by mixed graphical model, abnormal waist circumference (bridge strength=0.81) and hypertension (bridge strength=0.55) were vital bridge nodes connecting unhealthy lifestyle and hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia. Conclusions:The unhealthy lifestyle score was associated with risks for hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia. Abnormal waist circumference was the key factor for chronic diseases in old adults.
10.Progress in complex network theory-based studies on the associations between health-related behaviors and chronic non-communicable diseases
Shujuan YANG ; Bin YU ; Shu DONG ; Changwei CAI ; Hongyun LIU ; Tingting YE ; Peng JIA
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2024;45(3):408-416
In recent years, the research focus on health-related behavior and chronic non-communicable diseases has shifted from the analysis on independent effects of multiple causes on a single outcome to the evaluation the complex relationships between multiple causes and multiple effects. Complex network theory, an important branch of system science, considers the relationships among factors in a network and can reveal how health-related behaviors interact with chronic diseases through a series of complex network models and indicators. This paper summarizes the definition and development of complex network theory and its commonly used models, indicators, and case studies in the field of health-related behavior and chronic disease to promote the application of complex network theory in the field of health and provide reference and tools for future research of the relationship between health-related behavior and chronic disease.


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