1.Quality assessment of guidelines/consensuses on traditional Chinese medicine/integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine diagnosis and treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Ruimin JIAO ; Jingjie ZHAO ; Juanjuan LI ; Wei CHEN ; Chaoru HAN ; Li LI ; Chunjun XU ; Hong YOU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(3):446-452
ObjectiveTo evaluate the methodological quality and reporting quality of published guidelines/consensuses on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)/integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine diagnosis and treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and to provide a basis for formulating guidelines/consensuses on TCM/integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD in the future. MethodsDatabases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Data, and CBM and the websites of China Association of Chinese Medicine and China Association of Integrative Medicine were searched for related articles published up to September 1, 2024. Two clinical researchers independently assessed the methodological quality and reporting quality of the guidelines/consensuses on TCM/integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD by using Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation Ⅱ (AGREE Ⅱ) and Reporting Items for Practice Guidelines in Healthcare (RIGHT). ResultsA total of nine guidelines/consensuses were included after literature screening, with four guidelines and five expert consensuses. The scores of different domains assessed by AGREE Ⅱ for the nine guidelines/consensuses were as follows: scope and purpose (47.1%), stakeholder involvement (41.0%), rigor of development (21.6%), clarity of presentation (40.2%), applicability (19.0%), and editorial independence (19.6%). The recommendation level of the articles was B level (recommended after revision) for four articles and C level (not recommended) for five articles. The RIGHT assessment showed high reporting rates for “Basic Information” and “Background”, while other areas needed to be improved. Currently, there was no international standard for the guidelines/consensuses on TCM/integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD, and the quality of these guidelines/consensuses needed to be enhanced to ensure comprehensiveness and credibility. ConclusionThere is still potential for improving the quality of guidelines/consensuses on TCM/integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD, and AGREE Ⅱ and RIGHT checklists should be strictly followed to ensure the fairness, scientific rigor, and transparency of these guidelines/consensuses.
2.Trend analysis of birth defects in Fengxian District, Shanghai, 2018‒2022
Huihui MA ; Hong CHEN ; Hong JIANG ; Guangsheng LIANG ; Qin HUANG ; Meng QIN
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(2):174-178
ObjectiveTo retrospectively analyze the epidemiological trends of birth defects in perinatal infants in Fengxian District, Shanghai from 2018 to 2022, so as to provide a scientific evidence for the formulation of related prevention and control strategies. MethodsBased on the data from the National Birth Defects Surveillance System, statistical analysis was conducted on the perinatal birth defects from monitored hospitals within the region from 2018 to 2022. ResultsFrom 2018 to 2022, a total of 20 870 perinatal infants delivered in the monitored hospitals in Fengxian District, with 472 cases with birth defects, showing a significant increase in the prevalence of birth defects (PRR=1.49, 95%CI: 1.39‒1.59). The risk of birth defects increased with maternal age, especially for advanced maternal age (PRR=1.58, 95%CI: 1.12‒2.25). Infants born to mothers with gestational diabetes had a higher prevalence of birth defects compared to those without gestational diabetes (PRR=1.99, 95%CI: 1.46‒2.70). Infants with birth defects were more likely to be born prematurely (PRR=2.07, 95%CI:1.56‒2.76). The top three types of birth defects were congenital heart disease (CHD), other anomalies of the external ear, and polydactyly. ConclusionThe prevalence of birth defects in Fengxian District monitored hospitals showed an upward trend from 2018 to 2022. Advanced maternal age and gestational diabetes were identified as risk factors for birth defects. CHD is the leading type of birth defect in Fengxian District over the five-year period. To reduce the prevalence of birth defects, it is crucial to implement comprehensive prevention and treatment measures for CHD.
3.Terms Related to The Study of Biomacromolecular Condensates
Ke RUAN ; Xiao-Feng FANG ; Dan LI ; Pi-Long LI ; Yi LIN ; Zheng WANG ; Yun-Yu SHI ; Ming-Jie ZHANG ; Hong ZHANG ; Cong LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):1027-1035
Biomolecular condensates are formed through phase separation of biomacromolecules such as proteins and RNAs. These condensates exhibit liquid-like properties that can futher transition into more stable material states. They form complex internal structures via multivalent weak interactions, enabling precise spatiotemporal regulations. However, the use of inconsistent and non-standardized terminology has become increasingly problematic, hindering academic exchange and the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss the terminology related to biomolecular condensates in order to clarify concepts, promote interdisciplinary cooperation, enhance research efficiency, and support the healthy development of this field.
4.Analysis of The Characteristics of Brain Functional Activity in Gross Motor Tasks in Children With Autism Based on Functional Near-infrared Spectroscopy Technology
Wen-Hao ZONG ; Qi LIANG ; Shi-Yu YANG ; Feng-Jiao WANG ; Meng-Zhao WEI ; Hong LEI ; Gui-Jun DONG ; Ke-Feng LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(8):2146-2162
ObjectiveBased on functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), we investigated the brain activity characteristics of gross motor tasks in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and motor dysfunctions (MDs) to provide a theoretical basis for further understanding the mechanism of MDs in children with ASD and designing targeted intervention programs from a central perspective. MethodsAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 48 children with ASD accompanied by MDs were recruited into the ASD group and 40 children with typically developing (TD) into the TD group. The fNIRS device was used to collect the information of blood oxygen changes in the cortical motor-related brain regions during single-handed bag throwing and tiptoe walking, and the differences in brain activation and functional connectivity between the two groups of children were analyzed from the perspective of brain activation and functional connectivity. ResultsCompared to the TD group, in the object manipulative motor task (one-handed bag throwing), the ASD group showed significantly reduced activation in both left sensorimotor cortex (SMC) and right secondary visual cortex (V2) (P<0.05), whereas the right pre-motor and supplementary motor cortex (PMC&SMA) had significantly higher activation (P<0.01) and showed bilateral brain region activity; in terms of brain functional integration, there was a significant decrease in the strength of brain functional connectivity (P<0.05) and was mainly associated with dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and V2. In the body stability motor task (tiptoe walking), the ASD group had significantly higher activation in motor-related brain regions such as the DLPFC, SMC, and PMC&SMA (P<0.05) and showed bilateral brain region activity; in terms of brain functional integration, the ASD group had lower strength of brain functional connectivity (P<0.05) and was mainly associated with PMC&SMA and V2. ConclusionChildren with ASD exhibit abnormal brain functional activity characteristics specific to different gross motor tasks in object manipulative and body stability, reflecting insufficient or excessive compensatory activation of local brain regions and impaired cross-regions integration, which may be a potential reason for the poorer gross motor performance of children with ASD, and meanwhile provides data support for further unraveling the mechanisms underlying the occurrence of MDs in the context of ASD and designing targeted intervention programs from a central perspective.
5. Advances in relationship between pyroptosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension and therapeutic drugs
Qian YAN ; Yang SUN ; Jun-Peng LONG ; Jiao YAO ; Yu-Ting LIN ; Song-Wei YANG ; Yan-Tao YANG ; Gang PEI ; Qi-Di AI ; Nai-Hong CHEN ; Qian YAN ; Yang SUN ; Jun-Peng LONG ; Jiao YAO ; Yu-Ting LIN ; Song-Wei YANG ; Yan-Tao YANG ; Gang PEI ; Qi-Di AI ; Nai-Hong CHEN ; Sha-Sha LIU ; Nai-Hong CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(1):25-30
Pyroptosis is the programmed death of cells accompanied by an inflammatory response and is widely involved in the development of a variety of diseases, such as infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegeneration. It has been shown that cellular scorching is involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension ( PAH) in cardiovascular diseases. Patients with PAH have perivascular inflammatory infiltrates in lungs, pulmonary vasculopathy exists in an extremely inflam-matory microenvironment, and pro-inflammatory factors in cellular scorching drive pulmonary vascular remodelling in PAH patients. This article reviews the role of cellular scorch in the pathogenesis of PAH and the related research on drugs for the treatment of PAH, with the aim of providing new ideas for clinical treatment of PAH.
6.Factors Influencing The Language Development of Preterm Infants and Their Intervention Strategies
Tian HONG ; Qin-Fen ZHANG ; Jiao-Jiao FAN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(6):1292-1304
Preterm infants, born before 37 weeks of gestation, represent a significant portion of newborns globally, many of whom experiencing long-term neurodevelopmental disorders. Language development anomalies are common among preterm infants, often leading to deficits in vocabulary, grammar, phonetics, and semantics, which can persist into adolescence and adulthood. Given these complexities, these developmental challenges necessitate a deeper understanding of the influencing factors and the importance of early intervention. Biological factors such as the degree of prematurity, birth weight, and gender significantly impact language development. Specifically, shorter gestational age and lower birth weight are associated with language difficulties, manifesting in restricted vocabulary, syntax, and grammatical complexity. In addition, the severity of neonatal illnesses, including intracranial hemorrhage, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, critically impact cognitive and language development. Equally important, sensory systems, particularly vision and hearing, are also crucial for language acquisition, for example, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) may increase the risk of language disorders. Environmental factors also play a vital role in language development of preterm infants. The environment within neonatal intensive care units (NICU), while important for the survival of preterm infants, can inadvertently impose sensory challenges, thereby influencing neurodevelopmental outcomes, including language skills. Beyond the NICU environment, the domestic setting and familial interactions emerge as crucial determinants. Variables such as the parental educational background and socioeconomic status substantially influence the extent and quality of language exposure, thus shaping the linguistic development of preterm infants. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive early intervention strategies. This includes deploying a range of early evaluation tools, encompassing standardized language development scales and observational techniques, to promptly identify infants at risk of language delays. Recent advances in non-invasive brain imaging techniques, such as event-related potentials and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have opened new horizons in early detection and intervention planning, providing critical insights into the neurodevelopmental status of these infants. Intervention strategies are diverse and integrate physiological and neurological approaches, environmental modifications, and family-centric practices. Physiologically, addressing sensory impairments and nutritional needs is fundamental to fostering robust language development. This involves interventions like sensory stimulation therapies and nutritional supplements rich in essential brain-development nutrients. Additionally, environmental optimization, particularly in NICU settings, to replicate the protective conditions of womb is crucial for enhancing language learning. Strategies include controlled auditory and visual stimulation and implementing developmental care models. Furthermore, family involvement is equally important. Encouraging active parental engagement and fostering language-enriched interactions are crucial. Notably, innovative approaches such as music therapy have shown promise in enhancing auditory processing and language skills. These interventions utilize the infant brain’s neuroplasticity, combining auditory stimulation with social interaction, thereby enriching the developmental environment for preterm infants. In summary, the language development in preterm infants is shaped by an intricate interplay of biological and environmental factors, requiring a multifaceted and early intervention approach. As our understanding evolves, the integration of medical, educational, and social services will be critical in providing holistic support for the healthy development of these infants. Future research efforts should aim to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of language development in preterm infants and to refine intervention strategies to ensure more effective long-term outcomes.
7.Effect of problem-solving therapy on clinical efficacy, cognitive and social function in senile patients with first episode depression
Hong CHEN ; Ligang WANG ; Jiao CHEN ; Hui YU ; Cuiyu XIN ; Chunxia WANG ; Lingli KONG
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2024;33(1):45-50
Objective:To investigate the effect of problem-solving therapy (PST) on clinical efficacy, cognitive and social function in senile patients with first episode depression.Methods:From March 2020 to August 2021, a total of 86 patients with first onset elderly depression treated in the geriatric department of Qingdao Mental Health Center were selected. According to the random number table method, totally 86 patients were randomly divided into a study group and a control group, with 43 cases in each group. The control group was treated with antidepressant drugs and basic psychiatric nursing intervention. The study group received PST treatment on the basis of the control group for 8 weeks. The Hamilton depression scale-17 items(HAMD-17), Montreal cognitive assessment scale (MoCA), and social dysfunction screening scale (SDSS) were used to assess the degree of depression, cognitive function and social function in both groups. SPSS 18.0 was used for statistical analysis. Independent sample t-test was used for comparison between groups, paired sample t-test was used for comparison before and after treatment. Results:After 8 weeks of intervention, HAMD-17 scores and SDSS scores in the two groups were both significantly decreased compared with before intervention, and the differences between pre intervention and post intervention had statistical significance( t=3.067, 22.543, both P<0.05), while MoCA scores were significantly increased, and the difference between pre intervention and post intervention had statistical significance ( t=9.623, P<0.05). Compared with the control group after 8 weeks of intervention, the HAMD-17 score ((14.44±1.97), (15.58±2.66), t=2.260, P=0.026) and SDSS score((9.44±2.24), (13.00±1.73), t=8.242, P<0.001) of the study group were lower, and the score of MoCA ((25.44±1.28), (23.84±1.56), t=5.223, P<0.001) was higher. Conclusion:In addition to conventional antidepressant therapy, PST not only reduces the severity of depression in elderly patients with first episode depression, but also significantly improves their cognitive and social function.
8.A study of the correlation between oral insufficiency and mild cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older adults
Lili JIAO ; Yingxin TANG ; Si HONG ; Haiyan YIN ; Rumi WANG
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics 2024;43(3):378-383
Objective:To investigate the relationship between oral health and mild cognitive impairment(MCI)by using indicators that evaluate oral hypofunction.Methods:The study was conducted using a cross-sectional design.Participants were recruited from three communities(Shizi Ling, Wenyi Xincun, and Yaoling in Furong District)in Changsha in July 2021, using convenience sampling.Cognitive and oral functions were evaluated using the simple mental state examination, version 2(MMSE-2)and seven indicators of oral hypofunction, which included oral hygiene, oral dryness, occlusal force, tongue and lip movement, tongue pressure, mastication, and swallowing function.Results:A total of 144 subjects were included in this study, with 72 males.Except for education level, there were no statistically significant differences between the MCI group and the normal cognitive group in terms of demographic information and self-reported and measured oral functions(all P>0.05).There was a correlation between the subjects' self-reported oral function and the actual measured oral function.Multiple linear regression analysis revealed no significant correlation between the MMSE score and the seven indicators used to measure oral hypofunction(all P>0.05).The MMSE score of the female group showed a negative correlation with mastication( β=-0.003, P=0.043), while the MMSE score of subjects with elementary school education also showed a negative correlation with mastication( β=-0.022, P=0.016).Additionally, the MMSE score of subjects with middle school education showed a positive correlation with the number of residual teeth( β=0.090, P=0.030). Conclusions:The self-reported oral function can serve as an initial assessment of overall oral function.However, among elderly individuals who do not show significant decline in oral function, there was no significant correlation between oral function and MCI.To accurately identify individuals with MCI, a more detailed sub-analysis with a larger sample size is required.
9.Clinical Characteristics and Use of Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy in 222 Malignant Tumor Cases with COVID-19: A Retrospective Study
Yingtian WANG ; Hong SUN ; Man LI ; Na SONG ; Jiao GOU ; Wenfang LUO ; Jun LIU ; Rong MA ; Wei WANG ; Zhandong LI ; Bo MENG ; Xiaoyan YAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(7):716-721
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical characteristics and the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy in cancer patients with COVID-19, and to provide reference for making TCM prevention and treatment strategies and determining diagnosis and treatment priorities for patients with malignant tumors in the COVID-19 epidemic. MethodsThe medical records of 225 malignant tumor cases with COVID-19 who were admitted to 7 national research centers from January 1st to 20th, 2023 were retrospectively collected, and the main symptoms and duration after infection, nucleic acid negative conversion time, use of TCM therapy, and changes in adverse reactions after resuming anti-tumor treatment were analyzed. ResultsA total of 222 malignant tumor patients with COVID-19 were included in the analysis, involving 205 mild cases and 17 moderate cases. The top four most frequently reported clinical symptoms were fever (165 cases), expectoration or dry cough (99 cases), decreased appetite (95 cases) and fatigue (85 cases), of which 40 expectoration or dry cough cases , 37 fatigue cases and 29 decreased appetite cases lasted for more than 14 days. One hundred and five patients with nucleic acid detection report had a median negative conversion time of 14 days. The nucleic acid negative conversion time was significantly longer in patients with lung cancer compared to those with digestive system malignant tumors, and in those with myelosuppression than those without (P<0.01). During the infection period, 47.30% (105/222) of the patients used Chinese patent medicine, and 21.17% (47/222) were treated with herbal decoctions. The use of TCM in patients during the prevention and rehabilitation period, was 1.80%(4/222) and 7.21%(16/222), respectively. Fifty-five patients resumed anti-tumor treatment after nucleic acid negative conversion, and received TCM simultaneously. Observed adverse reactions, including gastrointestinal reactions, bone marrow suppression, and neurotoxicity, were all grade 1 to 2, and no new adverse events occurred during follow-up. ConclusionCertain malignant tumor patients with COVID-19 had prolonged symptoms and nucleic acid negative conversion time Rational use of TCM can help to promote the rehabilitation of the patients and ensure the smooth process of anti-tumor treatment after infection.
10.Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry in Detecting Plasma Lyso-GL3 Levels in Patients with Fabry Disease and the Association Analysis of Phenotype-Genotype of the Disease
Yan OUYANG ; Bing CHEN ; Xiaoxia PAN ; Hong REN ; Jingyuan XIE ; Chaohui WANG ; Xiao LI ; Weiming WANG ; Xialian YU ; Li YANG ; Nan CHEN
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2024;3(1):42-49
Using the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to determine the plasma level of Lyso-GL3 in patients with Fabry disease and to analyze the clinical application of the method. Thirty-nine patients with a genetic diagnosis of Fabry disease were included, and plasma levels of Lyso-GL3 were measured by LC-MS/MS analysis, and detailed clinical information of the patients was obtained including: α-galactosidase A activity, genetic variants, quantification of urine protein, mean arterial pressure, and estimation of glomerular filtration rate, and the differences in the levels of Lyso-GL3 in different clinical phenotypes and genotypes were statistically analyzed, as well as the association with clinical indicators. Lyso-GL3 showed good linearity within 0.7856-400 ng/mL( The using of LC-MS/MS to quantify plasma Lyso-GL showed significant differences in Lyso-GL3 concentrations between classical and atypical phenotypes, suggesting that plasma Lyso-GL3 may help with clinical phenotypes. However, Lyso-GL3 levels is found to be overlapped between genotypes. No significant linear correlation was found between Lyso-GL3 and renal clinical indicators, suggesting the urgent need in finding a more accurate tool to assess renal involvement and prognosis in patients with Fabry disease.

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