1.The Mechanisms of Quercetin in Improving Alzheimer’s Disease
Yu-Meng ZHANG ; Yu-Shan TIAN ; Jie LI ; Wen-Jun MU ; Chang-Feng YIN ; Huan CHEN ; Hong-Wei HOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):334-347
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative condition characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory loss. As the incidence of AD continues to rise annually, researchers have shown keen interest in the active components found in natural plants and their neuroprotective effects against AD. Quercetin, a flavonol widely present in fruits and vegetables, has multiple biological effects including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. Oxidative stress plays a central role in the pathogenesis of AD, and the antioxidant properties of quercetin are essential for its neuroprotective function. Quercetin can modulate multiple signaling pathways related to AD, such as Nrf2-ARE, JNK, p38 MAPK, PON2, PI3K/Akt, and PKC, all of which are closely related to oxidative stress. Furthermore, quercetin is capable of inhibiting the aggregation of β‑amyloid protein (Aβ) and the phosphorylation of tau protein, as well as the activity of β‑secretase 1 and acetylcholinesterase, thus slowing down the progression of the disease.The review also provides insights into the pharmacokinetic properties of quercetin, including its absorption, metabolism, and excretion, as well as its bioavailability challenges and clinical applications. To improve the bioavailability and enhance the targeting of quercetin, the potential of quercetin nanomedicine delivery systems in the treatment of AD is also discussed. In summary, the multifaceted mechanisms of quercetin against AD provide a new perspective for drug development. However, translating these findings into clinical practice requires overcoming current limitations and ongoing research. In this way, its therapeutic potential in the treatment of AD can be fully utilized.
2.Ideas of Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Pancreatic Endocrine and Exocrine Co-Morbidities from the Attributes of Zang-Fu Organs of Pancreas
Yulin LENG ; Jiacheng YIN ; Xianglong LI ; Jiahong ZHANG ; Yi SU ; Hong GAO ; Chunguang XIE ; Xiaoxu FU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(2):145-149
Based on advancements in modern medical research regarding the intricate connection between the endocrine and exocrine functions of the pancreas, as well as the relationship between pancreatic functions and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) spleen system, this paper discussed the categorization of the pancreas. It is proposed that the pancreas is neither a true zang organ nor a fu organ, but possessed the attributes of an extraordinary fu-organ and can be classified under the spleen. The spleen governs transportation and transformation, ascent of the clear and dispersion of essence, which encompasses the endocrine and exocrine functions, and pancreatic enzymes and glucose-regulating hormones form the material basis for the spleen's function of dispersing essence. Diseases of the pancreas exhibit characteristics of both zang-organ deficiency and fu-organ excess, so treatment should simultaneously supplement zang-organ disease and regulate fu-organ disease when pancreas showing endocrine and exocrine co-morbidities, with focus on restoring the pancreas (spleen)'s dispersing essence function. Therapeutic strategies include supplementing spleen qi, nourishing spleen yin to strengthen spleen earth, unblocking spleen collaterals, raising spleen yang, and removing spleen turbidity to support the spleen's dispersing essence function, so as to replenish the essential qi of zang-fu organs, ensure their distribution throughout the body, and improve the endocrine and exocrine functions of the pancreas.
3.Fast Object Perception in The Subcortical Pathway: a Commentary on Wang et al.’s Paper in Human Brain Mapping (2023)
Hao-Yun MA ; Yu-Yin WEI ; Li-Ping HU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(7):1904-1908
The subcortical visual pathway is generally thought to be involved in dangerous information processing, such as fear processing and defensive behavior. A recent study, published in Human Brain Mapping, shows a new function of the subcortical pathway involved in the fast processing of non-emotional object perception. Rapid object processing is a critical function of visual system. Topological perception theory proposes that the initial perception of objects begins with the extraction of topological property (TP). However, the mechanism of rapid TP processing remains unclear. The researchers investigated the subcortical mechanism of TP processing with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). They find that a subcortical magnocellular pathway is responsible for the early processing of TP, and this subcortical processing of TP accelerates object recognition. Based on their findings, we propose a novel training approach called subcortical magnocellular pathway training (SMPT), aimed at improving the efficiency of the subcortical M pathway to restore visual and attentional functions in disorders associated with subcortical pathway dysfunction.
4.Curative effects of 3D printed microporous titanium (tantalum) prosthesis in reconstruction of large segmental bone defects caused by lower extremity osteomyelitis
Yin YANG ; Yongqing XU ; Gang LI ; Hua LIU ; Jianbin HONG ; Wei TONG ; Xingqiang LIU ; Xinyu FAN
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2024;26(3):247-254
Objective:To evaluate the curative effects of 3D printed microporous titanium (tantalum) prosthesis in reconstruction of large segmental bone defects caused by lower extremity osteomyelitis.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 18 patients who had been treated for large segmental bone defects caused by lower extremity osteomyelitis between January 2020 to May 2022 at Department of Orthopaedics, The 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force. There were 10 males and 8 females with an age of (45.3±14.1) years. The defects were at the left side in 13 cases and at the right side in 5 cases, at the femur in 11 cases and at the tibia in 7 cases. The duration of osteomyelitis was 1.0 (1.0, 3.5) years. The length of bone defects was 8.35 (6.50, 9.84) cm. Their bone defects were repaired by an individually 3D printed microporous titanium (tantalum) prosthesis after operative removal of osteomyelitis lesions. The wound healing was observed after surgery. The clinical efficacy was comprehensively evaluated by the Paley grading for bone defect healing, visual analog scale (VAS), lower extremity functional scale (LEFS), and imaging examination.Results:The postoperative follow-up period for the 18 patients was (12.2±0.3) months. Wound infection occurred 2 months after surgery in one patient who was treated with Ilizarov bone transfer after removal of the microporous titanium prosthesis. The remaining 17 patients had good postoperative wound healing. At the last follow-up, the 18 patients had a VAS pain score of 2.0(1.0, 4.0) points, significantly lower than the preoperative one [(6.1±2.3) points], and a LEFS score of 54.00(34.50, 69.25) points, significantly higher than the preoperative one [18.50(9.00, 26.50) points] ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, according to the Paley grading, the bone union was rated as excellent in 16 patients, as good in 1 patient and as poor in 1 patient. The integration of femoral fractures with 3D printed microporous titanium prostheses was fine. Conclusion:In reconstruction of large segmental bone defects caused by lower extremity osteomyelitis, implantation of a 3D printed microporous titanium (tantalum) prosthesis is feasible and effective, not only reducing pain but also restoring the limb function.
5.Correlations of irradiation dose to urethra with urinary complications in concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer
Fenghu LI ; Fan MEI ; Yanjun DU ; Xue TIAN ; Lili HU ; Wei HONG ; Hong BAN ; Shuishui YIN ; Yinxiang HU ; Bing LU ; Jiehui LI
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2024;44(1):18-23
Objective:To investigate the correlations of urinary adverse reactions with dose to the bladder and urethra during external pelvic irradiation for locally advanced cervical cancer.Methods:This study retrospectively collected relevant dosimetric parameters and urinary symptoms, such as frequent, urgent, and painful urination, from locally advanced cervical cancer patients treated with external pelvic irradiation in the Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University. The dosimetric parameters examined in this study included the maximum, minimum, and mean doses to bladder and urethra (i.e., Dmax, Dmin and Dmean), mean doses received in an area of 0.1, 1, and 2 cm 3 around the planning target volume, D0.1 cm 3, D1 cm 3, D2 cm 3, and percentages of irradiated volumes in the whole organ volume under doses of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 Gy, V5 Gy, V10 Gy, V15 Gy, V20 Gy, V25 Gy, V30 Gy, V35 Gy, V40 Gy, V45 Gy, V50 Gy. Then the correlations between urinary symptoms and these dosimetric parameters were analyzed using the independent-sample t-test and the Logistic regression model. Results:The median volumes of bladder and urethra were 294.8 and 4.71 cm 3, respectively. Patients were divided into two groups based on the median division. The univariate analysis showed that urethral Dmax, Dmin, Dmean, V5 Gy, V10 Gy, V15Gy, V20 Gy, V25 Gy, V30 Gy, V35 Gy, V40 Gy, V45 Gy and V50 Gy correlated with urinary complications ( t = 14.30, 21.65, 32.19, 33.36, 16.62, 17.91, 21.52, 20.11, 12.27, 37.25, 30.18, 36.24 and 21.98, P<0.05). The multivariate analysis further indicates that urethral D2 cm 3, V20 Gy, V40 Gy and Bladder V40 Gy, D1 cm 3, D2 cm 3 were independent predictors of grade 2 urinary adverse reactions ( P<0.05). Conclusions:This study reported the correlations of relevant dosimetric parameters of urethra with urinary toxicity during external pelvic irradiation. It holds that urethral D2 cm 3, V20 Gy and V40 Gy should be restricted to minimize the risks of grade 2 urinary complications.
6.Application of Ancient Books in Clinical Practice Guidelines and Expert Consensus of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Current Status and Methodological Recommendations
Changhao LIANG ; Dingran YIN ; Jing CUI ; Xinshuai YAO ; Xinyi GU ; Yifei YAN ; Wanting LIU ; Yingqiao WANG ; Yingqi CHANG ; Haoyu DONG ; Mengqi LI ; Yuanyuan LI ; Yutong FEI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(8):801-809
ObjectiveTo explore the current status and issues regarding the application of ancient books in clinical practice guidelines and expert consensus of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) published in China, and to provide methodological recommendations for the incorporation of ancient books in the development of TCM guidelines. MethodsWe searched China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang Data, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, Embase, as well as six industry websites including China Association of Chinese Medicine, National Group Standards Information Platform, and Chinese Association of the Integration of Traditional and Western Medicine,etc. TCM clinical practice guidelines or expert consensus issued during January 1st, 2017, to November 26th, 2022 were searched. Clinical practice guidelines or expert consensus that explicitly referred to ancient books were included, and the content regarding the searching for ancient books, sources of access to ancient books, methods of evaluating the level of evidence, methods of evaluating the level of recommendation, and methods of evaluating the evidence for the ancient books were analysed. ResultsA total of 1,215 TCM clinical practice guidelines or expert consensus were retrieved, with 442 articles explicitly mentioning the application of ancient books, including 300 (67.87%) clinical practice guidelines and 142 (32.13%) expert consensus. Sixty of the 442 publications explicitly reported that ancient books searching had been conducted (13.57%); among these 60 publications 27 (45.00%) explicitly reported ancient books searching strategies, and the most frequent method was manual searching with a total of 24 articles (40.00%). The most popular search source was Chinese Medical Dictionary, a TCM classics database, with a total of 18 articles. 197 articles (44.57%) explicitly reported the evaluation criteria for the level of evidence, of which 141 articles (71.57%) involved the evaluation criteria for the ancient books; 413 articles (93.44%) mentioned ancient books in the recommendations, and only the source of formula name was mentioned in 409 (99.03%) of the publications. ConclusionThe current application of ancient books in TCM clinical practice guidelines and expert consensus is limited, with issues of non-standard searching and evaluation methods. Standar-dization and uniformity are needed in evidence grading and recommendation standards. Future research should clarify the scope and methods of applying ancient book, emphasize their integration with modern research evidence, and enhance their value and quality in the development of TCM clinical practice guidelines.
7.The Common Somatic Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder and Their Relationships with Five-State Personality and Emotional Symptoms Based on Complex Networks and Linear Regression
Ziyan LI ; Xinzi LIU ; Dongqing YIN ; Hong ZHU ; Hongxiao JIA
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(14):1464-1468
ObjectiveTo analyze the relationship between somatic symptoms, five-state personality and emotional symptoms of bipolar disorder (BD), and to provide a reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of BD. MethodsThe basic information of the BD patients was collected, and the self-administered somatic symptom questionnaire was used to investigate the somatic symptoms with a frequency of >20%, which were scored as the somatic symptom scores; the 24-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) was used to evaluate the patients' depressive symptoms, the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) was used to evaluate the patients' manic symptoms, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) was used to evaluate the patients' anxiety symptoms, and Five-State Personality Test was used to evaluate the patients' five-state personality (including taiyang personality, shaoyang personality, yin-yang balance personality, shaoyin personality, and taiyin personality). Network analysis and linear regression were used to analyse the correlation between the somatic symptom scores and the five-state personality scores, HAMD scores, YMRS scores, and HAMA scores. ResultsThere were 269 patients with BD included, and 19 somatic symptoms with a frequency of >20%, the top three being lack of strength (152 cases, 56.51%), dry mouth (137 cases, 50.93%), and preference for cold drinks (112 cases, 41.64%), and the somatic symptom scores were [7.0 (0,10.0)] points; the YMRS scores were [3.0 (0, 7.5)] points; the HAMD scores were [11.0 (5.0, 18.0)] points; and HAMA score was [6.0 (2.0, 10.0)] points. Among the five-state personalities, taiyang personality [10.0 (7.0, 13.0)] score; shaoyang personality [10.0 (7.5, 13.0)] score; yin-yang balance personality [5.0 (3.0, 7.0)] score; shaoyin personality [13.0 (10.0, 16.0)] score; and taiyin personality [14.0 (9.0, 18.0)] score. Complex network analysis showed that BD somatic symptoms were positively correlated with taiyin personality score (r = 0.23), HAMD score (r = 0.21), and YMRS score (r = 0.13); taiyin personality score was positively correlated with HAMD score (r = 0.17) and negatively correlated with YMRS score (r = -0.03). Linear regression analyses showed that somatic symptom scores were positively correlated with HAMD score (β = 0.138, P = 0.003), YMRS score (β = 0.128, P = 0.006), and taiyin personality scores (β = 0.182, P<0.001). ConclusionDepression, mania, and taiyin personality are independent risk factors for somatic symptoms in patients with BD, and taiyin personality is strongly associated with somatic symptoms in patients with BD.
8.Basic and Clinical Research of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in The Treatment of Central Nervous System Diseases
Hong-Ru LI ; Cai-Hong LEI ; Shu-Wen LIU ; Yuan YANG ; Hai-Xia CHEN ; Run ZHANG ; Yin-Jie CUI ; Zhong-Zheng LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(11):2921-2935
As a microbial therapy method, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has attracted the attention of researchers in recent years. As one of the most direct and effective methods to improve gut microbiota, FMT achieves therapeutic benefits by transplanting functional gut microbiota from healthy human feces into the intestines of patients to reconstruct new gut microbiota. FMT has been proven to be an effective treatment for gastrointestinal diseases such as Clostridium difficile infection, irritable bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease. In addition, the clinical and basic research of FMT outside the gastrointestinal system is also emerging. It is worth noting that there is bidirectional communication between the gut microbial community and the central nervous system (CNS) through the gut-brain axis. Some gut bacteria can synthesize and release neurotransmitters such as glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and dopamine. Imbalanced gut microbiota may interfere with the normal levels of these neurotransmitters, thereby affecting brain function. Gut microbiota can also produce metabolites that may cross the blood-brain barrier and affect CNS function. FMT may affect the occurrence and development of CNS and its related diseases by reshaping the gut microbiota of patients through a variety of pathways such as nerves, immunity, and metabolites. This article introduces the development of FMT and the research status of FMT in China, and reviews the basic and clinical research of FMT in neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease), neurotraumatic diseases (spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury) and stroke from the characteristics of three types of nervous system diseases, the characteristics of intestinal flora, and the therapeutic effect and mechanism of fecal microbiota transplantation, summarize the common mechanism of fecal microbiota transplantation in the treatment of CNS diseases and the therapeutic targets. We found that the common mechanisms of FMT in the treatment of nervous system diseases may include the following 3 categories through summary and analysis. (1) Gut microbiota metabolites, such as SCFAs, TMAO and LPS. (2) Inflammatory factors and immune inflammatory pathways such as TLR-MyD88 and NF-κB. (3) Neurotransmitter 5-HT. In the process of reviewing the studies, we found the following problems. (1) In basic researches on the relationship between FMT and CNS diseases, there are relatively few studies involving the autonomic nervous system pathway. (2) Clinical trial studies have shown that FMT improves the severity of patients’ symptoms and may be a promising treatment for a variety of neurological diseases. (3) The improvement of clinical efficacy is closely related to the choice of donor, especially emphasizing that FMT from healthy and young donors may be the key to the improvement of neurological diseases. However, there are common challenges in current research on FMT, such as the scientific and rigorous design of FMT clinical trials, including whether antibiotics are used before transplantation or different antibiotics are used, as well as different FMT processes, different donors, different functional analysis methods of gut microbiota, and the duration of FMT effect. Besides, the safety of FMT should be better elucidated, especially weighing the relationship between the therapeutic benefits and potential risks of FMT carefully. It is worth mentioning that the clinical development of FMT even exceeds its basic research. Science and TIME rated FMT as one of the top 10 breakthroughs in the field of biomedicine in 2013. FMT therapy has great potential in the treatment of nervous system diseases, is expected to open up a new situation in the medical field, and may become an innovative weapon in the medical field.
9.Clinical guidelines for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis combined with lower cervical fracture in adults (version 2024)
Qingde WANG ; Yuan HE ; Bohua CHEN ; Tongwei CHU ; Jinpeng DU ; Jian DONG ; Haoyu FENG ; Shunwu FAN ; Shiqing FENG ; Yanzheng GAO ; Zhong GUAN ; Hua GUO ; Yong HAI ; Lijun HE ; Dianming JIANG ; Jianyuan JIANG ; Bin LIN ; Bin LIU ; Baoge LIU ; Chunde LI ; Fang LI ; Feng LI ; Guohua LYU ; Li LI ; Qi LIAO ; Weishi LI ; Xiaoguang LIU ; Hongjian LIU ; Yong LIU ; Zhongjun LIU ; Shibao LU ; Yong QIU ; Limin RONG ; Yong SHEN ; Huiyong SHEN ; Jun SHU ; Yueming SONG ; Tiansheng SUN ; Yan WANG ; Zhe WANG ; Zheng WANG ; Hong XIA ; Guoyong YIN ; Jinglong YAN ; Wen YUAN ; Zhaoming YE ; Jie ZHAO ; Jianguo ZHANG ; Yue ZHU ; Yingjie ZHOU ; Zhongmin ZHANG ; Wei MEI ; Dingjun HAO ; Baorong HE
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2024;40(2):97-106
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with lower cervical fracture is often categorized into unstable fracture, with a high incidence of neurological injury and a high rate of disability and morbidity. As factors such as shoulder occlusion may affect the accuracy of X-ray imaging diagnosis, it is often easily misdiagnosed at the primary diagnosis. Non-operative treatment has complications such as bone nonunion and the possibility of secondary neurological damage, while the timing, access and choice of surgical treatment are still controversial. Currently, there are no clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture with or without dislocation. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts to formulate Clinical guidelines for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis combined with lower cervical fracture in adults ( version 2024) in accordance with the principles of evidence-based medicine, scientificity and practicality, in which 11 recommendations were put forward in terms of the diagnosis, imaging evaluation, typing and treatment, etc, to provide guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture.
10.Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes in Depressive Episodes of Bipolar Disorder Based on Cluster Analysis and Bayesian Network:A Cross-sectional Study
Xinzi LIU ; Ziyan LI ; Sisi ZHENG ; Mingkang SONG ; Hong ZHU ; Dongqing YIN ; Hongxiao JIA
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(1):79-85
ObjectiveTo explore the elements, distribution and characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes in depressive episodes of bipolar disorder (BD). MethodsBasic information, along with the four examination information, the Hamilton Depression Scale and Young Mania Rating Scale scores, were collected from 293 outpatients with BD at Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University. The four examination information with an occurrence rate greater than 12% were retained. The R language “dist” function was used to calculate the distances between samples using the Euclidean distance method. The hierarchical clustering of the four examination information was performed using the “hclust” function and the squared Euclidean distance method. A team of five researchers was formed to determine the nature and location of the essential elements of TCM syndrome in BD based on the clustering results. The PC algorithm was used to construct a Bayesian network model of the essential elements. The working group combined the essential elements of TCM syndromes in the Bayesian network according to the reference model results, and then extracted common TCM syndromes. The score of each patient based on the essential elements was matched with the common TCM syndromes to determine the syndrome type of each patient. The working group then performs conformity and revision based on this, obtaining the final distribution of TCM syndromes for the patients. ResultsThere were 77 common TCM symptoms in BD with a frequency greater than 12%. The top 15 symptoms with higher frequencies were slippery pulse, mental fatigue and lack of strength, wiry pulse, excessive rumination, preference for solitude, vexation, agitation and irritability, dry mouth, palpitations, profuse dreaming, unwarranted worries, chest oppression, thin white coating, amnesia, frequent sighing, and poor appetite. TCM syndrome elements of BD can be grouped into 11 categories. The nature of disease-related essential elements included fire, qi deficiency, blood deficiency, qi counterflow, yin deficiency, dampness, heat, fire from constraint, and phlegm. The location of disease-related essential elements included heart, liver, spleen, stomach, kidney, bladder channel, and gallbladder. By constructing a Bayesian network model and considering the opinions from the experts, six common syndromes of BD were identified, among which the highest proportion was heart-stomach heat accumulation, accounting for 27.99% (82 cases), followed by heart-spleen deficiency (55 cases, 18.77%), non-interaction between the heart and the kidney (49 cases, 16.72%), liver constraint and blood deficiency (42 cases, 14.33%), heart qi deficiency (37 cases, 12.63%), and damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder (28 cases, 9.56%). ConclusionsThe nature of disease-related elements of BD are predominantly fire and heat, while the location of disease-related essential elements are primarily associated with the heart, liver, and spleen. The most common TCM syndromes are heart-stomach heat accumulation and heart-spleen deficiency.

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