1.Mechanism of Astragaloside Ⅳ in Regulating PI3K/Akt Molecular Pathway in Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes Complications: A Review
Kexin HU ; Jinru ZHU ; Qing WU ; Shengmao WANG ; Mengfan WANG ; Ai QIAN ; Zhaohui FANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):307-314
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease caused by absolute or relative insulin deficiency and reduced insulin sensitivity in peripheral cells, posing a serious threat to global health. Chronic complications arising in the later stages of DM can lead to the decline or even loss of function in multiple organs, including the eyes, heart, liver, kidneys, nerves, and feet, making them the primary cause of mortality in DM patients. Although modern medicine has made some progress in the treatment of these complications, challenges such as high costs and adverse drug reactions remain. Thus, identifying highly effective drugs with minimal adverse effects has become a top priority. Astragalus membranaceus is a shining gem in the treasure trove of Chinese medicine. Numerous studies have shown that its primary active component, astragaloside Ⅳ, possesses various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral effects, as well as benefits for cardiac and cerebral function, nerve conduction, and myocardial protection. Meanwhile, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in regulating oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, apoptosis, and autophagy. Extensive research has highlighted the significant role of this pathway in various DM complications, leading to widespread studies on its interaction with astragaloside Ⅳ. This review summarizes research findings on how astragaloside Ⅳ alleviates pancreatic cytotoxicity in DM patients by modulating the PI3K/Akt pathway. Additionally, it highlights its protective effects on basic cardiac function, inhibition of retinal cell damage, improvement of cerebral nerve dysfunction, reduction of chronic kidney and liver damage, and mitigation of neurovascular toxicity in the lower limbs. These insights provide a valuable reference for the clinical application of A. membranaceus and its active monomer, astragaloside Ⅳ, in the treatment of DM and its complications.
2.A Case Report of Pachydermoperiostosis by Multidisciplinary Diagnosis and Treatment
Jie ZHANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Li HUO ; Ke LYU ; Tao WANG ; Ze'nan XIA ; Xiao LONG ; Kexin XU ; Nan WU ; Bo YANG ; Weibo XIA ; Rongrong HU ; Limeng CHEN ; Ji LI ; Xia HONG ; Yan ZHANG ; Yagang ZUO
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2025;4(1):75-82
A 20-year-old male patient presented to the Department of Dermatology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital with complaints of an 8-year history of facial scarring, swelling of the lower limbs, and a 4-year history of scalp thickening. Physical examination showed thickening furrowing wrinkling of the skin on the face and behind the ears, ciliary body hirsutism, blepharoptosis, and cutis verticis gyrate. Both lower limbs were swollen, especially the knees and ankles. The skin of the palms and soles of the feet was keratinized and thickened. Laboratory examination using bone and joint X-ray showed periostosis of the proximal middle phalanges and metacarpals of both hands, distal ulna and radius, tibia and fibula, distal femurs, and metatarsals.Genetic testing revealed two variants in
3.Mechanism of Qili Qiangxin Capsules in Treating Chronic Heart Failure Based on Theory of Collateral Diseases
Kun LIAN ; Kexin LIU ; Xueqin WANG ; Fengting LIU ; Liyan LIAO ; Zhixi HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):146-155
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is the terminal stage of various heart diseases, with high morbidity, mortality, and hospitalization rate. According to the theory of collateral diseases, the core pathogenesis of CHF is blood stasis of collaterals, water retention and stagnation, and pathogen accumulation in collaterals. Accordingly, the treatment should focus on reinforcing healthy Qi to warm Yang, activating blood to dredge collaterals, and excreting water to alleviate edema. On this basis, Qili Qiangxin capsules (QLQX) are created. This prescription can effectively treat chronic heart failure. Modern studies have shown that QLQX contains a variety of pharmacological components such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, phenolic acids, and cardiac glycosides. QLQX can improve the cardiac function, inhibit myocardial fibrosis, improve hemodynamics, mitigate inflammation, reduce cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and regulate the nervous system, with mild adverse reactions. This study analyzed the etiology and pathogenesis of CHF based on the theory of collateral diseases, explored the relationship between the prescription and syndrome, and delved into the material basis and mechanism of QLQX in the treatment of CHF, aiming to provide reference for the clinical application and scientific research of QLQX.
4.Concentration and health risk assessment of trichloromethane in drinking water for rural primary and middle school students in Tianjin
ZHANG Lei, HU Haijuan, ZHANG Kexin, ZHAO Liang
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(6):784-787
Objective:
To evaluate the distribution characteristics and health risk of trichloromethane (TCM) in the drinking water supply of primary and middle schools in rural areas of Tianjin, so as to provide a scientific basis for improving drinking water safety in rural schools.
Methods:
A total of 60 water samples from 30 rural primary and middle schools in 10 agricultural districts of Tianjin were collected from April to June (dry season) and July to October (wet season) in 2023 with direct selection method. The content of TCM was detected according to the Standard Methods for the Examination of Drinking Water, and a risk assessment method recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency was used to evaluate the health risk of TCM through oral exposure.
Results:
The concentration of TCM in drinking water was no detection to 54.00 μg/L, with an average of (13.44±14.88) μg/L, and the value was higher during the wet season [12.90(1.40,32.28)μg/L] than the dry season [2.40(1.40,18.13)μg/L] (Z=-2.09, P<0.05). The concentration of TCM for primary and middle schools were [3.38(1.40,20.75) μg/L] and [5.30(1.40,28.23)μg/L] respectively, and there was no statistically significant difference between different types of schools (Z=0.50, P>0.05). The carcinogenic risk through oral exposure ranged from 3.84×10-7 to 2.05×10-5, while the noncarcinogenic risk ranged from (0.00-0.16), all within the acceptable range. Children aged 6 to 9 years old were at the highest risk.
Conclusions
TCM has been detected in the drinking water of rural primary and middle schools to a certain extent in Tianjin, and attention should be paid to the potential health risks of oral exposure. The monitoring and management of disinfection byproducts in drinking water should be strengthened to further reduce the risk of exposure to children.
5.Association of sleep duration and physical exercise with dyslipidemia in older adults aged 80 years and over in China
Bing WU ; Yang LI ; Lanjing XU ; Zheng ZHANG ; Jinhui ZHOU ; Yuan WEI ; Chen CHEN ; Jun WANG ; Changzi WU ; Zheng LI ; Ziyu HU ; Fanye LONG ; Yudong WU ; Xuehua HU ; Kexin LI ; Fangyu LI ; Yufei LUO ; Yingchun LIU ; Yuebin LYU ; Xiaoming SHI
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2024;45(1):48-55
Objective:To explore the impact of sleep duration, physical exercise, and their interactions on the risk of dyslipidemia in older adults aged ≥80 (the oldest old) in China.Methods:The study subjects were the oldest old from four rounds of Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study (2008-2009, 2011-2012, 2014 and 2017-2018). The information about their demographic characteristics, lifestyles, physical examination results and others were collected, and fasting venous blood samples were collected from them for blood lipid testing. Competing risk model was used to analyze the causal associations of sleep duration and physical exercise with the risk for dyslipidemia. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) function was used to explore the dose-response relationship between sleep duration and the risk for dyslipidemia. Additive and multiplicative interaction model were used to explore the interaction of sleep duration and physical exercise on the risk for dyslipidemia.Results:The average age of 1 809 subjects was (93.1±7.7) years, 65.1% of them were women. The average sleep duration of the subjects was (8.0±2.5) hours/day, 28.1% of them had sleep duration for less than 7 hours/day, and 27.2% had sleep for duration more than 9 hours/day at baseline survey. During the 9-year cumulative follow-up of 6 150.6 person years (follow-up of average 3.4 years for one person), there were 304 new cases of dyslipidemia, with an incidence density of 4 942.6/100 000 person years. The results of competitive risk model analysis showed that compared with those who slept for 7-9 hours/day, the risk for dyslipidemia in oldest old with sleep duration >9 hours/day increased by 22% ( HR=1.22, 95% CI: 1.07-1.39). Compared with the oldest old having no physical exercise, the risk for dyslipidemia in the oldest old having physical exercise decreased by 33% ( HR=0.67, 95% CI: 0.57-0.78). The RCS function showed a linear positive dose-response relationship between sleep duration and the risk for hyperlipidemia. The interaction analysis showed that physical exercise and sleep duration had an antagonistic effect on the risk for hyperlipidemia. Conclusion:Physical exercise could reduce the adverse effects of prolonged sleep on blood lipids in the oldest old.
6.MRI manifestations of testicular sex cord-stromal tumor
Huijun LIU ; Jing XUN ; Di PU ; Kexin WANG ; Xibin HU ; Weiwei WANG
Journal of Practical Radiology 2024;40(5):752-755
Objective To explore the MRI findings of testicular sex cord-stromal tumor(TSCST).Methods The MRI and clini-copathological data of 12 patients with TSCST proved by pathology were analyzed retrospectively.Results All 12 cases occurred in unilateral testicle,of which 10 cases were nodular,1 case was irregular nodular,and 1 case showed round shape.All 12 cases had clear boundaries.On T1 WI,5 cases showed homogeneous hypo-intensity,4 cases showed iso-intensity,2 cases showed inhomogeneous iso-inten-sity and hypo-intensity,and 1 case showed inhomogeneous hype-intensity.On T2 WI,7 cases were homogeneous hypo-intensity and 5 cases were inhomogeneous hypo-intensity.Diffusion weighted imaging(DWI)was performed in all 12 cases,and the apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)was obtained.On DWI,10 cases showed homogeneous hypo-intensity,2 cases showed inhomogeneous hypo-intensity.All 12 cases showed hypo-intensity on ADC,with an average ADC value of approximately(0.89±0.09)× 10-3mm2/s.Among the MRI contrast-enhanced scans,5 cases showed progressive and obvious enhancement,1 case showed intratumoral septal enhancement,and 1 case showed obvious enhancement.Conclusion The typical MRI findings of TSCST are hypo-intensity on T2 WI,DWI,ADC,and the lesions show progressive and obvious enhancement,which are helpful for accurate preoperative diagnosis.
7.Effect and mechanism of wogonin on cognitive function and neuroinflammation in vascular dementia rats
Zhengyu SONG ; Jin HU ; Lingling WANG ; Kexin SHI
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2024;26(11):1349-1353
Objective To explore the effects of wogonin on cognitive function and neuroinflamma-tion in VaD rats by regulating AMPK/SIRT1 pathway.Methods 90 VaD rats were randomly di-vided into model group,low-,medium-and high-dose wogonin groups(50,100,200 mg/kg),and high dose+AMPK inhibitor(20 mg/kg)group,18 animals per group.Another 18 normal rats served as sham operation group.ELISA was utilized to measure the contents of IL-1β,TNF-α and IL-6 in hippocampal tissues.Western blotting was conducted to detect the expression of Iba-1,p-AMPK,AMPK and SIRT1 in hippocampal tissues.Results Compared with the sham operation group,the model group had longer escape latency,and elevated contents of IL-1β,TNF-α and IL-6,number of Iba-1 positive cells and expression level of Iba-1 protein in hippocampal tissue,shorter stay time at original platform,and lower expression of p-AMPK/AMPK and SIRT1 in hippocampal tissues(P<0.05).Treatment of three doses of wogonin,in a dose-dependent man-ner,reduced escape latency,and decreased levels of IL-1β,TNF-α and IL-6,number of Iba-1 posi-tive cells and expression of Iba-1 protein in hippocampal tissue,but longer stay time at original platform,and enhanced expression of p-AMPK/AMPK and SIRT1 protein in hippocampal tissue when compared with the model group(P<0.05).The high dose+AMPK inhibitor group showed longer escape latency(47.64±5.39 s vs 26.45±3.27 s),shorter stay time at original platform(21.78±3.51 s vs 35.22±5.02 s),increased levels of IL-1β,TNF-α and IL-6,number of Iba-1 positive cells and expression of Iba-1 protein in hippocampal tissue,and lower expression levels of p-AMPK/AMPK and SIRT1 in hippocampal tissue when compared with the high-dose group(P<0.05).Conclusion Wogonin may improve cognitive function and hippocampal tissue patho-logical damage in VaD rats by activating the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway,and inhibit neuroinflammation.
8.Efficacy and safety of mini-track,mini-nephroscopy and mini-ultrasonic probe per-cutaneous nephrolithotomy for the treatment of 1.5-2.5 cm kidney stones
Mingrui WANG ; Jun LIU ; Liulin XIONG ; Luping YU ; Hao HU ; Kexin XU ; Tao XU
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2024;56(4):605-609
Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of mini-track,mini-nephroscopy and mini-ultrasonic probe percutaneous nephrolithotomy(3mPCNL)for the treatment of 1.5-2.5 cm kidney stones.Methods:The perioperative data and postoperative follow-up data of a total of 25 patients with about 1.5-2.5 cm kidney stones who underwent 3mPCNL under ultrasound guidance in Peking Univer-sity People's Hospital from November 2023 to January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.During the matching period,the 25 patients with 1.5-2.5 cm kidney stones receiving standard percutaneous neph-rolithotomy(sPCNL)were matched one-to-one according to the criterion that the absolute difference of the maximum diameter of stones between the two groups was less than 1 mm.The operative time,renal function changes,postoperative stone-free rate,hemoglobin changes,and complication rate of the two treatments were compared,and then the effectiveness and safety of 3mPCNL were preliminarily analyzed.Results:There were no significant differences in mean age,preoperative median creatinine,preoperative mean hemoglobin,preoperative mean hematocrit,median stone maximum diameter,and median stone CT density between the 3mPCNL group and the sPCNL group.The median operation time in the 3mPCNL group was 60.0(45.0-110.0)min,with no statistical significance compared with the sPCNL group,and all the patients underwent single-channel operations.The mean hemoglobin after operation in the 3mPCNL group was(115.3±15.5)mmol/L,and there was no significant difference between the preoperative group and the sPCNL group,and the mean hemoglobin decreased significantly between the sPCNL group and the sPCNL group[(9.5±2.2)mmol/L vs.(10.1±1.9)mmol/L].The mean hematocrit after operation was(28.0±5.2)%,and the difference was statistically significant compared with that before operation(t=2.414,P=0.020).The mean hematocrit drop was not statistically signi-ficant compared with the sPCNL group(2.3%vs.2.7%).The median serum creatinine in the 3mPCNL group was 74.0(51.0-118.0)μmol/L after operation,and the difference was statistically significant compared with that before operation(Z=-2.980,P=0.005).The stone-free rate in the 3mPCNL group and the sPCNL group was 96.0%and 97.3%,respectively,and the mean hospital stay was(4.3±1.4)d and(5.5±2.0)d,respectively,with the statistical significance(t=0.192,P=0.025).After the operation,one patient in sPCNL group had massive hemorrhage after the nephrostomy tube was re-moved,which was improved after selective renal artery embolization.One patient in the 3mPCNL group developed mild perirenal hematoma,which was improved after conservative treatment,and no complica-tions were observed in the other patients.Conclusion:3mPCNL in the treatment of 1.5-2.5 cm kidney stones can achieve an effective rate comparable to sPCNL,and can achieve the ideal stone-free rate in a shorter operative time with a lower rate of surgery-related complications.
9.Efficacy of coated metal ureteral stent in the treatment of pelvic lipomatosis induced hydronephrosis
Mingrui WANG ; Qi WANG ; Hao HU ; Jinhui LAI ; Xinwei TANG ; Chunyan WAN ; Kexin XU ; Tao XU
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2024;56(5):919-922
To investigate the initial experience of coated metal ureteral stent(CMUS)for treatment of pelvic lipomatosis induced hydronephrosis(PLH).The clinical and follow-up data of 8 patients who were diagnosed as PLH treated with CMUS in Peking University People's Hospital from August 2018 to February 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.Inclusion criteria included:Imaging evidence of excessive adipose tissue around the bladder in the pelvic cavity,bladder elevation in an"inverted pear shape",and bladder wall thickening;Cystoscopy indicated follicular hyperplasia of bladder mucosa and biopsy pathology indicated glandular cystitis;Unilateral or bilateral hydronephrosis and ureteromegaly.Exclusion criteria included:Ureteral atresia;Recurrent obstruction of the bladder outlet.Preoperative baseline data included age,gender,serum creatinine,pelvis width and ureteric stent symptoms questionnaire(USSQ)score.Intraoperative data included the location and length of ureteral stenosis observed by retrograde urography.Postoperative follow-up data included serum creatinine,pelvis width,and USSQ score.In the study,8 patients(11 sides)with PLH were all male,with an average age of(38.7±8.6)years.Uni-lateral hydronephrosis was found in 5 cases and bilateral hydronephrosis in 3 cases.Preoperative mean serum creatinine was(90.0±10.3)μmol/L,and the mean renal pelvis width was(3.0±1.5)cm.The lower ureteral stricture was found in all cases,and the mean stricture length was(1.9±0.9)cm.Before operation,3 patients had ureteral Double-J stents,with USSQ scores of 97.0,68.0 and 100.0,respectively.Five patients underwent retrograde CMUS stenting,and 3 patients retrograde and antegrade.At the last follow-up,the average serum creatinine was(82.0±11.1)μmol/L and the mean renal pel-vis width was(1.9±0.5)cm,which were significantly lower than those before operation(t=3.12,P=0.02;t=3.23,P=0.02).In the 3 patients with Double-J stent before surgery,the USSQ scores were 87.0,62.0 and 89.0,respectively,which were significantly improved after CMUS stenting.The average follow-up time was(10.0±6.3)months.During the follow-up,1 patient developed CMUS re-lated symptoms,and no stent-associated infection and stent encrustation were found.In one case,the stent migrated to the bladder 3 months after operation,and the hydronephrosis disappeared after 3 months follow-up.CMUS stenting for treatment of PLH has certain efficacy and safety,which can explore a new therapeutic method for the long-term treatment of PLH.
10.Effect of parenting style on social anxiety of college students: the mediating roles of core self-evaluation
Yu LIU ; Shaomin ZHANG ; Yanjie YANG ; Zhengxue QIAO ; Jiawei ZHOU ; Xiaomeng HU ; Tianyi BU ; Xuan LIU ; Kexin QIAO ; Xiaohui QIU
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2024;33(7):642-646
Objective:To explore the impact of parenting style on social anxiety among college students, and examine the mediating effect of core self-evaluation.Methods:From November 2022 to January 2023, a total of 1 126 college students in Harbin were taken as research subjects.Interaction anxiousness scale(IAS), short-egna minnen betraffende upfostran-Chinese(s-EMBU-C) and core self-evaluations scale(CSES) were used for analysis. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 software for correlation analysis and analysis of variance.AMOS 27.0 software was used for mediation effect test.Results:Social anxiety (42.31±8.23) was negatively correlated with positive parenting style (5.44±1.45) ( r=-0.072, P<0.05) and core self-evaluation (32.12±6.01) ( r=-0.350, P<0.01), while positively correlated with negative parenting style (7.40±1.74)( r=0.302, P<0.01). Core self-evaluation was positively correlated with positive parenting style ( r=0.362, P<0.01) and negatively correlated with negative parenting style ( r=-0.346, P<0.01).Parent parenting styles had a significant mean direct effect on social anxiety of college students ( βpositive=0.098, βnegtive=0.222).Mediation analyses indicated that core self-evaluation played a masking role between positive parenting styles and social anxiety, with an absolute value of 90.82% for the ratio of indirect(-0.089) to direct effects(0.098).Core self-evaluation had partial mediating effect on negative parenting styles, with direct effect and indirect effect accounting for 73.03% and 26.97% of the total effect, respectively. Conclusion:Parenting style can either directly affect college students' social anxiety or indirectly through the mediating effect of core self-evaluations, with core self-evaluations playing a masking role in the positive parenting styles pathway.


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