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.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.
5.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.
6.Formulation and technology of oxymatrine-astragaloside IV coloaded liposomes based on quality by design
Liang-yin WEI ; Xia LI ; Hong WANG ; Lin-qing HUANG ; Cong-yan LIU ; Yan CHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(1):232-242
To optimize the formulation and technology of oxymatrine-astragaloside IV coloaded liposomes (Om-As-Lip) based on quality by design (QbD) principles, and further to verify the feasibility of its amplification process, Om-As-Lip was prepared by ethanol injection combined with pH gradient method. The critical material attributions of Om-As-Lip were evaluated by dual-risk analysis tools and Plackett-Burman design (PBD). The formulation of Om-As-Lip was further optimized with the Box-Behnken design (BBD). The design space was also established based on the contour plots of BBD. In order to further investigate the amplification process of Om-As-Lip, the critical process parameters of high-pressure homogenization (HPH) were optimized by single-factor test, and the quality of the final product was also evaluated. The results of risk analysis and PBD confirmed that the astragaloside concentration, cholesterol concentration, and phospholipid ratio (HSPC∶SPC) were the ctitical material attributes. The model established by BBD had a good predictability, and the optimized mass ratio of As to phospholipids was 1∶40, cholesterol to phospholipids was 1∶10, HSPC to SPC was 51∶9. The design space of Om-As-Lip was as follows: the ratio of cholesterol to phospholipids was 1∶12-1∶5 and HSPC to SPC was 1∶7-17∶3. The optimized high-pressure homogenization pressure was 600 bar, temperature was 4 ℃, and cycle times was 6 times for HPH-Om-As-Lip. The quality of Om-As-Lip prepared based on the QbD concept can meet the expected CQAs, and the formulation and technology established can provide a reliable experimental basis for its future development and applications.
7.Influence of individual factors and labor organization on musculoskeletal disorders of automobile manufacturing workers
Hong YIN ; Yong MEI ; Kangkang ZHANG ; Guobing ZHAO ; Qin LI ; Shaohua YANG ; Jiabing WU
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(4):99-102
Objective To investigate the influence of individual factors and labor organization factors on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in automobile manufacturing workers, and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of WMSDs in automobile manufacturing workers. Methods In April 2020, 5564 workers in an automobile factory were selected by cluster sampling method. The prevalence of WMSDs was investigated by using the Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire, and the influence of individual factors and labor organization factors on WMSDs was investigated by using generalized estimation equation. Results The prevalence rate of WMSDs was 79.00% (4396/5564), and the prevalence rate of multisite WMSDs was 67.95% (3781/5564). The analysis of generalized estimation equation showed that doing the same job every day (OR= 1.478, P < 0.05), age ≥40 years (OR=1.416, P< 0.05), personnel shortage (OR= 1.356, P < 0.05), and work length of 6~10 years and 11~15 years (OR= 1.349, P< 0.05) were the main risk factors for WMSDs in automobile manufacturing workers. Shift work and working time > 40 hours per week increased the risk of WMSDs (P< 0.05). Male and adequate rest time were protective factors for WMSDs. The job correlation matrix showed that WMSDs in most parts had a positive correlation. Conclusions The prevalence of multisite WMSDs of workers in automobile manufacturing industry is high, and unreasonable labor organization is the main risk factor of WMSDs. Appropriate work breaks can effectively reduce the risk of WMSDs, and effective intervention measures should be carried out to prevent the occurrence of WMSDs in workers in automobile manufacturing industry. The generalized estimation equation can better analyze the influencing factors of WMSDs.
8.Analysis of the efficacy and safety of Saccharomyces boulardii in the treatment of pediatric diarrhea
Li-Li MOU ; Xiao-Dan ZHANG ; Lu LIU ; Chun-Hong CHEN ; Zhuo CHEN ; Hui YIN ; Mei-Xing YAN
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(17):2575-2579
Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of Saccharomyces boulardii and other probiotics in the treatment of pediatric diarrhea.Methods Retrieved from PubMed,Embase,CBM,Wanfang data,CNKI and VIP,randomized controlled trial(RCTs)about Saccharomyces boulardii(treatment group)vs other probiotics(control group)were collected.After screening the literature,extracting data and evaluating the quality,Meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 and Stata 17.0 software.Results A total of 30 RCTs were included,involving 3 082 children.Results of Meta-analysis showed there was no statistical significance in the duration of diarrhea[mean difference(MD)=-0.65,95%confidence interval(CI)=-1.44-0.14,P>0.05]or the total incidence of adverse reactions[odds ratio(OR)=0.85,95%CI=0.44-1.62,P>0.05].The total effective rate(OR=1.60,95%CI=1.08-2.36,P<0.05)and the number of stools(MD=-0.66,95%CI=-1.00--0.32,P<0.01)in the treatment group were significantly better than control group.There was statistically significant difference in the duration of diarrhea between the two groups treated with diarrhea with fever(MD=1.81,95%CI=1.12-2.49,P<0.01)and rotavirus gastroenteritis(MD=-0.92,95%CI=-1.20--0.64,P<0.01).In the treatment of diarrhea with fever,the duration of diarrhea in the control group was significantly shorter than that in the treatment group.The duration of diarrhea in the treatment group was significantly shorter than that control group.At the same time,the duration of diarrhea in children with diarrhea treated with treatment group was significantly shorter than that of control group Bifidobacterium tetragenous viable(MD=-0.84,95%CI=-1.09--0.58,P<0.01)and control group combined Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecium enteric-coated(MD=-1.35,95%CI=-2.30-0.39,P<0.01).Conclusion The safety of Saccharomyces boulardii are similar to other probiotics.The efficacy and the number of stools with Saccharomyces boulardii are significantly better than other probiotics in the treatment of diarrhea.The duration of diarrhea in Saccharomyces boulardii group was significantly shorter than other probiotics,while in the treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea,the duration of diarrhea of Saccharomyces boulardii was the same as that of other probiotics.However,the duration of diarrhea in children with diarrhea treated with Saccharomyces boulardii was significantly longer than other probiotics.
9.Development of a High-throughput Sequencing Platform for Detection of Viral Encephalitis Pathogens Based on Amplicon Sequencing
Li Ya ZHANG ; Zhe Wen SU ; Chen Rui WANG ; Yan LI ; Feng Jun ZHANG ; Hui Sheng LIU ; He Dan HU ; Xiao Chong XU ; Yu Jia YIN ; Kai Qi YIN ; Ying HE ; Fan LI ; Hong Shi FU ; Kai NIE ; Dong Guo LIANG ; Yong TAO ; Tao Song XU ; Feng Chao MA ; Yu Huan WANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2024;37(3):294-302
Objective Viral encephalitis is an infectious disease severely affecting human health.It is caused by a wide variety of viral pathogens,including herpes viruses,flaviviruses,enteroviruses,and other viruses.The laboratory diagnosis of viral encephalitis is a worldwide challenge.Recently,high-throughput sequencing technology has provided new tools for diagnosing central nervous system infections.Thus,In this study,we established a multipathogen detection platform for viral encephalitis based on amplicon sequencing. Methods We designed nine pairs of specific polymerase chain reaction(PCR)primers for the 12 viruses by reviewing the relevant literature.The detection ability of the primers was verified by software simulation and the detection of known positive samples.Amplicon sequencing was used to validate the samples,and consistency was compared with Sanger sequencing. Results The results showed that the target sequences of various pathogens were obtained at a coverage depth level greater than 20×,and the sequence lengths were consistent with the sizes of the predicted amplicons.The sequences were verified using the National Center for Biotechnology Information BLAST,and all results were consistent with the results of Sanger sequencing. Conclusion Amplicon-based high-throughput sequencing technology is feasible as a supplementary method for the pathogenic detection of viral encephalitis.It is also a useful tool for the high-volume screening of clinical samples.
10.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.


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