1.The Effects of Qufeng Tongqiao Cough-Relieving Decoction (祛风通窍止咳方) on Cough Sensitivity,TRPV4 in Lung and Nasal Mucosal Tissues,and Neurogenic Inflammation in a Guinea Pig Model of Upper Airway Cough Syndrome
Jingshu LUO ; Jianling MA ; Liqing SHI ; Kun JI ; Song LIU ; Yuhan FAN ; Xianli LI ; Zhaodi GUO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(5):518-525
ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanism of action of the Qufeng Tongqiao Cough-relieving Decoction (祛风通窍止咳方, QTCD) in the treatment of upper airway cough syndrome (UACS). MethodsTwenty-four guinea pigs were randomly divided into blank group, model group, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) group, and inhibitor group, with six guinea pigs in each group. Except for the blank group, guinea pigs were sensitized with ovalbumin and aluminum hydroxide via intraperitoneal injection, followed by ovalbumin nasal drops combined with smoke exposure to establish the UACS model. After modeling, the TCM group was administered QTCD 0.9 g/(100 g·d) by gavage, the inhibitor group received the transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 4 (TRPV4) inhibitor GSK2193874 1 mmol/L, 5 min by nebulisation, and the blank group and model group were given 2 ml/(100 g·d) normal saline by gavage once daily. After 7 days of treatment, a cough provocation test was performed using 0.4 mol/L citric acid. The levels of IgE in serum and inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) in serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and nasal lavage fluid (NLF) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Histopathological changes in lung and nasal mucosal tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein levels of TRPV4, substance P (SP), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in lung and nasal mucosal tissues. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of TRPV4, SP, and CGRP in lung tissues. ResultsHE staining showed significant structural damage and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lung and nasal mucosal tissues in the model group, while the TCM group and inhibitor group showed improved pathological changes. Compared with the blank group, the model group showed increased cough frequency, serum IgE level, and IL-6 and IL-8 levels in serum, BALF, and NLF. The protein levels of TRPV4, SP, and CGRP in lung and nasal mucosal tissues and their mRNA expression were elevated (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the TCM group and inhibitor group showed reduced cough frequency, serum IgE level, and TRPV4 and SP mRNA expression in lung tissues. The TCM group showed reduced IL-6 and IL-8 levels in serum, BALF, and NLF, and reduced TRPV4 and CGRP protein levels in lung and nasal mucosal tissues. The inhibitor group showed reduced IL-6 and IL-8 levels in serum, BALF, and NLF, reduced IL-6 in BALF, reduced IL-8 in NLF, and decreased TRPV4, SP, and CGRP protein levels in lung tissues and SP and CGRP protein levels in nasal mucosal tissues (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the TCM group, the inhibitor group had increased serum IgE, IL-6, and IL-8 levels, increased IL-6 level in BALF, and increased IL-8 levle in NLF, but decreased SP protein level in lung tissues and increased TRPV4 and SP mRNA expression in lung tissues (P<0.01). ConclusionQTCD effectively reduces cough frequency in the UACS guinea pig model. Its mechanism may involve inhibiting the activation of the TRPV4 pathway, improving airway neurogenic inflammation, alleviating inflammatory responses, and reducing cough hypersensitivity.
2.Clinical Efficacy of Tangning Tongluo Tablets for Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Fuwen ZHANG ; Junguo DUAN ; Wen XIA ; Tiantian SUN ; Yuheng SHI ; Shicui MEI ; Xiangxia LUO ; Xing LI ; Yujie PAN ; Yong DENG ; Chuanlian RAN ; Hao CHEN ; Li PEI ; Shuyu YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):132-139
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Tangning Tongluo tablets in the treatment of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR). MethodsFourteen research centers participated in this study, which spanned a time interval from September 2021 to May 2023. A total of 240 patients with nonproliferative DR were included and randomly assigned into an observation group (120 cases) and a control group (120 cases). The observation group was treated with Tangning Tongluo tablets, and the control group with calcium dobesilate capsules. Both groups were treated for 24 consecutive weeks. The vision, DR progression rate, retinal microhemangioma, hemorrhage area, exudation area, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level, and TCM syndrome score were assessed before and after treatment, and the safety was observed. ResultsThe vision changed in both groups after treatment (P<0.05), and the observation group showed higher best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) than the control group (P<0.05). The DR progression was slow with similar rates in the two groups. The fundus hemorrhage area and exudation area did not change significantly after treatment in both groups, while the observation group outperformed the control group in reducing the fundus hemorrhage area and exudation area. There was no significant difference in the number of microhemangiomas between the two groups before treatment. After treatment, the number of microhemangiomas decreased in both the observation group (Z=-1.437, P<0.05) and the control group (Z=-2.238, P<0.05), and it showed no significant difference between the two groups. As the treatment time prolonged, the number of microhemangiomas gradually decreased in both groups. There was no significant difference in the HbA1c level between the two groups before treatment. After treatment, the decline in the HbA1c level showed no significant difference between the two groups. The TCM syndrome score did not have a statistically significant difference between the two groups before treatment. After treatment, neither the TCM syndrome score nor the response rate had significant difference between the two groups. With the extension of the treatment time, both groups showed amelioration of TCM syndrome compared with the baseline. ConclusionTangning Tongluo tablets are safe and effective in the treatment of nonproliferative DR, being capable of improving vision and reducing hemorrhage and exudation in the fundus.
3.STAR Guideline Terminology (I): Planning and Launching
Zhewei LI ; Qianling SHI ; Hui LIU ; Xufei LUO ; Zijun WANG ; Jinhui TIAN ; Long GE ; Yaolong CHEN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(1):216-223
To develop a guideline terminology system and promote its standardization, thereby enhancing medical staff's accurate understanding and correct application of guidelines. A systematic search was conducted for guideline development manuals and method ological literature (as of October 25, 2024). After screening, relevant terms from the guideline planning and launching stages were extracted and standardized. The term list and definitions were finalized through discussion and evaluation at a consensus conference. A total of 36 guideline manuals and 14 method ological articles were included, and 27 core terms were identified. The standardization of guideline terminology is essential for improving guideline quality, facilitating interdisciplinary communication, and enhancing other related aspects. It is recommended that efforts to advance the standardization and continuous updating of the terminology system should be prioritized in the future to support the high-quality development of guidelines.
4.Analysis of association between infection with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant during pregnancy and common illnesses of infants
Weiqing XU ; Dan LUO ; Hong JIANG ; Junyao SHI
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(1):34-38
ObjectiveTo investigate the association between maternal infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant during pregnancy and common infant illnesses and neurodevelopment. MethodsA cohort study was designed, selecting 113 pregnant women from Shanghai’s Pudong New Area who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by nasal swab reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and were transported to medical institutions for isolation treatment between March and May 2022. These women constituted the pregnancy infection group. Concurrently, 226 pregnant women from the same region and time period who did not infect with SARS-CoV-2 were selected as the control group. Both groups were followed up until delivery and their offspring’s one year old. The differences in the risk of common infant illnesses and the level of infant’s neurodevelopment at age one were compared between the two groups. ResultsNo significant difference was found in the incidence of common illnesses before one year of age between the pregnancy infection group and the control group. Additionally, no significant differences were found in any domain scores of the ASQ-3 between the two groups. ConclusionMaternal infection with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant during pregnancy was not statistically significant correlated with common infant illnesses in infancy and neurodevelopment at age one.
5.Establishment of a Rat Model of Alzheimer's Disease by Introducing Human Triple Mutant APP Gene into Hippocampus via Brain Stereotactic Technology
Linlin XIAO ; Yixuan YANG ; Shanshan LI ; Lanshiyu LUO ; Siwei YIN ; Juming SUN ; Wei SHI ; Yiqiang OUYANG ; Xiyi LI
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(3):269-278
Objective To establish a rat model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) expressing human triple mutant amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the hippocampus, and to provide a model for the study of disease mechanisms and drug development. Methods Twenty-four 12-week-old SPF-grade female SD rats were randomly divided into a blank control group, a virus control group and an experimental group, with eight rats in each group; among them, the experimental group received a stereotaxic injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying the human triple mutant APP and NanoLuc luciferase genes into the hippocampus. In vivo imaging was used to observe viral expression in the brains of rats in each group, the novel object recognition test was used to assess the recognition memory of the rats in each group, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression level of the APP gene, HE staining was used to examine the brain histopathology, Nissl staining was used to assess the hippocampal lesions, and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the deposition of amyloid β-protein (Aβ). Results In vivo imaging showed that reporter fluorescence was detected in the brains of rats in both experimental and virus control groups. Fluorescence quantitative PCR showed that the expression level of the APP gene was significantly increased in the brains of rats in the experimental group (P<0.01). Novel object recognition test revealed that the recognition memory of rats in the experimental group was significantly reduced compared with that of the blank control group (P<0.01). Six months after recombinant AAV virus infection, HE staining and Nissl staining of brain tissues showed that the number of neurons and Nissl bodies in the CA1 region of the hippocampus in the experimental group was reduced and disorganized; immuno-histochemistry testing of the CA1 region of the hippocampus and the pyramidal cell layer of the experimental group revealed prominent brown deposits, indicating Aβ protein deposition. Conclusion The rat model successfully established by stereotaxic injection and AAV-mediated delivery of human triple mutant APP gene exhibits typical AD features, providing a valuable animal model for studying AD pathology and developing drug therapies targeting Aβ protein deposition.
6.Advances in Mouse Models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Lianlian LUO ; Yanchun YUAN ; Junling WANG ; Guangsen SHI
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(3):290-299
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an irreversible, fatal neurodegenerative disorder whose incidence is positively correlated with the aging population. ALS is characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness, atrophy, and ultimately respiratory failure. The pathogenesis of ALS involves multiple factors, including genetic and environmental influences, with genetic factors playing a particularly significant role. To date, several causative genes have been identified in ALS, such as the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase 1 (Cu/Zn SOD1, also known as SOD1) gene, transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) gene, fused in sarcoma (FUS) gene, and chromosome open reading frame 72 (C9orf72). Mutations in these genes have been found not only in familial ALS but also in sporadic ALS. Based on the identified ALS risk genes, various ALS animal models have been established through multiple approaches, including transgenic models, gene knockout/knock-in models, and adeno-associated virus-mediated overexpression models. These models simulate some typical pathological features of human ALS, such as motor neuron loss, ubiquitinated inclusions, and neuromuscular junction degeneration. However, these models still have limitations: (1) single-gene mutation models are insufficient to fully replicate the complex multi-factorial pathogenesis of sporadic ALS; (2) significant differences in microenvironmental regulation mechanisms and the rate of neurodegeneration between model organisms and humans may affect the accurate reproduction of disease phenotypes and the reliable evaluation of drug efficacy. To better understand the pathogenesis of ALS and promote the development of effective therapies, constructing and optimizing ALS animal models is crucial. This review aims to summarize commonly used ALS gene mutation mouse models, analyze their phenotypes and pathological characteristics, including transgenic mouse models, gene knockout/knock-in mouse models, and adeno-associated virus-mediated overexpression mouse models, and further discuss their specific applications in ALS pathogenesis research and drug development by comparing the advantages and limitations of each model.
7.Establishment of a Rat Model of Alzheimer's Disease by Introducing Human Triple Mutant APP Gene into Hippocampus via Brain Stereotactic Technology
Linlin XIAO ; Yixuan YANG ; Shanshan LI ; Lanshiyu LUO ; Siwei YIN ; Juming SUN ; Wei SHI ; Yiqiang OUYANG ; Xiyi LI
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(3):269-278
Objective To establish a rat model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) expressing human triple mutant amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the hippocampus, and to provide a model for the study of disease mechanisms and drug development. Methods Twenty-four 12-week-old SPF-grade female SD rats were randomly divided into a blank control group, a virus control group and an experimental group, with eight rats in each group; among them, the experimental group received a stereotaxic injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying the human triple mutant APP and NanoLuc luciferase genes into the hippocampus. In vivo imaging was used to observe viral expression in the brains of rats in each group, the novel object recognition test was used to assess the recognition memory of the rats in each group, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression level of the APP gene, HE staining was used to examine the brain histopathology, Nissl staining was used to assess the hippocampal lesions, and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the deposition of amyloid β-protein (Aβ). Results In vivo imaging showed that reporter fluorescence was detected in the brains of rats in both experimental and virus control groups. Fluorescence quantitative PCR showed that the expression level of the APP gene was significantly increased in the brains of rats in the experimental group (P<0.01). Novel object recognition test revealed that the recognition memory of rats in the experimental group was significantly reduced compared with that of the blank control group (P<0.01). Six months after recombinant AAV virus infection, HE staining and Nissl staining of brain tissues showed that the number of neurons and Nissl bodies in the CA1 region of the hippocampus in the experimental group was reduced and disorganized; immuno-histochemistry testing of the CA1 region of the hippocampus and the pyramidal cell layer of the experimental group revealed prominent brown deposits, indicating Aβ protein deposition. Conclusion The rat model successfully established by stereotaxic injection and AAV-mediated delivery of human triple mutant APP gene exhibits typical AD features, providing a valuable animal model for studying AD pathology and developing drug therapies targeting Aβ protein deposition.
8.Advances in Mouse Models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Lianlian LUO ; Yanchun YUAN ; Junling WANG ; Guangsen SHI
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(3):290-299
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an irreversible, fatal neurodegenerative disorder whose incidence is positively correlated with the aging population. ALS is characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness, atrophy, and ultimately respiratory failure. The pathogenesis of ALS involves multiple factors, including genetic and environmental influences, with genetic factors playing a particularly significant role. To date, several causative genes have been identified in ALS, such as the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase 1 (Cu/Zn SOD1, also known as SOD1) gene, transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) gene, fused in sarcoma (FUS) gene, and chromosome open reading frame 72 (C9orf72). Mutations in these genes have been found not only in familial ALS but also in sporadic ALS. Based on the identified ALS risk genes, various ALS animal models have been established through multiple approaches, including transgenic models, gene knockout/knock-in models, and adeno-associated virus-mediated overexpression models. These models simulate some typical pathological features of human ALS, such as motor neuron loss, ubiquitinated inclusions, and neuromuscular junction degeneration. However, these models still have limitations: (1) single-gene mutation models are insufficient to fully replicate the complex multi-factorial pathogenesis of sporadic ALS; (2) significant differences in microenvironmental regulation mechanisms and the rate of neurodegeneration between model organisms and humans may affect the accurate reproduction of disease phenotypes and the reliable evaluation of drug efficacy. To better understand the pathogenesis of ALS and promote the development of effective therapies, constructing and optimizing ALS animal models is crucial. This review aims to summarize commonly used ALS gene mutation mouse models, analyze their phenotypes and pathological characteristics, including transgenic mouse models, gene knockout/knock-in mouse models, and adeno-associated virus-mediated overexpression mouse models, and further discuss their specific applications in ALS pathogenesis research and drug development by comparing the advantages and limitations of each model.
9.Construction and application of the "Huaxi Hongyi" large medical model
Rui SHI ; Bing ZHENG ; Xun YAO ; Hao YANG ; Xuchen YANG ; Siyuan ZHANG ; Zhenwu WANG ; Dongfeng LIU ; Jing DONG ; Jiaxi XIE ; Hu MA ; Zhiyang HE ; Cheng JIANG ; Feng QIAO ; Fengming LUO ; Jin HUANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(05):587-593
Objective To construct large medical model named by "Huaxi HongYi"and explore its application effectiveness in assisting medical record generation. Methods By the way of a full-chain medical large model construction paradigm of "data annotation - model training - scenario incubation", through strategies such as multimodal data fusion, domain adaptation training, and localization of hardware adaptation, "Huaxi HongYi" with 72 billion parameters was constructed. Combined with technologies such as speech recognition, knowledge graphs, and reinforcement learning, an application system for assisting in the generation of medical records was developed. Results Taking the assisted generation of discharge records as an example, in the pilot department, after using the application system, the average completion times of writing a medical records shortened (21 min vs. 5 min) with efficiency increased by 3.2 time, the accuracy rate of the model output reached 92.4%. Conclusion It is feasible for medical institutions to build independently controllable medical large models and incubate various applications based on these models, providing a reference pathway for artificial intelligence development in similar institutions.
10.Preliminary effectiveness of the whole-life cycle management model for valvular heart disease at West China Hospital: A retrospective cohort study
Zechao RAN ; Yuqiang WANG ; Siyu HE ; Shitong ZHONG ; Tingqian CAO ; Xiang LIU ; Zeruxin LUO ; Lulu LIU ; Jun SHI ; Yingqiang GUO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(07):968-976
Objective To propose a whole-life cycle management model for valvular heart disease (VHD), systematically elucidate its underlying logic and implementation pathways, and concurrently review and analyze its preliminary application outcomes. Methods Since 2020, West China Hospital of Sichuan University has established a management system encompassing "assessment-decision-intervention-follow-up", including: (1) a risk-stratified, tiered management pathway; (2) six core functions ("promotion, screening, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation") coordinated by disease-specific managers; (3) an intelligent decision support information platform; and (4) a collaborative network of multidisciplinary teams and regional academic alliances. To evaluate the effectiveness of this management model, we retrospectively included three cohorts: (1) the population screened by echocardiography from 2020 to 2024, analyzing the detection rate of aortic valve disease and risk stratification; (2) patients enrolled in the whole-life cycle management from April 2021 to December 2024, assessing follow-up outcomes, hospital satisfaction, and changes in quality of life; (3) patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) from January 2022 to January 2024, evaluating the one-year all-cause mortality rate, perioperative complications, and improvements in New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification. Results Between 2020 and 2024, a total of 583 874 individuals underwent echocardiographic screening. A total of 48 089 patients with aortic valve disease were identified, including 3 401 (7.1%) high-risk patients, 18 657 (38.8%) moderate-risk patients, and 26 031 (54.1%) low-risk patients. Among them, 2 417 patients were enrolled in whole-life cycle management. Patient satisfaction scores showed a yearly increase, rising from 73.89 points before 2020 to 93.74 points in 2024. The 1-year mortality rate in the TAVR cohort decreased to 5.3%, significantly lower than the 8.2% observed under early standard management between 2014 and 2019 (P<0.01). Conclusion Through process optimization and resource integration, the VHD whole-life cycle management model has demonstrated significant effectiveness in standardizing diagnostic and follow-up procedures, enhancing patient satisfaction and quality of life, and reducing mortality. These outcomes highlight its practical value for broader implementation in China.

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