1.Effect of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma Before and After Steaming with Wine on Intestinal Flora and Immune Environment in Constipation Model Mice
Yaya BAI ; Rui TIAN ; Yajun SHI ; Chongbo ZHAO ; Jing SUN ; Li ZHANG ; Yonggang YAN ; Yuping TANG ; Qiao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):192-199
ObjectiveTo study on the different therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma(RH) before and after steaming with wine on constipation model mice. MethodsFifty-four male ICR mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, lactulose group(1.5 mg·kg-1), high, medium and low dose groups of RH and RH steaming with wine(PRH)(8, 4, 1 g·kg-1). Except for the control group, the constipation model was replicated by gavage of loperamide hydrochloride(6 mg·kg-1) in the other groups. After 2 weeks of modeling, each administration group was gavaged with the corresponding dose of drug solution, and the control and model groups were given an equal volume of normal saline, 1 time/d for 2 consecutive weeks. After administration, the feces were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing, the levels of gastrin(GAS), motilin(MTL), interleukin-6(IL-6), γ-interferon(IFN-γ) in the colonic tissue were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), the histopathological changes of colon were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion changes of CD4+, CD8+ and regulatory T cell(Treg) in peripheral blood. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed significantly decrease in fecal number in 24 h, fecal quality and fecal water rate(P<0.01), the colon was seen to have necrotic shedding of mucosal epithelium, localized intestinal glands in the lamina propria were degenerated, necrotic and atrophied, a few lymphocytes were seen to infiltrate in the necrotic area in a scattered manner, the contents of GAS and MTL, the proportions of CD4+, CD8+ and Treg were significantly reduced(P<0.01), the contents of IL-6 and IFN-γ were significantly elevated(P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the fecal number in 24 h, fecal quality and fecal water rate of high-dose groups of RH and PRH were significantly increased(P<0.05, P<0.01), the pathological damage of the colon was alleviated to varying degrees, the contents of GAS, MTL, IL-6 and IFN-γ were significantly regressed(P<0.05, P<0.01), and the proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ were significantly increased(P<0.01), although the proportion of Treg showed an upward trend, there was no significant difference. In addition, the results of intestinal flora showed that the number of amplicon sequence variant(ASV) and Alpha diversity were decreased in the model group compared with the control group, and there was a significant difference in Beta diversity, with a decrease in the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and an increase in the relative abundances of Bacillus and Helicobacter. Compared with the model group, the ASV number and Alpha diversity were increased in the high-dose groups of RH and PRH, and there was a trend of regression of Beta diversity to the control group, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus increased, and the relative abundances of Bacillus and Helicobacter decreased. ConclusionRH and PRH can improve dysbacteriosis, promote immune system activation, inhibit the release of inflammatory factors for enhancing the gastrointestinal function, which may be one of the potential mechanisms of their therapeutic effect on constipation.
2.Effect of Huangling Jidu Xizhuo Granules on NLRP3, Intestinal Flora and Short-term Prognosis in Patients with Gout
Dandan TIAN ; Shanping WANG ; Li YANG ; Tingting ZHANG ; Xi CHEN ; Chuanbing HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):150-156
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of retention enema with Huangling Jiedu Xiezhuo granules(HJXG) on Nod-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3), intestinal flora, and short-term prognosis in patients with gout. MethodsA total of 60 patients with gout admitted to the hospital from January 2021 to December 2023 were selected and divided into a control group and an observation group according to the random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. The control group was treated with febuxostat, and the observation group was treated with retention enema with HJXG on the basis of the control group. After 14 days of continuous treatment, the clinical efficacy, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score, and visual analogue scale (VAS) pain index of the two groups were compared, and serum creatinine(SCr), blood urea nitrogen(BUN), uric acid(UA), cystatin C(CysC), β2- microglobulin(β2-MG), glomerular filtration rate test(GFR), creatinine clearance rate (Ccr), erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR), hypersensitive C-reactive protein,(hs-CRP), interleukin 6(IL-6), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-18 (IL-18), NLRP3 inflammasome levels, and the number of intestinal flora were detected in the two groups. The prognosis of patients was followed up within 12 weeks. COX regression analysis was used to analyze the effect of short-term prognosis. ResultsAfter treatment, TCM syndrome scores and VAS pain index in both groups were reduced (P<0.05), and TCM syndrome scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group. After treatment, ESR, hs-CRP, IL-6, NLRP3, IL-18, and IL-1β were significantly decreased in both groups (P<0.01), and the levels of IL-6, ESR, NLRP3, and IL-18 were significantly improved in the observation group compared with the control group (P<0.05). BUN, SCr, UA, β2-MG, GFR indexes in both groups were significantly lower after treatment, Ccr indexes in both groups were significantly higher after treatment, and the levels of SCr, UA, CysC, and Ccr in the observation group were significantly better than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the intestinal flora in both groups was improved, and the observation group was significantly improved compared with the control group in terms of Lactobacillus, Proteus, Bacteroides, and Escherichia coli (P<0.05). COX regression analysis showed that retention enema with HJXG could reduce the risk of poor short-term prognosis in patients with gout compared with Western medicine alone. ConclusionThe retention enema with HJXG can improve the curative effect of patients with gout, improve the TCM syndromes, reduce inflammation, and enhance renal function, intestinal flora, and short-term prognosis.
3.Comparison of small-sample multi-class machine learning models for plasma concentration prediction of valproic acid
Xi CHEN ; Shen’ao YUAN ; Hailing YUAN ; Jie ZHAO ; Peng CHEN ; Chunyan TIAN ; Yi SU ; Yunsong ZHANG ; Yu ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(11):1399-1404
OBJECTIVE To construct three-class (insufficient, normal, excessive) and two-class (insufficient, normal) models for predicting plasma concentration of valproic acid (VPA), and compare the performance of these two models, with the aim of providing a reference for formulating clinical medication strategies. METHODS The clinical data of 480 patients who received VPA treatment and underwent blood concentration test at the Xi’an International Medical Center Hospital were collected from November 2022 to September 2024 (a total of 695 sets of data). In this study, predictive models were constructed for target variables of three-class and two-class models. Feature ranking and selection were carried out using XGBoost scores. Twelve different machine learning algorithms were used for training and validation, and the performance of the models was evaluated using three indexes: accuracy, F1 score, and the area under the working characteristic curve of the subject (AUC). RESULTS XGBoost feature importance scores revealed that in the three-class model, the importance ranking of kidney disease and electrolyte disorders was higher. However, in the two-class model, the importance ranking of these features significantly decreased, suggesting a close association with the excessive blood concentration of VPA. In the three-class model, Random Forest method performed best, with F1 score of 0.704 0 and AUC of 0.519 3 on the test set; while in the two-class model, CatBoost method performed optimally, with F1 score of 0.785 7 and AUC of 0.819 5 on the test set. CONCLUSIONS The constructed three-class model has the ability to predict excessive VPA blood concentration, but its prediction and model generalization abilities are poor; the constructed two-class model can only perform classification prediction for insufficient and normal blood concentration cases, but its model performance is stronger.
4.Effect of Xinfeng Capsules Combined with Chronic Disease Management of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Rapid Disease Control and Short-term Prognosis of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Dandan TIAN ; Hong ZHAO ; Man LUO ; Shanping WANG ; Li YANG ; Tingting ZHANG ; Xi CHEN ; Chuanbing HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):137-144
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Xinfeng capsules combined with chronic disease management of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on rapid disease control and short-term prognosis of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MethodsA total of 80 RA patients hospitalized in the Department of Rheumatology of The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from January 2022 to March 2024 were enrolled and randomly divided into an observation group (40 cases) and a control group (40 cases). The control group was treated with conventional methotrexate combined with standard chronic disease management, while the observation group was additionally treated with Xinfeng Capsules combined with TCM chronic disease management. The treatment course lasted 24 weeks. The outcomes were compared between two groups, including disease activity [28-joint disease activity score (DAS28), clinical disease activity index (CDAI), simplified disease activity index (SDAI)], visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, TCM syndrome score, tender joint count (TJC), swollen joint count (SJC), morning stiffness duration, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20%, 50% and 70% response rates (ACR20/50/70), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (CCP-Ab), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and serum immunoglobulin G (IgG). The Chronic Disease Self-Management Scale (CDSMS) was used to evaluate patients’ self-management ability, self-care ability, and nursing satisfaction. Patients were followed up for 12 weeks to assess prognosis, and COX regression analysis was performed to determine the impact on short-term prognosis. ResultsAfter treatment, TJC, SJC, morning stiffness duration, DAS28, CDAI, SDAI, VAS, TCM syndrome score, ESR, hs-CRP, RF, CCP-Ab, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IgG, HAQ, SAS, SDS, chronic disease self-management behavior, self-efficacy, and self-care ability all improved significantly in both groups compared with baseline (P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the observation group showed more significant improvements in TJC, SJC, morning stiffness duration, DAS28, CDAI, SDAI, VAS, TCM syndrome score, ESR, IL-1β, IgG, HAQ, SAS, SDS, self-care ability, chronic disease self-management behavior, and self-efficacy (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The ACR70 response rate and nursing satisfaction were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.01). COX regression analysis showed that Xinfeng capsules combined with TCM chronic disease management reduced the risk of poor short-term prognosis in RA patients. ConclusionXinfeng capsules combined with TCM chronic disease management facilitates rapid disease control in RA patients, effectively improves short-term prognosis, and plays an important role in the treatment of the disease.
5.Differentiation and treatment of urticarial vasculitis based on the theory of Xuanfu-collateral theory
Keyi LIU ; Ye TIAN ; Yue DU ; Ziye XI ; Haomin ZHANG ; Sisi LU ; Xin LI ; Lingling LI
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(4):542-546
Urticarial vasculitis is a skin disease with urticaria-like lesions and a histopathological pattern of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. It is considered a "hidden rash" in traditional Chinese medicine. Xuanfu is the portal that regulates qi, blood, fluid, and the ascending, descending, exiting, and entering of nutrition qi and defensive qi. Collaterals are the pathways for the circulation of qi and blood. The two accompany each other, connecting zang-fu organs, reaching the surfaces of the skin, hair, and external body, circulating qi and fluid, and moistening and protecting the skin. Based on the theory of Xuanfu-collateral, this study aimed to clarify the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment method of urticarial vasculitis. External assault by wind and Xuanfu blockage are believed to be the initiating factors of this disease. The malnutrition of Xuanfu and collaterals and accumulated dampness-heat are important links in the occurrence and development of urticarial vasculitis. It spreads from Xuanfu to the collaterals, and blockage of the collaterals is the immanent trend of this disease. Clinically, by closely adhering to the core pathogenesis of blockage of Xuanfu-collateral, treatment method such as using wind medicinals to open Xuanfu with pungent and dispersing properties, using the method of supplement deficiency and removing the blockage, and using medicinals to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis to unblock the blocked collaterals. The herbs are flexibly added or subtracted to unblock Xuanfu and collaterals, harmonize qi and blood, thus all symptoms can be relieved. We hope that this study will provide new ideas for the treatment of urticarial vasculitis with traditional Chinese medicine.
6.Anti-tumor effects of phytosphingosine on leukemia cells by inducing cell apoptosis
Guancui YANG ; Jinyi LIU ; Peijie JIANG ; Yuxi XU ; Xiaolong TIAN ; Xiaoqi WANG ; Rui WANG ; Shijie YANG ; Qingxiao SONG ; Jin WEI ; Xi ZHANG
Journal of Army Medical University 2024;46(4):359-368
Objective To preliminarily investigate the anti-tumor effects of phytosphingosine(PHS)and the involvement of inducing apoptosis of leukemia cells.Methods Cellular model of leukemia was established in leukemia cell lines K562 and SUP-B15.CCK-8 assay and EdU assay were used to measure the viability and DNA synthesis of K562 and SUP-B15 cells.RNA-seq was carried out to verify the differentially expressed genes(DEGs)after PHS treatment.Gene Ontology(GO)enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analyses were applied to analyze the involved functions and signaling pathways.Comparative Toxicogenomics Database(CTD)and Discovery Studio software were employed to predict the underlying targets of PHS and molecular docking.Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry,mitochondrial membrane potential was evaluated by JC-1 probe,and protein expression of key molecules was validated by Western blotting.Results PHS inhibited the proliferation of K562 and SUP-B15 cells in a time-and dose-dependent manner.The half-maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)of K562 cells was 17.67 and 12.52 pmol/L for 24 and 48 h,respectively,and the IC50 value of SUP-B15 cells was 17.58 and 14.86 μmol/L for 24 and 48 h,respectively.PHS treatment at a dose of 20 μmol/L for 48 h resulted in significant inhibition of DNA synthesis.GO enrichment analysis of the K562 cells showed that PHS might be involved in positive regulation of apoptotic process,plasma membrane and its integral components,and protein kinase binding and activity.Reverse predictive analysis showed that BCL-2 protein was the most likely target of PHS.PHS significantly increased the apoptotic rate of leukemia cells(P<0.05)in a dose-dependent manner,reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential,and down-regulated BCL-2 level(P<0.05)and up-regulated the levels of Cleaved caspase-3 and Cleaved caspase-9(P<0.05).Conclusion PHS may inhibit the proliferation of leukemia cells by inducing mitochondria-dependent apoptosis,possibly through PHS and BCL-2 interaction.
7.Analysis of HPV infection and genotype distribution among 1 658 male reproductive health outpatients
Nazhakaiti ABUDUKELIMU ; Jian-Hui LI ; Tian-Cheng ZHANG ; Xin WANG ; Zhi-Ming XU ; Qian-Xi ZHU
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2024;51(1):69-75
Objective To investigate the human papillomavirus(HPV)infection and genotype distribution characteristics among male reproductive health outpatients,and to compare the differences among different age groups of outpatients.Methods A total of 1 658 males,visited in the Affiliated Hospital of Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research from 2018 to 2022,were selected and 23 HPV genotypes were detected by PCR-reverse dot hybridization.Results Among the 1 658 subjects,the overall HPV infection rate was 22.50%.Single infection accounted for 66.76%,which was the main infection type.HPV infection among different age groups were statistically significant(P<0.001),with HPV infection of 16.83%,22.87%,34.63%,and 29.35%for 18-30,31-40,41-50,and≥51 years,respectively.The top 5 high risk HPV genotypes were HPV52(3.56%),HPV16(3.26%),HPV39(2.41%),HPV51(2.17%),HPV58(2.17%),and the top 1 low risk HPV genotype was HPV81(2.90%).The proportions of infected individuals in this study that could be completely covered by bivalent,quadrivalent,and nine-valent HPV vaccines were 7.77%,12.33%,and 26.27%,respectively.Conclusion The predominant infection type among male reproductive health outpatients was single infection type.HPV 52,16,39,51 and 58 were the most common high risk genotypes,while HPV 81 was the most common low risk genotype.Individuals aged 41-50 years had the highest HPV infection rate.
8.Issues and Solutions for Symptom Efficacy Evaluation in the Big Data Era of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Xiaoyu ZHANG ; Sichao TIAN ; Liangzhen YOU ; Xi GUO ; Zhao CHEN ; Chunling LIU ; Nannan SHI ; Hongcai SHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(8):792-795
Emphasizing symptom efficacy is an important manifestation of the personalized diagnosis and treatment of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, in current clinical practice of TCM, there are challenges such as diverse symptom expressions, difficulty in standardization, inconsistent evaluation standards for symptom efficacy, lack of universal quantitative methods, and complexity in collecting complete and accurate symptom information. These issues hinder the full and effective utilization of symptom information. Addressing the current research status and existing problems of symptom terminology standardization, quantification and grading of symptom efficacy, and collection of symptom information, this paper proposes methodological strategies for effectively recording and utilizing TCM symptom efficacy information in the era of big data. These strategies include collecting TCM symptom information based on patient reporting, standardizing the evaluation of TCM symptom efficacy from measurement scales and evaluation dimensions, integrating TCM symptom efficacy evaluation into clinical diagnosis and treatment processes, and utilizing artificial intelligence technology to acquire and process TCM symptom efficacy information. TCM symptom efficacy evaluation strategies based on patient perspectives and artificial intelligence technology will help fully explore the value of data elements, promote the objective demonstration of the specific efficacy of TCM, and facilitate the discovery of effective patterns.
9.Analysis of cardiovascular disease prevention indicators among residents with intra-urban migration in Central China
HUANG Tianshu ; TIAN Yuan ; ZHANG Xingyi ; LI Chenhui ; ZHAO Yun ; ZHAO Dongyuan ; CHEN Xianhua ; ZHU Mengyao ; JIAO Guanqi ; GUO Dongmin ; LI Xi ; CUI Jianlan
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(5):451-456
Objective:
To investigate cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention status among residents with intra-urban migration in Central China, so as to provide insights into targeted prevention and control of CVD.
Methods:
Basic data of residents aged 35 to 75 years who participated in Early Screening and Comprehensive Intervention Project for CVD high-risk populations in Central China from September 2015 to August 2020 were collected. According to birth place, type of registered residence and current residence, residents were divided into four groups: local residents in old urban area, local residents in new urban area, other urban migrants and other rural migrants. The status of CVD primary and secondary prevention, were analysed by using a robust Poisson regression model.
Results:
A total of 76 513 residents were recruited, including 29 420 males (38.45%) and 47 093 females (61.55%), and had a mean age of (56.36±9.84) years. There were 45 087 (58.93%) local residents in old urban area, 23 868 (31.19%) local residents in new urban area, 5 668 (7.41%) other urban migrants and 1 890 (2.47%) other rural migrants. After adjusting for variables such as age, gender and educational level, the results of robust Poisson regression analysis showed that compared with local residents in old urban area, local residents in new urban area had lower compliance rates of non- or moderate-drinking (RR=0.987, 95%CI: 0.975-1.000) and healthy diet (RR=0.535, 95%CI: 0.365-0.782), lower proportion of using aspirin as primary prevention in CVD high-risk population (RR=0.616, 95%CI: 0.511-0.741), lower awareness (RR=0.873, 95%CI: 0.782-0.974) and control rates (RR=0.730, 95%CI: 0.627-0.849) of hypertension; other urban migrants had higher compliance rate of non-smoking (RR=1.045, 95%CI: 1.017-1.075); other rural migrants had lower proportion of using aspirin as primary prevention in CVD high-risk population (RR=0.826, 95%CI: 0.707-0.966).
Conclusion
The CVD primaryprevention among local residents in new urban area is relatively poor among four groups of residents in Central China, and key interventions are needed.
10.Pollution status and distribution characteristics of indoor air bacteria in subway stations and compartments in a city of Central South China
Shuyan CHENG ; Zhuojia GUI ; Liqin SU ; Guozhong TIAN ; Tanxi GE ; Jiao LUO ; Ranqi SHAO ; Feng LI ; Weihao XI ; Chunliang ZHOU ; Wei PENG ; Minlan PENG ; Min YANG ; Bike ZHANG ; Xianliang WANG ; Xiaoyuan YAO
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(7):801-806
Background Bacteria are the most diverse and widely sourced microorganisms in the indoor air of subway stations, where pathogenic bacteria can spread through the air, leading to increased health risks. Objective To understand the status and distribution characteristics of indoor air bacterial pollution in subway stations and compartments in a city of Central South China, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating intervention measures to address indoor air bacteria pollution in subways. Methods Three subway stations and the compartments of trains parking there in a city in Central South China were selected according to passenger flow for synchronous air sampling and monitoring. Temperature, humidity, wind speed, carbon dioxide (CO2), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and inhalable particulate matter (PM10) were measured by direct reading method. In accordance with the requirements of Examination methods for public places-Part 3: Airborne microorganisms (GB/T 18204.3-2013), air samples were collected at a flow rate of 28.3 L·min−1, and total bacterial count was estimated. Bacterial microbial species were identified with a mass spectrometer and pathogenic bacteria were distinguished from non-pathogenic bacteria according to the Catalogue of pathogenic microorganisms transmitted to human beings issued by National Health Commission. Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare the subway hygiene indicators in different regions and time periods, and Bonferroni test was used for pairwise comparison. Spearman correlation test was used to evaluate the correlation between CO2 concentration and total bacterial count. Results The pass rates were 100.0% for airborne total bacteria count, PM2.5, and PM10 in the subway stations and train compartments, 94.4% for temperature and wind speed, 98.6% for CO2, but 0% for humidity. The overall median (P25, P75) total bacteria count was 177 (138,262) CFU·m−3. Specifically, the total bacteria count was higher in station halls than in platforms, and higher during morning peak hours than during evening peak hours (P<0.05). A total of 874 strains and 82 species were identified by automatic microbial mass spectrometry. The results of identification were all over 9 points, and the predominant bacteria in the air were Micrococcus luteus (52.2%) and Staphylococcus hominis (9.8%). Three pathogens, Acinetobacter baumannii (0.3%), Corynebacterium striatum (0.1%), and Staphylococcus epidermidis bacilli (2.2%) were detected in 23 samples (2.6%), and the associated locations were mainly distributed in train compartments during evening rush hours. Conclusion The total bacteria count in indoor air varies by monitoring sites of subway stations and time periods, and there is a risk of opportunistic bacterial infection. Attention should be paid to cleaning and disinfection during peak passenger flow hours in all areas.


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