1.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.
2.Pancreatic cancer neuroecology: Current status, mechanisms, and prospect from multi-dimensional perspectives
Shangyou ZHENG ; Honghui JIANG ; Chonghui HU ; Tingting LI ; Tianhao HUANG ; Rihua HE ; Yong JIANG ; Rufu CHEN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(4):611-618
Pancreatic cancer is characterized by nerve invasion and a high mortality rate, and its pathological process depends on the complex interaction network between tumor and the nervous system. Based on the concept of “pancreatic cancer neuroecology”, this article analyzes the mechanism of action of peripheral motor nerve, sensory nerve, and central nerve in tumorigenesis, pain regulation, and cachexia formation and emphasizes the synergistic regulatory role of immune cells, Schwann cells, and extracellular matrix in the microenvironment of perineural invasion. At the same time, this article further elaborates on the metabolic interaction and chemotaxis between neuraxis and tumor, the effect on promoting chemotherapy resistance, and the dynamic relationship between neuroplasticity and tumor adaptability. In clinical practice, this article summarizes the key value of perineural invasion in prognostic evaluation, preoperative evaluation, and the selection of surgical strategy. In addition, this article reviews the basic research advances in the biomarkers and potential targets associated with perineural invasion in pancreatic cancer and points out the limitations of current model and transformation research. In the future, systematically analyzing the nerve-tumor-immune network and targeting its key nodes may provide multi-dimensional strategies and new breakthroughs for the precise intervention of pancreatic cancer, the reversal of drug resistance, and the relief of symptoms.
3.Alanine transferase test results and exploration of threshold adjustment strategies for blood donors in Shenzhen, China
Xin ZHENG ; Yuanye XUE ; Haobiao WANG ; Litiao WU ; Ran LI ; Yingnan DANG ; Tingting CHEN ; Xiaoxuan XU ; Xuezhen ZENG ; Jinfeng ZENG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(4):488-494
[Objective] To conduct a retrospective statistical comparison of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) test values in blood donors prior to blood collection, aiming to analyze the objective characteristics of the population with elevated ALT levels (ALT>50 U/L) and provide reference data for adjusting the screening eligibility threshold for ALT. [Methods] The preliminary ALT screening data of 30 341 blood donor samples collected prior to blood donation from three smart blood donation sites at the Shenzhen Blood Center between 2022 and 2023 were extracted and compared with data from a health examination department of a tertiary hospital in Shenzhen (representing the general population, n=24 906). Both datasets were categorized and statistically described. A retrospective analysis was conducted to examine the associations between ALT test results and factors such as donors' gender, age, ethnicity, donation site, donation season, and frequency of blood donation. [Results] The ALT levels in both blood donors and the general population were non-normally distributed. The 95th percentile of ALT values was calculated as 61.4 U/L (male: 67.8 U/L, female: 39.3 U/L) for blood donors and 58.1 U/L (male: 63.7 U/L, female: 51.2 U/L) for the general population. The non-compliance rates (ALT>50 U/L) were 7.65% (2 321/30 341) in blood donors and 7.08% (1 763/24 906) in the general population. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in the ALT failure rate among blood donors based on gender, age, and donation site, but no significant differences (P>0.05) during the blood donation season. There was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in the positive rates of four serological markers (HBsAg, anti HCV, HIV Ag/Ab, anti TP) for blood screening pathogens between ALT unqualified and qualified individuals (2.05% vs 1.5%). If the ALT qualification threshold was raised from 50 U/L to 90 U/L, the non qualification rates of male and female blood donors would decrease from 9.82% (2 074/21 125) to 2.23% (471/21 125) and from 2.70% (249/9 216) to 0.75% (69/9 216), respectively. Among the 154 blood donors who donated blood more than 3 times, 88.31% of the 248 ALT test results were in the range of 50-90 U/L. Among them, 9 cases had ALT>130 U/L, and ALT was converted to qualified in subsequent blood donations. [Conclusion] There are differences in the ALT failure rate among blood donors of different genders and ages, and different blood donation sites and operators can also affect the ALT detection values of blood donors. The vast majority of blood donors with ALT failure are caused by transient and non pathological factors. With the widespread use of blood virus nucleic acid testing, appropriately increasing the ALT qualification threshold for blood donors can expand the qualified population and alleviate the shortage of blood sources, and the risk of blood safety will not increase.
4.Analysis of abnormal ALT in blood donors in five Zang autonomous prefectures of Qinghai Province, China: characteristics and screening strategies
Yingnan DANG ; ; Rong TANG ; Liqin HUANG ; Hailin WU ; Tingting CHEN ; Shengju LI ; Yanli SUN ; Xin ZHENG ; Yanxia LI ; Xianlin YE ; Jinfeng ZENG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(4):502-507
[Objective] To investigate the factors associated with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) abnormalities in multi-ethnic blood donors across five Zang autonomous prefectures in the plateau regions of Qinghai Province, and to provide evidence for ensuring blood safety and formulating screening strategies. [Methods] A retrospective analysis was performed on the ALT abnormal test results of blood donors in the Zang autonomous prefectures of Qinghai from 2022 to 2024. The correlations between ALT levels and factors including gender, age, altitude, and infectious markers were investigated. [Results] The overall ALT unqualified rate among blood donors in this region was 9.01%. Significant differences in ALT levels were observed across genders and age groups (P<0.05). Variations in ALT abnormality rates were also noted among different plateau regions (P<0.05). Overall, ALT values exhibited an increasing trend with rising altitude. The average ALT unqualified rates were 11.19% in Zang donors, 7.96% in Han donors, and 4.79% in donors from other ethnic groups (P<0.05). No statistically significant association was observed between ALT abnormality and the presence of HBV/HCV infectious markers (P>0.05). [Conclusion] In the plateau areas of Qinghai, multi-ethnic blood donors have a relatively high ALT levels and ALT unqualified rates, showing distinct regional characteristics. ALT elevation in voluntary blood donors is related to non-pathological factors such as gender, age, and dietary habits, but not to infectious indicators.
5.Overview of the amendments and revisions to the General Technical Requirements adopted by the Volume Ⅳ of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition
ZHANG Jun ; NING Baoming ; WEI Shifeng ; SHEN Haoyu ; SHANG Yue ; ZHU Ran ; XU Xinyi ; CHEN Lei ; LIU Tingting ; MA Shuangcheng
Drug Standards of China 2025;26(1):034-044
To introduce the general thinking, guidelines, work objectives and elaboration process of the general technical requirements adopted by volume Ⅳ of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition, and to summarize and figure out the main characteristics on dosage forms, physico-chemical testing, microbial and biological testing, reference standards and guidelines The newly revised general chapters of pharmacopoeia give full play to the normative and guiding role of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia standard, track the frontier dynamics of international drug regulatory science and the elaboration of monographs, expand the application of state-of-the-art technologies, and steadily promote the harmonization and unification with the ICH guidelines; further enhance the overall capacity of TCM quality control, actively implement the 3 R principles on animal experiments, and practice the concept of environmental-friendly; replace and/or reduce the use of toxic and hazardous reagents, strengthen the requirements of drug safety control This paper aims to provide a full-view perspective for the comprehensive, correct understanding and accurate implementation of general technical requirements included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition.
6.Causal relationship between modifiable factors and joint sports injuries
Tingting DONG ; Tianxin CHEN ; Yan LI ; Sheng ZHANG ; Lei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(9):1953-1962
BACKGROUND:The causal relationship between modifiable factors such as lifestyle,metabolic characteristics,and nutritional intake and joint sports injuries has been increasingly recognized in clinical studies.However,the exact causal relationship between these modifiable factors and joint sports injuries remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the causal relationship between modifiable factors and joint sports injuries using Mendelian randomization to provide a basis for sports injury prevention. METHODS:The GWAS dataset of intervening factors and joint sports injuries was obtained from publicly available data.The causal relationships between lifestyle,metabolic characteristics,nutritional intake,and joint sports injuries were explored using the inverse variance weighting method,the MR-Egger method,and the weighted median method.For sensitivity analyses,Cochran's Q test,MR-Egger regression,leave-one-out method,and MR-PRESSO were used to verify the stability and reliability of the results. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In terms of lifestyle,coffee(OR=0.29,95%CI:0.10-0.79,P=0.016),and tea consumption(OR=0.41,95%CI=0.19-0.85,P=0.017)were associated with a decreased risk of ankle and foot joint sports injuries,and coffee consumption(OR=3.31,95%CI=1.02-10.73,P=0.046)was potentially causally associated with an increased risk of shoulder joint sports injuries;and never smoking(OR=0.78,95%CI=0.70-0.87,P=1.49×10-5)was significantly causally associated with a decreased risk of ankle and foot joint sports injuries.(2)In terms of metabolic characteristics,calcium levels(OR=0.88,95%CI=0.79-0.98,P=0.017)were potentially causally associated with a decreased risk of wrist and hand joint sports injuries.(3)In terms of nutritional intake,vitamin A intake(OR=1.08,95%CI:1.02-1.13,P=0.007)was potentially causally associated with increased risk of knee joint sports injury.(4)For the sensitivity analysis,Cochran's Q test showed the existence of heterogeneity(P<0.05),so the random effect model was used for the analysis.MR-Egger regression and MR-PRESSO test did not find evidence of pleiotropy(P>0.05),and the leave-one-out method showed that the results were stable after eliminating single nucleotide polymorphisms one by one.(5)This study preliminarily reveals the effects of modifiable factors,such as lifestyle,metabolic characteristics,and nutritional intake,on the risk of joint sports injuries.It provides valuable research evidence and guidance for the prevention of joint sports injuries.
7.Genetic Correlation and Mendelian Randomization Analysis Revealed an Unidirectional Causal Relationship Between Left Caudal Middle Frontal Surface Area and Cigarette Consumption
Hongcheng XIE ; Anlin WANG ; Minglan YU ; Tingting WANG ; Xuemei LIANG ; Rongfang HE ; Chaohua HUANG ; Wei LEI ; Jing CHEN ; Youguo TAN ; Kezhi LIU ; Bo XIANG
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(3):279-286
Objective:
Previous studies have discovered a correlation between cigarette smoking and cortical thickness and surface area, but the causal relationship remains unclear. The objective of this investigation is to scrutinize the causal association between them.
Methods:
To derive summary statistics from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on cortical thickness, surface area, and four smoking behaviors: 1) age of initiation of regular smoking (AgeSmk); 2) smoking initiation (SmkInit); 3) smoking cessation (SmkCes); 4) cigarettes per day (CigDay). Linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) was employed to examine genetic association analysis. Furthermore, for traits with significant genetic associations, Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were conducted.
Results:
The LDSC analysis revealed nominal genetic correlations between AgeSmk and right precentral surface area, left caudal anterior cingulate surface area, left cuneus surface area, left inferior parietal surface area, and right caudal anterior cingulate thickness, as well as between CigDay and left caudal middle frontal surface area, between SmkCes and left entorhinal thickness, and between SmkInit and left rostral anterior cingulate surface area, right rostral anterior cingulate thickness, and right superior frontal thickness (rg=-0.36–0.29, p<0.05). MR analysis showed a unidirectional causal association between left caudal middle frontal surface area and CigDay (βIVW=0.056, pBonferroni=2×10-4).
Conclusion
Left caudal middle frontal surface area has the potential to serve as a significant predictor of smoking behavior.
8.Genetic Correlation and Mendelian Randomization Analysis Revealed an Unidirectional Causal Relationship Between Left Caudal Middle Frontal Surface Area and Cigarette Consumption
Hongcheng XIE ; Anlin WANG ; Minglan YU ; Tingting WANG ; Xuemei LIANG ; Rongfang HE ; Chaohua HUANG ; Wei LEI ; Jing CHEN ; Youguo TAN ; Kezhi LIU ; Bo XIANG
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(3):279-286
Objective:
Previous studies have discovered a correlation between cigarette smoking and cortical thickness and surface area, but the causal relationship remains unclear. The objective of this investigation is to scrutinize the causal association between them.
Methods:
To derive summary statistics from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on cortical thickness, surface area, and four smoking behaviors: 1) age of initiation of regular smoking (AgeSmk); 2) smoking initiation (SmkInit); 3) smoking cessation (SmkCes); 4) cigarettes per day (CigDay). Linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) was employed to examine genetic association analysis. Furthermore, for traits with significant genetic associations, Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were conducted.
Results:
The LDSC analysis revealed nominal genetic correlations between AgeSmk and right precentral surface area, left caudal anterior cingulate surface area, left cuneus surface area, left inferior parietal surface area, and right caudal anterior cingulate thickness, as well as between CigDay and left caudal middle frontal surface area, between SmkCes and left entorhinal thickness, and between SmkInit and left rostral anterior cingulate surface area, right rostral anterior cingulate thickness, and right superior frontal thickness (rg=-0.36–0.29, p<0.05). MR analysis showed a unidirectional causal association between left caudal middle frontal surface area and CigDay (βIVW=0.056, pBonferroni=2×10-4).
Conclusion
Left caudal middle frontal surface area has the potential to serve as a significant predictor of smoking behavior.
9.Genetic Correlation and Mendelian Randomization Analysis Revealed an Unidirectional Causal Relationship Between Left Caudal Middle Frontal Surface Area and Cigarette Consumption
Hongcheng XIE ; Anlin WANG ; Minglan YU ; Tingting WANG ; Xuemei LIANG ; Rongfang HE ; Chaohua HUANG ; Wei LEI ; Jing CHEN ; Youguo TAN ; Kezhi LIU ; Bo XIANG
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(3):279-286
Objective:
Previous studies have discovered a correlation between cigarette smoking and cortical thickness and surface area, but the causal relationship remains unclear. The objective of this investigation is to scrutinize the causal association between them.
Methods:
To derive summary statistics from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on cortical thickness, surface area, and four smoking behaviors: 1) age of initiation of regular smoking (AgeSmk); 2) smoking initiation (SmkInit); 3) smoking cessation (SmkCes); 4) cigarettes per day (CigDay). Linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) was employed to examine genetic association analysis. Furthermore, for traits with significant genetic associations, Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were conducted.
Results:
The LDSC analysis revealed nominal genetic correlations between AgeSmk and right precentral surface area, left caudal anterior cingulate surface area, left cuneus surface area, left inferior parietal surface area, and right caudal anterior cingulate thickness, as well as between CigDay and left caudal middle frontal surface area, between SmkCes and left entorhinal thickness, and between SmkInit and left rostral anterior cingulate surface area, right rostral anterior cingulate thickness, and right superior frontal thickness (rg=-0.36–0.29, p<0.05). MR analysis showed a unidirectional causal association between left caudal middle frontal surface area and CigDay (βIVW=0.056, pBonferroni=2×10-4).
Conclusion
Left caudal middle frontal surface area has the potential to serve as a significant predictor of smoking behavior.
10.Genetic Correlation and Mendelian Randomization Analysis Revealed an Unidirectional Causal Relationship Between Left Caudal Middle Frontal Surface Area and Cigarette Consumption
Hongcheng XIE ; Anlin WANG ; Minglan YU ; Tingting WANG ; Xuemei LIANG ; Rongfang HE ; Chaohua HUANG ; Wei LEI ; Jing CHEN ; Youguo TAN ; Kezhi LIU ; Bo XIANG
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(3):279-286
Objective:
Previous studies have discovered a correlation between cigarette smoking and cortical thickness and surface area, but the causal relationship remains unclear. The objective of this investigation is to scrutinize the causal association between them.
Methods:
To derive summary statistics from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on cortical thickness, surface area, and four smoking behaviors: 1) age of initiation of regular smoking (AgeSmk); 2) smoking initiation (SmkInit); 3) smoking cessation (SmkCes); 4) cigarettes per day (CigDay). Linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) was employed to examine genetic association analysis. Furthermore, for traits with significant genetic associations, Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were conducted.
Results:
The LDSC analysis revealed nominal genetic correlations between AgeSmk and right precentral surface area, left caudal anterior cingulate surface area, left cuneus surface area, left inferior parietal surface area, and right caudal anterior cingulate thickness, as well as between CigDay and left caudal middle frontal surface area, between SmkCes and left entorhinal thickness, and between SmkInit and left rostral anterior cingulate surface area, right rostral anterior cingulate thickness, and right superior frontal thickness (rg=-0.36–0.29, p<0.05). MR analysis showed a unidirectional causal association between left caudal middle frontal surface area and CigDay (βIVW=0.056, pBonferroni=2×10-4).
Conclusion
Left caudal middle frontal surface area has the potential to serve as a significant predictor of smoking behavior.

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