1.Characteristics of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes in Patients with Concurrent Postmenopausal Osteoporosis and Knee Osteoarthritis
Xin CUI ; Huaiwei GAO ; Long LIANG ; Ming CHEN ; Shangquan WANG ; Ting CHENG ; Yili ZHANG ; Xu WEI ; Yanming XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):257-265
ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes in the patients with concurrent knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) and provide a scientific basis for precise TCM syndrome differentiation, diagnosis, and treatment of such concurrent diseases. MethodsA prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional clinical survey was conducted to analyze the characteristics of TCM syndromes in the patients with concurrent PMOP and KOA. Excel 2021 was used to statistically analyze the general characteristics of the included patients. Continuous variables were reported as
2.Characteristics of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes in Patients with Concurrent Postmenopausal Osteoporosis and Knee Osteoarthritis
Xin CUI ; Huaiwei GAO ; Long LIANG ; Ming CHEN ; Shangquan WANG ; Ting CHENG ; Yili ZHANG ; Xu WEI ; Yanming XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):257-265
ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes in the patients with concurrent knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) and provide a scientific basis for precise TCM syndrome differentiation, diagnosis, and treatment of such concurrent diseases. MethodsA prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional clinical survey was conducted to analyze the characteristics of TCM syndromes in the patients with concurrent PMOP and KOA. Excel 2021 was used to statistically analyze the general characteristics of the included patients. Continuous variables were reported as
3.The clinical value of artificial intelligence quantitative parameters in distinguishing pathological grades of stage Ⅰ invasive pulmonary adenocarcinoma
Yun LIANG ; Mengmeng REN ; Delong HUANG ; Jingyan DIAO ; Xuri MU ; Guowei ZHANG ; Shuliang LIU ; Xiuqu FEI ; Dongmei DI ; Ning XIE
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(05):598-607
Objective To explore the clinical value of artificial intelligence (AI) quantitative parameters in distinguishing pathological grades of stageⅠ invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC). Methods Clinical data of patients with clinical stageⅠ IAC admitted to Yantaishan Hospital Affiliated to Binzhou Medical University from October 2018 to May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Based on the 2021 WHO pathological grading criteria for lung adenocarcinoma, IAC was divided into gradeⅠ, grade Ⅱ, and grade Ⅲ. The differences in parameters among the groups were compared, and logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the predictive efficacy of AI quantitative parameters for grade Ⅲ IAC patients. Parameters were screened using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis. Three machine learning models were constructed based on these parameters to predict grade Ⅲ IAC and were internally validated to assess their efficacy. Nomograms were used for visualization. Results A total of 261 IAC patients were included, including 101 males and 160 females, with an average age of 27-88 (61.96±9.17) years. Six patients had dual primary lesions, and different lesions from the same patient were analyzed as independent samples. There were 48 patients of gradeⅠ IAC, 89 patients of grade Ⅱ IAC, and 130 patients of grade Ⅲ IAC. There were statitical differences in the AI quantitive parameters such as consolidation/tumor ratio (CTR), ect among the three goups. (P<0.05). Univariate analysis showed that the differences in all variables except age were statistically significant (P<0.05) between the group gradeⅠ+grade Ⅱand the group grade Ⅲ . Multivariate analysis suggested that CTR and CT standard deviation were independent risk factors for identifying grade Ⅲ IAC, and the two were negatively correlated. Grade Ⅲ IAC exhibited advanced TNM staging, more pathological high-risk factors, higher lymph node metastasis rate, and higher proportion of advanced structure. CTR was positively correlated with the proportion of advanced structures in all patients. This correlation was also observed in grade Ⅲ but not in gradeⅠand grade ⅡIAC. CTR and CT median value were selected by using LASSO regression. Logistic regression, random forest, and XGBoost models were constructed and validated, among which, the XGBoost model demonstrated the best predictive performance. Conclusion Cautious consideration should be given to grade Ⅲ IAC when CTR is higher than 39.48% and CT standard deviation is less than 122.75 HU. The XGBoost model based on combined CTR and CT median value has good predictive efficacy for grade Ⅲ IAC, aiding clinicians in making personalized clinical decisions.
4.Analysis of the effects of national centralized drug volume-based procurement policy in public medical institutions of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
Zheng ZENG ; Liucen WU ; Zhenguang HUANG ; Wenli HE ; Zhengcheng MI ; Xiangwei XIE ; Siduo SU ; Guicheng LIANG ; Yaoling LIAO ; Hongliang ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(5):518-523
OBJECTIVE To investigate the implementation effects of the national centralized drug volume-based procurement policy (abbreviated as “national centralized procurement policy”) in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region prefecture, and to provide a reference for the future centralized drug procurement work of the medical institution. METHODS Drug procurement data before and after policy implementation were included in the study. The six secondary indicators (such as availability, affordability, and drug safety) and eighteen third-level indicators (such as completion rate of agreed purchase volume, affordability level, drug revenue proportion) were introduced, guided by the policy objectives and issues of concern to policy beneficiaries. Descriptive statistics was adopted to analyze the data before and after policy implementation (in 2019 and 2020) in terms of differences and change trends. RESULTS In terms of accessibility, the participation rate of medical institutions in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region was 92.55%, the proportion of diseases involved and median completed procurement rate were 40.16%, and 287.82% respectively, and the total centralized delivery rate was 97.20%. In terms of affordability, the total reduction amplitude in drug price was 74.80% from 2019 to 2022; the charge for medicine per capita in hospitalization, the proportion of medicine used for outpatient service and hospitalization, decreased by 17.61%, 10.22%, and 20.10% in order; the burden levels on medical fares for patients were all below 1 in addition to chronic diseases, and anti-tumor drugs. In terms of the impact on medicine, the ratio of adverse drug reaction event cases in 2022 was 66.00%, an increase of 1.29% compared to the previous; since the implementation of the policy, 12 drugs from local pharmaceutical enterprises from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region had passed the consistency evaluation, and the market concentration rate of the top 8 pharmaceutical companies was less than 20.00%. In terms of the impact on healthcare and medical insurance, the public medical institutions achieved generic substitution for originator drugs mostly until 2022; about 9.12% of drugs that were non- centrally purchased in the same category were used; 63.39% of people under investigation did not show a need for a second dressing change; drug expenditure decreased by 2.459 billion yuan. CONCLUSIONS The national centralized procurement policy achieves a significant effect in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. On the other hand, attention should be paid to these suggestions as follows: expanding the category of drugs used in clinic, conducting clinically comprehensive evaluation of selected drugs, and improving reasonable allocation strategy, etc.
5.Salvianolic Acid F Regulates Bax/Caspase-3/GSDME Signaling Pathway to Inhibit Pyroptosis of HK-2 Cells
Xiancong SHI ; Zhishen XIE ; Liang ZHAO ; Jiajun WANG ; Yafei DUAN ; Pan WANG ; Zhenqiang ZHANG ; Xiaowei ZHANG ; Jiangyan XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(9):56-64
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of salvianolic acid F (Sal F) in repairing the high glucose-induced injury in human kidney-2 (HK-2) cells via the B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (Bax)/cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase 3 (Caspase-3)/gasdermin-E (GSDME) pathway. MethodThe cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to measure the relative viability of HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose and different concentrations (2.5, 5, 10, 20 μmol·L-1) of Sal F and the relative viability of HK-2 cells treated with Sal F for different time periods. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the supernatant of the cell culture were measured by the LDH assay kit and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit, respectively. Flow cytometry combined with Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) and Hoechst 33342/PI staining was employed to reveal the proportion of PI-positive HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose. Western blotting was employed to determine the protein levels of Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome C, cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase (Caspase)-9, Caspase-3, and GSDME in the HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose and treated with Sal F. The 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate fluorescence probe (DCFH-DA) and mitochondrial membrane potential assay kit (JC-1) were used to determine the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the mitochondrial membrane potential in the HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose and treated with Sal F. ResultCompared with the blank group, the model group showed decreased cell viability (P<0.01), elevated levels LDH and IL-1β, increased proportion of PI-positive cells (P<0.01), up-regulated protein levels of Bax, cytochrome C, Caspase-9, Caspase-3, and GSDME (P<0.01), down-regulated protein level of Bcl-2 (P<0.01), decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and excessive ROS accumulation. Compared with the model group, Sal F repaired the high glucose-induced injury in HK-2 cells (P<0.05), lowered the levels of LDH and IL-1β (P<0.05, P<0.01), and decreased the proportion of PI-positive cells (P<0.01). In addition, Sal F down-regulated the protein levels of Bax, cytochrome C, Caspase-9, Caspase-3, and GSDME and up-regulated the protein level of Bcl-2 (P<0.05, P<0.01), increased the mitochondrial membrane potential, and decreased the accumulation of ROS in HK-2 cells. ConclusionSal F can reduce the production of ROS, restore the balance of mitochondrial membrane potential, and inhibit pyroptosis via the Bax/Caspase-3/GSDME signaling pathway to repair the high glucose-induced injury in HK-2 cells.
6. Mechanism of levosimendan in treating hypoxic pulmonary hypertension based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology
Xiao-Dan ZHANG ; Yu-Liang XIE ; Meng-Dan GAO ; Ao-Xue YUAN ; Han-Fei LI ; Tian-Tian ZHU ; Xiao-Dan ZHANG ; Yu-Liang XIE ; Meng-Dan GAO ; Ao-Xue YUAN ; Han-Fei LI ; Tian-Tian ZHU ; Xiao-Dan ZHANG ; Yu-Liang XIE ; Meng-Dan GAO ; Ao-Xue YUAN ; Han-Fei LI ; Tian-Tian ZHU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(3):565-573
Aim To explore the efficacy of levosimendan on hypoxia pulmonary hypertension through animal experiments, and to further explore the potential mechanism of action using network pharmacological methods and molecular docking technique. Methods The rat model of hypoxia pulmonary hypertension was constructed to detect right heart systolic pressure and right heart remodeling index. HE , Masson, and VG staining were core targets were screened out. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed using the DAVID database. Molecular docking of the core targets was performed with the AutoDock software. Results The results of animal experiments showed that levosimendan had obvious therapeutic effect on hypoxia pulmonary hypertension. The network pharmacology results showed that SRC, HSP90AA1, MAPK1, PIK3R1, AKT1, HRAS, MAPK14, LCK, EGFR and ESR1 used to analyze the changes of rat lung histopathology. Search the Swiss Target Prediction, DrugBank Online, BatMan, Targetnet, SEA, and PharmMapper databases were used to screen for drug targets. Disease targets were retrieved from the GeneCards, OMIM databases. The "drug-target-disease" network was constructed after identification of the two intersection targets. The protein interaction network was constructed and the were the key targets to play a therapeutic role. Molecular docking showed good docking of levosimendan with all the top five core targets with degree values. Conclusions Levosimendan may exert a therapeutic effect on hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension through multiple targets.
7.Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Atherosclerosis and Its Regulation by Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Qingzhi LIANG ; Zhengtao CHEN ; Ruoran ZHOU ; Jiying LI ; Yuan ZHANG ; Chunguang XIE ; Qiyue YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(5):226-235
Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory pathological process in which lipid and/or fibrous substances are deposited in the intima of arteries, and it is one of the pathological bases of many cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is a protective mechanism of cell adaptation. Moderate ERS can reduce abnormal protein aggregation and increase the degradation of misfolded proteins to repair and stabilize the internal environment, while excessive ERS can cause unfolded protein reaction, activate inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, and other downstream pathways, and lead to cell damage, or even apoptosis. A large number of studies have shown that ERS mediates a variety of pathological processes related to AS, affects endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, macrophages, endothelial progenitor cells, and other cell components closely related to its occurrence and development, influences the progress of AS by regulating cell function, and promotes the formation of AS plaque, the transformation of stable plaque to unstable plaque, and the rupture of unstable plaque. Regulation of ERS may be a key target for the prevention and treatment of AS, and it is a research hotspot at present. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) believes that the origin of AS is the imbalance of Yin and Yang, the disharmony of Zangfu organs, and the abnormal operation of Qi, blood, and body fluid, which leads to the accumulation of phlegm, blood stasis, and other pathological products in the pulse channels, making the blood flow blocked or misfunction and causing the disease, which belongs to the syndrome of deficiency in origin and excess in superficiality. As the pathogenesis of AS is complex, and the symptoms are diverse, TCM has significant advantages in treating AS because of its multiple targets, multiple pathways, stable efficacy, strong individualization, and high safety. This paper systematically elaborated on the role of ERS in the occurrence and development of AS and summarized the mechanism research on the regulation and control of ERS by Chinese herbal monomer, Chinese herbal extract, Chinese herbal compound, and proprietary medicine, so as to provide a theoretical basis for clinical research and drug development in the prevention and treatment of AS.
8.Mechanism of Yishen Tongluo Prescription in Inhibiting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Improving Apoptosis of Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells Based on PERK/ATF4/CHOP
Xuan SU ; Liang ZHAO ; Mengmeng WANG ; Jing DING ; Zhenqiang ZHANG ; Xiaowei ZHANG ; Jiangyan XU ; Zhishen XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(2):26-36
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Yishen Tongluo prescription (YSTLP) on apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells and explore the mechanism based on endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway of protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)/activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4)/transcription factor C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP). MethodThe db/db mice were randomly divided into model group, valsartan group (10 mg·kg-1), and low, middle, high-dose YSTLP groups (1, 2.5, 5 g·kg-1). Samples were collected after eight weeks of drug intervention. In addition, db/m mice in the same litter served as the control group. Human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) were cultured in vitro and divided into the control group, advanced glycated end-product (AGE) group, and AGE + low, middle, and high-dose YSTLP groups (100, 200, 400 mg·L-1). TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was used to detect the apoptosis rate of HK-2 cells. Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was conducted to detect the viability of HK-2 cells. Calcium fluorescence probe staining and luciferase reporter gene method were adopted to detect the luciferase activity of folded protein response element (UPRE) and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis was carried out to measure the protein expressions of phosphorylated PKR (p-PERK), CHOP, and ATF4. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of CHOP and X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) in mouse kidney and HK-2 cells. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression level of p-PERK, PERK, CHOP, ATF4, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), and cleaved Caspase-3 in mouse kidney and HK-2 cells. ResultIn the cellular assay, HK-2 cell viability was significantly reduced, and the apoptosis rate was elevated in the AGE group compared with the control group (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression levels of apoptosis-related factor Bcl-2 were significantly reduced (P<0.01), and those of Bax were significantly increased (P<0.01). The protein expression level of cleaved Caspase-3 was significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the AGE group, YSTLP administration treatment resulted in elevated cell viability and reduced apoptosis rate (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression levels of Bcl-2 were significantly elevated in a time- and dose-dependent manner (P<0.01), and those of Bax were significantly reduced in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The protein expression level of cleaved Caspase-3 was significantly reduced in a time- and dose-dependent manner (P<0.01). The intracellular Ca2+ imbalance and UPRE luciferase fluorescence intensity were increased in the AGE group compared with the control group (P<0.01). The mRNA levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related factors CHOP and XBP1 were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of p-PERK, CHOP, and ATF4 were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the AGE group, YSTLP effectively improved intracellular Ca2+ imbalance in HK-2 cells and decreased UPRE luciferase fluorescence intensity in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01). It reduced the mRNA levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related factors CHOP and XBP1 (P<0.01) and the protein expression levels of intracellular p-PERK, CHOP, and ATF4 in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P<0.01). In animal experiments, the protein expression level of Bcl-2 was significantly reduced(P<0.01), and that of cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax was significantly increased in the model group compared with the control group (P<0.05). The protein expression level of Bcl-2 was dose-dependently elevated, and that of cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax was dose-dependently decreased in the YSTLP groups compared with the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the mRNA expression levels of CHOP and XBP1 were significantly elevated in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of p-PERK, CHOP, and ATF4 were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, YSTLP significantly decreased the mRNA expression levels of CHOP and XBP1 (P<0.01) and the protein expression levels of p-PERK, CHOP, and ATF4 (P<0.01). ConclusionYSTLP can effectively inhibit endoplasmic reticulum stress and improve apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the PERK/AFT4/CHOP pathway.
9.Comparison of intravitreal injection of Ranibizumab versus Conbercept in the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity
Juan CHEN ; Yunqi ZHANG ; Suzhen XIE ; Jianbing REN ; Jing LI ; Chuan NIE ; Zhijiang LIANG ; Qizhen HE ; Xuelin HUANG ; Xianqiong LUO
International Eye Science 2024;24(5):697-703
AIM: To compare the efficacy of intravitreal injection of ranibizumab(IVR)and intravitreal injection of conbercept(IVC)in children with retinopathy of prematurity(ROP).METHODS: Retrospective study. A total of 1 100 eyes with ROP treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF at our hospital from January 2015 to June 2023 were included. According to the different therapeutic drugs, the children were divided into two groups: IVR group and IVC group. According to the degree of ROP, the patients were divided into three groups: aggressive ROP(A-ROP), Zone Ⅰ type 1 ROP and Zone Ⅱ type 1 ROP. The reactivation and retreatment between the two groups were compared after propensity score matching(PSM)analysis, and they were followed-up for at least 3 mo after surgery.RESULTS: In Zone Ⅱ type 1 ROP, there was a statistically significant difference in the rates of reactivation and retreatment between the IVR and IVC groups(P<0.05); however, in A-ROP and Zone I type 1 ROP, there were no statistically significant differences in the rates of reactivation and retreatment between the two groups(P>0.05). The risk of reactivation and retreatment of Zone I type 1 ROP was higher than the Zone II type 1 ROP. Furthermore, the use of drugs and corrected gestational age of first treatment were influencing factors of lesion recurrence and retreatment.CONCLUSION: There is a significant difference in the initial cure effect between the two drugs in Zone II type 1 ROP, with the reactivation and retreatment rates of the IVC group being much lower than those of the IVR group.
10.Long-term efficacy and complications of implantable diaphragm pacer in children with high cervical spinal cord injury: case report and literature review
Yongqi XIE ; Huiming GONG ; Degang YANG ; Liang CHEN ; Yanmei JIA ; Yang XIE ; Shuang GUO ; Liang ZHANG ; Run PENG ; Mingliang YANG
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2024;39(2):134-137
The long-term efficacy and complications of implantable diaphragm pacer (IDP) in a child with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) in the Department of Spinal and Neural Functional Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center in September 2022 were retrospective analyzed.A male child had quadriplegia without an obvious cause at the age of 12 years, and he was then lived completely with the assistance of mechanical ventilation.At the age of 14 years, he could wean off the ventilator in unilateral diaphragmatic pacing mode.However, mechanical ventilation was re-given for months after 5 years due to pneumonia, and then the IDP was re-given with the self-felt decreased pacing effect.After hospitalization, the patient was examined with mild diaphragmatic atrophy, secondary flat chest, and mild scoliosis.After optimization of the transdiaphragmatic pacing threshold and rehabilitation, his respiratory function improved.IDP can be used in CSCI for long time, while flat chest and scoliosis that limited the expansion of the lungs should be considered.At the meantime, the increased abdominal spasm affected the abdominal compliance, leading to the decrease in the efficiency of the diaphragm.

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