1.Brief analysis of the concept of " relaxation and tranquility" and the protection of elderly brain health
Eryu WANG ; Yongyan WANG ; Chenyang QUAN ; Jiawei LIU ; Qiwu XU ; Beibei SHAN ; Yingzhen XIE
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(2):291-296
China is currently in an accelerated stage of population aging, and brain diseases pose a significant threat to the health of the elderly. " Preventing brain aging and maintaining brain health" has become a high-level goal of healthy aging. During the process of aging, the physiological and psychological states of elderly people change, making them prone to nervousness and exhaustion, which can disturb the brain spirit, damage the brain collaterals, and severely endanger brain health. Starting from the holistic view of cultivating both body and spirit in traditional Chinese medicine, based on the physical and mental characteristics of the elderly, this paper applies the concept and method of " relaxation and tranquility" in the protection of elderly brain health, focusing on maintaining relaxation and tranquility in both physical and mental aspects. Specific measures include emphasizing subjective consciousness, relaxing the heart and calming down; utilizing the daoyin method, relaxing the body and calming down, combining relaxation and tranquility, cultivating both body and spirit to prevent diseases and protect the brain, which enables the elderly to have a healthy mind and body, a sense of happiness and fulfillment, and to age gracefully. Simultaneously, advocating for tranquility is also called " respect" for relaxation, following nature to understand constant changes, and improving one′s ability to think positively in old age, in order to expand ideas for the protection of elderly brain health.
2.Cost-utility analysis of semaglutide versus canagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes poorly controlled with metformin
Yueru XU ; Yubo WANG ; Huimin PAN ; Huiting SHAN ; Ji CHEN ; Jianhua YANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(9):1087-1092
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the long-term cost-effectiveness of canagliflozin or semaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)poorly controlled with metformin. METHODS Based on the perspective of China’s health system, a Markov model was used to calculate the long-term costs and utilities of canagliflozin or semaglutide combined with metformin for T2DM patients in China for 30 years based on the data from SUSTAIN 8 study. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio(ICER) and incremental net monetary benefit (INMB) were calculated using one time the 2024 per capita gross domestic product(GDP) as the willingness-to-pay(WTP) threshold. One-way sensitivity analysis, probability sensitivity analysis and scenario analysis were conducted to confirm the stability of the conclusions. RESULTS Compared with canagliflozin + metformin, ICER of semaglutide combined with metformin was 260 485.67 yuan/quality-adjusted life year (QALY),which was higher than the WTP threshold set in this study (95 749 yuan/QALY),and the corresponding INMB was -61 576.24 yuan,indicating that the canagliflozin + metformin regimen was more cost-effective. The cost of diabetes without complications treatment in the semaglutide + metformin group had the greatest influence on INMB,but changes in parameters within the selected range did not drive decision reversal. With the increasing of WTP threshold,the economic acceptability of semaglutide + metformin regimen increased. Under the current WTP threshold,the annual cost of semaglutide should be reduced by 42.95% to make the semaglutide + metformin regimen more cost- effective. CONCLUSIONS From the perspective of China’s health system, canagliflozin + metformin is more cost-effective than semaglutide + metformin for T2DM patients yueru. with poor glycemic control with metformin alone.
3.Spatial Distribution Patterns and Environmental Influencing Factors of Flavonoid Glycosides in Epimedium sagittatum
Mengxue LI ; Wenmin ZENG ; Yiting WEI ; Fengqin LI ; Shengfu HU ; Xinyi WANG ; Zhangjian SHAN ; Yanqin XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):217-226
ObjectiveTo explore the spatial distribution patterns of flavonoid glycosides in Epimedium sagittatum and the influences of environmental factors on the accumulation of these components. MethodsThe spatial statistical analysis and GeoDetector model were used to analyze the distribution patterns of epimedin A,epimedin B,epimedin C,icariin,and total flavonoid glycosides in E. sagittatum samples from 92 different production areas in 36 cities of 13 provinces/municipalities/autonomous regions of China,as well as the effects of 28 environmental factors on the accumulation of each component. ResultsThe average content of flavonoid glycosides 64 (69.56%) producing areas and 30 (83.33%) cities met the quality standard of no less than 1.50% of total flavonoid glycosides in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia.Epimedin A,epimedin B,epimedin C,icariin,and their sum showed significantly high accumulation.The hot spots regions of epimedin A and epimedin B were similar with each other,mainly located in western Hunan,eastern Hubei,eastern Guizhou,and northern Guangxi.The common hot spot areas of epimedin C and total flavonoid glycosides were in western and southwestern Hunan,southern Henan,northern Anhui,eastern Guizhou,and southern Chongqing.The hot spots areas of icariin were in southern Chongqing,western Hunan,and eastern and northeastern Guizhou.The interactions between environmental factors had stronger explanatory power for the accumulation of components than single factors.The strongest single factor and interactive factor affecting the accumulation of epimedin C were precipitation of wettest quarter (q=0.16) and its interaction with temperature seasonality (q=0.35),respectively.The strongest single factor influencing both the accumulation of icariin and total flavonoid glycosides was the precipitation of coldest quarter (q equals 0.15 and 0.22,respectively).The strongest interactions were observed between precipitation of coldest quarter and gravel content (q=0.34),as well as between precipitation of coldest quarter and aspect (q=0.35). ConclusionThirteen cities,including Zhumadian and Nanyang in Henan,Huaihua,Shaoyang,and Zhangjiajie in Hunan,and Zunyi,Qiandongnan,and Tongren in Guizhou,were hot spots of total flavonoid glycosides in E.sagittatum.Precipitation,gravel content,temperature seasonality,and aspect significantly influence the accumulation of flavonoid glycosides in E.sagittatum.This study provides reference for the utilization and production zoning of E.sagittatum.
4.Relationship between traditional Chinese postpartum practices and postpartum depression
Shan CAO ; Jiajun XU ; Yukun KANG ; Peng WANG ; Min JIN
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(4):321-326
BackgroundPostpartum depression can affect the physical and mental health of mothers and the quality of parenting. Most Chinese women perform traditional postpartum practices (commonly known as "doing the month") after giving birth, while the existing findings are inconsistent and inconclusive regarding the potential of traditional Chinese postpartum practices to alleviate or exacerbate postpartum depression. ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between traditional Chinese postpartum practices and postpartum depression, so as to provide references for reducing the risk of postpartum depression. MethodsA total of 240 consecutive women who gave birth in the obstetrics department of the Mianyang Central Hospital and the Third Hospital of Mianyang from January to May 2024 were selected. Data were collected using Self-designed General Information Questionnaire, Chinese version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), the Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15), the Adherence to Doing-the-Month Practices questionnaire (ADP), and the Self-compiled Questionnaire on the Cognition of Doing-the-Month. The absolute value (A value) of the difference between scores of ADP and Cognition of Doing-the-Month Questionnaire was calculated to evaluate the degree of cognitive behavioral conflict of postpartum women. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to examine the correlations of EPDS score with SSRS score, PHQ-15 score, ADP total and dimensional scores, Cognition of Doing-the-Month Questionnaire total and dimensional scores, and A value. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the protective and risk factors for developing postpartum depression. ResultsThe postpartum depression was detected in 22.50% of women. The postpartum women had a EPDS score of (6.21±5.00), ADP score of (70.05±20.57), SSRS score of (41.96±6.96), PHQ-15 score of (4.63±3.77), and Cognition of Doing-the-Month questionnaire score of (40.30±10.13). The A value was (0.65±0.58). Correlation analysis revealed that EPDS score was negatively correlated with the total ADP score and the four dimensional scores of the restrictions on social activities, diet, housework, and personal hygiene (r=-0.228, -0.146, -0.184, -0.275, -0.168, P<0.05 or 0.01), and positively correlated with the A value (r=0.161, P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that restriction on housework dimension in ADP was entered into the model (OR=0.930, 95% CI: 0.885~0.978). ConclusionThe restriction on housework dimension in traditional Chinese postpartum practices may be a protective factor against postpartum depression.
5.Differences in gut microbiota among primary school students with different levels of sugar sweetened beverage consumption
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(3):335-340
Objective:
To explore the differences in the gut microbiota of primary school students with different levels of sugar sweetened beverage intake, so as to provide scientific evidence for better identification of health risks in children and the development of targeted health policies.
Methods:
In June 2022, a total of 192 healthy primary school students from Chengdu were selected using a stratified cluster random sampling method. The sugar sweetened beverage intake was assessed through a dietary frequency questionnaire. Based on the median daily sugar sweetened beverage intake, primary school students were categorized into a low intake group ( n =96) and a high intake group ( n =96). The gut microbiota in fresh fecal samples from the two groups of primary school students was analyzed using 16S rRNA high throughput sequencing, and the diversity and community structure differences in the gut microbiota were compared.
Results:
Children in the low intake group had a sugar sweetened beverage intake of (21.3±1.6) mL/d, while the high intake group had an intake of (269.6±37.3) mL/d. Diversity analysis results showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the low intake and the high intake group in terms of α diversity metrics: Observed_otus index [298.50 (259.75, 342.25), 305.50 (244.25, 367.75)], Goods_coverage index [1.00 (1.00, 1.00), 1.00 (1.00, 1.00)], Chao index [304.18 (260.75, 348.78), 305.88 (245.68, 370.88)], Shannon index [5.88 (5.29, 6.45), 5.71 (4.89, 6.28)] and Simpson index [0.95 (0.91, 0.97), 0.94 (0.88, 0.97)] ( Z =-0.64, -0.76, -0.54, -1.76, -1.67, P >0.05). Furthermore, no statistically significant difference was observed in β diversity between the two groups ( R 2=0.006, P >0.05). At the genus level, the abundance of Blautia [0.033 (0.018, 0.055)] and Fusicatenibacter [0.009 (0.005, 0.015)] were higher in the low intake group compared to the high intake group [0.024 (0.013, 0.041),0.006 (0.003, 0.011)]and differences were statistically significant ( Z =-2.52, -2.81, P <0.05). LEfSe analysis highlighted intergroup differences primarily in Blautia, Fusicatenibacter and Sarcina( LDA= 3.56,3.12,3.53, P <0.05).
Conclusions
There is no significant difference in the diversity and overall structure of the gut microbiota in primary school students with different levels of sugar sweetened beverage intake. However, there are species variations at the genus level. The information can serve as a scientific basis for identifying health risks in primary school students and formulating targeted health strategies.
6.Inhibitory effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on renal inflammation in diabetic nephropathy model mice and its mechanism
Jing CHEN ; Xiaoyi YANG ; Jing CHEN ; Xin SHAN ; Jie WANG ; Huiqin XU ; Zhiyang LYU
China Pharmacy 2024;35(2):186-191
OBJECTIVE To investigate the inhibitory effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on renal inflammation in diabetic nephropathy (DN) model mice, and its potential mechanism. METHODS KK/Ay mice were fed with high fat and high sugar to induce DN model. They were divided into model group, positive control group [metformin 200 mg/(kg·d)], GBE low-dose and high-dose groups [100, 200 mg/(kg·d)], with 6 mice in each group. Six C57BL/6J mice were fed with a regular diet as the control group. Administration groups were given relevant liquid intragastrically, control group and model group were given constant volume of normal saline intragastrically, once a day, for 8 consecutive weeks. The body weight, fasting blood glucose, 24-hour food intake, 24-hour urine output, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-12 (IL-12), IL-10, advanced glycation end products (AGEs), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) of mice were measured, and the ratio of bilateral kidneys to body weight was also calculated. The pathological injury and fibrotic changes of the renal cortex were observed, and the expressions of macrophage polarization marker proteins [type M1: inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS); type M2: arginase-1 (Arg-1)] and AGEs-the receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE)/Ras homolog gene pharm_chenjing@163.com family member A (RhoA)/Rho-associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase (ROCK) signaling pathway-related proteins were determined in renal cortex. RESULTS Compared with the model group, the symptoms such as renal cortical hyperplasia, vacuoles, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and renal cortical fibrosis had been improved in GBE low-dose and high-dose groups; body weight, serum level of IL-10, the expression of Arg-1 in the renal cortex were significantly higher than model group (P< 0.01); fasting blood glucose, 24-hour food intake, 24-hour urine output, serum levels of MCP-1, IL-12, BUN, Scr and AGEs, the ratio of bilateral kidneys to body weight, renal injury score, the proportion of renal interstitial fibrosis, the protein expressions of iNOS, RAGE, RhoA and ROCK1 (except for GBE low-dose group) in renal cortex were significantly lower than model group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS GBE could improve kidney damage and alleviate inflammatory response in DN model mice, the mechanism of which may be related to inhibiting the AGEs-RAGE/RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway and regulating macrophage polarization.
7.Characteristics and trend analysis of injury causes of death in Qingpu District of Shanghai,2002‒2020
Wu WANG ; Liping FANG ; Shan JIN ; Rongrong HAN ; Jieyu ZHANG ; Xingxing XU
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(6):606-610
ObjectiveTo analyze the characteristics and changing trend of injury cause of mortality of residents in Qingpu District from 2002 to 2020, and to provide scientific reference for formulating regional prevention and control measures. MethodsThe injury mortality data of the registered residents in Qingpu District from 2002 to 2020 were collected. The indicators such as crude mortality rate, standardized mortality rate, and the ranking of causes of death were calculated. ResultsFrom 2002 to 2020, the average annual crude mortality rate was 50.27/100 000, the age-standardized mortality rate based on the world standard population(ASRW) was 30.08/100 000, and the age-standardized mortality rate based on the 2010 Chinese census(ASMRC) was 35.58/100 000. The average annual crude mortality rate of males was higher than that of females [Z=54.402, Mantel-Hanszel χ2=1 742.509, P<0.01). The overall injury mortality rate showed a downward trend with an average annual percent change(AAPC)of -4.07% (95%CI: -5.23%‒-2.90%), P<0.001]. The top four causes of injury death were transportation accident, indeliberate fall, drowning, and suicide. The leading causes of death in 0‒ years old, 15‒ years old and ≥65 years old were drowning, transportation accident and indeliberate fall, respectively. The ASRW of transportation accident, drowning and suicide all showed a decreasing trend, and the AAPC were -8.22% (95%CI: -10.16%‒-6.24%), -6.99% (95%CI: -9.68%‒-4.22%) and -6.21% (95%CI: -9.38%‒-2.94%), respectively. ConclusionThe injury death rate of residents in Qingpu District shows a decreasing trend, and the distribution characteristics of injury death are different among different genders and age groups. Corresponding prevention and control strategies should be adopted for different populations.
8.Dihydrotanshinone Enhances The Anticancer Effects of Sorafenib on Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Inhibiting Akt Signaling Pathway Activation
Wei WANG ; Sheng-Nan JIA ; Sun-Fu FAN ; Li-Shan XU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(6):1445-1457
ObjectiveSorafenib is a first-line only drug approved for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Resistance to sorafenib means that treatment outcomes are often unsatisfactory. Although the mechanism underlying sorafenib resistance remains unclear, resistance may occur through Akt signaling pathway activation in HCC. Dihydrotanshinone (DHT), a lipophilic component of traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, has multiple anti-tumor activities and inhibits Akt activation. The effect and mechanism of DHT combined with sorafenib on HCC have not been investigated. In this study, we investigate whether DHT potentiates the anti-cancer activities of sorafenib against HCC. MethodsIn this study, the effects of sorafenib and DHT on the viability, apoptosis and drug sensitivity of Huh7 and HepG2 cells were verified by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry. Akt, P-Akt, Caspase3, GSK-3β, P-GSK-3β, ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K), P-S6K, Cyclin D1, Bcl-xl, Bcl-2, and Bax expression levels were analyzed via Western blot. All data were statistically compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Dunnett test. Statistical analysis using SPSS 20.0 statistical software. ResultsDHT inhibit proliferation and promote apoptosis in HCC cells by reducing Akt activation. DHT inhibits the expression and activation of Akt downstream factors, including GSK-3β and S6K, which regulate the apoptotic response and are activated and upregulated by sorafenib treatment. Both sorafenib and DHT downregulate cyclin D1 expression and DHT upregulates Bax expression and downregulates Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl expression. However, sorafenib had little influence on Bcl-2 family protein expression. ConclusionDHT may enhance the proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction of sorafenib in HCC cells by inhibiting the activation of Akt signaling pathway, thus enhancing the anticancer effect of sorafenib.
9.Genetically predicted waist circumference and risk of atrial fibrillation
Wenting WANG ; Jiang-Shan TAN ; Jingyang WANG ; Wei XU ; Liting BAI ; Yu JIN ; Peng GAO ; Peiyao ZHANG ; Yixuan LI ; Yanmin YANG ; Jinping LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(1):82-86
Introduction::Observational studies have revealed an association between waist circumference (WC) and atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it is difficult to infer a causal relationship from observational studies because the observed associations could be confounded by unknown risk factors. Therefore, the causal role of WC in AF is unclear. This study was designed to investigate the causal association between WC and AF using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.Methods::In our two-sample MR analysis, the genetic variation used as an instrumental variable for MR was acquired from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of WC (42 single nucleotide polymorphisms with a genetic significance of P <5 × 10 –8). The data of WC (from the Genetic Investigation of ANthropometric Traits consortium, containing 232,101 participants) and the data of AF (from the European Bioinformatics Institute database, containing 55,114 AF cases and 482,295 controls) were used to assess the causal role of WC on AF. Three different approaches (inverse variance weighted [IVW], MR–Egger, and weighted median regression) were used to ensure that our results more reliable. Results::All three MR analyses provided evidence of a positive causal association between high WC and AF. High WC was suggested to increase the risk of AF based on the IVW method (odds ratio [OR] = 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30–1.58, P = 2.51 × 10 -13). The results of MR–Egger and weighted median regression exhibited similar trends (MR–Egger OR = 1.40 [95% CI, 1.08–1.81], P = 1.61 × 10 -2; weighted median OR = 1.39 [95% CI, 1.21–1.61], P = 1.62 × 10 -6). MR–Egger intercepts and funnel plots showed no directional pleiotropic effects between high WC and AF. Conclusions::Our findings suggest that greater WC is associated with an increased risk of AF. Taking measures to reduce WC may help prevent the occurrence of AF.
10.The jujube core-shaped tissue resection technique in alar reduction
Lehao WU ; Yihao XU ; Huan WANG ; Ruobing ZHENG ; Xulong ZHANG ; Le TIAN ; Junsheng GUO ; Shan ZHU ; Fei FAN ; Jianjun YOU
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2024;40(1):88-93
Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of jujube core-shaped tissue resection technique in the treatment of alar reduction.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of patients who underwent alar reduction from February 2019 to June 2022. A spindle-shaped incision line was designed along the outer edge of the base of the nasal lobule, with a width of 4-5 mm and a length of 8-12 mm. The incision line was 1-2 mm away from the alar groove, and the inner side of the design line was extended to the inside of the nasal vestibule. After the incision was made, the subcutaneous tissue was undermining dissected with curved sharp scissors, and the shape of the extended excision tissue was similar to that of jujube core. After reduction, the incision was closed with vertical mattress suture. The surgical effect and complications were followed up after surgery, and an independent attending plastic surgeon evaluated the outcome and scarring based on photos before and at the last postoperative follow-up using the global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) and the Vancouver scar scale (VSS). GAIS is graded as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 points, and the lower the score, the better the improvement(≤3 points as effective improvement). VSS includes four parameters: color (0-3 points), thickness (0-4 points), vascular distribution (0-3 points), and softness (0-5 points). The higher the score, the more significant the scar is.Results:A total of 20 patients were enrolled, including 6 males and 14 females, aged 20 to 33 years, with an average age of 24.9 years. Before the operation, there were different degrees of alar flare and alar hypertrophy. After surgery, 13 patients had mild swelling, ecchymosis, which resolved after 3 days. There were no major complications as infection, incision dehiscence, and delayed healing. After 3 to 16 months of postoperative follow-up, 2 patients gradually developed cartilage deformation and affected the appearance of the nostrils 6 to 9 months after surgery due to the combination of rib-based rhinoplasty, and the satisfactory results were obtained after revision surgery. The symmetry of the nostrils was significantly improved. The GAIS score of 20 patients was (1.20±0.41) points, of which, 16 patients were rated as 1 point and 4 patients were rated as 2 points, all of which met the improvement criteria, and the VSS score was (1.45±0.60) points, in which the average score for color, thickness, vasculature and compliance are 0.60, 0.05, 0.55 and 0.30 points respectively.Conclusion:The application of jujube core-shaped tissue resection technique for alar reduction can increase the amount of tissue removal with the same incision width, which can not only fully narrow the alar effectively but also correct the hypertrophy of the alar tissue.


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