1.Regulation of Relevant Signaling Pathways by Traditional Chinese Medicine in Intervention of Pancreatic Cancer: A Review
Quanyou ZHAO ; Conghui ZHAO ; Yu ZHANG ; Yiping FU ; Yuting LIU ; Xiaoran WANG ; Zhanzhan LI ; Mingsan MIAO ; Li BAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):280-289
Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant solid tumor of the digestive system with extremely poor treatment prognosis. Although its incidence rate is low, its mortality rate is extremely high. In recent years, the number of diagnosed cases worldwide has continued to rise, making pancreatic cancer the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Currently, clinical treatment primarily relies on operation and chemotherapy to suppress tumors. However, these approaches face challenges such as suboptimal efficacy, high postoperative recurrence rates, and severe adverse reactions. Therefore, identifying safe and effective treatment modalities remains a pressing challenge for the medical community. In recent years, research on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) interventions for pancreatic cancer has increased significantly. Multiple studies have shown that single-herb TCM, TCM formulas, and their derived single compounds can regulate the levels of tumor cell signaling pathways through multiple action targets. They inhibit the development and progression of pancreatic cancer by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, promoting cell apoptosis, inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, reducing cancer cell invasion and migration capabilities, regulating the cell cycle, and modulating the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, TCM has the advantages of significantly enhancing the anticancer efficacy of chemotherapy drugs and causing fewer adverse reactions. However, the specific action mechanisms by which TCM intervenes in pancreatic cancer remain unclear. Further extensive research is still needed to validate the role of regulating classical signaling pathways such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Wnt/β-catenin, nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB), notch, and hedgehog in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Therefore, this paper reviewed Chinese and international studies on TCM intervention in pancreatic cancer through relevant signaling pathways in recent years, summarized the potential action mechanisms of TCM in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, and provided references for related research in the future.
2.Research progress on the intervention of traditional Chinese medicine in lipid metabolism for obesity treatment via cAMP signaling pathway
Yu ZHANG ; Xiaoran WANG ; Yiping FU ; Yuting LIU ; Quanyou ZHAO ; Linna CUI ; Mingsan MIAO
China Pharmacy 2026;37(4):522-527
Obesity, a global chronic disease, is associated with adipose tissue dysfunction, which is one of the contributing factors to obesity. The cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway, a key regulator of lipid metabolism, plays a pivotal role in obesity development. Various of traditional Chinese medicine monomers, such as flavonoids, lignans, phenols, and terpenoids, as well as traditional Chinese medicine compound formulas like Xiaoyao powder, Shengmai powder, and Zexie decoction, can maintain energy homeostasis, balance adipose tissue function, regulate glucose metabolism, improve insulin resistance, and suppress inflammatory responses through cAMP signaling pathway regulation, thereby intervening in lipid metabolism for obesity treatment. Although a substantial amount of basic research has preliminarily elucidated the potential mechanisms by which traditional Chinese medicine intervenes in obesity through the cAMP signaling pathway, clinical translational research remains inadequate. There is an urgent need for large-sample, high-quality randomized controlled trials to validate these findings.
3.Exploring the association between mental stress, lymphocyte subset variations, and coronary lesion severity
Yunpeng CHI ; Lijun ZHANG ; Xiaorong HUANG ; Xiaoran SHEN ; Peijun RAO ; Yanwei LI ; Haiyang CHEN ; Meiyan LIU
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine 2025;64(1):36-44
Objectives:This study aimed to explore the association between perceived mental stress (MS), lymphocyte subset variations, and coronary lesion severity in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).Methods:Patients with CAD were enrolled in this study from September 2023 to May 2024. Perceived Stress Scale-14 (PSS-14) was used to evaluate MS during the last 1 month. Lymphocyte subsets were analyzed, including the percentage and absolute counts of CD3 +, CD3 +CD4 +, CD3 +CD8 +, CD3 -CD19 +, CD3 -CD56 +16 +, and the Th/Ts ratio. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 24.0. Results:This study recruited patients with 323 CAD, with an average age of 61 (56, 68) years, including 203 males and 120 females. According to the PSS-14, a score of 14-42 and 43-70 were categorized as normal and increased MS, respectively. Patients with CAD with increased MS had significantly higher Gensini scores than those with normal MS [37(19,64) vs. 28(12,50), Z=-2.19, P=0.029]. Male CAD patients with increased MS exhibited significantly higher Gensini scores [39(20, 58) vs. 26(12, 45), Z=-2.37, P=0.018], levels of CD3 +CD8 +%[28.3%(23.6%,36.6%) vs. 25.9%(21.0%,32.4%), Z=-2.05, P=0.041], and CD3 +CD8 +absolute value [485 (346, 675) vs. 396 (309, 510) cells/μl, Z=-2.55, P=0.011] than those with normal MS. In male patients with CAD, a positive correlation was observed between Gensini scores (correlation coefficient: 0.181, P=0.011), PSS-14 scores, and CD3 +CD8 +absolute value (correlation coefficient: 0.162, P=0.038). Conclusion:This study reveals a positive correlation between MS and coronary stenosis severity, with notable sex differences. In male patients with CAD, higher levels of MS are associated with more severe coronary stenosis. The potential underlying mechanism may involve the regulation of lymphocyte subsets .
4.Construction and application of an evaluation index system for compact county medical community development
Lina ZHAO ; Yafang LI ; Limeng ZHU ; Xiaoran WANG ; Tangsiwei XIN ; Zongjiu ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Hospital Administration 2025;41(3):172-177
Objective:To construct an evaluation index system for the development of compact county medical communities, so as to provide evaluation tools for promoting the high-quality development of county medical communities in China.Methods:Based on the evaluation criteria and monitoring system related policy documents for the construction of county medical communities released at the national level, an evaluation index system for compact county medical community development was constructed through policy text analysis and expert discussions. The system was applied to evaluate the construction of medical communities in Shaxian County of Fujian Province, A County of Shanxi Province, and B County of Yunnan Province.Results:The evaluation index system included four primary indicators: responsibility community, management community, service community, and interest community, covering 11 secondary indicators and 32 tertiary indicators. The evaluation results showed that the construction level of the compact county medical community in Shaxian County (91.3 points) was slightly higher than that of A County and B County (83.1 and 83.9 points), and its advantages were mainly reflected in management community and interest community. There was still room for improvement in the construction of compact medical communities in all three regions.Conclusions:The evaluation system in this study combined scientific rigor and practical guidance value. It could provide guidance for promoting the construction of compact county medical communities in various regions of China, and provide a basis for relevant policy formulation and optimization.
5.A longitudinal follow-up study of cognitive impairment and clinical transformation in early Parkinson′s disease patients
Jingzhe LI ; Xiaoran HUANG ; Weiguo LIU ; Yi XING ; Yiting CAO ; Zhehao ZHANG ; Yongxin HUI
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2025;58(7):768-776
Objective:To explore the characteristics and evolutionary features of cognitive impairment and clinical transformation in early-stage Parkinson′s disease (PD) patients.Methods:Based on the cohort of patients with primary unmedicated PD admitted to the Parkinson′s Specialized Outpatient Clinic of Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from November 2018 to July 2022, follow-up was conducted for PD patients who completed the baseline assessment and had a follow-up time of 1.5 years or more, and a total of 87 patients finally completed the follow-up and were included in the study. At follow-up, the 87 patients were divided into a cognitively impaired group ( n=36) and a cognitively normal group ( n=51) according to the norm proposed by Professor Jia Jianping and colleagues in 2011 for the Chinese elderly population. Differences in baseline clinical characteristics between the 2 groups were compared, and binary Logistic regression analysis was used to explore risk factors for cognitive impairment in PD patients. In addition, transformed grouping according to cognitive assessment results at baseline and follow-up was used to compare differences in patients′ baseline clinical characteristics among the 3 groups: a reversal group [Parkinson′s disease-mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI), reverting to Parkinson′s disease-cognitively normal (PD-CN); n=15], a non-reversal group (persistent PD-MCI; n=24), and a stable group (stable PD-CN; n=36). Results:Cognitive reversal occurred at follow-up in 36.6% (15/41) of patients with cognitive impairment at baseline, and 21.7% (10/46) of patients with normal cognition at baseline had cognitive impairment at follow-up. At the end of the follow-up, the 87 patients with PD had higher Unified Parkinson′s Disease Rating Scale Ⅱ (UPDRS-II) scores [8 (6, 11)], Unified Parkinson′s Disease Rating Scale Ⅲ (UPDRS-Ⅲ) scores [23 (16, 30)], and Hoehn-Yahr stages [2.0 (1.5, 2.5)] than those at baseline [7(4, 10), 19(14, 25), 1.5(1.0, 2.0)]. The differences were statistically significant ( Z=-2.498, P=0.012; Z=-3.039, P=0.002; Z=-4.436, P<0.001). The cognitively impaired group had lower Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores [22.00(19.00, 23.75)] and fewer years of education [9.00(8.00, 11.75) years] but higher Parkinson′s Disease Non-Motor Symptoms Questionnaire (PD-NMSQ) scores [8.00(5.25, 12.00)] than the cognitively normal group [25.00(24.00, 27.00), 12.00(9.00, 15.00) years, 6.00(3.00, 8.00)], and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=-4.764, P<0.001; Z=-3.016, P=0.003; Z=-3.281, P=0.001). Multivariate Logistic regression showed that years of education ( OR=0.829, 95%CI 0.715-0.960, P=0.012) and PD-NMSQ scores ( OR=1.200, 95%CI 1.040-1.384, P=0.012) were independent predictors of cognitive impairment in patients with PD. There were statistically significant differences among the reversal, non-reversal, and stable groups in years of education ( F=5.366, P=0.010), PD-NMSQ scores ( H=10.795, P=0.005), and UPDRS-Ⅱ scores ( H=6.957, P=0.031). Pairwise comparisons showed lower PD-NMSQ scores [4.00(3.00, 7.00) vs 8.00(6.25, 12.75); Z=-2.989, P=0.003] and lower UPDRS-Ⅱ scores [6.00(3.00, 6.00) vs 7.00(6.00, 10.00); Z=-2.756, P=0.006] in the reversal group than in the non-reversal group, indicating better baseline quality of life in cognitive reversal patients. Conclusions:Low educational level and severe non-motor symptoms were risk factors predicting cognitive impairment in PD patients. Conversely, mild non-motor symptoms with high quality of life (lower UPDRS-Ⅱ scores) were important factors for cognitive reversal.
6.Data Mining of Professor Zhang Farong's Core Prescription for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Its Clinical Efficacy
Wei FANG ; Jie XU ; Huanping WANG ; Xiaoran ZHANG ; Hongxia ZHU ; Qiu CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):174-182
ObjectiveTo explore the medication patterns of Professor Zhang Farong in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the clinical efficacy of his core prescription. MethodsClinical case records of T2DM treated by Professor Zhang Farong were collected to establish a prescription database. Frequency statistics, visual analysis, and factor analysis were employed to investigate the characteristics and principle of the prescriptions, and a core prescription was derived. A randomized controlled trial was conducted, enrolling 60 T2DM patients with the dampness-heat syndrome. The patients were allocated into an observation group (core prescription + metformin) and a control group (metformin alone), with both groups undergoing a 12-week treatment course. Changes in TCM symptom scores, glucose metabolism indicators [fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2 hPG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)], pancreatic function indicators [fasting C-peptide (FCP), 2-hour postprandial C-peptide (2 hCP), and area under the C-peptide curve (AUCcp)], and lipid profiles were measured before and after treatment. The adverse reactions were observed and recorded. ResultsA core prescription named modified Gegen Qinlian Decoction was formulated, comprising Puerariae Lobatae Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma, Scutellariae Radix, Astragali Radix, Lycii Cortex, Mori Cortex, Jineijin Endothelium Corneum Gigeriae Galli, Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, Atractylodis Rhizoma, Polygonati Rhizoma, and Pogostemonis Herba. The clinical trial results showed that both groups had significantly decreased FPG, 2 hPG, and HbA1c (P0.05), and the observation group outperformed the control group in recovering the level of HbA1c (P0.05). After treatment, both groups had declined TCM symptoms scores (P0.05), and the declines in the observation group were larger than those in the control group (P0.05). After treatment, the TC and LDL-C levels declined in the observation group (P 0.05), while the lipid levels showed a decreasing trend with no statistically significant difference in the control group. After treatment, both groups showed increases in FCP and AUCcp (P0.05), and the 2 hCP in both groups presented a recovering trend with no statistically significant difference. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups. ConclusionModified Gegen Qinlian Decoction embodies Professor Zhang Farong's academic philosophy of treating consumptive thirst by tonifying the spleen and kidney, replenishing Qi and Yin, clearing deficiency and heat, unblocking stasis in collaterals, and addressing both deficiency and stasis. The combination of the core prescription with metformin alleviates clinical symptoms in T2DM patients with the dampness-heat syndrome, demonstrating potential effects in restoring pancreatic islet function, regulating blood glucose, and improving lipid profiles. It serves as a therapeutic option for T2DM in the patients with the dampness-heat syndrome under syndrome differentiation, meriting broader clinical application.
7.Nanomedicine-driven tumor glucose metabolic reprogramming for enhanced cancer immunotherapy.
Chenwei JIANG ; Minglu TANG ; Yun SU ; Junjie XIE ; Qi SHANG ; Mingmei GUO ; Xiaoran AN ; Longfei LIN ; Ruibin WANG ; Qian HUANG ; Guangji ZHANG ; Hui LI ; Feihu WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):2845-2866
Tumors exhibit abnormal glucose metabolism, consuming excessive glucose and excreting lactate, which constructs a tumor microenvironment that facilitates cancer progression and disrupts immunotherapeutic efficacy. Currently, tumor glucose metabolic dysregulation to reshape the immunosuppressive microenvironment and enhance immunotherapy efficacy is emerging as an innovative therapeutic strategy. However, glucose metabolism modulators lack specificity and still face significant challenges in overcoming tumor delivery barriers, microenvironmental complexity, and metabolic heterogeneity, resulting in poor clinical benefit. Nanomedicines, with their ability to selectively target tumors or immune cells, respond to the tumor microenvironment, co-deliver multiple drugs, and facilitate combinatorial therapies, hold significant promise for enhancing immunotherapy through tumor glucose metabolic reprogramming. This review explores the complex interactions between tumor glucose metabolism-specifically metabolite transport, glycolysis processes, and lactate-and the immune microenvironment. We summarize how nanomedicine-mediated reprogramming of tumor glucose metabolism can enhance immunotherapy efficacy and outline the prospects and challenges in this field.
8.A study on the impact of tyrosinase on retinal and choroidal changes during refractive development
Kailei WANG ; Xiaoran ZHANG ; Jiaqi MU ; Yamin CHEN ; Panpan LÜ ; Guoge HAN ; Rui HAO
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2025;45(9):696-702
Objective To analyze the effects of tyrosinase on choroidal and retinal thickness and blood flow changes in guinea pigs,and to explore the role of tyrosinase in the development and progression of myopia.Methods A total of 30 three-week-old male tri-colored guinea pigs and 10 albino guinea pigs were selected and divided into four groups:control group(tri-colored hyperopic guinea pigs,with no intervention),albino group(albino myopic guinea pigs,with no inter-vention),myopia group(tri-colored myopic guinea pigs,with no intervention),and injection group[tri-colored hyperopic guinea pigs,injected with tyrosinase inhibitor(6 250 μg·L-1),100 μL per day].The experiment lasted for 4 weeks.The refractive status and axial length(AL)of the guinea pigs in each group were measured,along with ocular biometric param-eters related to axial length[anterior chamber depth,aqueous humor depth(AQD),central corneal thickness,lens diame-ter,vitreous chamber depth(VCD)].Optical coherence tomography was used to measure the retinal thickness,choroidal thickness(ChT),and choroidal blood perfusion(ChBP)in different regions of the guinea pigs.The tyrosinase activity in the vitreous and retina of guinea pigs in each group was measured.The expression levels of neurotransmitters in the vitre-ous and retina of guinea pigs in each group were detected.Results The differences in refractive status between the albi-no group and the control group at 0,2,and 4 weeks of the experiment were statistically significant(F=8.972,P<0.05).At the 4th week of the experiment,the refractive status of the injection group was lower than that of the control group,and the AL was greater than that of the control group,with statistically significant differences(both P<0.05).Further analysis of AL-related biometric parameters revealed that only AQD and VCD were associated with the changes in AL of guinea pigs in each group.At the 0th week of the experiment,the average retinal thickness of the control group was greater than that of the albino group,with a statistically significant difference(t=-9.007,P<0.000 1).Moreover,the differences in reti-nal thickness in the outer retina across different directions and time points were statistically significant(all P<0.05).The differences in retinal thickness between the control and albino groups were mainly concentrated in the outer retina.The ChT of the albino group was less than that of the control group,with a significant difference between groups(F=4.809,P=0.030).The ChBP of the control group was significantly higher than that of the albino group at 0,2,and 4 weeks of the experiment(all P<0.05).At the 4th week of the experiment,the tyrosinase activity in the vitreous of the injection,albi-no,and myopia groups was lower than that of the control group,with statistically significant differences(all P<0.05).The differences in neurotransmitters between the albino and control groups were mainly concentrated in the vitreous.In the retina,the ornithine level in the myopia group was higher than that in the albino and control groups,and the tryptophan levels in the myopia and control groups were higher than that in the albino group,with statistically significant differences(all P<0.05).Conclusion Tyrosinase plays a crucial role in the development of myopia,regulating the development of refractive status by influencing the physiological properties of the retina and choroid.
9.A study on the impact of tyrosinase on retinal and choroidal changes during refractive development
Kailei WANG ; Xiaoran ZHANG ; Jiaqi MU ; Yamin CHEN ; Panpan LÜ ; Guoge HAN ; Rui HAO
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2025;45(9):696-702
Objective To analyze the effects of tyrosinase on choroidal and retinal thickness and blood flow changes in guinea pigs,and to explore the role of tyrosinase in the development and progression of myopia.Methods A total of 30 three-week-old male tri-colored guinea pigs and 10 albino guinea pigs were selected and divided into four groups:control group(tri-colored hyperopic guinea pigs,with no intervention),albino group(albino myopic guinea pigs,with no inter-vention),myopia group(tri-colored myopic guinea pigs,with no intervention),and injection group[tri-colored hyperopic guinea pigs,injected with tyrosinase inhibitor(6 250 μg·L-1),100 μL per day].The experiment lasted for 4 weeks.The refractive status and axial length(AL)of the guinea pigs in each group were measured,along with ocular biometric param-eters related to axial length[anterior chamber depth,aqueous humor depth(AQD),central corneal thickness,lens diame-ter,vitreous chamber depth(VCD)].Optical coherence tomography was used to measure the retinal thickness,choroidal thickness(ChT),and choroidal blood perfusion(ChBP)in different regions of the guinea pigs.The tyrosinase activity in the vitreous and retina of guinea pigs in each group was measured.The expression levels of neurotransmitters in the vitre-ous and retina of guinea pigs in each group were detected.Results The differences in refractive status between the albi-no group and the control group at 0,2,and 4 weeks of the experiment were statistically significant(F=8.972,P<0.05).At the 4th week of the experiment,the refractive status of the injection group was lower than that of the control group,and the AL was greater than that of the control group,with statistically significant differences(both P<0.05).Further analysis of AL-related biometric parameters revealed that only AQD and VCD were associated with the changes in AL of guinea pigs in each group.At the 0th week of the experiment,the average retinal thickness of the control group was greater than that of the albino group,with a statistically significant difference(t=-9.007,P<0.000 1).Moreover,the differences in reti-nal thickness in the outer retina across different directions and time points were statistically significant(all P<0.05).The differences in retinal thickness between the control and albino groups were mainly concentrated in the outer retina.The ChT of the albino group was less than that of the control group,with a significant difference between groups(F=4.809,P=0.030).The ChBP of the control group was significantly higher than that of the albino group at 0,2,and 4 weeks of the experiment(all P<0.05).At the 4th week of the experiment,the tyrosinase activity in the vitreous of the injection,albi-no,and myopia groups was lower than that of the control group,with statistically significant differences(all P<0.05).The differences in neurotransmitters between the albino and control groups were mainly concentrated in the vitreous.In the retina,the ornithine level in the myopia group was higher than that in the albino and control groups,and the tryptophan levels in the myopia and control groups were higher than that in the albino group,with statistically significant differences(all P<0.05).Conclusion Tyrosinase plays a crucial role in the development of myopia,regulating the development of refractive status by influencing the physiological properties of the retina and choroid.
10.Analysis of Inpatient Mortality Cases in a Tertiary General Hospital in Beijing Based on Diagnosis-related Groups
Yufei ZHANG ; Jiong ZHOU ; Xiaojun MA ; Xiaoran WANG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(3):697-702
To analyze inpatient mortality cases in a tertiary general hospital in Beijing based on diagnosis-related groups (DRG), with the aim of providing references for healthcare quality management. We retrospectively collected DRG data of hospitalized patients admitted to a tertiary general hospital in Beijing from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2023. Mortality cases were analyzed according to mortality risk stratification, with a focus on the temporal trends, departmental distribution, and DRG composition of low/medium-low mortality risk cases. Among 927 304 DRG-classified hospitalizations, 2346 cases resulted in death (stratified into 130 low-risk, 209 medium-low-risk, 411 medium-high-risk, and 1596 high-risk cases), yielding an overall mortality rate of 0.25%. The mortality rates were 0.02% (130/680 939) in the low-risk group and 0.16% (209/130 449) in the medium-low-risk group. From 2015 to 2023, the mortality rate showed a significant downward trend ( Critical care units accounted for the highest proportion of mortality cases, with surgical patients having complications/comorbidities representing the major DRG-related factors for low/medium-low-risk deaths. Hospitals should prioritize these findings by identifying areas for improvement, implementing multidisciplinary case reviews, and strengthening patient safety measures.

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