1.Correlation Between Cardiovascular Events and Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis:A Cross-Sectional Study
Fuyuan ZHANG ; Quan JIANG ; Jun LI ; Yuchen YANG ; Xieli MA ; Tian CHANG ; Congmin XIA ; Jian WANG ; Xun GONG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(15):1572-1578
ObjectiveTo explore the correlation between the occurrence of cardiovascular events in rheumatoid arthritis(RA) and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndrome. MethodsThe cross-sectional study selected 6713 RA patients from 122 centres nationwide, in which general information such as name, gender, age, height, body weight, and course of disease were collected by completing a questionnaire; patients were classified into eight types of syndrome according to the information of their four examinations,i.e. wind-dampness obstruction syndrome, cold-dampness obstruction syndrome, dampness-heat obstruction syndrome, phlegm-stasis obstruction syndrome, stasis-blood obstructing collateral syndrome, qi-blood deficiency syndrome, liver-kidney insufficiency syndrome, and qi-yin deficiency syndrome. According to the occurrence of cardiovascular events, they were divided into the occurrence group and the non-occurrence group, and the condition assessment data and laboratory examination indexes were recorded. The test of difference between groups was used to analyse the possible risk factors for the occurrence of RA cardiovascular events, and binary logistic regression was used to analyse the correlation between TCM syndromes and RA cardiovascular events. ResultsA total of 6713 RA patients were included, including 256 cases in occurrence group and 6457 in non-occurrence group. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of height, gender, insomnia, appetite, white blood cell(WBC), hemoglobin(HGB), platelets(PLT), rheumatoid factor(RF), anti-cyclic peptide containing citrulline(CCP), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT), urea creatinine(CREA), and glucose(GLU)(P>0.05). The TCM syndromes between groups showed significant statistic differences(P<0.05). Patients in occurrence group had longer disease duration, heavier body weight, and older age; more severe conditions such as disease activity(DAS-28), number of painful joints(TJC), number of swollen joints(SJC), health questionnaire scores(HAQ), visual analog scores(VAS), restlessness, and fatigue; higher blood sedimentation rate(ESR), low-density lipoprotein(LDL-C), triglyceride(TG), total cholesterol(TC), D-Dimer, and lower high-density lipoprotein(HDL-C)(P<0.05). The distribution of syndrome types showed that dampness-heat obstruction syndrome accounted for the largest proportion of patients in both groups and was higher in RA cardiovascular events. Logistic regression analysis showed that the occurrence of RA cardiovascular events was strongly associated with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome[OR=5.937, 95%CI (4.434, 7.949), P<0.001]. ConclusionThe occurrence of RA cardiovascular events were associated with TCM syndromes, and the probability of cardiovascular events in the RA patients with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome was 5.937 times higher than patients with other TCM syndromes.
2.A 30-year review and outlook on esophageal acid and pressure measurement
Yong JIANG ; Wentao FANG ; Zhigang LI ; Wenhu CHEN ; Wenhu PAN ; Yanfang ZHENG ; Hong ZHANG ; Yuchen SU ; Jie ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(06):766-770
The Department of Thoracic Surgery of Shanghai Chest Hospital has performed esophageal function testing for over 30 years, being the only department of its kind in China with this capability. The pressure testing and 24-hour pH/impedance monitoring of the esophagus is of great help to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant esophageal diseases related to it. Thanks to the esophageal function test, in addition to the routine various endoscopic anti-reflux procedures, our hospital has taken the lead in China in recent years to carry out a series of clinical and research work for benign esophageal diseases, such as the development of magnetic ring, double nedoscopic combination and new anti-reflux endoscopic techniques. In recent years, we have carried out high-resolution esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH/impedance monitoring for patients with interstitial pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis suspected to be caused by gastroesophageal acid reflux. We can better assess the correlation between gastroesophageal reflux and pulmonary fibrosis, and to provide the different clinical treatments and even surgical interventions. The Bravo capsule is used more often in the United States, and it has obvious advantages over traditional approach for acid measurement. We strongly call for the collaboration between industry and academic institutions in this field, and the development of our own related products with independent intellectual property rights.
3.New insights into translational research in Alzheimer's disease guided by artificial intelligence, computational and systems biology.
Shulan JIANG ; Zixi TIAN ; Yuchen YANG ; Xiang LI ; Feiyan ZHOU ; Jianhua CHENG ; Jihui LYU ; Tingting GAO ; Ping ZHANG ; Hongbin HAN ; Zhiqian TONG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5099-5126
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by cognitive and functional deterioration, with pathological features such as amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregates in the extracellular spaces of parenchymal neurons and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles formed by the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein. Despite a thorough investigation, current treatments targeting the reduction of Aβ production, promotion of its clearance, and inhibition of tau protein phosphorylation and aggregation have not met clinical expectations, posing a substantial obstacle in the development of drugs for AD. Recently, artificial intelligence (AI), computational biology (CB), and systems biology (SB) have emerged as promising methodologies in AD research. Their capacity to analyze extensive and varied datasets facilitates the identification of intricate patterns, thereby enriching our comprehension of AD pathology. This paper provides a comprehensive examination of the utilization of AI, CB, and SB in the diagnosis of AD, including the use of imaging omics for early detection, drug discovery methods such as lecanemab, and complementary therapies like phototherapy. This review offers novel perspectives and potential avenues for further research in the realm of translational AD studies.
4.PDHX acetylation facilitates tumor progression by disrupting PDC assembly and activating lactylation-mediated gene expression.
Zetan JIANG ; Nanchi XIONG ; Ronghui YAN ; Shi-Ting LI ; Haiying LIU ; Qiankun MAO ; Yuchen SUN ; Shengqi SHEN ; Ling YE ; Ping GAO ; Pinggen ZHANG ; Weidong JIA ; Huafeng ZHANG
Protein & Cell 2025;16(1):49-63
Deactivation of the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) is important for the metabolic switching of cancer cell from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis. Studies examining PDC activity regulation have mainly focused on the phosphorylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1), leaving other post-translational modifications largely unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that the acetylation of Lys 488 of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex component X (PDHX) commonly occurs in hepatocellular carcinoma, disrupting PDC assembly and contributing to lactate-driven epigenetic control of gene expression. PDHX, an E3-binding protein in the PDC, is acetylated by the p300 at Lys 488, impeding the interaction between PDHX and dihydrolipoyl transacetylase (E2), thereby disrupting PDC assembly to inhibit its activation. PDC disruption results in the conversion of most glucose to lactate, contributing to the aerobic glycolysis and H3K56 lactylation-mediated gene expression, facilitating tumor progression. These findings highlight a previously unrecognized role of PDHX acetylation in regulating PDC assembly and activity, linking PDHX Lys 488 acetylation and histone lactylation during hepatocellular carcinoma progression and providing a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for further development.
Humans
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Acetylation
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Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics*
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Liver Neoplasms/genetics*
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Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex/genetics*
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Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
;
Animals
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Mice
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Cell Line, Tumor
;
Protein Processing, Post-Translational
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Histones/metabolism*
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Disease Progression
5.Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Approaches of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Secondary Gynecological and Obstetric Diseases Based on the Theory of "Bi (痹) of both Body and Viscera"
Hui XU ; Quan JIANG ; Congmin XIA ; Rouman ZHANG ; Xun GONG ; Chuanhui YAO ; Zixia LIU ; Yuchen YANG ; Xieli MA
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(23):2438-2442
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may lead to secondary gynecological and obstetric disorders such as decreased ovarian reserve function, menstrual abnormalities, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Based on "bi (痹) of both body and viscera" theory, this paper proposed that the core mechanism of SLE secondary gynecological and obstetric diseases lies in the mutual transformation between "body bi" and "viscera bi", which together affect the uterus. Physiologically, uterus forms an internal-external network with the body and viscera through the meridians and blood vessels. Pathologically, when the healthy qi is deficient, nourishment of the body and viscera is impaired; when toxins and stasis accumulate, pathogenic factors disturb the uterus through the chong (冲) and ren (任) meri-dians. The resulting obstruction in the uterus can, in turn, manifest externally and aggravate damage to the body and viscera. Therefore, the pathogenesis of SLE secondary gynecological and obstetric diseases follows a dynamic trajectory of "body bi first, body bi affecting viscera, and then bi of both body and viscera". In treatment, the principle of harmonizing and balancing the healthy qi is emphasized. The main approach is to regulate the viscera, stabilize the body, and nourish the uterus, with the coordination of nourishing the viscera through the body, thereby achieving simultaneous treatment of both body and viscera. This highlights the guiding significance of the "bi of both body and viscera" theory in preventing and treating SLE secondary gynecological and obstetric diseases.
6.Distritution Characteristics of TCM Syndromes and Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Efficacy in 2506 Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients with Different Course of Disease:A Real-World Retrospective Study
Zhengyao SHEN ; Jingtao LI ; Yuchen YANG ; Shujuan ZHANG ; Quan JIANG ; Xun GONG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(23):2453-2459
ObjectiveTo investigate the syndrome evolution patterns, characteristics of the used herbal medicinals, and efficacy variations across different stages of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) progression. MethodsBased on the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN), 2,506 RA patients were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into <6 months group (166 cases), 6 months to <5 years group (1063 cases), 5 to <20 years group (1067 cases), and ≥20 years group (210 cases). Syndromes were differentiated before and after traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment, including damp-heat obstruction, wind-damp obstruction, cold-damp obstruction, blood stasis obstructed in the collaterals, phlegm-stasis obstruction, liver-kidney insufficiency, qi and blood deficiency, and qi-yin deficiency. The syndrome evolution rate was calculated for high-frequency syndromes before and after treatment. Analysis was conducted on top 20 frequently used Chinese herbs at the first diagnosis. Clinical efficacy of the 28-joint disease activity score based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) and 28-joint disease activity score based on C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) before and after treatment were assessed. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors affecting the efficacy of TCM treatment. ResultsPatients with course of disease shorter than 6 months predominantly presented with cold-dampness obstruction syndrome (49/166, 29.5%), wind-dampness obstruction syndrome (46/166, 27.7%), and dampness-heat obstruction syndrome (43/166, 25.9%). For patients with course of disease logner than 6 months and shorter than 5 years and those within 5 to 20 years, the dominant syndrome was dampness-heat obstruction syndrome (324/1063, 30.5% and 318/1067, 29.8%, respectively). In patients with disease duration ≥20 years, liver-kidney insufficiency syndrome and dampness-heat obstruction syndrome both predominated, each accounting for 25.24% (53/210). The syndromes with more than 100 cases before treatment and a syndrome evolution rate greater than 10% after treatment were dampness-heat obstruction (201/738, 27.2%), liver-kidney insufficiency (119/367, 32.4%), and phlegm-stasis obstruction syndromes (73/172, 42.4%). These were classified as high-frequency syndromes. After treatment, damp-heat obstruction syndrome and liver-kidney insufficiency syndrome primarily evolved into wind-damp obstruction syndrome, while phlegm-stasis obstruction syndrome evolved into damp-heat obstruction and cold-damp obstruction syndrome. The top two commonly used Chinese herbs across all groups were Gancao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) and Baishao (Radix Paeoniae Alba). In the <6 months group and the 6 months to <5 years group, high-frequency herbs also included Fangfeng (Radix Saposhnikoviae), Duhuo (Radix Angelicae Pubescentis), Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong), and Qianghuo (Radix et Rhizoma Notopterygii). In the 5 to <20 years group and the ≥20 years group, the usage of Huangqi (Radix Astragali), Fuling (Poria), Niuxi (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae), and Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) increased, while the proportion of Fangfeng and Duhuo decreased. After treatment, the DAS28-ESR and DAS28-CRP scores in all groups significantly decreased (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in clinical efficacy based on DAS28-ESR and DAS28-CRP across all groups (P<0.01). Multivariate logistic regression revealed significantly reduced treatment efficacy in the 6 months-5 years group (OR=0.4), 5~20 years group (OR=0.5), and ≥20 years group (OR=0.4) compared to the <6 months group. ConclusionRA syndromes follow a progression pattern from excess to deficiency, with corresponding transition in herbal usage from pathogen-eliminating to healthy qi-reinforcing approaches. TCM intervention can significantly reduce disease activity of RA, with superior efficacy in patients with disease duration shorter than 6 months.
7.The ninth edition of TNM staging for lung cancer: precise staging for precise diagnosis and treatment
Hanyue LI ; Yiyang WANG ; Hui LIU ; Hongxu LIU ; Liyan JIANG ; Yuchen HAN ; Wenyong ZHOU ; Teng MAO ; Wentao FANG
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2024;62(6):537-542
The ninth edition of TNM staging for lung cancer has been announced at the 2023 World Lung Cancer Congress and implemented from January 1, 2024. The focus of the ninth TNM staging change is dividing N2 into N2a and N2b, as well as M1c into M1c1 and M1c2. Although the T staging has not changed, it has played an important role in verifying the eighth edition of the T staging. The subdivision of stage N2 has led some patients with ⅢA of the eighth edition to experience ascending or descending stages, which will more accurately help to assess the condition and prognosis of patients with mediastinal lymph node metastasis, as well as the design of related clinical studies. Modifying the M1c staging will help define oligometastasis and explore new treatment models in the future. The ninth edition of the TNM staging system provides a more detailed division of different tumor loads, but there is no clear explanation for the staging of lung cancer after neoadjuvant therapy. Further data analysis is needed, and it is expected to be answered in the tenth edition of TNM staging.
8.The ninth edition of TNM staging for lung cancer: precise staging for precise diagnosis and treatment
Hanyue LI ; Yiyang WANG ; Hui LIU ; Hongxu LIU ; Liyan JIANG ; Yuchen HAN ; Wenyong ZHOU ; Teng MAO ; Wentao FANG
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2024;62(6):537-542
The ninth edition of TNM staging for lung cancer has been announced at the 2023 World Lung Cancer Congress and implemented from January 1, 2024. The focus of the ninth TNM staging change is dividing N2 into N2a and N2b, as well as M1c into M1c1 and M1c2. Although the T staging has not changed, it has played an important role in verifying the eighth edition of the T staging. The subdivision of stage N2 has led some patients with ⅢA of the eighth edition to experience ascending or descending stages, which will more accurately help to assess the condition and prognosis of patients with mediastinal lymph node metastasis, as well as the design of related clinical studies. Modifying the M1c staging will help define oligometastasis and explore new treatment models in the future. The ninth edition of the TNM staging system provides a more detailed division of different tumor loads, but there is no clear explanation for the staging of lung cancer after neoadjuvant therapy. Further data analysis is needed, and it is expected to be answered in the tenth edition of TNM staging.
9.The correlation of UGT1A1 gene polymorphism and unexplained neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in Dai ethnic group of Yunnan Province
Gaiyuan DUAN ; Ling LIU ; Yuchen LI ; Xue JIANG
Chinese Journal of Neonatology 2024;39(4):204-208
Objective:To study the correlation of uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase 1A1(UGT1A1) gene polymorphism and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia among Dai ethnic group in Yunnan province.Methods:From January 2020 to December 2022, Dai neonates with unexplained neonatal hyperbilirubinemia admitted to three hospitals in Yunnan Province were prospectively enrolled into the hyperbilirubinemia group. Neonates hospitalized during the same period without hyperbilirubinemia were selected as the control group. The serum total bilirubin levels were measured and UGT1A1 gene sequencing was performed in all neonates. The differences of genotype frequency and allele frequency of UGT1A1 gene in the two groups were analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the effects of each mutation on hyperbilirubinemia among Dai neonates.Results:A total of 92 neonates were in the hyperbilirubinemia group and 86 in the control group. No significant differences existed between the two groups on following items: gender, age at admission, gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), feeding pattern, white blood cell count (WBC) and hemoglobin level ( P>0.05).Three mutation loci were detected in the hyperbilirubinemia group (c.211G>A, c.1091C>T and c.1456T>G), with frequencies 45.7%, 3.3% and 2.2%, respectively. Two mutation loci were detected in the control group (c.211G>A and c.1091C>T), with frequencies 17.4% and 1.2%. Correlation analysis showed that c.211G>A frequency (45.7%) and A allele frequency (23.9%) in the hyperbilirubinemia group were significantly higher than the control group ( P<0.05). No significant differences existed in the frequencies of c.1091C>T and c.1456T>G between the two groups ( P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that c.211G>A was risk factor of unexplained neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in Dai neonates ( OR=3.976, 95% CI 1.991-7.941). Conclusions:The most common mutation of UGT1A1 gene in Chinese Dai neonates with unexplained neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in Yunnan Province is c.211G>A, which increases the risk of hyperbilirubinemia.
10.Predictive value of FLAIR signal intensity ratio in onset time≤4.5 h in acute ischemic stroke patients with poor collateral circulation
Liang JIANG ; Yajing WANG ; Yuchen CHEN ; Mingyang PENG ; Tongxing WANG ; Peng WANG ; Zhengfei MIAO ; Xindao YIN
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2024;23(1):27-33
Objective:To investigate the predictive value of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) signal strength ratio (SIR) in onset time≤4.5 h in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed; 180 acute ischemic stroke patients admitted to Department of Neurology, Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from January 2020 to June 2023 were chosen. Hypoperfusion intensity ratio (HIR) was used to evaluate the collateral circulation (poor collateral circulation: HIR≤0.4; good collateral circulation: HIR>0.4); clinical data and imaging indexes between poor collateral circulation and good collateral circulation groups were compared. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regressions were used to analyze the influencing factors for onset time≤4.5 h in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Correlation between SIR and onset time was analyzed in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Role of HIR as agency between SIR and onset time was explored. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive efficacy of SIR and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI)-FLAIR mismatch in onset time≤4.5 h in acute ischemic stroke patients.Results:Of the 180 patients, 100 were into the good collateral circulation group and 80 were into the poor collateral circulation group; compared with the good collateral circulation group, the poor collateral circulation group had significantly higher percentage of patients with hyperlipidemia, larger DWI infarction volume before treatment, larger perfusion weighted imaging (PWI)-DWI mismatch volume and higher SIR ( P<0.05). In these 180 patients, 76 had onset time≤4.5 h and 104 had onset time>4.5 h. Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that hyperlipidemia, DWI infarct volume before treatment, DWI-FLAIR mismatch, HIR and SIR were influencing factors for onset time≤4.5 h in acute ischemic stroke patients ( P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that hyperlipidemia ( OR=6.654, 95% CI: 5.751-8.824, P<0.001), HIR ( OR=0.724, 95% CI: 0.521-1.321, P=0.041) and SIR ( OR=739.881, 95% CI: 383.296-14 258.065, P<0.001) were independent influencing factors for onset time≤4.5 h in acute ischemic stroke patients. Pearson correlation analysis showed that SIR was positively correlated to onset time in patients with acute ischemic stroke ( r=0.420, P<0.05), and SIR was positively correlated to onset time in patients from poor collateral circulation group ( r=0.781, P<0.05). ROC curve showed that AUC of SIR in predicting onset time≤4.5 h was 0.917 (95% CI: 0.814-1.000, P<0.001) and that of DWI-FLAIR mismatch in predicting onset time≤4.5 h was 0.530 (95% CI: 0.509-0.757, P=0.075) in poor collateral circulation group, enjoying significant difference in predictive efficacy. Conclusion:Acute ischemic stroke patients with low HIR and SIR have higher odds of onset time≤4.5 h; SIR can more accurately predict the onset time in these patients with poor collateral circulation.

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