1.Research progress of non-insulin hypoglycemic drugs in the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus
Zejie XU ; Jiaoni ZHENG ; Jing LUO ; Liangyu WANG ; Wei YAN ; Qiang HE ; Xuefeng SHAN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(2):263-267
Traditional treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) primarily involves insulin replacement, yet some patients encounter issues such as significant blood glucose fluctuations, high risk of hypoglycemia, and weight gain. In recent years, the adjuvant therapeutic role of non-insulin hypoglycemic drugs in T1DM has gradually gained attention. This article reviews the mechanisms of action and clinical research progress of five types of non-insulin hypoglycemic drugs in the treatment of T1DM: amylin analogues (pramlintide), biguanides (metformin), sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist. It is found that these drugs can enhance clinical benefits for T1DM patients by improving insulin sensitivity, delaying gastric emptying, promoting urinary glucose excretion, and regulating incretin levels, thereby reducing glycated hemoglobin levels, decreasing insulin dosage, and managing body weight. Simultaneously, these drugs also present limitations such as low patient compliance due to complex dosing regimens, increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, and heterogeneity in glycemic control. Future research could focus on developing individualized treatment strategies, combining pharmacogenomics with novel biomarkers to precisely identify subpopulations of patients who may benefit, and delving into the potential value of these drugs in delaying diabetic vascular complications and improving patients’ quality of life.
2.Assessing distribution characteristics and clinical significance of vertebral fractures in patients with osteoporosis based on whole spine MRI
Jiajun ZHOU ; Fei MA ; Yebo LENG ; Shicai XU ; Baoqiang HE ; Yang LI ; Yehui LIAO ; Qiang TANG ; Chao TANG ; Qing WANG ; Dejun ZHONG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(9):1883-1889
BACKGROUND:Osteoporotic vertebral fractures are the most common complication in patients with osteoporosis.As a new imaging technique,spine magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)is much more sensitive than X-ray film in the diagnosis of osteoporotic vertebral fractures.However,total spine MRI is costly and takes a long time to scan.Therefore,there is no consensus on whether all patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures need to undergo total spine MRI scan and which patients need to undergo total spine MRI. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the distribution characteristics of vertebral fractures and explore their clinical significance by observing the whole spine MRI data of osteoporotic vertebral fractures patients. METHODS:Data of cases and MRI images of all patients diagnosed with fresh osteoporotic vertebral fractures who visited the Department of Orthopedics,Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from August 2018 to September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.903 patients were included in the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.General information(age,gender,and body mass index),medical history characteristics(duration of illness,history of trauma surgery,percussion pain area,and pain score)were collected.The characteristics of vertebral fractures were analyzed through whole spine magnetic resonance imaging.Firstly,based on the number of vertebral fractures in patients,they were divided into the single vertebral fracture group(484 cases)and the multi-vertebral fracture group(419 cases),and the differences were analyzed between the two groups.Then,based on whether the farthest interval between the fractured vertebrae was greater than or equal to 5,the multi vertebral fracture group was further divided into two subgroups.Among them,Group A(the farthest interval between the fractured vertebrae was less than 5)contained 306 cases;Group B(with the farthest interval between fractured vertebral bodies greater than 5)included 113 cases.The differences were analyzed between two subgroups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Among 903 patients,419 patients(46.4%)had more than two fractured vertebrae.There were 654 patients(72.4%)with thoracolumbar fractures,and 54 patients(6%)with fractures in the thoracic plus lumbar region and the entire thoracic to lumbar region.In group B,96.5%of patients had multiregional percussion pain.(2)Compared with the patients in the single vertebral fracture group and the multi-vertebral fracture group,there were significant differences in bone mineral density,whether the medical history was greater than or equal to 1 month,the history of low energy injury,and the distribution and number of axial percussion pain areas in the spine during physical examination between the two groups(P<0.05).Age,gender,body mass index,whether there was underlying disease,pain visual analog scale score,whether there was a history of elderly thoracolumbar fracture,and whether there was a history of thoracolumbar surgery,and the number of fractured vertebrae had no statistical significance(P>0.05).(3)There were statistically significant differences between the Groups A and B in bone mineral density,the distribution and quantity of percussion pain area,and the history of low energy injury(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in age,gender,history of old fractures,visual analog scale score,body mass index,whether the medical history was longer than or equal to 1 month,history of underlying diseases,and history of thoracolumbar surgery between the two groups(P>0.05).(4)Patients with multiple low-energy trauma history,history of more than 1 month,multiple percussion pain,and the lower bone mineral density should be alert to the occurrence of multiple vertebral fracture and jump fracture.We recommend the whole spinal MRI for these patients.
3.Visual analysis of hot spots and trends in the study of ligamentum flavum ossification
Qiang XU ; Jialin QIN ; Zeshuang LIAN ; Aoting WANG ; Ding LI ; Ye WANG ; Junfang WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(3):628-636
BACKGROUND:Ossification of the ligamentum flavum was previously considered to be rare in the population.As research has progressed,its incidence rate is increasing gradually,which has aroused the interest of a large number of researchers. OBJECTIVE:To visualize and analyze the research results on ossification of the ligamentum flavum from the Web of Science Core Collection since 1999 using bibliometric methods,and to review the research history of ossification of the ligamentum flavum,highlighting important literature,summarizing research hotspots,and providing ideas for researchers to find research directions. METHODS:Using the Web of Science Core Collection as the data source,relevant papers on ossification of the ligamentum flavum were searched and screened.VOSviewer 1.6.19 and CiteSpace 6.2.R6 were used to conduct the visual analysis of annual publication volume,research countries,institutions,citations,journals,authors,and keywords. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)A total of 347 papers were included.Since 1999,the number of published papers has increased in a spiral pattern.China's research started later than Japan's,but the number of publications has come up later,with Peking University being the institution with the most publications,and Prof.Chen Zhongqiang from Peking University being the scholar with the most publications.(2)Five of the 10 most frequently cited publications were related to the surgical treatment of the disease.(3)Excluding keywords directly related to the research topic and synthetically analyzing frequencies and betweenness centralities of key words,terms such as"thoracic myelopathy,""dural ossification,""minimally invasive surgery,"and"ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament"occupied a central position in this field.(4)Keywords clustering analysis showed that clinical manifestations and surgical treatment of ossification of the ligamentum flavum accounted for a large proportion of study.(5)The timeline and burst analysis of keywords revealed that"minimally invasive surgery"appeared as a keyword around 2015,with the highest burst strength and the latest burst start time,and began to receive extensive attention from researchers in 2019.The burst of the keyword"dural ossification"has not yet ended.(6)Surgical treatment for ossification of the ligamentum flavum has been at the forefront of research.Development and research of minimally invasive surgery and research on dural ossification secondary to ossification of the ligamentum flavum are both current research hotspots and possible future research trends.
4.Progress on antisense oligonucleotide in the field of antibacterial therapy
Jia LI ; Xiao-lu HAN ; Shi-yu SONG ; Jin-tao LIN ; Zhi-qiang TANG ; Zeng-ming WANG ; Liang XU ; Ai-ping ZHENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):337-347
With the widespread use of antibiotics, drug-resistant bacterial infections have become a significant threat to human health. Finding new antibacterial strategies that can effectively control drug-resistant bacterial infections has become an urgent task. Unlike small molecule drugs that target bacterial proteins, antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) can target genes related to bacterial resistance, pathogenesis, growth, reproduction and biofilm formation. By regulating the expression of these genes, ASO can inhibit or kill bacteria, providing a novel approach for the development of antibacterial drugs. To overcome the challenge of delivering antisense oligonucleotide into bacterial cells, various drug delivery systems have been applied in this field, including cell-penetrating peptides, lipid nanoparticles and inorganic nanoparticles, which have injected new momentum into the development of antisense oligonucleotide in the antibacterial realm. This review summarizes the current development of small nucleic acid drugs, the antibacterial mechanisms, targets, sequences and delivery vectors of antisense oligonucleotide, providing a reference for the research and development of antisense oligonucleotide in the treatment of bacterial infections.
5.Pathogenesis and Syndrome Differentiation Treatment of Heart Failure Based on "Spleen-mitochondria" and Theory of "Dampness, Turbidity, Phlegm, and Fluid-related Diseases"
Rui ZHANG ; Fuyun JIA ; Jingshun YAN ; Xuan LIU ; Yadong WANG ; Yinan MA ; Yan LIU ; Qiang XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):265-274
Guided by Academician Zhang Boli's theory of "dampness, turbidity, phlegm, and fluid-related diseases",this paper elaborated on the pathogenesis and syndrome differentiation treatment of heart failure from the perspective of the "spleen-mitochondria". It analyzed the essential similarities between "spleen-mitochondria" and "dampness, turbidity, phlegm, and fluid-related diseases", as well as their close association with the onset of heart failure. Furthermore,it explored the connection between spleen function and mitochondrial function in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM),positing that the spleen's role in transportation and transformation is analogous to mitochondrial material metabolism and energy conversion,with spleen deficiency closely related to mitochondrial dysfunction. It thus concluded that mitochondrial material metabolism and energy conversion represent the microscopic essence of the spleen's role in transportation and transformation,and mitochondrial dysfunction is a contributing factor to pathological products like dampness and turbid phlegm,which are closely associated with the occurrence of heart failure. The four elements of dampness,turbidity,phlegm,and fluid are a series of related symptoms resulting from abnormal fluid transportation and transformation,serving as both factors in the onset of heart failure and the core pathological basis for its deterioration. Therefore,during the treatment of heart failure,it is essential to regulate mitochondrial function. Early intervention should focus on eliminating dampness and turbidity to improve mitochondrial function and restore normal energy metabolism. In the middle and late stages,emphasis should be placed on resolving phlegm,promoting blood circulation,warming Yang,and reducing water retention to alleviate mitochondrial damage and improve cardiac function. Supporting Qi and strengthening the spleen should be a continuous approach,and treatment should be adjusted to enhance mitochondrial function and stabilize the condition,thereby improving prognosis. This paper discussed the role of the spleen and mitochondria in the pathogenesis of heart failure,examined the evolution of heart failure mechanisms from the perspective of dampness, turbidity, phlegm, and fluid-related diseases,and proposed a phased treatment strategy. It enriched the theory of dampness, turbidity, phlegm, and fluid-related diseases and offered new strategies for heart failure treatment. However,in practical application,TCM strategies for treating heart failure need to be integrated with modern medical approaches to provide a more solid scientific foundation for treatment.
6.Current Status and Correlated Factors of Fall Risk Among Chinese Elderly Aged 60-79:A 2024 Nationwide Cross-Sectional Analysis
Jiarong ZHU ; Jingjing WANG ; Chaoqun FAN ; Xu ZHANG ; Qiang FENG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(3):606-616
To investigate the prevalence and associated factors of fall risk among Chinese older adults, and to examine the roles of urban-rural differences, regional disparities, physical health status, and psychosocial factors in falls among this population, thereby providing evidence for tailored fall prevention strategies. Using data from the 2024 National Routine Physical Fitness Surveillance, a multi-stage stratified sampling method was employed to recruit community-dwelling older adults aged 60-79 years across China. High fall-risk individuals were identified using the Chinese version of the self-rated fall risk questionnaire, while demographic, physical health, and psychological indicators were collected via questionnaires and objective measurements. A generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) with province as a random effect was used to analyze fall risk factors. Among 7000 eligible participants (male: 44.2%, female: 55.8%), the sample comprised 2124 (60-64 years), 2014 (65-69 years), 1660 (70-74 years), and 1202 (75-79 years) individuals, with 58.4% from rural and 41.6% from urban areas. A total of 733(10.5%) were identified as high fall-risk, with higher prevalence among females (10.9%), urban residents (11.5%), and the oldest age group (75-79 years: 12.4%). GLMM random-intercept logistic regression revealed that advanced age ( The prevalence of high fall risk among Chinese community-dwelling older adults aged 60-79 years is 10.5%. Fall risk demonstrates significant associations with multiple factors including muscle strength, movement patterns, sleep quality, and social support. Strategies enhancing grip strength, promoting regular exercise and high-intensity leisure activities, improving sleep quality, fostering spousal support, and boosting life satisfaction may substantially reduce fall risk in this population.
7.Correlation Between the Spinopelvic Parameters and Morphological Characteristics of Pedicle-Facet Joints in Different Lumbar Spondylolisthesis
Baoqiang HE ; Yebo LENG ; Shicai XU ; Yang LI ; Jiajun ZHOU ; Min KANG ; Yehui LIAO ; Minghao TIAN ; Qiang TANG ; Fei MA ; Qing WANG ; Chao TANG ; Dejun ZHONG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):231-242
Objective:
Based on spinopelvic parameters and biomechanical principles, the pedicle-facet joint (PFJ) morphological characteristics of isthmic and degenerative spondylolisthesis were analyzed, and the mechanism of their onset and progression was discussed.
Methods:
This retrospective cross-sectional study included 194 patients with L5 spondylolysis or L5–S1 low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis (IS group), 172 patients with L4–5 degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS group), and 366 patients with nonlumbar spondylolysis (NL group). The spinopelvic parameters and PFJ morphological parameters of the patients were measured, the differences in these parameters among and within the 3 groups were compared, and the correlations were analyzed.
Results:
Sacral slope (SS) and lumbar lordosis (LL) were the highest in the IS group, the second highest in the DS group, and the lowest in the NL group. Among the 3 groups, the L4 facet joint angle (FJA) was the largest in the IS group, the second largest in the NL group, and the smallest in the DS group. The L4 pedicle-facet joint angle (PFA) was the largest in the DS group, the second largest in the IS group, and the smallest in the NL group. Pearson correlation analysis showed that within each group, SS and LL were negatively correlated with FJA and positively correlated with PFA.
Conclusion
This study found a correlation between the PFJ morphological characteristics of patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis and spinopelvic parameters, suggesting that the morphological characteristics of PFJs may be caused by varying stresses under different spinopelvic morphologies.
8.Longitudinal Association of Changes in Metabolic Syndrome with Cognitive Function: 12-Year Follow-up of the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study
Yu Meng TIAN ; Wei Sen ZHANG ; Chao Qiang JIANG ; Feng ZHU ; Ya Li JIN ; Shiu Lun Au YEUNG ; Jiao WANG ; Kar Keung CHENG ; Tai Hing LAM ; Lin XU
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(1):60-79
Background:
The association of changes in metabolic syndrome (MetS) with cognitive function remains unclear. We explored this association using prospective and Mendelian randomization (MR) studies.
Methods:
MetS components including high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), systolic blood pressure (SBP), waist circumference (WC), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and triglycerides were measured at baseline and two follow-ups, constructing a MetS index. Immediate, delayed memory recall, and cognitive function along with its dimensions were assessed by immediate 10- word recall test (IWRT) and delayed 10-word recall test (DWRT), and mini-mental state examination (MMSE), respectively, at baseline and follow-ups. Linear mixed-effect model was used. Additionally, the genome-wide association study (GWAS) of MetS was conducted and one-sample MR was performed to assess the causality between MetS and cognitive function.
Results:
Elevated MetS index was associated with decreasing annual change rates (decrease) in DWRT and MMSE scores, and with decreases in attention, calculation and recall dimensions. HDL-C was positively associated with an increase in DWRT scores, while SBP and FPG were negatively associated. HDL-C showed a positive association, whereas WC was negatively associated with increases in MMSE scores, including attention, calculation and recall dimensions. Interaction analysis indicated that the association of MetS index on cognitive decline was predominantly observed in low family income group. The GWAS of MetS identified some genetic variants. MR results showed a non-significant causality between MetS and decrease in DWRT, IWRT, nor MMSE scores.
Conclusion
Our study indicated a significant association of MetS and its components with declines in memory and cognitive function, especially in delayed memory recall.
9.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
10.Correlation Between the Spinopelvic Parameters and Morphological Characteristics of Pedicle-Facet Joints in Different Lumbar Spondylolisthesis
Baoqiang HE ; Yebo LENG ; Shicai XU ; Yang LI ; Jiajun ZHOU ; Min KANG ; Yehui LIAO ; Minghao TIAN ; Qiang TANG ; Fei MA ; Qing WANG ; Chao TANG ; Dejun ZHONG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):231-242
Objective:
Based on spinopelvic parameters and biomechanical principles, the pedicle-facet joint (PFJ) morphological characteristics of isthmic and degenerative spondylolisthesis were analyzed, and the mechanism of their onset and progression was discussed.
Methods:
This retrospective cross-sectional study included 194 patients with L5 spondylolysis or L5–S1 low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis (IS group), 172 patients with L4–5 degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS group), and 366 patients with nonlumbar spondylolysis (NL group). The spinopelvic parameters and PFJ morphological parameters of the patients were measured, the differences in these parameters among and within the 3 groups were compared, and the correlations were analyzed.
Results:
Sacral slope (SS) and lumbar lordosis (LL) were the highest in the IS group, the second highest in the DS group, and the lowest in the NL group. Among the 3 groups, the L4 facet joint angle (FJA) was the largest in the IS group, the second largest in the NL group, and the smallest in the DS group. The L4 pedicle-facet joint angle (PFA) was the largest in the DS group, the second largest in the IS group, and the smallest in the NL group. Pearson correlation analysis showed that within each group, SS and LL were negatively correlated with FJA and positively correlated with PFA.
Conclusion
This study found a correlation between the PFJ morphological characteristics of patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis and spinopelvic parameters, suggesting that the morphological characteristics of PFJs may be caused by varying stresses under different spinopelvic morphologies.

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