1.Risk factors associated with postoperative adjuvant therapy for resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Teng ZENG ; Rui HE ; Xiaobo CHEN ; Chao MING ; Guangqiang ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(02):326-332
The benefit of postoperative adjuvant therapy for patients with resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is not yet supported by high-level evidence. This review analyzes the role of adjuvant therapy by examining the discrepancy between clinical needs and guidelines, its historical evolution, recent advances in high-risk factors, and future outlooks. We provide a detailed discussion of high-risk factors used for patient selection, including lymph node positivity, and for node-negative patients, features such as tumor length, location, T stage, extent of lymph node dissection, differentiation, vascular and neural invasion, laboratory indices, and molecular markers. The goal is to inform the development of individualized precision treatment strategies for resectable ESCC.
2.Reshaping “Cerebellar Inhibition”: Mechanistic Insights and Precision Medicine Perspectives for rTMS in Machado-Joseph Disease
Ya-Zhen HAN ; Jie ZHOU ; Yu-Chao CHEN ; Zhong-Ming GAO ; Xian-Wei CHE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):505-510
Machado-Joseph disease, or spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), represents the most common autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia worldwide. Despite its progressive and debilitating nature, disease-modifying therapies remain elusive. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has emerged as a promising non-invasive intervention; however, its clinical application has been hindered by inconsistent protocols and a lack of mechanistic understanding. A recent landmark study published in Brain Stimulation by Chen et al. addressed these challenges by combining a high-dose intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) protocol with concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation-electroencephalography (TMS-EEG). This commentary provides an in-depth analysis of their findings, highlighting the restoration of cerebello-cortical inhibition (CBI) as a key therapeutic mechanism. Furthermore, we discuss the broader implications of this work, proposing that future translational research should integrate accelerated iTBS (aiTBS) paradigms, cortical response measurements (CRM), and individualized neuro-navigation to establish a new era of precision neuromodulation for ataxia.
3.Reshaping “Cerebellar Inhibition”: Mechanistic Insights and Precision Medicine Perspectives for rTMS in Machado-Joseph Disease
Ya-Zhen HAN ; Jie ZHOU ; Yu-Chao CHEN ; Zhong-Ming GAO ; Xian-Wei CHE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):505-510
Machado-Joseph disease, or spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), represents the most common autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia worldwide. Despite its progressive and debilitating nature, disease-modifying therapies remain elusive. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has emerged as a promising non-invasive intervention; however, its clinical application has been hindered by inconsistent protocols and a lack of mechanistic understanding. A recent landmark study published in Brain Stimulation by Chen et al. addressed these challenges by combining a high-dose intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) protocol with concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation-electroencephalography (TMS-EEG). This commentary provides an in-depth analysis of their findings, highlighting the restoration of cerebello-cortical inhibition (CBI) as a key therapeutic mechanism. Furthermore, we discuss the broader implications of this work, proposing that future translational research should integrate accelerated iTBS (aiTBS) paradigms, cortical response measurements (CRM), and individualized neuro-navigation to establish a new era of precision neuromodulation for ataxia.
4.Survival impact of radiotherapy for patients with de novo metastatic rectal cancer
Harvey Yu-Li SU ; Yun-Hsuan LIN ; Ko-Chao LEE ; Yueh-Ming LIN ; Chun-Chieh HUANG ; Eng-Yen HUANG ; Tai-Jan CHIU ; Shih-Yu HUANG ; Chia-Che WU ; Chang-Ting LIN ; Ming-Chun KUO ; Kai-Lung TSAI
Annals of Coloproctology 2026;42(1):94-102
Purpose:
Metastatic rectal cancer (mRC) is a highly lethal and complex disease that demands a multidisciplinary treatment approach. However, the clinical effectiveness of radiotherapy (RT) for de novo mRC remains controversial and uncertain.
Methods:
This retrospective cohort study examined medical records from Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital for patients with histologically confirmed de novo mRC diagnosed between January 2015 and December 2020. All patients received standard systemic therapy and radical surgery when feasible. The primary outcome, overall survival (OS), was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariable analysis was performed using a Cox regression model.
Results:
Among 271 patients included in the analysis, 117 received RT and 154 did not. The median OS was significantly longer in the RT group compared with the non-RT group (27.8 months vs. 21.9 months; P=0.046). Multivariate analysis identified several independent predictors of OS: age ≥65 years (hazard ratio [HR], 1.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26–2.27; P=0.001), primary tumor resection (HR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.90–3.61; P<0.001), M1b or M1c disease (HR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.44–2.69; P<0.001), and receipt of RT (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.02–1.94; P=0.036).
Conclusion
RT significantly improves OS in patients with mRC, underscoring its role in treatment strategies. These findings support its inclusion in therapeutic protocols and highlight the need for larger, multicenter trials to confirm and extend these results.
5.Differences in deltamethrin resistance and kdr gene mutation in Culex tritaeniorhynchus population in and outside the Yellow Sea wetland
Xiao-er ZHANG ; Zhi-ming WU ; Ye TIAN ; Qian CUI ; Yu-qian JI ; Huan WANG ; Shu-juan YANG ; Yi-chao ZHAO ; Yu WANG ; Hua-yu YIN ; Yu DING ; Guo-jin YAN ; Min-sen ZHAO ; Shou-gang ZHANG ; Bing-dong SONG ; Hong-na CHEN ; Jian GAO ; Wei-fang YANG ; Yu-fu ZHANG ; Hui LIU ; Hong-liang CHU
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(2):101-107
Objective To gain insights into the biological characteristics of different populations of Culex tritaeniorhynchus within and around the Yellow Sea wetland from the perspective of the occurrence of resistance, we investigated the levels of resistance to deltamethrin and kdr gene mutation in the wetland and its peripheral areas. Methods Specimens were collected from Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations at two monitoring sites in the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area, and also from two populations in Yancheng City and the Liuhe District of Nanjing, and the resistance of these mosquitoes to deltamethrin was determined using the CDC biotest bottle method. For each concentration of deltamethrin assessed, a random subset of exposed specimens was selected for amplification of the kdr gene fragment, followed by Sanger sequencing to identify and analyze resistance-associated mutations. Results The LC50 levels of deltamethrin among mosquitoes from the four populations in Luhe, Yancheng, the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and the Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area were 2.048 5, 7.798 2, 3.473 3, and 17.695 5 mg/mL, respectively, with corresponding concentrations of deltamethrin ranging from 0.005 to 5.000,0.050 to 50.000,0.050 to 25.000 and 0.050 to 50.000 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the ranges of the KT50 values were 11.76-107.43, 67.05-216.30,29.77-107.43 and 28.40-329.51 min; the 1-h knockdown rates were 34.58%-99.15%, 9.52%-43.80%, 55.09%-73.01%, and 10.09%-68.07%; and the 24-h mortality rates were 12.15%-67.52%,9.52%-79.56%,13.17%-82.21%, and 11.01%-78.99%, respectively. With respect to kdr gene mutation, we assayed a total of 63,70,59, and 57 mosquitoes for the four populations, for which we detected L1014F mutation frequencies of 14.29%, 35.00%, 20.34%, and 31.58%, respectively, with a majority of these mutations being heterozygous for resistance. In addition, five adult mosquitoes were identified has having synonymous mutations at site 1011[i. e. , AAT(asparagine)mutation to AAC(asparagine)]. Conclusions Our findings revealed the clear resistance of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus to deltamethrin in the Yancheng region of the Yellow Sea wetland, and the resistance phenotype and kdr frequency of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment were comparable to those of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment, thereby indicating that the resistance of different populations of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus was homogeneous under the pressure of different insecticide selection within and around the wetland. However, the underlying mechanisms need to be further studied.
6.Clinical observation of lamellar keratectomy and corneal collagen crosslinking in the treatment of superficial fungal keratitis
Limei LIU ; Xinhong HAN ; Chunxiu MING ; Pengfei ZHANG ; Chao WANG
International Eye Science 2025;25(5):802-807
AIM:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of lamellar keratectomy and corneal collagen crosslinking(LKCCC)in treating superficial fungal keratitis.METHODS: Retrospective analysis. Totally 79 patients(79 eyes)with superficial fungal keratitis who underwent LKCCC in our hospital from January 2014 to October 2023 were included. After admission, routine antifungal drug treatment for 7 d showed no obvious improvement or progressive aggravation. The maximum diameter of corneal lesions in all patients was ≤7 mm, the maximum depth was no more than 50% of the corneal thickness at the location, and the remaining healthy corneal thickness was ≥300 μm. The follow-up time was 90 to 112 d.RESULTS:Among the included 79 eyes, the lesions were located in the central region of the cornea in 6 eyes, in the paracentral region in 61 eyes, and in the peripheral region in 12 eyes. Hypopyon was observed in 5 cases. LKCCC was successfully administered in 79 eyes, cured in 76 eyes(96%), and failed in 3 eyes(4%). The healing time of corneal epithelium in 76 cured eyes was 3-15 d, of which 51 eyes(67%)healed within 7 d and 24 eyes(32%)healed within 3 d. The uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA)and best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)of 76 eyes of cured patients were statistically significant compared with those preoperatively(P<0.0167). Two of the 3 failed eyes were located at the edge of the lesion and recovered after re-keratectomy. One eye was located in the center of the lesion and recovered after being covered by bulbar conjunctival flap. At the last follow-up, no other complications were observed in all patients except superficial cloud and thinning of cornea.CONCLUSION:LKCCC is a rapid and effective treatment for superficial fungal keratitis and can be considered a new treatment option.
7.Analysis of characteristics of adverse drug reactions in a hospital from 2021 to 2023
Yan WANG ; Ming FANG ; Hongwei SONG ; Chao ZHONG ; Feng XU ; Ting ZHOU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(4):200-204
Objective To analyze the characteristics of adverse drug reactions (ADR) reported in Sixth People’s Hospital South Campus, Shanghai Jiaotong University from 2021 to 2023, to provide reference for promoting rational clinical drug use. Methods ADR data reported in our hospital were collected retrospectively, including patients’ basic information, drugs causing adverse reactions, types of adverse reactions and outcomes. Descriptive analysis methods were used to summarize and analyze the data. Results A total of 979 cases of ADR were reported in our hospital from 2021 to 2023. The highest proportion of patients with ADR occurred in the age range of 31 to 50, and more male patients (63.5%). The top five drugs involved with adverse reactions were antibiotics (48.8%), Chinese medicine injections(19.2%), vitamins(7.5%), Chinese traditional medicine(7.2%), equine tetanus immunoglobulin(6.3%). Among antibiotics, cefuroxime, ceftazidime and cefotiam were the majority. The organs/systems involved in all ADR were mainly skin and accessories damage (55.4%). The clinical manifestations were rash, itching, and maculopapular rash. Conclusion From 2021 to 2023, the most common drugs causing adverse drug reactions in our hospital were mainly antibacterial drugs, and the rational clinical use of antibacterial drugs still needs to be concerned.
8.Jiebiao Qingli Decoction Regulates TLR7/MAPK/NF-κB Pathway to Prevent and Treat Pneumonia Induced by IAV Infection
Yu MING ; Yichuan MA ; Ruiqi YAO ; Yan CHAO ; Hongchun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):173-181
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Jiebiao Qingli decoction (JQD) in treating pneumonia caused by influenza A virus (IAV) infection. MethodsA total of 132 Balb/c mice were randomly assigned into normal control (NC), model control (IAV), oseltamivir (OSV, 37.5 mg·kg-1), and high-, medium-, low-dose JQD (H-, M-, and L-JQD: 6.05, 3.02, and 1.51 g·kg-1, respectively) groups. The NC group was treated with normal saline nasal drops, and the other groups were intranasally inoculated with A/Brisbane/02/2018 (H1N1) [pdm09-like virus (H1N1)] for the modeling of IAV infection. Two hours post-modeling, the NC and IAV groups were administrated with normal saline by gavage, while other groups received corresponding drugs for 7 d. The body mass, survival status, and deaths of mice were recorded daily during the administration of the drugs. On days 3 and 7, the lung index was measured for mice in each group. Pathological changes in the lung tissue were observed via hematoxylin-eosin staining. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was conducted to measure the viral load (IAV-M) and the mRNA levels of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in the lung tissue. Western blot was employed to measure the protein levels of p38 MAPK and NF-κB. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantify serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). ResultsCompared with the NC group, the IAV group showed reduced survival quality and survival days (P<0.01), lung congestion, inflammatory cell infiltration, elevated lung index (P<0.01), increased viral load (P<0.01), upregulated TLR7, p38 MAPK, and NF-κB levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), decreased IL-2 level (P<0.01), and elevated IL-6 and TNF-α levels (P<0.01). Compared with the IAV group, H-JQD prolonged survival days (P<0.05). All JQD groups alleviated pathological changes in the lung tissue and reduced the lung index (P<0.01). M-JQD and H-JQD decreased the viral load (P<0.01). H-JQD downregulated the mRNA levels of TLR7, p38 MAPK, and NF-κB (P<0.05, P<0.01) and the protein levels of p38 MAPK and NF-κB (P<0.01), increased the serum IL-2 level (P<0.01), and lowered the IL-6 and TNF-α levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). M-JQD downregulated the mRNA level of NF-κB (P<0.01) and the protein level of p38 MAPK (P<0.05), elevated the IL-2 level (P<0.01), and lowered the TNF-α level (P<0.01). ConclusionM- and H-JQD can prevent and control IAV infection-induced pneumonia dose-dependently by inhibiting the TLR7/MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway, increasing IL-2, and reducing excessive secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α.
9.Jiebiao Qingli Decoction Regulates TLR7/MAPK/NF-κB Pathway to Prevent and Treat Pneumonia Induced by IAV Infection
Yu MING ; Yichuan MA ; Ruiqi YAO ; Yan CHAO ; Hongchun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):173-181
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Jiebiao Qingli decoction (JQD) in treating pneumonia caused by influenza A virus (IAV) infection. MethodsA total of 132 Balb/c mice were randomly assigned into normal control (NC), model control (IAV), oseltamivir (OSV, 37.5 mg·kg-1), and high-, medium-, low-dose JQD (H-, M-, and L-JQD: 6.05, 3.02, and 1.51 g·kg-1, respectively) groups. The NC group was treated with normal saline nasal drops, and the other groups were intranasally inoculated with A/Brisbane/02/2018 (H1N1) [pdm09-like virus (H1N1)] for the modeling of IAV infection. Two hours post-modeling, the NC and IAV groups were administrated with normal saline by gavage, while other groups received corresponding drugs for 7 d. The body mass, survival status, and deaths of mice were recorded daily during the administration of the drugs. On days 3 and 7, the lung index was measured for mice in each group. Pathological changes in the lung tissue were observed via hematoxylin-eosin staining. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was conducted to measure the viral load (IAV-M) and the mRNA levels of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in the lung tissue. Western blot was employed to measure the protein levels of p38 MAPK and NF-κB. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantify serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). ResultsCompared with the NC group, the IAV group showed reduced survival quality and survival days (P<0.01), lung congestion, inflammatory cell infiltration, elevated lung index (P<0.01), increased viral load (P<0.01), upregulated TLR7, p38 MAPK, and NF-κB levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), decreased IL-2 level (P<0.01), and elevated IL-6 and TNF-α levels (P<0.01). Compared with the IAV group, H-JQD prolonged survival days (P<0.05). All JQD groups alleviated pathological changes in the lung tissue and reduced the lung index (P<0.01). M-JQD and H-JQD decreased the viral load (P<0.01). H-JQD downregulated the mRNA levels of TLR7, p38 MAPK, and NF-κB (P<0.05, P<0.01) and the protein levels of p38 MAPK and NF-κB (P<0.01), increased the serum IL-2 level (P<0.01), and lowered the IL-6 and TNF-α levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). M-JQD downregulated the mRNA level of NF-κB (P<0.01) and the protein level of p38 MAPK (P<0.05), elevated the IL-2 level (P<0.01), and lowered the TNF-α level (P<0.01). ConclusionM- and H-JQD can prevent and control IAV infection-induced pneumonia dose-dependently by inhibiting the TLR7/MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway, increasing IL-2, and reducing excessive secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α.
10.Predictive Modeling of Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage Following Endovascular Thrombectomy: Insights From the Nationwide TREAT-AIS Registry
Jia-Hung CHEN ; I-Chang SU ; Yueh-Hsun LU ; Yi-Chen HSIEH ; Chih-Hao CHEN ; Chun-Jen LIN ; Yu-Wei CHEN ; Kuan-Hung LIN ; Pi-Shan SUNG ; Chih-Wei TANG ; Hai-Jui CHU ; Chuan-Hsiu FU ; Chao-Liang CHOU ; Cheng-Yu WEI ; Shang-Yih YAN ; Po-Lin CHEN ; Hsu-Ling YEH ; Sheng-Feng SUNG ; Hon-Man LIU ; Ching-Huang LIN ; Meng LEE ; Sung-Chun TANG ; I-Hui LEE ; Lung CHAN ; Li-Ming LIEN ; Hung-Yi CHIOU ; Jiunn-Tay LEE ; Jiann-Shing JENG ;
Journal of Stroke 2025;27(1):85-94
Background:
and Purpose Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is a severe complication associated with adverse functional outcomes and increased mortality rates. Currently, a reliable predictive model for sICH risk after EVT is lacking.
Methods:
This study used data from patients aged ≥20 years who underwent EVT for anterior circulation stroke from the nationwide Taiwan Registry of Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke (TREAT-AIS). A predictive model including factors associated with an increased risk of sICH after EVT was developed to differentiate between patients with and without sICH. This model was compared existing predictive models using nationwide registry data to evaluate its relative performance.
Results:
Of the 2,507 identified patients, 158 developed sICH after EVT. Factors such as diastolic blood pressure, Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, platelet count, glucose level, collateral score, and successful reperfusion were associated with the risk of sICH after EVT. The TREAT-AIS score demonstrated acceptable predictive accuracy (area under the curve [AUC]=0.694), with higher scores being associated with an increased risk of sICH (odds ratio=2.01 per score increase, 95% confidence interval=1.64–2.45, P<0.001). The discriminatory capacity of the score was similar in patients with symptom onset beyond 6 hours (AUC=0.705). Compared to existing models, the TREAT-AIS score consistently exhibited superior predictive accuracy, although this difference was marginal.
Conclusions
The TREAT-AIS score outperformed existing models, and demonstrated an acceptable discriminatory capacity for distinguishing patients according to sICH risk levels. However, the differences between models were only marginal. Further research incorporating periprocedural and postprocedural factors is required to improve the predictive accuracy.


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