1.Ershen Zhenwu Decoction Treats Chronic Heart Failure by Regulating miR-423-5p/Smad7/TGF-β1/Smads Axis and Myocardial Fibrosis Indicators
Lan GE ; Zhenpeng ZHU ; Xinyue WANG ; Dan CHENG ; Yulong LIU ; Maomao ZHANG ; Xiaoyu CHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):157-165
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effect of Ershen Zhenwu Decoction on chronic heart failure (CHF) due to heart-kidney Yang deficiency and blood stasis and its regulatory effects on miR-423-5p/Smad7/transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smads axis and myocardial fibrosis indicators. MethodsOne hundred and fourteen patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) were randomly allocated into a control group and an observation group. The control group was treated with dapagliflozin tablets, sacubitril-valsartan sodium tablets, metoprolol succinate, and spironolactone, and the observation group was treated with Ershen Zhenwu Decoction on the basis of the therapy in the control group. The course of treatment was 8 weeks in both groups. The 6-min walking distance, New York Heart Association (NYHA) heart function grade, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) score, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVIDd), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVIDs), interventricular septum thickness at diastole (IVSd), left ventricular end-diastolic posterior wall thickness (LVPWd), left ventricular shortening fraction (FS), miR-423-5p, Smad7, Smad2, Smad3, Smad4, TGF-β1, Ang Ⅱ, type Ⅰ collagen (Col Ⅰ), type Ⅲ collagen (Col Ⅲ), mRNA levels of fibronectin (Fn) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the myocardial tissue were observed before and after treatment in both groups to evaluate the efficacy of cardiac function and drug safety. ResultsAfter treatment, both groups showed declined levels of NT-proBNP, Ang Ⅱ, miR-423-5p, Smad2, Smad3, Smad4, TGF-β1, Col Ⅰ, Col Ⅲ, and mRNA levels of Fn and α-SMA (P0.05), and the levels of the indicators above were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P0.05). After treatment, the Smad7 level increased obviously in both groups (P0.05) and was higher in the observation group than in the control group (P0.05). After treatment, both groups showed decreased MLHFQ scores and increased 6-min walking distance (P0.05), and the observation group had lower MLHFQ score and longer 6-min walking distance than the control group (P0.05). After treatment, the control group showed increased LVEF and FS (P0.05) and the observation group showcased decreased LVIDd and LVIDs and increased LVEF and FS (P0.05). Moreover, the observation group had lower LVIDd and LVIDs (P0.05) and higher LVEF and FS (P0.05) than the control group. The total response rate of cardiac function in the observation group was 90.38% (47/52), which was higher than that (70.59%, 36/51) in the control group (P0.05). No adverse reactions associated with Ershen Zhenwu Decoction were observed during the study period. ConclusionErshen Zhenwu Decoction can improve the cardiac function, exercise tolerance, and quality of life, regulate neuroendocrine factors, and slow down/reverse myocardial remodeling in the patients with HFrEF and HFmrEF (syndrome of heart-kidney Yang deficiency and blood stasis by regulating the miR-423-5p/Smad7/TGF-β1/Smads axis, inhibiting α-SMA and Fn expression, and alleviating myocardial fibrosis. It is worthy of further study.
2.Ershen Zhenwu Decoction Treats Chronic Heart Failure by Regulating miR-423-5p/Smad7/TGF-β1/Smads Axis and Myocardial Fibrosis Indicators
Lan GE ; Zhenpeng ZHU ; Xinyue WANG ; Dan CHENG ; Yulong LIU ; Maomao ZHANG ; Xiaoyu CHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):157-165
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effect of Ershen Zhenwu Decoction on chronic heart failure (CHF) due to heart-kidney Yang deficiency and blood stasis and its regulatory effects on miR-423-5p/Smad7/transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smads axis and myocardial fibrosis indicators. MethodsOne hundred and fourteen patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) were randomly allocated into a control group and an observation group. The control group was treated with dapagliflozin tablets, sacubitril-valsartan sodium tablets, metoprolol succinate, and spironolactone, and the observation group was treated with Ershen Zhenwu Decoction on the basis of the therapy in the control group. The course of treatment was 8 weeks in both groups. The 6-min walking distance, New York Heart Association (NYHA) heart function grade, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) score, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVIDd), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVIDs), interventricular septum thickness at diastole (IVSd), left ventricular end-diastolic posterior wall thickness (LVPWd), left ventricular shortening fraction (FS), miR-423-5p, Smad7, Smad2, Smad3, Smad4, TGF-β1, Ang Ⅱ, type Ⅰ collagen (Col Ⅰ), type Ⅲ collagen (Col Ⅲ), mRNA levels of fibronectin (Fn) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the myocardial tissue were observed before and after treatment in both groups to evaluate the efficacy of cardiac function and drug safety. ResultsAfter treatment, both groups showed declined levels of NT-proBNP, Ang Ⅱ, miR-423-5p, Smad2, Smad3, Smad4, TGF-β1, Col Ⅰ, Col Ⅲ, and mRNA levels of Fn and α-SMA (P0.05), and the levels of the indicators above were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P0.05). After treatment, the Smad7 level increased obviously in both groups (P0.05) and was higher in the observation group than in the control group (P0.05). After treatment, both groups showed decreased MLHFQ scores and increased 6-min walking distance (P0.05), and the observation group had lower MLHFQ score and longer 6-min walking distance than the control group (P0.05). After treatment, the control group showed increased LVEF and FS (P0.05) and the observation group showcased decreased LVIDd and LVIDs and increased LVEF and FS (P0.05). Moreover, the observation group had lower LVIDd and LVIDs (P0.05) and higher LVEF and FS (P0.05) than the control group. The total response rate of cardiac function in the observation group was 90.38% (47/52), which was higher than that (70.59%, 36/51) in the control group (P0.05). No adverse reactions associated with Ershen Zhenwu Decoction were observed during the study period. ConclusionErshen Zhenwu Decoction can improve the cardiac function, exercise tolerance, and quality of life, regulate neuroendocrine factors, and slow down/reverse myocardial remodeling in the patients with HFrEF and HFmrEF (syndrome of heart-kidney Yang deficiency and blood stasis by regulating the miR-423-5p/Smad7/TGF-β1/Smads axis, inhibiting α-SMA and Fn expression, and alleviating myocardial fibrosis. It is worthy of further study.
3.Expression of circCEMIP in bladder cancer and its regulatory effects on the proliferation, migration and invasion of UMUC-3 cells
CHENG Hanbo1 ; JIA Bo1 ; YAO Junbo1 ; GAO Ruihui1 ; GE Qiangqiang2
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2026;33(1):12-19
[摘 要] 目的:探讨环状RNA CEMIP(circCEMIP)对膀胱癌UMUC-3细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响及其分子机制。方法:通过TCGA数据库分析circCEMIP在膀胱癌组织中的表达水平,分析其表达与膀胱癌患者临床分期及生存期的关系。采用qPCR法检测circCEMIP在膀胱癌细胞5637、UMUC-3、MGH-U3、J82和T24中的表达。利用RNA干扰技术,分别将si-circCEMIP及其阴性对照(si-NC)、anti-miR-335及其阴性对照(anti-miR-NC)转染UMUC-3细胞,记为si-circCEMIP组、si-NC组、si-circCEMIP + anti-miR-335组和si-circCEMIP + anti-miR-NC组。采用克隆形成实验、划痕愈合实验和Transwell实验分别检测circCEMIP和miR-335表达对UMUC-3细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭能力的影响,双萤光素酶报告基因实验验证circCEMIP与miR-335的靶向关系,WB法检测细胞中VEGF-C信号通路相关蛋白的表达。构建UMUC-3细胞裸鼠皮下移植瘤模型,观察敲低circCEMIP对移植瘤生长的影响。结果:膀胱癌组织中circCEMIP呈高表达(P < 0.01),其表达水平与膀胱癌的临床分期正相关(P < 0.01),circCEMIP高表达患者生存率较低(P < 0.01)。circCEMIP在膀胱癌5637、UMUC-3、MGH-U3、J82和T24细胞中呈高表达(均P < 0.01)。敲低circCEMIP显著降低UMUC-3细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力(均P < 0.01)。circCEMIP可靶向结合miR-335(P < 0.01),敲低circCEMIP能显著上调miR-335表达(P < 0.01)。抑制miR-335表达能逆转敲低circCEMIP对UMUC-3细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的抑制作用(均P < 0.01)。敲低circCEMIP能明显下调VEGF-C信号通路相关蛋白VEGF-C、MMP-2、MMP-9和β-catenin表达(均P < 0.01),抑制miR-335表达能部分逆转敲低circCEMIP对该通路相关蛋白表达的抑制作用(均P < 0.01)。体内实验证实,敲低circCEMIP能够抑制裸鼠膀胱癌移植瘤的生长(P < 0.01)。结论:敲低circCEMIP通过上调miR-335表达抑制膀胱癌UMUC-3细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭。
4.Biomechanical comparison of posterior short-segment fixation with or without intermediate screws for thoracolumbar burst fractures under normal and osteoporotic conditions: a finite element analysis
Cheng XU ; XiangMing ZHANG ; Hong Jian CAO ; Chao SHEN ; Feng GE ; Xuedong BAI ; Chao ZHANG
Asian Spine Journal 2026;20(2):223-231
Methods:
Six finite element models of T12 burst fractures were developed to simulate short-segment stabilization under normal or osteoporotic bone conditions, with/without augmentation screws at the fractured vertebra. Spinal stiffness, implant stresses, and axial displacement/micromotion of the bony defect were measured and compared under mechanical loading.
Results:
Osteoporotic models exhibited a greater range of motion (ROM) than normal bone. All six-screw constructs reduced ROM across all motions compared with traditional four-screw models. Osteoporotic fracture models gained greater benefit from intermediate screw augmentation at the fracture vertebra, which also lowered axial displacement/micromotion. In six-screw models, rod stress increased while pedicle screw stress decreased. Intermediate screws at fractured vertebrae produced similar changes in stress distribution across all fixation models, regardless of bone quality.
Conclusions
Our findings may facilitate implant selection for osteoporotic burst fractures, supporting the use of more rigid fixation sixscrew constructs to reduce the risk of mechanical failure and postoperative re-collapse.
5.Umbrella decision-making model for diagnosis and treatment of elderly lung cancer patients: Construction and practice
Lunxu LIU ; Jian ZHOU ; Xiang DING ; Nan CHEN ; Jianxin XUE ; Xuelei MA ; Ye WANG ; Weiya WANG ; Liqing PENG ; Xin YOU ; Minggang SU ; Xu CHENG ; Jiao WANG ; Ning GE ; Deying KANG ; Yuchen HUANG ; Jinghan WANG ; Yu TONG ; Yaoxi ZHANG ; Jirong YUE ; Hu LIAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):833-839
With the accelerating trend of population aging, the number of elderly patients with lung cancer continues to rise, and the disease burden is becoming increasingly heavy. The clinical management of these patients faces severe challenges due to their decreased physiological reserve, complex comorbidities, and significant individual heterogeneity. Consequently, under traditional diagnosis and treatment models, doctors often struggle to identify the individualized risks of elderly patients in a timely and comprehensive manner, which can easily lead to decision biases such as undertreatment or overtreatment. In view of this, this study advocates for the establishment of an umbrella decision-making model specifically tailored for elderly lung cancer patients. Grounded in a multidisciplinary team (MDT) platform, this model deeply integrates oncological indicators with the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) system. By holistically considering multidimensional variables including tumor burden, organ function, frailty index, cognitive status, and social support, the model establishes an operational mechanism characterized by "single entry, precise stratification, and targeted selection". Accordingly, patients can be scientifically triaged into distinct intervention tiers, such as active surveillance, minimally invasive surgery, drug therapy, radiotherapy, and best supportive care, thereby achieving real-time alignment between treatment intensity and patient fitness. This article elaborates on the construction logic and key operational procedures of this novel decision-making framework, aiming to guide clinical practice beyond the limitations of a tumor-centric perspective toward a holistic, dynamic, whole-course management strategy. This transition seeks to ensure optimal quality of life and clinical net benefit for elderly patients alongside survival prolongation.
6.Seasonal variation of adult mosquitoes in Yantai, Shandong Province, China: a study based on the circular distribution method
Chun-hui LI ; Cheng-juan LIU ; Ting WANG ; Xiao-ge ZHOU ; Pei-Jun GUO
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(2):108-113
Objective This study aimed to investigate the seasonal variation of mosquitoes in Yantai, Shandong Province, and provide a scientific basis for mosquito and mosquito-borne disease control. Methods From March to November for each of the years between 2020 and 2023, adult mosquitoes were collected from different habitats, including parks, hospitals, urban residential areas, rural households and livestock sheds, in 13 counties of Yantai City using a mosquito trap lamp method, among which, female mosquitoes were separated and identified, and the numbers were counted. We used the circular distribution method to analyze the temporal distribution characteristics of mosquito density. Results The γ values obtained for mosquitoes in Yantai from 2020 to 2023, the distribution of mosquitoes in different habitats, and dominant mosquito species in different months showed strong seasonality, with values ranging from 0.7461 to 0.8531(P < 0.05). The peak period of seasonal variation in mosquitoes occurred from June 28thto September 13th, with August 5thbeing identified as the peak day. The peak periods of seasonal variation in mosquitoes in residential areas, parks, hospitals, peasant households, and animals sheds were observed from June 24thto September 14th, June 25thto September 10th, June 22ndto September 12th, July 1stto September 9th, and July 2ndto September 17th, respectively, with corresponding peak days on August 4th,3rd, 2nd, 5th, and 9th, respectively. The peak periods of Culex pipiens pallens, Aedes albopictus, and Anopheles sinensis were from June 26thto September 11th, June 28thto September 17th, and July 12thto September 17th, respectively, with corresponding peak days on August 3rd,7th, and 14th, respectively. Conclusions Our findings in this study revealed that the peak of mosquito activity in Yantai was concentrated in early August, with a peak period extending from June 28thto September 13th, and there were differences between different habitats(with peak periods for rural households and livestock sheds occurring later than those in residential areas, parks, and hospitals). Moreover, with respect to the mosquito species, populations of Cx. pipiens pallens and Ae. albopictus peaked earlier than those of An. sinensis. Based on these findings, we recommend that city-wide mosquito control work should commence in late June, and include appropriate early prevention and control measures for key habitats, such as livestock sheds, and dominant mosquito species, such as Cx. pipiens pallens, to minimize the density of mosquito vectors and the risk of disease transmission.
7.Correlation Between Gut Microbiota Characteristics and Immunotherapy Efficacy in Patients with Advanced Microsatellite Stable Gastrointestinal Tumors
Yanfei LIU ; Ting GE ; Xi XIE ; Yujie ZHOU ; Min CHENG ; Yan ZHANG ; Guang FU ; Hongyan JIN
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2026;53(8):600-608
Objective To investigate the correlation between gut microbiota characteristics and immunotherapy efficacy in patients with advanced microsatellite stable (MSS) advanced gastrointestinal tumors. Methods Thirty patients with advanced MSS gastrointestinal tumors, including fourteen cases of gastric cancer and sixteen cases of colorectal cancer, who were admitted from November 1, 2022, to July 31, 2025 were enrolled. All patients underwent gut microbiota testing and received corresponding interventions on the basis of the results, followed by treatment with antiangiogenic agents combined with immunotherapy. Some patients additionally received probiotics or fecal microbiota transplantation. The primary endpoints were disease control rate (DCR) and objective response rate (ORR). The secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to assess potential prognostic factors. Results Among the thirty patients, no complete response was observed. Two cases of partial response (PR), twelve cases of stable disease, and sixteen cases of progressive disease were recorded. The ORR was 6.7%, and the DCR was 46.7%. The median PFS was 6.4 months, and the median OS was 8.3 months. Both PR patients were classified as having a medium risk of gut microbiota dysbiosis and exhibited a Bacteroides-dominated enterotype. Multivariate analysis indicated that tumor type, liver metastasis, and bone metastasis were potential prognostic factors for PFS and OS. Conclusion Patients with a medium risk of gut dysbiosis may exhibit a relatively favorable response to immunotherapy, suggesting that gut microbiota status could serve as a potential biomarker for predicting treatment efficacy in advanced MSS gastrointestinal tumors.
8.Constructing Index System for Rational Drug Use Management of Key Monitoring Drugs Based on Delphi Method and Analytic Hierarchy Process
Li LING ; Cheng SI ; Haixia ZHANG ; Qiaoling ZHU ; Weihong GE ; Xiaoyan WU
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(3):503-508
Objective To construct an evaluation index system for rational drug use management of key monitoring drugs,and to provide references for medical institutions.Methods The preliminary index framework was formed by researching the policies and regulations,management norms,and guiding principles related to key monitoring drugs.Two rounds of Delphi questionnaire survey were conducted with 26 experts to improve and optimize the index system.The weights of the indicators were obtained by constructing the judgment matrix by analytic hierarchy process(AHP).Results The recovery rates of the two rounds of questionnaire were both 100%,and the authority coefficient was 0.87.The key monitoring drug rational use management evaluation index system was finally constructed to include three primary indicators[ex-ante management(0.253 6),in-process management(0.503 1),and ex-post management(0.243 2)],15 secondary indicators[including prescription review(0.302 6),formulate rational drug use norms(0.133 1),supernormal early warning management(0.103 2)],and 62 tertiary indicators[inclu-ding formulate strict prescription review rules(0.152 5),pharmacists prescription intervention strength(0.085 7)and effective-ness management(0.052 5)].and the index judgment matrix passed the consistency test.Conclusion The evaluation index system for the rational drug use management of key monitoring drugs constructed can satisfy the closed loop of the supervision and management process,achieve the prior reminder,monitoring,and post-supervision,and provide references for medical institutions to ensure the refinement and standardization of the management process.
9.Naoqingtong Decoction Ameliorates Kidney Damage in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats via NLRP3 Inflammasomes
Jiaxin JU ; Caocao CHENG ; Teng GE ; Yalong KANG ; Fang GUAN ; Haifang WANG ; Juanjuan TAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):125-131
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Naoqingtong decoction (NQT) on the kidney damage and the inflammatory factors NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a C-terminal caspase recruitment domain (ASC), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 (Caspase-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). MethodsTwenty-four SHRs were randomized into a model group, a low-dose (12.9 g·kg-1·d-1) NQT (NQT-L) group, a high-dose (25.8 g·kg-1·d-1) NQT group (NQT-H), and a captopril (CTP, 20 mg·kg-1·d-1) group, with 6 rats in each group. In addition, 6 homozygous male Wistar-Kyoto rats were used as the control group. The control and model groups were administrated with the same amount of normal saline by gavage for 8 weeks. General behaviors of rats were observed during the intervention period, and the blood pressure was measured periodically. At the end of intervention, the body mass was weighed, and both kidneys were collected and weighed for the calculation of the renal index. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe the pathological changes in the kidney tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot were employed to determine the expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-6, and TNF-α in the kidney tissue. ResultsDuring the experiment period, the control group had normal mental status, food intake, and activity, while the model group showed thinning of hair, loss of luster, reduced activity, loss of appetite, fecal adhesion, and irritability, and some of the skin had scratches or blood scabs. The above symptoms were alleviated to different degrees after 8 weeks of NQT administration. An intelligent non-invasive sphygmomanometer was used to measure the tail artery pressure of rats, which showed that the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of rats in the model group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, drug interventions lowered the systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the model group showed severe pathological damage in the kidney tissue, which was alleviated in each drug intervention group. Compared with the control group, the model group showed up-regulated expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-6, and TNF-α in the kidney tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the drug intervention groups showed down-regulated expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-6, and TNF-α in the kidney tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionNQT can lower the blood pressure in SHRs by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes, suppressing renal inflammation, and ameliorating hypertensive kidney damage.
10.A child with hereditary pulmonary arterial hypertension caused by BMPR2 gene mutation and genetic familial study
Tao SHU ; Xiaojian WANG ; Gangyi CHENG ; Qu CHEN ; Yan GE ; Lianfeng LIN ; Zhonggui SHAN
Chinese Journal of General Practitioners 2025;24(3):315-318
A child aged 5 years with pulmonary arterial hypertension was admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University in December 2017. A truncated mutation in the bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2) gene [Chr2(GRCh37):g.203395656delA] was detected, which might be responsible for the disease and the diagnosis of hereditary pulmonary arterial hypertension (HPAH) was confirmed. Genetic testing revealed that the child′s father also carried the same mutation in BMPR2 gene, but no gene mutation was detected in child′s mother and young brother; however, no HPAH was developed in child′s father and other family members. The child was treated with targeted drugs for pulmonary arteries with poor response, and died in April 2019. Later, the child′s mother accidentally became pregnant. Gene sequencing test of the amniotic fluid showed that the fetus also carried the BMPR2 gene mutation; the pregnancy was terminated after genetic counseling. HPAH has the clinical characteristics of early onset, rapid progression, and poor prognosis, and the BMPR2 gene mutation is an important pathogenic factor. For HPAH patients with unknown etiology, particularly for pediatric patients, genetic testing is recommended to identify the cause and to make an appropriate clinical management plan.


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