1.A Case of Multidisciplinary Treatment for a Patient with Gorham-Stout Disease
Jing HU ; Ying JIN ; Yan ZHANG ; Ji LI ; Wenhui WANG ; Yue CHI ; Chunxu LI ; Zhenjie ZHANG ; Yaping LIU ; Xiaotian CHU ; Jin XU ; Min SHEN
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(1):52-59
Gorham-Stout disease(GSD) is a rare osteolytic disorder characterized by spontaneous and progressive osteolysis, along with abnormal angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, with no new bone formation. We present a case of a 15-year-old female admitted due to " recurrent right leg pain for 5 years, 11 months after undergoing right femoral fracture surgery". Through comprehensive integration of the patient's clinical phenotype, laboratory tests, imaging findings, pathological examinations, and molecular biological test results, GSD was considered highly likely. A multidisciplinary treatment approach was conducted, including a combination of zoledronic acid and sirolimus to inhibit osteolysis, along with rehabilitation training and orthopedic intervention, providing a personalized and comprehensive treatment strategy.
2.Molecular Characterization Network of Dampness-heat Syndrome in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Complicated by Glucose Metabolism Disorder Based on Shadowless Scleral Imaging and Metabolomics Technology
Caiying HE ; Hang ZHOU ; Yanqi CHI ; Baixue LI ; Liang HUANG ; Zhu CHEN ; Dafeng LIU ; Dong WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):271-285
ObjectiveThis paper aims to conduct the feature analysis and correlation analysis on the ocular collateral features and differential metabolites in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) complicated by glucose metabolism disorder (GMD),particularly those with the damp-heat syndrome type,by integrating shadowless scleral imaging and metabolomics technologies. MethodsA total of 313 patients were recruited from the Hepatology and Endocrinology Outpatient Departments of Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria,and they were divided into a CHB group and a CHB complicated by GMD groups (damp-heat syndrome group and non-damp-heat syndrome group). All patients underwent high-definition ocular image acquisition and feature extraction using an intelligent analysis system for shadowless scleral imaging to analyze the differences in the counting of morphological feature scores of ocular collaterals among groups. By using a digital sampling method,24 patients from each group were randomly selected,along with 20 healthy volunteers,for untargeted metabolomic analysis of peripheral serum. Differential metabolites were identified,statistically analyzed,and subjected to potential biomarker analysis and pathway enrichment. Spearman method was performed to conduct the correlation analysis on the differential ocular collateral features and differential metabolites,followed by correlation network construction. ResultsCompared with those in the CHB group,patients with CHB complicated by GMD showed significant changes in ocular collateral feature scores such as "hillock","blood vessels",and "pale dusky coloration" (P<0.05). In comparison with those in the healthy group,metabolites including N-acetylglucosamine,acetylhomoserine,and myo-inositol (AUC>0.7) were identified as potential biomarkers for the disease. Compared with those in the CHB complicated by GMD group with non-damp-heat syndrome,patients with damp-heat syndrome exhibited significant changes in feature scores of "plaques","yellow coloration","spleen",and "gallbladder" (P<0.05). In comparison with those in the healthy group,metabolites such as O2′-4a-cyclic tetrahydrobiopterin,theobromine,xanthurenic acid,and L-glutamic acid 5-phosphate (AUC>0.7) were identified as potential biomarkers for the damp-heat syndrome type. The Spearman correlation analysis reveals weak to moderate linear correlations between the differential scleral collateral features and metabolites. By constructing a "disease-syndrome" network of ocular diagnosis and metabolites,"xanthurenic acid-gallbladder" and "theobromine-plaque/yellow coloration" were identified as specific molecular-phenotypic correlated biomarker clusters for CHB complicated by GMD with dampness-heat syndrome. ConclusionPatients with CHB complicated by GMD demonstrate differential ocular diagnostic features and serum metabolites corresponding to disease states and dampness-heat syndrome. These objective biomarkers can guide both clinical syndrome differentiation and medication. The macro-micro integration based on ocular feature clusters and potential metabolic biomarkers offers an innovative approach to a combined traditional Chinese and Western medicine diagnosis and treatment model for this disease.
3.Effect of Serum Containing Zhenwutang on Apoptosis of Myocardial Mast Cells and Mitochondrial Autophagy
Wei TANG ; Meiqun ZHENG ; Xiaolin WANG ; Zhiyong CHEN ; Chi CHE ; Zongqiong LU ; Jiashuai GUO ; Xiaomei ZOU ; Lili XU ; Lin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):11-21
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of serum containing Zhenwutang on myocardial mast cell apoptosis induced by angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ) and the mechanism of the correlation between apoptosis and mitochondrial autophagy. MethodsIn this experiment, AngⅡ and serum containing Zhenwutang with different concentrations were used to interfere with H9C2 cardiomyocytes for 24 h, and the survival rate of H9C2 cardiomyocytes was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) to screen the optimal concentration for the experiment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the content of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in cell culture supernatant, and immunofluorescence was used to detect the cell surface area to verify the construction of the myocardial mast cell model. Subsequently, the experiment was divided into a blank group (20% blank serum), a model group (20% blank serum + 5×10-5 mol·L-1 AngⅡ), low-, medium-, and high-dose (5%, 10% and 20%) serum containing Zhenwutang groups, an autophagy inhibitor group (1×10-4 mol·L-1 3-MA), and autophagy inducer group (1×10-7 mol·L-1 rapamycin). The apoptosis level of H9C2 cells and the changes of mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by flow cytometry. The lysosomal probe (Lyso Tracker) and mitochondrial probe (Mito Tracker) co-localization was employed to detect autophagy. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect Caspase-3, Caspase-9, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-related X protein (Bax), and cytochrome C (Cyt C) in apoptosis-related pathways and the relative mRNA expression of ubiquitin ligase (Parkin), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)-induced kinase 1 (PINK1), and p62 protein in mitochondrial autophagy-related pathways. Western blot was used to detect cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-9, Bax, Bcl-2, and Cyt C in apoptosis-related pathways, phosphorylated ubiquitin ligase (p-Parkin), phosphorylated PTEN-induced kinase 1 (p-PINK1), p62, and Bcl-2 homology domain protein Beclin1 in mitochondrial autophagy-related pathways, and the change of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio. ResultsCCK-8 showed that when the concentration of AngⅡ was 5×10-5 mol·L-1, the cell activity was the lowest, and there was no cytotoxicity. At this concentration, the surface area of cardiomyocytes was significantly increased (P<0.01), and the content of BNP in the supernatant of culture medium was significantly increased (P<0.05). Therefore, AngⅡ with a concentration of 5×10-5 mol·L-1 was selected for the subsequent modeling of myocardial mast cells. Compared with the blank group, the model group and the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA group had a significantly increased apoptosis rate (P<0.01) and significantly decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (P<0.01). The results of immunofluorescence co-localization showed that compared with the blank group, the model group had a significantly decreased number of red and green fluorescence spots. The results of Real-time PCR showed that compared with that in the blank group, the relative mRNA expression of Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Cyt C, and p62 in the model group was significantly up-regulated (P<0.01), while the relative mRNA expression of Bcl-2, Parkin, and PINK1 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). In addition, the relative protein expression of Bax, cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-9, Cyt C, and p62 was significantly up-regulated (P<0.01). The LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was significantly decreased, and the relative protein expression of Bcl-2, p-Parkin, p-PINK1, and Beclin1 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the serum containing Zhenwutang groups and the autophagy inducer group had significantly decreased apoptosis rate (P<0.01), and the decrease ratio of mitochondrial membrane potential is significantly lowered (P<0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, both red and green fluorescence spots became more in these groups. In the 3-MA group, the number of red and green fluorescence spots decreased significantly. The relative mRNA expression of Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Cyt C, and p62 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01), while that of Bcl-2, Parkin, and PINK1 was significantly up-regulated (P<0.01). In the serum containing Zhenwutang groups, the relative protein expression levels of Bax, cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-9, Cyt C, and p62 were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05,P<0.01). The LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was significantly increased, and the relative protein expression levels of Bcl-2, p-Parkin, p-PINK1, and Beclin1 were significantly up-regulated (P<0.01). ConclusionThe serum containing Zhenwutang can reduce the apoptosis of myocardial mast cells and increase mitochondrial autophagy. This is related to the inhibition of intracellular Bax/Bcl-2/Caspase-3 apoptosis pathway and regulation of Parkin/PINK1 mitochondrial autophagy pathway.
4.Effect of Sizi Powder (四子散) Orientation Osmotherapy on Upper Limb Motor Function in Stroke Patients with Hemiplegia:A Randomized Controlled Study
Zhuangmiao LI ; Shien LI ; Xia LI ; Yanhong CHI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(2):157-164
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Sizi Powder (四子散, SP) orientation osmotherapy in the treatment of stroke patients with hemiplegia. MethodsIn this study, 94 patients with post-stroke hemiplegia were randomly divided into a control group and a treatment group with 47 patients in each group. The control group received conventional treatment, nursing and rehabilitation training, while the treatment group was treated with SP orientation osmotherapy in addition to the treatments in the control group. The treatment consisted of 20 minutes per session, once daily, 5 times a week, 2 weeks per course, with a total of 2 courses. Before the intervention, after 2 weeks intervention and after 4 weeks intervention, the upper limb motor function was evaluated by using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (U-FMA). The modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) was used to assess upper limb spasticity, and joint range of motion was measured for shoulder flexion, extension, abduction, internal rotation, external rotation, elbow flexion, wrist palmar flexion, dorsiflexion, ulnar deviation, and radial deviation. Clinical efficacy for spasticity was evaluated after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment. Skin conditions, including burns, allergic reactions, and blisters, were monitored during the treatment process. ResultsA total of 44 patients in the treatment group and 45 patients in the control group completed the study. The results showed that after 2 and 4 weeks of intervention, the U-FMA scores of both groups increased, with the treatment group showing higher scores than the control group (P<0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the MAS score distribution improved significantly in both groups (P<0.05), although no significant difference was found between the groups after 2 and 4 weeks treatment(P>0.05). The total effective rate of spasticity clinical efficacy in the treatment group after 2 and 4 weeks was 15.91% (7/44) and 40.91% (18/44), respectively, while in the control group, it was 11.11% (5/45) and 22.22% (10/45). There was no significant difference after 2 weeks treatment (P>0.05), but the treatment group showed a significantly higher total effective rate after 4 weeks treatment (P<0.05). After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, the joint range of motion in the upper limbs was greater in both groups (P<0.05). After 2 weeks of intervention, the treatment group showed greater range of motion in shoulder flexion, extension, and abduction than the control group, and after 4 weeks of intervention, the treatment group demonstrated greater range of motion in shoulder flexion, extension, abduction, internal rotation, external rotation, and elbow flexion compared to the control group (P<0.05). During the treatment, one patient in the treatment group experienced mild skin allergy, while no other severe adverse reactions, such as intense pain, itching, blisters, or infection, were observed in any patients. ConclusionSP orientation osmotherapy can effectively improve upper limb motor function and joint range of motion in stroke patients with hemiplegia. After 4 weeks of treatment, it can reduce upper limb spasticity and improve clinical efficacy, with good safety.
5.Extraction and identification of primary rat brain microvascular endothelial cells by improved tissue block culture method
Fan Zhang ; Bolin Li ; Ming Chi ; Haiqin Liu ; Yuanyu Tang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(1):10-14
Objective :
To investigate the brain microvascular tissue block culture method for extracting primary rat brain microvascular endothelial cells and identify its effect.
Methods :
Brain tissue from 4-week-old Sprague Dawley rats was screened, pre-digested and solidified to obtain brain microvascular segments. These segments were subsequently placed in a CO2incubator for primary culture. The target cells were identified by cell morphology and immunocytochemical staining for factor Ⅷ-related antigen.
Results :
After a 48-hour culture periodin vitro, the short spindle cells crawled out from around the brain microvascular segments. After 72 hours, island-like cell culsters formed. After 96 hours the clusters fused and the cells formed a typical monolayer, cobble stone-like, and mosaic arrangement. Factor Ⅷ-related antigen immunocytochemical staining showed that the cytoplasm of the cells appeared brown-red, indicating positive expression; DAB stained the nucleus, showing blue-dark.
Conclusion
The brain microvascular tissue block culture method can isolate and culture primary rat brain microvascular endothelial cells.
6.Intratesticular Testosterone and Its Precursors among Azoospermic Men: A Pilot Study
I-Shen HUANG ; Li-Hua LI ; Wei-Jen CHEN ; Chi-Chang JUAN ; William J. HUANG
The World Journal of Men's Health 2025;43(1):142-153
Purpose:
The study aimed to comprehensively analyze testosterone and precursor concentrations in the testicular interstitial fluid (TIF) of men with azoospermia, exploring their significance in the testicular microenvironment and their correlation with testicular sperm retrieval outcomes.
Materials and Methods:
We analyzed 37 TIF samples, including 5 from men with obstructive azoospermia (OA) and 32 from men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry quantified testosterone and precursor levels. Comparative assessments of the outcomes of testicular sperm retrieval were performed between the OA and NOA groups as well as among men with NOA.
Results:
Men with NOA who had not undergone hormone treatment exhibited significantly higher intratesticular concentrations of testosterone (median 1,528.1 vs. 207.5 ng/mL), androstenedione (median 10.6 vs. 1.9 ng/mL), and 17-OH progesterone (median 13.0 vs. 1.8 ng/mL) than men diagnosed with OA. Notably, in the subgroup of patients with NOA subjected to medical treatment, men with successful sperm retrieval had significantly reduced levels of androstenedione (median androstenedione 5.7 vs. 18.5 ng/mL, p=0.004). Upon a more detailed analysis of these men who underwent hormone manipulation treatment, the testosterone/androstenedione ratio (indicative of HSD17B3 enzyme activity) was markedly increased in men with successful sperm retrieval (median: 365.8 vs. 165.0, p=0.008) compared with individuals with NOA who had unsuccessful sperm recovery. Furthermore, within the subset of men with NOA who did not undergo medical treatment before microdissection testicular sperm extraction but achieved successful sperm retrieval, the ratio of 17-OH progesterone/progesterone (indicative of CYP17A1 activity) was substantially higher.
Conclusions
The study suggests distinct testosterone biosynthesis pathways in men with compromised spermatogenesis and those with normal spermatogenesis. Among NOA men with successful retrieval after hormone optimization therapy, there was decreased androstenedione and increased HSD17B3 enzyme activity. These findings have diagnostic and therapeutic implications for the future.
7.Identification and Potential Clinical Utility of Common Genetic Variants in Gestational Diabetes among Chinese Pregnant Women
Claudia Ha-ting TAM ; Ying WANG ; Chi Chiu WANG ; Lai Yuk YUEN ; Cadmon King-poo LIM ; Junhong LENG ; Ling WU ; Alex Chi-wai NG ; Yong HOU ; Kit Ying TSOI ; Hui WANG ; Risa OZAKI ; Albert Martin LI ; Qingqing WANG ; Juliana Chung-ngor CHAN ; Yan Chou YE ; Wing Hung TAM ; Xilin YANG ; Ronald Ching-wan MA
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(1):128-143
Background:
The genetic basis for hyperglycaemia in pregnancy remain unclear. This study aimed to uncover the genetic determinants of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and investigate their applications.
Methods:
We performed a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for GDM in Chinese women (464 cases and 1,217 controls), followed by de novo replications in an independent Chinese cohort (564 cases and 572 controls) and in silico replication in European (12,332 cases and 131,109 controls) and multi-ethnic populations (5,485 cases and 347,856 controls). A polygenic risk score (PRS) was derived based on the identified variants.
Results:
Using the genome-wide scan and candidate gene approaches, we identified four susceptibility loci for GDM. These included three previously reported loci for GDM and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at MTNR1B (rs7945617, odds ratio [OR], 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI],1.38 to 1.96]), CDKAL1 (rs7754840, OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.58), and INS-IGF2-KCNQ1 (rs2237897, OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.23 to 1.79), as well as a novel genome-wide significant locus near TBR1-SLC4A10 (rs117781972, OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.61 to 2.62; Pmeta=7.6×10-9), which has not been previously reported in GWAS for T2DM or glycaemic traits. Moreover, we found that women with a high PRS (top quintile) had over threefold (95% CI, 2.30 to 4.09; Pmeta=3.1×10-14) and 71% (95% CI, 1.08 to 2.71; P=0.0220) higher risk for GDM and abnormal glucose tolerance post-pregnancy, respectively, compared to other individuals.
Conclusion
Our results indicate that the genetic architecture of glucose metabolism exhibits both similarities and differences between the pregnant and non-pregnant states. Integrating genetic information can facilitate identification of pregnant women at a higher risk of developing GDM or later diabetes.
8.Hydrogel scaffolds loaded with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells/resveratrol liposomes for traumatic brain injury treatment
Wenya CHI ; Yan YUAN ; Weilin LI ; Tongyu WU ; Yuan YU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(2):67-74
Objective To prepare a thermosensitive hydrogel scaffold loaded with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs) and resveratrol liposomes (RSV-LIP) to form a therapeutic unit and evaluate its treatment efficacy for traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods BMSCs were extracted from rats, and RSV-LIP was prepared and characterized. Cell models were constructed to investigate the pharmacological effects of BMSCs combined with RSV-LIP. BMSCs and RSV-LIP were then loaded into the hydrogel, and a TBI mouse model was established to evaluate the therapeutic effects of the hydrogel. Results The RSV-LIP had a particle size of 127.8 nm, a Zeta potential of −4.9 mV, an encapsulation efficiency of 78.50%, and a drug loading content of 2.37%. Live-dead staining indicated good biocompatibility of the hydrogel. The combination of BMSCs and RSV-LIP significantly inhibited TNF-α and reduced ROS levels, promoting cell migration in scratch assays. Compared to the control group, the hydrogel group showed significantly lower mNSS scores (P<0.01), higher hanging scores (P<0.001), and reduced stepping errors (P<0.001). Conclusion The combination of BMSCs and RSV-LIP exhibited antioxidative stress, anti-inflammatory, and neurogenic cell migration-promoting effects. When loaded into a hydrogel scaffold and locally implanted, it could improve the motor and sensory functions in TBI mice.
9.TCMKD:From ancient wisdom to modern insights-A comprehensive platform for traditional Chinese medicine knowledge discovery
Wenke XIAO ; Mengqing ZHANG ; Danni ZHAO ; Fanbo MENG ; Qiang TANG ; Lianjiang HU ; Hongguo CHEN ; Yixi XU ; Qianqian TIAN ; Mingrui LI ; Guiyang ZHANG ; Liang LENG ; Shilin CHEN ; Chi SONG ; Wei CHEN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(6):1390-1402
Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)serves as a treasure trove of ancient knowledge,holding a crucial position in the medical field.However,the exploration of TCM's extensive information has been hindered by challenges related to data standardization,completeness,and accuracy,primarily due to the decen-tralized distribution of TCM resources.To address these issues,we developed a platform for TCM knowledge discovery(TCMKD,https://cbcb.cdutcm.edu.cn/TCMKD/).Seven types of data,including syndromes,formulas,Chinese patent drugs(CPDs),Chinese medicinal materials(CMMs),ingredients,targets,and diseases,were manually proofread and consolidated within TCMKD.To strengthen the integration of TCM with modern medicine,TCMKD employs analytical methods such as TCM data mining,enrichment analysis,and network localization and separation.These tools help elucidate the molecular-level commonalities between TCM and contemporary scientific insights.In addition to its analytical capabilities,a quick question and answer(Q&A)system is also embedded within TCMKD to query the database efficiently,thereby improving the interactivity of the platform.The platform also provides a TCM text annotation tool,offering a simple and efficient method for TCM text mining.Overall,TCMKD not only has the potential to become a pivotal repository for TCM,delving into the pharmaco-logical foundations of TCM treatments,but its flexible embedded tools and algorithms can also be applied to the study of other traditional medical systems,extending beyond just TCM.
10.Research progress on early screening of diabetes after acute pancreatitis
Li DU ; Jiahui DONG ; Baiqiang LI ; Fangzheng JIANG ; Chi ZHANG ; Ruixin BAI ; Fang WANG ; Weiqin LI
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2025;31(11):876-880
Post-acute pancreatitis diabetes mellitus (PPDM-A) is a common type of exocrine pancreatic diabetes. It is very important to clarify the risk factors of PPDM-A and effectively screen for diabetes in patients with acute pancreatitis to prevent the occurrence and development of PPDM-A. This article elaborates on the three aspects of PPDM-A, including high-risk population, screening timing and methods, as well as PPDM-A screening in children and adolescents, aiming to provide a basis for early detection of PPDM-A and timely targeted treatment for patients.


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