1.Reconceptualizing Critical Illness in Cancer Through the Lens of Host Unregulated Response
Yun CHU ; Shiyi GONG ; Xin DING ; Hua ZHAO ; Huan CHEN ; Qing ZHANG ; Xiaoting WANG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(1):1-9
Onco-critical care has emerged as an important subspecialty at the intersection of critical care medicine and oncology, attracting increasing attention in recent years. With continuous innovations in cancer therapies, patient survival has improved significantly; however, the incidence of associated critical complications has also increased. The reasons for cancer patients requiring intensive care unit admission are diverse and can be broadly categorized into three groups: progression of the underlying malignancy, treatment-related complications, and coexisting classical critical illnesses. Traditional critical care concepts and practices face limitations in addressing the multidimensional and heterogeneous challenges of onco-critical care. Based on the core mechanism of critical illness development—host/organ unregulated response (HOUR)—this article systematically elaborates on how this framework advances understanding and clinical practice into onco-critical care, with emphasis on its manifestations in neuroendocrine, immune-inflammatory, and coagulation-metabolic pathways. The review summarizes recent advances in clinical assessment and phenotyping systems for onco-critical illness and discusses a multidisciplinary, integrated management strategy centered on the "Disease Control, Host Response Modulation, Organ Support" triad. Finally, major challenges and future directions in this field are outlined. By integrating existing evidence and theoretical insights, this review aims to provide new perspectives and a theoretical foundation for the clinical management of onco-critical illness, thereby promoting its evolution toward precision and standardization.
2.Standards for the Application of Hemodynamic Monitoring Technology in Critical Care
Hua ZHAO ; Hongmin ZHANG ; Xin DING ; Huan CHEN ; Jun DUAN ; Wei DU ; Bo TANG ; Yuankai ZHOU ; Dongkai LI ; Xinchen WANG ; Cui WANG ; Gaosheng ZHOU ; Xiaoting WANG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(1):73-85
With the rapid advancement of hemodynamic indices and monitoring technologies, their classification methods and application processes have become increasingly complex. Currently, no unified standard hasbeen established, making it difficult to fully meet the clinical requirements for hemodynamic management. To assist in hemodynamic monitoring assessment and therapeutic decision-making in critically ill patients, the Critical Hemodynamic Therapy Collaborative Group, in conjunction with the Critical Ultrasound Study Group, has jointly developed the Standard for the Application of Hemodynamic Monitoring Techniques in Critical Care. The first part of this standard systematically categorizes hemodynamic indicators into flow indicators, pressure and its derivative indicators, and tissue perfusion indicators, while elaborating on the clinical application of each. The second part establishes a standardized clinical implementation pathway for hemodynamic monitoring. It proposes a tiered monitoring strategy-comprising basic, advanced, indication-specific, and special scenario monitoring-tailored to different clinical settings. It emphasizes the central role of critical care ultrasound across all levels of monitoring and establishes hemodynamic assessment standards for organs such as the brain, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract. This standard aims to provide a unified framework for clinical practice, teaching, training, and research in critical care medicine, thereby promoting standardized development within the discipline.
3.Status and implications of pharmacist competency assessment tools
Yu TIAN ; Bei DING ; Chenyang ZHANG ; Yi ZHAO ; Jiaying WANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(5):553-558
OBJECTIVE To systematically review the status on pharmacist competency assessment tools both domestically and internationally, providing a theoretical basis for constructing scientific and applicable pharmacist competency assessment tools in China. METHODS Through literature review and comparative analysis, 15 representative domestic and international pharmacist competency assessment tools were systematically summarized, and their theoretical foundations, core dimensions, methodological characteristics and practical applications were compared and implications were given. RESULTS &CONCLUSIONS International research has established relatively mature evaluation systems. Represented by those developed from the United Kingdom, the United States, and the International Pharmaceutical Federation, these assessment tools demonstrate scientific structure, wide application, and dynamic and international applicability. While domestic research has progressed in sub-specialties such as clinical pharmacists, licensed pharmacists and pediatric pharmacists, it still faces challenges including insufficient standardization, inadequate validation, delayed updates, and limitations in practical application. The reasons for the disparities in assessment tools between China and other countries include differences in pharmaceutical care models, varying pharmacist training systems, cultural and social background factors, as well as differences in industry management and international influence. Based on this, the author suggests promoting the development and research of assessment tools for pharmacist job competency in China from four aspects: mechanism construction, system refinement, standardization development, and practical implementation.
4.Genetic analysis of weak expression of ABO blood group antigens in neonates
Jiali YANG ; Ding ZHAO ; Wei LI ; Xiaopan ZHANG ; Zhihao LI ; Dongdong TIAN
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(1):85-90
[Objective] To perform genetic analysis on samples with weak agglutination and mixed agglutination of ABO blood group antigens in neonates, and to investigate the molecular biological characteristics of ABO subtypes in neonates. [Methods] Serological identification of ABO blood group was performed by tube method and microcolumn gel method. The ABO exons 2-7 were amplified by PCR, and the amplified products were sequenced by Sanger sequencing method to determine the genotype. [Results] Among the ABO blood group serological results of 14 neonates, 8 cases showed weakened A antigen, and 6 cases showed weakened B antigen. Seven samples were identified with ABO subtype alleles, with genotypes as A102/B101+c.538C>T, Aw26/B102, A205/O02, A205/B101(2 cases), Aw26/O02, B(A)06/O01, B101/O01(3 cases), A102/O01(2 cases), A102/B101 and B101/O02. Additionally, three other family members were also found to carry B(A)06 allele in a pedigree investigation. [Conclusion] For samples showing weakened antigens in ABO blood type identification of neonates, it is necessary to consider the possibility of ABO subtype in addition to age factors, and genetic testing can be used to prevent missed detection of ABO subtypes in neonates.
5.Effect of staged nutritional therapy combined with functional exercise in preoperative prehabilitation for patients with enterocutaneous fistula
Shan-Shan YU ; Lan DING ; Hong-Lin YAO ; Min-Yi ZHOU ; Xue-Cheng ZHAO ; Yun-Li MA ; Yang YANG
Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition 2025;32(5):298-303
Objective:To evaluate the application of a two-stage sequential nutritional therapy combined with functional exercise in the preoperative prehabilitation of patients with high-output intestinal fistula(HIF).Methods:A total of 164 HIF patients scheduled for definitive fistula resection in the Department of General Surgery,Eastern Theater Command General Hospital from March 2023 to March 2025 were prospectively enrolled.They were randomly assigned to a control group or an intervention group at a 1:1 ratio,with 82 patients in each group.The control group received conventional nutritional support and basic functional exercise,while the intervention group underwent a two-stage sequential nutritional therapy combined with graded functional exercise.Nutritional indicators,inflammatory markers,functional status,and postoperative recovery were compared between the two groups at 28 days before surgery,1 day before surgery,and 1,3,and 7 days after surgery.Results:On the day before surgery,the nutritional indicators in the intervention group,including albumin[(36.8±4.1)g/L],prealbumin[(213.5±42.1)mg/L],and total protein[(69.3±6.1)g/L],were all significantly higher than those in the control group[albumin(33.1±3.9)g/L,prealbumin(163.2±37.6)mg/L,total protein(63.7±5.9)g/L],with P<0.001.The energy compliance rates on the 21st day before surgery and the day before surgery in the intervention group(85.2%,92.8%)were significantly higher than those in the control group(62.5%,72.4%),with P<0.001.The 6-minute walk distance(6MWD)in the intervention group on the day before surgery and on the 7th day after surgery[(385.1±55.2)m,(346.3±48.4)m]was significantly greater than that in the control group[(315.3±60.7)m,(298.3±51.1)m],with P<0.001.On the 1st day after surgery,the inflammatory markers in the intervention group[CRP(98.7±35.2)mg/L,IL-6(45.3±12.5)pg/mL,PCT(1.2±0.5)ng/mL]were all significantly lower than those in the control group[CRP(152.4±48.6)mg/L,IL-6(89.6±25.4)pg/mL,PCT(2.8±0.9)ng/mL],with P<0.001.Additionally,the time to first ambulation after surgery[(16.8±4.2)h],time to first flatus[(52.4±14.5)h],and ICU stay duration[(3.1±1.6)d]in the intervention group were all significantly shorter than those in the control group,with P<0.001 Conclusion:The two-stage sequential nutritional therapy combined with functional exercise significantly improves the attainment of nutritional targets,suppresses systemic inflammatory response,enhances muscle reserve and exercise tolerance,and effectively shortens the postoperative recovery period in HIF patients.These findings support the use of this combined approach as a targeted and feasible model for preoperative prehabilitation,demonstrating substantial clinical application value.
6.Construction and validation of a risk prediction model for high altitude de-acclimatization syndrome
Yu DING ; Zejun WANG ; Jiaxin XIE ; Siyu ZHAO ; Gang ZHANG
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(1):20-29
Objective To construct risk models for predicting the occurrence of high altitude de-acclimatization syndrome(HADAS)in the population returning from the plateau to the plain based on different machine learning algorithms and validate the predicting efficiency of these models.Methods Field or online surveys were conducted on the individuals who had ended their high-altitude living and returned to the plain areas from November 2020 to February 2024.Basic information,chronic mountain sickness(CMS),HADAS symptoms and other data were collected.With the inclusion and exclusion criteria,totally 1 095 individuals were subjected and assigned into the modeling group.Positive events were defined as HADAS score>5.Then the modelling group was divided into a training set(n=766)and an internal test set(n=329)in a 7∶3 ratio.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)regression was used to select independent variables.Risk prediction models for high-altitude adaptation symptoms were built based on 8 machine learning methods,including multiple factor logistic regression(LR),decision tree(DT),random forest(RF),eXtreme gradient boosting(XGB),support vector machine(SVM),K-nearest neighbor(KNN),light gradient boosting(LGB)and na?ve bayes(NB).The models were compared and evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves,calibration curves and confusion matrices in the internal test set.The final model was presented using a nomogram or Shapley additive explanations(SHAP)algorithm.In August 2024,another 132 individuals who returned to the plains and met the same criteria were recruited and served as the external validation group.Results There were 549 individuals(50.14%)out of the 1 095 subjects having HADAS symptoms.LASSO regression identified CMS score,age and duration of high-altitude residence as significant predictors.Among the 8 machine learning algorithms,the LR model was identified as the best,with an area under the curve(AUC)value of 0.819(95%CI:0.789~0.850)and 0.841(95%CI:0.799~0.884),and an F1 score of 0.801 in the internal test set,respectively,and the AUC value and F1 score of the LR model were the largest among the 8 models in the internal test set.Spiegelhalter Z test of the calibration curve of the LR model indicated that its P=0.703 in the training set while P=0.281 in the internal test set.The AUC value of the LR model was 0.867(95%CI:0.765~0.969)in the external validation set.Conclusion The LR model constructed based on indicators including CMS score,age and duration of high-altitude residence has a good overall performance in the internal test set,and good discriminating effect in the external validation set.The constructed nomogram is convenient for application.
7.A comparative study of ultra-high-resolution CT and multi-slice spiral CT showing the key sound transmission structures of the middle ear
Yufei SUN ; Ruowei TANG ; Heyu DING ; Ning XU ; Zhaohui ZHONG ; Zhenghan YANG ; Zhenchang WANG ; Pengfei ZHAO
Chinese Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2025;32(4):225-228,233
OBJECTIVE To compare the ability of ultra-high-resolution CT(U-HRCT)and multi-slice spiral CT(MSCT)to display key vocal transmission structures in the middle ear.METHODS Subjects with normal middle ear structures who underwent 0.1 mm layer thickness U-HRCT and 0.625 mm layer thickness MSCT scans at the same time in Beijing Friendship Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University from December 2019 to August 2024 were retrospectively enrolled.Two experienced head and neck radiologists reconstruct standard transsectional,coronal images based on the thinnest layer thickness.According to the 5-point method,16 key sound transmission structures of the middle ear,including malleus,incus and stapes,as well as joints,ligaments and tendons,were evaluated for image quality scoring.The standard deviation(SD)value,signal noise ratio(SNR),and contrast noise ratio(CNR)of bone in the malleus region and intratympanic gas were measured and calculated on the two examination images.RESULTS Thirty patients(47 sides)with normal middle ear structure were included,including 18 males and 12 females.The two physicians compared the results of U-HRCT in showing malleus head,malleus neck,malleus handle,incus body,long process,and short process,5 points accounted for 100%,and the 5-point scores of incudomalleolar joint space,incudostapedial joint space,stapes footplate and annular ligament were 100%,98.29%,75.83%and 77.83%,respectively,which were significantly higher than those of MSCT(P<0.001).In addition,U-HRCT showed higher scores for lenticular process,stapes head,anterior arch of stapes,posterior arch of stapes,annular ligament,stapes muscle,and tendo musculi tensoris tympani than MSCT(P<0.001),and the lenticular process showed a 100%display rate.There was no significant difference in the SNR between the two groups(P>0.05),but the SD value of the malleus in U-HRCT was 161.6±36.4,which was significantly lower than that in MSCT(297.8±128.1),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.001).CONCLUSION U-HRCT can clearly visualize the key sound transmission structures of the middle ear,and its visualization ability is significantly better than that of MSCT.
8.A preliminary study on horizontal sound localization in patients with unilateral sudden hearing loss during the acute phase
Mengyuan ZHU ; Xiaolin HE ; Jiaying LI ; Xing WANG ; Hongping DING ; Linan DIAO ; Xin FU ; Jiaxing LIU ; Zihui ZHAO ; Ningyu WANG ; Juan ZHANG
Chinese Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2025;32(5):288-293
OBJECTIVE To preliminarily assess the horizontal sound localization and its influencing factors in patients with unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss during the acute phase.METHODS The azimuth discrimination test and azimuth identification test were completed,with the speech sound(65 dB SPL)as the stimulus.The minimum audible angle(MAA)and root-mean-square error(RMSE)were obtained,and the RMSE of the affected side and the healthy side were calculated respectively.According to the WHO(2021)hearing loss classification criteria,the data were analyzed based on the pure-tone average(PTA)of the affected ear.And the best resident hearing at each frequency of the affected ear was recorded.RESULTS The performance of the unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients in the sound localization varied greatly.Some performed close to the normal level,while others completely lost the ability to localize sound.The RMSE of the moderate hearing loss group(≥35 dB HL)was significantly higher than that of the normal hearing group(P<0.01),the MAA of the moderate to severe hearing loss group(≥50 dB HL)showed statistically significant differencescompared with normal hearing group(P<0.001).The RMSE of the affected side of patients in the severe and above hearing loss group was significantly larger than that of the healthy side.Regression analysis showed that the best resident hearing at each frequency of the affected ear was the most significant factor affecting MAA(R2=0.572,P<0.001)and RMSE(R2=0.768,P<0.001).CONCLUSION The horizontal sound localization of unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients in the acute phase varies greatly.When the PTA of the affected side reaches moderate hearing loss,the localization ability is significantly lower than that of normal-hearing individuals.The best resident hearing at each frequency of the affected ear is the key factor affecting the localization ability.
9.Shenxiao Tongluo Prescription Alleviates Kidney Injury in Diabetic Rats via PGC-1α/SIRT3/HIF-1α Pathway
Cangcang XU ; Xianbing GUO ; Guang LI ; Wenhao JIAO ; Yang ZHAO ; Yingjun DING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):108-116
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms of mitochondrial dynamics and metabolic reprogramming in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy (DN) by Shenxiao Tongluo prescription via the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α)/sirtuin-3 (SIRT3)/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) signaling pathway. MethodsSixty-five SD rats were randomized into a sham group (10 rats) and a modeling group (55 rats), and the modeling rats underwent left nephrectomy and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (35 mg·kg-1) to prepare a DN model. After successful modeling, the rats were randomized into model, empagliflozin (10 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (7.656, 15.312, 30.624 g·kg-1, respectively) Shenxiao Tongluo prescription groups. The urine microalbumin (UmAlb), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine (SCr) levels of rats in each group were assessed after continuous gavage for 8 weeks. The corresponding kits were used to measure the levels of lactate, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the kidney tissue. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson staining, and periodic acid-Schiff staining were performed to observe the pathological changes in the kidney tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe mitochondrial morphology. Immunohistochemistry was employed to determine the expression levels of dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) in the kidney tissue. Western blot was adopted to assess the protein levels of PGC-1α, SIRT3, HIF-1α, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), hexokinase 2 (HK2), and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) in the kidney tissue. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group showed elevated levels of UmAlb, BUN, SCr, lactate, and MDA, decreased SOD level (P<0.05), glomerular hypertrophy, thickening of the mesangial basement membrane, vacuolar degeneration of renal tubular epithelial cells, and infiltration of renal interstitial inflammatory cells, oval mitochondria with disordered, blurred or disappearing cristae, down-regulated protein levels of PGC-1α, SIRT3, and OPA1, and up-regulated protein levels of HIF-1α, DRP1, HK2, and PKM2 (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the treatment in all the groups increased the body weight, lowered the levels of GLU, UmAlb, BUN, and MDA, raised the level of SOD, alleviated the pathological damage in the kidney tissue and mitochondrial damage, up-regulated the expression of PGC-1α, SIRT3, and OPA1, and down-regulated the expression of HIF-1α, DRP1, and PKM2 (P<0.05). Empagliflozin and Shenxiao Tongluo prescription at medium and high doses lowered the levels of SCr and lactate and down-regulated the expression of HK2 (P<0.05), which had no statistical significance in the low-dose Shenxiao Tongluo prescription group. ConclusionShenxiao Tongluo prescription may regulate mitochondrial dynamics and metabolic reprogramming by activating the PGC-1α/SIRT3/HIF-1α pathway, thereby alleviating oxidative damage in the kidney tissue and delaying the progression of DN.
10.Shenxiao Tongluo Prescription Alleviates Kidney Injury in Diabetic Rats via PGC-1α/SIRT3/HIF-1α Pathway
Cangcang XU ; Xianbing GUO ; Guang LI ; Wenhao JIAO ; Yang ZHAO ; Yingjun DING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):108-116
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms of mitochondrial dynamics and metabolic reprogramming in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy (DN) by Shenxiao Tongluo prescription via the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α)/sirtuin-3 (SIRT3)/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) signaling pathway. MethodsSixty-five SD rats were randomized into a sham group (10 rats) and a modeling group (55 rats), and the modeling rats underwent left nephrectomy and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (35 mg·kg-1) to prepare a DN model. After successful modeling, the rats were randomized into model, empagliflozin (10 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (7.656, 15.312, 30.624 g·kg-1, respectively) Shenxiao Tongluo prescription groups. The urine microalbumin (UmAlb), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine (SCr) levels of rats in each group were assessed after continuous gavage for 8 weeks. The corresponding kits were used to measure the levels of lactate, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the kidney tissue. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson staining, and periodic acid-Schiff staining were performed to observe the pathological changes in the kidney tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe mitochondrial morphology. Immunohistochemistry was employed to determine the expression levels of dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) in the kidney tissue. Western blot was adopted to assess the protein levels of PGC-1α, SIRT3, HIF-1α, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), hexokinase 2 (HK2), and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) in the kidney tissue. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group showed elevated levels of UmAlb, BUN, SCr, lactate, and MDA, decreased SOD level (P<0.05), glomerular hypertrophy, thickening of the mesangial basement membrane, vacuolar degeneration of renal tubular epithelial cells, and infiltration of renal interstitial inflammatory cells, oval mitochondria with disordered, blurred or disappearing cristae, down-regulated protein levels of PGC-1α, SIRT3, and OPA1, and up-regulated protein levels of HIF-1α, DRP1, HK2, and PKM2 (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the treatment in all the groups increased the body weight, lowered the levels of GLU, UmAlb, BUN, and MDA, raised the level of SOD, alleviated the pathological damage in the kidney tissue and mitochondrial damage, up-regulated the expression of PGC-1α, SIRT3, and OPA1, and down-regulated the expression of HIF-1α, DRP1, and PKM2 (P<0.05). Empagliflozin and Shenxiao Tongluo prescription at medium and high doses lowered the levels of SCr and lactate and down-regulated the expression of HK2 (P<0.05), which had no statistical significance in the low-dose Shenxiao Tongluo prescription group. ConclusionShenxiao Tongluo prescription may regulate mitochondrial dynamics and metabolic reprogramming by activating the PGC-1α/SIRT3/HIF-1α pathway, thereby alleviating oxidative damage in the kidney tissue and delaying the progression of DN.

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