1.Processing History and Modern Research of Bile-processed Coptidis Rhizoma: A Review
Zhaowei DONG ; Jing YANG ; Qinwan HUANG ; Jin WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):269-278
Bile-processed Coptidis Rhizoma(B-pCR), first documented in Shengji Zonglu, is a unique processed products of Coptidis Rhizoma(CR) characterized by "mutual enhancement processing" and "enhancing the cold property of cold-natured herbs". Pig bile can enhance the bitter and cold properties of CR, yielding potent effects in purging excess fire from the liver and gallbladder. The processing increases the dissolution of alkaloids such as berberine, coptisine, and palmatine, while introducing bile acids from pig bile, including taurine-type and glycine-type cholic acids. This enhances its pharmacological effects, such as antipyretic activity, regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism disorders, and intestinal absorption. Traditional processing techniques and quality standards for B-pCR are outlined in the Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) Decoction Pieces Processing Standard and the Gansu TCM Processing Standard. However, incomplete specifications for critical process parameters and quality criteria significantly impact its production and clinical application. A review of research over the past two decades on the processing history, process optimization, quality evaluation, material basis, and changes in pharmacological effects and properties of B-pCR reveals that the pretreatment method and dosage of pig bile, and processing temperature are key factors influencing its quality. Furthermore, current quality standards lack specific indicators. Additionally, the enhancement of the cold property and medicinal efficacy direction of B-pCR is not only associated with changes in alkaloid groups but also depend on the synergistic effects of bile acids. This review can provide insights for improving the quality evaluation system of B-pCR.
2.Mechanism of Electroacupuncture Alleviating Inflammatory Pain in Rats by Regulating ErbB Subtypes in the Spinal Dorsal Horn
Yuxin WU ; Shuxin TIAN ; Zhengyi LYU ; Dingru JI ; Xingzhen LI ; Yue DONG ; Binyu ZHAO ; Yi LIANG ; Jianqiao FANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):69-78
ObjectiveTo observe the changes in the levels of different subtypes of epidermal growth factor receptor (ErbB), namely ErbB1, ErbB2, ErbB3, and ErbB4, in the spinal dorsal horn of inflammatory pain model rats, and to explore their mechanism of mediating hyperalgesia as well as the intervention mechanism of electroacupuncture at "Zusanli (ST 36)" and "Kunlun (BL 60)". MethodsThe study was divided into five parts. In experiment 1, 14 Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control and inflammatory pain group (7 rats each group) to observe the pain behavior and the protein expression of different ErbB receptor subtypes in the spinal dorsal horn. In experiment 2, 30 rats were randomly divided into control group 1, inflammatory pain group 1, and low-, medium-, and high-concentration TX1-85-1 groups, with 6 rats in each group, to observe the effect of inhibiting spinal ErbB3 on inflammatory pain. In experiment 3, 12 rats were randomly divided into control virus group and ErbB3 knockdown virus group, with 6 rats in each group, to observe the effect of knocking down ErbB3 in the spinal dorsal horn on inflammatory pain. In experiment 4, 44 rats were randomly divided into control group 2, inflammatory pain group 2, electroacupuncture group, and sham electroacupuncture group, with 11 rats in each group, to observe the effect of electroacupuncture. In experiment 5, 40 rats were randomly divided into control group 3, inflammatory pain group 3, electroacupuncture group 1, and electroacupuncture + NRG1 group, with 10 rats in each group, to observe the effect of activating ErbB3 on electroacupuncture. A rat model of inflammatory pain was established by subcutaneous injection of 100 μl of complete Freund's adjuvant into the sole of the unilateral hind foot of SD rats. Rats in the low-, medium-, and high-concentration TX1-85-1 groups were intrathecally injected with ErbB3 inhibitor TX1-85-1 on day 5 to day 7 after modeling. Rats in the ErbB3 knockdown virus group were injected with ErbB3 knockdown virus packaged with adenovirus vector-based short hairpin RNA (shRNA) into the spinal dorsal horn in situ 3 weeks before modeling. Rats in each electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at bilateral "Zusanli (ST 36)" and "Kunlun (BL 60)" from day 1 to day 7 after modeling, with dense-sparse waves at a frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz and a current of 0.5-1.5 mA for 30 minutes once a day. Rats in the electroacupuncture + NRG1 group were intrathecally injected with ErbB3 ligand recombinant human neuregulin-1 (NRG1) after electroacupuncture intervention from day 5 to day 7 after modeling. The mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency of rats were measured on day 1, 3, 5, and 7 after modeling to evaluate behavior, and Western Blot was used to detect the protein and phosphorylation levels of each ErbB subtype in the spinal dorsal horn. ResultsCompared with the control group, rats in the inflammatory pain group showed decreased mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency of rats, and increased expression of phosphorylated ErbB3 (p-ErbB3) protein in the spinal dorsal horn on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 after modeling (P<0.01). On day 5 and day 7 after modeling, compared with the inflammatory pain group 1, the mecha-nical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency of rats in the medium- and high-concentration TX1-85-1 groups increased, and the expression of p-ErbB3 protein decreased (P<0.05). On day 1, 3, 5, and 7 after modeling, compared with the control virus group, the mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency of rats in the ErbB3 knockdown virus group increased (P<0.05). On day 5 and day 7 after modeling, compared with the inflammatory pain group 2 and the sham electroacupuncture group, the mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency of rats in the electroacupuncture group increased, and the expression of p-ErbB3 protein decreased (P<0.05). On day 5 and day 7 after modeling, compared with the electroacupuncture + NRG1 group, the mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency of rats in the electroacupuncture group 1 increased (P<0.05). ConclusionThe p-ErbB3 in the spinal dorsal horn involved in hyperalgesia in rats with inflammatory pain, and electroacupuncture at "Zusanli (ST 36)" and "Kunlun (BL 60)" can alleviate inflammatory pain by inhibiting the expression of p-ErbB3 protein in the spinal dorsal horn of rats.
3.Multicenter machine learning-based construction of a model for predicting potential organ donors and validation with decision curve analysis
Xu WANG ; Wenxiu LI ; Fenghua WANG ; Shuli WU ; Dong JIA ; Xin GE ; Zhihua SHAN ; Tongzuo LI
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):106-115
Objective To evaluate the predictive value of different machine learning models constructed in a multicenter environment for potential organ donors and verify their clinical application feasibility. Methods The study included 2 000 inpatients admitted to five domestic tertiary hospitals from January 2020 to December 2023, who met the criteria for potential organ donation assessment. They were randomly divided into a training set and an internal validation set (7∶3). Another 300 similar patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from January 2024 to April 2025 were included as an external validation set. The area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and F1-score of three models were compared, and the consistency of the potential organ donor determination process was tested. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictive factors of potential organ donors. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was employed to verify the resource efficiency of each model, and the threshold interval and intervention balance point were assessed. Results Apart from age, there were no significant differences in other basic characteristics among the centers (all P>0.05). The consistency of the potential organ donor determination process among researchers in each center was good [all 95% confidence interval (CI) lower limits >0]. In the internal validation set, the XGBoost model had the best predictive performance (AUC=0.92, 95% CI 0.89-0.94) and the best calibration (P=0.441, Brier score 0.099). In the external validation set, the XGBoost model also had the best predictive performance (AUC=0.91, 95% CI 0.88-0.94), outperforming logistic regression and random forest models. Multivariate logistic regression showed that mechanical ventilation had the greatest impact (odds ratio=2.06, 95% CI 1.54-2.76, P<0.001). DCA indicated that the XGBoost model had the highest net benefit in the threshold interval of 0.2-0.6. The “treat all” strategy only had a slight advantage at extremely low thresholds. The recommended threshold interval, which balances intervention costs and clinical benefits, considers ≥50% positive predictive value (PPV) and ≤50 referrals per 100 high-risk patients. Conclusions The XGBoost model established in a multicenter environment is accurate and well-calibrated in predicting potential organ donors. Combined with DCA, it may effectively guide the timing of clinical interventions and resource allocation, providing new ideas for the assessment and management of organ donation after brain death.
4.Clinical study of salvage second allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in 17 cases
Wenqiong WANG ; Wei LIU ; Huihui LIU ; Xiaoying YANG ; Shuanglian XIE ; Hongtao LING ; Yiming ZHAO ; Yujun DONG
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):124-132
Objective To summarize and analyze the efficacy and influencing factors of second allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for acute leukemia relapsing after the first allo-HSCT. Methods Clinical data of 17 patients with acute leukemia who underwent second allo-HSCT at Peking University First Hospital from January 2005 to December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Among the 17 patients, 7 achieved long-term disease-free survival after second transplantation. The median progression-free survival after successful second transplantation was 7 months (range 8 days to 69 months). The relapse fatality was 24%, and the transplant-related fatality was 35%. Conclusions Second transplantation is an effective treatment for relapsed and refractory acute leukemia, but the relapse fatality and transplant-related fatality remain high. Patient age, time of relapse after the first transplantation and disease status before second transplantation are all factors that affect the efficacy of second transplantation. Younger age, late relapse and complete remission of disease before second transplantation are all beneficial for long-term disease-free survival after second transplantation.
5.Criteria for pancreas donor selection in islet transplantation and the experience of Changzheng hospital
Hanxiang ZHONG ; Junfeng DONG ; Wenyuan GUO ; Shengxian LI ; Hao YIN ; Yuanyu ZHAO ; Junsong JI
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):164-169
Diabetes mellitus, characterized by glucose metabolism disorders and marked by insulin deficiency or insulin resistance, has seen a continuous rise in prevalence. In recent years, islet transplantation has matured as a therapeutic approach for diabetes, becoming an important method for glycemic control and the reduction of diabetes-related complications. Donor selection directly influences transplant outcomes, and various research institutions worldwide have proposed multiple scoring systems to optimize donor assessment, such as the University of Alberta scoring system and the North American Islet Donor Score. This article explores the impact of key factors such as donor age, body mass index and ischemia time on islet transplantation. Combining practical experience in pancreatic donor selection from Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, it proposes screening criteria for pancreatic donors suitable for China, aiming to provide new evidence for improving the success rate of islet transplantation.
6.Effects of Mitoxantrone liposomes on the proliferation,migration and stemness in ovarian cancer cells
Dong WANG ; Yue ZHANG ; Baiwang CHU ; Hua SUN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(1):42-48
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Mitoxantrone liposomes (Lipo-MIT) on the proliferation, migration and cancer stem cell (CSCs) stemness of ovarian cancer cells, as well as to explore its mechanism of action based on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway. METHODS The effects of Lipo-MIT on cell proliferation, migration and the stemness characteristics of CSCs were investigated through in vitro experiments. A human ovarian cancer A2780 cells xenograft tumor model of nude mouse was established to explore the effects of Lipo-MIT at doses of 2 and 5 mg/kg on the safety of tumor-bearing mice, as well as in vivo tumor growth and the pathological characteristics of tumor tissues. The influence of Lipo-MIT on the expression levels of PI3K/AKT pathway-related proteins, epithelial-mesenchymal transition related proteins, and stemness related proteins in both cells and tumor tissues was also investigated. RESULTS The half maximal inhibitory concentrations of Lipo-MIT against A2780, SK-OV3, and OV-CAR5 cells were 0.72, 5.41, and 2.77 μmol/L, respectively. Compared with solvent control (0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide), 0.5-2.5 μmol/L Lipo-MIT significantly reduced the cell colony formation rate, shortened the cell migration distance, decreased the number of migrated cells, down-regulated the protein expression of N-cadherin, up-regulated the protein expression of E-cadherin (P<0.05), and also decreased the stem cell sphere formation frequency and down-regulated the protein expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 (ALDH1A1) (P<0.05). Additionally, 1.0 and 2.5 μmol/L Lipo-MIT significantly reduced the stem cell sphere formation probability and down-regulated the protein expression of sex determining region Y box protein 2 in cells (P<0.05). In vivo experimental results demonstrated that 2, 5 mg/kg Lipo-MIT had no significant effects on the body weight, food intake, water intake, and organ (heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney) indices of tumor-bearing nude mice (P>0.05), but could significantly improve the pathological changes of tumor tissues and remarkably inhibit the protein expressions of N-cadherin, CD133 and ALDH1A1( only at 5 mg/kg Lipo-MIT), up-regulate the expression of E- cadherin (only at 5 mg/kg Lipo-MIT) in tumor tissues (P<0.05). Lipo-MIT at different concentrations/doses significantly reduced the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and AKT proteins in cells/tumor tissues (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Lipo-MIT can inhibit the proliferation and migration of ovarian cancer cells and the stemness by suppressing the activity of the PI3K/AKT pathway.
7.Screening of anti-tuberculosis potential target IspD protein and preparation of its polyclonal antibodies
Chinese Journal of Biologicals 2026;39(01):22-30
Objective To screen for potential targets of the anti-tuberculosis lead compound M6 using antibody microarray,express Mycobacterium smegmatis(Ms) target protein 2-C-methy1-D-erythriol 4-phosphate cytidylyl-transferase(IspD) in E.coli, and prepare its polyclonal antibodies, in order to provide experimental basis for in-depth study of the protein function and the development of new anti-tuberculosis drugs.Methods The minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) of M6 against Ms and Corynebacterium glutamicum(Cg) was determined. The protein samples of Cg treated with M6 were captured and analyzed by antibody microarray, and the differential targets were identified and screened by mass spectrometry. The ispD gene of Ms was amplified by PCR and cloned into vector pET28a(+) to construct recombinant plasmid pET28a-ispD. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into E.coli BL21(DE3), and the optimal conditions for protein expression were determined by optimizing the induction temperature(16, 25, 33, 37 ℃) and IPTG concentration(0-1. 5 mmol/L). The recombinant IspD protein was purified by nickel column affinity chromatography. The purified recombinant IspD protein was used as immunogen combined with Freund's incomplete adjuvant to immunize 11 female BALB/c mice to prepare polyclonal antibodies. The titer of antiserum was determined by indirect ELISA, and the antibody specificity was detected by Western blot.Using the prepared polyclonal antibodies, the effect of M6 treatment on the expression level of Ms IspD protein was analyzed by Western blot.Results The MIC of M6 against Cg and Ms was 0. 5 and 32 μg/mL, respectively. IspD protein was one of the primary target proteins of M6. The recombinant expression plasmid pET28a-ispD was constructed correctly as identified by double enzyme digestion, and the IspD protein was expressed in E.coli. The optimal induction conditions were determined to be 1. 0 mmol/L IPTG, 16 ℃ for 14 h. After purification, the purity of recombinant IspD protein reached, and it could specifically bind to mouse anti-His tag monoclonal antibodies. The polyclonal antibodies against IspD protein achieved a high titer of 1∶102 400, which could specifically recognize IspD protein in recombinant bacterial lysate. The expression level of Ms IspD protein did not change significantly after M6 treatment.Conclusion In this study, the potential target IspD protein of M6 was successfully screened by antibody microarray screening, and Ms IspD protein was expressed in E.coli. The polyclonal antibodies against IspD were prepared by immunizing mice, providing essential experimental basic for further functional studies of this protein and the development of novel anti-tuberculosis drugs.
8.Research progress on the relationship between early life obesogen exposure and childhood obesity
GAO Lei ; YE Zhen ; WANG Wei ; ZHAO Dong ; XU Peiwei ; ZHANG Ronghua
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(1):48-54
Childhood obesity has become a global public health issue. Current research indicates that early life obesogen exposure has emerged as a significant risk factor for childhood obesity. While obesogens have been confirmed to influence the development and progression of childhood obesity through mechanisms such as endocrine disruption and epigenetic programming, controversies remain regarding the establishment of causal relationships, assessment of combined exposures, and validation of transgenerational effects in humans. In recent years, novel approaches including multi-omics technologies, exposome-based analysis, and multigenerational cohort studies have integrated dynamic biomarker monitoring with analyses of social-environmental interactions, offering new perspectives and methodologies for constructing a systematic "exposure-mechanism-outcome" research framework. This article reviews literature from PubMed and Web of Science up to August 2025 on the association between early life obesogen exposure and childhood obesity, summarizing evidence on the health effects of early life obesogen exposure, major exposure pathways and internal exposure assessment, interactions and amplifying effects of social and environmental factors, as well as the biological mechanisms underlying obesogen action. It further examines current research frontiers and challenges, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for early prevention and precision intervention of childhood obesity.
9.Correlation between liver fibrosis degree and carotid plaque in patients with lean metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease
Shuai ZHANG ; Shoulu JIN ; Wanqing LI ; Xijing SHI ; Hao LIANG ; Hao DONG ; Dailong LU ; Ying ZHU ; Xiaoxing XIANG ; Jun LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(2):319-325
ObjectiveTo investigate the association between noninvasive liver fibrosis markers and carotid plaque (CP) in patients with lean metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), and to provide a basis for screening high-risk populations. MethodsA total of 957 patients with lean MAFLD who underwent physical examination in Subei People’s Hospital from January 2021 to June 2023 was enrolled as the observation cohort, with the presence or absence of CP as the outcome, and fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score (NFS) were used to assess liver fibrosis degree. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The multivariate logistic regression analysis, the restricted cubic spline analysis, the receiver operating characteristic curve, and the mediation effect analysis were used to investigate the association between liver fibrosis degree and CP. ResultsThe prevalence rate of CP was 36.6% in the lean MAFLD population. Compared with the non-CP group(n=607), the CP group (n=350) had a significantly higher proportion of male patients, a significantly higher proportion of patients with smoking/diabetes/hypertension, and significantly higher levels of age, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, aspartate aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio, NFS, and FIB-4 index, as well as significantly lower levels of platelet count and albumin (all P<0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjustment for confounding factors, FIB-4 index (odds ratio[OR]=2.979, 95% confidence interval[CI]:2.141 — 4.219, P<0.001) and NFS (OR=1.747, 95%CI: 1.499 — 2.046, P<0.001) were positively correlated with CP. Both FIB-4 index and NFS had a good value in predicting CP. Hypertension had a significant indirect effect on the prevalence rate of CP through its impact on liver fibrosis markers, and its mediating effect accounted for 39.5% — 40.8% of the total effect (P<0.001). ConclusionIn patients with lean MAFLD, NFS and FIB-4 index are significantly positively correlated with the prevalence rate of CP, and they can be used as potential epidemiological predictive indicators. Liver fibrosis markers may play a mediating role in the association between hypertension and CP. Interventions targeting hypertension and liver fibrosis markers may help to prevent and delay the progression of CP.
10.Epigenetic mechanism of Diwu Yanggan Capsule in improving liver regeneration microenvironment in a rat model of liver cancer
Minggang WANG ; Jiamei DONG ; Zhihua YE ; Xiang GAO ; Qi CHEN ; Xiaoqiao YU ; Hanmin LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(2):362-371
ObjectiveTo investigate the epigenetic mechanism of Diwu Yanggan Capsule in improving liver regeneration microenvironment in a rat model of liver cancer by regulating DNA methylation, and to provide a basis for scientific clinical medication. MethodsA total of 48 specific pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normal group, model group, and Diwu Yanggan Capsule group using a random number table, with 16 rats in each group. The Solt-Farber two-step method was used to establish a rat model of liver cancer. The rats in the Diwu Yanggan Capsule group were given Diwu Yanggan Capsule at a dose of 750 mg/kg/d by gavage, and those in the normal group and the model group were given an equal volume of normal saline by gavage. Liver tissue samples were collected from each group of rats after 16 weeks of continuous intervention; DNA methylation chips were used to analyze the change in DNA methylation in liver tissue, and gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were used for data analysis. In addition, the MeDIP-PCR technique was used to detect the changes in candidate differentially methylated genes such as YWHAB, ADCK2, ERLIN2, SEMA3B, and TPH2 in the liver tissue of rats, and Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to verify the expression of key methylated genes. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups, and a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, while the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsThe DNA methylation chip analysis showed that compared with the normal group, the model group had significant methylation changes in the promoter region of 2 422 genes in liver tissue of rats. The GO functional enrichment analysis and the KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that these differentially methylated genes were significantly enriched in metabolic pathways such as steroid hormone biosynthesis and drug metabolism-cytochrome P450. Compared with the model group, the Diwu Yanggan Capsule group had significant reversal of promoter methylation in 1 650 genes, and the KEGG enrichment analysis showed that these genes were mainly involved in the pathways closely associated with cell proliferation, apoptosis, and microenvironment regulation, such as the calcium ion signaling pathway, the cAMP signaling pathway, and the extracellular factor signaling pathway. Compared with the model group, the Diwu Yanggan Capsule group had a significant increase in the promoter methylation level of the ADCK2 gene (P<0.05) and significant reductions in the promoter methylation levels of the ERLIN2 and TPH2 genes (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the Diwu Yanggan Capsule group had significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels and the protein expression levels of the ADCK2 (all P<0.05). ConclusionAbnormal DNA methylation in liver tissue participates in the development and progression of liver cancer. The effect of Diwu Yanggan Capsule on DNA methylation level is an important epigenetic mechanism for its effect in the prevention and treatment of liver cancer.


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