1.Exploring the pathogenesis and treatment methods of irritable bowel syndrome from the
Yan XU ; Fang YANG ; Rongshi SHAO ; Huili SUN ; Juan LI ; Xin CHEN ; Jing HAN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;49(1):10-15
This article adopts Professor CHEN Chaozu′s " sanjiao composed by membrane-striae" theory as its foundation to explore the relationship between irritable bowel syndrome and functional/structural abnormalities of the membrane-striae. Sanjiao encompasses both the tangible membrane and the intangible striae. These striae permeate the entire body,and their pathological changes comprehensively reflect qi,body fluids,and fasciae. Based on the physiological function of the membrane-striae in regulating qi and fluids,the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by a disharmony of membrane-striae and an imbalance of the qi-fluid interactions. In the early stage,external pathogens,emotional factors,or dietary stimuli often cause membrane-striae constriction and disordered qi-fluid circulation. In the middle stage,stagnant fluids gradually transform into phlegm retention,leading to membrane-striae obstruction. In the late stage,deficiency of vital qi becomes predominant,manifesting as laxity of membrane-striae with impaired control or weakened conduction. The treatment of irritable bowel syndrome should adopt " unblocking" as the guiding principle. In the early stage,therapy should focus on eliminating pathogenic factors and soothing membrane-striae to promptly restore qi-fluid circulation,thereby attaining unblocking through spasm relief. In the middle stage,treatment should focus on resolving tangible obstructions in membrane-striae,achieving unblocking via dredging. In the late stage,the emphasis should shift to reinforcing healthy qi,particularly by strengthening spleen-kidney yang qi,and achieving unblocking through supplementation. Concurrently,throughout the entire treatment process,the regulation of mental state and easing of emotional tension should be integrated to alleviate patient′s anxiety,achieving the goal of holistic treatment of both body and mind.
2.Indobufen attenuates cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury by inhibiting the NF-κB/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway
Yiyin XU ; Dan XU ; Xue GOU ; Weirong FANG ; Yunman LI ; Hua SHAO ; Yongqing WANG
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2026;57(2):246-255
Indobufen is a new generation of antiplatelet agents and has been shown to have antithrombotic effects in animal models. However, its therapeutic potential and mechanisms against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated the in vivo neuroprotective effects of indobufen through both pretreatment and posttreatment regimens in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R). In vitro, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) were employed to investigate the relationship between indobufen and the pyroptosis-associated NF-κB/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway. The pharmacodynamic tests revealed that indobufen ameliorated I/R injury by decreasing the level of thromboxane B2 (TXB2), infarct size, brain edema and neurological impairment in rats and rescuing cell pyroptosis in HUVECs. The underlying mechanisms were probably related to pyroptosis suppression by regulating the NF-κB/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway. Overall, these studies indicate that indobufen exerts protective and therapeutic effects against I/R injury by pyroptosis suppression via downregulating NF-κB/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway.
3.Strategies of HIV-1 Vaccines Based on mRNA Platforms
Pei LIU ; Zhong-Yue FANG ; Xin-Xin CHEN ; Shao-Wei LI ; Ying GU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):826-839
Since its emergence in the 1980s, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has caused a global pandemic, posing a severe threat to human life and health as well as social development. Although pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) effectively curbs HIV transmission and antiretroviral therapy (ART) significantly extends the lifespan of patients, vaccines remain a pivotal tool for blocking transmission and ending the pandemic. The high genetic variability of HIV-1, the glycan shield of its envelope glycoproteins, and the long-term persistence of latent reservoirs have repeatedly led to bottlenecks in traditional vaccine strategies. In recent years, mRNA technology has offered a novel approach to addressing these challenges, leveraging advantages such as sequence programmability, short production cycles, native conformational expression of antigens, and self-adjuvant effects. In recent years, mRNA vaccine technology has emerged as a transformative solution to longstanding vaccinology challenges, characterized by its sequence programmability, rapid production cycles, native conformational antigen expression, and intrinsic self-adjuvanting properties. Unlike traditional platforms reliant on pathogen culture or recombinant proteins, mRNA vaccines can be expeditiously designed and updated based solely on viral genomic sequences. Lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-encapsulated mRNA facilitates endogenous antigen expression and presentation, simultaneously eliciting potent humoral and cellular immune responses. Within this landscape, self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA) further extends in vivo antigen expression to enhance the persistence of immune responses. Moreover, the LNP delivery system not only protects mRNA from degradation and mediates endosomal escape but also synergizes with mRNA to optimize immune activation via self-adjuvant effects. Importantly, mRNA platforms circumvent the pre-existing immunity associated with viral vectors and the genomic integration risks of DNA vaccines, positioning them as a cornerstone for global pandemic preparedness. This review systematically delineates recent advances in mRNA technology for HIV-1 vaccine development, focusing on four pivotal research frontiers. First, mRNA innovations building upon the RV144 trial optimize antigens through codon modification and multivalent designs to induce more durable and broad-spectrum immunity. Second, particulate mRNA vaccine strategies, utilizing virus-like particles (VLPs) and ferritin nanoparticles, achieve in situ antigen self-assembly, significantly enhancing B cell activation and reducing infection risks in non-human primate models. Third, germline-targeting mRNA vaccines address the low-affinity barrier of broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAp) precursors, efficiently activating rare precursor B cells and promoting affinity maturation. Fourth, therapeutic mRNA vaccines offer unique advantages for an HIV functional cure; combining immunogens with mRNA-encoded adjuvants potentiates cellular immunity, while LNP-mediated “shock-and-kill” strategies specifically activate latent reservoirs to guide immune clearance. Comparative analyses with traditional platforms reveal that mRNA technology redefines antigen production and presentation, simulating chronic infection through sustained expression and enabling dual-pathway presentation via endogenous synthesis. Furthermore, we explore the mechanistic innovations of mRNA vaccines in inducing bNAps: sustained in vivo production prolongs the activation window for precursor B cells and maintains germinal center (GC) reactions; endogenously expressed antigens adopt native conformations to expose conserved epitopes; and self-adjuvanting effects modulate the functions of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and follicular helper T cells (Tfh), driving somatic hypermutation and affinity maturation. We also address critical clinical translation challenges, including immune durability, adaptability to special populations, and large-scale LNP manufacturing, while proposing targeted optimization strategies. In conclusion, this review establishes a theoretical framework for utilizing mRNA technology to overcome HIV-1 immune escape, transitioning from a descriptive paradigm to a problem-solving-based synthesis of evidence. By integrating preclinical and early clinical data, we bridge the gap between basic design and translational verification. mRNA technology is poised to become a central pillar inHIV-1 prevention and therapy, providing a robust toolset to achieve the global goal of ending the AIDS pandemic and offering a blueprint for vaccine development against other recalcitrant infectious diseases.
4.Prognostic Utility of the Albumin-to-Alkaline Phosphatase Ratio in Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Yun-Ting WANG ; Adarsh KUDVA ; Yen-Ting LU ; Liang-Tseng KUO ; Chia-Hsuan LAI ; Yuan-Hsiung TSAI ; Chun-Ta LIAO ; Ku-Hao FANG ; Chung-Jan KANG ; Ethan I. HUANG ; Cheng-Ming HSU ; Geng-He CHANG ; Ming-Shao TSAI ; Yao-Te TSAI
Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology 2026;19(1):45-54
Objectives:
. The prognostic value of the pretreatment albumin-to-alkaline phosphatase ratio (AAPR) in head and neck cancer (HNC) remains uncertain. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the predictive role of AAPR for survival outcomes in patients with HNC.
Methods:
. A comprehensive search of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase databases was conducted to identify relevant studies published up to July 30, 2024. We included studies on AAPR and survival outcomes in HNC patients.
Results:
. Eight studies comprising 1,737 HNC patients were analyzed using random-effects models. Lower AAPR values were significantly correlated with worse overall survival (hazard ratio [HR], 2.08), progression-free survival (HR, 2.00), and disease-free survival (HR, 2.18). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these results, with no significant publication bias detected.
Conclusion
. Our findings suggest that pretreatment AAPR could serve as a valuable and cost-effective prognostic indicator in HNC, potentially aiding clinicians in risk stratification and treatment decision-making. However, additional validation studies are warranted to confirm its clinical applicability.
5.Effect of Electroacupuncture on Metabolism-Inflammation Network in Patients with Simple Obesity:A Randomized Controlled Trial
Qi SHU ; Qiumei PENG ; Zhihao XU ; Shanshan FANG ; Wenjing SHAO ; Hongliang CHENG ; Rilong HUANG ; Qing YU ; Ronglin CAI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(13):1415-1421
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture in treatment of simple obesity patients and its effects on the metabolism-inflammation network. MethodsSeventy-two patients with simple obesity were randomly divided into a electroacupuncture group and a sham electroacupuncture group, with 36 patients in each group. In the electroacupuncture group, conventional acupuncture was applied at Zhongwan (CV 12), bilateral Tianshu (ST 25), bilateral Daheng (SP15), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) and Fenglong (ST 40). The sham electroacupuncture group used placebo needle at same acupoints as the electroacupuncture group. Both groups were given sparse-dense waves with a frequency of 2/10 Hz, 30 minutes per session, 3 times a week, for a total of 8 weeks of treatment. The changes of human body parameters including body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and body fat percentage (BFP), metabolic factors including serum fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), leptin, and ghrelin, and inflammatory factors including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were compared before and after treatment. Correlations between changes in leptin, ghrelin and inflammatory factors were further analyzed. ResultsWaist circumference was significantly reduced after treatment in both groups compared with baseline (P<0.05), and the post-treatment waist circumference was lower in the electroacupuncture group than in the sham electroacupuncture group (P<0.05); body weight, BMI and BFP decreased significantly after treatment compared to pretreatment levels in the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05). Serum leptin, IL-6 and TNF-α declined significantly after treatment in both groups versus baseline (P<0.05); the electroacupuncture group had lower post-treatment levels of leptin, IL-6 and TNF-α as well as larger pre-post changes than the sham group (P<0.05); ghrelin increased markedly after treatment in both groups (P<0.05), with higher post-treatment ghrelin and greater pre-post variation observed in the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05). In the electroacupuncture group, changes in ghrelin were negatively correlated with IL-6 and positively correlated with TNF-α (P<0.01); in the sham electroacupuncture group, ghrelin changes were negatively correlated with both IL-6 and TNF-α, whereas leptin changes were positively correlated with the two inflammatory markers (P<0.01). ConclusionElectroacupuncture can effectively improve clinical manifestations, as well as regulate serum metabolic and pro-inflammatory factors in patients with simple obesity, and discrepant correlation patterns of metabolism-inflammation are observed between the two groups.
6.Deep integration of artificial intelligence and personalized teaching strategies—taking"Immunology Course for PhD candidate"as an example
Mingli FANG ; Dong LI ; Chen SHAO
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(6):1340-1343
The development of artificial intelligence(AI)technology has promoted major changes in the field of immunology innovation and teaching reform.Traditional teaching classrooms are developing towards digital and intelligent teaching models.In order to improve high-quality education,cultivate AI thinking and comprehensive ability of graduate students,optimize current situations of traditional large classes and diversified characteristics of student,the AI technology is used to analyze the learning situation of students before class.Next,differentiated intelligence allocates digital learning materials according to the results of pre-class survey analysis,adopts"Research on scientific literature-based flipped classroom"teaching methods,carries out differentiated assessment methods,and finally the personalized teaching mode of doctoral students is implemented.This teaching strategy of deep integration of artificial intelligence and personalization can provide theoretical support and practical guidance for the subsequent reform and innovation in the immunology classroom and meet the needs of personalized training for PhD doctoral talents.
7.Analysis of Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors for Bone Lesions in Patients with Multiple Myeloma
Chen-Yang LI ; Qi-Ke ZHANG ; Xiao-Fang WEI ; You-Fan FENG ; Yuan FU ; Qiao-Lin CHEN ; Wen-Jie ZHANG ; Yuan-Yuan ZHANG ; Shao-Hua ZHANG ; Shang-Yi ZHANG ; Jie LIU
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(6):1635-1639
Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with multiple myeloma(MM)complicated by bone lesions and the risk factors associated with bone lesions.Methods:The clinical data of 294 newly diagnosed MM patients in Gansu Provincial Hospital from January 2017 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into the bone lesion group(154 cases)and the non-bone lesions group(140 cases)based on the presence of absence of bone lesions at diagnosis.The general data and laboratory parameters were compared between the two groups.The risk factors for bone lesions in MM patients were analyzed by logistic regression analysis,and the characteristic(ROC)curves were plotted to assess the predictive value of each risk factor for the occurrence of bone lesions in MM patients.Results:Compared to the non-bone lesion group,the bone lesion group had significantly higher serum calcium levels and significantly greater proportions of patients with Durie-Salmon(DS)stage Ⅲ,and bone pain(all P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that elevated serum calcium(OR=5.135,95%CI:1.931-13.653,P=0.001),DS stage Ⅲ(OR=1.841,95%CI:1.019-3.328,P=0.043),and bone pain(OR=8.208,95%CI:4.761-14.151,P<0.001)were independent risk factors for bone lesions in MM patients.ROC curve analysis showed that serum calcium(AUC=0.619,95%CI:0.555-0.683,P<0.001)and bone pain(AUC=0.743,95%CI:0.692-0.793,P<0.001)had predictive value for bone lesions in MM patients.Conclusion:MM patients have a high incidence of bone lesions,and active monitoring and management of risk factors may improve treatment outcomes and prognosis.
8.Longitudinal qualitative study of supportive care needs on heart transplant patients
Wenxuan TAN ; Rong ZHANG ; Lili ZHANG ; Wei WANG ; Yanhong SHAO ; Qinghong FANG ; Jin ZHU
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(2):142-148
Objective To explore the supportive care needs of heart transplant patients at different stages.Methods Purposive sampling method was used to select 15 heart transplant patients who were hospitalized in a tertiary A hospital in Guangdong Province from July 2023 to February 2024 as research subjects.According to the"Timing It Right"theory,5 semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients.Interpretive phenomenology was used to sort out and analyze the data.Results A total of 5 themes and 18 subthemes were extracted,including urgent desire for transplant information and psychological support during diagnosis,strong physiological and emotional needs during hospitalization,significant demand for health education in the preparation period for discharge,expectation of family support during the adjustment period,increasing demand for social support during the adaptation period.Conclusion The supportive care needs of heart transplant patients at different stages are dynamic.Medical staff should adopt the concept of dynamic and continuous care,and provide personalized care in stages,plans and continuance,in order to improve the quality of life of heart transplant patients.
9.Effect of electroacupuncture on the expression of TRPV4 in the dorsal root ganglion of diabetic neuropathic pain model rats
Minjian JIANG ; Hengyu CHI ; Yurong KANG ; Yongliang JIANG ; Yinmu ZHENG ; Siyi LI ; Shuting ZHOU ; Boyu LIU ; Xiaomei SHAO ; Jianqiao FANG ; Xiaofen HE
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(2):241-248
Objective To explore the function of electroacupuncture(EA)on body mass,fasting blood glucose,heat pain threshold,and transient receptor potential vanilloid 4(TRPV4)in the dorsal root ganglia(DRG)of rats with diabetic neuropathic pain(DNP).Methods A DNP rat model was formed by intraperitoneally injecting the animals with STZ.From days 15 to 21,bilateral Zusanli and Kunlun points of the DNP rat model were treated with electroacupuncture once daily for 30 min.We then measured their body mass,fasting blood glucose,and heat pain threshold.The co-expression of TRPV4 and NeuN in the rat L4~L6 DRG was detected by immunofluorescence.The effects of the TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A on body mass,fasting blood glucose,and the heat pain threshold of DNP rats treated with electroacupuncture were detected.Results After the 7th day,body mass was significantly decreased(P<0.01)and fasting glucose was significantly increased(P<0.01)in the model group compared with the normal group.After the 21st day,compared with the model group,heat pain threshold of the model+electroacupuncture group was significantly higher(P<0.01);the results of co-expression of TRPV4 and NeuN immunofluorescence on rat L4~L6 DRG showed that:the expression of positive cells in the model group was significantly higher(P<0.01)than that in the normal group,the co-expression of TRPV4 and NeuN positive cells in L4~L6 DRG of rats in the model+electroacupuncture group was significantly lower(P<0.01)than that in the model group.The TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A can reverse the downregulation of thermal pain threshold induced by electroacupuncture in DNP rats(P<0.01).Conclusion Electroacupuncture alleviated the DNP induced by STZ,and its mechanism may involve the inhibition of TRPV4 protein expression in the DRG.
10.Experimental study of the ultraviolet A-riboflavin cross-linking corneal stro-mal lenticule punctal plug for the treatment of dry eyes in rabbits
Fan YANG ; Fang TIAN ; Cheng PEI ; Juan LI ; Yong LI ; Yi SHAO
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2025;45(4):286-290
Objective To investigate the efficacy of the ultraviolet A-riboflavin cross-linking corneal stromal lenticule punctal plug for the treatment of dry eyes in rabbits.Methods Thirty-two New Zealand white rabbits(64 eyes)were se-lected and randomly divided into a normal group,a model group,a conventional plug group and a cross-linking plug group,with 8 rabbits(16 eyes)in each group.Rabbits in the normal group were not treated.In the model group,moderate-to-se-vere dry eye rabbit models were constructed but no treatment was given.Rabbits in the conventional and cross-linking plug groups were implanted with conventional and cross-linking plugs after model construction,respectively.The tear film func-tions of the experimental rabbits,including tear secretion volume(SIT),corneal fluorescein sodium staining,tear film break-up time(BUT),and tear meniscus height(TMH),were detected before the intervention,1 day,1 week,2 weeks,and 4 weeks after the intervention.In addition,the corneas of each group were collected for hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining to observe the changes of the corneal epithelium 4 weeks after the intervention.Finally,the non-cross-linking and cross-linking corneal stromal lenticules were placed separately in 1 g·L-1 of type Ⅰ collagenase to observe the change of the lenticule diameter over time.Results In the cross-linking plug group,the SIT,BUT and TMH values 2 and 4 weeks after the intervention were significantly higher than those before the intervention(all P<0.01).In the conventional plug group,the SIT,BUT and TMH values 4 weeks after intervention were significantly higher than those before the intervention(all P<0.01).After 4 weeks of intervention,the corneal staining of rabbits in the cross-linking plug group was better than that in the conventional plug group and model group.The HE staining results showed that in the cross-linking plug group,the corneal epithelial thickness of rabbits was basically normal,epithelial cells were basically arranged in order,and a single layer of columnar epithelial cells was observed on the basal layer.The dissolution time of the corneal stromal lenticule after cross-linking was significantly increased,compared with that of the non-cross-linking one.Conclusion The ultraviolet A-riboflavin cross-linking corneal stromal lenticule punctal plug has a more stable therapeutic effect on the rabbit dry-eye model than the conventional one,so it is expected to provide a novel approach for the clinical treatment of dry eyes.


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