1.Clinical and Neuroelectrophysiological Features of Autoimmune Nodopathy
Hongfei TAI ; Xunyan HUANG ; Songtao NIU ; Bin CHEN ; Yuzhi SHI ; Xingao WANG ; Fan JIAN ; Hua PAN ; Zaiqiang ZHANG
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(2):191-199
To summarize the clinical characteristics, antibody spectrum and neuroelectrophysiological features of autoimmune nodopathy(AN), and to explore the phenotypic differences among different antibody-positive subgroups. The clinical and electrophysiological data of patients definitely diagnosed with AN in Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, from October 2018 to January 2026 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 33 patients with AN were included. Antibody examination results showed that, anti-neurofascin(NF)155 antibody was the most prevalent, detected in 17 patients(51.50%), followed by anti-contactin-1(CNTN1) antibody in 8 patients(24.24%). Anti-NF186 antibody(4 cases, 12.12%), anti-contactin-associated protein 1(Caspr1) antibody(2 cases, 6.06%) and dual-target antibody positivity(2 cases, 6.06%) were relatively uncommon. The main clinical manifestations of AN patients included symmetric distal paresthesia of the extremities(32 cases, 96.97%), limb weakness(31 cases, 93.93%) and sensory ataxia(25 cases, 75.76%). Different antibody-positive subgroups presented distinct phenotypic features: patients with positive anti-NF155 antibody had a relatively younger age of onset, chronic onset and a high incidence of tremor, which was dominated by immunoglobulin(Ig)G4 subclass antibodies; patients with positive anti-CNTN1 antibody had a relatively advanced age of onset, mostly presented with acute or subacute onset, and were prone to complicated nephrotic syndrome; patients with positive anti-NF186 antibody had relatively mild nerve conduction damage; patients with anti-Caspr1 antibody manifested acute or subacute onset, with relatively elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein level and 24-h intrathecal IgG synthesis rate. The prominent neuroelectrophysiological manifestations of AN included decreased motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities, prolonged distal latency, frequent non-compressive conduction block and abnormal temporal dispersion. Definite sensory nerve action potentials could not be elicited in more than half of the patients. Patients with AN show high heterogeneity in clinical and neuroelectrophysiological characteristics, and different antibody-positive subgroups correspond to specific clinical and neuroelectrophysiological phenotypes.
2.Psychological Stress-induced Immune Dysregulation: The Key Factor Undermining Aerobic Exercise’s Antagonism Against Tumor Progression
Xin ZHOU ; Hua ZHANG ; Jing-Jing LIU ; Hui-Xin PAN ; Jing ZHANG ; Qing-Lu WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1656-1671
Cancer is one of the most lethal and burdensome diseases worldwide. Its progression not only causes irreversible damage to the body, but also imposes a substantial psychological burden on patients due to its complex prognosis. Immune imbalance, a hallmark of the tumor microenvironment (TME), accelerates tumor invasion and metastasis by impairing the function of effector immune cells, promoting the abnormal infiltration of immunosuppressive cells, and disrupting cytokine homeostasis, thereby constituting a major barrier to the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Compared with conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy, aerobic exercise has shown considerable potential in antagonizing tumor progression through relatively mild but effective immunomodulatory mechanisms. On the one hand, regular aerobic exercise enhances the number and activity of key effector immune cells, such as CD8+ T cells, thereby strengthening their ability to recognize and eliminate tumor cells and alleviate immune imbalance. On the other hand, aerobic exercise promotes tumor vascular normalization, improves vascular maturity, and stimulates the secretion of irisin and other anti-inflammatory myokines, thereby remodeling the TME and relieving its immunosuppressive state to delay tumor progression. However, psychological stress following a cancer diagnosis can not only act as an independent disruptive factor that exacerbates immune imbalance within the TME, but also amplify the effects of other detrimental factors, such as reduced treatment adherence, thereby further weakening the antagonistic effect of aerobic exercise on tumor growth. Psychological stress, as a chronic stressor, promotes the excessive secretion of emotion-related hormones, including glucocorticoids (GCs) and norepinephrine (NE), which further suppress the activation and effector functions of antitumor immune cells such as CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, while facilitating the recruitment of protumor immune cells such as regulatory T cells (Tregs). These changes ultimately disrupt immune homeostasis in the TME, promote tumor immune evasion, accelerate tumor invasion and metastasis, and offset the beneficial effects of aerobic exercise on tumor control. In addition, psychological stress induces hyperactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and abnormal excitation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), thereby maintaining elevated levels of GCs, NE, and related stress hormones, suppressing inflammatory chemokine expression and immune cell recruitment, and further disturbing immune homeostasis in the TME, which accelerates tumor progression. More importantly, prolonged psychological stress can also disrupt the homeostasis of central neurotransmitters, such as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and glutamate (Glu). This not only directly inhibits the activation and effector functions of antitumor immune cells and promotes the establishment of an immunosuppressive microenvironment, but also impairs cellular energy metabolism and continuously provides energy for tumor cells through metabolic reprogramming, thereby sustaining rapid tumor growth and adaptation to a hostile TME. Ultimately, these alterations contribute to the dysregulation of “neuro-endocrine-immune” axis and weaken the protective effect of aerobic exercise against tumor progression. Therefore, this review focuses on the interaction between psychological stress and the “neuro-endocrine-immune” axis, with particular emphasis on the mechanisms by which psychological stress induces immune imbalance and weakens the antagonistic effect of aerobic exercise on tumor progression. We further highlight the important role of psychological stress in tumor progression and propose that combining psychotropic interventions, aerobic exercise, and clinical antitumor immunotherapy may help restore the tumor-killing capacity of the immune system. Such a multimodal strategy may exert synergistic effects at multiple levels, including psychological stress relief, neuroendocrine regulation, and reconstruction of immune homeostasis, thereby providing new perspectives for identifying therapeutic targets in solid tumors, enhancing the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy, and improving patient prognosis.
3.An Attention-weighted Tri-modal Ultrasound Network (TUS-Net) for Screening of Atypical Hepatocellular Carcinoma From LR-M Liver Nodules
He-Chong ZHANG ; Liang-Hui HUANG ; Xue-Hua WANG ; Shang-Lin JIANG ; Ying-Ying CHEN ; Ya-Guang ZENG ; Wei ZHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1485-1498
ObjectiveDiscriminating atypical hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from other malignancies in liver nodules classified as Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System category M (LR-M) remains a significant diagnostic challenge on conventional ultrasound examination. The LR-M category, originally intended to capture non-HCC malignancies, paradoxically contains up to 63% of atypical HCCs that deviate from classic enhancement patterns, leading to potential misdiagnosis and suboptimal treatment planning. While deep learning has shown promise in HCC diagnosis, most existing models rely exclusively on single-modality ultrasound, overlooking the diagnostic benefits of integrating complementary information from multiple imaging sources. To address this gap, we propose a novel attention-weighted tri-modal ultrasound network (TUS-Net) that integrates contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), B-mode ultrasound (BUS), and time-intensity curves (TICs) to improve diagnostic accuracy for these clinically challenging lesions. MethodsOur framework incorporates a three-dimensional convolutional neural network (C3D) backbone to extract spatiotemporal features from CEUS videos, capturing dynamic vascular patterns critical for lesion characterization. To effectively fuse complementary modalities, we introduce a dual-channel feature fusion module (DCFFM) that adaptively combines features from CEUS and BUS through channel-wise attention mechanisms, allowing the model to dynamically weigh the contribution of each modality based on diagnostic relevance. Additionally, we propose a temporal intensity feature fusion module (TIFFM) that leverages quantitative hemodynamic information from TICs to guide the model’s attention toward diagnostically critical temporal phases, such as arterial wash-in and portal venous washout. The model is further enhanced by automated lesion localization using YOLOX and class activation mapping for interpretability, ensuring that predictions align with clinically meaningful imaging features. ResultsEvaluated on a tri-modal ultrasound dataset comprising 161 patients with pathologically confirmed LR-M nodules (131 atypical HCC and 30 non-HCC malignancies), our model achieved an accuracy of 86.83%, a sensitivity of 92.50%, a specificity of 75.50%, and an AUC of 89.32% in screening atypical HCC. Compared to single-modality baselines, TUS-Net demonstrated superior specificity, a clinically critical metric given the higher risk associated with misclassifying non-HCC malignancies. Ablation studies confirmed the contribution of each module, with the full model outperforming both standard C3D and 3D ResNet backbones integrated with attention mechanisms. A reader study involving junior and senior radiologists further validated the clinical utility of AI assistance, showing consistent improvements in specificity and inter-reader consistency, particularly for less experienced clinicians. ConclusionThese results surpass existing benchmark models and demonstrate the potential of our approach to enhance diagnostic precision in clinically specific cases. By intelligently fusing multi-modal ultrasound data with attention-guided mechanisms, TUS-Net offers a reliable and interpretable tool that holds promise for improving the non-invasive diagnosis of atypical HCC in challenging LR-M liver nodules.
4.Effects of different concentrations and treatment durations of hyaluronidase on mouse zygote development and blastocyst formation
Jie ZHANG ; Hua WANG ; Di YANG ; Jinfang LU ; Jicong ZHANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(3):540-545
ObjectiveTo define hyaluronidase treatment parameters that efficiently remove the extracellular matrix from zygotes without impairing embryo development, thereby providing a basis for standardized assisted reproductive procedures. MethodsMouse zygotes were treated with hyaluronidase at 40, 80, or 120 IU/mL for 60, 90, or 120 s. Following treatment, embryos were cultured in Krebs-ringer bicarbonate-based solution for organismal media (KSOM) medium, and blastocyst formation was monitored using a Time-lapse imaging system. ResultsA concentration of 40 IU/mL was insufficient for effective matrix removal, whereas 120 IU/mL markedly reduced blastocyst formation. In contrast, 80 IU/mL achieved efficient matrix clearance with minimal impact on development. Blastocyst rates were comparable between the 60 s and 90 s groups, with a slight advantage for the 60 s under the experimental conditions. ConclusionHyaluronidase treatment at 80 IU/mL for 60 s represents optimal processing conditions for mouse zygotes. These findings provide experimental basis and standardized reference for embryo handling in assisted reproductive technologies.
5.Experimental Research and Clinical Application of Shenling Baizhusan in Gastric Ulcer Treatment: A Review
Changyue SUN ; Hua ZHANG ; Yuwei ZHU ; Qian LI ; Xiaowei ZHONG ; Xiaoping ZHANG ; Xiaofan CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):271-281
Gastric ulcer (GU) is a high-incidence digestive system disease characterized pathologically by disruption of gastric mucosal integrity, with clinical features including a prolonged course and periodic recurrence. Modern medicine attributes its pathogenesis to the dynamic imbalance between aggressive and defensive factors,while traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) posits its development as closely linked to spleen deficiency. Current therapies combining acid suppressants and antibiotics face challenges such as high recurrence rates,poor mucosal healing,and adverse drug reactions. Long-term use may induce metabolic disturbances like hypergastrinemia and reduced intestinal microbiota diversity. Therefore,exploring safer and longer-lasting therapeutic strategies has become a critical focus. TCM has extensive clinical experience and unique advantages in GU prevention and treatment. Studies demonstrate that the classic formula Shenling Baizhu San exhibits therapeutic properties of "invigorating spleen and tonifying Qi to restore physiological balance and eliminating dampness and regulating middle energizer to unblock Qi movement", enabling a holistic approach targeting both symptoms and root causes in GU with spleen deficiency as the core pathology by suppressing aggressive factors and strengthening defensive factors. Experimental research reveals its mechanisms involve enhancing the physicochemical barrier of the mucus layer,repairing epithelial barriers and microcirculation,modulating gastric acid secretion and gastrointestinal motility,and regulating microecological barriers and mucosal immunity. Clinical evidence confirms its synergistic effects in promoting ulcer healing,improving Helicobacter pylori eradication rates,and reducing recurrence risks. This review examined the etiology and pathogenesis of GU and systematically evaluated Shenling Baizhu San from three perspectives-clinical application,pharmacological effects, and experimental research-to provide insights for optimizing integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine protocols and expanding its clinical applications.
6.Pain after total knee arthroplasty:current status and trend analysis
Anqi ZHANG ; Haotian HUA ; Tianyuan CAI ; Zicheng WANG ; Zhuo MENG ; Xiaoqian ZHAN ; Guoqian CHEN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(3):795-804
BACKGROUND:The number of patients receiving total knee arthroplasty has been increasing globally each year.Pain management is a crucial aspect following total knee arthroplasty,as effective pain control can facilitate early mobilization,reduce complications,enhance patient satisfaction,and accelerate the rehabilitation process.OBJECTIVE:To construct a visual map of post-total knee arthroplasty pain,understand the international research status and trends in this field,and provide a reference for future studies.METHODS:Relevant research articles on post-total knee arthroplasty pain were retrieved from the CNKI,WanFang Data,and Web of Science core databases,covering the period from January 2000 to December 2023.The CiteSpace software(version 6.2.3)was used to analyze the annual publication output,authors,institutions,countries,keywords,and references.Utilizing R programming language(version 4.4.1),a database was established to create line charts and bar graphs.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Our analysis included 3 796 publications,predominantly in Chinese(3 509 articles)with the remainder in English(287 articles).(2)The United States was the most productive country in English literature,with Harvard University leading institutional output.Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine was the top publishing institution in Chinese literature.(3)Keyword clustering identified"quality of life,""phobia,"and"acupuncture"as emerging focal points in Chinese literature,while"satisfaction"and"psychological factors"were prominent in English literature over the past five years.Co-occurrence and clustering analysis revealed dense internal connections among institutions,authors,and publications,but sparse external collaborations.(4)The study's bias on visualization analysis may have introduced bias by excluding less influential papers.(5)Regarding research hotspots,domestic research emphasized the efficacy and exploration of analgesic methods,in contrast to international research that focused on pain mechanism subtyping and analgesic drug innovation.Future research is expected to trend towards traditional Chinese medicine for postoperative pain,multimodal analgesia,and the investigation and prevention of pain typing mechanisms.
7.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.
8.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.
9.Clinical observation of radiofrequency minimally invasive treatment for conjunctivochalasis-induced epiphora
Xuan ZHENG ; Xiaozhao YANG ; Hua YANG ; Yi ZHANG ; Bo WANG
International Eye Science 2026;26(3):528-533
AIM: To evaluate the surgical outcomes and changes in the ocular surface microenvironment following radiofrequency minimally invasive treatment for conjunctivochalasis-induced epiphora.METHODS: Patients with epiphora primarily caused by conjunctivochalasis were enrolled. All patients had conjunctivochalasis of ≥grade II, and their symptoms showed no significant improvement after previous pharmacological treatment. All patients underwent radiofrequency minimally invasive correction of conjunctivochalasis, supplemented with artificial tears, anti-inflammatory therapy, and ocular surface repair treatment postoperatively. At 8 wk post-surgery, the ocular surface disease index(OSDI), eye redness, tear secretion, non-invasive tear break-up time, lipid layer thickness, tear ferning test, and conjunctival impression cytology were assessed to compare treatment efficacy and observe changes in the ocular surface microenvironment.RESULTS: A total of 43 cases(43 eyes)of conjunctivochalasis and with a main complaint of epiphora were included, including 23 males and 20 males, with a mean age of 64.69±3.36 years. The total effective rate of surgery was 91% at 8 wk postoperatively. Compared with preoperative values, the OSDI scores significantly decreased and the non-invasive tear break-up time was prolonged at 8 wk post-surgery(all P<0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in lipid layer thickness or tear secretion at 8 wk postoperatively(all P>0.05). The normal rate of chloramphenicol taste test increased from 21% preoperatively to 63% postoperatively; the normal rate of eye redness increased from 40% to 70%; normal rate of tear ferning grading improved from 30% to 63%; and normal conjunctival impression cytology grading increased from 21% to 74%.CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency minimally invasive treatment is effective for conjunctivochalasis and is straightforward to perform. Patients with conjunctivochalasis often present with other ocular surface issues beyond conjunctivochalasis itself, such as insufficient tear secretion, reduced lipid layer thickness, and other dry eye-related problems. Therefore, a comprehensive approach emphasizing tear dynamics should be adopted during treatment.
10.Pharmacological Effect and Preparation Development of Geniposide: A Review
Yongmei GUAN ; Yidan LIU ; Hua ZHANG ; Haiyan ZHANG ; Zhenzhong ZANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):317-326
Geniposide, the primary active component of the traditional Chinese medicine Gardeniae Fructus, is a water-soluble iridoid glycoside. Pharmacological studies have demonstrated that geniposide exhibits various biological activities, including hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, neuroprotective, antidepressant effects, and inhibitory activity against ischemia-reperfusion injury. Recent research has revealed its promising potential in preventing and treating diseases such as atherosclerosis and osteoporosis, indicating broad application prospects. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that the pharmacodynamic mechanisms of geniposide are primarily associated with the inhibition of inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, improvement of lipid metabolism, and regulation of apoptosis. However, due to its high water solubility and rapid metabolism in vivo, geniposide suffers from low oral bioavailability, which limits its therapeutic efficacy and clinical application. In recent years, various formulations, such as creams, cubic liquid crystals, hydrogels, and liposomes, have been developed to address its bioavailability issues. This article reviewed the latest research progress on the pharmacological activities and formulation development of geniposide by analyzing domestic and international literature from the past decade, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for further research, development, and utilization of geniposide and its formulations.

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