1.Identification and Analysis of bHLH Genes Related to Color Formation of Gastrodia elata Stem
Xue JIANG ; Dandan RAN ; Xiuwen WANG ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Xiaohong OU ; Jie PAN ; Tao ZHOU ; Zhen OUYANG ; Jiao XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):202-209
ObjectiveGastrodia elata has evolved ecological types with shortened rhizome internodes and diversified flower and fruit coloration in response to different altitudes. Studying the genetic mechanisms of different ecotype germplasm is significant for guiding variety breeding in different cultivation areas. MethodsThe bHLH gene family was identified based on the whole-genome datasets of G. elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Subsequently, the gene family members were subject to analysis, including gene structure, chromosomal localization, cis-acting elements, gene synteny, and phylogeny. Combined with transcriptome data and quantitative Real-time PCR, the expression patterns of bHLH genes in the stems of the different G. elata ecotype germplasm were analyzed. Finally, correlation analysis was conducted between gene expression patterns and color to obtain the key bHLH genes regulating the color formation of stem. ResultsA total of 63 bHLH genes were identified in both G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca, unevenly distributed across 17 chromosomes and clustered into 16 subfamilies, with significant expansion in some family members. Obvious inversions of bHLH genes on the same chromosome and interchromosomal translocations were detected in the two ecotype germplasm. Among these genes, 12 bHLH genes (such as bHLH62-3 and bHLH74) were associated with the bright yellow color of G elata f. elata stem, while 9 bHLH genes (such as PIL13, UNE12, and bHLH130) were correlated with the red color of G. elata f. glauca stem. Compared to G. elata f. glauca, the bHLH48 expression level was significantly higher in flowers and scale leaves of G elata f. elata, and the bHLH62-3 expression level was significantly higher in all organs of G elata f. elata. ConclusionsFunctional pathway divergence of the bHLH family members has occurred across different chromosomes in G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Through synergism or antagonism with other genes, 21 bHLH genes participate in the coloration metabolic pathway regulation of stems, flowers, and fruits. Specifically, bHLH62-3 is involved in regulating stem color differentiation in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway of G. elata, thus relevant to the color formation of stem. Additionally, GebHLH48 positively regulates flowering-related pathways to promote the early-flowering phenotype of G. elata f. elata. These findings have laid the foundation for analyzing the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying the color formation of the G. elata stem.
2.Research progress in perioperative immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer
Yuanyuan XU ; Feng MAO ; Xiaoke CHEN ; Qiang TAN ; Qingquan LUO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(02):318-325
It is very limited that the benefit of perioperative chemotherapy in early non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and the 5-year survival rate is only 5% higher than surgery. Antibodies that block programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death-ligand 1 significantly improve the survival of advanced NSCLC. The value of immunotherapy in early NSCLC is also being explored. This paper firstly summarized and analyzed the progress of immunotherapy in the perioperative period of NSCLC. Secondly, the safety and feasibility of surgical resection after neoadjuvant immunotherapy were discussed. Finally, the clinical value of different therapeutic efficacy prediction indicators was summarized, in order to clarify the current status of immunotherapy in the perioperative period, so as to improve the clinical benefits of early NSCLC patients.
3.Correlation between Periostin, IL-33, and chronic cough after thoracoscopic lobectomy in patients with coronary artery bypass grafting combined with lung cancer: A prospective cohort study
Yujuan QI ; Yaobang BAI ; Yan JIAO ; Xiaolong ZHU ; Bo FU ; Zhenhua WU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(03):363-368
Objective To study the correlation between Periostin, interleukin-33 (IL-33), and chronic cough after thoracoscopic lobectomy in patients with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) combined with lung cancer. Methods A total of 102 lung cancer and coronary heart disease patients at Tianjin Chest Hospital from January 2022 to January 2024 were prospectively enrolled, and they were divided into a chronic cough group (n=42) and a non-chronic cough group (n=60) based on whether chronic cough occurred after surgery. Serum levels of Periostin and IL-33 were measured on the 1st, 7th, and 14th days post-lobectomy. The Pearson method was employed to analyze the correlation between Periostin and IL-33 levels and the severity of cough. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors influencing the occurrence of chronic cough. Additionally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was utilized to assess the potential value of serum Periostin and IL-33 levels in predicting postoperative chronic cough. Results In patients with chronic cough, the peripheral blood Periostin and IL-33 levels measured on days 7 and 14 were significantly higher than those in patients with non-chronic cough, and the interactions between the two groups and at different time points were significant (P<0.001). The degree of cough was positively correlated with the levels of Periostin and IL-33 on days 7 and 14 (P<0.05), but had no significant correlation with the levels on day 1 (P>0.05). In patients with lung cancer, after thoracoscopic lobectomy, Periostin [OR=1.619, 95%CI (1.295, 2.025)] and IL-33 [OR=1.831, 95%CI (1.216, 2.758)] on day 7 and Periostin [OR=1.952, 95%CI (1.306, 2.918)] and IL-33 [OR=1.742, 95%CI (1.166, 2.603)] on day 14 were identified as risk factors for chronic cough. ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivity of Periostin on day 7 was 69.05%, the specificity was 71.67%, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.756 [95%CI (0.616, 0.893)]. The sensitivity of Periostin on day 14 increased to 71.43% and the specificity was 76.67%, AUC was 0.762 [95%CI (0.633, 0.898)]. At the same time, the critical value of IL-33 on day 7 was 45.03 pg/mL, the sensitivity and specificity were both 83.33%, the AUC was 0.884 [95%CI (0.789, 0.980)], and the critical value of IL-33 on day 14 was 56.01 pg/mL, the sensitivity was 85.71%, the specificity was 80.00%, and the AUC was 0.899 [95%CI (0.799, 0.999)]. Joint logistic regression analysis of Periostin and IL-33 levels on days 7 and 14 showed showed that the sensitivity was 95.24%, the specificity was 95.00%, and the AUC reached 0.993 [95%CI (0.979, 1.000)]. Conclusion Periostin and IL-33 levels, measured at various time points, are abnormally elevated following thoracoscopic lobectomy in patients with combined CABG and lung cancer. These levels significantly correlate with cough severity. Given their predictive potential for chronic cough, these markers are deemed valuable biomarkers.
4.Research progress of tertiary lymphoid structure in prognosis and immunotherapy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Zhenyi NIU ; Runsen JIN ; Kepeng YAN ; Yan ZHANG ; Hecheng LI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(03):468-474
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is the main histological type of esophageal cancer in China, which seriously threatens the health of people. The application of immunotherapy, mainly immune checkpoint inhibitors, has greatly improved the prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, but the efficacy of treatment is still limited. Tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS) is an ectopic organized lymphoid structure that accumulates in non-lymphoid organs. Previous studies have found that TLS in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is associated with better patient outcomes and enhanced immunotherapy efficacy. Based on current researches about TLS in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, this paper reviews the relationship between TLS and the prognosis and immunotherapy of patients. We hope to provide reference for the precise immunotherapy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
5.Chinese expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain after lung surgery with integrated Traditional Chinese and Western medicine (2026 edition)
Jichen QU ; Wentian ZHANG ; Jianqiao CAI ; Zhigang CHEN ; Bin LI ; Wei DAI ; Xiangwu WANG ; Yan LI ; Xiang LÜ ; ; Yongfu ZHU ; Mingran XIE ; Sufang ZHANG ; Lei JIANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(04):522-534
Chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) is a common long-term complication following lung surgery. Its high incidence significantly impacts patients’ quality of life and functional recovery, and imposes a substantial socioeconomic burden. This consensus aims to systematically establish a standardized integrated Chinese and Western medicine diagnostic and treatment framework for chronic post-lung surgery pain (CPLSP). Based on the latest domestic and international evidence-based medical research and multidisciplinary clinical experience, the working group comprehensively elaborates on core issues regarding CPLSP, including its definition, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical assessment, Western medical treatment, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment, and integrated strategies. The consensus emphasizes a patient-centered approach, adhering to the principles of multimodality, individualization, and stepwise management, highlighting the synergistic advantages of integrating Chinese and Western medicine throughout the entire perioperative management cycle encompassing "perioperative anti-inflammation, acute analgesia, and chronic rehabilitation." Through systematic literature retrieval and evidence integration, a total of 9 core recommendations were established to provide scientifically sound and clinically practical guidance.
6.Risk factors and predictive model for occult lymph node metastasis in cT1N0M0 stage lung squamous cell carcinoma
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(04):559-564
Objective To investigate the risk factors for lymph node metastasis in cT1N0M0 stage lung squamous cell carcinoma and develop a logistic regression model to predict lymph node metastasis. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients with cT1N0M0 stage lung squamous cell carcinoma treated in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from August 2017 to October 2022. The correlation between basic clinical data, imaging data, and pathological data and lymph node metastasis was analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed for risk factor analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curves and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test were utilized to evaluate the model’s discrimination and calibration. The Bootstrap method with 1 000 resamples was employed for internal validation of the model. Results A total of 192 patients were included, among whom 175 were male and 17 were female. Central tumors, poorly differentiated tumors, cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA21-1) levels, and tumor size were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis in cT1N0M0 stage lung squamous cell carcinoma. The optimal cutoff values for tumor size and CYFRA21-1 levels were determined to be 2.05 cm and 4.20 ng/mL, respectively. A predictive model incorporating tumor location, CYFRA 21-1 levels, and tumor size demonstrated superior predictive performance compared to models based on any single factor alone. Conclusion Tumor location of central-type, poorly differentiated tumors, CYFRA21-1 levels, and tumor size are risk factors for lymph node metastasis in cT1N0M0 stage lung squamous cell carcinoma. The combined predictive model has certain guiding significance for intraoperative lymph node resection strategies in cT1N0M0 stage lung squamous cell carcinoma.
7.Longitudinal cohort study on pubertal development trajectories of testicular and breast development among children
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):408-412
Objective:
To characterize longitudinal trajectories of testicular development in boys and breast development in girls, so as to provide reference data for understanding patterns of pubertal sexual maturation.
Methods:
Based on the Shanghai Pudong New Area Cohort Study on Growth, Development and Health in Children and Adolescents, a baseline survey was conducted in 2020 using a mult stage cluster random sampling method. A total of 2 184 children who completed all follow ups during the primary school period from 13 elementary schools in Pudong New Area,Shanghai,with annual follow ups during 2021-2025. Testicular volume and Tanner stage of breast development were assessed by professional physicians using standardized visual inspection and palpation. The age distribution of testicular volume and breast development was fitted by using cumulative link mixed models and Turnbull s nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation method.
Results:
Median ages for testicular volumes of 2, 3, 4 and 5 mL in boys were 7.07, 9.24, 10.29, and 11.57 years old, respectively. Median ages for Tanner breast stages Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ, and Ⅴ in girls were 8.55 , 10.17, 11.18, and 13.78 years old, respectively. Based on overweight and obesity, stratified analysis showed that earlier pubertal onset among overweight/obesity children, and the key milestones for pubertal initiation were testicular volume reaching 4 mL in boys and breast Tanner II in girls for 10.29, 10.83; 8.18, 9.00 years.
Conclusion
Overweight and obesity are associated with earlier pubertal initiation,but there are certain gender and developmental stage specific patterns.
8.Transcriptome-based Mining of Genes Involved in Regulation of Cyclopeptide B Synthesis in Pseudostellaria heterophylla
Qingsu ZHOU ; Yishu HUANG ; Xiuwen WANG ; Jiao XU ; Xiaohong OU ; Hua HE ; Weike JIANG ; Tao ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):224-230
ObjectiveThe biosynthesis of heterophyllin B (HB), a cyclopeptide from Pseudostellaria heterophylla, is regulated by various abiotic stresses. Elucidating the transcriptional regulatory mechanism underlying HB biosynthesis is of great guiding significance for the directional improvement of P. heterophylla varieties and the enhancement of HB content. MethodsBased on transcriptome data from different tissues of P. heterophylla, transcription factors (TFs) specifically upregulated and highly expressed in the phloem of tuberous roots were screened through a combination of Mfuzz time-series clustering, transcription factor family prediction, and correlation analysis. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was employed to analyze expression patterns of candidate TFs under abscisic acid (ABA) induction, and the dual-luciferase reporter assay was applied to verify their regulatory effects on HB precursor genes. ResultsContent determination showed that HB accumulated at the highest in the phloem of P. heterophylla tuberous roots (34 μg
9.Analyses of infection characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus in hospitalized children at a pediatric hospital in Shanghai from 2021 to 2024
Jing WANG ; Weiqin JIANG ; Yuzhe GUO ; Lijiao LIU ; Jian LIU
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(2):97-103
ObjectiveTo analyze the infection characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) among children hospitalized with acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI) in a specialized pediatric hospital in Shanghai, so as to provide evidence-based support for optimizing the prevention and control strategies and clinical diagnosis and treatment of respiratory tract infections in children in this region. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed to the clinical and etiological data of 29 260 children hospitalized for ALRTI in Shanghai Children’s Hospital from January 2021 to December 2024. HRSV and 12 other common respiratory pathogens were detected with multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and capillary electrophoresis. Demographic and clinical data were collected for statistical analyses. A total of2 412 cases with positive HRSV were divided into the severe group and the non-severe group. Clinical characteristics between the two groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test and the chi- square (χ2) test. Additionally, the related influencing factors of severe HRSV infection were explored. ResultsThe overall positivity rate of HRSV from 2021 to 2024 was 8.24% (2 412/29 260), with statistically significant differences observed across the four years (χ2=389.42, P<0.001). The highest positivity rate was in 2021 (14.76%), with a high prevalence throughout the year. In 2022, when non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) were implemented, the HRSV positivity rate was the lowest (4.93%), with a winter-dominant epidemic pattern. In 2023, after the NPIs were lifted, the HRSV positivity rate showed a slight rebound (8.14%), presenting a double-peak pattern. In 2024, the HRSV positivity rate slightly decreased compared to that in 2023 (6.29%), exhibiting a winter and spring-dominant epidemic pattern. Among the hospitalized children with ALRTI, the HRSV positivity rate in males (8.85%) was higher than that in females (7.51%), and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=17.33, P<0.001). Age distribution showed that 82.26% (1 984/2 412) of HRSV infections occurred in children aged 3 years old and below. Besides, as age increased, the infection rate of HRSV showed a gradually decreasing trend (P<0.001). Among the 2 412 children with HRSV infection, the proportion of severe cases was 22.31% (538/2 412), while the non-severe cases accounted for 77.69% (1 874/2 412). Compared with non-severe cases, severe cases were more frequently presented with high fever, longer duration of wheezing, as well as higher rates of underlying diseases or co-infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (P<0.001). ConclusionThe prevalence intensity of HRSV varied yearly from 2021 to 2024. After the removal of NPIs in 2023, a slight rebound with a double-peak epidemic pattern was observed. HRSV remained a common pathogen in children hospitalized for ARLTI, and children aged 3 years old and below constituted the highest proportion for infection. Compared with non-severe cases, those with severe HRSV infections were more prone to presenting with high fever and a longer duration of wheezing. Children with positive HRSV who had underlying diseases or co-infection with Mycoplasma pneumonia were more likely to develop severe conditions.
10.Risk identification and intervention efficacy evaluation of hospital-acquired infections in neurosurgery department based on failure mode and effect analysis
Puyu YANG ; Ye QIU ; Ya YANG ; Zhimin WEI ; Jingru ZHAO ; Weiping ZHU ; Yifeng SHEN ; Yuanping WANG
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(2):159-164
ObjectiveTo establish a regional risk assessment system for hospital-acquired infections in neurosurgery department of general hospital, and to evaluate its prevention and control effectiveness. MethodsFailure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) was used to identify the core risk factors for infections in neurosurgery department. The risk priority number (RPN) of each risk factor was calculated to determine the priority intervention targets. Targeted interventions were developed and continuously refined through the plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycles. Data from January to June 2023 (control group) and July to December 2023 (intervention group) were collected to compare the differences in environmental hygiene monitoring qualification rate, incidence rate of hospital-acquired infections among inpatients, and detection rate of bacterial antimicrobial resistance. ResultsHigh-risk factors for hospital-acquired infections in neurosurgery department included patient-related risk factors, inadequate implementation of isolation measures for special infections, and poor compliance with surgical site infection (SSI) prevention protocols. After intervention, the environmental hygiene qualification rate significantly increased from 81.55% to 100.00% (χ²=120.49, P<0.001). The overall hospital-acquired infection rate among inpatients decreased from 2.62% to 2.45%, the infection rate of per case declined from 3.12% to 2.84%, and the detection rate of multidrug-resistant organism infections reduced from 43.72% to 36.79%. Additionally, antimicrobial utilization rate decreased from 48.75% to 42.53% (χ²=34.09, P<0.001). ConclusionThe FMEA-based risk assessment system can effectively identify critical infection risks in neurosurgery department, and targeted interventions can significantly improve infection prevention and control performance.


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