1.Research progress on the mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine in treating functional constipation based on the gut microbiota-bile acid axis
Xiangrui KONG ; Qimeng ZHANG ; Yue ZOU ; Yong LIANG ; Yu SHI ; Yang ZHANG ; Hongxi ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(2):244-249
Functional constipation (FC) is a common functional disorder of the intestines, mainly characterized by reduced bowel movement frequency, difficulty in defecation, a sensation of incomplete evacuation, and hard stools, which severely affect patients’ quality of life. Research indicates that the pathogenesis of FC is closely related to gut microbiota dysbiosis and abnormal bile acid secretion. Bile acids, as endogenous natural laxatives, promote bowel movements by enhancing colonic secretion and regulating intestinal motility; meanwhile, gut microbiota influence colonic transit function by regulating the enteric nervous system, immune system, and their metabolic products. Based on an overview of the relationship between gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism, this article systematically reviews the current research status on the mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating FC by regulating the balance of the gut microbiota-bile acid axis. It is found that single Chinese medicinal herbs (such as Atractylodes macrocephala), isolated compounds (such as Platycodon grandiflorum polysaccharides), herbal formulas (such as Shanger huang pill), acupuncture, and moxibustion can up-regulate the abundance of beneficial bacteria, reshape the microbial structure, correct bile acid metabolism, and activate the Takeda G-protein receptor 5/farnesoid X receptor pathway to treat FC.
2.Ancient and Modern Application and Key Information Analysis of Classic Formula Erchentang
Qing TANG ; Lyuyuan LIANG ; Jialei CAO ; Lan LIU ; Hejia WAN ; Chengxin LUO ; Bingqi WEI ; Yamin KONG ; Bingxiang MA ; Wenli SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):262-270
Erchentang is a classic formula widely used by medical practitioners throughout history. In this paper,ancient and modern literature of Erchentang were collected, and bibliometrics was employed to analyze its historic evolution,prescription meaning,herbs origin, processing method,preparation methods, and clinical application. A total of 84 pieces of data were collected, and 58 pieces of data involving 53 ancient medical Chinese books were screened, sorted, and processed. Combined with research of modern scholars,the research has found that the Erchentang originated from the Taiping Huimin Huiye Shijie Fang compiled by the Imperial Medical Bureau of the Song Dynasty. The basic information about the origin of the drugs is quite clear. Pinelliae rhizoma in the formula is the dried tuber of Pinellia ternata. Citri exocarpium rubrum is the dried mature peel of Citrus reticulata and its cultivated varieties, with the inner white membrane removed. Poria is the whitest dry sclerotia of Poria cocos; Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma is the dried root and rhizome of the Glycyrrhiza uralensis. The dosage is 5.70 g Pinelliae rhizome and Citri exocarpium rubrum, 3.43 g Poria, and 1.69 g Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma praeparata cum melle. During the decoction process, the above-mentioned herbs should be chopped, with 300 mL water, 7 g ginger in thick slices, and 2 g Mume fructus added, and it was then simmered together to 180 mL. After removing the medicinal residue, it can be taken warmly. Erchentang has the effect of drying dampness and resolving phlegm, regulating Qi and harmonizing the middle. It can be used in treating the syndrome of phlegm and dampness,as well as symptoms such as frequent cough,white phlegm,fullness in chest and diaphragm,nausea and vomiting,limb drowsiness,anorexia,dizziness,palpitations,white and greasy tongue coating, and slippery pulse. The above results provide reference for future research and development of Erchentang.
3.HOXD11 promotes the malignant biological behaviors of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma through transcriptional regulation of Ki-67 activity
KONG Yannan ; LIU Liang ; LIU Yanli ; ZHAO Huiling ; NIU Yunfeng
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2026;33(4):379-388
[摘 要] 目的:探讨同源异型盒蛋白D11(HOXD11)对Ki-67的转录调控作用及其对喉鳞状细胞癌(LSCC)细胞恶性生物学行为的影响和机制。方法:结合高通量测序数据,通过GEO、UALCAN数据库分析HOXD11在LSCC中差异表达。收集2022年1月至2025年1月联勤保障部队第九八〇医院手术切除的60例LSCC患者的癌及癌旁组织标本,以及人LSCC细胞系AMC-HN-8、TU-177、TU-686和人正常喉上皮细胞(HNLEC),构建敲低或过表达HOXD11的细胞系,将细胞分为对照组、HOXD11敲低组及HOXD11过表达组。通过RT-qPCR法检测HOXD11和Ki-67基因在LSCC组织和细胞中mRNA表达水平,免疫组织化学(IHC)法分析两者在LSCC组织中的蛋白表达及分布,WB法进一步验证蛋白差异表达。采用MTS、克隆形成实验及Transwell实验分别检测敲低或过表达HOXD11对LSCC细胞增殖、迁移与侵袭的影响。通过双萤光素酶报告基因实验和染色质免疫沉淀(ChIP)实验验证HOXD11对Ki-67启动子活性的调控作用。结果:GEO和UALCAN数据库分析表明,HOXD11在LSCC中高表达(P < 0.01)。在LSCC组织中HOXD11和Ki-67 mRNA和蛋白表达均显著高于癌旁组织(均P < 0.01),同时,两者表达水平之间存在正相关(r = 0.26,P < 0.05);LSCC细胞系中HOXD11 mRNA表达显著高于HNLEC(均P < 0.01)。敲低HOXD11显著抑制LSCC细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力(均P < 0.01),而过表达HOXD11则促进细胞的这些恶性生物学行为(均P < 0.01)。双萤光素酶报告基因实验及ChIP实验均证实,HOXD11可直接结合到Ki-67启动子区上,调控其表达(P < 0.01)。回复实验显示,过表达Ki-67可部分逆转敲低HOXD11对LSCC细胞增殖、迁移与侵袭的抑制作用(均P < 0.01)。结论:HOXD11在LSCC组织及细胞系中均呈高表达,其机制在于通过直接调控Ki-67的转录活性,从而增强LSCC细胞的增殖、迁移及侵袭能力。
4.Construction and clinical application exploration of an artificial intelligence-based high-quality lung cancer surgery dataset
Xuhua HUANG ; Yunfeng NIE ; Liang SHEN ; Pengxu KONG ; Xin TAN ; Zihao LI ; Wang LV ; Min ZHOU ; Xudong LV ; Jian HU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(05):717-727
Objective To construct a lung cancer surgery-oriented disease-specific database covering the entire perioperative care pathway, thereby improving the quality and usability of key surgical data elements. Methods Real-world clinical data were extracted from a single-center thoracic surgery department. A standardized data model was established based on the open electronic health record (openEHR) standard. Large language model (LLM), optical character recognition (OCR), and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven techniques were employed to extract, structure, and perform quality control on unstructured clinical narratives, imaging reports, and radiological data, with a focus on capturing surgically relevant perioperative indicator. Results A multimodal database comprising 19 917 patients was established, including 7 930 males and 11 987 females, with ages ranging from 15 to 97 (61.7±9.7) years. The database includes 582 structured data variables, textual report data corresponding to 69 clinical indicators, 13 000 pulmonary function test PDF reports, and chest CT imaging data from 16 884 patients. This database comprehensively covers major information relevant to surgical diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, significantly improving the completeness and granularity of surgical detail data. Large language models (LLMs) and optical character recognition (OCR) technologies enhanced the efficiency of converting unstructured data into structured formats, while a multi-level manual verification process ensured data accuracy and traceability. The database supports real-world research including comparisons of surgical procedures, prediction of postoperative complications, prognosis assessment, and multimodal data association analyses.
5.Status and correlations of psychological distress, job satisfaction, and sleep quality among prehospital emergency medical personnel in Guangzhou
Jiarui LIANG ; Huilin JIANG ; Baoling WU ; Hanxiang GONG ; Jiangli WU ; Tongtong DENG ; Zhengyu CHEN ; Xiaohui CHEN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(5):614-620
Background Prehospital emergency medical personnel (PEMP) are exposed to long-term high-pressure work, which can exacerbate psychological distress and impair job satisfaction and sleep quality. However, in-depth research on the interactions among these factors is lacking. Objective To assess the status of psychological distress, job satisfaction, and sleep quality of PEMP in Guangzhou and to explore the mediating role of sleep quality in the relationship between psychological distress and job satisfaction. Methods From February to May 2025, 1085 PEMP from "120" emergency network hospitals in Guangzhou were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected via the General Information Questionnaire, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25.0, and The mediation model of sleep quality in linking psychological distress and job satisfaction was constructed using AMOS 28.0. The bias-corrected Bootstrap method was employed to assessed the significance of the mediating effect. Results A total of 1063 valid responses were received (97.97% valid response rate). The mean scores were: psychological distress (27.99±10.75), job satisfaction (69.45±15.84), and sleep quality (9.82±4.47). Significant differences in the three scores were found across gender, age, monthly night shift frequency, and hospital grade (P<0.05). Higher job satisfaction was linked to lower psychological distress and better sleep quality and its dimensions, while psychological distress directly correlated with poorer sleep quality (P<0.01). Sleep quality partially mediated the relationship between psychological distress and job satisfaction, with a mediating effect of −0.195, accounting for 43.62% of the total effect. Conclusion The participants report moderate psychological distress, moderate-to-high job satisfaction, and poor sleep quality. Psychological distress directly affects job satisfaction and indirectly through its impact on sleep quality. Interventions aimed at improving sleep health and mental health are essential to improve personnel well-being and work efficiency.
6.Status and correlations of psychological distress, job satisfaction, and sleep quality among prehospital emergency medical personnel in Guangzhou
Jiarui LIANG ; Huilin JIANG ; Baoling WU ; Hanxiang GONG ; Jiangli WU ; Tongtong DENG ; Zhengyu CHEN ; Xiaohui CHEN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(5):614-620
Background Prehospital emergency medical personnel (PEMP) are exposed to long-term high-pressure work, which can exacerbate psychological distress and impair job satisfaction and sleep quality. However, in-depth research on the interactions among these factors is lacking. Objective To assess the status of psychological distress, job satisfaction, and sleep quality of PEMP in Guangzhou and to explore the mediating role of sleep quality in the relationship between psychological distress and job satisfaction. Methods From February to May 2025, 1085 PEMP from "120" emergency network hospitals in Guangzhou were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected via the General Information Questionnaire, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25.0, and The mediation model of sleep quality in linking psychological distress and job satisfaction was constructed using AMOS 28.0. The bias-corrected Bootstrap method was employed to assessed the significance of the mediating effect. Results A total of 1063 valid responses were received (97.97% valid response rate). The mean scores were: psychological distress (27.99±10.75), job satisfaction (69.45±15.84), and sleep quality (9.82±4.47). Significant differences in the three scores were found across gender, age, monthly night shift frequency, and hospital grade (P<0.05). Higher job satisfaction was linked to lower psychological distress and better sleep quality and its dimensions, while psychological distress directly correlated with poorer sleep quality (P<0.01). Sleep quality partially mediated the relationship between psychological distress and job satisfaction, with a mediating effect of −0.195, accounting for 43.62% of the total effect. Conclusion The participants report moderate psychological distress, moderate-to-high job satisfaction, and poor sleep quality. Psychological distress directly affects job satisfaction and indirectly through its impact on sleep quality. Interventions aimed at improving sleep health and mental health are essential to improve personnel well-being and work efficiency.
7.Research progress on traditional Chinese medicine regulation of MAPK signaling pathway in intervening slow transit constipation
Xiangrui KONG ; Qimeng ZHANG ; Yue ZOU ; Yong LIANG ; Yu SHI ; Yang ZHANG ; Ke MENG ; Hongxi ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(11):1508-1514
low transit constipation (STC) is a common functional intestinal disorder caused by impaired colonic transit function, characterized by reduced bowel movement frequency, hard stools, and difficulty in defecation. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, which mainly includes extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 subtypes, plays a critical regulatory role in the occurrence and development of STC. This paper systematically reviews the multiple pathogenic mechanisms of the MAPK signaling pathway in STC and the research progress of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) intervention.At the mechanistic level, the MAPK signaling pathway promotes the progression of STC through the following links:(1) Activation of p38 upregulates the expression of aquaporin 3 (AQP3)/AQP4 in the colon, leading to excessive reabsorption of water in the intestinal lumen; (2) It forms a positive feedback loop with nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) to maintain low-grade intestinal inflammation, releases inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and inhibits smooth muscle contraction; (3) Overactivation of p38 downregulates the expression of occludin and mucin 2 while upregulates the expression of claudin-2, thereby disrupting the mucosal barrier; (4) The JNK/p38 signaling pathway activates the caspase cascade to induce apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells, neurons, and interstitial cells of Cajal; (5) Abnormal ERK signaling and excessive activation of p38/JNK inhibit intestinal smooth muscle contraction and reduce 5-hydroxytryptamine secretion, ultimately resulting in impaired colonic transit function.At the intervention level, TCM compound formulas and single herbs have been proven to improve STC by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway. Their effects are syndrome type-dependent:yin-nourishing formulas (Zengye Chengqi Tang, Tongbian Tang) mainly regulate the ERK/AQP axis; yang-warming formulas (Jichuan Jian) target both ERK/JNK and anti-apoptosis; heat-clearing formulas (Sanren Tang) focus on p38/NF-κB anti-inflammation. A single drug can simultaneously cover multiple aspects including water metabolism, inflammation, barrier function, apoptosis, and intestinal motility.Current relevant studies still have limitations such as mechanisms mostly remaining at the correlational level and a lack of disease-syndrome integrated research models. Future studies should combine specific inhibitors or gene knockout to identify core targets, establish disease-syndrome integrated STC models, and use network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques to deeply analyze the fine mechanism of “component-target-phenotype”, so as to provide high-quality evidence for the precise regulation of the MAPK signaling pathway by TCM in the intervention of STC.
8.Efficacy analysis of gasless robotic surgery via transaxillary approach for unilateral N1b PTC.
Faya LIANG ; Xin ZOU ; Peiliang LIN ; Ping HAN ; Renhui CHEN ; Xijun LIN ; Jingyi WANG ; Xiangwei KONG ; Lanlan DENG ; Xiaoming HUANG
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(11):1009-1015
Objective:To compare the efficacy of gasless robotic surgery via transaxillary approach and combined axillary-retroauricular approach for unilateral N1b PTC, and to explore the safety and effectiveness of gasless robotic surgery via transaxillary approach for unilateral N1b PTC. Methods:Unilateral N1b PTC patients who underwent surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology, Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat sen University between July 2016 and December 2024 were included and analyzed. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and the differences of surgical approaches, the patients were divided into the transaxillary approach(TA) group and the combined axillary-retroauricular approach(TARA) group. The demographic data, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, postoperative complications, shoulder function evaluation, postoperative visual analogue scale(VAS) of neck aesthetics and recurrence of the two groups were statistically analyzed. Results:A total of 88 patients undergoing gasless robotic surgery were included in this study, including 23 cases in the TA group and 65 cases in the TARA group. The proportion of males in the TA group was significantly higher than that in the TARA group(56.5% vs 21.5%, χ²=9.776, P=0.002). The total operation time in the TA group was significantly lower than that in the TARA Group(180.00[155.00, 220.00]min vs 220.00[177.50, 272.50]min, z=-2.775, P=0.006), and the postoperative blood loss in the TA group was significantly lower than that in the TARA Group(30.00[20.00, 50.00]ml vs 50.00[30.00, 60.00]ml, Z=-2.127, P=0.033). The proportion of area Ⅱ-Ⅴ in the TA group and the TARA group was 87.0% and 70.8%, respectively, and there was no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05). There was no significant difference in lateral cervical lymph node dissection and central lymph node dissection between the two groups(P>0.05). During the follow-up period, no recurrence was found in the two groups, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups(P>0.05). According to the stratification of dynamic recurrence risk assessment, it can be seen that the proportion of curative effect satisfaction in the TA group was as high as 95.7%, and that in the TARA group was as high as 81.5%, with no significant difference between the two groups. There was no significant difference in VAS score of neck, Constant Shoulder Score and NDⅡ scale between the two groups(P>0.05). Conclusion:Gasless robotic surgery via transaxillary approach for unilateral N1b PTC is safe and feasible, and the amount postoperative lymph node acquisition is equivalent to that of combined axillary-retroauricular approach, which can provide a new choice for the treatment of unilateral N1b PTC patients.
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9.Nanoengineered cargo with targeted in vivo Foxo3 gene editing modulated mitophagy of chondrocytes to alleviate osteoarthritis.
Manyu CHEN ; Yuan LIU ; Quanying LIU ; Siyan DENG ; Yuhan LIU ; Jiehao CHEN ; Yaojia ZHOU ; Xiaolin CUI ; Jie LIANG ; Xingdong ZHANG ; Yujiang FAN ; Qiguang WANG ; Bin SHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):571-591
Mitochondrial dysfunction in chondrocytes is a key pathogenic factor in osteoarthritis (OA), but directly modulating mitochondria in vivo remains a significant challenge. This study is the first to verify a correlation between mitochondrial dysfunction and the downregulation of the FOXO3 gene in the cartilage of OA patients, highlighting the potential for regulating mitophagy via FOXO3 gene modulation to alleviate OA. Consequently, we developed a chondrocyte-targeting CRISPR/Cas9-based FOXO3 gene-editing tool (FoxO3) and integrated it within a nanoengineered 'truck' (NETT, FoxO3-NETT). This was further encapsulated in injectable hydrogel microspheres (FoxO3-NETT@SMs) to harness the antioxidant properties of sodium alginate and the enhanced lubrication of hybrid exosomes. Collectively, these FoxO3-NETT@SMs successfully activate mitophagy and rebalance mitochondrial function in OA chondrocytes through the Foxo3 gene-modulated PINK1/Parkin pathway. As a result, FoxO3-NETT@SMs stimulate chondrocytes proliferation, migration, and ECM production in vitro, and effectively alleviate OA progression in vivo, demonstrating significant potential for clinical applications.
10.Synthesis, preclinical evaluation and pilot clinical study of a P2Y12 receptor targeting radiotracer 18FQTFT for imaging brain disorders by visualizing anti-inflammatory microglia.
Bolin YAO ; Yanyan KONG ; Jianing LI ; Fulin XU ; Yan DENG ; Yuncan CHEN ; Yixiu CHEN ; Jian CHEN ; Minhua XU ; Xiao ZHU ; Liang CHEN ; Fang XIE ; Xin ZHANG ; Cong WANG ; Cong LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):1056-1069
As the brain's resident immune cells, microglia perform crucial functions such as phagocytosis, neuronal network maintenance, and injury restoration by adopting various phenotypes. Dynamic imaging of these phenotypes is essential for accessing brain diseases and therapeutic responses. Although numerous probes are available for imaging pro-inflammatory microglia, no PET tracers have been developed specifically to visualize anti-inflammatory microglia. In this study, we present an 18F-labeled PET tracer (QTFT) that targets the P2Y12, a receptor highly expressed on anti-inflammatory microglia. [18F]QTFT exhibited high binding affinity to the P2Y12 (14.43 nmol/L) and superior blood-brain barrier permeability compared to other candidates. Micro-PET imaging in IL-4-induced neuroinflammation models showed higher [18F]QTFT uptake in lesions compared to the contralateral normal brain tissues. Importantly, this specific uptake could be blocked by QTFT or a P2Y12 antagonist. Furthermore, [18F]QTFT visualized brain lesions in mouse models of epilepsy, glioma, and aging by targeting the aberrantly expressed P2Y12 in anti-inflammatory microglia. In a pilot clinical study, [18F]QTFT successfully located epileptic foci, showing enhanced radioactive signals in a patient with epilepsy. Collectively, these studies suggest that [18F]QTFT could serve as a valuable diagnostic tool for imaging various brain disorders by targeting P2Y12 overexpressed in anti-inflammatory microglia.

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