1.Primary Cilium-mediated Mechano-metabolic Coupling: Cross-system Homeostatic Regulation of The Nervous, Bone, Vascular, and Renal Systems
Liang-Chen DUAN ; Hao-Liang HU ; Shu-Zhi WANG ; Jia-Long YAN ; Lin-Xi CHEN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):577-592
Primary cilia—those solitary, microtubule-based projections extending from the surface of most eukaryotic cells—are increasingly recognized not merely as cellular appendages, but as sophisticated signaling hubs. By compartmentalizing specific receptors (e.g., GPCRs) and effectors within a microdomain guarded by the transition zone, these organelles function effectively as high-gain sensors capable of integrating mechanical stimuli with metabolic cues. In this review, we examine the pivotal role of primary cilia across the nervous, bone-vascular, and renal landscapes, arguing for a unified “mechano-metabolic coupling” framework. Here, conserved ciliary modules are not static; rather, they are differentially deployed to uphold systemic homeostasis. Within the central nervous system, we position primary cilia as upstream integrators. We highlight how hypothalamic neuronal cilia concentrate metabolic receptors, such as the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R), to interpret energy status. Moreover, the recent identification of serotonergic “axon-cilium synapses” points to a direct mode of neurotransmission, wherein 5-HT6 receptors drive nuclear signaling and chromatin accessibility to rapidly modulate gene expression. Through these mechanisms, central cilia modulate sympathetic tone and neuroendocrine output, effectively establishing the mechanical and metabolic “boundary conditions” under which peripheral organs operate. Dysfunction in these central hubs is linked to obesity and neurodevelopmental disorders, including Bardet-Biedl syndrome. In peripheral tissues, cilia serve as versatile mechanotransducers that convert physical forces into biochemical responses. Regarding the bone-vascular system, we discuss the translation of mechanical loads and fluid shear stress into structural remodeling. In osteoblasts, specifically, ciliary integrity is intrinsically linked to cholesterol and glucose metabolism, fine-tuning the balance between Hedgehog and Wnt/β-catenin signaling to govern osteogenesis and bone repair. A similar dynamic exists in the vasculature, where endothelial cilia sense shear stress to modulate KLF4 expression and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition—processes critical for valvulogenesis and vascular remodeling. Meanwhile, in the kidney, tubular cilia act as terminal effectors within a “shear-cilia-metabolism” axis. Here, fluid shear stress engages ciliary signaling to trigger AMPK-mediated lipophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis, thereby securing the ATP supply required for solute transport. Notably, dysregulation of this axis leads to metabolic reprogramming and aberrant proliferation, acting as a hallmark driver of cystogenesis in polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Crucially, this review attempts to dissect the often-conflated logic of cross-system integration by distinguishing 3 non-equivalent pathways: direct communication via ciliary extracellular vesicles, though this remains largely hypothetical in long-range signaling; “physiology-mediated cascades”, where ciliary dysfunction in a single organ—such as the kidney—precipitates systemic pathology through hemodynamic and metabolic shifts (e.g., altered blood pressure, fluid volume, or uremic toxins); and “parallel molecular defects”, where shared genetic mutations in ubiquitous components like the IFT machinery cause simultaneous, independent failures across multiple organ systems. Building on these distinctions, we propose a nested-loop model that links central set-points with peripheral feedback via physiological variables. Furthermore, we construct a “causality-to-translation” roadmap that pinpoints structural repair (e.g., targeting IFT assembly) and metabolic rescue (e.g., AMPK activation or autophagy induction) as promising therapeutic avenues. Ultimately, this framework provides a theoretical basis for deciphering the shared pathological mechanisms of multisystem ciliopathies, offering a strategic guide for the development of targeted interventions that go beyond symptomatic treatment.
2.Gold Nanoclusters-based Anticancer Therapeutic Agents:Current Applications and Future Challenges
Jia LÜ ; Ruo-Ping WANG ; Lin-Lin ZHU ; Liang GAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):623-642
Malignant tumors remain one of the most critical global public threats to human health. The early diagnosis and precise therapeutic interventions are pivotal for improving patient survival rates and prognosis. Gold nanoclusters (Au NCs), distinguished by their ultra-small size (<3 nm), tunable optical properties, and exceptional biocompatibility, have emerged as transformative agents in precision oncology. This comprehensive review systematically summarizes the multifaceted applications of Au NCs in malignant tumor treatment. We discuss their roles as follows. (1) Intelligent delivery vehicles for targeted chemotherapy and controlled release through surface functionalization. (2) Therapeutic agents for chemodynamic therapy (CDT). This capability stems from their intrinsic enzyme-like catalytic activity or potent thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) inhibitory function, which disrupts the intracellular redox homeostasis and effectively activates downstream apoptotic pathways.(3) Direct therapeutic agents are characterized by their energy conversion capabilities: they can either convert absorbed light into heat to directly kill cancer cells, or transfer that photon energy to surrounding oxygen molecules to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to cell apoptosis or necrosis. (4) Potent radiosensitizers that enhance radiotherapy efficacy by enhancing localized radiation dose and promoting ROS generation. This review systematically summarizes the recent advances in Au NCs as intelligent delivery systems, direct chemotherapeutic agents, phototherapeutic agents, and efficient radiosensitizers in tumor treatment, elucidating how Au NCs overcome traditional therapeutic limitations through synergistic strategy. It establishes a robust theoretical foundation for next-generation nanotheranostic platforms. However, the translation of laboratory findings into functional clinical technologies confronts three significant challenges. First, although researchers can synthesize atomically precise Au NCs, achieving large-scale production of batches with completely consistent structure, size, and surface chemistry remains extremely challenging. To effectively control the final synthetic product, a deep understanding of the characteristics and formation mechanisms of Au NCs is essential. The traditional “trial-and-error” experimental approach faces inherent limitations when dealing with vast combinations of variables, which is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and struggles with systematic exploration and reproducibility. Machine learning has emerged as a powerful tool to bridge fundamental research and clinical application, which can guide experiments in reverse by predicting synthesis success through data mining and multi-variable analysis. In the future, we anticipate to achieve precise prediction and on-demand design of Au NCs’ structure and properties. Secondly, a systematic framework for evaluating the in vivo pharmacokinetics and long-term toxicity of Au NCs is absent. To address this gap, it is crucial to develop advanced imaging methodologies and integrated theranostic platforms. Au NCs, serving as both a therapeutic core and a highly promising photoluminescent material, are key to constructing such platforms through integration with other agents. These multifunctional systems are designed to achieve optimal synergistic therapy by combining multiple treatment modalities. Finally, the investigation of Au NCs is still largely confined to preclinical cellular and animal studies. Progress necessitates comprehensive clinical research to rigorously assess their safety and efficacy across a range of human cancer models, thereby ensuring broad clinical applicability. In summary, Au NCs-based platforms hold immense promise for translation into clinical anticancer therapy.
3.Mitoxyperilysis——a Novel Pathway of Cell Death Connecting Dietary Interventions and Innate Immune Activation
Yi WANG ; Zhe CHEN ; Xin LI ; Lin-Xi CHEN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):783-788
Dietary interventions such as fasting are gaining increasing attention for their synergistic effects in anti-tumor therapy, yet the precise underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Recent research has unveiled a novel mode of cell death named “mitoxyperilysis”, providing a fresh perspective on the molecular mechanisms by which fasting may interfere with tumor treatment. This form of death is primarily triggered by the synergy between metabolic dysfunction and innate immune activation. Its mechanism involves the mTORC2 signaling pathway mediating prolonged abnormal contact between damaged mitochondria and the plasma membrane. This leads to massive local release of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which further induces lipid peroxidation of the plasma membrane, ultimately resulting in the physical rupture and death of the cell. The most significant distinction between mitoxyperilysis and classical cell death pathways lies in its independence from caspases and GSDMD. This comment aims to systematically elucidate the process, molecular mechanisms, and differences from other classical cell death pathways of mitoxyperilysis, while also exploring its potential for clinical translation in oncological diseases. Targeting induction of mitoxyperilysis may enhance the efficacy of existing anti-tumor drugs and overcome chemotherapy resistance. However, intervention protocols require further optimization to achieve an optimal balance between safety and therapeutic effectiveness in clinical application.
4.Construction and analysis of a sepsis model of rat after liver transplantation
Zhiwei XU ; Shubin ZHANG ; Qian LIU ; Yi ZHANG ; Yiming HUANG ; Pusen WANG ; Lin ZHONG
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(3):432-443
Objective To establish a stable and reliable sepsis model of rat after liver transplantation (LT) for clinical translational research and analyze its characteristics. Methods The "two-sleeve method" was used to establish the in situ LT model of SD rats, and the sepsis model was constructed through cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) at 3 d after the operation. SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham operation group (Sham group), LT group, and LT + CLP group, with 6 rats in each group. The changes in body weight, rectal temperature and survival rate were compared, and the sepsis score was used for evaluation. The levels of blood biochemical indicators [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), urea (Urea), creatinine (Cr), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)] and inflammatory factors [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α] in each group were detected, and the pathological changes and cell apoptosis in different organs were observed. Results Compared with the Sham group, the body weight of the LT group and LT + CLP group decreased (all P<0.05). The rectal temperature of the LT + CLP group showed a continuous downward trend after the operation, the sepsis score increased sharply after the operation, and the survival rate dropped to 16.7%, and the differences between the Sham group, LT group and LT + CLP group were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The levels of ALT, AST, Urea, Cr, CK, LDH, and serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α in the LT + CLP group were higher than those in the Sham group and LT group rats within 72 hours after the operation(all P<0.05). The pathological examination of the LT + CLP group showed severe tissue structure destruction, necrosis and infiltration of inflammatory cells in multiple organs, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining showed an increased level of cell apoptosis in multiple organs. Conclusions Using liver transplantation combined with CLP, a stable animal model of liver transplantation infection is successfully established, which exhibits a high mortality rate, significant multi-organ damage and intense inflammatory response, providing an ideal animal model for transplantation infection research.
5.The management of blood donors tested reactive to HCV in blood screening based on confirmation of HCV infection
Xuelian DENG ; Liang ZANG ; Xiaofang GONG ; Lei ZHOU ; Xiaochun LIU ; Lin WANG ; Lunan WANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(4):444-451
Objective: To explore the management of blood donors tested reactive to HCV in blood screening based on confirmation of HCV infection. Methods: Multiple HCV antibody assays, repeating HCV RNA testing, follow-up of blood donors and retesting of archive samples were performed to confirm HCV infection, identify infection status, and exclude false positives in blood donors reactive to HCV in blood screening. Results: From 2011 to 2024, the unqualified rate of HCV detection in blood screening was 2.45‰(2 751/1 122 026). Among these, anti-HCV+-&NAT-accounted for 1.85‰, followed by anti-HCV++ at 0.60‰. The proportion of anti-HCV+-&NAT-and HCV RNA yields was extremely low (0.007‰). The positive rate of anti-HCV+-&NAT-samples tested by electrochemiluminescence method (ELCIA) was approximately 7.5%, differing among reagents (P<0.05). The follow-up of anti-HCV+-&NAT-donors showed that 96.2% (202/210) were false positives, but 51.4% of donors remained anti-HCV+-&NAT-during follow-up. Among them, 8 donors (3.8%) could not be ruled out from HCV infection due to positive retesting by ELCIA. Of the anti-HCV+-&NAT-donors who were reactive at the first follow-up, 86.8% remained anti-HCV+-&NAT-at the second follow-up. The sampling confirmation data showed that all of 260 anti-HCV++ donors were confirmed as anti-HCV positive, and the proportion of false positives or missed detections by NAT was very low. Two occult HBV infections (OBIs) and one HBsAg carrier were identified among the 3 anti-HCV +-&NAT+ donors, and no HCV infection was confirmed in 5 anti-HCV--&HCV RNA + donors. Conclusion: The prevalence of HCV among blood donors in Dalian was about 0.06%, with extremely low proportion of window-period infection and slightly higher proportion of resolved infections than that of current infections. The majority of anti-HCV+-&NAT-were false positive. Blood donors confirmed as false positive should be qualified in blood screening 3 months later before next donation. In order to reduce the false positive results, it was advisable to avoid the same type of supplementary reagents as the initial reagents when performing confirmation.
6.Expert Consensus on Neurocritical Care Monitoring and Management in Beijing and Tibet(2025)
Drolma PHURBU ; Wenjin CHEN ; Heng ZHANG ; Jian ZHANG ; Xiaomeng WANG ; Guoying LIN ; Wenjun PAN ; Xiying GUI ; Xin CAI ; Chodron TENZIN ; Jianlei FU ; Qianwei LI ; TSEYANG ; Yijun LIU ; Bo LIU ; Tsering DROLMA ; Yudron SONAM ; KYILV ; Samdrup TSERING ; Wa DA ; Juan GUO ; Cheng QIU ; Huan CHEN ; Xiaoting WANG ; Yangong CHAO ; Dawei LIU ; Wenzhao CHAI ; Chenggong HU ; Wanhong YIN ; Shihong ZHU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(1):59-72
Neurocritical care involves complex pathophysiological mechanisms, and its incidence is higher, injuries are more severe, and treatment is more challenging in high-altitude environments. This consensus, based on the latest domestic and international evidence-based medical data, establishes a standardized, goal-oriented framework for neurocritical care management applicable in high-altitude regions and nationwide. The consensus was developed following international standards for evidence quality assessment and underwent two rounds of Delphi expert consultation, resulting in 32 recommendation statements covering three parts: management systems, monitoring and assessment, and core strategies. Key updates include: advocating for the establishment of independent neurocritical care units and implementing precise tiered diagnosis and treatment based on the "Five Differences in Critical Care" concept; constructing a "trinity" multimodal brain monitoring system centered on cerebral blood flow, cerebral oxygenation, and brain function, emphasizing routine bedside transcranial Doppler ultrasound, cerebral oximetry, and continuous electroencephalography monitoring; shifting management strategies from mild hypothermia therapy to targeted temperature management, and defining the "446" target management pathway for the supercritical stage; emphasizing the assessment of static and dynamic cerebrovascular autoregulation functions through multimodal methods to achieve individualized optimal mean arterial pressure management; elevating cerebrospinal fluid management goals to the level of "glymphatic system" function maintenance; implementing a multidisciplinary collaborative, whole-process management model focusing on patients' long-term neurological functional outcomes; de-escalation criteria include multidimensional indicators such as recovery of brain structure, restoration of cerebrovascular autoregulation, improvement in cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, and reduction in biomarker levels; and integrating cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence into post-critical care management and rehabilitation planning. This consensus systematically integrates the entire process of neurocritical care management, reflecting the modern connotation of goal-oriented, dynamic, and multimodal integration in neurocritical care medicine. It aims to adapt to new trends such as deepening understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms, the integration of medicine and engineering, and the empowerment of artificial intelligence, thereby further advancing the discipline of critical care medicine.
7.Perioperative immune dynamics and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery
Zhiyuan CHENG ; Xinyi LIAO ; Juan WU ; Ping YANG ; Tingting WANG ; Qinjuan WU ; Wentong MENG ; Zongcheng TANG ; Jiayi SUN ; Jia TAN ; Jing LIN ; Dan LUO ; Hao WANG ; Chaonan LIU ; Jiyue XIONG ; Liqin LING ; Jing ZHOU ; Lei DU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(1):31-43
Objective: To characterize perioperative dynamic changes in immune-cell phenotypes and inflammatory cytokines in patients undergoing CPB (cardiopulmonary bypass) cardiac surgery, and to explore their associations with postoperative outcomes. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 120 adult patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery under CPB at West China Hospital from May 2022 to March 2023 were enrolled. Perioperative immune-cell phenotypes and concentrations of 40 inflammation-related cytokines were measured. The primary outcomes were the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score at 24 h after surgery and ΔSOFA (the peak SOFA score within 48 h after surgery minus the preoperative SOFA score). Secondary outcomes included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), acute kidney injury (AKI), respiratory failure, severe liver injury, and infection. Results: The mean age of enrolled patients was 57±10 years. Of these, 52% (62/120) were male and 90% (108/120) underwent valve surgery. During the rewarming to the end of CPB, neutrophil counts rapidly increased (7.39×10
/L vs preoperative 3.07×10
/L, P<0.001), with significant upregulation of CD11b (7.30×10
/L vs preoperative 3.05×10
/L, P<0.001) and CD54 (7.15×10
/L vs preoperative 2.99×10
/L, P<0.001). Lymphocyte counts increased at the end of CPB (1.75×10
/L vs preoperative 1.12×10
/L, P<0.001) but decreased significantly at 24 h after surgery (0.59×10
/L vs preoperative 1.12×10
/L, P<0.001). Plasma analysis showed that multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines increased during CPB and remained elevated up to 24 h after surgery; five chemokines and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 peaked at the end of CPB. The SOFA score increased from 1 (1, 2) preoperatively to 7 (5, 10) at 24 h after surgery, with a ΔSOFA of 6 (4, 8). Within 30 days after surgery, 48 patients (40.0%) developed AKI, 17 (14.2%) developed infection, 4 (3.3%) developed severe liver injury, 3 (2.5%) developed respiratory failure, and 3 (2.5%) experienced MACE. During the 2-year follow-up, 8 patients (6.7%) experienced MACE and 5 (4.2%) died. Conclusion: Multi-organ dysfunction is common after cardiac surgery under CPB (median ΔSOFA, 6), accompanied by perioperative activation of multiple immune-cell subsets and upregulation of pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and chemotactic mediators. This study provides data-driven evidence and research clues for further investigation of the associations between CPB-related immune perturbations and postoperative organ dysfunction and clinical outcomes.
8.Construction of an Evaluation System for Traditional Chinese Medicine Appropriate Technologies Based on Evidence-Based Medicine
Jixing WANG ; Zhiyi ZHOU ; Sisi LIN ; Dieyu MA ; Zhizhen ZHOU ; Conghua JI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):355-359
Based on the theory of evidence-based medicine (EBM), this paper systematically constructed a multi-dimensional evaluation framework for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) appropriate technologies, encompassing three core dimensions including evidence, practitioner, and patient. For the current practical challenges in the promotion of TCM technologies such as lack of high-quality evidence, inconsistent operational standards, and varying patient acceptance, the paper proposed the integration of published literature evidence and real-world research data to construct a scientific and applicable evaluation pathway. Regarding the evidence dimension, it emphasizes syste-matic assessment of effectiveness, safety, and economic efficiency, introducing methods like the target trial emulation framework to enhance evidence quality; for the practitioner dimension, it suggests developing multi-aspects competency evaluation tools based on educational background, training assessment, and clinical outcomes; for the patient dimension, it recommends designing patient acceptance assessment tools by considering factors such as technical characte-ristics, expected efficacy, patient-practitioner interaction, and the availability of alternative treatments. The purpose of the above measures is to provide methodological support for the standardized popularization and precision application of TCM appropriate technologies.
9.Current Status and Prospects of Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment for Gastric Precancerous Lesions
Haiyan BAI ; Tai ZHANG ; Ping WANG ; Lin LIU ; Weichao XU ; Yaxin TIAN ; Lanshuo HU ; Qian YANG ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):410-415
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), through its multi-target and systematic regulatory effects, has demonstrated unique advantages in the treatment of gastric precancerous lesions (GPL). At present, TCM theoretical research on GPL is mainly reflected in three aspects, the integration of macroscopic syndrome differentiation, the inflammation-carcinoma transformation mechanism, as well as the systematization and scientization of theoretical inheritance from famous TCM practitioners. High-quality evidence-based research findings serve as the foundation for clinical practice guidelines on GPL, and TCM has gained international academic recognition in the field of GPL prevention and treatment. Research on TCM mechanisms has yielded a series of important outcomes in the aspects of signaling pathways, gene expression regulation, cellular epigenetics, histone modification, and intestinal microecology. It is proposed that future research on GPL should focus on four key directions, establishing multi-omics data, exploring targeted intervention strategies on key regulatory nodes, advancing the standardization process of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine prevention and treatment technologies, and constructing stratified screening and intervention platforms. The in-depth integration of TCM microcosmic mechanism of action with its macroscopic syndrome differentiation and treatment system, coupled with interdisciplinary research, will provide valuable references for the clinical treatment and scientific research of GPL.
10.Effectiveness Evaluation of Exhalation-Inhalation Exercise on Early Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Patients with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Jiaojiao WANG ; Lin HAN ; Pengcheng ZHOU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):432-438
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of exhalation-inhalation exercise on early pulmonary rehabi-litation for patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). MethodsA total of 120 participants with AECOPD were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, with 60 participants in each group. The control group treated with conventional western medicine, while the treatment group received exhalation-inhalation exercise training on the basis of conventional western medicine treatment, with 30 minutes per session and 5 sessions per week. The course of treatment for both groups was 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the 6-minute walking distance (6MWD). The secondary outcomes included pulmonary function indexes including forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%) and percentage of predicted forced vital capacity (FVC%), St.George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score, modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale score, COPD assessment test (CAT) score, hospital anxiety and depression scale-anxiety subscale [HADS(A)] score, and hospital anxiety and depression scale-depression subscale [HADS(D)] score. Meanwhile, safety of all participants was recorded and assessed. ResultsDuring the treatment, 12 participants dropped out from both the treatment group and the control group, with 48 participants in each group finally included in the analysis. The 6MWD of both groups after treatment was higher than that before treatment, and the 6MWD of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). After treatment, the SGRQ score, mMRC score and CAT score of the treatment group were lower than those before treatment, while FEV1%, FVC% and FEV1/FVC were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). Moreover, after treatment, the FEV1/FVC of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group, while the SGRQ score, mMRC score and CAT score were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in pulmonary function indexes, SGRQ score, mMRC score and CAT score after treatment in the control group (P>0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed in HADS(A) score and HADS(D) score after treatment within and between groups (P>0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the treatment group was 6.25% (3/48), and 0 in the control group, with no statistically significant difference between groups (P>0.05). ConclusionExhalation-inhalation exercise for patients with AECOPD in early pulmonary rehabilitation can improve patients' exercise tole-rance, quality of life, clinical symptoms and pulmonary function, with good safety.

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