1.Interventional Effect of Active Ingredients of Chinese Medicine and Compound Formulas on Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition in Lung Cancer: A Review
Shanshan SONG ; Min JIANG ; Xinxin LIU ; Bozhen HUANG ; Siyi MA ; Guoyu WANG ; Wanqing WANG ; Luyao WANG ; Liang WANG ; Ruiqing BO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):336-346
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and tumor metastasis is a key factor contributing to the mortality of most lung cancer patients. Aberrant activation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a major driver of lung cancer progression and metastasis. EMT is characterized by the loss of apical-basal polarity and intercellular adhesion in highly differentiated, polarized, and organized epithelial cells, which acquire motility, migratory potential, and invasive properties. During this process, cells undergo cytoskeletal remodeling and transform into a mesenchymal phenotype, accompanied by associated changes in cellular markers. The EMT process is highly complex and is tightly regulated by intricate networks involving multiple transcription factors, post-translational controls, epigenetic modifications, and non-coding RNAs. Therefore, therapies targeting the mechanisms of malignant transformation and their associated pathways in lung cancer are of significant clinical importance. In recent years, EMT has attracted increasing attention as a potential target for cancer therapy. Chinese medicine, with its characteristics of multi-target action, low side effects, and good therapeutic efficacy, has demonstrated an important role in anticancer treatment. A series of studies have investigated the role of Chinese medicine in inhibiting EMT in lung cancer. Active ingredients of Chinese medicine, including flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, terpenoids, saccharides, and alkaloids, as well as Chinese medicine compound formulas, have shown significant regulatory effects on EMT. Their mechanisms mainly involve multiple pathways, targets, and links, including signaling pathways, exosomes, microRNAs (miRNAs), and the tumor-associated immune microenvironment. This article summarizes the mechanisms by which EMT promotes malignant tumor progression and reviews the current research on how Chinese medicine active ingredients, monomers, and compound formulas inhibit EMT and suppress lung cancer cell migration and invasion. This study is expected to provide comprehensive theoretical information for basic and translational research on lung cancer.
2.Effects of erythropoietin on restorative dentin formation and expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 after pulp injury
Ruiqing CHENG ; Honglei SUN ; Shuangshuang GENG ; Chao WANG ; Junke LI ; Yanfang CHEN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(11):2231-2242
BACKGROUND:Erythropoietin has anti-inflammatory,anti-apoptotic,and pro-bone defect repair effects.To date,fewer studies have been conducted on its effects and molecular mechanism underlying restorative dentin formation after pulp injury. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of erythropoietin on restorative dentin formation after pulp injury. METHODS:(1)Animal experiment:Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into control group(n=16)and experimental group(n=16).In the experimental group,collagen sponges containing erythropoietin were used to directly cap the pulp at the pulp injury,and in the control group,collagen sponges containing PBS were used to directly cap the pulp at the exposed pulp injury.The cavity was then closed with glass ionomer adhesive.After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment,the maxillary bones of the two groups were collected,and the expression of nestin in dentin was detected by immunohistochemistry,and the reparative dentin production was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.The maxillae of four Sprague-Dawley rats were taken for immunohistochemical detection of erythropoietin expression in molar and incisor teeth.(2)Cell experiment:Human dental pulp cells,human periodontal ligament cells and human gingival fibroblasts were obtained from human dental tissue,periodontal ligament,and gingival tissue.Real-time reverse transcription PCR(RT-PCR)was used to detect the mRNA expression of erythropoietin.Erythropoietin,dentin sialophosphoprotein,dentin matrix protein 1,and nestin mRNA levels in human pulp cells were detected by RT-PCR under induced or uninduced odontoblastic differentiation.After down-regulation of erythropoietin expression or exogenous administration of erythropoietin intervention under induced or uninduced differentiation odontoblastic differentiation,the relative mRNA expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein and dentin matrix protein 1 in human pulp cells was detected by RT-PCR,and the formation of mineralized nodules was detected by alizarin red S staining,and mRNA and protein expressions of bone morphogenetic protein 2 were detected by RT-PCR and western blot,respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Animal experiment:Compared with the control group,the restorative dentin production and nestin expression were higher in the experimental group after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment.The expression of erythropoietin was weakly positive in pulp,odontoblastic cell layer and periodontal membrane of the rat's first maxillary molar,and strongly positive in odontoblasts.(2)Cell experiment:The mRNA expression of erythropoietin was higher in human dental pulp cells than in the other two types of cells.The mRNA expressions of dentin sialophosphorin,dentin matrix protein 1,nestin,erythropoietin and bone morphogenetic protein 2 in human pulp cells increased and the formation of mineralized nodules during odontoblastic differentiation under induction compared with non-induction conditions.The mRNA expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein,dentin matrix protein 1,nestin,bone morphogenetic protein 2 and the formation of mineralized nodules were decreased in human pulp cells after downregulation of erythropoietin under induced odontoblastic differentiation,and the protein expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 was also decreased.After exogenous erythropoietin intervention,the expression of the above indexes in human dental pulp cells increased.To conclude,erythropoietin can promote the formation of dentin to some extent.
3.Analysis on the research path of the digital intelligence for ancient acupuncture-moxibustion literature based on knowledge meta-theory.
Kunlingzi WANG ; Feng YANG ; Ruiqing WANG ; Wenwen LIU ; Chen LI ; Bingxin SONG ; Xia LIU
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(5):577-585
With the technological innovation and the advances in information technology, acupuncture-moxibustion is on the path of modernization and high-quality development. The research on ancient acupuncture-moxibustion literature has been gradually transformed from traditional sorting and digital research to intelligent knowledge services, so as to realize the deep integration of ancient acupuncture-moxibustion knowledge with the needs of modern clinical practice and scientific research. Guided by the characteristics of acupuncture-moxibustion knowledge and based on the knowledge meta-theory, the in-depth analytical indexing and knowledge organization are conducted on more than 400 kinds of ancient acupuncture-moxibustion literature. Taking ancient literature of meridian symptoms/manifestations as an example, thematic literature research and database construction are carried out. Integrated with database, cloud platform, knowledge domain mapping and other technologies, the sharing service platform of ancient acupuncture-moxibustion knowledge is constructed. As a result, the research and development achievements can be adopted by the researchers in the field of basic theory, clinical practice and research of acupuncture-moxibustion. Finally, through the way of "digital reconstruction + intelligent application", the path and paradigm of digital research of ancient acupuncture-moxibustion literature are explored to provide the references for the innovative utilization of ancient acupuncture-moxibustion literature.
Moxibustion/history*
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Humans
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Acupuncture Therapy/history*
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History, Ancient
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Knowledge
4.Investigation and discrimination on the characteristics of contralateral bloodletting technique.
Ruiqing WANG ; Mingzhu YE ; Feng YANG
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(7):1008-1012
Based on the analysis of the relevant records of the contralateral bloodletting technique, it is believed that this needling technique has 3 key characteristics, including "contralateral selection of points", "points on the four extremities dominated" and "collaterals selected rather than meridian points". Through the studies on philology and the annotation by the doctors in the past dynasties, a part of point prescriptions for the contralateral bloodletting is investigated, and those not belonged to the category of this needling technique in Suwen: Miuci Lun (On Contralateral Bloodletting) are distinguished. It is concluded that the failure of consensus-making in classifying point prescriptions is due to the lack of understanding on the characteristics of contralateral bloodletting and the misunderstanding on the errors of sentences and words. It is suggested that the study on theoretic concepts should lay on the problems relevant with the generalization and alienation of concepts. The mode of "combination of the detail with the whole" should be adopted. It starts from grasping the overall by systematic review, and followed by deliberating in details, so as to correctly identify the original concept and connotation.
Humans
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Bloodletting/methods*
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Acupuncture Points
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History, Ancient
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Meridians
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China
5.Textual research on Zhenjiu Neipian.
Ruiqing WANG ; Bohang BAO ; Bingxin SONG ; Feng YANG
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(11):1689-1694
This paper presents a textual research on the author, year of composition, basic content, and academic value of Zhenjiu Neipian (Inner Analects of Acupuncture and Moxibustion). This acupuncture-moxibustion work was written by DA Zhongguang, alias Jiang Shang Wai Shi, a renowned painter and calligrapher of the Qing Dynasty. The work was compiled around the reign of Emperor Kangxi (1661-1692). It includes four parts. The first part covers general theories and needle-forging techniques; the second part introduces meridian and acupoint diagrams and the verses of acupoints; the third part is the verses of contraindications of acupuncture and moxibustion; and the fourth part discusses reinforcing and reducing techniques. Zhenjiu Neipian is mainly based on Dou's acupuncture books, Pu Ji Fang (Formulas for Universal Relief), Lei Jing Tu Yi (Pictorial Appendices to 'The Classified Classic'), Zhenjiu Dacheng (The Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion), Gu Jin Yi Tong Da Quan (The Complete Compendium of Ancient and Modern Medical Works), Zi Hui (Dictionary of Chinese Characters) , and Ling's acupuncture books. Zhenjiu Neipian preserves some lost writings in lost medical books such as Dou's acupuncture books and Ling's acupuncture books. In addition, it plays an important role in acupoint selection methods, acupuncture and moxibustion techniques, and the indications of acupoints, presenting a high literature and clinical value. This book is an invaluable acupuncture-moxibustion book for studying Ling's acupuncture techniques.
Humans
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China
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Acupuncture Therapy/history*
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Moxibustion/history*
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History, 17th Century
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Acupuncture/education*
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Books/history*
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Acupuncture Points
6.ResNet-Vision Transformer based MRI-endoscopy fusion model for predicting treatment response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer: A multicenter study.
Junhao ZHANG ; Ruiqing LIU ; Di HAO ; Guangye TIAN ; Shiwei ZHANG ; Sen ZHANG ; Yitong ZANG ; Kai PANG ; Xuhua HU ; Keyu REN ; Mingjuan CUI ; Shuhao LIU ; Jinhui WU ; Quan WANG ; Bo FENG ; Weidong TONG ; Yingchi YANG ; Guiying WANG ; Yun LU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(21):2793-2803
BACKGROUND:
Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by radical surgery has been a common practice for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer, but the response rate varies among patients. This study aimed to develop a ResNet-Vision Transformer based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-endoscopy fusion model to precisely predict treatment response and provide personalized treatment.
METHODS:
In this multicenter study, 366 eligible patients who had undergone neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by radical surgery at eight Chinese tertiary hospitals between January 2017 and June 2024 were recruited, with 2928 pretreatment colonic endoscopic images and 366 pelvic MRI images. An MRI-endoscopy fusion model was constructed based on the ResNet backbone and Transformer network using pretreatment MRI and endoscopic images. Treatment response was defined as good response or non-good response based on the tumor regression grade. The Delong test and the Hanley-McNeil test were utilized to compare prediction performance among different models and different subgroups, respectively. The predictive performance of the MRI-endoscopy fusion model was comprehensively validated in the test sets and was further compared to that of the single-modal MRI model and single-modal endoscopy model.
RESULTS:
The MRI-endoscopy fusion model demonstrated favorable prediction performance. In the internal validation set, the area under the curve (AUC) and accuracy were 0.852 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.744-0.940) and 0.737 (95% CI: 0.712-0.844), respectively. Moreover, the AUC and accuracy reached 0.769 (95% CI: 0.678-0.861) and 0.729 (95% CI: 0.628-0.821), respectively, in the external test set. In addition, the MRI-endoscopy fusion model outperformed the single-modal MRI model (AUC: 0.692 [95% CI: 0.609-0.783], accuracy: 0.659 [95% CI: 0.565-0.775]) and the single-modal endoscopy model (AUC: 0.720 [95% CI: 0.617-0.823], accuracy: 0.713 [95% CI: 0.612-0.809]) in the external test set.
CONCLUSION
The MRI-endoscopy fusion model based on ResNet-Vision Transformer achieved favorable performance in predicting treatment response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and holds tremendous potential for enabling personalized treatment regimens for locally advanced rectal cancer patients.
Humans
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Rectal Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging*
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods*
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Male
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Female
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Middle Aged
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Neoadjuvant Therapy/methods*
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Aged
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Adult
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Chemoradiotherapy/methods*
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Endoscopy/methods*
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Treatment Outcome
7.Off-the-shelf human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cell product in acute-on-chronic liver failure: A multicenter phase I/II clinical trial.
Lina CUI ; Huaibin ZOU ; Shaoli YOU ; Changcun GUO ; Jundong GU ; Yulong SHANG ; Gui JIA ; Linhua ZHENG ; Juan DENG ; Xiufang WANG ; Ruiqing SUN ; Dawei DING ; Weijie WANG ; Xia ZHOU ; Guanya GUO ; Yansheng LIU ; Zhongchao HAN ; Zhibo HAN ; Yu CHEN ; Ying HAN
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(18):2347-2349
8.Research progress in hypoxia inducible factors and body hypoxia tolerance
Zhaxi RENQING ; Hao YANG ; Rui WANG ; Ya'nan LIANG ; Ruiqing CHAI ; Peiran ZHANG ; Tongmei ZHANG ; Xingcheng ZHAO
Military Medical Sciences 2025;49(3):233-238
Hypoxia inducible factors(HIFs)are core molecules that enable the body to adapt to hypoxia environments.By sensing changes in intracellular oxygen pressure,HIFs regulate gene expression related to hypoxia adaptation,thereby enhancing the body's hypoxia tolerance at cellular,tissue and organ levels.On the other hand,HIFs promote the generation of red blood cells,angiogenesis,and regulate the body's energy metabolism,thereby improving its hypoxia tolerance.The enhancement of hypoxia tolerance is of great significance for the prevention and treatment of hypoxia-related diseases,upgrading of athletes'performance,enhancement of workers'efficiency at high-altitudes,and the improvement of individu-als'quality of life.This article reviews the relationships between HIFs and hypoxia tolerance as well as related mechanisms in order to provide strategies for enhancing hypoxia tolerance in the body.
9.Research on the relationship between disease perception and demoralization of patients with chronic heart failure: the chain mediating effect of disease progression ′s fear and positive affect
Xing GAO ; Ruiqing DI ; Xingdan LI ; Lin YE ; Wenting DU ; Jingshuang BAI ; Zichen JIN ; Zhaorui WANG
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2024;40(5):372-379
Objective:To explore the mediating role of disease progression′s fear and positive affect in the relationship between disease perception and demoralization in patients with chronic heart failure. It provided a theoretical basis for targeted interventions for healthcare workers.Methods:From October 2022 to March 2023, 320 patients with chronic heart failure in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were selected as the research objects by convenience sampling. The General Information Questionnaire, Demoralization Scale Redacted Mandarin Version, Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (Positive Affect Schedule) were used to conduct the questionnaire survey exploring the mediating effects of fear of disease progression and positive emotions between disease perception and disorientation by construction structural equation model.Results:There were 268 valid questionnaires. Of the 268 patients, 168 were male and 100 were female, 3.36% (9/268) were ≤40 years old, 55.22% (148/268) were 41-65 years old, and 41.42% (111/268) were >65 years old. Correlation analysis showed that disease perception was positively correlated with disease progression ′s fear, and every dimension of demoralization ( r values were 0.300-0.586, all P<0.01), and negatively correlated with positive affect ( r=-0.374, P<0.01); disease progression′s fear was negatively correlated with positive affect ( r=-0.318, P<0.01), and positively correlated with every dimension of demoralization ( r values were 0.339-0.464, all P<0.01); positive affect was negatively correlated with every dimension of demoralization ( r values were -0.430--0.334, all P<0.01). Structural equation model analysis showed that the direct effect of disease perception on demoralization was significant ( β=0.407, P<0.01), and both mediating effects of disease progression ′s fear and positive affect between disease perception and demoralization in patients with chronic heart failure were significant ( β=0.074, 0.079, both P<0.01). The chain mediating effect of disease progression ′s fear and positive effect was also significant ( β=0.019, P<0.01). Conclusions:Disease perception could directly predict the demoralization of patients with chronic heart failure and indirectly predict the demoralization of patients with chronic heart failure through the mediating effect of disease progression ′s fear, positive affect, and the chain mediating effect of disease progression ′s fear and positive affect.
10.Wogonin promotes Th17/Treg cell balance in rat models with autoimmune hepatitis
Juan DENG ; Xiufang WANG ; Ruiqing SUN
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2024;44(1):77-83
Objective To investigate the impacts of wogonin(WG)on Th17/Treg cell balance in autoimmune hep-atitis(AIH)rats.Methods A total of 10 rats were randomly selected as the control group.The remaining rats were injected with concanavalin A(ConA,12.5 mg/kg)solution via tail vein to construct AIH model rat,which were ran-domly divided into AIH group,L-WG group(10 mg/kg),M-WG group(20 mg/kg),H-WG group(30 mg/kg),H-WG+VPA group(30 mg/kg WG+300 mg/kg Notch signal pathway activator VPA),10 rats in each group and administered once a day for 10 days.Serum inflammatory factors and liver function indexes were detected by ELISA;HE staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of liver tissue;the level of spleen Th17/Treg cells was detected by flow cytometry;Western blot was used to detect the expression of spleen retinoid acid related orphan receptor γ t(RORγt),fork head box protein P3(Foxp3)and liver Notch signal pathway proteins.Results The liver tissue structure of control group was normal and the staining was clear;In AIH group,the cells of liver tis-sue showed edema,the increase of cell volume led to the compression and narrowing of liver sinuses,and a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration and a small amount of necrosis occurred.The contents of alanine aminotrans-ferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),interleukin(IL)-17 and IL-23,level of Th17 cells,Th17/Treg,the expression of RORγt,Notch,hes family bHLH transcription factor 1 gene(HES1)and hes related family bHLH transcription factor with YRPW motif 1(HEY1)protein in AIH group were greatly higher than those in control group(P<0.05),the contents of IL-10 and TNF-β,level of Treg cells,and level of Foxp3 protein were greatly lower(P<0.05);Compared with AIH group,the liver injury in L-WG group,M-WG group and H-WG group was im-proved,the contents of ALT,AST,IL-17 and IL-23,level of Th17 cells,Th17/Treg,the expression of RORγt,Notch,HES1 and HEY1 protein were greatly lower(P<0.05),the contents of IL-10 and TNF-β,level of Treg cells,and level of Foxp3 protein were greatly higher(P<0.05);VPA reversed the improvement effect of H-WG on AIH rats.Conclusions WG could promote Th17/Treg cell balance in AIH rats by down-regulating Notch signal pathway.

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