1.Connotation and Application of WU Jutong's Theory of "Treating All Bi (痹) Diseases through Taiyin"
Liang MENG ; Shuai KANG ; Quan JIN ; Qiancheng WEI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(1):102-108
The Medical Cases of WU Jutong (《吴鞠通医案》) proposes the principle of "treating all Bi (痹) diseases through taiyin", which forms the basis for analyzing WU Jutong's understanding of the causes, mechanisms, and treatments of Bi (痹) diseases, providing a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Through an interpretation of the phrase "treating all Bi (痹) diseases through taiyin", it is suggested that Bi (痹) diseases is primarily caused by dampness, necessitating a focus on spleen and lung in treatment. WU emphasized four main causes of Bi (痹) diseases (wind, cold, dampness, and heat), with dampness being the predominant factor. The disease location is initially in lung, for which external dampness invades lung first, and internal dampness obstructs the source of water metabolism, impeding lung qi and qi failing to disperse, then dampness further accumulates in the joints, leading to Bi (痹) diseases. WU Jutong proposed the modified Mufangji Decoction (木防己汤) as the foundational prescription for treating Bi (痹) diseases. By comparing the similarities and differences between the modified and original Mufangji Decoction, and analyzing the adjustments in herbal prescriptions, the clinical characteristic of "treating all Bi (痹) diseases through taiyin" is further substantiated.
2.Nucleic Acid-driven Protein Degradation: Frontiers of Lysosomal Targeted Degradation Technology
Han YIN ; Yu LI ; Yu-Chuan FAN ; Shuai GUO ; Yuan-Yu HUANG ; Yong LI ; Yu-Hua WENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):5-19
Distinct from the complementary inhibition mechanism through binding to the target with three-dimensional conformation of small molecule inhibitors, targeted protein degradation technology takes tremendous advantage of endogenous protein degradation pathway inside cells to degrade plenty of “undruggable” target proteins, which provides a novel route for the treatment of many serious diseases, mainly including proteolysis-targeting chimeras, lysosome-targeting chimeras, autophagy-targeting chimeras, antibody-based proteolysis-targeting chimeras, etc. Unlike proteolysis-targeting chimeras first found in 2001, which rely on ubiquitin-proteasome system to mainly degrade intracellular proteins of interest, lysosome-targeting chimeras identified in 2020, which was act as the fastly developing technology, utilize cellular lysosomal pathway through endocytosis mediated by lysosome-targeting receptor to degrade both extracellular and membrane proteins. As an emerging biomedical technology, nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras utilize nucleic acids as certain components of chimera molecule to replace with ligand to lysosome-targeting receptor or protein of interest, exhibiting broad application prospects and potential clinical value in disease treatment and drug development. This review mainly introduced present progress of nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras technology, including its basic composition, its advantages compared with antibody or glycopeptide-based lysosome-targeting chimeras, and focused on its chief application, in terms of the type of lysosome-targeting receptors. Most research about the development of nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras focused on those which utilized cation-independent mannose-6-phosphonate receptor as the lysosome-targeting receptor. Both mannose-6-phosphonate-modified glycopeptide and nucleic aptamer targeting cation-independent mannose-6-phosphonate receptor, even double-stranded DNA molecule moiety can be taken advantage as the ligand to lysosome-targeting receptor. The same as classical lysosome-targeting chimeras, asialoglycoprotein receptor can also be used for advance of nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras. Another new-found lysosome-targeting receptor, scavenger receptor, can bind dendritic DNA molecules to mediate cellular internalization of complex and lysosomal degradation of target protein, suggesting the successful application of scavenger receptor-mediated nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras. In addition, this review briefly overviewed the history of lysosome-targeting chimeras, including first-generation and second-generation lysosome-targeting chimeras through cation-independent mannose-6-phosphonate receptor-mediated and asialoglycoprotein receptor-mediated endocytosis respectively, so that a clear timeline can be presented for the advance of chimera technique. Meantime, current deficiency and challenge of lysosome-targeting chimeras was also mentioned to give some direction for deep progress of lysosome-targeting chimeras. Finally, according to faulty lysosomal degradation efficiency, more cellular mechanism where lysosome-targeting chimeras perform degradation of protein of interest need to be deeply explored. In view of current progress and direction of nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras, we discussed its current challenges and development direction in the future. Stability of natural nucleic acid molecule and optimized chimera construction have a great influence on the biological function of lysosome-targeting chimeras. Discovery of novel lysosome-targeting receptors and nucleic aptamer with higher affinity to the target will greatly facilitate profound advance of chimera technique. In summary, nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras have many superiorities, such as lower immunogenicity, expedient synthesis of chimera molecules and so on, in contrast to classical lysosome-targeting chimeras, making it more valuable. Also, the chimera technology provides new ideas and methods for biomedical research, drug development and clinical treatment, and can be used more widely through further research and optimization.
3.Professor LIU Jinmin's Clinical Experience in Treating Epilepsy Based on the Method of Closing Yangming and Regaining Vital Activity
Lin ZOU ; Tianye SUN ; Mingyuan YAN ; Mi ZHAGN ; Shuai ZHAO ; Kaiyue WANG ; Lili LI ;
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(4):344-348
To summarize the clinical experience of Professor LIU Jinmin in treatment for epilepsy. It is believed that main pathogenesis of epilepsy is yangming failure to close and vital activity loss control, so a therapeutic approach focused on restoring the closure of yangming and regaining vital activity was proposed for the treatment of epilepsy. For excess syndrome, the treatment focuses on draining excess and descending qi, promoting purgation and restoring spirit. When yangming dryness-heat predominates, the approach involves unblock the bowels and regulating the spirit, descending qi and reducing fire, with modified Chengqi Decoction (承气汤) as prescription; when yangming phlegm-fire predominates, the treatment focuses on clearing heat and resolving phlegm, calming mind and suppressing fright, with modified Qingxin Wendan Decoction (清心温胆汤) as prescription; when yangming blood stasis predominates, the approach involves breaking up blood stasis and promoting purgation, eliminating stasis and awakening the mind, with Taoren Chengqi Decoction (桃核承气汤) as prescription. For deficiency syndrome, the treatment emphasizes tonifying deficiency and raising qi, strengthening the stomach and nourishing the spirit. When center qi deficiency and sinking of clear qi of the nutrients from food, the approach involves replenishing and uplifting qi while nourishing vital activity, with modified Liujunzi Decoction (六君子汤) as prescription; when yin deficiency and fluid consumption, the treatment focuses on nourishing stomach and tonifying yin, promoting fluid production and calming the spirit, with modified Maimendong Decoction (麦门冬汤) combined with Yiwei Decoction (益胃汤) as prescriptions. In clinical situations of deficiency-excess complex, it is essential to distinguish the primary condition from the secondary, applying both supplementing and draining methods flexibly to achieve optimal treatment.
4.Right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection for palliative treatment of pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect in children: A single-center retrospective study
Shuai ZHANG ; Jianrui MA ; Hailong QIU ; Xinjian YAN ; Wen XIE ; Qiushi REN ; Juemin YU ; Tianyu CHEN ; Yong ZHANG ; Xiaohua LI ; Furong LIU ; Shusheng WEN ; Jian ZHUANG ; Qiang GAO ; Jianzheng CEN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(03):366-371
Objective To compare the benefits and drawbacks of primary patch expansion versus pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection in patients diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD). Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with PA/VSD who underwent primary right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection surgery at our center between 2010 and 2020. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the type of right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection: a pericardial tube group and a patch expansion group. Clinical data and imaging findings were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 51 patients were included in the study, comprising 31 males and 20 females, with a median age of 12.57 (4.57, 49.67) months. The pericardial tube group included 19 patients with a median age of 17.17 (7.33, 49.67) months, while the patch expansion group consisted of 32 patients with a median age of 8.58 (3.57, 52.72) months. In both groups, the diameter of pulmonary artery, McGoon index, and Nakata index significantly increased after treatment (P<0.001). However, the pericardial tube group exhibited a longer extracorporeal circulation time (P<0.001). The reoperation rate was notably high, with 74.51% of patients requiring further surgical intervention, including 26 (81.25%) patients in the patch expansion group and 12 (63.16%) patients in the pericardial tube group. No statistical differences were observed in long-term cure rates or mortality between the two groups (P>0.005). Conclusion In patients with PA/VSD, both patch expansion and pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection serve as effective initial palliative treatment strategies that promote pulmonary vessel development and provide a favorable foundation for subsequent radical operations. However, compared to the pericardial tube approach, the patch expansion technique is simpler to perform and preserves some intrinsic potential for pulmonary artery development, making it the preferred procedure.
5.Research progress in small molecule inhibitors of complement factor B
Shuai WEN ; Yao ZHAO ; Yan WANG ; Xing LI ; Yi MOU ; Zheng-yu JIANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):37-47
The alternative pathway (AP) of the complement system is a key contributor to the pathogenesis of several diseases including paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), C3 glomerular disease (C3G) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Complement factor B (CFB) is a trypsin-like serine protein that circulates in the human bloodstream in a latent form. As a key node of the alternative pathway, it is an important target for the treatment of diseases mediated by the complement system. With the successful launch of iptacopan, the CFB small molecule inhibitors has become a current research hotspot, a number of domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies are actively developing CFB small molecule inhibitors. In this paper, the research progress of CFB small molecule inhibitors in recent years is systematically summarized, the representative compounds and their activities are introduced according to structural types and design ideas, so as to provide reference and ideas for the subsequent research on CFB small molecule inhibitors.
6.A Case of One-stop Procedure for Cryoballoon Ablation and Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion of Atrial Fibrillation Under Electroacupuncture Anesthesia
Rongren KUANG ; Shuai WANG ; Yulian JIANG ; Xianliang WANG ; Jianming YIN ; Jingyuan MAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(7):760-764
Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of chronic cardiac arrhythmia. Catheter ablation and left atrial appendage occlusion are effective treatment methods for atrial fibrillation, but these procedures require anesthesia support. However, anesthetic drugs often cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, involuntary movements, and respiratory depression. This paper presents a case of a successful one-stop procedure for cryoballoon ablation and left atrial appendage occlusion of atrial fibrillation performed entirely under acupuncture anesthesia. Thirty minutes before the procedure, acupuncture needles were inserted perpendicularly at bilateral Neiguan (PC 6), Lieque (LU 7), Ximen (PC 4) and (LU 6). After obtaining the deqi (得气) sensation, an electroacupuncture device was connected, and electroacupuncture anesthesia was used for pain control throughout the procedure. The patient exhibited good tolerance and cooperation, with electroacupuncture anesthesia completely replacing intravenous anesthetics, ensuring the smooth completion of the surgery. Postoperative follow-up showed favorable outcomes.
7.Biocompatibility of poly(vinylidene fluoride)piezoelectric bionic periosteum prepared by electrospinning
Shuai ZHAO ; Dongyao LI ; Suiyan WEI ; Yijing CAO ; Yan XU ; Guoqiang XU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(4):730-737
BACKGROUND:Our previous studies have found that poly(vinylidene fluoride)bionic periosteum prepared by electrospinning has good cytocompatibility,but its biocompatibility is unknown. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the biocompatibility of poly(vinylidene fluoride)bionic periosteum doped with Zn2+and Mg2+. METHODS:Poly(vinylidene fluoride),poly(vinylidene fluoride)bionic periosteum doped with 1%Zn2+,doped with 1%Mg2+,and doped with 1%(Zn2++Mg2+)were prepared by electrospinning to make bionic periosteum extract.SD rats were selected as the experimental subjects for hemolysis test,short-term systemic toxicity test,and heat source test.Guinea pigs were selected as the experimental subjects for skin sensitization test.The biocompatibility of bionic periosteum of four groups was tested. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The hemolysis test results showed that the hemolysis rates of 1%Zn2+poly(vinylidene fluoride),1%Mg2+poly(vinylidene fluoride),1%Zn2++1%Mg2+poly(vinylidene fluoride)bionic periosteum and poly(vinylidene fluoride)extract were(0.130±0.013)%,(0.149±0.020)%,(0.466±0.018)%,and(0.037±0.018)%,respectively,which met the hemocompatibility standard of biomaterials.(2)The results of short-term systemic toxicity test showed that the four groups of bionic periosteal extract had no toxic signs such as body mass reduction,food intake changes,and dyspnea in SD rats,and had no toxic effects on major organs of rats.(3)Heat source test results showed that after intervention with poly(vinylidene fluoride)bionic periosteum doped with 1%Zn2+,doped with 1%Mg2+,and doped with 1%(Zn2++Mg2+),and poly(vinylidene fluoride)bionic periosteum extract,the elevated body temperature values of SD rats were(0.133±0.058),(0.100±0.010),(0.300±0.010),and(0.300±0.017)℃respectively.All were less than 0.6 ℃and the total temperature increase was less than 1.4 ℃.(4)The results of skin sensitization test showed that no erythema or edema was observed under the skin of guinea pigs after the intervention of bionic periosteum extract of four groups.(5)The results showed that poly(vinylidene fluoride)and poly(vinylidene fluoride)bionic periosteum doped with Zn2+and Mg2+had good biocompatibility.
8.Stress distribution on the maxilla when wearing the Twin-block appliance for Class Ⅱ malocclusion
Shuai LI ; Hua LIU ; Yonghui SHANG ; Yicong LIU ; Qihang ZHAO ; Wen LIU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(5):881-887
BACKGROUND:The Twin-block orthodontic appliance is commonly used for the correction of Class Ⅱ malocclusion.Its mechanism of action in stimulating mandibular growth has been confirmed in many studies,but its impact on maxillary growth is not very clear. OBJECTIVE:By establishing a finite element model to analyze the stress distribution of the maxillary complex,surrounding bone sutures,and maxillary dentition in patients with Class Ⅱ malocclusion wearing Twin-block orthodontic appliances. METHODS:One patient with Class Ⅱ malocclusion who underwent orthodontic treatment at Qingdao Hospital/Qingdao Municipal Hospital of Shandong Rehabilitation University was selected.The bite force data of the patient when wearing the Twin-block orthodontic appliance was measured,and CBCT data were collected.A finite element model was established,including the maxillary complex,peripheral sutures,Twin-block orthodontic appliance,and maxillary dentition.ABAQUS software was used to simulate the stress distribution in the maxilla and maxillary dentition when the patient was wearing the Twin-block appliance. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The equivalent stress on the maxillary anterior teeth was significantly smaller than that on the posterior teeth,and the maximum equivalent stress on both sides of the teeth were 4.797 5 Mpa and 8.716 1 Mpa,respectively,which were located at the first premolar.The maximum displacements were presented at the maxillary incisors on both sides of the teeth,which were 0.080 5 mm and 0.081 0 mm,respectively.The maximum equivalent stress on the bone suture was 1.284 Mpa,which was mainly concentrated in the pterygopalatine suture and the frontal-maxillary suture on both sides,and there was almost no difference in the force of the rest of bone sutures;the maximum displacement of the bone suture was 0.07 mm,with the pterygopalatine suture having the largest displacement,followed by the frontal-maxillary suture.The maximal equivalent stress on the maxillary complex was 27.18 Mpa,which was mainly concentrated on both sides of the anterior pyriform foramen of the maxilla,around the nasofrontal suture and around the pterygopalatine suture at the posterior part of the jaws.The maximal displacement of the maxilla was 0.07 mm,which was mainly concentrated on the maxillary alveolar bone.All these findings show that the occlusal force acts on the maxillary complex through the Twin-block appliance,resulting in clockwise rotation of the maxilla and steepening of the dentition plane.Measures should be taken to compensate for this tendency,for example,by considering maxillary molar elongation and intrusion in the process of occlusion,which are not only able to flatten the occlusal plane,but facilitate the mandibular protraction,thereby further improving Class Ⅱ malocclusion orthodontic treatment.
9.Effect of transcranial magneto-acousto-electrical stimulation on the plasticity of the prefrontal cortex network in mice
Shuai ZHANG ; Zichun LI ; Yihao XU ; Xiaofeng XIE ; Zhongsheng GUO ; Qingyang ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(6):1108-1117
BACKGROUND:Transcranial magneto-acoustic-electrical stimulation is a novel non-invasive neural regulation technique that utilizes the induced electric field generated by the coupling effect of ultrasound and static magnetic field to regulate the discharge activity of the nervous system.However,the mechanism by which it affects synaptic plasticity in the brain is still not enough. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of transcranial magneto-acoustic-electrical stimulation intensity on synaptic plasticity of the prefrontal cortex neural network in mice. METHODS:(1)Animal experiment:Twenty-four C57 mice were equally and randomly divided into four groups:the control group receiving pseudo-stimulation,the 6.35 W/cm2 stimulation group receiving coupled stimulation of 0.3 T,6.35 W/cm2,the 17.36 W/cm2 stimulation group receiving coupled stimulation of 0.3 T,17.36 W/cm2,and the 56.25 W/cm2 stimulation group receiving coupled stimulation of 0.3 T,56.25 W/cm2.The local field potential signals and behavioral correctness were recorded during the execution of T-maze in mice.(2)Modeling and simulation experiments:A neural network model of the prefrontal cortex in mice stimulated by transcranial magneto-acoustic-electrical stimulation was constructed to compare the structural connectivity characteristics of the neural network under different stimulation intensities. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Transcranial magneto-acoustic-electrical stimulation could effectively shorten the behavior learning time,improve the working memory ability of mice(P<0.05),and continue to stimulate the frontal lobe of mice after learning behavior.There was no significant difference in the accuracy of the T-maze behavioral experiment among the experimental groups(P>0.1).Analysis of local field potential signals in the frontal lobe of mice revealed that transcranial magneto-acoustic-electrical stimulation promoted energy enhancement of β and γ rhythms.As the stimulation intensity increased,there was an asynchronous decrease in β and γ rhythms.Through β-γ phase amplitude coupling,it was found that stimuli could enhance the neural network's ability to adapt to new information and task requirements.Modeling and simulation experiments found that stimulation could enhance the discharge level of the neural network,increase the long-term synaptic weight level,and decrease the short-term synaptic weight level only when the stimulation intensity was high.To conclude,there is a complex nonlinear relationship between different stimulus intensities and the functional structure of neural networks.This neural regulation technique may provide new possibilities for the treatment of related neurological diseases such as synaptic dysfunction and neural network abnormalities.
10.Causal relationship between circulating inflammatory cytokines and bone mineral density based on two-sample Mendelian randomization
Shuai CHEN ; Jie JIN ; Huawei HAN ; Ningsheng TIAN ; Zhiwei LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(8):1556-1564
BACKGROUND:Many recent studies have shown a close relationship between inflammatory cytokines and osteoporosis and bone mineral density(BMD).However,the causal relationship between inflammatory cytokines and BMD has not been fully revealed. OBJECTIVE:To explore the potential causal relationship between inflammatory cytokines and BMD using a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis. METHODS:The single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with 41 circulating inflammatory cytokines were selected from the open database of genome-wide association studies(GWAS)as instrumental variables.The GWAS data about BMD were from the Genetic Factors for Osteoporosis Consortium,involving a total of 32 735 individuals of European ancestry.Inverse variance weighting was used as the primary analysis to evaluate the causal effect.Weighted median,MR Egger regression,simple mode,and weighted mode methods were used to supplement the explanation.We used the MR-Egger intercept and MR-PRESSO method to conduct a pleiotropy test,the Cochran's Q test was used to determine whether there was heterogeneity in the results,and the leave-one-out method was used to evaluate the stability of the results.In addition,to more accurately assess the causality,the Bonferroni-corrected test was used to identify inflammatory cytokines that have a strong causal relationship with BMD. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)According to the results of the inverse variance weighting method,we found a positive causal relationship between interleukin-8 and lumbar spine BMD[β=0.075,95%confidence interval(CI):0.033-0.117,P=0.000 5),while a negative causal relationship between interleukin-17 and lumbar spine BMD(β=-0.083,95%CI:-0.152 to-0.014,P=0.018).There might be a negative causal relationship between tumor necrosis factor b and femoral neck BMD(β=-0.053,95%CI:-0.088 to-0.018,P=0.003),while a positive causal relationship between basic fibroblast growth factor and femoral neck BMD(β=0.085,95%CI:0.016-0.154,P=0.015).There might be a negative causal relationship between macrophage inflammatory protein-1a and total body BMD(β=-0.056,95%CI:-0.105 to-0.007,P=0.025).There was a negative causal relationship between interleukin-5(β=-0.019,95%CI:-0.031 to-0.006,P=0.004),stromal cell-derived factor-1a(β=-0.022,95%CI:-0.038 to-0.005,P=0.010),hepatocyte growth factor(β=-0.021,95%CI:-0.041 to-0.002,P=0.030),interleukin-4(β=-0.016,95%CI:-0.032 to-0.001,P=0.034)and heel BMD,while a positive causal relationship between nerve growth factor(β=0.019,95%CI:0.002-0.036,P=0.033),granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(β=0.011,95%CI:0.000-0.022,P=0.050),and heel BMD.Meanwhile,after the Bonferroni-corrected test,there was a strong positive causal effect between interleukin-8 and lumbar spine BMD(P=0.000 5).And consistent directional effects for all analyses were observed in MR Egger,weighted median,simple mode,and weighted mode methods.(2)Sensitivity analyses revealed no heterogeneity,pleiotropy,or outliers for the causal effect of circulating inflammatory cytokines on BMD.

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