1.The Potential Role of Immune Checkpoint Molecules in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Hepatitis and in Targeted Therapy
Haixia LI ; Aiping TIAN ; Miao XUE ; Ziyi LI ; Xiaorong MAO
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(2):512-518
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic, immune-mediated liver injury of unknown etiology. The onset of this disease involves the activation and recruitment of diverse immune and non-immune cells, which in turn trigger hepatic damage. Immune checkpoint molecules (ICM) are expressed on the surface of multiple cell types. By regulating cellular functional states, they help limit the intensity and duration of immune responses, thereby preventing excessive inflammation and tissue damage, and maintaining immune homeostasis. In AIH, however, this natural "braking" mechanism is impaired, leading to aberrant activation of both immune and non-immune cells and the breakdown of immune homeostasis. Consequently, ICM are likely to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of AIH. A deeper understanding of the function of ICM in AIH not onlyadvances our insight into the disease mechanism, but also suggests that targeting these molecules may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of AIH.
2.Exploring the mechanism of Yuchang granule on ulcerative colitis based on network pharmacology and molecular docking
Miao HE ; Can XU ; Shunli LYU ; Jingxia CHEN ; Jing TIAN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(4):209-215
Objective To determine the molecular mechanism of Yuchang granule (YCG) against ulcerative colitis (UC) by network pharmacology-based approach combined with molecular docking. Methods TCMSP and HIT database were utilized to search the active components and potential targets of YCG. The effective targets of UC were obtained by GeneCards, CTD, and DisGeNET databases. Venn Diagram was exploited to receive common targets of YCG and UC. Network maps of the TCM of YCG-active component-common targets were constructed by the Cytoscape software to gain key active components. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) of common targets was constructed by the STRING database obtaining core common targets. The mechanism and therapeutic effects of YCG on UC were explored via gene ontology (GO) and the biological pathway (KEGG) enrichment analyses. Molecular docking technology was carried out to verify the combination of core active components with key common targets. Results 98 active components and 237 potential targets were sieved from YCG, and
3.Guidelines for the management of therapeutic drug monitoring
Zhengxiang LI ; Liyan MIAO ; Rong DUAN ; Xiaocong ZUO ; Xianglin ZHANG ; Zhuo WANG ; Miao YAN ; Lingli ZHANG ; Rongsheng ZHAO ; Suodi ZHAI ; Guobiao GAO ; Jinhui TIAN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(11):1381-1392
OBJECTIVE To further standardize the technical operations and management processes throughout therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), clarify the clinical value of TDM implementation, improve the scientific validity and reliability of monitoring results, and provide a solid reference basis for the formulation and optimization of clinical individualized precision dosing regimens. METHODS The Guidelines for the Management of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring were formulated in accordance with the latest definition of guidelines by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies and the standard guideline development methodology of the World Health Organization, and in compliance with the requirements of the appraisal of guidelines for research and evaluation. A modified Delphi method was adopted to establish the research question system; evidence-based medicine research methods were applied to systematically search multiple databases to screen the latest and most comprehensive evidence. Evidence was graded and evaluated based on the evidence grading system of the Chinese Evidence-Based Medicine Center, and the grading criteria for recommendation strength from the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine were used to determine the recommendation strength. The recommendation opinions were formed through multidisciplinary expert consensus. RESULTS The Guidelines for the Management of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring cover four core modules, including TDM application indications, technical procedures, result interpretation and clinical application, and quality control, involving 18 primary research questions, 34 secondary research questions, and yield 82 recommendations. CONCLUSIONS The guidelines systematically standardize the key technical links and management requirements of the whole TDM process, provide scientific and operable standardized tools, help improve the standardization level of TDM work, promote the translation of monitoring results into clinical decision-making, and provide strong support for precision personalized medicine and ensuring the safety and rationality of medication use.
4.Practice and analysis of the simplified oral premedication protocol with paclitaxel liposome in patients of advanced gastric cancer
Ling ZHONG ; Jinfa CAO ; Miao HE ; Jing TIAN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(6):313-316
Objective To explore a feasible simplified premedication protocol for preventing hypersensitivity reactions to taxanes. Methods The electronic medical record system was used to search for data from 49 patients with advanced gastric cancer who received paclitaxel liposome treatment for the first time in the gastroenterology department of Shanghai Changhai Hospital from 2021-06-01 to 2024-06-30, including premedication protocols, allergic reactions, and other adverse reactions. Results Among 31 patients, the premedication regimen included oral dexamethasone 9 mg at 12 h and 6 h prior to liposomal paclitaxel, plus oral loratadine 10 mg and oral ranitidine 150 mg at 12 h prior to treatment. Among 18 patients, the regimen included oral dexamethasone 9 mg at 12 h and 6 h prior to treatment, and oral loratadine 10 mg at 12 h prior to treatment. None of the patients experienced allergic reactions. The incidence of other adverse reactions did not differ significantly between the two groups(P>0.05). Conclusion Based on literature and practice, a dual simplified premedication protocol of oral corticosteroids(GC)combined with oral H1 receptor blockers(H1RA)was proposed, which provided a new idea for doctors. Further clinical studies are needed to verify its effectiveness.
5.Practice and analysis of the simplified oral premedication protocol with paclitaxel liposome in patients of advanced gastric cancer
Ling ZHONG ; Jinfa CAO ; Miao HE ; Jing TIAN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(6):313-316
Objective To explore a feasible simplified premedication protocol for preventing hypersensitivity reactions to taxanes. Methods The electronic medical record system was used to search for data from 49 patients with advanced gastric cancer who received paclitaxel liposome treatment for the first time in the gastroenterology department of Shanghai Changhai Hospital from 2021-06-01 to 2024-06-30, including premedication protocols, allergic reactions, and other adverse reactions. Results Among 31 patients, the premedication regimen included oral dexamethasone 9 mg at 12 h and 6 h prior to liposomal paclitaxel, plus oral loratadine 10 mg and oral ranitidine 150 mg at 12 h prior to treatment. Among 18 patients, the regimen included oral dexamethasone 9 mg at 12 h and 6 h prior to treatment, and oral loratadine 10 mg at 12 h prior to treatment. None of the patients experienced allergic reactions. The incidence of other adverse reactions did not differ significantly between the two groups(P>0.05). Conclusion Based on literature and practice, a dual simplified premedication protocol of oral corticosteroids(GC)combined with oral H1 receptor blockers(H1RA)was proposed, which provided a new idea for doctors. Further clinical studies are needed to verify its effectiveness.
6.Principles and optimal strategy of antibacterial drug therapy in elderly patients with Helicobacter pylori infection
Miao HE ; Zhuo WANG ; Xin KANG ; Nan DING ; Juan BI ; Jing TIAN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(7):370-375
Objective To explore the principle of antibacterial drug therapy and the strategy of program optimization in elderly patients with Helicobacter pylori(Hp). Methods The common therapeutic regimen of Hp was summarized, and the better therapeutic regimen of elderly Hp patients was screened ultimately. Results Amoxicillin and cefuroxime were relatively safe compared with other recommended antibacterial drugs. Using other commonly antibiotics for Hp should pay attention to the disease of patients and current drug. Conclusion Elderly patients usually suffered from a variety of diseases and required multiple drugs. The application of therapeutic regimen for elderly patients with Hp should be supposed to fully weigh the risks and benefits.
7.TACE combined with CBCT-guided MWA simultaneous treatment for small hepatocellular carcinoma:analysis of clinical efficacy and safety
Bin YU ; Yu YIN ; Jun YANG ; Pengchen TIAN ; Lin XU ; Jia'an DING ; Xiaoyun MIAO ; Caifang NI
Journal of Interventional Radiology 2025;34(12):1321-1327
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of simultaneous treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)with transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)combined with cone-beam computed tomography-guided(CBCT-guided)microwave ablation(MWA).Methods The clinical data of 69 patients with small HCC(72 lesions in total),who underwent TACE combined with CBCT-guided MWA simultaneous treatment from March 2018 to December 2022 at First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University hospital,were retrospectively analyzed.Follow-up check was performed at 1,3,6,and 12 months after treatment.The mRECIST criteria was used to evaluate the tumor response.The objective response rate(ORR),disease control rate(DCR),progression-free survival(PFS),local tumor progression(LTP),and adverse reactions were analyzed.Results The initial complete remission(CR)rate,ORR and DCR of TACE combined with CBCT-guided MWA simultaneous treatment for small HCC was 94.2%(65/69),100%and 100%respectively.44.9%(31/69)of patients experienced tumor progression,and 20.3%(14/69)of patients experienced local tumor progression.Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the maximum tumor diameter(≥2 cm and<3 cm)was the main risk factor for PFS(HR=4.498,P<0.001).No serious adverse events occurred during the study.Conclusion TACE combined with CBCT-guided MWA simultaneous treatment for small HCC is clinically effect and safe,and this therapy is particularly suitable for the treatment of lesions where the use of traditional image-guided methods is limited.
8.rTMS Improves Cognitive Function and Brain Network Connectivity in Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease
Gui-Zhi XU ; Lin LIU ; Miao-Miao GUO ; Tian WANG ; Jiao-Jiao GAO ; Yong JI ; Pan WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(8):2131-2145
ObjectiveRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing neurocognitive performance in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but the neurobiological mechanisms linking synaptic pathology, neural oscillatory dynamics, and brain network reorganization remain unclear. This investigation seeks to systematically evaluate the therapeutic potential of rTMS as a non-invasive neuromodulatory intervention through a multimodal framework integrating clinical assessments, molecular profiling, and neurophysiological monitoring. MethodsIn this prospective double-blind trial, 12 AD patients underwent a 14-day protocol of 20 Hz rTMS, with comprehensive multimodal assessments performed pre- and post-intervention. Cognitive functioning was quantified using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Montreal cognitive assessment (MOCA), while daily living capacities and neuropsychiatric profiles were respectively evaluated through the activities of daily living (ADL) scale and combined neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI)-Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD). Peripheral blood biomarkers, specifically Aβ1-40 and phosphorylated tau (p-tau181), were analyzed to investigate the effects of rTMS on molecular metabolism. Spectral power analysis was employed to investigate rTMS-induced modulations of neural rhythms in AD patients, while brain network analyses incorporating topological properties were conducted to examine stimulus-driven network reorganization. Furthermore, systematic assessment of correlations between cognitive scale scores, blood biomarkers, and network characteristics was performed to elucidate cross-modal therapeutic associations. ResultsClinically, MMSE and MOCA scores improved significantly (P<0.05). Biomarker showed that Aβ1-40 level increased (P<0.05), contrasting with p-tau181 reduction. Moreover, the levels of Aβ1-40 were positively correlated with MMSE and MOCA scores. Post-intervention analyses revealed significant modulations in oscillatory power, characterized by pronounced reductions in delta (P<0.05) and theta bands (P<0.05), while concurrent enhancements were observed in alpha, beta, and gamma band activities (all P<0.05). Network analysis revealed frequency-specific reorganization: clustering coefficients were significantly decreased in delta, theta, and alpha bands (P<0.05), while global efficiency improvement was exclusively detected in the delta band (P<0.05). The alpha band demonstrated concurrent increases in average nodal degree (P<0.05) and characteristic path length reduction (P<0.05). Further research findings indicate that the changes in the clinical scale HAMD scores before and after rTMS stimulation are negatively correlated with the changes in the blood biomarkers Aβ1-40 and p-tau181. Additionally, the changes in the clinical scales MMSE and MoCA scores were negatively correlated with the changes in the node degree of the alpha frequency band and negatively correlated with the clustering coefficient of the delta frequency band. However, the changes in MMSE scores are positively correlated with the changes in global efficiency of both the delta and alpha frequency bands. Conclusion20 Hz rTMS targeting dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) significantly improves cognitive function and enhances the metabolic clearance of β-amyloid and tau proteins in AD patients. This neurotherapeutic effect is mechanistically associated with rTMS-mediated frequency-selective neuromodulation, which enhances the connectivity of oscillatory networks through improved neuronal synchronization and optimized topological organization of functional brain networks. These findings not only support the efficacy of rTMS as an adjunctive therapy for AD but also underscore the importance of employing multiple assessment methods—including clinical scales, blood biomarkers, and EEG——in understanding and monitoring the progression of AD. This research provides a significant theoretical foundation and empirical evidence for further exploration of rTMS applications in AD treatment.
9.Arterial resection in pancreatic cancer surgery: a single-center review on 135 procedures
Xumin HUANG ; Kai ZHANG ; Pengfei WU ; Jie YIN ; Baobao CAI ; Jianzhen LIN ; Lingdong MENG ; Lei TIAN ; Zipeng LU ; Jianmin CHEN ; Feng GUO ; Min TU ; Jishu WEI ; Junli WU ; Wentao GAO ; Cuncai DAI ; Yi MIAO ; Kuirong JIANG
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;40(3):188-194
Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of pancreatic cancer surgery with arterial resection.Methods:The clinicopathological and follow-up data of 135 patients undergoing pancreatectomies with arterial resection in Pancreas Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from Sep 2013 to Dec 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:There were 77 males and 58 females, with age [ M( IQR)] of 63 (14) years old. Among the 135 patients, 122 (90.4%) were distal pancreatectomies, 8 (5.9%) were pancreaticoduodenectomies, 4 (3.0%) were total pancreatectomies and 1 (0.7%) was resection for local recurrence after distal pancreatectomy. There were 120 (88.9%) celiac axis resections, 11 (8.1%) hepatic artery resections, 1 (0.7%) superior mesenteric artery resection and 3 (2.2%) other artery resections. Simultaneous portal vein-superior mesenteric vein or organ resection accounted for 26.7% (36/135) and 29.6% (40/135),respectively. The median blood loss was 300 (300) ml and the median operation time was 275 (105) minutes. The 90-day mortality rate was 7.4% (10/135). The overall morbidity rate was 70.4% (95/135) while the major morbidity rate was 18.5% (25/135). Postoperative hemorrhage occurred in 8.9% (12/135), clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula in 57.0% (77/135), bile leak in 0.74% (1/135), delayed gastric emptying in 9.6% (13/135), liver failure in 3.7% (5/135) and transient liver enzyme elevation in 44.4% (60/135). All of the 135 cases were confirmed as pancreatic cancer histologically, including 54.6% (71/130) moderately differentiated, 45.4% (59/130) poorly differentiated and no for well differentiated. The median tumor size was 4.5 (2.3) cm. The median number of harvested lymph nodes was 14 (13) and the percentage of N0, N1 and N2 according to AJCC 8th staging system was 27.1% (36/133), 52.6% (70/133) and 20.3% (27/133), respectively. The R 0 resection was achieved in 40 of 123 cases (32.5%), whose margins of specimens were assessed circumferentially based on the 1mm rule. The median overall survival time (MST) after surgery was 22.5 months, and the median progress-free survival time was 16.1 months. The overall survival rate at 1-, 2- and 5-year was 71.5%, 45.1% and 11.3%, respectively. The MST of patients who received no adjuvant therapy, chemotherapy after surgery was 8.4 months, 25.3 months, respectively. Conclusions:Pancreatectomy with arterial resection is generally safe and feasible. Survival outcome improves significantly when combined with adjuvant chemotherapy.
10.Analysis of setup errors in dual-isocenter breath-hold radiotherapy after left-sided breast cancer surgery
Zhiqing XIAO ; Xiaotong LIN ; Miao WANG ; Yanqiang WANG ; Han GUO ; Lei TIAN ; Yanjiao WU ; Wenyan WANG ; Junling LIU ; Xiuwu LI ; Xiaoying XUE
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2025;34(5):468-475
Objective:To investigate the impact of different target sites, number of treatments, and age on setup errors in dual-isocenter radiotherapy for breast cancer, and to provide a basis for planning target volume (PTV) margin expansion.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 15 patients with left-sided breast cancer who underwent dual-isocenter breath-hold radiotherapy in the Department of Radiotherapy Oncology at the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from May 2021 to May 2023. Setup errors were acquired using a Varian TrueBeam STX linear accelerator. Patients were grouped by target site (supraclavicular/chest wall), treatment phase (early/late), and age (younger/older). Non-parametric tests were used to analyze differences in setup errors in : vertical (Vrt), longitudinal (Lng), lateral (Lat) directions, and pitch, roll, and rotation (Rtn) angles. The formula proposed by van Herk was applied to calculate PTV margins.Results:The Vrt direction setup error in the supraclavicular region (0.2 cm) was smaller than that in the chest wall region (0.26 cm), but errors and margin expansions in other directions were larger ( P<0.05 for Lng and Lat directions). No significant correlation was observed in Vrt direction errors between the two sites ( P=0.062), while significant correlations were found in the other directions and angles (all P<0.05). As treatment progressed, setup errors increased in the Vrt and Rtn directions for the supraclavicular region, and in the Vrt, Lng, Lat directions and Rtn angle for the chest wall region. Among these, only the increase in Lat direction error for the chest wall region was statistically significant ( P=0.028). The PTV margins in the late phase group (except for the Lat direction of the supraclavicular region) were greater than or equal to those in the early phase group. Elderly patients had significantly larger setup errors than younger patients in Vrt, Lng, and Lat directions for the supraclavicular region, as well as in Vrt and Lat directions for the chest wall region (all P<0.05). Conclusions:In dual-isocenter radiotherapy for breast cancer, the supraclavicular region requires larger PTV margins than the chest wall region, and elderly patients require greater margins overall. Mid-course rescanning is recommended. If cone-beam CT guidance cannot be ensured for every session, expansion of PTV margins should be considered for the supraclavicular region and elderly patients to reduce the risk of geographic miss.

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