1.Honokiol inhibits the malignant progression of gastric cancer cells by regulating the ATF4/CHOP/TRIB3 pathway
Kaihong DAI ; Xianhui WEN ; Yun HUANG ; Sixi WEI ; Hai HUANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(5):827-835
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of honokiol on proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells and its underlying mechanistic. MethodsHuman gastric cancer cell lines HGC-27 and AGS were treated with Honokiol at concentrations of 0, 15, and 25 μmol/L. CCK-8 assays were conducted to determine the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for both cell lines. Cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities were assessed using CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing, Transwell migration and Transwell invasion assays. Apoptosis rates were measured via flow cytometry. Western blot analysis examined proteins related to proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway ATF4-CHOP-TRIB3. ResultsCompared with the control group, treatment with 15 and 25 μmol/L Honokiol significantly reduced the proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion capabilities of the two gastric cancer cell lines, while significantly increasing the apoptosis rate (P<0.05). Additionally, compared to the control group, the protein expression levels of neural cadherin(N-cadherin), Vimentin, proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), and B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 protein(Bcl-2)decreased in the two gastric cancer cell lines after treatment with 15 and 25 μmol/L Honokiol, while the protein expression levels of epithelial cadherin(E-cadherin), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), activating transcription factor 4(ATF4), endoplasmic reticulum stress-related protein(CHOP), and tribbles homolog 3(TRIB3)increased(P<0.05). ConclusionHonokiol promotes apoptosis and inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer HGC-27 and AGS cells by regulating the ERS signaling pathway ATF4/CHOP/TRIB3.
2.Evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the magnolol ester derivative YW and investigate its mechanism of action on chondrocyte senescence
Haochen XU ; Jie PENG ; Pingting YANG ; Meihua ZHANG ; Weiwen HU ; Xulei WANG ; Wei WEI ; Chun WANG ; Shangxue YAN
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(5):845-854
ObjectiveTo evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the novel magnolol ester derivative YW and to investigate its effects on chondrocyte senescence and preliminary mechanisms. MethodsMagnolol and p-methylbenzoic acid were used as raw materials to synthesize the magnolol ester derivative YW (Molecular Formula: C26H24O3, Molecular Weight: 384.17, HPLC Purity >96%) via DCC/DMAP-catalyzed esterification. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the CCK-8 assay. A lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophage activation model and an interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced rat primary chondrocyte model were established. The release and mRNA expression of inflammatory factors including nitric oxide (NO), IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and IL-6 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Griess reagent method, and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). The expression of senescence markers such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), pro-interleukin-1β (pro-IL-1β), lysine acetyltransferase 7 (KAT7), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (p21), and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (p16), as well as proteins related to chondrocyte extracellular matrix synthesis and catabolism, were analyzed by Western blot (WB). Molecular docking was performed using Discovery Studio 2019 to validate target binding. ResultsYW exhibited no significant cytotoxicity at concentrations ≤20 μmol/L. YW concentration-dependently inhibited LPS-induced macrophage inflammatory cytokine release, significantly downregulated iNOS, Pro-IL-1β protein, and inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression (P<0.01). YW stably bound to KAT7 protein (binding energy: -94.2 kcal/mol); YW downregulated KAT7 and aging marker protein expression in naturally aged and IL-1β-induced chondrocyte models (P<0.01); YW regulated chondrocyte matrix synthesis and catabolic protein expression in IL-1β-induced chondrocytes (P<0.01). ConclusionYW inhibits macrophage activation and inflammatory cytokine release while downregulating KAT7 and senescence marker protein expression in chondrocytes, thereby blocking chondrocyte senescence.
3.Diagnostic value of serum lncRNA H19 and miR-22-3p in patients with acute myocardial infarction
Sheng ZHAO ; Dinghong LIU ; Mengyu ZHU ; Li RONG ; Wei CHENG ; Yanlin GAO
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(5):855-860
ObjectiveTo explore the expression levels of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 and microRNA-22-3p (miR-22-3p) in the serum of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and their diagnostic value for AMI. MethodsA total of 176 AMI patients were selected as the experimental group and were divided into ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) group (n=95) and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) group (n=81) based on their medical history and electrocardiogram. Meanwhile, 156 patients with negative angiography during the same period were selected as the control group (CON group). The relative expression levels of lncRNA H19 and miR-22-3p in the serum of the two groups were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The diagnostic value of miR-22-3p and lncRNA H19 in AMI was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. The levels of serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (CK-MB), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) were detected in all study subjects. Spearman correlation analyses were used to evaluate the correlations between lncRNA H19 and miR-22-3p and cTnI, CK, CK-MB and CRP. ResultsCompared with the control group, the expression level of lncRNA H19 was upregulated and the expression level of miR-22-3p was downregulated in the AMI group (all P<0.01); compared with the NSTEMI group, the expression level of lncRNA H19 was upregulated and the expression level of miR-22-3p was downregulated in the STEMI group (P<0.01). The areas under the ROC curves (AUC) for the diagnosis of AMI by miR-22-3p, lncRNA H19 and their combination were 0.555, 0.977, and 0.983, respectively. lncRNA H19 was positively correlated with cTnI, CK, CK-MB and CRP (P<0.05), and negatively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (P<0.001); miR-22-3p was negatively correlated with cTnI, CK and CRP, and positively correlated with LVEF (P<0.05). ConclusionThe expression level of lncRNA H19 is elevated and the expression level of miR-22-3p decreased in AMI patients, and their levels may have potential value as an auxiliary biomarker for AMI diagnosis and cardiac function assessment.
4.Relationship between EDNRA gene polymorphisms and congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens in the male Han Chinese population
Yuwan PENG ; Xiaojin HE ; Xiaoyu YANG ; Jing WANG ; Binbin WANG ; Dongdong TANG ; Zhaolian WEI ; Yunxia CAO
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(5):931-936
ObjectiveTo investigate the association between endothelin receptor type A gene (EDNRA) and congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD). MethodsThis case-control study consisted of 124 subjects with CBAVD and 100 fertile controls.Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs: rs5335 and rs1801708) in the EDNRA gene were genotyped via PCR, PCR-RFLP analysis, and direct sequencing. ResultsNo significant differences existed between EDNRA polymorphisms and CBAVD phenotype (rs1801708: P=0.220 2, 0.163 2; rs5335: P=0.805 8, 0.818 6). However, the rs1801708-rs5335 haplotype AG was notably associated with an increased risk of CBAVD (P=0.008 6, OR=2.178, 95% CI: 1.207-3.929). A significantly protective effect of rs1801708-rs5335 haplotype GG on CBAVD (P=0.038 5, OR= 0.671, 95% CI: 0.460-0.980) was observed. After Bonferroni correction, the result for haplotype A-G remained significant (P =0.008 6<0.012 5), while haplotype G-G was not significant. ConclusionThe rs1801708-rs5335 AG haplotype of EDNRA is a potential risk factor for CBAVD development in Han Chinese.
5.Analysis of social emotional competence development and related factors among disadvantaged children aged 3-6 in rural areas of Guangxi
WEN Yanru, WEI Yiping, QU Yashan
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(6):822-827
Objective:
To investigate the development status and associated factors of social emotional competence(SEC) among disadvantaged children aged 3-6 in rural areas of Guangxi, so as to provide empirical evidence to address the negative impacts of their disadvantaged circumstance.
Methods:
In May 2025, using convenience sampling, a study was conducted with 1 426 children aged 3-6 from disadvantaged backgrounds attending 11 rural kindergartens in Guilin, Liuzhou, and Qinzhou, Guangxi. A self designed questionnaire was used to investigate children s personal basic information, family situation (parents education level, family structure, parent-child separation status, family poverty status, multiple disadvantaged situations, family function) and kindergarten situation. Social Emotional Learning Rating Form-Parent (SELRF-P) was used to assess their social emotional competence. Latent profile analysis (LPA) and multiple Logistic regression were applied for data classification and related factor analysis, respectively.
Results:
The social emotional competence of disadvantaged children was categorized into four groups: well adjusted group (4.77%, n =68), basically adjusted group (38.43%, n =548), potential risk group (25.11%, n =358), and high risk delayed development group (31.69%, n = 452). Multinomial Logistic regression analysis revealed that family poverty ( OR = 1.98 ), parental education level of high school/technical secondary school or below ( OR =2.89), non parental caregivers ( OR = 3.81 ), private and non model kindergartens ( OR =1.96, 3.52), younger age (3 or 4 years old) ( OR =2.61, 2.79), low family cohesion ( OR =4.05), weak family adaptability ( OR =3.95), and multiple disadvantages ( OR =2.35) were more likely to lead children into the high risk delayed group; children seperated from parents were more likely to fall into the potential risk group ( OR = 1.82), while children from divorced families were less likely to enter the basically adjusted group ( OR =0.45) (all P <0.05).
Conclusions
Social emotional competence among disadvantaged children aged 3-6 years in rural areas shows significant group heterogeneity. Age, specific types of disadvantage, family functioning, and kindergarten characteristics are the main related factors. Precise intervention measures should be paid to improve the social emotional developmental difficulties of various disadvantaged children.
6.Analysis of related factors of social networking addiction among college students based on problem behavior theory
WANG Suping, WANG Wei, WANG Jie, YAN Kexin, GONG Ruijie, CAI Yudian, WANG Yinshen, KANG Li
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(6):859-863
Objective:
To explore the related factors of college students social network addiction based on problem behavior theory, so as to provide a basis for improving social networking addiction in this population.
Methods:
From May to June 2023, a method combining convenient sampling and cluster random sampling was used to select 1 768 college students from five universities in Shanghai for a questionnaire survey on social networking addiction, self esteem, loneliness, depressive symptoms, social support, interpersonal needs, sense of distress and frustration; at the same time, the physical exercise, smoking and drinking of college students were investigated. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was applied to explore the association between the three systems of the problem behavior theory (personality, behavior, and social environment) and social networking addiction among college students.
Results:
The score on the Social Network Addiction Tendency Scale was (21.08±6.29) among college students, and the detection rate of social networking addiction was 66.29%. After adjusting for gender, family economic status, parental divorce status, and whether being an only child, multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that in the personality system, higher loneliness ( OR =1.66) and higher depressive symptoms ( OR =2.18) were associated with increased risk of social networking addiction among college students; in the behavior system, alcohol consumption ( OR =1.42) was associated with higher risk of soical networking addiction compared to non drinkers; and in the social environment system, low social support ( OR =1.43) was associated with increased risk of social networking addiction (all P <0.05).
Conclusions
The rate of social networking addiction among college students is relatively high, and the systems of personality, behavior, and social environment are all related to social network addiction. Providing social support, cultivating healthy lifestyle habits, and increasing interpersonal interactions may help reduce excessive dependence on social networking among college students.
7.Secondary stent placement for sealing distal tears in aortic intramural hematoma and enhancing distal aortic remodeling: A retrospective study in a single center
Bailang CHEN ; Zanxin WANG ; Xianmian ZHUANG ; Haibing LIU ; Minxin WEI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):944-951
Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of second-stage endovascular therapy for patients with aortic intramural hematoma (IMH) who developed progression of the distal hematoma into dissection-like changes after an initial procedure. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients at the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital from July 2020 to December 2022. These patients had previously undergone a first-stage procedure to treat the proximal lesion of an IMH. However, follow-up examinations revealed a persistent distal hematoma, the presence of a distal entry tear, and progression of the hematoma into localized or extensive dissection-like changes, which could be accompanied by localized contrast enhancement. These patients then underwent a second-stage stent-graft intervention. The initial procedures included open surgery with total aortic arch replacement or endovascular stent-graft placement to seal the proximal entry tear. In the second-stage procedure, the aorta was divided into three zones based on its anatomy, and zonal stent-graft placement was performed to seal the entry tear and promote thrombosis of the false lumen. Results A total of 18 patients (15 males, 3 females) were included, with a mean age of (53.5±10.6) years (range, 39 to 76 years). The median operation time was 38.0 (29.5, 58.5) min, and the median intraoperative blood loss was 20.0 (20.0, 30.0) mL. The technical success rate was 100.0%. Intraoperative and postoperative imaging confirmed successful exclusion of the distal entry tear of the IMH, with no endoleak, stenosis or occlusion of visceral branches. There were no major perioperative complications, such as death, paraplegia, or visceral ischemia. During follow-up, complete thrombosis or resolution of the false lumen was observed in all patients. Conclusion For patients with residual entry tears and new-onset dissection-like changes in the distal aorta after the first-stage procedure for IMH, second-stage stent-graft placement can effectively seal the entry tear, promote false lumen thrombosis and hematoma resolution, and improve distal aortic remodeling, demonstrating favorable short- to mid-term outcomes.
8.Intraoperative single branch stent combined with modified bilateral cerebral perfusion for the treatment of type A aortic dissection: A propensity score matching study
Wei LI ; Chengxin ZHANG ; Tao CHEN ; Chenghao CHU ; Wenhui GONG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):952-956
Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of single-branch intraoperative stent combined with modified bilateral cerebral perfusion in type A aortic dissection. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients who underwent surgery for type A aortic dissection at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2021 to May 2024. Patients were divided into a test group (single branch stent+modified bilateral cerebral perfusion) and a control group (traditional surgical method, straight stent+unilateral cerebral perfusion) according to the surgical method. Propensity score matching analysis was used to match the two groups of patients with a ratio of 1:1, and the perioperative data and clinical efficacy after matching were compared. Results A total of 14 patients were included in the test group, including 13 males and 1 female, with an average age of (46.6±16.4) years. There were 56 patients in the control group, including 38 males and 18 females, with an average age of (52.1±11.7) years. After propensity score matching, 14 patients were included in each group. Compared with the control group, the ventilator support time [(27.4±24.3) h vs. (93.4±88.0) h, P=0.018], length of stay in the intensive care unit [(2.8±1.8) d vs. (8.7±6.5) d, P=0.009], and postoperative awakening time [(5.4±2.2) h vs. (8.8±4.8) h, P=0.047] in the test group were shorter than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences. There was no statistical difference in neurological complications between the two groups (P=1.000). Conclusion Single-branch intraoperative stent combined with modified bilateral cerebral perfusion can effectively shorten ventilator support time, length of stay in the intensive care unit, and postoperative awakening time, and is safe and effective for the treatment of type A aortic dissection, which is worth further promotion.
9.Chinese expert consensus on salvage esophagectomy for esophageal cancer after definitive chemoradiotherapy
Zhaoxian LIN ; Yang HU ; Lei XIAN ; Yun LI ; Jinbo ZHAO ; Xiaobin HOU ; Shuangping ZHANG ; Sunkui KE ; Changying GUO ; Songping XIE ; Haitao WEI ; Yong LI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(07):977-987
Definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) has become a cornerstone in the treatment of locally advanced esophageal cancer; however, local control remains suboptimal, and persistent lesions or locoregional recurrences after treatment are not uncommon. For patients without distant metastases but with local failure, whether surgical intervention can still offer curative potential remains a major clinical dilemma. Salvage esophagectomy (SE) offers potential long-term survival for selected patients, but this procedure is performed in the context of severe fibrosis, impaired local blood supply, and obscured anatomical planes following chemoradiotherapy, resulting in significantly higher perioperative risk compared to primary esophagectomy. Consequently, controversies exist regarding patient selection, preoperative restaging, choice of surgical approach, extent of lymphadenectomy, gastrointestinal reconstruction, and perioperative management. In recent years, with the refinement of restaging modalities such as PET/CT, the accumulation of experience in high-volume centers, and emerging evidence from clinical studies, the clinical role of SE has gradually shifted from a "high-risk salvage measure" to a "selective curative strategy aimed at achieving long-term survival in carefully selected patients". Nevertheless, standardized guidelines for patient selection, technical approaches, and perioperative management are still lacking. Based on current evidence and clinical experience, experts organized by the Integrated Esophageal Cancer Committee of Chinese Anti-Cancer Association systematically reviewed key issues regarding SE, including its definition, indications, preoperative evaluation, choice of surgical approach, lymphadenectomy, gastrointestinal reconstruction, and perioperative management, and formulated a Chinese expert consensus. This consensus aims to provide guidance for standardized assessment, appropriate referral, individualized surgical decision-making, and optimized perioperative management of patients with locoregional failure after dCRT. Ultimately, this will increase the likelihood of R0 resection, reduce the risk of severe complications, and promote the safer, more judicious, and standardized implementation of SE in high-risk scenarios.
10.Analysis of funding for lung cancer research by the National Natural Science Foundation of China from 2019 to 2023
Liyi WANG ; Wei SU ; Lunxu LIU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(07):1064-1070
Objective To analyze the characteristics and changing trends of lung cancer-related projects funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) during 2019–2023, providing a reference for researchers in topic selection and for optimizing scientific research management and resource allocation. Methods Relevant databases, including the NSFC Big Data Knowledge Management Service Platform, were systematically searched to collect information on lung cancer-related funded projects from 2019 to 2023. Quantitative methods were applied to evaluate project categories, funding amounts, and the distribution of host institutions. Project themes were classified according to their titles, keywords, and abstracts, and were subsequently compared with those of projects funded during 2014–2018. Results A total of 1 327 lung cancer-related projects were funded from 2019 to 2023, with total funding of 554.92 million yuan. The Young Scientists Fund and the General Program accounted for 90.3% (1 199/1 327) of the projects and 84.1% (46 675/55 492) of the total funding; the top 10 host institutions comprised approximately 32.0% of all funded projects. Thematic analysis revealed that the core funding directions in the lung cancer field during 2019–2023 focused on molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways. Major research themes included metastasis and recurrence, tumor microenvironment and immunity, and targeted therapy resistance and drug development. Compared with 2014–2018, the proportion of projects focused on tumor microenvironment and immunity, as well as artificial intelligence and medical engineering, increased substantially. Overall, the themes of funded lung cancer projects were dominated by mechanistic studies and demonstrated cross-cutting features intersecting with disease progression, therapeutic resistance, immune regulation, and clinical translation. Conclusion The number of NSFC-funded lung cancer-related projects has continued to grow. Research themes have evolved from pure mechanistic exploration toward immune regulation and translational research, exhibiting characteristics of interdisciplinary integration with emerging technologies and multi-theme cross-fertilization. Researchers are encouraged to align with policy orientations and to emphasize the innovation and translational value of their proposed topics.


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