1.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates Related Signaling Pathways to Prevent and Control Breast Cancer and Precancerous Lesions: A Review
Yifei ZENG ; Di ZHAO ; Junyue WANG ; Mengjie WANG ; Yubo GUO ; Yu ZHOU ; Dongxiao ZHANG ; Wenjie ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):290-301
Breast cancer has become the malignant tumor with the highest incidence rate among women, seriously threatening the life and health of women all over the world. The pathogenic factors and development mechanisms of breast cancer are complex and diverse. The development of breast cells from ordinary hyperplasia to atypical hyperplasia, and from pre-cancerous lesions to cancerous lesions, is a long-term progressive process. Therefore, early screening and prevention of breast cancer is particularly important. Western medicine has a relatively mature treatment program for breast cancer, which is mainly based on surgery and systemic treatment, whereas the ensuing complications and adverse reactions often bring a heavy burden to patients. For the precancerous lesions of breast cancer, surgery is also the mainstay of treatment. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has increasingly highlighted its advantages in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Increasing studies have shown that in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer and pre-cancerous lesions, TCM compound prescriptions, single herbs or herb pairs, and active components are able to regulate a variety of intracellular signaling pathways through multi-targets to inhibit the proliferation and invasion, promote the apoptosis and autophagy of tumor cells, and regulate the cell cycle and the immune microenvironment, thus exerting anti-tumor effects. At the same time, they can significantly attenuate the toxic side effects of radiotherapy and drug resistance of patients. However, the specific mechanisms of TCM in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer and precancerous lesions have not been fully clarified. The available studies are tanglesome regarding the TCM inhibition of tumor development through the regulation of classical signaling pathways such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Wnt/β-catenin, and Notch, which still need to be verified by a large number of clinical and experimental studies. Therefore, this paper reviews the research progress in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer and precancerous lesions by TCM through interfering with the relevant signaling pathways in recent years, aiming to summarize the possible mechanisms of TCM in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer and provide references for subsequent studies.
2.Regulatory effects of G3BP2 on activation, proliferation, and migratory capacity in hepatic stellate cells
Qiqi DONG ; Wenjie SUN ; Minghui LI ; Jingjing YANG ; Renpeng ZHOU ; Wei HU ; Chao LU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(3):501-508
ObjectiveTo investigate the role of Ras-GTPase-activating protein SH3 domain-binding protein 2 (G3BP2) in regulating the activation, proliferation, and migration of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). MethodsThe mouse HSCs (JS-1 cell line) were treated with 5 μg/L transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-β1) for 24 hours to establish an HSC activation and proliferation model. A G3BP2 knockdown system was constructed using siRNA interference technology. The experiment was divided into four groups: Control, TGF-β1 treatment, TGF-β1+si-NC, and TGF-β1+ G3BP2-siRNA. The expression levels of key fibrosis indicators, including type I collagen (Collagen I), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and G3BP2, were detected by Western blot and RT-qPCR. Cell proliferation activity was assessed using the CCK-8 proliferation assay kit and EdU fluorescence labeling technology. Cell migration ability was analyzed by scratch wound healing assay and Transwell migration assay. The formation level of stress granules was quantified by immunofluorescence microscopy to investigate the effects of G3BP2 on stress granule formation in activated HSCs. ResultsStimulation with TGF-β1 upregulated the expression of G3BP2 in JS-1 cells (RT-qPCR: P0.000 1; Western blot: P0.000 1), while a downward trend in its expression was observed in the G3BP2‑silenced group (RT-qPCR: P0.01; Western blot: P0.000 1). Compared with the control group, the TGF-β1 group exhibited increased protein expression levels of α-SMA and Collagen I (RT-qPCR: both P0.01; Western blot: P0.01 and P0.05, respectively), concomitant with an increased number of stress granules and enhanced cell proliferation and migration capacity (all P0.001). The experimental results demonstrated that G3BP2 knockout effectively reversed the aforementioned phenotypes, with the G3BP2-silenced group showing reduced expression of fibrotic markers (all P0.01), decreased stress granule formation (P0.01), and reduced cell proliferation and migration capacity (all P0.05), compared to the negative control group. ConclusionG3BP2 enhances the activation, proliferation, and migration of HSCs by promoting the formation of stress granules, thereby accelerating the pathological progression of liver fibrosis. This suggests that stress granules may serve as important regulators in controlling the activation, proliferation, and migration of HSCs.
3.Changes in health status and management strategies for workers in a chemical enterprise under low-level multiple occupational exposure
Xueting WANG ; Jiming ZHANG ; Yulai TIAN ; Zhiping DUAN ; Wenjie LI ; Chaoye SHEN ; Dasheng LU ; Zhijun ZHOU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(6):693-701
Background Long-term occupational health surveillance facilitates the identification of chronic health risks arising from occupational hazard exposures. However, under low-level exposure conditions in chemical enterprises, traditional workplace-centered risk assessment models are insufficient to fully explain the observed health effects among workers, highlighting the need for individual-focused health management strategies that focus on the worker. Objective To characterize long-term health trends among workers in a chemical enterprise and examine the limitations of workplace hazard monitoring and health surveillance under low-level multiple exposure scenarios, thereby providing a scientific basis for more comprehensive worker health protection measures. Methods We analyzed 972 occupational health examination records collected over a 15-year period (2010–2024) from a chemical enterprise, integrating these with enterprise hazard monitoring reports and workshop air monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The annual counts and prevalences of abnormalities in liver function tests, metabolic syndrome-related indicators, and liver imaging were summarized. Temporal trends were evaluated using the Cochran-Armitage trend test. Time-related changes in abnormal health indicators among active workers were evaluated by generalized linear mixed-effects models (GLMMs), adjusting for age and sex. Individual longitudinal profiles were described for nine workers with continuous 15-year records. In addition, paired comparisons of health outcomes were conducted for 81 workers with both pre-employment and periodic examinations. Results Workplace hazard monitoring indicated that airborne concentrations of major occupational contaminants including VOCs, acids and bases, dust, and physical factors were below national occupational exposure limits. However, 62 VOC species—including chlorobenzene, chloromethane, and cyclohexane—were detected in workshop air, suggesting complex mixed organic solvent exposure. From 2010 to 2015, occupational health examination records were primarily based on physicians’ qualitative assessment, yielding generally low abnormality detection rates. During 2016–2024, data collection was complete, and the prevalences of abnormalities in liver function, metabolic syndrome-related indicators, and liver imaging among active workers remained relatively high. Trend analysis indicated that only the abnormality rates of total bilirubin (TBIL) and hypertension showed statistically significant temporal trends; other indicators exhibited no significant linear changes despite high prevalences. After adjusting for age and sex, the GLMMs showed that the abnormality rates of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), TBIL, and hypertension decreased over time, whereas those of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and fatty liver increased. In a subgroup of 9 workers with continuous 15-year follow-up data, the cumulative number of abnormal health indicators increased in several individuals after 2016. Among the 81 workers with both pre-employment and periodic records, abnormalities in total cholesterol, triglycerides, body mass index, and fatty liver were significantly more prevalent after employment over time, whereas changes in liver function enzymes were not statistically significant. Conclusion With increasing age, workers exhibit a gradual deterioration in liver function and metabolic-related health indicators, reaching abnormality rates comparable to those reported in the general population. These findings suggest that both workplace-related and non-occupational factors jointly contribute to the observed health changes. Consequently, occupational health management should shift towards an "individual-centered" approach. Enhancing workers' health literacy, strengthening workplace health promotion, and extending occupational health services beyond the workplace are essential to comprehensively protect workers' health.
4.Associations between usage behaviors of the artificial intelligence assistant “Xiaoyibao” and psychosocial outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer
Jun WANG ; Yuefen SHU ; Ling ZHANG ; Changming ZHOU ; Wenjie TANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(5):819-826
Objective To explore the correlation between the usage intensity and functional preference of the artificial intelligence assistant “Xiaoyibao” and anxiety symptoms and quality of life among patients with pancreatic cancer. Methods A total of 140 patients who were diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in a tertiary grade A hospital from March 2024 to September 2025 and used “Xiaoyibao” were enrolled. One-off assessments were carried out from April to May 2026. Clinical data were extracted from electronic medical records. The Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) was adopted to evaluate anxiety, and the European organization for research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire-core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) was used to assess quality of life past week (T1). The baseline EORTC QLQ-C30 score (T0) was obtained by asking patients to recall their status within 1 week before the first anti-tumor treatment (or within 2 weeks after diagnosis for those who had not received anti-tumor treatment). Participants were divided into a high-frequency group (cumulative usage>24 times, n=69) and a low-frequency group (cumulative usage≤24 times, n=71) based on the median cumulative usage times. They were also stratified into a psychological support group (n=70) and non-psychological support group (n=70) according to whether they used the psychological support module “Xingma Ailiao”. ANCOVA was used to compare HAMA score and EORTC_T1 score between groups. The multiple linear regression was used to analyze the dose-effect relationship between cumulative usage frequency and HAMA score. Results ANCOVA showed that after adjusting for age, sex, tumor stage, KPS score and disease duration, there was no statistically significant difference in the adjusted mean HAMA scores between the high-frequency and low-frequency groups. After adjustment for the aforementioned covariates and the baseline EORTC_T0, the difference in adjusted mean EORTC_T1 scores between the high-frequency and low-frequency groups reached marginal statistical significance (P=0.050). Compared with the non-psychological support group, psychological support group had lower adjusted mean HAMA score (P=0.024) and EORTC_T1 score (P=0.002). The multiple linear regression showed a marginally significant negative dose-effect relationship between cumulative “Xiaoyibao”usage times and HAMA score (each additional 10 usages corresponded to a reduction of approximately 0.68 points in HAMA score, P=0.050). Stratified analysis showed that this dose-effect trend was significant in the high-frequency group (Spearman ρ = −0.380, P=0.001), but not in the low-frequency group. Conclusions The use frequency of “Xiaoyibao” exceeding a certain threshold and the use of its psychological support function help reduce anxiety levels and improve quality of life in patients with pancreatic cancer. For the promotion and functional optimization of “Xiaoyibao”, the psychological support module should be prioritized.
5.Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Preventing and Treating Heart Failure Based on Macrophage Metabolism-Immune Regulatory Axis: A Review
Junlin ZHOU ; Xiaojiao ZHANG ; Jiahui CHEN ; Liyu LIN ; Shiyin ZHANG ; Yiyi CHEN ; Xiaoming DONG ; Wenjie LONG ; Huili LIAO ; Lu LU ; Zhongqi YANG ; Shihao NI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(23):269-282
Heart failure (HF) is the end-stage of various cardiovascular diseases, with high morbidity and mortality. The existing “new quadruple” standard treatment can hardly reverse the core pathological process of myocardial remodeling, and long-term medication may pose risks of drug resistance and adverse reactions. Therefore, new therapeutic targets and strategies are urgently needed. Metabolic reprogramming is the upstream core mechanism regulating phenotypic polarization and functional activation of macrophages, which drives the occurrence and development of HF through the core axis of metabolic reprogramming-immune imbalance-ventricular remodeling and has become a cutting-edge potential target for the prevention and treatment of HF. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history in the prevention and treatment of HF. A large number of studies in recent years have confirmed that different therapeutic methods of TCM can correct the polarization imbalance, restore the homeostasis of myocardial immune microenvironment, inhibit myocardial injury, and delay the pathological process of HF by targeting and regulating the metabolic reprogramming of glucose, lipids, mitochondria, and amino acids in macrophages. This paper systematically expounds the core pathological mechanism of metabolic reprogramming of macrophages in HF, sorts out the research progress of TCM in preventing and treating HF by intervening this target, analyzes the regulatory rules, summarizes the limitations of existing research, and puts forward future directions. This review aims to provide a systematic theoretical reference and new research ideas for TCM clinical diagnosis and treatment and new drug development of HF.
6.Pharmacodynamic study of Tianjiang xueshuantong pills in the treatment of coronary heart disease
Wenjie LI ; Yingying LI ; Jiang BIAN ; Ting LIU ; Yunxuan GUAN ; Xibiao ZHANG ; Shiliang ZHOU ; Li SUN ; Xi JIANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(11):1358-1363
OBJECTIVE To study the efficacy of Tianjiang xueshuantong pills in the treatment of coronary heart disease. METHODS In accordance with the common pathogenesis of coronary heart disease, acute myocardial ischemia model, hyperlipidemia model, blood stasis model, and carotid artery thrombosis model were established using Wistar rats or SD rats as the experimental subjects. The effects of Tianjiang xueshuantong pills administered at high, medium, and low doses (0.6, 1.2 and 2.4 g/kg) on hemodynamic parameters and myocardial enzyme markers [lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase-MB (CK- MB)], oxidative stress factors [superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH)], inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1)], myocardial infarction percentage, serum lipid indexes [total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL)], platelet aggregation function 话:022-84845240。E-mail:jiangx@tjipr.com [maximum aggregation rate (MAR)], and thrombus formation indexes [thrombosis time, thrombus mass, thrombus protein content, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA)] were evaluated in the rat models. RESULTS In myocardial ischemia tests, Tianjiang xueshuantong pills significantly reduced the percentage of myocardial infarction and the levels of CK-MB, LDH, MDA, GSH, IL-6, TNF-α, IL- 1β, and MCP-1 in serum (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In hyperlipidemia tests, high dose of Tianjiang xueshuantong pills significantly reduced the serum levels of TC, LDL and significantly increased the level of HDL in rats after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of administration. In blood stasis tests, different doses of Tianjiang xueshuantong pills significantly reduced MAR of rats (P<0.01). In artery thrombosis tests, high dose of Tianjiang xueshuantong pills significantly prolonged the time of thrombosis formation (P< 0.01), significantly reduced the weight and protein content of thrombus and the level of PAI-1 in serum (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Tianjiang xueshuantong pills exert therapeutic effects on coronary heart disease through multi-dimensional synergistic actions, including anti-myocardial ischemia, lipid-lowering, and anti-thrombotic effects.
7.Aberrant fragmentomic features of circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA enable early detection and prognosis prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma
Yang LIU ; Fan PENG ; Siyuan WANG ; Huanmin JIAO ; Kaixiang ZHOU ; Wenjie GUO ; Shanshan GUO ; Miao DANG ; Huanqin ZHANG ; Weizheng ZHOU ; Xu GUO ; Jinliang XING
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(1):196-212
Background/Aims:
Early detection and effective prognosis prediction in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) provide an avenue for survival improvement, yet more effective approaches are greatly needed. We sought to develop the detection and prognosis models with ultra-sensitivity and low cost based on fragmentomic features of circulating cell free mtDNA (ccf-mtDNA).
Methods:
Capture-based mtDNA sequencing was carried out in plasma cell-free DNA samples from 1168 participants, including 571 patients with HCC, 301 patients with chronic hepatitis B or liver cirrhosis (CHB/LC) and 296 healthy controls (HC).
Results:
The systematic analysis revealed significantly aberrant fragmentomic features of ccf-mtDNA in HCC group when compared with CHB/LC and HC groups. Moreover, we constructed a random forest algorithm-based HCC detection model by utilizing ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features. Both internal and two external validation cohorts demonstrated the excellent capacity of our model in distinguishing early HCC patients from HC and highrisk population with CHB/LC, with AUC exceeding 0.983 and 0.981, sensitivity over 89.6% and 89.61%, and specificity over 98.20% and 95.00%, respectively, greatly surpassing the performance of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and mtDNA copy number. We also developed an HCC prognosis prediction model by LASSO-Cox regression to select 20 fragmentomic features, which exhibited exceptional ability in predicting 1-year, 2-year and 3-year survival (AUC=0.8333, 0.8145 and 0.7958 for validation cohort, respectively).
Conclusions
We have developed and validated a high-performing and low-cost approach in a large clinical cohort based on aberrant ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features with promising clinical translational application for the early detection and prognosis prediction of HCC patients.
8.A questionnaire survey and analysis on the current situation of forensic ethics practice and educational needs
Wenjie LUO ; Tiantian PAN ; Shiyue LI ; Mengjun ZHAN ; Lirong QIU ; Yuchi ZHOU ; Xin CHEN ; Fei FAN ; Zhenhua DENG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(3):378-384
ObjectiveTo explore the current situation of forensic ethics practice and education by designing a questionnaire on forensic ethics, with a view to exploring the path of forensic ethics education construction. MethodsA total of 667 valid questionnaires were collected using the online survey method, basically covering various regions across the country and all sub-specialties of forensic medicine. Descriptive analysis was used to analyze the relevant data. ResultsMost practitioners had relevant ethical reflections in the process of forensic practice. 69.12% of the respondents indicated that they had studied the relevant rules, but approximately half stated that there were no corresponding ethical norms or standard operating manuals. The specific behaviors violating ethics in different units were diverse. 23.04% of the respondents reported that they had encountered unethical behaviors, but only 4.9% of them reported such violations. In terms of forensic ethics education, 87.75% of the respondents believed that there were issues with the current model of forensic ethics education. Meanwhile, the respondents showed a high degree of recognition for receiving forensic ethics education, with 84.15% of respondents expressing willingness to participate in relevant courses. More than half of respondents were willing to participate in forensic ethics education during undergraduate studies, new employee training, and regular post-employment training. ConclusionCurrently, there is a problem of ethical neglect in forensic work in China. Combining ethics courses with professional courses at the practitioner training stage and providing regular training at the practice stage are effective measures to popularize forensic ethics knowledge, enhance ethical awareness, and improve the quality of practice.
9.Aberrant fragmentomic features of circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA enable early detection and prognosis prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma
Yang LIU ; Fan PENG ; Siyuan WANG ; Huanmin JIAO ; Kaixiang ZHOU ; Wenjie GUO ; Shanshan GUO ; Miao DANG ; Huanqin ZHANG ; Weizheng ZHOU ; Xu GUO ; Jinliang XING
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(1):196-212
Background/Aims:
Early detection and effective prognosis prediction in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) provide an avenue for survival improvement, yet more effective approaches are greatly needed. We sought to develop the detection and prognosis models with ultra-sensitivity and low cost based on fragmentomic features of circulating cell free mtDNA (ccf-mtDNA).
Methods:
Capture-based mtDNA sequencing was carried out in plasma cell-free DNA samples from 1168 participants, including 571 patients with HCC, 301 patients with chronic hepatitis B or liver cirrhosis (CHB/LC) and 296 healthy controls (HC).
Results:
The systematic analysis revealed significantly aberrant fragmentomic features of ccf-mtDNA in HCC group when compared with CHB/LC and HC groups. Moreover, we constructed a random forest algorithm-based HCC detection model by utilizing ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features. Both internal and two external validation cohorts demonstrated the excellent capacity of our model in distinguishing early HCC patients from HC and highrisk population with CHB/LC, with AUC exceeding 0.983 and 0.981, sensitivity over 89.6% and 89.61%, and specificity over 98.20% and 95.00%, respectively, greatly surpassing the performance of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and mtDNA copy number. We also developed an HCC prognosis prediction model by LASSO-Cox regression to select 20 fragmentomic features, which exhibited exceptional ability in predicting 1-year, 2-year and 3-year survival (AUC=0.8333, 0.8145 and 0.7958 for validation cohort, respectively).
Conclusions
We have developed and validated a high-performing and low-cost approach in a large clinical cohort based on aberrant ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features with promising clinical translational application for the early detection and prognosis prediction of HCC patients.
10.Aberrant fragmentomic features of circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA enable early detection and prognosis prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma
Yang LIU ; Fan PENG ; Siyuan WANG ; Huanmin JIAO ; Kaixiang ZHOU ; Wenjie GUO ; Shanshan GUO ; Miao DANG ; Huanqin ZHANG ; Weizheng ZHOU ; Xu GUO ; Jinliang XING
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(1):196-212
Background/Aims:
Early detection and effective prognosis prediction in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) provide an avenue for survival improvement, yet more effective approaches are greatly needed. We sought to develop the detection and prognosis models with ultra-sensitivity and low cost based on fragmentomic features of circulating cell free mtDNA (ccf-mtDNA).
Methods:
Capture-based mtDNA sequencing was carried out in plasma cell-free DNA samples from 1168 participants, including 571 patients with HCC, 301 patients with chronic hepatitis B or liver cirrhosis (CHB/LC) and 296 healthy controls (HC).
Results:
The systematic analysis revealed significantly aberrant fragmentomic features of ccf-mtDNA in HCC group when compared with CHB/LC and HC groups. Moreover, we constructed a random forest algorithm-based HCC detection model by utilizing ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features. Both internal and two external validation cohorts demonstrated the excellent capacity of our model in distinguishing early HCC patients from HC and highrisk population with CHB/LC, with AUC exceeding 0.983 and 0.981, sensitivity over 89.6% and 89.61%, and specificity over 98.20% and 95.00%, respectively, greatly surpassing the performance of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and mtDNA copy number. We also developed an HCC prognosis prediction model by LASSO-Cox regression to select 20 fragmentomic features, which exhibited exceptional ability in predicting 1-year, 2-year and 3-year survival (AUC=0.8333, 0.8145 and 0.7958 for validation cohort, respectively).
Conclusions
We have developed and validated a high-performing and low-cost approach in a large clinical cohort based on aberrant ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features with promising clinical translational application for the early detection and prognosis prediction of HCC patients.

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