1.Correlations between Cuproptosis and Neurodegenerative Diseases and Interventions with Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Huimin ZHU ; Yixuan WANG ; Zitong ZHAO ; Zhijin WANG ; Cong GAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(23):312-321
Cuproptosis is a newly identified form of cell death triggered by copper ion dyshomeostasis, particularly characterized by the accumulation of copper in metabolic enzymes within the mitochondria. In recent years, this mechanism has garnered significant attention in the research on neurodegenerative diseases. As investigations into the pathogeneses of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease have advanced, the role of cuproptosis in these diseases has gradually been elucidated, establishing it as a breakthrough point for understanding disease progression. The current research primarily focuses on the associations between cuproptosis-related genes and neuronal damage, aiming to unravel the regulatory networks involved in the onset and development of these diseases. However, numerous questions remain regarding the specific regulatory mechanisms of cuproptosis and its relationship with the pathological changes in neurodegenerative diseases. Against this backdrop, this article systematically reviews the research progress in the molecular regulatory networks governing cuproptosis and roles of cuproptosis in various neurodegenerative diseases, with a particular emphasis on the intrinsic link between copper dyshomeostasis, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial metabolism. Furthermore, integrating theories of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with advancements in modern pharmacological research, this article explores the potential value of TCM in regulating copper metabolism and intervening in cuproptosis signaling pathways. This review aims to offer new perspectives for understanding the pathogeneses of neurodegenerative diseases and lay a theoretical foundation for developing novel prevention and treatment strategies based on the modulation of cuproptosis with TCM.
2.Textual Research on Key Information and Modern Clinical Application of Classical Famous Formula Liumotang
Xinyu ZHANG ; Chong LI ; Yixuan HU ; Luming LIANG ; Ye ZHAO ; Xiaoting LU ; Yu WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):201-212
Liumotang comes from the Yuan dynasty's Effective Prescription Handed Down for Generations of Physicians. It is composed of six medicinal materials: Arecae Semen, Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum, Aucklandiae Radix, Linderae Radix, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, and Aurantii Fructus. It is a classical formula for treating abdominal pain due to Qi stagnation and constipation accompanied by heat. This study systematically collated the records of Liumotang in ancient medical books and modern clinical literature and conducted in-depth analysis and textual research on its formula source, main diseases, composition, dosage, medical books, container capacity, processing, preparation method, usage, drug basis, formula meaning, and other key information, so as to provide a powerful reference for the development and clinical application of compound preparations of the classical formula Liumotang. The results show that Liumotang was first seen in Effective Prescription Handed Down for Generations of Physicians, and many medical books of the past dynasties have imitated this. In terms of drug basis, the dried and mature seeds of the palm plant Areca catechu, resin-containing wood of the Daphneaceae plant Aquilaria sinensis, the dried roots of the Asteraceae plant woody Aucklandia lappa, the dried tuber root of the Lauraceae plant Lindera aggregata, the dried roots and rhizomes of the knotweed plant, R. palmatum, R.tangutikum, and R. officinale, and the dried and unripe fruits of the citrus genus C. aurantium and its cultivated varieties from the family Rutaceae were selected. In terms of dosage, through the textual research on bowls in the Ming and Qing dynasties, combined with the conversion of medicines and bowl capacity in the Qing dynasty, it was estimated that the dosage of each drug in the Yuan dynasty was 10.86 g. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, the dosage of drugs was mostly equal, but the dosage of drugs was somewhat different. In terms of processing, preparation method, and usage, in the medical books of the past dynasties, the processing of drugs has slightly changed, but raw drugs are used in all preparations. The preparation method and usage did not change much during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, except for certain differences in dosage. In terms of syndrome, Liumotang was first used to treat abdominal pain due to Qi stagnation and constipation accompanied by heat. Medical books of the past dynasties often omit the symptoms of heat. In modern clinical practice, Liumotang is mainly used in the digestive system and urinary system diseases and is mostly used to treat constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, biliary reflux gastritis, functional constipation, slow transit constipation, and other diseases, with no adverse reactions found yet. The above results provide a reliable scientific basis for the development and clinical treatment of Liumotang compound preparations.
3.Development of a nomogram-based risk prediction model for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease incidence in community-dwelling population aged 40 years and above in Shanghai
Yixuan ZHANG ; Yiling WU ; Jinxin ZANG ; Xuyan SU ; Xin YIN ; Jing LI ; Wei LUO ; Minjun YU ; Wei WANG ; Qi ZHAO ; Qin WANG ; Genming ZHAO ; Yonggen JIANG ; Na WANG
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(8):669-675
ObjectiveTo develop a nomogram-based risk prediction model for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) incidence among the community-dwelling population aged 40 years old and above, so as to provide targeted references for the screening and prevention of COPD. MethodsBased on a natural population cohort in suburban Shanghai, a total of 3 381 randomly selected participants aged ≥40 years underwent pulmonary function tests between July and October 2021. Cox stepwise regression analysis was used to develop overall and gender-specific risk prediction models, along with the construction of corresponding risk nomograms. Model predictive performance was evaluated using the C-indice, area under the curve (AUC) values, and Brier score. Stability was assessed through 10-fold cross-validation and sensitivity analysis. ResultsA total of 3 019 participants were included, with a median follow-up duration of 4.6 years. The COPD incidence density was 17.22 per 1 000 person-years, significantly higher in males (32.04/1 000 person-years) than that in females (7.38/1 000 person-years) (P<0.001). The overall risk prediction model included the variables such as gender, age, education level, BMI, smoking, passive smoking, and respiratory comorbidities. The male-specific model incorporated the variables such as age, BMI, respiratory comorbidities, and smoking, while the female-specific model included age, marital status, respiratory comorbidities, and pulmonary tuberculosis history. The C-indices for the overall, male-specific, and female-specific models were 0.829, 0.749, and 0.807, respectively. The 5-year AUC values were 0.785, 0.658, and 0.811, with Brier scores of 0.103, 0.176, and 0.059, respectively. Both 10-fold cross-validated C-indices and sensitivity analysis (excluding participants with a follow-up duration of <6 months) yielded C-indices were above 0.740. ConclusionThis study developed concise and practical overall and gender-specific COPD risk prediction models and corresponding nomograms. The models demonstrated robust performance in predicting COPD incidence, providing a valuable reference for identifying high-risk populations and formulating targeted screening and personalized management strategies.
4.Intermittent fasting ameliorates rheumatoid arthritis by harassing deregulated synovial fibroblasts.
Lei LI ; Jin DONG ; Yumu ZHANG ; Chen ZHAO ; Wen WEI ; Xueqin GAO ; Yao YU ; Meilin LU ; Qiyuan SUN ; Yuwei CHEN ; Xuehua JIAO ; Jie LU ; Na YUAN ; Yixuan FANG ; Jianrong WANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(23):3201-3203
5.Dynamic gait parameters reveal long-term compensatory characteristics in knee joint function recovery following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A retrospective cohort study.
Qitai LIN ; Zehao LI ; Meiming LI ; Yongsheng MA ; Wenming YANG ; Yugang XING ; Yang LIU ; Ruifeng LIANG ; Yixuan ZHANG ; Ruipeng ZHAO ; Wangping DUAN ; Pengcui LI ; Xiaochun WEI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(22):3016-3018
6.A cisplatin prodrug-based self-assembling ozone delivery nanosystem sensitizes radiotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer.
Tianyue XU ; Dan ZHENG ; Meixu CHEN ; Linlin SONG ; Zhihui LIU ; Yan CHENG ; Yujie ZHAO ; Liwen HUANG ; Yixuan LI ; Zhankun YANG ; Cong LI ; Biao DONG ; Jing JING ; Hubing SHI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2703-2722
Lacking therapeutic targets highlights the crucial roles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the clinical management of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). To relieve the side effects of the chemoradiotherapy combination regimen, we design and develop a self-assembled micelle nanosystem consisting of perfluorocarbon chain-modified cisplatin prodrug. By incorporating perfluorodecalin, this nanosystem can effectively carry ozone and promote irradiation-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. By leveraging the perfluorocarbon sidechain, the nanosystem exhibits efficient internalization by TNBC cells and effectively escapes from lysosomal entrapment. Under X-ray irradiation, ozone-generated ROS disrupts the intracellular redox balance, thereby facilitating the release of cisplatin in a reduction-responsive manner mediated by reduced glutathione. Moreover, oxygen derived from ozone decomposition enhances the efficacy of radiotherapy by alleviating tumor hypoxia. Notably, the combination of irradiation with ozone-loaded cisplatin prodrug nano system synergistically prompts antitumor efficacy and reduces cellular/systemic toxicity in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the combo regimen remodels the tumor microenvironment into an immune-favored state by triggering immunogenic cell death and relieving hypoxia, which provides a promising foundation for a combination regimen of immunotherapy. In conclusion, our nanosystem presents a novel strategy for integrating chemotherapy and radiotherapy to optimize the efficacy and safety of TNBC clinical treatment.
7.Salvianolic Acid B and Ginsenoside Rg1 Combination Attenuates Cerebral Edema Accompanying Glymphatic Modulation.
Lingxiao ZHANG ; Yanan SHAO ; Zhao FANG ; Siqi CHEN ; Yixuan WANG ; Han SHA ; Yuhan ZHANG ; Linlin WANG ; Yi JIN ; Hao CHEN ; Baohong JIANG
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(11):1909-1923
Cerebral edema is characterized by fluid accumulation, and the glymphatic system (GS) plays a pivotal role in regulating fluid transport. Using the Tenecteplase system, magnesium salt of salvianolic acid B/ginsenoside Rg1 (SalB/Rg1) was injected intravenously into mice 4.5 h after middle cerebral artery occlusion and once every 24 h for the following 72 h. GS function was assessed by Evans blue imaging, near-infrared fluorescence region II (NIR-II) imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). SalB/Rg1 had significant effects on reducing the infarct volume and hemorrhagic transformation score, improving neurobehavioral function, and protecting tissue structure, especially inhibiting cerebral edema. Meanwhile, the influx/efflux drainage of GS was enhanced by SalB/Rg1 according to NIR-II imaging and MRI. SalB/Rg1 inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity, reduced cleaved β-dystroglycan (β-DG), and stabilized aquaporin-4 (AQP4) polarity, which was verified by colocalization with CD31. Our findings indicated that SalB/Rg1 treatment enhances GS function and attenuates cerebral edema, accompanying the regulation of the MMP9/β-DG/AQP4 pathway.
Animals
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Ginsenosides/administration & dosage*
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Brain Edema/etiology*
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Male
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Benzofurans/administration & dosage*
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Glymphatic System/diagnostic imaging*
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Mice
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Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery/drug therapy*
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Aquaporin 4/metabolism*
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Disease Models, Animal
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/metabolism*
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Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology*
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Depsides
8.A study on optimization of the CAR-γδ T cell manufacturing process
Jiaxuan ZHAO ; Yixuan WANG ; Gaohui TIAN ; Jiangzhou SHI ; Tongcun ZHANG
China Oncology 2025;35(11):1019-1031
Background and purpose:In recent years,chimeric antigen receptor T(CAR-T)cell therapy has achieved breakthrough progress in cancer treatment.γδ T cells,with their non-major histocompatibility complex(MHC)-restricted antigen recognition,broad antitumor activity,and low risk of graft-versus-host disease(GVHD),have garnered significant interest in CAR-γδ T cell therapy.However,critical challenges including suboptimal in vitro expansion and low viral transduction efficiency severely hinder the research and clinical application of CAR-γδ T cells.This study aimed to establish an efficient platform for preparing CAR-γδ T cells by optimizing the in vitro expansion conditions of γδ T cells and refining lentiviral transduction strategies.Methods:We first optimized the expansion protocol for γδ T cells by screening various cytokine combinations and the concentrations of individual cytokines within combination,and evaluating cell purity,viability,fold expansion,and expressions of cytotoxicity and exhaustion markers to identify the optimal culture conditions.Subsequently,the transduction conditions for CAR-γδ T cells were improved by determining the optimal activation duration of γδ T cells prior to gene transfer,as well as the optimal multiplicity of infection(MOI)for lentiviral transduction.Finally,CAR-γδ T cells were successfully generated using the optimized protocol,and their cytotoxic activity against target cells was validated via calcein-release assay and flow cytometry,with a preliminary assessment of the potential risk of GVHD induction.Results:Experimental data demonstrated that,compared with the interleukin(IL)-2-only culture,the IL-2+IL-7+IL-15 combination significantly enhanced the expansion capacity of γδ T cells(876.50±238.35-fold vs 1 627.50±472.15-fold),cell purity(73.67%±1.53%vs 90.69%±2.00%),and cell viability(63.01%±7.05%vs 89.00%±3.61%).It also increased the expression of the cytotoxicity marker CD16(4.20%±1.73%vs 14.66%±0.58%)and reduced the expression of the exhaustion marker programmed death-1(PD-1)(35.67%±6.26%vs 21.10%±6.49%).A cytokine concentration gradient orthogonal assay further identified 10 ng/mL IL-7 and 10 ng/mL IL-15 as the optimal concentrations within the IL-2+IL-7+IL-15 combination.Gene transduction performed 96-120 h after activation using a multiplicity of infection(MOI)of 5-10 resulted in the highest transduction efficiency for CAR-γδ T cells(96 h:12.87%±4.35%;120 h:11.37%±2.35%).CAR-γδ T cells generated using the optimized system exhibited specific cytotoxic effects against tumor cells expressing the target antigen,and no evidence of GVHD induction was observed.Conclusion:CAR-γδ T cells produced using the IL-2+IL-7(10 ng/mL)+IL-15(10 ng/mL)regimen combined with a 96-120 h activation period prior to transduction using a multiplicity of infection(MOI)of 5-10 significantly outperformed conventional methods in terms of expansion efficiency,cell purity,and transduction efficiency.The synergistic antitumor effects mediated by both natural immune receptors and CAR-specific recognition,along with the initial absence of GVHD risk,provide critical technical support for the clinical translation of CAR-γδ T cell therapy,establishing a solid theoretical and practical foundation.
9.Treatment strategies and prognostic analysis of 87 patients with salivary duct carcinoma:a retrospective cohort study
Ximei ZHANG ; Yixuan ZHOU ; Yan ZHAO ; Xuan ZHOU ; Xudong WANG ; Yingbin YAN ; Peiguo WANG
China Oncology 2025;35(11):1049-1055
Background and purpose:Salivary duct carcinoma(SDC)is a group of rare and highly heterogeneous diseases.It predominantly arises in the parotid glands of middle-aged and elderly males,with high rates of recurrence and metastasis,as well as a poor prognosis.Currently,there is a lack of clinical data on SDC.This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of SDC patients and explore high-risk factors affecting prognosis,so as to provide clinical references for physicians.Methods:Clinical data of patients with primary SDC who were admitted to Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital and Tianjin Stomatological Hospital Affiliated to Nankai University School of Medicine from 2012 to 2024,were collected retrospectively.Inclusion criteria:① patients diagnosed with primary SDC;② availability of American Joint Committee on Cancer(AJCC)staging data.Exclusion criteria:① concurrent other malignant tumors;② incomplete or missing medical records;③ death due to non-SDC causes;④ duplicate cases from the two participating hospitals.Data retrieved encompassed epidemiological information(gender,age)and clinical details(time of diagnosis,tumor characteristics,treatment regimen,recurrence and metastasis status,and pathological data).Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method,and factors related to prognosis were explored through univariate COX proportional hazards regression model analysis.This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Tianjin Stomatological Hospital Affiliated to Nankai University School of Medicine(ethics number:PH2023-B-016),and patient informed consent was waived.Results:A total of 87 patients with primary SDC were included in this study,among whom 77%were male,69%had primary lesions in the parotid gland,29.9%in the submandibular gland,and one patient had a primary lesion in the minor salivary gland of the nasal cavity.49.3%of the patients had concurrent cervical lymph node metastasis.The median overall survival(OS)of the entire group was 31.2 months,the median progression-free survival(PFS)was 20.3 months,and the 5-year OS rate was 52.6%.The 5-year OS rate for tumors originating from the parotid gland was 60%,which was better than the 32.9%for those originating from the submandibular gland.Among the 85 patients who received surgical treatment,65.9%underwent both resection of the primary tumor and neck dissection.Postoperative radiotherapy was administered to 49 patients.During the follow-up period,46%of the patients developed recurrence or metastasis,with lung and bone metastases being the most common.The median OS and local progression-free time in the postoperative radiotherapy group were significantly longer compared with those in the group without radiotherapy,however,the difference was not statistically significant.Conclusion:SDC is a malignant and aggressive disease that predominantly occurs in the parotid glands of middle-aged and elderly males,with a high rate of lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis.Clinically,it is recommended that patients with SDC undergo radical resection of the primary lesion and cervical lymph node dissection,combined with postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy.Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are worthy of further exploration.
10.Donor-driven advancements in reconstructive surgery: 20 years of facial transplantation reconstruction
Yixuan ZHAO ; Tao ZAN ; Qingfeng LI
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2025;41(5):441-446
'Injury but not disability, disability but not useless’ is the guiding principle behind the establishment of plastic and reconstructive surgery, making it a unique specialty in modern medicine. Its development relies not only on the optimized use of donor resources but also on technological advancements and innovations in concepts. However, in the face of severe tissue damage caused by burns, trauma, and congenital deformities, traditional repair method often fall short, necessitating more effective solutions. Against this backdrop, progress in donor sourcing and interdisciplinary innovation will inject new vitality into reconstructive surgery. In this context, we take facial transplantation reconstruction as a starting point, reviewing and organizing the technological development, issues, and challenges of autologous and allogeneic facial transplantation reconstruction from the perspective of donors. This exploration aims to shed light on the future direction of this field and gain a deeper understanding of the present and future of donor-driven reconstructive surgery.

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