1.Coronary CT Angiography-Derived Fractional Flow Reserve in Asia and the United States: 2025 Status Update
Woo Jin AHN ; Maros FERENCIK ; Ming-Yen NG ; Liang ZHONG ; Mona BHATIA ; Akira KURATA ; Pannipa SUWANNASOM ; Yung-Liang WAN ; Trang Ngoc NGUYEN ; Suyon CHANG ; Sung Mok KIM ; Hwan Seok YONG ; Cherry KIM
Korean Journal of Radiology 2026;27(1):27-33
Coronary CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) is a noninvasive alternative to invasive FFR for assessing the hemodynamic significance of coronary artery stenosis. CT-FFR uses routinely acquired coronary CT angiography (CCTA) with artificial intelligence and computational fluid dynamics to estimate pressure gradients, thereby supporting clinical decisionmaking without procedural risk. Adoption and implementation vary widely across regions. In Asia, South Korea exclusively uses HeartMedi+, which enables rapid analysis, streamlined workflow integration, and high user satisfaction. Japan relies primarily on FFR CT, which has national reimbursement and significantly influences treatment strategies, reducing unnecessary invasive procedures. Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam remain in early or exploratory phases due to cost, reimbursement, and infrastructure barriers. In the United States, CT-FFR is guideline-endorsed and reimbursed, where HeartFlow is the most widely used, supported by robust clinical validation and outcome data. Despite regional variability, CTFFR offers a noninvasive solution that enhances patient management, reduces unnecessary invasive testing, and is poised for broader clinical integration as technology and validation advance.
2.The Neural Circuit Characteristics of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Over The Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex for The Treatment of Migraine
Chen-Xia JIN ; Bo-Lin TAN ; Yang YE ; Ji-Qing HE ; Ling-Yan WANG ; Zhong-Ming GAO ; Yu-Jun WANG ; Hui-Li LIU ; Yong-Xing YAN ; Xian-Wei CHE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):1953-1968
ObjectiveMigraine is a leading neurological disorder and the fourth most common cause of years lived with disability worldwide, affecting nearly 116 million individuals. Although pharmacological treatments are available, their efficacy is often limited by side effects and variable response rates. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) offers a safe, non-invasive alternative for migraine management. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms, particularly how rTMS modulates local cortical excitability and distributed pain-related circuits, remain poorly understood. Elucidating these mechanisms is essential for optimizing treatment protocols and improving clinical outcomes. MethodsThis study employed concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) to investigate neuroplastic and neurocircuitry mechanisms of DLPFC-rTMS in migraine. Study 1 compared 30 migraineurs and 28 healthy controls to identify abnormalities in TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs) and significant current density (SCD) within sensory-discriminative regions including the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and posterior insula (pINS), cognitive-affective regions including the anterior insula (aINS) and midcingulate cortex (MCC), and a descending modulatory region, the periaqueductal gray (PAG). Study 2 used a single-blind, crossover, sham-controlled design in 34 healthy participants. Each participant received both active (10 Hz, 80% RMT, 1 500 pulses) and sham DLPFC-rTMS in counterbalanced order. TMS-EEG and cold pain tolerance were assessed before and after each session. ResultsIn Study 1, migraineurs showed a significantly less negative N120 amplitude compared to healthy controls (P=0.027, Cohen’s d=0.60), indicating local intracortical disinhibition. No group differences were observed for N40, P60, or P180 components. At the source level, migraineurs exhibited significantly higher SCD in the S1, pINS, aINS, and MCC (allQ<0.05), but not in the ventroposterior thalamus (vpTHAL), mediodorsal thalamus (mdTHAL), or PAG. In Study 2, active rTMS significantly reduced SCD from pre- to post-stimulation in the S1, aINS, and MCC (all Q<0.05). Sham stimulation also reduced SCD in the S1 (Q<0.05) but not in the aINS or MCC. Although no significant group-level analgesic effect was observed between active and sham conditions (P=0.107), correlation analyses revealed that greater SCD reductions in the S1 and MCC were significantly associated with higher post-rTMS pain tolerance (R=-0.487 and -0.495, both Q<0.01) and larger improvements in pain tolerance(R=-0.487 and -0.451, both Q<0.05). No such correlations were found following sham stimulation, suggesting that the behavioural relevance of neural changes is specific to active rTMS. ConclusionThis study provides novel evidence that migraineurs exhibit both local neuroplastic abnormalities (reduced N120 amplitude) and hyperactivity in key pain-processing regions (S1, pINS, aINS, MCC). A single session of DLPFC-rTMS reduced hyperactivity in the aINS, MCC, and S1. Notably, greater reductions in the S1 and MCC were associated with improved pain tolerance. These findings identify distinct cortical circuitries, particularly within the cognitive-affective pain network, that may serve as potential biomarkers for optimizing rTMS treatment in migraine and other chronic pain conditions. Future studies should validate these results in patient populations experiencing spontaneous migraine attacks and explore multi-session or accelerated rTMS protocols.
3.Chemical constituents from the water fraction of rhizoma of Smilax trinervula and their biological activities
Yong-hong LIANG ; Jia-cheng WANG ; Hui-lian HUANG ; Hui-ying YAO ; Yu LU ; Cheng-qi WANG ; Hai-ying ZHONG ; Ying-cai YU ; Hai-yan ZHANG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(3):807-812
AIM To study the chemical constituents from the water fraction of rhizoma of Smilax trinervula Miq.and their biological activities.METHODS Polyamide,silica gel,Sephadex LH-20,ODS and semi-preparative HPLC were used for isolation and purification,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The antitumor activities were determined by MTT mothod,and the inhibitory activities on α-glucosidase were determined by PNPG method.RESULTS Eleven compounds were isolated and identified as tyrosine(1),uridine(2),2-(2',3',4'-trihydroxybutyl)-6-(2",3",4"-trihydroxybutyl)-pyrazine(3),2-(1',2',3',4'-tetrahydroxybutyl)-6-(2",3",4"-trihydroxybutyl)-pyrazine(4),2-(1',2',3',4'-tetrahydroxybutyl)-5-(2",3",4"-trihydroxybutyl)-pyrazine(5),uracil(6),2-(1',2',3',4'-tetrahydroxybutyl)-5-(1",2",3",4"-tetrahydroxybutyl)-pyrazine(7),dioscin(8),shikimic acid(9),pyrazine(10),3,4-dihydroxyphenyethyl alcohol 8-O-β-D-glycopyranoside(11).The IC50 values of compounds 8 to human breast cancer cell MCF-7 was(2.36±0.26)μg/mL,and the IC50 values of compounds 3-5 and 7 to α-glucosidase were(1.54±0.15)-(10.53±0.38)μg/mL.CONCLUSION Compounds 1-7,10 are isolated from Smilax genus for the first time,and compound 9,11 are first isolated from this plant.Compound 8 has anti-tumor activity,and compounds 3-5,7 have α-glucosidase inhibitory activities.
4.Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 6 regulates mTORC1/ULK1 signaling and promotes autophagy to improve myocardial injury in sepsis mice
Ying ZHOU ; Yong TIAN ; Zhimei ZHONG ; Yongxiang GU ; Hao FANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(30):6434-6440
BACKGROUND:Studies have found that inhibition of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 improves myocardial function and promotes myocardial autophagy in sepsis,but the specific mechanism is not clear.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of inhibiting tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6-regulated mTORC1/ULK1 autophagy signaling pathway on myocardial injury in sepsis mice.METHODS:Thirty male Kunming mice were randomly divided into sham operation group,cecal ligation and puncture group(model group),model+tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 specific inhibitor C25-140(model+C)group,model+C25-140+autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine(model+C+3-MA)group,and model+C25-140+mTORC1-specific agonist MHY1485(model+C+M)group.The cecum of mice in the sham operation group was not ligated or punctured.The mice in the other groups underwent cecum ligation and puncture to establish the mouse sepsis model.C25-140,3-methyladenine,and MHY1485 were intraperitoneally injected 0.5 hours after surgery according to the grouping.Myocardial tissue was obtained 24 hours after surgery.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to evaluate myocardial inflammatory lesions.Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the changes in the autophagic bodies and mitochondrial microstructures of myocardial cells.TUNEL assay was used to detect myocardial cell apoptosis.PCR was used to detect the relative expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 mRNA.Western blot assay was used to detect the expression of related proteins.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with sham operation group,myocardial inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrous edema were observed in the model group.The mitochondria of the cells were obviously swollen,and autophagosomes were occasionally seen;cardiomyocyte apoptosis increased significantly;the expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6,phosphorylated nuclear factor κB P65/P65,p-mTOR/mTOR,p-ULK1/ULK1,P62 and Bax protein increased,and the expression of Bcl2 protein decreased(P<0.05).(2)Compared with the model group,myocardial inflammation and fibrous edema were alleviated in the model+C group.Myocardial mitochondrial swelling was reduced and autophagosomes increased;cardiomyocyte apoptosis decreased;the expression of phosphorylated nuclear factor κB P65/nuclear factor-κB P65,p-mTOR/mTOR,p-ULK1/ULK1,P62,and Bax protein decreased,while the Beclin-1 and Bcl2 protein increased(P<0.05).(3)Compared with the model+C group,myocardial autophagosomes decreased and myocardial mitochondrial swelling was more obvious in the model+C+3-MA group.Myocardial inflammation was aggravated;myocardial cell apoptosis increased;the expression of phosphorylated nuclear factor κB P65/nuclear factor κB P65,P62,and Bax protein increased,and the Beclin-1 and Bcl2 protein decreased(P<0.05).(4)Compared with the model+C group,the expression of p-mTOR/mTOR and p-ULK1/ULK1 in the model+C+M group increased,and the Beclin-1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ protein expression decreased(P<0.05).It is concluded that inhibition of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 regulates mTORC1/ULK1 autophagy signal to promote myocardial autophagy and participate in the protection of myocardial injury in sepsis.
5.Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 6 regulates mTORC1/ULK1 signaling and promotes autophagy to improve myocardial injury in sepsis mice
Ying ZHOU ; Yong TIAN ; Zhimei ZHONG ; Yongxiang GU ; Hao FANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(30):6434-6440
BACKGROUND:Studies have found that inhibition of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 improves myocardial function and promotes myocardial autophagy in sepsis,but the specific mechanism is not clear.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of inhibiting tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6-regulated mTORC1/ULK1 autophagy signaling pathway on myocardial injury in sepsis mice.METHODS:Thirty male Kunming mice were randomly divided into sham operation group,cecal ligation and puncture group(model group),model+tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 specific inhibitor C25-140(model+C)group,model+C25-140+autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine(model+C+3-MA)group,and model+C25-140+mTORC1-specific agonist MHY1485(model+C+M)group.The cecum of mice in the sham operation group was not ligated or punctured.The mice in the other groups underwent cecum ligation and puncture to establish the mouse sepsis model.C25-140,3-methyladenine,and MHY1485 were intraperitoneally injected 0.5 hours after surgery according to the grouping.Myocardial tissue was obtained 24 hours after surgery.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to evaluate myocardial inflammatory lesions.Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the changes in the autophagic bodies and mitochondrial microstructures of myocardial cells.TUNEL assay was used to detect myocardial cell apoptosis.PCR was used to detect the relative expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 mRNA.Western blot assay was used to detect the expression of related proteins.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with sham operation group,myocardial inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrous edema were observed in the model group.The mitochondria of the cells were obviously swollen,and autophagosomes were occasionally seen;cardiomyocyte apoptosis increased significantly;the expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6,phosphorylated nuclear factor κB P65/P65,p-mTOR/mTOR,p-ULK1/ULK1,P62 and Bax protein increased,and the expression of Bcl2 protein decreased(P<0.05).(2)Compared with the model group,myocardial inflammation and fibrous edema were alleviated in the model+C group.Myocardial mitochondrial swelling was reduced and autophagosomes increased;cardiomyocyte apoptosis decreased;the expression of phosphorylated nuclear factor κB P65/nuclear factor-κB P65,p-mTOR/mTOR,p-ULK1/ULK1,P62,and Bax protein decreased,while the Beclin-1 and Bcl2 protein increased(P<0.05).(3)Compared with the model+C group,myocardial autophagosomes decreased and myocardial mitochondrial swelling was more obvious in the model+C+3-MA group.Myocardial inflammation was aggravated;myocardial cell apoptosis increased;the expression of phosphorylated nuclear factor κB P65/nuclear factor κB P65,P62,and Bax protein increased,and the Beclin-1 and Bcl2 protein decreased(P<0.05).(4)Compared with the model+C group,the expression of p-mTOR/mTOR and p-ULK1/ULK1 in the model+C+M group increased,and the Beclin-1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ protein expression decreased(P<0.05).It is concluded that inhibition of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 regulates mTORC1/ULK1 autophagy signal to promote myocardial autophagy and participate in the protection of myocardial injury in sepsis.
6.Establishment and preliminary testing of a double antibody sandwich ELISA method for Brucella detection
Meng-xin YAO ; Ze-yu PENG ; Wen-hao REN ; Yi-mei XU ; Wei GUO ; Chuang-fu CHEN ; Zhong-chen MA ; Yong WANG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(3):255-262
This study was aimed at establishing a sensitive and specific sandwich ELISA detection method for Brucella.We screened monoclonal capture antibodies and detection antibodies for Brucella detection,and optimized and determined the opti-mal antibody coating time and concentration,as well as the optimal blocking solution,blocking time,and yin-yang critical val-ue.The specificity of this method was verified by examination of other bacteria prone to cross-reacting with Brucella.The sen-sitivity of the method was verified by detection of a gradient dilution of inactivated Brucella.Moreover,the sandwich ELISA detection results were compared with test tube agglutination and qPCR results.The selected capture antibody was 4A12,and the selected detection antibody was 6C12.Experimental analysis indicated that the optimal coating concentration for the 4A12 capture antibody was 5 μg/mL,and the optimal dilution ratio for the 6C12 detection antibody was 1∶2000.The optimal coating conditions were overnight at 4℃,and blocking with 5%skim milk powder for 2 hours.The established double antibody sand-wich ELISA method reacted with only Brucella but not other bacteria,thus demonstrating the method's good specificity.Inac-tivated Brucella solution was still detectable after dilution to 1 × 105 CFU/mL,thus demonstrating the method's good sensitiv-ity.The intra-and inter batch coefficients of variation were both below 10%,thus indicating the method's good repeatability.Thus,this study successfully established a dual antibody sandwich ELISA method for Brucella detection,which has good spe-cificity and sensitivity,and might provide an effective approach for the precise diagnosis and effective prevention and control of brucellosis.
7.Pathogenetic analysis of the first case of ST-7962 group B meningococcal disease in Jiangxi Province
Huan FANG ; Yong LIAO ; Xiao-jun HU ; Qiong LEI ; Xiao-rong ZHONG ; Jue-xin WANG ; Su-ping WANG ; Man-mei TANG ; Yu-chen WU ; Chu-chu WU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(1):47-52
Blood from a case of group B epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis identified in February 2024 in Ganzhou City,Jiangxi Province,and throat swabs from close contacts were collected for isolation and culture.The isolates were subjected to serogrouping,drug sensitivity testing,and whole genome sequencing and analysis,to provide a basis for epidemiological inves-tigation and clinical drug use.One strain of Neisseria meningitidis was isolated from the blood of the case and denoted group B.The MLST type was ST-7962,with no clonal group attribution.The phylogenetic tree showed that it was genetically close to the 1977 Shanghai carrier isolate(id-52231).Drug sensitivity results indicated that the strain was sensitive to 8 drugs:azithro-mycin,cefotaxime,minocycline,ceftriaxone,chloramphenicol,meropenem,rifampicin,and benzylpenicillin;resistant to cot-rimoxazole,levofloxacin,and ciprofloxacin;and showed an intermediate response to penicillin.This report describes the first case of ST-7962 group B meningoencephalitis found in Jiangxi Province.Monitoring of Neisseria meningitidis carriage,drug re-sistance,and molecular characteristics of strains in the healthy population in this region should be strengthened,to provide la-boratory support for the clinical use of medications,traceability,and control of the pathogen underlying meningoencephalitis infection.
8.Icaritin Targets P53 to Regulate DNA Damage Repair and FOXO Signaling Pathways to Inhibit Glioma Cell Growth
Zhi-Qiong LUO ; Zhuo-Yi WANG ; Yong-Ping WANG ; Xiao-Zhong CHEN ; Jia YU ; Sha CHENG ; Ning-Ning ZAN ; Bao-Fei SUN ; Heng LUO
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(5):753-763
Icaritin(ICT)is an 8-isopentenylflavonoid,which is the main effective component of the tra-ditional Chinese medicine Epimedium.Previously,we found that Icaritin inhibits the growth of glioblasto-ma(GBM)cells.Herein we aim to study the in vivo anti-GBM effectiveness of Icaritin and explore its mechanism.The results of MTT assay,flow cytometry,comet assay and cellular immunofluorescence as-say in vitro showed that ICT inhibited the proliferation of four kinds of GBM cells,U87,U251,U118 and A172,induced early apoptosis(P<0.001)and late apoptosis(P<0.05)in U87 cells,induced DNA damage in U87 cells,and blocked the growth of U87 cells at the G0/G1 phase(P<0.0001)in a concen-tration-time-dependent manner.In vivo subcutaneous tumor transplantation tumor experiments showed that feeding 200 mg/kg(P<0.01)and 400 mg/kg(P<0.001)ICT had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of GBM subcutaneous tumors,and had no significant toxic effects on heart,liver,spleen,lung and kidney tissues.The results of network pharmacological analysis,molecular docking and cellular thermodynamic experiments showed that there were 26 possible target proteins between ICT and GBM,a-mong which the expression of p53 in GBM tissues was significantly(P<0.001)higher than in normal tis-sues,and the binding energy of ICT and p53 was lower;cellular thermodynamic experiments verified that ICT significantly enriched the level of p53 in the living cells of GBM,which indicated that ICT could tar-get p53.The expression of key proteins in the DNA damage repair and apoptosis-associated FOXO signa-ling pathway was detected by ICT.The results showed that the expression of ATR(P<0.01),P53(P<0.001),P21(P<0.05)and γ-H2AX(P<0.05)was up-regulated,whereas the expression of Cyc-lin E1(P<0.01),E2F1(P<0.05),CDK2(P<0.01),Rb(P<0.001),p-Rb(P<0.0001)and WRN(P<0.0001)expression were down-regulated.There was no significant change in the expres-sion of FOXO 1 in the FOXO pathway or a significant down-regulation of its phosphorylation level.This study demonstrated that ICT could effectively inhibit the growth of GBM cells in vivo.It targets p53 to regulate the DNA damage repair pathway and FOXO signaling pathway to induce GBM cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
9.Localization of the sternocleidomastoid muscle in cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential experiments in mice
Zhong-cheng XING ; Yong-chao XING ; Xuan-yi LI ; Wen LIU
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(2):163-165
Objective The experimental method of cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential(cVEMP)with high retest reliability was designed to verify the accuracy of locating sternocleidomastoid muscle in mice.Methods Three 2-month-old ICR male mice were selected,one of which was dissected to locate the sternocleidomastoid muscle,while the other two were used to design the experimental plan to verify the accuracy of localization.Results The recording electrode positioned on the sternocleidomastoid muscle of mice can repeatedly elicit clear cVEMP waveform.Conclusion The cVEMP waveform with high retest reliability can be measured in both experimental mice,suggesting that the localization of sternocleidomastoid muscle in this research is accurate.
10.Research progress in reactivation factors and prevention of retinopathy of prematurity after anti-VEGF therapy
Yusheng ZHONG ; Jianhong LIANG ; Xiaoxin LI ; Yong CHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology 2025;43(8):761-765
The intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents is currently the first-line therapy for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in clinical practice.This therapy has several advantages, including ease of operation, rapid onset of action, and minimal adverse reactions.However, the high reactivation rate observed in clinical applications limits its utility.Understanding reactivation characteristics is crucial for patient management and clinical trial design.The International Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity (Third edition) updated the definition of reactivation and related concepts.This article summarizes the clinical manifestations and mechanisms of ROP reactivation after anti-VEGF therapy in recent studies and analyzes high-risk factors associated with reactivation, including those related to the infant, the disease, and the medication.The goal is to provide guidance for the early identification, prevention, and intervention in clinical practice.Nevertheless, significant clinical controversies remain regarding the prevention and retreatment of ROP reactivation.Future research should accumulate more evidence-based medical data and conduct large-scale prospective studies to further standardize diagnostic and treatment processes.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail