1.Research progress on the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine intervening in osteoarthritis by modulating the inflammatory microenvironment
Zuo WANG ; Yuxin LIU ; Yuxin QIAO ; Zhengyu YANG ; Ru WANG ; Wenbin LIAO ; Yan GAO ; Jiayi FENG ; Guohua LI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(6):823-828
The inflammatory microenvironment is closely associated with the initiation and progression of osteoarthritis (OA), specifically manifesting as macrophage activation, dysregulation of inflammatory cytokines, and redox imbalance. Following an overview of the pathological characteristics of the OA inflammatory microenvironment, this paper reviews the research progress on the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) intervening in OA by modulating the inflammatory microenvironment. It has been found that TCM monomers/active ingredients (such as total alkaloids from Strychnos nux-vomica , quercetin, triptolide, etc.), herb pairs (e.g. Angelica pubescens - Gentiana macrophylla , Carthami Flos-Lycopodii Herba), and TCM formulas (such as Zhuanggu jianxi formula, Duhuo jisheng decoction and Rongjin niantong formula, etc.) can inhibit macrophage activation, reduce the release of proinflammatory cytokines and the generation of reactive oxygen species by inhibiting multiple signaling pathways, including nuclear factor-κB, Wnt/ β -catenin, and mitogen-activated protein kinase, thereby alleviating the articular inflammatory microenvironment, restoring local joint homeostasis, and slowing the progression of OA.
2.Digital design combined with multi-materials for the repair of craniofacial bone defects: a case report and literature review
XU Yuxin ; LV Jun ; YIN Chuyuan ; TUO Yan ; XU Shuai
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(6):565-575
Objective:
To explore the feasibility, precision, and clinical value of a personalized primary repair approach centered on digital design, integrating 3D printing technology with multiple materials such as titanium mesh, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and titanium plates, for complex craniofacial bone defects involving the skull, mandible, orbit, and zygoma resulting from traffic accidents, providing a reference for primary repair of clinically complex craniofacial bone defects.
Methods:
One patient who was admitted in September 2021 with multiple comminuted fractures of the right craniomaxillofacial region and large-area bone defects caused by a traffic accident was selected. Digital design was integrated throughout the entire repair process. First, preoperative computed tomography (CT) data were used for 3D reconstruction of the craniomaxillofacial region; then, based on the model, the anatomical contour of the healthy left side was reproduced via mirroring technology for the defects on the right side. A targeted repair plan was designed: 3D-printed PEEK material was used to reconstruct the right orbital floor and zygomaticomaxillary complex, a 0.6-mm-thick titanium mesh was adopted to repair the right skull defect, and a 2.0-mm-thick titanium plate was applied for rigid internal fixation of the mandibular fracture. A one-stage repair surgery was completed simultaneously. In addition, a literature review was conducted on studies related to the repair of complex combined craniomaxillofacial defects.
Results:
CT examination at 1 week postoperatively showed that the average fitting gap of the implants was 0.3 mm, and the symmetry difference of the facial contour was less than 5 mm. At 3 months postoperatively, the patient’s maximum mouth opening reached 38 mm, the occlusal relationship returned to normal, and the diplopia symptom completely disappeared. During the 6-month postoperative follow-up, no complications such as implant loosening, infection, or displacement occurred; the FACE-Q scale score was 91, indicating a high level of subjective patient satisfaction. The literature review indicated that digital design combined with 3D printing technology can significantly improve the accuracy of complex craniomaxillofacial bone defect reconstruction. PEEK material is suitable for the reconstruction of the orbital floor and zygomaticomaxillary complex. Titanium mesh and plates can ensure the stability of the reconstruction. Multi-materials combined reconstruction represents an important therapeutic strategy for such defects.
Conclusion
The individualized one-stage repair scheme, centered on digital design and combined with 3D printing technology and multi-materials (titanium mesh, PEEK, and titanium plates), can achieve precise anatomical reduction and simultaneous functional recovery for complex combined craniomaxillofacial bone defects caused by traffic accidents.
3.Quantitative Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer MRI for Diagnosing Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy Activity: A Prospective Feasibility Study
YunMeng WANG ; WeiYi ZHOU ; YuanYuan CUI ; JianKun DAI ; YuXin CHENG ; QingQing WEN ; TianYi XING ; HongBiao SUN ; Song JIANG ; MeiLing XU ; ZhenHuan WANG ; Yan SONG ; Tuo LI ; Yi XIAO
Korean Journal of Radiology 2026;27(2):161-173
Objective:
This prospective study evaluated the feasibility of chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI for assessing disease activity in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO).
Materials and Methods:
A total of 88 patients with active TAO, 76 with inactive TAO, and 30 healthy controls were enrolled. CEST MRI-derived magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and MTR asymmetry (MTRasym) at 1 ppm, 2 ppm, and 3.5 ppm were calculated. Clinical data, MTR, and MTRasym values for the extraocular muscles (one representative muscle per eye, yielding two measurements per participant) were compared among the groups. Spearman’s correlation was used to examine associations between imaging parameters and the clinical activity score (CAS) in patients with TAO. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent associations between imaging parameters and disease activity in patients with TAO (active vs. inactive). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic performance for discriminating active from inactive TAO.
Results:
Patients with active TAO showed lower MTR values (P < 0.001) and higher MTRasym (1 ppm), MTRasym (2 ppm), and MTRasym (3.5 ppm) (all P < 0.001) compared with those with inactive TAO. MTR was negatively correlated with CAS (r = -0.402; P < 0.001), while MTRasym (1 ppm), MTRasym (2 ppm), and MTRasym (3.5 ppm) were positively correlated with CAS (r = 0.369, 0.350, and 0.349, respectively;all P < 0.001). MTR and MTRasym (1 ppm) were independently associated with TAO activity. The areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) for MTR and MTRasym (1 ppm) in discriminating active from inactive TAO were 0.772 and 0.730, respectively. Combining MTR with MTRasym (1 ppm) significantly improved diagnostic performance compared with either parameter alone, achieving an AUC of 0.805 (P = 0.029 and 0.001).
Conclusion
MTR and MTRasym (1 ppm) were independently associated with TAO activity. Their combination further enhanced diagnostic performance in distinguishing active from inactive TAO, suggesting their potential as quantitative imaging biomarkers to guide treatment in patients with TAO.
4.Study on the improvement effects and mechanisms of Sangbaipi decoction in mice with second-hand smoke-induced pulmonary fibrosis
Runrui WU ; Minghao ZHANG ; Yuxin CHEN ; Run ZHANG ; Qiujin YAN ; Yanwen MAO
China Pharmacy 2026;37(14):1851-1855
OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effects and potential mechanisms of Sangbaipi decoction (SBP) on mice with second-hand smoke-induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF). METHODS Using network pharmacology methods, the common targets between the active components of SBP and PF-specific targets were screened, the protein-protein interaction network was constructed, the pathway enrichment analysis was performed using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, and the molecular docking was conducted. Based on these results, the male Kunming mice were divided into a normal control group, a model control group, an SBP group (1.08 g/kg, calculated by crude drugs), and a pirfenidone group (positive control, 90 mg/kg), with eight mice in each group. Except for the normal control group, all other groups were exposed to second-hand smoke via the static respiratory tract smoking method (30 min of smoking twice daily for 20 consecutive days) to establish a mouse model of PF induced by second-hand smoke. Each drug group was administered the corresponding drug solution via gavage 0.5 h after the second daily smoke exposure; the normal control and model control groups were simultaneously administered an equal volume of water via gavage, once daily for 20 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the final administration, pathological changes in lung tissue were observed, and the levels of pro-inflammatory factors, injury markers, and the expression of proteins in related signaling pathways in lung tissue were detected. RESULTS A total of 2 448 common targets were identified, with core targets including protein kinase B1 (AKT1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), which were enriched in signaling pathways such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT. The bin ding energies of AKT1, PI3K, TNF-α, and IL-6 to the active compound chaksine were -11.0, -7.7, -9.0, and -9.4 kcal/mol, respectively. Compared with the model control group, pathological changes such as inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition in lung tissue were alleviated in the administration groups. The expression of collagen Ⅲ in lung tissue was significantly downregulated, and the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1, and pulmonary surfactant-associated protein D, as well as the percentage of positive areas with pulmonary fibrosis and protein phosphorylation levels of PI3K and AKT, were all significantly downregulated or reduced ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS The role of SBP in improving PF induced by second-hand smoke may be related to the regulation of multiple core targets, including AKT1, and the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, thereby alleviating pulmonary inflammation and collagen deposition.
5.Research progresses in functional and quantitative imaging for evaluating and predicting efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy of pancreatic cancer
Xiaoyi YAN ; Yang GUI ; Yuming SHAO ; Yuxin JIANG ; Ke LYU
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(9):1591-1594
Pancreatic cancer has a concealed onset and poor prognosis,and surgical resection is the main treatment method.Neoadjuvant therapy may improve the rate of negative resection margin and prolong overall survival of patients with pancreatic cancer.Functional and quantitative imaging can non-invasively reflect tumor microenvironment characteristics related to chemotherapy resistance,providing a new perspective for evaluating and predicting the efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer.The research progresses in functional and quantitative imaging for evaluating and predicting the efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy of pancreatic cancer were reviewed in this article.
6.Li Huilin's Experience in Treating Acne Through the Therapy of Unblocking Triple Energizer and Opening Xuanfu
Hongli WANG ; Yuxin YAN ; Xiaoxue YANG ; Shufang CHU ; Huilin LI
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(5):1250-1254
The triple energizer is the pathway for the transportation and metabolism of qi,blood and body fluid in the body,and the xuanfu(sweat pores)is the way for the ascending,descending,exiting,and entering of qi movement in the muscular striae and the exterior.Professor Li Huilin believes that the pathogenesis of acne is usually due to the dysfunction of triple energizer and the stagnation of depressed yang-heat,which result into the abnormal opening and closing of the xuanfu and the accumulation of heat-toxin in the muscular striae.For the treatment of acne with traditional Chinese medicine,it is necessary to pay attention to the regulation of triple energizer-xuanfu.The treatment should be based on unblocking therapy,and the therapeutic principle of unblocking triple energizer and opening xuanfu should be taken into account.In clinical practice,it is necessary to identify the syndromes of upper energizer,middle energizer and lower energizer.The syndrome of the upper energizer is often due to fire-heat,which results from the wind-heat in lung meridian or the exuberance of heart fire.The upper-energizer syndrome can be treated by the therapy of relieving and clearing the pathogens with light and mild drugs,expelling fire-heat to open sweat pores,and through the modified use of Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodou Decoction,Ma Xing Shi Gan Decoction,or Puji Xiaodu Decoction.The syndrome of the middle energizer is usually due to the qi stagnation,which results from intense stomach-heat,damp-heat in the spleen and stomach,liver depression and qi stagnation,or spleen deficiency with dampness accumulation.The middle-energizer syndrome can be treated by the therapy of regulating qi movement to relieve stagnation and open sweat pores,and through the modified use of Qingwei san,Sanren Decoction,Huanglian Wendan Decoction,Chaihu Shugan Powder,or Heqi Powder.The syndrome of the lower energizer is often due to healthy-qi deficiency,which results from yin deficiency of liver and kidney,or deficiency-cold in lower energizer.The lower-energizer syndrome can be treated by the therapy of cultivating the vital essence and consolidating vital base,supplementing deficiency to open sweat pores,and through the modified use of Liuwei Dihuang Pills or Yanghe Decoction.
7.Study on the mechanism of allogeneic renal subcapsular transplantation of CD24+renal epithelial cells in the alleviation of ischemia-reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury in mice
Yuxin ZHANG ; Dawei LI ; Mengting WANG ; Shibo WANG ; Wenming LIU ; Hongqian MA ; Qiuqiu ZHANG ; Xiaoyan JIN ; Hexin YAN
Immunological Journal 2025;41(6):377-386
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect and potential mechanisms of allogeneic renal subcapsular transplantation of CD24+renal epithelial cells for the treatment of acute kidney injury(AKI)induced by ischemia-reperfusion(I/R).Methods CD24+renal epithelial cells were isolated from mouse kidneys using flow cytometric sorting and expanded by passaging.C57BL/6N mice were randomly divided into three groups:the normal control group(n=8,sham surgery only),the model control group(n=8,unilateral kidney I/R plus contralateral nephrectomy),and the CD24+cell treatment group(n=8,AKI model followed by renal subcapsular transplantation of CD24+cells).Mice were euthanized at 24 h after modeling and serum was collected to measure biochemical markers[serum creatinine(Scr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and interleukin-6(IL-6)].Renal tissues were subjected to pathological evaluation and macrophage staining.An M1-polarized macrophage model was established using mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages co-cultured with CD24+renal epithelial cells.The polarization state of macrophages was assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)and flow cytometry.Results CD24+renal epithelial cells were successfully isolated and passaged stably.Compared with the normal control group,the model control group exhibited significantly elevated Scr and BUN levels and renal pathological damage.In contrast,the CD24+cell treatment group showed significant reduction in serum biochemical markers and pathological injury compared with the model control group,along with reduction in M1 macrophage infiltration in the kidneys(P<0.05,P<0.01).In vitro co-culture experiments demonstrated that in the CD24+co-culture group,the expression of M1 polarization-related markers in macrophages was significantly lower than that in the non-co-culture group,and the proportion of CD80+M1 macrophages in the co-culture group decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Allogeneic renal subcapsular transplantation of CD24+renal epithelial cells can alleviate I/R-induced AKI by inhibiting M1 macrophage polarization through paracrine mechanisms.
8.Observation on the therapeutic effect of stellate ganglion block combined with nicergoline on dysphagia after stroke
Yuting YAO ; Peng ZHAO ; Yan LI ; Yuxin YAO ; Minxiao LIU
Tianjin Medical Journal 2025;53(1):57-60
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of stellate ganglion block(SGB)combined with nicergoline in patients with dysphagia after stroke.Methods A total of 104 patients with dysphagia after stroke were randomly divided into the observation group and the control group.The observation group was treated with niergoline and SGB,while the control group received functional electrical stimulation.The total effective rate,swallowing condition,inflammatory factor level and adverse events were compared between the two groups.Results After treatment,the total effective rate was significantly higher in the observation group(92.31%)than that of the control group(73.08%,P<0.05).The level of interleukin-6(IL-6),the standardized swallowing assessment(SSA)score and the level of tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α)were significantly lower in the observation group than those in the control group(P<0.05).The Mann swallowing ability assessment scale(MASA)score was significantly higher in the observation group than that of the control group(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in adverse reactions such as glottis closure and laryngeal spasm between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion The combined treatment of SGB and nicergoline can effectively improve swallowing function in patients with dysphagia after stroke,with good safety,ideal results and high clinical application value.
9.Effect of monocular form deprivation during the pre-critical period on dendritic spine density and morphology in V1 neurons
Yijing YAN ; Yuxin CHEN ; Mengqi HUANG ; Xin MENG ; Meng PAN ; Yu GU ; Xuefeng SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology 2025;43(6):507-512
Objective:To investigate the effect of monocular form deprivation (MD) during the pre-critical period of visual development on the density and morphology of dendritic spines in mouse primary visual cortex (V1) neurons.Methods:Twenty SPF male C57BL/6J mice with eyes opened on postnatal day 14 (P14) were selected and divided into MD and control groups using a random number table, with 10 mice in each group.The MD group was fed to P18 after 4 days of MD in the right eye, and the control group was raised to P18 under the same feeding conditions.All mice were decapitated after cardiac perfusion, and the sections were stained with the cell membrane fluorescent probe 1, 1′-dioctadecyl-3, 3′, 3′-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate, and imaged by laser scanning confocal microscopy to observe and compare the differences in density and morphology of dendritic spines in bilateral V1 neurons between the control group and the MD group.This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Tianjin Medical University (No.TMUaMEC2022004).Results:The total density of dendritic spines in the V1 area on the left side of the control group, the right side of the control group, the left side of the MD group, and the right side of the MD group were (7.57±0.25), (7.42±0.25), (6.54±0.18), and (7.51±0.29)spines/10 μm, respectively, with a statistically significant overall difference ( F=3.818, P<0.05).The total density of dendritic spines in the left V1 area of mice in the MD group was significantly lower than that in the left side of the control group and the right side of the MD group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05).There was a significant difference in the proportion of the four types of dendritic spines in V1 neurons on both sides between the two groups ( χ2=26.295, P=0.002).There was a significant difference in the proportion of the four types of dendritic spines between the left V1 of the MD group and the left and right V1 of the control group (both P<0.008 3).There was a significant difference in the filopodia-type dendritic spine density in bilateral V1 neurons between the two groups ( F=3.253, P<0.05).Compared with the left V1 area of the control group, the density of filopodia-type dendritic spines in the left V1 area of the MD group decreased significantly, with a statistical significance ( P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the density of thin-type, mushroom-type, and stubby-type dendritic spines in bilateral V1 area neurons between the two groups ( F=1.760, 2.618, 1.749; all P>0.05). Conclusions:MD during the pre-critical period of visual development can cause a decrease in the total density of dendritic spines and significant changes in the compositional proportions in the V1 contralateral to the deprived eye, and is mainly manifested by a decrease in the number of filopodia, suggesting that abnormal visual experience can cause plastic changes in the number and structure of synapses in the visual cortex during the pre-critical period of visual development.
10.Current status and prospects of the development of case managers at home and abroad
Xiulu XU ; Mengjuan JING ; Yuxin ZHU ; Liming LI ; Hanghang JIN ; Yan HU
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(8):628-635
Case managers, as a type of advanced practice nurses, can not only fully meet patient needs and improve patient outcomes, but also innovate nurses′ workplaces and provide nurses with new directions for career development. This article provides an overview of the origin and development of case managers at home and abroad, their practice models, role responsibilities, current training status, current certification status, and current application status, and puts forward suggestions such as the development of practice standards for case managers, and the establishment of a standardized training system and certification body, with a view to providing references for the development of case managers in China.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail