1.Exploring the Application of "Cleaning Spleen and Restoring Defensive Qi" Method in Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer based on Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Abnormal Accumulation
Chuanlong ZHANG ; Mengqi GAO ; Yi LI ; Xiaochen JIANG ; Songting SHOU ; Bo PANG ; Baojin HUA
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(1):30-33
The abnormal accumulation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) can promote the initiation and progression of pancreatic cancer, which is considered a potential therapeutic target for this disease. The Miraculous Pivot·Inquiry About Statement (《灵枢·口问》) have recorded the concept of "defensive qi stagnation". Based on the recognition that the function of defensive qi is similar to the immune function of neutrophils, and combining traditional Chinese medicine theory with clinical practice, it is proposed that the abnormal accumulation of NETs may be a pathological product of "defensive qi stagnation", with the spleen being the critical site of pathology. Further exploring the application strategy of cleaning spleen and restoring defensive qi method in pancreatic cancer treatment, it is proposed to employ three approaches such as dredging method to eliminate spleen stagnation and inhibit pancreatic cancer proliferation, cleaning method to remove spleen dampness and suppress the inflammatory micro-environment, and tonifying method to strengthen Weiqi and to improve the immune microenvironment, which aims to provide new insights for the clinical treatment of pancreatic cancer with traditional Chinese medicine.
2.Textual Research of Key Information of Classic Formula Xieqingwan Based on Ancient and Modern Literature
Yujie CHANG ; Lyuyuan LIANG ; Jialei CAO ; Xinghang LYU ; Wenxi WEI ; Xiaofang WANG ; Huizhen ZHANG ; Sai REN ; Mengqi WANG ; Bingqi WEI ; Bingxiang MA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):226-234
ObjectiveThis paper aims to systematically collect and organize ancient and modern clauses and studies containing Xieqingwan, excavate and analyze the key information of Xieqingwan, and provide a reference for facilitating the development of the classic formula Xieqingwan. MethodsThe composition, dosage, decocting methods, usage, and other key information of Xieqingwan in ancient traditional Chinese medicine books were collected and analyzed by means of literature research and metrological methods. The modern clinical application of Xieqingwan was summarized. ResultsA total of 42 pieces of effective data involving 32 ancient traditional Chinese medicine books were collected. Xieqingwan was first recorded in Xiaoer Yaozheng Zhijue. The drug origin of this formula is basically clear in the ancient traditional Chinese medicine books. The modern drug usage and decocting method were as follows: Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Gardenia seeds, Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, and Saposhnikoviae Radix were grounded to fine powder, decocted with honey, and finally formed into pills with the size of a chicken head (1.5 g). It was suggested that half a pill or one pill were taken for one dose with warm Lophatheri decoction and sugar. The indications and clinical application had developed from the recordings in Xiaoer Yaozheng Zhijue and evolved from pediatrics to ophthalmic otolaryngology, neurology, dermatology, digestion, and respiratory diseases. The main pathogenesis of these diseases is heat in the liver meridian and is treated. The effect of Xieqingwan is "clearing away heat and toxicity, removing fire and relaxing the bowels, and dispersing swelling and relieving pain". It is recommended to use the corresponding preparation methods in the 2020 Edition of Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. Modern clinical studies are centered around the clinical application of Xieqingwan, which is often modified and used in treating Tourette syndrome, herpes, febrile convulsion, sleepwalking, and insomnia. ConclusionThis paper conducts a thorough textual research of the key information of Xieqingwan, induces its historic evolution, and confirms its key information, so as to provide a reference for the future development of Xieqingwan.
3.Research progress in diagnosis and treatment of salivary gland tumors.
Guangyan YU ; Xin PENG ; Min GAO ; Peng YE ; Na GE ; Mengqi JIA ; Bingyu LI ; Zunan TANG ; Leihao HU ; Wenbo ZHANG
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(1):1-6
Salivary gland tumor is one of the most common tumors in oral and maxillofacial regions. The diagnosis and treatment of salivary gland tumors had been a clinical characteristic project in Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology since long time ago. Here we introduced the research progress in diagnosis and treatment of salivary gland tumors during the past 10 years. Among 7 190 cases of salivary gland tumors treated in this institution, 4 654 cases (64.7%) were benign, and 2 536 (35.3%) were malignant, with benign ∶ malignant ratio of 1.84 ∶ 1. Parotid was the most common location, followed by minor salivary gland and submandibular gland, while sublingular gland tumor was seldom seen. The proportion of minor salivary gland tumor was relatively high. Among 1 874 cases with primary malignant tumors, the cases with T3 and stage Ⅲ accounted for only 9.6% and 10.3%, respectively, which indicated that there was shortcoming in the T classification and clinical stage formulated by Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), and further revision was required. The 5, 10, and 15 year survival rates of 1 637 cases with postoperative follow-up were 93.1%, 87.2% and 79.3%, respectively, which were much higher than those we reported 30 years ago. The improvement of treatment results was related to more widely used combined treatment with surgery and postoperative radiotherapy, and the increase in patients with early stage. Adenoid cystic carcinoma was the malignant tumor with high rate of distant metastasis. The 5 and 10 year survival rates of the patients with pulmonary metastasis were 76.2% and 51.8%, respectively, which indicated that the pulmonary metastatic carcinomas developed slowly. Recurrent rate of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma was 46.7% after single treatment of sur-gery, while it decreased to 27.5% after combined theraphy with surgery and radiotherapy, indicating that postoperative radiotheraphy could reduce the recurrent rate effectively. The normal myoepithelial cells had the inhibiting role in the invasion and metastasis of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma. The evaluation of integrity of myoepithelial cells surrounding the tumor mass is helpful to understand the invasiveness of the tumors. The new surgical modalities such as extracapsular resection and partial sialoadenectomy were used in treatment of benign tumors of parotid gland and submandibular gland with advantages of decreased tissue damage and preservation of glandular function. Application of digital surgical techniques such as mixed reality combined with surgical navigation and real-time three-dimensional holograms in the surgical treatment of parotid gland tumors showed the benifits of more safety and precision, and less tissue da-mage.
Humans
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Salivary Gland Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic/therapy*
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Adenoma, Pleomorphic/therapy*
;
Neoplasm Staging
4.Spermidine inactivates proteasome activity and enhances ferroptosis in prostate cancer.
Dan FENG ; Jian ZHANG ; Huanmin NIU ; Xiaoxue ZHENG ; Mengqi JIA ; Qiqi LU ; Jing WANG ; Wenxue GUO ; Qi SUN ; Huiqing YUAN ; Hongxiang LOU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(4):2095-2113
The elevated polyamines, amine-rich molecules with diverse functions in pathophysiology processes, are implicated in contributing to tumorigenesis and progression. Whether and how they affect the efficacy of chemotherapy is incompletely understood. Our screening assays reveal that the supplement with a low dose of spermidine (Spd), one of the polyamines, enhances ferroptosis in prostate cancer cells as evidenced by increased lipid peroxidation and intracellular Fe2+ levels in vitro. Combination treatment with Spd and a low dose of ferroptosis inducer erastin synergistically augments anti-tumor efficacy with undetectable toxicity in mice. Analysis of RNA-seq data indicates that heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1), an enzyme that catalyzes the cleavage of heme to release Fe2+, is significantly upregulated in response to Spd and erastin cotreatment. Spd mediated the hypusine modification of the eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (EIF5A) promotes the translation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), subsequently leading to elevation of HMOX1. Moreover, Spd and erastin significantly inhibit proteasome activity which results in a decrease in proteasomal degradation of NRF2, although many proteasome-related genes are induced either by Spd or Spd plus erastin. Thus, in addition to its pro-oncogenic activity, the supplement of Spd improves antitumor activity in combination with ferroptosis inducers and offers an optional approach to cancer treatment.
5.Sexually Dimorphic Cellular Architecture and Neural Circuity of ovBNST Proenkephalin Neurons.
Limei SONG ; Yuqing ZHANG ; Mengqi FENG ; Wenwen SU ; Riming ZHU ; Bin ZHANG ; Xia ZHANG ; Jie LI
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(9):1589-1602
Sexual dimorphism in the brain underlies behavioral differences between sexes. The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a complex nucleus that differs between males and females, but the sexual dimorphism in cytoarchitecture and the connectome of its oval subdivision (ovBNST) remains largely unexplored. By combining snRNA-seq and transgenic labeling, we found a higher density of ovBNST proenkephalin (ovBNSTPENK) neurons in male than female mice. Anatomically, we virally mapped the efferents and afferents of ovBNSTPENK neurons, finding reciprocally dimorphic connections with the hypothalamus and striatum. Gene enrichment analysis suggests that ovBNSTPENK neurons are modulated by the upstream dopamine pathway. Functionally, by applying caspase-3-mediated depletion of ovBNSTPENK neurons, we found that loss of these neurons enhanced locomotor activity in male but not female mice, without altering the anxiety-like phenotypes in either sex. Our study may pave the way for a better understanding of the anatomical and functional profiles of ovBNSTPENK neurons from a sexually dimorphic perspective.
Animals
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Male
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Female
;
Septal Nuclei/physiology*
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Sex Characteristics
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Neurons/physiology*
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Enkephalins/metabolism*
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Mice
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Mice, Transgenic
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Protein Precursors/metabolism*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Neural Pathways/physiology*
6.Identification and functional characterization of a new flavonoid glycosyltransferase from Rheum palmatum.
Shiwen ZHANG ; Jianzhen ZOU ; Zitong HAO ; Mengqi GAO ; Gang ZHANG ; Mengmeng LIU
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2025;17(2):307-314
OBJECTIVE:
To characterize a glycosyltransferase (RpUGT1) from Rheum palmatum and investigate its specificity toward flavonoid compounds.
METHODS:
The RpUGT1 was expressed in Escherichia coli and screened for catalytic activity against a range of flavonoid substrates using a high-throughput HPLC assay method. Mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were used to determine the structure of the product. Homology modeling, molecular docking analyses and site-directed mutagenesis studies were conducted to identify key residues responsible for its function.
RESULTS:
The recombinant RpUGT1 protein exhibited catalytic activity towards various flavonoids. Notably, RpUGT1 catalyzed the glycosylation of isorhamnetin to form 3-O-glucoside and kaempferol to form 7-O-glucoside, utilizing uridine diphosphate (UDP) glucose as the sugar donor. The homology modeling and molecular docking analyses identified key residues responsible for its activity. Subsequent site-directed mutagenesis studies highlighted the crucial role of K307 in catalysis.
CONCLUSION
These discoveries offer valuable perspectives on the role of the UGT family and establish a groundwork for forthcoming research on the synthesis of flavonoids in plants.
7.Construction and validation of a risk prediction model for hyperuricemia in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women
Mei ZHANG ; Yi DIAO ; Bo WANG ; Mengqi LI ; Guitao LI ; Chuanwanyun DUAN ; Hui TAO ; Luming FAN ; Aifang YE ; Yong MAO
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(8):1804-1810
Objective To develop and compare prediction models for hyperuricemia(HUA)in perim-enopausal and postmenopausal women using Lasso regression,random forest,and multivariate logistic regres-sion.Methods A multi-stage,stratified cluster sampling method was used to select 12 790 subjects from An-ning City,Yunnan Province.Prediction models for HUA were constructed using Lasso regression,random for-est,and multivariate logistic regression.The efficacy of the model was evaluated by accuracy,sensitivity,speci-ficity,F1 score,and area under the curve(AUC).Results LASSO regression analysis screened 19 variables for inclusion in the model,such as age,waist circumference,diastolic blood pressure,BMI,HDL-C,fasting blood glucose(FBG),etc.The accuracy rate was 0.701,the sensitivity was 0.703,the specificity was 0.680,and the F1 score was 0.806.The AUC(95%CI)was 0.770(0.748-0.792).The results of the random forest model show that variables such as creatinine,triglyceride-glucose index(TyG),TG,BMI,TC,Urea nitrogen(Urea),and ALT were relatively important,with an accuracy rate of 0.663,a sensitivity of 0.653,a specificity of 0.738,and an F1 score of 0.774.The AUC(95%CI)was 0.763(0.741-0.785).Multivariate logistic re-gression results showed that 11 variables including creatinine(Cr),TyG,BMI,Urea,and ALT were included in the model,with an accuracy rate of 0.705,a sensitivity of 0.707,a specificity of 0.686,an F1 score of 0.809,and an AUC(95%CI)of 0.771(0.749-0.793).Conclusion The overall performance of LASSO re-gression and multivariate logistic regression models is better.The random forest model has a strong variable screening ability and high specificity,and can be used as a supplement to provide more accurate predictions.
8.Discussion on the Prevention and Treatment of Endocrine Therapy Associated Osteoporosis in Breast Cancer Based on the Theory of"Liver and Kidney Sharing the Common Source"
Zishen LIU ; Yingying ZHENG ; Mengqi YUAN ; Ganlin ZHANG ; Guowang YANG
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(2):293-297
Endocrine therapy is mainly used as preoperative neoadjuvant therapy and postoperative adjuvant therapy for breast cancer patients and as salvage therapy for advanced breast cancer patients.Osteoporosis is the common adverse reaction of endocrine therapy for breast cancer,which seriously affects the quality of life of the patients.The theory of"liver and kidney sharing the common source"is closely related to the etiology,pathogenesis and therapeutic principle of osteoporosis.It is believed that the pathogenesis of endocrine therapy associated osteoporosis in breast cancer is most closely related to liver and kidney,and is characterized by deficiency in origin and excess in superficiality.Deficiency in origin manifests as deficiency of liver and kidney,and excess in superficiality manifests as blood stasis blocking collaterals.Chinese herbal medicine with the actions of nourishing liver and kidney can be used for interventions of various stages of endocrine therapy for breast cancer.In the stage of preoperative neoadjuvant therapy,Chinese herbal medicine intervention focuses on inhibiting cancer,so as to achieve synergistic anticancer actions with neoadjuvant therapy;the intervention can also be supplemented by medicine for supporting healthy qi with modified Liuwei Dihuang Pills,thus to reduce the incidence of adverse reactions.In the stage of postoperative adjuvant therapy,Chinese herbal medicine intervention focuses on supporting healthy qi,so as to promote the recovery of body functions and prevent the occurrence of osteoporosis,and modified treatment with Duhuo Jisheng Decoction or Zuogui Pills can be chosen.In the advanced stage of salvage treatment,Chinese herbal medicine intervention focuses on supporting healthy qi,and medicines for nourishing liver and kidney,strengthening muscles and bones,and activating qi and blood circulation to relieve pain can be chosen;in addition,medicinals with affinity to flesh and blood can be added to enhance the actions of nourishing liver and kidney.
9.Silencing KRT17 inhibits proliferation of human esophageal squamous cell line KYSE-150
Hui ZHANG ; Shibao GAN ; Hui LI ; Jiaxun ZHOU ; Mengqi ZHAO
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(12):1548-1556
Objective To explore the effect and mechanism of keratin 17(KRT17)on proliferation of human esophageal squamous cell line KYSE-150.Methods The correlation of KRT17 expression with the disease stage and survival of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was analyzed by GEPIA2 website.Human esophageal squamous cell line KYSE-150 was divided into control group,si-NC group,si-KRT17 group and activator group.Small interfering RNA of si-NC and si-KRT17 were transfected into cells of si-NC group and si-KRT17 group,re-spectively.Cells in the activator group were transfected with si-KRT17 and treated with 740 Y-P(PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway activator)with a final concentration of 30 μmol/L in the medium.The cell proliferation was detec-ted by CCK-8 assay.The clonal formation was detected by clonal formation experiment.The apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining.The cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry.The cell migration and invasion were detected by Transwell assay.The contents of glucose,lactic acid and pyruvate in cell supernatant were detected by commercially available kits.The expression of KRT17 mRNA was detected by qRT-PCR.And the expression of KRT17,GLUT1,PDK1 and LDHA,p-PI3K,PI3K,p-AKT,AKT,p-mTOR and mTOR protein were detected by Western blot.Results The expression level of KRT17 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissues was significantly higher than that in normal tissues(P<0.05).There was a statistically significant correlation between the expression level of KRT17 and the stage of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(P<0.05).The survival prognosis of patients with low KRT17 expression was better than that of patients with high KRT17 expression(P<0.05).Compared with control group or si-NC group,the mRNA and protein expression of KRT17 in si-KRT17 group were decreased(P<0.05),and the cell proliferation activity,number of clone formation,migration and invasion cells were de-creased(P<0.05).And the lactic acid content,protein expression levels of GLUT1,PDK1 and LDHA were de-creased(P<0.05),values of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-Akt/AKT and p-mTOR/mTOR were decreased(P<0.05).The proportion of cells in G0/G1 phase,TUNEL positive rate,and contents of glucose and pyruvate were increased(P<0.05).Compared with si-KRT17 group,the mRNA and protein expression levels of KRT17 in activator group were increased(P<0.05),and the cell proliferation activity,number of clone formation,migration and in-vasion cells were increased(P<0.05).And the lactic acid content,protein expression levels of GLUT1,PDK1 and LDHA were increased(P<0.05),the values of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-Akt/AKT and p-mTOR/mTOR were in-creased(P<0.05).The proportion of cells in G0/G1 phase,TUNEL positive rate,and contents of glucose and pyruvate were decreased(P<0.05).Conclusions KRT17 is highly expressed in esophageal squamous cell car-cinoma tissues and cells.Silencing KRT17 inhibits proliferation,migration and invasion of human esophageal squamous cell line KYSE-150,and promotes apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.
10.Digital and Intelligent Generalized Inspection in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Related Equipment Development from Evidence-based Perspective
Xiaowei ZHANG ; Xiaoyu ZHANG ; Chen ZHAO ; Mengqi PENG ; Xue XU ; Hongyuan LIN ; Wenhui WANG ; Hongcai SHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(22):94-101
As the foremost among the four examinations in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), inspection and related equipment research face challenges in landing and transformation due to variations in evidence quality, lack of standardization, insufficient algorithm transparency, and poor reliability and stability of decision-making. Against the backdrop of rapid development of emerging technologies such as big data, the internet of things, and artificial intelligence, coupled with macro policy support from the government, digital and intelligent generalized inspection in TCM has emerged, with the aim of utilizing digital technologies to overcome the limitations of naked-eye inspection and comprehensively perceive and analyze facial and bodily expressions. The research in this field intelligently correlates Zang-fu organ functions with health conditions and disease progression and establishes a technical system for digital and intelligent inspection, multi-dimensional and multimodal perception, fusion analysis, and decision-making. This system aims to enhance the accuracy of disease risk warning and diagnosis, bridging the gap between inspection equipment and assistance in clinical decision-making. From an evidence-based perspective, this paper systematically examines the research ideas of digital and intelligent inspection and the development of related equipment, deeply explores how to propose clinical practice-oriented key scientific issues, comprehensively acquire and co-apply multi-dimensional data, establish precise inspection models driven by digital intelligence, optimize standards to enhance equipment interoperability and reliability, construct post-effect evaluation mechanisms to promote improvement, and actively address potential risks such as the black box nature and information security in the application of intelligent technology. This paper not only demonstrates the tremendous potential of digital technologies in improving the accuracy and clinical application efficiency of inspection but also provides new perspectives and ideas for the modernization of inspection in TCM, paving the way for the application of inspection in the global medical and health field.

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