1.Evolving Paradigms in IgA Nephropathy Management: from Traditional Risk Stratification to Biomarker-Driven Precision Medicine
Dingding WANG ; Meng YAO ; Xiao LIU ; Qingxian ZHAI ; Qiong WEN ; Wei CHEN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(2):317-323
IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide and a major cause of chronic kidney disease and kidney failure. IgAN exhibits marked heterogeneity in clinical presentation, histopathology, and pathogenic mechanisms, contributing to variable treatment responses and prognosisamong patients. Precise risk assessment and individualized intervention are therefore of critical importance. This review systematically traces the evolution of IgAN management from traditional risk stratification toward biomarker-driven precision medicine. We first review the clinical utility and limitations of established risk stratification tools, including the KDIGO guidelines, the Oxford MEST-C classification, and the International IgAN Prediction Tool. We then discuss emerging biomarkers closely linked to disease pathogenesis, including galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1), anti-Gd-IgA1 autoantibodies, B cell activating factor (BAFF), a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), and complement components, as well as the targeted therapies they have informed. In addition, urinary biomarkers and multi-omics approaches show promise for dynamic disease monitoring and individualized risk stratification.
2.Mechanism of Xiezhuo Jiedu Prescription in Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis by Inhibiting Ferroptosis and Alleviating Intestinal Mucosal Injury Based on Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 Signaling Pathway
Qiang CHUAI ; Wenjing ZHAI ; Sujie JIA ; Xiaomeng LANG ; Jie REN ; Xin KANG ; Shijie REN ; Xingchi LIU ; Xin LIU ; Xiaohong JIANG ; Jianping LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):160-169
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Xiezhuo Jiedu prescription in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) by inhibiting ferroptosis and alleviating intestinal mucosal injury based on the nuclear factor E2 related factor 2/solute carrier family 7 member/glutathione peroxidase 4 (Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4) signaling pathway. MethodsA total of 60 male SD rats were divided into a normal group, a model group, high- and low-dose Xiezhuo Jiedu prescription groups (26.64 and 13.32 g·kg-1, respectively), a ferroptosis inhibitor group (Ferrostatin-1, 0.005 g·kg-1), and a mesalazine group (0.27 g·kg-1), with 10 rats in each group. A UC rat model was established by intrarectal administration of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-ethanol. The normal group and the model group were intragastrically administered normal saline. The other groups were given intragastric administration according to the corresponding dosage for 7 d. The general condition, disease activity index (DAI) score, colon length, and mucosal injury index (CDMI) score were observed in each group. The pathological changes of colon tissue in each group were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The intestinal mucosa and mitochondrial morphology in each group were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expression levels of Occludin, Claudin-1, mucin 2 (MUC2), and E-cadherin in intestinal tissue were detected by immunofluorescence (IF). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the expression levels of serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in each group, and a lactic acid assay kit or ELISA was employed to detect the expression levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), ferrous ions (Fe2+), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), diamine oxidase (DAO), and D-lactate (D-LA). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was applied to detect the mRNA expression levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, GPX4, Occludin, Claudin-1, MUC2, and E-cadherin in each group, and Western blot was adopted to detect the protein expression levels of Nrf2, p-Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 in each group. ResultsCompared with the normal group, rats in the model group exhibited listlessness, sluggish response, and mucopurulent and bloody stools. The model group also showed significantly increased DAI score, colon length, CDMI score, and expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6, ROS, Fe2+, MDA, 4-HNE, DAO, and D-LA (P<0.01). In addition, it presented significantly decreased IF values of Occludin, Claudin-1, MUC2, and E-cadherin and mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-10, GSH, Nrf2, p-Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 (P<0.01). There were different degrees of improvement in each administration group after treatment, and the improvement was the most significant in the high-dose Xiezhuo Jiedu prescription group (P<0.01). ConclusionXiezhuo Jiedu prescription may alleviate intestinal mucosal injury by inhibiting ferroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells via regulating the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway, thereby exhibiting efficacy in the treatment of UC.
3.Immunodynamic changes in a mouse model of malignant pleural effusion
Xiao-Lei WEI ; Xu GUO ; Chuang-Xin ZHANG ; Qi WANG ; Xiao-Fan LIU ; Ming-Ming SHAO ; Huan-Zhong SHI ; Kan ZHAI
Laboratory Animal Research 2026;42(1):59-67
Background:
Malignant pleural effusion (MPE), a common complication of advanced cancers, is associated with poor prognosis and reduced quality of life. Although host–tumor interactions are known to drive MPE development, the associated immune dynamics during disease progression remain unclear. Using a Lewis lung carcinoma-induced MPE model in C57BL/6JNidfc mice, we systematically evaluated general parameters and immune cell changes at two-day intervals throughout disease progression.
Results:
The day of Lewis lung carcinoma cell injection into the pleural space was designated as day 0. By day 10 post-injection (p.i.), MPE-bearing mice exhibited ~ 10% body weight loss, marking the experimental endpoint. Pleural tumor mass and pleural effusion volume were minimal up to day 4 p.i. but increased sharply from day 6 onward.CD45⁺ immune cell counts rose over time, and days 6, 8, and 10 p.i. marked key stages of MPE progression. On day 6, B cells, T cells, and natural killer cells, but not macrophages and neutrophils, increased significantly compared to earlier timepoints. By day 8, all immune cell subsets except T cells exceeded day 6 levels, and at day 10, natural killer cell numbers declined while others continued to increase. Besides, the numbers of CD8⁺ T cells, Th1 cells, regulatory T cells, and M2 macrophages progressively increased from day 6 to 10. Based on these data, days 6 and 10 were defined as early and advanced MPE stages, respectively, with distinct immune phenotypes. In advanced MPE, CD8⁺ T cells displayed reduced IFN-γ, TNF-α, Granzyme B, Perforin, FasL, and Ki-67, but upregulated PD-1 and CTLA-4 relative to early stage. Similarly, Th1 cells showed decreased IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 production along with reduced Ki-67 expression. Advanced-stage M2 macrophages exhibited lower MHC-II levels and impaired phagocytosis, but higher PD-L1 and IL-10 production, while neutrophils showed reduced TNF-α release and phagocytic activity.
Conclusions
Our findings characterize the temporal immune dynamics associated with MPE progression in a mouse model, revealing a transition from an early immunostimulatory state to a late immunosuppressive state. This study enhances our understanding of MPE immunopathogenesis and provides a foundation for developing precise, stagespecific therapeutic strategies.
4.Minimally invasive management of spontaneous renal vascular rupture:a report of two cases
Jizong LYU ; Fei LIU ; Feng LI ; Guangli FAN ; Baoming YANG ; Siwei GONG ; Yuanlong ZHANG ; Yao ZHAI ; Ke WANG
Journal of Modern Urology 2026;31(2):157-159
Objective To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of 2 cases with spontaneous renal vascular rupture, and discuss the possible causes and treatment methods of this disease. Methods The clinical data and treatment methods of the 2 patients with spontaneous renal vascular rupture treated with renal artery embolization in Universal Global Xi'an Beihuan Hospital were analyzed. Relevant literature was reviewed to summarize the possible causes of this condition. Results The patients had no obvious history of trauma and no obvious abnormal coagulation function, and sought treatment due to sudden lumbar and abdominal pain. Laboratory tests revealed significantly decreased hemoglobin level, and elevated blood glucose (27.8, 27.6mmol/L). Abdominal computed tomography (CT) indicated perirenal hematoma and active bleeding. The bleeding arteries were located at the terminal branches of the anterior renal artery. Precise embolization was performed using CT angiography and selective renal artery angiography plus embolization, achieving an immediate hemostasis success rate of 100%. Postoperative hemoglobin level stabilized, and follow-up CT scans showed significant absorption of the perirenal hematoma without significant deterioration of renal function. Based on literature review and case analysis, the possible cause of spontaneous renal vascular rupture in these two patients was renal vascular sclerosis due to long-term diabetes. Other common etiologies of this condition included renal tumor, vascular malformation, and hypertension. Conclusion Spontaneous renal vascular rupture is rare. Renal artery embolization, as aminimally invasive treatment, can effectively control bleeding and protect renal function. The specific pathogenesis of this condition still requires further investigation. Long-term diabetes mellitus with poor blood glucose control may be associated factors, but more evidence is needed.
5.Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevents and Treats Ulcerative Colitis via TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway: A Review
Xi CUI ; Wenke DU ; Xing SHEN ; Cuicui LIU ; Rui ZHAI ; Hanghang LI ; Shuxun SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):284-294
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease primarily affecting the colon and rectum. With a rising incidence, UC has aroused an increasingly serious public health concern. The etiology and pathogenesis of UC are complex, involving genetic susceptibility, intestinal barrier dysfunction, immune dysregulation, and environmental factors such as diet, smoking, and infection. Current UC therapies face limitations including persistent drug resistance, multiple side effects, and compromised immune function, necessitating the exploration of novel intervention strategies. In recent years, with the continuous advancement of research into UC mechanisms, the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway has been revealved as one of the classical pathways involved in inflammation. Being crucial for maintaining intestinal homeostasis, this pathway regulates inflammatory and immune responses by controlling gene transcription, thereby playing a significant role in the occurrence and progression of UC. However, systematic summarization within this field remains lacking. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) possesses unique advantages through its multi-target, multi-pathway, and multi-mechanism approaches, being capable of curbing the pathological progression of UC by targeting key molecules in the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. This paper systematically summarizes the mechanisms by which TLR4/NF-κB-related pathways regulate UC, primarily encompassing inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, immune balance, and gut microbiota. It reviews single herbs (e.g., Rosa roxburghii root and Saposhnikoviae Radix), active components (e.g., resveratrol, Tripterygium glycosides, and gypenosides), herbal extracts (e.g., Zingiberis Rhizoma extract and Taraxaci Herba extract), and compound formulas for clearing heat and removing dampness, invigorating the spleen and warming the kidneys, clearing heat and detoxifying, harmonizing the liver and spleen, and treating cold and heat in complexity (e.g., Huaihua Powder, Shenling Baizhu Powder, and Jiedu Huayu Formula). The aim is to fully leverage the advantages of TCM in UC treatment and provide novel insights for clinical and pharmacological research on UC.
6.Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevents and Treats Ulcerative Colitis via TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway: A Review
Xi CUI ; Wenke DU ; Xing SHEN ; Cuicui LIU ; Rui ZHAI ; Hanghang LI ; Shuxun SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):284-294
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease primarily affecting the colon and rectum. With a rising incidence, UC has aroused an increasingly serious public health concern. The etiology and pathogenesis of UC are complex, involving genetic susceptibility, intestinal barrier dysfunction, immune dysregulation, and environmental factors such as diet, smoking, and infection. Current UC therapies face limitations including persistent drug resistance, multiple side effects, and compromised immune function, necessitating the exploration of novel intervention strategies. In recent years, with the continuous advancement of research into UC mechanisms, the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway has been revealved as one of the classical pathways involved in inflammation. Being crucial for maintaining intestinal homeostasis, this pathway regulates inflammatory and immune responses by controlling gene transcription, thereby playing a significant role in the occurrence and progression of UC. However, systematic summarization within this field remains lacking. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) possesses unique advantages through its multi-target, multi-pathway, and multi-mechanism approaches, being capable of curbing the pathological progression of UC by targeting key molecules in the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. This paper systematically summarizes the mechanisms by which TLR4/NF-κB-related pathways regulate UC, primarily encompassing inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, immune balance, and gut microbiota. It reviews single herbs (e.g., Rosa roxburghii root and Saposhnikoviae Radix), active components (e.g., resveratrol, Tripterygium glycosides, and gypenosides), herbal extracts (e.g., Zingiberis Rhizoma extract and Taraxaci Herba extract), and compound formulas for clearing heat and removing dampness, invigorating the spleen and warming the kidneys, clearing heat and detoxifying, harmonizing the liver and spleen, and treating cold and heat in complexity (e.g., Huaihua Powder, Shenling Baizhu Powder, and Jiedu Huayu Formula). The aim is to fully leverage the advantages of TCM in UC treatment and provide novel insights for clinical and pharmacological research on UC.
7.Mechanism of action of necroptosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and related targeted therapies
Xiang LIU ; Zhijian GONG ; Yaqing LIU ; Jiahao HUANG ; Jingya ZHAI ; Hehe CUI ; Yufeng XING
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(9):2191-2196
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease is a common chronic liver disease worldwide, and its incidence rate continues to rise. The traditional “two-hit” theory has gradually been replaced by the “multiple-hit” hypothesis, which emphasizes the synergistic effect of multiple pathogenic factors. Necroptosis is an inflammatory form of death with both the morphological characteristics of necrosis and the signaling mechanism of apoptosis, and the core of necroptosis lies in the receptor-interacting protein kinase 1-receptor-interacting protein kinase 3-mixed lineage kinase domain-like pseudokinase signaling axis. This pathway directly leads to the death of hepatocytes, and it triggers an inflammatory response and promotes the fibrosis process by releasing damage-associated molecular patterns; the pathway is also closely associated with the metabolic reprogramming of the liver. This review summarizes the activation mechanism of necroptosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease, analyzes its effect on liver inflammation, fibrosis, and metabolism, and explores its therapeutic strategies and application prospects.
8.Research Progress in the Mechanism of Shaoyao Decoction in Regulating Cytokines for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis
Cuicui LIU ; Peng'an YAN ; Xi CUI ; Qinqin LIU ; Hanghang LI ; Rui ZHAI ; Shuxun SHI
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(10):179-184
Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a recurrent,chronic,nonspecific inflammatory bowel disease.Shaoyao Decoction has shown good efficacy in the treatment of UC,which mainly regulates the balance of cytokines to achieve the purpose of treating UC.This article reviewed the research progress in the mechanism of Shaoyao Decoction in the treatment of UC from two aspects of pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines.Research has shown that Shaoyao Decoction can regulate the body's immune response,alleviate intestinal inflammation,protect the intestinal mucosal barrier,restore normal structure and function of the colon mucosa through pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α,interferon-γ,interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-17,and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as transforming growth factor-β,IL-4,IL-10,IL-13,which can provide reference for UC related mechanism research and clinical treatment.
9.Construction and application of an auxiliary decision-making system for diagnosis omissions based on artificial intelligence technology
Naipeng LIU ; Mengxiang YOU ; Zhenkun LI ; Yang XIANG ; Fei ZHAI ; Xiaohong CHU
Chinese Journal of Hospital Administration 2025;41(8):619-623
Medical record homepage is a core basis for healthcare quality management, medical insurance payment, and public hospital performance evaluation.The completeness and accuracy of its data directly affect the medical quality and economic benefits of hospitals. Since July 2022, a tertiary hospital had built an auxiliary decision-making system for diagnosis omissions based on artificial intelligence technology, which was officially launched in January 2023. The system aimed to improve the quality of data on the first page of medical records and ensure reasonable payment by medical insurance. This system was built on the hospital′s electronic medical records, and integrated natural language processing, medical knowledge graphs and deep learning technologies to create three engines: diagnosis omission recognition, ICD coding and DRG grouping. The diagnosis omission recognition engine identified both explicit and implicit omitted diagnoses by using a context semantic analysis model and a contrastive learning framework for dual judgment. It also interacted with the ICD coding and DRG grouping engines to enhance the accuracy of DRG grouping. Since its launched, the system has achieved remarkable results. A comparative analysis revealed that the rate of missing diagnoses on hospital medical record homepages has decreased from 31.31% during January to September 2022 to 12.34% during the same period in 2023, and the quality control time for a single medical record had been reduced from 20 minutes to 5 minutes. Additionally, a simulation calculation showed that the system-assisted DRG grouping can increase the hospital′s medical insurance surplus. The system could provide reference and guidance for public hospitals in China to improve the quality of the homepage of medical records and better adapt to medical insurance payment reform.
10.Disease Burden of Malignant Tumors in Chinese and Global Non-Smoking Female Population from 1990 to 2021
Danqi HUANG ; Min YANG ; Huilin WANG ; Jingyi LIU ; Wanqing CHEN ; Jinqiu YUAN ; Jingbo ZHAI ; Jiang LI
China Cancer 2025;34(8):636-644
[Purpose]To analyze the disease burden of malignant tumors and its changing trends in Chinese and global non-smoking female population from 1990 to 2021.[Methods]Data of mortality and disability-adjusted life year(DALY)due to malignant tumors for Chinese and global non-smoking female malignant tumors from 1990 to 2021 were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021(GBD 2021),and the average annual percentage change(AAPC)were calculated using Joinpoint regression model.[Results]From 1990 to 2021,the number of deaths for malignant tu-mors in Chinese non-smoking female population increased from 13.7 1×104 to 26.8 1×104,with a higher increased trend compared with the global(China:AAPC=2.19%,95%CI:2.06%~2.33%;Global:AAPC=1.92%,95%CI:1.80%~2.04%,P=0.003);the age-standardized mortality rate decreased from 32.42/105 to 24.58/105,with a higher decreased trend compared with the global(China:AAPC=-0.88%,95%CI:-1.00%~-0.76%;Global:AAPC=-0.59%,95%CI:-0.68%~-0.51%,P<0.001).From 1990 to 2021,the DALY for malignant tumors in Chinese non-smoking female population increased from 412.96×104 to 691.20×104 person-years,with a similar changing trend compared with the global(China:AAPC=1.68%,95%CI:1.56%~1.81%,Global:AAPC=1.63%,95%CI:1.52%~1.75%,P=0.536);the age-standardized DALY rate in Chinese non-smoking female population decreased from 889.58/105 to 642.65/105,with a higher decreased trend compared with the global(China:AAPC=-1.04%,95%CI:-1.15%~-0.92%;Global:AAPC=-0.69%,95%CI:-0.78%~-0.61%,P<0.001).The top five malignant tumors of high age-standardized mor-tality rate in Chinese non-smoking female population in 2021 were tracheal,bronchus and lung cancer,colon and rectum cancer,cervical cancer,breast cancer,and liver cancer.The top five malignant tumors of high age-standardized mortality rate globally in 2021 were cervical cancer,colon and rectum cancer,breast cancer,tracheal,bronchus and lung cancer,and pancreatic cancer.The age-standardized mortality rate and DALY rate of breast cancer,liver cancer,pan-creatic cancer and corpus cancer showed overall upward trends(all P<0.05).[Conclusion]From 1990 to 2021,the number of deaths and DALY of malignant tumors in Chinese and global non-smoking female population showed overall increased trends,and age-standardized mortality rate and DALY rate showed overall decreased trends.In future,more targeted cancer prevention measures are needed to reduce the disease burden of malignant tumors in non-smoking female population.

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