1.Research progress and clinical challenges in immunosuppressive regimens for xenotransplantation
Yu ZHANG ; Kun WANG ; Xuyuan ZHU ; Yuxiang CHEN ; Tao LI ; Xiaojie MA ; Hongtao JIANG
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):28-35
As a pivotal strategy to alleviate the shortage of organ donors, xenotransplantation has achieved remarkable advances in both pre-clinical and clinical studies in recent years, driven by continuous optimization of gene modification techniques and immunosuppressive regimens. Nevertheless, clinical translation still confronts formidable challenges, including rejection and heightened infection risks, which severely compromise long-term graft survival. Consequently, the role of immunosuppressive regimens in xenotransplantation has become increasingly prominent. This article summarizes the mechanisms underlying xenogeneic immune rejection, the latest developments in immunosuppressive regimens, cutting-edge strategies for inducing immune tolerance and the major hurdles facing clinical xenotransplantation. It delves into potential optimization strategies and directions for future clinical research, aiming to offer theoretical insights and practical guidance for the safe and effective application of clinical xenotransplantation.
2.Short-Term Efficacy and Long-Term Recurrence Rate of Traditional Chinese Medicine Versus Western Surgical Treatment for Mixed Hemorrhoids:A Multi-Center Retrospective Cohort Study Based on Real-World Data
Kang DING ; Zhimin FAN ; Xiaojie ZHOU ; Xiaoxiao WANG ; Yuanyuan GE ; Huiting ZHU ; Yuxin ZHU ; Xia YANG ; Jun DU ; Shicai HUANG ; Yang ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(7):747-754
ObjectiveTo observe the short-term and long-term efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) surgical operations in treating mixed hemorrhoids. MethodsA multi-center retrospective cohort study was conducted, collecting clinical data from 17,831 mixed hemorrhoid surgery patients in 8 top-tier TCM hospitals in Jiangsu Province. Standardized and structured datasets were obtained through artificial intelligence models. Patients who underwent western surgical treatment were categorized into the western surgery group (11,646 cases), and those receiving TCM surgical operations were categorized into the TCM surgery group (6185 cases). Propensity score matching (1∶1 matching) was used to balance baseline data between groups. The primary outcome was the one-year recurrence rate, and secondary outcomes included the main symptoms (rectal bleeding, degree of prolapse) and secondary symptoms (anal distension, anal edema, wound secretion and exudation, anal stenosis, residual skin tags, perianal itching, and anal pain) measured on days 7, 28, and 60 after discharge. ResultsAfter matching, 2194 patients were included in each group. Symptom scores showed that at 28 days after discharge, the TCM surgical group had superior improvement in rectal bleeding [OR=5.786, 95%CI (3.092,10.827)], degree of prolapse [OR=4.510, 95%CI (1.649,12.333)], and anal edema [OR=3.188, 95%CI (1.295,7.845)] compared to the western surgical group. At 60 days post-discharge, the TCM group still showed advantages in improving rectal bleeding [OR=5.237, 95%CI (1.077,25.464)] and anal pain [OR=11.697, 95%CI (1.186,115.336)] (P<0.05). Long-term follow-up showed that the one-year recurrence rate in the TCM surgery group was 1.1% (8/726), while that in the western surgery group was 2.3% (10/444), with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionBased on real-world data, TCM surgical treatment for mixed hemorrhoids shows significant short-term symptom improvement, particularly in terms of hemostasis, reducing swelling, and alleviating prolapse of anal masses.
3.Mechanisms of Macrophage Glycolysis in Regulating Acute Lung Injury and TCM Intervention Strategies Based on Theory of "Spleen Failing to Disperse Essence"
Qian XU ; Maofu ZHANG ; Xiali LIANG ; Guoxiong HAO ; Jingwei LI ; Xiaojie JIN ; Yongqi LIU ; Xiangxia LUO ; Zhiming ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(18):218-226
Acute lung injury (ALI) is a critical respiratory emergency caused by various non-cardiogenic factors, including severe pulmonary and extrapulmonary infections, lung contusion, and sepsis. Its pathological features are centered on alveolar-capillary barrier dysfunction, uncontrolled inflammatory responses, and impaired alveolar fluid clearance, manifesting as refractory hypoxemia and respiratory distress, with a poor clinical prognosis. Modern studies have revealed that mitochondrial dysfunction and glucose metabolic reprogramming in macrophages, characterized by hyperactivated glycolysis, drive pro-inflammatory polarization and represent a key mechanism leading to excessive inflammatory responses and disease progression in ALI. Therefore, targeting macrophage glycolysis may be a potential therapeutic strategy for ALI. The Plain Questions: Special Discussion on Channels and Vessels in Huangdi's Internal Classic states that "The spleen disseminates essence upward to the lungs". When the spleen fails in transport and transformation, the distribution of refined nutrients becomes disordered, resulting in the endogenous generation of turbid pathogens that obstruct the pulmonary collaterals, causing failure of lung dispersion and descent and leading to dyspneic reversal. This forms the dynamic pathological pattern of ''deficiency in the root with excess in the manifestation'', thereby proposing the core pathogenesis of ALI as ''spleen deficiency with transport dysfunction and turbid pathogens obstructing the lungs''. This process is intrinsically associated with the inflammatory cascade triggered by disordered macrophage glucose metabolism. Taking the theory of ''spleen failing to disperse essence'' as the entry point, the present study systematically elucidates the progressive pathological mechanism of "energy metabolism disorder-cytokine storm'' in ALI from the perspectives of the ''spleen deficiency-turbid obstruction'' pathogenesis and macrophage glycolysis-pro-inflammatory polarization. In addition, we summarize Chinese medicine compound formulas and monomeric components that ''restore spleen transport and eliminate turbid pathogens'', and explore their potential mechanisms in the treatment of ALI by regulating macrophage metabolic phenotypes to improve the state of ''spleen failing to disperse essence''. This provides a molecular basis for elucidating the ''spleen-lung'' energy metabolism dialogue, deepens understanding of the multi-target regulatory mechanisms of herbal prescriptions, and promotes the deep integration of classical theory with modern medicine.
4.Mechanism of action of mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex in treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease
Xinyu ZHANG ; Lijuan DAN ; Xiaojie YOU ; Jie MU ; Hongfei SONG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(8):1952-1959
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a chronic liver condition closely associated with dysregulated lipid metabolism, with the central pathological event of mitochondrial dysfunction in hepatocytes. The mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) complex is a key molecular apparatus regulating mitochondrial calcium (mtCa2+) homeostasis, and mtCa2+ overload due to its dysfunction plays a critical role in the progression of MAFLD. This article systematically elaborates on the pathogenesis of MAFLD, with a particular focus on how the central signaling axis of “MCU complex dysfunction-mtCa2+ overload” drives the disease progression of MAFLD by disrupting energy metabolism, activating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, triggering the NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome, and inducing cell death. It also points out that traditional Chinese medicine can exert an interventional effect on multiple downstream pathways through various targets and has shown unique advantages and a significant potential in alleviating MAFLD by maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis and targeting the MCU complex, and therefore, it is expected to provide new strategies for the prevention and treatment of MAFLD.
5.Chinese expert consensus on the application of jejunal interposition for esophageal reconstruction in complex esophageal cancer surgery (2026 edition)
Wenshu CHEN ; Lilan ZHAO ; Zhaoxian LIN ; Debin OU ; Zhigang LI ; Chengchu ZHU ; Longqi CHEN ; Shuoyan LIU ; Xiangnan LI ; Chao CHENG ; Ni ZHANG ; Songping XIE ; Xufeng GUO ; Xu LI ; Xinyu MEI ; Xuefeng LENG ; Jianqun MA ; Zhijun HUANG ; Guojun GENG ; Lin ZHANG ; Hongyan WANG ; Yi ZHANG ; Weijie WANG ; Jiangbo LIN ; Jinbiao XIE ; Jun GUAN ; Rongqi HE ; Xing LIN ; Xiuhua TU ; Yong LI ; Lijie TAN ; Xiaojie PAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(10):1527-1543
Objective Jejunal interposition is an important option for restoring gastrointestinal continuity in patients with complex esophageal cancer in whom the stomach is unavailable for reconstruction due to previous gastrectomy, tumor involvement, failed gastric conduit, or other constraints. Although the jejunum offers a caliber similar to the esophagus, a rich blood supply, and preserved peristaltic function, anatomical variations in mesenteric length and vascular arcades render long-segment and high-level reconstruction susceptible to excessive tension, mesenteric torsion, venous congestion, and inadequate distal perfusion. This consensus aims to provide standardized recommendations for the application of jejunal interposition in this specific patient population. Methods This consensus was developed in accordance with the WHO Handbook for Guideline Development and Chinese national guideline development standards, with reference to the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation Ⅱ(AGREE Ⅱ), Reporting Items for Practice Guidelines in Healthcare (RIGHT), and Scientific, Transparent and Applicable Rankings (STAR) checklists. The project was registered on the international practice guidelines registry platform (PREPARE-2026CN1384). The working group systematically searched Chinese and English evidence addressing 12 clinical questions. Evidence was graded using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM) 2009 system, with structured appraisal of risk of bias, inconsistency, indirectness, and imprecision. Recommendations were formulated through two rounds of Delphi surveys and a face-to-face consensus meeting, with an agreement threshold of ≥75%. Results The consensus generated 12 recommendations covering indications, selection between jejunum and colon, preoperative assessment, surgical approach and reconstruction route, pedicled jejunal interposition (PJI), supercharged pedicled jejunal interposition (SPJ), indocyanine green (ICG) perfusion assessment, perioperative nutrition, management of anastomotic leakage, long-term follow-up, and special treatment scenarios. Given that the available direct evidence is predominantly derived from single-center retrospective cohorts and case series, recommendations extrapolated from general esophagectomy or other gastrointestinal surgical evidence are deliberately phrased with caution. Conclusion Jejunal interposition is a safe and effective approach for digestive tract reconstruction in patients with complex esophageal cancer in whom the stomach is unavailable. This consensus emphasizes that clinical decision-making should be individualized based on the patient's prior treatment history, reconstruction height, vascular anatomy, technical availability, and institutional experience in the Chinese context.
6.Mechanism and Combination Therapy of Berberine in Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty liver Disease:A Review
Xiaojie WANG ; Heng ZHANG ; Sutong LIU ; Lihui ZHANG ; Wenxia ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):269-281
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in the world. Because of its complex pathogenesis, high clinical prevalence and large population, it poses a great threat and challenge to public health in the world. Therefore, active intervention measures are needed. Currently, western medicine is effective in reducing weight, reducing liver fat content, improving glucose-lipid metabolism and insulin resistance. However, for patients with NAFLD-related fibrosis and cirrhosis, there is still a lack of sufficient histological evidence to support its benefits, and randomized controlled trials are still needed to clarify. Lifestyle intervention is an important cornerstone for the treatment of NAFLD, but there are many problems such as poor implementation and low compliance of patients, and the clinical efficacy is not ideal. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has the significant advantages of multiple pathways and multiple targets. Berberine, the active ingredient of TCM, can interfere with the production of NAFLD from multiple pathways, including increasing energy consumption, weight loss, improving glucose-lipid metabolism, improving insulin resistance, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, regulating intestinal flora, restoring bile acid homeostasis, anti-fibrosis and so on, which can play a positive role in the treatment of NAFLD. At the same time, it was found that the combination of BBR with Chinese and western medicines had significant advantages in promoting drug absorption, improving oral bioavailability, increasing the highest biological distribution in the liver, enhancing the overall therapeutic effect of NAFLD, and reducing adverse drug reactions, which could provide reference for clinical medication.
7.Best evidence summary for diaphragm rehabilitation in ICU patients with mechanical ventilation
Dong XIANG ; Yuanyuan MI ; Wei WU ; Xiaojie WU ; Zhuoya ZHANG ; Jun LEI ; Yuanting HE ; Haiyan HUANG
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(7):1679-1685,1692
Objective To summarize the best evidence for diaphragm rehabilitation in mechanically ven-tilated ICU patients with ventilator-associated diaphragm dysfunction based on evidence-based methods.Meth-ods A systematic search was conducted across guideline websites,professional associations,and Chinese/English databases for evidence regarding diaphragm rehabilitation in mechanically ventilated ICU patients.The search timeframe spanned from database inception to December 31,2024.Two researchers independently per-formed quality assessment and synthesized the evidence.Results Twenty articles were included:2 clinical de-cisions,1 guideline,2 evidence summaries,3 systematic reviews,7 randomized controlled trials(RCT),and 5 expert consensuses/opinions.Twenty-seven pieces of evidence were formed across 6 themes:rehabilitation team,rehabilitation assessment,rehabilitation interventions,outcome evaluation,precautions,and education/training.Conclusion This study summarizes the best evidence for diaphragm rehabilitation in ICU mechani-cally ventilated patients.Healthcare professionals should implement diaphragm rehabilitation by integrating this evidence with specific clinical contexts to improve patient outcomes and enhance nursing quality.
8.Association of serum NRG4 and Metrnl levels with insulin resistance in patients with metabolic syndrome
Shichen ZHANG ; Wenping WANG ; Ping WANG ; Xiaojie DING ; Shanshan WANG ; Man QIN
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(5):580-584
Objective To investigate the association of neuregulin 4(NRG4)and meteorin-like protein(Metrnl)with insulin resistance in patients with metabolic syndrome(MS).Methods From September to November 2023,totally 60 MS patients in Anhui No.2 Provincial People's Hospital were selected as MS group,and 60 physical examination healthy people were selected as control group.The changes of human mor-phological indicators,biochemical indicators,blood routine,NRG4,Metrnl,insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR)and other indicators in the two groups were observed,and the correlation between NRG4,Metrnl and HO-MA-IR and each index was analyzed,and the diagnostic value of NRG4 and Metrnl for MS was evaluated.Re-sults Compared with the control group,the levels of white blood cell count(WBC),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),uric acid(UA),triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC),fasting insulin(FINS),HOMA-IR,body weight,body mass index(BMI),waist circumference,hip circumference,waist-hip ratio(WHR),and body fat ratio were significantly increased in MS group(P<0.05),however,high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),NRG4,and Metrnl were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that serum NRG4 was positively correlated with Metrnl and HDL-C(P<0.05),and negatively correlated with TG,FINS,HOMA-IR,body weight,waist circumference,hip circumference,WHR,and ALT(P<0.05).Serum Metrnl was positively correlated with NRG4 and HDL-C(P<0.05),and negatively correlated with TG and hip circumference(P<0.05).Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that NRG4 and Metrnl were protective factors for MS(P<0.05).The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the sensitivity of NRG4,Metrnl,and their combination for diagnosing MS was 67%,41%,and 67%,respec-tively,the specificity was 71%,95%,and 86%,respectively,and the area under the curve was 0.713,0.635,and 0.787,respectively.Conclusion The levels of serum NRG4 and Metrnl are decreased in MS patients,and NRG4 is associated with insulin resistance.The combination of NRG4 and Metrnl has a certain diagnostic val-ue for MS.
9.Prognostic study of neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer based on propensity score matching and subgroup analysis
Xiaohao ZHENG ; Jingyu ZHANG ; Xiaojie CHEN ; Zhen HAO ; Jing LIU ; Zewen ZHANG ; Wanqing YU ; Yun YANG
International Journal of Surgery 2025;52(4):230-238
Objective:To investigate whether neoadjuvant therapy can improve the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer.Methods:A retrospective case-control study analyzed data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database on 12, 103 patients who underwent surgical treatment between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2021. Patients were divided into the neoadjuvant therapy group ( n=3 276) and the upfront surgery group ( n=8 827) based on whether they received neoadjuvant treatment. The neoadjuvant therapy group included 2 342 patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 934 patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The upfront surgery group consisted of 4 335 patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, 1 987 patients receiving adjuvant chemoradiotherapy, 63 patients receiving adjuvant radiotherapy, and 2 442 patients undergoing surgery alone. Propensity score matching was used to eliminate group differences and create a cohort with no statistical differences in other clinicopathological features except for the grouping variable. Variables such as age, gender, tumor location, race, population of residence, tumor diameter, household income, TNM stage, and information on radiotherapy and chemotherapy were used for 1∶1 case matching. T stage, N stage, and the use of radiotherapy or chemotherapy were matched exactly. After matching, 1 182 patients were included in each group: the neoadjuvant therapy group contained 1 155 patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and 27 receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy, while the upfront surgery group comprised 848 patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and 334 receiving adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. TNM staging was reported according to the 7th edition of the AJCC guidelines. The primary outcome was overall survival. Measurement data with skewed distributions were expressed as M( Q1, Q3), and intergroup comparisons were conducted using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Categorical data were compared using the chi-square test or the Fisher′s exact test. The Log-rank test and subgroup analyses to assess interactions between neoadjuvant therapy and subgroup in COX regression models were used to compare survival benefits across variables. Landmark analysis was performed to create segmented survival curves, studying the impact of neoadjuvant therapy on prognosis during different follow-up periods. Results:The neoadjuvant therapy group had a higher proportion of T 4 tumor involving celiac axis, superior mesenteric artery, and/or common hepatic artery compared to the upfront surgery group (14.7% vs 2.8%, P<0.001). Additionally, significant differences were observed between groups in terms of race, location, population of residence, age, tumor diameter, tumor stage, and adjuvant therapy regimen ( P<0.05). The median overall survival time in the neoadjuvant therapy group was 30 months, compared to 22 months in the upfront surgery group ( P<0.001). In the neoadjuvant therapy group, the median survival was 30 months for both neoadjuvant chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy patients; in the upfront surgery group, it was 26 months for both adjuvant chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy patients, 17 months for adjuvant radiotherapy patients, and 12 months for surgery-only patients. After propensity score matching, there were no differences in the distribution of clinical characteristics between groups ( P>0.05), and all patients in the matched cohort had received chemotherapy. The matched neoadjuvant therapy group had a longer median overall survival compared to the upfront surgery group (30 months vs 27 months, P<0.001). Subgroup interaction analysis revealed that T stage had a significant interaction with neoadjuvant therapy, both before (T 4 stage: HR=0.382, 95% CI: 0.319-0.458; T 2-T 3 stages: HR=0.696, 95% CI: 0.656-0.738; T 1 stage: HR=1.199, 95% CI: 0.867-1.657; interaction P<0.001) and after matching (T 4 stage: HR=0.581, 95% CI: 0.414-0.814; T 2-T 3 stages: HR=0.827, 95% CI: 0.734-0.931; T 1 stage: HR=1.320, 95% CI: 0.716-2.433; interaction P=0.043). Subgroup interaction analysis indicated that T 1 patients did not benefit from neoadjuvant therapy; survival curves plotted for matched T 1 patients showed no difference in survival between the neoadjuvant therapy group and the upfront surgery group ( P=0.323). Conversely, non-T 1 (T 2-T 4) stage patients showed significant survival benefits in both unmatched and matched cohorts ( P<0.001). Landmark analysis showing that the survival benefits occurred mainly in the early postoperative period of up to 3 years ( P<0.001), but there was no difference in overall survival between the neoadjuvant therapy group and the upfront surgery group of >3 years ( P>0.05). Patients with Arterial invasion (T 4 stage compared to T 1-T 3 stages) showed a similarly significant interaction with the benefit of neoadjuvant therapy in both the pre-matching cohort (interaction P<0.001) and the post-matching cohort (interaction P=0.037). Patients with T 4 stage disease in the neoadjuvant therapy group had longer overall survival compared to the upfront surgery group (median overall survival in pre-matching cohort: 30 months vs 13 months, P<0.001; median overall survival in post-matching cohort: 28 months vs 18 months, P=0.001). Among T 4 stage patients in the post-matching cohort, neoadjuvant therapy provided significant survival benefits during the early postoperative period of up to 3 years ( P=0.001). However, there was no difference in overall survival between the neoadjuvant therapy group and the direct surgery group beyond 3 years( P=0.729). Conclusions:The prognosis in the neoadjuvant therapy group was better than in the upfront surgery group. Propensity score matching and subgroup interaction analysis showed that non-T 1 and T 4 stage patients benefited more from neoadjuvant therapy, with benefits mainly seen in the early postoperative period (≤3 years).
10.Interpretation of the “Technical Guidelines for Disinfection in Epidemic Prevention and Control of Large-Scale Events”
Bo LU ; Yue SUN ; Lulu YANG ; Huihui SUN ; Wenjing YANG ; Xiaojie DONG ; Zizheng LIU ; Zongke SUN ; Wei ZHANG ; Lin WANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(4):411-415
The “Technical Guideline for Epidemic Prevention and Control Disinfection in Large-Scale Events”(hereinafter referred to as “the Guideline”), organized and compiled by the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, was officially released in April 2024. This guideline aims to ensure the effective implementation of large-scale group activities, mitigate the impact of infectious disease outbreaks on such events, and maintain hygiene and safety standards at event venues. During the compilation process, data were systematically collected in alignment with epidemic prevention requirements and disinfection principles, incorporating research findings from domestic and international disinfection practices. Information was gathered through field investigations, expert consultations in epidemiology and disinfection, and roundtable discussions with representatives from organizations responsible for disinfection operations at large-scale events, thereby ensuring the scientific rigor and practical applicability of the content. The Guideline provides comprehensive technical disinfection guidance for relevant authorities and event organizers, addressing critical aspects such as disinfection protocols, operational principles, emergency response strategies, and technical specifications. By standardizing hygiene assurance measures for large-scale events, including considerations of participant demographics, venue characteristics, and event scale, the guideline establishes a framework to proactively minimize the risk of infectious disease transmission.

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