1.Effect and Mechanisms of Bushen Tongluo Prescription on Pulmonary Fibrosis via Inhibiting Macrophage Polarization Through Wnt3a/β-catenin Signaling Pathway
Yanxia LIANG ; Xuelian YU ; Wenwen WANG ; Guangsen LI ; Hongfei XING ; Maorong FAN ; Bin YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):112-123
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate whether Bushen Tongluo prescription inhibits macrophage polarization by regulating the Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby reducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition and excessive extracellular matrix deposition, in order to elucidate the anti-pulmonary fibrosis mechanisms of Bushen Tongluo prescription and provide a new theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. MethodsFifty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank group, model group, pirfenidone group, and high- and low-dose Bushen Tongluo prescription groups. Except for the blank group, the pulmonary fibrosis model was established by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. Intervention was initiated on day 28 after modeling. The high- and low-dose Bushen Tongluo prescription groups were administered Bushen Tongluo prescription at doses of 30.88, 15.44 g·kg-1, respectively, by intragastric gavage. The pirfenidone group was administered pirfenidone capsules at 110 mg·kg-1 by intragastric gavage. The blank and model groups were given an equal volume of normal saline by gavage, once daily for 90 days. After treatment, the level of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Morphological changes in lung tissue and the collagen volume fraction were compared. The protein distribution and expression of E-cadherin, cytokeratin 19, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), vimentin, collagen type Ⅰ (Col Ⅰ), and collagen type Ⅲ (Col Ⅲ) in lung tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry. The protein distribution and expression of CD68, arginase-1 (Arg-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Wnt3a, and β-catenin in lung tissue were detected by immunofluorescence. The protein expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin in lung tissue was detected by Western blot, and the mRNA expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin was detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsCompared with the blank group, a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated the airway walls, alveolar spaces, and interstitial tissue in the model group, with obvious fibrous tissue hyperplasia. The level of TGF-β1 in BALF was significantly increased. The protein expression of E-cadherin and cytokeratin 19 in lung tissue was decreased, whereas the protein expression of α-SMA, Vimentin, Wnt3a, β-catenin, Col Ⅰ, and Col Ⅲ was increased. The fluorescence-positive area ratios of CD68, Arg-1, iNOS, Wnt3a, and β-catenin in lung tissue were increased. The protein and mRNA expression levels of Wnt3a and β-catenin in lung tissue were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all treatment groups showed varying degrees of improvement in inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrous tissue hyperplasia in the airway walls, alveolar spaces, and interstitial tissue, decreased TGF-β1 levels in BALF, increased protein expression of E-cadherin and cytokeratin 19 in lung tissue, decreased protein expression of α-SMA, Vimentin, Col Ⅰ, and Col Ⅲ, decreased fluorescence-positive area ratios of CD68, Arg-1, iNOS, Wnt3a, and β-catenin in lung tissue, and decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of Wnt3a and β-catenin in lung tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionBushen Tongluo prescription can improve bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition and reducing excessive extracellular matrix deposition. The mechanism may be related to inhibition of the Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway and the macrophage polarization mediated by this pathway.
2.Effect of cluster scalp acupuncture combined with Taijiquan on brain functional connectivity and network topology for patients with post-stroke depression
Yujie GUAN ; Keyan LIU ; Keqin YANG ; Yulin LIANG ; Jinpeng ZHANG ; Bin ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2026;32(6):621-630
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of cluster scalp acupuncture combined with Taijiquan training on depressive symptom, motor function, activities of daily living, serum markers, as well as brain functional connectivity (FC) and network topological properties in patients with post-stroke depression (PSD). MethodsA total of 40 PSD patients in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine from September, 2022 to September, 2023 were enrolled and randomly divided into control group (n = 20) and experimental group (n = 20). The control group received cluster scalp acupuncture alone, while the experimental group underwent Taijiquan training in addition, for four weeks. They were assessed with Hamilton Depression Scale-17 (HAMD-17), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and Barthel Index (BI) before and after treatment, while the serum levels of dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) was applied to assess brain FC, as well as the global efficiency (Eg) and small-world property (σ) of brain networks. ResultsThe scores of HAMD-17, FMA and BI improved in both groups (t > 2.922, P < 0.01) after treatment, and improved more in the experimental group than in the control group (t > 2.517, P < 0.05). The serum levels of DA and 5-HT increased in both groups (t > 2.637, P < 0.05), and increased more in the experimental group (t > 2.192, P < 0.05). The serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α decreased in the experimental group after treatment (t > 4.059, P < 0.001), and they were less than those in the control group (t > 2.154, P < 0.05). FC between left middle frontal gyrus and right anterior cingulate gyrus, as well as between left hippocampus and right precuneus were higher in the experimental group than in the control group after treatment (t > 3.867, P < 0.001), while Eg and σ increased in both groups (t > 2.828, P < 0.05), and they were higher in the experimental group (t > 2.675, P < 0.05). ConclusionCombination of Taijiquan training is more effective on depressive symptoms, motor function and activities of daily living in PSD patients, which may be related to up-regulation of serum DA and 5-HT, reduction of inflammatory factors, enhancement of prefrontal-limbic system functional connectivity and optimization of brain network topological properties.
3.Engineered Bacteriophages for The Treatment of Multidrug-resistant Bacterial Infections
Yu-Ying CHEN ; Chun-Mei HUANG ; Jin-Zhi PAN ; De-Liang LIU ; Yang ZHOU ; Gui-Qin DAI ; Peng-Fei ZHAO ; Hong-Zhou LU ; Ming-Bin ZHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1581-1596
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections have emerged as a serious challenge of global public health crisis. The overuse and misuse of conventional antibiotics have dramatically accelerated the emergence, evolution and worldwide spread of drug-resistant bacterial strains, necessitating urgent exploration of novel antibacterial strategies. Bacteriophages serve as natural bacterial predators offering distinct advantages including high host specificity, autonomous self-replication capabilities and cost-effective large-scale production. However, wild-type phages present significant clinical limitations due to their narrow host ranges, susceptibility to rapid immune clearance and poor penetration of bacterial biofilms, which severely restrict their therapeutic applications. The convergence of synthetic biology, nanotechnology and advanced gene editing technologies has accelerated the development of engineered bacteriophage platforms, providing programmable, scalable and clinically translatable pathways to overcome these inherent biological constraints. Here, we systematically delineate four fundamental strategies for engineered bacteriophage development. Chemical modification utilizes reactive functional groups such as amino, carboxyl and thiol moieties on capsid proteins through esterification, amidation or click chemistry reactions to achieve precise drug conjugation and surface functionalization. In vivo editing encompasses ultraviolet or chemical mutagenesis for random mutation induction, homologous recombination for targeted genetic alterations, recombineering methodologies including electroporation-mediated bacteriophage recombination engineering, and CRISPR-Cas systems for precise genome editing to enable exact genetic reconstruction and host range reprogramming. In vitro synthesis leverages genome engineering platforms where intact phage genomes are transferred into yeast or host bacteria to facilitate highly efficient homologous recombination, enabling large DNA fragment assembly and cross-gene host range expansion without bacterial toxicity constraints. Directed evolution combines artificial selection through mutation library screening with rational design approaches involving chimeric receptor binding protein construction or site-specific mutagenesis, effectively balancing the discovery of unknown adaptive pathways with targeted host specificity modification. Moreover, we comprehensively discuss therapeutic applications across diverse clinical scenarios. Engineered bacteriophage effectively disrupt bacterial biofilms through sophisticated functionalized delivery platforms including nanozyme-conjugated phages, phage-liposome nanoconjugates and bio-responsive hydrogels, demonstrating significantly enhanced bactericidal efficiency compared to unmodified free phages. These bioengineered vectors attenuate bacterial virulence and resensitize pathogens to antibiotics by delivering CRISPR-Cas systems or base editors to disrupt critical virulence factors such as pili, capsule synthesis machineries and quorum sensing systems, or by inactivating antibiotic resistance determinants including beta-lactamase genes. As an intelligent nanomedicine delivery platform, engineered bacteriophage enable precise pathogen elimination an through photocatalytic reactive oxygen species generation, immunomodulatory interventions, or controlled release of antibacterial drugs. Furthermore, oral administration of engineered bacteriophage facilitates microbiota modulation, which selectively eliminate intestinal pathogens while preserve beneficial commensal microbiota, thereby restoring microbial community balance and preventing complications associated with dysbiosis. Finally, we critically analyze persistent challenges including host strain matching complexity, evolution of bacterial resistance mechanisms, pharmacokinetic optimization requirements, optimal administration route selection, large-scale production quality control standards and clinical dosing determination protocols. Through multidisciplinary integration of synthetic biology, infectious disease medicine and immunology, future translational medicine studies of bacteriophage should establish comprehensive technical platforms encompassing rapid phage screening, intelligent rational design, rigorous in vivo evaluation and standardized clinical validation processes, ultimately advancing engineered bacteriophage from laboratory innovations to clinically approved therapeutics for effectively combating MDR bacterial infections.
4.Recurrent Diabetic Ketoacidosis: Predictors and Clinical Outcomes in a 24-Year Retrospective Cohort
Liang Wei Wong ; Lisa Mohamed Nor ; Raja Nurazni binti Raja Azwan ; Adilah Zulaikha binti Abd Latib ; Hidayatil Alimi bin Keya Nordin ; Qin Zhi Lee ; Kean Heng Lim ; Jia Ling Low ; Mohd Fyzal bin Bahrudin ; Syaza binti Izhar Hisham ; Jia Whey Jacelyn Ong ; Chin Voon Tong
Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies 2026;41(S1):33-34
Introduction:
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication associated with significant morbidity and healthcare
burden. Despite advances in diabetes care, recurrent
DKA remains common, often reflecting gaps in treatment
adherence and patient education. Identifying predictors
of recurrence is crucial for risk stratification and targeted
intervention.
Methodology:
We conducted a retrospective observational study of all
adult DKA admissions to a tertiary centre between 2001
and 2025. Electronic medical records were reviewed for
demographic data, biochemical parameters, precipitating
factors, and clinical outcomes. DKA was defined using standard biochemical criteria. Recurrent DKA was defined as ≥2 admissions during the study period. Factors associated
with recurrent DKA admissions were analyzed. Patients
under the age of 18 years and those with missing vital
information were excluded.
Results:
A total of 667 DKA admissions, comprising 566 patients,
were identified, of which 101 admissions (15.1%) were
recurrent, involving 65 patients. Among recurrent DKA
episodes, the most common precipitating factors were
infection (64.4%) and insulin omission (62.4%). After
multivariate analyses, patients with type 1 diabetes
mellitus (T1DM) were more likely to develop recurrent
DKA compared to those with type 2 diabetes mellitus
(aOR 4.16; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.58–6.70; p <0.001).
Insulin omission was strongly associated with recurrent
DKA (aOR 2.29; 95% CI 1.46–3.60; p <0.001). In contrast,
baseline glycated hemoglobin and chronic kidney disease
were not significantly associated with recurrence. Diabetic
counseling during the first DKA admission did not reduce
recurrent DKA. There were no significant differences in
mortality (3.9% vs 6.2%, p = 0.524) or critical care admission
rates (40.6% vs 38.7%, p = 0.718) between recurrent and first
DKA episodes.
Conclusion
Recurrent DKA accounts for a substantial proportion of
DKA admissions and is strongly associated with insulin
omission and T1DM. Our findings suggest that recurrent
DKA is driven predominantly by behavioral and adherencerelated factors, indicating the need for multidisciplinary
interventions beyond standard inpatient counseling.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
;
Retrospective Studies
5.Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Pregnancy: Clinical Triggers, Outcomes, and Missed Opportunities—A Case Series
Jia Whey Jacelyn Ong ; Chin Voon Tong ; Raja Nurazni binti Raja Azwan ; Adilah Zulaikha binti Abd Latib ; Hidayatil Alimi bin Keya Nordin ; Qin Zhi Lee ; Kean Heng Lim ; Jia Ling Low ; Mohd Fyzal bin Bahrudin ; Syaza binti Izhar Hisham ; Liang Wei Wong ; Lisa Mohamed Nor ; Nurain Mohd Noorr
Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies 2026;41(S1):48-49
Introduction:
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in pregnancy is an uncommon
yet life-threatening emergency, with disproportionate risks
to both mother and fetus. Pregnancy-specific physiological changes predispose patients to rapid metabolic decompensation, often with atypical presentations. Despite
this, local data remain limited. We describe the clinical
profile, precipitating factors, and outcomes of DKA in
pregnancy in a tertiary centre, with emphasis on potentially
preventable triggers.
Cases:
Nine pregnant patients with DKA were identified from a
retrospective review of all cases admitted for DKA from
2002 to 2025. Mean age was 31.67 ± 5.20 years; all were
Malay. The majority had type 2 diabetes mellitus (55.6%),
followed by type 1 diabetes (33.3%) and latent autoimmune
diabetes in adults (11.1%). The mean period of amenorrhea
was 19.67 ± 12.62 weeks.
Infection was the leading precipitant (44.4%), with
additional triggers including insulin omission (22.2%),
hyperemesis gravidarum, preterm labor, steroid exposure,
and perioperative fasting. Most diagnoses were made in
the emergency department (55.6%).
Biochemical parameters reflected significant severity (mean
bicarbonate 7.89 ± 2.98 mmol/L; anion gap 25.00 ± 5.81),
with 88.9% classified as severe DKA. Intensive Care Unit
(ICU) care was required in 77.8% of cases. The majority
(77.8%) were admitted to the ICU unit, with a median time
to resolution of 13.00 ± 12.00 hours (interquartile range
[IQR]), and the median hospital length of stay was 7.00 ±
5.00 days (IQR).
Complications during treatment included hypokalemia
(33.3%), acute kidney injury (22.2%), and hypoglycemia
(11.1%). Rebound DKA occurred in one-third of patients.
All patients were discharged clinically stable. Outcome
data demonstrated pregnancy loss in three cases and one
preterm birth.
Conclusion
DKA in pregnancy remains a severe and resource-intensive
condition. This series highlights missed opportunities in
prevention, with modifiable precipitants such as infection
and insulin omission commonly identified. The high
severity at presentation suggests delays in recognition.
Early detection, optimized metabolic care, and targeted
preventive strategies are crucial to improving maternal
and fetal outcomes.
Female
;
Pregnancy
;
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
6.Setup Error and Its Influencing Factors in Radiotherapy for Spinal Metastasis
Wenhua QIN ; Xin FENG ; Zengzhou WANG ; Shangnan CHU ; Hong WANG ; Shiyu WU ; Cheng CHEN ; Fukui HUAN ; Bin LIANG ; Tao ZHANG
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(5):400-404
Objective To investigate the setup error in patients with spinal bone metastasis who underwent radiotherapy under the guidance of kilovoltage cone-beam CT (KV-CBCT). Methods A total of 118 patients with spinal metastasis who underwent radiotherapy, including 17 cases of cervical spine, 62 cases of thoracic spine, and 39 cases of lumbar spine, were collected. KV-CBCT scans were performed using the linear accelerators from Elekta and Varian’s EDGE system. CBCT images were registered with reference CT images in the bone window mode. A total of 973 data were collected, and 3D linear errors were recorded. Results The patients with spinal bone metastasis were grouped by site, height, weight, and BMI. The P value of the patients grouped only by site was P<0.05, which was statistically significant. Conclusion When grouped by site in the 3D direction, the positioning effect of cervical spine is better than that of thoracic and lumbar spine. The positioning effect of the thoracic spine is better in the head and foot direction but worse in the left and right direction compared with that of the lumbar spine. Instead of extending or narrowing the margin according to the BMI of patients with spinal metastasis, the margin must be changed according to the site of spinal bone metastasis.
7.Pathogenic genetic characteristics of Vibrio vulnificus in commercial foods in Pudong New Area of Shanghai
LIANG Yanru ; LYU Bin ; HU Yihuan
China Tropical Medicine 2025;25(1):87-
Objective To understand the contamination status, drug resistance, virulence, genotyping characteristics, and genetic evolution relationships of Vibrio vulnificus in commercially available food in Pudong New Area of Shanghai. Methods The drug susceptibility test was carried out by microbroth dilution method. The whole genome sequencing was used by illumina sequencing platform. The virulence, drug resistance genes and MLST typing were obtained by VFDB, CARD and PubMLST database. Phylogenetic analysis was used by genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms. Results The detection rate of Vibrio vulnusis in commercially available food was 4.56% (51/1 119) in 2023, and the dominant detection categories were shellfish(20.16%,25/124), fish(6.74%,19/282), shrimp(6.56%,4/61), ready-to-eat aquatic products(9.09%,2/22) and animal meat(0.33%,1/300). The highest drug resistance rate of Vibrio vulnificus to cefazolin is 23.5%(12/51), followed by ampicillin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole. And 51 strains of Vibrio vulnificus carried 29 kinds of drug resistance genes such as tetracycline(tetA, tetC), quinolones(QnrVC6, QnrVC4), carbapenems(varG), and 163 kinds of virulence genes related to flagella(fla E) and iron ion absorption(hutA). The results of MLST analysis showed that there were 41 ST types(one untyped ), 32 new ST types were generated, and 38 isolates were new ST types, mainly ST326(5.88%,3/51) and ST667(5.88%,3/51). SNP showed that all strains were divided into three branches, and the branches in the phylogenetic tree were longer, and had higher homologous recombination. Conclusion In Pudong New Area, the contamination of Vibrio vulnificus was serious in shellfish, fish, shrimp, ready-to-eat aquatic products and animal meat. The drug resistance spectrum is wide and there are multiple drug resistance phenomena. It carries a variety of virulence genes and drug-resistant genes, and is highly homologous recombination, which has certain food safety risks, and should be strengthened monitoring and management.
8.The role and mechanism of heparanase in hepatobiliary and pancreatic tumors
Yanan ZHANG ; Yang WU ; Chujiang WU ; Yuxin HE ; Yujie ZHAI ; Jiucong ZHANG ; Bin LIANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(11):2435-2440
Hepatobiliary and pancreatic tumors are common types of digestive system disorders, and their complex pathogeneses have led to difficulties in early diagnosis and a high metastasis rate, with persistently high incidence and mortality rates in China, which greatly affects the quality of life and prognosis of patients. Studies have shown that heparanase (HPSE), as a key effector molecule in matrix remodeling, plays a crucial regulatory role in tumor invasion and metastasis and microenvironment remodeling, and it is significantly associated with clinical prognosis. This article reviews the molecular mechanism of HPSE in hepatobiliary and pancreatic tumors, in order to provide a strong scientific basis for developing diagnostic markers and targeted interventions for hepatobiliary and pancreatic tumors.
9.Forensic Research Progress on Bongkrekic Acid Poisoning
Xuan-Long CHEN ; Qiang YUAN ; Yong SUN ; Die ZHANG ; Jian-Bin FU ; Li-Liang LI
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;41(2):111-119
Bongkrekic acid(BA)is a toxin with stable properties and no distinctive smell.It exists in common foods such as fermented edible grain products,potato products,spoiled tremella fuciformis and auricularia polytricha,as well as auricularia polytricha that has been soaked too long.It can easily cause food poisoning.At present,there is still a lack of complete method to detect BA,and no spe-cific antidote of BA has been found.Therefore,BA poisoning is easy to be misdiagnosed or missed diagnosed,and its mortality rate remains high.In recent years,studies have revealed the toxic mecha-nism of BA and found that BA can inactivate some enzymes containing thiol groups(-SH)and in-hibit the synthesis and transport of adenosine triphosphate(ATP),causing damage to liver,kidney,brain and other parenchymal organs.This article reviews the autopsy cases and literature of deaths caused by BA poisoning at home and abroad,systematically summarizes the epidemiology,clinical manifestations,pathological changes,toxicological mechanisms,detection methods,forensic diagnostic key points and challenges of BA in forensic medicine,with the aim of providing a reference for foren-sic identification of related cases.
10."Six-marker method" for Mirror Holding in gasless thyroid lobectomy via unilateral subclavian approach
Lizhang ZHU ; Qingzhuang LIANG ; Siyu KUANG ; Bin HAN ; Hao JIA ; Junna GE ; Bo XU
Chinese Journal of Endocrine Surgery 2025;19(3):368-373
Objective:the subclavian approach without insufflation, the ability of assistants to master the technique of holding the endoscope plays a crucial role in the thoroughness and smoothness of the surgery. The author has summarized the "six-marker method", which adjusts the mirror holding technique based on surgical steps and surgical operation goals, so that assistants can quickly grasp the essentials of mirror holding and assist the chief surgeon in completing the surgery smoothly. This method has wide applicability and feasibility, which can achieve good coordination between the surgeon and the mirror holder, shorten the surgical time and break in period. It is worth promoting and applying in clinical practice.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail