1.Mechanisms of Renshentang in Treating AS via Regulation of Endothelial Cell Inflammation Based on TRPV1
Ce CHU ; Yulu YUAN ; Zhen YANG ; Xuguang TAO ; Xiangyun CHEN ; Zhanzhan HE ; Yuxin ZHANG ; Yongqi XU ; Wanping CHEN ; Peizhang ZHAO ; Wenlai WANG ; Hongxia ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):46-53
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which Renshentang treats atherosclerosis (AS) in mice, focusing on the regulation of endothelial inflammatory responses mediated by transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1). MethodsAn AS model was established in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-) mice fed a high-fat diet. The mice were randomly divided into a simvastatin group (0.02 g·kg-1·d-1) and low-, medium-, and high-dose Renshentang groups (1.77, 3.54, 7.08 g·kg-1·d-1), with 12 mice in each group. ApoE-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet and treated simultaneously. C57BL/6J mice fed a normal diet served as the normal group (n=9). After continuous administration for 12 weeks, mice were anesthetized and the aortas were collected. Oil Red O staining was used to observe lipid plaque formation in the aorta. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to examine pathological changes in the aortic root. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the levels of pro-inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), as well as the expression of TRPV1, phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (p-PI3K), and phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt) in the aortic root. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA expression in the aorta, and Western blot was used to detect TRPV1 protein expression. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed a significant increase in aortic plaque formation (P<0.01) and significantly elevated levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in the aortic root (P<0.01). The expression levels of TRPV1, p-PI3K, and p-Akt were decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and eNOS mRNA expression was reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all Renshentang groups significantly reduced aortic plaque formation (P<0.01), significantly decreased TNF-α and IL-1β levels (P<0.01), and markedly increased the expression levels of TRPV1, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and eNOS mRNA (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionRenshentang may inhibit endothelial inflammation and suppress the formation of AS by increasing TRPV1 protein expression and up-regulating the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway, which may be one of the molecular mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effect against AS.
2.Preventive treatment of latent tuberculosis infections in schools clusters in Hefei during 2022-2024
GUO Ce, ZHANG Qiang, QIAN Bing, CHEN Shuangshuang, HE Yuqin, XU Rui, LI Zhen, ZHAO Cunxi, WU Jinju
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):421-424
Objective:
To analyze the school tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks and preventive treatment in Hefei from 2022 to 2024, so as to provide reference for TB prevention and control in schools.
Methods:
Data were collected on all school based TB outbreaks occurring during 2022-2024 in Hefei, defined as ≥2 epidemiologically linked TB cases within the same school during a single semester. Statistical analyses were performed using the Chi square test.
Results:
Close contacts exhibited significantly higher TB incidence (2.88%) and latent mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (LTBI) rates (13.80%) in the school TB outbreaks, compared to non close contacts (0.12% and 2.63%, respectively). Among close contacts, secondary school students showed lower TB incidence (0.48%) and LTBI prevalence (3.42%) than both primary school or younger children (0.68%, 6.95%) and college students ( 0.78% , 6.50%), with statistically significant differences ( χ 2=360.91, 6.37; 791.71, 102.03, all P <0.05). The proportion of LTBI individuals recommended for preventive therapy was higher in primary school or younger groups (98.59%) than in secondary (95.25%) or college students (86.34%) ( χ 2=25.86, P <0.01). However, among those recommended, close contacts had higher uptake (85.82%) and completion rates (87.25%) of preventive therapy than non close contacts (69.63% and 70.57%); similarly, secondary school students demonstrated higher uptake (91.21%) and completion rates (86.45%) compared to primary school or younger (88.57%, 83.87%) and college students (57.28%, 64.08%) ( χ 2=30.52, 26.72; 125.17, 38.84, all P <0.01). Subsequent TB incidence among LTBI close contacts (13.30%) and among those who did not complete preventive therapy (22.73%) were significantly higher than among non close contacts (2.80%, 2.41%), respectively ( χ 2=32.19, 13.87, both P <0.05).
Conclusions
In school TB outbreaks, close contacts face higher LTBI prevalence and subsequent TB risk than non close contacts. College students show notably low adherence to preventive therapy. It is necessary to take targeted measures to improve the compliance of preventive measures among students.
3.The Role of Lysosomal Dysfunction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: From Pathogenesis to Targeted Therapies
Yue-Yan WU ; Xin CHEN ; Ce-Fan ZHOU ; Jing-Feng TANG ; Rui ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):609-622
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a lethal cancer with high morbidity rates worldwide. It is a major threat to public health in China, due to the combination of known and new risk factors, such as endemic hepatitis B virus (HBV), dietary aflatoxin exposure, and the occurrence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Although many methods for surveillance and multimodal therapies, such as surgery, local ablation, transarterial therapy, and new systemic agents, have been available, the survival rates of HCC remains poor. They have very limited durable responses, long post-treatment recurrence rates, and high resistance to treatment. This reflects an imperfect picture of the biological cause of the disease and a need for new mechanistic or targeted techniques. A significant characteristic of HCC, in common with other aggressive cancers, is the presence of reprogrammed, hyperactive cell metabolism. Tumor cells hijack metabolic pathways to promote their uncontrolled growth, stress survival, invasion and metastasis. While classical mechanisms such as the Warburg effect, lipid metabolism and glutamine utilization have been understood, the lysosome, which was once viewed as a static “waste disposal unit” to remove old organelles and proteins, is instead a dynamic signaling and metabolic core. The lysosomes incorporate nutrients, energy and stress signals by master regulators such as mTORC1 (activated on its surface) that balance anabolic growth and catabolic recycling to the cellular demands. In HCC, lysosomes are not passive, but are highly active and dysregulated. HCC cells upregulate lysosomes, which scavenge intracellular components via enhanced autophagy and engulf extracellular proteins via macropinocytosis, crucial for survival in the nutrient-poor, hypoxic tumor microenvironment. In addition to metabolism, lysosomes exhibit pro-invasive functions by secreting hydrolases to remodel the extracellular matrix, promote angiogenesis, and suppress stromal immune cells to foster a pro-tumor microenvironment. In a clinical context, lysosomes play an important role in therapeutic resistance: they sequester and inactivate chemotherapeutics via lysosomal sequestration, and enhanced autophagic flux protects the cell from therapy-induced damage, contributing to relapse, as lysosomal dysfunction is a key cause of treatment failure. This makes lysosomes promising yet challenging therapeutic targets in HCC. Recent preclinical and early clinical studies investigate multiple strategies to exploit the susceptibility of lysosomes: lysosome-specific agents, alkalinizing the lysosome lumen or inducing membrane permeabilization and lysosome-dependent cell death; pharmacological inhibition of key lysosomal enzymes or autophagy to impair nutrient recycling and stress adaptation; smart nanotherapeutic agents or antibody-drug conjugates, specifically activated in the acidic lysosomal environment or utilizing lysosomal pathways for efficient intracellular drug release; and combination strategies of lysosome-targeting agents with tyrosine kinase inhibitors or immunotherapy to overcome resistance and achieve synergistic antitumor effects. In summary, our review systematically presents the role of lysosomes in HCC, from metabolic reprogramming and microenvironmental adaptation to therapeutic resistance. By synthesizing the latest mechanistic insights and preclinical advances, this review highlights the indispensable role of lysosomes in the complex HCC biological network, emphasizing that an in-depth understanding of this dynamic organelle holds great promise for developing innovative, targeted therapies, offering new hope for improving the poor prognosis of global HCC patients.
4.Intervention Effect of Suanzaoren Tang on Depression Model Rats Based on JNK/c-Myc/p53 Pathway
Shuailin DU ; Zhicheng HAO ; Ce ZHANG ; Jiyuan GUO ; Xusheng TIAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):12-19
ObjectiveTo investigate the intervention effects of Suanzaoren Tang on depression model rats induced by isolation combined with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), and to examine its influence on the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/proto-oncogene protein (c-Myc)/tumor suppressor protein 53 (p53) signaling pathway, thereby revealing its potential functional mechanism. MethodsA total of 72 male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups using a strict random number table: blank group, model group, fluoxetine group (3.6 mg·kg-1), and high-, medium-, and low-dose Suanzaoren Tang groups (10, 5, 2.5 g·kg-1),with 12 rats in each group. A depression model was established using isolation combined with CUMS. Fluoxetine and different doses of Suanzaoren Tang were administered continuously for 28 days. Behavioral indicators such as sucrose water consumption and open field test scores were recorded. Western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were employed to analyze the expression of key proteins in the JNK/c-Myc/p53 signaling pathway, and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was used to evaluate the number of apoptotic cells in the hippocampus. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group exhibited a significantly reduced sucrose preference index (P<0.01), a lower total score of horizontal and vertical movements in the open field test (P<0.01), significantly increased expression of JNK, c-Myc, and p53 proteins in the hippocampus (P<0.01), and a higher number of TUNEL-positive cells in the hippocampus (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the sucrose preference index and the total score of horizontal and vertical movements in the open field test significantly increased in the high- and medium-dose Suanzaoren Tang groups and the fluoxetine group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The expression of JNK, c-Myc, and p53 proteins significantly decreased in all Suanzaoren Tang groups (high, medium, and low doses) and the fluoxetine group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The number of TUNEL-positive cells in the hippocampus also significantly decreased in these groups (P<0.01). ConclusionSuanzaoren Tang can regulate the expression of JNK/c-Myc/p53 proteins in the hippocampus of depression model rats, and its antidepressant mechanism may be related to its protective effect on hippocampal neurons.
5.Development and application on a full process disease diagnosis and treatment assistance system based on generative artificial intelligence.
Wanjie YANG ; Hao FU ; Xiangfei MENG ; Changsong LI ; Ce YU ; Xinting ZHAO ; Weifeng LI ; Wei ZHAO ; Qi WU ; Zheng CHEN ; Chao CUI ; Song GAO ; Zhen WAN ; Jing HAN ; Weikang ZHAO ; Dong HAN ; Zhongzhuo JIANG ; Weirong XING ; Mou YANG ; Xuan MIAO ; Haibai SUN ; Zhiheng XING ; Junquan ZHANG ; Lixia SHI ; Li ZHANG
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2025;37(5):477-483
The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), especially generative AI (GenAI), has already brought, and will continue to bring, revolutionary changes to our daily production and life, as well as create new opportunities and challenges for diagnostic and therapeutic practices in the medical field. Haihe Hospital of Tianjin University collaborates with the National Supercomputer Center in Tianjin, Tianjin University, and other institutions to carry out research in areas such as smart healthcare, smart services, and smart management. We have conducted research and development of a full-process disease diagnosis and treatment assistance system based on GenAI in the field of smart healthcare. The development of this project is of great significance. The first goal is to upgrade and transform the hospital's information center, organically integrate it with existing information systems, and provide the necessary computing power storage support for intelligent services within the hospital. We have implemented the localized deployment of three models: Tianhe "Tianyuan", WiNGPT, and DeepSeek. The second is to create a digital avatar of the chief physician/chief physician's voice and image by integrating multimodal intelligent interaction technology. With generative intelligence as the core, this solution provides patients with a visual medical interaction solution. The third is to achieve deep adaptation between generative intelligence and the entire process of patient medical treatment. In this project, we have developed assistant tools such as intelligent inquiry, intelligent diagnosis and recognition, intelligent treatment plan generation, and intelligent assisted medical record generation to improve the safety, quality, and efficiency of the diagnosis and treatment process. This study introduces the content of a full-process disease diagnosis and treatment assistance system, aiming to provide references and insights for the digital transformation of the healthcare industry.
Artificial Intelligence
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Humans
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Delivery of Health Care
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Generative Artificial Intelligence
6.Effects of area of the posterior malleolus fracture and injury to the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis on functional recovery of the ankle in Bartoní?ek type 2 ankle fractures
Ce HAN ; Jian YU ; Zhifeng WANG ; Jiafeng SONG ; Xiang GENG ; Chao ZHANG ; Xu WANG
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2025;27(1):52-56
Objective:To investigate the effects of area of the posterior malleolus fracture and injury to the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis on functional recovery of the ankle joint in Bartoní?ek type 2 ankle fractures.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the clinical data of 47 patients with Bartoní?ek type 2 ankle fracture who had been treated at Department of Orthopedics, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University from January 2016 to January 2022. There were 22 males and 25 females with an age of (46.0±15.6) years. All patients were treated by open reduction and closed reduction. Pearson correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were used to investigate the relationships respectively between the American Association of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scores at the last follow-up and the preoperative proportion of posterior ankle fracture area, and the anterior and posterior tibiofibular distances.Results:All patients were followed up for (17.2±0.6) months after surgery. The Pearson correlation analysis showed that the proportion of posterior ankle fracture area ( P=0.160) and the posterior tibiofibular distance ( P=0.078) were significantly correlated with the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score at the last follow-up. There was no significant correlation between the anterior tibiofibular distance and the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score at the last follow-up ( P=0.689). The multiple regression analysis showed that the proportion of posterior ankle fracture area ( P=0.043) and the posterior tibiofibular distance ( P=0.022) had significant negative effects on the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score at the last follow-up. Conclusions:In Bartoní?ek type 2 ankle fractures, the proportion of posterior ankle fracture area and the posterior tibiofibular distance are important predictors for postoperative functional recovery of the ankle. Therefore, in Bartoní?ek type 2 ankle fractures, surgical indications for the posterior malleolar fracture depend not only on the size of the fracture, but also on whether the fracture involves the lower tibiofibular syndesmosis.
7.Current status and latent profile analysis of elderly stroke patients' medication literacy
Ying YAO ; Yuan SONG ; Haixu ZHAO ; Yunjing XING ; Hongbing LIU ; Ce ZONG ; Ke ZHANG ; Yuanli GUO ; Yuan GAO
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(11):45-49
Objective To explore current status and potential subtypes of elderly stroke patients' medication literacy among,and to analyze related influencing factors of different subtypes.Methods A total of 285 elderly stroke patients admitted in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from November 2023 to June 2024 were selected as subjects.General Information questionnaire,medication literacy scale for elderly patients with chronic diseases,and perceived social support scale were conducted.Latent profile analysis(LPA)of elderly stroke patients' medication literacy was conducted,and Logistic regression analysis was used to explore influencing factors of different profiles.Results Score of medication literacy scale for elderly stroke patients was(48.26±12.51)points.Medication literacy among elderly stroke patients can be divided into 3 profiles,namely proactive-high literacy type(51.9%),balanced-medium literacy type(34.0%),and dependent-low literacy type(14.1%).Logistic regression analysis showed that recent medication types,current place of residence,educational level,diabetes,and social support were the influencing factors of elderly stroke patients' medication literacy(P<0.05).Conclusion The level of medication literacy among elderly stroke patients is medium,which is characterized by 3 categories.Medical staffs targeted intervention should be adopted according to different category characteristics,so as to accurately meet their nursing needs,finally improve the level of elderly stroke patients' medication literacy.
8.Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for bone cement-augmented pedicle screw technique (version 2025)
Sihao HE ; Junchao XING ; Tongwei CHU ; Zhengqi CHANG ; Xigao CHENG ; Fei DAI ; Xiaobing JIANG ; Jie HAO ; Jiang HU ; Jinghui HUANG ; Tianyong HOU ; Fei LUO ; Bo LIAO ; Changqing LI ; Lei LIU ; Guodong LIU ; Peng LIU ; Sheng LU ; Weishi LI ; Yang LIU ; Zhen LIU ; Wei MEI ; Peifu TANG ; Bing WANG ; Bing WANG ; Ce WANG ; Hongli WANG ; Liang WANG ; Shengru WANG ; Xiaobin WANG ; Yang WANG ; Yingfeng WANG ; Zheng WANG ; Jianzhong XU ; Guoyong YIN ; Haiyang YU ; Qiang YANG ; Zhaoming YE ; Bin ZHANG ; Chengmin ZHANG ; Jun ZOU ; Qiang ZHOU ; Min ZHAO ; Rui ZHOU ; Xiaojun ZHANG ; Yongfei ZHAO ; Zhongrong ZHANG ; Zehua ZHANG ; Yingze ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2025;41(11):1035-1047
For middle-aged and elderly patients with conditions such as spinal fractures and degenerative spinal diseases, spinal internal fixation is a core surgical procedure for reconstructing spinal stability, heavily relying on the biomechanical stability provided by pedicle screw systems. Whereas, these patients are often complicated by osteoporosis that can significantly compromise the stability of the bone-pedicle screw interface, leading to a marked increase in pedicle screw loosening and surgical failure rates. The bone cement-augmented pedicle screw technique, which involves injecting bone cement into the vertebral body or screw trajectory to optimize the mechanical properties of the bone-pedicle screw composite, has been proven to significantly enhance fixation strength and effectively prevent screw-related failures, thereby reducing the incidence of internal fixation failure in high-risk populations undergoing spinal fusion. However, the widespread clinical application of this technique has faced challenges such as inaccurate clinical decision-making (indication and contraindication selection), non-standardized operative practices, and insufficient awareness of complication prevention, resulting in considerable variability in clinical outcomes and even severe complications. To address this, Prof. Luo Fei from First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University initiated the project and the Chinese Association Orthopaedic Surgeons organized relevant experts to develop the Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for bone cement-augmented pedicle screw technique ( version 2025), based on current evidence. The guidelines put forward 8 recommendations regarding the clinical value, scope of application, and operational standards of the technique, aiming to provide evidence-based medical support and technical standardization for clinical decision-making.
9.Efficacy analysis of different surgical approaches for anterior skull base malignant tumors involving the orbit
Ce WU ; Junqi LIU ; Li WANG ; Yan QI ; Wei WEI ; Qiuhang ZHANG ; Zhenlin WANG
Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;60(9):1078-1083
Objective:To analyze the efficacy and safety of different surgical approaches for the treatment of anterior skull base malignancies involving the orbit.Methods:Retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with anterior skull base malignancies involving orbit who attended Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University from April 2013 to July 2021. They were divided into endoscopic endonasal approach(EEA), lateral orbital approach(ELOA), and sublabial transmaxillary approach(ESTMA) groups according to the primary surgical approach. One-way analysis of variance and χ 2 test were used to compare the clinical characteristics, degree of tumour resection, rate of postoperative cranial nerve palsy and improvement of visual acuity; Log-rank test was applied to assess the difference in overall survival (OS). Results:One hundred and ninety-eight patients were enrolled, including 107 males and 91 females, aged (48.5±15.3) years. There were 153, 33, and 12 patients in the EEA, ESTMA, and ELOA groups, respectively. There were no significant differences among the three groups in age, gender, and history of radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgery ( P>0.05 for all). All patients in ELOA group had preoperative visual impairment (12/12), with a significantly higher percentage than EEA group (56/153) and ESTMA group (14/33) ( χ2=19.72, P<0.001). There was no significant difference between three groups in the degree of tumor resection (gross total resection: 84.97% vs. 81.82% vs. 58.33%, χ2=5.58, P>0.05), postoperative cranial nerve palsy rate (13.07% vs. 30.30% vs. 16.67%, χ2=5.95, P>0.05), visual improvement rate (58.93% vs. 57.14% vs. 58.33%, χ2=0.04, P>0.05) and 5-year OS (60.69% vs. 42.66% vs. 50.00%, χ2=3.22, P>0.05). Conclusion:All three surgical approaches were safe, effective and feasible treatment modalities.
10.Piezo2 mediates mechanical allodynia in rats with low back pain induced by simulated helicopter low-frequency vibration
Yu TIAN ; Hongzhen LIU ; Jie ZHANG ; Botao TAN ; Ying YIN ; Ce YANG
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(16):1894-1903
Objective To explore the role and mechanism of mechanically sensitive ion channel Piezo2 in mechanical allodynia of rats with low back pain induced by simulating the low-frequency vibration of a helicopter.Methods Low-frequency vibration(LFV)model with 3-dimensional 6 degrees of freedom was used to induce low back pain in awake rats in a sitting position.Twenty-four male SD rats(8 weeks old)were randomly divided into control(Ctrl)group and LFV group.HE staining was used to evaluate the injury of the multifidus muscle.Von Frey test was carried out to detect pain sensitivity.Open field test was employed to assess the spontaneous activity and anxiety.ELISA,Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining were performed to detect the expression of NGF,TrkA and downstream molecule Piezo2.Dorsal root ganglia(DRG)neurons was isolated from SD rats and primarily cultured.After identified with immunofluorescence staining,the neurons were divided into the Ctrl group,the LFV group,and the LFV+D-GsMTx4(D-G4,an Piezo2 channel antagonist)group.Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of Piezo2,and a calcium ion fluorescent probe was utilized to detect the intracellular Ca2+.The DRG neurons were pretreated with 50 ng/mL NGF for 1 h.Calcium ion fluorescent probe was used to observe the changes in intracellular Ca2+in the LFV group,the LFV+NGF group,and the LFV+NGF+D-G4 group.Results The rats of the LFV group showed abnormal morphology in multifidus muscles,accompanied with inflammatory cell infiltration,decreased paw withdrawal reflex threshold(P<0.05),and shortened total active time and active time in the centre,and decreased distance traveled in the centre(P<0.05),while prolonged total stationary time,stationary time in the periphery,and increased distance traveled in the periphery(P<0.05),and moreover,enhanced expression of Piezo2,NGF and TrkA in the DRG tissues(P<0.05).Cell experiments showed that compared with the Ctrl group,the expression of Piezo2 in the neurons was increased(P<0.05),and the intracellular Ca2+level was significantly elevated in the LFV group(P<0.05).Compared with the LFV group,the Ca2+level was higher in the LFV+NGF group(P<0.05),and the sensitization effect of NGF on Piezo2 was reversed after D-G4 treatment(P<0.05).Conclusion Sustained low-frequency vibration induces low back pain and mechanical allodynia in rats through the NGF-TrkA/Piezo2 pathway.


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