1.Effective Components of Epimedii Folium in Regulating Related Signaling Pathways for Treatment of Steroid-induced Avascular Necrosis of Femoral Head: A Review
Jingxuan CHANG ; Jinyao WU ; Meiying JIN ; Fanqi MENG ; Wenhai ZHAO ; Zhenhai CUI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):277-288
Steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head(SANFH) is a bone and joint disease caused by prolonged and excessive steroid use. Its typical pathological features involve progressive circulatory disorders in the blood supply system of femoral head, leading to osteocyte apoptosis and bone tissue necrosis. As the disease progresses, it ultimately results in structural collapse and necrotic lesions of the femoral head, severely affecting patients' limb function and quality of life. Glucocorticoids mediate pathological damage through dual mechanisms, on the one hand, they disrupt the dynamic equilibrium between bone formation and resorption by suppressing osteoblast differentiation activity and activating osteoclastogenesis, on the other hand, they induce lipid metabolism disorders, inhibit angiogenesis, and impair endothelial cell function, thereby triggering microcirculatory disorders. Epimedii Folium and its active components exhibit multidimensional regulatory effects in SANFH prevention and treatment. Literature review reveals that it is rich in multiple active ingredients, primarily including total flavonoids of Epimedii Folium, icaritin, icariin, kaempferol, icariside Ⅱ, etc. These compounds exert multiple pharmacological effects(regulating bone metabolic homeostasis, modulating angiogenesis, correcting lipid metabolism disorders, and controlling cellular autophagy processes) through multiple signaling pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin, transforming growth factor(TGF)-β/bone morphogenetic protein(BMP)/Smad, mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK), phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt), osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear transcription factor-κB ligand/receptor activator of nuclear transcription factor-κB(OPG/RANKL/RANK), etc. Based on existing research findings, this paper systematically elucidates the intervention mechanisms of active components in Epimedii Folium on key pathological processes of SANFH through the above pathways. It also deeply analyzes their regulatory roles in key nodes of different signaling pathways, aiming to provide valuable references for future clinical treatment and experimental research.
2.The mechanism of action of the insulin-like growth factor-1/insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor signaling pathway in regulating liver fibrosis
Yan CUI ; Jingtao LI ; Junzhe JIAO ; Zhanjie CHANG ; Haibo ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(2):445-451
Liver fibrosis is caused by various factors such as viral infection, alcohol intake, and metabolism-related damage, leading to the replacement of normal tissue by fibrous scars. As a regulatory factor for cell proliferation, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) participates in the regulation of cell cycle, the promotion of cell proliferation and differentiation, and the inhibition of cell apoptosis by binding to its receptor insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R). Studies have shown that the IGF-1/IGF-1R signaling pathway can regulate the process of liver fibrosis by affecting the senescence and apoptosis of hepatocytes, the activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells, and the dysfunction of endothelial cells. In addition, the IGF-1/IGF-1R signaling system can also regulate multiple mechanisms such as DNA damage repair, cell proliferation, lipid metabolism, cell senescence, and oxidative stress, thereby providing new strategies and potential targets for the prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis. This article summarizes the mechanism of action of IGF-1/IGF-1R and its signal transduction system in mediating liver fibrosis by regulating DNA damage repair in different cells, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
3.Academic Characteristics of Contemporary Chinese Medicine Masters in Treating Diabetic Kidney Disease Based on SrTO
Yu SUN ; Xiaodan WANG ; Yingzi CUI ; Tianying CHANG ; Fan LI ; Lisha WANG ; Chenxuan DONG ; Shoulin ZHANG ; Xing LIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):258-269
ObjectiveTo explore the academic characteristics of contemporary renowned Chinese medicine masters in treating diabetic kidney disease (DKD) from the perspectives of principles, methods, formulas, and medications. MethodsIn strict accordance with the Systematic Review of Text and Opinion (SrTO) process developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI), an Australian evidence-based healthcare center, the databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database, Wanfang Data, and China Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed) were searched. Based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, text information extraction, quality evaluation, and text information synthesis were conducted sequentially. The data were analyzed and presented in the form of text and figures. ResultsA total of 215 articles related to 43 contemporary renowned experts in the fields of Chinese medicine nephrology and endocrinology were included. The study found that the academic thoughts of these masters in the treatment of DKD are extensive, involving multiple levels such as disease understanding, therapeutic strategies, formula application, and medication use. In terms of disease understanding, the primary pathogenesis is characterized by deficiency in the root and excess in the manifestation. It is emphasized that internal factors, such as congenital endowment deficiency, interact with external factors such as improper diet, emotional disturbances, invasion of exogenous pathogens, and delayed or inappropriate treatment, to jointly induce the disease. This further gives rise to various pathogenetic theories, including obstruction of renal collaterals by blood stasis, toxin-induced damage to renal collaterals, latent wind disturbing the kidney, and internal heat leading to mass formation. In terms of therapeutic strategies and medication use, the principal treatment method is to replenish Qi and nourish Yin. Stage-based and syndrome-differentiated treatments are advocated. Flexible use of insect-derived drugs and wind-dispelling drugs is emphasized, along with proficiency in applying classical formulas and drug pairs. Integrated internal and external treatments, as well as the combined application of multiple therapeutic approaches, are commonly employed for comprehensive management. Meanwhile, the concept of "preventive treatment of disease" is upheld, and individualized long-term management of patients is advocated. ConclusionThrough the SrTO process, the academic thoughts of contemporary renowned Chinese medicine masters in the treatment of DKD have been systematically and standardly synthesized, providing a scientific and standardized basis for future theoretical exploration.
4.Academic Characteristics of Contemporary Chinese Medicine Masters in Treating Diabetic Kidney Disease Based on SrTO
Yu SUN ; Xiaodan WANG ; Yingzi CUI ; Tianying CHANG ; Fan LI ; Lisha WANG ; Chenxuan DONG ; Shoulin ZHANG ; Xing LIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):258-269
ObjectiveTo explore the academic characteristics of contemporary renowned Chinese medicine masters in treating diabetic kidney disease (DKD) from the perspectives of principles, methods, formulas, and medications. MethodsIn strict accordance with the Systematic Review of Text and Opinion (SrTO) process developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI), an Australian evidence-based healthcare center, the databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database, Wanfang Data, and China Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed) were searched. Based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, text information extraction, quality evaluation, and text information synthesis were conducted sequentially. The data were analyzed and presented in the form of text and figures. ResultsA total of 215 articles related to 43 contemporary renowned experts in the fields of Chinese medicine nephrology and endocrinology were included. The study found that the academic thoughts of these masters in the treatment of DKD are extensive, involving multiple levels such as disease understanding, therapeutic strategies, formula application, and medication use. In terms of disease understanding, the primary pathogenesis is characterized by deficiency in the root and excess in the manifestation. It is emphasized that internal factors, such as congenital endowment deficiency, interact with external factors such as improper diet, emotional disturbances, invasion of exogenous pathogens, and delayed or inappropriate treatment, to jointly induce the disease. This further gives rise to various pathogenetic theories, including obstruction of renal collaterals by blood stasis, toxin-induced damage to renal collaterals, latent wind disturbing the kidney, and internal heat leading to mass formation. In terms of therapeutic strategies and medication use, the principal treatment method is to replenish Qi and nourish Yin. Stage-based and syndrome-differentiated treatments are advocated. Flexible use of insect-derived drugs and wind-dispelling drugs is emphasized, along with proficiency in applying classical formulas and drug pairs. Integrated internal and external treatments, as well as the combined application of multiple therapeutic approaches, are commonly employed for comprehensive management. Meanwhile, the concept of "preventive treatment of disease" is upheld, and individualized long-term management of patients is advocated. ConclusionThrough the SrTO process, the academic thoughts of contemporary renowned Chinese medicine masters in the treatment of DKD have been systematically and standardly synthesized, providing a scientific and standardized basis for future theoretical exploration.
5.Construction of a Postoperative Prevention and Treatment Model for Breast Cancer Based on the "Disease-Syndrome-Constitution-Trend-Strategy-Efficacy" Framework
Yongjia CUI ; Wenping LU ; Lei CHANG ; Lutian GONG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(5):580-583
In response to the high risk of recurrence and metastasis after breast cancer surgery, this paper proposes a six-dimensional integrated preventive and therapeutic model, namely the "disease-syndrome-constitution-trend-strategy-efficacy" framework, including disease identification, syndrome differentiation, constitution differentiation, trend assessment, strategy implementation, and effect evaluation. This model builds upon the traditional three-dimensional approach of disease identification, syndrome differentiation and constitution differentiation, and introduces "trend" to dynamically capture the evolving tendencies of disease progression and the transformation of syndrome and constitution, thereby operationalizing the concept of "treating before disease onset". The "strategy" dimension enables the organic integration and individualized regulation of TCM and western medical interventions, while the "efficacy" dimension establishes a multidimensional evaluation system integrating TCM and western medicine to assess the efficacy of the "strategy", so as to promote the systematic, dynamic, and precise development of treating before disease onset in TCM.
6.Serum β2-MG, sCHE, and PSGL-1 Expression in Patients with Esophageal Cancer and Their Association with Postoperative Lung Infection After Mediastinoscopy
Yu FENG ; Rulin QIAN ; Dong CUI ; Chaoying CHANG ; Maolin CHEN
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(1):68-73
Objective To investigate serum β2-MG, sCHE, and PSGL-1 expression in patients with esophageal cancer and their relationship to lung infection after mediastinoscopy. Methods A total of 118 patients with esophageal cancer were selected and divided into infected and uninfected groups according to whether they developed lung infection after surgery. An automatic microbiological identification system was used to detect the pathogenic bacteria of lung infection. ELISA was used to detect the levels of β2-MG, sCHE, and PSGL-1. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of postoperative lung infection in patients with esophageal cancer. ROC curves were plotted to analyze the assessment value of serum β2-MG, sCHE, and PSGL-1 on postoperative lung infection. Results Fifty-two strains of bacteria were isolated from the sputum of 38 patients with postoperative lung infections, and these included 35 (67.31%) Gram-negative, 14 (26.92%) Gram-positive, and 3 (5.77%) fungal strains. The difference in long-term smoking history between the infected and uninfected groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). Serum β2-MG and PSGL-1 levels were significantly higher and sCHE levels were significantly lower in the infected group than in the uninfected group (P<0.05). Serum β2-MG and PSGL-1 levels were sequentially higher (P<0.05) and sCHE levels were sequentially lower (P<0.05) in the mild, moderate, and severe lung infection groups. Long-term smoking history, β2-MG, and PSGL-1 were risk factors affecting postoperative lung infection in patients with esophageal cancer (P<0.05), and sCHE was a protective factor (P<0.05). The AUCs of serum β2-MG, sCHE, and PSGL-1 for assessing postoperative lung infections were 0.807, 0.845, and 0.800, respectively, and the AUC of the three combined factors for assessing postoperative lung infections was 0.954, which was superior to that assessed individually (Zcombination vs. β2-MG=2.576, Zcombination vs. sCHE=2.623, Zcombination vs. PSGL-1=2.574, all P<0.05). Conclusion The serum levels of β2-MG and PSGL-1 increase and the sCHE level decreases in patients with esophageal cancer and postoperative pulmonary infection, which are also related with lung infection. Combined testing can improve the evaluation value of postoperative pulmonary infection in patients.
7.Association between Modified Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu Formula (益气活血解毒方) or PARP Inhibitors Maintenance Therapy and Recurrence and Metastasis in Advanced Ovarian Cancer:A Propensity Score Matched Case-Control Study
Yongjia CUI ; Wenping LU ; Lei CHANG ; Yilin WEI ; Xiyue WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(3):256-261
ObjectiveTo investigate the association between the maintenance treatment of modified Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu Formula (益气活血解毒方) or poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors and the recurrence and metastasis of advanced ovarian cancer. MethodsA case-control study design was employed, dividing patients with advanced ovarian cancer into two groups based on the occurrence of recurrence and metastasis following first-line maintenance treatment. Patients with recurrence and metastasis comprised the case group, while those without recurrence and metastasis served as the control group. The previous first-line maintenance treatment method was set as the exposure factor in the study (with the use of modified Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu Formula defined as exposed and PARP inhibitors defined as unexposed). Basic information was collected for both groups, including the achievement of satisfactory R0 surgery, age, stage, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, lymph node metastasis, germline BRCA1/2 mutations, homologous recombination deficiency positivity, first-line maintenance treatment method (modified Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu Formula or PARP inhibitors), and CA125 levels after the last chemotherapy. The baseline data of the two groups were assessed for differences. If there exists difference, a 1∶1 nearest neighbor matching method was used for propensity score matching. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to evaluate the association between the modified Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu Formula or PARP inhibitors and the recurrence and metastasis of ovarian cancer. ResultsA total of 201 patients with advanced ovarian cancer were included, with 97 in the case group and 104 in the control group. Both groups showed statistically significant differences in R0 surgery, stage, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and CA125 levels after the last chemotherapy (P<0.05), indicating baseline imbalance. After propensity score matching, there were 71 patients in both the case and control groups, achieving baseline balance (P>0.05). Univariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the achievement of satisfactory R0 surgery (P = 0.006), disease stage (P = 0.001), the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.024), treatment modality (P = 0.006), and CA125 levels after the last chemotherapy (P = 0.013) were associated with the recurrence and metastasis of ovarian cancer. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that disease stage was an independent influencing factor for the recurrence and metastasis of ovarian cancer (P = 0.030), whereas the P-value for the correlation between first-line maintenance treatment and ovarian cancer was 0.188. ConclusionFirst-line maintenance treatment of ovarian cancer patients with the use of modified Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu Formula or PARP inhibitors does not correlate with the recurrence and metastasis of ovarian cancer.
8.Radiation environment monitoring and evaluation at application sites of online elemental analyzers in cement enterprises
Lun CUI ; Wenbin PENG ; Ying ZHANG ; Hua YANG ; Huijun YU ; Qing CHANG ; Mingfa XU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(3):408-413
Objective To systematically evaluate the radiation impact of radioactive sources used in online elemental analyzers in cement enterprises on the surrounding environment, and to provide a scientific basis for radiation monitoring and safety management at the application sites of this type of radioactive sources. Methods A statistical analysis was conducted on 15 cement enterprises in Guangxi Province using online elemental analyzers with 252Cf as the radioactive source. On-site investigation of radiation safety management and on-site monitoring of radiation environment were performed, followed by an evaluation based on the collected data. Results Although the gamma radiation ambient dose equivalent rate and neutron ambient dose equivalent rate increased around the sites using online elemental analyzers with 252Cf as the radioactive source, they all met the requirements of the Radiological Health Protection Requirements for Instruments with Sealed Sources (GBZ 125—2009). Conclusion Under the current usage and management conditions, the application of this type of radioactive sources has controllable radiation impact on the surrounding environment, and will not pose a threat to public health and environmental safety. However, continuous strengthening of radiation safety management measures and regular radiation monitoring work are still needed to ensure the safe use of radioactive sources, further reducing potential radiation risks and providing strong guarantees for the safe application of radioactive sources in online elemental analyzers in cement enterprises.
9.Effects of Conbercept on different optical coherence tomography biomarkers in patients with retinal vein occlusion-related macular edema
Haiyue YU ; Juan TENG ; Zeying DONG ; Lili ZHANG ; Huixian CUI ; Chang LIU ; Guang ZHU ; Xin LI
International Eye Science 2025;25(10):1656-1661
AIM: To investigate the effects of Conbercept on various optical coherence tomography(OCT)biomarkers in patients with retinal vein occlusion-related macular edema(RVO-ME), and to analyze the correlation of these biomarker changes with visual prognosis.METHODS: Retrospective study. A total of 57 patients(57 eyes)with RVO-ME, including 25 patients(25 eyes)with central retinal vein occlusion(CRVO)and 32 patients(32 eyes)with branch retinal vein occlusion(BRVO), were enrolled in this study. All the patients received intravitreal injection of conbercept once a month, three times in total. The preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), and changes in OCT biomarkers, including central macular thickness(CMT), the length of disorganization of the retinal inner layers(DRIL), the number of hyperreflective dots(HRD), the area of intraretinal fluid(IRF), the area of subretinal fluid(SRF), and the length of ellipsoid zone(EZ)disruption were compared. Furthermore, the relationship of these changes with BCVA was analyzed.RESULTS:Compared with the baseline, at 3 mo post-treatment, BCVA(LogMAR)was improved, CMT was decreased, the length of DRIL was shortened, the number of HRD was reduced, the area of IRF was decreased, the area of SRF was reduced, and the length of EZ disruption was shortened(all P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that there was no correlation between the changes in CMT, the length of DRIL, the number of HRD, the area of IRF, the area of SRF and the change in BCVA before and after treatment(P>0.05). However, the change in the length of EZ disruption was positively correlated with the change in BCVA(rs=0.34, P=0.011), and the R2 value of the fitting curve between the change in the length of EZ disruption and the change in BCVA was 0.113(P=0.011). When comparing the pre- and post-treatment changes in BCVA, the length of DRIL, the number of HRD, the area of IRF, the area of SRF, and the length of EZ disruption between patients in the CRVO group and BRVO group, no significant differences were observed(all P>0.05). In contrast, a significant difference was found in the change in CMT between the two groups(P=0.002).CONCLUSION:Conbercept effectively improves multiple OCT biomarkers in patients with RVO-ME. Repair of EZ disruption is a key driver of visual recovery, and its stability may serve as a novel indicator for personalized decision-making in anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy.
10.The role of gut microbiota homeostasis in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma and targeted intervention strategies
Yan CUI ; Junzhe JIAO ; Ruijuan YAN ; Shuguang YAN ; Hailiang WEI ; Zhanjie CHANG ; Haibo ZHANG ; Jingtao LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(9):1913-1919
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as the sixth most common malignant tumor worldwide, poses a serious threat to human health due to its insidious onset and high mortality rate. This article reviews the molecular mechanisms and intervention strategies of gut microbiota (GM) homeostasis in the development and progression of HCC, in order to provide new ideas for the intervention and treatment of HCC. Studies have shown that GM dysbiosis, intestinal leakage, microbial-associated molecular pattern, bacterial translocation, and metabolic products play key roles in the progression of HCC. GM imbalance may lead to immune escape, thereby promoting tumor cell proliferation and metastasis. This article elaborates on the association between GM and HCC, deeply analyzes the mechanism of action of GM in the development and progression of HCC, investigates the role of bile acid-related metabolites, short-chain fatty acid-related metabolites, and other metabolites in HCC, and explores the strategies for targeting GM in the treatment of HCC, including probiotics, prebiotics, antibiotics, Toll-like receptor 4 antagonists, and fecal microbiota transplantation. This article emphasizes that maintaining the integrity of the intestinal barrier and GM homeostasis is of great significance in the prevention and treatment of HCC, which provides a direction for developing new diagnosis and treatment strategies.

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