1.Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Related Immune Cystitis: A Case Report
Jing YU ; Ling LI ; Wenfang CHEN ; Qiong WEN ; Wei CHEN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(2):396-402
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are widely used in the treatment of malignant tumors, and their related immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have attracted increasing attention. This study reports the diagnosis and treatment process of a case of immune cystitis in a patient with hepatobiliary tract malignant tumor after treatment with pembrolizumab. The patient was admitted to the hospital due to frequent urination, urgency of urination and dysuria for 1 month. Previous repeated anti-infection treatments were ineffective. Combined with medical history, laboratory tests, imaging findings, cystoscopy and pathological results, the patient was clinically diagnosed with ICIs-associated immune cystitis (Pembrolizumab) ultimately. The patient's symptoms significantly improved after treatment with glucocorticoids. This case reindicates that clinicians need to improve awareness of ICI-related urinary system irAEs. Early identification and timely intervention can significantly improve patient prognosis.
2.Comparison of efficacy and safety between tildrakizumab and secukinumab in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis
Ning CHEN ; Yaoju FENG ; Yu DING
China Pharmacy 2026;37(7):933-937
OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy and safety of tildrakizumab versus secukinumab in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on 141 patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanyang Medical College from January 2024 to April 2025. According to the treatment regimen,the patients were divided into tildrakizumab g roup ( n =61) and secukinumab group ( n =80). The PASI 75,PASI 90,and PASI 100 response rates, the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores, skin barrier function (sebum content and stratum corneum water content), inflammatory factor levels [interleukin-17 (IL-17), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-23 ] before and after treatment, and the incidence of adverse drug reactions during treatment were compared between the two groups. RESULTS After 12 weeks of treatment, the PASI 75, PASI 90, and PASI 100 response rates in the tildrakizumab group were significantly higher than those in the secukinumab group ( P <0.05). After treatment, PASI and DLQI scores as well as serum levels of IL-17, TNF-α, and IL-23 in both groups were significantly reduced compared to before treatment in the same group; sebum content and stratum corneum water content were significantly increased compared to before treatment in the same group ( P <0.05); the tildrakizumab group showed better results than the secukinumab group ( P <0.05). The overall incidence of adverse drug reactions was also significantly lower in the tildrakizumab group compared with the secukinumab group ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Compared with secukinumab, tildrakizumab demonstrates superior efficacy in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, providing improved symptom relief, enhanced skin barrier function, reduced levels of inflammatory factors, and higher safety.
3.A Systematic Strategy for Discovering First-in-class Anti-fibrotic Drugs from Traditional Chinese Medicine
Wen HUANG ; Guang XIN ; Sanyin ZHANG ; Tao WANG ; Wei CHEN ; Zeliang WEI ; Qilong ZHOU ; Ke LI ; Dan SUN ; Kui YU ; Shilin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):296-307
Pulmonary fibrosis(PF) is a progressive and life-threatening disease with limited therapeutic options, highlighting the urgent need for innovative drug discovery strategies. To address this challenge, the authors propose the formula-originated rational intelligent screening&translation(FIRST), a systematic framework for developing anti-fibrotic monomers derived from classical traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). The strategy integrates three key dimensions, including tissue-oriented intelligent screening of active compounds, structural optimization based on drug-target spatial interactions and plant biosynthetic pathways, and cross-scale validation of drug. We further highlight its applications in discovering tissue-oriented novel drugs from clinically validated TCM, the development and mechanistic elucidation of anti-fibrotic therapeutics, as well as the clinical translation and secondary development of candidate drugs. This strategy paves the way for first-in-class, formula-derived monomeric drugs with defined structures, clarified mechanisms, and proven safety, offering a transformative avenue to meet the urgent therapeutic needs of PF and setting a new paradigm for TCM-based drug innovation.
4.A Systematic Strategy for Discovering First-in-class Anti-fibrotic Drugs from Traditional Chinese Medicine
Wen HUANG ; Guang XIN ; Sanyin ZHANG ; Tao WANG ; Wei CHEN ; Zeliang WEI ; Qilong ZHOU ; Ke LI ; Dan SUN ; Kui YU ; Shilin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):296-307
Pulmonary fibrosis(PF) is a progressive and life-threatening disease with limited therapeutic options, highlighting the urgent need for innovative drug discovery strategies. To address this challenge, the authors propose the formula-originated rational intelligent screening&translation(FIRST), a systematic framework for developing anti-fibrotic monomers derived from classical traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). The strategy integrates three key dimensions, including tissue-oriented intelligent screening of active compounds, structural optimization based on drug-target spatial interactions and plant biosynthetic pathways, and cross-scale validation of drug. We further highlight its applications in discovering tissue-oriented novel drugs from clinically validated TCM, the development and mechanistic elucidation of anti-fibrotic therapeutics, as well as the clinical translation and secondary development of candidate drugs. This strategy paves the way for first-in-class, formula-derived monomeric drugs with defined structures, clarified mechanisms, and proven safety, offering a transformative avenue to meet the urgent therapeutic needs of PF and setting a new paradigm for TCM-based drug innovation.
5.A prediction model for mild cognitive impairment risk among the elderly
MA Zongkang ; LIU Xinglang ; LI Huihui ; HE Guowei ; YAN Ping ; ZHANG Chuanrong ; MA Xuan ; CHE Yajie ; YU Shan ; CHEN Fenghui
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(2):124-129
Objective:
To develop a prediction model for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) risk among the elderly, so as to provide a tool for MCI early screening.
Methods :
From July 2022 to September 2024, a multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling method was used to recruit permanent residents aged ≥65 years from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region as study participants. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, nutritional status, body composition indices, bone mineral density, and handgrip strength were collected through questionnaires and physical examinations. Sarcopenia was defined based on appendicular skeletal muscle index and handgrip strength. MCI was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination, with adjustments for educational level. Participants were randomly divided into a training set and a validation set in a 7∶3 ratio. LASSO regression and multivariable logistic regression models were employed to screen for predictors and construct an MCI risk prediction model. The predictive performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and decision curve analysis (DCA).
Results:
A total of 1 641 participants were surveyed, including 755 males (46.01%) and 886 females (53.99%). The majority of participants were aged 65-<75 years, comprising 1 154 individuals (70.32%). MCI was detected in 517 participants, corresponding to a detection rate of 31.51%. Resultsfrom LASSO regression and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that residence (rural, OR = 2.323, 95% CI: 1.682-3.210), age (75-<85 years, OR = 1.405, 95% CI: 1.019-1.937; ≥85 years, OR = 3.655, 95% CI: 1.696-7.875), educational level (primary school, OR = 0.341, 95% CI: 0.247-0.472; junior high school, OR = 0.255, 95% CI: 0.160-0.408; high school, OR = 0.286, 95% CI: 0.154-0.531; bachelor's degree or above, OR = 0.120, 95% CI: 0.041-0.351), history of alcohol consumption (yes, OR = 3.216, 95% CI: 2.164-4.779), risk of malnutrition (yes, OR = 1.464, 95% CI: 1.064-2.014), sarcopenia (yes, OR = 3.197, 95% CI: 2.332-4.385), and waist-to-hip ratio (abnormal, OR = 1.540, 95% CI: 1.159-2.048) were identified as predictive factors for MCI among the elderly. In the training set, the area under the ROC curve, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.788, 0.719, and 0.712, respectively. In the validation set, the corresponding values were 0.784, 0.913, and 0.542, respectively. DCA demonstrated that the model provided a higher clinical net benefit for predicting MCI risk when the risk threshold probability ranged from 0.124 to 0.764.
Conclusion
The prediction model developed in this study demonstrates good discriminative ability and clinical utility, indicating its substantial value for predicting the MCI risk among the elderly.
6.Neuroprotective effect and mechanism of eleutheroside B on Parkinson’s disease model mice by regulating the IKKβ/NF-κB signaling pathway
Xiaoli WANG ; Hua RONG ; Siwen PAN ; Chunlei YU ; Tianjiao XU ; Yu SUN ; Huan CONG ; Yu PANG ; Gang CHEN ; Xiaoming LI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(8):998-1002
OBJECTIVE To investigate the neuroprotective effect and mechanism of eleutheroside B (ELB) on Parkinson’s disease (PD) model mice by regulating the IκB kinase β (IKKβ)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. METHODS Fifty mice were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, positive control group (selegiline hydrochloride, 10 mg/kg), and ELB low-dose and high-dose groups (80, 160 mg/kg), with 10 mice in each group. Each group was given relevant medicine or normal saline intragastrically for 14 consecutive days. Starting from the 10th day of administration, the model group and all administration groups were intraperitoneally injected with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) 30 mg/kg, for five consecutive days to establish the chronic PD model. After the last administration for 24 h, six mice were randomly selected from each group to test their behavioral abilities; detect the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in brain tissue and their mRNA expressions were measured, and positive expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), protein expressions of TH, α -synuclein ( α -syn), ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1), as well as phosphorylation levels of IKKβ and NF-κB p65 proteins in the brain tissue were detected. The ultrastructure of neurons in substantia nigra was observed. RESULTS Compared with the model group, rotarod endurance time and climbing score of each administration group (except for the ELB low-dose group) were increased significantly ( P <0.05), while the levels and mRNA expressions of IL-1β, TNF-α, α -syn, and Iba-1, as well as phosphorylation levels of IKKβ and NF-κB p65 proteins in brain tissue were decreased significantly (except for TNF-α in the ELB low-dose group). Conversely, the level and mRNA expression of IL-10 (except for the ELB low-dose group), TH positive expression and protein expressions were significantly increased ( P <0.05). Typical neurodegenerative pathological changes, such as neuronal karyopyknosis, mitochondrial swelling and vacuolization, and endoplasmic reticulum dilation, all showed varying degrees of improvement. CONCLUSIONS ELB may exert neuroprotective effects by inhibiting the activation of the IKKβ/NF-κB signaling pathway, alleviating inflammatory responses, reducing abnormal α -syn aggregation and neuronal loss, and further improving motor dysfunction in PD mice.
7.Analysis of a three-generation Chinese pedigree affected with Hereditary spastic paraplegia type 3A due to variant of ATL1 gene.
Zhenhua GONG ; Fengjuan HE ; Changshui CHEN ; Yu AN
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2026;43(2):129-135
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the genetic basis for a Chinese pedigree affected with Hereditary spastic paraplegia type 3A (SPG3A) and the genotype-phenotype correlation.
METHODS:
A three-generation pedigree presented at Huantai Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital in March 2021 was selected as the study subject. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) and pedigree analysis was carried out. Candidate variant was validated by Sanger sequencing of the members from the pedigree. Haplotype analysis was used to trace the origin of the variant, and pathogenicity was rated based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Hospital (Ethics No.: 2025-12).
RESULTS:
A c.1024C>T (p.Pro342Ser) variant of the ATL1 was identified in the four affected members, including the proband, but none of the three unaffected relatives. Haplotype analysis suggested that the variant was derived from the proband's mother and has co-segregated with the disease phenotype. Based on the guidelines of the ACMG, it was classified as likely pathogenic.
CONCLUSION
The ATL1 c.1024C>T (p.Pro342Ser) variant probably underlay the pathogenesis in this pedigree. Above finding has enriched the mutational spectrum of ATL1 and phenotypic spectrum of SPG3A in the Chinese population, and enabled genetic counseling for this pedigree.
Humans
;
Pedigree
;
Spastic Paraplegia, Hereditary/genetics*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Asian People/genetics*
;
Adult
;
Haplotypes
;
Membrane Proteins/genetics*
;
Exome Sequencing
;
GTP-Binding Proteins/genetics*
;
Mutation
;
Middle Aged
;
China
;
Genetic Association Studies
;
East Asian People
8.Effects of Modified Buyang Huanwu Tang on Mice with Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury by Regulating PINK1/Parkin Signaling Pathway-mediated Mitochondrial Autophagy
Li GUO ; Hengwen CHEN ; Cun ZHAN ; Zhenzhen YING ; Zuomin WU ; Shaoju JIN ; Shangmei CAO ; Shengming HUANG ; Jin WANG ; Xiaotao YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):34-43
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of modified Buyang Huanwu Tang on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CI/RI) in mice via the PTEN-induced putative kinase 1/E3 ubiquitin ligase (PINK1/Parkin) signaling pathway-mediated mitophagy, and to explore the underlying mechanism by which modified Buyang Huanwu Tang improves CI/RI. MethodsSeventy-two male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into six groups (n = 12 per group): Sham-operated group, middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose modified Buyang Huanwu Tang groups (8.84, 17.68, 35.36 g·kg-1·d-1), and an aspirin group (13.00 mg·kg-1·d-1). Neurological deficit scores were assessed using the Zea-Longa method. Cerebral infarct volume ratio was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Histopathological changes and neuronal injury in brain tissues were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining. Apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Mitochondrial ultrastructure in brain tissue was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA and protein expression levels of PINK1, Parkin, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B, LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ), and p62 in brain tissues were detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (Real-time PCR) and Western blot, respectively. ResultsCompared with the sham-operated group, the MCAO/R model group showed significantly increased neurological deficit scores and cerebral infarct volume ratios (P<0.01). Severe cortical injury on the infarct side was observed, characterized by decreased neuronal density, cytoplasmic vacuolation, nuclear pyknosis, a marked reduction in Nissl bodies, dissolution of Nissl bodies in the cytoplasm of some pyramidal neurons, and blurred cellular boundaries. The number of TUNEL-positive cells increased significantly (P<0.01). Mitochondria exhibited cristae membrane rupture and matrix vacuolation, with rupture of the outer mitochondrial membrane and formation of autophagosomes, the number of which increased significantly. Serum SOD activity decreased significantly (P<0.01), while MDA content increased significantly (P<0.01). In infarcted brain tissues of model mice, the relative mRNA expression and protein levels of PINK1, Parkin and LC3B were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), whereas p62 mRNA and protein expression were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), showing statistical significance. Compared with the model group, all treatment groups showed significantly decreased neurological deficit scores and cerebral infarct volume ratios (P<0.01). Neuronal density increased significantly, cytoplasmic vacuolation was alleviated, nuclear morphology tended to be more regular and clearer, Nissl body density increased significantly with reduced dissolution and improved contour clarity. The mitochondrial cristae structure was partially restored, with some mitochondria showing autophagosome encapsulation, and the degree of mitochondrial damage was alleviated. Serum SOD activity increased significantly (P<0.01), while MDA content decreased significantly. The mRNA and protein expression levels of PINK1, Parkin, and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while p62 mRNA and protein expression in the low- and medium-dose modified Buyang Huanwu Tang groups were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), showing statistical significance. ConclusionModified Buyang Huanwu Tang can upregulate the protein expression levels of PINK1, Parkin, and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ and downregulate p62 protein expression, suggesting that it may improve CI/RI by regulating the expression of proteins related to the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway. Regulation of the mitophagy pathway may be one of the mechanisms by which modified Buyang Huanwu Tang alleviates CI/RI in mice.
9.Impact of social capital, adverse childhood experiences and depressive symptoms on suicidal behavior among vocational high school students
YU Bin, YAN Jingyan, CHEN Xinguang, GUO Yan, LI Fang, YAN Hong, XIAO Chenchang
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(4):506-511
Objective:
To explore the nonlinear dynamic effects of social capital, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and depressive symptoms on suicidal behavior among vocational high school students, so as to provide theoretical basis and practical references for formulating suicide prevention strategies.
Methods:
A convenience sampling method was employed to include 668 students from a vocational high school from Wuhan in March 2023. Social capital was used as the asymmetry variable, while ACEs and depressive symptoms were used as bifurcation variables, a cusp catastrophe model was constructed to analyze the nonlinear changes in suicidal behavior among vocational high school students, and its fit was compared with linear and Logistic regression models.
Results:
Among students in the health vocational high school in Wuhan, only suicidal ideation accounted for 8.5%, only suicide attempt for 18.6%, neither accounted for 31.9%, and both for 41.0%. Gender, left behind experience, family economic status, parental parenting styles, depressive symptoms, social capital, and ACEs were all related factors influencing suicidal behavior among vocational high school students ( χ 2/H=19.03, 13.33, 21.11, 46.70, 144.38, 24.61, 118.77, all P <0.05). Violin plots showed a bimodal distribution of suicidal behavior, indicating nonlinear variation characteristics. The cusp catastrophe model results showed that social capital was negatively correlated with suicidal behavior, but the relationship was bifurcated by ACEs ( α social capital = -0.006 , β ACEs =0.075) and depressive symptoms ( α social capital =-0.013, β depressive =0.028) (all P <0.05). When both ACEs and depressive symptoms coexisted, the impact of ACEs was stronger ( β ACEs =0.077, β depressive =0.014) (both P <0.05). The cusp catastrophe model fitted ( R 2=0.886, 0.881, 0.882) better than the linear ( R 2=0.258, 0.219, 0.258) and Logistic regression models ( R 2= 0.242, 0.211 , 0.176). Gender stratified analysis results showed that bifurcation effect of ACEs was stronger in males than in females( β boys =0.224, β girls =0.086); in females, both ACEs and depressive symptoms had a bifurcation effect, with the former showing a stronger effect ( β ACEs =0.062, β depressive =0.015) (all P <0.05).
Conclusions
Suicidal behavior among vocational high school students exhibits nonlinear characteristics. Improving social capital to reducing ACEs and depressive symptoms may contribute to decreasing adolescent suicidal behaviors.
10.Expression of SLC7A11 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissues and its preliminary study on mediating tumor cell metabolism
Huakun ZHANG ; Mengfei SUN ; Qi SUN ; Ziru ZHOU ; Jie YU ; Yunzhao CHEN ; Xiaobin CUI
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):270-276
ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and clinical prognosis, and to determine its effects on ESCC cell growth, migration, and other biological activities. MethodsSLC7A11 protein expression was measured in 310 ESCC tissues and 259 adjacent normal tissues using immunohistochemistry to statistically assess the association of SLC7A11 with clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis in ESCC patients. The expression of SLC7A11 in ESCC cell lines was suppressed through siRNA-mediated knockdown. The specific effects of SLC7A11 knockdown on proliferation and migration were evaluated using CCK-8, clonogenic assay, and Transwell assays. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), lactic acid and pyruvate assays were used to measure ESCC metabolism. ResultsSLC7A11 protein expression was localized predominantly in the cytoplasm of ESCC tissues. Significantly higher SLC7A11 expression levels were observed in ESCC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues (P<0.001). High SLC7A11 expression was associated with poorer differentiation in patients (P<0.01). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated significantly shorter overall survival in patients with high SLC7A11 expression compared to those with low expression (P<0.05). CCK-8 and colony formation assays demonstrated that the knockdown of SLC7A11 expression significantly suppressed the proliferative capacity of tumor cells (P<0.001). Furthermore, Transwell assays revealed a marked decline in tumor cell migration capacity following SLC7A11 suppression (P<0.001). Critically, SLC7A11 knockdown also reduced intracellular levels of ATP, lactate, and pyruvate, demonstrating that SLC7A11 modulated metabolic activity in ESCC cells(P<0.001). ConclusionThe expression level of SLC7A11 is relatively high in ESCC and is strongly associated with poor prognosis. Silencing SLC7A11 significantly inhibits esophageal cancer cell growth and migration. SLC7A11 has the ability to regulate glucose, lactic acid and ATP metabolism levels in ESCC, thereby affecting the metabolic microenvironment of ESCC.


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