1.Reconceptualizing Critical Illness in Cancer Through the Lens of Host Unregulated Response
Yun CHU ; Shiyi GONG ; Xin DING ; Hua ZHAO ; Huan CHEN ; Qing ZHANG ; Xiaoting WANG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(1):1-9
Onco-critical care has emerged as an important subspecialty at the intersection of critical care medicine and oncology, attracting increasing attention in recent years. With continuous innovations in cancer therapies, patient survival has improved significantly; however, the incidence of associated critical complications has also increased. The reasons for cancer patients requiring intensive care unit admission are diverse and can be broadly categorized into three groups: progression of the underlying malignancy, treatment-related complications, and coexisting classical critical illnesses. Traditional critical care concepts and practices face limitations in addressing the multidimensional and heterogeneous challenges of onco-critical care. Based on the core mechanism of critical illness development—host/organ unregulated response (HOUR)—this article systematically elaborates on how this framework advances understanding and clinical practice into onco-critical care, with emphasis on its manifestations in neuroendocrine, immune-inflammatory, and coagulation-metabolic pathways. The review summarizes recent advances in clinical assessment and phenotyping systems for onco-critical illness and discusses a multidisciplinary, integrated management strategy centered on the "Disease Control, Host Response Modulation, Organ Support" triad. Finally, major challenges and future directions in this field are outlined. By integrating existing evidence and theoretical insights, this review aims to provide new perspectives and a theoretical foundation for the clinical management of onco-critical illness, thereby promoting its evolution toward precision and standardization.
2.Standards for the Application of Hemodynamic Monitoring Technology in Critical Care
Hua ZHAO ; Hongmin ZHANG ; Xin DING ; Huan CHEN ; Jun DUAN ; Wei DU ; Bo TANG ; Yuankai ZHOU ; Dongkai LI ; Xinchen WANG ; Cui WANG ; Gaosheng ZHOU ; Xiaoting WANG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(1):73-85
With the rapid advancement of hemodynamic indices and monitoring technologies, their classification methods and application processes have become increasingly complex. Currently, no unified standard hasbeen established, making it difficult to fully meet the clinical requirements for hemodynamic management. To assist in hemodynamic monitoring assessment and therapeutic decision-making in critically ill patients, the Critical Hemodynamic Therapy Collaborative Group, in conjunction with the Critical Ultrasound Study Group, has jointly developed the Standard for the Application of Hemodynamic Monitoring Techniques in Critical Care. The first part of this standard systematically categorizes hemodynamic indicators into flow indicators, pressure and its derivative indicators, and tissue perfusion indicators, while elaborating on the clinical application of each. The second part establishes a standardized clinical implementation pathway for hemodynamic monitoring. It proposes a tiered monitoring strategy-comprising basic, advanced, indication-specific, and special scenario monitoring-tailored to different clinical settings. It emphasizes the central role of critical care ultrasound across all levels of monitoring and establishes hemodynamic assessment standards for organs such as the brain, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract. This standard aims to provide a unified framework for clinical practice, teaching, training, and research in critical care medicine, thereby promoting standardized development within the discipline.
3.Preparation of allitridin nano-sustained release particles and experimental study on its protective effect on lower limb ischemia
Huan Ouyang ; Bo Liu ; Yi Liu ; Binshan Zha ; Yang Ding ; Xianyu Hu ; Zhiyong Chen
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(2):201-209
Objective:
To prepare hollow mesoporous silicon nanoparticles ( HMSNs) loaded with allicin—diallyl trisulfide (DATS) , and to study their feasibility as a therapeutic agent for ischemic injury of lower limbs .
Methods:
HMSNs were synthesized by selective etching , and their microstructure was observed by scanning and transmis- sion electron microscopy. Their physical and chemical properties were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and dynamic light scattering (DLS) . Their biological safety was tested by erythrocyte hemolysis and cytotoxicity experiments . DATS was loaded into HMSNs by adsorption to obtain DATS sustained release nanoparticles (DATS-HMSNs) , and the cumulative release curve of DATS was calculated and produced by ultraviolet spectrophotometry. C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups (sham operation group , normal saline group , DATS group , and DATS-HM- SNs group) . Lower limb ischemia models were made by femoral artery ligation and resection . The exercise ability and the contents of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α ) , interleukin-6 (IL-6) , monocyte chemoattractant protein- 1 (MCP-1) , reactive oxygen species (ROS) , platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule (CD31) , alpha smooth muscle actin ( α-SMA) , basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in muscles of mice in each group before and after limb ischemia were tested .
Results :
Scanning and transmission e- lectron microscope observation showed that the prepared HMSNs were hollow , spherical and uniform in particle size . DLS results showed that the particle size was (226. 5 ± 11 . 8) nm. The results of red blood cell hemolysis test and cytotoxicity test showed that HMSNs had good biocompatibility. The maximum drug loading rate of HMSNs on DATS was 27. 89% , the cumulative release rate of DATS in 7 days was about 80. 12% , and could reach 97. 27% in 21 days . Compared with the control group , after DATS-HMSNs were applied to mice with lower limb ischemia , immunohistochemical staining showed that the levels of CD31 , α-SMA , bFGF and VEGF increased ( P < 0. 05) . Elisa test showed that the levels of TNF-α , IL-6 , MCP-1 and ROS decreased (P < 0. 05) , and the exercise ability of mice recovered satisfactorily after ischemia.
Conclusion
DATS-HMSNs can release DATS slowly and continu- ously , providing protection against ischemic injury of lower limbs .
4.Progress in the application of coagulation curve waveform analysis in the detection of coagulation function
Hongmei DONG ; Huan WANG ; Huihui DING ; Hong CHEN
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(15):1879-1884
The detection of coagulation function is helpful for the diagnosis of blood diseases,the assess-ment of bleeding and thrombus risks in patients,and the treatment of hemostasis and anticoagulation.It plays an important role in the diagnosis,treatment,and prevention of diseases.Solidification curve waveform analy-sis is a newly developed method for assessing coagulation function.It obtains more sensitive parameters for e-valuating the coagulation function of the body by taking the order derivative of the waveform reflecting the co-agulation process in routine coagulation experiments.Compared with traditional coagulation function tests,co-agulation cuvre waveform analysis curves is more comprehensive and effective in assessing the risk of bleeding and thrombosis.
5.Bioequivalence study of ritonavir tablets in Chinese healthy subjects
Yuan-Yuan XU ; Chuan-Shu WANG ; Shao-Chun CHEN ; Jia-Xiang DING ; Xue-Feng WANG ; He-Yue WANG ; Jing XIE ; Huan ZHOU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(10):1502-1506
Objective To evaluate the bioequivalence of a single oral dose of ritonavir in fasted and fed conditions in healthy Chinese adult subjects with the test and reference formulations.Methods A single-center,open-label,randomized,single-dose,two-periods,two-sequence crossover design was used,and 64 subjects were enrolled in both the fasted and fed groups.The subjects received 100 mg of the test preparation or reference preparation orally per cycle,and the drug concentration of ritonavir in plasma was detected using the high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS/MS)method.Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by a non-compartment model,and SAS 9.4 software was used for statistical analysis.Results Arithmetic mean values of the main pharmacokinetic parameters of the subject formulation of ritonavir tablets and the reference formulation in the fasting group:Cmax were(791.90±400.20)and(809.60±449.14)ng·mL-1;AUC0_t were(6 072.61±2 631.98)and(6 296.30±3 388.95)ng·h·mL-1;AUC0-∞ were(6 129.59±2 655.57)and(6 347.26±3 434.12)ng·h·mL-1,respectively.Arithmetic mean values of the main pharmacokinetic parameters of the subject formulation of ritonavir tablets and the reference formulation in the fed group:Cmax were(512.37±233.60)and(521.74±223.87)ng·mL-1;AUC0_t were(4 203.43±2 221.33)and(4 200.13±1 993.50)ng·h·mL-1;AUC0_∞ were(4 259.21±2 266.88)and(4 259.63±2 044.12)ng·h·mL-1.The 90%confidence intervals for the geometric mean ratios of Cmax,AUC0_t and AUC0_∞ of the prototype drug ritonavir in plasma after oral administration of 100 mg of the test and reference formulations of ritonavir tablets under fasting and fed conditions fell within the 80.00%to 125.00%equivalence interval.Conclusion The test and reference formulations of ritonavir tablets were bioequivalent under fasting and postprandial conditions.
6.The Role of α7nAChR in Alzheimer’s Disease
Dao-Bo DING ; Wen-Jun MU ; Xin LI ; Huan CHEN ; Hong-Wei HOU ; Qing-Yuan HU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(11):2897-2904
As the global population continues to age, the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, continues to rise significantly. As the disease progresses, the patient’s daily living abilities gradually decline, potentially leading to a complete loss of self-care abilities. According to estimates by the Alzheimer’s Association and the World Health Organization, AD accounts for 60%-70% of all other dementia cases, affecting over 55 million people worldwide. The case number is estimated to double by 2050. Despite extensive research, the precise etiology and pathogenesis of AD remain elusive. Researchers have a profound understanding of the disease’s pathological hallmarks, which include amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles resulting from the abnormal phosphorylation of Tau protein. However, the exact causes and mechanisms of the disease are still not fully understood, leaving a vital gap in our knowledge and understanding of this debilitating disease. A crucial player that has recently emerged in the field of AD research is the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR). α7nAChR is composed of five identical α7 subunits that form a homopentamer. This receptor is a significant subtype of acetylcholine receptor in the central nervous system and is widely distributed in various regions of the brain. It is particularly prevalent in the hippocampus and cortical areas, which are regions associated with learning and memory. α7nAChR plays a pivotal role in several neurological processes, including neurotransmitter release, neuronal plasticity, cell signal transduction, and inflammatory response, suggesting its potential involvement in numerous neurodegenerative diseases, including AD. In recent years, the role of α7nAChR in AD has been the focus of extensive research. Emerging evidence suggests that α7nAChR is involved in several critical steps in the disease progression of AD. These include involvement in the metabolism of amyloid β-protein (Aβ), the phosphorylation of Tau protein, neuroinflammatory response, and oxidative stress. Each of these processes contributes to the development and progression of AD, and the involvement of α7nAChR in these processes suggests that it may play a crucial role in the disease’s pathogenesis. The potential significance of α7nAChR in AD is further reinforced by the observation that alterations in its function or expression can have significant effects on cognitive abilities. These findings suggest that α7nAChR could be a promising target for therapeutic intervention in AD. At present, the results of drug clinical studies targeting α7nAChR show that these compounds have improvement and therapeutic effects in AD patients, but they have not reached the degree of being widely used in clinical practice, and their drug development still faces many challenges. Therefore, more research is needed to fully understand its role and to develop effective treatments based on this understanding. This review aims to summarize the current understanding of the association between α7nAChR and AD pathogenesis. We provide an overview of the latest research developments and insights, and highlight potential avenues for future research. As we deepen our understanding of the role of α7nAChR in AD, it is hoped that this will pave the way for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for this devastating disease. By targeting α7nAChR, we may be able to develop more effective treatments for AD, ultimately improving the quality of life for patients and their families.
7.The dynamic monitoring of gastric residual volume by ultrasound was used to guide the early nutritional treatment of patients with severe mechanical ventilation to gradually achieve the standard
Hongxiao YANG ; Jinlan MA ; Jing CHEN ; Guifang LI ; Huan DING
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2024;36(2):172-177
Objective:To explore the application value of dynamic monitoring of gastric residual volume (GRV) in achieving different target energy in severe mechanical ventilation patients.Methods:A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. Forty-two patients with mechanical ventilation admitted to the department of critical care medicine of General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from July to December 2022 were enrolled. According to the random number table method, patients were divided into GRV guided enteral nutrition by traditional gastric juice pumpback method (control group, 22 patients) and GRV guided enteral nutrition by bedside ultrasound (test group, 20 patients). General data were collected from both groups, and clinical indicators such as hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), neutrophil percentage (Neut%), procalcitonin (PCT), absolute lymphocytes (LYM), prealbumin (PA), and retinol-binding protein (RBP) were dynamically observed. Inflammation, infection, immunity, nutritional indicators, and the incidence of reflux/aspiration, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) were compared between the two groups, and further compared the proportion of patients with respectively to reach the target energy 25%, 50%, and 70% on days 1, 3, and 5 of initiated enteral nutrition.Results:① There were no significant differences in gender, age, body mass index (BMI), duration of mechanical ventilation, and acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ), sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), severe nutritional risk score (NUTRIC) at admission between the two groups, indicating comparability. ② On day 1 of initiated enteral nutrition, there were no significant differences in infection, inflammation, immunity and nutrition indicators between the two groups. On day 3 of initiated enteral nutrition, the hs-CRP in the test group was lower than that control group, LYM and PA were higher than those control group [hs-CRP (mg/L): 129.60±75.18 vs. 185.20±63.74, LYM: 1.00±0.84 vs. 0.60±0.41, PA (mg/L): 27.30±3.66 vs. 22.30±2.55, all P < 0.05]. On day 5 of initiated enteral nutrition, the hs-CRP, Neut%, PCT in the test group were lower than those control group, LYM and PA were higher than those control group [hs-CRP (mg/L): 101.70±54.32 vs. 148.40±36.35, Neut%: (85.50±7.66)% vs. (92.90±6.01)%, PCT (μg/L): 0.7 (0.3, 2.7) vs. 3.6 (1.2, 7.5), LYM: 1.00±0.68 vs. 0.50±0.38, PA (mg/L): 27.10±4.57 vs. 20.80 ± 3.51, all P < 0.05]. There were no significantly differences in IL-6 and RBP between the two groups at different time points. ③ The proportion of 50% and 70% of achieved target energy in the test group on day 3, day 5 of initiated enteral nutrition were higher than those of the control group (70.0% vs. 36.4%, 70.0% vs. 36.4%, both P < 0.05). ④ The incidence of reflux/aspiration and VAP in the test group on day 5 of initiated enteral nutrition were significantly lower than those control group (incidence of reflux/aspiration: 5.0% vs. 28.6%, incidence of VAP: 10.0% vs. 36.4%, both P < 0.05). Conclusion:Dynamic monitoring of GRV by bedside ultrasound can accurately improve the proportion of 50% of achieved target energy on day 3 and 75% on day 5 in severe mechanical ventilation patients, improve the patient's inflammation, immune and nutritional status, and can prevent the occurrence of reflux/aspiration and VAP.
8.Dynamic changes of diaphragm and limb skeletal muscle in patients with sepsis assessed by bedside ultrasound and their correlation with blood urea/creatinine ratio
Jinlan MA ; Yuhan XIA ; Ting WANG ; Jing CHEN ; Hongxiao YANG ; Huan DING
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2024;36(6):643-648
Objective:To investigate the dynamic changes of diaphragm and limb skeletal muscle in patients with sepsis by bedside ultrasound and their correlation with the ratio of blood urea/creatinine ratio (UCR) in 7 days after intensive care unit (ICU) admission.Methods:A prospective observational study was conducted. A total of 55 patients with sepsis admitted to ICU of General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from June 2022 to February 2023 were selected as the research objects. General information, laboratory indicators [urea, serum creatinine (SCr), and UCR] on days 1, 4, and 7 of ICU admission, and prognostic indicators were observed. Bedside ultrasound was used to assess the dynamic changes of diaphragm morphology [including diaphragmatic excursion (DE), end-inspiratory diaphragm thickness (DTei), and end-expiratory diaphragm thickness (DTee)] on days 1, 4, and 7 of ICU admission, as well as limb skeletal muscle (quadriceps femoris) morphology [including rectus femoris-muscle layer thickness (RF-MLT), vastus intermedius-muscle layer thickness (VI-MLT), and rectus femoris-cross sectional area (RF-CSA)]. Diaphragm thickening fraction (DTF) and RF-CSA atrophy rate were calculated, and the incidence of diaphragm and limb skeletal muscle dysfunction was recorded. The correlation between ultrasound morphological parameters of diaphragm and quadriceps and UCR at each time points in 7 days after ICU admission was analyzed by Pearson correlation.Results:A total of 55 patients with sepsis were included, of which 29 were in septic shock. As the duration of ICU admission increased, the incidence of diaphragm dysfunction in patients with sepsis increased first and then decreased (63.6%, 69.6%, and 58.6% on days 1, 4, and 7 of ICU admission, respectively), while the incidence of limb skeletal muscle dysfunction showed an increasing trend (54.3% and 62.1% on days 4 and 7 of ICU admission, respectively), with a probability of simultaneous occurrence on days 4 and 7 of ICU admission were 32.6% and 34.5%, respectively. The UCR on day 7 of ICU admission was significantly higher than that on day 1 [121.77 (95.46, 164.55) vs. 97.00 (70.26, 130.50)], and RF-CSA atrophy rate on day 7 was significantly higher than that on day 4 [%: -39.7 (-52.4, -22.1) vs. -26.5 (-40.2, -16.4)]. RF-CSA was significantly lower on day 7 compared to day 1 [cm 2: 1.3 (1.0, 2.5) vs. 2.1 (1.7, 2.9)], with all differences being statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that RF-CSA on day 7 of ICU admission was negatively associated with the UCR on the same day ( r = -0.407, P = 0.029). Conclusions:Diaphragmatic dysfunction in patients with sepsis occurred early and can be improved. Limb skeletal muscle dysfunction occurred relatively later and progresses progressively. The RF-CSA on day 7 of ICU admission may be a reliable measure of limb skeletal muscle dysfunction in patients with sepsis, can be an indicator of early identification and diagnosis of ICU-acquired weakness (ICU-AW). Continuous loss of muscle mass occurring in septic patients is mainly associated with persistent organismal catabolism, and undergoes significant changes around a week in ICU.
9.Efficacy of Fried Licorice Decoction Plus-minus combined with PD-1 for advanced non-small cell lung cancer with Qi-Yin deficiency
Ding HUAN ; Chen ZHUO ; Yu HONGPENG ; Feng ZHUO ; Shi LI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Oncology 2024;51(9):461-466
Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Fried Licorice Decoction Plus-minus in combination with PD-1 therapy for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)with Qi-Yin deficiency.Methods:From December 2020 to December 2022,72 patients diagnosed with advanced NSCLC with Qi-Yin deficiency were enrolled in this study.The patients were recruited from Jilin Provincial Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine.The patients were randomly assigned into two groups,with 36 patients in each group.The control group received PD-1 treatment alone,and the treatment group received PD-1 combined with Fried Licorice Decoction Plus-minus.The measures of primary outcomes included immune function(CD3+,CD3+/CD4+,and CD3+/CD8+)and quality of life score(Kamofsky,KPS).The measures of secondary outcomes included the objective response rate(ORR);traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptom score;serum tumor marker carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA);neuron-specific enolase(NSE);cytokeratin fragment(CYFRA211);and incidence of immune-related adverse events such as gastrointestinal toxicity,pulmonary toxicity,hepatotoxicity,and thyroid toxicity.Results:Regarding immune function regulation,a significant improvement was observed in CD3+,CD3+/CD4+,and CD3+/CD8+.Furthermore,at T3 and T4 time points,an improvement was observed in patient quality of life indicators such as the tumor markers CEA and CY211.In addition,symptoms related to TCM syndrome,including coughing,fatigue,palpitations,and diarrhea were significantly reduced compared to the baseline levels.Moreover,the treatment group exhibited superior outcomes compared to those of the control group in terms of reducing immune-associated pneumonia and diarrhea(P<0.05).The ORR for both groups was similar;36%for those receiving com-bination therapy vs.25%for those receiving PD-1 monotherapy.Therefore,no significant differences between these two groups were ob-served(P>0.05).Conclusions:The combination of Fried Licorice Decoction Plus-minus and PD-1 in the treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC showed a significant enhancement in immune function,improvement in clinical efficacy,reduction in immune-related adverse reac-tions,and had an excellent safety profile.
10.Regulation of Bifidobacterium-short chain fatty acid metabolism and improvement of intestinal toxicity of vinegar-processed Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix.
Ling-Jun YE ; Xiao-Fen XU ; Sai-Ya CHEN ; Huan ZHANG ; Yi-Xuan GAN ; Tao MENG ; Rui DING ; Jing LI ; Gang CAO ; Kui-Long WANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2024;49(23):6331-6341
To explore the mechanism by which vinegar-processed Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix regulates gut microbiota and reduces intestinal toxicity, this study aimed to identify key microbial communities related to vinegar-induced detoxification and verify their functions. Using a derivatization method, the study measured the content of short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs) in feces before and after vinegar-processing of Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix. Combined with the results of previous gut microbiota sequencing, correlation analysis was used to identify key microbial communities related to SCFAs content. Through single-bacterium transplantation experiments, the role of key microbial communities in regulating SCFAs metabolism and alleviating the intestinal toxicity of Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix was clarified. Fecal extracts were then added to a co-culture system of Caco-2 and RAW264.7 cells, and toxicity differences were evaluated using intestinal tight junction proteins and inflammatory factors as indicators. Additionally, the application of a SCFAs receptor blocker helped confirm the role of SCFAs in reducing intestinal toxicity during vinegar-processing of Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix. The results of this study indicated that vinegar-processing of Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix improved the decline in SCFAs content caused by the raw material. Correlation analysis revealed that Bifidobacterium was positively correlated with the levels of acetic acid, propionic acid, isobutyric acid, n-butyric acid, isovaleric acid, and n-valeric acid. RESULTS:: from single-bacterium transplantation experiments demonstrated that Bifidobacterium could mitigate the reduction in SCFAs content induced by raw Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix, enhance the expression of tight junction proteins, and reduce intestinal inflammation. Similarly, cell experiment results confirmed that fecal extracts from Bifidobacterium-transplanted mice alleviated inflammation and increased the expression of tight junction proteins in intestinal epithelial cells. The use of the free fatty acid receptor-2 inhibitor GLPG0974 verified that this improvement effect was related to the SCFAs pathway. This study demonstrates that Bifidobacterium is the key microbial community responsible for reducing intestinal toxicity in vinegar-processed Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix. Vinegar-processing increases the abundance of Bifidobacterium, elevates the intestinal SCFAs content, inhibits intestinal inflammation, and enhances the expression of tight junction proteins, thereby improving the intestinal toxicity of Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix.
Animals
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Mice
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Humans
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Acetic Acid/chemistry*
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Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
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Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism*
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Bifidobacterium/genetics*
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Caco-2 Cells
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Intestines/microbiology*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Euphorbia/toxicity*
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RAW 264.7 Cells
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Male
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Feces/chemistry*
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Intestinal Mucosa/drug effects*


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