1.Atelocollagen Improves Bone-to-Tendon Interface Healing in a Rabbit Model of Chronic Rotator Cuff Tear Compared with Polydeoxyribonucleotide
Jian HAN ; Zhan-Feng ZHANG ; Shen-Yun FANG ; Yun-Mei CUI ; Sheng Chen HAN
Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery 2026;18(1):167-175
Background:
Surgeons face challenges in selecting cost-effective and biologically active agents for rotator cuff healing, given the numerous commercial products available, such as polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) and atelocollagen (ATC). However, the precise efficacy of PDRN and ATC in rotator cuff healing remains debatable, and there is currently a lack of studies directly comparing the effects of the 2 agents on repaired cuff tendons. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of PDRN and ATC on bone-to-tendon interface (BTI) healing using a chronic rotator cuff tear (RCT) model in rabbits.
Methods:
Forty-eight rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups. To create chronic RCT models, transected tendons were left untreated for 6 weeks, and then were repaired in a transosseous manner with PDRN and ATC injection into the repair site according to group allocation (group A: saline, group B: PDRN, group C: ATC; n = 16 per group). Genetic and immunofluorescence analyses were performed at 4 weeks after surgery. Furthermore, genetic, histologic, and biomechanical analyses were performed at 12 weeks after surgery.
Results:
At 4 weeks after surgery, ATC-injected shoulders showed the highest mRNA expression levels of collagen type I alpha 1 and aggrecan compared to the other 2 groups (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). Meanwhile, there was more preliminary fibrocartilaginous matrix formation in the ATC-injected group. At 12 weeks after surgery, ATC-injected shoulders demonstrated better collagen fiber continuity and orientation, denser collagen fibers, a more mature bone-to-tendon junction, and greater fibrocartilage layer formation compared to the other 2 groups (all p < 0.001). Furthermore, ATC-injected shoulders also demonstrated a significantly higher load-to-failure value (40.4 ± 4.5 N/kg) than the remaining groups (group A, 26.7 ± 3.0 N/kg; group B, 32.8 ± 4.2 N/kg; p < 0.001).
Conclusions
ATC demonstrated superior efficacy in promoting BTI healing following surgical repair in a chronic RCT model of rabbits.
2.Astragali Radix and Its Formulas in Treatment of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy: A Review
Ran CUI ; Linping ZHU ; Jingshun YAN ; Pingting ZHANG ; Chuxuan XIE ; Yansong LIU ; Mei ZHAO ; Yuhong LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(18):248-259
Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common chronic complication of diabetes, categorized as consumptive thirst in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and it subsequently gives rise to chest impediment. DCM is characterized by a complex pathogenesis and exhibits long-term progression with poor prognosis in clinical practice. Astragali Radix, as a medicinal material with edible value, possesses diverse active components including saponins, polysaccharides, and flavonoids. It has the effects of tonifying Qi, elevating Yang, promoting fluid production, nourishing blood, expressing toxin, and expelling pus. Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed that Astragali Radix and its active components exert therapeutic effects in various aspects such as inhibition of inflammation, alleviation of stress injury, regulation of programmed cell death, modulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, inhibition of myocardial fibrosis, and regulation of gut microbiota and metabolites, treating DCM in a multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway manner. The compatibility of Astragali Radix exerts both synergistic and antagonistic effects. The compound preparations and extracts of Astragali Radix are widely used in clinical practice, and the development of novel nano and gel materials and extracellular vesicles helps to improve the oral bioavailability, providing more possibilities for the clinical application of Astragali Radix in DCM, though its potential for clinical translation requires ongoing exploration. This review summarizes the TCM theoretical basis of Astragali Radix in the treatment of DCM, and integrates modern pharmacological research results to delve into the effects and mechanisms of the herb combinations, compound preparations, extracts, and new composite materials of Astragali Radix in the treatment of DCM, aiming to provide a reference for in-depth research and new drug development of Astragali Radix for DCM.
3.Systemic Lupus Erythematosus as a Dominant Disease in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Zihan WANG ; Yanyu CHEN ; Yong CUI ; Qingwen TAO ; Mei MO ; Ke XUE ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Yuan XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):263-269
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a refractory autoimmune disease, is among the dominant diseases where traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) shows advantages in the field of rheumatology and immunology. The China-Japan Friendship Hospital hosted the "46th Youth Salon on Dominant Diseases (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)" organized by the China Association of Chinese Medicine, which led to a consensus on "the advantages, challenges, interdisciplinary approaches, and translational achievements of integrated TCM and Western medical approaches in the diagnosis and treatment of SLE." The diagnosis and treatment of SLE currently face several challenges, such as frequent misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis in the early stages, difficulty in achieving treatment targets, multiple side effects from pharmacotherapy, and the lack of management strategies for special populations, all of which hinder the fulfillment of the clinical needs of patients. Integrated TCM and Western medical approaches can improve clinical symptoms such as skin erythema, aversion to cold and cold limbs, fatigue, dry mouth, restlessness, and heat sensation in the palms and soles, thereby improving patients' quality of life. The approaches also help consolidate the efficacy of conventional Western medicine, slow disease progression, reduce relapse rates, address multi-organ involvement, and prevent or treat complications. Additionally, they enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity, prevent the side effects of Western medications, help reduce hormone use, and offer distinct advantages in the individualized intervention of special populations, contributing to the whole-process management of the disease. However, evidence-based medical support for this integrated approach remains limited, and the quality of available evidence is generally low. Common evaluation systems and modern research methodologies should be adopted to clarify the efficacy of TCM in SLE treatment. Efforts should be made to carry out high-quality evidence-based medical research, strengthen the development of fundamental and pharmacological research, and further explain the distinct advantages of TCM in the diagnosis and treatment of SLE. Future efforts should focus on advancing the integration of TCM and modern medicine, incorporating multi-omics technologies, individualized stratification, and other precision medicine concepts, in combination with artificial intelligence. Moreover, interdisciplinary collaboration should be promoted to utilize modern technology in exploring the essence of TCM theories and screening effective formulae, thereby comprehensively improving the diagnosis and treatment of SLE through integrated TCM and Western medical approaches.
4.Systemic Lupus Erythematosus as a Dominant Disease in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Zihan WANG ; Yanyu CHEN ; Yong CUI ; Qingwen TAO ; Mei MO ; Ke XUE ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Yuan XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):263-269
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a refractory autoimmune disease, is among the dominant diseases where traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) shows advantages in the field of rheumatology and immunology. The China-Japan Friendship Hospital hosted the "46th Youth Salon on Dominant Diseases (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)" organized by the China Association of Chinese Medicine, which led to a consensus on "the advantages, challenges, interdisciplinary approaches, and translational achievements of integrated TCM and Western medical approaches in the diagnosis and treatment of SLE." The diagnosis and treatment of SLE currently face several challenges, such as frequent misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis in the early stages, difficulty in achieving treatment targets, multiple side effects from pharmacotherapy, and the lack of management strategies for special populations, all of which hinder the fulfillment of the clinical needs of patients. Integrated TCM and Western medical approaches can improve clinical symptoms such as skin erythema, aversion to cold and cold limbs, fatigue, dry mouth, restlessness, and heat sensation in the palms and soles, thereby improving patients' quality of life. The approaches also help consolidate the efficacy of conventional Western medicine, slow disease progression, reduce relapse rates, address multi-organ involvement, and prevent or treat complications. Additionally, they enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity, prevent the side effects of Western medications, help reduce hormone use, and offer distinct advantages in the individualized intervention of special populations, contributing to the whole-process management of the disease. However, evidence-based medical support for this integrated approach remains limited, and the quality of available evidence is generally low. Common evaluation systems and modern research methodologies should be adopted to clarify the efficacy of TCM in SLE treatment. Efforts should be made to carry out high-quality evidence-based medical research, strengthen the development of fundamental and pharmacological research, and further explain the distinct advantages of TCM in the diagnosis and treatment of SLE. Future efforts should focus on advancing the integration of TCM and modern medicine, incorporating multi-omics technologies, individualized stratification, and other precision medicine concepts, in combination with artificial intelligence. Moreover, interdisciplinary collaboration should be promoted to utilize modern technology in exploring the essence of TCM theories and screening effective formulae, thereby comprehensively improving the diagnosis and treatment of SLE through integrated TCM and Western medical approaches.
5.Expert consensus on intraoperative repositioning for patients with spine fracture and dislocation (version 2025)
Dongmei BIAN ; Ke SUN ; Ningbo CHEN ; Caixia BAI ; Miao WANG ; Yafeng QIAO ; Fei WANG ; Hong WANG ; Feng TIAN ; Mei YAN ; Meng BAI ; Linjuan ZHANG ; Liyan ZHAO ; Yaqing CUI ; Xue JIANG ; Leling FENG ; Ning NING ; Junqin DING ; Lan WEI ; Yonghua ZHAI ; Yu ZENG ; Zengmei ZHANG ; Jiqun HE ; Fenggui BIE ; Hong CHEN ; Zengyan WANG ; Li LI ; Li ZHANG ; Yaying ZHOU ; Bing SHAO ; Ying WANG ; Caixia XIE ; Yanfeng YAO ; Jingjing AN ; Wen SHI ; Xiongtao LIU ; Xiaoyan AN ; Ning NAN ; Lan LI ; Xiaohui GOU ; Qiaomei LI ; Xiuting WU ; Yuqin ZHANG ; Jing LIU ; Fusen XIANG ; Xu XU ; Na MEI ; Jiao ZHOU ; Shan FAN ; Qian WANG ; Shuixia LI
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2025;41(2):138-147
Spine fracture and dislocation are common traumatic spinal conditions that often require surgical intervention due to compromised spinal stability. Surgical approaches include anterior, posterior, and combined anterior-posterior spinal procedures. According to the specific surgical requirements, patients may be placed in the prone position or repositioned between prone and supine positions during surgery. Intraoperative repositioning has become an essential step in patient positioning. However, during repositioning, patients with spinal fracture and dislocation are at increased risk for complications such as hemodynamic instability, nerve injury, and pressure injuries to the skin and soft tissue. Notably, due to the instability of the spinal cord, even minor manipulations can further exacerbate the damage, potentially leading to severe outcomes like paraplegia. Although the current clinical guidelines provide instructive recommendations for standard position, there remains no specific protocols for intraoperative repositioning in patients with spine fracture and dislocation. With a concern for the lack of clinical studies on positioning techniques, risk prevention, and operational norms for special patients, no applicable guidelines or standards are available. A consensus was required to provide clinical reference, meet the requirements of surgical treatment, and minimize the safety risks of patients caused by improper placement of positions. Professional Committee of Operating Room Nursing of Shaanxi Nursing Association organized experts in nursing management and operating room nursing from major hospitals across China to formulate Expert consensus on intraoperative repositioning for patients with spinal fracture and dislocation ( version 2025). The consensus provides 11 recommendations covering pre-repositioning preparation, intraoperative maneuvers, and post-repositioning observation, aiming to provide references for clinical standardization of the intraoperative repositioning process and protection of patients′ safety.
6.Genomic analysis for early diagnosis of atypical dyskinetic cerebral palsy
Dianrong SUN ; Guangmei CUI ; Leihong ZHANG ; Jianhui ZHAO ; Rong YU ; Mei HOU
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2025;47(7):624-630
Objective:To determine the genetic causes of dystonic cerebral palsy (DCP) of unknown etiology by using whole exome and mitochondrial gene detection methods, and to analyze clues for early identification of DCP.Methods:This was a retrospective analysis of clinical data describing 21 children with unknown etiology and DCP-like phenotypes. It involved collecting a detailed medical history, biochemical testing, neuroimaging, electroencephalography and hematuria metabolic screening. Peripheral blood was collected from the children, their parents and their siblings. Genomic DNA was extracted, and whole exome and/or mitochondrial gene sequencing was performed to obtain variant sites and annotations. The candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing.Results:No clear perinatal risk factors were found in the 21 cases, though there was 1 case of family history. Laboratory tests found increased lactic acid in 3 and abnormal thyroid function in 2 cases. The neuroimaging showed lesions in the basal ganglia in 2 cases, delayed myelination in 6 cases, sometimes with cortical dysplasia, a wide extracerebral space and/or a thin corpus callosum. The images of 11 of the children were normal. Later follow-up showed changes in the brain magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of 2 of the children. Pathogenic or likely pathogenic candidate variants were identified in 15 of the 21 children (71%) within 12 genes: TH, SLC16 A2, RHOBTB2, FOXG1, IFIH1, WDR45, MT- ATP6, KIAA2022, GNB1, GNAO1, SLC2 A1 or NACC1. Fifteen of the children received a precise diagnosis. Genetic testing found heterozygous variants of ATP1 A2, SPR, ATP1 A3, MED13 L or NR4 A2 genes in the remaining six children, all of which were non-pathogenic variants. Conclusions:The absence of perinatal high-risk factors, a positive family history, and a normal or progressive brain MRI can be used as early clues to identify atypical DCP cases. TH, SLC16 A2, RHOBTB2, FOXG1, IFIH1, WDR45, MTATP6, KIAA2022, GNB1, GNAO1, SLC2 A1 and NACC1 variants belong to the spectrum of DCP-related pathogenic genes, and attention should be paid to the interpretation of genomic analysis results.
7.The decade of otoendoscope in China.
Yu SUN ; Xiuyong DING ; Yunfeng WANG ; Wuqing WANG ; Wei WANG ; Wenlong SHANG ; Wen ZHANG ; Jie ZHANG ; Yang CHEN ; Zhaoyan WANG ; Haidi YANG ; Qiong YANG ; Yu ZHAO ; Zhaohui HOU ; Yong CUI ; Lingyun MEI ; Youjun YU ; Hua LIAO
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(12):1103-1109
8.Iron and siRNA co-encapsulated ferritin nanocages induce ferroptosis synergistically for cancer therapy.
Danni LIU ; Yaoqi WANG ; Qi SUN ; Dong MEI ; Xiaoling WANG ; Yan SU ; Jie ZHANG ; Ran HUO ; Yang TIAN ; Siyu LIU ; Shuang ZHANG ; Chunying CUI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):526-541
Ferroptosis has received great attention as an iron-dependent programmed cell death for efficient cancer therapy. However, with the accumulation of iron in tumor cells, the antioxidant system is activated by reducing glutathione (GSH) with glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), which critically limits the ferroptosis therapeutic effect. Herein, an iron and GPX4 silencing siRNA (siGPX4) co-encapsulated ferritin nanocage (HFn@Fe/siGPX4) was developed to enhance ferroptosis by disruption of redox homeostasis and inhibition of antioxidant enzyme synergistically. The siGPX4 were loaded into the nanocages by pre-incubated with iron, which could significantly improve the loading efficiency of the gene drugs when compared with the reported gene drug loading strategy by ferritin nanocages. And more iron was overloaded into the ferritin through the diffusion method. When HFn@Fe/siGPX4 was taken up by human breast cancer cell MCF-7 in a TfR1-mediated pathway, the excess iron ions in the drug delivery system could for one thing induce ferroptosis by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), for another promote siGPX4 escaping from the lysosome to exert gene silencing effect more effectively. Both the in vitro and in vivo results demonstrated that HFn@Fe/siGPX4 could significantly inhibit tumor growth by synergistical ferroptosis. Thus, the developed HFn@Fe/siGPX4 afforded a combined ferroptosis strategy for ferroptosis-based antitumor as well as a novel and efficient gene drug delivery system.
9.A synthetic peptide, derived from neurotoxin GsMTx4, acts as a non-opioid analgesic to alleviate mechanical and neuropathic pain through the TRPV4 channel.
ShaoXi KE ; Ping DONG ; Yi MEI ; JiaQi WANG ; Mingxi TANG ; Wanxin SU ; JingJing WANG ; Chen CHEN ; Xiaohui WANG ; JunWei JI ; XinRan ZHUANG ; ShuangShuang YANG ; Yun ZHANG ; Linda M BOLAND ; Meng CUI ; Masahiro SOKABE ; Zhe ZHANG ; QiongYao TANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1447-1462
Mechanical pain is one of the most common causes of clinical pain, but there remains a lack of effective treatment for debilitating mechanical and chronic forms of neuropathic pain. Recently, neurotoxin GsMTx4, a selective mechanosensitive (MS) channel inhibitor, has been found to be effective, while the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, with multiple rodent pain models, we demonstrated that a GsMTx4-based 17-residue peptide, which we call P10581, was able to reduce mechanical hyperalgesia and neuropathic pain. The analgesic effects of P10581 can be as strong as morphine but is not toxic in animal models. The anti-hyperalgesic effect of the peptide was resistant to naloxone (an μ-opioid receptor antagonist) and showed no side effects of morphine, including tolerance, motor impairment, and conditioned place preference. Pharmacological inhibition of TRPV4 by P10581 in a heterogeneous expression system, combined with the use of Trpv4 knockout mice indicates that TRPV4 channels may act as the potential target for the analgesic effect of P10581. Our study identified a potential drug for curing mechanical pain and exposed its mechanism.
10.Analysis of risk factors for brucellar spondylitis
Na-na ZHAO ; Mei-gang ZHANG ; Xiang-lei CHEN ; Li ZHAO ; Cui-ping WU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(3):284-289
The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for brucellar spondylitis.Electronic medical record data for patients with brucellosis at Yidu Central Hospital in Weifang City were retrospectively collected from January 2018 to April 2024,including general data,clinical characteristics,and laboratory examinations.The patients were divided into a spinal in-volvement group and a no spinal involvement group.The risk factors for brucellar spondylitis were determined through multi-factorial logistic regression model analysis.Of the 124 patients with brucellosis,59 had brucellar spondylitis,and 65 had bru-cellosis alone.There were more patients with age ≥55 years(x2=17.71),time from onset to diagnosis ≥30 days(x2=26.17),and low back pain(x2=52.71)in the spinal involvement group than in the group without spinal involvement,and the difference was statistically significant(all P<0.001);there were more patients with headaches in the group without spinal in-volvement than in the group with spinal involvement,and the difference was statistically significant(x2=8.34,P<0.05).and there were more patients in the spinal involvement group with neutrophil percent(NEU%)(t=2.94),platelet count(PLT)(t=122.00),blood sedimentation rate(ESR)(Z=-6.74),C-reactive protein(CRP)(Z=-5.74),and interleukin-6(IL-6)(Z=-2.08)were higher in the spine-involved group than in the group without spine-involvement,and the differences were all statistically significant(all P<0.05);Lactate dehydrogenase was significantly lower in the spine-involved group(LDH)than the group without spinal involvement(t=-2.04,P<0.042).A multifactorial logistic regression analysis indicated that a du-ration of out-of-hospital symptoms ≥30 days(OR=6.265,95%CI 1.181-33.241),symptoms of low back pain(OR=14.885,95%CI 3.144-70.472),elevated PLT(OR=1.013,95%CI 1.004-1.023),and elevated ESR(OR=1.053,95%CI 1.008-1.100)were risk factors for brucellar spondylitis(all P<0.05).The optimal cut-off values for ROC analysis were PLT>278.5 ×109/L(sensitivity 89.2%,specificity 59.3%)and ESR>16.5 mm/h(sensitivity 69.2%,specificity of 86.4%);using both PLT and ESR for diagnosis yielded an AUROC of 0.891(95%CI 0.831-0.950),a sensitivity of 86.2%,and a specificity of 84.7%.When patients with brucellosis present with symptoms of low back pain,a time from onset to diagnosis of ≥30 days,and markedly elevated ESR and PLT,lumbar magnetic resonance examination is recommended to rule out brucellar spondylitis,to enable early diagnosis and timely treatment,improve patient prognosis,shorten illness duration,and improve patient quality of life.

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