1.Sequential Changes in Range of Motion and Capsular Fibrosis Following Remobilization in a Rat Adhesive Capsulitis Model Using Cast Immobilization
Du-Han KIM ; Ji-An KIM ; Jong Pil YOON ; Chul-Hyun CHO
Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery 2026;18(1):107-115
Background:
The objective of this study was to investigate sequential changes in range of motion (ROM) and histopathology of the joint capsule after remobilization in a rat adhesive capsulitis (AC) model using cast immobilization.
Methods:
Thirty-five 6-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were immobilized with casting of the left shoulder. After 4 weeks, the rats were randomly divided into 7 groups (n = 5 per group) according to the duration of remobilization following cast removal: 0 (D0), 1 (W1), 2 (W2), 3 (W3), 4 (W4), 5 (W5), and 6 (W6) weeks. At each time point, 5 rats were euthanized for measurement of the glenohumeral abduction angle and evaluation of capsular thickness in the axillary recess.
Results:
Abduction angle was sequentially increased at each time point after remobilization with cast removal. Significant differences between immobilized and non-immobilized shoulders were observed at D0 (130.4° vs 161.3°), W1 (144.7° vs 160.7°), and W2 (142.3° vs 161.3°). Significant differences in capsular thickness of the axillary recess were observed between immobilized and non-immobilized shoulders at all time periods including D0 (98.0 μm vs. 12.9 μm), W1 (117.7 μm vs. 12.2 μm), W2 (115.7 μm vs.13.1 μm), W3 (54.1 μm vs. 14.9 μm), W4 (54.5 μm vs. 13.4 μm), W5 (23.8 μm vs. 13.5 μm), and W6 (19.8 μm vs. 12.4 μm). Significant differences in capsular fibrosis scores were observed between immobilized and non-immobilized shoulders at W1 (2.2 vs. 0.2) and W2 (2.2 vs. 0.0).
Conclusions
Our study showed that ROM increased sequentially after remobilization in a rat AC model using cast immobilization, and it was normalized at 6 weeks after cast removal. Capsular thickening decreased sequentially, but remained at 6 weeks after cast removal. These findings may provide useful information for further research into verifying potential therapeutic targets using a rat AC model with cast immobilization.
2.The Dual Role and Clinical Potential of Core Fucosylation in Liver Diseases
Zi-Han LEI ; Hui-Min XU ; De-Zhi ZHAO ; Yong-Hong GUO ; Hao-Qi DU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(8):2161-2178
Core fucosylation, catalyzed exclusively by fucosyltransferase 8 (FUT8), is an evolutionarily conserved post-translational modification that has emerged as a central regulatory hub linking liver homeostasis, chronic disease progression, and malignant transformation. Liver diseases, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma, remain a leading global health burden characterized by late diagnosis, limited therapeutic options, and poor overall survival. While aberrant glycosylation is now recognized as a hallmark of cancer and inflammatory disorders, existing research on FUT8-mediated core fucosylation in liver diseases remains fragmented: the dynamic functional switch of FUT8 from a homeostatic regulator to a pathological driver across the full disease continuum has not been systematically delineated, and the integrated mechanisms by which core fucosylation modulates oncogenic signaling, metabolic reprogramming, and immune evasion remain poorly understood. This review synthesizes recent advances to establish a unified framework for understanding the dual role of core fucosylation in liver physiology and pathology, and evaluates its translational potential for precision medicine. At the molecular level, FUT8’s unique catalytic specificity makes core fucosylation an irreplaceable modification, as evidenced by the perinatal lethality and severe organ dysfunction in Fut8 knockout mice. In hepatocellular carcinoma, genomic amplification of guanosine 5'-diphosphate-fucose biosynthetic enzymes provides metabolic support for aberrant core fucosylation. FUT8 expression is tightly regulated by a multi-layered network: transcriptional activation via Wnt/β‑catenin and wild-type p53, epigenetic upregulation by lncRNAs, post-transcriptional repression by miR-122-5p and miR-34a, and virus-specific induction by hepatitis B virus/hepatitis C virus. Physiologically, core fucosylation maintains liver homeostasis through four core mechanisms: it acts as a molecular switch for epidermal growth factor receptor/hepatocyte growth factor receptor signaling to enable liver regeneration; directs polarized secretion of hepatocyte-derived glycoproteins into bile ducts; modulates cholesterol metabolism via the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α-proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9-low density lipoprotein receptor axis; and regulates aging through insulin‑like growth factor 1 receptor signaling. Pathologically, core fucosylation exhibits context-dependent dual functions: in liver fibrosis, FUT8 upregulation in hepatic stellate cells forms a negative feedback loop that limits excessive fibrogenesis; in hepatocellular carcinoma, however, aberrant FUT8 overexpression drives cell-autonomous malignancy by constitutively activating epidermal growth factor/hepatocyte growth factor receptor, transforming growth factor‑β/Smad, and Wnt/β‑catenin pathways, while simultaneously establishing a multi-layered immune evasion network by stabilizing programmed cell death ligand 1 and cluster of differentiation 47, and impairing natural killer cell homeostasis via interleukin‑2 receptor β glycosylation. Clinically, stage-specific core fucosylation biomarkers enable non-invasive monitoring of liver disease progression: low molecular mass kringle-Fc fusion protein outperforms conventional markers for early fibrosis detection, while alpha-fetoprotein-L3 and novel glycopeptides (α‑2‑macroglobulin N‑linked glycosylation site 1424, lumican core fucosylated peptide) significantly improve early hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis, especially in alpha-fetoprotein-negative patients. Next-generation detection technologies (chemoenzymatic labeling, site-specific mass spectrometry) overcome the specificity limitations of traditional lectin assays. Therapeutically, four promising strategies are emerging: small-molecule FUT8 inhibitors, afucosylated antibodies with enhanced antibody‑dependent cellular cytotoxicity, Fuc-modified targeted drug delivery systems, and core fucose-specific lectins for NASH treatment. The core challenge for clinical translation lies in FUT8’s inherent “double-edged sword” effect, as systemic inhibition disrupts its essential physiological functions beyond pathological roles. Long-term systemic FUT8 blockade not only impairs post-injury liver regeneration by abrogating epidermal growth factor/hepatocyte growth factor receptor signaling but also disrupts cholesterol homeostasis via the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α-proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9-low density lipoprotein receptor axis, leading to dyslipidemia and altered bile secretion. Critically, it compromises immune surveillance by destabilizing interleukin‑2 receptor β on natural killer cells, reducing their cytotoxic activity against malignant and virally infected cells, and impairs IgG Fc-mediated effector functions, increasing susceptibility to infections. This fundamental trade-off between therapeutic efficacy and systemic toxicity necessitates a paradigm shift from non-specific global inhibition to precision modulation of pathological core fucosylation. By addressing these critical challenges, FUT8-mediated core fucosylation has the potential to transform liver disease management from late-stage intervention to early detection and precision therapy, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing the global burden of liver diseases.
3.Risk factors for rebleeding after endoscopic therapy for esophageal and gastric varices in liver cirrhosis patients and construction of a nomogram model
Huijuan SHAO ; Shini HAN ; Aiping ZHANG ; Yuling ZHANG ; Ting LI ; Ya HAN ; Jiucong ZHANG ; Wenshan DOU ; Xiuxia WANG ; Hongwei DU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(8):1845-1856
ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors for rebleeding after endoscopic therapy for esophageal and gastric varices in liver cirrhosis patients, to construct a clinical predictive model, and to provide a reference for predicting rebleeding in the early stage, reducing the incidence rate of rebleeding, and improving the clinical outcome of patients. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 194 liver cirrhosis patients with gastroesophageal variceal bleeding who received initial endoscopic therapy at Department of Gastroenterology, The Second People’s Hospital of Lanzhou, from January 1, 2021 to May 31, 2025. According to whether rebleeding occurred within 1 year after endoscopic therapy, the patients were divided into rebleeding group and non-rebleeding group. The independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups, and the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The patients enrolled were randomly divided into a training set and a validation set at a ratio of 7∶3. In the training set, the Lasso regression analysis was used to obtain optimal predictive variables, and the factors that might affect prognosis were included in the univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses to identify independent predictive factors for rebleeding after endoscopic therapy for esophageal and gastric varices in liver cirrhosis patients, which were used to construct a nomogram model. In both the training set and the validation set, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the calibration curve were used to assess the discriminatory ability and calibration of the model, and decision curve analysis and the clinical impact curve were used to assess the clinical practicability of the model. ResultsAmong the 194 liver cirrhosis patients with esophageal and gastric varices, 116 (59.79%) experienced rebleeding within 1 year after endoscopic therapy, with 76 patients in the training set and 40 patients in the validation set. In the training set, the Lasso regression analysis and the univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses showed that etiology of liver cirrhosis (odds ratio [OR]=3.540, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.520 — 7.150, P<0.001), Child-Pugh class (OR=3.560, 95%CI: 1.380 — 9.500, P=0.019), severity of esophageal and gastric varices (OR=8.190, 95%CI: 3.568 — 17.850, P=0.026), and main portal vein diameter (OR=2.954, 95%CI: 1.349 — 15.030, P=0.044) were independent predictive factors for rebleeding of esophageal and gastric varices in liver cirrhosis patients. A nomogram model was constructed based on the above independent predictive factors. The ROC curve analysis showed that this model had an area under the ROC curve of 0.845 (95%CI: 0.778 — 0.912) in the training set and 0.801 (95%CI: 0.798 — 0.868) in the validation set. The model had an index of concordance of 0.832 in the training set and 0.820 in the validation set, suggesting that the model had a good discriminatory ability. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed P values of 0.320 and 0.550 in the training set and validation set, respectively, the calibration curve indicated that the predicted probabilities of the nomogram model were in good concordance with the actual observed probabilities, suggesting that the model had good calibration. The decision curve analysis and the clinical impact curve showed that the model had good clinical utility. ConclusionThe nomogram model based on etiology of liver cirrhosis, Child-Pugh class, severity of esophageal and gastric varices, and main portal vein diameter has a certain clinical value in predicting the risk of rebleeding from esophageal and gastric varices in liver cirrhosis.
4.Research advances in neutron shielding materials
Caixia MIAO ; Xiaohui DU ; Meng LIU ; Yuxin DOU ; Qi SUN ; Hailei LYU ; Hongchen HAN
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(4):607-613
With the extensive application of nuclear technology in industry, agriculture, and medicine, the safety issues associated with neutron radiation have become increasingly prominent. Due to their high penetrability and strong ionization effect, neutrons can cause serious health risks by directly damaging DNA or inducing secondary γ radiation. Therefore, the neutron radiation protection has become a core challenge in radiation protection, especially the research and development of neutron shielding materials. To ensure the safe development of nuclear technology, neutron shielding materials are indispensable and constitute a fundamental core technology for radiation protection. This paper reviews the theory of neutron radiation protection and the research progress of neutron shielding materials, with a focus on the current application status and existing problems of neutron shielding materials. This article also discusses the future development trends. This review aims to provide theoretical support and technical references for the safe application and development of nuclear technology.
5.Analysis of the demands for pharmaceutical clinic service and influential factors based on Kano model
Han SHAN ; Xuan YE ; Zihan GUO ; Jing WU ; Jinwei HU ; Xiaopei TONG ; Yufei BIN ; Jiyong LIU ; Qiong DU ; Mengmeng WANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(22):2850-2855
OBJECTIVE To explore the characteristics and influential factors of pharmaceutical clinic service demands, providing evidence for optimizing pharmaceutical service models and facilitating pharmaceutical service models of pharmacist role transformation. METHODS A cross-sectional survey design was adopted, and 410 outpatient participants were selected from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center through convenience sampling for questionnaire administration from February to May 2025. Kano model was applied to analyze the demand attributes of 25 pharmaceutical services, while questionnaires were used to assess patients’ awareness and demand status. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on key demographic variables such as gender, age, educational attainment, and economic burdens, to SACA- systematically examine the differences in Kano attribute classification among patients in each subgroup. RESULTS The awareness rate of pharmaceutical outpatient services among patients was only 14.63%, yet those who were aware demonstrated a significantly higher demand rate for such services compared to those who were unaware (P<0.001). The demand for pharmaceutical clinic services exhibited a hierarchical characteristic: twelve items were identified as attractive attributes (e. g., providing suggestions for more affordable treatment options, offering online consultation services, etc.), five items as expected attributes (e.g., having a good attitude and being able to patiently answer your questions, etc.), three items as must-have attributes (e.g., providing guidance on medication dosage and usage, providing guidance on medication precautions, etc.), five items as indifferent attributes (e.g., providing treatment plan recommendations based on the patient’s condition). There were zero items classified as reverse attribute. Subgroup analysis revealed that female patients showed greater concern for “neat and clean attire of medical staff” than male patients (P<0.001); patients under 60 years of age demonstrated stronger demand for “providing treatment plan recommendations based on patients’ conditions” compared to patients aged 60 or above (P=0.016); those with below high school education placed greater emphasis on “providing guidance on medication precautions” compared to those with a high school education or above (P=0.011); patients with lower economic burdens exhibited stronger preferences for “neat and clean attire of medical staff ” (P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS The public awareness rate of pharmaceutical clinic services is considerably low; however, those who are aware of such services demonstrate significantly higher demand. The medication safety-related services and convenience-oriented demands should be prioritized in the development of pharmaceutical clinics. Moreover, the study also revealed that factors such as gender, age, educational level, and economic burdens exert significant influences on patients’ service demands.
6.Comparative study of SARIMA and seasonal index model in predicting non-occupational carbon monoxide poisoning
Wantong HAN ; Yongqiang ZHANG ; Shichang DU ; Wei WANG ; Kai QU ; Xin HE ; Cixian XU ; Xiumei SUN ; Qiran SUN ; Jinyao ZHANG ; Fan BU ; Xingui SUN
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(6):12-16
Objective To establish a prediction model for the occurrence of non-occupational carbon monoxide poisoning events in Beijing, and to provide scientific basis and theoretical support for the prevention and warning of poisoning events. Methods Based on the monitoring data of non-occupational carbon monoxide poisoning events in Beijing from 2016 to 2024, the seasonal ARIMA model and seasonal index model were established to analyze the data and predict the occurrence of events. Results Between 2016 and 2024, a total of 436 cases of non-occupational carbon monoxide poisoning were reported in Beijing, showing a downward trend. The established SARIMA model and seasonal index model were SARIMA (1,0,0) (1,1,0) 12, Yt = (-0.0339t+5.8863) × St, and the average relative errors were 65.42% and 29.19%, respectively. In terms of months, the SARIMA model had better predictive performance during April and summer (June to August), while the seasonal index model was superior in other months. By combining the two models, the predicted number of events in 2025 was as follows: 3, 2, 2, 3, 1, 5, 2, 7, 1, 1, 1, and 2. Conclusion The seasonal index model has the best prediction effect on the non-occupational carbon monoxide poisoning events in Beijing throughout the year, and the number of summer events predicted by SARIMA model is closer to the actual values. The two models can be combined to predict the trend of non-occupational carbon monoxide poisoning, which provides a scientific basis for the prevention and control of carbon monoxide poisoning in the future.
7.Optimal regimen screening of acupuncture and moxibustion for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome.
Yuqiang SONG ; Yuanbo FU ; Sanfeng SUN ; Yali WEN ; Yinxia LIU ; Jie SUN ; Xin DU ; Xueting ZHANG ; Linbo SHEN ; Baijie LI ; Han YU ; Qingdai LI
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(2):242-248
OBJECTIVE:
To screen the optimal regimen of acupuncture and moxibustion for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), so as to provide the evidences for clinical decision-making.
METHODS:
From 7 databases in Chinese and English i.e. the Full-Text Database of China Journal Network (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (Wanfang), VIP Information Chinese Journal Service Platform (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (SinoMed), PubMed, Web of Science (WOS) and Cochrane Library, randomized controlled trial (RCT) articals of OSAHS treated with acupuncture and moxibustion were searched. The quality of evidence was evaluated with the modified Jadad scale, the evaluation index was established and the optimal regimen of acupuncture and moxibustion for OSAHS was screened by multi-index decision analysis.
RESULTS:
A total of 10 RCTs were included, and the filiform needling therapy was optimal in treatment of OSAHS. The acupoints included Lianquan (CV23), Danzhong (CV17), Zhongwan (CV12), and bilateral Kongzui (LU6), Pishu (BL20), Fenglong (ST40), Zusanli (ST36), Yinlingquan (SP9) and Zhaohai (KI6). Zusanli (ST36) received the reinforcing method, Pishu (BL20) and Fenglong (ST40) were stimulated with the reducing technique, and the rest acupoints with the uniform reinforcing-reducing. Each acupoint was manually manipulated once every 10 min during the needle retention for 30 min. Acupuncture was delivered once a day, 5 times a week and for consecutive 4 weeks. Among the included literature, the severity of disease was not reported in detail, the filiform needling was the dominant intervention, the local acupoints such as Lianquan (CV23) and Panglianquan (Extra) were mainly selected. The apnea-hypopnea index and the minimum oxygen saturation were taken as the evaluation indexes, and the effect was evaluated in reference to the generally accepted standards. The attention to safety evaluation was insufficient, the report on methodology was not adequate and the quality was low.
CONCLUSION
Filiform needling is the dominant therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion for OSAHS, and the local acupoints are considered specially. But the quality of clinical research should be improved.
Humans
;
Moxibustion
;
Acupuncture Therapy
;
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/therapy*
;
Acupuncture Points
;
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
8.Role of lifestyle factors on the development and long-term prognosis of pneumonia and cardiovascular disease in the Chinese population.
Yizhen HU ; Qiufen SUN ; Yuting HAN ; Canqing YU ; Yu GUO ; Dianjianyi SUN ; Yuanjie PANG ; Pei PEI ; Ling YANG ; Yiping CHEN ; Huaidong DU ; Mengwei WANG ; Rebecca STEVENS ; Junshi CHEN ; Zhengming CHEN ; Liming LI ; Jun LV
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(12):1456-1464
BACKGROUND:
Whether adherence to a healthy lifestyle is associated with a lower risk of developing pneumonia and a better long-term prognosis remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate associations of individual and combined lifestyle factors (LFs) with the incidence risk and long-term prognosis of pneumonia hospitalization.
METHODS:
Using data from the China Kadoorie Biobank study, we used the multistate models to investigate the role of five high-risk LFs, including smoking, excessive alcohol drinking, unhealthy dietary habits, physical inactivity, and unhealthy body shape, alone or in combination in the transitions from a generally healthy state at baseline to pneumonia hospitalization or cardiovascular disease (CVD, regarded as a reference outcome), and subsequently to mortality.
RESULTS:
Most of the five high-risk LFs were associated with increased risks of transitions from baseline to pneumonia and from pneumonia to death, but with different risk estimates. The greater the number of high-risk LFs, the higher the risk of developing pneumonia and long-term mortality risk after pneumonia, with the strength of associations comparable to that of LFs and CVD. Compared to participants with 0-1 high-risk LF, the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for transitions from baseline to pneumonia and from pneumonia to death in those with five high-risk LFs were 1.43 (1.28-1.60) and 1.98 (1.61-2.42), respectively. Correspondingly, the respective HRs (95% CIs) for transitions from baseline to CVD and from CVD to death were 2.00 (1.89-2.11) and 1.44 (1.30-1.59), respectively. The risk estimates changed slightly when further adjusting for the presence of major chronic diseases.
CONCLUSION
In this Chinese population, unhealthy LFs were associated with an increased incidence and long-term mortality risk of pneumonia.
Adult
;
Aged
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology*
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Life Style
;
Pneumonia/etiology*
;
Prognosis
;
Risk Factors
;
Smoking
9.Gut microbiota and Parkinson's disease.
Lin WANG ; Ying CUI ; Bingyu HAN ; Yitong DU ; Kenish Sirajbhai SALEWALA ; Shiya WANG ; Wenlu ZHAO ; Hongxin ZHANG ; Sichen WANG ; Xinran XU ; Jianpeng MA ; Yan ZHU ; Houzhen TUO
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(3):289-297
Emerging evidence suggests that dysbiosis of the gut microbiota is associated with the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. The microbiota-gut-brain axis plays a crucial role in the development and progression of PD, and numerous studies have demonstrated the potential therapeutic benefits of modulations in the intestinal microbiota. This review provides insights into the characterization of the gut microbiota in patients with PD and highlights associations with clinical symptoms and underlying mechanisms. The discussion underscores the increased influence of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of PD. While the relationship is not fully elucidated, existing research demonstrates a strong correlation between changes in the composition of gut microbiota and disease development, and further investigation is warranted to explain the specific underlying mechanisms.
Humans
;
Parkinson Disease/microbiology*
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology*
;
Dysbiosis/microbiology*
10.Cell components of tumor microenvironment in lung adenocarcinoma: Promising targets for small-molecule compounds.
Mingyu HAN ; Feng WAN ; Bin XIAO ; Junrong DU ; Cheng PENG ; Fu PENG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(8):905-915
Lung cancer is one of the most lethal tumors in the world with a 5-year overall survival rate of less than 20%, mainly including lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Tumor microenvironment (TME) has become a new research focus in the treatment of lung cancer. The TME is heterogeneous in composition and consists of cellular components, growth factors, proteases, and extracellular matrix. The various cellular components exert a different role in apoptosis, metastasis, or proliferation of lung cancer cells through different pathways, thus contributing to the treatment of adenocarcinoma and potentially facilitating novel therapeutic methods. This review summarizes the research progress on different cellular components with cell-cell interactions in the TME of LUAD, along with their corresponding drug candidates, suggesting that targeting cellular components in the TME of LUAD holds great promise for future theraputic development.
Humans
;
Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects*
;
Adenocarcinoma of Lung/drug therapy*
;
Lung Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Adenocarcinoma/metabolism*
;
Animals
;
Apoptosis/physiology*


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