Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common head and neck malignancy. Approximately 50% to 60% of patients with OSCC are diagnosed at a locally advanced stage (clinical staging III-IVa). Even with comprehensive and sequential treatment primarily based on surgery, the 5-year overall survival rate remains below 50%, and patients often suffer from postoperative functional impairments such as difficulties with speaking and swallowing. Programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitors are increasingly used in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced OSCC and have shown encouraging efficacy. However, clinical practice still faces key challenges, including the definition of indications, optimization of combination regimens, and standards for efficacy evaluation. Based on the latest research advances worldwide and the clinical experience of the expert group, this expert consensus systematically evaluates the application of PD-1 inhibitors in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced OSCC, covering combination strategies, treatment cycles and surgical timing, efficacy assessment, use of biomarkers, management of special populations and immune related adverse events, principles for immunotherapy rechallenge, and function preservation strategies. After multiple rounds of panel discussion and through anonymous voting using the Delphi method, the following consensus statements have been formulated: 1) Neoadjuvant therapy with PD-1 inhibitors can be used preoperatively in patients with locally advanced OSCC. The preferred regimen is a PD-1 inhibitor combined with platinum based chemotherapy, administered for 2-3 cycles. 2) During the efficacy evaluation of neoadjuvant therapy, radiographic assessment should follow the dual criteria of Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 and immune RECIST (iRECIST). After surgery, systematic pathological evaluation of both the primary lesion and regional lymph nodes is required. For combination chemotherapy regimens, PD-L1 expression and combined positive score need not be used as mandatory inclusion or exclusion criteria. 3) For special populations such as the elderly (≥ 70 years), individuals with stable HIV viral load, and carriers of chronic HBV/HCV, PD-1 inhibitors may be used cautiously under the guidance of a multidisciplinary team (MDT), with close monitoring for adverse events. 4) For patients with a poor response to neoadjuvant therapy, continuation of the original treatment regimen is not recommended; the subsequent treatment plan should be adjusted promptly after MDT assessment. Organ transplant recipients and patients with active autoimmune diseases are not recommended to receive neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitor therapy due to the high risk of immune related activation. Rechallenge is generally not advised for patients who have experienced high risk immune related adverse events such as immune mediated myocarditis, neurotoxicity, or pneumonitis. 5) For patients with a good pathological response, individualized de escalation surgery and function preservation strategies can be explored. This consensus aims to promote the standardized, safe, and precise application of neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitor strategies in the management of locally advanced OSCC patients.

Machado-Joseph disease, or spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), represents the most common autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia worldwide. Despite its progressive and debilitating nature, disease-modifying therapies remain elusive. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has emerged as a promising non-invasive intervention; however, its clinical application has been hindered by inconsistent protocols and a lack of mechanistic understanding. A recent landmark study published in Brain Stimulation by Chen et al. addressed these challenges by combining a high-dose intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) protocol with concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation-electroencephalography (TMS-EEG). This commentary provides an in-depth analysis of their findings, highlighting the restoration of cerebello-cortical inhibition (CBI) as a key therapeutic mechanism. Furthermore, we discuss the broader implications of this work, proposing that future translational research should integrate accelerated iTBS (aiTBS) paradigms, cortical response measurements (CRM), and individualized neuro-navigation to establish a new era of precision neuromodulation for ataxia.

Machado-Joseph disease, or spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), represents the most common autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia worldwide. Despite its progressive and debilitating nature, disease-modifying therapies remain elusive. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has emerged as a promising non-invasive intervention; however, its clinical application has been hindered by inconsistent protocols and a lack of mechanistic understanding. A recent landmark study published in Brain Stimulation by Chen et al. addressed these challenges by combining a high-dose intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) protocol with concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation-electroencephalography (TMS-EEG). This commentary provides an in-depth analysis of their findings, highlighting the restoration of cerebello-cortical inhibition (CBI) as a key therapeutic mechanism. Furthermore, we discuss the broader implications of this work, proposing that future translational research should integrate accelerated iTBS (aiTBS) paradigms, cortical response measurements (CRM), and individualized neuro-navigation to establish a new era of precision neuromodulation for ataxia.

Background Swimming is becoming increasingly popular for its combined leisure and fitness benefits. However, polluted swimming pool water may pose various health risks. Previous studies have indicated that health indicators of swimming venues have lower qualification rates compared to other public places, highlighting the urgent need to optimize hygiene management measures. Objective To assess the overall hygiene status and identify the key factors influencing water quality in Shanghai’s swimming venues from 2010 to 2024, and to provide a scientific basis for optimizing water quality management. Methods Water quality was assessed in three stages (2010—2019, 2020—2022, and 2023—2024) based on the monitoring data of Shanghai’s swimming venues (2010—2024). The influences of monitoring stage, region, season, scale, day of week, and per capita attendance on water quality were analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression. Results From 2010 to 2024, water quality was monitored in 1478 swimming venues. The compliance rates of turbidity, pH, urea, oxidation-reduction potential, free residual chlorine, combined residual chlorine, total bacteria, coliforms, and heat-resistant coliforms in swimming pool water, and free residual chlorine in the foot disinfection basin water samples were 99.56%, 94.73%, 73.00%, 47.50%, 56.55%, 54.12%, 97.74%, 99.49%, 99.90%, and 69.19%, respectively. The overall water quality compliance rate was 85.28%. The main non-compliant indicators for swimming pool water were urea, ORP, free residual chlorine, and combined residual chlorine, along with free chlorine residual in the foot disinfection basin water samples. Using the period before the implementation of the new national standard as reference, the results of logistic regression revealed that the qualification rates of urea, ORP, and free residual chlorine in the swimming pool water samples, as well as free residual chlorine in foot disinfection basin water samples, were significantly higher during the two phases after launching the new standard (2020–2022 and 2023–2024), and the associated odds ratios (95%CI) were 1.28 (1.00, 1.64) and 1.48 (1.12, 1.95), 13.35 (7.63, 23.37) and 10.78 (7.00, 16.60), 2.54 (1.81, 3.58) and 3.18 (2.41, 4.20), and 3.14 (2.14, 4.60) and 2.83 (1.89, 4.23), respectively. Compared with the reference group, those sampled in urban pools and in non-summer seasons showed higher qualification rates of urea and ORP; in contrast, the pools with high visitor flow showed lower qualification rates of free residual chlorine in both water samples of swimming pools and foot disinfection basins (P<0.05). Conclusion The implementation of the new national standard has effectively enhanced the management standards and significantly improved overall water quality of swimming venues in Shanghai. However, the compliance rates of free residual chlorine and urea in swimming pool water still need further improvement. The compliance of some indicators is influenced by region, season, scale, and average passenger flow, particularly in small suburban swimming venues. Future efforts should focus on refining water quality management strategies and enhancing public health management.

The manufacturing process is crucial for ensuring the safety and efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) preparations. Using advanced technologies, innovative methods, and new equipment tailored for TCM to enhance the quality control of TCM preparations in the manufacturing process helps to ensure the product quality and foster high-quality development of the TCM industry. Upon current technical requirements, such as Guideline for Studies on Pharmaceutical Changes in Marketed Traditional Chinese Medicine Preparations(Trial) and Guideline for Study on Quality Control in Manufacturing Process of Oral Traditional Chinese Medicine Preparations(Trial), this paper analyzes the characteristics and current development of quality control in the manufacturing process of TCM preparations. It also discusses the significant roles that quality control in manufacturing process plays in ensuring the quality consistency and in the evaluation and decision-making of changes in marketed TCM preparations. Furthermore, to benefit the high-quality development of the TCM industry, this paper offers recommendations for improving quality control of TCM preparations in the manufacturing process and implementing new technologies and methods.
Quality Control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards* ; Decision Making ; Humans

This study aims to explore the mechanism through which Yishen Jiangtang Decoction(YSJTD) regulates endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)-mediated NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3) inflammasome to improve diabetic nephropathy(DN) in db/db mice. Thirty db/db mice were randomly divided into the model group, YSJTD group, ERS inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid(4-PBA) group, with 10 mice in each group. Additionally, 10 db/m mice were selected as the control group. The YSJTD group was orally administered YSJTD at a dose of 0.01 mL·g~(-1), the 4-PBA group was orally administered 4-PBA at a dose of 0.5 mg·g~(-1), and the control and model groups were given an equal volume of carboxylmethyl cellulose sodium. The treatments were administered once daily for 8 weeks. Food intake, water consumption, and body weight were recorded every 2 weeks. After the intervention, fasting blood glucose(FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c), urine microalbumin(U-mALB), 24-hour urine volume, serum creatinine(Scr), and blood urea nitrogen(BUN) were measured. Inflammatory markers interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and interleukin-18(IL-18) were detected using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Renal pathology was assessed through hematoxylin-eosin(HE), periodic acid-Schiff(PAS), and Masson staining, and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of glucose-regulated protein 78(GRP78), C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP), NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD(ASC), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase(caspase-1), and gasdermin D(GSDMD) in kidney tissues. The results showed that compared to the control group, the model group exhibited poor general condition, increased weight and food and water intake, and significantly higher levels of FBG, HbA1c, U-mALB, kidney index, 24-hour urine volume, IL-1β, and IL-18. Compared to the model group, the YSJTD and 4-PBA groups showed improved general condition, increased body weight, decreased food intake, and lower levels of FBG, U-mALB, kidney index, 24-hour urine volume, and IL-1β. Specifically, the YSJTD group showed a significant reduction in IL-18 levels compared to the model group, while the 4-PBA group exhibited decreased water intake and HbA1c levels compared to the model group. Although there was a decreasing trend in water intake and HbA1c in the YSJTD group, the differences were not statistically significant. No significant differences were observed in BUN, Scr, and kidney weight among the groups. Renal pathology revealed that the model group exhibited more severe renal damage compared to the control group. Kidney sections from the model group showed diffuse mesangial proliferation in the glomeruli, tubular edema, tubular dilation, significant inflammatory cell infiltration in the interstitium, and increased glycogen staining and blue collagen deposition in the basement membrane. In contrast, the YSJTD and 4-PBA groups showed varying degrees of improvement in renal damage, glycogen staining, and collagen deposition, with the YSJTD group showing more significant improvements. TEM analysis indicated that the model group had extensive cytoplasmic edema, homogeneous thickening of the basement membrane, fewer foot processes, and widening of fused foot processes. In the YSJTD and 4-PBA groups, cytoplasmic swelling of renal tissues was reduced, the basement membrane remained intact and uniform, and foot process fusion improved.Western blot results indicated that compared to the control group, the model group showed upregulation of GRP78, CHOP, GSDMD, NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1 expression. In contrast, both the YSJTD and 4-PBA groups showed downregulation of these markers compared to the model group. These findings suggest that YSJTD exerts a protective effect against DN by alleviating NLRP3 inflammasome activation through the inhibition of ERS, thereby improving the inflammatory response in db/db DN mice.
Animals ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress/drug effects* ; Diabetic Nephropathies/metabolism* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Inflammasomes/drug effects* ; Male ; Kidney/pathology* ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP ; Humans ; Interleukin-18/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Acute lung injury(ALI) is a critical clinical condition primarily characterized by refractory hypoxemia and infiltration of inflammatory cells in lung tissue, which can progress into a more severe form known as acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS). Immune cells and inflammatory cytokines play important roles in the progression of the disease. Due to its unclear pathogenesis and the lack of effective clinical treatments, ALI is associated with a high mortality rate and severely affects patients' quality of life, making the search for effective therapeutic agents particularly urgent. Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, the dried root of the perennial herb Panax ginseng from the Araliaceae family, contains active ingredients such as saponins and polysaccharides, which possess various pharmacological effects including anti-tumor activity, immune regulation, and metabolic modulation. In recent years, studies have shown that ginsenosides exhibit notable effects in reducing inflammation, ameliorating epithelial and endothelial cell injury, and providing anticoagulant action, indicating their comprehensive role in alleviating lung injury. This review summarizes the pathogenesis of ALI and the molecular mechanisms through which ginsenosides act at different stages of ALI development. The aim is to provide a scientific reference for the development of ginsenoside-based drugs targeting ALI, as well as a theoretical basis for the clinical application of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma in the treatment of ALI.
Ginsenosides/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Acute Lung Injury/immunology* ; Animals ; Panax/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal

OBJECTIVE: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies seen in clinic and requires novel treatment options. Morin is a natural flavonoid extracted from the flower stalk of a highly valuable medicinal plant Prunella vulgaris L., which exhibits an anti-cancer effect in multiple types of tumors. However, the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of morin in treating GC remains elusive. The study aims to explore the therapeutic effect and underlying molecular mechanisms of morin in GC. METHODS: For in vitro experiments, the proliferation inhibition of morin was measured by cell counting kit-8 assay and colony formation assay in human GC cell line MKN45, human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line AGS, and human gastric epithelial cell line GES-1; for apoptosis analysis, microscopic photography, Western blotting, ubiquitination analysis, quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, flow cytometry, and RNA interference technology were employed. For in vivo studies, immunohistochemistry, biomedical analysis, and Western blotting were used to assess the efficacy and safety of morin in a xenograft mouse model of GC. RESULTS: Morin significantly inhibited the proliferation of GC cells MKN45 and AGS in a dose- and time-dependent manner, but did not inhibit human gastric epithelial cells GES-1. Only the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK was able to significantly reverse the inhibition of proliferation by morin in both GC cells, suggesting that apoptosis was the main type of cell death during the treatment. Morin induced intrinsic apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in GC cells, which mainly relied on B cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) associated agonist of cell death (BAD) but not phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-induced protein 1. The upregulation of BAD by morin was due to blocking the ubiquitination degradation of BAD, rather than the transcription regulation and the phosphorylation of BAD. Furthermore, the combination of morin and BCL-2 inhibitor navitoclax (also known as ABT-737) produced a synergistic inhibitory effect in GC cells through amplifying apoptotic signals. In addition, morin treatment significantly suppressed the growth of GC in vivo by upregulating BAD and the subsequent activation of its downstream apoptosis pathway. CONCLUSION Morin suppressed GC by inducing apoptosis, which was mainly due to blocking the ubiquitination-based degradation of the pro-apoptotic protein BAD. The combination of morin and the BCL-2 inhibitor ABT-737 synergistically amplified apoptotic signals in GC cells, which may overcome the drug resistance of the BCL-2 inhibitor. These findings indicated that morin was a potent and promising agent for GC treatment. Please cite this article as: Wang Y, Sun XY, Ma FQ, Ren MM, Zhao RH, Qin MM, Zhu XH, Xu Y, Cao ND, Chen YY, Dong TG, Pan YF, Zhao AG. Morin inhibits ubiquitination degradation of BCL-2 associated agonist of cell death and synergizes with BCL-2 inhibitor in gastric cancer cells. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(3): 320-332.
Humans ; Flavonoids/therapeutic use* ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology* ; Animals ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Ubiquitination/drug effects* ; Mice ; Drug Synergism ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; Flavones

Atypical lipomatous tumor(ALT)is a rare soft tissue sarcoma originating from adipocytic tissue.The clinical manifestations,imaging findings,and pathological examinations of one patient with ALT in the lower extremity were reported to provide reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of this disease.The patient was a 64-year-old male who was admitted due to a mass in the left thigh with swelling and pain for 5 years.The physical examination results showed a subcutaneous mass was palpable on the medial side of the left thigh,soft in texture,demonstrating good mobility and positive tenderness.The magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)non-contrast scan showed a well-defined lesion with an intact capsule.The lesion presented high signal intensity on T1-weighted image(T1WI),similar to subcutaneous fat signal;on T2-weighted image(T2WI)-Ideal in-phase images,the lesion showed high signal,while water images showed low signal,with multiple high-signal foci inside.On T2WI fat-suppression sequence,a low-signal mass was observed with multiple patchy high signals inside.Three days after admission,the patient underwent lesion resection.Intraoperatively,the tumor was located within the fascia,between the medial quadriceps muscles,presenting as lipomatous tissue with an intact capsule,mildly adherent to surrounding tissue,and with partial muscle invasion.The mass and invaded muscle were completely excised.The postoperative pathological examination results revealed a gray-yellow nodule measuring 16.0 cm.× 10.0 cm×4.0 cm,with a smooth surface and intact capsule.The cut surface was gray-yellow,fatty-like,and soft in texture.Additional gray-yellow tissue fragments were found,with a total volume of 5.0 cm×4.0 cm×1.2 cm,exhibiting a gray-brown cut surface with moderate texture.Under microscope,the lesion consisted mainly of relatively mature adipose tissue.Enlarged and hyperchromatic nuclei were observed,with scattered mononuclear or multinuclear atypical stromal cells.Fibrous septa contained variable numbers of univacuolated or multivacuolated lipoblasts.The immunohistochemistry results showed positivity for cyclin-dependent kinase 4(CDK4)and murine double minute 2(MDM2).The fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)results demonstrated MDM2 gene amplification in tumor cells.The pathological diagnosis was ALT of the left lower extremity.At 6-month follow-up after operation,no tumor recurrence was observed.The preoperative MRI detection may provide effective evidence for the diagnosis of ALT,while postoperative pathological examination can confirm the diagnosis and help evaluate the prognosis of the patients.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) for treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and the factors affecting the prognosis.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. The clinical data of 51 patients with DLBCL who underwent auto-HSCT in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from March 2019 to January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into high-risk group (19 cases) and non-high-risk group (low-risk, low-moderate-risk and moderate-high-risk groups, 32 cases) based on different risk stratifications; patients were divided into the germinal center B-cell (GCB) group (29 cases) and non-GCB group (22 cases) based on different cellular origins; patients were divided into BEAM group (39 cases) and BeEAM group (12 cases) based on different conditioning regimens before auto-HSCT; patients were divided into auto-HSCT consolidation therapy group (41 cases) and auto-HSCT after relapsed/refractory group (10 cases) based on different transplantation timings. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis and log-rank was used for subgroup comparison.Results:All 51 patients achieved the hematopoietic reconstitution with no transplantation-related death within 100 d. Before auto-HSCT, 39 cases achieved complete remission and 12 cases (23.5%) achieved partial remission. After auto-HSCT, all cases achieved complete remission. Follow-up was until May 31, 2024, and the median follow-up time [ M ( Q1, Q3)] of 51 DLBCL patients was 33 (8, 43) months. After 51 DLBCL patients receiving auto-HSCT, 7 patients relapsed and 6 cases died including 3 cases with relapse-related death and 3 cases with non relapse-related death. The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 78.5% (95% CI: 64.4%-92.6%) and 85.5% (95% CI: 73.2%-97.8%), respectively. The 3-year PFS rate was 94.7% (95% CI: 84.7%-104.7%) in the high-risk group, 82.2% (95% CI: 67.9%-96.5%) in the non-high-risk group, and the difference in the PFS was not statistically significant between the high-risk group and the non-high-risk group ( P = 0.158). The 3-year PFS rate was 80.1% (95% CI: 64.4%-95.8%) in the GCB group, 88.1% (95% CI: 72.3%-104.2%) in the non-GCB group, and the difference in PFS was not statistically significant between the 2 groups ( P = 0.803). The 3-year PFS rate was 84.9% (95% CI: 72.6%-97.2%) in BEAM group, 61.1% (95% CI: 25.0%-97.2%) in the BeEAM group, and the difference in PFS was not statistically significant between the 2 groups ( P = 0.106). The 3-year PFS rate was 85.4% (95% CI: 73.4%-97.4%) in the auto-HSCT consolidation therapy group, 64.3% (95% CI: 31.4%-96.4%) in the auto-HSCT after relapsed/refractory group, and the difference in PFS was not statistically significant between the 2 groups ( P = 0.171). Conclusions:auto-HSCT is an effective therapy method for DLBCL.