1.Thyroid Hormone Network Regulation in MASLD: Mechanisms and Targeted Therapies
Wen-Ping XIAO ; Yang MA ; Heng GUAN ; Sha WAN ; Wen HAN ; Bing-Bing LUO ; Wu-Feng WANG ; Fang LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):643-661
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has become the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide, affecting approximately 32%-38% of the adult population and posing a growing public health burden. MASLD represents a continuous disease spectrum ranging from simple steatosis to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), progressive hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The pathological core of MASLD lies in disruption of hepatic lipid metabolic homeostasis, characterized by an imbalance among de novo lipogenesis, fatty acid β-oxidation, and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-mediated lipid export. This metabolic disequilibrium subsequently drives inflammatory injury and fibrotic progression. Among the multiple regulatory pathways involved, thyroid hormone (TH) signaling has emerged as a central regulator of hepatic metabolic homeostasis. The liver is a major peripheral target organ of TH action, where TH predominantly exerts its metabolic effects through thyroid hormone receptor β (TRβ). Large-scale epidemiological studies and meta-analyses have demonstrated that hypothyroidism is significantly associated with increased MASLD prevalence, more severe histological injury, and advanced hepatic fibrosis, suggesting that dysregulation of TH signaling may participate throughout the entire MASLD disease spectrum. At the molecular level, TH regulates hepatic lipid metabolism by coordinating suppression of lipogenesis, enhancement of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, and promotion of VLDL assembly and secretion through integrated genomic actions of the T3-TRβ axis and non-genomic signaling pathways. Across different stages of MASLD, TH signaling exerts stage-dependent protective effects. In the steatosis stage, TH improves metabolic flexibility by modulating insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism, and lipid droplet clearance, thereby alleviating early lipotoxic stress. During progression to MASH, TH attenuates inflammatory amplification by improving mitochondrial homeostasis, suppressing activation of the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and modulating the gut-liver axis microenvironment. In advanced stages, TH signaling influences hepatic stellate cell activation and extracellular matrix deposition, partly through interaction with the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/SMAD pathway, while alterations in intrahepatic TH availability, mediated by dynamic changes in iodothyronine deiodinase 1 (DIO1), contribute to fibrosis progression and hepatocellular dedifferentiation. In hepatocellular carcinoma, coordinated downregulation of TRβ and DIO1 establishes a tumor-associated hypothyroid state that promotes metabolic reprogramming and tumor progression. The clinical relevance of TH signaling in MASLD has been underscored by the recent approval of Resmetirom, a liver-targeted TRβ‑selective agonist, for the treatment of non-cirrhotic MASH with moderate-to-severe fibrosis (F2-F3). This approval represents a landmark transition from mechanistic understanding to metabolism-centered precision therapy in MASLD. Clinical trials have demonstrated that Resmetirom not only improves key histological endpoints, including MASH resolution and fibrosis regression, but also favorably modulates atherogenic lipid profiles, highlighting the therapeutic potential of selectively targeting hepatic TH pathways. This review systematically summarizes the multidimensional regulatory roles of TH across the MASLD disease spectrum and discusses emerging diagnostic and therapeutic implications of TH-based interventions, aiming to inform future mechanistic research and optimize clinical management strategies.
2.Therapeutic efficacy of ruxolitinib combined with low-dose hormone in aGVHD after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Yue HU ; Xupai ZHANG ; Sihan LAI ; Shan ZHANG ; Lei MA ; Xiao WANG ; Yan DENG ; Ying HAN ; Ying HE ; Guangcui HE ; Hai YI
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(4):506-512
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib combined with low-dose hormone for patients with acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Methods: Thirty patients with aGVHD after allo-HSCT admitted to the Department of Hematology of the General Hospital of Western Theater Command from November 2021 to November 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated with low-dose hormone (methylprednisolone 0.3-1 mg kg
-d
) combined with ruxolitinib 5-10 mg d
. The efficacy and adverse reactions were observed during the follow-up period to analyze the survival outcomes of the patients. Results: A total of 30 patients with aGVHD after allo-HSCT were included in this study, consisting of 15 (50%) males and 15 (50%) females with a median age of 34 year-old (ranging from 14 to 62). Classification by disease type: there were 18 cases of acute myeloid leukemia, 4 cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 4 cases of aplastic anemia, and 4 cases of myelodysplastic syndrome. Classification by aGVHD severity: there were 27 cases (90%) of Ⅱ-Ⅳ degree aGVHD and 11 cases (36.7%) of Ⅲ-Ⅳ degree aGVHD. Ruxolitinib in combination with low-dose glucocorticoid treatment yield responses in 28 (93.3%) patients, of which 27 (90%) achieved complete remission (CR), while 1 (3.3%) showed partial remission (PR). One patient (3.3%) had no response (NR), and 1 patient (3.3%) exhibited progressed disease (PD). Overall survival (OS) at 1 year of transplantation was 73.9% (95%CI 49.5% to 87.7%), progression-free survival (PFS) was 93.3% (95%CI 75.9% to 98.3%), non-relapse mortality (NRM) was 20.6% (95%CI 7.9% to 47.4%), and median survival time was 27.6 months. Conclusion: Ruxolitinib combined with low-dose hormones is safe and effective in the treatment of aGVHD after allo-HSCT.
3.Expert consensus on clinical application of parenteral direct thrombin inhibitors in perioperative period
Mingyu JIANG ; Yuan BIAN ; Lizhu HAN ; Qinan YIN ; Fengjiao KANG ; Anhua WEI ; Danjie ZHAO ; Lin WANG ; Ying SHAO ; Li TANG ; Yi WANG ; Shuhong LIANG ; Huijuan LIU ; Guirong XIAO ; Yue LI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(6):689-699
OBJECTIVE To form an expert consensus on the clinical application of parenteral direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs) in patients during the perioperative period. METHODS Led by Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital (the Affiliated Hospital of UESTC), a multidisciplinary working group was established. Through literature review and the Delphi method, clinical questions related to the rational perioperative use of parenteral DTIs were identified. A structured design was adopted using the “Population-Intervention-Comparison-Outcome” framework; systematic searches were conducted in CNKI, Medline, Embase and other databases. Relevant evidence from randomized controlled trials and cohort studies was included and synthesized. Evidence quality was assessed using the Grades of Recommendations Assessment,Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, and recommendations were formulated through multiple rounds of Delphi surveys and expert consensus meetings. RESULTS &CONCLUSIONS Seven recommendations (each with an expert consensus rate exceeding 90%) on the use of parenteral DTIs in perioperative patients were developed. These recommendations specify drug selection, dosing ranges, key monitoring points, and safety management strategies for parenteral DTIs in various scenarios, including the perioperative period of ventricular assist device implantation, the perioperative period of cardiac surgery, perioperative patients with lower-extremity atherosclerotic disease, the perioperative period of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute coronary syndrome, the perioperative period of carotid artery stenting in patients with carotid stenosis, the perioperative period of patients with right heart thrombosis, and patients who develop related thrombosis and dysfunction after a central venous catheter insertion. In addition, warning and management pathways for perioperative bleeding and thrombotic events were proposed. This expert consensus, which is formulated based on the best available evidence, provides evidence-based guidance for standardized and individualized use of parenteral DTIs in perioperative period.
4.Thrombus Migration After Tenecteplase Versus Alteplase in Acute Large Vessel Occlusion
Lu WANG ; Fuxia YANG ; Xiao WU ; Lulan LI ; Xueqiao JIAO ; Fangfang ZHANG ; Fengyuan CHE ; Hongxing HAN ; Weidong LIU ; Peifu WANG ; Xuesong LI ; Junfeng SHI ; Jia LIU ; Xunming JI ; Xiuhai GUO
Journal of Stroke 2026;28(2):283-292
Background:
and Purpose In patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO), intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) frequently alters thrombus location; however, the clinical impact of this phenomenon remains unclear. We aimed to compare post-IVT thrombus dynamics between tenecteplase and alteplase and to evaluate the association between thrombus dynamics and 3-month outcomes.
Methods:
This retrospective study analyzed prospectively collected, multicenter data from consecutive patients with LVO who underwent bridging therapy between January 2022 and December 2024. Thrombus dynamics were classified as resolution, migration, or stability. Analyses incorporated propensity score matching with weighting to balance baseline characteristics.
Results:
Of the 806 initially included patients, 746 were included after matching (373 treated with tenecteplase and 373 treated with alteplase). The incidence of thrombus migration was significantly higher in the tenecteplase group than in the alteplase group (19.3% vs. 11.3%; odds ratio [OR]: 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27–2.91). The advantage of tenecteplase over alteplase was restricted to patients with an IVT-to-puncture time of <60 minutes (18.6% vs. 6.2%; p=0.001) and was no longer significant when the interval ≥60 minutes (19.7% vs. 15.0%; p=0.204; pinteraction=0.043). Additionally, thrombus migration was associated with a better functional outcome (OR: 1.62; 95% CI 1.04–2.53). Finally, tenecteplase was associated with improved functional independence compared with alteplase (OR: 1.43; 95% CI 1.04–1.95).
Conclusions
Tenecteplase demonstrated superior efficacy in inducing thrombus migration compared with alteplase, particularly within 60 minutes of IVT administration. Thrombus migration independently predicted improved functional independence. These findings support the preferential use of tenecteplase for bridging therapy in patients with LVO.
5.Changes in ocular surface function following eyelid malignant tumor resection combined with Hughes flap reconstruction
Yuanyuan HAN ; Xingyu MA ; Zhiqiang WANG ; Xiao SONG ; Jingjing WANG ; Hong LI ; Yan GAO
International Eye Science 2026;26(10):1824-1830
AIM:To investigate the dynamic changes in ocular surface function after eyelid malignant tumor resection combined with Hughes flap reconstruction.
METHODS:A prospective self-controlled study was conducted. Patients who underwent eyelid malignant tumor resection combined with Hughes tarsoconjunctival flap reconstruction(all tumors occured in the lower eyelid)at Shanxi Eye Hospital from January 2021 to December 2023 were enrolled. The contralateral healthy eye served as control. Ocular surface examinations were performed preoperatively and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo postoperatively, including ocular surface disease index(OSDI), tear meniscus height(TMH), non-invasive average tear film break-up time(NiaBUT), tear film lipid layer grading, upper and lower eyelid meibomian gland dropout grading, corneal fluorescein staining, and eye redness index.
RESULTS:A total of 36 patients were enrolled. Two patients were lost to follow-up because they did not complete the scheduled follow-up period, leaving 34 patients with complete data for analysis. The cohort comprised 10 men(29%)and 24 women(71%), with a mean age of 70.08±10.92 y(range 33-81 y). Histopathological diagnoses included basal cell carcinoma(BCC)in 22 eyes(65%), sebaceous gland carcinoma(SGC)in 10 eyes(29%), and squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)in 2 eyes(6%). Tumor size ranged from 4 to 30 mm(mean 12.64±0.31 mm). According to the AJCC staging system, 14 eyes(41%), 18 eyes(53%), and 2 eyes(6%)were classified as T1b, T2b, and T3b, respectively. Preoperatively, OSDI scores were higher in surgical eyes than in contralateral healthy eyes(28.74±13.72 vs 17.47±3.02, P<0.05). OSDI scores in surgical eyes further increased at 6, 9, and 12 mo postoperatively, peaking at 9 mo(all P<0.05), whereas no significant postoperative changes were observed in contralateral healthy eyes. Compared with contralateral healthy eyes, TMH in surgical eyes increased significantly at 3 mo postoperatively and remained elevated thereafter despite a slight decline(all P<0.05). NiaBUT in surgical eyes was shorter than the preoperative value from 3 mo postoperatively onward and was lower than that in contralateral healthy eyes(all P<0.05). Eye redness index in surgical eyes were consistently higher than those in contralateral healthy eyes(all P<0.001). Tear film lipid layer grade and meibomian gland dropout grades in both the upper and lower eyelids were significantly worsened postoperatively compared with baseline(all P<0.001). Corneal fluorescein staining grades were higher in surgical eyes than in contralateral healthy eyes preoperatively(P<0.001)and were higher at 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo postoperatively than at baseline(all P<0.001).
CONCLUSION: After lower eyelid malignant tumor resection combined with Hughes flap reconstruction, evaporative dry eye is the predominant phenotype. Meibomian gland dropout in both upper and lower eyelids appears irreversible within 12 mo postoperatively, and corneal epithelial damage and ocular surface inflammation persist over time.
6.Echinococcosis control in China from the One Health perspective
Shijie YANG ; Xiaonong ZHOU ; Shizhu LI ; Ning XIAO ; Shuai HAN ; Liying WANG ; Ying WANG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(4):337-346
Echinococcosis is a neglected zoonotic parasitic disease across the world, which imposes a substantial burden on human health and socioeconomic development in endemic areas. From a One Health perspective, this review systematically summarizes the legal framework, scheme, integrated interventions, control achievements, and challenges in the national echinococcosis control programme of China. An integrated strategy centered on control of the source of Echinococcus infections has been implemented for echinococcosis control in China, and cross-sectoral and cross-regional multidisciplinary coordination mechanisms have been progressively established, resulting in remarkable achievements gained in human health, animal health, and integrated environmental management. The endemicity of echinococcosis remarkably reduced in China in 2023 as compared to results from the national echinococcosis epidemiological survey in China between 2012 and 2016 (baseline), with an 82.14% reduction in human prevalence, an 80.00% reduction in detection of echinococcosis among children, a reduction of prevalent echinococcosis patients to 25 400 cases, a 36.96% reduction in the number of dogs, an 88.24% reduction in the prevalence of Echinococcus infections in dogs, a 67.00% reduction in the number of stray dogs, an 80.77% reduction in the prevalence of echinococcosis in live-stock, and a 69.23% reduction in the prevalence of Echinococcus infections in rodents. Nevertheless, an estimated 14 600 canines were found to have Echinococcus infections in endemic areas across China in 2023, and the prevalence of Echinococcus infections increased by 241.03% in wild canines in 2023 relative to in 2021, which underscores the persistent threat to echinococcosis transmission. Future efforts are required to strengthen the One Health governance system, increase the financial investment, foster innovations in integrated control technologies, enhance cross-sectoral collaboration, and improve the capacity building at the grassroots level to advance the achievement of the national target of basically controlling echinococcosis in all endemic counties in China by 2030, thereby facilitating the process towards echinococcosis control and elimination.
7.Occurrence, removal efficiency, and ecological risk assessment of antibiotics in drinking water sources in Wuhan
Qin WANG ; Yixuan WANG ; Pei WANG ; Qing HAN ; Yonghua XIAO
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(9):1132-1138
Background Antibiotics are frequently detected in aquatic environments, posing potential threats to ecological systems and public health. Objective To characterize antibiotic contamination in source water in Wuhan, evaluate the removal efficiency of conventional drinking water treatment processes, identify potential pollution sources, and assess ecological risks, thereby providing evidence to support water safety management. Methods A total of 34 source water samples and paired finished water samples were collected. Twenty-seven target antibiotics were analyzed via solid-phase extraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Total antibiotic concentrations and the relative contributions of individual antibiotics were calculated for each sampling site. Differences in removal performance across seasons and waterworks scales were further assessed. Antibiotic pairs with co-occurrence frequencies of ≥ 10 were included in Spearman’s rank correlation analysis to explore co-occurrence patterns. Potential sources were inferred according to their approved clinic and veterinary uses. For ecological risk assessment, predicted no-effect concentrations were derived from chronic toxicity values for fish, Daphnia, green algae, and mysid obtained from the ECOSAR database. Risk quotients (RQ) were calculated using both the median and the 95th percentile concentrations to characterize typical and high-end ecological toxicity. Results Seventeen antibiotics were detected in the source water. Lincosamides, macrolides, and sulfonamides were frequently detected, with detection frequencies exceeding 50%. Although quinolones were detected less frequently (2.94%-38.24%), they exhibited episodic high concentrations; the 95th percentile concentration of cinoxacin (CNX) reached 365.73 ng·L−1. The mean total antibiotic concentration was 1.79 times higher in the wet season (105.97 ng·L−1) than in the dry season (59.21 ng·L−1). The contribution of quinolones increased markedly from 0.87% in the dry season to 43.10% in the wet season. Except for flumequine (FQ), ofloxacin (OFX), enoxacin (ENX), and clarithromycin (CLR), the median removal rates of the remaining antibiotics by conventional treatment processes all exceeded 80%. Ten antibiotics achieved complete removal (100%) in the wet season, compared with 4 antibiotics in the dry season. The median removal rate of CLR declined with decreasing waterworks scale, from 67.92% in large-scale plants to –1.96% in medium-scale plants and –71.25% in small-scale plants. Apparent negative removal was observed for sulfadiazine (SDZ), FQ, OFX, and CLR, with OFX exhibiting the highest frequency of negative removal events (n=14). Correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between sulfonamides and macrolides (ρ=0.52-0.83), indicating mixed influences from livestock farming and domestic wastewater. Lincomycin (LIN) was positively correlated with sulfamethoxazole (SMX), but negatively correlated with the aforementioned antibiotic network, suggesting a predominantly human medical source. Based on median concentrations, the ecological risk of individual antibiotics was negligible. However, the cumulative risk to Daphnia reached a low level (RQ > 0.01), with sulfonamides contributing more than 70% of this risk. Based on the 95th percentile concentrations, bost individual and cumulative risks of quinolones to fish and Daphnia increased to low levels, with quinolones contributing more than 55% of the total risk. Conclusion Antibiotics are commonly detected in source water in Wuhan, and conventional drinking water treatment dose not completely eliminate all target compounds. Quinolones, despite their relatively low detection frequencies, occur at episodically high concentrations and pose low risks to fish and Daphnia under high-end exposure scenarios, warranting priority control. The coexistence of human-use and veterinary-use antibiotics reflects diverse pollution sources and highlights the need for coordinated multi-source pollution control.
8.Intelligent handheld ultrasound improving the ability of non-expert general practitioners in carotid examinations for community populations: a prospective and parallel controlled trial
Pei SUN ; Hong HAN ; Yi-Kang SUN ; Xi WANG ; Xiao-Chuan LIU ; Bo-Yang ZHOU ; Li-Fan WANG ; Ya-Qin ZHANG ; Zhi-Gang PAN ; Bei-Jian HUANG ; Hui-Xiong XU ; Chong-Ke ZHAO
Ultrasonography 2025;44(2):112-123
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations.
Methods:
This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits.
Results:
Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01).
Conclusion
Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.
9.Intelligent handheld ultrasound improving the ability of non-expert general practitioners in carotid examinations for community populations: a prospective and parallel controlled trial
Pei SUN ; Hong HAN ; Yi-Kang SUN ; Xi WANG ; Xiao-Chuan LIU ; Bo-Yang ZHOU ; Li-Fan WANG ; Ya-Qin ZHANG ; Zhi-Gang PAN ; Bei-Jian HUANG ; Hui-Xiong XU ; Chong-Ke ZHAO
Ultrasonography 2025;44(2):112-123
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations.
Methods:
This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits.
Results:
Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01).
Conclusion
Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.
10.Analysis on the compositional differences of different processing products of Atractylodes lancea Rhizoma based on HS-GC-MS and UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS
Li WANG ; Rong LUO ; Xuyang HAN ; Kaijing WANG ; Wei XIAO ; Dechun JIANG ; Songleng DUAN ; Peng ZHANG ; Yanxin ZHAI ; Jiankun WU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(6):833-842
Objective:To compare the differences in chemical compositions before and after processing by different processing methods; To optimize the processing method of Atractylodes lancea Rhizoma.Methods:Atractylodes lancea Rhizoma was processed by stir-frying with bran and treating with rice washing water. The volatile and non-volatile components of raw Atractylodes lancea Rhizoma, bran-fried Atractylodes lancea Rhizoma and rice washing water treated Atractylodes lancea Rhizome were qualitatively analyzed by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS), and the differences in chemical composition before and after processing were compared.Results:The volatile components of the three different products were determined to have 18 common components, such as agarospirol, β-eudesol, etc. In addition, 86 non-volatile components were determined. The peak area response value of atractylodin, the index component prescribed by pharmacopoeia, decreased after processing, but there was little difference in bran stir-frying and rice-washed water frying.Conclusions:Different processing methods have certain effects on the chemical composition of Atractylodes lancea Rhizoma. Among them, the bran-frying method is superior in improving the quality of preparations, reducing production costs and improving production efficiency. The bran-fried product can be used as raw material for preparation production.

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