1.Research progress on the relationship between brown adipose tissue and weight loss therapy
Jiaojiao LIU ; Zhitian ZHANG ; Yin CHEN ; Xijia HE ; Hongmei YAN ; Ruwen WANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(1):113-120
In recent years, the rising prevalence of obesity and its associated metabolic syndromes has emerged as a critical global public health concern. Sustained weight loss exceeding 10% of total body weight has been shown to ameliorate obesity-related comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hepatic steatosis. Recently, the potential of brown adipose tissue (BAT) to improve metabolism has garnered significant attention. However, evidence regarding weight loss therapies that promote BAT activation remains limited in preclinical models and is even scarcer in clinical studies, partly due to the paucity of appropriate BAT assessment techniques. This review aims to explore the potential impact of various weight loss therapies on BAT, with the goal of providing novel insights and strategies for the treatment of obesity.
2.Efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy for resectable non-small cell lung cancer
Dongbao YANG ; Kaize ZHONG ; Hongmei MA ; Shifa ZHANG ; Hongfeng LIU ; Liji CHEN ; Jishen ZHANG ; Haibo CAI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):920-926
Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods The clinical data of patients with stage ⅡA-ⅢB NSCLC who underwent surgical treatment after receiving neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone at the First People’s Hospital of Jining between April 2021 and January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the preoperative neoadjuvant regimens, the patients were divided into a combined group and a chemotherapy group, and the clinical data of the two groups were compared. Results A total of 66 patients were included, including 61 males and 5 females. There were 53 patients in the combined group with a mean age of (63.40±6.80) years, and 13 patients in the chemotherapy group with a mean age of (58.62±8.30) years. There was a statistical difference in age between the two groups (P<0.001), while no statistical difference was observed in other baseline data (P>0.05). The major pathological response rates in the combined group and the chemotherapy group were 54.7% and 23.1%, respectively (P=0.041), and the pathological complete response rates were 39.6% and 0.0%, respectively (P=0.006). The operative time in the combined group was shorter (P=0.039). There were no statistical differences between the two groups in intraoperative blood loss, duration of postoperative tube carrying, incidence of postoperative complications, overall survival, or event-free survival (P>0.05). Conclusion Surgical treatment following neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy is safe and feasible, and its long-term efficacy requires further follow-up for confirmation.
3.Efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant sintilimab plus chemotherapy for locally advanced resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Liji CHEN ; Junjun HUANG ; Hongmei MA ; Shifa ZHANG ; Dongbao YANG ; Jiuhe SUN ; Hongfeng LIU ; Kaize ZHONG ; Haibo CAI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(07):1071-1078
Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant sintilimab combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with locally advanced resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods Clinical data were collected from patients with locally advanced resectable ESCC who received neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy followed by surgical treatment at the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Jining No.1 People's Hospital from April 2020 to April 2022. The endpoints included major pathological response (MPR), pathological complete response (pCR), R0 resection rate, safety, and postoperative survival. Results A total of 43 patients with ESCC who received at least one cycle of neoadjuvant immunotherapy before surgery were included. Among them, there were 31 males and 12 females with a median age of 65 years (interquartile range: 58-69). All patients successfully completed the surgery without any surgical delays. The pCR rate was 14.0% (6/43), the MPR rate was 58.1% (25/43), and the R0 resection rate was 97.7% (42/43). Patients exhibited reliable safety during neoadjuvant therapy and postoperatively. The 2-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 90.7% and 81.4%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test revealed lower recurrence rates and better survival in the MPR patients compared to the non-MPR patients. Conclusion The combination of neoadjuvant sintilimab and chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with locally advanced resectable ESCC has demonstrated significant clinical efficacy, while also being safe and reliable.
4.Mechanism of action of flavonoids in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis and related signaling pathways
Wenxuan GUO ; Hongmei LIU ; Zhezhu JIN ; Chenghao LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(7):1688-1697
The incidence rate of hepatic fibrosis remains at a high level, and there is still a lack of specific therapeutic drugs, posing a serious threat to human health. As a type of natural active components widely present in plants, flavonoids have multiple physiological functions such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic activities, and a large number of studies have confirmed the anti-hepatic fibrosis effect of flavonoids. As for the mechanism of action, flavonoids can target the functions of hepatic stellate cells by inhibiting their proliferation and differentiation, promoting their apoptosis, regulating the level of autophagy, reducing the formation of extracellular matrix, and regulating iron metabolism in hepatic stellate cells, and meanwhile, they can inhibit chronic liver inflammatory response, improve oxidative stress status, regulate intestinal flora balance, and block epithelial-mesenchymal transition, thereby blocking the progression of fibrosis through multiple dimensions. At the level of signaling pathways, flavonoids mainly exert an anti-fibrotic effect by regulating the abnormal activation of the signaling pathways such as transforming growth factor-β1/Smad, Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, nuclear factor-kappa B, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B, mitogen-activated protein kinase, Wnt/β-catenin, and adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase. This article summarizes the research advances in the anti-fibrotic effect of flavonoids, in order to provide a theoretical basis for further exploring their medicinal potential.
5.Analysis of sleep quality and influencing factors in migraine patients with patent foramen ovale
Yijun HU ; Diwen ZHANG ; Libo WANG ; Bo LIU ; Hongmei YE ; Xiongfei ZHAO
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(3):241-246
BackgroundMigraine is a common chronic neurological disease, and patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been closely associated with migraine. Current research primarily focuses on the pathological mechanism and the therapeutic effects of interventional closure, with limited attention paid to the impact of PFO on sleep quality in migraine patients. ObjectiveTo compare the difference in sleep quality between PFO-positive and PFO-negative migraine patients, and to analyzes influencing factors of sleep quality in PFO-positive migraine patients, so as to provide references for clinical interventions to improve sleep quality in PFO-positive migraine patients. MethodsA total of 673 migraine patients who met the diagnostic criteria of migraine in the International Classification of Headache Disorders, third edition (ICHD-3), and all patients underwent contrast-enhanced transcranial Doppler (c-TCD) and transthoracic echocardiographic right heart contrast echocardiography (cTTE) in the Third Hospital of Mianyang from January 2020 to October 2024. Basic demographic data were collected using a self-designed questionnaire, headache severity was assessed with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and sleep quality was invaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). PFO patients was diagnosed through c-TCD combined with c-TTE. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to examine the influencing factors of sleep quality in PFO-positive migraine patients. ResultsA total of 673 (100.00%) migraine patients were enrolled, including 223 PFO-positive cases (33.14%) and 450 PFO-negative cases(66.86%). The PFO-positive group showed significantly more severe headache severity (χ2=15.799, P<0.01) and poorer sleep quality (χ2=14.377, P<0.01) compared with PFO-negative group. PFO-positive patients demonstrated significantly higher barrier factor scores of sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, hypnotic medication use, and daytime dysfunction compared with PFO-negative counterparts (t=3.634, 3.269, 2.785, 3.428, 2.907, 3.637, Bonferroni adjust P<0.05/7=0.007).By contrast, no significant difference was noted in sleep duration scores between the two groups(t=2.349, Bonferroni adjust P>0.05/7=0.007).The Binary Logistic regression analysis revealed that age (OR=1.021, 95% CI: 1.001~1.041), headache severity (OR=6.030, 95% CI: 4.085~8.901), and PFO grade (OR=1.893,95% CI: 1.288~2.784)were significant influencing factors for sleep quality in migraine patients with PFO. ConclusionMigraine patients with PFO-positive exhibited poorer sleep quality compared wtih PFO-negative patients. Older age, higher headache servity, and more severe PFO grade are identified as risk factors for impaired sleep quality in PFO-positive migraine patients.
6.Clinical research progress on the relationship between vitamin D and glucose metabolism disorders
Yin CHEN ; Zhitian ZHANG ; Jiaojiao LIU ; Hongmei YAN ; Shanshan GUO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(3):512-518
Approximately 10% of the global adult population has diabetes, with accumulating evidence linking suboptimal vitamin D levels to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and its complications. Current clinical studies suggest that vitamin D supplementation may enhance insulin sensitivity and improve glycemic control, prompting significant interest in its potential as a therapeutic intervention. However, further high-quality, large-scale randomized controlled trials are required to validate its efficacy in glucose metabolism regulation and clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms. These investigations will provide critical evidence to inform precision medicine approaches for diabetes prevention and management.
7.Research progress on PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in neoadjuvant therapy for esophageal cancer
Liji CHEN ; Hongmei MA ; Shifa ZHANG ; Kaize ZHONG ; Dongbao YANG ; Jiuhe SUN ; Hongfeng LIU ; Ru SONG ; Jishan ZHANG ; Haibo CAI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(05):714-721
Esophageal cancer is one of the malignant tumors that poses a threat to human health, with both high incidence and malignancy. Currently, surgery following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is the standard treatment for locally advanced esophageal cancer; however, the long-term prognosis remains unsatisfactory. In recent years, inhibitors of programmed death protein-1 (PD-1) and its ligand (programmed death ligand-1, PD-L1) have achieved breakthrough progress in other solid tumors, and research on esophageal cancer is gradually being conducted. With the demonstration of good efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in the first-line and second-line treatment of advanced unresectable esophageal cancer, their incorporation into neoadjuvant treatment regimens has become a hot topic. Therefore, this article reviews the mechanism of action of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and their application in the neoadjuvant treatment of esophageal cancer.
8.Potential profile analysis of acute psychological stress in patients with acute myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention
Jie ZHANG ; Hejuan QIAN ; Zhibin WANG ; Na HU ; Hongmei LIU
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(11):95-99,104
Objective To investigate the curr-ent status of acute psychological stress among pa-tients with acute myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods A total of 150 patients with acute myocardial infarction who underwent PCI were selected as study sub-jects.The patients were surveyed through questionnaires usingBasic Information Questionnaire,the Stanford Acute Stress Response Questionnaire(SASRQ)and Comprehensive Quality of Life Assess-ment Questionnaire(GQOLI-74).Results The score of acute psychological stress in patients with acute myocardial infarction after PCI was(45.38±8.94).The acute psychological stress of patients was divided into three potential profile categories,namely low stress(C1 group,n=53),moderate stress disorder with high avoidance(C2 group,n=59),and severe stress disorder with repeated ex-perience(C3 group,n=30).There were statistically significant differences in age,gender,resi-dence style and chest pain score among the three groups(P<0.05).The score of quality of life for patients with acute myocardial infarction after PCI was(194.67±34.95).The quality of life level of patients in C1 group was higher than that in the C2 and C3 groups,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).The quality of life level of patients in the C2 group was higher than that in the C3 group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Clinical staff should identify the characteristics of different types of patients,attach importance to patients with a potential profile of repeated experiences of severe stress disorder,and carry out necessary psychological intervention in a timely manner to improve the subsequent treatment effect and prognosis of patients.
9.Stromal infiltration of lymphocytes and expression of immune checkpoint genes in early esophageal cancer patients with different stages
Mingming ZHAO ; Hongmei ZHAO ; Jinping GAO ; Xinxin LIU
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(17):7-12
Objective To investigate lymphocyte interstitial infiltration condition and the changes of immune checkpoint gene expression in different stages of early esophageal cancer.Methods A ret-rospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 90 patients with early esophageal cancer.Based on the pathological depth of infiltration,they were divided into three types:T1a-M1,T1a-M2,and T1a-M3,with 30 cases in each type.Additionally,30 cases of paired normal mucosa tissues adja-cent to the cancer were selected.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe tissue morpholo-gy.Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression of CD3,CD4,CD8,and CD20.Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)was applied to measure the mRNA expression levels of immune checkpoint genes[programmed death ligand-1(PD-L1),cytotoxic T-lym-phocyte-associated protein 4(CTLA4),T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-3(TIM-3),lympho-cyte activation gene 3(LAG3),programmed death receptor-1(PD-1),programmed death ligand-2(PD-L2),and T-cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains protein(TIGIT)].Results As the stage of early esophageal cancer progressed,the ratio of tumor cells to lymphocytes increased.The number of CD3+T cells was greater than that of CD20+B cells,and the proportion of CD4+T cells among total T cells was higher than that of CD8+T cells(P<0.001).The mRNA expression levels of gene in immune checkpoints in patients were elevated(P<0.05).Compared with normal adja-cent tissues,the expression levels of PD-L1 mRNA,CTLA4 mRNA,TIM-3 mRNA,PD-1 mRNA,and TIGIT mRNA were elevated in patients with T1a-M1,T1a-M2,and T1a-M3 types(P<0.05).Compared with normal adjacent tissues,the expression levels of LAG3 mRNA and PD-L2 mRNA were increased in patients with T1a-M2 and T1a-M3 types(P<0.05).Conclusion The progres-sion of early esophageal cancer staging is correlated with increased immune checkpoint gene expres-sion and a decreased lymphocyte ratio,suggesting that changes in the immune microenvironment may be involved in tumor progression.
10.Effects of LSS function deficiency on intestinal function in NAFLD model mice
Hongmei Bai ; Zhen Yang ; Weikang Hu ; Zihan Wang ; Wenjing Zhou ; Qingya He ; Jian Zhong ; Mingcong Li ; Li Liu ; Chaoyang Zhang ; Sumei Zhang ; Shengquan Zhang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(9):1653-1660
Objective:
To investigate the effect of loss of function of lanosterol synthase( LSS) gene on intestinal function in a mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease( NAFLD) induced by a high-fat diet.
Methods:
LSS gene heterozygous knockout C57 mice ( LSS + / -) were established using the CRISRP / Cas9 system.After being fed a high-fat diet with 60% fat content for 6 months,the fat deposition in liver tissues was detected by HE and Oil red O staining,the morphological changes of small intestine tissue were detected by HE staining.The changes in total cholesterol content in intestinal tissue were detected by kits.The gastrointestinal motility function of mice was detected by phenol red paste.The intestinal permeability was detected by Evans blue staining,and the expression of LSS,tight junction protein ( Claudin) -1,Claudin-5,cluster of differentiation 36 ( CD36) ,and Niemann-Pick type C1-like 1 protein ( NPC1L1) proteins in small intestinal tissues were detected by Western blot.
Results :
The results of HE and Oil red O staining of liver tissues showed that liver fat deposition in LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice was lower than that in wild-type mice in the high-fat diet group.The total cholesterol content in intestinal tis- sue of LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice decreased ( P <0. 01) ,but no morphological differences were ob- served between the two groups of mice by HE staining of intestinal tissues.The gastrointestinal motility function of LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice did not show significant changes.The intestinal permeability of LSS gene het- erozygous knockout mice in the high-fat diet group decreased as detected by Evans blue ( P<0. 05) .The expres- sion levels of Claudin-5 protein in the intestinal tissue of LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice in the high-fat diet group increased ( P <0. 05 ) ,while the expression of LSS protein in the intestinal tissues of LSS heterozygous knockout mice decreased ( P <0. 05) .
Conclusion
In the NAFLD model induced by a high-fat diet,LSS gene heterozygous knockout reduces liver fat deposition induced by a high-fat diet and improves intestinal barrier function by regulating cholesterol metabolism in intestinal tissues and up-regulating the expression of Claudin-5.


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