1.Standards for the Application of Hemodynamic Monitoring Technology in Critical Care
Hua ZHAO ; Hongmin ZHANG ; Xin DING ; Huan CHEN ; Jun DUAN ; Wei DU ; Bo TANG ; Yuankai ZHOU ; Dongkai LI ; Xinchen WANG ; Cui WANG ; Gaosheng ZHOU ; Xiaoting WANG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(1):73-85
With the rapid advancement of hemodynamic indices and monitoring technologies, their classification methods and application processes have become increasingly complex. Currently, no unified standard hasbeen established, making it difficult to fully meet the clinical requirements for hemodynamic management. To assist in hemodynamic monitoring assessment and therapeutic decision-making in critically ill patients, the Critical Hemodynamic Therapy Collaborative Group, in conjunction with the Critical Ultrasound Study Group, has jointly developed the Standard for the Application of Hemodynamic Monitoring Techniques in Critical Care. The first part of this standard systematically categorizes hemodynamic indicators into flow indicators, pressure and its derivative indicators, and tissue perfusion indicators, while elaborating on the clinical application of each. The second part establishes a standardized clinical implementation pathway for hemodynamic monitoring. It proposes a tiered monitoring strategy-comprising basic, advanced, indication-specific, and special scenario monitoring-tailored to different clinical settings. It emphasizes the central role of critical care ultrasound across all levels of monitoring and establishes hemodynamic assessment standards for organs such as the brain, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract. This standard aims to provide a unified framework for clinical practice, teaching, training, and research in critical care medicine, thereby promoting standardized development within the discipline.
2.The Role of Histone Lactylation in Diseases and Intervention by Traditional Chinese Medicine
Xin ZHANG ; Jie DU ; Zhao-Huan LI ; Feng GAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):887-904
Histone lactylation is a recently identified post-translational modification, wherein lactate mediates the enzymatic addition of lactyl groups to lysine residues on histones. Since its discovery, extensive research has demonstrated that histone lactylation is widely present in human tissues and plays a pivotal role in regulating the transcription of specific genes. Subsequent studies have further established this modification as a widespread epigenetic mark with significant physiological implications. With advancing research, accumulating evidence confirms that lactylation at distinct histone sites elicits diverse biological effects—such as promoting cell proliferation, driving inflammatory responses, and enhancing fibrosis—all of which profoundly influence disease progression and serve as key drivers of disease onset and development. Conversely, inhibiting histone lactylation can alter disease outcomes, positioning histone lactylation as a promising therapeutic target. Moreover, studies have revealed crosstalk between histone lactylation and other post-translational modifications, such as acetylation and methylation, which collectively regulate disease progression. Notably, lactylation occurs not only on histones but also on non-histone proteins. Histone lactylation activates specific gene transcription and reshapes metabolic epigenetics, while non-histone lactylation directly modulates enzyme activity, signal transduction, and protein stability. These two facets form a synergistic network through shared lactate pools, common modifying enzyme systems, and pathway crosstalk, thereby constructing a multi-dimensional regulatory framework—namely, the “histone lactylation-metabolism hub-non-histone lactylation” axis. This architecture bridges metabolism and epigenetics, and deciphering its topological structure may provide novel targets for precise intervention in diseases driven by lactate-mediated signaling hijacking. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), grounded in clinical practice, has been shown to regulate histone lactylation by modulating lactate metabolism and lactylation-related enzymes, thereby influencing disease progression. Moreover, certain TCM formulations exhibit potential as alternative therapies for drug-resistant diseases, underscoring the significance of further exploring TCM-mediated regulation of histone lactylation in future therapeutic strategies. This review aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying histone lactylation, systematically delineate the associations between site-specific histone lactylation and various diseases, present a comprehensive landscape of the “lactate-histone lactylation and functional protein lactylation” axis, and summarize the mechanistic basis and research advances in TCM-mediated regulation of histone lactylation for disease treatment. Additionally, we discuss current challenges in histone lactylation research and propose future directions, ultimately aiming to deepen understanding and broaden perspectives on the roles and therapeutic potential of histone lactylation in disease.
3.Exploration on the challenges and ethical countermeasures of artificial intelligence intervening in the care decision-making of older adults with disabilities
Runying WANG ; Yiyao ZHANG ; Huan DU ; Yingchun PENG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(5):656-662
Artificial intelligence (AI) is gradually being applied in the field of decision-making support for the daily care of the older adults with disabilities. However, due to their limited cognitive functions, information asymmetry with medical staff and technical parties, and a certain degree of emotional deprivation, the older adults with disabilities are in a structurally vulnerable position. Against this background, several ethical dilemmas arise when AI technology intervenes in care decision-making. First, the informed consent process is difficult to genuinely implement. Second, algorithms based on average models tend to ignore individual differences, leading to “de-personalization” of services. Third, over-reliance on technology may further weaken humanistic care, thereby undermining the individual dignity of the older adults with disabilities. Fourth, in the care decision-making involving the joint participation of the older adults with disabilities, caregivers, medical teams, and AI systems, the boundaries of responsibility among all parties remain unclear, making it difficult to assign accountability when adverse outcomes occur. Drawing on the theories of vulnerability ethics, interactive ethics, and care ethics, this paper proposes a “vulnerability-interaction-care” path and put forward three-tiered countermeasures. The first was baseline safeguards, preventing the exploitation of the vulnerability of the older adults with disabilities and their caregivers, and requiring further safeguards for their dignity. The second was process protection, enhancing transparency and accountability within the human-machine collaboration framework, as well as establishing a multi-party consultation mechanism. The third was capacity empowerment, improving the subjectivity of the older adults with disabilities through age-appropriate interaction, structured expression of intentions, and caregiver participation.
4.Comparison of the control effect of spherical and toric orthokeratology on low-to-moderate myopia with astigmatism in adolescents
Pengying PU ; Yin YANG ; Huan ZHANG ; Huan LIU ; Kangqin DENG ; Nian DU
International Eye Science 2025;25(2):315-318
AIM: To compare the control effect of spherical and toric orthokeratology on low-to-moderate myopia with astigmatism(-1.00--1.50 DC)in adolescents.METHODS: The clinical data of 119 cases(119 eyes)of low-to-moderate myopia with astigmatism(-1.00--1.50 DC)adolescents who were treated and fitted with orthokeratology in the ophthalmology department of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from June 2021 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into spherical group, with 65 cases(65 eyes), and toric group, with 54 cases(54 eyes)according to the type of orthokeratology. The changes of uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), axial length and corneal astigmatism before and after wearing lenses were recorded to evaluate the therapeutic effect.RESULTS: The UCVA of both the groups significantly improved at 1 and 2 a after wearing lenses(all P<0.01); corneal astigmatism decreased, but there was no significant difference(all P>0.05); the axial length was longer than that before wearing lenses(P<0.01). There were no statistical significant differences in the UCVA and corneal astigmatism between the spherical group and the toric group(Fintergroup=0.829,Pintergroup=0.364; Fintergroup=0.997,Pintergroup=0.320); and there were no statistical significant differences in the axial length growth between the spherical group and the toric group after wearing lenses for 1 a(0.18±0.11 mm vs 0.17±0.14 mm), and 2 a(0.17±0.10 mm vs 0.16±0.10 mm; all P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Both orthokeratology lenses can improve the UCVA, reduce corneal astigmatism, and delay axial length growth of adolescents with low-to-moderate myopia with astigmatism(-1.00--1.50 DC), and there are no significant differences in the control effect of spherical design orthokeratology and the toric design orthokeratology on myopia.
5.Clinical and genetic characteristics of X-linked intellectual disability associated with HUWE1 gene variants
Xiao LI ; Huan GONG ; Zheng CHEN ; Xianhe JIANG ; Zhibin LI ; Xiaoli ZHANG ; Lin LI ; Hao CHEN ; Jing GUAN ; Lina KONG ; Kaixian DU
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(12):1360-1365
Objective:To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of X-linked intellectual disability associated with HUWE1 gene variants.Methods:A cases series study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 6 children with HUWE1 gene variants. The children were identified from the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, and Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center of Guangzhou Medical University between April 2021 and July 2023.The data included sex, age, dysmorphic features, intellectual and motor development, seizure history, neuroimaging findings, family history, and genetic results was analyzed.Results:A total of 6 children, including 5 boys and 1 girl. The age of onset ranged from 1 day to 3 years. All children presented with varying degrees of intellectual disability, with or without motor developmental delay. Dysmorphic features were observed in 4 children, including microcephaly in 3 children. Short stature were observed in 3 children. One child was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders and 1 child had seizures. Two boys had relevant maternal family histories of febrile seizures and mild intellectual disability, respectively. Abnormal neuroimaging findings were presented in 4 children, including cerebral dysplasia (1 child), prominent supratentorial ventricles (1 child), and mild white matter demyelination (2 children). Whole-exome sequencing identified 5 missense variants and 1 in-frame deletion variant. Five variants were novel and previously unreported (c.12290C>T, c.12701T>C, c.9875C>T, c.9641A>T and c.10313_10315del). The variants in 4 boys were maternally inherited, while the remaining 2 children had de novo variants. The child with the in-frame deletion variant (c.10313_10315del) presented with the most severe phenotype, exhibiting symptoms from 1 day of age, absent cognitive development, feeding difficulties, and congenital laryngeal chondrodysplasia. He was lost to follow-up at 3 months of age after treatment was withdrawn. The age at the last follow-up for the remaining 5 children ranged from 2 years and 10 months to 17 years. A boy with seizures died at 2 years and 10 months of age. The remaining 4 children were able to walk independently at the last follow-up, although their developmental progress was slow. Conclusions:HUWE1 gene related X-linked intellectual disability is characterized by varying degrees of developmental delay and intellectual disability, frequently accompanied by microcephaly, short stature, and occasionally by seizures and autism spectrum disorders. Missense variants are more common and the in-frame deletion variant appears to be associated with a particularly severe phenotypic presentation.
6.Investigation and control of 2 cases of hospital-acquired Enterococcus faecium infection in a neonatal intensive care unit
Chaomin GUO ; Mingmei DU ; Huan LI ; Hongwu YAO ; Yunxi LIU ; Kun YE ; Xiaoming ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(16):2427-2431
OBJECTIVE To investigate a suspected hospital-acquired infection cluster of Enterococcus faecium(Efm)in a neonatal intensive care unit(NICU)of the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital,identify the source of infection and transmission routes,and provide a reference for precise prevention and control of hospital-acquired infections.METHODS Epidemiological investigations and environmental microbiological sam-pling were conducted for two neonates with Efm bloodstream infections in the NICU in Jul.2024 to detect Efm in the ward environment.Whole-genome average nucleotide identity(ANI)and multilocus sequence typing(MLST)were used to analyze the homology,drug resistance,and virulence factors of Efm isolates from patients and envi-ronments.Targeted intervention measures were proposed.RESULTS Two cases of Efm bloodstream infection were detected.A total of 37 environmental specimens were collected,and 2 were cultured Efm(the wipe dispenser o-pening and incubator handle of the patients).The drug susceptibility testing results of 2 environmental specimens were consistent with those of the two patient specimens.Genomic analysis confirmed high homology(ANI>99.99%)among the four Efm isolates.After implementing a series of measures including centralized isolation,strict hand hygiene,thorough environmental cleaning and disinfection,strict disinfection and management of inva-sive devices,enhanced grouping of medical staff for diagnosis and treatment,the incident was effectively con-trolled.CONCLUSIONS This incident can be determined as cluster of hospital-acquired infection with Enterococcus faecium in the neonatal intensive care unit.The wet wipes are the source or transmission medium of contamina-tion.Inadequate disinfection of items and the environment,and insufficient hand hygiene of medical staff are the main reasons for this infection outbreak.Early identification of abnormal cluster of infection,investigation of the source of infection and transmission routes and timely implementation of targeted measures are the keys for preventing infection outbreaks.
7.TCM treatment for gastro-esophageal reflux disease from 2018 to 2023:an overview of systematic reviews
Xueyan JIA ; Jinxiang LIU ; Huan CHEN ; Haifeng HE ; Xiaoquan DU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(4):541-548
Objective:To overview the systematic reviews/meta-analyses of TCM treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); To provide evidence-based support for clinical decision-making in the treatment of GERD with Chinese materia medica.Methods:Systematic reviews/meta-analyses of RCTs about the treatment of GERD with Chinese materia medica were retrieved from databases of CNKI, Wanfang Data, Chongqing VIP, CBM, EMbase, PubMed and Cochrane Library from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2023. AMSTAR 2 scale, PRISMA 2020 and GRADE system were used to evaluate the methodological quality, reporting quality and evidence quality of the included studies.Results:A total of 19 systematic reviews/meta-analyses were included. The AMSTAR 2 evaluation showed that 17 of the included studies were rated as low-quality, and 2 were rated as extremely low-quality. The PRISMA 2020 evaluation results showed that the included literature scored 14.5-21 points, with 18 articles having certain reporting defects and 1 article having serious reporting defects. The GRADE evaluation results showed 1 high-quality index, 31 medium-quality indexes, 34 low-quality indexes, and 10 extremely low-quality indexes.Conclusion:TCM has a certain therapeutic effect on GERD, but the overall methodological quality, reporting quality, and evidence quality still need to be further improved.
8.Dysregulation of Iron Homeostasis Mediated by FTH Increases Ferroptosis Sensitivity in TP53-Mutant Glioblastoma.
Xuejie HUAN ; Jiangang LI ; Zhaobin CHU ; Hongliang ZHANG ; Lei CHENG ; Peng LUN ; Xixun DU ; Xi CHEN ; Qian JIAO ; Hong JIANG
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(4):569-582
Iron metabolism is a critical factor in tumorigenesis and development. Although TP53 mutations are prevalent in glioblastoma (GBM), the mechanisms by which TP53 regulates iron metabolism remain elusive. We reveal an imbalance iron homeostasis in GBM via TCGA database analysis. TP53 mutations disrupted iron homeostasis in GBM, characterized by elevated total iron levels and reduced ferritin (FTH). The gain-of-function effect triggered by TP53 mutations upregulates itchy E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase (ITCH) protein expression in astrocytes, leading to FTH degradation and an increase in free iron levels. TP53-mut astrocytes were more tolerant to the high iron environment induced by exogenous ferric ammonium citrate (FAC), but the increase in intracellular free iron made them more sensitive to Erastin-induced ferroptosis. Interestingly, we found that Erastin combined with FAC treatment significantly increased ferroptosis. These findings provide new insights for drug development and therapeutic modalities for GBM patients with TP53 mutations from iron metabolism perspectives.
Ferroptosis/drug effects*
;
Humans
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Iron/metabolism*
;
Glioblastoma/metabolism*
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Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism*
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Homeostasis/physiology*
;
Ferritins/metabolism*
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Brain Neoplasms/genetics*
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Mutation
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Astrocytes/drug effects*
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Piperazines/pharmacology*
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Quaternary Ammonium Compounds/pharmacology*
;
Ferric Compounds
9.Prrx1 promotes mesangial cell proliferation and kidney fibrosis through YAP in diabetic nephropathy.
Liu XU ; Jiasen SHI ; Huan LI ; Yunfei LIU ; Jingyi WANG ; Xizhi LI ; Dongxue REN ; Sijie LIU ; Heng WANG ; Yinfei LU ; Jinfang SONG ; Lei DU ; Qian LU ; Xiaoxing YIN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(10):101247-101247
Mesangial cell proliferation is an early pathological indicator of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Growing evidence highlights the pivotal role of paired-related homeobox 1 (Prrx1), a key regulator of cellular proliferation and tissue differentiation, in various disease pathogenesis. Notably, Prrx1 is highly expressed in mesangial cells under DN conditions. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that Prrx1 overexpression promotes mesangial cell proliferation and contributes to renal fibrosis in db/m mice. Conversely, Prrx1 knockdown markedly suppresses hyperglycemia-induced mesangial cell proliferation and mitigates renal fibrosis in db/db mice. Mechanistically, Prrx1 directly interacts with the Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP) promoter, leading to the upregulation of YAP expression. This upregulation promotes mesangial cell proliferation and exacerbates renal fibrosis. These findings emphasize the crucial role of Prrx1 upregulation in high glucose-induced mesangial cell proliferation, ultimately leading to renal fibrosis in DN. Therefore, targeting Prrx1 to downregulate its expression presents a promising therapeutic strategy for treating renal fibrosis associated with DN.
10.Association Between Sleep Quality and Depressive Symptoms in Community-Dwelling Older Adults:The Mediating Role of Loneliness
Sisi DU ; Liang LYU ; Zhengjie CAI ; Yuju WU ; Huan ZHOU
Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) 2025;56(2):458-463
Objective To examine the association between sleep and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults and whether loneliness mediates this association.Methods Using a multistage sampling approach,we enrolled participants aged 60 years or older from two communities in Chengdu,China.A questionnaire was used to collect basic information,including age,sex,etc.,from the participants.In addition,loneliness,depressive symptoms,and sleep quality were assessed using a short-form University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale(ULS-8),the 10-item version of Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale(CESD-10),and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI),respectively.The Spearman rank correlation coefficient was employed to assess the correlations among social sleep,loneliness,and depression symptoms.Generalized structural equation modeling was used to assess the mediating effect of loneliness between sleep and depressive symptoms.Results Of the 1377 participants,32.03%(441)experienced loneliness and 30.57%(421)had depressive symptoms,with the median and interquartile range of their sleep quality being 6(3,9).Correlation analysis revealed statistically significant associations between sleep quality,loneliness,and depressive symptoms(P<0.001).Generalized structural equation modeling analysis revealed that loneliness had a partial mediation effect on the association between sleep quality and depressive symptoms(b=0.075;95%CI,0.025-0.125;P<0.05),accounting for 44.38%of the total effect(95%CI,0.258-0.630;P<0.001).Conclusion Poor sleep quality is associated with a higher risk of depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults,with loneliness mediating the association.Further research on improving the sleep quality to mitigate depressive symptoms in older adults is warranted.Special attention should be given to older adults experiencing both poor sleep and loneliness.

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