1.Comparison of four different nutritional screening tools in elderly hospitalized patients with infectious diseases
Qian ZHENG ; Jie LI ; Huan LI
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(2):157-161
Objective To analyze the risk of malnutrition in elderly hospitalized patients with infectious diseases by adopting four different nutritional screening tools, and to evaluate the efficiency of these screening tools. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 300 elderly hospitalized patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in Sichuan Province. Four commonly used nutritional assessment tools in clinical practice such as Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002), Subjective Nutrition Assessment (SGA), Micronutrition Assessment (MNA-SF), and Prognostic Nutrition Index (PNI) were adopted to evaluate the nutritional status of all patients. Using the consensus on malnutrition assessment (diagnosis) GLIM criteria as the gold standard, the diagnostic efficiency of NRS2002, SGA, MNA-SF, and PNI in diagnosing malnutrition in these elderly hospitalized patients with infectious diseases was compared. The Kappa coefficient was used to analyze the consistency between four objective nutritional screening tools and the GLIM gold standard. Results Among the 300 patients, 122 cases (40.67%) had malnutrition. The incidence rates of malnutrition risk evaluated by NRS2002, SGA, MNA-SF, and PNI were 56% (168), 60.33% (181), 59.33% (255), and 86.33% (259), respectively. The area under curve (AUC) of NRS-2002 in evaluating malnutrition was 0.877, and the AUCs of SGA, MNA-SF, and PNI were 0.668, 0.336, and 0.354, respectively. NRS-2002-based malnutrition risk assessment tool showed better sensitivity (70.22%), specificity (94.26%), PPV (68.45%), NPV (94.69), and consistency (Kappa=0.609) with malnutrition as defined in GLIM compared to the other assessment tools. Conclusion Compared with SGA, MNA-SF and PNI scores, NRS-2002, as an objective nutritional screening tool, demonstrates better diagnostic efficiency on identifying malnutrition in elderly hospitalized patients with infectious diseases.
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.Effect of sitravatinib on a mouse model of carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis and its mechanism
Huan ZHANG ; Xiangyu WU ; Qianwen ZHAO ; Fajuan RUI ; Nan GENG ; Rui JIN ; Jie LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):600-607
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of sitravatinib on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in mice. MethodsA total of 30 male C57BL/6J mice, aged 8 weeks, were randomly divided into control group, CCl4 model group, and low- (5 mg/kg), middle- (10 mg/kg), and high-dose (20 mg/kg) sitravatinib groups. All mice except those in the control group were given intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 for 4 consecutive weeks to induce liver fibrosis, and since the first day of modeling, the mice in the low-, middle-, and high-dose sitravatinib groups were given sitravatinib at the corresponding dose by gavage every day. The serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured for the mice in each group; hepatic hydroxyproline content was measured; HE staining, Masson staining, and Sirius Red staining were used to observe liver histopathological changes; quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type I alpha 1 (Col1a1) in liver tissue. The therapeutic effect of sitravatinib was assessed based on the above results. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group had significant increases in the levels of TC, TG, and ALT (all P<0.05), and there were no significant differences in the levels of TC, TG, and ALT between the model group and the low-, middle-, and high-dose sitravatinib groups (all P>0.05). Hepatic hydroxyproline content decreased after sitravatinib intervention, with a significant difference between the middle-/high-dose sitravatinib groups and the CCl4 model group (both P<0.05). Histopathological staining showed that the sitravatinib treatment groups had a reduction in collagen deposition, along with thinning and fragmentation of fibrous septa, and in the high-dose sitravatinib group, 4 mice had a fibrosis stage of S0—S1 and 2 mice had a fibrosis stage of S2—S3, suggesting a certain degree of alleviation of liver fibrosis degree compared with the CCl4 model group (mainly S3—S4). The measurement of related molecules showed that sitravatinib downregulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-SMA and Col1a1 (all P<0.05). ConclusionSitravatinib can effectively alleviate CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice, possibly by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation and collagen synthesis.
4.Dual Targeting of TBK1 and JAK-STAT1 Pathways by (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate Suppresses Type I Interferon-driven Inflammation
Liang LI ; Qi-Huan SHENG ; Huan LIU ; Wen-Hao YANG ; Jia-Lin SHI ; Ying-Jie SUN ; Rui JING ; Wei-Hua MAI ; Zhi-Min LI ; Xiao-Li XIE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):1969-1983
ObjectiveType I interferon (IFN-I) signaling is essential for antiviral innate immunity, yet its sustained or excessive activation contributes to the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases and interferonopathies, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and Aicardi-Goutières syndrome. Current strategies targeting this pathway, exemplified by JAK inhibitors, act mainly on downstream signal transduction and provide limited direct control over upstream IFN-I production, while also carrying the risk of broad immunosuppression. Phyllanthus emblica L. has long been used in traditional medicine for inflammatory disorders, but the bioactive constituent responsible for its regulation of IFN-I signaling and the underlying molecular mechanism have not been clearly defined. This study aimed to identify the active anti-inflammatory component of P. emblica and to characterize its mechanism of action on the IFN-I pathway in macrophages. MethodsActive components ofP. emblica and their candidate targets were screened by network pharmacology using the TCMSP and DrugBank databases (oral bioavailability≥30%, drug-likeness≥0.18) and intersected with inflammation-related genes retrieved from public databases. The predicted interaction between EGCG and IFN-I pathway proteins (TBK1, IRF3, STAT1) was evaluated by molecular docking, with BX795 and GSK8612 used as reference TBK1 inhibitors. Mechanistic experiments were performed in THP-1-derived macrophages and primary bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). Upstream signaling was activated by transfection of the nucleic acid analogs poly(I∶C) and poly(dA∶dT) or by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, whereas downstream signaling was activated by exogenous IFN-β. An siRNA-mediated TREX1 knockdown model was used to mimic endogenous nucleic acid-driven interferonopathy. Expression of IFN-β1 and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) was measured by RT-qPCR, protein phosphorylation by Western blot, and IFN-β secretion by ELISA. Cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) were used to probe the interactionbetween EGCG and IRF3. ResultsNetwork pharmacology identified (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as a candidate IFN-I-suppressive constituent of P. emblica, with predicted binding to TBK1, IRF3, and STAT1. Molecular docking yielded binding energies of -9.2, -7.2, and -8.2 kcal/mol for TBK1, IRF3, and STAT1, respectively, indicating an affinity for TBK1 comparable to that of the reference inhibitors BX795 (-5.7 kcal/mol) and GSK8612 (-6.4 kcal/mol). EGCG suppressed IFN-β1 and ISG mRNA expression under poly (I∶C), poly (dA∶dT), and LPS stimulation in both THP-1 macrophages and BMDM. At the protein level, EGCG reduced the phosphorylation of TBK1 and IRF3 without affecting the levels of the upstream sensors cGAS and RIG-I, and lowered IFN-β secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. CETSA and DARTS showed that EGCG did not enhance the thermal stability or protease resistance of IRF3, indicating that its effect on IRF3 is indirect. Following IFN-β stimulation, prolonged EGCG treatment reduced STAT1 phosphorylation in a time-dependent manner without an apparent change in IRF9, and partially attenuated ISG transcription; this effect was not monotonicly concentration-dependent, and CXCL10 showed the most consistent suppression. In TREX1-knockdown cells, the elevated mRNA levels of ISG15, ISG56, and CXCL10 were reduced by EGCG. ConclusionEGCG suppresses IFN-I responses by concurrently inhibiting TBK1-IRF3-dependent IFN‑β production and JAK-STAT1-mediated downstream transcription. These in vitro findings provide a mechanistic basis for the anti-inflammatory use of P. emblica in traditional medicine and identify EGCG as a candidate for further evaluation in interferon-driven autoimmune disease models.
5.The predictive value of systemic immune inflammation index for pathological complete remission of triple negative breast cancer
Huan JIE ; Shirong ZHANG ; Chunna GUO ; Qiang LIU ; Danping JIANG ; Ruiwen LI ; Songbai WANG
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2025;48(10):945-948
Objective:To investigate the predictive value of systemic immune inflammation index for the efficacyof neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple negative breast cancer patients, and analyzed the relationship between pathological complete response (pCR) and prognosis.Methods:The clinical data of 146 patients with triple-negative breast cancer admitted to the 926th Hospital of the Joint Service Support Force of the PLA from January 2018 to December 2020 were retrospectively collected. All patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. After chemotherapy, the patients were divided into pCR group (62 cases) and non-pCR group (84 cases) according to whether the patients achieved pCR. Pathological characteristics and systemic immunoinflammatory index levels of the two groups were compared. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive value of systemic immunoinflammatory index for pCR after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with triple-negative breast cancer, and survival curves were drawn to compare the disease-free survival of the two groups.Results:The rate of axillary lymph node metastasis in pCR group was lower than that in non-pCR group: 37.10% (23/62) vs. 64.29% (54/84), there was statistical difference ( χ2 = 10.58, P<0.01). There were no significant differences in TNM stage, Ki-67 level and histological grade between the two groups ( P>0.05). Compared with the non -pCR group, the systemic immune inflammation index in the pCR group was significantly reduced: 617.42 ± 166.40 vs. 853.67 ± 202.41, P<0.01. Systemic immune inflammation index was valuable in predicting non-pCR of triple negative breast cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and the area under the curve was 0.807 (95% CI: 0.738 - 0.875, P<0.01). Compared with the non-pCR group, the disease-free survival of patients in the pCR group was significantly prolonged ( P = 0.033). Conclusions:Systemic immune inflammation index was related to the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple negative breast cancer patients, and can be used as a biological indicator to predict the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple negative breast cancer.
6.Clinical features and predictive factors of Mycoplasma pneumoniae lobar pneumonia with plastic bronchitis in children
Jie YANG ; Chongkang HU ; Beijun DONG ; Huan ZHOU ; Baoxi WANG ; Xun JIANG ; Yanfeng XIAO
Chinese Pediatric Emergency Medicine 2025;32(4):279-285
Objective:To analyze the risk factors of Mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP)lobar pneumonia with plastic bronchitis(PB)in pediatric patients,and to establish a risk nomogram prediction model.Methods:The medical informations were collected from pediatric patients diagnosed with MP lobar pneumonia who performed bronchoscopy during hospitalization in the Department of Pediatrics at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from April 2023 to December 2023.According to the bronchoscopic findings,the patients were divided into PB group and non-PB group.The clinical medical records and ancillary diagnostic findings were retrospectively analyzed.A multivariate Logistic regression model was used to analyze the independent risk factors for children with MP lobar pneumonia complicated with PB.A nomogram model was constructed to predict the risk of PB occurrence. Calibration curves and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test were used to evaluate the predictive value of the nomogram model for MP lobar pneumonia with PB. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the diagnostic efficacy.Results:A total of 357 pediatric patients diagnosed with MP lobar pneumonia were included,with 92 cases in PB group and 265 cases in non-PB group. No statistically significant differences in gender and age were observed between the two groups( P>0.05).The duration of fever and the hospitalization time in PB group were longer than those in non-PB group. The incidences of pleural effusion,consolidation area of a single lung lobe ≥2/3 and atelectasis on chest CT were higher in PB group compared to non-PB group. Additionally,the levels of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio,C-reactive protein,procalcitonin,D-dimer(D-D),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase,lactate dehydrogenase,α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase,interferon-γ(IFN-γ),interleukin(IL)-6,IL-10 and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio in PB group were higher than those in non-PB group(all P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed elevated D-D, ALT and IFN-γ, pleural effusion and consolidation area of a single lung lobe ≥2/3 were independent risk factors for PB.The nomogram prediction model constructed by the model demonstrated good goodness-of-fit (χ 2=11.316, P=0.184) and provided significant clinical net benefits within a risk threshold range of 0.09–0.65. The area under the ROC curve for combined prediction was 0.771(95% CI 0.716-0.826),with a sensitivity of 0.707 and specificity of 0.706. Conclusion:In children with MP lobar pneumonia, elevated laboratory markers (D-D, ALT, IFN-γ) and imaging features (pleural effusion, consolidation area of a single lung lobe ≥2/3) are critical predictors for early diagnosis of PB.The nomogram prediction model can be used to predict MP lobar pneumonia with PB in early stage.
7.Construction and validation of predictive model for postoperative recurrence in early non-small cell lung cancer patients
Songbai WANG ; Shirong ZHANG ; Qiang LIU ; Chunna GUO ; Jiaping XU ; Shijia PU ; Huan JIE
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2025;48(4):357-360
Objective:To construct and validate a predictive model for postoperative recurrence in early non-small cell lung cancer patients.Methods:The clinical data of 252 patients with early non-small cell lung cancer admitted to the 926th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA from January 2016 to January 2018were retrospectively collected. All of the patients underwent surgical treatment and they were followed up for 5 years after surgery, according the recurrence after surgery, they were divided into the recurrence group (103 cases) and non- recurrence group (149 cases). The risk factors for postoperative recurrence in early non-small cell lung cancer patients were analyzed. A predictive model for postoperative recurrence in early non-small cell lung cancer patients was constructed and validated.Results:The results of Logistic regression analysis showed that tumor long diameter≥ 3 cm, lymph node metastasis, low differentiation, spicules and pleural traction were independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence in early non-small cell lung cancer patients ( P<0.05). Using R4.0.3 statistical software, the dataset was randomly divided into a training set and a validation set, with a sample size of 176 cases in the training set and 76 cases in the validation set. A prediction model was constructed, with thearea under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.754 (95% CI 0.679 - 0.828) in the training set and AUC of 0.749 (95% CI 0.634 - 0.864) in the validation set. The model was subjected to a Hosmer-Lemeshow Goodness-of-Fit Test in the validation set, χ2 = 11.31, P = 0.185. Conclusions:The predictive model base on tumor long diameter ≥ 3 cm, lymph node metastasis, low differentiation, spicules and pleural traction can identify patients at high risk of postoperative recurrence in early non-small cell lung cancer effectively.
8.Application of wide awake local anesthesia no tourniquet technique in locking of metacarpophalangeal joint with extension lag surgery
Guo-tao YANG ; Hua-jie MAO ; Zhi-jun CHEN ; Xu ZHANG ; Huan HU ; Qi-ting JIANG
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(9):836-839
Objective To explore the application value of wide awake local anesthesia no tourniquet(WALANT)technique in outpatient surgery for locking of metacarpophalangeal joint with extension lag.Methods The clinical data of 6 patients with locking of meta-carpophalangeal joint with extension lag in Danyang People's Hospital from January 2019 to October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were received outpatient surgery under the WALLANT technique for release,and lidocaine mixed solution containing 1∶100 000 epinephrine was injected into the proximal midpoint of the volar projection of the metacarpophalangeal joint.The joint was exposed with a volar or dorsal finger web incision to determine the unrestricted structure,and the collateral ligament and paralateral collateral ligament with high tension were cut off.The intraoperative blood loss,postoperative incision healing and complications were recorded.Visual analogue scale(VAS)was used to evaluate the intraoperative pain,and the range of motion of metacarpophalangeal joint and total active movement(TAM)of finger joint were observed during postoperative follow-up.Results The incision of patients were healed successfully in the first phase after surgery,without wound necrosis.The anesthesia effects of patients were all satisfied and the operation was successfully completed.The VAS score was less than 3 points and there was only a small amount of bleeding during the operation.The recovery of joint flexion and extension movements could be observed during the operation,and the TAM score after the operation was 20 points.No significant change was found on the range of motion of metacarpophalangeal joint or TAM of finger joint between the injured finger and the corresponding healthy finger(P>0.05).Conclusion WALANT technique for locking of metacarpophalangeal joint with extension lag surgery has good anesthesia effect,less bleeding in the incision,and clear vision of the surgery.It can avoid vascular and nerve injuries,observe the recovery of joint activities during the operation and relieve pain of patients,which is conducive to outpatient surgery and saving medical and social resources at the same time.
9.Construction and validation of predictive model for postoperative recurrence in early non-small cell lung cancer patients
Songbai WANG ; Shirong ZHANG ; Qiang LIU ; Chunna GUO ; Jiaping XU ; Shijia PU ; Huan JIE
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2025;48(4):357-360
Objective:To construct and validate a predictive model for postoperative recurrence in early non-small cell lung cancer patients.Methods:The clinical data of 252 patients with early non-small cell lung cancer admitted to the 926th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA from January 2016 to January 2018were retrospectively collected. All of the patients underwent surgical treatment and they were followed up for 5 years after surgery, according the recurrence after surgery, they were divided into the recurrence group (103 cases) and non- recurrence group (149 cases). The risk factors for postoperative recurrence in early non-small cell lung cancer patients were analyzed. A predictive model for postoperative recurrence in early non-small cell lung cancer patients was constructed and validated.Results:The results of Logistic regression analysis showed that tumor long diameter≥ 3 cm, lymph node metastasis, low differentiation, spicules and pleural traction were independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence in early non-small cell lung cancer patients ( P<0.05). Using R4.0.3 statistical software, the dataset was randomly divided into a training set and a validation set, with a sample size of 176 cases in the training set and 76 cases in the validation set. A prediction model was constructed, with thearea under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.754 (95% CI 0.679 - 0.828) in the training set and AUC of 0.749 (95% CI 0.634 - 0.864) in the validation set. The model was subjected to a Hosmer-Lemeshow Goodness-of-Fit Test in the validation set, χ2 = 11.31, P = 0.185. Conclusions:The predictive model base on tumor long diameter ≥ 3 cm, lymph node metastasis, low differentiation, spicules and pleural traction can identify patients at high risk of postoperative recurrence in early non-small cell lung cancer effectively.
10.Oroxylin A induces apoptosis in Ishikawa cell line of endometrial cancer via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Huan-huan ZHAO ; Yu-qian JIAO ; Ruo-qi QIAO ; Xue BAI ; Na WANG ; Yun-jie TIAN ; Wen-ling FAN ; Li LI ; Su-wen SU ; Yan FU ; Hui ZHANG ; Hong-fang YANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(3):555-560
Aim To investigate the effect of oroxylin A(OA)on apoptosis in Ishikawa cell line of endometrial cancer and the underlying mechanism through the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/AKT)signaling pathway.Methods Ishikawa cells were treated with different concentrations of OA(0,4,8,10,12,and 20 μmol·L-1)for 24 h-72 h,the cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay,apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry,and the protein ex-pression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax),PI3K/AKT,recombinant cytochrome P450 1B1(CYP1B1),and catechol-O-methyltransferase(COMT)were detected by Western blot technique.Results OA inhibited the prolifera-tion of Ishikawa cells in a concentration-and time-de-pendent manner.Compared with the blank control group,the expression of Bax protein increased signifi-cantly,while the expression of Bcl-2 protein decreased significantly with the increase of OA concentration.The expression of COMT protein increased significant-ly,while the expression of CYP1B1 protein decreased significantly.PI3K/AKT:IGF-1(PI3 K agonist)sup-plementation reversed the effect,the expression of COMT protein significantly decreased,and the expres-sion of CYP1B1 protein significantly increased.Con-clusions OA exerts anti-tumor effects in Ishikawa cells of endometrial cancer,which may be related to cell apoptosis mediated by the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail