1.Xuefu Zhuyutang Ameliorates Metabolic-associated Fatty Liver Disease via AMPK Signaling Pathway
Ming HAN ; Ying ZHANG ; Lingya KONG ; Jun DAI ; Ting ZHANG ; Zhihong MA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):1-12
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Xuefu Zhuyutang (XFZYT) for metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) through integrated network pharmacology and animal experiments. MethodsNetwork pharmacology was utilized to predict the core components, key therapeutic targets, and signaling pathways of XFZYT in the treatment of MAFLD. For animal experiments, a rat model of MAFLD was established by feeding a high-cholesterol diet for 4 weeks. Intervention was then administered with low-dose (2 g·kg-1) and high-dose (4 g·kg-1) XFZYT for 2 weeks. Biochemical assays were performed to measure the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). In addition, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) in the serum were measured. The same way was adopted to measure the levels of TC and TG in the liver tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to quantify the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Histopathological evaluations included hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining for liver tissue morphology, Oil Red O staining for lipid deposition, and dihydroethidium (DHE) probe staining for reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Western blot analysis was conducted to assess the protein levels of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), phosphorylated (p)-AMPK, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and p-NF-κB in the liver tissue. Untargeted metabolomics analysis of the serum was performed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). ResultsNetwork pharmacology analysis predicted 155 potential targets of XFZYT for MAFLD treatment, with core targets including signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), protein kinase B1 (Akt1), TNF, and IL-6. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment primarily implicated the AMPK signaling pathway. Animal experiments demonstrated that compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited dyslipidemia, hepatic function impairment, pronounced hepatic lipid deposition, and inflammatory manifestations, with elevated serum levels of AST, ALT, TC, TG, LDL, and MDA (P<0.05), reduced HDL and GSH levels plus decreased SOD and CAT activities (P<0.05), downregulated protein levels of Nrf2, HO-1, and p-AMPK (P<0.05), and upregulated protein level of p-NF-κB (P<0.05) in the liver tissue. Compared with the model group, XFZYT intervention groups showed significant amelioration of dyslipidemia and hepatic function impairment, markedly reduced hepatic lipid deposition and inflammatory cell infiltration, decreased serum levels of AST, ALT, TC, TG, LDL, and MDA (P<0.05), increased HDL and GSH levels plus enhanced SOD and CAT activities (P<0.05), upregulated protein levels of Nrf2, HO-1, and p-AMPK (P<0.05), and downregulated protein level of p-NF-κB (P<0.05). Serum metabolomics revealed 511 differentially expressed metabolites (231 upregulated and 280 downregulated) between normal and model groups, while XFZYT groups versus model group showed 94 differential metabolites (51 upregulated and 43 downregulated). Among them, 11 metabolites displayed the most significant alterations, with enriched pathways including glycerolipid metabolism, cholesterol metabolism, and insulin resistance, multiple of which demonstrated AMPK association. ConclusionXFZYT alleviates MAFLD by regulating the AMPK signaling pathway and associated metabolic networks.
2.Expert consensus on neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitors for locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (2026)
LI Jinsong ; LIAO Guiqing ; LI Longjiang ; ZHANG Chenping ; SHANG Chenping ; ZHANG Jie ; ZHONG Laiping ; LIU Bing ; CHEN Gang ; WEI Jianhua ; JI Tong ; LI Chunjie ; LIN Lisong ; REN Guoxin ; LI Yi ; SHANG Wei ; HAN Bing ; JIANG Canhua ; ZHANG Sheng ; SONG Ming ; LIU Xuekui ; WANG Anxun ; LIU Shuguang ; CHEN Zhanhong ; WANG Youyuan ; LIN Zhaoyu ; LI Haigang ; DUAN Xiaohui ; YE Ling ; ZHENG Jun ; WANG Jun ; LV Xiaozhi ; ZHU Lijun ; CAO Haotian
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(2):105-118
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common head and neck malignancy. Approximately 50% to 60% of patients with OSCC are diagnosed at a locally advanced stage (clinical staging III-IVa). Even with comprehensive and sequential treatment primarily based on surgery, the 5-year overall survival rate remains below 50%, and patients often suffer from postoperative functional impairments such as difficulties with speaking and swallowing. Programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitors are increasingly used in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced OSCC and have shown encouraging efficacy. However, clinical practice still faces key challenges, including the definition of indications, optimization of combination regimens, and standards for efficacy evaluation. Based on the latest research advances worldwide and the clinical experience of the expert group, this expert consensus systematically evaluates the application of PD-1 inhibitors in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced OSCC, covering combination strategies, treatment cycles and surgical timing, efficacy assessment, use of biomarkers, management of special populations and immune related adverse events, principles for immunotherapy rechallenge, and function preservation strategies. After multiple rounds of panel discussion and through anonymous voting using the Delphi method, the following consensus statements have been formulated: 1) Neoadjuvant therapy with PD-1 inhibitors can be used preoperatively in patients with locally advanced OSCC. The preferred regimen is a PD-1 inhibitor combined with platinum based chemotherapy, administered for 2-3 cycles. 2) During the efficacy evaluation of neoadjuvant therapy, radiographic assessment should follow the dual criteria of Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 and immune RECIST (iRECIST). After surgery, systematic pathological evaluation of both the primary lesion and regional lymph nodes is required. For combination chemotherapy regimens, PD-L1 expression and combined positive score need not be used as mandatory inclusion or exclusion criteria. 3) For special populations such as the elderly (≥ 70 years), individuals with stable HIV viral load, and carriers of chronic HBV/HCV, PD-1 inhibitors may be used cautiously under the guidance of a multidisciplinary team (MDT), with close monitoring for adverse events. 4) For patients with a poor response to neoadjuvant therapy, continuation of the original treatment regimen is not recommended; the subsequent treatment plan should be adjusted promptly after MDT assessment. Organ transplant recipients and patients with active autoimmune diseases are not recommended to receive neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitor therapy due to the high risk of immune related activation. Rechallenge is generally not advised for patients who have experienced high risk immune related adverse events such as immune mediated myocarditis, neurotoxicity, or pneumonitis. 5) For patients with a good pathological response, individualized de escalation surgery and function preservation strategies can be explored. This consensus aims to promote the standardized, safe, and precise application of neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitor strategies in the management of locally advanced OSCC patients.
3.Relationship between ischemia-reperfusion injury and rejection
Aizheng XI ; Han XU ; Jun LUO ; Zhongzhong LIU
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(2):304-310
Ischemia-reperfusion injury of solid organs is a common complication during transplantation, but its mechanism remains unclear and there are no effective prevention and treatment methods. Rejection is a common immune response of the graft, which is classified into hyperacute rejection, acute rejection and chronic rejection. Rejection and ischemia-reperfusion injury of solid organs may share some common mechanisms, and further research on their correlation may provide strategies for the prevention and treatment of ischemia-reperfusion injury of solid organs. This article mainly reviews the association between rejection and ischemia-reperfusion injury of solid organs.
5.Differential Peripheral NLRP3 Inflammasome Expression in Patients With Parkinson’s Disease and Patients With Multiple System Atrophy
Jeongjae LEE ; Han-Joon KIM ; Huu Dat NGUYEN ; Suk Jun SONG ; Trung Nguyen THANH ; In Hee KWAK ; Hye Joung CHOI ; Hyeo-il MA ; Young Eun KIM
Journal of Movement Disorders 2026;19(1):31-38
Objective:
The NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has been proposed to be a downstream mediator of neuroinflammation in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, its involvement across disease stages and related synucleinopathies, such as multiple system atrophy (MSA), remains unclear. We aimed to analyze the peripheral mRNA expression of NLRP3-related genes and cytokines across individuals with isolated REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD), early-stage PD, late-stage PD, and MSA.
Methods:
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from 151 participants: 35 healthy controls (HCs), 31 patients with iRBD, 41 patients with early-stage PD, 21 patients with late-stage PD, and 23 patients with MSA. mRNA expression was measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Statistical comparisons were performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) or Welch’s ANOVA, and associations with clinical variables were analyzed through stepwise multiple linear regression.
Results:
NLRP3 expression was significantly lower in patients with iRBD (p=0.0263) and patients with early-stage PD (p= 0.0101) than in HCs. NIMA-related kinase 7 (NEK7) expression progressively decreased across the disease spectrum (HCs vs. patients with early-stage PD, p=0.0008; vs. patients with late-stage PD, p<0.0001). In contrast, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) and caspase-1 were elevated in patients with PD, especially those in the late stages. Levels of patients with MSA resembled those of HCs but differed from those of patients with PD. Interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 levels were not significantly different. In patients with early-stage PD, NLRP3 expression was negatively correlated with disease duration, the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale Part II score, and the cognitive score.
Conclusion
Our findings challenge the prevailing hypothesis that NLRP3 inflammasome activation directly contributes to PD pathogenesis. Instead, the observed increase in ASC and caspase-1 expression suggests the potential involvement of alternative inflammasome pathways during disease progression.
6.Reconsidering the role of plasma pgRNA in NUC-treated CHB: Stratified biomarker interpretation and the limits of current assays: Letter to the editor on “Longitudinal profile of plasma pregenomic RNA in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection on long-term nucleoside analogues and its interaction with clinical parameters”
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):e131-e133
8.Clinical and Urodynamic Predictors of Urinary Urgency Improvement After Cystocele Repair
Ju Hun AHN ; Joon Chul KIM ; Jin Bong CHOI ; Jun Sung KOH ; Young Kyu HAN ; Seong Joo YANG ; Kang Jun CHO
International Neurourology Journal 2026;30(2):163-171
Purpose:
Overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms may improve following surgical correction of cystocele. This study aimed to evaluate changes in urgency, the primary symptom of OAB, and identify factors associated with improvement in urgency after surgical treatment for cystocele.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective analysis of medical records for patients who underwent surgical treatment for cystocele and had preoperative urgency measuring ≥3 on a 5-point urinary sensation scale. Patients were categorized into 2 groups based on their urgency status 3 months postsurgery: those with improved urgency and those without improvement. Improvement was defined as a reduction of 2 or more points on the scale following surgery. We compared preoperative clinical and urodynamic factors between the 2 groups.
Results:
A total of 137 patients were included in the study, with 98 (71.5%) showing improvement in urgency symptoms after surgery. The improved group had a significantly higher prevalence of preoperative urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) (62.2% vs. 30.8%, P=0.001) and bladder outlet obstruction (43.9% vs. 20.5%, P=0.011) compared to the nonimproved group. Urodynamic evaluations indicated that the detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate (PdetQmax) was significantly higher in the improved group than in the nonimproved group (P=0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified preoperative UUI, higher PdetQmax, and lower vaginal parity as independent predictors of improvement in urgency postoperatively.
Conclusions
Preoperative UUI, higher PdetQmax, and lower vaginal parity were significant predictors of postoperative improvement in urgency. Both clinical and urodynamic factors may help identify patients with cystocele and preoperative urgency who are most likely to benefit from anatomical correction.
9.Erratum: A Multicenter Retrospective Study on the Efficacy and Safety of Dupilumab in Elderly Korean Patients Aged 65 Years and Older with Chronic Pruritus
Yu Jin LEE ; Byeol HAN ; Chan Ho NA ; Jun Ho KWAK ; Min Kyung SHIN ; Jua LEE ; Ji Young AHN ; Hoeun GWAG ; Yong Hyun JANG ; Seung Soo LEE ; Tae Young HAN
Korean Journal of Dermatology 2026;64(1):46-46
10.Statistical analysis of vector monitoring in port areas of Shandong Province from 2017 to 2023
Huan-mei HAN ; Tao ZHANG ; Zhi-ping SU ; Rong-jun YAN ; Wei HUANG ; Wen-wen ZHANG
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(2):121-127
Objective To provide a scientific basis for vector prevention and control in port areas, vector monitoring has been conducted continuously to characterize the composition, density, and seasonal fluctuations of vectors across 21 port-areas of Shandong province from 2017 to 2023. Methods In accordance with the Regional Vector Monitoring Plan for Frontier Ports, vector surveillance of mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, rodents, and other disease vectors was performed. Data were analyzed to describe vector community composition and identify seasonal fluctuations. Results A total of 601 rodents belonging to 1 family, 4 genera, and 4 species were captured. Three dominant rodent species inhabit port areas. In addition, 88 104 mosquitoes were captured and classified into 3 subfamilies, 4 genera, and 12 species; 38 959 flies were trapped and classified into 8 families,31 genera, and 51 species, including 9 dominant fly species in port-areas; and 54 672 captured cockroaches were classified into 2 families,4 genera, and 4 species, with Blattella germanica as the dominant species. Conclusions Significant vector community changes(P<0.005)have been identified after the epidemic. To improve the pertinence and efficacy of port health quarantine work, continuous and strong attention should be paid to vector compositions and population densities at Shandong ports.


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