1.PPARα activation alleviates lithocholic acid-induced liver injury by inhibiting pyroptosis
Hang-Fei Liang ; Chuo-Ying Mai ; Xuan Li ; Jia-Ning Tian ; Hai-Guo Su ; Min Huang ; Jian-Hong Fang ; Hai-Tao Wang ; Xiao Yang ; Hui-Chang Bi
Liver Research 2026;10(2):177-188
Background and aims
The mechanism of cholestatic liver injury (CLI) is unclear, and effective therapies are lacking. While peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) agonists show potential hepatoprotective effect and pyroptosis is implicated in hepatocellular damage, how PPARα activation mitigates lithocholic acid (LCA)-induced pyroptosis remains unknown.
Methods
The hepatoprotective effect of PPARα agonists was evaluated in a mouse model of intrahepatic cholestasis induced by LCA. Liver injury was assessed via serum biochemistry, hematoxylin and eosin and TUNEL staining, and electron microscopy. Pyroptosis pathways were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and co-immunoprecipitation.
Results
Combined morphological, histopathological, and biochemical analyses confirmed that PPARα activation protects against CLI. Compared with LCA treatment alone, PPARα activation significantly attenuated the elevation of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the increased TUNEL-positive cells, and the formation of hepatocyte membrane pores. Mechanistically, PPARα activation suppressed both NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis and apoptosis protease-activating factor-1 (APAF-1)/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis. Furthermore, PPARα agonist pretreatment inhibited activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) signaling pathways.
Conclusions
PPARα protects against LCA-induced CLI by inhibiting both NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis associated with NF-κB and APAF-1/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis associated with the FOXO1 signaling pathway.
2.PES1 Repression Triggers Ribosomal Biogenesis Impairment and Cellular Senescence Through p53 Pathway Activation
Chang-Jian ZHANG ; Yu-Fang LI ; Feng-Yun WU ; Rui JIN ; Chang NIU ; Qi-Nong YE ; Long CHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(7):1853-1865
ObjectiveThe nucleolar protein PES1 (Pescadillo homolog 1) plays critical roles in ribosome biogenesis and cell cycle regulation, yet its involvement in cellular senescence remains poorly understood. This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the functional consequences of PES1 suppression in cellular senescence and elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying its regulatory role. MethodsInitially, we assessed PES1 expression patterns in two distinct senescence models: replicative senescent mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and doxorubicin-induced senescent human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. Subsequently, PES1 expression was specifically downregulated using siRNA-mediated knockdown in these cell lines as well as additional relevant cell types. Cellular proliferation and senescence were assessed by EdU incorporation and SA-β-gal staining assays, respectively. The expression of senescence-associated proteins (p53, p21, and Rb) and SASP factors (IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-8) were analyzed by Western blot or qPCR. Furthermore, Northern blot and immunofluorescence were employed to evaluate pre-rRNA processing and nucleolar morphology. ResultsPES1 expression was significantly downregulated in senescent MEFs and HepG2 cells. PES1 knockdown resulted in decreased EdU-positive cells and increased SA‑β‑gal-positive cells, indicating proliferation inhibition and senescence induction. Mechanistically, PES1 suppression activated the p53-p21 pathway without affecting Rb expression, while upregulating IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-8 production. Notably, PES1 depletion impaired pre-rRNA maturation and induced nucleolar stress, as evidenced by aberrant nucleolar morphology. ConclusionOur findings demonstrate that PES1 deficiency triggers nucleolar stress and promotes p53-dependent (but Rb-independent) cellular senescence, highlighting its crucial role in maintaining nucleolar homeostasis and regulating senescence-associated pathways.
3.Correlation Between Cardiovascular Events and Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis:A Cross-Sectional Study
Fuyuan ZHANG ; Quan JIANG ; Jun LI ; Yuchen YANG ; Xieli MA ; Tian CHANG ; Congmin XIA ; Jian WANG ; Xun GONG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(15):1572-1578
ObjectiveTo explore the correlation between the occurrence of cardiovascular events in rheumatoid arthritis(RA) and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndrome. MethodsThe cross-sectional study selected 6713 RA patients from 122 centres nationwide, in which general information such as name, gender, age, height, body weight, and course of disease were collected by completing a questionnaire; patients were classified into eight types of syndrome according to the information of their four examinations,i.e. wind-dampness obstruction syndrome, cold-dampness obstruction syndrome, dampness-heat obstruction syndrome, phlegm-stasis obstruction syndrome, stasis-blood obstructing collateral syndrome, qi-blood deficiency syndrome, liver-kidney insufficiency syndrome, and qi-yin deficiency syndrome. According to the occurrence of cardiovascular events, they were divided into the occurrence group and the non-occurrence group, and the condition assessment data and laboratory examination indexes were recorded. The test of difference between groups was used to analyse the possible risk factors for the occurrence of RA cardiovascular events, and binary logistic regression was used to analyse the correlation between TCM syndromes and RA cardiovascular events. ResultsA total of 6713 RA patients were included, including 256 cases in occurrence group and 6457 in non-occurrence group. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of height, gender, insomnia, appetite, white blood cell(WBC), hemoglobin(HGB), platelets(PLT), rheumatoid factor(RF), anti-cyclic peptide containing citrulline(CCP), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT), urea creatinine(CREA), and glucose(GLU)(P>0.05). The TCM syndromes between groups showed significant statistic differences(P<0.05). Patients in occurrence group had longer disease duration, heavier body weight, and older age; more severe conditions such as disease activity(DAS-28), number of painful joints(TJC), number of swollen joints(SJC), health questionnaire scores(HAQ), visual analog scores(VAS), restlessness, and fatigue; higher blood sedimentation rate(ESR), low-density lipoprotein(LDL-C), triglyceride(TG), total cholesterol(TC), D-Dimer, and lower high-density lipoprotein(HDL-C)(P<0.05). The distribution of syndrome types showed that dampness-heat obstruction syndrome accounted for the largest proportion of patients in both groups and was higher in RA cardiovascular events. Logistic regression analysis showed that the occurrence of RA cardiovascular events was strongly associated with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome[OR=5.937, 95%CI (4.434, 7.949), P<0.001]. ConclusionThe occurrence of RA cardiovascular events were associated with TCM syndromes, and the probability of cardiovascular events in the RA patients with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome was 5.937 times higher than patients with other TCM syndromes.
4.Research Progress of 223-Ra in the Treatment of Bone Metastases from Desmoplasia-resistant Prostate Cancer
Chang LU ; Ran ZHANG ; Li ZHANG ; Jiaxin DING ; Yue SUN ; Zhuoling RAN ; Yuxuan ZHENG ; Lin YU ; Xu GAO ; Jing XIE ; Huan ZHOU ; Jian GONG
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(3):446-451
Prostate cancer is one of the most common male urological malignancies,in which bone metastasis of desmo-plasia-resistant prostate cancer is an important stage in the progression of the disease,which seriously affects the quality of life and survival of patients.With the development of nuclide therapy technology in recent years,223-Ra,as a new type of alpha-targeted therapy,has shown good efficacy in the treatment of desmoplasia-resistant prostate cancer bone metastasis.The purpose of this pa-per is to review the characteristics,mechanism of action,treatment,and the main research results of its treatment of desmoplasia-resistant prostate cancer bone metastasis,and provide a comprehensive review of the clinical application of 223-Ra in the treatment of desmoplasia-resistant prostate cancer bone metastasis for the clinical application of 223-Ra in prostate cancer bone metastasis.
5.Estimation of Tangential Ground Reaction Force by Data-Driven Modeling
Yang LÜ ; Chang LU ; Xiaoxu ZHANG ; Wenming CHEN ; Jian XU
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2025;40(1):148-155
Objective To develop a data-driven model for estimating tangential ground reaction force(GRFt)from lower limb kinematic data and select the most suitable input based on a balance between input quantity and estimation accuracy,with the aim of measuring GRFt in outdoor gait experiments.Methods Gait data from ten subjects walking at five different inclines(-10°,-5°,0°,5°,10°)were used to train two data-driven models,namely a backpropagation neural network(BPNN)-based model and a polynomial sparse identification(PSI)-based model.The performance of these models was evaluated using eight kinematic data combinations and the normal ground reaction force(GRFn)as inputs to determine the optimal model and input combination.Results Under the same input dimensionality,the combination of hip-knee joint angles proved more accurate in estimating GRF,than the knee-ankle joint angle combination.Specifically,the BPNN and PSI models based on the former combination predicted GRF,with errors of 1.61%BW(body weight)and 1.84%BW,respectively,while the latter combination resulted in errors of 2.82%BW and 3.15%BW.When GRFn and all joint angles were used as inputs,the model's prediction error was only 1.46%BW.Conclusions The combination of GRFn and hip-knee joint angles achieves an optimal balance between computational complexity and estimation accuracy.This study supports the accurate estimation of GRF,in outdoor gait testing.
6.Study on decision tree-based optimization algorithm for medical equipment fault diagnosis
Zi-jian YANG ; Ke-chao ZHAO ; Jing-chang LU ; Hong-tao XING
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(5):78-83
Objective To propose a decision tree-based optimization algorithm to shorten the time spent and to improve the decision-making efficiency for medical device fault diagnosis.Methods Firstly,a binarized fault state space for medical equipment was constructed;secondly,the binarized fault state space was simplified with logical functions;finally,a greedy algorithm was applied to iterative judgment to build a decision tree for medical device fault diagnosis.The algorithm proposed was compared with the greedy algorithm,Gini coefficient method and random forest algorithm in terms of the result accuracy and time cost and the influences of fault probability distribution and time-consuming differences for the algorithms.A case study on gastric lavage machine fault diagnosis was conducted to demonstrate the algorithm.Results The algorithm proposed behaved better than the greedy algorithm,Gini coefficient method and random forest algorithm in lowered time cost and result accuracy.However,the algorithm showed a decrease in accuracy for the logarithmic distribution of the detection method's time consumption,and it was not sensitive to the changes in the failure rate distribution.The gastric lavage machine case study demonstrated that the algorithm was functionally similar to an experienced engineer.Conclusion The proposed algorithm with overall perspective effectively enhances fault judgment efficiency and facilitates rapid diagnostic decision-making in medical equipment maintenance.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(5):78-83]
7.Design of combat rescue specialized physical training simulator
Hong-tao XING ; Shi-wei XU ; Jian-hua WANG ; Jing-chang LU ; Ke-chao ZHAO ; Cheng CUI
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(1):33-37
Objective To design a combat rescue specialized physical training simulator to solve the problems of the existing combat rescue physical traing in multifunctionality and simulation vividness.Methods The simulator was divided into three types for stretcher handling,land combat rescue and marine rescue based on the application scenerio and functional positioning,and into three grades of basic level,intensive level and ultra intensive level based on the loaded mass and additional weight object.The main components of the simulator included a manikin,a bionic joint and addtional weight objects.The manikin was made up of outer skin,inner liner and skeleton;the bionic joint was made of stainless steel with surface electrophoresis treatment,and was composed of high-strength medal bearing shafts with multiple disc springs and damping mechanisms;the additional weight objects involued in high-intensity cast iron or lead blocks,which were pre-embedded,mounted or srtapped into the simulator.The simulator was verified with body shape and mass detection,drop test,waterproof test and drag test.Results It's proved the simulator gained advantages in vividness for body shape and mass,bionic joint structure and adaptability to training environments and could be used for graded physical training in typical combat rescue scenerios.Conclusion The simulator developed solves the problems of the combat rescue specialized physical training equipment,and facilitates the enhancement of physical training of combat rescue personnel.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(1):33-37]
8.Study on performance evaluation method for lubricating coatings of intravascular catheters
Hong-jian CHEN ; Chong-chong AI ; Yuan-yu LI ; Li-ping HUANG ; Jia-qi NIE ; Chang-bin WANG ; Qian YANG ; Yu-xin BI ; Wen-bo LU
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(1):66-72
Three evaluation methods were recommended for the key properties of the intravascular catheter lubricating coating such as stability,lubricity and integrity,including insoluble particle test method,friction test procedure and appearance detection method.Fifteen batches of microcatheters produced by different manufacturers were selected for testing to clarify the three methods in test principle,step,result,characteristic.References were provided for the design,production,evaluation and regulation of intravascular catheters with lubricant coatings.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(1):66-72]
9.Resected bone surface anatomy measurement in KBD population for total knee arthroplasty based on three-dimensional computed tomography
Bo YANG ; Ming CHEN ; Shizhang LIU ; Yanhai CHANG ; Hui QIANG ; Ming LING ; Jian TAO ; Pengzhen LEI
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(4):650-655
Objective To measure and analyze anatomic parameters of resected distal femurs and proximal tibias in Kaschin-Beck disease(KBD)and osteoarthritic(OA)knees which fit for total knee arthroplasty(TKA),so as to provide basis for designing suitable knee prosthesis for KBD patients.Methods A total of 154 knees(75 KBD and 79 OA)fitting for TKA underwent three-dimensional reconstruction;resection of distal femurs and proximal tibias was simulated during TKA.We measured the distal femoral mediolateral(fML),lateral anteroposterior(fLAP),medial anteroposterior(fMAP),medial condylar width(fMCW),lateral condylar width(fLCW)and fML/fLAP aspect ratio,proximal tibial mediolateral(tML),middle anteroposterior(tAP),medial anteroposterior(tMAP),lateral anteroposterior(tLAP)dimension,and tML/tAP aspect ratio to compare the morphometric differences between KBD and OA knees.Results The measured anatomic parameters of resected distal femurs and proximal tibias in both male and female patients of KBD group were smaller than those of OA knees(P<0.01).We also found that KBD group had larger distal femur fML/fLAP and proximal tibia tML/tAP aspect ratios than those of OA knees(P<0.01).This indicated that under a given AP dimension,KBD knees need an oval-shaped prosthesis with a wider ML length and more spherical-shaped prosthesis with relatively narrow ML dimensions in OA knees.Conclusion The anatomy of distal femurs and proximal tibias shows significant differences in size and shape between KBD and OA knees,which provides theoretical basis for designing proper knee prosthesis for KBD patients.
10.Congenital tracheal agenesis in a preterm infant
Fengxia ZHAO ; Juan WANG ; Chang WANG ; Chuangao YIN ; Zeyu YANG ; Jian ZHANG ; Shaohua BI ; Yu LIU
Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine 2025;28(11):974-977
This report described the multidisciplinary management of a preterm infant with congenital tracheal agenesis (TA). The infant, delivered via cesarean section at 32 +5 weeks' gestation, had Apgar scores of 6 and 8 at 1 and 5 minutes, respectively. Although skin color improved after 30 seconds of bag-mask ventilation, the infant exhibited no cry, weak spontaneous breathing, and failed multiple intubation attempts. The patient was transferred to Anhui Children's Hospital of Fudan University under continuous bag-mask positive-pressure ventilation at 3 hours after birth (September 10, 2024). Combined imaging and fiberoptic bronchoscopy confirmed TA (Floyd type Ⅱ/Faro type C) with multiple anomalies, including duodenal atresia, aortic coarctation, and butterfly vertebrae. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a suspected mosaic SCN2A c.5317G>A variant (wild-type parents) and an ERCC5 c.2974C>T heterozygous variant inherited from the mother (homozygous). Following esophageal intubation, invasive mechanical ventilation, and continuous gastrointestinal decompression, respiratory distress significantly improved with a stabilized condition. The infant died 30 hours after birth following treatment withdrawal.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail