1.Evaluation of anticancer activity of marine microbial secondary metabolites based on intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma organoid models and study on its induction of cancer cell apoptosis
Xiaoting FAN ; Zhifan MAO ; Jian LIU ; Fan YANG ; Houwen LIN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(6):280-288
Objective To investigate the anti-intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) activity and mechanism of 2-heptyl-3-hydroxy-4(1H)-quinolone (PQS), a secondary metabolite of polar marine microorganisms. Methods Patient-derived organoid (PDO) models were established using intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) tumor tissues obtained from Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed to assess the histomorphological characteristics of both patient ICC tissues and corresponding PDOs. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to evaluate CYP3a expression in patient ICC tissues and PDOs. The antiproliferative activity of PQS against stably passaged PDOs was determined using an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-based bioluminescence assay, and dose-response curves were fitted to calculate the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for assessing the anti-ICC efficacy of PQS. In the human intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma RBE cell model, the effects of PQS on RBE cell proliferation were evaluated by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay; colony formation capacity was assessed by the plate colony formation assay; cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry; and the protein expression levels of cyclin-dependent kinase 2(CDK2), CDK4, RelA(p65), and nuclear factor-κB1(p50) were detected by Western blotting. Results Two ICC PDO models were successfully established. Histomorphological observation revealed that the PDO tissues after serial passaging exhibited morphological features essentially consistent with the corresponding patient ICC tissues, both presenting as cystic vesicle-like structures. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that CYP3a was expressed in both PDO tissues and patient ICC tissues. ATP-based bioluminescence assay results indicated that PQS effectively suppressed ATP content in PDO tissues, with a fitted dose-response curve yielding an IC50 value of 2.49 µmol/L. In the RBE cell model, PQS inhibited RBE cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner, and the fitted dose-response curve yielded an IC50 value of 1.05 µmol/L. Furthermore, PQS at concentrations of 1, 2, and 4 µmol/L significantly suppressed colony formation of RBE cells, arrested the cell cycle at the S phase, induced apoptosis, and downregulated the expression of proteins associated with the NF-κB signaling pathway. Conclusion ICC PDO models were successfully established, confirming the anti-ICC activity of PQS. PQS inhibited RBE cell proliferation, potentially via the NF-κB signaling pathway, by arresting the cell cycle at the S phase and inducing apoptosis of RBE cells
2.Evaluation of anticancer activity of marine microbial secondary metabolites based on intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma organoid models and study on its induction of cancer cell apoptosis
Xiaoting FAN ; Zhifan MAO ; Jian LIU ; Fan YANG ; Houwen LIN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(6):280-288
Objective To investigate the anti-intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) activity and mechanism of 2-heptyl-3-hydroxy-4(1H)-quinolone (PQS), a secondary metabolite of polar marine microorganisms. Methods Patient-derived organoid (PDO) models were established using intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) tumor tissues obtained from Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed to assess the histomorphological characteristics of both patient ICC tissues and corresponding PDOs. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to evaluate CYP3a expression in patient ICC tissues and PDOs. The antiproliferative activity of PQS against stably passaged PDOs was determined using an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-based bioluminescence assay, and dose-response curves were fitted to calculate the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for assessing the anti-ICC efficacy of PQS. In the human intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma RBE cell model, the effects of PQS on RBE cell proliferation were evaluated by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay; colony formation capacity was assessed by the plate colony formation assay; cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry; and the protein expression levels of cyclin-dependent kinase 2(CDK2), CDK4, RelA(p65), and nuclear factor-κB1(p50) were detected by Western blotting. Results Two ICC PDO models were successfully established. Histomorphological observation revealed that the PDO tissues after serial passaging exhibited morphological features essentially consistent with the corresponding patient ICC tissues, both presenting as cystic vesicle-like structures. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that CYP3a was expressed in both PDO tissues and patient ICC tissues. ATP-based bioluminescence assay results indicated that PQS effectively suppressed ATP content in PDO tissues, with a fitted dose-response curve yielding an IC50 value of 2.49 µmol/L. In the RBE cell model, PQS inhibited RBE cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner, and the fitted dose-response curve yielded an IC50 value of 1.05 µmol/L. Furthermore, PQS at concentrations of 1, 2, and 4 µmol/L significantly suppressed colony formation of RBE cells, arrested the cell cycle at the S phase, induced apoptosis, and downregulated the expression of proteins associated with the NF-κB signaling pathway. Conclusion ICC PDO models were successfully established, confirming the anti-ICC activity of PQS. PQS inhibited RBE cell proliferation, potentially via the NF-κB signaling pathway, by arresting the cell cycle at the S phase and inducing apoptosis of RBE cells
3.Clinical and Neuroelectrophysiological Features of Autoimmune Nodopathy
Hongfei TAI ; Xunyan HUANG ; Songtao NIU ; Bin CHEN ; Yuzhi SHI ; Xingao WANG ; Fan JIAN ; Hua PAN ; Zaiqiang ZHANG
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(2):191-199
To summarize the clinical characteristics, antibody spectrum and neuroelectrophysiological features of autoimmune nodopathy(AN), and to explore the phenotypic differences among different antibody-positive subgroups. The clinical and electrophysiological data of patients definitely diagnosed with AN in Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, from October 2018 to January 2026 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 33 patients with AN were included. Antibody examination results showed that, anti-neurofascin(NF)155 antibody was the most prevalent, detected in 17 patients(51.50%), followed by anti-contactin-1(CNTN1) antibody in 8 patients(24.24%). Anti-NF186 antibody(4 cases, 12.12%), anti-contactin-associated protein 1(Caspr1) antibody(2 cases, 6.06%) and dual-target antibody positivity(2 cases, 6.06%) were relatively uncommon. The main clinical manifestations of AN patients included symmetric distal paresthesia of the extremities(32 cases, 96.97%), limb weakness(31 cases, 93.93%) and sensory ataxia(25 cases, 75.76%). Different antibody-positive subgroups presented distinct phenotypic features: patients with positive anti-NF155 antibody had a relatively younger age of onset, chronic onset and a high incidence of tremor, which was dominated by immunoglobulin(Ig)G4 subclass antibodies; patients with positive anti-CNTN1 antibody had a relatively advanced age of onset, mostly presented with acute or subacute onset, and were prone to complicated nephrotic syndrome; patients with positive anti-NF186 antibody had relatively mild nerve conduction damage; patients with anti-Caspr1 antibody manifested acute or subacute onset, with relatively elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein level and 24-h intrathecal IgG synthesis rate. The prominent neuroelectrophysiological manifestations of AN included decreased motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities, prolonged distal latency, frequent non-compressive conduction block and abnormal temporal dispersion. Definite sensory nerve action potentials could not be elicited in more than half of the patients. Patients with AN show high heterogeneity in clinical and neuroelectrophysiological characteristics, and different antibody-positive subgroups correspond to specific clinical and neuroelectrophysiological phenotypes.
4.Expert consensus on the application of artificial intelligence in lung cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment (2026 edition)
Wenzhao ZHONG ; Haibo WANG ; Yi HU ; Hao ZHANG ; Jigang DAI ; Junqiang FAN ; Guibin QIAO ; Fan YANG ; Jian HU ; Fengwei TAN ; Xuening YANG ; Qiang PU ; Zihao CHEN ; Hongxia TIAN ; Lunxu LIU ; Hecheng LI ; Xiaolong YAN ; Zongyang YU ; Zhenbin QIU ; Yihua SUN ; Jing HU ; Yuhang SHI ; Zhifei GUO ; Peng ZHANG ; Kezhong CHEN ; Shugeng GAO ; Yilong WU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):848-856
With the continuous deepening of the concept of precision diagnosis and treatment for lung cancer, how to achieve higher efficiency and accuracy in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment pathways in clinical practice has become an important issue that urgently needs to be overcome. The current clinical difficulty lies in the fact that despite continuous advancements in imaging and molecular diagnostic technologies, there are still limitations in manual efficiency and subjective experience when it comes to massive data analysis and multi-scale feature extraction. Artificial intelligence (AI), especially algorithm systems based on deep learning, is an innovative technology capable of deeply empowering medical big data. This method utilizes algorithms such as convolutional neural networks, combined with radiomics, pathomics, and multi-modal data fusion analysis, demonstrating immense potential in early precise detection and benign-malignant differentiation of pulmonary nodules, digital pathological subtype recognition and non-invasive prediction of driver genes, precise 3D surgical planning and automatic delineation of radiotherapy target volumes, as well as dynamic risk warning during follow-up. This innovative technology provides a brand-new solution for realizing intelligent and individualized lung cancer diagnosis and treatment models. This consensus, based on the latest evidence from evidence-based medicine and combined with the development trends in the AI field and real-world clinical needs, was ultimately formed by gathering the consensus opinions of multidisciplinary experts in radiology, pathology, thoracic surgery, and other fields. The main content covers the application specifications of AI in the three core scenarios of lung cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment, the technical standards for data collection and algorithm validation, as well as the ethical and regulatory challenges faced at the current stage. It aims to clarify the applicable boundaries of AI as a clinical auxiliary decision support tool, providing scientific guidance and standardized exploration directions for peers currently engaged in or planning to carry out AI-assisted clinical diagnosis, treatment, and translation of lung cancer.
5.Current status and related factors of psychological sub health among secondary vocational school students
CAI Haogang, ZHANG Lin, XIN Jian, YAO Liying, SU Fan, LU Jinkui, CHEN Yajun
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(6):771-776
Objective:
To understand the current status of psychological sub health among secondary vocational school students and explore its related factors, so as to provide a scientific basis for improving their mental health.
Methods:
From September to December 2024, a convenience sampling method was used to conduct a questionnaire survey among 5 141 secondary vocational school students from 16 schools across 8 provinces and municipalities (Fujian, Chongqing, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hubei, Jiangxi, Shanghai, Zhejiang). A self designed questionnaire was used to collect data on students demographic characteristics and lifestyle behaviors. The Multidimensional Sub health Questionnaire of Adolescents was adopted to assess psychological sub health status. Multivariate binary Logistic stepwise regression analysis was performed to explore the related factors of psychological sub health among secondary vocational school students.
Results:
The detection rate of psychological sub health among secondary vocational school students was 11.0%, with detection rates of emotional problems, conduct problems, and social adaptation difficulty being 12.3 %, 12.5%, and 9.5%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that boys and students whose fathers had an educational level of primary school or below, and junior high school, had relatively lower risks of developing psychological sub health or emotional problems, conduct problems, and social adaptation difficulty ( OR =0.55-0.64, all P <0.05). Conversely, students with urban household registration, those with left behind experience, those with poor self rated family economic status, those from other family structures, those classified as overweight and obesity, and those with sleep disorders, frequent consumption of sugar sweetened beverages, frequent consumption of takeout/delivery food, smoking, alcohol consumption, and low to moderate physical activity levels exhibited significantly higher risks across psychological sub health or emotional problems,conduct problems, and social adaptation difficulty ( OR =1.25-4.79, all P <0.05).
Conclusions
The psychological sub health condition of secondary vocational school students should not be neglected. Psychological sub health of secondary vocational school students is related to multiple factors such as demographic characteristics and lifestyle behaviors. Multi dimensional intervention measures should be implemented to improve their mental health.
6.Different Acupuncture Therapies for Postherpetic Neuralgia: An Overview of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis.
Yun-Fan XIA ; Ruo-Han SUN ; Shi-Min LI ; Yi-Yi WANG ; Rong-Rong LI ; Jian-Qiao FANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(1):55-67
BACKGROUND:
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication of herpes zoster infection and affects patients' quality of life. Acupuncture therapy is regarded as a competitive method of treatment for analgesia.
OBJECTIVE:
To summarize evidence from systematic reviews (SRs) and evaluate the effectiveness and safety of different acupuncture therapies for treating PHN.
METHODS:
Eight electronic databases were searched from their inception to August 5, 2022, including 4 international electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) and 4 Chinese databases (Chinese Biomedical Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Database and Wanfang Database). Methodological quality was assessed by A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2). The Risk of Bias in Systematic Review (ROBIS) tool was used to assess the risk of bias in SRs. Evidence level was assessed by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.
RESULTS:
Totally, 7 SRs were included, including 128 studies and 9,792 patients. In AMSTAR 2, most of the SRs were of low or critically low levels since they had more than 1 critical deficiency. In ROBIS, 1 SR (14.29%) was rated as high risk, and the other 6 (85.71%) were rated as low risk. In the GRADE system, 9 outcomes (28.13%) were valued as high level, 5 (15.63%) as moderate level, 1 (3.13%) as low, and 17 (53.13%) as very low. In the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy, the group "moxibustion vs. original medical treatment" [mean difference (MD)=-1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.80 to -1.08, I2=99%, P<0.00001] was of the highest heterogeneity and the group "bloodletting vs. original medical treatment" (MD=-2.80, 95% CI: -3.14 to -2.46, I2=0, P<0.00001) was of the lowest heterogeneity. Six SRs have reported the safety of their studies and no serious events were shown in the treatment and control groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Acupuncture therapy seems to be effective in treating PHN. Despite the evidence that suggested the advantages of acupuncture therapy in relieving pain and promoting efficacy and safety, the methodological quality was quite low. Further studies should pay more attention to the quality of original studies and evidence for SRs to confirm these findings. (PROSPERO registration No. CRD42022344790).
Humans
;
Neuralgia, Postherpetic/therapy*
;
Acupuncture Therapy/methods*
;
Systematic Reviews as Topic
7.Buyang Huanwu Decoction Promotes Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury by Regulating cAMP/PKA/NF-κB p65 Pathway.
Si-Yuan LI ; Ting-Ting FAN ; Jian YIN ; Cai-Yun WAN ; Mei-Li LI ; Shuai-Shuai XIA ; Qiang LI ; Liang LI
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(7):635-643
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate whether Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) had a good curative effect on the neuroprotection of red nucleus neurons after spinal cord injury (SCI) and the possible molecular mechanism.
METHODS:
Ninety male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups (n=18 per group) according to a random number table, including the control, model, low- (12.78 g/kg, BL group), medium- (25.65 g/kg, BM group), and high-dose BYHWD groups (51.30 g/kg, BH group). A rubrospinal tract transection model in rats was established, and different doses of BYHWD were intragastrically administrated for 4 weeks. The forelimb locomotor function was recorded using the spontaneous vertical exploration test. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) level in red nucleus was detected through an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The morphology and number of red nucleus neurons were observed using Nissl's staining and axonal retrograde tracing by Fluoro-Gold (FG). The expression of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) p65, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in red nucleus were detected using immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.
RESULTS:
Compared with the control group, the utilization rate of bilateral forelimbs, unilateral right forelimbs, proportion of FG-labeled positive neurons, cAMP level, protein expressions of PKA and BDNF, and BDNF mRNA expression were significantly decreased in the model group (P<0.01), while NF-κB p65 was increased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the utilization rate of bilateral forelimbs and unilateral right forelimbs were significantly higher in the BL, BM and BH groups (P<0.01), the proportion of FG-labeled positive neurons, cAMP level, protein expressions of PKA and BDNF and BDNF mRNA expression in all BYHWD groups were increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while NF-κB p65 were decreased in all BYHWD groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
BYHWD possesses a sound neuroprotective effect on red nucleus neurons after SCI, and the efficacy was dose-related. The mechanism may be related to regulating the cAMP/PKA/NF-κ B p65 signaling pathway, finally promoting expression of BDNF.
Animals
;
Spinal Cord Injuries/pathology*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Male
;
Cyclic AMP/metabolism*
;
Transcription Factor RelA/metabolism*
;
Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/genetics*
;
Red Nucleus/metabolism*
;
Recovery of Function/drug effects*
;
Neurons/metabolism*
;
Rats
8.Advances in Lung Cancer Treatment: Integrating Immunotherapy and Chinese Herbal Medicines to Enhance Immune Response.
Yu-Xin XU ; Lin CHEN ; Wen-da CHEN ; Jia-Xue FAN ; Ying-Ying REN ; Meng-Jiao ZHANG ; Yi-Min CHEN ; Pu WU ; Tian XIE ; Jian-Liang ZHOU
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(9):856-864
9.Parabacteroides distasonis promotes liver regeneration by increasing β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB) production and BHB-driven STAT3 signals.
Manlan GUO ; Xiaowen JIANG ; Hui OUYANG ; Xianglong ZHANG ; Shuaishuai ZHANG ; Peng WANG ; Guofang BI ; Ting WU ; Wenhong ZHOU ; Fengting LIANG ; Xiao YANG ; Shicheng FAN ; Jian-Hong FANG ; Peng CHEN ; Huichang BI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1430-1446
The liver regenerative capacity is crucial for patients with end-stage liver disease following partial hepatectomy (PHx). The specific bacteria and mechanisms regulating liver regeneration post-PHx remain unclear. This study demonstrated dynamic changes in the abundance of Parabacteroides distasonis (P. distasonis) post-PHx, correlating with hepatocyte proliferation. Treatment with live P. distasonis significantly promoted hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration after PHx. Targeted metabolomics revealed a significant positive correlation between P. distasonis and β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB), as well as hyodeoxycholic acid and 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid in the gut after PHx. Notably, treatment with BHB, but not hyodeoxycholic acid or 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, significantly promoted hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration in mice after PHx. Moreover, STAT3 inhibitor Stattic attenuated the promotive effects of BHB on cell proliferation and liver regeneration both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, P. distasonis upregulated the expression of fatty acid oxidation-related proteins, and increased BHB levels in the liver, and then BHB activated the STAT3 signaling pathway to promote liver regeneration. This study, for the first time, identifies the involvement of P. distasonis and its associated metabolite BHB in promoting liver regeneration after PHx, providing new insights for considering P. distasonis and BHB as potential strategies for promoting hepatic regeneration.
10.Long-chain acylcarnitine deficiency promotes hepatocarcinogenesis.
Kaifeng WANG ; Zhixian LAN ; Heqi ZHOU ; Rong FAN ; Huiyi CHEN ; Hongyan LIANG ; Qiuhong YOU ; Xieer LIANG ; Ge ZENG ; Rui DENG ; Yu LAN ; Sheng SHEN ; Peng CHEN ; Jinlin HOU ; Pengcheng BU ; Jian SUN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1383-1396
Despite therapy with potent antiviral agents, chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients remain at high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). While metabolites have been rediscovered as active drivers of biological processes including carcinogenesis, the specific metabolites modulating HCC risk in CHB patients are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that baseline plasma from CHB patients who later developed HCC during follow-up exhibits growth-promoting properties in a case-control design nested within a large-scale, prospective cohort. Metabolomics analysis reveals a reduction in long-chain acylcarnitines (LCACs) in the baseline plasma of patients with HCC development. LCACs preferentially inhibit the proliferation of HCC cells in vitro at a physiological concentration and prevent the occurrence of HCC in vivo without hepatorenal toxicity. Uptake and metabolism of circulating LCACs increase the intracellular level of acetyl coenzyme A, which upregulates histone H3 Lys14 acetylation at the promoter region of KLF6 gene and thereby activates KLF6/p21 pathway. Indeed, blocking LCAC metabolism attenuates the difference in KLF6/p21 expression induced by baseline plasma of HCC/non-HCC patients. The deficiency of circulating LCACs represents a driver of HCC in CHB patients with viral control. These insights provide a promising direction for developing therapeutic strategies to reduce HCC risk further in the antiviral era.


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