1.Effect of Modified Tuoli Xiaodusan on Patients After Perianal Abscess Surgery on STAT3/VEGF Pathway
Haoyang DU ; Yuan GAO ; Haiqi FU ; Jinling HE ; Jing ZHANG ; Yangyang YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):187-195
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy of oral administration of modified Tuoli Xiaodusan on postoperative patients with perianal abscess, and its effects on related inflammatory factors and signal transducers and activators of transcription protein 3 (STAT3)/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathways. MethodsFrom January 2023 to December 2023 in Inner Mongolia hospital of traditional Chinese medicine, 60 postoperative patients with perianal abscess who met the inclusion criteria were selected. They were divided into a treatment group and a control group using the random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. The control group received conventional treatment, while the treatment group received additional treatment with modified Tuoli Xiaodusan on the basis of the control group. The course of treatment in both groups was three weeks. On the day of operation and on the 7th, 14th and 21st day after operation, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the expression levels of serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of pathological tissue. Western blot was used to measure the levels of phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) proteins, and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to determine the expression level of VEGF mRNA. The clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared according to the wound pain, secretion volume score, and healing rate of patients on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 21st day after operation. ResultsThe total effective rate of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). For intra-group comparison, the pain score of the control group decreased at each time period (P<0.05), and the healing rate increased (P<0.05). The secretion volume score decreased on the 14th and 21st days after operation (P<0.05). The pain score and secretion volume score of the treatment group decreased at each time period (P<0.05), and the healing rate increased (P<0.05). The levels of various inflammatory factors decreased in both groups (P<0.05). Compared with those on the surgical day, the levels of p-STAT3 and VEGF proteins in the wound tissue of the two groups were different on the 7th and 21st days after operation (P<0.05). There were significant differences in VEGF mRNA levels in wound tissue between the two groups at each time period (P<0.01). For inter-group comparison, on the 7th and 14th days after operation, the pain score in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group. On the 7th, 14th and 21st days after operation, the secretion volume scores and healing rate of the treatment group were better than those of the control group (P<0.05). The levels of various inflammatory factors in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05), and the decline rate was faster (P<0.05). On the 7th day after operation, the levels of p-STAT3, VEGF protein, and VEGF mRNA in the wound tissue of the treatment group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). HE staining showed that the inflammatory cell infiltration in the treatment group decreased faster. The cell arrangement was more orderly, and new blood vessel lumens were visible. There were no abnormalities in the safety observation indexes of all patients during the study period. ConclusionModified Tuoli Xiaodusan can relieve wound pain after perianal abscess surgery, reduce secretions, and improve wound healing rate. The mechanism may be reducing the levels of serum IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, reducing the inflammatory response of the wound, upregulating the expression of p-STAT3 and VEGF proteins, and stimulating the STAT3/VEGF signaling pathway, thereby accelerating angiogenesis and promoting wound healing.
2.A Case of Multidisciplinary Treatment for a Patient with Gorham-Stout Disease
Jing HU ; Ying JIN ; Yan ZHANG ; Ji LI ; Wenhui WANG ; Yue CHI ; Chunxu LI ; Zhenjie ZHANG ; Yaping LIU ; Xiaotian CHU ; Jin XU ; Min SHEN
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(1):52-59
Gorham-Stout disease(GSD) is a rare osteolytic disorder characterized by spontaneous and progressive osteolysis, along with abnormal angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, with no new bone formation. We present a case of a 15-year-old female admitted due to " recurrent right leg pain for 5 years, 11 months after undergoing right femoral fracture surgery". Through comprehensive integration of the patient's clinical phenotype, laboratory tests, imaging findings, pathological examinations, and molecular biological test results, GSD was considered highly likely. A multidisciplinary treatment approach was conducted, including a combination of zoledronic acid and sirolimus to inhibit osteolysis, along with rehabilitation training and orthopedic intervention, providing a personalized and comprehensive treatment strategy.
3.Membranous nephropathy with light chain-restricted deposition secondary to small lymphocytic lymphoma: a case report
Youliang WANG ; Yizhuo ZHANG ; Duqun CHEN ; Dandan QIU ; Shaoshan LIANG ; Zhen CHENG ; Zhaohong CHEN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(3):555-560
The patient was a 56-year-old man who presented with abnormal urinalysis findings of over one month’s duration. Serological tests revealed an elevated serum free light chain κ/λ ratio, and immunofixation electrophoresis detected an IgG-κ monoclonal band. Renal biopsy demonstrated membranous nephropathy, with electron-dense deposits observed in the subepithelial space and mesangium on electron microscopy. Immunofluorescence confirmed glomerular deposits of IgG1/IgG3-κ. Based on clinical manifestation, bone marrow flow cytology, and lymph node pathology, the patient was diagnosed with small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), and membranous nephropathy with light chain-restricted deposition (IgG1/IgG3-κ) secondary to SLL. After receiving obinutuzumab treatment, the patient’s proteinuria partially remitted, the lymph nodes significantly shrank, and clinical remission was achieved.
4.Effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on functional brain activity in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness: A randomized controlled trial protocol using functional near-infrared spectroscopy and electroencephalography
Huan OUYANG ; Yifei WANG ; Ying HAN ; Jinling ZHANG ; Liang LI ; Chen XIN ; Jianghong HE ; Peijing RONG
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(2):181-187
Background: Advances in intensive care have markedly improved survival after severe brain injury, leading to a growing population of patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (pDOC). Current management of pDOC remains largely supportive, and evidence-based neuromodulatory interventions are limited; moreover, existing guidelines provide insufficiently explicit recommendations regarding mechanisms of action and objective biomarkers of treatment response. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) has emerged as a potential noninvasive intervention; however, its modulatory effects on brain function in pDOC are not yet well characterized, and the paucity of integrative mechanistic evidence has constrained its translation into routine clinical practice. Objectives: Within a multimodal assessment framework, this study aims to systematically elucidate the neurobiological mechanisms by which taVNS modulates brain function and autonomic activity in patients with pDOC, and to evaluate its clinical potential to enhance levels of consciousness. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 60 patients with vegetative state/minimally conscious state will be enrolled and randomly allocated to a taVNS group, a transcutaneous nonauricular vagus nerve stimulation group (sham), or a control group (n = 20 per group) for a 4-week intervention. The primary outcome will be changes in the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised scores from baseline to weeks 1, 2, and 4 of treatment. Secondary outcomes will include functional brain activity assessed by electroencephalography and functional near-infrared spectroscopy, as well as autonomic modulation indexed by heart rate variability. Functional prognosis will be evaluated using the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended at the end of treatment and at a 6-month follow-up. Safety will be assessed by continuous monitoring and documentation of adverse events throughout the study period. Results and discussion: By integrating electroencephalography–functional near-infrared spectroscopy with heart rate variability, this study will characterize the effects of taVNS on functional brain networks and consciousness recovery in pDOC across complementary behavioral, electrophysiological, hemodynamic, and autonomic domains, while interrogating potential sources of clinical and neurobiological heterogeneity. The findings are expected to provide a mechanistic and evidence-based foundation for the mechanism-driven clinical implementation of taVNS and the optimization of stimulation protocols in pDOC. Clinical trial registration: International Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Registry, ITMCTR20250021041, https://itmctr.ccebtcm.org.cn.
5.The value of quantitative CT parameters based on artificial intelligence in predicting the invasion degree of lung adenocarcinoma spectrum lesions
Peng ZHANG ; Jing LUO ; Zhuangzhuang CONG ; Yong QIANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(07):1050-1056
Objective To explore the predictive value of artificial intelligence (AI)-based lung nodule CT quantitative analysis for the invasion degree of lung adenocarcinoma spectrum lesions. Methods According to the invasion degree of lung adenocarcinoma spectrum lesions, patients with surgically and pathologically confirmed lung adenocarcinoma spectrum lesions from January to June 2023 in Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University were retrospectively collected and divided into a non-invasive group and an invasive group, including atypical adenomatous hyperplasia, adenocarcinoma in situ, and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma patients in the non-invasive group, and invasive adenocarcinoma patients in the invasive group. All enrolled patients underwent chest CT before surgery, and then the lung nodules were quantitatively analyzed using an AI-based computer-aided diagnosis system to compare the related quantitative parameters of lung nodules that have been surgically removed and pathologically confirmed as lung adenocarcinoma spectrum lesions between the two groups. The relationship between various CT quantitative features and the invasion degree of lung adenocarcinoma spectrum lesions was analyzed. Results A total of 149 patients (149 lesions) were included, including 42 males and 107 females, aged 29-81 (56.35±10.75) years. There were 72 patients in the non-invasive group and 77 patients in the invasive group. Statistical differences were observed between the two groups in long diameter, short diameter, volume, surface area, mass, maximum cross-sectional area, 3D long diameter, maximum CT value, minimum CT value, average CT value, entropy, kurtosis, skewness, malignancy probability and other indicators (P<0.05). Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that long diameter [OR=1.687, 95%CI (1.364, 2.085), P<0.001], average CT value [OR=1.006, 95%CI (1.002, 1.009), P=0.002], and malignancy probability [OR=1.034, 95%CI (1.005, 1.063), P=0.020] were independent risk factors for the invasion degree of lung adenocarcinoma. The predictive model combining the above parameters demonstrated optimal performance, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.951, sensitivity of 0.818, and specificity of 0.972. Using a Nomogram to quantify the three independent risk factors, the cross-validation was performed to evaluate the stability of the model, and the average C-index of cross-validation was 0.950, with each fold C-index >0.75, indicating that the prediction performance of the model was stable, and the calibration curve and decision curve indicated good predictive performance. Conclusion The visualization prediction model constructed by AI-based quantitative analysis of lung nodules in CT demonstrates significant discriminative effectiveness in the assessment of invasiveness in lung adenocarcinoma spectrum lesions. This visualization prediction model can provide a quantitative decision-making basis for the preoperative identification of the degree of invasiveness in lung adenocarcinoma spectrum lesions.
6.Progress in role of microbe-bile acid pathway in progression and treat-ment of intestinal inflammatory diseases
Jinling MO ; Jiamin DONG ; Xinyi YANG ; Wenting ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(10):2046-2052
Bile acids encompass primary bile acids and secondary bile acids,the latter of which are produced from primary bile acids in the gut.In recent years,bile acids,compounds with a steroid structure found in bile,have been shown through extensive clinical investigations and fundamental studies to play a significant role in regulating intestinal and systemic immune homeostasis,inflammatory responses,and neurological disorders.In the gut,primary and secondary bile acids can disrupt the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms into the host due to their unique physical properties.Additional-ly,they regulate downstream signaling pathways by binding to effector receptors,thereby performing vital biological func-tions,including the modulation of immune responses.Consequently,bile acids function as essential small molecules in the pathophysiological processes of various intestinal diseases and extra-intestinal tissue conditions influenced by intestinal homeostasis.This article focuses on the role and regulatory mechanisms of the"microbe-bile acid"axis in intestinal inflam-mation,elucidating the synthesis and metabolism of bile acids and the significance of intestinal microbes in signal trans-duction via bile acids during the inflammatory process.It aims to provide a foundation and reference for the development of drugs and therapeutic strategies targeting diseases related to intestinal inflammation and immune dysregulation.
7.Expression and biological activity of recombinant long-acting feline IFNω-FSA fusion protein
Yanan ZHAO ; Dandan YANG ; Yudie ZHANG ; Jinling GUO ; Dongyu LIU ; Yuhe YIN ; Congmei WU
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(10):2179-2186
A long-acting feline ω-interferon fusion protein(FSA-FeIFNω)was designed and its bio-logical function validated.According to the optimization of the sequence of feline serum albumin and feline ω interferon in NCBI,the recombinant plasmid pET-30a(+)-FSA-FeIFNω was con-structed,which was transformed into E.coli BL21(DE3)competent cells,the expression of re-combinant protein FSA-FeIFNω was induced by IPTG,and the expressed inclusion body protein was identified by Western blot,the refolding product was purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatog-raphy,and the concentration of dialysis and concentrated protein after purification was determined by BCA method.The antiviral activity of recombinant protein was detected by micro-cytopathic in-hibition method in the CRFK/VSV system,the in vitro half-life was detected by 50%mouse plas-ma method,the tumor cell proliferation inhibition activity was detected by MTT method,and anti-tumor activity was detected by mouse melanoma model.The pET-30a(+)-FeIFNω and pET-30a(+)-FSA-FeIFNω expression vectors were successfully constructed,and 87 kDa recombinant FSA-FeIFNω protein was obtained in E.coli,with a purified protein purity of 95%,with a concen-tration of 1 g/L,and the biological activity was 2.56 × 106 IU/mg,the plasma half-life was significantly prolonged(>24 h),and the half-inhibitory concentration IC50 of B16-F10 in mouse melanoma cells was 56.01 mg/L.The FSA-FeIFNω group significantly inhibited tumor growth,and the treatment effect was better than that of the control group and other experimental groups.The recombinant FSA-FeIFNω protein obtained in this study had long-acting effect and good biological activity.
8.Ginsenoside CK targets PHD2 to prevent platelet adhesion and enhance blood circulation by modifying the three-dimensional arrangement of collagen.
Chuanjing CHENG ; Kaixin LIU ; Jinling ZHANG ; Yanqi HAN ; Tiejun ZHANG ; Yuanyuan HOU ; Gang BAI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1497-1513
Platelets are indispensable for physiological hemostasis and pathological thrombus formation, and platelet adhesion to endothelial collagen is a critical initial step in thrombus formation, often overlooked in current antiplatelet therapies. This study aims to elucidate how ginsenoside CK enhances hemodynamic circulation, alleviates stasis, and proposes therapeutic mechanisms. Inspired by the effects on improving microcirculatory disturbances in an acute soft tissue injury model, CK was identified as a PHD2 inhibitor, effectively suppressing platelet adhesion to collagen. It was proposed that targeting PHD2 regulates collagen hydroxylation modification, thereby influencing the formation of its three-dimensional structure, reducing the binding affinity between VWF and collagen, and ultimately suppressing thrombotic events. The efficacy of this mechanism was subsequently confirmed through a mouse DIC model, demonstrating the feasibility of CK in alleviating circulatory disorders. It is worth noting that when Phd2 was knocked down in mice's lungs, pulmonary embolism was significantly reduced. Additionally, PHD2 inhibitors approved for other diseases have exhibited similar anti-thrombotic effects. Moreover, when PHD2 inhibitors were combined with aspirin, they more effectively inhibited arterial thrombosis in rats. The findings offer valuable insights into potential targets for developing antiplatelet drugs or expanding therapeutic applications for existing PHD2 inhibitors in treating thrombotic diseases.
9.Therapeutic Efficacy of Yiqi Wenyang Sanjie Decoction for Patients with Pulmonary Ground Glass Nodules and Yang-Deficiency Constitution and Its Effect on Serum Inflammatory Factors and Immune Function
Jinling SONG ; Hui ZHAO ; Zhiguo ZHANG ; Mingjun LIU ; Shuai CHEN ; Xiaolin LEI ; Hui JI
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(5):1091-1096
Objective To investigate the efficacy of Yiqi Wenyang Sanjie Decoction in the treatment of patients with pulmonary ground glass nodules and yang-deficiency constitution,and to observe its effect on serum inflammatory factors and immune function.Methods From January 2020 to June 2024,a total of 106 patients with pulmonary ground glass nodules and yang-deficiency constitution admitted to the Department of Respiratory Medicine and Preventive Treatment of Disease Center of Cangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine were selected.The patients were randomly divided into control group and Chinese medicine group by random number table method,with 53 cases in each group.The patients in the control group were only given follow-up without any intervention,and the patients in the Chinese medicine group were treated with Yiqi Wenyang Sanjie Decoction for 3 months.Before and after treatment,the two groups were observed in the changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,maximum diameter of pulmonary ground glass nodules,serum levels of inflammatory factors of interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-17A(IL-17A),and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and levels of immune function indicators of peripheral blood CD3+,CD4+cell percentage and CD4+/CD8+ratio.After treatment,the efficacy and safety of the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)During the trial,5 cases fell off from the control group and 3 cases fell off from the Chinese medicine group.A total of 98 cases were eventually included,and 48 cases were in the control group and 50 cases were in the Chinese medicine group.(2)After 3 months of treatment,the total effective rate of the Chinese medicine group was 46.00%(23/50),and that of the control group was 10.42%(5/48).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy of the Chinese medicine group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P<0.01).(3)After treatment,the TCM syndrome score and the maximum diameter of pulmonary ground glass nodules in the Chinese medicine group were lowered(P<0.05),while the TCM syndrome score and the maximum diameter showed no obvious changes compared with those at enrollment(P>0.05);the intergroup comparison showed that the reduction of TCM syndrome score and the maximum diameter of pulmonary ground glass nodules in the Chinese medicine group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(4)After treatment,the levels of serum inflammatory factors of IL-6,IL-17A and TNF-α in the Chinese medicine group were significantly lowered compared with those at enrollment(P<0.05),while there was no significant change in serum IL-6,IL-17A and TNF-α levels of the control group(P>0.05);the intergroup comparison showed that the decrease of serum IL-6,IL-17A and TNF-α levels in the Chinese medicine group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(5)After treatment,the percentage of T lymphocyte subset CD4+and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+in the Chinese medicine group were significantly increased compared with those at enrollment(P<0.05),while there was no significant change in the percentage of CD3+,CD4+cells and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+of the control group and in the percentage of CD3+cells of the Chinese medicine group(P>0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that the increase of CD4+percentage and CD4+/CD8+ratio in the Chinese medicine group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(6)There were no obvious adverse reactions occurring in the Chinese medicine group during the treatment,showing relatively high safety.Conclusion Yiqi Wenyang Sanjie Decoction exerts certain effect in the treatment of patients with pulmonary ground glass nodules and yang-deficiency constitution.It can effectively promote the reduction of nodules,relieve clinical symptoms,decrease serum levels of inflammatory factors,improve immune function,and has good safety.
10.Effect of Linggui Zhugantang on Ventricular Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction and RhoA/ROCK Signaling Pathway
Han REN ; Wanzhu ZHAO ; Shushu WANG ; Rui CAI ; Yuanhong ZHANG ; Shengyi HUANG ; Jinling HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):1-9
ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the effects of Linggui Zhugantang (LGZGT) on ventricular remodeling (VR) in mice with myocardial infarction (MI) and its impact on the Ras homologgene A (RhoA)/Rho-associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase (ROCK) signaling pathway. MethodsThe MI model of mice was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). They were divided into the sham-operated group, the model group, the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of LGZGT (2.34, 4.68, 9.36 g·kg-1), and the captopril group (3.25 mg·kg-1), with 10 mice in each group. After four weeks of continuous drug administration by gavage, the level of cardiac function in each group of mice was examined using small animal Doppler ultrasound. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson staining was used to assess the morphological changes of myocardial tissue and calculate the rate of collagen fiber deposition in mouse myocardial tissue. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) staining was employed to compare the cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes in each group of mice. The expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), type Ⅰcollagen (Col Ⅰ), Col Ⅲ, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1(TIMP1), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (Bax), Bcl-2, Caspase-3, and cleaved Caspase-3 were detected by Western blot. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to evaluate the mRNA levels of the pathway-related genes RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2. The protein expression levels of RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2 were tested by Western blot. ResultsThe level of cardiac function was markedly declined in the model group compared to the sham-operated group(P<0.01). Myocardial tissue morphology changed significantly. The cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes was significantly enlarged. The expression of α-SMA, MMP-2, Col Ⅰ, and Col Ⅲ was significantly upregulated(P<0.01), and TIMP1 protein expression was significantly reduced(P<0.01). The expressions of apoptosis-related proteins Bax were significantly up-regulated(P<0.01), while the expression of Bcl-2 protein was significantly decreased(P<0.01). The mRNA expression of RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2 were significantly upregulated (P<0.01). Compared to the model group, the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of LGZGT and the captopril group significantly reversed the experimental results of the model group in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionLGZGT significantly attenuated myocardial fibrosis, myocardial hypertrophy, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis after MI in mice and effectively reversed VR, the mechanism of which may be related to the modulation of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway.

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