2.Structural characteristics of lamina cribrosa and research progress in high myopia with primary open angle glaucoma
International Eye Science 2026;26(7):1163-1167
High myopia combined with primary open angle glaucoma is an increasingly concerned and complex disease in ophthalmology, and its pathogenesis is closely associated with multiple alterations in structural parameters of the lamina cribrosa. As the main supportive structure of the optic nerve, the lamina cribrosa plays an important role in pathophysiology of glaucoma through parameters including curvature, depth, defects, and thickness. Meanwhile, fundus alterations induced by high myopia may obscure typical glaucomatous features. Current research on the relationship between lamina cribrosa parameters and high myopia combined with primary open angle glaucoma still have certain limitations, particularly in terms of mechanism exploration and clinical application. Through systematically reviewing the relevant literature, this article aims to summarize the latest research advances on lamina cribrosa parameters in high myopia combined with primary open angle glaucoma, with a focus on discussing the potential and current limitations of these parameters as biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis assessment.
3.Cellular Senescence in Skeletal Muscle Aging
Endocrinology and Metabolism 2026;41(2):191-202
Cellular senescence is increasingly recognized as a pivotal mechanism driving skeletal muscle aging and the development of sarcopenia, a condition characterized by the progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, and function. This review synthesizes recent evidence detailing the accumulation of senescent cells in aged skeletal muscle, including muscle stem cells (MuSCs), fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs), immune cells, endothelial cells, and even post-mitotic myofibers. Senescence in these cell types impairs regenerative signaling, disrupts niche homeostasis, and propagates chronic inflammation. Emerging therapeutic strategies, termed senotherapeutics, aim to counteract these effects through senolytics (which eliminate senescent cells) and senomorphics (which modulate the senescence-associated secretory phenotype), as promising interventions to restore muscle function and delay sarcopenia. We will also discuss the remaining challenges and future directions for studying senescence in skeletal muscle.
4.Methodological Issues in the Design,Evaluation,and Reporting of Randomized Controlled Trials with "Pattern Dominating Disease"
Lu WANG ; Jiajia WANG ; Yingying ZHANG ; Xufei LUO ; Yaolong CHEN ; Jiansheng LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(14):1497-1502
This study explores methodological issues in the design, evaluation, and reporting of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) under the concept of "syndrome dominating disease". The discussion focuses on key aspects including the adaptability of trial design, the screening of research participants, the standardization of syndrome differentiation, the balance between intervention individualization and standardization, the integration of multi-dimensional outcome measures, and the limitations of existing evaluation and reporting tools when applied to this type of research, along with corresponding recommendations and future perspectives. Regarding research design, it is recommended to select or draw upon innovative design concepts such as basket trials and subgroup-based dynamic/static parallel-group designs, in order to innovate the design format of RCTs. Meanwhile, criteria for participant screening, TCM syndrome differentiation, and disease classification should be standardized. The balance should be appropriately achieved between intervention individualization and standardization, and a multidimensional assessment system encompassing TCM syndromes, disease-specific outcomes, and patient-reported outcomes should be established. For risk of bias assessment and research reporting, it is recommended,to develop specialized assessment and reporting tools based on existing instruments, in order to standardize the assessment and reporting of study findings. Future research may further explore the potential applications of artificial intelligence in the study design, risk-of-bias assessment, and reporting quality assessment of RCTs based on the "syndrome dominating disease" model, with a particular focus on methodological optimization, data integration, and enhancement of research quality.
5.Methodological Issues in the Design,Evaluation,and Reporting of Randomized Controlled Trials with "Pattern Dominating Disease"
Lu WANG ; Jiajia WANG ; Yingying ZHANG ; Xufei LUO ; Yaolong CHEN ; Jiansheng LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(14):1497-1502
This study explores methodological issues in the design, evaluation, and reporting of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) under the concept of "syndrome dominating disease". The discussion focuses on key aspects including the adaptability of trial design, the screening of research participants, the standardization of syndrome differentiation, the balance between intervention individualization and standardization, the integration of multi-dimensional outcome measures, and the limitations of existing evaluation and reporting tools when applied to this type of research, along with corresponding recommendations and future perspectives. Regarding research design, it is recommended to select or draw upon innovative design concepts such as basket trials and subgroup-based dynamic/static parallel-group designs, in order to innovate the design format of RCTs. Meanwhile, criteria for participant screening, TCM syndrome differentiation, and disease classification should be standardized. The balance should be appropriately achieved between intervention individualization and standardization, and a multidimensional assessment system encompassing TCM syndromes, disease-specific outcomes, and patient-reported outcomes should be established. For risk of bias assessment and research reporting, it is recommended,to develop specialized assessment and reporting tools based on existing instruments, in order to standardize the assessment and reporting of study findings. Future research may further explore the potential applications of artificial intelligence in the study design, risk-of-bias assessment, and reporting quality assessment of RCTs based on the "syndrome dominating disease" model, with a particular focus on methodological optimization, data integration, and enhancement of research quality.
6.Characteristics and prognosis of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis
Sha CHEN ; Tongtong MENG ; Weijia DUAN ; Shuxiang LI ; Tingting LYU ; Yu WANG ; Jidong JIA ; Yuanyuan KONG ; Hong YOU
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine 2025;64(3):206-211
Objective:Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare autoimmune disease. This study aims to describe the baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes of Chinese PSC patients and explore risk factors associated with prognosis, addressing the lack of long-term prognostic analysis in China.Methods:Clinical data of PSC patients were retrospectively collected from May 2009 to June 2023 in Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, and patient follow-up was conducted through outpatient visits, telephone calls, and medical record reviews. The Cox proportional hazards model and the Kaplan-Meier method were employed to identify risk factors and estimate transplant-free survival.Results:A total of 65 PSC patients were enrolled, with male patients accounting for 50.8% and an average age of onset of 44 years. The disease types primarily included large duct PSC (57.9%) and whole duct PSC (22.8%). Most patients (78.5%) sought medical attention due to symptoms, with common clinical manifestations including jaundice (32.3%), fatigue (23.1%), abdominal discomfort (21.5%), pruritus (16.9%), and fever (10.8%). A total of 19 patients (29.2%) had concomitant ulcerative colitis. Compared to large duct PSC or whole duct PSC, small duct PSC showed a lower proportion of concomitant ulcerative colitis ( P<0.001) and milder baseline disease severity. After a median follow-up of 29 months (interquartile range: 11,53), 19 patients experienced liver transplantations and/or liver disease-related deaths. The overall 2-year and 5-year transplant-free survival rates for PSC patients were 76.0% and 59.5%, respectively. Elevated bile acid levels were identified as an independent risk factor for poor outcomes in PSC patients. Conclusion:The study population of Chinese PSC patients predominantly consisted of middle-aged males, characterized by a low ratio of asymptomatic cases, a low incidence of associated inflammatory bowel disease, and a low rate of transplant-free survival. Elevated bile acid level was identified as an independent risk factor for poor outcomes in PSC patients.
7.Investigation of effects of petroleum ether fraction from Derris eriocarpa on glucose and lipid metabolism in a mouse model of metabolic syndrome via ATF3/HNF4ɑ/CYP7A1 pathway
Jing YAN ; Jie WENG ; Xuan ZHANG ; Xue LI ; Chao-nan KONG ; Hong-cun LIU ; Li-fang YANG ; Ming-guo JIANG ; Qiu-yan LIANG ; Li-ting HE
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(9):2902-2911
AIM To investigate effects of petroleum ether fraction from Derris eriocarpa How on glucose and lipid metabolism in a mouse model of metabolic syndrome(MS).METHODS KM mice were fed a high-fat diet and administered streptozotocin intraperitoneally to establish MS models.The MS mice were then randomly assigned to the model group,the metformin hydrochloride group,the lovastatin group,the ursolic acid group,and the high-,medium-and low-dose D.eriocarpa petroleum ether fraction groups,with 10 mice in each group.Ten additional mice maitained on a normal diet served as the normal control group.After 4 weeks of intragastric administration,glucose and lipid metabolism indicators were measured.Hepatic pathological changes were assessed using HE staining and oil red O staining.Liver tissue mRNA expressions of ATF3,PEPCK,FXR,CYP7A1,HNF4ɑ,CYP8B1 and SRB1 were quantified by RT-qPCR.Hepatic protein expressions of ATF3,HNF4ɑ,PEPCK,FXR and CYP7A1 was analyzed by Western blot in MS mice.RESULTS Compared to the model group,the high-dose D.eriocarpa petroleum ether fraction group exhibited significant glucose tolerance improvement(reduced OGTT-AUC,P<0.01);favorable serum lipid modulation in terms of increased HDL-C levels(P<0.01)and decreased TG,TC,LDL-C(P<0.01);reduced renal biomarkers(BUN,SCR)and hepatotoxic indicators of TBA,AST and ALT activities(P<0.01);alleviated hepatic lipid accumulation and histopathological damage;downregulated mRNA and protein expressions of ATF3,HNF4ɑ and PEPCK,as well as CYP8B1 mRNA expression(P<0.01);and upregulated mRNA and protein expressions of FXR and CYP7A1,along with SRB1 mRNA expression(P<0.01).CONCLUSION D.eriocarpa petroleum ether fraction ameliorates glucose and lipid metabolism dysregulation in MS mice by modulating the ATF3/HNF4ɑ/CYP7A1 signaling pathway,consequently eliciting hypoglycemic,hypolipidemic,hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects.
8.Comparing mortality rates, risk, and trends of hip fracture and common cancers in Hong Kong, 2010–2020: A population-based study
Xiaowen ZHANG ; Chor-Wing SING ; Philip CM AU ; Kathryn Choon-Beng TAN ; Ian Chi-Kei WONG ; Ching-Lung CHEUNG
Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia 2025;11(1):15-21
Objectives:
Hip fracture is a global public concern exhibiting high mortality rates but often underrecognized. We compared the mortality rates, risk, and secular trend of hip fractures with common cancers in females and males, aiming to call attention to hip fractures.
Methods:
In 2010–2020, 193,767 patients with the first diagnosed hip fractures and the top 5 prevalent cancers in each sex and aged 50 years and above were included. Age-standardized mortality rates were adjusted to the WHO Standard Population and the sex-specific relative risk of mortality was computed using Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for potential confounders. The trend analyses used joinpoint regression to compute annual percent changes in age-standardized mortality rates.
Results
The 1-year and 5-year age-standardized mortality rates and sex-specific mortality risk of hip fracture are greater than those of breast cancer (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.90 to 0.97) and thyroid cancer (HR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.47 to 0.64) in females and prostate cancer (HR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.53 to 0.58) in males. Moreover, mortality rates in lung cancer, male liver cancer, female breast cancer, and male prostate cancer have decreased in the past decade. For hip fracture, the mortality rates have significantly decreased in females, while in males, we observed only a decreasing trend in 1-year hip fracture mortality, not in 5-year Conclusions: Hip fractures exhibit higher mortality compared to female breast and thyroid cancers and male prostate cancer. More attention is needed to enhance the management and prevention of hip fractures.
9.Research progress in nanoparticles in improving resistance to radiotherapy in rectal cancer
Hong CHEN ; Xianghu KONG ; Jing BAI ; Jianglan XU ; Yingna BAO ; Jianguo ZHAO ; Li DING
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2025;34(10):1039-1046
Radiotherapy is an important part of the standard treatment regimen for rectal cancer, bringing survival benefits and improved quality of life to patients with rectal cancer. However, the radiotherapy resistance of rectal cancer patients greatly limits the effectiveness of treatment and affects the prognosis of patients. The emergence of nanoparticles provides a new way to improve radiotherapy resistance of rectal cancer, which can overcome radiotherapy resistance by inhibiting DNA damage repair, affecting cell cycle, targeting delivery, enhancing DNA damage, and regulating tumor microenvironment, etc. In this article, complex coordination mechanism leading to radiotherapy resistance in rectal cancer was reviewed, current relevant studies on nanoparticles in improving radiotherapy response in rectal cancer were summarized, and the feasibility and future research direction of the combination of nanoparticles and radiotherapy in clinical treatment of rectal cancer were discussed.
10.The safety and efficacy of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) in the treatment of recurrent malignant tumors
Junqiang HONG ; Xiaoyi LIN ; Youqun LAI ; Ye CAO ; Xiangquan KONG ; Yuanhao LIU ; Shuiying LUO ; Zhicheng XIONG ; Mei GONG ; Yalai LIN ; Qiaoyun CHEN ; Mingang YING ; Li HUO ; Xiaohua ZHU ; Xiaoping SUN ; Yiqiao DENG ; Diyun SHU ; Haige ZHANG ; Cheng HUANG ; Jianji PAN
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2025;34(10):985-992
Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (AB-BNCT) in the treatment of recurrent and refractory malignant tumors.Methods:The data of 14 patients admitted to Xiamen Humanity Hospital from September 2022 to April 2023 were prospectively collected, including 7 patients with primary brain malignancies and 7 patients with locally recurrent inoperable head and neck malignancies. All patients received intravenous infusion of boron drug (NBB-001, p-dihydroxyborylphe nylalanine, a patented freeze-dried formulation) at a total nominal dosage of 500 mg/kg (11 patients) or 750 mg/kg (3 patients), and were irradiated with neutrons (operating with NeuPex system). Adverse events after treatment were recorded and assessed. The primary efficacy endpoint was the 90 d objective response rate (ORR), while the secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and complete response rate (CRR). Data were compiled and analyzed by SAS 9.4 software. The rate and 95% CI were calculated using Clopper-Pearson method. Results:The median dose delivered to 80% of the target volume (D 80%) was 16.80 GyE (range: 8.93-23.79 GyE). The most common adverse reactions were hyperamylasemia, alopecia, and hyperprolactinemia. Five patients experienced 8 cases of grade 3 or above adverse events, including 1 case of grade 4 acute kidney injury and 7 cases of grade 3 adverse events. All adverse events were recovered after observation or treatment. At 90 d after treatment, the ORR of all patients was 9/14 (64%, 95% CI: 35%-87%), disease control rate (DCR) was 10/14 (71%, 95% CI: 42%-92%), CRR was 2/14 (14%, 95% CI: 2%-42%); and the best overall response during the entire course included an ORR of 10/14 (71% ,95% CI: 42%-92%), DCR of 13/14 (93%, 95% CI: 66%-100%), and CRR of 3/14 (21% ,95% CI: 5%-51%). The 1-year survival rate for head and neck malignancies was 71.4%, and the 2-year survival rate was 42.8%. The 1-year survival rate for recurrent brain malignancies was 42.8%. Conclusion:AB-BNCT demonstrates favorable safety and promising efficacy in treating primary brain malignancies and recurrent/refractory head and neck malignancies, representing a potential therapeutic option.


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