1.Treatment Approach for Diabetes with Coronary Heart Disease Based on the Heart-Spleen-Kidney Triad Holistic Perspective
Xitong SUN ; Xinbiao FAN ; Huan ZHOU ; Xiaofei GENG ; Aolin LI ; Wenyu SHANG ; Junping ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(7):750-754
It is believed that diabetes complicated with coronary heart disease is closely related to the functional interplay of the heart, spleen, and kidneys. This paper proposed the concept of the heart-spleen-kidney as a unified system for understanding and treating the disease. At the early stage, spleen and kidney deficiency leads to the internal accumulation of phlegm, dampness, and turbid lipids, causing impaired blood circulation and vascular obstruction, so treatment should focus on tonify the kidneys and strengthening the spleen, activating blood circulation and resolving stasis, using the self-prescribed Tangxin Maiwen Formula (糖心脉温方). As the disease progresses, further decline of spleen and kidney function results in inadequate nourishment of the heart, leading to blood stasis and the accumulation of phlegm, dampness, and turbid lipids, which may transform into pathogenic heat and toxins, causing heart damage, then treatment should emphasize on boosting qi and nourishing yin, clearing heat, activating blood and resolving toxins, using the self-prescribed Tangxin Maiqing Formula (糖心脉清方). In advanced stages, three zang organs, the heart, spleen, and kidneys, become severely impaired, leading to mental activity fail to be nourished and abnormal cognitive functions, so treatment should focus on harmonizing the three zang organs simultaneously, using the self-prescribed Yunpi Tiaoxin Decoction (运脾调心汤). This approach aims to provide a clinical framework for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes with coronary heart disease.
2.Safety of teriflunomide in Chinese adult patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis: A phase IV, 24-week multicenter study.
Chao QUAN ; Hongyu ZHOU ; Huan YANG ; Zheng JIAO ; Meini ZHANG ; Baorong ZHANG ; Guojun TAN ; Bitao BU ; Tao JIN ; Chunyang LI ; Qun XUE ; Huiqing DONG ; Fudong SHI ; Xinyue QIN ; Xinghu ZHANG ; Feng GAO ; Hua ZHANG ; Jiawei WANG ; Xueqiang HU ; Yueting CHEN ; Jue LIU ; Wei QIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(4):452-458
BACKGROUND:
Disease-modifying therapies have been approved for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). The present study aims to examine the safety of teriflunomide in Chinese patients with RMS.
METHODS:
This non-randomized, multi-center, 24-week, prospective study enrolled RMS patients with variant (c.421C>A) or wild type ABCG2 who received once-daily oral teriflunomide 14 mg. The primary endpoint was the relationship between ABCG2 polymorphisms and teriflunomide exposure over 24 weeks. Safety was assessed over the 24-week treatment with teriflunomide.
RESULTS:
Eighty-two patients were assigned to variant ( n = 42) and wild type groups ( n = 40), respectively. Geometric mean and geometric standard deviation (SD) of pre-dose concentration (variant, 54.9 [38.0] μg/mL; wild type, 49.1 [32.0] μg/mL) and area under plasma concentration-time curve over a dosing interval (AUC tau ) (variant, 1731.3 [769.0] μg∙h/mL; wild type, 1564.5 [1053.0] μg∙h/mL) values at steady state were approximately similar between the two groups. Safety profile was similar and well tolerated across variant and wild type groups in terms of rates of treatment emergent adverse events (TEAE), treatment-related TEAE, grade ≥3 TEAE, and serious adverse events (AEs). No new specific safety concerns or deaths were reported in the study.
CONCLUSION:
ABCG2 polymorphisms did not affect the steady-state exposure of teriflunomide, suggesting a similar efficacy and safety profile between variant and wild type RMS patients.
REGISTRATION
NCT04410965, https://clinicaltrials.gov .
Humans
;
Crotonates/adverse effects*
;
Toluidines/adverse effects*
;
Nitriles
;
Hydroxybutyrates
;
Female
;
Male
;
Adult
;
ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2/genetics*
;
Middle Aged
;
Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting/genetics*
;
Prospective Studies
;
Young Adult
;
Neoplasm Proteins/genetics*
;
East Asian People
3.Life's Essential 8 scores, socioeconomic deprivation, genetic susceptibility, and new-onset chronic kidney diseases.
Panpan HE ; Huan LI ; Mengyi LIU ; Ziliang YE ; Chun ZHOU ; Yanjun ZHANG ; Sisi YANG ; Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Xianhui QIN
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(15):1835-1842
BACKGROUND:
The American Heart Association recently released a new cardiovascular health (CVH) metric, Life's Essential 8 (LE8), for health promotion. However, the association between LE8 scores and the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains uncertain. We aimed to explore the association of LE8 scores with new-onset CKD and examine whether socioeconomic deprivation and genetic risk modify this association.
METHODS:
A total of 286,908 participants from UK Biobank and without prior CKD were included between 2006 and 2010. CVH was categorized using LE8 scores: low (LE8 scores <50), moderate (LE8 scores ≥50 but <80), and high (LE8 scores ≥80). The study outcome was new-onset CKD, ascertained by data linkage with primary care, hospital inpatient, and death data. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to investigate the association between CVH categories and new-onset CKD.
RESULTS:
During a median follow-up of 12.5 years, 8857 (3.1%) participants developed new-onset CKD. Compared to the low CVH group, the moderate (adjusted hazards ratio [HR], 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.47-0.53) and high CVH (adjusted HR, 0.31; 95% CI: 0.27-0.34) groups had a significantly lower risk of developing new-onset CKD. The population-attributable risk associated with high vs. intermediate or low CVH scores was 40.3%. Participants who were least deprived ( vs. most deprived; adjusted HR, 0.75; 95% CI: 0.71-0.79) and with low genetic risk of CKD ( vs. high genetic risk; adjusted HR, 0.89; 95% CI: 0.85-0.94) had a significantly lower risk of developing new-onset CKD. However, socioeconomic deprivation and genetic risks of CKD did not significantly modify the relationship between LE8 scores and new-onset CKD (both P -interaction >0.05).
CONCLUSION
Achieving a higher LE8 score was associated with a lower risk of developing new-onset CKD, regardless of socioeconomic deprivation and genetic risks of CKD.
Humans
;
Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/epidemiology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics*
;
Aged
;
Risk Factors
;
Adult
;
Proportional Hazards Models
;
Socioeconomic Factors
4.Mechanisms and treatment of inflammation-cancer transformation in colon from perspective of cold and heat in complexity in integrative medicine.
Ning WANG ; Han-Zhou LI ; Tian-Ze PAN ; Wei-Bo WEN ; Ya-Lin LI ; Qian-Qian WAN ; Yu-Tong JIN ; Yu-Hong BIAN ; Huan-Tian CUI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(10):2605-2618
Colorectal cancer(CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide, primarily originating from recurrent inflammatory bowel disease(IBD). Therefore, blocking the inflammation-cancer transformation in the colon has become a focus in the early prevention and treatment of CRC. The inflammation-cancer transformation in the colon involves multiple types of cells and complex pathological processes, including inflammatory responses and tumorigenesis. In this complex pathological process, immune cells(including non-specific and specific immune cells) and non-immune cells(such as tumor cells and fibroblasts) interact with each other, collectively promoting the progression of the disease. In traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), inflammation-cancer transformation in the colon belongs to the categories of dysentery and diarrhea, with the main pathogenesis being cold and heat in complexity. This paper first elaborates on the complex molecular mechanisms involved in the inflammation-cancer transformation process in the colon from the perspectives of inflammation, cancer, and their mutual influences. Subsequently, by comparing the pathogenic characteristics and clinical manifestations between inflammation-cancer transformation and the TCM pathogenesis of cold and heat in complexity, this paper explores the intrinsic connections between the two. Furthermore, based on the correlation between inflammation-cancer transformation in the colon and the TCM pathogenesis, this paper delves into the importance of the interaction between inflammation and cancer. Finally, it summarizes and discusses the clinical and basic research progress in the TCM intervention in the inflammation-cancer transformation process, providing a theoretical basis and treatment strategy for the treatment of CRC with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine.
Humans
;
Colon/pathology*
;
Integrative Medicine
;
Animals
;
Cold Temperature
;
Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/drug effects*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Hot Temperature
;
Inflammation
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Colonic Neoplasms/drug therapy*
5.The role and mechanisms of N,N-dimethylglycine sodium in promoting wound healing in mice.
Shuchang GUO ; Zhenyang ZHANG ; Baoying QI ; Yuxiao ZHOU ; Meng LI ; Tianzhu LIANG ; Huan YAN ; Qiuyu WANG ; Lili JIN
Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2025;42(4):824-831
N,N-Dimethylglycine (DMG) is a glycine derivative, and its sodium salt (DMG-Na) has been demonstrated to possess various biological activities, including immunomodulation, free radical scavenging, and antioxidation, collectively contributing to the stability of tissue and cellular functions. However, its direct effects and underlying mechanisms in wound healing remain unclear. In this study, a full-thickness excisional wound model was established on the dorsal skin of mice, and wounds were treated locally with DMG-Na. Wound healing progression was assessed by calculating wound closure rates. Histopathological analysis was conducted using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and keratinocyte proliferation, migration, and differentiation were evaluated using CCK-8 assays, scratch wound assays, and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Inflammation-related cytokine expression in keratinocytes was analyzed via ELISA and qRT-PCR. Results revealed that DMG-Na treatment significantly accelerated wound healing in mice and improved overall wound closure quality. The wound healing rates on days 3, 6, and 9 were 49.18%, 68.87%, and 90.55%, respectively, with statistically significant differences compared to the control group ( P<0.05). DMG-Na treatment downregulated the mRNA levels of keratinocyte differentiation markers while enhancing cell proliferation and migration ( P<0.05). Furthermore, DMG-Na decreased the secretion of LPS-induced keratinocyte inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and CXCL10 ( P<0.05). These findings indicate that DMG-Na regulates inflammatory responses and promotes keratinocyte proliferation and migration, thereby facilitating the healing of skin wounds.
Animals
;
Wound Healing/drug effects*
;
Mice
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Keratinocytes/drug effects*
;
Cell Movement/drug effects*
;
Cell Differentiation/drug effects*
;
Glycine/pharmacology*
;
Skin/injuries*
;
Male
6.Research progress on multi-omics biomarkers in Sjogren's syndrome.
Xueqin ZHOU ; Huan LI ; Zhina ZHAO ; Qin LI ; Bingsen WANG ; Songwei LI
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(10):921-928
Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is a common autoimmune disorder that primarily targets exocrine glands, leading to hallmark manifestations of xerostomia and xerophthalmia, with potential progression to multisystem involvement. The rapid advances in omics technologies-including metabolomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics-have yielded substantial insights into SS pathophysiology. This review consolidates current evidence on omics-derived biomarkers in SS. Studies consistently implicate aberrant glucose metabolism, neutrophil-derived enzyme activity, mitochondrial bioenergetic impairment, ferroptosis, and apoptotic pathways as central to SS development. These findings refine our understanding of disease mechanisms and the heterogeneity of therapeutic responses. Hydroxyproline has emerged as a candidate marker for distinguishing SS from IgG4-related disease, whereas distinct cytokine and chemokine signatures may enable earlier diagnosis. Genomic analyses demonstrate a robust association between expression of the rs11797 locus and SS-related lymphomagenesis, and several genes controlling DNA methylation represent promising therapeutic targets. Collectively, these findings lay the groundwork for personalized risk stratification and intervention in SS. The review concludes by summarizing existing progress and outlining priorities for future omics-based investigations.
Humans
;
Sjogren's Syndrome/diagnosis*
;
Biomarkers/analysis*
;
Metabolomics/methods*
;
Proteomics/methods*
;
Genomics
;
Multiomics
7.CFAP300 loss-of-function variant causes primary ciliary dyskinesia and male infertility via disrupting sperm flagellar assembly and acrosome formation.
Hua-Yan YIN ; Yu-Qi ZHOU ; Qun-Shan SHEN ; Zi-Wen CHEN ; Jie-Ru LI ; Huan WU ; Yun-Xia CAO ; Rui GUO ; Bing SONG
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(6):743-750
Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by impaired motility of cilia and flagella. Mutations in cilia- and flagella-associated protein 300 ( CFAP300 ) are associated with human PCD and male infertility; however, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood. In a consanguineous Chinese family, we identified a homozygous CFAP300 loss-of-function variant (c.304delC) in a proband presenting with classical PCD symptoms and severe sperm abnormalities, including dynein arm deficiency and acrosomal malformation, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Histological analysis revealed multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella in CFAP300 -mutant individual, whereas immunofluorescence demonstrated markedly reduced CFAP300 expression in the spermatozoa of the proband. Furthermore, tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics showed that the CFAP300 mutation reduced key spermatogenesis proteins (e.g., sperm flagellar 2 [SPEF2], solute carrier family 25 member 31 [SLC25A31], and A-kinase anchoring protein 3 [AKAP3]) and mitochondrial ATP synthesis factors (e.g., SLC25A31, cation channel sperm-associated 3 [CATSPER3]). It also triggered abnormal increases in autophagy-related proteins and signaling mediator phosphorylation. These molecular alterations are likely to contribute to progressive deterioration of sperm ultrastructure and function. Notably, successful pregnancy was achieved via intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using the proband's sperm. Overall, this study expands the known CFAP300 mutational spectrum and offers novel mechanistic insights into its role in spermatogenesis.
Humans
;
Male
;
Infertility, Male/pathology*
;
Acrosome/pathology*
;
Sperm Tail/pathology*
;
Pedigree
;
Spermatozoa
;
Adult
;
Loss of Function Mutation
;
Ciliary Motility Disorders/genetics*
;
Spermatogenesis/genetics*
;
Female
8.Role of Brg1 in regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in a bronchopulmonary dysplasia model.
Ling GUAN ; Mao-Zhu XU ; Yao-Zheng LING ; Li-Li YANG ; Ling-Huan ZHANG ; Sha LIU ; Wen-Jing ZOU ; Zhou FU
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(6):731-739
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the role and mechanism of Brahma-related gene 1 (Brg1) in regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in a bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) model.
METHODS:
Wild-type C57BL/6 and Brg1f1/f1 mice were randomly divided into four groups: wild-type control, wild-type BPD, Brg1f1/f1 control, and Brg1f1/f1 BPD (n=5 each). Immortalized mouse pulmonary alveolar type 2 cells (imPAC2) were cultured, and Brg1 gene was knocked down using lentivirus transfection technology. Cells were divided into three groups: control, empty vector, and Brg1 knockdown. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunofluorescence were used to detect pathological changes in mouse lung tissue. Western blot and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR were used to measure Brg1 protein and mRNA expression levels in mouse lung tissue. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression of homeodomain-containing protein homeobox (HOPX), surfactant protein C (SPC), and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway proteins in mouse lung tissue and imPAC2 cells. The CCK8 assay was used to assess the proliferation of imPAC2 cells, and co-immunoprecipitation was performed to verify the interaction between Brg1 and β-catenin proteins in imPAC2 cells.
RESULTS:
Compared to the Brg1f1/f1 control group and wild-type BPD group, the Brg1f1/f1 BPD group showed increased alveolar diameter and SPC protein expression, and decreased relative density of pulmonary vasculature and HOPX protein expression (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the Brg1 knockdown group showed increased cell proliferation ability, protein expression levels of SPC, Wnt5a and β-catenin, and β-catenin protein fluorescence intensity, along with decreased HOPX protein expression (P<0.05). An interaction between Brg1 and β-catenin proteins was confirmed.
CONCLUSIONS
The Brg1 gene may promote the proliferation of alveolar type 2 epithelial cells by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thus influencing the occurrence and development of BPD.
Animals
;
DNA Helicases/genetics*
;
Transcription Factors/genetics*
;
Wnt Signaling Pathway/physiology*
;
Nuclear Proteins/genetics*
;
Mice
;
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/etiology*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
beta Catenin/physiology*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Lung/pathology*
;
Male
9.Prognostic Significance of Endothelial Activation and Stress Index in Mantle Cell Lymphoma.
Xin-Yue ZHOU ; Zhi-Qin YANG ; Jin HU ; Feng-Yi LU ; Qian-Nan HAN ; Huan-Huan ZHAO ; Wen-Xia GAO ; Yu-Han MA ; Hu-Jun LI ; Zhen-Yu LI ; Kai-Lin XU ; Wei CHEN
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(4):1051-1056
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the predictive value of endothelial activation and stress index (EASIX) for the prognosis of patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted to assess prognosis and compare the clinical features of patients diagnosed with MCL who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2010 to June 2023, had therapeutic indications and received standard treatment.
RESULTS:
A total of 66 patients were included and divided into high EASIX group and low EASIX group, according to a cutoff value of 0.97 determined by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that prealbumin <0.2 g/L, high EASIX, and ECOG PS score ≥2 were independent risk factors influencing overall survival (OS) in MCL patients. The median OS of patients in the high and low EASIX group was 13.0 and 37.5 months, and the median progression-free survival was 8.8 and 26.0 months, respectively. The proportions of patients with ECOG PS score ≥2 and prealbumin <0.2 g/L at onset significantly increased in the high EASIX group compared to those in the low EASIX group.
CONCLUSION
At the time of initial diagnosis, EASIX can serve as an independent prognostic indicator impacting OS in patients with MCL. Furthermore, patients in the high EASIX group experience a poorer prognosis and shorter survival duration compared with those in the low EASIX group.
Humans
;
Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell/pathology*
;
Prognosis
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Aged
;
ROC Curve
10.Short-term effects of ambient ozone on pediatric pneumonia hospital admissions: a multi-city case-crossover study in China.
Huan WANG ; Huan-Ling ZENG ; Guo-Xing LI ; Shuang ZHOU ; Jin-Lang LYU ; Qin LI ; Guo-Shuang FENG ; Hai-Jun WANG
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;30():75-75
BACKGROUND:
Children's respiratory health demonstrates particular sensitivity to air pollution. Existing evidence investigating the association between short-term ozone (O3) exposure and childhood pneumonia remains insufficient and inconsistent, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
METHOD:
To provide more reliable and persuasive evidence, we implemented a multi-city, time-stratified case-crossover design with a large sample size, using data from seven representative children's hospitals across major geographical regions in China. To avoid the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, individual-level medical records of inpatient children under 6 years of age diagnosed with pneumonia during 2016-2019 were collected. Conditional logistic regression models were fitted for each city, and city-specific estimates were pooled through a meta-analysis using a random-effects model.
RESULTS:
In total, the study included 137,470 pediatric pneumonia hospital admissions. The highest pooled estimate for O3 occurred at lag0-1, with a 10 µg/m3 increase in O3 associated with a 1.57% (95% CI: 0.67%-2.48%) higher risk of pediatric pneumonia hospital admissions. Stratified analyses indicated that the effects of O3 were robust across different sexes, age groups, and admission seasons. We also observed a statistically significant increase in risk associated with O3 concentrations exceeding the World Health Organization Air Quality Guidelines (WHO-AQGs).
CONCLUSIONS
This study revealed a significant positive association between O3 and pediatric pneumonia hospital admissions. Our findings substantially strengthen the evidence base for the adverse health impacts of O3, underscoring the importance of O3 pollution control and management in reducing the public health burden of pediatric pneumonia.
Humans
;
Ozone/analysis*
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Pneumonia/chemically induced*
;
Child, Preschool
;
Male
;
Female
;
Infant
;
Cross-Over Studies
;
Air Pollutants/analysis*
;
Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data*
;
Child
;
Cities/epidemiology*
;
Air Pollution/adverse effects*
;
Infant, Newborn
;
Environmental Exposure/adverse effects*

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail