1.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates VEGF Signaling Pathway for Anti-angiogenic Intervention in Preneoplastic Breast Cancer: A Review
Huikun BAI ; Min HUANG ; Benfa LI ; Rong ZHAO ; Zhuoling LI ; Dongdong ZHAO ; Na YANG ; Awei BI ; Yun GAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):295-302
Breast cancer prevention and treatment have become major issues that urgently need to be addressed in the field of global public health. As a key pathological transitional stage in the progression of breast cancer, preneoplastic breast cancer (PBC) carries a significant risk of clinical transformation. Effective intervention in the progression of PBC is of great clinical significance in preventing the occurrence of breast cancer. Pathological studies have shown that abnormal angiogenesis is a key mechanism driving the transformation of PBC into breast cancer. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as a core regulatory molecule that promotes angiogenesis, plays a pivotal role in this process. The malignant transformation of PBC is closely associated with the abnormal activation of the VEGF-mediated pro-angiogenic network. Although modern medicine has achieved certain therapeutic effects through surgery and endocrine therapy, clinical limitations such as invasiveness, drug resistance, and adverse reactions still exist. Recent studies have demonstrated that the VEGF signaling system mediates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. In addition, the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/VEGF signaling pathway and the delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4)/Notch receptor 1 (Notch1) signaling pathway, together with other pathways, form a complex regulatory network that plays a central role in angiogenesis during PBC. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), characterized by multi-component synergy, multi-pathway regulation, and high safety, demonstrates significant advantages in inhibiting pathological angiogenesis and blocking PBC progression by targeting the VEGF signaling pathway. From the perspective of VEGF pathway regulation, this paper systematically reviews the latest research progress on TCM in inhibiting angiogenesis and intervening in PBC, and discusses its mechanisms and application value in the early prevention and treatment of PBC, with the aim of providing references for optimizing clinical intervention strategies for PBC.
2.Analysis on the medication rule of Yuan Jinsheng in the treatment of stable angina pectoris of coronary heart disease based on R language
Jin YANG ; Wenjia WANG ; Hua SHU ; Zhengsheng LI ; Qian WANG ; Rong HU ; Min XIE ; Jinsheng YUAN
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(3):394-400
Objective:To summarize the medication law and academic experience of Professor Yuan Jinsheng in the treatment of angina pectoris (AP) of coronary heart disease (CHD) through R language data mining technique.Methods:The effective outpatient medical records of Professor Yuan Jinsheng in the treatment of AP of CHD from January 1, 2016 to September 30, 2023 were selected, and the R 4.2.3 was used for frequency statistics, association rule analysis, systematic clustering analysis and correlation analysis of prescription drugs.Results:A total of 292 prescriptions were included, including 268 patients, involving 204 kinds of Chinese materia medica, and the total frequency of Chinese materia medica was 4 253 times. The main properties were warm and neutral, the main tastes were bitter, pungent and sweet, and the main meridians were spleen, lung and liver meridians. The analysis of association rules obtained 125 core TCM combinations, and the commonly used drug pair was Trichosanthis Fructus-Aurantii Fructus Immaturus. The core prescription composed of Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Trichosanthis Fructus, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium and Salviea Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. Seven TCM groups of were obtained by systematic clustering analysis. Correlation analysis showed that the drug pairs with phi coefficient greater than 0.6 were in 8 groups.Conclusions:Studies suggest that AP of CHD is located in the heart, which is related to lung, spleen, liver and kidney, deficiency in root and excess in superficiality, phlegm, blood stasis and qi stagnation are important pathological factors. The treatment is based on the basic principles of tonifying qi, promoting yang, relieving rheumatism, resolving phlegm, activating blood circulation, and promoting qi circulation. It embodies Professor Yuan's academic thoughts and principles of differentiation and treatments of "taking fluency as the main point, regulating the five internal organs and weighing the root and superficiality".
3.Enhancement of Ca2+ Signal Strength in Astrocytes in the Lateral Septum Improves Cognitive Disorders in Mice After Hemorrhagic Shock and Resuscitation.
Wen-Guang LI ; Lan-Xin LI ; Rong-Xin SONG ; Xu-Peng WANG ; Shi-Yan JIA ; Xiao-Yi MA ; Jing-Yu ZHANG ; Gang-Feng YIN ; Xiao-Ming LI ; Li-Min ZHANG
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(8):1403-1417
Hemorrhagic shock is a common clinical emergency that can aggravate cell injury after resuscitation. Astrocytes are crucial for the survival of neurons because they regulate the surrounding ionic microenvironment of neurons. Although hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (HSR) injury can impair cognition, it remains unclear how this insult directly affects astrocytes. In this study, we established an HSR model by bleeding and re-transfusion in mice. The social interaction test and new object recognition test were applied to evaluate post-operative cognitive changes, and the results suggest that mice experience cognitive impairment following exposure to HSR. In the HSR group, the power spectral density of β and γ oscillations decreased, and the coupling of the θ oscillation phase and γ oscillation amplitude was abnormal, which indicated abnormal neuronal oscillation and cognitive impairment after HSR exposure. In brief, cognitive impairment in mice is strongly correlated with Ca2+ signal strength in lateral septum astrocytes following HSR.
Animals
;
Astrocytes/metabolism*
;
Shock, Hemorrhagic/metabolism*
;
Resuscitation/adverse effects*
;
Male
;
Mice
;
Calcium Signaling/physiology*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Septal Nuclei/metabolism*
;
Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Cognition Disorders/etiology*
4.JMJD1C forms condensate to facilitate a RUNX1-dependent gene expression program shared by multiple types of AML cells.
Qian CHEN ; Saisai WANG ; Juqing ZHANG ; Min XIE ; Bin LU ; Jie HE ; Zhuoran ZHEN ; Jing LI ; Jiajun ZHU ; Rong LI ; Pilong LI ; Haifeng WANG ; Christopher R VAKOC ; Robert G ROEDER ; Mo CHEN
Protein & Cell 2025;16(5):338-364
JMJD1C (Jumonji Domain Containing 1C), a member of the lysine demethylase 3 (KDM3) family, is universally required for the survival of several types of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells with different genetic mutations, representing a therapeutic opportunity with broad application. Yet how JMJD1C regulates the leukemic programs of various AML cells is largely unexplored. Here we show that JMJD1C interacts with the master hematopoietic transcription factor RUNX1, which thereby recruits JMJD1C to the genome to facilitate a RUNX1-driven transcriptional program that supports leukemic cell survival. The underlying mechanism hinges on the long N-terminal disordered region of JMJD1C, which harbors two inseparable abilities: condensate formation and direct interaction with RUNX1. This dual capability of JMJD1C may influence enhancer-promoter contacts crucial for the expression of key leukemic genes regulated by RUNX1. Our findings demonstrate a previously unappreciated role for the non-catalytic function of JMJD1C in transcriptional regulation, underlying a mechanism shared by different types of leukemias.
Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit/genetics*
;
Humans
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Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology*
;
Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases/chemistry*
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Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic
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Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating/genetics*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
5.Design, synthesis and anti-Alzheimer's disease activity evaluation of cinnamyl triazole compounds
Wen-ju LEI ; Zhong-di CAI ; Lin-jie TAN ; Mi-min LIU ; Li ZENG ; Ting SUN ; Hong YI ; Rui LIU ; Zhuo-rong LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):150-163
19 cinnamamide/ester-triazole compounds were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) activity. Among them, compound
6.Association of Body Mass Index with All-Cause Mortality and Cause-Specific Mortality in Rural China: 10-Year Follow-up of a Population-Based Multicenter Prospective Study.
Juan Juan HUANG ; Yuan Zhi DI ; Ling Yu SHEN ; Jian Guo LIANG ; Jiang DU ; Xue Fang CAO ; Wei Tao DUAN ; Ai Wei HE ; Jun LIANG ; Li Mei ZHU ; Zi Sen LIU ; Fang LIU ; Shu Min YANG ; Zu Hui XU ; Cheng CHEN ; Bin ZHANG ; Jiao Xia YAN ; Yan Chun LIANG ; Rong LIU ; Tao ZHU ; Hong Zhi LI ; Fei SHEN ; Bo Xuan FENG ; Yi Jun HE ; Zi Han LI ; Ya Qi ZHAO ; Tong Lei GUO ; Li Qiong BAI ; Wei LU ; Qi JIN ; Lei GAO ; He Nan XIN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1179-1193
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study.
METHODS:
A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants.
RESULTS:
Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m 2) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m 2) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m 2) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m 2 ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses.
CONCLUSION
This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans
;
Body Mass Index
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Prospective Studies
;
Rural Population/statistics & numerical data*
;
Aged
;
Follow-Up Studies
;
Adult
;
Mortality
;
Cause of Death
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Obesity/mortality*
;
Overweight/mortality*
7.Predictive value of bpMRI for pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer patients with PSA≤20 μg/L.
Lai DONG ; Rong-Jie SHI ; Jin-Wei SHANG ; Zhi-Yi SHEN ; Kai-Yu ZHANG ; Cheng-Long ZHANG ; Bin YANG ; Tian-Bao HUANG ; Ya-Min WANG ; Rui-Zhe ZHAO ; Wei XIA ; Shang-Qian WANG ; Gong CHENG ; Li-Xin HUA
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(5):426-431
Objective: The aim of this study is to explore the predictive value of biparametric magnetic resonance imaging(bpMRI)for pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer patients with PSA≤20 μg/L and establish a nomogram. Methods: The imaging data and clinical data of 363 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from July 2018 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to screen independent risk factors for pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer, and a nomogram of the clinical prediction model was established. Calibration curves were drawn to evaluate the accuracy of the model. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed extrocapusular extension (OR=8.08,95%CI=2.62-24.97, P<0.01), enlargement of pelvic lymph nodes (OR=4.45,95%CI=1.16-17.11,P=0.030), and biopsy ISUP grade(OR=1.97,95%CI=1.12-3.46, P=0.018)were independent risk factors for pelvic lymph node metastasis. The C-index of the prediction model was 0.834, which indicated that the model had a good prediction ability. The actual value of the model calibration curve and the prediction probability of the model fitted well, indicating that the model had a good accuracy. Further analysis of DCA curve showed that the model had good clinical application value when the risk threshold ranged from 0.05 to 0.70.Conclusion: For prostate cancer patients with PSA≤20 μg/L, bpMRI has a good predictive value for the pelvic lymph node metastasis of prostate cancer with extrocapusular extension, enlargement of pelvic lymph nodes and ISUP grade≥4.
Humans
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Male
;
Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging*
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Lymphatic Metastasis
;
Retrospective Studies
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Nomograms
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Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood*
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Lymph Nodes/pathology*
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Pelvis
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Predictive Value of Tests
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Prostatectomy
;
Lymph Node Excision
;
Risk Factors
;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
;
Logistic Models
;
Middle Aged
;
Aged
8.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
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Neuralgia, Postherpetic/therapy*
;
Acupuncture Therapy/methods*
;
Systematic Reviews as Topic
9.Rutaecarpine Attenuates Monosodium Urate Crystal-Induced Gouty Inflammation via Inhibition of TNFR-MAPK/NF-κB and NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling Pathways.
Min LI ; Zhu-Jun YIN ; Li LI ; Yun-Yun QUAN ; Ting WANG ; Xin ZHU ; Rui-Rong TAN ; Jin ZENG ; Hua HUA ; Qin-Xuan WU ; Jun-Ning ZHAO
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(7):590-599
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of rutaecarpine (RUT) on monosodium urate crystal (MSU)-induced murine peritonitis in mice and further explored the underlying mechanism of RUT in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/MSU-induced gout model in vitro.
METHODS:
In MSU-induced mice, 36 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups of 8 mice each group, including the control group, model group, RUT low-, medium-, and high-doses groups, and prednisone acetate group. The mice in each group were orally administered the corresponding drugs or vehicle once a day for 7 consecutive days. The gout inflammation model was established by intraperitoneal injection of MSU to evaluate the anti-gout inflammatory effects of RUT. Then the proinflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the proportions of infiltrating neutrophils cytokines were detected by flow cytometry. In LPS/MSU-treated or untreated THP-1 macrophages, cell viability was observed by cell counting kit 8 and proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA. The percentage of pyroptotic cells were detected by flow cytometry. Respectively, the mRNA and protein levels were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot, the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) p65 was observed by laser confocal imaging. Additionally, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and molecular docking were applied to validate the binding ability of RUT components to tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) targets.
RESULTS:
RUT reduced the levels of infiltrating neutrophils and monocytes and decreased the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and interleukin 6 (IL-6, all P<0.01). In vitro, RUT reduced the production of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. In addition, RT-PCR revealed the inhibitory effects of RUT on the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, cyclooxygenase-2 and TNF-α (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Mechanistically, RUT markedly reduced protein expressions of tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR), phospho-mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-MAPK), phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase, phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase, phospho-NF-κB, phospho-kinase α/β, NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRPS), cleaved-cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 and cleaved-gasdermin D in macrophages (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Molecularly, SPR revealed that RUT bound to TNF-α with a calculated equilibrium dissociation constant of 31.7 µmol/L. Molecular docking further confirmed that RUT could interact directly with the TNF-α protein via hydrogen bonding, van der Waals interactions, and carbon-hydrogen bonding.
CONCLUSION
RUT alleviated MSU-induced peritonitis and inhibited the TNFR1-MAPK/NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway to attenuate gouty inflammation induced by LPS/MSU in THP-1 macrophages, suggesting that RUT could be a potential therapeutic candidate for gout.
Animals
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NF-kappa B/metabolism*
;
Male
;
Indole Alkaloids/therapeutic use*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Inflammation/complications*
;
Uric Acid
;
Quinazolines/therapeutic use*
;
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Gout/chemically induced*
;
Inflammasomes/metabolism*
;
Cytokines/metabolism*
;
THP-1 Cells
;
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism*
;
Mice
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Lipopolysaccharides
;
Quinazolinones
10.Modulating active targeting nanoparticle design according to tumor progressions.
Huifang NIE ; Rong HUANG ; Guangwei JIANG ; Wenshuai LI ; Lan YANG ; Meng ZHANG ; Min QIAN ; Wei GUO ; Tao YE ; Rongqin HUANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):1143-1158
Targeting drug delivery systems mediated by nanoparticles has shown great potential in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. However, influences of different tumor progressions on the accumulation of nanoparticles, especially the ligand-modified active targeting nanoparticles are seldom exploited. In this work, the accumulation and penetration of RGD-modified gold nanoparticles (active AuNPs) with different sizes were investigated in orthotopic breast cancer with different tumor progressions. The results showed that the smallest active AuNPs had better accumulation and permeation effects in early tumor tissues with the relatively looser extracellular matrix, larger gaps, lower interstitial fluid pressure, and less receptor expression, which was due to size effects. However, the larger active AuNPs had better accumulation and penetration effects in late tumor tissues with highly expressed target receptors integrin α v β 3 because of the multivalent interactions between larger active nanoparticles and integrin α v β 3. In the midterm, tumor accumulation of active AuNPs was equally influenced by size effects and multivalent interactions. Therefore, RGD-modified nanoparticles with sizes of 7 and 90 nm accumulated more in tumors. This study will guide a rational design of active targeting nanoparticles for enhancing the diagnosis and treatment of tumors based on their progressions.

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