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.Population composition and seasonal distribution of mosquitoes in Laoshan District, Qingdao City
Zi-long TANG ; Na YU ; Yang YU ; Fan YIN ; Bing-hui LI ; Hong-yu WANG ; Ke-jia HUANG
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(2):114-120
Objective The study aimed to elucidate the population composition and seasonal distribution characteristics of mosquitoes in Laoshan District, Qingdao City, providing a scientific basis for the prevention and control of mosquito-borne infectious diseases. Methods Mosquito surveillance was conducted in Laoshan District in Qingdao City using light traps from April to November 2020-2022. Dominant mosquito species were identified using the Berger-Parker dominance index(I)and mosquito density was compared using the Kruskal-Wallis H test. The seasonal distribution characteristics of adult mosquitoes were analyzed using concentration and circular distribution method. Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to study the relationship between mosquito populations and meteorological factors with mean monthly temperature, mean monthly relative humidity, and mean monthly rainfall. Results The mean mosquito density for the trapping period was 9.771 females/(trap·night)in 2020,9.771 in 2021, and 9.427 in 2022. There was no statistically significant difference in mosquito density between different years(H = 0.095, P = 0.954). In total, 2 781 adult female mosquitoes comprising five species from four genera were captured over three years. Culex pipiens(I = 0.654), Aedes albopictus(I = 0.202), and Aedes aegypti(I = 0.118)were identified as dominant species. Seasonal fluctuations in the adult mosquitoes were unimodal, and primarily concentrated from June to September. The peak period of adult mosquito varied between years with statistical significance. (F = 3.838, P < 0.05). Mosquito density was highly correlated with mean monthly temperature, mean monthly relative humidity and mean monthly precipitation(P< 0.05). Conclusions Cx. pipiens pallens, Ae. albopictus, and Ar. inamoratus are the dominant mosquito species in the Laoshan District of Qingdao City. The activity of adult mosquitoes is seasonal, and primarily concentrated in summer and autumn, during which the risk of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever is increased.
3.Sishenwan Restores Intestinal Barrier in Rat Model of Diarrhea-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome Due to Spleen-kidney Yang Deficiency by Regulating Intestinal Flora and Short-chain Fatty Acids
Qian ZHANG ; Siqi LI ; HUYUNLIAN ; Na WEN ; Chaoqun HUANG ; Binbin LIU ; Chengxia SU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):80-89
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Sishenwan in restoring the intestinal barrier function in the rat model of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) due to spleen-kidney Yang deficiency based on intestinal flora and short-chain fatty acids. MethodsAfter the delivery of 10 SPF-grade pregnant rats, 4 male suckling rats were kept in each litter for the experiment. The male suckling rats were randomly allocated into blank, model, low-dose (3.51 g·kg-1) Sishenwan, high-dose (7.02 g·kg-1) Sishenwan, and Peifeikang (0.54 g·kg-1) groups, with 8 rats in each group. The blank group was fed conventionally, and the other groups were subjected to mother-child separation and Sennae Folium gavage (1 g·mL-1, 10 mL·kg-1) for the modeling of IBS-D due to spleen-kidney Yang deficiency. After the modeling was completed, the rats in Sishenwan groups were administrated with the corresponding dose of Sishenwan decoction by gavage, and the Peifeikang group with bifidobacterium triple live powder+normal saline suspension. The blank and model groups were treated with an equal volume of normal saline by gavage. The general conditions and fecal characteristics of rats were observed. After 2 weeks of administration, the rats were anesthetized for sample collection. The pathological changes of the colon tissue in rats were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interleukin-22 (IL-22). Immumohistochemical staining (IHC) was performed to detect the positive expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin in the colon tissue. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of ZO-1 and occludin in the colon tissue of rats, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed for intestinal flora. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was employed to determine the content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the cecum contents of rats. ResultsThe colon tissue in the blank group presented a clear structure, neat glands, and no inflammatory cell infiltration. In the model group, the colon tissue showcased a disorganized structure, irregular arrangement of glands, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared with the model group, the low-dose and high-dose Sishenwan groups and the Peifeikang group exhibited an intact colon tissue structure, regular arrangement of glands, and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared with the blank group, the modeling lowered the levels of TGF-β, IL-10, and IL-22 in the serum (P<0.01), down-regulated the protein levels of ZO-1 and occludin in the colon tissue (P<0.01), and decreased the content of acetic acid and propionic acid and increased the content of butyric acid in cecum contents (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, low-dose and high-dose Sishenwan raised the levels of TGF-β, IL-10, and IL-22 in the serum (P<0.05, P<0.01), and Peifeikang elevated the levels of TGF-β and IL-10 in the serum (P<0.01). High-dose Sishenwan and Peifeikang up-regulated the protein levels of ZO-1 and occludin (P<0.05, P<0.01), increased the content of acetic acid and propionic acid in cecum contents (P<0.05), and decreased the content of butyric acid (P<0.05). The 16S rRNA gene sequencing results showed that the intestinal flora structure of the model group changed compared with that of the blank group. Compared with the model group, Sishenwan and Peifeikang increased the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae, Muribaculaceae, Akkermansiaceae, Ligilactobacillus, UBA3282, Akkermansia, and Corynebacterium while reducing the relative abundance of Oscillospiraceae, Desulfovibrionaceae, Lactobacillus, Romboutsia, and Desulfovibrio. They can restore the intestinal flora structure similar to that in the blank group. ConclusionSishenwan can alleviate diarrhea symptoms and colonic mucosal inflammation, increase the expression of tight junction proteins in the colonic mucosa, and strengthen the intestinal barrier in IBS-D rats with the syndrome of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency. The mechanism of action may be related to optimizing the structure and balance of intestinal flora and regulating the SCFAs, and the effect of high-dose Sishenwan is obvious.
4.Sishenwan Restores Intestinal Barrier in Rat Model of Diarrhea-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome Due to Spleen-kidney Yang Deficiency by Regulating Intestinal Flora and Short-chain Fatty Acids
Qian ZHANG ; Siqi LI ; HUYUNLIAN ; Na WEN ; Chaoqun HUANG ; Binbin LIU ; Chengxia SU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):80-89
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Sishenwan in restoring the intestinal barrier function in the rat model of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) due to spleen-kidney Yang deficiency based on intestinal flora and short-chain fatty acids. MethodsAfter the delivery of 10 SPF-grade pregnant rats, 4 male suckling rats were kept in each litter for the experiment. The male suckling rats were randomly allocated into blank, model, low-dose (3.51 g·kg-1) Sishenwan, high-dose (7.02 g·kg-1) Sishenwan, and Peifeikang (0.54 g·kg-1) groups, with 8 rats in each group. The blank group was fed conventionally, and the other groups were subjected to mother-child separation and Sennae Folium gavage (1 g·mL-1, 10 mL·kg-1) for the modeling of IBS-D due to spleen-kidney Yang deficiency. After the modeling was completed, the rats in Sishenwan groups were administrated with the corresponding dose of Sishenwan decoction by gavage, and the Peifeikang group with bifidobacterium triple live powder+normal saline suspension. The blank and model groups were treated with an equal volume of normal saline by gavage. The general conditions and fecal characteristics of rats were observed. After 2 weeks of administration, the rats were anesthetized for sample collection. The pathological changes of the colon tissue in rats were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interleukin-22 (IL-22). Immumohistochemical staining (IHC) was performed to detect the positive expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin in the colon tissue. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of ZO-1 and occludin in the colon tissue of rats, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed for intestinal flora. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was employed to determine the content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the cecum contents of rats. ResultsThe colon tissue in the blank group presented a clear structure, neat glands, and no inflammatory cell infiltration. In the model group, the colon tissue showcased a disorganized structure, irregular arrangement of glands, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared with the model group, the low-dose and high-dose Sishenwan groups and the Peifeikang group exhibited an intact colon tissue structure, regular arrangement of glands, and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared with the blank group, the modeling lowered the levels of TGF-β, IL-10, and IL-22 in the serum (P<0.01), down-regulated the protein levels of ZO-1 and occludin in the colon tissue (P<0.01), and decreased the content of acetic acid and propionic acid and increased the content of butyric acid in cecum contents (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, low-dose and high-dose Sishenwan raised the levels of TGF-β, IL-10, and IL-22 in the serum (P<0.05, P<0.01), and Peifeikang elevated the levels of TGF-β and IL-10 in the serum (P<0.01). High-dose Sishenwan and Peifeikang up-regulated the protein levels of ZO-1 and occludin (P<0.05, P<0.01), increased the content of acetic acid and propionic acid in cecum contents (P<0.05), and decreased the content of butyric acid (P<0.05). The 16S rRNA gene sequencing results showed that the intestinal flora structure of the model group changed compared with that of the blank group. Compared with the model group, Sishenwan and Peifeikang increased the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae, Muribaculaceae, Akkermansiaceae, Ligilactobacillus, UBA3282, Akkermansia, and Corynebacterium while reducing the relative abundance of Oscillospiraceae, Desulfovibrionaceae, Lactobacillus, Romboutsia, and Desulfovibrio. They can restore the intestinal flora structure similar to that in the blank group. ConclusionSishenwan can alleviate diarrhea symptoms and colonic mucosal inflammation, increase the expression of tight junction proteins in the colonic mucosa, and strengthen the intestinal barrier in IBS-D rats with the syndrome of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency. The mechanism of action may be related to optimizing the structure and balance of intestinal flora and regulating the SCFAs, and the effect of high-dose Sishenwan is obvious.
5.Preliminary application of MRI image fusion technology in guiding percutaneous balloon compression for trigeminal neuralgia
Tao AN ; Weiguo XU ; Kaihua WU ; Yong WANG ; Jianwen HUANG ; Changchun LIAO ; Kaijun LI ; Na RUAN
Journal of Interventional Radiology 2025;34(10):1099-1104
Objective To discuss the technical advantages of MRI image fusion technology in guiding percutaneous balloon compression(PBC)for trigeminal neuralgia(TN).Methods The clinical data of 13 patients with TN,who received MRI image fusion technology-guided PBC from November 2022 to July 2023,were retrospectively analyzed.The MRI images of the trigeminal nerve obtained one week before surgery were fused with the intraoperative DynaCT images of the skull base so as to simultaneously display the Meckel s cave and foramen ovale,and under the 3-D view the optimal puncture path was determined.The needle was positioned at the entry point of the skin,than the skin was cut open with a sharp surgical blade and the needle was inserted to the foramen ovale area to a predetermined depth.Lateral skull base fluoroscopy and DynaCT scan were used to check that the puncture needle tip was placed into the foramen ovale.Than the puncture needle was replaced by a fine guiding-needle and it was pushed into the Meckel's cave.Under the dual guidance of lateral fluoroscopy and fusion image,the balloon was push forward and was filled with iodine contrast media to compress the trigeminal ganglion within the Meckel's cave.After completion of the treatment,the balloon and puncture needle were removed and manual oppression was applied on the face to achieve hemostasis.Results Immediately after PBC,the pain was relieved in all patients.No permanent or serious complications occurred.One patient had a relapse 3 months after PBC and a second PBC procedure had to be carried out.No obvious pain recurrence was observed in the remaining patients during follow-up period.During the surgery,the mean number of foramen ovale puncturing was(1.31±0.46)times,the mean X-ray exposure time was(8.64±5.66)min,and the mean cumulative dose of X-ray was(570.29±257.15)mGy.After PBC,12 patients(92.31%)developed facial numbness and one patient(7.69%)developed facial pain,all of which were healed after treatment.Conclusion MRI image fusion technology can improve the visualization and accuracy of PBC procedure.It can also reduce the number of puncturing,decrease the radiation exposure dose,and improve the surgical ability of young doctors.Therefore,MRI image fusion technology should be further developed and applied in clinical practice.
6.Analysis of developmental trajectories of oral hygiene compliance and its influencing factors in children after dental caries surgery
Dan LI ; Yan LIU ; Na LI ; Wen ZHAO ; Cen HUANG
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(17):65-70,84
Objective To explore the developmental trajectories of oral hygiene compliance and its influencing factors in children after dental caries surgery.Methods A prospective cohort study design was adopted.A total of 268 children who underwent dental caries surgery were selected as the research subjects.General and clinical data of the children were collected.The oral hygiene compli-ance changes after surgery were evaluated using the Oral Hygiene Compliance Scale.The develop-mental trajectories of oral hygiene compliance after surgery were described using the group-based traj-ectory model.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of the compliance developmental trajectories.Results The oral hygiene compliance of children after dental caries surgery could be divided into three types of developmental trajectories:the high-compliance slow-decline group[49(18.28%)],the medium-compliance slow-decline group[56(20.90%)],and the low-compliance stable-change group[163(60.82%)].Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the child's gender,mother's educational level,fathers smoking history,annual per capi-ta household income,Social Support Scale score,Oral Health Self-Efficacy Scale score,and Expec-ted Social Impact Scale score were all independent influencing factors for the oral hygiene compliance to present different types of developmental trajectories(P<0.05).Conclusion The oral hygiene compliance of children after dental caries surgery presents different types of developmental trajectories,and there are individual differences in their initial compliance levels and rates of change.Clinically,oral hygiene care intervention measures should be implemented according to the specific conditions of children to maintain their oral health.
7.Differences in HER2-0 and HER2-low Breast Cancer: Androgen Receptor and Programmed Death Ligand 1 as Predictive Factors
Xiaoqi ZHANG ; Ciqiu YANG ; Yitian CHEN ; Junsheng ZHANG ; Peiyong LI ; Na HUANG ; Yilin CHEN ; Minting LIANG ; Weiming LV ; Zhongyu YUAN ; Jie LI ; Kun WANG
Journal of Breast Cancer 2025;28(1):23-36
Purpose:
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low breast cancer has the potential to emerge as a distinct subtype. Several studies have compared the differences between HER2-low and HER2-0 breast cancers, but no consensus has been reached.Additionally, a biomarker to predict pathological complete response (pCR) rates in patients with HER2-low breast cancer remains to be identified.
Methods:
We collected data from 777 patients across three centers, stratifying them into HER2-low and HER2-0 groups. We compared differences in survival and pCR rates between the two groups and investigated potential biomarkers that could reliably predict pCR.
Results:
The study found that patients with HER2-0 breast cancer had higher pCR rates compared to patients with HER2-low tumors (289 patients [30.1%] vs. 475 patients [18.1%], p < 0.0001). Survival analysis showed no significant advantage for HER2-low tumors over HER2-0 breast cancers. Binary logistic analysis revealed that androgen receptor (AR) expression predicts poorer pCR rates in both the overall patient group and the HER2-0 breast cancer group (overall patients: odds ratio [OR], 0.479; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.250–0.917; p = 0.026 and HER2-0 patients: OR, 0.267; 95% CI, 0.080–0.892; p = 0.032). In contrast, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression was associated with more favorable pCR rates in the overall patient group (OR, 3.199; 95% CI, 1.020–10.037; p = 0.046).
Conclusion
There is currently insufficient evidence to classify HER2-low breast cancer as a distinct subtype. Our study revealed that AR expression, along with negative PD-L1 expression, contributes to lower pCR rates.
8.Differences in HER2-0 and HER2-low Breast Cancer: Androgen Receptor and Programmed Death Ligand 1 as Predictive Factors
Xiaoqi ZHANG ; Ciqiu YANG ; Yitian CHEN ; Junsheng ZHANG ; Peiyong LI ; Na HUANG ; Yilin CHEN ; Minting LIANG ; Weiming LV ; Zhongyu YUAN ; Jie LI ; Kun WANG
Journal of Breast Cancer 2025;28(1):23-36
Purpose:
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low breast cancer has the potential to emerge as a distinct subtype. Several studies have compared the differences between HER2-low and HER2-0 breast cancers, but no consensus has been reached.Additionally, a biomarker to predict pathological complete response (pCR) rates in patients with HER2-low breast cancer remains to be identified.
Methods:
We collected data from 777 patients across three centers, stratifying them into HER2-low and HER2-0 groups. We compared differences in survival and pCR rates between the two groups and investigated potential biomarkers that could reliably predict pCR.
Results:
The study found that patients with HER2-0 breast cancer had higher pCR rates compared to patients with HER2-low tumors (289 patients [30.1%] vs. 475 patients [18.1%], p < 0.0001). Survival analysis showed no significant advantage for HER2-low tumors over HER2-0 breast cancers. Binary logistic analysis revealed that androgen receptor (AR) expression predicts poorer pCR rates in both the overall patient group and the HER2-0 breast cancer group (overall patients: odds ratio [OR], 0.479; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.250–0.917; p = 0.026 and HER2-0 patients: OR, 0.267; 95% CI, 0.080–0.892; p = 0.032). In contrast, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression was associated with more favorable pCR rates in the overall patient group (OR, 3.199; 95% CI, 1.020–10.037; p = 0.046).
Conclusion
There is currently insufficient evidence to classify HER2-low breast cancer as a distinct subtype. Our study revealed that AR expression, along with negative PD-L1 expression, contributes to lower pCR rates.
9.Simultaneous Determination of 21 Kinds of Aconitum Alkaloids in Biological Specimens and Herbal Wines Using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Ju YANG ; Guo-Jun LI ; Xian-Mou FAN ; Rui-Bin ZHAO ; Shao-Ming SU ; Xu-Xian FU ; En-Jin ZHU ; Qi-Lin HUANG ; Yao QIN ; Li-Na LI
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(8):1391-1401,后插1-后插6,封3
A method for simultaneous determination of 21 kinds of Aconitum alkaloids(ATS)in biological specimens and infused liquor using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS)was developed.The biological samples were pretreated with methanol-acetonitrile(1∶2,V/V)for protein precipitation,while infused liquors were diluted 100-fold with acetonitrile,followed by centrifugation,and filtration by a 0.22-μm membrane.Chromatographic separation was carried out on an EC-C18 column using gradient elution with the mixture of 10 mmol/L ammonium acetate and 0.2%formic acid as mobile phase A and acetonitrile as mobile phase B.With this method,all the analytes were separated within 9.5 min.The samples were detected in positive ESI mode with dynamic multiple reaction monitoring(MRM)and quantified via external standard calibration.The results showed that the concentrations of the analytes in the range of 2-1000 ng/mL had excellent linearity(R2>0.9992)with the peak area.The developed method was successfully used for detection of 21 kinds of aconitum alkaloids,with limits of detection of 0.5-2 ng/mL,quantification limits of 2-6 ng/mL,intra/inter-day precision≤6.0%,spiked recoveries of 89.4%-100.9%,extraction recoveries of 74.2%-104.4%,and matrix effects ranging from-11.1%to 9.2%in blood/urine.The method was applied to detection of 12 samples from 4 fatal aconite poisoning cases,and all 21 kinds of ATS with total alkaloid concentrations of 0.04-4.18 μg/mL in blood and 154.96-422.83 μg/mL in medicinal liquors were detected.Tissue distribution revealed that the order of concentrations from highest to lowest is as follows:urine(157.22 μg/mL)>gastric contents(51.37 μg/mL)>kidney(21.6 μg/g)>whole blood(4.18 μg/mL)>liver(0.03 μg/g).This method showed many advantages such as simple pretreatment,low detection limits,accurate quantification,broad analyte coverage,and superior anti-interference capability in complex matrices,proving ideal for forensic and toxicological analysis of aconitum alkaloids.
10.Research progress in synthesis methods of manganese-based nanomaterials and their applications in tumor immunotherapy
Na LI ; Qianqian LIU ; Caihao HUANG ; Liang LU ; Zeping ZHANG ; Xing ZHANG
International Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2025;48(3):217-224
Due to their unique physicochemical properties, nanomaterials can optimize drug delivery and reshape the tumor microenvironment. Manganese-based nanomaterials are primarily used in tumor immunotherapy for the following purpose, including targeted activating of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon gene pathway to enhance immunogenicity, utilizating of manganese′s redox properties to regulate the tumor microenvironment, and developing of manganese-based magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents to monitor immune responses in real time. In this review, synthesis methods of manganese-based nanomaterials such as thermal decomposition method, hydrothermal/solvothermal synthesis method, and chemical precipitation/mixing method as well as an in-depth analysis of their applications in tumor immunotherapy including immune regulation, regulation of tumor microenvironment and enhanced magnetic resonance imaging were reviewed.


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