1.A panel study on association of short-term air pollution exposure and peripheral blood microparticles in healthy adults
Bin ZHANG ; Xinghou HE ; Jiahui LIU ; Xuyang SHAN ; Yan FANG ; Huiying XU ; Erlu ZHAO ; Shengcong LIU ; Hongbing XU ; Jianping LI ; Wei HUANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(1):1-7
Background Microparticles (MPs) are one of the main medium of inflammatory reaction with an important role in atherosclerotic progression. Studies on association of air pollution exposure and levels of peripheral blood MPs are limited among human. Objective To evaluate the effects of short-term exposure to air pollution on levels of peripheral blood MPs. Method A panel of 73 healthy adults was followed with 4 repeated follow-ups in Beijing, China, from November 2014 to January 2016. During each visit, we collected questionnaire information, fasting venous blood, urine, and exposures to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), black carbon, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone. We used linear mixed-effect models to analyze associations of air pollution exposure with levels of total MPs (TMPs) and MPs derived from various cells. Stratified analysis was conducted by levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Results The results showed significant associations between air pollution exposure and peripheral blood TMPs at 2 h-6 d prior to the follow-ups (P<0.05), while no statistical associations were found for MPs derived from different cell types. Significant increases in TMPs of 7.8% (95%CI: 0.7%, 15.3%) and 14.3% (95%CI: 2.8%, 27.2%) were observed with each interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM2.5 (IQR=64.9 μg·m−3) at prior 18 h and NO (IQR=40.5 μg·m−3) at prior 48 h. Among participants with low levels of CRP and MDA, significantly positive associations were observed between air pollution exposure and levels of TMPs (P<0.05). Conclusion Short-term exposure to air pollution is significantly associated with increased levels of circulating MPs in healthy adults, and in people with lower systemic inflammation, peripheral blood MPs levels are more easily affected after exposure to air pollutants.
2.Acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase 2-mediated acetyl-coenzyme A accumulation promotes mitophagy and tumor growth via increased H3K27ac in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma
Shan LI ; Jie HU ; Yihan YAN ; Xinrui LIU ; Xiao DONG ; Huijun LIANG ; Xin TANG ; Junji TAO ; Rong ZHANG ; Yuan HU ; Ailong HUANG ; Kai WANG ; Ni TANG
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):661-682
Background/Aims:
Acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) is one of the most essential metabolites in cell metabolism but its function and concentration in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain elusive and controversial.
Methods:
A comprehensive analysis of acetyl-CoA levels and acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2) expression across a range of samples, including patient specimens from both hepatitis B virus (HBV) positive and HBV negative HCC individuals, HBV-transgenic mouse HCC models, and multiple cell lines. Furthermore, to evaluate the functional significance of ACSS2 in HBV-related HCC, we implemented both genetic and pharmacological inhibition strategies targeting ACSS2. Molecular mechanism and mitophagy assessment were revealed by cleavage under target and tagmentation sequencing, RNA sequencing, bioinformatic analyses, transmission electron microscopy and JC-1 staining.
Results:
Our study revealed a distinct metabolic signature of HBV-related HCC, marked by elevated acetyl-CoA, which was driven by ACSS2. ACSS2 was upregulated by the carbohydrate response element-binding protein in HBV-related HCC. Furthermore, ACSS2 improved tumor cell proliferation, an effect that was dependent on its enzymatic activity. Mechanistically, ACSS2-induced acetyl-CoA accumulation activated voltage-dependent anion channels 1 transcription through increased H3K27ac occupancy, which subsequently promoted mitophagy and HBV-related HCC tumorigenesis. Notably, targeting ACSS2 by depletion or inhibition with a catalytic inhibitor significantly suppressed tumor growth.
Conclusions
These findings not only illustrate the interplay between metabolic reprogramming, epigenetic modification, and tumorigenesis in the context of HBV infection, but also highlight ACSS2 as a novel metabolic vulnerability in HBV-related HCC. Therefore, targeting ACSS2 could be a novel strategy against HBV-related HCC.
3.Pre-operative risk assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence in liver transplant recipients by non-invasive detection of pre-existing genetic lesions
Suqin YANG ; Sunbin LING ; Jianhua LI ; Yan WANG ; Jiapei WANG ; Qiwei HUANG ; Fanming LIU ; Yiqi ZHUANG ; Yingyu ZHENG ; Rui WANG ; Zhe YANG ; Xiaoping ZHENG ; Kai WANG ; Zhikun LIU ; Jun CHEN ; Jianguo WANG ; Haiyang XIE ; Lin ZHOU ; Leiming CHEN ; Guoqiang CAO ; Dandan CHEN ; Junfang JI ; Bin ZHAO ; Chao JIANG ; Di LU ; Xuyong WEI ; Hangjin JIANG ; Qiaonan SHAN ; Hengbo SHI ; Yong-Zhen XU ; Shusen ZHENG ; Zhengxin WANG ; Shengda LIN ; Xiao XU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):884-903
Background/Aims:
Liver transplantation (LT) following total hepatectomy is a life-saving treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC recurrence after LT hinders the effectiveness of the procedure. The objective of this study is to develop a pre-operative risk stratification model based on a liquid biopsy.
Methods:
We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics study of 260 HCC patients from three centers, including clinical data, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma, as well as whole-exome, single-nucleus RNA, and spatial transcriptomics from matched tumor and non-tumor tissues.
Results:
We identified cfDNA-derived copy number alteration (CNA) signatures associated with post-transplant recurrence. By integrating cfDNA-derived CNA profiles with single-cell transcriptomic data, we traced recurrence-associated cfDNA to a distinct subpopulation of malignant cells within the primary tumor. These cells were embedded in a pro-metastatic microenvironment of specialized endothelial subtypes and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Notably, most recurrence-associated lesions were detectable in cfDNA prior to liver transplantation (LT). Building on these insights, we developed the ZJU Criteria based on CNA fragments and tumor markers, a pre-LT risk prediction tool that integrates conventional clinical factors with cfDNA-derived CNA signatures, and validated it using internal and independent external cohorts.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that post-transplant recurrence commonly originates from advanced subclones that emerge late during tumor evolution. The ZJU Criteria provides an accurate, non-invasive strategy that significantly improves pre-LT risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.
4.Oral Chinese Patent Medicines for Endometriosis: A Scoping Analysis of Clinical Evidence
Xiaojun BU ; Zhiran LI ; Shan HUANG ; Ruihua ZHAO ; Xing LIAO ; Weiwei SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):186-197
ObjectiveTo systematically retrieve, analyze, and summarize the basic information and clinical research evidence of Chinese patent medicines (CPMs) for endometriosis via a scoping review method. MethodsCPMs indicated for EM were identified from three major drug lists, CNKI, clinical guidelines, and textbooks. Relevant clinical studies were retrieved from eight Chinese and English databases from inception to April 1, 2025. Key data from included studies were extracted to analyze characteristics of CPMs and their clinical evidence. ResultsA total of 18 CPMs were included, among which those with blood-activating and stasis-resolving effects accounted for the highest proportion. Constituent herbs predominantly exhibited sweet, bitter, and pungent flavors, with tropism to the liver and spleen meridians. Daily treatment costs varied substantially across CPMs. The 438 included studies involved 13 CPMs, among which Guizhi Fuling capsules/pills, Sanjie Zhentong capsules, and Dan'e Fukang soft extract/granules were the most extensively studied. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were the predominant study design. The most common comparison was between CPMs combined with Western medicine and Western medicine alone. The largest number of studies reported a sample size of 51-100 cases. The high-frequency outcome indicators covered 10 domains, including clinical response rate, adverse reactions, female hormone levels, serum CA125 levels, and recurrence status. ConclusionMultiple oral CPMs demonstrate efficacy in EM management, yet inadequate safety profiles persist in drug labeling. The annual number of clinical studies on oral CPMs for endometriosis showed an overall increasing trend. However, clinical research has shortcomings including uneven distribution of CPMs, small sample sizes, and suboptimal methodological rigor. Future efforts should focus on updating drug indications and safety information in package inserts, conducting high-quality clinical research, and generating more robust evidence to support the clinical use of oral CPMs for EM.
5.Oral Chinese Patent Medicines for Endometriosis: A Scoping Analysis of Clinical Evidence
Xiaojun BU ; Zhiran LI ; Shan HUANG ; Ruihua ZHAO ; Xing LIAO ; Weiwei SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):186-197
ObjectiveTo systematically retrieve, analyze, and summarize the basic information and clinical research evidence of Chinese patent medicines (CPMs) for endometriosis via a scoping review method. MethodsCPMs indicated for EM were identified from three major drug lists, CNKI, clinical guidelines, and textbooks. Relevant clinical studies were retrieved from eight Chinese and English databases from inception to April 1, 2025. Key data from included studies were extracted to analyze characteristics of CPMs and their clinical evidence. ResultsA total of 18 CPMs were included, among which those with blood-activating and stasis-resolving effects accounted for the highest proportion. Constituent herbs predominantly exhibited sweet, bitter, and pungent flavors, with tropism to the liver and spleen meridians. Daily treatment costs varied substantially across CPMs. The 438 included studies involved 13 CPMs, among which Guizhi Fuling capsules/pills, Sanjie Zhentong capsules, and Dan'e Fukang soft extract/granules were the most extensively studied. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were the predominant study design. The most common comparison was between CPMs combined with Western medicine and Western medicine alone. The largest number of studies reported a sample size of 51-100 cases. The high-frequency outcome indicators covered 10 domains, including clinical response rate, adverse reactions, female hormone levels, serum CA125 levels, and recurrence status. ConclusionMultiple oral CPMs demonstrate efficacy in EM management, yet inadequate safety profiles persist in drug labeling. The annual number of clinical studies on oral CPMs for endometriosis showed an overall increasing trend. However, clinical research has shortcomings including uneven distribution of CPMs, small sample sizes, and suboptimal methodological rigor. Future efforts should focus on updating drug indications and safety information in package inserts, conducting high-quality clinical research, and generating more robust evidence to support the clinical use of oral CPMs for EM.
6.Policy analysis of family-school-society collaboration mechanisms for promoting students physical and mental health
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(9):1240-1245
Objective:
To analyze the text structure, temporal evolution, and mechanism related shortcomings of policies related to family-school-society collaboration in promoting students physical and mental health in China, thereby providing a reference for improving collaborative mechanisms in the context of health promoting school development.
Methods:
The PKULAW Laws and Regulations Database was used as the data source. A total of 115 relevant policy documents issued by relevant departments from the founding of the People s Republic of China to May 7, 2026, were included. Drawing on the adolescent health policy analysis framework and adapting it to the Chinese contexts of family-school-society collaborative education, health promoting school development, and interdepartmental collaborative governance, policy text analysis was conducted. Multi label coding was applied to 629 semantic units, and fractional counting was used to calculate the weights of 6 main dimensions and 31 subdimensions and to describe the dimensional composition of the policies and its changes over time.
Results:
Policies related to family-school-society collaboration in promoting students physical and mental health gradually evolved from early principle based collaboration centered on the ideological and moral development of minors into institutional arrangements supported by the Healthy China initiative, the legal institutionalization of family education, collaborative education mechanisms, and health promoting school development. Among the 6 main dimensions, policy features and costs accounted for 54.8% of the total weight, followed by implementation considerations (22.9%), monitoring and evaluation (9.5%), policy appropriateness (5.6%), inclusion and coverage (4.8%), and participatory approach (2.5%). At the subdimension level, proposed interventions, target population characteristics, intersectoral linkages, consideration of adolescents social ecology, and goal setting accounted for 18.7%, 16.0%, 12.0%, 9.6%, and 9.4% of the total weight, respectively, whereas adolescent participation and the incorporation of young people s voices accounted for only 0.3% and 0.1% , respectively. These findings indicated that the policy texts focused primarily on problem identification, target population specification, and implementation arrangements, while provisions concerning students active participation, identification of differentiated needs, and support from disaggregated data remained relatively limited.
Conclusions
China has established a policy framework for family-school-society collaboration in promoting students physical and mental health that emphasizes goal setting, responsibility division, and organizational implementation, while gradually extending to specific health promotion tasks. Nevertheless, policy provisions concerning students active participation, the identification of differentiated needs, stratified and category specific monitoring, and the use of evaluation feedback require further specification.
7.Related factors and collaborative action framework of multi-disease co-prevention in children and adolescents
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(9):1364-1368
Abstract
The cooccurrence of multi disease among children and adolescents has become increasingly prominent, necessitating a shift from "single disease separate treatment" to "multi disease co prevention". Focusing on four common health problems in children and adolescents, namely, myopia, depression, overweight/obesity, and spinal abnormalities, the paper systematically reviews the association between four categories of factors, society, environment, family, and individual behavior, and the co occurrence of the aforementioned health problems. The findings indicate that particulate matter 2.5 exposure, light at night, physical inactivity, excessive screen time, and unhealthy diet constitute the primary cross dimensional risk network. Based on these findings, the paper proposes a collaborative action framework involving family, school, and society, emphasizing systematic strategies ranging from upstream environmental governance to downstream behavioral intervention, so as to provide evidence for the practice and policy making of multi disease co-prevention in children and adolescents.
8.Protective Effect and Mechanism of Artemitin on Ozone-Induced Pulmonary Inflammation in Mice
Yanping LI ; Shan HUANG ; Jengyuan YAO ; Yimin SHI ; Huaxiu SUI ; Houtan HUANG ; Yanping YU ; Yan MI ; Tahui LIN
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2026;46(5):640-649
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of artemitin against ozone (O3)-induced pulmonary inflammation in mice and to explore its underlying mechanism. MethodsThirty-two specific pathogen-free (SPF) male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a blank control group, an artemitin-only control group, an O3-induced model group, and an artemitin-treated group, with 8 mice in each group. In the artemitin-treated group, animals were injected intraperitoneally with artemitin (20 mg/kg) daily, followed by a 1 h exposure to 0.000 25% O3. The artemitin-only control group received the same artemitin injection but was exposed to clean air. The O3-induced model group was injected intraperitoneally with an equal volume of normal saline daily, followed by a 1-h exposure to 0.000 25% O3. The blank control group received the saline injection and was exposed to clean air. All treatments were administered for 7 consecutive days. Pulmonary function indices of the mice in each group were measured using a whole-body plethysmography system. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in the lung tissue, and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was employed for untargeted metabolomic analysis to examine the changes in overall metabolic pathways in plasma. ResultsCompared with the O3-induced model group, artemitin treatment significantly improved O3-induced lung function impairments (P<0.05), lowered the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in BALF (P<0.05) and alleviated inflammatory cell infiltration and structural damage in lung tissues. Metabolomics results indicated that artemitin treatment compensatorily enhanced energy supply and oxidized lipid signaling, while inhibiting purine metabolism and tryptophan-derived pathways. ConclusionArtemitin exhibits a significant protective effect against O3-induced pulmonary inflammation in mice. It corrects upstream metabolic disorders by synergistically modulating tryptophan metabolism, energy metabolism, and lipid inflammatory mediators, thereby inhibiting downstream inflammatory responses and airway hyperresponsiveness. This study not only reveals the pleiotropic mechanism of artemitin in treating airway inflammation but also provides potential metabolic biomarkers and a theoretical basis for its clinical translation.
9.Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of human bocavirus in hospitalized children with acute lower respiratory tract infection at a hospital in Shanghai from 2021 to 2023
Shan ZHANG ; Yujuan HUANG ; Lei SHEN ; Li LIU ; Jie WANG ; Huilin ZHOU ; Leijun MENG ; Tingting CHEN
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(3):193-198
ObjectiveTo investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of human bocavirus (HBoV) in hospitalized children with acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI) at a single-center children’s hospital in Shanghai, thereby providing evidence for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of HBoV infection. MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on 19 537 hospitalized children with ALRTI at Shanghai Children’s Hospital from January 2021 to December 2023. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with capillary electrophoresis was used to detect HBoV and 12 other common respiratory viruses /atypical pathogens. The positive detection rate, demographic characteristics (sex, age), temporal distribution (year, season) of HBoV, as well as the clinical characteristics of severe and non-severe pneumonia were analyzed. ResultsThe overall HBoV-positive rate was 2.57% (503/19 537), with 59.44% (299/503) being single infections and 40.56% (204/503) being co-infections. The positive detection rate was significantly higher in boys than that in girls (2.78% vs 2.33%, χ²=3.88, P=0.049). The highest infection rate was observed in toddlers, followed by infants (χ²=379.57, P<0.001). The positive rate peaked in 2021 and reached its lowest point in 2023 (χ²=45.49, P<0.001), with epidemics mainly prevalent in summer and autumn. The main clinical symptoms were cough (90.06%, 453/503), fever (75.94%, 382/503), and wheezing (39.96%, 201/503). Children with severe pneumonia showed a higher incidence of wheezing compared with the non-severe group (P<0.001), while underlying diseases and co-infections had no significant association with disease severity (P>0.05). ConclusionHBoV was an important pathogen of ALRTI in children, predominantly affecting infants and toddlers, with higher susceptibility in boys and seasonal peaks in autumn and summer. The main clinical manifestations included cough, fever, and wheezing, with wheezing being more prevalent in children with severe pneumonia.
10.Ras Guanine Nucleotide-Releasing Protein-4 Inhibits Erythropoietin Production in Diabetic Mice with Kidney Disease by Degrading HIF2A
Junmei WANG ; Shuai HUANG ; Li ZHANG ; Yixian HE ; Xian SHAO ; A-Shan-Jiang A-NI-WAN ; Yan KONG ; Xuying MENG ; Pei YU ; Saijun ZHOU
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(3):421-435
Background:
In acute and chronic renal inflammatory diseases, the activation of inflammatory cells is involved in the defect of erythropoietin (EPO) production. Ras guanine nucleotide-releasing protein-4 (RasGRP4) promotes renal inflammatory injury in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of RasGRP4 in the production of renal EPO in diabetes.
Methods:
The degree of tissue injury was observed by pathological staining. Inflammatory cell infiltration was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. Serum EPO levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and EPO production and renal interstitial fibrosis were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of key inflammatory factors and the activation of signaling pathways. In vitro, the interaction between peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and C3H10T1/2 cells was investigated via cell coculture experiments.
Results:
RasGRP4 decreased the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 2-alpha (HIF2A) via the ubiquitination–proteasome degradation pathway and promoted myofibroblastic transformation by activating critical inflammatory pathways, consequently reducing the production of EPO in T2DM mice.
Conclusion
RasGRP4 participates in the production of renal EPO in diabetic mice by affecting the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in PBMCs, degrading HIF2A, and promoting the myofibroblastic transformation of C3H10T1/2 cells.


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