1.Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of mucin-rich salivary gland tumors
GUAN Weihang ; LIU Cangwei ; GUO Hao ; LI Jinwei ; WANG Dandan ; QIAO Chunyan ; NIE Mengdong ; QU Ming ; SHI Ce
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(6):606-619
This paper systematically elaborates on the key points of diagnosis and differential diagnosis of salivary gland tumors characterized by a substantial amount of extracellular mucus as a main or prominent feature, and clarifies the core differential features. The term "mucus-rich" specifically denotes that mucus is a major component of the tumor, rather than a focal or minor one. This phenomenon is associated with distinct histogenetic mechanisms: it may result from specific genetic mutations (e.g., AKT1 E17K in mucinous adenocarcinoma) that drive ductal epithelial differentiation into mucus-secreting cells, or from myoepithelial cells secreting glycosaminoglycans that form a myxoid stroma. Salivary gland tumors with abundant extracellular mucus include mucinous cystadenoma, sialadenoma papilliferum-like intraductal papillary tumors, mucinous myoepithelioma, pleomorphic adenoma with mucin-rich stroma, mucinous adenocarcinoma, low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma, mucin-rich salivary duct carcinoma and intestinal-type adenocarcinoma. The diagnosis of these tumors is complicated by the dual nature of extracellular mucus: while it is a defining feature of some entities, it can also obscure key diagnostic architectural features in others, leading to histological overlap and inconspicuous diagnostic areas. Given the frequent histological morphological overlap among these tumors, immunohistochemical findings and molecular characteristics have emerged as crucial differential diagnostic criteria. Core differential diagnostic points include the following: histologically, there must be meticulous identification of typical structures obscured by mucin (such as squamoid cells in mucoepidermoid carcinoma and apocrine features in salivary duct carcinoma); in immunohistochemical staining, CK20 is useful for distinguishing intestinal-type adenocarcinoma (positive) from mucinous adenocarcinoma (negative), while androgen receptor aids in differentiating salivary duct carcinoma (positive) from mucoepidermoid carcinoma (negative); and molecular testing plays a critical role in definitive diagnosis (e.g., the AKT1 E17K mutation for mucinous adenocarcinoma, MAML2 rearrangement for mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and MEF2C::SS18 fusion for microsecretory adenocarcinoma). This paper systematically summarizes the core pathological features and differential diagnostic points of mucin-rich salivary gland tumors, aiming to provide a practical reference for clinical pathological diagnosis.
2.The Specificity of Electroacupuncture at Different Acupoints in Promoting Cerebrospinal Fluid Flow in Mice
Yu SHI ; Qian HUA ; Tian-Tian PENG ; Yu-Xin NIE ; Zhao-Heng LIU ; Chen-Geng DENG ; Xu WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1154-1164
ObjectiveCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) plays a crucial role in maintaining the homeostasis of the central nervous system (CNS). CSF rapidly exchanges with interstitial fluid (ISF) via the glymphatic system within the brain parenchyma. CSF-ISF circulation and its associated mechanisms are often referred to as the brain lymphatic system. This system is connected directly to meningeal lymphatic vessels (mLVs), jointly performing the function of clearing metabolic waste from the CNS. Emerging evidence indicates that this system is closely associated with the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Importantly, abnormal CSF circulation is not only a downstream consequence of AD pathology, but also a risk factor. In AD, the dynamics of CSF flow within the CNS are diminished, immune dysregulation occurs, and this may increase the risk of AD by exacerbating the burden of amyloid β-protein (Aβ). In the mouse model of AD, impaired CSF flow compromises this clearance function, leading to cognitive deficits. Clinically, acupuncture at cognition-related acupoints is commonly used for the prevention and treatment of AD. However, whether its therapeutic effects are mediated through the modulation of CSF dynamics remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of acupuncture on CSF flow and investigate its acupoint specificity. MethodsMice were randomly assigned to experimental groups for the different electroacupuncture groups with the following acupoints: Baihui point (GV 20), Ear point, Neiguan point (PC 6), and Tianshu point (ST 25). Wild-type mice on a C57BL/6J background were used as controls. Fluorescent tracer was injected into the cisterna magna to label CSF flow. Fluorescence imaging was employed to assess the distribution of CSF within the brain before and after acupuncture stimulation. ResultsFollowing tracer injection into the cisterna magna, fluorescence signals rapidly reached the cerebellum and medulla—the regions closest to the injection site. Fluorescence intensity was higher in ventral brain regions compared to dorsal regions, likely due to greater vascular density in ventral areas facilitating CSF-ISF exchange. Electroacupuncture at the GV 20 produced the most pronounced enhancement of CSF across the whole brain, while stimulation at the ST 25 primarily augmented flow within subcortical regions. In contrast, electroacupuncture at the Ear point or the PC 6 had no observable effect on CSF in mice. ConclusionElectroacupuncture promotes CSF flow into the brain parenchyma in an acupoint-specific manner, with GV 20 exhibiting the most pronounced enhancement of CSF dynamics. These findings suggest that acupuncture-mediated facilitation of CSF flow may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing or delaying age-related cognitive decline.
3.The Specificity of Electroacupuncture at Different Acupoints in Promoting Cerebrospinal Fluid Flow in Mice
Yu SHI ; Qian HUA ; Tian-Tian PENG ; Yu-Xin NIE ; Zhao-Heng LIU ; Chen-Geng DENG ; Xu WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1154-1164
ObjectiveCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) plays a crucial role in maintaining the homeostasis of the central nervous system (CNS). CSF rapidly exchanges with interstitial fluid (ISF) via the glymphatic system within the brain parenchyma. CSF-ISF circulation and its associated mechanisms are often referred to as the brain lymphatic system. This system is connected directly to meningeal lymphatic vessels (mLVs), jointly performing the function of clearing metabolic waste from the CNS. Emerging evidence indicates that this system is closely associated with the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Importantly, abnormal CSF circulation is not only a downstream consequence of AD pathology, but also a risk factor. In AD, the dynamics of CSF flow within the CNS are diminished, immune dysregulation occurs, and this may increase the risk of AD by exacerbating the burden of amyloid β-protein (Aβ). In the mouse model of AD, impaired CSF flow compromises this clearance function, leading to cognitive deficits. Clinically, acupuncture at cognition-related acupoints is commonly used for the prevention and treatment of AD. However, whether its therapeutic effects are mediated through the modulation of CSF dynamics remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of acupuncture on CSF flow and investigate its acupoint specificity. MethodsMice were randomly assigned to experimental groups for the different electroacupuncture groups with the following acupoints: Baihui point (GV 20), Ear point, Neiguan point (PC 6), and Tianshu point (ST 25). Wild-type mice on a C57BL/6J background were used as controls. Fluorescent tracer was injected into the cisterna magna to label CSF flow. Fluorescence imaging was employed to assess the distribution of CSF within the brain before and after acupuncture stimulation. ResultsFollowing tracer injection into the cisterna magna, fluorescence signals rapidly reached the cerebellum and medulla—the regions closest to the injection site. Fluorescence intensity was higher in ventral brain regions compared to dorsal regions, likely due to greater vascular density in ventral areas facilitating CSF-ISF exchange. Electroacupuncture at the GV 20 produced the most pronounced enhancement of CSF across the whole brain, while stimulation at the ST 25 primarily augmented flow within subcortical regions. In contrast, electroacupuncture at the Ear point or the PC 6 had no observable effect on CSF in mice. ConclusionElectroacupuncture promotes CSF flow into the brain parenchyma in an acupoint-specific manner, with GV 20 exhibiting the most pronounced enhancement of CSF dynamics. These findings suggest that acupuncture-mediated facilitation of CSF flow may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing or delaying age-related cognitive decline.
4.Treatment Modalities and Long-Term Outcomes in Unruptured Vertebrobasilar Fusiform Aneurysms: A Nationwide Observational Cohort Study
Linggen DONG ; Dachao WEI ; Xiheng CHEN ; Mingtao LI ; Yang ZHAO ; Yong SUN ; Qingbin NIE ; Jun FENG ; Guomin XIAO ; Jinghua ZHOU ; Shengli HU ; Lifei FENG ; Lifeng QI ; Hongen LIU ; Geng GUO ; Yufang LI ; Renfu TIAN ; Jianghua YU ; Dianshi JIN ; Liang HAO ; Tian TIAN ; Shizhong ZHANG ; Yang WANG ; Liping LIU ; Ming LV
Journal of Stroke 2026;28(2):250-262
Background:
and Purpose Vertebrobasilar fusiform aneurysms (VBFAs) carry substantial morbidity and mortality, but optimal management for unruptured VBFAs remains unclear. We compared the safety and efficacy of conservative management (CM), stent-assisted coiling (SAC), and flow diverters (FDs) in patients with unruptured VBFAs, focusing on long-term prognosis.
Methods:
This study included data from a nationwide Chinese cohort of patients with vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) balanced confounders across groups. The primary outcome was poor prognosis (modified Rankin Scale score >2). Secondary outcomes included aneurysm rupture, ischemic stroke, compression symptoms, and VBFA-related deaths. Logistic regression estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed.
Results:
Among 1,115 patients with unruptured VBFAs, 838 (median age, 54 years; 655 men) were included. After IPTW, baseline characteristics were balanced. Median follow-up was 54 months. FD was associated with a lower risk of poor prognosis than CM (OR, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.30 to 0.77]; p=0.002), with no difference between CM and SAC. FD also reduced aneurysm rupture (OR, 0.20 [95% CI, 0.07 to 0.60]; p=0.004) and compression symptoms (OR, 0.30 [95% CI, 0.13 to 0.68]; p=0.004) versus CM. Time-to-event analyses further revealed significant differences in vertebral artery lesions and Type I–II VBFAs, whereas no significant differences were observed in basilar or vertebrobasilar junction lesions or in Type III–IV VBFAs.
Conclusions
Compared with CM, FD was associated with improved long-term outcomes in unruptured VBFAs, particularly in vertebral artery lesions and Type I–II VBFAs, although residual confounding cannot be excluded.
5.Enhancing anti-glioblastoma efficacy of FAP-CTLA-4 CAR-T cells combined with apatinib and the underlying mechanisms
LI Guangwen1 ; NIE Wenxun1△ ; GUO Jianhui1 ; LIU Mengyuan1 ; REN Qing1 ; GUO Xiwen1 ; CAI Shining1 ; HE Zhenyan2 ; YANG Wenli1
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2026;33(6):661-669
[摘 要] 目的:构建了一种靶向成纤维细胞活化蛋白(FAP)且能分泌CTLA-4单链抗体(scFv)的CAR-T细胞,并探讨其联合血管靶向药物阿帕替尼对胶质母细胞瘤(GBM)的抗肿瘤效果及机制。方法:构建FAP-CTLA-4 CAR过表达载体,转导至T细胞中制备FAP-CTLA-4 CAR-T细胞。流式细胞术检测FAP-CTLA-4 CAR-T细胞表面分子CD69表达,ELISPOT检测其分泌IFN-γ的能力,细胞增殖实验分析FAP-CTLA-4 CAR-T细胞的增殖情况,杀伤实验分析其联合阿帕替尼处理对人脑星形胶质母细胞瘤U-87 MG细胞治疗效果的影响。建立小鼠U-87 MG细胞异种移植瘤模型。分别用FAP-CTLA-4 CAR-T细胞单独治疗或联合阿帕替尼治疗荷瘤小鼠,命名为FAP-CTLA-4 CAR-T组、阿帕替尼组和FAP-CTLA-4 CAR-T + 阿帕替尼组,观察各组小鼠肿瘤生长情况,免疫组化、TUNEL染色与免疫荧光法检测各组肿瘤组织中Ki-67、CD31表达及细胞凋亡情况,流式细胞术分析FAP-CTLA-4 CAR-T细胞在荷瘤小鼠体内的存活状况,H-E染色和血清生化分析评估联合治疗的安全性。结果:与FAP-CTLA-4 CAR-T组、阿帕替尼组相比,FAP-CTLA-4 CAR-T + 阿帕替尼组中CAR-T细胞的活化水平显著提高,细胞增殖能力明显增强,IFN-γ分泌细胞比例及对靶细胞的杀伤效率均提高(P < 0.01或P < 0.05)。在荷瘤小鼠模型中,联合治疗显著抑制肿瘤生长并延长小鼠生存时间(P < 0.01或P < 0.05),同时抑制肿瘤细胞增殖、降低微血管密度、促进肿瘤细胞凋亡,并延长CAR-T细胞在肿瘤组织中的存活时间(P < 0.01或P < 0.05),且未对主要组织器官造成毒性损伤。结论:FAP-CTLA-4 CAR-T细胞与阿帕替尼联合应用在GBM治疗中显示出协同增效作用与良好的安全性。
6.Rapid health technology assessment of serplulimab in the first-line treatment of small-cell lung cancer
Yibing HOU ; Shuo KANG ; Yuan GONG ; Xiaohui WANG ; Ying NIE ; Huanlong LIU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(11):1405-1410
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of serplulimab as a first-line treatment of small- cell lung cancer (SCLC), and provide an evidence-based basis for drug selection in hospitals. METHODS Rapid health technology assessment was adopted; PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP and official websites of domestic and international health technology assessment agencies were systematically searched from the inception to Oct. 2024. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, assessed the quality of included studies and carried out the qualitative analysis according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS A total of 13 systematic reviews/meta-analyses and 9 economic studies were included, and the literature quality was generally good. In terms of effectiveness, compared with chemotherapy alone, serplulimab combined with chemotherapy significantly improved progression-free survival, overall survival, and objective response rate in patients with SCLC. In terms of safety, serplulimab combined with chemotherapy showed no significant difference in the incidence of ≥3 grade adverse events compared with chemotherapy alone in the treatment of SCLC, indicating a good safety profile; compared with combination therapies involving other immunosuppressive agents, the incidence rate of adverse events was also lower. In terms of cost-effectiveness, compared with chemotherapy alone, serplulimab combined with chemotherapy is not cost- effective, which may be related to the high price of serplulimab. CONCLUSIONS Serplulimab is effective and safe in the treatment of SCLC, but has no obvious advantage in terms of cost-effectiveness.
7.Effect of different probes endoscopic ultrasonography on the diameter measurement of gastrointestinal submucosal tumors
Ping HUANG ; Xian GUO ; Chao-qun LI ; Jin LIU ; Xu-biao NIE ; Hui LIN ; Jian-ying BAI
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(10):908-912
Objective To explore the effect of endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)with different probes on the measurement of gastrointestinal submucosal tumor(SMT)diameter.Methods The clinical data of 356 patients(with a total of 372 lesions)initially diagnosed as SMT by EUS at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from January 2023 to June 2024 were analyzed retrospectively.The basic characteristics of the origin layers and pathological distribution of SMT were analyzed.The differences between the EUS-measured diameters and the actual diameters of SMT at different diameter ranges of lesions were compared.Taking the postoperative pathological diagnosis results as the gold standard,the effects of different clinicopathological features and probe types on the relative error in EUS-measured diameters of SMT were analyzed.Results Among the 372 gastrointestinal SMT lesions,lesions were more frequent in female patients,gastric lesions was the most common,and leiomyoma was the predominant pathological type.The accuracy of EUS in diagnosing SMT was 94.4%.A statistically significant difference was observed between the EUS-measured diameters and the actual diameters of SMT(P<0.05).There were significantly differences in various ranges of lesions between the EUS-measured diameters and the actual diameters(P<0.05).The gender,age,lesion location,and pathological type had no significant effect on the relative error of EUS-measured diameters(P>0.05);while probe types had a significant effect on the relative error of EUS-measured diameters(P<0.05).For lesions with an actual diameter of 2.0 to 3.9 cm,the relative error of SMT diameters measured by small-probe EUS was significantly greater than that by large-probe EUS(P<0.05).Conclusion Large-probe EUS exhibits a smaller relative error in measuring the diameter of SMT with a diameter of≥2.0 cm.Therefore,large-probe EUS is recommended for the examination of SMT with an estimated diameter exceeding 2.0 cm.
8.Studies on the Design and Activity of Anticancer Peptides Based on the Weak Acidic Microenvironment of Tumors
Yue-Qi NIE ; Miao JIANG ; Hui-Yan WU ; Chang-Hao DING ; Wei REN ; Jun-Yi CHANG ; Ke CHEN ; Shao-Long DU ; Peng ZHANG ; Zhong-Hua LIU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(10):1380-1391
Lung cancer poses a serious threat to global public health security.Chemotherapy,as the main strategy for cancer treatment,faces challenges such as high toxicity and drug resistance.Anticancer peptides have the potential of being developed into new anticancer drugs due to their advantages of broad-spectrum anticancer activity,rapid action,and difficulty in generating drug resistance,but they also face shortcomings such as weak activity and strong toxic side effects.The weakly acidic microenvironment of tumors(pH 6.5-6.8)provides a good idea for the design of anticancer peptides of high-efficiency and low-toxicity.Previously,we designed the acid-sensitive antibacterial peptide pHly-1 using the wolf spider(Lycosa singoriensis)toxin Lycosin-Ⅰ as a template.In this study,we found that pHly-1 also had acid-sensitive anticancer activity.Further alanine scanning analysis of pHly-1 was carried out,and we ob-tained a mutant pHTP-2 with better acid sensitivity,whose IC50(half maximal inhibitory concentration)against A549 cells was 15.68 μmol/L at pH 6.6 and was greater than 100 μmol/L at pH 7.4.At pH 6.6,pHTP-2 could act on various lung cancer cell lines and induce the death of A549 cells by rapid ly-sis;at pH 7.4,500 μmol/L pHTP-2 had weak toxicity to red blood cells(the hemolysis rate was ap-proximately 38%)and primary myocardial cells(the inhibition rate was 49.7%,with P<0.05).Analy-sis of its charge,particle size,morphology,and secondary structure showed that at pH 6.6,the histidine in the sequence of pHTP-2 was protonated,increasing the positive charge(P<0.01),decreasing the hy-drated particle size(P<0.05)and forming an α-helical structure to induce membrane lysis of A549 cells.At pH 7.4,it was deprotonated,the positive charge decreases,a β-sheet structure was formed and self-aggregation occurred,limiting its effect on the A549 cell membrane and showing weak activity.In summary,pHTP-2 could respond to the weakly acidic microenvironment of tumors to exert selective cyto-toxic activity,effectively overcoming the shortcomings of anticancer peptides such as low efficiency and high toxicity.Our findings suggest that it is a high-quality lead molecule for anticancer drugs.
9.RICH1 regulates myocardial fibrosis through TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway
Lu-xuan WAN ; Ying-qing HU ; Yuan-yuan LIU ; Yong-song TANG ; Jun-yi HUANG ; Zi-xuan ZHANG ; Xiao-xiao MAO ; Xin-wen NIE ; Zhan-hong REN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2089-2096
Aim To reveal the mechanism of CIP4 homologs protein 1(RICH1)are involved in the regu-lation of myocardial fibrosis.Methods Mouse cardiac fibroblasts(MCFs)cells were treated with transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β1)to induce the formation of a myocardial fibrosis cell model;the level of the target protein was detected by Western blotting;and the RICH1 gene was detected by transfection of the cells with plasmid.The RICH1 gene was overexpressed(RICH 1 OE)using plasmid transfection;the RICH1 gene was silenced using siRNA fragment(siRICH1);and the expression levels of myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3 a1,and Acta2,were de-tected using RT-qPCR.Results RICH1 was signifi-cantly down-regulated in TGF-β1-treated MCFs;the expression levels of myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3a1,and Acta2,were down-regu-lated in the RICH1 OE+TGF-β1 group;and in the siRICH1+TGF-β1 group,myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3a1 and Acta2 were up-regulated at the expression level;phosphorylated SMAD2(p-SMAD2)and phosphorylated SMAD3(p-SMAD3)levels were down-regulated in the siRICH1 OE+TGF-β1 group.p-SMAD2 and P-SMAD3 levels were upregulated in the siRICH1+TGF-β1 group.Conclusion RICH1 inhibits TGF-β1-induced myo-cardial fibrosis;RICH1 inhibits TGF-β1-induced myo-cardial fibrosis by negatively regulating the SMAD2/3 signaling pathway.
10.Construction and practice of "three-stage" teaching empowers the ideological and political teaching model in the introduction to nursing course
Ying ZHU ; Yuhui ZHU ; Zhenli WANG ; Fangfang LIU ; Qingqing NIE ; Yating WANG ; Leshan ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(13):1025-1029
Objective:To explore the ideological and political education elements and methods in the introduction to nursing course, so as to enhance its ideological educational effectiveness. Methods:In February 2024, based on a "three-stage" teaching model (pre-class, in-class, and post-class), this study reformed the ideological and political education plan for the introduction to nursing course by integrating online and offline case studies and resources, expanding educational materials, and organizing teaching assessments and effectiveness surveys. A semester-long ideological and political education practice was implemented for 237 first-year nursing students from four classes in Medical College of Xinjiang University of Science and Technology. The effectiveness was evaluated by exam scores and a self-designed Introduction to Nursing Teaching Effectiveness Evaluation Scale under the ideological and political education framework. Results:Among the 237 students, there were 107 males and 130 females, aged (18.50 ± 1.12) years old, 63 achieved a passing grade, 149 achieved a good grade, and 18 achieved an excellent grade, with a pass rate of 97.05% (230/237). The scores of the six dimensions of interest stimulation in teaching methods, acceptance of teaching methods, knowledge review and application, knowledge comprehension and retention, self-challenge and improvement, and satisfaction with learning outcomes within 1 week after the end of the course scores were (3.92 ± 1.11), (4.21 ± 0.82), (4.05 ± 0.97), (4.05 ± 0.89), (4.11 ± 0.94), (4.03 ± 0.90) points, which were significantly higher than 1 week before the start of the course (3.43 ± 1.00), (3.54 ± 1.03), (3.48 ± 1.08), (3.47 ± 1.04), (3.52 ± 1.05), (3.47 ± 1.01) points. The differences were statistically significant ( t values were -19.38- -13.22, all P < 0.01). Conclusions:The "three-stage" teaching model in the introduction to nursing course effectively integrates professional education with ideological and political education, improves students′ academic performance, enhances learning effectiveness in nursing practice, and strengthens the overall impact of ideological and political education.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail