1.Progress in mechanistic research on traditional Chinese medicine interventions for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea based on omics technologies
Shanxue GAO ; Jiale MA ; Long PENG ; Jie CHEN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(3):401-406
Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D), as a prototypical disorder involving the microbiota-gut-brain axis, remains poorly understood in terms of its pathogenesis, posing ongoing challenges for clinical diagnosis. Omics technologies, leveraging their high-throughput detection and systematic analysis advantages, has emerged as a critical tool for deciphering the complex mechanisms underlying traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment of IBS-D. This systematic review summarizes the research progress of transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, microbiomics, and multi-omics integration techniques in TCM interventions for IBS-D. In single-omics studies, transcriptomics using techniques like RNA-seq, reveals the regulatory mechanisms of TCM on IBS-related signaling pathways. Proteomics, leveraging quantitative technologies such as 2D-difference gel electrophoresis and tandem mass tag, identifies differentially expressed proteins and elucidates the action targets of TCM in treating IBS-D. Metabolomics, employing methods like UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and LC-MS/MS, discovers metabolic pathways regulated by TCM to improve metabolic disturbances in IBS-D. Microbiomics, based on 16S rRNA sequencing, confirms that TCM can reshape the gut microbiota structure and restore the intestinal microecological balance, thereby improving IBS-D. Multi-omics integration further overcomes the limitations of single-omics approaches by synthesizing information from transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics, enabling a more comprehensive and systematic elucidation of the complex mechanisms underlying TCM treatment for IBS-D. In the future, research related to IBS-D should be advanced from three aspects: stratified clinical research based on TCM syndrome types, multi-omics integration verification mechanisms, and emerging omics to explore new mechanisms, providing more innovative ideas for the precise diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
2.Damage of stored red blood cell supernatant to vascular endothelial cells and its underlying mechanisms
Xuanzhi ZHANG ; Yaping LONG ; Tengyu CAO ; Huayu LIN ; Chunya MA ; Yuanyuan LUO ; Yi LIU ; Liping SUN ; Yang YU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(5):580-588
Objective: To investigate the damaging effects of red blood cell supernatant (RBC-S) stored for different durations (7 d, 14 d, and 28 d) on vascular endothelial cells, and to explore the underlying mechanisms using bioinformatics analysis, so as to provide references for optimizing red blood cell transfusion strategies. Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were co-cultured with RBC-S stored for 7, 14 and 28 days, designated as the 7 d group, 14 d group and 28 d group respectively, which were collectively defined as the experimental groups. Cell damage was evaluated by cell proliferation assay (Cell Counting Kit8, CCK8), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay, 4′, 6diamidino2phenylindole (DAPI) staining, and flow cytometry for apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. The damage degree of RBC-S on vascular endothelial cells was assessed by statistical analysis of damage data among different groups. Since the damage effect reached a plateau at all time points, the 28 d storage group was selected as the representative for further mechanistic studies. Transcriptomic analysis was performed to explore the role of frizzled class receptor 1 (FZD1) and Wnt signaling pathway in red blood cell storagerelated endothelial dysfunction. Results: Compared with the control group, the storage groups treated with 7 d, 14 d, and 28 d RBC-S showed significantly decreased cell proliferation rates [control group 100%, 7 d group (69.51±2.30)%, 14 d group (74.54±2.89)%, 28 d group (73.59±2.36)%, P<0.05], significantly reduced numbers of DAPI-stained cell nuclei [control group (213±12.5) per field, 7 d group (140.33±17.04) per field, 14 d group (152.00±23.72) per field, 28 d group (144.33±19.09) per field, P<0.05] and significantly increased LDH release [control group (1), 7 d group (8.33±1.41), 14 d group (9.23±0.83), 28 d group (9.16±0.60), P<0.05]. There was no significant difference in the degree of damage caused by RBC-S among different storage groups (P>0.05). With the prolongation of storage time, free hemoglobin (FHb) gradually increased [control group (not detected), 7 d (16.57±6.38) mg/L, 14 d (76.80±22.83) mg/L, 28 d (286.97±29.02) mg/L, P<0.05]. The apoptotic rate (20.53±2.94)% and ROS relative intensity (5.13±0.91) in the 28 d storage group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Transcriptomic analysis showed that FZD1 played a key role in vascular endothelial dysfunction induced by red blood cell storage and was closely related to the Wnt signaling regulatory network. Conclusion: RBC-S stored for 7 d, 14 d, or 28 d can all significantly damage vascular endothelial cells, and the damaging effect reaches a plateau at 7 d of storage. Mechanistic investigation of the 28 d group indicated that the downregulation of the FZD1/Wnt signaling pathway may play a critical role in vascular endothelial dysfunction induced by red blood cell storage, providing a theoretical basis for further optimizing red blood cell storage and transfusion strategies.
3.MicroRNA isomiRs reveal novel pathways linked to disease activity and fibrosis in MASLD
Christian BRION ; Stephen Aurelien HOANG ; Guangliang WANG ; Faridodin MIRSHAHI ; Jessie ANG ; Matthew Ray LONG ; Zheng ZHU ; Bhanu SAKHAMURI ; Molly Anderson SROUR ; Mohammad Shadab SIDDIQUI ; Amon ASGHARPOUR ; David John HAYES ; Neal Charles FOSTER ; David William SALZMAN ; Arun Jayant SANYAL
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):706-720
Background/Aims:
MicroRNA (miRNA) isoforms (isomiRs) broaden the regulatory landscape of canonical miRNAs, but their role in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) remains unknown. We aimed to characterize the hepatic isomiR landscape in MASLD and define their association with disease activity and fibrosis.
Methods:
Small RNA (sRNA) sequencing was performed on liver biopsies from 79 patients across the histological spectrum of MASLD. IsomiRs were annotated and quantified. Their association to disease activity and fibrosis score was assessed by differential expression, ordinal regression, and machine learning. Parallel mRNA sequencing and pathway enrichment were used to map isomiR–mRNA interactions and regulatory networks, which were validated against an independent dataset.
Results:
MiRNAs accounted for 75% of sRNAs in liver tissue, of which 67% were isomiRs. Across MASLD severity, 173 isomiRs correlated with disease activity and 58 with fibrosis stage. Key findings included a miR-122 isomiR uniquely targeting INSIG1 (cholesterol metabolism) and a miR-21 isomiR targeting PPARA and HMGCS2 (lipid and fibrosis pathways). Integration with mRNA data revealed 33 dysregulated pathways, including PPAR signaling, insulin resistance, and TGF-β response. Several novel isomiRs from miR-26b, let-7c, and miR-32 families were also linked to lipid metabolism and fibrosis progression.
Conclusions
IsomiRs represent the majority of hepatic miRNAs and uncover novel regulatory networks masked by canonical miRNA analysis. These findings provide new insights into the molecular heterogeneity of MASLD, highlight candidate pathways driving disease progression, and identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for precision hepatology.
4.Inhibitory effect and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine on liver fibrosis and hepatic sinusoidal capillarization
Long WANG ; Li MA ; Andong SONG ; Guohua LI ; Tingting JIA
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(5):1166-1171
Hepatic sinusoidal capillarization is the first event in the process of fibrogenesis, and inhibiting hepatic sinusoidal capillarization can effectively improve the pathological process of liver fibrosis. Various studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine can significantly inhibit hepatic sinusoidal capillarization. This article systematically reviews the effective constituents, monomers, and compound prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine, summarizes their mechanism of action in inhibiting hepatic sinusoidal capillarization, and analyzes the theoretical core of traditional Chinese medicine in inhibiting hepatic sinusoidal capillarization from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, in order to provide ideas and literature support for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
5.Genetic diversity analysis of Aedes albopictus populations in Shandong Province using mitochondrial mtDNA-COⅠ gene sequences
Fan-jin MENG ; Yong LIU ; Huan HUANG ; Wei-bo MA ; Yi-fan WU ; Wei-long TAN
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(1):31-39
Objective This study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity, differentiation, and population structure of Aedes albopictus across different geographical regions in Shandong Province, and to explore the relationship between genetic diversity and geographical distribution. Methods Between July and August 2024, ten Ae. albopictus populations were sampled from seven cities in Shandong Province. Genomic DNA was extracted from individual mosquitoes, and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I(COⅠ)gene was amplified using PCR and sequenced. The obtained sequences were verified using BLAST and analyzed with MAFFT, MEGA 11, DnaSP v6.12, Arlequin 3.5, PopART 1.7, STRUCTURE 2.3.4 and the R packages adegenet and vegan to assess genetic diversity and population structure. Results A total of 229 COⅠ sequences(662 bp) was obtained, revealing ten variable sites with no insertions or deletions. The overall base composition showed an AT bias of 67.7%. Haplotype analysis identified 11 haplotypes, with Hap2 being the dominant and most widely distributed haplotype across all populations. Neutrality tests showed significant population expansion only in the Rizhao population. Mantel testing result revealed that geographical distance does not significantly impede gene flow. Overall, genetic differentiation among populations was low, indicating frequent gene flow. When combined with additional samples from Shanghai, Fujian, Guangdong, Yunnan, Hainan and Guangxi, STRUCTURE, UPGMA and DAPC analyses revealed two primary genetic clusters of Ae. albopictus. Conclusions Ae. albopictus populations in Shandong Province exhibit frequent gene flow, low genetic differentiation, and relatively low overall genetic diversity. However, the Rizhao population showed signs of recent expansion, highlighting the need for enhanced surveillance and targeted control measures in this area.
6.Measurement of urethral meatus circumference in middle-aged and elderly men scheduled for benign prostatic hyperplasia surgery
Zhe LIU ; Long TIAN ; Quan WAN ; Zejun REN ; Jianbin MA ; Lin YANG
Journal of Modern Urology 2026;31(5):440-442
Objective To measure the urethral meatus circumference in middle-aged and elderly males to undergo surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and to collect data for developing endoscopic equipment suitable for the male urethra in China. Methods Clinical data were collected from patients (aged ≥50 years) who underwent transurethral resection of prostate in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University during Jan. and Dec. 2024. All patients had the urethral meatus circumference measured with a metal urethral probe before surgery, followed by the use of a F26.5 endoscopic sheath for surgery. The passage of urethral meatus using different types of metal urethral probes were observed. Results For the 183 patients, the types of endoscopic sheath smoothly passing through the urethral meatus were distributed as follows:42 cases (22.95%) with F26 or above, 66 cases (36.07%) with F25-26, 27 cases (14.75%) with F23-24, 26 cases (14.21%) with F21-22, 22 cases (12.02%) with F20 or below, and the smallest was F17 (1 case). Of all patients, 59.02% (108/183) were able to insert the F26.5 endoscopic sheath smoothly into the urethral meatus (≥F25), 28.96% (53/183) required force or urethral dilation before inserting (F21-F24), and 12.02% (22/183) needed to open the urethral meatus before inserting the endoscopic sheath (≤F20). Conclusion When the most common F26.5 endoscopic sheath is used, 40.98% of the patients have the possibility of urethral injury, which is significantly too big for male transurethral surgery. For patients undergoing transurethral BPH surgery, a thinner sheath should be used to reduce the possibility of urethral injury and secondary iatrogenic urethral stricture.
7.Analysis of monitoring data of 131I internal exposure among nuclear medicine staff in Guangdong Province, China, 2022-2024
Hongwei YU ; Xuan LONG ; Zhan TAN ; Huifeng CHEN ; Rui MA ; Weixu HUANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2026;35(3):313-318
Objective To analyze the monitoring data of 131I internal exposure in Guangdong Province over the past 3 years, study the thyroid 131I contamination levels among nuclear medicine staff, and provide a basis for optimizing the monitoring plan. Methods Using a convenience sampling method, 574 detections of nuclear medicine staff from 28 hospitals in Guangdong Province were included in the study. The thyroid 131I activity was measured directly in vivo. Differences in detection rates were analyzed, and committed effective doses were estimated. Results Over the past 3 years in Guangdong Province, 131I accumulation was found in the thyroids of staff from 14 hospitals for 62 (10.8%) detections, with an average activity of 154.8 (13.2-8730.6) Bq. The adjusted annual intake was 50.7 (4.5-820.6) kBq. The committed effective dose was 0.56 (0.05-9.03) mSv/a, and the values were ≥ 2 mSv for 8 persons. Among different positions, nurses showed the highest detection rate (19.6%), followed by cleaners (14.7%), with significant differences (P<0.05). Among different exposure types, the detection rate was highest for loading medication into automatic dispenser (23.3%), and the mean activity was highest for entering thyroid cancer patient ward (495.4 Bq), with significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusion Monitoring of 131I internal exposure in Guangdong Province found that the radiation doses of some staff members had exceeded the threshold specified in other investigations. Routine personal 131I internal exposure monitoring should be conducted, with increased monitoring frequency. Priority should be given to nurses and cleaners, with monitoring extended to cleaners and outsourced dispensing staff.
8.Deep learning model based on fundus images for detection of coronary artery disease with mild cognitive impairment
Yi YE ; Wei FENG ; Yao-dong DING ; Qing CHEN ; Yang ZHANG ; Li LIN ; Tong MA ; Bin WANG ; Xian-gang CHANG ; Zong-yuan GE ; Xiao-yi WANG ; Long-jun CAI ; Yong ZENG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(6):303-311
Objective To develop a deep learning model based on fundus retinal images to improve the detection rate of mild cognitive impairment(MCI)in patients with coronary heart disease,achieve early intervention and improve prognosis.Methods The study was a single-center cross-sectional study that retrospectively included patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease(CHD)by coronary angiography(≥50% stenosis of at least one coronary vessel)from Beijing Anzhen Hospital between November 2021 and December 2022.The whole data set was randomly divided into the training set and the testing set according to the ratio of 8∶2 for model development.After that,the patient data of the same center from January 2023 to April 2023 were included in the time verification method to verify the model.The diagnostic criteria for MCI were MMSE<27 or MoCA<26.Four kinds of convolutional neural network(CNN)architectures were used to train fundus images,and a comprehensive vision model of MCI detection was established through model integration.The area under the curve(AUC),sensitivity and specificity of the receiver operating curve(ROC)were used to evaluate the performance of the AI model.Results We collected 5 880 eligible fundus images from 3 368 CHD patients.Based on the results of the MMSE scale,the algorithm was labeled,including 2 898 males and 527 MCI patients.The AUC of the deep learning model in the test group is 0.733(95%CI 0.688-0.778),and the sensitivity of the algorithm in the test group is 0.577(95%CI 0.528-0.625)by using the operating point with the maximum sum of sensitivity and specificity.With a specificity of 0.758(95%CI 0.714-0.802),corresponding to a validated AUC of 0.710(95%CI 0.601-0.818).Based on the results of the MoCA scale,the algorithm labels 2 437 males and 1 626 MCI patients.The AUC of the deep learning model in the test group was 0.702(95%CI 0.671-0.733).The operating point with the maximum sum of sensitivity and specificity was selected,and the sensitivity of the algorithm was 0.749(95%CI 0.719-0.778)and the specificity was 0.561(95%CI 0.527-0.595),corresponding to the AUC value of the verification group was 0.674(95%CI 0.622-0.726).Conclusions The deep learning algorithm model based on fundus images has good diagnostic performance,and may be used as a new non-invasive,convenient and rapid screening method for MCI in CHD population.
9.Mechanism of emodin improving cardiac hypertrophy in mice based on p38/ERK pathway
Jia SHI ; Sai-Ge SUN ; Yi-Lin HE ; Li XU ; Long-Xing LIU ; Zi-Jie GE ; Xiao-Yi ZOU ; Yu MA ; Yao-Cheng DING ; Kai QIAN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(7):1245-1252
Aim Mouse model of myocardial hypertro-phy was established via intraperitoneal injection of iso-proterenol(ISO)in mice.This approach allows for an in-depth investigation into the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of action of emodin,offering novel in-sights and directions for the improvement of myocardial hypertrophy.Methods The mice were randomly di-vided into the following groups:control group(CON),emodin group(EMO),MAPK activator control group(EMO+Ani),model group(ISO),treatment group(ISO+EMO),and activator intervention group(ISO+EMO+Ani).After treatment with emodin and inter-vention with MAPK activator,the heart weight ratio and cardiac size of each group were observed.Hematoxy-lin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the patho-logical changes in cardiac tissue,and kits were utilized to measure the levels of GSH,LDH,and MDA in the serum.Western blot was employed to detect the protein expression levels of inflammatory and oxidative factors,as well as p-p38,p-ERK,p38,and ERK in cardiac tis-sue.Results Emodin can significantly inhibit the production of myocardial inflammatory and oxidative factors induced by ISO,thereby effectively alleviating the degree of myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis.Af-ter the p38/ERK signaling pathway was specifically ac-tivated by farnesol,the improvement effect of emodin on myocardial hypertrophy was weakened.Further comparison revealed that,compared with the myocardi-al hypertrophy pathological model group,the pathologi-cal protein expression levels in the farnesol-treated group showed no significant difference,and were even higher in some indicators.Conclusion Emodin can effectively inhibit the release of inflammatory factors and improve the state of oxidative stress by modulating the p38/ERK signaling pathway,thereby exerting an ameliorative effect on myocardial hypertrophy.
10.Effect of different decompression methods on unilateral biportal endoscopy in the treatment of elderly patients with severe lumbar spinal stenosis
Zhi-long ZHANG ; Hai-ying WANG ; Feng-hua MA ; Yan-jie HOU
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(9):780-784
Objective To investigate the effect of different decompression methods on the efficacy of the unilateral biportal endoscopy(UBE)in the treatment of severe lumbar spinal stenosis(LSS).Methods A total of 203 elderly patients with LSS who underwent UBE treatment in our hospital from September 2021 to June 2024 were selected and divided into the unilateral group(102 cases)and the bilateral group(101 cases)according to different decompression methods.The unilateral group underwent unilateral decompression during operation,while the bilateral group underwent bilateral decompression(with bilateral decompression through the same incision and unilateral approach)during operation.The perioperative conditions,anatomical image parameters,visual analogue scale(VAS)scores,Oswestry disability index(ODI),and complications were compared between the two groups.The rehabilitation progress and complications of patients with different Charlson comorbidity index(CCI)values were compared.Results The operation time of patients in the bilateral group was longer than that in the unilateral group(P<0.05).The dural sac area and lumbar spinal canal area of patients in the bilateral group were larger than those in the unilateral group immediately after operation and 3 months after operation(P<0.05).The VAS scores and ODI 7 days and 3 months after operation of patients in the bilateral group were lower than those in the unilateral group(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the total incidence of complications between the two groups of patients(P>0.05).The first time of getting out of bed after operation and hospital stay in patients with CCI value>2 scores were longer than those in patients with CCI value≤2 scores(P<0.05).Conclusion Compared with unilateral decompression,bilateral decompression for elderly patients with severe LSS takes a longer surgical time,but it can better restore lumbar shape,alleviate pain,improve lumbar function,and has higher safety,and the milder the patient's condition,the faster the postoperative recovery.


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