1.The mechanisms underlying the impact of erythrocytes on coagulation and thrombus formation
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(1):141-147
Red blood cells (RBCs), as a key component determining the hemorheological properties, play a significant role in the dynamic process of thrombosis by regulating blood viscosity, shear stress distribution, and complex molecular mechanisms (including promoting platelet activation, mediating interactions with vascular endothelial cells, and releasing procoagulant factors). This article systematically elucidates the multidimensional mechanisms of RBCs in hemostasis and thrombus formation by integrating perspectives from hemorheology and molecular biology. It focuses on analyzing how their physical properties and molecular activities dynamically interact and mutually regulate under hemodynamic conditions, collectively forming a complex thrombus formation network. This provides a comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology of RBCs involvement in coagulation and offers references for developing bleeding and thrombotic risk assessment strategies, as well as precision diagnosis and treatment approaches that incorporate RBCs functions.
2.Early screening strategies for metabolic associated fatty liver disease
Kaiye HUA ; Mengfan JIA ; Yingwei ZHU ; Zhonghua LU ; Jian LU ; Hong TANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(2):420-426
Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a common chronic liver disease worldwide, and timely and precise intervention can delay disease progression and significantly reduce the risk of serious complications such as liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Although traditional liver biopsy combined with metabolic markers is the gold standard, it may cause complications such as pain and bleeding as an invasive examination, which has promoted scientific research to shift its focus to the construction of noninvasive assessment systems. In recent years, noninvasive diagnostic technologies based on multi-dimensional detection strategies have been continuously updated, including serological models, imaging techniques, and clinical algorithms. This article systematically reviews the screening methods for MAFLD during the fibrotic stages F1—F3, especially deep learning models based on artificial intelligence, in order to provide ideas for the early screening of MAFLD, as well as a scientific reference for optimizing disease management strategies.
3.Effects of different concentrations and treatment durations of hyaluronidase on mouse zygote development and blastocyst formation
Jie ZHANG ; Hua WANG ; Di YANG ; Jinfang LU ; Jicong ZHANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(3):540-545
ObjectiveTo define hyaluronidase treatment parameters that efficiently remove the extracellular matrix from zygotes without impairing embryo development, thereby providing a basis for standardized assisted reproductive procedures. MethodsMouse zygotes were treated with hyaluronidase at 40, 80, or 120 IU/mL for 60, 90, or 120 s. Following treatment, embryos were cultured in Krebs-ringer bicarbonate-based solution for organismal media (KSOM) medium, and blastocyst formation was monitored using a Time-lapse imaging system. ResultsA concentration of 40 IU/mL was insufficient for effective matrix removal, whereas 120 IU/mL markedly reduced blastocyst formation. In contrast, 80 IU/mL achieved efficient matrix clearance with minimal impact on development. Blastocyst rates were comparable between the 60 s and 90 s groups, with a slight advantage for the 60 s under the experimental conditions. ConclusionHyaluronidase treatment at 80 IU/mL for 60 s represents optimal processing conditions for mouse zygotes. These findings provide experimental basis and standardized reference for embryo handling in assisted reproductive technologies.
4.Molecular features of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome evolution in chronic liver diseases: a dynamic network biomarker analysis
Qingqing Chen ; Hua Zhang ; Dong Guo ; Hong Cai ; Yiyu Lu
Digital Chinese Medicine 2026;9(2):241-256
Objective:
To elucidate the biological basis of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes from the perspective of “same syndrome, different diseases” in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), liver cirrhosis (LC), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), thereby providing a complementary approach for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic liver diseases (CLD).
Methods:
To investigate the dynamic characteristics of TCM syndromes in CLD, transcriptomic profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was performed from patients with CHB, LC, or HCC presenting with three TCM syndromes: liver gallbladder dampness heat syndrome (LGDHS), liver depression spleen deficiency syndrome (LDSDS), and liver kidney Yin deficiency syndrome (LKYDS). These participants were recruited at Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between August 1, 2018 and December 31, 2021. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the random variance model (RVM) F test with false discovery rate (FDR) correction. Principal component analysis (PCA) and unsupervised hierarchical clustering were applied to visualize sample grouping. Dynamic network biomarkers (DNB) analysis was employed to detect critical transition stages during syndrome evolution, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses to characterize the functional roles and pathway involvement of the DNB members. Random forest (RF) analysis and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (AUC) were used to rank the importance of candidate genes. External validation was performed using microarray data from an independent CLD cohort (GSE89377) and RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma (TCGA-LIHC) dataset. Additionally, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed on an independent cohort of LC patients to validate the expression levels of the candidate genes.
Results:
The study included a total of 132 participants. DNB analysis identified LDSDS stage as a critical tipping point during TCM syndrome evolution across CHB, LC, and HCC. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K-AKT) signaling pathway was consistently enriched in the DNB analysis across all three types of CLD, suggesting its potential involvement in the critical transition of TCM syndromes. Among the 24 core DNB members of the PI3K-AKT pathway, four genes—integrin subunit beta 1 (ITGB1), collagen type IV alpha 1 chain (COL4A1), collagen type IV alpha 2 chain (COL4A2), and DNA damage inducible transcript 3 (DDIT3)—were identified by RF analysis (Gini score > 1) and ROC analysis. ROC analysis demonstrated high discriminative ability for distinguishing LGDHS from LKYDS in CHB patients, with AUC of
5.Clinical Research Advances and Future Perspectives in Frontotemporal Dementia
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(2):143-151
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) refers to a spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders primarily affecting the frontal and/or temporal lobes. Given the marked clinical, genetic, and pathological heterogeneity, achieving accurate antemortem diagnosis and pathological subtyping remains a significant challenge. Recent genetic studies have revealed differences in the genetic landscape of FTD across populations; meanwhile, progress in body fluid and peripheral tissue biomarkers, seed amplification assays, and neuroimaging technologies has provided powerful tools for pathology-based early diagnosis. The research focus in the field of FTD treatment has gradually shifted from symptomatic treatment to disease-modifying therapies and neuromodulation. This review focuses on the latest advances in clinical research of FTD, aiming to provide a reference for the formulation of precise diagnosis and treatment strategies for this disease.
6.Psychological Stress-induced Immune Dysregulation: The Key Factor Undermining Aerobic Exercise’s Antagonism Against Tumor Progression
Xin ZHOU ; Hua ZHANG ; Jing-Jing LIU ; Hui-Xin PAN ; Jing ZHANG ; Qing-Lu WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1656-1671
Cancer is one of the most lethal and burdensome diseases worldwide. Its progression not only causes irreversible damage to the body, but also imposes a substantial psychological burden on patients due to its complex prognosis. Immune imbalance, a hallmark of the tumor microenvironment (TME), accelerates tumor invasion and metastasis by impairing the function of effector immune cells, promoting the abnormal infiltration of immunosuppressive cells, and disrupting cytokine homeostasis, thereby constituting a major barrier to the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Compared with conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy, aerobic exercise has shown considerable potential in antagonizing tumor progression through relatively mild but effective immunomodulatory mechanisms. On the one hand, regular aerobic exercise enhances the number and activity of key effector immune cells, such as CD8+ T cells, thereby strengthening their ability to recognize and eliminate tumor cells and alleviate immune imbalance. On the other hand, aerobic exercise promotes tumor vascular normalization, improves vascular maturity, and stimulates the secretion of irisin and other anti-inflammatory myokines, thereby remodeling the TME and relieving its immunosuppressive state to delay tumor progression. However, psychological stress following a cancer diagnosis can not only act as an independent disruptive factor that exacerbates immune imbalance within the TME, but also amplify the effects of other detrimental factors, such as reduced treatment adherence, thereby further weakening the antagonistic effect of aerobic exercise on tumor growth. Psychological stress, as a chronic stressor, promotes the excessive secretion of emotion-related hormones, including glucocorticoids (GCs) and norepinephrine (NE), which further suppress the activation and effector functions of antitumor immune cells such as CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, while facilitating the recruitment of protumor immune cells such as regulatory T cells (Tregs). These changes ultimately disrupt immune homeostasis in the TME, promote tumor immune evasion, accelerate tumor invasion and metastasis, and offset the beneficial effects of aerobic exercise on tumor control. In addition, psychological stress induces hyperactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and abnormal excitation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), thereby maintaining elevated levels of GCs, NE, and related stress hormones, suppressing inflammatory chemokine expression and immune cell recruitment, and further disturbing immune homeostasis in the TME, which accelerates tumor progression. More importantly, prolonged psychological stress can also disrupt the homeostasis of central neurotransmitters, such as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and glutamate (Glu). This not only directly inhibits the activation and effector functions of antitumor immune cells and promotes the establishment of an immunosuppressive microenvironment, but also impairs cellular energy metabolism and continuously provides energy for tumor cells through metabolic reprogramming, thereby sustaining rapid tumor growth and adaptation to a hostile TME. Ultimately, these alterations contribute to the dysregulation of “neuro-endocrine-immune” axis and weaken the protective effect of aerobic exercise against tumor progression. Therefore, this review focuses on the interaction between psychological stress and the “neuro-endocrine-immune” axis, with particular emphasis on the mechanisms by which psychological stress induces immune imbalance and weakens the antagonistic effect of aerobic exercise on tumor progression. We further highlight the important role of psychological stress in tumor progression and propose that combining psychotropic interventions, aerobic exercise, and clinical antitumor immunotherapy may help restore the tumor-killing capacity of the immune system. Such a multimodal strategy may exert synergistic effects at multiple levels, including psychological stress relief, neuroendocrine regulation, and reconstruction of immune homeostasis, thereby providing new perspectives for identifying therapeutic targets in solid tumors, enhancing the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy, and improving patient prognosis.
7.Kinsenoside-loaded Recombinant High-density Lipoprotein Enhances Beta-amyloid Phagocytosis Capacity and Reduces Inflammatory Levels of Microglia
Lu-Yao CHEN ; Yan MU ; Qian HUA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1758-1769
ObjectiveThis study aims to construct a reconstituted high-density lipoprotein (rHDL) delivery system loaded with kinsenoside (KD@rHDL), and to systematically evaluate its function in enhancing the phagocytosis of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) by microglia and improving the inflammatory state of microglia, as well as to preliminarily explore its potential application value in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). MethodsKD@rHDL was prepared by the film hydration method combined with probe sonication and co-incubation. Its morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy, and the particle size and Zeta potential were measured by dynamic light scattering. The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The affinity between KD@rHDL and Aβ was analyzed by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) to assess its feasibility as a medium for Aβ clearance. At the cellular level, after treating mouse microglial cells (BV-2 cells) with KD@rHDL and adding fluorescently labeled Aβ, the phagocytic efficiency of microglia for Aβ was detected by confocal microscopy. Meanwhile, the CCK-8 method was used to evaluate the effect of KD@rHDL on cell viability to determine its safety. The trans-barrier transport ability of KD@rHDL was detected by Transwell assay. The expression levels of NLRP3 inflammasome and downstream inflammatory factor IL-1β in LPS-induced microglia were detected by Western blot to evaluate the regulatory effect of KD@rHDL on the inflammatory state of cells. ResultsCharacterization results showed that the successfully prepared KD@rHDL presented a typical discoid structure under transmission electron microscopy, with a uniform particle size distribution, an average particle size of approximately (14.4±0.24) nm, and a suitable negative Zeta potential, demonstrating good colloidal stability. The drug content determination results indicated that the encapsulation efficiency of KD@rHDL for kinsenoside was (42.24±1.30)%, and the drug loading was (6.03±0.19)%, indicating a good drug loading capacity. The CCK-8 assay results showed that in the set concentration range, the survival rates of BV2 and HT22 cells in the KD@rHDL treatment group were all above 90%, with no significant difference from the control group, indicating good cell safety of the formulation. The results of the Aβ phagocytosis experiment indicated that, compared with the Aβ oligomers (Aβo) group alone, the fluorescence signal intensity within microglia in the KD@rHDL treatment group was significantly enhanced, and a large amount of fluorescence-labeled Aβ was observed to accumulate intracellularly under a fluorescence microscope. The SPR assay results showed that rHDL had a strong affinity for Aβ, with an affinity constant reaching the nanomolar level. Transwell assay results indicated that KD@rHDL could effectively cross the bEnd.3 cell monolayer barrier and be taken up by BV2 and HT22 cells. Western blot assay results showed that high-dose KD@rHDL treatment could significantly reduce the expression level of NLRP3 protein in LPS-induced microglia and simultaneously down-regulate the maturation and secretion of IL-1β, indicating that KD@rHDL can effectively inhibit the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and improve the neuroinflammatory state mediated by microglia. ConclusionThis study successfully constructed a reconstituted high-density lipoprotein delivery system loaded with kinsenoside (KD@rHDL). This nano-delivery system not only significantly enhances the phagocytic clearance ability of microglia towards Aβ, but also effectively inhibits the NLRP3/IL-1β-mediated inflammatory pathway, improving the inflammatory state of microglia. The above results indicate that KD@rHDL has a synergistic effect in promoting Aβ clearance and alleviating neuroinflammation, demonstrating potential therapeutic value for AD and providing new ideas and experimental basis for the development of subsequent AD treatment strategies.
8.Etiology and treatment of dysuria shortly after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: a report of 98 cases
Chao LU ; Xin GU ; Wenfeng LI ; Chong LIU ; Bao HUA ; Jiangyi WANG ; Minkai XIE ; Yiwei WANG ; Qing YANG
Journal of Modern Urology 2026;31(5):435-439
Objective To investigate the etiology and treatment of dysuria shortly after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), so as to improve the therapeutic efficacy. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1361 BPH patients who received HoLEP at our hospital during Mar. 2018 and Mar. 2025. All patients underwent ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), urethral probing or radiography, cystourethroscopy, and urodynamic testing. The causes, treatments and prognosis of dysuria after operation were summarized. Results ninety-eight patients (7.2%) experienced dysuria within 3 months after surgery, and all patients received initial urethral dilation. Among the 62 cases with urethral stricture, 28 were treated with urethral dilation (average of 8 sessions), 16 underwent external urethral incision, 8 underwent anterior urethroplasty, and 10 underwent transurethral plasma incision for urethral stricture. Of the 12 cases with residual prostate tissue, 5 underwent urethral plasma prostatectomy and 7 received medication. All of the 12 cases with bladder neck contracture underwent transurethral plasma incision of the bladder neck and local drug injection. Five cases with intravesical blood clots underwent urethral blood clot irrigation, 2 of which developed active bleeding and then underwent electrocoagulation. Four cases with detrusor dysfunction had catheters re-indwelled for one week followed by medication. Two cases with stone and one case with tissue fragment impacted in the urethra underwent urethral holmium lithotripsy and cystoscopic removal. All patients underwent reoperation successfully and experienced complete resolution or significant improvement of urinary difficulties. Conclusion A certain proportion of patients experience dysuria after HoLEP, with diverse etiologies. The combination of prevention and treatment can reduce the incidence of dysuria.
9.Prevalence and influencing factors of suspected sarcopenia among community-dwelling elderly patients with type 2 diabetes in Changning District, Shanghai
Xia LI ; Zhenping LU ; Dong CHEN ; Hua YANG ; Yu JIANG
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(5):344-349
ObjectiveTo conduct sarcopenia-related screening and assessment among community-dwelling elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Changning District of Shanghai, to analyze the current status and influencing factors of suspected sarcopenia in this population, and to provide references for the early prevention and treatment of sarcopenia. MethodsUsing a stratified random sampling method, elderly T2DM patients under management in the Chronic Disease Health Management System of Changning District in Shanghai were selected as the study subjects. Patients were screened for sarcopenia and underwent related health examinations according to the Chinese Expert Consensus on Diagnosis and Treatment of Sarcopenia in the Elderly (2021). Self-designed questionnaires were used to collect basic information, lifestyle habits and health status, and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was employed to evaluate cognitive function. ResultsAmong 758 elderly patients with T2DM [average age: (72.19±6.19) years old], 214 patients were identified as having suspected sarcopenia,accounting for 28.23%. The proportion of suspected sarcopenia was higher in females (30.94%) than in males (24.08%) (χ²=4.20, P=0.040), and higher in older patients (χ²=22.26, P<0.001). Higher proportions of suspected sarcopenia were also observed among patients who followed a vegetarian diet (39.77%) (χ²=73.28, P=0.011), had diabetic foot (59.09%) (χ²=10.65, P=0.001), reported feeling fatigued most of the time (37.11%) (χ²=4.33, P=0.037), or had mild cognitive impairment (χ²=3.95, P=0.047). The duration of T2DM in the suspected sarcopenia group [(12.86±10.07) years old] was longer than that in the non-sarcopenia group [(9.73±8.63) years old] (t=3.79, P<0.001), and the average body mass index (BMI) in the suspected sarcopenia group [(22.17±2.45) kg⋅m-²)] was lower than that in the non-sarcopenia group [(25.11±3.26) kg⋅m-²)] (t=-11.41, P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that older age (OR=1.08, 95%CI:1.047‒1.110) and longer duration of T2DM (OR=1.02, 95%CI:1.005‒1.043) were associated with a higher risk of suspected sarcopenia in elderly T2DM patients. Female elderly T2DM patients had a higher risk of suspected sarcopenia (OR=1.89, 95%CI:1.310‒2.733) than males, and those with diabetic foot (OR=3.66, 95%CI:1.341‒9.990) had a higher risk than those without diabetic foot. ConclusionThe proportion of elderly T2DM patients with suspected sarcopenia was relatively high. In community-based integrated health management, healthcare providers should pay more attention to elderly T2DM patients who are older, have longer disease duration, are female, or have diabetic foot, so as to identify risks early and implement targeted comprehensive interventions and health management.
10.Epidemiological characteristics of pertussis in Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, 2024
Zuo LI ; Lu SHI ; Jingxing WU ; Hua LIN
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(5):350-354
ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pertussis in Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, 2024, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating local prevention and control strategies. MethodsCase data and population data were obtained from the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. Epidemiological case investigation data were collected from the Zhejiang Vaccine Clinical Research and Application Effectiveness Evaluation System and the Immunization Service Information System. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the temporal, spatial and demographic distributions, and SaTScan 9.7 software was applied for spatiotemporal cluster scanning. ResultsIn 2024, a total of 3 090 pertussis cases were reported in Taizhou City, with no deaths. The number of reported cases increased significantly compared with those in previous years, and the peak occurred in April. Spatiotemporal scanning identified three clusters: a most likely cluster centered around Tantou Town in Tiantai County, covering 16 streets/towns, a second most likely cluster centered around Taiping Subdistrict in Wenling City, covering 11 streets/towns, and a third most likely cluster centered around Ganjiang Town in Yuhuan City, covering 6 streets/towns. The three clusters together accounted for 31.04% of the total scanned cases.The majority of cases were in the 6‒10 years age group (55.02%), and students accounted for the highest proportion by occupation (44.17%). Among 2 929 epidemiological investigation cases, the most common clinical manifestations were cough (97.58%) and aggravated nocturnal cough (52.10%), while typical symptoms (including paroxysmal spasmodic cough and post-tussive vomiting, etc.) were less frequent. Among the cases, 82.49% had completed the full 4-dose vaccination schedule, and their complication rate (10.47%) was lower than that of the unvaccinated group (20.56%). ConclusionThe number of reported pertussis cases surged in Taizhou City in 2024, showing significant spatiotemporal clustering, with school‑aged children being the high‑risk group. Vaccination could reduce the risk of complications. It is recommended to further enhance surveillance sensitivity, with a focus on strengthening immunization strategies for high-risk groups such as school-aged children aged 6‒10 years, and to reinforce targeted protection for infants under 1 year old who have not completed primary vaccination, along with their families. In addition, prevention and control resources should be deployed in advance for the cluster areas identified through spatiotemporal analysis and for the spring peak season,to interrupt local transmission chains.

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