1.Shenqi Yiliu Prescription Reverses Cisplatin Resistance in Ovarian Cancer Cells by Regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway-mediated Glycolysis
Lan MA ; Yuping YANG ; Min BAI ; Yongqiang DUAN ; Zhining ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):60-69
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Shenqi Yiliu prescription reverses cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer cells by regulating the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway-mediated glycolysis. MethodsThe human ovarian cancer A2780 cell line was intervened with progressively increasing doses of cisplatin (1 g·L-1) to establish the cisplatin-resistant cell line A2780cisR, and the cell sensitivity to cisplatin was examined by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. High, medium, and low (39.9, 19.95, 9.98 g·kg-1) doses of Shenqi Yiliu prescription-containing sera were used to treat A2780cisR cells for 48 h. Glucose consumption and lactate production were measured by the cuvette assay. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to determine the activities of glucose transporter (GLUT), phosphofructokinase (PFK), and pyruvate kinase (PK). Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was used to detect apoptosis. Western blot was employed to quantify the protein levels of phosphorylated (p)-PI3K, p-Akt, p-mTOR, hexokinase 2 (HK2), pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), B-cell lymphoblastoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X-protein (Bax), and B-lymphoblastoma-2 gene-related promoter (Bad). Real-time PCR was conducted to determine the mRNA levels of HK2, PKM2, Bax, Bcl-2, and Bad. ResultsThe median inhibitory concentration (IC50) of cisplatin on A2780cisR cells was nearly 3 times that on A2780P cells. Compared with A2780P cells, A2780cisR cells showed increased glucose consumption, lactate production, GLUT, PFK, and PK activities, and mRNA and protein levels of p-PI3K, Akt, p-mTOR, HK2, PKM2, Bax (P<0.05), and decreased apoptosis rate and Bcl-2 expression (P<0.05). Compared with A2780cisR cells, medium- and high-dose Shenqi Yiliu prescription reduced the glucose consumption, lactate production, GLUT, PFK, and PK activities, and mRNA and protein levels of p-PI3K, Akt, p-mTOR, HK2, PKM2, Bax, and Bad (P<0.05), while increasing the apoptosis rate and Bcl-2 expression (P<0.05). ConclusionShenqi Yiliu prescription can inhibit glycolysis mediated by the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway to promote apoptosis, thereby reversing cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer cells.
2.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates VEGF Signaling Pathway for Anti-angiogenic Intervention in Preneoplastic Breast Cancer: A Review
Huikun BAI ; Min HUANG ; Benfa LI ; Rong ZHAO ; Zhuoling LI ; Dongdong ZHAO ; Na YANG ; Awei BI ; Yun GAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):295-302
Breast cancer prevention and treatment have become major issues that urgently need to be addressed in the field of global public health. As a key pathological transitional stage in the progression of breast cancer, preneoplastic breast cancer (PBC) carries a significant risk of clinical transformation. Effective intervention in the progression of PBC is of great clinical significance in preventing the occurrence of breast cancer. Pathological studies have shown that abnormal angiogenesis is a key mechanism driving the transformation of PBC into breast cancer. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as a core regulatory molecule that promotes angiogenesis, plays a pivotal role in this process. The malignant transformation of PBC is closely associated with the abnormal activation of the VEGF-mediated pro-angiogenic network. Although modern medicine has achieved certain therapeutic effects through surgery and endocrine therapy, clinical limitations such as invasiveness, drug resistance, and adverse reactions still exist. Recent studies have demonstrated that the VEGF signaling system mediates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. In addition, the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/VEGF signaling pathway and the delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4)/Notch receptor 1 (Notch1) signaling pathway, together with other pathways, form a complex regulatory network that plays a central role in angiogenesis during PBC. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), characterized by multi-component synergy, multi-pathway regulation, and high safety, demonstrates significant advantages in inhibiting pathological angiogenesis and blocking PBC progression by targeting the VEGF signaling pathway. From the perspective of VEGF pathway regulation, this paper systematically reviews the latest research progress on TCM in inhibiting angiogenesis and intervening in PBC, and discusses its mechanisms and application value in the early prevention and treatment of PBC, with the aim of providing references for optimizing clinical intervention strategies for PBC.
3.Research strategy for key quality attributes of traditional Chinese medicine based on systems biology and chemical biology
HOU Yuanyuan ; ZHANG Man ; JIANG Min ; ZHANG Tiejun ; BAI Gang
Drug Standards of China 2026;27(1):0015-0020
Currently, the quality control of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) encounters substantial technical challenges, necessitating the urgent development of innovative evaluation methods for key quality attributes. This study proposes the construction of a quality assurance system centered on key quality attributes, with systems biology and chemical biology serving as its core components: utilizing multi-omics technologies to systematically analyze the core functional modules of TCM, integrating pharmacological approaches to precisely identify key bioactive components; applying chemical biology to elucidate the interaction mechanisms between components and their targets, while screening for quality markers associated with specific functions and clinical indications; establishing an integrated quality control system based on quality markers and biological potency to ensure comprehensive quality management from raw herb materials through to finished products. Additionally, it emphasizes the formulation of compatibility rules grounded in TCM theory, integrates clinical practice and multi-dimensional value assessments, and establishes a novel quality evaluation model with distinct TCM characteristics.This offers a comprehensive and systematic approach to ensuring the safety and efficacy of TCM while facilitating the high-quality development of the TCM industry.
4.Effect and mechanism of Tangzhi formula in improving glucose and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic rats
Jing CHEN ; Min BAI ; Fubin SHANG ; Runsheng YU ; Yan SU ; Jianfeng WANG ; Xiangdong ZHU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(16):2112-2118
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and mechanism of Tangzhi formula(TZF) on improving glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats.METHODS Thirty SPF-grade SD rats were used to establish a T2DM rat model through high-fat diet feeding combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. After successful modeling, the rats were divided into the model group, metformin group (positive control, 0.18 g/kg), and TZF low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (5, 10, and 20 g/kg), with 6 rats in each group. An additional 6 rats were selected as the blank group. The rats in each group were orally administered the corresponding volume of drug solution or saline, and continuous dosing was performed for 6 weeks, once daily. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), area under the curve of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT-AUC), area under the curve of intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test (IPITT-AUC), serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and oil red O staining were used to observe hepatic pathological morphology and lipid deposition. Differentially expressed proteins in liver tissues were screened by proteomics analysis, and key proteins in signaling pathways were verified by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining.RESULTS Compared with the blank group, the levels of FBG, OGTT-AUC, IPITT-AUC, LDL-C, TG, and TC in the model group were significantly increased ( P <0.05), while HDL-C level was significantly decreased ( P <0.05); the liver tissues showed disordered hepatic cords, punctate necrosis of hepatocytes, and significant lipid deposition, the NAFLD activity score and positive area of lipid droplets were significantly increased( P <0.05). Compared with the model group, the above indicators in TZF low-, medium-, and high-dose groups and metformin group were significantly reversed ( P <0.05); hepatic pathological injury and lipid deposition were alleviated. Proteomics results showed that a total of 442 differentially expressed proteins were screened between the model group and the blank group, and 358 differentially expressed proteins were screened between the TZF high-dose group and the model group. Among these differentially expressed proteins, multiple proteins closely related to glucose and lipid metabolism showed a reversal trend after TZF intervention. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis showed that the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway was significantly enriched. The validation experiment results showed that TZF could significantly up-regulate the expression of PPARα, PPARγ, and apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) in rat liver tissues ( P <0.05), and down-regulate the expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) and perilipin 2 (PLIN2) ( P <0.05).CONCLUSIONS TZF can improve glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in T2DM rats; its mechanism may be related to the activation of the PPAR signaling pathway and the regulation of downstream lipid metabolism-related proteins SCD1, PLIN2, and ApoA1.
5.Impact of complications on prognosis in acute-on-chronic liver failure and related management measures
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(8):1761-1765
Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a clinical syndrome characterized by rapid disease progression and extremely high short-term mortality, and the number and severity of complications are core factors contributing to poor prognosis. However, there is still a lack of systematic evaluations of the impact of single or multiple complications of ACLF on prognosis, as well as the clinical value of standardized complication management. This article systematically reviews the impact of common complications of ACLF on prognosis and related management strategies, in order to provide a reference for clinical practice.
6.Exploration on Mechanism of Shengjiang Pingchuan Zhike Pills Against Cough Variant Asthma by Modulating AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 Signaling Pathway Based on Transcriptomics
Baotang LU ; Jiao DU ; Min BAI ; Tengfei HE ; Le LI ; Yongqiang DUAN ; Changxi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(22):169-179
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Shengjiang Pingchuan Zhike pills (SPZP) alleviate airway injury in the rat model of cough variant asthma (CVA) via regulating autophagy through activating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/Unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1) signaling pathway based on transcriptomics, thus providing experimental evidence for the clinical application of SPZP. MethodsForty SPF-grade SD rats were enrolled in the present study and randomly via the random number table method assigned into four groups: a blank group, a model group, a SPZP (2 160 mg·kg-1·d-1) group, and a positive drug (montelukast sodium, MTL, 0.9 mg·kg-1·d-1)group, with 10 rats in each group. After one week of adaptive feeding, the rat model of cough variant asthma (CVA) was established by two-week sensitization with ovalbumin (OVA) and aluminium hydroxide, followed by capsaicin atomization challenge. Rats in the blank group received an equal volume of normal saline during modeling. Upon successful modeling, rats in the SPZP group and positive drug group were administrated with SPZP suspension and MTL solution, respectively, while those in the blank and model groups received the same dose of normal saline by gavage. The whole intervention lasted for 21 consecutive days. After the intervention, general behaviors of rats in each group were observed. Pulmonary function indicators were subsequently detected. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to visualize the pathological morphology of the lung tissue, and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining was adopted to evaluate airway mucus secretion. Transcriptomic sequencing was conducted to screen differentially expressed genes in the lung tissue across groups. The levels of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, immunoglobulin E (IgE), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunofluorescence staining was used for detecting the co-localization of autophagy-related protein Beclin-1 and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR). Transmission electron microscopy was employed to count autophagosomes and observe mitochondrial morphological changes in the lung tissue. Western blot assay was utilized to measure the expression levels of AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 axis-related proteins, including AMPK, phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), mTOR, phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), ULK1, and phosphorylated Unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase 1 (p-ULK1) as well as the autophagy biomarkers Beclin-1 and selective autophagy adaptor protein p62 in lung specimens. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group exhibited markedly elevated cough frequency accompanied by wheezing and stridor, dull fur, poor mental activity, diminished motor activity, accelerated respiratory rate, and weakened sensory response and mobility to external stimuli, accompanied by a declining tendency of body mass. Meanwhile, the model group exhibited decreased dynamic lung compliance, increased airway resistance (P<0.01), severe pathological damage and excessive mucus secretion in the lung tissue (P<0.01), and elevated levels of IL-4, IL-5, and IgE and declined level of IFN-γ in the BALF (P<0.01). Ultrastructural observation revealed damaged mitochondrial morphology and a sharp reduction in the number of autophagosomes in the lung tissue. In addition, the expression of p-AMPK, p-ULK1, and Beclin-1 were downregulated, whereas p-mTOR and p62 were highly expressed (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the model group. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses demonstrated significant enrichment of AMPK, mTOR, and autophagy-related pathways. Compared with the model group, both the positive drug group and SPZP group obtained visible improvements in general behavioral manifestations and obvious recovery of pulmonary function indicators (P<0.05), alleviated pulmonary pathological lesions and suppressed excessive airway mucus secretion (P<0.05), recovered levels of inflammatory cytokines in the BALF (P<0.05), restored mitochondrial morphology, increased autophagosomes, upregulated expression levels of p-AMPK, p-ULK1, and Beclin-1, and downregulated expression levels of p-mTOR and p62 (P<0.05). ConclusionSPZP can effectively ameliorate airway inflammation and improve the pulmonary function in the rat model of CVA by activating the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 signaling pathway, enhancing autophagy in the lung tissue, and inhibiting excessive airway mucus secretion and immune inflammatory imbalance.
7.Clinical diagnostic value of 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography in epiretinal membrane
Jun ZHAO ; Ya'nan LI ; Hongqiang JIA ; Min LIU ; Junping BAI
International Eye Science 2025;25(1):144-147
AIM: To explore the diagnostic value of 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography for epiretinal membrane.METHODS: A total of 44 cases(80 eyes)of patients with proposed diagnosis of cataract and vitreous opacity by fundus examination in our hospital between January 2020 and January 2022 were collected, and the affected eyes were examined by optical coherence tomography(OCT)and 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography, and the differences in the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were compared between 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography and OCT for the diagnosis of epiretinal membrane.RESULTS: In the 80 eyes detected by 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography, 62 had epiretinal membrane and 18 had non epiretinal membrane. Totally 54 eyes were confirmed to have epiretinal membrane by OCT, 13 eyes were not diagnosed with epiretinal membrane, 5 eyes were missed diagnosis, and 8 eyes were misdiagnosed. The diagnostic consistency between 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography and OCT was high(Kappa=0.892, P<0.05); the 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography detection sensitivity of epiretinal membrane was 92%, specificity was 62%, missed diagnosis rate was 8%, misdiagnosis rate was 38%, and accuracy was 84%; compared with OCT detection, 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography detected a lower specificity, correct rate, positive prediction accuracy, negative prediction accuracy, and higher misdiagnosis rate(all P<0.05), and the difference in diagnostic sensitivity compared with leakage rate was not statistically significant(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION: 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography has some value in identifying epiretinal membrane lesions and is consistent with OCT testing.
8.Who Dies Alone? Demographics, Underlying Diseases, and Healthcare Utilization Patterns of Lonely Death Individuals in Korea
Haibin BAI ; Jae-ryun LEE ; Min Jung KANG ; Young-Ho JUN ; Hye Yeon KOO ; Jieun YUN ; Jee Hoon SOHN ; Jin Yong LEE ; Hyejin LEE
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health 2025;58(2):218-226
Objectives:
Lonely death is defined as “a person living in a state of social isolation, disconnected from family, relatives, and others, who dies from suicide, illness, or other causes”. This study investigated the characteristics of individuals who die alone in Korea.
Methods:
We constructed a database of lonely death cases by linking data from the Korea Crime Scene Investigation Unit of the Korea National Police Agency with National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) records. A descriptive analysis was performed to evaluate the demographics, underlying diseases, and healthcare utilization patterns among lonely death cases.
Results:
Among the 3122 individuals identified as lonely death cases, 2621 (84.0%) were male and 501 (16.0%) were female. The most common age group was 50-59 years (n=930, 29.8%). The NHIS covered 2161 individuals (69.2%), whereas 961 individuals (30.8%) were enrolled in Medical Aid (MA). The highest number of lonely deaths occurred in Seoul areas, with 1468 cases (47.0%). Mood disorders were diagnosed in 1020 individuals (32.7%), and various alcohol-related diseases, including alcoholic liver disease, were also observed. Outpatient visits increased leading up to death but declined in the final 3 months, while hospitalizations decreased and emergency room visits slightly increased.
Conclusions
Most lonely death cases involved male in their 50s, with a disproportionately high number of MA beneficiaries compared to the general population. Many of these individuals also experienced mental health issues or alcohol-related disorders. Preventing social isolation and strengthening social safety nets are critical to reducing the occurrence of lonely deaths.
9.Clinical and transthoracic echocardiographic manifestations of mitral annular disjunction
Qiuying LIU ; Min SONG ; Jing DOU ; Xiaohong WANG ; Tiantian WANG ; Qing BAI
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(6):919-923
Objective To observe the clinical and transthoracic echocardiographic manifestations of mitral annular disjunction(MAD).Methods Transthoracic echocardiographic data of 990 individuals were retrospectively analyzed.Based on the distance between the attachment point of posterior mitral valve and posterior wall of left ventricle measured on echocardiography,whether there was MAD was judged,and the subjects were divided into MAD group and non-MAD(NMAD)group,and clinical data and echocardiographic parameters were compared between groups.Taken parameters being significantly different between groups as independent variables and the presence or absence of MAD as dependent variable,multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to explore correlations of patients' clinical characteristics and transthoracic echocardiographic parameters of MAD.Results MAD was detected in 186 cases(186/990,18.79%).Patients' age,left atrial diameter(LAD),left ventricle diameter(LVD),late diastolic velocity of mitral valve(A)and early diastolic velocity of mitral valve orifices(E)/A in MAD group were all lower than those in NMAD group,while the proportion of moderate and above mitral regurgitation in MAD group was higher than that in NMAD group(all P<0.05).Patients' age,A and E/A measured with transthoracic echocardiography were all correlated with MAD(all P<0.05).Conclusion Clinical and transthoracic echocardiographic manifestations of MAD had certain characteristics.
10.Consensus on informed consent for orthodontic treatment
Yang CAO ; Bing FANG ; Zuolin JIN ; Hong HE ; Yuxing BAI ; Lin WANG ; Haiping LU ; Zhihe ZHAO ; Tianmin XU ; Weiran LI ; Min HU ; Jinlin SONG ; Jun WANG ; Fang JIN ; Ding BAI ; Xianglong HAN ; Yuehua LIU ; Bin YAN ; Jie GUO ; Jiejun SHI ; Yongming LI ; Zhihua LI ; Xiuping WU ; Jiangtian HU ; Linyu XU ; Lin LIU ; Yi LIU ; Yanqin LU ; Wensheng MA ; Shuixue MO ; Liling REN ; Shuxia CUI ; Yongjie FAN ; Jianguang XU ; Lulu XU ; Zhijun ZHENG ; Peijun WANG ; Rui ZOU ; Chufeng LIU ; Lunguo XIA ; Li HU ; Weicai WANG ; Liping WU ; Xiaoxing KOU ; Jiali TAN ; Yuanbo LIU ; Bowen MENG ; Yuantao HAO ; Lili CHEN
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2025;60(12):1327-1336
This consensus was developed by the Orthodontic Society of the Chinese Stomatological Association to provide a systematic, scientific, and practical guideline for informed consent in orthodontic care. Orthodontic treatment is typically lengthy, highly individualized, and involves multiple factors such as growth and development, occlusal function, and facial esthetics. Rapid technological advances and diverse risk profiles make the traditional reliance on orthodontist experience or institutional templates insufficient to ensure patients′ full understanding and autonomous decision-making. To address this, the expert panel conducted extensive reviews of domestic and international guidelines, analyzed representative dispute cases, and performed multicenter patient-clinician surveys. Using a multi-round Delphi method, the group established a standardized informed consent framework covering the initial consultation, treatment, and retention phases. The consensus emphasizes that informed consent is not only a fundamental legal and ethical requirement but also a key step in building trust, improving patient compliance, and enhancing treatment satisfaction. Orthodontists should clearly and comprehensively explain treatment plans, potential risks, uncertainties, and associated costs, while respecting the autonomy of patients or guardians, and maintain continuous communication and dynamic evaluation throughout the treatment process. The release of this consensus provides unified and authoritative guidance for clinical orthodontics, helping to standardize informed consent, enhance its transparency, safeguard patient rights, reduce medical risks, and promote high-quality, sustainable development of orthodontic practice.

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