1.Experience of Professor LIU Shangyi in Treating Acute Mastitis from the Perspective of "Membrane Collaterals"
Fang ZHANG ; Dongyang DENG ; Xiao LIU ; Rong WEI ; Ling WANG ;
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(11):1148-1152
This paper summarizes Professor LIU Shangyi's clinical experience in treating acute mastitis based on the "membrane collaterals" theory. It is considered that constraint and stagnation of the membrane collaterrals is the primary pathogenic factor, with damp, heat, phlegm, and stasis being the secondary manifestations. If untreated, the condition can progress to heat toxin injuring the membrane. In treatment, the emphasis is diffusing and unblocking membrane collaterals, unblocking breast and relieving constraint. The clinical course of the disease can be divided into three stages including the early stage with mild constraint heat, the middle stage with escalating toxic heat, and the later stage with a decline of pathogens but deficiency of healthy qi. In correspondence, self-made Tongru Formula (通乳方) for diffusing membrane and venting constraint, self-made Toumo Jiedu Formula (透膜解毒方) for unblocking membrane and relieving toxin, and Tuoli Xiaodu Powder (托里消毒散) with modifications for restoring membrane and rectifying healthy qi should be used, respectively.
2.A study on the latent profile analysis and influencing factors of public acceptance of palliative care in Hainan Province
Ling ZHANG ; Xiaoting ZHAO ; Wenling LIU ; Shiyuan WANG ; Wei LIU ; Hongjiao CHEN ; Xing GAO
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(5):669-677
ObjectiveTo explore the potential categories and characteristics of the public hospice care demand in Hainan Province, and analyze different potential types of influencing factors, so as to provide reference for relevant departments to improve the public awareness and demand of hospice care. MethodsUsing convenience sampling method, select 6484 cities of the public as the survey object, using the general data questionnaire, the hospice care demand questionnaire of the potential profile analysis, and analyze the influencing factors of the public hospice care demand category. ResultsThe characteristics of the hospice care demand in Hainan Province were divided into three potential categories: low demand group (14.19%), medium demand group (49.99%) and high demand group (35.82%). Multivariate analysis showed that gender, age, education level, cultural belief, and life-death education experience were the main influencing factors of public hospice care demand (p<0.05). Males, those aged 41-60 years, and those with high school education or below had relatively lower hospice care demand, while those with life-death education experience had relatively higher demand. ConclusionRelevant departments should focus on hospice care knowledge popularization and demand enhancement for males, middle-aged groups, and people with low education levels, while strengthening universal life-death education through stratified and classified publicity strategies and educational interventions to improve different populations’ awareness and acceptance of hospice care.
3.Systematic review of the relationship between dynamic changes in inflammatory markers and therapeutic efficacy in NSCLC patients during EGFR-TKIs therapy
Liying WU ; Jingyi YANG ; Yating ZENG ; Ling YONG ; Weifeng SHAO ; Wei LIU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(11):1490-1495
OBJECTIVE To systematically evaluate the correlation between dynamic changes in inflammatory markers during treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and therapeutic efficacy, with the aim of providing evidence-based support for clinical prognosis assessment and treatment strategy adjustment. METHODS Databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang Data, and CBM were searched from the inception to July 20, 2025. Following literature screening, data extraction and quality assessment, descriptive analysis was conducted on the outcomes of included studies. RESULTS A total of eight studies were included to analyze the correlation of 6 inflammatory markers before and after treatment with EGFR-TKIs with therapeutic efficacy. The risk of bias assessment identified six high-quality studies and two moderate-quality studies. Among these studies, seven studies demonstrated that lower levels of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), higher lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) before treatment, as well as decreased NLR and MLR and increased LMR after treatment were associated with longer median progression-free survival. Five studies indicated that lower levels of NLR, dNLR, PLR, and interleukin-6 (IL-6), higher LMR before treatment as well as decreased NLR and dNLR and increased LMR were associated with longer median overall survival. Three studies indicated that lower levels of IL-6 were associated with a higher objective response rate, while the association of these markers after treatment remained controversial; another study showed that an early decline in NLR, MLR, and PLR after treatment may be associated with objective response benefit. CONCLUSIONS Lower inflammatory levels during EGFR-TKIs therapy correlate with better therapeutic efficacy in NSCLC patients.
4.Construction and Evaluation of Animal Model with "Phlegm-dampness" Syndrome
Xiaoqin LIU ; Qingzhi LIANG ; Wei JIANG ; Ling DENG ; Haoyue FENG ; Rensong YUE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):26-39
According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, impaired spleen transportation function disrupts nutrient distribution, causing metabolic accumulation of lipids that transform into pathogenic phlegm-dampness. These pathological factors disseminate through the San Jiao and obstruct meridian pathways, ultimately forming the pathogenesis described as "all disorders involve phlegm". Phlegm and dampness share common pathogenic origins but manifest distinct clinical manifestations. Dampness, as the precursor, may congeal into phlegm, while existing phlegm accumulation can further exacerbate dampness stagnation, thereby establishing a self-perpetuating pathological cycle. Modern medical research has confirmed that the essence of "phlegm-dampness" syndrome is closely associated with energy metabolism disorders, serving as a common pathological basis for metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and other major chronic diseases. As a crucial vehicle for medical experimental research, disease-syndrome combination animal models serve as an indispensable means to advance the modernization of TCM. Currently, based on classical theories such as "rich and greasy foods produce phlegm" and "physical coldness combined with cold consumption causes external pathogens to invade the skin and hair, thereby generating internal dampness", researchers primarily employ two paradigms to construct animal models of phlegm-turbidity, dampness obstruction, and phlegm-dampness syndromes: the first involves simulating TCM etiological factors (through methods like dietary irregularities, imblanace between work and rest, and combined internal-external dampness exposure), while the second combines disease with syndrome differentiation (inducing pathological changes through physical, chemical, or biological interventions). Through comprehensive evaluation incorporating macroscopic observation and microscopic index detection, model animals undergo systematic biological and pathological assessment, with further syndrome type verification achieved via the "prescription-based syndrome detection" approach. However, existing models still exhibit significant deficiencies in both the standardization of modeling methodologies and the systematization of evaluation criteria. This paper reviews the strategies for constructing "phlegm-dampness" syndrome animal models and their corresponding evaluation indices, focusing on the pathological correlations among different modeling approaches. The aim is to provide methodological guidance for research on TCM syndromes related to "phlegm-dampness" syndrome and to support the development of TCM therapies for resolving phlegm and eliminating dampness. This study not only contributes to advancing the standardization of TCM syndrome research but also provides crucial technical support for the modernization of TCM.
5.The SMAD-Pathway Mediates HMGB1-Induced Proliferation and Metastatic Progression in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells
De-De LIAN ; Xue Mei LI ; Yu-Xi JIA ; Ming-Wei ZHOU ; Xiang-Ru CHEN ; Yang-Yang TIAN ; Min LI ; Ming-Hui SUN ; Ye ZHAO ; Hong-Jun LI ; Qing-Ling ZHANG
Annals of Dermatology 2026;38(1):51-58
Background:
High-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) is a chromatin-binding protein involved in arthritis, ischemia, sepsis, atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative disorders, meningitis, and cancer. HMGB1 exhibits dual roles in cancer, acting as either a tumor suppressor or oncoprotein depending on context.
Objective:
This research aimed to elucidate HMGB1’s functional significance in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC).
Methods:
We overexpressed HMGB1 in cSCC cell lines using recombinant adenovirus and examined its effects on cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell migration.
Results:
Immunohistochemical analysis revealed elevated HMGB1 expression levels in cSCC tissue relative to normal epidermis. To assess the influence of HMGB1, we employed recombinant adenoviruses expressing HMGB1 to transduce SCC cell lines (SCC12 and SCC13). Enhanced HMGB1 expression significantly promoted cellular proliferation and colony formation capacity.Notably, HMGB1 overexpression elevated the levels of proliferation regulators, including P63, SOX2, CDK4 and CDK6. Furthermore, HMGB1 overexpression substantially enhanced tumor invasiveness, accompanied by upregulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers. Mechanistically, overexpression of HMGB1 enhanced transforming growth factor-β signaling by increasing phosphorylation of SMAD2/3, the key mediators of EMT.
Conclusion
These data imply that HMGB1 acts as a tumor-promoting factor in cSCC.
6.In vitro biocompatibility of graded glass infiltrated ultra-translucent zirconia
Qiya ZHANG ; Yixiang TONG ; Shijiao YANG ; Yumeng ZHANG ; Ling DENG ; Wei WU ; Yao XIE ; Jian LIAO ; Ling MAO
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(2):443-450
BACKGROUND:In previous studies,glass materials were infiltrated into 5Y-PSZ ultra-translucent zirconia by a double sintering method to prepare 5Y-PSZ-YGI graded glass infiltrated ultra-translucent zirconia materials that can maintain high transparency and high flexural strength.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the in vitro biocompatibility of 5Y-PSZ-YGI graded glass infiltrated ultra-translucent zirconia materials.METHODS:(1)Glass materials were infiltrated into 5Y-PSZ ultra-translucent zirconia by double sintering to prepare 5Y-PSZ-YGI graded glass infiltrated ultra-translucent zirconia.5Y-PSZ-YGI graded glass infiltrated ultra-translucent zirconia(or 5Y-PSZ ultra-translucent zirconia,3Y-TZP transparent zirconia)was placed in DMEM culture medium containing 10%fetal bovine serum for 12,24 and 72 hours,and the surface area ratio of culture medium to sample was 3 mL/cm2,and the 12-,24-and 72-hour material extracts were obtained.(2)After culturing mouse fibroblast L929 for 24 hours,the original culture medium was discarded and divided into 7 groups for culture:the control group was replaced with DMEM culture medium containing 10%fetal bovine serum by volume,and the other 6 groups were replaced with 24-hour extract of 3Y-TZP transparent zirconia,24-hour extract of 5Y-PSZ ultra-translucent zirconia,24-hour extract of 5Y-PSZ-YGI graded glass infiltrated ultra-translucent zirconia,72-hour extract of 3Y-TZP transparent zirconia,72-hour extract of 5Y-PSZ ultra-translucent zirconia,and 72-hour extract of 5Y-PSZ-YGI graded glass infiltrated ultra-translucent zirconia.After 1,3,and 5 days of culture,cell growth was observed under a microscope,and the cell proliferation rate was obtained by CCK-8 assay to determine cytotoxicity.(3)Human anticoagulated blood was mixed with 5Y-PSZ-YGI graded glass infiltrated ultra-translucent zirconia,5Y-PSZ ultra-translucent zirconia,and 3Y-TZP transparent zirconia,and the hemolysis rate was detected after 0.5 hours.Human anticoagulated blood was mixed with 12-hour extract of 3Y-TZP transparent zirconia,12-hour extract of 5Y-PSZ ultra-translucent zirconia,and 12-hour extract of 5Y-PSZ-YGI graded glass infiltrated ultra-translucent zirconia,and the hemolysis rate was detected after 0.5 hours.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Under the microscope,it could be seen that the number of cells in each group increased with the extension of culture time,and the cell morphology of each experimental group was basically the same as that of the control group.The cytotoxicity grade of the 24-hour extract of 3Y-TZP transparent zirconia group on the first day of culture was grade 0,and the cytotoxicity grade of the other experimental groups at each time period was grade 1.(2)Neither the material nor the material extract caused obvious hemolytic reaction,and the hemolytic rate was less than 5%.(3)The results showed that 5Y-PSZ-YGI graded glass infiltrated ultra-translucent zirconia had no significant effect on the growth and proliferation of mouse fibroblasts L929,and did not cause hemolytic reaction with human blood,and had good in vitro biocompatibility.
7.Mechanistic study of mitochondrial dysfunction in renal injury induced by maternal bone lead mobilization during pregnancy in rats
Ling LI ; Lin ZHANG ; Li LI ; Yuting WEI ; Man LYU ; Zeshi ZHANG ; Li MA ; Anxin LU ; Yin LIN ; Shaohua WANG ; Chonghuai YAN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(3):286-292
Background Lead is a typical persistent environmental pollutant that can accumulate in bones for decades. During pregnancy, alterations in calcium metabolism promote the mobilization of bone lead, resulting in secondary exposure; however, the mechanisms by which pregnancy-associated bone lead mobilization affects maternal renal function remain unclear. Objective To investigate the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in pregnancy-related bone lead mobilization-induced renal injury. Methods Newly weaned female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to a control or a lead-exposed group administered either 0.05% sodium acetate or 0.05% lead acetate in drinking water. Following a 4-week lead exposure and a 4-week washout period, the females were co-housed with healthy age-matched males for mating. Rats were sacrificed at early (gestational day 3) and late (gestational day 17) pregnancystages, respectively. Renal histopathology was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin staining staining. Mitochondria-related indicators, including oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and energy metabolism, were measured. Differential metabolites were identified using serum metabolomics. Results Renal injury in the lead-exposed pregnant rats progressed in a time-dependent manner, characterized by degeneration of proximal tubular epithelial cells, glomerular hyaline changes, and interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated a significant interaction between the treatment factor (lead exposure) and the temporal factor (gestational stage) on renal injury (P<0.001). Further analysis of mitochondrial function-related indicators in late-pregnancy renal tissue revealed that the lead exposure group exhibited significantly increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (P<0.05), accompanied by a reduction in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) activities (P<0.05); regarding inflammatory markers, levels of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were elevated (P<0.01), whereas interleukin-33 (IL-33) was decreased in the lead-exposed group (P<0.05); energy metabolism-related indicators, including adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level, Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase activities, and mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, III, and V activities, were significantly reduced (P<0.05) in the lead-exposed gorup. The typical differential metabolite N-methylisoleucine, identified through serum metabolomics analysis, was negatively correlated with blood lead levels, kidney injury scores, and IL-1β, while positively correlated with catalase (CAT) activity and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase. Conclusions Mitochondrial dysfunction may play a critical role in renal injury induced by bone lead mobilization during late gestation.
8.Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Related Immune Cystitis: A Case Report
Jing YU ; Ling LI ; Wenfang CHEN ; Qiong WEN ; Wei CHEN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(2):396-402
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are widely used in the treatment of malignant tumors, and their related immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have attracted increasing attention. This study reports the diagnosis and treatment process of a case of immune cystitis in a patient with hepatobiliary tract malignant tumor after treatment with pembrolizumab. The patient was admitted to the hospital due to frequent urination, urgency of urination and dysuria for 1 month. Previous repeated anti-infection treatments were ineffective. Combined with medical history, laboratory tests, imaging findings, cystoscopy and pathological results, the patient was clinically diagnosed with ICIs-associated immune cystitis (Pembrolizumab) ultimately. The patient's symptoms significantly improved after treatment with glucocorticoids. This case reindicates that clinicians need to improve awareness of ICI-related urinary system irAEs. Early identification and timely intervention can significantly improve patient prognosis.
9.Effect of Oral Sodium Butyrate on Skeletal Muscle Atrophy via The Gut-muscle Axis in Antibiotic-pretreated CT26 Tumor-bearing Mice and Its Mechanism
Shu-Ling ZHANG ; Jun-Wei WANG ; Shi-Liang HU ; Tu-Tu WANG ; Shun-Chang LI ; Jia FAN ; Jun-Zhi SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):724-739
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of oral sodium butyrate on skeletal muscle atrophy in CT26 tumor mice through the gut microbiota-skeletal muscle axis and its potential mechanism. MethodsSixty SPF BALB/c male mice aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into a normal control group (NC, n=18) and a ABX-depleted group (ABX, n=42). The ABX mice were pretreated with a quadruple antibiotic cocktail via oral gavage (0.2 ml per administration, once daily, 6 d per week, for 2 weeks), whereas NC received an equal volume of sterile water. The quadruple antibiotic cocktail consisted of metronidazole (1 g/L), vancomycin (0.5 g/L), ampicillin (1 g/L), and gentamicin (1 g/L). Following successful pretreatment, six mice from each group were randomly selected for gut microbiota sequencing analysis and designated as the Abx group and the NC0 group, respectively. Theremaining mice in ABX were subcutaneously inoculated in the dorsum with 0.2 ml of CT26 cell suspension (at a cell density of 1×107/ml). Then these mice were randomly allocated into three subgroups: a control tumor bearing model group (0_NaB, n=12), a tumor-bearing model group receiving low-dose oral sodium butyrate (L_NaB, n=12), a tumor-bearing model group receiving high-dose oral sodium butyrate (H_NaB, n=12). And mice in NC were inoculated at the same site with 0.2 ml of normal saline. The administration dose for L_NaB was 0.3 g/(kg·d), that for H_NaB was 0.5 g/(kg·d), while NC and 0_NaB were given the same volume of normal saline (0.2ml per time, once daily, 6 d per week, for 4 weeks). The general condition of mice was monitored, and forelimb grip strength gastrocnemius muscle mass and its muscle fiber cross-sectional area were measured for each group. The structural changes in gut microbiota were assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing of cecal contents. Pathological alterations in the intestinal wall were examined via HE staining. Serum and gastrocnemius muscle levels of TNF‑α, IL-6, IL-1β, and LPS were quantified using ELISA. The protein expression of ZO-1 and occludin in the small intestine, as well as proteins associated with the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in the gastrocnemius muscle, were detected by Western blot analysis. Results(1) The alpha-diversity in Abx was significantly lower than that in NC0 (P<0.01), a significant decrease of the mass and muscle fiber cross-sectional area of the gastrocnemius (P<0.01), with the majority of gut microbiota being effectively depleted. (2) Compared with NC, the subcutaneous tumors of mice in 0_NaB were prominent, a significant increase of the mass and muscle fiber cross-sectional area of the gastrocnemius, accompanied by a significant decrease in body weight at the end of the 3th and 4th week (P<0.05), and a significant weakening of the forelimb grasping strength at the 5th and 6th week (P<0.01). Compared with 0_NaB, the tumor mass of mice in L_NaB and H_NaB showed a significant decreasing trend, and the grip strength of the forelimbs significantly increased at the 5th and 6th week (P<0.05, P<0.01). (3) Compared with 0_NaB, the Shannon and Observed species indices in α diversity of L_NaB and H_NaB were significantly increased (P<0.05). At the genus level, compared with 0_NaB, L_NaB exhibited a significant decrease in the relative abundance of Parasutterella (P< 0.01), while H_NaB showed significant reductions in the relative abundances of both Escherichia-Shigella and Parasutterella (P < 0.01). (4) Compared with 0_NaB, the small intestinal tissue structure in L_NaB and H_NaB was more intact, the infiltration of inflammatory cells was significantly reduced, and the capillaries were slightly dilated. The expression levels of ZO-1 and occludin proteins in L_NaB were significantly increased (P<0.01). (5) The LPS concentration in the gastrocnemius muscle and the protein expression levels of TLR4, MyD88, p-IκBα, and p-NF‑κB p65 in L_NaB and H_NaB were significantly lower than those in 0_NaB (P<0.05). The serum TNF‑α concentration in H_NaB and TNF-α concentration in the gastrocnemius muscle of the L_NaB and H_NaB were significantly lower than those in 0_NaB (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.01). ConclusionOral administration of NaB can improve gut microbiota α diversity, adjusting its composition, improving intestinal mucosal barrier function, reducing the LPS-induced pro-inflammatory response, and delaying skeletal muscle atrophy. The underlying mechanism may involve down regulation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling in skeletal muscle.
10.Establishment and preliminary evaluation of a non-invasive fetal M blood group genotyping method by real-time PCR
Shuangshuang JIA ; Chunyan MO ; Ling WEI ; Jizhi WEN ; Runqing ZHANG ; Yanli JI
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(4):493-500
Objective: To establish a method for the genotyping of fetal M blood group antigen by extracting cell-free fetal DNA (cff-DNA) from maternal plasma, so as to guide the management of M antigen-negative pregnant women with IgG anti-M antibody during pregnancy. Methods: A realtime fluorescent quantitative PCR (realtime PCR) method was established. The specificity and sensitivity of the method were validated by dilution of genomic DNA. Subsequently, a total of 12 M antigen-negative pregnant women were enrolled. The cff-DNA was extracted from maternal plasma, and fetal M antigen genotyping was performed by realtime PCR. Fetuses were classified as M-positive or M-negative according to the presence or absence of amplification curve. The accuracy of the method was validated by comparing fetal M antigen genotyping results with the serological results using the cord or peripheral blood of the neonate at birth. Results: Among the 12 M antigen-negative pregnant women, anti-M was detected in five cases, of which four cases had IgG anti-M, and one case had fetal anemia. The results of fetal M antigen genotyping showed that 9 cases were M-positive (9/12, 75%) and 3 cases were M-negative (3/12, 25%). Serological results of blood samples collected after birth from four M-positive fetuses and one M-negative fetus were consistent with the genotyping results. Conclusion: We have, for the first time, established a non-invasive prenatal genotyping method for fetal M antigen using maternal plasma cff-DNA, and preliminarily demonstrated the feasibility of this method.

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