1.Ten-year real-world data analysis of clinical characteristics in treatment-naive patients with highly suspected prostate cancer and PSA level ≥20 ng/mL
Baolong PENG ; Mingzhe CHEN ; Junxin WANG ; Ranlu LIU ; Baojie MA ; Shanqi GUO ; Xingkang JIANG
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(1):13-21
[Objective] To analyze the clinicopathological characteristics of treatment-naive patients with highly suspected prostate cancer (PCa) with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level ≥20 ng/mL, to provide reference for promoting early screening of PCa. [Methods] A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of treatment-naive patients with PSA level ≥20 ng/mL, undergoing prostate biopsy for highly suspected PCa at the Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University Second Hospital during Jan.2013 and Jun.2023. The correlation between patients' age, body mass index (BMI), PSA, prostate volume (PV), prostate cancer-specific antigen density (PSAD), prostate imaging reporting and data system (PI-RADS) score, and International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade with highly suspected PCa metastasis and PSA stratification were analyzed. [Results] A total of 1778 suspected patients were enrolled. Pathological findings confirmed PCa in 1465 cases (82.4%), with 487(33.2%) diagnosed as metastatic PCa. Over the past decade, the number of patients undergoing prostate biopsy for highly suspected PCa and being confirmed has been increasing annually, with the proportion of metastatic cases remaining at around 30%. Compared with those with PSA level being 20-50 ng/mL, patients with PSA level >50 ng/mL had older age, lower BMI, higher PSAD, higher PI-RADS, higher ISUP, more diverse pathological types, and a higher incidence of metastasis (P<0.05) with lower proportion of urban residents. Additionally, analysis of metastatic PCa cases showed that 46.8%(228/487) had oligometastasis (≤5 metastatic lesions), including 99.0% bone metastasis, 4.1% extraregional lymph node metastasis, and 4.3% other organ metastasis. [Conclusion] Over the past 10 years, there has been a continuous increase in the number of treatment-naive biopsied cases and newly diagnosed cases of highly suspicious PCa with PSA level ≥20 ng/mL, while the proportion of metastatic cases remains high. Therefore, proactive efforts should be made to promote early screening of high-risk suspected cases.
2.Adrenocortical carcinoma with rhabdoid features: a case report and literature review
Mingchuan CHU ; Huimin SUN ; Hao WANG ; Jian SONG ; Yongshun GUO
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(1):64-68
[Objective] To investigate and summarize the clinicopathological features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of adrenocortical carcinoma with rhabdoid features. [Methods] The clinical diagnosis and treatment of a case of adrenocortical carcinoma with rhabdoid features admitled to Department of Urology, Weifang People's Hospital were reported.The clinical manifestations, pathological features, diagnosis and prognosis of the disease were analyzed in combination with relevant literature. [Results] A 34-year-old male patient was admitted due to scrotal distension and pain that had persisted for 6 months.Imaging examination showed a huge soft tissue tumor in the left adrenal region of the retroperitoneum with compression displacement of the left kidney, leading to obstruction of venous return in the left spermatic vein, which in turn caused varicose veins.The levels of serum renin, angiotensin, aldosterone, cortisol, and catecholamine were within normal ranges.Surgical resection of the tumor was performed, and postoperative pathological examination revealed that the tumor tissue was predominantly composed of rhabdoid cells, exhibiting positive immunohistochemical staining for INI 1, Syn, Calretinin and Vimentin.Genetic testing did not identify any deletion of SMARCB1 and SMARCA4 mutations.Therefore, the diagnosis was adrenocortical carcinoma with rhabdoid features.At the current 20-month follow-up, no recurrence or metastasis was observed.A review of the literature found that only 7 cases of this disease had been reported. [Conclusion] Adrenocortical carcinoma with rhabdoid features is a rare disease, and a definitive diagnosis is dependent upon pathological examination.Surgical resection remains the primary treatment.Long-term follow-up is essential, and further research is needed to evaluate the impact of adjuvant therapy.
3.Characteristic Analysis of Effective Components and Compounds of TCM for Prevention and Treatment of Breast Cancer Based on Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway Targeting
Haoyang WANG ; Lin GUO ; Hui ZHAO ; Lihua CAO ; Na LI ; Mingsan MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):282-290
Breast cancer is a kind of malignant tumor with a complex mechanism, and its morbidity and mortality are increasing year by year, which seriously threatens women's health. At present, the main clinical treatments are surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and drug therapy, but they are often accompanied by side effects and adverse reactions, which affect the therapeutic effect. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has the advantages of multi-component and multi-target treatment in the fight against breast cancer. The wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is one of the classic pathways in cancer research. Abnormally activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibits β-catenin degradation by blocking the formation of Axin/glycogen synthase kinase 3β/adenomatous polyposis coli complex, thus promoting β-catenin nuclear metastasis, and it binds to T cell transcription factor/lymphoenhancer factor-1 to initiate downstream target genes and further interfere with the proliferation, migration, and invasion of tumor cells to affect the tumor process. Previous studies have shown that TCM monomers and compounds can mediate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to inhibit the malignant phenotype of breast cancer cells, thus playing an anti-breast cancer role, and the biochemical process involved in the regulation of therapeutic drugs has not been systematically combed. By analyzing and collating Chinese and foreign literature at the present stage, this paper discussed the association mechanism between Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and breast cancer and analyzed the internal mechanism of TCM monomers and compounds in mediating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to exert anti-breast cancer effect. The statistical results showed that the flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids in TCM monomers could target the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and block the further development of malignant phenotype of breast cancer cells. TCM compounds with functions of clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, and tonifying kidney and liver were commonly used to intervene in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to prevent breast cancer. Compared with the current inhibitors of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, the application of TCM monomers and compounds is expected to bring low-toxicity and high-efficiency breast cancer treatment drugs to the clinical practice, and the existing results provide a reference for the subsequent screening, research, and development of TCM small-molecule compounds and TCM compounds against breast cancer.
4.The introduction and inspiration from US FDA guidance: bacterial risk control strategies for blood collection establishments and transfusion services to enhance the safety and availability of platelets for transfusion
Ningjie ZHANG ; Yuanqing YANG ; Yuanpei ZHU ; Yongjun WANG ; Yongjian GUO
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(1):142-148
Room temperature stored platelets are associated with a higher risk of sepsis and related fatality. The risk of bacterial contamination of platelets is a leading risk of infection from blood transfusion. U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued a guidance on bacterial risk control strategies for blood collection establishments and transfusion services to enhance the safety and availability of platelets for transfusion. The prevention and control strategies in the guidance would be informative and instructive for further development of risk control strategies of platelet bacterial contamination in China.
5.Mechanism of inhibitory effect of total flavonoids from Taraxacum mongolicum on obesity in mice by regulating intestinal flora
Yixue GAO ; Lin GUO ; Linyan LANG ; Jing WU ; Haoyang WANG ; Jing YANG ; Mingsan MIAO ; Zhanzhan LI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(3):293-299
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of the inhibitory effect of total flavonoids from Taraxacum mongolicum on high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice through modulation of intestinal flora. METHODS Twenty-four C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into blank group, model group and T. mongolicum total flavonoid group, with 8 mice in each group. Except for the blank group, the other 2 groups were given a high-fat diet, while T. mongolicum total flavonoid group was given T. mongolicum total flavonoid [400 mg/(kg·d)] intragastrically, once a day, for 8 consecutive weeks. During the experiment, the food intake of each group of mice was recorded. After the last medication, the body mass, fat weight, blood lipid level and pathological changes of liver and epididymal fat in mice were evaluated to observe the effect of T. mongolicum total flavonoid on the treatment of obesity in mice. The changes in abundance and structure of intestinal flora in mice were detected by amplicon sequencing; the effects of T. mongolicum total flavonoids on fat metabolism related genes were analyzed by qPCR. RESULTS Compared with model group, the body weight of mice in T. mongolicum total flavonoids group was decreased significantly (P<0.05); the levels of total lipid cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol were all decreased significantly (P<0.01), and the level of HDL cholesterol was increased significantly (P<0.01); the fat indexes of inguinal white adipose tissue and epididymal white wind_lz@hactcm.edu.cn adipose tissue were significantly reduced (P<0.05); significant improvement in hepatocellular steatosis and adipose cytopathy were significantly improved; mRNA expressions of COX7A1 and COX8B were significantly upregulated (P<0.05). The results of bacterial colony detection showed that compared with the model group, there was a rising trend in the diversity of the bacterial colony in T. mongolicum total flavonoids group, and the Sobs index characterization and β diversity were increased significantly (P<0.05). Relative abundances of Blautia, norank_f_Ruminococcaceae, Bilophila, Alistipes, classified_f_Ruminococcaceae, Parabacteroides, norank_f_Desulfovibrionaceae, Anaerotruncus were significantly up-regulated(P<0.05), while those of Faecalibaculum, Erysipelatoclostridium, GCA-900066575, Tuzzerella, Lactobacillus, norank_f_norank_o_RF39, achnospiraceae_FCS020_group were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS T. mongolicum total flavonoids can reduce body mass, fat weight and blood lipid levels, and repair the pathological damage to liver and epididymal fat in obese mice, which is related to improving intestinal flora disorders caused by high-fat diet.
6.Mechanism of Ferroptosis in Regulating Chronic Heart Failure and Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment Based on Qi Deficiency and Stagnation: A Review
Ziyang YUAN ; Yan ZHANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Yaqin WANG ; Wenjun MAO ; Guo YANG ; Xuewei WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):248-255
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is the final stage of cardiovascular diseases. It is a complex syndrome, with dyspnea and edema as the main clinical manifestations, and it is characterized by complex disease conditions, difficult cure, and high mortality. Ferroptosis, a new type of programmed cell death, is different from other types of programmed cell death. Ferroptosis is iron-dependent, accompanied by lipid peroxide accumulation and mitochondrial shrinkage, becoming a hot research topic. Studies have confirmed that ferroptosis plays a key role in the occurrence and development of CHF. The regulation of ferroptosis may become a potential target for the treatment of CHF in the future. The theory of Qi deficiency and stagnation refers to the pathological state of original Qi deficiency and abnormal transportation and distribution of Qi, blood, and body fluid, which has guiding significance for revealing the pathogenesis evolution of some chronic diseases. We believe that Qi deficiency and stagnation is a summary of the pathogenesis of ferroptosis in CHF. Deficiency of Qi (heart Qi) is the root cause of CHF, and stagnation (phlegm turbidity and blood stasis) is the branch of this disease. The two influence each other in a vicious circle to promote the development of this disease. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plays an important role in the treatment of CHF, improving the prognosis and quality of life of CHF patients. This paper explores the correlation between the theory of Qi deficiency and stagnation and the mechanism of ferroptosis in CHF. Furthermore, this paper reviews the mechanism of Chinese medicines and compound prescriptions in preventing and treating CHF by regulating ferroptosis according to the principles of replenishing Qi and dredging to remove stagnation, aiming to provide new ideas and methods for the treatment of CHF with TCM.
7.Effect of Serum Containing Zhenwutang on Apoptosis of Myocardial Mast Cells and Mitochondrial Autophagy
Wei TANG ; Meiqun ZHENG ; Xiaolin WANG ; Zhiyong CHEN ; Chi CHE ; Zongqiong LU ; Jiashuai GUO ; Xiaomei ZOU ; Lili XU ; Lin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):11-21
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of serum containing Zhenwutang on myocardial mast cell apoptosis induced by angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ) and the mechanism of the correlation between apoptosis and mitochondrial autophagy. MethodsIn this experiment, AngⅡ and serum containing Zhenwutang with different concentrations were used to interfere with H9C2 cardiomyocytes for 24 h, and the survival rate of H9C2 cardiomyocytes was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) to screen the optimal concentration for the experiment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the content of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in cell culture supernatant, and immunofluorescence was used to detect the cell surface area to verify the construction of the myocardial mast cell model. Subsequently, the experiment was divided into a blank group (20% blank serum), a model group (20% blank serum + 5×10-5 mol·L-1 AngⅡ), low-, medium-, and high-dose (5%, 10% and 20%) serum containing Zhenwutang groups, an autophagy inhibitor group (1×10-4 mol·L-1 3-MA), and autophagy inducer group (1×10-7 mol·L-1 rapamycin). The apoptosis level of H9C2 cells and the changes of mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by flow cytometry. The lysosomal probe (Lyso Tracker) and mitochondrial probe (Mito Tracker) co-localization was employed to detect autophagy. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect Caspase-3, Caspase-9, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-related X protein (Bax), and cytochrome C (Cyt C) in apoptosis-related pathways and the relative mRNA expression of ubiquitin ligase (Parkin), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)-induced kinase 1 (PINK1), and p62 protein in mitochondrial autophagy-related pathways. Western blot was used to detect cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-9, Bax, Bcl-2, and Cyt C in apoptosis-related pathways, phosphorylated ubiquitin ligase (p-Parkin), phosphorylated PTEN-induced kinase 1 (p-PINK1), p62, and Bcl-2 homology domain protein Beclin1 in mitochondrial autophagy-related pathways, and the change of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio. ResultsCCK-8 showed that when the concentration of AngⅡ was 5×10-5 mol·L-1, the cell activity was the lowest, and there was no cytotoxicity. At this concentration, the surface area of cardiomyocytes was significantly increased (P<0.01), and the content of BNP in the supernatant of culture medium was significantly increased (P<0.05). Therefore, AngⅡ with a concentration of 5×10-5 mol·L-1 was selected for the subsequent modeling of myocardial mast cells. Compared with the blank group, the model group and the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA group had a significantly increased apoptosis rate (P<0.01) and significantly decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (P<0.01). The results of immunofluorescence co-localization showed that compared with the blank group, the model group had a significantly decreased number of red and green fluorescence spots. The results of Real-time PCR showed that compared with that in the blank group, the relative mRNA expression of Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Cyt C, and p62 in the model group was significantly up-regulated (P<0.01), while the relative mRNA expression of Bcl-2, Parkin, and PINK1 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). In addition, the relative protein expression of Bax, cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-9, Cyt C, and p62 was significantly up-regulated (P<0.01). The LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was significantly decreased, and the relative protein expression of Bcl-2, p-Parkin, p-PINK1, and Beclin1 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the serum containing Zhenwutang groups and the autophagy inducer group had significantly decreased apoptosis rate (P<0.01), and the decrease ratio of mitochondrial membrane potential is significantly lowered (P<0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, both red and green fluorescence spots became more in these groups. In the 3-MA group, the number of red and green fluorescence spots decreased significantly. The relative mRNA expression of Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Cyt C, and p62 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01), while that of Bcl-2, Parkin, and PINK1 was significantly up-regulated (P<0.01). In the serum containing Zhenwutang groups, the relative protein expression levels of Bax, cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-9, Cyt C, and p62 were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05,P<0.01). The LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was significantly increased, and the relative protein expression levels of Bcl-2, p-Parkin, p-PINK1, and Beclin1 were significantly up-regulated (P<0.01). ConclusionThe serum containing Zhenwutang can reduce the apoptosis of myocardial mast cells and increase mitochondrial autophagy. This is related to the inhibition of intracellular Bax/Bcl-2/Caspase-3 apoptosis pathway and regulation of Parkin/PINK1 mitochondrial autophagy pathway.
8.Analysis of Quality Uniformity of Hengzhi Kechuan Capsules Based on HPLC-DAD-CAD
Qian MA ; An LIU ; Qingxia XU ; Cong GUO ; Jun ZHANG ; Maoqing WANG ; Xiaodi KOU ; Yan LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):168-174
ObjectiveTo establish the fingerprints of 15 batches of Hengzhi Kechuan capsules, to quantitatively analyze 10 index components, and to evaluate the quality uniformity of samples from different batches. MethodsThe fingerprints and quantitative analysis of Hengzhi Kechuan capsules were established by a combination method of high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector and charged aerosol detector(HPLC-DAD-CAD), adenosine, guanosine, vanillic acid, safflomin A, agarotetrol, naringin, hesperidin, militarine, ginsenoside Rb1, and glycyrrhizic acid were selected as quality attribute indexes. A total of 15 batches of Hengzhi Kechuan capsules from 2022 to 2024(3 boxes per batch) were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed, and the quality uniformity level of the manufacturers was characterized by parameters of intra-batch consistency(PA) and inter-batch consistency(PB). The homogeneity and difference of quality attribute indexes of samples from different years were analyzed by heatmap clustering analysis. ResultsHPLC fingerprints and quantitative method of Hengzhi Kechuan capsules were established, and the methods could be used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of this preparation, which was found to be stable and reliable by method validation. The similarity of fingerprints of 15 batches of samples was 0.887-0.975, a total of 13 common peaks were calibrated, and 10 common peaks were designated, all of which were quality attribute index components. The results of quantitative analysis showed that the contents of the above 10 ingredients in the samples were 0.038-0.078, 0.115-0.251, 0.007-0.018, 0.291-0.673, 0.122-0.257, 0.887-1.905, 1.841-3.364, 1.412-2.450, 2.207-3.112, 0.650-1.161, respectively. And the contents of ginsenoside Rb1 and glycyrrhizic acid met the limit requirements in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. For the samples from 15 batches, the PA values of the 10 index components were all <10%, indicating good intra-batch homogeneity, and the PB values ranged from 33.86% to 92.97%, suggesting that the inter-batch homogeneity was poor. Heatmap clustering analysis showed that the samples from different years were clustered into separate categories, and adenosine, guanosine, safflomin A, naringin, hesperidin and agarotetrol were the main differential components. ConclusionThe intra-annual quality uniformity of Hengzhi Kechuan capsules is good and the inter-annual quality uniformity is insufficient, which may be related to the quality difference of Pinellinae Rhizoma Praeparatum, Carthami Flos, Citri Sarcodactylis Fructus, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum, Citri Fructus, etc. In this study, the fingerprint and multi-indicator determination method of Hengzhi Kechuan capsules was established, which can be used for more accurate and efficient quality control and standardization enhancement.
9.Autophagy Abnormalities in PCOS and Targeted Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Xinxin YANG ; Zhicheng JIA ; Mengyu SHI ; Yongqian LI ; Peixuan WANG ; Ying GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):313-322
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common gynecological endocrine and reproductive disorder,with the main clinical manifestations including ovulation failure,insulin resistance,hyperandrogenism,and obesity. Its occurrence and development are closely related to cellular regulatory mechanisms such as apoptosis,autophagy,oxidative stress,and inflammatory response. Autophagy,as a clearance mechanism that maintains cellular homeostasis,plays a crucial role in maintaining the growth,development,and maturation of oocytes. Exploring the mechanism of autophagy during the occurrence and development of diseases can help develop treatment methods for PCOS by regulating autophagy. Studies have shown that autophagy plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PCOS,and it can affect the occurrence and development of PCOS through multiple pathways,levels,and targets. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) regulates autophagy in ovarian granulosa cells or endometrium of patients with PCOS by targeting the expression of autophagy signaling pathways,regulatory factors,and non-coding single-stranded RNA molecules,thereby alleviating inflammation,regulating metabolism disorders,and balancing hormone levels in PCOS. Accordingly,TCM can ameliorate pathological conditions such as insulin resistance,hyperandrogenism,and ovulation failure in PCOS. This article summarizes the TCM formulas and extracts for the treatment of PCOS,as well as the main autophagy pathways and regulatory factors involved,aiming to provide reference and suggestions for the future treatment of PCOS with TCM by regulating autophagy.
10.Spatio-temporal clustering analysis of influenza in Jiaxing City
WANG Yuanhang ; FU Xiaofei ; QI Yunpeng ; LIU Yang ; ZHOU Wanling ; GUO Feifei
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(1):55-58
Objective:
To investigate the epidemiological and spatio-temporal characteristics of influenza in Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, so as to provide insights into perfecting the prevention and control strategies of influenza.
Methods:
Data of influenza in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2023 were collected from the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. Population data of the same period were collected from the Zhejiang Health Information Network Reporting System. The epidemiological characteristics of influenza were analyzed using descriptive analysis. Vector map information was collected from the Open Street Map, and the spatio-temporal clustering characteristics of influenza were analyzed using spatial autocorrelation and spatio-temporal scanning.
Results:
A total of 181 501 cases of influenza were reported in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2023, with an average annual reported incidence of 653.93/105. The majority of cases were aged 5 to <15 years (59 785 cases, 32.94%). The majority of the occupations were students (78 239 cases, 43.11%) and pre-school children (33 715 cases, 18.58%). The county (city, district) with the highest reported incidence was Haining City (1 451.70/105), and the town (street) with the highest reported incidence was Chang'an Town (1 932.78/105). Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that the incidence of influenza in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2023 had positive spatial correlations (all Moran's I>0, all P<0.05), with a high-high clustering in the southern region. Spatio-temporal scanning analysis showed that there was a spatio-temporal clustering of influenza in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2023, with the southern region being the primary-type clustering area and the period between November and January of the following year being the clustering time.
Conclusion
There was a significant spatio-temporal clustering of influenza in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2023, with winter being the peak season and the southern region being the primary area.


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