1.Reshaping “Cerebellar Inhibition”: Mechanistic Insights and Precision Medicine Perspectives for rTMS in Machado-Joseph Disease
Ya-Zhen HAN ; Jie ZHOU ; Yu-Chao CHEN ; Zhong-Ming GAO ; Xian-Wei CHE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):505-510
Machado-Joseph disease, or spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), represents the most common autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia worldwide. Despite its progressive and debilitating nature, disease-modifying therapies remain elusive. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has emerged as a promising non-invasive intervention; however, its clinical application has been hindered by inconsistent protocols and a lack of mechanistic understanding. A recent landmark study published in Brain Stimulation by Chen et al. addressed these challenges by combining a high-dose intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) protocol with concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation-electroencephalography (TMS-EEG). This commentary provides an in-depth analysis of their findings, highlighting the restoration of cerebello-cortical inhibition (CBI) as a key therapeutic mechanism. Furthermore, we discuss the broader implications of this work, proposing that future translational research should integrate accelerated iTBS (aiTBS) paradigms, cortical response measurements (CRM), and individualized neuro-navigation to establish a new era of precision neuromodulation for ataxia.
2.Reshaping “Cerebellar Inhibition”: Mechanistic Insights and Precision Medicine Perspectives for rTMS in Machado-Joseph Disease
Ya-Zhen HAN ; Jie ZHOU ; Yu-Chao CHEN ; Zhong-Ming GAO ; Xian-Wei CHE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):505-510
Machado-Joseph disease, or spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), represents the most common autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia worldwide. Despite its progressive and debilitating nature, disease-modifying therapies remain elusive. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has emerged as a promising non-invasive intervention; however, its clinical application has been hindered by inconsistent protocols and a lack of mechanistic understanding. A recent landmark study published in Brain Stimulation by Chen et al. addressed these challenges by combining a high-dose intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) protocol with concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation-electroencephalography (TMS-EEG). This commentary provides an in-depth analysis of their findings, highlighting the restoration of cerebello-cortical inhibition (CBI) as a key therapeutic mechanism. Furthermore, we discuss the broader implications of this work, proposing that future translational research should integrate accelerated iTBS (aiTBS) paradigms, cortical response measurements (CRM), and individualized neuro-navigation to establish a new era of precision neuromodulation for ataxia.
3.Chinese expert consensus on salvage esophagectomy for esophageal cancer after definitive chemoradiotherapy
Zhaoxian LIN ; Yang HU ; Lei XIAN ; Yun LI ; Jinbo ZHAO ; Xiaobin HOU ; Shuangping ZHANG ; Sunkui KE ; Changying GUO ; Songping XIE ; Haitao WEI ; Yong LI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(07):977-987
Definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) has become a cornerstone in the treatment of locally advanced esophageal cancer; however, local control remains suboptimal, and persistent lesions or locoregional recurrences after treatment are not uncommon. For patients without distant metastases but with local failure, whether surgical intervention can still offer curative potential remains a major clinical dilemma. Salvage esophagectomy (SE) offers potential long-term survival for selected patients, but this procedure is performed in the context of severe fibrosis, impaired local blood supply, and obscured anatomical planes following chemoradiotherapy, resulting in significantly higher perioperative risk compared to primary esophagectomy. Consequently, controversies exist regarding patient selection, preoperative restaging, choice of surgical approach, extent of lymphadenectomy, gastrointestinal reconstruction, and perioperative management. In recent years, with the refinement of restaging modalities such as PET/CT, the accumulation of experience in high-volume centers, and emerging evidence from clinical studies, the clinical role of SE has gradually shifted from a "high-risk salvage measure" to a "selective curative strategy aimed at achieving long-term survival in carefully selected patients". Nevertheless, standardized guidelines for patient selection, technical approaches, and perioperative management are still lacking. Based on current evidence and clinical experience, experts organized by the Integrated Esophageal Cancer Committee of Chinese Anti-Cancer Association systematically reviewed key issues regarding SE, including its definition, indications, preoperative evaluation, choice of surgical approach, lymphadenectomy, gastrointestinal reconstruction, and perioperative management, and formulated a Chinese expert consensus. This consensus aims to provide guidance for standardized assessment, appropriate referral, individualized surgical decision-making, and optimized perioperative management of patients with locoregional failure after dCRT. Ultimately, this will increase the likelihood of R0 resection, reduce the risk of severe complications, and promote the safer, more judicious, and standardized implementation of SE in high-risk scenarios.
4.Latent profile analysis and influencing factors of benefit finding in gastric cancer patients
Qingchen WU ; Huan QIU ; Xingqiao TAO ; Xian WEI ; Wen ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(17):1302-1308
Objective:To explore the categories of benefit finding among gastric cancer patients, analyze the differences and influencing factors among different groups, and provide reference for clinical nursing.Methods:A convenience sampling method was used to select 279 hospitalized gastric cancer patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2024 to May 2024. The general information investigation, Benefit Finding Scale, Health-Related Hardiness Scale, Chronic Diseases Risk Perception Questionnaire and Distress Disclosure Index were used for cross-sectional survey. Latent profile analysis was used to identify the potential categories of benefit finding in patients with gastric cancer, and multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the related influencing factors.Results:A total of 266 valid questionnaires were returned, including 195 males and 71 females, with an age of (63.77 ± ?9.36) years. And three latent profiles of benefit finding were identified: low benefit-low growth group (31.96%, 85/266), moderate benefit group (37.59%, 100/266), and high benefit-health behavior group (30.45%, 81/266). The results of multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that compared with the moderate benefit group, the patients with course of disease<6 months ( OR = 0.344, 95% CI 0.160-0.737), cancer stage Ⅰ ( OR = 0.050, 95% CI 0.004-0.589), and highrisk perception ( OR = 0.935, 95% CI 0.878-0.996) were more likely to enter the low benefit-low growth group, and the patients without comorbidities ( OR = 2.520, 95% CI 1.250-5.081) and high self-disclosure ( OR = 1.137, 95% CI 1.007-1.283) were more likely to enter the moderate benefit group (all P<0.05). Compared with the high benefit-health behavior group, patients withcourse of disease<6 months ( OR = 0.108, 95% CI 0.039-0.301) were more likely to enter the low benefit-low growth group, male ( OR = 3.088, 95% CI 1.407-9.106), chemotherapy only ( OR = 6.515, 95% CI 2.034-20.864) and high health-related hardiness ( OR = 1.146, 95% CI 1.096-1.199) were more likely to enter the high benefit-health behavior group (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The benefit finding of gastric cancer patients has obvious classification characteristics. Clinical nursing staff should consider targeted interventions according to the characteristics of different categories of gastric cancer patients, encourage patients to face the disease with a positive attitude, and enhance patients′mental health literacy.
5.Chinese expert consensus on emergent treatment of hypothermia(2025 edition)
Wei CHEN ; Lei HE ; Ming YIN ; Tao WAN ; You-Qing TANG ; Ai-Ping WANG ; Yang LI ; Wan-Xian YU
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(6):641-655
Hypothermia is a clinical syndrome characterized by core body temperature<35℃,caused by significant heat loss from body surface in cold environment.As a systemic cold injury,it can be lethal if treatment is delayed.Emergent diagnosis and treatment of hypothermia are expected to improve the prognosis of patients.In 2005,the U.S.Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine(USARIEM)issued guidelines for the prevention and management of cold injuries,but there has been no corresponding standard in China.Therefore,Emergency Branch of Chinese Medical Rescue Association,Emergency Medical Equipment Society of China Association of Medical Equipment,Integrated Rehabilitation Medical Branch of Chinese Medical Rescue Association,and Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Working Committee of Chinese Aging Well Association jointly developed the Chinese Expert Consensus on Emergent Treatment of Hypothermia(2025 edition).The consensus covers the pathophysiology,etiology and epidemiology,diagnosis and severity grading,prehospital treatment,and in-hospital treatment of hypothermia,including 15 recommendations in total,aiming to provide guidance for the relevant clinical rescue work.
6.Inhibitory effect of Xinhui tangerine peel polysaccharides on mouse skin fibroblasts and its mechanism based on TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway
Jingnan LIANG ; Wei LU ; Yingyi LIAO ; Wenjiao XIAN
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(2):333-338
Objective To explore the inhibitory effect of Xinhui tangerine peel polysaccharides on the mouse skin fibroblasts so as to understand the underlying molecular mechanism.Methods We separated and purified the components of tangerine peel polysaccharides from Xinhui tangerine peel.C57BL/6 mouse skin fibroblasts were isolated and cultured for the cellular experimental study.We set up a blank control group(normal culture)and low-,medium-and high-dose experimental groups(50,100 and 200 μg/mL tangerine peel polysaccharides).After 24 hours of treatment,cell survival rate was assessed by CCK-8 assay.The mRNA and protein expression levels of collagen type Ⅰ(Col1a1),collagen type Ⅲ(Col1a3),TGF-β1 and ACTA2 in fibroblasts were examined by RT-qPCR and Western blotting.Smad3 was examined by Western blotting.Results The cell survival rate in the blank control group,the medium-and high-dose experimental groups was 100%,(90.54±6.74)%,and(78.90±4.24)%,respectively.The relative expression level of Col1a1 protein was 1.13±0.15,0.57±0.16,and 0.48±0.05,respectively;the relative expression level of Col3a1 protein was 0.81±0.13,0.49±0.11 and 0.50±0.03;the relative expression level of TGF-β1 protein was 1.11±0.15,0.60±0.13,and 0.33±0.11;the relative expression level of p-Smad3/Smad3 proteins was 0.96±0.05,0.75±0.06 and 0.71±0.03.The mRNA expression level of Col1a1 was 1.01±0.17,0.58±0.11,and 0.52±0.12;the mRNA expression level of Col3a1 was 1.01±0.12,0.56±0.19,and 0.65±0.14;the expression level of ACTA2 mRNA was 1.01±0.13,0.24±0.04,and 0.22±0.07;the mRNA expression level of TGF-β1 was 1.00±0.09,0.50±0.10,and 0.49±0.15.The relative expression levels of p-Smad3/Smad3 proteins were 0.86±0.06,0.66±0.06,0.55±0.13,0.43±0.09,0.35±0.06,and 0.27±0.12,respectively,after time-related treatment with high-dose tangerine peel polysaccharides.The above indicators in medium-and high-dose tangerine peel polysaccharide groups showed statistically significant differences compared to those in the blank control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Tangerine peel polysaccharides can inhibit the cell proliferation and the synthesis of keloid-related genes on fibroblasts by inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway.
7.Chemical constituents from ethyl acetate fraction of Balanophora harlandii and their tyrosinase inhibitory activity
Zhang-xian CHEN ; Hai-ming WANG ; Yun-tao ZHANG ; Mao-xin DENG ; Kui-lin ZHU ; Jin-lian ZOU ; Jian WANG ; Shan-shan WEI ; Hong-ping HE ; Fa-wu DONG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(10):3290-3297
AIM To study the chemical constituents from ethyl acetate fraction of Balanophora harlandii Hook.f.and their tyrosinase inhibitory activity.METHODS Separation and purification were performed using silica gel,MCI,ODS,Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The monophenolase inhibitory activity was determined by the tyrosinase-catalyzed oxidation of L-tyrosine.RESULTS Twenty-four compounds were isolated and identified as sesamin(1),methyl caffeate(2),quercetin(3),5,7-dihydroxychromanone(4),methyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate(5),esculetin(6),kaempferol(7),naringenin(8),pyrogallic acid(9),pinosylvin(10),methyl propionate(11),caffeic acid(12),saccharinol(13),ferulic acid(14),trans-p-hydroxycinnamic acid(15),cinnamic acid(16),vanillic acid(17),vanillin(18),4-hydroxyacetophenone(19),4-hydroxybenzaldehyde(20),apigenin(21),(-)-isolariciresinol(22),(-)-secoisolariciresinol(23)and meso-2,3-di(3′,4′-methylenedioxybenzyl)butane-1,4-diol(24).The IC50 values of compounds 3,5,7,8,19,and 20 ranged from(0.246 5±0.028 3)to(1.278 2±0.021 3)mmol/L.CONCLUSION Compounds 1-9、11、15、17-21、24 are isolated from this plant for the first time,and 1,6,9,17-19,24 are first isolated from genus Balanophora.Compounds 3、5、7、8、19 and 20 have tyrosinase inhibitory activity.
8.Effects of Jisuishang Formula on neurological function and ferroptosis in a rat model of cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Han-li YANG ; Ming SHI ; Chun-zhi LIU ; Shao-hu LIN ; Ming-gao HU ; Xian-zhong BU ; Yuan-ming ZHONG ; Wei XU
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(10):3233-3241
AIM To investigate the effects of Jisuishang Formula on neurological function and ferroptosis in a rat model of cervical spondylotic myelopathy(CSM).METHODS The CSM rat models were established and randomly assigned to the model group,the Fer-1 group(2 g/kg Ferrostatin-1 via intraperitoneal injection),the low-dose(9.7 g/kg,intragastrically),medium-dose(19.4 g/kg,intragastrically)and high-dose(38.8 g/kg,intragastrically)Jisuishang Formula groups,and the sham operation group,with 6 rats in each group.Following 4 weeks of treatment administration,BBB locomotor scores and oblique plate test result were recorded to assess their neurological function in rats.Histopathological evaluation utilized HE staining for spinal cord tissue pathology,Nissl staining for Nissl body visualization,and Prussian blue staining for iron ion deposition analysis.Protein expressions of Nrf2,SLC7A11,GPX4,HO-1,TFRC and Cox2 in spinal cord tissues was detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot,while mRNA expressions were quantified using RT-qPCR.RESULTS Compared to the sham group,the CSM model group exhibited significantly reduced BBB locomotor scores and inclined plane test performance at 1,2 and 4 weeks post-operation(P<0.05);obvious tissue cavitation,cellular edema and Prussian blue positive iron deposition in spinal cord tissues;downregulated protein and mRNA expressions of Nrf2,SLC7A11,GPX4,HO-1(P<0.05);and upregulated protein and mRNA expressions of TFRC and Cox2(P<0.05).Compared to the model group,the Jisuishang Formula and Fer-1 intervention groups showed significantly improved BBB scores and inclined plane test result at 1,2 and 4 weeks post-operation(P<0.05);reduced tissue cavitation,attenuated cellular edema and decreased Prussian blue positive iron deposition in spinal cord tissues;upregulated protein and mRNA expression of Nrf2,SLC7A11,GPX4 and HO-1 in spinal cord tissues(P<0.05);and downregulated protein and mRNA expressions of TFRC and Cox2(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Targeting the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway,Jisuishang Formula potentially suppresses ferroptosis and alleviates iron accumulation in spinal cord neurons,thereby improving neurological recovery in CSM rats.
9.LncRNA GUSBP11 regulates malignant biological behaviors of gastric cancer cells through the miR-339-5p/MDM2 axis
Xinghua HUANG ; Weifeng LYU ; Wei LIN ; Jiayang CHEN ; Xian HE
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2025;32(5):476-483
Objective:To investigate the effect of long non-coding RNA glucuronidase β pseudogene 11(GUSBP11)regulating miR-339-5p/mouse two-minute homolog 2(MDM2)axis on the proliferation,migration,and invasion of gastric cancer AGS cells.Methods:Cancerous and adjacent tissues from 25 gastric cancer patients who underwent surgical treatment at Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from December 2023 to June 2024 were collected.Gastric cancer AGS cells and normal gastric mucosal epithelial GES-1 cells were routinely cultured.The control plasmids and knockdown plasmids were transfected into AGS cells using transfection reagents,dividing the cells into Ctrl group,sh-NC group,sh-GUSBP11 group,sh-GUSBP11+anti-NC group,and sh-GUSBP11+anti-miR-339-5p group.The mRNA expression of GUSBP11,miR-339-5p,and MDM2 in gastric cancer tissues and cells of each group was detected by qPCR.A dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to detect the targeting relationship between GUSBP11 or MDM2 and miR-339-5p.EdU staining,scratch healing assay,and Transwell chamber assay were adopted to assess the proliferation,migration,and invasion abilities of AGS cells,respectively.WB assay was used to measure the protein expression of CDK1,MMP-2,and MMP-9 in AGC cells.The effects of GUSBP11 knockdown on tumor growth were examined through AGS cell xenograft experiments.Results:The mRNA expression of GUSBP11 and MDM2 were significantly upregulated in gastric cancer tissues and cells(both P<0.05),while miR-339-5p was significantly downregulated(P<0.05).A targeting relationship was found between GUSBP11 and miR-339-5p,as well as between MDM2 and miR-339-5p.Knockdown of GUSBP11 in AGS cells significantly inhibited MDM2 protein expression and promoted miR-339-5p expression,while inhibition of miR-339-5p promoted MDM2 protein expression.GUSBP11 knockdown significantly inhibited the proliferation,migration,and invasion of AGS cells,while inhibition of miR-339-5p reversed this effect.GUSBP11 knockdown significantly inhibited the protein expression of CDK1,MMP-2,and MMP-9,and inhibition of miR-339-5p reversed this effect.Furthermore,GUSBP11 knockdown significantly inhibited the growth of AGS cell xenografts.Conclusion:GUSBP11 is highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues and cells,and knocking down GUSBP11 expression may inhibit malignant biological behaviors of gastric cancer cells through regulating the miR-339-5p/DM2 axis.
10.Expression of FAM134B in hepatocellular carcinoma and its clinicopathological significance
Shan HUANG ; Xian WANG ; Jingjing WEI ; Zhengsheng WU
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2025;41(3):317-323,333
Purpose To investigate the expression of FAM134B in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and its clini-cal significance.Methods Immunohistochemical EnVision two-step method was used to detect the expression of FAM134B in 60 cases of HCC tissue and adjacent non-tumor liver tissue.The relationship between FAM134B expres-sion and clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of HCC was analyzed.Transwell assays,CCK-8 assays and clone formation assays were used to assess the effects of FAM134B knockdown on HCC cell migration,invasion and proliferation.Results FAM134B had a high expression rates of 70.0%(42/60)in HCC tissues and 40.0%(24/60)in adjacent normal tissues.Compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues,FAM134B expression was significantly higher in HCC tissues(P all<0.001),and it was positively correlated with vascular invasion,tumor maximum diameter,and early recurrence(P all<0.05).Survival analysis showed that high expression of FAM134B was an independent poor prognostic factor and a high recurrence risk factor for HCC patients(P all<0.05).In vitro experiments demonstrated that knockdown FAM134B inhibited HCC cell migration,invasion and proliferation(P all<0.05).GSEA analysis u-sing the TCGA database indicated that the expression of FAM134B was positively correlatied with the AKT/mTOR path-way.Conclusion High expression of FAM134B may be a marker of high recurrence risk and poor prognosis in HCC and holds potential as a therapeutic target for HCC.

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