1.Combination of Components from Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma-Chuanxiong Rhizoma Affects RA-FLSs by Regulating NF-κB, Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathways and Bcl-2/Caspase-3 Expression
Yongmei GUAN ; Zhiyan WAN ; Shuhui WANG ; Weifeng ZHU ; Zhiyong LIU ; Cheng JIANG ; Zhenzhong ZANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):17-26
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of the combination of components from Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma and Chuanxiong Rhizoma on rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLSs) and the underlying mechanism. MethodsRA-FLSs were grouped as follows: blank control, positive control (methotrexate), Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma components, Chuanxiong Rhizoma components, and components from Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma+Chuanxiong Rhizoma. The cell-counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was employed to the cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis. The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and malondiadehyde (MDA) in cells were measured. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65, phosphorylated inhibitory subunit of NF-κBα (p-IκBα), cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3 (Caspase-3), and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). Real-time PCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of Nrf2, HO-1, and NF-κB p65. ResultsThe cells in the groups of positive control, Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma components, Chuanxiong Rhizoma components, and components from Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma+Chuanxiong Rhizoma were treated with 2.50 mg·L-1 methotrexate, 0.20 mg·L-1 triptolide + 0.20 mg·L-1 celastrol, 5.00 mg·L-1 ferulic acid + 20.00 mg·L-1 ligustrazine, 0.20 mg·L-1 triptolide + 0.20 mg·L-1 celastrol + 5.00 mg·L-1 ferulic acid + 20.00 mg·L-1 ligustrazine, respectively. Compared with the blank control group, drug administration reduced the proliferation and invasion and increased the apoptosis of cells (P<0.01), lowered the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, ROS, and MDA (P<0.01), up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of Caspase-3, Nrf2, and HO-1 (P<0.01), and down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2, NF-κB p65, and p-IκBα (P<0.01). Compared with the Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma components group, the combination of components from Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma+Chuanxiong Rhizoma inhibited the proliferation and invasion (P<0.05) and promoted the apoptosis of RA-FLSs, up-regulated the mRNA levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 and protein levels of Nrf2 and Caspase-3 (P<0.05), and down-regulated the protein levels of NF-κB p65 and p-IκBα (P<0.05). ConclusionThe combination of components from Chuanxiong Rhizoma and Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma can inhibit the proliferation and invasion and promote the apoptosis of RA-FLSs and alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway, activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, and regulating the expression of Bcl-2/Caspase-3.
2.Cancer and neurotransmitter receptors.
Xiaoqiang WANG ; Muyan SHI ; Jie TIAN ; Weifeng YU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(13):1540-1558
In recent years, growing evidence indicates that the nervous system plays an indispensable role in tumor development and metastasis. Elucidating crosstalk between the nervous system and tumor progression has thrived as a hot topic and a new direction for understanding cancer pathogenesis. Notably, many novel discoveries have suggested that neurotransmitter receptors (NRs) are not only widely expressed in cancer cells, but also play key roles in regulating cancer initiation and progression by diverse approaches. In this review, we summarized the latest advance in cancer neuroscience, especially emphasizing the important roles of different NRs in cancer development and prevention. The exemplary studies presented herein illustrate the emerging view that NRs are profoundly influential, manifested in tumor growth, apoptosis, angiogenesis, metastasis, resistance to drugs, and participate in the formation of neural-cancer interactions. In addition, NRs also regulate cellular metabolic processes and tumor microenvironment (TME) remodeling. More importantly, numerous basic and clinical studies have suggested that NRs may be potential targets for cancer treatments, and corresponding agonists or antagonists have been identified effectively in controlling tumor growth and metastasis. In conclusion, NRs are emerging as novel targets for anti-cancer drug exploration and clinical cancer treatments, while trying to uncover deeper mechanisms and connections between NRs and cancer is of high clinical significance and translational value.
Humans
;
Neoplasms/metabolism*
;
Receptors, Neurotransmitter/physiology*
;
Animals
;
Tumor Microenvironment/physiology*
3.Relationship between high-density lipoprotein subfraction cholesterol and their subtypes with coronary heart disease and disease progression
Yutong WU ; Shaoyi LIN ; Wei HU ; Weifeng XU ; Shenghuang WANG ; Xiaomin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;48(7):888-894
Objective:To investigate the impact of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subfraction cholesterol, measured by the vertical auto profile (VAP) technique based on vertical density gradient ultracentrifugation, on the occurrence and progression of coronary heart disease.Methods:This retrospective case-control study consecutively enrolled 94 inpatients diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD) by percutaneous coronary angiography at Ningbo University Affiliated First Hospital between June 2023 and June 2024 (CAD group), and 48 outpatients from the cardiology department without carotid or coronary atherosclerosis(non-CAD group). The VAP technique was employed to measure HDL subfraction cholesterol levels (HDL 3-C and HDL 2-C) and their subtypes (HDL 2a-C, HDL 2b-C, HDL 2c-C; HDL 3a-C, HDL 3b-C, HDL 3c-C, HDL 3d-C). Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between HDL subfraction composition and CAD. CAD patients were further stratified by the number of affected coronary vessels (left anterior descending artery, left circumflex artery, and right coronary artery): 44 with single-vessel disease, 22 with double-vessel disease, and 28 with triple-vessel disease for correlation analysis. All CAD patients underwent 6-month clinical and telephone follow-up to record major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and repeat revascularization. Using the median HDL 3d-C level (0.064 mmol/L) as cutoff, CAD patients were divided into high-level ( n=48) and low-level ( n=46) subgroups for Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with log-rank testing. Results:Compared with non-CAD controls, CAD patients showed significantly higher HDL 3d-C [0.064 (0.041, 0.095) mmol/L vs 0.055 (0.038, 0.067) mmol/L] and HDL 3b-C [0.031 (0.001, 0.054) mmol/L vs 0.007 (0.004, 0.029) mmol/L], lower HDL 3c-C (0.220±0.080 mmol/L vs 0.254±0.062 mmol/L) and HDL 3a-C [0.282 (0.224, 0.351) mmol/L vs 0.334 (0.269, 0.433) mmol/L] (all P<0.05). Logistic regression revealed that HDL2b-C was a protective factor against atherosclerosis severity ( OR=0.914, 95% CI 0.896-0.987, P<0.001); HDL 3d-C served as both a CAD risk factor ( OR=2.303,95% CI 1.740-3.047, P<0.001) and disease progression indicator ( OR=1.224, 95% CI 1.123-1.335, P=0.025). MACE patients ( n=6) had elevated HDL3d-C versus non-MACE cases ( n=88) [0.120 (0.083, 0.173) mmol/L vs 0.061 (0.037, 0.092) mmol/L, P<0.05]. The high HDL 3d-C subgroup demonstrated significantly lower 6-month survival (χ2=4.777, P=0.029). Conclusion:Contrary to conventional understanding, our study reveals that HDL2b serves as a protective factor against coronary artery disease progression, whereas HDL 3d-C acts not only as a pathogenic factor for CAD but also as a critical determinant of CAD-related adverse events.
4.Efficacy and safety of micro-crosslinked hyaluronic acid injection combined with intense pulsed light in skin photoaging
Xuelian WANG ; Weifeng ZHENG ; Yuting ZHENG ; Qun ZHENG
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(12):44-48
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intense pulsed light(IPL)combined with micro-crosslinked hyaluronic acid injected by Shuiguang needle in skin photoaging.Methods Patients with skin photoaging who were treated in Hangzhou Plastic Surgery Hospital from January 2021 to February 2023 were selected.According to the different treatment methods,they were divided into 3 groups:one group was treated with micro-crosslinked hyaluronic acid injected by Shuiguang needle(Shuiguang treatment group),one group was treated with IPL alone[broad band light(BBL)treatment group],and one group was treated with IPL combined with micro-crosslinked hyaluronic acid injected by Shuiguang needle(combined treatment group).The patients were followed up 3 months after treatment.Global scores for photoaging(GSP)were used to evaluate the photoaging degree on the whole face.Global aesthetic improvement scale(GAIS)was used to evaluate the improvement of the overall appearance after treatment.The data of facial wrinkles,texture,pores,brown spots and red areas of patients was collect by using VISIA complexion analysis system.The visual analog scale(VAS)wasused for pain assessment,and adverse effects were recorded.Results GSP score of combined treatment group was lower than that of Shuiguang treatment group and BBL treatment group(P<0.05).GAIS improvement scores for wrinkles and texture in combined treatment group were higher than those of Shuiguang treatment group and BBL treatment group(P<0.05),and the GAIS improvement score for pores in combined treatment group was higher than that in BBL treatment group(P<0.05).The analysis results of VISIA skin test showed that the values of wrinkles and brown spots in combined treatment group after the operation were lower than those in Shuiguang treatment group and BBL treatment group(P<0.05),and the value of the red area in combined treatment group was lower than that in Shuiguang treatment group(P<0.05).The effective rates of wrinkle,texture and pore in combined treatment group was 88.2%,94.1%and 94.1%,respectively,higher than those in other two groups.The complications were immediate erythema,acupuncture reaction,and papule,which could be relieved within a few hours.Conclusion IPL combined with micro-crosslinked hyaluronic acid injection in skin photoaging appears to be effective,durable and safety for skin photoaging.
5.Mining and analysis of adverse drug reaction signals of trastuzumab deruxtecan based on the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System
Zhuo ZHANG ; Datian FU ; Min YANG ; Yizheng CAI ; Anqi GU ; Weifeng WANG
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(25):79-83,102
Objective The data related to adverse drug reaction of trastuzumab deruxtecan(T-DXd)were mined to provide references for its clinical management and adverse event handling.Methods Based on the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System(FAERS)database,the data reported from the post-marketing period of T-DXd until the fourth quarter of 2024 were extracted.The proportion imbalance method,specifically the reporting odds ratio(ROR)method,was used to mine and analyze the data related to adverse events of T-DXd.Results A total of 13 134 cases of adverse events related to T-DXd were obtained from the FAERS database.Gastrointestinal disorders were the most common,with 2348 adverse reaction signals,accounting for 17.88%.The most frequent adverse reactions were nausea(n=809),interstitial lung disease(n=732),and fatigue(n=579).The one with the highest ROR value was Listeriosis gastroenteritis(ROR=1228.74).The highest number of deaths were from interstitial lung disease(226),pneumonitis(90),and nausea(67).Conclusion By mining data on real-world adverse drug reaction related to T-DXd,suggests that pulmonary function,cardiac function,complete blood count and other parameters should be closely monitored during treatment for early diagnosis and treatment of corresponding complications.
6.Sequent optimization of AI-assisted compressive sensing techniques in brain 3D-TOF-MRA
Kai NING ; Hui XU ; Xiangming LI ; Lixin ZHANG ; Weifeng WANG ; Ying YUAN
China Medical Equipment 2025;22(10):15-19
Objective:To explore the influence of artificial intelligence(AI)-assisted compressive sensing(ACS)technique with different acceleration factors on the image quality and scan time of three dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography(3D-TOF-MRA)for brain.Methods:Thirty participants who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)at Tongzhou Branch of Beijing Friendship Hospital were recruited.All subjects underwent imaging scans about four different parameters:a non-accelerated technique(control group),ACS technique integrated with acceleration factor of 4.03(ACS4 group),ACS technique integrated with acceleration factor of 5.02(ACS5 group),and ACS technique integrated with acceleration factor of 6.06(ACS6 group).The image clarity,ranking of imaging capabilities of distal branch blood vessels and the ratio of pseudo-stenosis were qualitatively analyzed.The signal-to-noise ratio(SNR),contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR),edge sharpness,and scan time were quantitatively analyzed.Results:There was not difference in vessel clarity among three ACS groups at the proximal and middle intracranial segments.For distal segments of blood vessel,the ACS4 group[3.0(3.0,3.0)]and ACS5 group[3.0(3.0,3.0)]were better than ACS6[2.5(2.0,3.0)](q=29.800,27.500,P<0.05).The imaging capabilities of distal-branch vessel of ACS4 group and ACS5 group were better than ACS6 group.There was no stenosis in the proximal and middle segments of the images of the three ACS group,and there were no stenosis in the images of distal vessels of ACS4 group and ACS5 group.A total of 5 cases were pseudo-stenosis in the distal vessels of ACS6 group.Compared with the control group,the incidence of pseudo-stenosis in the distal vessels of ACS6 group was 16.7%.The SNR and CNR values of quantitative analysis for proximal vessels in ACS6 group were higher than them in ACS4 group(q=27.800,26.200,P<0.05),and there was not significant difference in them among ACS4 group,ACS6 group and ACS5 group(P>0.05).The differences of SNR and CNR values in the middle and distal segments of blood vessels among different groups were not significant(P>0.05).There was not significant difference in the edge sharpness of blood vessels among ACS4 group,ACS5 group,and ACS6 group(P>0.05),while all of them were higher than those of control group,and the differences were significant(q=48.150,53.367,44.883,P<0.001).Compared with control group,the scan-time of ACS4 group was reduced by 55.19%,and that of ACS5 group was reduced by 64.07%,and that of ACS6 group was reduced by 70%.Conclusion:ACS technique can accelerate the imaging speed of brain 3D-TOF-MRA and ensure image quality.It is clinically recommended to set the ACS acceleration factor as 5.02 to undergo brain 3D-TOF-MRA scans.
7.Protocol for clinical practice guidelines on postoperative nausea and vomiting(2024 edition)
Jiang HU ; Longyan LI ; Yunshui PENG ; Weifeng YU ; Bin MA ; E WANG
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2025;45(4):405-409
To further standardize the management of postoperative nausea and vomiting in China, the Chinese Society of Anesthesiology initiated the development of Clinical practice guidelines on postoperative nausea and vomiting(2024 edition). The guideline development strictly adhered to internationally recognized principles. This protocol primarily described the methodology and process of guideline formulation, including essential information, background, objectives, development principles, task force and responsibilities, selection of clinical question, evidence acquisition, evidence evaluation, and expert consensus formulation.
8.Efficacy and safety of postoperative adjuvant mitotane therapy in adrenocortical carcinoma at high risk of recurrence
Yi LIU ; Zhan WANG ; Jiayang CHEN ; Jianhua DENG ; Weifeng XU ; Songchen HAN ; Yanan LI ; Xu WANG ; Yang ZHAO ; Yushi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Urology 2025;46(1):5-9
Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of mitotane in adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC) at high risk of recurrence.Methods:A prospective observational study was designed from September 2022 to November 2023. ACC patients undergoing surgery with high recurrence risk (positive margin or Ki-67 index >10% or capsule rupture or large size or high-grade ACC) in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were enrolled in this study. All patients started mitotane treatment within 3 months after surgery, with a dose of 1.5 g/d, increased by 0.5 g per week. Once the dose reached 3 g/day, adjustments were made based on blood concentration levels. All patients received mitotane therapy for at least 1 year, and CT was performed every 12 weeks to evaluate the efficacy. The primary endpoint was 1-year progression-free survival (PFS) and safety. The efficacy was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method for survival, and the occurrence of treatment-related adverse events was summarized.Results:A total of 12 ACC patients at high risk of recurrence were screened, comprising 6 males and 6 females. Tumors were located on the left side in 8 patients, on the right in 3, and bilaterally in 1. Five patients were classified as ENSAT stageⅡ, while 7 were classified as ENSAT stage Ⅲ. The maximum diameter of tumor was (9.07 ± 2.86) cm; the median age at diagnosis was 48 (35, 51) years, and the median Ki-67 index was (28.9 ± 16.1)%. The median time from surgery to initiation of mitotane therapy was 31 (23.0, 43.2) days, and 9 patients had blood drug concentrations of 14-20 mg/L. The median follow-up time was 16.7 (12.4, 25.2) months. At 1 year after mitotane therapy, 10 (83.8%) patients were still in disease-free survival state, with a median mitotane PFS of 27.6 months (95% CI 16.4-not reached). All ACC patients experienced 1-2 grade adverse events after taking mitotane. One patient (8.3%) experienced grade 3 adverse event, including the increasing of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, as well as anorexia. No grade 4-5 adverse events occurred. The most common adverse events were gastrointestinal symptoms (10 cases), including nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and diarrhea, followed by liver function damage(9 cases) and neurotoxicity(4 cases). Conclusions:Mitotane has shown the prospect of improving the prognosis of ACC patients at high risk of recurrence after surgery. Because of its serious toxic and side effects, it is necessary to monitor its blood concentration to adjust the dosage, and take measures for adverse reactions to ensure the safety of patients.
9.Research Progress on the Correlation Between Mitophagy and Vascular Cognitive Impairment
Yan LIU ; Xingang DONG ; Xiaoyuan WANG ; Gege QI ; Yiqin REN ; Lianpeng ZHOU ; Hui LI ; Suqing ZHANG ; Weifeng LI
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(2):338-349
Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI), caused by cerebrovascular dysfunction, severely impacts the quality of life in the elderly population, yet effective therapeutic approaches remain limited. Mitophagy, a selective mitochondrial quality-control mechanism, has emerged as a critical focus in neurological disease research. Accumulating evidence indicates that mitophagy modulates oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neuronal apoptosis. Key signaling pathways associated with mitophagy—including PINK1/Parkin, BNIP3/Nix, FUNDC1, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, and AMPK—have been identified as potential therapeutic targets for VCI. This review summarizes the mechanistic roles of mitophagy in VCI pathogenesis and explores emerging therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways, aiming to provide novel insights for clinical intervention and advance the development of effective treatments for VCI.
10.Study on laparoscopic-assisted, totally laparoscopic, and robotic radical gastrectomy in real-world practice
Weifeng WANG ; Fang WU ; Zaiyuan YE ; Zhenyuan QIAN
Journal of Chinese Physician 2025;27(10):1455-1458
Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic-assisted, totally laparoscopic, and robotic radical gastrectomy (for total or distal gastrectomy) in real-world practice, clarify the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, and provide evidence for clinical surgical selection.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 225 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer at the Zhejiang Provincial People′s Hospital from January 2022 to September 2023, including 100 cases of total gastrectomy and 125 cases of distal gastrectomy. Patients were divided into three groups based on the surgical approach: laparoscopic-assisted group, totally laparoscopic group, and robotic group. Perioperative indicators (operation time, intraoperative blood loss, number of lymph nodes dissected, etc.), inflammatory and nutritional indicators (C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, albumin, etc.), and postoperative recovery indicators (time to oral feeding, time to first flatus, length of hospital stay, etc.) were compared among the three groups.Results:In total gastrectomy, there were statistically significant differences among the three groups in C-reactive protein ( P<0.001), operation time ( P=0.002), time to oral feeding ( P<0.001), and intraoperative blood loss ( P<0.001). In distal gastrectomy, significant differences were observed in C-reactive protein ( P<0.001), operation time ( P<0.001), time to oral feeding ( P=0.002), and length of hospital stay ( P<0.001). No statistically significant differences were found in the incidence of postoperative complications or the number of lymph nodes dissected among the three groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Each of the three surgical approaches has its own advantages and disadvantages. The laparoscopic-assisted approach has low hardware requirements and shorter hospital stay after distal gastrectomy, making it suitable for widespread application. The robotic approach causes less trauma and milder inflammatory response but has high equipment and maintenance costs, requiring selection based on actual clinical conditions.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail