1.Causal relationship between gut microbiota and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: A bi-directional two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Xuanyu WU ; Xiang XIAO ; Jiajing CHEN ; Xiaomin YU ; Han YANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(04):584-591
Objective To investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Methods Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data of gut microbiota and IPF were obtained from MiBioGen and IEU OpenGWAS, respectively. Instrumental variables were screened by means of significance, linkage disequilibrium, weak instrumental variable screening, and removal of confounding factors (genetics, smoking, host characteristics). Inverse variance weighted (IVW) was used as the main Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis method, and the weighted median, simple mode, MR-Egger, and weighted mode were used to perform MR to reveal the causal effect of gut microbiota and IPF. The Cochrane's Q, leave-one-out, MR-Egger-intercept, and Mendelian randomization pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) and Steiger tests were used to analyze the heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy, outliers, and directionality, respectively. Results IVW analysis results showed that Actinobacteria [OR=1.773, 95%CI (1.323, 2.377), P<0.001], Erysipelatoclostridium [OR=2.077, 95%CI (1.107, 3.896), P=0.023], and Streptococcus [OR=1.35, 95%CI (1.100, 1.657), P=0.004] could increase the risk of IPF. Bifidobacterium [OR=0.668, 95%CI (0.620, 0.720), P<0.001], Ruminococcus [OR=0.434, 95%CI (0.222, 0.848), P=0.015], and Tyzzerella [OR=0.479, 95%CI (0.304, 0.755), P=0.001] could reduce the risk of IPF. No significant heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy, outliers, and reverse causality were found. Conclusion Actinobacteria, Erysipelatoclostridium and Streptococcus may increase the risk of IPF, while Bifidobacterium, Ruminococcus and Tyzzerella may reduce the risk of IPF. Regulation of the above gut microbiota may become a new direction in the study of the pathogenesis of IPF.
2.Joint Relation Extraction of Famous Medical Cases with CasRel Model Combining Entity Mapping and Data Augmentation
Yuxin LI ; Xinghua XIANG ; Hang YANG ; Dasheng LIU ; Jiaheng WANG ; Zhiwei ZHAO ; Jiaxu HAN ; Mengjie WU ; Qianzi CHE ; Wei YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):218-225
ObjectiveTo address the challenges of unstructured classical Chinese expressions, nested entity relationships, and limited annotated data in famous traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) case records, this study proposes a joint relation extraction framework that integrates data augmentation and entity mapping, aiming to support the construction of TCM diagnostic knowledge graphs and clinical pattern mining. MethodsWe developed an annotation structure for entities and their relationships in TCM case texts and applied a data augmentation strategy by incorporating multiple ancient texts to expand the relation extraction dataset. A cascade binary tagging framework for relation triple extraction(CasRel) model for TCM semantics was designed, integrating a pre-trained bidirectional encoder representations from transformers(BERT) layer for classical TCM texts to enhance semantic representation, and using a head entity-relation-tail entity mapping mechanism to address entity nesting and relation overlapping issues. ResultsExperimental results showed that the CasRel model, combining data augmentation and entity mapping, outperformed the pipeline-based Bert-Radical-Lexicon(BRL)-bidirectional long short-term memory(BiLSTM)-Attention model. The overall precision, recall, and F1-score across 12 relation types reached 65.73%, 64.03%, and 64.87%, which represent improvements of 14.26%, 7.98%, and 11.21% compared to the BRL-BiLSTM-Attention model, respectively. Notably, the F1-score for tongue syndrome relations increased by 22.68%(69.32%), and the prescription-syndrome relations performed the best with the F1-score of 70.10%. ConclusionThe proposed framework significantly improves the semantic representation and complex dependencies in TCM texts, offering a reusable technical framework for structured mining of TCM case records. The constructed knowledge graph can support clinical syndrome differentiation, prescription optimization, and drug compatibility, providing a methodological reference for TCM artificial intelligence research.
3.Synergistic Mechanisms of Combined Anti-Angiogenic Therapy and Immunotherapy in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Tianxiao HAN ; Kezhong CHEN ; Fan YANG ; Xiang YAN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(3):698-705
In the tumor microenvironment, a bidirectional feedback regulation exists between aberrant angiogenesis and antitumor immunity, which provides a basis for the synergistic effects of antiangiogenic therapy and immunotherapy. The underlying mechanisms include relief of immunosuppression mediated by proangiogenic factors, induction of vascular normalization to reshape the immune microenvironment, and formation of a positive immune-vascular feedback loop. Based on these mechanisms, the combination of antiangiogenic therapy and immunotherapy has demonstrated synergistic efficacy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and is gradually being moved forward to the neoadjuvant setting. However, in the perioperative treatment of resectable lung cancer, this regimen still faces challenges, including primary resistance, a brief window of vascular normalization, and an unclear understanding of spatial interaction mechanisms. This review systematically elucidates the synergistic mechanisms of antiangiogenic agents combined with immunotherapy in NSCLC and the latest advances of this combination strategy in the neoadjuvant therapy setting, aiming to provide a reference for clinical practice.
4.Effects and mechanisms of atomization on the transdermal delivery behavior of active ingredients with diverse properties
Yating CHEN ; Ruifang HAN ; Jing SHANG ; Xiang LI ; Bin CU ; Wenting SONG
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2026;57(3):332-340
This study systematically examined the effects of atomization as a transdermal permeation enhancer on the transdermal delivery of active ingredients with different physicochemical properties and investigated the underlying mechanisms. Porcine ear skin served as an in vitro model, and skin permeation experiments were conducted using Franz diffusion cells. Receptor fluids were collected at specific time points, and samples of the stratum corneum and viable epidermis–dermis were separated and prepared. Quantitative and visualization methods, including high-performance liquid chromatography, fluorescence derivatization, and confocal laser scanning microscopy, were used to compare skin retention and transdermal permeation of adenosine (AD), tranexamic acid (TXA), calcein (CAL), and tocopheryl acetate (TA) under atomized and non-atomized conditions. Additionally, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measurements and attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) were employed to analyze the mechanism behind the penetration enhancement caused by atomization. The findings showed that atomization increased skin retention within the stratum corneum and viable epidermis–dermis, as well as the transdermal permeation of all four active ingredients to varying degrees. The most significant enhancement was observed for TXA, which has a relatively low molecular weight and moderate lipophilicity, while the enhancement effects for highly hydrophilic AD and highly lipophilic TA were comparatively limited; however, atomization significantly increased the skin retention of TA. TEWL results indicated that skin permeability increased within 4 hours after atomization and largely recovered within 8 hours. ATR-FTIR analysis suggested that atomization may facilitate transdermal delivery by disrupting the lipid order and keratin conformation in the stratum corneum.This study provides theoretical support and experimental references for the advancement of atomization transdermal delivery technology, as well as the design and development of related atomization products.
5.Corrective Effects of Three-Stage Structured Tai Chi on Abnormal Neck and Shoulder Posture:A Biomechanics-Based Randomized Controlled Trial
Yulei RAN ; Jing ZHANG ; Chao YANG ; Liyuan ZHANG ; Tingting HAN ; Weibiao LI ; Xiang GUO ; Xianhui GUO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(16):1752-1758
ObjectiveTo evaluate the corrective effects of a three-stage structured Tai Chi training program on abnormal neck and shoulder posture from a biomechanical perspective. MethodsEighty-two participants with abnormal neck and shoulder posture were randomly assigned to a treatment group and a control group, with 41 participants in each group. The treatment group received three-stage structured Tai Chi training six times per week, while the control group received online health education once per week. Both interventions lasted for 12 weeks. The primary outcome cervical postural deviation angle, and the secondary outcomes including cervical loading and bilateral shoulder horizontal deviation angle, were assessed before intervention, after 6 weeks and 12 weeks of intervention. Safety was also evaluated. ResultsUltimately, 40 participants from each group were included in the analysis. In the treatment group, cervical postural deviation angle and cervical spine loading were significantly reduced after 12 weeks of intervention compared with baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention. The bilateral shoulder horizontal deviation angle decreased significantly after both 6 and 12 weeks of intervention compared with baseline (P<0.05). In the control group, cervical spine loading was reduced after 6 and 12 weeks of intervention compared with baseline (P< 0.05). After 12 weeks of intervention, the treatment group showed lower cervical postural deviation angle and bilateral shoulder horizontal deviation angle than the control group, whereas cervical loading was higher in the treatment group after 6 weeks of intervention (P<0.05). Significant differences were observed between groups in the changes from baseline to week 12 for cervical postural deviation angle and bilateral shoulder horizontal deviation angle, as well as in the changes from baseline to week 6 for cervical loading and bilateral shoulder horizontal deviation angle (P< 0.05). No significant adverse events occurred in either group during the intervention period. ConclusionThree-stage structured Tai Chi can effectively improve abnormal neck and shoulder posture, demonstrating good safety and feasibility.
6.Differences in intraocular pressure and anterior segment biometric parameters among Tibetan populations at different altitudes in Xizang autonomous region
Xiaorong* CHEN ; Tianyi* HAN ; Zexi LIU ; Yuanhang SONG ; Dawa XIAO ; Xiang FAN
International Eye Science 2026;26(10):1851-1854
AIM: To compare the differences in intraocular pressure and anterior segment biometric parameters among Tibetan populations permanent residing at different altitudes in Xizang autonomous region, and to explore the impact of high-altitude environments on ocular characteristics.
METHODS:This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Data were collected from Tibetan patients who visited the People's Hospital of Xizang Autonomous Region from September 2019 to October 2021. Participants were divided into two groups based on their permanent residence altitude: a higher altitude group(2 500-3 750 m)and a very high-altitude group(>3 750 m). The eye with better best corrected visual acuity was selected for each participant. Intraocular pressure, refractive error, and anterior segment biometric measurements \〖white-to-white corneal diameter(WTW), central corneal thickness(CCT), anterior chamber depth(ACD), lens thickness(LT), axial length(AL)\〗 were recorded and compared between the two groups.
RESULTS: A total of 43 Tibetan patients(43 eyes)were enrolled in this study, comprising 23 males and 20 females, with a mean age of 57.88±13.90 y. There were 19 patients(19 eyes)in the very high-altitude group and 24 patients(24 eyes)in the higher altitude group. The mean intraocular pressure in the very high-altitude group was 11.79±1.72 mmHg, which was significantly lower than 13.44±2.43 mmHg in the higher altitude group(P=0.019). CCT in the very high-altitude group was 482.70±23.76 μm, significantly thinner than 503.00±31.09 μm in the higher altitude group(P=0.012). AL in the very high-altitude group was 22.96±0.96 mm, significantly shorter than 23.64±1.10 mm in the higher altitude group(P=0.020). No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in WTW, ACD, LT, or refractive error(all P>0.05).
CONCLUSION:Among the Tibetan population in Xizang autonomous region, as the altitude of residence increases, intraocular pressure significantly decreases, CCT becomes thinner and AL shortens. These morphological changes suggest possible adaptive remodelling of the eye in very high-altitude environments, and a thinner cornea may be an important factor contributing to the lower measured intraocular pressure values.
7.4-week high-intensity interval training regulates the mitochondrial unfolded protein response in skeletal muscle to improve depressive-like behavior in chronic unpredictable mild stress model rats
Jiaren LIANG ; Yumei HAN ; Chunhui BAO ; Ziwei ZHANG ; Junsheng TIAN ; Yonghong YANG ; Huan XIANG
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(3):1-14
Objective To investigate the mechanism by which 4-week high-intensity interval training(HIIT)regulates the mitochondrial unfolded protein response(UPRmt)in skeletal muscle and improves mitochondrial function in a rat model of chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS).Methods Male SPF-grade SD rats(6~8 weeks old)were divided randomly into control(C),model(M),HIIT+control(HC),and HIIT+model(HM)groups.Rats in the M and HM groups were subjected to CUMS for 8 weeks to establish a depression model,while rats in the HC and HM groups received HIIT for 5 d a week for 4 weeks.The exercise regimen consisted of 3 min high-speed(85%~90%Smax)combined with 1 min low-speed(50%~55%Smax)uninterrupted repetitive training(Smax is maximum training speed).Behavioral changes were evaluated at weeks 4 and 8.Tissue samples were taken 24 h after the last behavioral test and skeletal muscle mitochondria were examined by transmission electron microscopy.The ATP and reactive oxygen species(ROS)contents were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and protein expression levels of activating transcription factor(ATF)4,ATF5,C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP),and heat shock protein 60(HSP60)were detected by Western blot.Results(1)The body mass,number of crossing grids,number of upright positions,sugar-water preference rate,and ATP content were significantly decreased in group M compared with group C(P<0.01),while the number of damaged mitochondria,ROS content,ATF4,ATF5,CHOP,and HSP60 protein expression were significantly increased(P<0.01).(2)After 4-weeks of HIIT intervention,the ATP content and ATF4 and ATF5 protein expression levels were significantly increased in the HC group compared with C group(P<0.05,P<0.01).The number of crossing grids,number of upright positions,sugar-water preference rate,ATP content,and ATF4 protein expression were significantly increased in the HM group compared with M group(P<0.01),while the number of damaged mitochondria,ROS content,and ATF5,CHOP,and HSP60 protein expression levels were significantly decreased(P<0.01).(3)After 4 weeks of HIIT intervention,the number of crossing grids in CUMS rats was significantly positively correlated with ATF4 protein expression,and ROS content was correlated with CHOP protein expression,number of damaged mitochondria,and ATF5 protein expression(|r|>0.75,P<0.01;|r|>0.75,P<0.05).Upright frequency was significantly negatively correlated with ATF5 and HSP60 protein expression,the number of crossing grids,the sugar-water preference rate,and the expression of CHOP and HSP60 proteins(|r|<0.75,P<0.05).Conclusions 4-week HIIT intervention can improve mitochondrial dysfunction and alleviate depressive-like behavior in CUMS rats by regulating skeletal muscle UPRmt.
8.Relationship between the expression of microRNA-433-3p and βⅤ-tubulin in bladder cancer and pathological characteristics and their predictive value for postoperative recurrence
Lin YANG ; Yugang HAN ; Xiang LIANG
Journal of Clinical Surgery 2025;33(2):175-178
Objective To explore the relationship between the expression of microRNA-433-3p(miR-433-3p)and β microtubule Ⅴ(TUBB6)in bladder cancer tissue and its pathological characteristics,and its predictive value for postoperative recurrence.Methods From August 2021 to August 2022,116 patients with bladder cancer underwent surgery for cancer tissue and adjacent tissue,and which were divided into recurrence group(43 cases)and non recurrence group(73 cases)according to whether there was local recurrence or distant recurrence and metastasis after surgery.The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)was used to detect the mRNA levels of miR-433-3p and TUBB6.The influencing factors of postoperative recurrence of bladder cancer were analyzed by logistic regression.The predictive value of miR-433-3p and TUBB6 in postoperative recurrence of bladder cancer was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The level of miR-433-3p in cancer tissue was obviously lower than that in adjacent tissue(P<0.05),and the level of TUBB6 was obviously higher than that in adjacent tissue(P<0.05).The level of miR-433-3p was significantly reduced(P<0.05)in patients with TNM stage Ⅲ+Ⅳ,histological differentiation to low differentiation,and tumor infiltration,while the level of TUBB6 mRNA was significantly increased(P<0.05).The serum miR-433-3p level in the recurrent group was significantly lower than that in the non recurrent group,,The level of TUBB6 mRNA was higher in the non recurrent group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).TNM stage Ⅲ+Ⅳ,tumor infiltration,and high expression of TUBB6 are independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence in patients(P<0.05),while high expression of miR-433-3p is an independent protective factor(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis shows that,,the area under curve(AUC)predicted by serum miR-433-3p and TUBB6 levels in combination was significantly higher than that predicted by a single index(Z-miR-433-3p=2.323,Z-TUB6=1.961,P=0.020,0.048),sensitivity of 95.35%,specificity of 82.19%.Conclusion The expression of miR-433-3p and TUBB6 in bladder cancer tissues is closely related to pathological features,and the combination of the two tissues has a higher predictive value for postoperative recurrence.
9.Clinical efficacy of Shexiang Baoxin pill in patients with unstable angina pectoris and type 2 diabetes mellitus:A meta-analysis
Xiang GAO ; Fang-yuan LIU ; Xiao-zhen HAN ; Dong-qian SUN ; Chuan-liang LIU
Chinese Journal of cardiovascular Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;34(5):635-640
Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of Shexiang Baoxin pill in patients with unstable angina pectoris(UAP)and type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)using meta-analysis.Methods:We searched the databases including Pubmed,Web of Science,EMbase,EBSCO,Cochrane,CBM,CNKI and Wanfang for randomized controlled trials(RCTs)about the therapeutic effect of Shexiang Baoxin pill on patients with UAP and T2DM from the establish-ment to January 20th,2023.RevMan 5.3 software was used to perform meta-analysis to investigate the effect of Shexiang Baoxin pill on angina improvement and blood glucose fluctuation in patients with UAP and T2DM.Results:Six eligible literatures were included,including 346 patients in Shexiang Baoxin pill group and control group respec-tively.The results of meta-analysis showed that compared to participants in control group,those in Shexiang Baox-in pill group had significantly higher clinical overall efficiency(OR=3.13,95%CI 2.01~4.89,P<0.001),and significantly lower angina attack frequency(MD=-0.66,95%CI-0.79~-0.52,P<0.001),duration of angi-na(MD=-3.10,95%CI-4.11~-2.09,P<0.001),and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose(MD=-1.79,95%CI-2.00~-1.57,P<0.001).Conclusion:Shexiang Baoxin pill could improve clinical overall efficiency,an-gina attack frequency and duration,and reduce 2-hour postprandial blood glucose in patients with unstable angina pectoris and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
10.Analysis of risk factors for changes in anteversion angle after intramedullary nail internal fixation of intertrochanteric femur fractures in the elderly
Chao HAN ; Xiang SUN ; Zhe HAN ; Mengqi XIE ; Weiwei HE ; Qiang DONG ; Xinlong MA
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2025;45(8):478-484
Objective:To explore the degree of change in anteversion angle and related risk factors after intramedullary nail fixation of intertrochanteric femur fracture in the elderly.Methods:The data of 256 elderly patients who underwent intramedullary nail fixation for intertrochanteric fractures of the femur at Tianjin Hospital of Tianjin University from March 2020 to March 2023 were selected, including 114 males and 142 females, with an age of 75.40±10.69 years (range, 65-94 years). The degree of change in the anteversion angle of the affected hip before and after the surgery was measured by CT scan of the hip, the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC) was plotted, the area under the ROC curve was analyzed, and the optimal degree of grouping was determined by calculating the Youden Index, then all the patients were divided into two groups. The correlation between various risk factors (age, sex, type of internal fixation, fracture AO type, quality of reduction, fracture medial cortical defect or not, cusp distance) and the change of anterior tilt angle was screened by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.Results:All 256 patients were followed up for 20.7±2.1 months (range, 18-23 months). Anteversion on the healthy side was 12.68°±5.10° (range, 5°-28°); postoperative anteversion on the affected side was 15.04°±7.67° (range, 9°-36°). By comparing the difference in the anterior tilt angle between the affected side and the healthy side, it was found that the anterior tilt angle of 67 patients was completely restored to the healthy side level after the operation. The anteversion angle was enlarged in 131 cases, of which the mildly increased angle (1°-9°) was found in 106 cases, moderately increased (10°-15°) was found in 17 cases, and significantly increased (>15°) was found in 8 cases; 58 patients showed anteversion angle reduction, of which 45 cases were mildly reduced (1°-9°), 13 cases were moderately reduced (10°-14°). The area under the ROC curve for the patient's anteversion angle and its 95% CI were 0.714(0.559, 0.867), and the maximum value of its Youden Index was 0.221, which corresponded to the optimal critical angle of 4°. There was no statistically significant difference in age, gender, reduction quality or fracture AO classification between the group with an anteversion angle>4° and the group with an anteversion angle≤4° ( P>0.05). The types of internal fixation, medial cortical defect and insufficient tip apex distance (TAD) were included in the binary variable logistic regression analysis. The results showed that single-nail internal fixation [ OR=0.412, 95% CI(0.244, 0.695), P=0.007], medial cortical defect [ OR=0.471, 95% CI(0.279, 0.793), P=0.009] and TAD>25 mm [ OR=0.367, 95% CI(0.207, 0.651), P=0.003] are independent risk factors for changes in anteversion angle after intramedullary nail fixation of intertrochanteric femur fractures in elderly. Conclusion:Single-nail internal fixation, medial cortical defect and TAD >25 mm are independent risk factors for the change of anteversion angle after intramedullary nail internal fixation of intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly.

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