1.Effect of sitravatinib on a mouse model of carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis and its mechanism
Huan ZHANG ; Xiangyu WU ; Qianwen ZHAO ; Fajuan RUI ; Nan GENG ; Rui JIN ; Jie LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):600-607
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of sitravatinib on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in mice. MethodsA total of 30 male C57BL/6J mice, aged 8 weeks, were randomly divided into control group, CCl4 model group, and low- (5 mg/kg), middle- (10 mg/kg), and high-dose (20 mg/kg) sitravatinib groups. All mice except those in the control group were given intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 for 4 consecutive weeks to induce liver fibrosis, and since the first day of modeling, the mice in the low-, middle-, and high-dose sitravatinib groups were given sitravatinib at the corresponding dose by gavage every day. The serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured for the mice in each group; hepatic hydroxyproline content was measured; HE staining, Masson staining, and Sirius Red staining were used to observe liver histopathological changes; quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type I alpha 1 (Col1a1) in liver tissue. The therapeutic effect of sitravatinib was assessed based on the above results. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group had significant increases in the levels of TC, TG, and ALT (all P<0.05), and there were no significant differences in the levels of TC, TG, and ALT between the model group and the low-, middle-, and high-dose sitravatinib groups (all P>0.05). Hepatic hydroxyproline content decreased after sitravatinib intervention, with a significant difference between the middle-/high-dose sitravatinib groups and the CCl4 model group (both P<0.05). Histopathological staining showed that the sitravatinib treatment groups had a reduction in collagen deposition, along with thinning and fragmentation of fibrous septa, and in the high-dose sitravatinib group, 4 mice had a fibrosis stage of S0—S1 and 2 mice had a fibrosis stage of S2—S3, suggesting a certain degree of alleviation of liver fibrosis degree compared with the CCl4 model group (mainly S3—S4). The measurement of related molecules showed that sitravatinib downregulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-SMA and Col1a1 (all P<0.05). ConclusionSitravatinib can effectively alleviate CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice, possibly by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation and collagen synthesis.
2.Sleep Traits and Malignant Risk of Pulmonary Nodules: Evidence Triangulation From Questionnaire, Cohort, and Mendelian Randomization
Xiangyu CHEN ; Yiqiao XUE ; Mengqing LIU ; Yile HU ; Weizuo LIANG ; Hanqing LIU ; Yizheng WANG ; Mingfang ZHAO
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(3):663-676
To investigate the association between sleep-related phenotypes and the risk of malignancy in pulmonary nodules, and to provide complementary evidence from a general population cohort and genetic analyses. This study comprised three parts. Part 1 was a cross-sectional study that consecutively enrolled patients with imaging-confirmed pulmonary nodules at the First Hospital of China Medical University from November 2024 to December 2025. Nine sleep domains were constructed using items from the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), with domain severity coded on a 0-6 scale according to the frequency of occurrence. Benign or malignant status of pulmonary nodules was determined based on pathological results or clinical follow-up. Multivariable Logistic regression models with progressive adjustment were constructed. Stratified, interaction, and dose-response analyses (including categorical grouping and restricted cubic splines) were performed focusing on the insomnia symptom domain to explore the association between sleep-related phenotypes and the risk of malignant pulmonary nodules. Part 2 was a prospective cohort study using the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) to investigate the association between sleep duration and incident lung cancer risk in the general population. Part 3 comprised genetic causality analyses, including two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) and linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC), using data from the OpenGWAS database, to assess whether directionally consistent genetic association signals exist between sleep-related phenotypes and lung cancer risk. In the cross-sectional study, a total of 800 patients with pulmonary nodules were included, of whom 288 (36.0%) were in the malignant group. In the continuous-variable main model fully adjusted for baseline confounders, all nine sleep domains, imaging findings, and depression and anxiety status, the severity of the insomnia symptom domain showed a positive association signal with the risk of malignant pulmonary nodules (fully adjusted model: per 1-point increase, In patients with pulmonary nodules, an association signal exists between insomnia-related symptoms and the risk of malignancy, but the dose-response relationship remains unclear. The CHARLS cohort and genetic analyses provide supplementary directional clues for the above associations, albeit with limited statistical strength and result consistency. Definitive conclusions regarding the association between sleep phenotypes and the risk of malignant pulmonary nodules require further validation in prospective studies.
3.Effects of Huatan Sanjie Formula (化痰散结方) on Tumor Tissue Stiffness and the Integrin β1/FAK/YAP Mechanotransduction Signaling Pathway in Triple Negative Breast Cancera Model Mice
Xiangyu ZHAO ; Jingyang LIU ; Minpu ZHANG ; Xue WANG ; Changgang SUN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(12):1305-1314
ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanism of Huatan Sanjie Formula (化痰散结方, HSF) in the treatment of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) based on the integrinβ1/focal adhesion kinase/yes-associated protein (integrinβ1/FAK/YAP) mechanotransduction signaling pathway. MethodsFifty BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to a model group, doxorubicin group, low-, medium-, and high-dose HSF groups, with 10 mice per group. An orthotopic TNBC transplantation model was established in all mice using syngeneic implantation of 4T1 cells. After successful modeling, mice in the model group received intragastric administration of normal saline 0.2 ml each day. Mice in the low-, medium-, and high-dose HSF groups received HSF by gavage at doses of 5.99, 11.97, and 23.94 g/(kg·d), respectively. The doxorubicin group received intraperitoneal injections of doxorubicin (1.5 mg/kg) once every two days. All treatments lasted for 30 days. After the final administration, mice were sacrificed, and tumor weight and volume were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE), Masson's trichrome, and Sirius Red staining were performed to evaluate histopathological changes and collagen fiber deposition in tumor tissues. TUNEL staining was used to assess apoptosis. The Young's modulus of tumor tissues was measured using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The nuclear-cytoplasmic localization of YAP was determined by immunofluorescence staining. Protein expression levels of integrinβ1, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), YAP, and phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (p-FAK) were detected by Western Blotting. The mRNA expression levels of integrinβ1, FAK, and YAP were assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Pearson correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationships among tumor tissue Young's modulus, apoptosis rate, and the expression levels of proteins related to the integrinβ1/FAK/YAP signaling pathway. ResultsCompared to the model group, tumor weight was significantly reduced in the doxorubicin group and the medium- and high-dose HSF groups, while tumor volume significantly decreased in the doxorubicin group and the high-dose HSF group (P<0.01). Tumor weight in the high-dose HSF group was significantly lower than that in the low-dose group, and tumor volume was significantly smaller than that in both the low- and medium-dose groups (P<0.05). Marked improvements in histopathological morphology were observed in the medium- and high-dose HSF groups and the doxorubicin group, while the proportion of collagen fiber deposition and the nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio of YAP were significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared to the model group, all three HSF groups and the doxorubicin group exhibited significantly increased apoptosis rates, decreased Young's modulus, and reduced mRNA expression levels of integrinβ1, and YAP (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Furthermore, protein expression levels of integrinβ1, p-FAK, and YAP in the high-dose HSF group were significantly lower than those in the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated a significant negative correlation between tumor tissue Young's modulus and apoptosis rate (r =-0.93, P<0.01). In contrast, the protein expression levels of integrinβ1, p-FAK, and YAP were positively correlated with Young's modulus (r=0.88, 0.97, and 0.98, respectively; P<0.05) and negatively correlated with apoptosis rate (r=-0.93,-0.97, and -0.93, respectively; P<0.05). ConclusionHSF can significantly inhibit tumor growth in TNBC model mice. Its antitumor effect may be associated with reducing tumor tissue stiffness through suppression of the integrinβ1/FAK/YAP mechanotransduction signaling pathway.
4.Shenshuai Guanchang Prescription Treats Non-dialysis Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 4-5 of Spleen and Kidney Deficiency,Blood Stasis and Dampness Turbidity: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Xiangyu LI ; Ning ZHANG ; Tongxia LI ; Pu YAN ; Qian ZHANG ; Fanyu HOU ; Zhiquan ZHAO ; Xinrong FAN ; Kaifeng SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(22):198-208
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Shenshuai Guanchang prescription in improving the intestinal barrier function,reducing non-indole uremic toxins,ameliorating micro-inflammatory state,and delaying renal function progression in non-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4-5. MethodsA total of 80 patients with CKD stage 4-5 who did not receive dialysis replacement therapy and were diagnosed with the syndrome of spleen and kidney deficiency,blood stasis and dampness turbidity were randomly assigned into a control group and a treatment group,with 40 patients in each group. The control group received conventional basic treatment and Western medicine symptomatic treatment,while the treatment group received combined intervention with Shenshuai Guanchang prescription through retention enema in addition to the treatment of the control group. Both groups had a treatment course of 4 weeks. The two groups were compared regarding the changes in urine toxin indicators [p-cresyl sulfate (PCS) and trimethylamine oxide (TMAO)],intestinal barrier indicators [D-lactic acid (D-LA),lipopolysaccharide (LPS),and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP)],renal function indicators [serum creatinine (SCr),blood urea nitrogen (BUN),and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)],and micro-inflammatory state indicators [interleukin-6 (IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR)] before and after treatment. The therapeutic effects were evaluated from three aspects:The efficacy regarding traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores,the efficacy regarding laboratory indicators,and comprehensive efficacy. The safety of the clinical research drugs used by both groups of patients was also observed. ResultsA total of 37 cases in the treatment group and 38 cases in the control group completed the observation. After treatment,the treatment group showed declined levels of PCS,TMAO,D-LA,SCr,TNF-α,and NLR,spleen and kidney deficiency symptom score,blood stasis and dampness symptom score,and total symptom score (P<0.05),and increased eGFR (P<0.05). Moreover,the treatment group had lower levels of PCS,TMAO,D-LA,I-FABP,IL-6,and TNF-α,spleen and kidney deficiency symptom score,blood stasis and dampness symptom score,and total symptom score (P<0.05),higher response rate regarding TCM symptoms (χ2=6.68,P<0.05),and higher comprehensive efficacy (χ2=4.08,P<0.05) than the control group. No significant abnormalities were observed in the safety indicators of the two groups of patients. During the treatment period,adverse reactions were reduced after symptomatic treatment,and no serious adverse reactions occurred. ConclusionShenshuai Guanchang prescription can alleviate the clinical symptoms,improve the intestinal barrier function,reduce non-indole-type uremic toxins,alleviate the micro-inflammatory state,and has good clinical application safety of non-dialysis patients with CKD stage 4-5.
5.Value of HDL-C in predicting the outcome of amputation in patients with diabetic foot
Xiangyu LYU ; Lijue REN ; Yanqing ZHAO
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(5):35-38
Objective To explore the value of high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)in predicting the risk of amputation in patients with diabetic foot(DF).Methods A total of 110 DF patients hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College from August 2020 to June 2024 were selected as the study subjects,including 23 patients in amputation group and 87 patients in non-amputation group according to whether amputation.The related data of two groups were compared.Binary Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of amputation in DF patients,and receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)was used to analyze and compare the predictive value of HDL-C combined with other possible risk factors for amputation outcome.Results A total of 110 patients were included in this study,and binary Logistic regression analysis showed that HDL-C,length of stay,uric acid,and lower extremity arterial disease were the influential factors for amputation in diabetic foot patients(P<0.05).HDL-C combined with lower extremity arterial disease can improve the ability to predict the outcome of amputation.Conclusion HDL-C level is an influential factor in the amputation of DF patients,and has a certain predictive value for the amputation of DF patients.
6.Clinical and genetic analysis of a child with Intellectual developmental disorder with dysmorphic facies and behavioral abnormalities due to a de novo variant of FBXO11 gene
Qiumei ZHANG ; Kai LIU ; Yongzhen QI ; Xiangyu ZHAO ; Xingzhu GENG
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(9):1114-1119
Objective:To explore the genetic etiology for a child presenting with motor retardation, language delay, intellectual disability, and dysmorphic features.Methods:A child presented at Linyi People′s Hospital in June 2022 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the child was collected. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from the child and her parents. Following extraction of genomic DNA, whole-exome sequencing (WES) was carried out. Candidate variant was validated by Sanger sequencing. Amniotic fluid samples were obtained from the mother′s subsequent pregnancies for prenatal diagnosis. This study has been reviewed and approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Linyi People′s Hospital (Ethics No.: 202402-H-034).Results:The proband was a 2-year-old girl showing developmental delays in motor, language, and intellectual domains, strabismus, hypertelorism, hearing impairment, obesity, and brachymesophalangy of the fifth finger. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed abnormalities of the white matter. Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) identified a 15q26.3 duplication (chr15: 101562020_102060896×3) inherited from her mother. WES has uncovered a heterozygous c. 1931A>G (p.Tyr644Cys) variant in the FBXO11 gene. Sanger sequencing confirmed the variant to be de novo in origin. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the variant was classified as likely pathogenic. Prenatal diagnosis revealed that the fetuses from the mother′s second and third pregnancies did not harbor the same variant. Conclusion:The c. 1931A>G (p.Tyr644Cys) variant of the FBXO11 gene probably underlay the abnormal phenotype in the child. Based on its genotype and phenotype, the proband was diagnosed with Intellectual developmental disorder with dysmorphic facies and behavioral abnormalities.
7.Analysis and countermeasures for abnormal final rinse water in a newly-built endoscopy center
Jing ZHAO ; Xiaorui REN ; Ziyang HE ; Xiangyu MENG ; Ze GUO ; Chunlian ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2025;24(3):336-342
Objective To conduct microbiological monitoring before the operation of the purified water treatment system in a newly-built endoscopy center,comprehensively analyze the causes for the standard-exceeding results of microbial detection of final rinse water,propose solutions,and provide reference for handling similar events in the future.Methods Microbial detection data of the final rinse water in the newly-built digestive endoscopy center of a tertiary first-class general hospital in Beijing from April to July 2024 were monitored.The potential causes for standard-exceeding results of microbial detection of final rinse water were analyzed from the perspectives of equip-ment maintenance and management of the purified water treatment system as well as the improvement of cleaning and disinfection methods for the purified water supply pipeline in the endoscopy center,targeted improvement mea-sures were proposed accordingly.Results The microbial monitoring result of final rinse water in the newly-built di-gestive endoscopy center built in April 2024 was 1 400 CFU/100 mL,with the main bacterial type being Cupriavi-duspauculus.After five rounds of improvement measures and rechecks,microbial monitoring result of the final rinse water in the newly-built endoscopy center was 0 CFU/100 mL,with a qualification rate of 100%.Analysis suggested that the main causes for the standard-exceeding results of microbial detection of final rinse water were due to the damage of the reverse osmosis membrane,lack of cleaning for the pure water storage tank before use,and non-standard cleaning and disinfection process for the pure water supply pipeline,after targeted improvement,the problem was solved.Conclusion Medical institutions should continuously conduct periodic monitoring on water used for endoscope,regularly perform cleaning and disinfection of the purified water treatment system,standardize cleaning and disinfection procedures,ensure medical quality and patient safety.
8.Successful treatment of a case of lethal dose of felodipine poisoning with V-A ECMO
Xiangyu ZHU ; Mingyue SUN ; Yuan LIU ; Zhikun ZHAO ; Ping JIANG ; Weiwei PAN ; Ziyu WANG ; Yajuan ZHANG ; Jing FU ; Haichen YANG ; Yeping DU ; Jinsong ZHANG ; Yan SHI
Adverse Drug Reactions Journal 2025;27(6):369-371
A 36-year-old male developed unconsciousness and no response to voice stimuli after taking approximately 2 050 mg felodipine (the specific time was unknown). Two hours later, he was sent to the department of emergency by his family and admitted to the hospital. His vital signs showed body temperature 35.1 ℃, pulse 148 times/min, respiration 32 times/min, and blood pressure 65/34 mmHg. Acute drug poisoning, acute toxic cardiomyopathy, acute toxic shock, acute type Ⅱ respiratory failure, acute toxic encephalopathy, and acute renal failure were diagnosed based on the patient′s clinical manifestations combined with laboratory tests results, cardiac ultrasound, chest and abdominal CT scans. Endotracheal intubation connected to a ventilator for invasive assisted ventilation, pressure boosting, and fluid resuscitation were given. At the same time, repeated gastric lavage and enema were performed to remove toxins. Blood perfusion was intermittently and repeatedly administered, and continuous renal replacement therapy was used. The blood concentration of felodipine was 1 298 μg/L at 2 hours after admission, and cardiac arrest occurred at 4 hours. Venous-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) treatment was administered immediately. After 48 hours of ECMO operation, sedatives were discontinued and the patient′s consciousness was improved after 4 hours. On the 5th day of ECMO treatment, his heart rate was 72 beats per minute, and blood pressure was 127/65 mmHg. The blood concentration of felodipine decreased to 2 μg/L. The patient′s vital signs were significantly improved and ECMO supportive treatment was withdrawn. After 26 days of hospitalization, the patient recovered and was discharged.
9.Metabolomics Insights into Lidan Huatan Huoxue Decoction Improving Cognitive Impairment in Obese Rats
Yang ZHANG ; Jialu LYU ; Tiegang XIAO ; Haonan SHANG ; Yueshuang ZHAO ; Xiangyu DU ; Jun XU ; Bing WANG
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(10):2851-2863
Objective To explore the mechanism of Lidan Huatan Huoxue Decoction improving cognitive impairment caused by obesity based on metabolomics.Methods Twenty-four 6-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group fed with regular diet(Con,n=6)and a modeling group fed with high-fat and high-sugar diet(n=18).Rats with a body mass that is 20%higher than the standard body mass of their age-matched peers fed with ordinary diet were considered to have a successful obese model established.The presence of cognitive impairment was assessed by Morris water maze and Barnes maze tests.After the obese-induced cognitive impairment(OICI)model was established,the modeling rats were randomly divided into a model group(Model,n=6),a donepezil group(Donepezil,n=6),and a Lidan Huatan Huoxue Decoction group(LHH,n=6).Drugs were administered to the donepezil and LHH groups by gastric intubation.The donepezil group was administered with a dose of 0.45 mg·(kg·d)-1,while the LHH group was administered with a dose of 25 g·(kg·d)-1.The normal and model groups were given the same volume of normal saline by gastric intubation for 8 weeks.Before the rats were sacrificed,water maze and Barnes maze experiments were conducted to assess cognitive function.After sacrifice,specimens were collected for biochemical and histological examination of liver tissue and brain tissue.Non-targeted metabolomic analysis using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS)was performed on feces,serum,and brain tissue to analyze changes in differential metabolites in rats.Results Compared with the model group,the intervention of Donepezil and LHH effectively improved the learning and memory ability of OICI rats(P<0.05 or P<0.01),inhibited the overactivation of hippocampal microglia,and increased the number of hippocampal synaptic proteins.LHH improved metabolic-related indicators in OICI rats(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Metabolomic analysis showed significant differences in metabolites in feces,serum,and brain tissue between the model group and the normal group.The main affected pathways in fecal metabolites included steroid biosynthesis,caffeine metabolism,lysosome,vitamin B6 metabolism,phenylalanine,tyrosine,and tryptophan biosynthesis.The main affected pathways in serum metabolites included central carbon metabolism in cancer,pentose phosphate pathway,mineral absorption,protein digestion and absorption,and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis.The main affected pathways in brain tissue metabolites included glycerophospholipid metabolism,β-alanine metabolism,propionic acid metabolism,niacin and nicotinamide metabolism,and caffeine metabolism.After LHH intervention,fecal metabolites showed the most significant changes,mainly involving vitamin B6 metabolism,vitamin digestion and absorption,histidine metabolism,fructose and mannose metabolism,and steroid biosynthesis.Conclusion LHH can improve cognitive impairment in obese rats mainly by regulating fecal metabolites.The main pathways involved include vitamin B6 metabolism,vitamin digestion and absorption,histidine metabolism,fructose and mannose metabolism,and steroid biosynthesis.Among them,vitamin B6 metabolism and vitamin digestion and absorption may be the most important pathways.
10.Opportunities and challenges of NK cell therapy
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(5):621-627
Natural killer(NK)cells are essential components of the innate immune system,characterized by their ability to identify and eliminate abnormal cells through receptors that operate independently of major histo-compatibility complex(MHC)restriction.As a result,NK cells play a critical role in anti-tumor,antiviral,and immune regulatory responses.Chimeric antigen receptor NK cell therapy(CAR-NK)enhances the targeting speci-ficity and functional activity of NK cells,thereby augmenting their cytotoxic potential and opening new avenues for cancer treatment.To date,numerous clinical trials have evaluated NK cell therapy for anti-tumor,antiviral,and autoimmune diseases.This article summarizes the current research status of NK cell therapy in clinical applica-tions,highlighting its promising efficacy and safety as an innovative immunotherapy.Despite challenges such as limited cell persistence and tumor microenvironment suppression,the prospects for further development in this field remain promising.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail