1.Regulation of Relevant Signaling Pathways by Traditional Chinese Medicine in Intervention of Pancreatic Cancer: A Review
Quanyou ZHAO ; Conghui ZHAO ; Yu ZHANG ; Yiping FU ; Yuting LIU ; Xiaoran WANG ; Zhanzhan LI ; Mingsan MIAO ; Li BAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):280-289
Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant solid tumor of the digestive system with extremely poor treatment prognosis. Although its incidence rate is low, its mortality rate is extremely high. In recent years, the number of diagnosed cases worldwide has continued to rise, making pancreatic cancer the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Currently, clinical treatment primarily relies on operation and chemotherapy to suppress tumors. However, these approaches face challenges such as suboptimal efficacy, high postoperative recurrence rates, and severe adverse reactions. Therefore, identifying safe and effective treatment modalities remains a pressing challenge for the medical community. In recent years, research on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) interventions for pancreatic cancer has increased significantly. Multiple studies have shown that single-herb TCM, TCM formulas, and their derived single compounds can regulate the levels of tumor cell signaling pathways through multiple action targets. They inhibit the development and progression of pancreatic cancer by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, promoting cell apoptosis, inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, reducing cancer cell invasion and migration capabilities, regulating the cell cycle, and modulating the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, TCM has the advantages of significantly enhancing the anticancer efficacy of chemotherapy drugs and causing fewer adverse reactions. However, the specific action mechanisms by which TCM intervenes in pancreatic cancer remain unclear. Further extensive research is still needed to validate the role of regulating classical signaling pathways such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Wnt/β-catenin, nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB), notch, and hedgehog in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Therefore, this paper reviewed Chinese and international studies on TCM intervention in pancreatic cancer through relevant signaling pathways in recent years, summarized the potential action mechanisms of TCM in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, and provided references for related research in the future.
2.Research progress on the intervention of traditional Chinese medicine in lipid metabolism for obesity treatment via cAMP signaling pathway
Yu ZHANG ; Xiaoran WANG ; Yiping FU ; Yuting LIU ; Quanyou ZHAO ; Linna CUI ; Mingsan MIAO
China Pharmacy 2026;37(4):522-527
Obesity, a global chronic disease, is associated with adipose tissue dysfunction, which is one of the contributing factors to obesity. The cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway, a key regulator of lipid metabolism, plays a pivotal role in obesity development. Various of traditional Chinese medicine monomers, such as flavonoids, lignans, phenols, and terpenoids, as well as traditional Chinese medicine compound formulas like Xiaoyao powder, Shengmai powder, and Zexie decoction, can maintain energy homeostasis, balance adipose tissue function, regulate glucose metabolism, improve insulin resistance, and suppress inflammatory responses through cAMP signaling pathway regulation, thereby intervening in lipid metabolism for obesity treatment. Although a substantial amount of basic research has preliminarily elucidated the potential mechanisms by which traditional Chinese medicine intervenes in obesity through the cAMP signaling pathway, clinical translational research remains inadequate. There is an urgent need for large-sample, high-quality randomized controlled trials to validate these findings.
3.Analysis of primary teeth crown dimensions and dental arch physiological data of individual normal occlusion children in 67 children of 3.5-4.5 years of age
Xiaoran WU ; Bin XIA ; Lihong GE ; Jiangxia MIAO ; Yuqing CUI ; Xiaohua LIN ; Xiaoyu WANG ; Boshang SUN ; Yuanyuan WANG
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2025;60(12):1378-1385
Objective:To digitally measure the three-dimensional (3D) size of primary tooth crowns and the dimensions of the dental arch in children with individual normal primary dentition, preliminarily obtaining baseline data on the 3D size of primary tooth crowns as well as the length and width of the dental arch, and their influence factors. This study aims to provide a data foundation for the design of reference models for primary dentition.Methods:From May to June 2021, 122 caries-free children aged 3.5-4.5 years with individual normal occlusion were selected from five kindergartens in Haidian District, Beijing. Impressions were taken and plaster models were cast. After preliminary screening, 67 eligible models were scanned to obtain digital dental models. Digital measurement software was used for landmark-based measurements. Parameters included 3D crown dimensions (mesiodistal diameter, buccolingual diameter, and occlusogingival height), dental arch dimensions (length and width at specific regions), and occlusal measurements (overjet and overbite at the primary central incisors, and Bolton index for anterior and full dentition). Gender differences in crown dimensions and bilateral symmetry of homologous teeth, as well as the correlations between arch dimensions and gender, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were analyzed.Results:The homonymous teeth of 67 children exhibited strong bilateral symmetry in all 3D dimensions ( P>0.05). Gender differences were observed in the buccolingual dimension for all deciduous molars except for the right mandibular first deciduous molar ( P<0.05). For the occlusogingival dimension, gender differences were found in the right maxillary first and second deciduous molars, left maxillary first deciduous molar, and left mandibular first and second deciduous molars ( P<0.05). For the mesiodistal dimension, only the left mandibular second deciduous molar and right mandibular deciduous canine showed gender differences ( P<0.05). All significant differences above indicated larger dimensions in boys compared to girls. In both maxillary and mandibular arches, the lengths and widths at various locations were significantly larger in boys than in girls ( P<0.05). Univariate correlation analysis revealed that body weight was positively correlated with the width of the terminal plane in both the maxilla and mandible and the total length of the mandibular dental arch, while BMI was positively correlated with the width of the maxillary terminal plane and the widths at all measured sites in the mandible ( P<0.05). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that, after controlling for relevant variables, BMI was a significant positive predictor for the lengths and widths at various sites of the dental arch ( P<0.05), and height was a positive predictor for dental arch length ( P<0.05), as well as body weight was a positive predictor for the width in the molar region ( P<0.05). Overjet at the primary central incisors was 2.28 (1.57, 2.66) mm, and overbite was 1.13 (0.75, 1.92) mm. The anterior Bolton index was 0.79±0.03, and the overall Bolton index was 0.94±0.03. Conclusions:Primary tooth crowns of individual normal occlusion children demonstrate strong bilateral symmetry in homologous teeth. Most primary molars exhibit gender differences in buccolingual and occlusogingival dimensions, with larger values in boys. Arch dimensions (length and width) are consistently larger in boys.
4.Analysis on the Equitable Distribution of Medical and Health Resources under the Background of Digital Economy
Zhian LI ; Peiwen BAI ; Xiaoran WANG
Chinese Health Economics 2025;44(5):43-48
Objective:To investigate the impact of the development of the digital economy on the unfair of healthcare resource allocation in China.Methods:The sample data from 23 provinces across the country from 2015 to 2021 were tested using econometric regression.Results:It is found that the development of the digital economy will exacerbate the unfairness of the allocation of medical and health resources in China.Further analysis results show that there are regional differences in the impact of digital economy on the distribution of medical resources,which is mainly manifested in the central and western regions,but weaker in the eastern region,and this impact will weaken with the improvement of the development level of digital economy.At the same time,it also explores the possible influencing mechanisms.It is found that due to the demand-oriented allocation of medical and health resources,the development of digital economy will lead to more unfair allocation of medical resources by affecting economic level,education level and income gap.Conclusion:In the face of the challenges brought by the digital economy to the allocation of medical and health resources,effective measures need to be taken to solve them,thus laying a solid foundation for achieving the goals of comprehensive health coverage and common prosperity.
5.Functional regulation of Tfh cells by TOX and its implication in pathogenesis of autoimmune disease
Xiaoran WANG ; Jiaji WANG ; Yuxi ZHU ; Na PENG
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(5):1246-1251
T follicular helper cells(Tfh)are a group of helper T cell subsets located in germinal center area of lymphoid tissue,which can modulate germinal center response and promote humoral immune response of B cells.Tfh cells,with differentiation regulated by Bcl-6,express phenotypic markers including CXCR5,PD-1 and ICOS.New evidence indicates that thymocyte selection-associated high mobility group box(TOX)influences Bcl-6 expression through epigenetic regulation and further regulates differentia-tion of Tfh cells.Recent studies have demonstrated that Tfh cells are positively correlated with aberrant activity of B cells and disease activity in pathogenesis of primary Sj?gren's syndrome(pSS),rheumatoid arthritis(RA)and systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).It has been shown that IFN-α inhibitor(Anifrolumab),JAK inhibitors(Tofacitinib,Ruxolitinib)and STAT1 specific inhibitor(Fludara-bine)can suppress overexpression of TOX,inhibitors of IFN-α-JAK/STAT-TOX pathway may represent a new therapeutic strategy to target Tfh cells for treatment of autoimmune diseases.
6.A study on the impact of tyrosinase on retinal and choroidal changes during refractive development
Kailei WANG ; Xiaoran ZHANG ; Jiaqi MU ; Yamin CHEN ; Panpan LÜ ; Guoge HAN ; Rui HAO
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2025;45(9):696-702
Objective To analyze the effects of tyrosinase on choroidal and retinal thickness and blood flow changes in guinea pigs,and to explore the role of tyrosinase in the development and progression of myopia.Methods A total of 30 three-week-old male tri-colored guinea pigs and 10 albino guinea pigs were selected and divided into four groups:control group(tri-colored hyperopic guinea pigs,with no intervention),albino group(albino myopic guinea pigs,with no inter-vention),myopia group(tri-colored myopic guinea pigs,with no intervention),and injection group[tri-colored hyperopic guinea pigs,injected with tyrosinase inhibitor(6 250 μg·L-1),100 μL per day].The experiment lasted for 4 weeks.The refractive status and axial length(AL)of the guinea pigs in each group were measured,along with ocular biometric param-eters related to axial length[anterior chamber depth,aqueous humor depth(AQD),central corneal thickness,lens diame-ter,vitreous chamber depth(VCD)].Optical coherence tomography was used to measure the retinal thickness,choroidal thickness(ChT),and choroidal blood perfusion(ChBP)in different regions of the guinea pigs.The tyrosinase activity in the vitreous and retina of guinea pigs in each group was measured.The expression levels of neurotransmitters in the vitre-ous and retina of guinea pigs in each group were detected.Results The differences in refractive status between the albi-no group and the control group at 0,2,and 4 weeks of the experiment were statistically significant(F=8.972,P<0.05).At the 4th week of the experiment,the refractive status of the injection group was lower than that of the control group,and the AL was greater than that of the control group,with statistically significant differences(both P<0.05).Further analysis of AL-related biometric parameters revealed that only AQD and VCD were associated with the changes in AL of guinea pigs in each group.At the 0th week of the experiment,the average retinal thickness of the control group was greater than that of the albino group,with a statistically significant difference(t=-9.007,P<0.000 1).Moreover,the differences in reti-nal thickness in the outer retina across different directions and time points were statistically significant(all P<0.05).The differences in retinal thickness between the control and albino groups were mainly concentrated in the outer retina.The ChT of the albino group was less than that of the control group,with a significant difference between groups(F=4.809,P=0.030).The ChBP of the control group was significantly higher than that of the albino group at 0,2,and 4 weeks of the experiment(all P<0.05).At the 4th week of the experiment,the tyrosinase activity in the vitreous of the injection,albi-no,and myopia groups was lower than that of the control group,with statistically significant differences(all P<0.05).The differences in neurotransmitters between the albino and control groups were mainly concentrated in the vitreous.In the retina,the ornithine level in the myopia group was higher than that in the albino and control groups,and the tryptophan levels in the myopia and control groups were higher than that in the albino group,with statistically significant differences(all P<0.05).Conclusion Tyrosinase plays a crucial role in the development of myopia,regulating the development of refractive status by influencing the physiological properties of the retina and choroid.
7.Research progress on idebenone in cognitive impairment of parkinson′s disease
Yanhong REN ; Xiaoran ZHU ; Xiuhua LI
Journal of Chinese Physician 2025;27(1):153-157
Parkinson′s disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder, and cognitive impairment is a frequent non-motor symptom of the disease. The pathogenesis of cognitive impairment in Parkinson′s disease remains unclear, and effective treatment methods are still under investigation. Idebenone exhibits multiple protective effects, including scavenging free radicals, antioxidative stress, mitochondrial protection, anti-inflammation, and enhancing autophagy. It has shown preliminary efficacy in treating cognitive impairment associated with Parkinson′s disease. This article explores the potential of idebenone in treating cognitive impairment in Parkinson′s disease by examining the underlying pathogenic mechanisms and the specific properties of idebenone, providing a reference for clinical practice.
8.Progress of radiomics in predicting axillary lymph node metastasis of breast cancer
Xiaoran LI ; Caixian YANG ; Xiaoxian TANG
Cancer Research and Clinic 2025;37(2):153-156
The early prediction of axillary lymph node metastasis is crucial to the treatment and prognosis of breast cancer patients. Radiomics, as a non-invasive, convenient and efficient emerging technology, can achieve deep exploration and processing of imaging images and plays an increasingly important role in the evaluation of benign and malignant breast tumors, prediction of lymph node metastasis and other aspects. This article reviews the studies on the prediction of axillary lymph node metastasis of breast cancer based on radiomics of mammography, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging.
9.Feasibility and efficacy of lingual mucosal replacement ureteral stricture repair and plasty for the treatment of polyps in long ureteral segments
Luyi WANG ; Jiawei WU ; Xiaoran LI ; Enguang YANG ; Danyang WANG ; Junsheng BAO
Chinese Journal of Urology 2025;46(2):114-118
Objective:To explore the feasibility and and clinical efficacy of lingual mucosa replacement ureteral stenosis repair and plasty for the treatment of long segment ureteral polyps.Methods:Clinical data of 3 patients (4 sides) with long-segment ureteral polyps admitted to the Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from October 2017 to October 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Two cases were male and one case was female. The ages were22, 16, and 45 years old. Preoperative urologic ultrasound, CT urography and ureteroscopy were performed. The lesions were located on the left side in 3 cases and on the right side in 1 case; the stenosis was located in the middle and upper ureter; the length of the ureteral stenosis was 6, 7, 6, and 6 cm, respectively; and the preoperative blood creatinine was 72, 85, and 70 μmol/L, respectively. Three cases underwent ureteral stenosis repair and plasty with tongue mucosal substitution. During the operation, the ureter was fully exposed and longitudinally incised, polyps were removed, and 7.0-10.0 cm long and 1.5-2.0 cm wide lingual mucosa was harvested according to the length of the stenosis, and then the lingual mucosa was transplanted to the muscular layer and the inner surface of the sheath in the stenosed ureter, fixed with 6-0 thread until the muscular layer was rolled into shape and wrapped with a large omentum. All of them left one double-J tube in the ureter on the affected side. Perioperative results and complications were recorded. The patients' blood creatinine and anterior and posterior renal pelvic diameters were compared before and after treatment.Results:In our study, all three 4-sided surgeries were successfully completed without any serious intraoperative or postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo score ≥ grade Ⅲ). Mean surgical. Time was (240.0±49.0) min, intraoperative bleeding was 50 ml, postoperative drain retention time was (6.3±2.5) d, and median postoperative hospitalization time was 6.5(3, 9)d. The double J-tube was removed at 3 months postoperatively, and renal function and imaging tests were reviewed. Because the postoperative follow-up results of patient 1 were missing, the mean value of blood creatinine in the other 2 patients was 73.0 μmol/L at 3 months postoperatively, which was significantly improved compared with the preoperative value of 58.2 μmol/L, and the difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.05). And the average value of anterior and posterior renal pelvic separation diameters of the other 2 patients after surgery was <5 mm, which was significantly improved compared with the preoperative value of 17.9 mm, but the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05).There was no restenosis in all 2 patients after surgery, and the intravenous urography showed that the ureter was patent after the surgery, and the degree of urinary obstruction did not aggravate. The group was followed up for 3 to 8 months (mean 4.7 months), and no recent complications have occurred so far. Conclusions:Lingual mucosa replacement ureteral stenosis repair and plasty for the treatment of ureteral polyps in the long segment has a high success rate and precise efficacy, and its operation is feasible.
10.Exploring the association between mental stress, lymphocyte subset variations, and coronary lesion severity
Yunpeng CHI ; Lijun ZHANG ; Xiaorong HUANG ; Xiaoran SHEN ; Peijun RAO ; Yanwei LI ; Haiyang CHEN ; Meiyan LIU
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine 2025;64(1):36-44
Objectives:This study aimed to explore the association between perceived mental stress (MS), lymphocyte subset variations, and coronary lesion severity in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).Methods:Patients with CAD were enrolled in this study from September 2023 to May 2024. Perceived Stress Scale-14 (PSS-14) was used to evaluate MS during the last 1 month. Lymphocyte subsets were analyzed, including the percentage and absolute counts of CD3 +, CD3 +CD4 +, CD3 +CD8 +, CD3 -CD19 +, CD3 -CD56 +16 +, and the Th/Ts ratio. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 24.0. Results:This study recruited patients with 323 CAD, with an average age of 61 (56, 68) years, including 203 males and 120 females. According to the PSS-14, a score of 14-42 and 43-70 were categorized as normal and increased MS, respectively. Patients with CAD with increased MS had significantly higher Gensini scores than those with normal MS [37(19,64) vs. 28(12,50), Z=-2.19, P=0.029]. Male CAD patients with increased MS exhibited significantly higher Gensini scores [39(20, 58) vs. 26(12, 45), Z=-2.37, P=0.018], levels of CD3 +CD8 +%[28.3%(23.6%,36.6%) vs. 25.9%(21.0%,32.4%), Z=-2.05, P=0.041], and CD3 +CD8 +absolute value [485 (346, 675) vs. 396 (309, 510) cells/μl, Z=-2.55, P=0.011] than those with normal MS. In male patients with CAD, a positive correlation was observed between Gensini scores (correlation coefficient: 0.181, P=0.011), PSS-14 scores, and CD3 +CD8 +absolute value (correlation coefficient: 0.162, P=0.038). Conclusion:This study reveals a positive correlation between MS and coronary stenosis severity, with notable sex differences. In male patients with CAD, higher levels of MS are associated with more severe coronary stenosis. The potential underlying mechanism may involve the regulation of lymphocyte subsets .

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