1.Reconceptualizing Critical Illness in Cancer Through the Lens of Host Unregulated Response
Yun CHU ; Shiyi GONG ; Xin DING ; Hua ZHAO ; Huan CHEN ; Qing ZHANG ; Xiaoting WANG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(1):1-9
Onco-critical care has emerged as an important subspecialty at the intersection of critical care medicine and oncology, attracting increasing attention in recent years. With continuous innovations in cancer therapies, patient survival has improved significantly; however, the incidence of associated critical complications has also increased. The reasons for cancer patients requiring intensive care unit admission are diverse and can be broadly categorized into three groups: progression of the underlying malignancy, treatment-related complications, and coexisting classical critical illnesses. Traditional critical care concepts and practices face limitations in addressing the multidimensional and heterogeneous challenges of onco-critical care. Based on the core mechanism of critical illness development—host/organ unregulated response (HOUR)—this article systematically elaborates on how this framework advances understanding and clinical practice into onco-critical care, with emphasis on its manifestations in neuroendocrine, immune-inflammatory, and coagulation-metabolic pathways. The review summarizes recent advances in clinical assessment and phenotyping systems for onco-critical illness and discusses a multidisciplinary, integrated management strategy centered on the "Disease Control, Host Response Modulation, Organ Support" triad. Finally, major challenges and future directions in this field are outlined. By integrating existing evidence and theoretical insights, this review aims to provide new perspectives and a theoretical foundation for the clinical management of onco-critical illness, thereby promoting its evolution toward precision and standardization.
2.Mechanism Exploration of Doxorubicin and Sepsis Induced Myocardial Injury: Differences and Convergences
Tao ZHANG ; Zihan NAN ; Lixia LIU ; Jiaqi LIU ; Xiukai CHEN ; Xiaoting WANG ; Suwen SU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(1):23-32
Doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity and sepsis-induced myocardial injury (SIMI) represent significant clinical challenges in patients undergoing chemotherapy, sharing a common pathological basis of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death driven by lipid peroxidation, has recently been shown to play a critical role in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced SIMI. This article systematically reviews the mechanisms underlying myocardial injury caused by DOX and sepsis, identifying ferroptosis as a central common pathway. DOX triggers a burst of reactive oxygen species within mitochondria and inhibits glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) activity through redox cycling of its quinone group and high-affinity accumulation in mitochondrial cardiolipin. LPS, by activating pattern recognition receptors and related inflammatory signaling pathways, provokes a cytokine storm and mitochondrial dysfunction. Both can disrupt the core regulatory axis of cysteine-glutathione (GSH)-GPX4, synergistically promoting ferroptosis in cardiomyocytes. Moreover, epigenetic regulation plays a key role in DOX- and LPS-induced cardiomyocyte ferroptosis and may serve as a promising therapeutic target. A deeper understanding of the ferroptosis mechanism and its epigenetic regulatory network in the synergistic injury induced by DOX and sepsis is of great importance for developing novel strategies to mitigate chemotherapy-related cardiotoxicity and improve outcomes in cancer patients with concurrent infections.
3.Expert Consensus on Neurocritical Care Monitoring and Management in Beijing and Tibet(2025)
Drolma PHURBU ; Wenjin CHEN ; Heng ZHANG ; Jian ZHANG ; Xiaomeng WANG ; Guoying LIN ; Wenjun PAN ; Xiying GUI ; Xin CAI ; Chodron TENZIN ; Jianlei FU ; Qianwei LI ; TSEYANG ; Yijun LIU ; Bo LIU ; Tsering DROLMA ; Yudron SONAM ; KYILV ; Samdrup TSERING ; Wa DA ; Juan GUO ; Cheng QIU ; Huan CHEN ; Xiaoting WANG ; Yangong CHAO ; Dawei LIU ; Wenzhao CHAI ; Chenggong HU ; Wanhong YIN ; Shihong ZHU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(1):59-72
Neurocritical care involves complex pathophysiological mechanisms, and its incidence is higher, injuries are more severe, and treatment is more challenging in high-altitude environments. This consensus, based on the latest domestic and international evidence-based medical data, establishes a standardized, goal-oriented framework for neurocritical care management applicable in high-altitude regions and nationwide. The consensus was developed following international standards for evidence quality assessment and underwent two rounds of Delphi expert consultation, resulting in 32 recommendation statements covering three parts: management systems, monitoring and assessment, and core strategies. Key updates include: advocating for the establishment of independent neurocritical care units and implementing precise tiered diagnosis and treatment based on the "Five Differences in Critical Care" concept; constructing a "trinity" multimodal brain monitoring system centered on cerebral blood flow, cerebral oxygenation, and brain function, emphasizing routine bedside transcranial Doppler ultrasound, cerebral oximetry, and continuous electroencephalography monitoring; shifting management strategies from mild hypothermia therapy to targeted temperature management, and defining the "446" target management pathway for the supercritical stage; emphasizing the assessment of static and dynamic cerebrovascular autoregulation functions through multimodal methods to achieve individualized optimal mean arterial pressure management; elevating cerebrospinal fluid management goals to the level of "glymphatic system" function maintenance; implementing a multidisciplinary collaborative, whole-process management model focusing on patients' long-term neurological functional outcomes; de-escalation criteria include multidimensional indicators such as recovery of brain structure, restoration of cerebrovascular autoregulation, improvement in cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, and reduction in biomarker levels; and integrating cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence into post-critical care management and rehabilitation planning. This consensus systematically integrates the entire process of neurocritical care management, reflecting the modern connotation of goal-oriented, dynamic, and multimodal integration in neurocritical care medicine. It aims to adapt to new trends such as deepening understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms, the integration of medicine and engineering, and the empowerment of artificial intelligence, thereby further advancing the discipline of critical care medicine.
4.Standards for the Application of Hemodynamic Monitoring Technology in Critical Care
Hua ZHAO ; Hongmin ZHANG ; Xin DING ; Huan CHEN ; Jun DUAN ; Wei DU ; Bo TANG ; Yuankai ZHOU ; Dongkai LI ; Xinchen WANG ; Cui WANG ; Gaosheng ZHOU ; Xiaoting WANG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(1):73-85
With the rapid advancement of hemodynamic indices and monitoring technologies, their classification methods and application processes have become increasingly complex. Currently, no unified standard hasbeen established, making it difficult to fully meet the clinical requirements for hemodynamic management. To assist in hemodynamic monitoring assessment and therapeutic decision-making in critically ill patients, the Critical Hemodynamic Therapy Collaborative Group, in conjunction with the Critical Ultrasound Study Group, has jointly developed the Standard for the Application of Hemodynamic Monitoring Techniques in Critical Care. The first part of this standard systematically categorizes hemodynamic indicators into flow indicators, pressure and its derivative indicators, and tissue perfusion indicators, while elaborating on the clinical application of each. The second part establishes a standardized clinical implementation pathway for hemodynamic monitoring. It proposes a tiered monitoring strategy-comprising basic, advanced, indication-specific, and special scenario monitoring-tailored to different clinical settings. It emphasizes the central role of critical care ultrasound across all levels of monitoring and establishes hemodynamic assessment standards for organs such as the brain, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract. This standard aims to provide a unified framework for clinical practice, teaching, training, and research in critical care medicine, thereby promoting standardized development within the discipline.
5.The Effect of Modified Ditan Decoction (涤痰汤) on Cognitive Function and Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain in Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia Model Rats
Naijie CHEN ; Xiaoting WANG ; Fengsheng XU ; Shuanghong SHEN ; Zuanfang LI ; Qin CHEN ; Jin CHEN ; Runhua WU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(1):71-78
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of modified Ditan Decoction (涤痰汤) on chronic intermittent hypoxia cognitive function and the potential function mechanism. MethodsTwenty-four Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, and a modified Ditan Decoction group, with eight rats in each group. Rats in the modified Ditan Decoction group were administered the decoction by gavage at 14.8 ml/(kg·d), while the normal group and the model group received the same dose of normal saline. Thirty minutes after daily gavage, the rats in all three groups were placed in an intermittent hypoxia chamber. The oxygen concentration for the model group and the modified Ditan Decoction group was adjusted daily for 8 hours using a computer program to establish the model, while the normal group was exposed to the same airflow rate of ambient air. The intervention was continued for 12 weeks to establish a chronic intermittent hypoxia rat model. The Y-maze test was used to evaluate spatial working memory in the rats. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) was performed to detect whole-brain regional homogeneity (ReHo) and seed-based functional connectivity (FC). Brain regions showing significant differences in rs-fMRI were selected for further analysis. Immunofluorescence was used to detect β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition and the number of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (IBA1)-positive microglial cells. Immunohistochemistry was employed to assess the expression of synaptophysin (SYP), the excitatory synapse marker vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (Vglut1), and the inhibitory synapse marker vesicular γ-aminobutyric acid transporter (VGAT). ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed a reduced spontaneous alternation rate in the Y-maze test. The smoothed Z-score standardized regional homogeneity (SzReHo) value in the left entorhinal cortex significantly increased, and the FC value from this seed point to the left basal forebrain significantly reduced. Additionally, the model group exhibited significantly higher Aβ fluorescence intensity and Iba1 positivity in the left entorhinal cortex, decreased expression of SYP, Vglut1, and VGAT, along with an increased Vglut1/VGAT ratio (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared to the model group, the modified Ditan Decoction group demonstrated an increased spontaneous alternation rate, a significantly reduced SzReHo value in the left entorhinal cortex, and a significantly increased FC value from this region to the left basal forebrain. Furthermore, this group showed significantly lower Aβ fluorescence intensity and Iba1 positivity in the left entorhinal cortex, increased levels of SYP, Vglut1, and VGAT, and a decreased Vglut1/VGAT ratio (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionModified Ditan Decoction can reconstruct the projection from the left basal forebrain to the entorhinal cortex in chronic intermittent hypoxia, thereby reducing Aβ aggregation and excessive microglial activation in the left entorhinal cortex. This process improves the excitation/inhibition imbalance caused by synaptic remodeling, ultimately enhancing cognitive function in rats of chronic intermittent hypoxia.
6.Effect of optimizing the selection of implantable collamer lens on postoperative vaults based on ultrasound biomicroscopy related data
Liangding ZHENG ; Xiaoting XIAO ; Yali CHEN
International Eye Science 2025;25(3):469-474
AIM:To investigate the safety and efficacy of selecting implantable collamer lens(ICL)size for postoperative vaults using sulcus to sulcus(STS)and other data measured by ultrasound biomicroscopy(UBM), and to explore the relevant factors affecting vaults.METHODS: Prospective case observational study. A total of 95 patients(188 eyes)with ametropia who underwent ICL size optimization and 90 patients(174 eyes)without ICL size optimization, from January to December 2022 and underwent regular follow-up for 6 mo were selected. Patients were divided into an optimized group and a standard group based on whether ICL size optimization was performed. The patients were followed up at 1 d, 1 wk, 1, 3, and 6 mo, and uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), refraction state, intraocular pressure(IOP), corneal status, anterior chamber depth(ACD), angle opening, vaults and corneal endothelial cell count were collected.RESULTS: No significant difference in spherical equivalent, UCVA and BCVA was found between the two groups(all P >0.05). The safety index was 1.21±0.24 and 1.19±0.21 at 6 mo for the two groups, respectively, while the efficacy index were 1.18±0.22 and 1.07±0.26. The vaults at 6 mo for the two groups was 407.77±159.31 and 467.16±250.07 μm, respectively. In the optimization group, 92.0% of eyes achieved the desired vaults postoperatively, while 74.1% of eyes in the standard group reached the desired vaults. Both groups exhibited a slight downward trend in vaults over time, with no significant differences between the two groups(F=3.478, P=0.063). However, the standard group experienced 6 eyes of ICL replacement and 2 eyes of ICL removal due to acute angle-closure glaucoma induced by angle closure.CONCLUSION: Selecting the ICL size and determining the implantation orientation based on sulcus to sulcus(STS)and other data measured by UBM provides good safety, efficacy, and predictability for postoperative vaults.
7.Effect of optimizing the selection of implantable collamer lens on postoperative vaults based on ultrasound biomicroscopy related data
Liangding ZHENG ; Xiaoting XIAO ; Yali CHEN
International Eye Science 2025;25(3):469-474
AIM:To investigate the safety and efficacy of selecting implantable collamer lens(ICL)size for postoperative vaults using sulcus to sulcus(STS)and other data measured by ultrasound biomicroscopy(UBM), and to explore the relevant factors affecting vaults.METHODS: Prospective case observational study. A total of 95 patients(188 eyes)with ametropia who underwent ICL size optimization and 90 patients(174 eyes)without ICL size optimization, from January to December 2022 and underwent regular follow-up for 6 mo were selected. Patients were divided into an optimized group and a standard group based on whether ICL size optimization was performed. The patients were followed up at 1 d, 1 wk, 1, 3, and 6 mo, and uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), refraction state, intraocular pressure(IOP), corneal status, anterior chamber depth(ACD), angle opening, vaults and corneal endothelial cell count were collected.RESULTS: No significant difference in spherical equivalent, UCVA and BCVA was found between the two groups(all P >0.05). The safety index was 1.21±0.24 and 1.19±0.21 at 6 mo for the two groups, respectively, while the efficacy index were 1.18±0.22 and 1.07±0.26. The vaults at 6 mo for the two groups was 407.77±159.31 and 467.16±250.07 μm, respectively. In the optimization group, 92.0% of eyes achieved the desired vaults postoperatively, while 74.1% of eyes in the standard group reached the desired vaults. Both groups exhibited a slight downward trend in vaults over time, with no significant differences between the two groups(F=3.478, P=0.063). However, the standard group experienced 6 eyes of ICL replacement and 2 eyes of ICL removal due to acute angle-closure glaucoma induced by angle closure.CONCLUSION: Selecting the ICL size and determining the implantation orientation based on sulcus to sulcus(STS)and other data measured by UBM provides good safety, efficacy, and predictability for postoperative vaults.
8.Construction and application effect of “internet+”Tibetan-language medication service platform
Man LIU ; Liang YANG ; Linling WANG ; Yaqing OU ; Ling CHENG ; Liangfen WANG ; Yingqiang WANG ; Xiaoting TANG ; Rong CHEN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(12):1515-1519
OBJECTIVE To build a Tibetan-language medication service platform based on “internet+” and evaluate its effect on improving medication compliance and safety of Tibetan patients with chronic disease. METHODS Medication guidance contents of commonly used drugs in the outpatient department were summarized, translated and recorded in Tibetan-language or video to form a “text-audio-video” multi-dimensional “internet+ ” Tibetan-language medication service platform. A total of 387 Tibetan outpatients with chronic disease in our hospital after the implementation of “internet+” Tibetan-language medication service platform (from January 2024 to June 2024) in our hospital were selected as the intervention group, and 387 Tibetan outpatients before the implementation (from January 2023 to June 2023) were selected as the control group. Patients in the control group received conventional window-based Chinese-language medication services, while patients in the intervention group received both conventional window-based Chinese-language medication service and “internet+ ” Tibetan-language medication service. The medication compliance of patients was evaluated using the 12-item Medication Compliance Scale. A six-level causality assessment was conducted as the principles for analyzing adverse drug reactions (ADR) set by the National Center for ADR Monitoring. Additionally, statistics were compiled on the occurrence of ADR that were assessed as “definite”“probable” or “possible” in the causality assessment. RESULTS The proportion (31.0%) of patients with good medication compliance and compliance scores [39.0 (37.0,42.0)] of patients in the intervention group were significantly better than control group [7.0%, 21.0(19.0, 23.0)]( P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of various types of ADR or the overall incidence between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The “internet+” Tibetan-language medication service platform is constructed successfully; the service can effectively improve the medication compliance of Tibetan-language patients, but its effect on improving the medication safety of patients is limited.
9.Effects of point-moxibustion with Zhuang medicinal thread on pain sensitization and FcεRI pathway in rats with postherpetic neuralgia.
Sitong XIAN ; Chenglong WANG ; Caiyue LIN ; Guangtian HUANG ; Lingyao ZHOU ; Xiaoting FAN ; Chen LIN
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(6):801-807
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the effects of point-moxibustion with Zhuang medicinal thread on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG), tissue morphology, and the expression of Fc epsilon RI (FcεRI) pathway proteins spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) and membrane spanning 4-domain A2 (MS4A2) in rat model of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), and to explore the potential mechanism by which this therapy alleviates pain sensitization.
METHODS:
Thirty-nine male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, and a moxibustion group, with 13 rats in each group. The PHN model was established in the model and moxibustion groups by intraperitoneal injection of resiniferatoxin. In the moxibustion group, bilateral L4-L6 "Jiaji" (EX-B2) points were treated with point-moxibustion with Zhuang medicinal thread from day 7 post-modeling, with two cones per acupoint per session, every other day for a total of 10 sessions. Mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured at 1 day before modeling and on days 1, 4, 7, 13, 19, and 25 after modeling. After intervention, HE staining was used to observe DRG morphology. RNA sequencing was performed to analyze DEGs in DRG and conduct bioinformatics analysis. The expression of Syk and MS4A2 mRNA and proteins in the FcεRI pathway in DRG was detected by quantitative PCR and Western blot.
RESULTS:
Compared with the control group, the model group exhibited decreased MWT (P<0.05) and increased TWL (P<0.05); histopathological analysis revealed neuronal atrophy, nuclear displacement, and intracellular vacuoles, with a slightly loose arrangement; the RNA-Seq identified 3,207 DEGs (1,997 upregulated and 1,210 downregulated); the mRNA and protein expression levels of Syk and MS4A2 were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the moxibustion group showed increased MWT (P<0.05) and decreased TWL (P<0.05), with relatively normal neuronal morphology; the RNA-Seq identified 426 DEGs (250 upregulated and 176 downregulated); the mRNA and protein expression levels of Syk and MS4A2 were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Venn diagram analysis identified 156 DEGs that showed a reversal in expression trends after treatment, including Syk and MS4A2, which are associated with pain sensitization. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that these DEGs were primarily enriched in the FcεRI pathway.
CONCLUSION
Point-moxibustion with Zhuang medicinal thread could alleviate pain sensitization in PHN rats, possibly by inhibiting the FcεRI signaling pathway and downregulating the expression of Syk and MS4A2.
Animals
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Male
;
Rats
;
Moxibustion
;
Neuralgia, Postherpetic/physiopathology*
;
Syk Kinase/metabolism*
;
Acupuncture Points
;
Humans
;
Ganglia, Spinal/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction
10.Neurokinin 1 receptor inhibition alleviated mitochondrial dysfunction via restoring purine nucleotide cycle disorder driven by substance P in acute pancreatitis.
Chenxia HAN ; Lu LI ; Lin BAI ; Yaling WU ; Jiawang LI ; Yiqin WANG ; Wanmeng LI ; Xue REN ; Ping LIAO ; Xiaoting CHEN ; Yaguang ZHANG ; Fengzhi WU ; Feng LI ; Dan DU ; Qing XIA
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):3025-3040
Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a life-threatening gastrointestinal disorder for which no effective pharmacological treatments are currently available. One of the pharmacological targets that merits further research is the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R), which is found on pancreatic acinar cells and responds to the neuropeptide substance P (SP) that participates in AP. Although a few studies have stated the involvement of SP/NK1R in neurogenic inflammation in AP development, the regulatory mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we found that following activation of NK1R by SP, β-arrestin1, a scaffold protein of NK1R, down-regulated transcription of Adss, Adsl, and Ampd in the purine nucleotide cycle, thereby inhibiting mitochondrial function through fumarate depletion. Interestingly, we identified magnolol as a new and natural NK1R inhibitor with a non-nitrogenous biphenyl core structure. It exhibited a beneficial effect on AP by restoring purine nucleotide cycle metabolic enzymes and fumarate levels. Our study not only provides new therapeutic strategies, leading compounds, and drug translation possibilities for AP, but also provides important clues for the study of downstream mechanisms driven by SP in other diseases.

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