1.Z-DNA-binding protein 1-mediated programmed cell death: Mechanisms and therapeutic implications.
Yuwei HUANG ; Lian WANG ; Yanghui ZHU ; Xiaoxue LI ; Yingying DAI ; Gu HE ; Xian JIANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(19):2421-2451
Programmed cell death (PCD) is characterized as a cell death pathway governed by specific gene-encoding requirements, plays crucial roles in the homeostasis and innate immunity of organisms, and serves as both a pathogenic mechanism and a therapeutic target for a variety of human diseases. Z-DNA-binding protein 1 (ZBP1) functions as a cytosolic nucleic acid sensor, utilizing its unique Zα domains to detect endogenous or exogenous nucleic acids and its receptor-interacting protein homotypic interaction motif (RHIM) domains to sense or bind specific signaling molecules, thereby exerting regulatory effects on various forms of PCD. ZBP1 is involved in apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and PANoptosis and interacts with molecules, such as receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3), to influence cell fate under various pathological conditions. It plays a crucial role in regulating PCD during infections, inflammatory and neurological diseases, cancers, and other conditions, affecting disease onset and progression. Targeting ZBP1-associated PCD may represent a viable therapeutic strategy for related pathological conditions. This review comprehensively summarizes the regulatory functions of ZBP1 in PCD and its interactions with several closely associated signaling molecules and delineates the diseases linked to ZBP1-mediated PCD, along with the potential therapeutic implications of ZBP1 in these contexts. Ongoing research on ZBP1 is being refined across various disease models, and these advancements may provide novel insights for studies focusing on PCD, potentially leading to new therapeutic options for related diseases.
2.Safety and effectiveness of lecanemab in Chinese patients with early Alzheimer's disease: Evidence from a multidimensional real-world study.
Wenyan KANG ; Chao GAO ; Xiaoyan LI ; Xiaoxue WANG ; Huizhu ZHONG ; Qiao WEI ; Yonghua TANG ; Peijian HUANG ; Ruinan SHEN ; Lingyun CHEN ; Jing ZHANG ; Rong FANG ; Wei WEI ; Fengjuan ZHANG ; Gaiyan ZHOU ; Weihong YUAN ; Xi CHEN ; Zhao YANG ; Ying WU ; Wenli XU ; Shuo ZHU ; Liwen ZHANG ; Naying HE ; Weihuan FANG ; Miao ZHANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Huijun JU ; Yaya BAI ; Jun LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(22):2907-2916
INTRODUCTION:
Lecanemab has shown promise in treating early Alzheimer's disease (AD), but its safety and efficacy in Chinese populations remain unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and 6-month clinical outcomes of lecanemab in Chinese patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild AD.
METHODS:
In this single-arm, real-world study, participants with MCI due to AD or mild AD received biweekly intravenous lecanemab (10 mg/kg). The study was conducted at Hainan Branch, Ruijin Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Patient enrollment and baseline assessments commenced in November 2023. Safety assessments included monitoring for amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) and other adverse events. Clinical and biomarker changes from baseline to 6 months were evaluated using cognitive scales (mini-mental state examination [MMSE], montreal cognitive assessment [MoCA], clinical dementia rating-sum of boxes [CDR-SB]), plasma biomarker analysis, and advanced neuroimaging.
RESULTS:
A total of 64 patients were enrolled in this ongoing real-world study. Safety analysis revealed predominantly mild adverse events, with infusion-related reactions (20.3%, 13/64) being the most common. Of these, 69.2% (9/13) occurred during the initial infusion and 84.6% (11/13) did not recur. ARIA-H (microhemorrhages/superficial siderosis) and ARIA-E (edema/effusion) were observed in 9.4% (6/64) and 3.1% (2/64) of participants, respectively, with only two symptomatic cases (one ARIA-E presenting with headache and one ARIA-H with visual disturbances). After 6 months of treatment, cognitive scores remained stable compared to baseline (MMSE: 22.33 ± 5.58 vs . 21.27 ± 4.30, P = 0.733; MoCA: 16.38 ± 6.67 vs . 15.90 ± 4.78, P = 0.785; CDR-SB: 2.30 ± 1.65 vs . 3.16 ± 1.72, P = 0.357), while significantly increasing plasma amyloid-β 42 (Aβ42) (+21.42%) and Aβ40 (+23.53%) levels compared to baseline.
CONCLUSIONS:
Lecanemab demonstrated a favorable safety profile in Chinese patients with early AD. Cognitive stability and biomarker changes over 6 months suggest potential efficacy, though high dropout rates and absence of a control group warrant cautious interpretation. These findings provide preliminary real-world evidence for lecanemab's use in China, supporting further investigation in larger controlled studies.
REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT07034222.
Humans
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Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy*
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Male
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Female
;
Aged
;
Middle Aged
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Cognitive Dysfunction/drug therapy*
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Aged, 80 and over
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Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism*
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Biomarkers
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East Asian People
3.Intervention of natural products targeting novel mechanisms after myocardial infarction.
Guangjie TAI ; Renhua LIU ; Tian LIN ; Jiancheng YANG ; Xiaoxue LI ; Ming XU
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(6):658-672
Myocardial infarction is a cardiovascular disease (CVD) with high morbidity and mortality, which can trigger a cascade of cardiac pathophysiological changes, including fibrosis, inflammation, ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), and ventricular remodeling, ultimately leading to heart failure (HF). While conventional pharmacological treatments and clinical reperfusion therapy may enhance short-term prognoses and emergency survival rates, both approaches have limitations and adverse effects. Natural products (NPs) are extensively utilized as therapeutics globally, with some demonstrating potentially favorable therapeutic effects in preclinical and clinical pharmacological studies, positioning them as potential alternatives to modern drugs. This review comprehensively elucidates the pathophysiological mechanisms during myocardial infarction and summarizes the mechanisms by which NPs exert cardiac beneficial effects. These include classical mechanisms such as inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress, alleviation of cardiomyocyte death, attenuation of cardiac fibrosis, improvement of angiogenesis, and emerging mechanisms such as cardiac metabolic regulation and histone modification. Furthermore, the review emphasizes the modulation by NPs of novel targets or signaling pathways in classical mechanisms, including other forms of regulated cell death (RCD), endothelial-mesenchymal transition, non-coding ribonucleic acids (ncRNAs) cascade, and endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) function. Additionally, NPs influencing a particular mechanism are categorized based on their chemical structure, and their relevance is discussed. Finally, the current limitations and prospects of NPs therapy are considered, highlighting their potential for use in myocardial infarction management and identifying issues that require urgent attention.
Humans
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Myocardial Infarction/genetics*
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Biological Products/therapeutic use*
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Animals
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Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
4.New tetrahydroanthraquinones and γ-butenolides from the fungus Auxarthron umbrinum DSM3193.
Ling TIAN ; Bingyu LIU ; Qian WEI ; Chen ZHANG ; Jiamin SHANG ; Xiaoxue LI ; Xiuying YANG ; Jinhua WANG ; Youcai HU
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(8):951-960
Nine novel compounds, comprising seven tetrahydroanthraquinones (auxarthrolones A-G, 1-7), a γ-butenolide glycoside (malfilamentoside E, 26), and a γ-butenolide (auxarthrolide A, 27), together with eighteen known compounds (8-25) were isolated from rice-based solid culture of Auxarthron umbrinum (A. umbrinum) DSM3193 using the one strain many compounds (OSMAC) approach. The structural elucidation of these compounds was accomplished through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry (MS), and NMR calculation combined with DP4+ analysis or MAEΔΔδ parameter, while the absolute configurations of new compounds were established through single-crystal X-ray diffraction, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopic data analysis and/or chemical derivatization. Austrocortilutein (10) and auxarthrol H (14) demonstrated moderate cytotoxicity against U87 and U251 [half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) 3.5-12.1 μmol·L-1]. Additionally, auxarthrolone A (1), auxarthrol H (14), eupolyphagin B (15), and 7-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxypropyl)-5-methylchromone (17) exhibited torsional effects on fibroblast proliferation challenges induced by oleic acid, thus demonstrating fibroblast proliferation-promoting activity.
4-Butyrolactone/pharmacology*
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Molecular Structure
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Anthraquinones/pharmacology*
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Humans
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Animals
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Mice
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Cell Line, Tumor
;
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
5.Li Huilin's Experience in Treating Acne Through the Therapy of Unblocking Triple Energizer and Opening Xuanfu
Hongli WANG ; Yuxin YAN ; Xiaoxue YANG ; Shufang CHU ; Huilin LI
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(5):1250-1254
The triple energizer is the pathway for the transportation and metabolism of qi,blood and body fluid in the body,and the xuanfu(sweat pores)is the way for the ascending,descending,exiting,and entering of qi movement in the muscular striae and the exterior.Professor Li Huilin believes that the pathogenesis of acne is usually due to the dysfunction of triple energizer and the stagnation of depressed yang-heat,which result into the abnormal opening and closing of the xuanfu and the accumulation of heat-toxin in the muscular striae.For the treatment of acne with traditional Chinese medicine,it is necessary to pay attention to the regulation of triple energizer-xuanfu.The treatment should be based on unblocking therapy,and the therapeutic principle of unblocking triple energizer and opening xuanfu should be taken into account.In clinical practice,it is necessary to identify the syndromes of upper energizer,middle energizer and lower energizer.The syndrome of the upper energizer is often due to fire-heat,which results from the wind-heat in lung meridian or the exuberance of heart fire.The upper-energizer syndrome can be treated by the therapy of relieving and clearing the pathogens with light and mild drugs,expelling fire-heat to open sweat pores,and through the modified use of Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodou Decoction,Ma Xing Shi Gan Decoction,or Puji Xiaodu Decoction.The syndrome of the middle energizer is usually due to the qi stagnation,which results from intense stomach-heat,damp-heat in the spleen and stomach,liver depression and qi stagnation,or spleen deficiency with dampness accumulation.The middle-energizer syndrome can be treated by the therapy of regulating qi movement to relieve stagnation and open sweat pores,and through the modified use of Qingwei san,Sanren Decoction,Huanglian Wendan Decoction,Chaihu Shugan Powder,or Heqi Powder.The syndrome of the lower energizer is often due to healthy-qi deficiency,which results from yin deficiency of liver and kidney,or deficiency-cold in lower energizer.The lower-energizer syndrome can be treated by the therapy of cultivating the vital essence and consolidating vital base,supplementing deficiency to open sweat pores,and through the modified use of Liuwei Dihuang Pills or Yanghe Decoction.
6.Data Mining in the Medication Rules of Li Huilin in Treating Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Complicated with Hypothyroidism
Xiaoxue YANG ; Chenyang WANG ; Mengru YAN ; Hongli WANG ; Xueqi HU ; Shufang CHU ; Huilin LI
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(7):1779-1785
Objective To explore the medication rules of Professor Li Huilin in treating Hashimoto's thyroiditis(HT)complicated with hypothyroidism using data mining techniques based on the R language.Methods Prescription data of the patients with HT complicated with hypothyroidism treated by Professor Li Huilin in outpatient clinics from March 2023 to March 2024 were collected.A database was established using Microsoft Excel 2021,and R language was employed to analyze the frequency,efficacy,properties and flavors,and meridian tropism of the medicinals from Chinese herbal prescriptions.Additionally,correlation analysis,association rule analysis,and cluster analysis were performed on the medicines from Chinese herbal prescriptions.Results A total of 57 Chinese herbal prescriptions involving 125 medicinals with 782 medication frequencies were included.The top 10 frequently-used medicinals were Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle(Zhigancao),Angelicae Sinensis Radix(Danggui),Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma(Baizhu),Astragali Radix(Huangqi),Bupleuri Radix(Chaihu),Cinnamomi Ramulus(Guizhi),Leonuri Herba(Yimucao),Paeoniae Radix Alba(Baishao),Poria(Fuling),and Fici Simplicissimae Radix(Wuzhimaotao).Most of the medicinals had therapeutic action of tonifying deficiency.The analysis of properties and flavors showed that the majority of medicinals were mild or warm in nature,and sweet in flavor.The top three meridians having the tropism of medicinals were the liver,lung,and spleen meridians.Correlation analysis identified five strongly-correlated herbal combinations.Association rule mining revealed a core herbal combination consisting of seven medicinals of Zhigancao,Huangqi,Danggui,Chaihu,Codonopsis Radix(Dangshen),Baizhu,and Cyperi Rhizoma(Xiangfu).Cluster analysis of medicinals with a frequency of≥5 yielded five groups of herbal combination.Conclusion For the treatment of HT complicated with hypothyroidism,Professor Li Huilin follows the principle of addressing the root cause of the disease,and focuses on strengthening the spleen and replenishing qi.Moreover,attention is given to soothing the liver and regulating qi,harmonizing qi and blood simultaneously,and treating symptoms and root cause simultaneously.
7.Association Between Low Birth Weight and Dementia Risk:A Large-scale Prospective Study
Xinyue YU ; Qingping XUE ; Jingyi LI ; Peiqi ZHANG ; Qingqing OUYANG ; Xiaoxue LUO ; Qian HE ; Yongliu WANG ; Ying ZHAO ; Xiangwang HE ; Fan LI ; Yunhaonan YANG ; Xiongfei PAN
Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) 2025;56(3):697-710
Objective To investigate the association between birth weight and dementia risk and the mediating roles of chronic diseases,and to assess potential biological pathways underlying the birth weight-associated dementia risk based on large-scale proteomics.Methods We used data from 279 743 participants aged 40 to 69 years enrolled in the UK Biobank.Birth weight was categorized into low birth weight(≤2 500 g),normal birth weight(2 500-3 999 g),and macrosomia(≥4 000 g).Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the associations between birth weight categories and all-cause dementia and its subtypes(Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia).Proteomics analyses were conducted to identify proteins and the potential pathways involved.Results Low birth weight was associated with higher risks for all-cause dementia and its subtypes.The hazard ratios were 1.18(95%CI,1.08-1.30)for all-cause dementia,1.14(95%CI,1.00-1.31)for Alzheimer's disease,and 1.22(95%CI,1.01-1.48)for vascular dementia.A non-linear relationship was observed between birth weight and dementia risk(P for nonlinearity<0.001).Certain cardiometabolic diseases in middle-aged adults,such as diabetes,stroke,hypertension,and dyslipidemia,played a significant mediating role in the relationship between low birth weight and dementia risk,with the mediation proportion being 6.3%to 15.8%.Proteomic analyses identified 21 proteins linked to both low birth weight and all-cause dementia risk,which were significantly enriched in the pathways for viral protein interaction with cytokines and cytokine receptors,adipocytokine signaling,and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction.Conclusion Low birth weight is positively associated with dementia risk.Cardiometabolic diseases in middle-aged adults may mediate the relationship between low birth weight and dementia risk.A number of proteins and the associated pathways underscore the relationship between low birth weight and dementia risk.
8.Analysis of the current situation and related factors of the knowledge, behavior and educational attitude of sexual abuse prevention among primary school students in Luzhou City
LI Mao, CHEN Xiaoxue, YANG Wenxiu, XU Sijia, LIAO Maoxu, ZHANG Rong, YE Yunli
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(11):1536-1540
Objective:
To assess the current situation and related factors of the knowledge, attitude and behavior toward sexual abuse prevention among primary school students in Luzhou City, Sichuan Province, so as to provide a reference basis for the development of sexual abuse prevention education for primary school students.
Methods:
A total of 4 563 primary school students in Luzhou City were sampled from December 2023 to January 2024 by stratified cluster sampling, and self administered questionnaires were conducted. The binary Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze related factors of the knowledge, attitude and behavior toward sexual abuse prevention.
Results:
The qualified rates of knowledge, behavior and attitude among primary school students towards sexual abuse prevention in Luzhou were 76.2%, 21.3%, and 90.2 %, respectively. The binary Logistic regression showed that males ( OR=0.66, 95%CI =0.56-0.78), attending rural schools ( OR=0.77, 95%CI =0.64-0.92), left behind status ( OR=0.66, 95%CI =0.53-0.81), and household registration in Lu County ( OR=0.57, 95%CI =0.46-0.70) and Gulin County ( OR=0.70, 95%CI =0.57-0.86) had lower qualified rates of the knowledge of sexual abuse prevention among primary school students ( P < 0.05 ); while qualified knowledge of sexual abuse prevention was positively associated with grade ( OR =3.05-18.81); attending rural schools ( OR=0.82, 95%CI =0.70-0.95) and not having received education on prevention of sexual abuse ( OR=0.55, 95%CI = 0.47-0.64) had lower qualified rates of the behavior of sexual abuse prevention among primary school students ( P <0.05); household registration in Lu County ( OR=0.73, 95%CI =0.58-0.92) and not having received education on prevention of sexual abuse ( OR=0.33, 95%CI =0.26-0.40) had lower qualified rates of the educational attitudes of sexual abuse prevention among primary school students ( P <0.05).
Conclusions
The qualified rates of knowledge and behavior of sexual abuse prevention among primary school students in Luzhou City needs to be improved. Health education regarding sexual abuse prevention might help enhance primary school students awareness and skills of sexual abuse prevention.
9.Influence on Inflammation of Huoxue Qingjieling on Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Rats Based on TGR5/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway
Xijing LI ; Hongsheng SHEN ; Luyao WANG ; Guixian ZHANG ; Xiaoxue CUI ; Weiwei LIU ; Xiumei ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(10):1324-1331
OBJECTIVE
Based on the G protein-coupled bile acid receptor(TGR5)/nucleotide binding oligomerization domain-like receptor 3(NLRP3) signaling pathway, to explore the mechanism of Huoxue Qingjieling in improving the inflammatory response of rats with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH).
METHODS
A total of 70 male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, 20 rats in the control group, 20 rats in the model group, 10 rats in each of the atorvastatin positive drug group, the high-dose and low-dose groups of Huoxue Qingjieling. The control group was given normal feed, and the rest of the groups were given high-fat diet. Through model evaluation, it was determined that the NASH rat model was successfully established at the end of the 20th week. After successful modeling, the control group and the model group were given with normal saline by intragastric administration, the atorvastatin positive drug group, and the high and low dose groups of Huoxue Qingjieling were given corresponding drugs once a day for 4 weeks. At the end of the 24th week, the rats were killed, and the changes of body weight, wet liver weight and liver index was calculated. The serum was taken to test the triglyceride(TG), total cholesterol(TC), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), and aspartic acid aminotransferase(AST) levels by automatic biochemical analyzer. Pathological changes of liver tissues were observed by HE staining and oil red O staining. The expression levels of TGR5 and NLRP3 proteins were detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. ELISA detected the content of interleukin-18(IL-18) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) in liver tissue.
RESULTS
Huoxue Qingjieling could significantly improve the general state of NASH rats. Every dose group could significantly reduce the body weight, liver wet weight and liver index of rats(P<0.01), and TG, TC content and ALT, AST activity levels of serum significantly decreased(P<0.01). The pathological results showed that Huoxue Qingjieling could significantly improve liver steatosis, inflammation and balloon-like. The expression of TGR5 protein was significantly increased(P<0.01), the expression of NLRP3 protein and the content of IL-18, IL-1β were significantly decreased(P<0.01, P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Huoxue Qingjieling can significantly improve the state of NASH rats, inhibit liver steatosis and inflammation, and its mechanism may be closely related to the inhibition of TGR5/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
10.Exploration and practice of the course of Geriatric Nursing: taking Peking Union Medical College as an example
Haiou ZOU ; Xiaopeng HUO ; Chao SUN ; Xiaoxue LI ; Aimin GUO
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2024;23(2):151-155
The Peking Union Medical College School of Nursing has been dedicated to exploring the education of undergraduate students specializing in geriatric nursing since 2016. Through seven years of exploration and practice, aiming at the pain points and difficulties in the process of cultivating geriatric nursing students, the teaching team has developed a progressive and modular curriculum system, with the goal of training geriatric nursing professionals with specialized knowledge and practical innovation abilities, on the platform of a seamless teaching practice base connecting settings from laboratory to community/elderly care institutions/hospital to society, with an emphasis on the integration of ideological and political education with geriatric nursing education. Moreover, a specialized faculty team has been established. This course serves as a model for nurturing excellent nursing professionals possessing the right values and outlook on life as well as ability to cope with the national challenges posed by aging populations.


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