1.THBS4 in Disease: Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Therapeutic Opportunities
De-Ying HUANG ; Yan-Hong LI ; Xiu-Feng BAI ; Yi LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2217-2232
Thrombospondin 4 (THBS4; TSP4), a crucial component of the extracellular matrix (ECM), serves as an important regulator of tissue homeostasis and various pathophysiological processes. As a member of the evolutionarily conserved thrombospondin family, THBS4 is a multidomain adhesive glycoprotein characterized by six distinct structural domains that mediate its diverse biological functions. Through dynamic interactions with various ECM components, THBS4 plays pivotal roles in cell adhesion, proliferation, inflammation regulation, and tissue remodeling, establishing it as a key modulator of microenvironmental organization. The transcription and translation of THBS4 gene, as well as the activity of the THBS4 protein, are tightly regulated by multiple signaling pathways and extracellular cues. Positive regulators of THBS4 include transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), interferon-γ (IFNγ), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP12/13), and other regulatory factors (such as B4GALNT1, ITGA2/ITGB1, PDGFRβ, etc.), which upregulate THBS4 at the mRNA and/or protein level. Conversely, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OXLDL) acts as a potent negative regulator of THBS4. This intricate regulatory network ensures precise spatial and temporal control of THBS4 expression in response to diverse physiological and pathological stimuli. Functionally, THBS4 acts as a critical signaling hub, influencing multiple downstream pathways essential for cellular behavior and tissue homeostasis. The best-characterized pathways include: (1) the PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis, which THBS4 modulates through both direct and indirect interactions with integrins and growth factor receptors; (2) Wnt/β-catenin signaling, where THBS4 functions as either an activator or inhibitor depending on the cellular context; (3) the suppression of DBET/TRIM69, contributing to its diverse regulatory roles. These signaling connections position THBS4 as a master regulator of cellular responses to microenvironmental changes. Substantial evidence links aberrant THBS4 expression to a range of pathological conditions, including neoplastic diseases, cardiovascular disorders, fibrotic conditions, neurodegenerative diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, and atopic dermatitis. In cancer biology, THBS4 exhibits context-dependent roles, functioning either as a tumor suppressor or promoter depending on the tumor type and microenvironment. In the cardiovascular system, THBS4 contributes to both adaptive remodeling and maladaptive fibrotic responses. Its involvement in fibrotic diseases arises from its ability to regulate ECM deposition and turnover. The diagnostic and therapeutic potential of THBS4 is particularly promising in oncology and cardiovascular medicine. As a biomarker, THBS4 expression patterns correlate significantly with disease progression and patient outcomes. Therapeutically, targeting THBS4-mediated pathways offers novel opportunities for precision medicine approaches, including anti-fibrotic therapies, modulation of the tumor microenvironment, and enhancement of tissue repair. This comprehensive review systematically explores three key aspects of THBS4 research(1) the fundamental biological functions of THBS4 in ECM organization; (2) its mechanistic involvement in various disease pathologies; (3) its emerging potential as both a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target. By integrating recent insights from molecular studies, animal models, and clinical investigations, this review provides a framework for understanding the multifaceted roles of THBS4 in health and disease. The synthesis of current knowledge highlights critical research gaps and future directions for exploring THBS4-targeted interventions across multiple disease contexts. Given its unique position at the intersection of ECM biology and cellular signaling, THBS4 represents a promising frontier for the development of novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies in precision medicine.
2.Re-Exploration for Dietary Iodine Intake in Chinese Adults using the Obligatory Iodine Loss Hypothesis.
Xiao Bing LIU ; Jun WANG ; Ya Jie LI ; Hong Xing TAN ; De Qian MAO ; Yan Yan LIU ; Wei Dong LI ; Wei YU ; Jun An YAN ; Jian Hua PIAO ; Chong Zheng GUO ; Xiao Li LIU ; Xiao Guang YANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(8):952-960
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to reexplore minimum iodine excretion and to build a dietary iodine recommendation for Chinese adults using the obligatory iodine loss hypothesis.
METHODS:
Data from 171 Chinese adults (19-21 years old) were collected and analyzed based on three balance studies in Shenzhen, Yinchuan, and Changzhi. The single exponential equation was accordingly used to simulate the trajectory of 24 h urinary iodine excretion as the low iodine experimental diets offered (iodine intake: 11-26 μg/day) and to further deduce the dietary reference intakes (DRIs) for iodine, including estimated average requirement (EAR) and recommended nutrient intake (RNI).
RESULTS:
The minimum iodine excretion was estimated as 57, 58, and 51 μg/day in three balance studies, respectively. Moreover, it was further suggested as 57, 58, and 51 μg/day for iodine EAR, and 80, 81, and 71 μg/day for iodine RNI or expressed as 1.42, 1.41, and 1.20 μg/(day·kg) of body weight.
CONCLUSION
The iodine DRIs for Chinese adults were established based on the obligatory iodine loss hypothesis, which provides scientific support for the amendment of nutrient requirements.
Humans
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Iodine/administration & dosage*
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Male
;
Female
;
China
;
Young Adult
;
Diet
;
Adult
;
Nutritional Requirements
;
East Asian People
3.Research on prediction of fracture reduction fixator therapy based on multimodal multi-label method.
Hai-Yu LIU ; De-Long WANG ; Xing-Ping ZHANG ; Hong-de LI ; Yan SUN ; Xiao-Ping ZHANG
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(11):1164-1169
OBJECTIVE:
To construct a prediction model for fracture reduction fixator therapy using the multi-modal multi-label classification (MMC) method.
METHODS:
Medical record data of 818 orthopedic patients from 2019 to 2023 were collected. Medical image features were extracted using the VGG19 network, text features of TCM four diagnostic methods (Inspection, Auscultation & Olfaction, Inquiry, Palpation) were extracted via the MiniLM model, and clinical case features were extracted through a fully connected neural network. After fusing the multi-modal information, multi-label therapy prediction was achieved using a linear layer.
RESULTS:
Experimental results on the clinical multi-modal dataset showed that the MMC method performed excellently in terms of subset accuracy(SA), accuracy(Acc), precision, and F1-score, reaching 0.661, 0.856, 0.897, and 0.899 respectively. When the image modality and text modality were removed, the model performance decreased by an average of 8.1% and 2.4% respectively, while the hamming loss(HL) increased by 21.1% and 5.6% respectively.
CONCLUSION
The fracture reduction fixator therapy prediction model constructed in this study can effectively fuse multi-modal data, accurately predict personalized treatment plans for patients, and significantly improve the accuracy and reliability of treatment decisions. It provides a new solution for the digitalization and intellectualization of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) in fracture treatment and has important clinical application prospects.
Humans
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Female
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Fracture Fixation/methods*
;
Adult
;
Fractures, Bone/surgery*
;
Neural Networks, Computer
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Aged
4.The Valvular Heart Disease-specific Age-adjusted Comorbidity Index (VHD-ACI) score in patients with moderate or severe valvular heart disease.
Mu-Rong XIE ; Bin ZHANG ; Yun-Qing YE ; Zhe LI ; Qing-Rong LIU ; Zhen-Yan ZHAO ; Jun-Xing LV ; De-Jing FENG ; Qing-Hao ZHAO ; Hai-Tong ZHANG ; Zhen-Ya DUAN ; Bin-Cheng WANG ; Shuai GUO ; Yan-Yan ZHAO ; Run-Lin GAO ; Hai-Yan XU ; Yong-Jian WU
Journal of Geriatric Cardiology 2025;22(9):759-774
BACKGROUND:
Based on the China-VHD database, this study sought to develop and validate a Valvular Heart Disease- specific Age-adjusted Comorbidity Index (VHD-ACI) for predicting mortality risk in patients with VHD.
METHODS & RESULTS:
The China-VHD study was a nationwide, multi-centre multi-centre cohort study enrolling 13,917 patients with moderate or severe VHD across 46 medical centres in China between April-June 2018. After excluding cases with missing key variables, 11,459 patients were retained for final analysis. The primary endpoint was 2-year all-cause mortality, with 941 deaths (10.0%) observed during follow-up. The VHD-ACI was derived after identifying 13 independent mortality predictors: cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary artery hypertension, low body weight, anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, renal insufficiency, moderate/severe hepatic dysfunction, heart failure, cancer, NYHA functional class and age. The index exhibited good discrimination (AUC, 0.79) and calibration (Brier score, 0.062) in the total cohort, outperforming both EuroSCORE II and ACCI (P < 0.001 for comparison). Internal validation through 100 bootstrap iterations yielded a C statistic of 0.694 (95% CI: 0.665-0.723) for 2-year mortality prediction. VHD-ACI scores, as a continuous variable (VHD-ACI score: adjusted HR (95% CI): 1.263 (1.245-1.282), P < 0.001) or categorized using thresholds determined by the Yoden index (VHD-ACI ≥ 9 vs. < 9, adjusted HR (95% CI): 6.216 (5.378-7.184), P < 0.001), were independently associated with mortality. The prognostic performance remained consistent across all VHD subtypes (aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid valve disease, mixed aortic/mitral valve disease and multiple VHD), and clinical subgroups stratified by therapeutic strategy, LVEF status (preserved vs. reduced), disease severity and etiology.
CONCLUSION
The VHD-ACI is a simple 13-comorbidity algorithm for the prediction of mortality in VHD patients and providing a simple and rapid tool for risk stratification.
5.Expert consensus on the application of nasal cavity filling substances in nasal surgery patients(2025, Shanghai).
Keqing ZHAO ; Shaoqing YU ; Hongquan WEI ; Chenjie YU ; Guangke WANG ; Shijie QIU ; Yanjun WANG ; Hongtao ZHEN ; Yucheng YANG ; Yurong GU ; Tao GUO ; Feng LIU ; Meiping LU ; Bin SUN ; Yanli YANG ; Yuzhu WAN ; Cuida MENG ; Yanan SUN ; Yi ZHAO ; Qun LI ; An LI ; Luo BA ; Linli TIAN ; Guodong YU ; Xin FENG ; Wen LIU ; Yongtuan LI ; Jian WU ; De HUAI ; Dongsheng GU ; Hanqiang LU ; Xinyi SHI ; Huiping YE ; Yan JIANG ; Weitian ZHANG ; Yu XU ; Zhenxiao HUANG ; Huabin LI
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(4):285-291
This consensus will introduce the characteristics of fillers used in the surgical cavities of domestic nasal surgery patients based on relevant literature and expert opinions. It will also provide recommendations for the selection of cavity fillers for different nasal diseases, with chronic sinusitis as a representative example.
Humans
;
Nasal Cavity/surgery*
;
Nasal Surgical Procedures
;
China
;
Consensus
;
Sinusitis/surgery*
;
Dermal Fillers
6.Clinical value of endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 in cerebrospinal fluid on assessment of severity and outcome in patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury
De-wen RU ; Wen-na YAN ; Meng LIU ; Yu-qi WANG ; Er-song WANG ; Yu-feng YAN
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(4):506-512
Objective To investigate the changes in the concentration of endothelial cell-specific molecule-1(ESM-1)in cerebrospinal fluid during the acute phase of patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury(TBI)and its relationship with injury severity and outcomes.Methods Eighty-four patients with moderate to severe TBI who underwent ventriculostomy for intracranial pressure(ICP)monitoring at Department of Neurosurgery,Jinshan Hospital,Fudan University from Jan 2020 to Dec 2023 were selected as the study subjects,and their clinical data were collected.Based on the Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)upon admission,TBI patients were divided into moderate TBI group(GCS 9-12,n=48)and severe TBI group(GCS 3-8,n=36).According to the Glasgow Outcome Scale(GOS)at three months post-injury,the moderate to severe TBI patients were categorized into poor outcome group(GOS 1-3)and good outcome group(GOS 4-5).Patients were also classified based on ICP monitoring values into a normal ICP group(ICP≤15 mmHg),a mildly elevated ICP group(15 mmHg
7.Mechanism of silibinin derivative Sil-1 modulating MAPK signaling pathway to inhibit acute myocardial infarction in rats
Yi-fan LIU ; Meng LI ; De-yu CUI ; Xiao-yan LU ; Ting-bo NING ; Chun-xiu XU ; Jing-chun YAO ; Ji-dong ZHOU ; Zhong LIU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(8):1453-1462
Aim To study the protective effect of the silibinin derivative Sil-1 on acute myocardial ischemia in SD rats and its mechanism of action.Methods Af-ter 18 hours of oxygen-glucose deprivation and treat-ment of H9c2 cells,the protective effect of Sil-1 on rat cardiomyocytes was examined.SD rats were treated 30 minutes before surgery,followed by 24 h ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery.The cardiopro-tective effects of Sil-1 and its mechanisms for improving myocardial ischemic injury were investigated using pro-teomics technology.Results In vitro,compared with the control group,the activity of H9c2 cells in the mod-el group showed reduced cell viability,increased dead cells,elevated ROS and higher levels of LDH and in-flammatory cytokines TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 in the culture medium.Sil-1 could improve the above condi-tions to different degrees.In vivo,compared with the control group,rats in the model group showed signifi-cantly higher T waves on electrocardiogram,significant ischemic areas in the heart section,disorganized ar-rangement of cardiomyocytes,increased inflammatory factor infiltration and elevated CK,CK-MB,LDH and inflammatory factors TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1β.Besides,NF-κB phosphorylation levels in myocardial tissue in-creased.Sil-1 improved the above conditions to varying degrees.The results of proteomics showed that 90 pro-teins were found between the control vs model group and the Sil-1 vs model group,and KEGG enrichment a-nalysis showed that MAPK,chemokines,VEGF and other signaling pathways were abundant.Western blot results showed that Sil-1 blocked the phosphorylation of ERK,JNK and p38 MAPK.Conclusions Sil-1 inhib-its the MAPK pathway by blocking the phosphorylation of JNK,ERK,and p38 MAPK,and achieves a protec-tive effect on rats with acute myocardial infarction.
8.Emergency medical response strategy for the 2025 Dingri, Tibet Earthquake
Chenggong HU ; Xiaoyang DONG ; Hai HU ; Hui YAN ; Yaowen JIANG ; Qian HE ; Chang ZOU ; Si ZHANG ; Wei DONG ; Yan LIU ; Huanhuan ZHONG ; Ji DE ; Duoji MIMA ; Jin YANG ; Qiongda DAWA ; Lü ; JI ; La ZHA ; Qiongda JIBA ; Lunxu LIU ; Lei CHEN ; Dong WU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(04):421-426
This paper systematically summarizes the practical experience of the 2025 Dingri earthquake emergency medical rescue in Tibet. It analyzes the requirements for earthquake medical rescue under conditions of high-altitude hypoxia, low temperature, and low air pressure. The paper provides a detailed discussion on the strategic layout of earthquake medical rescue at the national level, local government level, and through social participation. It covers the construction of rescue organizational systems, technical systems, material support systems, and information systems. The importance of building rescue teams is emphasized. In high-altitude and cold conditions, rapid response, scientific decision-making, and multi-party collaboration are identified as key elements to enhance rescue efficiency. By optimizing rescue organizational structures, strengthening the development of new equipment, and promoting telemedicine technologies, the precision and effectiveness of medical rescue can be significantly improved, providing important references for future similar disaster rescues.
9.Abemaciclib plus non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor or fulvestrant in women with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer: Final results of the randomized phase III MONARCH plus trial.
Xichun HU ; Qingyuan ZHANG ; Tao SUN ; Yongmei YIN ; Huiping LI ; Min YAN ; Zhongsheng TONG ; Man LI ; Yue'e TENG ; Christina Pimentel OPPERMANN ; Govind Babu KANAKASETTY ; Ma Coccia PORTUGAL ; Liu YANG ; Wanli ZHANG ; Zefei JIANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(12):1477-1486
BACKGROUND:
In the interim analysis of MONARCH plus, adding abemaciclib to endocrine therapy (ET) improved progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR) in predominantly Chinese postmenopausal women with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer (ABC). This study presents the final pre-planned PFS analysis.
METHODS:
In the phase III MONARCH plus study, postmenopausal women in China, India, Brazil, and South Africa with HR+/HER2- ABC without prior systemic therapy in an advanced setting (cohort A) or progression on prior ET (cohort B) were randomized (2:1) to abemaciclib (150 mg twice daily [BID]) or placebo plus: anastrozole (1.0 mg/day) or letrozole (2.5 mg/day) (cohort A) or fulvestrant (500 mg on days 1 and 15 of cycle 1 and then on day 1 of each subsequent cycle) (cohort B). The primary endpoint was PFS of cohort A. Secondary endpoints included cohort B PFS (key secondary endpoint), ORR, overall survival (OS), safety, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
RESULTS:
In cohort A (abemaciclib: n = 207; placebo: n = 99), abemaciclib plus a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor improved median PFS vs . placebo (28.27 months vs . 14.73 months, hazard ratio [HR]: 0.476; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.348-0.649). In cohort B (abemaciclib: n = 104; placebo: n = 53), abemaciclib plus fulvestrant improved median PFS vs . placebo (11.41 months vs . 5.59 months, HR: 0.480; 95% CI: 0.322-0.715). Abemaciclib numerically improved ORR. Although immature, a trend toward OS benefit with abemaciclib was observed (cohort A: HR: 0.893, 95% CI: 0.553-1.443; cohort B: HR: 0.512, 95% CI: 0.281-0.931). The most frequent grade ≥3 adverse events in the abemaciclib arms were neutropenia, leukopenia, anemia (both cohorts), and lymphocytopenia (cohort B). Abemaciclib did not cause clinically meaningful changes in patient-reported global health, functioning, or most symptoms vs . placebo.
CONCLUSIONS:
Abemaciclib plus ET led to improvements in PFS and ORR, a manageable safety profile, and sustained HRQoL, providing clinical benefit without a high toxicity burden or reduced quality of life.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02763566).
Humans
;
Female
;
Fulvestrant/therapeutic use*
;
Breast Neoplasms/metabolism*
;
Aminopyridines/therapeutic use*
;
Benzimidazoles/therapeutic use*
;
Middle Aged
;
Aromatase Inhibitors/therapeutic use*
;
Aged
;
Receptor, ErbB-2/metabolism*
;
Adult
;
Letrozole/therapeutic use*
;
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use*
;
Anastrozole/therapeutic use*
10.Action mechanism of Epimedii folium-Astmgali radix membranaceus regulates SCF/c-kit and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways to control oligoasthenospermia
Yan-rong LI ; Zhen-dong CHEN ; Qiu-ju ZHANG ; Yi-wei JIANG ; Guang-wei LIU ; Fu-de YANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(9):1693-1699
Aim To explore the mechanism of Epimedii folium-Astmgali radix activating the SCF/c-kit signa-ling pathway to activate the PI3K/Akt signaling path-way and its effect on sperm production and vitality in oligoasthenospermia.Methods Sixty male SD rats were used to establish a model of oligoasthenospermia with cyclophosphamide.They were randomly divided into six groups:experimental group(further divided into high,medium,and low dose group),model group,control group and blank group.The oligoasthenosper-mia model was established by using cyclophosphamide in experimental group,levocarnitine group and model group.The rats in the high,medium,and low dose group of the experimental group were orally adminis-tered Epimedii folium-Astmgali radix extract at doses of 800,400,and 200 mg·kg-1,respectively,Once daily for 35 days.Rats of the control group were orally ad-ministered 250 mg·kg-1·d-1 of levocarnitine,Once daily for 35 days.ELISA was used to detect serum of T,E2,FSH,and LH.Western blot and IHC staining were used to detect the expression of SCF,c-kit,Bcl-2,Bax,PI3K,and Akt proteins in rat testicular tissues.Sperm activity is examined by microscopy.The testicu-lar tissue structure and cell morphology of rats in each group were observed.Results Compared with the model group,Epimedii folium-Astmgali radix increased the sperm density,total viability rate,and vitality(P<0.05,P<0.01),decreased sperm apoptosis rate and LH,T,and E2 levels(P<0.05,P<0.01),decreased Bax protein expression in testicular tissue(P<0.01),and increased Bcl-2,SCF,c-Kit,PI3K,and Akt protein expression(P<0.05,P<0.01);it increased the number of germ cells,thickened basement membrane,and significantly improved seminiferous tubule mor-phology,even showing germ cells at different develop-mental stages and mature sperm.Conclusions Epi-medii folium-Astmgali radix has a significant therapeu-tic effect on oligoasthenospermia in rats.Its mechanism may be related to the activation of the SCF/c-kit signa-ling pathway to activate the PI3K/Akt signaling path-way promoting the proliferation and differentiation of germ cells,and promoting sperm production,maturation and motility.

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