1.Efficacy Analysis of Imatinib Neoadjuvant Therapy in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Rectal Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors
Jiayuan DAI ; Jin XU ; Min SHEN ; Yi XIAO ; Guole LIN ; Junyang LU
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(1):27-33
To investigate the clinical efficacy of neoadjuvant imatinib in the treatment of rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Patients with rectal GIST who underwent surgery at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2015 to January 2025 were included. Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into the neoadjuvant therapy group (received preoperative imatinib) and the control group (underwent direct surgery without preoperative imatinib). Clinical outcomes and recurrence rates were compared between the two groups. A total of 74 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were included, with 43 included in the neoadjuvant therapy group and 31 included in the control group. Baseline evaluation showed that the median tumor diameter was significantly larger in the neoadjuvant therapy group than that in the control group [5.0(2.9, 7.1)cm Neoadjuvant therapy with imatinib can effectively reduce tumor volume in patients with rectal GIST. However, its therapeutic benefit still needs to be further validated by prospective, large-sample clinical studies with long-term follow-up.
2.Neuroprotective Effects of Transcranial Magneto-acoustic Stimulation on Parkinson’s Disease Model Mice by Regulating Mitophagy and Mitochondrial Homeostasis
Shuai ZHANG ; Yan-Bin WANG ; Yi-Hao XU ; Jin-Rui MI ; Xiao-Chao LU ; Yu-Chen AN ; Ji-Zhou LIU ; Jia-Qi SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1457-1470
ObjectiveTranscranial magneto-acoustic stimulation (TMAS) is an emerging non-invasive neuromodulation technique that may provide a novel non-pharmacological intervention strategy for Parkinson's disease (PD). PD is characterized by the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), leading to motor impairments such as bradykinesia, tremor, and rigidity. Increasing evidence indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired mitochondrial quality control are central mechanisms underlying dopaminergic neuronal loss. In particular, abnormalities in mitophagy and mitochondrial fission-fusion balance contribute substantially to oxidative stress, energy metabolic failure, and neuronal injury. At present, most clinical treatments for PD mainly alleviate symptoms but do not effectively halt disease progression. Therefore, exploring new interventions targeting the core pathological mechanisms is of considerable significance. This study aims to investigate whether TMAS can improve neural damage and motor dysfunction in PD mice by regulating mitophagy and the fission/fusion dynamic balance, thereby providing theoretical and experimental support for its application in PD treatment. MethodsMale C57BL/6 mice were used in this study. A PD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) for 7 consecutive days. After model induction, mice in the intervention group received TMAS once daily for 14 consecutive days, whereas the corresponding control group received sham stimulation. The stimulation target was positioned over the primary motor cortex (M1). Motor performance was evaluated using the pole test and the open-field test. To verify the activation effect of TMAS on the target cortical region, c-Fos immunohistochemistry was performed in the M1. To assess nigral dopaminergic neuronal injury, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry was used to quantify TH-positive neurons in the SNc. Mitochondrial function was evaluated by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content in the SNc. Western blot was further performed to determine the expression of mitophagy-related proteins, including PINK1, Parkin, LC3-II, and p62, as well as mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins, including Drp1 and Opa1. ResultsTMAS significantly increased the number of c-Fos-positive cells in M1 (P<0.000 1), indicating effective activation of neurons in the targeted cortical region. Compared with the control group, MPTP-treated mice exhibited marked motor dysfunction, including a significant reduction in total distance traveled in the open-field test (P<0.000 1) and mean speed (P=0.000 1), as well as significant prolongation of turn time and total climbing time in the pole test (P<0.000 1). These behavioral impairments were accompanied by a substantial loss of TH-positive dopaminergic neurons in the SNc, whereas TMAS significantly increased TH-positive neuron survival (P<0.000 1). In parallel, MPTP induced a pronounced increase in ROS levels and a significant reduction in ATP content, indicating severe mitochondrial dysfunction and energy metabolism impairment (P<0.01). TMAS treatment significantly improved motor performance, as reflected by the reversal of MPTP-induced impairment in the open-field and pole tests, and significantly reduced ROS accumulation (P<0.01) while restoring ATP production (P<0.001). At the molecular level, MPTP markedly downregulated PINK1 and Parkin, decreased p62 expression, increased LC3-II accumulation, elevated Drp1 expression, and reduced Opa1 expression, whereas TMAS significantly reversed these abnormalities, suggesting restoration of mitophagy-related mitochondrial quality control and re-establishment of mitochondrial fission-fusion balance. Collectively, these findings indicate that TMAS ameliorates MPTP-induced neurotoxicity and restores mitochondrial homeostasis and energy metabolism. ConclusionTMAS effectively attenuates neural damage and improves motor dysfunction in MPTP-induced PD mice. Its neuroprotective effects are closely associated with multidimensional regulation of the mitochondrial quality control system, including restoration of PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy and rebalancing of Drp1/Opa1-related mitochondrial dynamics. Rather than acting only as a symptomatic neuromodulatory intervention, TMAS may influence a key pathological axis of PD by improving mitochondrial homeostasis in SNc and protecting nigral dopaminergic neurons. These findings provide experimental evidence supporting TMAS as a promising non-invasive physical intervention for PD.
3.Neuroprotective Effects of Transcranial Magneto-acoustic Stimulation on Parkinson’s Disease Model Mice by Regulating Mitophagy and Mitochondrial Homeostasis
Shuai ZHANG ; Yan-Bin WANG ; Yi-Hao XU ; Jin-Rui MI ; Xiao-Chao LU ; Yu-Chen AN ; Ji-Zhou LIU ; Jia-Qi SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1457-1470
ObjectiveTranscranial magneto-acoustic stimulation (TMAS) is an emerging non-invasive neuromodulation technique that may provide a novel non-pharmacological intervention strategy for Parkinson's disease (PD). PD is characterized by the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), leading to motor impairments such as bradykinesia, tremor, and rigidity. Increasing evidence indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired mitochondrial quality control are central mechanisms underlying dopaminergic neuronal loss. In particular, abnormalities in mitophagy and mitochondrial fission-fusion balance contribute substantially to oxidative stress, energy metabolic failure, and neuronal injury. At present, most clinical treatments for PD mainly alleviate symptoms but do not effectively halt disease progression. Therefore, exploring new interventions targeting the core pathological mechanisms is of considerable significance. This study aims to investigate whether TMAS can improve neural damage and motor dysfunction in PD mice by regulating mitophagy and the fission/fusion dynamic balance, thereby providing theoretical and experimental support for its application in PD treatment. MethodsMale C57BL/6 mice were used in this study. A PD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) for 7 consecutive days. After model induction, mice in the intervention group received TMAS once daily for 14 consecutive days, whereas the corresponding control group received sham stimulation. The stimulation target was positioned over the primary motor cortex (M1). Motor performance was evaluated using the pole test and the open-field test. To verify the activation effect of TMAS on the target cortical region, c-Fos immunohistochemistry was performed in the M1. To assess nigral dopaminergic neuronal injury, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry was used to quantify TH-positive neurons in the SNc. Mitochondrial function was evaluated by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content in the SNc. Western blot was further performed to determine the expression of mitophagy-related proteins, including PINK1, Parkin, LC3-II, and p62, as well as mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins, including Drp1 and Opa1. ResultsTMAS significantly increased the number of c-Fos-positive cells in M1 (P<0.000 1), indicating effective activation of neurons in the targeted cortical region. Compared with the control group, MPTP-treated mice exhibited marked motor dysfunction, including a significant reduction in total distance traveled in the open-field test (P<0.000 1) and mean speed (P=0.000 1), as well as significant prolongation of turn time and total climbing time in the pole test (P<0.000 1). These behavioral impairments were accompanied by a substantial loss of TH-positive dopaminergic neurons in the SNc, whereas TMAS significantly increased TH-positive neuron survival (P<0.000 1). In parallel, MPTP induced a pronounced increase in ROS levels and a significant reduction in ATP content, indicating severe mitochondrial dysfunction and energy metabolism impairment (P<0.01). TMAS treatment significantly improved motor performance, as reflected by the reversal of MPTP-induced impairment in the open-field and pole tests, and significantly reduced ROS accumulation (P<0.01) while restoring ATP production (P<0.001). At the molecular level, MPTP markedly downregulated PINK1 and Parkin, decreased p62 expression, increased LC3-II accumulation, elevated Drp1 expression, and reduced Opa1 expression, whereas TMAS significantly reversed these abnormalities, suggesting restoration of mitophagy-related mitochondrial quality control and re-establishment of mitochondrial fission-fusion balance. Collectively, these findings indicate that TMAS ameliorates MPTP-induced neurotoxicity and restores mitochondrial homeostasis and energy metabolism. ConclusionTMAS effectively attenuates neural damage and improves motor dysfunction in MPTP-induced PD mice. Its neuroprotective effects are closely associated with multidimensional regulation of the mitochondrial quality control system, including restoration of PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy and rebalancing of Drp1/Opa1-related mitochondrial dynamics. Rather than acting only as a symptomatic neuromodulatory intervention, TMAS may influence a key pathological axis of PD by improving mitochondrial homeostasis in SNc and protecting nigral dopaminergic neurons. These findings provide experimental evidence supporting TMAS as a promising non-invasive physical intervention for PD.
4.Quantitative Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer MRI for Diagnosing Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy Activity: A Prospective Feasibility Study
YunMeng WANG ; WeiYi ZHOU ; YuanYuan CUI ; JianKun DAI ; YuXin CHENG ; QingQing WEN ; TianYi XING ; HongBiao SUN ; Song JIANG ; MeiLing XU ; ZhenHuan WANG ; Yan SONG ; Tuo LI ; Yi XIAO
Korean Journal of Radiology 2026;27(2):161-173
Objective:
This prospective study evaluated the feasibility of chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI for assessing disease activity in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO).
Materials and Methods:
A total of 88 patients with active TAO, 76 with inactive TAO, and 30 healthy controls were enrolled. CEST MRI-derived magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and MTR asymmetry (MTRasym) at 1 ppm, 2 ppm, and 3.5 ppm were calculated. Clinical data, MTR, and MTRasym values for the extraocular muscles (one representative muscle per eye, yielding two measurements per participant) were compared among the groups. Spearman’s correlation was used to examine associations between imaging parameters and the clinical activity score (CAS) in patients with TAO. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent associations between imaging parameters and disease activity in patients with TAO (active vs. inactive). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic performance for discriminating active from inactive TAO.
Results:
Patients with active TAO showed lower MTR values (P < 0.001) and higher MTRasym (1 ppm), MTRasym (2 ppm), and MTRasym (3.5 ppm) (all P < 0.001) compared with those with inactive TAO. MTR was negatively correlated with CAS (r = -0.402; P < 0.001), while MTRasym (1 ppm), MTRasym (2 ppm), and MTRasym (3.5 ppm) were positively correlated with CAS (r = 0.369, 0.350, and 0.349, respectively;all P < 0.001). MTR and MTRasym (1 ppm) were independently associated with TAO activity. The areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) for MTR and MTRasym (1 ppm) in discriminating active from inactive TAO were 0.772 and 0.730, respectively. Combining MTR with MTRasym (1 ppm) significantly improved diagnostic performance compared with either parameter alone, achieving an AUC of 0.805 (P = 0.029 and 0.001).
Conclusion
MTR and MTRasym (1 ppm) were independently associated with TAO activity. Their combination further enhanced diagnostic performance in distinguishing active from inactive TAO, suggesting their potential as quantitative imaging biomarkers to guide treatment in patients with TAO.
5.Response to Comments on “Pretreatment 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT to Predict the Response to Treatment With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Plus Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma”
Shao-Hao CHEN ; Xiao-Hui WU ; Qian-Ren-Shun QIU ; Shao-Ming CHEN ; Jie ZANG ; Jun-Ming ZHU ; Cheng-Long ZENG ; Wei-Bing MIAO ; Xue-Yi XUE ; Ning XU
Korean Journal of Radiology 2026;27(2):188-190
6.Discussion on Pathogenesis and Treatment of Esophageal Precancerous Lesions from the Perspective of "Turbidity Damaging the Clear and Harmonious"
Cong HE ; Tingting XU ; Yi WANG ; Jing KONG ; Xiao WANG ; Xiaosu WANG ; Shumiao FAN ; Shengliang ZHU ; Bingduo ZHOU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(13):1397-1402
It is considered that "turbid pathogen damaging the clear, and the loss of clarity and harmony regulation" is the core pathogenesis of esophageal precancerous lesions, with turbid pathogen persisting throughout the disease course. Turbid pathogen encompasses qi turbidity, phlegm turbidity, stasis turbidity, and toxin turbidity, closely related to dietary indiscretion, emotional disharmony, spleen-stomach deficiency, and kidney deficiency failing to consolidate. Turbid pathogen undergoes a dynamic evolution process of qi constraint generating turbid→ phlegm-stasis transforming into toxin→turbidity toxin harming the healthy qi, corresponding to the pathological alterations of hypoxia, inflammation and immunosuppression within the tumor microenvironment. The overall therapeutic principle is to remove turbidity and restore clarity. In the early stage, targeting the hypoxic tumor microenvironment, the suggested treatment method is opening constraint and dispersing the block, regulating qi and remove turbidity, with emphasis on soothing liver and regulating stomach, raising the clear and directing the turbid downward. In the middle stage, targeting inflammatory microenvironment, the treatment aims to clear toxin and dissipate nodules, resolve stasis and eliminate turbid, emphasizing phlegm-stasis elimination, turbid-toxin resolution, and concurrent stomach qi protection. In the late stage, corresponding to immunosuppressive microenvironment, the method of boosting qi, nourishing yin, reinforcing healthy qi, and eliminating turbidity can be used, with focus on spleen-stomach tonification, kidney essence replenishment, and healthy qi reinforcement to expel pathogenic factors.
7.STUDY ON THE POPULATION STRUCTURE OF MOSQUITOES AND THE APPLICATION OF MOSQUITO-REPELLENT SILICONE-BASED OIL FILM IN THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM OF MINHANG DISTRICT,SHANGHAI
Min-Hui ZHU ; Li-Jun LIU ; Lu ZHANG ; Xiao-Sa WEN ; Zhi-Yin XU ; Zhao-Wen ZHANG ; Yi-Bin ZHOU
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2025;32(2):105-111
Objective Understanding the population structure of mosquitoes in the drainage system of Minhang District,Shanghai,and exploring the physical prevention and control technology of mosquito traps with a Vazor mosquito repellent film in the drainage system.Methods A 500 mL water spoon was used to assist in visual inspection to investigate the breeding status of mosquito larvae in the drainage system.A carbon dioxide mosquito trap method was used to monitor adult mosquitoes around the ground drainage system,and the artificial hour method was used to monitor adult mosquitoes around the underground drainage system.Mosquito-repellent film was applied at a rate of 1 mL/m2 to the drainage system where mosquito larvae or pupae are found,and the breeding situation was observed and recorded.Results The positivity rate of mosquitoes breeding in the ground drainage system was 50%.The mosquito larvae in the drainage channels were primarily Aedes albopictus,whereas Ae.albopictus were primarily noted in the sewage wells.The proportions of Ae.albopictus and Culex pipiens pallens in the rainwater wells were similar,and the dominant mosquito species around the surface drainage system was Ae.Albopictus.The positive rate of mosquito breeding in the underground drainage system was 47%,with the dominant mosquito species being Cx.pipiens pallens(58.39%)followed by Ae.albopictus(41.6%).The dominant adult mosquito species around the drainage system were Cx.pipiens pallens(83%)followed by Ae.albopictus(11%).In terms of the effectiveness of mosquito-repellent water film,the mosquito breeding rates of the ground and underground drainage systems using mosquito-repellent water film decreased to 2.78%and 5%after 1 week of use,respectively,and then rebounded after the 3rd week.After a supplementary dose during the 5th week,the breeding rates returned to normal.No statistically significant differences were observed in the effect compared with the standard control group using 1%bisulfite granules;however,a statistically significant difference was noted compared with the blank control group without special treatment.Conclusions In the drainage system of Minhang District,Shanghai,mosquito breeding is severe,and variations exist in the dominant mosquito species in different environmental drainage facilities.The simultaneous use of mosquito-repellent films can effectively control mosquito breeding in drainage systems.
8.C1q-like protein 4 promotes invasion and metastasis of breast cancer BT549 cells by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway
Xiao LI ; Bo ZHAO ; Qing ZHANG ; Yi DONG ; Fan XU
Tumor 2025;45(1):12-21
Objective:To explore the effect of C1q like protein 4(C1ql4)on migration and invasion of breast cancer and its mechanism.Methods:Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression level of C1ql4 mRNA in tumor tissues and paracancerous tissues from 50 cases of breast cancer,as well as the breast cells including T549 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells,and MCF-10A normal breast cells.The siRNA targeting C1ql4 gene(siC1ql4)was synthesized and transfected into BT549 breast cancer cells by liposome transfection,and the silencing efficiency was detected by Western blotting.MTT assay was used to detect the proliferative ability of the cells in each group,the invasive ability of the cells was detected by Transwell assay,and the migratory ability of the cells was detected by scratch healing assay.Western blotting was used to detect the proliferative ability of the cells in each group.The expression levels of Snail,Slug,nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)and phospho-NF-κB(p-NF-κB)were detected.The immunofluorescence was used to localize the distribution of NF-κB.Real-time fluorescence PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of the NF-κB target genes TNF-α and IL-1β.Results:The expression level of C1ql4 mRNA in breast cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in paracancerous tissues,and the expression level of C1ql4 mRNA in BT549 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells was significantly higher than that in MCF-10A normal breast cells(P<0.05).After silencing C1ql4 expression,the proliferation,invasion and migration abilities of BT549 cells were significantly decreased(all P<0.001);the mRNA and prorein expression levels of Snail and Slug were significantly down-regulated(both P<0.001),and the mRNA expression levels of TNFα and IL-1β were significantly reduced(both P<0.001).The amount of NF-κB entering the nucleus was reduced,and the ratio of p-NF-κB to NF-κB was reduced(both P<0.05).Conclusion:The C1ql4 gene may regulate migration and invasion of breast cancer cells and promote breast cancer progression through the NF-κB pathway.
9.Clinical effect of drug-coated balloon combined with drug eluting stent on coronary bifurcation le-sions
Zong-yu XU ; Xiao-ming WANG ; Zhou-tong LI ; Yi-wei CHEN ; Jin-quan JIANG
Chinese Journal of cardiovascular Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;34(4):487-492
Objective:To explore the therapeutic effect of drug-coated balloon(DCB)combined drug-eluting stent(DES)on coronary bifurcation lesions.Methods:A total of 108 patients with coronary bifurcation lesions admitted in Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Huangpu Branch,Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine between February 2021 and March 2023 were enrolled in this randomized controlled study.Patients were randomly divided into combined treatment group(n=54,DCB was implanted in the sub-branch,and DES was implanted in the main branch)and DES group(n=54,DES were implanted in both main branch and sub-branch).Clinical therapeutic effect,coronary angiography quantitative parameters before,instant and 9 months after operation and clinical out-comes during 1-year follow-up after operation were compared between two groups.Results:The total effective rate of combined treatment group was significantly higher than that of DES group(96.30%vs.87.04%,P=0.030).Compared to those in DES group,instant and 9 months after operation,patients in the combined treatment group had significant higher diameters of main branch vessel[(3.13±0.31)mm vs.(3.01±0.25)mm,(2.99±0.33)mm vs.(2.84±0.23)mm],sub-branch vessel[(2.51±0.26)mm vs.(2.42±0.13)mm,(2.44±0.24)mm vs.(2.29±0.36)mm],and significant lower main branch stenosis rate[(6.05±0.21)%vs.(6.24±0.31)%,(9.06±0.23)%vs.(10.12±0.12)%]and sub-branch stenosis rate[(7.38±0.42)%vs.(7.63±0.18)%,(8.07±0.39)%vs.(11.25±0.22)%](P<0.05 or<0.01).There were no significant difference in incidence of target lesion revascularization,cardiogenic death and major adverse cardiovascular events between two groups(P>0.05 all).Conclusion:Drug-eluting stent combined drug-coated balloon may promote vascular branch dilation of coro-nary artery lesions,increase the minimum lumen diameter of sub-branch vessels,and reduce the occurrence of ste-nosis in the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesion,which had similar effectiveness and safety with drug-eluting stent technique.
10.Kui Jie Kang regulates intestinal FXR and affects bile acid metabolism in treatment of ulcerative colitis in mice
Rong-yi XU ; Xiao-si LI ; Jian-guo MA ; Xue-qing YANG ; Hua-ning WANG ; Yan QI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(2):383-391
Aim To explore the effects of Kui Jie Kang(KJK)on modulating the farnesoid X receptor(FXR)pathway in the gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism in mice with ulcerative colitis(UC).Methods Mice were subjected to DSS-induced UC and randomly as-signed to the control(CON),model(MOD),and two KJK-dosed groups(KJK.H at 12.8 g·kg-1,KJK.L at 3.2 g·kg-1).Mouse body weight was recorded,and disease activity index(DAI)was scored.The his-topathological changes in colonic tissue were observed via HE staining,and the number of goblet cells and mucosal layer repair were assessed using PAS and Al-cian blue staining.Bile acid content in feces was measured using LC-MS/MS,gut microbiota composition was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing,and the expression of FXR target genes and related proteins was detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.Results KJK significantly ameliorated colonic shortening,de-creased disease activity index in UC mice,reduced his-topathological scores,increased the number of goblet cells and mucus secretion,altered the levels of primary and secondary bile acids,and increased the relative a-bundance of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus.Additionally,it significantly upregulated the expression of FXR and FGF15 mRNA and protein in colonic tissue and downregulated the expression of hepatic CYP7A1 mRNA,and the correlation analysis in this study clearly revealed a significant correlation between bile acid me-tabolism disorders and gut microbiota imbalance in UC.Conclusion KJK activates the intestinal FXR-FGF15-CYP7A1 pathway,thereby regulating bile acid metabolism and restoring gut microbiota balance,which may be key to its improvement of UC.

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