1.Research progress on the mechanisms of Tibetan medicine Gentianopsis paludosa and its chemical components against ulcerative colitis and associated fibrosis
Huan LI ; Qing NIE ; Yongkang AN ; Shuangxi ZHANG ; Xiang’an ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(5):676-681
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic and relapsing inflammatory disease of the intestine. Intestinal fibrosis represents a severe co mplication and a potential risk factor for malignant transformation. Gentianopsis paludosa is one of the traditional Tibetan medicines commonly used for treating gastrointestinal disorders such as damp-heat diarrhea and dysentery. Its chemical composition is complex, encompassing xanthones, flavonoids, terpenoids, and other bioactive components, and it exhibits properties such as clearing heat, eliminating dampness, and detoxifying. This article reviews the research progress on the pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanisms of G. paludosa against UC and associated fibrosis. Findings suggest that its extracts (e.g., aqueous extract, ethyl acetate extract) and active constituents (e.g., 1-hydroxy-3,7,8-trimethoxyxanthone, ursolic acid, swertiamarin, luteolin) may inhibit inflammatory cytokines, combat oxidative stress, suppress cell apoptosis, regulate intestinal microbiota and their metabolites, protect the intestinal mucosal barrier, modulate immune responses, and inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition, through modulating relevant signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor-kappa B, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)/Bcl-2-associated X protein, and transforming growth factor-β 1 /Smad, thus exerting therapeutic effects against UC and its related fibrosis via these seven aspects.
2.68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/MR for predicting pathological complete response to neoadjuvant immunotherapy in patients with gastrointestinal cancer
Xiao ZHANG ; Yuan FENG ; Chunxia QIN ; Yongkang GAI ; Weiwei RUAN ; Mengting LI ; Xiaoli LAN
Chinese Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2025;45(3):144-148
Objective:To determine if preoperative 68Ga-fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI)-04 PET/MR could contribute to predicting pathological complete response (pCR) in patients with gastrointestinal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant immunotherapy. Methods:In this retrospective study, 35 patients (23 males, 12 females, age (59.1±7.9) years) with gastrointestinal cancer who underwent 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/MR after receiving neoadjuvant immunotherapy between February 2021 and January 2024 were enrolled. Clinical data, PET imaging parameters including SUV, peak of SUV normalized by lean body mass (SUL peak), FAPI-positive tumor volume (FTV), and total FAPI-positive lesion burden (TLF), and pathological data were collected and analyzed. Patients were divided into pCR group and non-pCR group, and the independent-sample t test or Mann-Whitney U test was performed to compare those parameters between the 2 groups. ROC curve analysis (Delong test) was performed to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of each parameter to predict pCR. Results:The overall pCR rate of the neoadjuvant therapy was 40.0%(14/35). In the visual evaluation, 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET was limited in predicting pCR, showing false positivity in 12 patients and false negative in 1 patent. While SUV max( t=2.50, P=0.018), SUL peak( t=3.11, P=0.004), FTV( U=3.00, P=0.030) and TLF( U=2.96, P=0.042) in non-pCR group were all higher than those in pCR group. The predictive efficiency of FTV <1.925cm 3 for pCR was better than the efficiency of PET visual evaluation ( Z=3.61, P<0.001), with the prediction accuracy of 82.86%(29/35). Conclusions:68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/MR may provide an effective clinical tool for guiding further treatment of patients with gastrointestinal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant immunotherapy. The quantitative features derived from 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET appear promising in predicting pCR, which are expected to provide a reference for avoiding surgery.
3.Research progress on the control and utilization of microorganisms in the space-based animal culture
Haonan FAN ; Xiangyang LIU ; Yongkang TANG ; Panfeng BAI ; Mingjun DENG ; Liangchang ZHANG ; Qiang BIAN
Space Medicine & Medical Engineering 2025;36(3):278-282
The control and utilization of microorganisms in space-based animal culture constitute a pivotal challenge underpinning research domains such as space life sciences and extraterrestrial life-support system.This paper systematically examines the origins,transmission routes,and latent risks of microbial contamination in space-based animal culture facilities.A comprehensive analysis is conducted on the advancements in on-orbit implementation of microbial containment strategies,including physical filtration systems,antimicrobial surface coatings,and environmental parameter optimization.Additionally,the study evaluates the prospective applications of probiotic consortia and functionally engineered microorganisms in enhancing animal welfare,stabilizing biosphere conditions,and enabling closed-loop waste recycling.Notably,this work highlights the paradigm shift from reactive microbial suppression to proactive microbiome engineering in space-based animal husbandry,thereby establishing a theoretical framework for sustainable development of space-based animal culture.
4.Effect of PRND downregulation on proliferation, migration, and invasion of renal cancer cells
Yongkang MA ; Jiangshan PENG ; Jiuwen ZHANG ; Huaqi YIN ; Tiejun YANG
Chinese Journal of Urology 2025;46(4):287-294
Objective:To investigate the effects of PRND downregulation on the proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities of human renal carcinoma cells.Methods:Clinical and transcriptomic data from renal carcinoma patients were analyzed using the TCGA database, with bioinformatics methods employed for differential gene expression analysis and survival analysis [including overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS)]. Postoperative pathological specimens from 50 renal carcinoma patients admitted to Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University between January 2022 and January 2023 were collected for immunohistochemical staining to assess PRND expression in renal carcinoma tissues. Two distinct small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) were used to downregulate PRND expression in renal carcinoma cell lines ACHN and 769P. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blotting were performed to validate the knockdown efficiency of PRND at the mRNA and protein levels. The proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities of ACHN and 769P cells were evaluated using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), cell migration assay, and invasion assay, which was compared between the negative control group (NC) and the two PRND knockdown groups (si1 and si2). Western blotting was used to measure the expression levels of MMP-9, E-cadherin, C-myc, Vimentin, β-catenin, and PD-L1 proteins in ACHN and 769P cell lines.Results:TCGA database analysis revealed that PRND expression was significantly higher in renal carcinoma tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues (1.172 vs. 0.383, P<0.01). Survival analysis indicated that high PRND expression was significantly negatively correlated with both OS ( P<0.01) and DFS ( P<0.01). CCK-8 assay results showed no statistically significant differences in cell viability between the experimental and control groups at 6 hours (ACHN-si1: 1.238±0.659, ACHN-si2: 1.437±0.359, ACHN-NC: 3.234±2.165, P>0.05). However, significant differences were observed at 24 hours (ACHN-si1: 5.608±0.716, ACHN-si2: 7.088±0.308, ACHN-NC: 9.764±1.088, P<0.01), 48 hours (ACHN-si1: 40.422±1.419, ACHN-si2: 41.238±2.623, ACHN-NC: 65.823±4.337, P<0.01), and 72 hours (ACHN-si1: 53.667±4.565, ACHN-si2: 54.533±2.572, ACHN-NC: 78.800±0.265, P<0.01). Similar trends were observed in 769P cells (6 hours: P>0.05; 24 hours: P<0.05; 48 and 72 hours: P<0.01). Cell migration assays demonstrated significantly reduced migration in the experimental groups (ACHN-si1: 31±10, ACHN-si2: 62±19, ACHN-NC: 175±45, P<0.01; 769P-si1: 79±16, 769P-si2: 62±14, 769P-NC: 236±77, P<0.05). Invasion assays also showed significant suppression in the experimental groups (ACHN-si1: 13±9, ACHN-si2: 15±8, ACHN-NC: 54±12, P<0.01; 769P-si1: 17±13, 769P-si2: 19±17, 769P-NC: 91±29, P<0.01). Western blotting revealed that C-myc, β-catenin, MMP-9, Vimentin, and PD-L1 protein levels were lower in the experimental groups, while E-cadherin expression was higher compared to the control groups. Conclusions:PRND is significantly overexpressed in renal carcinoma tissues and closely associated with poor patient prognosis. Downregulation of PRND markedly inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of renal carcinoma cells, potentially through modulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins and key molecules involved in tumor metastasis.
5.Clinical application of intraperitoneal chemotherapy ports in patients with gastric cancer and peritoneal metastases
Zhong ZHANG ; Sheng LU ; Yaping GUO ; Feng BIAN ; Yongkang XU ; Xiaodong MO ; Hexia LUO ; Xinyu TANG ; Min SHI ; Jun ZHANG ; Chao YAN ; Yu CHEN ; Zhenggang ZHU
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2025;28(5):521-527
Objective:To evaluate the clinical value and safety of an intraperitoneal chemotherapy port technique in patients with gastric cancer and peritoneal metastases undergoing intraperitoneal chemotherapy.Methods:This was a retrospective, descriptive case analysis. From November 2022 to October 2024, patients diagnosed with gastric cancer and peritoneal metastases at Wuxi Branch of Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine with an expected survival >3 months, underwent laparoscopic exploration combined with implantation of an intraperitoneal chemotherapy port [PORT-A-CATH II system (Model 21-4055-24)] implantation. The procedure was as follows: (1) after laparoscopic exploration, a 4-cm skin incision was made at a predetermined site and a subcutaneous pocket created by dissecting to the muscle fascia and removing subcutaneous fat as needed to position the port septum 0.5-1.0 cm from the skin surface; (2) under direct laparoscopic visualization, the abdominal cavity was punctured and a guidewire inserted, followed by an 8.5 Fr sheath, through which a catheter with three trimmed side holes was placed after removal of the sheath; (3) the catheter length in the abdominal cavity was adjusted to 25–30 cm and the catheter trimmed, and connected to the port base, ensuring it extended beyond the connector's visible hole; (4) the whole port was placed within the subcutaneous pocket, and non-absorbable sutures used to create a double purse-string suture at the catheter's abdominal entry, forming an anti-reflux ring; (5) non-absorbable sutures were used to securely fix the port to the fascia through its four base holes and the exposed catheter segments on the fascia sutured and buried; (6) patency was confirmed by injecting saline and followed by intermittent skin closure provided there was no bleeding; and (7) the catheter tip was positioned in the pelvic cavity under laparoscopic guidance. Postoperatively, the patients underwent normothermic intraperitoneal and systemic treatment. The port infusion protocol involved disinfecting the skin (>10 cm diameter) around the port, confirming the puncture site, inserting a Huber needle vertically at 90° to the port base, infusing 100 mL saline to ensure patency, followed by continuous infusion of 1000 mL paclitaxel solution, and sealing with 20 mL saline before removing the needle. No saline flushing was required between chemotherapy infusions. The primary outcomes were the incidence and management of complications post-port implantation.Results:The study cohort comprised 225 patients with gastric cancer and peritoneal metastases. Using standardized port implantation and postoperative puncture procedures, the complication rate during follow-up was 14.2% (32/225), including effusion in 14 patients (6.2%), port infection in 10 (4.4%), incision dehiscence in four (1.8%), port inversion in two (0.9%), hematoma in one (0.4%), and catheter rupture in one (0.4%). Seventy-five percent (24/32) of patients with complications recovered and continued using the port after conservative treatments (e. g., aspiration of effusions, antibiotic therapy, incision management), whereas the remaining 25.0% (8/32) with complications required surgical removal of the port because the treatment was ineffective. The presence of preoperative ascites ( P=0.019) and peritoneal cancer index score>15 ( P=0.038) were significantly associated with development of complications. Conclusions:Our standardized procedure for intraperitoneal chemotherapy port implantation is safe and feasible for patients with gastric cancer and peritoneal metastases, having a low overall complication rate. Most complications can be successfully managed with conservative treatment, the device thus providing reliable support for intraperitoneal chemotherapy.
6.Research status and progress in animal models of senile osteoporosis
Tonghai ZHANG ; Lining WANG ; Yongkang HU ; Tianci MA ; Anyang HAN ; Yong MA ; Yang GUO
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(3):440-448
Senile osteoporosis is a growing public health challenge with significant impacts on the daily life of the elderly population as a result of its hidden nature,high prevalence,and high risk of disability.Suitable animal models that simulate senile osteoporosis are crucial for understanding its pathological mechanism and to facilitate the development of anti-osteoporosis drugs and identify new therapeutic targets.This review considers the most commonly used method for creating animal models of senile osteoporosis,analyzes their advantages and limitations,and discusses research progress in animal models in terms of evaluation indicators,to provide references for research using animal models of senile osteoporosis.
7.Research status and progress in animal models of senile osteoporosis
Tonghai ZHANG ; Lining WANG ; Yongkang HU ; Tianci MA ; Anyang HAN ; Yong MA ; Yang GUO
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(3):440-448
Senile osteoporosis is a growing public health challenge with significant impacts on the daily life of the elderly population as a result of its hidden nature,high prevalence,and high risk of disability.Suitable animal models that simulate senile osteoporosis are crucial for understanding its pathological mechanism and to facilitate the development of anti-osteoporosis drugs and identify new therapeutic targets.This review considers the most commonly used method for creating animal models of senile osteoporosis,analyzes their advantages and limitations,and discusses research progress in animal models in terms of evaluation indicators,to provide references for research using animal models of senile osteoporosis.
8.Clinical application of intraperitoneal chemotherapy ports in patients with gastric cancer and peritoneal metastases
Zhong ZHANG ; Sheng LU ; Yaping GUO ; Feng BIAN ; Yongkang XU ; Xiaodong MO ; Hexia LUO ; Xinyu TANG ; Min SHI ; Jun ZHANG ; Chao YAN ; Yu CHEN ; Zhenggang ZHU
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2025;28(5):521-527
Objective:To evaluate the clinical value and safety of an intraperitoneal chemotherapy port technique in patients with gastric cancer and peritoneal metastases undergoing intraperitoneal chemotherapy.Methods:This was a retrospective, descriptive case analysis. From November 2022 to October 2024, patients diagnosed with gastric cancer and peritoneal metastases at Wuxi Branch of Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine with an expected survival >3 months, underwent laparoscopic exploration combined with implantation of an intraperitoneal chemotherapy port [PORT-A-CATH II system (Model 21-4055-24)] implantation. The procedure was as follows: (1) after laparoscopic exploration, a 4-cm skin incision was made at a predetermined site and a subcutaneous pocket created by dissecting to the muscle fascia and removing subcutaneous fat as needed to position the port septum 0.5-1.0 cm from the skin surface; (2) under direct laparoscopic visualization, the abdominal cavity was punctured and a guidewire inserted, followed by an 8.5 Fr sheath, through which a catheter with three trimmed side holes was placed after removal of the sheath; (3) the catheter length in the abdominal cavity was adjusted to 25–30 cm and the catheter trimmed, and connected to the port base, ensuring it extended beyond the connector's visible hole; (4) the whole port was placed within the subcutaneous pocket, and non-absorbable sutures used to create a double purse-string suture at the catheter's abdominal entry, forming an anti-reflux ring; (5) non-absorbable sutures were used to securely fix the port to the fascia through its four base holes and the exposed catheter segments on the fascia sutured and buried; (6) patency was confirmed by injecting saline and followed by intermittent skin closure provided there was no bleeding; and (7) the catheter tip was positioned in the pelvic cavity under laparoscopic guidance. Postoperatively, the patients underwent normothermic intraperitoneal and systemic treatment. The port infusion protocol involved disinfecting the skin (>10 cm diameter) around the port, confirming the puncture site, inserting a Huber needle vertically at 90° to the port base, infusing 100 mL saline to ensure patency, followed by continuous infusion of 1000 mL paclitaxel solution, and sealing with 20 mL saline before removing the needle. No saline flushing was required between chemotherapy infusions. The primary outcomes were the incidence and management of complications post-port implantation.Results:The study cohort comprised 225 patients with gastric cancer and peritoneal metastases. Using standardized port implantation and postoperative puncture procedures, the complication rate during follow-up was 14.2% (32/225), including effusion in 14 patients (6.2%), port infection in 10 (4.4%), incision dehiscence in four (1.8%), port inversion in two (0.9%), hematoma in one (0.4%), and catheter rupture in one (0.4%). Seventy-five percent (24/32) of patients with complications recovered and continued using the port after conservative treatments (e. g., aspiration of effusions, antibiotic therapy, incision management), whereas the remaining 25.0% (8/32) with complications required surgical removal of the port because the treatment was ineffective. The presence of preoperative ascites ( P=0.019) and peritoneal cancer index score>15 ( P=0.038) were significantly associated with development of complications. Conclusions:Our standardized procedure for intraperitoneal chemotherapy port implantation is safe and feasible for patients with gastric cancer and peritoneal metastases, having a low overall complication rate. Most complications can be successfully managed with conservative treatment, the device thus providing reliable support for intraperitoneal chemotherapy.
9.68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/MR for predicting pathological complete response to neoadjuvant immunotherapy in patients with gastrointestinal cancer
Xiao ZHANG ; Yuan FENG ; Chunxia QIN ; Yongkang GAI ; Weiwei RUAN ; Mengting LI ; Xiaoli LAN
Chinese Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2025;45(3):144-148
Objective:To determine if preoperative 68Ga-fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI)-04 PET/MR could contribute to predicting pathological complete response (pCR) in patients with gastrointestinal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant immunotherapy. Methods:In this retrospective study, 35 patients (23 males, 12 females, age (59.1±7.9) years) with gastrointestinal cancer who underwent 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/MR after receiving neoadjuvant immunotherapy between February 2021 and January 2024 were enrolled. Clinical data, PET imaging parameters including SUV, peak of SUV normalized by lean body mass (SUL peak), FAPI-positive tumor volume (FTV), and total FAPI-positive lesion burden (TLF), and pathological data were collected and analyzed. Patients were divided into pCR group and non-pCR group, and the independent-sample t test or Mann-Whitney U test was performed to compare those parameters between the 2 groups. ROC curve analysis (Delong test) was performed to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of each parameter to predict pCR. Results:The overall pCR rate of the neoadjuvant therapy was 40.0%(14/35). In the visual evaluation, 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET was limited in predicting pCR, showing false positivity in 12 patients and false negative in 1 patent. While SUV max( t=2.50, P=0.018), SUL peak( t=3.11, P=0.004), FTV( U=3.00, P=0.030) and TLF( U=2.96, P=0.042) in non-pCR group were all higher than those in pCR group. The predictive efficiency of FTV <1.925cm 3 for pCR was better than the efficiency of PET visual evaluation ( Z=3.61, P<0.001), with the prediction accuracy of 82.86%(29/35). Conclusions:68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/MR may provide an effective clinical tool for guiding further treatment of patients with gastrointestinal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant immunotherapy. The quantitative features derived from 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET appear promising in predicting pCR, which are expected to provide a reference for avoiding surgery.
10.Effect of PRND downregulation on proliferation, migration, and invasion of renal cancer cells
Yongkang MA ; Jiangshan PENG ; Jiuwen ZHANG ; Huaqi YIN ; Tiejun YANG
Chinese Journal of Urology 2025;46(4):287-294
Objective:To investigate the effects of PRND downregulation on the proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities of human renal carcinoma cells.Methods:Clinical and transcriptomic data from renal carcinoma patients were analyzed using the TCGA database, with bioinformatics methods employed for differential gene expression analysis and survival analysis [including overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS)]. Postoperative pathological specimens from 50 renal carcinoma patients admitted to Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University between January 2022 and January 2023 were collected for immunohistochemical staining to assess PRND expression in renal carcinoma tissues. Two distinct small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) were used to downregulate PRND expression in renal carcinoma cell lines ACHN and 769P. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blotting were performed to validate the knockdown efficiency of PRND at the mRNA and protein levels. The proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities of ACHN and 769P cells were evaluated using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), cell migration assay, and invasion assay, which was compared between the negative control group (NC) and the two PRND knockdown groups (si1 and si2). Western blotting was used to measure the expression levels of MMP-9, E-cadherin, C-myc, Vimentin, β-catenin, and PD-L1 proteins in ACHN and 769P cell lines.Results:TCGA database analysis revealed that PRND expression was significantly higher in renal carcinoma tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues (1.172 vs. 0.383, P<0.01). Survival analysis indicated that high PRND expression was significantly negatively correlated with both OS ( P<0.01) and DFS ( P<0.01). CCK-8 assay results showed no statistically significant differences in cell viability between the experimental and control groups at 6 hours (ACHN-si1: 1.238±0.659, ACHN-si2: 1.437±0.359, ACHN-NC: 3.234±2.165, P>0.05). However, significant differences were observed at 24 hours (ACHN-si1: 5.608±0.716, ACHN-si2: 7.088±0.308, ACHN-NC: 9.764±1.088, P<0.01), 48 hours (ACHN-si1: 40.422±1.419, ACHN-si2: 41.238±2.623, ACHN-NC: 65.823±4.337, P<0.01), and 72 hours (ACHN-si1: 53.667±4.565, ACHN-si2: 54.533±2.572, ACHN-NC: 78.800±0.265, P<0.01). Similar trends were observed in 769P cells (6 hours: P>0.05; 24 hours: P<0.05; 48 and 72 hours: P<0.01). Cell migration assays demonstrated significantly reduced migration in the experimental groups (ACHN-si1: 31±10, ACHN-si2: 62±19, ACHN-NC: 175±45, P<0.01; 769P-si1: 79±16, 769P-si2: 62±14, 769P-NC: 236±77, P<0.05). Invasion assays also showed significant suppression in the experimental groups (ACHN-si1: 13±9, ACHN-si2: 15±8, ACHN-NC: 54±12, P<0.01; 769P-si1: 17±13, 769P-si2: 19±17, 769P-NC: 91±29, P<0.01). Western blotting revealed that C-myc, β-catenin, MMP-9, Vimentin, and PD-L1 protein levels were lower in the experimental groups, while E-cadherin expression was higher compared to the control groups. Conclusions:PRND is significantly overexpressed in renal carcinoma tissues and closely associated with poor patient prognosis. Downregulation of PRND markedly inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of renal carcinoma cells, potentially through modulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins and key molecules involved in tumor metastasis.

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