1.Clinical Application of Harmonizing and Regulating Pivot Method in Pulmonary Fibrosis:Based on the Characteristics of Essence-Attribute-Function
Mingsheng LYU ; Hongsheng CUI ; Jia ZHU ; Weibo BI ; Ruifeng JIN ; Zhijie ZHANG ; Qiuyi CHEN ; Siyang YU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):381-385
Based on the theory of "shaoyang(少阳) resembling the pivot" and collateral diseases, this article proposes that pulmonary fibrosis (PF) can be divided into three stages including wind bi (痹), constraint bi, and atrophy bi. The core pathogenesis of PF is the obstruction of the pivot and pulmonary collateral obstruction. In terms of treatment, the basic principles are to harmonize and regulate the pivot, and to promote the circulation of the lung collaterals. Depending on the different characteristics of the "essence-attribute-function", treatment methods such as harmonizing and regulating the pivot, resolving phlegm and removing stasis, supplementing deficiency and harmonizing collaterals are suggested. This approach ensures the regulation of the pivot, smooth circulation of qi and blood, unblocking of the lung collaterals and nourishing the lung body, achieving the goals of balancing the ascending and descending of qi, removing phlegm and stasis, and relieving cough and wheezing.
2.The Regulatory Effects and Mechanisms of Piezo1 Channel on Chondrocytes and Bone Metabolic Dysregulation in Osteoarthritis
Yan LI ; Tao LIU ; Yu-Biao GU ; Hui-Qing TIAN ; Lei ZHANG ; Bi-Hui BAI ; Zhi-Jun HE ; Wen CHEN ; Jin-Peng LI ; Fei LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):564-576
Osteoarthritis (OA), a highly prevalent degenerative joint disease worldwide, is defined by articular cartilage degradation, abnormal bone remodeling, and persistent chronic inflammation. It severely compromises patients’ quality of life, and currently, there is no radical cure. Abnormal mechanical stress is widely regarded as a core driver of OA pathogenesis, and the exploration of mechanical signal perception and transduction mechanisms has become crucial for deciphering OA’s pathophysiological processes. Piezo1, a key mechanosensitive cation channel belonging to the Piezo protein family, has recently gained significant attention due to its pivotal role in mediating cellular responses to mechanical stimuli in joint tissues. This review systematically examines Piezo1’s expression patterns, regulatory mechanisms, and pathological functions in OA, with a particular focus on its dual roles in modulating chondrocyte homeostasis and bone metabolism disorders, while also delving into the underlying molecular signaling pathways and potential therapeutic implications. Piezo1, consisting of approximately 2 500 amino acids and forming a unique trimeric propeller-like structure, is widely expressed in chondrocytes, osteocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, and synovial cells. It exhibits permeability to cations such as Ca2+, K+, and Na+, and directly responds to membrane tension changes induced by mechanical stimuli like fluid shear stress and mechanical overload. In OA patients and animal models, Piezo1 expression is significantly upregulated, especially in cartilage regions subjected to abnormal mechanical stress (e.g., human temporomandibular joint cartilage). This overexpression is closely associated with aggravated cartilage degeneration, increased chondrocyte apoptosis, accelerated cellular senescence, and intensified inflammatory responses. Mechanical overload and pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β) are key inducers of Piezo1 upregulation: IL-1β activates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to enhance Piezo1 expression, forming a pathogenic positive feedback loop that inhibits chondrocyte autophagy, promotes apoptosis, and further accelerates joint degeneration. Mechanistically, Piezo1 mediates OA progression through multiple interconnected pathways. When activated by mechanical stress, Piezo1 triggers excessive Ca2+ influx, leading to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and mitochondrial dysfunction, which directly induce chondrocyte apoptosis. This process involves the activation of downstream signaling cascades such as cGAS-STING and YAP-MMP13/ADAMTS5. YAP, a transcriptional regulator, upregulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) and aggrecanase (ADAMTS5), thereby accelerating cartilage matrix degradation. Additionally, Piezo1-driven Ca2+ overload promotes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulates senescence markers (p16 and p21), accelerating chondrocyte senescence via the p38MAPK and NF-κB pathways. Senescent chondrocytes secrete senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors (e.g., IL-6, IL-1β), further amplifying joint inflammation. In terms of bone metabolism, Piezo1 maintains joint homeostasis by promoting the differentiation of fibrocartilage stem cells into chondrocytes and balancing bone formation and resorption through regulating the FoxC1/YAP axis and RANKL/OPG ratio. Therapeutically, targeting Piezo1 shows promising potential. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that Piezo1 inhibitors (e.g., GsMTx4) can reduce joint damage and alleviate pain in OA mice. Simultaneously, siRNA-mediated co-silencing of Piezo1 and TRPV4 (another mechanosensitive channel) decreases intracellular Ca2+ concentration, inhibits chondrocyte apoptosis, and promotes cartilage repair. Conditional knockout of Piezo1 using Gdf5-Cre transgenic mice alleviates cartilage degeneration in post-traumatic OA models by downregulating MMP13 and ADAMTS5 expression. Despite existing challenges, such as off-target effects of inhibitors, inefficient local drug delivery, and interindividual genetic variability, strategies like developing selective Piezo1 antagonists, optimizing targeted nanocarriers, and combining Piezo1-targeted therapy with physical therapy provide viable avenues for clinical translation. The authors propose that Piezo1 serves as a critical therapeutic target for OA, and future research should focus on deciphering its context-dependent regulatory networks, developing tissue-specific intervention strategies, and validating their efficacy and safety in clinical trials to address the unmet medical needs of OA patients.
3.Analysis of influencing factors for immune-related endocrine toxicity induced by sintilimab
Xiaoyi ZHOU ; Yunlong BI ; Yu JING
China Pharmacy 2026;37(9):1195-1199
OBJECTIVE To explore the influencing factors for immune-related endocrine toxicity in the treatment of malignant solid tumors with sintilimab, aiming to provide a reference for rational drug use. METHODS Case data were collected from patients with malignant solid tumors, who were treated with sintilimab at the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2024, using the electronic medical record system. The patients were divided into an endocrine immune-related adverse events (irAEs) group and a non-endocrine irAEs group based on whether they developed immune-related endocrine toxicity after sintilimab administration. The statistical significance of predictive variables was examined through univariate and multivariate Logistic regression methods. RESULTS A total of 224 patients were enrolled, including 138 cases (61.6%) in the non-endocrine irAEs group and 86 cases (38.4%) in the endocrine irAEs group. After univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis, a treatment period of 1-12 cycles was identified as an independent influencing factor for immune-related endocrine toxicity [OR=7.175, 95%CI (1.239, 41.563), P <0.05 ] , immune-related hyperglycemia [OR=6.600, 95%CI (1.053, 41.359), P <0.05 ] , and immune-related subclinical hypothyroidism [OR=20.200, 95%CI (3.224, 126.558), P <0.05 ] . The combination with paclitaxel-based drugs was identified as an independent influencing factor for immune-related subclinical hyperthyroidism [OR=6.410, 95%CI (1.790, 22.955), P <0.05 ] . CONCLUSIONS Among patients treated with sintilimab, the treatment cycle is a risk factor for immune-related endocrine toxicity, immune-related hyperglycemia and immune-related subclinical hypothyroidism. The combination of paclitaxel-based drugs is a risk factor for immune-related subclinical hyperthyroidism. It is recommended that when applying sintilimab in clinical practice, especially during the first few treatment cycles, the relevant endocrine indicators should be dynamically monitored in a standardized manner. In addition, special attention should be paid to patients treated with the combination of paclitaxel-based drugs to be vigilant against the occurrence of endocrine adverse events.
4.Applications of Optical Technology in Non-invasive Hemoglobin Detection
Yao PENG ; Xian-Long WANG ; Bi-Tie LAN ; Jian-Hai YU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1561-1580
Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration is a key clinical biomarker for diagnosing and managing anemia, ischemic stroke, perioperative blood loss, and chronic diseases such as renal failure. Traditional venous blood sampling remains the gold standard due to its high accuracy, but its invasive nature limits frequent testing, real time monitoring, and large scale screening. This has driven growing interest in non-invasive Hb detection technologies over the past decade. Among these, optical methods are the most promising because of their safety, potential for continuous monitoring, and compatibility with portable or wearable devices. This paper systematically reviews major advances in optical non invasive Hb detection from the last ten years. We focus on near-infrared spectroscopy branches—photoplethysmography (PPG) and dynamic spectrum (DS)—and also cover color analysis/RGB imaging, Raman spectroscopy, and photoacoustic spectroscopy. For each technology, we explain its detection principles, analyze advantages and limitations, and summarize optimization strategies reported in recent literature. PPG, based on pulsatile blood volume changes, underpins many commercial continuous monitors. However, its accuracy is constrained by motion artifacts, individual physiological variations (e.g., skin tone, tissue thickness), and low AC signal to noise ratio. In contrast, DS—an advanced derivative of PPG—uses a differential principle to extract absorbance changes between systolic and diastolic peaks. This theoretically eliminates interference from static tissues (skin, bone, venous blood) and common mode noise (e.g., ambient light), positioning DS as a more robust framework for high precision Hb quantification. Beyond spectral methods, color analysis/RGB imaging offers a hardware minimalist approach. By analyzing images of vascular rich, thin tissues (e.g., conjunctiva, nail beds, palms), it enables Hb estimation using smartphone cameras. Recent advances have shifted from manual RGB feature extraction to deep learning models and spectral super resolution that reconstruct hyperspectral data from RGB inputs, significantly improving screening accuracy. Our academic perspective emphasizes critical and integrative analysis. We highlight persistent challenges that hinder clinical translation: profound individual biological variability (skin optics, microvascular architecture), sensitivity to measurement conditions (pressure, ambient light), and a lack of standardized validation protocols and multi center trials. A central thesis is that no single optical method is universally superior; each involves trade offs between accuracy, complexity, cost, and practicality. Looking forward, we posit that the next performance leap will come from multimodal information fusion—combining PPG, electrocardiogram (ECG), bioimpedance, or different optical modalities to compensate for individual differences and environmental noise. AI and deep learning are essential not only for image analysis but also for automated, end to end feature extraction from complex waveforms like PPG sequences. Advancing hardware (tunable lasers, quantum dot LEDs, novel sensor designs) is crucial to improve signal fidelity and portability. Finally, we advocate for clinical scenario specific optimization and rigorous standardized evaluation frameworks to gain regulatory approval (e.g., FDA, NMPA) and achieve widespread clinical acceptance. In conclusion, this review synthesizes a decade of progress. Optical non-invasive Hb detection has evolved from proof of concept studies to emerging products and validated screening tools, but the journey toward reliable, clinic ready quantitative devices continues. The convergence of smarter algorithms, fused sensing modalities, and focused clinical validation offers the most promising path to transform this potential into routine medical practice, ultimately enabling personalized, continuous, and accessible hematological management.
5.Research progress on Th17 cell differentiation regulation mechanisms and therapeutic targets in ankylosing spondylitis
Mingyang YU ; Jia LI ; Xinzhe FENG ; Jingjing BI ; Cheng LI
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(18):2953-2960
Ankylosing spondylitis(AS)is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory involvement of the axial skeleton and pathological bone formation.The T helper 17 cell(Th17 cell)subset of lym-phocytes plays a central role in mediating the inflammatory processes associated with AS.This review summarizes recent advances in the regulation of Th17 cell differentiation in AS,with a focus on the complex mechanisms governed by cytokine microenvironments,transcription factor networks,and metabolic and epigenetic regulatory pathways.Key regulatory components discussed include the IL-23/STAT3 signaling axis,the CCL20/CCR6 chemo-tactic axis,and the master transcription factor RORγt.Additionally,this review critically evaluates emerging thera-peutic strategies targeting metabolic reprogramming(e.g.,PKM2),epigenetic regulators(e.g.,JMJD3,EZH2),engineered exosome delivery systems,and modulators of metabolic enzymes.By analyzing the limitations of current treatment approaches,the review proposes future research directions emphasizing multi-target therapeutic strategies and highlights the importance of personalized medicine in achieving precise and effective treatment for AS.These developments reveal promising new avenues for modulating Th17-mediated immunity,offering transformative poten-tial for the clinical management of AS.
6.Research on the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity and mechanisms of glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives
Xu-xin CUI ; Wen-ping CUI ; Yan-xing BI ; Fan CHENG ; Yu-ning LI ; Bao-lai ZHANG ; Quan-yi ZHAO ; Xiao-lai YANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2150-2157
Aim To design and synthesize a series of glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives by using glycyrrhetinic acid as the parent nucleus,screen their antitumor activ-ities,and investigate the in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects and mechanisms of the most active compound.Methods MTT assay was used to screen for the com-pound with the most potent antitumor activity.MTT as-say,wound healing assay,colony formation assay and Transwell migration assay were used to evaluate the effects of the compound on tumor cell viability and mi-gration.Flow cytometry was employed to assess the im-pact of the compound on tumor cell cycle progression and apoptosis.Western blot was conducted to verify the effects on the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax,caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3.A mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma ascites tumor was estab-lished to examine the antitumor effects of the compound in vivo.Results Compound C22 was identified as having the most significant inhibitory effect on hepato-cellular carcinoma cells.C22 inhibited the viability and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner.C22 upreg-ulated the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax,caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 in hepatocellular car-cinoma cells,induced apoptosis,and arrested the cell cycle in the G0/G1 and S phases.C22 significantly re-duced the growth of mouse hepatocellular carcinoma as-cites tumors and prolonged survival.Conclusion Glycyrrhetinic acid derivative C22 significantly inhibits the viability and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo,and induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
7.Development of a clinical practice training system for postgraduate graduates of the oral nursing profession
Lixia KUANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Lu BAI ; Guangma WANG ; Jingyan YU ; Xuemei YANG ; Liyan MAO ; Xiaoqin BI
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(23):1765-1772
Objective:To construct a clinical practice training system for master′s degree students specializing in oral nursing based on the competency iceberg model for job performance, and to provide a valuable reference for the clinical training of master′s students in oral nursing.Methods:The research team initially formulated the components of the clinical practice training system through an extensive literature review and semi-structured interviews. From October 17, 2023, to November 13, 2023, the Delphi expert consultation methodology was utilized to facilitate two rounds of inquiries involving 20 specialists in the domain of oral care.Results:The positive coefficients of the two rounds of expert inquiries were 95.24% (20/21) and 100.00% (21/21). The authority coefficients were 0.925 and 0.929, while the variation coefficients ranged from 0.00 to 0.22 and from 0.05 to 0.11. Additionally, Kendall′s harmony coefficients were 0.229 and 0.319 (both P<0.01). The finalized training system included training objectives, training content, training requirements and examinations, totaling 3 first-level items, 18 second-level items and 67 third-level items. Conclusions:The training system of clinical practice for oral nursing graduate students constructed in this study is informative and reliable, and can provide reference for clinical practice of professional postgraduates in oral nursing.
8.Epigenetic characteristics of hepatogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in three-dimensional culture
Haina HUANG ; Yanrong YU ; Jian BI ; Miao HUANG ; Weijie PENG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(36):7848-7855
BACKGROUND:Hepatocyte-like cells induced by mesenchymal stem cells are promising seed cells for liver regeneration or liver tissue engineering.The efficiency of traditional two-dimensional culture for hepatocyte induction is low,and more and more research is focused on three-dimensional culture for inducing hepatocyte differentiation.OBJECTIVE:To summarize three-dimensional culture models for the hepatic induction of mesenchymal stem cells,focus on research progress on the epigenetic regulation mechanisms of mesenchymal stem cell hepatogenic differentiation,providing a theoretical basis for improving the differentiation efficiency of mesenchymal stem cells.METHODS:Relevant articles in the PubMed and other databases such as CNKI were searched,using Chinese and English search terms"mesenchymal stem cell,3D culture,hepatogenic differentiation,hepatocyte-like cells,epigenetics."Additionally,the literature tracing method was employed to find some of the literature for a comprehensive review and analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Common three-dimensional culture models for the hepatogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells currently include spheroids,biological scaffolds,bioprinting,and microfluidic chips.Each of these models has its own advantages and disadvantages in the process of inducing hepatogenic differentiation.(2)During the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into hepatocyte-like cells,epigenetic regulation plays a key role,primarily involving histone modification,DNA methylation,and the regulation of non-coding RNAs.(3)Under three-dimensional culture conditions,epigenetic modifications,especially histone acetylation,play an important role in promoting the hepatogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.
9.A study on the correlation between HPV DNA and IHC P16 expression in cervical lesions
Haochen WANG ; Liqing JIA ; Yu YANG ; Qian WANG ; Chengli YU ; Tian TIAN ; Rui BI ; Xiaoyu TU ; Qianming BAI ; Xiaoli ZHU ; Xiaoyan ZHOU ; Min REN
China Oncology 2025;35(3):298-308
Background and purpose:Human papilloma virus(HPV)infection status is crucial for diagnosing cervical precancerous lesions and classifying cervical cancer.High-risk(HR)HPV is often linked to P16 protein overexpression,so P16 detection via immunohistochemistry(IHC)is commonly used to assess HPV infection.However,the differences between HPV status and P16 expression remains unclear.An in-depth study of the correlation between HPV and P16 is essential for clinical guidance.Methods:We retrospectively collected clinical and pathological data of cervical lesions from 618 patients diagnosed at the Department of Pathology,Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center from January 2020 to December 2023(Ethical number:050432-4-2307E).Polymerase chain reaction(PCR)reverse dot hybridization was used to detect HPV including HR and low-risk(LR)subtypes,and immunohistochemistry was used to detect P16 for comparative analysis.Based on different clinical and pathological diagnoses,the sensitivity and specificity of P16 expression in evaluating HPV infection were evaluated.Among the 618 cases of cervical lesions,there were 92 cases of cervical squamous cell carcinoma,257 cases of cervical adenocarcinoma,79 cases of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions(HSIL),105 cases of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions(LSIL),and 85 cases of chronic cervical inflammation.Results:According to clinical diagnosis,the HR-HPV positive rate in cervical squamous cell carcinoma was 88.0%(81/92),the P16 positive rate was 91.3%(84/92),and the overall consistency rate between P16 and HPV detection was 90.2%(88/92);for HR-HPV infection,the sensitivity and specificity of P16 were 96.3%and 45.5%.The positive rate of HR-HPV in adenocarcinoma was 54.5%(140/257),the positive rate of P16 was 58.8%(151/257),and the overall consistency rate between P16 and HPV detection was 82.5%(212/257);for HR-HPV infection,the sensitivity and specificity of P16 were 87.9%and 76.1%.In HSIL,the HR-HPV positive rate was 75.9%(60/79),the positive rate of P16 was 70.9%(56/79),and the overall consistency rate between P16 and HR-HPV detection was 82.2%(65/79);for HR-HPV infection,the sensitivity and specificity of P16 were 85.0%and 73.7%.In LSIL,the HR-HPV positive rate was 73.3%(77/105),the positive rate of P16 was 8.5%(9/105),and the overall consistency rate between P16 and HR-HPV detection was 33.3%(35/105);for HR-HPV infection,the sensitivity and specificity of P16 were 10.4%and 96.4%.In chronic cervical inflammation,the HR-HPV positive rate was 20%(17/85),the positive rate of P16 was 0.0%(0/85);for HR-HPV infection,the sensitivity and specificity of P16 were 0.0%and 100.0%.There was a significant positive correlation between P16 positivity and HPV16/18 in cervical squamous cell carcinoma,adenocarcinoma,and HSIL(P=0.000),while there was no significant correlation in LSIL and chronic cervical inflammation(P>0.05).Conclusion:In cervical squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma,the consistency of P16 expression and HPV DNA positivity are high,especially in HPV16/18 subtype.There is a good concordance between HR-HPV positivity and P16 protein overexpression.The positive expression of P16 in HSIL may initially reflect HPV infection status.However,in LSIL and chronic cervicitis,P16 expression may not accurately correlate with HPV infection.The inconsistency between P16 and HPV DNA testing could be influenced by multiple factors,including HPV subtypes,histopathological categories,specimen quality,and technical limitations.In clinical practice,it is recommended to conduct comprehensive analysis or employ multiple diagnostic methods to confirm HPV infection status for precise evaluation.
10.Phenotypic characteristics of early lymphocyte subsets and bronchoscopy findings in children with severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia
Pao YU ; Feng ZHU ; Zheng GE ; Bi ZHOU ; Lixia ZHANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(7):1062-1069
Objective To investigate the value of the absolute number of lymphocyte subpopulations as an early warning indicator for children with SMPP(severe mycoplasma pneumonia,SMPP)and to analyze the character-istics observed via bronchoscopy,thereby providing a valuable reference for the early diagnosis of SMPP.Methods This study included 102 children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MPP),comprising 54 cases of common MPP and 48 cases of SMPP.The lymphocyte subpopulations,clinical characteristics,and laboratory indicators were analyzed.Results There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in the absolute number levels of lymphocyte subpopulations CD3+CD19-T,CD4+T,CD3-CD19+B,CD3-/CD16+CD56+NK cells(P<0.05).The absolute numbers of CD3+CD19-T,CD4+T,CD3-CD19+B,and CD3-/CD16+CD56+NK cells showed negative correlations with serum ferritin,LDH,CRP,and D-D,respectively(P<0.05).Multifactorial logistic regression analysis identified the absolute numbers of CD3+CD19-T,CD4+T,CD3-CD19+B,and CD3-/CD16+CD56+NK cells as independent risk factors for severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(SMPP).ROC analysis demonstrated that the areas under the curve for diagnosing SMPP based on the absolute numbers of CD3+CD19-T,CD4+T,CD3-CD19+B,and CD3-/CD16+CD56+NK cells were 0.711,0.887,0.856,and 0.860,respectively,with sensitivities of 47.4%,80.8%,82.1%,and 92.3%,and specificities of 89.7%,87.2%,75%,and 70.5%,respectively.The combined ROC curve of the four lymphocyte subsets had an area of 0.983,with a sensitivity of 97.4%and specificity of 92.3%.The proportions of bronchoscopy findings and microscopic examination of mucus plugs in the SMPP group were significantly higher than those in the ordinary MPP group(P<0.05).In the mucoid plug subgroup,the absolute numbers of CD3?CD19?T cells and CD4?T cells were significantly lower compared to the non-mucoid plug subgroup,while the percentage of CD8?T cells increased and the CD4?/CD8? ratio decreased(all P<0.05).Conclusions The absolute number of CD3+CD19-T,CD4+T,CD3-CD19+B,and CD3-/CD16+CD56+NK cells in peripheral blood serves as a highly sensitive and specific predictor of small airway mucus plugging phenomenon(SMPP)and can thus be utilized as a potential biomarker for SMPP.Microscopic analysis under SMPP conditions reveals a high prevalence of mucus plugs,necessitating proactive bronchoscopic intervention.Furthermore,the significant imbalance in T cell subpopulations is strongly correlated with the formation of mucus plugs observed during bronchoscopy.

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