1.Cuproptosis: A novel therapeutic target for non-small cell lung cancer
Dong DONG ; Yajie ZHANG ; Hecheng LI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(05):826-832
Cuproptosis, recently defined as a unique form of cell death distinct from programmed cell death, is triggered by copper overload within mitochondria. Genes associated with cuproptosis have been found to correlate with tumorigenesis and tumor progression, making the targeting of cuproptosis pathways a promising direction for anti-tumor therapies. Copper ion carriers can transport copper ions into cells, inducing cuproptosis and laying the foundation for its application in cancer treatment. This article elaborates on the homeostasis of copper and the mechanisms related to cuproptosis, further clarifying the relationship between cuproptosis and lung cancer treatment targets. This review aims to summarize current progress in research related to cuproptosis and lung cancer, providing new theories and bases for the clinical treatment of lung cancer.
2.Current status of research on the mechanism of action of emodin in the prevention and treatment of chronic liver diseases
Yajie CHEN ; Xin WANG ; Yunjuan WU ; Ying SU ; Yuhan WANG ; Jinxue ZHANG ; Ning YAO ; Ying QIN ; Xiaoning ZUO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):228-234
Chronic liver diseases are a group of diseases in which the liver is subjected to a variety of injuries over a long period of time, resulting in irreversible pathological changes that last longer than 6 months. Emodin (EMO) is a natural anthraquinone derivative derived from Rheum officinale, and its pharmacological effect has been extensively studied, exhibiting a variety of biological properties and involving multiple signaling molecules and pathways. Western medicine or surgical treatment is currently the main treatment regimen for chronic liver diseases, and the advance in treatment is limited by various reasons such as side effects and high costs. Due to its natural origin and efficacy, EMO has unique advantages in the treatment of chronic liver diseases and has now become a research hotspot. This article summarizes the therapeutic effect of EMO on chronic liver diseases and its mechanism, in order to provide a certain scientific basis for the traditional Chinese medicine treatment of chronic liver diseases and the development of drugs in clinical practice.
3.Study on the mechanism of Huatan qushi huoxue formula in improving metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis by inhibiting macrophage pyroptosis
Yajie GUAN ; Qizhen ZHANG ; Junjiao XU ; Yijia SONG ; Dongfang SHANG ; Wenxia ZHAO ; Minghao LIU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(7):864-869
OBJECTIVE To focus on the classic NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)/Caspase-1/gasdermin D (GSDMD) pyroptosis pathway and explore the mechanism by which Huatan qushi huoxue formula (HQHF) inhibits macrophage pyroptosis to ameliorate metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). METHODS RAW264.7 cells were divided into 5 groups: Control group (10% blank serum), Model group [10% blank serum+5 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS)], HQHF-L group (2.5% drug-containing serum+7.5% blank serum+5 μg/mL LPS), HQHF-M group (5% drug-containing serum+5% blank serum+5 μg/mL LPS), and HQHF-H group (10% drug-containing serum+5 μg/mL LPS). After 24 h of routine culture post-administration, cells and supernatants were collected for assays. Cell morphology was observed via scanning electron microscopy and phase-contrast microscopy; localization and expression of gasdermin D-N (GSDMD-N) were observed by immunofluorescence. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 contents in supernatants were detected by ELISA; mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and GSDMD were measured using real-time PCR and Western blot. RESULTS Compared with the Control group, the Model group showed typical pyroptotic morphology (cell membrane bulging and pore formation), increased aggregation and fluorescence intensity of GSDMD-N on the cell membrane ( P <0.05), significantly increased the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in cell supernatants ( P <0.05), and significantly up-regulated mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and GSDMD in cells ( P <0.05). Compared with the Model group, the HQHF-L, HQHF-M and HQHF-H groups showed improved pyroptotic morphology, reduced membrane localization and significantly weakened fluorescence intensity of GSDMD-N ( P <0.05), significantly decreased the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in cell supernatants ( P <0.05), and significantly down-regulated mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and GSDMD in cells ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS HQHF inhibits LPS-induced macrophage pyroptosis, and its mechanism of improving MASH may be associated with the suppression of the activation of the classical NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pyroptosis pathway.
4.A prediction model for mild cognitive impairment risk among the elderly
MA Zongkang ; LIU Xinglang ; LI Huihui ; HE Guowei ; YAN Ping ; ZHANG Chuanrong ; MA Xuan ; CHE Yajie ; YU Shan ; CHEN Fenghui
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(2):124-129
Objective:
To develop a prediction model for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) risk among the elderly, so as to provide a tool for MCI early screening.
Methods :
From July 2022 to September 2024, a multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling method was used to recruit permanent residents aged ≥65 years from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region as study participants. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, nutritional status, body composition indices, bone mineral density, and handgrip strength were collected through questionnaires and physical examinations. Sarcopenia was defined based on appendicular skeletal muscle index and handgrip strength. MCI was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination, with adjustments for educational level. Participants were randomly divided into a training set and a validation set in a 7∶3 ratio. LASSO regression and multivariable logistic regression models were employed to screen for predictors and construct an MCI risk prediction model. The predictive performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and decision curve analysis (DCA).
Results:
A total of 1 641 participants were surveyed, including 755 males (46.01%) and 886 females (53.99%). The majority of participants were aged 65-<75 years, comprising 1 154 individuals (70.32%). MCI was detected in 517 participants, corresponding to a detection rate of 31.51%. Resultsfrom LASSO regression and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that residence (rural, OR = 2.323, 95% CI: 1.682-3.210), age (75-<85 years, OR = 1.405, 95% CI: 1.019-1.937; ≥85 years, OR = 3.655, 95% CI: 1.696-7.875), educational level (primary school, OR = 0.341, 95% CI: 0.247-0.472; junior high school, OR = 0.255, 95% CI: 0.160-0.408; high school, OR = 0.286, 95% CI: 0.154-0.531; bachelor's degree or above, OR = 0.120, 95% CI: 0.041-0.351), history of alcohol consumption (yes, OR = 3.216, 95% CI: 2.164-4.779), risk of malnutrition (yes, OR = 1.464, 95% CI: 1.064-2.014), sarcopenia (yes, OR = 3.197, 95% CI: 2.332-4.385), and waist-to-hip ratio (abnormal, OR = 1.540, 95% CI: 1.159-2.048) were identified as predictive factors for MCI among the elderly. In the training set, the area under the ROC curve, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.788, 0.719, and 0.712, respectively. In the validation set, the corresponding values were 0.784, 0.913, and 0.542, respectively. DCA demonstrated that the model provided a higher clinical net benefit for predicting MCI risk when the risk threshold probability ranged from 0.124 to 0.764.
Conclusion
The prediction model developed in this study demonstrates good discriminative ability and clinical utility, indicating its substantial value for predicting the MCI risk among the elderly.
5.Treating Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Plaque from the Perspective of "Abscess and Ulcer within the Vessels"
Yajie WANG ; Min WU ; Zihao ZHANG ; Zeping WANG ; Longtao LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(12):1349-1352
The morphological characteristics and pathological progression of vulnerable plaques in atherosclerosis (AS) exhibit a high degree of similarity to the concept of "abscesses and ulcers" in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Therefore, vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques can be analogized as "abscesses and ulcers within the vessels", for which deficiency, stasis and toxin constitute the core pathogenesis. The pathological evolution progresses through three sequential stages, deficiency leading to pathological substances, with phlegm and stasis accumulating into a mass; the mass transforming into putridity, with internal decay and external thinning; putridity brewing toxin, and toxin accumulation threatening rupture, ultimately resulting in plaque instability. Accordingly, a stage-specific treatment strategy is established. In the early stage, it is suggested to supplement deficiency, resolve the mass, dissipate stasis, and prevent putridity, using Liujunzi Decoction (六君子汤) combined with Danshen Decoction (丹参饮) with modifications. In the middle stage, the treatment should focus on transforming putridity to generate new tissue, and rectifying healthy qi to consolidate the body, with modified Tuoli Xiaodu Powder (托里消毒散). In the late stage, the treatment principle is clearing and resolving putridity toxin, cooling the blood, and preventing ulcerative rupture, using modified Simiao Yong'an Decoction (四妙勇安汤) combined with Xijiao Dihuang Decoction (犀角地黄汤).
6.Research progress on the regulation of the tricarboxylic acid cycle by bioactive constituents of traditional Chinese medicine in the anti-atherosclerotic process
Yukai SU ; Yajie ZHANG ; Nana ZHANG ; Chang LIU ; Hongzhen YIN ; Yumin YANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(13):1784-1790
The development of atherosclerosis (AS) is closely associated with endothelial dysfunction and mitochondrial metabolic abnormalities. These alterations are fundamentally characterized by metabolic reprogramming, in which the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle serves as a central regulatory hub. Disruption of the homeostasis of TCA cycle intermediates, including succinate, α -ketoglutarate, and itaconate, contributes to AS progression through multiple mechanisms, such as the modulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and glucose and lipid metabolic networks. Owing to their multi-target and multi-pathway regulatory properties, bioactive compounds derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have demonstrated unique advantages in correcting metabolic dysregulation. Flavonoids, glycosides, and other bioactive constituents of TCM can target key enzymes and metabolites involved in the TCA cycle, thereby restoring aberrant metabolic reprogramming, alleviating endothelial injury induced by oxidative stress, inflammation, and glucose and lipid metabolic disorders, ultimately improving metabolic homeostasis and attenuating the progression of AS.
7.Research progress on the regulation of the tricarboxylic acid cycle by bioactive constituents of traditional Chinese medicine in the anti-atherosclerotic process
Yukai SU ; Yajie ZHANG ; Nana ZHANG ; Chang LIU ; Hongzhen YIN ; Yumin YANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(13):1784-1790
The development of atherosclerosis (AS) is closely associated with endothelial dysfunction and mitochondrial metabolic abnormalities. These alterations are fundamentally characterized by metabolic reprogramming, in which the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle serves as a central regulatory hub. Disruption of the homeostasis of TCA cycle intermediates, including succinate, α -ketoglutarate, and itaconate, contributes to AS progression through multiple mechanisms, such as the modulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and glucose and lipid metabolic networks. Owing to their multi-target and multi-pathway regulatory properties, bioactive compounds derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have demonstrated unique advantages in correcting metabolic dysregulation. Flavonoids, glycosides, and other bioactive constituents of TCM can target key enzymes and metabolites involved in the TCA cycle, thereby restoring aberrant metabolic reprogramming, alleviating endothelial injury induced by oxidative stress, inflammation, and glucose and lipid metabolic disorders, ultimately improving metabolic homeostasis and attenuating the progression of AS.
8.Practice and reflection on building a new cultural system under the background of high-quality devel-opment of public hospitals:a case study of qilu hospital
Wenfei WANG ; Ning LI ; Yajie LIN ; Xinping ZHANG
Modern Hospital 2025;25(6):845-847
High-quality development of public hospitals requires cultural construction as an endogenous driving force,ai-ming to build a cultural system that integrates systematic,innovative,and humanistic characteristics.Leveraging its century-old historical legacy,Qilu Hospital of Shandong University has established a cultural construction pathway characterized by"strategic planning,heritage preservation,brand building,exemplary leadership,and communication innovation"through five major sys-tems:improving top-level design,inheriting historical heritage,building distinctive brands,cultivating exemplary models,and expanding communication channels.This approach provides cultural and spiritual impetus for the hospital's high-quality develop-ment.Empirical evidence demonstrates that cultural construction in public hospitals must emphasize systematic top-level design,distinctive cultural identity,synergy between tradition and innovation,and long-term sustainability,ultimately transforming cul-tural"soft power"into"hard support"for development.This practice offers a replicable"Qilu Model"for nationwide public hos-pital cultural development,while injecting new connotations into the implementation of the Healthy China strategy.
9.Exploring the Mechanism of Huatan Qushi Huoxue Recipe in the Treatment of NASH Based on Network Pharmacology and Animal Experi-ments
Yajie GUAN ; Lihui ZHANG ; Sutong LIU
Journal of Medical Research 2025;54(5):52-59,51
Objective To investigate the potential mechanisms of action of Huatan Qushi Huoxue Recipe in treating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)through network pharmacology and animal experiments.Methods The differentially expressed genes in NASH were obtained from the GEO database.The active components and potential targets of Huatan Qushi Huoxue Recipe were obtained from the TCMSP.The treatment targets were obtained by intersecting the diseases and drug targets.The protein-protein interaction network was analyzed,the drug-active component-target network was constructed,and the enrichment analysis was performed.The key pathways were verified by animal experiments.Results A total of 74differentially expressed genes,97 active components,and 295 potential targets were identified in NASH.Five genes,including JUN,were selected as key targets through intersection.Seven active components,inclu-ding kaempferol and quercetin,were identified.Enrichment analysis revealed that the AGE-RAGE and IL-17 pathways may play a key role in the treatment of NASH by Huatan Qushi Huoxue Recipe.Animal experiments showed that Huatan Qushi Huoxue Recipe could reduce the levels of total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),and blood glucose(GLU),and down-regulate the expression of RAGE and activator protein 1(AP-1)in the AGE-RAGE and IL-17 pathways,thus,exerting a therapeutic effect on NASH.Conclusion Huatan Qushi Huoxue Recipe can treat NASH by lowering TC,TG and GLU levels and inhibiting the expression of RAGE and AP-1 pro-tein.
10.Exploration on reform of "one body and four bases" teaching model for application-oriented medical students
Xiaoyang ZHANG ; Yajie ZHOU ; Li WANG ; Yanli LI ; Weiqing WANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(4):500-505
To further improve the post competency of application-oriented medical students, the university medical simulation center, clinical teaching base, and off-campus social practice base were linked to establish a platform. Four key points were used to explore a new training model of "one body and four bases" for application-oriented medical students. This includes problem-oriented theoretical teaching to improve the professional knowledge of medical students, hands-on practice-oriented experimental teaching to improve the clinical skills, "strengthening clinical thinking training"-oriented practice in the base to enhance clinical awareness and cultivate clinical habits, and "cultivating humanistic literacy"-oriented off-campus social practice base to improve the humanistic sentiment and professional spirit of medical students. This teaching mode lays a foundation for training high-quality application-oriented medical talents with solid knowledge and skills and comprehensive development of ability and literacy, and provides a reference for teaching and research in similar colleges and universities.


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