1.Targeted Regulation of Inflammation-related Signaling Pathways by Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerosis: A Review
Shuang ZHAO ; Mingxue ZHANG ; Ning LIU ; Jianan SU ; Yuhan AO ; Jing LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):273-283
Atherosclerosis (AS) is the main pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases and seriously threatens human quality of life. Its prevention and treatment urgently need breakthroughs. The inflammatory response, which runs through the physiological and pathological evolution process of AS, is one of the important mechanisms for AS occurrence. Currently, the treatment methods for AS in Western medicine are relatively mature. However, they have adverse reactions such as abnormal liver and kidney function, drug tolerance, target vessel restenosis, and stent thrombosis, which remain the key bottleneck restricting clinical efficacy. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), characterized by multiple components, multiple targets, and multi-pathway synergy, shows unique clinical application potential and efficacy advantages in the intervention of AS. This article reviewed the research progress of TCM in intervening in AS by regulating inflammatory-related signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Toll-like receptors (TLRs), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), in the past five years. It summarized the combined mechanism of action of TCM monomers, TCM pairs, and compound preparations in inhibiting the inflammatory cascade reaction through multiple targets, regulating lipid metabolism disorders, and improving vascular endothelial dysfunction and the imbalance of the microenvironment. It deepened the research on the molecular mechanism of TCM in anti-AS, so as to provide a scientific basis for the clinical transformation application and related theoretical research of TCM in anti-AS.
2.Targeted Regulation of Inflammation-related Signaling Pathways by Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerosis: A Review
Shuang ZHAO ; Mingxue ZHANG ; Ning LIU ; Jianan SU ; Yuhan AO ; Jing LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):273-283
Atherosclerosis (AS) is the main pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases and seriously threatens human quality of life. Its prevention and treatment urgently need breakthroughs. The inflammatory response, which runs through the physiological and pathological evolution process of AS, is one of the important mechanisms for AS occurrence. Currently, the treatment methods for AS in Western medicine are relatively mature. However, they have adverse reactions such as abnormal liver and kidney function, drug tolerance, target vessel restenosis, and stent thrombosis, which remain the key bottleneck restricting clinical efficacy. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), characterized by multiple components, multiple targets, and multi-pathway synergy, shows unique clinical application potential and efficacy advantages in the intervention of AS. This article reviewed the research progress of TCM in intervening in AS by regulating inflammatory-related signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Toll-like receptors (TLRs), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), in the past five years. It summarized the combined mechanism of action of TCM monomers, TCM pairs, and compound preparations in inhibiting the inflammatory cascade reaction through multiple targets, regulating lipid metabolism disorders, and improving vascular endothelial dysfunction and the imbalance of the microenvironment. It deepened the research on the molecular mechanism of TCM in anti-AS, so as to provide a scientific basis for the clinical transformation application and related theoretical research of TCM in anti-AS.
3.Living donor liver transplantation for unresectable colorectal cancer liver metastases
Xiangyu ZHANG ; Shiqiao LUO ; Ao REN
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):150-156
Objective To assess the current status and outcomes of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in patients with unresectable colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM). Methods Two reviewers independently conducted a systematic search of Medline (via PubMed), the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov in accordance with preferred reporting items for systematic reviews guidelines. English-language publications reporting LDLT for unresectable CRLM were identified; study characteristics and recipient outcomes were extracted. Results Twelve studies were retrieved, six completed studies enrolling 55 patients and six ongoing trials. Selected patients appeared to derive benefit from LDLT. Reported overall survival was 100% at 1 year and 100%, 71.4% at 3 years. The 1-year progression-free survival was 85.7% and 75.1%, and 3-year progression-free survival was 68.6% and 53.7%. Conclusions Prospective data on LDLT for unresectable CRLM remain scarce. The approach is still investigational and warrants validation through prospective clinical trials.
4.The Structure and Function of The YopJ Family Effectors in The Bacterial Type III Secretion System
Ao-Ning LI ; Wen-Bo LI ; Yu-Ying LU ; Min-Hui ZHU ; Yu-Long QIN ; Yong ZHAO ; Zhao-Huan ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):516-533
The Type III Secretion System (T3SS) serves as a pivotal virulence apparatus for numerous Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, enabling them to infect both animal and plant hosts. Functioning as a molecular syringe, the T3SS directly translocates bacterial effector proteins from the bacterial cytoplasm into the interior of eukaryotic host cells. These effectors are central weapons that precisely manipulate a wide spectrum of host cellular physiological processes, ranging from cytoskeletal dynamics to immune signaling, to establish a favorable niche for bacterial survival and proliferation. Among the diverse arsenal of T3SS effectors, the YopJ family constitutes a critical group of virulence factors. Members of this family are characterized by a conserved catalytic triad structure—a hallmark of the CE clan of cysteine proteases that has been evolutionarily repurposed to confer acetyltransferase activity. A defining and intriguing feature of these enzymes is their stringent dependence on a host-derived eukaryotic cofactor, inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6), for allosteric activation. This requirement acts as a sophisticated molecular safeguard, ensuring enzymatic activity only within the appropriate host environment, thereby preventing detrimental effects on the bacterium itself. While seminal studies on individual members such as Yersinia’s YopJ and Salmonella’s AvrA have provided deep mechanistic insights, a systematic and integrative understanding of the structure-function relationships across the entire family remains fragmented. Key questions persist regarding how a conserved catalytic core has diverged to recognize distinct host substrates in different kingdoms of life. To address this gap, this article provides a systematic review of the YopJ family, focusing on three interconnected aspects: their structural features, their catalytic mechanism, and their divergent immunosuppressive strategies in animal versus plant hosts. By conducting a comparative analysis of the sequences and resolved three-dimensional structures of three representative members (e.g., HopZ1a, PopP2, AvrA), we elucidate regions of significant variation embedded within the conserved core catalytic architecture. These variable regions, often involving surface loops and substrate-binding interfaces, are crucial determinants of target specificity and functional specialization. The functional divergence of this effector family is most apparent when comparing their modes of action in different hosts. In animal hosts, YopJ-family effectors primarily sabotage innate immune signaling pathways. They achieve this by acetylating key serine and threonine residues within the activation loops of critical kinases in the MAPK and NF‑κB pathways. This post-translational modification blocks the phosphorylation and subsequent activation of these kinases, leading to potent suppression of inflammatory cytokine production. Conversely, in plant hosts, the strategy broadens to dismantle the two-tiered plant immune system. YopJ homologs target a more diverse set of substrates, including immune-associated receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases (RLCKs), microtubule networks via tubulin acetylation (which disrupts cellular trafficking and signaling), and transcription factors central to defense gene regulation. This multi-target approach effectively suppresses both Pattern-Triggered Immunity (PTI) and Effector-Triggered Immunity (ETI). In conclusion, this synthesis aims to deepen the mechanistic understanding of YopJ family-mediated pathogenesis by integrating structural biology with cellular function across host kingdoms. Elucidating the precise molecular basis for substrate selection—how conserved platforms achieve target diversity—is a major frontier. Furthermore, this knowledge provides a vital theoretical foundation for developing novel anti-virulence strategies. Targeting the conserved IP6-binding pocket or the catalytic acetyltransferase activity itself represents a promising avenue for designing broad-spectrum inhibitors that could disarm this critical family of bacterial effectors, potentially offering new therapeutic approaches against a range of pathogenic bacteria.
5.Construction of An Automated Segmentation Visual Foundation Model for Pathological Images of Hemorrhoids and Its Application in Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Syndrome Analysis
Shijie ZHANG ; Ao ZHANG ; Kang WANG ; Bin KANG ; Xiaofan YU ; Xujing FENG ; Jinyu CAO ; Wenzhen HUANG ; Kang DING
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(7):764-769
This paper proposes a two-stage method integrating visual foundation models (VFM) and diffusion models. The segment anything model (SAM) as VFM is combined with the SegRefiner diffusion model to construct the SAM-SegRefiner framework for automated segmentation of edema, inflammation, and thrombus regions in histopathological images of hemorrhoidal tissue, providing a reproducible technical tool for the objective quantification of pathological morphology and its application in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome research. Trained and validated on multi-center retrospective data, the SAM-SegRefiner model achieved an average pixel accuracy of 95.32% and a mean intersection over union (mIoU) of 66.81% on an independent test set, significantly outperfor-ming comparative models such as U-Net, MixU-Net, and SAM-Med2D, and also demonstrating robust cross-center generalization capability. Furthermore, by correlating the quantitatively segmented results from the model with the patients' TCM syndrome types, the potential associations between pathomorphological features and TCM syndrome differentiation have been explored. The analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in the degree of inflammatory infiltration and thrombus formation among different syndrome types, suggesting a complex relationship between local pathological changes and systemic syndrome manifestations.
6.Impact of infusion of red blood cell suspension at different perioperative periods in patients with valvular heart disease: A propensity score matching study
Shan XU ; Bo FU ; Ao WEI ; Qian ZHANG ; Yaqing CAO ; Nan JIANG ; Zhigang GUO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(05):772-777
Objective To investigate the impact of red blood cell suspension infusion across various perioperative periods on patients with valvular heart disease. Methods The patients with valvular heart disease admitted to Tianjin Chest Hospital from 2018 to 2020 were selected. Based on the timing of perioperative red cell suspension infusion, patients were categorized into three groups: a group 1 receiving intraoperative red cell suspension infusion, a group 2 receiving red cell suspension infusion within 24 hours after entering the ICU, and a group 3 receiving red cell suspension infusion at both time points. The laboratory results, perioperative blood component infusion volume, and other relevant parameters were retrospectively analyzed. After propensity score matching, the differences in different variables among the three groups were compared. Results After propensity score matching, 102 patients were enrolled, including 52 males and 50 females, with an average age of (61.74±10.58) years. There were 34 patients in each group. The preoperative hemoglobin (Hb) value of the group 2 was significantly higher than that of the group 1 and the group 3, and the amount of red cell suspension and autoblood transfusion was the lowest (P<0.05). Group 1 had the highest postoperative Hb, as well as the highest Hb and hematocrit (HCT) levels within 24 hours post-surgery (P<0.05). The group 1 had the lowest plasma, platelet and cryoprecipitate infusion volumes, and the shortest cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic occlusion time, postoperative ICU stay and hospital stay, and the least blood loss and total drainage volume (P<0.05). The difference between postoperative and preoperative Hb (△Hb1) was highest in group 1 (P<0.05). Conclusion For patients with valvular heart disease, intraoperative-only infusion of red blood cell suspension is associated with a better prognosis at discharge and during follow-up.
7.New perspectives on the neuro-immune mechanisms of itch in allergic conjunctivitis
Yuhua MA ; Lu ZHANG ; Junyang PAN ; Chunli WU ; Dinghuan NIE ; Yanting WANG ; Ao PENG ; Nan MA
International Eye Science 2026;26(7):1203-1209
Allergic conjunctivitis is a common ocular inflammatory disease, with intense itching being the most typical and distressing symptom for patients. In recent years, with the in-depth study of the interaction between the nervous and immune systems, significant progress has been made in understanding the mechanism of itching in allergic conjunctivitis. This review elaborates on the neurobiological basis of itching in allergic conjunctivitis, with a focus on the complex dialogue between immune cells and sensory neurons, particularly the core role of the IL-33-ST2-CGRP signaling axis in mediating itching. Additionally, this article introduces new findings in genetic susceptibility research, including the identification of susceptibility genes for allergic conjunctivitis through transcriptome-wide association studies. The sensory nervous system not only transmits itch signals but also actively participates in the formation of antigen channels related to conjunctival goblet cells, thereby regulating the local uptake of allergens and the initiation of the immune response. Moreover, targeted novel therapeutic strategies offer hope for patients with refractory allergic conjunctivitis. Exploring the molecular and cellular mechanisms of itching in allergic conjunctivitis will provide a theoretical basis for the development of more effective treatment methods.
8.Correlation of MET Status with Clinicopathological Features and Prognosis of Advanced Prostatic Acinar Adenocarcinoma
Weiying HE ; Wenjia SUN ; Huiyu LI ; Yanggeling ZHANG ; De WU ; Chunxia AO ; Jincheng WANG ; Yanan YANG ; Xuexue XIAO ; Luyao ZHANG ; Xiyuan WANG ; Junqiu YUE
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(8):698-704
Objective To explore the correlation of MET status in patients with advanced prostatic acinar adenocarcinoma with the clinical pathological parameters and prognosis. Methods The specimen from 135 patients with advanced prostatic acinar adenocarcinoma was included. The expression of c-MET protein was detected via immunohistochemistry, and MET gene amplification was assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The relationships of c-MET expression and gene amplification with clinicopathological features and prognosis were analyzed. Results The positive expression rate of c-MET was 52.60% (71/135). Compared with the c-MET expression in adjacent tissues, that in tumor tissues showed lower heterogeneous expression. Among the cases, 1.71% (2/117) exhibited MET gene polyploidy, but no gene amplification was detected. Positive c-MET expression was significantly correlated with high Gleason scores and grade groups (P=
9.Value of adjuvant chemotherapy in IB-lIA cervical adenocarcinoma: A multicenter retrospective study.
You WU ; Miao AO ; He ZHANG ; Kunyu WANG ; Meixian FANG ; Xueyan LYU ; Guobing CHEN ; Tao LYU ; Bin LI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(17):2192-2194
10.Drying kinetics of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and dynamics of active components in drying process.
Yu-Qin LI ; Xiu-Xiu SHA ; Zhe ZHANG ; Shu-Lan SU ; Liang NI ; Sheng GUO ; Hui YAN ; Da-Wei QIAN ; Jin-Ao DUAN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(1):128-139
This study explored the drying kinetics of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma(SM), established the suitable models simulating the drying kinetics, and then analyzed the dynamic changes of active components during the drying processes with different methods, aiming to provide a basis for the establishment of suitable drying methods and the quality control of SM. The drying kinetics were studied based on the drying curve, drying rate, moisture effective diffusion coefficient, and drying activation energy, and the appropriate drying kinetics model of SM was established. The drying performance of different methods, such as hot air drying, infrared drying, and microwave drying of SM was evaluated, and the changes in the content of 10 salvianolic acids and 6 tanshinones during drying were analyzed by UPLC-TQ-MS. The Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution(TOPSIS) was employed to evaluate the quality of SM dried with different methods. The results showed that the drying rate and moisture effective diffusion coefficient of SM increased with the rise in drying temperature, and the maximum drying rates of different methods were in the order of microwave drying > infrared drying > hot air drying, slice > whole root. The drying rate decreased with the rise in temperature and the extension of drying time. The activation energy of hot air drying was higher than that of infrared drying in SM. The most suitable model for simulating the drying process of SM was the Page model. The TOPSIS results suggested infrared drying at 50 ℃ was the optimal drying method for SM. During the drying process, the content of salvianolic acids increased in different degrees with the loss of moisture, among which salvianolic acid B showed the largest increase of 44 times compared with that in the fresh medicinal material. Tanshinones also existed in the fresh herb of SM, and the content of tanshinone Ⅱ_A increased by 3 times after drying. The results provided a basis for the establishment of suitable drying methods and the quality control of SM.
Salvia miltiorrhiza/chemistry*
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Desiccation/methods*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Rhizome/chemistry*
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Kinetics
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Quality Control
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Abietanes

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