1.Reconceptualizing Critical Illness in Cancer Through the Lens of Host Unregulated Response
Yun CHU ; Shiyi GONG ; Xin DING ; Hua ZHAO ; Huan CHEN ; Qing ZHANG ; Xiaoting WANG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(1):1-9
Onco-critical care has emerged as an important subspecialty at the intersection of critical care medicine and oncology, attracting increasing attention in recent years. With continuous innovations in cancer therapies, patient survival has improved significantly; however, the incidence of associated critical complications has also increased. The reasons for cancer patients requiring intensive care unit admission are diverse and can be broadly categorized into three groups: progression of the underlying malignancy, treatment-related complications, and coexisting classical critical illnesses. Traditional critical care concepts and practices face limitations in addressing the multidimensional and heterogeneous challenges of onco-critical care. Based on the core mechanism of critical illness development—host/organ unregulated response (HOUR)—this article systematically elaborates on how this framework advances understanding and clinical practice into onco-critical care, with emphasis on its manifestations in neuroendocrine, immune-inflammatory, and coagulation-metabolic pathways. The review summarizes recent advances in clinical assessment and phenotyping systems for onco-critical illness and discusses a multidisciplinary, integrated management strategy centered on the "Disease Control, Host Response Modulation, Organ Support" triad. Finally, major challenges and future directions in this field are outlined. By integrating existing evidence and theoretical insights, this review aims to provide new perspectives and a theoretical foundation for the clinical management of onco-critical illness, thereby promoting its evolution toward precision and standardization.
2.Research Tackling Paradigm and Technological Layout Strategies Based on Erectile Dysfunction, A Clinical Dominant Disease of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Qi ZHAO ; Yun CHEN ; Baoxing LIU ; Xuejun SHANG ; Fei SUN ; Xiaozhi ZHAO ; Zhigang WU ; Chao SUN ; Peihai ZHANG ; Wanjun CHENG ; Xing ZHOU ; Zhan QIN ; Yufeng PAN ; Weiwei TAO ; Jianhuai CHEN ; Mei MO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Xing ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):291-299
To thoroughly implement the strategic deployment outlined in the Opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Promoting the Inheritance and Innovative Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine regarding research on dominant diseases of traditional Chinese medicine and to uphold the development philosophy of equal emphasis on traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine,the China Association of Chinese Medicine has fully played a leading academic role by systematically organizing and conducting a series of academic youth salons on clinical dominant diseases of traditional Chinese medicine. On September 13,2024,the 36th Youth Salon on Clinical Dominant Diseases was successfully held in Nanjing,focusing on the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine and the integrative traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). The conference brought together leading experts from traditional Chinese medicine,western medicine,and interdisciplinary fields,facilitating in-depth multidisciplinary discussions that led to key consensus on optimizing traditional Chinese medicine treatment protocols for ED,researching and developing new drugs of traditional Chinese medicine,and advancing interdisciplinary development in traditional Chinese medicine. This salon systematically sorted out the clinical strengths and distinctive features of traditional Chinese medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of ED. Based on current research foundations and clinical needs,it identified key directions for future scientific layout and scientific research tackling: (1) Standardization of syndrome differentiation system of traditional Chinese medicine for ED. (2) Optimization and standardization of intervention methods of integrated traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine. (3) High-quality clinical research guided by evidence-based medicine. (4) In-depth analysis of the pharmacological mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of ED. (5) Clinical translation and application promotion of new drugs of traditional Chinese medicine. (6) Interdisciplinary integration and innovation in traditional Chinese medicine. For each research direction,key focus areas,expected objectives,and clinical value were further refined,along with the establishment of a scientifically sound priority funding level evaluation system. Therefore,building on the series of salons on the ED-focused dominant diseases of traditional Chinese medicine,this paper provides standardized guidance for clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine in ED management,effectively contributing to the high-quality development of traditional Chinese medicine. It serves as a valuable reference for national scientific and technological strategic layout, research and development decision-making in new drugs of traditional Chinese medicine,research topic planning,and clinical guideline formulation.
3.Dual-Center Clinical Study on Detection of Intraoperative Air Leak During Pulmonary Resection Using Nebulized Indocyanine Green
Zhenfan WANG ; Songjing ZHAO ; Ruiheng JIANG ; Zhuoer CUI ; Yingtai CHEN ; Jian ZHOU ; Kezhong CHEN ; Yun LI
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(3):646-651
To evaluate the clinical value of nebulized indocyanine green(ICG) combined with near-infrared fluorescence imaging for intraoperative detection of air leaks during pulmonary resection. This was a two-center randomized controlled trial enrolling patients undergoing thoracoscopic pulmonary resection. After enrollment, patients were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group received nebulized ICG and fluorescence imaging in addition to the conventional water immersion test, while the control group underwent the water immersion test alone. Intraoperative air leak detection and postoperative air leak incidence were compared between the two groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between ICG nebulization intervention and postoperative air leaks after adjusting for confounding factors including age, sex, smoking history, history of respiratory disease, surgical procedure, and study center. A total of 181 patients were enrolled(90 in the experimental group, 91 in the control group). The experimental group showed significantly higher intraoperative air leak detection rate(37.8% Nebulized ICG combined with near-infrared fluorescence imaging significantly improves intraoperative detection of air leaks, reduces the incidence of postoperative air leaks, and shortens chest tube duration. This technique is convenient, safe, and holds important clinical value for application.
4.SIRT5 Potentiates Hepatocarcinogenesis by Modulating Protein Acylation in Mice
Yu ZHANG ; Feng-Rui REN ; Jia-Yun LI ; Xiang-Yu CHEN ; Zi-Yi WANG ; Qi SUN ; Jun-Cheng ZHAO ; Ye ZHANG ; Zhen HUANG ; Hao HU ; Tao-Tao WEI ; Min XIAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1712-1722
ObjectiveHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents 90% of all primary liver cancers. The main risk factors associated with HCC include viral hepatitis (B and/or C), alcohol abuse, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which progressively advance to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately evolve into HCC. Surgical resection represents the most effective treatment for HCC, while recent advances in immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapies, have provided improved treatment prospects for patients with unresectable HCC. However, the complex metabolic heterogeneity of HCC limits the therapeutic efficacy. Metabolic intermediates acyl-CoA not only provide energy and substrates for numerous biochemical reactions but also serve as donors for protein lysine acylation, a major class of post-translational modification (PTM). Therefore, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying protein lysine acylation and hepatocarcinogenesis is urgently needed. MethodsThe levels of protein lysine acylation and silence information regulator 5 (SIRT5) expression levels in clinical HCC samples were analyzed by Western blot. Quantitative malonylome and succinylome of HCC samples were analyzed by antibody-based affinity enrichment coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The proliferation of HCC cells was analyzed with Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, the apoptosis was quantified by Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) staining coupled with flow cytometry, and the ability of cells to migrate was assayed by Transwell assays. The enzymatic activity of glutathione S-transferase Mu 1 (GSTM1) was quantified. Transgenic mice with hepatic overexpression of SIRT5 were constructed using CRISPR-Cas9, and primary hepatocarcinogenesis was induced by administration of diethylnitrosamine. ResultsWestern blot analysis indicated that the expression level of SIRT5 was elevated in clinical samples from HCC patients, and the levels of lysine malonylation, glutarylation, and succinylation were significantly reduced in HCC tissues. Knockout of SIRT5 in MHCC-97H and MHCC-97L hepatoma cells suppressed cell proliferation, and increased the percentage of apoptotic cells significantly. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses of the differentially malonylome and succinylome of HCC samples revealed significant enrichment in two major classes of biological processes: core energy metabolism (e.g., glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, tricarboxylic acid metabolic process, fatty acid beta oxidation) and detoxification and oxidative stress response (e.g., response to toxic substance, chemical carcinogenesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS)). SIRT5 removes malonylation from lysine residues in GSTM1 and restores its detoxification activity, which is crucial for the survival of hepatocytes under stressed conditions. More importantly, in vivo experiment indicated that hepatic-specific overexpression of SIRT5 in mice accelerated diethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis, indicating the critical role of SIRT5 in HCC progression. ConclusionThis study highlights the previously unrecognized SIRT5-GSTM1 axis as a key regulator in hepatocarcinogenesis, and suggests a potential target for the treatment of patients with HCC.
5.Expert consensus on the clinical application of domestic ultra-high-definition medical endoscopes in cardiovascular surgery (2026 edition)
Junfei ZHAO ; Biaochuan HE ; Yun TENG ; Xiaohua LI ; Zerui CHEN ; Chungeng LIU ; Yijiu REN ; Chang CHEN ; Nianguo DONG ; Jimei CHEN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):857-865
This consensus focuses on the clinical application of domestic ultra-high-definition (UHD) medical endoscopes in cardiovascular surgery, addressing their clinical value, key technical aspects, and strategies for broader implementation. It traces the evolution of domestic endoscopic platforms from high-resolution imaging toward integrated advanced functionalities such as fluorescence imaging, three-dimensional visualization, and intelligent assistance. The document outlines standardized procedural steps and perioperative management pathways for minimally invasive endoscopic cardiovascular surgery and summarizes specific application scenarios and technical considerations in congenital heart disease, valvular disorders, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and cardiac tumors. Furthermore, recommendations are provided regarding professional training, multicenter collaboration, the establishment of clinical evaluation systems, and coordinated policy-industry support to promote standardized adoption and high-quality dissemination of domestic medical devices. Based on available evidence and expert agreement, 16 consensus statements are presented, aiming to offer authoritative and actionable guidance for clinical practice.
6.Forty Cases of Mid-Stage Diabetes Kidney Disease Patients of Blood Stasis Syndrome Treated with Huayu Tongluo Formula (化瘀通络方) as an Adjunct Therapy: A Multi-Center, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Yun MA ; Kaishuang WANG ; Shuang CAO ; Bingwu ZHAO ; Lu BAI ; Su WU ; Yuwei GAO ; Xinghua WANG ; Dong BIAN ; Zhiqiang CHEN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(6):588-595
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Huayu Tongluo Formula (化瘀通络方, HTF) in patients with mid-stage diabetic kidney disease of blood stasis syndrome and explore its potential mechanisms. MethodsA multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted. Ninety patients of mid-stage diabetic kidney disease of blood stasis syndrome were divided into a control group of 46 cases and a treatment group of 44 cases. Both groups received conventional western medicine treatment, the treatment group additionally taking HTF, while the control group taking a placebo of the formula. The treatment was administered once daily for 24 weeks. The primary outcomes included 24-hour urine total protein (24 h-UTP), serum albumin (Alb), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and serum creatinine (Scr).The secondary outcomes included changes in levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores before and after treatment. Clinical efficacy was evaluated based on TCM syndrome scores and overall disease outcomes. Adverse reactions and endpoint events were recorded. ResultsIn the treatment group after treatment, 24 h-UTP, ET-1, and VEGF levels significantly decreased (P<0.05), Alb and NO levels significantly increased (P<0.05); while the TCM syndrome scores for edema, lumbar pain, numbness of limbs, dark purple lips, dark purple tongue or purpura, and thin, rough pulse all significantly decreased (P<0.05). In the control group, no significant changes were observed in any of the indicators after treatment (P>0.05).Compared with the control group, the treatment group showed significant reductions in 24 h-UTP, ET-1, and VEGF levels, and increases in Alb and NO levels (P<0.05). The TCM syndrome scores for edema, lumbar pain, dark purple tongue or purpura, and thin, rough pulse were all lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of TCM syndrome in the treatment group was 59.09% (26/44), and the overall clinical effective rate was 45.45% (20/44). In the control group, these rates were 15.22% (7/46) and 8.7% (4/46), respectively, with the treatment group showing significantly better outcomes (P<0.05). A total of 7 adverse events occurred across both groups, with no significant difference (P>0.05). No endpoint events occurred during the study. ConclusionOn the basis of conventional treatment of Western medicine, HTF can further reduce urinary protein levels and improve clinical symptoms in patients with mid-stage diabetic kidney disease of blood stasis syndrome. The mechanism may be related to its effects on endothelial function.
7.Analysis of Potential Active Components and Molecular Mechanism of Baoxin Granules Regulating Ferroptosis in Treatment of Heart Failure
Yu CHEN ; Maolin WANG ; Yun WANG ; Yifan ZHAO ; Jing XU ; Hongwei WU ; Fang WANG ; Xiaoang ZHAO ; Youming LI ; Jixiang TIAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):202-209
ObjectiveBased on ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS), network pharmacology, molecular docking and cell experiments, the active ingredients, possible targets and molecular mechanisms of Baoxin granules(BXG) regulating ferroptosis in the treatment of heart failure(HF) were explored. MethodsBXG intestinal absorption fluid was prepared by everted gut sac and the chemical composition contained therein were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. According to the obtained components, the potential targets of BXG were predicted, and the HF-related targets and related genes of ferroptosis were retrieved at the same time, and the intersecting targets were obtained by Venn diagram. In addition, the protein-protein interaction(PPI) network and the component-target network were constructed, and the core components and core targets were obtained by topological analysis. Then Gene Ontology(GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment analysis were performed on the core targets, and molecular docking validation of the key targets and main components was carried out by AutoDockTools 1.5.7. H9c2 cells were used to establish a oxygen-glucose deprivation model, and the protective effect of BXG on cells was investigated by detecting cell viability, cell survival rate and reactive oxygen species(ROS) level. The protein expression levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), phosphorylation(p)-STAT3 and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4) were detected by Western blot to clarify the regulatory effect of BXG on ferroptosis. ResultsA total of 61 chemical components in BXG intestinal absorption fluid were identified, and network pharmacology obtained 27 potential targets of BXG for the treatment of HF, as well as 139 signaling pathways. BXG may act on core targets such as STAT3, tumor protein p53(TP53), epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR), JUN and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2(PTGS2) through core components such as glabrolide and limonin, which in turn intervene in lipid and atherosclerosis, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt), endocrine resistance and other signaling pathways to exert therapeutic effects on HF. Molecular docking showed that the docking results of multiple groups of targets and compounds were good. In vitro cell experiments showed that compared with the blank group, the cell viability and survival rate of the model group were significantly decreased, the level of ROS was significantly increased(P<0.01), the expression levels of STAT3, p-STAT3, p-STAT3/STAT3 and GPX4 proteins were significantly decreased(P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the cell viability and survival rate of the BXG group were significantly increased, the ROS level was significantly decreased(P<0.01), the STAT3, p-STAT3, p-STAT3/STAT3 and GPX4 protein levels were significantly increased(P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionBXG may inhibit the occurrence of ferroptosis by up-regulating the expression of STAT3 and GPX4, thus exerting a therapeutic effect on HF, and flavonoids may be the key components of this role.
8.Discussion on Approach of Three-Generation Practitioners of Shenzhen Pingle Guo's Orthopedics to the Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis
Guixin ZHANG ; Jie ZHANG ; Zhijian CHEN ; Feng YANG ; Le ZHANG ; Haoming ZHAO ; Yun LU ; Chunzhu GONG
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(11):2888-2893
Osteoporosis(OP)is a refractory metabolic bone disease,with decreased bone mineral mass,weakened bone strength,and systemic bone pain as typical clinical manifestations.Shenzhen Pingle Guo's Orthopedics,an important branch of the Pingle Guo's Orthopedics,has developed their distinct therapeutic approaches to the prevention and treatment of OP:the fifth-generation inheritor,Mr.Guo Chunyuan,advocated for the simultaneous regulation of qi and blood and formulated Shudi Zhuanggu Formula(composed of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata,Codonopsis Radix,Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma,Poria,Angelicae Sinensis Radix,Paeoniae Radix Alba,Chuanxiong Rhizoma,Dipsaci Radix,and Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix);the sixth-generation inheritor,Professor Yang Zejin,emphasized zang-fu syndrome differentiation and established Yang's Guwei Formula,which simultaneously tonifies the liver,spleen,and kidney,and simultaneously treats deficiency and blood stasis(composed of Astragali Radix,Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata,Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix,Epimedii Folium,Cistanches Herba,Cuscutae Semen,Drynariae Rhizoma,Angelicae Sinensis Radix,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma,Corydalis Rhizoma,and Paeoniae Radix Alba);the seventh-generation inheritor,Professor Gong Chunzhu,proposed a three-stage clinical treatment strategy and stressed the principle of reinforcing acquired foundation of life(i.e.,reinforcing spleen and stomach),and formulated the modified Shudi Zhuanggu Formula with Lingnan characteristics(composed of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata,Corni Fructus,Dioscoreae Rhizoma,Alismatis Rhizoma,Poria,Moutan Cortex,Astragali Radix,Dipsaci Radix,Cyathulae Radix,Acanthopanacis Cortex,Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma,Codonopsis Radix,and Chaenomelis Fructus).During the evolution,Shenzhen Pingle Orthopedic Hospital has continuously integrated modern medical achievements,passed down and enriched the clinical experience,and then the theoretical framework of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of OP has been developed.
9.Progress of genetic study on Alzheimer's disease
Xin CHEN ; Yun XU ; Xiuli ZHAO
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(11):1516-1521
Alzheimer's disease(AD)is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system in which genetic factors playing a significant role in its occurrence and progression.In recent years,significant advancements have been made in AD genetics research,facilitated by the widespread application of high-throughput sequencing tech-nologies and genome-wide association studies(GWAS).AD has a significant genetic basis:early-onset AD(EOAD)is primarily driven by mutations in the APP,PSEN1,and PSEN2 genes,leading to the accumulation of amyloid β-protein(Aβ);while the APOEε4 allele represents the major genetic risk factor for late-onset AD(LOAD).Furthermore,GWAS have identified additional risk genes,such as TREM2,which implicate pathways including neuro-inflammation.Concurrently,the epigenetic mechanisms and rare genetic variants were found to be involved in disease pathogenesis.A deeper understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying AD may support the development of related therapeutic strategies.Therefore,this review provides an comprehensive overview of cur-rent genetic research on AD to support future research in the field.
10.Transcriptome profiling of peripheral blood and preliminary verification in lung adenocarcinoma patients with metastatic bone pain
Yang ZHAO ; Shi-Qing LIN ; Lan-Lan CHEN ; Yun-Ling DOU ; Zhong-Yuan LIN
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(4):427-435
Objective To analyze and preliminarily verify key genes and pathways in the transcriptome of peripheral blood of lung adenocarcinoma patients with metastasis bone pain(MBP),and to explore its underlying mechanism.Methods Nine lung adenocarcinoma patients with bone metastasis treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from May 2020 to May 2021 were selected for retrospective analysis,including 4 patients with typical MBP clinical manifestations and visual analogue scale(VAS)≥4(MBP group)and 5 patients without suffering any pain(control group).Peripheral blood mRNA sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed genes(DEGs),followed by functional pathways analysis and protein-protein interaction(PPI)network analysis.The most significant modules and hub genes were confirmed and visualized using Cytoscape software.The target miRNAs regulating these hub genes were predicted using Targetscan database,and long non-coding RNA(lncRNA)interacting with these miRNAs were also predicted using lncBase database.The relationships among lncRNA,miRNA and mRNA were visualized to construct a competing endogenous RNA(ceRNA)network through Cytoscape software,and the nodes of this network were verified using quantitative PCR(qPCR).Results A total of 1466 DEGs were identified,including 666 up-regulated genes and 800 down-regulated genes.Chemokine receptor 3(CXCR3),pro-opiomelanocortin(POMC),neuromedin U receptor 1(NMUR1),chemokine ligand 2(CCL2)and endocannabinoid receptor 1(CNR1)were identified as hub genes.The most significant enriched processes and pathways of DEGs included osteoclast differentiation,NOD like receptor signal transduction pathway,type Ⅰinterferon signal pathway,nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)signal pathway,apoptosis/autophagy pathway,chemokine signal pathway,interleukin(IL)-1β pathway.Two ceRNA networks were identified:MALAT1-hsa-miR-124-3p.2-CCL2 and NEAT1-hsa-miR-325-3p-CXCR3.qPCR results showed that the expression levels of CCL2,CXCR3,MALAT1,NEAT1 and hsa-miR-325 were higher in MBP group than these in control group(P<0.05).Conclusions CXCR3,POMC,NMUR1,CCL2 and CNR1 may serve as key genes in the occurrence of MBP and could be important regulatory targets for MBP.The development of MBP in lung adenocarcinoma may be associated with the dysregulation of the networks:MALAT1-hsa-miR-124-3p.2-CCL2 and NEAT1-hsa-miR-325-3p-CXCR3.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail