1.Roles of plant-derived natural compounds in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis
Ziyi DUAN ; Wenhao ZHOU ; Yingjie CAI ; Min ZHONG ; Jian MAO ; Lan JIANG
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(1):33-39
Osteoporosis is a systemic disease, and epidemiological projections indicate that by 2050, approximately 23.43% of the Chinese population over 50 years of age will be affected. Given the poor prognosis associated with osteoporosis, the exploration of safe and effective natural products is of considerable significance. Studies investigating the chemical constituents of traditional Chinese medicine in cellular and/or animal models have demonstrated bone-protective effects. Although most of these compounds lack clinical data, they hold considerable potential as lead candidates for drug development. In-depth study of the structure-activity relationship of these natural products not only contributes to elucidating the mechanisms of action but also provides a theoretical basis for the development of novel antiosteoporosis therapies. This review summarizes natural products with potential antiosteoporotic effects reported between 2020 and 2024. Overall, plant-derived natural compounds exhibit antiosteoporotic effects by regulating bone remodeling, inflammation, and oxidative stress, highlighting their promise as multitarget therapeutic candidates.
2.Endoscopic full-thickness resection for the treatment of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors
Bao-Hui SONG ; Jiashaer BAHETINUER ; Yun-Shi ZHONG ; Hon Chi YIP ; Ping-Hong ZHOU ; Ming-Yan CAI
Clinical Endoscopy 2026;59(1):9-20
Endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) is a minimally invasive technique that is increasingly used for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) originating from the muscularis propria. Despite its advantages over conventional surgery, such as complete tumor resection and faster recovery, EFTR faces challenges related to its efficacy, safety, and feasibility, particularly in gastric GISTs. By summarizing the literature published over the past decade, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the clinical outcomes of EFTR and the evolution of defect closure devices.
3.NG2-Glia Cause Diabetic Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption by Secreting MMP-9
Xiaolong LI ; Yan CAI ; Zhu ZHONG ; Maolin LI ; Dong HUANG ; Zhifei QIAO ; Hongli ZHOU ; Zuo ZHANG ; Jiyin ZHOU
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2026;50(1):47-61
Background:
Disorders of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) arising from diabetes mellitus are closely related to diabetic encephalopathy. Previous research has suggested that neuron-glia antigen 2 (NG2)-glia plays a key role in maintaining the integrity of the BBB. However, the mechanism by which NG2-glia regulates the diabetic BBB remains unclear.
Methods:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) db/db mice and db/m mice were used. Evans-Blue BBB permeability tests and transmission electron microscopy techniques were applied. Tight junction proteins were assessed by immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy. NG2-glia number and signaling pathways were evaluated by immunofluorescence. Detection of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in serum was performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results:
In T2DM db/db mice, BBB permeability in the hippocampus significantly increased from 16 weeks of age, and the structure of tight junction proteins changed. The number of NG2-glia in the hippocampus of db/db mice increased around microvessels from 12 weeks of age. Concurrently, the expression of MMP-9 increased in the hippocampus with no change in serum. Sixteen- week-old db/db mice showed activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling in hippocampal NG2-glia. Treatment with XAV-939 improved structural and functional changes in the hippocampal BBB and reduced MMP-9 secretion by hippocampal NG2-glia in db/db mice. It was also found that the upregulation of β-catenin protein in NG2-glia in the hippocampus of 16-week-old db/db mice was significantly alleviated by treatment with XAV-939.
Conclusion
The results indicate that NG2-glia can lead to structural and functional disruption of the diabetic BBB by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling, upregulating MMP-9, and degrading tight junction proteins.
4.Efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy for resectable non-small cell lung cancer
Dongbao YANG ; Kaize ZHONG ; Hongmei MA ; Shifa ZHANG ; Hongfeng LIU ; Liji CHEN ; Jishen ZHANG ; Haibo CAI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):920-926
Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods The clinical data of patients with stage ⅡA-ⅢB NSCLC who underwent surgical treatment after receiving neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone at the First People’s Hospital of Jining between April 2021 and January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the preoperative neoadjuvant regimens, the patients were divided into a combined group and a chemotherapy group, and the clinical data of the two groups were compared. Results A total of 66 patients were included, including 61 males and 5 females. There were 53 patients in the combined group with a mean age of (63.40±6.80) years, and 13 patients in the chemotherapy group with a mean age of (58.62±8.30) years. There was a statistical difference in age between the two groups (P<0.001), while no statistical difference was observed in other baseline data (P>0.05). The major pathological response rates in the combined group and the chemotherapy group were 54.7% and 23.1%, respectively (P=0.041), and the pathological complete response rates were 39.6% and 0.0%, respectively (P=0.006). The operative time in the combined group was shorter (P=0.039). There were no statistical differences between the two groups in intraoperative blood loss, duration of postoperative tube carrying, incidence of postoperative complications, overall survival, or event-free survival (P>0.05). Conclusion Surgical treatment following neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy is safe and feasible, and its long-term efficacy requires further follow-up for confirmation.
5.Efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant sintilimab plus chemotherapy for locally advanced resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Liji CHEN ; Junjun HUANG ; Hongmei MA ; Shifa ZHANG ; Dongbao YANG ; Jiuhe SUN ; Hongfeng LIU ; Kaize ZHONG ; Haibo CAI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(07):1071-1078
Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant sintilimab combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with locally advanced resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods Clinical data were collected from patients with locally advanced resectable ESCC who received neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy followed by surgical treatment at the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Jining No.1 People's Hospital from April 2020 to April 2022. The endpoints included major pathological response (MPR), pathological complete response (pCR), R0 resection rate, safety, and postoperative survival. Results A total of 43 patients with ESCC who received at least one cycle of neoadjuvant immunotherapy before surgery were included. Among them, there were 31 males and 12 females with a median age of 65 years (interquartile range: 58-69). All patients successfully completed the surgery without any surgical delays. The pCR rate was 14.0% (6/43), the MPR rate was 58.1% (25/43), and the R0 resection rate was 97.7% (42/43). Patients exhibited reliable safety during neoadjuvant therapy and postoperatively. The 2-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 90.7% and 81.4%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test revealed lower recurrence rates and better survival in the MPR patients compared to the non-MPR patients. Conclusion The combination of neoadjuvant sintilimab and chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with locally advanced resectable ESCC has demonstrated significant clinical efficacy, while also being safe and reliable.
6.The expression and function of MST1 in prostate cancer
Yuhang HUANG ; Shiyuan YIN ; Linna FANG ; Kun ZHONG ; Guifang HE ; Yongping CAI ; Yu YIN
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(6):1045-1052
ObjectiveTo investigate the expression level of mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1 (MST1) in prostate cancer (PCa) tissues, its biological functions, and its regulatory effects on androgen receptor (AR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. MethodsImmunohistochemistry was performed to detect MST1 expression in 77 prostate cancer tissues and 34 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) tissues, and the relationship between MST1 expression and clinicopathological parameters was analyzed. MST1-overexpressing C4-2 and LNCaP cell lines were constructed. CCK-8 assay, Transwell migration assay, and angiogenesis assay were conducted to evaluate the effects of MST1 on cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. The expression changes of AR and VEGF were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. ResultsMST1 expression was significantly lower in PCa tissues compared with BPH tissues (P=0.012). Low MST1 expression was significantly associated with tumor metastasis (P=0.033). MST1 overexpression inhibited C4-2 cell proliferation and migration, with transmembrane migrated cells reduced by 53.6% (P<0.01). MST1 overexpression decreased the mRNA and protein expression levels of AR and VEGF (P<0.05). Angiogenesis assay demonstrated that the length of new vessel structure was significantly reduced (P<0.05). ConclusionMST1 shows a low expression level in PCa tissues and is associated with tumor metastasis. MST1 exerts tumor-suppressive effects in prostate cancer by inhibiting cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis, as well as downregulating the expression of AR and VEGF, indicating its potential as a therapeutic target for prostate cancer.
7.Exploring the Pathogenesis Evolution and Treatment Strategies of Skin Cancer from the Perspective of "Spleen Deficiency, Sweat Pore Obstruction,and Toxin Accumulation"
Yiwei ZHONG ; Xueqian WANG ; Ruijuan CAI ; Ying TAN ; Baojin HAN ; Hongsheng LIN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(15):1618-1622
This paper discusses the pathogenesis and treatment strategies of skin cancer based on the theory of "spleen deficiency-sweat pore obstruction-toxin accumulation". It is believed that although the disease is located in the skin and body hair, it is not only the localized disorder but closely related to the imbalance of qi and blood of zang-fu (脏腑) organs. The core of the disease is the synergistic disorder of spleen, sweat pore, and skin and body hair. The disease progression follows a dynamic evolution from spleen deficiency with loss of nourishment, initial closure of sweat pore to binding of dampness and stasis with obstruction of sweat pore, and then to cancer toxin consolidation with damage to sweat pore. Based on this, three principles of building earth, opening sweat pore and attacking toxin are established. The method of fortifying spleen and raising the clear aims to consolidate the root and restore validity, with commonly used prescriptions including modifications of Buzhong Yiqi Decoction (补中益气汤), Liujunzi Decoction (六君子汤) and Guipi Decoction (归脾汤). The method of opening sweat pores with acrid-moistening medicinals is suggested when dredging and unblocking the sweat pore, commonly using acrid and warm dispersing medicinals, supplemented with herbs that nourish fluids and moisten dryness. The method of clearing heat and removing toxin is to break cancer toxin directly, and modifications of prescriptions such as Wuwei Xiaodu Beverage (五味消毒饮), Xiaolei Pills (消瘰丸) and Xihuang Pills (犀黄丸) are commonly used. These approaches provide valuable ideas for the prevention and treatment of skin cancer with traditional Chinese medicine.
8.Exploring the Pathogenesis Evolution and Treatment Strategies of Skin Cancer from the Perspective of "Spleen Deficiency, Sweat Pore Obstruction,and Toxin Accumulation"
Yiwei ZHONG ; Xueqian WANG ; Ruijuan CAI ; Ying TAN ; Baojin HAN ; Hongsheng LIN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(15):1618-1622
This paper discusses the pathogenesis and treatment strategies of skin cancer based on the theory of "spleen deficiency-sweat pore obstruction-toxin accumulation". It is believed that although the disease is located in the skin and body hair, it is not only the localized disorder but closely related to the imbalance of qi and blood of zang-fu (脏腑) organs. The core of the disease is the synergistic disorder of spleen, sweat pore, and skin and body hair. The disease progression follows a dynamic evolution from spleen deficiency with loss of nourishment, initial closure of sweat pore to binding of dampness and stasis with obstruction of sweat pore, and then to cancer toxin consolidation with damage to sweat pore. Based on this, three principles of building earth, opening sweat pore and attacking toxin are established. The method of fortifying spleen and raising the clear aims to consolidate the root and restore validity, with commonly used prescriptions including modifications of Buzhong Yiqi Decoction (补中益气汤), Liujunzi Decoction (六君子汤) and Guipi Decoction (归脾汤). The method of opening sweat pores with acrid-moistening medicinals is suggested when dredging and unblocking the sweat pore, commonly using acrid and warm dispersing medicinals, supplemented with herbs that nourish fluids and moisten dryness. The method of clearing heat and removing toxin is to break cancer toxin directly, and modifications of prescriptions such as Wuwei Xiaodu Beverage (五味消毒饮), Xiaolei Pills (消瘰丸) and Xihuang Pills (犀黄丸) are commonly used. These approaches provide valuable ideas for the prevention and treatment of skin cancer with traditional Chinese medicine.
9.The pathological diagnostic efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy using a fork-tip needle
Bahetinuer JIASHAER ; Mei YING ; Baohui SONG ; Tianyin CHEN ; Yiqun ZHANG ; Yunshi ZHONG ; Pinghong ZHOU ; Mingyan CAI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(4):689-693
Objective To compare the pathological diagnosis rate, number of punctures, and applicability to different lesion locations between a fork-tip biopsy needle and a conventional needle. Methods A retrospective collection of data was conducted on 137 patients who underwent endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine needle biopsy (novel needle group, n=12) or aspiration (conventional needle group, n=125) at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from January to August 2023. After propensity score matching at a ratio of 1∶5, there were 12 patients in the novel needle group and 60 patients in the conventional needle group. The pathological diagnosis rate and number of punctures were compared between the two groups. The stratified analyses on the size and location of lesions were performed. Results After matching, the pathological diagnosis rate was 91.7% (11/12) in the novel needle group, with a median of 2 punctures; the rate was 61.7% (37/60) in the conventional needle group, with a median of 3 punctures. No statistically significant differences in pathological diagnosis rate and number of punctures were observed between the two groups. Subgroup analysis showed that for lesions ≥20 mm, there was no significant difference in the number of punctures between the novel and conventional needles. The novel needle achieved a significantly higher pathological diagnosis rate for subepithelial tumors compared with the conventional needle (100.0% vs 30.4%, P=0.019), whereas no significant differences were found for pancreatic masses or lymph node lesions. Conclusions Compared with EUS-guided aspiration using the conventional needle, EUS-guided biopsy using the novel fork-tip needle shows a trend toward a higher pathological diagnosis rate, with particular advantages in subepithelial tumors.
10.Guidelines for the perioperative diagnosis and treatment of oncogene-driven non-small cell lung cancer (2026)
Weidong WANG ; Yongbin LIN ; Hui TIAN ; Gaofeng LI ; Shun XU ; Yongde LIAO ; Haitao MA ; Junfeng LIU ; Chundong GU ; Xiaolong YAN ; Shumin WANG ; Daqiang SUN ; Jianyang LIU ; Tao XUE ; Shaohua MA ; Zhigang LI ; Shuanghu YUAN ; Gen LIN ; Ling CAI ; Jianping ZHOU ; Wenzhao ZHONG ; Naixin LIANG ; Yi HAN ; Junfeng WANG ; Weidong ZHANG ; Xin WANG ; Lianjuan CHEN ; Lunxu LIU ; Xiuyi ZHI ; Lanjun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(09):1337-1353
Lung cancer constitutes the most prevalent and lethal malignant tumor in China. Approximately 85% of lung cancer diagnoses correspond to the non-small cell histological subtype [non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)]. Despite surgery being the mainstay for early-stage disease, postoperative recurrence remains high and adjuvant chemotherapy offers limited benefit. In recent years, targeted therapy has demonstrated substantial advantages in driver mutation-positive NSCLC. To this end, the Lung Cancer Medical Education Committee of the Chinese Medical Education Association developed guidelines based on a systematic review of evidence through November 2025, using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach and a modified Delphi method. Focusing on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), and addressing ROS proto-oncogene 1 (ROS1), B-Raf proto-oncogene serine/threonine kinase (BRAF) V600E mutation, and mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET) exon 14 (METex14) skipping, the guideline covers molecular testing, neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapy, perioperative strategies, minimal residual disease monitoring, and postoperative surveillance. It defines testing requirements, specifies stage-directed and subtype-specific treatments, and standardizes minimal residual disease monitoring. These recommendations emphasize precision and feasibility to improve survival and quality of life.

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