1.The current status of international health communication research and its implications for China
Lingyan YANG ; Zihan YU ; Yueqiao ZHAO ; Zhenping LI ; Jianyi YAO ; Hao LI ; Yuhui ZHOU
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(1):18-21
Objective To systematically review international research on health communication, and to provide valuable insights and reference for China's health communication research and practice. Methods This study included 693 articles published from January 2023 to April 2024 in two authoritative academic journals in the field of health communication, “Health Communication” and the “Journal of Health Communication”. A systematic review was conducted on the themes, theoretical foundations, research methods, and populations of international health communication research. Results The findings in this study revealed that international health communication research topics were diverse, with hotspots including social media, health information behavior, health misinformation, stigmatization, trust, and risk perception. The results showed that 34% of the articles were based on theoretical foundations, and 93.3% employed research methods, focusing on adolescents, parents, women, and other key populations. Conclusion Domestic health communication research can expand its perspective from “information transmission” to “social interaction”, innovate theories and methods from “single paradigm" to “multi-integration” and shift focus from a “mass perspective” to “targeted care” for the health of all populations. Domestic health communication practice can delve into the localization of social media health communication practices, the comprehensive management of health misinformation, and the critical application of new technologies.
2.Sex-specific effects of Semen Cuscutae aqueous extract on behavior, proteomics, and gut microbiota in rats
Zihan ZHAO ; Yaling YANG ; Junhui ZHOU ; Jie REN ; Zhiqiang LUO ; Ruibin BAI ; Jian YANG
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(1):50-61
Background: Sex-based differences often influence the therapeutic efficacy and safety of medications. Semen Cuscutae is a traditional tonic botanical drug with sex-specific characteristics, traditionally indicated for conditions such as impotence (exclusive to males) and restless fetus (exclusive to pregnant females). However, most existing studies have focused on a single sex. Objective: To evaluate the sex-specific biological effects of Semen Cuscutae in rats and explore its molecular mechanisms, with the aim of uncovering its pharmacological characteristics through a multiomics approach. Methods: A traditional aqueous extract of Semen Cuscutae (SCA) was used as the experimental material. Forty adult Sprague-Dawley rats (equal numbers of males and females) were randomly divided into 4 groups: male control, male SCA treatment (240 mg/kg), female control, and female SCA treatment (240 mg/kg), with 10 rats in each group. The biological effects were comprehensively evaluated using a combination of open field test, biochemical analyses, proteomics, and gut microbiota profiling. Results: As a tonic botanical drug, SCA appeared to directly affect the mental and behavioral state of rats. It significantly altered the time spent by rats in the center area during the open field test, showing a sex-dependent reversal of behaviors. Proteomic analysis of brain tissue identified 624 differentially expressed proteins across the groups, with 10 key differentially expressed proteins related to sex differences, including fibroblast growth factor receptor 3, transcription elongation factor A protein-like 1, 40S ribosomal protein S25, neural cell adhesion molecule, and anion exchange protein 2 (SLC4A2). Enrichment analysis revealed that in male rats, SCA upregulated proteins involved in biological processes such as ribosome function and energy derivation, supporting protein synthesis and enhancing energy supply, showing an overall gain effect. In contrast, in female rats, SCA downregulated proteins associated with processes such as positive regulation of target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling and vesicle transport, suggesting suppression of neuronal signaling and material transport, indicative of a shift toward a more restrained physiological state. Furthermore, SCA reduced gut microbiota diversity in female rats but increased it in males, including the abundance of Akkermansia, which may serve as a crucial mediator. Conclusion: Overall, the biological effects of SCA differ significantly between male and female rats, with evidence suggesting greater health benefits in males. These findings help elucidate the scientific basis of its traditional applications and provide guidance for the precise application of SCA as a functional health food.
3.Research advance on the perioperative management of flexible ureteral lithotripsy under local anesthesia
Chaolin YU ; Pingbo XIE ; Jiaxi PENG ; Hongqing ZHOU ; Yonghua LUO ; Zihan DAI ; Chuan LIU
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(3):266-271
Flexible ureteral lithotripsy (FURL) under general anesthesia (GA) is the dominant method in the treatment of renal and upper ureteral calculi,but some patients cannot tolerate GA.In recent years,there has been a growing interest in the use of local anesthesia (LA) as a safe and effective alternative.And it is also an option for patients who have calculi ≤20 mm with high fragility,lower CT value and better compatibility.Before surgery,it is important to conduct relevant examinations,evaluate the status of patients,prevent infections,and indwell ureteral stents.During surgery,lithotomy position,scissors position,prone leg position and other positions should be selected according to the specific conditions of patients.LA drugs should be used to control physiological pain and relieve psychological anxiety.Patients' breathing state should be carefully monitored,and appropriate ureteroscope and lens sheath should be selected for the success and safety of the operation.In this paper,the perioperative management of FURL under LA is briefly summarized,so as to provide reference for clinical practice.
4.Discussion on Research Paradigm and Layout Based on Disease (Psoriasis) Specifically Responding to Traditional Chinese Medicine
Liu LIU ; Xiaoying SUN ; Mei MO ; Zihan FANG ; Yaqiong ZHOU ; Bin LI ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Xin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):203-211
To implement the Opinions of the State Council of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Promoting the Inheritance and Innovative Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine, delve into the diseases specifically responding to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and serve the building of advantageous specialties, clinical talent cultivation, national research layout, and academic innovation, the Chinese Association of Chinese Medicine sponsored the salons in multiple fields to discuss the diseases specifically responding to TCM. On August 26, 2023, the 25th salon on the diseases specifically responding to TCM was held in Shanghai. In view of the advantages of TCM and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis, Chinese and western medicine experts and interdisciplinary researchers carried out extensive and in-depth discussions and formed specific suggestions and consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis with TCM and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine. However, there was still a lack of detailed research path. Under the guidance of the Chinese Association of Chinese Medicine, this paper analyzes the problems in the diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis from the occurrence and development of psoriasis. According to the advantages and characteristics of TCM and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis, this paper puts forward the main points of research layout for psoriasis from the three aspects of psoriasis diagnosis and treatment, comorbidity prevention, and chronic disease management as follows: ① optimization of the syndrome differentiation system for psoriasis, ② optimization of assessment indicators for psoriasis, ③ recurrence mechanisms of psoriasis, ④ construction and research of TCM prevention and treatment of psoriasis recurrence, ⑤ construction of the comorbidity spectrum and TCM theoretical system of psoriasis, ⑥ comorbidity mechanisms of psoriasis. Furthermore, this article proposed the research layout and directions, expected goals and values, and funding priorities. Therefore, on the basis of the series of salons about psoriasis as a disease specifically responding to TCM, this article puts forward the research paradigm of psoriasis, aiming to facilitate the high-quality development of TCM and provide reference for the national research layout, the research and development of new TCM preparations, the selection of research topics, and the formulation of guidelines and consensus.
5.Advancement in neutrophil-based drug delivery systems.
Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences 2025;54(4):479-488
Neutrophils, as the most abundant immune cells in the human body, possess the inherent ability to rapidly migrate to sites of inflammation and infection. Novel drug delivery systems leveraging neutrophils capitalize on their natural targeting and phagocytic capabilities to achieve precise drug delivery. Efficient drug loading into neutrophils within neutrophil-based delivery systems can be achieved through physical adsorption, chemical conjugation, and phagocytosis. Design strategies emphasize carrier selection and targeting ligand design to enhance delivery precision. Compared to traditional drug delivery systems, neutrophil-based systems offer significant advantages, including excellent biocompatibility and strong tissue penetration. These properties can significantly improve drug bioavailability and reduce adverse reactions associated with non-target tissue accumulation. However, these systems also face several challenges that require resolution, such as difficulties in cell collection and preservation, the need for stability optimization, challenges in large-scale production, and a lengthy clinical translation cycle. In disease treatment applications, neutrophil-based drug delivery systems enable precise delivery of anti-cancer drugs to tumor sites, potentially disrupting immunosuppression of the tumor microenvironment and enhancing therapeutic efficacy. For brain diseases, their unique ability to cross the blood-brain barrier facilitates effective drug delivery. In chronic inflammatory diseases, neutrophil-based systems can precisely deliver anti-inflammatory agents to mitigate inflammation. Performance enhancements for neutrophil-based systems can be achieved by the development of novel nanomaterials and optimization of targeting ligand affinity, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of drug delivery. This review comprehensively explores the design strategies, advantages, challenges, and future directions of neutrophil-based drug delivery systems. It summarizes research progress in disease treatment applica-tions, aiming to offer key insights for the development of novel drug delivery systems and advance precision medicine and targeted therapy.
Humans
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Drug Delivery Systems/methods*
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Neutrophils
;
Phagocytosis
;
Drug Carriers
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Blood-Brain Barrier
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Neoplasms/drug therapy*
6.Dual activation of GCGR/GLP1R signaling ameliorates intestinal fibrosis via metabolic regulation of histone H3K9 lactylation in epithelial cells.
Han LIU ; Yujie HONG ; Hui CHEN ; Xianggui WANG ; Jiale DONG ; Xiaoqian LI ; Zihan SHI ; Qian ZHAO ; Longyuan ZHOU ; JiaXin WANG ; Qiuling ZENG ; Qinglin TANG ; Qi LIU ; Florian RIEDER ; Baili CHEN ; Minhu CHEN ; Rui WANG ; Yao ZHANG ; Ren MAO ; Xianxing JIANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):278-295
Intestinal fibrosis is a significant clinical challenge in inflammatory bowel diseases, but no effective anti-fibrotic therapy is currently available. Glucagon receptor (GCGR) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP1R) are both peptide hormone receptors involved in energy metabolism of epithelial cells. However, their role in intestinal fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Herein GCGR and GLP1R were found to be reduced in the stenotic ileum of patients with Crohn's disease as well as in the fibrotic colon of mice with chronic colitis. The downregulation of GCGR and GLP1R led to the accumulation of the metabolic byproduct lactate, resulting in histone H3K9 lactylation and exacerbated intestinal fibrosis through epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Dual activating GCGR and GLP1R by peptide 1907B reduced the H3K9 lactylation in epithelial cells and ameliorated intestinal fibrosis in vivo. We uncovered the role of GCGR/GLP1R in regulating EMT involved in intestinal fibrosis via histone lactylation. Simultaneously activating GCGR/GLP1R with the novel dual agonist peptide 1907B holds promise as a treatment strategy for alleviating intestinal fibrosis.
7.Structures and functions of the MICOS: Pathogenesis and therapeutic implications in Alzheimer's disease.
Zihan WANG ; Kaige ZHANG ; Minghao HUANG ; Dehao SHANG ; Xiaomin HE ; Zhou WU ; Xu YAN ; Xinwen ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):2966-2984
Mitochondrial dysfunction is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system (MICOS) plays a pivotal role in shaping the inner mitochondrial membrane, forming cristae junctions and establishing interaction sites between the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes and thereby serving as a cornerstone of mitochondrial structure and function. In the past decade, MICOS abnormalities have been extensively linked to AD pathogenesis. In particular, dysregulated expression of MICOS subunits and mutations in MICOS-related genes have been identified in AD, often in association with hallmark pathological features such as amyloid-β plaque accumulation, neurofibrillary tangle formation, and neuronal apoptosis. Furthermore, MICOS subunits interact with several etiologically relevant proteins, significantly influencing AD progression. The intricate crosstalk between these proteins and MICOS subunits underscores the relevance of MICOS dysfunction in AD. Therapeutic strategies targeting MICOS subunits or their interacting proteins may offer novel approaches for AD treatment. In the present review, we introduce current understanding of MICOS structures and functions, highlight MICOS pathogenesis in AD, and summarize the available MICOS-targeting drugs potentially useful for AD.
8.NUP62 alleviates senescence and promotes the stemness of human dental pulp stem cells via NSD2-dependent epigenetic reprogramming.
Xiping WANG ; Li WANG ; Linxi ZHOU ; Lu CHEN ; Jiayi SHI ; Jing GE ; Sha TIAN ; Zihan YANG ; Yuqiong ZHOU ; Qihao YU ; Jiacheng JIN ; Chen DING ; Yihuai PAN ; Duohong ZOU
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):34-34
Stem cells play a crucial role in maintaining tissue regenerative capacity and homeostasis. However, mechanisms associated with stem cell senescence require further investigation. In this study, we conducted a proteomic analysis of human dental pulp stem cells (HDPSCs) obtained from individuals of various ages. Our findings showed that the expression of NUP62 was decreased in aged HDPSCs. We discovered that NUP62 alleviated senescence-associated phenotypes and enhanced differentiation potential both in vitro and in vivo. Conversely, the knocking down of NUP62 expression aggravated the senescence-associated phenotypes and impaired the proliferation and migration capacity of HDPSCs. Through RNA-sequence and decoding the epigenomic landscapes remodeled induced by NUP62 overexpression, we found that NUP62 helps alleviate senescence in HDPSCs by enhancing the nuclear transport of the transcription factor E2F1. This, in turn, stimulates the transcription of the epigenetic enzyme NSD2. Finally, the overexpression of NUP62 influences the H3K36me2 and H3K36me3 modifications of anti-aging genes (HMGA1, HMGA2, and SIRT6). Our results demonstrated that NUP62 regulates the fate of HDPSCs via NSD2-dependent epigenetic reprogramming.
Humans
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Dental Pulp/cytology*
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Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins/genetics*
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Cellular Senescence/genetics*
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Stem Cells/metabolism*
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Epigenesis, Genetic
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Cell Proliferation
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Cell Differentiation
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Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase/metabolism*
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Cells, Cultured
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Cellular Reprogramming
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Cell Movement
;
Proteomics
9.GPT2-ICC: A data-driven approach for accurate ion channel identification using pre-trained large language models.
Zihan ZHOU ; Yang YU ; Chengji YANG ; Leyan CAO ; Shaoying ZHANG ; Junnan LI ; Yingnan ZHANG ; Huayun HAN ; Guoliang SHI ; Qiansen ZHANG ; Juwen SHEN ; Huaiyu YANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(8):101302-101302
Current experimental and computational methods have limitations in accurately and efficiently classifying ion channels within vast protein spaces. Here we have developed a deep learning algorithm, GPT2 Ion Channel Classifier (GPT2-ICC), which effectively distinguishing ion channels from a test set containing approximately 239 times more non-ion-channel proteins. GPT2-ICC integrates representation learning with a large language model (LLM)-based classifier, enabling highly accurate identification of potential ion channels. Several potential ion channels were predicated from the unannotated human proteome, further demonstrating GPT2-ICC's generalization ability. This study marks a significant advancement in artificial-intelligence-driven ion channel research, highlighting the adaptability and effectiveness of combining representation learning with LLMs to address the challenges of imbalanced protein sequence data. Moreover, it provides a valuable computational tool for uncovering previously uncharacterized ion channels.
10.Deep learning-based fusion of color and spectral features from hyperspectral imaging for the origin identification of Salvia miltiorrhiza
Ruibin BAI ; Feng XIONG ; Hui WANG ; Meiqi LUAN ; Junhui ZHOU ; Xiufu WAN ; Zihan ZHAO ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Chu ZHANG ; Jian YANG
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;3(3):250-258
Background: Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, commonly known as “Danshen” in China due to the distinctive red color of its roots, is one of the most widely used traditional Chinese medicines. It is cultivated in various regions across China, and environmental differences among these regions can affect the secondary metabolites of plants, thereby influencing the quality of S. miltiorrhiza. In recent years, increasing demand for S. miltiorrhiza has exacerbated the problem of origin fraud. Therefore, ensuring the authenticity of its geographical origin is crucial for the sustainable development of the industry. Objective: The red coloration of S. miltiorrhiza is closely associated with the content of its primary active compounds, particularly tanshinones. Therefore, both its internal chemical composition and external color characteristics serve as key indicators for quality assessment. This study utilized hyperspectral imaging technology to evaluate its potential in classifying the geographical origin of S. miltiorrhiza. Methods: Spectral data reflecting the internal chemical properties of S. miltiorrhiza were integrated with color information representing its external features through 3 levels of data fusion. These fused datasets were then combined with deep learning algorithms to achieve accurate origin classification. Results: The results demonstrated that the Transformer model combined with soft-voting decision-level fusion achieved the highest classification accuracy of 98.72% by integrating image color and short-wave infrared spectral data. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that integrating hyperspectral imaging spectral data with color information provides a reliable and innovative approach for verifying the authenticity and traceability of S. miltiorrhiza.


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