1.The Potential Role of Immune Checkpoint Molecules in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Hepatitis and in Targeted Therapy
Haixia LI ; Aiping TIAN ; Miao XUE ; Ziyi LI ; Xiaorong MAO
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(2):512-518
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic, immune-mediated liver injury of unknown etiology. The onset of this disease involves the activation and recruitment of diverse immune and non-immune cells, which in turn trigger hepatic damage. Immune checkpoint molecules (ICM) are expressed on the surface of multiple cell types. By regulating cellular functional states, they help limit the intensity and duration of immune responses, thereby preventing excessive inflammation and tissue damage, and maintaining immune homeostasis. In AIH, however, this natural "braking" mechanism is impaired, leading to aberrant activation of both immune and non-immune cells and the breakdown of immune homeostasis. Consequently, ICM are likely to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of AIH. A deeper understanding of the function of ICM in AIH not onlyadvances our insight into the disease mechanism, but also suggests that targeting these molecules may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of AIH.
2.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.
3.Exploring Mechanism of Luoshi Neiyi Prescription in Treating Endometriosis Based on Ferroptosis and Serum Metabolomics
Haixia PAN ; Yingqiao ZHONG ; Ting MAO ; Ziyi DENG ; Meilin WU ; Lei HUANG ; Siyang CHEN ; Yong GUO ; Ying ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):201-212
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which Luoshi Neiyi prescription treats endometriosis (EMs) through regulating ferroptosis, and to screen key metabolites and analyze their association with ferroptosis. MethodsClinical samples of normal endometrium from patients without EMs and eutopic and ectopic endometrium from EMs patients (10 cases each) were collected and divided into control group, eutopic group, and EMs group. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe ectopic lesions of EMs. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to determine the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), ferrous ion (Fe2+), GPX4 and glutathione (GSH) in endometrial tissues, as well as serum levels of Fe2+, GPX4 and GSH. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of SLC7A11, GPX4, transferrin receptor (TFR) and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1). In the in vitro experiment, primary stromal cells were isolated from ectopic lesions of EMs patients. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to determine the optimal concentration of drug-containing serum for intervention. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured, and Real-time PCR was applied to detect ferroptosis-related indicators. In the animal experiments, an EM rat model was established, and the rats were randomly assigned to the sham operation group, EMs group, low-dose Luoshi Neiyi Formula group (7.87 g·kg-1), high-dose Luoshi Neiyi prescription group (15.74 g·kg-1), and danazol group (42 mg·kg-1). Untargeted metabolomics detection and pathway enrichment analysis were conducted on serum samples from patients and rats. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationship between differential metabolites and ferroptosis indicators. The correlations between differential metabolites in patient endometrium and serum and key ferroptosis indicators (GPX4, Fe2+, MDA, GSH) as well as ferroptosis-related mRNAs (GPX4, SLC7A11, FTH1) were analyzed, and correlation heatmaps were generated accordingly. ResultsCompared with normal eutopic endometrium, ectopic lesions in EMs patients showed glandular disorganization and stromal fibrosis. In ectopic endometrium, the contents of MDA, ROS, and Fe2+ decreased, while GPX4 level increased, and the mRNA expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 was upregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). In serum, the levels of GPX4 and Fe2+ were elevated, whereas the GSH level declined, suggesting abnormalities in ferroptosis-related pathways in ectopic lesions (P<0.05, P<0.01). After intervention with Luoshi Neiyi prescription-containing serum, the intracellular ROS level in ectopic endometrial stromal cells was elevated, the mRNA expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 was downregulated, and TFR mRNA expression was upregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). Metabolomics analysis revealed 1104 and 198 differential metabolites in EMs patients and EMs rats, respectively, compared with their corresponding control groups, and both low-dose and high-dose Luoshi Neiyi prescription were found to regulate this metabolic disturbance, with the core regulatory pathways mainly involving arginine and proline metabolism. Correlation analysis showed that the glycerophospholipids including PI(16∶0/17∶0) and PI[18∶2(9Z,12Z)] were negatively correlated with GPX4 and positively correlated with MDA, while 17α-hydroxyprogesterone was positively correlated with GPX4, SLC7A11, and FTH1 q<0.05). ConclusionLuoshi Neiyi prescription may systematically ameliorate disease-associated metabolic dysregulation via modulation of the serum arginine and proline metabolism pathway, and may regulate ferroptosis in ectopic lesions through a mechanism potentially linked to the serum glycerophospholipid and steroid metabolism pathways. Collectively, these findings provide experimental evidence for the clinical application of Luoshi Neiyi prescription.
4.Exploring Mechanism of Luoshi Neiyi Prescription in Treating Endometriosis Based on Ferroptosis and Serum Metabolomics
Haixia PAN ; Yingqiao ZHONG ; Ting MAO ; Ziyi DENG ; Meilin WU ; Lei HUANG ; Siyang CHEN ; Yong GUO ; Ying ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):201-212
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which Luoshi Neiyi prescription treats endometriosis (EMs) through regulating ferroptosis, and to screen key metabolites and analyze their association with ferroptosis. MethodsClinical samples of normal endometrium from patients without EMs and eutopic and ectopic endometrium from EMs patients (10 cases each) were collected and divided into control group, eutopic group, and EMs group. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe ectopic lesions of EMs. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to determine the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), ferrous ion (Fe2+), GPX4 and glutathione (GSH) in endometrial tissues, as well as serum levels of Fe2+, GPX4 and GSH. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of SLC7A11, GPX4, transferrin receptor (TFR) and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1). In the in vitro experiment, primary stromal cells were isolated from ectopic lesions of EMs patients. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to determine the optimal concentration of drug-containing serum for intervention. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured, and Real-time PCR was applied to detect ferroptosis-related indicators. In the animal experiments, an EM rat model was established, and the rats were randomly assigned to the sham operation group, EMs group, low-dose Luoshi Neiyi Formula group (7.87 g·kg-1), high-dose Luoshi Neiyi prescription group (15.74 g·kg-1), and danazol group (42 mg·kg-1). Untargeted metabolomics detection and pathway enrichment analysis were conducted on serum samples from patients and rats. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationship between differential metabolites and ferroptosis indicators. The correlations between differential metabolites in patient endometrium and serum and key ferroptosis indicators (GPX4, Fe2+, MDA, GSH) as well as ferroptosis-related mRNAs (GPX4, SLC7A11, FTH1) were analyzed, and correlation heatmaps were generated accordingly. ResultsCompared with normal eutopic endometrium, ectopic lesions in EMs patients showed glandular disorganization and stromal fibrosis. In ectopic endometrium, the contents of MDA, ROS, and Fe2+ decreased, while GPX4 level increased, and the mRNA expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 was upregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). In serum, the levels of GPX4 and Fe2+ were elevated, whereas the GSH level declined, suggesting abnormalities in ferroptosis-related pathways in ectopic lesions (P<0.05, P<0.01). After intervention with Luoshi Neiyi prescription-containing serum, the intracellular ROS level in ectopic endometrial stromal cells was elevated, the mRNA expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 was downregulated, and TFR mRNA expression was upregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). Metabolomics analysis revealed 1104 and 198 differential metabolites in EMs patients and EMs rats, respectively, compared with their corresponding control groups, and both low-dose and high-dose Luoshi Neiyi prescription were found to regulate this metabolic disturbance, with the core regulatory pathways mainly involving arginine and proline metabolism. Correlation analysis showed that the glycerophospholipids including PI(16∶0/17∶0) and PI[18∶2(9Z,12Z)] were negatively correlated with GPX4 and positively correlated with MDA, while 17α-hydroxyprogesterone was positively correlated with GPX4, SLC7A11, and FTH1 q<0.05). ConclusionLuoshi Neiyi prescription may systematically ameliorate disease-associated metabolic dysregulation via modulation of the serum arginine and proline metabolism pathway, and may regulate ferroptosis in ectopic lesions through a mechanism potentially linked to the serum glycerophospholipid and steroid metabolism pathways. Collectively, these findings provide experimental evidence for the clinical application of Luoshi Neiyi prescription.
5.Clinical features of hepatic myelopathy: An analysis of 126 cases
Xiaofang WANG ; Zibing QIAN ; Ziyi LI ; Xiaorong MAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(8):1888-1893
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical data of 126 patients with hepatic myelopathy (HM), to summarize their clinical manifestations and prognostic features, and to provide a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. MethodsRelated clinical data were collected from 126 HM patients who attended The First Hospital of Lanzhou University from January 1, 2016 to June 30, 2025, and according to their muscle strength on admission, they were divided into grade<3 group, grade 3 group, and grade 4 group. The three groups were compared in terms of the clinical data including etiology, symptoms, clinical signs, past history, personal history, laboratory test results, imaging findings, treatment, and outcome. An analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups; the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups, and the Bonferroni correction method was used for further comparison between two groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between multiple groups. ResultsAll 126 patients with HM were comorbid with liver cirrhosis, with a male/female ratio of 2.7∶1, an age of 23 — 73 years, a mean age of 53.9±9.3 years, and a median age of 54 years. The top three etiologies of liver cirrhosis were hepatitis B in 78 patients (61.9%), hepatitis C in 9 patients (7.1%), and alcoholic hepatitis in 8 patients (6.3%). During the course of the disease, all 126 patients with HM showed weakness in both lower limbs, among whom 9 patients (7.1%) also had the symptoms of lower limb pain and numbness. Among the 126 patients, 3 (2.4%) had grade 0 muscle strength, 4 (3.2%) had grade 1 muscle strength, 9 (7.1%) had grade 2 muscle strength, 39 (31.0%) had grade 3 muscle strength, and 71 (56.3%) had grade 4 muscle strength. Comparison of related data between the three groups of patients with varying grades of muscle strength showed that as for comorbidities, there were significant differences between the three groups in the constituent ratios of overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) (χ2=6.254, P=0.044), ascites (χ2=6.248, P=0.044), and liver failure (χ2=7.704, P=0.029); as for laboratory markers, there were significant differences between the three groups in red blood cell count (RBC) (F=5.334, P=0.006), hemoglobin (HGB) (F=4.627, P=0.012), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (H=6.866, P=0.032), alanine aminotransferase (H=6.444, P=0.040), albumin (Alb) (F=6.331, P=0.002), cholinesterase (ChE) (H=11.064, P=0.004), total cholesterol (TC) (F=4.843, P=0.009), prothrombin activity (PTA) (F=3.937, P=0.022) and international normalized ratio (INR) (H=6.448, P=0.040). Compared with the grade 4 group, the grade<3 group had significantly lower levels of RBC, HGB, and ChE (all P<0.05) and a significantly higher level of AST (P<0.05); compared with the grade 3 group, the grade<3 group had significant reductions in Alb, TC, and PTA (all P<0.05) and a significant increase in INR (P<0.05). At discharge, 27 patients (21.4%) achieved improvement, and 99 patients (78.6%) showed no response, among whom 2 patients died. ConclusionHM has the main clinical manifestation of symmetrical spastic paraplegia of both lower limbs, and it is more common in men. The main causes of HM include hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and alcoholic hepatitis. Muscle strength in HM patients is associated with the comorbidity of OHE, ascites, or liver failure, and patients with weak muscle strength tend to have low levels of RBC, HGB, Alb, ChE, TC, and PTA and high levels of AST and INR, suggesting that the changes in these indicators may be correlated with the degree of muscle strength impairment. HM often has a poor prognosis, and there are currently no effective treatment methods.
6.Comparative transcriptome profiling of three different murine modelsof metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis
Tianwen Liu ; Ziyi Guo ; Hanqi Bi ; Bing Zhou ; Yan Lu ; Fei Mao ; Hua Wang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(8):1445-1453
Objective:
To compare the transcriptomic profiles between three distinct metabolic dysfunction⁃associat⁃mal murine model that more closely resembles human MASH progression .
Methods:
Forty 8 ⁃week⁃old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to either a control group fed normal chow diet ( NCD) or one of three MASH model groups receiving high⁃fat high⁃cholesterol diet (HFHCD) , choline⁃deficient high⁃fat diet (CDHFD) ,from three randomly selected mice per group were collected for mRNA sequencing ( mRNA⁃seq) analysis . Mean⁃bases . Overlap of functional profiles was analyzed by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) profiles to compare the mouse transcriptome with that of human patients at different stages of the disease . Additionally , Pearson ′s correla⁃tion analysis was used to explore the correlation between gene expression of murine models and human MASH .
Results:
Seven commonly up⁃regulated genes (Col1a1 , Smoc2 , Col6a1 , Gpx3 , Col16a1 , Spp1 and Crtap) were de⁃ways involving steatosis , hepatocellular injury and fibrosis were detected in the three MASH models at the pathway level . HFHCD and MCD might share more common traits . In comparing gene expression and pathway profiles be⁃tween different murine models and patients with different stages of MASH , all three murine MASH models showed a closer resemblance to the human progressive stages of MASH . Notably , the transcriptomic features of the CDHFD model were more consistent with those of human MASH .
Conclusion
There are certain similarities and differences among the transcriptional profiles of the three MASH models . The MASH models are more similar to the advanced stage of MASH in human patients . Compared to the other two models , the CDHFD model ′ s transcriptome profile more closely resembles human MASH .
7.Research on the weight of public health security risk assessment indexes in China based on analytic hierarchy process
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(13):10-14
Objective To determine the weight of public health security risk assessment indexes in China by using analytic hierarchy process,and to provide a basis for quantitative assessment and scientific management of public health security risks.Methods The analytic hierarchy process was used to construct the hierarchical model of public health security risk assessment in China,and the pairwise comparison judgment matrix was established and the consistency test was carried out to ensure the rationality of weight distribution.Finally,the weight value and combination weight of each index were calculated.Results The index system included 3 first-level indexes,18 second-level indexes and 43 third-level indexes.The weight coefficients of each level of indexes met the consistency test,and the weight distribution and ranking of China's public health security risk assessment indexes system were finally determined.Conclusion The public health security risk assessment indexes system based on the analytic hierarchy process can scientifically and reasonably reflect the relative importance of each index,and provide important support for the quantitative assessment,early warning,prevention and control of public health security risks in China.
8.Artificial intelligence applications in Ménière's disease.
Ziyi ZHOU ; Yiling ZHANG ; Qiuyue MAO ; Qin WANG
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(5):496-500
Objective:Ménière's disease(MD) is a common disorder of the inner ear. The fluctuating clinical symptoms and the absence of gold standards for diagnosis have posed serious problems for clinical diagnosis and treatment over the years. With the development of science and technology, artificial intelligence (AI) has been widely used in the field of medicine, and the potential of AI application to MD is demonstrated. The purpose of this review is to outline the use of AI in MD. Initially, specific instances where AI aids in differentiating MD from other causes of vertigo are presented. Furthermore, the role of AI in the evaluation of Endolymphatic Hydrops (EH), particularly through imaging and biochemical assays, is highlighted due to its correlation with MD. Additionally, the effectiveness of AI in managing MD patients and forecasting disease progression is examined. In conclusion, the prevalent challenges hindering the clinical integration of AI in MD treatment are discussed, alongside potential strategies to surmount these barriers.
Humans
;
Meniere Disease/diagnosis*
;
Artificial Intelligence
;
Endolymphatic Hydrops/diagnosis*
9.Research on the weight of public health security risk assessment indexes in China based on analytic hierarchy process
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(13):10-14
Objective To determine the weight of public health security risk assessment indexes in China by using analytic hierarchy process,and to provide a basis for quantitative assessment and scientific management of public health security risks.Methods The analytic hierarchy process was used to construct the hierarchical model of public health security risk assessment in China,and the pairwise comparison judgment matrix was established and the consistency test was carried out to ensure the rationality of weight distribution.Finally,the weight value and combination weight of each index were calculated.Results The index system included 3 first-level indexes,18 second-level indexes and 43 third-level indexes.The weight coefficients of each level of indexes met the consistency test,and the weight distribution and ranking of China's public health security risk assessment indexes system were finally determined.Conclusion The public health security risk assessment indexes system based on the analytic hierarchy process can scientifically and reasonably reflect the relative importance of each index,and provide important support for the quantitative assessment,early warning,prevention and control of public health security risks in China.
10.Research on the Equity of Class B Large Medical Equipment Allocation in China Based on Agglomeration Degree
Yujie YANG ; Qianhang XIA ; Zhongyue HUANG ; Ziyi PENG ; Mile LIN ; Ayan MAO ; Wuqi QIU
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(2):53-57
Objective:To analyze the current allocation situation and equity of Class B large medical equipment in China,and provide references for reasonably optimizing the allocation of medical equipment.Methods:Based on the allocation data of Class B large medical equipment in China at the end of the 13th Five Year Plan period,the agglomeration degree method was used to evaluate the equity of equipment allocation in various regions from the dimensions of geography,population,and economic development.Results:The current allocation of Class B large medical equipment per million population was 3.19,and the eastern region(3.64)was higher than the central region(3.42),the central region(2.24)was higher than the western region.The agglomeration degree of medical equipment based on geographical area showed that most of the equipment in the eastern region was in a rich state,and the allocation equity was relatively good in the central region,but generally poor in the western region.The agglomeration degree of medical equipment based on population distribution was higher in the eastern region than in the central region and even higher in the western region.The equipment in the eastern region could basically meet the demand of the local population,while the allocation in the central and western regions was slightly insufficient.The distribution of medical equipment agglomeration degree based on economic development varied significantly among different regions,and the allocation equity of central region was generally better than that of eastern and western regions.Conclusion:The total allocation of Class B large medical equipment in China is not high,and the government needs to continue planning and improving it.The distribution of medical equipment allocation based on geography,population and economic development is unbalanced among the eastern,central and western regions.Improving the equity of medical equipment allocation also needs to consider regional differences and characteristics according to local conditions.


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