1.Current Situation, Problems and Countermeasures of Experimental Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulating PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway in Rats with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Pengxuan YAN ; Yiqing LIU ; Nanxing XIAN ; Linjing PENG ; Kun LI ; Jingchun ZHANG ; Yukun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):259-266
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) and its resulting infertility is one of the common diseases of gynecology and reproductive endocrinology. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway is relatively well-studied in the development of intervention in PCOS, and the experiments on PCOS in rats conducted by traditional Chinese medicine through this signaling pathway is also the main direction of mechanistic research. In this paper, 20 articles published in academic journals in the past 5 years were selected through the corresponding criteria, and the objective situation and existing problems of the selected research projects were analyzed from five aspects, namely, baseline data, modeling and treatment, grouping, evaluative indexes, and pharmacodynamic indexes. It is found that there were different degrees of problems in each research project, such as the observation indicators of modeling, criteria for judging the success of the model, the treatment period, the calculation of dosage of prescription/active ingredients and specific dosage were not clearly defined, which could easily lead the bias of the results or reduce the validity of experimental data. Based on this, the list of PCOS rat experimental research operations was formed, involving five categories of experimental rats, model construction, study implementation, outcome measures and analysis and report with a total of 21 operation lists, with a view to provide a reference for the subsequent PCOS experiments related to scientific research and helping to form high-quality results. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
2.Predicting Postoperative Progression of Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament in the Cervical Spine Using Interpretable Radiomics Models
Siyuan QIN ; Ruomu QU ; Ke LIU ; Ruixin YAN ; Weili ZHAO ; Jun XU ; Enlong ZHANG ; Feifei ZHOU ; Ning LANG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):144-156
		                        		
		                        			 Objective:
		                        			This study investigates the potential of radiomics to predict postoperative progression of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) after posterior cervical spine surgery. 
		                        		
		                        			Methods:
		                        			This retrospective study included 473 patients diagnosed with OPLL at Peking University Third Hospital between October 2006 and September 2022. Patients underwent posterior spinal surgery and had at least 2 computed tomography (CT) examinations spaced at least 1 year apart. OPLL progression was defined as an annual growth rate exceeding 7.5%. Radiomic features were extracted from preoperative CT images of the OPLL lesions, followed by feature selection using correlation coefficient analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, and dimensionality reduction using principal component analysis. Univariable analysis identified significant clinical variables for constructing the clinical model. Logistic regression models, including the Rad-score model, clinical model, and combined model, were developed to predict OPLL progression. 
		                        		
		                        			Results:
		                        			Of the 473 patients, 191 (40.4%) experienced OPLL progression. On the testing set, the combined model, which incorporated the Rad-score and clinical variables (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] = 0.751), outperformed both the radiomics-only model (AUC = 0.693) and the clinical model (AUC = 0.620). Calibration curves demonstrated good agreement between predicted probabilities and observed outcomes, and decision curve analysis confirmed the clinical utility of the combined model. SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) analysis indicated that the Rad-score and age were key contributors to the model’s predictions, enhancing clinical interpretability. 
		                        		
		                        			Conclusion
		                        			Radiomics, combined with clinical variables, provides a valuable predictive tool for assessing the risk of postoperative progression in cervical OPLL, supporting more personalized treatment strategies. Prospective, multicenter validation is needed to confirm the utility of the model in broader clinical settings. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
3.Predicting Postoperative Progression of Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament in the Cervical Spine Using Interpretable Radiomics Models
Siyuan QIN ; Ruomu QU ; Ke LIU ; Ruixin YAN ; Weili ZHAO ; Jun XU ; Enlong ZHANG ; Feifei ZHOU ; Ning LANG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):144-156
		                        		
		                        			 Objective:
		                        			This study investigates the potential of radiomics to predict postoperative progression of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) after posterior cervical spine surgery. 
		                        		
		                        			Methods:
		                        			This retrospective study included 473 patients diagnosed with OPLL at Peking University Third Hospital between October 2006 and September 2022. Patients underwent posterior spinal surgery and had at least 2 computed tomography (CT) examinations spaced at least 1 year apart. OPLL progression was defined as an annual growth rate exceeding 7.5%. Radiomic features were extracted from preoperative CT images of the OPLL lesions, followed by feature selection using correlation coefficient analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, and dimensionality reduction using principal component analysis. Univariable analysis identified significant clinical variables for constructing the clinical model. Logistic regression models, including the Rad-score model, clinical model, and combined model, were developed to predict OPLL progression. 
		                        		
		                        			Results:
		                        			Of the 473 patients, 191 (40.4%) experienced OPLL progression. On the testing set, the combined model, which incorporated the Rad-score and clinical variables (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] = 0.751), outperformed both the radiomics-only model (AUC = 0.693) and the clinical model (AUC = 0.620). Calibration curves demonstrated good agreement between predicted probabilities and observed outcomes, and decision curve analysis confirmed the clinical utility of the combined model. SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) analysis indicated that the Rad-score and age were key contributors to the model’s predictions, enhancing clinical interpretability. 
		                        		
		                        			Conclusion
		                        			Radiomics, combined with clinical variables, provides a valuable predictive tool for assessing the risk of postoperative progression in cervical OPLL, supporting more personalized treatment strategies. Prospective, multicenter validation is needed to confirm the utility of the model in broader clinical settings. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
4.Production of GTKO pigs and kidney xenotransplantation from pigs to rhesus macaques
Yan WANG ; Yue CHANG ; Chang YANG ; Taiyun WEI ; Xiaoying HUO ; Bowei CHEN ; Jiaoxiang WANG ; Heng ZHAO ; Jianxiong GUO ; Hongfang ZHAO ; Xiong ZHANG ; Feiyan ZHU ; Wenmin CHENG ; Hongye ZHAO ; Kaixiang XU ; Ameen Jamal MUHAMMAD ; Zhendi WANG ; Hongjiang WEI
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(4):526-537
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To explore the construction of α-1,3-galactosyltransferase (GGTA1) gene-knockout (GTKO) Diannan miniature pigs and the kidney xenotransplantation from pigs to rhesus macaques, and to assess the effectiveness of GTKO pigs. Methods The GTKO Diannan miniature pigs were constructed using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing system and somatic cell cloning technology. The phenotype of GTKO pigs was verified through polymerase chain reaction, Sanger sequencing and immunofluorescence staining. Flow cytometry was used to detect antigen-antibody (IgM) binding and complement-dependent cytotoxicity. Kidney xenotransplantation was performed from GTKO pigs to rhesus macaques. The humoral immunity, cellular immunity, coagulation and physiological indicators of the recipient monkeys were monitored. The function and pathological changes of the transplanted kidneys were analyzed using ultrasonography, hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence staining. Results Single-guide RNA (sgRNA) targeting exon 4 of the GGTA1 gene in Diannan miniature pigs was designed. The pGL3-GGTA1-sgRNA1-GFP vector was transfected into fetal fibroblasts of Diannan miniature pigs. After puromycin selection, two cell clones, C59# and C89#, were identified as GGTA1 gene-knockout clones. These clones were expanded to form cell lines, which were used as donor cells for somatic cell nuclear transfer. The reconstructed embryos were transferred into the oviducts of trihybrid surrogate sows, resulting in 13 fetal pigs. Among them, fetuses F04 and F11 exhibited biallelic mutations in the GGTA1 gene, and F04 had a normal karyotype. Using this GTKO fetal pig for recloning and transferring the reconstructed embryos into the oviducts of trihybrid surrogate sows, seven surviving piglets were obtained, all of which did not express α-Gal epitope. The binding of IgM from the serum of rhesus monkey 20# to GTKO pig PBMC was reduced, and the survival rate of GTKO pig PBMC in the complement-dependent cytotoxicity assay was higher than that of wild-type pig. GTKO pig kidneys were harvested and perfused until completely white. After the left kidney of the recipient monkey was removed, the pig kidney was heterotopically transplanted. Following vascular anastomosis and blood flow restoration, the pig kidney rapidly turned pink without hyperacute rejection (HAR). Urine appeared in the ureter 6 minutes later, indicating successful kidney transplantation. The right kidney of the recipient was then removed. Seven days after transplantation, the transplanted kidney had good blood flow, the recipient monkey's serum creatinine level was stable, and serum potassium and cystatin C levels were effectively controlled, although they increased 10 days after transplantation. Seven days after transplantation, the levels of white blood cells, lymphocytes, monocytes and eosinophils in the recipient monkey increased, while platelet count and fibrinogen levels decreased. The activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time and prothrombin time remained relatively stable but later showed an upward trend. The recipient monkey survived for 10 days. At autopsy, the transplanted kidney was found to be congested, swollen and necrotic, with a small amount of IgG deposition in the renal tissue, and a large amount of IgM, complement C3c and C4d deposition, as well as CD68+ macrophage infiltration. Conclusions The kidneys of GTKO Diannan miniature pigs may maintain normal renal function for a certain period in rhesus macaques and effectively overcome HAR, confirming the effectiveness of GTKO pigs for xenotransplantation.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
5.Study on the mechanism of Xiaoqinglong decoction in intervening in airway inflammation of asthma with syndrome of cold retention accumulation in lung
Bin WANG ; Mingzhe ZHAO ; Yuyang SUN ; Peizheng YAN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(13):1574-1580
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of Xiaoqinglong decoction on airway inflammation in asthma with syndrome of cold retention accumulation in lung based on the metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1). METHODS Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, dexamethasone group (positive control, 1 mg/kg), and Xiaoqinglong decoction group (2.72 g/kg), with 10 rats in each group. A rat model of asthma with syndrome of cold retention accumulation in lung was established, and the corresponding drugs were administered once daily starting from the second day of modeling for 21 consecutive days. Lung histopathological changes and lung function were evaluated. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), interferron-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interleukin-13 (IL-13) in serum were measured, and the mRNA expression levels of MALAT1, TNF- α, IL-13, IFN- γ, and transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) in lung tissue were determined. Twenty C57BL/6J wild-type mice and twenty C57BL/6J MALAT1(-/-)mice were randomly divided into wild-type model group, wild-type Xiaoqinglong decoction group, MALAT1 model group, and MALAT1(-/-) Xiaoqinglong decoction group, with 10 mice in each group. The same asthma model was E-mail:yan_peizheng@163.com established, and Xiaoqinglong decoction was administered once daily for 21 days starting from the second day of modeling. The serum levels of SOD, MDA, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-13 were measured, along with the mRNA and protein expression levels of TRPM2 in lung tissue. RESULTS The results of the rat experiment showed that, compared with model group, the airway resistance, functional residual capacity, the serum levels of IL- 13, TNF-α and MDA as well as inflammatory infiltration and collagen fiber deposition in lung tissue, and the expressions of IL- 13, TNF-α and TRPM2 in lung tissue were all significantly decreased in the treatment group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The peak expiratory flow, forced expiratory flow at 50% of forced vital capacity, the serum levels of SOD and IFN-γ, and the expression levels of IFN-γ and MALAT1 in lung tissue were significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The results of the mice experiment demonstrated that, compared with the wild-type model group, serum levels of IL-13, TNF-α and MDA in wild-type xiaoqinglong decoction group were significantly reduced (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while serum IFN-γ levels and SOD activity were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the wild-type Xiaoqinglong decoction group, the MALAT1(-/-) Xiaoqinglong decoction group showed significantly decreased serum IFN-γ levels and SOD activity (P<0.01), along with significantly increased levels of IL-13, TNF-α and MDA (P<0.05 or P<0.01), as well as significantly elevated TRPM2 mRNA and protein expression in lung tissue (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Xiaoqinglong decoction may alleviate airway inflammation by regulating the expression of MALAT1, modulating oxidative stress, inhibiting TRPM2 activation, and reducing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
6.Professor TONG Xiaolin's Experience in Treating Prediabetes with Overweight and Obesity Using the Method of Relieving Depression and Reducing Turbidity
Sicheng WANG ; Yangyang LIU ; Yan YAN ; Zishan JIN ; Boxun ZHANG ; Qingwei LI ; Xiaoxuan XU ; Linhua ZHAO ;
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(14):1424-1427
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			To summarise the clinical experience of Professor TONG Xiaolin in treating prediabetes combined with overweight or obesity using the method of relieving depression and reducing turbidity. It is believed that prediabetes belongs to the category of "spleen-heat syndrome" in traditional Chinese medicine, and its core pathogenesis is center fullness with internal heat, while obesity is the initiating factor for exacerbating center fullness and internal heat, therefore, it is of great significance to reduce the risk of diabetes by interrupting the transformation between overweight, obesity and glucose metabolism abnormality. It is proposed that the main pathogenesis of prediabetes combined with overweight or obesity is qi depression and turbidity obstruction in middle jiao, with qi depression as the root and turbidity obstruction as the cause, forming a treatment idea with the method of relieving depression and reducing turbidity as the core. In clinic, Dahuang Huanglian Xiexin Decoction (大黄黄连泻心汤) is used as the basic prescription, with a primary focus on directing the turbid downward, supplemented by regulating qi, which embodies the concept of "promoting movement through descent, then figuring out the root of spleen-heat syndrome. Furthermore, the treatment is flexibly modified based on the patient's deficiency-excess syndrome to ensure individualized therapy. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
7.Effects of Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula (活血消异方) on Tfh Cells and the JAK/STAT Pathway in Ectopic Tissues of Ovarian Endometriosis Model Rats
Weisen FAN ; Yongjia ZHANG ; Yaqian WANG ; Hong LEI ; Huiting YAN ; Ruijie HOU ; Xin WANG ; Yu TAO ; Ruihua ZHAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(14):1473-1480
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula (活血消异方, HXF) in treating ovarian endometriosis (OEM) from the perspective of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway. MethodsForty-five female SD rats with normal estrous cycles were randomly divided into three groups, HXF group, model group, and normal group, with 15 rats in each group. A rat model of OEM was established by autologous endometrial tissue implantation. After successful modeling, the treatment group received HXF at 5.85 g/(kg·d) by gavage for 14 consecutive days. The model group and normal group received 1 mL/d of normal saline by gavage. RNA-sequencing data from human proliferative-phase endometriotic and normal endometrial tissues were downloaded from the GEO database. Transcriptomic sequencing was used to analyze gene expression in rat ovarian ectopic tissues and normal uterine tissues, and comparisons were made with human data to verify JAK/STAT pathway activation in proliferative-phase ectopic tissues. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the positive expression of CXC chemokine receptor 5 (CXCR5) and interleukin-21 (IL-21) in rat ovarian ectopic and normal uterine tissues. Western Blotting was performed to detect the protein levels of IL-21, IL-21 receptor (IL-21R), Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6), and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). Tfh cell infiltration was analyzed using immune cell infiltration methods. ResultsGene set enrichment analysis showed that the JAK/STAT pathway was significantly activated in human proliferative-phase endometriotic tissues compared to normal endometrial tissues. Similarly, the JAK/STAT pathway was markedly activated in rat ovarian ectopic tissues in the model group compared to the normal group, but suppressed in the HXF group compared to the model group. Compared with normal uterine tissues, ovarian ectopic tissues in the model group showed increased Tfh cell infiltration scores, higher CXCR5 and IL-21 expression, and elevated levels of IL-21, IL-21R, JAK1, STAT6, and Bcl-2 proteins. Compared with the model group, HXF group showed reduced CXCR5 and IL-21 expression and decreased protein levels of IL-21, IL-21R, JAK1, STAT6, and Bcl-2. ConclusionHXF may suppress activation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in ovarian endometriotic tissues by inhibiting IL-21 secretion from Tfh cells. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
8.Expression of FLG in melanoma tissues and its correlation with clinicopathological features and prognosis
ZHAO Cailing 1 ; YAN Bingjian2 ; LI Yuqiang1 ; ZHENG Fangyuan1 ; DENG Yu1
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2025;32(6):636-640
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			[摘  要]  目的:探究聚丝蛋白(FLG)在黑色素瘤组织中的表达及其与患者临床病理特征、预后的关系。方法:选取2019年6月至2020年8月间山东第一医科大学附属人民医院收治的70例黑色素瘤患者为研究对象,取术中切除的瘤组织及瘤旁组织标本,用免疫组织化学法检测FLG蛋白表达,根据FLG的表达将患者分为阳性组和阴性组,比较瘤组织、瘤旁组织及不同病理特征下黑色素瘤组织中FLG的阳性表达率。随访患者3年,根据患者预后情况将患者分为生存组(n = 43)和死亡组(n = 27),比较两组患者的FLG阳性表达率,采用Kaplan-Meier法绘制生存曲线,比较两组患者生存时间。结果:黑色素瘤组织中FLG表达阳性率显著低于瘤旁组织(P < 0.05);FLG阳性组肿瘤直径 > 1 cm、Breslow厚度 > 2 mm、局部溃疡、TNM分级Ⅲ~Ⅳ级、淋巴结转移、肿瘤侵袭占比显著低于阴性组(P < 0.05或P < 0.01);70例患者中死亡27例,生存43例,生存率61.42%,死亡组患者FLG表达阳性率显著低于生存组(P < 0.05),FLG表达阳性患者生存时间显著长于阴性患者(P = 0.010);多因素Cox回归分析显示,Breslow厚度 > 2 mm、TNM分级Ⅲ~Ⅳ级、淋巴结转移、肿瘤侵袭是影响黑色素瘤患者预后的危险因素(P < 0.01或P < 0.001),FLG表达阳性为保护因素(P < 0.01或P < 0.001)。结论:黑色素瘤组织中FLG显著降低,且与肿瘤Breslow厚度、分期侵袭和淋巴结转移等病理特征及预后有关。
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
9.Association between polymorphisms in the glucose metabolism and lipid regulation genes with metabolic abnormalities in childhood obesity
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(6):888-893
		                        		
		                        			Objective:
		                        			To explore the association between  CDKAL1 rs35261542, FAIM2 rs 3205718, and  VGLL4 rs 2574704 polymorphisms with childhood obesity and related metabolic phenotypes to provide evidence for personalized prevention and management strategies.
		                        		
		                        			Methods:
		                        			Based on the 2023 Long term Nutritional Health Effects of Early Childhood Nutrition Package Intervention project, the study enrolled 1 078 children aged 5-7 years from four counties in Henan (Songxian and Ruyang countries) and Guizhou (Guiding and Fuquan countries) provinces. Using BMI  Z scores, 87 overweight and obese(OVOB) children were selected and matched by sex, age, and BMI  Z score with 117 normal weight controls. Participants were further stratified into four metabolic phenotype groups: metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW,  n =51), metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUNW,  n =66), metabolically healthy obesity (MHO,  n =31) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO,  n  =56) based on four conventional cardiometabolic risk factor (CR) criteria. Data were collected through questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, serum biochemical tests, and KASP genotyping. The distribution of three genetic polymorphisms ( CDKAL1 rs35261542, FAIM2 rs3205718, VGLL4 rs 2574704) across metabolic subgroups was analyzed. Multivariate Logistic regression models assessed associations between these polymorphisms and obesity/metabolic phenotypes.
		                        		
		                        			Results:
		                        			Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that Homozygous mutant AA genotype of  CDKAL1 rs 35261542 was positively associated with OVOB( OR =3.63), MHO ( OR =11.04), MUO ( OR = 4.88 ) ( P <0.05). Homozygous TT genotype of  FAIM2 rs 3205718 increased OVOB risk ( OR =4.44,  P <0.05) but showed no association with metabolic phenotypes ( P >0.05). Homozygous mutant TT of  VGLL4 rs 2574704 reduced the risks of MHO and MUO ( OR = 0.30, 0.24, P <0.05). Cumulative genetic effects analysis demonstrated carriers of 1 or 2 risk genotypes of  rs 35261542 and  rs 3205718 had progressively higher OVOB risk ( OR =2.53, 20.79), and the combination of  rs 35261542 and  rs 2574704 increased risks for both MHO ( OR =8.50) and MUO ( OR =5.00) ( P <0.05).
		                        		
		                        			Conclusions
		                        			The AA genotype of  rs 35261542 ( CDKAL1 ) positively correlates with childhood obesity and metabolic abnormalities. The TT genotype of  rs 3205718 ( FAIM 2) increases obesity risk but not metabolic phenotypes. The TT genotype of  rs 2574704 ( VGLL 4) shows protective effects against metabolic dysfunction. Risk genotypes exhibit dosedependent cumulative effects on obesity and metabolic outcomes.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
10.Advances in the treatment of autoimmune myositis
Journal of Apoplexy and Nervous Diseases 2025;42(5):387-394
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Autoimmune myositis (AIM) is a group of autoimmune diseases that primarily affect muscle fibers, often accompanied by the involvement of multiple organs such as the skin,lungs,and joints.It is the most common treatable skeletal muscle disease in adults. Although most patients with AIM can achieve remission with traditional immunosuppressive therapies, their quality of life can be heavily reduced due to drug-related adverse effects and the high relapse rate and high disability rate of the disease. With the deepening understanding of the immunopathological mechanisms of AIM,various biologics targeting different components of these mechanisms have brought new hope for patients with AIM. This article reviews the advances in the treatment of AIM.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
            

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail