A Chinese Medical Journal study reveals Rhein, a rhubarb-derived compound, protects against severe acute pancreatitis-associated intestinal injury by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) to suppress NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and reprogram macrophage polarization from pro-inflammatory M1 to anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. Rhein restored intestinal barrier integrity and reduced endotoxemia—effects abolished by PPARγ inhibition. This identifies the PPARγ/NLRP3/macrophage axis as a promising therapeutic target for SAP complications.

A new study shows that a simple measurement from routine chest X-rays can help predict survival among patients with lung cancer and breathing disorders. Researchers found that lower diaphragmatic dome height (DDH) before surgery was associated with poorer long-term outcomes and higher respiratory-related deaths. This is the first study to establish DDH as a practical prognostic marker, offering a low-cost, widely accessible way to identify high-risk patients and guide treatment decisions.

A transcriptomic analysis-based study reports altered gene expression in KRAS-overexpressing human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1), highlighting it as a key driver for brain arteriovenous malformation (bAVM), a rare vascular disorder. 4,737 differentially expressed genes in KRAS-overexpressing HMEC-1 cells were identified, enriched in pathways related to cell adhesion, signaling, transport, and mitochondrial function. The results indicate that KRAS-driven molecular alterations may play a role in the development of bAVM.

The discovery of pathogenic genes based on large CHD cohort forms the foundation for improving early diagnosis, prevention, control, and treatment of CHD. To this end, Academician Lin He launched the Chinese Children's CHD Genome Research Project. The research team conducted whole-genome sequencing on 354 core CHD families from China, integrated single-cell transcriptomic data and phenotypic analysis in model animals, and identified high-confidence CHD risk genes. This study has constructed the largest genetic etiology map of congenital heart disease in Asian populations.