1.Analysis of the characteristics and influencing factors of mirtazapine steady-state trough concentration and concentration-to-dose ratio
Ze ZHANG ; Mengqiang ZHAO ; Ruiyan YU ; Yiyuan WANG ; Yuanyuan ZHAO ; Jing YU ; Chunhua ZHOU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(6):776-781
OBJECTIVE To analyze the distribution characteristics of mirtazapine steady-state trough concentration and concentration-to-dose ratio ( C / D ), and to investigate the influence of clinical and genetic factors on C / D . METHODS A retrospective study was conducted on hospitalized patients with depression who received mirtazapine treatment and underwent therapeutic drug monitoring at the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University from May 2022 to May 2025. The collected data included patients’ gender, age, body mass index, daily dose, steady-state trough concentration, smoking status, history of liver disease, drug type, concomitant medications, and CYP2D6 metabolic phenotype. The C / D was calculated. Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the relationship between mirtazapine steady-state trough concentration and daily dose. Univariate analysis and multiple linear regression model were employed to screen the factors potentially influencing the C / D of mirtazapine. RESULTS A total of 226 patients were included. The daily dose of mirtazapine was 25.00 (24.82, 30.00) mg/d, the steady-state trough concentration was 44.46 (20.00, 70.00) ng/mL, and the C / D was 1.83 (1.00, 2.00) (ng·d)/(mL·mg). Steady-state trough concentrations were within the reference range (30-80 ng/mL) in 121 patients (53.54%), below the lower limit in 80 patients (35.40%), and above the upper limit in 25 patients (11.06%). A positive correlation was observed between mirtazapine steady-state trough concentration and daily dose (coefficient of determination was 0.320 8, P <0.001). Gender, smoking status, and CYP2D6 metabolic phenotype were significantly associated with the mirtazapine C / D ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Significant interindividual variability exists in mirtazapine steady-state trough concentrations. Gender, smoking status, and CYP2D6 metabolic phenotype are identified as independent influencing factors for the mirtazapine C / D , with higher C / D ratios observed in females, non-smokers, and intermediate metabolizers.
2.Clinical efficacy and influencing factors of Chaihu anxin capsules in the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression
Yaqing LI ; Yupei HAO ; Shizhao YUAN ; Wentao WANG ; Chunhua ZHOU ; Yancong HAN ; Yuanyuan ZHAO ; Zhuo ZHANG ; Shulian FU ; Jing YU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(18):2402-2407
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Chaihu anxin capsules in the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression, analyze the influencing factors of its efficacy, construct a nomogram prediction model.METHODS Patients with mild-to-moderate depression treated at The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University from May 1, 2023 to March 10, 2025 were retrospectively included and categorized into Chaihu anxin capsules group and milnacipran group according to treatment regimen. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance baseline characteristics, and treatment efficacy was compared after 8 weeks, including 24 Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-24) scores and changes, Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) scores and changes, and treatment response rate after 8 weeks of treatment. Patients receiving Chaihu anxin capsules were further classified as responders or non-responders based on the occurrence of treatment response. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the influencing factors of treatment response, and a nomogram model was constructed to predict the probability of treatment response, its predictive performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis.RESULTS A total of 297 patients were included before PSM, including 196 patients in the Chaihu anxin capsules group and 101 patients in the milnacipran group. After PSM, each group included 44 patients. After PSM, the HAMD-24 scores and HAMA scores at 8 weeks after treatment in the Chaihu anxin capsules group, as well as the HAMD-24 scores in the milnacipran group, were significantly lower than their respective baseline values ( P <0.05); the change in HAMA score in the Chaihu anxin capsules group was significantly greater than that in the milnacipran group ( P =0.04). Multivariable Logistic regression identified age, total bilirubin, and baseline HAMD-24 score as independent predictors of treatment response ( P <0.05). The area under the ROC curve of the constructed nomogram prediction model was 0.72 (95% confidence interval: 0.637-0.799), and the corrected Brier score was 0.143 (95% confidence interval: 0.112-0.176); compared with the “all intervention” and “all non intervention” strategies, applying this nomogram prediction model could achieve higher net benefits within the threshold probability range of 8% to 37%.CONCLUSIONS The efficacy of Chaihu anxin capsules in improving mild-to-moderate depression is comparable to that of milnacipran, and it has certain advantages in improving anxiety symptoms; age, total bilirubin, and baseline HAMD-24 score are independent influencing factors for the treatment response of Chaihu anxin capsules. The nomogram prediction model constructed based on these factors has good discrimination, calibration, and clinical applicability.
3.Evaluation of Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking and Its Mechanism
Chunhua WANG ; Zhetao WANG ; Jing ZHU ; Yu ZHANG ; Peng ZHOU ; Fabao GAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2025;33(5):485-492
Purpose To quantitatively evaluate myocardial three-dimensional strains using cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking,investigate whether ferroptosis contributes to myocardial injury in experimental autoimmune myocarditis(EAM),and explore the relationship between strains and ferroptosis biomarkers.Materials and Methods EAM was induced in Lewis rats via subcutaneous injections with porcine cardiac myosin emulsified in same amount of complete Freund's adjuvant.Both EAM(n=15)and control(n=15)rats underwent 7T cardiac magnetic resonance and were euthanatized at day 21.Cardiac magnetic resonance assessments included left ventricular function and strains.The cardiac damage and ferroptosis-related markers were measured with histopathology,serology,Western blot and polymerase chain reaction.Results The left ventricular ejection fraction declined in the rats post-immunization with porcine cardiac myosin at day 21(t=7.86,P<0.001).Global,basal,middle and apical strains encompassing radial strain,circumferential strain and longitudinal strain were significantly lower in the EAM group compared to the control group(t=2.61-10.45,P<0.05).Cardiac and inflammatory biomarkers,including lactate dehydrogenase,cardiac troponin I and interferon γ indicated myocardial injury in EAM group compared to the control group(t=16.54,21.20,16.06,all P<0.001).Prussian blue staining revealed iron overload in EAM group.Compared to the control group,malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen significantly increased in EAM group(t=15.75,3.47,both P<0.01),and superoxide dismutase were significantly decreased(t=14.21,P<0.001).Western blot and histopathology showed that the protein expression of ferritin heavy chain was significantly higher in the EAM group compared to the control group(t=5.15,P<0.01).The solute carrier family 7 member 11/glutathione/glutathione peroxidase 4 axis was down regulated at serum,mRNA and protein expression levels in EAM group(t=7.73-30.14,all P<0.001).Global circumferential and longitudinal strains were significantly associated with ferroptosis biomarkers(r=-0.854-0.829,all P<0.05).Conclusion Cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking has the potential to quantitatively evaluate myocardial damage of EAM which involves ferroptosis.The strains are related with ferroptosis biomarkers.
4.Delayed spinal enterococcus faecalis infection after prostate biopsy: a case report
Shanchun TAO ; Chunhua YU ; Qiming CHEN
Chinese Journal of Urology 2025;46(9):715-716
Enterococcus faecalis is distributed in the intestines and rarely becomes a pathogen of spinal infection. This article reports a case of delayed spinal enterococcus faecalis infection caused by transperineal prostate biopsy. The patient was found to have a serum tPSA level of 33.418 ng/ml during prostate cancer screening. A prostate biopsy was performed,and the pathological result was benign prostatic hyperplasia. One month after the operation,the patient presented with recurrent low back pain. Contrast-enhanced MRI of the lumbar spine showed infectious lesions of the T12 and L1 vertebrae with pathological compression fractures. A puncture biopsy of the diseased vertebra was performed,and the metagenomic test showed enterococcus faecalis infection. Anti-infection and bed rest conservative treatment were given. Follow-up for 1 year showed fracture healing and infection control.
5.Evaluation of Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking and Its Mechanism
Chunhua WANG ; Zhetao WANG ; Jing ZHU ; Yu ZHANG ; Peng ZHOU ; Fabao GAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2025;33(5):485-492
Purpose To quantitatively evaluate myocardial three-dimensional strains using cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking,investigate whether ferroptosis contributes to myocardial injury in experimental autoimmune myocarditis(EAM),and explore the relationship between strains and ferroptosis biomarkers.Materials and Methods EAM was induced in Lewis rats via subcutaneous injections with porcine cardiac myosin emulsified in same amount of complete Freund's adjuvant.Both EAM(n=15)and control(n=15)rats underwent 7T cardiac magnetic resonance and were euthanatized at day 21.Cardiac magnetic resonance assessments included left ventricular function and strains.The cardiac damage and ferroptosis-related markers were measured with histopathology,serology,Western blot and polymerase chain reaction.Results The left ventricular ejection fraction declined in the rats post-immunization with porcine cardiac myosin at day 21(t=7.86,P<0.001).Global,basal,middle and apical strains encompassing radial strain,circumferential strain and longitudinal strain were significantly lower in the EAM group compared to the control group(t=2.61-10.45,P<0.05).Cardiac and inflammatory biomarkers,including lactate dehydrogenase,cardiac troponin I and interferon γ indicated myocardial injury in EAM group compared to the control group(t=16.54,21.20,16.06,all P<0.001).Prussian blue staining revealed iron overload in EAM group.Compared to the control group,malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen significantly increased in EAM group(t=15.75,3.47,both P<0.01),and superoxide dismutase were significantly decreased(t=14.21,P<0.001).Western blot and histopathology showed that the protein expression of ferritin heavy chain was significantly higher in the EAM group compared to the control group(t=5.15,P<0.01).The solute carrier family 7 member 11/glutathione/glutathione peroxidase 4 axis was down regulated at serum,mRNA and protein expression levels in EAM group(t=7.73-30.14,all P<0.001).Global circumferential and longitudinal strains were significantly associated with ferroptosis biomarkers(r=-0.854-0.829,all P<0.05).Conclusion Cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking has the potential to quantitatively evaluate myocardial damage of EAM which involves ferroptosis.The strains are related with ferroptosis biomarkers.
6.Effect of Processed Polygonatum cyrtonema in Preventing Depression Induced by Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress in Female Rats
Xinyu DENG ; Chunhua MA ; Zimeng WANG ; Man TANG ; Xinran LI ; Lurong YU ; Xianyuan HE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):117-124
ObjectiveTo observe the prevention and control effect of processed Polygonatum cyrtonema on depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in female rats. MethodsForty rats were assigned into control, model, and low-, medium-, and high-dose processed P. cyrtonema groups according to the random number table method, with 8 rats in each group. The rat model of depression was established with the CUMS method. The body mass, open field test, forced swimming test, Morris water maze test, levels of neurotransmitters [dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-TH), and acetylcholine (ACh)], serum levels of sex hormones [gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH), testosterone (T), and estradiol (E2)] and inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10], and mRNA and protein levels of factors in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/tyrosine kinase receptor B (TRKB)/cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) pathway were employed to evaluate the effect of processed P. cyrtonema on the CUMS-induced depression in female rats. ResultsThe body mass, open field test results, and forced swimming test results showed that the rat model of depression was successfully established. The comparison of behaviors, neurotransmitters, sex hormones, inflammatory factors, and neural pathways among groups showed that processed P. cyrtonema had different effects of preventing the development of depression in female rats. SPSS 25 was used for statistical analysis of error and significance. T test was conducted between groups. Each treatment group showed significant therapeutic effect compared with the model group (P<0.05). Processed P. cyrtonema elevated the level of 5-TH (P<0.01) and lowered the levels of DA and ACh (P<0.01) in the brain tissue of female rats. In addition, it reduced the serum levels of GnRH, T, E2, TNF-α, and IL-6 (P<0.05) and up-regulated the mRNA levels of BDNF and TRKB in the rat brain. ConclusionProcessed P. cyrtonema has a non-hyperactive preventive effect on CUMS-induced depression in rats, which provides a theoretical basis for the development of processed P. cyrtonema as a functional food product.
7.Effect of Processed Polygonatum cyrtonema in Preventing Depression Induced by Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress in Female Rats
Xinyu DENG ; Chunhua MA ; Zimeng WANG ; Man TANG ; Xinran LI ; Lurong YU ; Xianyuan HE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):117-124
ObjectiveTo observe the prevention and control effect of processed Polygonatum cyrtonema on depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in female rats. MethodsForty rats were assigned into control, model, and low-, medium-, and high-dose processed P. cyrtonema groups according to the random number table method, with 8 rats in each group. The rat model of depression was established with the CUMS method. The body mass, open field test, forced swimming test, Morris water maze test, levels of neurotransmitters [dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-TH), and acetylcholine (ACh)], serum levels of sex hormones [gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH), testosterone (T), and estradiol (E2)] and inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10], and mRNA and protein levels of factors in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/tyrosine kinase receptor B (TRKB)/cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) pathway were employed to evaluate the effect of processed P. cyrtonema on the CUMS-induced depression in female rats. ResultsThe body mass, open field test results, and forced swimming test results showed that the rat model of depression was successfully established. The comparison of behaviors, neurotransmitters, sex hormones, inflammatory factors, and neural pathways among groups showed that processed P. cyrtonema had different effects of preventing the development of depression in female rats. SPSS 25 was used for statistical analysis of error and significance. T test was conducted between groups. Each treatment group showed significant therapeutic effect compared with the model group (P<0.05). Processed P. cyrtonema elevated the level of 5-TH (P<0.01) and lowered the levels of DA and ACh (P<0.01) in the brain tissue of female rats. In addition, it reduced the serum levels of GnRH, T, E2, TNF-α, and IL-6 (P<0.05) and up-regulated the mRNA levels of BDNF and TRKB in the rat brain. ConclusionProcessed P. cyrtonema has a non-hyperactive preventive effect on CUMS-induced depression in rats, which provides a theoretical basis for the development of processed P. cyrtonema as a functional food product.
8.Delayed spinal enterococcus faecalis infection after prostate biopsy: a case report
Shanchun TAO ; Chunhua YU ; Qiming CHEN
Chinese Journal of Urology 2025;46(9):715-716
Enterococcus faecalis is distributed in the intestines and rarely becomes a pathogen of spinal infection. This article reports a case of delayed spinal enterococcus faecalis infection caused by transperineal prostate biopsy. The patient was found to have a serum tPSA level of 33.418 ng/ml during prostate cancer screening. A prostate biopsy was performed,and the pathological result was benign prostatic hyperplasia. One month after the operation,the patient presented with recurrent low back pain. Contrast-enhanced MRI of the lumbar spine showed infectious lesions of the T12 and L1 vertebrae with pathological compression fractures. A puncture biopsy of the diseased vertebra was performed,and the metagenomic test showed enterococcus faecalis infection. Anti-infection and bed rest conservative treatment were given. Follow-up for 1 year showed fracture healing and infection control.
9."One-day"intensive training on perioperative cardiac ultrasound for anesthesiologists
Bing BAI ; Xu LI ; Chunhua YU ; Le SHEN
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(9):1248-1252
Objective To explore the teaching effect of a"one-day"training model for basic application of periop-erative echocardiography for refresher anesthesiologists based on AR glasses and simulators.Methods The cardiac ultrasound teaching team of the Department of Anesthesiology at Peking Union Medical College Hospital designed a"one-day"teaching course for 60 trainees with no prior experience,based on AR glasses and simulators,covering basic applications of transthoracic echocardiography(TTE)and transesophageal echocardiography(TEE).We col-lected the scores of theoretical and practical assessments before and after the training and conducted a survey on trainee satisfaction and changes in clinical behavior post-training.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 23.0 software.Results The theoretical knowledge scores before and after the training were 52.35±12.33 and 81.20±22.78,respectively(P<0.05);the practical assessment scores were 30.33±10.65 and 73.96±23.15,respectively(P<0.05).Overall satisfaction rate was 96.66%(58/60).Conclusions The"one-day"teaching model for basic application of perioperative cardiac ultrasound based on AR glasses and simulators,as an introductory training model,can help beginners quickly master the core content at the entry level and lay a solid foundation for subsequent clinical application.
10.Construction of a standardized diagnosis and treatment pathway for chronic renal failure based on kidney disease clusters
Shanshan ZHOU ; Chunhua ZHANG ; Lidan YU ; Liang HU ; Xin YU
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(6):94-98
Objective To establish a standardized diagnostic and treatment pathway for chronic renal failure(CRF)based on a nephrology cluster,providing a reference for the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)diagnosis and treatment of CRF.Methods A TCM diagnostic and treatment proto-col for CRF was developed through cluster construction.A preliminary framework for the standardized diagnostic and treatment pathway of CRF was constructed through literature research.Three rounds of Delphi expert consultation were conducted among 26 experts.The experts'enthusiasm,authority,co-ordination of opinions,importance ratings,and coefficient of variation were analyzed to ultimately form the standardized diagnostic and treatment pathway for CRF.Results The active coefficients(Caj)for the first,second,and third rounds of expert consultation were 1.000,0.923,and 1.000,respectively.The expert authority coefficients(Cr)were 0.895,0.910,and 0.923,respectively.The overall Kendall's W coefficients were 0.233,0.248,and 0.293(P<0.001).The final stand-ardized diagnostic and treatment pathway for CRF included 4 primary indicators,19 secondary indica-tors,and 77 tertiary indicators,with mean importance ratings ranging from 4.42 to 4.87 and coeffi-cients of variation ranging from 0.072 to 0.126.Conclusion The standardized diagnostic and treat-ment pathway for CRF established based on a nephrology cluster is highly scientific and reliable,with clear guidance and ease in implementation,providing good guidance for the TCM diagnosis and treat-ment of CRF.

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