1.Research Advances in Construction Methods and Novel Technologies for Animal Models of Pulmonary Hypertension
Ziyi CHEN ; Hongyan SUN ; Pinfang KANG ; Wenjuan WU
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2026;46(1):81-93
Pulmonary hypertension (PH), marked by sustained elevation of pulmonary artery pressure, imposes a heavy burden on the right ventricle and may culminate in right heart failure. Its pathogenesis is multifaceted, encompassing endothelial dysfunction, vascular smooth muscle proliferation, inflammation, thrombosis, and genetic factors. Animal models serve as core tools for exploring PH mechanisms and therapies, each with unique strengths and limitations. The single-dose monocrotaline (MCT) model is one of the most commonly used experimental animal models of PH and is widely applied in mechanistic studies, drug screening, and efficacy evaluation; it offers simplicity and cost-effectiveness, can induce PH within a short period, yet its pathophysiology differs to some extent from human idiopathic PH. In contrast, the Sugen5416 combined with chronic hypoxia model better mimics PH progression by placing animals under hypoxic conditions to induce pulmonary vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling, but it requires a longer modelling time, and the degree of hypoxia has a substantial impact on experimental outcomes. Beyond these two commonly used modeling approaches, a variety of emerging techniques have been applied in PH research; gene-editing technologies enable precise investigation of specific gene functions in PH. Additionally, induced pluripotent stem cell-based 3D organoid technology allows for individualized modelling while preserving patients' genetic information for precise clinical translation. Each model or technology can simulate different aspects of the pathological processes of human PH, and their findings provide key insights into the nature of the disease and serve as an important platform for the development of novel therapeutic targets. This paper comprehensively describes various animal models and emerging technologies used in PH research, analyzing their characteristics, applications, and limitations, with the aim of providing experimental and technical support for the development of new therapeutic strategies and drugs.
2.Insomnia and quality of life as chain mediators between negative life events and depression severity in adolescents with depressive disorders
Xu ZHANG ; Lewei LIU ; Jiawei WANG ; Feng GENG ; Daming MO ; Changhao CHEN ; Zhiwei LIU ; Xiangwang WEN ; Xiangfen LUO ; Huanzhong LIU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(1):163-168
ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between negative life events and depression severity in adolescent patients with depressive disorder, as well as the chain mediating role of insomnia symptoms and quality of life. Methods374 outpatient patients and hospitalized patients with adolescent depressive disorders were enrolled. The Adolescent Life Event Scale (ASLEC), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF), and the Center for Epidemiology Depression Scale (CES-D) were used to evaluate the negative life event situation, insomnia symptoms, quality of life level and depression severity of the subjects, respectively. In addition, the PROCESS 4.0 macroprogram was used to analyze the chain mediating effect of insomnia symptoms and quality of life between negative life events and depression severity in patients with adolescent depressive disorder. ResultsThe results of correlation analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between negative life events and insomnia symptoms, quality of life, and depression severity (all P<0.05). In addition, the results of chain mediation showed that negative life events had a significant direct effect on depression severity, with an effect size of 0.12 (P<0.001). Insomnia symptoms and quality of life played a mediating role in the relationship between negative life events and depression severity in patients with adolescent depressive disorders, with indirect effect sizes of 0.062 (95%CI: 0.040-0.087) and 0.091 (95%CI: 0.059-0.123), respectively. It could also play a chain mediation role, and the effect size was 0.039 (95%CI: 0.024-0.057). ConclusionNegative life events experienced by patients with adolescent depressive disorder not only directly affect the severity of depressive symptoms, but may also indirectly exacerbate depression through insomnia symptoms and quality of life.
3.Analysis of risk factors and construction of risk prediction model for batroxobin-related severe hypofibrinogenemia
Le CAI ; Yuqing ZHAO ; Jiazhu CUI ; Xiao WEN ; Daihong GUO ; Man ZHU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(4):462-467
OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors for batroxobin-related severe hypofibrinogenemia (HFIB) and construct a risk prediction model. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on inpatients treated with batroxobin in the First Medical Center of a tertiary hospital from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2024. Patients were categorized into non-severe HFIB group and severe HFIB group based on the severity of HFIB. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the independent influencing factors for batroxobin-related severe HFIB. A nomogram was developed using the “rms” package in R 4.5 software. The predictive performance of the model was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve. Calibration was assessed via the Bootstrap resampling method, and goodness-of-fit was evaluated with the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. RESULTS A total of 1 472 patients were included in this study. Of these, 1 445 developed HFIB, yi elding an incidence of 98.17%. Furthermore, 895 were classified as severe HFIB, accounting for 60.80% of the cohort. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that increased age, high initial dose per 10 kg body weight, use of maintenance dose, and concomitant glucocorticoid use were independent risk factors for batroxobin-related severe HFIB, while high baseline fibrinogen (FIB) level was identified as a protective factor. The model demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.760 (95% CI: 0.735-0.785). The mean absolute error of the calibration curve was 0.006. The P value of the Hosmer-Lemeshow test was 0.609. CONCLUSIONS Batroxobin can rapidly and significantly reduce FIB levels and carries a risk of inducing severe HFIB. Patients with advanced age, high initial dose per 10 kg body weight, use of maintenance dose and concomitant glucocorticoid use had a higher risk of batroxobin-related severe HFIB, while high baseline FIB level had a lower risk of batroxobin-related severe HFIB. The risk prediction model developed based on these factors can be used to predict the likelihood of batroxobin-related severe HFIB.
4.Establishment of a high-risk medication list and preventive and therapeutic measures for drug-induced hypofi-brinogenemia based on the Delphi method
Xiao WEN ; Le CAI ; Ning LIU ; Ao GAO ; Man ZHU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(7):848-853
OBJECTIVE To establish a high-risk medication list and preventive and therapeutic measures for drug-induced hypofibrinogenemia, and to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of this condition. METHODS By integrating domestic and international case reports, retrospective case-control studies, and spontaneous adverse drug reaction reporting databases, 19 domestically marketed high-risk drugs for drug-induced hypofibrinogenemia were identified. Based on the clinical characteristics and mechanisms of these drugs, relevant risk factors were systematically reviewed, and existing treatment options were summarized, leading to the preliminary development of recommended preventive and therapeutic measures. A two-round Delphi consultation was conducted to evaluate, revise, and ultimately reach consensus on the preliminary findings, using a mean importance score of ≥3.5 points for indicators and a coefficient of variation <0.3 as screening criteria. RESULTS The coefficient of expert authority for both rounds of expert consultation was 0.904. In the first round, the Kendall coordination coefficients (Kendall’s W ) for the high-risk medication list and the proposed preventive and therapeutic measures were 0.390 and 0.223 ( P <0.05), respectively. In the second round, the Kendall’s W were 0.227 and 0.200 ( P <0.05), respectively. After two rounds of expert consultation and discussion, 11 high-risk drugs for drug-induced hypofibrinogenemia, represented by hemocoagulase and certain anti-infective agents, were ultimately identified, along with 5 preventive and therapeutic measures spanning the entire process of “pre-medication assessment, intra-medication monitoring, and bleeding event management”. CONCLUSIONS This study has established a scientific and reliable high-risk medication list, and corresponding preventive and therapeutic measures for drug-induced hypofibrinogenemia, providing a theoretical basis and practical support for the early identification, stratified management, and precise intervention of this condition.
5.Risk factors for open gingival embrasures in the mandibular central incisor region among adult non-extraction patients treated with clear aligner therapy
WEI Xiaojiao ; HAN Shuang ; TANG Chenxin ; ZHANG Hao
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(1):54-64
Objective:
To investigate the incidence and risk factors of open gingival embrasures (OGEs) in the incisor region after treatment with clear aligners in adult non-extraction patients and provide a reference for preventing the occurrence of an open gingival wedge gap in the incisal area after orthodontic treatment.
Methods:
This study has been reviewed and approved by the institutional medical ethics committee, and informed consent was obtained from the patients. A total of 125 adult patients with malocclusion who completed clear aligner treatment at Hefei Stomatological Hospital from September 2022 to December 2024 were selected as the study subjects. Based on the presence or absence of OGEs in the incisor region observed in frontal intraoral photographs taken immediately after treatment completion, the patients were divided into a normal group and an OGE group. Clinical data, including intraoral photographs, digital models, and cone-beam computed tomography before and after treatment, were analyzed. Measurements such as incisor overlap and rotation, crown morphology, number of attachments, and interproximal enamel reduction (IPR) were recorded and analyzed.
Results:
The incidence of OGEs between the maxillary and mandibular central incisors after clear aligner treatment in adult patients was 28.8% and 39.2%, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed between the normal and OGE groups in terms of sex, Angle's classification, gingival biotype, overbite, overjet, IPR amount, age, treatment duration, tooth axis angulation, or horizontal movement distance of mandibular central incisors before and after treatment (P 0.05). However, significant differences were found in the number of attachments, anteroposterior distance between mesial incisal angles, distance from the interproximal contact point (ICP) to the alveolar bone crest (ABC) (ICP-ABC), horizontal distance between mesial cementoenamel junction (CEJ) of two adjacent central incisors (CEJ-CEJ) and labial alveolar bone thickness (P 0.05). IPR amount and mandibular incisor intrusion were significantly associated with the severity of OGEs (P 0.05). Regression analysis revealed that the number of attachments, anteroposterior distance between mesial incisal angles, ICP-ABC distance, and CEJ-CEJ horizontal distance were significantly correlated with the occurrence of OGEs.
Conclusion
The incidence of open gingival embrasures in the mandibular central incisor region is relatively high among adult patients treated with clear aligners. The number of attachments (n = 2), the anteroposterior distance between the mesio-incisal angles, the distance from the tooth contact point to the alveolar bone crest, and the horizontal distance between adjacent cementoenamel junctions have been identified as risk factors for the development of open gingival embrasures upon completion of orthodontic treatment.
6.Influence of perceived stress on sleep quality among resident physicians: the chain mediating role of self-control and anxiety emotions
Minghui ZHANG ; Xinmeng ZHANG ; Wenjing YE ; Xiaotao ZHANG ; Hongtao SONG ; Gaofeng YAO
Sichuan Mental Health 2026;39(2):165-170
BackgroundResident physicians represent a high-risk group for sleep disorders, exhibiting a significantly higher prevalence of such conditions compared with the general population, which severely impairs their physical and mental health. It is hypothesized that perceived stress negatively impacts sleep quality through psychological mechanisms, such as depleting self-control resources and triggering anxiety. However, this pathway warrants empirical validation. ObjectiveTo explore the mediating role of self-control and anxiety emotions in the association between perceived stress and sleep quality among resident physicians, and to elucidate the underlying psychological mechanisms, aiming at providing theoretical basis for developing targeted psychological interventions. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in April 2025. First- to third- year resident physicians at a hospital in Fuyang City were recruited as participants (n=372). The Chinese Perceived Stress Scales (CPSS), the Chinese version of the Dual-Mode of Self-Control Scale (DMSC-S), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 item (GAD-7) were used for group testing. The model 6 of the Process macro version 4.1 was ultilized to examine the mediating pathway of self-control and anxiety emotions between perceived stress and sleep quality. ResultsA total of 322 valid questionnaires were collected, yielding an effective responsive rate of 86.56%. Among the respondents, 146 (45.34%) reported poor sleep quality. The CPSS score and GAD-7 score of resident physicians were positively correlated with the PSQI score (r=0.727, 0.784, P<0.01), while the DMSC-S score was negatively correlated with the PSQI score (r=-0.615, P<0.01). Perceived stress directly and positively predicted poor sleep quality (B=0.124, P<0.01), with the direct effect accounting for 31.39% of the total effect. Furthermore, perceived stress indirectly affected sleep quality through the independent mediating effects of self-control and anxiety emotions. The indirect effect values of 0.053 (95% CI: 0.019 - 0.091) and 0.192 (95% CI: 0.141 - 0.249), accounting for 13.42% and 48.61% of the total effect, respectively. Perceived stress also impact sleep quality through the serial mediating effect of self-control and anxiety, with the indirect effect value of 0.026 (95% CI: 0.005 - 0.049), accounting for 6.58% of the total effect. ConclusionThe perceived stress of resident physicians can influence sleep quality by impairing self-control, exacerbating anxiety, and through the serial mediation of both factors.
7.Risk factors for lower extremity amputation of inpatients with diabetic foot ulcers : a multi-center retrospective study
Jie Zhao ; Xiaodong Yang ; Yuxin Hu ; Wanxuan Hu ; Yujie Hou ; Bicheng Wang ; Yexiang Sun
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(12):2346-2352
Objective:
To investigate independent risk factors for lower extremity amputation (LEA) in hospitalized patients with diabetic foot ulcers ( DFUs) .
Methods:
A multicenter retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 329 DFUs hospitalized patients with diabetic foot ulcers from four general hospitals across the na⁃tion. A multivariate Logistic regression model was constructed , and prediction analysis was performed using R 4. 2. 1 . The discriminative ability of the model was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves , while calibration accuracy and clinical applicability were evaluated via calibration curves and decision curve analysis.
Results :
The study revealed that patients with higher education backgrounds showed lower disease severity (Wagnergrade) (Z = - 4. 331 , P < 0. 05) . A history of amputation , pre⁃existing lower extremity vascular disease , abnormal dorsalis pedis artery pulsation , and a history of coronary heart disease were significantly associated with the severity of DFUs , resulting in higher Wagner scores (P < 0. 05) . In the amputation prognosis analysis , prolonged duration of diabetes and elevated white blood cell count were positively correlated with amputation risk ( both P < 0. 01) .Multivariable regression identified non⁃higher education , low hemoglobin levels , decreased total cholesterol , and abnormally elevated platelet counts as independent risk factors for high Wagner grades ( ≥ grade 3 ) ( all P <0. 05) . The integrated predictive model incorporating these factors demonstrated strong discriminative performance ,with an area under curve of 0. 880 (95% CI: 0. 801 - 0. 960) . The calibration curve slope approached the ideal value , and decision curve analysis confirmed the model ′s clinical net benefit within a threshold probability range of 10% - 65% .
Conclusion
Lower education level , poor baseline nutritional status , infection , hypercoagulability ,and underlying vascular diseases collectively constitute key factors contributing to elevated amputation risk in DFUs patients. The developed predictive model exhibits high accuracy and may assist clinicians in formulating individual⁃ized intervention strategies.
8.Clinical efficacy analysis of nucleoside analogues in the treatment of HBeAg positive patients with high viral load chronic hepatitis B
Xiuli Ding ; Huafa Yin ; Xiaoling Cui
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(6):1134-1139, 1148
Objective :
To compare the antiviral efficacy and renal safety of nucleoside analogs(NAs) monotherapy versus combination therapy in hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B(CHB) patients with high viral load.
Methods :
This study enrolled a total of 353 treatment-naïve HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with high viral load , the treatment regimen was divided into 5 groups , consisting of 4 monotherapy groups and 1 combination therapy group as follows : 88 cases in the Entecavir (ETV) group , 135 cases in the Teno- fovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF) group , 34 cases in the Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate (TAF) group , 25 cases in the Tenofovir Amibufenamide (TMF) group , and 71 cases in the ETV combined with TDF (ETV + TDF) group . A retrospective cohort study design was adopted to analyze HBV DNA levels , serological indicators ( HBsAg and HBeAg levels) , renal function indicators ( serum Scr levels , eGFR) at 24 and 48 weeks of treatment across various groups , as well as the HBsAg clearance rates , HBeAg seroconversion rates and HBV DNA suppression rates (HBV DNA < 20 IU/ml) at 48 weeks across the groups . Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the influencing factors for HBV DNA suppression .
Results :
At 24 weeks , the HBV DNA level in the ETV + TDF selected . Key miRNAs included hsa-let-7b-5p , hsa-let-7c-5p , hsa-let-7b-3p _ 1ss22CT , and hsa-miR-199b-5p , with BACH1 and IFNAR1 identified as their shared target genes . GO analysis revealed that the enriched target genes were primarily involved in protein binding , metal ion binding , transferase activity , DNA binding , transcriptional regulation by RNA polymerase Ⅱ , and nucleotide binding. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the target genes were mainly associated with metabolic pathways , cancer-related pathways , the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway , and the Rap1 signaling pathway .
Conclusion
Differential expression of miRNAs in amniotic fluid exosomes was ob- served between DS fetuses and those with normal karyotypes . Combined analysis with placental miRNAs revealed hsa-miR-199b-5p as a common differentially expressed miRNA in both DS amniotic fluid and placenta. It is hypoth- esized that BACH1 and IFNAR1 , shared target genes of hsa-miR-199b-5p , hsa-let-7b-5p , hsa-let-7c-5p , and hsa- let-7b-3p_1ss22CT , may play a role in the pathogenesis of DS .
9.The effect of LncRNA MALAT1/miR-15b-5p regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway on lipopolysaccharide-induced chondrocyte injury
Zhi Zhao ; Mengkun Liu ; Rifei Zha ; Tingbao Zhang ; Cheng Wang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(7):1231-1240
Objective :
To explore the molecular mechanism of long non-coding RNA metastasis associated lung ad- enocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) / microRNA-15b-5p (miR-15b-5p) regulating the Wnt / β-catenin pathway in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced chondrocyte injury in osteoarthritis.
Methods :
TDC5 cells were treated with 5 mg / L LPS to establish the osteoarthritis cell injury model,and the expression levels of MALAT1 and miR-15b-5p in the cells were detected by RT-qPCR. The MTT,flow cytometry,Alizarin red staining,and ELISA were used to as- sess the effects of MALAT1 and miR-15b-5p on LPS-induced chondrocyte injury.The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to examine the regulatory relationship between MALAT1 and miR-15b-5p.Western blot assay was used to evaluate the expression of relevant proteins.
Results :
In LPS-induced ATDC5 cells,MALAT1 expression decreased (P<0. 05) .Compared to the control group,the LPS group exhibited reduced cell activity,an increased apoptosis rate,elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-α , interleukin-6,and interleukin-1 β , a higher number of calcified nodules,increased expression levels of extracellular matrix degradation-related proteins MMP13 and AD- AMTS5,decreased expression levels of Collagen Ⅱ and Aggrecan,and increased protein expression levels of Wnt1 and β-catenin (P<0. 05) .Overexpression of MALAT1 could mitigate the effects of LPS on chondrocyte activity, apoptosis,inflammatory response,osteogenic differentiation,extracellular matrix degradation,and the Wnt / β-cate- nin pathway (P<0. 05) .Additionally,the overexpression of miR-15b-5p enhanced the impact of LPS on chondro- cytes (P<0. 05) .
Conclusion
MALAT1 is lowly expressed in LPS-induced chondrocytes,and it alleviates LPS- induced chondrocyte injury by targeting miR-15b-5p to inhibit the Wnt / β-catenin pathway.
10.Prediction of the risk of developing endometrial polyp based on lipid metabolism , vaginal microecology combined with uterine volume line graph modeling
Ya Li ; Yun Zhang ; Lei Yang ; Nan Min ; Liling Ge ; Shiying Sun ; Bing Wei
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(8):1541-1547
Objective:
To explore the risk of endometrial polyp (EP) based on lipid metabolism and vaginal micro- ecology combined with uterine volume line drawing model.
Methods:
143 EP patients treated by hysteroscopic sur- gery were selected as the experimental group , and 113 healthy women were selected as the control group at the same time. The data were randomly divided into training set and validation set according to the ratio of 7 : 3. The clinical data of the two groups were collected and recorded , and t/χ2 test , LASSO regression and multifactorial lo- gistic regression analysis were used to screen the independent risk factors , construct the prediction model , and draw the column line graph. The performance of the model was evaluated by applying subject operating characteristic (ROC) curves , calibration curves , Hosmer-Lemeshow test and clinical decision-making (DCA) curves.
Results:
Multifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that total cholesterol ( TC) , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) , vaginal microecological balance , and uterine volume were independent risk factors for the development of EP. ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC values of the training and validation sets of the column line graph model were 0. 935 and 0. 887 , respectively , and its sensitivity and specificity were 90. 21% , 83. 46% and 86. 29% , 80. 66% respectively , The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that the model fits well ( training set : χ2 = 2. 261 , P = 0. 840 ; validation set : χ2 = 4. 837 , P = 0. 441) and the calibration curves of the training and validation sets were close to the ideal curves , which indicated that the model had good prediction accuracy; the analysis of DCA curves of the training and validation sets both showed that the column-line graph model had a good clinical benefit rate in predicting EP.
Conclusion
TC , LDL-C , vaginal microecological balance and uterine volume are independent risk factors for EP , and the column-line diagram model constructed by the model has high clinical ben- efit , calibration and accuracy in predicting the risk of EP.


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