1.Molecular Mechanism of Programmed Cell Death in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention: A Review
Xin PENG ; Yunhui LI ; Lei LIANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Haotian XU ; Ziming DANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):304-313
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease that poses a significant threat to global health, exhibiting high morbidity, disability and mortality rate, with its prevention and treatment situation becoming increasingly critical. The pathogenesis of COPD is complex, and the underlying cellular and molecular biological mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Programmed cell death (PCD) is the process wherein cells actively undergo demise to maintain internal environmental stability in response to certain signals or specific stimuli. Contemporary medical research indicates that the dysregulation of PCD patterns such as apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis is closely related to the onset and progression of COPD. Clarifying the molecular mechanisms of PCD in COPD may provide novel perspectives for in-depth understanding and prevention of the disease. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is characterized by holistic regulation. In recent years, extensive research has been conducted in the TCM field focusing on modulating apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis for the treatment of COPD, yielding remarkable achievements. Therefore, this study systematically explored the molecular mechanism of PCD in COPD and reviewed the potential mechanisms and intervention status of TCM targeting PCD in COPD, aiming to provide insights and references for the clinical prevention, treatment and in-depth research of COPD.
2.Comparison of the differences of domestic and foreign pharmacoeconomic research on heart failure medications
Ruijia SHEN ; Xiaoyu YANG ; Defeng SUN ; Weiya LI ; Zhenying ZHAO
China Pharmacy 2026;37(5):626-632
OBJECTIVE To provide a basis for aligning Chinese pharmacoeconomic research on heart failure (HF) with international standards. METHODS A qualitative comparison o f domestic and global HF pharmacoeconomic studies was conducted across four dimensions: research methods and model application, research perspectives and endpoints, data sources and parameter selection, and policy translation and practical impact. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS Global studies predominantly utilize long-term dynamic models, societal perspectives, real-world data integration, and directly inform reimbursement decisions. Conversely, domestic research often relies on short-term simplified models, a single healthcare system perspectives, literature-derived data, and individual medicine recommendations. Future domestic studies should transition to long-term dynamic modeling, develop localized disease-specific utility databases via big data, establish reimbursement-linked closed-loop mechanisms, and foster multidisciplinary collaboration to optimize healthcare resource allocation.
3.Comparison of clinical efficacy of evolocumab and probucol after PCI in patients with ultra-high-risk atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Yi YUAN ; Na LI ; Haiying SUN ; Jing SUN ; Yongqiang MA ; Yan WU ; Guohong YANG ; Junxiang LIU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(5):645-649
OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy and safety of evolocumab and probucol in patients with ultra-high-risk atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on 156 ultra-high-risk ASCVD patients who underwent PCI in our institution between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2024. According to the lipid-lowering regimen, the patients were categorized into evolocumab group ( n =86) and probucol group ( n =70). Changes in lipid parameters [total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprot ein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, lipoprotein (a), and lipid goal achievement rate ] , inflammatory markers [interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) ] , and cardiac function indices (left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) were compared between two groups at baseline and after 6 months of treatment. The incidence of adverse clinical events during treatment, including acute myocardial infarction, in-stent restenosis, acute heart failure, cerebral hemorrhage, and stroke, was also evaluated. RESULTS No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups at baseline ( P >0.05). After 6 months of treatment, both groups demonstrated significant improvements in lipid profiles (except HDL-C) and inflammatory markers compared to those at baseline ( P <0.05). The evolocumab group exhibited greater reductions in TC, LDL-C, IL-6, and CRP, along with a higher lipid target achievement rate, compared with the probucol group ( P <0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the cardiac function-related indicators before and after treatment between the two groups, nor in the incidence of adverse events during the treatment ( P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS For ultra-high-risk ASCVD patients after PCI, both of the above treatment options are associated with improvements in blood lipid and inflammatory response, with good safety during short-term follow-up. Evolocumab shows superior efficacy in TC, LDL-C and inflammatory markers reduction and lipid target achievement, compared to probucol.
4.Multi-component Quality Consistency Evaluation of Leonuri Herba Granules Based on HPLC-DAD-CAD Multi-detector Technique and Chemometrics
Shuangyan LI ; Jun ZHANG ; Cong GUO ; Siyuan LI ; Jipeng DI ; Jiangmin SU ; An LIU ; Xiaodi KOU ; Yan LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):174-181
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the content differences of 4 components in Leonuri Herba granules, reveal the quality fluctuation patterns of products from the same and different manufacturers, providing scientific basis for the optimization of production process and quality control. MethodsHigh performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector-charged aerosol detector(HPLC-DAD-CAD) was employed to determine the contents of 4 components(syringic acid, leonurine hydrochloride, ferulic acid, and stachydrine hydrochloride) in samples from 19 manufacturers(53 batches, 159 boxes). Additionally, fingerprint profiles were constructed, and the fingerprint dissimilarity(PS) and relative standard deviation(RSD) of different samples from the same manufacturer were calculated. A principal component analysis(PCA) model was established with PS and the RSD values of the 4 components as variables to classify the manufacturers. Finally, samples from 5 manufacturers(M1-M5) covering three consistency groups were selected to calculate three quality consistency parameters, namely intra-batch consistency(PA), inter-batch consistency(PB), and PS. Then, PCA was performed with PA, PB, and PS of these 5 manufacturers as variables. ResultsThe average total content of the 4 index components per bag across the 19 manufacturers ranged from 41.10 mg to 97.54 mg. Among them, the content of stachydrine hydrochloride(a pharmacopoeial quality control component) was 32.46-72.70 mg per bag, all meeting the requirements of the 2025 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, with RSD of 1.7%-17.1%. The content ranges of the other 3 components were as follows:syringic acid of 1.43-41.92 mg per bag, leonurine hydrochloride of 0.67-11.85 mg per bag, and ferulic acid of 0.11-3.81 mg per bag. Notably, leonurine hydrochloride exhibited the most significant content fluctuation among samples from the same manufacturer(RSD of 4.8%-59.2%). PCA results showed that the 19 manufacturers could be classified into 3 categories. Samples from 8 manufacturers(M2, M6, M7, M8, M10, M15, M17, M18) demonstrated relatively high consistency, five manufacturers(M3, M9, M12, M13, M14) showed moderate consistency, six manufacturers(M1, M4, M5, M11, M16, M19) exhibited low consistency. The two methods yielded consistent classification results for the 5 representative manufacturers, verifying the reliability of the proposed method. Among these, manufacturer M2 showed the best quality consistency and the highest total content of indicator components among M1-M5. ConclusionThe HPLC-DAD-CAD multi-detector hyphenation technology established in this study enables the accurate detection of 4 components in Leonuri Herba granules. Significant differences in the total content of these four components are observed among products from 19 manufacturers. The application of 2 consistency evaluation methods combined with PCA can effectively classify their consistency into 3 categories, and the classification results of the 2 methods are highly consistent. This study provides scientific basis for the process optimization and quality standard improvement of Leonuri Herba granules.
5.Multi-component Quality Consistency Evaluation of Leonuri Herba Granules Based on HPLC-DAD-CAD Multi-detector Technique and Chemometrics
Shuangyan LI ; Jun ZHANG ; Cong GUO ; Siyuan LI ; Jipeng DI ; Jiangmin SU ; An LIU ; Xiaodi KOU ; Yan LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):174-181
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the content differences of 4 components in Leonuri Herba granules, reveal the quality fluctuation patterns of products from the same and different manufacturers, providing scientific basis for the optimization of production process and quality control. MethodsHigh performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector-charged aerosol detector(HPLC-DAD-CAD) was employed to determine the contents of 4 components(syringic acid, leonurine hydrochloride, ferulic acid, and stachydrine hydrochloride) in samples from 19 manufacturers(53 batches, 159 boxes). Additionally, fingerprint profiles were constructed, and the fingerprint dissimilarity(PS) and relative standard deviation(RSD) of different samples from the same manufacturer were calculated. A principal component analysis(PCA) model was established with PS and the RSD values of the 4 components as variables to classify the manufacturers. Finally, samples from 5 manufacturers(M1-M5) covering three consistency groups were selected to calculate three quality consistency parameters, namely intra-batch consistency(PA), inter-batch consistency(PB), and PS. Then, PCA was performed with PA, PB, and PS of these 5 manufacturers as variables. ResultsThe average total content of the 4 index components per bag across the 19 manufacturers ranged from 41.10 mg to 97.54 mg. Among them, the content of stachydrine hydrochloride(a pharmacopoeial quality control component) was 32.46-72.70 mg per bag, all meeting the requirements of the 2025 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, with RSD of 1.7%-17.1%. The content ranges of the other 3 components were as follows:syringic acid of 1.43-41.92 mg per bag, leonurine hydrochloride of 0.67-11.85 mg per bag, and ferulic acid of 0.11-3.81 mg per bag. Notably, leonurine hydrochloride exhibited the most significant content fluctuation among samples from the same manufacturer(RSD of 4.8%-59.2%). PCA results showed that the 19 manufacturers could be classified into 3 categories. Samples from 8 manufacturers(M2, M6, M7, M8, M10, M15, M17, M18) demonstrated relatively high consistency, five manufacturers(M3, M9, M12, M13, M14) showed moderate consistency, six manufacturers(M1, M4, M5, M11, M16, M19) exhibited low consistency. The two methods yielded consistent classification results for the 5 representative manufacturers, verifying the reliability of the proposed method. Among these, manufacturer M2 showed the best quality consistency and the highest total content of indicator components among M1-M5. ConclusionThe HPLC-DAD-CAD multi-detector hyphenation technology established in this study enables the accurate detection of 4 components in Leonuri Herba granules. Significant differences in the total content of these four components are observed among products from 19 manufacturers. The application of 2 consistency evaluation methods combined with PCA can effectively classify their consistency into 3 categories, and the classification results of the 2 methods are highly consistent. This study provides scientific basis for the process optimization and quality standard improvement of Leonuri Herba granules.
6.Safety evaluation of 13-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (tetanus toxoid/diphtheria toxoid) in Tianjin
Guoping ZHANG ; Shuo WANG ; Yongcheng LI ; Baihui GUO ; Di ZHU ; Xiaoyan LUO
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(2):17-21
Objective To evaluate the safety of the 13-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (tetanus toxoid/diphtheria toxoid) (PCV13-TT/DT) among age-eligible children in Tianjin through a combination of active and passive surveillance methods. Methods From July 15, 2023, to August 31, 2024, active surveillance for adverse events following immunization (AEFI) was conducted among recipients of PCV13-TT/DT at 18 selected vaccination clinics in Tianjin. Recipients were monitored through on-site observation or telephone follow-up within 30 minutes after vaccination and on days 1, 3, 7, and 28. Passive surveillance for AEFI was conducted among recipients of PCV13-TT/DT at other vaccination clinics across the city. The incidence of AEFI was analyzed using descriptive epidemiological methods. Results A total of 24 916 recipients of PCV13-TT/DT were observed, with 440 AEFI cases reported, resulting in an overall incidence rate of 176.59 per 10 000. The incidence rate of AEFI in active surveillance was 813.79 per 10 000, significantly higher than that in passive surveillance (20.49 per 10 000; P< 0.001). The incidence rates of general reactions, abnormal reactions, and coincidental cases in active surveillance were 744.44 per 10 000, 8.16 per 10 000, and 61.19 per 10 000, respectively, all of which were higher than those in passive surveillance (18.49 per 10 000, 0.50 per 10 000, and 1.50 per 10 000), with P values < 0.05. General reactions were mainly characterized by fever, local redness, and local induration. Abnormal reactions included angioedema and allergic rash. Coincidental cases were mainly infections. No severe adverse reactions occurred. Conclusion The large-scale vaccination of PCV13-TT/DT after its launch has good safety, and continuous strengthening of vaccine safety monitoring is needed.
7.Risk Factors Analysis and Predictive Model Construction for Acute Kidney Injury Following Amphotericin B Deoxycholate Use in Hospitalized Patients
Hao XIE ; Yixun SHI ; Zhiqing XU ; Minquan LI ; Xiaoli DU ; Gang CHEN ; Bin ZHAO
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(2):429-437
To investigate the risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) following the use of amphotericin B deoxycholate and to develop a predictive model to guide clinical monitoring and intervention. A retrospective analysis was conducted on hospitalized patients who received amphotericin B deoxycholate between January 2014 and September 2024. Patients were divided into a training set and a validation set. Demographic data, laboratory findings, and medication orders were collected. Based on the occurrence of AKI during treatment and within 7 days after discontinuation, patients were classified into an AKI group and a non-AKI group. Univariate analysis was used to screen for potential risk factors, multivariate logistic regression was employed to construct a predictive model, and model performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. The training set included 473 patients, comprising 255 males (53.91%) and 218 females (46.09%), with a median age of 52(35, 62) years. The AKI group consisted of 191 cases (40.38%), and the non-AKI group consisted of 282 cases (59.62%). The validation set included 114 patients, comprising 80 males (70.18%) and 34 females (29.82%), with a median age of 43.5 (31.0, 58.5) years. The AKI group consisted of 42 cases (36.84%), and the non-AKI group consisted of 72 cases (63.16%). Univariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups in 23 factors (all Admission to the ICU, elevated serum creatinine at admission, and comorbid cardiac insufficiency as potential risk factors for AKI, while prophylactic use of diphenhydramine/promethazine or sodium bicarbonate showed a protective association. A predictive model with good discrimina-tion and calibration was developed, which may provide a basis for early identification of high-risk patients and timely adjustment of treatment strategies in clinical practice.
8.Longitudinal association between trajectories of class belongingness and depressive symptoms among college students
LI Hailing, LIU Lu, ZHANG Kuo, WANG Jingxin, YANG Yandong
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(4):527-530
Objective:
To explore the dynamic developmental trajectories of college students class belongingness during their college years and its longitudinal predictive effects on depressive symptoms, so as to provide targeted insights for precise campus psychological interventions.
Methods:
In October 2021 (T1), a total of 4 720 college students from a university in Shandong Province were selected by cluster sampling method and followed up for 3 years. Surveys were conducted annually (T2: October 2022, T3: October 2023, T4: October 2024). The Class Belongingness Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were used to assess students class belongingness and depressive symptoms. Latent growth mixture modeling was employed to identify trajectories of class belonging, and multinomial Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the predictive effects of these trajectory classes on depressive symptoms.
Results:
Mean scores of class belongingness across T1-T4 were (73.24±11.95, 74.76±12.25, 75.25±12.38, 77.64±11.63), and the scores of depressive symptoms were [1.00 (0, 5.00), 0 (0, 3.00), 0 (0, 2.00), 0 (0, 2.00)]. The developmental trajectories of class belongingness were categorized into three types: the high-starting ascending group ( 56.61 %), the low-starting descending group (11.91%), and the medium-starting stable group (31.48%). Multinomial Logistic regression analysis showed that, compared to the medium-starting stable group, the high-starting ascending group had a lower probability of developing mild depressive symptoms ( OR=0.27, 95%CI =0.15-0.47) and moderate or above depressive symptoms ( OR=0.29, 95% CI = 0.14-0.60) (both P <0.05). Conversely, the low-starting descending group had a higher probability of developing mild depressive symptoms ( OR=2.31, 95%CI =1.65-3.22) and moderate or above depressive symptoms ( OR=7.49, 95%CI = 3.82-14.69) (both P <0.05).
Conclusion
Declining trajectory of class belongingness is a risk factor for depressive symptoms, while sustained upward trend may mitigate such risks.
9.The Role of Mitochondrial Unfolded Protein Response in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):875-886
As the core hub of energy metabolism in eukaryotes, mitochondria participate in a variety of cellular activities, including metabolic regulation of the cell matrix, apoptosis, and the activation of signal transduction pathways. Their functional status is closely linked to the initiation and progression of various diseases. Neurodegenerative diseases are primarily characterized by the progressive loss and dysfunction of neurons, and mitochondrial dysfunction is considered one of the key triggers in this process. The specific mechanisms by which mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to neurodegenerative diseases have attracted widespread attention. When misfolded or unfolded proteins are detected, a process known as the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (mtUPR) is activated to promote proper protein folding or degradation, thereby restoring mitochondrial function. As a mitochondrial stress defense mechanism, mtUPR primarily regulates the expression of nuclear-encoded genes, such as chaperones and proteases, to alleviate mitochondrial stress. Studies have shown that, in addition to misfolded and unfolded proteins, other mitochondrial stresses—such as mitochondrial DNA abnormalities and reactive oxygen species (ROS)—can also induce mtUPR. The biological functions of mtUPR extend beyond mitochondria and are crucial for the health of the entire cell and even the whole organism. The mtUPR process involves communication between mitochondria and the nucleus, a phenomenon that is highly conserved and has been observed across different species. Abnormal activation or inhibition of mtUPR is closely associated with the development of various neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. An in-depth exploration of the dynamic regulatory role and molecular mechanisms of mtUPR is therefore of great significance for understanding the pathogenesis of these disorders. In addition to neuron loss, neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the brain, including insoluble fibrils of amyloid beta, phosphorylated tau, or α-synuclein. While the molecular pathways of mtUPR are largely conserved across different diseases, the possibility of differential regulatory factors cannot be excluded. Although mtUPR activation is predominantly recognized for its cytoprotective role, it may exert deleterious effects when overstimulated or sustained. Chronic mtUPR activity has been linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and increased neuronal vulnerability, contributing to the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases. This review summarizes the fundamental concepts, major inducers, and signaling pathways of the mtUPR. We focus on the intrinsic relationship and regulatory patterns between mtUPR and neurodegenerative diseases, providing insights that may aid the development of targeted therapies. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future directions of mtUPR research in this field, aiming to pave the way for new therapeutic breakthroughs. A major limitation arises from the experimental models currently used; most findings rely on model organisms or cultured cells, which cannot fully replicate the complexity of human neurons. Future research should therefore focus on three main directions: (1) defining the molecular switches that determine whether mtUPR acts in a protective or detrimental manner; (2) elucidating differences in mtUPR molecular pathways across various models of neurodegenerative diseases; and (3) establishing robust biomarkers for mtUPR activity.
10.Skeleton Binding Protein 1 of Plasmodium berghei Influences Deformability and Cytoskeletal Ultrastructure of Infected Erythrocyte
Xin-Yue GUO ; Huan-Qi ZHAO ; Yan-Xuan ZHONG ; Ru-Meng JIANG ; Yao-Xian LI ; Lei-Ting PAN ; Qian WANG ; Xiao-Yu SHI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):1015-1027
ObjectiveThe malaria parasites remodel the host erythrocyte structure by exporting parasite proteins that interact with the membrane skeleton proteins of red blood cells (RBCs), facilitating their intracellular survival and pathogenicity. Skeleton-binding protein 1 (SBP1) is a conserved exported protein across Plasmodium species. In Plasmodium falciparum, SBP1 has been reported to interact with erythrocyte membrane skeleton proteins 4.1R and spectrin, while its contribution to erythrocyte remodeling and parasite virulence in Plasmodium berghei (Pb) remains unclear. This study aims to determine whether PbSBP1 associates with the host cytoskeletal protein 4.1R and to investigate its role in the remodeling of host RBCs and the pathogenicity of Plasmodium berghei. MethodsIn Plasmodium berghei, the relationship between PbSBP1 and the erythrocyte cytoskeletal protein 4.1R was examined using co-immunoprecipitation. A Pbsbp1 gene knockout mutant of Plasmodium berghei (Pbsbp1∆) was generated based on the principle of double crossover homologous recombination. The deformability of erythrocytes infected with Pbsbp1∆ parasites was assessed using microfluidic methods. Microchannels with an array of cylindrical pillars were used to detect modifications in infected RBC deformability. The infected RBCs were squashed between the rows and recovered between the columns and the transit velocity (μm/s) of infected RBCs travelling through the microchannel was recorded. The component of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton junctional complex, tropomodulin (TMOD), was fluorescently labeled, and the cytoskeletal network of infected erythrocytes was imaged using super-resolution stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) to analyze ultrastructural changes in the cytoskeleton of wild-type (WT) and Pbsbp1∆-infected erythrocytes. Actin-based junctional complexes were displayed as individual clusters by the labeled TMOD in the STORM images, and the cluster densities and distances between adjacent clusters of infected RBCs were calculated. Additionally, rodent malaria models (BALB/c mice) and experimental cerebral malaria models (C57BL/6 mice) were employed to monitor the growth of Pbsbp1∆ and WT parasites during the intraerythrocytic stage and their capacity to induce cerebral malaria in mice. ResultsPbSBP1 may participate in the remodeling of infected erythrocytes through direct or indirect interaction with the erythrocyte cytoskeletal protein 4.1R. Microfluidic assays revealed that the deformability of erythrocytes infected with Pbsbp1∆ parasites was significantly enhanced compared to those infected with WT parasites. STORM imaging further demonstrated that the ultrastructure of the erythrocyte cytoskeleton in Pbsbp1∆-infected cells was altered relative to that in WT-infected erythrocytes. The distances between nearest neighbors of clusters had a tendency to increase while the cluster densities were decreased in Pbsbp1∆-infected RBCs compared to WT-infected RBCs. Subsequent phenotypic analysis indicated that the growth rate of Pbsbp1∆ parasites during the intraerythrocytic stage was significantly slower than that of WT parasites, and their ability to induce cerebral malaria in mice was also attenuated. These findings suggest that PbSBP1 is involved in the remodeling of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton, likely through its direct or indirect interaction with protein 4.1R, thereby regulating the deformability of infected erythrocytes and influencing the pathogenicity of the blood-stage parasites. ConclusionThis study establishes a role for PbSBP1 in host erythrocyte remodeling and parasite virulence, providing new research strategies for the prevention and treatment of malaria.


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