1.Standardization Challenges in Outcome Evaluation Systems of Animal Experiments and Considerations for Core Outcome Set Construction Strategies
Qingyong ZHENG ; Yongjia ZHOU ; Tengfei LI ; Jianguo XU ; Chen TIAN ; Hui LIU ; Min TIAN ; Ziyu ZHOU ; Caihua XU ; Yating CUI ; Junfei WANG ; Jinhui TIAN
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2026;46(1):138-148
Animal experimentation constitutes a critical link between basic research and clinical application, making its research quality and translational efficiency paramount. Although considerable progress has been made in standardizing operational procedures and ethical guidelines, the standardization of outcome evaluation systems has significantly lagged, creating a key bottleneck that constrains the quality of biomedical research and evidence synthesis. This deficiency is manifested by pronounced heterogeneity in outcome selection across similar studies, incomplete methodological reporting, and disparate criteria for result interpretation, which severely impairs the comparability of findings and the evidence integration. To cope with this challenge, this paper systematically introduces a mature methodological tool from clinical research–the core outcome set (COS)–and explores its construction strategies and application potential in the field of animal experimentation. Given the extensive diversity of animal experiments, a pragmatic strategy of "focusing on key areas, implementing phased pilots, and promoting gradual expansion" should be adopted. This approach prioritizes the development of domain-specific COS for disease areas characterized by high research volume, urgent translational needs, and well-established animal models. A multi-source integration pathway for COS development is detailed, comprising systematic literature searches, methodological appraisals, and expert consensus, with the feasibility of leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance efficiency also being examined. The development and promotion of such COS are not intended to restrict scientific exploration; rather, they aim to establish a new, tiered evaluation paradigm consisting of "core outcomes" (mandatory), "recommended outcomes" (encouraged), and "exploratory outcomes" (optional). This framework is expected not only to enhance research quality through standardization and to adhere to the "3R" principles but also to accelerate the accumulation of high-quality evidence. This, in turn, provides a solid foundation for higher-level evidence synthesis, ultimately facilitating the effective translation of basic research findings into clinical practice and providing an essential methodological framework for scientific advancement in relevant disciplines.
2.Effects of androgens on cognitive function in castration male mice
Yaqi ZHANG ; Cancan HUI ; Fang REN ; Min XU ; Zilong JIANG ; Datong DENG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(3):455-461
ObjectiveTo establish a castrated male mouse model and to preliminarily investigate the effects of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on behavior, serum indices, and histopathological changes in castrated mice, as well as to explore the role of androgens in cognitive function. MethodsForty 6-month-old male C57/BL6J mice were randomly divided into sham operation group, castration group, testosterone propionate (0.5,1.0 mg/kg) treated group, with 10 mice in each group. Following castration and subcutaneous administration of testosterone propionate at different doses (0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg) for TRT, learning and memory abilities were assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM) test and the passive avoidance test. Serum testosterone and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were measured by ELISA, and histopathological changes in the hippocampus were examined using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. ResultsRoutine observations: there were no statistically significant differences in body weight among groups at any time point. MWM test: compared with castration group, sham operation group and testosterone propionate-treated groups (0.5, 1.0 mg/kg) showed significantly reduced escape latency on days 4 and 5 (P0.05), while the number of platform crossings and the time spent in the target quadrant significantly increased (P0.05). Passive avoidance test: the number of passive avoidance errors significantly decreased in sham operation group and testosterone propionate (1.0 mg/kg)-treated group (P0.05), and the passive avoidance latency was significantly prolonged in sham-operated group and testosterone propionate-treated groups (0.5, 1.0 mg/kg) (P0.05). Serum testosterone and serum BDNF assays: serum testosterone levels and serum BDNF concentrations significantly increased in sham operation group and testosterone propionate-treated groups (0.5, 1.0 mg/kg) (P0.01). HE staining: compared with sham operation group, neuronal density in all hippocampal subregions was slightly reduced in castration group; in the testosterone propionate (0.5 mg/kg)-treated group, neuronal arrangement in the CA1 and CA3 regions was improved and apoptotic cells were reduced compared with castration group; in testosterone propionate (1.0 mg/kg)-treated group, the pyramidal cell layer in the CA3 region was more compactly arranged, with fewer apoptotic cells than in castration group. ConclusionTRT improves learning and memory performance in castration male mice, potentially through modulation of hippocampal BDNF signaling pathways.
3.Analysis of Guideline for General Requirements for Pharmaceutical Packaging Materials and Containers in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition
Kai XU ; Lei CHEN ; Hui YU ; Bo ZHANG ; Yanping SHI ; Min WAN ; Chenghu LIU
Drug Standards of China 2025;26(4):349-354
This article discusses the revision background and core content of 9621 General Requirements for Phar-maceutical Packaging Materials and Containers in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition.In combination with the requirements of bundling review of pharmaceutical packaging and drug products,as well as harmonization of inter-national standards,it analyzed the revision philosophy of the new guideline and the impact to industry.The new edition of the guideline 9621 introduces the concept of "pharmaceutical packaging system" for the first time,constructing four suitability evaluation dimensions covering protection,compatibility,safety,and functionality,it also introduces the requirements for the self-stability evaluation of plastic and rubber pharmaceutical packaging materials,and strengthening the concept of full lifecycle management and risk management.Through the"1+4+58" standard system,the basis for determining the key quality attributes of packaging materials for phar-maceutical use and the optimization path of dynamic inspection rules have been clarified.This revision has resolved the contradiction between the old version of standards and current regulatory requirements through a systematic upgrade,promoting the transformation of pharmaceutical packaging materials and containers quality control towards a scientific,international,and full lifecycle management model,proving technical supports in ensuring the safety,effectiveness of drug products from standard perspective,including advancing the industry high-quality development.
4.Application review of wearable devices in auxiliary detection and diagnosis of acute mountain sickness
Hui-quan WANG ; Shuai MA ; Guo-sheng CHEN ; Yu GUO ; Jin-han YU ; Zheng-xu YAN ; Ming-hu LIU ; Xin-min DONG
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(9):100-107
The pathological mechanisms and related physiological indicators of acute mountain sickness(AMS)were introduced,and the present situation of wearable devices applied in AMS auxiliary detection and diagnosis were reviewed.The challenges and future development directions of wearable devices applied in auxiliary detection and diagnosis were pointed out.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(9):100-107]
5.Analysis of Guideline for General Requirements for Pharmaceutical Packaging Materials and Containers in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition
Kai XU ; Lei CHEN ; Hui YU ; Bo ZHANG ; Yanping SHI ; Min WAN ; Chenghu LIU
Drug Standards of China 2025;26(4):349-354
This article discusses the revision background and core content of 9621 General Requirements for Phar-maceutical Packaging Materials and Containers in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition.In combination with the requirements of bundling review of pharmaceutical packaging and drug products,as well as harmonization of inter-national standards,it analyzed the revision philosophy of the new guideline and the impact to industry.The new edition of the guideline 9621 introduces the concept of "pharmaceutical packaging system" for the first time,constructing four suitability evaluation dimensions covering protection,compatibility,safety,and functionality,it also introduces the requirements for the self-stability evaluation of plastic and rubber pharmaceutical packaging materials,and strengthening the concept of full lifecycle management and risk management.Through the"1+4+58" standard system,the basis for determining the key quality attributes of packaging materials for phar-maceutical use and the optimization path of dynamic inspection rules have been clarified.This revision has resolved the contradiction between the old version of standards and current regulatory requirements through a systematic upgrade,promoting the transformation of pharmaceutical packaging materials and containers quality control towards a scientific,international,and full lifecycle management model,proving technical supports in ensuring the safety,effectiveness of drug products from standard perspective,including advancing the industry high-quality development.
6.Proficiency testing for 11 clinical biobanks in Beijing City: simulation study and result analysis
Qian ZHANG ; Yun ZHANG ; Lu HAN ; Min LIU ; Yongbo YU ; Yan WANG ; Ying HU ; Hui ZHONG ; Dan GUO ; Shipeng SUN ; Jinxi LIN ; Siyuan XU ; Xiaokun TANG ; Gaoyuan SUN ; Chuanbao ZHANG ; Hexin LI
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(9):1590-1596
Objective:To evaluate the sample preparation proficiency and storage proficiency of 11 clinical biobanks in Beijing through simulated experiments, and to establish an assessment method for the quality comparability of biological samples.Methods:An exploratory research design was adopted. In November 2023, artificial composite serum quality control materials containing six recombinant human protein markers—recombinant human alanine aminotransferase (rhALT), recombinant human aspartate aminotransferase (rhAST), recombinant human creatine kinase (rhCK), recombinant human creatine kinase-MB (rhCK-MB), recombinant human B-type natriuretic peptide (rhBNP), and recombinant human troponin I (rhTNI)—were distributed to 11 clinical biobanks in Beijing City. Sample preparation and storage followed the standardized operating procedures. Proficiency differences were assessed through statistical analysis.Results:Three-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed all six protein markers showed a declining trend over storage time in ultra-low-temperature environments ( F values 11.68-4 179.66, all P<0.01). However, neither long-term/temporary refrigerator types ( F values 0.01-1.23, all P>0.05)nor placement locations within refrigerators significantly affected the stability of these six proteins ( F valus 0.03-1.47, all P>0.05). The biases in detection results for rhALT, rhAST, rhTNI, and rhBNP at different storage time points were within the allowable bias limits for each item, supporting their use as markers for protein stability in biobank samples. All 11 institutions passed the storage proficiency assessment. In the preparation proficiency assessment, deviations were observed in post-preparation sample results, with a notably high out-of-control rate for rhCK (36.36%). Conclusion:Sample preparation proficiency can serve as a quality control metric for clinical biobanks. Future external quality assessment systems for biobanks should focus on sample preparation rather than storage processes.
7.Effect of circular RNA circ_0004535 on type 2 diabetes mellitus combined with metabolism-related fatty liver disease model mice
Caijuan ZHOU ; Min LI ; Hui XU ; Bingru CHEN ; Qing MENG ; Wei XIONG
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(8):78-93
Objective To explore the influence of hsa_circ_0004535 on type 2 diabetes(T2DM)combined with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)model mice.Methods Forty-eight healthy SPF grade Balb/c mice were selected for modeling and divided into the following groups(n=6 per group):Control group:normal feed;T2DM group:diabetes model induced by high-glucose and high-fat diet;T2DM combined MAFLD group:non-alcoholic fatty liver high-glucose and high-fat diet-induced diabetes combined with fatty liver model;T2DM combined MAFLD+hsa_circ_NC group:after 4 weeks of modeling,10 nmol hsa_circ_NC injected into the tail vein;T2DM combined MAFLD+hsa_circ_0004535 group:after 4 weeks of modeling,10 nmol circ_0004535 injected into the tail vein;T2DM combined MAFLD+miRNA_NC group:after 4 weeks of modeling,10 nmol miRNA blank control injected into the tail vein;T2DM combined MAFLD+miR-1827 agomir group:after 4 weeks of modeling,10 nmol miR-1827 agomir injected into the tail vein;and T2DM combined MAFLD+miR-1827 antagomir group:after 4 weeks of modeling,10 nmol miR-1827 antagomir injected into the tail vein.Mouse body weight was measured after the interventions and recorded weekly.Glucose and insulin tolerance tests were performed,blood lipids and liver function were measured,the liver and insulin resistance indexes were calculated,and pathological tests(hematoxylin/eosin(HE),oil red O,and Masson staining,immunohistochemistry,terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL))were performed to measure the degree of hepatic inflammation,fat deposition,and fibrosis.Results(1)Body weight,liver weight,liver index,insulin resistance index,and biochemical indexes were all significantly lower in the hsa_circ_0004535 injection group compared with the hsa_circ_NC injection group and the T2DM combined MAFLD group(both P<0.05).(2)Steatosis vacuoles were reduced and smaller and inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced in the T2DM combined MAFLD+circ_0004535 group,as shown by HE and oil red staining.(3)TUNEL-positive cells were significantly reduced in the T2DM combined MAFLD+hsa_circ_0004535 group(P<0.05).(4)Collagen fiber deposition was significantly reduced in the T2DM combined MAFLD+hsa_circ_0004535 group,as shown by Masson staining(P<0.05).Conclusions The expression of hsa_circ_0004535 and miRNA-1827 play important roles in regulating lipid metabolism,insulin sensitivity,inflammatory pathways,hepatocyte apoptosis,and hepatic fibrosis-related pathways in an animal model of T2DM combined with MAFLD.
8.The disability levels and characteristics of the elderly population in China:Assessment and prediction based on Multiple Data Sources
Hang-kong ZHANG ; Hui-min XU ; Ye-sheng LUO
Chinese Journal of Health Policy 2025;18(8):1-9
Objective:Accurately grasping the disability levels and characteristics of the elderly population in China is of significant importance for responding effectively to the care service needs of this demographic.Methods:Based on multi-wave data(2011-2023)from three nationally representative aging-related surveys CLHLS,CHARLS and CALSS,this study assessed,compared,and predicted the disability levels and characteristics of China's elderly population.Results:Direct estimates from existing survey data showed low reliability.Integrated multi-source projections indicate that the disability rate among China's population aged 65 and older will follow a phased upward trend,ranging approximately between 12.27%and 15.05%from 2025 to 2050,with the disabled elderly population growing continuously from 25.9 million to 58.64 million.Bathing,toileting,and dressing were the three activities with the highest disability rates.Discussion and Suggestions:Future efforts should focus on improving the construction of an elderly capacity assessment system and addressing the shortage of high-quality disability data.Research should emphasize the evaluation process of item-specific disability among older adults.It is essential to grasp the phased characteristics of changes in disability levels and identify critical windows of opportunity for response.Based on the item-specific disability characteristics of older adults,the focus of elderly care services,facilities,and product supply should be accurately targeted.
9.Effect of circular RNA circ_0004535 on type 2 diabetes mellitus combined with metabolism-related fatty liver disease model mice
Caijuan ZHOU ; Min LI ; Hui XU ; Bingru CHEN ; Qing MENG ; Wei XIONG
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(8):78-93
Objective To explore the influence of hsa_circ_0004535 on type 2 diabetes(T2DM)combined with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)model mice.Methods Forty-eight healthy SPF grade Balb/c mice were selected for modeling and divided into the following groups(n=6 per group):Control group:normal feed;T2DM group:diabetes model induced by high-glucose and high-fat diet;T2DM combined MAFLD group:non-alcoholic fatty liver high-glucose and high-fat diet-induced diabetes combined with fatty liver model;T2DM combined MAFLD+hsa_circ_NC group:after 4 weeks of modeling,10 nmol hsa_circ_NC injected into the tail vein;T2DM combined MAFLD+hsa_circ_0004535 group:after 4 weeks of modeling,10 nmol circ_0004535 injected into the tail vein;T2DM combined MAFLD+miRNA_NC group:after 4 weeks of modeling,10 nmol miRNA blank control injected into the tail vein;T2DM combined MAFLD+miR-1827 agomir group:after 4 weeks of modeling,10 nmol miR-1827 agomir injected into the tail vein;and T2DM combined MAFLD+miR-1827 antagomir group:after 4 weeks of modeling,10 nmol miR-1827 antagomir injected into the tail vein.Mouse body weight was measured after the interventions and recorded weekly.Glucose and insulin tolerance tests were performed,blood lipids and liver function were measured,the liver and insulin resistance indexes were calculated,and pathological tests(hematoxylin/eosin(HE),oil red O,and Masson staining,immunohistochemistry,terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL))were performed to measure the degree of hepatic inflammation,fat deposition,and fibrosis.Results(1)Body weight,liver weight,liver index,insulin resistance index,and biochemical indexes were all significantly lower in the hsa_circ_0004535 injection group compared with the hsa_circ_NC injection group and the T2DM combined MAFLD group(both P<0.05).(2)Steatosis vacuoles were reduced and smaller and inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced in the T2DM combined MAFLD+circ_0004535 group,as shown by HE and oil red staining.(3)TUNEL-positive cells were significantly reduced in the T2DM combined MAFLD+hsa_circ_0004535 group(P<0.05).(4)Collagen fiber deposition was significantly reduced in the T2DM combined MAFLD+hsa_circ_0004535 group,as shown by Masson staining(P<0.05).Conclusions The expression of hsa_circ_0004535 and miRNA-1827 play important roles in regulating lipid metabolism,insulin sensitivity,inflammatory pathways,hepatocyte apoptosis,and hepatic fibrosis-related pathways in an animal model of T2DM combined with MAFLD.
10.The disability levels and characteristics of the elderly population in China:Assessment and prediction based on Multiple Data Sources
Hang-kong ZHANG ; Hui-min XU ; Ye-sheng LUO
Chinese Journal of Health Policy 2025;18(8):1-9
Objective:Accurately grasping the disability levels and characteristics of the elderly population in China is of significant importance for responding effectively to the care service needs of this demographic.Methods:Based on multi-wave data(2011-2023)from three nationally representative aging-related surveys CLHLS,CHARLS and CALSS,this study assessed,compared,and predicted the disability levels and characteristics of China's elderly population.Results:Direct estimates from existing survey data showed low reliability.Integrated multi-source projections indicate that the disability rate among China's population aged 65 and older will follow a phased upward trend,ranging approximately between 12.27%and 15.05%from 2025 to 2050,with the disabled elderly population growing continuously from 25.9 million to 58.64 million.Bathing,toileting,and dressing were the three activities with the highest disability rates.Discussion and Suggestions:Future efforts should focus on improving the construction of an elderly capacity assessment system and addressing the shortage of high-quality disability data.Research should emphasize the evaluation process of item-specific disability among older adults.It is essential to grasp the phased characteristics of changes in disability levels and identify critical windows of opportunity for response.Based on the item-specific disability characteristics of older adults,the focus of elderly care services,facilities,and product supply should be accurately targeted.

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