1.Ethical examination of artificial intelligence application in Alzheimer’s disease imaging diagnosis
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(2):179-186
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, fatal, and neurodegenerative disease, clinically characterized by gradually developed cognitive and memory function decline, language and visuospatial disorders, and other aspects. It remains incurable and irreversible to date. In clinical settings, Alzheimer’s disease usually faces the possibility of untimely diagnosis, causing difficulties in the early intervention of the disease. Thus, it is essential to improve diagnostic efficiency and help patients diagnose Alzheimer’s disease as early as possible. With the continuous development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, its application in Alzheimer’s disease imaging diagnosis has shown great potential. Meanwhile, it is also accompanied by many ethical issues. By exploring the ethical challenges brought by AI in the research and application of Alzheimer’s disease imaging diagnosis, such as data security, interpretability, algorithmic discrimination, and disclosure of incidental findings, the paper proposed the corresponding countermeasures, with a view to providing certain ethical guidance for the AI application in medical imaging diagnosis, protecting the rights and interests of subjects/patients, and promoting the healthy development of technology.
2.Astrocytes promote oligodendrocyte precursor cell proliferation via Cx47-mediated regulation of exosome-derived CHI3L1 secretion.
Xiaoyan ZHANG ; Nannan CHENG ; Yan PENG
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(4):573-585
OBJECTIVES:
Neurodegenerative diseases are closely associated with myelin loss, and the proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are crucial to remyelination. However, the regulatory mechanisms involved remain incompletely understood. This study aims to investigate how astrocytes (ASTs) regulate the secretion of chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) via connexin 47 (Cx47)-mediated exosome signaling, and its subsequent effect on OPC proliferation.
METHODS:
Primary cells were isolated from postnatal day 1 Sprague-Dawley (P1SD) rats to establish 3 culture conditions: OPCs alone (Group O), OPCs in direct contact with ASTs (Group C), and OPCs cultured with AST-conditioned medium (Group A). Cellular morphology and proliferation were assessed using optical microscopy, 5-ethynyl-2'- deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation, and flow cytometry. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and bioinformatics analysis (BA) were conducted to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among groups. Protein expression and cell cycle distribution were analyzed by Western blotting (WB) and flow cytometry. Exosomes were isolated and purified via differential centrifugation, characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and CHI3L1 expression in exosomes was verified via WB. Cx47 was silenced using small interfering RNA (siRNA) to evaluate its effect on OPC proliferation and exosome secretion. Artificial exosomes were constructed by encapsulating CHI3L1 in single unilamellar vesicles (SUVs), whose structure and size were validated by NTA and TEM. Following Cx47 knockdown, artificial exosomes were added back, and OPC proliferation was assessed via flow cytometry and EdU assay.
RESULTS:
Direct co-cultured with ASTs (Group C) resulted in significantly enhanced OPC proliferation compared to the Group O and Group A (P<0.05). RNA-Seq and WB analyses revealed that ASTs promote OPC proliferation and exosome secretion enriched in CHI3L1 through Cx47. Cx47 knockdown by siRNA led to significant decreases in OPC proliferation and exosome release (P<0.05). The inhibitory effect of Cx47 silencing on OPC proliferation was partially reversed by supplementation with either isolated exosomes or exogenous CHI3L1.
CONCLUSIONS
This study reveals a novel mechanism by which ASTs regulate OPC proliferation: Through direct contact, ASTs enhance the secretion of CHI3L1-rich exosomes via Cx47, thereby converting intercellular contact signals into secretory signals that promote OPC proliferation. As a key exosomal molecule, CHI3L1 may play an important role in neural function and remyelination and warrants further investigation.
Animals
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Exosomes/metabolism*
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Rats
;
Connexins/genetics*
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Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells/metabolism*
;
Astrocytes/metabolism*
;
Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1/metabolism*
;
Cells, Cultured
;
Cell Differentiation
3.Characteristics of gut microbiota determine effects of specific probiotics strains in patients with functional constipation.
Haohao ZHANG ; Lijuan SUN ; Zhixin ZHAO ; Yao ZHOU ; Yuyao LIU ; Nannan ZHANG ; Junya YAN ; Shibo WANG ; Renlong LI ; Jing ZHANG ; Xueying WANG ; Wenjiao LI ; Yan PAN ; Meixia WANG ; Bing LUO ; Mengbin LI ; Zhihong SUN ; Yongxiang ZHAO ; Yongzhan NIE
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(1):120-122
4.Methodology for the Development of Clinical Practice Guideline for Chinese Patent Medicine(Part 1): Development Status and Characteristics
Ning LIANG ; Lijiao YAN ; Yujing ZHANG ; Fuqiang ZHANG ; Ziteng HU ; Yaxin CHEN ; Huizhen LI ; Haili ZHANG ; Zhao CHEN ; Yin JIANG ; Bin LIU ; Nannan SHI ; Yanping WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(1):44-49
The irrational use of Chinese patent medicines (CPM) is becoming more and more prominent, which makes the demand for clinical practice guidelines of CPM gradually increase. In order to make domestic scholars understand the latest developments and existing problems of the CPM guidelines, and promote its development, this paper introduced the concept of CPM guidelines, summarized the characteristics of the two development modes, namely “taking CPM as the key” and “taking disease/syndrome as the key”, and analyzed the current methodological status of developing and reporting CPM guidelines. Based on the existed problems, three suggestions have been put forward to optimize the quality of CPM guidelines, which were clarifying the target users and scope of CPM guidelines, establishing an open and transparent mechanism of the personnel involvement and process steps, and formulating implementable and operable recommendations for the use of CPM.
5.Methodology for the Development of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Chinese Patent Medicine: 2.Establishment of Guideline Working Group and Management of Conflict of Interests
Yaxin CHEN ; Ning LIANG ; Lijiao YAN ; Ziteng HU ; Yujing ZHANG ; Fuqiang ZHANG ; Haili ZHANG ; Huizhen LI ; Yijiu YANG ; Jing GUO ; Nannan SHI ; Yanping WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(1):50-54
This paper summarized the key points and methods in terms of the establishment of the guideline working group and the management of conflict of interests, trying to provide reference for the development of clinical practice guidelines for Chinese patent medicine (CPM). The establishment of the working group is the first important step for developing CPM guidelines. Considering the characteristics of the clinical practice guidelines for CPM, this study suggests that the three key elements of ‘multidisciplinarity’, ‘clinical relevance’ and ‘geographical representativeness’ should be put focus on when forming the working group. The guideline advisory committee, clinical expert group, evidence systematic evaluation group, secretary group and the external review group should be established. All group members should clarify the conflict of interest, and the process and management method of the conflict of interest should be clearly reported.
6.Methodology for the Development of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Chinese Patent Medicine(Part 3): Identification of Clinical Questions
Ziteng HU ; Ning LIANG ; Lijiao YAN ; Yujing ZHANG ; Yaxin CHEN ; Fuqiang ZHANG ; Zhao CHEN ; Yin JIANG ; Cuicui CHENG ; Nannan SHI ; Yanping WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(1):55-59
The identification of clinical questions for clinical practice guidelines of Chinese patent medicine (CPM) is important for subsequent evidence retrieval, evaluation of evidence quality, formation of recommendations. This paper described a methodological proposal for the identification of clinical questions for CPM guidelines to highlight the characteristics of Chinese patent medicine and reflect its effect in specific stage of the disease. Considering four aspects, namely, the drug of Chinese patent medicine (D), the specific disease stage (S), comparison (C), and specific outcome (O), DSCO framework has been proposed to formulate the clinical questions. Multi-source information through scientific research, policy or standard documents, and clinical data are suggested for collecting clinical questions, and clear selection criteria should be set to finalize the clinical questions to be addressed by the guideline. In addition, the above process needs to be transparently and publicly reported in order to ensure the clarity and completeness of the guidelines.
7.Methodology for the Development of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Chinese Patent Medicine(Part 4): Evidence Retrieval and Evaluation
Fuqiang ZHANG ; Lijiao YAN ; Ziteng HU ; Yujing ZHANG ; Yaxin CHEN ; Xingyu ZONG ; Zhao CHEN ; Weili WANG ; He LI ; Ning LIANG ; Nannan SHI ; Yanping WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(1):60-65
The retrieval and evaluation of evidence is the basis for the development of clinical practice guidelines for Chinese patent medicine. As traditional Chinese medicine has a different development trajectory and utilization characteristics from modern medicine, there is certain differences in terms of evidence composition, retrieval and integration.This paper discussed multi-source body of evidence on Chinese patent medicine based on modern evidence-based medicine and ancient medical literature, and summarized the retrieval strategy as well as the possible problems and solving methods. For different types of evidence on Chinese patent medicine, the corresponding evaluation tools have been recommended, and the order to integrate the evidence based on the quality of the evidence from high to low is suggested. Finally, a multi-source based evidence retrieval-evaluation-integration scheme for Chinese patent medicine has been formed, which will provide a methodological reference for practitioners in the development of clinical practice guidelines for Chinese patent medicine.
8.Methodology for the Development of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Chinese Patent Medicine(Part 5): Retrieval and Synthesis of Key Information on Rational Drug Use
Ziteng HU ; Ning LIANG ; Lijiao YAN ; Yujing ZHANG ; Fuqiang ZHANG ; Yaxin CHEN ; Bin LIU ; Qianzi CHE ; Yixiang LI ; Jing GUO ; Nannan SHI ; Yanping WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(2):167-171
Recommendations for Chinese patent medicine (CPM) based on key information on rational drug use are one of the important conditions for enhancing guideline enforceability as well as facilitating guideline implementation. In this study, we discussed in detail of the key information on the rational use of CPM in five aspects, which are dosage, drug discontinuation, drug-drug and drug-food interactions, safety and economy. Following the process of multi-source search, synthesis and prioritization, it is suggested to collect key information on the rational use of CPM from a multi-source search of drug instructions, policy documents, literature, and clinical experts' experiences. Then the searched information should be summarized and prioritized with the principle that taking drug instructions as the basis and other-sources information for check and supplementation. Finally, methodological recommendations for the retrieval and synthesis of key information on rational drug use in guideline recommendations has been formed.
9.Methodology for the Development of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Chinese Patent Medicine (Part 6): Formation and Presentation of Recommendations
Yujing ZHANG ; Ning LIANG ; Lijiao YAN ; Ziteng HU ; Yaxin CHEN ; Fuqiang ZHANG ; Qianzi CHE ; Zhao CHEN ; Yuqi LIU ; Dingyi WANG ; Nannan SHI ; Yanping WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(2):172-177
Recommendation formation is a key component of clinical practice guidelines for Chinese patent medicine (CPM), and should encompass the determination of the strength and direction of the recommendation, the rationale for the recommendation, and the methodology for implementing the recommendation. Recommendations can be formed through formal consensus and informal consensus. The strength and direction of recommendations for CPM guidelines should be determined by considering the quality of evidence for CPMs, the priority of the clinical questions, the pros and cons of efficacy and adverse effects, patient acceptance, the feasibility of the recommendation and the availability of resources, social fairness, economic benefits, and other influencing factors. In order to better guide guideline developers to consider these factors more rationally, this article provideed a detailed explanation of each factor in the context of the characteristics of TCM.
10.Methodology for the Development of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Chinese Patent Medicine (Part 7): Introduction and Interpretation of the Guideline Reporting Checklist
Yujing ZHANG ; Fuqiang ZHANG ; Lijiao YAN ; Ziteng HU ; Yaxin CHEN ; Haili ZHANG ; Huizhen LI ; Qianzi CHE ; Ning LIANG ; Nannan SHI ; Yanping WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(2):178-184
The systematic and comprehensive introduction and interpretation of the Reporting Checklist of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Chinese Patent Medicines V1.0 is conducive to the presentation of high-quality clinical practice guidelines for Chinese patent medicines (CPMs), thus improving their dissemination and use. The Reporting Checklist of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Chinese Patent Medicines V1.0 specifies the requirements for clear, complete and transparent reporting of the whole process of developing CPMs guidelines, containing 4 domains, 17 topics and 43 items, and involving the basic information, recommendations and methods of guideline development. Especially, it details the items related to the rules and regulations of the use of CPMs in the recommendations, which is helpful for improving the completeness, scientificity and practicality of the reporting of CPMs guideline.

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