1.Quality Evaluation of Naomaili Granules Based on Multi-component Content Determination and Fingerprint and Screening of Its Anti-neuroinflammatory Substance Basis
Ya WANG ; Yanan KANG ; Bo LIU ; Zimo WANG ; Xuan ZHANG ; Wei LAN ; Wen ZHANG ; Lu YANG ; Yi SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):170-178
ObjectiveTo establish an ultra-performance liquid fingerprint and multi-components determination method for Naomaili granules. To evaluate the quality of different batches by chemometrics, and the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of water extract and main components of Naomaili granules were tested in vitro. MethodsThe similarity and common peaks of 27 batches of Naomaili granules were evaluated by using Ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) fingerprint detection. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) technology was used to determine the content of the index components in Naomaili granules and to evaluate the quality of different batches of Naomaili granules by chemometrics. LPS-induced BV-2 cell inflammation model was used to investigate the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of the water extract and main components of Naomaili granules. ResultsThe similarity of fingerprints of 27 batches of samples was > 0.90. A total of 32 common peaks were calibrated, and 23 of them were identified and assigned. In 27 batches of Naomaili granules, the mass fractions of 14 components that were stachydrine hydrochloride, leonurine hydrochloride, calycosin-7-O-glucoside, calycosin,tanshinoneⅠ, cryptotanshinone, tanshinoneⅡA, ginsenoside Rb1, notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Rg1, paeoniflorin, albiflorin, lactiflorin, and salvianolic acid B were found to be 2.902-3.498, 0.233-0.343, 0.111-0.301, 0.07-0.152, 0.136-0.228, 0.195-0.390, 0.324-0.482, 1.056-1.435, 0.271-0.397, 1.318-1.649, 3.038-4.059, 2.263-3.455, 0.152-0.232, 2.931-3.991 mg∙g-1, respectively. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that paeoniflorin, ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Rb1 and staphylline hydrochloride were quality difference markers to control the stability of the preparation. The results of bioactive experiment showed that the water extract of Naomaili granules and the eight main components with high content in the prescription had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the release of NO in the cell supernatant. Among them, salvianolic acid B and ginsenoside Rb1 had strong anti-inflammatory activity, with IC50 values of (36.11±0.15) mg∙L-1 and (27.24±0.54) mg∙L-1, respectively. ConclusionThe quality evaluation method of Naomaili granules established in this study was accurate and reproducible. Four quality difference markers were screened out, and eight key pharmacodynamic substances of Naomaili granules against neuroinflammation were screened out by in vitro cell experiments.
2.Combined Therapy of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Hepatitis B Virus Infection: A Review
Xuan WU ; Hui LI ; Jian HUANG ; Xikun YANG ; Yan ZENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):279-288
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the primary cause of viral hepatitis and represents a substantial disease burden in China. However, effective and safe agents capable of completely eliminating HBV DNA are still lacking. In modern medicine, anti-HBV strategies mainly target covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), among other mechanisms, and multiple novel drugs are currently under clinical investigation. Traditional medicine has been shown to exert anti-HBV effects through direct pathways, such as blocking viral entry, as well as indirect pathways, including the regulation of programmed cell death. Studies have confirmed that the integration of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine in treating HBV infection and its related complications offers complementary advantages, particularly in enhancing HBV clearance rates, improving liver function, preventing various complications, and delaying the progression from hepatic fibrosis to hepatocellular carcinoma. This review focuses on advances in anti-HBV research involving TCM, Western medicine, and their integrated application, aiming to provide a basis for integrated HBV therapy and new drug development.
3.Identification of Chemical Constituents of Painong Powder and Constituents Absorbed into Blood by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS
Han SUN ; Hongsu ZHAO ; Zihua XUAN ; Jinwei QIAO ; Fangfang ZHANG ; Manqin YANG ; Shuangying GUI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):256-263
ObjectiveTo study the chemical constituents of Painong powder and the constituents absorbed into blood after oral administration to rats by ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS). MethodsUPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS was employed for mass spectrometry data acquisition. The chemical constituents of Painong Powder and the constituents absorbed into blood were characterized and identified via Xcalibur 4.2 and Compound Discoverer v3.3.1 (CD) based on retention time, accurate molecular weights, secondary fragmentation ions, and comparison with reference standards and literature reports. ResultsA total of 176 chemical compounds, including 56 flavonoids, 42 triterpenoid saponins, 23 monoterpenes, 7 coumarins, 5 tannins, and other 43 compounds were identified from Painong powder. 49 components were identified in the rat plasma after oral administration of Painong powder, including 33 prototype constituents and 16 metabolites. The major metabolic pathways included hydrolysis in phase Ⅰ metabolic reactions, as well as methylation, sulfation, and glucuronidation in phase Ⅱ metabolic reaction. ConclusionThe method comprehensively identified the chemical constituents of Painong powder both in vitro and in vivo, and may provide a reference for the study of quality control and clinical applications.
4.Diagnosis of invasive encapsulated follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma by protein-based machine learning
Truong Phan-Xuan NGUYEN ; Minh-Khang LE ; Sittiruk ROYTRAKUL ; Shanop SHUANGSHOTI ; Nakarin KITKUMTHORN ; Somboon KEELAWAT
Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine 2025;59(1):39-49
Background:
Although the criteria for follicular-pattern thyroid tumors are well-established, diagnosing these lesions remains challenging in some cases. In the recent World Health Organization Classification of Endocrine and Neuroendocrine Tumors (5th edition), the invasive encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma was reclassified as its own entity. It is crucial to differentiate this variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma from low-risk follicular pattern tumors due to their shared morphological characteristics. Proteomics holds significant promise for detecting and quantifying protein biomarkers. We investigated the potential value of a protein biomarker panel defined by machine learning for identifying the invasive encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma, initially using formalin- fixed paraffin-embedded samples.
Methods:
We developed a supervised machine-learning model and tested its performance using proteomics data from 46 thyroid tissue samples.
Results:
We applied a random forest classifier utilizing five protein biomarkers (ZEB1, NUP98, C2C2L, NPAP1, and KCNJ3). This classifier achieved areas under the curve (AUCs) of 1.00 and accuracy rates of 1.00 in training samples for distinguishing the invasive encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma from non-malignant samples. Additionally, we analyzed the performance of single-protein/gene receiver operating characteristic in differentiating the invasive encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma from others within The Cancer Genome Atlas projects, which yielded an AUC >0.5.
Conclusions
We demonstrated that integration of high-throughput proteomics with machine learning can effectively differentiate the invasive encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma from other follicular pattern thyroid tumors.
5.Comparison of Logistic Regression and Machine Learning Approaches in Predicting Depressive Symptoms: A National-Based Study
Xing-Xuan DONG ; Jian-Hua LIU ; Tian-Yang ZHANG ; Chen-Wei PAN ; Chun-Hua ZHAO ; Yi-Bo WU ; Dan-Dan CHEN
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(3):267-278
Objective:
Machine learning (ML) has been reported to have better predictive capability than traditional statistical techniques. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of ML algorithms and logistic regression (LR) for predicting depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods:
Analyses were carried out in a national cross-sectional study involving 21,916 participants. The ML algorithms in this study included random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), neural network (NN), and gradient boosting machine (GBM) methods. The performance indices were sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, precision, F1-score, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).
Results:
LR and NN had the best performance in terms of AUCs. The risk of overfitting was found to be negligible for most ML models except for RF, and GBM obtained the highest sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, precision, and F1-score. Therefore, LR, NN, and GBM models ranked among the best models.
Conclusion
Compared with ML models, LR model performed comparably to ML models in predicting depressive symptoms and identifying potential risk factors while also exhibiting a lower risk of overfitting.
6.Long-Term Real-World Outcomes of Tenofovir Alafenamide in Chronic Hepatitis B: Detailed Analysis of Treatment-Naive and Experienced Patients
Yu-Xuan SONG ; Guang-Jun SONG ; Hui MA ; Bo FENG ; Yan-Di XIE
The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology 2025;85(1):64-72
Background/Aims:
This study assessed the long-term efficacy and safety of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) in real-world settings.
Methods:
Patients who were candidates for TAF treatment and were followed up at 12-week intervals over 192 weeks were enrolled in this study.
Results:
One hundred and forty-four patients (50 treatment-naive and 94 treatment-experienced) were included in this study. The cumulative incidence rates of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma at 192 weeks were 3.9% and 0.7%, respectively. In treatment-naive patients, the rates of a virological response, HBeAg conversion, and HBsAg loss at 192 weeks were 100%, 33.3%, and 2%, respectively. The treatment-naive patients exhibited higher baseline HBsAg levels than the treatment-experienced patients (4.31 log10IU/mL vs. 3.97 log10IU/mL). A significant decrease in the HBsAg levels from the baseline was observed at 144 and 192 weeks in the treatment-naive patients (p=0.01). The baseline body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2 (p=0.02) and HBsAg <3.3 log10IU/mL (p=0.04) were identified as predictive factors for a decrease in HBsAg ≥0.5 log10IU/mL at 48 weeks. The eGFR levels were consistently lower in the treatment-experienced patients throughout the study. Although the treatment-naive patients showed no abnormal increases in urinary URBP, the treatment-experienced patients showed elevated urinary β2MG and NAG levels at the baseline, which decreased over the treatment course. The total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein levels were similar in both groups.
Conclusions
Prolonging the TAF treatment duration enhances the virological response rate. The decline in HBsAg levels was more significant in the treatment-naive patients than in the treatment-experienced patients. The baseline BMI <25 kg/m2 and HBsAg <3.3 log10IU/mL were predictive factors for a significant decline in HBsAg at 48 weeks. TAF has high renal safety and no significant impact on lipid levels.
7.METTL3 mediates m6A modification in ocular diseases
Canyu WANG ; Ruiyu YANG ; Xuan LIAO
International Eye Science 2025;25(4):615-619
N6-methyladenosine(m6A)is recognized as the most prevalent mRNA modification in mammals, intricately involved in a multitude of processes pertaining to mRNA metabolism, encompassing RNA transcription, translation, and degradation. It plays a pivotal role in various physiological functions. Under the coordinated actions of methyltransferases, demethylases, and m6A-binding proteins, m6A modifications undergo reversible changes to fulfill their diverse molecular functions.Methyltransferase-like 3(METTL3), as the core catalytic subunit of methyltransferases and the most extensively studied methyltransferase, holds a central position in m6A modification. In recent years, it has been found that METTL3-mediated m6A modification is involved in the occurrence and development of various ocular diseases, such as ocular surface diseases, glaucoma, cataract, retinal diseases, and ocular tumors, by affecting the expression of inflammatory factors and thus regulating the inflammatory response, and by regulating various pathways that affect the proliferation of cells and oxidative stress. In this paper, we comprehensively review the mechanisms under the role of METTL3 in ocular diseases, offering novel insights and perspectives for the prevention and management of these conditions.
8.An alkyne and two phenylpropanoid derivants from Carthamus tinctorius L.
Lin-qing QIAO ; Ge-ge XIA ; Ying-jie LI ; Wen-xuan ZHAO ; Yan-zhi WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):185-190
The chemical constituents from the
9.Xiaozhong Zhitong Mixture(消肿止痛合剂)Combined with Antibiotic Bone Cement in the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers with Damp-Heat Obstructing Syndrome:A Randomized Controlled Trial of 35 Patients
Xiaotao WEI ; Zhijun HE ; Tao LIU ; Zhenxing JIANG ; Fei LI ; Yan LI ; Jinpeng LI ; Wen CHEN ; Bihui BAI ; Xuan DONG ; Bo SUN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(7):704-709
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effectiveness and safety of Xiaozhong Zhitong Mixture (消肿止痛合剂) combined with antibiotic bone cement in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) with damp-heat obstructing syndrome. MethodsA total of 72 DFU patients with damp-heat obstructing syndrome were randomly assigned to treatment group (36 cases) and the control group (36 cases). Both groups received standard treatment and topical antibiotic bone cement for ulcer wounds, while the treatment group received oral Xiaozhong Zhitong Mixture (50 ml per time, three times daily) in additionally. Both groups underwent daily wound dressing changes for 21 consecutive days. Ulcer healing rate, serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), C-reactive protein (CRP), and white blood cell (WBC) count were observed before and after treatment, and visual analog scale (VAS) scores for wound pain, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, and the DFU Healing Scale (DMIST scale) were also compared. Liver and kidney function were evaluated before and after treatment, and adverse events such as allergic reactions, worsening ulcer pain were recorded. ResultsTotally 35 patients in the treatment group and 33 in the control group were included in the final analysis. The ulcer healing rate in the treatment group was (87.93±9.34)%, significantly higher than (81.82±12.02)% in the control group (P = 0.035). Compared to pre-treatment levels, both groups showed significant reductions in serum CRP, WBC, MDA, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels, with an increase in SOD level (P<0.05). TCM syndrome scores, VAS, and DMIST scores also significantly decreased in both groups (P<0.05), with greater improvements in the treatment group (P<0.05). No significant adverse reactions were observed in either group during treatment. ConclusionXiaozhong Zhitong Mixture combined with antibiotic bone cement has significant advantages in promoting DFU healing, reducing inflammatory response, and alleviating oxidative stress in DFU patients with damp-heat obstructing syndrome, with good safety for DFU patients with damp-heat obstructing syndrome.
10.Analysis of pharmaceutical clinic service in our hospital over the past five years
Li FAN ; Shuyan QUAN ; Xuan WANG ; Menglin LUO ; Fei YE ; Lang ZOU ; Feifei YU ; Min HU ; Xuelian HU ; Chenjing LUO ; Peng GU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(6):748-751
OBJECTIVE To summarize the current situation of pharmaceutical clinic service in our hospital over the past five years, and explore sustainable development strategies for service models of pharmaceutical clinics. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on the consultation records of patients who registered and established files at the pharmaceutical clinic in our hospital from January 2019 to December 2023. Statistical analysis was performed on patients’ general information, medication- related problems, and types of pharmaceutical services provided by pharmacists. RESULTS A total of 963 consultation records were included, among which females aged 20-39 years accounted for the highest proportion (66.04%); obstetrics and gynecology- related consultations accounted for the largest number of cases. Additionally, 80 patients attended follow-up visits at our hospital’s pharmaceutical clinic. A total of 1 029 medication-related issues were resolved, including 538 cases of drug consultations (52.28%), 453 medication recommendations (44.02%), 22 medication restructuring(2.14%), and 16 medication education (1.55%); the most common types of medication-related problems identified were adverse drug events(70.07%). CONCLUSIONS Although the pharmaceutical clinic has achieved recognition from clinicians and patients, challenges such as low awareness among healthcare providers and the public persist. Future efforts should focus on strengthening information technology construction, enhancing pharmacist training, and establishing various forms of outpatient pharmaceutical service models.

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