1.Analysis of the characteristics and influencing factors of mirtazapine steady-state trough concentration and concentration-to-dose ratio
Ze ZHANG ; Mengqiang ZHAO ; Ruiyan YU ; Yiyuan WANG ; Yuanyuan ZHAO ; Jing YU ; Chunhua ZHOU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(6):776-781
OBJECTIVE To analyze the distribution characteristics of mirtazapine steady-state trough concentration and concentration-to-dose ratio ( C / D ), and to investigate the influence of clinical and genetic factors on C / D . METHODS A retrospective study was conducted on hospitalized patients with depression who received mirtazapine treatment and underwent therapeutic drug monitoring at the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University from May 2022 to May 2025. The collected data included patients’ gender, age, body mass index, daily dose, steady-state trough concentration, smoking status, history of liver disease, drug type, concomitant medications, and CYP2D6 metabolic phenotype. The C / D was calculated. Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the relationship between mirtazapine steady-state trough concentration and daily dose. Univariate analysis and multiple linear regression model were employed to screen the factors potentially influencing the C / D of mirtazapine. RESULTS A total of 226 patients were included. The daily dose of mirtazapine was 25.00 (24.82, 30.00) mg/d, the steady-state trough concentration was 44.46 (20.00, 70.00) ng/mL, and the C / D was 1.83 (1.00, 2.00) (ng·d)/(mL·mg). Steady-state trough concentrations were within the reference range (30-80 ng/mL) in 121 patients (53.54%), below the lower limit in 80 patients (35.40%), and above the upper limit in 25 patients (11.06%). A positive correlation was observed between mirtazapine steady-state trough concentration and daily dose (coefficient of determination was 0.320 8, P <0.001). Gender, smoking status, and CYP2D6 metabolic phenotype were significantly associated with the mirtazapine C / D ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Significant interindividual variability exists in mirtazapine steady-state trough concentrations. Gender, smoking status, and CYP2D6 metabolic phenotype are identified as independent influencing factors for the mirtazapine C / D , with higher C / D ratios observed in females, non-smokers, and intermediate metabolizers.
2.Reserach on the Synergistic Improvement of Traditional Chinese Medicine Incentive Policies on Hospital Performance Assessment Indicators for Number of Discharge Patients—Based on Time Series Analysis
Yuyang ZHAO ; Chunhua WU ; Yan CHEN
Chinese Hospital Management 2025;45(5):63-66
Objective To evaluate the preliminary effects of a Traditronal Chinese Medicine(TCM)incentive policy aimed at the number of discharge patients on the synergistic improvement of performance assessment indicators in the Traditional Chinese Hospital.Methods It selected detailed data from the first page of medical records at the grade A teritary hospital from October,2018 to October,2021.Using the Interrupted Time Series analysis method,two breakpoints were taken as the start time of COVID-19(December 2019)and the official implementation time of dis-charge performance program(September 2020).The utilization rate of TCM decoction pieces among discharged pa-tients,the utilization rate of TCM non-drug therapy among discharged patients,the proportion of discharged pa-tients mainly treated with TCM,and the proportion of inpatient medical service income before and after the break-point were analyzed.Results Despite the impact of COVID-19,after the policy was implemented,four key indicators showed a positive growth trend:the proportion of discharged patients treated primarily with TCM,the rate of TCM decoction use among discharged patients,the rate of TCM non-pharmaceutical therapy use among discharged pa-tients,and the proportion of medical service income,respectively.Conclusion The introduction of a TCM reward module in the discharge performance bonus plan of the sample hospital effectively stimulated the enthusiasm of medical staff in applying TCM.The utilization rate of TCM decoction slices,the utilization rate of TCM non-drug therapy,the proportion of discharged patients treated mainly by TCM and the proportion of medical service income all showed an upward trend,indicating that the incentive policy of TCM has a positive impact on the national examination index of TCM hospitals.
3.Mechanisms of polysaccharides from dendrobium officinale improving neurological function and sleep in ischemic stroke rats
Chunhua LI ; Dingsheng MO ; Kaimin ZENG ; Jingjing PENG ; Zhihong ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Neuroanatomy 2025;41(3):305-313
Objective:To investigate the effects and mechanisms of dendrobium officinale polysaccharides(DOP)on neural function and sleep in a rat model of ischemic stroke.Methods:Rats with ischemic stroke were modeled using middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO).The neurological function was assessed using the Longa scale.Sleep was monitored by electroencephalography.The hippocampal tissue damage was evaluated by TTC staining,HE staining,Nissl staining and TUNEL staining.The kits were used to detect reactive oxygen species(ROS),malondialdehyde(MDA),interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),IL-1β,and IL-18 in the hippocampal tissue.West-ern blot analysis was conducted to detect the expression of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3(LC3)and Bec-lin1,NLRP3,apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain(ASC),cleaved caspase-1(C-caspase-1),GSDMD-N-terminal domain(GSDMD-N),nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2),and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)in the hippocampal tissue.Results:DOP can improve sleep quality and neurological func-tion in rats with ischemic stroke,alleviate hippocampal tissue damage,inhibit oxidative stress and inflammation in the hippocampus,decrease the expression of Beclin1,NLRP3,ASC,C-caspase-1,GSDMD-N,cytosolic Nrf2 protein,and the LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio in the hippocampus,while increasing the expression of HO-1 and nuclear Nrf2 protein.The Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 partially reversed the ameliorative effects of DOP.Conclusion:DOP may improve neurological function and sleep in rats with ischemic stroke by inhibiting autophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis through the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway,thereby alleviating oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.
4.Preliminary Study of Dilated Cardiomyopathy at a High Altitude Based on Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking
Zhetao WANG ; Chunhua WANG ; Hongke YIN ; Sisi ZHAO ; Jinghang SUO ; Lei WANG ; Yushu CHEN ; Peng ZHOU ; Fabao GAO
Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) 2025;56(2):489-494
Objective To investigate the application of cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking(CMR-FT)in assessing myocardial strain in dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM)patients residing at high altitudes.Methods We retrospectively enrolled 29 DCM patients living at high altitudes(DCM-H),27 DCM patients living in a low-altitude plain environment(DCM-P),23 healthy volunteers living at a high altitude(HV-H),and 24 healthy volunteers living in a low-altitude plain environment(HV-P).All subjects underwent cine MRI scanning using a 3.0T rapid steady-state free precession sequence.The CMR images thus acquired were analyzed using cvi42,a post-processing software,to obtain left ventricular function and myocardial strain parameters.Results Compared with the HV-H group,the DCM-H group showed higher left ventricle end-diastolic volume(LVEDV)and left ventricle end-systolic volume(LVESV),and lower left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)and stroke volume(LVSV)(all P<0.01).No significant difference was observed in cardiac function between the DCM-H and DCM-P groups(all P>0.05).The absolute values of global radial strain(GRS),global circumferential strain(GCS),and global longitudinal strain(GLS)in the DCM-H group were lower than those in the HV-P group([14.5±6.5]%vs.[34.2±10.7]%,[-11.1±4.4]%vs.[-19.9±2.8]%,and[-7.7±3.2]%vs.[-13.6±4.1]%,respectively),with the differences being statistically significant(all P<0.001).The DCM-H group had higher absolute GRS,GCS,and GCS values than the DCM-P group did([14.5±6.5]%vs.[7.0±2.7]%,[-11.1±4.4]%vs.[—5.4±2.2]%,and[—7.7±3.2]%vs.[—4.3±1.7]%,respectivley,all P<0.01).Conclusion Myocardial strain in DCM patients living at a high altitude is lower than that in healthy volunteers living at a high altitude,but higher than that in DCM patients living in a low-altitude plain environment.CMR-FT can be used to quantitatively assess myocardial contractility in DCM patients living at a high altitude,showing promise for clinical application.
5.Establishment and preliminary study of four patient-derived primary breast cancer cell lines
Yubei LUO ; Jianjun HUANG ; Wenxiu YANG ; Junhong ZHANG ; Jing LI ; Chunhua-Robert ZHAO ; Xiaowei DOU
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(2):183-188
Objective To establish primary breast cancer cell lines from patient tissues and offer a new cancer cell model for basic research.Methods Breast cancer biopsy tissues were digested with typeⅡcollagenase and cultured in BCMI medium.When the cells proliferated rapidly,the medium was switched to DMEM.STR genotyping was per-formed to identify specific genetic markers of the four primary breast cancer cell lines.Colony expansion assays and sphere formation assays were conducted to analyze its tumorigenicity.Real-time PCR and Western blot experiments were used to analyze the expression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)molecule markers.Migration and invasion assays were performed to assess the metastatic potential of the primary breast cancer cells.Results We es?tablished four primary breast cancer cell lines:BC25#,BC51#,BC56#,and BC57#.These cell lines were cultured in DMEM medium,passaged multiple times and tagged with details about their clinical past.STR genotyping identified specific genetic markers for each of the four primary breast cancer cell lines.Clonogenic and sphere formation assays revealed that the four lines have a stronger tumor?forming capability compared to the classic breast cancer cell line T?47D.Real?time PCR and Western blot experiments showed that,compared to T?47D,the four primary breast cancer cell lines have decreased E?cadherin expression and increased vimentin expression.Migration and invasion assays indicated that BC25#had a higher metastatic potential than the traditional breast cancer cell line T?47D.Conclusions Four primary breast cancer cell lines,BC25#,BC51#,BC56#and BC57#are successfully estab?lished,which may act as new cancer cell model for laboratory research of breast cancer.
6.Knockdown of human-specific lncRNA MEK6-AS1 improves osteogenic differentiation of senescent mesenchymal stem cells
Yunhua CHEN ; Di LI ; Xiaoyan ZHAO ; Ming CHEN ; Hongling LI ; Chunhua ZHAO
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(5):568-574
Objective To investigate the role of a novel human-specific long noncoding RNA(lncRNA),MEK6-AS1,and its potential molecular mechanism in improving the osteogenic differentiation of senescent mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs).Methods An in vitro human MSCs replicative senescence model was established by sequen-tial passaging,and then senescence was identified by β staining and senescence-related gene expression.RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of MEK6-AS1 during senescence and osteogenic differentiation of human MSCs(hMSCs);Lentiviral knockdown technology was used to regulate the expression of MEK6-AS1 in the MSCs replicative senescence model.Transcriptome sequencing technology was utilized to analyze the effects of MEK6-AS1 on the transcriptome of hMSCs especially on genes and pathways related to osteogenic differentiation.The effect of MEK6-AS1 as an intervention target at osteogenic differentiation of human senescent hMSCs was evaluated with alkaline phosphatase staining microscopy.PCR technology was used to detect osteogenic gene expression levels in cells.Results With aging process,the osteogenic differentiation ability of hMSCs decreased significantly while the expression level of MEK6-AS1 was enhanced(P<0.000 1).Knockdown of MEK6-AS1 significantly enhanced the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs by the up-regulating expression of osteogenic markers and increasing minerali-zation capacity(P<0.001).Conclusions Knockdown of human-specific lncRNA MEK6-AS1 improves osteogenic differentiation of senescent MSCs,providing a new target and theoretical basis for the treatment of senescence-asso-ciated osteoporosis.
7.Comparison of biological characteristics of natural killer cells from different sources
Junxia WANG ; Zaidong XIE ; Chunlei PAN ; Feng WU ; Dingsheng LIU ; Jianrong ZHU ; Chunhua ZHAO
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(12):1668-1674
Natural killer cells(NK)are important innate immune cells that do not require prior antigen exposure and can directly recognize and attack virus-infected cells and tumor cells.The activation and effector functions of NK cells are regulated by a balance of signals delivered through their surface activating receptors and inhibitory re-ceptors,which bind to ligands on target cells to achieve cytotoxicity via"induced self"and"missing self"recogni-tion models.The killing mechanisms of NK cells primarily include release of cytotoxic granules such as perforin and granzymes to induce target cell lysis,death receptor-mediated apoptosis,secretion of various cytokines,chemokines and growth factors to coordinate with other immune cells in killing tumor cells,thereby generating secondary im-mune responses and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity(ADCC).
8.A stem cell and integrative medicine system for chronic diseases:a conceptual framework
Chunhua ZHAO ; Yunfei JI ; Shihua WANG ; Xingyan AN
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(12):1692-1696
This article focuses on the clinical need for curative interventions in chronic diseases.It proposes an inte-grated medical framework that combines"quantum prediction,prevention and control through Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine,and stem cell repair"and details its path to clinical application.To address the complex,multi-target pathology of diseases like diabetes,this research integrates multiple disciplines:stem cell technology,the holistic philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM),the evidence-based rigor of Western Medicine,and the cutting-edge concepts of quantum biology.The goal is to create a new diagnostic and therapeutic model that syn-thesizes disease and syndrome classification while bridging macro and micro perspectives,ultimately driving break-throughs in chronic disease management.Theoretically,the study proposes a strategy to rejuvenate cells and remodel the microenvironment using pluripotent stem cells combined with synergistic TCM-Western Medicine approaches.Practically,it establishes a seamless system—from molecular early-warning and dynamic prevention to tissue re-pair—supported by standardized protocols,preclinical validation,multi-center clinical trials,and an intelligent health management platform.
9.Analysis of Surgical Treatment Outcomes in 709 Cases of Infective Endocarditis
Chaoji ZHANG ; Zining WU ; Xingrong LIU ; Guotao MA ; Shangdong XU ; Jianzhou LIU ; Sheng YANG ; Yanxue ZHAO ; Xinpei LIU ; Xiaocui WANG ; Xiaojun MA ; Ligang FANG ; Chunhua YU ; Huaiwu HE ; Qi MIAO ; Jun ZHENG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;17(1):197-203
To review the clinical characteristics, short-term outcomes, and risk factors of patients with infective endocarditis(IE) who underwent surgical treatment at a single center, and to summarize treatment experience. Consecutive patients diagnosed with IE who underwent cardiac surgery at the Department of Cardiac Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital between May 2012 and June 2024 were enrolled. Statistical analyses were performed on their baseline characteristics, comorbidities, IE predisposing factors, surgical indications, pathogen distribution, surgical strategies, short-term outcomes, and associated risk factors. A total of 709 IE patients meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. IE involved left-sided valves in 85.3% of cases. The median age was 48(35, 58) years, and 68.0% were male. Prosthetic valve endocarditis accounted for 8.7%. Patients with left-sided IE had a higher prevalence of comorbidities. Streptococcus was the causative pathogen in 43.2% of patients, while right-sided IE was more frequently associated with Significant differences in pathogen distribution were observed between patients with left-sided and right-sided IE. Heart failure was identified as an independent risk factor for both perioperative mortality and adverse outcomes in surgically treated patients. Through strict timing of surgical intervention and optimized perioperative management, surgical treatment may effectively reduce mortality and improve prognosis in patients with IE.
10.Two cases of familial pediatric atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome caused by combined genetic mutations in CFH and CD46
Haomiao LI ; Yuan HAN ; Chunhua ZHU ; Qiuxia CHEN ; Sanlong ZHAO ; Fei ZHAO ; Guixia DING
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2025;40(1):63-67
The clinical data of 2 pediatric patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) who were admitted to the Department of Nephrology at the Children′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University on July 2018 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Both patients had combined CFH and CD46 gene mutations.One patient, a 2-year-old boy, presented jaundice and darkened urine following mumps.The other patient, a 7-month-old girl and the younger sister of the boy, developed fever, cough, vomiting, and thrombocytopenia without any apparent cause.Laboratory tests revealed hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury in both patients.The genetic test results revealed mutations in both CFH (c.3572C>T, p.Ser1191Leu) and CD46 genes (c.293C>T, p.Thr98Ile) in both patients.The patients′ mother is a heterozygous carrier of the CFH gene mutation, while their father is a heterozygous carrier of the CD46 gene mutation.Both parents exhibit normal phenotypes and are currently receiving regular infusions of Eculizumab.The pediatric aHUS caused by combined CFH and CD46 gene mutations is reported in this study for the first time in China.The clinical features of these patients are summarized and analyzed.

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