1.Process Optimization and Health Risk Assessment of Calcined Haematitum Based on QbD Concept
Yue YANG ; Jingwei ZHOU ; Jialiang ZOU ; Guorong MEI ; Yifan SHI ; Lei ZHONG ; Jiaojiao WANG ; Xuelian GAN ; Dewen ZENG ; Xin CHEN ; Lin CHEN ; Hongping CHEN ; Shilin CHEN ; Yuan HU ; Youping LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):187-196
ObjectiveTo investigate the processing technology of calcined Haematitum based on the concept of quality by design(QbD) and to assess its health risk. MethodsTaking whole iron content, Fe2+ dissolution content and looseness as critical quality attributes(CQAs), and calcination temperature, calcination time, spreading thickness and particle size as critical process parameters(CPPs) determined by the failure mode and effect analysis(FMEA), the processing technology of calcined Haematitum was optimized by orthogonal test combined with analytic hierarchy process-criteria importance through intercriteria correlation(AHP-CRITIC) hybrid weighting method. The contents of heavy metals and harmful elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and the health risk assessment was carried out by daily exposure(EXP), target hazard quotient(THQ) and lifetime cancer risk(LCR), and the theoretical value of the maximum limit was deduced. ResultsThe optimal processing technology for calcined Haematitum was calcination at 650 ℃, calcination time of 1 h, particle size of 0.2-0.5 cm, spreading thickness of 1 cm, and vinegar quenching for 1 time[Haematitum-vinegar(10:3)]. The contents of 5 heavy metals and harmful elements in 13 batches of calcined Haematitum were all decreased with reductions of up to 5-fold. The cumulative THQ of 2 batches of samples was>1, while the cumulative THQ of all batches of Haematitum was>1. The LCR of As in 1 batches of Haematitum was 1×10-6-1×10-4, and the LCR of the rest was<1×10-6, and the LCRs of calcined Haematitum were all<1×10-6, indicating that the carcinogenic risk of calcined Haematitum was low, but special attention should still be paid to Haematitum medicinal materials. Preliminary theoretical values of the maximum limits of Cu, As, Cd, Pb and Hg were formulated as 1 014, 25, 17, 27, 7 mg·kg-1. ConclusionThe optimized processing technology of calcined Haematitum is stable and feasible, and the contents of heavy metals and harmful elements are reduced after processing. Preliminary theoretical values of the maximum limits of Cu, As, Cd, Pb and Hg are formulated to provide a scientific basis for the formulation of standards for the limits of harmful elements in Haematitum.
2.Optimization of Processing Technology of Calcined Pyritum Based on QbD Concept and Its XRD Fingerprint Analysis
Xin CHEN ; Jingwei ZHOU ; Haiying GOU ; Lei ZHONG ; Tianxing HE ; Wenbo FEI ; Jialiang ZOU ; Yue YANG ; Dewen ZENG ; Lin CHEN ; Hongping CHEN ; Shilin CHEN ; Yuan HU ; Youping LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):197-205
ObjectiveBased on the concept of quality by design(QbD), the processing process of calcined Pyritum was optimized, and its X-ray diffraction(XRD) fingerprint was established. MethodsThe safety, effectiveness and quality controllability of calcined Pyritum were taken as the quality profile(QTPP), the color, hardness, metallic luster, phase composition, the contents of heavy metals and hazardous elements were taken as the critical quality attributes(CQAs), and the calcination temperature, calcination time, paving thickness and particle size were determined as the critical process parameters(CPPs). Differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction(XRD) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS) were used to analyze the correlation between the calcination temperature and CQAs of calcined Pyritum. Then, based on the criteria importance through intercriteria correlation(CRITIC)-entropy weight method, the optimal processing process of calcined Pyritum was optimized by orthogonal test. Powder XRD was used to analyze the phase of calcined Pyritum samples processed according to the best process, and the mean and median maps of calcined Pyritum were established by the superposition of geometric topological figures, and similarity evaluation and cluster analysis were carried out. ResultsThe results of single factor experiments showed that the physical phase of Pyritum changed from FeS2 to Fe7S8 during the process of temperature increase, the color gradually deepened from dark yellow, and the contents of heavy metals and harmful elements decreased. The optimized processing process of calcined Pyritum was as follows:calcination temperature at 750 ℃, calcination time of 2.5 h, paving thickness of 3 cm, particle size of 0.8-1.2 cm, vinegar quenching 1 time[Pyritum-vinegar(10∶3)]. After calcination, the internal structure of Pyritum was honeycomb-shaped, which was conducive to the dissolution of active ingredients. XRD fingerprints of 13 batches of calcined Pyritum characterized by 10 common peaks were established. The similarities of the relative peak intensities of the XRD fingerprints of the analyzed samples were>0.96, and it could effectively distinguish the raw products and unqualified products. ConclusionTemperature is the main factor affecting the quality of calcined Pyritum. After processing, the dissolution of the effective components in Pyritum increases, and the contents of heavy metals and harmful substances decrease, reflecting the function of processing to increase efficiency and reduce toxicity. The optimized processing process is stable and feasible, and the established XRD fingerprint can be used as one of the quality control standards of calcined Pyritum.
3.Process Optimization and Health Risk Assessment of Calcined Haematitum Based on QbD Concept
Yue YANG ; Jingwei ZHOU ; Jialiang ZOU ; Guorong MEI ; Yifan SHI ; Lei ZHONG ; Jiaojiao WANG ; Xuelian GAN ; Dewen ZENG ; Xin CHEN ; Lin CHEN ; Hongping CHEN ; Shilin CHEN ; Yuan HU ; Youping LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):187-196
ObjectiveTo investigate the processing technology of calcined Haematitum based on the concept of quality by design(QbD) and to assess its health risk. MethodsTaking whole iron content, Fe2+ dissolution content and looseness as critical quality attributes(CQAs), and calcination temperature, calcination time, spreading thickness and particle size as critical process parameters(CPPs) determined by the failure mode and effect analysis(FMEA), the processing technology of calcined Haematitum was optimized by orthogonal test combined with analytic hierarchy process-criteria importance through intercriteria correlation(AHP-CRITIC) hybrid weighting method. The contents of heavy metals and harmful elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and the health risk assessment was carried out by daily exposure(EXP), target hazard quotient(THQ) and lifetime cancer risk(LCR), and the theoretical value of the maximum limit was deduced. ResultsThe optimal processing technology for calcined Haematitum was calcination at 650 ℃, calcination time of 1 h, particle size of 0.2-0.5 cm, spreading thickness of 1 cm, and vinegar quenching for 1 time[Haematitum-vinegar(10:3)]. The contents of 5 heavy metals and harmful elements in 13 batches of calcined Haematitum were all decreased with reductions of up to 5-fold. The cumulative THQ of 2 batches of samples was>1, while the cumulative THQ of all batches of Haematitum was>1. The LCR of As in 1 batches of Haematitum was 1×10-6-1×10-4, and the LCR of the rest was<1×10-6, and the LCRs of calcined Haematitum were all<1×10-6, indicating that the carcinogenic risk of calcined Haematitum was low, but special attention should still be paid to Haematitum medicinal materials. Preliminary theoretical values of the maximum limits of Cu, As, Cd, Pb and Hg were formulated as 1 014, 25, 17, 27, 7 mg·kg-1. ConclusionThe optimized processing technology of calcined Haematitum is stable and feasible, and the contents of heavy metals and harmful elements are reduced after processing. Preliminary theoretical values of the maximum limits of Cu, As, Cd, Pb and Hg are formulated to provide a scientific basis for the formulation of standards for the limits of harmful elements in Haematitum.
4.Optimization of Processing Technology of Calcined Pyritum Based on QbD Concept and Its XRD Fingerprint Analysis
Xin CHEN ; Jingwei ZHOU ; Haiying GOU ; Lei ZHONG ; Tianxing HE ; Wenbo FEI ; Jialiang ZOU ; Yue YANG ; Dewen ZENG ; Lin CHEN ; Hongping CHEN ; Shilin CHEN ; Yuan HU ; Youping LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):197-205
ObjectiveBased on the concept of quality by design(QbD), the processing process of calcined Pyritum was optimized, and its X-ray diffraction(XRD) fingerprint was established. MethodsThe safety, effectiveness and quality controllability of calcined Pyritum were taken as the quality profile(QTPP), the color, hardness, metallic luster, phase composition, the contents of heavy metals and hazardous elements were taken as the critical quality attributes(CQAs), and the calcination temperature, calcination time, paving thickness and particle size were determined as the critical process parameters(CPPs). Differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction(XRD) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS) were used to analyze the correlation between the calcination temperature and CQAs of calcined Pyritum. Then, based on the criteria importance through intercriteria correlation(CRITIC)-entropy weight method, the optimal processing process of calcined Pyritum was optimized by orthogonal test. Powder XRD was used to analyze the phase of calcined Pyritum samples processed according to the best process, and the mean and median maps of calcined Pyritum were established by the superposition of geometric topological figures, and similarity evaluation and cluster analysis were carried out. ResultsThe results of single factor experiments showed that the physical phase of Pyritum changed from FeS2 to Fe7S8 during the process of temperature increase, the color gradually deepened from dark yellow, and the contents of heavy metals and harmful elements decreased. The optimized processing process of calcined Pyritum was as follows:calcination temperature at 750 ℃, calcination time of 2.5 h, paving thickness of 3 cm, particle size of 0.8-1.2 cm, vinegar quenching 1 time[Pyritum-vinegar(10∶3)]. After calcination, the internal structure of Pyritum was honeycomb-shaped, which was conducive to the dissolution of active ingredients. XRD fingerprints of 13 batches of calcined Pyritum characterized by 10 common peaks were established. The similarities of the relative peak intensities of the XRD fingerprints of the analyzed samples were>0.96, and it could effectively distinguish the raw products and unqualified products. ConclusionTemperature is the main factor affecting the quality of calcined Pyritum. After processing, the dissolution of the effective components in Pyritum increases, and the contents of heavy metals and harmful substances decrease, reflecting the function of processing to increase efficiency and reduce toxicity. The optimized processing process is stable and feasible, and the established XRD fingerprint can be used as one of the quality control standards of calcined Pyritum.
5.Optimized lipid nanoparticles enable effective CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing in dendritic cells for enhanced immunotherapy.
Kuirong MAO ; Huizhu TAN ; Xiuxiu CONG ; Ji LIU ; Yanbao XIN ; Jialiang WANG ; Meng GUAN ; Jiaxuan LI ; Ge ZHU ; Xiandi MENG ; Guojiao LIN ; Haorui WANG ; Jing HAN ; Ming WANG ; Yong-Guang YANG ; Tianmeng SUN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):642-656
Immunotherapy has emerged as a revolutionary approach to treat immune-related diseases. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a pivotal role in orchestrating immune responses, making them an attractive target for immunotherapeutic interventions. Modulation of gene expression in DCs using genome editing techniques, such as the CRISPR-Cas system, is important for regulating DC functions. However, the precise delivery of CRISPR-based therapies to DCs has posed a significant challenge. While lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have been extensively studied for gene editing in tumor cells, their potential application in DCs has remained relatively unexplored. This study investigates the important role of cholesterol in regulating the efficiency of BAMEA-O16B lipid-assisted nanoparticles (BLANs) as carriers of CRISPR/Cas9 for gene editing in DCs. Remarkably, BLANs with low cholesterol density exhibit exceptional mRNA uptake, improved endosomal escape, and efficient single-guide RNA release capabilities. Administration of BLANmCas9/gPD-L1 results in substantial PD-L1 gene knockout in conventional dendritic cells (cDCs), accompanied by heightened cDC1 activation, T cell stimulation, and significant suppression of tumor growth. The study underscores the pivotal role of cholesterol density within LNPs, revealing potent influence on gene editing efficacy within DCs. This strategy holds immense promise for the field of cancer immunotherapy, offering a novel avenue for treating immune-related diseases.
6.Quality Evaluation on Huatan Pingchuan Tablets Based on National Drug Sampling and Testing
Dan LI ; Xianling YANG ; Hongyu ZHAI ; Yuhua SHEN ; Qiaosen REN ; Jing HAN ; Zhenbin FENG ; Jialiang ZHU
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(1):39-46
Objective Based on the sampling test of national drugs,the quality of Huatan Pingchuan tablets was systematically evaluated,and the quality problems were analyzed to provide references and suggestions for the quality control of this variety and to improve its quality standard.Methods A total of 157 batches of samples were tested according to the statutory standard,and based on the testing results and prescription characteristics,microscopic identification and comprehensive analysis of its quality using thin-layer chromatography,high-performance liquid chromatography,and other methods were subsequently established or improved for the exploratory research.Results The established thin-layer chromatography identification for Radix Scutellariae,as well as the content determination methods for Radix Scutellariae,Syringae Cortex,and promethazine hydrochloride,are easy to operate and have good durability and specificity and can be applied to the quality control and evaluation of Huatan Pingchuan tablets.Conclusions The overall quality of the tablets is average;some enterprises should strengthen the quality control of raw medicinal materials(decoction pieces);individual enterprises have significant differences in the quality of samples from different batches,so they need to pay attention to the quality of raw materials and the stability of production processes;the inspection items of the current standards cannot fully reflect the key quality attributes of drugs,and standards improvement work needs to be carried out.
7.Clinicopathologic characteristics of patients with ovarian metastases from colorectal cancer and construction of postoperative prognostic models
Qi ZHANG ; Renshen XIANG ; Shuaibing LU ; Wenjing YANG ; Deyang KONG ; Yu SUN ; Huiru ZHANG ; Xuesi DONG ; Jialiang FAN ; Lin FENG ; Haizeng ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2025;63(12):1137-1145
Objective:To construct and validate a prognostic prediction model for patients with ovarian metastases from colorectal cancer after radical resection.Methods:A retrospective case series analysis was conducted on the clinical and pathological data of 81 patients with colorectal cancer and ovarian metastases who underwent radical resection for ovarian metastases at the Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, between January 2014 and December 2023. The patients were all female, with an age ( M(IQR)) of 49(13) years (range: 22 to 79 years). The primary tumor was located in the colon in 60 cases (74.1%) and in the rectum in 21 cases (25.9%). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identify independent risk factors affecting prognosis. A risk scoring system was constructed, and patients were assigned to high-risk and low-risk groups based on their risk scores. The predictive performance of the scoring system was assessed, and 5-fold cross-validation was performed to evaluate the model′s stability on the internal dataset. Results:Among the 81 patients with ovarian metastases, a high proportion had T4 stage (58 cases, 71.6%), lymph node positivity (68 cases, 84.0%), and colon cancer (60 cases, 74.1%). Preoperative imaging suggested unilateral ovarian metastasis in 15 patients (23.4%), but pathological examination after bilateral oophorectomy confirmed bilateral ovarian metastases. Among the 17 patients who initially underwent unilateral oophorectomy, 11 developed contralateral ovarian metastases at varying times postoperatively. Univariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that positive lymph node ratio ( HR=2.68,95% CI:1.41 to 5.09, P=0.003), N stage ( HR=2.07,95% CI:1.08 to 3.95, P=0.028),maximum diameter of metastatic tumors ( HR=2.27,95% CI:1.04 to 4.96, P=0.040),and peritoneal metastasis or ascites at the time of ovarian metastasis ( HR=2.04,95% CI:1.02 to 4.08, P=0.043) were significantly associated with overall survival in patients with ovarian metastasis from colorectal cancer. Multivariate regression analysis identified that positive lymph node ratio ( HR=3.34,95% CI:1.08 to 10.34, P=0.037) and maximum diameter of metastatic tumors ( HR=2.65,95% CI:1.19 to 5.88, P=0.017) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival following radical oophorectomy in patients with ovarian metastasis from colorectal cancer. Based on the regression coefficients from the multivariate analysis for variables (ovarian metastatic tumor diameter ≥6 cm, positive lymph node ratio ≥0.3,and presence of peritoneal metastasis or ascites), a risk scoring system was developed. Using the optimal cutoff value (154 points) for the risk score,patients were divided into high-risk (19 cases) and low-risk (62 cases) groups. Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated that the high-risk group had significantly lower median overall survival (27 months) and median disease-free survival (22 months) compared to the low-risk group (median overall survival 90 months,median disease-free survival not reached; both P<0.01). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC) for predicting 1-,3-,and 5-year overall survival was 0.731(95% CI:0.563 to 0.899), 0.703(95% CI:0.573 to 0.833), and 0.776(95% CI: 0.657 to 0.894), respectively. The AUC for predicting 1-,3-, and 5-year disease-free survival was 0.724(95% CI:0.397 to 0.993),0.710(95% CI:0.514 to 0.906),and 0.688(95% CI:0.478 to 0.898),respectively,indicating good performance of the model.The decision curve analysis showed that the model has good clinical net benefit and the results of the 5-fold cross-validation showed that the model demonstrated stability in the internal dataset. Conclusions:When performing radical resection for ovarian metastasis from colorectal cancer,bilateral oophorectomy should be considered to minimize the risk of postoperative recurrence. Patients with ovarian metastasis from colorectal cancer,characterized by a metastatic tumor diameter ≥6 cm,a positive lymph node ratio ≥0.3,and the presence of peritoneal metastasis or ascites, tend to have a poorer prognosis. Based on these findings,a clinical prognostic scoring system for radical resection of ovarian metastasis from colorectal cancer has been developed to stratify patients into different risk groups and may assist in postoperative risk assessment and management.
8.Concept,Organizational Structure,and Medical Model of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Myocardial Infarction Unit
Jun LI ; Jialiang GAO ; Jie WANG ; Zhenpeng ZHANG ; Xinyuan WU ; Ji WU ; Zicong XIE ; Jingrun CUI ; Haoqiang HE ; Yuqing TAN ; Chunkun YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(9):873-877
The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) myocardial infarction (MI) unit is a standardized, regulated, and continuous integrated care unit guided by TCM theory and built upon existing chest pain centers or emergency care units. This unit emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration and forms a restructured clinical entity without altering current departmental settings, offering comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic services with full participation of TCM in the treatment of MI. Its core medical model is patient-centered and disease-focused, providing horizontally integrated TCM-based care across multiple specialties and vertically constructing a full-cycle treatment unit for MI, delivering prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation during the acute, stable, and recovery phases. Additionally, the unit establishes a TCM-featured education and prevention mechanism for MI to guide patients in proactive health management, reduce the incidence of myocardial infarction, and improve quality of life.
9.A review on the screening methods for the discovery of natural antimicrobial peptides
Bin YANG ; Hongyan YANG ; Jianlong LIANG ; Jiarou CHEN ; Chunhua WANG ; Yuanyuan WANG ; Jincai WANG ; Wenhui LUO ; Tao DENG ; Jialiang GUO
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(1):81-96
Natural antimicrobial peptides(AMPs)are promising candidates for the development of a new gener-ation of antimicrobials to combat antibiotic-resistant pathogens.They have found extensive applications in the fields of medicine,food,and agriculture.However,efficiently screening AMPs from natural sources poses several challenges,including low efficiency and high antibiotic resistance.This review focuses on the action mechanisms of AMPs,both through membrane and non-membrane routes.We thoroughly examine various highly efficient AMP screening methods,including whole-bacterial adsorption binding,cell membrane chromatography(CMC),phospholipid membrane chromatography binding,membrane-mediated capillary electrophoresis(CE),colorimetric assays,thin layer chromatography(TLC),fluorescence-based screening,genetic sequencing-based analysis,computational mining of AMP data-bases,and virtual screening methods.Additionally,we discuss potential developmental applications for enhancing the efficiency of AMP discovery.This review provides a comprehensive framework for identifying AMPs within complex natural product systems.
10.Analysis of pathogen species and clinical characteristics in patients with acute upper respiratory tract infection
Jialiang LI ; Weijin CAO ; Wenliang TANG ; Yang YANG
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(3):257-260
Objective To analyze the pathogen species and clinical characteristics in patients with acute up-per respiratory tract infection.Methods A total of 275 patients with acute upper respiratory tract infection admitted to Jinling Hospital,Affiliated Hospital of Medical School,Nanjing University from December 1,2023 to May 15,2024 were selected as research objects.Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reac-tion was used to detect pathogen species in throat swab samples,and clinical data and peripheral blood test in-dexes were collected in the medical record system.Results The positive detection rate of influenza A virus was 9.45%,influenza B virus 17.82%,respiratory syncytial virus 9.45%,adenovirus 9.21%,severe acute re-spiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 18.37%,mycoplasma pneumoniae 10.04%,and chlamydia pneumoniae 1.67%.Compared with other age groups,the positive detection rates of influenza A virus,influenza B virus,respiratory syncytial virus,adenovirus,mycoplasma pneumoniae and chlamydia pneumoniae in patients<18 years old were higher,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The proportion of monocytes in patients infected with influenza B virus was higher than that in patients infected with other pathogens,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Identification the pathogen types of acute upper respiratory tract infection patients is helpful for developing appropriate treatment plans and providing a basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment for the patients.

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