1.Multidimensional Challenges and Development Strategies in the Construction of Rare Disease Discipline
Li GONG ; Xiaowan MA ; Nansheng CHENG ; Qian HE ; Zhi WAN
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(1):19-26
The development of the rare disease discipline is a crucial pathway for enhancing the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases, cultivating specialized professionals, and fostering technological innovation. Currently, China' rare disease discipline is accelerating its development driven by both policy and demand. However, it still faces multi-dimensional challenges, including an incomplete clinical management mechanism, a shortage of interdisciplinary talents, a weak scientific research system, and limited outreach capacity. To address these challenges, this paper proposes and constructs an integrated development system with clinical diagnosis and treatment as the foundation, talent cultivation as the engine, scientific research as the support, and disciplinary outreach capacity as the extension. Specific strategies include: enhancing clinical management through artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis systems and multidisciplinary collaboration platforms; strengthening the talent pool through textbooks, curricula, and hierarchical training mechanisms; bolstering research collaboration and translational outcomes by leveraging international data-sharing platforms, national rare disease medical centers, the State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, and the National Key Scientific Infrastructure for Translational Medicine; and expanding grassroots outreach and public awareness through the National Rare Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Collaboration Network, the National Rare Disease Quality Control Center, and integrated media communication channels. In the future, the rare disease discipline should further deepen the integration of medicine and engineering, expand international cooperation, focus on the translational closed loop, improve the regional collaboration network, so as to build a more resilient and dynamic disciplinary ecosystem, and ultimately achieve a comprehensive improvement in the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases.
2.Screening of the Monkeypox Virus Key Proteins Regulating Inflammation Based on NOD-like Receptor Family Pyrin Domain Containing 3 Inflammasome Signaling
Mingxing LUO ; Chenchen PEI ; Liyun GONG ; Xinlei ZHENG ; Jun QIAN ; Quan LIU ; Jun ZHENG
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2026;47(2):259-268
ObjectiveTo screen and identify the key proteins of Monkeypox Virus (MPXV) that regulate the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. MethodsUsing the genomic sequence of the domestic epidemic strain of MPXV as a template to construct an expression plasmid library containing 82 viral genes. To screen for viral genes that significantly inhibit the production of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), the expression plasmids encoding NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), cysteine protease-1(Caspase-1), and pro-IL-1β-Luc reporter gene were co-transfected into HEK293T cells, along with the viral gene plasmids. The signal of the NLRP3 inflammasome was monitored by measuring luciferase activity in the cell supernatant. The inhibition effects were further confirmed by Western Blot (WB), and the interactions between the viral proteins and the components of the NLRP3 inflammasome were determined by Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Additionally, site-directed mutagenesis was performed to identify the specific interaction motifs. ResultsAn NLRP3 inflammasome signal screening system were successfully established and optimized. Screening the MPXV plasmids using this system revealed that B10R most significantly inhibits IL-1β maturation in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.000 1). Further characterization demonstrated that B10R interacts directly with pro-IL-1β. Notably, the C-terminal motif mutant of B10R (B10Rmut-C, T96A, Y97A, I98A) lost its ability to interact with pro-IL-1β. ConclusionsThe MPXV B10R protein interacts with pro-IL-1β, thereby inhibiting the IL-1β maturation. The C-terminal motif (T96, Y97, I98) of the B10R protein is crucial for function. This study provides important clues and a foundation for further elucidating the molecular mechanisms by which MPXV regulates the NLRP3 inflammasome.
3.Development and Evaluation of an Artificial Intelligence-Driven Full-Link Teaching Model for Clinical Diagnostic Thinking
Yinru CHEN ; Zijin CHEN ; Feiyue HUANG ; Zhenye GONG ; Qian GU ; Weiqiong GU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(5):1242-1249
To retrospectively summarize the clinical teaching application of our team's self-developed artificial intelligence (AI) full-chain clinical diagnostic reasoning training teaching agent, observe the differences in teaching outcomes among medical students under different teaching models, and preliminarily analyze the application trends and potential value of the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) management mechanism in AI-assisted clinical teaching, so as to provide reference practical data and experiential insights for the optimization and improvement of "AI + clinical medical teaching". This study was a retrospective observational study that enrolled clinical medicine students who had completed the Fundamentals of Diagnostics course at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from September 2024 to September 2025 as the study subjects. Based on the established teaching reform implementation plan, the participants were divided into three groups: traditional teaching group (Group A), blended AI teaching group (Group B), and PDCA cycle-optimized blended AI teaching group (Group C). The three groups maintained essential consistency in teaching syllabi, core content, and total class hours (32 credit hours). Group A received conventional lecture-based classroom instruction and ward-based small-group mentoring. Group B received traditional teaching plus AI-assisted instruction using the AI full-chain clinical diagnostic reasoning training system, but without implementing PDCA management. Group C received traditional teaching plus AI-assisted instruction with PDCA management, i.e., a full-cycle teaching quality management closed-loop system based on conventional teaching and AI training. Baseline assessment data before the course, final theoretical examination scores in Basic Diagnostics, and objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) clinical skills assessment data after course completion were collected across the three groups to compare the differences in teaching effectiveness among different teaching models. A total of 180 clinical medicine students were enrolled, with 60 students in each of Groups A, B, and C. No statistically significant differences were observed among the three groups in baseline data, including age, gender, previous grade point average, pre-internship diagnostic theory test scores, and doctor-patient communication assessment scores (all Compared with the traditional teaching model, the teaching protocol incorporating our self-developed AI full-chain teaching tool, combined with the PDCA closed-loop management composite teaching model, may help improve medical students' practical abilities in clinical diagnostic reasoning, without exerting negative interference on their mastery of theoretical knowledge. The teaching format integrating AI empowerment with PDCA closed-loop optimization may have potential effects in enhancing the stability and homogenization level of clinical teaching outcomes. It may serve as an optional improvement strategy for clinical diagnostic reasoning teaching. However, its long-term effectiveness and broader applicability still require further validation.
4.Catheter-directed thrombolysis for acute entire lower extremity deep venous thrombosis: a comparative study of calf deep vein and contralateral femoral venous access
Jian WANG ; Cheng QIAN ; Guoqing NI ; Maofeng GONG ; Liang LIU ; Peng PENG ; Libing GAO ; Jianping GU ; Guoping CHEN
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(5):577-585
Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) via the contralateral femoral vein approach (CFVA-CDT) and the calf deep vein approach (CVA-CDT) in the treatment of acute mixed-type lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT).Methods:Patients treated with CFVA-CDT and CVA-CDT for acute mixed-type DVT were retrospectively collected from January 2018 to December 2021, totaling 49 and 32 patients, respectively. The relevant technical indicators, thrombolysis rates in the iliac-femoral vein segment and femoral-popliteal vein segment, clinical efficacy, and the incidence of lower extremity deep vein patency, venous valve insufficiency, and post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), as well as the severity of chronic venous disease in the affected limb (VCSS score) during a 2-year follow-up period were retrospectively compared between the two venous access CDT groups. The t-test was used for comparing quantitative data, while the chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test was used for categorical data.Results:During CFVA-CDT procedure, 6-8 F vascular sheaths were used, and balloon dilation of 2~6 mm was more frequently employed (65.31%, 32/49) to expand venous stenosis/occlusion segments before successful sheath placement compared to the CVA-CDT group (37.50%, 12/32), and the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.014). In the CVA-CDT group, 31.25% (10/32) of patients had a maximum sheath size of 6 F, while the remainder used 4 or 5 F sheaths. Among them, 34.38% (11/32) of patients required re-puncture of the popliteal or femoral vein for larger sheaths (≥8 F) for thrombus aspiration and subsequent endovascular treatment during or after thrombolysis. The effective thrombolysis rates (≥50%) in the iliac-femoral vein segment were not significantly different between the two groups ( P=0.778). The effective thrombolysis rate of the femoral-popliteal venous segment is related to the presence or absence of popliteal vein opacification on lower extremity venous antegrade venography. There was no significant difference between the groups when the popliteal vein was visualized ( P=1.000). While the popliteal vein was not visualized, the CVA-CDT group (75.0%, 15/20) was significantly better than the CFVA-CDT group (34.38%, 11/32), and the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.004). There was no significant difference in clinical efficacy between the two groups ( P=0.819). During follow-up, the femoral-popliteal vein patency rate in the CVA-CDT group (87.50%, 28/32) was significantly higher than in the CFVA-CDT group (44.90%, 22/49), the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001). Conclusions:Successful CFVA-CDT requires the assistance of more ancillary devices, while the use of larger sheaths is more limited in CVA-CDT due to the smaller caliber of the calf deep veins. The presence or absence of popliteal vein opacification on lower extremity venous antegrade venography may influence the effective thrombolysis of the femoral-popliteal venous segment thrombus in patients with acute mixed deep vein thrombosis (DVT) treated with CFVA-CDT and CVA-CDT. Compared to CFVA-CDT, CVA-CDT can improve the patency rate of the femoral-popliteal venous segment.
5.Clinical characteristics and influencing factors for noninfectious fever in elderly patients after aortic repair surgery
Zhengyue QIAN ; Yao FU ; Ying GONG ; Bingbing MA
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(8):1036-1041
Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and features of noninfectious fever in elderly patients with aortic dilation disease.Methods A total of 599 elderly patients diagnosed with aortic dilation disease(including 274 cases of acute disease and 325 cases of chronic disease)in the Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2021 to June 2024 were recruited.According to their age,the patients with acute disease were divided into aged group 1(105 cases)and non-age group 1(169 cases),and those with chronic disease were into aged group 2(231 cases)and non-age group 2(94 cases).For the 520 patients(246 cases of acute disease and 274 cases of chronic disease)subjected for endovascular repair surgery,they were assigned into aged group 3(90 cases)and non-aged group 3(156 cases)for those with acute dis-ease,and aged group 4(206 cases)and non-aged group 4(68 cases)for those with chronic disease.For the 230 patients experiencing postoperative non-infectious fever,they were divided into acute-febrile(50 cases),acute-afebrile(20 cases),chronic-febrile(106 cases)and chronic-afebrile(54 cases)groups.Their general data was compared among the groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the risk factors for postoperative noninfectious fever.ROC curve was plotted to analyze the predictive performance of our model for postoperative noninfec-tious fever.Results The surgical rate of endovascular repair surgery was 86.81%(520/599).The aged patients had significantly lower incidences of postoperative fever and non-infectious fever than the non-aged patients(P<0.05,P<0.01).There were no statistical differences in the ratio of using first and second generation cephalosporins or clindamycin and the duration of postopera-tive medication between the febrile group and afebrile group(P>0.05).Multivariate logistic re-gression analysis showed that for acute disease,implantation of polytetrafluoroethylene stents(OR=7.931,95%CI:1.945-32.337,P=0.004)was a risk factor,while administration of statins(OR=0.160,95%CI:0.032-0.807,P=0.026)was a protective factor for non-infectious fever.ROC curve analysis indicated that showed our model based on above results of multivariate logis-tic regression analysis had an AUC value of 0.836,a sensitivity of 60.0%and a specificity of 95.0%.For chronic disease,implantation of polytetrafluoroethylene stents(OR=2.558,95%CI:1.250-5.235,P=0.010)and preoperative increased temperature(OR=4.615,95%CI:1.502-14.181,P=0.008)were risk factors for non-infectious fever.Based on these results,the construc-ted model obtained an AUC value of 0.714 in ROC curve analysis.Conclusion For elderly patients undergoing aortic repair surgery,it is unnecessary to upgrade the variety of antibiotics or extend the course of treatment due to advanced age.Individualized analysis of possible infections should be conducted to promote the rational use of antibiotics.
6.Molecular Identification of Cremastra appendiculata and Other Original Medicinal Materials of Cremastrae Pseudobulbus and Confusing Products Based on ITS Sequences in DNA Barcodes
Jinling ZHANG ; Qiuxiao XIAO ; Qian WANG ; Sijia ZHOU ; Yali LONG ; Yong HUANG ; Lin ZHENG ; Zipeng GONG ; Yang JIN ; Yueting LI
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(6):142-146
Objective To distinguish Cremastra appendiculata(D.Don)Makino,Pleione yunnanensis Rolfe and Pleione bulbocodioides,and its easily confusing products Oreorchis patens and Iphigenia indica Kunth using the ITS sequence in DNA barcodes;To explore the genetic diversity of Cremastra appendiculata germplasm resources.Methods Three different original Cremastra appendiculata,Pleione yunnanensis Rolfe and Pleione bulbocodioides,and their easily confusing products Cremastrae Pseudobulbus of Oreorchis patens and Iphigenia indica Kunth were selected as the research objects,and the genomic DNA of the above samples were extracted by the modified CTAB method,and then the ITS sequences were amplified,sequenced and spliced by PCR technology.The Kimura 2-Parameter(K2P)model was used to calculate the genetic distance,and the phylogenetic tree was constructed with the help of neighbour joining method(NJ)for genetic relationship analysis.Results Except for the Iphigenia indica Kunth species that were not found during the BLAST search,the BLAST comparison results of the other samples were higher than 95%.At the same time,the results of phylogenetic tree showed that Cremastra appendiculata,Pleione yunnanensis Rolfe and Pleione bulbocodioides were clustered into one branch,respectively,and the easily confusing products were also respectively clustered into one branch.Conclusion The ITS sequence in DNA barcodes can be used to accurately distinguish Cremastra appendiculata,Pleione yunnanensis Rolfe and Pleione bulbocodioides,and its easily confusing products Oreorchis patens and Iphigenia indica Kunth.
7.Introduction to Implementation Science Theories, Models, and Frameworks
Lixin SUN ; Enying GONG ; Yishu LIU ; Dan WU ; Chunyuan LI ; Shiyu LU ; Maoyi TIAN ; Qian LONG ; Dong XU ; Lijing YAN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(5):1332-1343
Implementation Science is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to systematically studying how to effectively translate evidence-based research findings into practical application and implementation. In the health-related context, it focuses on enhancing the efficiency and quality of healthcare services, thereby facilitating the transition from scientific evidence to real-world practice. This article elaborates on Theories, Models, and Frameworks (TMF) within health-related Implementation Science, clarifying their basic concepts and classifications, and discussing their roles in guiding implementation processes. Furthermore, it reviews and prospects current research from three aspects: the constituent elements of TMF, their practical applications, and future directions. Five representative frameworks are emphasized, including the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), the Practical Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model (PRISM), the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS)framework, the Behavior Change Wheel (BCW), and the Normalization Process Theory (NPT). Additionally, resources such as the Dissemination & Implementation Models Webtool and the T-CaST tool are introduced to assist researchers in selecting appropriate TMFs based on project-specific needs.
8.Association between lipid accumulation product and lean metabolic associated fatty liver disease
Na FENG ; Ying LI ; Hong GONG ; Xiying LIANG ; Qian WANG ; Yongqin LI ; Chunyan ZHANG ; Tuo HAN
Chinese Journal of Health Management 2025;19(9):714-720
Objective:To investigate the relationship between lean lipid accumulation product (LAP) and metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD).Methods:This cross-sectional study consecutively enrolled 1 990 adult subjects who underwent health examinations at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University between June 2021 and May 2023. All recruited participants had a body mass index (BMI)<23 kg/m2. Data collection included general information, physical examination, serum biochemical parameter measurements, and liver ultrasonography. Participants were divided into four groups (Q1-Q4) according to quartiles value of LAP from low to high. The differences of biochemical parameters and the prevalence of lean MAFLD were compared among the groups. Logistic regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used to explore the relationship between LAP and lean MAFLD and assess the diagnostic predictive value of LAP for lean MAFLD.Results:A total of 1990 participants were selected, and the detection rate of lean MAFLD was 4.97% (99 cases). The detection rate of lean MAFLD showed a significant increasing trend from Q1 to Q4 groups ( P<0.001) and respectively was 0.40%, 0.81%, 4.01% and 14.70%. The average age, male proportion, BMI and waist circumference significantly increased in a dose-response manner from Q1 to Q4 (all P<0.001). Indirect bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyltranspeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, serum uric acid, fasting blood glucose, fatty liver index, fibrosis-4 index and every metabolic syndrome component in groups Q2 to Q4 were significantly higher than in the Q1 group, while high-density lipoprotein levels gradually decreased (all P<0.05). RCS showed that the risk of lean MAFLD rose significantly with the increase of LAP ( P<0.005), presenting a nonlinear relationship between them ( P for nonlinear<0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that after adjusting other confounding factors, the risk of lean MAFLD in the Q4 group remained 4.75 times higher than that in the Q1 group (95% CI: 11.22-31.69, P<0.05). ROC curve demonstrated that LAP had a better predictive value for lean MAFLD than BMI and waist circumference, with area under the curve of 0.839, critical value of 19.59, diagnostic sensitivity of 82.8% and specificity of 75.1%. Conclusions:Elevated LAP is independently and positively correlated with the risk of lean MAFLD, and its predictive efficacy is significant superior to traditional obesity indicators.
9.Catheter-directed thrombolysis via two types of non-popliteal venous access in the treatment of acute deep venous thrombosis of lower extremities:a comparative study
Jian WANG ; Cheng QIAN ; Jianping GU ; Libing GAO ; Maofeng GONG ; Liang LIU ; Guoqing NI ; Peng PENG ; Guoping CHEN
Journal of Interventional Radiology 2025;34(7):714-721
Objective To compare the technical indicators and clinical effect of catheter-directed thrombolysis(CDT)via two types of non-popliteal venous access in the treatment of acute mixed-type lower extremity deep vein thrombosis(DVT).Methods The clinical data of 119 patients with acute mixed-type lower extremity DVT,who were admitted to the Affiliated Jiangning Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and the Affiliated Nanjing Hospital of Nanjing Medical University of China to receive CDT treatment from January 2016 to June 2022,were retrospectively analyzed.Of the 119 patients,CDT via deep calf vein access was carries out in 45(calf vein group)and CDT via healthy-side femoral venous access was performed in 74(femoral vein group).The success rate of vascular puncture,success rate of catheterization technique,number of successful CDT venous puncturing,time spent for sheath placement,time spent for catheterization,thrombolysis time,used amount of thrombolytic agent and associated complications(including vein puncturing and anticoagulant thrombolysis-related complications),the thrombolytic effect of different anatomical segments,and the clinical efficacy during the follow-up period for at least 12 months were compared between the two groups.Results Successful catheterization via deep calf vein access and via healthy-side femoral vein access was obtained in 31 and 58 CDT patients respectively,with a technical success rate of 68.89%(31/45)and 78.38%(58/74)respectively,the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant(P=0.248).In 26 patients(67.74%)of the calf vein group,more than two times of puncturing were needed before the sheath placement could be successfully achieved.The time spent for sheath placement in the femoral vein group was(1.84±0.87)min,which was remarkably shorter than(10.52+6.13)min in the calf vein group(P<0.001),but the time spent for catheterization in the femoral vein group was(41.60±13.31)min,which was obviously longer than(20.06+4.46)min in the calf vein group(P<0.001).The thrombolysis time in the femoral vein group and the calf vein group was(5.34+1.43)days and(5.06±1.18)days respectively(P=0.354),and the used amount of thrombolytic agent in the femoral vein group was(352.16±71.98)×104 U,which was prominently larger than(284.68±77.64)× 104 U in the calf vein group(P<0.001).The last follow-up check showed that the patency rate of the popliteal vein in the calf vein group was significantly higher than that in the femoral vein group(P=0.037).No statistically significant differences in the incidence of post-thrombotic syndrome(PTS)and the mean VEINES-QOL/Sym scores existed between the two groups(all P>0.05).Conclusion Compared with CDT via healthy-side femoral vein access,CDT via deep calf vein access can better remove the thrombus in the popliteal vein and superficial femoral vein,and improve the femoropopliteal vein patency rate,although it has no obvious advantages in reducing the occurrence of PTS and in improving the VEINES-QOL/Sym score,moreover,the deep calf vein puncture and sheath placement require a high-level technique.
10.Effect of dapagliflozin in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation combined with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a randomized controlled trial
Xiaoyu LIAN ; Fei PENG ; Hui GONG ; Juying QIAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(3):342-349
Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) combined with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Methods A total of 120 patients with PAF combined with HFpEF treated at Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University from July 2022 to July 2023 were selected and randomly divided into the dapagliflozin group (n=60, standard treatment combined with dapagliflozin) and the control group (n=60, standard treatment combined with placebo). After 12 months of follow-up, the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire-Total Symptom Score (KCCQ-TSS), PAF duration, recurrence rate and frequency of PAF, left atrial diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular ejection fraction, P-wave dispersion, blood pressure, plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and glycated hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) were compared between the two groups. Cardiovascular outcomes and adverse events were observed. Results A total of 10 patients lost to follow-up, and 110 patients were included in the analysis (55 in each group). After 12 months of treatment, the KCCQ-TSS in the dapagliflozin group was significantly higher than that in the control group ([61.68±2.65] points vs [44.98±4.76] points, P<0.001). The PAF duration in the dapagliflozin group was significantly shorter than that in the control group ([144±18] min vs [270±24] min, P=0.045). After treatment, frequency of PAF, NT-proBNP levels, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left atrial diameter, P-wave dispersion, and HbA1C levels showed statistical differences between the two groups (P<0.05). The heart failure readmission rate and PAF recurrence rate in the dapagliflozin group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups during treatment. Conclusions Dapagliflozin improves patients’ quality of life, reduces PAF duration and recurrence rate, decreases heart failure readmission rate, lowers NT-proBNP levels, reverses cardiac remodeling, and demonstrates favorable safety in patients with PAF combined with HFpEF.

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