1.Molecular Crosstalk Mechanisms of Shoutai Wan and Juyuan Jian on Maternal-fetal Interface Subcellular Clusters in CBA/J×DBA/2 Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Model
Jingxin GAO ; Qiuping CHEN ; Xiaoyan ZHENG ; Pengfei ZENG ; Rui ZHOU ; Yancai TANG ; Qian ZENG ; Wenli GUO ; Jinzhu HUANG ; Weijun DING ; Linwen DENG ; Hang ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):70-87
ObjectiveTo systematically compare the differential regulation of the maternal-fetal interface cell lineages and communication networks in the CBA/J×DBA/2 mouse model of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) by the two classic therapeutic methods-tonifying the kidney to stabilize the fetus and invigorating the spleen to stabilize the fetus (Shoutai Wan, Juyuan Jian)-of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) at the single-cell resolution and clarify their modern scientific connotations. MethodsFemale non-pregnant CBA/J mice were caged with male BALB/c (blank group) and DBA/2 (modeling group) mice separately. Pregnant mice in the modeling group were randomly grouped as follows: high/low-dose Shoutai Wan, high/low-dose Juyuan Jian, model (RPL), and positive control (dydrogesterone), with 10 mice in each group. Starting from the day after the detection of the vaginal plug, mice were administrated with drugs or an equal volume of normal saline by gavage for 10 consecutive days. After the intervention, the following indicators were measured. ① Macroscopic evaluation: general conditions, uterine wet weight, embryo loss rate, four coagulation parameters [prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (FIB), and thrombin time (TT)], and peripheral blood estradiol (E2) and progesterone (Pg) levels. The decidua with embryos was stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), CXC chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12), and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 homolog (LC3)Ⅰ/Ⅱ was quantified by Western blot. ② Mechanism analysis at the single-cell level: The decidua with embryos from the blank, model, high-dose Shoutai Wan, and high-dose Juyuan Jian groups (6 mice per group, with 3 single-cell samples per group, totaling 24 mice) were analyzed by the BD Rhapsody™ platform, and the whole-cell atlas was drawn by uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) dimensionality reduction clustering combined with the single-cell mouse cell atlas (scMCA). The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and cell interaction networks were analyzed via Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and CellChat, and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) map of subtype cells was constructed. The CytoTRACE pseudo-temporal analysis was performed to explore the developmental trajectories of core immune cells (natural killer cells, NK cells) from maternal and fetal sources. Results① Pathological and Western blot results indicated that compared with the blank group, the RPL group showed an increase in the embryo loss rate (P<0.01), down-regulated expression of Bcl-2, LIF, MMP-2, and Vegf in the decidua with embryos (P<0.05), up-regulated protein levels of CXCL-12, AngⅡ, and IL-6 (P<0.05), blocked angiogenesis, apoptosis-inflammation imbalance, and coagulation dysfunction. Both prescriptions dose-dependently reduced the abortion rate and restored the angiogenesis-inflammation balance, and Shoutai pill showed superior performance in restoring the E2 level to the Pg level (P<0.05). ② Single-cell transcriptome analysis indicated that compared with the blank group, the RPL group showed differences in multiple key cell populations such as decidual cells, trophoblast cells, endothelial cells, erythroblasts, NK cells, and macrophages at the maternal-fetal interface. Immunity and angiogenesis were the key links in RPL. Compared with the RPL group, high-dose Shoutai Wan reversed the changes of NK cells in the embryonic layer (upregulating the mRNA levels of 17 genes and downregulating the mRNA levels of 29 genes) and macrophages (upregulating the mRNA levels of 117 genes and downregulating the mRNA levels of 53 genes) through the regulation of gene expression. High-dose Shoutai pill regulated the immune cells to affect unfolded proteins, cell adhesion, and programmed cell death, thereby promoting decidualization and angiogenesis and modulating embryo-membrane development. High-dose Juyuan Jian regulated the key subgroups of NK cells (up-regulating the mRNA levels of 9 genes and down-regulating the mRNA levels of 17 genes) and macrophages (up-regulating the mRNA levels of 110 genes and down-regulating the mRNA levels of 81 genes), which affected decidual inflammation and apoptosis and intervened in glycolysis. ③ The pseudo-temporal analysis and communication network indicated that the communication frequency of the RPL group decreased. High-dose Shoutai Wan restored maternal-fetal tolerance through pathways such as NKG2D, CDH5, GDF, and FASLG. High-dose Juyuan Jian enhanced the IL-6/LIFR/JAK/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and desmosome/SEMA6/tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) signaling to improve endometrial receptivity. The RPL group showed an increased proportion of toxic dNK7, a decreased proportion of reparative dNK4, and blocked embryo fNK1. High-dose Shoutai Wan down-regulated dNK7 and up-regulated dNK4. High-dose Juyuan Jian inhibited the terminal differentiation of dNK7 and up-regulated LILRB1, thus restoring the balance of cytotoxicity and repair. ConclusionBoth the kidney-tonifying and spleen-invigorating methods are effective in treating RPL. NK and macrophages are the key immune cells in the interaction between the embryo and the membrane. The kidney-tonifying method (Shoutai Wan) has an advantage in regulating the phenotypes of unfolded protein, cell adhesion, and programmed cell death, and shows expression characteristics closer to the physiological state in the regulation of NKG2D and CDH5 signals. The spleen-invigorating method (Juyuan Jian) has an advantage in regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, and glycolysis and shows higher communication intensity in the IL-6 and LIFR pathways.
2.Correlation between Mer receptor tyrosine kinase and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in Sprague-Dawley rats
Xiaoyang SU ; Wenting CHEN ; Yidan FU ; Yan ZHAO ; Danfeng LAN ; Qiuping YANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(8):1593-1599
BACKGROUND:The pathogenesis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy has not yet been clarified,and TAM(Tyro3,Axl,and MerTK)receptor tyrosine kinases can control apoptotic cells and suppress inflammatory responses in the central nervous system. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the difference of Mer receptor tyrosine kinase(MerTK)levels in plasma and sciatic nerve tissue of Sprague-Dawley rats with type 2 diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy,and to study the correlation between MerTK and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. METHODS:Forty male Sprague-Dawley were randomly divided into control group with 15 rats,type 2 diabetes group with 10 rats,and diabetic peripheral neuropathy group with 15 rats.The control group was fed with ordinary diet,while the experimental groups were fed with high-fat and high-sugar diet.After 6 weeks,intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at the minimum dose of 35 mg/kg was administered in the two experimental groups.After 14 days,tail vein blood was collected to detect blood glucose.If blood glucose≥16.7 mmol/L,the model of type 2 diabetes was successfully established.Rats in the diabetic peripheral neuropathy group continued to be fed with a high-sugar and high-fat diet for 8 weeks.The sciatic nerve conduction velocity of rats was detected through live isolation under anesthesia.Blood samples were collected from the abdominal aorta,and the sciatic nerve tissue was collected.Histological changes of nerve fibers in each group were observed under a light microscope to confirm the success of diabetic peripheral neuropathy modeling.ELISA was used to detect peripheral blood glucose,blood lipids and serum MerTK levels in rats;hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the histological changes in the sciatic nerve;immunofluorescence,immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to detect the expression of MerTK in the sciatic nerve tissue. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The Sprague-Dawley rat models of type 2 diabetes and type 2 diabetes peripheral neuropathy were successfully constructed,and the modeling rate of diabetic peripheral neuropathy was 80%.Compared with the control group,the blood glucose levels of rats in the type 2 diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy groups were significantly higher(P<0.000 1),while the blood glucose level in the diabetic peripheral neuropathy group was higher than that in the type 2 diabetes group;and the sciatic nerve conduction velocity was significantly decreased(P<0.05),which was lower in the diabetic peripheral neuropathy group than the type 2 diabetes group.Histological examination:Compared with the control group,the sciatic nerve nuclei were reduced in the type 2 diabetes group,with some vacuolar degeneration and phagocytosis;in the diabetic peripheral neuropathy group,the cell body was swollen,the nuclear spacing was increased,vacuolar degeneration was observed,and the myelin sheath was partitioned and unsmooth,and lattice-like axons appeared.Serum MerTK levels were significantly higher in the diabetic peripheral neuropathy group than the control group.Expression of MerTK in the sciatic nerve tissue was significantly upregulated in the diabetic peripheral neuropathy group compared with the control group(P<0.05).To conclude,elevated levels of MerTK in plasma and sciatic nerve tissue of rats with diabetic peripheral neuropathy are presumably related to its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects.
3.Association Between Vitamin D Status and Insulin Resistance in Adolescents: A Cross-sectional Observational Study
Xiaoyuan GUO ; Yutong WANG ; Zhibo ZHOU ; Shi CHEN ; Mei ZHANG ; Bo BAN ; Ping LI ; Xinran ZHANG ; Qiuping ZHANG ; Kai YANG ; Hongbo YANG ; Hanze DU ; Hui PAN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(3):577-583
To investigate the correlation between vitamin D nutritional status and insulin resistance in pubertal adolescents. This cross-sectional observational study employed convenience sampling to recruit 2021-grade(8th grade) students from Jining No.7 Middle School in Shandong Province on June 5, 2023. Data collection included questionnaires, physical examinations, and imaging assessments to obtain general information, secondary sexual characteristics development, and bone age. Venous blood samples were collected to measure fasting blood glucose(FBG), fasting insulin(FINS), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)D] levels. Spearman correlation analysis and multivariate linear regression models were used to examine the associations between serum vitamin D levels and FBG, FINS, and HOMA-IR. The study included 168 pubertal adolescents[69 females(41.1%), 99 males(58.9%); mean age(13.27±0.46) years]. All participants had entered puberty based on sexual development assessment. Vitamin D deficiency was observed in 41 participants(24.4%), insufficiency in 109(64.9%), and sufficiency in 18(10.7%). The median HOMA-IR was 3.49(2.57, 5.14).Significant differences were found across vitamin D status groups for HOMA-IR [4.45(2.54, 6.62) Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency is prevalent among pubertal adolescents, and serum vitamin D levels show a significant inverse association with insulin resistance. These findings suggest the potential importance of vitamin D status in metabolic health during puberty.
4.Body Composition Profiles and Associated Factors in Adolescents UndergoingLong-term Regular Exercise
Yutong WANG ; Xiaoyuan GUO ; Hanze DU ; Hui PAN ; Wei WANG ; Mei ZHANG ; Bo BAN ; Ping LI ; Xinran ZHANG ; Qiuping ZHANG ; Hongshuang SUN ; Rong LI ; Shi CHEN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(3):591-597
To investigate body composition and associated factors in adolescents undergoing long-term regular sports training. This prospective longitudinal cohort study employed convenience sampling to recruit adolescents receiving structured athletic training at Jining Sports Training Center in June 2023. Baseline measurements included height, weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, heart rate, waist circumference, and hip circumference. Questionnaires assessed sleep duration, screen time, and household income. Follow-up measurements in June 2024 repeated these assessments while adding bioelectrical impedance analysis for body composition (lean mass, skeletal muscle mass, fat mass, and body fat percentage). Linear regression models examined associations between training type (direct-contact vs. non-contact sports) and follow-up body fat percentage, BMI, and waist circumference as dependent variables, adjusting for covariates. The study included 110 adolescents (39 female, 71 male) with median age 13.21 years (IQR: 12.46-14.33). Participants comprised 65 direct-contact and 45 non-contact athletes. Baseline prevalence rates were 27.27% for overweight/obesity, 24.55% for elevated waist circumference, and 16.36% for elevated blood pressure. At follow-up, corresponding rates were 24.55%, 26.36%, and 13.64% respectively. The elevated blood pressure subgroup showed significantly higher waist circumference ( Despite regular athletic training, substantial proportions of adolescents exhibited overweight/obesity, abdominal obesity, and elevated blood pressure, warranting clinical attention. Training modality appears to influence body composition changes, with direct-contact sports associated with more favorable adiposity-related outcomes.
5.Exploration of the "Wisdom-Transmission-Modeling-Linkage" Intelligent Inheritance Model for the Academic Thoughts and Clinical Experience of Famous Chinese Medicine Practitioners
Qiuping CHEN ; Hang ZHOU ; Ju CHEN ; Chongcheng XI ; Baixue LI ; Quansheng FENG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(14):1419-1423
As traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) culture evolves, the academic thoughts of these practitioners, being a core component of TCM inheritance, are gradually shifting from traditional models to digital and intelligent approaches. However, this process faces challenges, including insufficient standardization of data collection and processing, low inheritance efficiency, and the risk of inheritance alienation. To address these issues, this paper proposed the construction of an intelligent platform following the "intelligence-transmission-modeling-linkage" path. "Intelligence" involves using smart perception technologies to accurately collect and classify diagnostic and therapeutic information from famous TCM practitioners, laying the foundation for digital inheritance; "transmission" focuses on leveraging artificial intelligence to mine and inherit the clinical experience of famous TCM practitioners, thereby establishing a "regional academic schools+group commonality" dynamic inheritance system; "modeling" integrates the academic thoughts and advantageous diseases of multiple schools to develop intelligent diagnostic and therapeutic models of famous TCM practitioners, resulting in personalized treatment plans; "linkage" involves constructing a clinical decision support system of famous TCM practitioners by integrating blockchain and generative intelligence, creating an AI digital avatar of TCM diagnostic and therapeutic knowledge. The "intelligence-transmission-modeling-linkage" intelligent inheritance model not only provides new ideas for the digital inheritance of TCM academic schools, but also offers strong support for the modernization and internationalization of TCM.
6.Research on the anti-inflammatory effects of a novel sleep-aid decoction on elderly insomnia patients across traditional Chinese medicine constitutional types.
Zhen WU ; Zhuoqiong BIAN ; Ailin CHEN ; Qiuping ZHANG ; Jie LI ; Hui ZHOU ; Hongying ZHU
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(11):1007-1012
Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a novel sleep-aid decoction in treating elderly insomnia patients with different traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitutional types, and its effects on neurotransmitter and inflammatory factor levels. Methods A total of 200 patients with four different TCM constitutions-peaceful, Qi-deficient, Yin-deficient, and Yang-deficient-were recruited. Peripheral blood neurotransmitter and inflammatory factor levels were measured for variations among insomnia patients across different constitutions. These patients were treated using the novel sleep-aid decoction, the effects of which were evaluated based on changes in neurotransmitters and inflammatory factors. Results Compared to the peaceful constitution group, insomnia patients with Qi-deficient, Yin-deficient, and Yang-deficient constitutions exhibited significantly elevated baseline levels of neurotransmitters (5-HT, GABA) and inflammatory factors (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, CRP). Following the treatment, the Qi-deficient and Yin-deficient groups showed a marked increase in 5-HT levels, restored balance of Glu, GABA, and melatonin, and significant reductions in IL-6 and TNF-α levels. The overall effective rate was 83.5%, with optimal efficacy observed in the Qi-deficient (97.72%) and Yin-deficient (95.34%) groups. Conclusion The novel sleep-aid decoction is effective in treating insomnia in elderly patients, with the best results observed in the Qi-deficient and Yin-deficient constitution groups.
Humans
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Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/blood*
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Aged
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Male
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Female
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
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Middle Aged
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood*
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Sleep Aids, Pharmaceutical/therapeutic use*
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use*
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Interleukin-6/blood*
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Interleukin-1beta/blood*
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Neurotransmitter Agents/blood*
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Aged, 80 and over
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C-Reactive Protein/metabolism*
7.Exploring the mechanism of Xiaoaiping Injection inhibiting autophagy in prostate cancer based on proteomics.
Qiuping ZHANG ; Qiuju HUANG ; Zhiping CHENG ; Wei XUE ; Shoushi LIU ; Yunnuo LIAO ; Xiaolan LI ; Xin CHEN ; Yaoyao HAN ; Dan ZHU ; Zhiheng SU ; Xin YANG ; Zhuo LUO ; Hongwei GUO
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(1):64-76
Xiaoaiping (XAP) Injection demonstrates the anti-prostate cancer (PCa) effects, yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of XAP on PCa and elucidate its mechanism of action. PCa cell proliferation was evaluated using a cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed through Hoechst staining and Western blotting assays. Proteomics technology was employed to identify key molecules and significant signaling pathways modulated by XAP in PCa cells. To further validate potential key genes and important pathways, a series of assays were conducted, including acridine orange (AO) staining, transmission electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence assays. The molecular mechanism of XAP against PCa in vivo was examined using a PC3 xenograft mouse model. Results demonstrated that XAP significantly inhibited cell proliferation in multiple PCa cell lines. In C4-2 and prostate cancer cell line-3 (PC3) cells, XAP induced cellular apoptosis, evidenced by reduced B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) levels and elevated Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) levels. Proteomic, immunofluorescence, and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) investigations revealed a strong correlation between forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a) autophagic degradation and the anti-PCa action of XAP. XAP hindered autophagy by reducing the expression levels of autophagy-related protein 5 (Atg5)/autophagy-related protein 12 (Atg12) and enhancing FoxO3a expression and nuclear translocation. Furthermore, XAP exhibited potent anti-PCa action in PC3 xenograft mice and triggered FoxO3a nuclear translocation in tumor tissue. These findings suggest that XAP induces PCa apoptosis via inhibition of FoxO3a autophagic degradation, potentially offering a novel perspective on XAP injection as an effective anticancer therapy for PCa.
Male
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Humans
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Prostatic Neoplasms/physiopathology*
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Autophagy/drug effects*
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Animals
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
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Proteomics
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Mice
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
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Forkhead Box Protein O3/genetics*
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Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Mice, Nude
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
8.Results of annual professional proficiency testing for standardized residency training and related influencing factors
Yitong GONG ; Liqin ZOU ; Ping ZHAO ; Zhongwei LIU ; Qiuping YAO ; Fan FAN ; Qian CHEN
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2024;23(4):572-576
Objective:To analyze the results of the practice test and formal test of the annual professional proficiency test for residents in 2022, to investigate related influencing factors and the effectiveness of the practice test, and to propose the measures for improving the results of the annual professional proficiency test.Methods:The scores of the annual professional proficiency test were analyzed for 202 residents who participated in the test in 2022, and the data on sex, education background, type of personnel, whether they passed the medical licensing examination, and practice test scores were analyzed to investigate related influencing factors. SPSS 23.0 and GraphPad Prism 8 were used for the chi-square test, the t-test, the one-way of variance, and the Fisher's exact test. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify influencing factors, and a Pearson correlation analysis was also performed. Results:The scores of the annual professional proficiency test for 202 residents were normally distributed with the highest number of the residents with a score of 90-99 points and the lowest number of the residents with a score of <70 points. The residents who passed the medical licensing examination had a significantly higher score of the annual professional proficiency test than those who failed the examination ( t=2.87, P=0.005), and the residents who passed the three practice tests had a significantly higher score of the annual professional proficiency test than those who failed the practice tests ( P<0.05). The score of the second practice test, the score of the third practice test, and the passing of medical licensing examination were independent influencing factors for the score of annual professional proficiency test ( R2=0.236, R2=0.201, F=6.60, P<0.05). The correlation analysis showed that the scores of the three practice tests were positively correlated with the final score ( r=0.189, 0.373, and 0.311, P<0.05). Conclusions:Improving the passing rate of medical licensing examination and strengthening pre-examination practice tests can help to improve the score of annual professional proficiency test. At the same time, it is necessary to improve the quality of training through the measures such as strengthening the homogenization management of different types of students, improving the attention and enthusiasm of all levels, and accelerating the construction of question banks.
9.Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Serplulimab Combined with Chemotherapy as First-line Treatment for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Qiuping CHEN ; Songlin YU ; Quan SUN ; Mingyi SHAO ; Rongrong ZHANG
Herald of Medicine 2024;43(8):1270-1277
Objective The results of ASTRUM-007 reveal the clinical benefits of PD-L1-positive esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)patients.This study aims to analyze the economics of first-line treatment of PD-L1-positive ESCC with brucella combined with chemotherapy from the perspective of China's health system.Methods A three-state partitioned survival model(PSM)including progression-free survival(PFS),disease progression(PD),and death(D)was established to evaluate the economy of serplulimab combined with chemotherapy,the first-line treatment for PD-L1 positive advanced ESCC,compared with the placebo combination chemotherapy.The cycle period was two weeks,the horizon of the simulation was a lifetime,and the annual discount rate was set to 5%.The main outcome parameters are total cost,quality-adjusted life year(QALY),and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio(ICER).One-way sensitivity analysis(OWSA),probability sensitivity analysis(PSA),and scenario analysis were used to evaluate the impact of the change of important parameters in the model on ICER.Results The basic results showed that the incremental effect and incremental cost of the serplulimab combined with chemotherapy compared with the placebo combination chemotherapy were 1.281 QALYs and 266 573.26 yuan,respectively,and the ICER was 208 166.24 yuan/QALY.OWSA showed that the price of serplulimab was the most sensitive parameter to ICER;PSA showed that when the WTP threshold was three times China's per capita GDP in 2022,Serplulimab combined with chemotherapy was significantly more economical than the placebo combination chemotherapy;scenario analysis revealed that according to the ASTRUM-007 study in the Central Asian group and the charitable drug donation program of serplulimab:in patients with PD-L1 1≤CPS<10,ICER was 205 056.83 yuan/QALY;with 218 022.59/QALY in patients with PD-L1 CPS≥10,and the mean value of ICER was lower than three times of China's per capita GDP.The ICER of all patients was 59 046.65 yuan/QALY,with 68 294.42 yuan/QALY of patients with PD-L1 1≤CPS<10,44 744.02 yuan/QALY of patients with PD-L1 CPS≥10.The ICER value was lower than China's per capita GDP.Conclusion Serplulimab combined with chemotherapy is more economical than placebo combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of PD-L1-positive ESCC patients.
10.Intervention Mechanism of Biejiajian Wan on Primary Liver Cancer by Regulating lncRNA SNHG5/miRNA-26a-5p/GSK-3β Signal Axis
Fanlei SHAO ; Qiuping CHEN ; Qian BI ; Bingzhao DU ; Weihong LIU ; Mingyi SHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(4):107-113
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Biejiajian Wan in the intervention of primary liver cancer based on long non-coding RNA SNHG5 (lncRNA SNHG5)/micro RNA-26a-5p (miRNA-26a-5p)/glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) signal axis. MethodDouble luciferase reporting assay was used to verify the targeted interaction between lncRNA SNHG5 and miRNA-26a-5p, miRNA-26a-5p, and GSK-3β in HepG2 cells. Nude-mouse transplanted tumor model of human HepG2 were established and randomly divided into model group, Biejiajian Wan low-dose group (0.5 g·kg-1), medium-dose group (1.0 g·kg-1), and high-dose group (2.0 g·kg-1), and sorafenib group (100 mg·kg-1), with 10 mice in each group. The mice were given intragastric administration of normal saline or drug for 28 days, and the tumor volume was measured at different time. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the histological changes of tumors. The nucleic acid levels of lncRNA SNHG5, miRNA-26a-5p, GSK-3β, and β-catenin mPNA in tumor tissue were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). The protein expression levels of GSK-3β and β-catenin in tumor tissue were detected by western blot. ResultCompared with the SNHG5-WT (wild type) + miRNA NC (negative control) group, the relative luciferase activities of the SNHG5-WT + miRNA-26a-5p mimic group were decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the GSK-3β-WT + miRNA NC group, the relative luciferase activity of the GSK-3β-WT + miRNA-26a-5p mimic group was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the tumor volume of Biejiajian Wan low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups was significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the cells in the tumor tissue of nude mice in each dose group of Biejiajian Wan were sparsely arranged with necrocytosis, which showed concentration-dependent changes. Compared with the model group, the expression levels of lncRNA SNHG5, GSK-3β, and β-catenin were decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the expression of miRNA-26a-5p was increased in each dose group of Biejiajian Wan (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the protein expression levels of GSK-3β and β-catenin were decreased in each dose group of Biejiajian Wan (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionBiejiajian Wan may affect the necrosis of liver cancer cells through lncRNA SNHG5/miRNA-26a-5p/GSK-3β signal axis and thus play an anti-tumor role. This research will provide more theoretical basis for the clinical application of Biejiajian Wan.

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