1.Standardization Challenges in Outcome Evaluation Systems of Animal Experiments and Considerations for Core Outcome Set Construction Strategies
Qingyong ZHENG ; Yongjia ZHOU ; Tengfei LI ; Jianguo XU ; Chen TIAN ; Hui LIU ; Min TIAN ; Ziyu ZHOU ; Caihua XU ; Yating CUI ; Junfei WANG ; Jinhui TIAN
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2026;46(1):138-148
Animal experimentation constitutes a critical link between basic research and clinical application, making its research quality and translational efficiency paramount. Although considerable progress has been made in standardizing operational procedures and ethical guidelines, the standardization of outcome evaluation systems has significantly lagged, creating a key bottleneck that constrains the quality of biomedical research and evidence synthesis. This deficiency is manifested by pronounced heterogeneity in outcome selection across similar studies, incomplete methodological reporting, and disparate criteria for result interpretation, which severely impairs the comparability of findings and the evidence integration. To cope with this challenge, this paper systematically introduces a mature methodological tool from clinical research–the core outcome set (COS)–and explores its construction strategies and application potential in the field of animal experimentation. Given the extensive diversity of animal experiments, a pragmatic strategy of "focusing on key areas, implementing phased pilots, and promoting gradual expansion" should be adopted. This approach prioritizes the development of domain-specific COS for disease areas characterized by high research volume, urgent translational needs, and well-established animal models. A multi-source integration pathway for COS development is detailed, comprising systematic literature searches, methodological appraisals, and expert consensus, with the feasibility of leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance efficiency also being examined. The development and promotion of such COS are not intended to restrict scientific exploration; rather, they aim to establish a new, tiered evaluation paradigm consisting of "core outcomes" (mandatory), "recommended outcomes" (encouraged), and "exploratory outcomes" (optional). This framework is expected not only to enhance research quality through standardization and to adhere to the "3R" principles but also to accelerate the accumulation of high-quality evidence. This, in turn, provides a solid foundation for higher-level evidence synthesis, ultimately facilitating the effective translation of basic research findings into clinical practice and providing an essential methodological framework for scientific advancement in relevant disciplines.
2.Improving the Certainty of Evidence in Animal Experiment Systematic Review/Meta-Analysis: An Empirical Study of the GRADE Method
Tengfei LI ; Qingyong ZHENG ; Jianguo XU ; Yiyi LI ; Yongjia ZHOU ; Caihua XU ; Mingyue ZHANG ; Jiexiang TIAN ; Gang WANG ; Jinhui TIAN
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(1):101-111
Animal experiments are essential tools in biomedical research, serving as a bridge between basic research and clinical trials. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRs/MAs) of animal experiments are crucial methods for integrating evidence from animal experiment, which can facilitate the translation of findings into clinical research, reduce translational risks, and promote resource integration in basic research. With the continuous development of the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology, its application in SRs/MAs of animal experiments has gained increasing attention. This article first outlines the principles and specific applications of the GRADE methodology in SRs/MAs of animal experiments, including qualitative descriptive systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and network meta-analyses. It then deeply analyzes the misuse of the GRADE methodology in practice, including incorrect evidence grading, improper classification of evidence, misapplication in qualitative systematic reviews, inconsistencies between the documentation of the upgrading and downgrading process and results, and inappropriate use for making recommendations. Furthermore, this article comprehensively discusses the factors influencing the grading of evidence certainty in SRs/MAs of animal experiments, including the impact of bias risk, indirectness, inconsistency, imprecision, and publication bias on evidence downgrading, as well as the role of large effect sizes and cross-species consistency in evidence upgrading. Finally, in response to the issues discussed, improvement strategies are proposed, including further research and optimization of the GRADE methodology for SRs/MAs of animal experiments, the development of reporting guidelines tailored to the characteristics of SRs/MAs in animal experiment research, and enhanced professional training for researchers in the GRADE methodology. This article aims to improve the quality of evidence in SRs/MAs of animal experiments, strengthen their reliability in clinical decision-making, and promote the more efficient translation of findings from animal experiment research into clinical practice.
3.Evaluation of the accuracy of three-dimensional data acquisition from liquid- interference surfaces assisted by a scanner head with a compressed airflow system.
Xinkai XU ; Jianjiang ZHAO ; Sukun TIAN ; Zhongning LIU ; Xiaoyi ZHAO ; Xiaobo ZHAO ; Tengfei JIANG ; Xiaojun CHEN ; Chao MA ; Yuchun SUN
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(1):121-127
OBJECTIVE:
To quantitatively evaluate the accuracy of data obtained from liquid-interference surfaces using an intraoral 3D scanner (IOS) integrated with a compressed airflow system, so as to provide clinical proof of accuracy for the application of the compressed airflow system-based scanning head in improving data quality on liquid-interference surfaces.
METHODS:
The study selected a standard model as the scanning object, adhering to the "YY/T 1818-2022 Dental Science Intraoral Digital Impression Scanner" guidelines, a standard that defined parameters for intraoral scanning. To establish a baseline for accuracy, the ATOS Q 12M scanner, known for its high precision, was used to generate true reference values. These true values served as the benchmark for evaluating the IOS performance. Building on the design of an existing scanner, a new scanning head was developed to integrate with a compressed airflow system. This new design aimed to help the IOS capture high-precision data on surfaces where liquid-interference, such as saliva, might otherwise degrade scanning accuracy. The traditional scanning method, without airflow assistance, was employed as a control group for comparison. The study included five groups in total, one control group and four experimental groups, to investigate the effects of scanning lens obstruction, airflow presence, liquid media, and the use of the new scanning head on scanning process and accuracy. Each group underwent 15 scans, generating ample data for a robust statistical comparison. By evaluating trueness and precision in each group, the study assessed the impact of the compressed airflow system on the accuracy of IOS data collected from liquid-interference surfaces. Additionally, we selected Elite and Primescan scanners as references for numerical accuracy values.
RESULTS:
The scanning accuracy on liquid-interference surfaces was significantly reduced in terms of both trueness and precision [Trueness: 18.5 (6.5) vs. 38.0 (6.7), P < 0.05; Precision: 19.1 (8.5) vs. 31.7 (15.0), P < 0.05]. The use of the new scanning head assisted by the compressed airflow system significantly improved the scanning accuracy [Trueness: 22.3(7.6) vs. 38.0 (6.7), P < 0.05; Precision: 25.8 (9.6) vs. 31.7 (15.0), P < 0.05].
CONCLUSION
The scanning head based on the compressed airflow system can assist in improving the accuracy of data obtained from liquid-interference surfaces by the IOS.
Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods*
;
Humans
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Dental Impression Technique/instrumentation*
4.Chemical knockdown of Keap1 and homoPROTAC-ing allergic rhinitis.
Jianyu YAN ; Tianyu WANG ; Ruizhi YU ; Lijuan XU ; Hongming SHAO ; Tengfei LI ; Zhe WANG ; Xudong CHA ; Zhenyuan MIAO ; Chengguo XING ; Ke XU ; Huanhai LIU ; Chunlin ZHUANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(8):4137-4155
Allergic rhinitis (AR), a globally prevalent immune-mediated inflammatory condition, is still an incurable disease. In the present study, we have validated the impact of the Kelch-like ECH associated protein 1 (Keap1)-related oxidative stress and inflammatory response in clinical AR patient peripheral blood and nasal swab samples, emphasizing the biological relevance of Keap1 and AR. Targeting Keap1 -nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) related anti-oxidative stress may be effective for AR intervention. Drawing inspiration from the Keap1 homodimerization and the E3 ligase characteristics, we herein present a design of novel bivalent molecules for chemical knockdown of Keap1. For the first time, we characterized ternary complexes of Keap1 dimer and one molecule of bivalent compounds. The best bivalent molecule 8 encompasses robust capacity to degrade Keap1 as a homoPROTACKEAP1. It efficaciously suppresses inflammatory cytokines in extensively different cells, including human nasal epithelial cells. Moreover, in an AR mouse model, we confirmed that the chemical degradation induced by homoPROTACKEAP1 led to therapeutic benefits in managing AR symptoms, oxidative stress and inflammation. In summary, our findings underscore the efficacy of targeting the Keap1 system through the homoPROTAC-ing technology as an innovative and promising treatment strategy for the incurable allergic disorders.
5.Natural product virtual-interact-phenotypic target characterization: A novel approach demonstrated with Salvia miltiorrhiza extract.
Rui XU ; Hengyuan YU ; Yichen WANG ; Boyu LI ; Yong CHEN ; Xuesong LIU ; Tengfei XU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(2):101101-101101
Natural products (NPs) have historically been a fundamental source for drug discovery. Yet the complex nature of NPs presents substantial challenges in pinpointing bioactive constituents, and corresponding targets. In the present study, an innovative natural product virtual screening-interaction-phenotype (NP-VIP) strategy that integrates virtual screening, chemical proteomics, and metabolomics to identify and validate the bioactive targets of NPs. This approach reduces false positive results and enhances the efficiency of target identification. Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM), a herb with recognized therapeutic potential against ischemic stroke (IS), was used to illustrate the workflow. Utilizing virtual screening, chemical proteomics, and metabolomics, potential therapeutic targets for SM in the IS treatment were identified, totaling 29, 100, and 78, respectively. Further analysis via the NP-VIP strategy highlighted five high-confidence targets, including poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase 1 (PARP1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), amyloid precursor protein (APP), glutamate-ammonia ligase (GLUL), and glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67). These targets were subsequently validated and found to play critical roles in the neuroprotective effects of SM. The study not only underscores the importance of SM in treating IS but also sets a precedent for NP research, proposing a comprehensive approach that could be adapted for broader pharmacological explorations.
6.Transcription factor Six1 regulates expression of nephrogenic molecules to promote repair of kidney injury
Manling ZHANG ; Tengfei XU ; Yutong WANG ; Xu MA ; Yong JIN
Journal of Army Medical University 2024;46(23):2608-2619
Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of sine oculis homeobox 1(Six1),a nephrogenic transcription factor,in regulating injury repair after acute kidney injury(AKI).Methods C57BL/6J mice were inflicted with renal ischemia reperfusion(IR)injury to establish AKI model,and then the serum samples and kidney tissues were collected at days 1,2,and 3 after modeling.Serum creatinine(Cr)and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)levels were measured and renal morphology was observed with HE staining.The expression and distribution of nephrogenic molecules(Six1 and Pax2,etc.)and cell proliferation/migration genes(Cyclin A1,MMP9,etc.)were detected with RT-PCR,Western blotting,and immunofluorescence assay and immunohistochemical assay.The expression of apoptosis pathway(Bc12,Caspase3,etc.)and cell proliferation related molecules were evaluated in Six1 overexpression/knockout human epithelial cells(HK2)with CoCl2-induced injury.Additionally,after the adeno-associated viruses carrying Six1 overexpression vector were used to overexpress the molecule in the mice,the expression of Six1 and other related molecules were detected after IR injury modeling.Results After renal IR injury,Six1 was significantly activated in epithelial cells,the expression of nephrogenic and cell proliferation/migration molecules(Pax2,Cyclin A1,MMP9,etc.)was obviously up-regulated(P<0.05),which was positively correlated with Six1 expression,while the proliferation/migration molecules(Ki67,MMP9)were also localized within the tubular epithelial cells.In cellular models of Six1 overexpression,the expression levels of nephrogenic and cell proliferation/migration molecules(Pax2,Cyclin A1,MMP9,etc.)were also notably up-regulated(P<0.05).In the mice with renal overexpression of Six1,the nephrogenic molecules as well as anti-apoptotic ones(Six2,Pax2,Bc12,etc.)were up-regulated,while the expression of kidney injury-related molecule(Kim1)in kidneys was reduced in the renal tissues.While,in 2 d after IR injury,the anti-apoptotic gene(Bc12,Stat3)was significantly up-regulated(P<0.05),and the apoptotic and injury molecules(Kim1,Caspase3)showed remarkable down-regulation(P<0.05)in the mice with renal Six1 overexpression.Furthermore,CoCl2-inducion significantly decreased the cell proliferation rate in the Six1 knockoutgroup(TCMK1-Six1-/-)(P<0.05)but increased the rate in the Six1 overexpression group(TCMK1-Six1)when compared to the control cells(P<0.05).And,the expression of nephrogenic,anti-apoptotic pathways and cell proliferation/migration molecules(Pax2,Bc12,Cyclin A1,MMP9,etc.)were reduced in TCMK1-Six1-/-group,and apoptosis and kidney injury molecules(Caspase3,Kim1)were significantly down-regulated in TCMK1-Six1 group(P<0.05).Conclusion Activation of Six1 after AKI can promote the proliferation/migration of renal tubular epithelial cells by up-regulating nephrogenic molecules and inducing anti-apoptotic pathway molecules,and then,participate in IR-induced renal injury repair.
7.The regulation between risk loci single nucleotide polymorphism rs9268832 and susceptibility gene human leukocyte antigen DRB1 in systemic lupus erythematosus
Jinli LIU ; Tengfei XU ; Quanzhen LI
Chinese Journal of Rheumatology 2024;28(10):733-737
Objective:To study the regulatory relationship between the loci single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) rs9268832 and susceptibility gene human leukocyte antigen(HLA) DRB1 in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to enhance the understanding of genetic susceptibility to SLE.Methods:①A total of 223 out-and inpatients with SLE and 2 223 healthy controls were collected from Weihai Municipal Hospital from September 2017 to September 2019, and the SNP sites that might significantly associated with SLE were screened by genome-wide association study. ②Sequencing technology was used to genotype 100 out and -in patients with SLE and 100 healthy controls in Weihai Municipal Hospital from December 2019 to December 2020, the levels of anti-nuclear antibody and anti-double-stranded DNA antibody were detected by indirecte immunofluorescence and chemiluminescence immunoassay. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to determine HLA-DRB1 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and B lymphocytes of 100 patients with SLE. ③One-way analysis of variance was used in this study, and SNK- q test or Tamhane′s T2 test were used for comparison between groups. Results:①A number of SNPs associated with SLE were identified by genome-wide association studies. Rs9268832, located in the HLA-DR region of susceptibility genes, was significantly associated with antinuclear antibodies. ②Of the 100 SLE patients, 41 had TT genotype of rs9268832, 32 had CT genotype, and 27 had CC genotype. In the 100 normal subjects, 10 had TT genotype of rs9268832, 59 had CT genotype, and 31 had CC genotype. The distribution frequency of T allele in SLE patients is higher than in normal people( χ2=27.58, P=0.020). ③Indirecy immunofluorescence and Chen iluminescence results showed that compared with CC genotype [antinuclear antibody (23.5±1.2)U/ml, anti-double-stranded DNA antibody (16.6±0.9)U/ml], CT genotype [antinuclear antibody (40.2±2.5)U/ml, anti-double-stranded DNA antibody (36.2±1.8)U/ml] were increased ( q=5.35, P=0.004; q=4.23, P=0.002), TT genotype [antinuclear antibody (56.3±3.1)U/ml, anti-double-stranded DNA antibody (52.5±2.9)U/ml] were increased ( q=8.21, P<0.001; q=7.59, P<0.001). PCR results showed that : compared with CC genotype [monocyte (402±8)×10 3, lymphocyte (462±7)×10 3], CT genotype [monocyte (572±11)×10 3, lymphocyte (470±8)×10 3] increased HLA-DRB1 mRNA expression ( q=1.11, P=0.030; q=1.03, P=0.040), TT genotype [monocytes (1 052±16)×10 3, lymphocytes (856±6)] increased HLA-DRB1 mRNA expression ( q=4.27, P=0.007; q=3.05, P=0.010). Conclusion:The T allele of SNP rs9268832 may be a risk locus for SLE, and there may be a regulatory relationship between different genotypes and the expression of susceptibility gene HLA-DRB1.
8.Clinical application analysis of transumbilical single-port laparoscopic hepatectomy
Dongdong DAI ; Tengfei QU ; Siyu MOU ; Tinglong ZHANG ; Lin XU ; Jinzhong PANG ; Puwen LIU ; Jinchuan ZHAO ; Zusen WANG
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2024;30(7):494-498
Objective:To explore the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of single port laparoscopic liver resection via umbilical cord, and summarize its surgical experience.Method:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 39 patients who underwent liver resection surgery at the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from February 2022 to September 2023. There were 19 patients in the transumbilical single-port laparoscopic group, including 5 males and 14 females, aged (49.6±2.5) years. There were 20 patients in the multi-port laparoscopic group, including 7 males and 13 females, aged (49.9±3.1) years. The intraoperative blood loss, operation time, intestinal recovery time, postoperative hospital stay and postoperative complications were compared between the single-port group and multi-port group.Results:All 39 patients successfully completed the surgery without any additional foramen or conversion to open surgery. The operation time of the single hole group (166.3±59.0) min was longer than that of the multi-port group (123.2±48.0) min, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=2.50, P=0.020). There were no statistically significant differences in intraoperative blood loss, intestinal recovery time, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative complications between these two groups (all P>0.05). All patients had no postoperative complications such as bleeding, infection, or bile leakage. Follow up for 3~21 months showed no recurrence of primary diseases such as hepatic hemangioma, hepatic adenoma, and intrahepatic bile duct stones. The aesthetic effect of the umbilical incision in the single orifice group was significant, and patient satisfaction was 100%. Conclusion:Umbilical single-port laparoscopic liver resection surgery is safe and feasible, with significant minimally invasive and aesthetic effects.
9.New intraoral digital impression with pneumatic gingival retraction used in the restoration of crown for posterior teeth: a case report
Xinkai XU ; Meizi ZHANG ; Zhongning LIU ; Yuchun SUN ; Hu CHEN ; Weiwei LI ; Xiaoyi ZHAO ; Yongjie JIA ; Shujuan XIAO ; Chao MA ; Xiaojun CHEN ; Tengfei JIANG ; Xiaobo ZHAO ; Sukun TIAN
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2024;59(10):1044-1048
In fixed prosthodontics, clear exposure of the preparation margin is the prerequisite for obtaining accurate digital impressions and improving the marginal fit of restorations. To resolve the issues associated with the cord retraction technique, such as pain, acute injury, and prolonged procedural time, this study proposes a new technology for intraoral digital impression taking with pneumatic gingival retraction. The new scanning head blows a high-speed airflow that instantaneously separates the free gingiva, locally exposing the subgingival preparation margin. Combined with the farthest point preservation stitching algorithm based on the distance from the normal vector and high-speed laser scanning photography, it achieves global preparation edge data and gingival reconstruction, realizing painless, non-invasive, and efficient precise acquisition of the preparation margin. Using this new technique, a patient with a full porcelain crown restoration on a posterior tooth was treated. The digital impression revealed a clear margin of the preparation, and the crown made from this data has a good marginal fit.
10.Progress in methodological research on bridging the efficacy-effectiveness gap of clinical interventions (1): to improve the validity of real-world evidence
Zuoxiang LIU ; Zilin LONG ; Zhirong YANG ; Shuyuan SHI ; Xinran XU ; Houyu ZHAO ; Zuyao YANG ; Zhu FU ; Haibo SONG ; Tengfei LIN ; Siyan ZHAN ; Feng SUN
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2024;45(2):286-293
Objective:Differences between randomized controlled trial (RCT) results and real world study (RWS) results may not represent a true efficacy-effectiveness gap because efficacy-effectiveness gap estimates may be biased when RWS and RCT differ significantly in study design or when there is bias in RWS result estimation. Secondly, when there is an efficacy- effectiveness gap, it should not treat every patient the same way but assess the real-world factors influencing the intervention's effectiveness and identify the subgroup likely to achieve the desired effect.Methods:Six databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Data, and VIP) were searched up to 31 st December 2022 with detailed search strategies. A scoping review method was used to integrate and qualitatively describe the included literature inductively. Results:Ten articles were included to discuss how to use the RCT research protocol as a template to develop the corresponding RWS research protocol. Moreover, based on correctly estimating the efficacy-effectiveness gap, evaluate the intervention effect in the patient subgroup to confirm the subgroup that can achieve the expected benefit-risk ratio to bridge the efficacy-effectiveness gap.Conclusion:Using real-world data to simulate key features of randomized controlled clinical trial study design can improve the authenticity and effectiveness of study results and bridge the efficacy-effectiveness gap.

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