1.Clinical Efficacy of Tonifying Kidney and Replenishing Essence on Asthenospermia Patients with Syndrome of Kidney Essence Deficiency and Effect of This Method on Expression Levels of AMPK/mTORC1 Signaling Pathway-associated Proteins
Yuanjie FU ; Fuhao LI ; Chenghua PENG ; Dong XU ; Guoan YIN ; Xiaopeng HUANG ; Degui CHANG ; Liang DONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):141-147
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of tonifying kidney and replenishing essence on asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency and the effects of this method on the adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy-two eligible asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February 2023 to January 2024 were selected and randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group, with 36 patients in each group. The observation group received oral administration of Guilu Tianjing capsules, while the control group received oral administration of L-carnitine oral solution. The treatment course lasted for 4 weeks in both groups. The observed indicators included sperm progressive motility rate (PR), total sperm motility (PR+NP), percentage of normal mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores before and after treatment in both groups. A three-month follow-up was instituted to record the conception status of the patients’ spouses. Additionally, eight patients were randomly selected from the eligible patients in the observation group, and four healthy males with normal semen routine examination results were included as the control group for the determination of protein expression. Western blotting was conducted to assess the expression of AMPK, phosphorylated (p)-AMPK, regulatory-associated protein of mTOR (RAPTOR) and p-RAPTOR, and PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) in sperms from the observation group before and after treatment, as well as in the sperms of the control group. ResultsThe pregnancy rate of spouses in the observation group was 9.09% (3/33), which was higher than that (3.33%, 1/30) in the control group. The total response rate was 84.8% (28/33) in the observation group and 66.7% (20/30) in the control group, with no statistically significant difference. After treatment, both groups were improved considering PR, PR+NP, MMP, and TCM symptom scores (P<0.01). Moreover, the observation group exhibited more pronounced decreases in TCM symptom scores than the control group (P<0.05), while the changes in PR, PR+NP, and MMP showed no statistical significance between groups. Compared with the control group, the asthenozoospermia group exhibited upregulations in phosphorylation levels of AMPK and RAPTOR and protein level of PINK (P<0.01). The administration of Guilu Tianjing Capsules led to downregulations in the phosphorylation levels of AMPK and RAPTOR and protein level of PINK1 (P<0.01). However, the protein levels of AMPK and RAPTOR demonstrated no significant difference between before and after treatment. During the study period, neither group of patients exhibited any notable adverse reactions. ConclusionGuilu Tianjing capsules can enhance the sperm motility and percentage of normal mitochondrial membrane potential in asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency by downregulating the AMPK/mTORC1 signaling pathway, lowering the protein level of PINK1, and inhibiting excessive activation of mitophagy.
2.Clinical Efficacy of Tonifying Kidney and Replenishing Essence on Asthenospermia Patients with Syndrome of Kidney Essence Deficiency and Effect of This Method on Expression Levels of AMPK/mTORC1 Signaling Pathway-associated Proteins
Yuanjie FU ; Fuhao LI ; Chenghua PENG ; Dong XU ; Guoan YIN ; Xiaopeng HUANG ; Degui CHANG ; Liang DONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):141-147
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of tonifying kidney and replenishing essence on asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency and the effects of this method on the adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy-two eligible asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February 2023 to January 2024 were selected and randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group, with 36 patients in each group. The observation group received oral administration of Guilu Tianjing capsules, while the control group received oral administration of L-carnitine oral solution. The treatment course lasted for 4 weeks in both groups. The observed indicators included sperm progressive motility rate (PR), total sperm motility (PR+NP), percentage of normal mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores before and after treatment in both groups. A three-month follow-up was instituted to record the conception status of the patients’ spouses. Additionally, eight patients were randomly selected from the eligible patients in the observation group, and four healthy males with normal semen routine examination results were included as the control group for the determination of protein expression. Western blotting was conducted to assess the expression of AMPK, phosphorylated (p)-AMPK, regulatory-associated protein of mTOR (RAPTOR) and p-RAPTOR, and PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) in sperms from the observation group before and after treatment, as well as in the sperms of the control group. ResultsThe pregnancy rate of spouses in the observation group was 9.09% (3/33), which was higher than that (3.33%, 1/30) in the control group. The total response rate was 84.8% (28/33) in the observation group and 66.7% (20/30) in the control group, with no statistically significant difference. After treatment, both groups were improved considering PR, PR+NP, MMP, and TCM symptom scores (P<0.01). Moreover, the observation group exhibited more pronounced decreases in TCM symptom scores than the control group (P<0.05), while the changes in PR, PR+NP, and MMP showed no statistical significance between groups. Compared with the control group, the asthenozoospermia group exhibited upregulations in phosphorylation levels of AMPK and RAPTOR and protein level of PINK (P<0.01). The administration of Guilu Tianjing Capsules led to downregulations in the phosphorylation levels of AMPK and RAPTOR and protein level of PINK1 (P<0.01). However, the protein levels of AMPK and RAPTOR demonstrated no significant difference between before and after treatment. During the study period, neither group of patients exhibited any notable adverse reactions. ConclusionGuilu Tianjing capsules can enhance the sperm motility and percentage of normal mitochondrial membrane potential in asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency by downregulating the AMPK/mTORC1 signaling pathway, lowering the protein level of PINK1, and inhibiting excessive activation of mitophagy.
3.Interpretation of perioperative immunotherapy for lung cancer in 2024 WCLC/ESMO
Jiahe LI ; Xiaopeng REN ; Jiayu LU ; Chenyuan ZHANG ; Ruitao FAN ; Xuxu ZHANG ; Xinyao XU ; Guizhen LI ; Jipeng ZHANG ; Wei LI ; Qiang LU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(03):300-307
The 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Annual Meeting, two of the most prestigious events in oncology, have concluded sequentially. As the most authoritative annual gatherings in lung cancer and the entire oncology field, the WCLC and ESMO conferences brought together top oncology experts and scientists from around the world to share, discuss, and publish the latest cutting-edge advancements in oncology. In both conferences, lung cancer immunotherapy remained a hot topic of considerable interest. This article aims to summarize and discuss the important research progress on perioperative immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer reported at the two conferences.
4.Engineered Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 targeted delivery of extracellular PD-L1-mFc fragment for treating inflammatory bowel disease.
Yuhong WANG ; Lin HU ; Lei WANG ; Chonghai ZHANG ; Wenhao SHEN ; Hongli YANG ; Min LI ; Xin ZHANG ; Mengmeng XU ; Muxing ZHANG ; Kai YANG ; Xiaopeng TIAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(11):6019-6033
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an autoimmune disorder involving complex immune regulation, where balancing localized and systemic immunosuppression is a key challenge. This study aimed to enhance the therapeutic efficacy by engineering the probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN). We removed endogenous plasmids pMUT1 and pMUT2 from wild-type EcN and expressed the mPD-L1 (19‒238 aa)-mFc fusion protein on the bacterial surface using a cytolysin A (ClyA) fragment. This modification stabilized mPD-L1 (19‒238 aa) protein expression and promoted its recruitment to outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). The engineered strain, EcNΔpMUT1/2-ClyA-mPD-L1-mFc (EcN-ePD-L1-mFc), features conditional ePD-L1-mFc expression under the araBAD promoter, enhancing gut-targeted release and reducing systemic side effects. This strain improved treatment targeting and efficiency by enabling direct ePD-L1-mFc interaction with immune cells at inflammation sites. OMVs from this strain induced Treg proliferation, inhibited effector T cell proliferation in vitro, and significantly improved intestinal inflammation and colonic epithelial barrier repair in vivo. Additionally, the bacterium restored intestinal microbiota balance, increasing Lactobacillaceae and reducing Bacteroides. This study highlights the engineered bacterium's potential for targeted intestinal immune modulation and offers a novel local IBD treatment approach with promising clinical prospects.
5.Interpretation on the PRISMA Statement Extension for Living Systematic Review (PRISMA- LSR)
Hongshuang CHEN ; Xinwei PAN ; Ya GAO ; Jiyuan SHI ; Xuelei XU ; Xiaopeng HUO
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(6):1563-1570
Living systematic review (LSR) is a systematic review methodology that incorporates regular updates to integrate new evidence, aiming to rapidly reflect the latest research findings. Although LSRs are increasingly adopted in clinical fields, their reporting quality remains inconsistent and lack of standardized guidelines. To standardize LSR reporting, the PRISMA 2020 statement has released an extension checklist (PRISMA-LSR). This paper describes the background of PRISMA-LSR release and main revisions, and interprets it with examples, with the goal of guiding future LSR research and enhancing reporting quality.
6.Effects of biofeedback therapy combined with the Wenyang Yiqi Prescription and self-efficacy interventions on the clinical efficacy and quality of life in patients with functional defecation disorders
Bensheng WU ; Mingming SUN ; Zhizhong XU ; Lulu CHAO ; Jing LIU ; Weijie CHENG ; Xiaopeng WANG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(1):36-43
Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy and impact on quality of life of the biofeedback (BF) therapy combined with the Wenyang Yiqi Prescription and self-efficacy interventions in patients with functional defecation disorders (FDD).Methods:A prospective, randomized controlled trial design was employed. A total of 128 FDD patients were selected from the Pelvic Floor Center of the Department of Proctology, Suzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, between January 2021 and April 2023. These patients were randomly divided into two groups, with 64 cases in each group. Additionally, 41 historical control patients, who had received conventional BF training between June 2015 and January 2018 at the same center, were included for comparison. The historical control group received conventional BF therapy, the intervention group 1 combined BF therapy with self-efficacy interventions, and the intervention group 2 added the Wenyang Yiqi Prescription based on intervention group 1's treatment. All three groups underwent two treatment courses. Constipation symptom scores before and after treatment were performed; self-efficacy was assessed via the Self-Rated Abilities for Health Practices scale (SRAHP); health behaviors were evaluated using the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP); anxiety and depression were evaluated through Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS); quality of life was measured through SF-36. Clinical efficacy was evaluated based on constipation symptom scores.Results:During the treatment period, seven patients dropped out due to personal reasons, leaving 61 patients in intervention group 1 and 60 patients in intervention group 2 for efficacy analysis. The total effective rates were 80.32% (49/61) in intervention group 1, 83.33% (50/60) in intervention group 2, and 56.10% (23/41) in the historical control group. The total effective rates of both intervention groups were significantly higher than those in the historical control group ( χ2=7.06, 9.15; P=0.029, 0.010, respectively). After treatment, intervention group 2 showed significantly lower constipation-related straining scores [1 (1, 2) vs. 2 (1, 2), Z=-4.51] compared to intervention group 1 ( P<0.05). Additionally, intervention group 2 had lower scores for straining [1 (1, 2) vs. 2 (1, 2), Z=-3.15] and defecation time [1 (0, 1) vs. 1 (1, 2), Z=-3.13] compared to the historical control group ( P<0.05). Psychological comfort efficacy (19.13 ± 2.51 vs. 16.98 ± 1.86, t=5.36), health responsibility efficacy (23.63 ± 4.69 vs. 22.59 ± 3.05, t=2.06), and overall SRAHP scores (75.98 ± 4.44 vs. 72.33 ± 5.16, t=4.17) were higher in intervention group 2 compared to intervention group 1 ( P<0.05). The HPLP scores (79.33 ± 11.13 vs. 72.80 ± 9.20, t=3.10) of intervention group 2 were higher than those of the historical control group ( P<0.05). Emotional functioning scores (75.98 ± 18.45 vs. 68.92 ± 20.58 and 68.55 ± 18.21, F=20.91) in intervention group 2 were higher than in both intervention group 1 and the historical control group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The combination of the Wenyang Yiqi Prescription with BF therapy and self-efficacy interventions effectively improves the clinical symptoms and quality of life in FDD patients.
7.Overview of epigenetic degraders based on PROTAC, molecular glue, and hydrophobic tagging technologies.
Xiaopeng PENG ; Zhihao HU ; Limei ZENG ; Meizhu ZHANG ; Congcong XU ; Benyan LU ; Chengpeng TAO ; Weiming CHEN ; Wen HOU ; Kui CHENG ; Huichang BI ; Wanyi PAN ; Jianjun CHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(2):533-578
Epigenetic pathways play a critical role in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of cancer. Over the past few decades, significant progress has been made in the development of targeted epigenetic modulators (e.g., inhibitors). However, epigenetic inhibitors have faced multiple challenges, including limited clinical efficacy, toxicities, lack of subtype selectivity, and drug resistance. As a result, the design of new epigenetic modulators (e.g., degraders) such as PROTACs, molecular glue, and hydrophobic tagging (HyT) degraders has garnered significant attention from both academia and pharmaceutical industry, and numerous epigenetic degraders have been discovered in the past decade. In this review, we aim to provide an in-depth illustration of new degrading strategies (2017-2023) targeting epigenetic proteins for cancer therapy, focusing on the rational design, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, clinical status, and crystal structure information of these degraders. Importantly, we also provide deep insights into the potential challenges and corresponding remedies of this approach to drug design and development. Overall, we hope this review will offer a better mechanistic understanding and serve as a useful guide for the development of emerging epigenetic-targeting degraders.
8.Experiences and implications of promoting healthy eating in school aged children by World Health Organization
LI Xiaopeng, XU Chengli, TIAN Jing, XU Changchun
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(4):461-464
Abstract
In order to promote the high quality development of school meals, the article systematically analyzes the Policy Report on Promoting Healthy Meals in Schools issued by World Health Organization (WHO), introduces ways of changing the physical environment of meals and adjusting the provision of dietary information, clarifies the five steps of basic research-goals setting-action plans-implementation-impact evaluation, and points out that the development of school meals in China is facing the realistic difficulties such as unreasonable school nutrition structure, unbalanced nutrition supply, low nutritional awareness of students and serious double malnutrition burden. The paper puts forward the enlightenment of reasonable use of nudge to help students develop scientific eating habits, strengthen school health education, and reduce students double burden of malnutrition.
9.Efficacy of total laparoscopic radical cystectomy with intracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion: a report of 25 cases
Sihao WANG ; Bohan FAN ; Yue XU ; Liming SONG ; Xiaoguang ZHOU ; Xiaopeng HU ; Wei WANG
Journal of Modern Urology 2024;29(4):312-316
【Objective】 To investigate the efficacy and surgical technique of total laparoscopic radical cystectomy with intracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion, so as to provide reference for the selection of surgery for patients with bladder cancer. 【Methods】 Clinical data of 48 patients with bladder cancer who underwent laparoscopic radical cystectomy during Mar.2017 and Aug.2022 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed, including 23 cases who received traditional laparoscopic radical cystectomy combined with extracorporeal ileal conduit, and 25 who received total laparoscopic radical cystectomy with intracorporeal ileal conduit.The operation time, blood loss, postoperative intestinal function recovery time, drainage tube removal time and hospital stay were compared between the two groups. 【Results】 All procedures were successfully performed, and no Clavien-Dindo>grade 3 complications were observed.The operation time, and amount of estimated blood loss of the traditional group and total laparoscopic radical group were (227.0±46.4) min vs. (253.6±58.9) min, and (131.7±79.8) mL vs. (154.0±93.0) mL, respectively.There were no differences in postoperative intestinal function recovery time and drainage tube removal time (P>0.05).The hospital stay was shorter in the total laparoscopic radical group than in the traditional group (P=0.035). 【Conclusion】 Total laparoscopic radical cystectomy with intracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion is safe and feasible.which is comparable to the traditional laparoscopic surgery, while the hospital stay in the total laparoscopic group is shorter, which is conducive to rapid postoperative recovery.
10.Construction and Validation of the Prediction Model for the First Cesarean Section Delivery in Multiparas
Xiaopeng XU ; Yawen ZHANG ; Minhong SHEN ; Qin HUANG
Journal of Practical Obstetrics and Gynecology 2024;40(8):657-663
Objective:To establish a predictive model of the first cesarean delivery in multiparous women based on the situation of two consecutive pregnancies.Methods:The data of patients with two consecutive deliv-eries of single live birth and the previous delivery was vaginal delivery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow U-niversity during the second delivery time range from January 1,2018 to December 31,2021 were retrospectively analyzed.According to whether the second pregnancy occurred cesarean section,the patients were divided into two groups(vaginal delivery group and cesarean section group).Univariate,stepwise,and multiple Logistic re-gression analyses were used to screen the influencing factors of multipara's first cesarean section delivery,and the prediction model was established.R language was used to build the model's nomogram and calibration curve.The bootstrap resampling method was used for internal verification.After establishing the model,clinical data of patients with two consecutive births of single live birth between January 1,2022 and April 1,2023 were retrospec-tively collected for external verification of the model.Results:①A total of 2709 patients were included in this study for modeling,of which 6.31%(171/2709)underwent cesarean section for the first time.603 cases were included for external verification.②According to univariate,stepwise and multivariate Logistic regression analysis,all the variables affecting the first delivery by cesarean section were screened out,including:abnormal labor in previous labor,age of current delivery,assisted reproductive technology,hypertension disorder complicating pregnancy,pregnancy with thrombocytopenia,oligohydramnios,excessive amniotic fluid,macrosomia,fetal growth restriction,abnormal fetal position,fetal distress,all of the above variables P<0.05 and incorporated into the final prediction model.③The AUC of this model was 0.949(95%CI 0.928-0.969),and the calibration curve showed that the model intercept was 0 and the slope was 1.Hosmer-Lemeshow test had a P>0.05,indicating that the model had a high accuracy.④The AUC of external validation was 0.958,the slope of the calibration curve was 0.972,and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test had a P of 0.49.Conclusions:The prediction model of the first delivery by cesarean section during the second pregnancy has been established.The prediction efficiency of the model is good,and it can provide a tool for the individualized evaluation of menstrual women in clinical work.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail