1.Interpretation on the Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (2025 edition)
Yangzhong ZHOU ; Jiuliang ZHAO ; Xinping TIAN ; Xiaofeng ZENG ; Mengtao LI
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(5):1193-1198
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a highly heterogeneous systemic autoimmune disease characterized by multi-organ involvement, recurrent flares, and chronic progression. With advances in diagnostics and therapeutics, SLE management is shifting from disease control toward long-term remission and organ protection. Incorporating recent global evidence and characteristics of the Chinese population, the National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases and the Chinese SLE Treatment and Research Group (CSTAR) have developed the
2.Systemic lupus erythematosus related thrombotic microangiopathy: A retrospective study based on Chinese SLE Treatment and Research Group (CSTAR) registry.
Yupei ZHANG ; Nan JIANG ; Zhen CHEN ; Xinwang DUAN ; Xiaofei SHI ; Hongbin LI ; Zhenyu JIANG ; Yuhua WANG ; Yanhong WANG ; Jiuliang ZHAO ; Qian WANG ; Xinping TIAN ; Mengtao LI ; Xiaofeng ZENG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(5):613-615
3.Comparison and enlightenment of emergency specialist clinical pharmacists training programs between China and the United States
Zhihuan RONG ; Yacong ZHANG ; Jilong LI ; Haozhe ZHANG ; Xinping ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(23):2906-2911
OBJECTIVE To compare the emergency specialist clinical pharmacist training programs between China and the United States, providing valuable insight for the development of specialized clinical pharmacist training in emergency departments within China. METHODS By reviewing the official website of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), the websites of some training institutions offering PGY2 emergency medicine (EM) residency programs in the United States, the official website of China’s National Health Commission, and the website of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Committee of the Chinese Hospital Association, relevant materials and data on the training of emergency medicine clinical pharmacists were collected. Microsoft Excel and NVivo software were utilized to analyze the implementation status of these training programs. Literature searches were conducted via Chinese (CNKI) and English (PubMed) databases, followed by screening, categorization, and thematic analysis aligned with research objectives. RESULTS As of now, there are 115 accredited PGY2 EM residency programs in the United States, which provide 120 specialized pharmacist training positions. These programs are distributed across 35 states and are hosted by a variety of institutions, including hospitals, medical centers, and universities. The predominant training model follows a hospital+acute care framework. Eligibility requirements for PGY2 EM residency programs include possession of a doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree, pharmacist licensure, and completion of a PGY1 residency. The training standards are structured into three tiers: competency areas, competency goals, and learning objectives. The curriculum typically includes core rotations, elective rotations, and longitudinal training components. Assessment is conducted through a combination of formative and summative evaluations, with results categorized into four proficiency levels. In China, there is only one training base currently for emergency clinical pharmacist specialty training with an annual enrollment of three trainees. Applicant eligibility primarily involves requirements regarding academic degree, professional background, years of experience, and professional title. The training content covers four domains: general competency, clinical theoretical knowledge and skills, pharmacological knowledge and application, and clinical medication practice skills. The training process centers on rotations within emergency departments. Assessment methods include theoretical examinations, daily performance evaluations, and final completion assessments. CONCLUSIONS PGY2 EM residency programs in the United States emphasize inclusivity and professionalism in their implementation. Program admission involves a rigorous selection process, and they offer attractive incentive structures for trainees. The training content focuses on competency-based approaches and pragmatic applicability, while assessment methods are closely aligned with defined competence objectives. In contrast, specialist clinical pharmacist training in emergency medicine in China is currently in the exploratory and nascent stages. Admission criteria tend to be less stringent, and incentives for trainees are often insufficient. The training content appears relatively stereotyped and superficial, with assessment methods still primarily reliant on quantifiable metrics. In expanding and popularizing China’s emergency specialist clinical pharmacist training programs, it is essential to draw on advanced experiences from developed countries like the United States, particularly in areas such as training base distribution, application requirements, training content, and assessment methods. Aligned with the realities of emergency clinical practice in China, efforts should focus on enhancing program accessibility and training efficacy.
4.Protection of morusin against lipopolysaccharide-induced acute liver injury through gut microbiota modulation and anti-inflammatory effects in mice
Yan LI ; Qi LIU ; Lin WANG ; Yayun LI ; Xinping LI ; Qianqian JIANG ; Zhengzhi WU
Digital Chinese Medicine 2025;8(4):478-490
Objective:
To investigate the protective effects of morusin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute liver injury in mice and its underlying mechanisms.
Methods:
Thirty-two male specific pathogen-free (SPF) C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8 per group): control, LPS, low-dose morusin (morusin-L, 10 mg/kg), and high-dose morusin (morusin-H, 20 mg/kg) groups. The mice in each group were administered the corresponding drugs or normal saline via continuous gavage daily for 16 consecutive days. Except for control group, which received an equal volume of normal saline, other groups were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (5 mg/kg) 2 h after the last gavage to establish the acute liver injury model. Serum and liver tissues were collected for subsequent analysis 6 h after LPS injection. The activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum were detected with biochemical methods. The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hepatic pathological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) sequencing was performed to assess the composition of intestinal flora, linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) was applied for multi-level species discrimination, and Spearman’s correlation analysis was performed. The liver tissues of mice with acute liver injury were analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and then enrichment analysis of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway was conducted. The expression levels of selected genes was validated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), while immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to examine the expression levels of IL-6, myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MYD88), and toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2).
Results:
Morusin significantly reduced the serum levels of ALT, AST, and inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, or P < 0.001), while alleviating the hepatic pathological damage in mice. Based on efficacy comparisons, morusin-H group was selected for subsequent microbiome and transcriptome analyses. Microbiome analysis revealed that morusin-H effectively mitigated LPS-induced gut dysbiosis and restored the Firmicutes/Bacteroidota balance (P < 0.01). At the genus level, morusin-H significantly reduced the abundances of norank_f_Muribaculaceae, Desulfovibrio, Parabacteroides, and Muribaculum (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, or P < 0.001). At the phylum, family, and genus levels, our findings indicated that morusin-H treatment caused a significant decrease in the abundance of Desulfobacterota, Desulfovibrionaceae, and Desulfovibrio (P < 0.01). Importantly, the abundance of Desulfovibrio was positively correlated with the levels of ALT, AST, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Transcriptomic and molecular analyses showed that the therapeutic mechanism of morusin-H involved suppression of the IL-17/TNF signaling pathways and downregulating the mRNA levels of Tlr2, Tlr3, Myd88, Il6, and Cxcl10 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.001), as well as the protein levels of key inflammatory mediators (IL-6, MYD88, and TLR2) (P < 0.001).
Conclusion
Morusin demonstrates protective effects against LPS-induced acute liver injury, likely through modulation of gut microbiota and suppression of pro-inflammatory factor expression. These findings indicate that morusin exerts its effects through the "microbiota-inflammation-liver" axis, providing a theoretical basis for its use as a multi-target plant-based drug in the treatment of metabolic inflammation-related liver diseases.
5.The value of serum tumor markers in the diagnosis of lung cancer
Ping LI ; Xuedong WANG ; Qiwei JIAN ; Xinping WANG ; Ziyun ZHANG
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(13):1586-1590,1596
Objective To investigate the value of serum tumor markers in the diagnosis of lung cancer.Methods A total of 138 patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer patient(lung cancer group)and 52 patients with benign lung diseases(control group)in Anhui NO.2 Provincial People's Hospital from June 2020 to March 2024 were selected as the research objects.The clinical data and serum tumor markers[neuron-specific enolase(NSE),cytokeratin 19 fragment(CYFRA21-1),carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),Pro-gastrin-relea-sing peptide(ProGRP)and squamous cell carcinoma antigen(SCC)]of all groups were compared.Results There were significant differences in age and smoking history between the two groups(P<0.05).The serum levels of NSE,CYFRA21-1,CEA,ProGRP and SCC in lung cancer group were significantly higher than those in control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The results of binary Logistic regression analysis showed that smoking history,age,CYFRA21-1 and CEA levels were all influen-cing factors for the occurrence of lung cancer(P<0.05).Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analy-sis results showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of smoking history,age,CEA and CYFRA21-1 in the combined diagnosis of lung cancer was 0.906(95%CI:0.865-0.947),which was higher than the AUC for the individual diagnosis of each index.The levels of serum CYFR21-1 and CEA in the stage Ⅰ—Ⅱ group were significantly lower than those in the stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The results of binary Logistic regression analysis showed that CYFRA21-1 and CEA levels were influ-ential factors in the occurrence of lung cancer stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of CEA and CYFRA21-1 for the diagnosis of lung cancer stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ were 0.750(95%CI:0.667-0.832)and 0.771(95%CI:0.691-0.852),respectively.The AUC of combined diagnosis was 0.834(95%CI:0.765-0.902),the sensitivity was 58.9%,and the specificity was 95.3%.Conclusion Smoking history,age,CEA,and CYFRA21-1 may be potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of lung cancer,espe-cially CEA and CYFRA21-1,which are also of great significance for the staging of lung cancer from stage Ⅲ to stage Ⅳ.
6.Dosimetric analysis of different optimization algorithms for three-dimensional brachytherapy for gynecologic tumors
Baozhen LING ; Li CHEN ; Jun ZHANG ; Xinping CAO ; Weijun YE ; Yi OUYANG ; Feng CHI ; Zhenhua DING
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(4):773-779
Objective To investigate the dosimetric difference between manual and inverse optimization in 3-dimensional (3D) brachytherapy for gynecologic tumors. Methods This retrospective study was conducted among a total of 110 patients with gynecologic tumors undergoing intracavitary combined with interstitial brachytherapy or interstitial brachytherapy. Based on the original images, the brachytherapy plans were optimized for each patient using Gro, IPSA1, IPSA2 (with increased volumetric dose limits on the basis of IPSA1) and HIPO algorithms. The dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters of the clinical target volume (CTV) including V200, V150, V100, D90, D98 and CI, and the dosimetric parameters D2cc, D1cc, and D0.1cc for the bladder, rectum, and sigmoid colon were compared among the 4 plans. Results Among the 4 plans, Gro optimization took the longest time, followed by HIPO, IPSA2 and IPSA1 optimization. The mean D90, D98, and V100 of HIPO plans were significantly higher than those of Gro and IPSA plans, and D90 and V100 of IPSA1, IPSA2 and HIPO plans were higher than those of Gro plans (P<0.05), but the CI of the 4 plans were similar (P>0.05). For the organs at risk (OARs), the HIPO plan had the lowest D2cc of the bladder and rectum;the bladder absorbed dose of Gro plans were significantly greater than those of IPSA1 and HIPO (P<0.05). The D2cc and D1cc of the rectum in IPSA1, IPSA2 and HIPO plans were better than Gro (P<0.05). The D2cc and D1cc of the sigmoid colon did not differ significantly among the 4 plans. Conclusion Among the 4 algorithms, the HIPO algorithm can better improve dose coverage of the target and lower the radiation dose of the OARs, and is thus recommended for the initial plan optimization. Clinically, the combination of manual optimization can achieve more individualized dose distribution of the plan.
7.Clinical value of conventional ultrasound combined with contrast-enhanced ultrasound in diagnosis of benign and malignant hypovascular renal tumors
Meijing FENG ; Xinping REN ; Junjian LI ; Lili ZHENG ; Lu ZHANG ; Weiwei ZHAN ; Yiyan DU
Academic Journal of Naval Medical University 2024;45(10):1304-1309
Objective To analyze the characteristics of conventional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)in hypovascular renal tumors,and to explore the application value of combining the 2 methods in diagnosing benign and malignant hypovascular renal tumors.Methods The conventional ultrasound and CEUS data of 104 hypovascular renal tumors(76 benign lesions[benign group]and 28 malignant lesions[malignant group])from 99 patients,who were confirmed by postoperative pathology,biopsy pathology or computed tomography(CT)/magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)enhancement combined with long-term follow-up in Ruijin Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and its Wuxi Branch from Oct.13,2009 to Oct.26,2022,were retrospectively analyzed.The location,size,internal echo,morphology,internal and peripheral blood supply of the lesions were observed by conventional ultrasound,and the perfusion mode,regression pattern,perfusion uniformity and ring enhancement signs were observed by CEUS.Taking the pathological results or confirmed results of CT/MRI enhancement combined with long-term follow-up as the gold standard,the value of conventional ultrasound combined with CEUS in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant hypovascular renal tumors was analyzed.Results There were significant differences in gender,age of patients and internal echo,contrast agent regression and ring enhancement signs of lesions between the 2 groups(all P<0.05).The malignant tumors were mostly found in males(78.6%,22/28)with an average age of(58.29±11.76)years old;the masses were mostly hypoechoic(64.3%,18/28),and rapid washout was predominant with CEUS(60.7%,17/28).In the benign group,most of the patients were female(55.3%,42/76),with an average age of(50.64±14.88)years old;the majority of the masses were hyperechoic(64.5%,49/76),and CEUS showed simultaneous washout as the main lesion(56.6%,43/76).Three patients(10.7%,3/28)with ring enhancement signs were all malignant.The diagnostic accuracy(82.7%)and specificity(88.2%)for benign and malignant hypovascular renal tumors were relatively high when combining the diagnostic indicators of ring enhancement signs and hypoechoic.The diagnostic sensitivity(85.7%)and negative predictive value(92.3%)were relatively high when combining the 3 diagnostic indicators of ring enhancement,hypoechoic,and rapid washout.Conclusion Conventional ultrasound combined with CEUS has significant clinical practical value in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant hypovascular renal tumors.The ring enhancement sign is highly specific in the diagnosis of malignant hypovascular renal tumors.However,if this sign is not significant and conventional ultrasound shows hypoechoic or CEUS exhibits rapid washout,there is a strong suggestion that the mass may be a malignant lesion.
8.Dosimetric analysis of different optimization algorithms for three-dimensional brachytherapy for gynecologic tumors
Baozhen LING ; Li CHEN ; Jun ZHANG ; Xinping CAO ; Weijun YE ; Yi OUYANG ; Feng CHI ; Zhenhua DING
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(4):773-779
Objective To investigate the dosimetric difference between manual and inverse optimization in 3-dimensional (3D) brachytherapy for gynecologic tumors. Methods This retrospective study was conducted among a total of 110 patients with gynecologic tumors undergoing intracavitary combined with interstitial brachytherapy or interstitial brachytherapy. Based on the original images, the brachytherapy plans were optimized for each patient using Gro, IPSA1, IPSA2 (with increased volumetric dose limits on the basis of IPSA1) and HIPO algorithms. The dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters of the clinical target volume (CTV) including V200, V150, V100, D90, D98 and CI, and the dosimetric parameters D2cc, D1cc, and D0.1cc for the bladder, rectum, and sigmoid colon were compared among the 4 plans. Results Among the 4 plans, Gro optimization took the longest time, followed by HIPO, IPSA2 and IPSA1 optimization. The mean D90, D98, and V100 of HIPO plans were significantly higher than those of Gro and IPSA plans, and D90 and V100 of IPSA1, IPSA2 and HIPO plans were higher than those of Gro plans (P<0.05), but the CI of the 4 plans were similar (P>0.05). For the organs at risk (OARs), the HIPO plan had the lowest D2cc of the bladder and rectum;the bladder absorbed dose of Gro plans were significantly greater than those of IPSA1 and HIPO (P<0.05). The D2cc and D1cc of the rectum in IPSA1, IPSA2 and HIPO plans were better than Gro (P<0.05). The D2cc and D1cc of the sigmoid colon did not differ significantly among the 4 plans. Conclusion Among the 4 algorithms, the HIPO algorithm can better improve dose coverage of the target and lower the radiation dose of the OARs, and is thus recommended for the initial plan optimization. Clinically, the combination of manual optimization can achieve more individualized dose distribution of the plan.
9.Size discrepancy between ultrasonic and pathological measurement of solitary cN0M0 papillary thyroid microcar-cinoma
Yujie REN ; Yujiang LI ; Zheng ZENG ; Jianhua WANG ; Wenbo DING ; Xinping WU ; Chao LIU ; Shuhang XU
Journal of Surgery Concepts & Practice 2024;29(4):345-350
Objective To compare the size discrepancy between ultrasonic and pathological measurement of solitary cN0M0 papillary thyroid microcarcinoma(PTMC),and to explore their correlation with lymph node metastasis.Methods From April 2021 to January 2022,234 patients with solitary cN0M0 PTMC who received thyroid lobectomy or total thyroidectomy in the Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine,Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine were analyzed retrospectively.The size discrepancy between ultrasonic and pathological measurement were compared,and the risk factors of central lymph node metastasis were analyzed.Results The mean of maximum diameter of PTMC measured by ultrasound was 6.8(range 5.6 to 8.4)mm,which was significantly bigger than that measured by pathology 5.0(range 4.0 to 7.0)mm(P=0.000).Of them,37.2%of the tumor size measured by ultrasound is consistent with pathology,61.1%of the tumor size measured by ultrasound is bigger than that measured by pathology,and only 1.7%of the tumor size measured by ultrasound is smaller than that measured by pathology.There was a linear correlation between the diameter measured by ultrasound and pathology.And the regression equation can be expressed as:pathological diameter=0.799×ultrasonic diameter-0.221.In addition,28.6%patients had central lymph node metastasis.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the diameter measured by pathology is a risk factor for central lymph node metastasis in patients(OR=17.845,95%CI:2.507-127.025,P=0.004),and the cutoff value is 5.5 mm which corresponded to the diameter measured by ultrasound as 7.2 mm.Conclusions The sizes of solitary cN0M0 PTMC measured by ultrasound and pathology are different but also correlated.PMTC with pathological diameter>5.5 mm with its corresponding ultrasonic diameter as 7.2 mm indicated an increased risk of central lymph node metastasis.
10.Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Xiao′er Huangjin Zhike Granules in the treatment of acute bronchitis-caused cough (syndrome of phlegm-heat obstructing the lung) in children
Jun LIU ; Mengqing WANG ; Xiuhong JIN ; Yongxue CHI ; Chunying MA ; Xiaohui LIU ; Yiqun TENG ; Meiyun XIN ; Fei SUN ; Ming LIU ; Ling LU ; Xinping PENG ; Yongxia GUO ; Rong YU ; Quanjing CHEN ; Bin WANG ; Tong SHEN ; Lan LI ; Pingping LIU ; Xiong LI ; Ming LI ; Guilan WANG ; Baoping XU
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2024;39(10):774-779
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Xiao′er Huangjin Zhike Granules in the treatment of cough caused by acute bronchitis in children, which is defined in TCM terms as a syndrome of phlegm-heat obstructing the lung.Methods:This was a block-randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial.From January 2022 to September 2023, 359 children aged 3 to 7 years old diagnosed as acute bronchitis (lung-obstructing phlegm-heat syndrome) were enrolled from 21 participating hospitals and randomly assigned to the experimental group and placebo group in a 3︰1 ratio, and respectively treated with Xiao′er Huangjin Zhike Granules and its matching placebo.Cough resolution/general resolution rate after 7 days of treatment was used as the primary efficacy outcome for both groups.Results:(1)On the seventh day of treatment, the rate of cough disappearance/basically disappearance in the experimental group and placebo group were 73.95% and 57.61% retrospectively, which had statistically significance ( P=0.001).(2)After 7 days of treatment, the median duration of cough disappearance/basic disappearance were 5 days and 6 days in the two groups , with a statistically significant difference ( P=0.006).The area under the curve of cough symptom severity time was 7.20 ± 3.79 in the experimental group and 8.20±4.42 in the placebo group.The difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P=0.039).(3) After 7 days of treatment, the difference between TCM syndrome score and baseline was -16.0 (-20.0, -15.0) points in the experimental group and -15.0 (-18.0, -12.0) points in the placebo group, with significant difference between the two groups ( P=0.004).In the experimental group, the clinical control rate, the markedly effective rate, the effective rate and the ineffective rate were 49.04%, 28.35%, 16.48% and 6.13% severally; and in the placebo group, the clinical control rate, the markedly effective rate, the effective rate and the ineffective rate were 38.04%, 26.09%, 29.35%, and 6.52% separately, which had statistically significant ( P=0.014).(4) There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events or adverse reactions during the trial between both groups.Moreover, while adverse reactions in the form of vomiting and diarrhea were occasionally reported, no serious drug-related adverse event or adverse reaction was reported.(5)The tested drug provided good treatment compliance, showing no statistically significant difference from the placebo in terms of compliance rate. Conclusions:Based on the above findings, it can be concluded that Xiao′er Huangjin Zhike Granules provides good safety, efficacy, and treatment compliance in the treatment of cough caused by acute bronchitis, and lung-obstructing phlegm-heat syndrome, in children.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail