1.Issues and recommendations in the implementation of mutual recognition for ethical review outcomes in multicenter clinical research: a case study of 10 contracting institutions in Guangdong province
Xu LU ; Feng CAO ; Xuan DUAN ; Junrong LIU
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(1):64-70
ObjectiveTo investigate the current situation of mutual recognition for ethical review outcomes in multicenter clinical research across 10 contracting medical institutions in Guangdong Province, analyze existing issues and propose improvement recommendations, thereby promoting the standardized management of mutual recognition for ethical review outcomes in medical institutions. MethodsData from 381 multicenter clinical studies conducted in these 10 medical institutions from January 24 to October 31, 2024, were collected. Text visualization was performed using Python and the WordCloud library, and statistical analyses were conducted with SPSS 25.0. ResultsOf the 381 studies investigated, industry-sponsored clinical trials (ISTs) accounted for 51.71%, while investigator-initiated clinical trials (IITs) constituted 48.29%. The proportions of ethical committees serving as primary reviewers and collaborative reviewers were 33.33% and 66.67%, respectively. The confirmation methods of mutual recognition outcomes were primarily expedited reviews (50.66%) and meeting reviews (49.34%), and no cases of “direct confirmation” were found. The Chi-square test revealed statistically significant differences in review confirmation methods based on project type (χ²=14.851, P<0.001) and ethics committee role (χ²= 69.435, P<0.001). The frequency distribution trend of the contingency table showed that IST projects and primary ethics committees preferred to employ meeting review (58.88% and 79.53% respectively, both higher than the average level of 49.34%), while IIT projects and the collaborative ethics committees more frequently utilized expedited review (60.87% and 65.75% respectively, both higher than the average level of 50.66%). ConclusionThe confirmation methods of mutual recognition for ethical review outcomes in multicenter clinical research are significantly associated with the role of the ethics committee and the type of project. It is recommended to improve management systems, enhance information construction and personnel training, as well as clarify mutual recognition responsibilities and strengthen supervision. This aims to ensure review quality while improving mutual recognition efficiency, thereby safeguarding the rights and interests of research participants.
2.The systemic inflammatory response index as a risk factor for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among individuals with coronary artery disease: evidence from the cohort study of NHANES 1999-2018.
Dao-Shen LIU ; Dan LIU ; Hai-Xu SONG ; Jing LI ; Miao-Han QIU ; Chao-Qun MA ; Xue-Fei MU ; Shang-Xun ZHOU ; Yi-Xuan DUAN ; Yu-Ying LI ; Yi LI ; Ya-Ling HAN
Journal of Geriatric Cardiology 2025;22(7):668-677
BACKGROUND:
The association of systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) with prognosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients has never been investigated in a large sample with long-term follow-up. This study aimed to explore the association of SIRI with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a nationally representative sample of CAD patients from United States.
METHODS:
A total of 3386 participants with CAD from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2018 were included in this study. Cox proportional hazards model, restricted cubic spline (RCS), and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) were performed to investigate the association of SIRI with all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Piece-wise linear regression and sensitivity analyses were also performed.
RESULTS:
During a median follow-up of 7.7 years, 1454 all-cause mortality occurred. After adjusting for confounding factors, higher lnSIRI was significantly associated with higher risk of all-cause (HR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.09-1.23) and CVD mortality (HR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.05-1.30) but not cancer mortality (HR = 1.17, 95% CI: 0.99-1.38). The associations of SIRI with all-cause and CVD mortality were detected as J-shaped with threshold values of 1.05935 and 1.122946 for SIRI, respectively. ROC curves showed that lnSIRI had robust predictive effect both in short and long terms.
CONCLUSIONS
SIRI was independently associated with all-cause and CVD mortality, and the dose-response relationship was J-shaped. SIRI might serve as a valid predictor for all-cause and CVD mortality both in the short and long terms.
3.Evaluation of the Effect of Chinese Medicine Formula Kai-Xin-San Combined with Fluoxetine on Hippocampal Neural Stem Cells in Chronic Stress Induced Depression Model Mice
Lingxin HUANG ; Xin LI ; Lei YUAN ; Yun ZHU ; Xiaoning HUANG ; Xuan LI ; Huaqiang ZHAN ; Jinao DUAN ; Lejun LI ; Yue ZHU
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(4):1035-1046
Objective To evaluate the effect of Kaixin San(KXS)combined with fluoxetine on hippocampal neural stem cells in mice with chronic stress stress and depression.Methods A mouse model of depression was constructed using the method of chronic unpredictable stress stress,and the highest dose of KXS water extract and fluoxetine for clinical application was given for 28 days,and behavioral tests were carried out.Nissl staining was used to detect the pathological status of hippocampal tissues in mice.The expression of TUNEL and Nestin in mouse hippocampus was determined by immunofluorescence.Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of apoptotic proteins cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-3,pyroptosis proteins GSDMD and cleaved caspase-1,as well as the expression of neural stem cell marker Nestin in the hippocampus,and the expression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related proteins in the hippocampus.Results The combination of KXS extract and fluoxetine can significantly improve the depression-like behavior of model mice,and the effect is better than fluoxetine alone.The combination inhibited the activation of apoptosis and pyroptosis signaling pathways in the hippocampus when used alone with high-dose fluoxetine,significantly upregulated the expression of Nestin,and regulated the expression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway protein.Conclusion The combination of KXS and high-dose fluoxetine can improve apoptosis and pyroptosis in the hippocampus of stress stress and depression model mice,and upregulate the expression of neural stem cell marker Nestin by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,which may be a key link to improve the antidepressant effect of the combination drug.
4.Evaluation of pediatric adenoid hypertrophy based on CBCT and lateral cephalograms with multiple regression analysis
Bo DUAN ; Xuan LI ; Chen LIN ; Yue HUANG ; Wenxia CHEN
Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;60(9):1134-1140
Objective:To investigate the correlations and regression models among adenoid-nasopharynx measurement indices (the linear ratio A/N, the two-dimensional area ratio 2D_A/N, and the three-dimensional volume ratio 3D_A/N), to evaluate the feasibility of predicting three-dimensional parameters from two-dimensional measurements.Methods:This cross-sectional study analysed 4 307 CBCT scans and lateral nasopharyngeal radiographs from 4-12-year-old children (July 2023-January 2025). Children with acute infection, major systemic disease, craniofacial anomalies, prior maxillofacial surgery, poor-quality images, or no consent were excluded. 3D_A/N was defined as adenoid volume/(adenoid+airway volume); 2D_A/N as adenoid area/total area; and linear A/N as adenoid thickness/nasopharyngeal thickness. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression were used to quantify 2D-to-3D agreement, and independent-sample t-tests were employed to compare age, sex and seasonal subgroups. Results:(1) Significant sex-related differences in adenoid hypertrophy were detected at ages 5, 8, 9 and 11 years. In the 5-year-old group, females had significantly higher 3D_A/N and 2D_A/N values than males (3D_A/N: 0.76±0.10 vs. 0.74±0.10, t=-1.99, P=0.047; 2D_A/N: 0.66±0.10 vs. 0.64±0.09, t=-2.71, P=0.007). In the 8-year-old group, males exhibited significantly higher A/N and 3D_A/N values than females (A/N: 0.64±0.06 vs. 0.63±0.06, t=4.49, P<0.001; 3D_A/N: 0.66±0.12 vs. 0.64±0.12, t=2.00, P=0.046). In the 9-year-old group, males showed significantly higher 3D_A/N values than females (0.65±0.11 vs. 0.63±0.12, t=2.46, P=0.014). In the 11-year-old group, males had significantly higher A/N values than females (0.62±0.06 vs. 0.59±0.05, t=4.79, P<0.001). (2) The linear A/N ratio correlated moderately with 3D_A/N ( r=0.82), whereas, 2D_A/N showed an excellent correlation ( r=0.97); multiple regression confirmed 2D_A/N as the principal predictor of 3D_A/N. (3) Seasonal analysis revealed markedly greater adenoid hypertrophy in winter than in summer for children aged 4-9 years, while, no seasonal difference was found in the 10-12 year group; overall, winter hypertrophy was most pronounced in younger children. Conclusion:2D_A/N demonstrates a marked advantage in predicting 3D_A/N. When combined with A/N and age factors, it can effectively model changes in the 3D volume ratio of the adenoid, underscoring the clinical value of lateral cephalometric measurements for evaluating adenoid hypertrophy in children. Moreover, adenoid hypertrophy is influenced by age, sex and seasonal factors.
5.Functional Analysis of the Promoter of the deSUMOylation Enzyme senp8 and Its Relationship with Lipid Metabolism in Yellow Catfish(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)
Fu-Xuan DUAN ; Zhi-Wei HAO ; Tao LIU ; Chang-Chun SONG ; Tian-Hua ZHANG ; Chong-Chao ZHONG ; Xiao-Ying TAN
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(4):607-616
To investigate the transcriptionally regulatory mechanism of the senp8 promoter in yellow cat-fish(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco);this study used P.fulvidraco as the research subject.Dual-luciferase re-porter assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay were employed to analyze the functional activity of the promoter;coupled with in vivo experiments.The results indicated that the 2 045 bp senp8 promoter se-quence contained key transcription factor binding sites such as SP1;TATA-Box;CCAAT-Box;SREBP1;PPARα;and PPARγ.The binding sites of SREBP1(-901/-910 bp);PPARα(-1 291/-1 308 bp);and PPARγ(-1 292/-1 306 bp)in the senp8 promoter positively regulate its activity;and oleic acid or palmitic acid promote this binding.Furthermore;high-fat feeding promoted the expression of the senp8 gene and its protein in the liver of P.fulvidraco;oleic acid or palmitic acid treatment significantly en-hanced the activity of the senp8 promoter;and this enhancement could be achieved through the regulatory effects of SREBP1;PPARα;and PPARγ response elements.Additionally;high-fat feeding influenced the mRNA and protein expression levels of genes related to deSUMOylation modification in the liver of P.fulvidraco.This study provides new insights into the relationship between deSUMOylation modification and the regulation of lipid metabolism in the vertebrates.
6.Hypobaric hypoxia promotes macrophage necroptosis and atherosclerotic plaque in-stability in mice
Tao HU ; Yingrong HE ; Wushuai WANG ; Xi YANG ; Qinghua DUAN ; Xuan DU ; Qiang WANG
Chinese Journal of Arteriosclerosis 2025;33(3):219-226
Aim To investigate the effect of hypobaric hypoxia on macrophage necroptosis and atherosclerotic plaque instability and explore the underlying mechanisms.Methods Mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages were i-solated and cultured,and divided into control group(21%oxygen concentration)and hypoxia group(3%oxygen concen-tration).After 48 hours,cell necroptosis was detected,and the expression of cell necroptosis related proteins was deter-mined by Western blot.Healthy male ApoE-/-mice were randomly divided into control group and hypobaric hypoxia group.After the intervention for 16 weeks,the plasma lipids and inflammatory cytokines were measured,the areas of ath-erosclerotic plaque and necrotic core were evaluated by HE staining.The content of plaque collagen was detected by Mas-son staining.The number of macrophages in the plaque and the expression of necrotic apoptosis related proteins were de-tected by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot.Results Hypoxia induced increased necrotic apoptosis of macrophages(P<0.01),while necroptotic inhibitor necrostatin-1(Nec-1)reduced hypoxia induced cell death(P<0.05);hypoxia leads to a decrease in the expression of adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1(ADAR1)in macrophages(P<0.01),and an increase in the expression of Z-DNA binding protein 1(ZBP1),phosphorylated receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase(p-RIPK3),and phosphorylated mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein(p-MLKL)(all P<0.01).Compared with the control group,the plasma lipid levels of ApoE-/-mice in the hypobaric hypoxia group did not change significantly(P>0.05),the plasma inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6 and MCP-1)increased(all P<0.05),the area of atherosclerotic plaque increased(P<0.05),the area of plaque necrotic core increased,the content of plaque collagen decreased,the number of macrophages increased,the expression of ADAR1 decreased,and the expres-sion of ZBP1 and p-MLKL increased(all P<0.01).Conclusion Hypobaric hypoxia causes the imbalance of A-DAR1/ZBP1 expression in macrophages,activates RIPK3/MLKL signaling pathway,promotes macrophage necroptosis,in-creases the area of plaque necrosis core,and leads to increase instability of atherosclerotic plaque.
7.Association of Body Mass Index with All-Cause Mortality and Cause-Specific Mortality in Rural China: 10-Year Follow-up of a Population-Based Multicenter Prospective Study.
Juan Juan HUANG ; Yuan Zhi DI ; Ling Yu SHEN ; Jian Guo LIANG ; Jiang DU ; Xue Fang CAO ; Wei Tao DUAN ; Ai Wei HE ; Jun LIANG ; Li Mei ZHU ; Zi Sen LIU ; Fang LIU ; Shu Min YANG ; Zu Hui XU ; Cheng CHEN ; Bin ZHANG ; Jiao Xia YAN ; Yan Chun LIANG ; Rong LIU ; Tao ZHU ; Hong Zhi LI ; Fei SHEN ; Bo Xuan FENG ; Yi Jun HE ; Zi Han LI ; Ya Qi ZHAO ; Tong Lei GUO ; Li Qiong BAI ; Wei LU ; Qi JIN ; Lei GAO ; He Nan XIN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1179-1193
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study.
METHODS:
A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants.
RESULTS:
Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m 2) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m 2) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m 2) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m 2 ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses.
CONCLUSION
This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans
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Body Mass Index
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China/epidemiology*
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Male
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Female
;
Middle Aged
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Prospective Studies
;
Rural Population/statistics & numerical data*
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Aged
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Follow-Up Studies
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Adult
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Mortality
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Cause of Death
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Obesity/mortality*
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Overweight/mortality*
8.Zebrafish as a vertebrate model for high-throughput drug toxicity screening: Mechanisms, novel techniques, and future perspectives.
Wenhao WANG ; Xuan GAO ; Lin LIU ; Sheng GUO ; Jin-Ao DUAN ; Ping XIAO
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(9):101195-101195
Drug toxicity is closely related to both clinical drug safety and new drug development. Therefore, it is vital to understand the mechanisms of drug toxicity fully and to use appropriate research models with advanced technologies. Zebrafish has become an important vertebrate animal model for high-throughput drug screening and toxicity assessment. At the same time, zebrafish has an intact biological complexity, reflecting the whole organism's toxicity, which gives it an advantage over other high-throughput models in toxicity studies. Despite the gradual increase in toxicity studies utilizing zebrafish, a comprehensive and systematic review of the underlying mechanisms and new techniques is still lacking. This review aims to analyze common toxicity mechanisms in zebrafish models, such as oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, and macroscopic changes in biological processes like lipid metabolism disorders and neurotransmitter expression abnormalities. It also introduces new technologies applied in toxicity assessment, such as gene editing, novel fluorescence imaging technology, 3D imaging technology, and novel automated technology for high-throughput screening, such as fish capsules. In addition, it also summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of the model. By doing so, it will provide new suggestions for the development and improvement of the model, make it better serve the toxicity study of clinical drugs and provide a more comprehensive perspective for drug toxicity study, thus promoting the development of the field of drug toxicity study.
9.Clinical characteristic analysis and detection of bla KPC gene subtype variations in ST11-KL64 CRKP isolates based on whole genome sequencing
Chengcheng MA ; Na WANG ; Yuanli DUAN ; Rongrong YAN ; Tao YAN ; Qiuyan WANG ; Xuan TENG ; Kexue YU ; Zhou LIU
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;48(9):1172-1178
Objective:To analyze the evolution of ceftazidime/avibactam (CZA) resistance phenotyes and clinical features of 11 ST11-KL64 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) isolates carrying bla KPC. Methods:Eleven CRKP isolates, designated K01 to K11, obtained from infected liver transplant patients from June to September 2024 were retrospectively studied. Broth microdilution method, whole genome sequencing (WGS) and plasmid conjugation assays were employed to investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility, resistance mechanisms, and genetic structural characteristics of these CRKP isolates. Clinical data were simultaneously collected and organized to analyze the correlation between bla KPC gene mutations and the clinical efficacy of antimicrobial therapy. Results:All eleven isolates of CRKP exhibited multidrug resistance phenotypes. Among them, K01-K09 and K11 were sensitive to CZA and resistant to carbapenems, while K10 was resistant to CZA and displayed sensitivity or intermediate resistance to carbapenems. WGS analysis showed that all 11 CRKP isolates belonged to the ST11-KL64 clonal type. Among these isolates, the K01-K09 and K11 isolates carry the bla KPC-2 gene, whereas the K10 isolate carries the bla KPC-33 gene. A single nucleotide mutation in bla KPC-2 (G532T) resulted in a substitution of tyrosine (Y) for aspartic acid (D) at Ambler position 179 (D179Y), causing resistance of CRKP to CZA and reduced sensitivity to Imipenem and Meropenem. The conjugative plasmid was successfully constructed, and compared to the parental strain, its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) to CZA increased 32 folds. Clinical data revealed that the patient developed the bla KPC-33 mutation after 51 days of CZA treatment. Conclusions:The bla KPC-33 mutation following CZA treatment for CRKP infection exhibits a considerable delay. It is essential to dynamically monitor the evolution of CRKP resistance to ensure timely adjustment of therapeutic strategies in case of the occurrence of mutations such as bla KPC-33.
10.Evaluation of the Efficacy of Kai-Xin-San Combined with Fluoxetine in Improving Intestinal Absorption Damage in Depres-sion Model Mice
Xin LI ; Xuan LI ; Xiaoning HUANG ; Lingxin HUANG ; Jiahui WU ; Tingxia DONG ; TSIM Wah KEUNG ; Jin'ao DUAN ; Yue ZHU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(3):313-322
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and mechanism of Kai-Xin-San in improving intestinal function damage in-duced by intragastric administration of fluoxetine in chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)depression model mice.METHODS A CUMS depression mouse model was established and treated with fluoxetine(9 mg·kg-1·d-1),low-dose(1.5 g·kg-1·d-1)and high-dose(4.5 g·kg-1·d-1)Kai-Xin-San,fluoxetine combined with low-dose(9 mg·kg-1·d-1+1.5 g·kg-1·d-1)and high-dose(9 mg·kg-1·d-1+4.5 g·kg-1·d-1)Kai-Xin-San,and mosapride combined with fluoxetine(2 mg·kg-1·d-1+9 mg·kg-1·d-1)for 28 consecutive days.The body weight of mice was measured;the food utilization was calculated and the serum D-xylose content was measured to evaluate the intestinal mucosal absorption capacity of mice;HE staining was used to evaluate the intestinal structural dam-age of mice;TUNEL staining was used to evaluate the intestinal tissue apoptosis of mice;ELISA was used to detect the expression lev-els of brain gut peptides such as vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP),gastrin(MTL),substance P(SP)and Ghrelin in the intestine of mice;Western blot was used to detect the expression of apoptosis signaling pathway proteins.RESULTS Compared with the model group,fluoxetine significantly reduced the body weight of mice after 2 weeks of administration(P<0.05);the food utilization and ser-um D-xylose content of mice were significantly reduced after 4 weeks of administration(P<0.05),and the intestinal villi of depressed mice were damaged(P<0.05)and intestinal epithelial apoptosis of mice was enhanced(P<0.01);the expression of VIP in the small intestine of mice was upregulated(P<0.05),and the expression of MTL,SP and Ghrelin was downregulated(P<0.05,P<0.01);cleaved Caspase-3/Caspase-3 and cleaved Caspase-9/Caspase-9 in the intestinal apoptosis signaling pathway of mice were upregulat-ed(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the fluoxetine group,the body weight of mice was significantly increased after 2 weeks of com-bined use of Kai-Xin-San and fluoxetine(P<0.05,P<0.01).After 4 weeks of combined use of high-dose Kai-Xin-San and fluoxe-tine,the food utilization and serum D-xylose expression of mice were significantly increased(P<0.05);intestinal villus damage was improved(P<0.05);intestinal epithelial tissue apoptosis was significantly reduced(P<0.01);small intestinal VIP expression was significantly downregulated(P<0.01),and the expression of MTL,SP and Ghrelin was significantly upregulated(P<0.05);cleaved Caspase-3/Caspase-3 and cleaved Caspase-9/Caspase-9 in the apoptosis signaling pathway were significantly reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Kai-Xin-San has the effect of improving the gastrointestinal motility and intestinal absorption function dam-age caused by fluoxetine in depressed mice.Its mechanism may be related to improving the expression of brain gut peptide in the small intestine and inhibiting intestinal villi damage and intestinal tissue apoptosis.

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