1.Current Status and Optimization Strategies for Investigator Initiated Trial on Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Malignant Tumors Conducted by Western Medicine Institutions
Xuechen GENG ; Yanmei LIU ; Qianqian BU ; Qinchang ZHANG ; Dong ZHANG ; Yuquan TAO ; Liu LI ; Ling LI ; Haibo CHENG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(9):878-882
Investigator initiated trial (IIT) represents a primary format for clinical research in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). As key implementation sites for TCM-based IIT targeting malignant tumors, western medicine institutions often face unique challenges in conducting such studies, which limit their feasibility and standardization. This paper reviews the registration status of TCM-based IIT for malignancies conducted in western medical institutions and analyzes key difficulties, including complex project initiation and management processes, limited TCM knowledge and skills among western medicine physicians, and relatively low patient acceptance of TCM. From a practical perspective, the study proposes several optimization strategies. These include improving the review and management mechanisms of TCM-related IIT within western medical institutions, establishing multidisciplinary clinical research teams that integrate TCM and western medicine, and enhancing investigators' training in TCM theory and clinical skills. Additionally, the study suggests standardizing IIT operational procedures, objectifying the collection of TCM diagnostic information, refining subject recruitment methods, and increasing TCM involvement in patient follow-up and management. These investigator-oriented, TCM-featured, and operable strategies aim to promote the high-quality development of TCM-based IIT in western medicine institutions and enhance the clinical application of TCM.
2.Association of short-term exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient fine particulate matter with resident mortality: a case-crossover study
Sirong WANG ; Zhi LI ; Yanmei CAI ; Chunming HE ; Huijing LI ; Yi ZHENG ; Lu LUO ; Ruijun XU ; Yuewei LIU ; Huoqiang XIE ; Qinqin JIANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(6):6-11
Objective To quantitatively assess the association of short-term exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) with residents mortality. Methods A time-stratified case-crossover study was conducted from 2020 to 2022 among 10606 non-accidental residents by using the Guangzhou Cause of Death Surveillance System in Conghua District, Guangzhou. Exposure levels of PAHs in PM2.5 and meteorological data during the study period were obtained from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Conghua District and the China Meteorological Administration Land Data Assimilation System (CLDAS-V2.0), respectively. Conditional Poisson regression model was used to estimate the exposure-response association between PAHs and the mortality risk. Results Fluoranthene, chrysene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene were significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality. For every one interquartile range increase in exposure levels, the non-accidental mortality risks increased by 8.33% (95% CI: 1.80%, 15.27%), 4.67% (95% CI: 1.86%, 7.57%), 6.07% (95% CI: 2.08%, 10.21%), 4.62% (95% CI: 1.85%, 7.47%), and 4.70% (95% CI: 0.53%, 9.03%), respectively. The estimated non accidental deaths attributable to exposure to fluoranthene, chrysene, benzo[k]fluorine, benzo[a]pyrene and indine[1,2,3-cd]pyrene were 5.91%, 6.08%, 6.51%, 6.46%, and 4.21%, respectively. Conclusions Short-term exposure to PAHs in PM2.5, including fluoranthene, chrysene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene and indine[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, was significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality among residents.
3.Association between short-term exposure to air pollution and outpatient and emergency visits for neurological diseases in Conghua District, Guangzhou from 2015 to 2022
Lu LUO ; Zhi LI ; Yanmei CAI ; Chunming HE ; Yi ZHENG ; Sirong WANG ; Ruijun XU ; Yuewei LIU ; Qinqin JIANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(11):1307-1314
Background Exposure to air pollutants increases the risk of diseases in multiple systems, including respiratory and cardiovascular systems, yet its association with neurological diseases remains unclear. Objective To quantitatively evaluate the association between short-term exposure to air pollutants and outpatient and emergency visits for neurological diseases, identify potential susceptible populations, and quantify associated disease burden. Methods Daily 24-hour average concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), inhalable particulate matter (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and carbon monoxide (CO), daily maximum 8-hour average concentration of ozone (O3), daily meteorological data (24-hour average temperature, 24-hour average relative humidity), and data on daily outpatient and emergency department visits for neurological diseases from two hospitals in Conghua District, Guangzhou, China, were collected from 2015 to 2022. A time-stratified case-crossover design was adopted, and a conditional Poisson regression model was constructed to analyze the association between air pollution exposure and neurological disease visits. Two-pollutant models and sensitivity analysis were used to validate model stability. Stratified analyses by season (cold season: from November to March; warm season: from April to October), sex (male, female), and age (≤45 years, 46–60 years, ≥61 years) were performed to identify vulnerable group. Additionally, the number and proportion of neurological disease visits attributable to short-term air pollutant exposure were calculated. Results A total of 72 673 outpatient and emergency department visits for neurological diseases were included during the study period. Most of the patients were middle-aged and elderly individuals (69.89% were over 45 years old) and females (60.25%). The results of single-pollutant models showed that for each interquartile range (IQR) increase in exposure to PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3, the risk of outpatient and emergency department visits for neurological diseases increased by 7.54% (95%CI: 4.69%, 10.46%), 6.66% (95%CI: 3.92%, 9.46%), 16.72% (95%CI: 10.58%, 23.19%), 8.12% (95%CI: 4.82%, 11.53%), 5.60% (95%CI: 2.34%, 8.97%), and 6.11% (95%CI: 2.91%, 9.40%), respectively. The results of the two-pollutant model showed that the association between PM2.5 and SO2 exposure and outpatient and emergency department visits for neurological diseases were relatively stable. The stratified analyses showed that the effect of SO2 was stronger in the cold season. It was estimated that 8.32% (95%CI: 5.55%, 10.96%) and 6.65% (95%CI: 4.27%, 8.96%) of the outpatient and emergency department visits were attributable to short-term exposure to SO2 and PM2.5, respectively. Conclusion Exposure to PM2.5 and SO2 is associated with increased risks of outpatient and emergency visits for neurological diseases. SO2 shows stronger effects during the cold season, and exposure to air pollution contributes to up to 8.32% of neurological disease visits.
4.Therapeutic effect of intraovarian injection of autologous platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of diminished ovarian reserve
Hongbo WU ; Yanmei LIU ; Zhao ZHANG ; Liling LIU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2024;37(9):998-1002
【Objective】 To explore the effectiveness of intraovarian injection of platelet-rich plasma(PRP) in the treatment of patients with diminished ovarian reserve(DOR), aiming to provide new diagnostic and therapeutic ideas for the treatment. 【Methods】 A total of 22 patients with DOR who underwent autologous PRP ovarian injection at the Reproductive Medical and Genetic Center of Qinzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2021 to December 2023 were collected. Among them, 12 patients underwent assisted reproductive technology for pregnancy. The patient′s anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), antral follicle count (AFC), basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), basal luteinizing hormone (LH) and basal estradiol (E2) levels were observed. 【Results】 The levels of AMH, AFC, basal FSH, basal LH and basal E2 in 22 patients improved after treatment compared with those before treatment. Of the 12 patients who received assisted reproduction, 2 had IVF cycle canceled due to poor ovarian reaction. Ten patients obtained embryos, of which 5 obtained high-quality embryos. 【Conclusion】 Intraovarian injection of autologous PRP can effectively improve ovarian reserve function in patients with DOR.
5.Application and analysis of enzyme immunoassay quality monitoring indicators in blood station laboratories
Jing LIU ; Jingjing WANG ; Yanmei ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2024;37(9):1052-1057
【Objective】 To evaluate the quality of laboratory testing using anti-HIV ELISA quality monitoring indicators and continuously improve laboratory testing capabilities. 【Methods】 The data of our blood testing laboratory from July 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022 using laboratory quality monitoring indicators were analyzed, including the reaction sample size and reaction rate of initial test and the reaction sample size and compliance rate of retest. The indoor quality control data of two anti HIV ELISA reagents (Xinchuang and Wantai) during the above time period were collected. A line chart or scatter box chart was drawn to monitor the long-term trends and identify the reasons. Inter-laboratory capability comparison and evaluation with the data from the quality monitoring index evaluation report of the National Health Commission′s Clinical Inspection Center and the National Blood Station Blood Testing Laboratory during the same period was conducted. 【Results】 From July 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022, the initial reaction rates of Xinchuang and Wantai anti HIV ELISA reagents were 0.052% and 0.080%, respectively (P<0.05), and the retest compliance rates were 43.97% and 73.39%, respectively (P<0.001). The linear mean trend of the retest compliance rate of innovative reagents is close to the national average retest compliance rate of the same group, while the retest compliance rate of Wantai reagents is higher than the national average retest compliance rate of the same group reagents. The usage rates of the two reagents are lower than the national average for the same group of reagents. The average dispersion of indoor quality control values between different batches of innovative reagents is greater than that of Wantai reagents, but the dispersion of indoor quality control CV between different batches of reagents is similar. 【Conclusion】 Longitudinal analysis of long-term testing data in our laboratory through laboratory quality monitoring indicators and horizontal comparison of laboratories with the same reagents nationwide are able to promptly identify problems in the laboratory, therefore help correct the problems and continuously improve the laboratory′s quality management system, further enhancing the laboratory′s testing capabilities.
6.Exploring Detoxication Mechanism of Dioscoreae Bulbiferae Rhizoma Processed with Phaseoli Radiati Semen Juice Based on Target Organ Ferroptosis
Yaqian DUAN ; Lingling SONG ; Yueyue ZHANG ; Junming WANG ; Minghao LIU ; Yamin LI ; Bingyin LI ; Xiaohui WU ; Yanmei WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(10):70-76
ObjectiveTo investigate the attenuating effect of Dioscoreae Bulbiferae Rhizoma(DBR) processed with Phaseoli Radiati Semen(PRS) juice, and explore the attenuating mechanism based on ferroptosis of the main toxic target organ. MethodSixty male ICR mice were randomly divided into blank group, DBR group, water roasted DBR group(hereinafter referred to as water group), PRS juice-roasted DBR group 1(DBR-PRS 10∶1, stuffy moistening for 40 min, stir-fried at 130 ℃ for 18 min, hereinafter referred to as group 1), PRS juice-roasted DBR group 2(DBR-PRS 10∶1, stuffy moistening for 80 min, stir-fried at 100 ℃ for 14 min, hereinafter referred to as group 2), PRS juice-roasted DBR group 3(DBR-PRS=20∶3, stuffy moistening for 40 min, stir-fried at 160 ℃ for 14 min, hereinafter referred to as group 3). The raw and processed groups of DBR were gavaged with their corresponding 95% ethanol extract at a dose of 3 g·kg-1·d-1, while the blank group was gavaged with an equal volume of 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, once a day for 14 consecutive days. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of mouse liver. Alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) levels in serum, as well as malondialdehyde(MDA), ferrous ions(Fe2+), reduced glutathione(GSH) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) levels in liver tissue were detected by the biochemical detection. Western blot was used to detect the expression of iron key proteins such as ferritin heavy chain 1(FTH1) and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4). ResultHE staining results showed that the liver tissue structure of the blank group was clear, the morphology of hepatocytes was normal, the cytoplasms of hepatocytes in the DBR group and water group were loose and vacuolar, with obvious pathological damages, and the pathologic damages of mice in the group 1-3 were significantly improved. Compared with the blank group, the levels of ALT, AST, MDA and Fe2+ in mice from the DBR group were significantly increased(P<0.01), while GSH and SOD levels were significantly reduced(P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of FTH1 and GPX4 were significantly decreased(P<0.01). Compared with the DBR group, the ALT, AST,MDA and Fe2+ levels of mice in the group 1-3 were significantly reduced(P<0.05, P<0.01), the GSH and SOD levels and the protein expression levels of FTH1 and GPX4 were significantly increased(P<0.01). Compared with the water group, the AST and MDA levels of mice in the group 1-3 were significantly reduced(P<0.05, P<0.01), the SOD level significantly increased(P<0.05, P<0.01), the FTH1 protein expression significantly increased(P<0.01), and the serum ALT level of mice in the group 2-3 significantly reduce(P<0.01), Fe2+ level significantly reduced(P<0.01), GSH level significantly increased(P<0.05, P<0.01), and GPX4 protein expression significantly increased(P<0.05, P<0.01). Among the group 1-3, the group 3 had the best detoxification effect. ConclutionProcessing with PRS juice can reduce the liver injury induced by DBR, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of ferroptosis in the liver.
7.Research progress on the mechanism of PGC-1α, a key regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, in arsenic-induced nervous system damage
Xinbo MA ; Xiaona LIU ; Yanmei YANG
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2024;43(2):157-160
Arsenic, as a toxic substance that can affect human health, can cause various neurological disorders, including cognitive impairment, when excessive. Relevant epidemiological surveys and animal experimental studies have shown that exposure to arsenic can not only cause intellectual impairment and peripheral neuropathy in humans, but also lead to abnormal behavior in humans and animals. However, so far, the mechanism of arsenic induced damage to the nervous system is still unclear. Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ auxiliary activation factor 1α (PGC-1α), as a nuclear transcription coactivator, can interact with transcription factors or other coactivators and plays a role in biological processes such as mitochondrial biogenesis and energy metabolism. PGC-1α, by activating mitochondrial biogenesis, affecting energy metabolism, activating oxidative stress regulatory factors [catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), etc.], mitigates the damage to the central nervous system (CNS), peripheral nervous system (PNS), and blood-brain barrier (BBB) caused by arsenic. This article summarize the research progress of arsenic-induced neurological injury and the mechanism of PGC-1α's role in arsenic-induced neurological injury to provide a theoretical basis for further prevention and treatment of neurological diseases caused by arsenic.
8.Analysis of electrocardiogram and echocardiography in key areas of unexplained sudden death in Yunnan Province
Ying LIU ; Yuebing WANG ; Yanmei XI ; Lin MA ; Xue TANG ; Mengyao SUN ; Yongpeng YANG
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2024;43(3):202-206
Objective:To understand the electrocardiogram and echocardiography examination results of population in key areas of unexplained sudden death in Yunnan Province (referred to as Yunnan sudden death).Methods:From 2014 to 2022, electrocardiogram examination was performed on population (including same incident cases, relatives of the cases, villagers of the affected villages, and control individuals) in key areas of Yunnan sudden death from May to October each year. Echocardiography examination was performed on relatives of the cases and villagers of the affected villages, and the types of electrocardiogram and echocardiography changes were sorted out and analyzed.Results:Electrocardiogram examination was conducted on 1 same incident case, 241 relatives of the cases, 464 villagers of the affected villages, and 99 control individuals, respectively. The types of electrocardiogram changes in the same incident case were Q-T interval prolongation and sinus tachycardia. A total of 17 types of electrocardiogram changes were detected in the relatives of the cases, mainly including sinus arrhythmia (12.45%, 30/241), sinus bradycardia (11.20%, 27/241), and left axis deviation (8.30%, 20/241). A total of 21 types of electrocardiogram changes were detected in the villagers of the affected villages, mainly including left axis deviation (9.48%, 44/464), sinus bradycardia (8.19%, 38/464), and T-wave abnormalities (7.76%, 36/464). A total of 10 types of electrocardiogram changes were detected in the control individuals, mainly including sinus arrhythmia (12.12%, 12/99), T-wave abnormalities (9.09%, 9/99), and sinus bradycardia (7.07%, 7/99). Echocardiography examination was conducted on 49 relatives of the cases and 365 villagers of the affected villages, respectively. A total of 12 types of echocardiography changes were detected in the relatives of the cases, mainly including tricuspid regurgitation (18.37%, 9/49), decreased right ventricular diastolic function (8.16%, 4/49), aortic regurgitation (6.12%, 3/49), and atrial septal defect (6.12%, 3/49). A total of 15 types of echocardiography changes were detected in the villagers of the affected villages, mainly including tricuspid regurgitation (8.77%, 32/365), aortic regurgitation (6.85%, 25/365), and decreased left ventricular diastolic function (6.58%, 24/365).Conclusion:There are many types of changes in electrocardiogram and echocardiography in the population of key areas of Yunnan sudden death.
9.Jiawei Wendantang Regulates NF-κB/NLRP3 Pathway to Reduce Inflammation in Rat Model of Diabetic Atherosclerosis
Chao LIU ; Lin WANG ; Fengyu YAO ; Yanmei HUANG ; Bingzhi WANG ; Yankun CUI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(14):71-77
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Jiawei Wendantang in preventing and treating diabetic atherosclerosis by observing the effect of this prescription on the nuclear factor-κB / NOD-like receptor protein 3(NF-κB/NLRP3) pathway and related inflammatory cytokines in rat model of diabetic atherosclerosis. MethodFifty-four SPF-grade rats were randomized into blank, model, atorvastatin (0.9 mg·kg-1·d-1), and high-, medium-, low-dose (18.2, 9.1, 4.55 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively) Jiawei Wendantang groups. The rats in other groups except the blank group were modeled for diabetic atherosclerosis by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin and feeding with a high-sugar high-fat diet, and those in the blank group were injected with an equal dose of citric acid buffer and fed with a regular diet. The drug administration lasted for 4 weeks, and the blood glucose level in the tail vein was measured every 6 days. After the last administration, the rats were anesthetized for sample collection. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the serum levels of interleukin-18 (IL-18), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Western blot was employed to determine the relative protein levels of NF-κB p65, NLRP3, and ICAM-1 in the abdominal aorta. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was employed to determine the mRNA levels of NLRP3 and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the abdominal aorta. The pathological changes in the thoracic aorta were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. ResultCompared with the blank group, the model group showed elevated levels of IL-18, CRP, TNF-α, and ICAM-1 in the serum and blood glucose (P<0.05, P<0.01), up-regulated protein levels of NF-κB p65, NLRP3, and ICAM-1 (P<0.01), and up-regulated mRNA levels of NLRP3 and IL-1β (P<0.05). Compared with model group, Jiawei Wendantang lowered the levels of IL-18, CRP, TNF-α, ICAM-1 and blood glucose (P<0.05, P<0.01), down-regulated the protein levels of NF-κB p65, NLRP3, and ICAM-1 (P<0.01), and down-regulated the mRNA levels of NLRP3 and IL-1β (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, Jiawei Wendantang alleviated the pathological injuries in the thoracic aorta. ConclusionJiawei Wendantang may modulate the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway to reduce the release and adhesion of inflammatory cytokines and regulate the blood glucose level to treat diabetic atherosclerosis.
10.The predictive value of serum hs-CRP and sFlt-1 levels for fetal growth restriction in patients with ges-tational hypertension
Yanmei WANG ; Guirong LIU ; Ting HUANG
Modern Hospital 2024;24(3):482-485
Objective To investigate the changes in the levels of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1(sFlt-1)in hypertensive disorder of pregnancy(HDP)patients with fetal growth restriction(FGR),and to evaluate their predictive value for FGR.Methods A total of 137 HDP patients admitted to the Obstetrics De-partment of Ganzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital from December 2021 to May 2023 were selected as the study subjects.According to whether their fetuses had growth restriction,they were divided into the restricted group(n=46)and the non-re-stricted group(n=91).The general information and serum levels of hs-CRP and sFlt-1 were collected and analyzed.Multiple lo-gistic regression analysis was used to identify the influencing factors for fetal growth restriction in HDP patients,and receiver oper-ating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted to evaluate the predictive value of serum hs-CRP and sFlt-1 levels for fetal growth restriction in HDP patients.Results Univariate analysis showed that the serum levels of folic acid(FA),vitamin B12(VitB12),and placental growth factor(PIGF)in the restricted group were lower than those in the non-restricted group,while the serum lev-els of hs-CRP and sFlt-1 were higher than those in the non-restricted group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that serum hs-CRP,sFlt-1,and PIGF levels were independent risk factors for fetal growth restriction in HDP patients.The H-L test of the model showedx2=7.014,P=0.535,indicating a good fit.The area under the ROC curve(AUC)was 0.932,with a 95%CI of 0.889-0.975(P<0.05),a sensitivity of 93.50%,and a specificity of 89.00%.Conclusion Serum hs-CRP and sFlt-1 levels are upregulated in HDP patients with fetal growth restriction,indicating their good predictive value for the occurrence of fetal growth restriction.


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