Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a complex disease that is often accompanied by mental health disorders. However, the potential mechanisms underlying the heterogeneous clinical presentation of CP/CPPS remain uncertain. This study analyzed widely targeted metabolomic data of expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) and plasma to reveal the underlying pathological mechanisms of CP/CPPS. A total of 24 CP/CPPS patients from The Second Nanning People's Hospital (Nanning, China), and 35 asymptomatic control individuals from First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University (Nanning, China) were enrolled. The indicators related to CP/CPPS and psychiatric symptoms were recorded. Differential analysis, coexpression network analysis, and correlation analysis were performed to identify metabolites that were specifically altered in patients and associated with various phenotypes of CP/CPPS. The crucial links between EPS and plasma were further investigated. The metabolomic data of EPS from CP/CPPS patients were significantly different from those from control individuals. Pathway analysis revealed dysregulation of amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and the citrate cycle in EPS. The tryptophan metabolic pathway was found to be the most significantly altered pathway associated with distinct CP/CPPS phenotypes. Moreover, the dysregulation of tryptophan and tyrosine metabolism and elevation of oxidative stress-related metabolites in plasma were found to effectively elucidate the development of depression in CP/CPPS. Overall, metabolomic alterations in the EPS and plasma of patients were primarily associated with oxidative damage, energy metabolism abnormalities, neurological impairment, and immune dysregulation. These alterations may be associated with chronic pain, voiding symptoms, reduced fertility, and depression in CP/CPPS. This study provides a local-global perspective for understanding the pathological mechanisms of CP/CPPS and offers potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
Humans ; Male ; Prostatitis/blood* ; Adult ; Pelvic Pain/blood* ; Metabolomics ; Prostate/metabolism* ; Middle Aged ; Chronic Pain/blood* ; Metabolome ; Case-Control Studies ; Tryptophan/blood* ; Depression/blood* ; Oxidative Stress/physiology* ; Chronic Disease ; Lipid Metabolism/physiology*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect and safety of Chinese medicine (CM) Fuzheng Huazhuo Decoction (FHD) in treating patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who persistently tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Shanghai New International Expo Center shelter hospital in China between April 1 and May 30, 2022. Patients diagnosed as COVID-19 with persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results for ⩾8 days after diagnosis were enrolled. Patients in the control group received conventional Western medicine (WM) treatment, while those in the FHD group received conventional WM plus FHD for at least 3 days. The primary outcome was viral clearance time. Secondary outcomes included negative conversion rate within 14 days, length of hospital stay, cycle threshold (Ct) values of the open reading frame 1ab (ORF1ab) and nucleocapsid protein (N) genes, and incidence of new-onset symptoms during hospitalization. Adverse events (AEs) that occurred during the study period were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 1,765 eligible patients were enrolled in this study (546 in the FHD group and 1,219 in the control group). Compared with the control group, patients receiving FHD treatment showed shorter viral clearance time for nucleic acids [hazard ratio (HR): 1.500, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.353-1.664, P<0.001] and hospital stays (HR: 1.371, 95% CI: 1.238-1.519, P<0.001), and a higher negative conversion rate within 14 days (96.2% vs. 82.6%, P<0.001). The incidence of new-onset symptoms was 59.5% in the FHD group, similar to 57.8% in the control group (P>0.05). The Ct values of ORF1ab and N genes increased more rapidly over time in the FHD group than those in the control group post-randomization (ORF1ab gene: β =0.436±0.053, P<0.001; N gene: β =0.415 ±0.053, P<0.001). The incidence of AEs in the FHD group was lower than that in the control group (24.2% vs. 35.4%, P<0.001). No serious AEs were observed. CONCLUSION FHD was effective and safe for patients with persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests. (Registration No. ChiCTR2200063956).
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; SARS-CoV-2/drug effects* ; COVID-19/virology* ; Adult ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Periodontal bone defects, primarily caused by periodontitis, are highly prevalent in clinical settings and manifest as bone fenestration, dehiscence, or attachment loss, presenting a significant challenge to oral health. In regenerative medicine, harnessing developmental principles for tissue repair offers promising therapeutic potential. Of particular interest is the condensation of progenitor cells, an essential event in organogenesis that has inspired clinically effective cell aggregation approaches in dental regeneration. However, the precise cellular coordination mechanisms during condensation and regeneration remain elusive. Here, taking the tooth as a model organ, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing to dissect the cellular composition and heterogeneity of human dental follicle and dental papilla, revealing a distinct Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) population with remarkable odontogenic potential. Interestingly, a reciprocal paracrine interaction between PDGFRA⁺ dental follicle stem cells (DFSCs) and CD31⁺ Endomucin⁺ endothelial cells (ECs) was mediated by Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and Platelet-derived growth factor subunit BB (PDGFBB). This crosstalk not only maintains the functionality of PDGFRA⁺ DFSCs but also drives specialized angiogenesis. In vivo periodontal bone regeneration experiments further reveal that communication between PDGFRA⁺ DFSC aggregates and recipient ECs is essential for effective angiogenic-osteogenic coupling and rapid tissue repair. Collectively, our results unravel the importance of MSC-EC crosstalk mediated by the VEGFA and PDGFBB-PDGFRA reciprocal signaling in orchestrating angiogenesis and osteogenesis. These findings not only establish a framework for deciphering and promoting periodontal bone regeneration in potential clinical applications but also offer insights for future therapeutic strategies in dental or broader regenerative medicine.
Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha/metabolism* ; Humans ; Neovascularization, Physiologic/physiology* ; Dental Sac/cytology* ; Single-Cell Analysis ; Transcriptome ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Bone Regeneration ; Animals ; Dental Papilla/cytology* ; Periodontium/physiology* ; Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Regeneration ; Angiogenesis

G protein-coupled receptor (GPR) 40, as one of GPRs family, plays a potential role in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism. To study the effect of GPR40 novel agonist SZZ15-11 on hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia and its potential mechanism, spontaneous type 2 diabetic KKA^y mice, human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells and murine mature adipocyte 3T3-L1 cells were used. KKA^y mice were divided into four groups, vehicle group, TAK group, SZZ (50 mg·kg^-1) group and SZZ (100 mg·kg^-1) group, with oral gavage of 0.5% sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), 50 mg·kg^-1 TAK875, 50 and 100 mg·kg^-1 SZZ15-11 respectively for 45 days. Fasting blood glucose, blood triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC), non-fasting blood glucose were tested. Oral glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test were executed. Blood insulin and glucagon were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). After mice′s execution, liver tissue was harvested to test TG and TC content. Then pathological morphology of liver was observed through hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the lipid metabolism relative signal pathway was analyzed by Western blot and RT-PCR. The experiments were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College. At the same time, Akt phosphorylation level in HepG2 cells and adiponectin in 3T3-L1 cells treated with TNFα were measured with Western blot. The results show that SZZ15-11 not only decreased blood glucose and lipid, improved insulin sensitivity, but also increased fasting blood glucagon and promoted insulin secretion after glucose loading in KKA^y mice. Additionally, SZZ15-11 alleviated hepatic steatosis and liver dysfunction in KKA^y mice. In liver tissue, SZZ15-11 increased AMPKα phosphorylation level and cholesterol metabolism relative gene Abcg8 transcription. In HepG2 cells, SZZ15-11 increased Akt phosphorylation level. In adipocyte 3T3-L1, SZZ15-11 recovered the decreased adiponectin expression by TNFα. This study proved that GPR40 agonist SZZ15-11 could be a candidate compound for regulating glucolipid metabolic disorder.

AIM: To investigate and analyze the current situation and needs of clinical research nurses in China, in order to provide scientific basis for constructing a training system for research nurses, promoting standardized training, and achieving standardized management for them. METHODS:A self-made questionnaire was used to investigate 102 research nurses from nearly 70 well-known clinical trial institutions in China. The contents of the questionnaire mainly included the general information, professional experience and work content of the research nurses, the sense of accomplishment and training needs of clinical trial work. RESULTS: Among the 102 research nurses surveyed, 92.15% have a bachelor's degree or above; 53.92% of those have intermediate or higher professional titles; 74.51% of them are part-time research nurse. Among professional experiences, 19.61% have more than 10 years of clinical trial experience; 47.06%, 40.20%, and 21.17% of surveyed research nurses were authorized to participate in clinical trial drug management, sample management, and quality control; 70.59% of research nurses have a high sense of achievement in their daily work. In terms of education and training needs, clinical trial related laws and regulations, standardized training for clinical trial protocol implementation, and good clinical practice (GCP) are the three most important aspects. CONCLUSION: Clinical research nurses in China have a relatively high level of education and nursing experience, but there is still a large gap in the amount of professional full-time clinical research nurses in China. Due to the rapid development of innovative drugs and devices, as well as the urgent need to improve the clinical research system, it is necessary to establish a training, assessment, and evaluation system for research nurses that is in line with China's national conditions in order to improve the professional level of research nurses, and improve the quantity and quality of clinical trial research on innovative drugs and devices in China.

OBJECTIVE To study the effect of fluoropezil on embryo-fetal developmental toxicity and toxicokinetics in rabbits,and provide reference for clinical medication.METHODS According to the sequence of pregnancy,pregnant rabbits were divided into five groups:vehicle control group(1%hydroxy-propyl methylcellulose+1.5%polyethylene glycol 400 aqueous solution),positive control group(cyclo-phosphamide 18 mg·kg-1),and fluoropezil(3.6,9.0 and 22.5 mg·kg-1)groups.The vehicle control group and the fluoropezil groups were ig administrated on the 6th to 18th day of gestation(GD6-18)while the positive control group was ig given cyclophosphamide on GD6-20.The pregnant rabbits were sacri-ficed on GD28,and the embryo-fetal development was detected.Sex hormone levels of pregnant rabbits on GD5,GD18 and GD28 were detected by ELISA method.Blood samples with toxokinetics were collected for concomitant toxic generation at the first and last administration,and drug concentrations in fetal,placenta and amniotic fluid were detected with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS).RESULTS Fluoropezil 3.6,9.0 and 22.5 mg·kg-1 had no significant effect on body mass,mass gain,food consumption,pregnancy outcomes,fetal appearance,viscera,skeletal and physical growth and development of pregnant rabbits.Only on GD18 or GD28,the levels of follicle stimulating hormone,estra-diol and progesterone in each dose group fluctuated to some extent.The combined toxokinetics results indicated that fluoropezil could cross the placental barrier of the rabbits,but did not accumulate in preg-nant rabbits or fetuses.Fetal mass,crown-rump length and uterus mass in the cyclophosphamide group were lower than those in the vehicle control group.The appearance and bone of the cyclophos-phamide group were positive.CONCLUSION The no observed adverse effect level(NOAEL)of fluoro-pezil toxicity on rabbit embryo-fetal development is 22.5 mg·kg-1,which is 125 times of the effective dose.At the dosage level of 22.5 mg·kg-1,Cmax is 1093 μg·L-1,and AUC(0-24 h)6650 μg·h·L-1 on GD18.

AIM:To investigate and analyze the current situation and needs of clinical research nurses in China,in order to provide scientific basis for constructing a training system for research nurs-es,promoting standardized training,and achieving standardized management for them.METHODS:A self-made questionnaire was used to investigate 102 research nurses from nearly 70 well-known clinical trial institutions in China.The contents of the questionnaire mainly included the general infor-mation,professional experience and work content of the research nurses,the sense of accomplish-ment and training needs of clinical trial work.RE-SULTS:Among the 102 research nurses surveyed,92.15％have a bachelor's degree or above;53.92％of those have intermediate or higher professional titles;74.51％of them are part-time research nurse.Among professional experiences,19.61％have more than 10 years of clinical trial experience;47.06％,40.20％,and 21.17％of surveyed research nurses were authorized to participate in clinical tri-al drug management,sample management,and quality control;70.59％of research nurses have a high sense of achievement in their daily work.In terms of education and training needs,clinical trial related laws and regulations,standardized training for clinical trial protocol implementation,and good clinical practice(GCP)are the three most important aspects.CONCLUSION:Clinical research nurses in China have a relatively high level of education and nursing experience,but there is still a large gap in the amount of professional full-time clinical re-search nurses in China.Due to the rapid develop-ment of innovative drugs and devices,as well as the urgent need to improve the clinical research system,it is necessary to establish a training,as-sessment,and evaluation system for research nurs-es that is in line with China's national conditions in order to improve the professional level of research nurses,and improve the quantity and quality of clinical trial research on innovative drugs and devic-es in China.

AIM:To investigate and analyze the current situation and needs of clinical research nurses in China,in order to provide scientific basis for constructing a training system for research nurs-es,promoting standardized training,and achieving standardized management for them.METHODS:A self-made questionnaire was used to investigate 102 research nurses from nearly 70 well-known clinical trial institutions in China.The contents of the questionnaire mainly included the general infor-mation,professional experience and work content of the research nurses,the sense of accomplish-ment and training needs of clinical trial work.RE-SULTS:Among the 102 research nurses surveyed,92.15％have a bachelor's degree or above;53.92％of those have intermediate or higher professional titles;74.51％of them are part-time research nurse.Among professional experiences,19.61％have more than 10 years of clinical trial experience;47.06％,40.20％,and 21.17％of surveyed research nurses were authorized to participate in clinical tri-al drug management,sample management,and quality control;70.59％of research nurses have a high sense of achievement in their daily work.In terms of education and training needs,clinical trial related laws and regulations,standardized training for clinical trial protocol implementation,and good clinical practice(GCP)are the three most important aspects.CONCLUSION:Clinical research nurses in China have a relatively high level of education and nursing experience,but there is still a large gap in the amount of professional full-time clinical re-search nurses in China.Due to the rapid develop-ment of innovative drugs and devices,as well as the urgent need to improve the clinical research system,it is necessary to establish a training,as-sessment,and evaluation system for research nurs-es that is in line with China's national conditions in order to improve the professional level of research nurses,and improve the quantity and quality of clinical trial research on innovative drugs and devic-es in China.

AIM:To investigate and analyze the current situation and needs of clinical research nurses in China,in order to provide scientific basis for constructing a training system for research nurs-es,promoting standardized training,and achieving standardized management for them.METHODS:A self-made questionnaire was used to investigate 102 research nurses from nearly 70 well-known clinical trial institutions in China.The contents of the questionnaire mainly included the general infor-mation,professional experience and work content of the research nurses,the sense of accomplish-ment and training needs of clinical trial work.RE-SULTS:Among the 102 research nurses surveyed,92.15％have a bachelor's degree or above;53.92％of those have intermediate or higher professional titles;74.51％of them are part-time research nurse.Among professional experiences,19.61％have more than 10 years of clinical trial experience;47.06％,40.20％,and 21.17％of surveyed research nurses were authorized to participate in clinical tri-al drug management,sample management,and quality control;70.59％of research nurses have a high sense of achievement in their daily work.In terms of education and training needs,clinical trial related laws and regulations,standardized training for clinical trial protocol implementation,and good clinical practice(GCP)are the three most important aspects.CONCLUSION:Clinical research nurses in China have a relatively high level of education and nursing experience,but there is still a large gap in the amount of professional full-time clinical re-search nurses in China.Due to the rapid develop-ment of innovative drugs and devices,as well as the urgent need to improve the clinical research system,it is necessary to establish a training,as-sessment,and evaluation system for research nurs-es that is in line with China's national conditions in order to improve the professional level of research nurses,and improve the quantity and quality of clinical trial research on innovative drugs and devic-es in China.

AIM:To investigate and analyze the current situation and needs of clinical research nurses in China,in order to provide scientific basis for constructing a training system for research nurs-es,promoting standardized training,and achieving standardized management for them.METHODS:A self-made questionnaire was used to investigate 102 research nurses from nearly 70 well-known clinical trial institutions in China.The contents of the questionnaire mainly included the general infor-mation,professional experience and work content of the research nurses,the sense of accomplish-ment and training needs of clinical trial work.RE-SULTS:Among the 102 research nurses surveyed,92.15％have a bachelor's degree or above;53.92％of those have intermediate or higher professional titles;74.51％of them are part-time research nurse.Among professional experiences,19.61％have more than 10 years of clinical trial experience;47.06％,40.20％,and 21.17％of surveyed research nurses were authorized to participate in clinical tri-al drug management,sample management,and quality control;70.59％of research nurses have a high sense of achievement in their daily work.In terms of education and training needs,clinical trial related laws and regulations,standardized training for clinical trial protocol implementation,and good clinical practice(GCP)are the three most important aspects.CONCLUSION:Clinical research nurses in China have a relatively high level of education and nursing experience,but there is still a large gap in the amount of professional full-time clinical re-search nurses in China.Due to the rapid develop-ment of innovative drugs and devices,as well as the urgent need to improve the clinical research system,it is necessary to establish a training,as-sessment,and evaluation system for research nurs-es that is in line with China's national conditions in order to improve the professional level of research nurses,and improve the quantity and quality of clinical trial research on innovative drugs and devic-es in China.