1.Evaluation of the effect of clinical pharmacists participating in the treatment of chronic heart failure based on the clinical pharmacy pathway
Guanhua HOU ; Baozhen WANG ; Yuchen TANG ; Jie CHENG ; Yuan DONG ; Zhiqiang DONG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(6):800-805
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of clinical pharmacists participating in the treatment of chronic heart failure (CHF) based on the clinical pharmacy pathway (CPP). METHODS Totally 226 CHF patients recruited from August 24th, 2024 to March 14th, 2025, were divided into an observation group and a control group based on the random number table method, with 113 cases in each group. All patients were treated with conventional therapy. The observation group was additionally given CPP management (including pharmaceutical care during hospitalization, the formulation of individualized discharge medication regimens, and pharmaceutical follow-up after discharge). The cardiac function parameters at admission, at discharge, at 3 and 6 months after discharge, drug use at 6 months after discharge, economic indicators, as well as the readmission rate and mortality rate at 6 months after discharge were compared between the two groups. Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 Items (MMAS-8), Somatic Self-rating Scale (SSS) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores were compared at admission, at discharge and at 3 and 6 months after discharge. RESULTS Six months after discharge, 24 patients dropped out. Eventually, 104 patients in the observation group and 98 patients in the control group completed the study. Compared with at admission, New York Heart Association (NYHA) cardiac functional classification, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and N -terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) of both groups of patients at discharge as well as at 3 and 6 months after discharge were significantly improved; moreover, the improvements at 3 and 6 months after discharge were significantly better than those at discharge. Meanwhile, the above indexes (except for NYHA cardiac functional classification at discharge, NT-proBNP and NYHA cardiac functional classification at 3 months after discharge) of the observation group at discharge, at 3 and 6 months after discharge were significantly better than the control group ( P <0.05). The utilization rates of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blocker (ARB)/angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), the proportion of β-blockers reaching the target dose, the utilization rate of sodium-glucose linked transporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i), and the proportion of SGLT2i reaching the target dose in the observation group were significantly higher than the control group ( P <0.05), and the proportion of drugs and readmission rate were significantly lower than the control group ( P <0.05). Compared with at admission, MMAS-8 scores of the patients in the observation group at discharge, at 3 and 6 months after discharge were significantly increased, while SSS and PHQ-9 scores were significantly lowered ( P <0.05). And all the above scores gradually decreas ed with the extension of discharge time ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Clinical pharmacists can utilize CPP to significantly improve patients’ cardiac function, medication adherence, somatic symptoms and depression. Additionally, they can significantly improve the utilization rates of ACEI/ARB/ARNI and SGLT2i, as well as the proportion of target doses of β-blockers and SGLT2i, while simultaneously reducing readmission rates.
2.Cost-effectiveness analysis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome interventions based on Optima HIV model
Yiling ZHENG ; Xin ZHOU ; Yongchun HOU ; Hua CHENG ; Leiming ZHOU ; Zhen NING
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(3):199-205
ObjectiveTo assess the cost-effectiveness of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention and control strategies across different high-risk populations, investment levels, and allocation proportions in an area, thereby providing a reference for optimizing resource allocation in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention and control. MethodsDemographic, epidemiological, and clinical progression data of the target population in an area from 2018 to 2024 were collected, along with the input costs and intervention coverage of HIV-related projects. The Optima HIV model was utilized to perform fitting and prediction, whereby the allocation of resources to optimized target populations and program interventions was modeled under varying future investment scenarios to predict the impacts on the reduction of new HIV infections and HIV-related deaths. ResultsUnder the scenario of maintaining the current level of intervention input for HIV key populations, new HIV infections and related deaths in the region were predicted to be controlled at a low level by 2030. In terms of intervention input for HIV key populations, it is suggested that appropriately increasing the intervention input for key HIV populations will further reduce new HIV infections and HIV-related deaths in the region. However, when the total input increases to 1.75 times the baseline level, the marginal effect of input will be saturated. Regarding structural adjustments in investment and considering both the current total investment scenario and 1.75 times the total investment scenario, it is predicted that further reductions in regional HIV new infections and HIV-related deaths can be achieved, provided that the intervention input for key populations (including men who have sex with men, MSM) is increased, while concurrently intensifying the proportion of intervention measures such as condom promotion to form optimized intervention portfolios. ConclusionIn the field of HIV/ AIDS prevention and control, sustained commitment to intervention investment, with a strategic focus on interventions for key populations and intensified implementation of critical intervention measures, will effectively improve the epidemiological impacts of HIV/AIDS prevention and control efforts.
3.The World Health Organization Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) Framework and the Association with Frailty in Older Adults
Wan-Yun CHOU ; Kun-Pei LIN ; Chiung-Jung WEN ; Ding-Cheng (Derrick) CHAN ; Su-I HOU
Annals of Geriatric Medicine and Research 2026;30(1):41-50
Background:
The World Health Organization published the 2019 Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) framework to guide, assess, and promote the intrinsic capacity (IC) of older adults, referring to their physical and mental health. This study aims to investigate the relationship between IC and frailty among older adults.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted in a medical center in Taiwan in 2021. Two hundred ten patients over 65 admitted to the geriatric ward were invited to participate. The questionnaire included an IC measure, Fried Frailty Scale, and demographic items. The IC measure was ascertained using the six domains of ICOPE (cognition, mobility, nutrition, visual, hearing, and depressive symptoms). The Fried Frailty Scale was used to categorize participants as robust (Fried Frailty Scale=0), prefrail (Fried Frailty Scale=1-2), or frail (Fried Frailty Scale ≥3). Multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze the association between individual ICOPE domains and frailty stages, while adjusting for confounders.
Results:
Among the participants, 39.0% were prefrail, and 28.6% were frail. Limited mobility and depressive symptoms were significantly associated with prefrail (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=4.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.82–10.82; aOR=8.41, 95% CI 1.75–40.37) and frail (aOR=11.57, 95% CI 3.63–36.93; aOR=13.77, 95% CI 2.62–72.49) individuals, respectively. Malnutrition (aOR=4.01, 95% CI 1.18–13.62) and hearing loss (aOR=4.37, 95% CI 1.09–19.66) were significantly associated with frail older adults.
Conclusion
Limited mobility and depressive symptoms occurring at the prefrail stage could be used as assessment items for early detection of prefrail.
4.Mechanism of action of Homebox A6 in regulating the proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and apoptosis of HepG2 hepatoma cells
Yuting LIU ; Jingyin MAI ; Tianlu HOU ; Yang CHENG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(4):690-697
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Homebox A6 (HOXA6) on the proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and apoptosis of HepG2 hepatoma cells and its association with the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. MethodsHepG2 hepatoma cells were cultured, and HOXA6 overexpression plasmid and siRNA were constructed and transfected into cells. The cells were randomly divided into empty plasmid group, HOXA 6 overexpression group, siRNA negative control group, and siRNA HOXA6 interference group. CCK8 assay was used to measure cell proliferation, Transwell assay was used to observe cell invasion, and wound healing assay was used to observe cell migration (related proteins TIMP3, MMP9, and MMP3). Flow cytometry was used to measure cell apoptosis (related proteins BAX and BCL2), the BCA method was used to measure protein concentration, and Western Blot was used to measure the expression of related proteins. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the SNK-q test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the empty plasmid group, HOXA6 overexpression significantly promoted the proliferation, invasion, and migration of HepG2 hepatoma cells (all P<0.001), and there was a significant reduction in the protein expression of TIMP3 (P<0.001), while there were significant increases in the expression levels of MMP9 and MMP3 (both P<0.001). Compared with the siRNA negative control group, HOXA6 interference significantly inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of HepG2 hepatoma cells (all P<0.001), and there was a significant increase in the protein expression of TIMP3 (P<0.001), while there were significant reductions in the expression levels of MMP9 and MMP3 (both P<0.001). Flow cytometry showed that compared with the empty plasmid group, HOXA6 overexpression inhibited the apoptosis of HepG2 hepatoma cells (P<0.001), with a significant reduction in the expression of the apoptosis-related protein BAX and a significant increase in the expression of BCL2 (both P<0.001). Compared with siRNA negative control group, HOXA6 interference promoted the apoptosis of HepG2 hepatoma cells (P<0.001), with a significant increase in the expression of BAX and a significant reduction in the expression of BCL2 (both P<0.001). Compared with the empty plasmid group, the HOXA6 overexpression group had significantly higher ratios of p-AKT/AKT and p-PI3K/PI3K (both P<0.001), and compared with the siRNA negative control group, the siRNA HOXA6 interference group had significantly lower ratios of p-AKT/AKT and p-PI3K/PI3K (both P<0.001). ConclusionHOXA6 can promote the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of HepG2 hepatoma cells and inhibit their apoptosis by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway through phosphorylation.
5.Predicting Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer Using Urine Metabolomics via Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry
Chung-Hsin CHEN ; Hsiang-Po HUANG ; Kai-Hsiung CHANG ; Ming-Shyue LEE ; Cheng-Fan LEE ; Chih-Yu LIN ; Yuan Chi LIN ; William J. HUANG ; Chun-Hou LIAO ; Chih-Chin YU ; Shiu-Dong CHUNG ; Yao-Chou TSAI ; Chia-Chang WU ; Chen-Hsun HO ; Pei-Wen HSIAO ; Yeong-Shiau PU ;
The World Journal of Men's Health 2025;43(2):376-386
Purpose:
Biomarkers predicting clinically significant prostate cancer (sPC) before biopsy are currently lacking. This study aimed to develop a non-invasive urine test to predict sPC in at-risk men using urinary metabolomic profiles.
Materials and Methods:
Urine samples from 934 at-risk subjects and 268 treatment-naïve PC patients were subjected to liquid chromatography/mass spectrophotometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomics profiling using both C18 and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) column analyses. Four models were constructed (training cohort [n=647]) and validated (validation cohort [n=344]) for different purposes. Model I differentiates PC from benign cases. Models II, III, and a Gleason score model (model GS) predict sPC that is defined as National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)-categorized favorable-intermediate risk group or higher (Model II), unfavorable-intermediate risk group or higher (Model III), and GS ≥7 PC (model GS), respectively. The metabolomic panels and predicting models were constructed using logistic regression and Akaike information criterion.
Results:
The best metabolomic panels from the HILIC column include 25, 27, 28 and 26 metabolites in Models I, II, III, and GS, respectively, with area under the curve (AUC) values ranging between 0.82 and 0.91 in the training cohort and between 0.77 and 0.86 in the validation cohort. The combination of the metabolomic panels and five baseline clinical factors that include serum prostate-specific antigen, age, family history of PC, previously negative biopsy, and abnormal digital rectal examination results significantly increased AUCs (range 0.88–0.91). At 90% sensitivity (validation cohort), 33%, 34%, 41%, and 36% of unnecessary biopsies were avoided in Models I, II, III, and GS, respectively. The above results were successfully validated using LC-MS with the C18 column.
Conclusions
Urinary metabolomic profiles with baseline clinical factors may accurately predict sPC in men with elevated risk before biopsy.
6.Predicting Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer Using Urine Metabolomics via Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry
Chung-Hsin CHEN ; Hsiang-Po HUANG ; Kai-Hsiung CHANG ; Ming-Shyue LEE ; Cheng-Fan LEE ; Chih-Yu LIN ; Yuan Chi LIN ; William J. HUANG ; Chun-Hou LIAO ; Chih-Chin YU ; Shiu-Dong CHUNG ; Yao-Chou TSAI ; Chia-Chang WU ; Chen-Hsun HO ; Pei-Wen HSIAO ; Yeong-Shiau PU ;
The World Journal of Men's Health 2025;43(2):376-386
Purpose:
Biomarkers predicting clinically significant prostate cancer (sPC) before biopsy are currently lacking. This study aimed to develop a non-invasive urine test to predict sPC in at-risk men using urinary metabolomic profiles.
Materials and Methods:
Urine samples from 934 at-risk subjects and 268 treatment-naïve PC patients were subjected to liquid chromatography/mass spectrophotometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomics profiling using both C18 and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) column analyses. Four models were constructed (training cohort [n=647]) and validated (validation cohort [n=344]) for different purposes. Model I differentiates PC from benign cases. Models II, III, and a Gleason score model (model GS) predict sPC that is defined as National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)-categorized favorable-intermediate risk group or higher (Model II), unfavorable-intermediate risk group or higher (Model III), and GS ≥7 PC (model GS), respectively. The metabolomic panels and predicting models were constructed using logistic regression and Akaike information criterion.
Results:
The best metabolomic panels from the HILIC column include 25, 27, 28 and 26 metabolites in Models I, II, III, and GS, respectively, with area under the curve (AUC) values ranging between 0.82 and 0.91 in the training cohort and between 0.77 and 0.86 in the validation cohort. The combination of the metabolomic panels and five baseline clinical factors that include serum prostate-specific antigen, age, family history of PC, previously negative biopsy, and abnormal digital rectal examination results significantly increased AUCs (range 0.88–0.91). At 90% sensitivity (validation cohort), 33%, 34%, 41%, and 36% of unnecessary biopsies were avoided in Models I, II, III, and GS, respectively. The above results were successfully validated using LC-MS with the C18 column.
Conclusions
Urinary metabolomic profiles with baseline clinical factors may accurately predict sPC in men with elevated risk before biopsy.
7.The role of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells transplantation in alleviating radiation-induced ovarian injury
Mei ZHANG ; Chao YANG ; Bo CHENG ; Jianan WANG ; Yinghao MA ; Zheng ZHANG ; Qingxiang HOU ; Li MA
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(4):584-589
Objective Using female mice to investigate the reparative effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on radiation-induced ovarian injury. Methods Mice were randomly divided into three groups: a blank control group, a radiation model group, and a cell therapy group. Mice in the radiation model group and the cell therapy group received a single whole-body irradiation of 5 Gy X-rays. Within 2 hours post-irradiation, mice in the cell therapy group underwent ovarian transplantation of UC-MSCs. On days 1, 7, and 14 post-irradiation, body weight was measured, ovarian index was calculated, histopathological changes in ovarian tissue were examined, serum levels of reproductive hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone, anti-Müllerian hormone, and estradiol) were determined, and the colonization of implanted UC-MSCs in the mice was observed. Results On days 1, 7, and 14 post-irradiation, both the cell therapy group and the radiation model group showed decreased body weight compared to the blank control group (P < 0.05). On day 1 post-irradiation compared to day 1 pre-irradiation within the same group, the radiation model group exhibited a greater decrease in body weight than the cell therapy group (P < 0.05). On days 1, 7, and 14 post-irradiation, the ovarian index decreased in both the radiation model group and the cell therapy group compared to the blank control group (P < 0.05). On days 7 and 14 post-irradiation, the ovarian index in the cell therapy group was significantly higher than that in the radiation model group (P < 0.05). Ovarian tissue in the radiation model group exhibited atrophy and a reduction in the number of follicles at all stages. In contrast, follicles in the cell therapy group were large and abundant. On days 1, 7, and 14 post-irradiation, serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels in the cell therapy group were lower than those in the radiation model group, while anti-Müllerian hormone and estradiol levels were higher than those in the radiation model group (P < 0.01). In vivo fluorescence imaging demonstrated that UC-MSCs successfully colonized the ovarian tissue on days 1, 7, and 14 after transplantation. Conclusion UC-MSCs exert a repair effect on radiation-induced ovarian injury in mice.
8.Expression and clinical significance of annexin A2 and glycogen synthase kinase-3β in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Wen-Qun JIANG ; Pin-Pin HOU ; Mei-Le TAN ; Lin-Quan GAN ; Ling-Yan WU ; Xian-Gui CHENG
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(3):294-300
Objective To investigate the expressions of annexin A2 and glycogen synthesis kinase-3β(GSK-3β)in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma(CSCC)tissues,and to analyze their correlation with CSCC as well as their clinical pathological diagnostic value.Methods The pathological tissues of 68 patients with CSCC and 40 patients with keratoacanthoma(KA)who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Dermatology of the Second Hospital of Nanning from October 2020 to May 2024 were collected,and the surrounding normal skin tissues of 32 patients with benign skin diseases were used as controls.The expressions of annexin A2,GSK-3β and β-catenin were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.Spearman was used to evaluate the correlation between the expressions of annexin A2 and GSK-3β and the pathological characteristics in CSCC.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to analyze the clinical diagnostic value of annexin A2 and GSK-3β in CSCC.Results Compared with the normal skin tissues,the expressions of annexin A2 and β-catenin in CSCC increased,and GSK-3β decreased(P<0.05);Compared with the KA tissues,the expression of annexin A2 in CSCC tissues increased(P<0.05).The expression of annexin A2 was negatively correlated with that of GSK-3β in CSCC(r=-0.3901,P<0.01).GSK-3β expression was related to tissue differentiation,with lower expression in poorly differentiated patients'cancer tissues(P<0.05).The sensitivity of annexin A2 and GSK-3β for diagnosis of CSCC was 85.3%and 41.2%,respectively,with specificities of 46.9%and 84.4%respectively.The sensitivity of annexin A2 for distinguishing between CSCC and KA was 85.3%,with a specificity of 40.0%.Conclusion Annexin A2 and GSK-3β may be used as potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis or differential diagnosis of CSCC,and play important roles in the development of CSCC.Their mechanism may be related to the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
9.Exploratory Study on the Ultrasound Characteristics of the Vagus Nerve in a Healthy Han Population in a Hospital in Qujing,Yunnan
Lingli HOU ; Yan CHENG ; Fang YANG ; Junsu YANG ; Zizhen ZHANG ; Jianjian BAO ; Guohui ZHANG ; Kang DU
Journal of Kunming Medical University 2025;46(1):129-135
Objective To explore the characteristics of the cross-sectional area(CSA)of the vagus nerve in a healthy population in Qujing,Yunnan,and its correlation with demographic characteristics.Methods High-resolution nerve ultrasound examinations were conducted on the vagus nerve of 201 healthy volunteers from a hospital in Qujing,Yunnan from September 2022 to March 2023.The CSA was measured through transverse scans of the vagus nerve.The correlation of vagus nerve CSA with age,body mass index(BMI),and gender was assessed.Results The mean CSA of the bilateral VN were 1.9 mm2(right)and 1.3 mm2(left),respectively.The average CSA of the right vagus nerve was significantly greater than that of the left(P<0.001).In the high-age group(>50 years),the average CSA of the right vagus nerve was significantly higher than that of the low-age group(≤50 years)(P=0.0142).However,there was no statistically significant difference in the average CSA of the right vagus nerve between the BMI>24 kg/m2 group and the≤24 kg/m2 group(P=0.0852).The average CSA of the left vagus nerve showed no statistically significant differences across different age groups and BMI groups(P>0.05),but the average CSA of the bilateral vagus nerve in the male group was greater than that in the female group,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.05).Correlation analysis further confirmed a negative correlation between the average CSA of the right vagus nerve and age(r=-0.17,P=0.0139).Multiple linear regression models indicated that age(P=0.007)and gender(P=0.001)were independent influencing factors for the average CSA of the right vagus nerve.Conclusion In the healthy population of Qujing,Yunnan,the CSA of the right vagus nerve is significantly greater than that of the left,and males also exhibit a significantly greater CSA than females.With increasing age,the vagus nerve gradually becomes thinner.
10.Intraoperative ultrasound radiomics for predicting isocitrate dehydrogenase 1(IDH1)mutation of high-grade glioma
Huiyu MA ; Wei ZHANG ; Chao HOU ; Linggang CHENG ; Wenkai ZHANG ; Lizhi YANG ; Wen HE
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(4):569-572
Objective To investigate the value of intraoperative ultrasound radiomics for predicting isocitrate dehydrogenase 1(IDH1)mutation of high-grade glioma.Methods Ninety-five patients with high-grade glioma(WHO grade Ⅲ and Ⅳ)who underwent craniotomy glioma resection and ultrasound assisted tumor localization during operation and then confirmed by pathology were retrospectively enrolled.The patients were divided into training set(n=66,including 24 IDH1 mutation type and 42 IDH1 wild type)and validation set(n=29,including 11 IDH1 mutation type and 18 IDH1 wild type)at the ratio of 7∶3.Based on intraoperative ultrasound,radiomics features were extracted,the best ones were screened,and a radiomics model was established for predicting IDH1 mutation of high-grade glioma using random forest algorithm.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted,the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the model,and decision curve analysis(DCA)was used to evaluate the clinical value of the model.Results A total of 851 radiomics features were extracted based on intraoperative ultrasound,and finally 5 best ones were screened out to construct a radiomics model.The AUC of the radiomics model for predicting IDH1 mutation of high-grade glioma in training and validation sets was 0.902 and 0.707,respectively,with no significant difference(P=0.097).DCA maps showed that the clinical net benefit of the radiomics model was high.Conclusion Intraoperative ultrasound radiomics could effectively predict IDH1 mutation of high-grade glioma.

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