1.Management and practice of ethical review for “amendment” in drug clinical trials
Xingyi LI ; Zhonglin CHEN ; Xingchi QU ; Yu FENG ; Huihui HAN
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(1):58-63
Driven by the growing practical need to accelerate drug development and the continuous innovation of trial design in recent years, the number of protocol amendments during clinical trials have gradually increased, and the changed contents have become more flexible and complex, which significantly heightens the difficulty of ethical review on amendments. Against this backdrop, it is of great importance to fully leverage the role and responsibilities of ethics committees, effectively control clinical trial risks, and ensure subject safety. This paper analyzed development trends of protocol amendments in recent years, sorted out requirements for protocol amendments in Chinese regulations and guiding principles, and examined difficulties of amendment ethical review in practical work. Based on these, targeted strategies and recommendations were proposed, namely, strengthening the integration with scientific review, enhancing the formal review, adjusting the scope of review according to approval notifications, and adopting appropriate review methods, with a view to providing insights and references for the management of the amendment ethical review in drug clinical trials.
2.Mechanisms of Tianma Goutengyin in Alleviating Neuronal Injury in Vascular Dementia Model Rats by Inhibiting A1 Astrocyte Activation via Regulating TNF-α/STAT3/α1ACT Signaling Pathway
Xiaoyan WANG ; Min ZHAO ; Feng TIAN ; Min XIAO ; Nan QU ; Fugui LIU ; Chixiao LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):56-65
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Tianma Goutengyin on the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/α1-antichymotrypsin C-terminal tail fragment (α1ACT) signaling pathway and A1-type astrocytes in a rat model of vascular dementia. MethodsSeventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=12 per group): Sham-operated group, model group, Tianma Goutengyin high-, medium-, and low-dose groups (5.13, 10.26, and 20.52 g·kg-1), and a nimodipine group (8.1 mg·kg-1). The vascular dementia model was established by permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion, followed by 4 weeks of intervention. Learning and memory ability were evaluated using the novel object recognition test, and behavioral performance was assessed using the forced swimming test. Levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) in hippocampal tissue were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hippocampal neuronal morphology was observed by Nissl staining, and apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). Immunohistochemistry was used to detect positive expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and myelin basic protein (MBP). Western blot analysis was performed to measure the protein expression levels of TNF-α, TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1), phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3), α1ACT, IL-6, complement component 3 (C3), BDNF, S100 calcium-binding protein A10 (S100A10), and GFAP in hippocampal tissue. ResultsCompared with the sham-operated group, the model group showed a significantly reduced relative recognition index in the novel object recognition test (P<0.01), prolonged immobility time and increased immobility frequency in the forced swimming test (P<0.01). Hippocampal IL-6 and CCL2 levels were significantly increased (P<0.01). Nissl staining revealed a marked reduction in neuronal number and loss of Nissl bodies (P<0.01). MBP-positive expression was significantly decreased (P<0.01), apoptosis was significantly increased (P<0.01), BDNF-positive expression was significantly reduced (P<0.05), and GFAP-positive expression was significantly increased (P<0.01). In addition, the protein expression levels of TNF-α, TNFR1, p-STAT3, α1ACT, IL-6, and C3 were significantly elevated (P<0.01), while BDNF and S100A10 expression levels were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all Tianma Gouteng yin dose groups exhibited a significant increase in the relative recognition index (P<0.05), shortened immobility time and reduced immobility frequency (P<0.05, P<0.01). IL-6 and CCL2 levels were significantly decreased (P<0.01), neuronal number was significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and MBP-positive expression was significantly enhanced (P<0.01). Apoptosis was significantly reduced (P<0.01), BDNF-positive expression was significantly increased (P<0.05), and GFAP-positive expression was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Moreover, the protein expression levels of TNF-α, TNFR1, p-STAT3, α1ACT, IL-6, and C3 were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while BDNF and S100A10 protein expression levels were significantly increased (P<0.01). ConclusionTianma Goutengyin may inhibit A1-type astrocyte activation in rats with vascular dementia through the TNF-α/STAT3/α1ACT signaling pathway, thereby reducing neuronal apoptosis and improving learning and memory function.
3.Expert consensus on a stepwise strategy for the surgical management of empyema based on pathological staging (2026 edition)
Jichen QU ; Yunjiu GOU ; Guangyu CHEN ; Yongfu ZHAI ; Tinglong MA ; Xiaogang ZENG ; Feng JIN ; Yanzheng SONG ; Boxiong XIE ; Minjie MA ; Bin LI ; Jiang FAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(07):988-998
The surgical management of empyema (excluding those caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria) is rapidly evolving towards minimally invasive, precise, and stepwise approaches. The traditional three-stage classification (exudative, fibrinopurulent, and organizing) has limitations in guiding dynamic clinical decision-making. For the first time, this consensus explicitly identifies two critical junctures in the pathological progression of empyema: "early transformation" (stage Ⅰ to Ⅱ) and "late transformation" (stage Ⅱ to Ⅲ), and thereby constructs a corresponding "identification-early warning-intervention" stepwise therapeutic framework. The consensus emphasizes that proactive debridement via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery should be performed during the early transformation phase to halt disease progression. Conversely, during the late transformation phase, therapeutic goals should be rationally adjusted to prioritize adequate drainage, avoiding futile pleural decortication. Moreover, the consensus underscores the pivotal role of precise perioperative etiological diagnosis (e.g. metagenomic nest-generation sequencing) and standardized anti-infective therapy. Integrating practical experiences from multiple thoracic surgery centers in China and relevant evidence-based literature, this consensus formulates recommendations on the precise definitions of staging, surgical indications for each phase, key technical points, perioperative management, and training systems. It aims to promote the standardized and individualized surgical management of empyema, ultimately optimizing patient prognosis.
4.Pathogenic analysis of Campylobacter jejuni in Fengtai District
Zhaoe WANG ; Mei QU ; Huiru FENG ; Zhuo MA ; Zhimin ZHANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(4):71-75
Objective To investigate the drug resistance phenotype/genotype and virulence gene carrying status, serotype, and sequence typing (ST) of Campylobacter jejuni in Fengtai District in 2024. Methods The drug resistance phenotype was detected by agar dilution method, and serotyping was performed by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The whole genome sequencing was used to analyze drug resistance genes, virulence genes, and other characteristics. Results Among the 35 Campylobacter jejuni strains analyzed, the antibiotics with the highest resistance rates were nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin (both 82.86%), followed by tetracycline (74.89%). All strains exhibited a 100.00% sensitivity rate to erythromycin. The multiple drug resistance rate was 77.14%. The predominant drug resistance genes were gyrA-T86I (94.29%) and tetO (74.29%). The most common serotype was HS:2, accounting for 25 strains. A total of 132 virulence genes were detected. There were 12 clonal complexes (CC) and 24 ST types. Conclusion The drug resistance situation of Campylobacter jejuni in Fengtai District is relatively severe, and the drug resistance phenotype is related to specific genetic mutations to some extent. The serotypes are diverse, the virulence genes are complex, and the pathogenic potential is significant, posing a notable risk for inducing Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The high number of ST types indicates substantial genetic diversity.
5.Research progress on natural products regulating osteogenic differentiation
Hu CAI ; Xiaoqian WU ; Lingfei HAN ; Feng FENG ; Wei QU ; Wenyuan LIU
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(1):10-21
As the important source of bone cells, osteoblasts are involved in bone formation and repair, and play a key role in maintaining bone balance. If the osteogenic differentiation process in vivo is disrupted, a variety of bone-related diseases may occur. Natural products, which have a wide range of sources, a wide variety of physiological activities, and few toxic side-effects, have been found in recent years to be able to regulate osteoblast differentiation. Based on the sources of natural products, this paper reviews the intervention of natural products from plant, animal and microbial sources on osteogenic differentiation, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for natural products in the treatment of bone diseases.
6.Predictive value of albumin,hemoglobin,and multifactorial model for poor postoperative prognosis in elderly patients with meningiomas
Yan-Yu GONG ; Hong QU ; Si-Zhe FENG ; Chun-Yong YU ; Jin-Wei DU ; Jin JIANG
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(4):418-426
Objective To explore the predictive value of albumin,hemoglobin and multifactorial model for poor postoperative prognosis in elderly patients with meningioma.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 253 elderly patients who underwent meningioma surgery and were transferred to the neurosurgical intensive care unit(NICU)at General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from January 2019 to September 2021,serving as the modeling cohort.Another 227 elderly patients who were treated in NICU after meningioma surgery from November 2021 to June 2023 were used as the validation cohort.Patients in the modeling cohort were categorized into good prognosis group[Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)score>7,n=161]and poor prognosis group(GCS≤7,n=92)based on the GCS.Univariate and multifactorial logistic regression analyses were performed on the modeling cohort to identify independent risk factors,and a multifactorial model for predicting poor postoperative prognosis in elderly patients with meningioma was constructed based on these factors.The predictive efficacy and accuracy of the model were evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC),sensitivity,specificity,Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test,and calibration curves.The predictive value of postoperative albumin,hemoglobin,and the multifactorial models for postoperative prognosis in elderly meningioma patients was assessed using restricted cubic spline modeling(RCS),decision curves(DCA),and validated using an external validation cohort to assess the stability of the model.Results Meningioma WHO grade Ⅱand Ⅲ(OR=3.994,95%CI 1.963-8.126),postoperative hypoalbuminemia(OR=2.194,95%CI 1.079-4.462),and postoperative anemia(OR=2.117,95%CI 1.096-4.089)were identified as independent risk factors for poor postoperative prognosis in elderly meningioma patients(P<0.05),while the use of analgesic/sedative medications was a protective factor(OR=0.388,95%CI 0.201-0.748,P<0.05).The Hosmer-Lemeshow test indicated that the constructed multifactorial model had a good fit accuracy(P=0.161).The AUC for predicting poor postoperative prognosis in elderly meningioma patients for postoperative albumin and hemoglobin were 0.545(95%CI 0.472-0.617)and 0.632(95%CI 0.561-0.702),respectively,and showed a nonlinear dose-response relationship with prognosis(P<0.01).DCA analysis results showed that the net benefit rate of multifactorial model was higher than that of postoperative albumin and hemoglobin when the threshold probabilities were between 0.10 and 0.90.The AUC for predicting postoperative prognosis in the elderly meningioma patients in the modeling and validation cohorts were 0.810 and 0.819,respectively,and their calibration curves suggested good discrimination and accuracy.Conclusions Meningioma WHO grades Ⅱ and Ⅲ,postoperative anemia and hypoalbuminemia are independent risk factors for poor postoperative prognosis in elderly meningioma patients,while the use of analgesic/sedative drugs is a protective factor.The multifactorial model constructed based on these factors has a good predictive efficacy and credibility,and can be used as a reference for clinical decision-making.
7.Incidence and severity grading of treatment-related adverse event associated with programmed death-1/programmed death-ligand 1 inhibitors combined with various anticancer regimens
Ting FENG ; Ying QU ; Lian LIU ; Lin WANG
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(2):19-23
Objective To analyze the incidence and severity grading of treatment-related adverse event(TRAE)associated with programmed death-l/programmed death-ligand 1(PD-1/PD-L1)in-hibitors combined with various anticancer regimens.Methods A total of 356 tumor patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors were retrospectively selected as the study objects.The occurrence of ad-verse reactions in patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors combined with different anticancer regi-mens was recorded and analyzed.Results Among the 356 patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibi-tors in combination with various anticancer regimens,332 times of TRAEs were observed.Fatigue and adverse gastrointestinal reactions were the most prevalent,accounting for 31.93%(106/332)and 20.78%(69/332)respectively.Skin-related adverse reactions(appearing within 3 to12 weeks)and gas-trointestinal adverse reactions(5 to 10 weeks)occurred first,while fever(10 to 30 weeks)and pneumonia(12 to 32 weeks)presented later,with the longest observation time span.The lowest overall incidence of TRAE was observed in the combination of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-as-sociated antigen 4(CTLA-4)inhibitors(85.71%,36/42),while the highest was in the combina-tion with platinum-based doublet chemotherapy(96.88%,155/160).The incidence of grade 3 to 5 TRAEwas lowest in the combination of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors with radiotherapy(10.53%,6/57)and highest in the combination with vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor(VEGF/VEGFR)targeted therapy(44.64%,25/56).There was no signifi-cant difference in the incidence and severity of TRAE among different tumors(P>0.05).Conclu-sion When different anti-cancer regiments combined with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors,the overall inci-dence of TRAE is higher,among which the incidence of TRAE combined with CTLA-4 is relatively lowest,and the symptoms of TRAE combined with radiotherapy are relatively mild.
8.Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker Gawl. extract treats dry eye disease via anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and goblet cell-stimulating effects
Guoliang Li ; Rui Feng ; Jiayi Yu ; Boliang Li ; Yanni Luo ; Hongyi Luo ; Cheng Zhang ; Guanghong Zhang ; Jianglong Li ; Chao Qu
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2025;2025(3):422-433
ObjectiveTo investigate the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and goblet cell-stimulating effects of a suspension of Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker Gawl. (O. japonicus, Mai Dong) extract combined with hyaluronic acid (HA) in the mouse model with dry eye disease (DED).MethodsA DED mouse model was induced using benzalkonium chloride (BAK), followed by treatment with O. japonicus extract-containing eye drops at varying concentrations. Experimental groups included a normal control, a DED model control, a positive control, and an O. japonicus extract-treated group. Corneal fluorescein staining and tear break-up time (TBUT) were used to assess tear film stability and ocular surface integrity. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) measured inflammatory factor levels in corneal and conjunctival tissues, whereas Western blot (WB) analyzed key antioxidant and inflammatory markers, including nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (2Nrf2) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1). Periodic acid-schiff (PAS) staining and immunofluorescence were used to evaluate goblet cell density and mucin secretion.ResultsO. japonicus extract significantly improved corneal damage, reduced fluorescein staining scores, prolonged TBUT, and increased tear secretion. It downregulated inflammatory markers, including interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) while upregulating Nrf2, HO-1, and the interleukin-13 (IL-13)/IFN-γ ratio, alleviating oxidative stress and inflammation. PAS staining showed increased conjunctival goblet cell density and restored mucin secretion, enhancing tear film stability.ConclusionO. japonicus extract demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and goblet cell-stimulating effects in a DED model, with good biocompatibility and promising therapeutic potential. Future research should optimize extraction processes and validate their efficacy and safety in clinical settings.
9.The value of nomogram model based on CT features in differentiating ectopic pancreatic and gastrointestinal small stromal tumors
Feng WEN ; Zhibing RUAN ; Huadan XUE ; Ting MENG ; Jinhuan QU ; Lin HUANG ; Kun CHEN ; Maoli XU ; Huilin CHEN ; Shihan SHI ; Geya TANG
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(5):565-571
Objective:To investigate the value of nomogram model based on CT features in differentiating ectopic pancreas (EP) from gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) with a long diameter less than 3 cm.Methods:This study was a case-control study. The clinical and imaging data of 43 patients with EP and 90 patients with GIST confirmed by pathology in the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University from August 2013 to March 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative CT images were analyzed to obtain qualitative features (number of lesions, location, morphology, growth pattern, borders, cystic degeneration, calcification, ulceration, catheter sign, central umbilication) and quantitative features (lesion long diameter, short diameter, long/short diameter, lesion and normal pancreas arterial-phase and venous-phase CT values, and enhancement ratio). Statistical analyses, including independent sample t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, χ2 tests, and Fisher exact tests, were performed to compare CT characteristics between the two groups. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to obtain independent predictors to identify the two groups, to establish a joint model, and to draw a nomogram. The discriminative performance of the independent predictors and the combined model was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, while calibration curves were used to evaluate model fit. Results:The differences in age, location, morphology, border, catheter sign, central umbilication, short diameter, long/short diameter, arteriovenous phase enhancement CT value and arteriovenous phase enhancement ratio were statistically significant between the EP group and the GIST group (all P<0.05). The logistic analysis showed that the differences in age ( OR=0.920, 95% CI 0.885-0.956, P<0.001), border ( OR=5.994, 95% CI 2.111-17.022, P=0.001), long/short diameter ( OR=7.820, 95% CI 1.841-33.224, P=0.005), and venous phase enhancement ratio ( OR=8.847, 95% CI 1.103-70.972, P=0.040) were the independent predictors for distinguishing EP from GIST, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) were 0.782 (95% CI 0.698-0.866), 0.684 (95% CI 0.600-0.767), 0.705 (95% CI 0.607-0.803), and 0.693 (95% CI 0.605-0.781), respectively. Combined age, border, long diameter/short diameter and venous phase enhancement ratio were plotted in a nomogram with an AUC of 0.881 (95% CI 0.817-0.945), sensitivity and specificity of 74.4% and 93.3%, respectively. The calibration curve demonstrated a strong agreement between predicted and actual probabilities (Hosmer-Lemeschow test, P=0.267). Conclusions:CT imaging reveals significant differences between EP and small GISTs (<3 cm). EP is more likely when patients are younger and lesions exhibit indistinct borders, a higher long-to-short diameter ratio, and greater venous-phase enhancement. The nomogram derived from CT features provides a valuable tool for differentiating EP from GIST.
10.Immunological characteristics of a mouse model of eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps
Yan LI ; Tianjiao JIANG ; Zhennan QU ; Luo ZHANG ; Feng LAN
Chinese Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2025;32(6):366-370
OBJECTIVE Aimed to comprehensively evaluate various immunological changes in a mouse model of eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps(ECRSwNP)induced by ovalbumin(OVA)combined with Aspergillus protease(AP),including nasal polyps-like lesions,subepithelial collagen deposition,inflammatory cell infiltration,epithelial barrier function,and olfactory neuron damage.METHODS C57BL/6 mice were challenged with OVA and AP for 12 weeks.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE),periodic acid-Schiff(PAS),and Masson staining were used to observe the changes of nasal polyps-like lesions,goblet cell hyperplasia,and subepithelial collagen deposition.Immunohistochemistry staining(IHC)was employed to detect the changes of various inflammatory cells,olfactory neurons,and the expression of epithelial tight junction proteins in the nasal and sinus mucosa.RESULTS Compared to the control group,the OVA and AP group showed significantly increased epithelial thickness,noticeable nasal polyps-like lesions,marked subepithelial collagen deposition,and goblet cell hyperplasia in the nasal and sinus mucosa.IHC results revealed a significant increase in eosinophils,along with higher numbers of neutrophils,mast cells,and CD4+T cells in the OVA and AP group.Additionally,the expression of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and E-cadherin in the nasal and sinus mucosa and the area of OMP+olfactory neurons in the olfactory epithelium were significantly lower in the OVA and AP group compared to the control.CONCLUSION Continuous exposure to OVA combined with AP successfully induces ECRSwNP.The establishment of this model provides a foundation for further research into the pathogenesis and the evaluation of new therapeutic strategies for ECRSwNP.


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