1.Guideline Ecosystem: From Theory to Practice
Xiumei MA ; Nan YANG ; Hui LIU ; Qi ZHOU ; Yaolong CHEN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(4):1143-1147
Clinical practice guidelines serve as a crucial bridge linking research evidence, clinical practice, and health policy decision-making. However, the guideline domain continues to face persistent challenges, including duplicate guideline development, variable methodological quality, lack of transparent reporting, insufficient implementation and translation, and delayed updates. Focusing solely on "how to develop a high-quality guideline" is no longer sufficient to meet the modern healthcare system's demands for timely, trustworthy, actionable, and dynamically updated recommendations. The emergence of the guideline ecosystem marks a shift in guideline research and practice from a linear development process toward a more systematic governance model. Rooted in the evidence ecosystem, the guideline ecosystem has its own distinct functional positioning, encompassing recommendation formulation, clinical implementation, and life-cycle updating. Looking ahead, China should leverage guideline registries, integrated quality assessment systems, implementation science, dynamic updating mechanisms, and artificial intelligence technologies to promote the transformation of its guideline system from scale expansion to an ecosystem-based model characterized by high quality and sustainability.
2.Progress in the application of poloxamer in new preparation technology
Xue QI ; Yi CHENG ; Nan LIU ; Zengming WANG ; Hui ZHANG ; Aiping ZHENG ; Dongzhou KANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(5):630-635
Poloxamer, as a non-ionic surfactant, exhibits a unique triblock [polyethylene oxide-poly (propylene oxide)-polyethylene oxide] structure, which endows it with broad application potential in various fields, including solid dispersion technology, nanotechnology, gel technology, biologics, gene engineering and 3D printing. As a carrier, it enhances the solubility and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. In the field of nanotechnology, it serves as a stabilizer etc., enriching preparation methods. In gel technology, its self-assembly behavior and thermosensitive properties facilitate controlled drug release. In biologics, it improves targeting efficiency and reduces side effects. In gene engineering, it enhances delivery efficiency and expression levels. In 3D printing, it provides novel strategies for precise drug release control and the production of high-quality biological products. As a versatile material, poloxamer holds promising prospects in the pharmaceutical field.
3.Efficacy and safety of vericiguat added to GDMT regimen in the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Xingyuan ZHAO ; Xiangyan CHEN ; Nan HU ; Liying WANG ; Hui XUE ; Zongling XIA
China Pharmacy 2025;36(17):2165-2169
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) combined with vericiguat in treating heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). METHODS A retrospective study was conducted on 346 patients with HFrEF who received standardized diagnosis and treatment at the First People’s Hospital of Changzhou from January 2023 to May 2024. They were divided into standard treatment group (n=215) and vericiguat group (n=131). Patients in the standard treatment group received GDMT, while patients in the vericiguat group received GDMT combined with vericiguat. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance confounding factors between two groups, and the effectiveness (including outcome and prognostic indicators) and safety (occurrence of adverse events) of both groups were evaluated. Kaplan-Meier survival curves for primary and secondary outcome events were drawn, and the influential factors of primary outcome events were screened through univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS After PSM, there were 100 patients in the standard treatment group and 100 patients in the vericiguat group, and there was no statistically significant differences in baseline data between two groups (P>0.05). During a 1-year follow-up, there were statistically significant differences in the cumulative incidence of major outcome events between the standard treatment group and the vericiguat group, cumulative incidence of hospitalization events due to heart failure, changes in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels before and after treatment between the standard treatment group and the vericiguat group (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups (P>0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis results showed that left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% was a risk factor for the occurrence of major outcome events within 1 year [hazard ratio (HR)= 2.090, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.175-3.718, P=0.012], while the use of vericiguat was a protective factor for the occurrence of major outcome events within 1 year (HR=0.505, 95%CI: 0.284-0.899, P=0.020). CONCLUSIONS Compared with GDMT, GDMT combined with vericiguat can improve the clinical symptoms and prognosis of HFrEF patients, and has good safety.
4.Effect of Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture on hippocampal neuronal ferroptosis in depression rats based on SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway.
Tingting QIAN ; Ling ZOU ; Zhi GAO ; Yu WU ; Yanbiao ZHAO ; Nan LI ; Hui LIU ; Meixiang SUN ; Peiyang SUN
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(8):1120-1127
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the effects of Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture (acupuncture for unblocking the obstruction in the governor vessel and regulating the spirit) on the depression-like behavior and the hippocampal neuronal ferroptosis mediated by solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) pathway in depression rats, and explore the mechanism of this therapy for depression.
METHODS:
Of 30 male SD rats of SPF grade, 24 rats were selected. According to the random number table, they were divided into a normal group (n=8) and a modeling group (n=16). The rats in the modeling group were subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) for 28 consecutive days to establish depression model. After modeling, 16 successfully-modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group and an acupuncture group, 8 rats in each one. In the acupuncture group, Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture was applied to "Dazhui"(GV14), "Shuigou" (GV26), "Baihui" (GV20) and "Shenting" (GV24). This intervention measure was deliveredonce a day, continuously for 6 days. The intervention discontinued on day 7, and was completed in 4 weeks. Before and after modeling, and after intervention completion, the behavioristics detection was performed using sucrose preference experiment and open field experiment. After intervention, using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Nissl staining, the morphology of hippocampal neurons was observed; with Western blot method, the protein expression of GPX4, SLC7A11, Ferritin and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family 4 (ACSL4) in hippocampal tissues was detected; with the real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR adopted, the mRNA expression of GPX4, SLC7A11, Ferritin and ACSL4 was detected; and using colorimetry, the hippocampal iron content was determined.
RESULTS:
After modeling, the sucrose preference rates, the total distance of movement, the standing times and the boxes of horizontal crossing in the model group and the acupuncture group were lower than those in the normal group (P<0.01). After the intervention, the sucrose preference rates, the total distance of movement, the standing times and the boxes of horizontal crossing in the acupuncture group were higher than those in the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the number of necrotic cells increased and the number of Nissl bodies decreased in the model group; and when compared with the model group, the neuronal pyknosis and necrosis were ameliorated, the cells were arranged more regularly, the neuronal structure was clear, the matrix was dense, the blood vessels were enriched and the number of Nissl bodies increased in the acupuncture group. In comparison with the normal group, the relative expression of protein and mRNA of hippocampal GPX4, SLC7A11 decreased (P<0.01), it increased in the expression of hippocampal Ferritin and ACSL4 (P<0.01) in the model group. When compared with the model group, in the acupuncture group, the relative expression of protein and mRNA of hippocampal GPX4, SLC7A11 was elevated (P<0.01, P<0.05), it was dropped for hippocampal Ferritin and ACSL4 (P<0.01). In the model group, the hippocampal iron content was elevated when compared with that in the normal group (P<0.01); and it was reduced in the acupuncture group when compared with that in the model group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture attenuates depression-like behaviors in the depression rats, which may be related to regulating SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway and inhibiting neuronal ferroptosis in the hippocampus.
Animals
;
Ferroptosis
;
Male
;
Hippocampus/cytology*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
Depression/enzymology*
;
Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase/genetics*
;
Acupuncture Therapy
;
Neurons/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Acupuncture Points
;
Amino Acid Transport System y+/genetics*
;
Glutathione Peroxidase/genetics*
5.Expert consensus on clinical protocol for treating herpes zoster with fire needling.
Xiaodong WU ; Bin LI ; Baoyan LIU ; Lin HE ; Zhishun LIU ; Shixi HUANG ; Keyi HUI ; Hongxia LIU ; Yuxia CAO ; Shuxin WANG ; Zhe XU ; Cang ZHANG ; Jingsheng ZHAO ; Yali LIU ; Nanqi ZHAO ; Nan DING ; Jing HU
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(12):1825-1832
The expert consensus on the clinical treatment of herpes zoster with fire needling was developed, and the commonly used fire needling treatment scheme verified by clinical research was selected to form a standardized diagnosis and treatment scheme for acute herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), so as to answer the core problems in clinical application. The consensus focuses on patients with herpes zoster, and forms recommendations for 9 key clinical issues, covering simple fire needling and TCM comprehensive therapy based on fire needling, including fire needling combined with cupping, fire needling combined with Chinese herb, fire needling combined with cupping and Chinese herb, fire needling combined with filiform needling, fire needling combined with moxibustion, and provides specific recommendations and operational guidelines for various therapies.
Humans
;
Herpes Zoster/therapy*
;
Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation*
;
Consensus
;
Clinical Protocols
7.Proposal and research idea of "traditional Chinese medicine processing chemical biology".
Peng-Peng LIU ; Qian CAI ; Ji SHI ; Nan XU ; Hui GAO ; Ke-Wu ZENG ; Tian-Zhu JIA
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(3):833-839
Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) processing is a unique and highly distinctive pharmaceutical technology in China. Utilizing modern scientific methods to elucidate the connotations of traditional processing theory and its effects is expected to facilitate the inheritance, development, innovation, and enhancement of TCM processing, and lead to more original research outcomes in the field of TCM. The breakthrough in TCM processing lies in the study of its underlying principles, and analyzing these principles involves researching the transformation mechanisms of chemical components and the biological effect mechanisms of the transformed components. This paper proposed the concept of "TCM processing chemical biology"(TCMPCB) for the first time. Under the guidance of TCM theory, the active components transformed during TCM processing were used as chemical tools to study their targets and molecular regulatory mechanisms, aiming to clarify the scientific principles by which TCM processing affected biological effects in the organism. The research findings also provided new directions for discovering novel active components, new lead compounds, creating new decoction pieces, and developing new TCM drugs. This paper provided a detailed introduction to the background, definition, research content, research ideas, research methods, and prospects of TCMPCB, with the aim of offering new research perspectives for analyzing the principles of TCM processing and providing new pathways for achieving the "four new and eight transformations" in TCM processing.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*
;
Humans
;
Animals
8.Research on software development and smart manufacturing platform incorporating near-infrared spectroscopy for measuring traditional Chinese medicine manufacturing process.
Yan-Fei WU ; Hui XU ; Kai-Yi WANG ; Hui-Min FENG ; Xiao-Yi LIU ; Nan LI ; Zhi-Jian ZHONG ; Ze-Xiu ZHANG ; Zhi-Sheng WU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(9):2324-2333
Process analytical technology(PAT) is a key means for digital transformation and upgrading of the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) manufacturing process, serving as an important guarantee for consistent and controllable TCM product quality. Near-infrared(NIR) spectroscopy has become the core technology for measuring the TCM manufacturing process. By incorporating NIR spectroscopy into PAT and starting from the construction of a smart platform for the TCM manufacturing process, this paper systematically described the development history and innovative application of the combination of NIR spectroscopy with chemometrics in measuring the TCM manufacturing process by the research team over the past two decades. Additionally, it explored the application of a validation method based on accuracy profile(AP) in the practice of NIR spectroscopy. Furthermore, the software development progress driven by NIR spectroscopy supported by modeling technology was analyzed, and the prospect of integrating NIR spectroscopy in smart factory control platforms was exemplified with the construction practices of related platforms. By integrating with the smart platform, NIR spectroscopy could improve production efficiency and guarantee product quality. Finally, the prospect of the smart platform application in measuring the TCM manufacturing process was projected. It is believed that the software development for NIR spectroscopy and the smart manufacturing platform will provide strong technical support for TCM digitalization and industrialization.
Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared/methods*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis*
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Software
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Quality Control
9.Optimization of extraction process for Shenxiong Huanglian Jiedu Granules based on AHP-CRITIC hybrid weighting method, grey correlation analysis, and BP-ANN.
Zi-An LI ; De-Wen LIU ; Xin-Jian LI ; Bing-Yu WU ; Qun LAN ; Meng-Jia GUO ; Jia-Hui SUN ; Nan-Yang LIU ; Hui PEI ; Hao LI ; Hong YI ; Jin-Yu WANG ; Liang-Mian CHEN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(10):2674-2683
By employing the analytic hierarchy process(AHP), the CRITIC method(a weight determination method based on indicator correlations), and the AHP-CRITIC hybrid weighting method, the weight coefficients of evaluation indicators were determined, followed by a comprehensive score comparison. The grey correlation analysis was then performed to analyze the results calculated using the hybrid weighting method. Subsequently, a backpropagation-artificial neural network(BP-ANN) model was constructed to predict the extraction process parameters and optimize the extraction process for Shenxiong Huanglian Jiedu Granules(SHJG). In the extraction process, an L_9(3~4) orthogonal experiment was designed to optimize three factors at three levels, including extraction frequency, water addition amount, and extraction time. The evaluation indicators included geniposide, berberine, ginsenoside Rg_1 + Re, ginsenoside Rb_1, ferulic acid, and extract yield. Finally, the optimal extraction results obtained by the orthogonal experiment, grey correlation analysis, and BP-ANN method were compared, and validation experiments were conducted. The results showed that the optimal extraction process involved two rounds of aqueous extraction, each lasting one hour; the first extraction used ten times the amount of added water, while the second extraction used eight times the amount. In the validation experiments, the average content of each indicator component was higher than the average content obtained in the orthogonal experiment, with a higher comprehensive score. The optimized extraction process parameters were reliable and stable, making them suitable for subsequent preparation process research.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis*
;
Neural Networks, Computer
10.Predictive value of inflammatory indicator and serum cystatin C for the prognosis of patients with sepsis-associated acute kidney injury.
Wenjie ZHOU ; Nan ZHANG ; Tian ZHAO ; Qi MA ; Xigang MA
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2025;37(3):275-279
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the predictive value of inflammatory indicator and serum cystatin C (Cys C) for the prognosis of patients with sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI).
METHODS:
A prospective observational study was conducted. Patients with SA-AKI admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from January 2022 to December 2023 were selected as the study subjects. General patient data, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II), inflammatory indicator, and serum Cys C levels were collected. The 28-day survival status of the patients was observed. A multivariate Logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors affecting the poor prognosis of SA-AKI patients. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was plotted to evaluate the predictive efficacy of each risk factor for the prognosis of SA-AKI patients.
RESULTS:
A total of 111 SA-AKI patients were included, with 65 patients (58.6%) in the survival group and 46 patients (41.4%) in the death group. The SOFA score, APACHE II score, interleukin-6 (IL-6), procalcitonin (PCT), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and serum Cys C levels in the death group were significantly higher than those in the survival group [SOFA score: 15.00 (14.00, 17.25) vs. 14.00 (11.00, 16.00), APACHE II score: 26.00 (23.75, 28.00) vs. 23.00 (18.50, 28.00), IL-6 (ng/L): 3 731.00±1 573.61 vs. 2 087.93±1 702.88, PCT (μg/L): 78.19±30.35 vs. 43.56±35.37, hs-CRP (mg/L): 266.50 (183.75, 326.75) vs. 210.00 (188.00, 273.00), serum Cys C (mg/L): 2.01±0.61 vs. 1.62±0.50, all P < 0.05]. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that SOFA score [odds ratio (OR) = 1.273, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 1.012-1.600, P = 0.039], IL-6 (OR = 1.000, 95%CI was 1.000-1.001, P = 0.043), PCT (OR = 1.018, 95%CI was 1.002-1.035, P = 0.030), and Cys C (OR = 4.139, 95%CI was 1.727-9.919, P = 0.001) were independent risk factors affecting the 28-day prognosis of SA-AKI patients. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of SOFA score, IL-6, PCT, and Cys C in predicting the 28-day prognosis of SA-AKI patients were 0.682 (95%CI was 0.582-0.782, P = 0.001), 0.753 (95%CI was 0.662-0.843, P < 0.001), 0.765 (95%CI was 0.677-0.854, P < 0.001), and 0.690 (95%CI was 0.583-0.798, P = 0.001), respectively. The combined predictive value of these four indicators for the prognosis of SA-AKI patients were superior to that of any single indicator, with an AUC of 0.847 (95%CI was 0.778-0.916, P < 0.001), a sensitivity of 95.7%, and a specificity of 56.9%.
CONCLUSION
The combination of SOFA score, IL-6, PCT, and Cys C provides a reliable predictive value for the prognosis of SA-AKI patients.
Humans
;
Acute Kidney Injury/mortality*
;
APACHE
;
C-Reactive Protein
;
Cystatin C/blood*
;
Interleukin-6/blood*
;
Logistic Models
;
Predictive Value of Tests
;
Procalcitonin/blood*
;
Prognosis
;
Prospective Studies
;
Risk Factors
;
ROC Curve
;
Sepsis/mortality*

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