OBJECTIVE To provide suggestions for improving the path and system construction of patient engagement in drug regulation in China. METHODS By reviewing initiatives and experiences from the United States （U. S.）， European Union （EU）， and Japan in promoting patient engagement， this study summarizes the roles and contributions of patients in the entire drug regulatory process internationally. Combining China’s current progress and challenges in patient engagement， specific proposals are formulated to refine regulatory pathways and institutional systems. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS With growing global emphasis on patient engagement as a regulatory strategy， countries or regions such as the U.S.， EU， and Japan have established clear policies， designated oversight agencies， and developed diversified pathways for patient engagement. Patients contribute to regulatory processes through advisory meetings， direct decision-making roles， and leveraging lived experiences and expertise to optimize drug evaluation and monitoring. In contrast， China’s patient engagement remains primarily limited to clinical value- oriented drug development， lacking formal policy guidance. It is recommended that China， based on its existing policy system， further strengthen the construction of a safeguard system for patient engagement， improve the capacity building and pathway models for patient participation in pharmaceutical regulation， and promote the continuous development of patient engagement in pharmaceutical regulation in our country.

OBJECTIVE To construct an evaluation index system for the core competencies of ethics committee members of drug clinical trial institution， providing a basis for optimizing the training system for committee members， improving the quality of ethical review， and fully safeguarding the safety and rights of subjects. METHODS Using methods such as literature research and expert consultation， a preliminary core competency evaluation index system was constructed. The Delphi method was employed to revise and validate it， ultimately forming an evaluation index system for the core competencies of ethics committee members. Based on this system， a questionnaire survey was conducted among 90 ethics committee members from 29 drug clinical trial institutions nationwide， comparing their importance rating and self-assessment scores of the core competency indexes. RESULTS The evaluation system constructed included 4 primary indicators （ethics and professional knowledge， ethics review ability， communication and expression ability， moral integrity and work style） and 39 secondary indicators （familiarity with the content of clinical trial-related laws and regulations， ability to complete project ethics review and identify ethical defects in research protocols within a short period of time， ability to judge the scientific value of clinical research， etc.）. The results of questionnaire survey showed that the interviewed ethics committee members had significant capability gaps in dimensions such as regulatory knowledge， ethical norms， review efficiency， risk judgment， and problem analysis. The differences between the importance rating scores of corresponding secondary indicators and the self-assessment scores were all no less than 0.38. CONCLUSIONS This study has developed a quantifiable and stratified core competency assessment tool for ethics committee members. It can provide a scientific framework for committee member training， qualification certification， and standardized management of ethics committees.

Following the release of the Technical Requirements on Quality Control and Standard Establishment of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Granules by the National Medical Products Administration in 2021, Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission has promulgated 296 national drug standards so far, and most provinces have started the work of establishing provincial standards as supplements. The promulgation of standards fostered high-quality development of the industry. Since the implementation of national and provincial standards for more than three years, enterprises have gained deep understanding and hands-on experiences on the characteristics, technical requirements, production process, and quality control of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) formula granules. Meanwhile, challenges have emerged restricting the high-quality development of this industry, including how to formulate quality control strategies for medicinal materials and decoction pieces, how to reduce manufacturing costs, and how to improve the pass rate and product stability under high standards. Based on the work experiences from standard management and process research, this article analyzed the distribution of sources, processing methods, dry extract rate ranges, process requirements for volatile oil-containing decoction pieces, control measures of safety indices, characteristics and trends of setting characteristic chromatograms or fingerprints, characteristics and trends of setting content ranges, and main differences between national standards and provincial standards. On the one hand, this article aims to present main characteristics for deeply understanding different indicators in standards and provide basic ideas for establishing quality and process control systems. On the other hand, from the perspective of industrial practice, suggestions are put forward on the important aspects that need to be focused on in the quality and process control of TCM formula granules.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Quality Control ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards* ; China ; Drug Industry/standards*

Objective： To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Tonifying kidney and activating blood therapy for the treatment of diabetic mellitus erectile dysfunction. Methods： China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP, Chinese Biomedical Database(CBM), PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and Web of Science were searched from inception until October 20th of 2024，for randomized controlled trials of Tonifying kidney and activating blood therapy for the treatment of diabetic erectile dysfunction. Literature screening, quality evaluation, and data extraction were carried out in accordance with relevant standards. The software of RevMan5.4 was used for the analysis of publication bias. And meta-analysis was conducted to assess the impact of this therapy on IIEF-5, total effective rate, adverse reactions. The evidence levels according to the analysis results were evaluated. Results: Totally 19 RCTs were included, involving 1 612 patients. The result of meta-analysis indicated that Tonifying kidney and activating blood therapy had advantages on the improvement of IIEF-5 scores (MD=3.59，95%CI［2.14，5.03］，P<0.01)，total effective rate (OR=4.30，95%CI［3.29，5.32］，P<0.000 01）. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions(OR=0.98，95%CI［0.48，2.01］，P=0.96) between the two groups. Conclusions： Tonifying kidney and activating blood therapy can improve the clinical efficacy and IIEF-5 score for the patients with diabetic erectile dysfunction. But considering the limited quantity of included studies, more high-quality studies still be needed to validate the therapeutic effect.
Humans ; Male ; Erectile Dysfunction/therapy* ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Kidney ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Diabetes Complications/therapy*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory effects of two traditional mineral medicines (TMMs), Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao, GF) and Terra Flava Usta (Zaoxintu, TFU), on gut-beneficial bacteria in mice, and preliminarily explore their mechanisms of action. METHODS: Mice were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=10 per group): the control group (standard diet), the GF group (diet supplemented with 2% GF), and the TFU group (diet supplemented with 2% TFU). After 4-week intervention, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to analyze the changes in the gut microbiota (GM). Scanning electron microscopy, in combination with coumarin A tetramethyl rhodamine conjugate and Hoechst stainings, was used to observe the bacteria and biofilm formation. RESULTS: Principal coordinate analysis revealed that GF and TFU significantly altered the GM composition in mice. Further analysis revealed that GF and TFU affected different types of gut bacteria, suggesting that different TMMs may selectively modulate specific bacterial populations. For certain bacteria, such as Faecalibaculum and Ileibacterium, both GF and TFU exhibited growth-promoting effects, implying that they may be sensitive to TMMs and that different TMMs can increase their abundance through their respective mechanisms. Notably, Lactobacillus reuteri, a widely recognized and used probiotic, was significantly enriched in the GF group. Random forest analysis identified Ileibacterium valens as a potential indicator bacterium for TMMs' impact on GM. Further mechanistic studies showed that gut bacteria formed biofilm structures on the TFU surface. CONCLUSIONS This study provides new insights into the interaction between TMMs and GM. As safe and effective natural clays, GF and TFU hold promise as potential candidates for prebiotic development.
Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Bacteria/growth & development* ; Mice ; Biofilms/drug effects* ; Male ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics*

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the potential mediating role of plasma phosphorylated tau217 (p-tau217) in the association between periodontitis and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: In this case-control study, patients diagnosed with MCI in the Neurology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University from November 2023 to May 2024 were selected as the case group (MCI group). Cognitively normal (CN) volunteers, matched for age and education level and recruited from the physical examination center during the same period, served as the control group (CN group). The general demographic data of the study participants were collected. The Beijing versions of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), clinical dementia rating (CDR), and activities of daily living scale (ADL) were used to assess neuropsychological functions. Clinical periodontal examinations were conducted, the periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) was calculated, and the periodontitis stage was determined in accordance with the 2018 classification. Fasting elbow venous blood samples were collected in the morning, and blood biochemical indicators were measured. Plasma p-tau217 levels were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analyses were performed using t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, partial correlation analysis, multivariate Logistic regression analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression analysis, and mediation effect analysis. RESULTS: Among the 192 participants, 96 belong to the MCI group and 96 to the CN group. The prevalence of periodontitis was 63.5% in the MCI group and 43.8% in the CN group, with a statistically significant difference (χ²=7.561, P=0.006). The plasma p-tau217 levels in the MCI group were significantly higher than those in the CN group [7.00 (4.27-9.65) ng/mL versus 2.02 (0.80-3.81) ng/mL, Z=-8.108, P<0.001]. Partial correlation analysis revealed that plasma p-tau217 levels were positively correlated with all the clinical periodontal indices (all P<0.001). After adjustments for baseline covariates, multivariate Logistic regression indicated that periodontitis was an independent risk factor for MCI. Patients with periodontitis had a 1.977-fold higher MCI risk than those without periodontitis (OR=1.977, 95%CI: 1.088-3.594, P=0.025). Moreover, the MCI risk for stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ periodontitis and stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ periodontitis was 1.878 times (OR=1.878, 95%CI: 1.029-3.425, P=0.040) and 2.625 times (OR=2.625, 95%CI: 1.073-6.246, P=0.035) higher than that for patients without periodontitis, respectively. Trend test showed that the MCI risk increased with periodontitis severity (P_trend=0.016). After adjustments for baseline covariates, multiple linear regression analysis showed that periodontitis was an independent risk factor for increased plasma p-tau217 levels (β=3.309, 95%CI: 2.363-4.254, P<0.001). Compared with patients without periodontitis, those with stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ periodontitis (β=1.838, 95%CI: 0.869-2.806, P<0.001) and stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ periodontitis (β=5.539, 95%CI: 4.442-6.636, P<0.001) had significantly higher plasma p-tau217 levels. In addition, trend test indicated that plasma p-tau217 levels increased with periodontitis severity (P_trend<0.001). After adjustments for baseline covariates, RCS regression analysis further revealed that PISA had a positive linear dose-response relationship with MCI risk (P_overall=0.002, P_nonlinear=0.344) and plasma p-tau217 levels (P_overall<0.001, P_nonlinear=0.140). After adjustments for baseline covariates, mediation analysis showed that plasma p-tau217 mediated the association between periodontitis and MCI, with a mediation proportion of 13.99% (95% Bootstrap CI: 0.38%-49.39%, P=0.038). CONCLUSIONS Periodontitis was independently positively associated with MCI risk, and plasma p-tau217 plays a mediating role in this association.
Humans ; Cognitive Dysfunction/complications* ; tau Proteins/blood* ; Periodontitis/complications* ; Case-Control Studies ; Male ; Female ; Phosphorylation ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Activities of Daily Living

Objective:To investigate the teaching activity based on an online radiological teaching case library that integrates various teaching models including problem-based learning (PBL), case-based learning (CBL), flipped classroom, and microclass, as well as its application effect in standardized residency training in department of radiology.Methods:A total of 65 physicians who completed standardized residency training in Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, from 2016 to 2022 were enrolled as subjects and were divided into control group with 32 physicians and experimental group with 33 physicians. The physicians in the control group received traditional teaching, and those in the experimental group received blended teaching with PBL, CBL, flipped classroom, and microclass based on a teaching case library. The two groups were compared in terms of the test scores of clinical thinking and decision making at the end of the course and their assessment and feedback for the teaching method. SPSS 22.0 was used to perform the t-test and the chi-square test. Results:For the assessment of clinical thinking and decision making, compared with the control group, the experimental group had significantly higher score of objective essay questions (49.83±1.27 vs. 48.74±1.64, P<0.05), score of subjective essay questions (39.57±1.75 vs. 36.02±1.81, P<0.05), and total score (89.40±1.54 vs. 84.76±1.93, P<0.05). The experimental group had significantly better assessment and feedback for the teaching method than the control group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:For physicians participating in standardized residency training, the blended teaching model based on teaching case library that integrates PBL, CBL, flipped classroom, and microclass can effectively improve the test scores of clinical thinking and decision making, stimulate their learning initiative and participation enthusiasm in medical imaging, and enhance their comprehensive ability for clinical diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the incidence rate,clinical characteristics,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China.Methods Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital,the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022.The incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137,1/6 060,and 1/7 704,respectively.Ischemic stroke accounted for 75％(27/36);boys accounted for 64％(23/36).Among the 36 neonates,31(86％)had disease onset within 3 days after birth,and 19(53％)had convulsion as the initial presentation.Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates(61％)had left cerebral infarction and 13(36％)had basal ganglia infarction.Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates,among whom 9(75％)had involvement of the middle cerebral artery.Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates,with sharp waves in 21 neonates(72％)and seizures in 10 neonates(34％).Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals.Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates(33％,12/36),with a mean score of(32±4)points.The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age,with 44％(12/27)of the neonates having a good prognosis.Conclusions Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke,often with convulsions as the initial presentation,involvement of the middle cerebral artery,sharp waves on electroencephalography,and a relatively low neurodevelopment score.Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method,and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.

Objective:To demonstrate the type of CEBPA gene mutations among patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), clinical characteristics, and prognostic effect on patient outcomes.Methods:Demographic data, clinical features, laboratory characteristics, and data about treatment and follow-up of 57 patients with CEBPA mutated AML diagnosed at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between April 2016 and November 2022 were collected and analyzed.Results:In total, 57 patients with CEBPA mutation accounted for 16.1% of all the 353 patients with AML, among which 28 patients had CEBPA-bZIPinf and 29 had CEBPA-other. Compared with the CEBPA-other group, the CEBPA-bZIPinf group was younger (54 vs 64 years, P=0.010), de novo AML was more common ( P=0.001), and the level of bone marrow blast was higher (68.0% vs 36.3%, P=0.001). Moreover, 24 patients from the CEBPA-bZIPinf group and 19 from the CEBPA-other group received chemotherapy. The one-course complete remission (CR) rate of the CEBPA-bZIPinf group was significantly higher than that of the CEBPA-other (87.5% vs 47.4%, P=0.010) and CEBPA-wt (87.5% vs 50.3%, P=0.002) groups. After a median follow-up of 11 months, the median OS of the CEBPA-bZIPinf group was significantly longer than that of the CEBPA-wt group (not reached vs 22.1 months, P=0.012) . Conclusion:CEBPA-bZIPinf mutated AML is a unique clinical entity, with a younger age of diagnosis, better response to chemotherapy, and better prognosis.

Objective To investigate the age-related changes of the mandibular third molar root pulp visibility in individuals in East China,and to explore the feasibility of applying this method to deter-mine whether an individual is 18 years or older.Methods A total of 1 280 oral panoramic images were collected from the 15-30 years old East China population,and the mandibular third molar root pulp visibility in all oral panoramic images was evaluated using OLZE 0-3 four-stage method,and the age distribution of the samples at each stage was analyzed using descriptive statistics.Results Stages 0,1,2 and 3 first appeared in 16.88,19.18,21.91 and 25.44 years for males and in 17.47,20.91,22.01 and 26.01 years for females.In all samples,individuals at stages 1 to 3 were over 18 years old.Conclusion It is feasible to determine whether an individual in East China is 18 years or older based on the mandibular third molar root pulp visibility on oral panoramic images.