1.A Systematic Strategy for Discovering First-in-class Anti-fibrotic Drugs from Traditional Chinese Medicine
Wen HUANG ; Guang XIN ; Sanyin ZHANG ; Tao WANG ; Wei CHEN ; Zeliang WEI ; Qilong ZHOU ; Ke LI ; Dan SUN ; Kui YU ; Shilin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):296-307
Pulmonary fibrosis(PF) is a progressive and life-threatening disease with limited therapeutic options, highlighting the urgent need for innovative drug discovery strategies. To address this challenge, the authors propose the formula-originated rational intelligent screening&translation(FIRST), a systematic framework for developing anti-fibrotic monomers derived from classical traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). The strategy integrates three key dimensions, including tissue-oriented intelligent screening of active compounds, structural optimization based on drug-target spatial interactions and plant biosynthetic pathways, and cross-scale validation of drug. We further highlight its applications in discovering tissue-oriented novel drugs from clinically validated TCM, the development and mechanistic elucidation of anti-fibrotic therapeutics, as well as the clinical translation and secondary development of candidate drugs. This strategy paves the way for first-in-class, formula-derived monomeric drugs with defined structures, clarified mechanisms, and proven safety, offering a transformative avenue to meet the urgent therapeutic needs of PF and setting a new paradigm for TCM-based drug innovation.
2.A Systematic Strategy for Discovering First-in-class Anti-fibrotic Drugs from Traditional Chinese Medicine
Wen HUANG ; Guang XIN ; Sanyin ZHANG ; Tao WANG ; Wei CHEN ; Zeliang WEI ; Qilong ZHOU ; Ke LI ; Dan SUN ; Kui YU ; Shilin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):296-307
Pulmonary fibrosis(PF) is a progressive and life-threatening disease with limited therapeutic options, highlighting the urgent need for innovative drug discovery strategies. To address this challenge, the authors propose the formula-originated rational intelligent screening&translation(FIRST), a systematic framework for developing anti-fibrotic monomers derived from classical traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). The strategy integrates three key dimensions, including tissue-oriented intelligent screening of active compounds, structural optimization based on drug-target spatial interactions and plant biosynthetic pathways, and cross-scale validation of drug. We further highlight its applications in discovering tissue-oriented novel drugs from clinically validated TCM, the development and mechanistic elucidation of anti-fibrotic therapeutics, as well as the clinical translation and secondary development of candidate drugs. This strategy paves the way for first-in-class, formula-derived monomeric drugs with defined structures, clarified mechanisms, and proven safety, offering a transformative avenue to meet the urgent therapeutic needs of PF and setting a new paradigm for TCM-based drug innovation.
3.Trim72 overexpression alleviates myocardial inflammation and apoptosis in mice with acute viral myocarditis
Junyi WANG ; Shanghua XU ; Yimin XUE ; Jun KE ; Jiuyun ZHANG ; Hui XIE ; Shan LI ; Xiaofen ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2025;34(2):193-199
Objective:To investigate the role and possible mechanism of tripartite motif-containing protein 72 (Trim72) in acute viral myocarditis (AVMC) in mice.Methods:A mouse model of AVMC was established by intraperitoneal injection of Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3, 2.0 × 10 5 PFU/mouse). Forty mice were randomly divided into the negative control (NC) + phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) group (NC+PBS group), Trim72 overexpression + PBS group (Trim72 + PBS group), NC + CVB3 group, and Trim72 + CVB3 group ( n = 10). Fourteen days before modeling, mice in each group were injected with adeno-associated virus type 9 vector (AAV9) encoding either negative control or Trim72 overexpression (5.0 × 10 11 VG/mouse) via tail vein. Subsequently, PBS or CVB3 was injected intraperitoneally in the PBS and CVB3 groups, respectively. After seven days, the surviving mice were euthanized, and the heart and serum samples were collected. HE and TUNEL staining were used to observe the cardiac pathological changes and cardiomyocyte apoptosis, respectively. The mRNA expression levels of Trim72 and pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in myocardial tissues of each group were detected by RT-qPCR. The protein levels of cTnI, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in serum were detected by ELISA. The expression levels of Trim72, apoptosis-related proteins (Bax, Bcl-2, Cleaved caspase-3, Caspase-3), TLR4, p-p65, and p65 were detected by Western blot. Results:The protein and mRNA expression levels of Trim72 in myocardial tissues of mice in the NC+CVB3 group were significantly downregulated compared with those in the NC + PBS group ( P<0.05). Compared with the NC + CVB3 group, Trim72 overexpression significantly increased the protein and mRNA expression of Trim72 in myocardial tissues ( P<0.05), ameliorated myocardial inflammatory injury, decreased the apoptotic index of cardiomyocytes ( P<0.05), and reduced the levels of pro-inflammation cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the myocardium and serum ( P<0.05). Additionally, Trim72 overexpression also downregulated the protein expression of Bax, Cleaved caspase-3/Caspase-3, TLR4, and p-p65, and upregulated the protein expression of Bcl-2 in myocardial tissues ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the indexes of mice between the NC + PBS and Trim72 + PBS groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Trim72 overexpression attenuates AVMC in mice by inhibiting myocardial inflammatory injury and apoptotic imbalance, and the mechanism may be related to the negative regulation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
4.Intelligent handheld ultrasound improving the ability of non-expert general practitioners in carotid examinations for community populations: a prospective and parallel controlled trial
Pei SUN ; Hong HAN ; Yi-Kang SUN ; Xi WANG ; Xiao-Chuan LIU ; Bo-Yang ZHOU ; Li-Fan WANG ; Ya-Qin ZHANG ; Zhi-Gang PAN ; Bei-Jian HUANG ; Hui-Xiong XU ; Chong-Ke ZHAO
Ultrasonography 2025;44(2):112-123
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations.
Methods:
This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits.
Results:
Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01).
Conclusion
Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.
5.A case-control study on risk factors of mpox in Chengdu
ZHOU Rong ; YAN Ke ; LI Junfan
China Tropical Medicine 2025;25(2):227-
Objective This study aims to explore the impact of demographic characteristics, sexual behavioral , and epidemiological history on mpox infection among the MSM in Chengdu, providing a theoretical basis for prevention and control of mpox. Methods A case-control study was conducted, including mpox patients in Chengdu from June 2023 March 2024 as the study group and MSM without mpox as controls, we carried out a retrospective investigation. Basic information, sexual history and behavior, and travel history were obtained for both mpox patients and controls. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to explore the risk factors for mpox infection. Results In this study, 128 MPXV cases (including 53 HIV individuals) and 151 controls (including 50 HIV individuals) were investigated. The average age of the cases was (32.48±6.67) years, all of whom were male, 101 were single, 100 had a college degree or higher, 60 were business services and self-owned occupations, 89 were homosexual, and 116 reported history of having homosexual behavior; 109 had an average of four or fewer homosexual behavior per month; 48 used condoms usually. The proportion of unmarried and those with a college degree or higher was lower in the monkeypox case group than the control group, while proportion of those with sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV was higher than the control group (P<0.05). Bisexuals or heterosexuality had a higher risk of MPXV compared to homosexuals (OR=4.65), the ones who never use condoms during homosexual activities were at higher risk for monkeypox (OR=3.25). There were no significant differences in epidemiological history between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression showed that being unaware of other STD infections was negatively associated with MPXV infection, while having other STDs other than HIV, being bisexual or heterosexual sexual behavior were positively associated with MPXV infection. Conclusion The MSM in Chengdu with concurrent infection with other sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV, bisexual or heterosexual sexual orientation were risk factors for mpox. It is necessary to strengthen health education for the ones at high-risk .Chengdu
6.Innovative practice of inter-hospital transfer services for critically ill patients under the guidance of party building
Ke FAN ; Yi HUANG ; Xia LI ; Qing ZHOU
Modern Hospital 2025;25(4):505-507
The deep integration of party building and business operations is a crucial pathway to strengthen party building in public hospitals and promote high-quality hospital development under the new situation.This article takes the"Hongyan Van-guard Inter-hospital Transfer Service Task Force for Critically Ill Patients"of The Second Hospital of Chongqing Medical Universi-ty as the research object.Based on cross-branch collaboration practices,it systematically constructs a three-dimensional integra-tion model of"goal synergy-organizational reconstruction-capability closed-loop"and deeply analyzes the internal logic of party building leading business challenges.The research uses party building as the ideological guide and organizational reconstruction as an important measure to establish a standardized transfer process and a digital quality control system.Data shows that more than 150 cases of inter-hospital transfers of critically ill patients have been completed within a year,with a growth rate exceeding 40%.Patient satisfaction reached 98.7%,and the CMI value improved significantly.This provides an empirical model for public hospitals to solve the collaboration problems between cross-functional departments and clinical frontline departments,and achieve the"double helix"development of party building and business operations.
7.Comparative analysis of social skills and problem behaviors between children and adolescents with ASD and ADHD
Li SONG ; Xiaoru JIANG ; Qin ZHOU ; Zenghe YUE ; Jiaxue LIU ; Ke XU ; Yuxin QIAN ; Nana QIU ; Jing XU ; Xiaoyan KE
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(4):316-322
Objective:To explore the characteristics of social skills and problem behaviors of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as the association with core symptoms.Methods:A total of 409 patients aged 5-18 years old with ASD or ADHD in the outpatient department of Nanjing Brain Hospital from 2023 to 2024, and 344 children and adolescents with typical development(TD) were recruited.All participants were matched in a ratio of 1∶1∶1 (ASD∶ADHD∶TD) according to gender and age, and 97 participants were included in each group for analysis.The Chinese version of the social skills improvement system rating scales(SSIS-RS-C) was used to evaluate social skills and problem behaviors, and autistic child behavior checklist(ABC), childhood autism rating scale(CARS), the Chinese version of the social communication questionnaire(SCQ) and the Chinese version of Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham, version Ⅳ scale-parent form(SNAP-Ⅳ) were used to evaluate the core symptoms of ASD and ADHD, respectively. SPSS 26.0 software was used to perform variance, Chi-square test, Spearman correlation analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis.Results:The social skills score of ASD group was lower than ADHD group ((61.53±24.26) vs (80.89±15.19), P<0.05), while the problem behavior score of ASD group was higher than ADHD group ((38.82±11.92) vs (34.00±12.45), P<0.05). In ASD group, the scores of ABC, CARS and SCQ were negatively correlated with the score of social skills ( r=-0.26--0.55, P<0.05). In ADHD group, the total score and each subscale of SNAP-Ⅳ were positively correlated with the score of problem behavior ( r=0.25-0.65, P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that empathy was a negative influencing factor of ASD ( B=-0.246, OR=0.782, P<0.05), and hyperactivity/inattention was a positive influencing factor of ASD ( B=0.589, OR=1.802, P<0.01), while only hyperactivity/inattention was a positive influencing factor of ADHD( B=0.779, OR=2.180, P<0.01). Conclusion:Children and adolescents with ASD and ADHD both have defects in social skills and problem behaviors, and these defects are associated with the core characteristics of their respective diseases.
8.Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the social skills improvement system-rating scales (parent version)
Yuxin QIAN ; Li SONG ; Yueyue HANG ; Lu HAN ; Qin ZHOU ; Jiaxue LIU ; Xiaowu LI ; Jing XU ; Xiaoyan KE ; Gongkai JIAO
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(6):558-564
Objective:To analyze and validate the reliability and validity of the social skills improvement system-rating scales Chinese version (parent version) (SSIS-RS-C) in middle school students.Method:A total of 1 486 parents of middle school students were recruited according to the cluster sampling method.The social responsiveness scale and strengths and difficulties questionnaire were used as criterion validity tools.A retest was conducted one month later.SPSS 27.0 was used for descriptive statistics, item analysis, internal consistency test, test-retest reliability test and criterion validity test. AMOS 24.0 was used to perform confirmatory factor analysis .Results:Item analysis indicated significant positive correlations between each item and the subscales ( r=0.293-0.782, all P<0.01), with significant differences in scores between high and low groups ( t=10.079-37.038, all P<0.01).Confirmatory factor analysis supported a seven-factor structure for the social skills subscale(communication, cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy, engagement and self control) and a five-factor structure for the problem behavior subscale (externalizing, bullying, hyperactivity/inattention, internalizing and autism spectrum) of the SSIS-RS-C.There was a positive correlation between the social skills subscale and prosocial behavior ( r=0.637, P<0.001), and between the problem behavior subscale and social impairments and difficult behaviors ( r=0.765, 0.688, both P<0.001).The Cronbach's α coefficients for the total scale, social skills subscale and problem behavior subscale were 0.934, 0.972 and 0.963, respectively.The test-retest correlation coefficients for the total score and the two subscales were 0.665, 0.871 and 0.598, respectively (all P<0.001). Conclusion:The SSIS-RS-C demonstrated good reliability and validity in the Chinese adolescent population.
9.A comparative study of modified multi-side hole nasobiliary drainage and percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage in the treatment of advanced cholangiocarcinoma
Huabo ZHOU ; Yijia HE ; Guangkuo LI ; Ke SUN ; Shuai YANG ; Yue LI ; Huan LI
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(3):478-481
Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of modified multi-side hole nasobiliary drainage(MHND)via the percuta-neous transhepatic cholangiography(PTC)route with traditional percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage(PTCD)for palliative treatment of patients with advanced obstructive cholangiocarcinoma.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data from 66 patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma who underwent biliary drainage.Results Both groups normalize temperature and alleviate symptoms of acute cholangitis within 24 h post-puncture.There was no statistically significant difference in laboratory indicators such as white blood cell(WBC),total bilirubin(TBiL),alanine transaminase(ALT),aspartic transaminase(AST)at 48 h post-operation,and in the incidence of bile leakage,biliary peritonitis,and cholangitis during the postoperative hospital stay(P>0.05).However,the incidence of postoperative electrolyte disorders,gastrointestinal symptoms,and the recurrence rate of gastrointestinal symptoms during the follow-up period were significantly higher in the PTCD group compared to the MHND group,while the recur-rence rate of biliary tract infections was slightly higher in the MHND group compared to the PTCD group.The differences between the two groups were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Modified MHND shows better clinical efficacy in the treatment of patients with advanced tumor jaundice.Compared with traditional PTCD,it not only effectively reduces jaundice and relieves acute cholangitis but also significantly reduces gastrointestinal symptoms during the postoperative period,thereby improving the quality of life for patients.However,it is noteworthy that it may also increase the risk of biliary tract infections.
10.Analysis of lipid metabolism gene mutations and pathogenicity in patients with hypertriglyceridemia-associated acute pancreatitis
Qi YANG ; Na PU ; Yichen DUAN ; Kun GAO ; Jing ZHOU ; Bo YE ; Gang LI ; Lu KE ; Yuxiu LIU ; Zhihui TONG ; Weiqin LI ; Baiqiang LI
Chinese Journal of Pancreatology 2025;25(1):44-49
Objective:To investigate lipid metabolism gene mutations and pathogenicity of hypertriglyceridemia acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) patients.Methods:Clinical data of 495 HTG-AP patients admitted from June 2018 to June 2020 in the center for severe acute pancreatitis of Eastern Theater General Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Whole-exome sequencing and mutation verification were performed by next-generation sequencing technology and Sanger sequencing. The pathogenicity of gene mutation was analyzed by population mutation ratio, pathogenicity prediction software, conservation scoring software, protein structure prediction, and in vitro experiments. Results:The mutation ratio of lipid metabolism-related genes, namely LPL, APOA5, LMF1, GPIHBP1, and APOC2, were 14.81%, 55.78%, 43.61%, 1.62%, and 0.61%, respectively. Among them, 44 heterozygous mutations in LPL gene were detected including 36 missense mutations, 5 nonsense mutations and 3 frameshift mutations, which were all rarely carried in single patient. Six HTG-AP patients carried the LPL gene heterozygous mutation c.835C>G (p.Leu279Val). The mean level of serum triglyceride at the onset of HTG-AP was 27.4 mmol/L. All of them had a history of recurrent HTG-AP, and most of them had severe acute pancreatitis. The serum LPL concentration and activity were lower than the normal level. The pathogenicity analysis results suggested that the LPL p.Leu279Val was a rare, highly possible pathogenic and highly conserved gene mutation. The in vitro results showed that the LPL p.Leu279Val could significantly reduce the synthesis and secretion ability of LPL as well as its enzymatic activity. Conclusions:The mutation ratio of lipid metabolism-related genes, including LPL, APOA5, LMF1, GPIHBP1, and APOC2, are relatively high in the HTG-AP patients. The LPL p.Leu279Val is a rare and highly possible pathogenic gene mutation, which may lead to recurrent episodes of HTG-AP.

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