1.Efficacy and safety of sequential or combined therapy with tenofovir alafenamide fumarate in entecavir-treated patients with low-level viremia
Yijing ZHANG ; Lingying HUANG ; Bowu CHEN ; Wanchun ZHU ; Man LI ; Jie SHEN ; Yueqiu GAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):66-73
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of sequential tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) therapy versus the regimen of entecavir (ETV) combined with TAF in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients experiencing low-level viremia (LLV) after ETV therapy, as well as their impact on virologic response, liver and renal function, and blood lipid levels. MethodsA total of 217 CHB patients with LLV after ETV treatment who were admitted to Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from May 2020 to December 2023 were enrolled, and according to the treatment regimen, they were divided into TAF group (180 patients receiving sequential TAF therapy) and combined group (37 patients receiving ETV+TAF therapy). The propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to match the patients at a ratio of 1∶1, and finally 37 patients were included in each group to balance the baseline confounding factors. The two groups were compared in terms of hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV DNA) clearance rate, hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) clearance rate, liver and renal function parameters (liver stiffness measurement [LSM], platelet count [PLT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], and creatinine [Cr]), blood lipid levels (total cholesterol [TC], triglyceride [TG], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C]), and the incidence rate of adverse reactions. The independent samples t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the paired t-test was used for comparison within each group; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. ResultsAfter 48 weeks of treatment, compared with the TAF group, the combined group had significantly higher HBV DNA clearance rate (86.49% vs 59.46%, χ²=6.852, P=0.009) and HBeAg clearance rate (59.46% vs 35.14%, χ²=4.391, P=0.036). After treatment, compared with the TAF group, the combined group had significantly lower levels of LSM (7.01±1.50 kPa vs 7.90±1.68 kPa, t=2.404, P=0.019), AST (18.02±2.28 U/L vs 21.12±2.85 U/L, t=5.166, P<0.001), and ALT (19.85±3.86 U/L vs 22.00±3.90 U/L, t=2.383, P=0.020) and significantly higher levels of PLT [(218.35±42.60)×109/L vs (192.82±44.13)×109/L, t=2.532, P=0.014] and Cr (70.92±6.54 μmoL/L vs 67.60±6.13 μmoL/L, t=2.253, P=0.027). After treatment, there was a slight increase in the level of TC in both the TAF group (5.60±0.89 mmol/L vs 5.18±0.85 mmol/L, t=2.076, P=0.041) and the combined group (5.45±0.80 mmol/L vs 5.02±0.83 mmol/L, t=2.269, P=0.026). There was no significant difference in the incidence rate of adverse reactions between the TAF group and the combined group (21.62% vs 18.92%, χ²=0.084, P=0.772). ConclusionFor ETV-treated CHB patients experiencing LLV, compared with sequential TAF therapy, the ETV+TAF combined therapy can effectively increase virologic response rate, alleviate liver fibrosis, and improve liver function, whereas sequential TAF therapy has less impact on renal function. Sequential or combined therapy with TAF may induce a slight increase in the level of TC, which should be taken seriously in clinical practice.
2.Structure-Activity Relationships and Ligand-Dependent Arrestin Bias in μ-Opioid Receptor-Mediated ERK Activation
Lei HUANG ; Mengling WANG ; Dooti KUNDU ; Suresh PAUDEL ; Lulu PENG ; Xinru XIAN ; Choon-Gon JANG ; Kyeong-Man KIM
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2026;34(3):556-564
This study elucidated the structure-activity relationships (SAR) of three distinct opioid ligand series at the μ-opioid receptor (μ-OR) and investigated the ligand-dependent role of arrestin in downstream signaling. Radioligand binding assays across 13 compounds revealed that high-affinity μ-OR binding is not restricted to a single chemical scaffold. For fentanyl analogs, SAR analysis identified four key structural determinants: the N-phenethyl group (R1) is essential for μ-OR binding, the piperidine 4-position (R2) is sterically constrained and tolerates only small substituents such as carbomethoxy, the acyl side chain (R3) tolerates diverse chemical modifications including alkyl, alkoxy, and heteroaryl groups without substantial loss of affinity, and para-substitution on the phenethyl ring (R4) with electron-withdrawing groups like fluorine is well-tolerated. Analysis of non-fentanyl scaffolds (2-Methyl AP-237, W-15, and brorphine) demonstrated that specific side-chain functionalization, rather than core scaffold architecture, primarily determines binding potency. Comparison of classical opioids further revealed that structural flexibility, exemplified by methadone, can confer superior binding affinity compared to the rigid morphine scaffold. Consistent with this structural diversity, the contribution of arrestins to ERK activation varied substantially across compounds, suggesting that μ-OR-biased signaling is not dictated exclusively by intrinsic receptor properties but emerges from the interplay between receptor conformation and ligandspecific structural features. Collectively, our results provide a molecular framework for understanding opioid pharmacology with important implications for rational drug design aimed at minimizing adverse effects while maintaining analgesic efficacy.
3.Mechanism of Aerobic Exercise in Delaying Brain Aging in Aging Mice by Regulating Tryptophan Metabolism
De-Man ZHANG ; Chang-Ling WEI ; Yuan-Ting ZHANG ; Yu JIN ; Xiao-Han HUANG ; Min-Yan ZHENG ; Xue LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1362-1372
ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism of aerobic exercise to improve hippocampal neuronal degeneration by regulating tryptophan metabolic pathway. Methods60 SPF-grade C57BL/6J male mice were divided into a young group (2 months old, n=30) and a senile group (12 months old, n=30), and each group was further divided into a control group (C/A group, n=15) and an exercise group (CE/AE group, n=15). An aerobic exercise program was used for 8 weeks. Learning memory ability was assessed by Y-maze, and anxiety-depression-like behavior was detected by absent field experiment. Hippocampal Trp levels were measured by GC-MS. Nissl staining was used to observe the number and morphology of hippocampal neurons, and electron microscopy was used to detect synaptic ultrastructure. ELISA was used to detect the levels of hippocampal Trp,5-HT, Kyn, KATs, KYNA, KMO, and QUIN; Western blot was used to analyze the activities of TPH2, IDO1, and TDO enzymes. ResultsGroup A mice showed significant decrease in learning and memory ability (P<0.05) and increase in anxiety and depressive behaviors (P<0.05); all of AE group showed significant improvement (P<0.05). Hippocampal Trp levels decreased in group A (P<0.05) and increased in AE group (P<0.05). Nidus vesicles were reduced and synaptic structures were degraded in group A (P<0.05), and both were significantly improved in group AE (P<0.05). The levels of Trp, 5-HT, KATs, and KYNA were decreased (P<0.05) and the levels of Kyn, KMO, and QUIN were increased (P<0.05) in group A. The activity of TPH2 was decreased (P<0.05), and the activities of IDO1 and TDO were increased (P<0.05). The AE group showed the opposite trend. ConclusionThe aging process significantly reduces the learning memory ability and increases the anxiety-depression-like behavior of mice, and leads to the reduction of the number of nidus vesicles and degenerative changes of synaptic structure in the hippocampus, whereas aerobic exercise not only effectively enhances the spatial learning memory ability and alleviates the anxiety-depression-like behavior of aging mice, but also improves the morphology and structure of neurons in hippocampal area, which may be achieved by the mechanism of regulating the tryptophan metabolic pathway.
4.Prenatal Mental Health and Its Stress-Process Mechanisms During a Pandemic Lockdown: A Moderated Parallel Mediation Model
Man JIANG ; Lei CHEN ; Nan TUO ; Dongjian YANG ; Shimeng LIU ; Zhen HUANG
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(3):221-230
Objective:
Hundreds of countries have implemented lockdown policies to slow the spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), but the impact of these measures on maternal mental health is not well understood.
Methods:
This study integrated a stress-process model to examine the pathways from lockdown-related stressors to prenatal psychological outcomes, with COVID-19 coping strategies (COP) and self-efficacy in managing negative affect (NEG) as mediators and lockdown duration, hours on pandemic-related information, and number of pregnancies as moderators. Pregnant women in Shanghai completed the Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy Scale, COVID-19 Coping Scale, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test and modify the hypothetical model, and moderated mediation and slope analyses were undertaken.
Results:
In the final SEM demonstrating satisfactory fit, three stressors—decreased household income, insufficient daily supplies, and acquired infections—showed positive direct relationships with NEG and COP. Acquired infections, NEG, and COP were identified as direct predictors of mental health outcomes. The relationship between these three stressors and mental health was mediated by NEG and COP. Additionally, the number of pregnancies moderated the mediating effect of COP; this effect was more pronounced among first-time pregnant women than those with multiple pregnancies.
Conclusion
This study provides insights into how lockdown measures impact psychological outcomes in pregnant women quarantined at home. Interventions aimed at increasing coping strategies may be more effective for primiparous women during future public health emergencies.
6.Prenatal Mental Health and Its Stress-Process Mechanisms During a Pandemic Lockdown: A Moderated Parallel Mediation Model
Man JIANG ; Lei CHEN ; Nan TUO ; Dongjian YANG ; Shimeng LIU ; Zhen HUANG
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(3):221-230
Objective:
Hundreds of countries have implemented lockdown policies to slow the spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), but the impact of these measures on maternal mental health is not well understood.
Methods:
This study integrated a stress-process model to examine the pathways from lockdown-related stressors to prenatal psychological outcomes, with COVID-19 coping strategies (COP) and self-efficacy in managing negative affect (NEG) as mediators and lockdown duration, hours on pandemic-related information, and number of pregnancies as moderators. Pregnant women in Shanghai completed the Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy Scale, COVID-19 Coping Scale, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test and modify the hypothetical model, and moderated mediation and slope analyses were undertaken.
Results:
In the final SEM demonstrating satisfactory fit, three stressors—decreased household income, insufficient daily supplies, and acquired infections—showed positive direct relationships with NEG and COP. Acquired infections, NEG, and COP were identified as direct predictors of mental health outcomes. The relationship between these three stressors and mental health was mediated by NEG and COP. Additionally, the number of pregnancies moderated the mediating effect of COP; this effect was more pronounced among first-time pregnant women than those with multiple pregnancies.
Conclusion
This study provides insights into how lockdown measures impact psychological outcomes in pregnant women quarantined at home. Interventions aimed at increasing coping strategies may be more effective for primiparous women during future public health emergencies.
7.Predictive Modeling of Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage Following Endovascular Thrombectomy: Insights From the Nationwide TREAT-AIS Registry
Jia-Hung CHEN ; I-Chang SU ; Yueh-Hsun LU ; Yi-Chen HSIEH ; Chih-Hao CHEN ; Chun-Jen LIN ; Yu-Wei CHEN ; Kuan-Hung LIN ; Pi-Shan SUNG ; Chih-Wei TANG ; Hai-Jui CHU ; Chuan-Hsiu FU ; Chao-Liang CHOU ; Cheng-Yu WEI ; Shang-Yih YAN ; Po-Lin CHEN ; Hsu-Ling YEH ; Sheng-Feng SUNG ; Hon-Man LIU ; Ching-Huang LIN ; Meng LEE ; Sung-Chun TANG ; I-Hui LEE ; Lung CHAN ; Li-Ming LIEN ; Hung-Yi CHIOU ; Jiunn-Tay LEE ; Jiann-Shing JENG ;
Journal of Stroke 2025;27(1):85-94
Background:
and Purpose Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is a severe complication associated with adverse functional outcomes and increased mortality rates. Currently, a reliable predictive model for sICH risk after EVT is lacking.
Methods:
This study used data from patients aged ≥20 years who underwent EVT for anterior circulation stroke from the nationwide Taiwan Registry of Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke (TREAT-AIS). A predictive model including factors associated with an increased risk of sICH after EVT was developed to differentiate between patients with and without sICH. This model was compared existing predictive models using nationwide registry data to evaluate its relative performance.
Results:
Of the 2,507 identified patients, 158 developed sICH after EVT. Factors such as diastolic blood pressure, Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, platelet count, glucose level, collateral score, and successful reperfusion were associated with the risk of sICH after EVT. The TREAT-AIS score demonstrated acceptable predictive accuracy (area under the curve [AUC]=0.694), with higher scores being associated with an increased risk of sICH (odds ratio=2.01 per score increase, 95% confidence interval=1.64–2.45, P<0.001). The discriminatory capacity of the score was similar in patients with symptom onset beyond 6 hours (AUC=0.705). Compared to existing models, the TREAT-AIS score consistently exhibited superior predictive accuracy, although this difference was marginal.
Conclusions
The TREAT-AIS score outperformed existing models, and demonstrated an acceptable discriminatory capacity for distinguishing patients according to sICH risk levels. However, the differences between models were only marginal. Further research incorporating periprocedural and postprocedural factors is required to improve the predictive accuracy.
8.Prenatal Mental Health and Its Stress-Process Mechanisms During a Pandemic Lockdown: A Moderated Parallel Mediation Model
Man JIANG ; Lei CHEN ; Nan TUO ; Dongjian YANG ; Shimeng LIU ; Zhen HUANG
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(3):221-230
Objective:
Hundreds of countries have implemented lockdown policies to slow the spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), but the impact of these measures on maternal mental health is not well understood.
Methods:
This study integrated a stress-process model to examine the pathways from lockdown-related stressors to prenatal psychological outcomes, with COVID-19 coping strategies (COP) and self-efficacy in managing negative affect (NEG) as mediators and lockdown duration, hours on pandemic-related information, and number of pregnancies as moderators. Pregnant women in Shanghai completed the Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy Scale, COVID-19 Coping Scale, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test and modify the hypothetical model, and moderated mediation and slope analyses were undertaken.
Results:
In the final SEM demonstrating satisfactory fit, three stressors—decreased household income, insufficient daily supplies, and acquired infections—showed positive direct relationships with NEG and COP. Acquired infections, NEG, and COP were identified as direct predictors of mental health outcomes. The relationship between these three stressors and mental health was mediated by NEG and COP. Additionally, the number of pregnancies moderated the mediating effect of COP; this effect was more pronounced among first-time pregnant women than those with multiple pregnancies.
Conclusion
This study provides insights into how lockdown measures impact psychological outcomes in pregnant women quarantined at home. Interventions aimed at increasing coping strategies may be more effective for primiparous women during future public health emergencies.
9.Predictive Modeling of Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage Following Endovascular Thrombectomy: Insights From the Nationwide TREAT-AIS Registry
Jia-Hung CHEN ; I-Chang SU ; Yueh-Hsun LU ; Yi-Chen HSIEH ; Chih-Hao CHEN ; Chun-Jen LIN ; Yu-Wei CHEN ; Kuan-Hung LIN ; Pi-Shan SUNG ; Chih-Wei TANG ; Hai-Jui CHU ; Chuan-Hsiu FU ; Chao-Liang CHOU ; Cheng-Yu WEI ; Shang-Yih YAN ; Po-Lin CHEN ; Hsu-Ling YEH ; Sheng-Feng SUNG ; Hon-Man LIU ; Ching-Huang LIN ; Meng LEE ; Sung-Chun TANG ; I-Hui LEE ; Lung CHAN ; Li-Ming LIEN ; Hung-Yi CHIOU ; Jiunn-Tay LEE ; Jiann-Shing JENG ;
Journal of Stroke 2025;27(1):85-94
Background:
and Purpose Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is a severe complication associated with adverse functional outcomes and increased mortality rates. Currently, a reliable predictive model for sICH risk after EVT is lacking.
Methods:
This study used data from patients aged ≥20 years who underwent EVT for anterior circulation stroke from the nationwide Taiwan Registry of Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke (TREAT-AIS). A predictive model including factors associated with an increased risk of sICH after EVT was developed to differentiate between patients with and without sICH. This model was compared existing predictive models using nationwide registry data to evaluate its relative performance.
Results:
Of the 2,507 identified patients, 158 developed sICH after EVT. Factors such as diastolic blood pressure, Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, platelet count, glucose level, collateral score, and successful reperfusion were associated with the risk of sICH after EVT. The TREAT-AIS score demonstrated acceptable predictive accuracy (area under the curve [AUC]=0.694), with higher scores being associated with an increased risk of sICH (odds ratio=2.01 per score increase, 95% confidence interval=1.64–2.45, P<0.001). The discriminatory capacity of the score was similar in patients with symptom onset beyond 6 hours (AUC=0.705). Compared to existing models, the TREAT-AIS score consistently exhibited superior predictive accuracy, although this difference was marginal.
Conclusions
The TREAT-AIS score outperformed existing models, and demonstrated an acceptable discriminatory capacity for distinguishing patients according to sICH risk levels. However, the differences between models were only marginal. Further research incorporating periprocedural and postprocedural factors is required to improve the predictive accuracy.
10.Prenatal Mental Health and Its Stress-Process Mechanisms During a Pandemic Lockdown: A Moderated Parallel Mediation Model
Man JIANG ; Lei CHEN ; Nan TUO ; Dongjian YANG ; Shimeng LIU ; Zhen HUANG
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(3):221-230
Objective:
Hundreds of countries have implemented lockdown policies to slow the spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), but the impact of these measures on maternal mental health is not well understood.
Methods:
This study integrated a stress-process model to examine the pathways from lockdown-related stressors to prenatal psychological outcomes, with COVID-19 coping strategies (COP) and self-efficacy in managing negative affect (NEG) as mediators and lockdown duration, hours on pandemic-related information, and number of pregnancies as moderators. Pregnant women in Shanghai completed the Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy Scale, COVID-19 Coping Scale, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test and modify the hypothetical model, and moderated mediation and slope analyses were undertaken.
Results:
In the final SEM demonstrating satisfactory fit, three stressors—decreased household income, insufficient daily supplies, and acquired infections—showed positive direct relationships with NEG and COP. Acquired infections, NEG, and COP were identified as direct predictors of mental health outcomes. The relationship between these three stressors and mental health was mediated by NEG and COP. Additionally, the number of pregnancies moderated the mediating effect of COP; this effect was more pronounced among first-time pregnant women than those with multiple pregnancies.
Conclusion
This study provides insights into how lockdown measures impact psychological outcomes in pregnant women quarantined at home. Interventions aimed at increasing coping strategies may be more effective for primiparous women during future public health emergencies.


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