1.Effects of long-term endurance exercise on kl/FGF23 axis and calcium-phosphorus metabolism in naturally aging mice
Tuanhui PENG ; Hongming SONG ; Ling YANG ; Xiaoge DING ; Pengjun MENG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(5):1089-1095
BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that disorders of mineral metabolism may be responsible for premature aging and that the kl/FGF23 axis plays an important role in mineral metabolism.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of long-term endurance exercise on the kl/FGF23 axis in naturally aging mice,and to observe the impact of long-term endurance exercise on calcium and phosphorus metabolism,so as to provide a reference for the influence of long-term endurance exercise on natural aging.METHODS:Twenty-two 5-week-old SPF male balb/c mice were randomly divided into three groups:young and quiet control group,natural aging quiet group and natural aging exercise group.Mice in the young and quiet control group were then killed immediately.Mice in the natural aging quiet group were raised normally until 60 weeks of age.Mice in the natural aging exercise group were subjected to adaptive exercise for 1 week,followed by the maximum running speed test.The official exercise speed was set at 70%of the maximum running speed,and exercise was performed on Mondays,Wednesdays,and Fridays for 50 minutes each.Maximum running speed was retested at 8-week intervals to adjust the official exercise speed until the age of 60 weeks.(3)Enzyme-linked immunoassay was used to measure the levels of femoral fibroblast growth factor 23,renal fibroblast growth factor receptor 1,1α-hydroxylase,and serum 1,25(OH)2D3.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the young and quiet control group,serum calcium and phosphorus levels in natural aging quiet group had no significant changes(P>0.05),but bone calcium and phosphorus levels were significantly reduced(P<0.01).Compared with the natural aging quiet group,the serum phosphorus level was significantly reduced(P<0.05),the serum calcium level did not change(P>0.05),and bone calcium and phosphorus levels were significantly increased in the natural aging exercise group(P<0.05).(2)Compared with the young and quiet control group,the level of fibroblast growth factor 23 in the femur of the natural aging quiet group was significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the natural aging quiet group,the level of fibroblast growth factor 23 in the femur of the natural aging exercise group was reduced,but it was not statistically significant(P>0.05).(3)Compared with the young and quiet control group,the renal Klotho protein expression,the renal fibroblast growth factor receptor 1,1α-hydroxylase,and serum 1,25(OH)2 D3 levels in the natural aging quiet group were significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the natural aging quiet group,the levels of the above-mentioned indicators were significantly increased in the natural aging exercise group(P<0.05,P<0.01).To conclude,long-term endurance exercise can regulate Klotho protein and fibroblast growth factor 23 through the kl/FGF23 axis,thereby affecting the expression of 1α-hydroxylase and the level of 1,25(OH)2D3,and further regulating the body's calcium and phosphorus metabolism,especially phosphate metabolism.This indicates that long-term endurance exercise can delay the natural aging of the body through the kl/FGF23 axis.
2.Effects of long-term endurance exercise on kl/FGF23 axis and calcium-phosphorus metabolism in naturally aging mice
Tuanhui PENG ; Hongming SONG ; Ling YANG ; Xiaoge DING ; Pengjun MENG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(5):1089-1095
BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that disorders of mineral metabolism may be responsible for premature aging and that the kl/FGF23 axis plays an important role in mineral metabolism.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of long-term endurance exercise on the kl/FGF23 axis in naturally aging mice,and to observe the impact of long-term endurance exercise on calcium and phosphorus metabolism,so as to provide a reference for the influence of long-term endurance exercise on natural aging.METHODS:Twenty-two 5-week-old SPF male balb/c mice were randomly divided into three groups:young and quiet control group,natural aging quiet group and natural aging exercise group.Mice in the young and quiet control group were then killed immediately.Mice in the natural aging quiet group were raised normally until 60 weeks of age.Mice in the natural aging exercise group were subjected to adaptive exercise for 1 week,followed by the maximum running speed test.The official exercise speed was set at 70%of the maximum running speed,and exercise was performed on Mondays,Wednesdays,and Fridays for 50 minutes each.Maximum running speed was retested at 8-week intervals to adjust the official exercise speed until the age of 60 weeks.(3)Enzyme-linked immunoassay was used to measure the levels of femoral fibroblast growth factor 23,renal fibroblast growth factor receptor 1,1α-hydroxylase,and serum 1,25(OH)2D3.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the young and quiet control group,serum calcium and phosphorus levels in natural aging quiet group had no significant changes(P>0.05),but bone calcium and phosphorus levels were significantly reduced(P<0.01).Compared with the natural aging quiet group,the serum phosphorus level was significantly reduced(P<0.05),the serum calcium level did not change(P>0.05),and bone calcium and phosphorus levels were significantly increased in the natural aging exercise group(P<0.05).(2)Compared with the young and quiet control group,the level of fibroblast growth factor 23 in the femur of the natural aging quiet group was significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the natural aging quiet group,the level of fibroblast growth factor 23 in the femur of the natural aging exercise group was reduced,but it was not statistically significant(P>0.05).(3)Compared with the young and quiet control group,the renal Klotho protein expression,the renal fibroblast growth factor receptor 1,1α-hydroxylase,and serum 1,25(OH)2 D3 levels in the natural aging quiet group were significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the natural aging quiet group,the levels of the above-mentioned indicators were significantly increased in the natural aging exercise group(P<0.05,P<0.01).To conclude,long-term endurance exercise can regulate Klotho protein and fibroblast growth factor 23 through the kl/FGF23 axis,thereby affecting the expression of 1α-hydroxylase and the level of 1,25(OH)2D3,and further regulating the body's calcium and phosphorus metabolism,especially phosphate metabolism.This indicates that long-term endurance exercise can delay the natural aging of the body through the kl/FGF23 axis.
3.Staged Characteristics of Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism in Chronic Heart Failure with Heart-Yang Deficiency Syndrome and Prescription Intervention from Theory of Reinforcing Yang
Zizheng WU ; Xing CHEN ; Lichong MENG ; Yao ZHANG ; Peng LUO ; Jiahao YE ; Kun LIAN ; Siyuan HU ; Zhixi HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):129-138
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a complex clinical syndrome caused by ventricular dysfunction, with mitochondrial energy metabolism disorder being a critical factor in disease progression. Heart-Yang deficiency syndrome, as the core pathogenesis of CHF, persists throughout the disease course. Insufficiency of heart-Yang leads to weakened warming and propelling functions, resulting in the accumulation of phlegm-fluid, blood stasis, and dampness. This eventually causes Qi stagnation with phlegm obstruction and blood stasis with water retention, forming a vicious cycle that exacerbates disease progression. According to the theory of reinforcing Yang, the clinical experience of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) master Tang Zuxuan in treating CHF with heart-Yang deficiency syndrome, and achievements from molecular biological studies, this study innovatively proposes an integrated research framework of "TCM syndrome differentiation and staging-mitochondrial metabolism mechanisms-intervention with Yang-reinforcing prescriptions" which is characterized by the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. Heart-Yang deficiency syndrome is classified into mild (Stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ), severe (Stage Ⅲ), and critical (Stage Ⅳ) stages. The study elucidates the precise correlations between the pathogenesis of each stage and mitochondrial metabolism disorders from theoretical, pathophysiological, and therapeutic perspectives. The mild stage is characterized by impaired biogenesis and substrate-utilization imbalance, corresponding to heart-Yang deficiency and phlegm-fluid aggregation. Linggui Zhugantang and similar prescriptions can significantly improve the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator-1α(PGC-1α)/silent information regulator 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1) and ATPase activity. The severe stage centers on oxidative stress and structural damage, reflecting Yang deficiency with water overflow and phlegm-blood stasis intermingling. At this stage, Zhenwu Tang and Qiangxin Tang can effectively mitigate oxidative stress damage, increase adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, and repair mitochondrial structure. The critical stage arises from calcium overload and mitochondrial disintegration, leading to the collapse of Yin-Yang equilibrium. At this stage, Yang-restoring and crisis-resolving prescriptions such as Fuling Sini Tang and Qili Qiangxin capsules can inhibit abnormal opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP), reduce cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate, and protect mitochondrial function. By summarizing the characteristics of mitochondrial energy metabolism disorders at different stages of CHF, this study explores the application of the theory of reinforcing Yang in treating heart-Yang deficiency syndrome and provides new insights for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CHF.
4.Interpretation of Pharmacovigilance Guidelines for Clinical Application of Oral Chinese Patent Medicines
Wenxi PENG ; Meng QIAO ; Lianxin WANG ; Yuanyuan LI ; Xiuhui LI ; Xin CUI ; Zijia CHEN ; Xinyi CHEN ; Yi DENG ; Yanming XIE ; Zhifei WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):152-160
The Pharmacovigilance Guidelines for Clinical Application of Oral Chinese Patent Medicines (hereinafter referred to as the Guidelines) is first specialized in the field of drug safety for oral Chinese patent medicines (OCPMs) in China. Rooted in China's healthcare context, the Guidelines address the unique usage patterns and risk characteristics of OCPMs, filling a regulatory gap in the pharmacovigilance framework specific to this category. To facilitate accurate understanding and effective implementation of the Guidelines, and to promote the standardized development of pharmacovigilance practices for OCPMs, this study offered a systematic interpretation based on its three core components. In the domain of risk monitoring and reporting, the paper analyzed the rationale for multi-source information integration and clarified the criteria for identifying key products and target populations for intensive monitoring. Regarding risk assessment, the Guidelines were examined from three dimensions of formulation components, medication behaviors, and population to address complex safety issues arising from medicinal constituents, irrational use, and individual susceptibility. In the area of risk control, the analysis focused on context-based interventions and dynamic closed-loop management strategies, exploring practical pathways to shift from passive response to proactive risk mitigation. Furthermore, this paper evaluated the applied value of the Guidelines and identified implementation challenges, such as insufficient capacity at the primary-care level and limited digital infrastructure. In response, the study proposed optimization strategies including establishing a dynamic updating mechanism, strengthening training at the grassroots level, and incorporating artificial intelligence to enhance pharmacovigilance capacity. This interpretation aims to provide actionable insights for marketing authorization holders (including manufacturers), pharmaceutical distributors, healthcare institutions, and research organizations, ultimately supporting the establishment and refinement of a full lifecycle pharmacovigilance system for OCPMs.
5.Impact of birth weight on the trajectory of blood pressure among primary school students
CUI Chengpeng, YE Siyan, FANG Yanfei, LI Yan, PENG Zeqin, XIAO Yuqing, WU Meng, LIU Qin
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):309-313
Objective:
To explore the early effects of birth weight at different gestational ages on blood pressure trajectory among primary school students, so as to provide evidence for incorporating gestational age birth weight into individualized early warning and intervention strategies for childhood hypertension.
Methods:
From May to November 2023, a purposeful sampling method was used to recruit 1 676 students in grade 1-3 from three primary schools in a certain urban district of Chongqing. Follow up assessments were conducted in May 2024(T1), November 2024(T2), and May 2025(T3). General demographic and birth related information were collected via self administered questionnaires, while height, weight and blood pressure were obtained through physical examinations. Linear mixed effects model was used to analyze the associations between birth weight at different gestational ages and blood pressure trajectories.
Results:
During the T1-T3 period, the systolic blood pressure of boys were 98.5 (93.0, 104.5 ),98.5 (93.5, 105.0), and 97.5 (92.5, 103.5)mmHg, respectively, while the diastolic blood pressure were 60.5 (56.5, 65.0), 61.5 ( 57.0 , 65.5), and 60.0 (56.0, 64.0)mmHg, respectively. For girls, the systolic blood pressure were 95.5 (90.0, 102.0),95.5 (90.5, 101.5), and 96.0 (90.5, 101.5)mmHg, respectively, and the diastolic blood pressure were 60.5 (56.0, 64.5 ),61.5 (57.5, 65.5), and 59.5 (56.0, 63.0)mmHg, respectively. Through Friedman test within both boys and girls, diostolic blood pressure were statistically significant across three measurements( χ 2=48.85,81.54,both P <0.01). The proportion of normal blood pressure increased , and the proportion of prehypertension and hypertension decreased with time( χ 2=39.72,25.62,both P < 0.01 ). Linear mixed effects model analysis revealed that after adjusting for age, sex, household income monthly, parental education, family history of hypertension and maternal pregnancy complications, large for gestational age had significantly higher trajectories of systolic ( β = 1.50) and diastolic( β =0.94) blood pressure compared to appropriate for gestational age(both P <0.01).
Conclusion
Large for gestational age is associated with elevated blood pressure trajectories during school age, and it may be considered as an early indicator for individualized screening and intervention for childhood hypertension.
6.Olfactory Receptors Expressed in The Intestine and Their Functions
Pei-Wen YANG ; Meng-Meng YUAN ; Ying ZHOU ; Peng LI ; Gui-Hong QI ; Ying YANG ; Zhong-Yi MAO ; Meng-Sha ZHOU ; Xiao-Shuang MAO ; Jian-Ping XIE ; Yi-Nan YANG ; Shi-Hao SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):534-549
Olfactory receptors (ORs) form the largest superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Traditionally recognized for their role in the nasal olfactory epithelium, where they mediate the sense of smell, accumulating evidence has firmly established their ectopic expression in non-olfactory tissues, including the intestine, lungs, and kidneys. The intestine, as the primary site for nutrient digestion and absorption, harbors a highly complex chemical environment. To adapt to this environment, the gut employs a sophisticated network of “chemosensors” to monitor luminal contents and maintain homeostasis. Among these sensors, intestinal ORs have emerged as crucial functional components, serving as a molecular bridge that connects environmental chemical signals—such as food-derived odorants—to specific physiological responses. This discovery has significantly deepened our understanding of how dietary flavors and compounds influence intestinal physiology at the molecular level. This review systematically summarizes the expression profiles, ligand classification, and biological functions of ORs within the gastrointestinal tract. Studies indicate that intestinal ORs exhibit distinct spatial distribution patterns across different gut segments and display cell-type specificity, particularly within enterocytes and enteroendocrine cells. These receptors function as versatile sensors capable of recognizing a wide variety of ligands, including exogenous dietary components, gut microbiota metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, and endogenous small molecules like azelaic acid. Upon activation by specific ligands, intestinal ORs trigger intracellular signaling cascades, primarily involving the AC-cAMP-PKA pathway or calcium influx channels. A major focus of this review is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which these receptors regulate the secretion of gut hormones. Activation of specific ORs in enteroendocrine cells has been shown to stimulate the release of hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), and serotonin (5-HT), thereby modulating systemic energy metabolism, glucose homeostasis, and gastrointestinal motility. Furthermore, the review addresses the critical roles of ORs in immune regulation and pathology. Evidence suggests that specific ORs contribute to the maintenance of intestinal immune homeostasis and may offer protection against inflammation. Beyond their involvement in inflammatory responses, ORs such as Olfr78 have been shown to regulate the differentiation and function of intestinal endocrine cells. Similarly, Olfr544 has been demonstrated to alleviate intestinal inflammation by remodeling the gut microbiome and metabolome. These findings collectively suggest that specific ORs hold promise as therapeutic targets for mitigating intestinal inflammation and maintaining gut homeostasis. Additionally, the review explores the emerging role of ORs in cancer. Although OR expression is often downregulated in tumor tissues compared to normal mucosa, activation of specific ORs by certain ligands can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and migration and induce apoptosis via pathways such as MEK/ERK and p38 MAPK. Conversely, other receptors, such as OR7C1, may serve as biomarkers for cancer-initiating cells. In conclusion, intestinal ORs represent a vital component of the gut’s sensory network. The review also discusses the translational potential of these findings. By elucidating the precise pairing relationships between dietary components and specific ORs, novel therapeutic strategies could be developed. Intestinal ORs may thus emerge as promising targets for nutritional and pharmacological interventions in metabolic diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, and malignancies.
7.The Diversity of Filamentous Morphologies and Magnetic Sensitivity Modulated by Diverse MagR Expression in Bacteria
Ya-Fei CHANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Peng ZHANG ; Xiu-Juan ZHOU ; Meng-Ke WEI ; Tian-Tian CAI ; Pei-Qi HE ; Jun-Feng WANG ; Can XIE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1439-1456
Objective Magnetoreception, the remarkable ability of diverse animals to sense and utilize the geomagnetic field for orientation and navigation, remains a molecularly unresolved mystery in sensory biology. The putative magnetoreceptor (MagR, previously known as IscA1) is a highly conserved iron-sulfur protein implicated in both magnetoreception and iron metabolism; however, the functional diversity among its cross-species homologs remains poorly understood. Cellular morphology is a key genetically determined trait that can be altered through genetic or environmental modifications—a process known as cell morphology engineering. Constructing engineered cells with specific morphological features and magnetic sensitivity to achieve remote, non-invasive magnetic modulation represents a crucial goal in this field with significant application potential. Therefore, this study aims to systematically investigate the effects of MagR heterologous expression on bacterial morphology and magnetic sensing capabilities, screen for MagR-based magnetically sensitive morphology engineering pathways, and reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods We systematically screened 28 MagR homologous genes from diverse prokaryotic and animal taxa to evaluate their expression and corresponding phenotypic effects in Escherichia coli (E. coli). To compare the differential magnetic responses among bacteria expressing various recombinant MagR proteins, we utilized high-throughput automated bright-field microscopic imaging and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, comprehensive biochemical and biophysical characterizations of iron and iron-sulfur cluster binding were performed using Ferrozine colorimetric assays, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Additionally, 100 mT static magnetic field (SMF) exposure experiments were conducted to assess magnetically tunable phenotypes, while the intrinsic magnetic properties of purified MagR proteins were directly measured using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Results Our results demonstrated that the heterologous expression of MagR homologs induced varying degrees of bacterial filamentation. From this comprehensive screen, two distinct morphological patterns were identified: hydra (Hydra vulgaris) MagR (hyMagR) promoted uniform cell elongation and filamentation, exhibiting robust magnetic sensitivity manifested as significantly enhanced filamentation under the 100 mT SMF. In contrast, pigeon (Columba livia) MagR (clMagR) induced only low-frequency, extreme filamentation (sporadically exceeding 80 μm) with a relatively weaker magnetic morphological response. Mechanistically, our data unambiguously proved that these phenotypic differences are primarily driven by distinct iron redox preferences rather than total cellular iron accumulation. Specifically, hyMagR preferentially binds ferrous iron (Fe2+), whereas clMagR favors ferric iron (Fe3+) and forms more stable iron-sulfur clusters. Intriguingly, although SQUID magnetometry showed that purified clMagR exhibited approximately five-fold higher mass magnetic susceptibility than hyMagR, its cellular magnetic response was weaker. We hypothesize that the Fe2+-preferred intracellular environment associated with hyMagR overexpression primes the cell for enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via the Fenton reaction. Exposure to an SMF synergizes with this primed redox state, triggering the bacterial SOS response and upregulating cell division inhibitors to efficiently induce uniform filamentation. Conclusion Our findings identify the Fe2+/Fe3+ redox state as a critical determinant of MagR-mediated morphological remodeling and magnetic responsiveness. This discovery suggests a potential strategy for engineering magnetically responsive cellular systems for synthetic biology applications, and provides a plausible framework, which potentially combines intrinsic protein magnetism with redox-state modulation, for further investigating the evolutionary mechanisms of MagR-mediated magnetoreception.
8.The Diversity of Filamentous Morphologies and Magnetic Sensitivity Modulated by Diverse MagR Expression in Bacteria
Ya-Fei CHANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Peng ZHANG ; Xiu-Juan ZHOU ; Meng-Ke WEI ; Tian-Tian CAI ; Pei-Qi HE ; Jun-Feng WANG ; Can XIE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1439-1456
Objective Magnetoreception, the remarkable ability of diverse animals to sense and utilize the geomagnetic field for orientation and navigation, remains a molecularly unresolved mystery in sensory biology. The putative magnetoreceptor (MagR, previously known as IscA1) is a highly conserved iron-sulfur protein implicated in both magnetoreception and iron metabolism; however, the functional diversity among its cross-species homologs remains poorly understood. Cellular morphology is a key genetically determined trait that can be altered through genetic or environmental modifications—a process known as cell morphology engineering. Constructing engineered cells with specific morphological features and magnetic sensitivity to achieve remote, non-invasive magnetic modulation represents a crucial goal in this field with significant application potential. Therefore, this study aims to systematically investigate the effects of MagR heterologous expression on bacterial morphology and magnetic sensing capabilities, screen for MagR-based magnetically sensitive morphology engineering pathways, and reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods We systematically screened 28 MagR homologous genes from diverse prokaryotic and animal taxa to evaluate their expression and corresponding phenotypic effects in Escherichia coli (E. coli). To compare the differential magnetic responses among bacteria expressing various recombinant MagR proteins, we utilized high-throughput automated bright-field microscopic imaging and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, comprehensive biochemical and biophysical characterizations of iron and iron-sulfur cluster binding were performed using Ferrozine colorimetric assays, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Additionally, 100 mT static magnetic field (SMF) exposure experiments were conducted to assess magnetically tunable phenotypes, while the intrinsic magnetic properties of purified MagR proteins were directly measured using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Results Our results demonstrated that the heterologous expression of MagR homologs induced varying degrees of bacterial filamentation. From this comprehensive screen, two distinct morphological patterns were identified: hydra (Hydra vulgaris) MagR (hyMagR) promoted uniform cell elongation and filamentation, exhibiting robust magnetic sensitivity manifested as significantly enhanced filamentation under the 100 mT SMF. In contrast, pigeon (Columba livia) MagR (clMagR) induced only low-frequency, extreme filamentation (sporadically exceeding 80 μm) with a relatively weaker magnetic morphological response. Mechanistically, our data unambiguously proved that these phenotypic differences are primarily driven by distinct iron redox preferences rather than total cellular iron accumulation. Specifically, hyMagR preferentially binds ferrous iron (Fe2+), whereas clMagR favors ferric iron (Fe3+) and forms more stable iron-sulfur clusters. Intriguingly, although SQUID magnetometry showed that purified clMagR exhibited approximately five-fold higher mass magnetic susceptibility than hyMagR, its cellular magnetic response was weaker. We hypothesize that the Fe2+-preferred intracellular environment associated with hyMagR overexpression primes the cell for enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via the Fenton reaction. Exposure to an SMF synergizes with this primed redox state, triggering the bacterial SOS response and upregulating cell division inhibitors to efficiently induce uniform filamentation. Conclusion Our findings identify the Fe2+/Fe3+ redox state as a critical determinant of MagR-mediated morphological remodeling and magnetic responsiveness. This discovery suggests a potential strategy for engineering magnetically responsive cellular systems for synthetic biology applications, and provides a plausible framework, which potentially combines intrinsic protein magnetism with redox-state modulation, for further investigating the evolutionary mechanisms of MagR-mediated magnetoreception.
9.Correlation between extraocular muscle thickness and clinical activity score in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy
Laijuan PENG ; Xu XU ; Zhongxu SUN ; Peng ZHU ; Ke MENG ; Tao ZHANG
International Eye Science 2026;26(7):1281-1286
AIM: To analysis the correlation between extraocular muscle thickness measured by quantitative CT analysis of orbital structures and clinical activity score(CAS)of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy(TAO).METHODS:This was a retrospective analysis, selecting clinical data of TAO patients admitted to the hospital from October 2020 to February 2025. Healthy individuals were chosen from hospital's physical examination as the control group. All participants underwent CT examination, the superior rectus muscle, inferior rectus muscle, medial rectus muscle, lateral rectus muscle, orbital area, protrusion degree, and total cross-sectional area of extraocular muscles/total orbital area ratio(OM/TOA)from the two groups of participants were compared. CAS was used to evaluate TAO patients, and the correlation between CAS score and quantitative analysis indicators of CT orbital structure was analyzed. Quantitative analysis indicators for CT orbital structure in TAO patients at different stages of activity were compared, and the predictive value of these indicators for TAO patients at different activity stages was investigated.RESULTS:A total of 77 TAO patients were enrolled in this study, including 38 males and 39 females, with ages ranging from 28 to 70 y(mean age 49.5±6.9 y). There were 77 cases in the control group, including 40 males and 37 females, with ages ranging from 26 to 70 y(mean age 49.0±7.3 y). There was no significant difference in gender and age between the two groups(both P>0.05). The quantitative analysis of left eye, right eye, and binocular CT orbital structure in TAO group patients showed significantly higher indicators than the control group(all P<0.001), and the CAS score of TAO group was 3.94±1.51 points. The CAS score was positively correlated with various indicators of CT orbital structure quantitative analysis(all P<0.05). According to the CAS score results, 14 cases(28 eyes)of TAO patients with a CAS score<3 were classified as inactive phase, including 8 males and 6 females, with an average age of 43.79±9.58 y. A total of 63 cases(126 eyes)with a CAS score of ≥3 was classified as active phase, including 30 males and 33 females, with an average age of 50.78±5.47 y. There was no significant difference in gender among TAO patients with different active phases(P=0.519), but there was a significant difference in age(P<0.001). The quantitative indicators of CT orbital structure in inactive patients were significantly lower than those in active patients(P<0.05). Finally, the superior rectus muscle, age, and degree of protrusion were selected to be included in the Logistic regression model. The analysis results showed that there was a correlation between the superior rectus muscle index, degree of protrusion and TAO activity phase(P<0.05), while age, and TAO activity phase showed no significant correlation(P>0.05). The ROC curve analysis results showed that the area under the curve(AUC)was 0.863, the standard error was 0.063, P<0.001, and the 95% confidence interval(95% CI)of AUC was 0.740-0.985. The sensitivity of the model prediction was 73.0%, the specificity was 92.9%, and the Youden index was 0.659. The prediction accuracy was 97.9%, the recall rate was 73.0%, and the F1 value was 0.836. The predicted optimal critical value was 0.857. The predicted probability was 0.74.CONCLUSION:Quantitative CT analysis of orbital structures can be used to assess disease severity in TAO patients.
10.Establishment and Implementation of Post-marketing Benefit-risk Assessment Strategy for Traditional Chinese Medicine
Meng QIAO ; Wenxi PENG ; Qiang ZHANG ; Chao LEI ; Yanming XIE ; Zhifei WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):253-260
The field of post-marketing benefit-risk assessment for traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is still in its nascent stage, lacking a universally accepted and cohesive evaluation framework and standards. This study presented a strategy developed for the benefit-risk assessment of post-marketing of TCM, and explored the critical techniques and specific implementation steps involved in the assessment process. Initially, appropriate qualitative assessment frameworks and quantitative analysis models were selected for the integrated qualitative and quantitative benefit-risk assessment. Subsequently, key technologies were outlined, including the establishment of a benefit-risk indicator system, the assignment of indicator weights, and the definition of criteria attributes. Furthermore, the implementation steps were elaborated, which involved defining decision-making issues, data collection, evaluation methodologies, variability factors, and sensitivity analysis. Finally, a case study of the benefit-risk assessment of a TCM injection for hepatitis B treatment was conducted to validate the feasibility of the proposed strategy. The objective of this research was to provide theoretical support and practical references for the development of a comprehensive post-marketing benefit-risk assessment system for TCM.


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