1.Research on the mechanism of Chaiqi yigan granules against liver cancer via the ferroptosis pathway
Bowen LIU ; Guiping MA ; Feng LI ; Xiaobin LI ; Fenping LU ; Xu PANG ; Shiping HU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(10):1272-1276
OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of Chaiqi yigan granules (CQYG) against liver cancer through the ferroptosis pathway. METHODS Network pharmacology combined with ferroptosis-related database was used to screen key targets and main effective components of CQYG against liver cancer via regulating ferroptosis; molecular docking technology was employed to analyze the binding ability of main active components to key targets. Human liver Huh-7 cells were divided into blank serum control (CON) group, CQYG drug-containing serum (CQYGKL) group, ferroptosis inducer (RSL3) group, mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) inhibitor (RMC-5552) group, mTORC1 agonist (CCT007093) group, and CCT007093+CQYGKL group. The levels of Fe 2+ , malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) in the cells were detected in the former three groups; mRNA expressions of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1), protein expressions of SREBP1 and SCD1 as well as phosphorylation levels of mTOR and ribosomal S6 kinase (S6K) proteins were detected in all groups. RESULTS Key targets of CQYG for anti-liver cancer through the ferroptosis pathway were mTOR, SREBP1, SCD1,etc. The main active components included quercetin, tanshinone Ⅱ A , baicalein, etc. The binding energies of main active components to key targets were all less than -5 kJ/mol. Compared with CON group, the levels of Fe 2+ and MDA in the cells in CQYGKL group and RSL3 group were significantly increased, while the levels of GSH were significantly decreased ( P <0.05). mRNA expressions of mTOR, SREBP1 and SCD1, protein expressions of SREBP1 and SCD1, as well as the phosphorylation levels of mTOR and S6K proteins were significantly decreased in the CQYGKL group, RSL3 group, and RMC-5552 group, whereas all the above indicators were significantly increased in the CCT007093 group ( P <0.05). Compared with CCT007093 group, the changes in all the above indicators were significantly suppressed in the CCT007093+CQYGKL group ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS CQYG may induce ferroptosis by inhibiting mTORC1/SREBP1/SCD1 axis, thereby exerting anti-liver cancer effects.
2.An analysis of clinical pharmacist training bases and pharmacist staffing status based on field research
Liang HUANG ; Jiancun ZHEN ; Li YOU ; Jing BIAN ; Yishan BU ; Quanzhi LI ; Zining WANG ; Xiaofen YE ; Ping ZHENG ; Rui YANG ; Jun YANG ; Yangui XU ; Jin LU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(13):1661-1666
OBJECTIVE To clarify the current development status of clinical pharmacist training bases and the pharmacist workforce in China, and to provide evidence for standardizing base construction and promoting the high-quality development of hospital pharmacy. METHODS Questionnaires were distributed to all clinical pharmacist training bases for urgently-needed health professionals and clinical pharmacist training bases under the Chinese Hospital Association that had been approved by the end of 2023 to collect data including base profiles and pharmacist staffing conditions. Expert teams carried out field investigations to verify the collected data. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted on the quantity, type and regional distribution of training bases, and the influencing factors of pharmacist staffing in the bases were analyzed. RESULTS Field surveys were completed covering 297 training bases across 31 provincial-level administrative regions. Among the base hospitals, 87.88% were Grade A tertiary general hospitals, and 65.32% were located in provincial capitals. The eastern region had the largest number of bases (136, accounting for 45.79%), followed by the western region (79, 26.60%). Great disparities existed among provinces in terms of base quantity and hospital scale. The median proportion of pharmaceutical technical personnel in base hospitals was 4.05%, and the median number of clinical pharmacists per 100 hospital beds was 0.53. Both indicators reached the highest in the eastern region (0.57, 4.43%) and the lowest in the northeastern region (0.45, 3.01%). A total of 3 627 full-time clinical pharmacists were employed in all surveyed bases, among whom 83.68% held clinical pharmacist training certificates, 35.43% possessed senior professional titles, and 78.19% had postgraduate or higher educational background. The total annual training capacity of the surveyed bases was 4 291 trainees, with obvious differences in annual training capacity across regions and provinces. Training specialties covered 19 specialized disciplines plus one general discipline, and no province could deliver training for all 20 specialties simultaneously. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that geographic region exerte d a significant impact on the proportion of pharmaceutical technical personnel (≥4%) ( P <0.05), while the approval time of training bases and hospital scale had significant effects on the number of clinical pharmacists per 100 beds (≥0.6) ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS China’s clinical pharmacist training system has basically matured and taken initial shape. The distribution of clinical pharmacist training resources is generally consistent with regional population and economic development levels. However, the allocation of pharmaceutical staff and clinical pharmacists has not yet met national standards and clinical service demands.
3.Dynamic prediction of JC polyomavirus reactivation after kidney transplantation
Mengyao LI ; Chengfeng ZHANG ; Difei REN ; Xin LIANG ; Shuyu CHEN ; Yushi PENG ; Yanjie WANG ; Meng ZHANG ; Jian XU ; Zheng CHEN ; Yun MIAO ; Yibin WANG
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(4):635-643
Objective To construct a dynamic prediction model for JC polyomavirus (JCV) reactivation after kidney transplantation. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 128 recipients who met the inclusion criteria and received kidney transplantation in Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, from June 2021 to December 2024. Dynamic Cox regression and dynamic restricted mean survival time (RMST) regression based on the landmark method were adopted to establish the dynamic prediction models, and Monte Carlo cross-validation was used to evaluate model performance. Results The dynamic models could predict the incidence and onset time of JCV reactivation within the subsequent 3 months according to covariates at each landmark time point from the 1st to the 6th month after transplantation. Remuzzi score, body mass index and warm ischemia time were independent risk factors for JCV reactivation, while a history of urinary BK polyomavirus reactivation served as a protective factor. The median values of the area under the curve, C-index and Brier score of the dynamic Cox model were 0.873, 0.851 and 0.065 respectively, and the C-index of the dynamic RMST model was 0.829, all of which were superior to those of the static model. Conclusions The landmark-based dynamic models exhibit excellent predictive performance, which may integrate baseline data and post-transplant follow-up information to realize dynamic assessment of the risk and time window of JCV reactivation, thereby providing evidence for optimizing post-operative monitoring and individualized intervention strategies.
4.An analysis of clinical pharmacist training bases and pharmacist staffing status based on field research
Liang HUANG ; Jiancun ZHEN ; Li YOU ; Jing BIAN ; Yishan BU ; Quanzhi LI ; Zining WANG ; Xiaofen YE ; Ping ZHENG ; Rui YANG ; Jun YANG ; Yangui XU ; Jin LU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(13):1661-1666
OBJECTIVE To clarify the current development status of clinical pharmacist training bases and the pharmacist workforce in China, and to provide evidence for standardizing base construction and promoting the high-quality development of hospital pharmacy. METHODS Questionnaires were distributed to all clinical pharmacist training bases for urgently-needed health professionals and clinical pharmacist training bases under the Chinese Hospital Association that had been approved by the end of 2023 to collect data including base profiles and pharmacist staffing conditions. Expert teams carried out field investigations to verify the collected data. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted on the quantity, type and regional distribution of training bases, and the influencing factors of pharmacist staffing in the bases were analyzed. RESULTS Field surveys were completed covering 297 training bases across 31 provincial-level administrative regions. Among the base hospitals, 87.88% were Grade A tertiary general hospitals, and 65.32% were located in provincial capitals. The eastern region had the largest number of bases (136, accounting for 45.79%), followed by the western region (79, 26.60%). Great disparities existed among provinces in terms of base quantity and hospital scale. The median proportion of pharmaceutical technical personnel in base hospitals was 4.05%, and the median number of clinical pharmacists per 100 hospital beds was 0.53. Both indicators reached the highest in the eastern region (0.57, 4.43%) and the lowest in the northeastern region (0.45, 3.01%). A total of 3 627 full-time clinical pharmacists were employed in all surveyed bases, among whom 83.68% held clinical pharmacist training certificates, 35.43% possessed senior professional titles, and 78.19% had postgraduate or higher educational background. The total annual training capacity of the surveyed bases was 4 291 trainees, with obvious differences in annual training capacity across regions and provinces. Training specialties covered 19 specialized disciplines plus one general discipline, and no province could deliver training for all 20 specialties simultaneously. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that geographic region exerte d a significant impact on the proportion of pharmaceutical technical personnel (≥4%) ( P <0.05), while the approval time of training bases and hospital scale had significant effects on the number of clinical pharmacists per 100 beds (≥0.6) ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS China’s clinical pharmacist training system has basically matured and taken initial shape. The distribution of clinical pharmacist training resources is generally consistent with regional population and economic development levels. However, the allocation of pharmaceutical staff and clinical pharmacists has not yet met national standards and clinical service demands.
5.Study on the current status of quality management of clinical pharmacist training bases in China
Ping ZHENG ; Jiancun ZHEN ; Li YOU ; Yangui XU ; Liang HUANG ; Jing BIAN ; Jin LU ; Yishan BU ; Quanzhi LI ; Zining WANG ; Xiaofen YE ; Jun YANG ; Rui YANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(14):1826-1831
OBJECTIVE To investigate the current status of quality management in clinical pharmacist training bases in China, and to provide references for the standardized development and improvement of these bases. METHODS A combined approach of questionnaire survey and on-site investigation was adopted, targeting the healthcare highly sought-after talent (clinical pharmacist) training bases in 31 provinces of China as well as the clinical pharmacist training bases affiliated with the Chinese Hospital Association. A training quality management evaluation index system consisting of 25 tertiary indicators was established. Investigations were conducted from two dimensions: structural quality of training and quality management of training processes. Data were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. RESULTS On-site investigations were completed for 297 clinical pharmacist training bases across the 31 provinces, among which 284 were affiliated with the Chinese Hospital Association and 271 were healthcare highly sought-after talent (clinical pharmacist) training bases. In terms of structural quality, the core indicator compliance rate for hospital-level training systems exceeded 80%, the rate of special fund utilization for designated purposes reached 80.13%, and the overall compliance rate for software and hardware facilities surpassed 88%. A total of 1 348 preceptors were employed across the training bases, among whom those with senior professional titles and full-time specialist clinical pharmacists as lead preceptors accounted for 62.91% and 94.36%, respectively. Regarding process quality, the compliance rate for “establishment of clinical practice teaching groups in accordance with regulations during clinical department rotations” was 85.19%, and 79.80% and 76.09% of the bases were found to implement strict confidentiality in theoretical examinations and meet the required scale of assessment cases, respectively. However, formal documents of corresponding training management regulations were formulated in only 57.91% of the bases, and the completeness and standardization rate of training manual completion was merely 47.47%. In addition, considerable disparities in quality management levels were observed among provinces, with issues in training process quality being particularly prominent. CONCLUSIONS The management system, hardware facilities, and preceptor staffing of clinical pharmacist training bases in China are relatively well-established, yet notable variations in quality management exist among training bases across different provinces.
6.Association between post-COVID-19 sleep disturbance and neurocognitive function: a comparative study based on propensity score matching.
Shixu DU ; Leqin FANG ; Yuanhui LI ; Shuai LIU ; Xue LUO ; Shufei ZENG ; Shuqiong ZHENG ; Hangyi YANG ; Yan XU ; Dai LI ; Bin ZHANG
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2025;26(2):172-184
Despite that sleep disturbance and poor neurocognitive performance are common complaints among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors, few studies have focused on the effect of post-COVID-19 sleep disturbance (PCSD) on cognitive function. This study aimed to identify the impact of PCSD on neurocognitive function and explore the associated risk factors for the worsening of this condition. This cross-sectional study was conducted via the web-based assessment in Chinese mainland. Neurocognitive function was evaluated by the modified online Integrated Cognitive Assessment (ICA) and the Number Ordering Test (NOT). Propensity score matching (PSM) was utilized to match the confounding factors between individuals with and without PCSD. Univariate analyses were performed to evaluate the effect of PCSD on neurocognitive function. The risk factors associated with worsened neurocognitive performance in PCSD individuals were explored using binary logistic regression. A total of 8692 individuals with COVID-19 diagnosis were selected for this study. Nearly half (48.80%) of the COVID-19 survivors reported sleep disturbance. After matching by PSM, a total of 3977 pairs (7954 individuals in total) were obtained. Univariate analyses revealed that PCSD was related to worse ICA and NOT performance (P<0.05). Underlying disease, upper respiratory infection, loss of smell or taste, severe pneumonia, and self-reported cognitive complaints were associated with worsened neurocognitive performance among PCSD individuals (P<0.05). Furthermore, aging, ethnicity (minority), and lower education level were found to be independent risk factors for worsened neurocognitive performance in PCSD individuals (P<0.05). PCSD was related to impaired neurocognitive performance. Therefore, appropriate prevention and intervention measures should be taken to minimize or prevent PCSD and eliminate its potential adverse effect on neurocognitive function.
Humans
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COVID-19/epidemiology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Sleep Wake Disorders/epidemiology*
;
Propensity Score
;
Middle Aged
;
Cross-Sectional Studies
;
Adult
;
SARS-CoV-2
;
Aged
;
Risk Factors
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Cognition
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Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology*
;
Neuropsychological Tests
7.Cytoplasmic and nuclear NFATc3 cooperatively contributes to vascular smooth muscle cell dysfunction and drives aortic aneurysm and dissection.
Xiu LIU ; Li ZHAO ; Deshen LIU ; Lingna ZHAO ; Yonghua TUO ; Qinbao PENG ; Fangze HUANG ; Zhengkun SONG ; Chuanjie NIU ; Xiaoxia HE ; Yu XU ; Jun WAN ; Peng ZHU ; Zhengyang JIAN ; Jiawei GUO ; Yingying LIU ; Jun LU ; Sijia LIANG ; Shaoyi ZHENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(7):3663-3684
This study investigated the role of the nuclear factor of activated T cells c3 (NFATc3) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) during aortic aneurysm and dissection (AAD) progression and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Cytoplasmic and nuclear NFATc3 levels were elevated in human and mouse AAD. VSMC-NFATc3 deletion reduced thoracic AAD (TAAD) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression in mice, contrary to VSMC-NFATc3 overexpression. VSMC-NFATc3 deletion reduced extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and maintained the VSMC contractile phenotype. Nuclear NFATc3 targeted and transcriptionally upregulated matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and MMP2, promoting ECM degradation and AAD development. NFATc3 promoted VSMC phenotypic switching by binding to eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) and inhibiting its phosphorylation in the VSMC cytoplasm. Restoring eEF2 reversed the beneficial effects in VSMC-specific NFATc3-knockout mice. Cabamiquine-targets eEF2 and inhibits protein synthesis-inhibited AAD development and progression in VSMC-NFATc3-overexpressing mice. VSMC-NFATc3 promoted VSMC switch and ECM degradation while exacerbating AAD development, making it a novel potential therapeutic target for preventing and treating AAD.
8.Polydopamine-modified phycocyanin nanoparticles with photothermal antimicrobial activity promote skin wound healing in mice.
Chen ZHANG ; Zhi XU ; Xiang LI ; Pengyixiang HE ; Kailin QU ; Qi NING ; Yile JIN ; Surui YANG ; Xu WU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(9):1959-1966
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the photothermal and antibacterial activities of polydopamine-modified phycocyanin nanoparticles (PDA@PC NPs) and their capacity for promoting wound healing.
METHODS:
PDA@PC NPs were synthesized from phycocyanin (C-PC) and dopamine hydrochloride using a one-pot method. The photothermal activity of the nanoparticles was assessed in vitro by 808 nm laser irradiation, their biocompatibility was evaluated using CCK-8 assay, and their photothermal antibacterial activity by plate colony counting. In adult male BALB/c mice, two symmetrical full-thickness skin wounds (1.0 cm ×1.0 cm) were created on both sides of the spine, and 200 μL of Staphylococcus aureus suspension was inoculated into the wounds. The mice were divided into control group, PDA@PC NPs group, and PDA@PC NPs with laser irradiation group, and wound healing rates and histomorphological changes in the wound tissues were evaluated on days 0, 7 and 14 after modeling.
RESULTS:
The synthesized PDA@PC NPs exhibited no obvious cytotoxicity up to a concentration of 500 μg/mL and showed strong photothermal and antibacterial activities in response to 808 nm laser irradiation. In the mouse models, the size of the infected skin wounds showed substantial reduction at 7 and 14 days in PDA@PC NPs group and PDA@PC NPs with laser irradiation group, and the mean wound healing rate was faster in the latter group. HE staining and Masson's trichrome staining revealed extensive granulation tissue formation and collagen deposition on the wound surfaces in both of the treatment groups, and these changes were more obvious in the PDA@PC NPs with laser irradiation group.
CONCLUSIONS
PDA@PC NPs possess excellent photothermal and antibacterial activities and can effectively promote wound healing in mice.
Animals
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Indoles/chemistry*
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Wound Healing/drug effects*
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Male
;
Nanoparticles
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Polymers/chemistry*
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Phycocyanin/chemistry*
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Skin/injuries*
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Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects*
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Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*
9.Clinical practice boundaries and expansion of Landsteiner's rule
Yinze ZHANG ; Hua XU ; Huayou ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(9):1280-1285
Landsteiner established classical rules through incomplete inductive reasoning. Although theoretical incompleteness and application limitations existed due to the limited number of early observation samples, this flaw not only fails to diminish its milestone significance in the history of transfusion medicine, but also vividly illustrates the objective law that scientific cognition possesses historical limitations. Through a systematic review of the research history of ABO blood groups, this study is the first to propose that abnormal phenomena such as weak agglutination, discrepancies between forward and reverse typing, and false concordance are actually inherent reactive characteristics of weak phenotypes. This breakthrough transcends traditional judgment standards and constructs a more universal ABO blood group detection and interpretation model. It not only expands the boundaries of Landsteiner's rules, but also provides practical solutions for clinical laboratories to handle complex samples.
10.LGR5 interacts with HSP90AB1 to mediate enzalutamide resistance by activating the WNT/β-catenin/AR axis in prostate cancer.
Ze GAO ; Zhi XIONG ; Yiran TAO ; Qiong WANG ; Kaixuan GUO ; Kewei XU ; Hai HUANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(23):3184-3194
BACKGROUND:
Enzalutamide, a second-generation androgen receptor (AR) pathway inhibitor, is widely used in the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer. However, after a period of enzalutamide treatment, patients inevitably develop drug resistance. In this study, we characterized leucine-rich repeated G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) and explored its potential therapeutic value in prostate cancer.
METHODS:
A total of 142 pairs of tumor and adjacent formalin-fixed paraf-fin-embedded tissue samples from patients with prostate cancer were collected from the Pathology Department at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hos-pital. LGR5 was screened by sequencing data of enzalutamide-resistant cell lines combined with sequencing data of lesions with different Gleason scores from the same patients. The biological function of LGR5 and its effect on enzalutamide resistance were investigated in vitro and in vivo . Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) pull-down, coimmunoprecipitation, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence assays were used to explore the specific binding mechanism of LGR5 and related pathway changes.
RESULTS:
LGR5 was significantly upregulated in prostate cancer and negatively correlated with poor patient prognosis. Overexpression of LGR5 promoted the malignant progression of prostate cancer and reduced sensitivity to enzalutamide in vitro and in vivo . LGR5 promoted the phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) by binding heat shock protein 90,000 alpha B1 (HSP90AB1) and mediated the activation of the Wingless/integrated (WNT)/β-catenin signaling pathway. The increased β-catenin in the cytoplasm entered the nucleus and bound to the nuclear AR, promoting the transcription level of AR, which led to the enhanced tolerance of prostate cancer to enzalutamide. Reducing HSP90AB1 binding to LGR5 significantly enhanced sensitivity to enzalutamide.
CONCLUSIONS
LGR5 directly binds to HSP90AB1 and mediates GSK-3β phosphorylation, promoting AR expression by regulating the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby conferring resistance to enzalutamide treatment in prostate cancer.
Male
;
Humans
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Phenylthiohydantoin/pharmacology*
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Benzamides
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Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics*
;
Nitriles
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Cell Line, Tumor
;
HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins/metabolism*
;
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics*
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Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy*
;
beta Catenin/metabolism*
;
Receptors, Androgen/genetics*
;
Animals
;
Mice
;
Wnt Signaling Pathway/physiology*

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