1.Outcome Indicators in Randomized Controlled Trials of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention in Ulcerative Colitis
Yasheng DENG ; Lanfang MAO ; Jiang LIN ; Yanping FAN ; Wenyue LI ; Yonghui LIU ; Zhaobing NI ; Jinzhong YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):245-251
To systematically review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) intervention in ulcerative colitis (UC), and analyze the characteristics of these studies and their outcome indicators, thereby providing references for the design of future RCTs of TCM intervention in UC and offering evidence supporting the clinical application of TCM in UC. A computerized search was conducted in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMbase, and Web of Science databases for RCTs of TCM intervention in UC published from January 2021 to August 2024. The risk of bias was assessed, and outcome indicators were qualitatively analyzed. A total of 555 RCTs were included, with a sample size of 44 853 participants. The largest sample size was 218 cases, and the smallest was 28 cases, with most studies focusing on 60-100 participants. Of the 386 RCTs that explicitly reported TCM syndrome types, the top three were large intestine dampness-heat syndrome (31.05%), spleen and kidney yang deficiency syndrome (12.47%), and spleen deficiency with dampness syndrome (9.17%). The interventions, ranked by frequency of use, included internal Chinese medicine compounds/preparations (64.5%), Chinese medicine compounds/preparations with retained enema (18.2%), internal Chinese medicine compounds/preparations + external TCM treatment (5.95%), and external TCM treatment alone (4.86%). The treatment duration was mainly 4-8 weeks (64.86%), with 61 studies (10.99%) reporting follow-up time. A total of 157 outcome indicators were used, with a frequency of 3 460 occurrences, classified into six domains: TCM syndromes and symptoms (346 occurrences, 10%), symptoms/signs (541 occurrences, 15.64%), physical and chemical examinations (2 119 occurrences, 61.24%), quality of life (107 occurrences, 3.09%), long-term prognosis (61 occurrences, 1.76%), and safety events (284 occurrences, 8.21%). The analysis reveals several limitations in the outcome indicators of TCM intervention in UC, including the lack of a basis for sample size calculation, non-standardized TCM syndrome classification, absence of trial design and registration, inadequate blinding and allocation concealment, adherence issues with interventions, imbalanced selection of surrogate and endpoint indicators, inconsistency in the timing of outcome measurements, design issues that require standardization, and ethical and safety concerns. It is recommended that future studies actively construct a set of core indicators for UC that include standardized TCM syndrome classification, clear efficacy evaluation indicators, key endpoint indicators, and reasonable measurement time points. Long-term prognostic impacts, comprehensive assessments of patients' quality of life, and consideration of economic benefits should be emphasized, providing a basis for the clinical practice of TCM in the treatment of UC.
2.Outcome Indicators in Randomized Controlled Trials of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention in Ulcerative Colitis
Yasheng DENG ; Lanfang MAO ; Jiang LIN ; Yanping FAN ; Wenyue LI ; Yonghui LIU ; Zhaobing NI ; Jinzhong YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):245-251
To systematically review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) intervention in ulcerative colitis (UC), and analyze the characteristics of these studies and their outcome indicators, thereby providing references for the design of future RCTs of TCM intervention in UC and offering evidence supporting the clinical application of TCM in UC. A computerized search was conducted in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMbase, and Web of Science databases for RCTs of TCM intervention in UC published from January 2021 to August 2024. The risk of bias was assessed, and outcome indicators were qualitatively analyzed. A total of 555 RCTs were included, with a sample size of 44 853 participants. The largest sample size was 218 cases, and the smallest was 28 cases, with most studies focusing on 60-100 participants. Of the 386 RCTs that explicitly reported TCM syndrome types, the top three were large intestine dampness-heat syndrome (31.05%), spleen and kidney yang deficiency syndrome (12.47%), and spleen deficiency with dampness syndrome (9.17%). The interventions, ranked by frequency of use, included internal Chinese medicine compounds/preparations (64.5%), Chinese medicine compounds/preparations with retained enema (18.2%), internal Chinese medicine compounds/preparations + external TCM treatment (5.95%), and external TCM treatment alone (4.86%). The treatment duration was mainly 4-8 weeks (64.86%), with 61 studies (10.99%) reporting follow-up time. A total of 157 outcome indicators were used, with a frequency of 3 460 occurrences, classified into six domains: TCM syndromes and symptoms (346 occurrences, 10%), symptoms/signs (541 occurrences, 15.64%), physical and chemical examinations (2 119 occurrences, 61.24%), quality of life (107 occurrences, 3.09%), long-term prognosis (61 occurrences, 1.76%), and safety events (284 occurrences, 8.21%). The analysis reveals several limitations in the outcome indicators of TCM intervention in UC, including the lack of a basis for sample size calculation, non-standardized TCM syndrome classification, absence of trial design and registration, inadequate blinding and allocation concealment, adherence issues with interventions, imbalanced selection of surrogate and endpoint indicators, inconsistency in the timing of outcome measurements, design issues that require standardization, and ethical and safety concerns. It is recommended that future studies actively construct a set of core indicators for UC that include standardized TCM syndrome classification, clear efficacy evaluation indicators, key endpoint indicators, and reasonable measurement time points. Long-term prognostic impacts, comprehensive assessments of patients' quality of life, and consideration of economic benefits should be emphasized, providing a basis for the clinical practice of TCM in the treatment of UC.
3.Trilogy of drug repurposing for developing cancer and chemotherapy-induced heart failure co-therapy agent.
Xin CHEN ; Xianggang MU ; Lele DING ; Xi WANG ; Fei MAO ; Jinlian WEI ; Qian LIU ; Yixiang XU ; Shuaishuai NI ; Lijun JIA ; Jian LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(2):729-750
Chemotherapy-induced complications, particularly lethal cardiovascular diseases, pose significant challenges for cancer survivors. The intertwined adverse effects, brought by cancer and its complication, further complicate anticancer therapy and lead to diminished clinical outcomes. Simple supplementation of cardioprotective agents falls short in addressing these challenges. Developing bi-functional co-therapy agents provided another potential solution to consolidate the chemotherapy and reduce cardiac events simultaneously. Drug repurposing was naturally endowed with co-therapeutic potential of two indications, implying a unique chance in the development of bi-functional agents. Herein, we further proposed a novel "trilogy of drug repurposing" strategy that comprises function-based, target-focused, and scaffold-driven repurposing approaches, aiming to systematically elucidate the advantages of repurposed drugs in rationally developing bi-functional agent. Through function-based repurposing, a cardioprotective agent, carvedilol (CAR), was identified as a potential neddylation inhibitor to suppress lung cancer growth. Employing target-focused SAR studies and scaffold-driven drug design, we synthesized 44 CAR derivatives to achieve a balance between anticancer and cardioprotection. Remarkably, optimal derivative 43 displayed promising bi-functional effects, especially in various self-established heart failure mice models with and without tumor-bearing. Collectively, the present study validated the practicability of the "trilogy of drug repurposing" strategy in the development of bi-functional co-therapy agents.
4.Effect of Jiuxin Pill (救心丸)on Exercise Tolerance and Quality of Life in Patients of Stable Angina Pectoris:A Randomized,Double-Blind,Placebo-Controlled,Multi-Center Clinical Trial
Xianliang WANG ; Mingjun ZHU ; Daimei NI ; Jianguang WU ; Yitao XUE ; Chenglong WANG ; Xiaohua DAI ; Qian LIN ; Jun LI ; Zhiqiang ZHAO ; Shuai WANG ; Yingfei BI ; Tongzuo LIU ; Zhou ZHOU ; Jingyuan MAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(24):2549-2557
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect and safety of Jiuxin Pill (救心丸) on exercise tolerance and quality of life in patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP). MethodsA randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study design was used to enroll 170 patients of SAP from nine centres, which were divided into 85 patients each in the trial group and control group with 1∶1 ratio. Both groups maintained the original western medicine treatment plan, and added Jiuxin Pill or placebo respectively, 2 pills (0.05 g) each time twicely for 28 days. The main outcomes were total exercise time (TED) in the exercise treadmill test and Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores including physical limitation (PL), angina stability (AS), angina frequency (AF), treatment satisfaction (TS), and disease perception (DP). The secondary outcomes were exercise treadmill test indicators including heart rate recovery in 1 min (HRR1), metabolic equivalents (METs), maximum magnitude of ST-segment depression, and the Borg rating of perceived exertion scale, the average number of angina attacks per week, withdrawal and reduction rate of nitroglycerin, traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores, incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events. Safety indicators were evaluated and the occurrence of adverse events during the trial was recorded. Data was collected before treatment, day 28±2 in treatment period, and follow-up at day 56 which is 28±2 days after treatment period finished. ResultsEighty-four and eighty-five patients respectively from trial group and control group were included to the full analysis set (FAS) and safety analysis set (SS). Compared with the group before treatment and with the control group after treatment, the trial group had higher TED, HRR1, and METs, and lower maximum magnitude of ST-segment depression and Borg rating of perceived exertion scores after treatment (P<0.01). Compared with the group before treatment and with the control group after treatment and at follow-up, the total SAQ score and scores of AS, AF, TS and DP of the trial group after treatment and at follow-up elevated, while the average number of angina attacks per week and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores reduced (P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in the withdrawal and reduction rate of nitroglycerin between groups (P>0.05). Major adverse cardiovascular events occurred in 1 case (1/84, 1.19%) in the trial group and 1 case (1/85, 1.18%) in the control group, and the difference between groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). A total of 3 cases of adverse events occurred in the trial group (3/84, 3.57%), and a total of 6 cases of adverse events occurred in the control group (6/85, 7.06%), and there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between groups (P>0.05). ConclusionIn the treatment of SAP, Jiuxin Pill combined with conventional western medicine can further enhance exercise tolerance, improve quality of life, and demonstrate great safety.
5.Screening of key differentially expressed genes involved in osteogenic differentiation of lower limb vascular smooth muscle cells and validation
Yingqun NI ; Mao YANG ; Di YANG ; Chenglin GUO ; Wenjun ZHU ; Yaqin YU ; Qin LU ; Jinzhi LUO ; Chunqin WU ; Zhaohui FANG
Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) 2024;50(3):620-627
Objective:To screen the differentially expressed genes(DEGs)under high phosphate-induced calcification in the vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs)by mRNA high-throughput sequencing technology,and to analyze the key genes and signaling pathways involved in the VSMCs calcification.Methods:The human VSMCs were divided into control group and model group.The cells in model group was exposed to the high-phosphate medium,while the cells in control group were cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10%fetal bovine serum under the same conditions.The VSMCs in two groups,stably transfected,were cultured for 12 d.The morphology of the cells in two groups were observed and photographed under inverted microscope.The DEGs were selected by Hisat2 software,and Gene Ontology(GO)functional and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)signaling pathway enrichment analysis were performed by Stringtie software from three aspects,such as biological processes(BP),molecular functions(MF),and cellular components(CC).The calcification of the cells in two groups was observed by Von Kossa staining method.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to analyze the expression levels of alkaline phosphatase(ALP),bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP2),alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),tumor protein 53(Tp53),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),ferritin light chain 1(Ftl1),and glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D1(GPLD1)mRNA in the cells in two groups.Results:Compared with control group,there were 2 524 DEGs in the cells in model group,and there were 1 368 upregulated DEGs and 1 156 downregulated DEGs.Clustering of DEGs between the cells in two groups was distinct.The GO functional and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis results showed that the upregulated DEGs were primarily involved in regulating the microtubule cytoskeleton,cell polarity,protein localization,and cell cycle regulation among BPs;in constructing cell membrane,microtubule organization,chromosomes,and kinetochore among CCs;and functioning in phosphatidylinositol phosphate,Rho GTPase protein binding,transmembrane transport,and protein kinase regulatory activity among MFs.Downregulated DEGs were mainly involved in cytoplasmic translation,protein membrane localization,mRNA metabolism,and protein endoplasmic reticulum localization among BPs;in forming ribosome subunits,cell membrane,and autophagy among CCs;and functioning in single-stranded DNA,ribonucleoprotein complex,growth factor binding,regulating protein kinase activity,and catalytic activity among MFs.Seven signaling pathways were significantly enriched in upregulated genes,most notably in the biosynthesis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol(GPI)anchors;whereas 18 signaling pathways were significantly enriched in the downregulated genes,most notably in ferroptosis.The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of GPX4,Ftl1,and Tp53 mRNA in the cells in model group were significantly decreased(P<0.01),while the expression level of GPLD1 mRNA was significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with control group,the expression level of α-SMA mRNA in the cells in model group was significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the expression levels of ALP and BMP2 mRNA were significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion:The VSMCs underwent calcification and normal cells exhibit the DEGs.The key signaling pathways in the calcification induced by high phosphate in the VSMCs include ferroptosis and GPI anchor biosynthesis,mediated primarily through GPX4,Ftl1,Tp53,and GPLD1.
6.Clinical Observation on the Chaiping Decoction Combined with Umbilical Moxibustion in the Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Liver Depression and Spleen Deficiency Syndrome
Pan WANG ; Ni MAO ; Fan-Wei WU
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(8):2028-2033
Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Chaiping Decoction combined with umbilical moxibustion in the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome(IBS-D)with liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome.Methods A total of 62 patients with liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome of IBS-D were randomly divided into the observation group and control group,31 cases in each group.The observation group was treated with Chaiping Decoction combined with umbilical moxibustion,and the control group was treated with Pinaverium Bromide Tablets for four weeks.After one month of treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated.The changes of TCM syndrome scores,Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptom Severity Scale(IBS-SSS)scores and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Quality Of Life Scale(IBS-QOL)scores were observed before and after treatment in the two groups,and the recurrence and safety of the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)After treatment,TCM syndrome scores,IBS-SSS scores,and IBS-QOL scores in the two groups were significantly improved(P<0.05),and the improvement of TCM syndrome scores,IBS-SSS scores,and IBS-QOL scores in the observation group was superior to that in the control group,differences being significant(P<0.05).(2)The total effective rate was 90.32%(28/31)in the observation group and 74.19%(23/31)in the control group.The curative effect of the observation group was superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).(3)After 12 weeks of treatment,the recurrence rate of the observation group was 14.29%(4/28),and that of the control group was 47.83%(11/23).The recurrence rate of the observation group was lower than that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).(4)During the treatment,no adverse reactions such as blisters,scalds and pain occurred in the two groups,and the safety indexes of the patients were within the normal range.Conclusion Chaiping Decoction combined with umbilical moxibustion in the treatment of liver depression and spleen deficiency type of IBS-D can significantly improve the clinical symptoms of patients,thereby improving the quality of life of patients,and the curative effect is significant.
7.Implementation of teaching clinic in the standardized training of general practice residents: current situation and implications
Xinyan YU ; Lingyan WU ; Lingna MAO ; Ming NI ; Zhizhi JIANG ; Yuling TONG ; Yi GUO ; Zhenya SONG ; Zhijie XU
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2024;23(9):1281-1285
Teaching clinics represent a unique form of outpatient training of resident physicians and serve as a crucial instrument and core component of standardized training of general practice residents. This article reviews the common model and innovations of teaching clinics of general practice in China, and analyzes their reported effectiveness in enhancing the capabilities of consultation of resident physicians, the teaching capabilities of general practice trainers, as well as satisfaction levels of involved participants. It outlines the challenges encountered in implementing teaching clinics, including inadequate teaching facilities and equipment, incomplete incentive system for teaching, difficulties in patient recruitment, and weaknesses in the teaching capabilities of trainers. To address these challenges, this article proposes corresponding strategies based on realistic needs, including the improvement of facilities and equipment in teaching clinics, the establishment of incentive systems for teaching clinics, the expansion of patient recruitment channels for teaching clinics, and the enhancement of training for trainers' teaching capabilities. This is envisaged to provide both theoretical bases and practical guidance for the effective execution and standardized development of teaching clinics in general practice residency training bases.
8.Isolation,preservation,and biological characteristics analysis of a Listeria bacteriophage
Ling-Yun LIU ; Pan MAO ; Jin-Ni CHEN ; Ling-Ling LI ; Yan WANG ; Jing-Dong SONG ; Zheng-Hong CHEN ; Chang-Yun YE
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(5):435-441
The aim of our research was to obtain Listeria bacteriophages from food and related environments,and conduc-ted the analysis of the electron microscopic morphology,host range specificity,and biological characteristics of the purified phages.The double-layer agar method and the spot test were employed for the isolation and identification of a virulent Listeria phage named LMLPA5,with the isolated strain Listeria in-nocua Lin08 as the host.Phage morphology was observed by transmission electron microscope.The biological characteris-tics of the phage were assessed by determining their host range,optimal multiplicity of infection(MOI),one-step growth curve,and physicochemical stability.Additionally,the preservation efficacy of the phage at 4 ℃,-20 ℃,and-80 ℃ was explored.The phage LMLPA5 belongs to the family Myoviridae based on morphology,exhibiting clear and transparent plaques without halo surrounded.Strains of sever-al Listeria species and different serotypes strains of Listeria monocytogenes were susceptible to lysis by LMLPA5,indica-ting its broad-spectrum activity against Listeria monocytogenes.Optimal MOIs and single-step growth curve analyses revealed optimal MOIs of 0.1 and latent period of 10 minutes for LMLPA5,with average burst size at 95.2 PFU/cell.LMLPA5 was sensitive to high temperatures,and completely inactivated after exposure to 70 ℃ for 1 h,while the phage remained stable for over 32 hours ranging from 4 ℃ to 40 ℃.Within the pH range of 4 to 10,phage titer remained stable and completely inactiva-ted until 60 minutes of ultraviolet exposure.LMLPA5 displayed insensitivity to chloroform,confirming its non-enveloped phage morphology.The phages remained stable for over 8 months when store at 4 ℃ and-80 ℃.The biological characteristics and lysis capacity of phage LMLPA5 were elucidated in this study,which provide the basis for further application.
9.Immune-Enhancing Treatment among Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis Patients with Metabolic Abnormalities: A Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial
Xiaofei HUANG ; Wenjian MAO ; Xingxing HU ; Fengxia QIN ; Hui ZHAO ; Aiping ZHANG ; Xinyu WANG ; Christian STOPPE ; Dandan ZHOU ; Lu KE ; Haibin NI ; Chinese Acute Pancreatitis Clinical Trials Group (CAPCTG)
Gut and Liver 2024;18(5):906-914
Background/Aims:
Metabolic syndrome is common in patients with acute pancreatitis and its components have been reported to be associated with infectious complications. In this post hoc analysis, we aimed to evaluate whether metabolic abnormalities impact the effect of immuneenhancing thymosin alpha-1 (Tα1) therapy in acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) patients.
Methods:
All data were obtained from the database for a multicenter randomized clinical trial that evaluated the efficacy of Tα1 in ANP patients. Patients who discontinued the Tα1 treatment prematurely were excluded. The primary outcome was 90-day infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) after randomization. Three post hoc subgroups were defined based on the presence of hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, or both at the time of randomization. In each subgroup, the correlation between Tα1 and 90-day IPN was assessed using the Cox proportional-hazards regression model. Multivariable propensity-score methods were used to control potential bias.
Results:
Overall, 502 participants were included in this post hoc analysis (248 received Tα1 treatment and 254 received matching placebo treatment). Among them, 271 (54.0%) had hyperglycemia, 371 (73.9%) had hypertriglyceridemia and 229 (45.6%) had both. Tα1 therapy was associated with reduced incidence of IPN among patients with hyperglycemia (18.8% vs 29.7%: hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.37 to 0.97; p=0.03), but not in the other subgroups. Additional multivariate regression models using three propensity-score methods yielded similar results.
Conclusions
Among ANP patients with hyperglycemia, immune-enhancing Tα1 treatment was associated with a reduced risk of IPN (ClinicalTrials.gov, Registry number: NCT02473406).
10.Effects of wearing orthokeratology lens on ocular surface and meibomian gland in children and adolescents of different ages
Yan FANG ; Yan-Jun HU ; Zhi-Gang ZHENG ; Xue-Lian HUA ; Sha-Sha ZHONG ; Li-Ni MAO
International Eye Science 2023;23(9):1544-1549
AIM: To investigate the effect of orthokeratology lens on ocular surface and meibomian gland in children and adolescents of different ages.METHODS: A total of 120 cases(240 eyes)of myopic children and adolescents treated in the optometry clinic of our hospital from December 2020 to February 2021 were retrospectively selected, and they were divided into the orthokeratology group(60 cases, 120 eyes)and the frame glasses group(60 cases, 120 eyes)according to the myopia correction methods. The changes in ocular surface and meibomian gland after wearing glasses were analyzed, and those changes in patients of different ages were compared between the two groups.RESULTS: Corneal curvature decreased, non-invasive tear film break-up time(NIBUT)shortened and meibomian gland score increased at 3, 6, 9 and 12mo in the orthokeratology group after wearing lens, while lower tear meniscus height increased at 6, 9 and 12mo compared with that before wearing lens. In the frame glasses group, the lower tear meniscus height was higher at 6 and 9mo than that before wearing glasses(both P<0.05). At the same time point, the corneal curvature of the orthokeratology group was significantly lower than that of the frame glasses group at all time points, the NIBUT at 3, 9 and 12mo after wearing the lens was shorter than that of the frame glasses group and the meibomian gland scores were higher at 6, 9 and 12mo than those at the same time point in the glasses group(all P<0.05). After wearing lens for 12mo, the corneal curvature of the orthokeratology group at all ages was significantly lower than that of the frame glasses group, the NIBUT of the orthokeratology group at 8 to 12 years old and 13 to 15 years old was significantly lower than that of the frame glasses group, and the meibomian gland score was significantly higher than that of the frame glasses group(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Orthokeratology lens may affect the ocular surface and meibomian glands function, and the effects on ocular surface are more pronounced in children and adolescents under 12 years old. Therefore, younger children and adolescents could be prioritized for myopia correction with framed glasses, and then wearing orthokeratology lens when they get older.

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