1.Standardization Challenges in Outcome Evaluation Systems of Animal Experiments and Considerations for Core Outcome Set Construction Strategies
Qingyong ZHENG ; Yongjia ZHOU ; Tengfei LI ; Jianguo XU ; Chen TIAN ; Hui LIU ; Min TIAN ; Ziyu ZHOU ; Caihua XU ; Yating CUI ; Junfei WANG ; Jinhui TIAN
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2026;46(1):138-148
Animal experimentation constitutes a critical link between basic research and clinical application, making its research quality and translational efficiency paramount. Although considerable progress has been made in standardizing operational procedures and ethical guidelines, the standardization of outcome evaluation systems has significantly lagged, creating a key bottleneck that constrains the quality of biomedical research and evidence synthesis. This deficiency is manifested by pronounced heterogeneity in outcome selection across similar studies, incomplete methodological reporting, and disparate criteria for result interpretation, which severely impairs the comparability of findings and the evidence integration. To cope with this challenge, this paper systematically introduces a mature methodological tool from clinical research–the core outcome set (COS)–and explores its construction strategies and application potential in the field of animal experimentation. Given the extensive diversity of animal experiments, a pragmatic strategy of "focusing on key areas, implementing phased pilots, and promoting gradual expansion" should be adopted. This approach prioritizes the development of domain-specific COS for disease areas characterized by high research volume, urgent translational needs, and well-established animal models. A multi-source integration pathway for COS development is detailed, comprising systematic literature searches, methodological appraisals, and expert consensus, with the feasibility of leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance efficiency also being examined. The development and promotion of such COS are not intended to restrict scientific exploration; rather, they aim to establish a new, tiered evaluation paradigm consisting of "core outcomes" (mandatory), "recommended outcomes" (encouraged), and "exploratory outcomes" (optional). This framework is expected not only to enhance research quality through standardization and to adhere to the "3R" principles but also to accelerate the accumulation of high-quality evidence. This, in turn, provides a solid foundation for higher-level evidence synthesis, ultimately facilitating the effective translation of basic research findings into clinical practice and providing an essential methodological framework for scientific advancement in relevant disciplines.
2.Mechanisms of Tianma Goutengyin in Alleviating Neuronal Injury in Vascular Dementia Model Rats by Inhibiting A1 Astrocyte Activation via Regulating TNF-α/STAT3/α1ACT Signaling Pathway
Xiaoyan WANG ; Min ZHAO ; Feng TIAN ; Min XIAO ; Nan QU ; Fugui LIU ; Chixiao LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):56-65
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Tianma Goutengyin on the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/α1-antichymotrypsin C-terminal tail fragment (α1ACT) signaling pathway and A1-type astrocytes in a rat model of vascular dementia. MethodsSeventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=12 per group): Sham-operated group, model group, Tianma Goutengyin high-, medium-, and low-dose groups (5.13, 10.26, and 20.52 g·kg-1), and a nimodipine group (8.1 mg·kg-1). The vascular dementia model was established by permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion, followed by 4 weeks of intervention. Learning and memory ability were evaluated using the novel object recognition test, and behavioral performance was assessed using the forced swimming test. Levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) in hippocampal tissue were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hippocampal neuronal morphology was observed by Nissl staining, and apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). Immunohistochemistry was used to detect positive expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and myelin basic protein (MBP). Western blot analysis was performed to measure the protein expression levels of TNF-α, TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1), phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3), α1ACT, IL-6, complement component 3 (C3), BDNF, S100 calcium-binding protein A10 (S100A10), and GFAP in hippocampal tissue. ResultsCompared with the sham-operated group, the model group showed a significantly reduced relative recognition index in the novel object recognition test (P<0.01), prolonged immobility time and increased immobility frequency in the forced swimming test (P<0.01). Hippocampal IL-6 and CCL2 levels were significantly increased (P<0.01). Nissl staining revealed a marked reduction in neuronal number and loss of Nissl bodies (P<0.01). MBP-positive expression was significantly decreased (P<0.01), apoptosis was significantly increased (P<0.01), BDNF-positive expression was significantly reduced (P<0.05), and GFAP-positive expression was significantly increased (P<0.01). In addition, the protein expression levels of TNF-α, TNFR1, p-STAT3, α1ACT, IL-6, and C3 were significantly elevated (P<0.01), while BDNF and S100A10 expression levels were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all Tianma Gouteng yin dose groups exhibited a significant increase in the relative recognition index (P<0.05), shortened immobility time and reduced immobility frequency (P<0.05, P<0.01). IL-6 and CCL2 levels were significantly decreased (P<0.01), neuronal number was significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and MBP-positive expression was significantly enhanced (P<0.01). Apoptosis was significantly reduced (P<0.01), BDNF-positive expression was significantly increased (P<0.05), and GFAP-positive expression was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Moreover, the protein expression levels of TNF-α, TNFR1, p-STAT3, α1ACT, IL-6, and C3 were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while BDNF and S100A10 protein expression levels were significantly increased (P<0.01). ConclusionTianma Goutengyin may inhibit A1-type astrocyte activation in rats with vascular dementia through the TNF-α/STAT3/α1ACT signaling pathway, thereby reducing neuronal apoptosis and improving learning and memory function.
3.Treatment Principles and Paradigm of Diabetic Microvascular Complications Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine
Anzhu WANG ; Xing HANG ; Lili ZHANG ; Xiaorong ZHU ; Dantao PENG ; Ying FAN ; Min ZHANG ; Wenliang LYU ; Guoliang ZHANG ; Xiai WU ; Jia MI ; Jiaxing TIAN ; Wei ZHANG ; Han WANG ; Yuan XU ; .LI PINGPING ; Zhenyu WANG ; Ying ZHANG ; Dongmei SUN ; Yi HE ; Mei MO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Linhua ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):272-279
To explore the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and integrative TCM-Western medicine approaches in the treatment of diabetic microvascular complications (DMC), refine key pathophysiological insights and treatment principles, and promote academic innovation and strategic research planning in the prevention and treatment of DMC. The 38th session of the Expert Salon on Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine, hosted by the China Association of Chinese Medicine, was held in Beijing, 2024. Experts in TCM, Western medicine, and interdisciplinary fields convened to conduct a systematic discussion on the pathogenesis, diagnostic and treatment challenges, and mechanism research related to DMC, ultimately forming a consensus on key directions. Four major research recommendations were proposed. The first is addressing clinical bottlenecks in the prevention and control of DMC by optimizing TCM-based evidence evaluation systems. The second is refining TCM core pathogenesis across DMC stages and establishing corresponding "disease-pattern-time" framework. The third is innovating mechanism research strategies to facilitate a shift from holistic regulation to targeted intervention in TCM. The fourth is advancing interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance the role of TCM in new drug development, research prioritization, and guideline formulation. TCM and integrative approaches offer distinct advantages in managing DMC. With a focus on the diseases responding specifically to TCM, strengthening evidence-based support and mechanism interpretation and promoting the integration of clinical care and research innovation will provide strong momentum for the modernization of TCM and the advancement of national health strategies.
4.Surveillance of influenza virus infection in children aged between 0 and 14 years old in a traditional Chinese medicine hospital of Beijing from 2023 to 2024
Linlin ZHAO ; Honglin WEN ; Min LI ; Fengzhi WANG ; Meng LI ; Xiaomeng FENG ; Jinghua TIAN
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(6):914-917
OBJECTIVE To investigate the characteristics of influenza A and influenza B viruses infections in the children aged between 0 and 14 years old after COVID-19 was downgraded to category B management of infectious diseases.METHODS From Jan.2023 to Feb.2024,a total of 2349 children aged between 0 and 14 years old who were treated in Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Capital Medical University due to influenza-like symptoms of infection and received nucleic acid testing for influenza A and influenza B viruses were recruited as the research subjects.The gender and age of the children as well as the seasons were observed by chi-square test.RESULTS Totally 2349 children were included in the study,and the total positive rate of influenza was 49.85%(1171/2349);the positive rate of influenza A virus was 36.36%(854/2349),the positive rate of influenza B virus was 13.92%(327/2349),and the positive rate of the mixed infections of influenza A virus and influenza B virus was 0.43%(10/2349).The positive rate of influenza A of the girls was the highest(44.17%)(x2=8.980,P=0.011)among the children aged less than 5 years old;the positive rate of influenza B of the boys was the highest(17.19%)(x2=8.378,P=0.015)among the children aged between 5 and 10 years old.There was significant difference in the positive rate of influenza A virus among the seasons in 2023 to 2024(x2=268.12,P<0.001);the prevalence rate was 60.93%in spring,44.40%in autumn,22.01%in winter.There was significant difference in the positive rate of influenza B virus among the seasons in 2023 to 2024(x2=373.16,P<0.001),and the preva-lence rate was 25.44%in winter.CONCLUSIONS The influenza viruses are prevalent in spring,autumn and winter from 2023 to 2024,and the influenza A is dominant.The positive rate of influenza viruses shows an upward trend among the children aged between 0 and 14 years old after the COVID-19 is downgraded to category B management of infectious diseases,with the peak of prevalence lagging behind.
5.Effect of social activity participation on self-rated mental health disparity between urban and rural older adults in China
Zhuang TIAN ; Xueyi WANG ; He YANG ; Yueqin HUANG ; Min ZHAI ; Yan LIU
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(2):143-150
Objective:To explore the effect of different types of social activity participation on self-rated men-tal health disparity between urban and rural older adults in China.Methods:The study data was sourced from the 2018 wave of Chinese General Social Survey(CGSS).Factor analysis was applied to divide social activities into three dimensions:entertainment activities,cultural activities,family and friend gatherings.Logistic regression model was adopted to analyze the effect of social activity on self-rated mental health.Fairlie decomposition model was ap-plied to explore the effect of social activity on urban-rural disparity in self-rated mental health.Results:The self-ra-ted good mental health proportion of urban old persons(n=3 139)was 72.0%,which was higher than that of rural old persons(n=1 549)(53.7%)(P<0.001).Recreational activities and gatherings of friends and relatives sig-nificantly improved self-rated mental health in urban and rural old persons.Fairlie decomposition result revealed that approximately 18.7%of self-rated mental health disparity could be attributed to urban-rural disparity in entertain-ment activities.Moreover,urban-rural disparity in family and friends gatherings could explain about 3.9%of the disparity.Conclusion:Urban older adults have better mental health than their rural counterparts.Furthermore,social activity is beneficial to mental health for both urban and rural older adults.Urban-rural disparity in entertainment ac-tivities make an important contribution to mental health disparity between urban and rural older adults.
6.Early Efficacy of Intense Pulsed Light Combined with Non-Ablative Fractional Laser in Preventing Postoperative Pathological Scar Formation and Intervention of Inflammatory Factors
Li-min TIAN ; Yan-qin YU ; Yang ZHANG ; Xin-ying YANG ; Meng-jie WANG ; Ya-gaer TU ; Hao-dong CHEN ; Yue-nan YANG
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(13):2181-2187
Objective:To observe the early efficacy of intense pulsed light(IPL)combined with non-ablative fractional laser(NAFL)in preventing postoperative pathological scar formation and intervention of inflammatory factors.Methods:93 patients with postoperative pathological scar formation who were admitted to our hospital from March 2022 to September 2024 were selected,they were divided into control group A(silicone gel treatment,n=31),control group B(NAFL on the basis of control group A,n=31)and study group(IPL on the basis of control group B,n=31)using the random number table method.The clinical efficacy,simple quality of life scale(SF-36),vancouver scar scale(VSS),inflammatory factors[interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),C-reactive protein(CRP)],and adverse reactions among three groups were compared.Results:The clinical total effective rate in the study group were higher than those in the control group A and control group B(P<0.05).SF-36 increased sequentially and VSS decreased sequentially in control group A,control group B,and study group after treatment(P<0.05).CRP,IL-6,and TNF-α decreased sequentially in control group A,control group B,and study group after treatment(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions among the three groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:IPL combined with NAFL in preventing postoperative pathological scar formation,can effectively reduce scar formation,reduce inflammatory factors levels,improve patients' quality of life,and be safe and reliable.
7.Cinnamaldehyde enhances synovial macrophage efferocytosis in KOA mice by regulating RhoA/ROCK1/MLC pathway
Zi-shan SU ; Li-kai YU ; Di TIAN ; Shang-qi LIU ; Ze-en WANG ; Pei-min WANG ; Nong-shan ZHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(9):1636-1643
Aim To investigate the therapeutic effects of cinnamaldehyde on synovial lesions in mice with knee osteoarthritis(KOA)and its regulatory mecha-nism in the phagocytic function of synovial macropha-ges.Methods In the animal experiments,mouse ser-um and synovial tissue were extracted.HE staining was used to evaluate the inflammatory cell infiltration in the synovial tissue.ELISA was employed to detect the lev-els of inflammatory factors such as interleukins in the serum.Western blot was used to detect the expression of Ras homolog family member A(RhoA),Rho-associ-ated protein kinase 1(ROCK1),myosin light chain(MLC),and p-MLC proteins in the synovial tissue.RT-qPCR was utilized to detect the expression of in-flammatory factors and pathway-related mRNA in the synovial tissue.TUNEL staining was used to detect ap-optosis in the synovial tissue.In the cellular experi-ments,after the intervention,RAW267.4 cells were subjected to Western blot and RT-qPCR for the detec-tion of the aforementioned indicators,and confocal mi-croscopy was used to assess phagocytic function.Re-sults After cinnamaldehyde intervention,the synovial inflammatory infiltration was significantly reduced,the protein and mRNA expression of the RhoA/ROCK1/MLC signaling pathway was markedly downregulated,the fluorescence intensity of TUNEL staining signifi-cantly decreased,and the phagocytic function of macro-phages was enhanced.Conclusion Cinnamaldehyde can inhibit RhoA/Rock1/MLC signaling pathway,en-hance macrophage burial,improve synovial inflamma-tion,and delay the progression of KO A mice.
8.Construction and evaluation of a fecal pollution risk prediction model for children with congenital megacolon after radical resection based on mul-tivariate analysis
Jing TIAN ; Peng ZHANG ; Yu-min QI ; Shu-feng SHI ; Yan WANG
Chinese Journal of Current Advances in General Surgery 2025;28(10):789-795
Objective:Based on multivariate analysis of the influencing factors of fecal pollution after radical re-section in children with congenital megacolon,a risk prediction model was constructed and evaluated.Methods:A total of 200 children with Hirschsprung's disease who underwent radical surgery at Nanyang Central Hospital of Henan Province from June 2020 to June 2023 were selected,and all children were followed up for 1 year.According to the occurrence of postoperative fecal incontinence,the children were divided into the non-occurrence group and the oc-currence group.Univariate Logistic regression analysis was performed on all possible influencing factors,and the back-ward stepwise regression method was used to screen out the relevant factors affecting postoperative fecal inconti-nence in children with Hirschsprung's disease after radical surgery.A risk prediction model was constructed based on these relevant factors,and its efficacy was verified using calibration curves,the Hosmer-Lemeshow test,and ROC curves.Results:Postoperative fecal incontinence occurred in 19.50%(39/200)of the children.A statistically signifi-cant difference was observed between the non-occurrence group and the occurrence group in terms of the following data(P<0.05):age,preoperative nutritional support,need for auxiliary defecation before surgery,length of the dis-eased intestinal segment,educational level of caregivers,preoperative hypoproteinemia,resection range,postoperative diet compliance of the children,postoperative defecation training of the children,postoperative enterocolitis,and post-operative anal dilatation therapy.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative nutritional support,need for auxiliary defecation before surgery,length of the diseased intestinal segment,educational level of caregivers,postoperative diet compliance of the children,postoperative defecation training of the children,postoperative entero-colitis,and postoperative anal dilatation therapy were all independent influencing factors for postoperative fecal inconti-nence in children with Hirschsprung's Disease after radical surgery(P<0.05).Among these factors,the educational level of caregivers was the strongest predictor of postoperative fecal incontinence in children with Hirschsprung's dis-ease after radical surgery.Results of the calibration curve showed that the concordance index of the risk prediction model for postoperative fecal incontinence in children with Hirschsprung's Disease after radical surgery was 0.837.The Hosmer-Lemeshow test results indicated no statistically significant difference between the predicted values and the actual values of risk prediction(P<0.05),suggesting that the model had a good fit and high prediction accuracy.Re-sults of the ROC curve showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of the risk prediction model for predicting postop-erative fecal incontinence in children with Hirschsprung's Disease after radical surgery was 0.887(95%CI:0.762~1.000,P<0.05),with a sensitivity of 0.914,a specificity of 0.763,and a Youden index of 0.677.These findings indicate that the risk prediction model has moderate discriminative ability and good predictive performance.Conclusion:Preop-erative nutritional support,need for auxiliary defecation before surgery,length of the diseased intestinal segment,edu-cational level of caregivers,postoperative diet compliance of children,postoperative defecation training of children,postoperative enterocolitis,and postoperative anal dilatation therapy are all independent influencing factors for postop-erative fecal incontinence in children with Hirschsprung's disease after radical surgery.The risk prediction model for postoperative fecal incontinence in children with Hirschsprung's disease after radical surgery,established based on multivariate analysis,is helpful for early identification of high-risk groups and timely implementation of individualized in-tervention measures.
9.Effects of Zhenwu decoction on inflammation,oxidative stress,and apoptosis in glomerular epithelial cells induced by lipopolysaccharide
Man-fei WANG ; Xi CHAI ; Xia-xia GAO ; Kai-bo CHU ; Yu-min ZHANG ; Yue-feng TIAN ; Li-qing HE
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(5):985-993
Aim To investigate the effect of Zhenwu decoction on inflammation,oxidative stress and apopto-sis of human glomerular epithelial cells(HGEC)in-duced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)based on Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway,and to explore the underlying mechanism.Methods HGEC were treated with LPS(1.0 mg·L-1)for 24 h to construct an oxidative damage model.On this basis,2.5%,5%and 10%Zhenwu decoction-containing serum were added to the low,medium and high dose groups of Zhenwu decoc-tion,and a normal group was set up.The changes of cell activity were assessed by MTT method and LDH method.The contents of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-10,SOD,CAT,GSH-Px,ROS and MDA in each group were de-tected by ELISA.The apoptosis of each group was de-tected by flow cytometry.The mRNA and protein ex-pressions of Bax,Bcl-2,caspase-3,caspase-9 and Nrf2/HO-1 pathway were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot,respectively.Results Compared to the normal group,the model group of HGEC exhibited increased levels of inflammatory cytokines,enhanced oxidative stress response and aggravated apoptosis;after inter-vention with various doses of Zhenwu decoction,the in-flammatory levels in HGEC were reduced,oxidative damage and apoptosis were effectively ameliorated,and the mRNA and protein expression levels of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway were upregulated.Conclu-sions Zhenwu decoction can protect HGEC from LPS-induced inflammation and oxidative damage and im-prove apoptosis.The mechanism may be related to the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
10.Construction and evaluation of a fecal pollution risk prediction model for children with congenital megacolon after radical resection based on mul-tivariate analysis
Jing TIAN ; Peng ZHANG ; Yu-min QI ; Shu-feng SHI ; Yan WANG
Chinese Journal of Current Advances in General Surgery 2025;28(10):789-795
Objective:Based on multivariate analysis of the influencing factors of fecal pollution after radical re-section in children with congenital megacolon,a risk prediction model was constructed and evaluated.Methods:A total of 200 children with Hirschsprung's disease who underwent radical surgery at Nanyang Central Hospital of Henan Province from June 2020 to June 2023 were selected,and all children were followed up for 1 year.According to the occurrence of postoperative fecal incontinence,the children were divided into the non-occurrence group and the oc-currence group.Univariate Logistic regression analysis was performed on all possible influencing factors,and the back-ward stepwise regression method was used to screen out the relevant factors affecting postoperative fecal inconti-nence in children with Hirschsprung's disease after radical surgery.A risk prediction model was constructed based on these relevant factors,and its efficacy was verified using calibration curves,the Hosmer-Lemeshow test,and ROC curves.Results:Postoperative fecal incontinence occurred in 19.50%(39/200)of the children.A statistically signifi-cant difference was observed between the non-occurrence group and the occurrence group in terms of the following data(P<0.05):age,preoperative nutritional support,need for auxiliary defecation before surgery,length of the dis-eased intestinal segment,educational level of caregivers,preoperative hypoproteinemia,resection range,postoperative diet compliance of the children,postoperative defecation training of the children,postoperative enterocolitis,and post-operative anal dilatation therapy.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative nutritional support,need for auxiliary defecation before surgery,length of the diseased intestinal segment,educational level of caregivers,postoperative diet compliance of the children,postoperative defecation training of the children,postoperative entero-colitis,and postoperative anal dilatation therapy were all independent influencing factors for postoperative fecal inconti-nence in children with Hirschsprung's Disease after radical surgery(P<0.05).Among these factors,the educational level of caregivers was the strongest predictor of postoperative fecal incontinence in children with Hirschsprung's dis-ease after radical surgery.Results of the calibration curve showed that the concordance index of the risk prediction model for postoperative fecal incontinence in children with Hirschsprung's Disease after radical surgery was 0.837.The Hosmer-Lemeshow test results indicated no statistically significant difference between the predicted values and the actual values of risk prediction(P<0.05),suggesting that the model had a good fit and high prediction accuracy.Re-sults of the ROC curve showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of the risk prediction model for predicting postop-erative fecal incontinence in children with Hirschsprung's Disease after radical surgery was 0.887(95%CI:0.762~1.000,P<0.05),with a sensitivity of 0.914,a specificity of 0.763,and a Youden index of 0.677.These findings indicate that the risk prediction model has moderate discriminative ability and good predictive performance.Conclusion:Preop-erative nutritional support,need for auxiliary defecation before surgery,length of the diseased intestinal segment,edu-cational level of caregivers,postoperative diet compliance of children,postoperative defecation training of children,postoperative enterocolitis,and postoperative anal dilatation therapy are all independent influencing factors for postop-erative fecal incontinence in children with Hirschsprung's disease after radical surgery.The risk prediction model for postoperative fecal incontinence in children with Hirschsprung's disease after radical surgery,established based on multivariate analysis,is helpful for early identification of high-risk groups and timely implementation of individualized in-tervention measures.

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