1.Quality Evaluation of Gegen Qinlian Tablets Based on HPLC Multi-component Quantification Combined with Chemical Pattern Recognition and TOPSIS Analysis
Ping QIN ; Yingying LU ; Wenming ZHANG ; Zifang FENG ; Lihong GU ; Chenjie XIA ; Minmin HU ; Xiaowei CHEN ; Zhenhua BIAN ; Xiwan LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):217-224
ObjectiveTo establish a high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) for the quantitative analysis of multiple components in Gegen Qinlian tablets, and to comprehensively evaluate the quality of samples from different manufacturers by integrating chemical pattern recognition and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution(TOPSIS), in order to provide a reference basis for quality evaluation and control of Gegen Qinlian tablets. MethodsHPLC was employed to determine the contents of 10 components in 28 batches of Gegen Qinlian tablets collected from 6 manufacturers, and taking the detection results as variables, SIMCA 14.1 and SPSS 26.0 were employed for cluster analysis(CA), principal component analysis(PCA), and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) to identify key components affecting the quality. Then, TOPSIS analysis was employed to rank the quality of Gegen Qinlian tablets from the 6 manufacturers and establish a comprehensive quality evaluation method. ResultsA quantitative method for Gegen Qinlian tablets was established. After methodological validation, the method was found to be stable and reliable, and could be used for the quantitative analysis of this preparation. The contents of 3′-hydroxy puerarin, puerarin, 3′-methoxy puerarin, daidzein, coptisine hydrochloride, epiberberine, jatrorrhizine hydrochloride, berberine hydrochloride, palmatine hydrochloride and baicalin in 28 batches of samples were 3.58-7.35, 24.88-42.32, 4.20-9.36, 4.33-7.60, 2.52-6.44, 0.93-4.10, 0.58-3.05, 10.68-22.92, 0.82-4.82, 11.73-60.16 mg·g-1, respectively. Among them, puerarin, berberine hydrochloride and baicalin all met the limit requirements for this preparation specified in the 2025 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. CA and PCA clustered the 28 batches of samples into 5 categories, PCA extracted 2 principal components with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 90.588%, and OPLS-DA screened out 4 differential markers with variable importance in the projection(VIP) values>1.0, namely baicalin, 3′-hydroxy puerarin, coptisine hydrochloride and palmatine hydrochloride, which might be the main components affecting the quality of Gegen Qinlian tablets. TOPSIS analysis showed that the comprehensive score of each evaluation index(Ci) values of different manufacturers were different. Among them, the Ci of manufacturer B was ranked higher, indicating potentially superior quality, while the Ci of manufacturer A was ranked lower, suggesting potentially inferior quality. ConclusionThis study establishes a quantitative method for Gegen Qinlian tablets, and the content uniformity of the same manufacturer is good, while there are differences in the contents of active components among different manufacturers. Through the chemical pattern recognition analysis, it is found that the content differences of Gegen Qinlian tablets may be related to baicalin, 3′-hydroxy puerarin, coptisine hydrochloride and palmatine hydrochloride.
2.Status and implications of pharmacist competency assessment tools
Yu TIAN ; Bei DING ; Chenyang ZHANG ; Yi ZHAO ; Jiaying WANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(5):553-558
OBJECTIVE To systematically review the status on pharmacist competency assessment tools both domestically and internationally, providing a theoretical basis for constructing scientific and applicable pharmacist competency assessment tools in China. METHODS Through literature review and comparative analysis, 15 representative domestic and international pharmacist competency assessment tools were systematically summarized, and their theoretical foundations, core dimensions, methodological characteristics and practical applications were compared and implications were given. RESULTS &CONCLUSIONS International research has established relatively mature evaluation systems. Represented by those developed from the United Kingdom, the United States, and the International Pharmaceutical Federation, these assessment tools demonstrate scientific structure, wide application, and dynamic and international applicability. While domestic research has progressed in sub-specialties such as clinical pharmacists, licensed pharmacists and pediatric pharmacists, it still faces challenges including insufficient standardization, inadequate validation, delayed updates, and limitations in practical application. The reasons for the disparities in assessment tools between China and other countries include differences in pharmaceutical care models, varying pharmacist training systems, cultural and social background factors, as well as differences in industry management and international influence. Based on this, the author suggests promoting the development and research of assessment tools for pharmacist job competency in China from four aspects: mechanism construction, system refinement, standardization development, and practical implementation.
3.Relationship between non-suicidal self-injury behaviors, impulsivity, and emotional regulation in adolescents with depressive disorder
Mingfei ZHANG ; Xinyu CHEN ; Fang LIANG ; Zhe CHEN ; Lu QIAN ; Zhijia LI
Sichuan Mental Health 2026;39(1):21-26
BackgroundAdolescents with depressive disorder often engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behaviors, which severely impacts their physical and mental health. Impulsivity and emotional regulation are key factors influencing NSSI behaviors. However, research on the mechanisms through which impulsivity and emotional regulation affect NSSI behaviors in adolescent depressive disorder patients with NSSI remains insufficient, limiting the development of effective intervention strategies. ObjectiveTo explore the differences in impulsivity and emotion regulation abilities between adolescent patients with depressive disorder accompanied by and without NSSI behaviors, and to analyze the association between NSSI behaviors and impulsivity and emotion regulation abilities in adolescent patients with depressive disorder accompanied by NSSI behaviors. MethodsA total of 184 adolescents hospitalized in the child and adolescent psychiatry department of Wuxi Mental Health Center from October 2023 to August 2024, who met the diagnostic criteria for depressive disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5), were consecutively enrolled as study subjects. Based on the diagnostic criteria for NSSI in DSM-5, patients were divided into NSSI group (n=108) and non-NSSI group (n=76). The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), the Adolescent Self-Harm Questionnaire, and the Positive and Negative Suicide Ideation (PANSI) were used for assessment. Spearman correlation analysis was employed to explore the correlation between the scores of the Adolescent Self-Harm Questionnaire and the scores of BIS-11 and ERQ in the NSSI group. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the effects of impulsivity and emotion regulation on NSSI behaviors in the NSSI group. ResultsCompared to the non-NSSI group, the NSSI group showed significantly higher scores in BIS-11 non-planned impulsivity (Z=-4.181, P<0.05), action impulsivity (t=4.944, P<0.05), cognitive impulsivity (Z=-3.392, P<0.05), and total score (t=4.763, P<0.05), and lower scores in the cognitive reappraisal of ERQ (t=-4.094, P<0.05) and total score (Z=-2.299, P<0.05), and higher scores in the expression inhibition of ERQ (Z=-3.019, P<0.05). The correlation analysis results showed that the score of the adolescent self-harm questionnaire in the NSSI group was positively correlated with the behavioral impulsivity factor score in the BIS-11 (r=0.434, P<0.05). Multiple regression analysis indicated that action impulsivity factor was a significant correlate of self-injury behaviors in the NSSI group (B=0.855, P<0.05), explaining 22.30% of the total variance. ConclusionAdolescent patients with depressive disorder accompanied by NSSI behaviors exhibit higher levels of impulsivity and poorer emotional regulation abilities. Action impulsivity may play a significant role in the mechanism of NSSI behaviors. [Funded by Wuxi Municipal Health Commission Research Project (number, Q202320)]
4.Clinical comprehensive evaluation of four Chinese patent medicines in the treatment of hyperlipidemia
Mingzhu ZHANG ; Yizhuo QIN ; Xianshuai TANG ; Lei ZHENG ; Jinfang SONG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(6):708-712
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical comprehensive value of four Chinese patent medicines (Xuezhikang, Zhibitai, Zhibituo, Jiangzhiling) in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, and provide a reference for rational clinical drug use. METHODS A clinical comprehensive evaluation index system was established in accordance with the Evidence and Value: Impact on Decision-Making (EVIDEM) framework and Technical Guideline for Clinical Comprehensive Evaluation of Cardiovascular Drugs (2022 edition, trial implementation). CNKI, Wanfang data, VIP, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Embase and official websites were retrieved to collect the literature such as drug instructions, guidelines and consensus statements, and systematic reviews/meta-analyses for the four Chinese patent medicines. A comprehensive evaluation was conducted from seven dimensions: effectiveness, safety, economy, suitability, accessibility, innovation and characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine. RESULTS This evaluation index system included 7 first-level indicators, 15 second-level indicators and 30 third-level indicators. Xuezhikang achieved the highest comprehensive evaluation score of 81.4 points, and was classified as class Ⅰ recommendation. Zhibitai with 76.0 points and Zhibituo with 60.9 points were both classified as class Ⅱ recommendation. Jiangzhiling with 48.8 points was classified as class Ⅳ recommendation. CONCLUSIONS Xuezhikang demonstrates the optimal clinical comprehensive value for treating hyperlipidemia. Zhibitai exhibits certain advantages in terms of safety and characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine; Zhibituo shows a moderate performance in all aspects; Jiangzhiling has a relatively low score. Appropriate medicines can be selected clinically according to actual conditions and patients’ characteristics.
5.Exploration on the psychological support mechanism for palliative care patients from the perspective of the interactive ritual chain theory
Limin WU ; Sujuan LIU ; Jingyan ZHANG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(3):351-357
Based on the interactive ritual chain theory, this paper deeply analyzed the interactive characteristics between doctors, patients, and their families in the palliative care environment, as well as explored the role of emotional resonance, symbolic representation, and situational creation in psychological support. It also sorted out four primary issues currently present in psychological support for palliative care patients, including insufficient recognition of caregivers regarding patients’ psychological needs, limited psychological intervention methods, inadequate psychological support capabilities among medical staff, and an imperfect family and social support system. On this basis, a five-dimensional psychological support mechanism was constructed, encompassing emotional resonance, situational creation, team collaboration, environment building, and technological application. This aimed to provide palliative care patients with comprehensive and continuous psychological intervention by optimizing doctor-patient interaction, strengthening emotional connection, improving physical environment, and utilizing information technology, thereby contributing to alleviating the psychological distress patients confront in the terminal stage and improving their life dignity and quality of life.
6.Clinical Efficacy of Shenqi Yangxin Decoction in Treatment of Patients with Ischemic Cardiomyopathy and Its Effect on Serum H2S and Ca2+
Zhuojun ZHANG ; Lijuan SHEN ; Hongyi LAN ; Jiajing ZHAO ; Liyang SHEN ; Tiantian HUANG ; Shuai ZHANG ; Xiaodong TAN ; Shu LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):210-217
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Shenqi Yangxin decoction in the treatment of ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) with Qi and Yin deficiency and blood stasis syndrome and its effect on serum hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and calcium ion (Ca2+). MethodsA total of 64 ICM patients with Qi and Yin deficiency and blood stasis syndrome who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a control group (n=32) and a treatment group (n=32). All patients received conventional Western medicine treatment. The treatment group was additionally given Shenqi Yangxin decoction. The TCM syndrome score, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) score, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), New York Heart Association (NYHA) cardiac function classification, and serum H2S and Ca2+ levels were compared between the two groups pre- and post-treatment. ResultsTwo cases dropped out from each group during the study. Finally, 30 patients in each group were included in the analysis. There were no significant differences in age, gender, course of coronary heart disease, underlying diseases, and laboratory tests between the two groups. Compared with baseline, the TCM syndrome score, MLHFQ score, and NT-proBNP in both treatment group and control group decreased significantly (P<0.01), LVEF, 6MWT, and H2S increased significantly (P<0.01), and serum Ca2+ increased (P<0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, the MLHFQ score and NT-proBNP in the treatment group decreased (P<0.05), the TCM syndrome score decreased significantly (P<0.01), LVEF, 6MWT, and serum Ca2+ increased (P<0.05), and H2S increased significantly (P<0.01). The improvement degree of the NYHA cardiac function classification in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group, but there was no significant difference. ConclusionShenqi Yangxin decoction is effective in treating ICM patients with Qi and Yin deficiency and blood stasis, which could significantly improve cardiac function and quality of life, and its therapeutic effect may be related to the regulation of serum H2S and Ca2+ levels.
7.Advances in the application of photoacoustic microscopy imaging in ophthalmology
International Eye Science 2025;25(4):606-610
Photoacoustic microscopy(PAM)is an emerging, non-invasive, in vivo imaging modality that merges optical and acoustic principles. It offers high-resolution and high-contrast visualization of various ocular tissue structures and functional information, making it suitable for studying a wide range of ophthalmic diseases such as corneal neovascularization, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. The multi-wavelength illumination capability of PAM makes it particularly valuable for early disease screening and dynamic physiological monitoring. In stem cell tracking, PAM enables the dynamic monitoring of transplanted cells through contrast agent labeling. Moreover, when combined with multimodal imaging techniques like optical coherence tomography(OCT), PAM can enhance the detection accuracy and diagnostic capacity for ocular diseases. However, PAM still requires optimization in terms of imaging speed and contrast agent safety. This review summarizes the fundamental principles and development of PAM, explores its applications in specific ophthalmic diseases, and analyzes the challenges and optimization directions from animal experiments to clinical applications. PAM holds great promise for playing a more significant role in ophthalmic diagnosis and treatment.
8.Evaluation of the performance of the artificial intelligence - enabled snail identification system for recognition of Oncomelania hupensis robertsoni and Tricula
Jihua ZHOU ; Shaowen BAI ; Liang SHI ; Jianfeng ZHANG ; Chunhong DU ; Jing SONG ; Zongya ZHANG ; Jiaqi YAN ; Andong WU ; Yi DONG ; Kun YANG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2025;37(1):55-60
Objective To evaluate the performance of the artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled snail identification system for recognition of Oncomelania hupensis robertsoni and Tricula in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Yunnan Province. Methods Fifty O. hupensis robertsoni and 50 Tricula samples were collected from Yongbei Township, Yongsheng County, Lijiang City, a schistosomiasis-endemic area in Yunnan Province in May 2024. A total of 100 snail sample images were captured with smartphones, including front-view images of 25 O. hupensis robertsoni and 25 Tricula samples (upward shell opening) and back-view images of 25 O. hupensis robertsoni and 25 Tricula samples (downward shell opening). Snail samples were identified as O. hupensis robertsoni or Tricula by schistosomiasis control experts with a deputy senior professional title and above according to image quality and morphological characteristics. A standard dataset for snail image classification was created, and served as a gold standard for recognition of snail samples. A total of 100 snail sample images were recognized with the AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system based on a WeChat mini program in smartphones. Schistosomiasis control professionals were randomly sampled from stations of schistosomisis prevention and control and centers for disease control and prevention in 18 schistosomiasis-endemic counties (districts, cities) of Yunnan Province, for artificial identification of 100 snail sample images. All professionals are assigned to two groups according the median years of snail survey experiences, and the effect of years of snail survey experiences on O. hupensis robertsoni sample image recognition was evaluated. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted, and the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, Youden’s index and the area under the curve (AUC) of the AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system and artificial identification were calculated for recognition of snail sample images. The snail sample image recognition results of AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system and artificial identification were compared with the gold standard, and the internal consistency of artificial identification results was evaluated with the Cronbach’s coefficient alpha. Results A total of 54 schistosomiasis control professionals were sampled for artificial identification of snail sample image recognition, with a response rate of 100% (54/54), and the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, Youden’s index, and AUC of artificial identification were 90%, 86%, 94%, 0.80 and 0.90 for recognition of snail sample images, respectively. The overall Cronbach’s coefficient alpha of artificial identification was 0.768 for recognition of snail sample images, and the Cronbach’s coefficient alpha was 0.916 for recognition of O. hupensis robertsoni snail sample images and 0.925 for recognition of Tricula snail sample images. The overall accuracy of artificial identification was 90% for recognition of snail sample images, and there was no significant difference in the accuracy of artificial identification for recognition of O. hupensis robertsoni (86%) and Tricula snail sample images (94%) (χ2 = 1.778, P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the accuracy of artificial identification for recognition of snail sample images with upward (88%) and downward shell openings (92%) (χ2 = 0.444, P > 0.05), and there was a significant difference in the accuracy of artificial identification for recognition of snail sample images between schistosomiasis control professionals with snail survey experiences of 6 years and less (75%) and more than 6 years (90%) (χ2 = 7.792, P < 0.05). The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and AUC of the AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system were 88%, 100%, 76% and 0.88 for recognition of O. hupensis robertsoni snail sample images, and there was no significant difference in the accuracy of recognition of O. hupensis robertsoni snail sample images between the AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system and artificial identification (χ2 = 0.204, P > 0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference in the accuracy of artificial identification for recognition of snail sample images with upward (90%) and downward shell openings (86%) (χ2 = 0.379, P > 0.05), and there was a significant difference in the accuracy of artificial identification for recognition of snail sample images between schistosomiasis control professionals with snail survey experiences of 6 years and less and more than 6 years (χ2 = 5.604, Padjusted < 0.025). Conclusions The accuracy of recognition of snail sample images is comparable between the AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system and artificial identification by schistosomiasis control professionals, and the AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system is feasible for recognition of O. hupensis robertsoni and Tricula in Yunnan Province.
9.Current status and prospects of phage therapy in lung transplantation
Zhenyu ZHANG ; Zitao WANG ; Wenjie HUA ; Zhenhang DAI ; Jingyu CHEN
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(3):489-494
Multidrug resistant organism refers to bacteria that are insensitive to three or more antibiotics commonly used in clinic, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter Baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae, etc. MDRO infection is a major factor affecting the survival rate after lung transplantation (LTx), accounting for 30% of the causes of death in the first year after transplantation. Antibiotic treatment has low specificity and is prone to drug resistance. The development of new drugs has a long cycle and high cost, with significant limitations. Phage has high specificity for bacteria, which can proliferate in large quantities in the infected lesion and co-evolve with bacteria during the action process. Phage also have a good killing effect on MDRO, which is expected to make up for the deficiencies of existing antibiotic therapy. This article reviews the development background and mechanism of action of phage therapy, and summarizes its application status and early clinical trial results in the field of LTx, in order to providing new thinking paths for clinical work.
10.Synthetic MRI Combined With Clinicopathological Characteristics for Pretreatment Prediction of Chemoradiotherapy Response in Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Siyu CHEN ; Jiankun DAI ; Jing ZHAO ; Shuang HAN ; Xiaojun ZHANG ; Jun CHANG ; Donghui JIANG ; Heng ZHANG ; Peng WANG ; Shudong HU
Korean Journal of Radiology 2025;26(2):135-145
Objective:
To explore the feasibility of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (syMRI) combined with clinicopathological characteristics for the pre-treatment prediction of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (ANPC).
Materials and Methods:
Patients with ANPC treated with CRT between September 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into response group (RG, n = 95) and non RGs (NRG, n = 32) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. The quantitative parameters from pre-treatment syMRI (longitudinal [T1] and transverse [T2] relaxation times and proton density [PD]), diffusion-weighted imaging (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]), and clinicopathological characteristics were compared between RG and NRG. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify parameters independently associated with CRT response and to construct a multivariable model. The areas under the receiveroperating characteristic curve (AUC) for various diagnostic approaches were compared using the DeLong test.
Results:
The T1, T2, and PD values in the NRG were significantly lower than those in the RG (all P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the ADC values between these two groups. Clinicopathological characteristics (Epstein–Barr virus [EBV]-DNA level, lymph node extranodal extension, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression) exhibited significant differences between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that T1, PD, EBV-DNA level, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression had significant independent relationships with CRT response (all P < 0.05). The multivariable model incorporating these five variables yielded AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values of 0.974, 93.8% (30/32), and 91.6% (87/95), respectively.
Conclusion
SyMRI may be used for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response in ANPC. The multivariable model incorporating syMRI quantitative parameters and clinicopathological characteristics, which were independently associated with CRT response, may be a new tool for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response.

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