1.Annual review of global liver transplantation research in 2024: technological breakthroughs, precision management and future challenges
Yong JIANG ; Xiao FENG ; Wei LIU ; Yang YANG
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(3):350-358
In recent years, significant progress has been made in the field of liver transplantation in terms of donor expansion, technological innovation and perioperative management. Machine perfusion technology, through dynamic repair and assessment of donor liver quality, can effectively reduce postoperative complications and increase the utilization rate of marginal donor livers. The optimization of split liver transplantation technology combined with normothermic perfusion further alleviates the shortage of donors, but its promotion is still limited by technical barriers. Xenotransplantation has achieved preclinical breakthroughs in the field of genetically modified pig livers, but ethical and immune barrier issues need to be urgently resolved. In the field of liver cancer liver transplantation, the focus is on neoadjuvant treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors and the development of recurrence prediction models, which promotes precise treatment. For perioperative management, the optimization of individualized immunosuppressive regimens, artificial liver support, and strategies for the prevention and control of vascular complications has significantly improved patients’ survival rates. Personalized treatment for children, elderly recipients, and recipients with multiple comorbidities provides new ideas for liver transplantation in special populations. In the future, liver transplantation research may focus on the integration of multidisciplinary approaches, individualized treatment and emerging technologies to advance the global liver transplantation cause to new heights.
2.Trends in disease burden due to childhood asthma from 1990 to 2021 and future projections in China
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(4):573-578
Objective:
To investigate the trends in disease burden due to childhood asthma in China from 1990 to 2021 and to project the disease burden from 2022 to 2035, so as to provide insights into formulation of the control interventions for childhood asthma in China.
Methods:
The prevalent case, agestandard prevalence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and agestandard DALYs rate of children with asthma at ages of 0 to 14 years and their 95% uncertainty interval (UI) in China from 1990 to 2021 were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database. The temporal trends in the disease burden of childhood asthma were evaluated with estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) and its 95% confidence interval (CI), and the disease burden due to asthma was projected among children at ages of 0 to 14 years in China using a Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model from 2022 to 2035.
Results:
There were 9.368 3 million (95%UI=6.410 7 million to 14.026 1 million) prevalent cases of asthma among children at ages of 0 to 14 years in China in 2021, contributing to 0.387 9 million (95%UI=0.216 1 million to 0.668 8 million) DALYs loss. The prevalent cases and DALYs of asthma decreased by 37.28% and 52.55% among children at ages of 0 to 14 years in China in 2021 compared with 1990, and the agestandardized prevalence [EAPC=-0.70%, 95%CI=-1.26% to -0.13%)] and DALY rates [EAPC=-1.71%, 95%CI=-2.32% to -1.10%)] also appeared a tendency towards a decline. From 1990 to 2021, the prevalent cases, prevalence, DALYs and DALYs rate of asthma were all higher among male children than among female children, and the disease burden of asthma was higher among children at ages of 5 to 9 years than at other age groups. BAPC model predicted a decline in both prevalent cases and DALYs of asthma among children at ages of 0 to 14 years in China from 2022 to 2035, with 6.759 6 million prevalent cases and DALYs of 0.228 4 million personyears in 2035, while the prevalence and DALYs rates were projected to rise to 5 143.35/105 and 173.75/105 in 2035.
Conclusions
Despite a reduction in the disease burden of asthma among children at ages of 0 to 14 years in China from 1990 to 2021, the prevalence remained high. The disease burden due to asthma is projected to appear a decline among children at ages of 0 to 14 years in China from 2022 to 2035; however, the prevalence and DALYs rates still rise. Intensified control measures and targeted interventions are required to reduce the disease burden of childhood asthma.
3.Effect of childhood maltreatment on depression in college students: a moderated mediation model
Xinghua LAI ; Huitong ZHAO ; Ruofan XIAO ; Can CUI ; Ameng ZHAO ; Wei FU ; Jing JIANG ; Tinghuizi SHANG ; Honglong LI ; Zengyan YU
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(3):247-253
BackgroundCurrently, the problem of depressed mood in college students is becoming more prominent. The experience of childhood maltreatment is a significant contributor to depression among college students. Although the association between the two has been confirmed, the specific psychosocial mechanisms underlying how childhood maltreatment affects college students' mental health remain insufficiently evidenced. ObjectiveTo explore the mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and depression among college students, and to investigate the moderated effects of psychological resilience and family socioeconomic status, aiming to provide references for improving depressive symptoms in college students. MethodsOn 14 March 2024, a cluster sampling method was employed to recruit 751 college students from a university in Heilongjiang Province. Participants were assessed with Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), Patients' Health Questionnaire Depression Scale-9 item (PHQ-9), 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10) and Family Socioeconomic Status Questionnaire. Pearson correlation analysis was adopted to examine the correlation between the scores of scales. Model 4 and model 7 in Process 4.2 were used to test the mediating effects of emotional regulation difficulties and the moderated effects of psychological resilience and family socioeconomic status. Results① A total of 712 (94.81%) valid questionnaires were collected. ② College students' CTQ score was positively correlated with DERS score and PHQ-9 score (r=0.296, 0.507, P<0.01), and negatively correlated with CD-RISC-10 score and Family Socioeconomic Status Questionnaire score (r=-0.148, -0.229, P<0.01). ③ The indirect effect value of difficulties in emotion regulation on the relationship between childhood maltreatment and depression was 0.091 (95% CI: 0.018~0.046), accounting for 17.95% of the total effect. ④ The first half of the mediation model "childhood maltreatment → difficulties in emotion regulation → depression" (childhood maltreatment → difficulties in emotion regulation) was moderated by psychological resilience (β=-0.030, t=-6.147, 95% CI: -0.040~-0.020) and family socioeconomic status (β=-0.051, t=-3.929, 95% CI: -0.077~-0.026). ConclusionChildhood maltreatment exerts both a direct effect on college students' depression and an indirect effect through emotion regulation difficulties. The childhood maltreatment → emotion regulation difficulties pathway in this mediation model is moderated by psychological resilience and family socioeconomic status. [Funded by Qiqihar Medical University Graduate Student Innovation Fund Project (number, QYYCX2023-48); Special Research Fund Project for Young Doctors of Qiqihar Academy of Medical Sciences (number, QMSI2021B-08)]
4.Investigation of an outbreak of group A human G9P [8] rotavirus infectious diarrhea among adults in Chongqing
Yang WANG ; Yuan KONG ; Ning CHEN ; Lundi YANG ; Jiang LONG ; Qin LI ; Xiaoyang XU ; Wei ZHENG ; Hong WEI ; Jie LU ; Quanjie XIAO ; Yingying BA ; Wenxi WU ; Qian XU ; Ju YAN
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(8):663-668
ObjectiveTo investigate and analyze an outbreak of rotavirus infectious diarrhea in a prison in Chongqing Municipality, to provide a basis for adult rotavirus surveillance and prevention, and to explore the public health problems in special settings. MethodsA retrospective survey was conducted to collect and analyze data on individual cases with diarrheal disease on-site. The clinical characteristics, as well as the temporal, spatial and geographical distribution patterns of the epidemic were described. Multi-pathogen detection tests were conducted both on diarrhea cases and environmental samples, with viral genotyping performed on positive samples. A case-control analysis was performed to identify the causes of the outbreak, and an SEIR model was adopted to predict the outbreak trend and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. ResultsA total of 65 cases were found among the inmates, with an attack rate of 2.03%. The predominant clinical manifestations included diarrhea (89.23%), watery stool (73.85%), and dehydration (18.46%). The epidemic curve indicated a “human-to-human” transmission pattern, with an average incubation period of 5‒6 days. The attack rates among chefs in the main canteen (80.00%, 8/10) and caterers (28.33%, 17/60) were significantly higher than those of other inmates (P<0.05). Multi-pathogen polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing detected positive for group A rotavirus, with the viral genotyping identified as G9P [8] strain. Factors such as unprotected "bare-handed" food distribution among cases with diarrhea (OR=9.512, 95%CI: 4.261‒21.234) and close contact with diarrhea cases (OR=3.656, 95%CI: 1.719‒7.778) were the possible cause of the outbreak. The SEIR model (r0=5, α=0.3, β1=0.08, β2=0.04) was constructed using prison inmates as susceptible population, aiming at fitting the initial transmission trend of the outbreak, and the epidemic rate declined rapidly after intervention measures were implemented (rt≈0). ConclusionThis rare rotavirus infection diarrhea outbreak among adults in confined settings suggests that the construction of public health prevention and control systems in prison may be overlooked. Cross infection during meal processing and distribution in the canteens of such settings is likely to be the cause of the outbreak. Given the potential neglect of public heath system construction in special settings, it is imperative to enhance the surveillance and monitoring of rotavirus and other intestinal multi-pathogens among adults, as well as the construction of public health prevention and control systems in these special settings.
5.Establishment and evaluation of an animal model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction integrating disease and syndrome based on the "deficiency-blood stasis-toxin" pathogenesis
Xiaoqi WEI ; Xinyi FAN ; Feng JIANG ; Wangjing CHAI ; Jinling XIAO ; Fanghe LI ; Kuo GAO ; Xue YU ; Wei WANG ; Shuzhen GUO
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(4):501-515
Objective:
This study aimed to construct an animal model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) that integrates disease and syndrome based on the "deficiency-blood stasis-toxin" pathogenesis and to evaluate it comprehensively.
Methods:
The HFpEF mouse model was constructed using a combination of Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and a high-fat diet. According to the random number table method, SPF-grade male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to the control, L-NAME, high-fat diet, and model groups, 10 in each group. Comprehensive observations and data collection on macroscopic signs (e.g., fur condition, mental state, stool and urine, oral and nasal condition, paw and body condition, etc.) and cardiac function were performed after 10 and 16 weeks of model induction. Additionally, the syndrome evolution was elucidated based on diagnostic criteria for clinical syndromes of heart failure. Furthermore, pathological and molecular biological examinations of myocardial tissue were performed to assess the stability and reliability of the model.
Results:
Mice in the model group showed typical characteristics of syndrome of qi deficiency and blood stasis, as well as syndrome of internal heat accumulation, including lethargy, slow response, dull paw color and oral/nasal color, exercise intolerance, abnormal platelet activation, dry feces, and dark yellow urine. The time window for these syndromes was between 10 and 16 weeks post-modeling. Cardiac function assessments revealed severe diastolic dysfunction, concentric myocardial hypertrophy, and myocardial fibrosis in the model group. Pathological examinations showed a significantly increased collagen deposition in the myocardial interstitium, enlarged cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes, and sparse coronary microvasculature in the model group. Molecular biological analyses indicated marked activation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase/nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells/NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 inflammatory pathway and significantly elevated inflammation levels in the myocardial tissue of the model group. Although mice in the L-NAME and high-fat diet groups also showed certain manifestations of qi deficiency syndrome, the substantial cardiac damage was relatively limited compared to the control group.
Conclusion
This study has constructed an animal model of HFpEF that integrates disease and syndrome based on the "deficiency-blood stasis-toxin" pathogenesis. The macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of this model are consistent with the manifestations of syndrome of qi deficiency and blood stasis, toxin syndrome, and syndrome of internal heat accumulation. Moreover, it can stably simulate the HFpEF state and reflect phenotypic changes in human disease. This model provides a suitable experimental platform to explore the pathogenesis of HFpEF, evaluate the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment regimens, and promote in-depth research on TCM syndromes of heart failure.
6.Formulation and modification of high-fat meals in food impact studies
Qian-Qian JIANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Xiao-Na XIANG ; Jun HUANG ; Bo JIANG ; Dan-Dan YANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(2):273-275
The food effect(FE)on drug absorption is an important part of clinical pharmacological studies of new drugs.The caloric ratios for each component of a high-fat meal are specified in the"Technical Guidelines for Food Bioavailability and Postprandial Bioequivalence Studies"approved by the US Food and Drug Administration(FDA)and the"Technical Guidelines for Food Effect Studies in New Drug Development"approved by the National Medical Products Administration.However,the recipes for high-fat meals vary among clinical research centers,showing their advantages and disadvantages.Thus,we present a modified version of high-fat meal recipes with easy-to-quantify calories,which is a combination of Western and Chinese flavors,easy to prepare,and meets Chinese tastes.The center satisfaction surveys showed that our modified version of the high-fat meal recipe greatly improved subject satisfaction and compliance,thus better safeguarding the quality of the trial.
7.Effects and mechanism of Kiwi fruit essence on pulmonary fibrosis in rats
Hui-Ting CHEN ; Ning-Ning WEI ; Xiao-Jun DONG ; Min-Jiang HUANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(3):393-397
Objective To observe the effects of different doses of Kiwi fruit essence on fibroblast growth factor 2(FGF2)and extracellular regulatory protein kinase 1/2(ERK1/2)in lung tissue of rats with pulmonary fibrosis.Methods SD rats were divided into blank control group(0.9%NaCl),model group(0.9%NaCl),positive control group(5 mg·kg-1 prednesone acetate),experimental group-L,-M,-H(60,120,180 mg·kg-1 Kiwi fruit essence),except the blank control group was injected with 0.9%NaCl at one time.The other groups were injected 5 mg·kg-1 bleomycin A5 into the trachea to construct the rat pulmonary fibrosis model.The expressions of FGF2 and ERK1/2 proteins and mRNA were detected by Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Results The relative expression levels of FGF2 protein in blank control group,model group,positive control group and experimental group-L,-M,-H groups on the day 28 were 0.07±0.01,0.63±0.15,0.14±0.02,0.16±0.01,0.26±0.02 and 0.44±0.03,respectively;the relative expression levels of ERK1/2 protein on day 28 were 0.06±0.00,0.41±0.05,0.09±0.00,0.10±0.00,0.14±0.02,0.21±0.02,respectively;the relative expression levels of FGF2 mRNA on day 28 were 0.98±0.05,9.32±1.03,2.21±0.32,2.87±0.44,5.32±0.21,6.37±0.66,respectively;the relative expression levels of ERK1/2 mRNA on day 28 were 1.00±0.01,9.22±0.85,1.93±0.63,2.36±0.54,5.34±0.44 and 6.85±1.09,respectively.The above indexes in the model group were significantly different from those in the blank control group(all P<0.05).The above indexes in the positive control group and the experimental-L,-M,-H groups were significantly different from those in the model group(all P<0.05).Conclusion Kiwi essence may inhibit pulmonary fibrosis by regulating the expression of FGF2 and ERK1/2.
8.Bioequivalence study of pitavastatin calcium dispersible tablets in healthy Chinese volunteers
Wei ZHANG ; Chun-Miao PAN ; Xiao-Dan WANG ; Yin HU ; Rong SHAO ; Bo JIANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(10):1497-1501
Objective To compare the bioavailability and bioequivalence of pivastatin calcium dispersive tablets in healthy Chinese subjects.Methods A single dose of pitavastatin calcium(2 mg)was orally administered to the test preparation or reference preparation under fasting and postprandial conditions,respectively.The plasma concentrations of pitavastatin calcium were measured at different time points before and after administration by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS/MS).The bioequivalence of the two formulations was evaluated.Results Subjects received pitavastatin calcium test preparation and reference preparation in fasting condition,the Cmax were(47.79±23.99)and(46.03±21.82)ng·L-1;AUC0_,were(96.56±42.64)and(97.96±35.40)ng·h·L-1;AUC0_∞ were(102.09±43.01)and(103.46±35.62)ng·h·L-1,respectively.The 90%confidence intervals of the geometric mean ratios of Cmax,AUC0_t and AUC0-∞ of pitavastin-calcium test formulation and reference formulation were 96.28%-111.16%,94.46%-101.19%and 94.77%-101.31%,respectively.Subjects received pitavastatin calcium test preparation and reference preparation in fasting condition,the Cmax were(27.32±10.68)and(28.58±11.39)ng·L-1;AUC0_t were(82.76±27.58)and(84.06±29.12)ng·h·L-1;AUC0_∞ were(87.88±26.93)and(89.29±29.18)ng·h·L-1,respectively.The 90%confidence intervals of the geometric mean ratios of Cmax,AUC0_t and AUC0_∞ of the test formulation and the reference formulation of pitavastatin calcium were 87.39%-102.10%,94.62%-101.34%and 94.88%-101.47%,respectively.All of them were within the bioequivalence range of 80.00%to 125.00%.Conclusion Two pivastatin calcium dispersion tablets were bioequivalent and safe in healthy Chinese adult subjects.
9.Correlation of adverse and positive childhood experiences and depression and anxiety symptoms among middle school students
GAO Yue, XIAO Wan, WEI Ruihong, WANG Ruoxi, JIANG Linlin, WAN Yuhui, SONG Lü ;
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(8):1075-1079
Objective:
To analyze the correlation and gender differences between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and positive childhood experiences (PCEs) and depression and anxiety symptoms among middle school students, so as to provide a reference for promoting the mental health of middle school students.
Methods:
With a stratified random cluster sampling method, a total of 6 656 middle school students in 4 cities, including Nanchang, Shenyang, Taiyuan, and Zhengzhou, were selected as research subjects from October 2021 to October 2022. The Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACEs-IQ), Benevolent Childhood Experiences Scale (BCEs), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorders-7 (GAD-7) scale were used to conduct questionnaire surveys.The Chi square test was used to compare the reporting rates of depression and anxiety symptoms among middle school students in different groups, and a Logistic regression model was established to analyze the effects of ACEs and PCEs on depression and anxiety symptoms among middle school students and their gender differences.
Results:
The reporting rate of depressive symptoms among middle school students was 20.1%, and the reporting rate of anxiety symptoms was 13.9% . ACEs were positively correlated with depression and anxiety symptoms among middle school students (depression symptoms: OR =1.20, 95% CI =1.18-1.22, anxiety symptoms: OR =1.18, 95% CI =1.16-1.20), while PCEs were negatively correlated with depression and anxiety symptoms among middle school students(depression symptoms: OR =0.84, 95% CI = 0.83 -0.86, anxiety symptoms: OR =0.85, 95% CI =0.83-0.87) ( P <0.05). In the general population (depression symptoms : OR =0.99, 95% CI = 0.98- 0.99, anxiety symptoms: OR =0.99, 95% CI =0.99-1.00) and among girls (depression symptoms: OR = 0.98 , 95% CI = 0.97- 0.99 , anxiety symptoms : OR =0.99, 95% CI =0.98-1.00), the interaction term between ACEs and PCEs were negatively correlated with depression and anxiety symptoms ( P <0.05).
Conclusions
ACEs significantly affect the depression and anxiety symptoms of middle school students, while PCEs can help reduce the impact of ACEs on the depression and anxiety symptoms of middle school students, girls are more susceptible to the impact of early experiences than boys. It should focus on gender differences, formulate comprehensive mental health protection strategies, to promote the mental health development of middle school students.
10.The Role of Prefrontal Cortex in Social Behavior
Gan-Jiang WEI ; Ling WANG ; Jing-Nan ZHU ; Xiao WANG ; Yu-Ran ZANG ; Chen-Guang ZHENG ; Jia-Jia YANG ; Dong MING
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(1):82-93
Social behavior is extremely important for the physical and mental health of individuals, their growth and development, and for social development. Social behavioral disorders have become a typical clinical representation of a variety of psychiatric disorders and have serious adverse effects on the development of individuals. The prefrontal cortex, as one of the key areas responsible for social behavior, involves in many advanced brain functions such as social behavior, emotion, and decision-making. The neural activity of prefrontal cortex has a major impact on the performance of social behavior. Numerous studies demonstrate that neurons and glial cells can regulate certain social behaviors by themselves or the interaction which we called neural microcircuits; and the collaboration with other brain regions also regulates different types of social behaviors. The prefrontal cortex (PFC)-thalamus projections mainly influence social dominance and social preference; the PFC-amygdala projections play a key role in fear behavior, emotional behavior, social exploration, and social identification; and the PFC-nucleus accumbens projections mainly involve social preference, social memory, social cognition, and spatial-social associative learning. Based on the above neural mechanism, many studies have focused on applying the non-invasive neurostimulation to social deficit-related symptoms, including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) and focused ultrasound stimulation (FUS). Our previous study also investigated that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can improve the social behavior of mice and low-intensity focused ultrasound ameliorated the social avoidance behavior of mice by enhancing neuronal activity in the prefrontal cortex. In this review, we summarize the relationship between neurons, glial cells, brain projection and social behavior in the prefrontal cortex, and systematically show the role of the prefrontal cortex in the regulation of social behavior. We hope our summarization will provide a reference for the neural mechanism and effective treatment of social disorders.


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