1.Guidelines for the management of therapeutic drug monitoring
Zhengxiang LI ; Liyan MIAO ; Rong DUAN ; Xiaocong ZUO ; Xianglin ZHANG ; Zhuo WANG ; Miao YAN ; Lingli ZHANG ; Rongsheng ZHAO ; Suodi ZHAI ; Guobiao GAO ; Jinhui TIAN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(11):1381-1392
OBJECTIVE To further standardize the technical operations and management processes throughout therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), clarify the clinical value of TDM implementation, improve the scientific validity and reliability of monitoring results, and provide a solid reference basis for the formulation and optimization of clinical individualized precision dosing regimens. METHODS The Guidelines for the Management of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring were formulated in accordance with the latest definition of guidelines by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies and the standard guideline development methodology of the World Health Organization, and in compliance with the requirements of the appraisal of guidelines for research and evaluation. A modified Delphi method was adopted to establish the research question system; evidence-based medicine research methods were applied to systematically search multiple databases to screen the latest and most comprehensive evidence. Evidence was graded and evaluated based on the evidence grading system of the Chinese Evidence-Based Medicine Center, and the grading criteria for recommendation strength from the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine were used to determine the recommendation strength. The recommendation opinions were formed through multidisciplinary expert consensus. RESULTS The Guidelines for the Management of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring cover four core modules, including TDM application indications, technical procedures, result interpretation and clinical application, and quality control, involving 18 primary research questions, 34 secondary research questions, and yield 82 recommendations. CONCLUSIONS The guidelines systematically standardize the key technical links and management requirements of the whole TDM process, provide scientific and operable standardized tools, help improve the standardization level of TDM work, promote the translation of monitoring results into clinical decision-making, and provide strong support for precision personalized medicine and ensuring the safety and rationality of medication use.
2.Acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase 2-mediated acetyl-coenzyme A accumulation promotes mitophagy and tumor growth via increased H3K27ac in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma
Shan LI ; Jie HU ; Yihan YAN ; Xinrui LIU ; Xiao DONG ; Huijun LIANG ; Xin TANG ; Junji TAO ; Rong ZHANG ; Yuan HU ; Ailong HUANG ; Kai WANG ; Ni TANG
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):661-682
Background/Aims:
Acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) is one of the most essential metabolites in cell metabolism but its function and concentration in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain elusive and controversial.
Methods:
A comprehensive analysis of acetyl-CoA levels and acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2) expression across a range of samples, including patient specimens from both hepatitis B virus (HBV) positive and HBV negative HCC individuals, HBV-transgenic mouse HCC models, and multiple cell lines. Furthermore, to evaluate the functional significance of ACSS2 in HBV-related HCC, we implemented both genetic and pharmacological inhibition strategies targeting ACSS2. Molecular mechanism and mitophagy assessment were revealed by cleavage under target and tagmentation sequencing, RNA sequencing, bioinformatic analyses, transmission electron microscopy and JC-1 staining.
Results:
Our study revealed a distinct metabolic signature of HBV-related HCC, marked by elevated acetyl-CoA, which was driven by ACSS2. ACSS2 was upregulated by the carbohydrate response element-binding protein in HBV-related HCC. Furthermore, ACSS2 improved tumor cell proliferation, an effect that was dependent on its enzymatic activity. Mechanistically, ACSS2-induced acetyl-CoA accumulation activated voltage-dependent anion channels 1 transcription through increased H3K27ac occupancy, which subsequently promoted mitophagy and HBV-related HCC tumorigenesis. Notably, targeting ACSS2 by depletion or inhibition with a catalytic inhibitor significantly suppressed tumor growth.
Conclusions
These findings not only illustrate the interplay between metabolic reprogramming, epigenetic modification, and tumorigenesis in the context of HBV infection, but also highlight ACSS2 as a novel metabolic vulnerability in HBV-related HCC. Therefore, targeting ACSS2 could be a novel strategy against HBV-related HCC.
3.Statistical analysis of vector monitoring in port areas of Shandong Province from 2017 to 2023
Huan-mei HAN ; Tao ZHANG ; Zhi-ping SU ; Rong-jun YAN ; Wei HUANG ; Wen-wen ZHANG
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(2):121-127
Objective To provide a scientific basis for vector prevention and control in port areas, vector monitoring has been conducted continuously to characterize the composition, density, and seasonal fluctuations of vectors across 21 port-areas of Shandong province from 2017 to 2023. Methods In accordance with the Regional Vector Monitoring Plan for Frontier Ports, vector surveillance of mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, rodents, and other disease vectors was performed. Data were analyzed to describe vector community composition and identify seasonal fluctuations. Results A total of 601 rodents belonging to 1 family, 4 genera, and 4 species were captured. Three dominant rodent species inhabit port areas. In addition, 88 104 mosquitoes were captured and classified into 3 subfamilies, 4 genera, and 12 species; 38 959 flies were trapped and classified into 8 families,31 genera, and 51 species, including 9 dominant fly species in port-areas; and 54 672 captured cockroaches were classified into 2 families,4 genera, and 4 species, with Blattella germanica as the dominant species. Conclusions Significant vector community changes(P<0.005)have been identified after the epidemic. To improve the pertinence and efficacy of port health quarantine work, continuous and strong attention should be paid to vector compositions and population densities at Shandong ports.
4.Postoperative lower limb ischemic necrosis following xenogeneic heart transplantation from gene-edited pigs to rhesus macaques
Xianzhi WANG ; Zhipeng REN ; Ziqiang DAI ; Rong ZHOU ; Gen ZHANG ; Jie YAN ; Yulong GUAN ; Guangyu PAN ; Xingzhuang HE ; Tingting LIU ; Shangxuan LI ; Guanzheng CUI ; Chenghong LAI ; Dengke PAN ; Dianyuan LI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(09):1474-1481
Objective To investigate the causes and management strategies for lower limb ischemic necrosis following xenogeneic heterotopic heart transplantation from a multigene-edited pig to a rhesus monkey. Methods A xenogeneic heterotopic heart transplantation was performed on December 16, 2023, at the Institute of Experimental Animals of Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, using a quintuple-gene-edited pig as the donor and a rhesus monkey as the recipient. On postoperative day (POD) 9, the recipient monkey underwent left lower limb amputation due to ischemic necrosis. Blood samples were collected at various time points after transplantation for analysis of hematologic parameters, liver and renal function, myocardial enzymes, and coagulation profiles. Ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) were used to evaluate anastomotic patency and cardiac structure. Immunological assays, including complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and IgG/IgM antibody detection, combined with clinical observations, were employed to assess rejection type and therapeutic response. Results The recipient monkey survived for 46 days after transplantation. Echocardiography demonstrated preserved biventricular systolic function in the recipient’s native heart, with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) consistently exceeding 50%. In the donor pig heart, left ventricular endocardial thickening was noted on POD 9, followed by right ventricular endocardial thickening on POD 24, while LVEF remained around 35%. No hyperacute or acute rejection was detected immunologically. CDC positivity ranged between 3.4% and 5.1%, with IgG/IgM antibody binding trends consistent with CDC results. Following amputation, the recipient exhibited elevated inflammatory markers, coagulopathy, and reactive thrombocytosis, which later normalized. Immunohistochemical staining of the necrotic limb revealed arterial and venous thrombosis; however, no T-cell or B-cell infiltration was observed in vascular structures, thrombi, nerves, muscles, fascia, or skin tissues, with CD3 and CD20 staining both negative. Conclusion Limb ischemia after xenogeneic heart transplantation may be associated with lower extremity vascular thrombosis triggered by local trauma in the context of transplantation-induced inflammatory activation and coagulation dysfunction. While no clear lymphocyte-mediated rejection was observed, further studies are needed to explore the potential role of non-lymphocyte-mediated immune mechanisms.
5.A progressive discovery strategy for anti-Alzheimer’s drug identification: In vitro screening with an LPS-induced neuroinflammatory cell model and in vivo validation in 5xFAD mice
Junyi ZHOU ; Linna WANG ; Lianmei WANG ; Pengyue LI ; Yan ZHANG ; Yuheng WANG ; Yan RONG ; Lihua CHEN ; Huijun WANG ; Hongping HOU ; Xiaolu WEI ; Haiyu ZHAO
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(3):255-269
Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. Cellular drug screening represents a key approach in the preclinical discovery of AD therapeutics. Moreover, selecting an appropriate cellular model is essential for exploring the mechanisms underlying AD pathogenesis. Objective: This study aimed to establish a progressive strategy integrating cell model construction, monomer evaluation, and effective component group-based drug discovery for the development of novel therapeutics targeting AD. Methods: A novel AD12 cell line stably expressing the double-transgenic genes amyloid precursor protein (APP)695/presenilin 1(PS1)-ΔE9 was first constructed and subjected to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. The resulting LPS-induced neuroinflammatory response was characterized using metabolomic analysis. Subsequently, 16 alkaloids derived from traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) were screened with the LPS-AD12 cell model. Molecular docking was then performed to assess the binding affinity of benzoylaconitine (BAC) with APP and PS1 proteins. A targeted metabolomics approach focusing on amino acids and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle was applied to BAC-treated LPS-AD12 cells. Finally, aconite extract was administered to five-familial-AD-mutations(5xFAD) transgenic mice, and therapeutic efficacy was evaluated through phenotypic and metabolomic analyses. Results: LPS stimulation induced neuroinflammation in AD12 cells, characterized by elevated levels of interleukin-6, amyloid-β
(Aβ
), and PS1. The primary metabolic pathways affected in AD12 cells included alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism, as well as arginine biosynthesis. Notably, BAC significantly reduced the levels of Aβ
and interleukin-6 in LPS-AD12 cells. Furthermore, molecular docking analyses revealed a strong binding affinity of BAC with APP and PS1 proteins. Targeted metabolomics analysis indicated that the pharmacological activity of BAC was primarily associated with its anti-inflammatory effects, modulation of the cholinergic signaling pathway, and regulation of energy metabolism. Behavioral experiments in 5xFAD mice, together with immunofluorescence assessments of brain tissues (amyloid-β, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1), demonstrated that aconite extract treatment significantly alleviated AD-related symptoms. In addition, metabolomics-based mechanistic analyses revealed that serine, acetylcholine, ornithine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid exhibited consistent trends in both brain tissue and serum samples from treated mice. Conclusion: This study established a novel AD12 cell model and an effective, reliable LPS-induced cell-based screening system. Additionally, we proposed a new drug discovery strategy integrating cell model construction, monomer evaluation, and effective component group-based drug discovery. This screening system has the potential to accelerate the identification of anti-AD agents and provides a feasible framework for subsequent in-depth investigations into new drug development from TCM, thereby contributing to the modernization of TCM-derived therapeutics.
6.Contamination status and dietary exposure risk assessment of arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury in commercially available aquatic products in Shanghai
Rong SHI ; Dandan MAO ; Limei CHEN ; Yan ZHANG ; Huimin ZHANG ; Yu GAO ; Ying TIAN
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(8):598-603
ObjectiveTo investigate the contamination status of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) in commercially available aquatic products in Shanghai and their distribution characteristics among different categories of aquatic products, and to assess the dietary exposure levels and non‑carcinogenic health risks of As, Cd, Pb, and Hg through aquatic product consumption among different age groups, so as to provide a scientific basis for food safety surveillance of aquatic products and dietary risk management for residents in Shanghai. MethodsFrom October to November 2021, a total of 90 aquatic product samples, including marine fish, freshwater fish, freshwater shrimp, marine crab, freshwater crab, and mollusks, were randomly collected from 16 districts of Shanghai. Sample pretreatment was performed according to GB 5009.268‒2016 (National Food Safety Standard—Determination of Multi‑elements in Foods). The concentrations of As, Cd, and Pb in aquatic products were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‑MS), and Hg was determined by direct mercury analyzer. Inorganic arsenic (iAs) was estimated as 3.5% of total As according to the method recommended by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The contamination levels of As, Cd, Pb, and Hg in aquatic products were evaluated according to GB 2762‒2017 (National Food Safety Standard—Maximum Levels of Contaminants in Foods). A combined approach of point assessment and probabilistic assessment was applied to estimate the estimated daily intake (EDI) and non‑carcinogenic risk indicators—hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI)—for different age groups. ResultsThe detection rates of As and Hg were both 100.00% in all samples, while those of Cd and Pb were 74.44% and 25.56%, respectively. The arithmetic means (wet weight) of the four elements and estimated iAs were: As (1.432 9±3.736 5) mg·kg-1, iAs (0.050 2±0.130 8) mg·kg-1, Cd (0.082 5±0.197 8) mg·kg-1, Pb (0.006 1±0.005 5) mg·kg-1, and Hg (0.021 9±0.016 7) mg·kg-1. According to the relevant maximum residue limits, 2 out of 7 mollusk samples (28.57%) and 3 out of 20 marine fish samples (15.00%) exceeded the limit for iAs, and 2 out of 8 marine crab samples (25.00%) exceeded the limit for Cd. The estimated daily intake (EDI, μg·kg-1·d-1, by body weight) of iAs, Cd, Pb, and Hg via aquatic product consumption varied among different age groups, with the highest levels observed in children aged 3‒4 years, decreasing gradually with age to the lowest level at 12 ‒ <15 years, with a slight rebound thereafter. The point assessment results showed that the HQs of iAs, Cd, Pb, and Hg ranged from 0 to 0.25, and the cumulative HI ranged from 0.27 to 0.48, all below 1, indicating a relatively low overall risk. The probabilistic assessment results revealed that under the high‑exposure scenario (P97.5), the HQs of iAs (1.101‒1.281) and Cd (1.175‒1.366) exceeded 1 in children aged 3‒9 years, suggesting potential health risks, while the HQs of Pb and Hg were all below 1, indicating relatively lower risks. ConclusionHg and As are ubiquitously detected in commercially available aquatic products in Shanghai, while the detection rates of Cd and Pb are relatively low. The overall non-carcinogenic risk is at an acceptable level, but children aged 3‒9 years may have potential health risks from iAs and Cd under high-percentile exposure levels. It is recommended to strengthen the monitoring of toxic elements in key aquatic products such as marine fish, mollusks, and marine crabs, and to implement targeted dietary risk management measures for sensitive populations, including children.
7.Ferroptosis Susceptibility: a Metabolic Amplifier of Bone Remodeling
Kuo LIU ; Ran ZHANG ; Yu-Shuo LIU ; Rong-Yan ZHOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(10):2739-2752
Bone remodeling is essential for maintaining skeletal integrity and mineral homeostasis and depends on the coordinated activities of osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and osteocytes. Osteoclast-mediated bone resorption must remain closely coupled with osteoblast-mediated bone formation, while osteocytes continuously sense mechanical loading and changes in the local and systemic environment. Reactive oxygen species are involved in these physiological processes, particularly in the regulation of osteoclast differentiation and osteoblast function. Once oxidative stress exceeds the capacity of cellular antioxidant systems, however, this balance may be disturbed, leading to enhanced bone resorption, impaired bone formation, and deterioration of bone quality. In recent years, ferroptosis has attracted increasing attention in studies of bone metabolism. Ferroptosis is characterized by iron-dependent accumulation of lipid peroxides, but ferroptosis-related alterations in bone tissue may occur before obvious cell death becomes detectable. Changes in the labile iron pool, membrane lipid composition, antioxidant capacity, and mitochondrial metabolism can already influence the biological behavior of bone cells at an earlier stage. On this basis, ferroptosis susceptibility may provide a useful way to describe a reversible metabolic state in which cells become increasingly vulnerable to lipid peroxidation while widespread membrane damage and terminal cell death have not yet occurred. Such a state should not be identified by a single molecular marker. A more appropriate assessment would combine changes in intracellular iron handling, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant defense, cell viability, bone-cell function, and the response to ferroptosis-related interventions. Measurements of Fe2+ or the labile iron pool, C11-BODIPY oxidation, 4-HNE and MDA, GPX4 activity or expression, GSH/GSSG balance, LDH release, and PI staining may therefore provide complementary information when interpreted together with functional changes and rescue experiments. Several metabolic processes may contribute to the development of ferroptosis susceptibility in the bone. Disturbances in iron uptake, ferritin storage, ferritinophagy, and ferroportin-mediated iron export can increase the availability of redox-active iron. At the same time, ACSL4- and LPCAT3-dependent incorporation of polyunsaturated fatty acids into membrane phospholipids increases the pool of oxidizable lipid substrates. Reduced activity of the system Xc--GSH-GPX4 pathway further weakens the ability of cells to remove lipid hydroperoxides, while FSP1-CoQ and mitochondrial DHODH-CoQ systems provide additional antioxidant protection. Mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and abnormalities in calcium-phosphate and endocrine regulation may further increase this metabolic pressure. Importantly, the consequences are unlikely to be identical among bone-cell populations. In osteoclasts, increased iron availability and oxidative stress may strengthen RANKL-NFATc1-associated differentiation and resorptive activity. In osteoblasts, persistent lipid peroxidation may interfere with RUNX2-related differentiation, collagen synthesis, matrix production, and mineralization before extensive cell loss occurs. Osteocytes, because of their long lifespan and specialized location within the mineralized matrix, may be particularly sensitive to chronic metabolic stress, resulting in impaired mechanosensing and disturbed RANKL- or FGF23-related feedback. Evidence linking these changes with osteoporosis, diabetes-related bone disorders, chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder, inflammatory bone loss, and particle-induced osteolysis is increasing, although the strength of evidence differs among disease models. Changes in ROS, MDA, GPX4, or other individual indicators alone are insufficient to demonstrate ferroptosis-related susceptibility, and stronger conclusions require evidence of iron dependence, lipid peroxidation, temporal sequence, and reversibility. Emerging single-cell, spatial, proteomic, lipidomic, and metabolomic approaches may help identify susceptible cell populations and bone-remodeling regions more precisely, although the mineralized matrix and the effects of sample processing remain important technical limitations. Overall, ferroptosis susceptibility may represent an intermediate metabolic state linking disturbances in iron and redox homeostasis with progressive uncoupling of bone resorption and formation. Clarifying its cell-specific features, temporal development, and reversible window may improve our understanding of how chronic metabolic stress contributes to bone remodeling disorders and may also provide a basis for earlier and more targeted intervention.
8.Yttrium-90 selective internal radiation therapy on liver cancer: the past, the present, and the future
Jingqin MA ; Linhong ZHANG ; Minjie YANG ; Jiabin CAI ; Ying FANG ; Rong LIU ; Xudong QU ; Lingxiao LIU ; Zhiping YAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(1):3-8
Yttrium-90 selective internal radiation therapy (90Y-SIRT) is a treatment technique that delivers radioactive microspheres precisely to the arterial vascular bed of neoplasms, utilizing beta radiation to administer a high local dose of radiation to the neoplasm tissues. This technology has demonstrated significant efficacy in patients with unresectable pirmary liver cancers and liver metastases. This article systematically reviews the development history and clinical application status of 90Y-SIRT in the treatment of liver cancer, and looks forward to future development directions.
9.Quality control protocol for adult overweight and obesity screening in health management (examination) institutions (2025 edition)
Jianling FAN ; Tiejun WANG ; Pengfei YANG ; Keke DING ; Xiaoning HAO ; Sunfang JIANG ; Ankang LÜ ; Jianping LU ; Sheng RONG ; Weibin SHI ; Shengwei SUN ; Yan TAN ; Qilei TU ; Zhiping WANG ; Bing WANG ; Jianyun WANG ; Weijian WANG ; Yan WANG ; Qun XU ; Chenli ZHANG ; Fan ZHANG ; Ping ZHANG ; Yansong ZHENG ; Jieru ZHOU ; Dan CHEN ; Jiaoyang ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(6):1097-1111
Obesity, as a chronic recurrent disease, has become a major public health challenge in China. To implement the requirements of the Healthy China Initiative (2019—2030), under domestic guidelines or consensus statements on overweight and obesity, and in alignment with the latest scientific advances globally, the Quality control protocol for adult overweight and obesity screening in health management (examination) institutions (2025 edition) was developed. This protocol was drafted by the Health Management Center of Shanghai Changzheng Hospital and formulated through multiple rounds of deliberation by experts in China’s health examination quality control field. The protocol establishes unified standards for screening facilities, personnel qualifications, and measurement or testing procedures. It defines specific screening items, outlines a standardized screening pathway, and sets requirements for the final medical review, ensuring the scientific validity, effectiveness, and safety of the screening process. The implementation of this protocol will enhance the consistency of weight management practices for adults across health examination institutions and strengthen the quality control of overweight and obesity screening programs.
10.Research advances in IP3R calcium ion channels and respiratory system-related diseases
Xinyun XIE ; Yan HUANG ; Ao DANG ; Rong HUA ; Jiachun ZHANG ; Zhao YANG
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(3):770-774
The pathogenesis of respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD),asthma,and pulmonary hypertension remains incompletely understood.However,accumulating evi-dence suggests that calcium ion channels play a critical role in these disorders.As a key second messenger,cal-cium ions regulates diverse physiological and pathological processes.Studies indicate that calcium ion homeo-stasis,including their concentration and distribution and spatial distribution is mediated primarily through ino-sitol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor(IP3R)channel.Disruption of this homeostasis may contribute to the devel-opment of COPD,asthma,and other respiratory diseases.Nevertheless,the role of IP3R channels in respirato-ry diseases require further investigation.


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