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.Methodological Issues in the Design,Evaluation,and Reporting of Randomized Controlled Trials with "Pattern Dominating Disease"
Lu WANG ; Jiajia WANG ; Yingying ZHANG ; Xufei LUO ; Yaolong CHEN ; Jiansheng LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(14):1497-1502
This study explores methodological issues in the design, evaluation, and reporting of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) under the concept of "syndrome dominating disease". The discussion focuses on key aspects including the adaptability of trial design, the screening of research participants, the standardization of syndrome differentiation, the balance between intervention individualization and standardization, the integration of multi-dimensional outcome measures, and the limitations of existing evaluation and reporting tools when applied to this type of research, along with corresponding recommendations and future perspectives. Regarding research design, it is recommended to select or draw upon innovative design concepts such as basket trials and subgroup-based dynamic/static parallel-group designs, in order to innovate the design format of RCTs. Meanwhile, criteria for participant screening, TCM syndrome differentiation, and disease classification should be standardized. The balance should be appropriately achieved between intervention individualization and standardization, and a multidimensional assessment system encompassing TCM syndromes, disease-specific outcomes, and patient-reported outcomes should be established. For risk of bias assessment and research reporting, it is recommended,to develop specialized assessment and reporting tools based on existing instruments, in order to standardize the assessment and reporting of study findings. Future research may further explore the potential applications of artificial intelligence in the study design, risk-of-bias assessment, and reporting quality assessment of RCTs based on the "syndrome dominating disease" model, with a particular focus on methodological optimization, data integration, and enhancement of research quality.
3.Methodological Issues in the Design,Evaluation,and Reporting of Randomized Controlled Trials with "Pattern Dominating Disease"
Lu WANG ; Jiajia WANG ; Yingying ZHANG ; Xufei LUO ; Yaolong CHEN ; Jiansheng LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(14):1497-1502
This study explores methodological issues in the design, evaluation, and reporting of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) under the concept of "syndrome dominating disease". The discussion focuses on key aspects including the adaptability of trial design, the screening of research participants, the standardization of syndrome differentiation, the balance between intervention individualization and standardization, the integration of multi-dimensional outcome measures, and the limitations of existing evaluation and reporting tools when applied to this type of research, along with corresponding recommendations and future perspectives. Regarding research design, it is recommended to select or draw upon innovative design concepts such as basket trials and subgroup-based dynamic/static parallel-group designs, in order to innovate the design format of RCTs. Meanwhile, criteria for participant screening, TCM syndrome differentiation, and disease classification should be standardized. The balance should be appropriately achieved between intervention individualization and standardization, and a multidimensional assessment system encompassing TCM syndromes, disease-specific outcomes, and patient-reported outcomes should be established. For risk of bias assessment and research reporting, it is recommended,to develop specialized assessment and reporting tools based on existing instruments, in order to standardize the assessment and reporting of study findings. Future research may further explore the potential applications of artificial intelligence in the study design, risk-of-bias assessment, and reporting quality assessment of RCTs based on the "syndrome dominating disease" model, with a particular focus on methodological optimization, data integration, and enhancement of research quality.
4.Study on HPLC fingerprint and multi-component determination of Ziziphus jujuba stir-fried with Coptis chinensis juice from Longsha Medical School
Ping QIN ; Yingying LU ; Wenming ZHANG ; Zifang FENG ; Lihong GU ; Chenjie XIA ; Minmin HU ; Xiaowei CHEN ; Tulin LU ; Yiting ZHANG ; Zhenhua BIAN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(15):1974-1978
OBJECTIVE To establish a high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) fingerprint and a multi-component content determination method for Ziziphus jujuba stir-fried with Coptis chinensis juice, a characteristic processed product of Longsha Medical School, and to provide a basis for the inheritance and clinical application of this distinctive variety. METHODS HPLC method was employed to establish the fingerprints of 12 batches of Z. jujuba stir-fried with C. chinensis juice. Similarity evaluation and common peak identification were subsequently carried out. Quantitative determination was performed on coclaurine, magnoflorine, coptisine hydrochloride, epiberberine, jatrorrhizine hydrochloride, spinosin, berberine hydrochloride, palmatine hydrochloride, 6"'-feruloylspinosin, and jujuboside A of samples. RESULTS The fingerprint similarities of all 12 batches of samples were higher than 0.960. A total of 17 common peaks were calibrated, among which 9 peaks were identified as coclaurine, magnoflorine, coptisine hydrochloride, epiberberine, jatrorrhizine hydrochloride, spinosin, berberine hydrochloride, palmatine hydrochloride, and 6"'-feruloylspinosin, respectively. The quantitative results showed that the mass fractions of coclaurine, magnoflorine, coptisine hydrochloride, epiberberine, jatrorrhizine hydrochloride, spinosin, berberine hydrochloride, palmatine hydrochloride, 6"'-feruloylspinosin, and jujuboside A in the 12 batches of samples were 0.044-0.091, 0.908-1.698, 0.325-0.549, 0.163-0.287, 0.103-0.172, 0.712-0.952, 1.185-1.843, 0.341-0.598, 0.228-0.405, and 0.050-0.091 mg/g, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The established HPLC fingerprint and multi-component determination method is stable and reliable, and can provide a basis for the quality standard formulation and clinical application of Z. jujuba stir-fried with C. chinensis juice.
5.Impact of optimized varicella vaccination strategy on varicella incidence among nursery children in Shenzhen
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(5):728-731
Objective:
To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of varicella among nursery children in Shenzhen from 2015 to 2024, and to evaluate the impact of optimizing varicella vaccine (VarV) immunization strategies on varicella incidence.
Methods:
Varicella incidence data for nursery children in Shenzhen from 2015 to 2024 were obtained from the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The study period was divided into three phases:one dose self pay VarV (January 2015 to October 2017), two dose self pay VarV (November 2017 to October 2019), and two dose free VarV (November 2019 to December 2024). Interrupted time series (ITS) analysis was conducted to assess changes in the level and trend of varicella incidence associated with each phase of policy implementation.
Results:
A total of 27 517 varicella cases was reported among nursery children from 2015 to 2024, with an average annual incidence of 514.01/100 000. During the same period, 136 clustered outbreaks were reported in nursery institutions, involving a cumulative total of 1 091 cases. ITS analysis showed that during the self pay 1 dose stage, the varicella incidence among nursery children showed an upward trend, with an average monthly increase of 2.58/100 000 (95% CI =2.21/ 100 000 -2.95/100 000, P <0.01). After the implementation of the self pay 2 dose strategy, the incidence decreased, with a change in incidence of -26.12/100 000 (95% CI =-37.30/100 000 to -14.94/100 000) and a change in slope of -2.65/100 000 (95% CI = -3.38/100 000 to -1.93/100 000)(all P <0.01). After the implementation of the free 2 dose strategy, the incidence decreased further, with a change in incidence of -40.03/100 000 (95% CI =-50.39/100 000 to -29.66/100 000, P <0.01) and a change in slope of -0.56/100 000 (95% CI =-1.20/100 000-0.08/100 000, P =0.09).
Conclusion
The gradual optimization of the VarV vaccination strategy in Shenzhen from self pay 1 dose to free 2 dose has significantly reduced the varicella incidence among nursery children, demonstrating good short term control and long term intervention effectiveness.
6.Current developments in dry eye induced by video display terminals-derived blue light
Yingying SUN ; Jianxiong PENG ; Min LU
International Eye Science 2025;25(2):255-258
With the development of science and technology, electronic devices have become an inevitable part of our daily life and work. There has been an increase of interest in the use of various video display terminals(VDT). The ocular surface is the first barrier of the visual system to resist the damage of the external environment. In recent years, the number of patients with dry eye has consistently increased with the excessive use of VDT. Blue light produced by VDT, with wavelengths ranging from 400 to 500 nm, has a high energy in visible light. Therefore, blue light may also be an important risk factor for dry eye. In particular, the outbreak of COVID-19 has left people worldwide suffering from increased blue light, which promotes further research into dry eye caused by blue light emitted from VDT. In this review, we summarize the recent studies on the role of blue light produced by VDT in dry eye to provide reference for future related research.
7.Effect of influenza vaccination on influenza cluster epidemic in primary and secondary schools in Beijing in surveillance during 2023-2024
Yingying WANG ; Ying SUN ; Jia LI ; Wei DUAN ; Chunna MA ; Jiaojiao ZHANG ; Jiaxin MA ; Lu ZHANG ; Xiaodi HU ; Daitao ZHANG ; Li ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(9):1580-1585
Objective:To analyze the effect of influenza vaccination on influenza cluster epidemic in primary and secondary schools in Beijing during the 2023-2024 surveillance season and provide evidence for the improvement of influenza vaccination strategies.Methods:The incidence data of influenza cluster epidemic and influenza vaccination coverage in the schools in Beijing during 2023-2024 were collected. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze cluster epidemic characteristics, and χ2 test was used to compare incidence differences between groups, and OR value and vaccine effectiveness [VE=(1- OR)×100%] were calculated. A negative binomial regression model was used to evaluate the association between school vaccination rates and cluster epidemic risk. Joinpoint regression was used to analyze trends in relative risk ( RR) with increasing vaccination coverage and to determine the optimal vaccination threshold. Results:A total of 126 influenza cluster epidemic were reported in 115 primary and secondary schools in Beijing during 2023-2024 with the median size of 15 case, the average attack rate was 36.26% (2 033/5 607). The epidemics mainly occurred in urban area (70, 55.56%). Primary schools were the main setting (78, 61.90%), and influenza A(H3N2) was the predominant subtype (108, 85.71%). The overall influenza vaccination coverage in the primary and secondary students was 54.26%, while the average vaccination in classes affected by the epidemics was 58.57%. The overall protection rate was 47.62%, the protection rate was higher in primary schools (49.65%) than in secondary schools (46.60%). The protection rates against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 (80.93%) and influenza B (Victoria lineage) (81.65%) were significantly higher than that against influenza A(H3N2) (44.19%). When school vaccination coverage reached ≥76.00%, the epidemic risk decreased by 52.82%.Conclusions:Even the match between influenza vaccine strains and circulating strains is suboptimal, increasing influenza vaccination coverage in schools can effectively reduce the risk for influenza cluster epidemic. In the future, measures such as policy guidance and public health education should be taken to further improve vaccination coverage, thereby establishing herd immunity and reducing the transmission risk of influenza in schools.
8.Evaluation of performance of influenza trend prediction based on three time series models in Beijing
Xiang XU ; Mengyao LI ; Hui YAO ; Jia LI ; Yingying WANG ; Jiaojiao ZHANG ; Lu ZHANG ; Jiaxin MA ; Xiaoli WANG ; Peng YANG
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(9):1593-1599
Objective:To explore the trend of influenza positive rate in Beijing by using classic autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model, autoregressive integrated moving average model with exogenous variables (ARIMAX) and vector autoregression model (VAR) to compare the performance of three models in influenza prediction and select the most suitable one for Beijing.Methods:The weekly positive rate of influenza virus nucleic acid test and meteorological data in Beijing from week 1 of 2013 to week 40 of 2024 were collected. The data were divided into four groups with expanding training sets and corresponding testing sets. The training set of the first group was from week 1 of 2013 to week 40 of 2016, and the testing set was from week 41 of 2016 to week 40 of 2017. Subsequent groups extended the training set by one year each time. Data from 2020 to 2023 were excluded due to COVID-19 pandemic. The fourth group used data from the week 1 of 2013 to week 40 of 2023 for training and from the week 41 of 2023 to week 40 of 2024 for testing.Results:The incidence of influenza had seasonality in Beijing with higher incidence in winter and spring. The positive rate of influenza virus was positively correlated with the weekly average atmospheric pressure ( r=0.482, P<0.001) and weekly average wind speed ( r=0.003, P=0.034), and negatively correlated with the weekly average temperature ( r=-0.541, P<0.001). The ARIMAX model incorporating meteorological factors had the best prediction performance, with test set's root mean square error ( RMSE) of 0.115 3 and mean absolute error ( MAE) of 0.076 7 (the RMSE and MAE values for ARIMA and VAR models were 0.117 1 and 0.163 8, and 0.078 6 and 0.122 3, respectively). The prediction results of the optimal model showed that the positive rate of influenza virus would continue to rise in Beijing after October 2024 and reach peak in the second week of 2025, but the peak positive rate would be lower than that of previous influenza season. Conclusions:Compared with the ARIMA model and the VAR model,the ARIMAX model which used meteorological parameters is more suitable for prediction of long-term influenza trend in Beijing. The influenza trend peak was predicted to occur in the second week of 2025, but lower than that in previous influenza season.
9.Effect of intestinal microbiota on lung injury in mice with acute necrotizing pancreatitis
Mengqi ZHAO ; Mengyan CUI ; Miaoyan FAN ; Yingying LU ; Qiaoli JIANG
Chinese Journal of Pancreatology 2025;25(2):126-133
Objective:To explore the effects and possible mechanism of intestinal microbiota on lung injury in mice with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP).Methods:The experimental mice were randomly assigned to normal control group (CON group), ANP model group (ANP group) and intestinal germ-free group (ABX group), with 6 mice in each group. The ANP mouse model was constructed by intraperitoneal injection of caerulein (100 μg/kg, for 10 times) at an interval of 1 hour each time, followed by 10 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide injection. Mice in ABX group were treated by Abx solution (0.5 g/L vancomycin, 1 g/L neomycin, 1 g/L metronidazole, and 1 g/L ampicillin), 1 ml/100 g gavage for 28 days before preparation of the ANP model. The CON group was injected intraperitoneally with an equal volume of PBS. Histopathologic examination of the pancreas, lungs, and terminal ileum was routinely performed. Serum amylase levels were measured using enzymatic kinetic chemistry, and serum diamine oxidase (DAO) and lung tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities were measured using ELISA assay. Expression of inflammatory factors, pyroptosis-related molecules in lung tissue and intestinal epithelial tight junction proteins was detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of the pyroptosis molecules caspase-1 and GSDMD in lung tissue, and intestinal epithelial tight junction proteins. Changes of bacterial distribution in lung tissue were measured by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Results:The pathological scores of pancreatic tissue of CON, ANP, and ABX group were (0.67±0.26), (7.33±0.82), and (5.67±0.81); the pathological scores of lung tissue were (1.67±0.41), (5.67±0.41), and (3.58±0.58); the pathological scores of ileal tissue were (0.58±0.52), (3.83±0.75), and (4.33±0.82); the serum amylase levels were (403.95±93.11), (1037.24±126.77), and (647.32±145.90)U/L; the MPO levels in lung tissue were (0.23±0.03), (0.63±0.09), and (0.48±0.05)U/g. ABX group had significantly lower scores in pancreatic and lung tissues, serum amylase levels, and MPO levels in lung tissue compared to ANP group, and all the differences were statistically significant (all P value <0.05). The expression level in pancreatis tissue from CON, ANP and ABX group of IL-1β mRNA was 1.84±0.90, 36.26±5.56 and 16.65±6.43, IL-6 mRNA was 1.07±0.15, 2.90±0.42 and 1.34±0.62, TNF-α mRNA was 0.47±0.11, 0.76±0.11 and 0.46±0.07, HMGB1 mRNA was 0.38±0.02, 0.72±0.22 and 0.44±0.08, caspase-1 mRNA was 1.07±0.18, 2.04±0.31 and 0.85±0.54, ASC mRNA was 1.24±0.19, 5.68±0.41 and 3.89±1.47, GSDMD mRNA was 0.79±0.17, 0.94±0.14 and 0.61±0.08, IL-18 mRNA was 0.83±0.27, 4.17±0.79 and 3.57±0.03, respectively. The expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, HMGB1, caspase-1, ASC, and IL-18 mRNA in lung tissue was significantly increased in ANP group compared to the CON group; conversely, ABX group showed a significant decrease in the expression of these markers compared to ANP group; and all the differences were statistically significant (all P values <0.05). The protein level of caspase-1 in lung tissue of CON, ANP and ABX group was 1.59±0.51, 2.28±0.13, 1.38±0.47, and that of GSDMD was 1.90±0.09, 2.20±0.07 and 1.76±0.27, respectively, which in ANP group were significantly higher than in CON group, but in ABX group was significantly lower than in ANP group, and all the differences were statistically significant (all P values <0.05). The serum DAO levels of CON, ANP, and ABX group were (0.06±0.15), (0.52±0.11) and (0.58±0.11) ng/ml; the expression level of ileum tissue of claudin1 mRNA and protein was 0.98±0.26, 0.42±0.18, 0.32±0.24 and 1.05±0.08, 0.82±0.09, 0.19±0.04; occludin mRNA and protein was 0.91±0.07, 0.31±0.05, 0.32±0.14 and 1.03±0.07, 0.61±0.04, 0.64±0.11; ZO-1 mRNA and protein was 1.01±0.08, 0.80±0.28, 0.60±0.28, and 0.86±0.10, 0.99±0.30, 0.62±0.30. The serum DAO level was significantly elevated in both ANP and ABX groups compared to the CON group. The mRNA and protein expression of claudin-1 and occludin in both ANP and ABX groups were significantly lower than those in CON group; the expression of claudin-1 in ABX group was significantly downregulated compared to ANP group; and all the differences were statistically significant (all P values <0.05). The relative fluorescence intensities of lung tissue in CON, ANP, and ABX groups were 0.03±0.01, 0.06±0.01, and 0.04±0.01, respectively, which in ANP group was significantly higher compared to CON group, but in ABX group was significantly lower than ANP group; all the differences were statistically significant (all P values <0.05). Conclusions:Intestinal microbiota may attenuate acute pancreatitis-associated acute lung injury by inhibiting the pyroptosis pathway in lung tissue.
10.Cytoplasmic and nuclear NFATc3 cooperatively contributes to vascular smooth muscle cell dysfunction and drives aortic aneurysm and dissection.
Xiu LIU ; Li ZHAO ; Deshen LIU ; Lingna ZHAO ; Yonghua TUO ; Qinbao PENG ; Fangze HUANG ; Zhengkun SONG ; Chuanjie NIU ; Xiaoxia HE ; Yu XU ; Jun WAN ; Peng ZHU ; Zhengyang JIAN ; Jiawei GUO ; Yingying LIU ; Jun LU ; Sijia LIANG ; Shaoyi ZHENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(7):3663-3684
This study investigated the role of the nuclear factor of activated T cells c3 (NFATc3) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) during aortic aneurysm and dissection (AAD) progression and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Cytoplasmic and nuclear NFATc3 levels were elevated in human and mouse AAD. VSMC-NFATc3 deletion reduced thoracic AAD (TAAD) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression in mice, contrary to VSMC-NFATc3 overexpression. VSMC-NFATc3 deletion reduced extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and maintained the VSMC contractile phenotype. Nuclear NFATc3 targeted and transcriptionally upregulated matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and MMP2, promoting ECM degradation and AAD development. NFATc3 promoted VSMC phenotypic switching by binding to eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) and inhibiting its phosphorylation in the VSMC cytoplasm. Restoring eEF2 reversed the beneficial effects in VSMC-specific NFATc3-knockout mice. Cabamiquine-targets eEF2 and inhibits protein synthesis-inhibited AAD development and progression in VSMC-NFATc3-overexpressing mice. VSMC-NFATc3 promoted VSMC switch and ECM degradation while exacerbating AAD development, making it a novel potential therapeutic target for preventing and treating AAD.


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