1.Evaluation of CARIFS Score and Negative Antigen Conversion Rate of Qingxuan Daozhi Formula in Treatment of Influenza in Children (Heat Accumulation in Lung and Stomach Syndrome):A Multi-center Randomized Controlled Clinical Study
Jing WANG ; Liqun WU ; Tiegang LIU ; Yongning CAO ; Jing QIU ; Jing LI ; Huaqing TAN ; Ying ZHANG ; Xulei GOU ; Jia WANG ; Jing LI ; Haipeng CHEN ; Xueying QIN ; Yuanshuo TIAN ; Yang WANG ; Chen BAI ; Zhendong WANG ; Qianqian LI ; He YU ; Xueyan MA ; Fei DONG ; Lin JIANG ; Yingqi XU ; Jianping LIU ; Xiaohong GU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):188-196
ObjectiveThis paper aims to observe the syndrome improvement and negative antigen conversion rate of Qingxuan Daozhi formula in the treatment of influenza in children (heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome). MethodsThrough a multi-center randomized controlled methodology design,confirmed influenza cases were collected from October 2022 to April 2023 in the pediatrics department of eight hospitals,such as Dongfang Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. A total of 180 children with influenza and heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome conforming to the standard were recruited through the clinic. The sick children meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into groups by a block-randomized method. The children in the experimental group were treated with Qingxuan Daozhi formula for five days,and those in the control group were treated with Oseltamivir Phosphate Granules for five days. The primary efficacy indicator was the negative conversion rate of influenza antigen detection. Secondary efficacy indicators were the Canadian acute respiratory illness and flu scale (CARIFS) and the incidence of complications,severe cases, and critical cases. Follow-up observation was conducted on the day of enrollment,48 hours after medication,72 hours after medication, and (6+1) d after medication. ResultsOne hundred and eighty participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (90 cases) or the control group (90 cases). All participants were followed up during the study. Comparison of influenza antigen detection results in the primary efficacy indicators showed that the average time of negative influenza antigen conversion in the experimental group was (5.29±1.25) d,and that in the control group was (5.40±1.68) d,without a statistically significant difference. After five days of intervention,52 cases in the experimental group and 51 cases in the control group converted to negative,without a statistically significant difference. CARIFS score results in the secondary efficacy indicators showed that during 72 hours after intervention,there were statistically significant differences between the experimental group and the control group in three dimensions, including headache,muscle soreness, and the need for extra care (P<0.05). On the (6+1) days after the intervention,the differences in both the experimental group and the control group were statistically significant in 10 dimensions, including sore throat,bad sleep,uncomfortable feeling,poor spirit and fatigue,crying more than usual,the need for extra care,symptom,function,influence on parents,and total score (P<0.05). The comparison results within the group in the dimensional scores of symptom, function, and influence on parents,as well as the CARIFS total score showed that with the delay of follow-up time,scores of both groups decreased significantly,with a statistically significant difference (P<0.01). Inter-group comparison results showed that the mean score of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group at the time of enrollment. With the progress of intervention,the score of the experimental group was significantly decreased compared with that of the control group. At the end of follow-up,the mean score of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group,with no statistically significant difference. In terms of the incidence of complications,severe cases, and critical cases, there were no complications,severe cases, and critical cases in the two groups,without a statistically significant difference. ConclusionThe symptom improvement effect and negative antigen conversion rate of Qingxuan Daozhi formula in the treatment of influenza in children (heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome) are not inferior to Oseltamivir Phosphate granules, and children's acceptance is better. It can be more widely used in clinical treatment of influenza in children (heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome).
2.Study on toxicity and mechanism of Epimedium sagittatum(Sieb.et Zucc.)Maxim based on"serum toxicology"
Rong SHEN ; Jiang-jie LONG ; Yu-tong DONG ; Hao-ran HUYAN ; Li-zhen QIU ; Kun ZHOU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(12):2348-2353
Aim To evaluate the toxicity and mecha-nism of Epimedium sagittatum(Sieb.et Zucc.)Maxim aqueous extract(ESMAE)on HepaRG cells based on serum toxicology.Methods MTT assay was used to detect the activity of HepaRG cells after treatment with the serum containing ESMAE from SD rats.Western blot was used to detect the effects of the serum contai-ning drug on the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins(PERK,eIF-2α,ATF-4,GRP78,CHOP)and pyroptosis related proteins(NL-RP1,caspase-1,cleaved caspase-1,GSDMD,GSDMD-N).MTT assay was used to detect the activity of Hep-aRG cells after treatment with the liver homogenate containing ESMAE from SD rats.Results Twenty percent serum containing drug significantly decreased the viability of HepaRG cells,with the cells exhibiting swelling,rupture,and vesicle-like pyroptosis.The ex-pression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins PERK,eIF-2α,ATF-4,GRP78,and CHOP significantly increased.The expression levels of pro-teins involved in the NLRP1-mediated classical pyrop-tosis pathway were significantly increased.Finally the liver homogenate containing drug decreased the cell ac-tivity,and cells exhibited swelling,rupture,and vesicle-like pyroptosis.Conclusions After administration of ESMAE,the serum containing drug and the liver ho-mogenate containing drug of rats show toxicity to Hep-aRG cells,and can induce endoplasmic reticulum stress and activate the NLRP1/caspase-1/GSDMD pyroptosis pathway in HepaRG cells.
3.Analysis of the Current Situation of Orphan Drugs for the Treatment of Rare Diseases in Children and Their Coverage Level of National Basic Medical Insurance in China
Yu HOU ; Aili REYISHAMU ; Li ZHOU ; Yaqin WANG ; Liru QIU ; Dong LIU ; Shiwei GONG ; Wenting ZHANG
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(12):1962-1970
Objective To establish a pediatric rare disease catalog,analyze the current status of therapeutic drugs and their coverage of the medical insurance in China,and propose strategies to enhance drug accessibility.Methods Pediatric rare diseases were identified from China's two national rare disease catalogs combined with the EU Orphanet database,US FDA orphan drug database,and the Diagnosis and Treatment Standards for Rare Diseases in Children.We created a specialized drug catalog for pediatric rare diseases,then analyzed drug types(ATC classification),pricing,and medical insurance coverage using descriptive statistics based on Yaozhi.com drug bidding prices and the 2024 Drug of List National Basic Medical Insurance(NBMIDL).Drug affordability was assessed through annual treatment cost calculations.Results The national catalogs included 151 pediatric rare diseases(72.95%of listed conditions),spanning 13 disease systems.We identified 94 dedicated orphan drugs(by generic name)for these conditions,among which 43 were approved internationally but unavailable in China.The average unit price per package was 6 113.53 yuan.Overall NBMIDL coverage was 68.83%,but drugs priced above 7 000 yuan per unit had only 7.69%coverage.Annual treatment costs reached 4.54 million for laronidase(mucopolysaccharidosis).Conclusions Critical gaps persist in China's pediatric rare disease treatment landscape,including catalog deficiencies,inadequate coverage for high-cost drugs and insufficient domestic innovation.It is recommended to establish a list of orphan drugs for pediatric rare diseases,accelerate the import of foreign drugs and the local innovative drugs through policy incentives,optimizing medical insurance reimbursement mechanisms for pediatric rare disease drugs to comprehensively improve therapeutic accessibility.
4.Analysis of the Current Situation of Orphan Drugs for the Treatment of Rare Diseases in Children and Their Coverage Level of National Basic Medical Insurance in China
Yu HOU ; Aili REYISHAMU ; Li ZHOU ; Yaqin WANG ; Liru QIU ; Dong LIU ; Shiwei GONG ; Wenting ZHANG
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(12):1962-1970
Objective To establish a pediatric rare disease catalog,analyze the current status of therapeutic drugs and their coverage of the medical insurance in China,and propose strategies to enhance drug accessibility.Methods Pediatric rare diseases were identified from China's two national rare disease catalogs combined with the EU Orphanet database,US FDA orphan drug database,and the Diagnosis and Treatment Standards for Rare Diseases in Children.We created a specialized drug catalog for pediatric rare diseases,then analyzed drug types(ATC classification),pricing,and medical insurance coverage using descriptive statistics based on Yaozhi.com drug bidding prices and the 2024 Drug of List National Basic Medical Insurance(NBMIDL).Drug affordability was assessed through annual treatment cost calculations.Results The national catalogs included 151 pediatric rare diseases(72.95%of listed conditions),spanning 13 disease systems.We identified 94 dedicated orphan drugs(by generic name)for these conditions,among which 43 were approved internationally but unavailable in China.The average unit price per package was 6 113.53 yuan.Overall NBMIDL coverage was 68.83%,but drugs priced above 7 000 yuan per unit had only 7.69%coverage.Annual treatment costs reached 4.54 million for laronidase(mucopolysaccharidosis).Conclusions Critical gaps persist in China's pediatric rare disease treatment landscape,including catalog deficiencies,inadequate coverage for high-cost drugs and insufficient domestic innovation.It is recommended to establish a list of orphan drugs for pediatric rare diseases,accelerate the import of foreign drugs and the local innovative drugs through policy incentives,optimizing medical insurance reimbursement mechanisms for pediatric rare disease drugs to comprehensively improve therapeutic accessibility.
5.Research advances in risk factors and prediction of stroke-associated pneumonia
Yu SUN ; Lei SONG ; Xiaoming QIU ; Fengyin JIANG ; Xuelian DONG ; Yufei FU
Chinese Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2025;22(9):636-643
Stroke-associated pneumonia(SAP),a frequent complication of stroke,adversely affects clinical outcomes and functional recovery.Identifying SAP risk factors and developing robust predictive models are critical for improving patient management.This article reviews recent research advances in SAP risk factors and risk prediction,emphasizes emerging risk factors-including sarcopenia epidemiology,gut microbiota dysbiosis,and thyroid dysfunction-and novel predictive approaches such as risk stratification scores,neuroimaging,biomarkers,and artificial intelligence.We aim to enhance clinical recognition of SAP to facilitate early intervention,reduce incidence,and optimize stroke prognosis.
6.Epimedokoreanin B induces pyroptosis in HepaRG cells through NLRP1/caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway
Yu-tong DONG ; Hao-ran HU-YAN ; Li-zhen QIU ; Chao MA ; Shao-xia WANG ; Kun ZHOU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2053-2057
Aim To explore the role and mechanism of epimedokoreanin B(EKB)in HepaRG cell pyroptosis through endoplasmic reticulum stress and NLRP1-me-diated pyroptosis pathway.Methods The effect of EKB on the viability of HepaRG cells at different con-centrations was determined by MTT assay,and the cell growth status was recorded by Incucyte.Four groups of HepaRG cells were set up.The control group was cul-tured with complete medium for 24 h;the drug admin-istration group was cultured with three concentration gradients of 6.25,12.5 and 25 μmol·L-1 of EKB for 24 h.Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins and pyroptosis-related proteins in the cells of each group.Results HepaRG cells showed cytotoxicity at a concentration of 6.25 μmol·L-1 for 24 h,and the half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)was 12.41 μmol·L-1.Incucyte recordings of the cell growth status showed that the cells in the control group were in good growth status,and the vesicular pyropto-sis cells appeared in the different concentrations of EKB and the cells swelled and ruptured after 24 h.Western blot showed that the protein expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins pERK,eIF-2α,ATF-4,GRP78,and CHOP significantly in-creased in HepaRG cells at 25 μmol·L-1 of EKB compared with the control group.The proteins of the classical pathway of cellular pyroptosis mediated by NLRP1,caspase-1,cleaved caspase-1,GSDMD,GS-DMD-N significantly increased in HepaRG cells.Con-clusion EKB administration induces HepaRG cell py-roptosis,and EKB activates HepaRG cells to undergo endoplasmic reticulum stress and activates the NLRP1/caspase-1/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis pathway.
7.Clinical trail of vericiguat combined with sacubitril valsartan sodium in the treatment of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Miao-jun WANG ; Shi-ping XU ; Xiao-jin PAN ; Zhi-dong YE ; Yu-fang LIAN ; Jun QIU ; Shao-tang LU ; Sheng-jie ZHOU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2025;41(1):6-10
Objective To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of vericiguat tablets combined with sacubitril valsartan sodium(Sac/Val)tablets in the treatment of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF).Methods The HFrEF patients were divided into control group and treatment group according to the cohort method.The control group was treated with Sac/Val tablets 200 mg per time,bid,orally.On the basis of control group,the treatment group was treated with vericiguat tablets 2.5 mg per time,qd,taken with meal.Two groups were treated for 3 months.The clinical efficacy,left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular end-diastolic dimension(LVEDD)and end-systolic diameter(LVESD),levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),interleukin-6(IL-6),nitric oxide(NO),N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP),blood urea nitrogen(BUN)and serum creatinine(SCr),and safety were compared between the two groups.During follow-up,the heart failure rehospitalization rates and major adverse cardiovascular events were compared between the two groups.Results Treatment group was enrolled 53 patients,control group was enrolled 53 patients.After treatment,the total effective rates of treatment and control groups were 94.34%(50 cases/53 cases)and 81.13%(43 cases/53 cases)with statistical significant difference(P<0.05).After treatment,the LVEF of treatment and control groups were(48.02±5.20)%and(43.02±4.33)%,the LVEDDs were(52.85±6.30)and(55.63±6.88)mm,the LVESDs were(41.64±6.40)and(44.22±5.85)mm,the levels of hs-CRP were(10.22±2.63)and(14.60±2.98)mg L-1,the levels of IL-6 were(14.48±2.40)and(17.36±2.52)pg·mL-1,the levels of NO were(102.60±20.16)and(92.16±16.33)μmol·L-1,the levels of NT-proBNP were(898.74±102.20)and(1315.60±182.64)ng·L-1,the levels of BUN were(12.02±2.28)and(13.45±2.33)mmol·L-1,the levels of SCr were(82.22±5.89)and(85.64±6.03)μmol·L-1,the heart failure rehospitalization rates were 5.66%and 13.21%,respectively;the differences were statistical significant between two groups(all P<0.05).The adverse drug reactions of treatment group were hyperkalemia,hypotension,renal dysfunction,dizziness and headache,while those in control group were renal dysfunction,hyperkalemia,and hypotension.The major adverse cardiovascular events of treatment group were angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction,while those in control group were angina pectoris,acute myocardial infarction and atrial fibrillation.The incidences of total adverse drug reactions in treatment and control groups were 13.21%and 7.55%,the incidences of major adverse cardiovascular events were 5.66%and 13.21%,respectively,without statistically significant differences(all P>0.05).Conclusion Vericiguat tablets combined with Sac/Val tablets have a definitive clinical efficacy in the treatment of HFrEF patients,which can improve cardiac and endothelial function,reduce inflammatory response and readmission times,without increasing the incidences of adverse drug reactions.
8.Epimedokoreanin B induces pyroptosis in HepaRG cells through NLRP1/caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway
Yu-tong DONG ; Hao-ran HU-YAN ; Li-zhen QIU ; Chao MA ; Shao-xia WANG ; Kun ZHOU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2053-2057
Aim To explore the role and mechanism of epimedokoreanin B(EKB)in HepaRG cell pyroptosis through endoplasmic reticulum stress and NLRP1-me-diated pyroptosis pathway.Methods The effect of EKB on the viability of HepaRG cells at different con-centrations was determined by MTT assay,and the cell growth status was recorded by Incucyte.Four groups of HepaRG cells were set up.The control group was cul-tured with complete medium for 24 h;the drug admin-istration group was cultured with three concentration gradients of 6.25,12.5 and 25 μmol·L-1 of EKB for 24 h.Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins and pyroptosis-related proteins in the cells of each group.Results HepaRG cells showed cytotoxicity at a concentration of 6.25 μmol·L-1 for 24 h,and the half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)was 12.41 μmol·L-1.Incucyte recordings of the cell growth status showed that the cells in the control group were in good growth status,and the vesicular pyropto-sis cells appeared in the different concentrations of EKB and the cells swelled and ruptured after 24 h.Western blot showed that the protein expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins pERK,eIF-2α,ATF-4,GRP78,and CHOP significantly in-creased in HepaRG cells at 25 μmol·L-1 of EKB compared with the control group.The proteins of the classical pathway of cellular pyroptosis mediated by NLRP1,caspase-1,cleaved caspase-1,GSDMD,GS-DMD-N significantly increased in HepaRG cells.Con-clusion EKB administration induces HepaRG cell py-roptosis,and EKB activates HepaRG cells to undergo endoplasmic reticulum stress and activates the NLRP1/caspase-1/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis pathway.
9.Research advances in risk factors and prediction of stroke-associated pneumonia
Yu SUN ; Lei SONG ; Xiaoming QIU ; Fengyin JIANG ; Xuelian DONG ; Yufei FU
Chinese Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2025;22(9):636-643
Stroke-associated pneumonia(SAP),a frequent complication of stroke,adversely affects clinical outcomes and functional recovery.Identifying SAP risk factors and developing robust predictive models are critical for improving patient management.This article reviews recent research advances in SAP risk factors and risk prediction,emphasizes emerging risk factors-including sarcopenia epidemiology,gut microbiota dysbiosis,and thyroid dysfunction-and novel predictive approaches such as risk stratification scores,neuroimaging,biomarkers,and artificial intelligence.We aim to enhance clinical recognition of SAP to facilitate early intervention,reduce incidence,and optimize stroke prognosis.
10.Effect of Carbohydrate Intake Order on Metabolic Profiles of Endurance Exercise Mice in a High-temperature Environment
Huan-Yu WANG ; Guo-Dong ZHOU ; Ru-Wen WANG ; Jun QIU ; Ru WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1529-1543
ObjectiveThe primary objective of this study was to investigate the effects of carbohydrate intake order on post-exercise recovery and metabolic regulation under heat stress, particularly in models of exercise induced fatigue. Given the increasing significance of optimizing nutritional strategies to support performance in extreme environmental conditions, this study aimed to provide experimental evidence that contributes to a better understanding of how the sequence in which carbohydrates are consumed impacts exercise recovery, metabolic homeostasis, and fatigue alleviation in a high-temperature environment. MethodsA mouse model of exercise-induced fatigue was established under high-temperature (35°C) to simulate heat stress. The subjects were divided into 3 distinct groups based on their carbohydrate intake order: the “mixed intake” group (HOT_MIX), where all macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) were consumed in a balanced ratio; the “carbohydrate-first intake” group (HOT_CHO), where carbohydrates were consumed first followed by other macronutrients; the “carbohydrate-later intake” group (HOT_PRO), where proteins and fats were consumed prior to carbohydrates. Each group underwent a 7 d intervention period with daily intake according to their designated group. Exercise performance was assessed using rotarod retention time test, and biomarkers of muscle damage, such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), lactate (LD), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), were measured. Furthermore, targeted metabolomics analyses were conducted to investigate metabolic shifts in response to different dietary strategies, and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was employed to explore the biological mechanisms underlying these changes. ResultsThe findings demonstrated that the HOT_PRO group exhibited a significantly improved performance in the rotarod test, with a longer retention time compared to both the HOT_MIX and HOT_CHO groups (P<0.05). Additionally, this group showed significantly reduced levels of muscle damage markers such as LDH and CK, indicating that the carbohydrate-later intake strategy helped alleviate exercise-induced muscle injury. Metabolomic profiling of the HOT_PRO group showed marked increases in alanine, creatine, and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), indicating shifts in amino acid metabolism and oxidative metabolism. Conversely, metabolites such as spermidine, cholesterol sulfate, cholesterol, and serine were significantly reduced in the HOT_PRO group, pointing to alterations in lipid and sterol metabolism. Further analysis of the differential metabolites revealed that these changes were primarily associated with key metabolic pathways, including glycine-serine-threonine metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, and steroid hormone biosynthesis. These pathways are essential for energy production, antioxidant defense, and muscle recovery, suggesting that the carbohydrate-later feeding strategy may promote metabolic homeostasis and improve exercise recovery by enhancing these critical metabolic processes. ConclusionThe results of this study support the hypothesis that consuming carbohydrates after proteins and fats during exercise recovery enhances metabolic homeostasis and accelerates recovery under heat stress. This strategy effectively modulates energy, amino acid, and lipid-related pathways, which are crucial for improving endurance performance and mitigating fatigue in high-temperature environments. The findings suggest that carbohydrate-later intake could be a promising nutritional strategy for athletes and individuals exposed to heat during physical activity. Furthermore, the study provides valuable insights into how different nutrient timing strategies can impact exercise recovery and metabolic regulation, paving the way for more personalized and effective nutritional interventions in extreme environmental conditions.

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