1.Rapid health technology assessment of serplulimab in the first-line treatment of small-cell lung cancer
Yibing HOU ; Shuo KANG ; Yuan GONG ; Xiaohui WANG ; Ying NIE ; Huanlong LIU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(11):1405-1410
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of serplulimab as a first-line treatment of small- cell lung cancer (SCLC), and provide an evidence-based basis for drug selection in hospitals. METHODS Rapid health technology assessment was adopted; PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP and official websites of domestic and international health technology assessment agencies were systematically searched from the inception to Oct. 2024. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, assessed the quality of included studies and carried out the qualitative analysis according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS A total of 13 systematic reviews/meta-analyses and 9 economic studies were included, and the literature quality was generally good. In terms of effectiveness, compared with chemotherapy alone, serplulimab combined with chemotherapy significantly improved progression-free survival, overall survival, and objective response rate in patients with SCLC. In terms of safety, serplulimab combined with chemotherapy showed no significant difference in the incidence of ≥3 grade adverse events compared with chemotherapy alone in the treatment of SCLC, indicating a good safety profile; compared with combination therapies involving other immunosuppressive agents, the incidence rate of adverse events was also lower. In terms of cost-effectiveness, compared with chemotherapy alone, serplulimab combined with chemotherapy is not cost- effective, which may be related to the high price of serplulimab. CONCLUSIONS Serplulimab is effective and safe in the treatment of SCLC, but has no obvious advantage in terms of cost-effectiveness.
2.Clinical Efficacy and Mechanism of Shengmai Jiuxin Decoction in Treating Chronic Heart Failure with Qi and Yin Deficiency, Yang Deficiency, and Blood Stasis
Yiming YAO ; Hongjun ZHU ; Yang ZHAO ; Man SHI ; Yujin GONG ; Yuan WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):151-158
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy and potential mechanism of Shengmai Jiuxin decoction in the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) with the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pattern of Qi and Yin deficiency, Yang deficiency, and blood stasis. MethodsA total of 68 patients diagnosed with ADHF of Qi and Yin deficiency, Yang deficiency, and blood stasis type were randomly assigned to an observation group (34 cases) and a control group (34 cases). Both groups received conventional Western medical treatment, while the observation group was additionally administered Shengmai Jiuxin decoction. Parameters compared before and after treatment included: TCM syndrome score, TCM syndrome efficacy, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), six-minute walk distance (6MWD), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), Caspase-3, and the number of rehospitalizations for heart failure within one month after discharge. ResultsThere were no significant differences in sex, age, vital signs, or underlying diseases between the two groups. Compared with baseline, both groups exhibited significant reductions in TCM syndrome scores, NT-proBNP, and HIF-1α levels (P<0.01), as well as significant increases in 6MWD, LVEF, VEGF-A, and Caspase-3 levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, the observation group showed significantly greater reductions in TCM syndrome score, NT-proBNP, HIF-1α, and Caspase-3 levels compared with the control group (P<0.05) and significantly greater increases in 6MWD, TCM syndrome efficacy, and VEGF-A levels (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed between the groups in NYHA functional classification, LVEF, or the number of rehospitalizations for heart failure within one month after discharge. No drug-related adverse events were reported in either group during the treatment period. ConclusionShengmai Jiuxin decoction can improve cardiac function and clinical symptoms in patients with ADHF of Qi and Yin deficiency, Yang deficiency, and blood stasis type. Its mechanisms may be related to the regulation of the HIF-1 signaling pathway by modulating targets such as HIF-1α, VEGF-A, and Caspase-3.
3.Clinical Efficacy and Mechanism of Shengmai Jiuxin Decoction in Treating Chronic Heart Failure with Qi and Yin Deficiency, Yang Deficiency, and Blood Stasis
Yiming YAO ; Hongjun ZHU ; Yang ZHAO ; Man SHI ; Yujin GONG ; Yuan WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):151-158
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy and potential mechanism of Shengmai Jiuxin decoction in the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) with the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pattern of Qi and Yin deficiency, Yang deficiency, and blood stasis. MethodsA total of 68 patients diagnosed with ADHF of Qi and Yin deficiency, Yang deficiency, and blood stasis type were randomly assigned to an observation group (34 cases) and a control group (34 cases). Both groups received conventional Western medical treatment, while the observation group was additionally administered Shengmai Jiuxin decoction. Parameters compared before and after treatment included: TCM syndrome score, TCM syndrome efficacy, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), six-minute walk distance (6MWD), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), Caspase-3, and the number of rehospitalizations for heart failure within one month after discharge. ResultsThere were no significant differences in sex, age, vital signs, or underlying diseases between the two groups. Compared with baseline, both groups exhibited significant reductions in TCM syndrome scores, NT-proBNP, and HIF-1α levels (P<0.01), as well as significant increases in 6MWD, LVEF, VEGF-A, and Caspase-3 levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, the observation group showed significantly greater reductions in TCM syndrome score, NT-proBNP, HIF-1α, and Caspase-3 levels compared with the control group (P<0.05) and significantly greater increases in 6MWD, TCM syndrome efficacy, and VEGF-A levels (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed between the groups in NYHA functional classification, LVEF, or the number of rehospitalizations for heart failure within one month after discharge. No drug-related adverse events were reported in either group during the treatment period. ConclusionShengmai Jiuxin decoction can improve cardiac function and clinical symptoms in patients with ADHF of Qi and Yin deficiency, Yang deficiency, and blood stasis type. Its mechanisms may be related to the regulation of the HIF-1 signaling pathway by modulating targets such as HIF-1α, VEGF-A, and Caspase-3.
4.Aromatic Substances and Their Clinical Application: A Review
Yundan GUO ; Lulu WANG ; Zhili ZHANG ; Chen GUO ; Zhihong PI ; Wei GONG ; Zongping WU ; Dayu WANG ; Tianle GAO ; Cai TIE ; Yuan LIN ; Jiandong JIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):264-272
Aromatherapy refers to the method of using the aromatic components of plants in appropriate forms to act on the entire body or a specific area to prevent and treat diseases. Essential oils used in aromatherapy are hydrophobic liquids containing volatile aromatic molecules, such as limonene, linalool, linalool acetate, geraniol, and citronellol. These chemicals have been extensively studied and shown to have a variety of functions, including reducing anxiety, relieving depression, promoting sleep, and providing pain relief. Terpenoids are a class of organic molecules with relatively low lipid solubility. After being inhaled, they can pass through the nasal mucosa for transfer or penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream upon local application. Some of these substances also have the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, thereby exerting effects on the central nervous system. Currently, the academic community generally agrees that products such as essential oils and aromatherapy from aromatic plants have certain health benefits. However, the process of extracting a single component from it and successfully developing it into a drug still faces many challenges. Its safety and efficacy still need to be further verified through more rigorous and systematic experiments. This article systematically elaborated on the efficacy of aromatic substances, including plant extracts and natural small molecule compounds, in antibacterial and antiviral fields and the regulation of nervous system activity. As a result, a deeper understanding of aromatherapy was achieved. At the same time, the potential of these aromatic substances for drug development was thoroughly explored, providing important references and insights for possible future drug research and application.
5.Impact of milk and egg supplementation on body composition and bone mineral density of rural primary school students in Yunnan Province
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(10):1401-1405
Objective:
To investigate the impact of milk and egg supplementation on body composition and bone mineral density of rural primary school students in Yunnan Province, so as to provide a reference for developing targeted nutritional intervention strategies.
Methods:
In December 2023, a cluster sampling method was adopted to select students from grades one to three in four primary schools each from Jinggu and Shidian countys of Yunnan Province, as the intervention group (662 students). Additionally, two boarding primary schools were selected from each county based on the principle of matching scale and student numbers as the control group (455 students). Starting from April 2023, the intervention group received 200 mL milk and 50 g eggs during the break on school days for 8 months, while the control group maintained their usual diet behavior. Body composition was measured by using bioelectrical impedance analysis, and distal radial bone mineral density was assessed via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in April and December 2023. The intervention effects were analyzed by using a difference in-differences approach.
Results:
The final measurements of body fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass and fat free mass of the intervention group and the control group of primary school students were significantly higher than the baseline values, and the net effect of milk and egg intervention on these body composition indicators was not statistically significant ( P >0.05, both before and after adjustment). In contrast, bone mineral density increased significantly by 0.02 g/cm 2 in the intervention group. The net intervention effect on bone mineral density was statistically significant ( β=0.02, 95%CI =0.00-0.04), and remained significant after model adjustment ( β=0.02, 95%CI =0.00-0.04) (both P < 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed statistically significant effects of the intervention among girls ( β=0.02, 95%CI =0.00-0.04), day students ( β=0.04, 95%CI =0.01-0.07), and students with normal nutritional status ( β=0.02, 95%CI =0.00-0.04) (all P <0.05). No significant effect of milk and egg supplementation was observed on body composition indicators (all P <0.05).
Conclusions
Milk and egg supplementation can improve bone mineral density among rural primary school students in Yunnan Province. It is recommended that rural school aged children should increase intake of milk and eggs to support growth and development.
6.Analysis on Application and Funding Situation of General,Young Scholar and Regional Scholar Programs from NSFC in Field of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in 2023
Yuan XU ; Zipeng GONG ; Juan LI ; Jinwei ZHANG ; Xuewei LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(2):172-178
By combing the application and funding situation of general, young scholar and regional scholar programs from National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC) in field of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine in 2023, this paper summarizes the distribution of supporting units, application and funding hotspots, and the problems of application and funding projects in this discipline, in order to provide a reference for applicants and supporting organizations to understand the hotspot dynamics and reporting requirements of the discipline. In 2023, the discipline of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine received a total of 2 793 applications, and there were 1 254 applications for general programs, 1 278 applications for young scholar programs, and 261 applications for regional scholar programs. The amounts of project funding obtained by the three were 145, 164 and 35, respectively, and the funding rates were 11.56%, 12.83% and 13.41% in that order. From the situation of obtaining funding, the age distribution of the project leaders who obtained funding for the general, young scholar and regional scholar programs were mainly distributed in the age of 40-46, 30-34, 38-44 years, respectively. Within the supported programs, the Chinese medicine affiliations accounted for 55.52%. With respect to research subjects, the proportion of one single Chinese herbs, or monomers, or extracts accounted for 29.4%, but the proportion of Chinese herb pairs or prescriptions accounted for 47.1%. Research hotspots included ferroptosis, bile acid metabolism, macrophages, mitochondria, microglia, exosomes, intestinal flora, microecology and so on. The current research mainly focused on the common key problems of the advantageous diseases of Chinese and western integrative medicine, but still need to be improved in the basic theories of Chinese and western medicine and multidisciplinary cross-disciplinary research.
7.Syndromes and Mechanisms of Depression Induced by Second Hit in Mice
Zihan GONG ; Ying WANG ; Jingwen YANG ; Wenqing LIANG ; Danhua MENG ; Kaijie SHE ; Yuan LIANG ; Guangxin YUE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(6):29-38
ObjectiveTo explore the syndromes and mechanisms of depression induced by maternal separation (MS) combined with chronic restraint stress (RS) in mice. MethodOn postnatal day 0 (PD0), the offspring mice were randomized into a blank group (NC) and a modeling group. The mouse model of depression was established by MS+RS for 21 days. After removal of female mice on PD21, the modeled mice were randomized into model, Wenyang, Jieyu, Wenyang Jieyu, and fluoxetine groups, with 15 mice in each group. The sucrose preference, tail suspension, and open field tests were carried out to evaluate the anxiety and depression-like behavior in mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT) levels in mouse plasma. High performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detector was used to determine the content of monoamine neurotransmitters in the hippocampus. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction was employed to determine the mRNA levels of genes in the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) system, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling pathway in the hippocampus. Immunohistochemistry was employed to determine the expression levels of proteins in the 5-HT system and HPA axis in the hippocampus. The Simple Western system was used to determine the protein levels of BDNF and tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) in the hippocampus. ResultCompared with the NC group, the model group exhibited depression-like behavior, which was significantly relieved by Wenyang Jieyu prescription and fluoxetine. Compared with the NC group, the model group showed elevated levels of CORT and ACTH in the plasma (P<0.01), which, however, were lowered by Wenyang Jieyu prescription and fluoxetine (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the NC group, the model group showed inhibited expression of neurotransmitters in the hippocampus (P<0.05, P<0.01), while Wenyang Jieyu prescription and fluoxetine restored the expression of neurotransmitters (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with NC group, the model group showed inhibition of the 5-HTergic nerve and abnormal activation of the HPA axis, and Wenyang Jieyu prescription and fluoxetine regulated the abnormal state of the 5-HTergic nerve and HPA axis. Compared with NC group, the modeling down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of BDNF and TrkB in the hippocampus (P<0.05, P<0.01), which, however, were recovered in Wenyang, Jieyu, Wenyang Jieyu, and fluoxetine groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionThe mouse model of depression induced by MS+RS may present the syndrome of Yang deficiency and liver depression. Wenyang Jieyu prescription may increase the content of hippocampal neurotransmitters by regulating the 5-HT system and the BDNF signaling pathway mediated by the HPA axis, thereby alleviating depression-like behavior in mice.
8.Wenyang Jieyu Prescription Regulates Hippocampal Neural Plasticity in Depressed Mice via NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β Pathway
Danhua MENG ; Kaijie SHE ; Xiaoying MENG ; Zinhan GONG ; Wenqing LIANG ; Ying WANG ; Yuan LIANG ; Guangxin YUE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(6):39-47
ObjectiveTo explore the effects of Wenyang Jieyu prescription (WJP) on neuroinflammation and synaptic plasticity in the mouse model of depression induced by maternal separation combined with restraint stress. MethodThe mice on postnatal day 0 (PD0) were randomized into a control group and a modeling group. Maternal separation combined with restraint stress was employed to establish the mouse model of depression. After the removal of female mice, the modeled mice were randomized into model, Wenyang prescription (5.85 g·kg-1), Jieyu prescription (12.03 g·kg-1), WJP (16.71 g·kg-1), and fluoxetine (2.6 mg·kg-1) groups on the weaning day (PD21), with 15 mice in each group. The mice were administrated with corresponding drugs mixed with the diet from PD21 to PD111. The sucrose preference test, open field test, O-maze test, and novel object recognition test were then carried out to evaluate the depression state, memory, and learning ability of the mice. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to observe the ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1 (Iba-1) in hippocampal microglia. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to measure the content of noradrenaline (NE) and epinephrine (E) in the hippocampus. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to determine the content of interleukin (IL)-18 and IL-1β in the hippocampus. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), cysteine aspartate-specific protease-1 (Caspase-1), IL-1β, synaptophysin (Syn), and postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95). ResultCompared with control group, the model group showed decreased sucrose preference rate, time spent in central zone within 5 min, total movement distance, time spent in the open arm, and cognition index (P<0.05, P<0.01). The microglia in the model group presented amoeba-like appearance, the Iba1 increased. Moreover, the model group showed decreased content of NE and E (P<0.01), elevated levels of IL-1β and IL-18 (P<0.01), down-regulated protein levels of PSD95 and Syn (P<0.05, P<0.01), and up-regulated protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, and IL-1β (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with model group, WJP and fluoxetine increased the sucrose preference rate, time spent in central zone within 5 min, total movement distance, time spent in the open arm, and cognition index (P<0.05, P<0.01). They recovered the microglia and the Iba1 decreased. Moreover, the drugs increased the content of NE and E (P<0.05, P<0.01), lowered the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 (P<0.01), up-regulated the protein levels of PSD95 and Syn (P<0.01), down-regulated the protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, and IL-1β (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionWJP can treat the depressive behavior induced by maternal separation combined with restraint stress in mice, with the performance outperforming Wenyang prescription and Jieyu prescription. It may alleviate the neuroinflammation induced by microglia and improve the synaptic plasticity by regulating the NLRP3 pathway and increasing neurotransmitters in the hippocampus.
9.Wenyang Jieyu Prescription Regulates Hippocampal Neuron Apoptosis and Improves Synaptic Plasticity in Depressed Mice via BDNF/Akt/mTOR Pathway
Danhua MENG ; Kaijie SHE ; Xiaoying MENG ; Zihan GONG ; Wenqing LIANG ; Ying WANG ; Yuan LIANG ; Guangxin YUE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(6):48-57
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Wenyang Jieyu prescription in regulating hippocampal neuron apoptosis and improving synaptic plasticity in the mouse model of depression induced by maternal separation combined with restraint stress. MethodThe mice on postnatal day 0 (PD0) were randomly assigned into a control group (n=10) and a modeling group (n=50). Maternal separation combined with restraint stress was adopted to establish the mouse model of depression, and the modeled mice were randomized into model, Wenyang prescription, Jieyu prescription, Wenyang Jieyu prescription, and fluoxetine groups (n=10) on the weaning day (PD21). From PD21 to PD111, the mice were fed with the diets mixed with corresponding medicines. The sucrose preference test, open field test, O-maze test, and novel object recognition test were then conducted to evaluate the depression, memory, and learning abilities of mice. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to measure the atomic absorbance (AA) of postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) in the hippocampus. Terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling (TUNEL) was employed to detect the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), phosphorylated tyrosine kinase receptor B/tyrosine kinase receptor B (p-TrkB/TrkB), phosphorylated protein kinase B/protein kinase B (p-Akt/Akt), phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin/mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR/mTOR), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X (Bax), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3 (Caspase-3), synaptophysin (Syn), and PSD95. ResultCompared with the control group, the modeling decreased the sucrose preference rate, time spent in central zone within 5 min, total movement distance, time spent in the open arm, and cognition index (P<0.01). Furthermore, it decreased the expression of PSD95, increased the neuron apoptosis in the hippocampus (P<0.01), down-regulated the protein levels of BDNF, p-TrkB/TrkB, p-Akt/Akt, p-mTOR/mTOR, Bcl-2, PSD95, and Syn (P<0.01), and up-regulated the protein levels of Bax and Caspase-3 (P<0.05) in the hippocampus. Compared with the model group, Wenyang Jieyu prescription and fluoxetine increased the sucrose preference rate, time spent in central zone within 5 min, total movement distance, time spent in the open arm, and cognition index (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, the drugs increased the expression of PSD95, reduced the neuron apoptosis (P<0.01), up-regulated the protein levels of BDNF, p-TrkB/TrkB, p-Akt/Akt, p-mTOR/mTOR, Bcl-2, PSD95, and Syn (P<0.01), and down-regulated the protein levels of Bax and Caspase-3 (P<0.01). ConclusionWenyang Jieyu prescription outperformed Wenyang prescription and Jieyu prescription in the treatment of the depressive behavior induced by maternal separation combined with restraint stress in mice. It exerted the therapeutic effect by reducing the hippocampal neuron apoptosis and improving the synaptic plasticity via the BDNF/Akt/mTOR pathway.
10.Efficacy of the ACS NSQIP surgical risk calculator in open radical hysterectomy
Shenglong YUAN ; Huanhuan HU ; Zhen GONG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2024;40(2):140-145
Objectives To evaluate the complications predicting efficacy of the American College of Surgeons(ACS)National Surgical Quality Improvement Program(NSQIP)surgical risk calculator for cervical cancer patients undergoing open radical hysterectomy in China.Methods This study enrolled the cervical cancer patients(139 cases)undertaken open radical hysterectomy at Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from Janu-ary to December in 2021.Preoperative risk factors were abstracted from medical records and the surgical risk scores were calculated using ACS NSQIP surgical risk calculator.The association between risk scores and actual outcomes were assessed using logistic regression together with the c-statistic(area under ROC)and Brier score.Results The ACSNSQIP calculator did not predict accurately for serious complications,any complications,venous thrombo-embolism(VTE),readmission,return operation room and surgical site infection(SSI)compared with actual out-comes.There was significantly difference in the predicted and actual length of stay(3.93±0.42 days vs.13.11±4.71 days,P<0.001).Conclusions The ACS NSQIP surgical risk calculator failed to predict the postoperative complications and the length of hospital stay for cervical cancer patients undergoing open radical hysterectomy.


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