1.Signal mining for bleeding risk associated with the concomitant use of direct oral anticoagulants and triazole antifungals
Ziyang WU ; Ying ZHU ; Menghua ZHANG ; Na HE ; Qiong QIN ; Cheng XIE
China Pharmacy 2026;37(9):1185-1189
OBJECTIVE To assess the bleeding risk signals associated with the concomitant use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and triazole antifungals, and to provide pharmacovigilance evidence for the safety evaluation and monitoring of combined clinical use. METHODS Adverse event reports involving the concomitant use of DOACs and triazole antifungals were extracted from the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) from the first quarter of 2004 to the third quarter of 2025. Nine bleeding-related preferred terms (PTs) were selected. The Ω shrinkage measure, additive model, multiplicative model, and combined risk ratio method were employed to detect drug-drug interaction signals. The strength of positive signals was further analyzed based on the Ω shrinkage measure. RESULTS A total of 790 adverse event reports involving the concomitant use of DOACs and triazole antifungals were included, among which 229 reports involved nine bleeding-related PTs. A total of 13 signals were consistently identified as posit ive by all four methods. These signals involved six drug combinations: apixaban-fluconazole, apixaban-posaconazole, rivaroxaban-itraconazole, dabigatran etexilate-fluconazole, apixaban-voriconazole, and dabigatran etexilate-itraconazole. The Ω shrinkage measure showed that the apixaban-posaconazole combination exhibited stronger signals for bleeding ( Ω =2.73, Ω 025 =2.05) and hemoptysis ( Ω =2.17, Ω 025 =0.83); the apixaban-fluconazole combination exhibited stronger signals for hematoma ( Ω =2.30, Ω 025 =1.47) and hematuria ( Ω =1.71, Ω 025 =0.74); the rivaroxaban-itraconazole combination exhibited stronger signals for epistaxis ( Ω =2.01, Ω 025 =0.90) and hematoma ( Ω =1.93, Ω 025 =0.42); no positive Ω signals were observed for intracranial hemorrhage or upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. CONCLUSION S This study suggests that the concomitant use of DOACs and triazole antifungals may increase the risk of bleeding-related events, with differences in signal strength and signal distribution across various drug combinations. In clinical practice, particular attention should be paid to the concomitant use of apixaban or rivaroxaban with strong cytochrome P450 3A4 or P-glycoprotein inhibitors such as posaconazole and itraconazole. For other DOAC-triazole antifungal combinations, close monitoring for bleeding-related manifestations and timely adjustment of anticoagulation or antifungal regimens are also warranted.
2.Analysis of the interaction between circadian rhythm and other influencing factors in age-related macular degeneration
International Eye Science 2026;26(1):50-55
Circadian rhythm(CR)is an intrinsic biological clock mechanism within organisms that regulates physiological and biochemical processes, enabling synchronization with periodic fluctuations in the external environment. This rhythmicity not only influences the sleep-wake cycle but also encompasses various physiological functions, including metabolism, hormone secretion, cell proliferation, and immune responses. Age-related macular degeneration(ARMD), a prevalent retinal disease, has been significantly associated with disruptions in CR. ARMD is among the leading causes of vision loss in the elderly, with a complex pathogenesis involving multiple factors such as genetics, environmental influences, and lifestyle choices. This article will focus on the molecular mechanisms linking CR and ARMD, analyzing how disruptions in CR affect the physiological state and metabolic processes of retinal cells, ultimately contributing to the onset and progression of ARMD. Additionally, this article will elucidate the interactions effects of CR on ARMD in relation to oxidative stress, regulation of Aβ, inflammatory pathways, and mitochondrial homeostasis. By deepening our understanding of the relationship between CR and ARMD, we aim to provide new insights and directions for future clinical interventions and treatments.
3.A prospective study of impact of spicy food intake on risk for cardio/cerebrovascular disease in residents aged 30-79 years
Ziyang LUO ; Xiaofang CHEN ; Xiaofang CHEN ; Xia WU ; Xiaoyu CHANG ; Zhuo WANG ; Xueli ZHANG ; Jun LYU ; Canqing YU ; Pei PEI ; Dianjianyi SUN ; Xianping WU
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(7):1150-1159
Objective:To explore the association between spicy food intake and the risk for cardio/cerebrovascular diseases.Methods:Data were collected from the China Kadoorie Biobank project conducted in Pengzhou, Sichuan Province. Using the Cox proportional hazards regression model, we analyzed the associations of the frequency of spicy food intake, spicy level, types of spicy food, and the age when regular intake of spicy food began (intake in 1 day/week), with the risk for cardio/cerebrovascular disease. Furthermore, the associations with the risks for ischemic heart disease (IHD) and cerebrovascular diseases, as well as the risk of ischemic stroke (IS) and hemorrhagic stroke (HS) were analyzed.Results:A total of 54 859 study participants were included in the study, in whom 49 320 had spicy food intake (89.90%). In these participants, 37 680 (68.69%) had spicy food intake in 6-7 days/week, 5 036 (9.18%) had spicy food intake in 1-5 days/week, and 6 604 (12.03%) had spicy food intake once a week; 5 539 (10.10%) had never/almost never had spicy food intake. After adjusting for multiple confounding factors, compared with those who never/almost never had spicy food intake, intake of spicy food was associated with reduced risks for IHD (intake in 6-7 days/week: HR=0.86, 95% CI: 0.78-0.95), cerebrovascular diseases (intake in 6-7 days/week: HR=0.88, 95% CI: 0.81-0.96), and IS (intak in 6-7 days/week: HR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.76-0.95). With the increase of spicy food intake frequency, the risk for cardio/cerebrovascular disease decreased (intake in 1-5 days/week: HR=0.91, 95% CI: 0.85-0.98; intake in 6-7 days/week: HR=0.89, 95% CI: 0.84-0.94) (trend test P<0.001). However, no statistical association was found between spicy food intake and the risk for HS. In terms of spicy level, after adjusting for multiple confounding factors, compared with those who never/almost never had spicy food intake, intake of spicy food was associated with reduced risk for cardio/cerebrovascular disease (moderate: HR=0.86, 95% CI: 0.82-0.90) and cerebrovascular disease (moderate: HR=0.90, 95% CI: 0.84-0.97). With the increase of spicy level, the risk for IHD decreased (moderate: HR=0.86, 95% CI: 0.79-0.93; strong: HR=0.84, 95% CI: 0.74-0.95) (trend test P<0.001). After adjusting for multiple confounding factors, compared with those who never/almost never had spicy food intake, intake of any type of spicy food was associated with reduced risk for cardio/cerebrovascular disease, IHD, and cerebrovascular disease. Regulat intake of spicy food from age 0-10 years was associated with reduced risk for cardio/cerebrovascular disease, IHD, and cerebrovascular disease. Regular intake of spicy food from age 11-20 years reduced the risk for cardio/cerebrovascular disease and IHD. There was no significant association between the regular intake of spicy food from age 21-79 years and the risks for cardio/cerebrovascular disease, IHD and cerebrovascular disease. Conclusion:The intake of spicy food could reduced the risk for cardio/cerebrovascular diseases, IHD, cerebrovascular diseases and IS in residents aged 30-79 years in Sichuan.
4.Curcumin ameliorates the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy by regulating intestinal mucosal immunity through inhibition of Toll-like receptor 9/myeloid differentiation factor 88/nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway
Ziyang YE ; Qi DUAN ; Feng WU ; Xiaotong LI ; Sijie ZHANG ; Yafeng LI
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2025;41(5):358-371
Objective:To explore the role of curcumin (Cur) in improving IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and its related mechanisms.Methods:Fifty 7-month-old miR-23b knockout (miR-23b -/-) mice weighing (25±5) g were used to establish an IgAN disease model, and were randomly divided into IgAN group, IgAN+Cur (150 mg/kg) group and IgAN+Cur (300 mg/kg) group using simple randomisation. Sixteen healthy 7-month-old weighing (25±3) g C57BL/6J wild-type mice served as the normal control group. IgAN+Cur (150 mg/kg) and IgAN+Cur (300 mg/kg) groups were respectively gavaged continuously with 150 mg/kg Cur and 300 mg/kg Cur for 8 weeks, and the normal control and IgAN groups were gavaged continuously with an equal dose of 0.9% sodium chloride solution for 8 weeks. The samples of urine, serum, intestinal fluid, intestinal tissues, kidney tissues and liver tissues were collected from each group. In vitro experiments, human cloned colon adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells were divided into blank control (Ctrl), Ctrl+Cur (10 μmol/L), Ctrl+ Cur (60 μmol/L), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), TNF-α+Cur (10 μmol/L) and TNF-α+Cur (60 μmol/L) groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, secretory IgA (sIgA), creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, 24 h urine microalbumin, as well as sIgA, TNF-α, interleukin(IL)-6 and IL-1β in the intestinal fluids. HE staining was used to observe the effect of Cur on liver tissues, the hyperplasia of glomerular mesangial zone in kidney tissues and the morphological and structural changes of intestinal epithelial barrier, and the histopathological damage scores were performed respectively. PAS staining was used to observe the changes of glomerular basement membrane and mesangial matrix. Immunofluorescence was used to observe the deposition of immune complexes in the glomerular mesangial zone. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of B-cell activating factor ( BAFF) and a proliferation inducing ligand ( APRIL). Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression levels of tight junction proteins zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1) and occludin in the mouse intestinal tissues. The potential targets of Cur in IgAN were predicted. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression levels of tight junction proteins, as well as Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), myeloid differentiation primary response protein (MyD88), nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65) and p-NF-κB p65. Results:Genetic identification results revealed that all IgAN model mice exhibited the miR-23b -/- genotype, confirming successful model establishment. Seven-month-old mice were subsequently selected for Cur treatment. Histopathological analysis demonstrated no significant differences in hepatic tissue morphology across groups, with comparable liver histopathological injury scores and unaltered liver function parameters, thereby validating the safety of Cur administration. Compared with the normal control group, IgAN mice displayed elevated levels of serum sIgA, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and 24 h urine microalbumin (all P<0.05). Renal pathological results revealed severe mesangial hypercellularity in glomeruli, higher glomerular injury scores, and notable glomerular mesangial deposits of IgA, IgG and complement C3 in IgAN mice (all P<0.05). Additionally, intestinal pathological alterations were observed, including structural changes in intestinal epithelium and Peyer's patches, accompanied by significantly higher intestinal histopathological injury scores in IgAN mice ( P<0.05). Intestinal epithelial expression levels of ZO-1 and occludin were significantly reduced, while sIgA, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in intestinal fluid were elevated (all P<0.05). Serum FITC fluorescence intensity was markedly increased, and intestinal tissue exhibited upregulated mRNA expression of BAFF and APRIL (all P<0.05). Following Cur treatment, serum sIgA level and renal function indices in mice showed partial recovery (all P<0.05). Renal pathological improvements included alleviated mesangial hypercellularity, reduced glomerular injury scores, and diminished glomerular immune complex deposition (all P<0.05). Intestinal pathologies, including epithelial and Peyer's patch lesions, were mitigated, with decreased intestinal histopathological injury scores ( P<0.05). Additionally, intestinal tight junction protein expression levels were upregulated, intestinal fluid sIgA level was reduced, inflammatory markers were attenuated, serum FITC fluorescence intensity was declined, and intestinal BAFF and APRIL mRNA expression levels were downregulated (all P<0.05). In vitro experiments demonstrated that TNF-α exposure reduced tight junction protein expression in Caco-2 cells, whereas Cur treatment reversed the effect (all P<0.05). Target prediction analysis revealed that Cur effectively bound to TLR9 structural domain in IgAN. Experimental validation confirmed that Cur treatment suppressed the upregulated protein expression levels of TLR9, MyD88, NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65 in intestinal tissues of IgAN mice (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Cur has a significant effect in the treatment of IgAN and can regulate intestinal mucosal immunity by inhibiting the TLR9/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby reducing renal injury and protecting the kidneys.
5.Proton beam range verification algorithm for pixelated prompt gamma-ray imaging detector
Liwang YANG ; Haifeng OU ; Jinlong WANG ; Xiaoguang WU ; Ziyang HE ; Jian'an ZOU ; Yun ZHENG ; Congbo LI ; Shaoxiong GUAN ; Jing SHI ; Jinze LI ; Yunqiu LI ; Rui HONG ; Hao'en CHANG ; Mengting WANG ; Kaijie WEI
Chinese Journal of Medical Physics 2025;42(3):281-287
In proton therapy,prompt gamma-ray imaging is considered as one of the most promising methods for assessing proton beam range.Prompt gamma-ray imaging detector evaluates the proton beam range based on the prompt gamma-ray distribution obtained by the prompt gamma-ray imaging system,which enables high-precision measurement of the proton beam range.Herein a proton beam range verification algorithm is designed for the newly developed prototype of the range verification detector(pixelated prompt gamma-ray imaging detector),which verifies the range estimation accuracy of the prototype for different phantoms and different energies of homogeneous media through Monte Carlo simulation.The results show that the accuracy of the proton beam range verification algorithm is within 0.5 mm of the safety margin error of the Bragg peak,and the measurement accuracy is significantly improved with the increase of the number of protons,indicating that the prototype algorithm is feasible for proton beam range verification.
6.Intolerance of uncertainty and obsessive-compulsive disorder
Di LI ; Zifeng ZHENG ; Chaoyi WU ; Ziyang BI ; Zhen WANG
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(9):846-851
The high comorbidity and heterogeneity of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) underscore the importance of better understanding its transdiagnostic features. Intolerance of uncertainty (IU), a transdiagnostic negative psychological trait, has been consistently linked to a variety of psychiatric disorders, including OCD. IU is hierarchically structured, comprising general IU, inhibitory IU and prospective IU, each of them potentially relating differently to OCD symptom dimensions. For example, inhibitory IU has shown specific associations with procrastination behaviors. Neuroimaging studies indicate that OCD patients demonstrate abnormal neural activity within the fronto-limbic circuit and salience network, including anterior insula, amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex, during IU-related psychological processes. This review synthesizes findings across three key areas: symptom presentation, neurobiological mechanisms and intervention strategies, aiming to clarify the role of IU in OCD. Furthermore, the potential of targeting IU therapeutically to complement first-line treatment is discussed, ultimately enhancing clinical intervention outcomes.
7.Morphological characteristics of the corpus callosum in patients with medial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis
Bo TAO ; Zhijun LE ; Fei ZHU ; Yingying TANG ; Ziyang GAO ; Menglian WU ; Dong ZHOU ; Su LYU
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(2):177-183
Objective:To explore the morphological characteristics of the corpus callosum (CC) in patients with unilateral medial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) with hippocampal sclerosis (HS), and their correlation with hippocampal volume and clinical indicators.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. Clinical (age of onset, disease duration, seizure frequency, seizure duration, etc.) and imaging data of 44 patients mTLE with unilateral HS confirmed by postoperative pathology and 42 healthy controls (HCs) recruited at West China Hospital of Sichuan University from June 2017 to May 2023 were analyzed retrospectively. Among the 44 patients, 19 had left-sided HS and 25 had right-sided HS. All subjects underwent high-resolution 3D T 1WI. Hippocampal volumes were obtained using FreeSurfer. ART was used to measure the morphological parameters of the CC for each participant, including total CC area, volume, perimeter, length, thickness, circularity, and the area of seven CC subregions defined by Witelson: rostrum, genu, body, anterior midbody, posterior midbody, isthmus and splenium. Differences in these metrics between two or three groups were compared using independent samples t-test or one-way ANOVA. Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis was used to observe the correlation between morphological features of the CC and hippocampal volume and other clinical indicators in patients with mTLE with unilateral HS. Results:Compared with HCs, patients with mTLE with unilateral HS had significantly reduced total CC area, CC circularity, as well as the area and thickness of the genu, anterior midbody, posterior midbody, isthmus, splenium, and the area of the rostrum ( P<0.05). Significant differences were observed in the total area, circularity, and subregional areas (genu, rostrum, anterior midbody, posterior midbody, splenium), as well as thickness (genu, anterior midbody, posterior midbody, isthmus) of the CC among mTLE with left-sided HS, mTLE with right-sided HS, and HCs ( P<0.05). When compared to HCs, the total area of the CC, circularity and the areas of the genu, rostrum, anterior midbody, posterior midbody, and splenium, and the thicknesses of the genu, anterior midbody, posterior midbody, and isthmus of the CC were significantly reduced in patients with mTLE with right-sided HS ( P<0.05), and the thicknesses of the midbody and isthmus of the CC were significantly reduced in patients with mTLE with left-sided HS compared to HCs ( P<0.05), and the two-by-two comparison of the rest of the indicators did not show statistically significant differences ( P>0.05). Correlation analysis showed that some morphological abnormalities in the CC in mTLE with unilateral HS patients were significantly correlated with age of onset, disease duration, seizure frequency, seizure duration, and hippocampal volume. Conclusions:mTLE with unilateral HS patients can exhibit morphological abnormalities in the CC, particularly in those with right-sided lesions. These abnormalities are significantly associated with seizure-related factors and hippocampal atrophy.

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