1.Practical exploration of ethical review in decentralized drug clinical trials
Xu ZUO ; Yingshuo HUANG ; Yue LI ; Lihan XING ; Chunxiu YANG ; Yan CUI
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(1):40-45
ObjectiveTo explore the process and guidelines for ethical review in decentralized drug clinical trials, promote clinical trial progress, and ensure drug development progress. MethodsThe key points of the ethical review were summarized by studying the relevant laws and regulations on decentralized drug clinical trials, analyzing the advantages and challenges of decentralized drug clinical trials, and combining the experience of the ethics committee of the institution in reviewing decentralized drug clinical trials. ResultsRelevant laws and regulations were the basis for the ethical review, and the ethics committee should adopt appropriate review methods based on regulations and hospital ethical standard operating procedures. The ethics committee should focus on the feasibility, applicability, and rationality, the adequacy of informed consent, the protection of rights and interests and privacy of subjects, as well as the qualification and standard operating procedures of electronic platforms for conducting decentralized drug clinical trials. ConclusionDecentralized drug clinical trials are in their early stages and urgently require guidance from relevant laws and regulations. Ethical review is also constantly being refined through exploration. It is necessary to supervise the implementation of responsibilities by all parties, pay attention to the rights and interests of subjects, and gradually promote the implementation of decentralized drug clinical trials.
2.Expert Consensus on Clinical Application of Qinbaohong Zhike Oral Liquid in Treatment of Acute Bronchitis and Acute Attack of Chronic Bronchitis
Jian LIU ; Hongchun ZHANG ; Chengxiang WANG ; Hongsheng CUI ; Xia CUI ; Shunan ZHANG ; Daowen YANG ; Cuiling FENG ; Yubo GUO ; Zengtao SUN ; Huiyong ZHANG ; Guangxi LI ; Qing MIAO ; Sumei WANG ; Liqing SHI ; Hongjun YANG ; Ting LIU ; Fangbo ZHANG ; Sheng CHEN ; Wei CHEN ; Hai WANG ; Lin LIN ; Nini QU ; Lei WU ; Dengshan WU ; Yafeng LIU ; Wenyan ZHANG ; Yueying ZHANG ; Yongfen FAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):182-188
The Expert Consensus on Clinical Application of Qinbaohong Zhike Oral Liquid in Treatment of Acute Bronchitis and Acute Attack of Chronic Bronchitis (GS/CACM 337-2023) was released by the China Association of Chinese Medicine on December 13th, 2023. This expert consensus was developed by experts in methodology, pharmacy, and Chinese medicine in strict accordance with the development requirements of the China Association of Chinese Medicine (CACM) and based on the latest medical evidence and the clinical medication experience of well-known experts in the fields of respiratory medicine (pulmonary diseases) and pediatrics. This expert consensus defines the application of Qinbaohong Zhike oral liquid in the treatment of cough and excessive sputum caused by phlegm-heat obstructing lung, acute bronchitis, and acute attack of chronic bronchitis from the aspects of applicable populations, efficacy evaluation, usage, dosage, drug combination, and safety. It is expected to guide the rational drug use in medical and health institutions, give full play to the unique value of Qinbaohong Zhike oral liquid, and vigorously promote the inheritance and innovation of Chinese patent medicines.
3.Construction of a prognostic prediction model for invasive lung adenocarcinoma based on machine learning
Yanqi CUI ; Jingrong YANG ; Lin NI ; Duohuang LIAN ; Shixin YE ; Yi LIAO ; Jincan ZHANG ; Zhiyong ZENG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(01):80-86
Objective To determine the prognostic biomarkers and new therapeutic targets of the lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), based on which to establish a prediction model for the survival of LUAD patients. Methods An integrative analysis was conducted on gene expression and clinicopathologic data of LUAD, which were obtained from the UCSC database. Subsequently, various methods, including screening of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), were employed to analyze the data. Cox regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression were used to establish an assessment model. Based on this model, we constructed a nomogram to predict the probable survival of LUAD patients at different time points (1-year, 2-year, 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year). Finally, we evaluated the predictive ability of our model using Kaplan-Meier survival curves, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and time-dependent ROC curves. The validation group further verified the prognostic value of the model. Results The different-grade pathological subtypes' DEGs were mainly enriched in biological processes such as metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity, antigen processing and presentation, and regulation of enzyme activity, which were closely related to tumor development. Through Cox regression and LASSO regression, we constructed a reliable prediction model consisting of a five-gene panel (MELTF, MAGEA1, FGF19, DKK4, C14ORF105). The model demonstrated excellent specificity and sensitivity in ROC curves, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.675. The time-dependent ROC analysis revealed AUC values of 0.893, 0.713, and 0.632 for 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival, respectively. The advantage of the model was also verified in the validation group. Additionally, we developed a nomogram that accurately predicted survival, as demonstrated by calibration curves and C-index. Conclusion We have developed a prognostic prediction model for LUAD consisting of five genes. This novel approach offers clinical practitioners a personalized tool for making informed decisions regarding the prognosis of their patients.
4.Experience of Using Shengyang Yiwei Decoction (升阳益胃汤) in the Treatment of Pediatric Diseases
Yumeng YANG ; Caiping CUI ; Xiaoya CHEN ; Jianmin WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(3):304-307
It is believed that Shengyang Yiwei Decoction (升阳益胃汤, SYD) is effective in regulating the flow of Qi (气), and can treat various diseases caused by the disorder of the spleen and stomach Qi. In clinical practice, based on the pathological characteristics of children often having insufficient spleen, and adhering to the principle of treating different diseases with the same method, the focus is placed on the core pathogenesis of spleen and stomach Qi disharmony. We use SYD in various pediatric conditions such as allergic rhinitis, post COVID-19 condition, urethral syndrome, and dysfunctional uterine bleeding in adolescence, and emphasize the treatment is flexibly tailored to the symptoms.
5.Relationship between levels of novel inflammatory indicators and aggressivity in patients with first-episode and recurrent schizophrenia
Ying'ao CUI ; Cheng YANG ; Yinghan TIAN ; Qingqing SHEN ; Huanzhong LIU
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(1):28-33
BackgroundAggressive behavior in schizophrenic patients could result in legal disputes and public safety concerns. In patients with illness episodes of different numbers, there may exist differences in the association between levels of novel inflammatory indicators and aggressivity. ObjectiveTo investigate the differences in the correlation between levels of novel inflammatory indicators and aggressivity in patients with first-episode and recurrent schizophrenia, in order to search for inflammatory biomarkers to assess aggression level in schizophrenic patients. MethodsA total of 168 schizophrenic patients were selected as subjects, who were hospitalized for acute disease onset in Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University from October 2022 to April 2024 as well as met the diagnostic criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5). Patients were divided into first-episode group (n=58) and recurrent group (n=110). Meanwhile, 110 healthy controls from community who matched in age and gender with the patient group were recruited. All patients were evaluated with Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS) and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). All subjects went through examination of the levels of novel inflammatory indicators, including neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil/high-density lipoprotein ratio (NHR), monocyte/high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) and platelet/high-density lipoprotein ratio (PHR). Spearman correlation analysis was adopted to investigate the correlation between levels of novel inflammatory indicators and the total score of MOAS in patients with first-episode and recurrent schizophrenia. ResultsThe levels of NLR, MLR, PLR, NHR, MHR and PHR in first-episode group were higher than those in control group (adjusted P<0.01). The levels of NLR, MLR, NHR, MHR and PHR in recurrent group were higher than those in control group (adjusted P<0.01). No significant difference was observed in the comparison in the levels of six novel inflammatory indicators between first-episode group and recurrent group (adjusted P>0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed, the MOAS total score of recurrent group was positively correlated with the levels of NLR, MLR and PLR (r=0.234, 0.192, 0.243, P<0.05). There was no statistical significance in the correlation between MOAS total score and levels of six novel inflammatory indicators in first-episode group (P>0.05). ConclusionAmong patients with first-episode and recurrent schizophrenia, the correlation between levels of novel inflammatory indicators and aggressivity could differ. NLR, MLR and PLR might be the biomarkers for assessing aggression level in recurrent schizophrenic patients. [Funded by Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation (number, 2108085MH275)]
6.Mechanism of 1,25(OH)2D3 improving liver inflammation in a rat model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis induced by choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined diet
Haiyang ZHU ; Jingshu CUI ; Liu YANG ; Mengting ZHOU ; Jian TONG ; Hongmei HAN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):254-262
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on the level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) in the liver, the phenotype of hepatic macrophages, and liver inflammation in a rat model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), as well as the mechanism of 1,25(OH)2D3 improving liver inflammation. MethodsAfter 1 week of adaptive feeding, 24 specific pathogen-free Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group [choline-supplemented L-amino acid-defined (CSAA) diet], normal+1,25(OH)2D3 group [CSAA diet+1,25(OH)2D3], model group [choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined diet (CDAA) diet], and model+1,25(OH)2D3 group [CDAA diet+1,25(OH)2D3], with 6 rats in each group. The dose of 1,25(OH)2D3 was 5 μg/kg for intraperitoneal injection twice a week for 12 weeks. The serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured, liver histopathology was observed, and SAF score was assessed. M1 hepatic macrophages and M2 hepatic macrophages were measured to analyze in the change in the phenotype of hepatic macrophages, and ELISA was used to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in liver tissue, and qPCR was used to measure the mRNA level of PPAR-γ. The two-factor analysis of variance was use for comparison between groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison; the Pearson method was used for correlation analysis. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model rats with CDAA diet-induced NASH had significant increases in the serum levels of AST and ALT (P=0.019 and P<0.001), the SAF score of liver histopathology (P<0.001), the level of M1 hepatic macrophages (P<0.001), and the ratio of M1 and M2 hepatic macrophages (P<0.001), as well as a significant increase in the level of TNF-α (P<0.001) and a significant reduction in the level of IL-4 in liver tissue (P=0.025). The 1,25(OH)2D3 group had significant reductions in the serum levels of ALT (P<0.001), the SAF score of liver histopathology (P<0.001), the level of M1 hepatic macrophages (P<0.001), and the ratio of M1 and M2 hepatic macrophages (P=0.001), the level of IL-1β (P<0.001) and a significant increase in the level of M2 hepatic macrophages (P=0.017), the level of IL-10 (P=0.039), the level of IL-4 (P<0.001), the level of PPAR-γ (P=0.016). There were significant interactions between CDAA diet-induced NASH model and 1,25(OH)2D3 in serum the levels of AST and ALT (P=0.007 and P=0.008), the SAF scores of liver histopathology (P<0.001), the level of M1 hepatic macrophages (P<0.001), the level of M2 hepatic macrophages (P=0.008), the ratio of M1 and M2 of hepatic macrophages (P=0.005), the level of TNF-α (P<0.001), the level of IL-10 (P=0.038), the level of IL-4 (P<0.001) and the level of PPAR-γ (P=0.009). The correlation analysis showed that PPAR-γ was negatively correlated with the ratio of M1 and M2 hepatic macrophages (r=-0.415, P=0.044) and was positively correlated with M2 hepatic macrophages (r=0.435, P=0.033), IL-10 (r=0.433, P=0.035), and IL-4 (r=0.532, P=0.007). ConclusionThis study shows that 1,25(OH)2D3 improves liver inflammation in NASH by activating PPAR-γ to regulate the phenotypic transformation of hepatic macrophages.
7.Oxidative Stress of Qidan Tangshen Granules (芪丹糖肾颗粒) in Treatment of 95 Patients with Early Diabetic Kidney Disease with Qi Deficiency,Blood Stasis,and Kidney Deficiency Syndrome:A Double-Blind,Double-Simulated,Randomized Controlled Trial
Jie ZHANG ; Yilei CONG ; Tengfei WU ; Qin LIU ; Yue YUAN ; Shilei CUI ; Hua YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(7):695-703
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Qidan Tangshen Granules (芪丹糖肾颗粒, QTG) in the treatment of early diabetic kidney disease (DKD) with qi deficiency, blood stasis, and kidney deficiency syndrome, and to explore its mechanism. MethodsA double-blind, double-simulated method was used to enroll 200 patients with early DKD and qi deficiency, blood stasis, and kidney deficiency syndrome. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1∶1 ratio to the treatment group (100 cases) and the control group (100 cases). The treatment group received QTG plus a valsartan capsule simulant, while the control group received valsartan capsules plus a QTG simulant, both for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR). Secondary outcomes included estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (PBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores (including individual symptom scores for fatigue, dull complexion, soreness and weakness of the waist and knees, headache and chest pain, irritability, spontaneous sweating, thirst and polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria, numbness of the limbs, and the total TCM syndrome score). Oxidative stress markers including serum 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHDG), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also assessed. Clinical efficacy and TCM syndrome efficacy were evaluated after treatment, and routine blood tests, urinalysis, and liver function tests were conducted and adverse reaction during the tria was recorded to assess safety. ResultsA total of 191 patients completed the study (95 in the treatment group and 96 in the control group). The treatment group showed significant reductions in UACR, FBG, PBG, and HbA1c levels after treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The single TCM symptom scores except for polyphagia and total TCM syndrome scores significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared to the control group, the treatment group had signi-ficantly lower UACR, FBG, PBG levels, and total TCM syndrome scores, sinlge symptoms scores except for polyphagia and limb numbness (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Among 40 randomly selected patients (21 cases in the treatment group and 19 cases in the control group) for oxidative stress analysis, there were no significant differences in SOD, 3-NT, and 8-OHDG levels before and after treatment within or between groups (P>0.05). The overall effective rate in the treatment group was 64.2% (61/95) and 39.6% (38/96) in the control group, while the TCM syndrome efficacy rates were 80.0% (76/95) and 24.0% (23/96), respectively, with the treatment group showing superior efficacy (P<0.01). No significant differences were observed in routine blood tests, urinalysis, or liver function indices before and after treatment in either group (P>0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions was 8.4% (8/95) in the treatment group and 9.4% (9/96) in the control group, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). ConclusionQTG can effectively reduce UACR and blood glucose levels, alleviate clinical symptoms, and improve clinical efficacy in patients with early DKD with qi deficiency, blood stasis, and kidney deficiency syndrome. The treatment is well-tolerated and safe, with no significant impact on oxidative stress markers.
8.Structural and Spatial Analysis of The Recognition Relationship Between Influenza A Virus Neuraminidase Antigenic Epitopes and Antibodies
Zheng ZHU ; Zheng-Shan CHEN ; Guan-Ying ZHANG ; Ting FANG ; Pu FAN ; Lei BI ; Yue CUI ; Ze-Ya LI ; Chun-Yi SU ; Xiang-Yang CHI ; Chang-Ming YU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):957-969
ObjectiveThis study leverages structural data from antigen-antibody complexes of the influenza A virus neuraminidase (NA) protein to investigate the spatial recognition relationship between the antigenic epitopes and antibody paratopes. MethodsStructural data on NA protein antigen-antibody complexes were comprehensively collected from the SAbDab database, and processed to obtain the amino acid sequences and spatial distribution information on antigenic epitopes and corresponding antibody paratopes. Statistical analysis was conducted on the antibody sequences, frequency of use of genes, amino acid preferences, and the lengths of complementarity determining regions (CDR). Epitope hotspots for antibody binding were analyzed, and the spatial structural similarity of antibody paratopes was calculated and subjected to clustering, which allowed for a comprehensively exploration of the spatial recognition relationship between antigenic epitopes and antibodies. The specificity of antibodies targeting different antigenic epitope clusters was further validated through bio-layer interferometry (BLI) experiments. ResultsThe collected data revealed that the antigen-antibody complex structure data of influenza A virus NA protein in SAbDab database were mainly from H3N2, H7N9 and H1N1 subtypes. The hotspot regions of antigen epitopes were primarily located around the catalytic active site. The antibodies used for structural analysis were primarily derived from human and murine sources. Among murine antibodies, the most frequently used V-J gene combination was IGHV1-12*01/IGHJ2*01, while for human antibodies, the most common combination was IGHV1-69*01/IGHJ6*01. There were significant differences in the lengths and usage preferences of heavy chain CDR amino acids between antibodies that bind within the catalytic active site and those that bind to regions outside the catalytic active site. The results revealed that structurally similar antibodies could recognize the same epitopes, indicating a specific spatial recognition between antibody and antigen epitopes. Structural overlap in the binding regions was observed for antibodies with similar paratope structures, and the competitive binding of these antibodies to the epitope was confirmed through BLI experiments. ConclusionThe antigen epitopes of NA protein mainly ditributed around the catalytic active site and its surrounding loops. Spatial complementarity and electrostatic interactions play crucial roles in the recognition and binding of antibodies to antigenic epitopes in the catalytic region. There existed a spatial recognition relationship between antigens and antibodies that was independent of the uniqueness of antibody sequences, which means that antibodies with different sequences could potentially form similar local spatial structures and recognize the same epitopes.
9.Molecular Mechanism of Treating Different Diseases with Same Treatment of Gypenoside L Affecting Oxidative Damage HUVEC and OVCAR-3 Through EGFR/STAT3/Glycolytic Pathway
Ying YANG ; Jiao ZHAO ; Xiaofei SUN ; Jiaxin WANG ; Peng CUI ; Nan SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):125-134
ObjectiveWith the epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)/Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription(STAT3)/Hexokinase 2(HK2) signaling pathway in atherosclerosis (AS) and ovarian cancer (OC) as the entry point, this paper discusses the molecular mechanism of Gypenoside L (Gyp-L) treating AS and OC with different diseases, provides a new perspective and theoretical basis for TCM treating AS and OC with EGFR-STAT3-HK2 pathway, and enriches the scientific connotation of the theory of "cytoskeleton in the heart". MethodsCCK-8 was used to detect the proliferation of HUVEC and OVCAR-3 cells, in order to determine the intervention concentration for subsequent experiments. The colorimetric method was used to detect the NO content in HUVEC and the contents of pyruvate and LDH in two cell lines. Cell cloning experiments and scratch experiments reflect the proliferation and migration ability of OVCAR-3 cells. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of relevant proteins. Furthermore, two cell models overexpressing EGFR were constructed and co treated with Gyp-L. HUVEC cells were divided into control, ox-LDL, OE-NC, OE-EGFR, OE-NC+Gyp-L, and OE-EGFR+Gyp-L group. OVCAR-3 cells were divided into control, OE-NC, OE-EGFR , OE-NC+Gyp-L, and OE-EGFR+Gyp-L group. The colorimetric method was used to detect the NO content in HUVEC and the contents of pyruvate and LDH in two cell lines. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of EGFR-STAT3-HK2 pathway related proteins. Cell cloning experiments and scratch experiments reflect the proliferation and migration ability of OVCAR-3 cells. ResultsGyp-L can significantly reduce the NO content of HUVEC and the pyruvate and LDH content of two cell lines (P<0.05); Inhibit the proliferation and migration ability of OVCAR-3 cells; Reduce the expression levels of EGFR/STAT3/HK2 pathway related proteins in HUVEC and OVCAR-3 cell lines (P<0.05), and inhibit the glycolysis pathway. ConclusionGyp-L can inhibit glycolysis in HUVEC and OVCAR-3 cells through the EGFR/STAT3/HK2 pathway,thereby suppressing the occurrence and development of AS and OC.
10.Concept,Organizational Structure,and Medical Model of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Myocardial Infarction Unit
Jun LI ; Jialiang GAO ; Jie WANG ; Zhenpeng ZHANG ; Xinyuan WU ; Ji WU ; Zicong XIE ; Jingrun CUI ; Haoqiang HE ; Yuqing TAN ; Chunkun YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(9):873-877
The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) myocardial infarction (MI) unit is a standardized, regulated, and continuous integrated care unit guided by TCM theory and built upon existing chest pain centers or emergency care units. This unit emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration and forms a restructured clinical entity without altering current departmental settings, offering comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic services with full participation of TCM in the treatment of MI. Its core medical model is patient-centered and disease-focused, providing horizontally integrated TCM-based care across multiple specialties and vertically constructing a full-cycle treatment unit for MI, delivering prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation during the acute, stable, and recovery phases. Additionally, the unit establishes a TCM-featured education and prevention mechanism for MI to guide patients in proactive health management, reduce the incidence of myocardial infarction, and improve quality of life.

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