1.Improving the Certainty of Evidence in Animal Experiment Systematic Review/Meta-Analysis: An Empirical Study of the GRADE Method
Tengfei LI ; Qingyong ZHENG ; Jianguo XU ; Yiyi LI ; Yongjia ZHOU ; Caihua XU ; Mingyue ZHANG ; Jiexiang TIAN ; Gang WANG ; Jinhui TIAN
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(1):101-111
Animal experiments are essential tools in biomedical research, serving as a bridge between basic research and clinical trials. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRs/MAs) of animal experiments are crucial methods for integrating evidence from animal experiment, which can facilitate the translation of findings into clinical research, reduce translational risks, and promote resource integration in basic research. With the continuous development of the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology, its application in SRs/MAs of animal experiments has gained increasing attention. This article first outlines the principles and specific applications of the GRADE methodology in SRs/MAs of animal experiments, including qualitative descriptive systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and network meta-analyses. It then deeply analyzes the misuse of the GRADE methodology in practice, including incorrect evidence grading, improper classification of evidence, misapplication in qualitative systematic reviews, inconsistencies between the documentation of the upgrading and downgrading process and results, and inappropriate use for making recommendations. Furthermore, this article comprehensively discusses the factors influencing the grading of evidence certainty in SRs/MAs of animal experiments, including the impact of bias risk, indirectness, inconsistency, imprecision, and publication bias on evidence downgrading, as well as the role of large effect sizes and cross-species consistency in evidence upgrading. Finally, in response to the issues discussed, improvement strategies are proposed, including further research and optimization of the GRADE methodology for SRs/MAs of animal experiments, the development of reporting guidelines tailored to the characteristics of SRs/MAs in animal experiment research, and enhanced professional training for researchers in the GRADE methodology. This article aims to improve the quality of evidence in SRs/MAs of animal experiments, strengthen their reliability in clinical decision-making, and promote the more efficient translation of findings from animal experiment research into clinical practice.
2.Effects of Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula (活血消异方) on Tfh Cells and the JAK/STAT Pathway in Ectopic Tissues of Ovarian Endometriosis Model Rats
Weisen FAN ; Yongjia ZHANG ; Yaqian WANG ; Hong LEI ; Huiting YAN ; Ruijie HOU ; Xin WANG ; Yu TAO ; Ruihua ZHAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(14):1473-1480
ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula (活血消异方, HXF) in treating ovarian endometriosis (OEM) from the perspective of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway. MethodsForty-five female SD rats with normal estrous cycles were randomly divided into three groups, HXF group, model group, and normal group, with 15 rats in each group. A rat model of OEM was established by autologous endometrial tissue implantation. After successful modeling, the treatment group received HXF at 5.85 g/(kg·d) by gavage for 14 consecutive days. The model group and normal group received 1 mL/d of normal saline by gavage. RNA-sequencing data from human proliferative-phase endometriotic and normal endometrial tissues were downloaded from the GEO database. Transcriptomic sequencing was used to analyze gene expression in rat ovarian ectopic tissues and normal uterine tissues, and comparisons were made with human data to verify JAK/STAT pathway activation in proliferative-phase ectopic tissues. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the positive expression of CXC chemokine receptor 5 (CXCR5) and interleukin-21 (IL-21) in rat ovarian ectopic and normal uterine tissues. Western Blotting was performed to detect the protein levels of IL-21, IL-21 receptor (IL-21R), Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6), and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). Tfh cell infiltration was analyzed using immune cell infiltration methods. ResultsGene set enrichment analysis showed that the JAK/STAT pathway was significantly activated in human proliferative-phase endometriotic tissues compared to normal endometrial tissues. Similarly, the JAK/STAT pathway was markedly activated in rat ovarian ectopic tissues in the model group compared to the normal group, but suppressed in the HXF group compared to the model group. Compared with normal uterine tissues, ovarian ectopic tissues in the model group showed increased Tfh cell infiltration scores, higher CXCR5 and IL-21 expression, and elevated levels of IL-21, IL-21R, JAK1, STAT6, and Bcl-2 proteins. Compared with the model group, HXF group showed reduced CXCR5 and IL-21 expression and decreased protein levels of IL-21, IL-21R, JAK1, STAT6, and Bcl-2. ConclusionHXF may suppress activation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in ovarian endometriotic tissues by inhibiting IL-21 secretion from Tfh cells.
3.Double Center,Randomized Controlled Study of Huoxue Xiaoyi Granule in Inhibiting Recurrence of Endometriosis after Conservative Surgery
Jumei SHI ; Yongjia ZHANG ; Xinchun YANG ; Qian HAN ; Zijin WANG ; Ruihua ZHAO
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;40(7):733-739
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Huoxue Xiaoyi Granule in inhibiting the recurrence of endometrio-sis(EMs)after conservative operation,and to provide evidence for Chinese medicine in inhibiting the recurrence of EMs.METHODS A total of 72 patients with qi-stagnation and blood-stasis after EMs operation were selected as the study objects and randomly divid-ed into the Chinese medicine group and the Western medicine group,36 cases in each group.The Chinese medicine group was treated with Huoxue Xiaoyi Granule,and the Western medicine group was treated with GnRH-α.The postoperative recurrence rate,TCM syn-drome score,carbohydrate antigen 125(CA125),dysmenorrhea score,pelvic pain score,pregnancy rate,serum sex hormones[estra-diol(E2),luteinizing hormone(LH),follicle stimulating hormone(FSH)]and safety indexes of the two groups were observed.RE-SULTS At 9 months and 12 months after surgery,the total TCM syndrome scores of the two groups of patients were significantly re-duced(P<0.05),and the Chinese medicine group was better than the Western medicine group(P<0.05);12 months later,the TCM total clinical curative rate in the Chinese medicine group was better than that in the Western medicine group;after surgery,the serum CA125 levels,dysmenorrhea scores and pelvic pain severity of the two groups of patients were significantly reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01);during treatment,the total incidence of adverse reactions in the Chinese medicine group was lower than that in the Western medicine group(P<0.01);the recurrence rate of the Chinese medicine group was slightly lower than that of the Western medicine group,but there was no statistical difference(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Huoxue Xiaoyi Granule can significantly improve TCM syndromes in patients with qi-stagnation and blood-stasis after EMs surgery.It is safe and has equivalent efficacy to GnRH-α in pre-venting postoperative recurrence of EMs,and worthy of clinical promotion and application.
4.Relationship among psychological resilience, parental control, and behavioral problems in junior high school students in Guizhou Province
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(5):689-692
Objective:
To investigate the relationships among psychological resilience, parental control, and behavioral problems in middle school students, aiming to provide evidencebased recommendations for the prevention and intervention of behavioral issues in middle school students, as well as for the development of related policies.
Methods:
A stratified cluster sampling method was used to select 2 745 participants from three cities in Guizhou Province with different levels of economic development from August to December 2021. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Parental Control Questionnaire, and Psychological Resilience Questionnaire were administered to junior high school students and their parents. A network analysis method was employed to construct a network analysis model of factors influencing behavioral problems.
Results:
The detection rate of behavioral problems among junior high school students in Guizhou Province was 22.62%. The scores for psychological resilience (goal focus, emotional control, positive cognition, family support, and interpersonal assistance) and proactive inquiry in behavior control were higher in the group without behavioral problems than in the group with behavioral problems. Scores for psychological control (inducing guilt, with drawing affection, and asserting authority) were higher in the group with behavioral problems than in the group without behavioral problems, with statistically significant differences (t=9.80, 17.76, 6.21, 12.20, 13.18, 6.28, 11.58, 11.10, 10.74, P<0.05). The network model showed that among the same variable factors, the strongest connection weight was between inducing guilt and withdrawing affection, with a weight of 0.79. Between different variables, there were negative correlation between behavioral problems and psychological resilience (goal focus, emotional control, positive cognition, family support, interpersonal assistance) and behavior control (proactive inquiry, behavioral restraint) with correlation coefficients (r=-0.25, -0.42, -0.16, -0.31, -0.33, -0.17, -0.03, P<0.05), respectively. There were positive correlation between psychological control factors (inducing guilt, withdrawing affection, and asserting authority) and behavioral problems (r=0.29, 0.27, 0.27), and a negative correlation between these psychological control factors and psychological resilience factors (goal focus, emotional control, positive cognition, family support, interpersonal assistance)(r=-0.53--0.13)(P<0.05). The strongest connection weight was between withdrawing affection and family support, with a connection weight of -0.53. Family support was an important bridge symptom connecting the entire behavioral problem network model, with a high centrality.
Conclusions
The detection rate of behavioral problems among junior high school students in Guizhou Province is relatively high. Assisting adolescents in establishing a supportive family environment facilitates the cultivation of their psychological resilience, thereby mitigating the occurrence of behavioral problems.
5.Research status and hot trends of off-label drug use in China
Mingyue ZHANG ; Xin ZHANG ; Caihua XU ; Yiyi LI ; Tengfei LI ; Yongjia ZHOU ; Yating CUI ; Jinhui TIAN
Chinese Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology 2024;33(4):410-421
Objective To summarize the current research status and cutting-edge trends of the off-label drug use in China,with a view to providing reference for researchers in this field.Methods CNKI and SinoMed databases were searched to collect research of the off-label drug use in China,and used Microsoft Excel 2021,the R software Bibliometric,and VOSviewer 1.6.18 to visualize the time and trend of publication,province,issuing authors and units,journals,keywords,and topic evolution of the included studies.Results 1 475 papers were included in the research.A total of 2 808 authors from 31 provinces,cities and regions had conducted relevant studies on over-the-counter medication,with an overall increasing trend in the number of publications.Among them,Guangdong province published the most studies related to this field,the Straits Pharmacy Journal and China Pharmacy published the most studies in this field.Proprietary Chinese medicines,antimicrobials,antitumor drugs,and other drugs were the research hotspots.In addition,the patients in pediatrics,outpatient emergency,obstetrics and gynecology,psychiatry and other departments as a special sick population,the clinical use of medication exists in the overspecification situation was also a future research trend.Conclusion At present,research in this field focuses more on OLDU for special populations,special diseases,special drugs,etc.In the future,researchers should conduct evidence-based evaluation of drugs on the basis of more high-quality evidence in order to seek the best evidence for guiding the clinical use of medication.At the same time,drug administration and medical institutions should also develop standardized management policies and systems to promote the rational and safe use of medication in healthcare institutions.
6.Exploring the Clinical Approach of Treating Breast Cancer in Traditional Chinese Medicine Through Syndrome Differentiation Based on the Nature and Intensity of the Cancer Toxin
Zhili ZHUO ; Qingya SONG ; Wenping LU ; Xiaoqing WU ; Yongjia CUI ; Dongni ZHANG ; Lei CHANG ; Heting MEI
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;31(8):176-181
Cancer toxin is a specific pathogenesis leading to the heterogeneity of breast cancer.The nature and virulence of the cancer toxin determine the differences in the heterogeneity of breast cancer,which can dynamically evolve over time and space,resulting in varying invasion abilities and characteristics of the tumor.Cancer cells in the primary lesion possess"toxicity"that targets specific organs for metastasis,and cancer toxins can influence the metastatic propensity of different types of breast cancer.Therefore,breast cancer treatment strategies based on the theory of cancer toxins emphasize the continuous eradication of the cancer toxin,focusing on differentiating its strength and nature,protecting unaffected areas first,identifying the state based on symptoms,and targeting accordingly to combat resistance arising from tumor heterogeneity.This article aims to provide a new theoretical basis for the treatment strategies of different types of breast cancer.
7.Genetic and Phenotypic analysis of a Family with Van der Hoeve Syndrome Caused by COL1A1 Gene Mutation and Literature Review
Zequn NIE ; Chufeng HE ; Hong WU ; Jie LING ; Qinhui FU ; Bo PANG ; Shuai ZHANG ; Yongjia CHEN ; Lingyun MEI
Journal of Audiology and Speech Pathology 2024;32(5):389-393
Objective To conduct a detailed clinical phenotypic analysis and gene mutation detection on an au-tosomal dominant Van der Hoeve syndrome family,and to identify the pathogenic gene mutation sites of the family and the impact of the mutation on gene coding.Methods Clinical data including medical history,physical examina-tion and auxiliary examination were collected and peripheral blood samples were collected from the Van der Hoeve syndrome families.Exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were performed on 22 family members.The data were analyzed using bioinformatics software.Results The family had a total of 5 generations,with each generation expe-riencing consecutive illnesses.Each generation of men and women could suffer from the disease,which conformed to the characteristics of autosomal dominant inheritance.The 12 patients in this family were all born with blue sclera and short stature.8 patients had a history of fractures and could heal normally.3 patients were considering hearing loss caused by Van der Hoeve syndrome.12 patients had a base deletion(c.1128delT)in exon 17 of the COL1A1 gene,causing a change in the amino acid coding after position 376 and ending the amino acid coding prematurely at position 539.10 asymptomatic individuals in this family didn't had this mutation.Conclusion The patient of this family was identified as Van der Hoeve syndrome caused by c.1128 delT mutation.
8.A Novel EYA1 Mutation Causing Alternative RNA Splicing in a Chinese Family With Branchio-Oto Syndrome: Implications for Molecular Diagnosis and Clinical Application
Anhai CHEN ; Jie LING ; Xin PENG ; Xianlin LIU ; Shuang MAO ; Yongjia CHEN ; Mengyao QIN ; Shuai ZHANG ; Yijiang BAI ; Jian SONG ; Zhili FENG ; Lu MA ; Dinghua HE ; Lingyun MEI ; Chufeng HE ; Yong FENG
Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology 2023;16(4):342-358
Objectives:
. Branchio-oto syndrome (BOS) primarily manifests as hearing loss, preauricular pits, and branchial defects. EYA1 is the most common pathogenic gene, and splicing mutations account for a substantial proportion of cases. However, few studies have addressed the structural changes in the protein caused by splicing mutations and potential pathogenic factors, and several studies have shown that middle-ear surgery has limited effectiveness in improving hearing in these patients. BOS has also been relatively infrequently reported in the Chinese population. This study explored the genetic etiology in the family of a proband with BOS and provided clinical treatment to improve the patient’s hearing.
Methods:
. We collected detailed clinical features and peripheral blood samples from the patients and unaffected individuals within the family. Pathogenic mutations were identified by whole-exome sequencing and cosegregation analysis and classified according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines. Alternative splicing was verified through a minigene assay. The predicted three-dimensional protein structure and biochemical experiments were used to investigate the pathogenicity of the mutation. The proband underwent middle-ear surgery and was followed up at 1 month and 6 months postoperatively to monitor auditory improvement.
Results:
. A novel heterozygous EYA1 splicing variant (c.1050+4 A>C) was identified and classified as pathogenic (PVS1(RNA), PM2, PP1). Skipping of exon 11 of the EYA1 pre-mRNA was confirmed using a minigene assay. This mutation may impair EYA1-SIX1 interactions, as shown by an immunoprecipitation assay. The EYA1-Mut protein exhibited cellular mislocalization and decreased protein expression in cytological experiments. Middle-ear surgery significantly improved hearing loss caused by bone-conduction abnormalities in the proband.
Conclusion
. We reported a novel splicing variant of EYA1 in a Chinese family with BOS and revealed the potential molecular pathogenic mechanism. The significant hearing improvement observed in the proband after middle-ear surgery provides a reference for auditory rehabilitation in similar patients.
9.Improvement of inflammation and glucolipid metabolism in adipose tissues of obese mice by Mushroom
Yi Chen ; Binbin Zhu ; Mingxuan Zheng ; Fenfen Sun ; Yue Zhang ; Yongjia Liu ; Yinghua Yu ; Wei Pan ; Xiaoying Yang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2022;57(6):885-890
Objective:
To investigate the ameliorative effects of Mushroom on adipose tissue inflammation and glucolipid metabolism in mice fed a high-fat diet, and to provide a theoretical basis for the mechanisms of Mushroom regulating glucolipid metabolism and inflammatory responses.
Methods:
C57 BL/6 J mice were fed with normal diet(LF) group, high-fat diet(HF)group and high-fat diet + Mushroom(HF+Mushroom) group for 15 weeks.Then, body weight subcutaneous and epididymal white adipose tissue weight were measured. The morphological changes of adipose tissues were compared by HE staining, and the expression of genes related to inflamation, glycolysis and fatty acid oxidation pathways were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.
Results:
Compared with the LF group, the HF group had increased body weight, increased subcutaneous and epididymal white fat weight and adipocyte size, and upregulated expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-6(IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1), CD68, inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), pyruvate kinase(PK), phosphofructokinase(PFK), hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha(PPARα) in adipose tissues, while the expression of carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 A(CPT-1 A), cytochrome P450 4 a10(CYP4 a10) and medium-chain acyl-coenzyme a dehydrogenase(MCAD) were downregulated(P<0.05). Compared with the HF group, Mushroom supplementation reduced body weight, adipose tissue weight and adipocyte size, and downregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory factors and glycolytic pathway-related factors in adipose tissues, while the expression of fatty acid oxidation pathway-related factors were upregulated(P<0.05).
Conclusion
Mushroom can ameliorate inflammation and disorders of glycolipid metabolism in adipose tissues of obese mice.
10.Efficacy and safety of inactivated novel coronavirus vaccine inoculation in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Yanan TI ; Bing HAN ; Tengfei LIU ; Yongjia YUAN ; Liaoyun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2022;30(12):1370-1374
Objective:To explore the safety of inactivated novel coronavirus vaccine inoculation and the fluctuating neutralizing antibody in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).Methods:Retrospective and prospective epidemiological research methods were employed. 153 CHB patients who visited the Department of Infectious Diseases at the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from September 2021 to February 2022 were selected as the research subjects. Information on vaccination-related adverse reactions was collected. Colloidal gold immunochromatography was used to identify neutralizing antibodies in the body after 3-6 months of vaccination. Statistical analysis was performed using the χ2-test or Fisher's exact test. Results:The positive rates of neutralizing antibodies after inactivated novel coronavirus vaccine inoculation in 153 patients with CHB were 45.50%, 44.70%, 40.00% and 16.20%, respectively, at 3, 4, 5, and 6 months. The neutralizing antibody concentrations were 10.00 (2.95, 30.01) U/ml, 6.08 (3.41, 24.50) U/ml, 5.90 (3.93, 14.68) U/ml, and 1.25 (0.92, 3.75) U/ml, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05) when the neutralizing antibody positivity rates in hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA-negative and positive patients and HBeAg-negative and positive patients at different time points were compared. The overall incidence of adverse reactions following vaccination was 18.30%. Pain at the site of inoculation and fatigue were the main presentations, and no serious adverse reactions occurred. Conclusion:CHB patients, when inoculated with an inactivated novel coronavirus vaccine, can produce neutralizing antibodies, which can stay at certain levels for 3, 4, and 5 months. However, the neutralizing antibody level gradually decreases over time, and the decrease is remarkable at 6 months. So, it is recommended to boost vaccinations at an appropriate time. Additionally, the results of the study suggest that HBV replication status has little effect on the production of neutralizing antibodies in CHB patients with relatively stable liver function, which means the inactivated novel coronavirus vaccine has a good safety profile.


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