First-in-class small molecule drugs in 2023 / 药学学报

In 2023, drug discovery develops steadily, with improvement of small molecule drugs discovery keeps pace with biological drugs in this year. The Center for Drug Evaluation and Research of U.S. Food and Drug Administration has totally approved 55 kinds of new drugs which have significantly promotion compared to 37 new drugs approval in 2022, including 38 kinds of new molecular entities, 17 kinds of biological drugs, 5 kinds of gene therapeutics and 2 cell therapeutics. The proportion of first-in-class drugs increased steadily, with 13 small molecule first-in-class drugs and 7 biological first-in-class drugs approved this year, mostly in the fields of cancer and rare diseases. Among them, a plurality of first-initiated small molecule drugs exhibits breakthrough significance, such as the first neurokinin 3 (NK3) receptor antagonist fezolinetant, the first retinoic acid receptor (RIG-I) agonist palovarotene, the first protein kinase B (AKT) inhibitor capivasertib, the first complement factor B inhibitor iptacopan, etc. The pioneering drug has huge academic and commercial value, and has become the target of the academic and industrial circles. However, first-in-class drugs not only need new targets, new mechanisms and new molecules, but also need to comprehensively verify the causality between new targets and diseases, study the correlation between new mechanisms and drug efficacy, and explore the balance between new molecules and drug-manufacturing properties. This article analyzed the research background, development process and therapeutic application of three first-initiated small molecule drugs in this year, expecting to provide more research ideas and methods for more first-in-class drugs.

Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides Inhibit Malignant Phenotype of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Regulating PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides （GLP） on the proliferation， migration， cycle， and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma SK­HEP­1 and Huh­7 cells and to explore the underlying mechanism. MethodSK-HEP-1 and Huh-7 cells were classified into the blank group and low-， medium-， and high-dose GLP groups （3.5， 7， 14 g·L-1）. The proliferation of the cells was examined by cell counting kit-8 （CCK­8） assay， and the migration by scratch assay. Cell cycle was measured by flow cytometry and apoptosis was detected based on Hoechst33258 staining. In addition， the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）， protein kinase B （Akt）， phosphorylated PI3K （p­PI3K）， and phosphorylated Akt （p­Akt） in the cells was determined by Western blot. ResultCompared with the blank group， the three doses of GLP reduced the proliferation and migration of SK­HEP­1 and Huh­7 cells （P<0.05）， increased the percentage of cells in G1 phase （P<0.05）， and decreased percentage of cells in S and G2 phase （P<0.05）. In addition， the three doses can induce apoptosis of both SK-HEP-1 and Huh-7 cells， particularly the high dose. Moreover， the three doses of GLP lowered the levels of p­PI3K and p­Akt （P<0.05）. ConclusionGLP significantly inhibited the malignant phenotype of SK-HEP-1 and Huh-7 cells through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Design of small molecules targeting molecular chaperone system: review and perspective / 药学学报

Molecular chaperone system, which mainly consist of heat shock proteins family and their cochaperones, is crucial for maintaining proteostasis in life. It assists in folding, maturation and ubiquitin-proteasome-mediated degradation of proteins, thus to play a key role in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Functional disorder of molecular chaperone system is highly relevant to occurrence and development of multiple diseases including cancers, autoimmune disease/inflammatory, infective diseases, neurodegenerative disease, etc. Therefore, molecular chaperone system has long been regarded as potential drug targets. In this review, we outline the progress in the design of small molecules targeting molecular chaperone system and analyze the features of small molecules with different mechanisms. Finally, we put forward expects about potential development directions for future drug design in this field.

Patent analysis of new target oral drugs for type 2 diabetes mellitus / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To analyze the patents of new target oral drugs for type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM）， and to provide references for the research and development direction and patent layout of new domestic diabetes drugs. METHODS Based on global patent data in the HimmPat database， from multiple perspectives such as the number of patent applications and authorization， development trend， regional distribution and main applicants， statistics and analysis were performed for the patents related to 3 types of new target oral drugs for T2DM， such as glucokinase activator （GKA）， protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitor （PTP-1B-IN）， and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 inhibitor （11β-HSD1-IN）. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS A total of 1 649 patents of GKA， 709 patents of PTP-1B-IN， 592 patents of 11β-HSD1-IN were obtained， the main applicants were well-known pharmaceutical companies， which possessed the core patents of pharmaceutical compounds. The research on GKA drugs was more mature， with a larger number of patent applications and a more comprehensive enterprise layout. Domestic enterprises， universities and research institutions had advantages in the field of PTP-1B-IN. Domestic enterprises and research institutions can leverage the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine and resources to enhance their research capabilities and improve technological competitiveness through core technology exploration， the exploration of process route， patent layout， industry- university-research cooperation and the establishment of patent pool.

Therapeutic effects of paeoniflorin on irritable bowel syndrome in rats

Background@#Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder (FBD). @*Objectives@#To assess the therapeutic effects of paeoniflorin (PF) on IBS in rats.Method: Sixty male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal, model, positive drug, low-dose PF, medium-dose PF and high-dose PF groups (n = 10). After gavage for 2 consecutive weeks, the effect of PF on abdominal pain symptoms was assessed based on the abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) score, fecal water content and pathological changes in colon tissues. D-lactate, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa B (p-NF-κB) p65 was detected by Western blotting. The abundance and diversity changes of intestinal flora were explored using 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing.Result: In PF groups, the mucosal morphology of colon tissues was intact, and the glands were arranged neatly and structured clearly, without obvious inflammatory cell infiltration.Compared with the model group, PF groups had significantly elevated pain threshold, and mRNA and protein levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin, decreased AWR score at 20 mmHg pressure, fecal water content, mRNA levels of IL-1β, TGF-β, and TNF-α, protein level of p-NF-κB p65 and level of serum D-lactate, and reduced levels of serum IL-1β, TGF-β, and TNF-α (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). PF groups had higher abundance of Lactobacillus, Akkermansia, Alistipes, and Bacteroides, but lower abundance of Desulfovibrio, Parasutterella, and Enterococcus than those of the model group. @*Conclusions@#PF exerts therapeutic effects on IBS in rats probably by regulating the intestinal flora, and then up-regulating the expressions of ZO-1 and occludin in colon tissue while down-regulating the levels of IL-1β, TGF-β, TNF-α, D-lactate and p-NF-κB p65.

Correlation of OCTN2 with the chemosensitivity of prostate cancer cells to oxaliplatin / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To study the correlation of novel organic cation transporter 2 （OCTN2） with the chemosensitivity of prostate cancer cells to oxaliplatin. METHODS Tumor samples of patients receiving radical prostatectomy were collected， and OCTN2 protein was detected with immunohistochemistry； the primary cells of the specimen were cultivated to obtain prostate cancer cell line. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to detect the uptake of low concentration （0.1 μmol/L） of oxaliplatin by cancer cells. Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of OCTN2 in cancer cells； the prostate cancer cells with the highest and lowest expression of OCTN2 protein were selected， and IC50 of oxaliplatin to prostate cancer cells was analyzed by ATP-TCA method. The inhibitory rate of plasma peak concentration of oxaliplatin （50 μmol/L） to prostate cancer cells was detected by MTT assay. Spearman method was used to analyze the relationship of the uptake of oxaliplatin by prostate cancer cells with inhibitory rate of oxaliplatin to prostate cancer cells and 505916443@qq.com mRNA expressions of OCTN2. RESULTS OCTN2 was located on the membrane of cancer cells， and the uptake of zjdtztougao@163.com oxaliplatin by cancer cells was 0.283±0.264 （n＝12）mRNA and protein expression of OCTN2 varied significantly among different cancer cells. The sensitivity of cancer cells with high expression of OCTN2 to oxaliplatin （IC50 of 4.61 μmol/L） was higher than that of cancer cells with lower expression of OCTN2 （IC50 of 26.23 μmol/L）. The inhibitory rate of oxaliplatin to cancer cells was （25.4±10.8）% （n＝12）. There was a correlation between the uptake of oxaliplatin by prostate cancer cells and the inhibition rate of oxaliplatin to prostate cancer cells and mRNA expression of OCTN2 （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS High-expressed OCTN2 may promote the uptake of oxaliplatin by prostate cancer cells， and its expression can serve as a reference for predicting the sensitivity of prostate cancer cells to oxaliplatin chemotherapy.

Comparison of safety and effectiveness of active migration technique and in situ lithotripsy technique in the treatment of 1-2 cm upper ureteral calculi by flexible ure-teroscopy / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the safety and effectiveness of active migration technique and in situ lithotripsy technique in the treatment of 1-2 cm upper ureteral calculi by retrograde flexible ureteroscopy.@*METHODS@#A total of 90 patients with 1-2 cm upper ureteral calculi treated in the urology department of Beijing Friendship Hospital from August 2018 to August 2020 were selected as the subjects. The patients were divided into two groups using random number table: 45 patients in group A were treated with in situ lithotripsy and 45 patients in group B were treated with active migration technique. The active migration technique was to reposition the stones in the renal calyces convenient for lithotripsy with the help of body position change, water flow scouring, laser impact or basket displacement, and then conduct laser lithotripsy and stone extraction. The data of the patients before and after operation were collected and statistically analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The age of the patients in group A was (51.6±14.1) years, including 34 males and 11 females. The stone diameter was (1.48±0.24) cm, and the stone density was (897.8±175.9) Hu. The stones were located on the left in 26 cases and on the right in 19 cases. There were 8 cases with no hydronephrosis, 20 cases with grade Ⅰ hydronephrosis, 11 cases with grade Ⅱ hydronephrosis, and 6 cases with grade Ⅲ hydronephrosis. The age of the patients in group B was (51.8±13.7) years, including 30 males and 15 females. The stone diameter was (1.52±0.22) cm, and the stone density was (964.6±214.2) Hu. The stones were located on the left in 22 cases and on the right in 23 cases. There were 10 cases with no hydronephrosis, 23 cases with grade Ⅰ hydronephrosis, 8 cases with grade Ⅱ hydronephrosis, and 4 cases with grade Ⅲ hydronephrosis. There was no significant diffe-rence in general parameters and stone indexes between the two groups. The operation time of group A was (67.1±16.9) min and the lithotripsy time was (38.0±13.2) min. The operation time of group B was (72.2±14.8) min and the lithotripsy time was (40.6±12.6) min. There was no significant difference between the two groups. Four weeks after operation, the stone-free rate in group A was 86.7%, and in group B was 97.8%. There was no significant difference between the two groups. In terms of complications, 25 cases of hematuria, 16 cases of pain, 10 cases of bladder spasm and 4 cases of mild fever occurred in group A. There were 22 cases of hematuria, 13 cases of pain, 12 cases of bladder spasm and 2 cases of mild fever in group B. There was no significant difference between the two groups.@*CONCLUSION@#Active migration technique is safe and effective in the treatment of 1-2 cm upper ureteral calculi.

Establishment of a reporter system for estimating activation of human hepatic stellate cells based on COL1A1 promoter and enhanced green fluorescent protein / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To establish a visual reporting system for evaluating the activity of collagen Ⅰ α 1 chain (COL1A1) gene promoter in immortalized human hepatic stellate cells, so as to estimate the activation status of the cells and provide a new cell model for the screening and study of anti-hepatic fibrosis drugs.@*METHODS@#The promoter sequence of human COL1A1 was amplified from the genomic DNA of human hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2. Based on the pLVX-AcGFP1-N1 plasmid, the recombinant plasmid pLVX-COL1A1-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) was constructed, in which the enhanced green fluorescent protein gene expression was regulated by the COL1A1 promoter. The monoclonal cell line was acquired by stably transfecting pLVX-COL1A1-EGFP into the immortalized human hepatic stellate cell line LX-2 by the lentivirus packaging system and screening. The cell line was treated with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) or co-treated with TGF-β1 and drugs with potential anti-hepatic fibrosis effects. The EGFP fluorescence intensity in cells was analyzed by the fluorescence microscope and ImageJ 1.49 software using a semi-quantitative method. The COL1A1 and EGFP mRNA were detected by reverse transcription real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), and corresponding proteins were detected by Western blot.@*RESULTS@#The recombinant plasmid pLVX-COL1A1-EGFP with the expression of EGFP regulated by COL1A1 promoter was successfully constructed. Kozak sequence was added to enhance the expression of EGFP, which was identified by double digestion and sequencing. The LX-2 monoclonal cell line LX-2-CE stably transfected with pLVX-COL1A1-EGFP was obtained. After co-treatment with TGF-β1 and 5 μmol/L dihydrotanshinone Ⅰ with potential anti-hepatic fibrosis effect for 24 h, the total fluorescence intensity and the average fluorescence intensity of LX-2-CE were lower than those in TGF-β1 single treatment group (P < 0.05), the intracellular mRNA and protein levels of COL1A1 and EGFP were also lower than those in the TGF-β1 single treatment group (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#A reporter system for estimating activation of hepatic stellate cells based on COL1A1 promoter regulated EGFP expression is successfully constructed, which could visually report the changes in COL1A1 expression, one of the activation-related markers of hepatic stellate cells, in vitro. It provides a new cell model for the screening and study of anti-hepatic fibrosis drugs.

Discrimination of cultivation modes of Dendrobium nobile based on content of mineral elements and ratios of nitrogen stable isotopes / 中国中药杂志

This study explored the feasibility of mineral element content and ratios of nitrogen isotopes to discriminate the cultivation mode of Dendrobium nobile in order to provide theoretical support for the discrimination of the cultivation mode of D. nobile. The content of 11 mineral elements(N, K, Ca, P, Mg, Na, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, and B) and nitrogen isotope ratios in D. nobile and its substrate samples in three cultivation methods(greenhouse cultivation, tree-attached cultivation, and stone-attached cultivation) were determined. According to the analysis of variance, principal component analysis, and stepwise discriminant analysis, the samples of different cultivation types were classified. The results showed that the nitrogen isotope ratios and the content of elements except for Zn were significantly different among different cultivation types of D. nobile(P<0.05). The results of correlation analysis showed that the nitrogen isotope ratios, mineral element content, and effective component content in D. nobile were correlated with the nitrogen isotope ratio and mineral element content in the corresponding substrate samples to varying degrees. Principal component analysis can preliminarily classify the samples of D. nobile, but some samples overlapped. Through stepwise discriminant analysis, six indicators, including δ~(15)N, K, Cu, P, Na, and Ca, were screened out, which could be used to establish the discriminant model of D. nobile cultivation methods, and the overall correct discrimination rates after back-substitution test, cross-check, and external validation were all 100%. Therefore, nitrogen isotope ratios and mineral element fingerprints combined with multivariate statistical analysis could effectively discriminate the cultivation types of D. nobile. The results of this study provide a new method for the identification of the cultivation type and production area of D. nobile and an experimental basis for the quality evaluation and quality control of D. nobile.

Effect of nanoparticles of different stiffness combined with menthol/curcumol on mechanical properties of bEnd.3 cells / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to investigate the effects of nanoparticles PLGA-NPs and mesoporous silicon nanoparticles(MSNs) of different stiffness before and after combination with menthol or curcumol on the mechanical properties of bEnd.3 cells. The particle size distributions of PLGA-NPs and MSNs were measured by Malvern particle size analyzer, and the stiffness of the two nanoparticles was quantified by atomic force microscopy(AFM). The bEnd.3 cells were cultured in vitro, and the cell surface morphology, roughness, and Young's modulus were examined to characterize the roughness and stiffness of the cell surface. The changes in the mechanical properties of the cells were observed by AFM, and the structure and expression of cytoskeletal F-actin were observed by a laser-scanning confocal microscope. The results showed that both nanoparticles had good dispersion. The particle size of PLGA-NPs was(98.77±2.04) nm, the PDI was(0.140±0.030), and Young's modulus value was(104.717±8.475) MPa. The particle size of MSNs was(97.47±3.92) nm, the PDI was(0.380±0.016), and Young's modulus value was(306.019±8.822) MPa. The stiffness of PLGA-NPs was significantly lower than that of MSNs. After bEnd.3 cells were treated by PLGA-NPs and MSNs separately, the cells showed fine pores on the cell surface, increased roughness, decreased Young's modulus, blurred and broken F-actin bands, and reduced mean gray value. Compared with PLGA-NPs alone, PLGA-NPs combined with menthol or curcumol could allow deepened and densely distributed surface pores of bEnd.3 cells, increase roughness, reduce Young's modulus, aggravate F-actin band breakage, and diminish mean gray value. Compared with MSNs alone, MSNs combined with menthol could allow deepened and densely distributed surface pores of bEnd.3 cells, increase roughness, reduce Young's modulus, aggravate F-actin band breakage, and diminish mean gray value, while no significant difference was observed in combination with curcumol. Therefore, it is inferred that the aromatic components can increase the intracellular uptake and transport of nanoparticles by altering the biomechanical properties of bEnd.3 cells.

Clinical characteristics of dry eye in patients with type 2 diabetic peripheral neuropathy / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the clinical features of dry eye in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with peripheral neuropathy.METHOD: Prospective cohort study. A total of 192 patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled in the Department of Endocrinology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from July 2021 to March 2022. The right eyes of all patients were selected as the observation eye, among which 122 patients were diagnosed with diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN)and 70 patients were diagnosed with non-diabetic peripheral neuropathy(NDPN). The score of ocular surface disease index(OSDI), tear meniscus height, tear meniscus width, corneal epithelial thickness, corneal endothelial cell density, tear secretion test(Schirmer Ⅰ test, SⅠt), corneal sensitivity, meibomian gland function status score, tear film breakup time(BUT), corneal fluorescein sodium staining score and Toronto clinical scoring system(TCSS)score were compared between two groups. The correlation between OSDI score and TCSS score in type 2 diabetes patients was analyzed as well.RESULTS: The morbidity of dry eye in the DPN group(55 eyes, 45.1%)was significantly higher than that of NDPN group(20 eyes, 28.6%; χ2=5.094, P=0.024), BUT and corneal sensitivity score of DPN were lower than NDPN group(P&#x003C;0.001), meanwhile, corneal staining score and meibomian gland function score were higher than NDPN group(P&#x003C;0.001). OSDI scores of all subjects were negatively correlated with TCSS scores(rs=-0.233, P=0.002), and OSDI scores of DPN group were negatively correlated with TCSS scores(rs=-0.511, P&#x003C;0.001), but there was no significant correlation between the two scores of NDPN patients(rs=0.007, P=0.957).CONCLUSIONS: DPN patients are more likely to develop dry eye than NDPN patients. OSDI score is not an accurate evaluation index for type 2 diabetes patients, especially for DPN patients.

Comparative study on the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment between foldable capsular body and scleral buckling / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To compare the effectiveness and complications of treating rhegmatogenous retinal detachment(RRD)with foldable capsule body(FCB)and scleral buckling(SB).METHODS: The clinical data of 81 patients(82 eyes)with RRD who underwent surgery at our hospital from March 2019 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The differences in retinal reattachment rate, best-corrected visual acuity, the absorption of subretinal fluid, postoperative discomfort and incidence of complications between the two treatments were compared.RESULTS: The retinal reattachment rate was 96% in the FCB group and 92% in the SB group, with no significant difference between the two groups(P&#x003E;0.05). The best corrected visual acuity of the affected macular eyes was different in the both groups(P&#x003C;0.01). Both groups effectively promoted the absorption of subretinal fluid. The operation time of FCB group was 16.50(12.75, 25.00)min, while it was 38.00(36.25, 41.75)min in the SB group(P&#x003C;0.001). Patients in the FCB group also had significantly lower eyelid swelling and pain symptoms than those in the SB group(P&#x003C;0.001). The visual analogue scale(VAS)score at 1d after operation was 1.00(0.00, 2.00)in the FCB group and 3.00(2.00, 3.00)in the SB group(P&#x003C;0.001).CONCLUSION: FCB is a safe and effective surgical method to treat RRD that can alleviate patient's pain. Furthermore, FCB has a significantly shorter operation time and milder postoperative adverse reactions than SB.

Mechanism of Guishao Yunpi Decoction in Prevention and Treatment of Mammary Gland Hyperplasia Based on PTEN/PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveStudy on the mechanism of Guishao Yunpi decoction in preventing and treating breast hyperplasia based on phosphatase and tensin homolog （PTEN）/ phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） pathway. MethodSeventy SPF-grade SD rats were randomly assigned into blank group （n=15） and modeling group （n=55）. The mammary gland hyperplasia model of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency was established by the comprehensive modeling method （hunger and satiety abnormality + tail stimulation + estradiol benzoate + progesterone）， and then 5 rats were randomly selected for model verification. The modeled rats were then randomly assigned into five groups： model group， positive control （4 mg·kg-1·d-1 tamoxifen） group， and high-， medium-， and low-dose （17.2， 8.6， 4.3 g·kg-1·d-1， respectively） Guishao Yunpi decoction groups， with 10 rats in each group. The rats in the blank group and model group were given 10 mL·kg-1·d-1 distilled water， and those in other groups were orally administrated with corresponding drugs. After 30 days of treatment， the general living conditions of rats were observed， and the thickness of breast tissue was measured by an ultrasonic diagnostic instrument. The open field test was carried out for behavioral evaluation. The levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2） and Bcl-2-associated X （Bax） in the breast tissue were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The mRNA and protein levels of PTEN， PI3K， and Akt in the breast tissue were determined by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. ResultCompared with those in the blank group， the rats in the model group were irritable， curled up in clusters， and showed positive behavior in the open field test. The modeling led to nipple swelling and increased the breast thickness （P<0.05）. Moreover， the modeling elevated the level of Bcl-2 and lowered that of Bax in the breast tissue （P<0.05）， down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of PTEN， and up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of PI3K and Akt （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， drug administration relieved the general survival state， the degree of nipple swelling， and the positive behavior in the open field test and reduced the breast thickness （P<0.05）. In addition， drug administration reduced the level of Bcl-2 and increased that of Bax in the breast tissue （P<0.05）， up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of PTEN， and down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of PI3K and Akt （P<0.05）. ConclusionGuishao Yunpi decoction can improve the general living conditions and alleviate the mammary gland hyperplasia of rats with the syndrome of liver depression and spleen deficiency， which may be realized by the regulation of the PTEN/PI3K/Akt pathway.

A metabolic intervention strategy to break evolutionary adaptability of tumor for reinforced immunotherapy

The typical hallmark of tumor evolution is metabolic dysregulation. In addition to secreting immunoregulatory metabolites, tumor cells and various immune cells display different metabolic pathways and plasticity. Harnessing the metabolic differences to reduce the tumor and immunosuppressive cells while enhancing the activity of positive immunoregulatory cells is a promising strategy. We develop a nanoplatform (CLCeMOF) based on cerium metal-organic framework (CeMOF) by lactate oxidase (LOX) modification and glutaminase inhibitor (CB839) loading. The cascade catalytic reactions induced by CLCeMOF generate reactive oxygen species "storm" to elicit immune responses. Meanwhile, LOX-mediated metabolite lactate exhaustion relieves the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, preparing the ground for intracellular regulation. Most noticeably, the immunometabolic checkpoint blockade therapy, as a result of glutamine antagonism, is exploited for overall cell mobilization. It is found that CLCeMOF inhibited glutamine metabolism-dependent cells (tumor cells, immunosuppressive cells, etc.), increased infiltration of dendritic cells, and especially reprogrammed CD8+ T lymphocytes with considerable metabolic flexibility toward a highly activated, long-lived, and memory-like phenotype. Such an idea intervenes both metabolite (lactate) and cellular metabolic pathway, which essentially alters overall cell fates toward the desired situation. Collectively, the metabolic intervention strategy is bound to break the evolutionary adaptability of tumors for reinforced immunotherapy.

Clinical efficacy analysis of functional rhinoplasty assisted by nasal endoscopy / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To analyse the clinical effect of endoscopy-assisted functional rhinoplasty. Methods: Twenty-one patients with congenital or traumatic deviated nose with nasal obstruction admitted to Qilu Hospital (Qingdao) from January 2018 to December 2021, including 8 males and 13 females, aged 22 to 46 years, were retrospectively analysed. Endoscopy-assisted functional rhinoplasty was performed in all patients. Deviated nasal septum was corrected, nasal septum cartilage graft was prepared through open approach assisted by endoscopy, the nasal frame structure was adjusted with the endoscopy-assisted rhinoplasty combined with middle and inferior turbinoplasty, and the patient's nasal ventilation function and external nose cosmetology were restored. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE), nasal acoustic reflex and nasal resistance were examined preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. The minimum cross-sectional area of the first two nasal cavities (MCA) MCA1 and MCA2 and their distance between nostrils to the minimum cross-sectional area (MD) MD1 and MD2 were recorded, and the ratio of both sides (expressed in a/b) was calculated. The nasal volume of 5 cm depth from nostril (NV5) and nasal resistance total (RT) were recorded to evaluate the nasal ventilation function to analyse the clinical effect of functional rhinoplasty assisted by nasal endoscope. SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: At 6 months after the operation, for nasal ventilation evaluation, the VAS and NOSE scores of nasal obstruction decreased significantly than those before the operation ((1.81±0.81) points vs (6.71±1.38) points, (4.19±2.06) points vs (12.05±2.67) points, all P<0.05). In the objective indexes, MCA1, MCA2 and NV5 were significantly increased whereas RT, MCA1a/MCA1b, MCA2a/MCA2b, MD1a/MD1b and MD2a/MD2b were significantly decreased compared with those before the operation (all P<0.05). The MD1 and MD2 levels before and after operation had no significant differences (all P>0.05). In the evaluation of external nose morphology, postoperative ROE was significantly increased, and the deviation value of nasal appearance was significantly decreased ((16.19±2.56) points vs (10.24±3.24) points, (1.55±1.16) mm vs (5.63±2.41) mm, all P<0.05). In terms of postoperative patient satisfaction, 19 cases (90.5%) were very satisfied with nasal ventilation function, 2 cases (9.5%) were satisfied with nasal ventilation function; 15 cases (71.4%) were very satisfied with nasal appearance, and 6 cases (28.6%) were satisfied with nasal appearance. Conclusions: Nasal endoscopy-assisted functional rhinoplasty can improve the nasal ventilation function and external nasal morphology at the same time, with good clinical effect and high patient satisfaction.

Analysis of genotypes on 850 newborns with SLC26A4 single-allele mutation and the phenotypes of those with second variant / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To clarify the phenotypes of the newborns with SLC26A4 single-allele mutation in deafness genetic screening and second variant; to analyze the SLC26A4 genotype and hearing phenotype. Methods: 850 newborns born in Beijing from April 2015 to December 2019 were included and there were 468 males and 382 females. They received genetic deafness screening for 9 or 15 variants, with the result of SLC26A4 single-allele mutation. Firstly, three step deafness gene sequencing was adopted in this work, i.e., the first step was "SLC26A4 gene whole exons and splice sites" sequencing; the second step was "SLC26A4 gene promoter, FOXI1 gene and KCNJ10 gene whole exons" sequencing; and the third step was detection for "SLC26A4 gene copy number variation". Secondly, we collected the results of newborn hearing screening for all patients with the second mutation found in the three step test, and conducted audiological examinations, such as acoustic immittance, auditory brainstem response and auditory steady state response. Thirdly, for novel/VUS mutations, we searched the international deafness gene database or software, such as DVD, ClinVar and Mutation Taster, to predict the pathogenicity of mutations according to the ACMG guideline. Lastly, we analyzed the relationship between genotype and phenotype of newborns with SLC26A4 single allele mutation. Results: Among 850 cases, the median age of diagnosis was 4 months. In the first step, 850 cases were sequenced. A total of 32 cases (3.76%, 32/850) of a second variants were detected, including 18 cases (2.12%, 18/850) with identified pathogenic variants; 832 cases were sequenced and 8 cases of KCNJ10 gene missense variants were detected among the second step. No missense mutations in the FOXI1 gene and abnormal SLC26A4 gene promoter were detected; the third step sequencing results were all negative. Genotypes and hearing phenotypes included 18 cases combined with the second clear pathogenic variant, 16 cases (16/18) referred newborn hearing screening and 2 cases (2/18) passed in both ears; degree of hearing loss consisted of 18 profound ears (18/36), 13 severe ears (13/36) and 5 moderate ears (5/36); audiogram patterns comprised 17 high frequency drop ears (17/36), 14 flat ears (14/36), 3 undistinguished ears (3/36), and 2 U shaped ears (2/36); 11 cases underwent imaging examination, all of which were bilateral enlarged vestibular aqueduct. As for 22 cases of other genotypes, all passed neonatal hearing screening and the hearing diagnosis was normal, including 9 cases with VUS or possibly novel benign variants, 8 cases with KCNJ10 double gene heterozygous variants, and 5 cases with double heterozygous variants. Conclusions: The probability of individuals with SLC26A4 single-allele variant who merge with a second pathogenic variant is 2.12%, all of which are SNV, which can provide scientific basis for the genetic diagnosis and genetic counseling of SLC26A4 variants. Those who have merged with second pathogenic variant are all diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss. Patients with KCNJ10 gene mutations do not manifest hearing loss during the infancy, suggesting the need for further follow-up.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Shexiang Baoxin Pill Combined with Exercise in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Single-Center, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Shexiang Baoxin Pill combined with exercise in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).@*METHODS@#Sixty patients with HFpEF were randomly divided into group A (n=20), receiving Shexiang Baoxin Pill combined with home-based exercise training based on conventional drugs for 12 weeks; group B (n=20), receiving conventional drugs combined with home-based exercise training for 12 weeks; and group C (n=20), receiving conventional drug treatment only. Peak oxygen uptake (peakVO2), anaerobic threshold (AT), 6-min walking test (6MWT), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and SF-36 questionnaire (SF-36) results before and after treatment were compared among groups.@*RESULTS@#After the 12-week intervention, patients in group C showed significant declines in peakVO2, AT, 6MWT, PSQI, and SF-36 compared with pre-treatment (P<0.01), while groups A and B both showed significant improvements in peakVO2, AT, 6MWT, PSQI, and SF-36 results compared with pre-treatment (P<0.01). Compared with group C, patients in groups A and B showed significant improvements in peakVO2, AT, 6MWT, PSQI, and SF-36 (P<0.01). In addition, patients in group A showed more significant improvements in physical function, role-physical, vitality, and mental health scores on the SF-36 questionnaire, and PSQI scores than those in group B (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Exercise training improved exercise tolerance, sleep quality and quality of life (QoL) in patients with HFpEF. Notably, Shexiang Baoxin Pill played an active role in sleep quality and QoL of patients with HFpEF. (The trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (No. ChiCTR2100054322)).

PACS and Photoshop assisted isosceles triangle osteotomy and Kirschner wire tension buckle fixation in the treatment of cubitus varus in children / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinical efficacy of picture archiving and communication system (PACS) and Photoshop assisted isosceles triangle osteotomy and Kirschner wire fixation with tension band in the treatment of cubitus varus in children.@*METHODS@#The clinic data of 20 children with cubitus varus treated with isosceles triangle osteotomy of distal humerus and Kirschner wire fixation with tension band from October 2014 to October 2019, were retrospectively analyzed. There were 13 males and 7 females, aged from 3.2 to 13.5 years old, the median age was 6.65 years old. PACS system was applied for the osteotomy design preoperatively, simulating and measuring the side length of isosceles triangle osteotomy. Then, Photoshop system was used to simulate the preoperative and postoperative osteotomy graphics, which could guide precise osteotomy during operation.@*RESULTS@#All the 20 patients were followed up for 20 to 24 months, with a median of 22.5 months. At the last follow-up, the carrying angle of the affected limb was 5 ° to 13 °, with a median of 8.3 °. The clinical efficacy was evaluated according to the Flynn elbow function score:excellent in 16 cases, good in 2 cases, and fair in 2 cases.@*CONCLUSION@#The treatment of cubitus varus in children by isosceles triangle osteotomy and Kirschner wire fixation with tension band assisted by PACS and Photoshop system has shown good clinical outcome.

CiteSpace knowledge map of research hotspots and frontiers of Polygalae Radix / 中国中药杂志

In this study, the Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI) were searched comprehensively for the literature about the research on Polygalae Radix. After manual screening, 1 207 Chinese articles and 263 English articles were included in this study. Excel was used to draw the line chart of the annual number of relevant publications. CiteSpace 6.1.R3 was used for the visual analysis of author cooperation, publishing institutions, keyword co-occurrence, keyword clustering, and bursts in the research on Polygalae Radix. The results showed that the number of articles published in Chinese and English increased linearly, which indicated the rising research popularity of Polygalae Radix. WANG J and LIU X were the authors publishing the most articles in Chinese and English, respectively. Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were the research institutions with the largest number of Chinese and English publications in this field, respectively. The institutions publishing the relevant articles in English formed a system with the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences as the core. According to the keywords, the research hotspots of Polygalae Radix included variety selection and breeding, quality standard, extraction and identification of active chemical components, prescription compatibility, processing, clinical medication rules, and pharmacological mechanism. The research frontiers were the molecular mechanisms of Polygalae Radix and its active components in exerting the protective effect on brain nerve, regulating receptor pathways, alleviating anxiety and Alzheimer's disease, as well as data mining and clinical medication summary. This study has reference significance for the topic selection and frontier identification of the future research on Polygalae Radix.

Thoughts of treatment of tumor diseases based on toxic pathogen theory / 中国中药杂志

The toxic pathogen theory, an important part of the theories of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), began in the Qin and Han dynasties, formed in the Jin, Sui, Tang, and Song dynasties, developed rapidly in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and conti-nued to develop in contemporary times based on the achievements of its predecessors. The continuous exploration, practice, and inheri-tance of many medical practitioners over the generations have facilitated the enrichment of its connotation. The toxic pathogen is violent, fierce, dangerous, prolonged, rapid in transmission, easy to hurt the internal organs, hidden, and latent, with many changes, and it is closely related to the development of tumor diseases. TCM has a history of thousands of years in the prevention and treatment of tumor diseases. It is gradually realized that the etiology of tumor is mainly attributed to the deficiency of healthy Qi and excess of to-xic pathogen, and the struggle between healthy Qi and toxic pathogen runs through the whole course of tumor, with the deficiency of healthy Qi as the prerequisite and the invasion of toxic pathogen as the root of the occurrence. The toxic pathogen has a strong carcinogenic effect and is involved in the whole process of tumor development, which is closely related to the malignant behaviors of tumors, including proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. This study discussed the historical origin and modern interpretation of the toxic pathogen theory in the prevention and treatment of tumors, with aims of sorting out the theoretical system based on the toxic pathogen theory in the treatment of tumor diseases, and illustrating the importance of the toxic pathogen theory in the treatment of tumors in the context of modern research on pharmacological mechanisms and the development and marketing of relevant anti-tumor Chinese medicinal preparations.