Advances in Zika virus vaccines and therapeutics:A systematic review

Zika virus(ZIKV)is the causative agent of a viral infection that causes neurological complications in newborns and adults worldwide.Its wide transmission route and alarming spread rates are of great concern to the scientific community.Numerous trials have been conducted to develop treatment options for ZIKV infection.This review highlights the latest developments in the fields of vaccinology and pharmaceuticals developments for ZIKV infection.A systematic and comprehensive approach was used to gather relevant and up-to-date data so that inferences could be made about the gaps in therapeutic development.The results indicate that several therapeutic interventions are being tested against ZIKV infection,such as DNA vaccines,subunit vaccines,live-attenuated vaccines,virus-vector-based vaccines,inactivated vaccines,virus-like particles,and mRNA-based vaccines.In addition,approved anti-ZIKV drugs that can reduce the global burden are discussed.Although many vaccine candidates for ZIKV are at different stages of development,none of them have received Food and Drug Authority approval for use up to now.The issue of side effects associated with these drugs in vulnerable newborns and pregnant women is a major obstacle in the therapeutic pathway.

Perspectives for delivery of therapeutics by extravasation of biodegradable microspheres in the brain

Development of therapeutics for brain diseases has remained challenging,in particular due to the difficulty of passing the blood-brain barrier.As a result,the current arsenal of therapeutics targeting the brain is limited to small,lipid-soluble drugs and there is a lack of options for treating neuroblastomas,Alzheimer’s disease,and many other devastating pathologies.Despite the advances in strategies for crossing the blood-brain barrier such as the use of nanoparticles(Hersh et al.,2022;Duan et al.,2023),such delivery systems have not yet reached clinical practice.Therefore,novel platforms for the transport of therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier remain highly desired.This specifically holds for large molecules such as monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins,as well as nucleotide-based therapeutics and cell therapies.Research efforts in this field are increasing exponentially,with thousands of publications in the last few years.

中医药团体标准评价体系(SCORE-TCM)解读

本文全面解读了中医药团体标准评价体系(System of Consortium Standards Rating and Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine,SCORE-TCM)。SCORE-TCM是结合定性与定量评价,全面评估中医药团体标准在制定主体、文本编写、技术内容、推广应用和实施效益等几方面特征的综合评价工具。文中详述了SCORE-TCM的构建目的、定义和构建过程,解释了评价指标体系中的各项指标,并对每项指标的评价材料进行介绍。本文旨在帮助中医药团体标准的制定者、第三方评价机构和其他相关方更好地理解SCORE-TCM各评价条目的含义,更有效地运用于中医药团体标准的自评价或第三方评价,SCORE-TCM将为《中医药团体标准管理办法》的贯彻实施,以及中医药团体标准的高质量发展提供技术支持。

基于SCORE-TCM的中医药团体标准抽样评价方案设计

目前,各社会团体积极参与中医药标准的制定和发布,特别是“十四五”以来,中医药团体标准化工作更是迎来了提质增效的关键阶段。深入评估社会团体发布的中医药标准质量,是推进中医药团体标准工作的关键环节和重点任务。前期已研制并形成了中医药团体标准评价体系(System of Consortium Standards Rating and Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, SCORETCM)。在上述背景下,本研究通过专家共识法,设计了一套基于SCORE-TCM的中医药团体标准抽样评价方案,应用场景为对于特定社会团体发布的标准,或各团体发布的特定技术类别的标准进行快速评估。该方案涵盖了标准抽样、材料收集、标准评价、结果解读的完整流程,为中医药团体标准的抽样评价工作提供了参考方案。

Regeneration of the heart:f rom molecular mechanisms to clinical therapeutics

Heart injury such as myocardial infarction leads to cardiomyocyte loss,fibrotic tissue deposition,and scar formation.These changes reduce cardiac contractility,resulting in heart failure,which causes a huge public health burden.Military personnel,compared with civilians,is exposed to more stress,a risk factor for heart diseases,making cardiovascular health management and treatment innovation an important topic for military medicine.So far,medical intervention can slow down cardiovascular disease progression,but not yet induce heart regeneration.In the past decades,studies have focused on mechanisms underlying the regenerative capability of the heart and applicable approaches to reverse heart injury.Insights have emerged from studies in animal models and early clinical trials.Clinical interventions show the potential to reduce scar formation and enhance cardiomyocyte proliferation that counteracts the pathogenesis of heart disease.In this review,we discuss the signaling events controlling the regeneration of heart tissue and summarize current therapeutic approaches to promote heart regeneration after injury.

A Conversation with Professor Ted Kaptchuk,a Key Architect of Modern TCM in the West

The interview was conducted on November 20th,2022 by Ioannis Solos and Charles Buck.Ted Kaptchuk(泰开阳)is a Professor of Medicine and a Professor of Global Health&Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School.In 1975,he graduated from the Macao Institute of Chinese Medicine,Macao,China.After returning to the West,Ted taught Chinese medicine throughout the States,Europe,Latin America,and Australia.Ted’s book,The Web that Has No Weaver:Understanding Chinese Medicine is a groundbreaking explanation of East Asian medicine that continues to shape the discourse of the Chinese medicine profession in the West and has been translated into 13 languages.In 1990,Ted was recruited in Harvard Medical School to help research Chinese medicine.After encountering high placebo responses in multiple acupuncture clinical trials,Ted decided to switch his career to primarily studying placebo.He has published over 300 peer-reviewed articles.He has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Acupuncture Research(2015),the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society for Interdisciplinary Placebo Studies(2021),and the William Silen Lifetime Achievement Award in Mentoring from Harvard Medical School(2022).

Application of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for premature ovarian insufficiency: Recent advances from mechanisms to therapeutics

The incidence of premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)is increasing worldwide,particularly among younger women,posing a significant challenge to fertility.In addition to menopausal symptoms,POI leads to several complications that profoundly affect female reproductive function and overall health.Unfortunately,current clinical treatment strategies for this condition are limited and often yield unsatisfactory outcomes.These approaches typically involve hormone repla-cement therapy combined with psychological support.Recently,mesenchymal stem cell(MSC)therapies for POI have garnered considerable attention in global research.MSCs can restore ovarian reproductive and endocrine functions through diverse mechanisms,including controlling differentiation,promoting angiogenesis,regulating ovarian fibrosis,inhibiting apoptosis,enhancing autocrine and paracrine effects,suppressing inflammation,modulating the immune system,and genetic regulation.This editorial offers a succinct summary of the application of MSC therapy in the context of POI,providing evidence for groundbreaking medical approaches that have potential to enhance reproductive health and overall well-being for women.

Research Status of TCM Rehabilitation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

This paper mainly analyzes the application status of TCM rehabilitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD),hoping to provide support and help for clinical staff through this study,and promote the further development of COPD rehabilitation program.

Gene signatures to therapeutics:Assessing the potential of ivermectin against t(4;14)multiple myeloma

BACKGROUND Multiple myeloma(MM)is a terminal differentiated B-cell tumor disease characterized by clonal proliferation of malignant plasma cells and excessive levels of monoclonal immunoglobulins in the bone marrow.The translocation,(t)(4;14),results in high-risk MM with limited treatment alternatives.Thus,there is an urgent need for identification and validation of potential treatments for this MM subtype.Microarray data and sequencing information from public databases could offer opportunities for the discovery of new diagnostic or therapeutic targets.AIM To elucidate the molecular basis and search for potential effective drugs of t(4;14)MM subtype by employing a comprehensive approach.METHODS The transcriptional signature of t(4;14)MM was sourced from the Gene Expression Omnibus.Two datasets,GSE16558 and GSE116294,which included 17 and 15 t(4;14)MM bone marrow samples,and five and four normal bone marrow samples,respectively.After the differentially expressed genes were identified,the Cytohubba tool was used to screen for hub genes.Then,the hub genes were analyzed using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis.Using the STRING database and Cytoscape,protein–protein interaction networks and core targets were identified.Potential small-molecule drugs were identified and validated using the Connectivity Map database and molecular docking analysis,respectively.RESULTS In this study,a total of 258 differentially expressed genes with enriched functions in cancer pathways,namely cytokine receptor interactions,nuclear factor(NF)-κB signaling pathway,lipid metabolism,atherosclerosis,and Hippo signaling pathway,were identified.Ten hub genes(cd45,vcam1,ccl3,cd56,app,cd48,btk,ccr2,cybb,and cxcl12)were identified.Nine drugs,including ivermectin,deforolimus,and isoliquiritigenin,were predicted by the Connectivity Map database to have potential therapeutic effects on t(4;14)MM.In molecular docking,ivermectin showed strong binding affinity to all 10 identified targets,especially cd45 and cybb.Ivermectin inhibited t(4;14)MM cell growth via the NF-κB pathway and induced MM cell apoptosis in vitro.Furthermore,ivermectin increased reactive oxygen species accumulation and altered the mitochondrial membrane potential in t(4;14)MM cells.CONCLUSION Collectively,the findings offer valuable molecular insights for biomarker validation and potential drug development in t(4;14)MM diagnosis and treatment,with ivermectin emerging as a potential therapeutic alternative.

城市轨道交通ATO与TCMS功能融合设计

[目的]基于ATO(列车自动运行系统)与TCMS(列车控制及监控系统)的基本功能,采用融合设计的方式可简化重复设计,并优化列车控制功能,故有必要开展相关研究。[方法]通过综合分析现阶段ATO和TCMS在城市轨道交通中的功能和应用,研究ATO和TCMS控制功能融合,提出了一种列车系统集成化和控制功能更佳的一体化设计方案,并分析了功能融合所带来的优势。[结果及结论]融合ATO和TCMS功能后,可提高列车的系统集成度,使之更容易实现智能化,但也需要克服技术和管理等方面的挑战。

应用于中继卫星通信系统的16QAM-TCM技术研究

网格编码调制技术可以在不改变信息传输频谱带宽的条件下,改善信噪比,减少发射功率,降低误码率,其实现的方法是分割星座图形成子集,逐步增大星座图中信号点之间的最小欧氏距离。本论文在项目组自研的中继卫星通信系统仿真平台上,仿真了8PSK与16QAM-TCM两种调制技术的解调性能,仿真曲线反映了误比特率需求与所需信噪比之间的关系。仿真结果表明:(1)在理想信道条件、I/Q(Inphase/Quadrature,同相/正交)幅相不平衡、幅频特性、群时延、相位噪声、功率放大器饱和点条件下,假设误比特率需求为1E-7,16QAM-TCM技术的信噪比需求与8PSK调制技术的信噪比需求相比,分别可节省8.85 dB、9.04 dB、8.45 dB、10.2 dB、8.5 dB、14.6 dB的信噪比;(2)在非线性信道条件下,当信噪比增大时,8PSK调制技术的误比特率在1E-3数量级附近波动,不再变化;(3)假设需求的误比特率为1E-7,16QAMTCM调制技术非线性信道信噪比仿真值与理想信道信噪比仿真值相比,损失了4.8 dB。

基于GaN器件的单相逆变器TCM控制策略研究

氮化镓(GaN)高电子迁移率晶体管具有开关速度快、器件损耗小的优点,在高频应用场合得到广泛应用。为了进一步提高变换器效率和功率密度,将三角电流模式(TCM)调制用于基于GaN器件的单相逆变器中,通过控制负向电流与死区时间实现了全范围零电压开关(ZVS),达到提高变换器效率和功率密度的目的。搭建了1台样机进行验证,实验结果表明,TCM调制在不同负载条件下均可实现软开关,最大开关频率可达300 kHz,峰值效率可达98.5%。

基于TCM模式的护理干预对肺癌手术患者情绪、肺功能及生活质量的影响

目的 探讨基于TCM模式的护理干预对肺癌手术患者情绪、肺功能及生活质量的影响。方法 选择2020年2月—2022年2月江苏省人民医院收治的126例行胸腔镜肺癌根治术患者为研究对象,以随机数字表法分为2组,每组63例,对照组给予胸外科临床基础性护理干预,试验组在对照组护理基础上应用基于TCM模式的护理干预。比较2组患者干预前及干预30 d后的情绪(SAS评分、SDS评分)、肺功能指标[1 min内最大通气量(MVV)、用力肺活量(FVC)、第1秒用力呼气容积(FEV_(1))]、生活质量(KPS评分)及护理满意度。结果 干预30 d后,2组患者SAS评分、SDS评分均有不同程度的下降,且组间比较试验组明显低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05);2组患者的KPS评分以及MVV、FVC、FEV_(1)均升高,且组间比较试验组的KPS评分及肺功能指标均高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05);试验组患者的总体满意度为96.83%(61/63),显著高于对照组的80.95%(51/63),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 基于TCM模式的护理干预效果明显优于常规护理,能够显著改善肺癌手术患者的肺功能,缓解负性情绪,提高患者生活质量,继而获得患者认同。

从美国针灸流派的产生发展看中医针灸理论的国际传播——以TCM针灸流派和医学针灸流派为例

传统中医针灸流派和医学针灸流派分属美国针灸流派的两大阵营,且最具代表性。从二者的产生以及在美国的传播发展历程看,针灸作为一门传统医疗技术,在美国实现“本土化”,以及进一步走向国际化和现代化的进程中,其面临的理论国际传播问题最为突出。站在医学史的角度,并结合针灸医学的自身特点,从理论整合重构、科学研究深化以及针灸海外教育三个方面入手,冲破针灸医学在国际传播中的局限,向世界展现中医针灸理论的全貌,是目前针灸医学理论实现国际化和现代化的前进方向。

Role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis and therapeutics of minimal hepatic encephalopathy via the gut-liver-brain axis

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy(MHE) is a frequent neurological and psychiatric complication of liver cirrhosis. The precise pathogenesis of MHE is complicated and has yet to be fully elucidated. Studies in cirrhotic patients and experimental animals with MHE have indicated that gut microbiota dysbiosis induces systemic inflammation, hyperammonemia, and endotoxemia, subsequently leading to neuroinflammation in the brain via the gut-liver-brain axis. Related mechanisms initiated by gut microbiota dysbiosis have significant roles in MHE pathogenesis. The currently available therapeutic strategies for MHE in clinical practice, including lactulose, rifaximin, probiotics, synbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation, exert their effects mainly by modulating gut microbiota dysbiosis. Microbiome therapies for MHE have shown promised efficacy and safety;however, several controversies and challenges regarding their clinical use deserve to be intensively discussed. We have summarized the latest research findings concerning the roles of gut microbiota dysbiosis in the pathogenesis of MHE via the gut-liver-brain axis as well as the potential mechanisms by which microbiome therapies regulate gut microbiota dysbiosis in MHE patients.

Clinical Characteristics,Diagnosis,and Therapeutics of COVID-19:A Review

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)that suddenly emerged at the end of December 2019 and caused coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)continues to afflict humanity,not only seriously affecting healthcare systems but also leading to global social and economic imbalances.As of August 2022,there were approximately 580 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and approximately 6.4 million confirmed deaths due to this disease.The data are sufficient to highlight the seriousness of SARS-CoV-2 infection.Although most patients with COVID-19 present primarily with respiratory symptoms,an increasing number of extrapulmonary systemic symptoms and manifestations have been associated with COVID-19.Since the outbreak of COVID-19,much has been learned about the disease and its causative agent.Therefore,great effort has been aimed at developing treatments and drug interventions to treat and reduce the incidence of COVID-19.In this narrative review,we provide a brief overview of the epidemiology,mechanisms,clinical manifestations,diagnosis,and therapeutics of COVID-19.

Toward Data-Driven Digital Therapeutics Analytics:Literature Review and Research Directions

With the advent of digital therapeutics(DTx),the development of software as a medical device(SaMD)for mobile and wearable devices has gained significant attention in recent years.Existing DTx evaluations,such as randomized clinical trials,mostly focus on verifying the effectiveness of DTx products.To acquire a deeper understanding of DTx engagement and behavioral adherence,beyond efficacy,a large amount of contextual and interaction data from mobile and wearable devices during field deployment would be required for analysis.In this work,the overall flow of the data-driven DTx analytics is reviewed to help researchers and practitioners to explore DTx datasets,to investigate contextual patterns associated with DTx usage,and to establish the(causal)relationship between DTx engagement and behavioral adherence.This review of the key components of datadriven analytics provides novel research directions in the analysis of mobile sensor and interaction datasets,which helps to iteratively improve the receptivity of existing DTx.

The Significance of Constructing TCM Psychosomatic Medicine from the Holistic View of the Unity of Nature and Man

With the development of medical technology, the problem of fragmentation of medical research has become increasingly prominent, and a series of iatrogenic diseases, drug-induced diseases and drug toxicity and side effects have resulted in an increase in the number of diseases. In the face of these problems, the medical concept has been re-examined and re-thought. The concept of the holistic view of the unity of nature and man in traditional Chinese medicine has certain enlightenment for dealing with the problems in the current medical development. Based on the holistic view of the unity of nature and man, the overall connection between human’s heart and body and nature is explained, and the further construction of TCM psychosomatic medicine is conducive to guiding the diagnosis and treatment of clinical diseases, and providing new enlightenment for the current medical concept thinking and clinical disease research.

Discussion on the Treatment of Palmoplantar Keratosis by TCM Soaking and Washing

By combing the mechanism and advantages of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)soaking and washing and combining TCM syndrome differentiation with western medicine differentiation of diseases,guided by the view that"the principle of external treatment is that of internal treatment",this article discusses the differentiation and treatment ideas of palmoplantar keratosis by TCM soaking and washing,which will provide a reference for clinical treatment.

TCM’s International Education Trailblazers

Promoting standardization and legalization of international TCM education.Every day,Marissa arrives ready to work at the Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine(CDUTCM)at 8 a.m.An Indonesian student at CDUTCM based in Chengdu,Sichuan Province,Marissa has been studying TCM for nearly five years and is now participating in a rotating internship in multiple departments including acupuncture,massage,and dermatology.A fluent Chinese speaker,Marissa rarely encounters difficulties communicating with patients.Luckily,foreign TCM doctors are becoming more common now.