Objective To explore the potential mechanism of Shuganning injection for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) through network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques. Methods Information on the active compounds of Shuganning injection and their target proteins, as well as disease-related targets of NAFLD, were collected from multiple public databases from May 23rd to 28th, 2024, for protein interaction network analysis and pathway enrichment analysis. A multi-level network of “herb-compound-target-disease” of Shuganning injection for NAFLD was constructed. Molecular docking was performed on the top 5 key active compounds ranked in the degree centrality of the “core target-active compound” network and the core action targets. Results Finally, 140 active compounds of Shuganning injection and 486 potential targets, 1058 NAFLD-related targets, 154 common targets for NAFLD and Shuganning injection were obtained. Topological analysis of the common target protein interaction network identified 16 key target proteins of protein kinase B1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1, interleukin-6, and matrix metalloproteinase-9, etc. The gene ontology enrichment analysis showed that their genes were involved in 179 biological processes, 13 cellular components, and 48 molecular functions. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis showed that their genes were involved in 99 pathways of cancer, lipid and atherosclerosis, NAFLD and insulin resistance, etc. The constructed multi-level network of “herb-compound-target-disease” consisted of 102 nodes and 208 edges. The molecular docking results showed that the 5 key active compounds of baicalin, acacetin, sitosterol, β-sitosterol, and ganoderic acid A had high affinity for the core target proteins. Conclusion Shuganning injection may exert therapeutic effects on NAFLD through active compounds like baicalin, acacetin, sitosterol, β-sitosterol and ganoderic acid A, acting on key target proteins such as protein kinase B1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1, interleukin-6, and matrix metalloproteinase-9, regulating pathways related to lipids and atherosclerosis, NAFLD, and insulin resistance.
The rapid advancement of causal inference is driving a paradigm shift across various disciplines. "Target trial emulation" has emerged as an exceptionally promising framework for observational real-world studies, attracting substantial attention from medical scholars and regulatory agencies worldwide. This article aims to provide an introduction to CERBOT, an online tool that assists in implementing target trial emulation studies, while highlighting the advancements in this domain. Additionally, the article provides an illustrative example to elucidate the operational process of CERBOT. The objectives are to support domestic researchers in conducting target trial emulation studies and enhance the quality of real-world studies in the domestic medical field, as well as improve the medical service level in clinical practice.
ObjectiveTo analyze the reporting and methodological quality of tranexamic acid meta-analyses published in Chinese journals. MethodsThe CNKI, WanFang Data, and CBM databases were electronically searched for meta-analyses of tranexamic acid from inception to August 12th, 2021. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and used AMSTAR 2 and PRISMA 2009 to assess the methodological and reporting quality of publications. ResultsA total of 68 meta-analyses were included. The identified meta-analyses required improvement for items 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 12, 15, and 16 in the AMSTAR 2, and items 2, 5, 8, 12, 15, 17, 22, 24, and 27 in the PRISMA 2009 assessments, respectively. The methodological and reporting quality scores were positively correlated (rs=0.36, P=0.002). Linear regression analysis identified the mentioning of PRISMA and funding support as the independent factors potentially affecting the reporting quality score (P<0.05). ConclusionsBoth the methodological and reporting quality of the tranexamic acid meta-analyses published in Chinese journals require improvement.
ObjectiveTo investigate whether there is a causal relationship between the intake of milk or coffee and the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). MethodsUsing a two-sample Mendelian randomization approach, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with milk or coffee intake were used as instrumental variables, and genome-wide association study data on NAFLD were used as the outcome event. Inverse-variance weighted (IVW) and MR-Egger methods were employed to investigate the causal effect of milk or coffee intake on the risk of NAFLD. ResultsBoth analyses indicated no causal association between milk or coffee intake and the risk of NAFLD (P>0.05). Sensitivity analysis indicated the robustness of the main findings, with no outliers, heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy, or significant influence of individual SNPs. ConclusionThis study does not support a causal relationship between the intake of milk or coffee and the risk of NAFLD.
Objective To analyze the disease burden of liver cancer caused by nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) among the Chinese population by utilizing the latest global burden of disease (GBD) 2021 data, and conduct a comparative analysis with the global situation, so as to provide references and lessons for the formulation of public health policies and disease management plans in China. Methods GBD 2021 database publicly released in May 2024 was searched and relevant disease burden data of liver cancer caused by NASH in China and globally from 1990 to 2021 was sorted out. Joinpoint regression model was employed to calculate the average annual percentage change (AAPC) of the age-standardized rates of various burden indicators in order to evaluate the changing characteristics of disease epidemiology over time. Meanwhile, Bayesian method was used to predict the number of incidences and deaths of liver cancer caused by NASH in China and globally from 2022 to 2045. Results Compared with 1990, in 2021, the number of incidences, prevalence, deaths, disability-adjusted life years, age-standardized incidence rate and age-standardized prevalence rate of liver cancer caused by NASH in the overall, male and female populations in China and globally all increased. Moreover, in 1990 and 2021, all the burden indicators of the Chinese male population were higher than those of the female population in the corresponding years. The overall trend analysis showed that during the 32 years from 1990 to 2021, the age-standardized incidence rate [AAPC=0.44%, 95%CI (0.35%, 0.53%), P<0.001] and the age-standardized prevalence rate [AAPC=0.92%, 95%CI (0.73%, 1.11%), P<0.001] of liver cancer caused by NASH in the overall population in China both showed a significant upward trend. In addition, in 1990 and 2021, the age-standardized rates of all the burden indicators of the overall population in China were higher than the global levels in the corresponding years. The prediction results of the Bayesian model showed that from 2022 to 2045, the number of incidences and deaths of liver cancer caused by NASH in the overall, male and female populations in China and globally will generally show an upward trend. Conclusions The disease burden of liver cancer caused by NASH in China and globally is generally on the rise. In order to curb the increasing disease burden, it is necessary to formulate relevant public health policies and disease management plans in a timely manner.
Objectives To investigate the participation of magazines or journals' editors in the clinical practice guidelines in China. Methods WanFang Data, VIP, CNKI, CBM databases, as well as Baidu, Google and www.medlive.cn were searched online to collect incorporated guidelines in which magazines or journal editors participated in. Data was then analyzed. Results In total, 68 guidelines were selected, with 51 (75.00%) led by magazines and 17 (25.00%) edited by editors. 55 guidelines (80.88%) were the same in published and participated journals. Circulatory diseases (27.94%), diagnosis and treatment (54.41%) were the most concerned. 15 guidelines (22.06%) were updated. 17 guidelines reported the roles of the editors who were mostly expert group members (13.24%). 7 guidelines, 3 of which affirmed no relevant conflicts of interest, reported the sponsorship. The quality was higher than the domestic average while lower than the international guidelines. Conclusions The number of clinical practice guidelines magazines or editors participating in China is relatively small, while the quality was higher. The primary form of the participation is journal-led, however, the process, methods, roles, and conflicts of interest in the guidelines require further definition.