1.Inheritance and Current Research Status of Major Spleen-Stomach Theories in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Ling HU ; Fengyun WANG ; Xudong TANG ; Beihua ZHANG ; Yunkai DAI ; Xu CHEN ; Shiqi LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):87-94
This paper systematically reviews the core concepts and lines of theoretical inheritance of major spleen-stomach theories in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including spleen deficiency theory, spleen-stomach damp-heat theory, and liver-spleen disharmony theory. It is found that these theories have all undergone a developmental trajectory characterized by classical foundation, refinement of therapeutic methods, systematization of pathogenesis, and modern innovation. The evolution of spleen-stomach theory has achieved a shift from a singular focus on tonifying the spleen to regulating dynamic middle-jiao (焦) balance, and from localized spleen-stomach regulation to the circular movement of qi involving all five zang organs. In terms of modern disease-syndrome integrative research, spleen deficiency syndrome is shown to be closely associated with impairment of the gastrointestinal mucosal barrier, metabolic disorders, and gene polymorphisms related to Helicobacter pylori-associated gastric diseases. Spleen-stomach damp-heat syndrome is closely linked to hyperactive energy metabolism, inflammatory cytokines, and abnormal expression of aquaporins. Liver-spleen disharmony syndrome is mainly associated with dysregulation of the brain-gut axis and microbiota-related metabolic disorders. It is proposed that future research on spleen-stomach diseases and syndromes should further elucidate their potential multidimensional differential biological characteristics, thereby promoting the modernization of the TCM discipline of spleen-stomach studies.
2.Research progress on the role of antigen-presenting cells in xenotransplantation
Kankan SHUI ; Haoran ZHOU ; Ye XU ; Qiulin LUO ; Tengfang LI ; Hedong ZHANG ; Longkai PENG ; Helong DAI
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):9-15
Organ transplantation is an effective alternative treatment for patients with end-stage organ failure. However, the shortage of donor organs has limited the widespread application of clinical transplantation. In recent years, breakthroughs in CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology have overcome the barrier of hyperacute rejection in xenotransplantation, offering a potential solution to the organ shortage crisis. Rejection remains a critical factor affecting graft survival. Antigen-presenting cells play a vital role in the initiation and progression of rejection and immune regulation in xenotransplantation. Therefore, in-depth investigation into the role of antigen-presenting cells in xenotransplantation is of great significance. This article summarizes the roles and therapeutic strategies of professional antigen-presenting cells, including macrophages, dendritic cells and B cells in xenotransplantation, aiming to provide insights for future research on immune regulation mechanisms in this field.
3.Research progress and clinical application prospects of heparin-binding protein in organ transplantation
Chengchang ZHANG ; Ruozhu LI ; Yeqiming WANG ; Chen DAI
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):51-60
Heparin-binding protein (HBP) is a pro-inflammatory granule protein released by activated neutrophils, known for its role in modulating vascular permeability and its pathological significance in infectious diseases. In recent years, HBP has garnered attention due to its immune-activating effects in contexts such as sepsis, acute lung injury and organ transplantation. It has been proposed as a potential biomarker for early detection of infection and inflammation. While preliminary progress has been made in animal studies, clinical evidence remains limited. Therefore, this article focuses on the mechanism of action of HBP in transplantation-related complications, explores its potential pathways for predicting infection risk, mediating ischemia-reperfusion injury and rejection, and evaluates the feasibility of intervention strategies such as neutralizing antibodies, heparin derivatives and albumin. The pivotal role of HBP in regulating inflammatory responses post-transplant may offer a novel target for postoperative infection monitoring and personalized therapeutic interventions.
4.Dose response relationship between sleep duration and depressive symptoms risk in children and adolescents
DAI Chaolan, ZHAO Min, WANG Mingming, XI Bo
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(1):80-84
Objective:
To investigate the association between sleep duration and depressive symptoms in children and adolescents, so as to provide scientific evidence for promoting mental health and preventing depression among relevant populations.
Methods:
A total of 2 192 children and adolescents aged 10-17 years with complete data from the 2018 China Family Panel Studies Database were included. Eight item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depressive Scale(CES-D8) was used to assess participants depressive levels, and sleep duration was assessed via questionnaire. Multivariate Logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between different sleep duration categories and depressive symptom occurrence among children and adolescents. A restricted cubic spline(RCS) model analyzed the dose response relationship between sleep duration and the risk of depressive symptoms occurrence and segmented Logistic regression models to identify dose response effects.
Results:
Among the surveyed children and adolescents, 524(23.91%) exhibited depressive symptoms. Compared to those with sufficient sleep, children aged 10-12 years had a higher risk of depressive symptoms on average per day( OR =1.66, 95% CI =1.19-2.33) and during weekdays( OR =1.76, 95% CI =1.26-2.46), as well as in adolescents aged 13-17 years on a daily basis( OR =1.40,95% CI =1.06-1.85) and during weekdays( OR = 1.48,95% CI =1.12-1.95), and excessive sleep in adolescents on rest days was also significantly associated with higher risk of depressive symptoms( OR =1.65,95% CI =1.11-2.43)(all P <0.05). RCS analysis results indicate that children s sleep duration exhibits a linear negative correlation with the risk of depressive symptoms(all P nonlinear >0.05), while adolescents sleep duration showed a U shaped association with depressive symptoms(all P nonlinear <0.05) on a daily basis, during weekdays and weekends, with potential threshold effects at 10.00, 9.88, and 9.60 hours, respectively.
Conclusions
Sleep duration among children and adolescents is associated with depressive symptoms, with notable age related differeneces. It is recommended to develop targeted age specific interventions to reduce the risk of depressive symptoms in children and adolescents.
5.Assessment of health exposure risks from preservatives in beverages sold near primary schools in Anshun
XU Lin, QU Guangsheng, DAI Qian, LU Shunhua, CAI Guixiang, ZHANG Jialin, WEI Gang
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(1):129-133
Objective:
To quantitatively assess the health risk of preservatives from beverages around primary schools in Anshun City, and to provide scientific basis for precise food safety supervision.
Methods:
From December 2023 to July 2024, 602 beverage samples were randomly collected from within 100 meters of 19 primary schools in Anshun City. The content of benzoic acid, sorbic acid, and dehydroacetic acid was detected according to GB 5009 series standards. Combined with children s physiological parameters (body weight 30 kg, daily intake 0.15 L), the Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) models were used to evaluate health risks.
Results:
The total detection rate of preservatives from beverages around primary schools was 63.0%, and the total over limit rate was 9.0%. The detection rate of preservatives in flavored beverages was the highest (72.6%), and the highest over limit rate of preservatives in special purpose beverages was the highest (17.2%). The single preservative HQ (benzoic acid up to 0.47 ) and mixed HI (up to 0.55) of all samples were below 1(safety threshold). However, the HQ value of benzoic acid in flavored beverages (0.47) was 2.9 times that of sorbic acid (0.16), contributing significantly to health risk. Sensitivity analysis showed that if the daily consumption increased to 0.3 L, the HI value of flavored beverages would rise to 1.11, exceeding the safety threshold. Enterprise scale analysis showed that the exceedance rate of special purpose beverages in large enterprises reached 30.0%, while micro enterprises, accounting for a dominant market share (52.2%), constituted the main source of children s daily exposure to their products.
Conclusions
The overall health risk of perservatives in beverages sold near primary schools in Anshun City is controllable, but there is a noticeable risk of gradient. The risk of children’s exposure to preservatives through beverage consumption should not be ignored.
6.TCM Treatment of Sarcopenia Based on PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway: A Review
Yan CHEN ; Ting DAI ; Changsheng GUO ; Zhihai FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):316-326
Sarcopenia is a systemic skeletal muscle disease characterized by the gradual decline of muscle mass,strength,and function,and its occurrence and development are related to multiple factors,involving several signaling pathways. Among them,the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway,as a key pathway regulating cellular growth,survival,and metabolism,plays an important role in the formation and development of sarcopenia. Its abnormal activation or deactivation may lead to an imbalance in muscle protein metabolism,resulting in muscle atrophy and reduction. Modern medicine is still in the exploratory stage of treatment for sarcopenia. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM),with its multi-pathway and multi-target characteristics,has shown increasing advantages in the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia. In recent years,various monomers, extracts,and compound formulas of TCM have been proven to effectively prevent and treat sarcopenia by promoting muscle cell protein synthesis,reducing protein degradation,inhibiting cell apoptosis and inflammatory response,and improving mitochondrial function. This paper reviewed the improvement effects of TCM on sarcopenia based on the PI3K/Akt pathway and explored its specific action mechanisms, aiming to provide new insights for the treatment of sarcopenia with TCM.
7.Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention in Depression Based on Signaling Pathway Regulation: A Review
Jinjiang XU ; Li WU ; Qi ZHANG ; Yasheng DENG ; Jingjing XIE ; Haobin CHEN ; En ZHAO ; Man ZHANG ; Jianye DAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):319-328
Depression is a common psychiatric disorder characterized by persistent low mood or mental disorders. Current treatments primarily focus on regulating neurotransmitter levels, but their effectiveness is limited. The mechanisms underlying its onset are complex, and there is no unified consensus. Abnormal signaling pathway transmission plays a crucial role in the development of depression, involving multiple pathways, including Toll-like receptor 4/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (TLR4/NLRP3), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK), brain-derived neurotrophic factor/tyrosine kinase receptor B (BDNF/TrkB), cyclic AMP/protein kinase A/cAMP response element-binding protein (cAMP/PKA/CREB), and others. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is based on a holistic approach and the principle of treatment based on the differentiation of syndromes, regulating the balance of multiple systems and organ functions from a macroscopic perspective. This approach has shown unique advantages in the treatment of depression. TCM attributes the onset of depression to dysfunction of the organ systems, involving liver Qi stagnation, heart spirit deficiency, kidney essence depletion, and spleen dysfunction. TCM compound treatments focus on soothing the liver, strengthening the spleen, calming the heart, and replenishing essence, with formulas such as Xiaoyaosan, Zishui Qinggan Yin, and Chahu Jia Guizhi Longgu Muli Tang. The active components of Chinese herbs mainly aim to tonify and regulate Qi, such as salidroside, ginsenoside Rb1, astragaloside, and muscone. External TCM treatments, primarily acupuncture, aim to open the orifices and invigorate the spirit. Acupoints such as Baihui, Shenting, and Yintang are commonly used. Additionally, massage and moxibustion therapy can intervene in depression by regulating signaling pathways. This article reviews the core role of signaling pathways in the development of depression and the mechanism of TCM regulation of signaling pathways to intervene in depression, aiming to discover new therapeutic approaches that can improve the symptoms of depressed patients.
8.Retrospective review of clinical characteristics in 250 cases of suspected glucocorticoid allergy and typical case analysis
Juan GUO ; Qiangzhong PI ; Xiaotian DAI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(3):346-350
OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical characteristics of glucocorticoid allergy, and provide treatment and prevention strategies for patients with concurrent bronchial asthma. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 250 patients with suspected glucocorticoid allergy admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University (hereinafter referred to as “our hospital”)from May 1st, 2002, to April 30th, 2022; and a typical case analysis was carried out. RESULTS Among 250 patients with suspected glucocorticoid allergy, 140 were female patients (56.00%) and 110 were male patients (44.00%). The majority of admissions were to the internal medicine department (118 cases, 47.20%). One hundred and seventy patients (68.00%) were allergic to dexamethasone, and 37 patients (14.80%) were allergic to prednisone. Two hundred and thirty-eight patients (95.20%) were allergic to one type of glucocorticoid, and 12 patients (4.80%) were allergic to two types of glucocorticoid. Ten patients had clear records of glucocorticoid administration routes, in which 6 were intravenous and 4 were oral. Among the 250 patients, only 32 cases had clear records of clinical manifestations of glucocorticoid allergy, the most common clinical manifestations were rash (12 cases) and skin itching (8 cases), with 6 patients experiencing both rash and skin itching. The treatment for glucocorticoid allergy mainly involved discontinuing the medication and providing symptomatic treatment. For patients with concurrent bronchial asthma, it was generally necessary to switch to other glucocorticoids in their subsequent treatment to control the condition. The incidence of suspected glucocorticoid allergy among inpatients in our hospital during the same period was 0.019%. The incidence of suspected glucocorticoid allergy with concurrent bronchial asthma was 0.201%. Additionally, a case analysis of bronchial asthma combined with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in our hospital resulted in glucocorticoid allergy revealed that, based on the patient’s medical history and drug challenge test results, the patient was diagnosed with glucocorticoid (Methylprednisolone tablets and Dexamethasone acetate tablets) allergy, and antihistamine treatment was effective. CONCLUSIONS Glucocorticoid allergy is clinically rare, and its clinical manifestations are predominantly mild reactions such as rashes and skin itching. For patients with concurrent bronchial asthma who experience glucocorticoid allergy, treatment options include switching to other glucocorticoids, altering the route of glucocorticoid administration, symptomatic treatment, and the use of immunosuppressive agents as adjunctive or alternative therapy.
9.Development status and ethical challenges of artificial intelligence in traditional Chinese medicine
Jiaqing DAI ; Yuxuan JIANG ; Jingnan HU ; Liu YANG ; Lifang GUO
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(2):173-178
In the context of the rapid development of 5G technology, the development of artificial intelligence (AI) in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) faces new opportunities and challenges. Focusing on how to uphold tradition while innovating in the development of AI in TCM, starting from the current development status of AI in Chinese medicine, including the integration of four diagnostic methods, syndrome differentiation and treatment, auxiliary diagnosis and treatment, research and development of Chinese herbal medicine, prevention and treatment of diseases, knowledge inheritance, and other aspects, this paper discussed the support of policies and technical advancements, as well as development opportunities such as increased demand for health. Regarding machine ethics, data ethics, regulatory review, and other aspects, it also proposed some suggestions that the training algorithm should be improved to assist medical work; data ownership should be clarified to ensure data security; and an AI ethics committee should be set up to improve the review system, aiming to maximize the advantages of smart healthcare and accelerate the modernization of TCM for the benefit of patients and the service of human health.
10.Psychological experiences and care needs of elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease following dysphagia: a qualitative research
Ping GONG ; Yingru DOU ; Xuemei DAI ; Xueping JIANG ; Meifang WU ; Fan JIANG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2025;31(1):117-124
ObjectiveTo explore psychological experiences and care needs of elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) following dysphagia. MethodsFrom April to June, 2024, 13 elderly patients with COPD and dysphagia received treatment in Yixing No. 2 People's Hospital (Yixing Occupational Disease Institute) and Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital were interviewed. Nvivo 11.0 and content analysis were employed to analyze and summarize themes. ResultsTwo main themes were identified. The psychological experiences included fear of eating due to swallowing and choking, swallowing anxiety in social situations, concerns about malnutrition, and emotional loss related to family. The care needs included improvement in swallowing function, adjustment of food texture, assistance with disease adaptation and effective access to health education information. ConclusionHealthcare professionals should thoroughly understand the psychological and needs of elderly patients with COPD-related dysphagia, and comprehensive nursing strategies should be developed and implemented to improve swallowing function and overall quality of life.


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