1.Strategies for Building an Artificial Intelligence-Empowered Trusted Federated Evidence-Based Analysis Platform for Spleen-Stomach Diseases in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Bin WANG ; Huiying ZHUANG ; Zhitao MAN ; Lifeng REN ; Chang HE ; Chen WU ; Xulei HU ; Xiaoxiao WEN ; Chenggong XIE ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):95-102
This paper outlines the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research, and elucidates the roles and advantages of large language models, knowledge graphs, and natural language processing in advancing syndrome identification, prescription generation, and mechanism exploration. Using spleen-stomach diseases as an example, it demonstrates the empowering effects of AI in classical literature mining, precise clinical syndrome differentiation, efficacy and safety prediction, and intelligent education, highlighting an upgraded research paradigm that evolves from data-driven and knowledge-driven approaches to intelligence-driven models. To address challenges related to privacy protection and regulatory compliance in cross-institutional data collaboration, a "trusted federated evidence-based analysis platform for TCM spleen-stomach diseases" is proposed, integrating blockchain-based smart contracts, federated learning, and secure multi-party computation. The deep integration of AI with privacy-preserving computing is reshaping research and clinical practice in TCM spleen-stomach diseases, providing feasible pathways and a technical framework for building a high-quality, trustworthy TCM big-data ecosystem and achieving precision syndrome differentiation.
2.Analysis of influencing factors for successful detoxification in patients undergoing methadone maintenance therapy
Guodong MO ; Yue LIN ; Yinghui CHEN ; Lichuang ZHUANG ; Leisheng ZHENG ; Baoguo WANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(2):210-214
OBJECTIVE To explore the influencing factors for successful detoxification in patients undergoing methadone maintenance therapy. METHODS A retrospective selection of 161 methadone maintenance therapy patients from the South Branch of Zhongshan Second People’s Hospital (including methadone maintenance treatment sites in Shiqi District, Xiqu District, Development Zone of Zhongshan City) from January 1, 2012, to January 1, 2025, was conducted as the study object. Data collected included patients’ sociodemographic information, drug abuse history, laboratory test results, medication records, etc. Patients were divided into the unsuccessful detoxification group and the successful detoxification group based on whether methadone detoxification was achieved. Univariate, univariate Cox regression, and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression were used for influencing factor analysis, and the Kaplan-Meier method was employed for survival analysis. RESULTS Among the 161 methadone maintenance therapy patients, 96 were in the successful detoxification group and 65 in the unsuccessful detoxification group, yielding a successful detoxification rate of 59.63%. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that age, registered residence status, age at first drug use, and duration of drug abuse were key influencing factors for successful detoxification in methadone maintenance therapy patients (P<0.05). Specifically, the successful detoxification rate for patients with Zhongshan local registered residence was 8.364 times higher than that for patients with non-local registered residence; for every 1-year increase in patient age, the successful detoxification rate decreased by 22.7%; for every 1-year increase in age at first drug use, the successful detoxification rate rose by 33.4%; and for every 1-year increase in duration of drug abuse, the successful detoxification rate increased by 33.5%. Survival analysis showed that the successful detoxification rate in the methadone low-dose group (≤30.8 mg) was significantly higher than that in the methadone high-dose group (>30.8 mg) (P=0.015), and the successful detoxification rate in the population with Zhongshan local registered residence was significantly higher than that in those with non-local registered residence (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Age, registered residence status, age at first drug use, and duration of drug abuse are key influencing factors for successful detoxification in patients undergoing methadone maintenance therapy, and the last methadone dose may be associated with successful detoxification.
3.Regulatory effect of Jiedu Huayu granules on liver injury in mice with acute liver failure and its mechanism
Chengyu YA ; Tingshuai WANG ; Huiping YAN ; Yi WANG ; Qingrui ZHAO ; Shenglan ZENG ; Weiyu CHEN ; Rongzhen ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):143-150
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of action of Jiedu Huayu granules in improving liver injury in mice with acute liver failure (ALF) by observing its effect on a mouse model of ALF after prophylactic administration, and to provide a basis for clinical medication. MethodsA total of 60 specific pathogen-free male C57BL/6J mice were divided into normal group, model group, Jiedu Huayu granules group (JDHY group), and farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist (GW4064) group using a random number table, with 15 mice in each group. The model of ALF was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine combined with lipopolysaccharide. The mice in the JDHY group were given prophylactic administration of 0.3 g/mL drug solution of Jiedu Huayu granules by gavage for 3 days before modeling, those in the normal group and the model group were given 0.9% NaCl solution by gavage, and those in the GW4064 group were given intraperitoneal injection of GW4064 for 3 consecutive days before modeling. The mice were sacrificed after modeling, and serum and liver tissue samples were collected. A veterinary automatic biochemical analyzer was used to measure the serum levels of total bilirubin (TBil), total bile acids (TBA), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in mice from each group; HE staining was used to observe liver pathological changes; RT-PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of FXR, fibroblast growth factor 15 (FGF15), fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4), small heterodimer partner (SHP), and bile salt export pump (BSEP) in mice, and Western blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of FXR, FGF15, FGFR4, SHP, and BSEP. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between groups, and the Dunett method was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group had significant increases in the serum levels of TBil, ALT, AST, TBA, and GGT (all P<0.01), and compared with the model group, the JDHY group and the GW4064 group had significant reductions in the serum levels of TBil, ALT, AST, TBA, and GGT (all P <0.01). HE staining showed that compared with the model group, the JDHY group and the GW4064 group had milder pathological injury, a reduction in the area of hepatocyte necrosis, and alleviation of cellular swelling and edema. Compared with the normal group, the model group had significant reductions in the mRNA and protein expression levels of FXR, FGF15, FGFR4, SHP, and BSEP in liver tissue (all P <0.01), and compared with the model group, the JDHY group and the GW4064 group had significant increases in the mRNA and protein expression levels of FXR, FGF15, FGFR4, SHP, and BSEP in liver tissue (all P <0.05). ConclusionJiedu Huayu granules may alleviate liver injury in mice with ALF through the FXR/SHP axis.
4.Homeopathic dosing and combined dosing of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide and taurine on experimental silicosis in rats
Yongjin GAN ; Ruize CHEN ; Jian’an LING ; Yanni HUANG ; Danyu LIANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(2):218-223
Background Pneumoconiosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that cannot be completely cured. Therefore, how to control lung inflammation and delay of the body aging is one of the keys to treating pneumoconiosis. The studies in past two decades suggested that many small molecule drugs are able to enhance cardiopulmonary function. Objective To explore the effects of homeopathic dosing and combined dosing of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide and taurine on experimental silicosis in rats. Methods Seventy-two SD specific pathogen-free rats were randomized into 4 groups (18 mice in each group): negative control group (ultrapure water, without dust), positive control group, homeopathic treatment group, co-administered treatment group. One mL of quartz dust suspension was injected into the rat trachea by disposable non-exposed tracheal injection method (50 mg·mL−1) to establish a rat silicosis model. Rats were administered by gavage since the 4th day after dust exposure. The homeopathic treatment group rats received taurine solution (0.03 g·mL−1) in the morning and β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (0.03 g·mL−1) in the afternoon; the co-administered treatment group rats received a mixed solution (0.015 g·mL−1 β-nicotinamide mononucleotide + 0.015 g·mL−1 taurine) twice, in the morning and afternoon respectively. The positive and negative control groups received equivalent of ultrapure water in the morning and afternoon. All groups of rats were administered 5 d a week for a total of 6 weeks. The rats were neutralized after 6 weeks of administration. Organ coefficient, lung hydroxyproline content, whole lung dry and wet weights, whole lung free silica content, and cell count and classification in lung lavage fluid were measured and calculated, and lung histopathological changes in lung samples were observed. Results Compared with the positive control group, the whole lung wet weight, whole lung dry weight , total cell count, neutrophil rate, lung organ coefficient, lung hydroxyproline content, and whole lung free silica content were reduce in the homeopathic treatment group, and the co-administered treatment group (P<0.05). Compared with the negative control group, the total cell count, neutrophil rate, lung organ coefficient, lung hydroxyproline content, and whole lung free silica content were elevated in the homeopathic treatment group and the co-administered treatment group, the whole lung dry weight was elevated in the co-administered treatment group, and those differences were all statistically significant (P<0.05). The rat lung histopathological results showed that, in the positive control group, round or oval nodules were formed in the lung tissue, which were phagocytic cellular nodules, and the alveolar structures in some areas still existed. The histopathological changes in the homeopathic treatment group and the co-administered treatment group were similar to those of the positive group, but less severe. No pathological change was observed in the lung tissue of the negative control group. Conclusion Some improvement and dust removal in experimental silicosis rats by homeopathic dosing and combined dosing of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide and taurine are observed.
5.Clinical Efficacy of Gandou Fumu Granules in Intervention of Liver Fibrosis in WD Patients with Phlegm and Blood Stasis Syndrome and Effect on Cuproptosis-related Indicators
Fei WANG ; Zhenzhen JIANG ; Yimin CHEN ; Zhuang TAO ; Meixia WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):174-181
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of Gandou Fumu Granules (GDFMG) combined with sodium dimercaptosulphonate (DMPS) on liver fibrosis in Wilson disease (WD) patients with the syndrome of phlegm and blood stasis, evaluate its effect on cuproptosis-related indicators, and explore the possible mechanisms of cuproptosis in WD-related liver fibrosis. MethodsSixty WD patients diagnosed with the syndrome of phlegm and blood stasis between January 2023 and December 2023 were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, with 30 patients in each group. The control group received the copper chelator DMPS for the first 6 days, followed by calcium gluconate injection for the next 2 days, completing an 8-day treatment cycle. The observation group received GDFMG in addition to the treatment regimen of the control group, with both groups treated for 21 cycles. A Beckman fully automated biochemical analyzer was used to detect levels of type Ⅳ collagen (CⅣ), hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), N-terminal propeptide of type Ⅲ procollagen (PⅢ-NP), and serum copper (SCu) before and after treatment in both groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure levels of ferredoxin 1 (FDX1), lipoic acid synthetase (LIAS), and dihydrolipoamide S-acetyltransferase (DLAT). Atomic absorption spectroscopy measured 24-hour urine copper levels before treatment and after the 7, 14, and 21 treatment cycles in both groups. An Fibro Touch (FT) non-invasive liver fibrosis diagnostic device was used to measure liver stiffness (LSM) in both groups before and after treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score (TCMSS) was evaluated at the same intervals. Clinical efficacy, adverse events, and safety indicators were also compared. ResultsAfter treatment, levels of CⅣ, HA, LN, and PⅢNP significantly decreased in both groups compared to pre-treatment levels (P<0.01). The observation group showed a more pronounced reduction compared to the control group (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in SCu levels in both groups before and after treatment. After treatment, levels of FDX1,LIAS and DLAT significantly increased in both groups(P<0.01). The observation group showed more notable improvements in these indicators than the control group (P<0.05). After the 7, 14, 21 treatment cycles, 24-hour urine copper levels significantly increased in both groups compared to pre-treatment levels (P<0.01). The observation group had a greater increase in 24-hour urine copper levels than the control group after treatment (P<0.05,P<0.01), and although 24-hour urine copper levels increased after 7 cycles, a gradual decline was observed in subsequent cycles. After treatment, LSM levels significantly decreased in both groups compared to pre-treatment levels (P<0.01), with the observation group showing a greater reduction than the control group (P<0.05). Clinical efficacy was significantly better in the observation group than the control group (P<0.05). No significant differences in the incidence of adverse events or safety indicators were observed between the two groups after treatment. ConclusionGDFMG combined with DMPS can reduce LSM in WD patients with liver fibrosis and the syndrome of phlegm and blood stasis, inhibit cuproptosis, and improve clinical efficacy.
6.Herbal Textual Research on Arcae Concha in Famous Classical Formulas
Yiqin ZHANG ; Yixue ZHUANG ; Yinan LU ; Yanning CHEN ; Yichong CHEN ; Shuiyu XU ; Zhilai ZHAN ; Chengzi YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):208-218
In this paper, the name, origin, producing area, harvesting, processing and functional indications of Arcae Concha were systematically combed and verified by consulting the ancient and modern literature, in order to provide a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing Arcae Concha. Arcae Concha was first recorded in the name of Han in Bencao Shiyi, but later, due to the influence of LI Shizhen's error of combining Han item with Kuiha in the Ming dynasty, there were aliases such as Kuilu and Fulao, and Yizong Bidu began to include Walengzi as its correct name and has been used ever since. The textual descriptions and illustrations of the medicinal materials of Arcae Concha contained in the materia medica of the past generations were consistent with the modern Arca inflata, A. subcrenata and A. granosa. In ancient times, there were medicinal records of two parts of shell and meat, but now the shell is used as medicine, and the meat is mostly edible. In ancient times, Zhejiang, Shandong, Guangdong and Guangxi were the main producing areas, and Zhejiang was the best. It is now believed that A. inflata is mostly distributed in the northern part of the Huanghai Sea, A. granosa is mostly distributed in the coastal areas south of Shandong Peninsula in China, and A. subcrenata is widely distributed in the coastal areas of China. Its quality is better in a complete, white, no residual meat and sand. In ancient times, there was no clear harvesting period, and the processing was mainly based on vinegar quenching after calcination or powdering of calcined shell, but now the harvesting period is autumn and winter. After harvesting, it is directly washed and crushed for raw use or processed by calcined method. The records of the medicinal materials in the past dynasties on the properties of Arcae Concha were mainly warm, sweet, salty and mild, and it is now believed that Arcae Concha is salty in taste and mild in nature. In ancient times, it was believed that Arcae Concha were mainly used for coldness in the heart and abdomen, coldness in the waist and spine, benefiting the five internal organs, strengthening the stomach. Nowadays, it is believed that Arcae Concha can eliminate phlegm and remove blood stasis, soften the hardness and dissipate the lumps, produce acid and relieve pain. It can be used in the treatment of stubborn phlegm, gall tumor, scrofula and other symptoms. In conclusion, it is suggested that for the famous classical formulas containing Arcae Concha, the corresponding methods should be selected according to the processing requirements of the drug in the formulas, while those without processing requirements can be determined according to the functional position of the products.
7.Neuromolecular Mechanisms of Transcranial Electrical Stimulation for The Improvement of Alzheimer’s Disease
Yuan YUAN ; Zhuang-Fei CHEN ; Yu FU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1179-1195
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most common and severe dementias, severely affecting the physical and mental health and quality of life of patients and imposing a heavy burden on society. Recently, transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) has shown great potential for improving cognitive function in AD. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) are the two main forms of tES. The present review mainly summarizes the neuromolecular mechanisms of tDCS and tACS for the improvement of AD. Both techniques show similarities in exerting neuroprotective effects, improving cerebral blood flow to alleviate cerebrovascular dysfunction, affecting the state and function of astrocytes, affecting the levels of amyloid β‑protein (Aβ) and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) proteins, and affecting neuroplasticity. Specifically, tDCS improves neuronal status, inhibits neuronal apoptosis, improves cholinergic neurons and reduces oxidative stress, etc., and further exerts neuroprotective effects, but tACS mainly maintains the normal function of cholinergic neurons to exert the effects. For the alleviation of cerebrovascular dysfunction, tDCS has particular advantages in optimizing the neural vascular unit and improving the blood-brain barrier. For astrocytes, tDCS attenuates inflammatory responses by inhibiting their activation. In contrast, the effect of tACS on the activation state of microglial cells is still controversial for enhancement in AD mice and inhibition in patients. For Aβ levels, the effects of tDCS in AD patients are also inconclusive, but in AD rodents, tDCS may regulate molecular pathways related to Aβ production and degradation, thereby removing Aβ. In addition, tACS reduces p-tau levels in AD patients, but tDCS shows a trend toward reduction. In short, the effect of tES on Aβ and p-tau needs further investigation. Regarding neuroplasticity, tDCS improves cortical and synaptic plasticity, but tACS improves only synaptic plasticity. However, both techniques do not affect the molecular level associated with plasticity. On the other hand, this review has summarized some interesting findings of tES in non-AD rodents that may be relevant to the pathological mechanisms of AD. For neuroprotection, tDCS can promote neurogenesis, GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission, modulate neuroprotection-related signaling pathways, reduce oxidative stress, and protect hippocampal neurons. In addition, tDCS inhibits conversion of microglia to the M1 phenotype and promotes conversion to the M2 phenotype, thereby reducing neuroinflammation. Importantly, tDCS induces changes in molecular indices associated with synaptic plasticity. These findings in non-AD rodents provide a reference for understanding the potential effect and possible mechanism of tES in AD and for exploring new approaches to treat other diseases with similar pathological features. In addition, tES has shown some effects in AD rodents, such as tACS improving plasticity, that have not been studied in non-AD rodents. These effects suggest the particular complexity of the pathological mechanisms of AD, which should be considered when applying the results of tES studies in non-AD rodents to AD rodents. In conclusion, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the neuromolecular mechanisms of tES in AD research and highlights its promise as a non-invasive brain stimulation technique in the treatment of AD. Furthermore, tES will play an indispensable role in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders and in the study of brain function.
8.Impact of Antibody Immune Response and Immune Cells on Osteoporosis and Fractures
Kangkang OU ; Jiarui CHEN ; Jichong ZHU ; Weiming TAN ; Cheng WEI ; Guiyu LI ; Yingying QIN ; Chong LIU
Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery 2025;17(3):530-545
Background:
The immune system plays a critical role in the development and progression of osteoporosis and fractures. However, the causal relationships between antibody immune responses, immune cells, and these bone conditions remain unclear. This study aimed to explore these relationships using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.
Methods:
We collected complete blood count data from patients with fractures and healthy individuals and analyzed their differences. Then, we conducted a 2-sample, 2-step MR analysis to investigate the causal effects of antibody immune responses on osteoporosis and fractures, using inverse-variance weighted (IVW) as the primary method. We also explored whether immune cells mediate the pathway between antibodies and osteoporosis or fractures. Finally, we analyzed the functions and expression levels of key genes involved.
Results:
Overall, the fracture group exhibited increased white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, absolute monocyte count, platelet count, and their respective proportions, while absolute lymphocyte count, absolute eosinophil count, absolute basophil count, red blood cell count, and their proportions were decreased. We identified 44 causal relationships between antibodies and osteoporosis or fractures, with 7 supported by multiple MR methods, and 5 showing odds ratios significantly deviating from 1 in the IVW analysis. Epstein-Barr virus-related antibodies had a notable impact on osteoporosis and fractures. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene family, particularly HLA-DPB1, emerged as a significant risk factor. However, immune cells were not found to mediate these effects.
Conclusions
This study elucidated the causal relationships between antibody immune responses, immune cells, and osteoporosis or fractures. The HLA gene family plays a crucial role in the interaction between antibodies and these bone conditions, with HLA-DPB1 identified as a key risk gene. Immune cells do not serve as mediators in this process. These findings provide valuable insights for future research.
9.Analysis of the results from national interlaboratory comparisons of radionuclide analysis by γ spectrometry
Yanghai SHI ; Yongyong CHEN ; Yuhua SHI ; Yuansheng LU ; Dezhi HE ; Ping WANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(1):55-60
Objective To verify the accuracy of γ spectrometry by analyzing the results of national interlaboratory comparisons of radionuclide analysis by γ spectrometry from 2018 to 2023. Methods A statistical analysis was conducted on the results from multiple years of participation in the national interlaboratory comparisons of radionuclide analysis by γ spectrometry. The measurement results of radionuclide specific activities in soil were analyzed to provide technical support for improving the capability to analyze radionuclides in soil. Results The laboratory participated in six interlaboratory comparisons and conducted 23 radionuclide analyses by γ spectrometry from 2018 to 2023. The relative deviation was −12.20% to 8.11%, the |Ztest| was 0 to 0.61, the Utest was 0 to 0.62, and the Urel was 0.07 to 0.12. The overall pass rate was 100% and the excellent rate was 33.3%. In addition, 21 of the 23 (91.3%) radionuclide analyses showed full scores in experiment operation. However, the total scores were relatively low due to multiple oversights and lack of rigor in the preparation of the test reports, which prevented the laboratory from qualifying for the excellence evaluation process, resulting in a relatively low excellent rate. Conclusion The interlaboratory comparisons indicate that the measurements of radionuclides in this laboratory were all qualified, with full scores for experiment operation in several analyses. These results demonstrate that the soil radionuclide analysis system based on γ spectrometry is reliable and stable.
10.Right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection for palliative treatment of pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect in children: A single-center retrospective study
Shuai ZHANG ; Jianrui MA ; Hailong QIU ; Xinjian YAN ; Wen XIE ; Qiushi REN ; Juemin YU ; Tianyu CHEN ; Yong ZHANG ; Xiaohua LI ; Furong LIU ; Shusheng WEN ; Jian ZHUANG ; Qiang GAO ; Jianzheng CEN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(03):366-371
Objective To compare the benefits and drawbacks of primary patch expansion versus pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection in patients diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD). Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with PA/VSD who underwent primary right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection surgery at our center between 2010 and 2020. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the type of right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection: a pericardial tube group and a patch expansion group. Clinical data and imaging findings were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 51 patients were included in the study, comprising 31 males and 20 females, with a median age of 12.57 (4.57, 49.67) months. The pericardial tube group included 19 patients with a median age of 17.17 (7.33, 49.67) months, while the patch expansion group consisted of 32 patients with a median age of 8.58 (3.57, 52.72) months. In both groups, the diameter of pulmonary artery, McGoon index, and Nakata index significantly increased after treatment (P<0.001). However, the pericardial tube group exhibited a longer extracorporeal circulation time (P<0.001). The reoperation rate was notably high, with 74.51% of patients requiring further surgical intervention, including 26 (81.25%) patients in the patch expansion group and 12 (63.16%) patients in the pericardial tube group. No statistical differences were observed in long-term cure rates or mortality between the two groups (P>0.005). Conclusion In patients with PA/VSD, both patch expansion and pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection serve as effective initial palliative treatment strategies that promote pulmonary vessel development and provide a favorable foundation for subsequent radical operations. However, compared to the pericardial tube approach, the patch expansion technique is simpler to perform and preserves some intrinsic potential for pulmonary artery development, making it the preferred procedure.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail