1.Current Status and Strategies of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in the Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infection
Xuezhi ZHANG ; Xia DING ; Zhen LIU ; Hui YE ; Xiaofen JIA ; Hong CHENG ; Zhenyu WU ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):111-116
This paper systematically reviews the current status of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, as well as recent progress in clinical and basic research both in China and internationally. It summarizes the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in Hp infection management, including improving Hp eradication rates, enhancing antibiotic sensitivity, reducing antimicrobial resistance, decreasing drug-related adverse effects, and ameliorating gastric mucosal lesions. These advantages are particularly evident in patients who are intolerant to bismuth-containing regimens, those with refractory Hp infection, and individuals with precancerous gastric lesions. An integrated, whole-process management approach and individualized, staged comprehensive treatment strategies combining TCM and western medicine are proposed for Hp infection. Future prevention and control of Hp infection should adopt an integrative Chinese-western medical strategy, emphasizing prevention, strengthening primary care, implementing proactive long-term monitoring, optimizing screening strategies, and advancing the development of novel technologies and mechanistic studies of Chinese herbal interventions. These efforts aim to provide a theoretical basis and practical pathways for the establishment and improvement of Hp infection prevention and control systems.
2.Rapid health technology assessment of deucravacitinib in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis
Xing GAO ; Shujing KONG ; Tianya LIU ; Xinran QIU ; Jia HAN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(1):111-116
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of deucravacitinib in the treatment of moderate- to-severe plaque psoriasis. METHODS Rapid health technology assessment (HTA) reports, systematic reviews (SR)/meta- analyses, and pharmacoeconomic studies on deucravacitinib for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis were identified by searching PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang data and official HTA websites. The search time frame spanned from database inception to July 2025. After literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment, the study results were subjected to descriptive analysis and synthesis. RESULTS A total of 14 articles were finally included, consisting of 1 HTA report, 10 SR/meta-analyses, and 3 pharmacoeconomic studies. Regarding efficacy, deucravacitinib demonstrated superior efficacy to both placebo and apremilast, with significantly higher response rates for Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 50/75/90/100, Static Physician’ s Global Assessment 0/1, and Dermatology Life Quality Index 0/1, as well as greater reduction in Psoriasis Symptoms and Signs Diary Score (P<0.05). Regarding safety, deucravacitinib was well-tolerated. Although the overall incidence of adverse events (AEs) was higher than placebo, it was not significantly different from apremilast. Moreover, the incidence of serious AEs and the rate of discontinuation due to AEs did not differ significantly from placebo (P>0.05). Regarding cost-effectiveness, deucravacitinib proved to be more cost-effective than apremilast across multiple healthcare system perspectives, including those of the United States, Japan, and China. CONCLUSIONS Deucravacitinib exhibits favorable efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Additional real-world studies are warranted to further refine its evaluation.
3.Development and validation of a prognostic nomogram model for patients with the lower third and abdominal oesophageal adenocarcinoma
Zhengshui XU ; Dandan LIU ; Jiantao JIANG ; Ranran KONG ; Jianzhong LI ; Yuefeng MA ; Zhenchuan MA ; Jia CHEN ; Minxia ZHU ; Shaomin LI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(02):201-207
Objective To establish an individualized nomogram model and evaluate its efficacy to provide a possible evaluation basis for the prognosis of lower third and abdominal part of oesophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Methods Lower third and abdominal part of EAC patients from 2010 to 2015 were chosen from the SEER Research Plus Database (17 Regs, 2022nov sub). The patients were randomly allocated to the training cohort and the internal validation cohort with a ratio of 7∶3 using bootstrap resampling. The Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to determine significant contributors to overall survival (OS) in EAC patients, which would be elected to construct the nomogram prediction model. C-index, calibration curve and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were performed to evaluate its efficacy. Finally, the efficacy to evaluate the OS of EAC patients was compared between the nomogram prediction model and TNM staging system. Results In total, 3945 patients with lower third and abdominal part of EAC were enrolled, including 3475 males and 470 females with a median age of 65 (57-72) years. The 2761 patients were allocated to the training cohort and the remaining 1184 patients to the internal validation cohort. In the training and the internal validation cohorts, the C-index of the nomogram model was 0.705 and 0.713, respectively. Meanwhile, the calibration curve also suggested that the nomogram model had a strong capability of predicting 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates of EAC patients. The nomogram also had a higher efficacy than the TNM staging system in predicting 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates of EAC patients. Conclusion This nomogram prediction model has a high efficiency for predicting OS in the patients with lower third and abdominal part of EAC, which is higher than that of the current TNM staging system.
4.Treatment of Hyperuricemia and Gouty Arthritis by Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng Decoction via Inhibition of PPAR-γ/NF-κB/AGEs/RAGE Pathway Based on Network Pharmacology
Yue CAO ; Wanmei YAO ; Tao YANG ; Man YANG ; Ruimin JIA ; Rongrong LU ; Xue FENG ; Biwang LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):182-192
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the potential molecular biological mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction in treating hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis by network pharmacology and molecular docking technology and preliminarily verify the mechanism through animal experiments. MethodsThe active ingredients and targets in the Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction were obtained by the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and ETCM databases. The DisGeNET and GeneCards databases were utilized to acquire disease targets associated with hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis. These disease targets were then intersected with drug targets to identify key targets. The R language ClusterProfiler package and Python were employed for conducting gene ontology(GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) enrichment analysis. The regulatory network diagram of the drug-key target-function-pathway was visualized using Cytoscape 3.9.1 software, and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network for key targets was depicted. Finally, the hub gene was determined through topological analysis. Auto Dock, PyMOL, and other software were used for molecular docking to explore the possible therapeutic mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction for hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis. In animal experiments, a composite rat model of hyperuricemia induced by intraperitoneal injection of oteracil potassium combined with gouty arthritis induced by the modified Coderre method was established. Through hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, uric acid test, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), Western blot, and real-time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR), the molecular mechanism and key targets of Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction for treating hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis were observed. ResultsAfter screening and removing duplicate values, 76 active ingredients and 15 key targets were finally obtained. GO enrichment analysis yielded that the treatment of hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis with Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction was significantly associated with acute inflammatory response, astrocyte activation, regulation of interleukin (IL)-8 production, nuclear receptor activity, and binding of growth factor receptor. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis obtained that the key target genes were significantly associated with the IL-17 signaling pathway, advanced glycosylation end/receptor of advanced glycation endproducts(AGE/RAGE) signaling pathway, anti-inflammatory, and other pathways. PPI network indicated that albumin(ALB), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), IL-6, IL-1β, and C-reactive protein(CRP) were the key protein targets. The molecular docking results showed that ALB had the strongest binding force with beta-carotene (β-carotene). Biochemical results showed that blood uric acid decreased in the Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction groups. HE staining results showed that the low-dose (7.76 g·kg-1·d-1), medium-dose (15.53 g·kg-1·d-1), and high-dose (31.05 g·kg-1·d-1) groups of Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction had different degrees of remission, and the remission of the high-dose group was the most obvious. Fibroblastic tissue hyperplasia in synovial joints accompanied with inflammatory cell infiltration, as well as inflammatory cell infiltration in renal tissue of the high-dose group was significantly reduced, followed by the medium-dose and low-dose groups, and the expression of ALB, PPAR-γ, IL-6, IL-1β, and CRP was down-regulated to different degrees. ConclusionBy regulating the targets such as ALB, PPAR-γ, IL-6, IL-1β, and CRP, inhibiting the PPAR-γ/nuclear transcription factor (NF)-κB pathway, and reducing AGEs/RAGE-mediated inflammation, Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction exerts anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and activates blood circulation and diuresis in the treatment of hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis.
5.Clinical diagnostic value of 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography in epiretinal membrane
Jun ZHAO ; Ya'nan LI ; Hongqiang JIA ; Min LIU ; Junping BAI
International Eye Science 2025;25(1):144-147
AIM: To explore the diagnostic value of 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography for epiretinal membrane.METHODS: A total of 44 cases(80 eyes)of patients with proposed diagnosis of cataract and vitreous opacity by fundus examination in our hospital between January 2020 and January 2022 were collected, and the affected eyes were examined by optical coherence tomography(OCT)and 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography, and the differences in the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were compared between 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography and OCT for the diagnosis of epiretinal membrane.RESULTS: In the 80 eyes detected by 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography, 62 had epiretinal membrane and 18 had non epiretinal membrane. Totally 54 eyes were confirmed to have epiretinal membrane by OCT, 13 eyes were not diagnosed with epiretinal membrane, 5 eyes were missed diagnosis, and 8 eyes were misdiagnosed. The diagnostic consistency between 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography and OCT was high(Kappa=0.892, P<0.05); the 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography detection sensitivity of epiretinal membrane was 92%, specificity was 62%, missed diagnosis rate was 8%, misdiagnosis rate was 38%, and accuracy was 84%; compared with OCT detection, 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography detected a lower specificity, correct rate, positive prediction accuracy, negative prediction accuracy, and higher misdiagnosis rate(all P<0.05), and the difference in diagnostic sensitivity compared with leakage rate was not statistically significant(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION: 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography has some value in identifying epiretinal membrane lesions and is consistent with OCT testing.
6.Quantitative analysis on microvasculature in the optic disc area of patients with unilateral branch retinal vein occlusion
Jia SUN ; Jian LIU ; Peng YAN ; Nan LU ; Zhiming SHAN ; Dongni YANG
International Eye Science 2025;25(1):152-156
AIM: To observe the changes of retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL)thickness and radial peripheral capillary(RPC)density in patients with unilateral branch retinal vein occlusion(BRVO), and further analyze the correlation between RPC density and RNFL thickness.METHODS: Observational study. Totally 37 patients with unilateral BRVO diagnosed at the ophthalmology department of First Hospital of Qinhuangdao from October 2020 to January 2022 were selected, the 37 affected eyes were the unilateral BRVO group, and 37 fellow healthy eyes were the contralateral unaffected group, and 35 healthy individuals(35 right eyes were selected)without ocular diseases during the same period were selected as the normal control group. The best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, anterior segment, fundus and optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)were examined in both eyes of all BRVO patients and healthy individuals. The central macular thickness(CMT), the RNFL thickness, and the optic disc-AV crossing distance(DAVD)were measured by built-in software of the OCTA equipment. The optimized U-net algorithm was used to eliminate the large blood vessels, and then the RPC density was calculated. The CMT, RNFL thickness and RPC density were compared among the three groups. And the correlations of the RPC density with the CMT, RNFL thickness, and the DAVD were investigated.RESULTS: Compared with the contralateral unaffected group and the normal control group, the CMT and the RNFL thickness were significantly thickened in the unilateral BRVO group(all P<0.05); there were no statistical differences in the CMT and the RNFL thickness between the contralateral unaffected group and the normal control group(all P>0.05). The RPC density in the unilateral BRVO group increased compared with the contralateral unaffected group and decreased compared with the normal control group, but there was no statistically difference(all P>0.05). However, the RPC density in the contralateral unaffected group decreased compared with the normal control group(P<0.05). The RPC density in the unilateral BRVO group was not correlated with the CMT(P=0.960), but positively correlated with the RNFL thickness(r=0.401, P=0.014)and negatively correlated with the DAVD(r=-0.339, P=0.040).CONCLUSION: The RNFL thickened significantly and the RPC density did not change significantly in the optic disc area of BRVO patients. The RPC density is positively correlated with the RNFL thickness, indicating that the RNFL thickness can be used as a monitoring indicator to analyze and study the damage degree of the RPC density.
7.Predictive Modeling of Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage Following Endovascular Thrombectomy: Insights From the Nationwide TREAT-AIS Registry
Jia-Hung CHEN ; I-Chang SU ; Yueh-Hsun LU ; Yi-Chen HSIEH ; Chih-Hao CHEN ; Chun-Jen LIN ; Yu-Wei CHEN ; Kuan-Hung LIN ; Pi-Shan SUNG ; Chih-Wei TANG ; Hai-Jui CHU ; Chuan-Hsiu FU ; Chao-Liang CHOU ; Cheng-Yu WEI ; Shang-Yih YAN ; Po-Lin CHEN ; Hsu-Ling YEH ; Sheng-Feng SUNG ; Hon-Man LIU ; Ching-Huang LIN ; Meng LEE ; Sung-Chun TANG ; I-Hui LEE ; Lung CHAN ; Li-Ming LIEN ; Hung-Yi CHIOU ; Jiunn-Tay LEE ; Jiann-Shing JENG ;
Journal of Stroke 2025;27(1):85-94
Background:
and Purpose Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is a severe complication associated with adverse functional outcomes and increased mortality rates. Currently, a reliable predictive model for sICH risk after EVT is lacking.
Methods:
This study used data from patients aged ≥20 years who underwent EVT for anterior circulation stroke from the nationwide Taiwan Registry of Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke (TREAT-AIS). A predictive model including factors associated with an increased risk of sICH after EVT was developed to differentiate between patients with and without sICH. This model was compared existing predictive models using nationwide registry data to evaluate its relative performance.
Results:
Of the 2,507 identified patients, 158 developed sICH after EVT. Factors such as diastolic blood pressure, Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, platelet count, glucose level, collateral score, and successful reperfusion were associated with the risk of sICH after EVT. The TREAT-AIS score demonstrated acceptable predictive accuracy (area under the curve [AUC]=0.694), with higher scores being associated with an increased risk of sICH (odds ratio=2.01 per score increase, 95% confidence interval=1.64–2.45, P<0.001). The discriminatory capacity of the score was similar in patients with symptom onset beyond 6 hours (AUC=0.705). Compared to existing models, the TREAT-AIS score consistently exhibited superior predictive accuracy, although this difference was marginal.
Conclusions
The TREAT-AIS score outperformed existing models, and demonstrated an acceptable discriminatory capacity for distinguishing patients according to sICH risk levels. However, the differences between models were only marginal. Further research incorporating periprocedural and postprocedural factors is required to improve the predictive accuracy.
8.Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 Gene Mutation May Reduce the Risk of Rupture of Intracranial Aneurysm in Chinese Han Population
Xiheng CHEN ; Siming GUI ; Dachao WEI ; Dingwei DENG ; Yudi TANG ; Jian LV ; Wei YOU ; Jia JIANG ; Jun LIN ; Huijian GE ; Peng LIU ; Yuhua JIANG ; Lixin MA ; Yunci WANG ; Ming LV ; Youxiang LI
Journal of Stroke 2025;27(2):237-249
Background:
and Purpose Ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIA) are associated with a mortality rate of up to 40% in the Chinese population, highlighting the critical need for targeted treatment interventions for at-risk individuals. Although the impact of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene mutations on susceptibility to intracranial aneurysms (IA) is well documented, the potential connection between ALDH2 rs671 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and RIA remains unexplored. Given the increased prevalence of ALDH2 gene mutations among Chinese Han individuals, it is clinically relevant to investigate the link between ALDH2 rs671 SNP and IA rupture.
Methods:
A prospective study was conducted on 546 patients diagnosed with IA to investigate the association between ALDH2 rs671 SNP and the risk of IA rupture.
Results:
The ALDH2 rs671 SNP (ALDH2*2) was significantly more prevalent in patients with unruptured IA (UIA) than in those with RIA (32.56% vs. 18.58%, P=0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that people with the ALDH2 mutation (ALDH2*1/*2 and ALDH2*2/*2 gene type) had a significantly reduced odds ratio (OR=0.49; 95% confidence level [CI] 0.27–0.88; P=0.018) for RIAs. Age-specific subgroup analysis indicated that the ALDH2 mutation provided a stronger protective effect in individuals aged 60 years and above with IA compared to those under 60 years old (OR=0.38 vs. OR=0.52, both P<0.05).
Conclusion
The incidence of RIA was significantly higher in individuals with a normal ALDH2 gene (ALDH2*1/*1) than in those with an ALDH2 rs671 SNP (ALDH2*1/*2 or ALDH2*2/*2). ALDH2 rs671 SNP may serve as a protective factor against RIA in the Chinese Han population.
9.Cloning and Functional Characterization of Farnesyl Diphosphate Synthase Gene in Biosynthesis of Terpenoid Components in Chinese Materia Medica
Yue ZHANG ; Feng ZHANG ; Yue ZHANG ; Chaoyue LIU ; Bolin ZHANG ; Jia LIU ; Caixia WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):175-183
ObjectiveThis study aims to enhance of the farnesyl pyrophosphate(FPP) pool in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by heterologously expressing different farnesyl diphosphate synthases(FPSs) from various plants, thereby increasing the production of terpenoid compounds by the engineered yeast. MethodsRNA from mixed samples of roots, stems, and leaves of seven plants including Arabidopsis thaliana, Rosa rugosa, Artemisia annua, Centella asiatica, Humulus lupulus, Medicago sativa, and Panax ginseng was extracted by column chromatography and reverse transcribed into the first strand of complementary DNA(cDNA), and based on the transcriptome data of the seven species of plants, sequence-specific primers were designed for CaFPS, RrFPS, MsFPS, HiFPS, PgFPS, AtFPS, and AaFPS, the full-length of the genes was cloned, and the genes were analyzed for bioinformatics in order to construct a pESC yeast shuttle vector. These seven plant-derived FPSs were further heterologously expressed in the previous constructed β-elemene-producing yeast, and the yield of β-elemene was indicated for their catalytic acivities. ResultsThe coding sequences of CaFPS, RrFPS, MsFPS, HiFPS, PgFPS, AtFPS, and AaFPS were all of 1 021 bp in length and encoding 301 amino acids, all of which were similarly related to the endogenous FPS-encoding gene(ERG20) in S. cerevisiae. After heterologous expression, RrFPS was identified as the most effective in catalyzing the synthesis of FPP from isopentenyl pyrophosphate(IPP) and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate(DMAPP). Compared to the control strains, the RrFPS overexpressed yeast strains YB-1-Rr and YB-3-Rr increased the production of β-elemene by 231.25% and 189.3%, respectively. ConclusionBy comparing the functions of FPS-encoding genes from seven different plant sources, it is determined that the protein encoded by the RrFPS from R. rugosa has the best catalytic ability, which can provide key genetic elements for the construction of engineered yeast strain constructs with high terpenoid production.
10.Clinical Observation of Modified Zhigancao Tang in Treating Patients with Liver and Kidney Deficiency of Parkinson's Disease and Its Effect on Neuronal Signal-related Proteins
Yifo WEI ; Furong LYU ; Jia YAO ; Guonian LI ; Xianyi LUO ; Meng LUO ; Zhengzheng WEN ; Qiuqi LI ; Yihan LIU ; Linlin YANG ; Rui ZUO ; Wenxin DANG ; Fang MI ; Xiaoyan WANG ; Zhigang CHEN ; Fan LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):166-173
ObjectiveMicrotube associated protein-2 (MAP-2), alpha-tubulin (α-tubulin), and synaptophysin (SYP) are important proteins in neuronal signal communication. This paper observed the effects of modified Zhigancao Tang on the expression of serum α-Synuclein (α-Syn) and its oligomers, MAP-2, α-tubulin, and SYP of patients with liver and kidney deficiency of Parkinson's disease (PD), analyzed their correlation, and evaluated the therapeutic effect of modified Zhigancao Tang in patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD based on α-Syn transmission pathway mediated by neuronal communication in vivo. MethodsA total of 60 patients with PD who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a treatment group (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases). Both groups were treated on the basis of PD medicine, and the treatment group was treated with modified Zhigancao Tang. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. The changes in UPDRS score, TCM syndrome score, and expression of serum α-Syn and its oligomers, MAP-2, α-tubulin, and SYP were observed before and after 12 weeks of treatment in each group. The correlation between the above-mentioned serum biological indexes and the levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers was analyzed. ResultsAfter treatment, the TCM syndrome score, UPDRS score, UPDRS-Ⅱ score, and UPDRS-Ⅲ score of the treatment group were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The UPDRS score, UPDRS-Ⅱ score, and UPDRS-Ⅲ scores in the treatment group were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, the total effective rate of the control group was 63.3% (19/30), and that of the treatment group was 86.7% (26/30). The clinical effect of the observation group was better than the control group (Z=-2.03, P<0.05). The total effective rate of the observation group was better than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=5.136, P<0.05). After treatment, the oligomer level of serum α-Syn and MAP-2 level in the treatment group were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers, as well as α-tubulin in the treatment group, were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). Serum α-Syn was correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-Syn oligomer in patients with PD (P<0.05, P<0.01) but not correlated with serum SYP . Serum α-Syn oligomers of patients with PD were correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-tubulin (P<0.05, P<0.01) but not correlated with serum SYP level. Serum SYP of patients with PD was correlated with serum MAP-2 (P<0.05). ConclusionModified Zhigancao Tang has a therapeutic effect on patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD by inhibiting the production of α-Syn oligomers and intervening α-Syn microtubule transport pathway in vivo.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail