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.Study on the medication management in care transitions led by pharmacists in the United States and its implications
Xia LIU ; Qiuya YANG ; Mian ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(1):11-16
OBJECTIVE To provide references and suggestions for the establishment of medication management in care transitions in China. METHODS This study systematically reviewed the medication management in care transitions led by pharmacists in the United States, summarized the clinical practice evidence of its service system, personnel configuration, development bottlenecks and effect benefits, and explored the suggestions for optimizing the work in China. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS The United States medication management in care transitions is characterized by standardized workflows and precision interventions. It focuses on the treatment continuity period when patients transition across institutions and stages, establishing a pharmacist-led, multidisciplinary collaborative monitoring system. Empirical studies confirm its effectiveness in reducing medication errors, lowering healthcare costs, and improving patient satisfaction. The United States model has achieved professionalization and standardization. Adapting its successful experiences as well as combining our local situation can establish a pharmacist-led medication management framework in care transitions through four key dimensions: role definition, training mechanisms, standardized protocols, and evaluation metrics, and improve the further development of pharmaceutical care services.
3.Serological characteristics of individuals with hepatitis C virus/hepatitis B virus overlapping infection
Yanfei CUI ; Xia HUANG ; Chao ZHANG ; Yingjie JI ; Song QING ; Yuanjie FU ; Jing ZHANG ; Li LIU ; Yongqian CHENG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):74-79
ObjectiveTo investigate the status of overlapping hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the serological characteristics of such patients. MethodsA total of 8 637 patients with HCV infection who were hospitalized from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2020 and had complete data of HBV serological markers were enrolled, and the composition ratio of patients with overlapping HBV serological markers was analyzed among the patients with HCV infection. The patients were divided into groups based on age and year of birth, and serological characteristics were analyzed, and the distribution of HBV-related serological characteristics were analyzed across different HCV genotypes. ResultsThe patients with HCV/HBV overlapping infection accounted for 5.85%, and the patients with previous HBV infection accounted for 48.10%; the patients with protective immunity against HBV accounted for 14.67%, while the patients with a lack of protective immunity against HBV accounted for 31.39%. The patients were divided into groups based on age: in the 0 — 17 years group, the patients with protective immunity against HBV accounted for 61.41% (304 patients); the 18 — 44 years group was mainly composed of patients with previous HBV infection (698 patients, 37.31%), the 45 — 59 years group was predominantly composed of patients with previous HBV infection (1 945 patients, 50.38%), and the ≥60 years group was also predominantly composed of patients with previous HBV infection (1 486 patients, 61.66%). The patients were divided into groups based on the year of birth: in the pre-1992 group, the patients with previous HBV infection accounted for 51.63% (4 112 patients); in the 1992 — 2005 group, the patients with protective immunity against HBV accounted for 54.72% (168 patients); in the post-2005 group, the patients with protective immunity against HBV accounted for 64.38% (235 patients). In this study, 6 301 patients underwent HCV genotype testing: the patients with genotype 1b accounted for the highest proportion of 51.71% (3 258 patients), followed by those with genotype 2a (1 769 patients, 28.07%), genotype 3b (63 patients, 1.00%), genotype 3a (10 patients, 0.16%), genotype 4 (21 patients, 0.33%), and genotype 6a (5 patients, 0.08%). ConclusionWith the implementation of hepatitis B planned vaccination program in China, there has been a significant reduction in the proportion of patients with previous HBV infection among the patients with HCV/HBV overlapping infection, but there is still a relatively high proportion of patients with a lack of protective immunity against HBV.
4.Efficacy and Safety of Automated Insulin Delivery Systems in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Wenqi FAN ; Chao DENG ; Ruoyao XU ; Zhenqi LIU ; Richard David LESLIE ; Zhiguang ZHOU ; Xia LI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):235-251
Background:
Automated insulin delivery (AID) systems studies are upsurging, half of which were published in the last 5 years. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of AID systems in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).
Methods:
We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov until August 31, 2023. Randomized clinical trials that compared AID systems with other insulin-based treatments in patients with T1DM were considered eligible. Studies characteristics and glycemic metrics was extracted by three researchers independently.
Results:
Sixty-five trials (3,623 patients) were included. The percentage of time in range (TIR) was 11.74% (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.37 to 14.12; P<0.001) higher with AID systems compared with control treatments. Patients on AID systems had more pronounced improvement of time below range when diabetes duration was more than 20 years (–1.80% vs. –0.86%, P=0.031) and baseline glycosylated hemoglobin lower than 7.5% (–1.93% vs. –0.87%, P=0.033). Dual-hormone full closed-loop systems revealed a greater improvement in TIR compared with hybrid closed-loop systems (–19.64% vs. –10.87%). Notably, glycemia risk index (GRI) (–3.74; 95% CI, –6.34 to –1.14; P<0.01) was also improved with AID therapy.
Conclusion
AID systems showed significant advantages compared to other insulin-based treatments in improving glucose control represented by TIR and GRI in patients with T1DM, with more favorable effect in euglycemia by dual-hormone full closedloop systems as well as less hypoglycemia for patients who are within target for glycemic control and have longer diabetes duration.
5.The Role of Gut Microbiota in Male Erectile Dysfunction of Rats
Zhunan XU ; Shangren WANG ; Chunxiang LIU ; Jiaqi KANG ; Yang PAN ; Zhexin ZHANG ; Hang ZHOU ; Mingming XU ; Xia LI ; Haoyu WANG ; Shuai NIU ; Li LIU ; Daqing SUN ; Xiaoqiang LIU
The World Journal of Men's Health 2025;43(1):213-227
Purpose:
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common male sexual dysfunction. Gut microbiota plays an important role in various diseases. To investigate the effects and mechanisms of intestinal flora dysregulation induced by high-fat diet (HFD) on erectile function.
Materials and Methods:
Male Sprague–Dawley rats aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into the normal diet (ND) and HFD groups. After 24 weeks, a measurement of erectile function was performed. We performed 16S rRNA sequencing of stool samples. Then, we established fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) rat models by transplanting fecal microbiota from rats of ND group and HFD group to two new groups of rats respectively. After 24 weeks, erectile function of the rats was evaluated and 16S rRNA sequencing was performed, and serum samples were collected for the untargeted metabolomics detection.
Results:
The erectile function of rats and the species diversity of intestinal microbiota in the HFD group was significantly lower, and the characteristics of the intestinal microbiota community structure were also significantly different between the two groups. The erectile function of rats in the HFD-FMT group was significantly lower than that of rats in the ND-FMT group. The characteristics of the intestinal microbiota community structure were significantly different. In the HFD-FMT group, 27 metabolites were significantly different and they were mainly involved in the several inflammation-related pathways.
Conclusions
Intestinal microbiota disorders induced by HFD can damage the intestinal barrier of rats, change the serum metabolic profile, induce low-grade inflammation and apoptosis in the corpus cavernosum of the penis, and lead to ED.
6.Improvement effects and mechanism of Xiangsha yiwei tang on gastric mucosal injury in rats with chronic atrophic gastritis
Pengfei XIA ; Di JIN ; Jin LIANG ; Yi YU ; Jinjun DU ; Zhanyong JIN ; Jun FANG ; Xia YANG ; Huiwu LIU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(11):1311-1316
OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effects and mechanism of Xiangsha yiwei tang on gastric mucosal injury in rats with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG). METHODS Rats were randomly assigned into normal control group, model group, Xiangsha yiwei tang low-, medium- and high-dose groups (6, 12, 18 g/kg, calculated by crude drug), and high-dose group of Xiangsha yiwei tang+740 Y-P [Xiangsha yiwei tang 18 g/kg+transforming growth factor β1/phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase/ protein kinase B(TGF-β1/PI3K/Akt) pathway activator group 740 Y-P 10 mg/kg], with 18 rats in each group. Rats in each group were administered the corresponding drugs via oral gavage or injection, once daily, for 4 consecutive weeks. Gastric mucosal blood flow, the levels of serum gastrointestinal hormones [including motilin (MTL), gastrin (GAS), and pepsinogen (PP)], as well as inflammatory cytokines [including tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF- α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6] in rats were measured. Pathological damage to gastric mucosal tissue was observed in rats; the apoptotic rate of gastric mucosal cells was detected. The expressions of TGF-β1/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway-related proteins and apoptosis-related proteins [including B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax)] in the gastric mucosal tissues of rats were assessed. RESULTS Compared with normal control group, model group had abnormal gastric mucosal tissue structure, with shedding of gastric mucosal epithelial cells, and prominent infiltration of inflammatory cells. Gastric mucosal blood flow, the serum levels of MTL, GAS, PP, and Bcl-2 protein expression were lowered significantly, while serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, apoptosis rate, protein expressions of Bax and TGF-β1, the phosphorylations of PI3K and Akt were increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with model group, Xiangsha yiwei decoction groups exhibited attenuated histopathological injuries in gastric mucosal tissues, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, and significant improvements in the aforementioned quantitative parameters (P<0.05). Compared with high-dose group of Xiangsha yiwei tang, high-dose group of Xiangsha yiwei decoction combined with 740 Y-P exhibited significantly aggravated histopathological injuries in gastric mucosal tissues, and the aforementioned quantitative parameters were markedly reversed (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Xiangsha yiwei tang can alleviate gastric mucosal damage in CAG rats, and its mechanism of action is related to the inhibition of TGF-β1/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
7.Effectiveness of carvedilol alone versus carvedilol combined with endoscopic variceal ligation in secondary prevention of gastroesophageal variceal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis
Xiaochen LIU ; Yifu XIA ; Chunqing ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(5):900-906
ObjectiveTo compare the therapeutic effects of carvedilol alone and carvedilol combined with endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) in the prevention of re-bleeding from gastroesophageal varices, and to provide strategies for clinical treatment. MethodsWe retrospectively included 178 patients who had received carvedilol alone or carvedilol plus EVL to prevent gastroesophageal variceal re-hemorrhage from October 2010 to June 2023. They were divided into carvedilol alone group (47 cases) and carvedilol+EVL group (131 cases). Between-group comparisons were conducted using the paired t test for normally distributed continuous data, the Mann-Whitney U test for non-normally distributed continuous data, and the chi-square test for categorical data. A Cox proportional hazards model was employed for univariable and multi-variable analyses. The cumulative incidence rates of re-bleeding and mortality were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The baseline characteristics of the two groups were matched through propensity score matching (PSM) to reduce selection bias and enhance the credibility of causal inference. ResultsThe re-bleeding rate of the carvedilol+EVL group was significantly lower than that of the carvedilol alone group (10-year cumulative incidence: 29.8% vs 36.2%, hazard ratio [HR]=0.505, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.292 — 0.847, P=0.015). There was no significant difference in liver-related mortality (10-year cumulative incidence: 21.3% vs 21.4%, HR=0.799, 95%CI: 0.406 — 1.578, P=0.518). The results were stable with PSM analysis. The Cox regression analysis revealed that creatinine was an independent risk factor affecting re-bleeding (HR=1.004, 95%CI: 1.001 — 1.008, P=0.011) and liver-related mortality (HR=1.004, 95%CI: 1.001 — 1.007, P=0.019). ConclusionCarvedilol combined with EVL is better than carvedilol alone in the prevention of gastroesophageal variceal re-bleeding.
8.Clinical observation of 25G+minimally invasive vitrectomy in the treatment of retinal arterial macroaneurysm
Nan ZHAO ; Tongtong LIU ; Yige XIA ; Haohao LU ; Yanhui HAN
International Eye Science 2025;25(7):1191-1194
AIM:To observe the therapeutic efficacy of 25G+minimally invasive vitrectomy for retinal arterial macroaneurysm.METHODS:Totally 40 patients(40 eyes)who admitted to Jinan Mingshui Eye Hospital from January 2021 to May 2024 and with vitreous hemorrhage or dense premacular hemorrhage in the macular area caused by retinal arterial macroaneurysm, underwent 25G+minimally invasive vitrectomy. Preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), complications, and special cases were analyzed.RESULTS: The general patient data aligned with previous literature reports. The postoperative BCVA was significantly improved(t=9.72, P<0.01), and no significant serious surgical complications were observed. Notably, intraoperative findings revealed secondary macular holes in 3 eyes, resulting in poor visual prognosis.CONCLUSION: For vitreous hemorrhage or dense premacular hemorrhage caused by retinal arterial macroaneurysm, 25G+ minimally invasive vitrectomy is a safe and effective treatment. Visual prognosis was excluded for secondary macular holes.
9.Effect comparison of flat loop with double C-loop Toric intraocular lenses on astigmatism correction based on standard astigmatism vector analysis
Jintao XIA ; Jia LIU ; Mi HAO ; Ting MA ; Lina CHENG
International Eye Science 2025;25(4):632-637
AIM:To compare the effect of AT TORBI 709M and Tecnis ZMT intraocular lenses on astigmatism correction in patients with corneal astigmatism at 3 mo after operation based on the standard astigmatism vector analysis.METHODS: This was a retrospective case-control study. The clinical data of 69 patients(69 eyes)with corneal astigmatism who underwent phacoemulsification and implantation of toric intraocular lens(IOL)from June 2021 to December 2021 in Day Surgery Center of Xi'an No.1 Hospital was analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups. In group one, 38 cases(38 eyes)were implanted with AT TORBI 709M, and 31 patients(31 eyes)with Tecnis ZMT in group two. The axial length, preoperative astigmatism and axis, and the degree of intraocular lens were recorded. The uncorrected distance visual acuity(UCDVA), best corrected distance visual acuity(BCDVA), diopter, residual astigmatism and axis were recorded preoperatively and at 1 wk, 1 and 3 mo postoperatively. The postoperative surgical indicators, including spherical equivalent(SE), target induced astigmatism vector(TIA), surgically induced astigmatism vector(SIA), magnitude of error(ME), absolute value of angle of error(|AE|), absolute value of difference vector(|DV|), correction index(CI), and index of success(IOS)were evaluated by the standard astigmatism vector analysis.RESULTS:Postoperative UCDVA and BCDVA were significantly improved(all P<0.001), and there were statistically significant differences compared to preoperative UCDVA and BCDVA(all P<0.001). While, there was no significant difference in UCDVA and BCDVA between the two groups(P=0.275, 0.124). The standard astigmatism vector analysis showed that a good astigmatism correction was achieved in both AT TORBI 709M group and Tecnis ZMT group, and both |DV| and IOS were close to 0(P=0.329, 0.288). The CI of the AT TORBI 709M group was closer to 1, indicating a better astigmatism correction, while the CI of the Tecnis ZMT group was higher than 1, suggesting an overcorrection of astigmatism. However, the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant(P=0.193). The mean residual astigmatism at 3 mo postoperatively was -0.11±0.91 D in the AT TORBI 709M group and -0.46±0.76 D in the Tecnis ZMT group, respectively, showing no statistically significance difference(t=1.732, P=0.088).CONCLUSION:Both the flat loop AT TORBI 709M and the double C-loop Tecnis ZMT intraocular lenses can effectively improve postoperative visual acuity in patients with regular corneal astigmatism, showing good rotational stability and comparable correction abilities for both astigmatism with the rule and against-the-rule astigmatism.
10.Development of a predictive model and application for spontaneous passage of common bile duct stones based on automated machine learning
Jian CHEN ; Kaijian XIA ; Fuli GAO ; Luojie LIU ; Ganhong WANG ; Xiaodan XU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(3):518-527
ObjectiveTo develop a predictive model and application for spontaneous passage of common bile duct stones using automated machine learning algorithms given the complexity of treatment decision-making for patients with common bile duct stones, and to reduce unnecessary endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the data of 835 patients who were scheduled for ERCP after a confirmed diagnosis of common bile duct stones based on imaging techniques in Changshu First People’s Hospital (dataset 1) and Changshu Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital (dataset 2). The dataset 1 was used for the training and internal validation of the machine learning model and the development of an application, and the dataset 2 was used for external testing. A total of 22 potential predictive variables were included for the establishment and internal validation of the LASSO regression model and various automated machine learning models. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were used to assess the performance of models and identify the best model. Feature importance plots, force plots, and SHAP plots were used to interpret the model. The Python Dash library and the best model were used to develop a web application, and external testing was conducted using the dataset 2. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to examine whether the data were normally distributed, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between two groups, while the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. ResultsAmong the 835 patients included in the study, 152 (18.20%) experienced spontaneous stone passage. The LASSO model achieved an AUC of 0.875 in the training set (n=588) and 0.864 in the validation set (n=171), and the top five predictive factors in terms of importance were solitary common bile duct stones, non-dilated common bile duct, diameter of common bile duct stones, a reduction in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and a reduction in gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT). A total of 55 models were established using automated machine learning, among which the gradient boosting machine (GBM) model had the best performance, with an AUC of 0.891 (95% confidence interval: 0.859 — 0.927), outperforming the extreme randomized tree mode, the deep learning model, the generalized linear model, and the distributed random forest model. The GBM model had an accuracy of 0.855, a sensitivity of 0.846, and a specificity of 0.857 in the test set (n=76). The variable importance analysis showed that five factors had important influence on the prediction of spontaneous stone passage, i.e., were solitary common bile duct stones, non-dilated common bile duct, a stone diameter of <8 mm, a reduction in serum ALP, and a reduction in GGT. The SHAP analysis of the GBM model showed a significant increase in the probability of spontaneous stone passage in patients with solitary common bile duct stones, non-dilated common bile duct, a stone diameter of <8 mm, and a reduction in serum ALP or GGT. ConclusionThe GBM model and application developed using automated machine learning algorithms exhibit excellent predictive performance and user-friendliness in predicting spontaneous stone passage in patients with common bile duct stones. This application can help avoid unnecessary ERCP procedures, thereby reducing surgical risks and healthcare costs.

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