1.Interdisciplinary integration and development trends of intelligent diagnosis in traditional Chinese medicine: a topic evolution analysis
Chenggong XIE ; Keying HUANG ; Zhengquan DU ; Xinyi HUANG ; Bin WANG
Digital Chinese Medicine 2026;9(1):43-56
Objective:
To systematically characterize the developmental trajectory and interdisciplinary integration of intelligent diagnosis in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) through quantitative topic evolution analysis, we addressed the fragmentation of existing research and clarified the long-term research structure and evolutionary patterns of the field.
Methods:
A topic evolution analysis was performed on Chinese-language literature pertaining to intelligent diagnosis in TCM. Publications were retrieved from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, and China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), covering the period from database inception to July 3, 2025. A hybrid segmentation approach, based on cumulative publication growth trends and inflection point detection, was applied to divide the research timeline into distinct stages. Subsequently, the latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) model was used to extract research topics, followed by alignment and evolutionary analysis of topics across different stages.
Results:
A total of 3 919 publications published between 2003 and 2025 were included, and the research trajectory was divided into five stages based on data-driven breakpoint detection. The field exhibited a clear evolutionary shift from early rule-based systems and tongue-pulse image and signal analysis (2006 – 2010), to machine-learning-based syndrome and prescription modeling (2011 – 2015), followed by deep-learning-driven pattern recognition and formula association (2016 – 2020). Since 2021, research has increasingly emphasized knowledge-graph construction, multimodal integration, and intelligent clinical decision-support systems, with recent studies (2024 – 2025) showing the emergence of large language models and agent-based diagnostic frameworks. Topic evolution analysis further revealed sustained cross-stage continuity in syndrome modeling and prescription association analysis, alongside the progressive consolidation of integrated intelligent diagnostic platforms.
Conclusion
By identifying key technological transitions and persistent core research themes, our findings offer a structured reference framework for the design of intelligent diagnostic systems, the construction of knowledge-driven clinical decision-support tools, and the alignment of AI models with TCM diagnostic logic. Importantly, the stage-based evolutionary insights derived from this analysis can inform future methodological choices, improve model interpretability and clinical applicability, and support the translation of intelligent TCM diagnosis from experimental research to real-world clinical practice.
2.Chinese expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain after lung surgery with integrated Traditional Chinese and Western medicine (2026 edition)
Jichen QU ; Wentian ZHANG ; Jianqiao CAI ; Zhigang CHEN ; Bin LI ; Wei DAI ; Xiangwu WANG ; Yan LI ; Xiang LÜ ; ; Yongfu ZHU ; Mingran XIE ; Sufang ZHANG ; Lei JIANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(04):522-534
Chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) is a common long-term complication following lung surgery. Its high incidence significantly impacts patients’ quality of life and functional recovery, and imposes a substantial socioeconomic burden. This consensus aims to systematically establish a standardized integrated Chinese and Western medicine diagnostic and treatment framework for chronic post-lung surgery pain (CPLSP). Based on the latest domestic and international evidence-based medical research and multidisciplinary clinical experience, the working group comprehensively elaborates on core issues regarding CPLSP, including its definition, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical assessment, Western medical treatment, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment, and integrated strategies. The consensus emphasizes a patient-centered approach, adhering to the principles of multimodality, individualization, and stepwise management, highlighting the synergistic advantages of integrating Chinese and Western medicine throughout the entire perioperative management cycle encompassing "perioperative anti-inflammation, acute analgesia, and chronic rehabilitation." Through systematic literature retrieval and evidence integration, a total of 9 core recommendations were established to provide scientifically sound and clinically practical guidance.
3.Risk Factors Analysis and Predictive Model Construction for Acute Kidney Injury Following Amphotericin B Deoxycholate Use in Hospitalized Patients
Hao XIE ; Yixun SHI ; Zhiqing XU ; Minquan LI ; Xiaoli DU ; Gang CHEN ; Bin ZHAO
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(2):429-437
To investigate the risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) following the use of amphotericin B deoxycholate and to develop a predictive model to guide clinical monitoring and intervention. A retrospective analysis was conducted on hospitalized patients who received amphotericin B deoxycholate between January 2014 and September 2024. Patients were divided into a training set and a validation set. Demographic data, laboratory findings, and medication orders were collected. Based on the occurrence of AKI during treatment and within 7 days after discontinuation, patients were classified into an AKI group and a non-AKI group. Univariate analysis was used to screen for potential risk factors, multivariate logistic regression was employed to construct a predictive model, and model performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. The training set included 473 patients, comprising 255 males (53.91%) and 218 females (46.09%), with a median age of 52(35, 62) years. The AKI group consisted of 191 cases (40.38%), and the non-AKI group consisted of 282 cases (59.62%). The validation set included 114 patients, comprising 80 males (70.18%) and 34 females (29.82%), with a median age of 43.5 (31.0, 58.5) years. The AKI group consisted of 42 cases (36.84%), and the non-AKI group consisted of 72 cases (63.16%). Univariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups in 23 factors (all Admission to the ICU, elevated serum creatinine at admission, and comorbid cardiac insufficiency as potential risk factors for AKI, while prophylactic use of diphenhydramine/promethazine or sodium bicarbonate showed a protective association. A predictive model with good discrimina-tion and calibration was developed, which may provide a basis for early identification of high-risk patients and timely adjustment of treatment strategies in clinical practice.
4.Based on 16S rDNA Technology and TLRs/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway, Molecular Mechanism of Shenling Baizhusan Resistance to Diarrhea Irritable Bowel Syndrome Rats Was Investigated
Tengfei LYU ; Jingyu WANG ; Mingyue XIE ; Bin XI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):13-22
ObjectiveBased on 16S rDNA technology and molecular biology methods, the molecular mechanism of Shenling Baizhusan in the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) was investigated. MethodsThe 42 SD rats with SPF were randomly divided into no control group, SLBZS-H, medium (SLBZS-M), low (SLBZS-L) dose group, positive control group and model group, with 7 rats in each group. The rat model of IBS-D was prepared by ice-cold senna (0.45 g∙mL-1) gavage (10 mL∙kg-1) combined with restraint stress for 14 consecutive days. After successful modeling, the corresponding drugs were given to each group with a gavage volume of 10 mL∙kg-1: The positive group was administered with 2.36 , 1.18, 0.59 g∙mL-1 of Shenling Baizhusan in the Positive group and the Model group with the same volume of normal saline for 14 d. The general condition of the rats: Weight, feces, mental state and death were observed and recorded. The body weight, abdominal wall retraction reflex score (AWR) and loose stool rate of rats in each group were measured before (the first day), after the model (day 14) and after treatment (day 28). Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the morphological characteristics of colon tissues of experimental animals. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantitatively analyze the concentration of inflammatory mediators in the peripheral blood of experimental animals. Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of key proteins of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway in rat colon tissue. 16S rDNA technology was used to detect the structural changes of intestinal microbiota in rats. ResultsCompared with Control, the colon of the Model group showed partial mucosal epithelial shedding and inflammatory cell infiltration. The contents of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and 5-HT in serum increased (P<0.05), the protein expressions of TLR2, TLR4, MyD88 and NF-κB in colon tissue increased (P<0.05), the diversity indices of Richness, Chao1, abundance-based coverage estimator(ACE) and Shannon decreased (P<0.05), and the phylum Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, The relative richness of Bacteroides-H, Lactobacillus and Ligilactobacillus decreased (P<0.05), while the relative richness of Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Prevotella increased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the colonic structure and organization of the SLBZS-H group, SLBZS-M group, SLBZS-L group and Positive group were clearer, and only a small number of inflammatory cells were present in some areas, and the serum contents of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and 5-HT were decreased (P<0.05), TLR2, TLR4, The protein expressions of MyD88 and NF-κB decreased (P<0.05), and compared with the model group, the diversity indices of Richness, Chao1, ACE and Shannon in the SLBZS-H, SLBZS-M and SLBZS-L groups increased (P<0.05), and the richness of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria increased (P<0.05). The richness of Proteobacteria and Prevotella decreased (P<0.05), and the abundance of Prevotella decreased (P<0.05), Bacteroides-H, Muribaculum, Lactobacillus and salivarius in the Positive group salivarius (P<0.05). ConclusionShenling Baizhusan can effectively treat IBS-D, and its molecular mechanism may be to play a therapeutic role by improving intestinal flora and inhibiting the TLRS/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway to reduce inflammatory response.
5.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.
6.Pre-operative risk assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence in liver transplant recipients by non-invasive detection of pre-existing genetic lesions
Suqin YANG ; Sunbin LING ; Jianhua LI ; Yan WANG ; Jiapei WANG ; Qiwei HUANG ; Fanming LIU ; Yiqi ZHUANG ; Yingyu ZHENG ; Rui WANG ; Zhe YANG ; Xiaoping ZHENG ; Kai WANG ; Zhikun LIU ; Jun CHEN ; Jianguo WANG ; Haiyang XIE ; Lin ZHOU ; Leiming CHEN ; Guoqiang CAO ; Dandan CHEN ; Junfang JI ; Bin ZHAO ; Chao JIANG ; Di LU ; Xuyong WEI ; Hangjin JIANG ; Qiaonan SHAN ; Hengbo SHI ; Yong-Zhen XU ; Shusen ZHENG ; Zhengxin WANG ; Shengda LIN ; Xiao XU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):884-903
Background/Aims:
Liver transplantation (LT) following total hepatectomy is a life-saving treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC recurrence after LT hinders the effectiveness of the procedure. The objective of this study is to develop a pre-operative risk stratification model based on a liquid biopsy.
Methods:
We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics study of 260 HCC patients from three centers, including clinical data, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma, as well as whole-exome, single-nucleus RNA, and spatial transcriptomics from matched tumor and non-tumor tissues.
Results:
We identified cfDNA-derived copy number alteration (CNA) signatures associated with post-transplant recurrence. By integrating cfDNA-derived CNA profiles with single-cell transcriptomic data, we traced recurrence-associated cfDNA to a distinct subpopulation of malignant cells within the primary tumor. These cells were embedded in a pro-metastatic microenvironment of specialized endothelial subtypes and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Notably, most recurrence-associated lesions were detectable in cfDNA prior to liver transplantation (LT). Building on these insights, we developed the ZJU Criteria based on CNA fragments and tumor markers, a pre-LT risk prediction tool that integrates conventional clinical factors with cfDNA-derived CNA signatures, and validated it using internal and independent external cohorts.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that post-transplant recurrence commonly originates from advanced subclones that emerge late during tumor evolution. The ZJU Criteria provides an accurate, non-invasive strategy that significantly improves pre-LT risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.
7.Expert consensus on a stepwise strategy for the surgical management of empyema based on pathological staging (2026 edition)
Jichen QU ; Yunjiu GOU ; Guangyu CHEN ; Yongfu ZHAI ; Tinglong MA ; Xiaogang ZENG ; Feng JIN ; Yanzheng SONG ; Boxiong XIE ; Minjie MA ; Bin LI ; Jiang FAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(07):988-998
The surgical management of empyema (excluding those caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria) is rapidly evolving towards minimally invasive, precise, and stepwise approaches. The traditional three-stage classification (exudative, fibrinopurulent, and organizing) has limitations in guiding dynamic clinical decision-making. For the first time, this consensus explicitly identifies two critical junctures in the pathological progression of empyema: "early transformation" (stage Ⅰ to Ⅱ) and "late transformation" (stage Ⅱ to Ⅲ), and thereby constructs a corresponding "identification-early warning-intervention" stepwise therapeutic framework. The consensus emphasizes that proactive debridement via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery should be performed during the early transformation phase to halt disease progression. Conversely, during the late transformation phase, therapeutic goals should be rationally adjusted to prioritize adequate drainage, avoiding futile pleural decortication. Moreover, the consensus underscores the pivotal role of precise perioperative etiological diagnosis (e.g. metagenomic nest-generation sequencing) and standardized anti-infective therapy. Integrating practical experiences from multiple thoracic surgery centers in China and relevant evidence-based literature, this consensus formulates recommendations on the precise definitions of staging, surgical indications for each phase, key technical points, perioperative management, and training systems. It aims to promote the standardized and individualized surgical management of empyema, ultimately optimizing patient prognosis.
8.Exploring Quality Makers of Xiaoqinglong Granules in Treating Bronchial Asthma Based on Analytic Hierarchy Process-entropy Weight Method, Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking
Huijuan XIE ; Zhuqian TANG ; Dan HU ; Yingbi XU ; Li HAN ; Bin YANG ; Hua LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):192-200
ObjectiveTo investigate the quality markers of Xiaoqinglong granules(XQLG) for treating bronchial asthma using the analytic hierarchy process(AHP)-entropy weight method(EWM), network pharmacology and high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) content determination. MethodsEffectiveness, testability and peculiarity component data of XQLG in treating bronchial asthma were constructed through database retrieval, literature review, and network pharmacology. Subsequently, AHP-EWM was used to quantitatively identify and weight the control layer and element layer, the relevant compounds were selected as candidate quality markers based on comprehensive scores. Further comparison of reference substances and establishment of HPLC content determination method were used to determine the potential quality markers of XQLG, which were verified by molecular docking with disease targets. ResultsA total of 13 components, including glycyrrhizic acid, paeoniflorin, schisandrol A, isoliquiritigenin, 6-gingerol, ephedrine, liquiritin, albiflorin, liquiritigenin, 6-shogaol, pseudoephedrine, cinnamic acid and cinnamaldehyde, were identified as potential quality markers of XQLG by AHP-EWM. Quantitative analysis indicated that all aforementioned quality markers could be detected in 13 batches of XQLG, indicating that it had stable testability as a quality marker. Among these 13 batches of samples, ephedrine and paeoniflorin exhibited good consistency in content, while pseudoephedrine and cinnamaldehyde showed poor consistency. Molecular docking analysis revealed that the 13 compounds exhibited binding energies with the core targets -2.11 kcal·mol-1, indicating that the 13 compounds could spontaneously bind to the disease targets, which may be the material basis for the treatment of bronchial asthma with XQLG. ConclusionIn this study, 13 compounds were screened by AHP-EWM combined with network pharmacology and HPLC as quality markers for the treatment of bronchial asthma by XQLG, laying the foundation for enhancing the quality standards of this preparation.
9.MAGED4 activates the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway through SIRT7 to promote glioma cell proliferation
Ai Ye ; Ziliang Zhong ; Feng Li ; Huan Xie ; Xiaoqiong Zou ; Guojian Wang ; Zi Wang ; Bin Luo ; Qingmei Zhang ; Xiaoxun Xie
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(12):2235-2246
Objective:
To determine the expression of melanoma-associated antigens D4(MAGED4) and SIRT7 in human glioma, and to analyze the potential effects of MAGED4 and SIRT7 on glioma cell proliferation.
Methods:
The MAGED4 and SIRT7 expression levels and their correlation were compared by the China glioma genome atlas(CGGA), human protein atlas(HPA), and UALCAN databases. Survival analysis, ROC curve analysis, and Cox regression analysis were used to predict the outcome of MAGED4 and SIRT 7 in glioma patients. Gene ontology(GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) signaling pathway enrichment analysis were used to explore the biological functions of MAGED4 and SIRT7 in glioma. Western blot experiment was used to investigate whether MAGED4 protein exerted its regulatory effects on the activity of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway via SIRT7. The effect of MAGED4 on cell proliferation in glioma through SIRT7 was explored by CCK-8.
Results:
The analysis results of CGGA, UALCAN, and HPA databases showed that the expression levels of MAGED4 and SIRT7 in glioma tissues were higher than those in normal brain tissue, and the expression were positively correlated. Results of survival, ROC, and Cox analysis showed that high expression of MAGED4 and SIRT7 mRNA were risk factors for poor prognosis in glioma. Results of KEGG enrichment analysis showed that MAGED4 and SIRT7 were associated with the PI3K/AKT signaling in glioma, and Western blot results showed that MAGED4 activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by regulating SIRT7. The CCK-8 results showed that MAGED4 promotes the proliferation of glioma cells through SIRT7.
Conclusion
MAGED4 and SIRT7 are highly expressed in glioma and associated with poor prognosis, and MAGED4 promotes glioma cell proliferation through activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by SIRT7.
10.Causal association between Bifidobacterium and major depressive disorder: a Mendelian randomization study
Xiaoying XIE ; Bin SHENG ; Fuqiang YUAN
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(6):498-504
BackgroundMajor depressive disorder (MDD), a prevalent mental disorder, is characterized by persistent depressed mood, impaired concentration, loss of interest in daily activities, decreased appetite, and sleep disturbances. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) indicate potential benefits of Bifidobacterium supplementation for MDD, but the evidence base remains insufficient to draw definitive conclusions. ObjectiveTo explore the causal association between Bifidobacterium and MDD through a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach, with the hope of providing genetic evidence to elucidate the etiological mechanisms and risk factors underlying MDD. MethodsSummary-level data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) was conducted, specifying Bifidobacterium as the exposure variable and MDD as the outcome variable, to rigorously investigate the causal association between Bifidobacterium and MDD. Multiple complementary analytical approaches were employed, including inverse-variance weighted, weighted median estimator, MR-Egger regression, weighted mode and simple mode, to derive robust causal estimates. Furthermore, to ensure the robustness and validity of the findings, a series of comprehensive sensitivity analysis were systematically performed, encompassing MR-Egger regression test, MR-PRESSO test and leave-one-out analysis. ResultsInverse-variance weighted revealed a causal link from Bifidobacterium to MDD (OR=1.018, 95% CI: 1.001–1.035, P=0.035), whereas no evidence of reverse causality was observed (OR=0.603, 95% CI: 0.116–3.130, P=0.547). ConclusionBifidobacterium is a risk factor for MDD, and its presence may increase the risk of MDD onset.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail