1.Current situation and development strategy of the construction of traditional Chinese medicine digital herbarium
LIU Junling ; HAO Dajun ; CHENG Shiyun ; SU Chang ; GENG Chao ; LIU Bingxin ; RONG Yu ; KANG Shuai
Drug Standards of China 2026;27(1):0049-0057
This study aims to review the current status and development trends of digital TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) specimen museums, providing a theoretical basis for their future construction. By systematically organizing literature and materials, practical experiences in platform architecture design, content planning, and technical implementation were summarized. The research results show that digital technology has significant application value in the TCM field. Currently, some Food and Drug Control Institutes have formed diverse construction achievements by integrating regional characteristics with technological innovation. However, current TCM specimen museums generally still face many challenges, such as insufficient digitalization. In conclusion, the digitalization of TCM specimen museums has become an inevitable trend in the industry. Targeted measures are urgently needed to solve existing problems and promote the sustainable development of digital TCM specimen museums. It is suggested to strengthen the standardization of data collection and storage, deepen the integration of technologies such as 3D, AR, and AI into the construction of specimen museums, and at the same time promote the spatial design combining regional culture with TCM. This will help create "one museum with one feature for one region" digital TCM specimen museums, further promoting their sustainable development and facilitating the digital inheritance of TCM.
2.CCL18+tumor-associated macrophages induce immune escape by expressing PD-L1 and TGF-β
Chao LIN ; Jinnan CHEN ; Yefei RONG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(3):369-378
Objective To explore the role of CC chemokine ligand-18 (CCL18) positive tumor-associated macrophages in immune escape of gastric cancer and their impact on the tumor microenvironment. Methods Three gastric cancer patient cohorts were included in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University (449 cases in the radical surgery cohort, 46 cases in the palliative treatment cohort, and 48 cases in the flow cytometry analysis cohort), and one group of patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were included. The CCL18+ tumor-associated macrophage gene signature was obtained from the TCGA database, and differential gene expression in the TCGA cohort was analyzed based on this signature. Immunofluorescence was used to assess the infiltration of CCL18+ tumor-associated macrophages in tissue microarrays of patients from two treatment cohorts. The association between CCL18+ tumor-associated macrophages and clinical outcomes as well as related gene expression was examined. Using single-cell suspensions derived from tumor tissues, flow cytometry was employed to evaluate the immunophenotype of CCL18+ tumor-associated macrophages; the potential therapeutic effects of blocking CCL18 in gastric cancer were assessed through in vitro culture. Results In curative surgery cohort, patients with high infiltration of CCL18+tumor-associated macrophages had shorter overall survival and disease-free survival compared to those with low infiltration (P<0.01). In palliative cohort, patients with high infiltration of CCL18+tumor-associated macrophages exhibited shorter progression-free survival compared to those with low infiltration (P=0.015). The proportion of exhausted CD8+T cells was significantly increased in the cancer tissues with high infiltration of CCL18+tumor-associated macrophages compared to those with low infiltration (P<0.001). Tumors with high CCL18+tumor-associated macrophages gene signature expressed significantly higher level of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)than those with low CCL18+tumor-associated macrophages gene signature in TCGA queue (P<0.001). The expression levels of PD-L1 and TGF-β were higher in CCL18+tumor-associated macrophages than those in CCL18-tumor-associated macrophages (P<0.05). After CCL18 intervention, the proportions of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and apoptotic epithelial cells (Annexin Ⅴ+) were increased (P<0.05), while the proportion of proliferating epithelial cells (Ki67+) was decreased (P<0.001). Conclusion CCL18+tumor-associated macrophages infiltration is associated with prognoses in patients with gastric cancer, and might promote an immunosuppressive microenvironment in gastric cancer by expressing PD-L1 and TGF-β, and blockade of CCL18 might be a new direction for gastric cancer treatment.
3.Risk factors for post-acute pancreatitis diabetes mellitus and construction of a nomogram prediction model
Fujun LI ; Rong ZHANG ; Kun FANG ; Juan CHEN ; Tianshi ZHUANG ; Chao WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(8):1908-1916
ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors for post-acute pancreatitis diabetes mellitus (PPDM-A) in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP), to construct a nomogram prediction model, and to provide a reference for the development of individualized treatment regimens. MethodsA total of 351 patients with AP who were admitted to Xuzhou Municipal Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University from June 2021 to January 2025 were prospectively enrolled, and they were randomly divided into modeling group with 246 patients and validation group with 105 patients at a ratio of 7∶3. According to the presence or absence of PPDM-A in the patients with AP, the modeling group was further divided into PPDM-A group with 86 patients and non-PPDM-A group with 160 patients. Clinical data were collected from all patients. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis was used to determine independent variables, and a Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the influencing factors for PPDM-A. R software was used to construct a nomogram model. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to assess the discriminatory ability of the model, and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to test the model fitting degree, and the calibration curve was used to evaluate the model consistency; and decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to assess its clinical application value. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. ResultsAmong the 246 patients, 86 developed PPDM-A, resulting in an incidence rate of 34.96%. There were significant differences between the PPDM-A group and the non-PPDM-A group in the proportion of patients with an age of ≥60 years (65.12% vs 40.62%, P<0.05), male sex (75.58% vs 55.63%, P<0.05), a body mass index (BMI) of ≥24 kg/m2 (63.95% vs 37.50%, P<0.05), alcoholic AP (56.98% vs 36.87%, P<0.05), moderate-to-severe AP (54.65% vs 35.00%, P<0.05), or a computed tomography severity index (CTSI) score of ≥4 points (48.84% vs 28.75%, P<0.05), as well as significant differences in the levels of blood calcium (1.46±0.35 mmol/L vs 1.89±0.37 mmol/L, P<0.05) and random blood glucose (Glu) (17.68±4.12 mmol/L vs 11.68±4.27 mmol/L, P<0.05). The LASSO regression analysis obtained 8 independent variables. The Logistic regression analysis showed that age, sex, BMI, alcoholic AP, moderate-to-severe AP, CTSI score, and Glu were risk factors for PPDM-A (all P<0.05), while blood calcium was a protective factor (P<0.05). The model had an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.932 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.903 — 0.962) in the modeling group, and the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test yielded χ2=7.346 (P=0.728), the accuracy of model fitting was good; the calibration curve showed that the predicted probability was consistent with the actual probability, indicating that the consistency was good. The model had an AUC of 0.835 (95%CI: 0.753 — 0.917) in the validation group, and the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test yielded χ2=7.014 (P=0.711), the accuracy of model fitting was good; the calibration curve showed that the predicted probability was consistent with the actual probability, indicating that the consistency was good. The DCA results of the modeling group showed that the model exhibited a high clinical value in evaluating PPDM-A when the threshold probability was 0.13 — 0.94. ConclusionAge, sex, BMI, alcoholic AP, moderate-to-severe AP, blood calcium, CTSI score, and Glu are influencing factors for PPDM-A. The nomogram model constructed based on the above influencing factors shows good performance in predicting the risk of PPDM-A and can thus provide a reference for developing prevention strategies for PPDM-A in clinical practice.
4.C-C motif receptor 5 blockade reprograms tumor-associated macrophages and enhances anti-tumor immunity in gastric cancer
Chao LIN ; Jinnan CHEN ; Yefei RONG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(5):797-806
Objective To analyze the role of C-C motif receptor 5 (CCR5)+ tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the immune regulation of gastric cancer. Methods Four independent cohorts, including three groups of gastric cancer patients from Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University (448 cases in the radical surgery cohort, 33 cases in the neoadjuvant immunotherapy cohort, and 46 cases in the palliative immunotherapy cohort) and one group of 336 patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) of the gastric cancer database. The infiltration degree of CCR5+TAMs in tumor tissues was determined by immunofluorescence, and the correlation with clinical outcomes was analyzed. The phenotype of CCR5+TAMs was detected by flow cytometry analysis, and an in vitro fresh tumor tissue culture system was used to evaluate the potential therapeutic effect of blocking CCR5 in gastric cancer. Results Patients in the CCR5+TAMs high infiltration group had shorter overall survival than those in the CCR5+TAMs low infiltration group in radical surgery cohort and palliative immunotherapy cohort (P<0.05). In the neoadjuvant immunotherapy cohort, patients in CCR5+TAMs high infiltration group had lower pathologic complete response rate than those in CCR5+TAMs low infiltration group (P<0.05). CCR5+TAMs induced CD8+T cell exhaustion through the expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and interleukin-10 (IL-10), thereby facilitating immune escape. In tumors with high infiltration of CCR5+TAMs, CCR5 inhibitation effectively reversed the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (P<0.01). Conclusions The degree of CCR5+TAMs infiltration serves as an independent prognostic factor for patients with gastric cancer. These cells contribute to immune escape of tumor via the expression of PD-L1 and IL-10, leading to the exhaustion of CD8+T cell. CCR5 blockade therapy might be a potential therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer.
5.Clinical research and characteristic analysis of patients with advanced colorectal cancer treated with Yinyang Gongji Pills and capecitabine.
Lei WANG ; Chao-Yue YAO ; Jie-Ru ZHAN ; Xiao-Xia SUN ; Zhong-Xin YU ; Xiao-Ya LIANG ; Jian WANG ; Xue GONG ; Da-Rong WEI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(5):1404-1411
Yinyang Gongji Pills have the effects of strengthening the body resistance to eliminate pathogenic factors, removing stasis, and reducing swelling, which is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) formula for treating intestinal accumulation. A real-world, registered, and single-arm clinical trial was conducted to observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Yinyang Gongji Pills combined with capecitabine in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer and analyze the clinical characteristics of the patients. A total of 60 patients with advanced colorectal cancer who refused or could not tolerate standard treatment of western medicine were included in the study. They were treated with Yinyang Gongji Pills combined with capecitabine until disease progression or intolerable adverse events occurred. The main observation indicators were progression-free survival(PFS) and safety. The treatment effects of the patients under different baseline characteristics were analyzed. The clinical trial has found that the median PFS of all enrolled patients was 7.3 months, with 30.1% of patients having a PFS exceeding 12.0 months. Layered analysis showed that the median PFS of patients with the onset site being the colon and rectum were respectively 8.4 and 4.7 months. The median PFS of patients with high, medium, and low tumor burden were respectively 7.0, 4.7, and 10.8 months. The median PFS of patients with wild-type and mutant-type RAS/BRAF were respectively 7.9 and 6.9 months. The median PFS of patients with KPS scores ≥80 and ≤70 were respectively 7.9 and 6.5 months. The median PFS of patients treated with Yinyang Gongji Pills for ≥6, 3-6, and ≤3 months were respectively 8.0, 5.2, and 4.2 months. The median PFS of patients with spleen, kidney, liver, and lung syndrome differentiation in TCM were respectively 8.3, 6.7, 7.3, and 5.6 months. The median PFS of patients with TCM pathological factors including phlegm, dampness, and blood stasis were respectively 7.0, 7.3, and 6.5 months. Common adverse reactions include anemia, decreased white blood cells, decreased appetite, fatigue, and hand foot syndrome, with incidence rates being respectively 44.2%, 34.6%, 42.3%, 32.7%, and 17.3%. The results showed that the combination of Yinyang Gongji Pills and capecitabine demonstrated potential clinical efficacy and good safety in this study. The patients have clinical characteristics such as low tumor burden, onset site at the colon, KPS scores ≥ 80, long duration of oral TCM, and TCM syndrome differentiation including spleen or liver.
Humans
;
Capecitabine/adverse effects*
;
Colorectal Neoplasms/mortality*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects*
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Female
;
Aged
;
Adult
;
Treatment Outcome
6.Quality Evaluation and Analysis of Key Problems in Rukuaixiao Preparations
Rong CHEN ; Chao ZHANG ; Shuisheng ZHONG ; Wei CHEN ; Enyun TU ; Yaqiong WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):146-155
ObjectiveBased on multi-index and multi-method detection, the quality of Rukuaixiao preparations was systematically evaluated from the perspective of characteristic components, and the existing problems were analyzed. MethodsLiquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS) for the determination of 16 characteristic components was established to evaluate the quality of 129 batches of Rukuaixiao preparations. High performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was established to determine the contents of salvianolic acids and tanshinones, investigate the rationality of quality control index of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in the standard for Rukuaixiao preparations in the 2020 edition of Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China(hereinafter referred to as Chinese Pharmacopoeia) (volume Ⅰ), and trace the causes of significant difference among different batches. The processing and different extraction methods of Vaccariae Semen were tested, analyzing the impact of formulation changes across different editions of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The LC-MS was established for determining the changes in the ratio of toosendanin and isotoosendanin after water extraction of Toosendan Fructus. The contents of active components in different parts of Gleditsiae Spina were determined to identify the reason of the low contents of characteristic components in some enterprises. ResultsBased on the comprehensive analysis of the samples from different dosage forms, the contents of characteristic components of Vaccariae Semen and Gleditsiae Spina in tablets from manufacturer B and granules from manufacturer D were significantly higher than those in tablets from manufacturer A, and tablets and capsules from manufacturer C. The contents of tanshinones in some batches of products from manufacturer A were abnormally high, potentially linked to the use of 70% ethanol reflux during extraction of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. All samples from manufacturer C exhibited abnormally high proportions of salvianic acid A and 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde(salvianolic acid degradation products) to the total seven phenolic acids, indicating a risk of blindly pursuing tanshinol content and neglecting more effective components. The extraction rate of the characteristic components from Vaccariae Semen by decocting with water was obviously higher than that by reflux extraction with 70% ethanol. However, using the stir-fried Vaccariae Semen could reduce the loss of ingredients. The content ratio of toosendanin and isotoosendanin decreased from the crude herb to the prepared medicine when Toosendan Fructus was prepared by water decoction. The reason for the low component content of Gleditsiae Spina may be attributed to manufacturers using excessive non-medicinal parts in their formulations. ConclusionIt is suggested that enterprises should ensure the quality of raw material inputs, especially those without quality-control items in the standard, reduce the use of non-medicinal parts, and prohibit arbitrary alterations to manufacturing methods or processes. It is also recommended that Vaccariae Semen in Rukuaixiao capsules and granules should be changed to the stir-fried processed products. Isotoosendanin should be taken into consideration in the drug supervision when Toosendan Fructus is prepared into medicine by water decoction. Salvianolic acid B should be set as a quality control index for Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma when revising the pharmacopoeia standard of Rukuaixiao preparations.
7.Role of meibomian gland massage combined with ROY adaptation mode in nursing of xerophthalmia
Yuanyuan CHAO ; Jinxin SONG ; Yuqian RONG ; Le LIANG
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(4):29-33
Objective To explore the role of meibomian gland massage combined with the ROY adaptation model in nursing of xerophthalmia.Methods The medical records of 286 patients with xerophthalmia admitted from March 2022 to October 2023 were retrospectively included.The patients were divided into conventional group(141 cases)and combined group(145 cases)according to dif-ferent intervention methods.Both groups received optimized pulsed light therapy.The conventional group received meibomian gland massage and routine nursing for xerophthalmia,while the combined group received additional nursing based on the ROY adaptation model.The improvement effects on subjective symptoms(dryness,foreign body sensation,fatigue,photophobia,and burning sensation)as well as psychological status[Symptom Checklist-90(SCL-90)],self-efficacy[General Self-Effica-cy Scale(GSES)],ocular surface status[Ocular Surface Disease Index(OSDI)],and quality of life[the scale of quality of life for diseases with visual impairment(SQOL-DVI)]before and after inter-vention were compared between the two groups.Results The disappearance time of dryness,foreign body sensation,fatigue,photophobia,and burning sensation were shorter in the combined group than those in the conventional group(P<0.05).After the intervention,the scores of all dimensions and the total score of SCL-90 decreased in both groups compared with those before the intervention,and the scores in the combined group were lower than those in the conventional group(P<0.05).After the intervention,the scores for facing problems,coping with problems,and the total score increased in both groups compared with those before the intervention,and the scores in the combined group were higher than those in the conventional group(P<0.05).After the intervention,the scores for ocular symp-toms,visual function,environmental triggers factors,and the total score decreased in both groups compared with those before the intervention,and the scores in the combined group were lower than those in the conventional group(P<0.05).After the intervention,the scores for general health status,symptoms and visual function,social activities,mental health,and the total score increased in both groups compared with those before the intervention,and the scores in the combined group were higher than those in the conventional group(P<0.05).Conclusion Meibomian gland mas-sage combined with nursing based on the ROY adaptation model can improve dry eye symptoms,ad-just the ocular surface status,enhance self-efficacy,and improve the quality of life of patients.
8.Quality Evaluation and Analysis of Key Problems in Rukuaixiao Preparations
Rong CHEN ; Chao ZHANG ; Shuisheng ZHONG ; Wei CHEN ; Enyun TU ; Yaqiong WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):146-155
ObjectiveBased on multi-index and multi-method detection, the quality of Rukuaixiao preparations was systematically evaluated from the perspective of characteristic components, and the existing problems were analyzed. MethodsLiquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS) for the determination of 16 characteristic components was established to evaluate the quality of 129 batches of Rukuaixiao preparations. High performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was established to determine the contents of salvianolic acids and tanshinones, investigate the rationality of quality control index of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in the standard for Rukuaixiao preparations in the 2020 edition of Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China(hereinafter referred to as Chinese Pharmacopoeia) (volume Ⅰ), and trace the causes of significant difference among different batches. The processing and different extraction methods of Vaccariae Semen were tested, analyzing the impact of formulation changes across different editions of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The LC-MS was established for determining the changes in the ratio of toosendanin and isotoosendanin after water extraction of Toosendan Fructus. The contents of active components in different parts of Gleditsiae Spina were determined to identify the reason of the low contents of characteristic components in some enterprises. ResultsBased on the comprehensive analysis of the samples from different dosage forms, the contents of characteristic components of Vaccariae Semen and Gleditsiae Spina in tablets from manufacturer B and granules from manufacturer D were significantly higher than those in tablets from manufacturer A, and tablets and capsules from manufacturer C. The contents of tanshinones in some batches of products from manufacturer A were abnormally high, potentially linked to the use of 70% ethanol reflux during extraction of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. All samples from manufacturer C exhibited abnormally high proportions of salvianic acid A and 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde(salvianolic acid degradation products) to the total seven phenolic acids, indicating a risk of blindly pursuing tanshinol content and neglecting more effective components. The extraction rate of the characteristic components from Vaccariae Semen by decocting with water was obviously higher than that by reflux extraction with 70% ethanol. However, using the stir-fried Vaccariae Semen could reduce the loss of ingredients. The content ratio of toosendanin and isotoosendanin decreased from the crude herb to the prepared medicine when Toosendan Fructus was prepared by water decoction. The reason for the low component content of Gleditsiae Spina may be attributed to manufacturers using excessive non-medicinal parts in their formulations. ConclusionIt is suggested that enterprises should ensure the quality of raw material inputs, especially those without quality-control items in the standard, reduce the use of non-medicinal parts, and prohibit arbitrary alterations to manufacturing methods or processes. It is also recommended that Vaccariae Semen in Rukuaixiao capsules and granules should be changed to the stir-fried processed products. Isotoosendanin should be taken into consideration in the drug supervision when Toosendan Fructus is prepared into medicine by water decoction. Salvianolic acid B should be set as a quality control index for Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma when revising the pharmacopoeia standard of Rukuaixiao preparations.
9.Safety and effectiveness of lecanemab in Chinese patients with early Alzheimer's disease: Evidence from a multidimensional real-world study.
Wenyan KANG ; Chao GAO ; Xiaoyan LI ; Xiaoxue WANG ; Huizhu ZHONG ; Qiao WEI ; Yonghua TANG ; Peijian HUANG ; Ruinan SHEN ; Lingyun CHEN ; Jing ZHANG ; Rong FANG ; Wei WEI ; Fengjuan ZHANG ; Gaiyan ZHOU ; Weihong YUAN ; Xi CHEN ; Zhao YANG ; Ying WU ; Wenli XU ; Shuo ZHU ; Liwen ZHANG ; Naying HE ; Weihuan FANG ; Miao ZHANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Huijun JU ; Yaya BAI ; Jun LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(22):2907-2916
INTRODUCTION:
Lecanemab has shown promise in treating early Alzheimer's disease (AD), but its safety and efficacy in Chinese populations remain unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and 6-month clinical outcomes of lecanemab in Chinese patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild AD.
METHODS:
In this single-arm, real-world study, participants with MCI due to AD or mild AD received biweekly intravenous lecanemab (10 mg/kg). The study was conducted at Hainan Branch, Ruijin Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Patient enrollment and baseline assessments commenced in November 2023. Safety assessments included monitoring for amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) and other adverse events. Clinical and biomarker changes from baseline to 6 months were evaluated using cognitive scales (mini-mental state examination [MMSE], montreal cognitive assessment [MoCA], clinical dementia rating-sum of boxes [CDR-SB]), plasma biomarker analysis, and advanced neuroimaging.
RESULTS:
A total of 64 patients were enrolled in this ongoing real-world study. Safety analysis revealed predominantly mild adverse events, with infusion-related reactions (20.3%, 13/64) being the most common. Of these, 69.2% (9/13) occurred during the initial infusion and 84.6% (11/13) did not recur. ARIA-H (microhemorrhages/superficial siderosis) and ARIA-E (edema/effusion) were observed in 9.4% (6/64) and 3.1% (2/64) of participants, respectively, with only two symptomatic cases (one ARIA-E presenting with headache and one ARIA-H with visual disturbances). After 6 months of treatment, cognitive scores remained stable compared to baseline (MMSE: 22.33 ± 5.58 vs . 21.27 ± 4.30, P = 0.733; MoCA: 16.38 ± 6.67 vs . 15.90 ± 4.78, P = 0.785; CDR-SB: 2.30 ± 1.65 vs . 3.16 ± 1.72, P = 0.357), while significantly increasing plasma amyloid-β 42 (Aβ42) (+21.42%) and Aβ40 (+23.53%) levels compared to baseline.
CONCLUSIONS:
Lecanemab demonstrated a favorable safety profile in Chinese patients with early AD. Cognitive stability and biomarker changes over 6 months suggest potential efficacy, though high dropout rates and absence of a control group warrant cautious interpretation. These findings provide preliminary real-world evidence for lecanemab's use in China, supporting further investigation in larger controlled studies.
REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT07034222.
Humans
;
Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Aged
;
Middle Aged
;
Cognitive Dysfunction/drug therapy*
;
Aged, 80 and over
;
Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism*
;
Biomarkers
;
East Asian People
10.Association between acupuncture and live birth rates after fresh embryo transfer: A cohort study based on different propensity score methods.
Xiao-Yan ZHENG ; Zi-Yi JIANG ; Yi-Ting LI ; Chao-Liang LI ; Hao ZHU ; Zheng YU ; Si-Yi YU ; Li-Li YANG ; Song-Yuan TANG ; Xing-Yu LÜ ; Fan-Rong LIANG ; Jie YANG
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(5):528-536
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the association between acupuncture during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and the live birth rate (LBR) using different propensity score methods.
METHODS:
In this retrospective cohort study, eligible women who underwent a COH were divided into acupuncture and non-acupuncture groups. The primary outcome was LBR, as determined by propensity score matching (PSM). LBR was defined as the delivery of one or more living infants that reached a gestational age over 28 weeks after embryo transfer. The propensity score model encompassed 16 confounding variables. To validate the results, sensitivity analyses were conducted using three additional propensity score methods: propensity score adjustment, inverse probability weighting (IPW), and IPW with a "doubly robust" estimator.
RESULTS:
The primary cohort encompassed 9751 patients (1830 [18.76%] in the acupuncture group and 7921 [81.23%] in the non-acupuncture group). Following 1:1 PSM, a higher LBR was found in the acupuncture cohort (41.4% [755/1824] vs 36.4% [664/1824], with an odds ratio of 1.23 [95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.41]). Three additional propensity score methods produced essentially similar results. The risk of serious adverse events did not significantly differ between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
This retrospective study revealed an association between acupuncture and an increased LBR among patients undergoing COH, and that acupuncture is a safe and valuable treatment option. Please cite this article as: Zheng XY, Jiang ZY, Li YT, Li CL, Zhu H, Yu Z, Yu SY, Yang LL, Tang SY, Lü XY, Liang FR, Yang J. Association between acupuncture and live birth rates after fresh embryo transfer: A cohort study based on different propensity score methods. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):528-536.
Humans
;
Female
;
Propensity Score
;
Embryo Transfer
;
Adult
;
Acupuncture Therapy
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Pregnancy
;
Live Birth
;
Birth Rate
;
Cohort Studies

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail