1.Causal Relationship Between Colorectal Cancer and Common Psychiatric Disorders: A Two-sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Yuan YAO ; Mingze YANG ; Chen LI ; Haibo CHENG
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(6):496-501
Objective To elucidate the causal relationships between colorectal cancer (CRC) and prevalent psychiatric disorders through a two-sample Mendelian randomization approach. Methods Utilizing publicly available genome-wide association study data, we explored the connections between CRC and various psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. We applied three statistical analyses: inverse variance weighting, MR-Egger, and median weighting. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to ensure the reliability and validity of the results. Results Inverse variance weighting analysis showed no significant links between CRC and depression (P=0.090), anxiety (P=0.099), or schizophrenia (P=0.899). Conversely, a significant inverse relationship was found with bipolar disorder (P=0.010). Conclusion No causal connection exists between CRC and the psychiatric conditions of depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia. However, CRC may have a causal association with a reduced risk of bipolar disorder, further supporting the existence of the gut-brain axis.
2.Discussion on the Core Pathogenesis and Prevention and Treatment Strategy for Postoperative Recurrence of Colorectal Cancer from the Spatiotemporal Evolution of the Cancer Toxin Theory
Xuechen GENG ; Liu LI ; Qinchang ZHANG ; Qianqian BU ; Haibo CHENG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(15):1538-1542
According to the theory of cancer toxin pathogenesis, tumors are complex syndromes centered on cancer toxin, characterized by multiple time points and locations, interwoven pathogenic toxins, and a combination of deficiency and excess. Postoperative recurrence of colorectal cancer is a dynamic spatiotemporal process. In this paper, the core pathogenesis of postoperative recurrence of colorectal cancer, namely "deficiency of spleen qi, with damp-heat stasis toxin", has been discussed based on spatiotemporal evolution of cancer toxin. It is suggested that spleen qi depletion leading to the proliferation of cancer toxin represents the temporal characteristic of postoperative recurrence, while the stasis of damp-heat facilitating the aggregation and spread of cancer toxin refelct its spatial pattern. This paper has constructed a holistic spatiotemporal prevention and treatment strategy according to different stages before and after recurrence. Before recurrence, the focus is on prevention, and it is suggested to rectify the healthy qi and fortify spleen, clear heat and resolve dampness, unblock collaterals and remove toxin. After recurrence, the focus should be on treatment, and the strategy is combating cancer and removing toxin, breaking the blood to eliminate disease, regulating and tonifying the zang-fu (脏腑) organs.
3.Phenomics of traditional Chinese medicine 2.0: the integration with digital medicine
Min Xu ; Xinyi Shao ; Donggeng Guo ; Xiaojing Yan ; Lei Wang ; Tao Yang ; Hao LIANG ; Qinghua PENG ; Lingyu Linda Ye ; Haibo Cheng ; Dayue Darrel Duan
Digital Chinese Medicine 2025;8(3):282-299
Abstract
Modern western medicine typically focuses on treating specific symptoms or diseases, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) emphasizes the interconnections of the body’s various systems under external environment and takes a holistic approach to preventing and treating diseases. Phenomics was initially introduced to the field of TCM in 2008 as a new discipline that studies the laws of integrated and dynamic changes of human clinical phenomes under the scope of the theories and practices of TCM based on phenomics. While TCM Phenomics 1.0 has initially established a clinical phenomic system centered on Zhenghou (a TCM definition of clinical phenome), bottlenecks remain in data standardization, mechanistic interpretation, and precision intervention. Here, we systematically elaborates on the theoretical foundations, technical pathways, and future challenges of integrating digital medicine with TCM phenomics under the framework of “TCM phenomics 2.0”, which is supported by digital medicine technologies such as artificial intelligence, wearable devices, medical digital twins, and multi-omics integration. This framework aims to construct a closed-loop system of “Zhenghou–Phenome–Mechanism–Intervention” and to enable the digitization, standardization, and precision of disease diagnosis and treatment. The integration of digital medicine and TCM phenomics not only promotes the modernization and scientific transformation of TCM theory and practice but also offers new paradigms for precision medicine. In practice, digital tools facilitate multi-source clinical data acquisition and standardization, while AI and big data algorithms help reveal the correlations between clinical Zhenghou phenomes and molecular mechanisms, thereby improving scientific rigor in diagnosis, efficacy evaluation, and personalized intervention. Nevertheless, challenges persist, including data quality and standardization issues, shortage of interdisciplinary talents, and insufficiency of ethical and legal regulations. Future development requires establishing national data-sharing platforms, strengthening international collaboration, fostering interdisciplinary professionals, and improving ethical and legal frameworks. Ultimately, this approach seeks to build a new disease identification and classification system centered on phenomes and to achieve the inheritance, innovation, and modernization of TCM diagnostic and therapeutic patterns.
4.Plasma Metabolomic Analysis of Colorectal Cancer Patients with Spleen-Qi Deficiency and Damp-heat Stasis-toxin Syndrome Based on UPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap-MS
Siting MENG ; Lihuiping TAO ; Dong ZHANG ; Qinchang ZHANG ; Yiping FAN ; Haibo CHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):130-137
ObjectiveTo observe and analyze the plasma metabolite differences among colorectal cancer patients with spleen-qi deficiency, damp-heat stasis-toxin syndrome(SRYD), non-spleen-qi deficiency, damp-heat stasis-toxin syndrome(non-SRYD), and normal human beings(Normal), aiming to identify unique metabolites specific to SRYD colorectal cancer patients and their potential biomarkers. MethodsBased on the diagnostic criteria of SRYD and non-SRYD colorectal cancer, 30 patients were included, including 10 patients with SRYD colorectal cancer and 20 patients with non-SRYD colorectal cancer, while 10 individuals were recruited for the Normal group. Metabolome sequencing of plasma from the three groups was performed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap-MS). Multivariate statistical analysis were performed by principal component analysis(PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis(PLS-DA), and the intergroup differential metabolites were identified based on variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1 and t-test P<0.05. And pathway enrichment analysis based on Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) was performed to explore the metabolites and metabolic pathways specific to SRYD colorectal cancer patients. ResultsMetabolome sequencing results showed some differences in metabolic profiles between the groups. A total of 111 plasma differential metabolites were found in the SRYD group and the Normal group, of which 31 were up-regulated and 80 were down-regulated, mainly including stearoyl lysophosphatidylcholine, indole-3-acrylic acid, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate(P<0.05). The non-SRYD group exhibited 97 differentially expressed metabolites compared to the Normal group, with 36 up-regulated and 61 down-regulated, mainly including stearoyl lysophosphatidylcholine, sphingosine, and palmitoyl lysophosphatidylcholine(P<0.05). And the SRYD group exhibited 19 differentially expressed metabolites compared to the non-SRYD group, of which 5 were up-regulated and 14 were down-regulated, mainly including dihydrosphingosine, palmitic acid, and linoleoylethanolamide(P<0.05). The significant differential metabolites were subjected to KEGG analysis to obtain significantly enriched metabolic pathways in each group, and the results showed that 11 metabolic pathways such as primary bile acid synthesis, cholesterol metabolism and bile secretion were differential signaling pathways specific to SRYD colorectal cancer. Further retrieval of the above key signaling pathways showed that bile acids were up-regulated in both bile secretion and primary bile acid synthesis pathways, and there was a trend of up-regulation of glycochenodeoxycholic acid, taurochenodeoxycholic acid, and chenodeoxycholic acid. ConclusionPrimary bile acid synthesis, cholesterol metabolism, and bile secretion-related pathways may be differential signaling pathways specific to SRYD colorectal cancer, and bile acid is a core molecule in the metabolic pathway, which can serve as potential biomarkers closely related to the development and progression of SRYD colorectal cancer.
5.Plasma Metabolomic Analysis of Colorectal Cancer Patients with Spleen-Qi Deficiency and Damp-heat Stasis-toxin Syndrome Based on UPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap-MS
Siting MENG ; Lihuiping TAO ; Dong ZHANG ; Qinchang ZHANG ; Yiping FAN ; Haibo CHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):130-137
ObjectiveTo observe and analyze the plasma metabolite differences among colorectal cancer patients with spleen-qi deficiency, damp-heat stasis-toxin syndrome(SRYD), non-spleen-qi deficiency, damp-heat stasis-toxin syndrome(non-SRYD), and normal human beings(Normal), aiming to identify unique metabolites specific to SRYD colorectal cancer patients and their potential biomarkers. MethodsBased on the diagnostic criteria of SRYD and non-SRYD colorectal cancer, 30 patients were included, including 10 patients with SRYD colorectal cancer and 20 patients with non-SRYD colorectal cancer, while 10 individuals were recruited for the Normal group. Metabolome sequencing of plasma from the three groups was performed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap-MS). Multivariate statistical analysis were performed by principal component analysis(PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis(PLS-DA), and the intergroup differential metabolites were identified based on variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1 and t-test P<0.05. And pathway enrichment analysis based on Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) was performed to explore the metabolites and metabolic pathways specific to SRYD colorectal cancer patients. ResultsMetabolome sequencing results showed some differences in metabolic profiles between the groups. A total of 111 plasma differential metabolites were found in the SRYD group and the Normal group, of which 31 were up-regulated and 80 were down-regulated, mainly including stearoyl lysophosphatidylcholine, indole-3-acrylic acid, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate(P<0.05). The non-SRYD group exhibited 97 differentially expressed metabolites compared to the Normal group, with 36 up-regulated and 61 down-regulated, mainly including stearoyl lysophosphatidylcholine, sphingosine, and palmitoyl lysophosphatidylcholine(P<0.05). And the SRYD group exhibited 19 differentially expressed metabolites compared to the non-SRYD group, of which 5 were up-regulated and 14 were down-regulated, mainly including dihydrosphingosine, palmitic acid, and linoleoylethanolamide(P<0.05). The significant differential metabolites were subjected to KEGG analysis to obtain significantly enriched metabolic pathways in each group, and the results showed that 11 metabolic pathways such as primary bile acid synthesis, cholesterol metabolism and bile secretion were differential signaling pathways specific to SRYD colorectal cancer. Further retrieval of the above key signaling pathways showed that bile acids were up-regulated in both bile secretion and primary bile acid synthesis pathways, and there was a trend of up-regulation of glycochenodeoxycholic acid, taurochenodeoxycholic acid, and chenodeoxycholic acid. ConclusionPrimary bile acid synthesis, cholesterol metabolism, and bile secretion-related pathways may be differential signaling pathways specific to SRYD colorectal cancer, and bile acid is a core molecule in the metabolic pathway, which can serve as potential biomarkers closely related to the development and progression of SRYD colorectal cancer.
6.Study on Common TCM Syndromes of Colorectal Cancer Based on Latent Structure Model Combined with Clustering Analysis
Shuoqi ZHAO ; Yuan YAO ; Xiaohe SUN ; Liu LI ; Haibo CHENG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(4):51-57
Objective To explore the distribution characteristics of common TCM syndromes in colorectal cancer;To provide a basis for standardized research on syndrome of colorectal cancer.Methods The literature related to TCM syndromes of colorectal cancer was retrieved from CNKI,Wanfang Data,VIP and SinoMed.Information on syndrome types and symptoms was extracted to establish a traditional Chinese medicine syndrome database for colorectal cancer.Frequency statistics were used to analyze distribution of colorectal cancer syndrome types and their symptom characteristics.Lantern 5.0 software was used to establish a latent structure model based on the LTM-EAS algorithm,and factor analysis and systematic clustering analysis were conducted using SPSS 27.0 software to infer potential patterns.Based on the results of comprehensive frequency statistics,systematic clustering and latent structure analysis,common TCM syndrome types and symptom characteristics of colorectal cancer were obtained.Results A total of 929 articles were included,totaling 2 465 syndrome items,involving 97 syndrome types,with high frequency of qi-blood deficiency syndrome,dampness and heat accumulation syndrome,spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome,etc.,and 281 symptoms,including abdominal distension,anorexia,abdominal pain and mental fatigue,etc.The latent structure analysis obtained 23 hidden variables,and 8 common syndromes were obtained according to professional knowledge.Factor analysis obtained 17 common factors,and further systematic cluster analysis inferred 9 potential syndrome types.Conclusion Common syndrome of colorectal cancer can be divided into 9 types,which are dampness and heat accumulation syndrome,blood stasis toxicity internal obstruction syndrome,qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome,dampness and heat stasis toxicity syndrome,spleen deficiency and phlegm-dampness syndrome,spleen qi deficiency syndrome,qi and blood deficiency syndrome,liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome,and spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome.The symptom characteristics of each syndrome are significant,which can provide reference for clinical differentiation and lay foundation for standardized research on syndrome.
7.Zebrafish applications in anti-tumor drug research and clinical studies
Lin LI ; Rongli QIU ; Kaifeng WEI ; Haibo CHENG ; Dongdong SUN
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(4):561-566
Zebrafish is a relatively new experimental animal model with unique characteristics that enable its wide use in research on many human diseases.The exploration of anti-tumor drugs and other clinical treatments remain the focus of current research on cancer.Zebrafish characteristics,including rapid development,ease of observation,high genetic homology,and low-cost gene editing,make them highly useful for tumor research.By covering the applications of zebrafish in anti-tumor drug research and clinical studies,this review aims to provide valuable insights for the further utilization of zebrafish in cancer drug screening,assessment of drug activity and toxicity,and clinical research.
8.Investigation of the Mechanism of Atractylodes Ⅰ Inhibiting Colorectal Cancer via the AKT/S6K1 Signaling Pathway
Wei TIAN ; Qiuying YAN ; Jingwen LUO ; Qibiao WU ; Weixing SHEN ; Haibo CHENG ; Changliang XU ; Dongdong SUN
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(8):1037-1046
OBJECTIVE To investigate the pharmacological efficacy and mechanism of action of Atractylenolide Ⅰ(Atr-Ⅰ)in inhibiting colorectal cancer.METHODS Among three active compounds of Atractylodes macrocephala,Atr-Ⅰ exhibited the highest anti-tumor potency by MTT assay.The optimal concentration of Atr-Ⅰ was determined.The effect of Atr-Ⅰ on LoVo cell prolifera-tion was assessed via a clonogenic assay,while its impact on apoptosis and cell cycle progression was evaluated using flow cytometry.The influence of Atr-Ⅰ on the migration and invasion of LoVo cell line was examined through wound healing and Transwell migration assays.Western blot analysis was performed to explore the effects and mechanisms of Atr-Ⅰ on proteins associated with mi-gration,proliferation,and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)in LoVo cells.The CT26 mouse subcutaneous tumor model was established,and histopathological analysis was conducted using hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.Western blot was also used to assess the effects of Atr-Ⅰ on EMT-related proteins in mouse tissues to elucidate underlying mechanisms.RESULTS Atr-Ⅰ significantly reduced colorectal cancer cell viability,with statistically significant differences between treatment and control groups(P<0.05,P<0.01).Atr-Ⅰ induced apoptosis in LoVo cells,with the treatment group showing significant differences compared to the control(P<0.05,P<0.01).Cell cycle analysis revealed that Atr-Ⅰ exerted anti-tumor effects by inducing G2/M phase arrest,with increased G2 phase cell numbers in the LoVo treatment group compared to the control(P<0.05).Wound healing and Transwell migration assays confirmed that Atr-Ⅰ significantly inhibited tumor cell migration and invasion(P<0.05,P<0.01).Western blot analysis demonstra-ted that Atr-Ⅰ specifically suppressed the expression of c-Myc and Bcl-2(P<0.05),as well as cell cycle-related proteins CDK1,Cyclin B1,and Cyclin D1(P<0.05),and angiogenesis-related proteins VEGF and MMP9(P<0.05).Additionally,Atr-Ⅰ down-regulated EMT-related protein N-cadherin and upregulated E-cadherin expression(P<0.05).It also reduced the expression of p-AKT and p-S6K1(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Atr-Ⅰ exhibits potent anti-tumor effects against colorectal cancer,potentially through modulation of the AKT/S6K1 signaling pathway.
9.Interpretation of the Cancer Toxin Pathogenesis Theory in Esophageal Cancer from the Perspective of Knowledge History
Yihang LOU ; Jiahao WANG ; Haibo CHENG ; Renshou CHEN
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(12):1633-1640
From the perspective of the knowledge history,the development of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)knowledge re-lated to esophageal cancer began with early records of"difficulty in swallowing"during the Qin and Han dynasties.Through the accu-mulation of symptom-treatment experience during the Wei and Jin dynasties,it shifted towards theoretical exploration during the Song and Yuan dynasties,clarifying the pathogenesis of stomach cold,phlegm qi,and blood stasis,and so on.By the Ming and Qing dynas-ties,a rudimentary system for the syndrome differentiation of esophageal cancer was gradually formed,and the characteristic of"esopha-geal stricture"in this disease was identified.Finally,in the late Qing dynasty,Western medicine introduced the concept of"cancerous swelling".The current theory of cancer toxin pathogenesis,with cancer toxin pathogenesis at its core,innovatively integrates related knowledge,representing a reconstruction and transformation of traditional knowledge in the context of the new era.The relevant knowl-edge from past dynasties serves as both the premise and foundation for the innovation of the cancer toxin pathogenesis theory,and it also inspires new vitality in clinical practice through this theory,providing insights and methodologies for the innovation of modern TCM theory.
10.Study on the effect of high-fidelity intelligent simulator combined with scenario simulation in emergency response training of radiology department
Zhengting ZHU ; Yuping ZHENG ; Manli CHENG ; Yang LIU ; Xueqiu YAN ; Li REN ; Haibo QU ; Huayan XU ; Yun WANG ; Gang NING
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(9):1158-1163
Objective:To explore the application effect of high-fidelity intelligent simulator combined with scenario simulation for emergency response training in the Department of Radiology, and to improve the emergency preparedness of medical, nursing, and technical staff in managing contrast agent adverse reactions.Methods:From January to July 2024, 132 medical, nursing, and technical staff from the Department of Radiology of a tertiary hospital in Chengdu City, China were selected as the training subjects. The high-fidelity intelligent simulator combined with scenario simulation teaching mode was used to conduct emergency response training for the participants. The differences in theoretical knowledge and post competence regarding contrast agent adverse reactions among the staff were compared before and after the training. A self-made questionnaire was used to investigate their needs and satisfaction of the emergency response training. SPSS 26.0 was used for data analysis. The differences in theoretical knowledge and post competence scores before and after training were compared using the paired samples t test. Results:After the training, the average score of theoretical knowledge examination increased from (84.32±10.19) points to (90.34±7.87) points, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001). After the training, the scores of knowledge reserve, operational skills, situational decision-making ability, professional literacy, comprehensive literacy, and overall post competency were all significantly higher than those before the training ( P<0.05). The satisfaction score of emergency response training was (4.17±0.25) points. Conclusions:High-fidelity intelligent simulator combined with scenario simulation training improved the emergency preparedness and teamwork of radiology staff in clinical emergencies. The training received high recognition and satisfaction from the participants, which is of great significance for clinical emergency response and patient safety.

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