1.Treatment Principles and Paradigm of Diabetic Microvascular Complications Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine
Anzhu WANG ; Xing HANG ; Lili ZHANG ; Xiaorong ZHU ; Dantao PENG ; Ying FAN ; Min ZHANG ; Wenliang LYU ; Guoliang ZHANG ; Xiai WU ; Jia MI ; Jiaxing TIAN ; Wei ZHANG ; Han WANG ; Yuan XU ; .LI PINGPING ; Zhenyu WANG ; Ying ZHANG ; Dongmei SUN ; Yi HE ; Mei MO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Linhua ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):272-279
To explore the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and integrative TCM-Western medicine approaches in the treatment of diabetic microvascular complications (DMC), refine key pathophysiological insights and treatment principles, and promote academic innovation and strategic research planning in the prevention and treatment of DMC. The 38th session of the Expert Salon on Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine, hosted by the China Association of Chinese Medicine, was held in Beijing, 2024. Experts in TCM, Western medicine, and interdisciplinary fields convened to conduct a systematic discussion on the pathogenesis, diagnostic and treatment challenges, and mechanism research related to DMC, ultimately forming a consensus on key directions. Four major research recommendations were proposed. The first is addressing clinical bottlenecks in the prevention and control of DMC by optimizing TCM-based evidence evaluation systems. The second is refining TCM core pathogenesis across DMC stages and establishing corresponding "disease-pattern-time" framework. The third is innovating mechanism research strategies to facilitate a shift from holistic regulation to targeted intervention in TCM. The fourth is advancing interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance the role of TCM in new drug development, research prioritization, and guideline formulation. TCM and integrative approaches offer distinct advantages in managing DMC. With a focus on the diseases responding specifically to TCM, strengthening evidence-based support and mechanism interpretation and promoting the integration of clinical care and research innovation will provide strong momentum for the modernization of TCM and the advancement of national health strategies.
2.Exploring the Collateral Damage Mechanism and Sequential Treatment Strategy of Children IgA Vasculitis from the Perspective of "Wind Agitating Blood Turbidity"
Zhenhua YUAN ; Shuang XU ; Yingying JIANG ; Rongxin ZHU ; Yatong ZHANG ; Mingyang CAI ; Jingjing WU ; Hang SU ; Xianqing REN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(18):1953-1956
As one of the common systemic vasculitides in children, IgA vasculitis is closely associated with the interaction of "Wind pathogen" and "turbid stasis" in its pathogenesis. Based on the blood turbidity theory, this paper proposes "wind agitating blood turbidity and collateral damage" as the core pathogenesis. Regarding treatment, the sequential therapeutic principle of "stanch bleeding, activating blood circulation, and nourishing blood" is adopted, and combined with the dynamic application of wind-dispelling medicinals to "expel, search, and guard against wind", turbidity-removing method is applied throughout all stages. In the acute stage,it is recommended to clear heat and purify turbidity, stanch bleeding and secure the collaterals. In the prolonged stage, the method of dissipating stasis and clearing up turbidity should be used, as well as activating blood circulation and unblocking the collaterals. In the recovery stage, it is advised to nourish blood to flourish the collaterals, reinforce healthy qi and resolve turbidity. This therapeutic system integrates the elimination of pathogens and the reinforcement of healthy qi to clear and resolve blood turbidity, ultimately achieving holistic collateral repair through securing, unblocking, and nourishing the collaterals, which provides new insights into the treatment of this disease in traditional Chinese medicine.
3.Molecular Characterization Network of Dampness-heat Syndrome in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Complicated by Glucose Metabolism Disorder Based on Shadowless Scleral Imaging and Metabolomics Technology
Caiying HE ; Hang ZHOU ; Yanqi CHI ; Baixue LI ; Liang HUANG ; Zhu CHEN ; Dafeng LIU ; Dong WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):271-285
ObjectiveThis paper aims to conduct the feature analysis and correlation analysis on the ocular collateral features and differential metabolites in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) complicated by glucose metabolism disorder (GMD),particularly those with the damp-heat syndrome type,by integrating shadowless scleral imaging and metabolomics technologies. MethodsA total of 313 patients were recruited from the Hepatology and Endocrinology Outpatient Departments of Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria,and they were divided into a CHB group and a CHB complicated by GMD groups (damp-heat syndrome group and non-damp-heat syndrome group). All patients underwent high-definition ocular image acquisition and feature extraction using an intelligent analysis system for shadowless scleral imaging to analyze the differences in the counting of morphological feature scores of ocular collaterals among groups. By using a digital sampling method,24 patients from each group were randomly selected,along with 20 healthy volunteers,for untargeted metabolomic analysis of peripheral serum. Differential metabolites were identified,statistically analyzed,and subjected to potential biomarker analysis and pathway enrichment. Spearman method was performed to conduct the correlation analysis on the differential ocular collateral features and differential metabolites,followed by correlation network construction. ResultsCompared with those in the CHB group,patients with CHB complicated by GMD showed significant changes in ocular collateral feature scores such as "hillock","blood vessels",and "pale dusky coloration" (P<0.05). In comparison with those in the healthy group,metabolites including N-acetylglucosamine,acetylhomoserine,and myo-inositol (AUC>0.7) were identified as potential biomarkers for the disease. Compared with those in the CHB complicated by GMD group with non-damp-heat syndrome,patients with damp-heat syndrome exhibited significant changes in feature scores of "plaques","yellow coloration","spleen",and "gallbladder" (P<0.05). In comparison with those in the healthy group,metabolites such as O2′-4a-cyclic tetrahydrobiopterin,theobromine,xanthurenic acid,and L-glutamic acid 5-phosphate (AUC>0.7) were identified as potential biomarkers for the damp-heat syndrome type. The Spearman correlation analysis reveals weak to moderate linear correlations between the differential scleral collateral features and metabolites. By constructing a "disease-syndrome" network of ocular diagnosis and metabolites,"xanthurenic acid-gallbladder" and "theobromine-plaque/yellow coloration" were identified as specific molecular-phenotypic correlated biomarker clusters for CHB complicated by GMD with dampness-heat syndrome. ConclusionPatients with CHB complicated by GMD demonstrate differential ocular diagnostic features and serum metabolites corresponding to disease states and dampness-heat syndrome. These objective biomarkers can guide both clinical syndrome differentiation and medication. The macro-micro integration based on ocular feature clusters and potential metabolic biomarkers offers an innovative approach to a combined traditional Chinese and Western medicine diagnosis and treatment model for this disease.
4.Sclera Vessel Segmentation Based on Fusion Filtering and Reflection Suppression
Ming-Xuan FAN ; Zong-Qing MA ; Chu-Xiang GAO ; Yi-Xuan SHI ; Zi-Hang ZHANG ; Zhe-Xuan JIA ; Fan FAN ; Guo-Liang HUANG ; Jiang ZHU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1195-1206
ObjectiveIn traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the foundational doctrine that the eyes reflect the essence of the internal viscera establishes ocular observation as a cornerstone of diagnostic practice. Specifically, the morphological characteristics and coloration variations of the scleral microvasculature serve as critical clinical indicators for assessing the dynamic balance of Qi and Blood, as well as the pathological status of internal organs. Historically, however, TCM eye diagnosis has relied predominantly on the subjective clinical experience and visual acuity of individual practitioners, leading to inherent challenges in standardization and reproducibility. While automated computer-aided diagnostic systems offer a promising solution, existing vessel segmentation algorithms encounter significant domain-specific bottlenecks when applied to scleral imagery. These challenges primarily stem from the highly reflective and moist nature of the ocular surface, which generates severe reflective interference. Furthermore, the inherent low contrast of fine capillary networks against complex background textures, compounded by non-uniform illumination, frequently results in high false-positive rates, misdetections, and severe vessel fragmentation. To address these critical limitations and advance the objective quantification of TCM diagnostics, this paper proposes a novel, highly robust sclera vessel segmentation framework that innovatively integrates Frangi-Sato dual-filter adaptive enhancement with pixel-level reflection detection. MethodsThe proposed methodology systematically addresses the segmentation pipeline through three synergistic stages. First, to overcome the structural limitations of single-filter approaches, a multi-scale weighted fusion strategy is meticulously designed to harness the complementary extraction capabilities of both Frangi and Sato filters. This adaptive enhancement optimally balances the preservation of main vessel trunk continuity with the heightened sensitivity required for delineating delicate, low-contrast peripheral capillaries. Second, to tackle the persistent issue of reflective highlights, a sophisticated multi-feature synergistic reflection detection module is introduced. By jointly analyzing local information entropy, gradient field variations, and intensity statistical distributions, this module achieves precise, pixel-level identification and elimination of reflective artifacts without compromising the underlying vascular structures. Finally, a dual-level adaptive thresholding strategy, featuring an innovative “core protection” mechanism, is implemented. This critical step effectively suppresses complex background noise while rigorously preserving the structural and topological integrity of the intricate vessel network, preventing the structural breaks often seen in conventional binarization methods. ResultsThe efficacy of the proposed framework was rigorously evaluated using both self-constructed clinical datasets specifically acquired for TCM research and standardized public datasets. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method consistently outperforms state-of-the-art traditional approaches and contemporary deep learning models. Specifically, the proposed method achieves a Dice similarity coefficient of approximately 0.71 on the private clinical dataset, and secures the best performance across the majority of quantitative metrics on both datasets. Notably, the framework exhibits exceptional robustness and generalization capabilities in highly challenging scenarios characterized by intense reflective interference, low signal-to-noise ratios, and cross-domain image variations. ConclusionThis study successfully realizes the high-integrity, automated segmentation of scleral vessel networks under complex clinical imaging conditions. By overcoming the fundamental algorithmic challenges of reflection interference and micro-vessel loss, the proposed methodology provides potential support for the digitization, objective standardization, and intelligent advancement of modern TCM eye diagnosis systems.
5.Sclera Vessel Segmentation Based on Fusion Filtering and Reflection Suppression
Ming-Xuan FAN ; Zong-Qing MA ; Chu-Xiang GAO ; Yi-Xuan SHI ; Zi-Hang ZHANG ; Zhe-Xuan JIA ; Fan FAN ; Guo-Liang HUANG ; Jiang ZHU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1195-1206
ObjectiveIn traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the foundational doctrine that the eyes reflect the essence of the internal viscera establishes ocular observation as a cornerstone of diagnostic practice. Specifically, the morphological characteristics and coloration variations of the scleral microvasculature serve as critical clinical indicators for assessing the dynamic balance of Qi and Blood, as well as the pathological status of internal organs. Historically, however, TCM eye diagnosis has relied predominantly on the subjective clinical experience and visual acuity of individual practitioners, leading to inherent challenges in standardization and reproducibility. While automated computer-aided diagnostic systems offer a promising solution, existing vessel segmentation algorithms encounter significant domain-specific bottlenecks when applied to scleral imagery. These challenges primarily stem from the highly reflective and moist nature of the ocular surface, which generates severe reflective interference. Furthermore, the inherent low contrast of fine capillary networks against complex background textures, compounded by non-uniform illumination, frequently results in high false-positive rates, misdetections, and severe vessel fragmentation. To address these critical limitations and advance the objective quantification of TCM diagnostics, this paper proposes a novel, highly robust sclera vessel segmentation framework that innovatively integrates Frangi-Sato dual-filter adaptive enhancement with pixel-level reflection detection. MethodsThe proposed methodology systematically addresses the segmentation pipeline through three synergistic stages. First, to overcome the structural limitations of single-filter approaches, a multi-scale weighted fusion strategy is meticulously designed to harness the complementary extraction capabilities of both Frangi and Sato filters. This adaptive enhancement optimally balances the preservation of main vessel trunk continuity with the heightened sensitivity required for delineating delicate, low-contrast peripheral capillaries. Second, to tackle the persistent issue of reflective highlights, a sophisticated multi-feature synergistic reflection detection module is introduced. By jointly analyzing local information entropy, gradient field variations, and intensity statistical distributions, this module achieves precise, pixel-level identification and elimination of reflective artifacts without compromising the underlying vascular structures. Finally, a dual-level adaptive thresholding strategy, featuring an innovative “core protection” mechanism, is implemented. This critical step effectively suppresses complex background noise while rigorously preserving the structural and topological integrity of the intricate vessel network, preventing the structural breaks often seen in conventional binarization methods. ResultsThe efficacy of the proposed framework was rigorously evaluated using both self-constructed clinical datasets specifically acquired for TCM research and standardized public datasets. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method consistently outperforms state-of-the-art traditional approaches and contemporary deep learning models. Specifically, the proposed method achieves a Dice similarity coefficient of approximately 0.71 on the private clinical dataset, and secures the best performance across the majority of quantitative metrics on both datasets. Notably, the framework exhibits exceptional robustness and generalization capabilities in highly challenging scenarios characterized by intense reflective interference, low signal-to-noise ratios, and cross-domain image variations. ConclusionThis study successfully realizes the high-integrity, automated segmentation of scleral vessel networks under complex clinical imaging conditions. By overcoming the fundamental algorithmic challenges of reflection interference and micro-vessel loss, the proposed methodology provides potential support for the digitization, objective standardization, and intelligent advancement of modern TCM eye diagnosis systems.
6.Association Analysis Between Gut Microbiota and Prognosis in Patients with Intermediate-to-advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with TACE Combined with Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy
Hang LIU ; Bowen ZHU ; Wenzhe FAN ; Jiaping LI ; Yanqin WU
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2026;47(3):397-408
ObjectiveTo characterize the features of the gut microbiome and its association with clinical prognosis in patients with intermediate and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with targeted therapy and immunotherapy. MethodsThis retrospective study enrolled patients with intermediate and advanced HCC who received TACE combined with targeted therapy and immunotherapy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from February 2025 to July 2025. Baseline clinical data and fecal samples were collected from all enrolled patients before the index hospitalization and treatment. Patients were stratified using two independent criteria: ① a good-prognosis group and a poor-prognosis group, based on whether progression-free survival (PFS) reached 6 months; ② a response group and a non-response group, based on tumor response to the first TACE assessed by the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST). Metagenomic sequencing was performed on fecal samples. Bioinformatic analysis was conducted to evaluate the diversity and compositional differences of intestinal bacterial and fungal communities between groups in each stratification, and to screen for prognosis-associated characteristic microbial taxa. ResultsA total of 61 patients met the inclusion criteria. Analysis of α-diversity and β-diversity showed no statistically significant differences in bacterial and fungal diversity between groups under either stratification strategy (P> 0.05). At the bacterial level, Lactobacillus johnsonii (prognosis stratification: P=0.048; response stratification: P=0.043), Bifidobacterium dentium (prognosis stratification: P=0.004; response stratification: P=0.030) and Clostridioides difficile (prognosis stratification: P=0.017; response stratification: P=0.016) were significantly enriched in both the good prognosis group and the response group. At the fungal level, Cryptococcus decaguttatus (P=0.045), Puccinia striiformis (P=0.002), and Kwoniella quercicola (P=0.015) were enriched in the good‑prognosis group; Kwoniella bestiolae (P=0.037) was enriched in the response group; and Akanthomyces muscarius (P=0.024) was enriched in the non-response group. Survival analysis based on the common differential bacterial abundance in both groupings showed a significant correlation between the abundance of Bifidobacterium dentium and patient prognosis. ConclusionDifferences in the gut microbiota are associated with the prognosis of patients with intermediate and advanced HCC treated with TACE combined with targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Bifidobacterium dentium may serve as a potential predictive biomarker for the efficacy of this combination regimen, and represents a potential intervention target to modulate treatment response. Differences in gut fungal communities are also potentially associated with the prognosis of intermediate and advanced HCC patients receiving TACE combined with targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
7.Pathophysiological classification and clinical characteristics of hyperuricemia
Le YAN ; Shuang LIU ; Zhiwei CAO ; Ronger GU ; Shaoling YANG ; Hang SUN ; Qi CHEN ; Cuiling ZHU ; Haibing CHEN
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;41(8):627-633
Objective:To explore the clinical and biochemical characteristics of patients with hyperuricemia according to different pathophysiological subtypes. This may facilitate rapid identification of each subtype in clinical settings and provide evidence for personalized urate-lowering treatment.Methods:Patients diagnosed with hyperuricemia at the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tenth People′s Hospital of Tongji University between October 2015 and January 2024 were included. Based on 24-h urinary uric acid excretion(UUE) and the fractional excretion of uric acid(FEUA), patients were classified into four subtypes: renal uric acid underexcretion type(RUE), renal uric acid overload type(ROL), combined type and renal normal type. Clinical and biochemical variables-including sex, age, BMI, smoking history, comorbidities, blood glucose, and serum uric acid-were analyzed. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with each subtype.Results:Among 2 073 patients with hyperuricemia, 55.8% were RUE type, 6.9% were ROL type, 31.3% were combined type and 6.0% were renal normal type. RUE type had lower blood glucose levels and fewer cases of diabetes [ OR=0.685(95% CI 0.478-0.980), P<0.05]. ROL type showed a higher incidence of tophi, positively correlated with smoking history [ OR=1.672(95% CI 1.009-2.771), P<0.05], and negatively correlated with serum uric acid levels [ OR=0.994(95% CI 0.990-0.998), P=0.001]. Combined type had the youngest onset age, shortest disease duration, and the fewest comorbidities, and was associated with higher BMI [ OR=1.035(95% CI 1.001-1.070), P<0.05]. Renal normal type had the oldest age of onset, the highest proportion of female patients and comorbidities, and was associated with lower serum uric acid levels[ OR=0.994(95% CI 0.989-0.998), P=0.007], higher BMI[ OR=1.064(95% CI 1.003-1.129), P<0.05], and increased tophi incidence[ OR=2.261(95% CI 1.206-4.237), P=0.011]. Conclusion:Each pathophysiological subtype of hyperuricemia exhibits distinct clinical and biochemical characteristics, which may serve as useful references for subtype identification and personalized management in clinical practice.
8.Research on the application of relaxation training combined with exercise intervention in colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy
Jingyan YUE ; Cheng HANG ; Wei LIU ; Lufen ZHANG ; Qian GENG ; Weifen MENG ; Shuqin ZHU
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(11):1288-1294
Objective Analysis of the effects of relaxation training combined with exercise intervention in patients with colorectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy,aiming to provide reference for clinical nursing practice.Methods Using a convenience sampling method,80 colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in the oncology ward of a tertiary A hospital in Changzhou,Jiangsu Province from November 2022 to November 2023 were selected as study subjects.Patients were divided into an experimental group and a control group using a random number table method,with 40 patients in each group.The experimental group received relaxation training combined with exercise interventionin addition to routine care provided to the control group.The control group received routine care.Differences in 6-minute walking distance,anxiety,depression and quality of life scores before and after six chemotherapy cycles were compared between the 2 groups.Results Finally,70 patients completed the intervention,with 35 patients in each group.After the intervention,there were differences in 6-minute walking distance,anxiety scores,depression scores,and overall health status scores between the 2 groups were all statistically significant(P<0.001).Conclusion Relaxation training combined with exercise intervention can maintain exercise endurance in colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and alleviate anxiety and depression to some extent,helping to improve patients' quality of life.
9.Problems and countermeasures to strengthen mutual supervision between the same-level leadership members in public hospitals
Su WANG ; Yan ZUO ; Jing ZHAO ; Da WEI ; Dandan ZHU ; Hang CHEN
Chinese Journal of Hospital Administration 2025;41(7):518-523
How to effectively strengthen mutual supervision and weave a tight protective net against corruption in the medical field between the same-level leadership members in public hospitals, has become an urgent issue to be addressed for public hospitals′ leadership construction. Based on the investigation and research, the authors focused on the problems of " unwilling to supervise, afraid to supervise, unable to supervise and ineffective supervision" that existed between the same-level leadership members in public hospitals. Countermeasures and suggestions were proposed for strengthening mutual supervision between the same-level leadership members from five aspects: consolidating the ideological foundation, focusing on key points, establishing a sound supervision mechanism, purifying the political environment, and improving the evaluation system.
10.The effect of preparing PRF at different centrifugal speeds on tooth extraction wounds:a network meta-analysis
Jiandong ZHU ; Wanyu HU ; Hang ZHANG ; Jinsong ZHANG
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(3):701-708
Objective To compare the application effect of platelet rich fibrin(PRF)prepared at different centrifugal speeds in tooth extraction wounds using network meta-analysis statistical method.Methods PubMed,Co-chrane Library,Embase,Web of Science,CNKI,Wanfang,VIP and China Biology Medicine disc(CBM)databases were searched to collect the randomized controlled trials on the effect of PRF in tooth extraction from January 1,2024.Note-Express software was used to select literatures,RevMan5.3 was used to evaluate the quality of the included literatures,and Stata14.0 software was used to perform mesh meta-analysis on outcome indicators such as bone mineral density,bone height loss,visual analog scale of pain(VAS),dry groove,and bleeding after tooth extraction.Results A total of 31 randomized controlled trials were included,including 2 824 extraction sites,involving 7 rotational speeds for PRF preparation(3 000,2 800,2 700,2 300,1 500,1 400,1 300 r/min).The results of cu-mulative sequencing showed that PRF prepared by 2 700 r/min centrifugation had the best effect in improving bone mineral density.In terms of improving the buccal bone height,the PRF prepared by 2 700 r/min centrifu-gation had the best effect.In terms of pain improvement,PRF prepared by 1 500 r/min centrifugation had the best effect;PRF prepared by 2 500 r/min centrifugation had the best effect in reducing the incidence of dry trough.PRF prepared by 2 500 r/min centrifugation was the most effective in reducing bleeding.Conclusion Based on the available evidence,PRF prepared with 2 700 r/min has the best effect on improving bone density and bone height after tooth extraction.In terms of pain improvement,1 500 r/min was the most effective;2 500 r/min was the most effective in improving the incidence of dry trough and bleeding.

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