1.Combined Therapy of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Hepatitis B Virus Infection: A Review
Xuan WU ; Hui LI ; Jian HUANG ; Xikun YANG ; Yan ZENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):279-288
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the primary cause of viral hepatitis and represents a substantial disease burden in China. However, effective and safe agents capable of completely eliminating HBV DNA are still lacking. In modern medicine, anti-HBV strategies mainly target covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), among other mechanisms, and multiple novel drugs are currently under clinical investigation. Traditional medicine has been shown to exert anti-HBV effects through direct pathways, such as blocking viral entry, as well as indirect pathways, including the regulation of programmed cell death. Studies have confirmed that the integration of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine in treating HBV infection and its related complications offers complementary advantages, particularly in enhancing HBV clearance rates, improving liver function, preventing various complications, and delaying the progression from hepatic fibrosis to hepatocellular carcinoma. This review focuses on advances in anti-HBV research involving TCM, Western medicine, and their integrated application, aiming to provide a basis for integrated HBV therapy and new drug development.
2.An Attention-weighted Tri-modal Ultrasound Network (TUS-Net) for Screening of Atypical Hepatocellular Carcinoma From LR-M Liver Nodules
He-Chong ZHANG ; Liang-Hui HUANG ; Xue-Hua WANG ; Shang-Lin JIANG ; Ying-Ying CHEN ; Ya-Guang ZENG ; Wei ZHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1485-1498
ObjectiveDiscriminating atypical hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from other malignancies in liver nodules classified as Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System category M (LR-M) remains a significant diagnostic challenge on conventional ultrasound examination. The LR-M category, originally intended to capture non-HCC malignancies, paradoxically contains up to 63% of atypical HCCs that deviate from classic enhancement patterns, leading to potential misdiagnosis and suboptimal treatment planning. While deep learning has shown promise in HCC diagnosis, most existing models rely exclusively on single-modality ultrasound, overlooking the diagnostic benefits of integrating complementary information from multiple imaging sources. To address this gap, we propose a novel attention-weighted tri-modal ultrasound network (TUS-Net) that integrates contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), B-mode ultrasound (BUS), and time-intensity curves (TICs) to improve diagnostic accuracy for these clinically challenging lesions. MethodsOur framework incorporates a three-dimensional convolutional neural network (C3D) backbone to extract spatiotemporal features from CEUS videos, capturing dynamic vascular patterns critical for lesion characterization. To effectively fuse complementary modalities, we introduce a dual-channel feature fusion module (DCFFM) that adaptively combines features from CEUS and BUS through channel-wise attention mechanisms, allowing the model to dynamically weigh the contribution of each modality based on diagnostic relevance. Additionally, we propose a temporal intensity feature fusion module (TIFFM) that leverages quantitative hemodynamic information from TICs to guide the model’s attention toward diagnostically critical temporal phases, such as arterial wash-in and portal venous washout. The model is further enhanced by automated lesion localization using YOLOX and class activation mapping for interpretability, ensuring that predictions align with clinically meaningful imaging features. ResultsEvaluated on a tri-modal ultrasound dataset comprising 161 patients with pathologically confirmed LR-M nodules (131 atypical HCC and 30 non-HCC malignancies), our model achieved an accuracy of 86.83%, a sensitivity of 92.50%, a specificity of 75.50%, and an AUC of 89.32% in screening atypical HCC. Compared to single-modality baselines, TUS-Net demonstrated superior specificity, a clinically critical metric given the higher risk associated with misclassifying non-HCC malignancies. Ablation studies confirmed the contribution of each module, with the full model outperforming both standard C3D and 3D ResNet backbones integrated with attention mechanisms. A reader study involving junior and senior radiologists further validated the clinical utility of AI assistance, showing consistent improvements in specificity and inter-reader consistency, particularly for less experienced clinicians. ConclusionThese results surpass existing benchmark models and demonstrate the potential of our approach to enhance diagnostic precision in clinically specific cases. By intelligently fusing multi-modal ultrasound data with attention-guided mechanisms, TUS-Net offers a reliable and interpretable tool that holds promise for improving the non-invasive diagnosis of atypical HCC in challenging LR-M liver nodules.
3.An Attention-weighted Tri-modal Ultrasound Network (TUS-Net) for Screening of Atypical Hepatocellular Carcinoma From LR-M Liver Nodules
He-Chong ZHANG ; Liang-Hui HUANG ; Xue-Hua WANG ; Shang-Lin JIANG ; Ying-Ying CHEN ; Ya-Guang ZENG ; Wei ZHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1485-1498
ObjectiveDiscriminating atypical hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from other malignancies in liver nodules classified as Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System category M (LR-M) remains a significant diagnostic challenge on conventional ultrasound examination. The LR-M category, originally intended to capture non-HCC malignancies, paradoxically contains up to 63% of atypical HCCs that deviate from classic enhancement patterns, leading to potential misdiagnosis and suboptimal treatment planning. While deep learning has shown promise in HCC diagnosis, most existing models rely exclusively on single-modality ultrasound, overlooking the diagnostic benefits of integrating complementary information from multiple imaging sources. To address this gap, we propose a novel attention-weighted tri-modal ultrasound network (TUS-Net) that integrates contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), B-mode ultrasound (BUS), and time-intensity curves (TICs) to improve diagnostic accuracy for these clinically challenging lesions. MethodsOur framework incorporates a three-dimensional convolutional neural network (C3D) backbone to extract spatiotemporal features from CEUS videos, capturing dynamic vascular patterns critical for lesion characterization. To effectively fuse complementary modalities, we introduce a dual-channel feature fusion module (DCFFM) that adaptively combines features from CEUS and BUS through channel-wise attention mechanisms, allowing the model to dynamically weigh the contribution of each modality based on diagnostic relevance. Additionally, we propose a temporal intensity feature fusion module (TIFFM) that leverages quantitative hemodynamic information from TICs to guide the model’s attention toward diagnostically critical temporal phases, such as arterial wash-in and portal venous washout. The model is further enhanced by automated lesion localization using YOLOX and class activation mapping for interpretability, ensuring that predictions align with clinically meaningful imaging features. ResultsEvaluated on a tri-modal ultrasound dataset comprising 161 patients with pathologically confirmed LR-M nodules (131 atypical HCC and 30 non-HCC malignancies), our model achieved an accuracy of 86.83%, a sensitivity of 92.50%, a specificity of 75.50%, and an AUC of 89.32% in screening atypical HCC. Compared to single-modality baselines, TUS-Net demonstrated superior specificity, a clinically critical metric given the higher risk associated with misclassifying non-HCC malignancies. Ablation studies confirmed the contribution of each module, with the full model outperforming both standard C3D and 3D ResNet backbones integrated with attention mechanisms. A reader study involving junior and senior radiologists further validated the clinical utility of AI assistance, showing consistent improvements in specificity and inter-reader consistency, particularly for less experienced clinicians. ConclusionThese results surpass existing benchmark models and demonstrate the potential of our approach to enhance diagnostic precision in clinically specific cases. By intelligently fusing multi-modal ultrasound data with attention-guided mechanisms, TUS-Net offers a reliable and interpretable tool that holds promise for improving the non-invasive diagnosis of atypical HCC in challenging LR-M liver nodules.
4.Response to Comments on “Pretreatment 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT to Predict the Response to Treatment With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Plus Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma”
Shao-Hao CHEN ; Xiao-Hui WU ; Qian-Ren-Shun QIU ; Shao-Ming CHEN ; Jie ZANG ; Jun-Ming ZHU ; Cheng-Long ZENG ; Wei-Bing MIAO ; Xue-Yi XUE ; Ning XU
Korean Journal of Radiology 2026;27(2):188-190
5.From Bedside to Molecular Diagnosis-Multidisciplinary Treatment of a Rare Case of Autoinflammatory Disease Presenting with Skin Induration and Limb Weakness
Hanhui FU ; Wenjun WANG ; Yaping LIU ; Hui YOU ; Tao WANG ; Wen ZHANG ; Xuejun ZENG ; Liying CUI ; Huijuan ZHU ; Xiuli ZHAO ; Min SHEN ; Yicheng ZHU
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(2):207-213
This article reports a rare case of autoinflammatory disease presenting initially with skin induration and swelling after trauma as the initial manifestation, followed by progressive limb weakness. The patient was a middle-aged female who developed skin induration and swelling after trauma, which gradually progressed to limb weakness, dysarthria and bilateral facial paralysis, accompanied by livedo reticularis of the lower extremities, diffuse skin induration of the limbs, and beaded subcutaneous nodules in the right upper limb. The patient had a susceptibility to infection since childhood and a history of chronic livedo reticularis. Skin pathological examination revealed panniculitis. A comprehensive etiological screening for special infections and autoimmune diseases was completed with an unremarkable results, and whole-exome sequencing showed no abnormal findings. Following a multidisciplinary discussion combined with RNA sequencing results, the patient was diagnosed with an autoinflammatory disease, with a suspected type Ⅰ interferonopathy. Treatment with tofacitinib resulted in gradual improvement of clinical symptoms. This case highlights the importance of detailed medical history collection, systematic physical examination and multidisciplinary collaborative diagnosis and treatment, and underscores the pivotal role of molecular diagnosis in the confirmation of rare diseases. It can provide a reference for the clinical diagnosis and management of similar rare cases.
6.Screening and quantitative analysis of Q-Marker for anti-renal fibrosis of Shenqi shenshuai mixture based on untargeted metabolomics and bioinformatics
Yuhang ZHOU ; Yuqi LI ; Zhuo GAO ; Qingfeng RUAN ; Xiaoxuan ZENG ; Hui WANG ; Chuanqi HUANG ; Hongfeng XU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(13):1716-1721
OBJECTIVE To screen and quantitatively analyze the quality marker (Q-Marker) associated with anti-renal fibrosis in Shenqi shenshuai mixture (SQSS), so as to provide references for the analysis of pharmacodynamic substances and new drug transformation of SQSS. METHODS The chemical components of SQSS were characterized by untargeted metabolomics. Combined with network pharmacology, gene expression omnibus (GEO) and connectivity map (CMAP) databases, the anti-renal fibrosis Q-Markers of SQSS were screened. HPLC-MS/MS was applied to determine the contents of Q-Markers in 10 batches of SQSS. RESULTS A total of 1 319 compounds were identified from SQSS via untargeted metabolomics,and 84 active ingredients with anti-renal fibrosis activity were further screened out, such as formononetin. Nine anti-renal fibrosis Q-Markers were obtained by network pharmacology and GEO database, including berberine, quercetin, honokiol, nicotinamide, daidzein, coumarin, kaempferol, formononetin and amygdalin. The quantitative results showed that the average contents of the above components (excluding amygdalin) in 10 batches of SQSS were 2.523, 1.942, 26.848, 1.415, 0.692, 0.171, 0.374, 7.401 μg/mL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Nine anti-renal fibrosis Q-Markers of SQSS were screened in this study, and the contents of eight among them were determined. The results can provide a basis for elucidating the pharmacodynamic material basis and promoting the new drug transformation of SQSS.
7.Screening and quantitative analysis of Q-Marker for anti-renal fibrosis of Shenqi shenshuai mixture based on untargeted metabolomics and bioinformatics
Yuhang ZHOU ; Yuqi LI ; Zhuo GAO ; Qingfeng RUAN ; Xiaoxuan ZENG ; Hui WANG ; Chuanqi HUANG ; Hongfeng XU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(13):1716-1721
OBJECTIVE To screen and quantitatively analyze the quality marker (Q-Marker) associated with anti-renal fibrosis in Shenqi shenshuai mixture (SQSS), so as to provide references for the analysis of pharmacodynamic substances and new drug transformation of SQSS. METHODS The chemical components of SQSS were characterized by untargeted metabolomics. Combined with network pharmacology, gene expression omnibus (GEO) and connectivity map (CMAP) databases, the anti-renal fibrosis Q-Markers of SQSS were screened. HPLC-MS/MS was applied to determine the contents of Q-Markers in 10 batches of SQSS. RESULTS A total of 1 319 compounds were identified from SQSS via untargeted metabolomics,and 84 active ingredients with anti-renal fibrosis activity were further screened out, such as formononetin. Nine anti-renal fibrosis Q-Markers were obtained by network pharmacology and GEO database, including berberine, quercetin, honokiol, nicotinamide, daidzein, coumarin, kaempferol, formononetin and amygdalin. The quantitative results showed that the average contents of the above components (excluding amygdalin) in 10 batches of SQSS were 2.523, 1.942, 26.848, 1.415, 0.692, 0.171, 0.374, 7.401 μg/mL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Nine anti-renal fibrosis Q-Markers of SQSS were screened in this study, and the contents of eight among them were determined. The results can provide a basis for elucidating the pharmacodynamic material basis and promoting the new drug transformation of SQSS.
8.Cost-utility analysis of disitamab vedotin plus toripalimab as first-line treatment for HER2-expressing locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma
Peiyan XIANG ; Hui ZHANG ; Kaixin ZHANG ; Guihao ZENG ; Bikun CAI ; Yuhang LIU ; Shuangshuang HU ; Yonghui LIU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(16):2138-2143
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cost-utility of disitamab vedotin (DV) combined with toripalimab versus platinum-containing chemotherapy as first-line therapy for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma(UC) with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression from the perspective of China’s health-care system.METHODS A cost-utility analysis was performed. A three-state partitioned survival model was constructed based on the RC48-C016 trial with a 1-week cycle length. The long-term health benefits [quality-adjusted life years(QALYs)] and costs of disitamab vedotin combined with toripalimab versus platinum-containing chemotherapy as first-line therapy for locally advanced or metastatic UC with HER2 expression were simulated. The simulation time horizon was set to 15 years, and the discount rate was 4.5%. The willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold was defined as twice China’s per capita gross domestic product(GDP) in 2025 (199 330 yuan/QALY). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) between the two groups was compared, and one-way sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were conducted.RESULTS Compared with platinum-containing chemotherapy regimen, the DV plus toripalimab regimen yielded an additional 1.01 QALYs with an incremental cost of 183 224.45 yuan, and the ICER was 181 728.15 yuan/QALY, which was below the WTP threshold. At the current threshold, the probability that the DV combination regimen had a cost-utility advantage was 79.9%.CONCLUSIONS Taking twice China’s per capita GDP in 2025 as the WTP threshold, DV combined with toripalimab exhibits a cost-utility advantage over platinum-containing chemotherapy as first-line treatment for HER2-expressing locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma.
9.Discussion on the practice of ethical review in organ transplantation under refined management
Fang HUANG ; Xinfeng PAN ; Hui ZENG ; Qing HE ; Yong XU ; Lanlan WEI
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(4):441-447
The development of organ transplantation has brought new hope to many patients with organ failure and their families, but it has also raised numerous ethical issues. How to balance the rights and interests between organ donors and recipients, as well as ensure the fairness and transparency of the transplantation process has become an urgent problem to be solved. Based on the latest Regulations on Organ Donation and Transplantation and the Working Rules of the Ethics Committee for Human Organ Transplantation, the current difficulties and challenges in organ transplantation ethics were deeply analyzed. Taking the ethical review practice of Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital as an example, this paper explored issues such as full informed consent of both donors and recipients, risk assessment of marginal donors, and the review of relationships between donors and recipients. It also explored and constructed a set of complete ethical review models for organ transplantation through refined management. This model improved the efficiency and quality of ethical review as well as enriched the related knowledge system. It is expected that the implementation of this model can provide a reference for promoting effective ethical review nationwide, advancing the improvement and development of ethical review work in organ transplantation. Meanwhile, more medical ethics experts and practitioners are called upon to focus on and engage in the research and practice of ethical review in organ transplantation, jointly promoting progress in this field.
10.Application of middle hepatic vein splitting and reconstruction technique in split liver transplantation from low-age donor livers
Hui TANG ; Binsheng FU ; Qing YANG ; Jia YAO ; Kaining ZENG ; Xiao FENG ; Shuhong YI ; Yang YANG
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(3):453-459
Objective To explore the feasibility and clinical experience of the middle hepatic vein splitting-reconstruction technique in split liver transplantation from low-age donor livers. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the cases of two low-age donor livers that underwent middle hepatic vein splitting-reconstruction, which were transplanted into four child recipients at the Liver Transplantation Center of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2017 to July 2023. The surgical and postoperative conditions were summarized and analyzed. Results Donor 1 was a 6-year-old and 4-month-old girl with a body weight of 21 kg, and the obtained donor liver weighed 496 g. After splitting, the left and right liver weights were 201 g and 280 g, and transplanted into a 9-month-old boy weighing 6.5 kg and a 9-month-old boy weighing 7.5 kg, respectively. The graft to recipient weight ratio (GRWR) was 3.09% and 3.73%, respectively. Donor 2 was a 5-year-old and 8-month-old boy with a body weight of 19 kg, and the donor liver weighed 673 g. After splitting, the left and right liver weights were 230 g and 400 g, and transplanted into a 13-month-old girl weighing 9.5 kg and a 15-month-old boy weighing 12 kg. The GRWR was 2.42% and 3.33%, respectively. Both donor livers were split ex vivo, with the middle hepatic vein being completely split in the middle and reconstructed using allogeneic iliac vein and iliac artery vascular patches. According to GRWR, none of the 4 transplant livers were reduced in volume. Among the 4 recipients, one died due to postoperative portal vein thrombosis and non-function of the transplant liver, while the other three cases recovered smoothly without early or late complications. Regular follow-up was conducted until July 31, 2023, and liver function recovered well. Conclusions Under the premise of detailed assessment of the donor liver and meticulous intraoperative operation, as well as matching with suitable child recipients, low-age donor livers may be selected for splitting. The complete splitting and reconstruction of the middle hepatic vein in the middle may effectively ensure the adequate venous return of the left and right liver and provide sufficient functional liver volume.

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