1.A Systematic Review of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Efficacy Evaluation Scales Based on the COSMIN Guidelines
Kailin SU ; Zhenzhen FENG ; Jiajia WANG ; Lu WANG ; Guixiang ZHAO ; Jiansheng LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):416-424
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the methodological quality and measurement properties of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome efficacy evaluation scales, and to provide evidence-based references for selecting high-quality assessment tools in TCM clinical practice. MethodsChina National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science were searched from inception to April 2, 2025, for studies evaluating the measurement properties of TCM syndrome efficacy evaluation scales. Data were extracted, and the methodological quality and measurement properties of the included scales were assessed according to the consensus-based standards for the selection of health measurement instruments (COSMIN). Recommendation levels were formulated based on the grading of evidence. ResultsA total of 46 studies were included, involving 22 generic syndrome efficacy evaluation scales and 24 disease-specific syndrome efficacy evaluation scales. None of the scales reported cross-cultural validity or measurement error. According to the recommendation grades, 2 scales met Grade A recommendations and are suggested for clinical use; 38 scales were classified as Grade B, indicating potential applicability but requiring further validation; and 6 scales were classified as Grade C, suggesting the need for further refinement. ConclusionExisting TCM syndrome efficacy evaluation scales exhibit substantial variability in methodological quality, incomplete reporting of measurement properties, and insufficient attention to scale revision. Future efforts should emphasize standardized design in the development of TCM syndrome scales, strengthen validation procedures for key measurement properties, and prioritize dynamic revision of scales, thereby providing high-quality tools to support the precise evaluation of syndrome efficacy.
2.Strategy and Practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Prevention and Treatment of Pre-Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Baichuan XU ; Yang XIE ; Yiting LI ; Tao CHEN ; Jiansheng LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(12):1284-1288
By systematically reviewing the concept evolution of pre-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (pre-COPD) and the research status of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as well as considering the clinical practice, this paper puts forward the strategies for the prevention and treatment of pre-COPD with TCM. These strategies include identifying high-risk groups by combining TCM syndrome and constitution, advocating the principle of "treating disease before it arises" and promoting the combination of syndrome differentiation and constitution evaluation to achieve individualized intervention, promoting collaboration between TCM and western medicine, supported by digital and intelligent technologies, to establish a whole-process management mode of "hospital-community-family". The aim is to realize the early diagnosis, early intervention and whole-process management of pre-COPD, thereby helping reduce the incidence of COPD.
3.Methodological Issues in the Design,Evaluation,and Reporting of Randomized Controlled Trials with "Pattern Dominating Disease"
Lu WANG ; Jiajia WANG ; Yingying ZHANG ; Xufei LUO ; Yaolong CHEN ; Jiansheng LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(14):1497-1502
This study explores methodological issues in the design, evaluation, and reporting of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) under the concept of "syndrome dominating disease". The discussion focuses on key aspects including the adaptability of trial design, the screening of research participants, the standardization of syndrome differentiation, the balance between intervention individualization and standardization, the integration of multi-dimensional outcome measures, and the limitations of existing evaluation and reporting tools when applied to this type of research, along with corresponding recommendations and future perspectives. Regarding research design, it is recommended to select or draw upon innovative design concepts such as basket trials and subgroup-based dynamic/static parallel-group designs, in order to innovate the design format of RCTs. Meanwhile, criteria for participant screening, TCM syndrome differentiation, and disease classification should be standardized. The balance should be appropriately achieved between intervention individualization and standardization, and a multidimensional assessment system encompassing TCM syndromes, disease-specific outcomes, and patient-reported outcomes should be established. For risk of bias assessment and research reporting, it is recommended,to develop specialized assessment and reporting tools based on existing instruments, in order to standardize the assessment and reporting of study findings. Future research may further explore the potential applications of artificial intelligence in the study design, risk-of-bias assessment, and reporting quality assessment of RCTs based on the "syndrome dominating disease" model, with a particular focus on methodological optimization, data integration, and enhancement of research quality.
4.Methodological Issues in the Design,Evaluation,and Reporting of Randomized Controlled Trials with "Pattern Dominating Disease"
Lu WANG ; Jiajia WANG ; Yingying ZHANG ; Xufei LUO ; Yaolong CHEN ; Jiansheng LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(14):1497-1502
This study explores methodological issues in the design, evaluation, and reporting of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) under the concept of "syndrome dominating disease". The discussion focuses on key aspects including the adaptability of trial design, the screening of research participants, the standardization of syndrome differentiation, the balance between intervention individualization and standardization, the integration of multi-dimensional outcome measures, and the limitations of existing evaluation and reporting tools when applied to this type of research, along with corresponding recommendations and future perspectives. Regarding research design, it is recommended to select or draw upon innovative design concepts such as basket trials and subgroup-based dynamic/static parallel-group designs, in order to innovate the design format of RCTs. Meanwhile, criteria for participant screening, TCM syndrome differentiation, and disease classification should be standardized. The balance should be appropriately achieved between intervention individualization and standardization, and a multidimensional assessment system encompassing TCM syndromes, disease-specific outcomes, and patient-reported outcomes should be established. For risk of bias assessment and research reporting, it is recommended,to develop specialized assessment and reporting tools based on existing instruments, in order to standardize the assessment and reporting of study findings. Future research may further explore the potential applications of artificial intelligence in the study design, risk-of-bias assessment, and reporting quality assessment of RCTs based on the "syndrome dominating disease" model, with a particular focus on methodological optimization, data integration, and enhancement of research quality.
5.Thinking and Practice on the Strategy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Cohort Studies in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Jiansheng LI ; Yang XIE ; Peng ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(18):1946-1952
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) emphasizes individualized and dynamically adjusted treatment strategies in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, challenges remain in fully demonstrating the benefits of individualized treatment and long-term outcomes, as well as in addressing the inadequate guidance from comprehensive disease management frameworks and the lack of stage-specific early identification and warning tools. To address these issues, this paper proposes the establishment of TCM cohorts for COPD, focusing on high-risk population screening, full-course management, and comorbidity exploration. Through clearly defining exposure to TCM treatment and evaluating its effectiveness, establishing a disease-specific database and conducting rigorous measurement and analysis, and developing models for early identification and early warning, this paper systematically expounds the advantages and value of TCM cohort studies in assessing long-term efficacy, monitoring disease dynamics, and enabling risk prediction, thereby advancing the innovation and development of COPD prevention and treatment strategies.
6.To explore the pathological connotation and therapeutic significance of bronchiectasis combined with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection based on"Strengthening fire eating qi"
Xiaoyu WANG ; Zhenzhen FENG ; Wenrui LIU ; Jiansheng LI
Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine in Intensive and Critical Care 2025;32(4):385-391
Bronchiectasis is one of the most common and refractory lower respiratory tract diseases in clinic practice.Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common frequently isolated pathogen in adults with bronchiectasis complicated by infection.The complex relationship among inflammation,immunity,infection and structural damage in the airway of patients has been described as a"vicious circle"model,but the specific mechanism of different pathological links in this model and their intricate interactions are still not fully understood.The theory of"Strengthening fire eating qi"first appeared in Su Wen·Yin Yang Ying Xiang Da Lun,and provides simply explain the"qi"damage to"shape"damage of patients'airway from the perspective of"fire"and"qi"in traditional Chinese medicine,and provide new ideas for explaining the pathological mechanism connotation of bronchiectasis combined with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.The exploration of pathological mechanism is the fundamental source of understanding disease progression and discovering new treatment ideas.At present,the clinical treatment of Western medicine for patients with bronchiectasis mainly focuses on anti-infection and symptomatic treatment.Although etiological targeted therapies and targeted drugs are constantly explored and developed,they are still rarely applied in clinical practice.As a treasure of Chinese culture,traditional Chinese medicine has the advantage of taking both specimens into consideration,and its clinical efficacy and pharmacological value are worthy of further study.Based on the classical theory of"Strengthening fire eating qi",this review aims to understand and summarize the modern pathological mechanism of bronchiectasis combined with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and highlights current research hotspots in both Chinese and Western medicine treatment,in order to provide clinical thinking.
7.Influence of pancreatic stent on pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients with difficult common bile duct intubation
Meng WANG ; Yang YANG ; Hongyu ZHANG ; Xiao WANG ; Jia SHANG ; Jiansheng LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(9):1877-1882
ObjectiveTo investigate the incidence rate of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) in patients with difficult common bile duct intubation undergoing pancreatic duct stenting during surgery, as well as the effect of pancreatic duct stenting in the prevention and treatment of PEP, and to provide a basis for clinical treatment. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 186 patients with biliary tract disease who underwent initial ERCP and had difficult common bile duct intubation in The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2016 to December 2024, and according to the condition of pancreatic duct stenting, the patients were divided into control group with 73 patients (without pancreatic duct stenting), 5Fr-5 cm stent group with 67 patients, and 7Fr-5 cm stent group with 46 patients. The three groups were compared in terms of baseline data, intraoperative procedures, and postoperative outcomes. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups; the Kruskal-Wallis H rank sum test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups, and the Dunn method was used for further comparison between two groups; the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the influencing factors for PEP in patients with difficult intubation during ERCP. ResultsThe overall incidence rate of PEP was 12.37% (23/186). Compared with the 5Fr-5 cm stent group and the 7Fr-5 cm stent group, the control group had a significantly higher incidence rate of PEP, a significantly higher score of postoperative abdominal pain, and a significantly longer length of postoperative hospital stay (all P0.01), and 55.56% of the patients in the control group had moderate-to-severe PEP. The univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that intradiverticular papilla, double guide wire intubation, needle knife precut, the application of basket and balloon for removal of common bile duct stones, intraoperative biopsy, pancreatic duct stenting, intubation time≤10 minutes, frequency of intubation≤5 times, preoperative CRP≤5 mg/L were influencing factors for PEP (all P0.05), and the multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that intraoperative pancreatic duct stenting, needle knife precut, and intraoperative biopsy were independent influencing factors for the onset of PEP (all P0.05). ConclusionPancreatic duct stenting during ERCP can effectively reduce the risk of PEP in patients with difficult intubation, while needle knife precut and intraoperative biopsy can increase the risk of PEP in patients with difficult intubation.
8.Yiqi Zishen Formula ameliorates inflammation in mice with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway
Liming WANG ; Hongrui CHEN ; Yan DU ; Peng ZHAO ; Yujie WANG ; Yange TIAN ; Xinguang LIU ; Jiansheng LI
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(7):1409-1422
Objective To investigate pharmacologically active components of Yiqi Zishen Formula(YZF)and their mechanisms for alleviating airway inflammation in mice with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry was employed to characterize the chemical components in YZF and YZF-medicated rat serum.A compound-disease target network was constructed based on serum components of YZF to screen the key pathways and targets using enrichment analysis.A mouse model of cigarette smoke-induced COPD was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of YZF and validate the expression of key proteins in network pharmacology-enriched pathways.Fifty male C57BL/6J mice were randomized equally into control group,COPD model group,high-and low-dose YZF treatment groups,and N-acetylcysteine treatment group.Pulmonary function of the mice was assessed using whole-body plethysmography,and lung histopathology,alveolar structure,and airway remodeling were analyzed using HE staining.The levels of IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)were determined with ELISA,and pulmonary expressions of PI3K,Akt,phosphorylated Akt(p-Akt),p65,and phosphorylated p65(p-p65)were detected using immunohistochemistry.Results We identified a total of 156 chemical components(including 26 flavonoids or flavonoid glycosides,27 alkaloids,and 11 saponins)in YZF and 43 prototype components in medicated rat serum.Network pharmacology revealed 704 YZF-related targets and 1199 COPD-associated targets.Integrated analysis suggested that the anti-COPD effects of YZF were associated with the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.In mouse models of COPD,YZF treatment significantly increased mean alveolar number and peak expiratory flow(P<0.05),reduced mean linear intercept,bronchial wall thickness,lung coefficient,and BALF cytokine levels,and suppressed the expressions of PI3K,Akt,p-Akt,p65,and p-p65 in the lung tissues.Conclusion YZF alleviates COPD symptoms and airway inflammation in mice possibly by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway through its multiple components that interact with multiple targets.
9.Quantitative study of changes in respiratory function and clinical characteristics after bariatric surgery using spiral computed tomography three-dimensional imaging
Yuliang ZHAO ; Chunjing SUN ; Bailin WU ; Guochao LIU ; Xiaokai HAN ; Jie LIU ; Jiansheng KANG ; Tao LI
International Journal of Surgery 2025;52(1):39-44
Objective:To investigate the changes of respiratory function and lung volume after bariatric surgery using spiral CT three-dimensional imaging technology.Methods:Using the prospective study method, the medical records of 30 subjects undergoing sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in the Eighth Department of General Surgery, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from Jan. 2023 to Jun. 2024 were collected. Among them, 12 were males and 18 were females, aged from 20 to 45 years, with the average age of 31.1 years old. Chest CT scans were completed within 1 week before surgery and 6 months after surgery. The subject′s CT plain scan reconstructed thin-layer images of the mediastinal window were transferred to a GE workstation, and the lung volumes of both lungs and each lobe and the tracheal wall area of the five bronchial segments (RB1, RB4, RB10, LB1 + 2 and LB10) were calculated as a percentage of the airway cross-sectional area (WA%), and the posterior intercostal position corresponding to the diaphragm was recorded. Paired t-test and rank-sum test were used to compare preoperative and postoperative differences.Results:Compared with pre-operation, the subject′s body mass index decreased significantly 6 months after bariatric surgery [(42.22±7.31) kg/m 2vs (30.12±5.59) kg/m 2,t=7.31, P<0.001)]. Except for left lower lobe [(1.15±0.23) L vs (1.27±0.24) L, t=1.97, P=0.054] and right middle lobe [(0.57±0.16) L vs (0.83±0.16) L, t=1.38, P=0.172], the remaining lung parts were significantly larger after surgery than before surgery: right upper lobe [(0.80±0.17) L vs (0.94±0.19) L, t=2.79, P=0.007], right lower lobe [(1.08±0.14) L vs (1.22±0.19) L, t=3.23, P=0.002], left upper lobe [(1.12±0.20) L vs (1.24±0.23) L, t=2.26, P=0.014]. Overall, right lung volume [(2.44±0.33) L vs (2.79±0.41) L, t=3.62, P=0.001], left lung volume [(2.27±0.36) L vs (2.52±0.39) L, t=2.53, P=0.014] and total lung volume [(4.71±0.60) L vs (5.30±0.71) L, t=3.48, P=0.001] all increased significantly at 6 months after surgery compared with before surgery. All five segments of bronchus (WA%) were significantly reduced after surgery than before surgery: RB1: [(62.82±4.66) vs (66.85±3.99), t=3.60, P=0.001]; RB4: [(61.24±5.28) vs (64.31±5.51), t=2.20, P=0.031]; RB10: [(60.03±4.64) vs (62.97±5.73), t=2.18, P=0.033]; LB1+ 2: [(63.61±5.05) vs (67.90±4.30), t=3.54, P=0.001]; LB10: [(58.73±6.49) vs (62.01±5.06), t=2.17, P=0.034)]. The posterior intercostal position corresponding to the diaphragm dropped from an average of 7-8 intercostal spaces to 8-9 intercostal spaces, with a significant difference (rank mean 22.77 vs 38.23, Z=-3.67, P<0.001). Conclusion:Bariatric surgery can significantly reduce weight, reduce the pressure of chest and abdominal, improve lung compliance, reduce the internal pressure of the chest, lower the diaphragm, expand the lung volume and airway cross-sectional area, restore the original airway anatomy and respiratory physiology, so it can effectively improve the respiratory function and lung structure abnormalities caused by obesity.
10.Treatment of Granulation Tissue Hyperplasia after Tracheostomy Based on the Kenang (窠囊) Theory
Yue YUAN ; Siyuan LEI ; Jiajia WANG ; Jiansheng LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(7):746-749
Granulation tissue hyperplasia after tracheotomy is a common clinical complication. Endoscopic treatment can temporarily relieve airway obstruction, however, it is associated with a high recurrence rate and poor long-term prognosis. Based on the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Kenang (窠囊) theory and combined with modern pathological mechanisms, this paper explores its correlation with the pathogenesis of post-tracheotomy granulation tissue hyperplasia. Drawing from clinical experience in applying the Kenang theory for treatment, this paper proposes that the fundamental pathogenesis of this condition lies in qi deficiency and organ dysfunction, while phlegm and blood stasis interlocking serve as the symptomatic manifestations. The treatment focuses on resolving phlegm and promoting blood circulation, dispersing nodules and eliminating stagnation, regulating qi flow, and reinforcing the body's vital energy while expelling pathogenic factors. This approach aims to dissolve phlegm and blood stasis, dissipate the Kenang, and ultimately prevent and treat granulation tissue hyperplasia.

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