1.Development status and ethical challenges of artificial intelligence in traditional Chinese medicine
Jiaqing DAI ; Yuxuan JIANG ; Jingnan HU ; Liu YANG ; Lifang GUO
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(2):173-178
In the context of the rapid development of 5G technology, the development of artificial intelligence (AI) in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) faces new opportunities and challenges. Focusing on how to uphold tradition while innovating in the development of AI in TCM, starting from the current development status of AI in Chinese medicine, including the integration of four diagnostic methods, syndrome differentiation and treatment, auxiliary diagnosis and treatment, research and development of Chinese herbal medicine, prevention and treatment of diseases, knowledge inheritance, and other aspects, this paper discussed the support of policies and technical advancements, as well as development opportunities such as increased demand for health. Regarding machine ethics, data ethics, regulatory review, and other aspects, it also proposed some suggestions that the training algorithm should be improved to assist medical work; data ownership should be clarified to ensure data security; and an AI ethics committee should be set up to improve the review system, aiming to maximize the advantages of smart healthcare and accelerate the modernization of TCM for the benefit of patients and the service of human health.
2.Overview of systematic evaluation of anti-VEGF drugs in the treatment of diabetic macular oedema
Jingnan GUAN ; ZONGYONGYANGCUO ; Juan LING ; Xianyan SHEN ; Menghan LI ; Xufan CHEN ; Yonglin LIANG ; Dinghua ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(8):996-1000
OBJECTIVE To re-evaluate the use of systematic evaluation/meta-analysis of anti-VEGF drugs in the treatment of diabetic macular oedema (DME), aiming to provide evidence-based support for the clinical application of this medication. METHODS A comprehensive search was conducted across a range of databases, including CNKI, Wanfang data, VIP, CBM, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library. The objective was to identify systematic evaluation/meta-analysis of anti- VEGF drugs for DME, with search time from the inception of the databases to March 2024. The report quality, methodological quality, and evidence quality were assessed by using PRISMA2020 statement, AMSTAR2 scale and GRADE tool. A comprehensive analysis of systematic evaluation/meta-analysis results was also conducted. RESULTS A total of 22 articles were included. According to the PRISMA2020 statement evaluation, 13 studies provided relatively complete information (≥21 points), while 9 studies had information deficiencies (18-<21 points). The AMSTAR 2 scale evaluation revealed that 21 studies had very low methodological quality, and one study had low methodological quality. The GRADE tool evaluation showed that out of 89 outcome indicators, 28( 31.46%) were classified as high-quality evidence, 34( 38.20%) as moderate-quality evidence, 24( 26.97%) as low- quality evidence, and 3 (3.37%) as very low-quality evidence. The comprehensive quality analysis results demonstrated that, compared with laser photocoagulation, anti-VEGF drugs significantly enhanced the improvement in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), as well as significant change in retinal thickness at 1 and 6 months, and 1 and 2 years post-treatment, and also in BCVA and retinal thickness at 1, 3, and 6 months post-treatment (P<0.05). Compared with placebo, patients treated with anti-VEGF drugs showed significant improvement in BCVA after 1 year of treatment (P<0.05). However, when compared with corticosteroid drugs, patients treated with anti-VEGF drugs exhibited a significant increase in retinal thickness after 6 months of treatment (P<0.05). Compared with corticosteroid drugs, the incidence of adverse events related to the eyes, cataract formation and intraocular pressure were significantly decreased in patients treated with anti-VEGF drugs (P<0.05). Compared with laser photocoagulation, the incidence of ocular adverse events was significantly decreased in patients treated with anti-VEGF drugs, while the incidence of fatal adverse events was significantly increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Anti-VEGF therapy for DME may possess certain advantages in terms of efficacy and safety, but it is associated with a higher risk of fatal adverse events; the evidence included in systematic reviews/meta-analyses is of moderate to high quality.
3.Role of the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetic retinopathy
Jingnan LIU ; Hanyu WU ; Xiaosi CHEN ; Yiyun ZENG ; Linghui PI ; Xinyuan ZHANG ; Xinyuan ZHANG
International Eye Science 2025;25(10):1694-1698
AIM:To investigate the role of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hsCRP)in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetic retinopathy(DR)in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).METHODS:A nested case-control study was conducted involving 187 T2DM patients(187 eyes)who attended at Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University from June 2017 to October 2024. Patients were categorized into three groups: the diabetes mellitus(DM)group, non-proliferative DR(NPDR)group, and proliferative DR(PDR)group. Baseline information was collected, including age, sex, duration of DM, and duration of hypertension. All patients underwent fasting biochemical tests and comprehensive ophthalmic examinations.RESULTS: A positive correlation was observed between hsCRP and fasting blood glucose(FBG; P=0.004)and glycated hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c; P=0.048)by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient analysis. After adjusting for confounding factors, multivariable Logistic regression identified hsCRP as a significant risk factor for DR(OR=2.67, 95% CI: 1.19-5.96, P=0.017). CONCLUSION:Serum hsCRP is positively correlated with FBG and HbA1c and can serve as an important predictor of the severity of DR.
4.Mechanism of Qizhi Jiangtang capsule inhibits podocyte pyroptosis to improve kidney injury in diabetes nephropathy by regulating NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pathway.
Shanshan SU ; Zhaoan GUO ; Huan YANG ; Hui LIU ; Jingnan TANG ; Xiaoyu JIANG
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(3):204-210
Objective To investigate the impact of Qizhi Jiangtang Capsule (QZJT) on renal damage in diabetic nephropathy (DN) mice via NOD like receptors family pyrin domain containing 3/caspase-1/ Gasdermin D (NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD) signaling pathway. Methods Mice were randomly allocated into six experimental groups: a normal control group (NC), a diabetic nephropathy model group (DN), a low-dose QZJT treatment group (L-QZJT), a high-dose QZJT treatment group (H-QZJT), a positive control group administered Shenqi Jiangtang Granules (SQJT), and an ML385 group (treated with an inhibitor of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, Nrf2). Upon successful model induction, therapeutic interventions were commenced. Renal function impairment in the mice was evaluated through quantification of fasting blood glucose (FBG), 24-hour urinary albumin (UAlb), serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and the kidney-to-body mass ratio (K/B). Renal tissue pathology was evaluated using HE and PAS staining. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 were quantified by ELISA. Levels of podocyte markers and proteins involved in relevant pathways were assessed using Western blot analysis. Results Compared with the NC group, FBG, 24 h UAlb, SCr, and BUN were increased in the DN group, and the K/B mass ratio was also increased. In contrast, compared with the DN group, FBG, 24 h UAlb, SCr, and BUN in both the low-dose (L-QZJT) and high-dose Quanzhou Jintang (H-QZJT) groups were decreased, and the K/B mass ratio was decreased as well. The therapeutic efficacy of H-QZJT was comparable to that of Shenqi Jiangtang Granules. QZJT ameliorated renal histopathological injury in DN mouse, increased the protein levels of Nephrin (a podocyte marker), and decreased the protein levels of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD (ASC), pro-caspase-1, and GSDMD-N. After ML385 treatment, renal cells exhibited swelling and morphological changes, the inflammatory infiltrate area was enlarged, the protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, pro-caspase-1, and GSDMD-N were up-regulated, and the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 were increased. Conclusion QZJT may inhibit podocyte pyroptosis by acting on the Nrf2 to regulate the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pathway, thus improving renal damage in DN mouse.
Animals
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Diabetic Nephropathies/pathology*
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Podocytes/pathology*
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NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics*
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Pyroptosis/drug effects*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Caspase 1/genetics*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Mice
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Phosphate-Binding Proteins/genetics*
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Male
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Kidney/pathology*
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Gasdermins
5.Pharmacological modulation of mitochondrial function as novel strategies for treating intestinal inflammatory diseases and colorectal cancer.
Boya WANG ; Xinrui GUO ; Lanhui QIN ; Liheng HE ; Jingnan LI ; Xudong JIN ; Dapeng CHEN ; Guangbo GE
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(4):101074-101074
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and recurrent intestinal disease, and has become a major global health issue. Individuals with IBD face an elevated risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC), and recent studies have indicated that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of both IBD and CRC. This review covers the pathogenesis of IBD and CRC, focusing on mitochondrial dysfunction, and explores pharmacological targets and strategies for addressing both conditions by modulating mitochondrial function. Additionally, recent advancements in the pharmacological modulation of mitochondrial dysfunction for treating IBD and CRC, encompassing mitochondrial damage, release of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and impairment of mitophagy, are thoroughly summarized. The review also provides a systematic overview of natural compounds (such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and diterpenoids), Chinese medicines, and intestinal microbiota, which can alleviate IBD and attenuate the progression of CRC by modulating mitochondrial function. In the future, it will be imperative to develop more practical methodologies for real-time monitoring and accurate detection of mitochondrial function, which will greatly aid scientists in identifying more effective agents for treating IBD and CRC through modulation of mitochondrial function.
6.Application value of liver/spleen CT value, controlled attenuation parameter, and magnetic resonance imaging-proton density fat fraction in chronic hepatitis B patients with hepatic steatosis
Jingnan LU ; Yansong LI ; Ya WEN ; Xionghui WANG ; Zhaoyu QU ; Jianlong LI ; Wei ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(1):46-51
ObjectiveTo investigate the application value of liver/spleen CT value (CTL/S), controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), and magnetic resonance imaging-proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with hepatic steatosis. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 213 CHB patients who underwent liver CT, CAP, and MRI-PDFF examinations in Affiliated Hospital of Yan’an University from October 2018 to December 2022. According to MRI-PDFF, the 213 patients were divided into CHB group with 111 patients (MRI-PDFF<5%) and CHB+hepatic steatosis group with 102 patients (MRI-PDFF≥5%), among whom there were 69 patients with mild hepatic steatosis and 33 patients with moderate to severe hepatic steatosis. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups. The Bland-Altman plot was used to evaluate the consistency in MRI-PDFF measurement between two physicians. The Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between CTL/S and MRI-PDFF and between CAP and MRI-PDFF. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was calculated to investigate the value of CTL/S and CAP in the diagnosis of different degrees of hepatic steatosis, and the DeLong test was used to compare the AUCs of the two radiological examinations. ResultsMRI-PDFF had relatively high repeatability and stability in CHB patients. There is a significant negative correlation between CTL/S and MRI-PDFF (r=-0.800, P<0.001) and a significant positive correlation between CAP and MRI-PDFF (r=0.692, P<0.001). Both CTL/S and CAP had a relatively high accuracy in the diagnosis of hepatic steatosis in CHB patients, with an AUC of 0.951 and 0.902, respectively, and CTL/S had a better accuracy than CAP (P<0.05). In the diagnosis of mild and moderate-to-severe hepatic steatosis, CTL/S had an AUC of 0.921 and 0.895, respectively, and CAP had an AUC of 0.859 and 0.825, respectively, suggesting that CTL/S had a slightly higher diagnostic efficiency than CAP. ConclusionMRI-PDFF has high repeatability and stability in CHB patients, and CTL/S and CAP have a high diagnostic value for different degrees of hepatic steatosis in CHB patients.
7.Effects of light regulation on the synthesis of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants
Wei ZHANG ; Xiangqing MENG ; Xiaohui SU ; Jinyi WANG ; Lihua LI ; Min JIA
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2024;42(2):50-59
Secondary metabolites of medicinal plants are extremely important to human health because of their special pharmacological activities or efficacy. They are the main source of drugs, health care products, and cosmetics. As human beings continue to pursue health and longevity, the demand in the pharmaceutical market continues to grow. It becomes especially important to improve the production and quality of secondary metabolites of medicinal plants. Plant secondary metabolites are a kind of adaptation of plants to their environment and are the result of the interaction between plants and biotic and abiotic factors during the long-term evolution process. The production and accumulation of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants are mainly affected by plant genetic factors and environmental factors. Among them, light environment is extremely important for their synthesis. Therefore, light regulation has long been a research focus for many scholars in China and abroad. In this article, we the recent research progress on the effects of light regulation on the secondary metabolites of medicinal plants were reviewed, mainly focusing on the effects of light quality, light intensity and photoperiod, in order to provide theoretical basis and practical guidance for the efficient production of secondary metabolites with important pharmacological activities.
8.Personalized treatment of well-differentiated gastric neuroendocrine tumors based on clinicopathological classification and grading: A multicenter retrospective study
Ju HUANG ; Huimin LIU ; Dekun YANG ; Tianming XU ; Jing WANG ; Jingnan LI
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(6):720-728
Background::The incidence of well-differentiated gastric neuroendocrine tumors (G-NET) is increasing annually, and while they have a good prognosis and low mortality rate, their high recurrence rate makes treatment options controversial. This study aims to determine the relationship between individualized treatment plans and the recurrence of G-NET.Methods::We performed a multicenter, retrospective study of 94 patients with highly differentiated G-NET and treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, and Beijing Zhong-Neng-Jian Hospital from November 2015 to September 2023. Risk factors for recurrence of G-NETs were investigated using chi-squared test and multifactorial logistic regression analysis.Results::After a median follow-up of 49 months, the overall recurrence rate among the 94 G-NET patients was 14% (13/94). The recurrence rates of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), somatostatin analog (SSA) therapy, and surgery were 43% (6/14), 10% (5/49), 5% (1/22), and 11% (1/9), respectively. Post-treatment recurrence rates were significantly different ( P = 0.014) among four treatments (EMR, ESD, SSA, and surgery), and further subgroup comparisons revealed lower recurrence rates in the ESD and SSA groups than in the EMR group. From the second month onward, SSA therapy considerably reduced the gastrin levels from 1081.0 (571.5, 2472.8) pg/mL to 461.5 (255.3, 795.0) pg/mL ( Z = -3.521, P <0.001). Both chi-squared test and multifactorial logistic regression analysis suggested that among the clinicopathological parameters studied, only the pre-treatment gastrin level ( P = 0.018 and 0.005) and the type of treatment ( P = 0.014 and 0.017) were significantly associated with G-NET recurrence. Conclusions::Individualized treatment strategies may reduce the risk of relapse after G-NET treatment. Long-term SSA therapy may be a secure and efficacious treatment option for type 1 G-NET with more than six lesions, and it substantially decreases the incidence of post-treatment recurrence.
9.Chinese national clinical practice guidelines on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of early colorectal cancer
Jingnan LI ; Hongwei YAO ; Yun LU ; Shutian ZHANG ; Zhongtao ZHANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(17):2017-2039
Background::The incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC) in China are increasing in recent years. The clarified pathogenesis and detectable precancerous lesions of CRC make it possible to prevent, screen, and diagnose CRC at an early stage. With the development of endoscopic and surgical techniques, the choice of treatment for early CRC is also worth further discussion, and accordingly, a standard follow-up program after treatment needs to be established.Methods::This clinical practice guideline (CPG) was developed following the recommended process of the World Health Organization, adopting Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) in assessing evidence quality, and using the Evidence to Decision framework to formulate clinical recommendations, thereby minimizing bias and increasing transparency of the CPG development process. We used the Reporting Items for practice Guidelines in HealThcare (RIGHT) statement and Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) as reporting and conduct guides to ensure the guideline’s completeness and transparency.Results::This CPG comprises 46 recommendations concerning prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance of CRC. In these recommendations, we have indicated protective and risk factors for CRC and made recommendations for chemoprevention. We proposed a suitable screening program for CRC based on the Chinese context. We also provided normative statements for the diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance of CRC based on existing clinical evidence and guidelines.Conclusions::The 46 recommendations in this CPG are formed with consideration for stakeholders’ values and preferences, feasibility, and acceptability. Recommendations are generalizable to resource-limited settings with similar CRC epidemiology pattern as China.
10.Multidimensional value analysis of standardized and graded pharmaceutical services in hospitalized patients with chronic airway diseases
Yufei LIAN ; Xuejia QIU ; Jingnan YANG ; Lingzhi FANG ; Yupeng YANG ; Hongtao LIU ; Zhanjun DONG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(19):2404-2410
OBJECTIVE To provide reference for constructing scientific and reasonable pharmaceutical service mode for hospitalized patients with chronic airway diseases. METHODS From October 2023 to March 2024, 250 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute exacerbation of asthma who were hospitalized in the respiratory department of Hebei General Hospital and received pharmaceutical care (PC) were randomly divided into control group (125 cases) and observation group (125 cases). The control group received general pharmaceutical services throughout their hospitalization, while the observation group received standardized and graded pharmaceutical services throughout their hospitalization. The differences in clinical value indicators, humanistic value indicators, and quality management indicators were compared among different PC service models. RESULTS Among clinical value evaluation indicators, the observation group had better achievement rate of disease treatment goals, correct use score of inhalation devices, the incidence of adverse drug reactions, and the number of drug-related problems solved than the control group (P<0.05). Among the humanistic evaluation indicators, compared with the control group, the observation group had better medication compliance scores, pharmacist intervention success rates, and patient satisfaction scores (P<0.05). Among quality management evaluation indicators, the proportion of drug costs, the proportion of intravenous medication, the use rate of antibiotics, the intensity of antibiotic use, and the number of pharmaceutical services in the observation group were significantly better than the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Standardized and graded pharmaceutical care services have improved the efficiency of pharmacists and service effectiveness, making it a new pharmaceutical service model worth promoting.

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