1.Research on erythrocyte-liposome drug delivery system for targeted therapy of lung metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
Xiang LI ; Xunyi YOU ; Xiaocheng LI ; Hong WANG ; Rui ZHONG ; Jiaxin LIU ; Limin CHEN ; Ye CAO
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(2):180-187
Objective: To prepare the erythrocyte-liposome drug delivery system to enhance the therapeutic effect of drugs on tumors and inhibit tumor metastasis. Methods: This study prepared and characterized paclitaxel (PTX)-plerixafor (AMD3100) liposomes (Lips), developed the erythrocyte-liposome drug delivery system, and evaluated its targeting efficiency and therapeutic efficacy through a series of in vitro cellular and in vivo animal experiments. Results: The particle size of PTX-AMD-Lips was (186.4±0.83) nm. Drug encapsulation efficiency of PTX-AMD-Lips was (75.50±5.27)% for PTX and (88.31±2.45)% for AMD. The Binding efficiency between RBC and liposomes in the drug delivery system was (69.93±2.55)%. Vitro cellular experiments revealed that PTX-AMD-Lips significantly inhibited tumor cell migration. In vivo animal experiments, the erythrocyte-liposome drug delivery system significantly increased drug accumulation in the lungs. At the experimental endpoint, the quantitative fluorescence signal of tumor size measured (4.04±0.44)×10
for the PTX-Lips group, and (5.14±3.40)×10
for the RBC-PTX-AMD-Lips group. Conclusion: The erythrocyte-liposome drug delivery system could enhance the lung-specific targeting capability of liposomes, kill tumor cells and suppress further metastasis effectively.
2.A machine learning-based depression recognition model integrating spirit-expression features from traditional Chinese medicine
Minghui YAO ; Rongrong ZHU ; Peng QIAN ; Huilin LIU ; Xirong SUN ; Limin GAO ; Fufeng LI
Digital Chinese Medicine 2026;9(1):68-79
Objective:
To develop a depression recognition model by integrating the spirit-expression diagnostic framework of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with machine learning algorithms. The proposed model seeks to establish a TCM-informed tool for early depression screening, thereby bridging traditional diagnostic principles with modern computational approaches.
Methods:
The study included patients with depression who visited the Shanghai Pudong New Area Mental Health Center from October 1, 2022 to October 1, 2023, as well as students and teachers from Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine during the same period as the healthy control group. Videos of 3 – 10 s were captured using a Xiaomi Pad 5, and the TCM spirit and expressions were determined by TCM experts (at least 3 out of 5 experts agreed to determine the category of TCM spirit and expressions). Basic information, facial images, and interview information were collected through a portable TCM intelligent analysis and diagnosis device, and facial diagnosis features were extracted using the Open CV computer vision library technology. Statistical analysis methods such as parametric and non-parametric tests were used to analyze the baseline data, TCM spirit and expression features, and facial diagnosis feature parameters of the two groups, to compare the differences in TCM spirit and expression and facial features. Five machine learning algorithms, including extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), decision tree (DT), Bernoulli naive Bayes (BernoulliNB), support vector machine (SVM), and k-nearest neighbor (KNN) classification, were used to construct a depression recognition model based on the fusion of TCM spirit and expression features. The performance of the model was evaluated using metrics such as accuracy, precision, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). The model results were explained using the Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP).
Results:
A total of 93 depression patients and 87 healthy individuals were ultimately included in this study. There was no statistically significant difference in the baseline characteristics between the two groups (P > 0.05). The differences in the characteristics of the spirit and expressions in TCM and facial features between the two groups were shown as follows. (i) Quantispirit facial analysis revealed that depression patients exhibited significantly reduced facial spirit and luminance compared with healthy controls (P < 0.05), with characteristic features such as sad expressions, facial erythema, and changes in the lip color ranging from erythematous to cyanotic. (ii) Depressed patients exhibited significantly lower values in facial complexion L, lip L, and a values, and gloss index, but higher values in facial complexion a and b, lip b, low gloss index, and matte index (all P < 0.05). (iii) The results of multiple models show that the XGBoost-based depression recognition model, integrating the TCM “spirit-expression” diagnostic framework, achieved an accuracy of 98.61% and significantly outperformed four benchmark algorithms—DT, BernoulliNB, SVM, and KNN (P < 0.01). (iv) The SHAP visualization results show that in the recognition model constructed by the XGBoost algorithm, the complexion b value, categories of facial spirit, high gloss index, low gloss index, categories of facial expression and texture features have significant contribution to the model.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that integrating TCM spirit-expression diagnostic features with machine learning enables the construction of a high-precision depression detection model, offering a novel paradigm for objective depression diagnosis.
3.Exploration on the psychological support mechanism for palliative care patients from the perspective of the interactive ritual chain theory
Limin WU ; Sujuan LIU ; Jingyan ZHANG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(3):351-357
Based on the interactive ritual chain theory, this paper deeply analyzed the interactive characteristics between doctors, patients, and their families in the palliative care environment, as well as explored the role of emotional resonance, symbolic representation, and situational creation in psychological support. It also sorted out four primary issues currently present in psychological support for palliative care patients, including insufficient recognition of caregivers regarding patients’ psychological needs, limited psychological intervention methods, inadequate psychological support capabilities among medical staff, and an imperfect family and social support system. On this basis, a five-dimensional psychological support mechanism was constructed, encompassing emotional resonance, situational creation, team collaboration, environment building, and technological application. This aimed to provide palliative care patients with comprehensive and continuous psychological intervention by optimizing doctor-patient interaction, strengthening emotional connection, improving physical environment, and utilizing information technology, thereby contributing to alleviating the psychological distress patients confront in the terminal stage and improving their life dignity and quality of life.
4.Shashen Maidong Tang Enhances Efficacy of Chemotherapy in Mouse Model of Lewis Lung Cancer by Modulating JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway
Lin YU ; Yaoyao WANG ; Limin LIU ; Zuowei HU ; Yanping ZHOU ; Shang WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):1-10
ObjectiveTo predict the mechanism through which Shasheng Maidong Tang enhances the efficacy of chemotherapy for lung cancer via network pharmacology and validate the prediction results in animal experiments. MethodsThe potential mechanism through which Shasheng Maidong Tang enhances the efficacy of chemotherapy for lung cancer was predicted by network pharmacology, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and molecular docking methods. C57/BL6 mice were assigned into normal, model, cisplatin, and Shasheng Maidong Tang+cisplatin groups. In addition to the normal group, the remaining groups were injected subcutaneously with 0.2 mL of 1×107 cells·mL-1 Lewis lung cancer cells to establish the Lewis lung cancer model. The daily gavage dose of Shasheng Maidong Tang was 3.58 g·kg-1, and the concentration of cisplatin intraperitoneally injected on every other day was 2 mg·kg-1. Drugs were administered for 14 d. The changes in the tumor volume and the rate of tumor suppression were monitored, and the tumor histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the interleukin (IL)-6 and interferon (IFN)-γ levels in peripheral blood. Real-time PCR was performed to quantify the mRNA levels of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in the tumor tissue of mice. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of JAK2, STAT3, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3 (Caspase-3), and Pim-1 proto1 (PIM1) in the tumor tissue. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression of Bcl-2 and PIM1 in the tumor tissue. ResultsNetwork pharmacological predictions indicated that Shasheng Maidong Tang might enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy for lung cancer by regulating nitrogen metabolism, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, cancer pathway, and JAK/STAT signaling pathway. The experimental results demonstrated that tumor volume in the cisplatin group and Shasheng Maidong Tang+cisplatin group was reduced compared with the model group, with statistically distinct differences observed on days 14, 17, 20 post modeling (P<0.05). Notably, the Shasheng Maidong Tang+cisplatin therapy further decreased tumor volume compared with the cisplatin group, showing marked reductions on days 17 and 20 (P<0.05), consistent with trends visualized in tumor volume comparison charts. The Shasheng Maidong Tang+cisplatin group exhibited higher tumor inhibition rate than the cisplatin group (P<0.05). Histopathological analysis via HE staining revealed that the tumors in the model group displayed frequent nuclear mitosis, densely arranged cells, hyperchromatic nuclei, and no necrosis. Cisplatin treatment induced partial necrosis and vacuolization, while the Shasheng Maidong Tang+cisplatin group exhibited extensive necrotic regions, maximal vacuolization, disarranged tumor cells, and minimal mitotic activity. Compared with the model group, the cisplatin group and the Shasheng Maidong Tang+cisplatin group showed elevated level of IFN-γ (P<0.01) and declined level of IL-6 (P<0.01) in the peripheral blood. Compared with the cisplatin group, the Shasheng Maidong Tang+cisplatin group presented elevated level of IFN-γ (P<0.01) and lowered level of IL-6 (P<0.01) in the peripheral blood. Compared with the model group, the cisplatin group and the Shasheng Maidong Tang+cisplatin groups showed down-regulated mRNA levels of JAK2 and STAT3 (P<0.01) and up-regulated mRNA level STAT1 (P<0.01). Compared with the cisplatin group, the Shasheng Maidong Tang+cisplatin group presented down-regulated mRNA levels of JAK2 and STAT3 (P<0.01) and up-regulated mRNA level of STAT1 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the cisplatin group and the Shasheng Maidong Tang+cisplatin group showed down-regulated protein levels of JAK2 (P<0.01), Bcl-2 (P<0.01), PIM1 (P<0.01), and STAT3 (P<0.05), and up-regulated protein level of Caspase-3 (P<0.01). Compared with the cisplatin group, Shasheng Maidong Tang+cisplatin group presented down-regulated protein levels of JAK2 (P<0.01), Bcl-2 (P<0.01), PIM1 (P<0.01), STAT3 (P<0.05), and up-regulated protein level of Caspase-3 (P<0.01). The Bcl-2 and PIM1 expression results obtained by immunohistochemistry were consistent with those of Western blot. ConclusionShasheng Maidong Tang may enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy in the mouse model of Lewis lung cancer by regulating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.
5.Ethical issues and countermeasures of off-label drug use in children
Limin LI ; Haipeng HU ; Xiaoqin CAO ; Xiaohong LIU
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(2):227-231
Children, as a special group, frequently experience of off-label drug use worldwide. Common reasons for off-label drug use in children include the lack of data on pediatric patients during the clinical trial stage of drug development, delayed updates to drug instructions, and the non-standard professional behavior of some doctors. Off-label drug use in children is a double-edged sword. It could save lives and provide a way to explore additional functions of drugs, while it may also lead to the phenomenon of hyper-indication abuse, increasing the risk of adverse drug events. Regulating off-label drug use in children can safeguard the best treatment rights and interests of children. It is recommended to encourage pharmaceutical enterprises to conduct research and development of pediatric new drugs, simplify the approval process for drug instructions amendments, accumulate evidence-based medical evidence for off-label drug use in children, standardize the process of off-label drug use in children in medical institutions, continuously improve the standardized diagnosis and treatment capabilities of pediatricians, and actively cooperate with the families of pediatric patients in diagnosis and treatment, so as to comprehensively safeguard the rights and interests of both doctors and patients.
6.Research progress on the role of the NF-κB signaling pathway in neovascular age-related macular degeneration
Limin ZHANG ; Gang ZOU ; Shuo SUN ; Qianhui YANG ; Boshi LIU ; Xiaorong LI
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2025;45(10):825-829
Age-related macular degeneration(AMD)is one of the leading causes of blindness in the elderly.Wet AMD(nAMD)accounts for more than 90%of AMD-related vision loss.Pathologically,nAMD is defined by choroidal neovascu-larization(CNV)and chronic retinal inflammation driven by oxidative stress,complement activation,pro-inflammatory cy-tokines,and overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF).Yet anti-VEGF monotherapy often falls short.The nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)signaling cascade,acting through both canonical and non-canonical pathways,or-chestrates the expression of genes governing immunity,inflammation,apoptosis,and angiogenesis.In nAMD,oxidative stress and complement fragments ignite NF-κB,unleashing a repertoire of pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic mediators that fuel CNV.Pharmacologic or genetic suppression of NF-κB dampens both inflammation and neovascularization,attenua-ting experimental CNV.Thus,dissecting the molecular machinery of NF-κB signaling in nAMD may uncover novel combina-tion strategies that enhance therapeutic efficacy and curb anti-VEGF resistance.
7.Clinical observation of point injection at Zusanli(ST36)plus abdominal point application for gastrointestinal dysfunction after laparoscopic surgery
Huanfeng TANG ; Dawei YUAN ; Hua WANG ; Ruxue SU ; Limin QIN ; Jingrui LIU ; Bingtao LÜ ; Jue HONG
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science 2025;23(1):36-42
Objective:To observe the effect of point injection at Zusanli(ST36)plus abdominal point application on gastrointestinal dysfunction after laparoscopic surgery.Methods:A total of 204 patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction after laparoscopic surgery were recruited and divided into four groups using the random number table method,with 51 cases in each group.The control group received conventional postoperative intervention.In addition to the treatment in the control group,the point injection group was given point injection at Zusanli(ST36),the application group was offered abdominal point application,and the integrated group received point injection at Zusanli(ST36)and abdominal point application.The treatment lasted 3 consecutive days in all four groups.The recovery time of gastrointestinal function indicators and the incidence rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting(PONV)were observed and recorded.Before and after treatment,the visual analog scale(VAS)was used to assess abdominal pain intensity,the venous blood type 1 helper T cells/type 2 helper T cells(Th1/Th2)was determined,the serum levels of interleukin(IL)-6 and interferon(IFN)-γ were detected using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and the plasma levels of motilin and gastrin were measured using radioimmunoassay.Results:Compared to the control group,the first exhaust time,the first defecation time,and the time of restoring fluid diet came earlier in the other three groups(P<0.05)and were earlier in the integrated group than in the point injection and application groups(P<0.05).The point injection,application,and integrated groups had a lower PONV incidence rate than the control group,and the integrated group was lower than the point injection and application groups(P<0.05).The intra-group comparisons showed that the VAS score and the levels of IL-6 and INF-γ decreased after treatment in all four groups(P<0.05);the point injection,application,and integrated groups were lower than the control group(P<0.05),and the integrated group was lower than the point injection and application groups(P<0.05).The intra-group comparisons also demonstrated that the levels of Th1/Th2,motilin,and gastrin increased after the intervention in the four groups(P<0.05);the point injection,application,and integrated groups were higher than the control group(P<0.05),and the integrated group was higher than the point injection and application groups(P<0.05).Conclusion:Point injection at Zusanli(ST36)plus abdominal point application can encourage postoperative exhaust,defecation,and the recovery of diet fluid,alleviate postoperative abdominal pain,reduce PONV,balance Th1/Th2,and regulate the secretion of motilin and gastrin in patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction after laparoscopic surgery.
8.Relationship between active exercise rehabilitation behavior and symptoms trajectory in middle aged patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Rong CHENG ; Zhixia ZHANG ; Limin LIU ; Qiuxia CHEN ; Zhen YANG ; Hui WU ; Fang JIANG ; Linru QIAO
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(16):1996-2002
Objective To explore the temporal characteristics and correlation between active exercise rehabilitation behaviour and related symptoms in middle-aged chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)patients,and to provide a basis for constructing a full cycle precision rehabilitation management system.Methods The ecological momentary assessment method was used to select 63 middle-aged COPD patients from the respiratory and critical care medicine department of a tertiary comprehensive hospital in Wuhan from October 15 to December 1,2024,using convenience sampling.Their active exercise rehabilitation behaviour(number of exercise projects,duration)and related symptoms(dyspnea,fatigue,anxiety)were continuously monitored for a week by using baseline survey,daily active exercise rehabilitation behavior assessment questionnaire,daily symptom assessment questionnaire.A multi-layer linear model was used to analyze the dynamic correlation between active exercise rehabilitation behaviour and symptoms.Results 58 patients were included.During the 1-week ecological momentary assessment,the system triggered a total of 1,218 momentary assessments and obtained 1,120 valid responses(with the valid response rate of 91.95%),with patients completing an average of(2.76±0.39)assessments per day.Multilevel linear models showed that momentary dyspnoea,fatigue,anxiety symptoms and baseline kinesiophobia all significantly negatively influenced active exercise rehabilitation behaviour(P<0.05).Conclusion There are dynamic changes in the active exercise rehabilitation behaviour and related symptoms of middle-aged COPD patients.Nursing staff should establish a precise rehabilitation intervention system based on symptom fluctuations,strengthen patient self-management efficiency through dynamic monitoring and hierarchical management,and achieve long-term optimization of lung rehabilitation effects.
9.Application of the "Hand as Foot" visual teaching method in bedside teaching of spinal diseases
Limin LIU ; Qiang LI ; Qing CHANG ; Bin HE ; Rui LIU
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(9):1247-1252
Objective:To explore the applicability and effectiveness of the "Hand as Foot" visual teaching method in bedside teaching of spinal surgical diseases, investigate its impact on enhancing student learning outcomes and clinical application abilities, and provide new directions and guidance for teaching methods.Methods:A total of 60 students from the five-year clinical medicine program enrolled in 2019 at Inner Mongolia Medical University were selected and randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group (30 students each) using a random number table. The teaching content covered bedside knowledge related to spinal surgery. The control group received traditional oral bedside teaching method, while the experimental group received the "Hand as Foot" visual teaching method. Both groups of students received eight 45-min bedside teaching sessions. After class, teaching effectiveness was evaluated through a theoretical knowledge examination and student classroom satisfaction was evaluated, including interest in learning, enthusiasm and participation, classroom activity, teacher-student interaction, and mastery of theoretical knowledge. SPSS 27.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation and compared using the t-test; categorical variables were presented as numbers or percentages and compared using the chi-square test. Results:The experimental group scored (78.80±3.19) on the theoretical knowledge examination, while the control group scored (73.20±4.89), with a significant difference between the two groups ( t=3.72, P=0.001). In the classroom satisfaction survey, the experimental group also outperformed the control group in learning interest [(9.60±0.51) vs. (8.40±0.74)], enthusiasm and participation [(9.40±0.63) vs. (8.07±0.70)], classroom activity [(9.53±0.64) vs. (8.67±0.81)], teacher-student interaction [(9.53±0.52) vs. (8.33±0.72)], and mastery of theoretical knowledge [(8.60±0.91) vs. (7.20±0.77)], with all differences being statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The "Hand as Foot" visual teaching method is suitable for bedside teaching of spinal diseases, allowing students to understand diseases more vividly. This method not only facilitates effective communication between teachers and students, enhances student understanding of relevant knowledge, and improves their confidence in learning, but also inspires a more proactive learning attitude.
10.Application of the "Hand as Foot" visual teaching method in bedside teaching of spinal diseases
Limin LIU ; Qiang LI ; Qing CHANG ; Bin HE ; Rui LIU
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(9):1247-1252
Objective:To explore the applicability and effectiveness of the "Hand as Foot" visual teaching method in bedside teaching of spinal surgical diseases, investigate its impact on enhancing student learning outcomes and clinical application abilities, and provide new directions and guidance for teaching methods.Methods:A total of 60 students from the five-year clinical medicine program enrolled in 2019 at Inner Mongolia Medical University were selected and randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group (30 students each) using a random number table. The teaching content covered bedside knowledge related to spinal surgery. The control group received traditional oral bedside teaching method, while the experimental group received the "Hand as Foot" visual teaching method. Both groups of students received eight 45-min bedside teaching sessions. After class, teaching effectiveness was evaluated through a theoretical knowledge examination and student classroom satisfaction was evaluated, including interest in learning, enthusiasm and participation, classroom activity, teacher-student interaction, and mastery of theoretical knowledge. SPSS 27.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation and compared using the t-test; categorical variables were presented as numbers or percentages and compared using the chi-square test. Results:The experimental group scored (78.80±3.19) on the theoretical knowledge examination, while the control group scored (73.20±4.89), with a significant difference between the two groups ( t=3.72, P=0.001). In the classroom satisfaction survey, the experimental group also outperformed the control group in learning interest [(9.60±0.51) vs. (8.40±0.74)], enthusiasm and participation [(9.40±0.63) vs. (8.07±0.70)], classroom activity [(9.53±0.64) vs. (8.67±0.81)], teacher-student interaction [(9.53±0.52) vs. (8.33±0.72)], and mastery of theoretical knowledge [(8.60±0.91) vs. (7.20±0.77)], with all differences being statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The "Hand as Foot" visual teaching method is suitable for bedside teaching of spinal diseases, allowing students to understand diseases more vividly. This method not only facilitates effective communication between teachers and students, enhances student understanding of relevant knowledge, and improves their confidence in learning, but also inspires a more proactive learning attitude.

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