1.Current Status and Reflections on Key Technologies and Methods for Clinical Research Design and Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Spleen and Stomach Diseases
Fang LU ; Ping WANG ; Liqun BIAN ; Lin LYU ; Mengli XIAO ; Tai ZHANG ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(5):498-503
Clinical trials represent a pivotal stage in the development of pharmaceutical drugs. Nevertheless, given the unique characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the diagnostic and treatment principle of syndrome differentiation and treatment in TCM, the clinical evaluation techniques and methods that can comprehensively reflect the characteristics of TCM and are tailored to its specificities are still in need of refinement and innovation. This paper systematically summarizes the key techniques and methods for designing and evaluating the clinical research on the treatment of the spleen and stomach diseases with TCM from three aspects including clinical research design, evaluation, and platform construction, compares domestic and international research landscapes, and proposes for future directions. It is suggested that a multidimensional evaluation system integrating modern medicine and TCM theory should be established, and further innovation is needed in TCM research design and methodologies, leveraging intelligent devices and technologies powered by next-generation information technology to transform clinical data into high-quality TCM evidence. Moreover, standardized and shared platforms for TCM clinical data should be accelerated, so as to provide references for the design, implementation, and evaluation of future clinical research on the treatment of the spleen and stomach diseases with TCM.
2.Clinical Advantages of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Childhood Simple Obesity: Insights from Expert Consensus
Qi ZHANG ; Yingke LIU ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Guichen NI ; Heyin XIAO ; Junhong WANG ; Liqun WU ; Zhanfeng YAN ; Kundi WANG ; Jiajia CHEN ; Hong ZHENG ; Xinying GAO ; Liya WEI ; Qiang HE ; Qian ZHAO ; Huimin SU ; Zhaolan LIU ; Dafeng LONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):238-245
Childhood simple obesity has become a significant public health issue in China. Modern medicine primarily relies on lifestyle interventions and often suffers from poor long-term compliance, while pharmacological options are limited and associated with potential adverse effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a long history in the prevention and management of this condition, demonstrating eight distinct advantages, including systematic theoretical foundation, diversified therapeutic approaches, definite therapeutic efficacy, high safety profile, good patient compliance, comprehensive intervention strategies, emphasis on prevention, and stepwise treatment protocols. Additionally, TCM is characterized by six distinctive features: the use of natural medicinal substances, non-invasive external therapies, integration of medicinal dietetics, simple exercise regimens, precise syndrome differentiation, and diverse dosage forms. By combining internal and external treatments, TCM facilitates individualized regimen adjustment and holistic regulation, demonstrating remarkable effects in improving obesity-related metabolic indicators, regulating constitutional imbalance, and promoting healthy behaviors. However, challenges remain, such as inconsistent operational standards, insufficient high-quality clinical evidence, and a gap between basic research and clinical application. Future efforts should focus on accelerating the standardization of TCM diagnosis and treatment, conducting multicenter randomized controlled trials, and fostering interdisciplinary integration, so as to enhance the scientific validity and international recognition of TCM in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.
3.Analysis on the practical challenges and paths of “clown doctors” practice from the perspective of narrative medicine
Hui WANG ; Yutong PAN ; Liqun LU ; Can ZHANG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(2):215-222
Narrative medicine focuses on empathy, relevance, and emotion, precisely aligning with the elements of “clown doctor” such as compassion, interaction, and pain relief. From the perspective of narrative medicine, the practice of “clown doctors” not only focuses on the emotional changes of patients but also enhances their sense of belonging by recreating their experiences. The key element for the success of “clown doctors” lies in establishing a multi-dimensional trust relationship among medical workers, patients, colleagues, and society, while ensuring their practice adheres to medical ethics norms. “Clown doctors” should concentrate on dimensions such as concept dissemination, clinical application, social recognition, and ethical practice of narrative medicine. They should also constantly optimize narrative techniques, deepen the understanding of patients’ stories, and intervene in the medical process in a more delicate and comprehensive way, thereby fostering in-depth communication and understanding between doctors and patients.
4.Evaluation of CARIFS Score and Negative Antigen Conversion Rate of Qingxuan Daozhi Formula in Treatment of Influenza in Children (Heat Accumulation in Lung and Stomach Syndrome):A Multi-center Randomized Controlled Clinical Study
Jing WANG ; Liqun WU ; Tiegang LIU ; Yongning CAO ; Jing QIU ; Jing LI ; Huaqing TAN ; Ying ZHANG ; Xulei GOU ; Jia WANG ; Jing LI ; Haipeng CHEN ; Xueying QIN ; Yuanshuo TIAN ; Yang WANG ; Chen BAI ; Zhendong WANG ; Qianqian LI ; He YU ; Xueyan MA ; Fei DONG ; Lin JIANG ; Yingqi XU ; Jianping LIU ; Xiaohong GU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):188-196
ObjectiveThis paper aims to observe the syndrome improvement and negative antigen conversion rate of Qingxuan Daozhi formula in the treatment of influenza in children (heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome). MethodsThrough a multi-center randomized controlled methodology design,confirmed influenza cases were collected from October 2022 to April 2023 in the pediatrics department of eight hospitals,such as Dongfang Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. A total of 180 children with influenza and heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome conforming to the standard were recruited through the clinic. The sick children meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into groups by a block-randomized method. The children in the experimental group were treated with Qingxuan Daozhi formula for five days,and those in the control group were treated with Oseltamivir Phosphate Granules for five days. The primary efficacy indicator was the negative conversion rate of influenza antigen detection. Secondary efficacy indicators were the Canadian acute respiratory illness and flu scale (CARIFS) and the incidence of complications,severe cases, and critical cases. Follow-up observation was conducted on the day of enrollment,48 hours after medication,72 hours after medication, and (6+1) d after medication. ResultsOne hundred and eighty participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (90 cases) or the control group (90 cases). All participants were followed up during the study. Comparison of influenza antigen detection results in the primary efficacy indicators showed that the average time of negative influenza antigen conversion in the experimental group was (5.29±1.25) d,and that in the control group was (5.40±1.68) d,without a statistically significant difference. After five days of intervention,52 cases in the experimental group and 51 cases in the control group converted to negative,without a statistically significant difference. CARIFS score results in the secondary efficacy indicators showed that during 72 hours after intervention,there were statistically significant differences between the experimental group and the control group in three dimensions, including headache,muscle soreness, and the need for extra care (P<0.05). On the (6+1) days after the intervention,the differences in both the experimental group and the control group were statistically significant in 10 dimensions, including sore throat,bad sleep,uncomfortable feeling,poor spirit and fatigue,crying more than usual,the need for extra care,symptom,function,influence on parents,and total score (P<0.05). The comparison results within the group in the dimensional scores of symptom, function, and influence on parents,as well as the CARIFS total score showed that with the delay of follow-up time,scores of both groups decreased significantly,with a statistically significant difference (P<0.01). Inter-group comparison results showed that the mean score of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group at the time of enrollment. With the progress of intervention,the score of the experimental group was significantly decreased compared with that of the control group. At the end of follow-up,the mean score of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group,with no statistically significant difference. In terms of the incidence of complications,severe cases, and critical cases, there were no complications,severe cases, and critical cases in the two groups,without a statistically significant difference. ConclusionThe symptom improvement effect and negative antigen conversion rate of Qingxuan Daozhi formula in the treatment of influenza in children (heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome) are not inferior to Oseltamivir Phosphate granules, and children's acceptance is better. It can be more widely used in clinical treatment of influenza in children (heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome).
5.Analyses of pathogen spectrum and epidemiological characteristics of respiratory viruses in adult influenza-like illness cases in Putuo District of Shanghai from 2015 to 2024
Xianming FAN ; Yan CUI ; Jiajing CHEN ; Wenchao GU ; Jinping LIU ; Hua ZHANG
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(6):440-445
ObjectiveTo analyze the composition of respiratory virus pathogen spectrum and epidemiological characteristics among adult influenza-like illness (ILI) cases in Putuo District of Shanghai from 2015 to 2024, to summarize the epidemic patterns of respiratory viruses across different time periods and populations, and to provide scientific evidence for the prevention and control of adult respiratory virus infections in Putuo District of Shanghai. MethodsSurveillance data of 2 273 adult ILI cases from sentinel hospitals under the comprehensive surveillance system for acute respiratory infections in Putuo District of Shanghai from 2015 to 2024 were retrospectively collected. Descriptive epidemiological methods were adopted to analyze the temporal and population distribution characteristics of respiratory viruses, including influenza virus (IFV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus (ADV), and human metapneumovirus (HMPV). The mixed infection status among different age groups was compared, and the distribution of influenza virus subtypes was described. SPSS 22.0 and WPS Office software were used for statistical analyses. ResultsThe overall detection rate of respiratory viruses in 2 273 adult ILI cases was 43.51%. The detection rate in females (45.48%) was significantly higher than that in males (41.25%), with statistical significance (χ2=4.113, P=0.043). Individuals aged 60 years old and above had the highest detection rate (47.41%) (χ2=8.430, P=0.014). The detection rates in winter (50.41%) and summer (48.42%) were higher than those in other seasons (χ2=47.028, P<0.001). The overall viral detection rate decreased after 2020 (χ2=208.411, P<0.001). Detection rates of various viruses varied by year, with IFV and ADV showing high rates from 2015 to 2019 (all P<0.001), while human coronavirus (HCoV) and rhinovirus/enterovirus (HRV/EV) exhibited higher rates from 2020 to 2022 (all P<0.001). Co-infection with IFV and HCoV was the most common, followed by co-infection with IFV and ADV, together accounting for 50.00% of all mixed infections. During the surveillance period, the detection rate of IFV was significantly higher than that of other respiratory viruses. Influenza B/Victoria lineage predominated in 2021, followed by successive predominance of influenza A(H1N1), A(H3N2), and the co-circulation of the two subtypes from 2022 to 2023. Influenza A(H1N1) re-emerged as the predominant subtype in the first half of 2024. ConclusionFrom 2015 to 2024, respiratory virus infections in adults prevailed in winter and summer, and people aged 60 years old and above were the key high-risk population. The detection rates of respiratory viruses declined after 2020. IFV was the predominant pathogen detected, and different influenza virus subtypes circulated alternately each year.
6.Summary of best evidence for early rehabilitation management of hand function in patients with hand burns
Xueqin YAN ; Songmei CAO ; Fangfang ZHOU ; Liqun ZHU ; Cheng CHEN ; Mengxue ZHU ; Yanhong ZHANG ; Yiqing LIANG ; Suping BAI
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(8):998-1004
Objective To summarize the best evidence of early rehabilitation management of hand function in patients with hand burn,and provide basis for medical personnel to carry out early rehabilitation management of hand burn.Methods According to the 5S model,all evidence on early rehabilitation management of hand function in patients with hand burns was retrieved from databases and websites including UpToDate,BMJ Best Practice,NICE,RNAO,GIN,and so on.The retrieved evidence included clinical decisions,guidelines,evidence summaries,expert consensuses,systematic reviews,Meta analysis.The search period of the summary of best evidence,expert concensus and guidelines are from the establishment of the database to December 20,2024,and the search period of the systematic reviews is from January 1,2019 to December 20,2024.Quality evaluation of literature,evidence extraction and summary were conducted.The evidence was graded according to JBI evidence pre-grading system 2014.Results Totally 17 pieces of the literature were included,including 1 clinical decision,4 guidelines,6 evidence summaries,3 expert consensus articles,and 3 systematic reviews.Totally pieces of best evidence were summarized,including 7 aspects of assessment,hand positioning,treatment of edema,dressing,use of orthotics,joint mobility training,and health education.Conclusion This study summarized the best evidence of early rehabilitation management of hand function in patients with hand burn,and provided evidence-based evidence for clinical rehabilitation management plan.According to the clinical situation,the medical staff can apply the evidence to clinical practice,so as to improve the hand function and quality of life of patients.
7.Effect of macrophage polarization on PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells
Ying FENG ; Yan ZHANG ; Jie LEI ; Juan LIU ; Yong FANG ; Liqun HE
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(2):315-319
Objective:To investigate effects of macrophage polarization on PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and inflammatory response of vascular smooth muscle cells.Methods:THP-1 cells were induced to become macrophages by phaboate,then treated with LPS and IFN-γ,IL-4 and IL-13 for 48 h,and cultured with fresh medium without serum for 24 h.Supernatant was used as conditioned medium.Vascular smooth muscle cells were divided into control group,M0 medium group,M1 medium group and M2 medium group.CCK-8 was used to detect cell proliferation,flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis,ELISA was used to detect expressions of inflammatory cytokines IL-1α,IL-6 and TGF-β in supernatant of cells,and mRNA and phosphorylated protein expressions of PI3K,Akt and mTOR in vascular smooth muscle cells were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.Results:Compared with control group,cell proliferation ability and TGF-β level in supernatant of M0 medium group were significantly decreased(P<0.01),apoptosis rate,IL-1α and IL-6 levels in cell supernatant,mRNA and protein phosphorylation levels of PI3K,Akt and mTOR in cells were significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with M0 medium group,cell proliferation ability and TGF-β level in supernatant of M1 medium group were significantly decreased(P<0.05),apoptosis rate,IL-1α and IL-6 levels in cell supernatant,mRNA and protein phosphorylation levels of PI3K,Akt and mTOR in cells were significantly increased(P<0.01),the trend was opposite in M2 medium group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Macrophage polarization can regulate expressions of inflammatory cytokines by regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway,and participate in inflammatory response in atherosclerosis.
8.Correlation analysis of FTO protein expression with the onset of polycystic ovary syndrome and its coexistence with metabolic syndrome
Hang LIU ; Qi QIN ; Liqun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(11):1152-1157
Objective:To reveal the relationship between fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) protein and the occurrence of diseases in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) combined with metabolic syndrome (MS).Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted, and general clinical data and laboratory test indicators of 50 PCOS patients (PCOS group) and 54 healthy individuals (control group) were collected from December 2023 to October 2024. The PCOS group was divided into the PCOS without MS subgroup (PCOS+nMS subgroup, n=25) and the PCOS with MS subgroup (PCOS+MS subgroup, n=25) based on whether MS was present or not. The expression level of serum FTO protein was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The clinical data and metabolic characteristics of PCOS patients were analyzed, as well as the correlation between serum FTO protein level and the occurrence of PCOS with MS. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drew to analyze the predictive ability of serum FTO protein level for PCOS combined MS, and the correlation between serum FTO protein level and metabolic status of PCOS patients was evaluated through logistic regression model. Results:The level of serum FTO protein in the PCOS group [57.42 (45.87, 68.53) μg/L], and PCOS+nMS subgroup [48.41 (37.84, 64.30) μg/L] was all significantly higher than that in the control [45.70 (36.41, 52.86) μg/L, P<0.001; adjusted P=0.016]. The expression level of serum FTO protein in PCOS+MS subgroup [60.31 (50.99, 72.28) μg/L] was significantly higher than that in PCOS+nMS subgroup (adjusted P=0.013) and the control (adjusted P<0.001). The serum FTO protein expression level in the PCOS group was significantly positively correlated with body mass index, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, homeostasis model to assess insulin resistance index (all P<0.05). The expression level of serum FTO protein had a certain predictive value for PCOS, with an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.725 (95% CI: 0.627-0.824) and a better predictive value for the occurrence of MS in PCOS, with an AUC value of 0.869 (95% CI: 0.762-0.976) as shown by the ROC curve. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that in PCOS patients, the expression level of serum FTO protein had a significant positive effect on the coexistence of MS, ( OR=1.092,95% CI: 1.010-1.180, P=0.026). Conclusion:PCOS patients have higher serum FTO protein levels than healthy women, and PCOS patients with MS have higher serum FTO protein levels than those without MS. The serum FTO protein level has a good predictive value for the occurrence of PCOS and PCOS complicated with MS, and is an independent risk factor for the occurrence of MS in PCOS.
9.Mediating effect of health literacy and perceived social support between perceived control and fatigue symptom of asthmatic patients
Liqun YUAN ; Fengxia CHENG ; Jialing YANG ; Sufang ZHENG ; Chengyuan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(19):1458-1464
Objective:Based on the process theory of stress effect, the mediating effect of health literacy and perceived social support between perceived control and fatigue symptom of asthmatic patients was analyzed, which provide the evidence for the formulation of intervention programs to relieve fatigue in patients.Methods:Adopting a cross-sectional survey design, from January 2019 to November 2023, asthmatic patients at The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University (Feidong County People′s Hospital) were selected by convenience sampling method and investigated by the General Information Questionnaire, Fatigue Severity Scale, Perceived Control of Asthma Questionnaire, Health Literacy Management Scale, and Perceived Social Support Scale. Pearson correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between fatigue symptom, perceived control, health literacy, and perceived social support in asthma patients. A structural equation model was constructed using AMOS24.0 software and conduct mediation analysis.Results:A total of 260 questionnaires were distributed, and 241 valid questionnaires were collected. There were 110 males and 131 females aged (55.48 ± 15.03) years old. The scores of Fatigue Severity Scale, Perceived Control of Asthma Questionnaire, Health Literacy Management Scale, and Perceived Social Support Scale were (4.27 ± 1.68), (31.72 ± 8.51), (85.71 ± 19.36), (46.97 ± 11.79) points, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis showed that fatigue symptom was negatively correlated with perceived control, health literacy, and perceived social support ( r=-0.719, -0.716, -0.767, all P<0.01). The mediating model showed that perceived control had a significant direct effect on fatigue symptom ( β=-0.204, 95% CI-0.252--0.169). Moreover, perceived control also indirectly affected fatigue symptom through the independent mediating effect of health literacy ( β=-0.378, 95% CI-0.405--0.202), the independent mediating effect of perceived social support ( β=-0.227, 95% CI-0.381--0.203), and the chain mediating effect of health literacy and perceived social support ( β=-0.089, 95% CI-0.142--0.025), which accounting for 77.3% of the total effect. Conclusions:Health literacy and perceived social support play a mediating role in the correlation between perceived control and fatigue symptom, which can promote health literacy and perceived social support and thus alleviate fatigue symptom in asthmatic patients.
10.A mixed-methods study on the barriers to the application of non-pharmacological prevention evidence for venous thromboembolism in multiple myeloma patients from the perspective of nurses
Xiaoping ZHANG ; Ruo ZHUANG ; Liangying CHEN ; Liqun ZHU ; Lijuan SUN
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(32):2501-2508
Objective:To explore the barriers to nurses applying the best evidence for non-pharmacologic prophylactic management of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM), and to provide a basis for the development of clinical responses.Methods:A parallel mixed-methods study was conducted in January 2024 to facilitate the selection of nurses from the hematology department of Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University to conduct semi-structured in-depth interviews. Concurrently, convenience sampling was employed to select nursing staff from the same departineat for a quantitative questionnaire survey. The interview outlines based on the theoretical domains framework and the questionnaires based on the Barriers to the Application of the Evidence and Facilitators Scale. The questionnaire was developed based on the Barriers and Facilitators to Evidence Application Scale and combined with qualitative and quantitative analyses to derive barriers to nurses' implementation of best evidence.Results:The qualitative study conducted interviews with 9 female nurses in the hematology department, aged 25-49. The quantitative study surveyed 17 female nurses in the hematology department with an average age of (33.18 ± 9.09) years. Nurses scored high overall in evidence application (156.65 ± 20.09) points, with high scores on the organizational form dimension (34.47 ± 1.48) points, the evidence application leader dimension (44.24 ± 1.30) points, the nurses' team dimension (42.53 ± 1.41) points, and the implementation scenario dimension (11.18 ± 0.61) points, which suggests that nurses were process was well supported overall. Low scores on the evidence dimension (11.94 ± 0.91) points and patient dimension (12.41 ± 1.03) points indicated that nurses had barriers in knowledge acquisition and practical application. The results of qualitative interviews further revealed that nurses encourter multiple challenges when applying best evidence, including insufficient knowledge base, low professional identity within societym, absence of standardized departmental protocols, negative outcome expectations, and inadequate motivation coupled with ulcear objectives.Conclusions:There are multiple clinical factors affecting nurses' application of best evidence, and departments should propose targeted coping strategies based on the barrier factors to ensure the successful implementation of evidence-based practice changes, and thus advance the clinical application of best evidence for non-pharmacological prevention of VTE in MM patients.

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