1.Technologies and Research Applications of Large Language Models in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Yuxiu ZENG ; Qiong ZHAO ; Chongcheng XI ; Quansheng FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):50-59
The integration of large language model (LLM) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) promotes the informatization of TCM,and also provides a new direction for the inheritance and innovation of TCM in the new era. Based on the research background of LLM,the development process of LLM based on the Transformer architecture is summarized,and the research progress of LLM in TCM is reviewed. The main process of constructing TCM LLMs and the key techniques used by researchers during model development are summarized. Based on the related literature, the main application scenarios of TCM LLMs and the research explorations conducted by TCM researchers using LLMs are outlined. Meanwhile,the current challenges faced in the development of TCM LLMs are analyzed. Further improvements are urgently needed in the construction of high-quality data,the evaluation methodology of TCM LLMs,the interpretability of the model, multimodal fusion of TCM LLMs, and the development of TCM prescription recommendation models. Looking forward to the future development of LLM in TCM,it is expected to provide a reference for the deeper integration of LLMs and TCM,and facilitate the modernization of TCM.
2.A Nomogram for Predicting Metachronous Gastric Cancer After Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection of Early Gastric Cancer Following Successful Helicobacter pylori Eradication
Shangtao MAO ; Miao LIU ; Tao ZHAO ; Qiong YAN ; Ying XIANG ; Hai WU ; Wenjun LI ; Hongji TAO ; Duanming ZHUANG ; Lei WANG ; Guifang XU
Journal of Gastric Cancer 2026;26(2):279-294
Purpose:
Due to the preservation of the entire stomach after endoscopic resection, the occurrence of metachronous gastric cancer (MGC) remains a possibility. In this study, we investigated the incidence and risk factors for MGC in patients with early gastric cancer who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and successfully eradicatedHelicobacter pylori.
Materials and Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted of 1,191 patients who underwent ESD and successfully eradicated H. pylori at the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University. Endoscopic surveillance was performed at 3, 6, and 12 months post-resection, and annually thereafter. MGC was defined as the development of a new cancer at a site other than the primary gastric cancer site, at least 1 year after the initial endoscopic resection.
Results:
A total of 77 patients were diagnosed with MGC during a median follow-up of 41.5 months. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a 5-year cumulative incidence of MGC of 9.4% after successful H. pylori eradication. Multivariate analysis of the training set using Cox proportional hazards models identified male sex, severe atrophic gastritis, multiple gastric cancers before H. pylori eradication, and smoking history as independent risk factors for MGC.The nomogram exhibited favorable discrimination, with area under the curves of 0.767 and 0.822 in the training set and 0.724 and 0.745 in the testing set at 3 and 5 years, respectively.
Conclusions
Patients with gastric cancer who undergo endoscopic resection, even after successful H. pylori eradication, should undergo annual and continuous endoscopic surveillance for MGC.
3.Selection strategies and future perspectives for animal models of gastroesophageal varices
Tianfu LYU ; Qiong NAN ; Ying ZHAO ; Xiaohua WANG ; Ninghui MU ; Bingtuan LU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(5):1185-1191
Gastroesophageal varices (GOV) bleeding is a severe complication of portal hypertension with a high mortality rate. Animal models are indispensable tools for investigating its pathogenesis and developing novel therapeutic strategies. This article systematically reviews the methods for establishing various GOV models, with a particular focus on their efficacy in simulating the key pathological processes such as an increase in hepatic venous pressure gradient and the risk of bleeding, and it also proposes targeted strategies for model selection. Finally, this article discusses the application prospects of emerging techniques in the era of precision medicine, such as organoids and gene editing, in order to provide model selection and a theoretical reference for exploring the mechanism and clinical translation of GOV.
4.Modified Xiehuangsan Regulates Microglial Polarization and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Pathway to Treat Tic Disorders in Rats
Mengjie ZHAO ; Qiong ZHAO ; Cuiling YANG ; Hongyun ZHOU ; Xiangjuan SUN ; Xinyi GUO ; Sajiyue HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):10-18
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of modified Xiehuangsan in treating tic disorders (TD) based on microglial polarization and the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway. MethodsSeventy-two Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned into six groups: control, model, tiapride (0.025 g·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (12, 24, 48 g·kg-1, respectively) modified Xiehuangsan, with 12 rats in each group. Except the control group, the other groups received intraperitoneal injection of 3,3'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) for 7 consecutive days for the modeling of TD. After successful modeling, the control and model groups were given normal saline via gavage, and the other groups were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage. After 28 days of continuous intervention, rat behaviors were observed, and the modified Xiehuangsan group showing the best anti-TD effect was selected for deciphering the treatment mechanism. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was conducted to observe morphological changes in the rat striatum. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression of CD16 and CD206 in the striatum. Real-time PCR was employed to measure the mRNA levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-4, TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 in the striatum. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1), Fc receptor family for immunoglobulin (Ig)G type Ⅲ (CD16), mannose receptor (CD206), TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 in the striatum. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed increased stereotyped behaviors, locomotor activity, total movement distance, and movement speed, shortened resting time (P<0.01), and noticeable pathological changes in the striatum. Compared with the model group, the tiapride group and modified Xiehuangsan groups exhibited reduced stereotyped behavior, locomotor activity, total movement distance, and movement speed, prolonged resting time (P<0.05, P<0.01), and alleviated pathological changes in the striatum. Among the modified Xiehuangsan groups, the high-dose group had the best intervention effect and the mildest pathological changes. Therefore, the high-dose group was selected for further research. Compared with the control group, the modeling of TD increased Iba1 and CD16 expression (P<0.05, P<0.01), up-regulated the mRNA levels of IL-1β and TNF-α (P<0.05, P<0.01), down-regulated the mRNA level of IL-4 (P<0.05), up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of TLR4 and MyD88 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and up-regulated the protein level of NF-κB p65 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, modified Xiehuangsan reduced Iba1 and CD16 expression (P<0.05, P<0.01), up-regulated the protein level of CD206 (P<0.05, P<0.01), down-regulated the mRNA levels of IL-1β and TNF-α (P<0.05), up-regulated the mRNA level of IL-4 (P<0.01), and down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionModified Xiehuangsan demonstrated a definite therapeutic effect on TD in rats. It may reduce neuroinflammation in TD rats by regulating the polarization of microglia in the striatum via the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.
5.Association of Body Mass Index with All-Cause Mortality and Cause-Specific Mortality in Rural China: 10-Year Follow-up of a Population-Based Multicenter Prospective Study.
Juan Juan HUANG ; Yuan Zhi DI ; Ling Yu SHEN ; Jian Guo LIANG ; Jiang DU ; Xue Fang CAO ; Wei Tao DUAN ; Ai Wei HE ; Jun LIANG ; Li Mei ZHU ; Zi Sen LIU ; Fang LIU ; Shu Min YANG ; Zu Hui XU ; Cheng CHEN ; Bin ZHANG ; Jiao Xia YAN ; Yan Chun LIANG ; Rong LIU ; Tao ZHU ; Hong Zhi LI ; Fei SHEN ; Bo Xuan FENG ; Yi Jun HE ; Zi Han LI ; Ya Qi ZHAO ; Tong Lei GUO ; Li Qiong BAI ; Wei LU ; Qi JIN ; Lei GAO ; He Nan XIN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1179-1193
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study.
METHODS:
A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants.
RESULTS:
Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m 2) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m 2) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m 2) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m 2 ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses.
CONCLUSION
This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans
;
Body Mass Index
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Prospective Studies
;
Rural Population/statistics & numerical data*
;
Aged
;
Follow-Up Studies
;
Adult
;
Mortality
;
Cause of Death
;
Obesity/mortality*
;
Overweight/mortality*
6.Changes of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capacity in patients with hypercholesterolemia
Chunxin NA ; Qiong LIU ; Zhuoke YU ; Mengqi JI ; Yueqiao YAN ; Ying ZHAO ; Fengyan JIANG ; Zhongyan YANG
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(7):11-13,31
Objective To study the changes of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capacity in patients with hypercholesterolemia.Methods A total of 100 patients with elevated cholesterol treated in the People's Hospital of Qitaihe from January to May 2024 were included in hypercholesterolemia group,and another 80 people with normal blood lipid in the hospital during the same period were included in control group.Malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione(GSH),glutathione reductase(GR)and total antioxidant capacity(TAC)were determined in all subjects.Results The levels of total cholesterol,low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and MDA in hypercholesterolemia group were significantly higher than those in control group,while the levels of GSH,GR and TAC were significantly lower than those in control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Patients with hypercholesterolemia have severe lipid peroxidation,which may cause vascular endothelial cell damage.
7.Rapid characterization and identification of non-volatile components in Rhododendron tomentosum by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS method.
Su-Ping XIAO ; Long-Mei LI ; Bin XIE ; Hong LIANG ; Qiong YIN ; Jian-Hui LI ; Jie DU ; Ji-Yong WANG ; Run-Huai ZHAO ; Yan-Qin XU ; Yun-Bo SUN ; Zong-Yuan LU ; Peng-Fei TU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(11):3054-3069
This study aimed to characterize and identify the non-volatile components in aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the stems and leaves of Rhododendron tomentosum by using sensitive and efficient ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS) combined with a self-built information database. By comparing with reference compounds, analyzing fragment ion information, searching relevant literature, and using a self-built information database, 118 compounds were identified from the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of R. tomentosum, including 35 flavonoid glycosides, 15 phenolic glycosides, 12 flavonoids, 7 phenolic acids, 7 phenylethanol glycosides, 6 tannins, 6 phospholipids, 5 coumarins, 5 monoterpene glycosides, 6 triterpenes, 3 fatty acids, and 11 other types of compounds. Among them, 102 compounds were reported in R. tomentosum for the first time, and 36 compounds were identified by comparing them with reference compounds. The chemical components in the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of R. tomentosum leaves and stems showed slight differences, with 84 common chemical components accounting for 71.2% of the total 118 compounds. This study systematically characterized and identified the non-volatile chemical components in the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of R. tomentosum for the first time. The findings provide a reference for active ingredient research, quality control, and product development of R. tomentosum.
Rhododendron/chemistry*
;
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Mass Spectrometry/methods*
;
Plant Leaves/chemistry*
8.Research progress on molecular mechanisms of ginsenosides in alleviating acute lung injury.
Han-Yang ZHAO ; Xun-Jiang WANG ; Qiong-Wen XUE ; Bao-Lian XU ; Xu WANG ; Shu-Sheng LAI ; Ming CHEN ; Li YANG ; Zheng-Tao WANG ; Li-Li DING
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(16):4451-4470
Acute lung injury(ALI) is a critical clinical condition primarily characterized by refractory hypoxemia and infiltration of inflammatory cells in lung tissue, which can progress into a more severe form known as acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS). Immune cells and inflammatory cytokines play important roles in the progression of the disease. Due to its unclear pathogenesis and the lack of effective clinical treatments, ALI is associated with a high mortality rate and severely affects patients' quality of life, making the search for effective therapeutic agents particularly urgent. Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, the dried root of the perennial herb Panax ginseng from the Araliaceae family, contains active ingredients such as saponins and polysaccharides, which possess various pharmacological effects including anti-tumor activity, immune regulation, and metabolic modulation. In recent years, studies have shown that ginsenosides exhibit notable effects in reducing inflammation, ameliorating epithelial and endothelial cell injury, and providing anticoagulant action, indicating their comprehensive role in alleviating lung injury. This review summarizes the pathogenesis of ALI and the molecular mechanisms through which ginsenosides act at different stages of ALI development. The aim is to provide a scientific reference for the development of ginsenoside-based drugs targeting ALI, as well as a theoretical basis for the clinical application of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma in the treatment of ALI.
Ginsenosides/pharmacology*
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Humans
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Acute Lung Injury/immunology*
;
Animals
;
Panax/chemistry*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal
9.Comparative study on effectiveness of the fourth-generation minimally invasive technique and Chevron osteotomy in treatment of hallux valgus.
Qiong WANG ; Junhu WANG ; Dongdong JI ; Tingting LIN ; Hongmou ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(10):1269-1275
OBJECTIVE:
To compare the efficacy of the fourth-generation minimally invasive technique-minimally invasive extra-articular metaphyseal distal transverse osteotomy (META) and Chevron osteotomy in treatment of hallux valgus.
METHODS:
A total of 80 patients with hallux valgus, who underwent single-foot surgery between July 2023 and January 2025 and met the inclusion criteria, were included in the study. Among them, 40 patients were treated with META and 40 with Chevron osteotomy. There was no significant difference in baseline data between the two groups ( P>0.05), including gender, age, height, weight, body mass index, disease duration, lesion site, hallux valgus deformity degree, as well as preoperative scores of each item (pain, function, alignment, total score) in the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Hallux Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal Joint Scale (AOFAS-Hallux-MTP-IP), scores of each item (pain, walking/standing, social interaction, total score) in the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ), hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA), sesamoid position, and the 1st metatarsal head morphology. The postoperative AOFAS-Hallux-MTP-IP scores, MOXFQ scores, as well as HVA, IMA, DMAA, the 1st metatarsal head morphology, and sesamoid position measured based on weight-bearing foot X-ray films were compared between the two groups; the occurrence of postoperative complications was recorded.
RESULTS:
All patients in both groups were followed up 6-18 months, and there was no significant difference in the follow-up time between the two groups ( P>0.05). At last follow-up, the scores of all items in AOFAS-Hallux-MTP-IP in both groups were higher than those before operation, and the scores of all items in MOXFQ were lower than those before operation, with significant differences ( P<0.05); there was no significant difference in the change values of all items in MOXFQ between the two groups ( P>0.05). The change value in AOFAS function score in the META group was significantly higher than that in the Chevron osteotomy group ( P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the change value of AOFAS pain score, alignment score, and total score between the two groups ( P>0.05). After operation, 1 case (2.5%) of superficial incision infection and 2 cases (5.0%) of numbness around the incision occurred in the Chevron osteotomy group, while only 2 cases (5.0%) of numbness around the incision occurred in the META group. Imaging reexamination showed that HVA, IMA, and DMAA in both groups were signifncatly smaller than those before operation ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the change values of the above angles between the two groups ( P>0.05). The 1st metatarsal head morphology and sesamoid position in the META group were better than those in the Chevron osteotomy group after operation, with significant differences ( P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Both META and Chevron osteotomy can correct hallux valgus deformity, improve foot function, and relieve pain, but META has more advantages in correcting metatarsal rotation and reducing dislocated sesamoids.
Humans
;
Hallux Valgus/diagnostic imaging*
;
Osteotomy/methods*
;
Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Adult
;
Metatarsophalangeal Joint/surgery*
;
Aged
;
Retrospective Studies
10."A diamond-shaped" penoplasty technique with or without concurrent suprapubic liposuction for adult-acquired buried penis: clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction rates.
Jing WANG ; Jian NI ; Yang XU ; Wen YU ; Zhi-Peng XU ; Yu-Tian DAI ; Yi-Qiong YANG ; Xiao-Zhi ZHAO
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(1):72-75
Various techniques have been described for reconstructing the skin of the penile shaft; however, no universally accepted standard exists for correcting buried penis in adults. We aimed to describe a new technique for correcting an adult-acquired buried penis through a diamond-shaped incision at the penopubic junction. We retrospectively analyzed data from patients treated with our technique between March 2019 and June 2023 in the Department of Andrology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital (Nanjing, China). Forty-two adult males with buried penises, with a mean (±standard deviation [s.d.]) age of 26.6 (±6.6) years, underwent surgery. All patients were obese, with an average (±s.d.) body mass index of 35.56 (±3.23) kg m -2 . In addition to phalloplasty, 32 patients concurrently underwent circumcision, and 28 underwent suprapubic liposuction. The mean (±s.d.) duration of the operation was 98.02 (±13.28) min. The mean (±s.d.) duration of follow-up was 6.71 (±3.43) months. The length in the flaccid unstretched state postoperatively was significantly greater than that preoperatively (mean ± s.d: 5.55±1.19 cm vs 1.94±0.59 cm, P < 0.01). Only minor complications, such as wound disruption (7.1%) and infection (4.8%), were observed. The mean (±s.d.) score of patient satisfaction was 4.02 (±0.84) on a scale of 5. This technique provides excellent cosmetic and functional outcomes with a minimal risk of complications. However, additional clinical studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effects of this procedure.
Humans
;
Male
;
Patient Satisfaction
;
Adult
;
Lipectomy/methods*
;
Penis/surgery*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods*
;
Young Adult
;
Penile Diseases/surgery*
;
Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male/methods*

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