1.Association of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes with blood lipid profiles and cardiovascular prognosis in post-percutaneous coronary intervention atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease patients: a prospective cohort study
Huangyu XU ; Qian LI ; Haozhe XIONG ; Weidong HONG ; Xinyi ZHOU ; Xiaoyan LU ; Xiaoli LIU ; Xinrong FAN
Digital Chinese Medicine 2026;9(1):91-102
Objective:
Patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are classified as very-high-risk individuals in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk stratification. The distribution pattern of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes in this patient population, as well as its association with blood lipid profiles and clinical prognosis, remains unclear. The present prospective cohort study aims to investigate these correlations, thereby providing insights to enrich the research fields.
Methods:
We enrolled consecutive patients with ASCVD who underwent PCI at the Integrated Cardiology Unit of China-Japan Friendship Hospital between September 1, 2020 and December 31, 2022. Demographics and clinical characteristics, signs and symptoms defining each TCM syndrome, and fasting venous blood samples were collected at baseline and follow up or upon major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). We analyzed the correlation between TCM syndromes, blood lipid profiles, and MACEs, and developed a new joint prognostic model incorporating both TCM syndromes and blood lipids using logistic regression. The analyses were based on detailed baseline and one-year follow-up data.
Results:
A per-protocol analysis was performed on 586 patients with complete data ultimately. During the one-year follow-up, 174 patients (29.69%) experienced a MACE. We performed statistical analyses on comorbidities, medication, and biochemical indicators across groups defined by TCM syndrome differentiation. When comparing different TCM syndromes, no significant differences were found in age, body mass index (BMI), history of revascularization, comorbidities, family history of CVD, smoking or drinking, or statin intensity (P > 0.05). Patients with intertwined phlegm and blood stasis syndrome exhibited significantly higher levels of total cholesterol (TC, 5.27 ± 1.18 mmol/L, P < 0.001), triglyceride (TG, 1.96 ± 1.33 mmol/L, P = 0.008), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, 3.35 ± 0.79 mmol/L, P < 0.001), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, 1.24 ± 0.81 mmol/L, P < 0.001) compared with those with other TCM syndromes combined. A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to predict MACEs. The model included TCM syndrome type [with intertwined phlegm and blood stasis as a predictor, adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.413, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.517 – 3.864, P = 0.501], age (adjusted OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.955 – 1.001, P = 0.057), male gender (adjusted OR = 0.698, 95% CI: 0.416 – 1.170, P = 0.173), TC (adjusted OR = 1.004, 95% CI: 0.513 – 1.965, P = 0.990), and LDL-C (adjusted OR = 5.825, 95% CI: 2.214 – 15.326, P < 0.001). This model demonstrated good discriminatory ability for MACEs in post-PCI ASCVD patients [the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) = 0.865, 95% CI: 0.816 – 0.914].
Conclusion
The intertwined phlegm and blood stasis TCM syndrome is associated with a distinct atherogenic lipid profile characterized by elevated levels of TC and LDL-C. The prognostic model that incorporates this TCM syndrome type along with conventional lipid parameters (TC and LDL-C) shows good discriminatory ability for predicting MACEs in ASCVD patients after PCI, underscoring the potential clinical utility of integrating TCM syndrome differentiation into CVD risk assessment.
2.Applications and prospects of prompt engineering in pharmaceutical popularization
Xinyi FAN ; Yan QIAN ; Mingyang ZHU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(11):1485-1489
OBJECTIVE This study aims to establish a prompt engineering system for large language models in pharmaceutical popularization, and provide references for pharmacists to carry out efficient and standardized science popularization work. METHODS This study systematically expounded the principles and classifications of prompt engineering, as well as its effect on alleviating problems including model output hallucinations and poor interpretability. The design and optimization strategies of prompt engineering were defined for two core scenarios, namely text-to-text and text-to-image. Typical examples were adopted to compare the output effects before and after application. In addition, the limitations of prompt engineering applied in pharmaceutical popularization at the current stage were summarized. RESULTS In the two major scenarios of pharmaceutical popularization, well-designed prompt engineering improved the accuracy, readability and efficiency of outputs generated by large language models, and produced personalized popularization content adapted to clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS Prompt engineering can effectively improve the output quality of pharmaceutical popularization. The formulated standardized prompt engineering templates tailored for pharmaceutical popularization, can help pharmacists improve the efficiency and quality of popularization content creation.
3.Targeting farnesoid X receptor as aging intervention therapy.
Lijun ZHANG ; Jing YU ; Xiaoyan GAO ; Yingxuan YAN ; Xinyi WANG ; Hang SHI ; Minglv FANG ; Ying LIU ; Young-Bum KIM ; Huanhu ZHU ; Xiaojun WU ; Cheng HUANG ; Shengjie FAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1359-1382
Environmental toxicants have been linked to aging and age-related diseases. The emerging evidence has shown that the enhancement of detoxification gene expression is a common transcriptome marker of long-lived mice, Drosophila melanogaster, and Caenorhabditis elegans. Meanwhile, the resistance to toxicants was increased in long-lived animals. Here, we show that farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist obeticholic acid (OCA), a marketed drug for the treatment of cholestasis, may extend the lifespan and healthspan both in C. elegans and chemical-induced early senescent mice. Furthermore, OCA increased the resistance of worms to toxicants and activated the expression of detoxification genes in both mice and C. elegans. The longevity effects of OCA were attenuated in Fxr -/- mice and Fxr homologous nhr-8 and daf-12 mutant C. elegans. In addition, metabolome analysis revealed that OCA increased the endogenous agonist levels of the pregnane X receptor (PXR), a major nuclear receptor for detoxification regulation, in the liver of mice. Together, our findings suggest that OCA has the potential to lengthen lifespan and healthspan by activating nuclear receptor-mediated detoxification functions, thus, targeting FXR may offer to promote longevity.
4.Interactive effects of prenatal and postnatal factors on overweight and obesity in preschool children
CHENG Pei, FAN Xiaoli, CAO Pei, TIAN Xinyi, ZHANG Jing, ZHANG Juan
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(12):1796-1799
Objective:
To investigate the interactive effects of prenatal and postnatal factors on overweight and obesity in preschool children, so as to provide evidence for subsequent planning of prevention strategies and intervention measures.
Methods:
Between October 2020 and June 2021, a convenience cluster sample of 918 preschool children from four kindergartens in Xuzhou urban area underwent questionnaire surveys and physical examinations. The Chi square test was used to compare intergroup differences in overweight and obesity prevalence. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was employed to investigate the effects of prenatal and postnatal factors, as well as their interactions, on overweight and obesity in preschool children.
Results:
The prevalence of overweight and obesity among preschool children was 30.8%, with boys exhibiting a higher rate (37.0%) than girls (24.8%). Statistically significant differences in overweight and obesity prevalence were observed across age groups, genders, paternal pre pregnancy body mass index (BMI), paternal educational level, delivery mode, antibiotic use within the six months after birth, and rapid weight gain during infancy ( χ 2=5.08-17.67, all P <0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors such as age, gender, the only child, parental educational level and parental average monthly income, interaction analysis revealed that when the father was overweight or obese before conception, children delivered by caesarean section had an increased risk of overweight or obesity ( OR= 2.05 , 95%CI =1.02-3.39), and children with rapid weight gain during infancy also had an increased risk ( OR=2.05, 95%CI = 1.08 -3.88) (both P <0.05). Gender stratified analysis revealed that the interaction between paternal pre pregnancy BMI and mode of delivery on overweight and obesity was more pronounced among girls ( OR=4.00, 95%CI=1.51-10.58, P <0.05). While the interaction between the father s pre pregnancy BMI and rapid weight gain during infancy was more pronounced in boys ( OR= 2.85 , 95%CI=1.14-7.08, P <0.05). No significant interactions between prenatal and postnatal factors on overweight and obesity in preschool children were observed (all P >0.05).
Conclusions
Multiple prenatal and postnatal factors influence overweight and obesity in preschool children. Attention should be paid to mode of delivery and infant weight gain, particularly when the father is overweight or obese, to reduce the risk of overweight and obesity in preschool children.
5.Genetic diversity analysis of oxacillinase in 241 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Yuelong LI ; Jingyi ZHANG ; Yubing FU ; Meiqing SUN ; Beibei MIAO ; Xinyi GONG ; Xiao HAN ; Huan XING ; Pengfang GAO ; Jiachen LI ; Yating TANG ; Xinya FAN ; Yanlei GE ; Haijian ZHOU ; Juan LI ; Aiying DONG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(7):1004-1012
Objective:To analyze the carriage status, subtype distribution and flanking gene sequence characteristics of oxacillinases (OXA enzyme) in 241 clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and assess their roles in the drug resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and ability to horizontally transfer across species. Methods:Clinical P. aeruginosa isolates were collected from four hospitals in Sanya, Tangshan, Zhangjiakou, and Beijing. The prevalence of oxacillinases and their flanking gene sequences was analyzed by whole-genome sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatic approaches. Results:A total of 241 isolates of P. aeruginosa were gathered, and 35 blaOXA subtypes were identified through screening of 252 blaOXA genes. These genes were classified into three subfamilies: blaOXA-50-like (241, 95.6%), blaOXA-1-like (9, 3.6%) and blaOXA-10-like (2, 0.8%). Among these, 11 subtypes (11, 31.4%) were novel blaOXA subtypes. Nine of these belonged to the blaOXA-50-like subfamily and were designated as blaOXA-1244, blaOXA-1245, blaOXA-1246, blaOXA-1250, blaOXA-1252, blaOXA-1253, blaOXA-1254, blaOXA-1255, and blaOXA-1256. The remaining two belonged to the blaOXA-10-like subfamily and were named blaOXA-1247 and blaOXA-1248. Compared to the amino acid sequence of OXA-10, the newly identified subtype OXA-1247 exhibited a mutation at position 117, where a valine was replaced by a leucine. This change was thought to improve the enzyme′s ability to hydrolyze carbapenems. In the analysis of the flanking sequences of the blaOXA genes, Class I integrons were identified in four bacterial strains. The variable regions of these integrons carried three distinct patterns of resistance gene cassettes: aac( 6′) -Ib-blaOXA-1247-ant( 3′′) -Ia, aac( 6′) -Ib-blaOXA-1248 and aac( 6′) -Ib- blaIMP-45-blaOXA-1-catB3. Among these, the strain BJ2326 carried a class I integron that was connected to the downstream IS CR1 element to form a composite class I integron structure, additionally carrying the resistance gene blaPER-1. Out of the 223 non-wild-type P. aeruginosa strains, 127 strains exhibited non-wild-type profiles to the four beta-lactam antibiotics MEM, CAZ, FEP, and TZP, with the combination of MEM+CAZ+FEP being the most prevalent, representing 57.0% of the total. Conclusions:The blaOXA genes in 241 clinical P. aeruginosa strains showed diversity. Some blaOXA genes had a co-transfer risk with the metallo-β-lactamase resistance gene blaIMP-45. Among the 11 newly discovered blaOXA subtypes, the new subtype OXA-1247 may have carbapenemase activity and potential for horizontal transfer.
6.Conceptual Framework and Application Recommendations of Digital Maturity of Public Hospitals in China
Xinyi LIU ; Guohong LI ; Xianqun FAN
Chinese Hospital Management 2025;45(2):6-9
Objective It aims to develop a digital maturity evaluation framework tailored for public hospitals in China to advance digital transformation and achieve high-quality development.Methods Through literature review,policy analysis,key informant interviews,and expert consultations,a preliminary conceptual framework for digital maturity in public hospitals was proposed.The framework's dimensions and key indicators were further refined and finalized through multiple rounds of consultation and validation with 30 experts.Results The findings indicate that the digital ma-turity of public hospitals in China encompasses three core dimensions:digital readiness,digital technology applica-tion,and data management capacity,along with 11 primary indicators.The evaluation framework has gained broad recognition from experts and scholars,demonstrating its effectiveness in identifying gaps in the digitalization process and enhancing hospitals'capacities in infrastructure,technological application,and data governance.Conclusion The study recommends that government authorities optimize resource allocation based on the framework,while public hospitals should strengthen digital planning and implementation.This framework provides practical guidance for ad-vancing the digital transformation of public hospitals in China.
7.Systematic Review of Hospital Digital Maturity Assessment Researches
Xinyi LIU ; Jianjun CHEN ; Chenhao YU ; Guohong LI ; Xianqun FAN
Chinese Hospital Management 2025;45(2):1-5
Objective It aims to systematically review the concept of hospital digital maturity and its application in the digital transformation of hospitals,analyzes existing digital maturity assessment models internationally,and examine relevant research progress to provide reference and support for the digital transformation of Chinese hospitals.Methods By using the systematic review method,a systematic review was conducted by searching rele-vant literature in both Chinese and English databases,including CNKI,Wanfang Database,PubMed,Medline,and Web of Science.Keywords used for the search included digital maturity,digital capability,health,and hospital.Results Widely used international digital maturity assessment models encompass various dimensions,such as organizational management,digital technology capabilities,healthcare professional digital capabilities,data analytics,and interoperability.Some countries have applied these models in the digital transformation practices of hospitals,while attention to this field remains relatively limited in China.Conclusion Digital maturity assessment is a crucial tool for promoting the digital transformation of hospitals;however,existing evaluation frameworks are not directly appli-cable to China's public hospital system.Future research should focus on developing quantifiable assessment tools tai-lored to the characteristics of Chinese public hospitals,thereby promoting hospital digital transformation and high-quality development.
8.Establishment and evaluation of an animal model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction integrating disease and syndrome based on the "deficiency-blood stasis-toxin" pathogenesis
Xiaoqi WEI ; Xinyi FAN ; Feng JIANG ; Wangjing CHAI ; Jinling XIAO ; Fanghe LI ; Kuo GAO ; Xue YU ; Wei WANG ; Shuzhen GUO
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(4):501-515
Objective:
This study aimed to construct an animal model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) that integrates disease and syndrome based on the "deficiency-blood stasis-toxin" pathogenesis and to evaluate it comprehensively.
Methods:
The HFpEF mouse model was constructed using a combination of Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and a high-fat diet. According to the random number table method, SPF-grade male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to the control, L-NAME, high-fat diet, and model groups, 10 in each group. Comprehensive observations and data collection on macroscopic signs (e.g., fur condition, mental state, stool and urine, oral and nasal condition, paw and body condition, etc.) and cardiac function were performed after 10 and 16 weeks of model induction. Additionally, the syndrome evolution was elucidated based on diagnostic criteria for clinical syndromes of heart failure. Furthermore, pathological and molecular biological examinations of myocardial tissue were performed to assess the stability and reliability of the model.
Results:
Mice in the model group showed typical characteristics of syndrome of qi deficiency and blood stasis, as well as syndrome of internal heat accumulation, including lethargy, slow response, dull paw color and oral/nasal color, exercise intolerance, abnormal platelet activation, dry feces, and dark yellow urine. The time window for these syndromes was between 10 and 16 weeks post-modeling. Cardiac function assessments revealed severe diastolic dysfunction, concentric myocardial hypertrophy, and myocardial fibrosis in the model group. Pathological examinations showed a significantly increased collagen deposition in the myocardial interstitium, enlarged cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes, and sparse coronary microvasculature in the model group. Molecular biological analyses indicated marked activation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase/nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells/NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 inflammatory pathway and significantly elevated inflammation levels in the myocardial tissue of the model group. Although mice in the L-NAME and high-fat diet groups also showed certain manifestations of qi deficiency syndrome, the substantial cardiac damage was relatively limited compared to the control group.
Conclusion
This study has constructed an animal model of HFpEF that integrates disease and syndrome based on the "deficiency-blood stasis-toxin" pathogenesis. The macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of this model are consistent with the manifestations of syndrome of qi deficiency and blood stasis, toxin syndrome, and syndrome of internal heat accumulation. Moreover, it can stably simulate the HFpEF state and reflect phenotypic changes in human disease. This model provides a suitable experimental platform to explore the pathogenesis of HFpEF, evaluate the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment regimens, and promote in-depth research on TCM syndromes of heart failure.
9.The mechanism of Laggerae Herba in improving chronic heart failure by inhibiting ferroptosis through the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway
Jinling XIAO ; Kai HUANG ; Xiaoqi WEI ; Xinyi FAN ; Wangjing CHAI ; Jing HAN ; Kuo GAO ; Xue YU ; Fanghe LI ; Shuzhen GUO
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(3):343-353
Objective:
To investigate the role and mechanism of the heat-clearing and detoxifying drug Laggerae Herba in regulating the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2(Nrf2)/solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) signaling pathway to inhibit ferroptosis and improve chronic heart failure induced by transverse aortic arch constriction in mice.
Methods:
Twenty-four male ICR mice were divided into the sham (n=6) and transverse aortic arch constriction groups (n=18) according to the random number table method. The transverse aortic arch constriction group underwent transverse aortic constriction surgery to establish models. After modeling, the transverse aortic arch constriction group was further divided into the model, captopril, and Laggerae Herba groups according to the random number table method, with six mice per group. The captopril (15 mg/kg) and Laggerae Herba groups (1.95 g/kg) received the corresponding drugs by gavage, whereas the sham operation and model groups were administered the same volume of ultrapure water by gavage once a day for four consecutive weeks. After treatment, the cardiac function indexes of mice in each group were detected using ultrasound. The heart mass and tibia length were measured to calculate the ratio of heart weight to tibia length. Hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to observe the pathological changes in myocardial tissue. Masson staining was used to observe the degree of myocardial fibrosis. Wheat germ agglutinin staining was used to observe the degree of myocardial cell hypertrophy. Prussian blue staining was used to observe the iron deposition in myocardial tissue. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and glutathione (GSH) contents in mice serum. Colorimetry was used to detect the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in mice serum. Western blotting was used to detect the Nrf2, GPX4, SLC7A11, and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) protein expressions in mice cardiac tissue.
Results:
Compared with the sham group, in the model group, the ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) of mice decreased, the left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) increased, the left ventricular anterior wall end-systolic thickness (LVAWs) and left ventricular posterior wall end-systolic thickness (LVPWs) decreased, the ratio of heart weight to tibia length increased, the myocardial tissue morphology changed, myocardial fibrosis increased, the cross-sectional area of myocardial cells increased, iron deposition appeared in myocardial tissue, the serum NT-proBNP and MDA levels increased, the GSH level decreased, and Nrf2, GPX4, SLC7A11, and FTH1 protein expressions in cardiac tissue decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, in the captopril and Laggerae Herba groups, the EF, FS, and LVAWs increased, the LVESV and LVESD decreased, the ratio of heart weight to tibia length decreased, the myocardial cells were arranged neatly, the degree of myocardial fibrosis decreased, the cross-sectional area of myocardial cells decreased, the serum NT-proBNP level decreased, and the GSH level increased. Compared with the model group, the LVPWs increased, the iron deposition in myocardial tissue decreased, the serum MDA level decreased, and Nrf2, GPX4, SLC7A11, and FTH1 protein expressions in cardiac tissue increased (P<0.05) in the Laggerae Herba group.
Conclusion
Laggerae Herba improves the cardiac function of mice with chronic heart failure caused by transverse aortic arch constriction, reduces the pathological remodeling of the heart, and reduces fibrosis. Its mechanism may be related to Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway-mediated ferroptosis.
10.A Multicenter Controlled Study on the Evaluation of Aseptic Compounding Operations Ability of PIVAS Personnel by Media Fill Test
Fan ZHANG ; Yuanyuan MA ; Xinyi WANG ; Donghui LAO ; Yongguang SHANG ; Xiaohong ZHU ; Yuzhen ZOU ; Lei JIAO ; Weiyan TANG ; Jianzhong ZHANG ; Wei YANG ; Mei DONG ; Cuilian ZHANG ; Lulu SUN ; Bin ZHAO
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(11):1848-1853
Objective To evaluate the practical application of the Media Fill Test(MFT)in assessing aseptic compounding competency of personnel in Pharmacy Intravenous Admixture Services(PIVAS).Methods A multicenter controlled study was conducted across six tertiary hospitals(center ①-⑥)in China.Participants were divided into an inexperienced group(Group A,n=118)and an experienced group(Group B,n=118),each performing five MFT operations.Positive controls validated medium efficacy.Contamination rates and pass rates were analyzed using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.Results Valid samples included 584 for Group A and 588 for Group B.The sample pass rate was 66.78%(390/584)in Group A and 91.67%(539/588)in Group B,while personnel pass rates were 46.15%(54/117)and 80.51%(95/118),respectively,with significant intergroup differences(both P<0.01).All centers except Center ⑥ showed significantly higher pass rates in Group B(all P<0.05).Conclusion MFT effectively differentiates technical proficiency levels and is suitable for training evaluation of novice PIVAS staff.


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