1.Efficacy and Application Characteristics of Cold Chinese Medicines Based on Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 Edition)
Lu YUE ; Yilong HU ; Jingying YANG ; Xiangxiang WU ; Mingsan MIAO ; Ming BAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):241-248
ObjectiveTo provide a reference for the rational clinical use of cold Chinese medicines by sorting and analyzing their properties, flavors, meridian tropism, primary therapeutic indications, methods of administration, dosages, and precautions as recorded in the 2020 edition of Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (Chinese Pharmacopoeia). MethodsCold Chinese medicines for internal and external use included in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia were entered one by one, and their efficacy, properties, flavors, meridian tropism, methods of administration, dosages, and usage precautions were statistically classified and summarized to guide clinical medication use. ResultsA total of 259 cold Chinese medicines for internal use were included and categorized into 18 efficacy groups, mainly comprising heat-clearing drugs, water-excreting and dampness-draining drugs, and phlegm-resolving, cough- and asthma-relieving drugs. Their predominant flavors were bitter, sweet, and pungent, and they primarily entered the liver, lung, and stomach meridians. The main methods of administration included decocting first, grinding into powder for oral use, or preparing into pills or powders, with most dosages ranging from 9 to 15 g. A total of 83 cold Chinese medicines for external use were included, involving 16 efficacy categories. Their main flavors were bitter, sweet, and pungent, primarily entering the liver, lung, and large intestine meridians. The main external application methods were grinding into powder for topical use or preparing decoctions for fumigation and washing, with most dosages ranging from 9 to 15 g. Whether for internal or external use, cold Chinese medicines should be used with caution or contraindicated in pregnant women. ConclusionThe cold Chinese medicines included in the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia are mainly suitable for patients with carbuncles, swellings, and coughs. However, in clinical practice, it is necessary to strictly follow the principles of syndrome differentiation and treatment, pay attention to administration methods and dosages, and use cold medicines rationally and effectively to improve clinical efficacy.
2.Exploration of Regulatory Mechanism of Mitochondrial Quality Control in Neuroprotection of Acute Ischemic Stroke from Theory of Kidney Governing Yin and Yang
Qinru YANG ; Junyu DUAN ; Zhenhong LIU ; Yonghong GAO ; Jinghe LIU ; Yingzhi XU ; Lu TANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):249-257
Mitochondrial quality control (MQC) homeostasis serves as a fundamental mechanism in maintaining the mitochondrial structure and function. Dysregulation of MQC contributes to the progression of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) through multiple pathways including disturbances in energy metabolism, increased oxidative stress, and imbalances in mitochondrial fusion and fission. Drawing upon the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory of the kidney governing Yin and Yang, this study innovatively proposes an integrative model of "Yin-Yang dynamic balance-MQC homeostasis" to elucidate the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Specifically, kidney Yang deficiency and decline result in reduced driving force, thereby inhibiting mitochondrial fusion. This leads to decreased efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation and impaired adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. Conversely, when kidney Yin is dysfunctional and excessive phlegm-blood stasis accumulates, mitochondrial fission becomes hyperactive, causing rapid accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and intensified oxidative stress. The interplay between these two pathological states culminates in the central TCM pathogenesis—Yin-Yang imbalance and disordered Qi and blood-of AIS. To address this pathogenesis, a therapeutic strategy is proposed: tonifying the kidney as the primary intervention to restore MQC homeostasis, supplemented by resolving phlegm and removing blood stasis to interrupt the deleterious cycle of cerebral vascular damage. This work integrates the holistic perspective of TCM with contemporary molecular insights, offering precise intervention targets along the "kidney-mitochondria axis" for the prevention and treatment of AIS, while establishing a novel integrative paradigm for stroke management that bridges traditional and modern medicine. Future research should focus on elucidating the molecular mechanisms through which TCM regulates MQC in AIS and integrating classical TCM theories with evidence-based medicine to facilitate the translation of theoretical insights into clinical applications.
3.Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiangtang and Its Single Active Ingredient in Treatment of Dyspepsia Caused by Chronic Cholecystitis: A Review
Wenwen YANG ; Yubei LU ; Lin CHEN ; Jing ZHANG ; Ying GAO ; Yajuan ZHANG ; Xiaoyan LI ; Jianfei YANG ; Xiaoli SHI ; Huanhuan LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):289-298
Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiangtang was first recorded in the Treatise on Cold Damage (Shang Han Lun). This prescription is composed of Bupleuri Radix, Scutellariae Radix, Cinnamomi Ramulus, Zingiberis Rhizoma, Trichosanthis Radix, Ostreae Concha, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. It has the effects of soothing Lesser Yang, warming the spleen, and stimulating the generation of body fluid. It is mainly used to treat digestive tract diseases such as chronic cholecystitis (CC), irritable bowel syndrome, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Dyspepsia caused by CC presents a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, poor appetite, postprandial fullness, aversion to greasy food, soft stool, and bitter mouth, being a type of biliary dyspepsia. In modern medicine, dyspepsia caused by CC is mainly managed by medical treatment and surgical treatment. Internal medicine mainly focuses on reducing inflammation, promoting the function of gallbladder, resolving stones, alleviating spasms, and relieving the pain for CC, demonstrating definite short-term efficacy but suffering from single effects, high recurrence rate, and poor compliance. Although surgical treatment can cure cholecystitis, it is accompanied by the increased incidence of adverse events such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and dyspepsia. Modern clinical studies have confirmed that Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiangtang can significantly alleviate the symptoms such as abdominal pain and dyspepsia of CC patients. Pharmacological studies have found that Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiangtang mainly contains active ingredients such as Bupleuri Radix saponins, baicalin, cinnamaldehyde, gingerol, Trichosanthis Radix polysaccharide, Ostreae Concha polysaccharide, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma total flavonoids. Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiangtang can ameliorate the symptoms of dyspepsia caused by CC by inhibiting inflammatory responses, improving gallbladder contraction and gastrointestinal motility, regulating the bile acid-intestinal flora axis and the brain-gut axis, and modulating blood lipids through multiple targets. By reviewing the previous literature, this article summarizes the research progress in the treatment of dyspepsia caused by CC with Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiangtang and its main active ingredients as well as the pathogenesis of this disease and puts forward the shortcomings and improvement strategies for the current research. The review aims to provide a reference for the further research on Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiangtang in the treatment of dyspepsia caused by CC.
4.A Review of Methods for Establishing and Evaluating Animal Models of Stroke
Yunrong YANG ; Wenyu WU ; Yue TAN ; Guofeng YAN ; Yao LI ; Jin LU
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2026;46(1):94-106
Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability and mortality worldwide. Research into its mechanisms and the development of therapeutic strategies heavily rely on animal models that accurately replicate the pathological features of human disease. An ideal animal model for stroke should not only reproduce the neurological deficits and pathological changes observed in clinical patients but also demonstrate good reproducibility and translational value. This review focuses on the preparation and evaluation methods of ischemic stroke animal models. Firstly, it elaborates on the selection criteria, advantages, and disadvantages of experimental animals, including rodents (rats, mice) and non-rodents (non-human primates, miniature pigs, rabbits, zebrafish). Secondly, it provides a detailed overview of the modeling principles, key procedures, and application scopes for ischemic stroke models and hemorrhagic stroke models. Furthermore, the review summarizes advances in the applications of emerging technologies—including gene editing [e.g., clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) gene editing], multimodal imaging (e.g., two-photon microscopy, photoacoustic imaging), artificial intelligence, optogenetics, 3D bioprinting, organoid models, and multi-omics–in model optimization, precise assessment, and mechanistic investigation. Finally, based on a systematic analysis of relevant domestic and international literature from 2019 to 2024, this review discusses model selection strategies based on research objectives, a multidimensional evaluation system encompassing behavioral, imaging, and molecular pathological assessments, and envisions future directions involving technological integration to achieve model precision and individualization. This article aims to provide a comprehensive methodological reference to help researchers select appropriate animal models of stroke according to specific scientific questions.
5.Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes attenuate renal ischemia-reperfusion injury by up-regulating ATF3 to inhibit the TLR4/NF-κB pathway
Xingyu* WAN ; Yujia LIU ; Ruiyan WANG ; Hao WANG ; Yi ZHAO ; Lu GUO ; Zhihua YANG ; Xinghua LÜ
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(2):275-286
Objective To investigate the protective effect and underlying mechanism of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (hucMSC-Exo) on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Methods hucMSC-Exos were isolated and characterized. A mouse renal IRI model was established and the animals were divided into Sham, IRI, IRI+hucMSC-Exo, IRI+hucMSC-Exo+JY-2 and Sham+JY-2 groups. Serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to evaluate renal histopathology. Enzyme-linked immune absorbent assay was performed to determine serum interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 levels. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor (NF)-κB, NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), cysteineyl aspartate specific proteinase (Caspase)-1 p20 and Gasdermin D(GSDMD). Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction was employed to measure ATF3, TLR4 and NF-κB messenger RNA (mRNA). Immunohistochemistry was conducted to examine NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20 and GSDMD. An in vitro hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model was established in HK-2 cells and divided into Control, H/R, H/R+hucMSC-Exo, H/R+hucMSC-Exo+JY-2 and Control+JY-2 groups. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of ATF3, TLR4 and NF-κB. Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure NLRP3, GSDMD and Caspase-1 mRNA. Results HucMSC-Exos were successfully isolated and identified. Compared with the Sham group, the IRI group exhibited elevated Scr and BUN, higher tubular injury scores, increased protein expression levels of ATF3, TLR4, NF-κB p65, NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20 and GSDMD, and raised mRNA expression levels of ATF3, TLR4, NF-κB. Compared with the IRI group, the IRI+hucMSC-Exo group showed decreased Scr and BUN, lower tubular injury scores, up-regulated ATF3 protein and mRNA, down-regulated TLR4, NF-κB p65, NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20 and GSDMD protein, and declined TLR4 and NF-κB mRNA. Compared with the IRI+hucMSC-Exo group, the IRI+hucMSC-Exo+JY-2 group exhibited increased Scr and BUN levels, elevated renal tubular injury scores, decreased ATF3 protein expression levels, elevated protein expression levels of TLR4, NF-κB p65, NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20, and GSDMD, decreased ATF3 mRNA expression levels, and elevated mRNA expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB. (all P < 0.05). Compared with the Control group, the expression levels of ATF3, TLR4 and NF-κB p65 proteins were increased in the H/R group, and the expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD mRNA were increased. Compared with the H/R group, the expression level of ATF3 protein was increased, the expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 proteins were decreased, and the expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD mRNA were decreased in the H/R+hucMSC-Exo group. Compared with the H/R+hucMSC-Exo group, the expression level of ATF3 protein was decreased, the expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 proteins were increased, and the expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD mRNA were increased in the H/R+hucMSC-Exo+JY-2 group (all P < 0.05). Conclusions HucMSC-Exos alleviate renal IRI by up-regulating ATF3, thereby negatively regulating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and subsequently inhibiting pyroptosis.
6.Characteristics of retinal peripheral defocus in patients with unilateral myopia
Lu GAN ; Wentao DENG ; Shuping YANG ; Wuxiao ZHAO
International Eye Science 2026;26(4):573-578
AIM: To investigate the features of retinal peripheral defocus and its associated variables in unilateral myopia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included consecutive anisometropic myopic patients who visited Center for Optometry and Visual Science from August 2023 to March 2025 in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Eyes were classified based on spherical equivalent(SE)and uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA): myopic eyes(SE ≤-0.50 D, UCVA <0.2 LogMAR)and contralateral normal eyes(SE ≥-0.25, UCVA ≥0 LogMAR). Total relative defocus value(TRDV)across the visual field, RDV at 15°, 30°, and 45°(RDV-15, RDV-30, RDV-45), and quadrant-specific RDV(superior/RDV-S, inferior/RDV-I, temporal/RDV-T, nasal/RDV-N)were compared between groups.RESULTS: This study enrolled 81 anisometropic patients(81 myopic eyes, 81 contralateral normal eyes). The cohort comprised 42 males and 39 females, 47 patients aged 8-12 y and 34 patients aged 13-17 y(mean age: 11.8±2.4 y). Myopic eyes demonstrated significantly higher values in TRDV, RDV-30, RDV-45, RDV-I, RDV-S, RDV-N, and RDV-T versus contralateral normal eyes(all P<0.001). RDV-15 showed no significant difference between groups in either 8-12-year-olds or 13-17-year-olds(both P>0.05). Among 13-17-year-olds, RDV-S also exhibited no intergroup difference(P>0.05). All other parameters differed significantly across both age strata(all P<0.05). In myopic eyes, age positively correlated with TRDV(r=0.31, P=0.005), RDV-30(r=0.33, P=0.002), RDV-45(r=0.32, P=0.004), and RDV-N(r=0.37, P<0.001). In contralateral eyes, scotopic pupil diameter negatively correlated with TRDV(r=-0.25, P=0.03), RDV-45(r=-0.25, P=0.02), RDV-S(r=-0.29, P=0.008), and RDV-N(r=-0.27, P=0.014). And age positively correlated with RDV-N(r=0.30, P= 0.006), axial length positively correlated with RDV-T(r=0.30, P=0.006). CONCLUSION: The peripheral defocus of unilateral myopic eyes varies from that of their contralateral normal counterparts. The former presents hyperopic defocus, which augments with age, while the latter displays myopic defocus, which accentuates with the increase of the scotopic pupil size.
7.Risk prediction models for delirium after adult cardiac surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(03):444-453
Objective To systematically evaluate the risk prediction models for postoperative delirium in adults with cardiac surgery. Methods The SinoMed, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched to collect studies on risk prediction models for postoperative delirium in cardiac surgery published up to January 29, 2025. Two researchers screened the literature according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, used the PROBAST bias tool to assess the quality of the literature, and conducted a meta-analysis of common predictors in the model using Stata 17.0 software. Results A total of 21 articles were included, establishing 45 models with 28733 patients. Age, cardiopulmonary bypass time, history of diabetes, history of cerebrovascular disease, and gender were the top five common predictors. The area under the curve (AUC) of the 45 models ranged from 0.544 to 0.98. Fourteen out of the 21 studies had good applicability, while the applicability of the remaining seven was unclear; 20 studies had a high risk of bias. Meta-analysis showed that the incidence of postoperative delirium in adults with cardiac surgery was 18.6% [95%CI (15.7%, 21.6%)], and age [OR=1.045 (1.036, 1.054), P<0.001], history of cerebrovascular disease [OR=1.758 (1.459, 2.057), P<0.001], gender [OR=1.732 (1.430, 2.034), P<0.001], mini-mental state examination score [OR=3.930 (1.859, 8.309), P<0.001], and length of ICU stay [OR=5.586 (4.289, 6.883), P<0.001] were independent influencing factors for postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery. Conclusion The risk prediction models for postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery have good predictive performance, but there is a high overall risk of bias. In the future, large-sample, multicenter, high-quality prospective clinical studies should be conducted to construct the optimal risk prediction model for postoperative delirium in adults with cardiac surgery, aiming to identify and prevent the occurrence of postoperative delirium as early as possible.
8.Association between meat consumption and anxiety symptoms in first year junior high school students in Yunnan Province
DING Shaocai, SHI Zelin, YANG Yongfu, YANG Yijun, LU Qiuan, XUE Yanfeng, WANG Yuan,〖JZ〗 XUE Wei, HUANG Xiaoli, XU Honglü ;
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):384-387
Objective:
To explore the association between meat consumption and anxiety symptoms in first year junior high school students in Yunnan Province, and to provide theoretical support for preventing and relieving anxiety symptoms in junior high school students.
Methods:
From October to December 2022, a random cluster sampling method was used to select 8 500 first year junior high school students from 11 counties in Yunnan Province as the survey subjects for a questionnaire survey. The study used Food Frequency Questionnaire and the Chinese version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) to assess the meat consumption and anxiety symptoms of junior high school students.The distribution differences in anxiety symptoms among first year junior high school students with different demographic characteristics were analyzed statistically by using the Chi-square test,and the association between meat consumption and anxiety symptoms in students was analyzed by using a generalized linear model.
Results:
The detection rate of anxiety symptoms was 48.47%. After controlling for demographic variables and confounding factors, the consumption of livestock meat, poultry meat, processed meat, cured meat, barbecued meat and raw skin meat was statistically significant with anxiety symptoms ( β =-0.05, 0.04, 0.04, 0.08, 0.14, 0.17, all P <0.05). Stratified by ethnicity, The consumption of livestock meat, cured meat and barbecue was statistically correlated with anxiety symptoms in Han adolescents ( β =-0.07, 0.14, 0.22 ); the consumption of processed meat and raw skin meat was statistically correlated with anxiety symptoms in ethnic minority adolescents ( β =0.08, 0.18) (all P <0.05).
Conclusions
There is a statistical association between meat comsumption and the risk of anxiety symptoms in first year junior high school students in Yunnan Province. Guidance on meat consumption should be strengthened to prevent the occurrence of anxiety symptoms.
9.Relationship of non-suicidal self-injury behavior with serum lipid levels and thyroid function among college students with depression
CHEN Lu, YANG Zhiqiang, CAO Xiaoping, ZHAO Yanxia, LIANG Shaoying, LUO Yi, LI Hongyu
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):394-397
Objective:
To explore the relationship between non suicidal self injury (NSSI) behavior and serum lipid levels as well as thyroid function among college students with depression.
Methods:
A total of 169 college students with depression in the psychiatry departments of tertiary hospitals (grade 3A and 3B) in Ningbo from December 2023 to April 2025 were selected. The Adolescent Self injury Scale (ASIS) was used to assess the presence of NSSI, and participants were accordingly divided into a NSSI group ( n =51) and a non NSSI group ( n =118). General demographic data (including gender, age, and family situation) were collected from both groups. Blood tests were performed to measure lipid profiles [triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)] and thyroid hormones [triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)]. Multivariate Logistic regression was employed to analyze risk factors for NSSI, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive value of serum lipid and thyroid hormone levels for NSSI occurrence in college students with depression.
Results:
The levels of TC, LDL-C, and TSH in the NSSI group were (4.02±0.73) mmol/L, (2.32±0.36) mmol/L, and (6.57±1.95) mU/L , which were significantly higher than those in the non NSSI group [(3.41±0.56) mmol/L, (2.00±0.27) mmol/L, and ( 4.48± 1.09) mU/L, respectively] ( t =5.32, 5.60, 7.20, all P <0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that college students from single parent/reconstituted families, those who had experienced school bullying, and those with higher levels of TC, LDL-C, and TSH had a significantly increased risk of engaging in NSSI ( OR =5.22, 6.12, 5.90, 83.64, 3.64, all P <0.05). ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the combined detection of TC, LDL-C, and TSH had high diagnostic efficacy for predicting NSSI in college students with depression, with a sensitivity of 86.3% and a specificity of 94.9%.
Conclusions
NSSI behavior in college students with depression is associated with serum lipid levels and thyroid function. These biomarkers may serve as useful reference indicators for assessing the conditions of these patients.
10.Construction and Application of a Multicenter Traditional Chinese Medicine Proctology Disease Data Platform Based on Multimodal Large Models
Yuxin ZHU ; Liping ZHAO ; Jiafa LU ; Huiting ZHU ; Xia YANG ; Lei DU ; Kang DING
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(7):770-775
This paper has constructed a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) specialized disease dataset platform for mixed hemorrhoids based on a multimodal large model, and the preliminary application has been validated. The platform uses StarRocks to establish a four-level data warehouse system, enabling the aggregation, cleaning, and standardization of multi-source heterogeneous data. Using DeepSeek-R1-Distill-Qwen-7B as the base model, domain fine-tuning is performed through low-rank adaptation (LoRA) technology. Combined with LLaMA-3.3 natural language processing and reasoning chain techniques, the platform enables intelligent parsing and structured extraction of unstructured TCM medical records. It accurately identifies six major categories and 28 subcategories of entities, including symptoms and syndromes, with a fine-tuned model F1 score of 93.8%. The platform has established a high-quality specialized disease dataset containing more than 50,000 medical records and has been applied in a real-world study involving 17,831 patients, preliminarily verifying the efficacy of TCM heritage surgery.


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