1.Exploring the Biological Connotation of "Invisible Phlegm" from the Perspective of Brain Fluid Exchange and Extracellular Microenvironment Regulation
Yiming REN ; Yueyang LU ; Guoyuan ZHANG ; Weiyi CAO ; Zongliang YU ; Haoling ZHANG ; Rui GAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(15):1592-1598
Based on the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theories of body fluid metabolism and turbid phlegm obstructing the orifices, and drawing on recent advances in cerebrospinal fluid-interstitial fluid (CSF-ISF) exchange, glymphatic clearance, and extracellular matrix (ECM) regulation, this article discusses the possible scientific connotation of "invisible phlegm" from the perspectives of pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and therapeutic implications. Impaired brain fluid exchange may lead to reduced clearance, the retention of metabolic wastes and pathological proteins. Abnormal ECM remodeling may further disrupt molecular diffusion and local microenvironmental homeostasis, resulting in a pathological process characterized by slowed fluid movement, reduced clearance, and abnormal retention. This process bears a certain functional resemblance to the TCM pathogenesis of impaired distribution of body fluids, endogenous formation of turbid phlegm and obstruction of the brain orifices, and may also be associated with manifestations such as a clouded sensation in the head, cognitive abnormalities, and emotional disturbances. On this basis, the potential effects of certain phlegm-dissolving Chinese medicines in improving brain clearance function and extracellular microenvironmental homeostasis warrant further investigation. We therefore propose that, the "invisible phlegm" of TCM in brain tissue may manifest as a pathological retention state characterized by restricted fluid exchange, impaired clearance function, and extracellular microenvironmental imbalance. This perspective may provide a new avenue for investigating TCM treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders from the perspective of phlegm.
2.Exploring the Biological Connotation of "Invisible Phlegm" from the Perspective of Brain Fluid Exchange and Extracellular Microenvironment Regulation
Yiming REN ; Yueyang LU ; Guoyuan ZHANG ; Weiyi CAO ; Zongliang YU ; Haoling ZHANG ; Rui GAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(15):1592-1598
Based on the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theories of body fluid metabolism and turbid phlegm obstructing the orifices, and drawing on recent advances in cerebrospinal fluid-interstitial fluid (CSF-ISF) exchange, glymphatic clearance, and extracellular matrix (ECM) regulation, this article discusses the possible scientific connotation of "invisible phlegm" from the perspectives of pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and therapeutic implications. Impaired brain fluid exchange may lead to reduced clearance, the retention of metabolic wastes and pathological proteins. Abnormal ECM remodeling may further disrupt molecular diffusion and local microenvironmental homeostasis, resulting in a pathological process characterized by slowed fluid movement, reduced clearance, and abnormal retention. This process bears a certain functional resemblance to the TCM pathogenesis of impaired distribution of body fluids, endogenous formation of turbid phlegm and obstruction of the brain orifices, and may also be associated with manifestations such as a clouded sensation in the head, cognitive abnormalities, and emotional disturbances. On this basis, the potential effects of certain phlegm-dissolving Chinese medicines in improving brain clearance function and extracellular microenvironmental homeostasis warrant further investigation. We therefore propose that, the "invisible phlegm" of TCM in brain tissue may manifest as a pathological retention state characterized by restricted fluid exchange, impaired clearance function, and extracellular microenvironmental imbalance. This perspective may provide a new avenue for investigating TCM treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders from the perspective of phlegm.
3.Role of innate immune mechanisms triggered by mitochondrial DNA release in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and targeted intervention strategies
Yu ZHOU ; Kaiyang LI ; Mei YANG ; Qi ZHAO ; Yiming ZHAO ; Fei ZHANG ; Qian WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(8):1960-1966
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide, with a complex pathogenesis. Mitochondria play a pivotal role in this disease process, and studies have confirmed that mitochondrial dysfunction can exacerbate metabolic disorders and induce innate immune imbalance, while mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is the core molecule mediating these two pathological effects. After the abnormal release of mtDNA, it can be recognized by intracellular pattern recognition receptors, which in turn triggers innate immune responses and causes tissue damage, forming a pathological pathway of “mtDNA release-immune activation-tissue damage”. Currently, there is a lack of systematic reviews summarizing the mechanism of action of this pathway in different stages of MAFLD and the intervention strategies targeting this pathway. This article systematically reviews the core molecular mechanism of this pathway, its pathological role in the development and progression of MAFLD, and the current intervention strategies targeting this mechanism, in order to provide a theoretical basis for analyzing the pathogenesis of MAFLD and developing novel therapeutic strategies.
4.Over 20-year Follow-up Result of Total Knee Arthroplasty for Knee Arthropathy: A Single Center Cohort Study
Yiming XU ; Mingwei HU ; Wei ZHU ; Muyang YU ; Jin LIN ; Jin JIN ; Wenwei QIAN ; Bin FENG ; Xisheng WENG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(1):35-41
To evaluate long-term survival and clinical outcomes of patients with knee osteo-arthritis undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) through long-term follow-up. This study was based on a previous cohort study that had completed follow-up. We retrospectively collected clinical data of patients with knee arthropathy (including knee osteoarthritis and knee rheumatoid arthritis) who received the first TKA operation in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 1993 to 2002 and were followed up for more than 20 years, and conducted a unified follow-up on them in November 10, 2024 (the last follow-up). Kaplan-Meier curve was used to evaluate the survival rate. Hospitals for special surgery (HSS) scores and joint range of motion (ROM) were compared before surgery, 10 years after surgery and at the last follow-up to evaluate the clinical efficacy of TKA. Likert scale was used to evaluate patient satisfaction at the last follow-up. A total of 226 patients (246 knees) received their first TKA in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 1993 to 2002 and were followed up for more than 10 years. Among them, 104 patients (131 knees) were included in the study at the last follow-up, including 21 patients (24 knees) with prosthesis in place, 18 patients (18 knees) who underwent reoperation for various reasons, and 65 patients (89 knees) who died from non-TKA surgical causes. Up to the last follow-up, there were 29 patients (35 knees) with an average follow-up of more than 20 years, and 12 patients (16 knees) completed HSS score, ROM measurement and patient satisfaction evaluation. Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the 10-year, 15-year, 20-year, and 25-year survival rates were 93.6%, 92.4%, 89.8%, and 71.8%, respectively. The HSS score at the last follow-up was lower than that at 10- year postoperative follow-up[(84.69±11.03) scores TKA treatment for knee arthropathy has high long-term prosthesis survival rate, significant improvement of knee joint function and high patient satisfaction.
5.Early Postoperative Safety of Total Hip Arthroplasty in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients
Xingdong YANG ; Muyang YU ; Yiming XU ; Wei ZHU ; Mingwei HU ; Xisheng WENG ; Bin FENG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(1):42-49
To analyze the occurrence of early complications after total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The data of patients who underwent THA at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from June 2012 to April 2024 were retrospectively and consecutively collected. The patients were categorized into SLE group and control group based on the presence or absence of SLE. Using propensity score matching, we matched patients in the two groups at a 1∶1 ratio according to gender, age, and surgical side. Subsequently, we compared the clinical characteristics, incidence of major complications within 30 days postoperatively, and allogeneic blood transfusion rates between the two groups. A total of 270 patients in the SLE group who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected. Within 30 days postoperatively, 18 cases (6.67%) experienced major complications, including 2 cases (0.74%) of upper respiratory tract infection, 2 cases (0.74%) of pulmonary infection, 3 cases (1.11%) of urinary tract infection, 2 cases (0.74%) of other systemic infection, 5 cases (1.85%) of poor wound healing, 1 case (0.37%) of wound infection, 1 case (0.37%) of gastrointestinal complications, 1 cases (0.37%) of shock, and 1 case (0.37%) of SLE flare-up. The allogeneic blood transfusion rate was 22.59% (61/270). After propensity score matching, 163 cases from SLE and control groups were included for analysis. (1) Regarding medical complications, compared with control group, SLE group showed significant differences in osteoporosis, respiratory system disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, urinary system disorders, hematologic abnormalities, and secondary or concomitant rheumatic diseases (all The incidence of major complications within 30 days following THA in patients with SLE was significantly higher than that in non-SLE patients, while the rate of allogeneic blood transfusion remained comparable. To ensure the safety of THA surgery for patients with SLE, it is important to optimize the patient's condition and achieve stabilization prior to surgery. Additionally, strict perioperative management must be forced.
6.Impact of ferroptosis-related gene expression on cardiovascular outcomes in chronic renal failure
Xuelan LIN ; Kexin LIU ; Xiao GE ; Yiming YU ; Lifang CAO
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(19):2378-2384,2390
Objective To investigate the relationship between ferroptosis-related genes[heme oxygenase-1(HO-1),solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11),and long-chain acyl-coenzyme A synthetase 4(ACSL4)]expression and cardiovascular events in patients with chronic renal failure(CRF),aiming to pro-vide clinical insights for risk assessment of cardiovascular complications.Methods A total of 124 CRF pa-tients(CRF group)admitted to the hospital from January 2020 to January 2023 and 124 healthy people(con-trol group)who underwent physical examination in the hospital during the same period were selected as the research objects.The levels of ferroptosis-related gene HO-1,SLC7A11 and ACSL4 were detected and com-pared between the two groups.CRF patients were followed up for 12 months after discharge,and they were di-vided into concurrent group(n=56)and non-concurrent group(n=66)according to the occurrence of cardio-vascular events.Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between iron death relat-ed genes HO-1,SLC7A11,ACSL4 and cardiovascular events in CRF patients.Univariate and multivariate Lo-gistic regression analysis were used to investigate the influencing factors of cardiovascular events in CRF pa-tients.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the predictive value of iron death re-lated genes HO-1,SLC7A11,and ACSL4 for cardiovascular events in CRF patients.Results Serum HO-1 and SLC7A11 levels in CRF group were lower than those in control group(P<0.05),and the ACSL4 level was higher than that in control group(P<0.05).The serum HO-1 and SLC7A11 levels in concurrent group were lower than those in non-concurrent group(all P<0.05),and the serum ACSL4 level was higher than that in non-concurrent group(P<0.05).Ferroptosis-related genes HO-1 and SLC7A11 were negatively correlated with cardiovascular events(r=-0.708,—0.721,P<0.05),while ACSL4 was positively correlated with car-diovascular events(r=0.699,P<0.05).High serum ACSL4 expression and high cTnT level were risk fac-tors for cardiovascular events in CRF patients(P<0.05),and high hemoglobin level and high serum HO-1 and SLC7A11 expression were protective factors for cardiovascular events in CRF patients(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis results showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of serum HO-1,SLC7A11,ACSL4,hemo-globin and cTnT alone for predicting cardiovascular events in CRF patients were 0.787,0.735,0.773,0.651 and 0.782,respectively.The AUC of the combined prediction of ferroptosis-related genes was 0.837,and the AUC of the combined application of five factors was 0.880.According to Delong's test,the AUC of both com-bined application models was significantly higher than those of individual application(P<0.05).The nomo-gram model showed that all ferroptosis-related genes were positively expressed(HO-1<1.5,SLC7A11<1.15,ACSL4≥2.75),and the risk of developing concurrent cardiovascular events in CRF patients could reach over 75%.Conclusion The expression of serum HO-1 and SLC7A11 in CRF patients is decreased,and the ACSL4 expression is increased,which is closely related to cardiovascular events,and the combined detection of three indexes has high value in predicting cardiovascular events in CRF patients.
7.Application of Holistic Nursing Model Based on Delphi in Patients with AMI
Yiming TANG ; Qing FENG ; Yu CHEN ; Jie YU ; Yiming LU ; Dan WANG
Journal of Kunming Medical University 2025;46(5):170-176
Objective To explore the application value of a holistic nursing model based on the Delphi method in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI).Methods A total of 110 AMI patients treated at Diqing Shangri-La People's Hospital in Yunnan Province from January 2019 to January 2020 were enrolled and divided into a control group and an observation group,with 55 patients in each,based on their admission order.The control group received routine nursing care,while the observation group received holistic nursing model intervention based on Delphi in addition to the routine nursing care.After 6 months of nursing,the left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDV),left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESV),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),general self-efficacy scale(GSES)score,complications,and changes in nursing satisfaction were compared and analyzed between the two groups.Results(1)After nursing,the LVEF significantly increased and the LVEDV and LVESV significantly decreased in both groups;the increase in LVEF was more significant,and the decrease in LVEDV and LVESV was more pronounced in the observation group(P<0.05);(2)The GSES scores of patients in both groups improved compared to before nursing,with a more significant improvement in the observation group(P<0.05);(3)The incidence of adverse events during hospitalization was lower in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05);(4)The satisfaction rate was higher in the observation group than in the control group after nursing(P<0.05).Conclusion The application of a holistic nursing model based on Delphi in AMI patients can effectively improve cardiac function and self-management efficacy,reduce the incidence of complications,and enhance nursing satisfaction,demonstrating high feasibility.
8.Experimental study of 89Zr-labeled anti-human PDPN monoclonal antibody SZ168 for immunoPET imaging of melanoma
Yu LIU ; Xiaohui SUN ; Siwen LIU ; Jiang WU ; Yue LANG ; Jinchang WU ; Yuechao YU ; Yiming ZHAO ; Feng WANG
Chinese Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2025;45(8):470-474
Objective:To prepare 89Zr-labeled anti-human podoplanin (PDPN) monoclonal antibody SZ168 and evaluate its feasibility for melanoma immunoPET imaging. Methods:89Zr-desferrioxamine (DFO)-SZ168 was prepared by conjugating p-isothiocyanatobenzyl (SCN-Bn)-DFO with SZ168 and chelating with 89Zr. Quality control analyses were conducted, including labeling rate, radiochemical purity, and in vitro stability. Melanoma mouse models were created, with experimental group ( n=3) and control group ( n=3) receiving tail vein injections of 89Zr-DFO-SZ168 and 89Zr-DFO-immunoglobulin (Ig)G solutions (3.7MBq) respectively. The experimental group underwent microPET/CT imaging at 12, 24, 48 and 72h post-injection, while the control group underwent imaging at 48h post-injection. Tumor and organ radioactivity uptake was analyzed using the ROI method. Mice were sacrificed at 7d post-injection to assess the ex vivo biodistribution of 89Zr-DFO-SZ168 and 89Zr-DFO-IgG. Independent-sample t test was used to analyze the data. Results:The pH value of the 89Zr-DFO-SZ168 solution was approximately 7.0, with a labeling rate >60%, radiochemical purity >95% after PD10 column purification, and good stability after 72h in vitro. Series microPET/CT imagings showed significant tumor visualization in tumor-bearing mice. Radioactivity uptake in tumors peaked at 48h post-injection, while the tumor was not clearly detected by 89Zr-DFO-IgG microPET/CT imaging. Ex vivo biodistribution indicated that 89Zr-DFO-SZ168 mainly accumulated in tumors, liver, and bones, with tumor uptake significantly higher than that of 89Zr-DFO-IgG ((29.36±7.29) percentage activity of injection dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g) vs (8.78±1.63) %ID/g; t=4.77, P=0.009). Immunohistochemistry of tumor specimens showed high expression of PDPN in tumor tissues. Conclusions:The probe 89Zr-DFO-SZ168 is successfully prepared, showing potential for specific molecular imaging diagnosis of melanoma. This lays a basis for developing PDPN molecular target-based immuno-PET diagnosis and integrated diagnosis and treatment for melanoma.
9.A case of primary microcephaly associated with compound heterozygous variants of WDR62 gene
Lihua YU ; Xingwang WANG ; Ling LIU ; Yukun ZENG ; Yiming QI ; Yanlin HUANG ; Hongke DING
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(2):175-179
Objective:To explore the genetic basis for a girl with primary microcephaly and growth retardation.Methods:A girl who was admitted to Guangdong Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital in was selected as the study subject. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the child and her parents. Trio whole exome sequencing was carried out, and candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. This study was approved by the Medical Ethnics Committee of Guangdong Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital (Ethics No. 202201278).Results:DNA sequencing revealed that the child has harbored compound heterozygous variants of the WDR62 gene, including a frameshifting c. 2963delC (p.Pro988Argfs*80) variant in exon 24 which was inherited from the unaffected father, and a nonsense c.3163G>T (p.Glu1055*) variant in exon 26, which was inherited from her unaffected mother. Both variants were predicted to affect the reading frame of the WDR62 gene. Conclusion:Based on the clinical manifestations, results of genetic testing and pedigree analysis, the compound heterozygous variants were predicted to underlay the pathogenesis of microcephaly and growth retardation in this child. Above discovery has expanded the mutational spectrum for WDR62-associated Primary microcephaly type 2, and facilitated genetic counseling for the family.
10.Artificial intelligence in traditional Chinese medicine: from systems biological mechanism discovery, real-world clinical evidence inference to personalized clinical decision support.
Dengying YAN ; Qiguang ZHENG ; Kai CHANG ; Rui HUA ; Yiming LIU ; Jingyan XUE ; Zixin SHU ; Yunhui HU ; Pengcheng YANG ; Yu WEI ; Jidong LANG ; Haibin YU ; Xiaodong LI ; Runshun ZHANG ; Wenjia WANG ; Baoyan LIU ; Xuezhong ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(11):1310-1328
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) represents a paradigmatic approach to personalized medicine, developed through the systematic accumulation and refinement of clinical empirical data over more than 2000 years, and now encompasses large-scale electronic medical records (EMR) and experimental molecular data. Artificial intelligence (AI) has demonstrated its utility in medicine through the development of various expert systems (e.g., MYCIN) since the 1970s. With the emergence of deep learning and large language models (LLMs), AI's potential in medicine shows considerable promise. Consequently, the integration of AI and TCM from both clinical and scientific perspectives presents a fundamental and promising research direction. This survey provides an insightful overview of TCM AI research, summarizing related research tasks from three perspectives: systems-level biological mechanism elucidation, real-world clinical evidence inference, and personalized clinical decision support. The review highlights representative AI methodologies alongside their applications in both TCM scientific inquiry and clinical practice. To critically assess the current state of the field, this work identifies major challenges and opportunities that constrain the development of robust research capabilities-particularly in the mechanistic understanding of TCM syndromes and herbal formulations, novel drug discovery, and the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered clinical care. The findings underscore that future advancements in AI-driven TCM research will rely on the development of high-quality, large-scale data repositories; the construction of comprehensive and domain-specific knowledge graphs (KGs); deeper insights into the biological mechanisms underpinning clinical efficacy; rigorous causal inference frameworks; and intelligent, personalized decision support systems.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*
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Artificial Intelligence
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Humans
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Precision Medicine
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Decision Support Systems, Clinical

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