1.Treatment of Asthma by Regulation of Intestinal Flora in Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on "Lung-Intestinal Coordination Therapy"
Wei ZHANG ; Jie SHI ; Xishu TAN ; Yule KOU ; Fei WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):307-314
Bronchial asthma (asthma) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by airflow limitation, airway remodeling, and recurrent symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and cough. Its prevalence is gradually increasing, and a portion of patients are still poorly controlled, leading to a serious social and medical burden. Modern studies have proposed the concept of the "lung-gut axis", which is based on the crosstalk between microorganisms and their metabolites in the lungs and large intestine, and have indicated that microbial dysbiosis in these organs may affect the onset and progression of asthma. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has found the phenomenon of lung-intestinal comorbidity and put forward the importance of "lung-intestinal coordination therapy" in the treatment of lung-related diseases. It has been found that intestinal flora and their metabolites can modulate immune responses through the lung-gut axis, demonstrating great potential for predicting asthma susceptibility, anticipating phenotypes, assessing asthma severity, and guiding treatment. TCM comopunds that embody lung-intestinal coordination therapy, including herbal formulas, single herbs, acupuncture, moxibustion, acupoint application, and spinal pinching therapy, has been shown to regulate intestinal flora, improve metabolism, regulate immunity, alleviate lung inflammation, reduce mucus secretion, inhibit airway remodeling, effectively alleviate symptoms, and delay lung function decline. Based on "lung-intestinal coordination therapy", this paper used intestinal flora as the entry point to summarize the underlying mechanisms of TCM in asthma treatment and highlighted the pivotal role of intestinal flora in asthma, providing a new idea for its clinical treatment through the intestinal flora .
2.Characteristics and differential diagnosis of common verrucous proliferative skin diseases under dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy.
Lu ZHOU ; Yule FU ; Jian HUANG ; Zhen TANG ; Jianyun LU ; Lina TAN ; Dan WANG ; Jinrong ZENG ; Jia WANG ; Lihua GAO
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(3):358-365
OBJECTIVES:
Verrucous epidermal nevus (VEN), seborrheic keratosis (SK), verruca plana (VP), verruca vulgaris (VV), and nevus sebaceous (NS) are common verrucous proliferative skin diseases with similar clinical appearances, often posing diagnostic challenges. Dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) can aid in their differentiation, yet their specific features under these tools have not been systematically described. This study aims to summarize and analyze the dermoscopic and RCM features of VEN, SK, VP, VV, and NS.
METHODS:
A total of 121 patients with histopathologically confirmed verrucous proliferative skin diseases were enrolled. Dermoscopy and RCM imaging was used to observe and analyze the microscopic features of these conditions.
RESULTS:
Under dermoscopy, the 5 diseases displayed distinct characteristics: VEN typically showed gyriform structures; SK was characterized by gyriform structures, comedo-like openings, and milia-like cysts; VP and VV featured dotted vessels and frogspawn-like structures; NS presented as brownish-yellow globules. RCM revealed shared features such as hyperkeratosis and acanthosis across all 5 diseases. Specific features included gyriform structures and elongated rete ridges in VEN; pseudocysts and gyriform structures in SK; evenly distributed ring-like structures in VP; vacuolated cells and papillomatous proliferation in VV; and frogspawn-like structures in NS.
CONCLUSIONS
These 5 verrucous proliferative skin conditions exhibit distinguishable features under both dermoscopy and RCM. The combination of these 2 noninvasive imaging modalities holds significant clinical value for the differential diagnosis of verrucous proliferative skin diseases.
Humans
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Dermoscopy/methods*
;
Diagnosis, Differential
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Microscopy, Confocal/methods*
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Male
;
Female
;
Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
Adolescent
;
Keratosis, Seborrheic/pathology*
;
Young Adult
;
Warts/diagnosis*
;
Child
;
Aged
;
Skin Diseases/pathology*
;
Nevus, Sebaceous of Jadassohn/diagnosis*
;
Skin Neoplasms/diagnosis*
;
Child, Preschool
3.Clinical outcomes of small-size grafts in auxiliary liver transplantation for the treatment of portal hypertension
Hongfei JU ; Lin WEI ; Liying SUN ; Wei QU ; Zhigui ZENG ; Haiming ZHANG ; Yule TAN ; Jun WANG ; Fuxiao XIE ; Zhijun ZHU
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2025;33(11):1050-1057
Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of using small and ultra-small sized grafts for in situ auxiliary liver transplantation in the treatment of portal hypertension.Methods:A prospective single-arm cohort study was conducted. Patients who underwent liver transplantation at Beijing Friendship Hospital from December 2014 to July 2025 were included. Intraoperative portal vein pressure was routinely monitored, with the target regulation for portal vein blood flow set at<15 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and follow-up continued until September 2025. The primary endpoints were the patient's status and graft survival. The secondary endpoints were small-for-size syndrome and perioperative complications. The small-for-size syndrome was graded according to the 2023 International Liver Transplantation Society consensus statement.Results:A total of 33 cases were enrolled. Among them, 22 had ultra-small size grafts, 11 had small-size grafts, 28 had living donor grafts, and five had split grafts. The graft-to-recipient weight ratio in living donor liver transplantation was 0.31%~0.79%, while in split liver transplantation it was 0.45%~1.02%. Intraoperative portal vein pressure of ≥15 mmHg was observed in 11 cases, who underwent portal vein blood flow adjustment via splenic artery ligation (2 cases), partial splenectomy (8 cases), and/or restrictive portocaval shunting (1 case), after which all patients achieved the target portal vein pressure. All cases completed at least one month of follow-up, with 28 cases following for more than one year, and the median follow-up period was 36.5 months. Early-stage postoperative small-for-size syndrome occurred in eight cases (24.2%, 8/33), all classified as grade A, with improvements following supportive treatment. Severe complications (Clavien-Dindo≥Ⅲ) occurred in three cases (9.1%, 3/33). The one-year survival rate was 92.9% (26/28). The overall survival rate at the end of follow-up was 90.9% (30/33). No patients experienced graft loss or death due to small-for-size syndrome. Graft tissue tested negative for hepatitis B core antibody and covalently closed circular DNA, and hepatitis B surface antigen seroconversion was achieved following second-stage residual liver resection and under a combined strategy of potent nucleos(t)ide analogs and hepatitis B immunoglobulin in ten cases of hepatitis B-related disease.Conclusions:With standardized portal vein blood flow monitoring and individualized portal vein blood flow adjustment, in situ auxiliary liver transplantation can safely and effectively use small and even ultra-small sized grafts, thereby significantly expanding graft sources and ensuring donor and recipient safety. These findings warrant further validation and promotion in multicenter controlled studies.
4.Clinical outcomes of small-size grafts in auxiliary liver transplantation for the treatment of portal hypertension
Hongfei JU ; Lin WEI ; Liying SUN ; Wei QU ; Zhigui ZENG ; Haiming ZHANG ; Yule TAN ; Jun WANG ; Fuxiao XIE ; Zhijun ZHU
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2025;33(11):1050-1057
Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of using small and ultra-small sized grafts for in situ auxiliary liver transplantation in the treatment of portal hypertension.Methods:A prospective single-arm cohort study was conducted. Patients who underwent liver transplantation at Beijing Friendship Hospital from December 2014 to July 2025 were included. Intraoperative portal vein pressure was routinely monitored, with the target regulation for portal vein blood flow set at<15 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and follow-up continued until September 2025. The primary endpoints were the patient's status and graft survival. The secondary endpoints were small-for-size syndrome and perioperative complications. The small-for-size syndrome was graded according to the 2023 International Liver Transplantation Society consensus statement.Results:A total of 33 cases were enrolled. Among them, 22 had ultra-small size grafts, 11 had small-size grafts, 28 had living donor grafts, and five had split grafts. The graft-to-recipient weight ratio in living donor liver transplantation was 0.31%~0.79%, while in split liver transplantation it was 0.45%~1.02%. Intraoperative portal vein pressure of ≥15 mmHg was observed in 11 cases, who underwent portal vein blood flow adjustment via splenic artery ligation (2 cases), partial splenectomy (8 cases), and/or restrictive portocaval shunting (1 case), after which all patients achieved the target portal vein pressure. All cases completed at least one month of follow-up, with 28 cases following for more than one year, and the median follow-up period was 36.5 months. Early-stage postoperative small-for-size syndrome occurred in eight cases (24.2%, 8/33), all classified as grade A, with improvements following supportive treatment. Severe complications (Clavien-Dindo≥Ⅲ) occurred in three cases (9.1%, 3/33). The one-year survival rate was 92.9% (26/28). The overall survival rate at the end of follow-up was 90.9% (30/33). No patients experienced graft loss or death due to small-for-size syndrome. Graft tissue tested negative for hepatitis B core antibody and covalently closed circular DNA, and hepatitis B surface antigen seroconversion was achieved following second-stage residual liver resection and under a combined strategy of potent nucleos(t)ide analogs and hepatitis B immunoglobulin in ten cases of hepatitis B-related disease.Conclusions:With standardized portal vein blood flow monitoring and individualized portal vein blood flow adjustment, in situ auxiliary liver transplantation can safely and effectively use small and even ultra-small sized grafts, thereby significantly expanding graft sources and ensuring donor and recipient safety. These findings warrant further validation and promotion in multicenter controlled studies.
5.Effects of Zhoufei Pingchuan Capsules on Th17/Treg Balance and Related Inflammatory Factors in Peripheral Blood of Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Lung-kidney Qi Deficiency Syndrome
Jie SHI ; Bo NING ; Mingjun ZHAO ; Xishu TAN ; Yule KOU ; Xuhong WANG ; Ruizhe WANG ; Hongwei HE
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;31(2):160-166
Objective To investigate the effects of Zhoufei Pingchuan Capsules on the balance of peripheral blood helper T lymphocyte 17 cell/regulatory T lymphocyte cell(Th17/Treg)and related inflammatory factors in peripheral blood of patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)with lung-kidney qi deficiency syndrome.Methods Totally 40 COPD patients were randomly divided into the study group and the control group,with 20 cases in each group.Another 20 cases were in the healthy group.The control group was given tiotropium bromide powder inhalation,18 μg/time,1 time/d,inhalation;on the basis of the control group,the study group was given Zhoufei Pingchuan Capsules,3 pills/time,3 times/d,orally.All patients were treated for 8 weeks.The healthy group was not given any intervention.Forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1),FEV1/forced vital capacity(FEV1/FVC),maximum mid-expiratory flow(MMEF),carbon monoxide diffusing capacity/alveolar ventilation(DLCO/VA),arterial partial pressure of oxygen(PaO2),arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PaCO2),COPD assessment test(CAT)score,Th17/Treg ratio,cytokines interleukin(IL)-17,IL-22,IL-10,and transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)were compared before and after treatment.Results Compared with before treatment,the lung function indexes(FEV1,FEV1/FVC,MMEF,DLCO/VA),blood gas indexes(PaO2,PaCO2)and CAT score in the study group after treatment were significantly improved(P<0.05).After treatment,the mean values of MMEF,DLCO/VA,PaCO2 and CAT score in the study group were better than those in the control group(P<0.05).Compared with before treatment,the levels of Th17,IL-17 and IL-22 in the study group were significantly lower,and the levels of Treg,IL-10 and TGF-β1 were significantly higher(P<0.05).After treatment,there were significant differences in Th17,Treg,IL-17,IL-22,IL-10 and TGF-β1 among the three groups(P<0.01).Further pairwise comparison showed that Th17 ranked in the order of high and low was control group>study group>healthy group,Treg in the order of high and low was healthy group>study group>control group,the levels of IL-17 and IL-22 in the order of high and low were control group>study group>healthy group,and the levels of IL-10 and TGF-β1 in the order of high and low were healthy group>study group>control group,with statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusion Zhoufei Pingchuan Capsules can improve the lung function,arterial blood gas and symptom score of patients with lung-kidney qi deficiency syndrome in stable stage of COPD.Its mechanism may be related to regulating the balance of Th17/Treg,down-regulating the levels of Th17,IL-17 and IL-22,and up-regulating the levels of Treg,IL-10 and TGF-β1,in order to reduce airway inflammation and regulate immune homeostasis.
6.Clinical research of incomplete immune tolerance to donor specific blood group antigen in pediatric ABO incompatible living donor liver transplantation recipients
Wei QU ; Zhijun ZHU ; Liying SUN ; Lin WEI ; Zhigui ZENG ; Ying LIU ; Jun WANG ; Yule TAN
Chinese Journal of Organ Transplantation 2022;43(4):219-223
Objective:To explore the potential immune mechanism of pediatric ABOi-LDLT presenting low humoral immune response to donor specific blood group antigen.Methods:From June 2013 to December 2020, clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for 29 patients of long-term surviving pediatric ABOi-LDLT.There were A to O ABOi-LDLT( n=10)and B to O ABOi-LDLT( n=19). Graft types included left lateral lobe( n=26)and left hemi-liver( n=3). The median age of liver transplantation was 10 months, the median weight 8.0 kg and the median follow-up time 41.9 months.The titers of donor specific blood group antibodies and non-donor specific blood group antibodies(IgG, IgM)were continuously monitored before transplantation and at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 months post-transplantation.Protocol or event-based liver biopsy was performed to determine whether or not there was antibody-mediated rejection. Results:The titer of donor specific blood group antibody in recipients was significantly lower than that of non-donor specific blood group antibody( P<0.001). Among 18 protocol liver pathological biopsies, two cases were C4d positive for vascular endothelium.Five abnormal event-based liver biopsies were completed and one was C4d positive in bile duct endothelium.No pathological sign of typical blood group antibody mediated antigen-antibody complex mediated cascade immune reaction was detected in liver pathological biopsy.Typical pathological signs of blood group antibody mediated rejection were absent in protocol liver biopsy. Conclusions:Donor specific blood group antibody is expressed at a low level in pediatric ABOi-LDLT recipients.It presents as incomplete immune tolerance to donor specific blood group antigen.
7.Pediatric liver transplantation for Alagille syndrome: a single-center experience
Yule TAN ; Zhijun ZHU ; Liying SUN ; Lin WEI ; Wei QU ; Zhigui ZENG ; Haiming ZHANG ; Ying LIU ; Jun WANG ; Hongyu LI
Organ Transplantation 2022;13(1):61-
Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of liver transplantation in children with Alagille syndrome (ALGS). Methods Clinical data of 12 children with ALGS were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Clinical characteristics of children with ALGS, pathological characteristics of liver tissues, characteristics of liver transplantation, postoperative complications and follow-up of children with ALGS were analyzed. Results JAG1 gene mutation and typical facial features was present in all 12 children. Jaundice was the most common initial symptom, which occurred at 7 (3, 40) d after birth. Upon liver transplantation, the Z scores of height and body weight were calculated as -2.14 (-3.11, -1.83) and -2.32 (-3.12, -1.12). Five children developed severe growth retardation and 4 children with severe malnutrition. Eight of 12 children were diagnosed with cardiovascular abnormalities. Pathological examination showed that the lobular structure of the diseased livers of 4 children was basically maintained, and 8 cases of nodular liver cirrhosis in different sizes including 1 case of single early moderately-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma. Three children were misdiagnosed with biliary atresia and underwent Kasai portoenterostomy. Eight children underwent living donor liver transplantation, three children underwent cadaveric donor liver transplantation (two cases of split liver transplantation and one case of cadaveric total liver transplantation), and one child underwent domino liver transplantation (donor liver was derived from a patient with maple syrup urine disease). during the follow-up of 30.0(24.5, 41.7) months, the survival rates of the children and liver grafts were both 100%. During postoperative follow-up, the Z scores of height and body weight were calculated as -1.24 (-2.11, 0.60) and -0.83 (-1.65, -0.43), indicating that the growth and development of the children were significantly improved after operation. Conclusions Liver transplantation is an efficacious treatment for children with ALGS complicated with decompensated cirrhosis, severe itching and poor quality of life. For children with ALGS complicated with cardiovascular abnormalities, explicit preoperative evaluation should be delivered, and consultation with pediatric cardiologists should be performed if necessary.
8.Hemodynamic monitoring of the liver after auxillary liver transplantation treated with a functional shunt for portal hypertension associated with a small-for-size graft
Wei QU ; Zhijun ZHU ; Lin WEI ; Liying SUN ; Zhigui ZENG ; Ying LIU ; Haiming ZHANG ; Jun WANG ; Yule TAN
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2021;27(1):42-46
Objective:To study the hepatic hemodynamics changes and pathophysiological mechanisms of the use of a functional shunt after auxillary liver transplantation to treat portal hypertension associated with a small-for-size graft.Methods:A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of patients with portal hypertension treated with functional shunting of small-volume grafts from a living donor liver at the Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from July 2014 to December 2018, and a total of 6 patients were included as the research objects, including 4 males and 2 females, with a median age of 35.5 (29.0-52.0) years old. Blood flow monitoring data were collected during and after operation, and the characteristics of liver hemodynamics were analyzed.Results:The portal venous blood flow of the remnant native liver gradually decreased to no flow. As a buffer response, the flow velocity of hepatic artery increased. The portal venous blood flow of the graft gradually increased in the early postoperative period and then gradually decreased from post-operation Day 5 to 10 due to gradual increase in portal venous resistance. However, the portal venous perfusion gradually increased from Day 10 after the operation, reached to a level and declined to a stable level about 1 month after the operation. The volume of abdominal drainage slowly decreased after the peak level at Day 5-10 after the operation, and disappeared completely at Day 30 after operation.Conclusions:When using auxiliary liver transplantation for functional shunting to treat portal hypertension, autologous residual liver can act as a guide buffer for the pressure gradient of portal vein hyperperfusion in liver transplantation, and reach a steady state of blood flow distribution about 1 month after surgery, while relying on autologous remnant liver hepatic artery buffer response prevents small liver syndrome.
9.Clinical use of 'Full right-Full left’ split liver transplantation: a report of 4 cases
Zhigui ZENG ; Lin WEI ; Liying SUN ; Wei QU ; Ying LIU ; Yule TAN ; Jun WANG ; Hongyu LI ; Haiming ZHANG ; Xiaojie CHEN ; Liuxin ZHOU ; Zhijun ZHU
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2021;27(2):94-97
Objective:To review our experience in the use of "Full right-Full left" split liver transplantation in adult-to adult or adult-to adult-size child.Methods:The clinical data of liver donors to 4 recipients of full right-full left split liver transplantation performed at Beijing Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University from January to December 2019 were reviewed. The surgical methods of split liver transplantation, cold ischemia time, operation time, intraoperative blood transfusion, and postoperative complications and prognosis were analyzed.Results:The 4 recipients of complete right hepatic-left hepatic split liver transplantation included 3 adults and 1 heavy child (45 kg). Their ages ranged from 14 to 48 years, and body weight ranged from 45 to 61 kg. The end-stage liver disease model score were 21, 12, 41, and 30 points. The ratios of graft mass to recipient's body mass ranged from 0.85% to 1.35%. The cold ischemia time was 457-650 min, and the operation time was 460-575 min. Early liver function recovered smoothly in all the 4 patients after transplantation, and no small liver syndrome occurred. Patients were followed up to 6 months after operation. One patient developed anastomotic biliary leak, which was cured by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographic treatment. Another patient developed biliary stricture presenting with repeated biliary tract infection despite percutaneous transhepatic puncture biliary drainage. A third patient died six months from lung infection.Conclusion:In properly selected patients, using full right-full left hemiliver by split liver transplantation increased organ utilization and provided patients with increased treatment opportunities.
10.Case report of living donor liver transplantation for pediatric propionic acidemia combined with dilated cardiomyopathy
Guangpeng ZHOU ; Zhijun ZHU ; Liying SUN ; Lin WEI ; Wei QU ; Zhigui ZENG ; Ying LIU ; Yule TAN ; Jun WANG
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2021;36(23):1828-1831
To analyzed a case of pediatric patient with propionic acidemia combined with dilated cardiomyopathy retrospectively, who underwent living donor liver transplantation at the Liver Transplantation Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University in March 2019.A 2 years and 6 months female child was admitted to hospital for propionic acidemia.The pretransplant echocardiogram showed left ventricular dilatation and systolic dysfunction, and thus dilated cardiomyopathy was considered.A living donor liver transplant was performed using her mother′s left latera-llobe.On the 14 months postoperatively, the child was on a liberated protein diet, but still required levocarnitine supplementation.Her hepatic and cardiac function returned normal, but growth retardation was still present.During the follow-up period, further propionic acidemia-related complications like metabolic decompensation, or any transplant-related complications were not reported.This case report suggested that liver transplantation is effective on pediatric propionic acidemia combined with cardiomyopathy, which reverses cardiomyopathy, improves cardiac function, relieves strict protein restriction, reduces the risk of metabolic decompensation, and significantly improves quality of life.

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