1.Treating Prediabetes from the Perspective of"Excessive Earth Stagnation and Fivefold Heat Scorching"
Journal of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University 2025;49(6):786-790
[Objective]To investigate the etiology and pathological mechanisms of prediabetes based on the theory of"excessive earth stagnation,"thereby expanding novel therapeutic approaches for prediabetes management.[Methods]Integrating classical Chinese medical literature with contemporary clinical insights,this study elucidates the correlation between Dunfu(thickened stagnation)and excessive earth stagnation and its pivotal role in prediabetes pathogenesis,and proposes the therapeutic strategies.[Results]The Dunfu mechanism documented in The Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor demonstrates significant correlation with the"spleen-earth stagnation"pathological state in prediabetes,which primarily disrupts the ascending-descending dynamic of Qi in middle-Jiao and contributes to glucose metabolism dysregulation.Dunfu(thickened stagnation)acts as a quintessential manifestation of excessive earth stagnation.When Dunfu develops,damp-heat pathogens accumulate,causing retention of food essence and further aggravating earth stagnation,the retained food and essence transforming into dampness,heat and phlegm.These turbid pathogens obstruct the middle-Jiao,impairing spleen function and Qi-blood flow,eventually generating heat that scorches the Zang-Fu organs.This progression from Pidan to Xiaodan underscores Dunfu as the root pathology.Treatment should prioritize resolving stagnation,clearing heat and eliminating turbidity,with tailored Zang-Fu syndrome differentiation to restore Beihua(preparation and transformation).[Conclusion]"Excessive earth stagnation"is the core pathological mechanisms of prediabetes,leading to retention of food essence and further aggravation earth stagnation,and the treatment should prioritize resolving stagnation.Treating prediabetes based on"excessive earth stagnation"has clinical guidance significance.
2.Effects of a virtual reality rehabilitation support system on discharge readiness among caregivers of post-laryngectomy patients
Li LI ; Yongling LIU ; Yang ZHANG ; Meng LIAN ; Yuehong WANG ; Shunli LU ; Chen YANG ; Tingting LI ; Yiran HE ; Xiaoting JIN ; Feilong XU ; Zirong TIAN
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(20):2451-2457
Objective To develop a virtual reality rehabilitation support system and evaluate its effects on improving discharge readiness in caregivers of laryngectomy patients.Methods The system is equipped with a virtual reality-based home nursing skills guidance module for post-laryngectomy patients and an evidence-based artificial intelligence Q&A module.A convenience sampling method was adopted to select 64 caregivers of patients who underwent laryngectomy for the first time in the otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery department of a tertiary A hospital in Beijing from July 2024 to January 2025 for a systematic study on application effects.To avoid cross-contamination between an experimental group and a control group,ward-based grouping was applied.A coin toss was used to assign Ward 1 to an experimental group and Ward 2 to a control group,with 32 cases in each group.The experimental group received discharge guidance based on the virtual reality technology,while the control group was provided with conventional verbal and written discharge instructions.The readiness for hospital discharge and the quality of discharge teaching scores of caregivers were compared between the 2 groups after the intervention.Results No sample detachment.After the intervention,the patient caregivers in the experimental group scored significantly higher than those in the control group in terms of discharge readiness and quality of discharge guidance,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.001).Conclusion This study developed the virtual reality rehabilitation system for laryngeal cancer patients demonstrated good feasibility and effectiveness.The application of this system for discharge education significantly improved discharge readiness of caregivers and quality of discharge guidance for post-laryngectomy patients.It also helped with the optimization of health education models,enhancement of nursing resource utilization efficiency,and improvement of transitional care.
3.Study on the Characteristics of TCM Syndromes of Insomnia Based on Multiple Data Analysis Methods
Xianbei WANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Jiwei ZHANG ; Yuying XU ; Ning SUN ; Miaoran WANG ; Xiaoning TAN ; Yufei WU ; Zirong LI ; Jing CAO ; Taiwei LOU ; Rui WEI ; Hongjin DU ; Qiuyan LI
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(5):25-31
Objective To explore the distribution of common TCM syndromes and symptoms of insomnia;To prepare for the construction of the theoretical framework and item pool of syndrome diagnosis and efficacy evaluation scale.Methods TCM guideline standards of insomnia,textbooks and journals over the years were retrieved,the information of TCM syndromes,syndrome elements and symptoms was extracted,the guideline textbook and journal database were established,and descriptive statistics,association rules,systematic clustering,factor analysis,potential categories and implicit structure analysis were carried out.Results Totally 116 guide standards and textbooks over the years were included,and 454 articles of journals were included.The high-frequency symptoms accounted for≥3%of the guide textbooks and journal databases were 87 and 79 categories,respectively,and the cumulative proportion was 87.48%and 87.75%,respectively.According to the analysis results,five common TCM syndromes and their characteristic symptom classification of insomnia were finally deduced.According to the frequency/person time distribution,they were heart and spleen deficiency syndrome,yin deficiency and fire hyperactivity syndrome,liver fire disturbing heart syndrome,phlegm heat disturbing heart syndrome,heart and gallbladder qi deficiency syndrome.Conclusion There are five common TCM syndromes of insomnia,and the characteristic symptoms of each TCM syndrome provide a reference source for the theoretical framework of syndrome diagnosis and efficacy evaluation scale and the establishment of item pool.
4.Evolution of disease coping styles in patients with keloid: a qualitative study
Yue HE ; Dan LIU ; Zirong LI ; Mengmeng ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Medical Aesthetics and Cosmetology 2025;31(1):68-72
Objective:To explore the evolution process of coping styles in patients with keloids.Methods:A purposive sampling method was used to select 35 keloid patients from the Department of Plastic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital from August 2022 to May 2024. The cohort included 13 males and 22 females, aged 12-66 (35.1±3.5) years. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the patients based on the self-depletion theory, and themes were extracted to construct a theoretical framework.Results:During the course of keloid disease, the initiating factors leading to maladaptive coping styles in patients included symptom distress, body image disturbance, lack of support, and excessive family reactions. Under the influence of these initiating factors, patients exhibited impairments in cognition, emotion, and attention control, followed by impulsive decision-making, negative emotions and avoidance, as well as diminished willpower and submission, ultimately resulting in maladaptive coping styles.Conclusions:Maladaptive coping styles in patients with keloids are a self-depletion process triggered by multiple factors. Intervening at the cognitive, emotional, and attention control levels can help patients develop effective coping styles for their condition.
5.Therapeutic efficacy of wire-assisted dynamic traction with corrective device on congenital nipple inversion with long-term follow-up
Hairu CAO ; Zirong LI ; Ru ZHAO ; Lin ZHU ; Chenyu WANG ; Xiaojun WANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Aesthetics and Cosmetology 2025;31(4):394-397
Objective:To analyze the therapeutic efficacy and long-term outcomes of wire-assisted dynamic traction with corrective device for congenital nipple inversion.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 22 female patients (42 nipples) with congenital nipple inversion treated at the Department of Plastic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January to December 2017. The patients′ age was 18-54 (27.6±1.9) years. All patients underwent wire-assisted dynamic traction correction. Postoperative indicators including numerical rating scale (NRS) pain scores, nipple skin microcirculatory disorders, and traction duration were recorded. Follow-up assessments via telephone interviews were completed by September 20, 2022; mean follow-up time was (63.68±3.73) months. Evaluating questions included nipple retraction, fertility status and breastfeeding outcomes.Results:Pain in the operative area was non-radiating, and the pain level decreased over time. Mean NRS were (5.4±1.5) scores on surgery day, decreasing to (4.4±1.2) scores at postoperative day 1 and (3.3±1.7) scores at day 2. Microcirculatory assessments revealed Grade 0-I (intact skin) in 78.6% (33/42), Grade II (skin ulceration) in 14.3% (6/42), and Grade III (partial necrosis) in 7.1% (3/42) of the nipples, with no Grade IV necrosis observed. Successful device placement was achieved in all cases (42/42), with traction duration ranging 6-15 (9.6±0.6) months. Follow-up data from 12 patients (23 nipples) showed mild retraction in 3 nipples. Three patients subsequently delivered infants and successfully achieved breastfeeding.Conclusion:The wire-assisted dynamic traction method with corrective device demonstrates satisfactory therapeutic outcomes for congenital nipple inversion patients with favorable long-term maintenance and breastfeeding compatibility.
6.Current status and prospects of tertiary lymphoid structure heterogeneity in predicting response to neoadjuvant therapy and characterizing immune microenvironment in triple-negative breast cancer
Qing WANG ; Yushuai YU ; Chenxi WANG ; Zirong JIANG ; Jialu LI ; Shicong TANG ; Chuangui SONG
China Oncology 2025;35(2):213-218
Triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)is a highly aggressive and prognostically unfavorable subtype.Tertiary lymphoid structure(TLS)within the tumor microenvironment,comprising dendritic cells,B cells,T cells,and other immune cells,modulate the tumor immune response.The heterogeneity of TLS in TNBC,such as density,structural maturity,and molecular expression patterns,affects the tumor immune microenvironment and,consequently,treatment responses and clinical outcomes.Studies indicate a positive correlation between the density and maturity of TLS and the pathological complete response(pCR)of TNBC patients,with TLS enhancing the quantity of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and improving anti-tumor immune responses,thereby increasing sensitivity to chemotherapy and immunotherapy.Recent research has found that mature TLS are associated with effective immune responses,becoming significant predictors of treatment response.The combination of TLS with immune checkpoint inhibitors has shown promising prospects.Research demonstrates that promoting the formation or enhancing the functionality of TLS can improve anti-tumor immune effects and enhance treatment outcomes for TNBC patients.Targeting TLS may reduce immune evasion and increase the sensitivity to immunotherapy.However,clinical application of TLS still faces challenges,particularly the impact of their heterogeneity on treatment response.Current assessment methods for TLS are not standardized,lacking a uniform standard and diagnostic system,which limits their widespread application.Future research should focus on resolving these issues by developing standardized assessment tools and further exploring the role of TLS in immune escape and resistance mechanisms.This review aimed to summarize and analyze the existing research progress on TLS in TNBC,in order to provide new ideas for the development of personalized immunotherapy strategies.
7.Visualization analysis on research hotspots and trends of TCM compound disassembly analysis based on CiteSpace
Mengxuan LI ; Mengjie ZHAO ; Wantong ZHANG ; Yufei WU ; Zirong LI ; Weiliang WENG ; Qiuyan LI
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(9):1293-1300
Objective:To visually analyze the research literature on the analysis of TCM compounds; To explore the research hotspots and trends in this field.Methods:The literature related to the disassembly analysis of TCM compounds was retrieved from CNKI, Chongqing VIP, Wanfang Data, SinoMed, and China Medical Journal Full-text Database from January 1, 1981 to December 31, 2024. CiteSpace 6.4.R1 software was used to visualize the number of articles, authors, institutions and keywords, and to draw the cooperation network diagram of authors and institutions, keyword co-occurrence, clustering, timeline and burst map.Results:A total of 1 728 Chinese articles were included, and the number of publications showed a fluctuating upward trend. A comparatively high number of publications was in 2007 and 2016, followed by a slight decline but maintained at a high level. There is a trend of recovery in 2024. The author with the highest number of articles was Professor Fang Zhaoqin, and the institution with the highest number of articles was Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. High frequency keywords included rats, compatibility, experimental research, cell apoptosis, TCM compound, and a total of 19 clusters and 25 emergent keywords were formed.Conclusions:The research contents and methods of the research on the disassembly of TCM compounds are relatively rich, and there are many explorations on classical prescriptions. The study of disassembled prescriptions has played a driving role in the modernization of TCM compounds. In the future, high-quality cooperation between regions, institutions, and authors, combination with modern medicine and scientific methods, will further improve the quality of research in this field.
8.Clinical study on Xinyue Decoction combined with fluoxetine hydrochloride in the treatment of cognitive impairment in senile depression
Yufei WU ; Qiuyan LI ; Zirong LI ; Xiaosen ZHAO ; Qian ZHOU ; Qiaoru KOU ; Yuehua LI ; Mingdong GUO
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(11):1514-1520
Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Xinyue Decoction combined with fluoxetine hydrochloride in the treatment of cognitive impairment of senile depression.Methods:A randomized controlled trial study was conducted. Totally 116 elderly patients with depression accompanied by cognitive impairment were set as observation subjects, and were divided into a control group and an experimental group using random number table method, with 58 patients in each. The control group received treatment with fluoxetine hydrochloride capsules, while the experimental group was administered Xinyue Decoction Granules in addition to the treatment regimen of the control group. The treatment lasted for 8 weeks for both groups. Comparison was made between the two groups regarding the changes in TCM syndrome scores. Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-24) was used to assess the degree of depression, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA BJ) was used to assess cognitive ability; the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were detected by ELISA; the adverse reactions during treatment were observed and recorded, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated.Results:The total effective rate of TCM syndromes was 90.4% (47/52) in the experimental group and 75.5% (40/53) in the control group, with statistical significance ( χ2=4.11, P<0.05); the total effective rate of MoCA-BJ was 76.9% (40/52) in the experimental group and 58.5% (31/53) in the control group, with statistical significance ( χ2=4.61, P<0.05); the total effective rate of HAMD-24 was 88.5% (46/52) in the experimental group and 71.7% (38/53) in the control group, with statistical significance ( χ2=4.07, P<0.05). After treatment, the TCM syndrome score, HAMD-24 and MoCA-BJ scores of the experimental group were lower than those in the control group ( t=-3.51, -5.11, 2.39, P<0.01 or P<0.05); the level of serum BDNF [(10.49±1.76) ng/L vs. (9.61±1.85) ng/L, t=2.28] in the observation group was higher than that of the control group ( P<0.05), and the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were lower than those in the control group ( t=-2.50, -2.46, -2.18, P<0.05). During the treatment, the incidence of adverse reactions was 5.77% (3/52) in the experimental group and 7.55% (4/53) in the control group, without statistical significance ( χ2=0.13, P>0.05). Conclusion:Xinyue Decoction combined with fluoxetine hydrochloride can reduce the degree of depression in elderly patients with cognitive impairment of depression, improve the cognitive ability of patients and clinical efficacy.
9.Discussion on the Treatment of Insomnia from Liver Based on the Theory "Liver Governs Wei Qi (Defensive Qi)"
Zirong LI ; Miaoran WANG ; Yufei WU ; Tian NI ; Xianbei WANG ; Hongjin DU ; Jiwei ZHANG ; Qiuyan LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(4):411-415
Psychological factors have become significant contributors to the onset and progression of insomnia. This article explored the treatment of insomnia from the perspective of “liver governs wei qi (defensive qi)”. The concept of “liver governs wei qi (defensive qi)” is summarized in three aspects, firstly, the liver assists the spleen and stomach in transformation and transportation, governing the generation of wei qi; secondly, the liver aids lung qi diffusion and dispersion, governing the distribution of wei qi; thirdly, the liver regulates circadian rhythms, governing the circulation of wei qi. It is proposed that the clinical treatment of insomnia should focus on the following methods: for regulating the liver to harmonize the five viscera, and facilitate the circulation of wei qi, medicinals entering the liver channel include Chaihu (Bupleuri radix), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus), and Suanzaoren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen) could be commonly used; for nourishing the liver, the treatment should align with the day-night rhythm, and herbs such as Baihe (Lilium), Hehuan (Albizia julibrissin), and Yejiaoteng (Polygoni multiflori caulis) are commonly used; for soothing the liver and address both mental and physical health to calm wei qi, treatment should advocate verbal counseling, psychological regulation, and health education. Ultimately, this treatment approach can free liver qi to flow, soothe qi movement, restore the motion of wei qi, regulate during day and night, balance yin and yang, and resolve insomnia effectively.
10.Construction of a competency-oriented standardized training system for orthopedic residents based on entrustable professional activities
Tianyang LIU ; Fuqiang GAO ; Wei SUN ; Zirong LI
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(1):126-131
In recent years, the third medical education reform characterized by competency-based medical education (CBME) is being carried out around the world; however, there are still challenges in bridging competency framework with clinical practice during implementation. With reference to the three-step method for constructing a CBME curriculum system based on entrustable professional activities (EPAs) and related policies and studies in China in recent years, this article constructs a framework of EPAs with the features of orthopedics by detailing the EPAs of specified clinical operation. On this basis, this article proposes a competency-oriented standardized training system for orthopedic residents, with the help of teaching evaluation methods to ensure the successful implementation of courses, so as to provide a reference for establishing a training system for surgery based on EPAs.

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