1.Cage design-centric glider approach to full-endoscopic lumbar fusion: optimizing nerve root protection in facet-sparing and facet-resecting techniques
Yu-Chia HSU ; Hao-Chun CHUANG ; Yuan-Fu LIU ; Chao-Jui CHANG ; Yu-Meng HSIAO ; Yi-Hung HUANG ; Keng-Chang LIU ; Chien-Min CHEN ; Hyeun-Sung KIM ; Cheng-Li LIN
Asian Spine Journal 2026;20(2):343-353
Endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) offers substantial advantages in the management of degenerative spinal diseases, including accelerated postoperative recovery. However, its technical complexity and steep learning curve pose risks for nerve root injury. Optimizing nerve root protection in full-endoscopic facet-sparing TLIF (FE fs-TLIF) and full-endoscopic facet-resecting TLIF (FE fr-TLIF) is essential for enhancing surgical safety. This study aimed to improve the nerve root protection in FE fs-TLIF and FE fr-TLIF by optimizing cage glider selection and insertion techniques based on the specific cage shape—banana-shaped or bullet-shaped. The goal was to ensure safe cage positioning and mitigate nerve root injury during discectomy, endplate preparation, and cage insertion. These strategies were validated through cadaveric simulations and clinical implementation. In FE fr-TLIF utilizing bullet-shaped (straight) cages, one-tip and two-tip cage gliders effectively protected the traversing nerve root by facilitating medial cage entry, thereby minimizing irritation of the exiting nerve root. Conversely, in FE fr-TLIF with banana-shaped cages, the lateral tilt of the cage holder during implantation required the use of a two-tip cage glider to protect the traversing and exiting nerve roots, thereby mitigating the potential risk of nerve irritation. In FE fs-TLIF, a one-tip cage glider is preferred for safeguarding the exiting nerve root, while the traversing root is inherently protected by the medial wall of the facet joint. The use of a two-tip cage glider in FE fs-TLIF can cause injury to the nerve root during glider insertion. In addition to the selection of cage gliders, improper cage insertion steps can also contribute to postoperative neurapraxia. The appropriate selection of cage gliders with corresponding insertion techniques is critical for nerve root protection in endoscopic TLIF. Tailoring these choices to the specific approach (FE fs-TLIF or FE fr-TLIF) and cage type (banana or bullet) enhances surgical safety and clinical outcomes.
2.The Current Consensus on Salvage Surgery after Targeted Therapy for Advanced EGFR-Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Yu-Wei LIU ; Po-Chih CHANG ; Jadzia Tin-Tsen CHOU ; Shah-Hwa CHOU
Journal of Chest Surgery 2026;59(1):17-29
Salvage surgery is an emerging option for carefully selected patients with advanced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease remains controlled on tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. Fourteen retrospective series report median progression-free survival (PFS) of 14–52 months and overall survival (OS) often exceeding 3 years, suggesting better disease control than continued TKI therapy alone. Although PFS generally improves, some cohorts show no OS advantage, probably because effective post-progression treatments dilute survival differences. Non-surgical local consolidative therapies remain essential for oligometastatic disease; nevertheless, resection yields intact specimens for comprehensive pathologic and molecular analysis.Access to tissue permits earlier identification of resistance mechanisms—most commonly the T790M mutation—more accurate prognostication, and more precise systemic-therapy selection. Comprehensive sampling can also identify histologic transformation and compound mutations that precede radiologic progression. Adverse prognostic factors include older age, high preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen levels, advanced pathological T stage, programmed death-ligand 1 ≥1%, and spread through air spaces. Salvage surgery is feasible and effective in carefully selected patients, especially those with oligoresidual disease and favorable tumor biology. Patient selection should integrate performance status, anatomic extent, histopathology, and genomic profile through multidisciplinary discussions. Despite regional differences (e.g., higher EGFR-mutation prevalence and wider adoption of minimally invasive approaches in East Asia) oncologic outcomes are comparable when selection criteria are applied consistently. Prospective trials are warranted to validate these retrospective observations, refine selection algorithms, establish optimal timing, and clarify how surgery can best be integrated with next-generation targeted agents and immunotherapies.
3.WANG Yaoxian's Experience in Treating Diabetic Kidney Disease from the Perspective of Spleen and Stomach:Based on the Theory of "Internal Heat Leading to Concretions"
Bo ZHANG ; Yuxin HU ; Cong ZHAO ; Jiale ZHANG ; Weimin JIANG ; Chang YU ; Yang LIU ; Liqiao SUN ; Weiwei SUN ;
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(5):482-486
This paper summarizes Professor WANG Yaoxian's experience in treating diabetic kidney disease (DKD) from the perspective of spleen and stomach based on the "internal heat leading to concretions" theory. It is considered that internal heat leading to concretions constitutes the core pathogenesis of DKD, with the spleen and stomach serving as the source of internal heat; therefore, treatment should be based on regulating the spleen and stomach. In the early stage of DKD, dysfunction of the spleen and stomach leads to the initial generation of internal heat. Common syndrome patterns include gastrointestinal heat accumulation and constrained heat in the liver and stomach, for which modified Gegen Qinlian Decoction (葛根芩连汤) can be used to clear heat bind while modified Dachaihu Decoction (大柴胡汤) is used to clear stomach and soothe liver, respectively. In the middle stage of DKD, weakness of the spleen and stomach results in the initial formation of concretions and conglomerations. Common patterns include spleen deficiency with prevalence of dampness and deficiency of both the spleen and kidney. Treatment emphasizes strengthening the spleen and resolving dampness, raising yang and boosting the stomach with modified Shengyang Yiwei Decoction (升阳益胃汤), or supplementing spleen and boosting kidney, dissipating bind and dispe-ring concretions with modified Shenqi Dihuang Decoction (参芪地黄汤), respectively. In the late stage of DKD, it is characterized by spleen and stomach depletion, and rampant accumulation of turbidity and toxin, and the common syndrome patterns are damp-turbidity obstruction in the middle jiao (焦) and spleen-kidney yang deficiency. Treatment aims to remove turbidity and harmonize the stomach, or to warm the kidney and strengthen the spleen while elimina-ting turbidity, using modified Dahuang Gancao Decoction(大黄甘草汤) and Jupi Zhuru Decoction (橘皮竹茹汤) or modified Baoyuan Decoction (保元汤) and Lizhong Decoction (理中汤), respectively. In clinical practice, appropriate formulas and medications are flexibly selected according to specific syndromes.
4.Current situation and development strategy of the construction of traditional Chinese medicine digital herbarium
LIU Junling ; HAO Dajun ; CHENG Shiyun ; SU Chang ; GENG Chao ; LIU Bingxin ; RONG Yu ; KANG Shuai
Drug Standards of China 2026;27(1):0049-0057
This study aims to review the current status and development trends of digital TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) specimen museums, providing a theoretical basis for their future construction. By systematically organizing literature and materials, practical experiences in platform architecture design, content planning, and technical implementation were summarized. The research results show that digital technology has significant application value in the TCM field. Currently, some Food and Drug Control Institutes have formed diverse construction achievements by integrating regional characteristics with technological innovation. However, current TCM specimen museums generally still face many challenges, such as insufficient digitalization. In conclusion, the digitalization of TCM specimen museums has become an inevitable trend in the industry. Targeted measures are urgently needed to solve existing problems and promote the sustainable development of digital TCM specimen museums. It is suggested to strengthen the standardization of data collection and storage, deepen the integration of technologies such as 3D, AR, and AI into the construction of specimen museums, and at the same time promote the spatial design combining regional culture with TCM. This will help create "one museum with one feature for one region" digital TCM specimen museums, further promoting their sustainable development and facilitating the digital inheritance of TCM.
5.Clinical Efficacy of Modified Huangqi Chifengtang in Treatment of IgA Nephropathy Patients and Exploration of Dose-effect Relationship of Astragali Radix
Xiujie SHI ; Meiying CHANG ; Yue SHI ; Ziyan ZHANG ; Yifan ZHANG ; Qi ZHANG ; Hangyu DUAN ; Jing LIU ; Mingming ZHAO ; Yuan SI ; Yu ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):9-16
ObjectiveTo explore the dose-effect relationship and safety of high, medium, and low doses of raw Astragali Radix in the modified Huangqi Chifengtang (MHCD) for treating proteinuria in immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy, and to provide scientific evidence for the clinical use of high-dose Astragali Radix in the treatment of proteinuria in IgA nephropathy. MethodsA total of 120 patients with IgA nephropathy, diagnosed with Qi deficiency and blood stasis combined with wind pathogen and heat toxicity, were randomly divided into a control group and three treatment groups. The control group received telmisartan combined with a Chinese medicine placebo, while the treatment groups were given telmisartan combined with MHCD containing different doses of raw Astragali Radix (60, 30, 15 g). Each group contained 30 patients, and the treatment period was 12 weeks. Changes in 24-hour urinary protein (24 hUTP), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, effective rate, and renal function were observed before and after treatment. Safety was assessed by monitoring liver function and blood routine. ResultsAfter 12 weeks of treatment, 24 hUTP significantly decreased in the high, medium, and low-dose groups, as well as the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The TCM syndrome scores in the high, medium, and low-dose groups also significantly decreased (P<0.01). Comparisons between groups showed that the 24 hUTP in the high-dose group was significantly lower than in the medium, low-dose, and control groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the 24 hUTP in the medium-dose group was significantly lower than in the control group (P<0.05). The TCM syndrome scores in the high and medium-dose groups were significantly lower than in the low-dose and control groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). The total effective rates for proteinuria in the high, medium, low-dose, and control groups were 92.59% (25/27), 85.19% (23/27), 60.71% (17/28), and 57.14% (16/28), respectively. The effective rates in the high and medium-dose groups were significantly higher than in the low-dose and control groups (χ2=13.185, P<0.05, P<0.01). The effective rates for TCM syndrome scores in the high, medium, low-dose, and control groups were 88.89% (24/27), 81.48% (22/27), 71.43% (20/28), and 46.43% (13/28), respectively. The efficacy of TCM syndrome scores in the high and medium-dose groups was significantly higher than in the control group (χ2=14.053, P<0.01). Compared with pre-treatment values, there was no statistically significant difference in eGFR and serum creatinine in the high and medium-dose groups. However, eGFR significantly decreased in the low-dose and control groups after treatment (P<0.05), and serum creatinine levels increased significantly in the control group (P<0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in urea nitrogen, uric acid, albumin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, liver function, and blood routine before and after treatment in any group. ConclusionThere is a dose-effect relationship in the treatment of IgA nephropathy with high, medium, and low doses of raw Astragali Radix in MHCD. The high-dose group exhibited the best therapeutic effect and good safety profile.
6.Identification of Chemical Constituents of Bidens pilosa and Analysis of Its Anti-gastric Cancer Cell Proliferation Activity in Vitro
Yu HAN ; Chang LIU ; Jiao LIU ; Tao ZHANG ; Zhongmei ZOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):154-164
ObjectiveTo study the chemical constituents of Bidens pilosa and the in vitro antiproliferative activity of some compounds against gastric cancer cells. MethodsThe chemical constituents were isolated and purified by methods such as silica gel column chromatography, preparative thin layer chromatography, medium pressure preparation chromatography, semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) and recrystallization, their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties, spectral data and circular dichroism spectra. Thiazole blue(MTT) assay was used to determine the in vitro inhibitory activityies of some isolated compounds against human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells, and molecular docking was used to predict their potential targets. ResultsTwenty-five compounds were isolated from the petroleum ether fraction of B. pilosa and identified as bidpillignan A(
7.Investigation of Effect of Different Drying Conditions on Appearance Characteristics and Internal Indicators of Pinelliae Rhizoma Based on Standardization
Suqing LIU ; Xueli ZHANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Cong YANG ; Changfu YANG ; Jun YU ; Bingpeng ZHENG ; Huiwu LI ; Yanhua JIANG ; Chang LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):208-215
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of different drying conditions on the appearance and intrinsic quality indicators of Pinelliae Rhizoma for screening suitable drying conditions, so as to provide reference for its standardized production and quality evaluation. MethodsDifferent dried samples of Pinelliae Rhizoma were prepared by lime-assisted sweating method and intermittent drying method. Visual analysis was employed to measure the color brightness values(L*) of the surface, cross-section and powder of the samples, texture analyzer was used to determine the hardness of the samples under different drying conditions. The total starch content was calculated by measuring the contents of amylose and amylopectin in the samples with ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. High performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was used to determine the contents of seven nucleoside components(uracil, hypoxanthine, uridine, inosine, guanosine, β-thymidine and adenosine) in the samples. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to explore the correlation between the external characteristics and intrinsic indicators of the different dried samples. Principal component analysis(PCA) was used to comprehensively rank the data of various indicators, and partial least squares-discriminant analysis(PLS-DA) was used to screen differential components with variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1. Furthermore, the difference between the optimal drying condition for Pinelliae Rhizoma and the traditional sun-drying method was explored by independent samples t-test. ResultsWith the increase of temperature, the color of the intermittently dried samples gradually deepened, while their hardness gradually decreased. Concurrently, the contents of extract, total starch, uridine and adenosine exhibited an upward trend, whereas the contents of uracil, hypoxanthine and inosine displayed a downward trajectory. Compared with the intermittent drying group, the content of extract in the samples subjected to lime-assisted sweating increased. With the increase of lime dose, the hardness and the total content of nucleoside components in the samples showed a downward trend, while the total starch content showed an upward trend. Correlation analysis showed that the comprehensive score of L* was negatively correlated with the contents of uracil, hypoxanthine and inosine, and positively correlated with the contents of uridine, guanosine and adenosine. Hardness was negatively correlated with adenosine content, and positively correlated with the contents of inosine, uracil and hypoxanthine. Through comprehensive consideration and comprehensive score of principal components, the method of 5% lime-mixed sweating for 6 days emerged as the top-ranking approach. Except for the extract, the results of independent samples t-test showed that there was no significant difference between the 5% lime-mixed sweating for 6 days and the traditional sun-drying in terms of other content indicators. ConclusionThe whiteness and firmness of Pinelliae Rhizoma exhibit significant correlations with its chemical composition, while uridine, uracil, guanosine, adenosine and inosine are the key constituents responsible for the quality difference of Pinelliae Rhizoma under different drying conditions. The lime-assisted sweating method optimized in this study can be proposed as a viable alternative to the traditional sun-drying method. This method not only ensures the quality of the medicinal material but also effectively reduces the drying time and prevents mold contamination, which provides a valuable reference for the standardization of drying conditions and the establishment of quality evaluation criteria for Pinelliae Rhizoma.
8.Effects of Conbercept on different optical coherence tomography biomarkers in patients with retinal vein occlusion-related macular edema
Haiyue YU ; Juan TENG ; Zeying DONG ; Lili ZHANG ; Huixian CUI ; Chang LIU ; Guang ZHU ; Xin LI
International Eye Science 2025;25(10):1656-1661
AIM: To investigate the effects of Conbercept on various optical coherence tomography(OCT)biomarkers in patients with retinal vein occlusion-related macular edema(RVO-ME), and to analyze the correlation of these biomarker changes with visual prognosis.METHODS: Retrospective study. A total of 57 patients(57 eyes)with RVO-ME, including 25 patients(25 eyes)with central retinal vein occlusion(CRVO)and 32 patients(32 eyes)with branch retinal vein occlusion(BRVO), were enrolled in this study. All the patients received intravitreal injection of conbercept once a month, three times in total. The preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), and changes in OCT biomarkers, including central macular thickness(CMT), the length of disorganization of the retinal inner layers(DRIL), the number of hyperreflective dots(HRD), the area of intraretinal fluid(IRF), the area of subretinal fluid(SRF), and the length of ellipsoid zone(EZ)disruption were compared. Furthermore, the relationship of these changes with BCVA was analyzed.RESULTS:Compared with the baseline, at 3 mo post-treatment, BCVA(LogMAR)was improved, CMT was decreased, the length of DRIL was shortened, the number of HRD was reduced, the area of IRF was decreased, the area of SRF was reduced, and the length of EZ disruption was shortened(all P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that there was no correlation between the changes in CMT, the length of DRIL, the number of HRD, the area of IRF, the area of SRF and the change in BCVA before and after treatment(P>0.05). However, the change in the length of EZ disruption was positively correlated with the change in BCVA(rs=0.34, P=0.011), and the R2 value of the fitting curve between the change in the length of EZ disruption and the change in BCVA was 0.113(P=0.011). When comparing the pre- and post-treatment changes in BCVA, the length of DRIL, the number of HRD, the area of IRF, the area of SRF, and the length of EZ disruption between patients in the CRVO group and BRVO group, no significant differences were observed(all P>0.05). In contrast, a significant difference was found in the change in CMT between the two groups(P=0.002).CONCLUSION:Conbercept effectively improves multiple OCT biomarkers in patients with RVO-ME. Repair of EZ disruption is a key driver of visual recovery, and its stability may serve as a novel indicator for personalized decision-making in anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy.
9.Feasibility study on automatic dicentric chromosome detection and dose estimation using an artificial intelligence-based chromosome image scanning and processing system
Junchao FENG ; Chang LIU ; Yulong LIU ; Jie LI ; Yu GAO
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(4):571-577
Objective To compare the results obtained from an artificial intelligence (AI)-based chromosome image scanning and processing system, the Metafer 4 chromosome scanning and analysis system, and manual analysis of dicentric chromosomes, and to explore the feasibility of applying AI technology for dicentric chromosome detection and biological dose estimation. Methods Healthy human elbow vein blood was collected and subjected to 60Co in vitro irradiation. Chromosome samples were prepared using conventional methods. The slides were scanned and automatically analyzed using the AI-based system and the Metafer 4 system. The results were manually analyzed and confirmed. Results The number of cells was comparable between the AI-based system and the Metafer 4 system. However, the scanning speed of the AI-based system was 4.5 seconds per image, which was significantly faster than the 7.3 seconds per image of the Metafer 4 system (t = −6.19, P < 0.05). At a confidence level of 0.7, the AI-based system demonstrated a true positive rate of 96.7% and a false positive rate of 6.5%, which were significantly better than the true positive rate (45.4%-54.5%) and false positive rate (22.2%-29.2%) of the Metafer 4 system (all P < 0.05). In the biological dose estimation, the deviation of the dose-response curve was ≤ ± 10% in the automatic analysis using the Metafer 4 system. Due to the use of the manual dose-response curve, the deviation of the AI-based System was ≤ ± 15%. However, there were no significant differences in the estimated doses when the two systems were compared with the manual analysis (P > 0.05). Conclusion Both the AI-based chromosome image scanning and processing system and the Metafer 4 chromosome scanning and analysis system greatly improved the analysis speed of chromosome aberrations. However, the scanning speed, true positive rate, and false positive rate of the AI-based system were superior to those of the Metafer 4 system. Therefore, the AI-based system is more suitable for rapid and high-throughput biological dose estimation in large-scale radiation accidents.
10.Treatment of erectile dysfunction based on the "brain-heart-kidney-essence chamber" axis and the meridian-zangfu relationship.
Dicheng LUO ; Jun GUO ; Hao WANG ; Dongyue MA ; Ziwei ZHAO ; Yang LIU ; Hongyuan CHANG ; Jiwei ZHANG ; Wenxiao YU
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(5):609-613
Based on the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction (ED) from the meridian-zangfu relationship and the "brain-heart-kidney-essence chamber" axis, it proposes that dysfunction of the "brain-heart-kidney-essence chamber" axis is closely related to the occurrence of ED. Among these, brain-heart disharmony is the key pathogenic factor, kidney deficiency and essence depletion constitute an important basis, and essence chamber stasis is a critical mechanism. The treatment approach emphasizes harmonizing the brain and heart, regulating the mind, tonifying the kidney and replenishing qi, unblocking qi and blood to harmonize the essence chamber. The primary acupoints include Baihui (GV20)-Neiguan (PC6)-Shenmen (HT7), Taixi (KI3)-Guanyuan (CV4)-Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Zhongji (CV3)-Dahe (KI12)-Gongsun (SP4), with additional acupoints selected based on syndrome differentiation. This approach aims to restore the clarity of the brain and heart, replenish kidney qi, and unblock the essence chamber, thereby facilitating the restoration of normal functions of the brain, heart, kidney, and essence chamber, and alleviating ED symptoms and improving overall clinical efficacy.
Humans
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Male
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Meridians
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Erectile Dysfunction/physiopathology*
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Kidney/physiopathology*
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Brain/physiopathology*
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Acupuncture Therapy
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Acupuncture Points
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Heart/physiopathology*

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