1.Current Research Status,Challenges,Differentiation and Treatment Strategies of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Fengyun WANG ; Mi LYU ; Bingduo ZHOU ; Beihua ZHANG ; Yi WANG ; Tingting XU ; Cong HE ; Xiaokang WANG ; Xin LIU ; Yang WANG ; Kaiyue HUANG ; Lusi XU ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):392-396
This article systematically reviews the current research status as well as diagnosis and treatment strategies of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Studies demonstrate that TCM, based on the "disease-syndrome combination" approach, exhibits multi-target advantages in alleviating symptoms of various GERD subtypes, promoting mucosal repair, regulating emotions, and facilitating the reduction of western medication. To address clinical challenges such as symptom overlap and limited therapeutic efficacy, strategies have been proposed including "treating different diseases with the same method" and integrated regulation based on viscera correlation. Future efforts should focus on elucidating the mechanisms of compound prescriptions, promoting TCM drug development under the "three-combination" evaluation framework that integrates TCM theory, human experience and clinical trial evidence, and optimizing integrated traditional and western medicine models to enhance GERD management.
2.Huangqi Jianzhongtang Regulates Polarization of Macrophages M1/M2 and Improves Fat Consumption in Cancer Cachexia Mice
Zhiyan FANG ; Haiyan ZHU ; Wenying HUAI ; Cong HUANG ; Ruocong YANG ; Haiyan YU ; Tiane ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):61-69
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Huangqi Jianzhongtang (HQJZ) on macrophage polarization and fat consumption in cancer cachexia (CC) mice. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) was used to control the quality of HQJZ. (1) In vitro experiment: HQJZ-containing serum was prepared, and the optimal concentration was determined by cytotoxicity assay. Mouse monocyte-derived macrophages (RAW264.7) were cultured and randomly divided into six groups, including a blank group, a classically activated macrophages (M1) group, an alternatively activated macrophages (M2) group, a HQJZ + blank group, a HQJZ+M1 group, and a HQJZ + M2 group. The relative expression of macrophage marker genes CD86, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), CD206, and arginase-1 (Arg1) was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR ). (2) In vivo experiment: Thirty-two BALB/c mice were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, a medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) group, and a HQJZ group. Except for the control group, the other mice were injected with CT-26 colon cancer cells to establish a CC model. Mice in the MPA and HQJZ groups were given MPA (0.13 g·kg-1·d-1) or HQJZ (13.13 g·kg-1·d-1) by gavage, respectively, while mice in the control and model groups were given an equal volume of saline by gavage, with interventions continued for 10 d. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of macrophage markers (iNOS, Arg1, CD86, CD206) and fat browning-related genes uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in epididymal adipose tissue. Western blot (WB) was used to detect protein expression levels of UCP1 and PPARγ. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was used to measure residual fat volume, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess fat browning and calculate pathological scores. ResultsIn vitro, the dominant effective concentration of HQJZ-containing serum was 12.5%. Real-time PCR results showed that, compared with the blank group, Arg1 expression decreased in the HQJZ+blank group (P<0.05), CD206 showed a downward trend without statistical significance, while iNOS and CD86 expression were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the M1 group, Arg1 and CD206 expression decreased in the HQJZ+M1 group (P<0.05). Compared with the M2 group, CD206 expression decreased in the HQJZ+M2 group (P<0.05), CD86 expression increased significantly (P<0.01). In vivo, Real-time PCR results showed that, compared with the control group, CD86 and CD206 expression levels were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, CD206 expression in the MPA group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). In the HQJZ group, CD206 was significantly decreased (P<0.01). WB results showed that, compared with the model group, protein expression of UCP1 and PPARγ was significantly reduced in the HQJZ group (P<0.05, P<0.01). micro-CT results showed that the total white fat volume in the HQJZ group was greater than that in the model group (P<0.05). HE staining results showed that pathological scores in the HQJZ group were lower than those in the model group (P<0.05). ConclusionHQJZ may inhibit white adipose tissue browning by promoting macrophage M1 polarization and suppressing M2 polarization, thereby delaying fat consumption in CC mice.
3.Meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety total glucosides of paeonia in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus
Xiangyan HAO ; Jiahui LENG ; Zhengqi LIU ; Xinchang WANG ; Cong HUANG ; Xiaopeng LI ; Yi LING
China Pharmacy 2026;37(2):232-237
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of total glucosides of paeonia (TGP) in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS Randomized controlled trial (RCT) about TGP combined with western medicine versus western medicine alone for SLE treatment were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data, and CBM. The search period spanned from the inception of each database to June 1, 2025. After literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment of the included studies, Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software. RESULTS Fifteen RCTs, involving 1 318 patients, were included. Meta-analysis results showed that compared with western medicine alone, TGP combined with western medicine significantly improved clinical efficacy [OR=4.96, 95%CI(3.41, 7.23), P<0.000 01], complement 3 [MD=0.18, 95%CI (0.13, 0.23), P<0.000 01] and complement 4[MD=0.08, 般021) 95%CI (0.04, 0.11), P<0.000 01], and reduced the levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) [MD=-3.10, 95%CI (-3.59,-2.62), P<0.000 01], IgA [MD=-0.68, 95%CI (-0.78, -0.58), P<0.000 01], IgM [MD=-0.43, 95%CI (-0.53,-0.34), P<0.000 01], systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) [MD=-1.59, 95%CI (-2.20, -0.99), P<0.000 01], recurrence rate [OR=0.23, 95%CI (0.13, 0.42), P<0.000 01] and the incidence of adverse drug reactions [OR= 0.54, 95%CI (0.36, 0.82), P=0.004]. CONCLUSIONS TGP therapy can improve clinical efficacy of SLE patients, promote the restoration of immunoglobulins and complements, reduce SLEDAI and recurrence rate and has good safety.
4.Structural Design and Experimental Study of a New Aerodynamic Electric Hook
Cao LIU ; Junwei HUANG ; Haidong LIAO ; Jiale YUAN ; Yang XIE ; Jiafeng LIU ; Yong YING ; Xiangtai ZENG ; Cong LIAO
Chinese Journal of Minimally Invasive Surgery 2025;25(10):628-635
Objective To investigate the safety parameters of the air-powered electrocautery hook and its advantages in laparoscopic surgery.Methods In pressure trauma experiments,21 healthy New Zealand White Rabbits were randomly divided into three groups.In each group,three sites(liver,intestine,and kidney)were selected from each rabbit,and the air-powered electrocautery hook was used under laparoscopy to apply pressure and time gradients in a cross-combination manner.The three groups of experimental rabbits were dissected at three time points:immediately after application,3 d post-application,and 7 d post-application.Pathological sections were prepared from the corresponding treated sites,and the extent of injury was assessed.In rabbit renal capsule removal experiment,another 20 healthy New Zealand White Rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups.Renal capsule removal was performed by using an air-powered electrosurgical hook and a conventional electrosurgical hook,respectively,to compare the two groups in terms of surgical time,intraoperative bleeding volume,intraoperative complications,and the number of times of wiping speculum.Results In pressure trauma experiment,except for the intestinal tract at 3 seconds(P=0.060),the histopathological scores under 0.3 MPa pressure were significantly higher than those under 0.1 MPa(P<0.05)and 0.2 MPa(P<0.05)in all the tissues.In the tissue sampling groups at 3 d and 7 d post-surgery,no tissue damage was observed in any tissue at any time point under 0.1 MPa pressure.In rabbit renal capsule removal experiment,the aerodynamic electrocautery group had less intraoperative bleeding volume than the conventional electrocautery group[(2.9±0.5)ml vs.(3.4±0.5)ml,t=-2.280,P=0.035].There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of surgical time,intraoperative complication rates,and the number of times of wiping speculum(P>0.05).Conclusions The safe pressure range for using the air-powered electrosurgical hook on the surfaces of the kidney and intestinal tract is within 0.2 MPa.Within the safe pressure range,blowing on tissue for 6 seconds or less is relatively safe.Using the air-powered electrosurgical hook in surgeries requiring the separation of loose connective tissue can reduce intraoperative bleeding.
5.Mechanism of Buzhong Yiqitang in Repairing Brain Developmental Abnormalities in Offspring of Pregnant Rats with Subclinical Hypothyroidism
Yan MA ; Xiaojiao LYU ; Yangling HUANG ; Xiande MA ; Tianshu GAO ; Peiwei CONG ; Wei CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):24-34
ObjectiveTo evaluate the pharmacological effect of Buzhong Yiqitang on brain development in offspring of rats with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) during pregnancy and explore its potential mechanism. MethodsForty-eight SPF female SD rats were divided into sham operation group (n=8) and model group (n=40). The rat model of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) was constructed by total thyroidectomy combined with postoperative subcutaneous injection of levothyroxine (L-T4). The modeled rats were randomly allocated into model, low-, medium-, and high-dose (5.58, 11.16, 22.32 g∙kg-1, respectively) Buzhong Yiqitang, and euthyrox (4.5×10-6 g∙kg-1) groups, with 8 rats in each group. These rats were co-housed with normal male rats for mating. Drug administration started 2 weeks before pregnancy and continued until delivery. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Golgi-cox staining were used to observe pathological changes in the hippocampal tissue of offspring rats. Western blot was employed to detect the effects of Buzhong Yiqitang on the protein levels of cytochrome C oxidase subunitⅠ (COX)Ⅰ and COXⅣ in the hippocampal tissue of offspring rats. A colorimetric method was used to measure the mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content in the hippocampal tissue of offspring rats. For in vitro experiments, a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative damage model was established with rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12). Interventions included the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor (SGI-1027), Buzhong Yiqitang-medicated serum, and euthyrox-medicated serum. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to examine the effect of Buzhong Yiqitang on cell proliferation. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to evaluate the effect on tubulin beta 3 class Ⅲ (TUBB3) in PC12 cells. Western blot was employed to assess the effects on the protein levels of DNA methyltransferases (TETs and DNMTs) in PC12 cells. The fluorescent probe 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA), luciferase assay, and JC-1 staining were employed to assess the effects of Buzhong Yiqitang on the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ATP and the mitochondrial membrane potential in PC12 cells. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group showed a reduction in the number of hippocampal neurons, incomplete pyramidal cell bodies, loose arrangement, shortened average dendrite length, decreased dendritic complexity and dendritic spine density, and reduced expression levels of COXⅠ and COXⅣ and content of ATP in the brain tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, after administration of Buzhong Yiqitang and euthyrox, hippocampal neurons exhibited regular arrangement, complete morphology, extended dendrite, increased dendritic complexity and dendritic spine density, and restored expression levels of COXⅠ and COXⅣ and content of ATP (P<0.05, P<0.01), with the medium-dose Buzhong Yiqitang group showing the best therapeutic effect. In the PC12 cell model of oxidative damage, Buzhong Yiqitang increased the cell viability (P<0.01), enhanced neuronal differentiation, down-regulated the expression levels of DNMTs (P<0.05), up-regulated the expression levels of TETs (P<0.05), decreased the ROS content (P<0.01), and restored the ATP content and mitochondrial membrane potential (P<0.01). ConclusionBuzhong Yiqitang protects brain development in offspring of pregnant rats with SCH. It mainly acts on the oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction resulted from abnormal mtDNA methylation, with DNMTs and TETs as the key proteins for its effects.
6.Aging and perioperative brain health: Mechanisms, management, and future.
Peilin CONG ; Qian CHEN ; Qianqian WU ; Jing WANG ; Xinwei HUANG ; Qian ZHANG ; Zheping CHEN ; Huanghui WU ; Yuxin ZHANG ; Mengfan HE ; Zhouxiang LI ; Li TIAN ; Lize XIONG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(19):2381-2398
Globally, over 300 million surgeries are performed each year, and more than 50% of surgeries involve patients aged 65 and older. Aging poses significant challenges to perioperative brain health, as the deterioration of brain structure and function increases susceptibility to postoperative neurological complications. Protecting perioperative brain health remains a worldwide clinical challenge. With senescence, the brain undergoes a progressive decline in homeostasis across various molecular, cellular, and regional functions. Anesthetics and surgical stimuli may accelerate the disruption of brain homeostasis and exacerbate age-related neurodegeneration. This review provides a framework for understanding how anesthesia and surgery can affect brain health in the aging population and contribute to postoperative neurological complications, with a particular focus on perioperative neurocognitive disorder.
7.Development of a RP scoring system for predicting perioperative outcomes in robot-assisted partial nephrectomy by optimizing RENAL and MAP scores
Liang ZHENG ; Bohong CHEN ; Haoxiang HUANG ; Cong FENG ; Jin ZENG ; Wei CHEN ; Dapeng WU
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(1):53-58
[Objective] To establish a new scoring system to predict the perioperative outcomes (operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and trifecta achievement) in patients undergoing robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) by integrating the RENAL and Mayo adhesive probability (MAP) scores. [Methods] Clinical data of 178 patients with renal cell carcinoma who underwent RAPN performed by the same surgeon in our hospital during Jan.2015 and Jan.2022 were retrospectively analyzed.The RENAL and MAP scores of all patients were calculated.Linear regression and logistic regression were used to evaluate the associations between the components of the RENAL and MAP scores (a total of 6 variables) and perioperative outcomes.The factors with significant associations were then included into logistic regression analysis to identify independent predictors for constructing an assessment system for perioperative outcomes, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to calculate the area under the curve (AUC) to predict its efficacy. [Results] Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that tumor size (β=6.14, 95%CI: 1.93—10.34, P=0.004), exophytic rate (β=10.60, 95%CI: 3.44—17.76, P=0.004), and perinephric fat thickness (β=16.48, 95%CI: 8.52—24.45, P<0.001) were significantly associated with operation time.Tumor size (β=10.55 95%CI: 5.60—15.49, P<0.001) was associated with both intraoperative blood loss and trifecta achievement (OR=1.73, 95%CI: 1.26—2.36, P=0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis of these 3 factors identified tumor size (OR=9.07, 95% CI: 1.18—69.45, P=0.03) and perinephric fat thickness (OR=2.28, 95%CI: 1.86—6.04, P=0.01) as independent predictors of perioperative outcomes.Based on these findings, the tumor size and perinephric fat thickness (RP) scoring was constructed, which demonstrated better predictive ability than RENAL score or MAP score alone (RP vs.RENAL vs.MAP: 0.766 vs.0.548 vs.0.684). [Conclusion] The RP score includes fewer variables than the RENAL and MAP scores but outperforms them.
8.Research progress and prospects of non-invasive preimplantation genetic testing technology
Aomiao HUANG ; Yinfeng ZHANG ; Cong LIU ; Ying HAN ; Haining LUO
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(8):846-850
Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) is a crucial technique currently used to improve embryo implantation rate, reduce miscarriage rate, and shorten the time to pregnancy for patients who are of advanced maternal age (≥35 years), have experienced repeated implantation failures, or have a history of recurrent miscarriages. Conventional PGT-A necessitates an invasive embryo biopsy, which may pose potential risks to subsequent embryo development and long-term health outcomes. Consequently, there is a growing interest among reproductive medicine professionals in developing non-invasive, safe, accurate, and effective methods for assessing embryo chromosomal status and quality. This paper provides an overview of recent advancements in the use of next-generation sequencing for detecting cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in non-invasive preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (niPGT-A). The review highlights both the potential of this approach and its existing limitations. Additionally, the paper proposes a novel hypothesis regarding the application of single-molecule nanopore technology for cfDNA detection in niPGT-A, offering new insights and serving as a reference for future research in this field.
9.Effect of Wenyang Ligong Decoction on pregnancy outcomes after transcervical resection of adhesion in patients with intrauterine adhesions: a retrospective cohort study
Zheng GONG ; Rong DONG ; Linlin FAN ; Baojuan WANG ; Yuanyuan SONG ; Yinan ZHANG ; Cong WANG ; Yue GAO ; Jing WANG ; Yongqing HUANG ; Tian XIA
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(9):873-879
Objective:To investigate the impact of Wenyang Ligong Decoction on pregnancy outcomes after transcervical resection of adhesions (TCRA) in patients with intrauterine adhesions (IUA).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to collect clinical data from 151 patients with IUA who underwent TCRA in the Reproductive Medicine Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between January 2020 and January 2023. Patients were divided into a Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) group (79 patients) and a control group (72 patients) based on whether they received Wenyang Ligong Decoction after TCRA. The TCM group received estrogen and progesterone sequential therapy post-surgery, combined with Wenyang Ligong Decoction for 2-3 menstrual cycles. The control only received sequential treatment with estrogen and progesterone.Pregnancy outcomes one year after surgery were compared between the two groups. After adjusting for confounding factors using multivariate Cox regression analysis, the effect of Wenyang Ligong Decoction on pregnancy outcomes after TCRA in patients with IUA was observed.Results:The live birth rate [54.43% (43/79)], the ongoing pregnancy rate [56.96% (45/79)], and the clinical pregnancy rate [52.03% (49/79)] were higher in the TCM group than in the control [26.39% (19/72), P<0.001; 30.56% (22/72), P=0.001;37.50% (27/72), P=0.003], with statistically significant differences. There were no statistically significant differences in early abortion rate and late abortion rate between the TCM group and the control (all P>0.05). According to the stratified analysis by preparation methods, in the natural conception group, the live birth rate [60.78% (31/51)], the ongoing pregnancy rate [62.75% (32/51)], and the clinical pregnancy rate [68.63% (35/51)] in the TCM group were significantly higher than those in control group [21.43% (12/56), P<0.001; 26.79% (15/56), P<0.001; 33.93% (19/56), P<0.001]; there were no statistically significant differences in early miscarriage rate and late miscarriage rate between the two groups (both P>0.05). In the assisted reproductive technology group, there were no statistically significant differences in live birth rate, ongoing pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, early miscarriage rate, and late miscarriage rate between the two groups (all P>0.05). According to the stratified analysis by age, in the <35-year-old patients, the live birth rate [66.00% (33/50)], the ongoing pregnancy rate [70.00% (35/50)], and the clinical pregnancy rate [74.00% (37/50)] in the TCM group were significantly higher than those in control group [41.30% (19/46), P=0.015; 47.83% (22/46), P=0.027; 54.35% (25/46), P=0.044]; there were no statistically significant differences in early miscarriage rate and late miscarriage rate between the two groups (both P>0.05). In the ≥35-year-old patients, the live birth rate [34.48% (10/29)], the ongoing pregnancy rate [34.48% (10/29)], and the clinical pregnancy rate [41.38% (12/29)] in the TCM group were significantly higher than those in control group [0%, P=0.001; 0%, P=0.001; 7.69% (2/26), P=0.004]; there were no statistically significant differences in early miscarriage rate and late miscarriage rate between the two groups (both P>0.05).Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that age, number of previous uterine cavity interventions, IUA score, degree of IUA, and endometrial thickness after TCRA were independent risk factors for live births, and age, IUA score, degree of IUA, intima thickness after TCRA, and treatment group were the influencing factors of persistent pregnancy (all P<0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that Wenyang Ligong Decoction significantly improved the live birth rate ( HR=3.19, 95% CI: 1.77-8.11, P=0.001) and the rate of continuous pregnancy ( HR=3.66, 95% CI: 1.80-7.48, P<0.001) in patients with IUA. Conclusion:Wenyang Ligong Decoction can significantly improve pregnancy outcomes after TCRA in patients with IUA.
10.Deep learning algorithm for lung CT synthesis based on iterative registration and perceptual loss
Tao YANG ; Miao HUANG ; Cong LIU ; Zhihua HU ; Lili TAO ; Shuping ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Physics 2025;42(1):59-66
Objective To synthesize high-quality synthetic CT (sCT) images from cone beam CT (CBCT) by learning lung CT domain image features with a deep learning algorithm. Methods A sCT generation algorithm which employs perceptual loss-based cyclic generative adversarial network model (CycleGAN) and iterative registration was presented. CycleGAN model was trained to generate high-quality sCT images by combining perceptual loss and cycle consistency loss;and Elastix was used to register the generated sCT image and the planned CT (pCT) image,and iterate CycleGAN generator model. Results Experiments were conducted on the obtained pCT and CBCT data of 70 patients with lung tumors. From a quantitative perspective,the SSIM between sCT generated by the proposed algorithm and pCT was improved by 11.9% as compared with that between CBCT and pCT,increasing from 0.825 to 0.923;additionally,RMSE dropped from 110.97 HU to 78.62 HU,PSNR increased from 32.21 dB to 34.74 dB,and mutual information increased from 1.187 to 1.418. The visual evaluation revealed that the proposed algorithm greatly eliminated the scattering artifacts of CBCT slices,highlighted the bone structure,and repaired the soft tissue structure. The comparisons with U-CycleGAN,R-CycleGAN and CUT models confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. Conclusion Using the proposed algorithm for sCT images generation can effectively reduce the dose error and structural error between CBCT and pCT,making it possible to apply the proposed algorithm to accurate dose calculations and assist doctors in clinical diagnosis.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail