1.Regulation of Relevant Signaling Pathways by Traditional Chinese Medicine in Intervention of Pancreatic Cancer: A Review
Quanyou ZHAO ; Conghui ZHAO ; Yu ZHANG ; Yiping FU ; Yuting LIU ; Xiaoran WANG ; Zhanzhan LI ; Mingsan MIAO ; Li BAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):280-289
Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant solid tumor of the digestive system with extremely poor treatment prognosis. Although its incidence rate is low, its mortality rate is extremely high. In recent years, the number of diagnosed cases worldwide has continued to rise, making pancreatic cancer the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Currently, clinical treatment primarily relies on operation and chemotherapy to suppress tumors. However, these approaches face challenges such as suboptimal efficacy, high postoperative recurrence rates, and severe adverse reactions. Therefore, identifying safe and effective treatment modalities remains a pressing challenge for the medical community. In recent years, research on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) interventions for pancreatic cancer has increased significantly. Multiple studies have shown that single-herb TCM, TCM formulas, and their derived single compounds can regulate the levels of tumor cell signaling pathways through multiple action targets. They inhibit the development and progression of pancreatic cancer by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, promoting cell apoptosis, inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, reducing cancer cell invasion and migration capabilities, regulating the cell cycle, and modulating the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, TCM has the advantages of significantly enhancing the anticancer efficacy of chemotherapy drugs and causing fewer adverse reactions. However, the specific action mechanisms by which TCM intervenes in pancreatic cancer remain unclear. Further extensive research is still needed to validate the role of regulating classical signaling pathways such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Wnt/β-catenin, nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB), notch, and hedgehog in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Therefore, this paper reviewed Chinese and international studies on TCM intervention in pancreatic cancer through relevant signaling pathways in recent years, summarized the potential action mechanisms of TCM in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, and provided references for related research in the future.
2.Development and validation of an intelligent surveillance system for upper gastrointestinal high-risk patients
Mei DENG ; Guoen LYU ; Conghui SHI ; Jia LI ; Lianlian WU ; Jun LIU ; Honggang YU
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2025;42(3):190-196
Objective:To develop an intelligent surveillance system for identifying upper gastrointestinal high-risk patients and assigning surveillance intervals, and to verify its efficacy.Methods:The endoscopic and pathological reports of 23 035 patients undergoing endoscopy at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January to October 2021 were collected retrospectively. A training set of 17 934 patients (January to August) and a test set of 5 101 patients (September to October) were established. Keywords in the endoscopic and pathological reports were extracted by the intelligent surveillance system, and high-risk patients were automatically identified and classified into 7 risk levels. Then the standardized surveillance intervals were assigned based on the guideline. Guideline-based surveillance intervals assigned by expert endoscopists based on endoscopic and pathological reports were used as the golden standard. The accuracy of the intelligent surveillance system was calculated. Of the patients within the test set, 189 were hospitalized and the surveillance intervals given by physicians could be obtained from the electronic health records. The accuracy of the intelligent surveillance system with that of physicians from different departments was compared. Then 67 patients were randomly selected from 189 patients by simple random sampling to evaluate the adjunctive effect of the system in assigning surveillance intervals among 3 endoscopists.Results:The overall accuracy of the intelligent surveillance system in identifying upper gastrointestinal high-risk patients was 99.94% (5 098/5 101), and that of assigning surveillance intervals to correctly included patients was 100.00% (534/534). The intelligent surveillance system achieved significantly higher accuracy compared with all physicians from different departments [98.94% (187/189) VS 35.45% (67/189), χ2=118.01, P<0.001] as well as physicians from department of gastroenterology [100.00% (117/117) VS 24.79% (29/117), χ2=86.01, P<0.001]. With the assistance of the intelligent surveillance system, the endoscopists' accuracy of assigning surveillance intervals to 67 patients was significantly improved [55.22% (111/201) VS 22.39% (45/201), χ2=58.68, P<0.001]. Conclusion:The intelligent surveillance system can accurately identify upper gastrointestinal high-risk patients and assign surveillance intervals according to risk levels, which can alleviate the workload of doctors and improve the follow-up rate of patients.
3.Status and influencing factors of surveillance in colorectal post-polypectomy patients
Ting YANG ; Jia LI ; Lianlian WU ; Conghui SHI ; Jun LIU ; Honggang YU
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2025;42(3):212-216
Objective:To explore status and influencing factors of surveillance in colorectal post-polypectomy patients.Methods:Patients who underwent colorectal polypectomy in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University between April 1, 2019 and June 30, 2019 were retrospectively studied. The surveillance information was obtained through electronic health record and telephone call. Status and influencing factors of surveillance in colorectal post-polypectomy patients were evaluated. Logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis to determine independent risk factors influencing surveillance.Results:A total of 268 colorectal post-polypectomy patients and their surveillance information were reviewed, of whom 153 (57.09%) patients received surveillance colonoscopy, and 115 (42.91%) patients did not. Univariate analysis showed that the source of patients (outpatients VS inpatients, χ 2=5.68, P=0.017), department (others VS department of gastroenterology, χ 2=6.64, P=0.010), and the number of polyps (1/(2~4)/≥5, χ2=7.32, P=0.026) influenced the outcome of surveillance. Logistic regression model indicated that department of gastroenterology ( P=0.039, OR=2.12, 95% CI:1.04-4.34), risk level 3 ( P=0.040, OR=1.92, 95% CI:1.03-3.58) and the number of polyps ≥5 ( P=0.016, OR=2.89, 95% CI:1.22-6.83) were independent risk factors influencing surveillance. Conclusion:Patients visit the department of gastroenterology or had a risk level 3 or ≥5 polyps are more likely to opt for surveillance following the procedure.
4.Development and validation of an intelligent surveillance system for upper gastrointestinal high-risk patients
Mei DENG ; Guoen LYU ; Conghui SHI ; Jia LI ; Lianlian WU ; Jun LIU ; Honggang YU
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2025;42(3):190-196
Objective:To develop an intelligent surveillance system for identifying upper gastrointestinal high-risk patients and assigning surveillance intervals, and to verify its efficacy.Methods:The endoscopic and pathological reports of 23 035 patients undergoing endoscopy at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January to October 2021 were collected retrospectively. A training set of 17 934 patients (January to August) and a test set of 5 101 patients (September to October) were established. Keywords in the endoscopic and pathological reports were extracted by the intelligent surveillance system, and high-risk patients were automatically identified and classified into 7 risk levels. Then the standardized surveillance intervals were assigned based on the guideline. Guideline-based surveillance intervals assigned by expert endoscopists based on endoscopic and pathological reports were used as the golden standard. The accuracy of the intelligent surveillance system was calculated. Of the patients within the test set, 189 were hospitalized and the surveillance intervals given by physicians could be obtained from the electronic health records. The accuracy of the intelligent surveillance system with that of physicians from different departments was compared. Then 67 patients were randomly selected from 189 patients by simple random sampling to evaluate the adjunctive effect of the system in assigning surveillance intervals among 3 endoscopists.Results:The overall accuracy of the intelligent surveillance system in identifying upper gastrointestinal high-risk patients was 99.94% (5 098/5 101), and that of assigning surveillance intervals to correctly included patients was 100.00% (534/534). The intelligent surveillance system achieved significantly higher accuracy compared with all physicians from different departments [98.94% (187/189) VS 35.45% (67/189), χ2=118.01, P<0.001] as well as physicians from department of gastroenterology [100.00% (117/117) VS 24.79% (29/117), χ2=86.01, P<0.001]. With the assistance of the intelligent surveillance system, the endoscopists' accuracy of assigning surveillance intervals to 67 patients was significantly improved [55.22% (111/201) VS 22.39% (45/201), χ2=58.68, P<0.001]. Conclusion:The intelligent surveillance system can accurately identify upper gastrointestinal high-risk patients and assign surveillance intervals according to risk levels, which can alleviate the workload of doctors and improve the follow-up rate of patients.
5.Status and influencing factors of surveillance in colorectal post-polypectomy patients
Ting YANG ; Jia LI ; Lianlian WU ; Conghui SHI ; Jun LIU ; Honggang YU
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2025;42(3):212-216
Objective:To explore status and influencing factors of surveillance in colorectal post-polypectomy patients.Methods:Patients who underwent colorectal polypectomy in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University between April 1, 2019 and June 30, 2019 were retrospectively studied. The surveillance information was obtained through electronic health record and telephone call. Status and influencing factors of surveillance in colorectal post-polypectomy patients were evaluated. Logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis to determine independent risk factors influencing surveillance.Results:A total of 268 colorectal post-polypectomy patients and their surveillance information were reviewed, of whom 153 (57.09%) patients received surveillance colonoscopy, and 115 (42.91%) patients did not. Univariate analysis showed that the source of patients (outpatients VS inpatients, χ 2=5.68, P=0.017), department (others VS department of gastroenterology, χ 2=6.64, P=0.010), and the number of polyps (1/(2~4)/≥5, χ2=7.32, P=0.026) influenced the outcome of surveillance. Logistic regression model indicated that department of gastroenterology ( P=0.039, OR=2.12, 95% CI:1.04-4.34), risk level 3 ( P=0.040, OR=1.92, 95% CI:1.03-3.58) and the number of polyps ≥5 ( P=0.016, OR=2.89, 95% CI:1.22-6.83) were independent risk factors influencing surveillance. Conclusion:Patients visit the department of gastroenterology or had a risk level 3 or ≥5 polyps are more likely to opt for surveillance following the procedure.
6.Clinical Efficacy and Mechanism of Erzhi Tiangui Prescription in Treatment of Patients with Repeated Implantation Failure of Kidney Deficiency Syndrome Based on sPD-1 and Th17/Treg Cytokines
Yixuan WANG ; Conghui PANG ; Haicui WU ; Xiaona YU ; Xin XIN ; Fang LIAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(7):139-145
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy and possible mechanism of Erzhi Tiangui prescription on repeated implantation failure (RIF) of kidney deficiency syndrome. MethodSeventy patients with RIF of kidney deficiency syndrome who underwent natural cycle frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) in the Reproductive and Genetic Center of the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were enrolled and randomly divided into a treatment group (35 cases) and a control group (35 cases). Patients in the treatment group took oral Erzhi Tiangui prescription from the third day of each menstrual cycle two months before the FET cycle and continued to take it until the day of transplantation from the third day of the menstrual cycle in the month of transplantation. Those in the control group did not accept traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In addition,10 patients who successfully achieved clinical pregnancy after the first natural cycle FET were screened from the reproductive medical record bank of this hospital and assigned to the normal group. Peripheral blood samples of patients in the three groups on the day of embryo transfer were collected from the specimen bank of the Reproductive and Genetic Center. Serum soluble programmed death molecule-1 (sPD-1),soluble programmed death molecule-ligand 1 (sPD-L1),transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β),interleukin-17 (IL-17), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The changes in kidney deficiency syndrome scores, the final biochemical pregnancy rates, clinical pregnancy rates, and embryo implantation rates of the treatment group and the control group before and after treatment were observed. ResultCompared with the normal group,the model group showed increased serum levels of sPD-1 and IL-17(r=0.347,P<0.05),decreased levels of IL-10 and TGF-β (P<0.01),and non-significant change in sPD-L1 level. Serum sPD-1 was positively correlated with IL-17 (P<0.05) and negatively correlated with IL-10(r=-0.521,P<0.01) and TGF-β(r=-0.457,P<0.01) in RIF patients with kidney deficiency syndrome. After TCM treatment,compared with the control group, the treatment group showed improved TCM syndrome score (P<0.05) and increased clinical pregnancy rate and embryo transfer rate(P<0.05),but there was no statistically significant difference in the biochemical pregnancy rate between the two groups. ConclusionAbnormal expression of sPD-1 in patients with RIF of kidney deficiency syndrome breaks the balance of T helper 17 (Th17)/regulatory T cell (Treg),which is not conducive to embryo implantation and pregnancy maintenance. Erzhi Tiangui prescription,a TCM for tonifying the kidney,can significantly improve the symptoms of kidney deficiency in patients with RIF of kidney deficiency syndrome,reduce the concentrations of sPD-1 and IL-17 in the peripheral serum,increase the levels of TGF-β and IL-10,regulate the peripheral Th17/Treg immune balance,and increase the implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate,which has a high clinical value.
7.Application of prostatic exosomal protein in the diagnosis of histological prostatitis in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia
Mingyang CAO ; Jiajun DONG ; Yang DONG ; Hui YU ; Yu’ang CHEN ; Conghui HAN
Journal of Modern Urology 2023;28(7):583-587
【Objective】 To investigate the feasibility of prostatic exosomal protein (PSEP) detection kit in the diagnosis of histological prostatitis (HP) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and to explore the correlation between PSEP and other clinical parameters. 【Methods】 A total of 104 patients with BPH or BPH plus HP treated during Nov.2021 and Nov.2022 were involved. The patients were instructed to fill out the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) scale independently before surgery. Clinical data such as prostate volume, residual urine volume, free prostate specific antigen (fPSA), total prostate specific antigen (tPSA), and fPSA/tPSA were collected. Preoperative midstream morning urine was collected for PSEP detection. 【Results】 The sensitivity and specificity of PSEP in the diagnosis of BPH were 93.51% and 70.37%, respectively, which were highly consistent with the postoperative pathological diagnosis results (Kappa=0.663). Serum PSEP level was positively correlated with tPSA level (r=0.242, P=0.040). 【Conclusion】 PSEP has a high clinical diagnostic value in the diagnosis of HP, which can provide a reliable basis for the diagnosis of HP in BPH patients and improve the diagnosis rate.
8.The clinical outcomes of fresh versus frozen embryos transfer in women ≥40 years with poor ovarian response
Conghui LIU ; Yu LI ; Hong JIANG ; Yingchun LIU ; Xiaomin SONG
Obstetrics & Gynecology Science 2021;64(3):284-292
Objective:
To compare the clinical outcomes of fresh embryo transfers (ETs) and frozen-thawed embryo transfers (FETs) after a freeze-all cycle in women ≥40 years old with poor ovarian response (POR).
Methods:
We performed a single-center, retrospective, case-control study of patients who underwent in vitro fertilization between January 2014 and June 2019. We included a total of 192 patients aged 40 years or older from whom 3 or fewer oocytes had been retrieved and who were receiving cleavage-stage ET in this study. Of these patients, 101 and 91 patients underwent fresh ET and FET, respectively. The primary outcome was the live birth rate (LBR) after the first ET. Logistic regression analysis was used to compare the IVF outcomes and neonatal characteristics between the fresh ET and FET groups, adjusting for maternal age, body mass index, luteinizing hormone, and the number of good quality embryos transferred.
Results:
The mean maternal ages and number of oocytes retrieved (43.2 years and 2.3 in both groups, P=0.902 and P=0.927, respectively) were similar in the fresh ET and FET groups. No significant difference was observed between the LBRs of the fresh ET and FET groups (adjusted odds ratio, 1.28; 95% confidence interval, 0.29–5.70). The clinical pregnancy and miscarriage rates, and neonatal characteristics (birth weights and premature infant rates) were similar between the 2 groups.
Conclusions
FET after the freeze-all strategy had no beneficial impact on the clinical outcomes of women ≥40 years with POR.
9.The clinical outcomes of fresh versus frozen embryos transfer in women ≥40 years with poor ovarian response
Conghui LIU ; Yu LI ; Hong JIANG ; Yingchun LIU ; Xiaomin SONG
Obstetrics & Gynecology Science 2021;64(3):284-292
Objective:
To compare the clinical outcomes of fresh embryo transfers (ETs) and frozen-thawed embryo transfers (FETs) after a freeze-all cycle in women ≥40 years old with poor ovarian response (POR).
Methods:
We performed a single-center, retrospective, case-control study of patients who underwent in vitro fertilization between January 2014 and June 2019. We included a total of 192 patients aged 40 years or older from whom 3 or fewer oocytes had been retrieved and who were receiving cleavage-stage ET in this study. Of these patients, 101 and 91 patients underwent fresh ET and FET, respectively. The primary outcome was the live birth rate (LBR) after the first ET. Logistic regression analysis was used to compare the IVF outcomes and neonatal characteristics between the fresh ET and FET groups, adjusting for maternal age, body mass index, luteinizing hormone, and the number of good quality embryos transferred.
Results:
The mean maternal ages and number of oocytes retrieved (43.2 years and 2.3 in both groups, P=0.902 and P=0.927, respectively) were similar in the fresh ET and FET groups. No significant difference was observed between the LBRs of the fresh ET and FET groups (adjusted odds ratio, 1.28; 95% confidence interval, 0.29–5.70). The clinical pregnancy and miscarriage rates, and neonatal characteristics (birth weights and premature infant rates) were similar between the 2 groups.
Conclusions
FET after the freeze-all strategy had no beneficial impact on the clinical outcomes of women ≥40 years with POR.
10.Clinical research of Suchan-Yishen Decoction combined with conventional western medicine in treating proteinuria due to chronic glomerulonephritis
Conghui YU ; Jieyi YANG ; Peihong YIN
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2020;42(7):648-651
Objective:To investigate the efficacy of Suchan-Yishen Decoction combined with western routine medicine on proteinuria due to chronic glomerulonephritis. Methods:A total of 86 patients with urinary protein, who met the inclusion criteria in Zhongshan people's hospital from January of 2017 to December of 2018, were selected and divided into two groups according to the random number table method with 43 patients in each group. The control group took valsartan capsule orally on the basis of conventional western medicine, and the observation group took Suchan-Yishen Decoctionon the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated continuously for two months. The CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 + were determined by flow cytometry; the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were determined by ELISA method. Results:The total effective rate was 88.4% (38/43) in the observation group and 67.4% (29/43) in the control group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( χ2=4.324, P=0.038). After the treatment, levels of urinary protein (0.82 ± 0.13 g vs. 1.04 ± 0.17 g, t=6.009), BUN (6.12 ± 0.71 mmol/L vs. 6.60 ± 0.75 mmol/L, t=6.411) and SCr (82.87 ± 10.43 μmol/L vs. 94.11 ± 11.17 μmol/L, t=17.433) in the observation group at 24 h were all significantly lower than those of the control group ( P<0.01). After the treatment, levels of CD3 + and CD4 + in the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group ( t values were 7.981, 8.904, respectively, all Ps<0.01), and level of CD8 + was significantly lower than that of the control group ( t=8.933, P<0.01). Serum levels of IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α in the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group ( t values were 10.983, 49.005, 13.994, respectively, all Ps<0.01). Conclusions:The Suchan-Yishen Decoction combined with conventional western medicine can relieve the clinical symptoms of chronic glomerulonephritis patients, increase the therapeutic effect of proteinuria, correct the imbalance of T cell subgroup, and down-regulate serum levels of IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α.

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