1.Inheritance and Current Research Status of Major Spleen-Stomach Theories in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Ling HU ; Fengyun WANG ; Xudong TANG ; Beihua ZHANG ; Yunkai DAI ; Xu CHEN ; Shiqi LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):87-94
This paper systematically reviews the core concepts and lines of theoretical inheritance of major spleen-stomach theories in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including spleen deficiency theory, spleen-stomach damp-heat theory, and liver-spleen disharmony theory. It is found that these theories have all undergone a developmental trajectory characterized by classical foundation, refinement of therapeutic methods, systematization of pathogenesis, and modern innovation. The evolution of spleen-stomach theory has achieved a shift from a singular focus on tonifying the spleen to regulating dynamic middle-jiao (焦) balance, and from localized spleen-stomach regulation to the circular movement of qi involving all five zang organs. In terms of modern disease-syndrome integrative research, spleen deficiency syndrome is shown to be closely associated with impairment of the gastrointestinal mucosal barrier, metabolic disorders, and gene polymorphisms related to Helicobacter pylori-associated gastric diseases. Spleen-stomach damp-heat syndrome is closely linked to hyperactive energy metabolism, inflammatory cytokines, and abnormal expression of aquaporins. Liver-spleen disharmony syndrome is mainly associated with dysregulation of the brain-gut axis and microbiota-related metabolic disorders. It is proposed that future research on spleen-stomach diseases and syndromes should further elucidate their potential multidimensional differential biological characteristics, thereby promoting the modernization of the TCM discipline of spleen-stomach studies.
2.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.
3.Current Status and Prospective of Research on Disease-Syndrome Integrated Animal Models of Spleen and Stomach Diseases in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Jiaqi ZHANG ; Lihui FANG ; Yongtian WEN ; Shan LIU ; Zhuo SHI ; Xintong WANG ; Xinyi DAI ; Meiling SHE ; Lanshuo HU ; Yangxi FU ; Zheng WANG ; Fengyun WANG ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(5):510-516
Animal model research on spleen and stomach diseases in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is of great significance for elucidating the nature of diseases and syndromes and for revealing the mechanisms of action of Chinese herbal medicinals. At present, studies on classical TCM syndrome models of spleen and stomach diseases mainly focus on spleen deficiency syndrome, liver constraint syndrome, and damp-heat syndrome. Model construction is mostly based on the etiological and pathophysiological characteristics of syndrome, and model evaluation primarily involves macroscopic manifestations and physicochemical indicators. This paper summarizes the current research status of animal models integrating disease and syndrome for seven common spleen and stomach diseases, including chronic gastritis and gastric precancerous lesions, gastroesophageal reflux disease, functional dyspepsia, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, functional constipation, and functional diarrhea. The modeling methods and characteristics of disease-syndrome combined animal models for each disease are analyzed. It is proposed that future research on disease-syndrome integration in spleen and stomach diseases should move toward syste-matic, precise, and integrative development, and that interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary research approaches should be adopted to enhance the predictive value and application efficiency of disease-syndrome combined animal models.
4.Integrated Transcriptomic Landscape and Deep Learning Based Survival Prediction in Uterine Sarcomas
Yaolin SONG ; Guangqi LI ; Zhenqi ZHANG ; Yinbo LIU ; Huiqing JIA ; Chao ZHANG ; Jigang WANG ; Yanjiao HU ; Fengyun HAO ; Xianglan LIU ; Yunxia XIE ; Ding MA ; Ganghua LI ; Zaixian TAI ; Xiaoming XING
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(1):250-266
Purpose:
The genomic characteristics of uterine sarcomas have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to explore the genomic landscape of the uterine sarcomas (USs).
Materials and Methods:
Comprehensive genomic analysis through RNA-sequencing was conducted. Gene fusion, differentially expressed genes (DEGs), signaling pathway enrichment, immune cell infiltration, and prognosis were analyzed. A deep learning model was constructed to predict the survival of US patients.
Results:
A total of 71 US samples were examined, including 47 endometrial stromal sarcomas (ESS), 18 uterine leiomyosarcomas (uLMS), three adenosarcomas, two carcinosarcomas, and one uterine tumor resembling an ovarian sex-cord tumor. ESS (including high-grade ESS [HGESS] and low-grade ESS [LGESS]) and uLMS showed distinct gene fusion signatures; a novel gene fusion site, MRPS18A–PDC-AS1 could be a potential diagnostic marker for the pathology differential diagnosis of uLMS and ESS; 797 and 477 uterine sarcoma DEGs (uDEGs) were identified in the ESS vs. uLMS and HGESS vs. LGESS groups, respectively. The uDEGs were enriched in multiple pathways. Fifteen genes including LAMB4 were confirmed with prognostic value in USs; immune infiltration analysis revealed the prognositic value of myeloid dendritic cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells, natural killer cells, macrophage M1, monocytes and hematopoietic stem cells in USs; the deep learning model named Max-Mean Non-Local multi-instance learning (MMN-MIL) showed satisfactory performance in predicting the survival of US patients, with the area under the receiver operating curve curve reached 0.909 and accuracy achieved 0.804.
Conclusion
USs harbored distinct gene fusion characteristics and gene expression features between HGESS, LGESS, and uLMS. The MMN-MIL model could effectively predict the survival of US patients.
5.A convergent mixed-methods study on the maternal influenza vaccination willingness among pregnant and postpartum women in Shanghai and Liaoning Province
Fanyu ZENG ; Honghong YANG ; Hong JIANG ; Chunyi GU ; Fengyun YANG ; Longmei JIN ; Changhui LI ; Haiqi WANG ; Xu QIAN
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(9):781-787
ObjectiveTo investigate the current status and related factors of maternal influenza vaccination willingness among pregnant and postpartum women in Shanghai and Liaoning Province, China, and to explore the facilitators and barriers affecting vaccination uptake, so as to provide references for future practices in promoting maternal influenza immunization in China. MethodsA convergent mixed-methods research was conducted. From January to March 2024, a questionnaire survey was conducted among women attending prenatal and postnatal care at 7 medical institutions in Shanghai and Dalian, Liaoning Province, which aimed to assess pregnant women’s knowledge about influenza vaccine and their willingness to vaccination during pregnancy, as well as to identify the related factors. In addition, purposive sampling method was used to conduct in-depth interviews with pregnant women and perinatal healthcare service providers to explore their perspectives on influenza vaccination during pregnancy, including the reasons for their willingness or unwillingness to receive ( or recommend) the vaccine, and the relevant facilitators and barriers to vaccination. ResultsA total of 366 pregnant and postpartum women participated in the questionnaire survey, and 9.56% (35/366) of them were willing to receive the influenza vaccine during pregnancy. The results of multivariate logistic stepwise regression analyses showed that primipara (aOR=0.158, 95%CI: 0.037‒0.671, P=0.012), family members’ support for influenza vaccination during pregnancy (aOR=0.015, 95%CI: 0.003‒0.082, P<0.001) were associated with higher willingness to receive influenza vaccine during pregnancy. Absence of influenza infection during pregnancy (aOR=5.383, 95%CI: 1.801‒16.092, P<0.001), and lack of knowledge regarding influenza vaccination during pregnancy (aOR=11.294, 95%CI: 3.593‒35.496, P<0.01) were associated with lower willingness to receive influenza vaccine during pregnancy. Qualitative findings indicated that the facilitators to vaccination willingness among pregnant and postpartum women included the recommendation of healthcare service providers, adequate knowledge of influenza vaccine information and family members’ support for vaccination. Conversely, the barriers to vaccination willingness included low recommendation from the healthcare service providers, lack of knowledge about the safety of influenza vaccine during pregnancy and inadequate attention to influenza and influenza vaccine. ConclusionThe willingness to receive influenza vaccination among pregnant and postpartum women in Shanghai and Liaoning Province is relatively low. It is recommended that China should promptly improve the evidence-based system for the safety and efficacy of influenza vaccines for pregnant and postpartum women, along with an establishment of the mechanism for addressing adverse reactions. Furthermore, it is essential to enhance educational outreach to pregnant and postpartum women, their families, and healthcare service providers, thereby increasing the accessibility of information regarding influenza vaccination, which are expected to enhance the willingness of pregnant and postpartum women to receive the vaccine.
6.Analysis of Animal Model Construction Methods of Different Subtypes of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Based on Literature
Mi LYU ; Kaiyue HUANG ; Xiaokang WANG ; Yuqian WANG ; Xiyun QIAO ; Lin LYU ; Hui CHE ; Shan LIU ; Fengyun WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(13):1386-1394
ObjectiveTo collate and compare the characteristics and differences in the methods for constructing animal models of different subtypes of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) based on literature, providing a reference for researchers in this field regarding animal model construction. MethodsExperimental studies related to GERD including reflux esophagitis (RE), nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) and Barrett's esophagus (BE) model construction from January 1, 2014 to January 27, 2024, were retrieved from databases such as CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, Web of Science, and Pubmed. Information on animal strains, genders, modeling methods including disease-syndrome combination models, modeling cycles were extracted; for studies with model evaluation, the methods of model evaluation were also extracted; then analyzing all those information. ResultsA total of 182 articles were included. SD rats were most frequently selected when inducing animal models of RE (88/148, 59.46%) and NERD (9/14, 64.29%). For BE, C57BL/6 mice were most commonly used (11/20, 55.00%). Male animals (RE: 111/135, 82.22%; NERD: 11/14, 78.57%; BE: 10/12, 83.33%) were the most common gender among the three subtypes. The key to constructing RE animal models lies in structural damage to the esophageal mucosal layer, gastric content reflux, or mixed reflux, among which forestomach ligation + incomplete pylorus ligation (42/158, 26.58%) was the most common modeling method; the key to constructing NERD animal models lies in micro-inflammation of the esophageal mucosa, visceral hypersensitivity, and emotional problems, and intraperitoneal injection of a mixed suspension of ovalbumin and aluminum hydroxide combined with acid perfusion in the lower esophagus (8/14, 57.14%) was the most common modeling method; the key to constructing BE animal models lies in long-term inflammatory stimulation of the esophageal mucosa and bile acid reflux, and constructing interleukin 2-interleukin 1β transgenic mice (7/25, 28.00%) was the most common modeling method. Adverse psychological stress was the most common method for inducing liver depression. ConclusionsThe construction key principles and methodologies for RE, NERD, and BE animal models exhibit significant differences. Researchers should select appropriate models based on subtype characteristics (e.g., RE focusing on structural damage, NERD emphasizing visceral hypersensitivity). Current studies show insufficient exploration of traditional Chinese medicine disease-syndrome combination models. Future research needs to optimize syndrome modeling approaches (e.g., composite etiology simulation) and establish integrated Chinese-Western medicine evaluation systems to better support mechanistic investigations of traditional Chinese medicine.
7.Integrated Transcriptomic Landscape and Deep Learning Based Survival Prediction in Uterine Sarcomas
Yaolin SONG ; Guangqi LI ; Zhenqi ZHANG ; Yinbo LIU ; Huiqing JIA ; Chao ZHANG ; Jigang WANG ; Yanjiao HU ; Fengyun HAO ; Xianglan LIU ; Yunxia XIE ; Ding MA ; Ganghua LI ; Zaixian TAI ; Xiaoming XING
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(1):250-266
Purpose:
The genomic characteristics of uterine sarcomas have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to explore the genomic landscape of the uterine sarcomas (USs).
Materials and Methods:
Comprehensive genomic analysis through RNA-sequencing was conducted. Gene fusion, differentially expressed genes (DEGs), signaling pathway enrichment, immune cell infiltration, and prognosis were analyzed. A deep learning model was constructed to predict the survival of US patients.
Results:
A total of 71 US samples were examined, including 47 endometrial stromal sarcomas (ESS), 18 uterine leiomyosarcomas (uLMS), three adenosarcomas, two carcinosarcomas, and one uterine tumor resembling an ovarian sex-cord tumor. ESS (including high-grade ESS [HGESS] and low-grade ESS [LGESS]) and uLMS showed distinct gene fusion signatures; a novel gene fusion site, MRPS18A–PDC-AS1 could be a potential diagnostic marker for the pathology differential diagnosis of uLMS and ESS; 797 and 477 uterine sarcoma DEGs (uDEGs) were identified in the ESS vs. uLMS and HGESS vs. LGESS groups, respectively. The uDEGs were enriched in multiple pathways. Fifteen genes including LAMB4 were confirmed with prognostic value in USs; immune infiltration analysis revealed the prognositic value of myeloid dendritic cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells, natural killer cells, macrophage M1, monocytes and hematopoietic stem cells in USs; the deep learning model named Max-Mean Non-Local multi-instance learning (MMN-MIL) showed satisfactory performance in predicting the survival of US patients, with the area under the receiver operating curve curve reached 0.909 and accuracy achieved 0.804.
Conclusion
USs harbored distinct gene fusion characteristics and gene expression features between HGESS, LGESS, and uLMS. The MMN-MIL model could effectively predict the survival of US patients.
8.Exploration on the mechanism of curcumin in intervening leukemia based on transcriptomics and network pharmacology
Guangzhi YU ; Na LI ; Zongxuan HUANG ; Sen WANG ; Fengyun DONG
Journal of Chinese Physician 2025;27(8):1162-1166
Objective:To explore the mechanism of curcumin (Cur) in intervening leukemia based on transcriptomics and network pharmacology.Methods:(1) Cell proliferation experiment: Leukemia MV-4-11 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into the control group (DMSO), 15 μmol/L curcumin group (Cur 15 μmol/L), and 20 μmol/L curcumin group (Cur 20 μmol/L). The CFSE method by flow cytometry was used to determine the inhibitory effect of curcumin on the growth of leukemia MV-4-11 cells at 0, 24, and 48 hours. (2) Network pharmacology analysis: the Smiles number of curcumin was obtained using the PubChem database. The targets of curcumin were retrieved from SwissTargetPrediction, SEA, TTD, and CTD platforms. Leukemia-related targets were screened using Genecards, OMIM, TTD, and CTD databases, and the intersection targets of curcumin-leukemia were further collected. (3) Transcriptomics and network pharmacology analysis: RNA from MV-4-11 cells in the control group and Cur group was collected, transcriptome sequencing was performed, and the common targets of differential genes in network pharmacology and transcriptomics were collected. The STRING website and Cytoscape software were used to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network for the intersection targets. The David database and micro-bioinformatics were used for enrichment analysis based on gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. Finally, the core targets and main pathways of curcumin in anti-leukemia were screened out.Results:(1) Compared with the control group, 15 μmol/L and 20 μmol/L curcumin significantly inhibited the proliferation of MV-4-11 cells (all P<0.05). (2) Network pharmacology analysis showed 1 209 curcumin drug targets and 7 702 leukemia-related targets, with 901 intersection targets for curcumin′s anti-leukemia effect. (3) Transcriptome sequencing showed 14 714 genes expressed in the curcumin group and 13 689 genes in the control group, with a total of 3 064 differentially expressed genes, including 2 189 up-regulated genes and 875 down-regulated genes. There were 182 intersection targets between network pharmacology and transcriptomics. KEGG enrichment results indicated that the anti-leukemia targets of curcumin were mainly related to cancer signaling pathways, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase signaling pathway (PI3K-Akt) signaling pathway, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Conclusions:This study obtained the gene expression profile of curcumin acting on leukemia and elaborated the molecular mechanism of inhibiting leukemia cell proliferation, which is mainly involved in cancer signaling pathways, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, etc., indicating that the inhibitory effect of curcumin on leukemia is multi-faceted and multi-level.
9.Cross-sectional Study on TCM Syndromes of 800 Patients with Overlapping Gastrointestinal Symptoms of NERD and EPS Based on Factor Analysis and Clustering Analysis
Mi LYU ; Hui CHE ; Bingduo ZHOU ; Zhaoxia LIU ; Xiaoling ZHOU ; Xiaokang WANG ; Yuxi WANG ; Xiyun QIAO ; Jingyi XIE ; Fengyun WANG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(9):141-148
Objective To explore TCM syndrome distribution law in patients with overlapping non-erosive reflux disease(NERD)and epigastric pain syndrome(EPS)gastrointestinal symptoms.Methods A multi-center,cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the general information of 800 patients with overlapping NERD and EPS gastrointestinal symptoms in four hospitals,such as gender,age,body mass index(BMI)and four diagnostic information of TCM.Descriptive frequency analysis,factor analysis and clustering analysis were used to summarize the TCM syndrome types and distribution characteristics.Results The average age of 800 patients with overlapping NERD and EPS gastrointestinal symptoms was(44.50±14.43)years old,the average BMI was(23.17±4.80)kg/m2,and the male to female ratio was 3:5.Frequency of 95 TCM symptoms/signs≥20%.18 common factor variables were obtained based on factor analysis,and the cumulative contribution rate was 67.11%.The first three syndrome elements of disease location were liver,stomach and spleen,and the disease nature syndrome elements were qi stagnation,qi deficiency and yin deficiency.Based on the clustering analysis of 18 common factor variables,combined with expert discussion,four main TCM syndrome types were obtained,which were liver-stomach stagnation heat syndrome(213 cases,26.63%),spleen-stomach damp heat syndrome(209 cases,26.13%),spleen-stomach deficiency and cold qi stagnation syndrome(190 cases,23.75%)and qi-phlegm stagnation syndrome(188 cases,23.50%).There was no significant difference in the distribution of TCM syndrome types among patients with different genders,ages and BMI values(P>0.05).Patients with a course of disease≥2 years and those residing long-term north of the Qinling-Huaihe Line showed a significantly higher prevalence of spleen-stomach dampness-heat syndrome(P<0.05).Conclusion The syndrome elements of disease location of overlapping NERD and EPS gastrointestinal symptoms are mainly liver,stomach and spleen.The TCM syndrome types are liver-stomach stagnation heat syndrome,spleen-stomach damp heat syndrome,spleen-stomach deficiency cold qi stagnation syndrome and qi-phlegm stagnation syndrome.The course of disease and the regional differences between north and south may be the influencing factors of the distribution of syndrome types.
10.Effects of Jianpi Qinghua Granules on Esophageal Tissue Inflammation and the LPS-Induced TLR4/NF-κB Pathway Activation in Model Rats of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease with Spleen Deficiency and Damp Heat Syndrome
Xin LIU ; Fengyun WANG ; Mi LYU ; Jingyi XIE ; Hui CHE
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(12):74-81
Objective To investigate the potential mechanism of Jianpi Qinghua Granules in treating gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)with spleen deficiency and damp heat syndrome.Methods Six of 50 SPF male SD rats were randomly selected as the sham-operation group,the other 44 rats were treated with modified esophagoduodenostomy+abnormal hunger and satiety+internal and external damp heat intervention to establish GERD model of spleen deficiency and damp heat syndrome.The modeled rats were randomly divided into model group,omeprazole group,sodium cromoglicate group and Jianpi Qinghua Granules low-,medium-and high-dosage group,with 6 rats in each group.Each group was intervened with corresponding measures.Pathological changes in esophageal tissue were observed,ELISA was used to detect serum and esophageal mucosal tissue contents of interleukin(IL)-1β,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),IL-6 and IL-10.Western blot was used to detect protein expressions of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)p65,mast cell tryptase(MCT),proteinase-activated receptor 2(PAR2),Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),TNF receptor-associated factor 6(TRAF6)and transforming growth factor β-activated kinase 1(TAK1)in esophageal mucosal tissue,RT-qPCR was used to detect mRNA expressions of MCT,PAR2,TLR4 and TRAF6 in esophageal mucosal tissue.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,the esophageal mucosal epithelium in the model group was thickened,basal cells proliferated,cell gaps widened,tissue edema and inflammatory cells infiltration were observed;the contents of IL-1β,TNF-α and IL-6 in serum and esophageal mucosa significantly increased,while the content of IL-10 significantly decreased(P<0.01);the expressions of NF-κB p65,MCT,PAR2,TLR4,TRAF6,TAK1 protein and MCT,PAR2,TLR4,TRAF6 mRNA in esophageal mucosa significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the injury of esophageal mucosa in each treatment group was alleviated in varying degrees;the contents of IL-1β,TNF-α and IL-6 in serum and esophageal mucosa increased,while the content of IL-10 decreased,the expressions of NF-κB p65,MCT,PAR2,TLR4,TRAF6 and TAK1 protein in esophageal mucosa decreased,the mRNA expressions of MCT,PAR2,TLR4 and TRAF6 decreased,and the differences were statistically significant in Jianpi Qinghua Granules high-dosage group(P<0.01).Conclusion Jianpi Qinghua Granules can reduce the esophageal mucosal injury and inflammatory reaction in GERD rats with spleen deficiency and damp heat syndrome,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB pathway activation induced by LPS.

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