ObjectiveTo address the challenges of unstructured classical Chinese expressions， nested entity relationships， and limited annotated data in famous traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） case records， this study proposes a joint relation extraction framework that integrates data augmentation and entity mapping， aiming to support the construction of TCM diagnostic knowledge graphs and clinical pattern mining. MethodsWe developed an annotation structure for entities and their relationships in TCM case texts and applied a data augmentation strategy by incorporating multiple ancient texts to expand the relation extraction dataset. A cascade binary tagging framework for relation triple extraction（CasRel） model for TCM semantics was designed， integrating a pre-trained bidirectional encoder representations from transformers（BERT） layer for classical TCM texts to enhance semantic representation， and using a head entity-relation-tail entity mapping mechanism to address entity nesting and relation overlapping issues. ResultsExperimental results showed that the CasRel model， combining data augmentation and entity mapping， outperformed the pipeline-based Bert-Radical-Lexicon（BRL）-bidirectional long short-term memory（BiLSTM）-Attention model. The overall precision， recall， and F₁-score across 12 relation types reached 65.73%， 64.03%， and 64.87%， which represent improvements of 14.26%， 7.98%， and 11.21% compared to the BRL-BiLSTM-Attention model， respectively. Notably， the F₁-score for tongue syndrome relations increased by 22.68%（69.32%）， and the prescription-syndrome relations performed the best with the F₁-score of 70.10%. ConclusionThe proposed framework significantly improves the semantic representation and complex dependencies in TCM texts， offering a reusable technical framework for structured mining of TCM case records. The constructed knowledge graph can support clinical syndrome differentiation， prescription optimization， and drug compatibility， providing a methodological reference for TCM artificial intelligence research.

To explore the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） and integrative TCM-Western medicine approaches in the treatment of diabetic microvascular complications （DMC）， refine key pathophysiological insights and treatment principles， and promote academic innovation and strategic research planning in the prevention and treatment of DMC. The 38th session of the Expert Salon on Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine， hosted by the China Association of Chinese Medicine， was held in Beijing， 2024. Experts in TCM， Western medicine， and interdisciplinary fields convened to conduct a systematic discussion on the pathogenesis， diagnostic and treatment challenges， and mechanism research related to DMC， ultimately forming a consensus on key directions. Four major research recommendations were proposed. The first is addressing clinical bottlenecks in the prevention and control of DMC by optimizing TCM-based evidence evaluation systems. The second is refining TCM core pathogenesis across DMC stages and establishing corresponding "disease-pattern-time" framework. The third is innovating mechanism research strategies to facilitate a shift from holistic regulation to targeted intervention in TCM. The fourth is advancing interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance the role of TCM in new drug development， research prioritization， and guideline formulation. TCM and integrative approaches offer distinct advantages in managing DMC. With a focus on the diseases responding specifically to TCM， strengthening evidence-based support and mechanism interpretation and promoting the integration of clinical care and research innovation will provide strong momentum for the modernization of TCM and the advancement of national health strategies.

ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of Wenyang Xiaoyin Prescription （Linggui Zhugan Tang combined with Tingli Dazao Xiefei Tang） on a doxorubicin-induced mouse model of chronic heart failure （CHF）. The multi-targeting action mechanism of the therapy is revealed， based on the arginine vasopressin （AVP）-vasopressin V₂ receptor （V2R）-aquaporin 2 （AQP2） signaling pathway and nuclear transcription factor -κB （NF-κB） pathway mediated by the liver X receptor （LXR） in the heart， brain， and kidney tissue. MethodsCHF mouse models were established by using intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin and subsequently divided into a blank control group， a model control group， Wenyang Xiaoyin Prescription groups （Linggui Zhugan decoction combined with Tingli Dazao Xiefei decoction） with various doses， a captopril group， and a combination group receiving both Wenyang Xiaoyin prescription （as before） and captopril. Cardiac function was assessed by using color Doppler echocardiography， while the levels of brain natriuretic peptide （BNP）， AVP， and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system （RAAS） in the serum were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Pathological changes and ventricular remodeling in ventricular tissues were evaluated through hematoxylin and eosin （HE） and Masson staining， and myocardial cell apoptosis of mice was assessed by using TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling （TUNEL） staining. Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were employed to detect the protein and RNA expression levels of LXRα， nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells （NF-κB）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） in the cardiac tissue， LXRβ， AVP in the hypothalamus， and LXRβ， V2R， and AQP2 in the kidneys. Furthermore， immunohistochemistry was used to quantify AQP2-positive collecting ducts in renal tissues. ResultsThe Wenyang Xiaoyin prescription significantly enhanced cardiac function indicators in CHF mice， reducing levels of BNP， AVP， and RAAS in the serum. It also mitigated myocardial cell damage and fibrosis change. The Wenyang Xiaoyin prescription inhibited the expressions of NF-κB and its downstream targets TNF-α and iNOS and improved myocardial inflammatory response， cell apoptosis， and ventricular remodeling by upregulating the expression of LXRα in cardiac tissues. Concurrently， the Wenyang Xiaoyin prescription elevated LXRβ expression in the kidneys and hypothalamus while downregulating the expression levels of AVP， V2R， and AQP2， as well as water permeability in the collecting ducts， thereby alleviating cardiac load. ConclusionThe intervention of Wenyang Xiaoyin prescription demonstrates a significant therapeutic effect on CHF， and its role involves the multi-target effect mechanism of the AVP/V2R/AQP2 and NF-κB pathways mediated by the nuclear receptor LXR in the heart， brain， and kidney tissue.

In recent decades, the prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout has increased dramatically due to lifestyle changes. The drugs currently recommended for hyperuricemia are associated with adverse reactions that limit their clinical use. In this study, we report that berberine (BBR) is an effective drug candidate for the treatment of hyperuricemia, with its mechanism potentially involving the modulation of gut microbiota and its metabolite, succinic acid. BBR has demonstrated good therapeutic effects in both acute and chronic animal models of hyperuricemia. In a clinical trial, oral administration of BBR for 6 months reduced blood uric acid levels in 22 participants by modulating the gut microbiota, which led to an increase in the abundance of Bacteroides and a decrease in Clostridium sensu stricto_1. Furthermore, Bacteroides fragilis was transplanted into ICR mice, and the results showed that Bacteroides fragilis exerted a therapeutic effect on uric acid similar to that of BBR. Notably, succinic acid, a metabolite of Bacteroides, significantly reduced uric acid levels. Subsequent cell and animal experiments revealed that the intestinal metabolite, succinic acid, regulated the upstream uric acid synthesis pathway in the liver by inhibiting adenosine monophosphate deaminase 2 (AMPD2), an enzyme responsible for converting adenosine monophosphate (AMP) to inosine monophosphate (IMP). This inhibition resulted in a decrease in IMP levels and an increase in phosphate levels. The reduction in IMP led to a decreased downstream production of hypoxanthine, xanthine, and uric acid. BBR also demonstrated excellent renoprotective effects, improving nephropathy associated with hyperuricemia. In summary, BBR has the potential to be an effective treatment for hyperuricemia through the gut-liver axis.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the efficacy of DSA-guided intrathecal drug delivery system combined with Zi Wu Liu Zhu Acupoint Therapy for management of cancer pain and provide reference for its standardized clinical application. Methods and. RESULTS: Recommendations were formulated based on literature review and expert group discussion, and consensus was reached following expert consultation. The consensus recommendations are comprehensive, covering the entire treatment procedures from preoperative assessment and preparation, surgical operation process, postoperative management and traditional Chinese medicine treatment to individualized treatment planning. The study results showed that the treatment plans combining traditional Chinese with Western medicine effectively alleviated cancer pain, reduced the use of opioid drugs, and significantly improved the quality of life and enhanced immune function of the patients. Postoperative follow-up suggested good treatment tolerance among the patients without serious complications. CONCLUSIONS The formulated consensus is comprehensive and can provide reference for clinicians to use DSA-guided intrathecal drug delivery system combined with Zi Wu Liu Zhu Acupoint Therapy. The combined treatment has a high clinical value with a good safety profile for management of cancer pain.
Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Cancer Pain/therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Pain Management/methods* ; China

Background: The transvenous approach to the treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is difficult and requires strict blood pressure and blood flow control; however, the cure rate is very high. Appropriate blood pressure control techniques can greatly benefit these patients.Case: A 55-year-old male patient was found to have an aneurysm complicated with a cerebral AVM (length: 2.0 cm, width: 1.6 cm, height: 1.2 cm). Aneurysm embolization was considered for the first-stage surgery and transvenous AVM embolization for the second-stage surgery. Rapid ventricular pacing (RVP) provided a stable blood flow environment for the surgery, which was completed successfully. Conclusion RVP can thus provide an ideal condition for the embolization of cerebral AVM through the transvenous approach and can be a viable surgical option.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of fluoroscopically-guided percutaneous gastrostomy (FGPG) for establishing enteral nutrition access in the treatment of esophageal fistula after radiotherapy for cervical esophageal cancer (CEC).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 54 patients who underwent FGPG due to esophageal fistula after radiotherapy for CEC at our department from November 2009 to August 2019. All patients received endoscopy before radiotherapy, and CEC was pathologically confirmed. Enteral nutrition support was offered through a gastrostomy tube postoperatively. The success rate of FGPG, complications, and healing of perforation were recorded and analyzed.Results:FGPG was successfully performed in all 54 patients (100%). During the 12-month follow-up, 50 patients (92.6) survived while four (7.4%) died. Among 36 patients with esophagomediastinal fistula, 32 (88.9%) healed in a median of 12 weeks; of 18 patients with esophagotracheal fistula, 8 (44.4%) healed in a median of 18 weeks. Thus, patients with esophagomediastinal fistula had a significantly higher healing rate ( P<0.01) and shorter healing time ( P=0.017). Gastrostomy tube-related complications were minimal, and no serious complication was noted. Conclusions:FGPG is effective for the treatment of esophageal fistula after CEC radiotherapy and may be an alternative treatment for esophageal fistula.

Objective To satisfy the normalized disinfection in the orthopedic ward,an air sterilizer based on low-temperature plasma has been developed to investigate its sterilization results in a dynamic environment of hospitalization where patients,companions and medical workers are involved.Methods This study took an orthopedics ward in the Secondary Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University,as the research object,where a home-made low-temperature plasma air sterilizer was utilized.A six-stage viable Andersen cascade impactor was used to sample the natural bacteria in the ward before and after machine operation for three hours.The species and quantity of bacteria in the ward were analyzed.Results The ozone concentration in the indoor dynamic environment decreased to below 5 ppbv.After three-hour disinfection,the elimination rate of natural bacteria reached 92.35％.The final colony forming unit decreased to～150 CFU/m3;the extinction rates of Staphylococcus hominis,Bacillus cereus,molds,and Micrococcus luteus were 90.48％,80.90％,87.50％,and 92.82％respectively.Even all Haemophilus massiliensis disappeared after two-hour treatment.Conclusion Intermittent disinfection of the dynamic environment in the ward using low-temperature plasma synergistic catalyst has enabled the indoor ozone concentration to reach the first-level national standard line,effectively suppressing secondary pollution caused by ozone leakage while efficiently killing suspended microorganisms in the air,which is close to the disinfection level Ⅰenvironment specified in Hygienic Standard for Disinfection in Hospitals(GB 15982-2012).The results also show that the plasma catalytic synergistic disinfection and sterilization has the technical advantages of efficient disinfection and human-machine coexistence,which can ensure indoor air quality safety,reduce the workload of nursing staff,and thus is an effective method to assist or even replace the existing physical and chemical means.