1.Integrated evidence chain (Eff-iEC) based effectiveness evaluation of a multifunctional traditional Chinese medicine formula: Taking Xiaoyao San as an example
Caiping HE ; Ye LUO ; Zhiqi LI ; Haocheng YANG ; Lu LIU ; Yingjie XU ; Xiaoyan CHEN ; Siqi HUANG ; Jincai WEN ; Xiaoyan ZHAN ; Zhaofang BAI ; Xu ZHAO ; Xiaohe XIAO
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(1):96-103
The study focuses on the concept of multifunctional traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulas and aims to evaluate the efficacy of the classical formula Xiaoyao San (逍遥散). Study employs the integrated evidence chain (Eff-iEC) method to organize, integrate, and evaluate its therapeutic efficacy in treating different diseases with the same therapy, and to investigate the feasibility of using Eff-iEC to evaluate the multifunctionality of TCM formulas. The evaluation covered Xiaoyao San's therapeutic effects on depression, premenstrual syndrome, chronic hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, and menopausal syndrome. Concurrently, the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used for evaluation, and authoritative medical documents were incorporated to corroborate the recognition of Xiaoyao San within the medical community. Depression and menopausal syndrome received higher ratings than other conditions in the Eff-iEC, GRADE, and Medical Community Recognition assessments. The Eff-iEC evidence grade for Xiaoyao San was rated as "High" or above for chronic hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, and menopausal syndrome. Premenstrual syndrome received a "Moderate +" rating. The GRADE evidence level was "Low-〇〇⨁⨁" for depression, premenstrual syndrome, and chronic hepatitis; "Moderate-〇⨁⨁⨁" for dyspepsia and menopausal syndrome; and "Very Low-〇〇〇⨁" for irritable bowel syndrome. Depression and menopausal syndrome had the highest inclusion frequency, appearing in all 4 categories. Premenstrual syndrome, chronic hepatitis, and dyspepsia are not recommended in Western medical guidelines, but they are included in TCM guidelines, the China National Basic Medical Insurance Drug List, and the China National Essential Drug List. Irritable bowel syndrome appears only in the China National Basic Medical Insurance Drug List and China National Essential Drug List. The evaluation results obtained using the Eff-iEC method align with Medical Community Recognition, providing an objective and comprehensive assessment of Xiaoyao San's efficacy. The findings suggest that Xiaoyao San has strong evidence for treating depression and menopausal syndrome. However, further experimental and clinical trials are needed to assess its efficacy in treating premenstrual syndrome, chronic hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and dyspepsia. These results support the clinical efficacy and rational use of Xiaoyao San, expand the application scope of the Eff-iEC method, and offer valuable insights and methodological references for the comparative evaluation of multifunctional TCM formulas.
2.Which subtypes of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis are suitable for oblique lumbar interbody fusion? A retrospective study in China based on the clinical and radiographic degenerative spondylolisthesis classification
Xianghe WANG ; Hongwei WANG ; Xiaosheng MA ; Xinlei XIA ; Feizhou LYU ; Haocheng XU ; Hongli WANG
Asian Spine Journal 2025;19(1):112-120
Methods:
From March 2020 to March 2023, 100 inpatients with DS were classified into groups A, B, C, and D based on the CARDS classification system. Preoperative radiological data were analyzed to measure the severity of central canal stenosis, facet joint arthropathy, intervertebral disc herniation, and spinal epidural lipomatosis, osteophyte formation, range of motion (ROM), and computed tomography value of the vertebral bodies. The radiological characteristics and clinical contraindications for OLIF were compared among the groups.
Results:
Of the 100 patients, 51% had clinical contraindications for OLIF, which included 85%, 25%, 62.5%, and 20% of patients in groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. Compared with group B, group A demonstrated greater severity of central canal stenosis, whereas group C showed a higher degree of facet joint arthropathy. More patients in groups A and C had severe central canal stenosis. Regarding the ROM results, group A had segmental stiffness, whereas group D presented relatively unstable slip segments.
Conclusions
Patients with different DS subtypes have varied radiological characteristics. Groups B and D are suitable candidates for OLIF. Most patients in group A are unsuitable for OLIF because of bony hyperplasia, severe spinal stenosis, and segmental stiffness.
3.Which subtypes of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis are suitable for oblique lumbar interbody fusion? A retrospective study in China based on the clinical and radiographic degenerative spondylolisthesis classification
Xianghe WANG ; Hongwei WANG ; Xiaosheng MA ; Xinlei XIA ; Feizhou LYU ; Haocheng XU ; Hongli WANG
Asian Spine Journal 2025;19(1):112-120
Methods:
From March 2020 to March 2023, 100 inpatients with DS were classified into groups A, B, C, and D based on the CARDS classification system. Preoperative radiological data were analyzed to measure the severity of central canal stenosis, facet joint arthropathy, intervertebral disc herniation, and spinal epidural lipomatosis, osteophyte formation, range of motion (ROM), and computed tomography value of the vertebral bodies. The radiological characteristics and clinical contraindications for OLIF were compared among the groups.
Results:
Of the 100 patients, 51% had clinical contraindications for OLIF, which included 85%, 25%, 62.5%, and 20% of patients in groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. Compared with group B, group A demonstrated greater severity of central canal stenosis, whereas group C showed a higher degree of facet joint arthropathy. More patients in groups A and C had severe central canal stenosis. Regarding the ROM results, group A had segmental stiffness, whereas group D presented relatively unstable slip segments.
Conclusions
Patients with different DS subtypes have varied radiological characteristics. Groups B and D are suitable candidates for OLIF. Most patients in group A are unsuitable for OLIF because of bony hyperplasia, severe spinal stenosis, and segmental stiffness.
4.Safety and efficacy of 3D printing personalized intramedullary stem in tumor prosthesis revision
Kai ZHENG ; Xiuchun YU ; Ming XU ; Haocheng CUI ; Qian CHEN ; Ziwei HOU
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2025;45(2):102-108
Objective:To investigate the application and clinical efficacy of customized, 3D-printed femoral bone marrow stems in the revision of tumor prostheses.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed for the data of 11 patients (7 males and 4 females) aged 53.1±11.7 years (range, 38-75 years), who underwent 3D-printed customized revision of femoral intramedullary stems due to loosening of femoral tumor prostheses at the 960th Hospital of the Joint Support Force of the PLA from June 2021 to June 2023. The pathological types of tumors associated with the initial surgeries included 4 cases of giant cell tumor of bone, 5 cases of osteosarcoma, 1 case of chondrosarcoma, and 1 case of plasma cell tumor. The tumor was located at the distal femur in 8 cases and the proximal femur in 3 cases. The procedures included 3 initial revisions, 7 secondary revisions, and 1 tertiary revision. The average limb shortening measured 4.6±2.2 cm (range, 2.5-9.0 cm). Prior to revision, all prostheses were fixed with bone cement, revealing enlargement of the femoral medullary cavity and cortical bone thinning. Among them, 5 cases had intramedullary stems permeabilizing the femoral cortex, and 1 case had femoral cleavage fractures. All 11 patients received personalized data for the design and 3D printing of femoral bone marrow stems.Results:The lengths and diameters of the 3D-printed porous femoral bone marrow stems ranged from 80 to 160 mm and 20 to 22 mm, respectively. Ten patients were fitted with cylindrical intramedullary handles, while one received a conical intramedullary handle. A successful revision with the 3D-printed stems was achieved in 10 patients; however, 1 case failed to accommodate the conical handle and was instead revised with a bone cement prosthesis. During the implantation of the intramedullary stems, three patients experienced minor cortical splitting, which was managed with bundling and fixation during the procedure. Immediate stability was attained for all prostheses during surgery, yet postoperative limb shortening did not undergo significant correction. All patients exhibited normal healing of their postoperative incisions. The visual analog scale for limb pain decreased significantly from 8.0±0.8 points before surgery to 1.0±0.4 points three months postoperatively ( t=25.957, P<0.001). By six months after the surgery, none of the patients reported any limb pain. Follow-up data for all 11 patients indicated an average follow-up duration of 25.2±7.5 months (range, 16-36 months), during which limb function improved satisfactorily. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score increased from 7.9±1.4 points preoperatively to 20.9±2.7 points at the last follow-up, with this change also being statistically significant ( t=14.229, P<0.001). Imaging evaluations revealed normal lower limb force lines, no rotation or longitudinal displacement of the prosthetic stem, and successful integration with the femur. Conclusion:Personalized intramedullary stems produced through 3D printing demonstrate significant clinical effectiveness in femoral tumor prosthesis revision surgery, making them a viable option for such procedures.
5.Which subtypes of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis are suitable for oblique lumbar interbody fusion? A retrospective study in China based on the clinical and radiographic degenerative spondylolisthesis classification
Xianghe WANG ; Hongwei WANG ; Xiaosheng MA ; Xinlei XIA ; Feizhou LYU ; Haocheng XU ; Hongli WANG
Asian Spine Journal 2025;19(1):112-120
Methods:
From March 2020 to March 2023, 100 inpatients with DS were classified into groups A, B, C, and D based on the CARDS classification system. Preoperative radiological data were analyzed to measure the severity of central canal stenosis, facet joint arthropathy, intervertebral disc herniation, and spinal epidural lipomatosis, osteophyte formation, range of motion (ROM), and computed tomography value of the vertebral bodies. The radiological characteristics and clinical contraindications for OLIF were compared among the groups.
Results:
Of the 100 patients, 51% had clinical contraindications for OLIF, which included 85%, 25%, 62.5%, and 20% of patients in groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. Compared with group B, group A demonstrated greater severity of central canal stenosis, whereas group C showed a higher degree of facet joint arthropathy. More patients in groups A and C had severe central canal stenosis. Regarding the ROM results, group A had segmental stiffness, whereas group D presented relatively unstable slip segments.
Conclusions
Patients with different DS subtypes have varied radiological characteristics. Groups B and D are suitable candidates for OLIF. Most patients in group A are unsuitable for OLIF because of bony hyperplasia, severe spinal stenosis, and segmental stiffness.
6.Camrelizumab-induced intranasal reactive hemangiomas: a case series report
Haoran HUANG ; Lijun XU ; Danfan LIN ; Haocheng TANG
Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;60(11):1413-1418
Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics, treatment options, and prognosis of intranasal reactive hemangioma associated with camrelizumab therapy.Methods:Clinical data from patients with intranasal reactive hemangioma associated with camrelizumab treated at Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University from February 2021 to April 2022 were collected, including patients′ demographics, clinical symptoms, endoscopic lesion characteristics, enhanced MRI results of the sinuses, pathological examination results, treatment plans, and disease outcomes at the last follow-up.Results:A total of 5 patients with intranasal reactive hemangioma were included, comprising 3 males and 2 females, with ages ranging from 21 to 61 years. The primary diseases of these patients included advanced primary liver cancer and nasopharyngeal carcinoma with liver and lung metastases. All patients presented with recurrent nasal bleeding and progressively worsening nasal obstruction, rated as grade 2 adverse reactions. The onset of intranasal reactive hemangioma was observed after 2 to 15 cycles of camrelizumab injections, with lesions primarily located in the common nasal passage and nasopharynx. Endoscopically, intranasal reactive hemangiomas appeared as dark red, narrow-based, and easily bleeding tumor-like lesions. Enhanced MRI showed mild to moderate heterogeneous enhancement. All patients underwent endoscopic resection of hemangioma via a lesion-targeted technique, with the surgical procedure confined to the removal of the grossly visible tumor mass and 5 mm surrounding mucosal margins around the tumor bed. Postoperative pathological examination revealed hemangioma characteristics, including variably sized vascular lumens and endothelial cell proliferation. Follow-up duration ranged from 6 to 12 months, during which none of the patients experienced recurrence of intranasal reactive hemangioma.Conclusion:Prompt surgical excision of camrelizumab-induced intranasal reactive hemangioma is recommended upon diagnosis to mitigate bleeding complications.
7.Study on the value of the expression levels of TGF-β and Smad2 in platelets for the diagnosis and staging of patients with colorectal cancer
Huihui SHAO ; Linlin QU ; Ruibo LIU ; Wei XU ; Quan WANG ; Weiqi CUI ; Yuwen HUANG ; Haocheng LI ; Chunhe ZHAO ; Liang HE
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;48(5):590-596
Objective:To analyze the values of platelet transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and SMAD family member 2 (Smad2) in patients′ peripheral platelets for CRC diagnosis and staging.Methods:Retrospective case-control study. Tumor tissues, paratumor tissues and peripheral blood samples were collected from 248 CRC patients (147 males, 101 females; age 21-93 years) diagnosed in the First Hospital of Jilin University from October 10th, 2020, to March 10th, 2025. Peripheral blood samples were also collected from 40 colorectal adenomatous polyp patients (21 males, 19 females; age 22-74 years) and 75 healthy individuals (43 males, 32 females; age 18-81 years) during the same period. Tissue homogenates and platelets were isolated using tissue disruption and gradient centrifugation, respectively. Total RNA was respectively extracted from tissues and platelets, and the expression levels of TGF-β and Smad2 were quantified by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) expressed as relative quantity 2 -ΔΔCt. Differences of TGF-β and Smad2 expression were compared between CRC tissues and adjacent tissues, as well as among CRC patients, polyp patients, and healthy controls. The relationship of platelet TGF-β and Smad2 expression with pathological features includingtumor stage, pathological type, and metastasis were analyzed. The efficiency of platelet TGF-β, Smad2, and their combination in diagnosing CRC was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results:The expression levels of TGF-β and Smad2 in CRC tumor tissues[1.09 (0.45, 2.00), 2.93 (0.78, 6.73)] were significantly higher than those in adjacent tissues[0.81 (0.27, 1.50), 1.29 (0.40, 2.63)] ( Z TGF-β=4.54, Z Smad2=6.67, both P<0.001). The expression levels of TGF-β and Smad2 in platelets of CRC patients[2.73(1.53, 4.38), 3.16 (1.58, 4.38)] were significantly higher than those in the colorectal polyp group[1.23(0.70, 2.54), 1.16(0.78, 2.27)] and the healthy control group[0.96(0.51, 1.88), 0.92 (0.55, 1.88)] ( H TGF-β=59.71, H Smad2=78.74, both P<0.001). Platelet TGF-β expression increased progressively with tumor stage (stage 1-4) ( P<0.05), while platelet Smad2 levels were higher in metastatic CRC compared with non-metastatic cases ( P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for diagnosing CRC when combining platelet TGF-β and Smad2 was 0.81[95%Confidence interval( CI) 0.77—0.86], which was 0.90 (95% CI 0.86—0.93) if adding serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Conclusion:Platelet TGF-β and Smad2 expression correlates with the diagnosis and staging of CRC, demonstrating potential as liquid biopsy biomarkers for colorectal malignancies.
8.Establishment and optimization of D-dimer cutoff values for exclusion of acute pulmonary embolism among suspected cases in emergency department
Jitao GONG ; Wei XU ; Chunhe ZHAO ; Haocheng LI ; Linlin QU
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;48(8):992-998
Objective:To establish and optimize the cutoff values of D-dimer (D-D) for excluding suspected acute pulmonary embolism (APE).Methods:A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted by recruiting a total of 428 patients with suspected APE complaining of chest pain, hemoptysis, dyspnea, etc., who underwent computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in the Emergency Department of the First Hospital of Jilin University from January 1st, 2022, to October 31st, 2024, taken as observation group. The Median age was 64.0 (55.0, 72.0) years old with male and female 214 respectively. Data collection included clinical manifestations(hemoptysis, swelling and pain in the lower limbs), deep vein thrombosis (DVT) history, Wells scores, laboratory results, CTPA and vascular ultrasound foundings. According to CTPA results, observation group was divided into APE group (233 cases) and non-APE group (195 cases); according to Wells scoring, observation group was divided into APE at low, moderate, or high pre-test probability subgroups. Meanwhile, 196 healthy individuals in the same period were included as the health control group. D-D levels were compared among different groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the D-D cutoff values for excluding APE, and the area under the curve (AUC) and negative predictive value (NPV) were evaluated.Results:D-D levels in the CTPA-APE group, CTPA-non APE group, and the healthy control group were [7.77 (4.10, 16.58)] mg/L, [0.53 (0.24, 0.94)] mg/L, and [0.21 (0.15, 0.32)] mg/L, respectively, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). In the APE group, D-D levels within low-, moderate-, and high-probability subgroups were [7.48 (3.87, 15.85)] mg/L, [7.92 (4.08, 13.90)] mg/L, and [21.39 (7.92, 89.68)] mg/L, respectively, with statistically significant differences among subgroups ( P<0.05), while no significant difference between low-and moderate-probability subgroups ( P>0.05). For suspected APE with low-probability, exclusive D-D level was 0.62 mg/L with AUC and NPV at 1.000 and 100% taking healthy control group as negative control, and 1.65 mg/L with AUC and NPV at 0.989 and 94.00% taking non-APE group as negative control, while the optimized D-D level was 1.10 mg/L adjusted by NPV ≥98%. For suspected APE with low to moderate-probability, the exclusive D-D level was 0.55 mg/L with AUC and NPV at 0.997 and 99.00% taking healthy control group as negative control, and 1.64 mg/L with AUC and NPV at 0.979 and 92.60%, while the optimized D-D level was 0.55 mg/L adjusted by NPV ≥98%. Conclusion:This study established and optimized the exclusive diagnostic cutoff value of D-D for suspected APE in Emergency Department integrated with the Wells scoring, which may effectively reduce the false-positive rate while improve the clinical application for APE exclusion using D-D.
9.Safety and efficacy of 3D printing personalized intramedullary stem in tumor prosthesis revision
Kai ZHENG ; Xiuchun YU ; Ming XU ; Haocheng CUI ; Qian CHEN ; Ziwei HOU
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2025;45(2):102-108
Objective:To investigate the application and clinical efficacy of customized, 3D-printed femoral bone marrow stems in the revision of tumor prostheses.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed for the data of 11 patients (7 males and 4 females) aged 53.1±11.7 years (range, 38-75 years), who underwent 3D-printed customized revision of femoral intramedullary stems due to loosening of femoral tumor prostheses at the 960th Hospital of the Joint Support Force of the PLA from June 2021 to June 2023. The pathological types of tumors associated with the initial surgeries included 4 cases of giant cell tumor of bone, 5 cases of osteosarcoma, 1 case of chondrosarcoma, and 1 case of plasma cell tumor. The tumor was located at the distal femur in 8 cases and the proximal femur in 3 cases. The procedures included 3 initial revisions, 7 secondary revisions, and 1 tertiary revision. The average limb shortening measured 4.6±2.2 cm (range, 2.5-9.0 cm). Prior to revision, all prostheses were fixed with bone cement, revealing enlargement of the femoral medullary cavity and cortical bone thinning. Among them, 5 cases had intramedullary stems permeabilizing the femoral cortex, and 1 case had femoral cleavage fractures. All 11 patients received personalized data for the design and 3D printing of femoral bone marrow stems.Results:The lengths and diameters of the 3D-printed porous femoral bone marrow stems ranged from 80 to 160 mm and 20 to 22 mm, respectively. Ten patients were fitted with cylindrical intramedullary handles, while one received a conical intramedullary handle. A successful revision with the 3D-printed stems was achieved in 10 patients; however, 1 case failed to accommodate the conical handle and was instead revised with a bone cement prosthesis. During the implantation of the intramedullary stems, three patients experienced minor cortical splitting, which was managed with bundling and fixation during the procedure. Immediate stability was attained for all prostheses during surgery, yet postoperative limb shortening did not undergo significant correction. All patients exhibited normal healing of their postoperative incisions. The visual analog scale for limb pain decreased significantly from 8.0±0.8 points before surgery to 1.0±0.4 points three months postoperatively ( t=25.957, P<0.001). By six months after the surgery, none of the patients reported any limb pain. Follow-up data for all 11 patients indicated an average follow-up duration of 25.2±7.5 months (range, 16-36 months), during which limb function improved satisfactorily. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score increased from 7.9±1.4 points preoperatively to 20.9±2.7 points at the last follow-up, with this change also being statistically significant ( t=14.229, P<0.001). Imaging evaluations revealed normal lower limb force lines, no rotation or longitudinal displacement of the prosthetic stem, and successful integration with the femur. Conclusion:Personalized intramedullary stems produced through 3D printing demonstrate significant clinical effectiveness in femoral tumor prosthesis revision surgery, making them a viable option for such procedures.
10.Camrelizumab-induced intranasal reactive hemangiomas: a case series report
Haoran HUANG ; Lijun XU ; Danfan LIN ; Haocheng TANG
Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;60(11):1413-1418
Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics, treatment options, and prognosis of intranasal reactive hemangioma associated with camrelizumab therapy.Methods:Clinical data from patients with intranasal reactive hemangioma associated with camrelizumab treated at Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University from February 2021 to April 2022 were collected, including patients′ demographics, clinical symptoms, endoscopic lesion characteristics, enhanced MRI results of the sinuses, pathological examination results, treatment plans, and disease outcomes at the last follow-up.Results:A total of 5 patients with intranasal reactive hemangioma were included, comprising 3 males and 2 females, with ages ranging from 21 to 61 years. The primary diseases of these patients included advanced primary liver cancer and nasopharyngeal carcinoma with liver and lung metastases. All patients presented with recurrent nasal bleeding and progressively worsening nasal obstruction, rated as grade 2 adverse reactions. The onset of intranasal reactive hemangioma was observed after 2 to 15 cycles of camrelizumab injections, with lesions primarily located in the common nasal passage and nasopharynx. Endoscopically, intranasal reactive hemangiomas appeared as dark red, narrow-based, and easily bleeding tumor-like lesions. Enhanced MRI showed mild to moderate heterogeneous enhancement. All patients underwent endoscopic resection of hemangioma via a lesion-targeted technique, with the surgical procedure confined to the removal of the grossly visible tumor mass and 5 mm surrounding mucosal margins around the tumor bed. Postoperative pathological examination revealed hemangioma characteristics, including variably sized vascular lumens and endothelial cell proliferation. Follow-up duration ranged from 6 to 12 months, during which none of the patients experienced recurrence of intranasal reactive hemangioma.Conclusion:Prompt surgical excision of camrelizumab-induced intranasal reactive hemangioma is recommended upon diagnosis to mitigate bleeding complications.

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