1.Pathogenic Mechanisms of Spleen Deficiency-Phlegm Dampness in Obesity and Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment Strategies:from the Perspective of Immune Inflammation
Yumei LI ; Peng XU ; Xiaowan WANG ; Shudong CHEN ; Le YANG ; Lihua HUANG ; Chuang LI ; Qinchi HE ; Xiangxi ZENG ; Juanjuan WANG ; Wei MAO ; Ruimin TIAN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):31-37
Based on spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness as the core pathogenesis of obesity, and integrating recent advances in modern medicine regarding the key role of immune inflammation in obesity, this paper proposes a multidimensional pathogenic network of "obesity-spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness-immune imbalance". Various traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs that strengthen the spleen, regulate qi, and resolve phlegm and dampness can treat obesity by improving spleen-stomach transport and transformation, promoting water-damp metabolism, and regulating immune homeostasis. This highlights immune inflammation as an important entry point to elucidate the TCM concepts of "spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness" and the therapeutic principle of "strengthening the spleen and eliminating dampness to treat obesity". By systematically analyzing the intrinsic connection between "spleen deficiency generating dampness, internal accumulation of phlegm dampness" and immune dysregulation in obesity, this paper aims to provide theoretical support for TCM treatment of obesity based on dampness.
2.Research progress on myosteatosis in liver transplant recipients
Junfeng CAI ; Jingdong HE ; Yuxin JIANG ; Leibo XU
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):61-67
Myosteatosis is one of the common complications in patients with end-stage liver disease, which is significantly associated with poor outcomes after liver transplantation. Currently, diagnostic criteria of myosteatosis have not been established, and CT is the most commonly used for diagnosis. The pathogenesis of myosteatosis is multifactorial, and the pathophysiological mechanisms linking it to end-stage liver disease are not fully understood. An increasing number of scholars have recognized that the severity of myosteatosis is closely related to its clinical consequences, but there are no effective treatment options available. This article reviews the pathophysiological mechanisms and diagnostic methods of myosteatosis, and its impact on the prognosis of liver transplant recipients, and discusses current treatment strategies to provide references for the perioperative management of liver transplant recipients.
3.Allogeneic lung transplantation in miniature pigs and postoperative monitoring
Yaobo ZHAO ; Ullah SALMAN ; Kaiyan BAO ; Hua KUI ; Taiyun WEI ; Hongfang ZHAO ; Xiaoting TAO ; Xinzhong NING ; Yong LIU ; Guimei ZHANG ; He XIAO ; Jiaoxiang WANG ; Chang YANG ; Feiyan ZHU ; Kaixiang XU ; Kun QIAO ; Hongjiang WEI
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):95-105
Objective To explore the feasibility and reference value of allogeneic lung transplantation and postoperative monitoring in miniature pigs for lung transplantation research. Methods Two miniature pigs (R1 and R2) underwent left lung allogeneic transplantation. Complement-dependent cytotoxicity tests and blood cross-matching were performed before surgery. The main operative times and partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) after opening the pulmonary artery were recorded during surgery. Postoperatively, routine blood tests, biochemical blood indicators and inflammatory factors were detected, and pathological examinations of multiple organs were conducted. Results The complement-dependent cytotoxicity test showed that the survival rate of lymphocytes between donors and recipients was 42.5%-47.3%, and no agglutination reaction occurred in the cross-matching. The first warm ischemia times of D1 and D2 were 17 min and 10 min, respectively, and the cold ischemia times were 246 min and 216 min, respectively. Ultimately, R1 and R2 survived for 1.5 h and 104 h, respectively. Postoperatively, in R1, albumin (ALB) and globulin (GLB) decreased, and alanine aminotransferase increased; in R2, ALB, GLB and aspartate aminotransferase all increased. Urea nitrogen and serum creatinine increased in both recipients. Pathological results showed that in R1, the transplanted lung had partial consolidation with inflammatory cell infiltration, and multiple organs were congested and damaged. In R2, the transplanted lung had severe necrosis with fibrosis, and multiple organs had mild to moderate damage. The expression levels of interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 increased in the transplanted lungs. Conclusions The allogeneic lung transplantation model in miniature pigs may systematically evaluate immunological compatibility, intraoperative function and postoperative organ damage. The data obtained may provide technical references for subsequent lung transplantation research.
4.Research progress on digital technology in endodontic microsurgery
XU Siying ; DI Jingyi ; QU Jiongwei ; HE Li
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(1):96-104
Endodontic microsurgery (EMS) is an oral surgical procedure that utilizes the magnification and illumination provided by a microscope. Fine instruments are used to remove periapical diseased tissues, resect the root apex, and tightly seal the root canal system, aiming to promote the healing of periapical tissues and retain the affected tooth whenever possible. Precise localization and resection of the root apex have always been challenging in EMS. The application of digital technology in EMS can address many issues in traditional endodontic microsurgery. Digital technology offers advantages such as optimizing surgical planning, providing precise positioning guidance, and enhancing operational accuracy. Currently, the commonly used digital technologies in EMS include static and dynamic navigation technologies and oral surgical robots. Static navigation technology enhances surgical predictability through precise preoperative planning and guided fabrication, yet is constrained by its inability to adjust during surgery. Dynamic navigation technology excels in real-time tracking and intraoperative flexibility but demands high hand-eye coordination from surgeons and may be hindered by bulky handheld devices. Oral surgical robots reduce hand tremors and human error in surgery with their high precision, stability, and ability to adjust in real time, but their clinical applicability is limited and their cost is high. In clinical practice, tailored combinations of these technologies can be applied based on case complexity. For simple cases with well-defined anatomy, static navigation alone may suffice. For complex anatomical cases, static navigation can provide initial planning, supplemented by dynamic navigation for real-time guidance or robotic systems for high-precision execution. This paper discusses the workflow, clinical application status and advantages and limitations of these three digital technologies in EMS. The continuous development of digital technology is expected to simplify the operation process, improve the navigation accuracy, and reduce the operation cost. It is believed that with continuous improvement and optimization, these technologies will effectively break through the current bottleneck of the cost of equipment, operation complexity, and accuracy enhancement. These technologies are also expected to further expand the application boundaries, providing more minimally invasive, precise, and time-saving personalized treatment solutions for endodontic diseases.
5.Treatment Principles and Paradigm of Diabetic Microvascular Complications Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine
Anzhu WANG ; Xing HANG ; Lili ZHANG ; Xiaorong ZHU ; Dantao PENG ; Ying FAN ; Min ZHANG ; Wenliang LYU ; Guoliang ZHANG ; Xiai WU ; Jia MI ; Jiaxing TIAN ; Wei ZHANG ; Han WANG ; Yuan XU ; .LI PINGPING ; Zhenyu WANG ; Ying ZHANG ; Dongmei SUN ; Yi HE ; Mei MO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Linhua ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):272-279
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.
6.Association of physical activity and balance ability with disability: a cross-sectional study based on NHANES
Xuejiao HAN ; Jipeng SHI ; Jinpeng WEI ; Tianrui ZHU ; Hongqi XU ; Muhan HE
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2026;32(1):1-12
ObjectiveTo investigate the association of physical activity and balance ability with disability, and to further examine the mediating role of balance ability in the relationship between physical activity and disability. MethodsBased on data from 2021 to 2023 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycle, a multivariable Logistic regression model was constructed to evaluate the independent association of physical activity and balance ability with disability, with covariates adjusted in four steps. An interaction model was further developed to assess the multiplicative interaction between physical activity and balance ability. Mediation analysis was performed using the Baron and Kenny three-step approach to examine the mediating role of balance ability, and the proportion of the mediation effect was calculated. The significance of the mediation effect was assessed using the Delta method, and robustness was verified through the Bootstrap method with a fixed random seed. Multiple sensitivity analyses were conducted to ensure the stability of the results. ResultsA total of 3 902 participants were included, with a prevalence of disability of 17.7%. Multivariable regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for all covariates, both light-intensity physical activity (LIPA) (OR = 0.489, 95%CI 0.380 to 0.629, P < 0.001) and high-intensity physical activity (HIPA) (OR = 0.493, 95%CI 0.371 to 0.656, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with a reduced risk of disability, whereas impaired balance ability was significantly associated with an increased risk (OR = 1.579, 95%CI 1.266 to 1.970, P < 0.001). The interaction effect analysis showed that the interaction between physical activity and balance ability were not significant (P > 0.05), however, the main effect of LIPA remained robust (β = -0.597, SE = 0.221, OR = 0.550, P = 0.007), while impaired balance ability was significantly associated with an increased risk of disability (β = 0.577, SE = 0.231, OR = 1.780, P = 0.012). The mediation analysis further indicated that balance ability played a robust mediating role in the association between LIPA and disability, with a mediation proportion of 21.1%. The indirect effect (a × b) was statistically significant (P < 0.001), and the 95% confidence intervals derived from the bootstrap method did not include zero. ConclusionPhysical activity and balance ability are significantly associated with disability, and balance ability may mediate the relationship between physical activity and disability, highlighting its potential value in disability risk assessment and intervention strategies.
7.Research progress of non-insulin hypoglycemic drugs in the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus
Zejie XU ; Jiaoni ZHENG ; Jing LUO ; Liangyu WANG ; Wei YAN ; Qiang HE ; Xuefeng SHAN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(2):263-267
Traditional treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) primarily involves insulin replacement, yet some patients encounter issues such as significant blood glucose fluctuations, high risk of hypoglycemia, and weight gain. In recent years, the adjuvant therapeutic role of non-insulin hypoglycemic drugs in T1DM has gradually gained attention. This article reviews the mechanisms of action and clinical research progress of five types of non-insulin hypoglycemic drugs in the treatment of T1DM: amylin analogues (pramlintide), biguanides (metformin), sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist. It is found that these drugs can enhance clinical benefits for T1DM patients by improving insulin sensitivity, delaying gastric emptying, promoting urinary glucose excretion, and regulating incretin levels, thereby reducing glycated hemoglobin levels, decreasing insulin dosage, and managing body weight. Simultaneously, these drugs also present limitations such as low patient compliance due to complex dosing regimens, increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, and heterogeneity in glycemic control. Future research could focus on developing individualized treatment strategies, combining pharmacogenomics with novel biomarkers to precisely identify subpopulations of patients who may benefit, and delving into the potential value of these drugs in delaying diabetic vascular complications and improving patients’ quality of life.
8.Relationship between self-management behaviors and time perspective among patients with comorbid diabetes
YU Dandan ; ZHANG Yaping ; XU Huilin ; HE Dandan ; LIANG Tongtong ; YANG Jiali ; LI Jun
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(2):130-134
Objective:
To examine the relationship between self-management behaviors and time perspective among patients with comorbid diabetes, so as to provide the evidence for improving self-management behaviors among patients with comorbid diabetes.
Methods:
The patients with comorbid diabetes who were registered in the chronic disease health management system of Minhang District, Shanghai Municipality in 2021, followed up regularly, and lived in Meilong Town were recruited. Demographic information and family history of diabetes were collected through questionnaire surveys. Time perspective and self-management behaviors were assessed using the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory and Diabetes Self-Management Behavior Scale, respectively. The relationship between self-management behaviors and time perspective was analyzed using a multivariable ordinal logistic regression model.
Results:
A total of 907 patients with comorbid diabetes were enrolled, including 472 males (52.04%) and 435 females (47.96%). There were 652 cases aged 65 years and above, accounting for 71.89%. In terms of the types of time perspective, 280 patients were future-oriented (30.87%), 236 were balanced (26.02%), 162 were sensation-seeking (17.86%), 123 were fatalistic (13.56%), and 106 were negative (11.69%). In terms of the self-management behaviors, 46 patients were good (5.07%), 643 were moderate (70.89%), and 218 were poor (24.04%). Multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for age, gender, educational level, marital status, occupation status, monthly income, and family history of diabetes, the patients with comorbid diabetes who had a future-oriented time perspective had better self-management behaviors (OR=1.874, 95%CI: 1.204-2.915).
Conclusion
The self-management behaviors among patients with comorbid diabetes are moderate to poor, and patients with a future-oriented time perspective can better engage in self-management behaviors.
9.Construction of a decision tree model for the severity of optic nerve injury in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma based on the levels of interleukin-6 and interleukin-2 in aqueous humor
Gaojun HE ; Xiaofeng XU ; Mingjiang LI
International Eye Science 2025;25(3):384-389
AIM: To investigate the relationship between the levels of interleukin-6(IL-6)and IL-2 in aqueous humor and the severity of optic nerve injury in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma(POAG), and to construct a decision tree model for the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients.METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on 107 patients(107 eyes)with POAG who were admitted to the hospital from May 2021 to October 2023. According to the mean defect(MD)value, the degree of optic nerve injury was judged and divided into three groups: mild, moderate and severe. The general data, IL-6 and IL-2 levels in aqueous humor of patients with different severity of optic nerve injury were compared, and the correlation between the levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in aqueous humor and the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients was analyzed. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to test the influencing factors of the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients, and the decision tree model was constructed based on influencing factors.RESULTS: The proportion of patients with hypertension, intraocular pressure and binocular intraocular pressure difference in the severe group was higher than that in the mild and moderate groups, and the levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in the aqueous humor were significantly lower than those in the mild and moderate groups(all P<0.05). The levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in aqueous humor of POAG patients were negatively correlated with the severity of optic nerve injury(r=-0.361, -0.358, all P<0.001). Hypertension, intraocular pressure, binocular intraocular pressure difference, IL-6 and IL-2 levels in aqueous humor were independent factors affecting the degree of optic nerve injury in POAG patients(all P<0.05). Based on the above factors, a decision tree model was constructed, and three explanatory variables of IL-6, IL-2 levels in aqueous humor and hypertension were screened out. Among them, IL-2 level in aqueous humor was the most important root node variable and the most important predictor. The AUC of the decision tree model was 0.710(95% CI: 0.599-0.820, P=0.001), the sensitivity was 0.581, the specificity was 0.737, and the Youden index was 0.318, with a high predictive value.CONCLUSION: The levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in aqueous humor were significantly correlated with the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients. The decision tree model based on hypertension, intraocular pressure, binocular intraocular pressure difference, IL-6 and IL-2 levels in aqueous humor has a high evaluation value for the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients.
10.Construction of a decision tree model for the severity of optic nerve injury in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma based on the levels of interleukin-6 and interleukin-2 in aqueous humor
Gaojun HE ; Xiaofeng XU ; Mingjiang LI
International Eye Science 2025;25(3):384-389
AIM: To investigate the relationship between the levels of interleukin-6(IL-6)and IL-2 in aqueous humor and the severity of optic nerve injury in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma(POAG), and to construct a decision tree model for the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients.METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on 107 patients(107 eyes)with POAG who were admitted to the hospital from May 2021 to October 2023. According to the mean defect(MD)value, the degree of optic nerve injury was judged and divided into three groups: mild, moderate and severe. The general data, IL-6 and IL-2 levels in aqueous humor of patients with different severity of optic nerve injury were compared, and the correlation between the levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in aqueous humor and the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients was analyzed. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to test the influencing factors of the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients, and the decision tree model was constructed based on influencing factors.RESULTS: The proportion of patients with hypertension, intraocular pressure and binocular intraocular pressure difference in the severe group was higher than that in the mild and moderate groups, and the levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in the aqueous humor were significantly lower than those in the mild and moderate groups(all P<0.05). The levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in aqueous humor of POAG patients were negatively correlated with the severity of optic nerve injury(r=-0.361, -0.358, all P<0.001). Hypertension, intraocular pressure, binocular intraocular pressure difference, IL-6 and IL-2 levels in aqueous humor were independent factors affecting the degree of optic nerve injury in POAG patients(all P<0.05). Based on the above factors, a decision tree model was constructed, and three explanatory variables of IL-6, IL-2 levels in aqueous humor and hypertension were screened out. Among them, IL-2 level in aqueous humor was the most important root node variable and the most important predictor. The AUC of the decision tree model was 0.710(95% CI: 0.599-0.820, P=0.001), the sensitivity was 0.581, the specificity was 0.737, and the Youden index was 0.318, with a high predictive value.CONCLUSION: The levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in aqueous humor were significantly correlated with the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients. The decision tree model based on hypertension, intraocular pressure, binocular intraocular pressure difference, IL-6 and IL-2 levels in aqueous humor has a high evaluation value for the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients.


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