1.Exploring the Inflammation-to-Cancer Transformation of Chronic Atrophic Gastritis and Therapeutic Strategies Based on the Theory of "Wind and Fire Aggravating Each Other"
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(15):1608-1612
Based on the theory of "wind and fire aggravating each other" in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and combined with current understanding of the mechanisms underlying the inflammation-to-cancer transformation of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) in modern medicine, this paper proposes that the persistent inflammatory response in CAG is considered analogous to excessive "fire", while dynamic changes in epithelial cell structure and characteristics during disease progression correspond to the concept of "wind" in TCM, which is characterized by mobility and frequent changes. Recurrent inflammatory stimulation may promote intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, and even malignant transformation of gastric epithelial cells, whereas abnormal cells can further amplify local inflammatory responses, forming a vicious cycle driven by the mutual aggravation of wind and fire. On this basis, treatment should focus on clearing excessive pathogenic fire and calming internal pathogenic wind, with therapeutic strategies adjusted according to disease progression. In the early stage, clearing damp-heat in the qi level is emphasized to block the escalation of fire and the generation of wind. In the middle stage, the method of cooling the blood and dissolving stasis, regulating qi and resolving constraint is applied to alleviate the progression of stasis and wind activation. In the advanced stage, the therapeutic focus shifts toward dispelling wind and resolving toxins, while strengthening the body's resistance and consolidating the foundation to prevent the transformation caused by wind-toxin accumulation.
2.Exploring the Inflammation-to-Cancer Transformation of Chronic Atrophic Gastritis and Therapeutic Strategies Based on the Theory of "Wind and Fire Aggravating Each Other"
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(15):1608-1612
Based on the theory of "wind and fire aggravating each other" in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and combined with current understanding of the mechanisms underlying the inflammation-to-cancer transformation of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) in modern medicine, this paper proposes that the persistent inflammatory response in CAG is considered analogous to excessive "fire", while dynamic changes in epithelial cell structure and characteristics during disease progression correspond to the concept of "wind" in TCM, which is characterized by mobility and frequent changes. Recurrent inflammatory stimulation may promote intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, and even malignant transformation of gastric epithelial cells, whereas abnormal cells can further amplify local inflammatory responses, forming a vicious cycle driven by the mutual aggravation of wind and fire. On this basis, treatment should focus on clearing excessive pathogenic fire and calming internal pathogenic wind, with therapeutic strategies adjusted according to disease progression. In the early stage, clearing damp-heat in the qi level is emphasized to block the escalation of fire and the generation of wind. In the middle stage, the method of cooling the blood and dissolving stasis, regulating qi and resolving constraint is applied to alleviate the progression of stasis and wind activation. In the advanced stage, the therapeutic focus shifts toward dispelling wind and resolving toxins, while strengthening the body's resistance and consolidating the foundation to prevent the transformation caused by wind-toxin accumulation.
3.Analysis of the global competitive landscape in artificial intelligence medical device research.
Juan CHEN ; Lizi PAN ; Junyu LONG ; Nan YANG ; Fei LIU ; Yan LU ; Zhaolian OUYANG
Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2025;42(3):496-503
The objective of this study is to map the global scientific competitive landscape in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) medical devices using scientific data. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection to examine global research trends in AI-based medical devices. As of the end of 2023, a total of 55 147 relevant publications were identified worldwide, with 76.6% published between 2018 and 2024. Research in this field has primarily focused on AI-assisted medical image and physiological signal analysis. At the national level, China (17 991 publications) and the United States (14 032 publications) lead in output. China has shown a rapid increase in publication volume, with its 2023 output exceeding twice that of the U.S.; however, the U.S. maintains a higher average citation per paper (China: 16.29; U.S.: 35.99). At the institutional level, seven Chinese institutions and three U.S. institutions rank among the global top ten in terms of publication volume. At the researcher level, prominent contributors include Acharya U Rajendra, Rueckert Daniel and Tian Jie, who have extensively explored AI-assisted medical imaging. Some researchers have specialized in specific imaging applications, such as Yang Xiaofeng (AI-assisted precision radiotherapy for tumors) and Shen Dinggang (brain imaging analysis). Others, including Gao Xiaorong and Ming Dong, focus on AI-assisted physiological signal analysis. The results confirm the rapid global development of AI in the medical device field, with "AI + imaging" emerging as the most mature direction. China and the U.S. maintain absolute leadership in this area-China slightly leads in publication volume, while the U.S., having started earlier, demonstrates higher research quality. Both countries host a large number of active research teams in this domain.
Artificial Intelligence
;
Bibliometrics
;
Humans
;
China
;
Equipment and Supplies
;
United States
;
Biomedical Research
4.Effect of Buzhong Yiqiwan on NLRP3 Inflammasome Pathway of DSS-induced Colitis Model Mice at Different Pathological Stages
Chunhui SONG ; Yihui YOU ; Junyu KE ; Geng LI ; Haishan LONG ; Yanli WU ; Qun DU ; Yanwu LI ; Wenfeng GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2022;28(14):20-28
ObjectiveTo explore the intervention effect and mechanism of Buzhong Yiqiwan (BZYQ) on colitis mice. MethodSixty-four C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 2 weeks blank group, 2 weeks model group, 2 weeks high-dose BZYQ (12 g·kg-1) group, 2 weeks low-dose BZYQ (6 g·kg-1) group, 4 weeks blank group, 4 weeks model group, 4 weeks high-dose BZYQ (12 g·kg-1) group, and 4 weeks low-dose BZYQ (6 g·kg-1) group. The colitis model was induced in mice by feeding 3% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) for 7 days. The mice received BZYQ (12 and 6 g·kg-1) by gavage on the 8th day after modeling, once per day, and sacrificed on the 2nd and 4th weeks, correspondingly. The colon length and weight of mice in each group were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used for pathological observation and colonic mucosal inflammation was scored. The mRNA and protein expression of NOD-like receptor thermoprotein domain 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), and cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1 (Caspase-1) was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot, respectively. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the content of inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, and IL-33 in colonic tissues. ResultCompared with the 2 weeks blank group, the 2 weeks model group showed shortened colon length, increased colon weight (P<0.05), loss of epithelial cells, destruction of gland structure, infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells in mucosa and submucosa, local crypt abscess, and increase in mucosal inflammation score (P<0.01) as revealed by light microscopy, elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-18, and IL-33 in colonic tissues (P<0.05), and increased mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase-1 (P<0.05). The intervention of BZYQ (12 g·kg-1) restored colon length, alleviated mucosal injury (P<0.05), down-regulated the content of IL-18 (P<0.05), reduced the mRNA expression of NLRP3 and ASC as well as the protein expression of ASC and Caspase-1 compared with the conditions in the 2 weeks model group. Compared with the 4 weeks blank group, the 4 weeks model group showed decreased colon length, increased colon weight (P<0.05), decreased glands in the mucosal layer, expansion of glandular cavity, atrophy of crypt, local connective tissue hyperplasia and lymphocyte infiltration, increased inflammation score (P<0.01) as revealed by the light microscopy, increased expression of IL-1β, IL-18, and IL-33 (P<0.05), and elevated mRNA and expression of NLRP3 inflammasome complex (P<0.05). Compared with the conditions in the 4 weeks model group, the intervention of BZYQ (12 and 6 g·kg-1) could improve colon length and weight (P<0.05), and the intervention of BZYQ (12 g·kg-1) could also improve the inflammation score of the colon (P<0.05). Different from the acute stage, the intervention of BZYQ (12 and 6 g·kg-1) increased the content of IL-33 in the intestinal mucosa and up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3 inflammasome complexes ASC and Caspase-1 (P<0.05). ConclusionBZYQ can relieve the injury of colitis induced by DSS in mice. The mechanism is related to the regulation of intestinal immune response mediated by NLRP3 inflammasome, and it has different regulatory effects in acute and chronic inflammation stages.
5.Emerging nanomedicine-based therapeutics for hematogenous metastatic cascade inhibition: Interfering with the crosstalk between "seed and soil".
Junyu WU ; Yang LONG ; Man LI ; Qin HE
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2021;11(8):2286-2305
Despite considerable progresses in cancer treatment, tumor metastasis is still a thorny issue, which leads to majority of cancer-related deaths. In hematogenous metastasis, the concept of "seed and soil" suggests that the crosstalk between cancer cells (seeds) and premetastatic niche (soil) facilitates tumor metastasis. Considerable efforts have been dedicated to inhibit the tumor metastatic cascade, which is a highly complicated process involving various pathways and biological events. Nonetheless, satisfactory therapeutic outcomes are rarely observed, since it is a great challenge to thwart this multi-phase process. Recent advances in nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems have shown great potential in the field of anti-metastasis, especially compared with conventional treatment methods, which are limited by serious side effects and poor efficacy. In this review, we summarized various factors involved in each phase of the metastatic cascade ranging from the metastasis initiation to colonization. Then we reviewed current approaches of targeting these factors to stifle the metastatic cascade, including modulating primary tumor microenvironment, targeting circulating tumor cells, regulating premetastatic niche and eliminating established metastasis. Additionally, we highlighted the multi-phase targeted drug delivery systems, which hold a better chance to inhibit metastasis. Besides, we demonstrated the limitation and future perspectives of nanomedicine-based anti-metastasis strategies.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail