1.Construction and Evaluation of "Constitution-disease-syndrome" Trinity Model for Rodents with Qi Deficiency
Yasheng DENG ; Jiang LIN ; Yujiang XI ; Qian ZHOU ; Yanping FAN ; Wenyue LI ; Yonghui LIU ; Zhaobing NI ; Qiu CHEN ; Xi MING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):274-284
The theory of constitution in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has emerged as a new discipline in recent years. Constitution plays a vital role in the onset,progression,transformation,and prognosis of diseases. At present,some clinical scholars have adopted a novel diagnostic and treatment model of "constitution differentiation-disease identification-syndrome differentiation",in which constitution is regarded as a core element throughout the diagnostic and therapeutic process. Constitution is closely associated with etiology,onset,pathogenesis,syndrome differentiation,and treatment. Against this background,the construction of animal models based on constitution holds far-reaching significance for advancing clinical research. This paper focuses on the construction and evaluation of rodent models with Qi-deficiency constitution,aiming to explore how to further induce Qi-deficiency syndromes and related disease states on the basis of Qi-deficiency constitution models,thereby developing an integrated animal model that embodies the trinity of "constitution-disease-syndrome". The establishment of this model not only provides a solid experimental foundation for the development of new therapies and drugs in TCM targeting specific constitutions,diseases,and syndromes,but also greatly promotes the modernization and scientific advancement of TCM theory. By comprehensively applying multidisciplinary technologies and methods,the study evaluates the model's validity,reliability,and practicality,with the aim of opening new avenues for future research in TCM and promoting the development of the field.
2.Construction and Evaluation of "Constitution-disease-syndrome" Trinity Model for Rodents with Qi Deficiency
Yasheng DENG ; Jiang LIN ; Yujiang XI ; Qian ZHOU ; Yanping FAN ; Wenyue LI ; Yonghui LIU ; Zhaobing NI ; Qiu CHEN ; Xi MING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):274-284
The theory of constitution in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has emerged as a new discipline in recent years. Constitution plays a vital role in the onset,progression,transformation,and prognosis of diseases. At present,some clinical scholars have adopted a novel diagnostic and treatment model of "constitution differentiation-disease identification-syndrome differentiation",in which constitution is regarded as a core element throughout the diagnostic and therapeutic process. Constitution is closely associated with etiology,onset,pathogenesis,syndrome differentiation,and treatment. Against this background,the construction of animal models based on constitution holds far-reaching significance for advancing clinical research. This paper focuses on the construction and evaluation of rodent models with Qi-deficiency constitution,aiming to explore how to further induce Qi-deficiency syndromes and related disease states on the basis of Qi-deficiency constitution models,thereby developing an integrated animal model that embodies the trinity of "constitution-disease-syndrome". The establishment of this model not only provides a solid experimental foundation for the development of new therapies and drugs in TCM targeting specific constitutions,diseases,and syndromes,but also greatly promotes the modernization and scientific advancement of TCM theory. By comprehensively applying multidisciplinary technologies and methods,the study evaluates the model's validity,reliability,and practicality,with the aim of opening new avenues for future research in TCM and promoting the development of the field.
3.Staged Efficacy of Qijia Rougan Prescription Combined with Entecavir for Chronic Hepatitis B-related Hepatic Fibrosis with Qi Deficiency and Collateral Stasis Syndrome Based on "Zhu Ke Jiao" Theory
Baixue LI ; Xin WANG ; Jibin LIU ; Li WEN ; Cen JIANG ; Wenjun WU ; Dong WANG ; Shuwan LIU ; Huabao LIU ; Yongli ZHENG ; Liang HUANG ; Yue SU ; Song ZHANG ; Yanan SHANG ; Hang ZHOU ; Quansheng FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):180-188
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate and evaluate the staged efficacy and safety of the representative empirical prescription of the “Zhu Ke Jiao” theory, Qijia Rougan prescription, combined with entecavir in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B. MethodsA multicenter randomized controlled clinical study was conducted, and 101 patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B-related hepatic fibrosis (CHB-HF) who met the diagnosis and inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to an observation group (Qijia Rougan prescription + entecavir) and a control group (entecavir). The treatment duration was 24 weeks. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM), fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4), portal vein diameter, hepatitis B serology, biochemical indicators, hepatic fibrosis markers in serum [hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), procollagen Ⅲ peptide (PⅢP), and type Ⅳ collagen (Ⅳ-C)], and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores were used as efficacy evaluation indicators. Efficacy assessments and explorations of different staged subgroups of Qijia Rougan prescription were conducted according to LSM values based on the Metavir pathological staging standard. ResultsA total of 98 cases were included for statistical analysis, with 49 cases in the observation group and 49 in the control group. The general data of the patients in both groups were comparable. Compared with the same group before treatment, the observation group showed a significant reduction in LSM and FIB-4 (P<0.01), as well as notable improvements in LN, Ⅳ-C, and various TCM syndrome scores (P<0.05, P<0.01). When compared to the control group after treatment, the observation group demonstrated significant improvements in LSM, FIB-4, and various TCM syndrome score indicators (P<0.05, P<0.01), indicating that the observation group performed better than the control group. Subgroup analysis of the regression of hepatic fibrosis stages showed that compared to the same group before treatment, the observation group had better improvement in regression of stages F2 and F3 (P<0.05). When compared to the control group after treatment, the observation group exhibited superior improvement in regression of stage F3 (P<0.05). No adverse events occurred in either group during the treatment period. ConclusionCompared with entecavir alone, the combination of Qijia Rougan prescription and entecavir significantly improves the degree of hepatic fibrosis and clinical TCM symptoms in patients. The optimal intervention period is primarily during stage F3, which is a potential “interception” point of the “Zhu Ke Jiao” theory.
4.Analysis of clinical characteristics and risk factors for infection in patients with multiple myeloma treated with bortezomib
Wenting JIANG ; Jie ZHOU ; Bo LYU ; Aiming SHI ; Bingzong LI ; Jie PAN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(7):942-948
OBJECTIVE To study the clinical characteristics and potential risk factors for infection in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) following treatment with bortezomib. METHODS Clinical data were retrospectively collected from MM patients who received bortezomib-based treatment regimens at the Department of Hematology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, from October 2021 to February 2025. The collected data primarily included demographic characteristics, disease characteristics of MM, treatment regimens, occurrence of infections and corresponding management measures, and prophylactic medication use. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify potential risk factors for MM complicated with infection. RESULTS Among the 284 MM patients treated with bortezomib, 132 patients (46.5%) experienced at least one infection. The predominant types of infections were respiratory tract infections and gastrointestinal infections. Univariate analysis showed that age at initial diagnosis, pathological classification, and grade of myelosuppression were influencing factors for infection in MM patients ( P <0.05). Further analysis of influencing factors for the two main types of infections revealed that sex, age at initial diagnosis, pathological classification, treatment regimen, and smoking history were influencing factor s for respiratory tract infections in MM patients ( P <0.05); BMI, pathological classification, treatment regimen, and grade of myelosuppression were influencing factors for gastrointestinal infections in MM patients ( P <0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that age≥70 years and the presence of grade Ⅳ myelosuppression before treatment were risk factors for infection in MM patients, while the IgG-λ type was a protective factor against infection ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS The incidence of infection is relatively high in MM patients receiving bortezomib-based treatment regimens, with respiratory and gastrointestinal infections being the most common. Age at initial diagnosis, grade of myelosuppression, and pathological classification are influencing factors for infection in MM patients.
5.Dual-Center Clinical Study on Detection of Intraoperative Air Leak During Pulmonary Resection Using Nebulized Indocyanine Green
Zhenfan WANG ; Songjing ZHAO ; Ruiheng JIANG ; Zhuoer CUI ; Yingtai CHEN ; Jian ZHOU ; Kezhong CHEN ; Yun LI
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(3):646-651
To evaluate the clinical value of nebulized indocyanine green(ICG) combined with near-infrared fluorescence imaging for intraoperative detection of air leaks during pulmonary resection. This was a two-center randomized controlled trial enrolling patients undergoing thoracoscopic pulmonary resection. After enrollment, patients were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group received nebulized ICG and fluorescence imaging in addition to the conventional water immersion test, while the control group underwent the water immersion test alone. Intraoperative air leak detection and postoperative air leak incidence were compared between the two groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between ICG nebulization intervention and postoperative air leaks after adjusting for confounding factors including age, sex, smoking history, history of respiratory disease, surgical procedure, and study center. A total of 181 patients were enrolled(90 in the experimental group, 91 in the control group). The experimental group showed significantly higher intraoperative air leak detection rate(37.8% Nebulized ICG combined with near-infrared fluorescence imaging significantly improves intraoperative detection of air leaks, reduces the incidence of postoperative air leaks, and shortens chest tube duration. This technique is convenient, safe, and holds important clinical value for application.
6.Discussion on Construction of a Multi-Agent "Cross-scale" Collective Decision-making Model for Superior Disease Entities in Sichuan-style Traditional Chinese Medicine
Qiuping CHEN ; Hang ZHOU ; Dan ZHENG ; Baixue LI ; Chenhao LIU ; Ju CHEN ; Jibin LIU ; Quansheng FENG ; JIANGYUMING ; Cen JIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):1-13
At present, the systematic excavation of the clinical experience and academic thought of the Sichuan school of Chinese medicine vis-à-vis its dominant disease entities remains fragmentary, and replicable paradigms are scarce. Confronted with empirical fragmentation, data heterogeneity and decision-making subjectivity, the standardised distillation, inheritance and clinical translation of these distinctive experiences has become a critical bottleneck constraining the development of the Sichuan school. The integration of artificial-intelligence technologies in data processing, pattern recognition and intelligent decision-making has rendered deep mining of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) clinical knowledge and patterns imperative. Constructing an intelligent modern TCM diagnostic-therapeutic-evaluative system is now the obligatory route for inheritance and innovation in Chinese medicine, and simultaneously provides a technological breakthrough for intelligent decision paradigms in the dominant diseases of the Sichuan school. Accordingly, this study adopts the regional academic school as its point of entry, focuses on the dominant diseases of the Sichuan school, and proposes an innovative pathway of "four-dimensional data-multi-modal fusion-multi-agent decision-making". Specifically, four data dimensions are defined and instantiated: (Ⅰ) knowledge from classical medical literature and historical case records. (Ⅱ) objective four-diagnosis phenotypic data. (Ⅲ) master physicians' prescribing regularities. (Ⅳ) characteristic mechanisms of renowned formulae. Leveraging multi-modal data fusion and generative artificial intelligence, the entire causal chain of Famous Physicians and Renowned Formulas is explicated to reconstruct the diagnostic-therapeutic cognitive logic of the regional school. Finally, a multi-agent collective-decision model is established and refined for the dominant diseases of the Sichuan school, capable of generating precise, individualised treatment regimens and thereby advancing an intelligent diagnostic-therapeutic paradigm that delivers more efficient and accurate clinical decision support.
7.Mechanisms on Chronicity of Infectious Diseases from Warm Disease Theory of Pathogen Invading Nutrient and Blood Aspects: Integrating Classical Wisdom with Innovative Perspectives
Baixue LI ; Hang ZHOU ; Jibin LIU ; Xia LI ; Xiyang LIU ; Haihui LIU ; Peijie WU ; Dong WANG ; Cen JIANG ; Wenjun WU ; Quansheng FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):60-69
The chronicity of infectious diseases is an important field in the collaborative research of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. The warm disease theory of pathogen invading nutrient and blood aspects in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) takes the struggle between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi and cementation of Yin as the core pathogenesis, providing a unique theoretical framework for explaining the common pathology of infectious chronic diseases. This theory originated from Yin-Yang interaction in the Internal Classic and was enriched with WU Youke's theory of intruding pathogen interacting and lingering in blood vessels and YE Tianshi's theory of long-term illness entering collaterals. Combining the theory with modern medical knowledge, our team has condensed the dynamic pathogenesis model of deficiency (nutrient and blood aspects) and excess (pathogen) interacting in the blood collaterals of Yin aspect, the core feature of which is the four-dimensional interactions of cause (pathogen characteristics), location (three Yin locations of diseases), nature (deficiency and excess), and potential (transmission trend). The common pathology of infectious chronic diseases is reflected in interactions. That is, the interactions between nutrient and blood deficiency (immune exhaustion and metabolic disorder) and pathogen excess (pathogen persistence and fibrous hyperplasia) in the liver collaterals (Jueyin), kidney collaterals (Shaoyin), lung collaterals (Taiyin) and other blood collaterals of Yin aspect form the pathological damage characterized by immune inflammatory response-continuous tissue damage with excessive repair. Taking the inheritance and innovative development of classics as the main line, this paper systematically discusses the scientific connotation of the theory of pathogen invading nutrient and blood aspects and the paths of inheritance and innovation and clarifies the original significance of this theory in the chronic development of infectious diseases. Furthermore, taking clinical diseases as an example, this paper reflects the guiding value of this classical theory in the modern diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine and the application potential of this theory in solving complex medical problems through the construction of the innovative paradigm of precise diagnosis and treatment with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine.
8.Quantitative Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer MRI for Diagnosing Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy Activity: A Prospective Feasibility Study
YunMeng WANG ; WeiYi ZHOU ; YuanYuan CUI ; JianKun DAI ; YuXin CHENG ; QingQing WEN ; TianYi XING ; HongBiao SUN ; Song JIANG ; MeiLing XU ; ZhenHuan WANG ; Yan SONG ; Tuo LI ; Yi XIAO
Korean Journal of Radiology 2026;27(2):161-173
Objective:
This prospective study evaluated the feasibility of chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI for assessing disease activity in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO).
Materials and Methods:
A total of 88 patients with active TAO, 76 with inactive TAO, and 30 healthy controls were enrolled. CEST MRI-derived magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and MTR asymmetry (MTRasym) at 1 ppm, 2 ppm, and 3.5 ppm were calculated. Clinical data, MTR, and MTRasym values for the extraocular muscles (one representative muscle per eye, yielding two measurements per participant) were compared among the groups. Spearman’s correlation was used to examine associations between imaging parameters and the clinical activity score (CAS) in patients with TAO. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent associations between imaging parameters and disease activity in patients with TAO (active vs. inactive). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic performance for discriminating active from inactive TAO.
Results:
Patients with active TAO showed lower MTR values (P < 0.001) and higher MTRasym (1 ppm), MTRasym (2 ppm), and MTRasym (3.5 ppm) (all P < 0.001) compared with those with inactive TAO. MTR was negatively correlated with CAS (r = -0.402; P < 0.001), while MTRasym (1 ppm), MTRasym (2 ppm), and MTRasym (3.5 ppm) were positively correlated with CAS (r = 0.369, 0.350, and 0.349, respectively;all P < 0.001). MTR and MTRasym (1 ppm) were independently associated with TAO activity. The areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) for MTR and MTRasym (1 ppm) in discriminating active from inactive TAO were 0.772 and 0.730, respectively. Combining MTR with MTRasym (1 ppm) significantly improved diagnostic performance compared with either parameter alone, achieving an AUC of 0.805 (P = 0.029 and 0.001).
Conclusion
MTR and MTRasym (1 ppm) were independently associated with TAO activity. Their combination further enhanced diagnostic performance in distinguishing active from inactive TAO, suggesting their potential as quantitative imaging biomarkers to guide treatment in patients with TAO.
9.Pre-operative risk assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence in liver transplant recipients by non-invasive detection of pre-existing genetic lesions
Suqin YANG ; Sunbin LING ; Jianhua LI ; Yan WANG ; Jiapei WANG ; Qiwei HUANG ; Fanming LIU ; Yiqi ZHUANG ; Yingyu ZHENG ; Rui WANG ; Zhe YANG ; Xiaoping ZHENG ; Kai WANG ; Zhikun LIU ; Jun CHEN ; Jianguo WANG ; Haiyang XIE ; Lin ZHOU ; Leiming CHEN ; Guoqiang CAO ; Dandan CHEN ; Junfang JI ; Bin ZHAO ; Chao JIANG ; Di LU ; Xuyong WEI ; Hangjin JIANG ; Qiaonan SHAN ; Hengbo SHI ; Yong-Zhen XU ; Shusen ZHENG ; Zhengxin WANG ; Shengda LIN ; Xiao XU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):884-903
Background/Aims:
Liver transplantation (LT) following total hepatectomy is a life-saving treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC recurrence after LT hinders the effectiveness of the procedure. The objective of this study is to develop a pre-operative risk stratification model based on a liquid biopsy.
Methods:
We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics study of 260 HCC patients from three centers, including clinical data, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma, as well as whole-exome, single-nucleus RNA, and spatial transcriptomics from matched tumor and non-tumor tissues.
Results:
We identified cfDNA-derived copy number alteration (CNA) signatures associated with post-transplant recurrence. By integrating cfDNA-derived CNA profiles with single-cell transcriptomic data, we traced recurrence-associated cfDNA to a distinct subpopulation of malignant cells within the primary tumor. These cells were embedded in a pro-metastatic microenvironment of specialized endothelial subtypes and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Notably, most recurrence-associated lesions were detectable in cfDNA prior to liver transplantation (LT). Building on these insights, we developed the ZJU Criteria based on CNA fragments and tumor markers, a pre-LT risk prediction tool that integrates conventional clinical factors with cfDNA-derived CNA signatures, and validated it using internal and independent external cohorts.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that post-transplant recurrence commonly originates from advanced subclones that emerge late during tumor evolution. The ZJU Criteria provides an accurate, non-invasive strategy that significantly improves pre-LT risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.
10.Comprehensive analysis of an m6A regulator-based prognostic model and its associations with immune infiltration, drug sensitivity, and intercellular communication in cervical cancer
JIANG Bengui ; ZHOU Teng ; LU Qunfang ; TONG Lin ; ZHOU Xin ; LI Yan ; ZHI Shuang
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2026;33(6):678-689
[摘 要] 目的:探讨m6A调控因子在宫颈癌预后评估、免疫微环境特征及治疗反应中的作用,构建基于m6A调控因子的预后风险模型,并分析其与免疫浸润、药物敏感性及细胞间通信的关系。方法:基于TCGA和GEO数据库中宫颈鳞癌及腺癌(CESC)转录组数据,分析22个m6A调控因子的表达与突变情况;采用LASSO‑Cox回归构建m6A相关预后风险模型,并依据风险评分将患者分为高、低风险组。利用CIBERSORT和ESTIMATE算法评估两组免疫细胞浸润及微环境特征;通过oncoPredict预测抗肿瘤药物敏感性。整合单细胞转录组数据(E-MTAB-12305),采用CellChat分析细胞间通信网络。结果:共鉴定出12个在宫颈癌中差异表达的m6A调控因子。高风险组患者总生存期缩短(P < 0.05),免疫评分降低,且对紫杉醇、氟尿嘧啶、多柔比星等抗肿瘤药物敏感性较差(IC50较高)。单细胞分析显示宫颈癌组织中细胞间通信网络发生改变,其中T细胞与内皮/上皮细胞间的相互作用可能主要由CCL5‑ACKR1和MIF‑(CD74 + CXCR4)配体‑受体介导。在临床样本中,对关键的m6A调控因子进行mRNA和蛋白水平的验证,结果显示部分调控因子在宫颈癌组织中的表达水平高于正常宫颈组织(P < 0.05)。结论:m6A调控因子特征可有效预测宫颈癌患者预后,其风险评分与肿瘤免疫浸润、药物敏感性及细胞通信密切相关,为宫颈癌的预后分层及个体化治疗提供了新的分子依据。

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