1.Characteristics of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes and Their Correlation with Ocular Manifestations in Chronic Hepatitis B Complicated by Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Fatty Liver Disease
Jingdong CUI ; Dingqi LI ; Yichen PENG ; Xiaoxiao DENG ; Zhenglong ZHENG ; Zilin XIONG ; Haiyang HU ; Peijie WU ; Yuelian WANG ; Liang HUANG ; Quansheng FENG ; Baixue LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):144-154
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the traditional Chinese medicine syndrome types in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) complicated by metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and explore the correlations between these syndrome types and clinical indicators, as well as ocular manifestation characteristics, thereby providing a reference for syndrome differentiation and treatment strategies in traditional Chinese medicine. MethodsGeneral data, information from the four diagnostic methods of traditional Chinese medicine, clinical indicators, and ocular manifestation data were collected from 506 patients with CHB complicated by MAFLD enrolled at the Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu between June 2024 and December 2024. Cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and complex network models were employed to identify the distribution patterns of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes. Correlations between different syndrome types and clinical indicators, as well as ocular manifestation characteristics, were further analyzed. ResultsThe predominant syndromes identified in patients with CHB complicated by MAFLD were dampness and heat accumulation (51.58%), liver depression with spleen deficiency (31.62%), blood stasis obstructing collaterals (8.89%), and Qi-Yin deficiency (7.91%). No statistically significant differences were found among the four syndrome types in routine blood tests and liver function indicators. However, patients with the dampness and heat accumulation type exhibited significantly higher levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), liver stiffness measurement (LSM), controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), along with lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), compared with those with other syndrome types. Regarding ocular manifestations, the incidence of moon halo signs was significantly higher in patients with the blood stasis obstructing collaterals type than in those with other syndrome types. Additionally, the incidence in scleral zone 3 (corresponding to the large intestine) was higher in patients with the damp and heat accumulation type. ConclusionDampness and heat accumulation is the core syndrome type in patients with CHB complicated by MAFLD, commonly accompanied by spleen deficiency, liver depression, blood stasis, and Yin deficiency. A complex syndrome pattern characterized by a predominance of dampness and heat, along with a mixture of deficiency and excess, is formed. Different traditional Chinese medicine syndrome types are associated with distinct clinical indicators and ocular manifestation characteristics. Among them, patients with the dampness and heat accumulation type exhibit more pronounced metabolic disturbances and liver injury, whereas those with the blood stasis type show a higher incidence of moon halo signs. Abnormalities in scleral zone 3 are also more prevalent in patients with dampness and heat type.
2.TCM Syndrome Distribution Patterns and Clinical Characteristics in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Comorbid with Metabolically Associated Fatty Liver Disease
Dingqi LI ; Liang HUANG ; Baixue LI ; Rui ZHAO ; Zhenglong ZHENG ; Yichen PENG ; Yu LIANG ; Caiying HE ; Jingdong CUI ; Zilin XIONG ; Xiyang LIU ; Quansheng FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):259-270
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the distribution patterns of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) comorbid with metabolically associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and analyze their correlation with clinical characteristics and the progression of liver fibrosis. MethodsA cross-sectional study method was employed, and 506 patients with CHB comorbid with MAFLD who attended the Hepatology Outpatient Department of Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu from June 2024 to December 2024 were enrolled. General information, traditional Chinese medicine syndromes information, laboratory indicators, and imaging examination results were collected using case report forms (CRF). Tongue images of patients were acquired using a tongue diagnosis instrument, and tongue feature parameters were extracted using computer image processing technology. Frequency analysis, factor analysis, and cluster analysis, and other methods were used to explore syndrome categories and distribution patterns. Non-parametric tests were used to compare the differences in clinical characteristics among different syndromes. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the correlation between traditional Chinese medicine syndromes and the progression of liver fibrosis. ResultsThe main traditional Chinese medicine syndromes in patients with CHB comorbid with MAFLD were mainly dominated by damp-heat accumulation syndrome, liver stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome, and phlegm-blood stasis syndrome, with damp-heat accumulation syndrome accounting for the highest proportion (41.89%). Compared with those without damp-heat accumulation syndrome, patients with damp-heat accumulation syndrome had significantly lower tongue proper H value, tongue coating H value, and tongue coating a* value (P<0.05), significantly higher tongue coating b* value (P<0.05), significantly increased levels of white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), and glucose (GLU), increased CAP values (P<0.05), a higher proportion of males (P<0.05), and a younger age (P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses show that age, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), diabetes, and damp-heat accumulation syndrome are independent risk factors for liver fibrosis (P<0.05), and that damp-heat accumulation syndrome is predominantly distributed in liver fibrosis stage F0-F1. ConclusionDamp-heat accumulation syndrome is a typical syndrome in patients with CHB comorbid with MAFLD, which is significantly associated with enhanced inflammatory response, metabolic disorders, and early liver fibrosis, and is a key link in disease progression. Clinical attention and early intervention are needed.
3.Drug Delivery Systems for Pancreatic Cancers Treatment
Wan-Rui SHI ; Li-Gang CUI ; Xiao-Long LIANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(7):1745-1756
Pancreatic cancers (PCs) is a common malignant tumor with poor prognosis in the digestive system. Its main treatment methods include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. The early diagnosis rate of hidden onset of PCs is low, and most patients have already lost the opportunity to undergo surgery when diagnosed with PCs. Chemotherapy is still the main treatment for advanced PCs, but the use of chemotherapy drugs in PCs can easily lead to drug resistance. The most significant feature that distinguishes PCs from other tumors is its rich and dense matrix, which not only hinders drug penetration but also impedes the infiltration of immune cells. The above reasons have led to a very low survival rate of PCs patients. Therefore, drug delivery systems are very important in the diagnosis and treatment of PCs. They can improve drug delivery, enhance biological barrier penetration, reduce side effects, and combine multiple treatment methods. Therefore, the treatment prospects of PCs are very broad. Currently, drug delivery systems widely applied in PCs primarily include nanodrug delivery systems, tumor microenvironment-targeted drug delivery system, immunotherapy drug delivery system, gene therapy drug delivery system, and combination therapy drug delivery system that synergize multiple therapeutic modalities. Emerging drug delivery systems (DDSs) have revolutionized PCs treatment by addressing these challenges through multiple mechanisms. Nanoformulations improve drug solubility, prolong circulation time, and reduce systemic toxicity via passive/active targeting. Smart DDSs responsive to PCs-specific stimuli enable extracellular matrix degradation, tumor-associated fibroblasts reprogramming, and vascular normalization to enhance drug accessibility. Last but not least, carrier systems loaded with myeloid-derived suppressor cell inhibitors or T cell activators can reverse immunosuppression and potentiate immunotherapy efficacy. Advanced platforms co-deliver chemotherapeutics with immunomodulators, gene-editing tools, or sonodynamic agents to achieve synergistic antitumor effects. These platforms aim to address critical challenges in PCs treatment, such as enhancing drug bioavailability, overcoming stromal barriers, reprogramming immunosuppressive niches, and achieving multi-mechanistic antitumor effects. This article provides a systematic summary and prospective analysis of the current development status, latest cutting-edge advances, opportunities, and challenges of the above-mentioned drug delivery systems in the field of PCs therapy.
4.Research Paradigms and Methods in Integrated Imaging of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Yingjie WU ; Nuan CUI ; Guojiang XIN ; Wanghua LIU ; Weixiong JIAN ; Hao LIANG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(5):7-12
The integration of TCM and Western medicine in imaging aims to enrich the sources of diagnostic information by utilizing medical imaging technologies,focusing on key elements such as TCM imaging,Western medical imaging,diseases and TCM syndrome types,thereby facilitating the complementary strengths of both systems.With the advancement of digital imaging and artificial intelligence technologies,various research models and methodologies have emerged.This article discussed the development and application of integrated imaging of traditional Chinese and Western medicine,and proposed three primary research paradigms in this field:Analyzing TCM images(e.g.,tongue and face)through manual or image processing techniques to assist in the diagnosis of Western medical diagnosis;Mapping Western medical imaging signs(e.g.,computed tomography,magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound imaging)to TCM syndrome patterns for objective evidence in TCM diagnosis and treatment;Applying imaging omics to extract and integrate features from both TCM and Western medical images for comprehensive diagnosis.This study reviewed the three paradigms,explained relevant concepts and technologies,and proposed a specific research workflow of integrated imaging omics of traditional Chinese and Western medicine,aiming to provide a reference for innovative development in this field.
5.Differences of calorie restriction and time-restricted feeding on metabolic indices and gut microbiota of mice
Yuena CUI ; Xiaoyu CHEN ; Meiting LIANG ; Wujin CHEN ; Yi HE ; DILINUR·EKPA ; Manxi DU ; Yuqiu ZHU ; ABUDUWUPUER·HAIBIER ; Yuping SUN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(30):6449-6456
BACKGROUND:Both calorie restriction and time-restricted feeding,as two common dietary patterns,have been shown to improve health by regulating metabolism.However,the difference between these dietary patterns,metabolic indices,as well as the gut microbiota still requires further attention.OBJECTIVE:To explore the differences of calorie restriction and time-restricted feeding on the metabolic indices and gut microbiota of mice.METHODS:The C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into three groups of ad libitum,calorie restriction,and time-restricted feeding(n=6 per group)for 28 weeks of dietary intervention.Various parameters such as body weight,food intake,glucose tolerance,serum fasting insulin,Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance,and leptin were measured.The impact of different interventions on the gut microbiota structure in mice was explored using 16S rRNA sequence analysis.Key operational taxonomic units responsive to dietary interventions were identified through LEfSe analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the ad libitum group,the body weight,food intake,area under the glucose tolerance curve of the calorie restriction and time-restricted feeding groups were decreased(P<0.01),and the serum leptin was decreased(P<0.05).The fasting insulin level and serum leptin level of the calorie restriction group were decreased(P<0.05)and were significantly lower than those of the time-restricted feeding group(P<0.05);homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance decreased in the calorie restriction group(P<0.01).(2)Compared with the ad libitum group,the αdiversity of gut microbiota in the calorie restriction group and the time-restricted feeding group was decreased(P<0.05),but the diversity of the time-restricted feeding group was slightly lower than that in the calorie restriction group.(3)There were 15 key operational taxonomic units related to calorie restriction and the time-restricted feeding intervention,of which 8 were positively correlated with metabolic phenotypes and their abundance decreased,and 3 were negatively correlated with metabolic phenotypes and their abundance increased(P<0.05).OTU819 Lachnospiraceae_UCG-006 was positively correlated with body weight,area under the glucose tolerance curve,homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance,and fasting insulin,while OTU1397 Muribaculaceae was negatively correlated with these indicators.The results show that both calorie restriction and the time-restricted feeding intervention can improve the weight and glucose metabolism of mice,and both intervention modes caused the remodeling of the gut microbiota,which helped to improve the metabolic disorders.
6.Evaluation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy curative effect in patients with breast cancer by MRI
Liangfeng YAO ; Baoliang GUO ; Hongyan HE ; Xulong FAN ; Cuishan LIANG ; Gan TIAN ; Yunneng CUI
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(5):767-770
Objective To analyze the value of MRI in evaluating the treatment efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC)in breast cancer patients.Methods The clinical data of 130 patients with breast cancer were analyzed retrospectively.All patients under-went 4-8 cycles of NAC,with MRI examinations was performed before and after NAC treatment.Based on postoperative response eval-uation criteria in solid tumors(RECIST),the patients were categorized into effective and ineffective groups.The MRI related param-eters,early enhancement parameters and peak enhancement parameters before and after NAC were observed to evaluate the efficacy of MRI in evaluating the treatment efficacy of NAC in breast cancer.Results The sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy of MRI in evalua-ting the treatment efficacy of NAC in breast cancer were 96.74%,89.47%,and 94.62%,respectively.The Kappa value for consis-tency analysis between MRI and postoperative pathology reached 0.869,indicating good agreement.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)for MRI in predicting the treatment efficacy of NAC in breast cancer was 0.935[95% confidence interval(CI)0.831-0.981].Significant differences were observed between the effective and ineffec-tive groups in early and peak enhancement parameters before and after NAC(P<0.05).Conclusion MRI can effectively assesses the treatment efficacy of NAC in breast cancer patients,demonstrating high value in clinical applications.
7.Biomechanical Comparison of Different Repair Methods for Inferior Pole Fracture of the Patella
Yulin XU ; Yuangui TANG ; Yongkang CUI ; Yuchuan LIU ; Tao WANG ; Wanyin QI ; Jinhui LIU ; Cheng LIANG
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2025;40(1):100-105
Objective To conduct a comparative study on the biomechanical performance of using sutures for repairing inferior pole patellar fractures.Methods Compared to the normal patellar structure(Group A),four repair methods,namely,'Krackow'suture(Group B),"Kessler"fixation(Group C),'8-figure'mesh method(Group D),and modified suture bridge(Group E)were adopted.The static stiffness and dynamic stability of inferior pole patellar fractures fixed by each repair method were measured at 30°,60°,and 90° knee flexion.Results The stiffness at all flexion angles in Group E was closer to that in Group A,compared to other repair groups,followed by Group B,then Group D,and finally Group C.After the first cycle,at 30° knee flexion,Group C showed the greatest displacement,while Groups B and E had slightly larger displacements than the Group A,and the displacement of Group D was smaller than that of Group A.At 60° and 90° knee flexion,the displacement in all repair groups was smaller than that of Group A.After 200 cycles in the subsequent three cycles,displacement changes in all repair groups were smaller than those in Group A.Conclusions All repair methods were effective.In terms of biomechanical fixation performance,the modified suture bridge was superior to the'Krackow'suture and'8-figure'mesh,with Kessler fixation being the least effective.However,factors such as the injury severity,incision location,and surgical time should be comprehensively considered in actual clinical use,and it is recommended that the repair method should be selected in the following order:E,B,D,and C.
8.The application value of CT-based radiomics in differentiating pneumonia-type mucinous adenocarcinoma from organizing pneumonia
Xiaoqing LI ; Kexin XIE ; Rong LIU ; Can CUI ; Shuai REN ; Hai XU ; Liang ZENG
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(8):1304-1309
Objective To explore the application value of CT-based radiomics in differentiating pneumonia-type mucinous adenocarcinoma(PTMA)from organizing pneumonia(OP).Methods A total of 52 PTMA patients and 102 OP patients were retrospectively included and randomly divided into training set(n=124)and test set(n=30)in an 8∶2 ratio.Eight PTMA patients and 22 OP patients from another hospital during the same period were included as external validation set(n=30).Clinical characteristics and CT signs of the patients were selected to construct the clinical model.Radiomics features were extracted and dimensionality reduction was performed through the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)algorithm.A radiomics model was constructed and the Radiomics score(Radscore)was calculated.The Radscore was combined with clinical factors to establish the combined model and a nomogram was illustrated.The models' fitting degree was analyzed by the calibration curve,while their efficacy was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and decision curve analysis(DCA).Results The clinical model,established based on the border,cystic space and bronchial leafless tree sign,achieved area under the curve(AUC)of 0.850,0.782,and 0.759 in the training set,test set,and external validation set,respectively.Thirteen features were obtained to construct the radiomics model,with AUC of 0.925,0.865,and 0.830,respectively.The AUC of the combined model were 0.970,0.905,and 0.864,respectively,in which the calibration curve demonstrated good model fitting.DCA indicated that the combined model had the greatest clinical net benefit.Conclusion The combined model based on CT radiomics can effectively distinguish PTMA from OP.
9.The diagnostic value of combined clinical imaging model in deep infiltrating endometriosis of uterosacral ligaments
Cuishan LIANG ; Liangfeng YAO ; Dan GUI ; Hongbo WU ; Yunneng CUI
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(1):63-66
Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of combined clinical imaging model in deep infiltrating endometriosis of uterosacral ligaments(USL-DIE).Methods The preoperative clinical symptoms,signs,transvaginal ultrasound(TVS)and MRI diagno-ses of 102 DIE patients were reviewed and subjected to univariate analysis,and the significant variables were screened and included in the multivariable logistic regression analysis to construct a combined clinical imaging model.The diagnostic value of statistically signifi-cant factors and combined model was assessed and compared using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The inci-dence of USL nodule with tenderness,the detection rates of TVS and MRI for USL-DIE were higher than those of other patients with DIE,and the differences were statistically significant.TVS(P=0.021)and MRI(P<0.001)were independent factors in the diag-nosis of USL-DIE.The combined clinical imaging model had the highest area under the curve(AUC)(0.909)and specificity(0.929)for the diagnosis of USL-DIE.Conclusion The combined clinical imaging model has a higher value for the comprehensive diagnosis of USL-DIE compared with clinical or imaging diagnosis alone.
10.Efficacy analysis of artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture
Yongjie WANG ; Libin CUI ; Xin YUAN ; Qian LU ; Xueming CHEN ; Liang LIU
Journal of Capital Medical University 2025;46(5):777-783
Objective To compare the efficacy of artificial intelligence(AI)diagnostic group and artificial reading group in the diagnosis for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.Methods From January 2023 to December 2023,80 patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures and 20 patients without fractures but with nonspecific low back pain were included in the study.According to the patient's computed tomography(CT)image,the AI software diagnosis and physicians of different seniority(one senior physician,one intermediate physician and one junior physician)diagnosis were performed.The diagnostic efficacy of different detection methods was compared.Results The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value and area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC)and Kappa value of each group were as follows:AI image interpretation:0.975,0.900,0.975,0.900,0.938,0.875;senior physician:0.950,0.900,0.974,0.818,0.925,0.819;intermediate physician:0.825,0.850,0.957,0.548,0.837,0.560;and junior physician:0.750,0.750,0.923,0.429,0.751,0.390.Conclusion The diagnostic performance of AI was comparable to that of senior physician,and significantly higher than that of intermediate and primary physicians.

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