1.Study on the causal relationship between gut microbiota,blood metabolites and antidepressant treatment response
Linlin LOU ; Lingyi SHI ; Xiangjun ZHOU ; Ying JIANG ; Haohao ZHU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(6):770-775
OBJECTIVE To investigate the causal relationships between gut microbiota, blood metabolites and antidepressant treatment response from a genetic perspective, and to assess the potential mediating role of blood metabolites. METHODS This study utilized a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) design. Exposure data were derived from four large-scale gut microbiome genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets and two blood metabolite GWAS datasets. The inverse variance weighted method was used as the primary method to evaluate the causal relationships between gut microbiota, blood metabolites and antidepressant effects. The robustness, heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy of the results were evaluated through various sensitivity analyses. Additionally, the false discovery rate (FDR) was applied to correct type Ⅰ errors caused by multiple hypothesis testing. Finally, MR mediation analysis was conducted to test the potential mediating effect of blood metabolites. RESULTS The s_ Bilophila was negatively associated with the effectiveness of antidepressant treatment ( P =8.030×10 -5 , then P =0.033 after FDR correction), and the f_Bacteroidales was positively associated with the effectiveness of antidepressant treatment ( P =3.275×10 -4 , then P =0.034 after FDR correction). Over a hundred blood metabolites were also screened out as being associated with antidepressant response, but after FDR correction, no significant causal relationship was observed. The P value of the mediation effect proportion of blood metabolites in the “gut microbiota-blood metabolites-antidepressant efficacy” pathway was greater than 0.05. CONCLUSIONS The s_ Bilophila may represent a risk factor for antidepressant effects, whereas the f_Bacteroidales may serve as a protective factor for antidepressant effects. The correlation between blood metabolites and antidepressant efficacy is not strong, and no genetic evidence is found to support that the investigated blood metabolites play a key mediating role between the gut microbiota and antidepressant response.
2.Current Status and Strategic Recommendations for Randomized Controlled Trials on Functional Dyspepsia-Irritable Bowel Syndrome Comorbidity:from a Real-World Research Perspective
Ning DAI ; Linlin JIANG ; Huie ZHANG ; Fang LU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):946-950
By analyzing the current status of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) comorbidity, we identified several critical issues which include insufficient repor-ting of FD and IBS subtypes, inadequate risk assessment of drug combination, lack of composite, objective, and long-term outcomes, and weak evidence support for clinical practice guidelines. It is suggested that future clinical research on FD-IBS comorbidity should further strengthen the application of real-world studies. The use of composite outcomes and long-term follow-up is recommended to improve the quality of evidence, while greater attention should be paid to patients' preferences and self-management to enhance the applicability of findings. Based on the existing issues in clinical studies of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for FD-IBS comorbidity, we propose to consolidate the foundation of TCM-specific efficacy evaluation to better reflect the advantages of syndrome differentiation and treatment, optimize real-world study designs to better support clinical decision- making, and introduce intelligent objective evaluation technologies to improve the objectivity and accuracy of TCM clinical efficacy assessment.
3.Current Status and Strategic Recommendations for Randomized Controlled Trials on Functional Dyspepsia-Irritable Bowel Syndrome Comorbidity:from a Real-World Research Perspective
Ning DAI ; Linlin JIANG ; Huie ZHANG ; Fang LU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):946-950
By analyzing the current status of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) comorbidity, we identified several critical issues which include insufficient repor-ting of FD and IBS subtypes, inadequate risk assessment of drug combination, lack of composite, objective, and long-term outcomes, and weak evidence support for clinical practice guidelines. It is suggested that future clinical research on FD-IBS comorbidity should further strengthen the application of real-world studies. The use of composite outcomes and long-term follow-up is recommended to improve the quality of evidence, while greater attention should be paid to patients' preferences and self-management to enhance the applicability of findings. Based on the existing issues in clinical studies of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for FD-IBS comorbidity, we propose to consolidate the foundation of TCM-specific efficacy evaluation to better reflect the advantages of syndrome differentiation and treatment, optimize real-world study designs to better support clinical decision- making, and introduce intelligent objective evaluation technologies to improve the objectivity and accuracy of TCM clinical efficacy assessment.
4.Characteristics of diaphragmatic function in stroke patients based on ultrasound
Guixiang SHAN ; Jubao DU ; Lei CAO ; Linlin YE ; Chunjing JIANG ; Ye ZHANG ; Huijuan MA ; Weiqun SONG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2026;32(7):760-767
ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of stroke on diaphragmatic function by ultrasound. MethodsFrom April, 2024 to June, 2025, 40 stroke patients (stroke group) were recruited in Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University. Additionally, 40 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects (control group) were recruited without directional selection. Diaphragmatic excursion and diaphragmatic thickness during quiet breathing and deep breathing were assessed using ultrasound in both groups, and the diaphragmatic thickening fraction was calculated. The stroke group was further divided into two subgroups according to disease course: ≤ 30 days group and > 30 days group, for subgroup analysis. ResultsDuring both quiet and deep breathing, diaphragmatic excursion on the affected side in the stroke group was smaller than that on the unaffected side and in the control group (P < 0.05). During quiet breathing, diaphragmatic thickening fraction on the affected side in the stroke group was smaller than that on the unaffected side and in the control group (P < 0.05), while the diaphragmatic thickening fraction on the unaffected side was significantly smaller than that in the control group (P < 0.01). During deep breathing, the bilateral diaphragmatic thickening fraction in the stroke group was significantly smaller than that in the control group (P < 0.001), and the bilateral end-inspiratory diaphragmatic thickness was significantly smaller than that in the control group (P < 0.001). During quiet breathing, diaphragmatic excursion in both the ≤ 30 d group and the > 30 d group was smaller than that in the control group (P < 0.05); during deep breathing, diaphragmatic excursion in the ≤ 30 d group was smaller than that in the control group (P < 0.05). In both quiet breathing and deep breathing, the diaphragmatic thickening fraction in the ≤ 30 d group and the >30 d group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). During deep breathing, end-inspiratory diaphragmatic thickness in both the ≤ 30 d group and the > 30 d group was significantly smaller than that in the control group (P < 0.01). ConclusionUltrasound can effectively identify the impact of stroke on patients' diaphragmatic function. In stroke patients, both diaphragmatic excursion and contractile performance are reduced on the affected side, while contractile performance is also reduced on the unaffected side.
5.Comparative Study on the Effects of Different Dosage Forms of Yinqiao Powder (银翘散) on Inflammation and Immunity in Acute Pharyngitis Model Rats
Linlin WANG ; Chengda TIAN ; Hualong WANG ; Kexin JIANG ; Yiliang XU ; Suhui WU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(16):1775-1783
ObjectiveTo compare the effects of different formulations of Yinqiao Powder (银翘散, YP) on inflammation and immune function in a rat model of acute pharyngitis induced by ammonia water. MethodsA rat model of acute pharyngitis was established by spraying 15% ammonia water into the pharynx of male SD rats using a laryngeal atomizer twice daily (three sprays each time) for three consecutive days. Successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, including a model group (normal saline, 10 ml/kg), YP decoction group (10.73 g/kg), YP granule group (10.73 g/kg), cydiodine group (0.39 mg/kg) and blank control group (normal saline, 10 ml/kg), with 12 rats in each group. All groups received intragastric administration once daily for 10 consecutive days. After the final gavage administration, frequency of back arching per minute, frequency of vibrissae grooming per minute, and grooming episodes per five minutes were recorded in rats. The cumulative body weight change was calculated as the difference in body weight between day 10 and day 1 of gavage administration. Behavioral observations were performed using the open field test, and the total distance traveled was recorded. After sample collection, the lung index and thymus index were calculated. Histopathological changes in the pharyngeal and tracheal tissues were observed using HE staining. Serum inflammatory markers including eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and C-reactive protein (CRP), as well as immune parameters including immunoglobulin M (IgM), immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), CD4, CD4/CD8 ratio, and CD8 were measured by ELISA. In addition, ELISA was used to determine the levels of inflammatory mediators in pharyngeal tissues, including phospholipase A2 (PLA2), cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). ResultsCompared to the blank control group, the model group exhibited significantly increased frequencies of back arching per minute, vibrissae grooming per minute, and grooming episodes per five minutes, and lung index, and decreased cumulative body weight change, thymus index, and total distance traveled, as well as elevated serum levels of ECP, ACE2, and CD8, reduced levels of IgM, IgA, IgG, CD4, and CD4/CD8 ratio, and increased levels of PLA, COX-1, COX-2, PGE2, VCAM-1, CXCL1, VEGF, and MMP-9 in pharyngeal tissues (P<0.05). Histopathological examination revealed keratinization of the superficial epithelial layer of the pharyngeal mucosa, accompanied by congestion and edema in the lamina propria and infiltration of inflammatory cells; in the tracheal mucosa, extensive inflammatory cell infiltration, ciliary disruption, and goblet cell damage were observed. Compared to the model group, except for CRP, IgG, and CD4, all above mentioned indicators were improved in the YP granule group, YP decoction group, and cydiodine group (P<0.05). Histopathological lesions in the pharyngeal and tracheal tissues were also alleviated. Compared to the YP decoction group, rats in the YP granule group exhibited decreased frequencies of back arching per minute, vibrissae grooming per minute, and grooming episodes per five minutes, as well as reduced serum ECP levels. Meanwhile, the cumulative body weight gain and serum levels of IgM, IgA, IgG, and CD4/CD8 increased, whereas CD8 levels decreased (P<0.05). ConclusionYP can effectively alleviate symptoms of acute pharyngitis in a rat model, improve inflammatory responses and immune-related indicators, demonstrating superior therapeutic effects in the dosage form of granule.
6.Outlook on clinical blood demand from 2026 to 2035
Meng JIANG ; Hanmei ZHANG ; Linlin LI ; Jian KONG ; Xin WANG ; Minxiang GUO ; Cheng LIANG ; Hui WU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(8):1074-1082
Objective: To analyze the demographic evolution of China over the forthcoming decade (2026-2035) and to systematically evaluate its potential implications for voluntary blood donation practices and the equilibrium of clinical blood supply and demand. Methods: Leveraging comprehensive blood collection and utilization data from 2021 to 2025 at the national, provincial (Shandong), and municipal (Zibo) levels, we identified and examined critical determinants influencing blood management systems. The DeepSeek-V3.2 large language model was deployed to project future population age structures, and to generate quantitative estimates for hospitalization volumes, clinical blood requirements, available blood supply, and donation frequencies for the target years 2030 and 2035, thereby furnishing an evidence base for strategic planning and priority-setting. Results: DeepSeek-derived projections indicate that the proportion of China's population aged 60 years and above will surpass 27% (370 million/1 380 million) by 2030 and exceed 30% (400 million/1 350 million) by 2035, signaling a marked acceleration in population aging. This demographic shift is projected to reduce the proportion of the national population eligible to donate blood from 59.2% (835 million out of 1.41 billion) to 52% (710 million out of 1.36 billion), while the demand for blood is expected to increase by 87.8% relative to 2024, rising from 26.927 million units to 50.56 million units. Sustaining blood supply-demand balance will necessitate progressive annual increases in donation rates. Under prevailing policy frameworks, the required blood donation rate among the eligible population in Shandong Province would need to rise by 122.57% by 2035 [from 20.07‰ (1.1641 million person-times/58 million people) to 44.67‰ (2.189 million person-times/49 million people)] to potentially satisfy projected clinical requirements. Conclusion: By integrating DeepSeek-V3.2, AI predictive models, and blood donation incentive measures, it is possible to monitor population demographics, forecast clinical blood demand, manage blood supplies, and ensure the long-term sustainability of clinical blood availability. It must be acknowledged, however, that the present analysis is constrained by a limited data foundation (comprising only five annual observation points); accordingly, the projections should be interpreted as directional trend indicators or methodological illustrations rather than definitive quantitative forecasts.
7.Research progress on mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes in the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases
Lei XU ; Yanyan OUYANG ; Yiping JIANG ; Linlin LIU ; Yuanlan ZHONG ; Wenjuan MAO ; Linying XIE
International Eye Science 2026;26(10):1759-1765
Retinal degenerative diseases are a group of blinding ocular disorders characterized by progressive and irreversible loss of retinal neural cells. They mainly include age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. At present, there are no curative clinical therapies capable of reversing the disease course. Patients have poor long-term visual prognosis, imposing a heavy public-health burden on families and society. Mesenchymal stem cell(MSC)-derived exosomes, as a novel cell-free therapeutic vector, have emerged as a research hotspot due to their low immunogenicity, no tumorigenic risk, and excellent tissue barrier penetration ability. This review systematically summarizes the core mechanisms of MSC-derived exosomes in regulating immune inflammation, inhibiting apoptosis, and promoting retinal neuroprotection and structural/functional recovery via miRNA and tsRNA, compares the efficacy differences and existing controversies among exosomes from different sources, and outlines the advances in intraocular delivery technologies and engineering modification strategies. Combined with preclinical and clinical data, the current bottlenecks and safety evidence for clinical translation were objectively described. Meanwhile, in view of the heterogeneity among existing studies, this review proposes future directions including standardized preparation and the establishment of efficacy evaluation systems, so as to provide theoretical references for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for retinal degenerative diseases.
8.Ethical issues in digital medical insurance governance: generation, manifestations, and countermeasures
Zengying ZHUANG ; Linlin YUE ; Yanjie JIANG ; Guiying XUAN ; Bo WANG ; Shenchao JIANG ; Jingchao HE ; Xutong LIU ; Shangwei HAN ; Xuerun TIAN ; Yongxuan LIU ; Nuo XU ; Qifan YANG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(10):1342-1348
Digital medical insurance governance, as an important component of digital transformation, improves the efficiency of medical insurance services while facing complex ethical challenges. Taking stakeholder theory as the analytical framework, this paper explored the generative mechanisms, manifestations, and countermeasures of ethical issues in digital medical insurance governance. This study uncovered that accelerated technological iteration and lagging ethical and legal norms, as well as interest conflicts among multiple participants in governance, constituted the major causes of ethical issues. These issues specifically manifested as data privacy leakage, unfair algorithmic decision-making, widening digital divide, ambiguous accountability, and other aspects. To address these issues, this paper put forward systematic countermeasures, such as establishing a dynamic ethical and legal regulatory system, balancing the demands of stakeholders, strengthening technological ethical governance, narrowing the digital divide, and enhancing accountability mechanisms. Through the implementation of multi-dimensional governance strategies, it aimed to balance technological innovation and ethical constraints, advance the inclusiveness, fairness, and sustainable development of digital medical insurance, and provide theoretical reference and practical references for improving China’s digital medical insurance governance system.
9.Diagnosis and treatment status of primary immune thrombocytopenia
Qiuzhe WEI ; Qinying XIE ; Linlin HUANG ; Guolin YUAN ; Huili CAI ; Daozi JIANG ; Yuanyan TANG ; Shimin CHEN ; Hongbo RENG ; Heng MEI
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2025;46(6):530-536
Objective:To review the diagnosis, treatment and quality of life of patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in seven medical centers in some areas of Hubei Province.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on age, disease course, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment status (including testing items, drug selection, and adverse reactions) of patients with ITP in seven medical centers in Hubei Province from January 2020 to December 2022. An online survey was conducted on the quality of life of patients using the ITP Patient Assessment Questionnaire (ITP-PAQ) .Results:Among the 1033 patients, those with newly diagnosed, persistent, and chronic ITP accounted for 39.8%, 19.1%, and 41.1%, respectively. Most patients exhibit varying degrees of bleeding. Regarding treatment, corticosteroids and thrombopoietin drugs are the most commonly chosen treatment drugs for ITP, and the adverse reactions to treatment mainly include diarrhea, liver dysfunction, and thrombosis. The ITP-PAQ survey of 125 patients revealed that ITP significantly impairs their life quality. Patients with ITP scored significantly lower in fatigue, sleep, fear, exercise, work, and social aspects.Conclusion:A relatively high proportion of patients with ITP progressed to the chronic phase. Corticosteroids and thrombopoietin drugs are the two main treatment drugs for ITP patients. The quality of life of patients with ITP is significantly reduced in multiple dimensions.
10.Prognostic value of the FS-15 frailty score in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes
Xin WANG ; Tiejun QIN ; Zefeng XU ; Shiqiang QU ; Bing LI ; Lijuan PAN ; Qingyan GAO ; Meng JIAO ; Yue ZHONG ; Binhan JIANG ; Linlin LIU ; Jinying ZHAO ; Wenjun XIE ; Zhijian XIAO
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2025;46(9):806-814
Objective:To identify the prognostic value of the Revised 15-item Myelodysplastic Syndrome-specific frailty scale (FS-15) in Chinese patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) .Methods:This retrospective study analyzed 812 patients with newly diagnosed MDS admitted to the Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College from August 2016 to June 2023. Patients were assessed using the FS-15 and subsequently categorized into frail and non-frail groups. Clinical and laboratory characteristics, as well as overall survival (OS), were compared between these groups.Results:① The median patient age was 55 years ( IQR 45–64), with a median follow-up of 22.5 months (95% CI: 20.2–24.9) and a median OS of 43.3 months (95% CI: 36.8–49.8). The median FS-15 score was 0.42, with a cutoff value of 0.44. Male patients demonstrated higher median FS-15 scores than female patients (0.42 vs 0.38, P=0.006). In both the Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R; P=0.001) and Molecular International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-M; P=0.014) stratifications, FS-15 scores were significantly higher in the very high-risk group compared with the very low-risk group. ② The median OS was 54.7 months (95% CI: 47.5–NA) and 31.5 months (95% CI: 22.9–41.0) in the nonfrail ( n=452) and frail groups ( n=360), respectively ( P<0.001). The 3-year OS rates were (63.2 ± 3.2) % and (46.4 ± 3.6) % for the non-frail and frail groups, with 5-year OS rates of (49.9 ± 4.7) % and (32.0 ± 4.3) %, respectively ( P<0.001). ③Subgroup analysis revealed that nonfrail patients demonstrated significantly higher 3-year OS rates than frail patients in both the IPSS-M low-risk and very high-risk groups (all P<0.05). Similarly, nonfrail patients demonstrated superior 3-year OS rates compared with frail patients in the IPSS-R very low-risk, low-risk, and high-risk groups (all P<0.05). ④Among patients receiving hypomethylating agent therapy, the overall response rate was significantly higher in the non-frail group than in the frail group (86.7% vs 64.6%, P=0.007). Moreover, the frail group experienced higher rates of treatment-related adverse events, including febrile neutropenia (67.1% vs 47.4%, P=0.016) and liver function abnormalities (30.0% vs 14.5%, P=0.023), compared with the non-frail group. Conclusion:The FS-15 frailty score is a feasible and effective tool for assessing frailty in patients newly diagnosed with MDS in China and serves as a valuable prognostic indicator.

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