1.Syndrome Patterns Distribution and Risk Factors of Mixed Hemorrhoids in Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Multicenter Real-world Study Using Large Language Models and Latent Class Analysis
Ruyue DENG ; Kang DING ; Yuxin ZHU ; Meng LI ; Huiting ZHU ; Lei DU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(7):755-763
ObjectiveTo develop a standardized classification model for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome patterns of mixed hemorrhoids using multi-center real-world data, and unveil their distribution patterns and core risk factors, thereby providing evidence-based support for standardizing TCM syndrome differentiation and implementing precision interventions. MethodsA multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted, enrolling 13 283 mixed hemorrhoid patients from eight hospitals in Jiangsu Province between September 1st, 2023 and December 31st, 2024. DeepSeek-R1-Distill-Qwen-7B and LLaMA-3.3 large language models (LLM) were integrated with latent class analysis (LCA) to perform unsupervised learning and latent class modeling of TCM symptomatology. Potential risk factors were screened via univariate analysis, followed by logistic regression to identify independent risk factors for each syndrome pattern. ResultsThe model's performance indicators were stable and reliable across different clinical data types,i.e. in the outpatient records, past medical history (F1=99.7%), current medical history (F1=94.9%), and specialist examination (F1=90.7%); in inpatient records, past medical history (F1=98.2%), current medical history (F1=91.2%), specialist examination (F1=90.3%), and discharge status (F1=90.6%). Latent class mode-ling identified four core TCM syndrome patterns including spleen deficiency and qi sinking syndrome (915 cases, 6.89%), damp-heat pouring downward syndrome (10 820 cases, 81.46%), qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome (1252 cases, 9.43%), and wind injuring intestinal collaterals syndrome (296 cases, 2.22%), with respective latent class probabilities of 0.069, 0.815, 0.094, and 0.022. Logistic regression demonstrated that gender, age, disease duration, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, constipation, smoking history, and alcohol consumption were independent risk factors for pattern differentiation (P<0.05). The efficacy validation evaluation revealed that the cure rates for patients with spleen deficiency and qi sinking syndrome and qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome were higher than those for patients with damp-heat pouring downward syndrome (adjusted P<0.05), with no statistically significant differences among other syndrome patterns. ConclusionDamp-heat pouring downward syndrome is the predominant syndrome in mixed hemorrhoids. Gender, age, disease duration, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipi-demia, constipation, smoking history, and alcohol consumption are independent risk factors for the differentiation of syndrome types.
2.Interpretation of Pharmacovigilance Guidelines for Clinical Application of Oral Chinese Patent Medicines
Wenxi PENG ; Meng QIAO ; Lianxin WANG ; Yuanyuan LI ; Xiuhui LI ; Xin CUI ; Zijia CHEN ; Xinyi CHEN ; Yi DENG ; Yanming XIE ; Zhifei WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):152-160
The Pharmacovigilance Guidelines for Clinical Application of Oral Chinese Patent Medicines (hereinafter referred to as the Guidelines) is first specialized in the field of drug safety for oral Chinese patent medicines (OCPMs) in China. Rooted in China's healthcare context, the Guidelines address the unique usage patterns and risk characteristics of OCPMs, filling a regulatory gap in the pharmacovigilance framework specific to this category. To facilitate accurate understanding and effective implementation of the Guidelines, and to promote the standardized development of pharmacovigilance practices for OCPMs, this study offered a systematic interpretation based on its three core components. In the domain of risk monitoring and reporting, the paper analyzed the rationale for multi-source information integration and clarified the criteria for identifying key products and target populations for intensive monitoring. Regarding risk assessment, the Guidelines were examined from three dimensions of formulation components, medication behaviors, and population to address complex safety issues arising from medicinal constituents, irrational use, and individual susceptibility. In the area of risk control, the analysis focused on context-based interventions and dynamic closed-loop management strategies, exploring practical pathways to shift from passive response to proactive risk mitigation. Furthermore, this paper evaluated the applied value of the Guidelines and identified implementation challenges, such as insufficient capacity at the primary-care level and limited digital infrastructure. In response, the study proposed optimization strategies including establishing a dynamic updating mechanism, strengthening training at the grassroots level, and incorporating artificial intelligence to enhance pharmacovigilance capacity. This interpretation aims to provide actionable insights for marketing authorization holders (including manufacturers), pharmaceutical distributors, healthcare institutions, and research organizations, ultimately supporting the establishment and refinement of a full lifecycle pharmacovigilance system for OCPMs.
3.Oncolytic influenza virus enhances killing effect of gemcitabine against pancreatic cancer cells
Zihe MENG ; Yongru XU ; Zhaoda DENG ; Yuxin ZHANG ; Penghui YANG ; Ruiping HU
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(2):141-150
Objective To investigate the killing effect of the recombinant oncolytic influenza virus OvFlu-GM-CSF,constructed using reverse genetics(RG)technology,in combination with chemotherapy drug,gemcitabine(GEM),against pancreatic cancer cells.Methods The recombinant oncolytic virus OvFlu-GM-CSF was successfully rescued using RG technology in our previous study.The virus was then comprehensively characterized through chicken red blood cell hemagglutination assay,transmission electron microscopy,and viral replication assay.CCK-8 assay was utilized to determine the impact of OvFlu-GM-CSF viruses[multiplicities of infection(MOI):0,0.1,1.0,3.0]on the survival rate of pancreatic cancer cell lines(Panc02,PANC-1,SW1990,BxPC-3)and normal pancreatic ductal epithelial cells(HPDE6-C7)after treatment for 24,48 or 72 h.Using a subcutaneous tumor-bearing mouse model of pancreatic cancer,36 female C57BL/6 mice(6 weeks old)were randomly divided into PBS group,recombinant oncolytic virus group,GEM group,and the combined treatment group,with 9 mice in each group.PBS(100 μL/animal)or OvFlu-GM-CSF virus(1× 107PFU/100 μL)was given to the mice of the corresponding groups through intratumoral injection,while GEM(100 mg/kg)was injected intraperitoneally,once per 3 days,for totally 9 times.Changes in tumor volume and survival rate were monitored.Multi-immunofluorescence staining was employed to analyze T cell infiltration and proliferation in the tumor tissues.HE staining was performed to observe the pathological changes in major organs(heart,liver,lungs,kidneys and brain),and the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)were measured to evaluate the safety of the recombinant oncolytic virus.Results The recombinant oncolytic influenza virus OvFlu-GM-CSF has a hemagglutination titer of 28,typical morphological features of influenza virus,and can selectively replicate within pancreatic cancer cells.At the cellular level,the viruses demonstrated a significant selective cytotoxic effect on Panc02,PANC-1,SW1990,and BxPC-3 cells under the conditions of 48 h post-infection and MOI=3.0,when compared to 48 h post-infection and MOI=0(P<0.01).The cell survival rate was gradually decreased with the increase in MOI value and the extension of infection time(P<0.01),but the viruses showed no significant effect on normal pancreatic ductal epithelial cells(HPDE6-C7).In the pancreatic cancer tumor-bearing mouse model,the combined treatment of the viruses+GEM significantly reduced the tumor volume than simple virus treatment and simple GEM treatment(P<0.01),and enhanced the infiltration of T cells in the tumor tissues.No obvious pathological changes were observed in the above-mentioned major organs.Additionally,there were no significant differences in the serum levels of ALT and AST in the OvFlu-GM-CSF group,GEM group,and OvFlu-GM-CSF+GEM group compared to the PBS group.Conclusion RS technology-constructed recombinant oncolytic influenza virus OvFlu-GM-CSF,when combined with the chemotherapeutic agent GEM,enhances the cytotoxic efficacy against pancreatic cancer cells and effectively activates the host's anti-tumor immune response.
4.Analysis of disease burden of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter globally and in China and Japan from 1990 to 2021 and future trend prediction
Lanxi FANG ; Guanlin LIU ; Yuhang YANG ; Zhi QI ; Qi DENG ; Qiong MENG
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(18):2272-2280
Objective To analyze the disease burden,changing trends,and differences of atrial fibrillation(AF)/atrial flutter(AFL)globally and in China and Japan from 1990 to 2021,and to predict their future trends,aiming to provide references for health decision-making.Methods Based on the Global Burden of Disease Study Database 2021(GBD 2021),we extracted age-standardized prevalence rate(ASPR)and age-standardized disability-adjusted life year rate(ASDALYR)data for AF/AFL by sex globally,in China,and Japan.The estimated annual percentage change(EAPC)was used to assess the trends.Joinpoint regression analysis and the Bayesian age-period-cohort(BAPC)model were employed for trend analysis and prediction.Results From 1990 to 2021,the ASPR and ASDALYR for AF/AFL in males were increased significantly globally,with EAPC of 0.05(95%CI:0.01~0.08)and 0.09(95%CI:0.08~0.11),respectively.Changes were significantly declined in females,with EAPC of-0.11(95%CI:-0.14~-0.07)and-0.10(95%CI:-0.12~-0.07).In China,the ASPR for AF/AFL were increased in both males and females,with those of males more notably(EAPC=0.77,95%CI:0.65~0.88).However,the ASDALYR for AF/AFL showed gender divergence,with an increase in males(EAPC=0.40,95%CI:0.30~0.49)while a decrease in females(EAPC=-0.55,95%CI:-0.67~-0.44).In Japan,both the ASPR and ASDALYR for males and females showed continuous declines,and the reduction was more pronounced among females(ASPR EAPC=-1.77,95%CI:-2.32~-1.22;ASDALYR EAPC=-1.73,95%CI:-2.11~-1.35).Joinpoint regression analysis showed that from 1990 to 2021,for the ASDALYR of AF/AFL,the average annual percentage change(AAPC)was 0.28%(P<0.001)for Chinese males and-0.37%(P<0.001)for Chinese females,while the AAPC was-0.70%(P<0.001)and-1.43%(P<0.001)for Japanese males and females.BAPC model revealed that by 2036,the ASDALYR for Chinese males is predicted to increase from 91.45 per 100 000 in 2022 to 101.11 per 100 000,and for females is from 88.85 per 100 000 to 100.98 per 100 000.For Japanese males,the ASDALYR is projected to increase slightly from 88.79 to 89.86 per 100 000,while for females,it is projected decrease slightly from 41.13 to 39.67 per 100 000,indicating only minor fluctuations in the ASDALYR for both Japanese males and females.Conclusion The disease burden of AF/AFL continues to increase globally and in China.So,Japan's lifestyle and health policies are worth considering,and more scientific and effective public health policies and clinical intervention strategies should be formulated and implemented.Countermeasure The relevant government agencies should promote the transformation of the food industry through the policy-market mechanism,carry out activities related to national health management,and continuously optimize the AF/AFL management model of medical and health institutions to effectively cope with this disease burden change.
5.To explore the rule of diagnosis and treatment of chronic heart failure from "disease - syndrome - symptom - stage - molecular phenotype"
Kun LIAN ; Lichong MENG ; Ying DENG ; Zhenyu ZHAO ; Lin LI ; Zhixi HU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(2):150-156
It is of great significance to study the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of chronic heart failure. This study took the name of Western medicine disease as the main line, took TCM syndromes as the aim, combined the symptoms, signs, stages and molecular phenotype, and explored the diagnosis and treatment law of the disease. It is believed that chronic heart failure includes the syndrome of qi deficiency and blood stasis, yang deficiency and blood stasis, qi-yin deficiency, heart-kidney yang deficiency and yang deficiency water syndrome. There were many clinical manifestations such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, fatigue, limb edema and pulse knot. It involved many pathological mechanisms and molecular phenotype such as myocardial fibrosis, inflammatory response and myocardial cell injury. Treatment should be divided into early, middle and late stages according to the characteristics of "disease - syndrome - symptom- stage- molecular phenotype".
6.Bibliographical cataloging for ancient TCM books
Hongtao LI ; Weina ZHANG ; Lin TONG ; Jingpeng DENG ; Qian ZHAO ; Honglei WANG ; Naiying LIU ; Mei SHI ; Qiang LIU ; Ying LIN ; Xiaohong ZHANG ; Lili FENG ; Mingrui ZHANG ; Yanqiu LUO ; Guangkun CHEN ; Yan DONG ; Bin LI ; Sihong LIU ; Bing LI ; Chen LI ; Meng LI ; Rui WANG ; He LU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(6):729-740
With reference to the Information and Documentation-Resource Description (GB/T 3792-2021) and Bibliographical Description for Ancient Chinese Books (GB/T 3792.7-2008) and other cataloging standards and rules, drawing on the practical experience of cataloging ancient TCM books, Bibliographical Cataloging for Ancient TCM Books was formulated. This standard specifies the entry items and their order of ancient TCM books, cataloging identifier, cataloging text, cataloging information source, and cataloging item details. The standard can provide standardized and unified guiding principles and methods for the work of ancient TCM books, and promote the sharing and utilization of ancient TCM books.
7.Insights on Peripheral Blood Biomarkers for Parkinson’s Disease
Yu-Meng LI ; Jing-Kai LIU ; Zi-Xuan CHEN ; Yu-Lin DENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):72-87
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder with profound impact on patients’ quality of life and long-term health, and early detection and intervention are particularly critical. In recent years, the search for precise and reliable biomarkers has become one of the key strategies to effectively address the clinical challenges of PD. In this paper, we systematically evaluated potential biomarkers, including proteins, metabolites, epigenetic markers, and exosomes, in the peripheral blood of PD patients. Protein markers are one of the main directions of biomarker research in PD. In particular, α‑synuclein and its phosphorylated form play a key role in the pathological process of PD. It has been shown that aggregation of α-synuclein may be associated with pathologic protein deposition in PD and may be a potential marker for early diagnosis of PD. In terms of metabolites, uric acid, as a metabolite, plays an important role in oxidative stress and neuroprotection in PD. It has been found that changes in uric acid levels may be associated with the onset and progression of PD, showing its potential as an early diagnostic marker. Epigenetic markers, such as DNA methylation modifications and miRNAs, have also attracted much attention in Parkinson’s disease research. Changes in these markers may affect the expression of PD-related genes and have an important impact on the onset and progression of the disease, providing new research perspectives for the early diagnosis of PD. In addition, exosomes, as a potential biomarker carrier for PD, are able to carry a variety of biomolecules involved in intercellular communication and pathological regulation. Studies have shown that exosomes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PD, and their detection in blood may provide a new breakthrough for early diagnosis. It has been shown that exosomes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PD, and their detection in blood may provide new breakthroughs in early diagnosis. In summary, through in-depth evaluation of biomarkers in the peripheral blood of PD patients, this paper demonstrates the important potential of these markers in the early diagnosis of PD and in the study of pathological mechanisms. Future studies will continue to explore the clinical application value of these biomarkers to promote the early detection of PD and individualized treatment strategies.
8.Network analysis of factors related to non suicidal self injury among middle school students in Guizhou Province
ZHAO Wenxin, TIAN Meng, CHEN Siyuan, WU Jinyi, GAO Ying, DENG Xiwen, ZHANG Wanzhu
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(1):92-95
Objective:
To explore the relationship between related factors of non-suicidal self-injury behavior (NSSI) among middle school students in Guizhou Province, so as to provide the evidence for preventing high risk behaviors in adolescents.
Methods:
A stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 1 034 junior and senior middle school students from Zunyi City, Qiannan Prefecture and Tongren City in Guizhou Province from April to October in 2023. Questionnaire survey was conducted to collect information including Adolescent Self injury Scale and Family Assessment Device. The R 4.4.1 software was employed for network analysis visualization, centrality indicators, and result stability assessment.
Results:
The detection rate of NSSI behavior among middle school students in Guizhou province was 29.6%, with a detection rate of 25.5% for boys and 33.1% for girls, showing a statistically significant difference ( χ 2=7.07, P <0.05). There were statistically significant differences in scores of emotional communication, egoism, family rules, positive communication, problem solving, expression of positive emotions and management of negative emotions self-efficacy, and bullying victimization in various dimensions between middle school students with and without NSSI ( Z =-13.66 to -7.05, P <0.01). NSSI among middle school students was positively correlated with social/relational bullying, depression and anxiety, and there were relatively close connections in the network ( r =0.35, 0.43, 0.42, P <0.01). Centrality indicators showed that the highest in strength and closeness centrality were stress ( Z =1.29, 1.58), the highest in betweenness centrality was for emotional communication ( Z =1.91), and the highest in expected influence index was for physical bullying ( Z =1.44)( P < 0.05).
Conclusions
Stress, emotional communication and physical bullying have significant impacts in the network of factors related to NSSI. Social/relational bullying, depression and anxiety have strong direct correlations with NSSI behavior among middle school students.
9.Biomarkers of hepatotoxicity in rats induced by aqueous extract of Dictamni Cortex based on urine metabolomics.
Hui-Juan SUN ; Rui GAO ; Meng-Meng ZHANG ; Ge-Yu DENG ; Lin HUANG ; Zhen-Dong ZHANG ; Yu WANG ; Fang LU ; Shu-Min LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(9):2526-2538
This paper aimed to use non-targeted urine metabolomics to reveal the potential biomarkers of toxicity in rats with hepatic injury induced by aqueous extracts of Dictamni Cortex(ADC). Forty-eight SD rats were randomly assigned to a blank group and high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose ADC groups, with 12 rats in each group(half male and half female), and they were administered orally for four weeks. The hepatic injury in SD rats was assessed by body weight, liver weight/index, biochemical index, L-glutathione(GSH), malondialdehyde(MDA), and pathological alterations. The qPCR was utilized to determine the expression of metabolic enzymes in the liver and inflammatory factors. Differential metabolites were screened using principal component analysis(PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis(PLS-DA), followed by a metabolic pathway analysis. The Mantel test was performed to assess differential metabolites and abnormally expressed biochemical indexes, obtaining potential biomarkers. The high-dose ADC group showed a decrease in body weight and an increase in liver weight and index, resulting in hepatic inflammatory cell infiltration and hepatic steatosis. In addition, this group showed elevated levels of MDA, cytochrome P450(CYP) 3A1, interleukin-1β(IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), as well as lower levels of alanine transaminase(ALT) and GSH. A total of 76 differential metabolites were screened from the blank and high-dose ADC groups, which were mainly involved in the pentose phosphate pathway, tryptophan metabolism, purine metabolism, pentose and glucuronic acid interconversion, galactose metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and other pathways. The Mantel test identified biomarkers of hepatotoxicity induced by ADC in SD rats, including glycineamideribotide, dIDP, and galactosylglycerol. In summary, ADC induced hepatotoxicity by disrupting glucose metabolism, ferroptosis, purine metabolism, and other pathways in rats, and glycineamideribotide, dIDP, and galactosylglycerol could be employed as the biomarkers of its toxicity.
Animals
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Male
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
Metabolomics
;
Biomarkers/metabolism*
;
Liver/metabolism*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects*
;
Female
;
Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/metabolism*
;
Glutathione/metabolism*
;
Humans
10.Mechanism related to bile acids metabolism of liver injury induced by long-term administration of emodin.
Jing-Zhuo TIAN ; Lian-Mei WANG ; Yan YI ; Zhong XIAN ; Nuo DENG ; Yong ZHAO ; Chun-Ying LI ; Yu-Shi ZHANG ; Su-Yan LIU ; Jia-Yin HAN ; Chen PAN ; Chen-Yue LIU ; Jing MENG ; Ai-Hua LIANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(11):3079-3087
Emodin is a hydroxyanthraquinone compound that is widely distributed and has multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, and liver-protective effects. Research indicates that emodin may be one of the main components responsible for inducing hepatotoxicity. However, studies on the mechanisms of liver injury are relatively limited, particularly those related to bile acids(BAs) metabolism. This study aims to systematically investigate the effects of different dosages of emodin on BAs metabolism, providing a basis for the safe clinical use of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)containing emodin. First, this study evaluated the safety of repeated administration of different dosages of emodin over a 5-week period, with a particular focus on its impact on the liver. Next, the composition and content of BAs in serum and liver were analyzed. Subsequently, qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of nuclear receptors and transporters related to BAs metabolism. The results showed that 1 g·kg~(-1) emodin induced hepatic damage, with bile duct hyperplasia as the primary pathological manifestation. It significantly increased the levels of various BAs in the serum and primary BAs(including taurine-conjugated and free BAs) in the liver. Additionally, it downregulated the mRNA expression of farnesoid X receptor(FXR), retinoid X receptor(RXR), and sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide(NTCP), and upregulated the mRNA expression of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase(CYP7A1) in the liver. Although 0.01 g·kg~(-1) and 0.03 g·kg~(-1) emodin did not induce obvious liver injury, they significantly increased the level of taurine-conjugated BAs in the liver, suggesting a potential interference with BAs homeostasis. In conclusion, 1 g·kg~(-1) emodin may promote the production of primary BAs in the liver by affecting the FXR-RXR-CYP7A1 pathway, inhibit NTCP expression, and reduce BA reabsorption in the liver, resulting in BA accumulation in the peripheral blood. This disruption of BA homeostasis leads to liver injury. Even doses of emodin close to the clinical dose can also have a certain effect on the homeostasis of BAs. Therefore, when using traditional Chinese medicine or formulas containing emodin in clinical practice, it is necessary to regularly monitor liver function indicators and closely monitor the risk of drug-induced liver injury.
Emodin/administration & dosage*
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Bile Acids and Salts/metabolism*
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Animals
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Male
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Liver/injuries*
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Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/genetics*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects*
;
Humans
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Mice
;
Rats


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