1.Pathogenic Mechanisms of Spleen Deficiency-Phlegm Dampness in Obesity and Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment Strategies:from the Perspective of Immune Inflammation
Yumei LI ; Peng XU ; Xiaowan WANG ; Shudong CHEN ; Le YANG ; Lihua HUANG ; Chuang LI ; Qinchi HE ; Xiangxi ZENG ; Juanjuan WANG ; Wei MAO ; Ruimin TIAN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):31-37
Based on spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness as the core pathogenesis of obesity, and integrating recent advances in modern medicine regarding the key role of immune inflammation in obesity, this paper proposes a multidimensional pathogenic network of "obesity-spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness-immune imbalance". Various traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs that strengthen the spleen, regulate qi, and resolve phlegm and dampness can treat obesity by improving spleen-stomach transport and transformation, promoting water-damp metabolism, and regulating immune homeostasis. This highlights immune inflammation as an important entry point to elucidate the TCM concepts of "spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness" and the therapeutic principle of "strengthening the spleen and eliminating dampness to treat obesity". By systematically analyzing the intrinsic connection between "spleen deficiency generating dampness, internal accumulation of phlegm dampness" and immune dysregulation in obesity, this paper aims to provide theoretical support for TCM treatment of obesity based on dampness.
2.Jianpi Xiaoai Prescription Ameliorates Chemotherapy Resistance in Colon Cancer by Targeting FGF2 to Inhibit PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Xiaolan JIAN ; Kangwen NING ; Jiaxiang YANG ; Shenglan KOU ; Wanting KUANG ; Ziqi WANG ; Yuqin TAN ; Puhua ZENG ; Lingjuan TAN ; Wei PENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):120-130
ObjectiveTo explore the effect and mechanism of Jianpi Xiaoai prescription (JPXA) in ameliorating the 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistance of colon cancer. MethodsA HCT116/5-FU resistant cell line was established. Different concentrations (10%, 15%, 20%) of JPXA-containing serum and drug-free serum were used for intervention, and 10% fetal bovine serum (10% FBS), fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitor (AZD4547), and recombinant fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) were set as the control groups. Sensitive HCT116 cells were used in the FGF2 group, while HCT116/5-FU cells were used in other groups. Drug resistance, the level of FGF2 in the cell culture medium, the mRNA level of FGF2 in cells, and the protein levels of FGF2/FGFR and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) were determined. The drug-resistant cells were transplanted into the axilla of nude mice to establish a tumor model. The modeled mice were allocated into model, JPXA (15 g·kg-1), 5-FU (0.02 g·kg-1), JPXA+5-FU (15 g·kg-1+0.02 g·kg-1), AZD4547 (0.012 5 g·kg-1), and AZD4547+5-FU (0.012 5 g·kg-1+0.02 g·kg-1) groups. The tumor growth and the protein levels of FGF/FGFR and PI3K/Akt in each group were observed. ResultsThe survival rate of HCT116/5-FU cells decreased in all the JPXA groups with different concentrations. The cell survival rate was decreased most obviously in the 20% JPXA group. The level of FGF2 in the cell culture medium and the mRNA level of FGF2 in cells of each JXPA group decreased, and the decrease was the most significant in the 20% group (P<0.01). HCT116/5-FU cells showed up-regulated protein levels of FGF2 and phosphorylated fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (p-FGFR1), but down-regulated protein level of FGFR1 (P<0.01). JPXA down-regulated the expression of FGF2 and p-FGFR1 and up-regulated the expression of FGFR1 (P<0.05). In addition, JPXA down-regulated the expression levels of phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt) and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), while up-regulating the expression levels of Akt and Bcl-2-asociated death promoter (Bad) (P<0.05). Animal experiments showed that the JPXA combined with 5-FU significantly inhibited the growth of drug-resistant tumors, reduced the protein levels of FGF2, p-FGFR1, phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (p-PI3K), p-Akt, and p-mTOR, and increased the expression of Bad. It indicated that JPXA can inhibit the FGF2/FGFR1 signaling in colon cancer and regulate PI3K/Akt and downstream signaling pathways. ConclusionJPXA can ameliorate the chemotherapy resistance of colon cancer through down-regulating FGF2 expression and inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
3.Pharmacodynamic Substances and Mechanisms of Xinglou Chengqi Tang in Treating Post-stroke Complications: A Review
Yujin ZHANG ; Xiangzhuo LIU ; Zhouyang CHEN ; Zihao SONG ; Xinyi LIU ; Yizhi YAN ; Chaoya LI ; Yingyan FANG ; Shasha YANG ; Xueqin CHENG ; Zhou XIE ; Sijie TAN ; Peng ZENG ; Yue ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):327-337
Stroke is the leading cause of death and disability among adults in China, and its common complications include digestive system abnormalities, cognitive impairment, depression, stroke-associated pneumonia, and hemiplegia. The combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine has great potential in treating post-stroke complications. Xinglou Chengqitang (XLCQT) is a representative prescription of alleviating the disease in the upper part by treating the lower part. It has definite therapeutic effect and high safety. Clinically, XLCQT is often used to treat stroke and its complications. However, the quantity and quality of clinical trials of XLCQT in treating post-stroke complications need to be improved. Additionally, since the basic research is weak, the material basis and multi-target mechanism for the efficacy of this prescription are unknown. This article reviews XLCQT in terms of the pharmacodynamic basis, medicinal properties, safety evaluation, and progress in clinical research and mechanisms in treating post-stroke complications. This article summarizes 22 key active ingredients of XLCQT in treating acute stroke complicated with syndrome of phlegm heat and fu-organ excess. Among these key active ingredients, resveratrol, kaempferol, luteolin, chrysoeriol, apigenin, (+)-catechin, and adenosine have good pharmacokinetic properties and high bioavailability. The mechanisms of XLCQT in treating post-stroke complications are complex, including inflammatory response, brain-gut axis, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, intestinal flora, neurotrophic factors, autophagy, oxidative stress, and free radical damage. This review helps to deeply understand the pharmacodynamic basis and mechanisms of XLCQT in treating post-stroke complications and provides a theoretical basis for the clinical application of XLCQT against post-stroke complications and the development of drugs.
4.Early outcomes of robot-assisted subxiphoid approach and intercostal approach for anterior mediastinal tumors: A retrospective cohort study
Weiqiang ZENG ; Haili DANG ; Lifei WANG ; Zhen PENG ; Xiangdou BAI ; Bing WANG ; Xiaoyang HE ; Dacheng JIN ; Yunjiu GOU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(03):369-375
Objective To compare the clinical outcomes of subxiphoid robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (SRATS) and intercostal robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (IRATS) in the treatment of anterior mediastinal tumors. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with anterior mediastinal tumors who underwent robot-assisted surgery in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Gansu Provincial Hospital, from May 2020 to July 2022. According to the surgical approach, patients were divided into an SRATS group and an IRATS group. Perioperative data were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 87 patients were included. There were 41 patients in the SRATS group [23 males, 18 females; mean age, (44.51±11.28) years] and 46 patients in the IRATS group [21 males, 25 females; mean age, (46.67±8.76) years]. Compared with the IRATS group, the SRATS group had significantly less intraoperative blood loss [(24.41±6.67) mL vs. (37.93±9.23) mL, P<0.001], shorter postoperative drainage duration [(1.73±0.59) days vs. (2.54±0.50) days, P<0.001], lower postoperative drainage volume [(94.46±34.08) mLvs. (116.72±24.90) mL, P=0.001], lower visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores on postoperative day 1 [(3.66±0.76) points vs. (4.15±0.84) points, P=0.005] and day 3 [(2.41±0.59) points vs. (2.89±0.82) points, P=0.003], shorter postoperative hospital stay [(4.12±0.81) days vs. (4.98±1.02) days, P<0.001], and lower hospitalization costs [(4.51±0.65) ten thousand yuan vs. (4.86±0.68) ten thousand yuan, P=0.020]. There were no statistical differences between the two groups in operative time or incidence of postoperative complications (P>0.05). Conclusion Both SRATS and IRATS are safe and effective for the treatment of anterior mediastinal tumors. However, SRATS is less invasive and more conducive to enhanced postoperative recovery.
5.Consistent Detection of Aquaporin-4 Antibodies:A Comparative Analysis Between Fixed and Live Cell-Based Assays
Jing WANG ; Linge WANG ; Xiaolin YANG ; Zhizhong LI ; Jinyu JIANG ; Qiao XU ; Siyuan HUANG ; Qing FU ; Yang YANG ; Rongrong ZHANG ; Lin YANG ; Ai CHEN ; Xiaopeng ZENG ; Ke XU ; Peng ZHENG ; Xinyue QIN ; Jinzhou FENG
Journal of Clinical Neurology 2026;22(2):212-220
Background:
and Purpose Live cell-based assays (LCBA) are increasingly used for serological antibody detection due to their ability to preserve antigen conformation, offering moderately higher sensitivity than fixed cell-based assays. However, the clinical necessity of prioritizing LCBA for the detection of aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G (AQP4-IgG) in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) remains unclear, especially when compared to its established role in diagnosing myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease.
Methods:
We compared the performance of live cell-based assays using immunofluorescence (LCBA-IF) and fixed cell-based assays using immunofluorescence (FCBA-IF) in detecting AQP4-IgG in 90 cases of NMOSD meeting 2015 International Panel for Neuromyelitis Optica Diagnosis criteria, alongside 40 controls. Additionally, we further investigated the relationship between AQP4-IgG titers as measured by LCBA-IF and FCBA-IF and clinical parameters in NMOSD patients.
Results:
Results showed 96.9% agreement between LCBA-IF and FCBA-IF (Cohen’s κ=0.935), with a strong Spearman correlation (0.977, p<0.001). Both methods demonstrated 100% specificity, with LCBA-IF showing slightly higher sensitivity compared to FCBA-IF. Within LCBAIF-tested groups, statistically significant differences in annualized relapse rates were observed across all pairwise comparisons (low-titer vs. moderate-titer, low-titer vs. high-titer, and moderate-titer vs. high-titer; all p<0.050). However, this association reached statistical significance in some FCBA-IF-tested groups.
Conclusions
Overall, there is a strong concordance between LCBA-IF and FCBA-IF in detecting AQP4-IgG, where LCBA-IF shows slightly higher sensitivity. Furthermore, there is a potential link between elevated AQP4-IgG titers and an increased risk of relapse, and this correlation may appear more pronounced when using LCBA-IF.
6.Interpretation of 2024 ESC guidelines for the management of elevated blood pressure and hypertension
Yu CHENG ; Yiheng ZHOU ; Yao LÜ ; ; Dongze LI ; Lidi LIU ; Peng ZHANG ; Rong YANG ; Yu JIA ; Rui ZENG ; Zhi WAN ; Xiaoyang LIAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(01):31-40
The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) released the "2024 ESC guidelines for the management of elevated blood pressure and hypertension" on August 30, 2024. This guideline updates the 2018 "Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension." One notable update is the introduction of the concept of "elevated blood pressure" (120-139/70-89 mm Hg). Additionally, a new systolic blood pressure target range of 120-129 mm Hg has been proposed for most patients receiving antihypertensive treatment. The guideline also includes numerous additions or revisions in areas such as non-pharmacological interventions and device-based treatments for hypertension. This article interprets the guideline's recommendations on definition and classification of elevated blood pressure and hypertension, and cardiovascular disease risk assessment, diagnosing hypertension and investigating underlying causes, preventing and treating elevated blood pressure and hypertension. We provide a comparison interpretation with the 2018 "Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension" and the "2017 ACC/AHA guideline on the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults."
7.Translational Research of Electromagnetic Fields on Diseases Related With Bone Remodeling: Review and Prospects
Peng SHANG ; Jun-Yu LIU ; Sheng-Hang WANG ; Jian-Cheng YANG ; Zhe-Yuan ZHANG ; An-Lin LI ; Hao ZHANG ; Yu-Hong ZENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):439-455
Electromagnetic fields can regulate the fundamental biological processes involved in bone remodeling. As a non-invasive physical therapy, electromagnetic fields with specific parameters have demonstrated therapeutic effects on bone remodeling diseases, such as fractures and osteoporosis. Electromagnetic fields can be generated by the movement of charged particles or induced by varying currents. Based on whether the strength and direction of the electric field change over time, electromagnetic fields can be classified into static and time-varying fields. The treatment of bone remodeling diseases with static magnetic fields primarily focuses on fractures, often using magnetic splints to immobilize the fracture site while studying the effects of static magnetic fields on bone healing. However, there has been relatively little research on the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis using static magnetic fields. Pulsed electromagnetic fields, a type of time-varying field, have been widely used in clinical studies for treating fractures, osteoporosis, and non-union. However, current clinical applications are limited to low-frequency, and research on the relationship between frequency and biological effects remains insufficient. We believe that different types of electromagnetic fields acting on bone can induce various “secondary physical quantities”, such as magnetism, force, electricity, acoustics, and thermal energy, which can stimulate bone cells either individually or simultaneously. Bone cells possess specific electromagnetic properties, and in a static magnetic field, the presence of a magnetic field gradient can exert a certain magnetism on the bone tissue, leading to observable effects. In a time-varying magnetic field, the charged particles within the bone experience varying Lorentz forces, causing vibrations and generating acoustic effects. Additionally, as the frequency of the time-varying field increases, induced currents or potentials can be generated within the bone, leading to electrical effects. When the frequency and power exceed a certain threshold, electromagnetic energy can be converted into thermal energy, producing thermal effects. In summary, external electromagnetic fields with different characteristics can generate multiple physical quantities within biological tissues, such as magnetic, electric, mechanical, acoustic, and thermal effects. These physical quantities may also interact and couple with each other, stimulating the biological tissues in a combined or composite manner, thereby producing biological effects. This understanding is key to elucidating the electromagnetic mechanisms of how electromagnetic fields influence biological tissues. In the study of electromagnetic fields for bone remodeling diseases, attention should be paid to the biological effects of bone remodeling under different electromagnetic wave characteristics. This includes exploring innovative electromagnetic source technologies applicable to bone remodeling, identifying safe and effective electromagnetic field parameters, and combining basic research with technological invention to develop scientifically grounded, advanced key technologies for innovative electromagnetic treatment devices targeting bone remodeling diseases. In conclusion, electromagnetic fields and multiple physical factors have the potential to prevent and treat bone remodeling diseases, and have significant application prospects.
8.Diffusion-based generative drug-like molecular editing with chemical natural language
Jianmin WANG ; Peng ZHOU ; Zixu WANG ; Wei LONG ; Yangyang CHEN ; Tai-No KYOUNG ; Dongsheng OUYANG ; Jiashun MAO ; Xiangxiang ZENG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(6):1215-1225
Recently,diffusion models have emerged as a promising paradigm for molecular design and optimization.However,most diffusion-based molecular generative models focus on modeling 2D graphs or 3D geom-etries,with limited research on molecular sequence diffusion models.The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry(IUPAC)names are more akin to chemical natural language than the simplified molecular input line entry system(SMILES)for organic compounds.In this work,we apply an IUPAC-guided conditional diffusion model to facilitate molecular editing from chemical natural language to chemical language(SMILES)and explore whether the pre-trained generative performance of diffusion models can be transferred to chemical natural language.We propose DiffIUPAC,a controllable molecular editing diffusion model that converts IUPAC names to SMILES strings.Evaluation results demonstrate that our model out-performs existing methods and successfully captures the semantic rules of both chemical languages.Chemical space and scaffold analysis show that the model can generate similar compounds with diverse scaffolds within the specified constraints.Additionally,to illustrate the model's applicability in drug design,we conducted case studies in functional group editing,analogue design and linker design.
9.Comparative efficacy of posteromedial combined with lateral Frosch approach versus anterior medial and lateral dual incision approach in open reduction and internal fixation for Schatzker type VI tibial plateau fractures
Qifeng SONG ; Peng LIU ; Zhenhao LIU ; Jiangping WANG ; Shengjie ZHANG ; Yongjie QIAO ; Xiaoyang SONG ; Jiankang ZENG ; Jiahuan LI ; Kaipeng ZHUANG ; Shenghu ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2025;41(10):952-960
Objective:To compare the efficacy of posteromedial combined with lateral Frosch approach versus anterior medial and lateral dual incision approach in open reduction and internal fixation for Schatzker type VI tibial plateau fractures.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 41 patients with Schatzker type VI tibial plateau fractures, who were admitted to the 940th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the PLA from January 2018 to May 2024, including 23 males and 18 females, aged 34-79 years [(50.7±7.7)years]. Twenty-three patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation via the posteromedial combined with lateral Frosch approach (posterior approach group), while 18 patients underwent the same procedure via the anterior medial and lateral dual incision approach (anterior approach group). The following parameters were compared between the two groups: operation duration, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, depth of articular surface depression and tibial plateau width measured preoperatively, at 7 days, 3 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up, medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) and posterior proximal tibial angle (PPTA) measured at 7 days, 3 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores assessed preoperatively, at 7 days postoperatively, and at the last follow-up, American Knee Society (KSS) score and knee flexion range of motion assessed at 7 days, 3 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up, fracture healing status at the last follow-up, and incidence of postoperative complications.Results:All the patients were followed up for 12-16 months [(14.3±2.1)months]. The operation duration was (119.6±11.8)minutes in the posterior approach group, which was significantly shorter than (140.3±10.6)minutes in the anterior approach group ( P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in intraoperative blood loss or postoperative drainage volume between the two groups ( P>0.05). No significant differences were found in the preoperative depth of articular surface depression or tibial plateau width between the two groups ( P>0.05). At 7 days, 3 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up, the depth of articular surface depression was 0.8(0.6, 1.0)mm, 0.6(0.5, 0.8)mm, and 0.6(0.5, 0.7)mm in the posterior approach group, which were significantly shorter than 1.1(0.9, 1.3)mm, 0.8(0.7, 1.0)mm, and 0.8(0.7, 1.0)mm in the anterior approach group ( P<0.05). The tibial plateau width at the same time points was 71.0(69.1, 73.5)mm, 70.5(69.2, 72.9)mm, and 70.5(69.3, 72.5)mm in the posterior approach group, which were significantly shorter than 73.0(72.3, 74.2)mm, 71.5(71.0, 73.0)mm, and 71.5(71.1, 72.6)mm in the anterior approach group ( P<0.05). At 7 days, 3 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up, the MPTA values were (87.4±0.7)°, (87.7±0.6)°, and (87.9±0.5)° in the posterior approach group, which were significantly larger than (85.2±2.5)°, (86.0±2.2)°, and (86.3±2.0)° in the anterior approach group ( P<0.01). The PPTA values at the same time points were (9.5±0.7)°, (9.0±0.5)°, and (8.6±0.4)° in the posterior approach group, which were significantly smaller than (11.2±1.0)°, (10.3±0.8)°, and (9.8±0.7)° in the anterior approach group ( P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the preoperative VAS score between the two groups ( P>0.05). At 7 days postoperatively and at the last follow-up, the VAS scores were 4.0(3.0, 5.0)points and 0.5(0.0, 2.0)points in the posterior approach group, which were significantly lower than 5.0(4.0, 5.0)points and 1.0(1.0, 3.0)points in the anterior approach group ( P<0.05). At 7 days, 3 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up, the KSS scores were 62.5(57.0, 67.5)points, 75.5(72.0, 82.5)points, and 87.0(82.5, 93.5)points in the posterior approach group, which were significantly higher than 61.5(54.5, 63.0)points, 74.0(68.0, 79.0)points, and 85.5(78.0, 88.5)points in the anterior approach group ( P<0.05). The knee flexion range of motion was 90.0(85.0, 95.0)°, 115.0(109.0, 122.0)°, and 126.0(120.0, 130.0)° in the posterior approach group, which were significantly greater than 80.5(75.2, 85.8)°, 110.0(104.0, 115.0)°, and 119.0(113.0, 122.0)° in the anterior approach group ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, all the fractures were healed in both groups. No statistically significant difference was found in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared to the anterior medial and lateral dual incision approach, the posteromedial combined with lateral Frosch approach demonstrates superior advantages in operation duration, reduction quality, pain relief, functional recovery in the treatment of Schatzker type VI tibial plateau fractures, while the incidence of complications is comparable.
10.Visualization Analysis on Research Literature about the Essence of TCM Syndromes
Zhiyang LI ; Wanyi ZHANG ; Zhujun LIU ; Qing GAO ; Meiyan ZENG ; Qinghua PENG ; Houpan SONG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(8):56-62
Objective To analyze relevant literature on the essence of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes using bibliometric methods;To understand the current research status and hotspots in this field;To provide references for relevant research.Methods Research literature about the essence of TCM syndromes was retrieved from CNKI,VIP,Wanfang Data and CBM from 1st Jan.1979 to 30th June 2024.CiteSpace 6.2 software was used to conduct visualization analysis on authors,institutions,keywords,etc.Results A total of 695 articles were included,with an overall upward trend in publication volume followed by stabilization.The authors who published more articles included Luo Ren(13 articles),Zhao Xiaoshan(13 articles),Li Zegeng(12 articles),etc.The institutions with more publications included Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine(35 articles),Beijing University of Chinese Medicine(33 articles),Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine(26 articles),etc.Institutions were clustered regionally,and cooperation was mostly between TCM universities and their affiliated hospitals,with less cross regional communication.High frequency keywords included kidney yang deficiency syndrome,metabolomics,animal models,TCM syndrome types,coronary heart disease,lung qi deficiency syndrome,spleen qi deficiency syndrome,liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome,etc;Keyword clustering covered aspects such as biomolecules and metabolism,TCM syndromes,pathology,disease models,and animal research.Conclusion Research in the field of the essence of TCM syndromes is gradually receiving more attention.Exploring the essence of TCM syndromes at the molecular level through techniques such as genomics,transcriptomics,metabolomics and proteomics is a research hotspot and trend in this field.

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