1.Technologies and Research Applications of Large Language Models in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Yuxiu ZENG ; Qiong ZHAO ; Chongcheng XI ; Quansheng FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):50-59
The integration of large language model (LLM) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) promotes the informatization of TCM,and also provides a new direction for the inheritance and innovation of TCM in the new era. Based on the research background of LLM,the development process of LLM based on the Transformer architecture is summarized,and the research progress of LLM in TCM is reviewed. The main process of constructing TCM LLMs and the key techniques used by researchers during model development are summarized. Based on the related literature, the main application scenarios of TCM LLMs and the research explorations conducted by TCM researchers using LLMs are outlined. Meanwhile,the current challenges faced in the development of TCM LLMs are analyzed. Further improvements are urgently needed in the construction of high-quality data,the evaluation methodology of TCM LLMs,the interpretability of the model, multimodal fusion of TCM LLMs, and the development of TCM prescription recommendation models. Looking forward to the future development of LLM in TCM,it is expected to provide a reference for the deeper integration of LLMs and TCM,and facilitate the modernization of TCM.
2.A Nomogram for Predicting Metachronous Gastric Cancer After Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection of Early Gastric Cancer Following Successful Helicobacter pylori Eradication
Shangtao MAO ; Miao LIU ; Tao ZHAO ; Qiong YAN ; Ying XIANG ; Hai WU ; Wenjun LI ; Hongji TAO ; Duanming ZHUANG ; Lei WANG ; Guifang XU
Journal of Gastric Cancer 2026;26(2):279-294
Purpose:
Due to the preservation of the entire stomach after endoscopic resection, the occurrence of metachronous gastric cancer (MGC) remains a possibility. In this study, we investigated the incidence and risk factors for MGC in patients with early gastric cancer who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and successfully eradicatedHelicobacter pylori.
Materials and Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted of 1,191 patients who underwent ESD and successfully eradicated H. pylori at the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University. Endoscopic surveillance was performed at 3, 6, and 12 months post-resection, and annually thereafter. MGC was defined as the development of a new cancer at a site other than the primary gastric cancer site, at least 1 year after the initial endoscopic resection.
Results:
A total of 77 patients were diagnosed with MGC during a median follow-up of 41.5 months. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a 5-year cumulative incidence of MGC of 9.4% after successful H. pylori eradication. Multivariate analysis of the training set using Cox proportional hazards models identified male sex, severe atrophic gastritis, multiple gastric cancers before H. pylori eradication, and smoking history as independent risk factors for MGC.The nomogram exhibited favorable discrimination, with area under the curves of 0.767 and 0.822 in the training set and 0.724 and 0.745 in the testing set at 3 and 5 years, respectively.
Conclusions
Patients with gastric cancer who undergo endoscopic resection, even after successful H. pylori eradication, should undergo annual and continuous endoscopic surveillance for MGC.
3.Selection strategies and future perspectives for animal models of gastroesophageal varices
Tianfu LYU ; Qiong NAN ; Ying ZHAO ; Xiaohua WANG ; Ninghui MU ; Bingtuan LU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(5):1185-1191
Gastroesophageal varices (GOV) bleeding is a severe complication of portal hypertension with a high mortality rate. Animal models are indispensable tools for investigating its pathogenesis and developing novel therapeutic strategies. This article systematically reviews the methods for establishing various GOV models, with a particular focus on their efficacy in simulating the key pathological processes such as an increase in hepatic venous pressure gradient and the risk of bleeding, and it also proposes targeted strategies for model selection. Finally, this article discusses the application prospects of emerging techniques in the era of precision medicine, such as organoids and gene editing, in order to provide model selection and a theoretical reference for exploring the mechanism and clinical translation of GOV.
4.Forensic detection of processed pork products based on STR markers
Bo YANG ; Qiong JIA ; Wenhua MA ; Jun HE ; Lina JIA ; Hao NIE ; Zhiguang WANG ; Jian YE ; Fan YANG ; Xingchun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;40(4):423-427,433
Objective To verify the applicability of a pig STR multiplex amplification system for detecting processed foods containing pork and their digestive samples,and to evaluate its potential in food safety and forensic biological evidence analysis.Methods DNA profiles were obtained using the pig STR amplification system from food samples with different levels of processing(raw pork,boiled pork,fried pork,and sausage)and from digestive samples(rat gastric contents).The influence of processing methods on DNA integrity was assessed.The uniformity of large-scale processed ham products,the consistency of DNA profiles from different parts of the same sample,and the DNA degradation patterns after rat digestion were examined.Results STR profiling of pig DNA was successful in all tested samples.Short fragments showed high amplification stability,while long fragment signals weakened with increasing processing complexity.In processed ham products,DNA profiles were consistent across all sampled parts,with fragment drift within±0.5 bp.Analysis of rat gastric contents showed slight DNA degradation within 2 hours;after 3 hours,long fragment signals weakened,and after 4 hours,some loci signals were lost.Conclusion The pig STR multiplex amplification system exhibits excellent performance in detecting processed pork products and their digestive samples.It can meet the requirements of food traceability and forensic biological evidence analysis for processed pork,providing new insights for the advancement of forensic testing techniques in this field.
5.Research on Analysis Method of Ketoconazole Related Substancse Based on National Drug Sampling and Testing
Changying XIN ; Yanbin XUN ; Xinying YU ; Yu HAN ; Qiong WU ; Longshan ZHAO ; Liqun LIU ; Jialiang ZHU
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(10):1611-1617
Objective To establish the HPLC analysis method for ketoconazole related substances,and to provide technical support for the improvement of the quality standard and the purity of ketoconazole.Methods Gradient elution conditions were optimized based on the chromatographic parameters outlined in the 2024"British Pharmacopoeia"for ketoconazole cream.A C18 column(4.6 mm×150 mm,3 μm)was used to facilitate the elution process using a gradient of acetonitrile and acetate buffer,and detection performed at a wavelength of 230 nm.Results The known impurities and potentially genotoxic impurities in the material drugs of ketoconazole can be more effectively separated using the established methods,which are both robust and highly sensitive.The content of the two potentially geno toxic impurities,six known impurities and unknown impurities in the 21 batches of ketoconazole sourced from five raw material pharmaceutical companies is below the specified limit requirements.Conclusion This method contributes to improving the quality of ketoconazole ingredients,ensuring the safety of ketoconazole preparations,and better supporting the regulatory supervision.
6.Status and influencing factors of home exercise behavior perception in elderly patients with ovarian cancer
Jiaojiao JIN ; Shanshan WANG ; Yi CHEN ; Dandan ZHAO ; Qiong PAN ; Yinglin YANG
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(1):49-55
Objective:To evaluate the perceived level of home exercise behavior in elderly patients with ovarian cancer and analyze its influencing factors, so as to promote home exercise behavior of patients and improve the quality of life.Methods:A total of 227 elderly patients with ovarian cancer from January 1, 2021 to October 1, 2023 in the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University were selected by convenience sampling method. A cross-sectional survey was conducted by General Information Questionnaire, Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale (EBBS), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), General Self-efficacy Scale (GSES) and Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI). The influencing factors on the perceived level of home exercise behavior in elderly patients with ovarian cancer were analyzed.Results:There were 227 elderly female patients with ovarian cancer, including 151 patients aged<70 years old and 76 patients aged ≥70 years old. The scores of EBBS, SSRS, GSES, BFI were (123.37±11.02), (37.68±7.44), (29.35±6.54), (5.82±2.01) points. The perception of exercise behavior was positively correlated with general self-efficacy and social support ( r=0.752, 0.901, both P<0.01), was negatively correlated with cancer-related fatigue ( r=-0.198, P<0.01). The results showed that general self-efficacy, social support, age≥70 years old, no spouse, not being informed of the benefits of exercise,fatigue due to moderate and severe cancer, duration of disease ≥12 months were the influencing factors ( t values were -4.56 - 4.46, all P<0.05). Conclusions:Elderly patients with ovarian cancer need to improve their perception level of home exercise behavior. In the formulation of home exercise behavior for elderly patients with ovarian cancer, education and cognition on the perceived benefits of home exercise behavior should be strengthened, and patients′ physical and mental status should be evaluated before exercise to actively reduce cancer-related fatigue. At the same time, the combination of family support can improve the perceived level of exercise behavior of elderly patients with ovarian cancer at home, so as to promote home exercise behavior of patients.
7.Impact of uric acid on female fertility and the pregnancy outcomes of assisted reproductive technology
Jun ZHANG ; Shuo HUANG ; Jing SHI ; Qiong LIU ; Donglin HAN ; Xiaojun YU ; Jie ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(3):305-309
Uric acid is the end product of purine metabolism in the human body. In recent years, the role of uric acid in female fertility and assisted reproductive technology (ART) has gained increasing attention. Dysregulation of uric acid metabolism can lead to hyperuricemia (HUA). HUA is not only closely related to metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases but may also adversely affect female fertility by influencing ovarian function and embryos development. In this review, we explored the role of uric acid in female fertility, including its association with female subfertility, infertility, adverse pregnancy outcomes and metabolic syndrome, as well as its potential impact on ART like in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Further studies are needed to clarify the threshold and clinical intervention value of uric acid levels in women of childbearing age, providing a basis for reproductive health counseling and personalized pregnancy assistance for HUA patients of childbearing age.
8.Optimization of induction and cryopreservation methods for mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages
Qiong WEI ; Mengzhu ZHAO ; Xu CHENG ; Menghua LIU ; Dongmei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(3):611-618
AIM:To explore suitable methods for the induction and cryopreservation of mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages(BMDMs).METHODS:Mouse fibroblasts(L929 cells)were cultured under varying conditions of temperature,seeding density,and serum concentration.The concentration of macrophage colony-stimulating factor(M-CSF)in the cell supernatant was measured using ELISA to determine the optimal conditions.Mouse bone marrow cells were extracted,and a differential adherence method was employed to pre-culture the bone marrow cells for 4 h,followed by flow cytometry to assess the proportion of resident macrophages.Flow cytometry was utilized to assess the ratio of F4/80 positive cells among the suspended and adherent cells.Induction of BMDMs was conducted using L929 cell supernatant or recombinant M-CSF for 7 d,and flow cytometry was applied to evaluate the proportion of F4/80 and CD11b double-positive cells.The morphologic changes during cell induction were observed under an inverted microscope,and the phagocytic ca-pacity and inflammatory response levels of BMDMs derived from C57BL/6N and C57BL/6J mice were evaluated using neu-tral red and ELISA methods.The cells were immediately cryopreserved after extraction,and then induced after recovery,or cryopreserved after successful induction and recovered.The cell morphology was observed under an inverted micro-scope,cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 method,and phagocytic ability was measured using the neutral red method.RESULTS:The M-CSF concentration in the supernatant from L929 cells cultured at 33℃,10%fetal bovine se-rum(FBS)for 7 d was rich.Following 4 h of pre-culture,the proportion of F4/80 positive cells in adherent cells was sig-nificantly higher than that in suspended cells(P<0.01).After 7 d of induction with L929 cell supernatant or recombinant M-CSF,the proportions of F4/80+CD11b+cells showed no significant difference(P>0.05).Compared with the BMDMs derived from C57BL/6J mice,those from C57BL/6N mice exhibited stronger phagocytic capacity(P<0.01),and released lower levels of TNF-α(P<0.01)and IL-6(P<0.05),and higher levels of IL-1β(P<0.05).Compared with the BMDMs that were induced after recovery from initial cryopreservation,those cryopreserved immediately after extraction and in-duced upon recovery exhibited better macrophage morphology,higher cell viability(P<0.01),and enhanced phagocytic ability(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:The supernatant from L929 cells cultured at 33℃,10%FBS for 7 d is rich in M-CSF,successfully inducing bone marrow cells to differentiate into mouse BMDMs.The differential adherence method for pre-culturing can eliminate resident macrophages from the original bone marrow.The phagocytic capacity and inflammato-ry response levels differ between BMDMs derived from the C57BL/6N and C57BL/6J mouse subtypes.Cryopreserving bone marrow cells immediately after extraction and subsequently inducing them upon recovery is a preferable method for BMDM cryopreservation.
9.The correlation of serum hypoxia-inducible factor-1α level with cerebral microbleeds and cognitive impairment
Qing LI ; Xiaowen ZHAO ; Jing REN ; Miao YU ; Hanfang CUI ; Fangyuan DING ; Hao LIU ; Qiong LI ; Fan WANG ; Qing LI ; Xiyan CHEN ; Chengbiao LU ; Shaomin LI ; Jianhua ZHAO
Journal of Capital Medical University 2025;46(2):216-227
Objective To explore the correlation between serum hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)levels and cerebral microbleeds(CMBs)and cognitive impairment and to assess the predictive value of HIF-1α for CSVD-related cognitive impairment.Methods A total of 104 patients with CSVD who attended the Department of Neurology,First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from June 2022 to November 2023 were enrolled.All enrolled patients were subjected to basic statistics,cranial nuclear magnetic resonance examination,cognitive function assessment,and serum HIF-1α test,and the number and location of CMBs were counted.Based on the above data the enrolled patients were grouped.The correlation between HIF-1α and cognitive function and CMBs was studied the influencing factors of CMBs and cognitive impairment were analyzed,and the predictive value of HIF-1α on the occurrence of cognitive impairment was evaluated.Results There were statistically significant differences in HIF-1α levels and cognitive function among different CMBs groups.Serum HIF-1α levels were significantly negatively correlated with overall cognitive function,visuospatial and executive function,attention,and delayed recall,and serum HIF-1α was positively correlated with the number of CMBs.HIF-1α may be a risk factor for CMBs and cognitive impairment associated with CSVD,and serum HIF-1α has potential in predict the cognitive impairment caused by CSVD.Conclusion Serum levels of HIF-1α were associated with the number of CMB and CSVD-related cognitive impairment,and serum levels of HIF-1α may have a predictive value for CSVD-related cognitive impairment.
10.Effects of tanshinone ⅡA on TNBS-induced mouse model of chronic colitis through PXR/NF-κB signaling pathway
Shan-shan CHEN ; Bing-bing SONG ; Xian-qiong GONG ; Jie ZHAO ; Kai-qing ZHANG ; Qiong WANG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(4):1129-1136
AIM To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of tanshinone ⅡA in a mouse model of chronic colitis induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid(TNBS).METHODS The BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the control group,the model group,and the low-dose and high-dose tanshinone ⅡA groups(10,20 mg/kg).Chronic inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)was induced in the model and tanshinone ⅡA groups by epicutaneous application of 3.75 mg TNBS(dissolved in 48%ethanol),followed by intrarectal administration of TNBS(0.75,1.5 and 2.25 mg in 40%ethanol)on days 7,14 and 21.Starting on day 7 post-modeling,the mice underwent their 14-day consecutive dosing of corresponding drugs by gavage.The mice had their disease activity index(DAI)assessed;their colon length and weight measured;and their levels of inflammatory factors IFN-γ and TNF-α in the colon mucosa detected by ELISA.The wild-type and PXR-/-mice were randomly divided into the control group,the model group,and the tanshinone ⅡA group(20 mg/kg).After modeling and drug administration using the aforementioned method,Masson staining was used to assess the intestinal fibrosis;immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the colon expression of ZO-1 and Occludin proteins;and immunofluorescence was used to detect the colon expression of NF-κB p65.RESULTS Tanshinone ⅡA(20 mg/kg)reduced DAI scores,colon weight/length ratio,and the colon levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α of the mouse models(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the WT control group,the WT model group and PXR-/-control group exhibited increased colon histopathological scores and fibrosis areas(P<0.01),decreased protein expressions of ZO-1 and Occludin(P<0.01),and increased expression of p-NF-κB p65(P<0.01).Compared with the WT model group,the WT tanshinone ⅡA group showed reduced colon weight/length ratio,histopathological scores,and fibrosis areas(P<0.01);increased protein expressions of ZO-1 and Occludin(P<0.05,P<0.01);and decreased expression of p-NF-κB p65(P<0.01).However,tanshinone ⅡA showed no significant therapeutic effect upon PXR-/-model mice(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Tanshinone ⅡA(20 mg/kg)can effectively alleviate TNBS-induced chronic colitis in mice,and this protective effect may be exerted by the modulation of PXR/NF-κB signaling pathway.

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