1.Exploring Mechanism of Glucose Metabolic Reprogramming-driven Macrophage Polarization in Regulating Metabolic Syndrome Based on Theory of "Spleen Qi Dispersing Essence"
Jinshun YOU ; Shijie QIAO ; Linzhen LI ; Lingfang ZHENG ; Shujie XIA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):221-229
Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a clinical syndrome characterized by obesity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia, and chronic inflammation is closely associated with its pathogenesis. The imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory macrophage polarization, as one of the core pathological mechanisms of chronic inflammation, is a crucial driver of MS progression. According to Essential Questions in Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon: Distinctive Theory on Meridians and Diseased Pulses, "the spleen Qi dispersing essence... along all the meridians and collaterals". When the spleen fails in transportation and transformation, the distribution of refined essence becomes disordered, leading to internal accumulation of phlegm-dampness, forming a dynamic pathological state of "root deficiency with branch excess". Accordingly, the core traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pathogenesis of MS is closely related to "spleen failing in transportation and transformation coupled with the internal accumulation of phlegm-dampness"; however, its modern biological basis remains elusive. Therefore, based on the theory of "spleen Qi dispersing essence" and recent advances in immunometabolism, this paper explored the modern scientific connotation of the TCM pathogenesis of MS from the perspective of macrophage polarization driven by glucose metabolic reprogramming. Through theoretical analysis and literature integration, it was proposed that mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation participates in the energy metabolism process of "spleen Qi dispersing essence". The dysfunction of the spleen's transportation and transformation prompts macrophage metabolism to shift toward glycolysis, resulting in the accumulation of lactate and succinate, which represents the microscopic manifestation of "refined essence deviating from proper transformation" and can be defined as "microscopic phlegm-dampness". These metabolites subsequently drive M1 macrophage polarization via the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway, triggering the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inducing systemic chronic low-grade inflammation, ultimately manifesting as insulin resistance, lipid metabolic disorders, and other core components of MS, thus achieving immune amplification from local "microscopic phlegm-dampness" to systemic "internal accumulation of phlegm-dampness". Therefore, macrophage polarization driven by glucose metabolic reprogramming constitutes an important biological link connecting the TCM concept of "spleen failing to disperse essence" with the pathology of MS. Furthermore, this paper reviewed the potential mechanisms by which TCM herbal formulas and their monomeric components that "restore spleen transportation and resolve phlegm-dampness" ameliorate MS by modulating macrophage metabolic remodeling, thereby providing novel biological connotations for the modern interpretation of the theory of "spleen Qi dispersing essence". Future research should integrate multi-omics technologies with disease-syndrome animal models to elucidate the regulatory network of formulas that "restore spleen transportation and resolve phlegm-dampness". Additionally, the feasibility of utilizing macrophage metabolic phenotypes as objective diagnostic biomarkers for the phlegm-dampness syndrome in MS warrants further investigation.
2.Exploring Mechanism of Glucose Metabolic Reprogramming-driven Macrophage Polarization in Regulating Metabolic Syndrome Based on Theory of "Spleen Qi Dispersing Essence"
Jinshun YOU ; Shijie QIAO ; Linzhen LI ; Lingfang ZHENG ; Shujie XIA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):221-229
Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a clinical syndrome characterized by obesity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia, and chronic inflammation is closely associated with its pathogenesis. The imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory macrophage polarization, as one of the core pathological mechanisms of chronic inflammation, is a crucial driver of MS progression. According to Essential Questions in Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon: Distinctive Theory on Meridians and Diseased Pulses, "the spleen Qi dispersing essence... along all the meridians and collaterals". When the spleen fails in transportation and transformation, the distribution of refined essence becomes disordered, leading to internal accumulation of phlegm-dampness, forming a dynamic pathological state of "root deficiency with branch excess". Accordingly, the core traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pathogenesis of MS is closely related to "spleen failing in transportation and transformation coupled with the internal accumulation of phlegm-dampness"; however, its modern biological basis remains elusive. Therefore, based on the theory of "spleen Qi dispersing essence" and recent advances in immunometabolism, this paper explored the modern scientific connotation of the TCM pathogenesis of MS from the perspective of macrophage polarization driven by glucose metabolic reprogramming. Through theoretical analysis and literature integration, it was proposed that mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation participates in the energy metabolism process of "spleen Qi dispersing essence". The dysfunction of the spleen's transportation and transformation prompts macrophage metabolism to shift toward glycolysis, resulting in the accumulation of lactate and succinate, which represents the microscopic manifestation of "refined essence deviating from proper transformation" and can be defined as "microscopic phlegm-dampness". These metabolites subsequently drive M1 macrophage polarization via the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway, triggering the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inducing systemic chronic low-grade inflammation, ultimately manifesting as insulin resistance, lipid metabolic disorders, and other core components of MS, thus achieving immune amplification from local "microscopic phlegm-dampness" to systemic "internal accumulation of phlegm-dampness". Therefore, macrophage polarization driven by glucose metabolic reprogramming constitutes an important biological link connecting the TCM concept of "spleen failing to disperse essence" with the pathology of MS. Furthermore, this paper reviewed the potential mechanisms by which TCM herbal formulas and their monomeric components that "restore spleen transportation and resolve phlegm-dampness" ameliorate MS by modulating macrophage metabolic remodeling, thereby providing novel biological connotations for the modern interpretation of the theory of "spleen Qi dispersing essence". Future research should integrate multi-omics technologies with disease-syndrome animal models to elucidate the regulatory network of formulas that "restore spleen transportation and resolve phlegm-dampness". Additionally, the feasibility of utilizing macrophage metabolic phenotypes as objective diagnostic biomarkers for the phlegm-dampness syndrome in MS warrants further investigation.
3.Comparative analysis of the correlation between different intestinal ultrasound score and endoscopic disease activity in Crohn's disease
Shijie SUN ; Meizheng DANG ; Jia LI ; Dantong ZHAO ; Yameng ZHENG ; Piyu LI ; Pintong HUANG
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2025;34(2):167-172
Objective:To verify and compare the correlation and diagnostic efficacy of international bowel ultrasound segmental activity score(IBUS-SAS),bowel ultrasound score(BUSS),simple ultrasound score for Crohn's disease(SUS-CD),and simple ultrasound score(Simple-US)with endoscopic disease activity in Crohn's disease(CD)patients. To provide external validation of the diagnostic efficacy of intestinal ultrasound(IUS)score and theoretical basis for clinical selection of optimal IUS score.Methods:A total of 160 patients with clinical diagnosis of CD combined with IUS and intestinal endoscopy were retrospectively analyzed in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2022 to August 2024. IUS parameters were measured and scored with IBUS-SAS,SUS-CD,BUSS and Simple-US scores. Endoscopic SES-CD was used to evaluate intestinal disease activity in patients without history of intestinal resection,and Rutgeerts score was used to evaluate intestinal disease activity in patients with history of intestinal resection. Endoscopic remission in patients with CD was defined as SES-CD < 3 or Rutgeerts score i0 and i1,mild endoscopic disease activity was defined as 7 > SES-CD≥3 or Rutgeerts score = 2,moderate endoscopic disease activity was defined as 15 > SES-CD≥7 or Rutgeerts score i3,severe endoscopic disease activity was defined as SES-CD≥15 or Rutgeerts i4. The correlation and diagnostic efficacy of IBUS-SAS,SUS-CD,BUSS and Simple-US scores with endoscopic disease activity in patients with CD were compared and analyzed.Results:IUS scores including IBUS-SAS,SUS-CD,BUSS and Simple-US were significantly correlated with endoscopic intestinal disease activity,SES-CD and Rutgeerts scores in CD patients( r s = 0.706,0.492,0.502,0.526;0.825,0.581,0.584,0.603;0.541,0.434,0.437,0.467;all P<0.05). Among them,IBUS-SAS showed better correlation than the other three IUS scores. ROC curve showed that IBUS-SAS,SUS-CD,BUSS,and Simple-US had high predictive values for endoscopic disease activity and endoscopic disease moderate-severe activity in patients with CD(AUC = 0.886,0.748,0.730,0.756;all P<0.05). The diagnostic efficacy of IBUS-SAS on the presence of endoscopic disease activity in patients with CD was significantly higher than those of the other three IUS scores . Conclusions:IBUS-SAS,SUS-CD,BUSS and Simple-US are significantly correlated with the endoscopic results of on intestinal disease activity of CD,and have high predictive values for intestinal disease activity status,among which IBUS-SAS is superior to the other three IUS scores. It is recommended that IBUS-SAS be used first to evaluate intestinal disease activity in patients with CD.
4.Impact of different blood transfusion thresholds on clinical outcomes in children with severe traumatic brain injury
Jian JI ; Quan WANG ; Zheng LI ; Boliang FANG ; Shijie LI ; Xiaoyi LIU
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(12):1331-1335
Objective:To explore the impact of different blood transfusion thresholds on clinical outcomes in children with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data was collected from 64 children with severe TBI who received red blood cell transfusions and were admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of Beijing Children′s Hospital between January 2020 and December 2024. Data included basic clinical characteristics, mortality rate, neurological recovery (measured by Glasgow coma scale (GCS) at discharge, pediatric cerebral performance category (PCPC) score), length of stay in the PICU, duration of mechanical ventilation, and incidence of complications. Patients were divided into a liberal transfusion group (hemoglobin >70-<100 g/L at first transfusion) and a restrictive transfusion group (hemoglobin ≤70 g/L at first transfusion). Stratified analysis was performed based on age (children >5 and children ≤5 years old). Comparisons between groups were conducted using the independent samples t test, Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test or Fisher′s exact test. Results:Among the 64 children with severe TBI (43 males and 21 females), the age was 4.9 (2.3, 10.0) years. There were 33 cases in the liberal transfusion group and 31 cases in the restrictive transfusion group. No statistically significant differences were observed in baseline data, including gender, age, trauma mechanism, GCS at admission, surgical intervention, presence of multiple injuries, or comorbidities (sepsis, shock, ventilator-associated pneumonia and acute kidney injury) between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the liberal and restrictive transfusion groups in mortality rate, GCS and PCPC score at discharge, length of PICU stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, or transfusion volume (all P>0.05). In the stratified analysis, 38 children aged over 5 years were included. The restrictive transfusion subgroup, which included 19 children, had a significantly longer PICU length of stay compared to the liberal transfusion subgroup, which also included 19 children (29.5 (18.0, 36.3) vs. 17.0 (6.3, 25.8) d, Z=2.11, P=0.035). Conclusions:There were no significant differences in PICU mortality or neurological functional recovery between the liberal and restrictive blood transfusion strategies in children with severe TBI. However, among children aged over than 5 years, a restrictive transfusion strategy might be associated with a longer length of PICU stay.
5.Comparative analysis of the correlation between different intestinal ultrasound score and endoscopic disease activity in Crohn's disease
Shijie SUN ; Meizheng DANG ; Jia LI ; Dantong ZHAO ; Yameng ZHENG ; Piyu LI ; Pintong HUANG
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2025;34(2):167-172
Objective:To verify and compare the correlation and diagnostic efficacy of international bowel ultrasound segmental activity score(IBUS-SAS),bowel ultrasound score(BUSS),simple ultrasound score for Crohn's disease(SUS-CD),and simple ultrasound score(Simple-US)with endoscopic disease activity in Crohn's disease(CD)patients. To provide external validation of the diagnostic efficacy of intestinal ultrasound(IUS)score and theoretical basis for clinical selection of optimal IUS score.Methods:A total of 160 patients with clinical diagnosis of CD combined with IUS and intestinal endoscopy were retrospectively analyzed in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2022 to August 2024. IUS parameters were measured and scored with IBUS-SAS,SUS-CD,BUSS and Simple-US scores. Endoscopic SES-CD was used to evaluate intestinal disease activity in patients without history of intestinal resection,and Rutgeerts score was used to evaluate intestinal disease activity in patients with history of intestinal resection. Endoscopic remission in patients with CD was defined as SES-CD < 3 or Rutgeerts score i0 and i1,mild endoscopic disease activity was defined as 7 > SES-CD≥3 or Rutgeerts score = 2,moderate endoscopic disease activity was defined as 15 > SES-CD≥7 or Rutgeerts score i3,severe endoscopic disease activity was defined as SES-CD≥15 or Rutgeerts i4. The correlation and diagnostic efficacy of IBUS-SAS,SUS-CD,BUSS and Simple-US scores with endoscopic disease activity in patients with CD were compared and analyzed.Results:IUS scores including IBUS-SAS,SUS-CD,BUSS and Simple-US were significantly correlated with endoscopic intestinal disease activity,SES-CD and Rutgeerts scores in CD patients( r s = 0.706,0.492,0.502,0.526;0.825,0.581,0.584,0.603;0.541,0.434,0.437,0.467;all P<0.05). Among them,IBUS-SAS showed better correlation than the other three IUS scores. ROC curve showed that IBUS-SAS,SUS-CD,BUSS,and Simple-US had high predictive values for endoscopic disease activity and endoscopic disease moderate-severe activity in patients with CD(AUC = 0.886,0.748,0.730,0.756;all P<0.05). The diagnostic efficacy of IBUS-SAS on the presence of endoscopic disease activity in patients with CD was significantly higher than those of the other three IUS scores . Conclusions:IBUS-SAS,SUS-CD,BUSS and Simple-US are significantly correlated with the endoscopic results of on intestinal disease activity of CD,and have high predictive values for intestinal disease activity status,among which IBUS-SAS is superior to the other three IUS scores. It is recommended that IBUS-SAS be used first to evaluate intestinal disease activity in patients with CD.
6.Analysis of echinococcosis in the population and canine Echinococcus infection in Yushu City, Qinghai Province in 2023
Xiaojin MO ; Chunhua GONG ; Wentao GUO ; Gengcheng HE ; Bin JIANG ; Qiufeng LAN ; Xiao MA ; Yufang LIU ; Guirong ZHENG ; Tian TIAN ; Shijie YANG ; Shusheng WU ; Ting ZHANG ; Xiaonong ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2025;44(8):668-673
Objective:To study echinococcosis in the population and canine Echinococcus infection in Yushu City, Qinghai Province, and to explore the current epidemic situation and main transmission species of Echinococcus. Methods:In June 2023, a multi-stage sampling method was used to select 2 villages each in Shanglaxiu Township and Longbao Town, Yushu City, Qinghai Province. Each village included at least 100 permanent residents who had lived locally for at least 1 year and were 2 years old or older as the survey subjects. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum antibodies against Echinococcus larvae in the population, and B-mode ultrasound was used for abdominal organ scanning. Meanwhile, on the main roads of Shanglaxiu Township and Longbao Town, canine feces were collected in designated areas at intervals. ELISA was used to detect the antigen of canine fecal Echinococcus, and PCR was used to detect the types of parasites ( Echinococcus multilocularis, Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus shiquicus). Results:A total of 511 residents were investigated in Yushu City, and the positive rate of serum Echinococcus larvae antibodies in the population was 26.22% (134/511), and the detection rate of echinococcosis B-mode ultrasound was 1.37% (7/511). Among them, the detection rates of B-mode ultrasound for cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) were 1.17% (6/511) and 0.20% (1/511), respectively. The positive rate of Echinococcus antigen in 543 canine feces detected by ELISA was 12.89% (70/543). PCR was used to test 497 canine feces, and the detection rate of Echinococcus was 3.02% (15/497). Among them, the detection rate of Echinococcus multilocularis was higher than that of Echinococcus granulosus [2.82% (14/497) vs 0.20% (1/497)], and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 = 11.44, P < 0.001). No Echinococcus shiquicus was detected. Conclusions:The positive rates of Echinococcus larvae antibodies in the population and canine Echinococcus antigen in Yushu City, Qinghai Province are both relatively high. There is a mixed epidemic of CE and AE, with Echinococcus multilocularis being the main species.
7.Factors influencing repeat blood donor lapsing in Guangzhou: based on the zero-inflated poisson regression model
Rongrong KE ; Guiyun XIE ; Xiaoxiao ZHENG ; Yingying XU ; Xiaochun HONG ; Shijie LI ; Yongshi DENG ; Jinyu SHEN ; Jinyan CHEN ; Jian OUYANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(1):73-78
[Objective] To analyze the influencing factors of repeat blood donor lapsing using a zero-inflated poisson regression model (ZIP). [Methods] The blood donation behavior of 12 498 whole blood donors from 2020 was tracked until December 31, 2023. The factors influencing the frequency of blood donations in a given year was analyzed using ZIP, and donors with 0 blood donation in that year were considered to have lapsed. The changes in relevant influencing factors associated with each blood donation were measured and modeled for analysis. [Results] The zero-inflated part of ZIP showed that the risk of lapsing of male blood donors was 2.24 times that of female blood donors (OR 95% CI:1.864-2.696, P<0.001); the risk of lapsing of the 35-44 age group and over 45 age group was respectively 40% (OR 95% CI:0.455-0.790, P<0.001) and 61%(OR 95% CI:0.268-0.578, P<0.001) lower than that of the under 25 age group; the risk of lapsing for those who have donated blood twice and ≥3 times was respectively 50% (OR 95% CI:0.405-0.609, P<0.001) and 81% (OR 95% CI:0.154-0.225, P<0.001) lower than that of first-time donors; the risk of lapsing of those with junior high or high school education was 1.2 times that of those with a college degree or higher (OR 95% CI:1.033-1.384, P<0.05); the risk of lapsing for the divorced group was 2.02 times that of the married group (OR 95% CI:1.445-2.820, P<0.001); the risk of lapsing for those with an income (Yuan) of 10 000 to 50 000, 50 000 to 100 000 and more than 100 000 was respectively 0.67 (OR 95% CI:0.552-0.818, P<0.001), 0.72 (OR 95% CI:0.591-0.884, P=0.002) and 0.67 (OR 95% CI:0.535-0.834, P<0.001) times that of those with an income (Yuan) of less than 10 000. The results of the Poisson part are consistent with the results of the zero-inflated part in terms of age and education level. [Conclusion] Blood donor lapsing is overall related to factors such as gender, age, donation frequency, education, marital status and family income. It's essential to care for those blood donors prone to lapse to retain more regular blood donors.
8.Impact of different blood transfusion thresholds on clinical outcomes in children with severe traumatic brain injury
Jian JI ; Quan WANG ; Zheng LI ; Boliang FANG ; Shijie LI ; Xiaoyi LIU
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(12):1331-1335
Objective:To explore the impact of different blood transfusion thresholds on clinical outcomes in children with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data was collected from 64 children with severe TBI who received red blood cell transfusions and were admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of Beijing Children′s Hospital between January 2020 and December 2024. Data included basic clinical characteristics, mortality rate, neurological recovery (measured by Glasgow coma scale (GCS) at discharge, pediatric cerebral performance category (PCPC) score), length of stay in the PICU, duration of mechanical ventilation, and incidence of complications. Patients were divided into a liberal transfusion group (hemoglobin >70-<100 g/L at first transfusion) and a restrictive transfusion group (hemoglobin ≤70 g/L at first transfusion). Stratified analysis was performed based on age (children >5 and children ≤5 years old). Comparisons between groups were conducted using the independent samples t test, Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test or Fisher′s exact test. Results:Among the 64 children with severe TBI (43 males and 21 females), the age was 4.9 (2.3, 10.0) years. There were 33 cases in the liberal transfusion group and 31 cases in the restrictive transfusion group. No statistically significant differences were observed in baseline data, including gender, age, trauma mechanism, GCS at admission, surgical intervention, presence of multiple injuries, or comorbidities (sepsis, shock, ventilator-associated pneumonia and acute kidney injury) between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the liberal and restrictive transfusion groups in mortality rate, GCS and PCPC score at discharge, length of PICU stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, or transfusion volume (all P>0.05). In the stratified analysis, 38 children aged over 5 years were included. The restrictive transfusion subgroup, which included 19 children, had a significantly longer PICU length of stay compared to the liberal transfusion subgroup, which also included 19 children (29.5 (18.0, 36.3) vs. 17.0 (6.3, 25.8) d, Z=2.11, P=0.035). Conclusions:There were no significant differences in PICU mortality or neurological functional recovery between the liberal and restrictive blood transfusion strategies in children with severe TBI. However, among children aged over than 5 years, a restrictive transfusion strategy might be associated with a longer length of PICU stay.
9.A multi-feature fusion-based model for fetal orientation classification from intrapartum ultrasound videos.
Ziyu ZHENG ; Xiaying YANG ; Shengjie WU ; Shijie ZHANG ; Guorong LYU ; Peizhong LIU ; Jun WANG ; Shaozheng HE
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(7):1563-1570
OBJECTIVES:
To construct an intelligent analysis model for classifying fetal orientation during intrapartum ultrasound videos based on multi-feature fusion.
METHODS:
The proposed model consists of the Input, Backbone Network and Classification Head modules. The Input module carries out data augmentation to improve the sample quality and generalization ability of the model. The Backbone Network was responsible for feature extraction based on Yolov8 combined with CBAM, ECA, PSA attention mechanism and AIFI feature interaction module. The Classification Head consists of a convolutional layer and a softmax function to output the final probability value of each class. The images of the key structures (the eyes, face, head, thalamus, and spine) were annotated with frames by physicians for model training to improve the classification accuracy of the anterior occipital, posterior occipital, and transverse occipital orientations.
RESULTS:
The experimental results showed that the proposed model had excellent performance in the tire orientation classification task with the classification accuracy reaching 0.984, an area under the PR curve (average accuracy) of 0.993, and area under the ROC curve of 0.984, and a kappa consistency test score of 0.974. The prediction results by the deep learning model were highly consistent with the actual classification results.
CONCLUSIONS
The multi-feature fusion model proposed in this study can efficiently and accurately classify fetal orientation in intrapartum ultrasound videos.
Humans
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Female
;
Ultrasonography, Prenatal/methods*
;
Pregnancy
;
Fetus/diagnostic imaging*
;
Neural Networks, Computer
;
Video Recording
10.Differential Resting-State Brain Activity Following Early- and Late-Night Sleep Loss.
Tianqi DI ; Libo ZHANG ; Shiqiu MENG ; Yang GUO ; Wangyue LIU ; Enyu ZHENG ; Zhoulong YU ; Yan SUN ; Jie SHI
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(9):1696-1700

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