Pulmonary fibrosis（PF） is a progressive and life-threatening disease with limited therapeutic options， highlighting the urgent need for innovative drug discovery strategies. To address this challenge， the authors propose the formula-originated rational intelligent screening&translation（FIRST）， a systematic framework for developing anti-fibrotic monomers derived from classical traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）. The strategy integrates three key dimensions， including tissue-oriented intelligent screening of active compounds， structural optimization based on drug-target spatial interactions and plant biosynthetic pathways， and cross-scale validation of drug. We further highlight its applications in discovering tissue-oriented novel drugs from clinically validated TCM， the development and mechanistic elucidation of anti-fibrotic therapeutics， as well as the clinical translation and secondary development of candidate drugs. This strategy paves the way for first-in-class， formula-derived monomeric drugs with defined structures， clarified mechanisms， and proven safety， offering a transformative avenue to meet the urgent therapeutic needs of PF and setting a new paradigm for TCM-based drug innovation.

Pulmonary fibrosis（PF） is a progressive and life-threatening disease with limited therapeutic options， highlighting the urgent need for innovative drug discovery strategies. To address this challenge， the authors propose the formula-originated rational intelligent screening&translation（FIRST）， a systematic framework for developing anti-fibrotic monomers derived from classical traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）. The strategy integrates three key dimensions， including tissue-oriented intelligent screening of active compounds， structural optimization based on drug-target spatial interactions and plant biosynthetic pathways， and cross-scale validation of drug. We further highlight its applications in discovering tissue-oriented novel drugs from clinically validated TCM， the development and mechanistic elucidation of anti-fibrotic therapeutics， as well as the clinical translation and secondary development of candidate drugs. This strategy paves the way for first-in-class， formula-derived monomeric drugs with defined structures， clarified mechanisms， and proven safety， offering a transformative avenue to meet the urgent therapeutic needs of PF and setting a new paradigm for TCM-based drug innovation.

ObjectiveTo review the current application status， practical challenges， and ethical issues of artificial intelligence （AI） in the field of hospice care， and to conduct a critical evaluation， with a view to offering a reference for promoting the deep integration of AI into clinical hospice care practice in China. MethodsRelevant domestic and international literature was retrieved to comprehensively analyze the application scenarios of AI in hospice care， the practical barriers encountered， and the ethical controversies， and to explore clinical optimization pathways. ResultsAI is gradually transforming the traditional service model of hospice care， with its applications primarily focusing on patient monitoring， symptom management， predictive analytics， clinical decision support， and other aspects. However， its development faced significant practical constraints and complex ethical challenges. ConclusionWhile AI holds immense potential to enhance the quality of hospice care， its application must be grounded in a core ethical framework centered on dignity， empathy， and patient autonomy. Relevant international explorations have been relatively extensive， whereas domestic studies remain in their infancy. Future research urgently warrants an in-depth exploration of the ethical and practical challenges to find localized integration pathways suited to China’s national context.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as a treasure of the Chinese nation, plays a significant role in maintaining public health. In 2019, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council proposed for the first time the establishment of a TCM registration and evaluation evidence system that integrates TCM theory, "personal experience" and clinical trials (referred to as the "Three-in-One" System) to promote the inheritance and innovation of TCM. Subsequently, the National Medical Products Administration issued several guiding principles to advance the improvement and implementation of this system. Owing to the complexity of its implementation, there are still differing understandings within the TCM industry regarding the positioning of the "Three-in-One" Registration and Evaluation Evidence System, as well as the connotation and value orientation of the "personal experience." To address this, Academician WANG Qi, President of the TCM Association, China International Exchange and Promotion Association for Medical and Healthcare and TCM master, led a group of academicians, TCM masters, TCM pharmacology experts and clinical TCM experts to convene a "Seminar on Promoting the Implementation of the ′Three-in-One′ Registration and Evaluation Evidence System for Chinese Medicinals." Through extensive discussions, an expert consensus was formed, clarifying the different roles of the TCM theory, "personal experience" and clinical trials within the system. It was further emphasized that the "personal experience" is the core of this system, and its data should be derived from clinical practice scenarios. In the future, the improvement of this system will require collaborative efforts across multiple fields to promote the high-quality development of the Chinese medicinal industry.

Objective:To investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of isoliquiritigenin (ISL) on chondrocyte ferroptosis in a rat model of knee osteoarthritis (KOA).Methods:Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into a sham group, KOA group, celecoxib group, ISL low-dose group, and ISL high-dose group. Except for the sham group, KOA models were induced in the other groups using the modified Hulth method. The ISL low-dose and high-dose groups received intraperitoneal injections of 10 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg ISL, respectively; the celecoxib group was orally administered 24 mg/kg celecoxib; the sham and KOA groups received equivalent doses of saline via intraperitoneal injection. Interventions were administered once daily for 8 weeks. Behavioral changes in the open field test, histopathological observations of cartilage, inflammatory cytokine detection, ferroptosis-related indicators, and Sirt1/Nrf2/GPX4 pathway protein expression were measured to determine the optimal ISL dose. Another 60 male SD rats were randomly divided into sham, KOA, ISL high-dose, Sirt1 inhibitor (EX-527), and ISL high-dose + EX-527 groups. KOA models were established in all groups except the sham group. The ISL high-dose group received 40 mg/kg ISL, the EX-527 group received 10 mg/kg EX-527, and the combination group received both. The sham and KOA groups were given saline. Interventions lasted 8 weeks. Histopathological staining evaluated cartilage damage and scoring; ELISA measured tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 levels in synovial fluid; iron deposition, Fe 2+, malonaldehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) levels were assessed; Western blot analyzed Sirt1/Nrf2/GPX4 pathway proteins; immunohistochemistry detected Collagen II, Aggrecan, MMP-3, and MMP-13 expression. Results:The joint cartilage tissue damage in the ISL low-dose and high-dose rat groups was alleviated compared to the KOA group. The OARSI score, levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in joint fluid, iron deposition in cartilage tissue, Fe 2+, MDA and ROS levels were 8.33±1.86 and 4.50±1.52, respectively. 67.24±7.25 pg/ml, 42.06±5.12 pg/ml; 37.97±4.9 pg/ml, 23.75±4.12 pg/ml; 31.67±4.16 pg/ml, 20.91±3.28 pg/ml; 2.00±0.20, 1.53±0.14; 2.84±0.19 μmol/mg, 1.87±0.16 μmol/mg; 9.11±1.08 nmol/ml, 5.49±1.05 nmol/ml; 759.15±59.80 μmol/ml and 610.85±44.23 μmol/ml were lower than those in KOA group ( P<0.05), and the serum SOD and GSH contents were 12.12±1.52 U/ml and 16.79±2.14 U/ml, respectively. Compared with KOA group, the protein expressions of Sirt1, Nrf2, GPX4 and SLC7A11 were 0.70±0.11 and 0.96±0.13, 0.69±0.10 and 0.95±0.14, 0.51±0.06 and 0.87±0.12, 0.56±0.06 and 0.83±0.10, which were higher than those in KOA group ( P<0.05). The expressions of Acetyl-H4K16, ACSL4, MMP-3 and MMP-13 were 1.68±0.17 and 1.30±0.10, 1.39±0.12 and 0.97±0.10, 1.70±0.14 and 1.10±0.10, 1.64±0.15 and 1.28±0.10, which were lower than those of KOA group ( P<0.05). And the changes of these indexes were higher in Sirt1 inhibitor group. Compared with the ISL high-dose group, the ferroptosis-related indexes were significantly increased in the ISL high-dose+Sirt1 inhibitor group. Conclusion:ISL alleviates articular cartilage injury in KOA rats, and its mechanism is related to activating the Sirt1/Nrf2/GPX4 pathway and inhibiting ferroptosis.

Different insect drugs have their own characteristics in terms of efficacy,including removing blood stasis and promoting blood circulation,dispelling phlegm and dispersing lumps,and nourishing the body.This article discussed the use of insect medicines in the treatment of chronic heart failure(CHF)based on the theory of"collateral deficiency and tonifying".Taking the TCM theory of"collateral deficiency and tonifying"as the entry point,this article categorized the pathogenesis of CHF into deficiency of qi and yang,deficiency of collaterals,phlegm retention and dampness stagnation,and accumulation of collaterals,and believes that the treatment should be based on resolving blood stasis and promoting collaterals,eliminating phlegm and promoting collaterals,dispersing lumps and promoting collaterals,and tonifying heart collaterals,thus achieving the effect of"collateral deficiency and tonifying".It also summarized the efficacy and modern pharmacological mechanisms of insect drugs,providing medication ideas for the treatment of CHF.

To analyze the impact of salt reduction interventions on the knowledge, attitude and behavior regarding the salt reduction of students′ parents based on the home-school interaction model. In April 2021, parents of students in grades 3-5 from three primary schools in Yichang City were selected as the target population using a cluster sampling method, and the parent population was divided into an intervention group and a control group. In the intervention group, a comprehensive home-school interaction salt reduction intervention was implemented, and in the control group, no intervention measures were taken for students′ parents. Baseline and final surveys were conducted before and after the intervention period, which included general information, previous salt reduction interventions received, and salt reduction knowledge, attitude and behavior. Difference-in-difference (DID) method was used to compare the knowledge, attitude and behavior status of two groups before and after the intervention, and stratified analysis of parents with different literacy levels was conducted to assess the net effect of intervention implementation. The results showed that 740 parents completed the baseline and final surveys, with 231 in the intervention group and 509 in the control group. After propensity score matching, there were 231 (33.33%) in the intervention group and 462 (66.67%) in the control group. After the intervention, the proportion of the intervention group who obtained salt control spoons and pots, as well as salt reduction knowledge and advice through school, was 87.45%, 86.58% and 75.45%, respectively, which was significantly higher than that in the control group ( P<0.05). After the intervention, the proportion of parents with a high school and lower education who obtained salt control pots was higher in the intervention group (89.23%) than in the control group (74.49%), with significant differences ( P<0.05). The proportion of parents with a college degree or above who obtained salt control spoons and pots, as well as salt reduction knowledge and advice through school, was higher than that of the control group ( P<0.05). The results of DID method showed that after controlling for monthly income and other factors, the scores of parents′ salt reduction-related knowledge and low-salt behavior in the intervention group increased significantly higher than those in the control group, with DID values (95% CI) of 1.18 (0.15-2.21) and 0.62 (0.16-1.09), respectively, indicating a significant net effect of intervention implication. After stratification according to the education level of parents, this difference still existed in the college degree or above group, with DID values (95% CI) of 1.39 (0.13-2.66) and 0.76 (0.16-1.36), respectively. The home-school interaction model for salt reduction measures can improve the salt-related knowledge and low-salt behavioral choices of students′ parents.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of typeⅡhybrid surgery versus Sun’s surgery in treating acute Stanford A aortic dissection. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with acute Stanford A aortic dissection who were treated at the Central Hospital of Wuhan affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from 2016 to 2022. According to the surgical method, patients were divided into a typeⅡhybrid group and a Sun’s surgery group, and the clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared. Results A total of 52 patients were included, with 22 in the typeⅡhybrid surgery group and 30 in the Sun’s surgery group. The typeⅡhybrid group consisted of 18 males and 4 females, with an average age of (58.18±6.00) years, while the Sun’s surgery group consisted of 22 males and 8 females, with an average age of (53.03±11.89) years. All surgeries were successfully completed. There were 4 (13.3%) perioperative deaths in the Sun’s surgery group, including 2 patients of multiple organ failure, 1 patient of paraplegia, and 1 patient of uncontrollable postoperative bleeding. There was 1 (4.5%) perioperative death in the typeⅡhybrid surgery group, who was suspected of acute coronary syndrome and took a loading dose of dual antiplatelet drugs preoperatively. The patient underwent secondary thoracotomy for hemostasis, was re-cannulated during the operation, and finally died of circulatory failure after implantation of intra-aortic balloon pumping. There was no statistical difference in perioperative mortality between the two groups (P=0.381). Compared with the Sun’s surgery group, the typeⅡhybrid surgery group had shorter cardiopulmonary bypass time [153.00 (135.00, 185.25) min vs. 182.50 (166.50, 196.75) min, P=0.013], aortic cross-clamping time [77.00 (70.50, 92.00) min vs. 102.50 (93.50, 109.75) min, P<0.001], postoperative ICU stay [4.00 (2.83, 6.00) days vs. 8.00 (6.38, 11.78) days, P<0.001], postoperative ventilator support time [72.00 (29.50, 93.25) h vs. 87.65 (39.13, 139.13) h, P=0.138], less intraoperative blood loss [(1586.82±209.41) mL vs. (1 806.00±292.62) mL, P=0.004], postoperative 24 h drainage volume [612.50 (507.50, 762.50) mL vs. 687.50 (518.75, 993.75) mL, P=0.409], and shorter postoperative hospital stay [18.00 (13.00, 20.25) days vs. 22.00 (17.00, 29.25) days, P=0.013]. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of other early postoperative complications such as secondary thoracotomy for hemostasis, tracheotomy, renal dysfunction requiring dialysis, stroke, and paraplegia between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion For patients with acute Stanford A aortic dissection, typeⅡhybrid surgery is safe and effective; compared with traditional Sun’s surgery, typeⅡhybrid surgery has relatively less trauma, lower incidence of complications, satisfactory short-term results, and further research is needed on long-term prognosis.

The glucagon receptor (GCGR) is a critical target for the treatment of metabolic disorders such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. Activation of GCGR enhances systemic insulin sensitivity through paracrine stimulation of insulin secretion, presenting a promising avenue for treatment. However, the discovery of effective GCGR agonists remains a challenging and resource-intensive process, often requiring time-consuming wet-lab experiments to synthesize and screen potential compounds. Recent advances in artificial intelligence technologies have demonstrated great potential in accelerating drug discovery by streamlining screening and efficiently predicting bioactivity. In the present work, we propose DeepGCGR, a two-layer deep learning model that leverages graph convolutional networks (GCN) integrated with a multiple attention mechanism to expedite the identification of GCGR agonists. In the first layer, the model predicts the bioactivity of various compounds against GCGR, efficiently filtering large chemical libraries to identify promising candidates. In the second layer, DeepGCGR classifies high bioactive compounds based on their functional effects on GCGR signaling, identifying those with potential agonistic or antagonistic effects. Moreover, DeepGCGR was specifically applied to identify novel GCGR-regulating compounds for the treatment of T2DM from natural products derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The proposed method will not only offer an effective strategy for discovering GCGR-targeting compounds with functional activation properties but also provide new insights into the development of T2DM therapeutics.
Deep Learning ; Drug Discovery/methods* ; Humans ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*

Genetic transformation is a fundamental tool in molecular biology research of medicinal plants. Tailoring transgenic technologies to each distinct medicinal plant would necessitate a substantial investment of time and effort. Here, we present a simple hairy root transformation method that does not require sterile conditions, utilizing Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain K599 and the visible RUBY reporter system. Transgenic hairy roots were obtained for six tested medicinal plant species, roots or rhizomes of which have recognized medicinal value, spanning four botanical families and six genera (Platycodon grandiflorus, Atractylodes macrocephala, Scutellaria baicalensis, Codonopsis pilosula, Astragalus membranaceus, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis). Furthermore, two previously identified Glycyrrhiza uralensis UGTs that convert liquiritigenin into liquiritin in heterologous systems were studied in planta using the method. Our results indicate that overexpression of GuUGT1 but not GuUGT10 and Cas9-mediated knockout of GuUGT1 profoundly influenced the accumulation of liquiritin and isoliquiritin in licorice roots. Therefore, the method described here represents a simple, rapid and widely applicable hairy root transformation method that enables fast gene functional study in medicinal plants.