1.Molecular Crosstalk Mechanisms of Shoutai Wan and Juyuan Jian on Maternal-fetal Interface Subcellular Clusters in CBA/J×DBA/2 Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Model
Jingxin GAO ; Qiuping CHEN ; Xiaoyan ZHENG ; Pengfei ZENG ; Rui ZHOU ; Yancai TANG ; Qian ZENG ; Wenli GUO ; Jinzhu HUANG ; Weijun DING ; Linwen DENG ; Hang ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):70-87
ObjectiveTo systematically compare the differential regulation of the maternal-fetal interface cell lineages and communication networks in the CBA/J×DBA/2 mouse model of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) by the two classic therapeutic methods-tonifying the kidney to stabilize the fetus and invigorating the spleen to stabilize the fetus (Shoutai Wan, Juyuan Jian)-of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) at the single-cell resolution and clarify their modern scientific connotations. MethodsFemale non-pregnant CBA/J mice were caged with male BALB/c (blank group) and DBA/2 (modeling group) mice separately. Pregnant mice in the modeling group were randomly grouped as follows: high/low-dose Shoutai Wan, high/low-dose Juyuan Jian, model (RPL), and positive control (dydrogesterone), with 10 mice in each group. Starting from the day after the detection of the vaginal plug, mice were administrated with drugs or an equal volume of normal saline by gavage for 10 consecutive days. After the intervention, the following indicators were measured. ① Macroscopic evaluation: general conditions, uterine wet weight, embryo loss rate, four coagulation parameters [prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (FIB), and thrombin time (TT)], and peripheral blood estradiol (E2) and progesterone (Pg) levels. The decidua with embryos was stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), CXC chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12), and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 homolog (LC3)Ⅰ/Ⅱ was quantified by Western blot. ② Mechanism analysis at the single-cell level: The decidua with embryos from the blank, model, high-dose Shoutai Wan, and high-dose Juyuan Jian groups (6 mice per group, with 3 single-cell samples per group, totaling 24 mice) were analyzed by the BD Rhapsody™ platform, and the whole-cell atlas was drawn by uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) dimensionality reduction clustering combined with the single-cell mouse cell atlas (scMCA). The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and cell interaction networks were analyzed via Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and CellChat, and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) map of subtype cells was constructed. The CytoTRACE pseudo-temporal analysis was performed to explore the developmental trajectories of core immune cells (natural killer cells, NK cells) from maternal and fetal sources. Results① Pathological and Western blot results indicated that compared with the blank group, the RPL group showed an increase in the embryo loss rate (P<0.01), down-regulated expression of Bcl-2, LIF, MMP-2, and Vegf in the decidua with embryos (P<0.05), up-regulated protein levels of CXCL-12, AngⅡ, and IL-6 (P<0.05), blocked angiogenesis, apoptosis-inflammation imbalance, and coagulation dysfunction. Both prescriptions dose-dependently reduced the abortion rate and restored the angiogenesis-inflammation balance, and Shoutai pill showed superior performance in restoring the E2 level to the Pg level (P<0.05). ② Single-cell transcriptome analysis indicated that compared with the blank group, the RPL group showed differences in multiple key cell populations such as decidual cells, trophoblast cells, endothelial cells, erythroblasts, NK cells, and macrophages at the maternal-fetal interface. Immunity and angiogenesis were the key links in RPL. Compared with the RPL group, high-dose Shoutai Wan reversed the changes of NK cells in the embryonic layer (upregulating the mRNA levels of 17 genes and downregulating the mRNA levels of 29 genes) and macrophages (upregulating the mRNA levels of 117 genes and downregulating the mRNA levels of 53 genes) through the regulation of gene expression. High-dose Shoutai pill regulated the immune cells to affect unfolded proteins, cell adhesion, and programmed cell death, thereby promoting decidualization and angiogenesis and modulating embryo-membrane development. High-dose Juyuan Jian regulated the key subgroups of NK cells (up-regulating the mRNA levels of 9 genes and down-regulating the mRNA levels of 17 genes) and macrophages (up-regulating the mRNA levels of 110 genes and down-regulating the mRNA levels of 81 genes), which affected decidual inflammation and apoptosis and intervened in glycolysis. ③ The pseudo-temporal analysis and communication network indicated that the communication frequency of the RPL group decreased. High-dose Shoutai Wan restored maternal-fetal tolerance through pathways such as NKG2D, CDH5, GDF, and FASLG. High-dose Juyuan Jian enhanced the IL-6/LIFR/JAK/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and desmosome/SEMA6/tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) signaling to improve endometrial receptivity. The RPL group showed an increased proportion of toxic dNK7, a decreased proportion of reparative dNK4, and blocked embryo fNK1. High-dose Shoutai Wan down-regulated dNK7 and up-regulated dNK4. High-dose Juyuan Jian inhibited the terminal differentiation of dNK7 and up-regulated LILRB1, thus restoring the balance of cytotoxicity and repair. ConclusionBoth the kidney-tonifying and spleen-invigorating methods are effective in treating RPL. NK and macrophages are the key immune cells in the interaction between the embryo and the membrane. The kidney-tonifying method (Shoutai Wan) has an advantage in regulating the phenotypes of unfolded protein, cell adhesion, and programmed cell death, and shows expression characteristics closer to the physiological state in the regulation of NKG2D and CDH5 signals. The spleen-invigorating method (Juyuan Jian) has an advantage in regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, and glycolysis and shows higher communication intensity in the IL-6 and LIFR pathways.
2.Exploring on Quality Evaluation Methods of Clinical Case Reports in Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on China Clinical Cases Library of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Kaige ZHANG ; Feng ZHANG ; Bo ZHOU ; Haimin CHEN ; Yong ZHU ; Changcheng HOU ; Liangzhen YOU ; Weijun HUANG ; Jie YANG ; Guoshuang ZHU ; Shukun GONG ; Jianwen HE ; Yang YE ; Yuqiu AN ; Chunquan SUN ; Qingjie YUAN ; Buman LI ; Xingzhong FENG ; Kegang CAO ; Hongcai SHANG ; Jihua GUO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Zhining TIAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):271-276
As the core vehicle for preserving and transmitting traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) academic thought and clinical experience, the establishment of a robust quality evaluation system for TCM clinical case reports is a crucial component in the current standardization and modernization of TCM. Based on the practical experience of constructing the China Clinical Cases Library of Traditional Chinese Medicine by the China Association of Chinese Medicine, this study conducted a comprehensive analysis of critical challenges, including insufficient authenticity and unfocused evaluation criteria. It proposed a three-dimensional evaluation framework grounded in the structure-process-outcome logic, encompassing three dimensions of authenticity and standardization, characteristics and advantages, application and translational impact. This framework integrated 12 key evaluation indicators in a systematic manner. The model preserved the academic characteristics of TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment, while aligning with modern scientific research standards, achieving a balance between individualized TCM experience and standardized evaluation. Concurrently, this study provided theoretical foundations and methodological guidance for evaluating the quality of TCM clinical cases, contributing significantly to the inheritance of TCM knowledge, evidence-based practice, and the reform of talent evaluation mechanisms.
3.Diabetic Kidney Disease and Gut-kidney Axis: A Review
Yingchao WANG ; Yexin CHEN ; Hua ZHANG ; Jiangteng LIU ; Zhichao RUAN ; Xingru PAN ; Weijun HUANG ; Jinxi ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):310-320
With the rising incidence of diabetes, diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has become a significant global health burden. Although current prevention and treatment strategies can partially delay the progression of DKD, the risk of patients advancing to end-stage renal disease remains high. Since the concept of the "gut-kidney axis" was first introduced at the International Congress on Dialysis in 2011, research on the role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of DKD has received increasing attention. This review summarizes the current research on gut microbiota, explores the mechanisms through which it contributes to DKD development, and outlines clinical approaches for DKD prevention and treatment based on the "gut-kidney axis" theory. Evidence indicates that dietary interventions, intake of probiotics or prebiotics, use of metformin and novel antidiabetic drugs, and application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound formulas can effectively improve gut microbiota composition, influence metabolite production, and restore the intestinal mucosal barrier. These interventions can further regulate intestinal innate immunity and inflammatory responses, thereby modulating the progression of DKD. Despite challenges posed by the traditional oral administration of water-decocted TCM compound formulas and the complexity of their ingredients, increasing evidence suggests that TCM may indirectly affect the occurrence and development of DKD by modulating gut microbiota. This finding provides a new perspective on the potential mechanisms of TCM in DKD treatment and may offer novel strategies for DKD prevention and therapy.
4.Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome with Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on the Core Pathogenesis Evolution of "Constraint,Heat,Deficiency,Stasis,and Toxin"
Zhichao RUAN ; Jiangteng LIU ; Hua ZHANG ; Weijun HUANG ; Qiang FU ; Shidong WANG ; Jinxi ZHAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(7):680-684
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers a rich theoretical foundation and clinical experience for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome(CKM), demonstrating unique advantage. Building on previous work in managing diabetes, its complications, and chronic kidney disease, our team has proposed a five-phase evolution theory of "constraint, heat, deficiency, stasis, and toxin" as the core pathogenesis. These phases correspond to the pathological progression of constraint of phlegm-dampness, constraint transforming into heat, heat damaging qi and yin, stasis accumulated in the collateral vessels, and toxin induced by deficiency and stasis. In the prevention and treatment of CKM by TCM, it is emphasized to integrate the concept of "treating disease before it arises" with constitution theory, and incorporate the "2-5-8" prevention and treatment strategy, which combines prevention with treatment, tailors interventions to different phases, and employs comprehensive treatment modalities. Our goal is to leverage TCM's holistic advantages in preventing and treating CKM.
5.Analysis of the diseases screened by ultrasound and experience of ultrasound application in a certain island clinic
Chang LU ; Lanting JIA ; Ke JING ; Xiufeng JI ; Xin ZHANG ; Weijun WANG ; Lyuping SUN ; Hejing HUANG
Journal of Navy Medicine 2025;46(2):116-121
Objective To investigate the types of diseases examined by ultrasonography in a certain island clinic,and to summarize the experience of ultrasound medical support in island area.Methods The ultrasound examination results of patients who were admitted to a certain island clinic from January 2017 to August 2022 were reviewed,and the types and characteristics of diseases examined by ultrasound were analyzed.Results A total of 2 043 patients underwent ultrasound examination.There were 76 disease categories and 1 579 diseases.The top five diseases were fatty liver(13.24%),kidney crystals(12.10%),kidney stones(10.70%),gallbladder polyps(6.33%)and ureteral stones with hydronephrosis(6.02%).Ultrasound could predict the pathological types of appendicitis and guide the clinical decision by observing the width of the appendiceal lumen and the layers of the appendiceal wall.Doppler-assessed ureteric jet could be used to determine the renal function of the affected side of ureteral calculi.Conclusion There are wide and varied disease categories in islands.Sonographers should have comprehensive abilities and qualities.This study can provide reference for the follow-up medical support on island area.
6.Pathogenesis and Treatment of Stomach Exuberance and Spleen Deficiency in Metabolic Disease
Wenxuan LUO ; Jinxi ZHAO ; Jinyan WEI ; Jiangteng LIU ; Zhichao RUAN ; Kaitong ZHANG ; Le WANG ; Weijun HUANG ; Yonghua XIAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(19):2041-2044
Stomach exuberance and spleen deficiency are common pathogenesis of many metabolic diseases. Through analyzing the pathogenesis of stomach exuberance and spleen deficiency, it is believed that its essence is stomach heat and spleen deficiency. Stomach heat includes gastrointestinal heat, spleen and stomach damp-heat, and spleen deficiency is divided into deficiency of spleen yin, deficiency of spleen qi , and deficiency of spleen yang. It is suggested that the metabolic diseases of stomach-exuberance and spleen-deficiency syndrome can be divided into three categories,i.e. stomach-heat and spleen yin-deficiency, stomach-heat and spleen qi-deficiency, and stomach-heat and spleen yang-deficiency, and the main treatment methods are clearing and draining heat, nourishing yin and moistening intestine, clearing dampness and heat, strengthening spleen and qi, clearing dampness and heat, strengthening spleen and warming yang, respectively, with prescriptions as Maziren Pills (麻子仁丸), Qinlian Pingwei Powder (芩连平胃散), and Jiawei Lianli Decoction (加味连理汤) accordingly.
7.Diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea by a new radar device: a parallel controlled study evaluating agreement with polysomnographic monitoring
Chenyang LI ; Wei WANG ; Weijun HUANG ; Huajun XU ; Hongliang YI ; Jian GUAN ; Gang LI ; Shankai YIN
Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2024;59(8):857-863
Objective:This study evaluates the agreement between a new low-load sleep monitoring system, QSA600, based on millimeter-wave radar technology, and polysomnography (PSG) in diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Methods:A total of 155 subjects were recruited for a parallel agreement study in the sleep laboratory of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at Shanghai Sixth People′s Hospital from July to September 2023. The subjects underwent simultaneous monitoring with both PSG and the QSA600 system. One hundred and forty-five subjects consisting of 75 males and 70 females included in the final analysis, with an average age of (35.30±12.41) years, an average height of (168.23±8.08) cm, and an average weight of (68.28±13.74) kg. The subjects were divided into four groups based on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI): <5.0 events/h (non-OSA group, 39 cases), ≥5.0-<15.0 events/h (mild OSA group, 47 cases), ≥15.0-<30.0 events/h (moderate OSA group, 25 cases), and≥30.0 events/h (severe OSA group, 34 cases). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), Pearson correlation coefficients ( r), and Bland-Altman analysis were employed to assess the agreement between the two monitoring techniques regarding AHI and other parameters. Sensitivity and specificity of the QSA600 in diagnosing OSA were evaluated at different AHI thresholds. Statistical analyses were conducted using MATLAB R2022a. Results:Using AHI 5 events/h, 15 events/h and 30 events/h as thresholds, the sensitivity for diagnosing mild, moderate, and severe OSA was 88.68%, 89.83% and 97.06%, respectively. The specificity was 94.87%, 98.84% and 99.10%, respectively. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.973 4, 0.990 9 and 0.999 5, respectively. The comparison of key indicators between QSA600 and PSG diagnostic results revealed:a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.987 2( P<0.001) between the AHI measurement values. The mean difference between the Bland-Altman measurement values of the two was -1.43(95% CI:-8.74-5.88) events/h and the ICC between the two was 0.985 0(95% CI: 0.975 4-0.990 4). Conclusions:As a new low-load sleep monitoring system, QSA600 demonstrates high concordance with traditional PSG in diagnosing OSA and stratifying its severity, which has promising potential for clinical application. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT06038006)
8.Promoting Innovative Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine Case Report Based on China Clinical Cases Library of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Kaige ZHANG ; Hongcai SHANG ; Yong ZHU ; Weijun HUANG ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(6):190-195
China Clinical Cases Library of Traditional Chinese Medicine is built to promote the establishment of a scientific and technological talent evaluation system oriented on innovative value, ability and contribution in the backgroud of breaking the four only and setting new standards required by the document jointly issued by several national administrations and commissions. In the process of the construction, in order to further consolidate the foundation and ensure the quality and authority of case reports, we need to fully understand the origin and development of Chinese medical cases. Therefore, we clarified the development situation of Chinese medical cases by combing the characteristics of ancient and modern case reports, comparing the differences between Chinese and western medical case reports in terms of content and writing requirements, finally formed the main points of systematic case report norms and quality evaluation system, aiming to fully explore the unique advantages of Chinese medical cases in the fields of discipline development, scientific research innovation, clinical practice and guidance, talent evaluation and training, so as to promote its innovative development in a broader direction.
9.Promoting Reform of Talent Evaluation Based on China Clinical Cases Library of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Kaige ZHANG ; Yong ZHU ; Jisheng WANG ; Liangzhen YOU ; Weijun HUANG ; Jie YANG ; Candong LI ; Genping LEI ; Chuan ZHENG ; Shuzhen GUO ; Longtao LIU ; Zhining TIAN ; Xinping QIU ; Wenli SU ; Zuo LI ; Wei YAN ; Hongcai SHANG ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(17):220-226
Talents are the main force for the development of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), and the construction of TCM talents and the reformation of talent evaluation system are essential to promote the inheritance and innovation of TCM. At present, we are still exploring and developing in the fields of the formulation, implementation and evaluation indicators of TCM talent evaluation system. However, there are shortcomings and difficulties. For instance, insufficient stratification in the evaluation, excessive emphasis on the quantity of achievements, neglecting the quality of the achievements and the actual contribution, imperfect assessment indicators, and the weak characteristics of TCM. Therefore, national ministries and commissions have jointly issued a document requesting to break the four only and set a new standard, in order to promote the construction of a scientific and technological talent evaluation system oriented by innovation value, ability and contribution. For the evaluation of TCM clinical talents, China Association for Science and Technology commissioned China Association of Chinese Medicine to build the China Clinical Cases Library of TCM(CCCL-TCM), which aims at collecting the most authoritative and representative TCM clinical cases and exploring the advantages of applying clinical cases as masterpiece of achievement in TCM clinical talents evaluation. CCCL-TCM can promote the construction of a talent evaluation system that is more in line with the development characteristics of TCM industry, and to carry out relevant pilot in TCM colleges and institutions across the country in order to promote the reformation of TCM talent evaluation system.
10.Design and clinical application of intracavitary-interstitial brachytherapy applicator template in locally advanced cervical cancer
Yi OUYANG ; Xiaodan HUANG ; Foping CHEN ; Haiying WU ; Weijun YE ; Kai CHEN ; Junyun LI ; Hongying LIU ; Miaoqing MAI ; Huikuan GU ; Huanxin LIN ; Xinping CAO
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2024;33(2):137-144
Objective:To design and evaluate the application value of intracavitary-interstitial brachytherapy (IC-ISBT) applicator template for locally advanced cervical cancer.Methods:MRI data of 100 patients with ⅡB-ⅣA stage cervical cancer (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2018 staging system) before and after external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) admitted to Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from March 2019 to September 2020 were collected. The range of primary cervical lesions was retrospectively analyzed and compared. Based on the residual mass of patients, the corresponding high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) was delineated, and the IC-ISBT applicator template was designed and initially applied to cervical cancer patients. Dosimetry analysis and efficacy evaluation were compared between the applicator template-guided ( n=37) and free-hand implantation groups ( n=63). Chi-square test or Fisher exact test was performed for categorical variables, and t-test or U-test for continuous variables. Results:The median distance between the residual tumor margin (clockwise 3, 6, 9, 12 o'clock) and the center of 100 patients with ⅡB-ⅣA stage cervical cancer after EBRT was 16.5, 14.0, 17.0 and 13.0 mm, respectively. The corresponding HR-CTV was superimposed to reconstruct the three-dimensional diagram, and the cylindrical IC-ISBT applicator template with mushroom-like head was designed and manufactured: the longest and shortest diameter of the head was 35 and 20 mm, respectively; the central channel was adapted to the uterine tube, the C1-C12 channels was arranged in inner circle, and the peripheral B1-B5 and A1-A4 pin channels were expanded bilaterally. In terms of dose coverage, there was no significant difference between the HR-CTV D 90% [(635.12±22.65) vs. (635.80±25.84) cGy], bladder D 2 cm3 [(473.79±44.78) vs. (463.55±66.43) cGy)], rectum D 2 cm3 [(396.99±73.54) vs. (408.00±73.94) cGy] and sigmoid colon D 2 cm3 [(293.07±152.72) vs. (311.31±135.77) cGy] between the template-guided and free-hand implantation groups (all P>0.05), but the HR-CTV D 98% was significantly higher [(544.78±32.07) vs. (536.78±32.04) cGy, P=0.007] and the rectum D 1 cm3 and D 0.1 cm3 were significantly lower [(438.62±69.65) vs. (453.97±67.89) cGy, P=0.016; (519.46±70.67) vs. (543.82±81.24) cGy, P=0.001] in the template-guided implantation group. In addition, there was no significant difference in the complete response rate between two groups (86% vs. 83%, P>0.05). Conclusions:This IC-ISBT applicator template is reasonably designed, and the therapeutic efficacy of the template-guided implantation is equivalent to that of free-hand implantation. The dose coverage of the target area meets the clinical demand with a better protection of the organs at risk. The applicator template has the potential to be widely used as a conventional template in clinical practice as the applicator-guided implantation is convenient to operate and repeat.

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