Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) decoction pieces are a core carrier for the inheritance and innovation of TCM, and their quality and safety are critical to public health and the sustainable development of the industry. Conventional quality control models, while having established a well-developed system through long-term practice, still face challenges such as relatively long inspection cycles, insufficient objectivity in characterizing complex traits, and urgent needs for improving the efficiency of integrating multidimensional quality information when confronted with the dual demands of large-scale production and precision quality control. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, machine learning can deeply analyze multidimensional data of the morphology, spectroscopy, and chemical fingerprints of decoction pieces by constructing high-dimensional feature space analysis models, significantly improving the standardization level and decision-making efficiency of quality evaluation. This article reviews the research progress in the application of machine learning in the processing, production, and rapid quality evaluation of TCM decoction pieces. It further analyzes current challenges in technological implementation and proposes potential solutions, offering theoretical and technical references to advance the digital and intelligent transformation of the industry.
Machine Learning ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/standards* ; Quality Control ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards* ; Humans

Objective To investigate whether successful percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)could improve symptoms and quality of life(QOL)in left main disease and/or 3-vessel disease patients with diabetes.Methods Patients with left main disease and/or 3-vessel disease who underwent PCI in the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from April 2018 to May 2021 were consecutively enrolled and subdivided into 2 groups:diabetes and no diabetes.Detailed baseline characteristics,symptoms,including dyspnea and angina,assessed with the Rose dyspnea scale(RDS),Seattle angina questionnaire(SAQ),the European quality of life-5 dimensions(EQ-5D)and 12-item short-form health survey(SF-12)questionnaire respectively,procedural details,and 1 month and 1 year follow-up data were collected.Results Among 440 left main disease and/or 3-vessel disease patients,disease was present in 176(40.00％),who had more hypertension,peripheral artery disease,and LCX lesion(all P＜0.05).The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)and all-cause mortality were similar between the two groups(both P＞0.05)at 1 month follow-up,while all-cause mortality in diabetes patients was significantly higher than those without diabetes at 1 year follow-up(P=0.013).Low left ventricular ejection fraction was an independent risk factor for MACE and all-cause mortality at 1 month and 1 year follow-up after successful revascularization(all P＜0.05).Most importantly,symptoms,including dyspnea and angina,and QOL were markedly improved regardless of diabetes both at 1 month and 1 year follow-up(all P＜0.05).Diabetes patients showed improved dyspnea and QOL at similar degree to the non-diabetes patients(all P＞0.05)and a more significantly relieved angina(P=0.013).Additionally,the number of chronic total occlusion(CTO)per patient was identified as an independent risk factor of dyspnea(OR 0.723,95％CI 0.525～0.997,P=0.048)and angina relief(OR 0.686,95％CI 0.473～0.995,P=0.047),and the contrast volume(OR 0.995,95％CI 0.992～0.999,P=0.008)as an independent risk factor of QOL improvement in diabetic patients.Conclusions Successful PCI is beneficial for relieving symptoms and improving quality of life in patients with diabetes who have left main disease and/or 3-vessel disease.

Standardizing the management of drugs used in clinical trials is one of the important means to protect the safety of trial participants and ensure that the trial results are scientifically reliable.The management of trial drugs runs throughout the entire clinical trial process,with some hospitals centralizing the management and others managing it within departments.Participants in the process include doctors,nurses,and pharmacists,among others.Investigate the management of investigational drugs in 15 hospitals and combine domestic relevant regulations and guidelines to standardize the management process of investigational drugs.A central pharmacy staffed by dedicated pharmacy personnel should be preferred,and if a departmental management model is used,a research physician/nurse or a pharmacy personnel with the necessary qualifications and competencies should be appointed as the drug manager.The reception and inventory of clinical trial drugs,as well as the return of drugs to the sponsor,should be completed by the institutional drug manager.The distribution of clinical trial drugs can be authorized to individuals with a professional background in pharmacy who have obtained professional qualification certificates or licensed pharmacist certificates.If non-pharmacist personnel distribute clinical trial drugs,other equivalent documents should be used instead of dispensing drugs based on prescriptions.

Ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)is a naturally occurring,low-toxicity,and hydrophilic bile acid(BA)in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA.Solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate,and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers.Retroperitoneal liposarcoma(RLPS)refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area.Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly down-regulated metabolites in sera of RIPS patients compared with healthy subjects.The augmentation of UDCA concentration(≥25 μg/mL)demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells.[15N2]-cystine and[13Cs]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione(GSH)synthesis.Mechanistically,UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis,leading to reactive oxygen species(ROS)accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage.Furthermore,UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers(Erastin,RSL3),the murine double minute 2(MDM2)inhibitors(Nutlin 3a,RG7112),cyclin dependent kinase 4(CDK4)inhibitor(Abemaciclib),and glutaminase inhibitor(CB839).Together,UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity,and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA.More importantly,in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments,UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a naturally occurring, low-toxicity, and hydrophilic bile acid (BA) in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA. Solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate, and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers. Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RLPS) refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area. Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly downregulated metabolites in sera of RLPS patients compared with healthy subjects. The augmentation of UDCA concentration (≥25 μg/mL) demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells. [¹⁵N₂]-cystine and [¹³C₅]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione (GSH) synthesis. Mechanistically, UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis, leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage. Furthermore, UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers (Erastin, RSL3), the murine double minute 2 (MDM2) inhibitors (Nutlin 3a, RG7112), cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) inhibitor (Abemaciclib), and glutaminase inhibitor (CB839). Together, UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity, and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA. More importantly, in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments, UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.

Objective To explore the effects and therapeutic mechanism of electroacupuncture on the levels of polarization markers and inflammatory factors interleukin(IL)-6,IL-4,tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),and IL-10 in rats with para-chlorophenylalanine-induced insomnia(PCPA).Methods Fifty healthy specific-pathogen free grade Sprague-Dawley rats,half male and half female,were randomly divided into a blank group(n=10)and a model reserve group(n=40),in which insomnia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of a 500 mg/kg PCPA suspension.Using the random number table method,the 30 successfully modeled rats were divided into three treatment groups of 10 rats/group:model,electroacupuncture,and estazolam.The estazolam group was given estazolam 0.2 mg/(kg·d)by gavage;the electroacupuncture group was given once-daily electroacupuncture at the"Shenmen"and"Sanyinjiao"acupoints,and stimulation at the"Baihui"and"Benshen"acupoints,20 minutes each time,for 7 consecutive days.Following treatment,serum and hypothalamic levels of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-4,and IL-10 were detected using ELISA and Western blot,while immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the presence of Iba-1 in hypothalamic microglia and the co-expression of CD86 and CD163,which are markers for the M1 and M2 subtypes of microglial cells,respectively.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group exhibited prolonged sleep latency(SL)(P＜0.01),shortened sleep duration(ST)(P＜0.05),significantly higher serum and hypothalamic protein levels of IL-6 and TNF-α(P＜0.01),and significantly lower levels of IL-4 and IL-10(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the electroacupuncture and estazolam groups exhibited significantly shorter SL(P＜0.01),prolonged ST(P＜0.01),significantly lower serum and hypothalamic protein levels of IL-6 and TNF-α(P＜0.01),and significantly higher IL-4 and IL-10 levels(P＜0.01).IL-6 content was lower in the electroacupuncture group than in the estazolam group(P＜0.05).Compared with the blank group,the model group exhibited significantly enhanced Iba-1/CD86(M1 type)co-expression(P＜0.01)alongside significantly weakened Iba-1/CD163(M2 type)co-expression(P＜0.01).Under electroacupuncture or estazolam intervention,Iba-1/CD86 co-expression was significantly weakened(P＜0.01),and Iba-1/CD163 co-expression was significantly enhanced in the model group(P＜0.05).Conclusions Electroacupuncture effectively improved sleep disturbances in rats,with an underlying mechanism that may involve regulation of microglial polarization,downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine levels,upregulation of anti-inflammatory cytokine levels,and alleviation of neuroinflammation,thereby ameliorating sleep.

Objective To investigate whether successful percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)could improve symptoms and quality of life(QOL)in left main disease and/or 3-vessel disease patients with diabetes.Methods Patients with left main disease and/or 3-vessel disease who underwent PCI in the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from April 2018 to May 2021 were consecutively enrolled and subdivided into 2 groups:diabetes and no diabetes.Detailed baseline characteristics,symptoms,including dyspnea and angina,assessed with the Rose dyspnea scale(RDS),Seattle angina questionnaire(SAQ),the European quality of life-5 dimensions(EQ-5D)and 12-item short-form health survey(SF-12)questionnaire respectively,procedural details,and 1 month and 1 year follow-up data were collected.Results Among 440 left main disease and/or 3-vessel disease patients,disease was present in 176(40.00％),who had more hypertension,peripheral artery disease,and LCX lesion(all P＜0.05).The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)and all-cause mortality were similar between the two groups(both P＞0.05)at 1 month follow-up,while all-cause mortality in diabetes patients was significantly higher than those without diabetes at 1 year follow-up(P=0.013).Low left ventricular ejection fraction was an independent risk factor for MACE and all-cause mortality at 1 month and 1 year follow-up after successful revascularization(all P＜0.05).Most importantly,symptoms,including dyspnea and angina,and QOL were markedly improved regardless of diabetes both at 1 month and 1 year follow-up(all P＜0.05).Diabetes patients showed improved dyspnea and QOL at similar degree to the non-diabetes patients(all P＞0.05)and a more significantly relieved angina(P=0.013).Additionally,the number of chronic total occlusion(CTO)per patient was identified as an independent risk factor of dyspnea(OR 0.723,95％CI 0.525～0.997,P=0.048)and angina relief(OR 0.686,95％CI 0.473～0.995,P=0.047),and the contrast volume(OR 0.995,95％CI 0.992～0.999,P=0.008)as an independent risk factor of QOL improvement in diabetic patients.Conclusions Successful PCI is beneficial for relieving symptoms and improving quality of life in patients with diabetes who have left main disease and/or 3-vessel disease.

Standardizing the management of drugs used in clinical trials is one of the important means to protect the safety of trial participants and ensure that the trial results are scientifically reliable.The management of trial drugs runs throughout the entire clinical trial process,with some hospitals centralizing the management and others managing it within departments.Participants in the process include doctors,nurses,and pharmacists,among others.Investigate the management of investigational drugs in 15 hospitals and combine domestic relevant regulations and guidelines to standardize the management process of investigational drugs.A central pharmacy staffed by dedicated pharmacy personnel should be preferred,and if a departmental management model is used,a research physician/nurse or a pharmacy personnel with the necessary qualifications and competencies should be appointed as the drug manager.The reception and inventory of clinical trial drugs,as well as the return of drugs to the sponsor,should be completed by the institutional drug manager.The distribution of clinical trial drugs can be authorized to individuals with a professional background in pharmacy who have obtained professional qualification certificates or licensed pharmacist certificates.If non-pharmacist personnel distribute clinical trial drugs,other equivalent documents should be used instead of dispensing drugs based on prescriptions.

Objective To explore the effects and therapeutic mechanism of electroacupuncture on the levels of polarization markers and inflammatory factors interleukin(IL)-6,IL-4,tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),and IL-10 in rats with para-chlorophenylalanine-induced insomnia(PCPA).Methods Fifty healthy specific-pathogen free grade Sprague-Dawley rats,half male and half female,were randomly divided into a blank group(n=10)and a model reserve group(n=40),in which insomnia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of a 500 mg/kg PCPA suspension.Using the random number table method,the 30 successfully modeled rats were divided into three treatment groups of 10 rats/group:model,electroacupuncture,and estazolam.The estazolam group was given estazolam 0.2 mg/(kg·d)by gavage;the electroacupuncture group was given once-daily electroacupuncture at the"Shenmen"and"Sanyinjiao"acupoints,and stimulation at the"Baihui"and"Benshen"acupoints,20 minutes each time,for 7 consecutive days.Following treatment,serum and hypothalamic levels of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-4,and IL-10 were detected using ELISA and Western blot,while immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the presence of Iba-1 in hypothalamic microglia and the co-expression of CD86 and CD163,which are markers for the M1 and M2 subtypes of microglial cells,respectively.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group exhibited prolonged sleep latency(SL)(P＜0.01),shortened sleep duration(ST)(P＜0.05),significantly higher serum and hypothalamic protein levels of IL-6 and TNF-α(P＜0.01),and significantly lower levels of IL-4 and IL-10(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the electroacupuncture and estazolam groups exhibited significantly shorter SL(P＜0.01),prolonged ST(P＜0.01),significantly lower serum and hypothalamic protein levels of IL-6 and TNF-α(P＜0.01),and significantly higher IL-4 and IL-10 levels(P＜0.01).IL-6 content was lower in the electroacupuncture group than in the estazolam group(P＜0.05).Compared with the blank group,the model group exhibited significantly enhanced Iba-1/CD86(M1 type)co-expression(P＜0.01)alongside significantly weakened Iba-1/CD163(M2 type)co-expression(P＜0.01).Under electroacupuncture or estazolam intervention,Iba-1/CD86 co-expression was significantly weakened(P＜0.01),and Iba-1/CD163 co-expression was significantly enhanced in the model group(P＜0.05).Conclusions Electroacupuncture effectively improved sleep disturbances in rats,with an underlying mechanism that may involve regulation of microglial polarization,downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine levels,upregulation of anti-inflammatory cytokine levels,and alleviation of neuroinflammation,thereby ameliorating sleep.

Objective To explore the risk factors for bile leakage after laparoscopic common bile duct exploration(LCBDE)with primary closure.Methods The clinical data of 560 patients with choledocholithiasis who underwent LCBDE with primary closure in Tianjin Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine from September 2021 to September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed,and the patients were divided into the bile leak group and the non-bile leak group according to the occurrence of postoperative bile leakage.The risk factors affecting the occurrence of postoperative bile leakage were analyzed by multivariate analysis.Results A total of 64 cases(11.4% )experienced varying degrees of bile leakage,including 55 cases of grade A bile leakage,7 cases of grade B,and 2 cases of grade C.The thin common bile duct(OR=0.07,P<0.001),history of hypertension(OR=4.56,P<0.001),and high BMI(OR=1.17,P=0.002)were the risk factors for postoperative bile leakage in patients with choledocholithiasis.Conclusion Patients with thin common bile duct,hypertension and obesity are more likely to occur postoperative bile leakage.Patients with choledocholithiasis who have the above high-risk factors should be cautious in choosing LCBDE with primary closure.