1.Integrated evidence chain (Eff-iEC) based effectiveness evaluation of a multifunctional traditional Chinese medicine formula: Taking Xiaoyao San as an example
Caiping HE ; Ye LUO ; Zhiqi LI ; Haocheng YANG ; Lu LIU ; Yingjie XU ; Xiaoyan CHEN ; Siqi HUANG ; Jincai WEN ; Xiaoyan ZHAN ; Zhaofang BAI ; Xu ZHAO ; Xiaohe XIAO
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(1):96-103
The study focuses on the concept of multifunctional traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulas and aims to evaluate the efficacy of the classical formula Xiaoyao San (逍遥散). Study employs the integrated evidence chain (Eff-iEC) method to organize, integrate, and evaluate its therapeutic efficacy in treating different diseases with the same therapy, and to investigate the feasibility of using Eff-iEC to evaluate the multifunctionality of TCM formulas. The evaluation covered Xiaoyao San's therapeutic effects on depression, premenstrual syndrome, chronic hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, and menopausal syndrome. Concurrently, the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used for evaluation, and authoritative medical documents were incorporated to corroborate the recognition of Xiaoyao San within the medical community. Depression and menopausal syndrome received higher ratings than other conditions in the Eff-iEC, GRADE, and Medical Community Recognition assessments. The Eff-iEC evidence grade for Xiaoyao San was rated as "High" or above for chronic hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, and menopausal syndrome. Premenstrual syndrome received a "Moderate +" rating. The GRADE evidence level was "Low-〇〇⨁⨁" for depression, premenstrual syndrome, and chronic hepatitis; "Moderate-〇⨁⨁⨁" for dyspepsia and menopausal syndrome; and "Very Low-〇〇〇⨁" for irritable bowel syndrome. Depression and menopausal syndrome had the highest inclusion frequency, appearing in all 4 categories. Premenstrual syndrome, chronic hepatitis, and dyspepsia are not recommended in Western medical guidelines, but they are included in TCM guidelines, the China National Basic Medical Insurance Drug List, and the China National Essential Drug List. Irritable bowel syndrome appears only in the China National Basic Medical Insurance Drug List and China National Essential Drug List. The evaluation results obtained using the Eff-iEC method align with Medical Community Recognition, providing an objective and comprehensive assessment of Xiaoyao San's efficacy. The findings suggest that Xiaoyao San has strong evidence for treating depression and menopausal syndrome. However, further experimental and clinical trials are needed to assess its efficacy in treating premenstrual syndrome, chronic hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and dyspepsia. These results support the clinical efficacy and rational use of Xiaoyao San, expand the application scope of the Eff-iEC method, and offer valuable insights and methodological references for the comparative evaluation of multifunctional TCM formulas.
2.Pre-operative risk assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence in liver transplant recipients by non-invasive detection of pre-existing genetic lesions
Suqin YANG ; Sunbin LING ; Jianhua LI ; Yan WANG ; Jiapei WANG ; Qiwei HUANG ; Fanming LIU ; Yiqi ZHUANG ; Yingyu ZHENG ; Rui WANG ; Zhe YANG ; Xiaoping ZHENG ; Kai WANG ; Zhikun LIU ; Jun CHEN ; Jianguo WANG ; Haiyang XIE ; Lin ZHOU ; Leiming CHEN ; Guoqiang CAO ; Dandan CHEN ; Junfang JI ; Bin ZHAO ; Chao JIANG ; Di LU ; Xuyong WEI ; Hangjin JIANG ; Qiaonan SHAN ; Hengbo SHI ; Yong-Zhen XU ; Shusen ZHENG ; Zhengxin WANG ; Shengda LIN ; Xiao XU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):884-903
Background/Aims:
Liver transplantation (LT) following total hepatectomy is a life-saving treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC recurrence after LT hinders the effectiveness of the procedure. The objective of this study is to develop a pre-operative risk stratification model based on a liquid biopsy.
Methods:
We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics study of 260 HCC patients from three centers, including clinical data, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma, as well as whole-exome, single-nucleus RNA, and spatial transcriptomics from matched tumor and non-tumor tissues.
Results:
We identified cfDNA-derived copy number alteration (CNA) signatures associated with post-transplant recurrence. By integrating cfDNA-derived CNA profiles with single-cell transcriptomic data, we traced recurrence-associated cfDNA to a distinct subpopulation of malignant cells within the primary tumor. These cells were embedded in a pro-metastatic microenvironment of specialized endothelial subtypes and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Notably, most recurrence-associated lesions were detectable in cfDNA prior to liver transplantation (LT). Building on these insights, we developed the ZJU Criteria based on CNA fragments and tumor markers, a pre-LT risk prediction tool that integrates conventional clinical factors with cfDNA-derived CNA signatures, and validated it using internal and independent external cohorts.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that post-transplant recurrence commonly originates from advanced subclones that emerge late during tumor evolution. The ZJU Criteria provides an accurate, non-invasive strategy that significantly improves pre-LT risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.
3.Research progress on clear aligner mandibular advancement technology in the treatment of adolescent skeletal Class II malocclusion
LU Shengkai ; CEN Xiao ; ZHAO Zhihe ; HUANG Xinqi
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(8):823-832
Skeletal Class II malocclusion is a common dentofacial deformity in adolescents, primarily characterized by mandibular retrognathism. Functional appliance therapy during the pubertal growth spurt to guide mandibular advancement is considered the gold standard. However, traditional functional appliances are often associated with limitations such as bulkiness, poor esthetics, and soft tissue irritation, which can compromise patient compliance. With advancements in digital orthodontics, clear aligner technology integrated with mandibular advancement (clear aligner mandibular advancement, CAMA) has emerged as a novel strategy for treating adolescent skeletal Class II malocclusion, offering advantages in esthetics and comfort while significantly improving patient compliance. CAMA exhibits multidimensional clinical advantages in adolescent malocclusion correction: ① Its mechanical mechanism based on material viscoelasticity optimizes temporomandibular joint stress distribution and induces physiological condylar remodeling, microscopically manifested as increased trabecular fractal dimensions; ② While ensuring mandibular growth, it effectively controls molar eruption through the "bite block effect," providing an optimal solution for vertical control in high-angle cases, and the enhanced precision wing design significantly improves torque control of lower incisors; ③ It improves oropharyngeal airway morphology and respiratory function, benefiting patients' overall health. Although CAMA holds significant value in treating skeletal Class II malocclusion, current research remains insufficient regarding the specific proportions of skeletal versus dental effects, long-term stability of treatment outcomes, and therapeutic boundaries for severe skeletal discrepancies, with most studies being retrospective or short-term. Future research should prioritize prospective multicenter randomized controlled trials, establish personalized diagnostic and treatment systems integrating artificial intelligence-assisted design and biomechanical simulation, and comprehensively analyze multiple factors including temporomandibular joint adaptability to further enhance the clinical value of CAMA.
4.Experience of ZHANG Boli in Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome Based on the Theory of "Diseases Related to Damp,Turbidity,Phlegm,and Rheum"
Hongchang JI ; Jiabao WANG ; Xiao LI ; Guangning QIN ; Lu XIAO ; Jingxian YAN ; Xianglong HUANG ;
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(18):1936-1940
This paper summarized professor ZHANG Boli's experience in syndrome differentiation and treatment of metabolic syndrome (MetS) based on the theory of "diseases related to damp, turbidity, phlegm, and rheum". It is considered that damp, turbidity, phlegm, and rheum are the key pathological factors in the onset of MetS. The core pathogenesis of this disease includes the failure of the liver to govern the free flow of qi, the depletion of spleen and kidney, and the accumulation and impairment caused by damp, turbidity, phlegm, and rheum. It is important to emphasize early intervention, sequential treatment, and thorough elimination of pathogenic factors. The treatment takes fortifying the spleen and promoting middle jiao (焦), soothing the liver and regulating qi, and tonifying the kidney to restore transformation as the fundamental principles. Furthermore, targeted treatments are implemented according to the evolution of damp, turbidity, phlegm, and rheum, including treating damp early, examining the tongue coating to eliminate turbidity, differentiating and treating concurrent phlegm, and applying warm dredging moderately. At the same time, specific medicinals are combined based on abnormal indicators such as blood glucose, blood lipids, blood pressure, and uric acid, aiming to address both root causes and symptoms simultaneously.
5.Association of different blood lipid components with the severity of hepatic steatosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease
Jinjin LIU ; Xinyu ZHAO ; Yibin CHEN ; Dong XU ; Tingting XIAO ; Ying WANG ; Yuqing ZHAO ; Zhengzhao LU ; Cheng HUANG ; Xiaofei TONG ; Hong YOU ; Jingjie ZHAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(9):2059-2066
ObjectiveTo clarify the independent and synergistic effects of dyslipidemia in the progression of hepatic steatosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). MethodsA total of 7 697 participants who underwent physical examination in Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, from January 2022 to December 2024 were enrolled, and finally 2 177 patients with MAFLD were enrolled as subjects. Transient elastography was used to quantify the severity of hepatic steatosis (grades S1-S3). The multivariable ordinal Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the independent and synergistic associations of serum triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with the severity of hepatic steatosis, and their interactions and potential nonlinear relationships with metabolic factors were also examined. One-way analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups, and chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. ResultsAn increase in TG (odds ratio [OR]=1.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.48 — 2.10, P<0.001) and a reduction in HDL-C (OR=1.35, 95%CI: 1.11 — 1.65, P=0.003) were independently associated with a greater severity of hepatic steatosis, with the strongest association when both abnormalities coexisted (OR=2.40, 95%CI: 1.87 — 3.07, P<0.001). The dose-response relationship analysis further revealed a nonlinear threshold effect of TG on hepatic steatosis at the threshold of 1.51 mmol/L (Pnonlinearity=0.001), below which the severity of steatosis increased more rapidly with the increase in TG concentration (P=0.001). The subgroup analysis showed that the association between the reduction in HDL-C and the severity of steatosis was observed only in males, young adults (aged <45 years), and metabolically healthier subgroups (without diabetes, obesity, hyperuricemia or hypertension). Significant interactions were observed between the presence or absence of obesity and the abnormal levels of TG and HDL‑C (both Pinteraction<0.05). The association of the increase in LDL-C with steatosis was confined to specific subgroups (without obesity or hyperuricemia). ConclusionThe increase in TG and the reduction in HDL-C are independently associated with the severity of hepatic steatosis in MAFLD. The synergistic effect of blood lipids and their interactions with metabolic factors may further refine risk stratification, so as to provide a basis for precise management of MAFLD.
6.Digital template-assisted design of fibular composite tissue flap for reconstruction of segmental mandibular and soft tissue defect: a report of 30 cases
Jinyi HUANG ; Xiaoqing HE ; Chenliang XIAO ; Xi YANG ; Xuda ZHAO ; Chao DING ; Lu XU
Chinese Journal of Microsurgery 2025;48(5):539-546
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of digitally assisted design of surgical template for fibular composite tissue flap in reconstruction of segmental mandibular defect with soft tissue defect.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 30 patients who were treated at the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the 920th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of Chinese PLA from July 2020 to May 2024 for segmental mandibular defects combined with soft tissue defect. The cohort comprised 19 males and 11 females and aged 11-71 years (44.33 years±15.31 years). Pathological diagnoses of the patients were ameloblastoma (14 cases), squamous cell carcinoma (9 cases), osteomyelitis (4 cases), and odontogenic keratocyst (3 cases). Primary reconstructive surgery were performed on 21 patients after surgical resection of lesions, and 9 patients received secondary reconstructive surgery. The length of mandibular defect ranged from 75.83 mm to 111.45 mm (87.31 mm±12.00 mm), and soft tissue defects were measured at 5.0 cm×1.8 cm to 8.6 cm×2.1 cm (mean area 13.63 cm 2±2.42 cm 2). Preoperative CTA was performed to locate the perforator of peroneal artery and for design of digital surgical template. Intraoperatively, a modified fibula composite tissue flap harvesting technique was employed and that involved in: CTA-guided perforator planning, fibula osteotomy, anterior intermuscular septum exposure for identifying the peroneal artery, and a digital template-assisted fibula crafting for reconstruction of mandibule and soft tissue defect. Postoperative follow-ups were conducted at 1, 3, and 6 months, followed by quarterly reviews at outpatient clinic or via telephone interviews. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 27.0 software with descriptive statistical methods. Results:After surgery, all the fibula composite tissue flaps were viable and the incision wound healed well. Two patients had partial necroses at distal edge of the flaps, and they were healed after treatment. One patient had donor site infection and healed after anti-infective treatment. One month after the surgery, patients were assessed according to the recovery of face, mouth opening and occlusion, of which 25 patients (83.3%) were rated of Grade I, 4 (13.3%) of Grade Ⅱ, and 1 (3.4%) of Grade Ⅳ, with an excellent and good rates of 96.6%. The average distance of condylar movement on the affected side was 1.28 mm±0.35 mm. Postoperative follow-up lasted for 10 to 22 months, with 19.17 months±2.14 months in average. Assessment at the final follow-up was found that a total of 26 patients (86.8%) were of Grade I, 3 (10.0%) of Grade Ⅱ, and 1 (3.3%) of Grade Ⅳ and all the transferred fibula showed good alignment with the mandible over the postoperative follow-up period.Conclusion:Digital template-assisted design of fibular composite tissue flap enables a precise vascular protection, individualised osteotomy and functional restoration in reconstruction of segmental mandibular defect with soft tissue defect. It demonstrates a high clinical feasibility.
7.Development and reliability and validity test of the Ego Depletion Scale for Type 2 Diabetes Patients
Jiaxin YOU ; Rong XU ; Tian XIA ; Haishan HUANG ; Xiao LU ; Hong LIU ; Yan HUANG ; Qinghua LIU ; Xuna BIAN
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(19):2371-2377
Objective To develop the Ego Depletion Scale for Type 2 Diabetes Patients and evaluate its reliability and validity,and to provide a specific assessment tool for evaluating ego-depletion in self-management.Methods Guided by the self-control strength model,the initial scale was constructed through literature review,semi-structured interviews,2 rounds of expert consultation,and a pilot survey.A convenience sampling method was employed to recruit 460 patients with Type 2 Diabetes from the endocrinology department of a tertiary hospital in Wuhan,Hubei Province,between April and July 2024.They were randomly divided into 2 subsets for exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.Results A total of 451 valid questionnaires were collected.Exploratory factor analysis extracted 6 common factors,with a cumulative variance contribution of 73.231%.In confirmatory factor analysis,an item was deleted due to failing to meet the standardized loading value criterion.The revised Ego Depletion Scale for Type 2 Diabetes Patients comprised 6 dimensions and 22 items.The total Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.911;split-half reliability was 0.744;the content validity index was 0.860.Correlation coefficients between the total score and scores of each dimension of the scale and the total score of the Self-Regulatory Fatigue Scale ranged from 0.558 to 0.946(P<0.001).Conclusion The scale exhibits robust reliability and validity,serving as a scientifically instrument for assessing ego depletion in patients with Type 2 Diabetes.
8.Study of a deep learning-based artificial intelligence model for automatic measurement and classification of cystocele
Ting XIAO ; Xiduo LU ; Yunqing CAO ; Zhuoru LUO ; Siyun DU ; Yide QIU ; Chaojiong ZHEN ; Yinghong WEN ; Dong NI ; Weijun HUANG
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2025;34(4):334-339
Objective:To explore the clinical application value of convolutional neural network(CNN)based on deep learning in the automatic measurement of dynamic pelvic floor ultrasound video parameters and the diagnosis and classification of cystocele.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on dynamic pelvic floor ultrasound videos from 398 postpartum women who underwent examinations at the First People's Hospital of Foshan between June 2020 and June 2022. The lowest point of the posterior bladder wall(PWB),urethral rotation angle(URA),and retrovesical angle(RVA)were manually measured by a senior radiologist(R1)and a junior radiologist(R2),and cystocele was classified according to the Green standard. The CNN model was employed to automatically extract the above parameters and to diagnose and classify cystocele. Using R1 measurements as a reference,intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC)was used to evaluate the consistency between the CNN model and R1,as well as between R2 and R1. The Kappa value was used to assess the agreement between the CNN model,R2,and R1 in the diagnosis and classification of cystocele. Additionally,the time consumption of the three measurement methods was compared.Results:The CNN model showed good consistency with R1 in measuring PWB and URA(ICC = 0.983,0.894),while its consistency in measuring RVA was moderate(ICC = 0.614). The ICC between R2 and R1 in measuring PWB,URA,and RVA was 0.979,0.815,and 0.627,respectively. In the measurement of PWB and URA,the consistency between the CNN model and R1 was superior to that between R2 and R1. For cystocele diagnosis,the Kappa value between the CNN model and R1 was 0.924,which was higher than that between R2 and R1(0.904). In cystocele classification,the Kappa value between the CNN model and R1 was 0.503,also higher than that between R2 and R1(0.426). The CNN model processed a single video in 2.5(0.6)s,significantly faster than R1[59.9(16.9)s]and R2[56.8(11.2)s](all P < 0.001). Conclusions:The CNN model demonstrates high accuracy and efficiency in the measurement,diagnosis,and classification of cystocele,outperforming a junior radiologist and showing potential for clinical application.
9.Development and application research of a lung rehabilitation education game software for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease based on health belief model
Jianlan REN ; Kaili MA ; Daiying ZHANG ; Xuemei HE ; Min HUANG ; Hong XIONG ; Yanhua CHEN ; Huaju TIAN ; Lu XIAO
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(5):525-531
Objective Taking into account the physical and mental characteristics of patients with COPD,we develop and implement a lung rehabilitation education game software,aiming to explore more effective health education practices for COPD.Methods Drawing on the Health Belief Model theory,the game content was developed by semi-structured interviews,brainstorming sessions,and expert consultations,and it was implemented via a WeChat mini program.Patients with COPD from the respiratory department of a tertiary general hospital of Luzhou city between March and October 2023 were conveniently selected as the study subjects.Among them,40 patients from July to October 2023 were designated as an experimental group,and another 40 from March to June 2023 constituted a control group.The experimental group was provided with routine health education combined with pulmonary rehabilitation games,whereas the control group received standard health education.After the intervention,the researchers compared the COPD knowledge questionnaire scores and pulmonary rehabilitation adherence between the 2 groups,and assessed the satisfaction of both patients and nurses with the software.Results No sample detachment.The score of the COPD knowledge questionnaire in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(Z=5.361,P<0.001).The proportion of patients in the experimental group with good adherence to pulmonary rehabilitation(85%)was significantly higher than it in the control group(25%),(x2=29.091,P<0.001).The patients'overall satisfaction rate with the game was 95%,with operational effectiveness receiving the highest satisfaction rating at 97%.Conclusion The pulmonary rehabilitation education game for patients with COPD can improve their knowledge of COPD,enhance their compliance with pulmonary rehabilitation.Patients have high satisfaction with the software.The software enriches the clinical health education methods,which can be used in clinical practice.
10.Correlation between serum ferritin and response rate and prognosis of lung cancer immunotherapy
Li JIANG ; Xiao HUANG ; Yu FU ; Xing LU ; Su-ying LIAO ; Jian JIANG
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(8):711-714
Objective To study the correlation between the serum ferritin level and the pathological classification,tumor stage,PD-L1 expression,disease control rate(DCR),and survival period of patients with lung cancer.Methods A total of 85 patients with lung cancer admitted to our hospital from February 2020 to February 2021 were selected as the research subjects.All patients received immunotherapy,and the serum ferritin levels of patients before and after immunotherapy were detected.Meanwhile,according to the difference in serum ferritin levels before and after immunotherapy,the patients were divided into the increased group(31 cases)and the decreased group(54 cases).The correlation between the serum ferritin level and the pathological classification,tumor stage and PD-L1 expression level of patients was analyzed,and the DCRs and survival periods of patients with serum ferritin level≥300 ng/mL and<300 ng/mL before treatment were compared,as well as the increased group and the decreased group.The survival curve of patients in each group was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier.Results Patients with tumor stage Ⅰ to Ⅲ showed significantly lower serum ferritin levels than patients with tumor stage Ⅳ(P<0.05).The DCR,3-year survival rate and progression-free survival(PFS)of patients with serum ferritin level≥300 ng/mL were significantly lower/shorter than those of patients with serum ferritin level<300 ng/mL(P<0.05).The DCR,3-year survival rate and PFS of patients in the increased group were significantly lower/shorter than those in the decreased group(P<0.05).Conclusion The increased serum ferritin level in lung cancer patients before treatment and the further increase after treatment are significantly associated with the reduced efficacy of immunotherapy and the shortened survival period.The combination of baseline serum ferritin levels before treatment and dynamic changes after treatment may serve as a clinical biomarker panel for predicting immunotherapy outcomes.


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