1.Phenomics of traditional Chinese medicine 2.0: the integration with digital medicine
Min Xu ; Xinyi Shao ; Donggeng Guo ; Xiaojing Yan ; Lei Wang ; Tao Yang ; Hao LIANG ; Qinghua PENG ; Lingyu Linda Ye ; Haibo Cheng ; Dayue Darrel Duan
Digital Chinese Medicine 2025;8(3):282-299
Abstract
Modern western medicine typically focuses on treating specific symptoms or diseases, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) emphasizes the interconnections of the body’s various systems under external environment and takes a holistic approach to preventing and treating diseases. Phenomics was initially introduced to the field of TCM in 2008 as a new discipline that studies the laws of integrated and dynamic changes of human clinical phenomes under the scope of the theories and practices of TCM based on phenomics. While TCM Phenomics 1.0 has initially established a clinical phenomic system centered on Zhenghou (a TCM definition of clinical phenome), bottlenecks remain in data standardization, mechanistic interpretation, and precision intervention. Here, we systematically elaborates on the theoretical foundations, technical pathways, and future challenges of integrating digital medicine with TCM phenomics under the framework of “TCM phenomics 2.0”, which is supported by digital medicine technologies such as artificial intelligence, wearable devices, medical digital twins, and multi-omics integration. This framework aims to construct a closed-loop system of “Zhenghou–Phenome–Mechanism–Intervention” and to enable the digitization, standardization, and precision of disease diagnosis and treatment. The integration of digital medicine and TCM phenomics not only promotes the modernization and scientific transformation of TCM theory and practice but also offers new paradigms for precision medicine. In practice, digital tools facilitate multi-source clinical data acquisition and standardization, while AI and big data algorithms help reveal the correlations between clinical Zhenghou phenomes and molecular mechanisms, thereby improving scientific rigor in diagnosis, efficacy evaluation, and personalized intervention. Nevertheless, challenges persist, including data quality and standardization issues, shortage of interdisciplinary talents, and insufficiency of ethical and legal regulations. Future development requires establishing national data-sharing platforms, strengthening international collaboration, fostering interdisciplinary professionals, and improving ethical and legal frameworks. Ultimately, this approach seeks to build a new disease identification and classification system centered on phenomes and to achieve the inheritance, innovation, and modernization of TCM diagnostic and therapeutic patterns.
2.Impact of inhaled corticosteroid use on elderly chronic pulmonary disease patients with community acquired pneumonia.
Xiudi HAN ; Hong WANG ; Liang CHEN ; Yimin WANG ; Hui LI ; Fei ZHOU ; Xiqian XING ; Chunxiao ZHANG ; Lijun SUO ; Jinxiang WANG ; Guohua YU ; Guangqiang WANG ; Xuexin YAO ; Hongxia YU ; Lei WANG ; Meng LIU ; Chunxue XUE ; Bo LIU ; Xiaoli ZHU ; Yanli LI ; Ying XIAO ; Xiaojing CUI ; Lijuan LI ; Xuedong LIU ; Bin CAO
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(2):241-243
3.Application of methylation detection in gynecologic tumors
Xiaojing CHEN ; Jinghe LANG ; Lei LI
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;47(4):353-358
The occurrence and development of human malignancies is often accompanied by epigenetic changes, and DNA methylation is one of the most common epigenetic modification. Methylation events are often discovered in the early stage of gynecologic neoplasia. The methylation detection protocol based on liquid biopsy technology has made important progress in the screening and prognosis assessment of gynecologic tumors. The reliability of methylation detection in micro-noninvasive samples from multiple sources is similar to or better than that of traditional protocols and strategies. This article reviews the progress of methylation detection in screening, diagnosis and monitoring of gynecologic tumors, and discusses its value in the present and future diagnosis and treatment of gynecologic tumors.
4.Differences in exosome miRNAs in human breast milk between preterm and full-term infants
Yinfei WANG ; Qin YIN ; Sijie ZENG ; Lei SUN ; Qinhui YAN ; Xiaojing SHENG
Chinese Journal of Child Health Care 2024;32(4):377-383
【Objective】 To evaluate the differential miRNA expression of breast milk exosome in premature and full-term groups, and to analyze the regulatory pathways by bioinformatics, so as to provide guidance and scientific basis for the growth and development of premature infants and the prevention and treatment of related diseases. 【Methods】 From August 2020 to June 2021, breast milk samples from 13 premature (premate group) and 9 full-term infants(full-term group) in the Department of Child Health Care of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were collected to extract exosomes. The miRNAs of two groups of breast milk exosomes were sequenced by high-throughput sequencing. According to the sequencing results, miRNA expression profiles of milk exosome were analyzed. Biological function software was used to carry out GO and KEGG pathway analysis of differential miRNA. 【Results】 The expression of miRNA in human milk exosomes was rich, especially hsa-miR-148a-3p,hsa-let-7b-5p, hsa-let-7g-5p, hsa-miR-22-3p, hsa-miR-99a-5p, hsa-miR-200, hsa-miR-146b-5p and hsa-miR-26a-5p were relatively high expressed in preterm group and full-term group. Differential expression analysis showed that compared with full-term infant breast milk, 7 miRNAs were up-regulated(log
5.Research progress of glycogen synthesis kinase-3β in the development of diabetic nephropathy
Xuanfeng SUN ; Huixia CAO ; Xiaojing JIAO ; Lina ZHANG ; Lei YAN ; Fengmin SHAO
Journal of Xinxiang Medical College 2024;41(1):77-81
Diabetic nephropathy(DN)is one of the most important complications of diabetes.Its pathogenesis is com-plex and has not been fully elucidated.Epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)plays an important role in the development of DN.Relevant data show that glycogen synthesis kinase-3β(GSK-3β)participates in the process of EMT through multiple sig-naling pathways and affects the occurrence and progression of DN.This article reviews the research progress of GSK-3β in-volved in EMT in DN.
6.Identification of sulfakinin and its receptor gene in Aedes aegypti and transcriptomic changes in genes knockdown strains
JIANG Linlong ; ZHU XiaoJing ; ZHANG Lei ; HUANG Yuqi ; XU Jingyun ; HAN Qian
China Tropical Medicine 2024;24(1):75-
Objective By exploring the function of sulfakinin (SK) and sulfakinin receptor (SKR) of Aedes aegypti, it laid a certain experimental basis and theoretical basis for the research and development of new insecticides targeting neuropeptides and their receptors. Methods This study investigated the roles of SK and its receptor gene in Ae. aegypti using bioinformatics analysis and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats(CRISPR)/Cas9 knockout technology. Subsequently, RNA interference technology was employed to suppress the expression of SK or its receptor in adult mosquitoes. Lastly, transcriptome sequencing technology was utilized to identify and analyze differentially expressed genes between the interference group and the control group in order to gain insights into their functions. Results It was found that there is only one SK receptor in Ae. aegypti. In addition, during the construction of mutant strains of Ae. aegypti SK and its receptor gene, it was found that only 2% of the G0 generation mutant strains mutated to form chimeras, with a large number of male chimeras dying, and only 14% of female chimeras being able to lay eggs, ultimately resulting in no effective G1 generation mutants. Transcriptome data showed, compared to the control group, 181 genes were significantly differentially expressed after interfering with the SK gene, with 62 genes significantly upregulated and 119 genes significantly downregulated. In addition, after interference with the sulfakinin receptor, 110 genes exhibited significant differential expression, including 20 upregulated and 90 downregulated genes. Cross-analysis of the two datasets identified 46 genes with significant expression changes after interference with sulfakinin or its receptor, with only 4 genes upregulated and the remaining 42 genes significantly downregulated, and the differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in the metabolic pathway, endocrine system, and digestive system. Conclusions The SK and its receptor gene are highly conserved and may primarily play roles in regulating the energy metabolism and digestion functions in Ae. aegypti, thus playing an important role in regulating insect growth and development.
7.A preliminary study on the construction and application of the common prosperity model for the oral health of the elderly in economic acceleration zone
Zhuo CHEN ; Shengmei LEI ; Xiaoting SHEN ; Piao YE ; Xiaojing CHENG ; Qianming CHEN
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2024;59(9):935-941
Objective:To evaluate preliminary application effects of a provincial-county-township-village four-level network framework which aims at promoting oral health of the elderly, and to conduct preliminary evaluations of the application of this model in the prevention and treatment of oral diseases among the elderly in economically accelerated areas.Methods:Based on the population survey in June 2022, the study focuses on the elderly (≥85 years old) veterans who fought in the Korean War and currently resided in Wuyi County, an old revolutionary base area in Zhejiang Province with accelerated economic development. A four-level network medical service model matrix was constructed, spanning from the provincial level to the county, township, and village. Digital oral health records were established, and in-home dental treatment was provided for elderly individuals who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Pre-treatment and 3-months follow-up visits were conducted, and the impact of oral health was recorded using a scale, along with a survey of denture satisfaction.Results:A total of 54 elderly individuals received the geriatric oral healthcare services. After a 3-months follow-up, the mean total score of the oral health impact profile-14 questionnaires was (3.27±3.00), which was significantly lower than the score (32.82±7.15) in pre-treatment ones ( Z=-2.94, P=0.003). Scores in dimensions such as physical pain, functional limitations, psychological discomfort, psychological disorders, and physical disorders were all significantly lower than the pre-treatment scores ( P<0.05). The visual analogue score for denture satisfaction was 48.64±1.21, indicating a satisfaction rate of 100% (11/11). Conclusions:These findings confirm the favorable preliminary application effects of the four-level network framework in improving the prevention and treatment of oral diseases among the elderly in economically accelerated areas.
8.Expert consensus on difficulty assessment of endodontic therapy
Huang DINGMING ; Wang XIAOYAN ; Liang JINGPING ; Ling JUNQI ; Bian ZHUAN ; Yu QING ; Hou BENXIANG ; Chen XINMEI ; Li JIYAO ; Ye LING ; Cheng LEI ; Xu XIN ; Hu TAO ; Wu HONGKUN ; Guo BIN ; Su QIN ; Chen ZHI ; Qiu LIHONG ; Chen WENXIA ; Wei XI ; Huang ZHENGWEI ; Yu JINHUA ; Lin ZHENGMEI ; Zhang QI ; Yang DEQIN ; Zhao JIN ; Pan SHUANG ; Yang JIAN ; Wu JIAYUAN ; Pan YIHUAI ; Xie XIAOLI ; Deng SHULI ; Huang XIAOJING ; Zhang LAN ; Yue LIN ; Zhou XUEDONG
International Journal of Oral Science 2024;16(1):15-25
Endodontic diseases are a kind of chronic infectious oral disease.Common endodontic treatment concepts are based on the removal of inflamed or necrotic pulp tissue and the replacement by gutta-percha.However,it is very essential for endodontic treatment to debride the root canal system and prevent the root canal system from bacterial reinfection after root canal therapy(RCT).Recent research,encompassing bacterial etiology and advanced imaging techniques,contributes to our understanding of the root canal system's anatomy intricacies and the technique sensitivity of RCT.Success in RCT hinges on factors like patients,infection severity,root canal anatomy,and treatment techniques.Therefore,improving disease management is a key issue to combat endodontic diseases and cure periapical lesions.The clinical difficulty assessment system of RCT is established based on patient conditions,tooth conditions,root canal configuration,and root canal needing retreatment,and emphasizes pre-treatment risk assessment for optimal outcomes.The findings suggest that the presence of risk factors may correlate with the challenge of achieving the high standard required for RCT.These insights contribute not only to improve education but also aid practitioners in treatment planning and referral decision-making within the field of endodontics.
9.Unveiling the oral-gut connection:chronic apical periodontitis accelerates atherosclerosis via gut microbiota dysbiosis and altered metabolites in apoE-/-Mice on a high-fat diet
Gan GUOWU ; Lin SHIHAN ; Luo YUFANG ; Zeng YU ; Lu BEIBEI ; Zhang REN ; Chen SHUAI ; Lei HUAXIANG ; Cai ZHIYU ; Huang XIAOJING
International Journal of Oral Science 2024;16(3):515-527
The aim of this study was to explore the impact of chronic apical periodontitis(CAP)on atherosclerosis in apoE-/-mice fed high-fat diet(HFD).This investigation focused on the gut microbiota,metabolites,and intestinal barrier function to uncover potential links between oral health and cardiovascular disease(CVD).In this study,CAP was shown to exacerbate atherosclerosis in HFD-fed apoE-/-mice,as evidenced by the increase in plaque size and volume in the aortic walls observed via Oil Red O staining.16S rRNA sequencing revealed significant alterations in the gut microbiota,with harmful bacterial species thriving while beneficial species declining.Metabolomic profiling indicated disruptions in lipid metabolism and primary bile acid synthesis,leading to elevated levels of taurochenodeoxycholic acid(TCDCA),taurocholic acid(TCA),and tauroursodeoxycholic acid(TDCA).These metabolic shifts may contribute to atherosclerosis development.Furthermore,impaired intestinal barrier function,characterized by reduced mucin expression and disrupted tight junction proteins,was observed.The increased intestinal permeability observed was positively correlated with the severity of atherosclerotic lesions,highlighting the importance of the intestinal barrier in cardiovascular health.In conclusion,this research underscores the intricate interplay among oral health,gut microbiota composition,metabolite profiles,and CVD incidence.These findings emphasize the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene as a potential preventive measure against cardiovascular issues,as well as the need for further investigations into the intricate mechanisms linking oral health,gut microbiota,and metabolic pathways in CVD development.
10.Summary of best evidence for prevention and management of radiation esophagitis in patients with chest tumors
Lei LEI ; Xiaojing XUE ; Lan WANG ; Fang HE ; Xiaoyan WANG ; Yuan JIANG ; Wenxi LI ; Xiaoying ZHONG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(24):3318-3325
Objective:To summarize the best evidence for the prevention and management of radiation esophagitis in patients with chest tumors, so as to provide basis for the prevention and management of radiation esophagitis in patients.Methods:The research question was proposed based on the population, intervention, professional, outcome, setting and type of evidence (PIPOST) model, and guidelines, expert consensus, clinical decision-making, evidence summary, systematic review, and randomized controlled trials on the prevention and management of radiation esophagitis in chest tumor patients were systematically searched on UpToDate, BMJ Best Practice, Cochrane Library, PubMed, American Society of Clinical Oncology, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang Data, and other databases and websites based on the "6S" model. The search period was from database establishment to August 1, 2023. Two researchers independently evaluated the quality of the literature and extracted and integrated evidence from the literature that met the quality standards.Results:A total of ten articles were included, including three guidelines, one expert consensus, one systematic review, two systematic evaluations, and three randomized controlled trials. Twenty-three pieces of evidence were summarized from six dimensions of building multidisciplinary teams, screening and evaluation, nutritional support, drug and non-drug prevention, integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine treatment, and health education.Conclusions:The included evidence can provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and management of radiation esophagitis in patients undergoing chest tumor radiotherapy. Clinical medical and nursing personnel can provide personalized interventions to patients based on clinical practice.

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