1.Research progress on ethical issues and regulatory pathways of large language models in clinical applications
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(1):24-30
Large language models (LLM) are increasingly applied in the medical field, yet their clinical implementation faces numerous ethical and regulatory challenges. This paper reviews seven major ethical challenges: patient safety and accuracy, bias and fairness, privacy and data protection, transparency and explainability, accountability and legal liability, patient autonomy and informed consent, and the doctor-patient relationship and trust. At the regulatory level, international research indicates that United States currently lacks specific regulations for medical LLM use, while is exploring the regulation of high-risk LLM. The EU’s AI Act classifies medical AI as high-risk and imposes stringent compliance requirements. China has issued generative AI management measures and advocates industry standards, though its legal framework remains incomplete. Solutions include embedding ethical principles during model development, strengthening human-machine collaboration and manual oversight in clinical settings, establishing clear legal standards for accountability, safeguarding data privacy and security, implementing continuous monitoring and improvement, and deepening international cooperation and multidisciplinary governance.
2.A qualitative study on the driving forces for oncology nurses’ participation in palliative care work
Xinyao YUAN ; Pengyun LI ; Sujuan HAO ; Fen WANG ; Dan XU ; Jiahe LI ; Xuancheng CHEN ; Huiling LI
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(3):358-364
ObjectiveTo explore the driving forces for oncology nurses’ participation in palliative care work, thereby providing a theoretical basis for the improvement of education and training, incentive mechanisms, and other aspects of the palliative care nursing staff. MethodsEmploying a qualitative research method, semi-structured interviews lasting 40-60 minutes were conducted with 14 nurses who had participated in palliative care work. The interview data were analyzed using the Colaizzi seven-step analysis method. ResultsInternal positive driving forces were job interest, empathy, and a sense of professional responsibility, while the negative was low psychological resilience. External positive driving forces included high work support, professional identity, mutual benefits for nurses and patients, and positive patient attitudes, whereas negative driving forces comprised busy routine clinical work, lack of a reward and incentive system, and bland or negative patient attitudes. ConclusionIt is essential to provide a flexible platform for the enhancement of nurses’ professional capabilities in palliative care, intensify the publicity of palliative care and death education; intervene and guide nurses’ negative emotions, improve and implement relevant incentive systems, and standardize the job recognition and scope of responsibilities of palliative care nurses.
3.Exploring Pathogenesis and Treatment Principles of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Based on Spleen-mitochondria Correlation
Shiyi WANG ; Miao YU ; Xinyao HE ; Zi WANG ; Haijun LUAN ; Yibo SUN ; Haotong WANG ; Linlin WANG ; Lijian PANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):258-264
According to the Qi-blood-body fluid theory and the association between the spleen in visceral manifestation theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and mitochondria in modern cellular biology, it is proposed that the role of the spleen in generating and transforming Qi and blood is analogous to the energy-producing function of mitochondria—both serving as fundamental power sources for vital activities of the human body. The spleen governs transportation and transformation, playing a critical role in energy metabolism and the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Similarly, mitochondria are vital for maintaining physiological functions such as cellular energy supply, cell survival, and overall human metabolism. Furthermore, spleen deficiency is closely linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. Accordingly, mitochondrial energy conversion and substance metabolism are regarded as the microscopic essence of the spleen's function in transportation and transformation. Spleen deficiency and mitochondrial dysfunction contribute to the formation of pathological products such as phlegm-turbidity and blood stasis. This aligns with the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with Qi deficiency as the root cause and phlegm-turbidity and blood stasis as the manifestations. Therefore, the integrative treatment of COPD should follow the therapeutic principle of invigorating the spleen and reinforcing healthy Qi, while also resolving phlegm and removing blood stasis to address both root cause and manifestations. This approach can improve the mitochondrial function, regulate energy metabolism, and reduce oxidative stress levels to alleviate COPD symptoms, slow down disease progression, and improve prognosis. By integrating the holistic concept of TCM with molecular mechanisms of modern medicine, this paper explores the pathogenesis and therapeutic principles of COPD from the spleen-mitochondria correlation. It not only provides a new direction for the modern development of TCM and the integration of Chinese and Western medicine but also offers a theoretical foundation for the integrated treatment of chronic, complex age-related diseases.
4.Exploring Pathogenesis and Treatment Principles of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Based on Spleen-mitochondria Correlation
Shiyi WANG ; Miao YU ; Xinyao HE ; Zi WANG ; Haijun LUAN ; Yibo SUN ; Haotong WANG ; Linlin WANG ; Lijian PANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):258-264
According to the Qi-blood-body fluid theory and the association between the spleen in visceral manifestation theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and mitochondria in modern cellular biology, it is proposed that the role of the spleen in generating and transforming Qi and blood is analogous to the energy-producing function of mitochondria—both serving as fundamental power sources for vital activities of the human body. The spleen governs transportation and transformation, playing a critical role in energy metabolism and the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Similarly, mitochondria are vital for maintaining physiological functions such as cellular energy supply, cell survival, and overall human metabolism. Furthermore, spleen deficiency is closely linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. Accordingly, mitochondrial energy conversion and substance metabolism are regarded as the microscopic essence of the spleen's function in transportation and transformation. Spleen deficiency and mitochondrial dysfunction contribute to the formation of pathological products such as phlegm-turbidity and blood stasis. This aligns with the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with Qi deficiency as the root cause and phlegm-turbidity and blood stasis as the manifestations. Therefore, the integrative treatment of COPD should follow the therapeutic principle of invigorating the spleen and reinforcing healthy Qi, while also resolving phlegm and removing blood stasis to address both root cause and manifestations. This approach can improve the mitochondrial function, regulate energy metabolism, and reduce oxidative stress levels to alleviate COPD symptoms, slow down disease progression, and improve prognosis. By integrating the holistic concept of TCM with molecular mechanisms of modern medicine, this paper explores the pathogenesis and therapeutic principles of COPD from the spleen-mitochondria correlation. It not only provides a new direction for the modern development of TCM and the integration of Chinese and Western medicine but also offers a theoretical foundation for the integrated treatment of chronic, complex age-related diseases.
5.Transcriptomic responses of Bulinus globosus to extreme temperature and drought stress
Xinyao WANG ; Dandan PENG ; Ying YANG ; Jianfeng ZHANG ; Zhiqiang QIN ; Kun YANG ; Shizhu LI ; Jing XU
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(1):29-37
Objective To examine the impact of extreme temperature and drought stress on the survival of Bulinus globosus, so as to provide the theoretical evidence for the genomic research of Bulinus in absence of reference genes. Methods B. globosus snail samples were collected from Kiwani Shehia in Pemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania, and offspring snails were obtained through laboratory breeding and reproduction. A total of 120 10-week-old B. globosus snails from the same generation were selected and randomly assigned into four groups, including the high-temperature drought (HD) group, normal temperature drought (D) group, low-temperature drought (LD) group, and the control (C) group, of 30 snails in each group. Snails in HD, D, and LD groups were placed in beakers containing dry soil at the bottom and subsequently housed in climate chambers at 35, 26 ℃, and 10 ℃, respectively, while snails in Group C were maintained in 500 mL petri dishes containing dechlorinated tap water at 26 ℃. Following 3 days of breeding, living snails in each group were collected, and soft tissues were dissected and isolated. Total RNA was extracted from snail soft tissues for library construction, followed by high-throughput sequencing on the Illumina HiSeq 4000 sequencing system. De novo transcriptome assembly was performed using the Trinity software, and the longest transcripts were selected as unigenes. Gene functional annotations of unigenes were conducted using the Diamond software against Gene Ontology (GO) knowledgebase, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway database, NCBI non-redundant (NR) protein sequences database, Protein Family (Pfam) database, and UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot (Swiss-Prot) knowledgebase. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were performed using the topGO and clusterProfiler software, respectively. In addition, four relevant genes were selected for validation using a real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) assay to verify the reliability of transcriptome sequencing results. Results Following 3 days of breeding, there were 7, 20, 28, and 30 survival B. globosus snails in HD, LD, D, and C groups, with corresponding survival rates of 23.33% (7/30), 66.67% (20/30), 93.33% (28/30), and 100.00% (30/30), respectively (χ2 = 52.72, P < 0.001). De novo transcriptome assembly generated 176 942 unigenes, with annotation rates of 0.98%, 13.49%, 26.46%, 12.48%, and 14.39% against GO knowledgebase, KEGG pathway database, NR protein sequences database, Pfam database, and Swiss-Prot knowledgebase, respectively. There were 33 up-regulated and 72 down-regulated genes in Group D, 483 up-regulated and 815 down-regulated genes in Group HD, and 245 up-regulated and 172 down-regulated genes in Group LD relative to in Group C. Following removal of overlapping genes across groups and unmatched genes, 11 candidate genes were identified. GO and KEGG analyses revealed 3 heat shock protein (HSP)-related DEGs in these 11 candidate genes, which were annotated as HSP12.2, HSP70, and HSP20 genes and were all significantly up-regulated in each treatment group. Three immune and nervous system-related DEGs were identified, and were all significantly down-regulated in each treatment group, which were involved in the neural cell adhesion molecule L1-like protein pathway, fibrinogen binding protein pathway, and leukocyte elastase inhibitor-like protein pathway. qRT-PCR assay quantified that the expression trends of four genes related to temperature and drought stress across different treatment groups were highly consistent with transcriptome sequencing data. Conclusion The survival rate of B. globosus significantly reduces under combined stresses of extreme temperature and drought, possibly due to an imbalance in its cellular homeostasis regulatory system.
6.Transcriptomic analysis of the regulatory mechanism of lipocalin-2 in silicosis inflammation
Yanan SUN ; Yue ZHANG ; Xinyao WANG ; Fangze WAN ; Heliang LIU ; Hongli WANG ; Sanqiao YAO ; Hailan HE
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(6):702-708
Background Lung tissue fibrosis caused by exposure to free silica (SiO2) dust is the core pathological feature of silicosis. Lipocalin-2 (LCN2), as a secreted glycoprotein, plays an important role in various inflammatory diseases, but its specific role in silicosis-induced inflammatory injury remains unclear. Objective To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and enriched pathways in the lung tissues of rats with silicosis, and to explore the regulatory mechanism of LCN2 in silicosis inflammation. Methods Twenty specific pathogen-free male SD rats were randomly divided into a control group and a silicosis model group (n=10 per group). The silicosis model was established via a single intratracheal instillation of silicon dioxide (SiO2) suspension (50 mg), while the control group received an equal volume of normal saline. In vitro, NR8383 cells were divided into a control group and a SiO2 treatment group. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Van Gieson (VG) staining were used to evaluate alveolar structure damage, inflammatory infiltration, and collagen deposition in the lung tissues. Transcriptomic sequencing was applied to screen for DEGs and enriched signaling pathways. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), E-cadherin (ECA), cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36), liver X receptor (LXR), ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), and LCN2 in both rat lung tissues and NR8383 cells. Immunohistochemistry was used to further assess LCN2 expression and localization. Additionally, NR8383 cells were treated with the LCN2 inhibitor ZINC00640089 and assigned to four groups: control, ZINC00640089-only, SiO2, and SiO2+ZINC00640089. Western blot was used to evaluate the expression of LCN2, IL-6, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Results HE and VG staining revealed disorganized lung tissue structure, damaged alveolar walls, nodule formation, and increased collagen deposition in the silicosis model group compared to the controls. Transcriptomic analysis identified 2723 DEGs in the lung tissues of silicosis rats (312 down-regulated and 2411 up-regulated) with LCN2 expression being significantly up-regulated. These DEGs were primarily enriched in pathways related to the innate immune response, extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction, and inflammatory response. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed elevated LCN2 levels in the lung tissues of the model rats. Western blot demonstrated that the protein levels of IL-6, CD36, and LCN2 were significantly increased (P<0.05), whereas ABCA1 and ECA were significantly decreased in the silicosis group (P<0.05). Similarly, in SiO2-treated NR8383 cells, IL-6, CD36, and LCN2 expressions significantly increased (P<0.05), while ABCA1 and LXR significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the SiO2 group, treatment with ZINC00640089 significantly reduced the expression levels of LCN2, IL-6, and IL-1β (P<0.05). Conclusion LCN2 is significantly upregulated in both the lung tissues of silicosis rats and SiO2-treated NR8383 cells. Inhibiting LCN2 expression effectively reduces the SiO2-induced inflammatory response, indicating that LCN2 serves as a potential therapeutic target for silicosis.
7.Effects of the myopia prevention and control guidance station on axial elongation in school-age children
Xuemei FU ; Jiang LIN ; Rui WANG ; Xinyao MAO ; Kaibo FANG ; Bingqing SONG
International Eye Science 2026;26(11):2038-2043
AIM: To evaluate the effects of the myopia prevention and control guidance station(MPCGS)on axial elongation in school-age children.METHODS:This was a prospective cohort study.Students enrolled in Grades 1 to 3 of primary schools in Qingyang District, Chengdu, in the first half of 2022 who completed continuous follow-up from 2022 to 2025 were included in this study. Among them, three schools that implemented the MPCGS in 2023 were assigned to the intervention group, and another three schools in the same district without MPCGS served as the control group. The intervention group received the school-hospital-family integrated model for myopia prevention and control,while the control group only received routine vision screening without such intervention measures.Students were categorized into three groups based on their grade in 2022: Group A(Grade 1), Group B(Grade 2), and Group C(Grade 3). Comparisons were stratified by grade, with independent samples t-tests used for intergroup analyses of annual axial elongation(ΔAL)between the intervention and control groups, and repeated-measures ANOVA(Bonferroni-corrected post-hoc test)used for intervention group comparisons across different time points.RESULTS:Totally 3 404 students were enrolled in this study, including 1 709 in the intervention group(897 males and 812 females, aged 7.64±0.88 y)and 1 695 in the control group(902 males and 793 females, aged 7.75±0.97 y). In the intervention group, there were 537 students in subgroup A(293 males and 244 females, aged 7.08±0.28 y), 721 in subgroup B(369 males and 352 females, aged 8.03±0.29 y), and 451 in subgroup C(235 males and 216 females, aged 9.07±0.30 y). In the control group, there were 559 students in subgroup A(295 males and 264 females, aged 7.05±0.28 y), 497 in subgroup B(269 males and 228 females, aged 8.04±0.30 y), and 639 in subgroup C(338 males and 301 females, aged 9.08±0.30 y). No significant differences were observed between the intervention and control groups within each grade(A, B, and C)at baseline age, sex, SE, AL, ΔSE(2022-2023), and ΔAL(2022-2023)(all P>0.05). During the first intervention year(2023-2024), intergroup comparisons revealed no significant differences in ΔAL between the intervention and control groups within Groups A, B, and C(all P>0.05). During the second intervention year(2024-2025), the intervention group showed significantly lower ΔAL than the control group within Groups A and B(PSymbol|@@0.001 and P=0.017, respectively), while no significant difference in ΔAL was detected in Group C(P=0.419). In the intervention group, there were significant differences in ΔAL at different time points among Groups A, B and C(all P<0.001). Compared with the first year before intervention, the ΔAL of each subgroup significantly decreased in the second year of intervention(all P<0.0167).CONCLUSION:The implementation of the school-hospital-family integrated MPCGS model was associated with slowed axial elongation. This association exhibited a time-dependent cumulative effect and was more pronounced in lower-grade children(grades 1-2).
8.Progress of global tuberculosis vaccines research and development
Xinyao WANG ; Meili JIANG ; Yuanjie PANG ; Dianjianyi SUN ; Canqing YU ; Lan WANG ; Jun LYU ; Liming LI
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(8):1473-1479
Tuberculosis (TB) is still a major public health issue today. A novel TB vaccine is a key approach to reaching the targets of WHO's End-TB Strategy. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the research and development of TB vaccines both in China and abroad. A breakthrough has been made in both application scenarios and technological routes, and several vaccine candidates have entered phase Ⅲ clinical trials. This review summarizes information from clinical trials involving key TB vaccine candidates under development in China and abroad. It highlights six candidates that are most promising for marketing or inspiring future research and development, analyzes the current difficulties in the research and development of novel TB vaccines, and provides an outlook for the future.
9.Advances and challenges in drug design against dental caries: Application of in silico approaches.
Zhongxin CHEN ; Xinyao ZHAO ; Hanyu ZHENG ; Yufei WANG ; Linglin ZHANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(6):101161-101161
Dental caries, a chronic disease characterized by tooth decay, occupies the second position in terms of disease burden and is primarily caused by cariogenic bacteria, especially Streptococcus mutans, because of its acidogenic, aciduric, and biofilm-forming capabilities. Developing novel targeted anti-virulence agents is always a focal point in caries control to overcome the limitations of conventional anti-virulence agents. The current study represents an up-to-date review of in silico approaches of drug design against dental caries, which have emerged more and more powerful complementary to biochemical attempts. Firstly, we categorize the in silico approaches into computer-aided drug design (CADD) and AI-assisted drug design (AIDD) and highlight the specific methods and models they contain respectively. Subsequently, we detail the design of anti-virulence drugs targeting single or multiple cariogenic virulence targets of S. mutans, such as glucosyltransferases (Gtfs), antigen I/II (AgI/II), sortase A (SrtA), the VicRK signal transduction system and superoxide dismutases (SODs). Finally, we outline the current opportunities and challenges encountered in this field to aid future endeavors and applications of CADD and AIDD in anti-virulence drug design.
10.Advances and challenges in drug design against dental caries:Application of in silico approaches
Zhongxin CHEN ; Xinyao ZHAO ; Hanyu ZHENG ; Yufei WANG ; Linglin ZHANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(6):1202-1214
Dental caries,a chronic disease characterized by tooth decay,occupies the second position in terms of disease burden and is primarily caused by cariogenic bacteria,especially Streptococcus mutans,because of its acidogenic,aciduric,and biofilm-forming capabilities.Developing novel targeted anti-virulence agents is always a focal point in caries control to overcome the limitations of conventional anti-virulence agents.The current study represents an up-to-date review of in silico approaches of drug design against dental caries,which have emerged more and more powerful complementary to biochemical attempts.Firstly,we categorize the in silico approaches into computer-aided drug design(CADD)and AI-assisted drug design(AIDD)and highlight the specific methods and models they contain respectively.Subsequently,we detail the design of anti-virulence drugs targeting single or multiple cariogenic virulence targets of S.mutans,such as glucosyltransferases(Gtfs),antigen Ⅰ/Ⅱ(AgⅠ/Ⅱ),sortase A(SrtA),the VicRK signal transduction system and superoxide dismutases(SODs).Finally,we outline the current opportunities and challenges encountered in this field to aid future endeavors and applications of CADD and AIDD in anti-virulence drug design.

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