1.Clinical Efficacy and Economic Evaluation of 1293 Non-Severe Adult Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia Treated by the Jiangsu Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Dominant Diseases:A Multicenter,Retrospective Real-World Cohort Study
Ye MA ; Yeqing JI ; Zhichao WANG ; Fanchao FENG ; Mingzhi PU ; Hong LYU ; Xiaodong HU ; Gaohua FENG ; Xiaoqian FANG ; Guicai ZHANG ; Yanfen TANG ; Yeqing ZHANG ; Yao ZHUFU ; Wenpan PENG ; Hao WANG ; Cheng GU ; Zhichao ZHANG ; Shuang YANG ; Xinyu SUN ; Qi ZHAO ; Aojie GUO ; Xin TONG ; Zhuoyue WU ; Xiaoxiao WANG ; Jia LIU ; Hailang HE ; Xianmei ZHOU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):966-974
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and economic value of the Jiangsu Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Dominant Diseases (abbreviated as the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol) in adult patients with non-severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) based on real-world clinical data. MethodsA retrospective real-world cohort study was conducted using electronic medical records of adult patients hospitalized for non-severe CAP from September 1st, 2023 to December 31st, 2024 across 10 TCM hospitals in Jiangsu province. Patients were classified into an exposure group and a non-exposure group based on whether they received Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) according to the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol. The non-exposure group received only conventional western medicine, while the exposure group additionally received differentiated CHM for at least five consecutive days. Outcomes were compared between two patient groups, including cough resolution rate, sputum resolution rate (assessed by volume, color, and consistency), incidence of abnormal C-reactive protein (CRP), incidence of abnormal white blood cell (WBC) count, and radiographic resolution rate of pulmonary infiltrates on chest imaging. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors influencing clinical efficacy. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to age, gender, smoking status, history of hypertension, and pneumonia severity score (CURB-65), and the efficacy of treatment for cough and sputum was analyzed within each subgroup. Cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted using cough resolution rate as the outcome measure, evaluating the pharmacoeconomics of the two groups. ResultsA total of 1688 patients were included with 1293 in the exposure group and 395 in the non-exposure group. Compared to the non-exposure group, the exposure group demonstrated significantly higher resolution rates of cough, sputum volume, color, and consistency, as well as a significantly lower incidence of abnormal CRP (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of abnormal WBC count and radiographic resolution rate of pulmonary infiltrates (P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the cough resolution rate in the exposure group was 1.83 times that of the non-exposure group, while the probabilities of resolution in sputum volume, color, and consistency were 1.37, 2.09, and 1.56 times those of the non-exposure group, respectively (P<0.05). Subgroup analyses showed that the exposure group achieved significantly higher cough resolution rates across most subgroups except for populations with a CURB-65 score ≥2 or those with a history of hypertension (P<0.05). Specifically, among females, patients aged ≥18 and <65 years, non-smokers, those without hypertension, and those with a CURB-65 score of 0, the exposure group showed a higher cough resolution rate than the non-exposure group (P<0.05). From an economic perspective, total hospitalization cost, length of stay, antibiotic cost, and CHM cost all differed significantly between groups (P<0.05). The cost-effectiveness ratio (CER) was 10,788.80 CNY/case in the exposure group, while 22,513.80 CNY/case in the non-exposure group. This implies that, compared with the exposure group, the non-exposure group incurred an additional 17,302.27 CNY to achieve one case of cough resolution. When the willingness-to-pay threshold ranged from 0 to 50,000 CNY, the probability of economic advantage was consistently higher in the exposure group than in the non-exposure group. ConclusionOn the basis of conventional western medicine, the addition of CHM in accordance with the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol can effectively improve clinical symptoms, reduce inflammatory markers, promote clinical recovery, and is more cost-effective in treating adults with non-severe CAP.
2.Efficacy and Economic Evaluation of Weishi Qingjin Formula (苇石清金方)in the Treatment of Adult Community-Acquired Pneumonia with Phlegm-Heat Obstructing the Lung Syndrome:A Multicenter Retrospective Real-World Cohort Study
Yeqing JI ; Ye MA ; Zhichao WANG ; Fanchao FENG ; Mingzhi PU ; Hong LYU ; Xiaodong HU ; Gaohua FENG ; Xiaoqian FANG ; Guicai ZHANG ; Yanfen TANG ; Yeqing ZHANG ; Yao ZHUFU ; Wenpan PENG ; Hao WANG ; Cheng GU ; Zhichao ZHANG ; Shuang YANG ; Xinyu SUN ; Qi ZHAO ; Aojie GUO ; Xin TONG ; Zhuoyue WU ; Xiaoxiao WANG ; Jia LIU ; Hailang HE ; Xianmei ZHOU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):975-984
ObjectiveTo observe the real‑world effectiveness and economic outcomes of Weishi Qingjin Formula (苇石清金方, WQF) in the treatment of adult community‑acquired pneumonia (CAP) with phlegm‑heat obstructing the lung syndrome. MethodsBased on a multicenter, real-world retrospective cohort study, clinical data were collected from hospitalized adult patients diagnosed with non‑severe CAP and phlegm‑heat obstructing the lung syndrome in 10 traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospitals in Jiangsu province. Patients were divided into an exposure group (those who received oral WQF) and a non‑exposure group (those who did not). The following outcomes were compared between the two groups before and after treatment, which were remission rates of clinical symptoms including cough, expectoration (sputum volume, color, consistency), and chest pain, levels of inflammatory markers including C‑reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count (WBC), and the rate of pulmonary inflammatory absorption on chest CT. Subgroup analyses were performed based on age, gender, smoking status, presence of hypertension, and the severity of community-acquired pneumonia (CURB‑65) score, comparing the two groups in terms of cough remission rate, chest pain remission rate, and chest CT absorption rate. For health economic evaluation, cost‑effectiveness analysis was used to calculate the cost‑effectiveness ratio (CER) and incremental cost‑effectiveness ratio (ICER). Univariate sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were performed to test the robustness of the results. ResultsA total of 647 patients in the exposure group and 1491 patients in the non-exposure group were included in the final statistical analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in length of hospital stay, gender, marital status, smoking history, bronchoscopy history, and comorbidities between the groups (P>0.05), but age, CURB-65 score, and antibiotic use. The exposure group had significantly higher remission rates of cough and sputum consistency than the non-exposure group (P<0.05). After adjusting for confounders using propensity score matching and logistic regression, the cough remission rate in the exposure group was 1.49 times that of the non-exposure group (P<0.01). No significant difference was observed between groups in the reduction rates of CRP and WBC, and in the rate of pulmonary inflammatory absorption on chest CT (P>0.05). Subgroup analyses revealed that the cough remission rate in the exposure group was significantly better than that in the non-exposure group except for patients aged ≥65 years, smokers, hypertensive patients, those using other type antibiotics or not using antibiotics, and those with a CURB-65 score ≥1 (P<0.05). Among smokers, the chest pain remission rate in the exposure group was 4.38 times that of the non-exposure group (P<0.01). No significant difference in chest CT absorption rate was found between groups across subgroups of gender, age, hypertension status, or antibiotic type (P>0.05). In terms of economic evaluation, CER was 10,877.60 CNY/case in the exposure group and 16,773.10 CNY/case in the non-exposure group. Compared to the exposure group, the non-exposure group incurred an additional 15,034.26 CNY to achieve one case of cough resolution, indicating a more favorable cost-effectiveness profile. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis yielded results consistent with the cost-effectiveness analysis, confirming the robustness of the findings. ConclusionWQF demonstrates significant efficacy in improving cough symptoms in the treatment of adult CAP with phlegm-heat obstructing the lung syndrome, and also exhibits favorable economic benefits.
3.Clinical Efficacy and Economic Evaluation of 1293 Non-Severe Adult Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia Treated by the Jiangsu Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Dominant Diseases:A Multicenter,Retrospective Real-World Cohort Study
Ye MA ; Yeqing JI ; Zhichao WANG ; Fanchao FENG ; Mingzhi PU ; Hong LYU ; Xiaodong HU ; Gaohua FENG ; Xiaoqian FANG ; Guicai ZHANG ; Yanfen TANG ; Yeqing ZHANG ; Yao ZHUFU ; Wenpan PENG ; Hao WANG ; Cheng GU ; Zhichao ZHANG ; Shuang YANG ; Xinyu SUN ; Qi ZHAO ; Aojie GUO ; Xin TONG ; Zhuoyue WU ; Xiaoxiao WANG ; Jia LIU ; Hailang HE ; Xianmei ZHOU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):966-974
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and economic value of the Jiangsu Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Dominant Diseases (abbreviated as the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol) in adult patients with non-severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) based on real-world clinical data. MethodsA retrospective real-world cohort study was conducted using electronic medical records of adult patients hospitalized for non-severe CAP from September 1st, 2023 to December 31st, 2024 across 10 TCM hospitals in Jiangsu province. Patients were classified into an exposure group and a non-exposure group based on whether they received Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) according to the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol. The non-exposure group received only conventional western medicine, while the exposure group additionally received differentiated CHM for at least five consecutive days. Outcomes were compared between two patient groups, including cough resolution rate, sputum resolution rate (assessed by volume, color, and consistency), incidence of abnormal C-reactive protein (CRP), incidence of abnormal white blood cell (WBC) count, and radiographic resolution rate of pulmonary infiltrates on chest imaging. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors influencing clinical efficacy. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to age, gender, smoking status, history of hypertension, and pneumonia severity score (CURB-65), and the efficacy of treatment for cough and sputum was analyzed within each subgroup. Cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted using cough resolution rate as the outcome measure, evaluating the pharmacoeconomics of the two groups. ResultsA total of 1688 patients were included with 1293 in the exposure group and 395 in the non-exposure group. Compared to the non-exposure group, the exposure group demonstrated significantly higher resolution rates of cough, sputum volume, color, and consistency, as well as a significantly lower incidence of abnormal CRP (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of abnormal WBC count and radiographic resolution rate of pulmonary infiltrates (P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the cough resolution rate in the exposure group was 1.83 times that of the non-exposure group, while the probabilities of resolution in sputum volume, color, and consistency were 1.37, 2.09, and 1.56 times those of the non-exposure group, respectively (P<0.05). Subgroup analyses showed that the exposure group achieved significantly higher cough resolution rates across most subgroups except for populations with a CURB-65 score ≥2 or those with a history of hypertension (P<0.05). Specifically, among females, patients aged ≥18 and <65 years, non-smokers, those without hypertension, and those with a CURB-65 score of 0, the exposure group showed a higher cough resolution rate than the non-exposure group (P<0.05). From an economic perspective, total hospitalization cost, length of stay, antibiotic cost, and CHM cost all differed significantly between groups (P<0.05). The cost-effectiveness ratio (CER) was 10,788.80 CNY/case in the exposure group, while 22,513.80 CNY/case in the non-exposure group. This implies that, compared with the exposure group, the non-exposure group incurred an additional 17,302.27 CNY to achieve one case of cough resolution. When the willingness-to-pay threshold ranged from 0 to 50,000 CNY, the probability of economic advantage was consistently higher in the exposure group than in the non-exposure group. ConclusionOn the basis of conventional western medicine, the addition of CHM in accordance with the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol can effectively improve clinical symptoms, reduce inflammatory markers, promote clinical recovery, and is more cost-effective in treating adults with non-severe CAP.
4.Efficacy and Economic Evaluation of Weishi Qingjin Formula (苇石清金方)in the Treatment of Adult Community-Acquired Pneumonia with Phlegm-Heat Obstructing the Lung Syndrome:A Multicenter Retrospective Real-World Cohort Study
Yeqing JI ; Ye MA ; Zhichao WANG ; Fanchao FENG ; Mingzhi PU ; Hong LYU ; Xiaodong HU ; Gaohua FENG ; Xiaoqian FANG ; Guicai ZHANG ; Yanfen TANG ; Yeqing ZHANG ; Yao ZHUFU ; Wenpan PENG ; Hao WANG ; Cheng GU ; Zhichao ZHANG ; Shuang YANG ; Xinyu SUN ; Qi ZHAO ; Aojie GUO ; Xin TONG ; Zhuoyue WU ; Xiaoxiao WANG ; Jia LIU ; Hailang HE ; Xianmei ZHOU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):975-984
ObjectiveTo observe the real‑world effectiveness and economic outcomes of Weishi Qingjin Formula (苇石清金方, WQF) in the treatment of adult community‑acquired pneumonia (CAP) with phlegm‑heat obstructing the lung syndrome. MethodsBased on a multicenter, real-world retrospective cohort study, clinical data were collected from hospitalized adult patients diagnosed with non‑severe CAP and phlegm‑heat obstructing the lung syndrome in 10 traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospitals in Jiangsu province. Patients were divided into an exposure group (those who received oral WQF) and a non‑exposure group (those who did not). The following outcomes were compared between the two groups before and after treatment, which were remission rates of clinical symptoms including cough, expectoration (sputum volume, color, consistency), and chest pain, levels of inflammatory markers including C‑reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count (WBC), and the rate of pulmonary inflammatory absorption on chest CT. Subgroup analyses were performed based on age, gender, smoking status, presence of hypertension, and the severity of community-acquired pneumonia (CURB‑65) score, comparing the two groups in terms of cough remission rate, chest pain remission rate, and chest CT absorption rate. For health economic evaluation, cost‑effectiveness analysis was used to calculate the cost‑effectiveness ratio (CER) and incremental cost‑effectiveness ratio (ICER). Univariate sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were performed to test the robustness of the results. ResultsA total of 647 patients in the exposure group and 1491 patients in the non-exposure group were included in the final statistical analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in length of hospital stay, gender, marital status, smoking history, bronchoscopy history, and comorbidities between the groups (P>0.05), but age, CURB-65 score, and antibiotic use. The exposure group had significantly higher remission rates of cough and sputum consistency than the non-exposure group (P<0.05). After adjusting for confounders using propensity score matching and logistic regression, the cough remission rate in the exposure group was 1.49 times that of the non-exposure group (P<0.01). No significant difference was observed between groups in the reduction rates of CRP and WBC, and in the rate of pulmonary inflammatory absorption on chest CT (P>0.05). Subgroup analyses revealed that the cough remission rate in the exposure group was significantly better than that in the non-exposure group except for patients aged ≥65 years, smokers, hypertensive patients, those using other type antibiotics or not using antibiotics, and those with a CURB-65 score ≥1 (P<0.05). Among smokers, the chest pain remission rate in the exposure group was 4.38 times that of the non-exposure group (P<0.01). No significant difference in chest CT absorption rate was found between groups across subgroups of gender, age, hypertension status, or antibiotic type (P>0.05). In terms of economic evaluation, CER was 10,877.60 CNY/case in the exposure group and 16,773.10 CNY/case in the non-exposure group. Compared to the exposure group, the non-exposure group incurred an additional 15,034.26 CNY to achieve one case of cough resolution, indicating a more favorable cost-effectiveness profile. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis yielded results consistent with the cost-effectiveness analysis, confirming the robustness of the findings. ConclusionWQF demonstrates significant efficacy in improving cough symptoms in the treatment of adult CAP with phlegm-heat obstructing the lung syndrome, and also exhibits favorable economic benefits.
5.Traditional Chinese medicine improves synaptic plasticity in Alzheimer's disease: A review of experimental studies
Shan HE ; Xinyu YANG ; Junhe SHI ; Wenxuan CHEN ; Hui PEI ; Hao LI ; Lina MA
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(1):1-9
Abnormal synaptic plasticity is an early pathological feature of Alzheimer disease (AD). Synaptic damage and dysfunction initiate neuronal degeneration and death, ultimately leading to cognitive impairment. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can effectively ameliorate cognitive dysfunction through multitarget regulation of synaptic plasticity. This review summarizes the mechanisms by which TCM, including active components, single herbs, and classical formulas, modulates synaptic plasticity, offering new insights for future research and clinical applications. Relevant experimental studies published between 2020 and 2024 were retrieved from major databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the National Science and Technology Library, Wanfang Data, Elsevier, ScienceDirect, PubMed, SpringerLink, and Web of Science. Network pharmacology and bioinformatics approaches were used to predict the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of TCM on AD-related synaptic plasticity. In total, 15 TCM single herbs and 11 TCM formulas were identified as enhancing AD-related synaptic plasticity. Additionally, 15 active ingredients targeting synaptic plasticity in AD were retrieved from TCM databases over the past decade. This review provides novel perspectives and strategic directions for future AD research and therapeutic development.
6.Mechanism of Bushen huoxue formula in improving pregnancy outcomes in mice with antiphospholipid antibody-related recurrent spontaneous abortion
Yongmei HAN ; Tianwei CUI ; Jundan XIE ; Xinyu HE ; Yuting GONG ; Manman WANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(11):1408-1415
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of Bushen huoxue formula in improving pregnancy outcomes in mice with antiphospholipid antibody-related recurrent spontaneous abortion (aPL-RSA). METHODS SPF female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal control group, adjuvant control group, model group, and Bushen huoxue formula group. The aPL-RSA mouse model was established by immunization with β 2 glycoproteinⅠcombined with Freund’s adjuvant. From gestational day 0, the Bushen huoxue formula group was administered 1.653 6 g/(kg·d) of the prescription by gavage, while the other three groups received an equal volume of normal saline, twice daily for 15 consecutive days. The uterine appearance of pregnant mice was observed; individual embryo weight was recorded, and the embryo resorption rate was calculated. The proportion of activated CD41 + CD62p + platelets in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was detected. Serum levels of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and platelet factor 4 (PF4) were measured. Morphological changes of placental tissue were observed. The cell apoptosis rate of placental tissue was detected. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) content, tot al superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity, the interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18, the protein expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), MMP-9, nuclear proliferation antigen-67 (Ki67), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), and caspase-1, as well as the mRNA expressions of superoxide dismutase 2(SOD2), NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1 of placental tissue were detected. RESULTS Compared with the normal control group and adjuvant control group, the model group showed significant decreases in individual embryo weight, T-SOD activity of placental tissue, and relative expression levels of SOD2 mRNA and protein ( P <0.05); while significant increases were observed in embryo resorption rate, proportion of activated CD41 + CD62p + platelets in PRP, serum levels of TXB2 and PF4, placental cell apoptosis rate, MDA content in placental tissue, relative protein expressions of MMP-3, MMP-9 and Ki67, relative protein and mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1 as well as IL-1β and IL-18 levels ( P <0.05). The model group also exhibited irregular uterine morphology with localized atrophy in some uterine horns; placental tissue showed fragmentation of decidual cells, extensive vacuolization and necrosis of trophoblast cells in the labyrinthine zone, accompanied by vascular reduction. After intervention with Bushen huoxue formula, the above indicators were significantly reversed ( P <0.05), and uterine morphology and pathological damage were markedly improved. CONCLUSIONS Bushen huoxue formula can effectively improve pregnancy outcomes in aPL-RSA model mice, and its mechanism may be closely related to inhibiting platelet activation, reducing oxidative stress injury, enhancing trophoblast cell function, and suppressing the inflammatory response mediated by the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.
7.Prediction of Mismatch Repair Deficiency Status in Endometrial Cancer Using Multiparametric MRI Radiomics and Deep Learning: A Multimodal Model with Preliminary Validation
Liru WANG ; Shangying YANG ; Boyu CHEN ; Fuze CONG ; Xinran LI ; Xinyu LIU ; Huadan XUE ; Zhengyu JIN ; Yang XIANG ; Yonglan HE ; Yuan LI
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(4):976-984
To explore the clinical value of a multimodal predictive model based on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) radiomics combined with deep learning(DL) features for the preoperative noninvasive assessment of mismatch repair-deficient(MMRd) status in endometrial cancer(EC). Patients diagnosed with EC at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2015 to December 2021 were retrospectively enrolled and randomly divided into a training set and a validation set at a ratio of 8∶2. Relevant clinical data were collected, and radiomics features and DL features were extracted from preoperative contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging(CE-T1WI), fat-suppressed T2-weighted imaging(fs-T2WI), and diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI) sequences. High-dimensional feature selection and dimensionality reduction were performed sequentially using the recursive feature elimination(RFE) algorithm to generate a radiomics score(Rad-score) and a deep learning score(DL-score), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression was utilized to construct a clinical model, a pure radiomics model, a clinical-radiomics model, and an integrated multimodal model incorporating clinical indicators, Rad-score, and DL-score. Model performance was assessed and compared using area under receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC) and DeLong test. A total of 509 patients were enrolled in this study, comprising 413 in the training cohort and 96 in the validation cohort. Independent predictors: Multivariate analysis indicated that preoperative fasting blood glucose level, histological grade, lymph node metastasis status, Rad-score, and DL-score were all independent significant predictors of MMRd status in EC patients. The integrated multimodal model demonstrated optimal predictive performance with an AUC of 0.699(95% CI: 0.635-0.763) in the training set, which was superior to the clinical model(AUC=0.629, 95% CI: 0.561-0.697) and the pure radiomics model(AUC=0.641, 95% CI: 0.575-0.706). In the validation set, the integrated model maintained good generalizability, achieving an AUC of 0.655(95% CI: 0.535-0.775), and its diagnostic efficacy was higher than that of the clinical model(AUC=0.578, 95% CI: 0.450-0.705) and the pure radiomics model(AUC=0.611, 95% CI: 0.488-0.734). According to the DeLong test, the incorporation of DL features resulted in the clinicalradiomicsdeep learning model performing better than both the clinicalonly model( The initially developed clinical-radiomics-deep learning model exhibits a certain predictive potential for the MMRd status in patients with EC. The inclusion of DL features may help complement the limitations of traditional evaluations, offering a preliminary radiological reference for preoperative non-invasive screening. However, given the current diagnostic performance, its overall accuracy and clinical generalizability warrant further validation in multi-center, large-sample external cohort studies.
8.Ethical challenges and governance pathways of doctor digital twins
Da HE ; Yingting LI ; Xinyu ZHANG ; Chunhua YANG ; Jing XIE
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(9):1144-1151
Doctor digital twins, as a significant innovative form within the medical metaverse, integrate technologies such as large language models, natural language processing and multimodal learning. They can simulate doctors’ appearance, language style, and certain clinical reasoning, realizing diverse applications such as medical knowledge dissemination, intelligent consultation, health management, and medical education. While enhancing the accessibility and intelligence of healthcare services, doctor digital twins also give rise to multidimensional ethical challenges, such as data security and privacy breaches, algorithmic black box and bias, a crisis of doctor-patient trust, weakening of doctors’ subjectivity, and ambiguities in legal responsibility. This paper systematically reviewed the core concepts and current application status of doctor digital twins, constructing a tripartite analytical dimension centered on “technology, doctor-patient relationship, and law.” It focused on pivotal ethical issues encountered in practical application, including data security, patient informed consent and trust, legal responsibility delineation, and others. These aimed to provide ethical guidance and theoretical support for the sustainable development of doctor digital twins, promote the deep integration of smart healthcare and humanistic care, as well as contribute to building a safer, more trustworthy, and sustainable intelligent healthcare system.
9.Chinese expert consensus on the application of jejunal interposition for esophageal reconstruction in complex esophageal cancer surgery (2026 edition)
Wenshu CHEN ; Lilan ZHAO ; Zhaoxian LIN ; Debin OU ; Zhigang LI ; Chengchu ZHU ; Longqi CHEN ; Shuoyan LIU ; Xiangnan LI ; Chao CHENG ; Ni ZHANG ; Songping XIE ; Xufeng GUO ; Xu LI ; Xinyu MEI ; Xuefeng LENG ; Jianqun MA ; Zhijun HUANG ; Guojun GENG ; Lin ZHANG ; Hongyan WANG ; Yi ZHANG ; Weijie WANG ; Jiangbo LIN ; Jinbiao XIE ; Jun GUAN ; Rongqi HE ; Xing LIN ; Xiuhua TU ; Yong LI ; Lijie TAN ; Xiaojie PAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(10):1527-1543
Objective Jejunal interposition is an important option for restoring gastrointestinal continuity in patients with complex esophageal cancer in whom the stomach is unavailable for reconstruction due to previous gastrectomy, tumor involvement, failed gastric conduit, or other constraints. Although the jejunum offers a caliber similar to the esophagus, a rich blood supply, and preserved peristaltic function, anatomical variations in mesenteric length and vascular arcades render long-segment and high-level reconstruction susceptible to excessive tension, mesenteric torsion, venous congestion, and inadequate distal perfusion. This consensus aims to provide standardized recommendations for the application of jejunal interposition in this specific patient population. Methods This consensus was developed in accordance with the WHO Handbook for Guideline Development and Chinese national guideline development standards, with reference to the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation Ⅱ(AGREE Ⅱ), Reporting Items for Practice Guidelines in Healthcare (RIGHT), and Scientific, Transparent and Applicable Rankings (STAR) checklists. The project was registered on the international practice guidelines registry platform (PREPARE-2026CN1384). The working group systematically searched Chinese and English evidence addressing 12 clinical questions. Evidence was graded using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM) 2009 system, with structured appraisal of risk of bias, inconsistency, indirectness, and imprecision. Recommendations were formulated through two rounds of Delphi surveys and a face-to-face consensus meeting, with an agreement threshold of ≥75%. Results The consensus generated 12 recommendations covering indications, selection between jejunum and colon, preoperative assessment, surgical approach and reconstruction route, pedicled jejunal interposition (PJI), supercharged pedicled jejunal interposition (SPJ), indocyanine green (ICG) perfusion assessment, perioperative nutrition, management of anastomotic leakage, long-term follow-up, and special treatment scenarios. Given that the available direct evidence is predominantly derived from single-center retrospective cohorts and case series, recommendations extrapolated from general esophagectomy or other gastrointestinal surgical evidence are deliberately phrased with caution. Conclusion Jejunal interposition is a safe and effective approach for digestive tract reconstruction in patients with complex esophageal cancer in whom the stomach is unavailable. This consensus emphasizes that clinical decision-making should be individualized based on the patient's prior treatment history, reconstruction height, vascular anatomy, technical availability, and institutional experience in the Chinese context.
10.Effects of Zuogui Pill (左归丸) Decoction on Cerebral Perfusion and Corticospinal Tract Remodeling in Patients With Ischemic Stroke of the Liver-Kidney Yin Deficiency Syndrome
Xinyu XU ; Dan WU ; Xiaohui YAN ; Hao HUA ; Siqi MEI ; Zihan ZHOU ; Jinglin ZHAO ; Shiyu HE ; Xiaoyu FEI ; Yangfan LIU ; Yue SU ; Li LI ; Wenlei LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(21):2302-2310
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Zuogui Pill (左归丸,ZGP) decoction on neurological function, motor function, and activities of daily living in patients with ischemic stroke (IS) of liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome, and to assess its potential mechanisms from the perspectives of cerebral perfusion and corticospinal tract (CST) remodeling. MethodsA total of 108 patients with IS of liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome and onset time ≤14 days were enrolled and randomly divided into a control group and a treatment group, with 54 cases in each group. The control group received conventional western medicine, while the treatment group received ZGP decoction (one dose per day) in addition to the conventional treatment. Both groups were treated for 90 days. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), modified Barthel Index (MBI), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), and Chinese medicine syndrome score (CMS) were evaluated before treatment and after (90±3) days of treatment. Three-dimensional arterial spin labeling (3D-ASL) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were performed to obtain ipsilesional cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the unaffected and affected hemispheres, relative CBF (rCBF), and fractional anisotropy (FA) of the CST. Nodal analysis of FA values along the CST was also conducted. Correlation analysis was used to assess the relationships between post-treatment cerebral perfusion parameters (CBF and rCBF), and FA values with clinical neurological function scores. ResultsAfter treatment, both groups showed significantly decreased NIHSS, mRS and CMS scores, together with significantly increased FMA and MBI scores (P<0.01). Intergroup comparison showed that NIHSS, mRS, and CMS scores in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group , while MBI and FMA scores were significantly higher (P<0.01). The 3D-ASL results revealed that CBF and rCBF values in the affected hemisphere significantly increased in both groups after treatment, and the treatment group had significantly higher values (P<0.01). DTI showed that the FA value of the CST on the affected side in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group after treatment (P<0.05). Nodal analysis along the CST further demonstrated that the continuity of FA values at lesion-related nodes 45~99 in the treatment group was significantly better than that in the control group (P<0.01), with significant increases at nodes 65~71 and 76~81 compared with baseline (P<0.05 or P<0.01), whereas the control group showed a decreasing trend at nodes 80~93 (P<0.05). Correlation analysis indicated that CBF and rCBF values in the affected hemisphere were negatively correlated with NIHSS and mRS scores and positively correlated with MBI score (P<0.05). FA value of the CST on the affected side, both before and after treatment, were negatively correlated with NIHSS score and positively correlated with FMA score (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionZGP decoction can effectively improve neurological function, motor function, and activities of daily living in IS patients with liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome, and its mechanism may be related to enhanced cerebral perfusion in the affected hemisphere and corticospinal tract structural remodeling.

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