1.Research progress on anti-inflammatory effects of traditional Chinese medicine under the guidance of syndrome differentiation and treatment
Jianing BAO ; Xiaonan ZHANG ; Xufeng TAO ; Hong XIANG ; Deshi DONG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(4):528-532
Inflammation is the body’s response to damage, infection or other stimuli, but its excessive or continuous development can lead to a variety of diseases. Although modern medical anti-inflammatory therapies were widely used, it is often accompanied by limitations such as more adverse reactions. Based on the “holistic view” and “differential treatment”, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) regards inflammation as a manifestation of the imbalance of yin and yang in the body and the conflict between good and evil. The application of anti-inflammatory TCM is not only aimed at the pathological state of “inflammation”, but also based on the overall consideration of “syndrome”. According to different types of syndrome, anti-inflammatory TCM can be divided into heat-clearing and detoxifying agents (such as Lonicera japonica and Isatis indigotica ), heat-clearing and drying dampness agents (such as Coptidis Rhizoma), blood-activating and stasis-dissolving agents (such as Salvia miltiorrhiza ) and vital qi-strengthening and pathogenic factor-expelling agents (such as Panax ginseng ). Four types of anti-inflammatory TCM restore the body’s immune balance through the systematic regulation of multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway, exhibiting a good anti-inflammatory effect. Future research should focus on integrating systematic biology, applying artificial intelligence, carrying out high-quality evidence-based research, and combining traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, so as to reveal the overall regulatory law of anti-inf lammatory effects of TCM and promote clinical rational use.
2.Julia Annas’developmental virtue ethics: enlightenment for the construction of medical ethics
Hongyao ZHAO ; Xufeng LU ; Shan ZHANG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(3):377-383
Medical ethics aims to address moral issues in medical practice. When analyzing the right and wrong in medicine, it emphatically interprets “what medicine ought to be” and focuses on how physicians should act correctly. Hence, highly directive ethical theories such as deontology and utilitarianism have become the fundamental theories for medical decision-making. Nevertheless, as the concentrated embodiment of medical ethical values, virtue ethics also constitutes an important component of medical ethics. Drawing on Julia Annas’s creative development of virtue ethics theories regarding “right action” and “right emotion,” which is based on the distinction between “virtue learners” and “virtue possessors,” this paper provides a new theoretical perspective and practical approach for bridging the divide between heteronomy and autonomy in medical ethics, enhancing the care for medical staff’s emotions in medical ethics education, and promoting mutual understanding and communication between physicians and patients.
3.Scoping review of medication-related risk factors for falls in older adults
Liyu QIN ; Xufeng LONG ; Hongya CAO ; Keyuan LIANG ; Mingmei HUANG ; Hongliang ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(7):960-964
OBJECTIVE To systematically review medication-related risk factors for falls in older adults, to provide references for ensuring medication safety among older adults. METHODS A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CNKI for relevant literature published from database inception to November 1, 2025. Relevant studies on medication-related falls in older adults, both domestic and international, were included. Drug factors influencing falls in older adults were summarized and analyzed. RESULTS A total of 22 studies were included. Four major classes of fall-risk-increasing drugs were identified: psychotropic medications [12 studies, odds ratio (OR) range 1.500-5.790], cardiovascular system drugs (5 studies, OR range 1.236-4.784), analgesics (3 studies, OR range 1.500-4.490), and hypoglycemic agents (3 studies, OR range 2.070-2.751). Additionally, anticholinergic burden (1 study, OR was 2.610) and polypharmacy (7 studies, OR range 2.902-25.897 for the use of ≥4 medications) were identified as significant risk factors for falls. CONCLUSIONS Falls in older adults are significantly associated with psychotropic medications, cardiovascular system drugs, analgesics, and hypoglycemic agents, among which psychotropic medications pose the highest risk. Anticholinergic burden and polypharmacy are also important risk factors. In clinical practice, interventions should be implemented through deprescribing and risk monitoring to effectively reduce the risk of falls in older adults.
4.Investigation of the association between air pollutants and the long-term risk of sudden cardiac death
Yue PAN ; Shui WANG ; Linghui JIANG ; Mengya LI ; Yifan WANG ; Juncheng DAI ; Xufeng CHEN ; Gang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2025;34(6):844-851
Objective:The association between air pollutants and the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between five air pollutants—PM 2.5, PM 2.5–10, PM 10, NO 2, and NO?—and the risk of SCD. Methods:We analyzed data from 460 862 participants in the UK Biobank cohort, all enrolled between 2006 and 2010, with no baseline SCD. Follow-up continued until the study endpoint. Annual average concentrations of the five pollutants were assessed. Associations between pollutants and SCD were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models, followed by Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess causality.Results:Over a mean follow-up of 12.4 years, 2 662 SCD cases were recorded. After adjusting for confounders, no significant associations were found between air pollutants and SCD risk: PM 2.5 ( HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.99–1.07, P = 0.14), PM 2.5–10 ( HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00–1.08, P = 0.08), PM 10 ( HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.99–1.03, P = 0.26), NO? ( HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.99–1.00, P = 0.26), and NO x ( HR 1.00, 95% CI 1.00–1.01, P = 0.19). MR analysis further supported the absence of causal relationships: PM 2.5 ( β = -0.149, P = 0.90), PM 2.5–10 ( β = 0.387, P = 0.62), PM 10 ( β = -0.994, P = 0.62), NO? ( β = –0.005, P = 0.99), and NO 2 ( β = –0.827, P = 0.25). Conclusions:This study found no evidence linking PM 2.5, PM 2.5–10, PM 10, NO?, or NO 2 to an increased risk of SCD. Mendelian randomization confirmed the lack of causal associations between these pollutants and SCD.
5.Application of emergency endoscope in patients suffering from acute gastrointestinal bleeding complicated with acute myocardial infarction: effectiveness, safety, and risk factors
Peng WU ; Yi ZHU ; Zhongman ZHANG ; Huazhong ZHANG ; Xufeng CHEN
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2025;34(7):959-963
Objective:Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) secondary to acute gastrointestinal bleeding (AGIB) is a common severe condition in emergency department. Currently, there is a lack of sufficient data regarding the use of emergency endoscopy in patients suffering from acute gastrointestinal bleeding (AGIB) complicated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The objective of this study is to examine the present status, effectiveness, and safety of emergency endoscopy in such patients, and to determine the factors that influence clinicians' decision-making regarding the use of emergency endoscopy.Methods:Clinical data of AGIB patients complicated with AMI who were admitted to the emergency department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2020 to June 2023 were respectively collected. Based on their survival status at discharge, patients were categorized into survival and non-survival groups. Additionally, according to whether emergency endoscopy was performed, patients were further classified into the emergency endoscopy group and the conventional treatment groupStabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting (SIPTW) and logistic regression analysis were used to explore the correlation between emergency endoscopy and prognosis. A paired wilcoxon test was used to analyze whether emergency endoscopy could worsen myocardial injury. A multiple logistic regression model was used to explore the factors influencing clinicians to make emergency endoscopic decisions.Results:A total of 106 patients with AMI secondary to AGIB were included, and 22 patients underwent emergency endoscopy. After weighing, logistic regression analysis showed that emergency endoscopy was a protective factor for patients' survival after discharge ( OR = 0.808, 95% CI: 0.6755-0.967, P = 0.022). In the emergency endoscopy group, there was no significant change in hypersensitive troponin T before and after emergency endoscopy [ 61.1 (35.4, 164.1) ng/L vs 69.8 (60.1, 159.5) ng/L, P = 0.078]. Previous history of coronary heart disease ( OR = 0.098, 95% CI: 0.015-0.381, P = 0.003) was an independent negative factor for emergency endoscopic decision-making. Glasgow Blatchford Score (GBS) on admission ( OR = 1.217, 95% CI: 1.019-1.482, P = 0.038) was an independent positive factor for emergency endoscopic decision-making. Conclusions:Emergency endoscopy is safe and effective in patients with AMI secondary to AGIB. GBS score and previous history of coronary heart disease were the main factors affecting emergency endoscopic decision-making.
6.Clinical evaluation of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in acute myocardial infarction with in-hospital cardiac arrest
Huazhong ZHANG ; Zhongman ZHANG ; Yong MEI ; Jinru LYU ; Deliang HU ; Feng SUN ; Wei LI ; Gang ZHANG ; Xufeng CHEN
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2025;34(11):1554-1559
Objective:To summarize the experience and effect of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA).Methods:The data of 70 patients with AMI-IHCA-ECPR in extracorporeal life support center of the first affiliated hospital of Nanjing medical university from January 2017 to December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were grouped by Survival/death at 90 days, with/without combined intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP). Age, sex, Charlson comorbidity index, initial rhythm, Gensini score, ECPR initial blood gas pH and lactate value, no-flow time, time from cardiac arrest to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) initiation (CA-Pump On time), ECMO treatment time, 90-day survival rate were analyzed.Results:Among the 70 patients with AMI-IHCA-ECPR, 22 (31.4%) patients survived at 90 days, of whom 19 (86.4%) patients had good neurological outcomes. About 50% of AMI-IHCA-ECPR patients had severe multi-vessel coronary artery lesions, and there was no significant difference in survival outcomes among different vascular lesions. In the IABP group, the success rate of ECMO withdrawal was low, the duration of ECMO treatment was long, and the combination of IABP did not reduce the mortality. Compared with the death group, the 90-day survival group had a lower Gensini score, a higher ECPR initial blood gas pH and a lower lactic acid value.Conclusions:AMI-IHCA-ECPR combined with IABP did not show significant survival benefits, and about 50% of patients had severe lesions of multiple coronary arteries. It is difficult to evaluate the prognosis based on a single offender vessel. It is recommended to evaluate the outcome of patients by quantification of the severity of coronary artery lesions by Gensini score.
8.Epidemiology and exposure management of rabies in Shanxi Province, 2011‒2022
Weimin ZHAO ; Guohua LI ; Yunong ZHANG ; Ting FAN ; Xuefen GAO ; Xufeng DONG
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(2):134-137
ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological features and influencing factors of rabies in Shanxi Province,and to provide evidence to further promote the elimination of rabies in Shanxi Province. MethodsThe incidence data of rabies in Shanxi from 2011 to 2022 were collected and subjected to descriptive analysis. ResultsFrom 2011 to 2022, a total of 348 rabies cases were reported in Shanxi Province, with an average annual incidence of 0.080 3/105. The incidence of rabies showed a downward trend overall. The highest incidence was in August. The cases were mainly farmers, mostly males, and most cases were reported between 50 and 69 years old. The data of cases showed that dogs were the main animals attacking human (93.96%). The incubation period of most cases was 1‒3 months (37.37%).The main exposure site was hand(51.33%). Only 2.66% cases with grade Ⅲ exposure were injected with passive immune agents. ConclusionThe incidence of rabies in Shanxi Province continues to decrease, but there are still loopholes in prevention and control measures. It is necessary to strengthen the management and immunization of dogs,health education, and standardized procedures after exposure to maintain the achievements in the prevention and control of rabies.
9.Effects of three sterilization methods on the magnetic flux of magnetic surgical devices and analysis of sterilization cost
Feng MA ; Aihua SHI ; Xiaoyan ZENG ; Fang BAI ; Ningxia JIA ; Hao XUE ; Fengling WANG ; Yan LI ; Xufeng ZHANG ; Yi LÜ ; Lingling SHI
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(4):669-673
Objective To analyze the effects of three sterilization methods,namely,pressure steam,low-temperature plasma and ethylene oxide,on the magnetic flux of magnetic surgical devices and their sterilization costs.Methods A total of 234 magnetic surgical devices of different specifications and models(magnetic rings)were randomly divided into Group A,Group B and Group C after the paired number was labelled,and each group consisted of 78 pieces(39 pairs).After packaging each pair of devices according to sterilization specifications,Group A was sterilized by pressure steam,Group B was sterilized by low-temperature plasma,and Group C was sterilized by ethylene oxide.We measured the magnetic flux of three sets of magnetic rings before and after sterilization,and comparatively analyzed the sterilization cost and sterilization time of the single package.Results There was no statistically significant difference in the impact of the three sterilization methods on the magnetic flux of the magnetic surgical devices(P>0.05),but there was a significant difference in the magnetic flux before and after sterilization for each sterilization method(P<0.001);the sterilization cost was(1.96±0.16)yuan for Group A,(23.17±0.32)yuan for Group B,and(8.16±0.18)yuan for Group C,showing statistically significant differences among the three groups(P<0.01).The sterilization time was(65.21±3.36)min for Group A,(45.46±1.39)min for Group B,and(1020.38±12.21)min for Group C,with statistically significant differences among the three groups(P<0.01).Conclusion None of the three sterilization methods affects the magnetic flux of the magnetic surgical devices.Pressure steam method shows the lowest cost of single package,low-temperature plasma method shows the highest cost of single package,while ethylene oxide method shows the highest sterilization time.Pressure steam should be the preferred sterilization method for magnetic surgical devices.
10.Methodology dilemma of Western bioethics and transcendent approach based on Confucian bioethics
Xufeng LU ; Dongli LIU ; Hongyao ZHAO ; Shan ZHANG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2024;37(12):1453-1458
Western bioethics,with its theoretical basis in individualism,is essentially a form of universalist ethics that makes it difficult to respond to the complexities of moral life.Scholars represented by Engelhardt and MacIntyre have profoundly reflected on universalist ethics from the perspective of moral pluralism,but they have not been able to fundamentally resolve the disputes.Grasping the theoretical lineage of the controversy between universalism and particularism can provide an important reference for the construction of bioethics based on Confucianism in contemporary China.Furthermore,from the perspective of opposing universalism and particularism,as well as in response to the issues of the era of life science and technology and the cultural background of China,it can not only realize the modern interpretation of Confucian ethics,but also promote the effective application of modern bioethics theory.

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