1.Exploring on Quality Evaluation Methods of Clinical Case Reports in Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on China Clinical Cases Library of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Kaige ZHANG ; Feng ZHANG ; Bo ZHOU ; Haimin CHEN ; Yong ZHU ; Changcheng HOU ; Liangzhen YOU ; Weijun HUANG ; Jie YANG ; Guoshuang ZHU ; Shukun GONG ; Jianwen HE ; Yang YE ; Yuqiu AN ; Chunquan SUN ; Qingjie YUAN ; Buman LI ; Xingzhong FENG ; Kegang CAO ; Hongcai SHANG ; Jihua GUO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Zhining TIAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):271-276
As the core vehicle for preserving and transmitting traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) academic thought and clinical experience, the establishment of a robust quality evaluation system for TCM clinical case reports is a crucial component in the current standardization and modernization of TCM. Based on the practical experience of constructing the China Clinical Cases Library of Traditional Chinese Medicine by the China Association of Chinese Medicine, this study conducted a comprehensive analysis of critical challenges, including insufficient authenticity and unfocused evaluation criteria. It proposed a three-dimensional evaluation framework grounded in the structure-process-outcome logic, encompassing three dimensions of authenticity and standardization, characteristics and advantages, application and translational impact. This framework integrated 12 key evaluation indicators in a systematic manner. The model preserved the academic characteristics of TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment, while aligning with modern scientific research standards, achieving a balance between individualized TCM experience and standardized evaluation. Concurrently, this study provided theoretical foundations and methodological guidance for evaluating the quality of TCM clinical cases, contributing significantly to the inheritance of TCM knowledge, evidence-based practice, and the reform of talent evaluation mechanisms.
2.Mechanical Loading Improves Qi-Blood Nourishment in "Sinew Wei (痿)"via Mitochondrial Regulation
Xili CHANG ; Sipeng HUANG ; Wuquan SUN ; Mengni SHI ; Chengheng YOU ; Min FANG ; Qingguang ZHU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(7):725-729
This study focuses on the core pathology of sinew wei (痿), which is mainly characterized by the fai-lure of qi and blood to nourish the sinews. A mechanical-biological response framework is constructed with mitochondria as a key component, explaining the modern interpretation of the disease location of sinew transmitting to qi and blood pathology. Mechanical loading, as a physical stress stimulus applied to the body, manifests primarily as passive loading formed by external forces such as massage, and active loading resulting from voluntary muscle contractions, such as dao yin (导引). Mechanical loading can regulate mitochondrial function through two pathways, mechanical signal transduction and metabolic demand-driven regulation. Skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction is regarded as the core microscopic basis of qi imbalance in sinew wei, highlighting the intrinsic connection between qi and mitochondrial energy metabolism, as well as between blood and microcirculatory efficiency. Accordingly, distinct regulatory patterns of mechanical loading are identified. Wei associated with qi stagnation may correspond to mitochondrial network fragmentation and can be treated by regulating qi through passive loading, such as tuina, to restore mitochondrial dynamics. In contrast, wei caused by qi deficiency is attributed to insufficient mitochondrial biogenesis and may be treated by tonifying qi through active loading, such as dao yin, to promote mitochondrial biogenesis. This framework reveals the biological differences in mitochondrial regulation induced by distinct mechanical loading modalities and provides a microscopic mechanism-based explanation for the principle of "treating the same disease with different methods" in sinew wei.
3.Efficacy of the dynamic changes of noninvasive indicators in evaluating clinical outcomes of metabolic associated fatty liver disease
Xiaowei AI ; Mengyang ZHANG ; Yameng SUN ; Hong YOU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):167-171
Histopathological examination is currently the gold standard for the diagnosis of metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD); however, due to its invasiveness, high risks, and low feasibility, application of noninvasive indicators in the staging and classification of MAFLD has become a research hotspot. This article systematically reviews the efficacy of dynamic changes in various noninvasive markers in reflecting histological changes and clinical outcome events in MAFLD patients, in order to provide theoretical support for dynamic monitoring and individualized management of the disease.
4.Protective effect of the active component DMDD from Averrhoa carambola root on myocardial injury in diabetic mice and its correlation with the NCOA4/FTH1/ATG8 axis
Yongxin CHEN ; Yuxuan LI ; Kailei GU ; Jiajun YOU ; Xiaohan SUN ; Jing MA ; Yanping ZHOU ; Xiaojie WEI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(9):1141-1147
OBJECTIVE To investigate the protective effect of 2-dodecyl-6-methoxy-2,5-diene-1,4-cyclohexanedione (DMDD), an active component from Averrhoa carambola root, on myocardial injury in diabetic mice based on the nuclear receptor coactivator 4/ferritin heavy chain 1/autophagy-related protein 8 (NCOA4/FTH1/ATG8) axis. METHODS The successfully modeled diabetic mice were randomly divided into model group and DMDD low-, medium-, and high-dose (12.5, 25, 50 mg/kg) groups, while an additional non-modeled control group was established, with 6 mice in each group. Each group received the corresponding drug solution or an equal volume of normal saline intragastically once daily for 21 consecutive days. After the administration, the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) were measured. Myocardial pathological changes, degree of fibrosis, and myocardial cell ultrastructure were observed. Myocardial cell death index and NCOA4 protein positive index were detected. The protein expression levels of NCOA4, FTH1, ATG8, solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) in cardiac tissue were measured. RESULTS Compared with model group, each DMDD group showed significant alleviation of cardiac pathological injury and varying degrees of improvement in the myocardial cell ultrastructure. The FBG and serum LDH and CK-MB levels, the myocardial cell death index and NCOA4 protein positive index,the protein expression levels of NCOA4, FTH1, and ATG8 in cardiac tissue were significantly decreased ( P <0.001), while the protein expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 were significantly increased ( P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS DMDD can reduce blood glucose levels, alleviate myocardial histopathological injury, and inhibit cell death in diabetic mice. The mechanism is associated with inhibiting excessive activation of the NCOA4/FTH1/ATG8 axis and reducing ferritinophagy.
5.Stage Evaluation of Cystic Duct Cancer
Yeseul KIM ; You-Na SUNG ; Haesung JUNG ; Kyung Jin LEE ; Daegwang YOO ; Sun-Young JUN ; HyungJun CHO ; Shin HWANG ; Woohyung LEE ; Seung-Mo HONG
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(2):528-538
Purpose:
Cystic duct cancers (CDCs) have been classified as extrahepatic bile duct cancers or gallbladder cancers (GBCs); however, it is unclear whether their clinical behavior is similar to that of distal extrahepatic bile duct cancers (DBDCs) or GBCs.
Materials and Methods:
T category of the CDCs was classified using current T category scheme of the GBCs and DBDCs, and clinicopathological factors were compared among 38 CDCs, 345 GBCs, and 349 DBDCs. We modified Nakata’s classifications (type 1, confined within cystic duct [CD]; combined types 2-4, extension beyond CD) and compared them.
Results:
No significant overall survival (OS) difference was observed between the patients with CDC, GBC, and DBDC. The T category of GBC staging was more accurate at distinguishing OS in patients with CDC than the DBDC staging. Patients with T3 CDC and GBC showed a significant OS difference when using the T category for GBC staging, while those with T1-T2 CDC and GBC showed no significant difference. In contrast, the T category of DBDC staging did not show any significant OS difference between patients with T1-T2 CDC and DBDC or T3 CDC and DBDC. Patients with type 1 CDC had significantly better OS than those with combined types.
Conclusion
Unlike GBCs and DBDCs, CDCs exhibit distinct clinicopathological characteristics. The OS is better when the CDC confines within the CD, compared to when it extends beyond it. Therefore, we propose a new T category scheme (T1, confined to CD; T2, invaded beyond CD) for better classifying CDCs.
6.The Oncogenic Role of TNFRSF12A in Colorectal Cancer and Pan-Cancer Bioinformatics Analysis
Chuyue WANG ; Yingying ZHAO ; You CHEN ; Ying SHI ; Zhiying YANG ; Weili WU ; Rui MA ; Bo WANG ; Yifeng SUN ; Ping YUAN
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(1):212-228
Purpose:
Cancer has become a significant major public health concern, making the discovery of new cancer markers or therapeutic targets exceptionally important. Elevated expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 12A (TNFRSF12A) expression has been observed in certain types of cancer. This project aims to investigate the function of TNFRSF12A in tumors and the underlying mechanisms.
Materials and Methods:
Various websites were utilized for conducting the bioinformatics analysis. Tumor cell lines with stable knockdown or overexpression of TNFRSF12A were established for cell phenotyping experiments and subcutaneous tumorigenesis in BALB/c mice. RNA-seq was employed to investigate the mechanism of TNFRSF12A.
Results:
TNFRSF12A was upregulated in the majority of cancers and associated with a poor prognosis. Knockdown TNFRSF12A hindered the colorectal cancer progression, while overexpression facilitated malignancy both in vitro and in vivo. TNFRSF12A overexpression led to increased nuclear factor кB (NF-κB) signaling and significant upregulation of baculoviral IAP repeat containing 3 (BIRC3), a transcription target of the NF-κB member RELA, and it was experimentally confirmed to be a critical downstream factor of TNFRSF12A. Therefore, we speculated the existence of a TNFRSF12A/RELA/BIRC3 regulatory axis in colorectal cancer.
Conclusion
TNFRSF12A is upregulated in various cancer types and associated with a poor prognosis. In colorectal cancer, elevated TNFRSF12A expression promotes tumor growth, potentially through the TNFRSF12A/RELA/BIRC3 regulatory axis.
7.Establishment of Local Diagnostic Reference Levels for Pediatric Neck CT at Nine University Hospitals in South Korea
Jisun HWANG ; Hee Mang YOON ; Jae-Yeon HWANG ; Young Hun CHOI ; Yun Young LEE ; So Mi LEE ; Young Jin RYU ; Sun Kyoung YOU ; Ji Eun PARK ; Seok Kee LEE
Korean Journal of Radiology 2025;26(1):65-74
Objective:
To establish local diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for pediatric neck CT based on age, weight, and water-equivalent diameter (WED) across multiple university hospitals in South Korea.
Materials and Methods:
This retrospective study analyzed pediatric neck CT examinations from nine university hospitals, involving patients aged 0–18 years. Data were categorized by age, weight, and WED, and radiation dose metrics, including volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length product, were recorded. Data retrieval and analysis were conducted using a commercially available dose-management system (Radimetrics, Bayer Healthcare). Local DRLs were established following the International Commission on Radiological Protection guidelines, using the 75th percentile as the reference value.
Results:
A total of 1159 CT examinations were analyzed, including 169 scans from Institution 1, 132 from Institution 2, 126 from Institution 3, 129 from Institution 4, 128 from Institution 5, 105 from Institution 6, 162 from Institution 7, 127 from Institution 8, and 81 from Institution 9. Radiation dose metrics increased with age, weight, and WED, showing significant variability both within and across institutions. For patients weighing less than 10 kg, the DRL for CTDIvol was 5.2 mGy. In the 10–19 kg group, the DRL was 5.8 mGy; in the 20–39 kg group, 7.6 mGy; in the 40–59 kg group, 11.0 mGy; and for patients weighing 60 kg or more, 16.2 mGy. DRLs for CTDIvol by age groups were as follows: 5.3 mGy for infants under 1 year, 5.7 mGy for children aged 1–4 years, 7.6 mGy for ages 5–9 years, 11.2 mGy for ages 10–14 years, and 15.6 mGy for patients 15 years or older.
Conclusion
Local DRLs for pediatric neck CT were established based on age, weight, and WED across nine university hospitals in South Korea.
8.Relationship between the length of service on an island and TCM constitution of stationed personnel
Yanlin MENG ; Wei GU ; Yanli YOU ; Weihong LI ; Shuyuan LI ; Jiahui CHEN ; Xin WANG ; Enze CUI ; Hongyi SUN ; Hubo CHEN ; Lina WANG
Journal of Navy Medicine 2025;46(2):111-115
Objective To investigate the relationship between stationing years of personnel on an island and their traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitution,thus providing a reference for adjusting the health status of stationed personnel,preventing and treating diseases.Methods Based on The Scale of Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire,TCM constitution of 734 personnel stationed on an island was investigated.Pearson χ2 method was used for data analysis.Results Of the 734 personnel stationed on an island 345(47.0%)were of the balanced constitution type and 389(53.0%)were of the biased constitution types.Among the people with biased constitution types,composite constitution accounted for 80.5%(313 people)and the simple accounted for the rest(19.5%,76 people).The top three types of the biased were dampness heat(15.2%),qi deficiency(14.0%),and yin deficiency(10.7%).The distribution of TCM constitution types was significantly different in terms of stationing years on the island(P<0.05).There was a significant difference in the balanced type and yin deficiency type between people with stationing time≤2 years and>8 years(P<0.05).There was a significant difference in qi deficiency type and qi depression type between people with stationing time≤2 years and>5 years(P<0.05).Compared to people with stationing time≤2 years,significant difference was found in yang deficiency type in people with stationing time ranging from 2 to 5 years and those with>8 years(P<0.05).There were significant differences in the phlegm dampness type,blood stasis type,and specific diathesis type between people with stationing time≤2 years and people with stationing time ranging from>2~5 years and>8 years(P<0.05).There were significant differences in the dampness heat type between people with stationing time≤2 years and people with stationing time ranging from>5~8 years and>8 years,between pepole with stationing time ranging from>2~5 years and people with stationing time>8 years(P<0.05).Conclusion The dampness heat type,qi deficiency type and yin deficiency type are common biased TCM constitution in personnel stationed on islands.The longer the time spent on islands,the greater the possibility of forming biased constitution.
9.Association between fibroblast growth factor 21 and chronic kidney disease in individuals with prediabetes:a prospective cohort study
Chulin HUANG ; Diaozhu LIN ; Lili YOU ; Wanting FENG ; Meng REN ; Li YAN ; Kan SUN
Journal of Chongqing Medical University 2025;50(11):1493-1499
Objective:To investigate the association between fibroblast growth factor 21(FGF21)and chronic kidney disease(CKD)in a prediabetic population by conducting a 4-year prospective cohort study among community-dwelling residents aged≥40 years in Guangzhou,China.Methods:A total of 1505 subjects who met the criteria for prediabetes and had complete baseline data were col-lected from the 2012 REACTION cohort,and they were followed up for 4 years to observe newly-onset CKD and the changes in urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio(UACR)and estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR).Results:Among the 1 505 subjects with predia-betes,142 reached the diagnostic criteria for CKD during follow-up,yielding an overall incidence rate of 9.43%(95%CI=7.895%-10.902%).According to baseline serum FGF21 level,the subjects were divided into Q1-Q4 groups,with the lowest level of FGF21 in the Q1 group,and the Q4 group had a significantly higher eGFR than the other groups(P<0.05).After a mean follow-up time of 4 years,UACR was increased by 0.87 mg/g(P<0.001)and eGFR was reduced by 4.8 mL/(min·1.73 m2)(P<0.001).After stratification by FGF21 quartiles,there were differences in the declines of eGFR across groups,with the lowest degree of reduction in the Q2 group.In the multivariate regression model,the serum level of FGF21 was significantly negatively associated with the onset of CKD.When FGF21 was analyzed as a continuous variable in the multivariate lo-gistic regression analysis,FGF21 was still significantly negatively associated with the risk of CKD,which was consistent with the re-sults of the quartile-based analysis.However,restricted cubic spline curves showed an L-shaped non-linear relationship between FGF21 level and the risk of CKD,i.e.,the incidence rate of CKD de-creased with the increase in FGF21 level,but when FGF21 level reached a certain threshold,the risk of CKD no longer changed with FGF21.The linear regression analysis showed that FGF21 was positively associated with UACR and eGFR.Conclusion:In this pro-spective cohort study,FGF21 level might be potentially associated with the future risk of CKD among adults with prediabetes,while fur-ther studies are needed to clarify related mechanisms and clinical value.
10.Establishment of Local Diagnostic Reference Levels for Pediatric Neck CT at Nine University Hospitals in South Korea
Jisun HWANG ; Hee Mang YOON ; Jae-Yeon HWANG ; Young Hun CHOI ; Yun Young LEE ; So Mi LEE ; Young Jin RYU ; Sun Kyoung YOU ; Ji Eun PARK ; Seok Kee LEE
Korean Journal of Radiology 2025;26(1):65-74
Objective:
To establish local diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for pediatric neck CT based on age, weight, and water-equivalent diameter (WED) across multiple university hospitals in South Korea.
Materials and Methods:
This retrospective study analyzed pediatric neck CT examinations from nine university hospitals, involving patients aged 0–18 years. Data were categorized by age, weight, and WED, and radiation dose metrics, including volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length product, were recorded. Data retrieval and analysis were conducted using a commercially available dose-management system (Radimetrics, Bayer Healthcare). Local DRLs were established following the International Commission on Radiological Protection guidelines, using the 75th percentile as the reference value.
Results:
A total of 1159 CT examinations were analyzed, including 169 scans from Institution 1, 132 from Institution 2, 126 from Institution 3, 129 from Institution 4, 128 from Institution 5, 105 from Institution 6, 162 from Institution 7, 127 from Institution 8, and 81 from Institution 9. Radiation dose metrics increased with age, weight, and WED, showing significant variability both within and across institutions. For patients weighing less than 10 kg, the DRL for CTDIvol was 5.2 mGy. In the 10–19 kg group, the DRL was 5.8 mGy; in the 20–39 kg group, 7.6 mGy; in the 40–59 kg group, 11.0 mGy; and for patients weighing 60 kg or more, 16.2 mGy. DRLs for CTDIvol by age groups were as follows: 5.3 mGy for infants under 1 year, 5.7 mGy for children aged 1–4 years, 7.6 mGy for ages 5–9 years, 11.2 mGy for ages 10–14 years, and 15.6 mGy for patients 15 years or older.
Conclusion
Local DRLs for pediatric neck CT were established based on age, weight, and WED across nine university hospitals in South Korea.

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