1.Incentive and constraint factors and optimization strategies for artificial intelligence application in pharmacy based on TAM-TOE-DOI integrated framework
Jian YANG ; Zhichu LI ; Weili ZHAO ; Xiaoyi YU ; Ming XU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(11):1478-1484
OBJECTIVE Identify the incentive and constraint factors of artificial intelligence (AI) application in the pharmaceutical field, and promote the application of AI in the field of pharmacy. METHODS Based on the technology acceptance model (TAM), technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework, and diffusion of innovation theory (DOI), a TAM-TOE-DOI integrated framework was constructed through a four-stage research process of “theoretical review → dimension mapping → mechanism integration → proposition development”. Combining the analytical pathways of the above three theories in AI application in pharmacy with the integration mechanisms and core propositions of the TAM-TOE-DOI, literature review and deductive reasoning were employed to systematically identify the incentive and constraint factors of AI application in pharmacy from three levels:micro (TAM), meso (TOE), and macro (DOI), and to propose optimization strategies. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS At the micro level, the efficiency transformation and quality improvement brought by AI technology were the main incentive factors for perceived usefulness, while technological complexity and algorithmic opacity were the main constraint factors for perceived ease of use. At the meso level, the completeness of technological infrastructure, the strength of top management support and innovation climate, as well as external institutional pressure and competitive driving forces were the core incentive factors, whereas scarcity of organizational resources and talent shortage were the main constraint factors. At the macro level, relative advantage and observability were typical incentive factors, while technological complexity was a typical constraint factor. China’s health administration, medical insurance authorities, and other relevant departments should coordinate efforts at the macro, meso, and micro levels to advance AI application in pharmacy: optimizing human-computer interaction and implementing tiered training programs at the micro level; reinforcing organizational support systems and capacity building at the meso level; dismantling data barriers and building social trust at the macro level. Differentiated implementation pathways should be developed for medical institutions at different tiers.
2.Umbrella decision-making model for diagnosis and treatment of elderly lung cancer patients: Construction and practice
Lunxu LIU ; Jian ZHOU ; Xiang DING ; Nan CHEN ; Jianxin XUE ; Xuelei MA ; Ye WANG ; Weiya WANG ; Liqing PENG ; Xin YOU ; Minggang SU ; Xu CHENG ; Jiao WANG ; Ning GE ; Deying KANG ; Yuchen HUANG ; Jinghan WANG ; Yu TONG ; Yaoxi ZHANG ; Jirong YUE ; Hu LIAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):833-839
With the accelerating trend of population aging, the number of elderly patients with lung cancer continues to rise, and the disease burden is becoming increasingly heavy. The clinical management of these patients faces severe challenges due to their decreased physiological reserve, complex comorbidities, and significant individual heterogeneity. Consequently, under traditional diagnosis and treatment models, doctors often struggle to identify the individualized risks of elderly patients in a timely and comprehensive manner, which can easily lead to decision biases such as undertreatment or overtreatment. In view of this, this study advocates for the establishment of an umbrella decision-making model specifically tailored for elderly lung cancer patients. Grounded in a multidisciplinary team (MDT) platform, this model deeply integrates oncological indicators with the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) system. By holistically considering multidimensional variables including tumor burden, organ function, frailty index, cognitive status, and social support, the model establishes an operational mechanism characterized by "single entry, precise stratification, and targeted selection". Accordingly, patients can be scientifically triaged into distinct intervention tiers, such as active surveillance, minimally invasive surgery, drug therapy, radiotherapy, and best supportive care, thereby achieving real-time alignment between treatment intensity and patient fitness. This article elaborates on the construction logic and key operational procedures of this novel decision-making framework, aiming to guide clinical practice beyond the limitations of a tumor-centric perspective toward a holistic, dynamic, whole-course management strategy. This transition seeks to ensure optimal quality of life and clinical net benefit for elderly patients alongside survival prolongation.
3.Applications of Vaterite in Drug Loading and Controlled Release
Xiao-Hui SONG ; Ming-Yu PAN ; Jian-Feng XU ; Zheng-Yu HUANG ; Qing PAN ; Qing-Ning LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):162-181
Currently, the drug delivery system (DDS) based on nanomaterials has become a hot interdisciplinary research topic. One of the core issues is drug loading and controlled release, in which the key lever is carriers. Vaterite, as an inorganic porous nano-material, is one metastable structure of calcium carbonate, full of micro or nano porous. Recently, vaterite has attracted more and more attention, due to its significant advantages, such as rich resources, easy preparations, low cost, simple loading procedures, good biocompatibility and many other good points. Vaterite, gained from suitable preparation strategies, can not only possess the good drug carrying performance, like high loading capacity and stable loading efficiency, but also improve the drug release ability, showing the better drug delivery effects, such as targeting release, pH sensitive release, photothermal controlled release, magnetic assistant release, optothermal controlled release. At the same time, the vaterite carriers, with good safety itself, can protect proteins, enzymes, or other drugs from degradation or inactivation, help imaging or visualization with loading fluorescent drugs in vitro and in vivo, and play synergistic effects with other therapy approaches, like photodynamic therapy, sonodynamic therapy, and thermochemotherapy. Latterly, some renewed reports in drug loading and controlled release have led to their widespread applications in diverse fields, from cell level to clinical studies. This review introduces the basic characteristics of vaterite and briefly summarizes its research history, followed by synthesis strategies. We subsequently highlight recent developments in drug loading and controlled release, with an emphasis on the advantages, quantity capacity, and comparations. Furthermore, new opportunities for using vaterite in cell level and animal level are detailed. Finally, the possible problems and development trends are discussed.
4.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
5.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
6.Constructing and validation of a predictive model and application program for stone recurrence after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography based on machine learning algorithms in patients with common bile duct stones
Jian CHEN ; Kaijian XIA ; Fuli GAO ; Yu DING ; Ganhong WANG ; Xiaodan XU
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2025;48(5):452-460
Objective:To construct and validate a predictive model and application program for stone recurrence after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) based on machine learning algorithms in patients with common bile duct stones (CBDS).Methods:A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted, 862 CBDS patients underwent ERCP from June 2020 to September 2023 in Changshu First People′s Hospital (data set 1, 759 cases, including a training set of 588 cases and a validation set of 171 cases) and Changshu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (data set 2, 103 cases, used as a test set). The demographics, medical history, ERCP procedural records and laboratory indices were collected. All patients were followed up for 1 year, and the stone recurrence was recorded. In training set, the feature selection was conducted by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm, and a conventional Logistic regression model was constructed based on selected features. The 3 machine learning algorithms (gradient boosting machine model, extreme gradient boosting model and random forest model) and a conventional Logistic regression model (LASSO model) were trained to fit predictive models. The model performance was assessed by area under curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curve. The model interpretability was analyzed by feature importance evaluation, Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) and force plots. The best-performing model was deployed as an online application by Streamlit framework (V1.36.0).Results:Among the 862 patients, 158 patients (18.33%) developed stone recurrence after ERCP. There were no statistical difference in demographics, medical history, ERCP procedural records and laboratory indices between training set and a validation set ( P>0.05). LASSO regression analysis result showed that 6 key variables (in descending order of significance: endoscopic sphincterotomy, common bile duct angulation, stone diameter, stone count, common bile duct diameter, and periampullary diverticulum) influencing stone recurrence. ROC curve analysis result showed that the random forest model exhibited the highest predictive performance (it had the largest AUC of 0.900). SHAP analysis result showed that common bile duct angulation, common bile duct diameter, stone diameter, endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone count were the top 5 contributing factors in the random forest model. Using Python, the random forest model was implemented into a Streamlit-based application with a user-friendly visual interface, providing predictive outcomes, confidence levels, SHAP force diagram and health recommendations. In the test set, the application program achieved an accuracy of 84.5% (87/103), sensitivity of 82.6% (19/23), and specificity of 85.0% (68/80). SHAP plots and force diagram intuitively illustrated the impact of key features on stone recurrence prediction, offering a clear visualization of each variable′s role within the model. Conclusions:The predictive model and application program based on the random forest machine learning algorithms demonstrate excellent predictive performance and practical usability in predicting stone recurrence after ERCP in patients with CBDS.
7.Efficacy and Safety of Juan Bi Pill with Add-on Methotrexate in Active Rheumatoid Arthritis: A 48-Week, Multicentre, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
Qing-Yun JIA ; Yi-Ru WANG ; Da-Wei SUN ; Jian-Chun MAO ; Luan XUE ; Xiao-Hua GU ; Xiang YU ; Xue-Mei PIAO ; Hao XU ; Qian-Qian LIANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(2):99-107
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the efficacy and safety of Juan Bi Pill (JBP) in treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
METHODS:
From February 2017 to May 2018, 115 participants from 4 centers were randomly divided into JBP group (57 cases) and placebo group (58 cases) in a 1:1 ratio using a random number table method. Participants received a dose of JBP (4 g, twice a day, orally) combined with methotrexate (MTX, 10 mg per week) or placebo (4 g, twice a day, orally) combined with MTX for 12 weeks. Participants were required with follow-up visits at 24 and 48 weeks, attending 7 assessment visits. Participants were undergo disease activity assessment 7 times (at baseline and 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 weeks) and safety assessments 6 times (at baseline and 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 weeks). The primary endpoint was 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28-ESR and DAS28-CRP). The secondary endpoints included American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for 20% and 50% improvement (ACR20/50), Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), clinical disease activity index (CDAI), visual analog scale (VAS), Short Form-36 (SF-36) score, Medial Outcomes Study (MOS) sleep scale score, serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), tender joint count, swollen joint count, and morning stiffness. The adverse reactions were observed during the treatment.
RESULTS:
After 12 weeks of treatment, DAS28-ESR and DAS28-CRP scores in both groups were lower than before treatment (both P<0.01), while the remission rate of DAS28-ESR and DAS28-CRP and low disease activity of JBP group were higher than those in the placebo group (both P<0.01). JBP demonstrated better efficacy on ACR20 and ACR50 compliance rate at 12 and 48 weeks comparing to placebo (all P<0.05). The CDAI and HAQ-DI score, pain VAS and global VAS change of RA patients and physicians, the serum ESR and CRP levels, and the number of tenderness and swelling joints were lower than before treatment at 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 weeks in both groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the reduction of above indices in the JBP group was more obvious than those in the placebo group at 12 weeks (ESR and CRP, both P<0.05) or at 12 and 48 weeks (all P<0.01). There was no difference in adverse reactions between the 2 groups during treatment (P=0.75).
CONCLUSION
JBP combined with MTX could effectively reduce disease activity in patients with RA in active stage, reduce the symptoms of arthritis, and improve the quality of life, while ensuring safety, reliability, and fewer adverse effects. (Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT02885597).
Humans
;
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy*
;
Methotrexate/adverse effects*
;
Female
;
Double-Blind Method
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects*
;
Drug Therapy, Combination
;
Adult
;
Antirheumatic Agents/adverse effects*
;
Aged
8.Advances in Lung Cancer Treatment: Integrating Immunotherapy and Chinese Herbal Medicines to Enhance Immune Response.
Yu-Xin XU ; Lin CHEN ; Wen-da CHEN ; Jia-Xue FAN ; Ying-Ying REN ; Meng-Jiao ZHANG ; Yi-Min CHEN ; Pu WU ; Tian XIE ; Jian-Liang ZHOU
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(9):856-864
9.Analysis of factors influencing the pain degree in patients with pancreatic cancer receiving CT-guided alcohol ablation of splanchnic nerves
Jin CHEN ; Yu ZHENG ; Minlu ZHOU ; Jian LIU ; Xiaomin LU ; Xiaoqing XU
Journal of Interventional Radiology 2025;34(7):730-735
Objective To analyze the efficacy of CT-guided alcohol ablation of splanchnic nerve block(SNB)in the treatment of pain in patients with pancreatic cancer,and to discuss the related factors influencing the effectiveness in treating pancreatic cancer pain.Methods The clinical data of patients with pancreatic cancer pain,who was unable to receive surgery and underwent CT-guided SNB at Hai'an People's Hospital from June 2018 to September 2023,were retrospectively analyzed.According to postoperative one-month VAS pain score and the used dosage of opioids,the improvement of pain was assessed.Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the demographic characteristics,tumor features,and pain-related factors so as to determine the predictive factors for effective analgesia after SNB,and the survival outcomes were compared between the patients with effective SNB analgesia and the patients with ineffective SNB analgesia.Results A total of 133 patients were included in this analysis.One week after SNB,74.4%of patients achieved effective pain relief,and one month after the procedure,54.9%of patients experienced effective pain relief.One month after treatment,multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the diabetes(OR=0.637,95%CI=0.397-0.876,P=0.034),serum CA199(OR=1.531,95%CI=1.030-2.370,P=0.042),serum MMP-1(OR=0.703,95%CI=0.457-0.983,P=0.038),preoperative ECOG score(OR=2.693,95%CI=1.234-6.609,P=0.021),and preoperative daily morphine consumption(OR=2.797,95%CI=1.148-6.695,P=0.019)were the independent predictive factors for achieving a good analgesic efficacy after SNB.Patients with poor analgesic outcomes after SNB had a significantly lower median survival time when compared to patients with good analgesic outcomes(82 days vs 149 days,P<0.05).No serious SNB-related adverse events occurred.Conclusion For the treatment of refractory pancreatic cancer pain,CT-guided SNB is clinically safe and effective.The diabetes,ECOG score,serum MMP-1 level,CA199 level,and preoperative daily used dosage of opioids are the independent predictive factors for the efficacy of CT-guided SNB in treating pancreatic cancer pain.
10.Efficacy of upper limb rehabilitation robot on elbow functional recovery after arthroscopic elbow joint release
Ping FANG ; Ye ZHANG ; Shiyang YU ; Yanmao WANG ; Shengdi LU ; Lihua HUANG ; Yiming XU ; Jian DING
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2025;45(13):872-878
Objective:To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of an upper limb rehabilitation robot on the recovery of elbow function recovery following arthroscopic elbow joint release.Methods:Seventy-two patients who underwent arthroscopic elbow joint release at Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital from December 2022 to December 2023 were recruited. All patients were randomly assigned to either the conventional group (n=36; 16 males, 20 females; age 34.39±9.04 years, range 24-56; fractures: 4 intercondylar humerus, 18 olecranon, 8 radial head, 6 other) which received conventional rehabilitation postoperatively, or the robot-assisted group (n=36; 18 males, 18 females; age 33.78±9.98 years, range 20-59; fractures distribution identical to the conventional group) receiving conventional rehabilitation combined with robot-assisted upper limb rehabilitation therapy. The active range of motion (ROM) of elbow joint, Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS), visual analogue scale (VAS) of elbow joint were recorded preoperatively and at 4 weeks and 3 months postoperatively. The surface electromyography were analyzed at 3 months postoperatively.Results:All patients completed the 3-month rehabilitation program. At 4 weeks postoperatively, the conventional group exhibited a mean active ROM of 106.78°±9.91°, MEPS of 67.78±7.68, VAS of 2.11±0.74; the robot-assisted group showed active ROM of 113.72°±7.06°, MEPS of 73.33±9.28, VAS of 21.89±0.46. By 3 months postoperatively, the conventional group achieved a mean active ROM of 118.11°±6.75°, MEPS of 85.00±8.66, VAS of 0.67±0.67; robot-assisted achieved a mean active ROM of 127.61°±6.61°, MEPS of 91.11±6.57, VAS of 0.39±0.49. Both groups exhibited significant improvements in active ROM and MEPS, and significant reductions in VAS scores at 4 weeks and 3 months postoperatively compared with preoperatively values ( P<0.05). The robot-assisted group demonstrated significantly higher active ROM and MEPS at both 4 weeks and 3 months postoperatively, and a significantly lower VAS score at 3 months postoperatively, compared with the conventional group ( P<0.05). Surface electromyography at 3 months revealed significantly higher biceps brachii root mean square and significantly lower co-contraction index in the robot-assisted group compared to the conventional group ( P<0.05). No adverse symptoms were reported in the treated elbows of either group during the operation and follow-up period. Conclusion:The integration of upper limb rehabilitation robot-assisted therapy and conventional rehabilitation program significantly enhances the recovery of elbow range of motion and functional outcomes at 3 months following arthroscopic elbow joint release.

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